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 Thirty Archives
Year 5; Day 205 Afraid to Amazed
I listened to a YouTube video by Bill Johnson called "Presence of God". He spoke about the demon-possessed man in the region of the Gerasenes which was a largely Gentile area. When Jesus crossed the lake and got out of the boat he was greeted by this poor man who, "...lived in the tomb, and no one could bind him any more, not even with a chain. For he had been chained hand and foot, but he tore the chains apart and broke the irons on his feet. No one was strong enough to subdue him. Night and day among the tombs and in the hills he would cry out and cut himself with stones." (Mark 5:3-5) What a torturous existence. The man was healed by Jesus in such a dramatic fashion that when the people saw him. "...sitting there, dressed and in his right mind; and they were afraid." (verse 15) They were so afraid that they pleaded with Jesus to leave. The former demonic begged to go with Jesus but Jesus instead told him to, "Go home to your family and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you. So the man went away and began to tell in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him. And all the people were amazed." (verses 19,20) Afraid became amazed as this one man became a witness for Christ through his changed life. When Jesus later returned to this area, instead of people begging him to go, "...great crowds came to him, bringing the lame, the blind, the crippled, the mute and many others...and he healed them...And they praised the God of Israel." (Matthew 15:30,31) It does not explicitly say, but I can't help but wonder if the former demon-possessed man's changed life and testimony didn't help pave the way for a more receptive return for Christ. How many people benefited at Christ's return to the area because they were no longer afraid? And all because of one man's obedience to go home and share Jesus. Today is Monday. What kind of testimony do we live at home?
I listened to a YouTube video by Bill Johnson called "Presence of God". He spoke about the demon-possessed man in the region of the Gerasenes which was a largely Gentile area. When Jesus crossed the lake and got out of the boat he was greeted by this poor man who, "...lived in the tomb, and no one could bind him any more, not even with a chain. For he had been chained hand and foot, but he tore the chains apart and broke the irons on his feet. No one was strong enough to subdue him. Night and day among the tombs and in the hills he would cry out and cut himself with stones." (Mark 5:3-5) What a torturous existence. The man was healed by Jesus in such a dramatic fashion that when the people saw him. "...sitting there, dressed and in his right mind; and they were afraid." (verse 15) They were so afraid that they pleaded with Jesus to leave. The former demonic begged to go with Jesus but Jesus instead told him to, "Go home to your family and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you. So the man went away and began to tell in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him. And all the people were amazed." (verses 19,20) Afraid became amazed as this one man became a witness for Christ through his changed life. When Jesus later returned to this area, instead of people begging him to go, "...great crowds came to him, bringing the lame, the blind, the crippled, the mute and many others...and he healed them...And they praised the God of Israel." (Matthew 15:30,31) It does not explicitly say, but I can't help but wonder if the former demon-possessed man's changed life and testimony didn't help pave the way for a more receptive return for Christ. How many people benefited at Christ's return to the area because they were no longer afraid? And all because of one man's obedience to go home and share Jesus. Today is Monday. What kind of testimony do we live at home?
Year 5; Day 206 A Lifestyle Devoted to Christ
Bill Johnson asked an interesting question in his YouTube video "Presence of God". "What kind of lifestyle do we live once we're devoted to Christ?" Seems like it wouldn't be too hard to answer...until you try. The first word that struck me is "devoted". Do we think of ourselves as devoted to Christ? Is that how we would describe our relationship with Him? And my devoted, your devoted, and someone else's devoted may not look the same. But certainly devoted would include committed and that would include time and energy. The word "lifestyle" doesn't mean Sundays and special occasions only. It means the style of your life...the way you live every day. Everyday living. In the house, on vacation, on the job, with family, with friends, summer, winter, relaxed, stressed. Where do I find my blueprint for a lifestyle devoted to Christ? From Christ Himself. "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit." (John 15:5) Branches start out small and thin. But with time they thicken and lengthen. They get their life, their nourishment, their everything they need from the trunk with its roots. They grow stronger and more fruitful with pruning and care. Branches can be traced back to the trunk. Would people trace our lifestyle back to Christ? Would they say, "Well, he/she handled it this way and reacted that way instead of the other way and the only way they would do that is if they were Christians...followers of Christ...living a lifestyle devoted to Christ." If people traced our lifestyle choices, behaviors, and attitudes back to its source, would that source be Christ or self? Or a confusing mixture? Today is Tuesday. Sometimes I think we would rather our definition of a lifestyle devoted to Christ than Christ's.
