Rindy's Devotional Tidbits
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The Spiritual Cafe is pleased to share her daily facebook thoughts. It is our hope that her reflections will be a service to you on your spiritual growth journey.
Week Two Archives
Let Your Light Shine Year 5; Day 8
We live on the north side of a large bay called Conception Bay. As you drive along the coast at night, it is no trouble to see the lights on the south side...unless it is foggy. I am not sure how far it is across but it is way more than a good swim. There are a number of communities that run into each other and at night their combined lights make a lovely chain. Then there is a dark stretch and then one more community that stands alone. Its lights don't run from right to left along the shoreline, but rather they string upwards, a small, perpendicular cluster of lights isolated from the rest. Isolated but not unseen. Their lights are clearly visible...there are just less of them. Looking across the bay makes for a lovely night scene. Jesus said in Matthew 5:14, "You are the light of the world..." That is quite a responsibility. The light of the world. I don't know if I would see just one street light from across the bay but I definitely see a community of lights. One street light is not without effect locally. A number of them increase that effect. The light is brighter and more easily seen. As believers we stand as individuals but also as a group. We can make a difference when we shine in our own little world. When we come together with other believers we should make a bigger difference...our definition of world should expand as should the brightness of our lights. "...let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." (verse 16) There is suppose to be evidence of our faith just like the lights across the bay are evidence of the communities. The light of our faith should shine on the "fruit" of our good deeds...which point to the Father rather than to us. I feel this stirring in my soul...but I am not sure what to do with it. I don't want to hide my light. I want to do things that honour my heavenly Father but...I am getting older...but...I often feel even older...but...I am not a millionaire...but...I think I am a little bit afraid. Today is Sunday. I expect He is going to do some instructing and pruning over these next months.
We live on the north side of a large bay called Conception Bay. As you drive along the coast at night, it is no trouble to see the lights on the south side...unless it is foggy. I am not sure how far it is across but it is way more than a good swim. There are a number of communities that run into each other and at night their combined lights make a lovely chain. Then there is a dark stretch and then one more community that stands alone. Its lights don't run from right to left along the shoreline, but rather they string upwards, a small, perpendicular cluster of lights isolated from the rest. Isolated but not unseen. Their lights are clearly visible...there are just less of them. Looking across the bay makes for a lovely night scene. Jesus said in Matthew 5:14, "You are the light of the world..." That is quite a responsibility. The light of the world. I don't know if I would see just one street light from across the bay but I definitely see a community of lights. One street light is not without effect locally. A number of them increase that effect. The light is brighter and more easily seen. As believers we stand as individuals but also as a group. We can make a difference when we shine in our own little world. When we come together with other believers we should make a bigger difference...our definition of world should expand as should the brightness of our lights. "...let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." (verse 16) There is suppose to be evidence of our faith just like the lights across the bay are evidence of the communities. The light of our faith should shine on the "fruit" of our good deeds...which point to the Father rather than to us. I feel this stirring in my soul...but I am not sure what to do with it. I don't want to hide my light. I want to do things that honour my heavenly Father but...I am getting older...but...I often feel even older...but...I am not a millionaire...but...I think I am a little bit afraid. Today is Sunday. I expect He is going to do some instructing and pruning over these next months.
Obedience Year 5; Day 9
Obedience. Not a favourite word unless you already want to do something. I would think it's ease or difficulty would depend on several things...like commitment, attitude, submission, the contents of your heart. I was reading about Jesus' calling of His first disciples. The verses before talked about Jesus starting His preaching ministry. So I would assume these first disciples had heard Jesus preach...maybe in the synagogue or on a hillside. Something must have resonated in their hearts. There must have been a stirring. The book of Matthew says that as Jesus was walking along the shores of the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers named Peter and Andrew. They were casting a net when Jesus called out, "Come, follow me,...and I will make you fishers of men." "At once they left their nets and followed him." (Matthew 4:19,20) At once. At once like they just left their nets on the shore or floating in the water? At once like they didn't even discuss it? At once like they didn't make arrangements for someone else to take over or go home and tell someone or have a family meeting or anything? At once...two grown men...neither hesitated...two like-minded brothers. A ways farther Jesus comes across two more brothers named James and John. They were in a boat with their father preparing nets, "...Jesus called them, and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him." (verses 21,22) Immediately. Immediately they left...their boat...their nets...their own father! Did they think it was a day trip? A little adventure? A chance to play hooky, break the routine, mix it up a bit? These were men who were in the workforce. They had assets, a livelihood, commitments. And yet two different sets of brothers reacted to the call of Christ "at once" and "immediately". I wonder if they had any idea that their leaving their nets behind would be permanent. Probably not then. They were just obeying the initial call, "Come, follow me." And that initial first step of obedience started their discipleship journey. When Jesus calls us...initially to a personal commitment or to other works, are we "at once" and "immediate" responders? Today is Monday. What, if anything, holds us back?
