Edify

Thursday night I went to Lowes for some vertical blinds. It was one of the most valuable trips I had taken in a long time. With the start of the school year and the day-to-day drama of raising four boys (ages 12, 11, and 4) and one 9 year old woman, life has been good. But life, even when good can be a little draining. My trip to Lowes resulted in me being edified. I checked the dictionary but I think my definition is good enough.

Edify – build up

That’s it. The whole thing. When I get a few 100 more words I’ll publish the SLC Dictionary but for now this one word is it. My edification had been coming through blogs like yours, but sometimes that life thing doesn’t give me the time to stop and check in with my blog family. But Thursday night at Lowes I ran into Eric and his wife of 22 years. I met Eric 20 years ago when I though he was radical, crazy, and to be avoided. When I saw him I was hesitant to speak since I wasn’t sure if he was still the combustible individual I once knew. Much to my surprise he had changed. Much to my benefit he was full of Godly wisdom and without me complaining about any of the trivial issues that had drained me, his conversation edified me. It strengthened me and pulled me out of a three day funk; much to the delight of my immediate family. I can say I should not have needed that encounter but then I would have to ask the question, why am I in the Body of Christ? If a part of my body aches, another part of my body, usually my hand takes care of it. In the same way, when I am down, another member of the Body edifies me.

So with that, I’d like to say thanks to Eric, and thanks to whoever is reading this. Something you have posted on your blog, or some comment you have made here has had a greater impact on my world then you will ever know. I pray that I can fight a little harder next time, but if not God will send someone to Lowes, or send to one of your blogs to get the edification I need. And prayerfully, I’ll be able to do the same for some of you.

Thanks for edifying me.

SLC (Inspired by Feels like home…) Thank Sis. I needed that…..

Can You Hear Me Now

I recently read something about the noise involved in writing. Specifically anything that interfered with the receiver clearly hearing and understanding what was written. I immediately thought about my relationship with God and the noises that life can throw at you. I also thought of the cell phone commercial where the guy did everything he could do to try and get a clear signal, while he kept asking, "can you hear me now?"

When life gets hectic there is nothing like being able to hide away with God in prayer. Especially the kind of prayer in which I keep my mouth shut for most of it.

My example:

Very early in the morning, while it was still dark,
Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a
solitary place, where he prayed. (Mark 1:35)

A little voluntary solitary confinement does a person good.

Love y'all.
SLC

ONCE AND FOR ALL - JESUS

The death he died, he died to sin ONCE AND FOR ALL; but the life he lives, he lives to God. - Romans 6:10

Unlike the other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins ONCE AND FOR ALL when he offered himself. - Hebrews 7:27

He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place ONCE AND FOR ALL by his own blood, having obtained eternal redemption. - Hebrews 9:12

Then Christ would have had to suffer many times since the creation of the world. But now he has appeared ONCE AND FOR ALL at the end of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself. - Hebrews 9:26

Christ's Sacrifice ONCE AND FOR ALL The law is only a shadow of the good things that are coming--not the realities themselves. For this reason it can never, by the same sacrifices repeated endlessly year after year, make perfect those who draw near to worship. - Hebrews 10:1

If it could, would they not have stopped being offered? For the worshipers would have been cleansed ONCE AND FOR ALL, and would no longer have felt guilty for their sins. - Hebrews 10:2

And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ ONCE AND FOR ALL. - Hebrews 10:10

For Christ died for sins ONCE AND FOR ALL, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit, - 1 Peter 3:18

Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt I had to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was ONCE AND FOR ALL entrusted to the saints. - Jude 1:3

Reconciling......................Me

The last two or three posts have been about some sort of reconciliation. Reconciliation is properly defined as an exchange; or restoration to divine favor when used in relationship to the reconciling of souls. I have been blessed recently by posts shared by Mizrepresent and Blu Jewel; both of whom shared deeply and eloquently about processes of self discovery (my words) they've been through. Those posts reawakened with new insight a thought about a familiar passage of scripture regarding the prodigal son. Of the entire story the verse that stands out the most for me right now is;

And when he came to himself,
he said,
How many hired servants of my father's
have bread enough and to spare,
and I perish with hunger! Luke 15:17 KJV

The prodigal son is described as having wasted his substance with riotous living (he went buck wild). Maybe, just maybe this made it easier for him to "come to himself". But for many people and to some extent myself, life is ok, I'm living Holy, and my wife and kids are happy, but I recently realized that in the midst of taking care of everything else, somewhere along this journey I got a little lost. To put it a little clearer, I almost lost.....ME. And I'm now reconciling myself.

