The Master

God Afternoon Family,

This morning in prayer God reminded me how little I reverence Him. The knowledge of that shook me to the core. Weeping and repenting before God my heart was opened to God.

A few weeks ago God gave me a picture that went like this,

It was a warm morning. A little boy sat on the porch of a white bungalow. He was a native boy, slender and brown. He was wearing a white skull cap seated on the back of his head. He also had a white vest with no shirt underneath. His short. white pants were gathered at the knee and he was barefoot. He didn't seem disturbed, but seemed to be waiting eagerly for something.

Suddenly a very tall man came out of the door. He had on dark sun glasses and was dressed casually yet his clothes seemed pricey. He had on a light colored brimmed hat. His jacket and slacks were a light colored linen and his white, collared shirt was well ironed. He was a man not from this region yet he was comfortable, relaxed, and confident.

The man didn't acknowledge the boy but walked quickly across the porch and down the steps. The little boy jumped up and followed after the man who was headed towards the market place. The boy had to scramble to keep up with the man's long strides, yet he kept his eyes on the man's head the whole time.

"What time did you get here this morning?", said the man.

"5 am Sir.", the boy answered breathlessly.

The man smiled and flipped something over his shoulder. The red, glittering object sailed smoothly through the air. Without slowing the boy snatched the ruby from the air. He looked at it long enough to see it was as big as a large egg and then shoved it in His pocket. Eyes still intent on the Master, the boy didn't think twice about the large ruby. His whole focus was on going where ever the Master would lead him.

This is an awesome picture of how we ought to be with the Holy Spirit. The little boy is exactly who I want to be. This is why:

1. He was diligent and patient. He rose early to be at the Master's door by 5am. Then, judging by the time of day, he waited 3-4 hours until the he came out.

2. He was humble. He didn't get offended that the Master did not acknowledge him, but followed eagerly behind him. His own social status neither offended, nor embarrassed him. He was who he was before the Master and he was content with that.

3. He wasn't lazy. It took effort to keep up with the Master's pace, but he did it without grumbling.

4. He was focused. He kept His eyes on His Master's head. Not his back, hands, or feet. He was listening for His voice. He was attentive in the event the Master would turn and look at him. His thoughts, his attitude, his body was all attuned to the Master.

5. He knew his Master's character, therefore he loved Him and trusted Him. The boy was not impressed with the large ruby. He acknowledged it and was grateful, but was not moved by the jewel. The Master was generous and rewarded excellence, there was more where that came from. No, his heart was loyal to the Master. The Master was his reward.

If I truly reverenced the gift of His Spirit I would do whatever it takes to be just this way...a diligent little servant girl with no ambitions except to follow the Master wherever He leads.

Won't you please pray this for me?

Blessed is the man who listens to me, Watching daily at my gates, Waiting at the posts of my doors. For whoever finds me finds life, And obtains favor from the LORD...Prov 8:34-35

Stay in Prayer and in the Word!

Love in our Lord,
Lauren

The Outercourt

God Evening Family,

For the past two weeks the Outer Court has been weighing on my heart. I've tried blogging about other things I've experienced in prayer but I know that God is firmly telling me to write this particular one. I am no expert on the Temple and it's lay out. Nor am I an expert on the tabernacle erected by Moses. While I've read about it many times I don't fully understand all the sacrifices or ceremonies.Yet God has shown me some things about the Outer Court that pertain to the condition of the heart of believers.

In the Outer Court was the Altar of Sacrifice. It was placed some distance away from the tabernacle which housed the Holy Place and the Holy of Holies. People came with their sacrifice, the officiating priest offered it up, and the one who brought the sacrifice went their way without going near the Holy of Holies where the presence of God was.

So many people are just that way. They are Outer Court worshipers who are continually repenting over their sin but never coming close to God. These people fear hell more then they fear God. They fear hell because they know they are closer to it than heaven. They are closer to hell than heaven because they don't fear God. They want to go to heaven but they really don't want to know the King of heaven. At least not on His terms, not if it means they have to change.

