Condolences

I'm finding it interesting what I think about after people die. Last week I went to a viewing. I didn't know the lady (age 57), but I know her youngest sister. I went in support of the sister. Someone reminded me of something the now deceased lady said to her mother shortly before SHE died. She told her that she had lived a pretty good life and could expect to go to Heaven. When I heard it, I went to the hospital and preached Jesus Christ crucified and resurrected, and Salvation by grace through faith. The lady was comatose, but people in comas can hear. I don't know how she responded, of course, though someone told me that I'd said that the lady relaxed after I spoke to her. I don't remember that. Then the same day of last week's viewing, I received a card in the mail from a retired missionary, that a long-time prayer warrior for her mission agency died last week. I'd been in prayer groups with her. But that night I didn't reflect about her. I reflected about another lady (couple, really) in the group who has since moved from the area. The lady (Mary) I reflected about called me one evening several years ago and said she wanted to give a testimony. She told me about a sordid part of her past and about how recently (at that time) the Lord had worked and made a blessing out of it. I learned later that she hadn't shared that with anyone in the prayer group, fearing disapproval. I don't have any fond memories of anyone in the group except Mary. The lady who died last week was in the group, and many have fond memories of her. I do remember a couple of nice gestures from her, and that's all. I wasn't very well connected with people for most of my life, so much of the blame for that falls on me. But the Lord has built some fond memories for me in relation to other people, the telling of which would fill a whole book.

Another Reason

Another reason people dislike doctrine is that they think it is boring. They are telling on themselves. Anyone who really practices true Biblical doctrine could not be bored. If their belief in a certain doctrine is merely intellectual, then yes, that's boring. But Truth applied, and accompanied by a vibrant relationship with Jesus Christ, is the most exciting thing around. To see how Jesus transforms my life, and how He changes me and situations all around the world through prayer, is incredibly interesting. I can and do evangelize and disciple people all over the world, sharing my testimony in the process. Challenges abound in my daily life, helping me grow. Jesus is real, and He hears me! God's Word comes alive as I study and apply it, and write about it. Come on board! You'll never regret it.

Why Doctrine

Many are abandoning Christian doctrine these days, thinking it's not important. These folks tend to focus on the experiential. Doctrine is vital, though. It makes a vast difference in one's life. It's important what you believe. It's not faith in faith. It's faith in a Person, the Person of Jesus Christ, Who is God, the Son. And it's faith in God's written Word. "For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear" (2 Timothy 4:3). That sounds like a description of our times. "He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it" (Titus 1:9). Sound doctrine is so important that we must refute those who oppose it. "You, however, must teach what is appropriate to sound doctrine" (Titus 2:1). Why are people turning away from sound doctrine? Perhaps they don't want to live up to its demands. The Book of Hebrews was written to Christians who were considering turning back to avoid persecution. So was the Book of Galatians. False teachers were trying to avoid being persecuted (Galatians 5:11). That's probably still true today. There's no easy road to Heaven. I'm not saying we work our way to Heaven. But I point you to 20 "But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. 21 To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps" (1 Peter 2:20-21). We are called to suffer with Christ. Shall we try to put ourselves above our Master? "The student is not above the teacher, nor a servant above his master" (Matthew 10:24). And that was said in the context of persecution. Perhaps those who don't think doctrine is important haven't lived it. There is a vast difference in theological systems and religions. Any works-based religion (most of them) leads to bondage & oppression. If you went from a relationship with Jesus to a works-based system, and really practiced it, you would notice a difference. A relationship with Jesus leads to joy, freedom (not license), and peace. If you don't notice a difference, you are in a very dangerous place. Learn how to practice what you believe. "Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). It's the Truth! Practice it! It makes a big difference!

