When Was The Last Time You Asked For Directions?

It is a common joke that men don’t stop and ask for directions. We see memes made of it, TikTok videos with the wife rolling her eyes and pointing the camera at her husband while she is telling him to check his GPS, while he, with extreme conviction, declares, “I know where I am going!” Cue eyeroll!   This post is about something more eternal, and that is what it means to be led by the Spirit vs being led by the flesh. These are the only two options for any of us, both believer and unbeliever. We are all led by either someone, the Holy Spirit, or something, the flesh. So, here is the question: When was the last time you asked for directions? Who tells you which way to go? 

Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path

Psalm 119:105

One of the first Bible verses I learned in Sunday School (after John 3:16, of course) was Psalm 119:105. I can remember walking up and down my grandma’s hallway with my Bible open, holding it out in front of me as if it were a flashlight. I was quite a literal child. In many ways, when it comes to His Word, I still am. Do I wrestle with some of the harder truths in terms of application and timing, ABSOLUTELY! But, at some point, the reckoning comes where we have to decide whether we believe His way is the only way, or not.

The Bible tells us in Galatians 6:7-9, “For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.”  We can clearly see that the writer of Galatians was telling us that it is not just a one-time choice; it is a choice that we have to make intentionally and repeatedly. 

Isaiah 30: 21 tells us, “Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, 'This is the way, walk in it, Whenever you turn to the right hand, or whenever you turn to the left, and John 10:27 reminds us that “My sheep know my voice, and they follow me.” Who has your ear? Whose voice do you listen to? What is the lamp you use to light your way? This is what it means to walk either in the flesh or by the Spirit. The determining factor is how much the Word of God determines the everyday choices you make.

You will know them by their fruit, Matthew 7:16.

The Role Of Youth Pastors As Shepherds In Today's Church

This post hits very close to home for me, as I reflect on my experiences. Growing up, I was fortunate to have an exceptional Youth Pastor who provided guidance, support, and encouragement. However, it’s been disheartening to witness the stark contrast between those positive experiences and what my own sons encountered during their formative years in church and in youth groups. This situation has been a deeply emotional journey for me, evoking feelings of sadness and concern.

When we delve into the primary responsibilities of a shepherd, it's clear that they can be distilled into three fundamental directives: Protect, Search, and Rescue. These overarching themes encompass a range of supportive actions and duties. To protect means to create a safe environment where individuals can grow and thrive, while search involves actively seeking out those who may be lost or in need of guidance. Finally, rescue signifies a commitment to offering help and support to those who find themselves in difficult situations. Each of these aspects is essential for fostering a nurturing community and ensuring that everyone feels valued and cared for.

Add to this the mandate to come alongside parents in "training them in the way they should go", this is the charge of a Youth Pastor. Sadly, modern churches, "seeker friendly churches" have all but turned their backs on these imperatives, and replaced the moniker and call of "Pastor" with "cruise ship director."

While I can surely give you an exhaustive list of examples, I will present you with a select few. One incident was particularly harrowing.  It was around Halloween time, and the youth pastor of the church we were attending in California, decided to continue the "youth tradition" of "Zombies vs humans" nerf gun war in the church. Add to this demonic event, the fact that they had a chalkboard upon entering the youth building with the drawing of vampire teeth with blood dripping from it. Oh, but WAIT... there's more. Add to it the youth sanctuary was dark with red lighting (they tried to convince me it was fine, because it was the color of Jesus's blood) and evil Halloween music playing. I all but flipped chairs and tables. Needless to say, we left. I made a point to have a meeting with this "pastor" who tried to bully me with a barrage of scripture, out of context mind you, to convince me that I was of a religious spirit, and lacked the "perspective" of this event reaching the community. 

Other "youth group" experiences were, dead fish tossing, jello wrestling to name a few. These were not special fun events happening on a designated night. These were in place of what should have been Godly instruction on Wednesday nights. Add to it the revolving door of leaders coming and going, not following up on what they promised, and the compromise that was in their own lives. They were "paid to play." Going on trips, Pastor and staff conventions, rubbing elbows with other large churches, being paid to preach at large conventions, but forgetting the sheep in their own pasture. Sadly, I  witnessed the mass exodus of youth from these groups, and sadly the backsliding of even more. 

So, what does God have to say about this? I think Ezekiel 34 gives firm rebuke to these kinds of shepherds in his prophecy to the Shepherds of Israel. He gives a list of charges against them. 

• *Neglecting the Sheep:** The shepherds prioritized their own well-being over the spiritual and physical needs of the people. They consumed the best resources and clothed themselves with the sheep's wool, yet they neglected to feed the flock.

• Failing to Care for the Vulnerable:** The shepherds did not provide support for the weak, heal the sick, or tend to the injured members of the flock. 

• Ignoring the Lost:** The shepherds did not take responsibility for those who had strayed or were missing, failing to seek out the lost individuals.

As a result of their abdication:

• Scattering and becoming prey: The people were scattered and vulnerable, becoming prey for predators, because of the shepherds' negligence.

• The flock wandered and was scattered: The people wandered aimlessly, without guidance or protection, and were scattered across the land.

Ezekiel 34: 5 AMP: "They were scattered because there was no shepherd, and when they were scattered they became food for all the predators of the field."

As a mother (an Italian, Jewish NY mom at that) who had to watch her sons navigate feelings of heartbreak, abandonment and disappointment, I spent many moments in tears and prayer for my sons and for God to bring Godly men and woman who know what the assignment is, and who truly have a heart for this youth of today.  Sadly, to this day many have fallen short and are not "walking worthy of the call."

But, God responds with a promise in Ezekiel 11 and 23. He says, "For this says the Lord God, Behold I Myself will search for My flock and seek them out, Then I will appoint over them one Shepherd (foretelling of Jesus as the Great Shepherd) and He will feed them, (a ruler like) My servant David; He will feed them and be their shepherd. 

I end with these 2 points. One, we need a higher standard in what we should expect from a Youth Pastor. They are not Disney guides, cruise ship directors, or event planners. They are to be men and women of God, branded with the call to the youth generation on their hearts. It is not a position to be filled by a warm body, but one to be filled by a shepherd whose sole purpose is the care of the flock. Two, Parents, TAKE HEART! God will never let a lost lamb wander without His endless pursuit. Where others fail and miss the mark, Jesus never will. Stay in prayer, declare the Word and then stand and see the salvation of the LORD." He loves them and is committed to their lives more than we could ever know. When in doubt, remember Jeremiah 29:11-14.

Choose Peace

“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid. John 14:27

One of my love languages is receiving gifts. But, there is a caveat. I want them wrapped extra special and given in a surprising kind of way. I am all about flair! Even when I give gifts, I take extra special time in wrapping them. It brings such joy to select the right kind of paper, curled ribbon and even an extra special tag. I want them to know I really thought about them. Everything about gift giving should reflect the giver and the receiver.

Jesus told us in John 14:27 that He was leaving us a gift, and not just any gift, the gift of His peace. It is the kind of peace that rides out even the worst storms, gives strength to endure the foreknowledge of the cross, and to still have joy amid the trials of life that He told us we would have. His gift was gift wrapped in the form of a Cross, a Tomb, a Resurrection and an Ascension to the right hand of the Father. All we have to do is accept it and unwrap it. Sounds easy, at least on our end, doesn’t it?

