Water and Fire Enough

My family topped off a trip to the Washington DC area with a visit to Virginia Beach this week. Our children had never seen the ocean (I've only set foot in the Pacific briefly myself), and we could hardly be so close to the Atlantic and not let them taste it.

Perhaps our many visits to Great Lakes beaches lulled me into thinking I understood waves and tides. Perhaps we simply met Madame Atlantic in one of her more tempestuous moods. In any case, she introduced herself with less than genteel hospitality.

I planned to simply wade into a comfortable depth with my seven-year-old Daniel, since we're both very marginal swimmers. We were no more than thigh-deep when we suddenly found our feet pulled out from under us and salt water filling our mouths and noses. Before we could find our footing, another wave tossed us about and then merrily ran off. We sputtered and scrambled beachward as the older kids swam on in.

Daniel and I stuck to the shoreline in knee-deep water. Daniel leapt up into each wave with delight, I braced myself in the sand and hung onto him, and the Atlantic rolled us under every few minutes.

The day wasn't quite hot enough for us to enjoy the breeze which chilled us between waves. About the time Daniel's shivering was starting to concern me, I noticed the red flag on the lifeguard stand warning "DANGEROUS OCEAN."

I think the two of us could have handled any one of the numerous challenges we faced. But I finally decided that we simply faced too many, and that we'd experienced enough ocean for the day.

A person has to know how to say "enough" before becoming overwhelmed.

There are three things that are never satisfied,
Four never say, "Enough!":
The grave,
The barren womb,
The earth that is not satisfied with water—
And the fire never says, "Enough!"
~ Proverbs 30:15-16 (NKJV)

I've learned how to say "no" when a situation isn't for me. Nonetheless, I've lately found myself in several situations that each has numerous challenges. Any one fire might not be too much. For a while now, I've been wrestling with knowing when to say "enough."

"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you.
When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned,
Nor shall the flame scorch you.
~ Isaiah 43:2 (NKJV)

It's good to experience the gifts God puts in our paths. I'd rather look at a challenge as a stepping stone than as an obstacle. I don't like to admit defeat. I trust God to accompany me through the waters and fire in my life.

But sometimes, when I ask Him, He also grants me the option to say "Enough!"

Comments are welcome (including respectful disagreement) and will receive a reply.
You may also contact author via Twitter – @anne4JC
or e-mail – buildingHisbody [plus] @gmail.com
Copyright 2012, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.

How Much Can You Know?

Jesus answered them and said, "My doctrine is not Mine, but His who sent Me. If anyone wills to do His will, he shall know concerning the doctrine, whether it is from God or whether I speak on My own authority."
~ John 7:16-17 (NKJV)

The Christian who shuns teachers or purposefully abstains from Christian fellowship runs a high risk of walking in error without check, and such pride can only lead to destruction and fall.

But.

Jesus also says that the disciple who wills to do the will of the Father need not be hindered where instruction is lacking. Our Lord promises discernment of truth and doctrine to those who have a humble heart like a child's ...

In that hour Jesus rejoiced in the Spirit and said, "I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and revealed them to babes. Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Your sight."
~ Luke 10:21 (NKJV)

... who remain immersed in the Bible:

Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."
~ John 8:31-32 (NKJV)

I would love the opportunity to attend Bible college and gain the valuable knowledge offered by formal training. The day may yet come when I do so. The Holy Spirit has proven wholly adequate as the perfect Bible Teacher in the meantime.

To any reader who has ever felt limited in spiritual understanding, or who has experienced disdain from another believer with formal theological training, I offer to you these passages of Scripture.

"But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things ..."
~ John 14:26 (NKJV)

"If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!"
~ Luke 11:13 (NKJV)

But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him.
~ 1 John 2:27 (NKJV)

I have more understanding than all my teachers, For Your testimonies are my meditation.
~ Psalms 119:99 (NKJV)

"But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the LORD: I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people."
~ Jeremiah 31:33 (NKJV)

Thus says the LORD: "Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, Let not the mighty man glory in his might, Nor let the rich man glory in his riches; But let him who glories glory in this, That he understands and knows Me, That I am the LORD, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight," says the LORD.
~ Jeremiah 9:23-24 (NKJV)

Consider the power and promise of our God in this verse!

"Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty [unattainable, inaccessible] things, which you do not know."
~ Jeremiah 33:3 (NKJV, amplified)

Finally:

For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, that no flesh should glory in His presence.
~ 1 Corinthians 1:26-29 (NKJV)

Comments are welcome and will receive a reply.
You may also contact author via Twitter – @anne4JC
or e-mail – buildingHisbody [plus] @gmail.com
Copyright 2011, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.

Anatomy of an Epiphany

Follow me as I chronicle my recent discovery of hidden treasure ...

I read John 7 and make it all the way to verse 31. I've missed something here. I can feel it. I read it again. Then I pray and ask God to please show me what I need to see. I start over yet again and stop at John 7:15 (NKJV):
And the Jews marveled, saying, "How does this Man know letters, having never studied?"
I suspect that "letters" means "books," and look up the original Greek. The word used here is grámma, which can also be translated "writings." The definition* includes this contrast between the letter [of the law] and the spirit [of the law]:
"In the letters of Paul we have the antithesis between grámma, letter, and pneúma, spirit (Rom 2:29; Rom 7:6; 2Co 3:6). This antithesis may be explained thus: grámma denotes the law in its written form whereby the relation of the law to the man whom it concerns is the more inviolably established (Rom 2:27; 2Co 3:7). It is the external, fixed, and governing law; whereas the pneúma, the spirit, is the inner, effective, energizing, and divine principle of life (Rom 7:6)."
... the inner, effective, energizing, and divine principle of life ...

Other than time, the one resource I greatly covet is energy. My eyes blink and stick on one word.

... energizing ...

While I'm fixated on this distinction between letter and spirit, a quote comes to mind:
"Nothing is work unless you'd rather be doing something else."
~ George Halas
And then a passage of the Bible I've long wanted to better understand suddenly becomes crystal clear.
There remains therefore a rest for the people of God.
from Hebrews 4:1-9 (NKJV)
Too often I sigh and think, "I'd love a rest, yet I'll push on; eternal rest is coming someday." But God wants me to rest now. And it's as easy as merely embracing the spirit of His law.

The spirit of God's law could not be simpler—"love God, love thy neighbor." I'm willing to do that. If I'd rather be doing something else, this is work. But on the other hand, if I find pleasure in doing this, it's no work at all, and I'll have rest in it.

And therein lies "the inner, effective, energizing, and divine principle of life."

Maybe there was a shortcut for conveyance of that epiphany to you. This time, I thought I'd let you share the trip with me.

: : :

For more on this thought, see "Never Work Again."

* From The Complete Word Study Dictionary, © 1992 By AMG International, Inc., General Editor: Spiros Zodhiates, Th.D

Comments are welcome and will receive a reply.
You may also contact author via Twitter – @anne4JC
or e-mail – buildingHisbody [plus] @gmail.com
Copyright 2011, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.

Question of the Week: Elaborate on the Whys

by Anne Lang Bundy

Elaborate on the why's? Why did Jacob place striped and not striped branches in the trough? Why did Moses hold the staff above his head during war? (I love that the Lord asks us to act with faith in His miracle.)
~ Tana Adams

The question partially answers itself. The Lord provides His people with unexpected directions, asking us to act in faith for His purposes, whether or not He immediately reveals the "why."

But with the Lord—in both Bible stories and our personal story—there is certain to also be a bigger picture.

And with many such parables [Jesus] spoke the word to them as they were able to hear it. But without a parable He did not speak to them. And when they were alone, He explained all things to His disciples.
~ Mark 4:33-34 (NKJV)

Children aren't the only ones who benefit from object lessons. The Bible is filled with stories and parables that teach something much bigger than an apparent moral of the story. Biblical commentators (including yours truly) usually offer differing insights on the various levels of applications for any given story.

The biblical answers provided in this blog's articles are based on a comprehensive familiarity with Scripture, supplemented by a wide variety of biblical reference materials, and by extra-biblical sources as needed.