Women and Headship

I appreciate the freedom I have in Christ, and the attitude our Lord had about women. He treated women with the same respect He did men, and in the first century AD, that was refreshing for them. Of course, the Bible teaches that women are to submit to their husbands. Men are to love their wives the same way that Christ loves the church (sacrificially), and to honor them as fellow heirs of Christ. That certainly would have been different from the status quo in the first century as well. 22 "Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. 24 Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything. 25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her 26 to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, 27 and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless"(Ephesians 5:22-27). 7 "Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers" (1 Peter 3:7). This is generally accepted in evangelicalism. However, the way these teachings are applied varies. Christians in the Reformed tradition tend to emphasize the aspect of the submission of women more than those in the Arminian tradition. I'm referring to emphasis, not acceptance of it as Truth. When I was a member of an independent church in the Reformed tradition I observed this especially in the baptism service. Men were allowed to baptize their children, or other family members, if they chose. In the case of a widowed or divorced mother, however, a man was assigned to do that for her. I appreciate the aspect of this that implies that the leaders of the church should care for the unattached women. I never checked to see if this extended to the man also teaching and leading that woman's children, rather than the woman herself doing that. 1 Corinthians 7:34-35 says "An unmarried woman or virgin is concerned about the Lord’s affairs: Her aim is to be devoted to the Lord in both body and spirit. But a married woman is concerned about the affairs of this world—how she can please her husband. 35 I am saying this for your own good, not to restrict you, but that you may live in a right way in undivided devotion to the Lord." One day when I was studying Biblical counseling, and we were on the topic of marriage, home, and related authority, I asked my professor about Biblical headship in the case of the single woman. He said there were two opinions, one being that the single woman would have to be under the headship of a Christian man. However, his opinion was that she would be under the direct headship of Jesus, the same as a man would. That is my opinion as well, based on 1 Corinthians 7:34. And this is how the Lord has dealt with me. In the independent, Reformed-leaning church mentioned above, if I asked someone for advice, they would open their Bible, and tell me what to do. Contrast that with an African Pentecostal church elder of whom I asked advice when I was a missionary. He said, "I can't answer that for you. You must rely on the Holy Spirit within you to guide you." You can see which one was more likely to help me learn how to rely on the Holy Spirit in the absence of a man. The first example would result in my always having to be dependent on a man. I believe this reflects a low view both of women, and of the Holy Spirit. I often was treated in a condescending manner in that church, and seldom felt like I had any dignity (though I was older than almost all of the leaders). And the only time the former pastor raised his voice in the pulpit was when he preached about women. Yet, I believe God places godly men in authority over me, and works powerfully through them. In fact, when He wants to do something significant in my life, he always connects me with a godly man who serves as an authoritative umbrella. Under his umbrella, I move about freely under the direct leadership of the Holy Spirit. This umbrella also serves as spiritual protection. This gives me dignity in Christ and is vastly different from the institutionalized condescension that was my lot at that Reformed-leaning church. It also has implications for women in ministry, but I'll reserve that for another time, since this blog is already too long.

Watershed Events Revisited & Knowing God's Will

If you haven't read yesterday's blog, please do so. There was some confusion about what my concerns actually were. My only concern was to determine whether or not the Lord was/is leading me to attend the retreat I mentioned. The multitude of details I included in the blog were simply an aid to understanding the many issues I face in making the decision, and for my prayer partners, an aid to praying. I have actually worked through all of the issues, and am fully convinced that the Lord is more than adequate to handle them. Another possible scenario occurred to me yesterday when I was away from the computer. It was the test case scenario. The more I considered it, though, the more I realized that my "test" occurred on Christmas Eve. That was when I "laid my idol on the altar," demonstrating to the Lord, that I really loved Him first. The Lord won't repeat test case if He has already achieved the desired outcome. Before I close, I thought I'd tell you how I determine the Lord's will in a given situation, if it isn't specifically spelled out in the Bible. I write it down in great detail, including all possible scenarios and outcomes. I'm a writer, so this method works well with me. It clears my mind, and gets my worries outside of me, where I can look at them objectively and unemotionally. The Lord guides my thinking while I'm doing this, and eventually, through His enabling, I see the situation as He sees it. I find it amazing that the Lord uses the unique gifts and abilities He has given me as tools to guide me.

