Eve saw that the tree was good for food, and she coveted the
wisdom it would bring her. She took and ate of its fruit, offering it to her
husband also. She and Adam realized their naked state and attempted to hide it from
God. Genesis 3:6-8
Cain saw that the Lord respected Abel’s offering and coveted
that respect. Cain took his brother, Abel’s life, and attempted to hide his sin
from God. Genesis 4:4-9
Joseph’s brothers saw that he was favored by their father
and by the Lord (Genesis 37:4-8) and coveted that favor (Genesis 37:11). They attempted
to take away that favor by selling him to Ishmaelite travelers. They killed a
goat, dipping Joseph’s tunic in the blood in order to hide their sin from their
father.
Achan, of the tribe of Judah, sinned before the Lord,
bringing defeat and death upon the Israelites. He saw among the spoils a
beautiful Babylonian garment, two hundred shekels of silver and a wedge of gold
weighing fifty shekels, coveted them, took them, and hid them. Joshua 7:21
David saw Bathsheba, (a married woman), bathing on the roof
of her house, and he coveted her beauty. He sent messengers to take her and then
slept with her, resulting in an unexpected pregnancy. He attempted to hide his
sin by orchestrating the murder of her husband and marrying her himself. 2Samuel 11
Are you seeing a pattern here? In each situation, the
individual/s saw, coveted, took, and hid.
It doesn’t appear that sin is something we ‘fall’ into, but
rather a series of conscious choices. It is an action that we have several
opportunities to change, and the first opportunity presents itself the moment
we lay eyes upon it. This is when we face two options: look upon it a little
longer, or turn the other way and get out of dodge! Should we choose to linger,
covetousness sets in and we must make a vital choice: give in to this desire
and take what we know is not ours, or flee the temptation and head in the opposite
direction (1 Timothy 6:11). If we give into desire, there remains a way of
escape: bring it into the light by confessing our sin. However, when we allow
sin to go this far, we begin to sear our conscience, and when our conscience is
seared, hiding sin becomes oh so easy and logical (1 Timothy 4:2).
Not only does sin involve seeing, coveting,
taking,
and hiding,
but also enticing others to sin with us (Genesis 3:6- She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate), casting
blame for our sin rather than taking responsibility for our action (Genesis 3:12,13- “The woman whom You gave to
be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I ate” and “The serpent deceived me
and I ate.”), and flat out lying about our sin when confronted
(Genesis 4:9 “I do not know. Am I my
brother’s keeper?”).
We all choose sin and we all fall short of God’s glory
(Romans 3:23). However, God offers grace to those who repent (Psalm 32:5).
Unlike Adam and Eve, who were merely afraid of being naked and found out by God
(Genesis 3:10), we must have a heart of true repentance, confessing our sin the
moment we are convicted by it, receiving forgiveness, and choosing
righteousness.
“Ifyou do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well,
sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it.” Genesis 4:7
She’s been yelling it through the house for weeks now. I’m
not sure what started it, or why she feels the need to remind me every
day, over, and over, and over again. Am I so
stressed and overwhelmed with life that my fourteen-year-old feels the need to
put things back into perspective for me? I certainly hope not! But, I welcome
these words!
“Everything’s gonna be okay, mom!”
From out of nowhere they smack me in the face, and instantly
I feel relief. What’s funny is that most of the time I don’t even realize my
stress. There I am, going about my daily duties, folding clothes, sweeping the
floor, driving the kids to school, and BAM- those words are thrown at me. It’s
at that moment that I feel the weight of
the world on my shoulders. It’s at that moment that I allow myself to exhale and relax. It’s at that moment
that I realize everything IS going to
be okay. EVERYTHING! And it’s at that
moment that I am incredibly thankful for
my fourteen-year-old! (Oh how I NEED to be thankful for her; to be reminded
of how precious she is and how much I need her.)
I love how God speaks to me- in so many ways. I love that He
allows me to be taught by the one I am obligated to teach. Doesn’t He know exactly
WHAT
to say, and exactly HOW to say it?! Only He knows that anyone else could say those exact
words to me, and they wouldn’t quite have the same effect.
The eyes of your understanding being
enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the
riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding
greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His
mighty power.
