The Season of Love

John 3:16  For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son…

The holiday season has so many distractions and for some there are even discouragements.  Many times these are  because of memories, disappointing news/experiences around a holiday and the troubles with all the busyness each entails.  We sometimes, even as Christians, can finish a holiday season: Thanksgiving—New Year’s Day, and not even know what happened of significance. 

This year, let your heart be encouraged and see life just a little bit different.  Try to live each day more cautiously, as if it were your last or the last day of the one with whom you are interacting this season.  You just never know what tomorrow will bring and if it brings even less time to spend with those you love or less time to make an impact on your world, you’ll be most grateful you did not miss those opportunities: pause, breathe, listen, give of yourself, care, love…   God loved so much that He gave His ONLY… This Christmas, be like HIM!!!!!!!!!!

More HOLIDAY thoughts,

click :   http://diannedunnagan.wordpress.com/holiday/a-true-gift-christmas/

 

Hard to Imagine

Life is full of moments that challenge our convictions and our ideals.  As you debate your world view about all that you find hard to imagine,  the moral law of God (Old Testament) and the grace of God (New Testament) are reconcilable in the portrait of God.   Using scriptures from both (law and grace) can help you sort the confusion as you seek God’s face to find reconciliation for life’s unthinkables.

©Dianne Dunnagan 2009 All rights reserved

The Danger of Pride

Proverbs 16:18-19  KJV 18Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.  19Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.

For humanity there is a startling reality – we are most like Satan when we believe we can improve on GOD.  I am forever astounded by my own tendencies to second guess the way things are by design, things like ‘time.’ I really hate that we can actually have a system in which we can be late.  The weather, like rain during church ballgames, picnics– and the more serious: hurricanes, tornado and etc… (Of course, those are not all I’ve ever questioned!) Yet, the real danger for us is not really having questions but the pride that we (personally or collectively) can “fix” what we believe is the problem: the notion that WE are the solution rather than followers of HIM.  Look at what Isaiah recorded about Satan and his charter membership into the company of pride: Isaiah 14:13-15 (New KJV ©1982 Thomas Nelson) 13 For you have said in your heart:  ‘ I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation On the farthest sides of the north;  14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High.’ [God responds] 15 Yet you shall be brought down to Sheol, To the lowest depths of the Pit.

 It is quite difficult for most of us to grasp the access Satan had to perfection while he was in heaven serving God.  All of us operate out of a skewed view Paul phrased it thus: “…For now we see through a glass, darkly…” (I Cor 13:12).  Yet Satan was not in such a predicament.  He was blessed to have had understanding and that is how his sin was unforgiveable.  He did not fail God because he was confused or didn’t know the truth.  He just didn’t like the way things were.  He felt he should have access to the role of leadership.  Perhaps he felt he deserved what God had or perhaps he felt God wasn’t doing the best job, but whatever the case, Satan believed he was the solution.

 Down through time we can look at governments, nations, leaders, pastors, medical and military figures and hear horror stories of how they became so “possessed” with their ideals that they traded in their values to accomplish their perceived greater good.  The old adage “the end justifies the means” might have applied to their philosophical base.  Some got so caught up in their own cause that they didn’t stop to ask for help or allow objective input or keep themselves accountable and in time, they committed some of the most atrocious behaviors on record.  The warnings to humanity in the bible are clear, apart from Me you can do nothing (John 15:4-6), … take heed lest he fall…(I Cor 10:11-13), place no confidence in the flesh(Phil 3:2-5)…, none righteous no not one (Ps 14:3 & 53:3, Rom 3:9-11)… and on and on and on. 

 We are not the answer and when we think we are or become so entrenched in our perspective that we believe we are alone in having the answer, then we must step back and allow God’s word to shine on our hearts and/or the leadership of those we might be following who are headed in this direction.  We must exercise caution because of the vulnerability of all humanity to be prideful and because our “fleshly nature” brings us into close connection with Satan it makes us particularly susceptible to his suggestions.  We enjoy the lies when we are told what we want to believe; what we want to hear. Ever wonder why history repeats itself?  Maybe you’ve even wondered why YOUR history repeats itself. The reason is at least partly that humans like to believe the lie that “We are the exception.  Those mistakes or horrible events happened because the others just didn’t do things right, but I’m/he’s/she’s/they’re/we’re different.”  If you, he, she, they, or we are in fact different, it will be purely because the foundation for the confidence is not any person or people group but Christ (Ps118:22-23, Mark 12:10-11 & John 14:5-7) and the Word of God (which is actually Jesus as well, John 1:1-5).  We are simply not capable as human beings of accomplishing anything more than fancy failure if we function out of our selfish & prideful natures.  And since that is our base, our flesh, we must stay under the spout of Jesus’ cleansing power in order to stand clear of the pride that goes before destruction. 