Watershed Events

Recently I've been trying to determine whether or not the Lord wants me to attend the all-church retreat May 1-2. Why is it such a big deal? I'm recalling a church staff retreat MANY years ago, when I was a very young Christian. This retreat was truly a watershed event in my life, but I didn't know it in advance. I was a church intern preparing for missionary service. The church staff was having a retreat, and I didn't think I should go due to a certain health issue. This health issue was minor, but I didn't know it at the time. My supervisor did some research, then told me I had to attend the retreat or forfeit my internship. I went, but with a huge attitude. After the retreat my supervisor yelled at me, and told me I was stubborn and rebellious, but I didn't see it. Then another staff family took me home after church, and the wife gave up her restful afternoon to listen to me and ask me questions. Before long, I told her I was rebellious. A major spiritual transaction took place at that moment. For the first time, I stepped off the throne of my heart, and enthroned Jesus. The difference was noticeable. And the Lord completely and forever healed me of that health issue. Fast forward to now. The similarities are the retreat and some health issues. Everything else is different. My attitude is: I want to go to the retreat if I'm sure the Lord is leading me. If He's not leading me, I'm setting myself up for a big fall. The health issues are big, and though not fatal, can be very debilitating. The retreat would challenge me physically in a number of ways, which really mess things up when I try to make even slight changes in diet, balance of activity and rest, etc. So if the Lord wants me to attend the retreat, the results could be glorious. If He doesn't, they could be disastrous. So the big question is: does He want me to attend? When I'm feeling really good physically, my attitude is: Yeah! Go for it! When I'm feeling really horrible physically, I can barely muster the strength to do the normal things I do, and think I'd be really crazy to attend a retreat. Part of the challenge is that everything has to be chiseled in stone three months before the retreat, including paid in full. Anything can happen (bad or good!) in three months! In addition, the Lord has recently shown me that my health has been an enormous idol, and with His help, I'm taking steps to do something about it. I've also been thinking of a camp for mentally challenged adults eight years ago. When I signed up to be a camp companion, I told them that I had diet issues, and asked for some accommodations. They said I'd have to cook my own food. I didn't think I'd have time to do that and be a companion. So I told them I'd eat anything. And I ate many forbidden foods with no problems. Praise the Lord! But this healing was not permanent, and there were no spiritual breakthroughs like when I was a church intern. So I ask: What does the Lord want me to do about the retreat that is before me right now? What does the Lord plan to do as a result of my decision? I don't know. But one thing I do know is that the Lord wants me to trust Him one way or the other.

Counseling from the Bible, Relying on Jesus

I am an advocate of counseling from the Bible, but I know of no system of Biblical counseling that is perfect. The imperfection lies not only in the people who counsel, but in methodology and theological assumptions as well. I have dealt with this in depth in my E-book, An Exquisite Grace. So I will not repeat that here. Recently I re-learned from experience that counseling issues are never black and white. Many Biblical counselors tend to treat them that way, but this is dangerous. Many of them contain elements of health issues, social history and many other factors. Reliance on the Holy Spirit as a Person is vitally important. Taking Bible verses out of context and using them in a cut-and-dried way is inappropriate and harmful. God's Word is written, but the Word is also a Person. Many people THINK they have the written part down pat, but they often don't know how to relate personally with the Person of Jesus Christ. Don't assume. Learn to relate to Him Person to person. Moses did. "The LORD would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend" (Exodus 33:11).

Agendas Revisited

If you read yesterday's post, you may think I'm too hard on my prayer partner. She is the sort of person who deals with herself, so maybe she will let the Lord help her with this issue sometime. I was just seeing an idol in her her life, and since the Lord and I are dealing with some huge idols in my life at this time, they ave been very much on my mind. If you are guessing that I think this friend's idol is her agenda, you are correct. From my perspective, she doesn't control her agenda. It controls her. She deals with alot of anxiety, and seems harried often, which usually accompanies idolatry. I speak from experience. I'm determined to keep her anxiety and harried demeanor out of my life. Such things cling to me easily. But I don't want to push her away, so I need the Lord's great wisdom and grace. He is capable. I'm not. I keep this relationship, but not because I like it (though I appreciate her prayers). I don't like it. I keep it because I see the Lord doing something here. I already said this prayer partner deals with herself. That's an encouragement. Maybe the Lord is giving me a picture of what I used to be like, and of the patience it has taken to deal with me, so that I will be patient with my prayer partner and others.