18. This is a continuation of Paul’s prayer for the
Ephesians and it proceeds fourteen verses of explanation regarding who they were
in Christ. Here, Paul talks of their understanding (which refers to their
feelings, desires, and thoughts) versus their knowledge (facts which
have definite meaning); what they feel as opposed to what they know.
So often my feelings, desires, and thoughts contradict and
overrule what I know as fact- specifically regarding who God is and who I
am. This is why I must take every thought captive to the obedience of
Christ (2 Cor 10:5). Paul prays they become enlightened (instilled
with saving grace- we can only fight this battle of the mind by God’s grace),
so that they can grasp and walk in a clear understanding of what the facts
are; of what their hope (expectation) is in. What are the facts? 1. They
were called (personally invited). 2. They received an inheritance
abounding in riches and wealth (This is the third time Paul speaks of their
inheritance- Maybe inheritances were a big deal to the Ephesians?). 3. They
are saints- most holy thing! Wow! Should a most holy thing have a
problem with identity and receiving what’s already been given?
19. He goes on- not only does he want them to grasp who
they are and what they have received, but also the power of the One
who made them who they are and gave them all they have. He pleads for them to
grasp this exceeding (surpassing; excelling) strength and ability of God
toward us who believe. Beth Moore teaches this word ‘believe’ to be ‘presently, actively, continually believing,’
and it refers to being persuaded and
confidently trusting. Paul uses three different words for ‘power’ in this one verse. I think he wants
us to grasp one last thing: 4.The power of our God.
My takeaway- What I know
must overrule what I feel, desire, and think. I don't always feel or act like a daughter of the King, but that doesn't change the fact that I am. Do not cease to
pray for God’s grace to confidently walk in the knowledge that my hope
is in Christ and He has called me by name to receive an inheritance
overflowing with an abundance of riches and wealth that will not perish.
I am a saint; a most holy daughter of the King, and I should walk
as that, with my head held high. Before I can walk as a confident ‘princess,’ I
must understand
the power
of the King I’ve been accepted by. WHO IS HE? He made me who I am and has given
me all I have. His exceeding strength is toward me, because I believe in Him. I
pray that my belief would be not only for this moment, but presently, actively,
and continually.
The cottage cheese thighs and muffin top drove me to it. I
couldn’t take it anymore. After weeks of not running and weeks prior to that of
sporadic, inconsistent running, I shoved myself onto the treadmill. I can
honestly say it was torture. Not a moment of enjoyment or satisfaction. (I actually took a picture of my own muffin top, but could not bring myself to post it for you!)
The whole time I kept pushing aside thoughts that went
something like ‘if you’d been more consistent
you wouldn’t be having this issue right now,’ or ‘your laziness sure took its toll.’ Yes, those things are TRUE,
I can’t deny that. However, I can deny them being noble, lovely,
pure,
praiseworthy,
or of goodreport! And if my thoughts don’t fit
into those categories, I mustn’t think on them (Phil 4:8).
What did I replace those ugly, blameworthy,
discouraging
thoughts with? ‘Yes, this is horrible and
something close to torture, yes, I brought it on myself, but I know I CAN do
this because I’ve done it before!’
God is teaching me the importance of knowing MY
IDENTITY, and not just that, but the difference between MY
IDENTITY and MY ACTIONS. It seems like I am writing a lot about this lately, which must mean I have much to learn in this area. How often those two
things get confused in my mind and life: IDENTITY and ACTIONS. I fall short and I sin (action), leaving me feeling
unaccepted and less loved by God (identity). Does this mean that when I have a moment
without sin (surely I must have those) that God loves and accepts me more?
NOPE.
I can do nothing to make God love me more. I can do nothing
to make God love me less. I am accepted by Him regardless of my actions. I’m
reminded of the name He gave me, and I offer this task up to you as well. Ask
God to give you a name. Ask Him who you are. I did this, and before I could
even finish asking, I clearly heard the word BELOVED. About
a week later, as I thought about this word and was writing it down, I realized
that to be His BELOVED, I must BE LOVED; I must allow myself to receive
His love. Do you see this? BELOVED = BE LOVED. This is what God
is walking me through. Scratch
that! If God says I am (or you are) His BELOVED, that means exactly that. I
can choose to receive it or not. However, if I choose not to receive His love,
I remain His BELOVED regardless. My job- to walk in it; to let my actions
reflect that identity.
