Yesterday, I wrote about dark secrets that Believer’s struggle with, and the Church grapples to address. As a way of demonstration, I will tell you about my dark secret, and the Church’s response. My first marriage was one of constant domestic violence for many years. It was my dark, panic-stricken secret that was just too terrible to share with anyone…even my Church friends. So I stayed in this horrible relationship out of fear, guilt, and self-hate. Finally, the abuse became so bad I knew I would be killed…so I planned my escape, and left. To accomplish this, I had confided to my Pastor, who was more than understanding and compassionate…to the point of opening their home up to me to stay. The Church came to my aid and offered encouragement and support at the very lowest time in my life. Looking back years later, I only wish I had been brave enough to seek help earlier…
Month: February 2014
Psalm 90:8 ” You have set our iniquities before You, our secret sins in the light of Your presence.”
This morning I read a very interesting article in the paper about how dark secrets are impacting many Believers, and the lack of responsiveness from the Church. Many are burdened down with shame, guilt, and the feeling of hopelessness for sins and addictions they feel they cannot talk about, especially in Church. Instead, they allow the silence to bind them up, unable to break free of the secret sin that has them in its grip. But sadly, it’s also the lack of addressing real issues, that has the Church falling short. Jesus never skirted issues…He always called them for what they were. We may think our sin is “secret”…But God sees all, and now is the time to bring the light of His truth into the darkness.
Isaiah 30:21 ” 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.’ “
That still small voice is ever-present…ever speaking the Lord’s revelation for our lives. However, the world’s noise drowns it out very easily, and our hearing acuity is dulled by the ever present blare. But if we listen carefully, that voice will guide us through our journey and relationship with God…for “He will guard and watch closely all our paths.” (Job 33:11)
Ephesians 2:13 ” But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ.”
At one time we were all separated from God, for sin keeps us from Him. But Jesus came to reconcile us to the Father…and through His shed blood on the Cross, Jesus Christ has made a way possible for us to have that personal relationship with Him.
I Samuel 25:33 ” May you be blessed for your good judgment and for keeping me from bloodshed this day and from avenging myself with my own hands.”
Chapter 25 of I Samuel is the story about David, Nabal, and Nabal’s wife Abigail. Living in the area of Maon was a wealthy rancher by the name of Nabal, whose name meant Fool. For as mean, harsh, and unpredictable as he was, his lovely wife Abigail was noble, strong, and virtuous…even to being likened to Proverbs 31:10…”A wife of noble character.”
David and his men had been living in the area and interacting with Nabal’s shepherds and flocks, so when shearing started, David had sent men to ask for a gift for guarding the flocks. But rather than being gracious, Nabal had hurled insults. This infuriated David to the point of retaliation, but Abigail was also told of Nabal’s stupidity…so she quickly gathered a large quantity of bread, meat, and wine and set off to meet David’s army charging towards them. In perfect diplomacy, Abigail was able to defuse the situation, and David accepted her gifts, thus saving the lives of all the men in her family.
I Timothy 3:16 ” He appeared in a body, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was preached among the nations. was believed on in the world, was taken up in glory.”
God appeared in the flesh, bringing clarity and truth to all things once hidden. His righteousness was declared by a dove, as the heavenly host sang praises. His gospel has been proclaimed around the world, with countless putting their faith in Him. He ascended into heaven, but on one great day will return. His name is Jesus…and it is only by His name that we are saved.
Psalm 19:1 ” The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands.”
Look around you…everything you see was made by the Great Creator. Every creature, every blade of grass, every cloud is of God’s own unique design. This Psalm continues on by saying, ” Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge.” In other words, His glory is heard in every bird song, every clap of thunder, every crashing wave… and the sheer vastness of the stars at night demonstrate the Lord’s mighty work for all to see.
Psalm 118:27 ” God is the Lord, and He has given us light. Bind the sacrifice with cords to the horns of the altar.” NKJ
There will come a time in every Believer’s life when the Lord demands us to stop “playing church” and offer our Will as a sacrifice on His altar. Our old self and everything that clings to it must be hoisted up and secured to that altar…surrendered, relinquished and then, left behind. All our selfish desires and wishes must be bound tightly to those horns…as we turn and walk away.
Numbers 20:11 ” Then Moses raised his arm and struck the rock twice with his staff. Water gushed out, and the community and their livestock drank.”
Not once, but twice Moses hit the rock with his rod…but unfortunately, God had instructed him to “speak” to the rock in the presence of the people so they could witness the Lord’s power and authority. Miracles don’t require might and power…miracles can come by a quiet voice speaking out with authority. Moses’s disobedience stemmed from his anger and frustration towards the people and their grumbling…which accounts for the name of the spring…Meribah, which means quarreling.
Galations 6:7-8 ” Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.”
Our flesh only wants, what it wants, when it wants it…and in this world of immediate gratification, it’s so very easy to do…but at such a cost to mind, body and soul. What we sow , we will reap…whether that be wickedness, troubles and death, or the unfailing love of our Lord, peace, and eternal life
Safetypinlove 