Climbing Onto the Alter

~Erin Blair

Imagine this scene: you are in a crowded courtyard in ancient Israel. You are bringing your animal [a dove or a lamb or bull based on your financial status] to be sacrificed by the priests. The animal you are leading is pulling against its lead, wild-eyed and not wanting to be led to the scary looking mound of stones that smell and drip with blood of previous sacrifices. You finally are able to drag the animal up to the priest who wrestles the beast onto the stone alter, holding it down while slitting its throat, sacrificing it to Jehovah. The animal kicks and thrashes as its lifeblood is spilling, and then finally stills.

Thankfully we live in the Christian dispensation where we do not have to offer animal sacrifices for our sins. But yet we are not completely free of this idea. 

We read in Romans 12:1, “ I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.”

Anyone who has dealt with animals, any animal whether it be a dog or a large animal like a horse or cow, if they don’t want to go somewhere, or are scared to, it can be difficult to “persuade” them. They pull and strain against your lead, even fighting against going where you want to take them. As Romans 12:1 we are to be living sacrifices. What does this mean?

If you try to make an animal stay put in a place they are scared of, or uncomfortable and they don’t respect or submit to you. They aren’t going to stand still, and are more likely to move away or run off. Let me give an illustration. My husband and I own two Labrador retrievers. The very first thing we did when training them was getting them to submit to us. Now that they respect and submit to our authority, they do whatever we command them to do. If we tell our female lab (our inside dog) to lay down and be completely still, she will not move a muscle until we give her the command that she can get up and move. Even if a fly lands on her nose, she won’t move. It is the same concept with us Christians.

Just as our dogs are to submit to our commands, we are to submit to God and do what He says. We are to be living sacrifices. This means we are to climb onto the alter ourselves-willingly- and stay there. It won’t be easy. We, like those animals of the Old Testament, may be scared of the possible pain and discomfort. But, that is what God demands of us; to be ready to sacrifice ourselves willingly and without complaint. We shouldn’t act like those animals who had to be held down to be sacrificed. We need to have the attitude like Christ, who in Luke 22:42 said, “…not My will, but Yours, be done.”

Are we sacrifices who wiggle and squirm and fight all the way up to the “alter,” unwilling to do what God commands? Or do we climb up onto the “alter” and pour ourselves out?

2 Timothy 4:6 “For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand.”

Erin resides in Ben Wheeler TX with her husband, Jordan. Erin has been involved with preparing and organizing the work of the church since she was a teenager by teaching all ages of Bibles classes, helping prepare and organize Ladies Days, Prom Alternatives, Youth Rallies and VBS. She is currently works as a paralegal for a law firm. She and her husband also spend their time enjoying their garden, dogs, rabbits, chickens, ducks, quail…etc. Life is never dull at her house.

Can you do your sisters a favor...Please??

~Tracy Frederick

I am pretty tired. I’ve had to make some tough decisions lately in regard to my job so I have lost some hours of sleep. Ok, I realize it is just a job; I get it. It is just something to pay the bills and it is not eternity…but, in a way, it is….you see, how I behave toward others determines if others see me as honest and trustworthy and ultimately reflects…yep, on my Father so even though it is just a job, it is more than just a job, you know?

But, what was difficult about accepting about the new position is not knowing how to do it. I’ve never done it before. I have some good and bad examples, but no experience so it feels like I am going into the great abyss with only a candle…a birthday candle at that. Ok, I know I’m not, but it kinda feels that way….and for those who know me, know that I like knowing. I like being prepared and able to predict the road ahead. I like knowing. So, I reached out to people I trust and asked: Can you do me a favor…please? If you see me going down the wrong road, or see me about to make a mistake, will you please…please…please tell me to stop and backup? Will you please let me know if I say something stupid? I don’t want to fail and it is hard walking this path...alone....in the dark.

So, as the overwhelming responsibility of my new position caught up with me I thought about those who I trust will “have my back” and then I wondered about more important matters…. if my spiritual sisters have my spiritual back. I mean, what if a sister sees that I am about to break my leg (spiritually speaking) and said nothing. I wonder if she wouldn’t say anything because she thinks I believe it isn’t her business. Or maybe she’s afraid that I would get angry with her? Wow! Yeah…I think that I, or we, maybe haven’t been as welcoming to help as we should and you know, that’s not how the Lord designed His church. In Luke 10 our Savior sent out His apostles in pairs. He knew that they were going to face difficult situations. He knew that they needed each other to find the path; to help each other just like He knows we need the same thing- each other to get it back on track.

And so, I wonder if we, in the most important “job” that we’ve been given- our spiritual service- if we think we can go it on our own. Just like in my new position, I can’t watch everything. I will make mistakes. I can’t always see the problems ahead. Spiritually we may not realize when we mess up…just like we can’t always tell if something looks good on us…we need someone to be honest with us…tell us the truth even when it hurts. We’re a little prejudice, you know? We think we’ve got it together, even when we don’t.

