Forged in the Fire: Moving Forward

In a recent post, I spoke of my willingness to give up my right to access to my driveway. Just a short time later, the Lord opened the door for me to get a vehicle. Hmmmm. Now, I needed access to and the full unencumbered use of my side of the driveway.

The problem with the shared-entry drive way was reignited the Monday after I brought the car home on Sunday. The neighbor lady deliberately took her war against me to a new level when she started blocking me in or parking so as to prevent or if I left while their car was gone and they got back before I did, they would park in such a way that made it almost impossible for me to pull back into the driveway unless I jumped the curb and risked ruining a tire or something. That’s not a risk I am willing to take.

I really tried to wait it out. I expected the Lord to do something miraculous. I vacillated between acceptance of the situation and becoming angry at the injustice of it. Part of me wanted to march over there and tell her off. But, that would only make things worse. Plus, I would regret doing so afterwards. I wrestled with being angry, knowing it was important to direct my anger appropriately and not to let it take root.

I do know there is a greater purpose to be accomplished here. I know that what I am enduring at her hands and mouth now is mild compared to what I may be experience later on as God opens doors that have up until now been closed. Perhaps, I haven’t come far enough to fully come to the end of myself and trust God completely with the trial He is allowing me to go through.

By the Wednesday evening after my last post, the humor I had attempted to find in being pinned in by my neighbor quickly dissolved. I knew that it was time to take action. I called their landlord again. This time I let him know that I had finally found a vehicle and asked his perspective on the situation regarding use of the driveway. His first question to me: “She isn’t pulling far enough to the right is she?” I explained what had been going on. It was a very amicable conversation. He was out of town but said he would make a call. I told him thank you.

I guess, even at my age, I am still too naïve when it comes to hoping that people will finally choose to do what is right. I had hoped that his reminding his tenants this time of where they were supposed to park and that they were not to block the drive entry/exit access point would be all that was needed. How wrong I was!

About an hour later, I heard a loud racket. Bella started barking. I walked back to see what was going on. The man who worked for the landlord had attached a thick red and white rope to the garage and laid it out from the garage to the edge of the sidewalk! I walked out to ask what was going on. He looked up, said nothing, gave me a dirty look, and continued what he was doing. I watched in shock as he took a hammer and knocked out a chunk of concrete. He hammered in a fence post. He then proceeded toward the edge of the sidewalk and did the same thing, tying the rope onto each. While I was out there, watching in sadness and disbelief that it had to come to this, I noticed the neighbor lady and her three young daughters coming toward us.

She said something very rude and told me I could go back in the house now and flicked her hand at me to shoo me off! I calmly and respectfully reminded her that I had every right to be outside and to check on what was going on in the driveway, especially when it affected my property. As I was attempting to communicate with the man, she interrupted again and launched into a verbal assault against me.

Now, I don’t think “fast on my feet” anyway, but this time, it was as if the Lord kept my mouth shut. I knew I was not to respond to her this time. As I quietly stood there, I experienced a momentary intense awareness of what it must have felt like for Jesus when He was being falsely accused. I was humbled.

I have been in other situations throughout my life where people have said hateful things to me and about me. There was something so very different about this one, though …. there was such a hateful, taunting, defiant, and arrogant spirit coming from this woman.

I waited a few moments, turned around, and came back inside. My heart ached, my tummy was in knots, my mind was reeling. Adrenaline fueled my body in full force. Her car remained parked in the drive entrance, blocking it, instead of being parked where it was supposed to be.

I spent a very restless night in the midst of an intense spiritual battle. I cried. I prayed. I tried to think of songs to sing. Thoughts bombarded my mind. I tried to talk it out verbally, hoping that would help me to make some sense of what was going on. I verbalized things that I would like to have said or could have said, had I been allowed to do so. Then, told myself to stop and shut-up! That wasn’t going to help. I knew better. But, it was all part of the battle.