The above question's example is a story of Jacob breeding his sheep to his own benefit, and includes curious details about the diet of ewes when they conceived (Genesis 30:28-43). For this question, I prayerfully reviewed the passage describing Jacob's actions. No immediate answer became apparent. I went on to search my library, and then the internet about sheep breeding, without obtaining relevant details. But I later found an answer in another portion of Scripture—where I should have known to look in the first place:

"And it happened, at the time when the flocks conceived, that I lifted my eyes and saw in a dream, and behold, the rams which leaped upon the flocks were streaked, speckled, and gray-spotted."
~ Genesis 31:10 (NKJV)

It appears that God simply gave directions to 91-year-old Jacob, a lifelong caretaker of sheep, that wasn't even evident to the sheep owner Laban. Because God chose to reveal an otherwise inexplicable course of action to one of His people, and that man responded in faith (as noted in the original question), God rewarded him.

There are certainly additional why's to be answered about this and thousands of other object lessons in the Bible. Especially in the Old Testament, the physical and natural world is used to explain spiritual realities to us.

... there are priests who offer the gifts according to the law; who serve the copy and shadow of the heavenly things ...
~ Hebrews 8:4-5 (NKJV)

When studying the Bible, we can be quickly satisfied with an answer about the immediate lesson. But God has ever deepening spiritual applications for us. If we are disciples of Jesus and spend time seeking and heeding His directives—accepting that we won't understand everything at once—then He will give us needed understanding in the hour we are able to hear.

: : :

This post originally appeared at Bullets & Butterflies. To see ongoing dialogue in comments posted there click here.

What questions do you have about Christianity or the Bible? You're invited to leave them in the comments below (anonymous questions welcome), or email buildingHisbody [plus] @ gmail.com.

© 2011 Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.
Image source: chakpak.com

On a Personal Note ...

... to readers of Building His Body ~

Among the things I pray for concerning writing this blog is that the Lord will guide me to say neither too much or too little—knowing that I'll not always clearly discern His guidance. I also pray that no matter what I write, and how imperfect it is, that the Lord will nonetheless use it in the lives of readers to draw them closer to Him.

It does make life easier to write posts in advance, on those rare occasions when my schedule demands it. But I try to most often write about what the Lord is showing me day to day, with the intent that posts stay fresh and relevant, and that replies to comments are more in touch.

Recently, it seems that rather than me discerning clear thoughts from the Lord's Word, I am simply seeing more of Him (and myself)—in ways that can make my soul ache. While the Holy Spirit translates "groanings which cannot be uttered" into prayer, groanings don't always translate as easily into coherent blog posts. Tuesday was one such post, while I cheated a little on Monday and didn't manage to frame a post for Wednesday.

I ask your patience and indulgence if I go through a season of sounding less down to earth than I'd like, as I work to find the time to cooperate with the Holy Spirit and know the words to share with you.

I'm grateful if I have your permission to continue being candid. Remaining transparent is something the Lord seems to ask of me. I hope I make it look easy. : )

~ Anne

Comments, questions, and respectful disagreement are welcome. Reply to BuildingHisBody.com comments, or e-mail buildingHisbody [plus] @gmail.com

Two-Edged Sword, Part I

"Look, I need that book... I grew up with it. I know it's power. If you read it then so do you... I don't have the right words to help them, but the book does... If we have that book ... Imagine how different, how righteous this whole world could be ... people would truly understand why they're here and what they're doing and they wouldn't need any of the uglier motivations..."
~ Carnegie, from the movie The Book of Eli
arguing for surrender of a Bible


"It's not [just a] book! It's a weapon! A weapon aimed right at the hearts and minds of the weak and the desperate. It will give us control of them... we have to have it. People will come from all over, they'll do exactly what I tell them if the words are from the book."
~ Carnegie, explaining to his thugs
the true motive for obtaining a Bible


Two-Edged Sword, Part I

"And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write, 'These things says He who has the sharp two-edged sword: "I know your works ... And you hold fast to My name ... But I have a few things against you, because you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam ..."
~ Revelation 2:12-14 (NKJV)

The Pergamos church contained both people who lived by the Word of God, and those who used God's Word as a means for their own profit, as Balaam did.

The above quotes are from the post-apocalyptic movie The Book of Eli. Jesus warned that false teachers would dwell amid His flock as wolves in sheep's clothing, and would do so convincingly.

