Higher Level

There is a misconception amongst the Saints that God brings bad things to take us to a higher level. As a new convert, I often heard this when people were experiencing rough times, sickness and decease or as some like to say, “Going through!” This leads one to not have to look at what part they might have played in ending up in the “hard” times. It gives us the allusion that it’s all God’s doing, when in reality—it could be the consequences of our own sin or lack of wisdom.

I have never seen in the Bible where God gives hard times to bring us to a higher level. In fact—what does that really mean?

When we look at Job, God didn’t allow Satan to test him to bring him to a higher level. No. The Lord knew that Job was going to pass the test, because of what he already had in him. In fact, when he tried to complain, the Lord put him in his place.

You could say that the apostle Paul (though a Jew) was one who lived in the world and later came to Christ as many do each day. He had a past he brought with him, but like us all, the Cross erased his sins, but it does not erase the natural consequences of our sin. When he was a Pharisee, he persecuted Believers. He was instrumental in having them stoned, imprisoned and beaten. Did his Damascus experience with the Messiah erase what he might suffer because of his actions? Nope. As an Apostle, Paul was beaten, stoned, shipwrecked and imprisoned. Secular history leads us to believe that he might have died by decapitation.

If you were an intravenous drug user before Christ, there is no guarantee you will not be diagnosed with Aids of hepatitis C because you are now a Believer. If you murdered someone, it doesn’t mean you will not spend time in prison or even be executed. If you had children out of wedlock, it doesn’t mean that as a Believer, God is going to kiss your boo-boo and make it all better. No. You will have challenges in your life as a single parent and they may not be pleasant. If you married the wrong man, it doesn’t mean God will take him out of your life. In fact the only way to be free might be “Till death do you part,” and you might be the one to go.

Now is God going to be with you through it all? Yes! Will He work it together for your good? Yes! But there are stipulations. Read Romans 8:28-30 (click)

As a child I was raised by a harsh woman (she was the best she could be at the time), which was out of my control—we don’t get to choose our parents. And as an adult I made some poor decisions based on my hurt and pain. But, there came a time I had to take responsibility and stop blaming my mother for everything. It wasn’t her fault I was frivolous with my money and credit card debt. It wasn’t her fault I found myself pregnant at 39, and lost my job and couldn’t pay my bills. Nope, it was all on me.

My life has been far from easy. And even with God pleading for me not to have an abortion and trust Him…He didn’t make it easy.  He has been faithful to His promise to supply all that we would ever need, but I still didn’t get off scot free.

Am I that same person I was 23 years ago? Praise God, no! Have the hard times I’ve lived through made me different? Or was it my relationship with God? It was my relationship with God, which empowered me to live through the things I encountered.

Since we have a free will, I could have become an old bitter woman and blamed God because He didn’t make things easier for me—after all—I didn’t have the abortion. But I chose to “Trust’ Him and over the years learn who He truly is. Not the God I heard about, or the God I had made-up in my own mind—but the God of the Bible.

My experiences haven’t taken me to a higher level (still don’t really know what that means), but my growth has matured me and made my relationship with the Father more solid. And it was the Word of God that did this.

Sisters, many of us are in trouble right now because of things we have done in the past, or things we should be doing now but aren’t. Why is this? We are not really living on truth—because we don’t know what the truth is for ourselves.

Nowhere in the Bible have I seen that God brings the bad into our lives to take us to a higher level. And if you disagree, please get into your bible to prove me incorrect. Because I read that if we seek Him, we shall find Him. If we draw close to Him, He draws close to us. I read, He will supply all that we have need of, through Christ Jesus and if we lack wisdom we are to ask Him. I read we are to meditate on the Word, hide it in our hearts so we can divide the truth from fiction and have a renewed mind. I read that there are consequences for our sins (though forgiven) but that God will use these things and work them for good in our lives. I read, we go from faith-to-faith and in the beginning of our walk we drink the milk of the Word, but we are to grow so we can eat the meat. I read, that through obedience comes a blessing…but nowhere do I see He gives bad things or hard things to take us to a higher level.

