GOSSIP: to talk idly, esp. about the affairs of others; go about tattling.
Yesterday I had a revelation from God about the wonders God would do if I would just let go. One of the areas was GOSSIP! I am sooo good at it too. Some sick satisfaction I get from it, I do. I guess deep down I feel not only vindicated but extremely gratified that I told about how betrayed I was or hurt THEY MADE ME FEEL! Heheheeh...
But God was very clear that doing so was a form of manipulation and control. If the tables turned and things started to look different in said situation, I could possibly steal the glory from my Lord and take credit, believing that it was something I said that changed the outcome. It is a total and complete lack of trust in my Lord. He promises to bring things to completion on my behalf in EVERY way (Philippians 1:6)! Me going about gossipping is like me saying to God that I don't think He is truly going to do so, therefore I might as well give my 2 cents.
I share this with you because I truly believe that if I refrain from it, except maybe sharing with my counselor, etc...I truly believe God is going to show up in a BIG way. I am not saying that this is the end all and if I just do this God will restore everything in a snap and all will be hunky dory. That requires a life's journey to transformation in God's word and a consistent conscious decision to bend to His will. But I do believe that during that journey God will go above and beyond if we truly obey Him. God hates gossipers. I got convicted of it and confessed. This is a new journey for me, but I am willing to take it on. Truth is...If I am not faithful with the little things God has brought to the light, then I will most certainly not be faithful to change the bigger things. And how could God use a disobedient child? Anywho, here are some scriptures to back up my conviction. If the shoe fits...wear it and join me! I truly pray that you read these scriptures, it has done me great! My prayer is to receive this word and let it soak into me that I may reflect the true image of Christ, so that I may be a testimony of "HIS POWER, HIS LOVE and HIS WAY OF LIFE, that I may do HIS WILL always!" (The Big Book)
Love you all!
Proverbs 31:27
She (he) looks well to how things go in her (his) household, and the bread of idleness (gossip, discontent, and self-pity) she (he) will not eat.
2 Corinthians 12:20
For I am afraid that when I come I won't like what I find, and you won't like my response. I am afraid that I will find quarreling, jealousy, anger, selfishness, slander, gossip, arrogance, and disorderly behavior.
1 Timothy 3:11
The women likewise, must be worthy of respect and serious, not gossipers, but temperate and self-controlled, thoroughly trustworthy in all things.
Psalm 15:1-3
Who may worship in your sanctuary Lord? Who may enter your presence on your holy hill? Those who lead blameless lives and do what is right, speaking truth from sincere hearts. Those who refuse to gossip or harm their neighbors or speak evil of their friends.
Proverbs 11:13
A Gossip goes around telling secrets, but those who are trustworthy can keep a confidence.
Proverbs 16:28
A troublemaker plants seeds of strife; gossip separates the best of friends.
Proverbs 17:4
Wrongdoers eagerly listen to gossip; liars pay close attention to slander.
Proverbs 20:19
A gossip goes around telling secrets, so don't hang around with chatterers.
Proverbs 25:9-10
When arguing with your neighbor, don't betray another person's secret. Others may accuse you of gossip, and you may never regain your good reputation.
Proverbs 25:23
As surely as a north wind brings rain, so a gossiping tongue causes anger!
Proverbs 2:20
Fire goes out without wood, and quarrels disappear when gossip stops.
Romans 1:29
Their lives became full of every kind of wickedness, sin, greed, hate, envy, murder, quarreling, deception, malicious behavior, and gossip.
Hallelujah to the Lamb of God!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
True Wisdom
"Fear of the LORD is the foundation of true wisdom. All who obey his commandments will grow in wisdom..."
Psalm 111:10 (NLT)
According to Dictionary.com, wisdom is "the quality or state of being wise; knowledge of what is true or right coupled with just judgement as to action, discernment, or insight." So basically, wisdom is the pathway to truth and making right choices based on that truth. Not only is this a necessary element for sobriety but it is also a necessary element for living a life of blessing. The question is, how do I acquire such a God-given gift?
