the ten: an introduction

In the days to come, I feel led to write a blog series on The Ten Commandments. However, before actually starting, I felt that it was important to ask each DW to stop and consider what the Lord actually said to Israel in advance of handing out these necessary "life rules". I've been praying about this for several weeks because I think that too often many of us fall into the trap of looking at God as a prude judge. We envision Him as this harsh and rigid old man sitting on His throne up in the sky... an angry being who's only desire is to impose legalistic rules upon mankind and make us miserable. As such, we begin to question His love as we find ourselves focusing on all the restrictions and parameters He has set before us.

I think we easily take out of context the whole story, the complete picture of what "went down" when God presented these commands to His chosen people. As a result, we fall into the same trap we have always fallen into by believing Satan's lie that we are somehow being negated of our freedom if we follow God's laws. But the truth is that God wants to give us freedom. His desire is for us to live refreshed and renewed in His loving grace. Because of this, every single command that God presents to His people offers much love and consideration as to how we can live free from sin and avoid the corruption that it brings into our lives. So in advance of reviewing His ten commandments, I wanted to insure that you knew about the prior conversation that existed between God and Moses before the commandments were administered.

"What?" you say. "A conversation? Wait, there's more to the story than just these rules listed on some stone tablets?" The answer is YES! Before handing over "the ten", God wanted to make sure Moses told His people something very important... something dripping with the proof of His unquestioning passion for us! God wanted to make sure that we knew His reason for giving us these commands was based in His boundless, unending love. Read with me what He told Moses:

Then Moses went up to God, and the LORD called to him from the mountain and said, "This is what you are to say to the house of Jacob and what you are to tell the people of Israel: 'You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles' wings and brought you to myself. Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.' These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites." (Exodus 19:3-6)

When I first read this passage, I must admit, I was confused. I mean, what the heck did God mean when He said, "I carried you on eagles wings and brought you to myself." I couldn't understand the context of it. When did God carry Israel on eagles wings? What exactly did that mean?

As I studied more, I began to see that the children of Israel who directly heard these words, would have definitely known and understood what the Lord meant. For many BIG events had occurred where God had continually proven His love and provided for them. Let's see, He did redeem them from four hundred years of slavery in Egypt. He did save them from the clutches of Pharaoh and his army. He did create a stream in the desert so that they may always have fresh water to drink. He did cover the wilderness ground every morning with manna so they would be nourished with food to eat during their journey to the promised land. Oh, and yes, He did promise them a new land filled with milk and honey... a land where they would be restored as His people and become a great nation. Hmmm. But what did it mean that He carried them on eagles wings?

Did you know that a mother eagle will assemble a nest for her younglings that measures at least eight feet high and eight feet wide? She constructs her nest at a high altitude and furnishes it with animal fur, leaves, and the down from her own chest to insure that her chicks will be warm and protected. For the first part of their lives, these innocent babies know only the luxury and care of their mother and feel safe and secure within their enclosed haven. Their mother feeds them, cares for them, watches over them, protects them. Then, on an unannounced day, the mother eagle will pick up her baby and fly it up up up... and drop them! WHAT?!! As the poor baby plummets to the earth, the mother watches as he struggles in fear, trying to figure out how to use his wings before smashing into the quickly approaching ground. Just before the baby eagle hits the ground, his mother swoops in and flies underneath him, picking him up. She repeats this process over and over as her baby becomes more acquainted with the art of fluttering his wings. It is a scary, but necessary, learning process for the chick. Each and every time it seems that the little bird has no hope of surviving the fall, Momma swoops in and carries him on her wings. This is how an eagle learns to fly. It isn't an immediately learned process... but it is an important and necessary process for the bird to learn how to survive and flourish.

Equally, God wants to teach us how to survive and flourish... to LIVE! But, before showing us how, He wanted Moses to remind Israel HOW MUCH He had already loved them and watched over them. This assurance was necessary before dropping them into an open sky. God wanted them to understand that His intentions were for their own good and would promise them a happy, healthy and holy life as they prepared to enter into the promised land. We too are preparing for a promised eternity in the presence of our King. We too are new creatures who must learn how to LIVE as a redeemed people.