Dianne Dunnagan ©2009 All Rights Reserved

 

Singing in the Rain

Lamentations 3:22-23 (NIV)

22 Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed,
       for his compassions never fail.   ²³ They are new every morning;  great is your faithfulness.

The hard times of life, whether the pain we feel because we are beset by trouble of our own doing or that of others, can discourage us so badly that we feel as if we’ll never survive.  The Lord’s love to us is stedfast and even in our failures or shortcomings, He will extend mercy.  The Lamentation speaks of our often horrid behaviors as well as the general frustrations of just plain living… we have a heavenly father who can see beyond our fault.  He does not love us because of  “us.”  He loves us because He IS LOVE and therefore, we can have hope in the midst of the seemingly hopeless situations.   Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him (Ps 37:7, read the whole passage surrounding this one, for some real encouragement.).  Although the rain comes there is always hope for sunshine in Christ our Lord–so while you wait, sing.  It not only passes the time, if you sing of the mercies of the Lord, it will renew your hope.

Dianne Dunnagan © 2009 All Rights Reserved

Looking Out the Window

When we have nothing to do or maybe too much to do, we can find ourselves gazing out the window.  Maybe even if it’s just a moment while in traffic and we’re forced to stop.  Of course now, so many of us don’t really stop even then, because of mobile phones and wireless internet access.  But suppose you do- you make yourself stop.  Now, you’re looking out the window.  What do you see?  If you can, open the window or just maybe even step outside and listen too.  What are those sounds?  The view? -supposing your window isn’t pressed to the side of another building.  What do all those things represent? 

The Creator of the world, God of salvation through Jesus, placed all those little pieces of beauty as a display of His greatness and His kindness and more.  The record of creation, in Genesis, says that God saw that it was good.  The New Testament record of Jesus’ words tell us also that God sees the little bird and that He sees the flowers’ beauty as more marvelous than Solomon in all his splendor.  The love of our most amazing Lord is infinite. The next time you smell the creation; see the sunlight; hear the birds or hear the voice of your loved one speaking, know that God is peaking into your window giving back to you something special to take with you through those moments where you have no time to stop.

“There shall be showers of blessings. Showers of blessings we need;  Mercy drops ’round us are following, but for the showers we plead.”  (c)Words by Daniel W. Whittle

Dianne Dunnagan ©2009  All Rights Reserved

Thoughts and Meditations

Ps. 19: 14 KJV ¹⁴Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer

I encourage you to read all of psalm19 for clarity of the writer’s mindset when penning the passage but the message is profound whether separate or together.  The Message Bible communicates via its version that this passage might be a prayer for acceptance of the previous 13 verses.  Yet many other versions conveyed that this passage may be seen as an additional prayer for every thought and every word.  I believe God allowed this to be recorded as either/or so that we might see it as a reflection for our daily lives.  If you rise in the morning, before any real thoughts have time to take hold of your mind and speak this over yourself, there is a preparation made in your heart like none other. 

This passage is one our family has posted in several rooms in our home.  It is especially important for us in rearing our children to help train them that thoughts and words are the foundation of our lives’ directions.  We must have our hearts filled with God’s word and saturated with His purpose to fully guide us into the path of righteousness.  This concept, validated in Ps 119, gives us proof that our hearts’ are our launching pad for lives of righteousness.  Psalm 119:10-12 KJV 10 With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments. 11Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.  12Blessed art thou, O LORD: teach me thy statutes.  The New Testament is also filled with support that we are to have pure thoughts and that our words are the reflection of our hearts.  Take note of the reality that our culture has taught us to gather information but given us very little encouragement to evaluate its worth, its authenticity or its source. We often accept  news from the media, books, magazines and our colleagues with very little evaluation as to the information’s validity or authenticity.  I urge you in reading the passage of Ps 19, to take to heart that the best tool we have to know if “our mediations” and “our words” are acceptable is to apply the Word of God as directed in Ps. 119.  The Word of God is the purest source of truth and it will direct and lead like nothing else, when combined with prayer and discipline. Consider the following: Psalm 119:104-106 KJV 104 Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way.  105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.   106 I have sworn, and I will perform it, that I will keep thy righteous judgments.