I asked the why question. I read from my Bible. I prayed and cried out to the Lord for mercy. Out of obedience, I prayed for her. I spoke scripture out loud. I took authority over the thoughts bombarding my mind. It was as if the adrenaline refused to recede as the attack continued. Finally, sometime in the early hours of the morning, I drifted off to sleep, only to awaken a couple of hours later, exhausted.

The morning was gloomy and I felt gloomy. I needed to do something. I started looking about the house for a project. About mid-morning, I knew what to do. I would get some items together and give them away. This was another step forward. The Holy Spirit told me specifically which of the local churches to call. I did. One of the pastors and his wife would stop by around noon if that was alright with me. That was great! I got excited!

Adrenaline kicked in once again, this time in a good way.  I was able to get quite a few items out and stacked on my kitchen table. Some I had to leave in the cabinet until they arrived. I so enjoyed meeting this pastor and his wife. We visited as they pitched in and packed things into some empty boxes I had accumulated. (I had disposed of quite a few not too long ago).

Amazing! The number and the sizes of the boxes I had were perfect for the quantity of items they were taking!

Even in the little, seemingly mundane details, God is at work.

The pastor asked if he and his wife could pray for me. I said, “Absolutely.” It was such a blessing to interact with them and have them pray for me. Then he asked if there was anything else he could help me with while they were here. Such a kind and gentle spirit he had! I thanked them and said I couldn’t think of anything. He said that if I ever needed anything, to please give them a call.

Later that afternoon, I began to feel better. The phrase “Forged in the Fire” began rolling around in my spirit. I contemplated those words. The phrase wasn’t new to me. I knew it well. I knew what it meant in the work arena. I knew what it meant spiritually.

It’s a phrase has been used and referred to by many for years. It has many relevant applications, not only in metal works, but in life itself. It is realistic. It is representational. It is an analogy. In fact, if you type that phrase into a search engine, you’ll see it used not only in reference to blacksmithing, but you will also see it used to name blogs, books, sermons, special events, and in many articles describing a myriad of events throughout history.

Forging involves the application of heat (fire) and pressure to create useful products. The application of heat and pressure is also used to can fruits and vegetables for later use – it preserves them. For now, the focus is on forging. Perhaps there might be an opportunity later on in another blog post to further discuss preservation and how that relates to our walk with the Lord.

There are certain weapons and products that must be forged through the use of fire and a hammer to be transformed into something useful and effective, something with a different purpose. As metal is subjected to the fire (the amount of heat does have to be monitored and controlled by the use of certain techniques so as not to damage the metal causing it to become worthless for the task at hand), it becomes malleable (softened but not melted), moldable, able to become what is necessary or envisioned by the smith.

The chemical properties of the piece of metal being tempered do not change – a piece of metal remains a piece of metal - but its shape and purpose does change. With the use of extremely high heat, pressure, and a hammer and/or other tools, the smith fashions a product to serve a specific purpose, whether it be a tool or piece of jewelry, or other items.

Precious metals also go through the process of refinement via fire to rid them of impurities that otherwise lessen their quality and value. In this case, melting and reshaping occurs. Sometimes additives are necessary to achieve the desired product.

So it is with us when we come into relationship with Jesus. Our Heavenly Father allows us to go through difficult and painful circumstances designed to burn out our impurities. There are times in our lives when we experience such intense and lengthy trials, that we feel like we are melting….that we are not going to make it through the fire.

He allows the fire, the heat, and the pressure of certain circumstances and events for the purpose of softening the hardened areas of our lives and to reveal any wrong thinking that needs correction. As with Job, God knows our faith and how much we can take. He knows how we will respond, the emotions we will go through, the pain and suffering that will come. He does not abandon us.  He promises to be right there with us. It is up to us whether or not we trust Him and continue to walk with Him. We may not reap the same kind of blessing that Job did, but that is not what our goal should be anyway. Focusing on Jesus and laying up treasures for eternity is what is important.