If we really thought about it, we'd have to admit that everything we have in this life is a blessing that comes from the hand of our generous Maker. Only by our own choice to sin against Him did we find ourselves falling downward into certain death and destruction. We were in a hopeless state and needed to be rescued. Rather than let us perish, Christ swooped in and provided a way to save us. Some will struggle against Him and continue to fall to their death. But for those of us who accept Him, He has given us everything we need to survive and flourish in Jesus name. We must never forget this. No matter how afraid or abandoned we may feel, just like that baby eagle... we can rest assured that our Redeemer will always come to our rescue. He will always be right there with us. Sure, His response time to help us might not fit our desired way... many times we would like Him to show up sooner rather than later or at the last second. But usually, those critical moments are the times when He is teaching and showing us the most valuable lessons. Those are the times when He is stretching us to become more like Him.

God gave us the ten commandments because for us to live freely we must also learn "how" to live holy. We must allow our Redeemer to teach us in every step of life, every trial, every test. He offered this loving outline to the Israelites before they crossed the Jordan - before they faced many enemies and trials while moving into the promised land. By the blood of Christ, He offers the same gift to us as we face the enemy and become new creatures in the mighty name of Jesus who saves us. He does this so our faith in Him will become stronger and we will be able to grasp our destinies as daughters of the living God!

"When I found Israel, it was like finding grapes in the desert; when I saw your fathers, it was like seeing the early fruit on the fig tree." (Hosea 9:10)

How good would a grape taste in the desert? It would be refreshing!!! How pleasing is it to see the early fruit of a fig tree? It is encouraging and exciting!!! God knows that if we stay within these guidelines, we are free to enjoy the BEST that life has to offer and be showered with His blessings. Without these guidelines, we would live with heavy burdens - lost in corruption and drowning in our own destruction and sin. Hmm. Does that sound like a God who wants to torment us? Absolutely not! That sounds like a God who wants to spare us from wasting our lives by the ravages of sin! That sounds like a Savior who wants to keep us on track during these perilous, terrible, dangerous, grievous, difficult times... the last days of this earth before our King returns. These commands give us what is right in a world full of wrong. They are important. They remove confusion. They are truth.

Ladies, I don't know about you, but I have no idea what this world will throw at me from one day to the next... but God does.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." (Jeremiah 29:11)

Do you think that this world has plans for you to prosper and keep you from harm? I don't. I find that the world generally beats me up! Satan loves to tear me down and does all he can to distract me away from following God. This is why it is so critical to know that God understands life... He gave it to us. Satan only takes life away. But God knows how our existence is supposed to work. The only thing He wants is for us to live as healthy as possible.

I would not begin to assume that I know better than God. His ways are not my ways. I don't need to believe in "me" or my abilities... that would be foolish because I clearly am a mess without my Shepherd! Instead, I need to believe in Jesus and His certainties! This is why our loving Father gave us "the ten". He has plans for us that are greater than we could ever imagine. In Jesus, we have a wonderful, hopeful future!

In order to experience LIFE, we must walk in His ways... follow His healthy commands. Of course, He gives each of us the choice to obey or disobey Him. In His unending love, He allows me to personally fumble and fail in my own stubbornness when I choose to look away from His law. But when I see how messed up life gets without Him... when I repent and return to His open arms... He is always there, ready to swoop down and carry me up to soaring heights! Praise His name! How gracious and exciting is my Master and the plans He holds for me!!!

In Jesus name, Lord, help me to overcome my selfishness, fear and uncertainty and trust that You are who You've promised... my Redeemer!!! Let me enjoy Your view and learn how to fly in Your perfect holiness!

Tomorrow, I will write about how we should prepare our hearts to receive these life-giving commands as we seek to follow God's intended will for our lives. I hope that you will join me on this journey.

I love you ladies and I know for certain that Jesus loves you too!

Blessings!

Names of God: Jehovah-Shalom

Hi ladies. As we grow together and follow Jesus Christ, seeking to know God more intimately in our day-to-day lives, lets continue learning the many names of God in our Sunday blog posts. Each of God's many names describe a different aspect of His character and teaches us more about who He is. Today, let's worship Jehovah-Shalom together:

Jehovah-Shalom (pronounced: je-ho'-vah shal-lom')

JEHOVAH-Shalom: "The Lord Our Peace" (Judges 6:24) – The name given by Gideon to the altar he built after the Angel of the Lord assured him he would not die as he thought he would after seeing Him.

The Name Jehovah-shalom is found in Judges 6:24: "Then Gideon built an altar unto Jehovah and called it Jehovah-shalom," which means Jehovah is peace.

The Occasion of Its Revelation
It was more than 200 years since Jehovah had revealed Himself to His people as Jehovah-M'Kaddesh, Jehovah who sanctifies. Joshua had long since died. The land had been conquered and divided among the tribes, but nothing approaching national unity had been achieved in all this time. There was no central government or worship. It was a period in which "every man did that which was right in his own eyes."