I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world. John 16:33

The only thing is that, us choosing peace means that sometimes we have to remain silent, let go of the need to be right and even, in some instances, leave everything behind. This takes a level of trust in our Father that He sees all, hears all, knows all, and will restore all that was lost. Or was it really lost? Here is where a shift in our thinking is needed. When we give, we can’t lose. When we give our right to the last word, we can’t lose. When we choose forgiveness, we can’t lose. When we give what is “ours” to those who may not deserve it, we can’t lose. When we let Him fight our battles, we can’t lose! Why? Because our Father owns it all anyway, and if what He is requiring from us is to give, it’s because He has a replacement in mind for us that far exceeds what we are releasing. Our peace comes from that Father/child relationship of knowing He cares for all things that concern the hearts of His children (1 Peter 5:7), and He will defend and protect like a Father.

It writes so easily, but living it out isn’t as fluid. What I have come to realize, and continue to work through is the realization that the areas we have little to no peace are the areas where we trust Him the least. Areas like our children, our finances, our relationships, just to name a few. I posit that, until we surrender those areas to Him completely, and doing so by prayer and fasting, He will continue to allow that agitation to bring us to our end. He want us to experience true peace as only He can give, and will use anything to bring us to that place.

Choose peace. Protect your peace. Unwrap the gift of peace.

He will keep Him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Him. Isaiah 26:3

Till next blog……

Noone Told Me It Would Be This Hard

“Noone told me it would be this hard”, we often hear. But, is that actually the truth?

I hate to burst your bubble, but no, it’s not. Jesus told us in this world you will have trouble. But He also told us to fear not for He has overcome the world. As someone who often has a visceral reaction to Christian clichés, I know many of you are having a number of reactions right now, but don’t write me off just yet. Stay with me.

Paul said, “Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. 3 For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. 4 So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.” James 1:2-4

“Tam, I feel anything BUT joy!,” you are probably thinking, or if you’re anything like me, you are reading this and yelling at me through your phone. Trust me, I get it. I have these diatribes with myself pretty much on a daily basis. But I had a bit of a revelation the other day.

Everybody wants the anointing and the authority of the resurrection, yet they lack the endurance of the Via Dolorosa and the agony of the cross.

You cannot have authority in areas you have not endured, and not only endured, but leaned into the process and drawn from its lessons. That’s what Paul meant when he said “lacking nothing.”

Did I consider it Joy when I felt alone in my marriage for 20 years? No!

Did I consider it pure joy when I watched my two boys, so desperately wanting that connection with a male figure in their life, struggle? No!

Did I consider it pure joy when I had to walk away from that unhealthy marriage after praying and believing for it for so long? No!

Did I consider it pure joy when the hopes I had in a relationship, fell apart in one day, and left me with nothing but six boxes in the back of my van? No!

Did I consider it pure joy when I had to start from the bottom up to try and rebuild my life with absolutely no idea how I was going to do it? No!

Have I considered it pure joy when, for three years, I have rarely been behind a microphone doing the one thing that’s as easy to me as breathing? No!

Am I currently considering it pure joy to have to watch one of my children question God, question, Christianity, salvation, and the value of his own soul? No!

But, here is what I am considering pure joy, the fact that my questions don’t change who He is, and that is faithful and merciful.

The fact that He did walk with me and put my life together; He did give me beauty for ashes; He did, and continues to heal a heart that I defined as “pink mist”. That gives me hope, for He does not change.

Psalm 37:25 says, “I have been young, and now I’m old, but I’ve never seen the righteous forsaken or their seed begging for bread.”

What’s more is a deeper understanding of the faithfulness of my heavenly father, a deeper empathy, to relate to those that are walking through these very things, and because of what I’ve walked through, a greater authority, and ability to speak into, and bring hope to others who are where I was just three years ago.

If Jesus is our example of how to live our lives, then we need to pay attention that, even though He wanted to, he didn’t side step, or take detours away from that long and painful road, the Via Dolorosa. No, “ for the glory set before Him. Christ endured.” And because of that, He had the position and the authority to take back the keys from the pit of hell, bring the ultimate death blow to sin and death, and now He sits at the right hand of the Father, the ultimate place of authority.

I consider that, pure joy.

Till next time…..

Tamara

David: From a Shepherd, to a Warrior, to a King

There are many notable men and women of the Bible, both Old and New Testament, that are worthy of mention in their own right. We know the big names, Abraham, Moses, Debra, Ruth, Naomi, Esther, John the Baptist, Peter, Paul, John, the author of Revelation. But, other than Jesus Himself, I, personally think there is no one more taught about, preached about and written about than David, a shepherd boy turned warrior, turned King. A man who was called “a man after God’s own Heart”

So, what is it about this shepherd boy that has kept people coming back to his story, time and time again? We often hear the quoted, “and David was a man after God’s own heart”, but I would like to start here, in 2nd Samuel 7:5-13 NIV: 

"Go and tell my servant David, `This is what the LORD says: Are you the one to build me a house to dwell in? I  have not dwelt in a house from the day I brought the Israelites up out of Egypt to this day. I have been moving from place to place with a tent as my dwelling.

Wherever I have moved with all the Israelites, did I ever say to any of their rulers whom I commanded to shepherd my people Israel, "Why have you not built me a house of cedar?"'

"Now then, tell my servant David, `This is what the LORD Almighty says: I took you from the pasture and from following the flock to be ruler over my people Israel. I have been with you wherever you have gone, and I have cut off all your enemies from before you. Now I will make your name great, like the names of the greatest men of the earth. And I will provide a place for my people Israel and will plant them so that they can have a home of their own and no longer be disturbed. Wicked people will not oppress them anymore, as they did at the beginning and have done ever since the time I appointed leaders [1] over my people Israel. I will also give you rest from all your enemies. "`The LORD declares to you that the LORD himself will establish a house for you: When your days are over and you rest with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, who will come from your own body, and I will establish his kingdom. He is the one who will build a house for my Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.

What was it about David that God chose to establish His Kingdom through Him? That Jesus, the Messiah, would come as a result of David’s lineage. To answer these questions, one must look past the warrior and king, and learn about who David was before he was “David”, before he was on “the map” he was in the field. 

In 1st Samuel 16, we are introduced to the youngest of Jesse’s sons. Samuel is told by God to anoint the next king of Israel from amongst the tribe of Jesse. Jesse touts all of the obvious choices, and doesn’t even bother to mention David as being among them. Yet, God knew where David was. David was focused on being a faithful and diligent steward of what He was given charge over, sheep. David was the first type and shadow of Jesus as the Great Shepherd who would leave the 99 to go after the one. David, a man’s after God’s own heart. He was a man who was faithful. diligent, loyal and humble. Even after being anointed as king, in front of his father and his brothers, David didn’t lose sight of his responsibilities, nor did he become arrogant or haughty in spirit. He went right back to being a shepherd. His position didn’t change his posture. His position didn’t deter him from his purpose. David was a shepherd and one that could be trusted to return to his sheep.  God knew that, despite his human proclivities and flaws, David’s heart was towards Him. David, in his truest self, was a worshiper who drew his strength from God. We see this all throughout the Psalms.  “I will praise the LORD all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.” – Psalm 146:2, NLT, “The whole earth is filled with awe at your wonders; where morning dawns, where evening fades, you call forth songs of joy.” – Psalm 65:8, NLT. These are just  2 of the plethora of Psalms written as reflections of David’s posture of praise and worship to God. But, one cannot focus on this one facet of David without also acknowledging his human frailty. 