Girls, stop being afraid to study the Bible for yourselves! Stop, living on what others tell you or what you have dreamed up on your own and learn the truth about your inheritance and the God you serve. Learn what it really means to put your trust in Him and let go of stuff you are trying to hold on too!

It is the Holy Spirit’s job to lead us into all understanding and truth and decipher the Bible for us. 

You don’t need a little book in the morning to start your day off…read and study your Bible. Pick something you question and study it out. Pray, ask the Holy Spirit to explain and enlighten you.

Too many of us are suffering, simply because we do not, I repeat, “Do Not!” know the God of the Bible, what it means to live in the Kingdom of God, what Christ bought for us on the Cross or who and what the Holy Spirit’s job is. And we have no one to blame but ourselves.

Do you think Noah would have been able to build the Ark once the rains came? Same with life, it is hard to try to get the Word inside when the storm is raging—it helps to already be there.

Study, study….STUDY!

Until next week...

Blessings and Hugs,

Ponnie

Blind Spots…We All Have Them

A few weeks ago I had a driving experience that was nerve wrecking and a little unsettling to say the least. I was thrust into driving a car I had not really driven before, on a highway I had never been on before and I had no idea where I was going. Oh, and did I mention it was the evening rush hour!

I’m one to obey the law and that includes the speed limit, so even though I was driving 68 in a 65 mph limit, you would have thought I was crawling along. The cars were whizzing by and jumping in front of me on a four lane highway. Phew! The passenger next to me (the owner of the car) kept talking to me about her hair and trying to show me something on her phone. I couldn’t hear the GPS my daughter was holding in the back seat, so her girlfriend thought it would be a good idea to read it to me instead. Not so! By the time she read it, I was in the wrong lane for my left hand turn—not once, but twice! And when I had to get over to my right, I realized I couldn’t see out the mirror and I had to shout so the two voices vying for my attention would be quiet long enough to hear that I couldn’t see and tell me when I could move over. And to top it all off, the car had a really bad blind spot on the driver’s side.

Yes! We made it to the restaurant safe and sound, but I felt like I could have used a drink, and I don’t drink liquor! Whew!!!

Of course it would have been a much better ride if everyone had been quiet and let me hear the GPS, but that is much like life…it is never perfect and it’s full of noise and distractions vying for our attention.

Later on that evening as I went over the incident with the Lord, I was inspired to think about the blind spots in our lives. Just like most cars have them, so do we as human beings.

None of us sees ourselves as others do, “aka” our blind spots. If the Holy Spirit hadn’t told me to look closer when I was preparing to move over to the left lane, I would have had an accident because the blind spot hid the car coming up on my tail. (The car I’m used to driving sits higher and the blind spot is different.) I needed Him to point this out to me. Same goes for us; we need help in seeing the blind spots in our lives and for some of us—it’s an accident waiting to happen.

We can have all sorts of blind spots in our lives. I know that parents are infamous in having them when it comes to their children, but the biggest blind spot is usually in our own lives. Just as the blind spot on a car can prevent you from seeing clearly and avoiding an accident, so do the blind spots in our lives.

When my youngest was a teenager, I remember her telling me, “You have never been fussed out by you and you don’t know how it feels.” She wasn’t trying to be rude or sassy, but her words were like a slap in the face. What did she mean by that? Well, the Holy Spirit didn’t allow me to run from the truth and I had to spend time thinking about what she said and then praying about it. She had pointed out one of my blind spots. And yes, I apologized to her and to God. But most of all, I had to work on changing because it was no longer a blind spot—it had been revealed.

One of the major culprits for blind spots is—pride!

Last week’s blog talked about “Self” and when we are wrapped up in ourselves we have plenty of blinds spots, but it doesn’t stop there. They are everywhere—because again—we do not see ourselves as others do.  

How does God deal with blind spots? Exposure.