So, I have a favor to ask….a really…really big favor. Please tell me when you see me mess up. Please don’t let me fail in my spiritual walk. I know that it may be hard to speak up. I know that we believe that others don’t want to hear it…but if we are truly working for that spiritual success, we will want the help. So, can’t you do your sister a favor…please?

Ignoring The Other Fruit

Tracy Frederick 

He really thought that he’d gotten away with it; he thought that he had covered his tracks well. No one said anything, but everyone new, but everyone also knew that he was God’s chosen. Who was going to say anything and risk being unemployed, perhaps put in prison, or worse? Besides, if anyone was above God’s law, it would be David, right? It is easy to list off David’s righteous accomplishments: He killed Goliath when no one else would attempt it; he didn’t kill Saul- God’s anointed, even though he had a right; he brought the ark back to Israel. I mean, it doesn’t get much better than David, right? I think it is interesting that God includes David’s sin in His book. David seemed so perfect, but then no one is…perfect, right? I cringe when I read Nathan’s words to David: you have “despised the commandments of the Lord to do evil in His sight” (2 Samuel 11). David despise the Lord? Really? Wow…..But didn’t he love the Lord? Didn’t God know that David was a good guy? I mean, “despised” is a pretty strong word. But, that’s the word that the Lord gave Nathan to say to David: despise. I can’t imagine the hurt that David felt. But, what follows is so amazing. David didn’t get angry at Nathan and he didn’t deny it. He didn’t argue with Nathan, or defend his actions. He didn’t try to excuse it away like Adam tried to excuse his sin in the garden, or Abraham’s lie about Sarah….nope, he owned it…He said: ”I have sinned against the Lord.” He owned it with NO excuses….He did it and he knew it…and in doing it and denying the sin, He despised the Lord. That’s what drove him to his knees; it drove him to the floor to pray for forgiveness and then he willingly accepted the consequences- the death of his child.

I wonder how often we our conscience is so sorely troubled over our offense that we have been too soul-sick to eat or sleep, or willingly accepted what we deserve, as David did. I fear that we have lost our ability to feel sorry…REALLY sorry, that godly sorrow that David felt (For godly sorrow works repentance to salvation not to be regretted: but the sorrow of the world works death. 2 Cor 7:10). I worry that we have convinced ourselves, perhaps like David, that we are such a good person that it will all “even out in the end.” Or perhaps we are in denial too? Perhaps we have convinced ourselves that our Father doesn’t really see?…doesn’t know?….won’t mind?….or will ignore it?…for us, since we love Him so much, right? If He love us so much, why wouldn’t He just overlook it? I mean, it’s embarrassing right? Repentance always is. It means that we put away our egos and admit that we are wrong….yep wrong…wrong…wrong… But, that’s what led us to the Lord in the first place, right? Realizing that we were wrong…DEAD wrong and knew the consequences that awaited us for despising the Lord. It is hard, I get it, repentance means that I have to make the sin right: I may have go to someone and apologize for being a liar, I may have to apologize for cheating, change my clothes or even change my friends….It means that I may be lonely for a very, very, very long time…But, you know the list of the works of the flesh in Gal 5 or the long list of sins in Rom 1. But, even if we don’t know that list by heart, we know…don’t we? Yeah, we know….we know what is right and what is wrong…. we know but I am not so sure that we realize that He knows too…He sees and He knows.… and the really important, or the scary and tough part is-- if He wasn’t willing to ignore David’s sins, He isn’t going to just ignore mine either is He? 

“Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance.” Matthew 3:8

Just to sit at His feet…

~Tracy Frederick

He was just sitting there, on top of a mountain, and the crowds found him. They always seemed to find Him didn’t they? They needed Him. But, the magnificence of the scene is hard to imagine: “and large crowds came to him, bringing with them the lame, crippled, blind, mute, and many others and they laid them at His feet; and He healed them”(Matt. 16:329-30). But, it what follows that is equally amazing to me: “And Jesus called His disciples to Him, and said, ‘I feel compassion for the people, because they have remained with Me now three days and have nothing to eat…’” (v. 32) Three days…they sat for three days with nothing to eat…not a thing. What does that really mean? It was a mountain right? So, it must have been rocky, I assume. It sounds miserable, really. I mean, seriously miserable, doesn’t it?… Except for the most important part, right? They sat at the feet of the Master for THREE DAYS!

So, I’ve been thinking a lot about those three days- the incredible hunger, the rocks, the bugs, again--the hunger…..but what gets me is no one complained. Do you see that? Nowhere in the text does one person complain about being hungry or uncomfortable. There are even children in the crowd, and no one complained about a tummy grumbling. In fact, you will see that it is Jesus who mentions that He was concerned about sending them away “for fear that they might faint on the way. “ No one seemed to be leaving…after sitting for three days. Didn’t they have jobs? Didn’t they have family trips waiting on them? Didn’t they have crops or animals to tend to? Didn’t they have responsibilities?...their kids in some kind of activity? Didn’t someone leave something in the oven????