These furnaces of fire that we will be called to endure are not always literal like the one into which Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were thrown for not bowing down and worshipping the king as decreed. (See the entire story and the testimony of God’s presence with them that protected them in Daniel, Chapter 3). The furnaces of fire for some involve being unjustly jailed for their faith, being beaten, tortured, maimed, and other horrendous acts of evil.

For some, the furnaces of fire include people who call you names and treat you badly for no apparent reason, who bully, taunt, and harass you (and not just verbally), as in the case of my neighbor. For others, their furnace of fire is the continual struggle with disability or with financial hardships. We each have stuff that we go through, that we are subjected to.

The furnaces of fire are situations and circumstances that challenge us, irritate us, frustrate us, make no sense to us, make us angry, and cause grief along with so many other emotions. These places can shake our faith, test us to our limits (what we think are our limits, anyway), then push us even further. We cry out to God. We wonder if He hears. We question. We vacillate between knowing what we should do and the strength of the emotions that tempt us to do differently.

He does hear. He does care. He is there. With us. In the midst of the fiery trial. In the midst of our confusion. In the midst of our pain. He promised to never leave or forsake us.

These hard places are meant to soften and mold our character, to strengthen our faith as we are called to lean more heavily onto our Lord and Savior for the Grace, Wisdom, Discernment, and Strength to endure and be the testimony that will encourage others and to be the witness that will show the world that, Yes, Jesus makes the difference.

The times and seasons of testing can seem to last forever. Sometimes it’s as though they come back to back with no time for rest or recuperation. Other times we experience lengths of time when things are less intense. Some seasons are much more intense than others. But, they all have a purpose.

As we talk with others personally, or read or hear their stories, we may frequently observe similarities within the test or trial experienced. There are some trials and tests that you and I will experience in common. There are others who are called and equipped to endure things that we will never physically encounter. We are not all called to go through the very exact same circumstances or situations for the same length of time, because God created us each uniquely and individually. We have different gifts, talents, and purposes.

A turn of events: 

I had the pleasure of enjoying the company of my little great-niece, who is almost 3 years old, from Friday evening to Saturday morning. When my sister, her Grammy, picked her up, I walked out with them to the sidewalk. As they were getting in the car, I happened to glance to my left. Their car was still blocking the drive entrance/exit. I saw the neighbor’s husband walking out to the grassy area near the street. I realized at that time, it was an opportunity that I needed to take.

I approached him and spoke to him about the need to move and park where they were supposed to park. I could tell he was already greatly disturbed and agitated as he began making excuses as to why they could not park anywhere else except there. None of the excuses were legitimate. With each excuse, I was able to respond with the truth. This wasn’t like him. However, I remained firm as I spoke to him and told him the next step I would take should this continue. I emphasized that I had plans for the day and needed to be able to get out and back in throughout the day without interference. He said he would take care of it. I returned to my house.

I realized that as I walked away, I was at peace!

That moment was a turning point that needed to happen.

Roughly 15-20 minutes later, he moved their van out of my way and I was able to leave. The driveway entrance remained clear throughout the day and I was able to get in and out as needed.

Throughout the day, I pondered the sense of peace and freedom that settled in my heart. I also recognized a very caring and tender emotion in my heart compassion toward the situation within the neighbors’ household - a situation that I had sensed, but was confirmed by the earlier conversation with him. I felt compassion wash over me. It’s as if, after all the struggling, prayer, and asking God to intervene, that He had been preparing me to step up and take definitive action.

Saturday evening, as I was cleaning up some water I had accidentally spilled, the word “strength” and “forged in the fire” resonated in my spirit, along with the words spoken to and over me years ago during prayer following a Bible study held in my home “the righteous are bold as a lion.”  There was connection between these three things! Convergence!