David’s position did not change his posture or deter him from his purpose

Recently, my son had the privilege of being part of the set up crew for Brandon Lake’s concert at Bayside Church where he is a worship intern with THRIVE College. The song that really launched him to popularity is the song “Graves into Gardens” from his “House Of Miracles” album. There is a line in this anthem that says “my failures and flaws, you’ve seen them all and You still call me friend.” I believe that this line could sum up David’s relationship with God. Most people like to delineate David's life into pre Bathsheba and post Bathsheba. They use the story of the field and the giant to shine light on how God can take you from obscurity and use you to defeat the giants in your life and then turn around label him as an adulterer and murderer who  “gets what he deserves” when his son dies as a result of his sin.  But, in doing this, we fail to see the beauty in the deeply rooted relationship between David and his God. 

One could postulate that the story of David, while it is a story of how God can raise up those who are “forgotten in the field” to do great things, and how God redeems and restores even when we knowingly and willingly sin, more so, it is a beautiful tapestry woven together with strands of grace denoting the many facets of human complexity and the consistent nature of God.  David’s story is, in my opinion, so popular because it is relational. And when we think about the Bible as a whole, when we pause and ponder the words that have been penned, from Genesis to Revelation, we can’t refute the fact that The Bible, the greatest love story ever told, is all about God wanting to have relationship with humanity and sparing no expense, not even His son, to restore relationship with us. 

 Is it even possible to do the story of David justice in just a few paragraphs? Is it even possible to pen all of the revelation and hidden treasures throughout his story? One of my favorite songs says it most eloquently,

To write the love of God above

  Would drain the ocean dry;

Nor could the scroll contain the whole,

  Though stretched from sky to sky.

(The Love of God Is Greater Far)

When I think of David's life and all that God used him for and did in and through him, I am certain it would take a lifetime to unpack all that is hidden, in text and subtext, in the pages of David’s life on paper. 

Having said that, I will do my best to summarize why I believe God chose David to bring forth the Messiah and to build His Kingdom through his lineage. 

I will end where the story began, In 1st Samuel 7.

But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have [a]refused him. For[b] the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7

God knew David’s heart from the very beginning.  Jeremiah 1:5 tells us this. 

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; Before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations.” David’s story, if nothing else, should bring hope and confidence in the fact that, even though God already knows where we will miss the mark in our lives, He knows our true heart and chooses us based on the truth He knows about us in the spirit, not the truth He knows about us in our flawed humanity. Noone is discounted based on what God already knows. What made David a man after God’s own heart was not all the warfare wins. What made David a man after God’s own heart was his posture of worship and dependence on Him. This is what turned a shepherd boy into a warrior and king with whom we are still relating to today. It is David’s humanity that makes him relatable and inspires us to lay ourselves bare before the Lord and dance in His presence. It is David’s example of running to His Father when he failed knowing that his Father's heart was tender toward him. This is what made David a great king.

The Truth About Favor

When you think about favor, what comes to your mind? Do you think of that front row parking spot, the unexpected sale, the free coffee at your favorite coffee shop? Do you think of the big house, fancy car, money in the bank and perfect health? No problems, no suffering and all of your kids and family members saved, happy whole and doing great. Is that what you think of?

Modern Christianity has preached such an antithetical definition of favor that has left many feeling unseen, unloved and unfavored by God because of it. The truth of the matter is, if you look at the lives of of those in the Bible who were used by God in mighty ways, you would see that their lives don’t look anything like the “favored life” that is being preached about today. Actually, it is quite the opposite.

Let’s take a look at some examples going back to the Old Testament.

Let’s start with Moses.

Moses didn’t start out in Pharoah’s palace. Moses started out as a Hebrew baby who was among those set to be killed. Only because of the intentionality of his mother putting him in the basket, did he wind up floating past Pharoah’s palace. After discovering his Hebrew heritage, he chose to live like one of them and, to make a long story short, wound up roaming around the desert for 40 years, dealing with the drama of the people and never made it into the promise land. No front row parking spot for Moses!

Next in line is Joseph!!

Joseph was beat up by his brothers, throne into a pit, sold into slavery, falsely accused rape, put into prison and forgotten by those he helped.

Shaddrach, Meshach and Abednigo….long story short, the king tried to burn them alive in a fire SO HOT, it immediately killed those who threw them in it!

Daniel:

This was no Lion King!!!! He got set up by those who were jealous of his influence with the king, and the king, bound by his own decree, had to throw Daniel in the lions den..for PRAYING!

Job lost his children, his possessions, and was struck with boils all over his body. His friends mocked him and his own wife said “just curse God and die”.

Stephen was stoned to death

John the Baptist was beheaded

Mary, the very mother of Jesus. The Angel of the Lord even said to her

“Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women! – Luke 1:26-28 ,

and she gave birth IN A BARN!

And the 12, handpicked disciples???

Let’s take a look at their “favored” life..

These are historical, in reference. Some passed down by Christian traditions and are consistent with how they would have been treated in their time. ·

• Andrew: (brother of Peter) Martyrdom by crucifixion (bound, not nailed, to an "X-shaped" cross) Hung alive for two days, exhorting spectators all the while. ·

• Bartholomew (Nathaniel): Martyrdom by being skinned alive and crucified, head downward

• James the Greater (son of Zebedee / brother of John) : Beheaded or stabbed with a sword by Herod . His accuser was converted by James' courage & the two were beheaded together.

• · James the Lesser [son of Alphaeus]: Martyred in his early 90's by being thrown from a pinnacle of the Temple at Jerusalem , then stoned and head bashed in with club.

• · John (The Beloved) (son of Zebedee / brother of James) : Banished by Roman Emperor Domitian to Isle of Patmos where penned Revelation, the last book in the Bible.

• Jude (Thaddeus) : Wrote Book of Jude. Martyred by being beaten with a club then crucified

• Matthew (Levi) : Martyred by being staked and speared to the ground. Killed for questioning the morals of the king.

• · Simon Peter (The Rock /Petra): Martyrdom by crucifixion at Rome by Nero. Crucified up-side-down at his request because he did consider himself worthy to be crucified like Jesus.

• · Philip: Said to have been tortured, impaled by iron hooks in his ankles and hung upside down to die.

• · Simon [The Canaanite] : ·Called "The Zealot" because he was associated with that sect. Martyred by crucifixion and then sawn in half.

• · Thomas [Didymus] : Martyred thrust through by spear in India .

• . · Mark (John Mark): Martyred - dragged to death.

• · Luke: The Physician. Wrote Luke anWas hanged on an olive tree, ·

• Matthias [Disciple who filled the place of Judas Acts 1:20-26 ] : Was stoned and beheaded at Jerusalem. ·

• Apostle Paul (Saul): Not only was he repeatedly beaten, flogged and imprisoned after his conversion, he was, then, beheaded by Emperor Nero at Rome.

• · James (The half-brother of Jesus): Thrown some 100 feet off a wall - done to him after he repeatedly refused to deny his faith in Jesus. He survived the fall and was beat him to death with clubs.

JESUS!!!

You would think the Son of God, The Word made flesh would have the most luxuriously favored life of them all!

• Born in a manger

• mocked by His own people

• Conspired against by religious leaders

• Betrayed by one of His own friends

• beaten, whipped to the point his flesh was hanging off His body

• Crucified between 2 thieves

• layed in a borrowed tomb!