I’ve been wondering: what would we give up to sit at the Master’s feet for three days? Three days listening to our Savior. I think we would quickly exclaim that we would give up ANYthing…our jobs, our homes, our personal relaxation plans, our family obligations just to sit at the feet of Jesus’ for three whole days.

The sad part is….we don’t. I mean, really, we don’t, do we? We have every opportunity to sit at our Master’s feet anytime, right? We weren’t like them, we don’t have to trek up to a mountain top and sit on hard rocks, endure bugs and hunger to listen to His teaching, do we? Nope…no need to go hungry, right? We can sit in the comfort of our favorite chair, snacking on our favorite snack and sipping a cool beverage while “sitting at His feet.” Yeah…we can…hummm…. So, the question for me is: would we have been in that crowd on the mountain? Would we have endured three days of hunger and rocks and bugs just to sit at the Master’s feet? .but, the problem is that I am afraid that we don’t…I mean there are so many opportunities to “sit at His feet” aren’t there? Yeah…. But do we? I mean, I wonder if we are just maybe a little too comfortable?... Maybe we need a mountain? Maybe we need bugs?……Maybe we need rocks?…..or maybe we just need to be hungry.

“Blessed are those that hunger and thirst after righteousness for they shall be filled.” Matthew 5:6.

because of YOU!!

“These are the words that Moses spoke to all Israel beyond the Jordan in the wilderness...”.and that’s how the book of Deuteronomy begins. Moses spends a lot of time reminding them about how many times they rejected the Lord -- exposing their grumblings, pettiness, selfishness and disbelief—and reminding them of each time God helped them. It is painful to read, but, they needed to hear it. It was the end of their journey, they were about to enter the land that the Lord had promised them and actually GAVE them. They had traveled a long way, lost all of their loved ones in the process and Moses, their leader, was about to die. It was time for him to go and them to journey on without him.

I have always been in awe of the relationship Moses had with God. ..God talked to Moses as if to a friend. I can’t imagine it. So, the words that Moses spoke toward the end of the third chapter is kinda...well...odd to me.. especially because Moses knew God...really well.

 “Then I pleaded with the Lord at that time, saying: ‘O Lord God, You have begun to show Your servant Your greatness and Your mighty hand, for what god is there in heaven or on earth who can do anything like Your works and Your mighty deeds? I pray, let me cross over and see the good land beyond the Jordan, those pleasant mountains, and Lebanon.’ “But the Lord was angry with me because of you and would not listen to me. So the Lord said to me: ‘Enough of that! Speak no more to Me of this matter.”  Deut 3:23-26.

That phrase: “because of you” is really strange to me. I get that Moses had suffered with them, for them and had walked each step of the way in the dessert wondering...camping....waiting...wondering. Moses knew they had him to thank for their lives; He had saved them from the wrath of God...a couple of times. But, it is strange to me that Moses, of all people, blames the people of Israel for his sin. What is most odd about this to me is that God had already passed judgment on this issue (see Numbers 20:12). God was very clear as to why Moses was barred from entering the land- He didn’t trust God and didn’t honor God’s command. Basically, he disobeyed and let his ego get in the way.

But, isn’t it interesting in the passage above that Moses tries to flatter God- reminding Him of His mighty power- and asks Him to change His mind. I couldn’t help but recall all of the conversations that Moses and God had before this in which the Lord gave His word; gave His command and all of the times that the Lord stood by it, never wavering. That’s not a shocker. What, I am really stunned by is that Moses new that and still asked...that Moses knew God and tried blamed someone else for his sin... telling God that it was THEIR fault...THEY had made him do it....It was because THEY would not listen to him that he HAD to strike the rock....right?...yeah...wrong. Moses was a great man; a man of God, but the reason he wasn’t allowed into the land that the Lord had promised was his own fault....no one else’s...and no one else is to blame. It is a lonely idea, isn’t it? ---All alone in one’s sin? 

 These are a few small verses tucked away in a long book, but the application to us is obvious isn’t it? Can someone else MAKE us sin no matter how frustrating, ungrateful, grumbling and complaining they are? Will God accept us blaming someone else for our actions?....He didn’t accept it from Moses, the one He trusted to lead His chosen people- in fact, He told him to stop it!.... and I know He isn’t going to accept my excuse either- I too must stand all alone and accept it..... no matter how many excuses I want to offer....I must accept that isn’t because of YOU!
~Tracy Frederick

What if the Answer is No?

~Tracy Frederick

Maybe you too have found yourself praying unceasingly...night and day? Maybe you also remember that bracelet that people wore: PUSH (pray until something happens)? Maybe you too “pushed” and “pushed” every day, every night even to the point that when you awoke in your sleep, you were still praying, or “pushing” diligently. Maybe you are left wondering: Is it possible that a loving God may say “no”? In a world in which we expect a quick answer, expect that we will get our way, I rarely hear us talk about the possibility of God saying “no”...and if He does- what then? Does He not love us? Does He not care? But, that's when I reflect on  when God said “no,” “no” to His most faithful.