I can relate a little to the prodigal son. When he came to himself, he was able to evaluate the difference between where he was and where he should have been. Once he saw the difference he could effectively pursue reconciling that difference. Life at times can be so fast paced that you wake up one day step into the bathroom prepare to brush your teeth, comb your hair, or shave, and you look at the person in the mirror and you utter those famous words, " I don't know who you are anymore". Well I'm glad to say that after a rather tense 2008 and a 2009 filled with change, I'm getting reaquainted with SLC. And it all starts and end with God's Word.

Love y'all

Reconciliation - Greek - katallagē - exchange (figuratively adjustment), that is, restoration to (the divine) favor: - atonement, reconciliation (-ing).

Reconciling - Greek - katallassō - to change mutually, that is, (figuratively) to compound a difference

Reconciling Peace : After The Due Order

For because ye did it not at the first,
the LORD our God made a breach upon us,
for that we sought him not after the due order.
1 Chronicles 15:13

Another awesome thing about God is His tendency to allow do overs. These are opportunities I've taken advantage of numerous times in my life.

2 Samuel chapter 6 records the story of the Israel's and David's attempted to bring the Ark of the Covenant to the City Of David. David brought "all" the people with him, although the scriptures specifically stated that the Levites were responsible for the care and transportation of the Ark. So many times well meaning people are included on journeys and in undertaking various duties God has ordained for someone(s) specific to handle. The more the merrier some may say, but God has never been one to rely on numbers for success.

The next error was when they placed the Ark on a new cart. While it may sound complimentary to be placed on a new cart, it was actually an act of disobedience, possibly caused by what they saw other non Israelites get away with. When the Philistines wanted to remove the wrath of God from their land, they also placed the ark on a new car and had it pulled by cows, but the Phillistines didn't know better and they were not in a covenant relationship with God. To better explain this Israel's error imagine this. You've just received an expensive gift from a loved one, but you're not happy with the gift because you specifically asked for something else; a request you made from your heart. The expense of the doesn't compensate for your disappointment. A new cart could impress people, but it could not remove the fact that they were in disobedience. Per God's word the Ark was always to be carried by Levites. (Nothing Between my soul and my Savior). Oxen and a new cart could not substitute for the touch and the relationship.

"When they arrived at Nakhon's threshing-floor, the oxen stumbled; and 'Uzah put out his hand to steady the Ark of God. But ADONAI's anger blazed up against 'Uzah, and God struck him down on the spot for his offense, so that he died there by the Ark of God.(2 Samuel 6:6-7 CJ)"
Needless to say the journey was not completed that day. Instead the Ark was taken to the house of Obededom and stayed for three months.

This temporary failure is referenced by David in 1 Chronicles 15:13 where he says, "For because ye did it not at the first, the LORD our God made a breach upon us, for that we sought him not after the due order." There is indeed an order in which God likes things to be done and his Word will not change so neither will his order. Fortunately our God is a God of new opportunities. The remainder of 2 Samuel records how David and the Israelites took advantage of the opportunity afforded and ended the journey with David dancing his way out of his religous garb, and into a greater relationship with and appreciation for God. Because they sought him after the due order.

I've got another opportunity to go after what God has always wanted me to have, and to do what God has called me to do. This time I'll seek Him, after the due order.

Pray for me.
Praying for y'all
SLC

Impacting Your Season Part II

Often times in the Bible references are made to due season. Many of these references are to the Lord providing rain or meat in it's due season. Those seasons, especially rain are somewhat predictable. We expect rain in April, snow in winter, and heat in summer. If we don't get them we speak of droughts and unseasonable temperatures. But when it comes to our individual walk with God and the rain or meat we desire that pertains only to us I believe due season is a gray area term that can only be brought into fruition by Faith Fueled Action.

And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. Galatians 6:9

What a lovely scripture. What an often quoted scripture. What an often misused cop-out scripture. "I'm just waiting on the Lord. Wait on the Lord and be of good courage" Sounds good, but if a person isn't careful they'll die waiting. I've known so many people to use a scripture as a reason to do nothing, but I'm crazy enough to believe you can influence and actually accelerate
your due season.

