I'm Just Irene

Do you Regard or Neglect?

I have been stuck on a particular passage in Hebrews for days, I will read ahead, but then find myself going back to reread and study these verses.

For this reason, we must pay attention all the more to what we have heard, so that we will not drift away. For if the message spoken through angels was legally binding and every transgression and disobedience received a just punishment, how will we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? This salvation had its beginning when it was spoken of by the Lord, and it was confirmed to us by those who heard him. At the same time, God also testified by signs and wonders, various miracles, and distributions of the gifts from the Holy Spirit according to his will.

Hebrews 2:1-4

To break it down, the message spoken through angels in this passage refers to the law, the old covenant, and states that the law was legally binding and that to disobey the law resulted in a just punishment. And to break one part of the law was to break the whole law, which obeying the entirety of the law without breaking it was impossible for people.

And then this passage goes on to talk about the new covenant, calling it a GREAT salvation, first spoken of by Jesus, confirmed by those who heard him. God also testified of this GREAT salvation by signs and wonders, various miracles, and the distributions of the gifts from the Holy Spirit. All of those things are evidence of this GREAT salvation. And the GREAT salvation is the finished work of Jesus.

Do we know how GREAT the salvation of Jesus Christ is? When we reflect on salvation what is our response? Does it move us? Do we even understand it?

Salvation is God’s rescue which delivers believers out of destruction and into His safety. Before we put our faith in Christ, we were destined for destruction. There wasn’t anything we could do to get ourselves off this path. It is only BY FAITH in the finished work of Jesus Christ that we are saved. Out of His great love, He paid the price that we could not pay.

So with this great salvation in mind, how will we escape (escape destruction) if we neglect it? (for clarity, we won’t escape destruction if we neglect this great salvation)

CH Spurgeon wrote in response to Hebrews 2:3 – “One need not go to the trouble of despising salvation, or resisting it, or opposing it. One can be lost readily enough simply by neglecting it. In fact, the great mass of those who perish are those who neglect the great salvation.”

So how do we neglect the good news of our salvation?

To neglect something is to give little attention or respect to, to disregard it. In the original language, the word used for neglect is ameleó and means to be careless about, without concern, unaffected, viewing something as being without significance, i.e. without perceived value. To neglect this great salvation is to give little attention to it, to disregard it, be unaffected by it, to view it as insignificant or without value. Do we perceive this great salvation in this manner? Really take some time to be honest with yourself. To see and know and value this great salvation is to have it consume you, nothing in life compares to knowing the depth of the riches of the gospel. The gospel is the good news of salvation. Oh Lord help us not neglect this great gift!!!

If I gave you a present that would absolutely change your life for the better, but you took it home and put it in your closet, left it wrapped up and never used it, what good is that gift to you? This great salvation is free, but we won’t know how great it is if we don’t accept it. If we don’t receive it and allow it to change our lives, we can oh so easily neglect this great gift.

How can we avoid this response of neglect? In my studying, I looked up words that are antonyms to neglect. One that I believe we should consider is regard. To regard something look upon or thing of with a particular feeling, to have or show respect or concern for, to think highly of or esteem. Oh how I long for that to be our response to this great salvation! If we truly begin to understand this great salvation, WE WILL think highly of it, WE WILL esteem it, and WE WILL show respect (reverence!) for it.

Father God, you have said in your Word that we don’t have because we don’t ask or we don’t have because we ask with the wrong motives. Lord, I pray that we would have a deep awareness of how GREAT the gift of salvation is. I pray that we would not only know it but believe it and that we would treat it with such reverence that it would consume our lives and that we would be compelled to share the news of this great gift with others! For Your Honor and Glory Lord! In Jesus’ Name.

Run to the Strong Tower

“The name of the Lord is a strong tower; The righteous run to it and are safe.”
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭18‬:‭10‬ ‭

In ancient or Biblical times, a strong tower was a central place in cities where people could run to when facing danger and then find safety and protection.

Proverbs tells us that the Name of the LORD is a strong tower. God’s name isn’t merely the word YHWH (Yahweh/Jehovah). His Name is who He is; His attributes, His character, His Divine Nature.

For the righteous (those who have put their faith in Jesus), The Name of the LORD is a strong tower. He is the central place where we run to find safety and protection. He is the only security, when all else fails His Name endures.

And we must run to Him when we are faced with danger or opposition. A strong tower doesn’t gather the people into itself, but they know that is where they run to. As believers, we must know that the Name of the LORD is where we run. It’s an intentional decision to turn to His Name and seek refuge.