 A minister I have come to appreciate highly, Louie Giglio, in his book I Am Not But I Know I Am (Multnomah, 2005) wrote of a concept called the “one word bible study.”  This concept was not original to him but I was first introduced to it from reading his book.  The idea is to spend an exorbitant amount of time on each word of a given scripture passage (say a whole day, with the word on your mind in a prayerful attitude as you go about your day) and hear God’s message to you personally as to what is really being said in each word individually and how it can transform your personal walk with God.  I encourage you to try it with this passage of scripture (Ps 19:14).  Take the next week and using every viable version of the passage available, meditate on each word until you have noteworthy information on each.  Write your findings in a journal and see if you are not fully transformed by the end of your study in this passage. 

Let   the   words   of   MY   mouth    and the  Meditations  of MY heart    be ACCEPTABLE.. in THY sight (not mine) O LORD (the creator, holy God, sovereign…)…etc…

Much to think, ponder…

Blessings, in Jesus name

Dianne Dunnagan © 2009 All rights reserved

 

Never Pass Away

The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever  Isaiah 40:8

There seems to be  a struggle for all of us to fully grasp the process of life and death.  We see the beginning of life and find it joyful and comforting.  But we have so much  pain associated with death there seems to be no good way to see it.  However, Christians do try to look beyond the pain, as the apostle Paul admonishes us, in I Thes 4: 13, to have hope and not sorrow, because there is an eternal hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.   

In the scripture quoted above, the image of grass and flowers  in Isaiah starts with a really lovely picture.  I see one of the most beautiful country hillside scenes anyone can imagine and the prophet Isaiah standing on it pointing with his full open hand over the horizon toward the lovely landscape as he is teaching the listener.  There he reminds us that this life is so full of the “temporary” even the beauty on this hillside here will die soon and be brown and so different from this picture of joyful beauty we now behold.  But as he takes us to an opposite image in our minds, he grants an abrupt stop to remind us that the real contrast is not in the landscape, but in its creator.  Because unlike the creation, HE will never pass away.  And neither will anything HE SAYS!  Rest in your heavenly Father and know that the ground you feel shaking underneath you, WILL pass, but the giver of all life and all that is good NEVER will.       

©Dianne Dunnagan 2009 All Rights Reserved

Making No Offense

Matt 18: 1-7 (excerpt from NASB of verses 4-7) 4“Whoever then humbles himself as this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.  5“And whoever receives one such child in My name receives Me; 6 but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him to have a heavy millstone hung around his neck, and to be drowned in the depth of the sea. 7“Woe to the world because of its stumbling blocks! For it is inevitable that stumbling blocks come; but woe to that man through whom the stumbling block comes!

 The admonishment in this passage is not so much to the disciples for having asked “Who is greatest?”^{(Verses 1-4)} but rather to the body of Christ as a whole, to humble ourselves as children, before God.  The next section is even more poignant in its content.  Here Jesus warns that giving cause for sin in the life/heart of a believing child is a dastardly deed. He goes so far as to warn us that we’d be better drowned with a large weight around our neck than to do such a thing.  And the intensity of this passage increases yet again.  The next clause tells us that these offenses will come but “woe to that man through whom the stumbling block comes.”  Here we get the doctrine that the reality of offense is ever present.  There is nothing in our ability to fully obliterate it; still there is harsh warning to anyone through whom they come.

 Perhaps you are sighing relief because this doesn’t apply directly to you.  After all, if you’re not a porno lord or a drug dealer or such the like, you might be safe???? Right?  Well, not so fast.  Have you slandered someone in authority?  How about your child’s teacher or coach? Did you just set the example of lying to protect yourself from conflict with others or some embarrassing situation?  Did you watch or purchase something that causes the heart to long for evil?  Your child will most certainly be 

affected.  Maybe these aren’t in your repertoire either and great, congratulations if they aren’t but be on your guard.  The adversary, the devil* is as a roaring lion, after both you and those who look to you for leadership and direction. 

It is often surprising how the devil will belittle us into thinking we are nothing, just so we won’t realize there are others watching.  It is not just your children.  It can be those children your child is friends with, those children that admire you at your church or other places you frequent.  Perhaps we should take it far enough to include new Christians so anxious to learn or those who are following us in ministry and so forth.  The song “Oh be careful little eyes what you see…feet where you go… mouth what you speak…” might also be well said to include

 “Oh be careful Christian friend where you go … Oh be careful Christian friend what you say… Oh be careful Christian friend what you do…For there are others watching you  Be careful for them too  Oh be careful Christian friend ____!

