Defining Moments

"Few of us live in the proactive understanding of the imperative nature of now.
This is your defining moment!"

(Personal Communication, Dan Scarrow, November 8, 2009)

Goal 2009 - Verse 20 out of 24

"If you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God" (Proverbs 2:3-5, NIV).

I heard a few minutes of Chuck Swindoll's radio broadcast today. He used a great analogy for God as our Guide:

Just as a camping lantern only enlightens the path for one or two steps ahead, so does God guide His children step by step.

Godly knowledge and understanding are similar. As humans, we do not have the privilege of complete knowledge and understanding. We have just what is necessary for the present time. For me, this is all the reasoning I need to depend on God for the development of my belief system. The ramifications of decisions made today are far-reaching; beyond our abilities to know and understand.

Which Way to Turn - Right or Left?

I know Isaiah 30:21 doesn't refer to U.S. political terminology, but the connection is thought provoking to me.

God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit is neither "right" nor "left" from a political perspective. I believe God cares about issues that both sides represent. As a Christ follower, I believe the Holy Spirit places in my mind specific, individual causes that lead to my passions. These passions often either match my current giftings and influences, or they facilitate new gifts and influences. For the Christ follower, each cause, each passion, each gifting, and each influence -- regardless of where they lie on the U.S. political spectrum -- must always be addressed from a Godly perspective. For me, this means:

• I fear God above all other fears - He is The One who knows and understands all things.
• I obey God above all other directives - His is the ultimate Truth.
• I love others above self - All people are worthy of love.
• I earnestly seek Godly knowledge and understanding - He is the Source.
• I openly accept His wisdom and revelation - Regardless of the earthly consequences.

I am not perfect; there will always be more personal growth to pursue, but the aforementioned points reflect the direction I seek via the direction of the Holy Spirit.

Whether you turn to the right or to the left,
your ears will hear a voice behind you saying,
"This is the way; walk in it"
(Isaiah 30:21, NIV).

A Poem about Real Life

I started off my quiet time this morning with an original poem:

I hate PMS.
I hate the way it makes me feel.
I hate the way I treat my boys.
I hate PMS.

Yes, it was one of those days.... One of those days when I have to say a prayer of forgiveness as the day barely begins. Yuck.

Immediately following the creation of the former poem, I glared at the windshield for a few minutes and then opened my Bible study. I was not really in the mood, but I knew it was what I really needed.... The first scripture I looked up was this:

"We do not make requests of You because we are righteous, but because of Your great mercy" (Daniel 9:18b, NIV).

Lord, where would I be without Your Great Mercy???

Thank You, Jesus.

Would I Have Recognized Jesus?

As a child, I remember wondering if I would have recognized Jesus as the Messiah had I lived during His time on earth. It is a complex question. As I read my Bible, I read of many intelligent, educated people who completely missed the mark; they did not recognized Jesus as Messiah. People who walked alongside Jesus on this earth, people who witnessed His miracles with their own eyes, did not recognize Him. I could easily end the conversation with the thought that I would have been different; I would have been among those who recognized Jesus. But, that response is just too simple for me.

Biblical prophecy tells us that Jesus will come to earth again someday. This prophecy also tells us that, once again, some people will not recognize Jesus as Savior. To this day, I still consider the question of whether or not I will recognize Him. Not only do I desire to recognize Him, but I also am driven to know Him in whatever circumstance He returns. How is this possible?

2 Peter 1:3-4 tells me that I can recognize Jesus:

"His divine nature has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him who has called us by His own grace and goodness. Through these He has given us His very great and precious promises so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption of this world caused by evil desires" (NIV).

I am studying "Daniel" with Beth Moore in the form of her published study. Daniel is an example of one man who embraced the knowledge given him by God for the purpose of participating in the divine nature. He studied prophecy and recognized the fulfillment of prophecy in his time. As a result, Daniel was a human whom God entrusted to impact the world at a particular time in history.

Based on this example, I take seriously the interests, passions, and desires I experience in my heart. Recently this is related to an awareness I have of our times in connection with Biblical prophecy. I am not a scholar on the subject - just an ordinary person. The desire of my heart is to know God and His Word for purpose of understanding Truth and applying Truth in contemporary culture. I want to analyze the current times based on God's Truth to synthesize Truth with culture, thereby evaluating life choices based on Godly revelation. In my life experience, I know God to impress His guidance in me through themes. As such, I am continually processing Truth, prophecy, and the responses of believers in Christ.

Travis Cottrell wrote "Your Word is Life to Me" for Beth Moore's "Daniel" Bible study. Google the song, listen, and worship. God's Word is life-changing! It is the key to recognizing Jesus....

I'm Always Amazed!

It happened again! I've experienced special provisions - seemingly small to most, but quite significant to me. Three years ago, I started a study of Daniel by Beth Moore. I loved it! I still frequently quote passages from those lessons - Babylon is oh so similar to contemporary America. Note that I started the study three years ago, but I never finished the study. About two and a half years ago, I started graduate school - enough said. Grad school took all of my studying skills, so Daniel had to wait!

Today was the day that I picked Daniel back up. Before I continue, let me remind you how eventful the last two months have been for me. School started for the kids, including a new phenomenon called MIDDLE SCHOOL. I started back to work after a summer hiatus (gotta love education), and I started teaching 4 sections of university courses (nearly 70 students). Can you say "first year teacher?" I totally understand that terminology now! Both boys are playing soccer with different practices and games. I am no longer a student, so I have taken up healthy cooking for the family again (my poor guys lived on easy food for 2 years). In the midst of all this, I was battling a war within me for control and significance that.... Let's just say, the Lord was not leading this battle!

In a previous post, I recalled how I hit the breaking point last week. I spewed my frustrations, I cried, I reached the bottom of this particular pit, and I pleaded with the Lord to help me. He answered my plea, and he continues to personally respond to me. Today, I picked up Daniel after a 3 YEAR DELAY, and the messages on the pages were like manna from heaven - made just for today! Based on John 14:12-13, Beth Moore (2006) writes,

"Your life and mine will be well lived and greatly influential if we simply ask God to empower us to do that for which we were created" (p. 159).

You see part of my battle these past months originated from a great disappointment that I experienced. Disappointment led to frustration, frustration led to anger, and anger led to bitterness. I was so unhappy! Satan was using this disappointment to completely blind me from all of the good and Godly things that were happening around me, and even TO ME! As I turned the battle raging within me over to God, He opened my eyes to His work and His purpose for me.

Lord, I know this is a lesson that
I will have to learn over and over again,
but thank you for meeting me
in all of my messiness, and
giving me hope with a purpose.
You always amaze me!

A Source & A Need

There are a few key people, lessons, and activities in my life that have dramatically changed my heart and/or my behavior. One huge area of growth is through Bible study. You know I adore the leadership of Beth Moore. I have also learned so much from several pastors in my life. Third, my mom has been a significant model for my learning from birth to now.

Another source is the inductive, pure Bible study method taught by Anne Graham Lotz. Just today I noticed that her ministry has posted a video of Anne teaching this method. I would highly encourage anyone interested in Bible study to learn from Anne by watching this 30 minute video and following the instructions on the viewing guide.

In addition, pray for me today and tomorrow. I am presenting this topic in one of my classes on Tuesday, October 13th @ 1:50pm. At MVNU, we integrate faith and learning. Spiritual development is vital for academic growth and critical thinking. Will you ask the Lord to minister in my class tomorrow?