For after Joshua died Israel began to forget Jehovah their God, and to turn to the gods of the peoples round about. A new generation arose which forgot Him who, as Jehovah-jireh, had provided redemption from bondage in Egypt through the blood of the Paschal Lamb, and with great and mighty wonders had led them out. They were no longer mindful of Him who, as Jehovah-rophe, had healed their sicknesses and sorrows, and would have prevented such misfortunes from coming upon them. They suffered defeats because they turned their backs upon. Him who, as Jehovah-nissi, had been their banner of victory in trial and struggle. They would not sanctify themselves to Him who, as Jehovah-M'Kaddesh, had sanctified them to His cause, but they corrupted themselves with idolatries and their abominations. Thus they lost their purity, peace, prosperity, and liberty.

Israel could not appear to realize its destiny as a special and separate people, set apart to Jehovah's service and purpose in the midst of the nations. They seemed unable to rise above a material conception and plane of living. To live, to multiply, to inherit the land—this seemed to them a sufficient fulfillment of their function, an error common to this very day. It is not difficult to understand, then, the attraction of the grossly materialistic gods of the heathen for them.

Without a sense of mission there was no common purpose of uniting as one people. Without spiritual vision they fell an easy prey to the appetites and lusts of the flesh. Every apostasy brought punishment and misery—a chastening of Jehovah to awaken them to their spiritual calling. Repentance brought deliverance through the leadership of judges raised up of God. Every succeeding apostasy called for even severer chastening by means of the surrounding nations—chastenings which not only deprived them of the fruits of their land and labors, but brought them into slavery. Without obedience to Jehovah they had no right to the land. His people must be more than mere tillers of the soil and dressers of vineyards (in any age); otherwise they should not enjoy the land. They tilled and planted, but they did not reap. As Jehovah had sown spiritual seed in their hearts, and they had allowed their idolatrous neighbors to trample and tear it out by the imitation of their corrupt idolatries, so now these same heathen embittered and endangered Israel's physical existence. The enemy they should have completely subdued, subdued them, sweeping over the land, reaping what Israel had sown, and driving them into the caves and rocks. Israel was compelled to make underground caves with air holes, like the catacombs, to which they could flee at the enemy's approach, with watchmen constantly posted to warn them of it.

It was a period of alternating prosperity and adversity, of sinning and repenting, of slavery and deliverance. They would grievously sin and be brought very low. In their extremity they would remember Jehovah their God and cry out to Him for deliverance. Jehovah would hear them and raise up a deliverer for them. Then after serving Jehovah, Israel would fall away again, and the whole process would be repeated.

Gideon was a young man in a time of severe oppression by the Midianites . Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord, and He delivered them into the hand of the Midianites seven years. They were compelled to live in dens in the mountains. Midian and her allies, including the Amalekites, would come with great hordes of men and of cattle and eat up the land, destroying what they could not devour and leaving neither sustenance, nor implements, nor animals. Gideon was threshing a little wheat, saved somehow from the all-devouring hordes of the enemy, and in the secrecy of the wine-press, for fear of them, when the angel of Jehovah appeared to him with a promise of deliverance in response to Israel's cry. Gideon, after some doubt, hesitation, and reassurance, accepted the promise and the challenge. In faith he reared an altar which he called Jehovah-shalom, in confident anticipation of victory and peace.

Meaning and Use of the Word "Shalom"
This word is one of the most significant in the Old Testament, its various shades of meaning harmonizing with the doctrine of the atonement as the basis of peace with God.