Bill Johnson asked an interesting question in his YouTube video "Presence of God". "What kind of lifestyle do we live once we're devoted to Christ?" Seems like it wouldn't be too hard to answer...until you try. The first word that struck me is "devoted". Do we think of ourselves as devoted to Christ? Is that how we would describe our relationship with Him? And my devoted, your devoted, and someone else's devoted may not look the same. But certainly devoted would include committed and that would include time and energy. The word "lifestyle" doesn't mean Sundays and special occasions only. It means the style of your life...the way you live every day. Everyday living. In the house, on vacation, on the job, with family, with friends, summer, winter, relaxed, stressed. Where do I find my blueprint for a lifestyle devoted to Christ? From Christ Himself. "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit." (John 15:5) Branches start out small and thin. But with time they thicken and lengthen. They get their life, their nourishment, their everything they need from the trunk with its roots. They grow stronger and more fruitful with pruning and care. Branches can be traced back to the trunk. Would people trace our lifestyle back to Christ? Would they say, "Well, he/she handled it this way and reacted that way instead of the other way and the only way they would do that is if they were Christians...followers of Christ...living a lifestyle devoted to Christ." If people traced our lifestyle choices, behaviors, and attitudes back to its source, would that source be Christ or self? Or a confusing mixture? Today is Tuesday. Sometimes I think we would rather our definition of a lifestyle devoted to Christ than Christ's.
Year 5; Day 207 Forgive to be Forgiven
I was thinking about my last statement in yesterday's post. About how sometimes (?) we seem to prefer our definition of a lifestyle devoted to Christ rather than Christ's. If we are truly devoted to Christ, then what He says will be of utmost importance. Except I find myself occasionally (okay, lots of times) checking to see if there is a bit of a loophole...some wiggle room...and mostly there is not. Yesterday, as I continued reading in Mark, I read verse 25 of chapter 11. Jesus is speaking to His disciples and said, "And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins." Anything. Anyone. Do you see any wiggle room there? Any exceptions to the rule? I looked up the King James Version of the verse and it says, "...forgive, if you have aught against any...". I looked up the word "aught" in the Greek. Often there are definitions with explanations underneath. Not for "aught". It simply said: whatever, whoever. Whatever/anything. Whoever/anyone. I want there to be more. Some conditions or exceptions. Like rankings. If the offense falls within certain categories or is a repeat, then you have a certain amount of time for revenge or for unforgiveness. Or at least a time frame for bitter thoughts and imaginary retaliation. That might be my rule...but it's not Christ's. Forgive so that I may be forgiven. And just in case we aren't sure how far He really meant for us to take it, we have Christ's example from the cross as He hung there dying, "Father, forgive them, for they don't know what they are doing..." (Luke 23:34) Today is Wednesday. Devotion to Christ doesn't allow for picking and choosing what suits. To be forgiven...forgive.
I was thinking about my last statement in yesterday's post. About how sometimes (?) we seem to prefer our definition of a lifestyle devoted to Christ rather than Christ's. If we are truly devoted to Christ, then what He says will be of utmost importance. Except I find myself occasionally (okay, lots of times) checking to see if there is a bit of a loophole...some wiggle room...and mostly there is not. Yesterday, as I continued reading in Mark, I read verse 25 of chapter 11. Jesus is speaking to His disciples and said, "And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins." Anything. Anyone. Do you see any wiggle room there? Any exceptions to the rule? I looked up the King James Version of the verse and it says, "...forgive, if you have aught against any...". I looked up the word "aught" in the Greek. Often there are definitions with explanations underneath. Not for "aught". It simply said: whatever, whoever. Whatever/anything. Whoever/anyone. I want there to be more. Some conditions or exceptions. Like rankings. If the offense falls within certain categories or is a repeat, then you have a certain amount of time for revenge or for unforgiveness. Or at least a time frame for bitter thoughts and imaginary retaliation. That might be my rule...but it's not Christ's. Forgive so that I may be forgiven. And just in case we aren't sure how far He really meant for us to take it, we have Christ's example from the cross as He hung there dying, "Father, forgive them, for they don't know what they are doing..." (Luke 23:34) Today is Wednesday. Devotion to Christ doesn't allow for picking and choosing what suits. To be forgiven...forgive.
Year 5; Day 208 How to Forgive
I like things that have steps and if you follow the steps, you have success. That is one of the reasons I like sewing and quilting so much. If I follow the steps neatly, my efforts are usually not in vain. In theory, this should also work for cooking but I am pretty much convinced there is a secret step and I am mostly never told or figure out the secret. Sometimes growing in Christ feels like there is a secret step and not all of us know it. We know to accept Christ as Saviour, read our Bibles, pray, fellowship with other believers and be thankful. And then you read Mark 11:25; "And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins." Jesus said it so it must be possible...but I can't find a 1-2-3 recipe for forgiveness when you have been betrayed, crushed, devastated, hurt, or otherwise wronged. What I find are verses and examples that remind me to have a thankful heart, to bring all my needs to Him in faith (including the need for a forgiving heart), to abide in Christ and He will abide in me, that nothing is impossible with God, and that, "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." (Philippians 4:13 KJV) Maybe there is no formula because forgiveness depends on us...our heart, our relationship, our level of commitment to a lifestyle devoted to Christ, our willingness. I am thinking the recipe/pattern for forgiveness is a personal one achieved together...Jesus and me...Jesus and you. Today is Thursday. He is my/our strength.