Paul likewise warned:

But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money ... having a form of godliness but denying its power... always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
Full context: 2 Timothy 3:1-7 (NKJV)

Christians need not avoid the church or eye all teachers suspiciously. If each of us intimately learns, lives, and loves the Bible, we will be able to weigh teachings against God's Word with firsthand knowledge.

I've mentioned this recently in a comment, and will say again: Don't believe what I say because I said it. Measure my every word against Scripture.

Don't follow me—please join me in following Jesus.

I appreciate hearing from you. Questions welcome. Reply to BuildingHisBody.com comments or e-mail BuildingHisBody@gmail.com.
Copyright 2010, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.
Images are from the movie "The Book of Eli," © 2010 Alcon Entertainment

Obligation to be Happy

"Folks are about as happy as they make up a mind to be."
~ Abraham Lincoln

Obligation to be Happy

Now godliness with contentment is great gain.
~ 1 Timothy 6:6 (NKJV)

As part of an ebook project he is compiling, I’ve been asked by Marshall Jones (bondChristian.com) to answer this question:

"In 150 words, what’s your best practical suggestion for serving others?"

My answer:

Dennis Prager says, "Not only do we have a right to be happy, we have an obligation to be happy. Our happiness has an effect on the lives of everyone around us—it provides them with a positive environment in which to thrive and to be happy themselves."

Emotional trauma will occur and bring times of mourning. This is not about that.

This is about daily choices to adopt a perspective of either curse or challenge, disturbance or opportunity, season of loss or season of change. Because our lives are bound up in the lives of those around us—because our perspective shapes our attitude—we serve others and glorify God by purposefully seeing life through rose-colored spectacles to clearly make out the Lord’s blessings and pass them along.

Such perspective is possible for those covered with the blood of Jesus, who look through that veil of red and live as citizens of Heaven.

Lord, our lives are filled with pain. This world is awash with suffering. You are yet good. You bless at every turn. Your love shall not fail. Please enable us to see You as greater and mightier and more enduring then whatever might make us falter at contentment in You.

Your feedback is appreciated. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2009, 2010, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.
#perspective
image source: history1800s.about.com

Friday Freelance: FALLEN ON FACE

Image source: revphil2011

"By nature, worship is not some performance we do,
but a presence we experience."
~ A.W. Tozer

Friday Freelance: FALLEN ON FACE
#knowingGod

Like millions across the nation, we’ve had a house full of sickness this week. My husband John went first, then the kids, one by one. By God’s grace (and with a few natural remedies) I’ve thus far evaded being sick, despite sleeping between two sick people.

Four-year-old Daniel slips into my bed so quietly that I don’t realize he’s there until his warmth pressed into mine wakes me up. Sickness isn’t the only reason he’ll wind up there. Funny noises outside his window will bring him. The rare bad dream dispatches him in search for safety. And returning from a nighttime trip to the bathroom is simply an excuse to snuggle.

We’ve always had an open door policy with our kids during the wee hours. Our philosophy is that they’ll know God is always available to them in a dark times by learning it first from us. There are other times when the door is locked, for Mom and Dad to have a serious talk or serious affection. In those hours our children learn that however important our relationship with them, the relationship with each other comes first.

When all the children of Israel saw how the fire came down,
and the glory of the LORD on the temple,
they bowed their faces to the ground on the pavement,
and worshiped and praised the LORD.
~ 2 Chronicles 7:3 (NKJV)

There is another place in the house which our children know to respect when it is closed. I’m usually already out of my prayer closet when they awaken, but if I tarry they’ll come to give me a good morning kiss (the youngest two will also cuddle quietly a bit), then slip away and allow me my time with the Lord. They understand that my relationship with Him comes first.

I try to "pray without ceasing" in mental chatter with the Lord all day, but of course it’s interrupted. I have lazy mornings when I try to get away with prayer time in bed, and as often as not it lapses back into sleep. I most enjoy morning prayer time in the eastern family room which offers sunrise in the summer and wood stove warmth in the winter.

But that prayer closet ...