Some of these are the people that seem so faithful in God's kingdom because they do so much. Yet God sees the motive. They do not obey God so they try to make up for their disobedience with sacrificial offerings. Yet God says obedience is better than sacrifice. (1 Sam 15:22)

Surrounding the tabernacle was a wall. This wall was not made of stone or brick but linen. It wasn't sturdy but yet it was a wall just the same. It was the line that separated the spiritual from the secular.

At first Outer Court worshipers know not to cross certain boundaries. They know some things belong to God and ought to be reverenced. But it isn't long before their senses are too numb to discern between what is holy and what is flesh (1 Tim 4:2). Like bulls they plow through that seemingly flimsy boundary into the world. Then who they are at home is no longer who they are at church. The secular world holds an allure while the things of God pale in comparison. They begin to bring the world into their homes. More and more their conversation is laced with flesh and they delight to call the holy legalistic. Speaking those things that they ought not, they believe God is altogether like them. Walking in their pride they begin to touch the anointed things of God without fear. (1 Chron 16:22 & Jude 8-10) They become careless and familiar with the holy.

Another thing about the Outer Court is it was in the open air. No covering. Outer Court worshipers hate authority. This is the one that talks the Christian language, shows up at church, and may even faithfully hold ministry. They have a form of godliness, that is until someone tries to bring correction. It is at this point that the Outer Court worshiper has a tantrum. Some are like Korah and will blatantly oppose God's chosen leadership. Others will sweetly and quietly listen to the correction yet still insist on their way of doing things.

Sadly these people do not understand what the word covering means. It means to hide, to clothe, and to provide for. It also is a military term that means to protect from enemy action, as in "Cover me while I throw my grenade". It means to protect financially. It's a term that expresses the intimacy of a husband with His wife. It's also a term that is best expressed by our free will. God will not force anyone to stay under His covering. Whether it be a wife, a child, a disciple, or an employee, only those who love and trust Him will submit to the covering He has provided for them.

Between the altar and the Holy Place was the basin. Before the priests could enter the Holy Place they had to wash so they would be clean and not die before the Lord.

There are those who do seek the presence of God but have yet to learn to stay before Him. They are continually going in and out of the Holy Place. I personally think that a lot of Christians who really do want to love God fall in this category, but they have not made the necessary adjustments that will allow them to dwell in His presence continually. So they enter in and minister to God. But then out they go again, picking up the dirt of this world and their own flesh. They know they ought to fully belong to God and fully hate the world but it's the little foxes that spoil the vine...the love of entertainment and comfort. Their passion to surrender is choked out by the cares of this world.

As God's priests we are to be made clean by the washing of the water of the Word. Only those who keep guard over His Word continually in their hearts can continually be clean and abide in His presence (John 15:3 & 10) But so many do not. Their prayer and Bible reading is erratic at best. They are not studying the scripture that they may be workers approved by God. They are not meditating on it that they may obey it. They are not calling on His Spirit for help. Against their own convictions they do not discipline their bodies to seek His face. So in and out they go.

At first this does not seem too bad. After all they are trying more than some others. but Revelations 11:1-2, 13 says this,

Then I was given a reed like a measuring rod. And the angel stood, saying, “Rise and measure the temple of God, the altar, and those who worship there. But leave out the court which is outside the temple, and do not measure it, for it has been given to the Gentiles....
...In the same hour there was a great earthquake, and a tenth of the city fell. In the earthquake seven thousand people were killed, and the rest were afraid and gave glory to the God of heaven.

There is no time to discuss the full meaning of this now. I'll leave it to your study of the Bible such as it is. Let's just keep it simple. God measured off the temple and those who worshiped inside. The outer court was not only given over to the haters of God's people but after the resurrection of the two prophets there was an earthquake that killed thousands...all found outside the presence of God.

I don't fully grasp Revelations at all. but even I can see it wouldn't be good to be found in the Outer Court if that's where God's judgment was going to fall, kind of like being outside the ark the day it started to rain.