I like things that have steps and if you follow the steps, you have success. That is one of the reasons I like sewing and quilting so much. If I follow the steps neatly, my efforts are usually not in vain. In theory, this should also work for cooking but I am pretty much convinced there is a secret step and I am mostly never told or figure out the secret. Sometimes growing in Christ feels like there is a secret step and not all of us know it. We know to accept Christ as Saviour, read our Bibles, pray, fellowship with other believers and be thankful. And then you read Mark 11:25; "And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins." Jesus said it so it must be possible...but I can't find a 1-2-3 recipe for forgiveness when you have been betrayed, crushed, devastated, hurt, or otherwise wronged. What I find are verses and examples that remind me to have a thankful heart, to bring all my needs to Him in faith (including the need for a forgiving heart), to abide in Christ and He will abide in me, that nothing is impossible with God, and that, "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." (Philippians 4:13 KJV) Maybe there is no formula because forgiveness depends on us...our heart, our relationship, our level of commitment to a lifestyle devoted to Christ, our willingness. I am thinking the recipe/pattern for forgiveness is a personal one achieved together...Jesus and me...Jesus and you. Today is Thursday. He is my/our strength.
Year 5; Day 209 In the Night
Bill Johnson made a comment that kind of intrigued me. He talked about the benefits and power of God speaking to us in the night. I never really thought about it even though there are numerous Biblical examples. When Solomon (David's son) became a young king of Israel, God came to him in a dream and said, "Ask for whatever you want me to give you." (1 Kings 3:2) Quite the statement! And in his sleep Solomon responded, "...give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours? The Lord was pleased,..."I will do what you have asked...Moreover, I will give you what you have not asked for---both riches and honor..." Then Solomon awoke---and he realized it had been a dream." (verses 9-13,15) This marvelous agreement was sealed in sleep and fulfilled in the day. God called Samuel in childhood while he was sleeping and appeared or spoke to numerous people in the night including Joseph, Pharaoh, the prophets, various disciples, and ordinary people. "For God does speak---now one way, now another---though man may not perceive it. In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falls on men as they slumber in their beds." (Job 33:14,15) I can't say as I have had any visions but I have awakened singing (in my head) to the Lord or with a crystal clear word for a post or with a solution to a problem. I think that was the Lord speaking to me in the night and I didn't always realize it. Maybe we need to be more aware of what we are thinking as we go to sleep...making sure our mind is open and clear for the Lord to speak. I am going to ponder on this. Today is Friday. "I will praise the Lord, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me." (Psalm 16:7)
Bill Johnson made a comment that kind of intrigued me. He talked about the benefits and power of God speaking to us in the night. I never really thought about it even though there are numerous Biblical examples. When Solomon (David's son) became a young king of Israel, God came to him in a dream and said, "Ask for whatever you want me to give you." (1 Kings 3:2) Quite the statement! And in his sleep Solomon responded, "...give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours? The Lord was pleased,..."I will do what you have asked...Moreover, I will give you what you have not asked for---both riches and honor..." Then Solomon awoke---and he realized it had been a dream." (verses 9-13,15) This marvelous agreement was sealed in sleep and fulfilled in the day. God called Samuel in childhood while he was sleeping and appeared or spoke to numerous people in the night including Joseph, Pharaoh, the prophets, various disciples, and ordinary people. "For God does speak---now one way, now another---though man may not perceive it. In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falls on men as they slumber in their beds." (Job 33:14,15) I can't say as I have had any visions but I have awakened singing (in my head) to the Lord or with a crystal clear word for a post or with a solution to a problem. I think that was the Lord speaking to me in the night and I didn't always realize it. Maybe we need to be more aware of what we are thinking as we go to sleep...making sure our mind is open and clear for the Lord to speak. I am going to ponder on this. Today is Friday. "I will praise the Lord, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me." (Psalm 16:7)
Year 5; Day 210 The Currency of Heaven
Sometimes you kind of know stuff but you have never articulated it and then when someone does, it's like, "Oh, yeah. I knew that." I was listening to Graham Cooke on YouTube (only the second time and they were very short clips) and he said, "Logic requires information. Trust just requires a promise. Promises are the currency of heaven---the currency of the 'new man'." The "new man" or "new creation" is referencing 2 Corinthians 5:17, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" When I heard that promises are the currency of heaven, I realized how true that is. While belief in God is not without some logic (creation with its order, systems, laws, design, and purposeful creations speaks to a Master Designer) and God has proven His Word to be true ( historical proofs, prophecies that have been fulfilled---birth, death, and resurrection of Christ, formation of the nation of Israel, among many), the bulk of our faith is based on trust. Trust that God's promises in His Word are true. Trust in His character and His power to carry those promises out. Trust in His promised purpose and master plan for humanity as a whole and as individuals. Trust that He cares. That He is faithful. That He loves. That He forgives. Trust that He is trustworthy because He cannot lie and so He must keep His promises. Trust His mercy. His grace. Trust His promise of justice in the end when all will give an accounting...all of us. Trust His promise of eternal life...where we spend it depends on our choice...whether to trust His plan of salvation and reconciliation...or not. Today is Saturday. Trust in His promises. Past. Present. Future. The currency of heaven.