Psalm 111:10 and many other scriptures in the bible (e.g. Job 28:28, Proverbs 1:7, Proverbs 9:10, Proverbs 15:33, Micah 6:9, Acts 9:31) say that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, or Yir'ah, as written in the original Hebrew text. When speaking of God, yir'ah means reverence, piety or respect. A San Antonio Pastor once said it clearly, "the fear of the Lord is a reverence for God that produces obedience." Simply said, if I respect the Lord enough to obey His word I will "grow in wisdom."
In my early days of sobriety I just had to keep it simple. Just do the next right thing. This meant discovering ways to follow the Lord's command enough that, because of the promise in Psalm 111:10, I would eventually be catapulted into the most healthy cycle known to man, i.e. I would obey, (as much as I knew how), which would bless me with wisdom, which would bless me with more right choices or obedience, which would in turn, bless me with more wisdom and on and on. I knew that I just had to begin somewhere.
The following paragraphs are simply my own experience. Surely there are many examples, other than the ones listed here, that exemplify how to fear the Lord. These just happen to be the ones that grew me in wisdom.
First, I knew that I could not possibly know what the Lord commanded of me if I did not know what He said. Therefore, first and foremost on my list was to read the living and active word of God! Because it is living and active, I just trusted that reading it would bring me said wisdom. Besides, it says in Deuteronomy 31:12 (NLT) that one learns to fear the Lord by reading His book of instruction. So that's number one!
Secondly, I knew I had to tithe. Somehow I just knew that letting go of money that I didn't have was a true test of faith in God's provision. This notion was confirmed with Deuteronomy 14:22-23 (NLT). It says, "You must set aside a tithe of your crops-one tenth of all the crops you harvest each year...doing this will teach you to fear the Lord your God."
Thirdly, I had to serve the Lord in faithfulness and an undivided heart (2 Chronicles 19:9 NLT). Therefore, I began to be diligent, seeking the help and strength of the Holy Spirit, in doing away with the things that were contrary to the word of God. If that meant not gossiping, worrying, arguing or any other sin, then it was so. Matthew 6:24 clearly states that we cannot serve two masters. It shouldn't be done.
Fourthly, I knew that I had to be an example and teach others about the Word of God and to spread the good news of what God had done for me. 2 Chronicles 17:7-10 shows how the fear of the Lord was a direct result of all the changes Jehoshaphat made including going out among the people and teaching them the law. I am certainly not saying that we should all just start a bible study or our own church and begin teaching the masses. But we have opportunities in everyday life and in our recovery groups to share what God is showing us.
Lastly, although this is not much of an action step but more of an observation step, the miracle of God conquering my addictions and other defects of character is in and of itself enough to produce the fear of the Lord. Joshua 4:21-24 shows how battles won by our God in our own life and the lives of others are parts of the fabric of fearing the Lord our God. Therefore, I am more in tune today with God's work all around me ever reminding me of His greatness, hence producing a deeper reverence for Him.
My prayer is that these things be accomplished through rest in Him. Not through restlessness and struggle because we, out of our own power (PRIDE), are trying to accomplish these things. The worst thing for me is to find myself sinning in one area trying to get rid of sin in another. God's grace is surely enough!!!
Psalm 111:10 (NLT)
According to Dictionary.com, wisdom is "the quality or state of being wise; knowledge of what is true or right coupled with just judgement as to action, discernment, or insight." So basically, wisdom is the pathway to truth and making right choices based on that truth. Not only is this a necessary element for sobriety but it is also a necessary element for living a life of blessing. The question is, how do I acquire such a God-given gift?
Psalm 111:10 and many other scriptures in the bible (e.g. Job 28:28, Proverbs 1:7, Proverbs 9:10, Proverbs 15:33, Micah 6:9, Acts 9:31) say that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, or Yir'ah, as written in the original Hebrew text. When speaking of God, yir'ah means reverence, piety or respect. A San Antonio Pastor once said it clearly, "the fear of the Lord is a reverence for God that produces obedience." Simply said, if I respect the Lord enough to obey His word I will "grow in wisdom."