So many times when we talk of being forged or shaped by trials and tribulations, I think the tendency, as I referred to above, is to focus on the softening and on being gentle. That can be the case. But, the purpose of trials and tribulation is also to strengthen us and bring forth courage to speak as God wills – to not be timid when we should be bold.

Today, I experienced both strength to stand against injustice and later, a genuine gentle love washing over my heart toward my neighbors. I find myself wanting to draw them into my arms and love on them. God makes no mistakes. Whether He chooses to use me in that manner and to allow me to see what He can do in their lives, or not, I know He is changing my heart toward them to be more like His.

Another scripture that was spoken specifically to me many years ago, was that God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and love, and a sound mind. I have spoken that one over myself many times since then. In fact, it was one of the verses I spoke over myself during the heat of the most recent spiritual battle.

In bringing this to a close:

 I have spent many years struggling with those urges to speak up and be bold because I had learned – been taught – as I was growing up that it was not appropriate or acceptable for me to do so. I was punished for it. Even as an adult, I have often been chastised or told to shut-up by others when I felt compelled to address or question something that was wrong.

I grew to the point of disliking the whole idea of having to confront anyone, ever. When I saw or felt it was necessary, I would make every effort to put it off as long as possible, hoping to try everything else I could think of first to bring about resolution. It never worked and only served/serves to create more conflict within myself.

I am, once again, amazed at and in awe of how patient, how loving, how kind, and how Great is our God!

And, if the driveway entry is blocked again, it is important that I follow through this time.

To everything there is a time and a season…….

The Mimi Mobile

Wow, after more than two years, does it ever feel great to have this freedom available to me once again, to know that I will be able to go places on those days when I feel up to it , whether it’s doing errands, just going for a drive, or going to visit others. It wasn't the kind of vehicle that I had in mind, and it is too big to fit into my small garage, but it is a blessing nonetheless! A blessing for which I am very thankful!

I so appreciate all the help that my older son and my daughter-in-law have been and continue to be to make this possible for me. I thank the Lord, always, for the blessings of family and friends who are so kind and willing to help me along the way, sharing their time, talents, skills, and other help as needed.

Just for the record, I have never been one to “name” my vehicles, until now. I knew when I saw the picture of this van that it was going to have a name. I also knew what its name would be…lol - hence, the title of this blog post.

It’s an older, but nicely equipped 7-passenger Grand Caravan. There is definitely plenty of room for the grandchildren who, by the way, were very excited when they first saw it and got to look around inside. A few of their first comments: “Mimi is that your new car?” “Wow, this is awesome!” “We can go through the drive-thru now!” How sweet and funny they can be.

     

It was also decked out with a couple of stickers: a “Nightmare Before Christmas” sticker in the lower corner of that back window, which I chose to remove, and a nice Hibiscus sticker on the back window. It got to stay J

How it became mine: A week ago this past Friday evening, my older son saw this van posted for sale, knew the owner, and asked me if I might be interested. Surprisingly, I was. I told him to check it out. He contacted the owner and made arrangements to meet him for a test drive on Saturday morning. After driving it and checking it out, he called to let me know that he thought it would be a good deal for me. I said alright then, let’s do this. I trusted his judgment and wasn't even going to test-drive it myself, but he said he would prefer that I did. Just to be on the safe side.

I found myself feeling very excited about this vehicle after talking with my son! I sent a message to the owner right away confirming that I was interested, but, as my son had mentioned to him, I wouldn't be able to test drive it myself until they picked me up later in the week (The kids had already planned to come and get me and have me stay a few days).

I did need to make sure that the design of the driver’s seat did not trigger Fibro Pain Points or put pressure on the area of my back where I have a vertebrate/disk problem – this had been an issue with several other vehicles that I had test driven.  I also needed to make sure that I could open and shut the sliding side doors and back lift gate without any problems since they are manual and not power.