David begged God for the life of His child- God said no. 1 Sam 12: 16-18

Peter prayed three times for God to remove his “thorn in the flesh” - God said no. 1 Cor 12: 7- 9

Jesus prayed to His Father to let Him escape the torture that was upon Him - God said no. Matthew 26: 39-44

In each of these situations you must admit- “no” was the best answer. David needed to pay for his consequences, Peter might have become too arrogant to continue to preach the word accurately, and well....you know why God said “no” to His Son.

I guess part of the motivation for me sharing this thought today is that I have come to wonder--as I listen to prayers in the Lord’s worship assembly and hear people talk-- if we have lost our humble attitude when we pray to the Almighty God of the Universe. The idea that we are allowed to approach Him to offer our supplications and to pour out our hearts is pretty mind-blowing to me. To imagine Him--on His thrown, with His host of angels singing praises to Him while he takes the time to listen to my problems humbles my heart. His lovingkindess, care and mercy for each of us is overwhelming. And yet when we pray I wonder if we really trust the Almighty God’s will for our lives? If we did, wouldn’t we be ok with “no,” just like our Savior was? I mean, what if God had said to Jesus: “yes, I will let this cup pass”? Do you wonder how He would have found a different way to save us? ...but...hummm......no- It had to be a sinless sacrifice, right? (Hebrews 10:1-10)...so, He HAD to answer “no” to our Savior, His son- the man in agony pleading to avoid our punishment-  to not let the cup pass. So, “no” had to be the answer....it was the only answer that could save us.

I worry about my younger sisters, young in the faith who may fail because they think of our Father as a “Santa Claus” or “Fairy Godmother” who grants our wishes. I wonder if we have the faith to endure “no.” So, I will continue to pray because my Father wants to know my heart. I will continue to strive to seek His will in my prayer requests, that they will be about fulfilling His will- those who are struggling/ill will recover and return to being good soldiers in His kingdom. But, I will also accept that someone not recovering can be “no” for me, but save the soul of someone else. I will accept when my Father tells me “no” and I will learn to trust that “no” is sometimes just what is needed for His purpose and humble myself to recognize that His purpose is more important than mine, and His grace is all sufficient to live with a “no.”  

Keeping up with the Jones'

~Erin Blair

In today’s world, we are constantly bombarded via marketing ads, music, and even idle gossip to get the next big thing, next big toy.  So many people are trying so hard to “one up” their friends and neighbors.  If our neighbor buys a new car, well we have to buy one bigger and flashier than theirs.  If their kid gets a trampoline, ours has to have one too.  Having worked in a large law office for a while now, I constantly see people trying to look better, smell better, and have better things than the next person.  I have even had clients who are so obsessed (yes, obsessed) with beating the other party and winning loads of money in a lawsuit or are so paranoid that so-and-so is trying to steal from them/trying to cheat them out of their wealth. 

 The writer of Hebrews states in chapter 13 verse 5, “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.”   Why are these people so frantic to get the new iPhone or newest laptop or car?  The one they have works perfectly fine.  Why are they wanting the newer, bigger thing?  Why are they trying so hard to “keep up with the Jones’s?”  It is a matter of contentment.

 
Are we truly content?  Society tends to frown upon, or make fun of, people who truly are content with very little.  In society’s eye, he who dies with the most toys wins, and it is easy for this attitude to creep into the church.  Even with very little in regards to the world’s wealth, “…I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.” (Phil. 4:11)  But do we truly know how to be abased and abound? To be full and to be hungry? To suffer and to abound? (Phil. 4:12) Can we truly be these things and still be content?  Remember what our Lord said in Matthew 6:21, “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”  Do we love the things of this world more than Christ and His church?  Are we content with whatever we have, whatever state of life we are in because we know that we have a far greater reward in heaven?

 Oftentimes people look at those who are less wealthy than us, or don’t have the latest and greatest gadget or clothes and some think how unfulfilled they must be.  But let us look inward at ourselves and search our hearts to see if we are truly content, whether we be rich or poor.  Or are we just racing to get the next big deal?  Where is our treasure?

Erin resides in Ben Wheeler Tx with her husband who preaches for the Ben Wheeler congregation. Erin has been involved with preparing and organizing the work of the church since she was a teenager by teaching all ages of Bibles classes, helping prepare and organize Ladies Days, Prom Alternatives, Youth Rallies and VBS.  She is currently works as a paralegal for a law firm. She and her husband also spend their time enjoying their sweet dog, chickens, ducks, quail…etc.  Life is never dull at her house.

What if God.....