He uses people, (iron sharpens iron) but He will also tell us in those quiet times with Him. Have you ever been sitting quietly reading your Bible and “Bam!” the Holy Spirit magnifies a scripture (one you’ve read many times before) to you in such a way, you can’t run or hid from what it’s saying? I sure hope you have, because this is one of God’s favorite ways to reveal blind spots. And also during prayer.

One day while praying, (early on in my walk with the Lord) the Holy Spirit reveled to me, “You’re a liar.” “What?” “You heard me. You’re a liar.” I burst into tears, because it was the truth and I couldn’t hide from the illumination He was shedding on it. Not to defend myself, but I had been taught by my mother to lie. It was ingrained in me and was such an intricate part of my being. I lied so people would think I was interesting and like me. I lied because I had low self-esteem and wanted people to think my life was better than it was. I lied out of fear…but mostly as an adult; I lied because it was who I was by then.

Yes, the Lord could have used someone to tell me, but I doubt it would have touched me as it did with the Holy Spirit. You see, I couldn’t defend myself or get angry and attack the messenger. No! I had to face it head on and allow Him to help me change and cut that out of me.

It is easy for us to see the blind spots of others, but our focus should be on seeing the ones in our own lives. Just has I had shout out for help to see if it was clear for me to move over, we need to shout out to Jesus and ask the hard question, “Lord what are the blind spots in my life? What is it that I need to see and change?”

Sisters, I can’t say it enough. Read your bibles—spend time in prayer—mediate on the Word of God—study!

Do you know that it has been found that 12 minutes of daily focused prayer over an 8 week period can change the brain to such an extent that it can be measured on a brain scan? This type of prayer seems to increase activity in brain areas associated with social interaction compassion and sensitivity to others. ~Dr. Carline Leaf~

I don’t care how busy your life is—all of us have 12 minutes to spare. Amen!

Until next week...

Blessings and Hugs,

Ponnie

Self!

Did you know that a person can be very generous and very selfish at the same time? Yes! It’s true. And especially when you have the gift of helps or giving. We can function very well in our God given gifts and still be lacking desperately in other areas. And this is why we need not allow ourselves to be puffed up concerning our gifts, because they do not negate the other messes in our lives.

Selfishness as an adjective has several different meanings when you look at it from the viewpoint of a person, action or motive. But today I’m coming from the characteristic of self-centeredness, being self-absorbed and wrapped up in oneself.

At this point, I’m sure that some of you are already naming someone in your life who fits these criteria. In fact—it might even be you.

Do you know a person who can always make any situation or occasion about them? Have you ever been at a wedding shower and there's someone who talks the entire time about how wonderful their wedding shower was? You’re out to dinner in a group, but there’s one person who has a way of always bringing the conversation back to them?

Sure you have. We all have. In fact I might be talking about you.

I think the problem today is that we are raising a generation of selfish kids. We’ve bought into the so called “American dream” and spend money we don’t have in order that our children can have the things we didn’t have or to pacify our need to “keep up with the Jones”! And especially at Christmas time. We go into debt for the latest tablet, phone or gaming unit. Or if we really don’t have a way to purchase these things, we feel sad and deprived.

There is a car commercial, which shows three kids (friends) sitting in the backseat with tablets and headphones watching a movie. They go to another car and they can’t connect to the movie. Then the man asks, “Who wants to go back to the car with WiFi?” And they all chime in, “We do!” Every time I see this commercial I feel sad, because I remember as a kid riding in the backseat with my cousins talking, laughing and playing games. But here you have two girls and a boy around the ages of 8 – 10 and there is no communication or interaction with one another. This is the lifestyle we are being sold.

So, now we see that some adults are raised and groomed to be selfish beings, but what about all the others? My mother was a very selfish and self-centered woman. Was she raised to be that way? No, but life circumstances had a helping hand. My mother came from a family of 10 children and she was the 7^th child. They were very poor; her dad ran off with another woman and left my grandmother and the kids. The older ones either went into the service or didn’t go past 8^th grade because they had to work. My mother lost her mother at the tender age of 16 and life got even harder.