This is the place of serious talk and serious intimacy. Unlike my numerous computer Bibles, the paper and ink version stored here is stuffed with notes and covered with writing. Like a suitcase plastered with travel stickers from around the globe, it evidences the places the Lord has taken me and the things we’ve seen together. A prayer journal ensures no one is overlooked (including you, dear readers). And the square of padded carpet behind tapestry curtain provides a comfortable place to sit—or a place for my face.

Say what you will about the Lord is everywhere and hears us no matter our position. For me, if I need to hear from Him, I fall on my face before Him. Something in this posture not only shuts out lesser things, but brings my heart to a place where either His whispers become clear, or His Spirit and mine find such unity that I needn't hear His voice. Like a comfortable couple who've reached the place where words are no longer necessary, I feel His pleasure, comfort, understanding, stretching, challenge, grief, peace. If you've felt any of these things, you know they are real.

If you desire these things, quietly slip into His presence with a humble heart until you feel His warmth pressed into yours.

Contrasting points-of-view, questions and feedback are invited. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2009, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.

Faithful Servant

"True humility is not an abject, groveling, self-despising spirit.
It is but a right estimate of ourselves as God sees us."
~ Tryon Edwards

Faithful Servant

'We are unprofitable servants. We have done what was our duty to do.'
~ Luke 17:10 (NKJV)

'Well done, good and faithful servant ... Enter into the joy of your lord.'
~ Matthew 25:23 (NKJV)

Here in a world tarnished by selfishness and suffering, it can be difficult to see good around us.

Here in our hearts scarred by failure, it can be difficult to see ourselves as profitable servants.

God loves us no less now than when we stand before Him fully perfected. He already sees His good and faithful servants as we will be in heaven.

Heavenly Father, thank You for already loving us with Your full capacity. Help us know and share Your love.

Your questions and feedback are invited. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2009, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.

Sin is Death

"Sin would have fewer takers if its consequences were immediate."
~ Unknown

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
~ Romans 6:23 (NKJV)

Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh [human nature] will of the flesh reap corruption [destruction, death], but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.
~ Galatians 6:7-8 (NKJV)

"I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life."
~ Deuteronomy 30:19 (NKJV)

Certain principles are as valid as the law of gravity. The wages of sin is death. If a person sows seeds of sin, one reaps death, whether in only this temporal life or for eternity.

Turning from sin to Jesus in faith gives the gift of eternal life. But to receive greater fullness of eternal life during this temporal life, one must continue to turn away from sin. Each decision to do what pleases Self is a choice to reap death. To reap life, one must choose what pleases the Holy Spirit.

Every time. Each small decision for sin is a decision for death—an opening the door to the Grim Reaper.

Each yielding to the Holy Spirit is a decision for life—an opening the door to Jesus, Who stands knocking, bringing light.

Lord Jesus, You said that You came so we might have life, and have it in abundance. We desperately need Your Spirit's strength to consistently make decisions for life. Please open our eyes to see all we are choosing at every point of sin. Please lead us in paths of life and peace.

Feedback appreciated! Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2009, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.

Understanding

"Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit; wisdom is knowing not to put it in a fruit salad." ~ Brian O'Driscoll

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom,
And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
~ Proverbs 9:10 (NKJV)

Promotion of the Bible as revelation of God is my favorite cause for enthusiasm. But if I fail to convey that purpose—revelation of God—I've failed.

It is not knowledge of the Scriptures which makes one rich. It is knowing God—and therefore receiving understanding of the Scriptures and how to actually apply them—which makes one rich.

Feedback appreciated! Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2009, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.

You May Prophesy

O LORD, You induced me, and I was persuaded;
You are stronger than I, and have prevailed...
His word was in my heart like a burning fire
Shut up in my bones;
I was weary of holding it back,
And I could not...
The LORD is with me as a mighty, awesome One.
~ Jeremiah 20:7,9,11 (NKJV)

Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy... he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men.
~ 1 Corinthians 14:1,3 (NKJV)

Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith.
~ Romans 12:6 (NKJV)

Each person sanctified by the blood of Christ is equipped by His Spirit with different spiritual gifts. Though we likely manifest strength in a particular gift, every Christian should exercise all spiritual gifts. Even tongues has been described as taking the time to understand an individual’s love language and then communicating accordingly.

