"I spoke to you, rising up early and speaking, but you did not hear, and I called you, but you did not answer ..." "Therefore do not pray for this people, nor lift up a cry or prayer for them, nor make intercession to Me; for I will not hear you."
~ Jeremiah 7:13,16
Then [Jesus] spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart ... ~ Luke 18:1
Pray without ceasing.
~ 1 Thessalonians 5:17
Jesus said to pray always and not lose heart. Paul said to pray without ceasing. I've seen some mighty answers to prayer myself and am committed to it.
But there is also a time for "do not pray." Not because we ever cease from praying, but because there is a time to move on from prayer and respond to what God's already told us. When Jeremiah delivered a command to repent which went unheeded, God wasn't ready to receive any more petitions. Why should He receive more prayers if His previous answers were ignored?
One of the best ways to know the Spirit's soft voice is to not only listen for it, but to heed it.
Father, You are good and faithful as You hear and answer our prayers. We are all too often unfaithful to heed You. Please give us not only the answers we need, but please lead us by the hand to walk in Your ways and heed Your voice. Please put in us the strength we need to do right.
Feedback invited. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2009, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Covetousness: Deceit and Idolatry
"For I will stretch out My hand
Against the inhabitants of the land," says the LORD.
"Because from the least of them even to the greatest of them,
Everyone is given to covetousness;
And from the prophet even to the priest,
Everyone deals falsely."
~ Jeremiah 6:12-13
I would not have known sin except through the law. For I would not have known covetousness unless the law had said, “You shall not covet.” But sin, taking opportunity by the commandment, produced in me all manner of evil desire.
~ Romans 7:7-8
Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief ... hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.
~ Hebrews 3:12-13
Lest any among Jeremiah's audience thought themselves innocent of sin, he brings covetousness into the picture, to convict everyone, from least to greatest.
Covetousness led King Ahab to murder. Righteous David succumbed to adultery and murder because he first coveted. Even the Pharisee Saul—who scrupulously obeyed the commandments—would one day be forced to see himself as a sinner when confronted with the commandment, "You shall not covet."
Covetousness may be of another's goods or spouse, of another's attributes or advantage. It requires us to deal falsely with our neighbor, either to conceal our covetousness, or to perhaps gain what we covet. We also deceive ourselves as well if we believe sin does not occur before thought becomes action.
Worst of all, covetousness deceives us to believe that God has not granted to us all we need or deserve—that He isn't as good as He should be. And thus our hearts become hardened and idolatrous.
The Bible's comforting words are pleasant. The Bible's harsh words are necessary, showing us how to cooperate with the Holy Spirit as He makes us ever more Christlike.
Oh YHWH our Righteousness, apart from You we are utterly evil, no matter how good we look on the outside. Please wash us with the water of the Word. If necessary, scorch us with the Spirit's fire. Make us good and holy and pleasing in Your sight.
Feedback invited. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2009, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.
Against the inhabitants of the land," says the LORD.
"Because from the least of them even to the greatest of them,
Everyone is given to covetousness;
And from the prophet even to the priest,
Everyone deals falsely."
~ Jeremiah 6:12-13
I would not have known sin except through the law. For I would not have known covetousness unless the law had said, “You shall not covet.” But sin, taking opportunity by the commandment, produced in me all manner of evil desire.
~ Romans 7:7-8
Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief ... hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.
~ Hebrews 3:12-13
Lest any among Jeremiah's audience thought themselves innocent of sin, he brings covetousness into the picture, to convict everyone, from least to greatest.
Covetousness led King Ahab to murder. Righteous David succumbed to adultery and murder because he first coveted. Even the Pharisee Saul—who scrupulously obeyed the commandments—would one day be forced to see himself as a sinner when confronted with the commandment, "You shall not covet."
Covetousness may be of another's goods or spouse, of another's attributes or advantage. It requires us to deal falsely with our neighbor, either to conceal our covetousness, or to perhaps gain what we covet. We also deceive ourselves as well if we believe sin does not occur before thought becomes action.
Worst of all, covetousness deceives us to believe that God has not granted to us all we need or deserve—that He isn't as good as He should be. And thus our hearts become hardened and idolatrous.
The Bible's comforting words are pleasant. The Bible's harsh words are necessary, showing us how to cooperate with the Holy Spirit as He makes us ever more Christlike.
Oh YHWH our Righteousness, apart from You we are utterly evil, no matter how good we look on the outside. Please wash us with the water of the Word. If necessary, scorch us with the Spirit's fire. Make us good and holy and pleasing in Your sight.
Feedback invited. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2009, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.
Friday, May 29, 2009
Friday Freelance: FAMILY
Most days “family” means the people of my household who couldn’t be any closer—the husband with whom I'm one flesh and the five children birthed from my flesh. They make my life sweet, these six people with whom I share a home, who get the first and best of me.
Right now I’m visiting my very colorful birth family in Colorado. We love the Lord and we love one another and we’re in-your-face about both. Back in Michigan I’m often the just a little-too-enthusiastic (except on drama team) lady who works hard not to offend with it. Here among family I fit right in. I’m accepted.
