Sorry Into Action

We've been having this little problem around our house.  This problem involves ears that don't seem to listen, brains that don't seem interested in comprehension, mouths that seem to be quite liberated and free flowing with their words, and these little electronic devices called iPods.

Several days ago I asked my youngest little blessing to do something, and as if in a trance, she moseys about and half heartedly did the task I asked her to do.  I look up a few seconds later and she's plopped up on the couch in an iPod coma.

I looked at her and then at what I had asked her to do, and let's just say Momma wasn't too happy about this little situation we found ourselves in. 

Comatosely unaware of my dissatisfaction, she sat contently playing her game while I stood before her fuming. 

I'll leave the rest of the details out except to say that after much weeping and gnashing of teeth,  the little iPod is now in Momma's possession and the job I asked her to do was done properly.

A couple of days later the youngest little blessing comes to me asking for said electronic device back, and I was quickly able to roll examples from my brain as to why she still could not have her electronic friend back into her sweet little hands.

After my list of examples, those sweet little hands flung around my waist, her chin lifted toward the ceiling, and she tried to break me with the most innocent repentant voice she could muster:

But I'm sorry, Mom!

Let's just say, Momma's ain't that easy.

Well, Brenna, if you ever want your iPod back, you had better learn to put that "sorry" into action!

And, yes, the iPod is still in my possession, tucked safely in one of my secret hiding places.

As soon as I told my daughter that she needed to put that sorry into action, I felt that Holy Spirit nudge and I had to ask myself a question or two. 

Do I treat God the same way?  Do I say I'm sorry, but never put sorry into action? 

If I don't, I'm not really sorry then, am I?

What about you? 

Royal Princess Daughter Of The King

Not A Good Medicine Taker

I'm not a good medicine taker.  Really, I'm not.  Don't get me wrong, if I have a headache, I'll be sure to find Tylenol or an ibuprofen, but outside of that - nope - not a good medicine taker.  I have to be knocking on death's door with a cold before I will take any of that liquid stuff.  Just thinking about it right now is giving me the I-dont-want-tos.

And that pink stuff - you all know what I'm talking about - that pink stuff for your tummy?  I would just soon die as swallow that girly looking liquid chalk....Eww - I can't really spell the sounds I am making as I describe this to you, just use your imagination, I'm sure it will be close.

I really have to psych myself up to swallow medicine.   I read the label a hundred times hoping I can find a smaller amount that I am actually required to swallow, then I resign myself to the fact that I am not going to find a different answer no matter how many times I read the label. 

I pour it into the little dose cup, being sure not to get even ONE DROP more than I have to, afterall I don't want to swallow ONE drop much less an extra. 

I fix me a glass of water - a big glass.

With water in one hand and medicine cup in the other, the battle begins.

My eyes go from the water to the drug.

Drug to the water.

I can do this.

I hate this.

I can do this.

I hate this.

It only lasts a second.

A second is a very long time.

Eventually I take the plunge, swallow the syrup, and guzzle the water. 

And then the that-was-so-gross-rigor surfaces and it's over.  Usually followed by my groaning something like "that was so gross".   I know - such an original phrase, but are you in my kitchen with me?

I don't like medicine.  It tastes bad.  It gives me the that-was-so-gross-rigors.

But it helps me. It heals me - from the inside out.

And if I am sick enough, I will face that giant and swallow it for help.

You know, truth is like medicine, sometimes it doesn't taste good, but it does a work from the inside out.

I'm the same way about hearing truth sometimes.  I know I need it, but I don't want it because it doesn't taste very good.

We don't want to hear it.  But we need to.

....Thy truth will continually preserve me.

Psalms 40:11



To be honest, sometimes truth doesn't settle well at first. If I let my flesh have control, truth can down right make me mad, but if I give it time to let the Spirit work, I begin to see a change in perspective. 

I'm sure the disciples felt the same way when Jesus said:

But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper shall not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you.

John 16:17

I'm sure the disciples didn't want to hear the truth that Jesus was telling them, but He told them anyway.  They didn't want Him to leave, and if we could have gotten a glimpse into the conversation that day, I think we would have found that what they were hearing was not settling well with them.  Their friend and master leaving them was not something they wanted to face.

We don't want to face truth either sometimes, but face it we must if we want to grow and heal from the inside out.  Truth preserves us, and by leaving, Jesus was sending the Spirit.  If you read further in John 16, He tells them that the Spirit would convict them and expose them to truth. 

Jesus was leaving and the Spirit of Truth came so He could heal us all from the inside out.  He's still healing us today. 

No, sometimes it doesn't taste good, but I know that it is for my best.

What truth is He revealing to you today?  Are you a good medicine taker?



