Covering Clean or Corrupt?

"Woe to the rebellious children, saith the LORD, that take counsel, but not of me; and that cover with a covering, but not of my spirit, that they may add sin to sin:" Isaiah 30:1

Think about that! Not many today think about a "covering". It isn't necessarily a part of our modern culture. In reality, even in clothing today there's little if any modesty, much skin is revealed. I can see a spiritual portrait here of our sin sick and morally depraved society. Can you see this condition? 

There are many examples in the Word of God that shows the blessings of being covered in Christ as well as the Father's displeasure of those who seek anything and everything but Him. 

In Exodus 12 they were instructed to put lamb's blood upon the 2 posts of every house in order that the spirit of death or "the destroyer" may pass by, leaving all inside this protective covering safe. Pretty remarkable! This was a portrait of what Christ does for us who are His! 

Was not death and destruction not the reward for those left unprotected? Yes! When one has chosen the things of this world over Christ, the covering (whether acknowledged or not, whether known or not) is considered "strange apparel" in the sight of the Living God. 

"Hold thy peace at the presence of the Lord GOD: for the day of the LORD is at hand: for the LORD hath prepared a sacrifice, he hath bid his guests. And it shall come to pass in the day of the LORD'S sacrifice, that I will punish... all such as are clothed with strange apparel." Zephaniah 3:7-8

Still today, the Lord has bid His guests. There's no safety nor surety outside of Christ. If the covering be corrupt, so must the inside be as well. Are we covered in His cleansing Blood or have we opted for the world's corrupt covering? 

Complaining and the corrupt heart

When I find myself complaining and easily irritated (which seems pretty frequent lately), the Lord pricks my heart. Why? Because it reveals my heart isn't right with Him. 

How can we know this? 

"A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh." Luke 6:45 "Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?" James 3:11

These things reveal much about where we seek contentment. If our eyes and hearts are fixed upon Christ, we won't be so easily disappointed and spring off of our emotions. After all, our only stability is found in Christ, our unmoveable Rock! 

"Do all things without murmurings and disputings: That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;" Philippians 2:14-15

My sweet lil friend reminded me yesterday, "Always remember Michelle, life's not fair". It's true! May we praise the Lord more and complain less! There should be a notable difference in us who have Christ, not mirror those of this world. 

Father, please fix our hearts upon Christ by Your Spirit which is stronger that any super glue, for Your glory. In Jesus name. Amen!!!

Team building and trust!

Let's talk team building! 

During my quiet time, I surrendered this day and all it holds unto the Lord. I asked Him to feed me, according to that which is needed for the toils, trials and tasks ahead, from His Bread of Life; His Word. 

So, He took me to 1 Chronicles chapters 11-12. King Saul had been killed and David was anointed king "according to the word of the LORD"(11:3) As I continued to read the Lord is very explicit in detailing those He surrounded David with; Brilliant, mighty, experienced and skilled men of war. 

As I read through the names, tribes, talents and huge numbers, I asked the Lord. "How does this pertain to us today? What do you want me to take from this incredible portrait and apply to my life?"

He always astounds me! He said, "I always provide what is needed. Look again at the talent and skill each group of men hold." So I did.

First, He showed me how He cherry picked the 3 closest to David. Each were loyal, with unimaginable strength and honorable. The Lord directed David as to their order in stature and reputation. Then on into chapter 12 He showed me the astounding vast numbers of David's supporters. "...They were all mighty men of valour... Came to David to help him, until it was a great host, like the host of God." (vs 21-22) 

Each group baring unique skills; contributing their qualities to a greater army. 

A few are:

*"...mighty men of valour..."(v25,28,30)

*"...men that had understanding of the times"(v32)

*"...expert in war, with all instruments of war... they were not of double heart."(v33-34)

Here's the cool part... hundreds of thousands of men, all from different backgrounds, sizes and skill yet, "All these men of war, that could keep rank, came with a perfect heart..." (v38)

Bottom line, there's no way King David could handle the tasks ahead alone. The Living God knew and provided every area of expertise needed to conquer the task at hand!!! He still does the same for us today BUT it's up to us to utilize what He's given. Will we struggle alone or trust His provisions? 

Agree with thy adversary and go!

When the enemy sees us fit to nit pick at, revealing our flaws, faults & failures. We don't have to wallow in the muck & mire the enemy desires to keep us in. 

"Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison." Matthew 5:25 

If we agree with the adversary in the wrongs we've done, that's good so long as we don't stop there! See, when we stop there, we've created our own prison; one of mental & spiritual anguish. We must immediately take it to the Judge. When we do this we trade that guilt and condemnation for His sweet peace! 

"There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit." Romans 8:1

Earnestly contending or stagnantly sitting?

Will we sit in silence amongst an evil and vile generation or shall we stand up and defend all that is of God the Father? Even our silence speaks! May it not bring shame to His Holy name! 

"Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints." Jude 1:3

It is our duty in Christ that we "earnestly contend for the faith". Earnestly means in a serious manner. The Word and all that is written within isn't a light issue. Contend means to fervently fight, struggle, strive, labor and defend. 

As I was reading during my quiet time the Lord took me to Nehemiah. In the 13th chapter, he points out 3 things that grieved the Lord's heart. When our spirits are in tune with His Spirit and His Word, we will experience His joys and His pains. 

3 things Nehemiah called the people out on and stood for righteous Truth:

* Forsaking the house of God (vs 11)

* Profaned the Sabbath Day (vs 17)

* Taken women from godless cultures to themselves (vs 24-24) They were unequally yoked! 

There wasn't a moment that Nehemiah sat silent. He carried the burden of the Lord and called these things out among the people who grieved His Father's heart. There were consequences for such things and they had to be stopped! 

The Lord lead him and he took the initiative! We live in a time where the Word of God has been tossed to the side. Humanity has attempted to blur God's lines in effort to appease their desires. Though times, seasons, cultures and people change, the Lord God does not. He is from everlasting to everlasting. 

"Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:" Isaiah 46:10

May He grant us the boldness to courageous stand in these last days. If we must be silent, may we be awaiting the Lord's direction. Will we obey & contend or will we cowardly run like Jonah?