It is translated sometimes as "whole," as in Deuteronomy 27:6: "Thou shalt build the altar of Jehovah thy God of whole stones." As "finished" the same word is used in Daniel 5:26: "God hath numbered thy kingdom, and finished it." So Solomon "finished" the temple (1 Kings 9:25). As "full" it is used in Genesis 15:16: "The iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full." It is used in the sense of making good a loss and is translated as "make good" in Exodus 21:34; 22:5,6, and in other similar passages in the laws of Israel relating to losses inflicted by carelessness. Thus also it is translated as restitution or repay. In the physical and material sense of wholeness or completeness it is translated as "welfare" and "well." In Genesis 43:27 Joseph inquires concerning the welfare of his brothers, and using the same word again in the same verse asks if their father is well. So Joab in 2 Samuel 20:9, before dealing the treacherous and fatal blow, asks Amasa, "Art thou in health, my brother?" It is quite frequently used as "render" and "pay" or "perform" in the sense of fulfilling or completing obligations. This is particularly true of vows rendered to the Lord. "Pay thy vows unto the most High," says the psalmist (50:14). "When thou shalt vow a vow unto Jehovah thy God, thou shalt not be slack to pay it: for Jehovah thy God will surely require it of thee; and it would be sin in thee" (Deuteronomy 23:21). On the contrary, "the wicked borroweth and payeth not again" (Psalms 37:21). It is translated "requite" and "recompense" in a few instances. As the One who deals justly and makes right, Jehovah says in Deuteronomy 32:35, "To me belongeth vengeance, and recompense [shillem]." About twenty times it is translated "perfect." "Give unto Solomon my son a perfect heart," David asks of Jehovah (1 Chronicles 29:19). And Solomon echoes this in his own exhortation to the people when the house of the Lord was perfected (shalem): "Let your heart therefore be perfect [shalem] with Jehovah our God" (1 Kings 8:61); that is, let it be in wholeness or in harmony with God. And this is the basic idea underlying all the various translations of this one Hebrew word—a harmony of relationship or a reconciliation based upon the completion of a transaction, the payment of a debt, the giving of satisfaction. Therefore this word is most often and most appropriately translated "peace " some 170 times. It expressed the deepest desire and need of the human heart. It represented the greatest measure of contentment and satisfaction in life. Of King Solomon it was said that in his reign Judah and Israel dwelt safely (that is, in confidence and peace), every man under his vine and under his fig tree (1 Kings 4:25). It was to be characteristic of the reign of Messiah, the righteous Branch of David, of whom Solomon was typical, that Judah and Israel should dwell safely—in peace (Jeremiah 23:6). One of the great names of Messiah was to be "Prince of Peace" (Isaiah 9:6), and Jerusalem, Messiah's city, means city of peace or possession of peace. Peace was the most common form of greeting as it is to this day in Bible and even other lands.

Finally, it is also, obviously, the word used in "peace offering." The peace offering was one of the blood sacrifices of which the shed blood was the atonement on which reconciliation and peace were based (Leviticus 3; 7:11-21). In the peace offering this restoration of fellowship between God and man, broken by sin, but now atoned for by the shed blood, was indicated by the fact that both God and man, priest and people, partook of the offering.

The various shades of meaning contained in this word all indicate that every blessing, temporal and spiritual, is included in restoring man to that peace with God which was lost by the fall.

Jehovah, the Source of Peace
Jehovah in His own person is perfect peace. This He must be if He is to be the source of peace to mankind. He is grieved at the sin and corruption of the world, which at creation He had pronounced so good. He is stirred to wrath at the evil of the wicked. He is not indifferent to the sorrows and needs of the race as well as of His people. "I have surely seen the affliction of my people... I know their sorrow" (Exodus 3:7); and Isaiah tells us, "In all their affliction he was afflicted" (63:9). In the Book of Judges, when, after Gideon's time, Israel had again fallen into sin, we read in 10:16 that "his soul was grieved for the misery of Israel." Yet none of these things disturb His peace in the sense that they can destroy or unsteady the perfect balance of His divine nature. He could never give to others a peace that passes understanding if He were not perfect, unfailing peace Himself. This is our hope and assurance.

But He is the source of peace in His attitude toward us. "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith Jehovah, thoughts of peace, and not of evil" (Jeremiah 29:11). And through Isaiah He speaks to His people: "O that thou hadst hearkened to my commandments! Then had thy peace been like a river, and thy righteousness as the waves of the sea" (48:18). Nothing is more clearly indicated in the Scriptures than that His desires toward all mankind and especially toward His people are desires of good. He has no pleasure in the death of the wicked but only that he turn from his evil way and live (Ezekiel 33:11). To this end the Scriptures are full of the promise and purpose of peace. "If ye walk in my statutes ... and do them... I will give peace in the land, and ye shall lie down, and none shall make you afraid: and I will rid evil beasts out of the land, neither shall the sword go through your land" (Leviticus 26:3,6). "The Lord will bless his people with peace," says David (Psalms 29:11). "Lord, thou wilt ordain peace for us," says Isaiah (26:12). Speaking of a future glory of Jerusalem Isaiah continues: "For thus saith Jehovah, Behold, I will extend peace to her like a river" (66:12). And it forms the apex of the great high priestly benediction of the triune Jehovah, with which Aaron and his sons were commanded to bless the children of Israel: "Jehovah lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace" (Numbers 6:24-26).