In Matthew 25 Jesus tells a parable of 10 virgins. All were destined to meet the bridegroom. All had full lamps. But only 5, who were wise, had vessels with extra oil. The 5 who were foolish presumptuously thought that the oil in their lamps was sufficient. Why go through the trouble of finding more oil and then carrying an extra vessel around with them? As they waited for His coming they used up all they had in their lamps. When the bridegroom arrived they began to scramble to find more oil, but it was too late. They were locked out of the marriage simply because they wouldn't go the extra mile in making preparation for the coming of the bridegroom.

These are the ones who one moment are worshiping in the Holy Place and dancing in the Outer Court the next. These are the ones who tempt their own fate by their continual coming and going. One foot in and the other out. Straddling the fence. Double minded with divided hearts.

There are those who stay in His presence continually. They know He is coming but they don't know the day or the hour. All they know is that they do not want to miss it, so they draw nearer to Him and watch....and wait.

These do not fear Hell. They fear eternal separation from the object of their deepest desire. They fear never to be able to look upon His face, never to gaze deeply into His eyes, and never to hear His voice speaking their name.

Let us enter in with them. The veil is rent in two. He is waiting. He will not wait forever.

Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth...Luke 18:8

God is speaking. Pass this one on.

Stay in Prayer and in the Word!

Love in our Lord,
Lauren

Stones

God Morning Family,

God truly is moving...in me. Surely His thoughts are not my thoughts yet He calls me friend and shares them with me. His thoughts are amazing. When I make the time to really connect with Him in prayer, to seek Him just for Him, He speaks.

What's been on my heart is stones.

Stones are God made, not man made. They don't do much or look like much. They are what they are and nothing more. Stones are rarely impressive. Mind you I'm not talking about precious stones like diamonds or emeralds, but I will say in the middle of a desert water is more precious than a ruby. Your average, grey stone, is a stone and nothing more, yet even God can use one.

So Joshua did as Moses had said to him, and fought with Amalek: and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed. But Moses hands were heavy; and they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun. Ex 17: 10-12

Whenever this story is preached the focus is always on Moses as a leader, Aaron and Hur who lifted his hands, or Joshua who fought the battle. The stone is never the focus. Yet the stone was just as important to the winning of the battle against Amalek as Joshua. The stone was just as necessary to Moses as Aaron and Hur. But how ridiculous it would seem to give praise to the stone, or preach on the stone as a source of inspiration to those who would desire to be something great in God's kingdom. God doesn't think the way we do.

In my flesh I want to be known as a great person, an armor bearer like Aaron and Hur, a warrior like Joshua. I want to declare boldly like Caleb that I am just as strong in my 80's as I was in my 4o's. I want to creep in like Jael and put a stake through the temple of the enemy. I want to be as zealous as Phinehas who executed the couple who defiled the tabernacle of God, or Jehu who trampled Jezebel's body beneath the hooves of his horse. But in my spirit I want to be content to be a stone.

Through the course of time and nature that stone was in just the right place to be used by God. It had no purpose before the battle with Amalek and no purpose after. Still, at that particular moment, God said, "Now is your time." Just being what God made the stone to be, it gave glory to it's Maker. It didn't insist on being something more grand. It didn't fume in offense because Moses didn't say, "Thank you for allowing me to rest on you." It was what it was and did what it was called to do.

Can I do that? Just be a stone? To bask in the blessedness of obscurity, receiving no thanks, nor accolades for what God chooses to do with me? To be a slave to God's plan?

Stones never seek thanks or praise from people. They understand that what God thinks of them is all there is. They are simply His and He can do whatever He wants with them. They understand that miracles, healing, or tongues are not the greatest expressions of faith but serving in God's kingdom without thanks or some token of appreciation is. The stone can sincerely say I am an unprofitable servant who deserves no reward. I'm just doing what I was created to do. (Luke 17:10)

Being a stone simply means you know your purpose. Some stones are quiet and behind the scenes others are loud and seen by thousands. One is not being a stone when one is called to be a preacher and instead cowers behind emotional baggage like Saul (1st Sam 10:21-23). One is not being a stone when one is called to wash the hands of the man of God but insists on starting a church. Some stones are for sitting on, others are for splitting Goliath's skull in two.

