Frustrating 4's and the Father's Love

When my son has his own agenda that goes against what's good for him, he's told "no". When he wants to do something ahead of time, he's told, "not yet". When he defies the rules, he's told, "now you've lost privileges". 

My son is 4, so he rebels in his own way... Often, kicking & screaming or clinging to what isn't good or right at the time. I completely understand why it's called "frustrating 4's" lol! 

Let's look at this from a spiritual aspect. In Christ, regardless of our age or maturity, admit it, we act like my son! Either we want what we want and reject the Lord's leading & correction in love or we accept it, trusting He knows what's best. 

Here's what the Word has to say on the matter... 

"My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction:" Proverbs 3:11

Over and over it is His LOVE that redirects us. Sometimes even giving us a "big kid time out"- over all, for our good! 

"Correction is grievous unto him that forsaketh the way: and he that hateth reproof shall die." Proverbs 15:10

Choosing to push away His Love, results in spiritual decay and ultimately leads to death. Now remember, 

2 Peter 3:9 (KJV)

The Lord is... longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance." 2 Peter 3:9

He wills us to live- to repent, turning from our ways TO HIM! 

"Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him." Proverbs 22:15

The "rod" here: in the Hebrew is not a beating stick! It is 

stick for punishing, writing, fighting, ruling, walking, etc. Designed & used for leading & redirecting. 

"Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby." Hebrews 12:11

Accept or reject? Rebellion equals destruction but acceptance leads to godliness. We all have choices. Moment by moment, will we reap reward or bring about His needed correction in love? 

How will you act, react to the loving limitations set before us for our own good by the Father who is the giver of life? 

The PERFECT Peach

The PERFECT Peach

Over this last week I've picked, peeled & sliced countless peaches. At times it seemed cumbersome and mundane but from time to time I would grab one from the bowl which seemed absolutely PERFECT! 

By perfect I mean, not a bruise, no evidence of bugs, no holes or even a drop of sap. The coloring was bright reddish orange and as a whole was soft yet firm. 

No more do I cut it in half to discard the pit and behold at the very core was mushy, brown and in some cases, molded! Gross! I might add also, these carried a foul smell from within. Of course, right, because the inside was rotten! 

Thankfully, there weren't many like this. But throughout the process The Lord reminded me of the Scribes & Pharisees... Oh how the outside looked good but the inside, well, detestable! 

"And the Lord said unto him, Now do ye Pharisees make clean the outside of the cup and the platter; but your inward part is full of ravening and wickedness." Luke 11:39

Moral of the story... We can do many things to make ourselves seem perfectly presentable from the outside, just as the Pharisees did. They cared not for what was down deep, the heart. 

Beauty is only skin deep apart from Christ. Why? He takes out our heart of stone; which is rotten to the core, mushy, foul smelling and He gives us a NEW heart. One that's pleasing to Him, able to feel and pierceable! 

His beauty radiates from the inside and by His perfection and covering, we become perfectly imperfect. In the flesh we are not, in Christ- we are! 

"Shall not God search this out? for he knoweth the secrets of the heart." Psalm 44:21

No matter how we "think" we are or what others may perceive, He knows the heart, the innermost depths and cannot be fooled. 

After all, Jesus said, "For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known." Luke 12:2

It's what's on the inside that counts. Ask yourself, am I rotten to the core or am I perfectly made new in Christ; new heart, new spirit, bearing good fruit? 

Pleasant or poor representative?

I have met a very well kept and seemingly proper and pleasant young lady. Quiet, quaint & reserved but different in some way. At first I couldn't put my finger on the oddity but after being around her a second time for several hours true colors showed through. 

Though she seemed to carry herself quite well she was very dismissive to many (including myself) around her, almost snobbish and judgmental. 

Shortly after meeting her I stumbled across her social media page and the first thing I saw was a Scripture photo. Very cool I thought, but was this a true representation of "who" she is? 

Very true we can't judge a book by the cover but our actions and attitudes speak greater volumes than the words we say and even the Scriptures we quote. Had I not ran across her page, I never would've known she "believes" in God. 

This encounter puzzled me. It really caused me to prayerfully examine myself, my walk with Christ and the way I act, speak, my attitude and my demeanor in general. 

I honestly want people to know I walk with the living Christ I claim without having any social media verification or in that sense only. 

I desire this life I live to be a reflection of Christ like the moon reflects the sun! I hope this causes you to consider the same as it did me. 

I know I've failed Christ a million times, I've probably caused others to see me as I saw this young lady which makes me that much more grateful for my Father's love, grace, mercy and forgiveness. 

Baseline truth, we all have room for improvement. Let us be intentional in WHO we represent. Are we being His hands and feet, drawing others to Him or selfishly pushing those He came to save away?