 Offense is so volatile.  Yet it is hard to know what will cause offense and what won’t.  Often we’ll say, “Oh I was just messin’ around, I didn’t mean anything by that…” and such like statements. God knows the heart, but since we don’t, we must be even more cautious when it comes to guarding against offense.  The Bible, in the words of Jesus sternly warns us…but WOE to [that one] through whom [it] comes!”

*I Peter 5:8

8Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

(c) diannedunnagan 2009 All rights reserved

The Discipline of Love

Deuteronomy 8(NLT) “Be careful to obey all the commands I am giving you today. Then you will live … 2 Remember how the Lord your God led you through the wilderness for these forty years, humbling you and testing you to prove your character, and to find out whether or not you would obey his commands. 3 Yes, he humbled you by letting you go hungry and then feeding you with manna…. He did it to teach you that people do not live by bread alone; rather, we live by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord. 4 For all these forty years your clothes didn’t wear out, and your feet didn’t blister or swell. 5 Think about it: Just as a parent disciplines a child, the Lord your God disciplines you for your own good

Moses is speaking to prod Israel to stay true to the Lord that life might go well with them.  He drives home his point in verse 3 of chapter 8 about their hunger that it was not because of God’s limits, as their experience in the desert proved.  Their shoes, in 40 years did not wear out and neither did their feet blister or swell.  Save a miracle, I feel sure at least somebody should have had swelling in a 40 year tour of the DESERT.  But Moses states that the nation had no such problems with their feet for the WHOLE tour!!!!!!!!  Moses mentions this to specifically tell Israel that the hunger could not possibly be some oversight on God’s part. Because God took care of something that apparently was only an afterthought for them. It appears they hadn’t noticed their shoes or their feet until after the need had been met.  Why hunger? For discipline & character testing!  Do you realize how much food means to you?  Go without it when you’re at a Christmas party or sitting in your favorite restaurant.  Then you’ll know.   Though we might choose to fast, if we’re honest with ourselves we often choose the easiest times, foods or situations for our fast.  While it is beneficial spiritually to do without food periodically to build your spiritual self, the sacrifice helps us most when done with right motives.

Moses tells Israel that God chose hunger as their test in order to expose their character.  God wanted them to see as Moses states and Jesus affirms on the mountain of temptation, that “Man shall not live by bread alone…” Matthew 4:4 (NIV) The heart of the Israelites was fixed on their earthly needs being fulfilled. And while those things mattered to God (i.e. the shoes/feet illustration), they were not the matter of foremost importance, but rather the desire of their hearts and their allegiance to Jehovah God were the most important matters.  The humbling experience of hunger revealed for Israel how they loved their bodies- their flesh and how important their desire to be satisfied physically was to them.  Their obsession for comfort and to feel safe took them to a place of doubt on many occasions and ultimately cost the first group of sojourners their lives. 

God proved Himself by his over-the-top provision for their basic needs.  They didn’t even get swelling or blisters??? Their shoes never wore out for 40 years???  Unheard of!  God was not short on supply or sensitivity to Israel’s needs (Matt 6:8), Israel was short on faith and understanding.  The need to feel hunger for them was an essential discipline that Moses says God did for them as their father, because He loved them enough to help them grow by imposing discipline.  Doing without is a great way for us to discipline our flesh, to hold the control needed to live more victoriously in Christ.  Blessing His children is always in God’s ultimate plan.  But the discipline of pushing back and saying no to ourselves, the choice to do the giving rather than the receiving, and celebrating the success of another rather than receiving accolades for ourselves are often the conduits through which God gives greater blessings.  We must not shun discipline through grumbling and complaining.  In doing so, we thwart the greatest of blessings—those of spiritual growth.  The Lord’s relationship toward us is not that of “illegitimacy” (Heb 12:8) but that of a loving parent/child, God will correct us and hold us accountable for those things we need to have changed or removed from our lives.  If we submit to his humbling and not bow up with rebellion, the joy that will accompany our spiritual growth will bring us into the fullness of God’s promises in Christ Jesus.

©Dianne Dunnagan 2009 All Rights Reserved

As If I Knew?