In my early days of sobriety I just had to keep it simple. Just do the next right thing. This meant discovering ways to follow the Lord's command enough that, because of the promise in Psalm 111:10, I would eventually be catapulted into the most healthy cycle known to man, i.e. I would obey, (as much as I knew how), which would bless me with wisdom, which would bless me with more right choices or obedience, which would in turn, bless me with more wisdom and on and on. I knew that I just had to begin somewhere.
The following paragraphs are simply my own experience. Surely there are many examples, other than the ones listed here, that exemplify how to fear the Lord. These just happen to be the ones that grew me in wisdom.
First, I knew that I could not possibly know what the Lord commanded of me if I did not know what He said. Therefore, first and foremost on my list was to read the living and active word of God! Because it is living and active, I just trusted that reading it would bring me said wisdom. Besides, it says in Deuteronomy 31:12 (NLT) that one learns to fear the Lord by reading His book of instruction. So that's number one!
Secondly, I knew I had to tithe. Somehow I just knew that letting go of money that I didn't have was a true test of faith in God's provision. This notion was confirmed with Deuteronomy 14:22-23 (NLT). It says, "You must set aside a tithe of your crops-one tenth of all the crops you harvest each year...doing this will teach you to fear the Lord your God."
Thirdly, I had to serve the Lord in faithfulness and an undivided heart (2 Chronicles 19:9 NLT). Therefore, I began to be diligent, seeking the help and strength of the Holy Spirit, in doing away with the things that were contrary to the word of God. If that meant not gossiping, worrying, arguing or any other sin, then it was so. Matthew 6:24 clearly states that we cannot serve two masters. It shouldn't be done.
Fourthly, I knew that I had to be an example and teach others about the Word of God and to spread the good news of what God had done for me. 2 Chronicles 17:7-10 shows how the fear of the Lord was a direct result of all the changes Jehoshaphat made including going out among the people and teaching them the law. I am certainly not saying that we should all just start a bible study or our own church and begin teaching the masses. But we have opportunities in everyday life and in our recovery groups to share what God is showing us.
Lastly, although this is not much of an action step but more of an observation step, the miracle of God conquering my addictions and other defects of character is in and of itself enough to produce the fear of the Lord. Joshua 4:21-24 shows how battles won by our God in our own life and the lives of others are parts of the fabric of fearing the Lord our God. Therefore, I am more in tune today with God's work all around me ever reminding me of His greatness, hence producing a deeper reverence for Him.
My prayer is that these things be accomplished through rest in Him. Not through restlessness and struggle because we, out of our own power (PRIDE), are trying to accomplish these things. The worst thing for me is to find myself sinning in one area trying to get rid of sin in another. God's grace is surely enough!!!
Thursday, April 8, 2010
STAND ON THE PROMISE
"Have you completely rejected Judah? Or have you loathed Zion? Why have you stricken us so that we are beyond healing? We waited for peace, but nothing good came; And for a time of healing, but behold, terror!"
Jeremiah 14:19 (NASB)
In recovery things can get pretty dark. And I want to take a moment here to remind everyone that I am not just speaking of recovery from addiction. Life in general is a journey through recovery. As you read this, and any of my blogs for that matter, keep that in mind and replace any references to my personal struggles with your own hang ups. Now that I've cleared that up I will continue. One would think that the moment we quit drinking or using, our life will change completely and all will become dandy! And although this holds true to some extent, simply quitting our drug of choice does not complete recovery. There is a spiritual overhaul that must take place in order to reap the harvest of recovery. And unfortunately this harvest comes through trials and pain.
Self-pity can come over us quite easily. And we end up finding ourselves in a pit of despair because of our suffering. Blaming God for our despair seems easy. After all...we did our part! We quit using and drinking and so now if we are unhappy it must be that God has abandoned us right? WRONG!!!