So, before you compare your life to others who seem like they are “favored”, check your Word! Jesus, Himself, said

“IN THIS WORLD YOU WILL HAVE TRIALS AND TRIBULATIONS!” John 16:33

Your circumstances do not prove God’s favor in your life. His presence, power and peace in the midst of them does.

The people we read about, they were no less favored by God because of what they went through. They were able to walk through what they did, endure to the end and leave a legacy that we, to this day are reading about, because of His favor on their life.

The Word declares that we are blessed and highly favored, above and not beneath, the head and not the tail and joint heirs with Jesus. Our life experiences do not change that TRUTH.

Paul said, in Phillippians 4:12-13

12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

He shows us in this verse, that situations and circumstances change. We never know from day to day, week to week, month to month or year to year, what our life will look like. But, Paul reminds us it is Christ who strengthens and sustains us. THAT, my friend, is the favored life.

Our favor is HIM!

Stones of Remembrance

Joshua 4 1-3 When the whole nation was finally across, God spoke to Joshua: “Select twelve men from the people, a man from each tribe, and tell them, ‘From right here, the middle of the Jordan where the feet of the priests are standing firm, take twelve stones. Carry them across with you and set them down in the place where you camp tonight.’”

4-7 Joshua called out the twelve men whom he selected from the People of Israel, one man from each tribe. Joshua directed them, “Cross to the middle of the Jordan and take your place in front of the Ark of God, your God. Each of you heft a stone to your shoulder, a stone for each of the tribes of the People of Israel, so you’ll have something later to mark the occasion. When your children ask you, ‘What are these stones to you?’ you’ll say, ‘The flow of the Jordan was stopped in front of the Ark of the Covenant of God as it crossed the Jordan—stopped in its tracks. These stones are a permanent memorial for the People of Israel.’”

8-9 The People of Israel did exactly as Joshua commanded: They took twelve stones from the middle of the Jordan—a stone for each of the twelve tribes, just as God had instructed Joshua—carried them across with them to the camp, and set them down there. Joshua set up the twelve stones taken from the middle of the Jordan that had marked the place where the priests who carried the Ark of the Covenant had stood. They are still there today.

10-11 The priests carrying the Ark continued standing in the middle of the Jordan until everything God had instructed Joshua to tell the people to do was done (confirming what Moses had instructed Joshua). The people crossed; no one dawdled. When the crossing of all the people was complete, they watched as the Ark of the Covenant and the priests crossed over.

This is Memorial Day weekend. A time where we pause (or at least we should) to pay tribute to the men and women of our Nation who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom, their lives. A time where we pause to revisit our Nations history, the good, the bad and the ugly, our triumphs and our missteps. We pause to remember.

We should also take time to remember the things God has done for us, remember, not dwell in, the past. Remember where He has brought us from and remember who He has always been, not only to us, but to all generations. He says “I am the Lord, and I changeth not” Malachai 3:6 declares. By remembering who God is and what He has done, we stir up our faith and confidence.

The stones of remembrance in Joshua were just that. They were set up to remind God’s people that He brought them through, He provided a way where there was, seemingly, no way.

What “stones” do we need to place in areas and time periods, so that we can recall how He showed up for us? Do we take time to remember ALL He has done, or do we focus on the present circumstances and make monuments to their false power over our lives?

The word “remember” is mentioned in the Bible 240 times. Take time to brand these few verses in your heart this Memorial Day weekend.

Deuteronomy 6:12
Then take care lest you forget the Lord, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.

Deuteronomy 8:2
And you shall remember the whole way that the Lord your God has led you these forty years in the wilderness, that he might humble you, testing you to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep his commandments or not.

1 Corinthians 11:2
Now I commend you because you remember me in everything and maintain the traditions even as I delivered them to you.

Isaiah 46:9
“Remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me.”

1 Corinthians 11:24
And when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”

Deuteronomy 32:7
Remember the days of old; consider the years of many generations; ask your father, and he will show you, your elders, and they will tell you.

Ecclesiastes 12:1
Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come and the years draw near of which you will say, “I have no pleasure in them.”

John 14:26
“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.”

Proverbs 10:7
The memory of the righteous is a blessing, but the name of the wicked will rot.

Psalm 103:2
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits.

Psalm 119:55
I remember your name in the night, O Lord, and keep your law.

Psalm 143:5
I remember the days of old; I meditate on all that you have done; I ponder the work of your hands.

Psalm 77:11
I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your wonders of old.

Revelation 2:5
“Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent.”

When you want to know how you are going to make it through a current season, stop and take a breath. You are still here! You are still breathing! This means He was faithful then and He will be faithful now. He provided then, and He will provide now.

He is faithful.

I was once young and now I am old. But, I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their seed begging for bread.

Psalm 37:25

Did Jesus Hang Out With Sinners?

“Jesus hung out with sinners” has long been touted as a justification for God’s children to fellowship and hang out with those who are not of like mind or spirit. I personally believe, with ample support from scripture, this is why we have had so much compromise within the walls of the church and in our homes. The Bible is so clear about who we “hang around” and its affect, either positively or negatively on our spiritual lives and compass.

So, where does this popular opinion stem from? Throughout the New Testament Gospels, you see Jesus with “the crowd”. You see Him healing the sick, raising the dead and feeding the hungry. You only see Jesus with sinners when He is operating in His calling, when He is ministering to their need. Jesus was not “hanging out”. He was not “fellowshipping” with them. If He was, then He, being the Word made flesh, would have been in complete disobedience to the Word, for it says:

2 Corinthians 6:15-18

New Living Translation

15 What harmony can there be between Christ and the devil? How can a believer be a partner with an unbeliever? 

16 And what union can there be between God’s temple and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God said:

“I will live in them
    and walk among them.
I will be their God,
    and they will be my people.
17 Therefore, come out from among unbelievers,
    and separate yourselves from them, says the Lord.
Don’t touch their filthy things,
    and I will welcome you.
18 And I will be your Father,
    and you will be my sons and daughters,
    says the Lord Almighty.”

Yes, we are called to “Go into all the world and preach the Gospel” Mark 16:15, but, here again, the Word is clear

You adulterers! Don’t you realize that friendship with the world makes you an enemy of God? I say it again: If you want to be a friend of the world, you make yourself an enemy of God

James 4:4

Yes, love people. Yes, bring the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Yes, feed them, clothe them, pray for them, But as Jesus modeled, He did life, He “hung out” with His disciples and those of the faith.

Do not be deceived by this compromising way that many are living. One foot in the World and one foot in the faith.

The Word says:

As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend. Proverbs 27:17

Who is sharpening you? Are you being sharpened but the world and it’s ways of thinking and living? Show me who you hang out with and I can tell you who you are either being sharpened or dulled by. Whoever has your ear becomes the sound of your heart.

No, Jesus did not hang out with sinners and His is the model we are to follow.

The Lie about Truth

I bet the title caught your attention and your curiosity compelled you to click on the link and find out what I could possibly mean about the lie about truth. GOOD! It did exactly what I wanted it to do.

It is no secret that this world has had a growing disconnect with the truth and what it’s definition really is. So, I always find it best to start at the beginning, at the foundation, at it’s Genesis. And, yes. I use the word “Genesis” in both the vocabulary and Biblical sense.