Prophecy is first among spiritual gifts, especially needed in these last days, and frequently misunderstood as merely seeing the future. Prophecy is discerning what God sees—by the revelation of His Spirit—and proclaiming it to someone else. It is far more about what is than about what shall be.

If you are Christ’s, you take the Lord’s presence everywhere you go. You may minister mercy. You may teach. You may prophesy and speak a word on God’s behalf. You can do all things through Christ, who strengthens you for every situation, that the Father may be glorified.

And if the Lord has indeed given you the gift of prophecy, you will surely know a time when you wish to hold it back. Pray to speak no more and no less than His word.

Mighty Awesome One, we bless You for all Your good gifts. Your Scripture is the purest Word we may speak. Induce us to prepare ourselves with Your Word, that we would both mightily wield the Sword of the Spirit, and accurately speak other words on Your behalf, wherever and whenever You wish to use us.

Your feedback is appreciated. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2009, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.

At Jesus' Feet

Mary ... sat at Jesus' feet and heard His word... "One thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her."
~ Luke 10:39-42 (NKJV)

"And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God,
That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh;
Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
Your young men shall see visions ... "
~ Acts 2:17

"I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have concealed these things from the wise and sharp and learned, and revealed them to the childlike and unskilled and uneducated. Yes, Father, this was Your gracious will and pleasing to You."
~ Luke 10:21 (author, amplified)

Every time Mary of Bethany is mentioned, she is at Jesus' feet. She anoints His feet and uses her hair as a towel for them. She falls at Jesus' feet in worship and weeping. She sits and listens to the Word. A woman in patriarchal society, she found blessing in such lowly position.

God revealed something to Mary others missed—perhaps because she stayed lowly, perhaps because she had childlike ignorance. God takes great pleasure in such servants and rewards them with His choicest blessing—a view of Himself.

Jesus was an uneducated man who shared truth with words the wise and learned failed to understand. I've recently become acquainted with one of Jesus' humble servants to whom God gives both startling insights and the ability to share them with vivid simplicity.

If you're inclined to spend your Sunday looking for a view of God pure and plain, visit Billy Coffey at What I Learned Today. I promise you'll be blessed.

Lord of heaven and earth, You are good to make Yourself known in Your creation, in Your Christ, in Your Counselor. Thank You for loving the most lowly and humble and sinful of us and making us Your servants. Thank You for the ability to see Your face each day. I love You.

Feedback invited. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2009, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.

Will of God

But they were filled with rage, and discussed with one another what they might do to Jesus. Now it came to pass in those days that He went out to the mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God. And when it was day ... He chose twelve whom He also named apostles:
~ Luke 6:11-13 (NKJV)

And it grieved Samuel, and he cried out to the LORD all night.
~ 1 Samuel 15:11 (NKJV)

... present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service ... that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
~ Romans 12:1-2 (NKJV)

Can we agree that God's love and wisdom qualifies the will of God as both sovereign to and more beneficial than our own? It then seems prudent for us to know the will of God—but knowing the mind of the Lord comes with a cost.

The cost is ultimately our lives. The sacrifice of a martyr, whose earthly life is quenched for God's sake, is of inestimable worth. So is the sacrifice of the disciple who lays down one's life and will for God every day. And a living sacrifice doesn't stay on the altar for comfort.

That Samuel spent an entire night in prayer hints that understanding God's heart sustained him more than sleep did. Jesus Himself—God in the flesh submitting Himself to the necessity of sleep!—forfeited a night's rest for body to have rest of soul when choosing the men who would first experience hostility for the sake of the Gospel.

Sleep is good and necessary. So is rising early to seek the will of God for the day.

Heavenly Father, Your goodness gives us rest of body in sleep, and rest of soul in being alert to Your good and acceptable and perfect will. Please give us strength of body in sacrifice to You, wisdom to care for the body which is Your temple, and victory to awaken early and seek Your face and will.

Feedback invited. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2009, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.