Just like the Israelites held captive in Babylon, we too must come to a place of recognition that we have fallen away from God. We must come to a place of admittance that without God we have nothing and we are nothing. We must come to a place where we acknowledge that God must come first in our lives and then...put it into practice and literally put Him first! If we cannot acknowledge our powerlessness without God and if we cannot turn our will and our lives over to Him, then we can be sure that this imprisonment will last for an eternity. But God is a gracious God! And, He has promised that He will restore us on the condition of following Him and His ways wholeheartedly. Jeremiah 29:10-14 says, "You will be in Babylon for 70 years. But then I will come and do for you all the good things I have promised, and I will bring you home again. For I know the plans I have for you,' says the Lord. 'They are plans for good and not disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you WILL find me. I will be found by you,' says the Lord. 'I will end your captivity and restore your fortunes. I will gather you out of the nations where I sent you and will bring you home again to your own land."
In the midst of all the crud that comes with the recovery process we can find hope that our God has not abandoned us and that He truly knows where we find ourselves and what we need to get where we are going. I choose to stand firm on His promise of deliverance and allow NOT the pit of darkness to drive me back into despair. My hope is in the Lord!
Jeremiah 14:19 (NASB)
In recovery things can get pretty dark. And I want to take a moment here to remind everyone that I am not just speaking of recovery from addiction. Life in general is a journey through recovery. As you read this, and any of my blogs for that matter, keep that in mind and replace any references to my personal struggles with your own hang ups. Now that I've cleared that up I will continue. One would think that the moment we quit drinking or using, our life will change completely and all will become dandy! And although this holds true to some extent, simply quitting our drug of choice does not complete recovery. There is a spiritual overhaul that must take place in order to reap the harvest of recovery. And unfortunately this harvest comes through trials and pain.
Self-pity can come over us quite easily. And we end up finding ourselves in a pit of despair because of our suffering. Blaming God for our despair seems easy. After all...we did our part! We quit using and drinking and so now if we are unhappy it must be that God has abandoned us right? WRONG!!!
Just like the Israelites held captive in Babylon, we too must come to a place of recognition that we have fallen away from God. We must come to a place of admittance that without God we have nothing and we are nothing. We must come to a place where we acknowledge that God must come first in our lives and then...put it into practice and literally put Him first! If we cannot acknowledge our powerlessness without God and if we cannot turn our will and our lives over to Him, then we can be sure that this imprisonment will last for an eternity. But God is a gracious God! And, He has promised that He will restore us on the condition of following Him and His ways wholeheartedly. Jeremiah 29:10-14 says, "You will be in Babylon for 70 years. But then I will come and do for you all the good things I have promised, and I will bring you home again. For I know the plans I have for you,' says the Lord. 'They are plans for good and not disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you WILL find me. I will be found by you,' says the Lord. 'I will end your captivity and restore your fortunes. I will gather you out of the nations where I sent you and will bring you home again to your own land."
In the midst of all the crud that comes with the recovery process we can find hope that our God has not abandoned us and that He truly knows where we find ourselves and what we need to get where we are going. I choose to stand firm on His promise of deliverance and allow NOT the pit of darkness to drive me back into despair. My hope is in the Lord!
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Infectious Sin
"...Is anyone here afraid or worried? If you are, you may go home before you frighten anyone else..."
Deuteronomy 20:8 (NLT)
Fear is contagious! Just being around fearful people can bind one to their same fear. This is one way Satan attacks our faith.
Recently, there was a Swine Flu (H1N1) outbreak. A whole county actually closed the schools to prevent the spread of this flu. When I had first heard of this outbreak God clearly said to me that my immediate family would be untouched by it. God made a specific promise to me. He said to me not to worry about the H1N1 because not one in my household would become sick. So I stood on His promise.
About a week went by and I heard from my sister. She called me concerned about the swine flu. She had sent me an email stating that the president would soon declare state of emergency and that medicine was running out. The email went on to say that we should stay way from enclosed places and to buy the suggested herbal substances to boost our immune system. Instantly I felt a flood of doubt come over me. A surge of fear clouded me and I felt the need to hurry up and get in my car to the local health food store to buy these supplements. I felt anguished and actually called my church to inform them that I would not be volunteering because I didn't want my kids in childcare. I even re-sent the email to everyone I knew!!! It was awful the amount of "caution" I felt. I can laugh about it now and as I write I am chuckling at how dumb I was!