The acceptance among family members stems in part from knowing each other so well. I have a quote back in Michigan that says something about there isn’t anyone we wouldn’t love if we knew their whole story. [Even Darth Vader evokes some sympathy when you watch him go through childhood and personal trauma.] My brothers and sisters know my story and share it. They know how to tell me when I’m out of line because they understand how I got this way.
“Family” isn’t always defined by natural blood ties. Military and public safety personnel share death and danger on a regular basis and consider themselves brothers. Five years spent as a cop got into my own blood. I’ve handled with composure many situations where someone died or might have. But when I helped carry an officer wounded by a shotgun blast into my patrol car, and held him as we rushed to a nearby hospital, the life bleeding out of him felt like my own.
Though I haven’t worn a badge in nearly twenty years, I’m still tied to everyone in that thin blue line. I understand what it is to have everyone continually stare at you in public. I comprehend the rage which boils up when arresting someone who’s just exhibited flagrant disregard for life. I know what it is to carry the memories of things no person should see because of that disregard.
These days I’m part of another vocational family—a family of Christian writers. We have an consuming drive within us which can’t not write. We carry thoughts and ideas and stories which strain at the reins of our minds until we release them. We long to have our words read and affirmed and published. We experience rejection phone solicitors might understand. But with us the rejection is very personal. We struggle to remember that we’re not rejected as people when the words we’ve birthed from our souls are not deemed worthy of another’s investment.
Via the blogsphere these writers affirm and encourage one another even as we try to reach people outside our circle. Many of us share little more than a nodding acquaintance. A good many become fast friends. A few of us discover a bond which defies reason. We understand things about each other even our spouses may not grasp because they don’t share this inexplicable and unrelenting drive. If you’re among the writers I’ve connected with, please know my deep affection and gratitude for you. And because you’re Christians, you really are my family. We share eternal blood ties through Christ’s blood.
All Christians should see one another as brothers and sisters because of this blood tie. We should be willing to accept family members because we share the common experience of forgiveness from degrading sin—there’s no room to point fingers. We share the same Father.
And for all eternity we’ll be happily gathered into the same home, sweetly united as one.
Feedback invited. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2009, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.
Right now I’m visiting my very colorful birth family in Colorado. We love the Lord and we love one another and we’re in-your-face about both. Back in Michigan I’m often the just a little-too-enthusiastic (except on drama team) lady who works hard not to offend with it. Here among family I fit right in. I’m accepted.
The acceptance among family members stems in part from knowing each other so well. I have a quote back in Michigan that says something about there isn’t anyone we wouldn’t love if we knew their whole story. [Even Darth Vader evokes some sympathy when you watch him go through childhood and personal trauma.] My brothers and sisters know my story and share it. They know how to tell me when I’m out of line because they understand how I got this way.
“Family” isn’t always defined by natural blood ties. Military and public safety personnel share death and danger on a regular basis and consider themselves brothers. Five years spent as a cop got into my own blood. I’ve handled with composure many situations where someone died or might have. But when I helped carry an officer wounded by a shotgun blast into my patrol car, and held him as we rushed to a nearby hospital, the life bleeding out of him felt like my own.
Though I haven’t worn a badge in nearly twenty years, I’m still tied to everyone in that thin blue line. I understand what it is to have everyone continually stare at you in public. I comprehend the rage which boils up when arresting someone who’s just exhibited flagrant disregard for life. I know what it is to carry the memories of things no person should see because of that disregard.
These days I’m part of another vocational family—a family of Christian writers. We have an consuming drive within us which can’t not write. We carry thoughts and ideas and stories which strain at the reins of our minds until we release them. We long to have our words read and affirmed and published. We experience rejection phone solicitors might understand. But with us the rejection is very personal. We struggle to remember that we’re not rejected as people when the words we’ve birthed from our souls are not deemed worthy of another’s investment.
Via the blogsphere these writers affirm and encourage one another even as we try to reach people outside our circle. Many of us share little more than a nodding acquaintance. A good many become fast friends. A few of us discover a bond which defies reason. We understand things about each other even our spouses may not grasp because they don’t share this inexplicable and unrelenting drive. If you’re among the writers I’ve connected with, please know my deep affection and gratitude for you. And because you’re Christians, you really are my family. We share eternal blood ties through Christ’s blood.
All Christians should see one another as brothers and sisters because of this blood tie. We should be willing to accept family members because we share the common experience of forgiveness from degrading sin—there’s no room to point fingers. We share the same Father.
And for all eternity we’ll be happily gathered into the same home, sweetly united as one.
Feedback invited. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2009, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Wise to Do Evil
"For My people are foolish,
They have not known Me.
They are silly children,
And they have no understanding.
They are wise to do evil,
But to do good they have no knowledge."
~ Jeremiah 4:22 (NKJV)
"Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven."
~ Matthew 18:3-4 (NKJV)
To the pure all things are pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; but even their mind and conscience are defiled.
