Not a Leper....But Unclean

Leviticus 13:45-46 - 45"As for the leper who has the infection, his clothes shall be torn, and the hair of his head shall be uncovered, and he shall cover his mustache and cry, 'Unclean! Unclean!' 46"He shall remain unclean all the days during which he has the infection; he is unclean. He shall live alone; his dwelling shall be outside the camp.

In the biblical times as you can see from this scripture there were rules about lepers and others who were “infirmed and unclean” that they had to dwell outside of the camp with the other people.  They had to announce themselves when they entered any public place to alert everyone they were there and therefore exposing them to their leprosy. When the priest had pronounced the leper unclean, it put a stop to his business in the world, cut him off from his friends and relations, and ruined all the comfort he could have in the world. He must humble himself under the mighty hand of God, not insisting upon his cleanness, when the priest had pronounced him unclean, but accepting the punishment.  Verse 46 said he shall live alone….  In the New Testament – the same rule is on the scene when Jesus enters.  Luke 17:12 As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance.  

Today, aren't you glad you don’t have to walk in Schnucks and announce your stuff?  LIAR, Unclean.    COVETING OTHER FOLK STUFF, Unclean.  WON’T STAY IN MY LANE, BUT ALL IN HER-LANE AND HIS-LANE WITH CLIFF NOTE VERSIONS OF WHAT I WOULDA SHOULDA COULDA, Unclean.  OVERSPENDING WHEN I KNOW I NEED TO GET THIS DEBT DOWN, Unclean.  No….we don’t want that.  Not at all.  We want to keep our stuff to ourselves and think it's ok.  

The problem with that is not that you are going to have to go live on the outskirts of I-64; under the bridge, or outside of the city limits; THE PROBLEM IS that all these little things keep you outside the Holy of Holies.  It’s like worship is high on a Sunday morning and you are just watching it and not in it. -Or- You wake up in the morning and what used to bring you right into the presence, takes you even longer if you ever even get there.  See as Christians – we have sense enough (or at least we should) not to be dipping in the sinners top ten (10 commandments) but the other little foxes – the WEIGHTS THAT SO EASILY BESET US and we all have them – that keeps "standing at a distance” from God.  We all have weights, and no your pastor is not going to have you on a list or cut you off from your friends, but it’s affecting your authentic worship.  It keeps us from "giving him something he can feel!" The weights make us wait.  The enemy wants you to keep it hidden so he can condemn. Don't let him win!  Gods got you! Talk to God about your weights and deal with them.  I had a little talk about mine... more plank work!  That’s what I heard….be blessed today!  

Plank Averted

Matthew 7:3“Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?

Today I'm doing plank work. No not the exercise plank (which I despise) but spring cleaning some gathered sawdust of specks. I am impatient, I tend to over administrate, I have a quick wit and too quick to respond at times to name a few.

Plank is defined as 1. a long, flat piece of timber, thicker than a board.  In the scripture it refers to a plank in comparison to sawdust. In other words (my words) sawdust gathered together over time may make a plank. I want us to have planks averted. Because if there is a plank in the eye doesn't that mean when a person tried to help with the speck we took it personal and then it turns to a plank over time?

It's no secret that my husband and I are different and thank God. I'm more extroverted and direct. He is more introverted and less likely to point out specks until they have gathered up a bit.  As a matter of fact I believe that is likely one of the issues in a Christian marriage. U both have to live a godly life right there in close proximity to each other with dust specks flying everywhere everyday getting in each other's eyes! Smile. I bless God for him because in the end I know he is pointing it out in love and not to harm me but help me/us. I'm not trying to have no plank putting us asunder. Lol

I know my blog goes to people who I may not know personally but if I know u and I have pointed out a piece of sawdust on/with u, that means I'm giving the green light for u to point out mine. Because if we are mutually picking out dust then no one has to walk around with a plank! Let's help each other handle the specks giving grace for our own known planks!

That's what I heard. Be encouraged today and inbox me or reply to me my sawdust so I can sufficiently deal with my own plank!  Lol

Don't Mess w/ That One...

If God be for us, who can be against us?   Romans 8:31

Growing up I didn't have siblings.  My older cousin Tosca was 2 years older than me and when I was in the same school with her I would talk stuff and then schedule her for any fighting that would be necessary.  I was not a fighter back then - I used my words.  LOL  I always felt protected though, because of my large extended family - I always had an uncle or two or seven that would let it be known "don't mess with THAT one".  

It is comforting and encouraging to read that God is for us!  He is in the stands rooting for us when the enemy comes up against u and I with all kinds of nonsense and foolery!  Because he is FOR us the only time the enemy stands a chance to even come our way is when God allows them to, like Job because circumstances and faith tests have been passed and he knows how much we can bear.  

But as we are reminded by Paul, though many may oppose, NONE can prevail against those who are the people of God. God is for us!!!  He has taken sides and he is on the side of those who fear him and trust in his Son Jesus Christ.  God the Father is for his people because he has chosen US, the Son is for US because he has redeemed US with his own blood, the Holy Spirit is for US because he calls US irresistibly to himself by faith.  

If God himself is for us, who, indeed, got the nerve, or inclination, or gall who indeed can successfully oppose us? Tell me who???  Dear believer, because the true and living God fights for you this day, none can overcome you; in fact, none can truly even harm you. He is up there pointing at us saying "don't mess with that one".  Walk in the assurance of that truth today and always because he who keeps us neither slumbers nor sleeps!

That's what I heard!  Be blessed today!

Just Do It....But Just Don't Get Weary

Galatians 6:9-10. ... 9Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary. 10So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.
Isaiah 40:31 but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

It's so easy to get weary. It's like you get encouraged, "yes I can do this" and run home with bursts of energy to do this that and the other then boom. Some distraction causes weariness to set in.  Or you wake up in the morning....it's a good day.... you head out to work to get 'er done and you get there and only two of the 20 things on your list get done because distractions cause weariness to set in. Or you make a plan "I'm going to the gym starting Monday" and all day Saturday you prep your meals for the week you get your cute workout outfit laid out and then Tuesday morning hits and weariness sets in. Maybe you do a budget that you have set up to get debt free and clearance sales emails and texts from your credit buddies (who only giving you this price when you use that 27% credit card) is distracting you and weariness sets in.

The issue as I see it is that we keep putting hope in OUR ability to act right.  I must move my muse to the hope of the Lord and not the will of Dagne. Dagne has great intentions but is made of flesh. The Lords hope is what allows me to mount up daily and get it cracking!  I know it's tough. If that's you today don't get weary.  See all those things you planned were gonna bring God glory so the enemy did his job by sending the distraction but ultimately you have the power. Use it. Feel his spirit help you mount up and your strength renew.  If this little bit helped you, then encourage and help someone else. That's what I heard!

A songwriter said it better, MY HOPE IS BUILT ON NOTHINGLESS THAN JESUS BLOOD AND RIGHTEOUSNESS. I DARE NOT TRUST THE SWEETEST FRAME BUT WHOLLY LEAN ON JESUS NAME!  Don't make me sing this whole song!  Whew!