~Tracy Frederick

It seems so complicated doesn’t it? At least I think we make it that way. Recently I sent a dear sister a text asking for scriptures and some spiritual advice about a topic that I’ve struggled with for a long time.  It seems so complex to me. But, her answer was pretty simple: “ I always just  think of God...He ....”  It was that opening to a short sentence that pointed to “What would He do? How does He deal with this situation?” That makes sense, right? And it is pretty simple. Our Savior said that His followers would know the Father if they knew Him (Matt 11:27; Lk. 10:22, John 7:29 etc.). Paul told the Corinthians to imitate him as he imitated the Son  (I Cor. 11:1; 4:16; Phil 3:17; I Thess. 1:6).hummm ...nothing complex about it.  But, as with any good spiritual question, the answers led me to exam things a little deeper. I know that I am to imitate Him in all things, but ....what if He imitated me? So, I started considering......what if God were more like us...?

What if God.... talked about others like we do? .....behind their back? ...complained about others in gossip and slander?

“But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.”  Matthew 12:38 (see also: James 4:11, 12; James 5:7,9; James 5:10; James 3:6)

What if God..... treated others the way we do? What if God played favorites?

“There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.” Galatians 3:27 (see also: Romans 3:22; Galatians 3:26; Ephesians 2:14)

What if God....was as selfish as we are? What if He cared as much about His own comforts as we do?....would He have given His son for us?

“But God commends his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8  (see also: John 15:13;  Romans 4:25; Romans 5:6; John 3:16; Eph 5:2 ; I John 4:19)

What if God...took us as seriously as we take Him?  Would we be ok with Him “fitting us into His schedule” when it was convenient?  What if He was too busy for us?

 “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money. Matthew 6:24   (see also: Gal 1:10; James 4:4)

What if God....... loved us as much as we love Him? I mean...real love- sacrificial, all our heart and  our being willing to give anyone and everyone up for Him....everything and everyone (Matt. 10:37)....yep...that agape love.

“...He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.”  Hebrews 13:5  –He has never forsaken the faithful.   (see also:  Joshua 1:9; Isaiah 43:2; Ex 13:21; Deut 4:31; Deut. 31:6).

What if God was more like us...would He have given His Son to die for us? 

“For God so loved the world that He gave....” John 3:16. (Romans 8:32; Hebrews 2:9; I John 4:9; Rev 1:5)

These questions are absurd aren’t they? I mean, God is...well...GOD! He isn’t us, and that is the best part- He isn’t selfish like we are.....but He did make us to be His glory didn’t He? ouch....And...didn’t He ask us to love with an agape love? So, are we?  I think we allow ourselves the “out” to be selfish, unkind and unloving by saying...”we aren’t God!”  Or, “He knows I’m not perfect!” I’ve heard people use these kinds of statements as an excuse for bad behavior. But, we cannot deny that  He has given us all that we need to know to be like Him, or at least less like other humans:  “Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, ³as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue,  by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.”  II Peter 3:2-4.

Then He not only told us, but He showed us how to do it: ” For we have not a high priest who cannot be touched with the feeling of our weaknesses; but was in all points tempted like we are, yet without sin.” Hebrews 4:15.

When we break it down, it really isn’t so complicated, is it? He took us- selfish, unloving, unkind and without hope and simplified it by offering His unselfish, loving, kind and compassionate Son for us. But, what if God....were like us? Would He have done that? Would He have followed through? Aren’t we glad that He isn’t like us?  Isn’t it time that we weren’t either?

It Doesn’t Matter…REALLY, IT DOESN’T MATTER!!!

This world is not easy for sure. The physical illnesses and difficulties can sometimes only be overshadowed by the emotional hurt. I understand, I get it…but….does it matter? Really? I mean, when you get down to it? Really.

Our physical pain cannot compare to the beatings He endured for us because it mattered to our eternal soul:

“His visage was so marred more than any man, and His form more than the sons of men.” Is 52:14.

Our loneliness and emotional hurt cannot be matched by the isolation He felt for us because it mattered to our eternal soul:

 He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from Him; He was despised, and we esteemed Him not. Surely He hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem Him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. Isaiah 53: 4-5

It is easy to lose our focus on what is important and REAL when we allow ourselves to see only the temporary emotional and physical pain we have. But, really, it doesn’t matter. None of that stuff matters. When we lose our focus on the eternal opportunity He gave us through His physical pain and emotional suffering (Lk 22:39-46) we forget what matters.- living wholly to glorify our Father – and it paralyzes us from doing what matters. Who said what to whom that hurt our feelings doesn’t matter. How many pain pills we have to take to walk across the room doesn’t matter. NONE of it matters and NONE of it compares to the pain we caused our Savior when was humiliated by His creation, rejected and beaten physically beyond recognition by His creation.

Sometimes we need a little reality check, don’t we? We need to take a moment and compare our insignificant problems with the pain WE caused our Savior. I guarantee we will come up short, and hopefully gain a little perspective to realize that glorifying God in health, in physical pain, in emotional heartache, in our deep loneliness…you name it….in any trials we have…through any problems we suffer….Glorifying God is the ONLY THING that MATTERS. If do what matters (Acts 2:38, Rom 2:10, Matt 7:21) we will have the relief we desperately need….no more pain, no more loneliness….no more hurt. Christ knew what we needed when He offered Himself for what MATTERS the most to us.