While messaging back and forth, I felt like I should ask the owner if there was any chance they would be coming this direction before I could get down there later in the week. They offered to drive it to Indy that very afternoon! Said they had family here and could go visit them, too. Amazing how it worked out that way and that fast! So, I got to drive it….it felt comfortable enough and handled well. I really liked it. They were okay with me not being able to complete the transaction until the following Wednesday or Thursday. Needless to say, I was quite excited. I let my son and daughter-in-law know.

My daughter-in-law picked me up Thursday after lunch. When we got to Bartlesville, she dropped me off at the owner’s house and we completed the transaction. I got in the van, checked the fuel gauge (had around an 1/8^th  of a tank), and headed to the kids’ house where I would be spending the next few days.

A few blocks down the road, I heard the low-fuel warning sound. I quickly considered going on to the kids’ house and having my son go fill it up later. It would be easier for me, and I know he would do it for me if I asked, but it would add to his already busy schedule for the evening.

I don’t like pumping my own gas because the hoses always seem to be twisted/tangled and hard for me to handle, but I chose to tackle it this time. Wasn't too bad and didn't even end up with my hands smelling like gasoline. That was a good thing.

I drove the van several times over the next few days. On Friday, I  drove the grandchildren around the neighbor once and later that morning we ventured out on a short trip to Wal-Mart. On Saturday, I did a couple of short-time-frame errands by myself. Then rested after returning to the house.  

Sunday: Time to pack and get ready to go home. The kids loaded up my stuff and I left around 10:30 AM, after checking the forecast. It had stormed earlier that morning. The timing was a good choice – I got left before the next bout of heavy rain fell in Bartlesville and arrived home after the heavy downpour here - and there was hardly any traffic on the highway.

Another plus - the neighbors were not at home when I arrived home, so I had the full use of my side of the driveway and was able to pull up to the garage and my gate access without any problems. More to be thankful for!

I was quite tired once I got home, though. And unloading my stuff, and having to go up and down those back steps several times really shot the pain level upwards. May have to call on some help next time for that part of it, or spread it out over several hours instead of trying to get it all done in one short space of time!

As of today, my body is still experiencing quite a bit of pain and fatigue. Hoping it will pass soon and won’t be a long and drawn out period of intensity.  

Later Sunday evening, I noticed the neighbors van parked on the street. I was surprised – they do not normally park there. It was still in that same place when I took Bella out for the last time before going to bed.

Now, since I have a vehicle once again, I am thinking, hoping, that my neighbor lady will be more respectful with the way she parks – that she will park on their side of the driveway and not on mine…..

Guess not L  Monday: She returns home mid-morning and parks in the driveway at an angle-the back end of her van  is over on my side of the driveway, and her vehicle is so close to mine that I do not think I can back out without hitting something – either her van or the corner of my fence! Then, she left, but returned in just a few minutes ….again parking in such a way that it would be quite difficult for me to safely back out should I need to go somewhere – and I did need to go get some salad and veggies from Braum’s.

Hmmm…what to do?????   I could call a friend to do this errand for me. No, I really want to do it myself! I’ll just wait and see what happens. Maybe she will go back to work. ***

And, yes, I admit, seeing her parked this way totally annoyed me…there is absolutely no excuse for her behavior. It really is beyond my comprehension as to why someone would choose to continue to be so inconsiderate and disrespectful like that.

Attitude check: Loving your neighbor isn't always an easy thing to do…..but, still, it is what we are commanded to do by our Lord. Doesn't mean I have to like what she is doing or that it is ok, but I am to continue to pray for them, seek God’s wisdom is this situation, and not allow anger or a root of bitterness to take hold in my heart.

Oh what an “adventure” this shall be. I was thinking later, after I returned from completing my errand, that this almost feels as if I am in the midst of a cat-and-mouse game – feeling somewhat like the mouse who has to sneak out and get back before the cat catches me!!!!!   Sometimes humor helps.