The culture calls us to run to our wealth, our health, our jobs, the military, the economy, the government, “reputable” public figures, and so much more. All of these things are foolish to put our trust in, May the only refuge we seek be in the Name of the LORD.

Prone to Wander

As I was praying this morning I found my mind, like it often does, drifting to what tasks I need to accomplish, what groceries I need to buy, pretty much anything but praying. I noticed I was off track, redirected my mind back to prayer, and realized I was praying about something to write…

There’s an old hymn titled “Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing” with the line, “Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it. Prone to leave the God I love.” it was written back in the 1700s. Which goes to show that it’s not just the advent of the smart phone that is to blame for our wandering thoughts, it’s us. We are prone to wander, technology just gives us an avenue to do so.

God knows our minds, our thoughts, our tendency to drift and He loves us compassionately. He’s not in heaven just tolerating us, He longs to have a relationship with us. Don’t let your inability to focus be a reason to not seek God in prayer. Focusing in prayer is a practice. It takes time, redirection, and intent. Be gentle with yourself.

If your toddler is taking their first steps and falls, you don’t throw up your hands angrily, scold them, and just give up on them ever learning to walk. You encourage them for the steps they took and help them up, hold their hands and help them continue. Our Father in Heaven is the same, He’s not angry that our minds wander. He is delighted when we seek Him, when you find yourself drifting, acknowledge it and redirect. Our minds don’t naturally think of God or things of God, we have to set our minds on things above. The more we do this, the more we learn and become more proficient at it. Keep seeking, keep redirecting, and remember we are learning and being transformed daily, the important thing is not to give up.

Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.
Colossians 3:2

Heavenly Nudges

Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?
Matthew 6:26

The other day on Facebook I saw a graphic of a small feather floating on water with the caption, “Never ignore a nudge or a whisper from God“. It was timely, as I had just snapped the bottom right picture below of a small feather I found while I was mopping the nursing mother’s room at church. It was probably my first time finding a feather inside and I definitely knew it was a nudge. One of the definitions of nudge is to prod lightly or urge into action. If you haven’t noticed from my post history it’s been a minute since I have written anything. 178 days to be exact. That feather was the nudge and idea I needed to write this blog post.

Over the course of the last five years, I have come across feathers. I’ve come across them on two occasions the day before I would be speaking at a retreat. I would see them on runs when I would be having a hard time to push through. Even when I got sick last fall and was quarantined in my bedroom, I glanced out into the front yard and saw a feather resting against a piece of grass.

Let me tell you, God’s timing is impeccable and He knows what we need. When I find these feathers it is usually when I could use some encouragement, they serve as a reminder of one my favorite names of God, El Roi, the God who sees me. These feathers have been little reminders that my Father sees me, He knows me, and He knows my need for encouragement. It’s like a getting a little note from your mom in your lunch box that says ‘I love you’.

The same God that created the universe knows the number of hairs on your head, know this and the truth that not even a sparrow falls to the ground without His consent. Friend, you are valued so much more by your Heavenly Father than the birds! I believe it delights the Father to encourage His children. Life is hard and He knows that.

Pray for God to open your eyes daily to the little nudges that He places in your life. It could be a beautiful sunrise on your morning commute, an unexpected call or text from an old friend, a bird landing by your window as you are washing the dishes, a heartfelt smile from a stranger at the store, or your toddler laying their head on your shoulder when you pick them up. These little moments could be nudges from God, maybe a call to action or perhaps just a simple reminder that you are dearly loved.

God Open Their Eyes

I was flipping through my bible yesterday morning and noticed by Genesis 21 where I wrote back in November of 2019 *Commit to pray for the Ishmaelite/Muslim race*

Full confession I have not consistently prayed this prayer that I committed to in 2019. It has been a rare occurrence, I was convicted when I read what I wrote. I also don’t think it’s by chance that I flipped to that passage yesterday morning. I’ve been in the Psalms and New Testament lately so to be in Genesis was unlikely but timely (like God always is) considering the events that are currently unfolding in Afghanistan.

The state of affairs has shifted drastically in the past week for the Afghani people. There have been images of Afghani citizens frantically running behind and trying to climb on moving US military aircraft in an attempt to escape the Taliban regime that is taking over their nation. They are fearful of what lies in the days ahead of them. Reports from underground churches in Afghanistan state that there is a hit list of known Christians that the Taliban is going to target and kill. It is overwhelming to contemplate. And true to human nature just one scroll of social media and you see many people casting blame. It’s not a partisan or policy issue but a dark vs. light issue. Evil vs. Good.