As an adult my mother did the minimal for me and didn’t have a problem with it. She would write notes on food in the refrigerator such as, “Keep your damn hands off!” I would need shoes and she had a closet full. She was all about herself. Did this damage me? Yes it did! And it has been the root of much healing and work over the years. In fact I am really just now getting to the point that when I meet her personality type (which I do a lot in the Body) it no longer dredges up old stuff for me. But her life showed how people become selfish and self-absorbed because there is a deep hurt or lack in them. My mother had two failed marriages—never felt loved and cared for—so she cared for herself the best way she knew how.

Like many people today, her self-worth was wrapped up in what she did. She had no problem letting you know that she was an educated black woman, well read and traveled extensively. She had her opinions and was very dismissive of others. She was not warm, helpful or ingratiating and in the end, the only thing that stopped her from being a lonely old lady was that she had sisters who loved her, two daughters and grandchildren. I am happy to share that a few weeks before my mother passed, she accepted Christ. Amen!

Since my mother was not generous or giving, I found it to be very confusing when I met people who would help you in a heartbeat if there was a need, yet on the other hand reminded me so much of my mother. (And not just women, but men too.) It wasn’t until I realized how well we function in the gifts allotted, but it doesn’t negate the other messes in our lives. We all have stuff that needs to be worked on.

Most people who were not raised to be selfish and self-centered but are—are people who have been hurt deeply one way or another. But you know what sisters; that is not an excuse for us in the Kingdom.

If you are one who is always talking about yourself, your kids or husband and no one else can get a word in—it is time to take a look at why that is. If you are dismissive to others and their opinions and point of view—it’s time to take a look at why you feel this way. If you find that you have difficulty with other women to the point you feel you do better with male friends versus female friends—you need to take a long hard look at that! If you are so self-absorbed with what you do and where you’ve been and not those around you—you have a problem.

It’s true the root of selfishness can come from past hurts in our lives, but pride is always the fertilizer that makes that flower bloom to its fullest.

We all struggle with “self” but some of us are so consumed with ourselves and our lives it is stagnating, and  a huge problem for the Kingdom. Self-centeredness puts a wedge between us and the King—and other people. But the pride it's wrapped in doesn’t allow us to clearly see this, and we are duped into thinking we are okay. Today's picture reflects how I have felt inside after listening to someone go on-and-on about themselves or family after an hour or so.

If you felt a little twinge when you read this, but really don’t know what to do with it…try meditating on, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.” (Philippians 2:3) What does it really mean to value others higher than myself? What is selfish ambition? Why do I have the need to talk about myself and what I do so much? Why do I feel my life is so much more important than anyone else? Why am I rude and dismissive in my attitude toward others?

You might have someone in your life who meets the criteria of being self-absorbed...pray for them.

Sisters, the cure for anything that ails us—is in the Good Book! Study it out...Amen!

Until next week...

Blessings and Hugs,

Ponnie

Learning to Forgive Ourselves Quickly

Forgiveness is a tough one, but essential to the wellbeing of the Believer.

Forgive as God has forgiven you! Forgive your brother or sister, 70 times 70! Love holds no record of wrong! Forgive, forgive….FORGIVE!!
 

Jesus is serious about our love walk and commands we forgive no matter how hennas the infraction. But we often skim over that this forgiveness—includes forgiving ourselves.

Salvation is all about “Forgiveness and Reconciliation.”

Once we come to the realization that we are sinners in great need of the redeeming power of the Cross and accept Christ as our Savior—we are forgiven! Forgiven of what? EVERYTHING!

Not only are we forgiven of all poor decisions, poor choices, and mistakes, but all transgressions against God and others! And God puts them in the sea of forgetfulness, which translates into—never remembered!

But somehow, this truth is quickly lost. Why? Well, for starters, we have an enemy who loves to play the tapes of our faults and sin over-and-over for us and then there are those who relish in dredging up our past.