The Presence of Jehovah is Peace
It was Jehovah Himself who appeared to Gideon , in contrast to the prophet who had first been sent to the people. For the angel of Jehovah of Judges 6:22 is addressed by Gideon in the same verse as "O Jehovah Elohim," and in the next verse He is spoken of as the Jehovah who spoke peace to Gideon. This was the most striking manifestation of Jehovah yet made in all this chaotic, restless, struggling period of Israel's history. Of Othniel it was stated that the spirit of Jehovah came upon him (3:10). The Lord raised up Ehud , another judge (3:15). Barak is called through the prophetess and judge Deborah (4:6). But Gideon appears to begin a second period in the history of the Judges. A new and more striking manifestation of Jehovah appears necessary if the people are to be arrested in the evil course which seemed to be hastening toward a final crisis. Thus Jehovah appears Himself to Gideon, and the remaining and larger portion of the book, though covering little more than a century, exhibits God's dealings with His people in much fuller detail than the first few chapters which cover about two centuries.

As in the Book of Leviticus Jehovah was most appropriately revealed as Jehovah-M'Kaddesh, Jehovah who sanctifies, so the revelation Jehovah-shalom, Jehovah is peace, appears most appropriately and opportunely in the Book of Judges. After the conquest of Canaan, Israel should have entered into its rest, typical of that rest spoken of in Hebrews 4. It was of this rest in Canaan that Moses spoke in the wilderness when he said: "Ye are not as yet come to the rest and to the inheritance, which Jehovah your God giveth you" (Deuteronomy 12:9). And the following verse speaks of that rest as "over Jordan." But because of disobedience Israel failed to gain even that typical rest. Nothing is more characteristic of the Book of Judges than its chaotic restlessness. Over and over again after deliverance from bondage and misery, we read that the land had rest for awhile. Insecurity and fear had never been greater than in Gideon's day.

Thus it is that the angel of Jehovah comes to Gideon saying, "Jehovah is with thee" (Judges 6:12). Israel knew no peace because it no longer knew God's presence. This is the answer to Gideon's question: "O my Lord, If Jehovah be with us, why then is all this befallen us?" Jehovah was not with Israel. He is with those who are with Him. The word of the prophet to a king of Judah was: "Jehovah is with you, while ye be with him; and if ye seek him, he will be found of you; but if ye forsake him, he will forsake you" (2 Chronicles 15:2). There is never peace to the wicked. "The wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up dirt and mire. There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked" (Isaiah 57:20,21). The root idea of the word translated "wicked" is restlessness. They do not know the way of peace, continues the prophet, and whoever walks in their way doesn't know peace (59:7,8)

When Gideon realized the character of the visitor, he was afraid (Judges 6:22). Perhaps his doubt and hesitancy to believe the promise of deliverance made him fear. But evidently it was the consciousness of human sinfulness in the presence of the Divine. Man knows that all is not well, or whole, or peace between God and himself. Man needs to be reconciled to God, but reconciliation can be effected only by paying the price of sin. But the price of sin is death. How then can God save the sinner in that case? In the Old Testament, as we know, it was by the temporary, typical expedient of an animal substitute whose shed blood paid the price, restored harmony, and brought peace.

At the angel's command Gideon had laid such an offering on an altar of rock nearby. As a token of acceptance the angel had caused fire to come up out of the rock to consume the offering. On the basis of this the angel now says to Gideon: "Peace be unto thee; fear not: thou shalt not die" (Judges 6:23). Then Gideon built the altar which he called Jehovah-shalom. The experience in the presence of the angel of Jehovah had no doubt taught him also that Jehovah who sanctifies His people and demands a sanctification and purity of life on their part will enable them to fulfill His demands upon them if they will yield themselves to Him. Man, conscious of his sinfulness, naturally shrinks from God's holiness and realizes the impossibility of being in himself what a holy God requires, but God reassures us and speaks peace to our hearts by saying: "I am Jehovah who doth sanctify you and enables you to live in my presence and fellowship." This is assured in the title Jehovah-shalom. There is perfect peace to those who know Jehovah as Jehovah-M'Kaddesh, Jehovah who sanctifies, and are sanctified, separated, holy to Him. How beautifully the prophet Isaiah expresses this! "Open ye the gates, that the righteous nation which keepeth the truth may enter in. Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee..." (Isaiah 26:2-4).

