Faded Purple blog

Do you ever wonder what God’s will is for your life on those big decisions? The what, when, where and why of something? How do we ‘choose wisely’? In acts 1 the disciples were told through scripture (Old Testament)to select someone to replace Judas. That replacement had to be someone who witnessed the resurrection. They cast lots and chose Matthias.

Cast Lots?! Does that sound a little like a turkey shoot to you? It did to me at first till I looked deeper. They had a definite process to this casting Lots thing. They were in prayer, as one, constantly. They knew through scripture this big decision needed to take place. The man had to be a witness to the resurrection. Then, as a group, in faith, they decided on casting lots.

What process do we use to know God’s will for our lives in our big decisions? I have a few suggestions for us. First, we must know Him as Lord and Savior. Then we can believe He will lead us and speak to our hearts about any manner because James 1 says to ask for wisdom and it will be given freely to us. That means we exercise our faith. Scripture is always necessary. Unless we know how He thinks and what His heart is like, we are dead in the water. Does the decision fit into our lives (reasonable James 17)? Last,  gain Godly council from others (advice from Proverbs). This is a process that scripture suggests.

I do not think I would cast lots unless it was more like what they did. They gathered, prayed as one unit and all 20 people agreed. 20 people agreed? This would be a miracle in itself. Now, I know people who lay a fleece and draw a lot and believe it is a good way. I need more.

Our Lord speaks to us all the time. We just don’t take time out to get still. In prayer (conversation with Him) we speak our heart to Him and then listen to what His heart says to us. Scripture tell us He speaks to our hearts, that we have the mind of Christ, that He gives us wisdom. He is there and we can trust Him for those big decisions.

They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. Men of Galilee,” They aid, “why do you stand here looking into the sky?” this same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will, come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.Acts 1:10-11

What if it were today?  Look up.

He reached down from heaven and rescued me; he drew me out of deep waters. He rescued me from my powerful enemies, from those who hated me and were too strong for me. They attacked me at a moment when I was in distress, but the Lord supported me. He led me to a place of safety; he rescued me because he delights in me. Psm 7:16-19

The LORD is my light and my salvation—so why should I be afraid? The LORD is my fortress, protecting me from danger, so why should I tremble? When evil people come to devour me, when my enemies and foes attack me, they will stumble and fall. Though a mighty army surrounds me, my heart will not be afraid. Even if I am attacked, I will remain confident. Prov.27:1-3

He is always there for His Children. Thank you Abba.

Backbiting, gossip, slander, evil talk. We have all been guilty of this and we don’t think much of it until we are the victim. Maybe some self righteous person tells us off for an action we did not do because of gossip about us, or maybe we over hear a conversation and we are the delicate morsel they are talking about or maybe those evil words got back to us through the usual track. It is even worse if it comes to us from family or special friends. People we thought actually loved and cared about our feelings. Something ugly, something half true, something designed to destroy our heart our image comes out of their mouth.

Basically, we have all done it and we have all been victims of it, even from those who say they love us. So how do we deal with this thing? Believe Jesus. Follow Him. Pray for guidance. Surrender to Him and forgive.

Let’s take this one step at a time. First, what they say about us does not define who we are. Jesus does. His opinion is the only one that counts. We are hidden in Him and nothing anyone else thinks, believes or says changes this truth.  Next, surrender all hurt feelings, bad thoughts, anger, resentment to Him and let Him heal us. Then follow Him by forgiving the words, the people, and the evil intent.( Expect nothing from the backbiter). Last, let’s put a guard on our own mouths, for we do the same thing. 

It may take awhile to forget the hurtful words. They may pop up anytime anywhere. Retaliation my appear and encourage revenge. Just know and believe God’s heals all wounds with an unmatched loving touch and that this wounded time is a perfect time to trust our life to Him. He knew this moment would come.

If the people who hurt us this way do this continually, we need to stay away from them. It is called verbal and emotional abuse. Forgiveness does not mean we allow abuse to continue. If the hurtful person does not show change, it is time to go. Forgiveness is not for them, it is for us and God will take over once we decided to forgive because its supernatural. He changes our heart. He does the work. We simply decide to forgive.

The scripture tell us not to Judge, not to gossip, not to be rude or unkind. Gossip and backbiting is not only rude and unkind it is character assassination, an assassination that murders the heart.

Let it go, it is just not worth it to be a victim or to victimize.

Matt 7:1

Nothing in this life last forever. The happy times, sad times, grief, loss, moments of plenty, you name it, the things in this life do not last. The scripture takes time to talk of “A time for this and a time for that”. You remember that phrase.

Sometimes, because we think so temporal, we wonder if God is at work, does He know what He is doing, why do we live through so many troubles, failures, sadness? I do not claim to now the answer to that one but I do know this one. He is in control. He calls the shots and we are left with acceptance of His will in our live knowing  His will is the best road because of His great intense love for us. It is not about us. It is and always will be about Him.