I cannot walk in my identity if I don’t know and
accept who I am. Because I KNEW I could do it, I didn’t allow my inconsistency
and laziness to keep me from running for thirty minutes. As I struggled on that
treadmill I kept telling myself ‘I’m
going to get through this, because I KNOW I’m a runner! I KNOW I can do this
and I will not allow my actions this past month to change that!’
MY ACTION- I fall short and sin everyday
MY IDENTITY- Beloved by God and made righteous and holy
My actions do not change my identity
'Remind Me Who I Am' Jason Gray You Tube
(Be sure to watch the video as you listen closely to the words)
I have completed my first week together with a group of 15 other ladies in the book of Ephesians. If I ever again doubt who I am in Christ, I have only to turn to this first chapter to regain full confidence of my state before Him! I praise God for using Paul to write this letter to the Ephesians and to us. Go here for a quick Introduction to the book of Ephesians.
Paul is an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to God’s
will, not the will of any man. Paul was formerly a murderer of Christians, yet
God willed him to be a changed man, an apostle, a delegated messenger sent
forth with orders. If God can turn a murderer into a messenger of life, what
can He do with you and me?
He writes to the saints, those already saved, you and me,
and he begins with the words grace and peace. Paul was a zealous
man of God. Can you imagine receiving a letter from him? I wonder if the
Ephesians’ chests became tight with thoughts of ‘oh dear, what’s he going to say? What have we done wrong?’ Then the letter is read and they hear those
words: grace and peace. What a release! What a huge
weight lifted off the shoulders of these believers! What a vital message for me
as mom, wife, friend. Paul didn’t immediately zero in on the issues of wives
submitting to husbands, children honoring parents, or slaves obeying masters (or
keeping a clean house, having dinner on the table by 5:00). I want to offer my
children grace and peace BEFORE I press them about
hanging up their coats, putting their shoes away, or getting their homework
finished. How much more willingly they will do these things if grace
and peace
are in the forefront!
Paul doesn’t attempt to understand, rationalize, or explain every
spiritual blessing or what exactly it means that He chose us in Him before the
foundation of the world. Predestination? Isn’t that a can of worms we
all want to jump right into? Paul simply rejoices that it is so. He praises God
for our blessings and takes comfort in his salvation. Do I think it was easy
for Paul to look back and realize that while he was slaying God’s people, God
looked upon him and said, “He’s mine. I
already chose him.” I doubt Paul could wrap his mind around that! However,
he chose to accept it, praise God for it, and walk in it. Because of that, he
was able to see himself in the eyes of his Lord as holy and without blame
and was able to offer this same confidence to other believers as well. This is
a high calling for me as a wife and mom. It is by accepting and walking in my
identity in Christ as chosen in Him before the foundation of the
world and holy and without blame that peace and grace
will flow from me to others.
There’s that controversial issue again- predestined. Only, Paul
takes it further and reminds us that we are adopted children. The
fact that I’m not a Jew should disqualify me, but no, He adopted me and made me
His. Most adopted children don’t resemble their adopted parents, but I
resemble my adopted Father, bearing His Spirit, His attributes, being created
in His image. Not only are we adopted but we are accepted!
I have not adopted children, nor was I adopted by my parents, but I have had
foster children in my home, and I know they struggled to feel accepted.
They also desperately wanted to be with their unsafe, unhealthy parents because
that was the situation they knew and were comfortable in. I was adopted
by my heavenly Father almost 14 years ago, yet there are times I still feel unaccepted
by my new family. I feel like I don’t quite fit in, yet I don’t fit in with the
world anymore either. Adoption can be a tough road, but we
ARE accepted
in the Beloved. My adoption is final and it brings praise
of the glory of His grace.
It is only in Jesus Christ that we have redemption from our sins.
This redemption
is a releasing, a deliverance, a freedom from the price required for my sin,
and that price is death. Christ died in my place and I am free! This grace,
this receiving what I don’t deserve, is found in His forgiveness and it abounds
toward me!I am to live as one who has
received COMPLETE freedom and deliverance. Rather bear the
countless horrible things I’ve done, said, or thought on my shoulders, I want
to walk in COMPLETE forgiveness (letting the sin go as if it had never been
committed) because this is what Christ has done for me! And this forgiveness
He made to ABOUND toward me. I like what the online strong’s says about
this word ABOUND- “Abounding is used of a flower going from a bud to full
bloom.”