Gideon now believed that even though his family was small, with Jehovah one could chase a thousand, and two put ten thousand to flight. The altar he erected was not for sacrifice, but a memorial and witness testifying to the fact that Jehovah desires certainly not the destruction but the peace of those He has already saved and set apart for His service; that in this service of His He bestows every requirement and meets every need—of sanctification, steadfastness, wisdom, courage, boldness, and victory.

Jehovah-Jesus, the Fullness and Perfection of Our Peace
Gideon's name for Jehovah finds its fullest expression and realization in the New Testament. It is frequently applied to God, who is called "the God of peace" (Romans 15:33; 2 Corinthians 13:11; Hebrews 13:20, etc.). It is also applied indirectly to the Lord Jesus Christ.

He also in His own person is perfect peace. He speaks of "my peace" as when in John 14:27 He says to His disciples: "My peace I give unto you," and, "These things have I spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace" (John 16:33). As with Jehovah in the Old Testament, He also was touched with the feeling of our infirmities. He Himself suffered being tempted. As was predicted of Him, He bore our griefs and carried our sorrows (Isaiah 53:4). Nevertheless He carried within Himself that perfect repose of spirit which belongs to God alone, and which alone could say to others: "Come unto me, all ye that labor, and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest... rest unto your souls" (Matthew 11:28,29). It was an evidence of His deity.

He is the Prince of Peace promised in the Old Testament (Isaiah 9:6). Before His birth Zacharias announced Him as the day-spring from on high who had visited His people "to guide our feet into the way of peace" (Luke 1:78,79), while at His birth a multitude of the heavenly host sang "peace on earth" (Luke 2:14), He also preached and promised peace. How often He said to those He healed and comforted, "Go in peace!" How He wept over Jerusalem which would reject Him, saying: "If thou hadst known ... the things which belong to thy peace" (Luke 19:42). His first words to His disciples after rising from the dead are, "Peace be unto you." The burden of Peter's first message to the Gentiles was the preaching of "peace by Jesus Christ" (Acts 10:36), who, says Paul, "came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh" (Ephesians 2:17).

He accomplished that peace for us. "Being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ" (Romans 5:1). It is through His death that we were reconciled to God (Romans 5:10), for "God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself" (2 Corinthians 5:19); "having made peace," continues Paul, "through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven" (Colossians 1:20). By His own precious blood He broke down the barrier of sin that stood between us and God and opened for us that new and living way into the holiest of all. And we who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ may enter there with boldness in the full assurance of a perfect reconciliation and peace.

But the measure of our sanctification to Him and our continued trust in Him is the measure of our peace in Him. "The peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus," says the apostle (Philippians 4:7), but he suggests in verse 6 that it depends on the measure of our trust, and in verse 9 on the measure of our obedience. In Colossians 3:15 he tells us we are to let the peace of God rule in our hearts. For to be spiritually minded is peace (Romans 8:6), and many believers are more or less carnally minded, which is to lack that peace. Peace is one of the fruits of that spirit which is the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of sanctification. And Paul prays that the God of peace Himself sanctify us wholly that (in His peace) our spirit, soul, and body be preserved entire, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Thessalonians 5:23, A.S.V.).

Through Him we have peace with God. He is to us the peace of God. There is no hope of peace apart from Him either for individuals or nations. First righteousness , then peace. To this both Old and New Testaments bear witness. "The work of righteousness shall be peace;" says Isaiah, "and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance forever" (32:17). But the only righteousness acceptable to God is the righteousness of the Lord Jesus Christ and those upon whom He bestows it through their faith in Him. Those who are not thus righteous do not know the way of peace (Romans 3:11,17). That mysterious type of Christ, Melchizedek , is first king of righteousness, and after that king of Salem or peace (Hebrews 7:2). It is glory to God in the highest, and then and then only, peace on earth, good will among men (Luke 2:14). Peace is everywhere spoken of in the New Testament as from God the Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ. It may be had only by reconciliation with God through the blood of Christ who is the Jehovah-shalom of the New Testament.

Thank you, Jehovah-Shalom, for revealing yourself to us. We praise your Name forever and ever!!!

Blessings!

