Trickery Most Foul

Then Absalom said to Ahithophel, “Give your counsel. What shall we do?” 2 Samuel 16:20

Even trusted leaders can fall. It happens so often. So how do we avoid being burned?

Good people can change. Good people can be persuaded to make very bad decisions through trickery and deceit. King David ended up being betrayed by his own advisor, Ahithophel. Say that name three times fast! He was the grandfather of David’s wife, Bathsheba. Yes, that very one. So not only was this man David’s trusted advisor, he was family. It also involved his son, Absalom. It wasn’t the first time he was betrayed by family. It wouldn’t be the last either. But isn’t that how it happens? Maybe the betrayal comes from blood or adoptive family. Or worse yet, it sometimes comes from God’s family.

So what do I do when it happens to me? I have to understand that each and every one of us is fallible. None of us gets it right all the time. And that includes the people that I look up to. Ahithophel may have been deceived. Out of that would most definitely come bad counsel. History is full of murders and wars stemming from bad information. Leaders are also as vulnerable as anyone else to volatile emotions. One bad argument between King David and his advisor could have easily set off these horrible actions.

While we shouldn’t be suspicious of leaders, we need to be wise. If I stick closely to Jesus, I will be less likely to second-guess myself because I will know that I am going on much more than just a hunch. And it’s always a good idea to have more than one person that to go to for advice. Earlier in his reign, the prophet Nathan rashly told David to do whatever was in his heart regarding his desire to build a temple. But this wasn’t God’s will. In the end, only our Heavenly Father is omniscient and I can always trust Him.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I know I can trust You to guide me and take care of me. You are perfect and will always give me what I need. So today, I’m asking for you to give me wisdom. Your word says that You will not withhold it from me. In Jesus Precious Name, Amen

Journal:

List times when you or someone you know was given bad advice by a trusted person.

Look up the word wisdom in the Bible. How does God give wisdom?

Church Traps

 Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them… Romans 12:6

 How do we define Christian passion? Are the most emotional people in a church the most godly? I want to take a closer look at this today.

 I have been in Christian churches of all kinds and varieties. A “one size fits all” denomination just doesn’t exist. That said, most churches fall into the same kind of trap. This trap involves public displays of religion. I’ve experienced polar opposites of this legalistic device in different religious communities. My Christian college was very stoic. Swaying to worship music was frowned upon. There was even a sign that was posted on the huge screens behind the chapel stage that warned against dancing during concerts. Any sign of emotion was seen as a lack of self-control. Continue reading “Church Traps” →

Frustration and Disappointment

The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.  Psalm 34:18

I am having a frustrating week.  And my weekend looks no better.  So where is this all going?

Lately I’ve been plagued by disappointment after disappointment.  Very little in my life is going as planned.  Don’t get me wrong.  I’ve also had some unexpected blessings and really I should be focused on those.  Some things are going better than planned.  But before I go there, I need to deal with my sadness.  Close this door before I open a new one.

Bad news, even when it’s expected, is still bad news.  We just have more time to anticipate it.  Even if it’s not earth shattering, some things are just hard for me to wrap my mind around.  So where does this leave me?  My help comes from God.  Just as the Psalmist said.  He has a plan for me and my loved ones.  And He uses our circumstances to get us where He wants us to go.  He keeps us on the right path, no matter our best efforts to get off it, if we are His children.  He only lets us stray so far.  Remember that the next time you worry about your children.  Yes, Jaime Lauze, dear self I’m speaking to you, too!

Sometimes the terrain is rough when we try to get back on track.  Disappointment, if left to its own devices, can turn to bitterness, jealousy, and many other sinful frame of existence.  It can be one of the worst offenders.  It’s no small emotion.  So, Jesus, Lover of my soul, what do you have to teach me in this?  How are my circumstances leading me to a different place?  I know You will be there with me, wherever that may lead me.

Dear Heavenly Father, I praise You for making emotions.  Help them not to consume me.  I put them under Your direction.  Be where I am and where I am going. In Jesus Precious Name, Amen

Journal

Listen to Lead Me On by Amy Grant.

What emotions or situations get you off track?