~ Titus 1:15 (NKJV)
Any parent can appreciate a small child who emerges from a bath and runs through the house stark naked, innocently reveling in the freedom from clothing. All too soon, we acquire knowledge of good and evil, and such freedom is lost to us.
Our human nature inclines us to be continually sinful. We are wise to do evil without effort or training. We can point a finger at the world and say it has corrupted us. It is humans who first corrupted the world.
Jesus came to set us free from this burden of sin. Alone, we will continue to swerve toward evil—to be filled with pride, lust, anger. As we walk closely with the Lord, He continually cleanses our hearts and sanctifies us so that all things might become pure to us.
He converts us to again become as little children, innocently enjoying His good gifts.
Good Father, You shower us with good gifts. How many are lost to us because our hearts still gravitate toward evil? Please do whatever it takes to make us so humble and pure that nothing must be restrained from us. Incline us to hate everything that is evil, to love all that is good.
Feedback invited. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2009, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.
They have not known Me.
They are silly children,
And they have no understanding.
They are wise to do evil,
But to do good they have no knowledge."
~ Jeremiah 4:22 (NKJV)
"Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven."
~ Matthew 18:3-4 (NKJV)
To the pure all things are pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; but even their mind and conscience are defiled.
~ Titus 1:15 (NKJV)
Any parent can appreciate a small child who emerges from a bath and runs through the house stark naked, innocently reveling in the freedom from clothing. All too soon, we acquire knowledge of good and evil, and such freedom is lost to us.
Our human nature inclines us to be continually sinful. We are wise to do evil without effort or training. We can point a finger at the world and say it has corrupted us. It is humans who first corrupted the world.
Jesus came to set us free from this burden of sin. Alone, we will continue to swerve toward evil—to be filled with pride, lust, anger. As we walk closely with the Lord, He continually cleanses our hearts and sanctifies us so that all things might become pure to us.
He converts us to again become as little children, innocently enjoying His good gifts.
Good Father, You shower us with good gifts. How many are lost to us because our hearts still gravitate toward evil? Please do whatever it takes to make us so humble and pure that nothing must be restrained from us. Incline us to hate everything that is evil, to love all that is good.
Feedback invited. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2009, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Jealousy
"Go and cry in the hearing of Jerusalem, saying,
'Thus says the LORD:
"I remember you,
The kindness of your youth,
The love of your betrothal ...
What injustice have your fathers found in Me,
That they have gone far from Me,
Have followed idols,
And have become idolaters? ...
For My people have committed two evils:
They have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters,
And hewn themselves cisterns—
Broken cisterns that can hold no water.
...You lay down, playing the harlot." ' "
~ Jeremiah 2:2,5,13,20 (NKJV)
Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. Or do you think that the Scripture says in vain, "The Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously"?
~ James 4:4-5 (NKJV)
The Bible uses an vivid image to portray idolatry: adultery.
Does anything else in human experience ignite wrath like finding a spouse in bed with someone else? Human jealousy needs no explanation.
The Lord views idolatry with the same jealousy. We see ourselves as far too sophisticated to bow before a piece of metal, wood or stone. We forget that seeking satisfaction from the world is the New Testament’s definition of idolatry, and is also called adultery.
The Lord offers abundant living waters. To show preference for offerings from the dry and broken cistern of this world rightly ignites the jealousy of the Spirit who dwells within us.
Beloved Bridegroom, You paid a great price to make available the living waters of Your Spirit. You satisfy as nothing else. Please give us discernment between the godless, the goodly and the godly. Please powerfully woo our hearts so we'll both seek Your face and woo You with our own love.
Feedback invited. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2009, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.
'Thus says the LORD:
"I remember you,
The kindness of your youth,
The love of your betrothal ...
What injustice have your fathers found in Me,
That they have gone far from Me,
Have followed idols,
And have become idolaters? ...
For My people have committed two evils:
They have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters,
And hewn themselves cisterns—
Broken cisterns that can hold no water.
...You lay down, playing the harlot." ' "
~ Jeremiah 2:2,5,13,20 (NKJV)
Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. Or do you think that the Scripture says in vain, "The Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously"?
~ James 4:4-5 (NKJV)
The Bible uses an vivid image to portray idolatry: adultery.
Does anything else in human experience ignite wrath like finding a spouse in bed with someone else? Human jealousy needs no explanation.
The Lord views idolatry with the same jealousy. We see ourselves as far too sophisticated to bow before a piece of metal, wood or stone. We forget that seeking satisfaction from the world is the New Testament’s definition of idolatry, and is also called adultery.
The Lord offers abundant living waters. To show preference for offerings from the dry and broken cistern of this world rightly ignites the jealousy of the Spirit who dwells within us.
Beloved Bridegroom, You paid a great price to make available the living waters of Your Spirit. You satisfy as nothing else. Please give us discernment between the godless, the goodly and the godly. Please powerfully woo our hearts so we'll both seek Your face and woo You with our own love.
Feedback invited. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2009, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.
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