I Know I Haven't Been Posting Much

I'd like to apologize for not posting very many posts lately. I've been writing, but it's been more personal, causing me to reflect more upon myself than anything. I'm saying good-bye to strongholds, which is hard to do to at times. I relate to Paul's dilemma in Romans 7:15 "For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate." Thankfully, it is not hopeless, because he writes in Romans 8:15 "For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, 'Abba! Father!'" Amen! to that is all I can say.

Anyway, I do plan on resuming my Word Studies this week. Thanks for hanging in there with me. I hope you are all doing well.

Praying for Haiti

As most of you know, a major earthquake devastated Haiti this past week. Thousands perished, and many more are left with limited food, water, and medical attention. My prayer for Haiti is for these conditions to be remedied quickly. I also pray more survivors are found.

The generosity inspired by this tragedy is heartwarming. Just when you think the world is a dark, lonely place, people come through with giving - either of themselves, with supplies or financially.

This is a time to pray for Haiti, not a time to curse it. A time to put the spotlight on the suffering and poverty enveloping this country. This is a time to live Christ's example - not with condemnation, but with love. And not with self-congratulatory giving, but with love.

Enough said.

Word Study: Discipline and Correction

Proverbs 3:11 - 12: "My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction; For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he
delighteth." (KJV)

The Hebrew word for "chastening" in verse 11 is muwcar (pronounced moo-sawr). It means "chastisement, warning, instruction, discipline, and rebuke" (Strong's Exhaustive Concordance).

In verse 12, the Hebrew word for "correcteth" is yakach (pronounced yaw-kahh) and it means "chasten, correct, rebuke."

My son stood there, arms crossed with a defiant look on his face. "No!" he yelled.

"Excuse me? You don't tell me no," I said sternly.

"No!" he shouted again.

"Get in the corner," I said, trying to maintain my sense of calm.

"No!"

I picked him up, as he started kicking and screaming, and placed him in the corner. If only he would listen to me and do what I say, life would be easier.

Then God reminded me of the many times I've thrown a tantrum and screamed "No!" Yes, if only I would listen to God and do what He says, then my life would be easier.

I want my children to grow up with a sense of right and wrong. I want them to respect my authority as a parent. I have only the best interests of my children at heart. This is true for God as well. He is our Abba - our Heavenly Father - who knows what is best for us. Yet, there are times I still refuse to listen and go my own way, which only leads to trouble.

Another part of verse 11 may be hard to take - "neither be weary of his correction." In essence, do not despise his correction, ignore it, or complain about it. I like the following explanation:

"...we must not be weary of it, for he knows our frame, both what we need and what we can bear. A fatherly correction comes not from his vindictive justice as a Judge, but his wise affection of a Father."*

His discipline comes from the heart of a parent, not a judge, and for that I am grateful. If his discipline came from the heart of a judge, then I would receive justice - which would be separation from God and mostly likely death. But since his discipline comes from the heart of a parent, then I am shown grace and compassion.

Next time my son throws a tantrum, I'm sure I'll be reminded of God's grace through discipline. I'll also thank him for loving me as his child.

* Matthew Henry's Commentary, copyright 1961 Zondervan

So, How's Your New Year Going?

I'll admit, I've been sluggish this past week. I went from two weeks of entertaining, celebrating, and relaxing to teaching, exercising, chauffering, and so on. Yes, I've been doing a lot, but my mind hasn't been focused on it. I've had to force myself to do some things (like exercise). I'm sure it doesn't help that I'm writing a blog post late at night, but here I am.

My weekend has been nice so far. My hubby and I spent some time together last night playing games. Today included great conversation with a friend, cuddle time with my kids, and a bit of peace and quiet for myself. Tomorrow begins another week of busy-ness, but I've decided to use prayer to help me through it. After thinking about this past week, I realized I tried to do everything on my own. Why must I learn this lesson over and over and over?

So, that's my new year so far. What about you? I pray all is well.

Word Study: Steadfast

2 Chronicles 27:6 "Jotham grew powerful because he walked steadfastly before the LORD his God."

I read this verse in a book I'm currently studying. I stopped and made a note of the word "steadfastly," because I wanted to know the Biblical application of this word and apply it to my life. Granted, I'm not looking to become powerful enough to rule a nation, but I would like to be powerful in areas of my life.

Dictionary.com defines "steadfast" as "firm in purpose, resolution, or faith. Unwavering."

The KJV of this verse uses the phrase "prepared his ways" in place of "steadfast." The Hebrew word for "prepared" is "kuwn" and it means "establish, fix, set, prepare, apply," (Strong's Exhaustive Concordance).

The Hebrew word for "ways" is "derek" and it means "a course of life or mode of action; a journey."

When read together, these definitions become powerful to me. I am steadfast when I establish my journey before the LORD. It is an action I do with purpose. I may not know what the LORD has planned for me, but I can set my course of life according to His purpose.

As a result of standing firm in my faithful journey, I will become powerful in Him. The Hebrew word for powerful is "chazaq" and it means "strong, courageous." So, though I may encounter challenging, fearful times, if I choose to walk steadfastly with the LORD, He will make me strong and courageous.

This is encouraging. Another encouraging verse is Proverbs 3:6. It says "In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight." I need to leave my ego behind and acknowledge the LORD in all my "ways" (the same definition applies). I have issues in my life that I've held onto because I figure I can handle them. Yet, here I am, years later, still battling these issues - without success. I need to acknowledge the LORD in every way, remain steadfast in my faith, and He will make me powerful and courageous enough to overcome these strongholds.

What about you? Do you have areas in your life where you need to acknowledge the LORD? Are you walking steadfastly before the LORD? What's holding you back?

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year to everyone! May "the Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you," (Numbers 6:25). I pray we all grow closer to the Lord and experience His presence daily.