But first, let us define the meaning of the word “truth”. Websters definition of the word “truth” is this.

• the body of real things, events, facts: actuality

• the state of being the case: FACT

Sadly, over the past few decades, we have drifted further and further from this very fundamental premise, that is of truth and fact being co-equal, one in the same, and we have, and by '“we” I mean society, by and large have adapted that truth can be fluid, changing, non-descript and adaptable to ones personal likes, dislikes and choices, however far outside the lines one chooses to color. If this be the case, than it would stand to reason that we should just eliminate the word truth from our vonacular, all together, as it is a word that no longer has a definition, as it is open ended to interpretation.

AH…..but here is where we now see with eyes that have been wide opened, and trace it back to it’s “Genesis” I am going to quote my pastor when he says “stay with me in the classroom for a few more minutes, I promise you we are going to church”.

One of the things I love to do is teach. I love to teach because I love to study and when I have those moments when revelation hits and the pieces all fit and the the golden thread is seen weaving it’s way through the tapestry and the Word, Oh, I get so excited and I just have to share. So, here we go.

I am going to bring to your attention a series of Bible verses. A turn by turn, GPS if you will.

• In the beginning God……. Genesis 1:1. The first four words in the Word of God apprise us of the fact that He always was.

• And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: Genesis 1:26. Here we are introduced the the God Head.

All of the Old Testament, the Pentateuch, the Former Prophets (or Historical Books), the Writings, and the Latter Prophets, they all lead us on a journey to Jesus.

Now here is where this really gets good. Here is where we see why, no matter how much this world wants to eradicate truth, it can’t.

• In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. John 1:1

• So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.

  John 1:14

So, let’s start here. We see in Genesis, which means “Beginning”, God always was. God, Himself, is the Genesis of all things. He neither had a beginning, and He will have not end.

“I am the Alpha and the Omega—the beginning and the end,” says the Lord God. “I am the one who is, who always was, and who is still to come—the Almighty One.” Revelation 1:8

So, the “Word” as we define it, the Bible, the inerrant “Word of God” is God Himself, therefore, the “Word” has always been. It was not created, The Word, God Himself, as we see in scripture, is what created all things. God SPOKE , the Word SPOKE creation into being.

For when He spoke, the world began! It appeared at His command. Psalm 33:9

Now, lets move to the next. In John’s Gospel, he writes that “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us”

Prophecy:

"Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Imanuel" (Isaiah 7:14).

Imanu’el: God is with us.

Fulfillment:

“You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus”

Luke 1:31.

"The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God"

Luke 1:35

We can clearly see by the use of the Name Imanu’el, when speaking of Jesus, that Jesus was God, in the form of Man. He was “God with us”. Therefore, Jesus was the “Word made flesh”, therefore Jesus was also, “in the beginning”. Is your mind blown yet? Oh, I am just getting started!

If you have been a Christian (just wait till I break this word down!) for any length of time, hopefully, you have found yourself in a “full counsel of the Word of God” teaching church and have been taught the very basics of our faith and that is the Trinity, the Godhead, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. One person, 3 distinct functions. Ok, I am going to do my best to not “nerd out” here, but oh, how I love the Word and even more, I love breaking it down so that ones “eyes of understanding” can be opened (Ephesians 1:8).

Before I break this down to the next level, lets put these foundational blocks in place. We have established these truths:

• God, Himself, is the Genesis, the beginning of all things.

• God, Himself IS the Word, therefore, the Word always was, and because God WAS and IS the Word, when He spoke things into creation, as all things were formed by His words, the earth and everything that is in it, has it’s very Genesis, if you will, in and from the Word of God.

• Jesus, IS the Son of God. He was also “The Word made Flesh”. This attests to the fact that God and Jesus are ONE.

that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.

John 17:21

Now, having laid this foundation, let us hear, from Jesus Himself, who He says He says He is. But, first, let us re-visit a question Jesus asked the disciples.

13 When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?

14 And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.

15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?

16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.

Matthew 16:13-15

Once again, we see that Jesus is named as the Son of God. The Son of THE LIVING GOD!

So, by now you may be asking,

What does all of this have to do with the title of this post? What are you getting at, Tamara?

I am glad you asked. The topic of truth has led to such deception, which is the the only weapon that the enemy of our soul wields. It is the nucleus of all he uses against us. He deceived mankind in the garden, and he has nothing new thousands of years later. the Bible calls him “the father of all lies” . Read this passage of scripture, in John 8. Notice how Jesus defines Himself, our relationship to God, in understanding, through Jesus, Himself, to the point where our acceptance or rejection of truth, determines our parentage.

42 Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I have come here from God. I have not come on my own; God sent me. 43 Why is my language not clear to you? Because you are unable to hear what I say. 44 You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. 45 Yet because I tell the truth, you do not believe me!46 Can any of you prove me guilty of sin? If I am telling the truth, why don’t you believe me? 47 Whoever belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God.”

John 8:42-47

When we reject Truth, we are not sons and daughters of God. the Bible lays it out quite clear, our father is the devil.

I think a “selah” is needed here.

The assault on truth and it’s definition is demonic. Satan, himself, has been attacking the Truth of God’s Word from the beginning. He started out so subtle. Getting us to question God by using just enough of the truth to get us to pause and question. Sound familiar? Satan is so deceived, himself, that he actually thought he could use the Word of God against Jesus, the WORD MADE FLESH, when he tempted Him for 40 days and 40 nights.

Before Jesus ascended into heaven, He had this to say when questioned by one of HIs disciples, Thomas.

5“Lord,” said Thomas, “we do not know where You are going, so how can we know the way?” 6 Jesus answered, “I am The Way, The Truth and The Life. Noone gets to the Father but through Me. 7 If you had known Me, you would know My Father as well. From now on you do know Him and have seen Him.”…

The way to God, is through Jesus. The way to God is through TRUTH. This is why satan loves when there is no “real truth”. If he can distort it, or get rid of it all together, than he can rid mankind of their only way to God. JESUS. THE WAY, THE TRUTH and THE LIFE.

The lie about truth is that it is open to interpretation. The lie about truth is that it is whatever it means to. you. The lie about truth is that is changes depending on circumstances, inconvenience and preference.

The lie about truth comes from the father of lies himself. If you believe the lie, and reject the Truth of God’s Word, by which all things were created, than you are not sons and daughters of God.

The lie about truth, it leads you away from God.

So, simply put, if you call yourself a Christian, than by that monacher, you are identifying as a follower of Christ. Christ was the Word made Flesh. Christ, is the Way, the Truth and the Life. So, I ask you. If you say you are walking in the Truth, in the full counsel of the Word of God, but you have one foot in the world, in regards to it’s, not so hidden agenda and alignment, and one foot in the Word, when it suits your needs and desires, than are you really a Christian? You are either following the Word or you’re not. You are either walking after truth, or you’re not. You are either a son or daughter of God, or your father is the devil.

Don’t buy the lie about truth.

He says “I Am”

He says I Am

Abba I’m lonely

He says I am the groom 

ABBA I am fearful

He says  I am your Shalom

ABBA I am  Confused, He says I am the wonderful counselor, your sound mind

Abba, I am broken. He says I am the potter you are the clay

Abba I feel lost and I don’t know what to do. He says I am the word that is the lamp to your feet and a light unto your path

ABBA  I have an anxious heart, He says I am the Eagles wings that you mount upon while waiting

ABBA I am in need

He says I am your supply and I own the cattle I a thousand hills

ABBA, I don’t know how to pray 

He says I am the One who knows your words before you say them and your thoughts before you think them

You see, my child, I Am that I Am. All you need and desire is in Me.