Obedience. Not a favourite word unless you already want to do something. I would think it's ease or difficulty would depend on several things...like commitment, attitude, submission, the contents of your heart. I was reading about Jesus' calling of His first disciples. The verses before talked about Jesus starting His preaching ministry. So I would assume these first disciples had heard Jesus preach...maybe in the synagogue or on a hillside. Something must have resonated in their hearts. There must have been a stirring. The book of Matthew says that as Jesus was walking along the shores of the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers named Peter and Andrew. They were casting a net when Jesus called out, "Come, follow me,...and I will make you fishers of men." "At once they left their nets and followed him." (Matthew 4:19,20) At once. At once like they just left their nets on the shore or floating in the water? At once like they didn't even discuss it? At once like they didn't make arrangements for someone else to take over or go home and tell someone or have a family meeting or anything? At once...two grown men...neither hesitated...two like-minded brothers. A ways farther Jesus comes across two more brothers named James and John. They were in a boat with their father preparing nets, "...Jesus called them, and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him." (verses 21,22) Immediately. Immediately they left...their boat...their nets...their own father! Did they think it was a day trip? A little adventure? A chance to play hooky, break the routine, mix it up a bit? These were men who were in the workforce. They had assets, a livelihood, commitments. And yet two different sets of brothers reacted to the call of Christ "at once" and "immediately". I wonder if they had any idea that their leaving their nets behind would be permanent. Probably not then. They were just obeying the initial call, "Come, follow me." And that initial first step of obedience started their discipleship journey. When Jesus calls us...initially to a personal commitment or to other works, are we "at once" and "immediate" responders? Today is Monday. What, if anything, holds us back?
Wholeheartedly Committed Year 5; Day 10
When Jesus called his first four disciples (two sets of brothers), they responded "at once" and "immediately". They did not hesitate, do other things, or make any arrangements. They just obeyed Christ's call to follow Him. Would I have done that...left everything to follow Him? Do I obey instantly today? And it doesn't have to be big things. Maybe I have said something or done something I shouldn't have. How quick am I to apologize or make it right when I feel the nudge of the Holy Spirit? Immediately? At once? Sometimes? Occasionally? I was thinking about what might hinder us from obedience and therefore rob us of bearing fruit. I don't know how long the first disciples' hearts had been stirred by Christ. I imagine they had heard Him preach and speak. When Christ called them, they followed Him with a wholehearted commitment. I am sure they did not know all that would be involved in that commitment, but they made one and were willing to go wherever it and He took them. They had a willingness to learn, to listen, to be teachable. They didn't always get it the first, second, or even third time around but they persevered. Are we like that...wholeheartedly committed, willing to learn, willing to persevere? Those first disciples literally dropped what they were doing to follow Jesus. Would we? Or are we too busy, so booked up, that God's plans take a back seat to ours? Sometimes I think we are too easily satisfied. A bit of time, a bit of doing, a bit of going...that should be enough to satisfy God and look good to others and fulfill the basic requirements of being a "Christian". But God through Christ wants so much more for us. He wants us to bear "much fruit". The results? "Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." (Luke 6:38) Give...a wholehearted commitment, obedience, time, perseverance...they won't be for naught...we will bear "much" fruit. Today is Tuesday. The more committed...the more obedient. The more obedient...the more fruit.
When Jesus called his first four disciples (two sets of brothers), they responded "at once" and "immediately". They did not hesitate, do other things, or make any arrangements. They just obeyed Christ's call to follow Him. Would I have done that...left everything to follow Him? Do I obey instantly today? And it doesn't have to be big things. Maybe I have said something or done something I shouldn't have. How quick am I to apologize or make it right when I feel the nudge of the Holy Spirit? Immediately? At once? Sometimes? Occasionally? I was thinking about what might hinder us from obedience and therefore rob us of bearing fruit. I don't know how long the first disciples' hearts had been stirred by Christ. I imagine they had heard Him preach and speak. When Christ called them, they followed Him with a wholehearted commitment. I am sure they did not know all that would be involved in that commitment, but they made one and were willing to go wherever it and He took them. They had a willingness to learn, to listen, to be teachable. They didn't always get it the first, second, or even third time around but they persevered. Are we like that...wholeheartedly committed, willing to learn, willing to persevere? Those first disciples literally dropped what they were doing to follow Jesus. Would we? Or are we too busy, so booked up, that God's plans take a back seat to ours? Sometimes I think we are too easily satisfied. A bit of time, a bit of doing, a bit of going...that should be enough to satisfy God and look good to others and fulfill the basic requirements of being a "Christian". But God through Christ wants so much more for us. He wants us to bear "much fruit". The results? "Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." (Luke 6:38) Give...a wholehearted commitment, obedience, time, perseverance...they won't be for naught...we will bear "much" fruit. Today is Tuesday. The more committed...the more obedient. The more obedient...the more fruit.