We're Fighting Against God

And so a huge and noisy quarrel broke out.... "We don't find anything wrong with this man! And what if a spirit has spoken to him? Or maybe an angel? What if it turns out we're fighting against God?"
~ Acts 23:9 (MSG)

... stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel ...
~ Philippians 1:27 (NKJV)

But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife.
~ 2 Timothy 2:23 (NKJV)

Whatever the disputes between Christians and unbelievers, they are unrivaled by the disputes among Christians. Like Pharisees arguing with Sadducees, we forget we're supposed to be on the same side—God's side. When we fight each other, we're fighting against God.

I often pray that God will enable me to say no more and no less than edifies Christ's body and exalts God. I'm too readily drawn into foolish disputes, and too easily hesitate to contend for the faith.

There are issues of substance—like faith in Christ's blood for salvation, or the inerrancy of Scripture—for which we would give our lives. There are issues of interpretation—like pre-trib vs. mid-trib rapture, or tongues required vs. no tongues allowed—for which we must ask "what if the Spirit has spoken?"

Truly, we're fighting against God if we allow division in the church on matters not critical to faith.

Father God, Your precious Son's last prayer was that You would make us one as You are One. Please forgive us for allowing division to work against Your answer to that prayer. Please grant to us no tolerance for union with the world, and no tolerance for scism among Your people.

Feedback invited. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2009, Anne Lang Bundy

Savage Wolves

"Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock ... savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves."
~ Acts 20:28-30 (NKJV)

"Beware of false prophets who come to you in sheeps' clothing but inwardly are savage wolves. By their fruit you will know them."
~ Matthew 7:15-16 (ISV)

Paul and Jesus both warned of savage wolves, or false teachers, within the church. Jesus described them with the Greek harpax (greedy, extortionist). Paul called them barus (burdensome).

Two unbiblical extremes within the church are burdensome legalism, and a message which exalts prosperity but carries a burden of doubt. The former is more likely to appear in traditional churches, while vulnerable God-seekers are easily drawn in with the latter. Neither exalts dependence on Father, Son and Spirit.

Whether false teachers "come in" from outside or "rise up" from within, they do not feed the flock, but feed upon it. They use isolated nuggets of Scripture's truth to make their poison palatable. Good teachers are identified not by prosperity but by their fruit.

We must feed upon God's Word often, in church and outside church. Being familiar with the entire Bible shows us whether we're being fed by good shepherds or enticed by savage wolves.

Our Father, thank You for righteousness based not on deeds but upon hearts of faith. Good Shepherd, thank You for giving Yourself as the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Holy Spirit, thank You for enabling us to exalt God above ourselves when we have too long done the opposite. Holy God, make us fully dependent on You.

Feedback invited. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2009, Anne Lang Bundy

You Will Be Hated

Then there arose some from what is called the Synagogue of the Freedmen ... disputing with Stephen. And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke.
~ Acts 6:9-10 (NKJV)

"But when they arrest you and deliver you up, do not worry beforehand, or premeditate what you will speak. But whatever is given you in that hour, speak that; for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit... You will be hated by all for My name's sake."
~ Mark 13:11-13 (NKJV)

But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife.
~ 2 Timothy 2:23 (NKJV)

Human nature is to fear Darkness. God's nature is to push it back with Light. If you are Christ's, you are His vessel of Light dwelling amid Darkness. You will be hated by Darkness because it is weakened by Light in you. It will resist, dispute, or arrest you wherever it has opportunity.

Throughout the world, Christians are actively persecuted. Persecution in our nation is not yet as severe as elsewhere. But when the beast soon arises, it will be "granted to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them ... [with] authority ... over every tribe, tongue, and nation."

We need not worry beforehand. The Lord will give the wisdom and the Spirit in the hour needed. Even now, He is preparing us with small tests. We must learn when to avoid a foolish dispute, and when to contend for the faith.

Do not shrink back from the tests which make you strong.

Lord Jesus, You are the pure and holy Light of the World. You did not shrink back when Darkness reviled You, persecuted You, and killed You. You have utterly overcome Darkness in its every manifestation. Please give us courage to face Darkness when we encounter it.