“He hath poured out His soul unto death: and He was numbered with the transgressors; and He bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.”.Is 53:12
~Tracy Frederick

The Shadow....

All those great heroes of Faith's Hall of Fame that we read about in Hebrews 11 are so encouraging to us today. They were so faithful, yet when I read verse 13, I want to hang my head in shame! "These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and we're persuaded of them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth...."

Those of old ...were only able to see a shadow of the things to come. We, on the other hand, have His Holy Word and can look backward, with full sight, seeing that which has already come to pass. And yet...many today still do not believe. I am so thankful for those who had such great faith - those who were willing to sacrifice their very lives, trusting in the promises of God. It encourages me to press on toward the goal of heaven, knowing there is an eternal home in Heaven for the faithful. We have it very easy today, compared to the struggles of our brethren of old. Our prayer should be like that of Jesus' apostles: "Increase our faith, Lord," (Luke 17:5).

Happy are those that are Poor

~Tracy Frederick 

“Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the Kingdom of God.”  Matthew 5:3.

Sometimes it is easy to pass over parts of the Lord’s word when it seems difficult or confusing. Some of the most beautiful passages of scripture can tempt us to do so and in doing that, we lose the great depth that they offer. Consider: “Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the Kingdom of God.”  Matthew 5:3. We have all, no doubt, heard many a sermon on the “beatitudes.” But I admit that their great depth has alluded me until recently when in my studies on humbleness I decided to get my spiritual shovel out and dissect this idea. Our Savior begins His pronouncement of “blessings” with those who are poor in spirit. Now, I’ve always argued that each word in the text is there for a reason and the order is divinely inspired as well. There are no “happenstances” or “accidents” in the Bible. It is all intentional. So, when we look at these few short words that our Savior began His famous sermon with seem pretty important to me. So, I dug in.
Blessed= fortunate, well off: - blessed, happy.  This seems ok, until one considers the state of the happiness is tied to something that seems the opposite: “poor in spirit.” Just the thought of being poor in spirit seems ad odds with the idea of being happy and blessed right? Nope, not really when you consider the REAL  meaning, then all is clear: The word for ‘poor’ in Greek is ‘Ptochos’ which literally means having nothing, reduced to begging, like a beggar, totally broke. We usually think of being broke as a bad thing, right? Wrong again. Consider the person that is totally spiritually broke. Here are some examples from great men of God:

Isaiah 66:1-2: “Thus says the LORD, “Heaven is My throne and the earth is My footstool. Where then is a house you could build for Me? And where is a place that I may rest? “For My hand made all these things, Thus all these things came into being,” declares the LORD. “But to this one I will look, To him who is humble and contrite of spirit, and who trembles at My word.”

Isaiah 57:15: “For thus says the high and exalted One Who lives forever, whose name is Holy, “I dwell on a high and holy place, And also with the contrite and lowly of spirit In order to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite.”

Ps 51:17: “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; A broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise.”

So when we consider that an individual who has given up her will to the Father and realizes she is nothing without Him, it is at that place that she is happy and blessed because she finds comfort in nothing else but the word of the Lord. It is at that point that all fear and doubt and pain fall away…her spirit is renewed and refreshed as she fills herself with the hope of her eternal home.

Blessed? Happy? I’d say so…but only through her bankruptcy….in the realization that she is poor…without anything without her Master.

Becoming like a Child

~Tracy Frederick

“At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them,  And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.  Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 18: 1-4.

I have been honored to teach the two and three year old Bible class on Sunday morning for the last several years and it is my joy. On the rare occasion that I have to be gone, I assure my substitute that although they will fall in love with “my girls,” (or boys) they must give them back when I return! They usually look at me strangely as if to say: no problem! That is until they meet these sweet little souls.

On one particular morning we had class promotion and were expecting to welcome a new little girl in our class. Her grandmother was a little nervous and for weeks had been warning me that she would be difficult. I assured her that she would be fine and just to leave her with us and it would all work out. She still seemed nervous and looked at me either with doubt or that I was obviously out of my mind. So, on the morning our new sweet addition was on her way to class the little girl hesitated and started to cry. She wasn’t sure this was right. It looked a little scary. I looked a little scary. The room was unfamiliar. I assured the grandmother (and myself ) one more time that all would be fine and braced myself for lots of crying.

When her grandmother left, Makayla and I looked at the classroom decorations and discussed the wonderful animals, stars, fish, trees, etc. that God made. Then we watched for her classmates. I assure Makayla that Kynleigh and Tatiana would be here soon and she would love them (I was a little nervously I admit as my mind began to strategize how I would handle this). Finally, Kynleigh came bounding down the hallway with her usual wonderful smile from ear to ear. She quickly hugged Makayla and told her she loved her. Makayla wasn’t so sure about this. Kynleigh never seemed to notice and assured her that Bible class was fun and “we cannot cry, but must listen to Mrs. Tracy.”