(Please Note: The majority of today's notes were taken directly from Names of God, Copyright 1944 by The Moody Bible Institute of Chicago by Nathan Stone and were given originally as a course in the Radio School of the Bible over WMBI, Chicago. The writer acknowledges a measure of indebtedness to such works as those of Webb-Peploe, Andrew Jukes, R. B. Girdlestone, and Parkhurst's Hebrew Lexicon. The Scripture quotations are from the King James Version and the American Standard Version (A.S.V.), while some are free translations from the Hebrew. In addition, The Devoted Woman has included data from other resources where we felt more explanation was necessary. For further study on this topic, we highly recommend the book, The Names of God by Ken Hemphill.)

a measure of immeasurable love

Are you feeling defeated... burnt out... powerless... beaten... exhausted... lonely... overwhelmed... trapped? Is your tank running on empty? Do you seek restoration?

At some point in life, we all hit bottom. We all feel stuck. Satan does his best to back us into a corner and hopes that we will cower in defeat and unbelief. When those times come, please pray Paul's prayer to the Ephesians and apply it to your own circumstance...

"For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge - that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen." (Ephesians 3:14-21)

Ladies, God does not intend for His people to be held captive or worn down by anything that is hindering the abundant and effective spirit-filled life He has planned for us. We are not to live like some form of preserved corpse... we are alive in Him and in the process of being transformed in Jesus Name! Sure, trials and sin can wear us down, but we must always remember that we are new creatures in Christ Jesus!

When you feel like you've hit empty, it is time get on your knees and pray for restoration. Pray for healing. Pray for peace. Pray for purpose. Rather than cave to sin and defeat, Paul shows us that we must boldly go before the throne of our Savior in prayer and ask to be rooted and protected in God's perfect, restorative and unsurpassed love. We must believe that He will heal us to the very core of our inner being, and allow the Holy Spirit to strengthen us with a measure of His immeasurable love... a love that surpasses anything we could ever imagine!

When we find ourselves drained by the sin of this world, let's remember to press forward in prayer and ask for His fullness to restore. Putting "self" aside, let's trust God to renew our faith. Let's keep our eyes focused on the eternal rewards and glorious riches that He offers to us freely. And most importantly, let's never forget that our citizenship is in heaven!

The unfathomable love of God is always the renewing antidote for burnout. It may take time, but God will hear and answer those who trust and eagerly seek Him. Stay the course, ladies. He is faithful and will restore your spirit! We live because HE LIVES!

Praise God that His power remains at work within us, even when our own power has run out! How great is the love of our Savior!!!

Blessings!

how long will your lemon drop last?

When I was young, my family seemed to always be traveling somewhere in the car. My father had many health issues, so we were always trekking from point A to point B to get him to doctor appointments and the health care professionals he needed to see. I'm sure all the parents in DW's audience can attest that being in a car with young children for hours on end, day after day, can sometimes test a parent's patience. Because of this, Momba and Daddy were quite ingenious to make up little games and/or challenges for our whole family to participate in and enjoy. One of their games was "How long will your lemon drop last?"

For those of you who don't know, a lemon drop is a sugary, lemon-flavored candy that is typically made to look like a miniature lemon. They are made to be enjoyed as a hard candy and are flavored to either hold a sweet or sour/tart flavor. The kind we would enjoy would be a mixture of sweet/sour inside with an outside coating of sugar. The object of our game would be to suck on a lemon drop for as long as possible while both outlasting all other family members in the sucking process as well as beating the last lemon drop champion's time. (Yes, we'd actually time this activity.)

My brother and I had learned early on that the secret to making our lemon drops last longer was to burrow the treat into our cheeks, keeping it from touching the tongue or the rest of the mouth. That way, saliva would be prevented in hitting the lemon drop, and the hard piece of candy would not "melt" as quickly. Mind you, it wasn't easy... because those lemon drops were TART! Almost too tart to take... whew! Sometimes, we would have to stop and spit them back into their original wrapper - taking a break from the POW... BAM... ZOOM... WHAMO... that the candy promised to deliver.

The game became more of an opportunity for each of us to cheer one another on... pushing each other to stay the course and win the challenge! It was our family against those powerful lemon drops - and we were going to win!!! We'd sing and encourage one another, "You can do it! Keep that lemon drop in your mouth! Keep going! Don't give up!" It was a great way to pass the time in the car while also working as both a team and individual contestant to savor every second of the sweet/sour lemony flavor. Together, if we kept motivating one another, we would all finally see "lemon drop victory" and celebrate with, yes, another lemon drop. Ha ha.