Stones are obedience driven not results driven, understanding God brings the increase. When one is given a task one must do it excellently, with all their might as unto the Lord. Yet there may be no increase. Yes, I understand that fruit is a sign of walking in the will of God, but what about Jeremiah who preached his heart out and Israel still went into captivity? Our level of obedience is how God defines success, not the results. Results comes from God. Obedience is our responsibility.

Stones understand that though they are only a small part of what God is doing, they are still vital to the mission. The word stone comes from the Hebrew word 'eben which means to build. By just being in its proper place on the wall of God's house is a supreme work. How beautiful the building will be on that day! In the end one may not be able to tell one stone from another, just the same, each one will be rewarded for doing just what it was made to do.

And do you know who will get the praise for building that great house?

The Master Builder, Jesus!

...you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 2:5

Stay in Prayer and in the Word!

Love in our Lord,
Lauren

P.S. Please pray for me that all I write would be inscribed in my heart. There is no reward for the hearer. It is the doer that proves the perfect will of God.

The Christian and the Twinky

God Evening Family,

The past three weeks I've been on a health program called Take Shape For Life. It's helping me lose weight, my joint pain is gone, my taste buds are changing, and my stomach is learning to appreciate smaller servings.

As I've been making changes in my eating habits I'm beginning to realize just how much food ruled my life. I always knew I was an emotional eater. Also I would wander in the kitchen and just start eating mindlessly. Where is the fruit of self control in all this?

I am really starting to understand how this must displease God. Imagine this, I witness to a drug addict and pray for God to set them free. Later I go home and binge on a box of Twinkies. Pretty ironic huh? The one who is supposed to be setting the captive free is captive herself.

How am I supposed to have authority over demons when I can't take dominion over a box of Twinkies?

This may not sound too spiritual but really the physical does affect the spiritual to some extent. I noticed that overdosing on sugar brought on anger, major mood swings,joint pain, and of course condemnation. No matter how much I prayed I couldn't seem to break out of those emotional/physical issues. Healthy eating is breaking it however.

God said His people perish from lack of knowledge. He gave us only one body and then said we are not our own. We take better care of our cars then we do the temple of God. It is our responsibility to find out how to keep these bodies in tip top shape. Why? To do the work of the Lord, to enjoy the life He gave us, to enjoy our walk with Him. It's hard to walk in love,joy, patience and peace when you're overweight and aging prematurely because you lack self control.

I love the Word of God and life would be bleak without my time with God in prayer. But all the prayer in the world is not going to sanctify a Twinky.

Stay in Prayer and in the Word!

Love in our Lord,
Lauren

Crucifixion

God afternoon and Merry Christmas Family,

I can't seem to get away from this theme but Jesus truly was our example. This means in order to understand how I should function as a Christian all I need do is study His life as written in the Word of God.

I remember when we went as a family to go see the movie The Passion. I felt a bit odd because I didn't really want to cry, though I was struck to the core by the depth of Jesus' suffering for us. Instead I was a grimly elated. Jesus paid it all for me so I wouldn't have to.

I remember thinking, "I'm glad Jesus died. I'm glad He suffered. I'm glad for every stripe, every mocking word, every humiliation He suffered. I'm glad He went to the cross!" I'm still glad.

Oh, how I love my Jesus, but there was no other way for my sin to be paid for. If there was the Father would have told Him. It was either me or Jesus. Am I glad that it was my sin that He had to suffer for? Oh no, but my sin was pretty much a done deal and someone was going to die for it. Again, I am grimly elated and grateful that He was the one.

I say grimly because Jesus died not only for my sin but as an example to me. Somewhere, somehow I will be expected to suffer for someone else. No, my suffering will not pay for their sin. Only Jesus could have done that. But I can, and will be called often, to lay down my life so someone else can have the opportunity to be blessed. So will you dear one.

From giving money away that we wanted to spend on ourselves or actively, generously, and aggressively loving those who treat us badly, we will all encounter these crucifixion moments.

Like Jesus, we will all at once, have a choice and no choice at all. None of us are forced to be nailed to the cross, yet for those who are truly His, how can we do anything else but our Father's will?

