Are you an Oak Tree?

Are you an Oak Tree

This morning has been time spent with my Father.

Psalms 1 is one of my most favorite psalms

1 Blessed is the man
Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly,
Nor stands in the path of sinners,
Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;
2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD,
And in His law he meditates day and night.
3 He shall be like a tree
Planted by the rivers of water,
That brings forth its fruit in its season,
Whose leaf also shall not wither;
And whatever he does shall prosper.

4 The ungodly are not so,
But are like the chaff which the wind drives away.
5 Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment,
Nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.

6 For the LORD knows the way of the righteous,
But the way of the ungodly shall perish.

I have been pondering the verses about the tree. I have observed the Oak Trees in my neighbors yard.

An Oak Tree always has green leaves on it. They are never without them. They bear fruit in their season, and they are always growing.

This is what I am suppose to be according to the above verses. I am always suppose to have leaves, which are the word of the Lord in my life, I should never be bare. I should have fruit in season. And I should always be growing. The oak also has learned especially in West Texas how to bend with the wind. This I am still having to learn.

Sallye

I AM so you don't have to be and No Other Gods

I am finishing up the Blog Bible study I AM so you don’t have to be by Lisa AKA the Preacher’s Wife, and beginning No Other Gods by Kelly Minter.

The ending of one and the beginning of the other are walking hand in hand in dealing with issues in my life. Lisa made a statement in Lesson 14 “Let's set up today's Lesson. In Exodus 6, Moses has gone to Pharaoh to ask for the Israelite's release. Instead of freedom, Pharaoh increased their labor unmercifully.” I am finding that as God is working to make me let go of my “pharaohs” that instead of freedom, I become bound more tightly to them. Why? Could it be that just like the Hebrew children, that I do moan and groan under the “pharaoh”, but when shown how to live without them, I get scared, because God is taking what has basically become my reality or my identity, and saying “Here Sallye let me relive that and give you this.” The first step I am finding is changing my attitude. Even if I am saying with my mouth “Please God come set me free”, if I am not saying the same in my heart, I will not allow God to change me. It’s all about getting to the bottom of the barrel, and finally giving it over to God. Words can be written on a page that announce this, but until my heart is crying out to God, change can not and will not happen. Now all I have to do is move this from head knowledge to heart knowledge.

I am going to let God pull up all the plantings that are not of Him (Matthew 15:13 Amped) He answered, Every plant which My heavenly Father has not planted will be torn up by the roots.
And I am going to live Isaiah 60:21 Amped Your people also shall all be [uncompromisingly and consistently] righteous; they shall possess the land forever, the branch of My planting, the work of My hands, that I may be glorified.

I am going to listen to my Father tell my pharaohs. “Let my Sallye go” And when He turns to me and says “Sallye open your hand and let it go” I am going to look up to Him and open my hand and not even look at what is falling away.

Wow. Father I love you, and I come before you and ask that You come and You do a work in this child that has not acted like Your child. Father God You are I AM, You are the creator of the universe. You are able to handle this. Father I lift a hand to you, while the other holds tightly to my pharaohs, and I ask that You show me how to let go of all of the things that You are asking that I do. Father please come and prune, cut, and pull up anything in this life that does not glorify You. Father please hold me as You do this. Thank you that Your Word promises that You will bind up the broken hearted. Father I give you all the glory and praise. Please forgive me when I yell it hurts, it’s painful, and it’s uncomfortable. Father please restore to me the joy of my salvation. Father, I want to love You whole heartedly. In Jesus name, Amen

No Other Gods Week One

OK, So lets talk about this.

Beth Moore in her instructions for the first week said:

To please share what you perceive as your biggest challenge toward walking with God victoriously this summer.

Me, I am the problem. I have all this wonderful HEAD knowledge, but no, zip, zero, Nada HEART knowledge. It is like there is this huge wall between me and God. Who built it, me.

Those that know me say that I am kind and generous, an encourager and a good listener. Which I am sure that I am. You see God does use me in spite of me.