We have brothers in sisters in Christ that would highly covet our prayers in the Afghanistan. The past 20 years in that nation have been in preparation for such a time as this. I admire deeply those that have committed to continue to advance the gospel in Afghanistan, knowing very well it could cost them their lives.

We are all One Body in Christ Jesus, let us petition Heaven for our fellow believers in Afghanistan and the surrounding Arab nations. Pray that their faith may not fail. (Luke 22:32) Pray that they would cling tightly to the eternal life that is theirs in Christ Jesus. (1 Tim 6:12) Pray they rejoice to share in the sufferings of Christ Jesus. (1 Peter 4:13) Pray that their hearts will be flooded with light so that they can understand the confident hope they have in Jesus. (Eph 1:18)

The passage in Genesis 21 about Hagar and Ishmael along with the commentary from C.H. Spurgeon prompted me to write to commit to pray for the Muslim nations back in 2019, though I fell short on my commitment. I am thankful to come across that passage again, God is faithful even when we are unfaithful.

Then God opened her eyes, and she saw a well. So she went and filled the waterskin and gave the boy a drink. Genesis 21:19

“Then God opened her eyes” The same God who divides the Red Sea and makes the Jordan dry up also opens a poor woman’s eyes. The same God who came with all his chariots of fire to Paran and with all his holy ones to Sinai and made the mountains utterly to smoke in his presence is he of whom we read, “And God opened Hagar’s eye.” God, by opening Hagar’s eye, secured the existence of the Ishmaelite race, which even to this day remains: from the little comes the great. There may be persons present who need but little to enable them to enter into eternal life; they need only that their eyes should be opened. May the Lord grant them that favor! O that he may now bid many a Hagar see his salvation! Why should the thirsty souls wait any longer? Everything is ready. They are on the borders of salvation, but they need their eyes to be opened. -C.H. Spurgeon on Genesis 21:19

God opened Hagar’s eyes. Her eyes weren’t literally closed, He opened her spiritual eyes to reveal something she couldn’t see. She received a revelation from God. It’s a miracle. Only God can open eyes and reveal what is not seen.

Join me in praying that the eyes of the non-believers would be opened to see Eternal Life in Christ Jesus. Many in Afghanistan are fearing for their lives. Pray this fear drives them to Jesus. Pray God uses His people that He has called and equipped in Afghanistan to do His work. Nothing has been wasted, God’s ways are higher than our ways, His Word is being carried out, as it is written.

Heavenly Father open their eyes!

Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2

Criminal Minded

There is an absolute fascination with crime and criminals in our modern day culture. Countless documentaries, TV shows, movies, and books have been produced to dive into the world of a criminal mind. We witness some of the most heinous deeds and wonder things like, “How on earth could someone do something like that?”…”What goes on in someone’s mind to go through with such crimes?”…”I just can’t believe someone would do that”

We tend to be drawn to what we can identify with and I believe the fascination lies in this truth… We are all criminals. Every single one of us.

A criminal is a person that has committed a crime. A crime is any offense, serious wrong doing, or sin. Romans 3 says we are ALL under sin. We have all violated the law.

as it is written, “THERE IS NONE RIGHTEOUS, NOT EVEN ONE; -Romans 3:10

We all deserve death for our crime. We are under sin. Our only hope is in Jesus. He took the punishment that we deserve. As He hung on the cross for the sins of the world he was hanging between two criminals. These criminals had their reaction towards God recorded for all of us to consider. They are a representation of us and our response to Jesus, we are all one or the other.

“Then one of the criminals hanging there began to yell insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” -Luke 23:39

The first criminal mocked Jesus. Hanging right there beside him, he was yelling insults at him. The Greek word that is translated to describe his yelling of insults is blasphémeó which means to slander, hence to speak lightly or profanely of sacred things. Right beside the Savior of the world, this criminal was blaspheming Jesus.

But the other answered, rebuking him: “Don’t you even fear God, since you are undergoing the same punishment? We are punished justly, because we’re getting back what we we deserve for the things we did, but his man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” And he said to him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” – Luke 23:40-43

The second criminal had a much different response. He recognized that he was being justly punished and that Jesus had done nothing wrong. Everyone around Jesus in this moment was mocking Him as King and this criminal demonstrated faith in his response, he acknowledged his sinfulness and requested Jesus to remember him when He comes into His Kingdom. By acknowledging Jesus’ Kingdom, he was acknowledging His Lordship. And his faith was rewarded as Jesus responded, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

AW Tozer says, “What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.”