Love Drives Out Fear Year 5; Day 11
We had our first Beth Moore Bible study session of "Breaking Free". It is about breaking free from anything that hinders us from being all that God has called us to be. We aren't really into the subject yet but I already have one word that popped right up to the surface...fear. I am pretty sure there will be and are others but this may be at the top of the list. I am not afraid of bugs or spiders or heights or bees. I am not afraid of cats or dogs or the dark. But sometimes, when I am praying, I struggle with total surrender. I have mostly a part surrender...maybe even a goodly part...but not really total. And I feel badly about it...embarrassed...ashamed even. I have been on this faith journey my whole life. Why am I still afraid about some things? When I pray about wanting to do His will, I know I mean it...or I sincerely want to mean it. But there is a teeny, tiny voice inside that adds a P.S. to my prayers of surrender and submission and it goes something like this: "Please don't ask me to do something too hard...or something where I will have to stand alone." What am I actually afraid of? That God will ask me to do something I can't do? I know He doesn't ask without equipping. I have experienced that myself. That God isn't strong enough, caring enough, or willing to see me through to the end of the project? I think I know the difference of that too. I am thinking it has more to do with will...that He will ask of me something that I simply won't and don't want to do. And I am thinking that the root of fear is distrust. I trust God in and for many things...but not everything. I am putting this out there because I don't want to stay this way and because maybe I am not the only one who feels this way and because until I face it, nothing will change. "There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear,..." (1 John 4:18) That is what His word says...but I am not there...yet. Today is Wednesday. I expect to not be the same person at the end of eleven weeks.
We had our first Beth Moore Bible study session of "Breaking Free". It is about breaking free from anything that hinders us from being all that God has called us to be. We aren't really into the subject yet but I already have one word that popped right up to the surface...fear. I am pretty sure there will be and are others but this may be at the top of the list. I am not afraid of bugs or spiders or heights or bees. I am not afraid of cats or dogs or the dark. But sometimes, when I am praying, I struggle with total surrender. I have mostly a part surrender...maybe even a goodly part...but not really total. And I feel badly about it...embarrassed...ashamed even. I have been on this faith journey my whole life. Why am I still afraid about some things? When I pray about wanting to do His will, I know I mean it...or I sincerely want to mean it. But there is a teeny, tiny voice inside that adds a P.S. to my prayers of surrender and submission and it goes something like this: "Please don't ask me to do something too hard...or something where I will have to stand alone." What am I actually afraid of? That God will ask me to do something I can't do? I know He doesn't ask without equipping. I have experienced that myself. That God isn't strong enough, caring enough, or willing to see me through to the end of the project? I think I know the difference of that too. I am thinking it has more to do with will...that He will ask of me something that I simply won't and don't want to do. And I am thinking that the root of fear is distrust. I trust God in and for many things...but not everything. I am putting this out there because I don't want to stay this way and because maybe I am not the only one who feels this way and because until I face it, nothing will change. "There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear,..." (1 John 4:18) That is what His word says...but I am not there...yet. Today is Wednesday. I expect to not be the same person at the end of eleven weeks.
Towards Trusting God’s Motives Year 5; Day 12
When I wrote yesterday's post, I did not quote all of 1 John 4:18. The whole verse is, "There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love." What does that mean? "...fear has to do with punishment." Why do I fear that the Lord will ask me to do something I can't do, don't want to do, or will single me out? Do I view it more as punishment rather than a help for growth? I think it goes back to trust and the fact that my head knowledge and my actual faith are not always in sync. If I truly believe that God loves me better and more than anyone or anything else, that He has a plan for my life, and the total power to bring it about, shouldn't I have confidence that whatever I am asked to do has a purpose? Whatever I am asked to do, isn't it for my good, my growth, my journey? When I fear, aren't I really saying that I don't trust God's motives? That sounds horrible...ungrateful...shallow...immature. That's how I feel. But not how God feels. His love is perfect. Mine is not. I am determined to endure. And learn. And "do it afraid" if I have to. And to get to know God better through His word, through Christ, through the Spirit, through prayer, through experience. I want to be able to pray, "Not my will, but Yours, " with no P.S. added, no teeny, tiny voice of doubt, no itsy, bitsy bit of hesitation. No fear. I want to reach the point where I trust His motives completely. I want to reach the point where I don't fear God's request may be more like punishment rather than helpful, needful, purposeful. I want to reach the point where I wholeheartedly trust that His motives are backed by His personal love for me. Today is Thursday. I want a wholehearted faith...in thought, in word, in deed. All in sync.