When I first became serious about Jesus being Lord of my life (There is a difference between being Savior versus also being Lord.), I realized I would have to learn how to forgive. I wasn’t happy about this, because I loved being the martyr of having a mother who was abusive. It had been my reason (excuse) for years for my bad behavior and foolish choices and decisions. It was my comfort zone. If I had to forgive and let go, then who would I blame for all my problems?

Forgiveness meant, no more, “Woe is me,” and “I’m so misunderstood” and “No one has ever really loved me,” saga. Nope. Forgiveness doesn’t allow for any of that—and I didn’t like that part of it—at all! Well, not at first, but once I understood the truth about forgiveness, I was willing to try. Partly out of obedience but also because there was something in it for me—Freedom!

Learning to forgive someone who beat you down in your spirit and self-esteem, year-after-year, and having to take a close look at your own poor life changing decisions is not easy. But it is not impossible either. Anything God commands us to do He provides all that is needed to accomplish it.

It would be great if I had an overnight success story for you, but I don’t. Forgiveness of old hurts often takes time to work through, but once we learn to forgive it becomes easier to do.

Now that I am in my 60’s and have walked with the Lord awhile, I have learned the great value forgiveness holds for us. God’s Word, reassures me that He forgives me when I ask and keeps no record of it against me. He also forgives me as I forgive others. And I’ve learned from experience—the quicker I do it—the better off I am.

I love God! I am trying to live a life that pleases Him and love Him with all my heart, soul, mind and strength according to my understanding. But you know what—I still mess up! But I no longer dwell on whatever it is I’ve done wrong. I forgive myself as my Father in heaven forgives me and I keep on moving forward.

On this earth—in this body—we are going to make mistakes and mess up! That’s life! But, we cannot waste time beating ourselves up about it when God says; “We are forgiven!”

If we do something ten times that is wrong and go to God ten times to ask His forgiveness He doesn’t say, “Now this is the tenth time, don’t come back again.” He doesn’t remind us that we did it last month and now here we are again. No, it’s as if it is the first time.

He holds no record.

Please do not misinterpret what I am talking about here. I’m not saying that if we practice sin (purpose in our hearts to do wrong) that God is going to give us a free pass—oh no! I’m not saying you can continue to be disrespectful to your spouse, yell and cuss at your kids and neighbors without making change in your life. But you might have to come before God for disrespecting your husband ten times or more, before you get a handle on bringing your tongue and attitude under the authority of Christ and be submissive to your husband. And in those times, our enemy will step in and try to condemn you and attempt to make you feel like a failure and unworthy. Just remember…he is the father of all lies!

Past mistakes and poor decisions, which have affected not only us but the lives of others—is a biggie! Everyone is not willing to forgive or forget the things we have done—including our children. Yes, there are those who try to keep us hostage in the prison of unforgiveness when God has said, “It is forgiven and it is forgotten!” You know what sisters, that’s their problem, not yours.

Forgiveness of others and ourselves is one of the keys we are given in the Kingdom of God, therefore—be quick to agree with Him—and forgive not only those who have wronged you, but also yourself!

If you are not sure how to go about forgiving yourself, Biblegateway.com is a great place to start. Type in “forg” and at least 7 different words drop down in reference to forgiveness—search out some of those scriptures and begin to meditate on them. Talk to God about it!

Look in the mirror and say, “I love you and I hope one day you forgive me my mistakes!” until you are able to say, "I love you and I forgive you!"

Emotional healing is yours. Don’t pass it up!

Until next week...

Blessings and Hugs,

Ponnie

I Wish My ________ Knew!

A third-grade teacher at a Denver elementary school decided to try to get to know her students better—most of whom come from low-income families—and gave them a writing assignment in which she hoped they would reveal something about themselves. Kyle Schwartz called the activity, “I wish my teacher knew”—and she wound up learning more than she thought.

“Ninety-two percent of our students quality for free and reduced lunch. As a new teacher, I struggled to understand the reality of my student’s lives and how to best support them. I just felt like there was something I didn’t know about my students.”