***As it turned out, about four and 1/2 hours later, she did leave again. I grabbed my purse, got in my van, and headed to Braum’s to get what I needed. Sure was a happy camper when I got back home and she was still gone – I could pull in and park again, unimpeded!

I do wonder….between the difficulty of getting up and down the back steps and this continuing issue with the neighbor….perhaps it’s time to seriously consider selling this house and finding somewhere else to live….

Could it be that the Lord is using this situation with the neighbors to prompt me toward moving instead of moving them? Or does He have a different plan and purpose?  

Heavenly Father, please show me Your will and Your plan concerning this matter.

America's Moral and Spiritual Stupor

A few days ago, as I was perusing through a news app, I came across an article, or a video I should say, supposedly proving the Bible supported the LGBT lifestyle. Oh my L  With curiosity piqued, I clicked on it. The first two examples of scripture given and explained by this young so-called “expert” made me sick at my stomach. I couldn’t listen to any more. I had to turn it off. It was nothing more than twisting scripture and taking it completely out of context.

That video, along with some other things recently in the news, compelled me to sit down and write on a much more serious level. So far, I have edited and revised this several times because my thoughts keep taking me in so many directions with so many options for consideration and discussion. I am trying to whittle it down to just a few pages to keep it from turning into a book! And my heart is not to condemn, but simply to speak truth. 

Twisting scripture, abusive use of scripture, and self-justification is nothing new. Over the centuries, many people have misused scripture in an effort to justify their own selfish desires and wrong actions, whether it is in the realm of  abuse (physical or psychological), adultery, fornication, lying, gluttony, idolatry, hatred, murder, coveting, gossiping,  etc.  The list could go on. It hasn’t stopped. It’s not unique to any one group. No one is immune to getting caught up in doing it, not even Christians.

Twisting scripture and taking it out of context is one of the ways that the enemy gets so many people to dismiss, deny, and defy important aspects of God, His Truth, His character, and His instructions to us for living. The enemy puts just enough truth into the scenario he uses to tempt us to make it sound reasonable and logical  – he is a “master” of the art of deceptive persuasion and argument for the purpose of bringing us down, for the purpose of taking us captive, bringing us into bondage to him, to destroy us.

Temptation has been around since Satan decided that he deserved and lusted to be worshiped; he wanted to be god. He chose to rebel against God, his Creator. A third of the angels abdicated their positions in Heaven and followed him. They were cast out. When God created Adam and Eve, Satan saw his chance to thwart what God had planned. He tempted Eve in the garden. She gave in. I’m sure Satan and his cohorts sneered with glee. They gloat over every person they can take captive. The enemy is wily and slick – using every tactic at his disposal. He is a counterfeit, a wolf in sheep’s clothing, posing as an angel of light. He is a power-monger full of deceit. Many are blinded by him.

The Word of God has already warned us that the days ahead would become increasingly evil.  That some would trade natural affections for unnatural affections, declaring right to be wrong and wrong to be right, and engage in all types of immoral and terrible behavior. To appease sensual selfishness, lustful immorality, and justify inordinate behavior, what is good is being called bad, and what is bad is being called good – even in courts of law! The hearts and consciences of many are being hardened as they continue to defiantly walk in rebellion. Things we never thought would happen in America are happening. Hatred and intolerance toward

Christians and Christianity is increasing. We’ve only seen the beginnings of this in our generation.

A couple of verses from scripture I hear commonly quoted, especially among the LGBT community and its supporters in an attempt to accuse Believers of being unChristian because we do not agree with their sexual lifestyle and we believe that marriage should be as God ordained it – between one man and one woman, are: “Love one another” and “Do not judge”. Their argument is that because they see no evidence where Jesus spoke out specifically against homosexuality and that he did not judge, neither, then, are we to judge. 

This argument contains a smidgen of truth tainted by the intentions of the accusers, who, by the way, are being intolerant hypocrites and haters themselves. But, you likely won’t be hearing them admit that unless they allow the Love of God to change their hearts and their lives.