I feel like that bud, not allowing myself to fully bloom,
not receiving the abundance of God’s forgiveness.The word says He made known to me
(confided in me- you only confide in those you trust) His forgiveness through
the blood of Jesus. I want to walk in that. If I can only receive this forgiveness
toward myself, wouldn’t I be able to freely offer it to others! I sit as if
chained in shackles when those shackles have been released! I stay as a caged
bird while the door is wide open and freedom one step away. Lord, help me
choose to walk in freedom rather than sit in a bondage I’ve been released from.
This word inheritance is different than the
one used in verse 14 and is the only time this word is used in the bible. It
refers to casting/determining by lots; receiving and inheritance; a private
possession we’ve already obtained. Because I am adopted, I am an heir of Christ
and a receiver of the inheritance. As the people of
Ephesus were growing rich making and selling idols of the goddess Diana, Paul
reminds the Christians that they have real, true riches. How easily I’m
deceived into coveting this world’s riches rather than embracing the heavenly
riches of my inheritance. Yes, oftentimes the ungodly prosper and seem to have
it all, but I must trust God’s will for my life. This trusting in Him brings praise
because this kind of trust makes no worldly sense and brings all the glory
of my life to Him alone. I must not just believe IN Him, but believe Him.
Faith comes
by hearing and hearing by the word of God (Rom 10:17). I heard, I trusted,
I believed,
I was SEALED by the Holy Spirit. This word ‘sealed’ is the same word
used in Matt 27:66 when the stone was sealed over Jesus’ tomb, in John6:27 God set a seal on Jesus, in Rev 7:3-8 the tribes and believers are sealed,
and my favorite Rev 20:3- God shuts up Satan in the bottomless pit and seals
him there. This is a mighty seal! The seal of the Holy Spirit I
have CANNOT be broken by Satan and it is secure until the time of REDEMPTION-
A releasing affected by payments of ransom. I am already redeemed, but there’s
more to come in my REDEMPTION! My redemption will be complete when I
am brought into perfection.
I am the PURCHASEDPOSSESSION! I was
purchased by Him and I belong to Him. This word means- a preserving; a
preservation. I am reminded of sealed canning jars. Don’t you just
love that ‘pop’ of those jars as they seal up one at a time? Such
satisfaction! What a picture of His satisfaction when we receive the Holy
Spirit and are SEALED- preserved, until the day that we are released from this
tent and brought into completed perfect redemption. The Holy Spirit
guarantees this! It’s like dumping that jar of pie filling into the crust.
Completed! Perfected! Finished!
And the result of ALL OF THIS- to the praise of His glory!
May He be praised and glorified through the work He does in this chosen,
holy, blameless, predestined, adopted, accepted, redeemed, forgiven, saved,
sealed, purchased possession of His! Wow! No, I will not try to fully
understand it all, but to fully believe it and walk in it J
I’ve been diving into
the book of Ephesians with a group of women online, taking it verse by verse,
day by day. Before beginning, I decided to set the scene for myself and gain a
better understanding of the purpose and heart behind this epistle. This is my
intro into the book of Ephesians.
As I study the book of Ephesians, I want to remember, as
with all books of the bible, that what I am reading is real. Ephesus was a real
place, with real Christians, who had real life issues.The people of Ephesus were known as
Ephesians, and the apostle Paul wrote a very personal letter to the Christians
living in Ephesus. This letter was passed around and, because it was found to
be not just a simple letter written by an average guy, but rather inspired by
the Holy Spirit, it was included in our bible as ‘The Epistle of Paul the
Apostle to the Ephesians.’Although
written for this specific group of Christians, the message applies to our lives
as well.
The first time we see the city of Ephesus in the bible is in
the book of Acts, which tells of the spreading of the gospel and the growth of
the church after Jesus’ death, resurrection, and ascension into heaven. Acts18:19-21 tells us that Paul visited Ephesus (about 25 years after Jesus’ death),
reasoned with the Jews in the synagogue, and left shortly afterward, promising
to return, if the Lord allowed. Upon his return, he baptized and laid hands on
about twelve disciples, who in turn received the Holy Spirit, spoke with
tongues, and prophesied. Paul ministered to these disciples daily for two years
and all the Jews and Gentiles heard about Jesus Christ because of him (Acts19:1-10).