I've known people interested in getting a degree who have enrolled in accelerated courses and invested more time and effort in the short run so they woudldnt have to wait in the long run for due season to arrive. Yeah they could have waded through traditional semesters and delayed
their due season but they took the initiative and accelerated it instead.

I've known people who have not grown weary in attending Church and did not faint, but regularly asked God for what they wanted, but they were passive in aggressively pursuing, or sowing for what they said they wanted, and never picked up the answer. Some business establishments like cleaners and repair shops have what they call unclaimed merchandise. I believe their are a lot of unclaimed answered prayers. (Off on a tangent here)

OK I'm back. The next time someone gets deep with you about what they're believing God for, ask them what they're doing to show they believe. Ask them what are they doing to accelerate their due season.

Impacting your season Part I

Your condition does not determine your position- the devil attacks you at the position he knows you are going to be not the condition you see yourself in .

Your Assignment has been revealed, but the manifestation of the assignment is on hold because he is working on your character. He is trying to change that ungodly character to a character that is representative of your calling.

The enemy’s job is to hold up your assignment so that frustration will set in, you'll quit, and fulfillment never occurs, therefor you should question the Lord - How can I affect my wilderness season? Understand that seasons are merely points of testing, character building , refining and pouring clouds. Always remember that the key is what you do during the season.

For example:
Hezekiah impacted his season by his petition before the Lord
2Kings 20:2 Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the LORD,

Jonah impacted his season by making a decision to obey the Lord
Jonah prayed to the LORD his God He said: "In my distress I called to the LORD, and he answered me. From the depths of the grave I called for help, and you listened to my cry. Jonah 2:1-2

Deborah impacted her season by consulting the Lord and following his directions against the naysayers.
Jacob impacted his season by refusing to let go of his blessing until he had it.
Elijah impacted the season of the little boy by praying faith’s prayer and speaking life.

What are you doing to impact your season?

The above represents notes from a portion of a message delivered by Mrs. SLC.
I pray you find some encouragement through this post and the ones to follow.
Remember you can impact your season.

SLC

Consolation From Above

The scripture reads, “The minute I said, "I'm slipping, I'm falling," your love, God, took hold and held me fast. Psalms 94:18 (Message Translation)”. But for me it could have read more like, “They gon make me lose my mind”, or “I’m about to go off up in here”. It’s just another day at the office, and another trick of the enemy, people with mouths going 75, and brains still in neutral. Sometimes the people that need your ministry the most, are the people that vex you the most. Once Job asked his well meaning friends, “How long will ye vex my soul, and break me in pieces with words?” The funny thing is the trigger seemed to be the inspiration I received from this post. Whatever the case, I learned a valuable lesson from Paul. When the messenger of Satan buffeted Paul, he resorted to prayer, and he received an answer. The answer wasn’t a promise to take away the annoyance, but a guarantee of abundant grace to see him through.

Right now, I thank God for his grace and an opportunity to vent.

Stopped By Words

Then Jezebel sent a messenger unto Elijah, saying, So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I make not thy life as the life of one of them by to morrow about this time. And when he saw that, he arose, and went for his life, and came to Beersheba, which belongeth to Judah, and left his servant there. But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree: and he requested for himself that he might die; and said, It is enough; now, O LORD, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers. 1 Kings 19:2-4 KJV

Elijah was on a roll! He prophesied a drought and a drought happened. Ravens fed him for months. Afterwards a widowed single parent with one meal left for her and her son miraculously fed all three of them for months. While there the widow’s son became sick and died, but Elijah prayed and God heard him and revived the boy. Then Elijah battled Jezebels prophets and fire came down from heaven and consumed the offering. Then Elijah led the people in killing the false prophets. Then he heard the sound of the abundance of rain. Afterwards he outran the King’s chariot and horses to the city of Jezreel. Homeboy was on a roll! He had MOMENTUM!

Then Jezabel sent a messenger to threaten him that she would kill him tomorrow. He was so afraid of the threat he didn’t realize that she wasn’t serious. Why send a messenger on Monday to say you’ll be sending the soldiers on Tuesday? Just send the soldiers. Elijah did exactly what she wanted him to do. He got out of the place where God wanted him to be.

So where are you supposed to be today? Are you in the place God called you to? Did someone say you were too old to start a new career; too old to complete that degree or start a degree program? Did someone say don’t say anything, it’ll only make things worse. Well don’t let people’s words stop you momentum. Feel free to tell (not ask) them to keep their opinion too themselves, then tell yourself what you need to hear to get you momentum kicking again.