We sat down and began our lesson. Makayla was fine for a few minutes, through the first song or two..but when we started our prayer Makayla began to whimper “I want mommy.’ I thought: Uh oh…then right on cue Kynleigh reached over and hugged her and told her “it is ok, we’re in Bible class!” Makayla pushed her away; she wasn’t having any of that. Kynleigh just looked at her as if she didn’t understand and said, ‘it’s ok. I just want to give you a hug. I think you need a hug.” Finally, after much coaxing Makayla allowed her to hug her, but was still upset. Kynleigh tried again: “Don’t worry. I love you and Jesus loves you too!”  This scenario continued: Makayla resisting, and Kynleigh assuring her that she was loved. Makayla pushing her away and Kynleigh insisting she loved her. Finally, our third arrived. Tatiana immediately became Kynleigh’s helper and sat on the other side of Makayla. She was surrounded. These two girls were going to love her and make her smile no matter how resistant she was to it. When she cried, they hugged. When she pushed them away they smiled and kissed her- or tried to. When she said NO! they laughed. When we sang our Genesis 1 song they showed her where heaven and the earth is. They showed her where to find Genesis 1 and 2 in her Bible. When we sang the song about how much we love and need the Bible, they made sure she had one and hugged it tight. When put the pictures of Abraham and Sarah on the flannel board, they explained to her that God chose Abraham because he obeyed. They explained to her that it was exciting because God promised Abraham that Jesus was coming! They told her “God promised.” And at each turn there was another hug or kiss, or compliment to Makayla about how pretty she is.

I watched these two little girls show unconditional love and concern for another little scared and lonely girl. I couldn’t help but think about my own actions and some of my adult brothers and sisters in Christ. I thought about how often when someone is unkind to us we just push back and turn away. I thought about how we often allow our own hurt to get in the way of helping someone who needs us. I thought about how I had allowed rejection to stop me from showing my love for another. I thought about how much I was like an adult.

Finally class was over much too soon, as always, and their mommy’s and grandmother came to pick them up. By that time Makayla had decided the hugs were kinda nice, the kisses were ok and that the Bible was something to love. She was happy.

That Sunday I was teaching three little girls to love God  and about how He cares for us in our time of need and sent Jesus to die for us because He love us. But, I am the one that learned the most valuable lesson that morning by two beautiful three year old girls. I learned that I, or we, could help ourselves out by stop acting like a grown up and act a little more like three year olds.   

 

The Blessing of Forgetting...and Remembering

~Tracy Frederick

The sounds of the storm, among other things cause another sleepless night. As I listen to the rain outside and storm blowing and try to quiet my brain to catch a few more hours of sleep, I pray. I pray for others who I know are hurting, for those who are facing challenges to their faith and those who have not yet found their Lord. My mind races from one to another, but included in those prayers first and foremost is my own inadequacies. It is in these quiet moments of night, and sometimes during the strangest moments of the day that a memory will appear. Sometimes it is welcome one, but often it is a reminder of something that I have done that I would rather forget, something that is shameful, and something that hurt my Master or the times that I have failed to do what I knew to be right and good. Each of these memories follow with a flood of regret, remorse and usually another short prayer for forgiveness, even though I know He has long ago forgiven me. So, this night as I pondered those memories and try to push them away I was thinking of why it is so hard to do that; why is it so hard to forget? I pray for peace from the regrets, but then I began to think about the comfort that comes from knowing that my Lord has no such recollection of those things that I seem to be unable to let go of. 

I contemplate the soul-soothing comfort that comes with godly forgiveness.  It is so much different from human forgiveness.  We all know what forgiveness means, the biblical use of the word is to “cast away” or “spare” from a punishment.  Each of us have asked for it from a friend, even asked us of when someone cuts in line at the grocery store or interrupts a conversation, but we may all too often remember it again when another person tries to do the same. Perhaps we take offense even more, since it has been done before, right? The problem is that we remember.  The most comforting thing I contemplate this night while praying for wisdom and peace is that my God does not.  “For  I will be  merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more” (Hebrews 8:12)  “And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more” (Hebrews 10:17).  Isaiah paints a great picture of what our God does with our forgiven sins: “… thou hast in love to my soul delivered it from the pit of corruption:  for  thou hast cast all my sins behind thy back.” (38:17). As I contemplate how hard it is for me to forget the things I’ve done, I have wondered about my God and how He is able to forget. After all, He isn’t a “forgetting” God. He remembered His promises to Abraham, even when he and Sarah had given up hope (Gen 12:1-3). He remembered His promise to His people when they thought He had turned His back (Ex 2:23). He remembered His promise He gave to me at the beginning of the world (Gen 3).

Yeah, I have a hard time understanding and forgetting. But, then again maybe it isn’t so bad that I remember. Maybe it is a good thing that from time to time as I go through my day, or on a dark stormy night my past offenses come back.  It is only because I remember, and feel remorse again for the pain I have caused that reminds me to hold onto the grace and peace that He offers.