What comes into your mind when you think about God? When you consider Jesus – his life, death, and resurrection? What comes to your mind?

Do you identify with the second criminal, seeing your due punishment and the sinless Christ taking your place? Or do you identify with the first criminal and refuse to acknowledge the goodness of God?

Consider these verses:

For if, when we were enemies of God, we were reconciled to Him through the death of His Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through His life! – Romans 5:10

The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. – Romans 8:7

You adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore, whoever chooses to be a friend of the world renders himself an enemy of God. – James 4:4

We are born enemies of God, all falling short. Our verdict is guilty. Yet Jesus the spotless Lamb came and was crucified in our place. He loves us that much and desires for us to be reconciled to the Father. He is the only way we can be justified for our crimes. We owe our all to Him.

Evidence

ev·i·dence – an outward sign, something that furnishes proof

I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.
Psalms 27:13

It was one of those days that didn’t go the way I expected and I’m so thankful. I’m still lacking words to express it.

My son Maddox had been telling me all week that he had a surprise for me on Sunday. I had no clue what he was talking about nor did I give it much thought.

Yesterday morning when he walked into the large group room for kids at church he excitedly says, “The surprise is I’m getting baptized!” To which I responded, “No you’re not….wait… what? For real?” Him and my middle daughter confirm so I go on into service and Maddox stays in kids, he’d be coming into the main sanctuary towards the end of service for baptisms.

As I was worshipping I felt an overwhelming urge to be the one to baptize him. I prayed that it wasn’t just me wanting to be seen. (I struggle with pride) I felt God impress on my heart that I had authority to do this for my son and not to miss this opportunity.

The time came to get ready for baptisms. I walk out of the sanctuary and told Terri that Maddox told me about his surprise and I asked if I could baptize him. “Of course” she replied with that ‘why would I say no to that’ look. She found me some shorts to change into. And I just so conveniently had other clothes packed in my backpack. God knew.

I didn’t know until later but as Maddox was leaving kids to go get baptized he told one of the leaders, a good friend of mine, that he was nervous. She told him no need to be nervous, that God is always with you and loves you. How sweet of God to answer him and let his mommy baptize him.

One thing I remember distinctly before I got baptized 4 years ago when I surrendered my life to Christ was how hard my heart was beating and I felt that same feeling as we were waiting to get in the water. It was such a precious and powerful moment, I wept as I prayed over my son and I was just so grateful to God that He would provide me the opportunity to do this, to be a part of this, to just experience His goodness. It was overwhelming. He is worthy of it all.

Maddox has asked a lot and I mean A LOT of questions about sin, Jesus, and baptism over the past year or so. We’ve had many discussions on what baptism truly means, what Jesus’ death on the cross means, how Jesus took the punishment we deserve, and what faith in Christ finished work means. He’s asked about getting baptized and I have always told him its something he has to talk to God about and that God will let him know when it’s time.

As we were changing after the baptism I asked Maddox what made him decide to get baptized, he simply replies, “God told me” Child like faith.

How fitting that Evidence was one of the worship songs yesterday.

“I see the evidence of Your goodness
All over my life, all over my life
I see Your promises in fulfillment
All over my life, all over my life”

Thank you Jesus.

His Purpose or Yours?

I call to God Most High, to God who fulfills his purpose for me.
Psalms 57:2 CSB

Purpose is defined as the reason for which something is done or created or for which something exists. It’s something we spend our lives seeking.

God has a purpose for you and He wants to fulfill that purpose. He created us to seek out and live for His purpose in our lives. However, we can’t seek His purpose and the purpose we have for ourselves. It’s one or the other. Seeking out our own purposes leaves us unfulfilled.

There are a lot of admirable things from a humanistic worldly perspective that we chase after as our purpose for this life. But those can lead us away from God’s purpose for our lives. We can chase happiness, ambitions, relationships, college degrees, careers, status, white picket fences all leading us further away from God’s purpose. We can even chase things like ministry for our own selfish reasons. It’s so important to seek God in all things. Only He knows His purpose for us, left on our own we will stray.

Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding; in all your ways know him, and he will make your paths straight.”

