Lilies of the Field

Looking back, I should have known I was in trouble. Have you ever said that to yourself? I was getting far too comfortable in my life. Though I would have defied anyone to tell me otherwise, I truly believed I trusted the Lord for my every need. But did I really even know what that looked like? I was about to get an object lesson to show me otherwise. That's what prison did for me. Yes, although it was mortifyingly humiliating and shameful to my flesh, I can look back and see how it was good for me spiritually.  I never want to get too comfortable in this world again! Coming face to face with my own depravity, finally realizing that I am nothing and He is everything was very good for me! I thank God for His mercy in dealing with me exactly as He knew I needed to mold me and shape me in the image of His Son, while at the same time orchestrating all things according to His providential hand. Babylon's (the Chaldeans) origin goes all the way back to Babel. What was their great sin...

Biblically speaking, have you ever stopped to think about what you are studying in depth at the moment? Off the top of my head, I would say Habakkuk (for this blog) and 1 Kings (in our women's Bible study group). As I was meditating on all that I am learning presently, I realized that our pastor just got finished expositing the book of Ruth and is heading into the book of Colossians. John MacArthur (our pastor from Cali and from the Grace Church live feed--which fits perfectly into our different time zones--thank You, Lord!) is expositing Ephesians; and various pastors are going through the minor prophets in the Sunday evening services. Outside of Scripture, but in keeping with it, our church's ladies book club just finished the apologetical book, Always Ready , and is now reading this month Beginning at Moses . My cup surely runneth over!!! As I began to think about this, I considered how the Lord is dovetailing and weaving all I am learning that should be applied to my life. ...

To drink or not to drink; that is the question. Is it? Not really, but it seems to be a question Christians deal with on a regular basis. My husband once had a (disillusioned) Presbyterian involved in ministry tell him, "Man, you should become a Presbyterian so you can drink." That man is no longer involved in ministry. To say that 'I should be _______ SO THAT I can do anything' is legalism at its core. To imagine that there are those involved in ministry, (really good ministries) who think this way is disturbing. I'll leave it at that because this post is not about whether a Christian CAN drink or cannot drink alcohol.  We are looking at the proud Chaldean who, in our next passage of Scripture in Habakkuk, can represent the proud of all ages. Proverbs 16:18 says pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before stumbling. The proud Chaldean and any proud one must know that his destruction is sure. We saw last time that the soul of this proud one is not ...

Do you know someone who is proud, arrogant, or haughty? Maybe you live with someone who could be characterized as proud. Maybe you are the one who struggles with pride. Struggles with pride? That might sound odd to some. After all, pride has been elevated to a virtue in our society. In fact, one site from a quick google search brought this up: (While in the same article mocking Christianity’s understanding of the virtue of humility…) The virtue of pride is a commitment to achieve self-esteem by taking credit and responsibility for acting on one’s judgment, in accordance with principles… Pride results in being able to look at one’s accomplishments and say both “I did it” and “It is good.”   But what does God say about the proud? Obviously, the proud don’t care, so this is for the humble! God says the proud are wicked. What the world is proud of is an abomination before God’s eyes. What today’s society has deemed a virtue, God says is evil.    The contrasts between the wic...

Although there was a midnight ride, it is unlikely that Paul Revere road from town to town screaming at the top of his lungs, "The British are Coming!" According to History.com, "The operation was meant to be conducted as discreetly as possible since scores of British troops were hiding out in the Massachusetts countryside. Furthermore, colonial Americans at that time still considered themselves British; if anything, Revere may have told other rebels that the "Regulars"--a term used to designate British soldiers--were on the move.  The warning given to the colonists and the militia by Paul and other riders enabled them to be prepared and fight off the British army's initial attack. Revere was captured by the British en route and never reached Concord; but he was soon released, and his purpose had been accomplished. He had given the colonial militia a key advantage by alerting them to the impending attack by the British. Paul had been faithful to the cause....

  Among other things, Christmas is typically a season known for all its hustle and bustle. Hustle and bustle-- A large amount of activity and work, usually in noisy surroundings; busy and frenetic activity and excitement. Unfortunately, most holiday hustle and bustle does not relate to any acknowledgment of the first coming of Christ in expectation of His second coming. More often, it revolves around decorations, parties, drunkenness, buying gifts and the like. Endless busy distractions from what is truly important. “The most wonderful time of the year,” “the hap-happiest season of all” often manifests what is in the heart of man more so than any other time. Tell me what song honestly details how Christmas brings out the worst in people? Can you name that tune for me? I would think the fact that Christmas is thought by most to be kicked off with something called ‘Black Friday’ should be a red flag. Black Friday stampedes, road rage, increased crime, etc. The world is filled with pe...