Tag Archives: christian

Lonely Places

by Saint In Training

Original Image by: Oscar Paradela

Jesus often went to “lonely places” to pray. The scriptures also say that he dwelled in lonely places, on the outskirts of town because He could no longer enter into a town without them being unaware of His presence. Surely, it is the lonely places where God abides.

The lonely place is a phrase that is both literal and figurative. It describes our “secret closet,” that place where we go to fellowship with God and mediate on His goodness. It also describes the inner sanctuary that is our heart. However, the lonely place most eloquently describes the lonely road that we must travel in our Christian walk with God.

In his letter to the Corinthians Paul asserted that we should, “Come out from among them, and be ye separate.” (2 Cor. 6:17) Upon closer inspection this command does not only refer to the Christian’s separation from the world but it also refers to our personal life of dedication in the service of the Lord.

Our lives are akin to a journey. We are born, grow old and die, making familial and friendship connections along the way. However, our existence is for a greater purpose than this. It is in the human make-up to desire the company of others. Even God said that it is not good for man to be alone. In our spiritual lives believers find power in the midst of the congregation and fellowship with like-minded believers. Yet we are also destined to travel the road, the early Disciples of Christ referred to as The Way, alone. It is an oxymoron of sorts but nevertheless, it is true.

My mother and I are very close; she is the second of my two best friends – my very best friend is God Himself. Love alone does not encompass all that I feel for my mother. We do almost everything together. Shop, pray, sing, laugh, cry and yes, even sometimes have disagreements. We are both followers of Christ and yet we have two very distinct relationships with Him. Why is this?

No two believers are alike and so no two believers will enjoy the same type of relationship with our Savior. We do not possess a cookie-cutter salvation. God has a tailor-made purpose for each of His children to fulfill. We were formed, chosen and called according to His will; my friends, one size does not fit all. God has a purpose for each of us that is fitted for our specific temperament, capabilities and capacity for growth in faith and dedication. He knows us to the inner-most depths of our hearts like no other, not even ourselves.

Remember Peter? He is that disciple that loved Jesus with a fierce love. He was a one-God man and held no one in higher esteem and affection than Jesus Christ. Peter was sure that he would never leave Christ but, Jesus told him something that exemplified His divine perception. Jesus revealed the terrible truth that Peter, like his fellow disciples, would forsake Christ!

Jesus Christ did not condemn Peter in His disclosure of this truth. It was simply a fact that had to be revealed to the hopeful but vastly naïve man. Jesus knew Peter’s desire to love Him fully was genuine but He also knew Peter’s personal limitations and capabilities. He knew that ultimately Peter’s “betrayal” would lead to his spiritual growth and dedication and too, it would cause him to strengthen his fellow brothers in Christ! But before Peter could obtain that strength, he would first have to find that “lonely place”.

After the rooster crowed, Peter escaped to a place “outside”. He wept bitterly, and I imagine, in between the gasping heaves of pain and regret he uttered prayers of repentance and pleas for forgiveness. Peter’s lonely place led to his spiritual recovery and inevitable victory! Who did the angel instruct the women to tell of Christ’s resurrection? He said, “Go, tell his disciples and Peter…” (Mark 16:7) God, in His infinite mercy, ushered the newly devoted and strengthened disciple back into the fold and into His arms.

We can’t be afraid of or ashamed of our lonely places. Rather we must do as Jesus did and seek them out. We too must go outside the gates! The gates of the church house and the gates of our homes and seek a personal relationship with the God of our salvation. Corporate worship is an intricate part of this Christian walk and family worship helps to strengthen the family unit but in the end, we must walk alone for when we kneel before the throne of God, we will surely be alone.

Walking alone means that there will be times in our lives when all will forsake us. So as our Christ was forsaken, we too must be forsaken. So as Christ was mocked and ridiculed, we too will be scorned and criticized. The arm of the flesh will fail us every time.

Whether that arm belongs to a fellow believer or a family member, we will be forsaken. Some believers unwisely place more value in what their Church family or family members think and believe than they do in the Word of God and what the Lord commands.