I am!

Surrender To The Shaking

.

Lately, I have been seeing so many posts on social media and having conversations that all have common tone to all of them.

*Distraction

*Betrayal

*Hope deffered

*Sick hearts

*doubt

*comparison

*Mental, emotional, spiritual exhaustion

*Fear and anxiety

Just a few of the fiery darts being thrown by the enemy.

This morning I woke up to a heaviness from the hurt in my past, tormented with memories. Woke up to fear and panic.

After laying there saying “Jesus help me” over and over, playing worship and reading Psalms, I was reminded of when Jesus told Peter that Satan wanted to “sift him like wheat”.

Luke 22:31-32

“31And the Lord said, “Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. 32 But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, that you may strengthen your brethren.”

This is that which we are sensing in our spirits. Not all struggles are meant to be prayed away, albeit we spend much out our time praying to that end, but seasons in the spirit, much like the natural, need be journeyed to produce the fruit that others may be fed. Satan sifts, but God shakes. He says in Hebrews 12:27, 7 Now this, “Yet once more,” indicates the removal of those things that are being shaken, as of things that are made, that the things which cannot be shaken may remain.” When God “shakes” us, it is so that old fruit, rotten fruit, those things within us that are impeding our spiritual growth and effectiveness can be removed.

To everything there is a season. Seeds down in fertile ground WILL produce fruit.

Phillippians 1:6

He who has begun a good work is faithful to complete it!

Unity

There has been much said about unity over the past 4 years. Much said about crossing the aisle, and healing our Nation. But, as Christians, as those who walk according the the Word, is that really possible? “What fellowship does light have with darkness? 2 Corinthians 6:14. How can two walk together accept they agree? Amos 3:3. The Bible also talks about, how in the end, there will come a separation, a division. How can this be? Aren’t we supposed to love?

For those who have chosen to walk pursuing holiness and righteousness, not in self but in Him, there will be a point where our very way of living will cause a chasm. You see, those who choose to turn their back on God and His ways, they will never unify with us, but they will go after His people, with malice, to try and make us bend using everything in their arsenal to do so.

What are we willing to compromise for this, said, “unity”.

We will never be able to have unity! To be unified you have to have same mindsets, beliefs, goals and purpose. As long as the word and its rulers are, literally, hell bent in wiping out Christianity and all things Kingdom, there won’t be unity.

Don’t buy into the worlds verbiage and thinly veiled deceit. They are trying to hide their agenda under the auspice of “can’t we all just get along” all the while the prince of darkness is pulling the strings of his evil puppets.

Brother and sister, don’t bend. Don’t give even the slightest opening to their way of thinking. Love as HE loved, and He loved by sending TRUTH, in the form of HIs son to redeem a fallen world.

Jesus said in John 15: 18-22

18If the world hates you, understand that it hated Me first. 19If you were of the world, it would love you as its own. Instead, the world hates you, because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world.

20Remember the word that I spoke to you: ‘No servant is greater than his master.’a If they persecuted Me, they will persecute you as well; if they kept My word, they will keep yours as well.21But they will treat you like this because of My name, since they do not know the One who sent Me. 22If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not be guilty of sin. Now, however, they have no excuse for their sin.

Jesus, Himself, was not unified with the rules of His day either! He went around doing GOOD and they conspired against Him. Was Jesus not walking in love? He knew His purpose, He knew the Truth and He knew a fallen world needed what only He could bring to them. He did not change who He was, what He stood for and what He was there to do.

His is the model we follow.

Where do we stand and what do we stand for?

We can no longer ignore that, while there is a divide in our world, in our Nation, there is also a divide within the church. The Word tells us that there will be a separating of the wheat from the chaff. That good will be called evil, and evil good. Bitter will be called sweet and sweet will be called bitter.

We are not of this world and it's kingdoms, we are of His Kingdom, however, we are in this world and have to be aware of its systems and how they affect our lives and how we align or don't align with how it operates.

We cannot use the blanket of "christianity" and "love" and the, and this is my favorite, "God is still in control so it doesn't matter how we vote", excuse for passive compliance.

While I am a Christian and I love as He has called us to love, I dare not be so blasé in how I operate within this world. This is where, in my deepest conviction, I believe we, as "the Church" (and I use that term loosely) have er'd and in a BIG WAY. We have adapted a mindset that anything goes because of the "grace and love" doctrine that has been prostituted over the past decade, if not more. We have adopted the vonacular of this world, and in doing so, we are now eating the "fruit thereof" by what we have sown with our own words.

We sound more and more like the world, in our attempts to win them, but have we really accomplished anything other than watering down the Gospel?

We must realign ourselves back the the holiness and righteousness of God, keeping in mind that there will be many, amongst our own ranks, that will malign us, in the process, for doing so.

Consider it a privilege if that be the case for you.

He Says I Am

I say, Abba I’m lonely.

He says, daughter, I am your groom.

I say, Abba, I’m fearful

He says, daughter, I am your shalom

I say, Abba, I am confused.

He says, daughter I am the Wonderful Counselor, your sound mind

I say, Abba, I am broken.

He says, daughter, I am the potter and you are the clay.

I say, Abba, I feel lost and I don’t know what to do.

He says, daughter, I am the Word that is the lamp unto your feet and the light unto your path

I say, Abba, I have an anxious heart.

He says, daughter, I am the eagles wings that you mount upon while waiting.

I say, Abba, I am in need

He says, daughter, I am your supply and I own the cattle on a thousand hills.

I say, Abba, I don’t know how to pray.

He says, I am the One who knows your words before you say them and your thoughts before you think them.

You see, daughter, you are My child. I Am that I Am. All you need and desire is in Me.

I Am

For The Everyday Mom: Happy Mother's Day

To all the moms who second guess themselves everyday. Who go to bed replaying their day with their kids and hoping they do better "tomorrow". For all of the moms who cry tears no-one sees and silently battles the fear and insecurities that no-one knows are there. To the moms who drop to their knees in the closet and cling to the promises of God for their children as they navigate the teen years where there are influences, beyond your control, in your childs life. To the moms who scroll through their phones and look at pictures of when their children were younger, and say "I thought those were the tough years" and they walk in their child's room just to turn right out and shut the door so you dont "loose it" To all the moms who look in the mirror and say to themselves "who is this person staring back at me?", I AM YOU. I GET YOU! So does your heavenly Father. He says that He is the Great IAM! Which means, whatever you need, HE IS. A Father to the Fatherless, a Husband to the Husbandless, a very present help in time of trouble, the Lover of your soul. He promises never to leave you, nor forsake you. You are His greatest love, the apple of His eye and He rejoices over you with singing and He quiets you with His love.

Jesus is moved with love and compassion for mothers. In His very last moments on the cross, His final thought was to His mother. Let that settle in your heart. Jesus made SURE HIs mommy would be taken care of. Jesus LOVES mommy's, and He loves you, dear sister.

With Love,

Tamara Rae

The Fish and the Coin

It is no secret that we are living in unsettling times. Whatever your personal thoughts may be on our current sate, I am sure we would all agree this is not how we thought it would be. Millions out of work, stock market crashing, people sick and dying, our children out of school, being kept from attending church, we could go on and on.