Look up some examples from Proverbs about walking and paths.

What do they say?

One of Illegitimate birth shall not enter the assembly of the LORD; even to the tenth generation none of his descendants shall enter the assembly of the LORD. Deuteronomy 23:2

We each have our own story. And we each have our own personal difficulties that try to alienate us from the cross.

I don’t know what your story is, but I know mine. I was conceived and born out of wedlock and was then adopted at five days old. So it was to my horror, as I read in Deuteronomy that during the Old Covenant, anyone born out of wedlock couldn’t take part in worship. But not just that, ten generations had to pass until a descendant could take part in worship. That passage took my breath away and not in a good way. Had I lived all the way back then, due to something that was not my fault at all, I would not be allowed to worship with the temple’s congregation. Nor my children, or their children, and on and on.

If we were to study the entire law together, we would all find many things that would keep us out of the temple, whether it be from sin, an issue of blood, or touching a dead body. It is all about holiness. And this is why Jesus had to come. He came to fulfill the law and to finish our faith. Billy Joel wrote a very popular song during the 80’s called, We Didn’t Start The Fire. No we didn’t start the fire, but we are every bit as guilty as if we did. It doesn’t really matter that I was born out of wedlock. But what does matter is the fact that I was born with a sin nature. Jesus died to make me legitimate and holy.

So, let me ask you? What’s keeping you from the cross? Maybe you are already saved, but hold some part of yourself back. What is it?

Dear Heavenly Father, Forgive me for my unjust anger against You. No matter what the circumstances, I was born a sinner. I thank you for Your law because it led me to Your love. In Jesus Most Precious Name Amen

Journal

How have you paid because of someone else’s actions?

Was it fair?

How does that seem in the light of the perfect spotless Lamb dying for us?

The Fire of Desire

Now, our God, hear the prayers and petitions of your servant.  For your sake, O Lord, look with favor on your desolate sanctuary.  Daniel 9:17

Sometimes I feel spiritually dry.  Not a famine, groggy.  I’ve learned a few things over the years to help me wake up.

I started running last year.  It was one of those things I never thought I’d be able to do, so I wanted to do it.  My husband, Todd, gave me an early 35^th birthday present teaching me how to run.  It may sound silly, but if you’ve never been athletic, you understand.  As with any regimen, getting started is difficult.  After a few months, some of my runs actually became fun.  So to my dismay, I found that some days were still difficult.  It was a terrible let down after it being such a good experience.  I found that it was important to get myself going, I needed music.  Loud, pulsating, rhythmic music.

What does this have to do with being spiritually dry?  Everything.  Desire needs kindling.  I start by praying, which is asking God for fire.  Since I’m a daughter of the King, I am sure that my Heavenly Father will hear me.  His Spirit is giving me the words to lift up, so of course He will recognize them.  Then I prepare the altar of my heart.  For me, certain music reminds me of different places I’ve been with God.  My personal stones of remembrance.  Snapshots of the places we’ve been together.  The ticket stubs of my soul.  The music prepares my heart to open my Bible as I remember the time God healed my heart from bitterness.  My soul sings along as I hear the melodies from the Desiring God conference I attended last fall.  This never fails me.  Never.  It always works.

Dear Heavenly FatherI’ve become dry and complacent.  Breathe life into me and quicken my fatigued heart.  In Jesus Name Amen

 

Journal:

How do you deal with different kinds of fatigue?

What does God need to awaken within your heart.

Listen to The One You Will Find by Shane and Shane.

Where Do I Find Love?

I have seen his ways, but I will heal him; I will guide him and restore comfort to him. Isaiah 57:18

Where do you find love? Is it satisfying? These questions are at the heart of the matter at this time of soul searching.

One of the saddest things I ever hear is of one spouse leaving another because they just don’t feel the love anymore. So many people from my generation, including many of my acquaintances from Christian college, are going through this in their 20’s and 30’s. The abandoned spouse is usually left in shock, rejected from the inside out. Someone who knows them better than anyone else just walks out the door. I was talking to my mom about this phenomenon and she said, “We don’t divorce our kids.” No, we don’t. No matter how hard things get… No matter how many times they may scream, “I don’t love you,” we don’t walk out the door.

