Moving forward is sometimes difficult . . .

For the past few days, the enemy who is also called the accuser of God’s people has been reminding me of past foolishness and forgiven sin. My nature tends to focus on the dark side of everything, the bad news, so I’m sometimes vulnerable to Satan’s mocking and struggle to “press on” in my faith.

Part of his strategy is to stop me from praying. He uses circumstances, busyness, interruptions, and all sorts of thoughts and ideas trying to occupy me with anything but prayer. I can see why. This past week God has blessed me with answers and unexpected blessings that I’ve shared with others who, like me, love the surprises of God.

But Satan doesn’t. His attacks yesterday and today are reminders of all sorts of failures and sin that has been forgiven and conquered but he doesn’t want me to focus on the victories just those failures.

The Lord is with me. Yesterday as I struggled with this onslaught from the accuser, I picked up a prayer list from my church denomination. The prayer for the day was this: “Thank God for the way He is able to use you because of and despite your past.”

This ‘note’ from the Lord brought tears of gratitude to my eyes and picked me up for the rest of the day, yet the enemy was not stopped. He is at it again today, and again, the Lord gives me more good news to bolster my spirit — a positive response to the devil’s accusations:

Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen. (Jude 24–25)

In the past on those days when negative thinking seems to overwhelm me, I’ve often prayed, “Lord, it this is what You want me to think about, then I will accept this battle as part of Your plan for me. If not, then You know what to do.” I pray that again now, for You are my Savior. I cannot keep myself from stumbling. I certainly cannot present myself blameless before You. However, by Your grace I have been saved, and that not of myself or I could and would boast. Salvation is a gift of God by grace through faith and You have graciously given me that gift. The enemy’s reminders of past sin are true in one sense — I was guilty — but I am also forgiven and cleansed, covered by Your blood and because You live in me, I am also bearer of Your righteousness and goodness. Bring that forward and enable me to “forget what lies behind and strain forward to what lies ahead, pressing on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Help me to hold true to what I have already attained (Philippians 3:13-16) because You are my Savior and I’m always in need of saving.

Today’s thankful list . . .

- the blessing of God’s constant care and reminders of His love and grace toward me.

- hubby did some shopping today so I could work on a project with a deadline.

- color . . . such a delight that life is not gray scale but color!

- the rapidly growing herbs in our hydroponic garden – a gift that keeps on giving.

- peach cobbler from the freezer.

“There is no perfect church” Really?

In a quilting class, one person attending brought ugly fabric and  sewed with  the attitude that this was only a class and it didn’t matter whether she did her best work or not. The class sample she made was unattractive and a disappointment. Maybe I’m a perfectionist, but I couldn’t see the sense in going to all that work with an “it’s good enough” attitude.

I’ve heard it said too often about church too; something like “There is no perfect church” something offered to those complaining about the latest church they attended. It also comes out of the mouths of members who attend year after year, grumbling but hanging in there. After a while, this begins to sound like an excuse. Maybe a “perfect church” would be better spoken of as a goal?

This morning I read a summary of the last part of 1 Timothy. Here is my summary of that summary.

First, the ideal is characterized by the prayer life of its members. Also, the emphasis is on the godly lives of those members rather than appearances.

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. (1 Timothy 2:1–2)

What ever happened to mid-week prayer meetings? What replaces prayer for political leaders? If I’m not praying as instructed, can I expect a peaceful and quiet life that is godly and dignified? Really?

Second, the ideal is characterized by godly leadership. The list of requirements is long, too long to print here. It holds to high standards of moral and spiritual qualities. I’ve attended many churches and must say that not all of them measure up to this biblical pattern. Electing church officials is too often a popularity contest rather that based on what God wants. Can I expect godly followers if the leaders are not godly? I don’t think so.

Third, the ideal is characterized by proper administration of various affairs like care of widows, the work of the elders, deacons and teachers. Each is to give attention to his responsibilities knowing that he is answerable to the Lord. In our day, we have government programs to care for the needy, doing things that the church once did. Perhaps that is a good thing but what has replaced social care? A social club? A nice bunch of people to eat with? 

As for pastors and teachers, I’m more than a little concerned when the comments after a service or a class include statements like, “Oh, is he ever good at that” instead of realizing all our goodness is a total gift from God.

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Lord Jesus, maybe I haven’t seen all the behind-the-scenes activities. Certain there are many times You exercise that wonder of “His strength made perfect in weakness.” Perhaps I’m looking in the mirror and seeing how far short I fall. None the less, we could do better. The standard is high and You never let me get away with excuses. May my prayers for Your church and efforts to be a part of it always seek to “play by the rules” and to glorify Your excellence.

Today’s thankful list . . .

Convicted of not holding to a higher standard.

Realizing Jesus will built His church and I need to cooperate.

Thankful that I can pray for the church, which is far more effective than preaching at anyone.

Feeling a bit better after two naps today.

The love of Jesus, despite our foibles and shortcomings.