The enormous city of Ephesus, with a population of almost ¼
million people, was known all across Asia for its temple and worship of the
goddess Diana. Its local merchants made a substantial profit producing handmade
goddesses. Yet, as the gospel of Jesus spread, many were converted and their
proceeds took a significant hit. Likewise, those practicing magic gave up their
traditions, burned their books, and followed the teachings of Christ. This
resulted in an enormous riot against Paul and the teaching of the gospel throughout
the entire city of Ephesus (Acts 19:11-41). Following the riot, Paul left
Ephesus, but was able return for one final visit to encourage the church elders,
warn them of the dangers of false doctrine and leaders, and bid them an
emotional farewell, assured he would never see their faces again (Acts20:17-38).
After spending two years teaching and living among them, the
Christians of Ephesus became near and dear to Paul’s heart, and about three
years later, as he sat chained in a Roman prison, Paul took time to write a
very heartfelt letter to those in Ephesus. However, these God inspired words
are not solely for the church of Ephesus, but for each of us.So my hope is to take each chapter, each
verse, each word, and receive it as a personal letter from my Lord to me. He
speaks to us! He has a message for us, and that message is found throughout
this book.
So, let’s dig in! I hope you decide to study this book also.
Either way, check back occasionally so I can share with you all the jewels He
gives me. I look forward to reading yours as well! J
This past Monday, I started an online bible study through
the book of Ephesians with a group of wonderful women. Wow! When you take teeny tiny pieces of scripture,
write them out, and focus on each little word and phrase, God opens up the
floodgate! I am prone to bulldoze through an entire chapter or two, check it
off the list, and move on with my day. Generally this results in the question, what was it I read this morning?
In Him we have
redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches
of His grace which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence,
having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure
which He purposed in Himself, that in the dispensation of the fullness of the
times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in
heaven and which are on earth- in Him.
Yes, we are moving v-e-r-y s-l-o-w, and yes, it has been like an
abundance of food for my soul to glean from God’s word, His Spirit, and His
people! I absolutely love what my sister’s share each day!
I want to share with you my application for today.
I
am really challenged to live as one who has received COMPLETE freedom and
deliverance from the penalty of my sin. We live in a world that requires you
pay the price for your wrongdoing and requires you live your life bearing that wrongdoing...
Once a _________ always a _________. Rather than live the rest of my life bearing the
countless horrible things I’ve done, said, or thought on my shoulders, I want
to walk in COMPLETE forgiveness (letting the sin go as if it had never been
committed) because this is what Christ has done for me! And this forgiveness He
made to ABOUND toward me. I like what the online strong’s says about this word
ABOUND- “Abounding is used of a flower going from a bud to full bloom.”
I
feel like that bud, not allowing myself to fully bloom, not receiving the
abundance of God’s forgiveness.The word
says He made known to me (confided in me- you only confide in those you trust) His
forgiveness through the blood of Jesus. I want to walk in that. If I can only
receive this forgiveness toward myself, wouldn’t I be able to freely offer it
to others! Lord, help me walk in FREEDOM! I sit as if chained in shackles when
those shackles have been released! I stay as a caged bird while the door is
wide open and freedom one step away. Lord, help me choose to walk in freedom
rather than sit in a bondage I’ve been released from.
These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In
the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the
world” –John 16:33
In the world you will
have tribulation. This is a promise. This is a guarantee. We live in a
world full of sin and ruled by Satan (2 Cor 4:4, Eph 2:2), and tribulation is
always right around the corner. Sometimes it slams us in the face, sometimes it
slowly creeps into our lives, and other times we willingly, knowingly,
persistently walk right into it.
The Israelites walked into 40 years of it when they refused
to enter the land of Promise because of fear and unbelief (Num 14:26-38). The
prodigal son didn’t think twice before he irrationally forsook the peace and protection
of his father’s home and found himself in a place of loneliness, hunger, and
need (Lk 15:11-32). King David made a rash decision to not only take another
man’s wife, but also premeditate the murder of that man in an attempt to cover
his own sin (2 Sam 11).
Why is it that we refuse to trust God in the simplest
things? When God says “take over Jericho,” we say, “No, Lord, there are giants
there.” When He offers protection and peace, we throw it back in His face and sprint
for a world that hands us trouble and heartache. He’s given us all we need in
the place He has put us, yet we see what’s on the other side of the fence and
decide that what we have is simply not enough.