Yes, we are instructed to love one another, but that does not require us to condone and approve of sin. And, as I understand it, judging in this context has more to do with condemning others when we are just as guilty and comes with this warning: the way we judge others is the way that we will be judged ourselves. Jesus did say he came not to judge, but he came to do the will of His Father, to be perfect once-and-for-all sacrifice for sin, that whosoever believes in their heart that (Jesus) is Saviour and Lord and confesses with their mouth would be saved.

Jesus did not condemn the woman at the well nor did he condemn the woman who was about to be stoned for adultery. He did not condemn Zaccheus, the tax collector, either. He did, however, tell them something very important that is left out, ignored, by our accusers: Jesus said go and sin no more – turn away from the immoral and unrighteous activities in which they were engaged. His agape love and forgiveness filled a void in their hearts. The encounter with Jesus changed their hearts and their lives. They became new creations. It is the same for everyone else who believes, receives, and confesses Jesus as their Lord and Savior.

Jesus did, however, speak candidly and pointedly to the self-righteous, the other type of accusers, who thought themselves perfect by the law according to their own perceptions of themselves based on their outward actions, but whose hearts were filled with guile. He minced no words when he called them white-washed sepulchers, told those who were without sin to cast the first stone, or when he drove the money-changers out of the temple. Nor did He mince words or sugar-coat them at any other time when answering anyone who attempted to trip Him up with questions about the law.

Godly Love, Truth, Grace, and Righteousness is not the squishy, easy-greasy-grace, feel-good, tickle-my-ears, let-me-do-what-I-want-to-do-without-correction-or-discipline type of stuff that some try to make it out to be. God’s love, Jesus’ commandment that we love one another is different. It speaks truth tempered with grace and love. It teaches the difference between right and wrong, good and bad. It will allow you to go in the direction of your own choosing, though it leads to no good, but it does not say it is right. Godly love cares enough to warn you of the dangers that lie ahead as a result of your choices.

God’s Love, Truth, and Judgment is Righteous. God’s Love, Truth, Grace, and Righteousness never change. They are absolute. They are trustworthy. He loves the sinner, but hates the sin. That’s the same love available to everyone and in which we, as believers, are called to walk. That is the same love that we are to extend to others, fellow believers as well as unbelievers. That is the Love and Truth that draws men and women to the Father through Jesus. It is also the Love and Truth that divides homes, households, and friendships, separating the sheep from the goats, believers from unbelievers.

Judgment is part of everyday life. Every day we make choices based on our own or someone else’s judgment or determination of value or benefit, what is good or bad, what is beneficial or harmful. When we need to purchase something, when we choose what venues we will frequent, what causes we will support, etcetera, we make judgments for or against a product, service, or its maker based on several factors. Judges and juries exercise judgment for or against people in court cases. Law enforcement officers, medical personnel, teachers, and parents make judgment calls every day. We judge things to be good or bad, based on knowledge or perspective. The list goes on.

Righteous judgment judges the fruit of a person’s life. Righteous judgment determines the difference between right and wrong, truth and lies. There are some things we need to consider when it comes to judging and judgment: What is the purpose of the judgment? What is the evidence? In what state is our heart and our attitude toward a person or people group when we make judgments? What is the heart condition, the attitude, the spirit of the person being judged? Are they Christians or not? Are they new or young believers who lack understanding? Are they more mature believers who have slipped into immorality or other sin? Are they repentant or hard-hearted? Answering these questions will help to reveal our motivation. Praying and asking the Holy Spirit for guidance will help us to know what to do.

Now, all of this may sound like gloom and doom, that it is hopeless. It is not hopeless.

In the midst of a sinful world, Hope remains. God’s Love remains. In the midst of the ever-growing presence of darkness, evil, and perversion, the Light of God’s Love will shine even brighter. His Grace is greater. His Mercies are still new every morning. Christians are to be Light and Salt to a dying world.  We are called to share the Gospel. To tell the Good News. To pray.