Our understanding, our reasoning, our thoughts of what our purpose for this life could be are not reliable. We must acknowledge God in ALL our ways and allow Him to establish His purpose in our lives.

Think of Jesus, who in anguish before going to the cross prayed to God, not my will but your will. This should also be our prayer!

Going a little farther, he fell facedown and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” Matthew 26:39

As believers, surrendering to God also includes surrendering our purpose to Him. Setting every expectation that we have for our careers, marriages, children, relationships, everything on Him. Accepting His purpose for our lives, no matter what it looks like. In Christ we no longer live for ourselves but seek to do everything, including living this life, to and for the glory of God. He is our purpose.

But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you. Matthew 6:33

Anyone who finds his life will lose it, and anyone who loses his life because of me will find it. Matthew 10:39

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God.
1 Corinthians 10:31

Resistance

https://youtu.be/S6o9yddX2xk

Teaching Tuesday – Hope you enjoy/learn from this teaching on Resistance!

Resistance – the refusal to accept or comply with something; the attempt to prevent something by action or argument.

Over the last 4 years in my walk with Christ I have definitely learned a lot about resistance. Mainly that I have it, a lot of it. Resistance is something I have experienced within me when I desire to follow Christ but discover in me a force that does not want to comply.

I am thankful and comforted in these struggles with Paul’s writings in Romans.

²¹So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand. ²²For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being, ²³but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. ²⁴Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? ²⁵Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin. – Romans 7:21-25

Don’t be ashamed or feel guilty when you have these resistant feelings. We have a tendency (pride) to want to have it all together. That ain’t gonna happen. We are human, we have sinful natures, as we grow into the image of Christ we will have feelings, emotions that don’t want to go forward. Those members of our body must submit to Christ. We have a helper, an advocate in the Holy Spirit and by the Spirit we can put to death the deeds of the flesh.

For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. – Romans 8:13

I hope this teaching helps you!

Additional scripture referenced in video:

¹¹So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.¹²Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions. ¹³Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness. ¹⁴For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace. – Romans 6:11-14

Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding,
but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly. – Proverbs 14:29

Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty,
and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city. – Proverbs 16:32

“All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful for me,” but I will not be dominated by anything. – 1 Corinthians 6:12

Right-Hand Man

I love studying God’s word. It’s inexhaustible. There are layers upon layers of depth within its pages and it’s honestly one of my favorite places to dwell.

One of the greatest joys to discover in reading the Word from Old Testament to New Testament is finding Jesus woven throughout. It really all points back to Him. He even said this Himself,

You diligently search the Scriptures because you think to have eternal life in them, and these are they bearing witness concerning Me – John 5:39

The Scriptures bear witness to Jesus. They point to Him. They are God’s Word. And God’s Word is Jesus. It’s mind blowing!

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. All things were created through him, and apart from him not one thing was created that has been created. – John 1:1-3

There is a common phrase to refer to someone as a ‘right-hand man’. It means that the person is one’s primary or most trusted assistant. After Jesus’ death on the cross and resurrection from the dead, He ascended to the heavens to be seated at the RIGHT HAND of the Father. God has shown me through studying scripture that Jesus is God’s Right-Hand Man.

My own hand founded the earth,
and my right hand spread out the heavens;
when I summoned them,
they stood up together. – Isaiah 48:13

Jesus spread out the heavens!

Lord, your right hand is glorious in power.
Lord, your right hand shattered the enemy, – Exodus 15:6

Jesus is glorious in power, He shattered the enemy!

Display the wonders of your faithful love,
Savior of all who seek refuge
from those who rebel against your right hand. – Psalm 17:7

God is our refuge from those against Jesus!

Do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be afraid, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you; I will help you;
I will hold on to you with my righteous right hand. – Isaiah 41:10

God holds onto us with Jesus!

You reveal the path of life to me;
in your presence is abundant joy;
at your right hand are eternal pleasures. – Psalm 16:11

In Jesus are eternal pleasures!

And there are many others. When God reveals things like this through His Word, it really is like finding buried treasure. I just love God’s Word!!!

Who else but Christ would be God’s primary and most trusted assistant, His ‘right-hand’ man? Is Christ your primary and most trusted? It really all comes back to Jesus.

He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. – Colossians 1:17

I encourage you to venture deeply and richly into God’s Word. It is so much more than written words on pages. It’s a guide, it’s food, it’s comfort, it’s a refuge, it’s a light, it’s life, it’s Jesus!!

#readyourbible