I am not saying that we shouldn't be wise. After all, in First Peter 5:8 it says that God does not call us to be negligent but to be cautious at all times. However, God gave me a specific promise for my household! He specifically gave ME a promise! My sister may not have gotten that promise. Therefore, it may have been well for my sister to seek out these precautionary measures and she, on the other hand, may have felt the need to obey God by GETTING the medicines. But as for me and my household, God promised a passover! And yet I was being swayed and moved by my environment's condition and was no longer standing on the word of God. Satan began using "reasoning" as a diversion to my faith. Before I knew it, I had forgotten His word.
What has God promised YOU? Stand on THAT truth! God's word will confirm what He has said. Reasoning is a tool used by Satan to get us to forget that God is an almighty God, a God of the impossible, a God of miracles! This is a battle, a real spiritual battle! I must resolve to not be moved by the fearful soldiers and press into the Word of God! Hallelujah!
Deuteronomy 20:8 (NLT)
Fear is contagious! Just being around fearful people can bind one to their same fear. This is one way Satan attacks our faith.
Recently, there was a Swine Flu (H1N1) outbreak. A whole county actually closed the schools to prevent the spread of this flu. When I had first heard of this outbreak God clearly said to me that my immediate family would be untouched by it. God made a specific promise to me. He said to me not to worry about the H1N1 because not one in my household would become sick. So I stood on His promise.
About a week went by and I heard from my sister. She called me concerned about the swine flu. She had sent me an email stating that the president would soon declare state of emergency and that medicine was running out. The email went on to say that we should stay way from enclosed places and to buy the suggested herbal substances to boost our immune system. Instantly I felt a flood of doubt come over me. A surge of fear clouded me and I felt the need to hurry up and get in my car to the local health food store to buy these supplements. I felt anguished and actually called my church to inform them that I would not be volunteering because I didn't want my kids in childcare. I even re-sent the email to everyone I knew!!! It was awful the amount of "caution" I felt. I can laugh about it now and as I write I am chuckling at how dumb I was!
I am not saying that we shouldn't be wise. After all, in First Peter 5:8 it says that God does not call us to be negligent but to be cautious at all times. However, God gave me a specific promise for my household! He specifically gave ME a promise! My sister may not have gotten that promise. Therefore, it may have been well for my sister to seek out these precautionary measures and she, on the other hand, may have felt the need to obey God by GETTING the medicines. But as for me and my household, God promised a passover! And yet I was being swayed and moved by my environment's condition and was no longer standing on the word of God. Satan began using "reasoning" as a diversion to my faith. Before I knew it, I had forgotten His word.
What has God promised YOU? Stand on THAT truth! God's word will confirm what He has said. Reasoning is a tool used by Satan to get us to forget that God is an almighty God, a God of the impossible, a God of miracles! This is a battle, a real spiritual battle! I must resolve to not be moved by the fearful soldiers and press into the Word of God! Hallelujah!
Saturday, March 6, 2010
"Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God."
2 Corinthians 5:20
A few months ago my mother had invited my two oldest children, Joshua (4) and Charli (3), and my niece Katya (3) to spend the night. During that time frame, Charli and I were struggling in our mother-daughter relationship. Their was constant disobedience, a true rebellion on her part. On this particular day, Charli had been in and out of time-out and finally I resorted to taking away the privilege to spend the night at "Guita's" house. It had been the last straw!
It was time to go and we got in the car to head over to my mom's. When we arrived, Katya came running out to show us a tower of Legos she made. She was so excited! The apparent apathy that Charli conveyed about her consequence quickly turned into a puddle of tears. "Mama, I want to stay," she said whimpering. To which I replied, "You cannot stay,Charli." Then, with a deep pitter-patter of her lips as she sucked in her tears, and took a deep breath, she said, "Maaama, but I want to stay." I looked back at her and told her that she could not stay because it was her consequence for the choice she made.