I am a very angry person, most people do not see it, but inside I have to be angry about someone or something all of the time. I have this face I put on for the public, but home it's another story.

What does it say about a person, when their first thought on seeing some one is not a kind one?

I want easy, and with this there is no easy. I am afraid, I am afraid to tear down the wall, because...

I don't think I can even go there.

Am I posting this to get sympathy? No I am being honest first with my Father, and second with me.

The memory verse for the study is Jude 1:24-25:

24 Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling,
And to present you faultless
Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy,
25 To God our Savior,
Who alone is wise,
Be glory and majesty,
Dominion and power,
Both now and forever.
Amen.

My Father is able, if I am willing.

Sallye

I AM so you don't have to be Lesson 13

I AM so you don’t have to be Lesson 13

I AM study Lesson Thirteen
The Purpose of Promise

Focal Verses
"After this, the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision: 'Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward'." Genesis 15:1

I will grant peace in the land, and you will lie down and no one will make you afraid. I will remove savage beasts from the land, and the sword will not pass through your country. You will pursue your enemies, and they will fall by the sword before you. Five of you will chase a hundred, and a hundred of you will chase then thousand, and your enemies will fall by the sword before you. I will look on you with favor and make you fruitful and increase your numbers, and I will keep my covenant with you. You will still be eating last year's harvest when you will have to move it out to make room for the new. I will put my dwelling place among you, and I will not abhor you. I will walk among you and be your God, and you will be my people. I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt so that you would no longer be slaves to the Egyptians; I broke the bars of your yoke and enabled you to walk with heads held high." Leviticus 26:6-13

"And [God] passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, "The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin." Exodus 34:6

"And through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me." Genesis 22:18

"The Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: 'All nations will be blessed through you'." Galatians 3:8

This spoke to me very deeply:

Blessed To Be a Blessing
Our culture teaches us we can either manufacture within ourselves or purchase all of these basic things, but God created us to need the things only He can fully provide. There is a huge difference between pride and righteous confidence. Pride fools one into thinking we can create our own Promised Land. The other recognizes, just as Abram did, God is our Portion, our shield, and our very great reward.
I believe we can define living in a spiritual Canaan as being in a place of righteous confidence in the Father. A place of our identity completely being wrapped inside of His. A place we can live with our faces turned unashamedly towards the sky. A place of faith in the means of God's provision and being satisfied if what we receive is a huge portion of Him. In this place is where we will be able to operate in a mode of full effectiveness for the Kingdom unbound by the carnal baggage Satan continually piles on our shoulders. As we evaluate the experiences of our lives, it is time we process those with the covering of God's Word so we can move into the Promise - the place where we can use our blessings to minister to others. As Galatians 3:8 says, this is how the Gospel is spread!

BURNING QUESTIONS
1. Do you struggle with a sense of self-worth? How do you perceive this has affected the way you are able to 'keep your head upright'? If not, do you know someone who suffers in this area?
Yes, what others see as an over inflated ego, is actually low self esteem. If I receive a voice message from a friend asking me to call my first thought is “what have I done wrong?” My head is held up by a stiff spine.

2. What are you most afraid of? Does this fear affect the way you move through life? (Ex. Are you overprotective with children? Afraid to take risks?)
Of not being accepted, loved and valued.

3. What is one of the most marvelous ways God has provided a need? I can't wait to hear your stories on this one!
My job that I have had for nearly 30 years. I put in an application, six months later received a call asking if I was still interested in the job. (This was even before I became a Christian) God knew that I would not be married to my first husband for much longer (total surprise to me) and that when Rusty and I married, that I would be the main means of support in our home. This job has met all of our needs and a few wants.