This memory came to mind during my devotions earlier this week. I was being led by the Holy Spirit to think about the importance of encouraging others to surge ahead and claim the victory that Jesus has promised each of us when we follow His call. (If you haven't read Wednesday's blog entitled "Surge".... it is also about this topic and very motivating! I'm still in awe of David's courage!) You see, we as Christians are called to uplift each other as we live out our own distinct lives. No matter how diverse our backgrounds or situations, we are to remain unified as the body of Christ, encouraging one another to stay the course and run this race until we see the finish line. We are to push each other to advance ahead and pray for one another to avoid sin while seeking what is righteous and holy. We are to love actively... as a family working together... and we are to do this, as God's Church, every single day!

Read some scripture with me...

See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness. (Hebrews 3:12-14)

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another — and all the more as you see the Day approaching. (Hebrews 10:23-25)

Now we ask you, brothers, to respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you. Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone. Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else. Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. Do not put out the Spirit's fire; do not treat prophecies with contempt. Test everything. Hold on to the good. Avoid every kind of evil. May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Thessalonians 5:12-24)

Ladies, let's not forget that we are to daily love and relate to one another as we grow in spiritual victory with Jesus. Every Christian is part of God's holy church... a community... a family. Let's remember that we are not alone in His kingdom. Because of this, we should be glorifying His name together... praying together... grieving and hurting together... encouraging together... loving together! In all seasons of this life, we are to work together to promote His goodness! Sure, we may be located apart in the physical sense, but we are not apart spiritually. We are powerful when we are unified as we pray and are led by the Holy Spirit!

We all have a "lemon drop" in this life to suck on. We all must endure the sweet and the sour that comes with every new day. But with the help of our Savior, we are able to live joyfully together as we push one another toward the finish line and claim VICTORY. Let's reach our goal, ladies! Let's run this race! Let's encourage one another to stay the course! Our reward is Jesus!!!

This is the day that the Lord has made. Let's rejoice...together! Let's be glad... together! Let's find victory in the name of Jesus Christ... together! We are His people... we are His family!

May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word. (2 Thessalonians 2:16-17)

Blessings!

who really wins the argument?

A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver. ~Proverbs 25:11

When my husband, Chuck, and I were married, I never thought that we would ever have any problems, quarrels or disagreements. I imagined a perfect life together. We could not possibly be one of those couples who fought over petty differences -we had too much fun being together. Then, reality set in and we had our first disagreement. My first instinct was to defend myself and start complaining and disputing about all the things I felt he could improve upon. I established my argument and was ready to attack full on. In my mind, it was war, and I strategically began to formulate my plan of how I would end up the victor.

Oh, how we love to argue. How we love to be the winner. How we want to always be the one who is ALWAYS right. Unfortunately, I was not right. Even worse - I didn't have the right attitude about how to trust and relate to the man I betrothed my whole life to.

Wisely, my husband did know better. He calmly and rationally sat me down and gave me the statement of the century. It was so profound and wonderful that I think all loving husbands should make it a priority - a code to live by - and a common theme to communicate to their wives....

He said, "Vicki, I'm not disagreeing with you because I'm mad or want to hurt you.... I love you. I'm disagreeing with you because I want what is best for you. I am not your enemy. You are the most important person on earth to me. So please get it out of your mind that I am against you and listen to what I am saying because my intentions are based in love."

Wow. How do you fight that? How do you win a battle against an "enemy" that is really your greatest ally? Because I disagreed with a stupid detail, I had given into Satan's lie that somehow Chuck was against me and I had to WIN a battle. All I was doing was complaining and preparing a big dispute - rather than trusting God and the man he gave me to marry. How often do we do this? How often do we get so caught up with our argument that we can't see past ourselves to the people we love? I mean really, what is more important....if the laundry is folded and put away, if the TV is turned off, if the toothpaste cap is screwed back onto the tube - OR - if we have a supportive, growing relationship with one another?

By no means am I suggesting that you don't share your cares and concerns with one another. By no means do I mean putting yourself in a "doormat" position. But come on. We are not always right. In fact, I find that I'm usually wrong but too proud to admit it. The only person who really wins when we argue against one another is Satan. I don't want Satan to win anything when it comes to my relationships - do you? Instead of disputing with one another, let's approach all things in love. As we learn to love one another as God commands, we learn to look beyond our selfishness and care about each other's well being.

So, give your attitude a check-up the next time you feel your blood boiling over a matter with your spouse, family member or friend. Is it really THAT important in the grand scheme of life for you to WIN the fight? Or, are you willing to let God use the experience as an opportunity to share and relate better with one another without drama or war being waged?

Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault. ~Philippians 2:14-15

Blessings!