When we really search out this matter, this thing between us and God, we will find pure gold, real treasure. Think about it all. He the creator calls us to eternal life with Him? He gives us His powerful Spirit forever? Freely gives us His Wisdom. Delivers us from oppression and arrogant leaders. He gives us His righteousness; fulfills salvation’s promise. We understand His ways, precepts and discernment. Now here is the biggie: All these things last forever.

The things in life grow strangely dim in the light of HIM and His Forever Promise

Psalms 119-Ayin; Proverbs 25; Acts1; Isaiah 4:1-5

Once a person has their moment with God when they ask for forgiveness and receive Jesus Christ into their life as Lord (the boss) and Savior (the one who died in their place), they begin an adventurous journey of to listening to His heart. A journey that leads to unconditional trust. A journey that will set them free. Lets not live our entire lives and miss the real thing, The Journey.

Be still and know that I am God. Our world is so filled with noise from outside and inside our minds. We have no hope of ever truly hearing from God until we get still. So if you’re having trouble hearing the voice or recognizing the voice of God then find a quiet place. Relax. Breathe deep. And get still. Then talk to Him (it is called prayer) and in that stillness you will hear.

Ever think there is a little something wrong in the direction of our thoughts. Do we seem to focus on us instead of God? Is it possible that our lack of self confidence, a good self image, self achievements or our full potential is simply misplaced worship. That the real problem is SELF and the worship of self? That maybe it is  not about us but about HIM.

Do we have a tendency to trust in our abilities, our achievements, how people think of us, or look to us, or at us? Another word for haughty is pride. We even teach our children in the art of pride by pushing for a good self what ever…..Maybe the  real direction is not our view of us but God’s view of us.

What does He see? He sees one He loves intensely. He dances in delight over us. He enjoys being with us, talking to us. He considers us a treasure. He values us so much that He went to the cross so we might live, not for self, but for Him, in Him. We no longer live, He lives in us. Where does that leave self? Self is gone.

I was always given this answer to this self thing. “Well, if you don’t love yourself you can not love others?” Really? I think we might be off track a little or maybe a lot. Love come from God. Real love, Agape love came to us, not from us.

Actually, we can do nothing in our own strength. We can’t even think right. He is the only direction, the only answer. Haughty eyes? Why? He decides our value, our direction, our achievements, our potential. Maybe we should relax, as if floating on water, and use what ever He supplies, to live however He wants, doing what ever He leads us to do, and then give Him all the credit and glory. He has already given us our due; His stamp of approval. Thank You Jesus.

The Bible has a lot to say about pride, haughty eyes mans approval…self. Psalm119(Ayin) ,Prov 12:16, Isaiah 3 just to name a few.

Choices are wonderful. Though finances, society, or rulers often restrict this freedom of choice, there is one area in life that is totally free. That area involves our soul and spirit. Mind, emotion, will (our soul) and the spirit with in us is free to choose. We choose who or what we trust in, believe in, rely on or worship. What does that look like in our individual lives?

Isaiah 2 talks about the traps we fall into and how we actually follow after the world’s treasures to the point of trust and worship. Like, superstitions (believing in and trusting in lies) or divination (calling on evil spirits) or pagan partners (unbelievers who control our financial or personal interest) or Idols (pride of life, accomplishments, trusting in self); or riches (what we own, silver, gold, travel). These worldly traps take God’s rightful place in our life.

How involved are we  in the worldly traps? How much time, trust, or worship do we devote to them? How much denial plays out in our decisions? Ever notice the media, the movies, TV programs? How about the clothes, prized possession, commerce. These dealers know what sells. Look seriously at what they think we need. We seem to hunger for the world’s stuff, a trap. It is not what we buy or have that matters. It’s how we think about what we seek after and why.

The answer is always the same. “God is our supplier, our refuge, our shield, our hope. We are and always will be sustained by Him and His promises whether we believe it or not.

Isaiah 2, Prov12:15,24; Psalm 119 ‘samekh’

tumblrbot asked: WHAT MAKES YOU FEEL BETTER WHEN YOU ARE IN A BAD MOOD?

Choice. I have been there soooo often. Even stayed there all day, maybe longer if I want to swim in self pity. Then I found out that moods are a choice.

I direct my bad mood to Him and release all my wrong thoughts, negative thoughts and bad attitudes to the one who see’s all. I complain, cry or what ever to Him. Once it is all in the open, I get still and I listen deep inside. He flows one or more of the fruit of His Spirit through my soul, the fruit that best suits the situation.Then I choose to respond, to meditate on that treasure. My book ‘Teach Me, Lord’ explains this process Of listening. (It is on Kindle for free once each mo. or Fadedpurple.com the book page.)