This is why I wanted to encourage you with the Word of God. To remind you, that no matter where you are, no matter what your situation, God knows just how to get you what you need, even if it comes by way of a coin in the mouth of a fish. When the chips are really down, when bases are loaded, but there are 2 strikes, 3 balls, in the bottom of the 9th, and its for the championship game, do we trust in our God to drive in all the runs for the win?

In the book of Matthew 17:24-27, we find Jesus and Peter having a discussion on taxes and government. However, I am not focusing on that. I want to draw your attention to the second part of verse 27 where Jesus says to Peter:

“so go down to the lake and throw in a line. Open the mouth of the first fish you catch, and you will find a large silver coin. Take it and pay the tax for the both of us.”

Psalm 37:25 says:

“Once I was young, and now I am old. Yet I have never seen the godly abandoned or their children begging for bread.”

As a true child of God, you have His Word that He will take care of you and see that you have all you need, even if it has to come in the mouth of a fish, He will get you what you need.

Be encouraged. He feeds the sparrows, sends rains to the fields. How much more will He provide for you, His beloved child.

Till next blog……

#pointstoponder

#tamararaeministries

Common Core Christianity

I am sitting at my computer looking for the right words to convey the heaviness of my heart. Over the past few month, with all of the fear and confusion of our current times, I have come face to face with the reality that we have generations of Christians who have not been taught the The Word, but have been taught from books on the NY Best Sellers list. The text messages and DM’s I have received prove, beyond a shadow of a doubt, just how little Word is in the church.

I can, with clarity, ascribe the onset of this new way of preaching to the introductions of books such as “A Purpose Driven Life” and “Your Best Life Now”. Both of which were written by very “popular” Pastors but, whose content reads more like a self help, positive thinking manual for living. It left much wiggle room for “grace” despite sin and it did not lend to much scriptural authenticity. This evoked an onslaught of christian books, written with the intent on helping one think better, live better, and amass earthly wealth and status, with a dash of scripture here and a dash of scripture there.

I am an avid reader and I think reading and studying is beneficial when it is put in it’s proper place against the Word of God. The point of issue is that over the past 2+ decades more weight has been given to man’s books than the Word from the pulpit. We have heard more quotes from books than Scriptures and more names dropped than The Name.

So, where does that leave us? We are a now at a point, in church history, where most of what us “ol timers” learned both in Sunday School and from sermons past, we are seeing played out. End times teachings from the Book Of Revelation, being mindful of the times, etc. all of which have been absent from the Sacred Desk for decades. The majority of people, I have come to know over the past 20 years, have little to no knowledge of what Revelation teaches. No clue who the antichrist is, no clue about plagues, no clue about the Great Tribulation and I could go on and on. Many, who I have encouraged to start reading Revelation, say they are “scared” and would rather not entertain the thought. To further add to the heaviness, many take no issue with what God’s Word says about sin and repentance and continue to live “their best life now”, all because they have built their walk on shifty sands rather than firm foundation. Their affections have not been set on things above, as the Word instructs, but rather have been taught to use The Word and their Christianity as a way to manipulate the hand of God to work on their behalf in regards to their earthly comfort. To fit the christian walk into the open spaces of their current life, rather than have The Word come in and make all things new.

The error in this “modern christianity mentality”is that, now, NOW all we have neglected to instruct in is coming at a fast pace and many are in, no way, prepared.

It reminds me of when Common Core math instructions came into play. It completely upheaved math instruction in such a way that, the simple equation of 2+2=4 became a 70 step process. No longer was there a definitive answer, but there were times when an “estimate” was the correct answer to the dismay of the correct answer. I remember when my brother, who worked for an architectural firm, said, “if we tried to build a building using common core math, it wouldn’t pass inspection and it wouldn’t stand.”

This is the christian of today. Nothing is black or white, they are ‘‘estimating” their salvation by “getting it close enough” and it is due to faulty, neglectful and inaccurate teaching.

what sorrow for those who say that evil is good and good is evil, that dark is light and light is dark, that bitter is sweet and sweet is bitter.

Isaiah 5:20 NLT

Here is what The Word has to say for those who are teaching and preaching the Word of God.

Dear brothers and sisters, not many of you should become teachers in the church, for we who teach will be judged more strictly. James 3:1 NLT

This doesn’t just cover WHAT we teach, it covers what we choose NOT to teach. We cannot teach blessing without teaching obedience, we cannot teach grace without teaching repentance, and we absolutely cannot leave a generation of Christians without the knowledge of the second coming of Christ. The must be taught to live each day ready to meet the Lord coupled with the consequence of “weeping and gnashing of teeth” for those who reject salvation and sanctification through the Cross of Christ.

The King Is Coming. Are you ready?

So y ou, too, must keep watch! For you don’t know what day your Lord is coming. Matthew 24:42 NLT

Till next blog

#pointstoponder

The Great Divide

Hello Dear Ones,

I am writing this post to, hopefully, shed some truth on what, as Christians, we are called to love and hate. HATE??? Yes!

With so much talk about love, acceptance and tolerance, the lines of Truth have been continually moved and compromised. When that happens, we lose sight of the privilege to truly love those we are called to love; those who need Jesus.

As I have said many times before, I never discuss my opinion, as my opinion doesn’t matter nor does it set man free. The Bible says “that ye shall know the TRUTH (emphasis mine) and the TRUTH shall set you free” John 8:32. There is only one TRUTH, and that is the Word of God. There is no version, or interpretation, How God wrote it, how Jesus lived it, as the Word made Flesh, that is the Truth. “For I am the way, the truth and the life, no man sees the Father but by Me”. John 14:6

As followers of Christ, Christians, we must start by reconciling the adamant Truth of the Word. If we have not settled that in our own lives, then we are not on firm foundation, we are on ever shifting sands of world opinions, morals and standards. In the beginning was, and at the end will forever be, The Word.

Now that we have established that, I want to address the issues we are facing in society right now in regards to acceptance, tolerance and the use of “love” as a rationale behind said tolerance and acceptance.

Never before, in society, has sin (as we must call it what it is) been so widely praised, flaunted and lauded as “life style choices”. We panegyrize those who live this way, all the while cast aspersion on those who stand for Truth.

Whether it be the lifestyle choices of the LGBTQP (yes, pedophylia is now accepted) or the choice to murder unborn children, we are being indoctrinated to widely accept these choices under the auspice of “love”.

Aren’t we supposed to love, you may ask? Yes, we are. God, Himself, IS love. It is His love that caused Him to send Jesus, His only son, to the cross to die on our behalf. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him, shall not perish but have everlasting life”. John 3:16.

So, what is all of the confusion about loving those who are in sin? Why are christians being led astray by false love and grace teaching. It’s simple. Leaders have cherry picked scripture from the Word to be neutral. We have gender neutral in society and scripture neutral in the churches. As long as it can be taken as “whatever that translates to in your life” (oh, how many times I have heard that from the pulpits today!), we are ok with it. But, that is not going to help anyone, when all is said and done. God wrote HIs Word perfectly. “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” 2 Timothy3:16

ALL SCRIPTURE!! Not just the ones that gives us all the warm and fuzzies. The Word is a 2 edged sword. It corrects and heals.

Psalm 97:9 says “You who love the Lord, hate evil! He preserves the sounds of His saints; He delivers them out of the hand of the wicked.