Here are a few of the responses—“I wish my teacher knew, I don’t have a friend to play with me”—“I wish my teacher knew how much I miss my dad, because he got deported back to Mexico when I was 3 years old and I haven’t seen him in 6 years.”—“ I wish my teacher knew sometimes my reading log is not signed because my mom is not around a lot.”

As I listened to the video and read the responses it made me think about my sisters-in-Christ. (Not the children we can look at and see they are children, but the adults who are little children spiritually.)

Being in the ministry of helping women and children in crisis, I’ve heard many secrets. And it has taught me that everyone has a story—but we in the Body don't always think about that when it comes to others.

There are underline reasons people are negative, unkind and have personality traits that are off putting.  But how often do we take the time to really look before we respond or judge?

Not being judgmental is something we have to really work at because it does not come naturally.

You see a sister who has been a part of your church congregation for the past 8 years, and in that time you have seen little growth in her. As time passes it’s hard not to make a judgment call on her, after all she has been there for 8 years! But what if she wrote one day, “I wish my sisters-in-Christ knew, that my husband abuses me and I live in terror.” What would you think then? Would you still shake your head in dismay at her or would you want to help her be safe?

What about the sister who has 5 kids, by 5 different men? Suppose she wrote, “I wish my sisters knew that I was taught that sex meant love at age 12 when my brother and his friends started having sex with me.” Would you still think she is a slut or would you want to help her to be healed, and to know who she is in Christ Jesus so that her children could grow up and be free?

“I wish my sisters knew, I grew up hungry all the time and that is why I am 80 lbs overweight.” “I wish my sisters knew I was raped by my father and forced to have an abortion when I was impregnated by him.” I wish my sisters knew that my childhood was hell because my mother was an alcoholic.” “I wish my sisters knew I grew up in the midst of mental illness.” “I wish my sisters knew I can barely read.”

“I wish my sisters knew that I grew up mostly homeless and living in the streets” “I wish my sisters knew I struggle with unnatural affections toward other women.” “I wish my sisters knew I hear voices telling me to kill myself.” “I wish my sisters knew my husband beat me last night.” “I wish my sisters knew my husband berates me daily and spits in my face.” “I wish my sisters knew that I have Aids.” “I wish my sisters knew I am so depressed most days I just want to die.” “I wish my sisters knew I don’t really know who Jesus is.” “I wish my sisters knew that I don’t know how to trust a God who let so many bad things happen to me.”

I wish my sisters knew…..

Makeup, nice clothes, shoes and a beautiful hairdo are only the jacket cover of the book, what is going on in the inside can be the story of a broken and hurt little child who has found it difficult to trust and grow in the Lord. So, what can we do about this?

Pray.

When we begin to see certain underline characteristics in our sisters, we should pray for them.

I have a spiritual sister in my life that is always negative, and complaining…never seeing any good in life, yet she says she is a Believer. I had become frustrated with her, because there seems to be no growth and she wears me out with her “woe is me” and never seems to adhere to any godly wisdom or encouragement I offer. But then I was reminded that I was moving into judgment and not praying for her and the strongholds that have rule in her life.

It is so easy to label, form an opinion or judge one another, but love demands that we not do that.

If you have someone in your life who you feel like giving up on, or have moved from compassion to frustration—(click) I Corinthians 13:4-8a as a reminder of how to handle the situation.

It is not that prayer itself changes things (all religions pray—even Muslim extremist) it is the One that we pray too, (God, creator of everything) that makes the changes in the hearts and minds of people. He is the One.

If you could write anonymously “I wish my ______ knew” what would it be? Would it help them to see you in a more compassionate light?

God puts people in our path so we can pray for them—not judge—not condemn—but pray.

Therefore, if you have a sister in your life that you have judged, ask God’s forgiveness and begin to diligently pray for her…and yourself too. Amen!

Until next week...

Blessings and Hugs,

Ponnie