Feedback invited. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2009, Anne Lang Bundy

The Ability to Prophesy

"All flesh is grass,
And all its loveliness is like the flower of the field...
Surely the people are grass.
The grass withers, the flower fades,
But the word of our God stands forever."
Isaiah 40:6-8 (NKJV)

Love never comes to an end. There is the gift of speaking what God has revealed [prophecies], but it will no longer be used. There is the gift of speaking in other languages [tongues], but it will stop by itself. There is the gift of knowledge, but it will no longer be used.
1 Corinthians 13:8 (GW, amplified)

Keep on pursuing love, and keep on desiring spiritual gifts, especially the ability to prophesy... the person who prophesies speaks to people for their upbuilding [edification], encouragement, and comfort. The person who speaks in a tongue builds himself up, but the person who prophesies builds the church up. ~ 1 Corinthians 14:1-4 (ISV, amplified)

The ability to prophesy is a gift of God. One example of its most basic use is to humbly pray, "Lord, please show me what to say to this person," to understand from the Holy Spirit the words needed, and to then speak in agreement with the Word of God. If there is a gift we "especially" need, it is the ability to communicate from the Word and Spirit of God and not from ourselves.

When all is fulfilled—in the day that we see face to face and know as we are known—prophecies and knowledge will no longer be used. In the meantime, neither has ceased, and both should be used with careful dependence on God—not to build up ourselves but to build up others in Christ.

Our Father, thank You for putting in us Your own Spirit. Thank You for enabling us for all You ask of us. Please give us the desire to increase in the knowledge of Your Word, and give us the ability to share Your mind and will with others as glorifies You and builds up Your church.

Feedback invited. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2009, Anne Lang Bundy

Spirit of Truth

There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse,
and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit.
And the Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him,
the Spirit of wisdom and understanding,
the Spirit of counsel and might,
the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD.
Isaiah 11:1-2 (ESV)

"And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever—the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you." John 14:16-17 (NIV)

"Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock ... But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall."
Matthew 7:24,26-27 (NKJV)

Common excuses for failing to live by God's Word are that it is difficult to understand or is interpreted too differently by various people. The Spirit upon Jesus, the Branch, is the same Spirit in us. Having become Christ's, we have His Spirit of Truth to rely upon for wisdom, understanding, counsel, might, knowledge, fear of the Lord.

The Spirit of Truth speaks with a firm yet gentle voice. It is not the voice of emotion or human reasoning. While the Spirit is fluid like fire, air and water—readily flowing and filling with diverse messages and gifts—He is also a reliable Counselor, stable and unyielding to human will or the winds of change.

In our age of relativism the world says truth is not absolute, but rather whatever you need it to be. Such shifting sands collapse in storms, resulting in great destruction. God's Word is a sure foundation. But unless we implement it by the Spirit of Truth, we do not build our lives upon it.

Beautiful Jesus, You are Truth and Wisdom and the Word of God personified. Your Spirit is good and gracious and too easy for us to push aside in the din of other voices. Please help us seek out the quiet place, and push aside will, emotion, and preconceptions so we hear Your Spirit clearly. Please give us courage to do as You challenge.

Feedback invited. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2008, Anne Lang Bundy

Mirror Effect

He made the laver of bronze and its base of bronze, from the bronze mirrors of the serving women who assembled at the door of the tabernacle of meeting. (Exodus 38:8 NKJV)

But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord. (2 Corinthians 3:18 NKJV)

But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. (James 1:22-24 NKJV)

Israelite women forfeited mirrors, once used to view themselves, for creation of a laver to cleanse the priests, for ministry to their holy God. Those instruments of polished bronze offered a reflection to affect their users' actions, but as mirrors they did not effect change.

The Holy Spirit is Jesus Christ's gift to those who are His, and enables us to behold His glory in His Word. We see only a dim reflection of His glory, but the image is powerful enough to effect great change in us. Human nature is to become what one beholds.

The water of the Word can both cleanse us and offer us that reflection. But if we merely glance at the Word without immersing ourselves in it (in whatever manner), its effect may be to briefly affect our mind, not effect lasting change to our hearts and actions.

Lord Jesus, You are truly glorious to behold. Thank You for the precious words You have gifted to us. Amid the many distractions and distortions of this world, please enable us to make time for Your Word and see You clearly. Let us behold the glory to which You are conforming us.

Feedback may be posted to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mailed to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com.
Copyright 2008, Anne Lang Bundy