What sent Jesus to the cross?? 2 things did. Gods love for His children AND His hate of sin. Because He loves us so much, He hates anything that separates Him from us. Sin is the only thing God hates because it keeps us from the relationship that He created us to have with Him from the onset of time.

When we identify with Him in name, we must also identify with Him in heart

To know and understand the heart of our Heavenly Father is to understand that He is all about reconciling us back to Him and anything that keeps us from that, is something that He cannot look upon. When Jesus was on the cross, He cried out “My Father, why has Thou forsaken me?”. The moment Jesus BECAME sin, God, because He is Holy and cannot look upon sin, had to turn away from His son. It was the first time the ever experienced separation. SIN separated the loving Father from His son. He hates sin so much, He had to turn away. That is why God hates sin, because it separates.

How does that translate to us here on earth? When we identify with Him in name, we must identify with Him in heart. The same love and hate that caused Him to send Christ to the cross, should be what drives us to love AND hate as well. LOVE people enough to speak life and truth and, equally, hate the sin that is separating them from The Father, enough to speak life and truth.

LOVE the person, HATE the sin. Acceptance and tolerance is not love. It is passive compliance. True love seeks to reconcile and bring life and freedom; and the only way we do that is with the Truth of Gods Word spoken and lived out with the heart of the One Who wrote it.

till next time……….Tamara Rae

As Much As It Depends On You

I had a discussion with someone who was sharing with me some painful situations that they are currently facing. Constant attacks, put downs and threats from those closest to them. Both my head and my heart were in such turmoil as I listened to all this person was facing on a daily basis. As the conversation went on, this friend shared with me their response to the ugliness they were receiving in hopes to bring peace to the situation, to no avail.

What they said is what has brought me to writing this blog. I hope it sheds some light and brings some freedom to many who are faced with these situations and who take the burden of being the peacemaker, fully, on themselves.

The Bible says in Romans 12:18 KJV: “if it be possible, as much as lieth (amplified says, as much as depends on you) in you, live peaceably (amplified, live at peace) with all men”

If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.

Romans 12;18 KJV

I want to draw attention to the purposeful wording that Paul uses in this verse. “If possible” and “as much as lieth within you”. There are sometimes that, no matter what you do or say, because of the heart and spirit in another person, peace is not possible in a situation. However, this does not mean that peace is not possible within YOU! Our peace is not dependent on outward circumstances nor is it dependent another persons behavior.

Living peaceably and pursuing peace does not mean we accept or make excuse for someones behavior towards us. It does not mean we take on the blame or responsibility for their words or actions. That is being an enabler and is actually a co-dependant relationship which is not only unhealthy, but it is not Biblical either.

Jesus was both truth and grace and He is the Prince of Peace. By following His example, we can be truthful to those who are causing discord, doing so in grace and walking in peace. If you can only live in peace when others are “happy with you”, than my friend, you will NEVER be at peace as there will always be someone who doesn’t agree with you or like you. You must anchor your peace to the Prince of Peace and the truth of HIs word only.

If you can only live in peace if others are happy with you, you will never live in peace. Your peace must be anchored in the Prince of Peace and the truth of His Word only.

Peace may not always be possible, outwardly, when dealing with other people, but it can be possible INWARDLY based on the choices we make to live in truth which brings us peace.

If you are faced with situations right now, where you are caught in the trap of trying to make everyone happy in order to be “the peacemaker”, then let me shed some light. You can only do “as much as depends on you”. You are not responsible for the choices and behavior of others. Furthermore, living peaceably does not mean you are a doormat, punching bag, trash bin or dart board for someone else. Do not fall into those unhealthy patterns and relationships.

Speak truth, with grace, and then remember that He promises to fight for you, you need only to remain calm.

The Lord, Himself, will fight for you, Just say calm. Exodus 4:14

You have One who intercedes, fights and protects you. You are protected by the shadow of His Wing. Let the Holy Spirit guide your words and actions, which, at times, may be to do neither of the two, and then let your Father fight for you while you remain calm in the internal peace only He can bring.

Till next blog……….

"And I never get runs in my pantyhose...."

What a weird title, huh? But, OH the wisdom behind these words that were spoken to me as a young girl, sitting on the edge of my grandma’s bed while she took out her pantyhose, on a Saturday night, getting ready for Sunday morning. I used to spend every weekend with my grandparents. It would start on a Friday, right after school, when they would pick me up. I couldn’t WAIT because I just loved my grandparents so much and I loved being with them, talking with them, not to mention, I was a tad spoiled by them as well. I would sleep in the den, which was my “happy place” back then and sit and talk with my grandma at the dining room table. I would sing to my Sandi Patti TAPES in my aunts bedroom and watch WWF wrestling with my grandpa on Saturday mornings and watch him work in the garage during the day. OH, how I loved my weekends. The smell of fresh HOT NY bagels, coffee and the sight of Grandma with her open Bible. These were my weekends.

What I remember most, aside from all of that, was my grandfather would go to his office, first thing when we got home. I would follow him down the stairs and watch as he would take out his tithing envelope ( we didn’t have push pay and online paying back then) and write his tithe. He would then proceed up the stairs, give it to my grandmother who would, then, put it right in her Bible.

They would always tell me how God provides and keeps everything working for them. But the BEST was the story behind the title…….The Pantyhose story. One Saturday as grandma was getting her Sunday best ready, she took out her pantyhose that she kept in the drawer. She said to me “do you know how long I’ve had these Tammy?” I shook my head no. “Ive had these a whole year with no runs in them. Do you know why?” Again, I shook my head no. “Because I tithe. God makes sure that all my pantyhose never get a run in them and that all my things last. He promised to rebuke the devourer on my behalf, and look….He did….no runs in any of my pantyhose!” She chuckled and the fact she was telling me about pantyhose, but with grandma and grandpa, they knew who took care of them and they knew that it was because they “proved Him” over and over by taking Him at His Word.

Bring all your tithes (the tenth) into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house, and test Me now in this, says the Lord of hosts, “if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you (so great) a blessing until there is no more room to receive it. 11: Then I will rebuke the devourer (insects, plagues) for your sake and he will not destroy the fruits of the ground, nor will your vine in the filed drop its grapes (before harvest), “ says the Lord of hosts. Malachi 3:10-11

My grandparents had a revelation of scripture and it started by simply obeying Gods Word, to step out in faith, despite any perceived lack, and believe that He would do what He promised to do. Grandpa would even say “the appliances always last, my cars last, my tires last, even my gas lasts because I tithe Tammy. I could never feed and take care of this family if God didn’t keep HIs word. I know Gods got it!”

What a peace we can live knowing that blessing and God’s provision comes when we simply trust and obey. That verse in Malachi is the only time God basically tells us “true me, I dare ya!”

I witnessed God provide over and over again, for my grandparents. Now that I am an adult and know, first hand, the cost of living, I look back and, with even more awe, know that it was solely the hand of God and Him keeping His Word that we had what we had. Grandpa even had enough to spoil his granddaughter with a full line of the popular “Z-Cavaricci” jeans in all the colors, buy me my class ring and throw me some great birthday and graduation parties, lol.

But the BEST ever tithing story will always be The Pantyhose story!!!

So today I throw out, what we will call “The pantyhose challenge”, I triple dog dare you…take Him at His word today. God can do more with your 90% than you ever could withholding the 100%

#pointstoponder