God has made real to me these things lately as I grow in
frustration, disappointment, and anger at my dog. Yes, he is just a dog, but we
love him as a part of our family. However, he refuses to stay in the yard. For
the past few months he has continually done everything possible to escape and
run loose. He even had to spend an entire day and night in doggy jail, and I
felt horrible. That is until we received a warning that we would be cited the
next time he was loose and ‘obstructing traffic,’ then I was just mad. When his
night in jail taught him nothing, we were forced to keep him tied up, rather
than let him run free in his yard and risk the chance of another escape. However,
day after day I would sit and listen to him bark and whine for hours and hours.
I felt so bad! I complained to my hubby that our dog was as annoying as a pack
of Israelites, complaining even though God had already given them everything
they needed! Why can’t he just learn his lesson already?!
My hubby spent this last weekend digging holes, pouring
concrete, and building a fence strong enough and tall enough to keep him in.
What a relief to finally be able to let him off the leash and know he is secure
and safe. Well, that’s what we thought until I came home to signs of his successful
attempt to escape the safety of his yard. He had dug a hole under the new
fence, and broken through, leaving bits of fur behind. I imagine that was painful.
Yes, he’s purposefully put himself and others at risk. He is
gone, out of my protection, thinking he is wise enough to make it on his own. He looks through that fence and thinks "the grass is greener over there!" Little does he know, the grass is ALWAYS greener over the septic tank! If
I could speak ‘dog,’ I would tell him that I know what’s best for him! I would
say that I’ve provided everything he needs for peace, protection, and happiness,
but he chooses what’s out in the world and puts himself in danger. If I could become
a K9 and clearly explain myself to my dog, I could show him that our discipline
is for his good, for the protection of him and of others.
Our Lord has done everything possible to make his message clear
to us. He became a man in the flesh so that we could know him personally! He’s
written an entire book, just for us, in a way that we can comprehend. He tells
us that yes, this world is full of
troubles, but take heart, I have overcome the world, and I give you peace! All
we need to do is stay in that yard, in the place of protection, and not wander
out into a world that will harm us. Tribulation is a promise and a guarantee,
but God also promises His peace. I just have to trust Him.
The grass is always greener, over the septic tank. -unknown
This is what we woke to this morning. No it’s not much,
but we are hoping for more! Who doesn’t anticipate a day filled with snow? I
know my kids do, and I don’t think it’s just because they get to skip school
for a day. Yes, they enjoy standing under falling flakes, constructing snow
men, and taking advantage of the opportunity to throw frozen balls of ice at one
another’s face, while mom is totally ok with it. But what else is it about
snow?
Snow- it blankets the ground with cleanliness and purity. It
covers all the dirt, mud, muck, and grime that life leaves behind. What a
perfect glimpse of God’s holiness! What a wonderful picture of His righteousness
which covers our imperfections!
Just as He chose us before the foundation of the world, that we should
be holy and without blame before Him in love
-Ephesians 1:4
For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become
the righteousness of God in Him.
-2
Corinthians 5:21
That He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot
or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.
–Ephesians
5:27
Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be
found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless
-2 Peter 3:14
Just as the snow eventually melts, reminding us again of the
filth surrounding us, our sins and failures can fill our thoughts, clouding the
truth of who we are before God. Let us be diligent to walk in the righteousness
we have in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We ARE white as snow. We
ARE blameless before God. We are set apart and sanctified.
When the enemy throws our sins before us, we CAN confidently throw the holiness
we have in Christ right back at him because we ARE clean, we
ARE washed, we ARE holy in Christ.
But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship
with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all
sin.
I’m so glad you stopped by! Today’s post turned out to be more of a book, so grab a cup of coffee, a comfy chair, your favorite slippers, and your bible, because this is gonna to take a while.
*********************
As I’ve thought and prayed lately about my son and the struggle we are walking in (you can read a little about that here), one verse has consistently came to mind:
Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child; the rod of correction will drive it far from him. -Proverbs 22:15
In the past, I went to this particular word often. Lately, as I reflect on my son’s younger days, I recall having to physically discipline him day after day after day. For longer than I care to admit, there was not one single day that the physical rod was not used on my son’s rear-end. Wherever we went, the rod went. It was horrible, but it was consistent, done in love (most of the time), and it worked! Even my son knew it worked, as he would tell me at times that he needed to be placed back under God’s umbrella of protection by receiving some discipline. (Here is a blog post I came across that explains this concept, originally taken from TeddTripp’s Shepherding A Child’s Heart.)