We often make the mistake of thinking that God is like other people. That’s a huge mistake. We, as humans, have been corrupted by our sin nature. The picture, that was so clear in the Garden of Eden, is a little bit murky. Even creation itself knows this. Romans 8 says that creation is waiting for our redemption. But in the meantime, we have an uncorrupted God to look to for perfect love. He knows us even better than our own parents know us. Even in our sin, He waits for us. He is Love therefore He defines what love truly is. And His love doesn’t abandon us. It has our best interests at heart. Jesus doesn’t just see our potential, He sees us now.

Prayer
Heavenly Father,
Thank you for being Love. Perfect, incorruptible love. Forgive me for comparing You to people. I see You now knowing that You see everything about me.
In Jesus Name
Amen

Journal
Listen to Psalm 100 by Chris Tomlin
How have you compared God to other people?
Why is this wrong?

In Defense of Lovely

Do you feel guilty for liking pretty things? Do you worry about people thinking less of you because you love decorating your house, wearing makeup, or drinking fancy tea? I want to look at the idea of lovely in light of the Bible.

So, let’s begin with the obvious. We live a culture obsessed with beauty and perfection. In spite of all our country’s financial woes, we still live in a land of privilege and entitlement. But I come from a different subculture and maybe you do, too. The church culture can swing the pendulum too far in the other direction. For instance, you can be pretty, but not too pretty. Your house can be decorated, but not too flamboyantly. You can look in the mirror, but not for too long. Sort of like the Abnegation sect from the Divergent book series, eh? Continue reading “In Defense of Lovely” →

Relatable Is Reachable

When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and honored the word of the Lord; and all who were appointed for eternal life believed. Acts 13:48

Do you go through life worrying about if what you what you are going to say or do is “going to hurt your testimony.” Are you afraid of being yourself because you just don’t think you are good enough? I want to take a minute to break down these destructive lies that are keeping us from reaching the world.

I grew up in an extremely legalistic organization. Because it was located in a small town, it was a culture unto itself. I lost count of how many times I heard, “Oh, we have to be careful or we will ruin our testimony.” I knew so many who grew up terrified that something they would say or do would turn off other people to Jesus. The sad irony is that it was this very culture that made many people in the community roll their eyes. Their judgmental spirit made Christ unattractive.

I remember attending a surprise wedding shower. Continue reading “Relatable is Reachable” →

Trading In

Though he slay me, I will hope in him…” Job 13:15

Have you had a dream for most of your life only to have it ripped out from under you? Have you found that in order to follow Christ you had had to let go of something?

I work in ministry. I co-host two radio programs, write a devotional, speak, and also sing professionally. But the most important roles I play are that of wife and mother. My husband, Todd, and I have have been married almost twelve years. We have two boys, Gabe and Andy, who are nine and almost seven, respectively. Life is very busy in the Lauze household, to say the least. So if I am to fulfill the roles that God has called me to, I must be focused. Distractions constantly flit before my eyes while I constantly brush them away. Recently I’ve discovered that some of my distractions have been flying under the radar. And to deal with them meant giving up some old preconceived notions of what my life should look like. Continue reading “Trading In” →

Do I Want Healing?

To Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever.  Amen.  Ephesians 3:20-21

The stress of getting well can be as stressful as getting sick.  So, let me ask this: do we want to get well?

Jesus asked people before healing if they wanted to get well.  He offered to helped the suffering but never forced himself on them. Everyone had the choice to say “yes” or to say “no.”  But why would anyone say no?  Maybe the sick were used to begging for money instead of working another job.  Maybe they were scared of the changes that would happen because they had always been sick.  Maybe they were held back by caregivers whose identity was wrapped around the idea that they helped other people.

I think about how hard the month of April is in upstate NY.  March’s snow is pristine and beautiful.  But everything is frozen so nothing can grow.  But in April the snow turns brown and begins to melt.  Those weeks are miserable as children wait to see green shoots coming up from the earth.  If you thought your car looked bad the month before from the salt, wait until April. Continue reading “Do I Want Healing?” →