A story in the life of the apostle Peter

Try to imagine yourself in our brother Peter’s shoes as these events unfold: Mt 26:31a Then Jesus told them, “This very night you will all fall away on account of me… vs 33  Peter replied, “Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will.“ Know also that here Peter is even arguing against prophecy for Jesus had just quoted it at the end of verse 31.

Peter’s apparent confidence came from his presumption that he, Peter, knew what was ahead. Peter was sure an attempt at the murder of Jesus and perhaps death was ahead because Christ had said so (MT 16:21 and 26:35a). It appears also that Peter wasn’t threatened by death, at least not the way he saw it. [You know the scenario: You die in battle, but your team and your cause still win and everything else goes as planned.] Peter was also quite confident that GOD is a “winner takes all” kind of fighter. In this passage, Peter seemed well aware of the stakes yet remained confident. So what went wrong? Where did Peter, a man determined to even “die” if it took it, lose his nerve?

Let’s travel to the garden. The soldiers are in front of them about to seize Jesus but Peter is READY: John 18: 10(NIV) Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant, cutting off his right ear. (The servant’s name was Malchus.) But wait! No! Peter isn’t so ready after all because Jesus tells him, this is not the way God is going with this scenario: 11Jesus commanded Peter, “Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?” Luke 22:15 (NIV) But Jesus answered, “No more of this!” And he touched the man’s ear and healed him. Let’s imagine here- As all the others are abandoning (Mt 26:56), with Jesus still standing there Peter, no doubt, is thinking: “What is happening? What is Jesus doing? Doesn’t He know this is a hostile take over? Isn’t there something we should be doing to take control of this situation?”

The journey again takes Peter to more places of the unexpected: the courtyards of leaders, trials in the middle of the night, questions with accusations and his leader (our Messiah) in chains. What was next? Peter is taken off guard in all of this. Yes, we know Jesus warned him. But Peter didn’t fully comprehend. Our advantage is we can peek into his future – those horrid hours still ahead for Peter run by us in only a few painless moments on paper. But Peter only had what he could assimilate from his life and his walk with God so far. He hadn’t read Matthew, Mark, Luke & John. Hedidn’t know there was THIS!   No ONE knew, back then! (expect God/Jesus) THIS WAS UNHEARD OF: The Messiah was to die???  No one expected THIS.    

How would it happen?  Someone would have to LET it happen.  Peter had been sure that on HIS WATCH  he wouldn’t let it (Mt 16:21-23) – But wait, Jesus told him to let it happen!!! Mt 26:53-54  And even though Jesus told him why, it was so hard to override his own expectations.  This idea, this experience, these temptations were all so new to Peter.  He thought he had the service of God figured out and knew what to expect.  So he was sure he was up for the challenge.  But in Luke 22:56-61, after the shock had begun, Peter is asked to acknowledge his connection with Jesus and each of three opportunities Peter denies it. Luke 22:60-62 (NIV)  60  …Just as he was speaking, the rooster crowed. 61The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times.” 62And he went outside and wept bitterly.

Oh, are you there?  Do you hear yourself in Peter?  Are you sure you too know what it means to follow God?  Can you be sure you know what you are capable of doing or failing to do?  Peter is not a unique example for us to see and feel superior.  His is our example of humanity: the real tendency in us all to “assume” we know God and ourselves well enough to speak defiantly in the face of prophecy.  God’s words to us are “Be still and know.” (Ps 46:9-11)  A warning to help us to stop before we move – to reacquaint ourselves with God and tune ourselves to His will.  Peter was ready to serve (in his plan), but his plan was not God’s.  ONLY God really knows the best plan.  Wait patiently for Him and ask for the Holy Spirit to check you for hidden agendas that could ultimately thwart the REAL plan.  Your ways might look better to you than God’s way.  After all, who of us would have selected the murder of Messiah as the BEST way?  Yet if Peter had succeeded in his desire to halt the crucifixion, we’d all die in our sins.

 God’s ways are not our ways (Isaiah 55:7-9).  Like Peter, we are all warned (I Pt 5:8), to be on our guard that Satan desires to sift us like wheat, but Jesus has prayed for us (Luke 22:31-32 & Romans 8:34).  In time, all these things became perfectly clear to Peter.  We see this as we read where he wrote so well the importance of humbling ourselves before the Lord in I Pt 5:5-7.  Making clear to us, that God has a better plan and we are all better off to humbly rest in it.

©Dianne Dunnagan 2009 All Rights Reserved