It has been a long night already and tomorrow will be a longer day, but it is a great comfort knowing that tomorrow can be filled with peace; that if we are in Christ (Rom 6:4) we can have the grace (I John 1:7) and peace (Phil 4:7) of knowing God has forgotten.

The Faith to Touch the Hem

~Tracy Frederick

She was tired, no doubt, worn out from the daily routines of life as most women were, but even more so in her situation. Most likely she had no one to offer a comforting shoulder to cry on. It wasn’t possible, the law didn’t allow it; she was “unclean.”  “Unclean” was a word necessary to maintain the health of the people, but struck fear in the hearts of those who knew what it meant-- ostracism. Under the old law, no one could touch her, or anything she had touched (Lev 15: 25-27). The loneliness must have been overwhelming. Furthermore, it had been twelve years; twelve years of going from doctor to doctor and subjecting herself to one treatment after another, enduring embarrassment and unsuccessful treatments—“she had spent all that she had and was no better, but rather grew worse.”  The heartache and worry must have overcome her …and no one could help; no one could comfort, and all of her money was gone  (Mk 5:26) .

Jesus had been traveling about the region healing and had casting out demons (Mk 5:1-24, Lk 8:1-42, Matt. 9 1-19). He was a busy man and in demand, “the crowd thronged Him” (MK 5:24, Lk 8:42). In fact, when He arrived, an important man from the synagogue came to worship Him, Jairus, and desperately needed a favor- his daughter was dying (Mk 5:22-24). The man was important, and she was a woman and an unclean one at that. Perhaps this woman stood afar off and contemplated the consequences of her actions- the risk of being in a crowd; interrupting Jesus with a synagogue leader. Perhaps she stood back a bit, her heart pounding; feeling the blood flowing from her body with each beat of her heart. Perhaps she took a moment to contemplate the crowd that separated her from her Savior until she finally convinced herself to do it…take a chance… “If only I may touch His clothes, I shall be made well” (Mk 5: 28, Matt 9:21). I wonder about this great woman of faith: Did she try to ball herself up as tightly as possible so as not to risk making others unclean and suffer the consequences? Did she hide herself until the last possible moment knowing others might recognize her as unclean? Did she drop to her knees in the dust and dirt trying desperately to stretch out her hand as far as possible…perhaps even through the legs of others to reach Him? Were her hands, her fingers stepped on? Was dirt kicked in her face as she tried in desperation to not lose sight of the RIGHT garment; her eyes fixed on the RIGHT hem? She felt immediate healing when she finally touched it. I wonder how her eyes must have welled-up in happiness.

Then He turned to look for her. She must have been shocked. It was only a hem, right? She only dared touch His garment; she never touched HIM, and there were so many others around, right? But He knew. “The woman, fearing and trembling, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell down before Him and told Him the whole truth” (Mk 5: 33). She was afraid. She was unclean. Then He talked to her, looked right at her-- encouraged her…..and called her daughter (Matt 9:22, Lk 8;48, Mtt 9:22). (Note: This is the only time that I see Jesus calling someone “daughter”. )

The account, this small, little seemingly insignificant account of a desperate woman is found in three of the four gospels (Matthew 9, Mark 5, Luke 8). It is an account that we might often overlook. It is just a woman with an illness; it is just a small miracle in the midst of the raising of the dead and the casting out of demons. But, I believe it must be very important for our Father to, through the Holy Spirit, inspire the writers to include it so often. For some time I’ve been considering the depth of faith one must have to please our Lord, the depths of humbleness to which one must  be willing to go to/through, to” reach” our Lord, the desperation and the risks we are willing to take to make our lives, our sin-sick souls whole- only through Him and I keep coming back to this woman, this unclean woman who fell to her knees and crawled on the ground through the dust and the crowd--with great risk-- and the belief and faith she had knowing  that she only needed to touch the hem.  

Breathing Dust

~Tracy Frederick

“And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul” (Genesis 2:7).  Dust, dirt, that’s all we are without the breath that our Father provides each and every time our lungs expand to let it in and to expel the used oxygen that He provided to sustain our bodies. Dust and dirt are what we are without the breath of life. God reminded Adam of this when He rebuked him for his sin and removed him from the garden:” ..For dust you are, and to dust you shall return.” Genesis 3:19. David knew this and wondered at how the mighty Creator was mindful of such small particles of dust Ps 103:14. Perhaps that is why God loved him so much (Acts 13:22).   

“When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers,
The moon and the stars, which You have ordained,
What is man that You are mindful of him,
And the son of man that You visit him?
For You have made him a little lower than the angels,
And You have crowned him with glory and honor. Psalm 8: 3-5

It seems very appropriate to me to reflect on this passage now when in a few hours those who are the children of God will gather together as a family to remember the awesome sacrifice given by a Father. It is hard for my feeble mind to understand the kind of love that would sacrifice a son for dust. But that is what makes Him God.