There came a time that we slowly ceased using that rod as discipline. Part of the reason is because he was learning obedience and didn’t need it as often. Another reason was because our foster children came to live with us, and since we were unable to discipline them in a way that utilized anything physical (believe me when I say this may have been the most difficult issue of my life), we resorted to other methods such as time-outs. As time went on, I found myself sending my son to ‘time-out,’ something we hadn’t previously done with our children. Eventually the physical discipline disappeared altogether.
Now my son is ten, and the years of physical discipline have passed. To use the rod at this point would only produce in him frustration, humiliation, and eventually bitterness and a hardened heart. As Proverbs 22:15 repeatedly came to my mind without fail throughout this past week, I kept disregarding it, thinking it simply didn’t apply any longer to the discipline of our children. However, I finally decided to seek God and the scriptures for an understanding of the rod as it pertains to my children, and I was drawn to the story of Moses.
In Exodus, Moses converses with God at the burning bush, when God informs him that he is to return to Egypt and release the Israelites from bondage. Moses responds by asking what he’s supposed to do if the people don’t believe he was sent by God (Ex 4:1). This is when God points out the rod in Moses’ hand, turns it into a serpent , back into a rod, and then proclaims “that they may believe that the LORD God of their fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has appeared to you”(Ex 4:5).This spoke to me in such a powerful way! The purpose of the rod in this situation was to make known who God is, and the authority He placed in Moses.
In chapters 7, 8, 9, 10, and 14, Moses and Aaron are commanded to use the rod for one purpose: “By this you shall know that I am the Lord”(Ex 7:17). After the Israelites are freed from the bondage of Egypt, we find them complaining of thirst in the desert. God sends Moses with the rod before the people to strike a rock, which springs forth water for all to drink (Ex 17:1-6). Moses is instructed on a later occurrence to again take the rod and go with Aaron before the people. This time however, God tells him to simply speak to the rock. Instead, Moses loudly proclaims the Israelites to be rebels and rather than speak to the rock, he strikes it not once, but twice, and water gushed from the rock, relieving the thirsty Israelites (Num 20:7-12).
This too spoke strongly to me regarding the rod and my children. I’m beginning to see the rod as more than just a physical device of discipline. God used the rod to show Himself to His children and to proclaim the authority He bestowed upon Moses as their leader. There were times for striking with the rod, and there were times for simply speaking the words of God. Yet, while Moses was to merely speak, he never ceased to bear the rod- the authority of God over the people. Could the rod of correction at times be the Word, which is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness(2 Tim 3:16) and spoken by the one holding God’s authority in another’s life?
The use of the rod must be backed with purpose and that purpose is to gently restore my children in their relationship with God, with me, and with others (Gal 6:1). Yet, I am an imperfect parent, and I fall short. However, even when I misrepresent the Lord to my children, and abuse the authority He has given me, as Moses did by striking the rock, God continues ministering to my children and providing for my children just as He did for the children of Israel. And just as Moses received a sever consequence (not leading the Israelites into the Promised Land) I too will be unable to receive God’s promises in my life, unable to lead my children in areas of blessing.
So how does Proverbs 22:15 and the use of therod apply to me and my children? How do I take this word and use it in our home? I compiled a list of ten applications:
1. Don’t be surprised or caught off guard by my children’s foolishness and sin (Pro 22:15)
2. Remember that sin is a heart issue and things take time to ‘unbind’ (Pro 22:15)
3. Feed my children the word of God at all times and believe God for who He is (Deut 6:7, Num 20:12)
4. The way of discipline looks different for each child and in each season of life (Ex 17, Num 20)
5. Take my role of authority seriously, leading by example, and not abusing that roll (1 Pt5:2-3)
6. Be quick to confess to my children and ask forgiveness when I fall short (Matt 5:23-24)
7. Be gentle during times of discipline, always purposing to bring reconciliation (Gal 6:1, Matt 5:24)
8. Be aware that harsh discipline has the potential to provoke my children to wrath (Eph6:4)
10. And, of course, Pray with and for them (Col 4:2)
Well, that sums up today’s novel. What are your thoughts on the rod and discipline, specifically for those children who are beyond the years of physical discipline?
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me–Psalm 23:4