God and Our Agenda

I have a prayer partner who lives a very regimented life. Their (her and her husband) agenda rules. She has devotions, is very active in serving God, opens her home for hospitality, has a strong desire to get the Word of God out, is very evangelistic, and they are very generous in giving to certain ministries and in buying literature to distribute for free. But almost every time I talk with her, I get the impression that she is looking at the clock, and have felt pushed away by her in many ways. (Any time we have to push people away in order to follow our agenda, there's something wrong with our agenda). Because of some of her involvements that I have mentioned above, I have tried to get her/them involved in helping me build a non-profit ministry called Shelter of Hope, Inc. (which is located in Indianapolis, IN, and is unrelated to any other agency by the same name in North America). She seems to struggle with this, and her response never reflects the generosity that I witness in their other giving. At times she says something about seeing what they can afford. I know they can afford much more than their giving to Shelter of Hope reflects. The reason I know this is that they travel alot, attend conferences, and stay in hotels, dropping hundreds of dollars at each occasion. I was puzzled until it occurred to me that maybe the key to understanding this has to do with how they keep books. I don't know, but I suspect, that when they budget, they allocate certain amounts of money to certain categories every month. And if they run low in a certain category, they "can't afford" anything more, even though they may have hundreds or thousands of dollars elsewhere. And they don't take money out of an area of abundance in order to replenish one that is low. This is how the Government, and most businesses keep books, and they have to, of course. And I'm not saying that things like savings or retirement accounts are not ok. I'm just referring to general, day-to-day household needs. I don't keep books this way. I can't now, because I don't have enough money with which to do it. But even when I made more money, I didn't do it that way. And I'm not saying that everyone has to do it the way I do. I just see some red flags in the way my friend does things. The Pharisees had everything and everyone in categories, and they missed the Son of God Himself when He came. God doesn't fit Himself into our categories or agendas. We have to fit ourselves into HIS agenda. And I don't believe God fits people into categories. My prayer partner and her husband are generous with poor people sometimes. I have envisioned this scenario, though. What if a poor person comes to them for help, and they have no more money in that category? Would God accept bookkeeping practices as an excuse for not giving to the poor person? No, the Word of God says that if we have this world's goods, and see our brother in need, and close our hearts, the love of God is not in us. Period. I'm not sure what these people would do. They might actually give. But then there's another question: why are they not generous with me? Obviously I am not a priority with them, and I don't have to be, I guess. But because I see a lack of commitment there, I recently downgraded that relationship from a friendship to prayer partner. A prayer partner is important, of course, and I appreciate her prayers, but that is not the point I'm making here. Should I look in the mirror? Maybe, but here's something else. Yesterday, I had a change of plans, because a certain older lady who wanted a visit had a change of plans, and wanted me to visit her yesterday instead of Friday. I was feeling concerned that I hadn't had my usual extended prayer time for the day, and the Lord's response was that He wasn't interested in my usual extended prayer time, and that visiting the lady was more important in His eyes. So, I have to deal with my agenda, too. And even my beloved devotional times are not beyond the Lord's scrutiny. All is subject to Him.

Allah and God

I have been an online missionary with Campus Crusade for six months. Today, for the first time, I had someone who asked me a question about God and Allah. I had never had to answer this question until now, and thought I didn't know enough about Islam to answer it. Then concepts and Scriptures began to come to mind. I told how Jesus died to pay for our sins and forgive us, and then rose again. Allah does not forgive. I mentioned Jesus as God and Son of God, and that Allah has no son. Salvation comes through trusting in Jesus alone, but with Allah, there is a system of merit, and even then you're not sure. I also mentioned that Allah hates God's chosen people. I also supplied Scripture passage (written out). Never think it's too hard to be a witness. The Lord will help you.

Small Things

God loves small things. "The widow's mite." David, in conjunction with Goliath. Children. Yesterday I noted to a friend that some things I cheer about many people would not consider worth it. He said the small step I related to him was actually huge. I already knew that. God knows it. And I appreciate that I have a friend who also understands. I've already blogged about "little is much." This is different, though. Anyone with a handicapped child knows you really celebrate and appreciate the little things. Last year I wrote an E-book. The same friend mentioned above helped proof-read it. He said that most readers wouldn't understand why I would write about events that most people would consider normal, as if they were something special. I revised to create more understanding. At the time those events took place, normal was special. I hadn't done those things before. But even if no one else understands, God does, and all Heaven celebrates at these small victories. From a heavenly perspective they have enormous significance. Don't ever be afraid or ashamed to celebrate and proclaim what God is doing. His opinion is the only one that matters. We'll see it when we are finally granted eternal perspective.

Fulness of Joy

Picking up a thread from yesterday's blog, when God zeroes in on our sin, He is not trying to be hard on us. He is trying to bring us to a point where we can be useful to Him, and where He can bless us. Obedience to God is always about Him and His purposes first. But if we obey, there will eventually be blessings for us (in His time, not ours). If He directs us to do something hard, he wants us to fulfill His purposes, and be a blessing to someone else. But He also wants to bless us. God is not a killjoy, ready to pounce on us the moment we sin. He wants us to have fullness of joy in Him.