Joshua and Katya quickly ran inside to build more towers and we pulled out of the carport. Charli began sobbing profusely. Shortly there after I started crying myself! I was saddened and deeply burdened to see my little girl's heart being broken. I was truly grieved at the fact that she was not able to partake in something that would have been so much fun for her! I cried out to God and explained to Him, "But Lord, the whole time we were at home I had been almost begging her to shape up. I kept saying, 'Please Charli, I don't want to have to consequence you.' I gave her chance after chance to make the right choice, hoping that I would not have to resort to taking away the special night at Guita's!!! But still she made the wrong choices and I found myself having to discipline her. I had no choice, Lord!"
And I heard the most gentle voice say to me, "Monica, that is how it is with Me. I love you and I want so many good things for you. I am grieved when I see you going through the consequences of your bad choices. I beg eagerly for you to be right with Me."
There was an out pour of tears at that moment. I could not help but to ask for forgiveness for every time I had made the Lord, my daddy, grieve because of my decisions. I began to imagine His great suffering every time He saw me in jail, or every time I picked up that bag of cocaine. Because of my despair at my daughter's loss of privileges, I understood how terrible God must have felt to see me give myself to the things of this world. And knowing that, even then, He still beseeches me to be reconciled to Him, is nothing short of glory! He wants good things for me. He has His hand extended, ready to hand them over. All He asks is that I follow Him and do what He says.
Right then and there I began to exalt Him for His goodness to me. The whole ride home I praised Him. The most wonderful thing is that, the same goodness He bestows upon me, He eagerly begs to bestow upon you, if you let Him by means of obedience. God is soooo good!
2 Corinthians 5:20
A few months ago my mother had invited my two oldest children, Joshua (4) and Charli (3), and my niece Katya (3) to spend the night. During that time frame, Charli and I were struggling in our mother-daughter relationship. Their was constant disobedience, a true rebellion on her part. On this particular day, Charli had been in and out of time-out and finally I resorted to taking away the privilege to spend the night at "Guita's" house. It had been the last straw!
It was time to go and we got in the car to head over to my mom's. When we arrived, Katya came running out to show us a tower of Legos she made. She was so excited! The apparent apathy that Charli conveyed about her consequence quickly turned into a puddle of tears. "Mama, I want to stay," she said whimpering. To which I replied, "You cannot stay,Charli." Then, with a deep pitter-patter of her lips as she sucked in her tears, and took a deep breath, she said, "Maaama, but I want to stay." I looked back at her and told her that she could not stay because it was her consequence for the choice she made.
Joshua and Katya quickly ran inside to build more towers and we pulled out of the carport. Charli began sobbing profusely. Shortly there after I started crying myself! I was saddened and deeply burdened to see my little girl's heart being broken. I was truly grieved at the fact that she was not able to partake in something that would have been so much fun for her! I cried out to God and explained to Him, "But Lord, the whole time we were at home I had been almost begging her to shape up. I kept saying, 'Please Charli, I don't want to have to consequence you.' I gave her chance after chance to make the right choice, hoping that I would not have to resort to taking away the special night at Guita's!!! But still she made the wrong choices and I found myself having to discipline her. I had no choice, Lord!"
And I heard the most gentle voice say to me, "Monica, that is how it is with Me. I love you and I want so many good things for you. I am grieved when I see you going through the consequences of your bad choices. I beg eagerly for you to be right with Me."
There was an out pour of tears at that moment. I could not help but to ask for forgiveness for every time I had made the Lord, my daddy, grieve because of my decisions. I began to imagine His great suffering every time He saw me in jail, or every time I picked up that bag of cocaine. Because of my despair at my daughter's loss of privileges, I understood how terrible God must have felt to see me give myself to the things of this world. And knowing that, even then, He still beseeches me to be reconciled to Him, is nothing short of glory! He wants good things for me. He has His hand extended, ready to hand them over. All He asks is that I follow Him and do what He says.
Right then and there I began to exalt Him for His goodness to me. The whole ride home I praised Him. The most wonderful thing is that, the same goodness He bestows upon me, He eagerly begs to bestow upon you, if you let Him by means of obedience. God is soooo good!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)