The reality is we will love and forgive so many, but the majority will reject the kind sacrifices we make in His name. Yet, we keep taking up our cross for the few, even the ONE, who will see Christ in our willingness to put them before ourselves.

I'm glad He gave up His life for me.

May someone somewhere, somehow, be able to say...

....I'm glad Lauren gave up her life for me.

Stay in Prayer and in the Word and have the best Christmas ever!

Love in our Lord,

Lauren

Prosperity?

God Evening Family,

Having money does not mean you are prosperous. You are not blessed because you have material wealth, business success, or the respect of the multitudes.

Like wise you are not impoverished because you lack financial security.

The word prosper (prosperity, prosperous, prospered) really is an Old Testament word. In the New Testament we only find prosper and prospereth used once in 3 John 2,

Beloved, I wish above all things that thous mayest prosper and be in health even as thy soul prospereth...

and prospered used in 1 Cor 16:2,

Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God has prospered him...

In each of these scriptures the Greek word euodoo is used. This word does mean success in business affairs in a figurative sense. But the main definition is simply, help on the road.

I'm finally learning that true wealth has nothing to do with how many zeroes are at the end of a number. True wealth is not found in what you possess but in who possesses you. It's not in who you know but who you put your trust in. Who is helping you along the way makes all the difference.

Jesus became poor that we might become rich. What does that mean? When Jesus hung on the cross His fellowship with the Father through the Holy Spirit was broken. This is true poverty. But Jesus was willing to pay the price that through His suffering we might all receive the treasure of God with us. The Holy Spirit is the grace of life that enables us to excel beyond our own earthly and fleshly limitations.

Riches are not money...true riches are inside information. It's almost like cheating. We don't have to figure out everything ourselves the way the heathen do. We need first

to be in relationship with the Holy Spirit and second be listening for His slightest whisper. There is no value in wracking your brain and burning the midnight oil in worry. God favors those who are devoted to His Spirit and understand without Him they can do nothing.

God's people perish for lack of knowledge needlessly. He who holds all knowledge hungers for eager students. He will give help to any who will trust Him...and wait.

Let us say we are prosperous because He is our help. Let us say we are blessed we trust Him who has all knowledge. Let us say we are rich because He loves us and gave us His Spirit....our Helper on the road.

...For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds. Casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God...1 Cor 10:4-5 KJV

Stay in Prayer and in the Word!

Love in our Lord,

Lauren

The Holy Spirit

God Afternoon Family,

This bears repeating in the light of the coming Christmas Season.

The Holy Spirit is so awesome. He truly is God with us. He is waiting, anticipating the moment when we will realize HE IS PRESENT. He longs for the one who will acknowledge Him and inquire of Him. It is the one that says "Teach me Holy Spirit" that causes His heart to leap with joy.

We go through our lives so hurried and distracted. We just breeze past the Holy Spirit, and sometimes trample over Him, to do what we think is best. He is so humble. He just picks Himself up brushes off our footprints and waits some more.

Oh how He loves us Family! He so wants to help us. Softly He speaks, barely over a whisper, the words that would take us to that place of blessing. We hear but we do not hear. Then after our lives fall apart because of our way of doing things we accuse God of not helping.

He is here! He is ever present! He desires to see us blessed more than we do. But He has a way. He will not shout, or force His way in. He is love and love waits to be invited.

Our Jesus died that we may know Him intimately. Even when He walked this earth no one had such a great privilege. Then, He could only be known in a crowd. But now His Spirit dwells IN US. He is Emmanuel...GOD WITH US! Yet we barely take notice...

How meek and gentle He is to wait for a people so stupid. How merciful the Father that He doesn't destroy us for treating The Holy Spirit like a pair of dirty socks.

Let us seek Him while He can be found Family. He waits and waits....

He will not wait forever.


Then she said, "Samson, the Philistines are here!"
He woke up and thought, "I'll leave as I did before and shake myself free." But he did not know that the Lord had left him. Judges 16:20 (NCV)

Stay in Prayer and in the Word.

Love in Our Lord,

Lauren