The Saga of Healing Continues

Last night, the Lord showed me that I was desiring healing for its own sake, and not desiring Him whether I am healed or not. (The Lord gave me a promise of healing in 1989). So I laid it all on the altar again, and prayed out loud. Alot of times I just pray in my heart. I prayed very specifically about fears and dreaded outcomes (of not being healed), and put them on the altar, telling Him that even if I'm not healed, and if the dreaded outcomes occurred, He is still worthy of all my love and devotion. And I meant it. I was also dealing with something I'd dealt with before, (but not often) a sense of intense pressure and dread. I know this isn't from the Lord, and it isn't a psychological problem. It's spiritual warfare. This sort of thing is from Satan. I experienced it first 7 years ago. So I prayed until it subsided. I recalled that when the Lord leads me, and particularly when He brings me to a "crisis" time, usually when I must give up something, He does so in a very calm and peaceful manner. So I determined not to take bold steps of faith until they are presented to me in a calm and peaceful manner, and when I am calm within. In regard to desiring the Lord more than healing, or even life itself, persecuted Christians live like this all the time. They can't be wimpy and all worried about their health all the time. Jesus has to be absolutely supreme, and worth all cost of their serving Him. If they were not so devoted, they would never emotionally or spiritually survive the persecution, because they are harassed and tortured all the time. In the Book of Daniel, there is a passage about the end times which says that the antichrist will wear out the saints of the Most High. When I get to Heaven, the Lord is not going to ask me about my health! I believe the Lord is preparing me for persecution, and so His working on me so hard about my deficiency of devotion is actually a labor of love. It is also why the devil is working so hard to scare me and turn me away from this. I can't be double-minded. My heart must be united to fear the Lord. May it be so, no matter what the cost.

Musings from My Utmost for His Highest (Oswald Chambers)

Yesterday, in my reading My Utmost for His Highest (Oswald Chambers), something he wrote "jumped out at me." He said not to do anything on impulse (like Peter), or you will be trying to undo the consequences for a long time. Instead, he recommended to wait for the Lord to work things out perfectly in His time. But we don't like to wait, do we? Someone might actually think we are lazy. Maybe the glitches in my healing are because I want to start doing something the Lord has said (something not specifically written in the Bible), but not waiting for Him to give me specific directions. Today this "jumped out:" "No matter what changes God has performed in you, never rely on them. Build only on a Person, the Lord Jesus Christ, and on the Spirit He gives." Maybe I was relying on an experience of healing that I had not yet fully received. Instead I should be relying fully on Jesus. Regarding this healing, I think I need to "regroup" and approach it differently, relying on Jesus

How Important Is Having Fun?

I have abundant opportunity to observe how important entertainment is to some. Hours spent in front of the TV, frequently listening to music, eating out often. ( For many people, sports is the obsession). You would have to know the full context to get the impact of the level of devotion to which I am referring. I'd be almost offended if I went to visit someone and they offered to take me out for some kind of entertainment. Are you kidding? Profoundly adventurous living, with a supernaturally ordered agenda, immersed in His indescribably glorious Presence, in a specially created setting, resulting in astonishingly beautiful transformations, at a frightfully sacrificial cost (for both Jesus and me. My physical survival is not guaranteed), enabled by His powerfully abundant grace, underwritten by my lavishly generous Provider, for His eternal glory, and for me, life abounding forever. All of this, and you talk about some need for entertainment? Entertainment is boring. Copyright 2011 Kathryn M. Lee

Faith on the Line

Today I read of a doctor who recently began working with The Voice of the Martyrs. He has struggled with the suffering of the people he now helps. Yet he came to realize that we really need these persecuted Christians because of how strong and deep their faith is, and how readily they forgive. In our country, we do all the things good Christians are supposed to do, and we may even have alot of Bible knowledge, but is our faith all that deep? Many persecuted Christians don't know anything about the tenets of Calvinism or Arminianism. But when someone threatens them on the way home from work and tells them that if they recant, they'll be set free, but if they don't, they will be cruelly tortured or killed, they say, "No, I will not. Jesus is Lord." That's deep. They know what matters, and they are willing to pay the price, and forgive their persecutors. Christianity in the United States is too easy - for now. Are we prepared to suffer and die for our faith? I don't know. Thinking about it really scares me. One thing I do know, though, is that God's grace is stronger than we can imagine. Persecuted Christians know this by experience.