Sometimes you kind of know stuff but you have never articulated it and then when someone does, it's like, "Oh, yeah. I knew that." I was listening to Graham Cooke on YouTube (only the second time and they were very short clips) and he said, "Logic requires information. Trust just requires a promise. Promises are the currency of heaven---the currency of the 'new man'." The "new man" or "new creation" is referencing 2 Corinthians 5:17, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" When I heard that promises are the currency of heaven, I realized how true that is. While belief in God is not without some logic (creation with its order, systems, laws, design, and purposeful creations speaks to a Master Designer) and God has proven His Word to be true ( historical proofs, prophecies that have been fulfilled---birth, death, and resurrection of Christ, formation of the nation of Israel, among many), the bulk of our faith is based on trust. Trust that God's promises in His Word are true. Trust in His character and His power to carry those promises out. Trust in His promised purpose and master plan for humanity as a whole and as individuals. Trust that He cares. That He is faithful. That He loves. That He forgives. Trust that He is trustworthy because He cannot lie and so He must keep His promises. Trust His mercy. His grace. Trust His promise of justice in the end when all will give an accounting...all of us. Trust His promise of eternal life...where we spend it depends on our choice...whether to trust His plan of salvation and reconciliation...or not. Today is Saturday. Trust in His promises. Past. Present. Future. The currency of heaven.
Year 5; Day 211 Reframing Our Thinking
Graham Cooke said that our thinking needs to be reframed so our perceptions are the same as God's. Now that is a sentence to chew on! The concept is not new...maybe I am just ready to hear it. Paul says in 1 Corinthians 2:16 that, "...we have the mind of Christ." Jesus said, "...everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you." (John 15:15) Those are big statements that require careful consideration. What is "the mind of Christ"? Christ had one thing on His mind...to do the will of His Father and to carry out the Father's plan and purpose. If we have "the mind of Christ" that should be our mindset as well. In theory...maybe. In reality...well now...hmmmm. Cooke said part of reframing our thinking is to reject negative thoughts and replace them with thoughts that put our focus on God. What does God think about this situation? How does He view it? When I am faced with a difficult situation, God sees it as an opportunity for me to grow in faith and trust. It is a time when I can take my knowledge of God promises and apply them in reality. I can take the promises and live them. But what if my situation/your situation seems/is impossible? Like Jesus telling the disciples to go get enough food to feed the multitude themselves. Or whatever your own equivalent scenario of impossible might be. What is the mind of Christ? How would God perceive that impossible situation? "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." (Matthew 19:26) All. All things. Reframing my thinking from my mindset to Christ's. Lots more pondering on this needed.
Graham Cooke said that our thinking needs to be reframed so our perceptions are the same as God's. Now that is a sentence to chew on! The concept is not new...maybe I am just ready to hear it. Paul says in 1 Corinthians 2:16 that, "...we have the mind of Christ." Jesus said, "...everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you." (John 15:15) Those are big statements that require careful consideration. What is "the mind of Christ"? Christ had one thing on His mind...to do the will of His Father and to carry out the Father's plan and purpose. If we have "the mind of Christ" that should be our mindset as well. In theory...maybe. In reality...well now...hmmmm. Cooke said part of reframing our thinking is to reject negative thoughts and replace them with thoughts that put our focus on God. What does God think about this situation? How does He view it? When I am faced with a difficult situation, God sees it as an opportunity for me to grow in faith and trust. It is a time when I can take my knowledge of God promises and apply them in reality. I can take the promises and live them. But what if my situation/your situation seems/is impossible? Like Jesus telling the disciples to go get enough food to feed the multitude themselves. Or whatever your own equivalent scenario of impossible might be. What is the mind of Christ? How would God perceive that impossible situation? "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." (Matthew 19:26) All. All things. Reframing my thinking from my mindset to Christ's. Lots more pondering on this needed.