When I wrote yesterday's post, I did not quote all of 1 John 4:18. The whole verse is, "There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love." What does that mean? "...fear has to do with punishment." Why do I fear that the Lord will ask me to do something I can't do, don't want to do, or will single me out? Do I view it more as punishment rather than a help for growth? I think it goes back to trust and the fact that my head knowledge and my actual faith are not always in sync. If I truly believe that God loves me better and more than anyone or anything else, that He has a plan for my life, and the total power to bring it about, shouldn't I have confidence that whatever I am asked to do has a purpose? Whatever I am asked to do, isn't it for my good, my growth, my journey? When I fear, aren't I really saying that I don't trust God's motives? That sounds horrible...ungrateful...shallow...immature. That's how I feel. But not how God feels. His love is perfect. Mine is not. I am determined to endure. And learn. And "do it afraid" if I have to. And to get to know God better through His word, through Christ, through the Spirit, through prayer, through experience. I want to be able to pray, "Not my will, but Yours, " with no P.S. added, no teeny, tiny voice of doubt, no itsy, bitsy bit of hesitation. No fear. I want to reach the point where I trust His motives completely. I want to reach the point where I don't fear God's request may be more like punishment rather than helpful, needful, purposeful. I want to reach the point where I wholeheartedly trust that His motives are backed by His personal love for me. Today is Thursday. I want a wholehearted faith...in thought, in word, in deed. All in sync.
Year 5; Day 13 What if ...?
Sometimes it can be fun or interesting to think about "what if". What if I had been born at another time? Like the pioneer days or the days of Jesus. What if I had chosen another career? Like speech pathology or a private detective. What if I had lived in another place? Like the Northern Peninsula or Aruba. Sometimes the "what ifs" can flutter in and out of your mind triggered by a movie or a memory or a character in a book. They don't stay, they don't replace reality, and they aren't given time or energy. But sometimes a "what if" can be more than a fleeting thought. Sometimes it can be more like a bog...something that slows you down...something that threatens to hold you back, trap you, be a real hinderance. A "what if" triggered by regret can be like that. A consuming regret can prevent you from moving forward. It can keep your focus on the past instead of the present and future. It can fill you with guilt and crowd out joy and thanksgiving. A consuming regret doesn't allow you to learn and move on. It fills your mind with futile thoughts that have no constructive outlet. Some "what ifs" can lead to dissatisfaction. There is a dwelling on what isn't instead of what is. All kinds of alternate scenarios can be imagined without the pitfalls or consequences of reality. Dissatisfaction robs us of an attitude of appreciation and a heart of (there it is again) thanksgiving. "What ifs" can taint the present. The regret and the dissatisfaction can hinder progress and clear thinking. Opportunities can be missed. Situations may not be viewed correctly. Judgment may be skewed. What to do?? If the "what ifs" of life are a weight that drag you down with regret, guilt, and dissatisfaction rather than acting as a spark for possibilities, encouragement, and growth...what can you do? Bring it to the Lord...really. Romans 8:28 says, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Every regret, every poor choice, every what if...give it to God and He will redeem it. He can take them and rework them into something useful and purposeful for our good and His glory. Today is Friday. What if we truly left our "what ifs" with the Lord and joyfully lived our "what is"?