It behooves us to recognize the difference between the congregational church and the members of the body of Christ. “Let the wheat and the tare grow together” is what Jesus warned. Not all “believers” believe or has received the sanctifying presence of the Holy Ghost. Those are they who will say, “It doesn’t take all of that to follow God”; “You’re too religious”; or “You pray too much!”

Family members may be offended by our desire to spend time alone, separate from the family unit or in the frequency of our church attendance. They may ask, “Didn’t you go to service Sunday? Why do you have to go back to church again?” They may question our desire to study our bible more often than the regularly scheduled bible study at church. Remember how Jesus’s own brothers mocked him? They did not understand His devotion to the Father, His need to heal the sick, deliver the bound or to fulfill the purpose for which He was born.

The lonely place: it’s where we find God and where He dwells and imparts knowledge and wisdom to those who seek Him out. Find your lonely place beloved and surely you will find God waiting there.

“And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.” (Jer. 29:13) and again, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.” (Rev 3:20)

This Christian journey only begins at the altar of repentance beloved. We must press forward, continually seeking the prize for that high-calling which is in Christ Jesus.

In His Sight

by Saint In Training

Original Image by: Wesley Fryer

“For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him.” (NKJV)

Every problem we have is an opportunity for a miracle. Every circumstance in our lives is an opportunity to garner more knowledge of God. All that God requires of us is to be faithful to Him. Imagine, the Creator of the universe itself, eagerly searches for someone for whom He can “show Himself strong”. God’s eyes are ever fixed on His children – ever fixed. Think about that for a minute.

It’s very easy for us to get caught up in the minutiae of our lives and push God’s presence to the background. We relegate Him to the corner, next to Tommy’s soccer schedule and that business appointment we don’t want to keep. It’s convenient for some to forget that God is always watching us. His eyes are fixed on us when we’re cutting in line, sneaking a snack in the grocery store, cutting eyes at a fellow worshiper, murmuring about the length of the service or giving someone the cold shoulder.

When I was a child, playing in the backyard of my childhood home, my mother would set limits on how far I could move from a certain spot. She had to be able to see me from the kitchen window; if I strayed out of sight I could be sure that I would soon hear, “Rebecca! Where are you? Get back to where I can see you!” I was none too happy about Mom’s restrictions but as I grew older and wise to the world, I realized that it was for my benefit and proof of her love. But, for all my mother’s love and protectiveness – she is only human. At any given second someone could have snatched me away. I could have had a seizure, fallen and struck my head or gotten bit by a snake.

The uncomfortable truth is: there is a limit to what we as humans can do. Loving parents can’t keep their eyes on their children twenty-four hours a day; it’s impossible. Not so with God! It’s never a good thing to forget God’s presence; it’s never a good thing to become comfortable not feeling Him near.

To live outside the presence of God is to leave the ark of safety. Worse, it means condemning one’s self to a lonely and pitiful existence. Ask me how I know. I tried it and it was the most miserable existence I’ve ever had. But! Even when we do stray, God is so faithful that even if He withdraws His presence, His mercy still remains. What a God!

He is always with us, always protecting us, He never sleeps, never tires and we’re never out of His sight! He is the definition of faithfulness. This great God, this loving Savior and Creator, the keeper of my soul, desires a relationship with me. It’s unfathomable and yet, it’s true.

Jesus. He’s more than a name in a book. He’s more than some glorified character birthed in the imaginings of talented writers. He is the Living God, the Word made flesh. He thought it not robbery to set aside His royal diadem in order to walk among His creation as the humblest of servants. Yes, just like Mom, He too requires us to stay in His presence (we’re never out of His sight). That means dedication, hard work, suffering, being rejected, being laughed at, misunderstood, and alienated. But you know what? It also means having the most powerful force in existence backing you all the way! It means when sickness comes, we’re assured healing (insurance coverage is not needed). When we’re facing charges, we’re assured a victorious outcome (court appointed attorneys needn’t apply). When we’re pushed to the back by people, we’re assured a front row seat in Heaven. When danger surrounds us on every side, we’re assured the protecting arm of God Himself! It’s a dangerous thing to mess with a child of God.