We, as believers, are in this world, but we are not to be of this world. We may not always get it perfect – we make mistakes along the way. We are all tempted. It is our faith in Jesus, our trust in Him, our reliance on Him, and the fact that His blood has cleansed us from unrighteousness and we are now the righteousness of God in Christ - that makes the difference and that sets us apart from the world. It is how we handle mistakes, temptations, and failures that should also set us apart from the world. It is recognizing and confessing our sin –turning from it, being accountable, accepting and extending forgiveness, and walking in the kind of love that Jesus exemplified. Love coupled with Truth, Mercy, and Grace. NOT the kind of ooey, gooey, make-me-feel-good, say-only-what-I-want-to-hear kind of love.

We overcome by the Blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony. That includes recognizing our own sins when we miss the mark, when we get off track, and taking steps to repair our relationship with the Lord and with others: heartfelt sorrow, true repentance, asking and receiving forgiveness from the Lord and from others, forgiving ourselves and forgiving others, submitting the area or areas of weakness to the Lord, and trusting and relying on His Grace through the power of the Holy Spirit to provide the strength that we do not have within ourselves to overcome those weaknesses.

Getting into the Word, learning scripture, rightly dividing it, applying it appropriately, and speaking it is vital to our growth and maturity, and withstanding the enemy’s attacks. God’s Word is one of our weapons against satan and his demons, not a weapon to be used hurtfully against one another. Prayer is another. 

God’s Word is the Truth that leads people out of deception, a healing balm to those who are hurting, Bread to the hungry, health and life to the soul and spirit.

The process of spiritual growth can be likened to the process of natural growth. Because not all believers are at the same level of maturity in their walk, some need milk, some can tolerate baby food, while others can tolerate the more meaty matters of the Word and plumb the deeper depths of what it means to pick up your cross and follow Jesus, to die to self, to count the cost, and to be willing to pay the cost when called upon to do so.

We will not always make the perfect choices, do all the right things, or say all the right words. We may not always have the right attitudes. We may find ourselves allowing the root of bitterness to take hold in our hearts. When we are convicted, we should respond with repentance. We should be working and walking out our faith and feeding on God’s Word regularly while the time allows. As believers, we should be growing and maturing in our relationship and our walk with our Heavenly Father. We should take heed to our conscience and the still small voice that warns us we are treading into the wrong territory, when our behavior has been less than like Jesus. We need to know the Truth and walk in it.

Here in America, there may well come a day when we no longer have our Bibles or access to our electronic devices to depend on. Many of our freedoms are already being eliminated in the name of protection and “for our own good” as if the powers that be think we are unable to make right choices for ourselves. Slowly, so many people have been lured into this “idea” or “mindset” that the government knows best, that government has our best interests at heart, and the government should provide for our needs. But, that is a LIE!

One day, at the rate we are going, we may find ourselves living in a country where being Christian is no longer acceptable in the public eye or anywhere in the marketplace. Actually, we are already seeing that happen. The last 50-60 years have brought so many changes, restricting our freedoms. Prophetic warnings, once scoffed at, are coming to pass. 

One day, we may only have what Word and Truth that we have already hidden in our hearts. Yes, the Holy Spirit can make up the difference and supply the need by speaking to us and bringing God’s Word to us personally, but our desire now should be and our responsibility is to do what we can while we can. I’m not only speaking to you, but preaching to myself as well.

If you have read any of my other posts, I usually provide the scripture references as I write. This time, as you have seen, I have chosen not to do so. I challenge you to get into God’s Word (The King James, The Amplified, and The NIV are three of my favorite translations) and see for yourself. Read quietly, read aloud. Listen carefully to what He has to say. Then, choose you this day, whom you will serve. The line is being drawn. On which side will you stand?