 


Royal Princess Daughter Of The King

Stand Up

If you're visiting from Be The Domino Ministries, welcome to Beyond Sunday Morning.  Feel free to poke around a bit and see what we're all about. 

If you're one of my faithful readers, would you take a moment to visit Whitt Madden's site, Be The Domino?  He has compiled lots of information on excellent ministries on his site along with ways you can personally get involved in ministering to others.  There are also bible study opportunities - especially for the guys, so be sure to tell your hubbies about Be The Domino.

Now for today's post, for those of you who have been part of Beyond Sunday Morning for a long time, you might remember this post.  It fit so well with the subject Whitt wanted to address, that  I had to post it again.  Enjoy - let it sink in .....deep....

The subject of spiritual battle surfaces more often these days than we would like. In our christian circles, I'm sure we've all discussed the intense need we have for purposefully putting on our spiritual armor every day and being alert and ready for attacks from the enemy.

It seems everywhere I go, there are many of God's people who are weary and overwhelmed right now. It doesn't seem to matter if the individual is a new or seasoned believer, the story is the same......

I just don't know how much more I can take.....

Many times when I've heard this, I've seen eyes brimming with tears, and witness their spirits longing for some glimpse of hope. My hearts break along with all of theirs. Most of these spirits that are downcast, are weary for what they see happening or about to happen to those that they love.

With spiritual and physical despair in mind, it makes me think of something I read about Daniel a few weeks ago. If you would like to read it for yourself, you can find what I'm talking about in Daniel chapter 10. Daniel had been given a vision of future things that would happen to God's people, it was a vision of war and terrible hardship. The things he had been shown in this vision were so disturbing that Daniel mourned and did not eat for three weeks.

If your spirit is weary, I'm sure you can identify with what Daniel was feeling.

Daniel was standing on the banks of the Tigris River, he saw a messenger from God. Being an emotional wreck already, Daniel grew very weak and passed out at the mere sound of the voice of this one resembling a man. The messenger reaches down, touches him, and lifts him trembling to his hands and knees. And he said to Daniel -

"Daniel, you are very precious to God, so listen carefully to what I have to say to you. Stand up, for I have been sent to you." v11

Trembling, Daniel stands up to take heed of the messengers words.

My weary friends, I know your spirits are trembling, I know you feel weak, but listen to what I have to say to you --- You are very precious to God. Stand Up. Listen for God's message to you.

The messenger goes on to tell Daniel to not be afraid -

"Since the first day you began to pray for understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your request has been heard in heaven. I have come in answer to your prayer. But for twenty-one days the spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia blocked my way. Then Michael one of the archangels came to help me, and I left him there with the spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia...."v 12-14

How long had Daniel been in mourning, unable to eat?

Yes, 3 weeks.

How long had the messenger from God been detained by the enemy?

21 days or 3 weeks!.

That's one of those things that makes you go Hmm Hmm Hmm- you 90's kids will totally get what I mean!

Daniel mourned in his spirit for what would happen to his people - God's people - for 3 weeks and there was spiritual battle going on between the enemy and God's messenger for 21 days. I think it no coincidence that these numbers are the same and I think it no coincidence that the messenger was sure to tell Daniel that since the FIRST day he began to pray, his requests had been heard in Heaven - hence, the battle.

War-torn family, your requests are being heard since the first day you began to pray about this and there is battle taking place for you.

Daniel stands speechless, looks down to the ground, then the messenger touched his lips as if to release the words in Daniel's heart....Daniel pours out these sentences, I'm sure you can identify -

"I am filled with anguish because of the vision I have seen, my lord, and I am very weak. How can someone like me, your servant, talk to you, my lord? My strength is gone and I can hardly breathe." v16

I know some of you feel like you can hardly breathe under the weight of your struggles. The messenger reminds him again

"Don't be afraid," he said. "For you are very precious to God. Peace! Be encouraged! Be strong!" v18

Then Daniel says -

As he spoke these words to me, I suddenly felt stronger and said to him, "Please speak to me, my lord, for you have strengthened me." v19

Ok, follow me for just a minute. We know all of the different things Jesus is to us as I AM. One of the characteristics of Jesus is strength. He IS strength. He is the I AM; therefore, whatever our need is, HE IS. He is strength. He is courage.

And if He is living in you, if He has touched you like the messenger touched Daniel causing him to feel his strength return, you can BE strong. You can BE encouraged. You can have peace. This was but a messenger of god who was able to do this, you have THE GOD living in you, imagine the possibilities.

Whether you are a "Daniel" or a "Danielle", stand up!

For you are very precious to God.

Take up the full armor of God, that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything to stand firm. Stand firm, therefore.....
Eph 6:13-14

Stand up.

Just stand.

God has a message for you.

Even in the midst of this battle.


Royal Princess Daughter Of The King