Sometimes it can be fun or interesting to think about "what if". What if I had been born at another time? Like the pioneer days or the days of Jesus. What if I had chosen another career? Like speech pathology or a private detective. What if I had lived in another place? Like the Northern Peninsula or Aruba. Sometimes the "what ifs" can flutter in and out of your mind triggered by a movie or a memory or a character in a book. They don't stay, they don't replace reality, and they aren't given time or energy. But sometimes a "what if" can be more than a fleeting thought. Sometimes it can be more like a bog...something that slows you down...something that threatens to hold you back, trap you, be a real hinderance. A "what if" triggered by regret can be like that. A consuming regret can prevent you from moving forward. It can keep your focus on the past instead of the present and future. It can fill you with guilt and crowd out joy and thanksgiving. A consuming regret doesn't allow you to learn and move on. It fills your mind with futile thoughts that have no constructive outlet. Some "what ifs" can lead to dissatisfaction. There is a dwelling on what isn't instead of what is. All kinds of alternate scenarios can be imagined without the pitfalls or consequences of reality. Dissatisfaction robs us of an attitude of appreciation and a heart of (there it is again) thanksgiving. "What ifs" can taint the present. The regret and the dissatisfaction can hinder progress and clear thinking. Opportunities can be missed. Situations may not be viewed correctly. Judgment may be skewed. What to do?? If the "what ifs" of life are a weight that drag you down with regret, guilt, and dissatisfaction rather than acting as a spark for possibilities, encouragement, and growth...what can you do? Bring it to the Lord...really. Romans 8:28 says, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Every regret, every poor choice, every what if...give it to God and He will redeem it. He can take them and rework them into something useful and purposeful for our good and His glory. Today is Friday. What if we truly left our "what ifs" with the Lord and joyfully lived our "what is"?
Year 5, Day 14 What to do with Fear
I still find it rather amazing that God answers me...especially when I throw something out in a post but then don't really look for the answer. With the start of the Beth Moore DVD series "Breaking Free", I had one word come to mind quickly...fear. 1 John 4:18 says, "There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love." When I pray a prayer of submission, sometimes I feel fear. I am afraid that a blank check to God may be used to get me to do things that feel more like punishment. My head knows better but my emotions haven't caught up. What God would ask of me is only for my good, yet I am afraid. Not always but sometimes. As I did the Bible study homework in the workbook, yesterday's lesson dealt with an event during King Hezekiah's reign. The Assyrian king, Sennacherib, had come to invade Judah. He was arrogant, ungodly, and backed by a large army. Sennacherib was also successful in defeating all those in his path. And Jerusalem was in his path. He sent an envoy ahead to spread fear in King Hezekiah and his people. They bragged about Sennacherib's victories, insulted the Lord, and used verbal means to demoralize the people ahead of Sennacherib's impending invasion. It was a frightening time for them. In the workbook, Moore made some statements that stood out to me. "Sometimes faith is the absence of fear. Other times faith may be choosing to believe God even when your heart is melting with fear. Perhaps, then, faith is tested by what we do with fear, not whether or not we have it." (Breaking Free workbook; p. 21) Faith is tested, faith is grown, faith is increased and developed by what we do with fear...not by whether we have it or not. So what did Hezekiah and God's prophet Isaiah do? "King Hezekiah and the prophet Isaiah...cried out in prayer to heaven about this. And the Lord sent an angel who annihilated all the fighting men...in the camp of the Assyrian king. So he withdrew to his own land in disgrace..." (2 Chronicles 32:20,21) Hezekiah and Isaiah took their fear right to the Lord. So will I. Today is Saturday. Perfect love drives out fear. Until then, take the fear to God.
I still find it rather amazing that God answers me...especially when I throw something out in a post but then don't really look for the answer. With the start of the Beth Moore DVD series "Breaking Free", I had one word come to mind quickly...fear. 1 John 4:18 says, "There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love." When I pray a prayer of submission, sometimes I feel fear. I am afraid that a blank check to God may be used to get me to do things that feel more like punishment. My head knows better but my emotions haven't caught up. What God would ask of me is only for my good, yet I am afraid. Not always but sometimes. As I did the Bible study homework in the workbook, yesterday's lesson dealt with an event during King Hezekiah's reign. The Assyrian king, Sennacherib, had come to invade Judah. He was arrogant, ungodly, and backed by a large army. Sennacherib was also successful in defeating all those in his path. And Jerusalem was in his path. He sent an envoy ahead to spread fear in King Hezekiah and his people. They bragged about Sennacherib's victories, insulted the Lord, and used verbal means to demoralize the people ahead of Sennacherib's impending invasion. It was a frightening time for them. In the workbook, Moore made some statements that stood out to me. "Sometimes faith is the absence of fear. Other times faith may be choosing to believe God even when your heart is melting with fear. Perhaps, then, faith is tested by what we do with fear, not whether or not we have it." (Breaking Free workbook; p. 21) Faith is tested, faith is grown, faith is increased and developed by what we do with fear...not by whether we have it or not. So what did Hezekiah and God's prophet Isaiah do? "King Hezekiah and the prophet Isaiah...cried out in prayer to heaven about this. And the Lord sent an angel who annihilated all the fighting men...in the camp of the Assyrian king. So he withdrew to his own land in disgrace..." (2 Chronicles 32:20,21) Hezekiah and Isaiah took their fear right to the Lord. So will I. Today is Saturday. Perfect love drives out fear. Until then, take the fear to God.