4. Steve Brown, a Moody Broadcasting Bible Teacher, is one of the first people I ever heard teach the concept that God was not mad at me. I grew up in a denomination that led me to believe He was in a continuous state of disappointment over my failures. How about you? Though in your heart you know God says He loves you, does Satan in your mind ever try to convince you otherwise?
Yes, but I always thought that was just normal. I didn’t realize that we are suppose to be safe in that unconditional love. Even though this is the same type of love I have tried to give my children. One of the greatest gifts I ever received was my Mother telling me, that there would never be anything that I could do that would cause her to stop loving me.

5. How close are you to your own Promised Land? Not at all, 1/2 way, almost there? By this I mean the place of abundant living and effectiveness here on earth, not the ultimate fulfillment in Glory! Though I hope you are going to heaven, I don't want it to be today! :)
I look forward to our discussion this week!
Not at all. I feel like Moses must have when he stood and saw the Promised land, I can see it, but can not find the trail or the map.

I AM so you don't have to be Lesson 12

I AM so you don’t have to be Lesson 12

I AM Study Lesson Twelve
A Face With The Name

Background Passages
Exodus 33
John 14

Focal Verses
Then Moses said to Him, ‘If Your Presence does not go with us, don not send us up from here. How will anyone know that You are pleased with me and with Your people unless you go with us? What else will distinguish me and Your people from all the other people on earth?’ And the Lord said to Moses, ‘I will do the very thing you have asked, because I am pleased with you and I know you by name’. Then Moses said, ‘Now show me Your glory’.
Exodus 33:15-18

Phillip said, ‘Lord show us the Father and that will be enough for us’. Jesus answered, ‘Don’t you know me, Phillip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father.’
John 14:8-9

‘I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me; for they are Yours. All I have is Yours, and all You have is Mine. And glory has come to me through them.’
John 17:10

Lisa writes:

The only kind of recognition we should ever seek for ourselves is the kind which will point directly back to our God. Anything less sets up the same type of idolatry the Israelites were so prone to practice.

Been here done this got the T-shirt, and it was pretty shredded when all was said and done. If I shine the light on anyone other than may Father, I am setting myself up for either a large fall or as Bethany at Beyond this Moment said “a trip to the time-out chair.”

Lisa writes:

I hope you have taken the opportunity to read the Background Passages. To gain context, remember Moses has just returned from Sinai with the first copy of the Tablets of Testimony to find the Israelites worshipping a golden calf fashioned from the plunder of Egypt. God threatened annihilation of the people and offered starting over with Moses as the father of a new nation of Israel. (Exodus 32:9)

I have to stick something in that I find very funny. In Exodus 32:7 God tells Moses to “go get down! For your people whom you brought out of the land of Egypt have corrupted themselves.” I can just see Moses getting all ramped up and stomping off the to take care of things..then to have God say “I’ll just kill them and start over with you” The expression on Moses’ face probably said “UH- NO!”, we’ll deal with what we got.’ Moses was a holy man of God, but was also very human. Moses was probably mad enough to “spit nails”, but when given the “easy” option of starting over, He chose the “holy” option of taking what is and letting God make it what it will be. This is all God is asking of me, to let Him take what is, and make it what it will be.

Lisa writes:

In Moses’ experience, the success of the Israelite nation in its deliverance would either be a credit to or slander against its God. Moses’ love for Jehovah caused him to take seriously the Third Commandment, “You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses His Name.” (Exodus 20:7). This reverence for God’s name spilled over into protection it at all cost against defamation.

How sad that we as a nation and a body have lost this reverence for the Name of God.

Lisa writes:

There is one thing God will always be, and that is the One who fills the Universe with marvelous light. God’s eternal, transcending glory is never compromised. However, in a divine mystery we can scarce comprehend, human agency has been allowed to have effect on God’s fame in the mortal realm.

Lisa states in regards to Jobs trials:

“Satan is not omniscient so he could not know that with every new ruin brought fresh resolve, every pang of suffering birthed supernatural strength, and each rebuke of a friend forged a relationship with God so strong that the gates of hell would not be able to prevail against it. God’s glory will not come unintentionally or without great determination.”

I say: satan is not omni anything. God has always got him on a leash whether we see it or not.