Oh yes, He’s much more than a name in a book. He is the Author and Finisher of our faith. And He wants an intimate relationship with you and me. Let God show Himself strong on your behalf. Avail yourself of His presence, seek Him in the midst of your trials and I promise you will be guaranteed victory! God will never let you do more for Him than He’ll do for you. You can’t out-give God. Be faithful beloved.

No matter how much the lions may roar or how bad the pain may feel, stay the course and be faithful.

Healing the Broken Pieces

by Saint In Training

Photo by: Juan Pablo Colasso

 

Today’s post concerns the sensitive subject matter of the hidden wounds of sexual abuse. This great evil has affected the lives of women and men of all ages, backgrounds, races and religions. For many, it’s something that occurred during childhood.

Why are these wounds hidden? Sexual abuse leaves wounds that never heal and invisible scars that only the victim can see. They are the suppressed secrets of the heart which work to silence the mouth from speaking that which cannot be understood by children or can’t be spoken of by adults.

In most cases, children or young adults know their abuser. He or she is someone whom they are familiar with or close to through familial ties or school friends. We must come to understand that when we are children it is the innocence of childhood that allows us to trust the ones who raise us and those with whom we grow-up. These are the adults we felt safe around, loved and respected because our parents taught us to do so. We do not have any reason to do otherwise. It’s only natural to give honor and respect to our parents and family members. Indeed, according to scripture, they are deserving of honor.

But family members are not the only ones we hold in high regard. There are preachers, teachers and close friends of the family who are kind to us. Innocently, we trust every smile, the hugs and words that were spoken to our trusting nature. Being cautious never enter into the mind of a child!

How could we have known that a smile can be deceitful and hugs are not always pure? How could we have discerned the wicked hearts masked by the friendly face of a sexual predator?

All we had was the mind God gave us – a mind of innocence, a mind of a child. It is after adult hood that we realize the hearts, actions and thoughts of children speak trust, not maturity nor can we, at such a young age, use reason or wisdom. 1 Corinthians 13:11 expresses this fact so well:

When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. (This means he’s reached maturity.)

Precious hearts, whoever you are, this scripture has found you faultless and proclaims your innocence! Hallelujah and Glory to God!

I too carried shame and blame and unwarranted guilt from childhood into my adulthood. I allowed the false accusations of the Enemy to bring me misery. I felt so unworthy of anything good. Low self-esteem robbed me of so much! For so many years I allowed the hurts of my past to keep me a victim, not realizing the effect it was having on my relationship with God and how it was blocking His will for my life from being fulfilled.

Jesus said, “I come that you might have life, and that more abundantly!” John 10:10 I embrace that promise! I am free from shame, from guilt and self-blame. Now I say that I am no longer my own victim. We can’t help it if we are made a victim by others but we can help it if we make ourselves a victim. Don’t let your past destroy your future precious hearts. God has so much more for us than what we have allowed Him to give us.

Have I stopped crying? No. But the tears are less, my smiles are broader and my relationship with Jesus Christ is much happier. I’ve learned to trust Him more – Wow, did I really say that!?  Yes I sure did and you can too!

A few nights ago I awoke from sleep and heard a song on the Christian station. These words caught my attention, “God can mend broken pieces.” Not only did I have a smile on my face listening to that song but there was a smile in my heart too.

Precious hearts, those of you who are still carrying the broken pieces of your past in your heart I encourage you today, give them over to God. You may not have been sexually abused but physically or emotionally abused but this is for you too. Our heavenly Father understands more about us than anyone else. He knows more about us than we know about ourselves!

His patience is never ending and His love, Oh! His love is everlasting. Let Him love you today. Let Him heal you right now, open the door to your heart and let Him walk in. I promise you all the hidden hurts, wounds and secrets will not withstand the glory of the Lord.

May God bless you, may He keep you and may Heaven shine upon you always. Be healed and I say again, Be Ye Healed!

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This article was written by guest writer, Christine Wilcox. I’d like to thank her for writing this powerful and encouraging testimony. She and I pray that it will bless you as much as it has blessed us. Truly God is a merciful and loving Savior. He knows just what to say and how. We love you but God loves you so much more. If you’re in need of a prayer partner please know that we’re here. You can contact either of us at faithabounds-4ever@yahoo.com and we will gladly pray with you. Walk in your victory and know that the best is yet to come!