Lisa writes:

Moses has seen the Wonders- now he desired God’s glory. This is defined in the Expositor’s Bible Commentary as ‘his goodness, his entire character, and nature’. To say Moses’ request pleased God is an understatement. More than anything, God wants us to seek relationship over provision, intimacy over the miraculous, the intangible over the material. Would you like to know the amazing thing which happens when we do this? The former request is often coupled with the latter based on the concept of Matthew 6:33 which says ‘But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.’ God caused all His goodness to pass in front of Moses and covered him with His own hand and yet the sight of it was not as precious to Moses as the love of the Father who would arrange this display.


Burning Questions

1. We discussed how we are God’s fame and He is ours. Have you ever been in a situation where you are applauded for your ministry and had to fight back the idol of pride? Ever been tempted to believe your own press? It’s okay to admit it! Your testimony will help others in their resolve!
Yes I have, and sadly I have not fought back the idol of pride, and as a result stole God’s glory. I try to stay off that pedestal as much as possible.


2. Did it ever occur to you in the 3-way drama of God, Job, and Satan that Satan was the only one outside the loop as far as Job’s reactions would be? Does this encourage you in resolving to make a fool of him when he attempts to use you to defame the Name?
Yes, although I do forget at times that satan CAN NOT read my mind. He can only affect my surroundings. Yes, it again reminds me that satan is under God’s control at all times.

3. Are you in a situation now where you feel you are being overcome? Better yet, are you in a situation where you should have been overcome but are not?
Yes I feel like I am being overcome by my big god Money or the lack thereof. I feel like I have done the right thing in taking a part time job, but counsel from friends is leading me to doubt this. And now I am tired, unsure, and unhappy.

4. Have you ever failed in a Satan-designed trial? Can you recognize God intends for this failure to refine and resolve you for the next time? God is not out for your destruction but your perfection!
Yes, because I am human. Yes nothing is wasted with God

5. Can you describe yourself as a Wonders Junkie? Found yourself in spiritual highs and lows depending on whether you perceived God was doing wondrous things or not?
No, I am still surprised when God shows up and shows His Wonder.

6. Have you ever been like Phillip and had God right in your face and not recognized Him?
Yes, sadly several times, and He ended up tapping me on the end of the nose and asking if I was paying attention.

7. Journal a brief prayer asking God for His Glory. Let it be the thing we all desire above all else…
Father God, I can not at this point ask you to show me You Glory. Father I would ask that you move me closer to you. I do not want to be like the Hebrew child and be consumed by your anger.

Please be praying

Please be praying for my friend Cindy, her husband Wesley, their son William, and Wesley's sisters and other family.

Wesley's Father had lung cancer surgery today. He came through the surgey fine, and was in recovery where he died. The Dr had come out spoken to Wesley said that they thought they got it all, and that recovery would be long and painful. Wesley had called Cindy at work to let her know. Then called back about an hour later telling her Bill had died.

Their son William is having to fly in from CA.

They do not have a home church. Cindy is a non-practicing Christian. I do not know if either Wesley or William have made a profession of faith.

There is a lot of healing that will need to go on in this family.

Sallye

kids and dogs ain't it good

I'm sorry I do not have a picture to go with it, you will just have to use your imagation.

Tanner middle child, he and the "granddog Whiskey" have been living with his older sister Pamella and her two children Benjamin 5 and Hanna 2. Tanner said that Whiskey has decided that Pamella's bed is better than the blow up or the couch. Benjamin, since his father has been in Iraq also decided that Momma's bed was better than his.
Well, home comes Dustin, son-in-law and he wants his spot back. They,for privicy sake have started locking their bedroom door.
Tanner said about 2am in the morning, Benjamin and Whiskey are at Pamella and Dustin's bedroom door knocking asking if they can come in. He said it is to funny cause Whiskey just waits for Benjamin to come through the livingroom so she can go with him.

Kids and dogs what would we do without them?

Sallye