The Maddening Crowds

“Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

~Matthew 11:28-30

Life can be very demanding physically, mentally and emotionally. We all have burdens to carry that can seem to be very weighty and sometimes, those burdens can make us feel as if we can’t go on. There’s been times in my life when I’ve wanted to chuck it all, move to a desert isle and forget there is anything else in the world. I hate it that my time isn’t always my own and that I have responsibilities to others in the various circles in my life. I have family obligations, work obligations, ministerial obligations, and the list goes on. It gets tiring and sometimes, the most I can do is hideout and binge watch Forensic Files.

“But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength; they will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not be faint (Isaiah 40:31).”

The Lord is our strength but that is also determined by our dependence on Him in every aspect of our lives. Even Jesus got tired but when He did, He separated Himself from the crowds and spent time alone with God, praying and being strengthened (Luke 5:16). If we are to complete our tasks on earth, we have to be like Jesus, who was fully human, yet fully God, but still took time to pray and be sustained by that close relationship with the Father. We must also pray privately, take time away from the maddening crowds, turn off the TV and other distractions and spend time alone with our Lord and Savior.

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things…and the God of peace will be with you (Philippians 4:8-9).”

Read Jeremiah 13-20

 ©2017 Marie McGaha

The Lord Will Answer

“I call upon you, for you will answer me, O God; incline your ear to me; hear my words.”

~Psalm 17:6

We all have questions and that’s a good thing. Asking questions is how we learn, and we should never stop learning, no matter how old we are. But when we are answering questions, we should also stick to the facts and not use our own opinions as answers. Allowing someone to hear the facts and then form their own opinions is part of being a good teacher. Jesus was like that. He answered questions a lot, but His answers were simple facts and not just His own opinions. He allowed everyone the opportunity to either believe Him or not, to form their own opinions, and to either follow Him or go their own way. I try to remember that when I’m asked questions. I have formed lots of opinions in my life on a lot of topics, but I always hope that others will gather the facts and form their own opinions, instead of just relying on my answers, or anyone else’s for that matter. With that in mind, today, I decided to answer some of the many questions I receive.

From Oklahoma:

Do ghosts really exist? I asked two pastors and got two different answers. One says that ghosts and spirits are the same thing and they do exist, and the other says they are two different things and don’t exist. What do you think?

MM: In the Book of Acts, the term Holy Spirit and Holy Ghost are used interchangeably, so yes, they are the same thing, just different terms. And of course, the Holy Ghost is the Spirit of God, and He most definitely exists. As far as ghosts in the sense that when someone dies, does their spirit hang around on earth for their families to see, that is a matter of opinion, which I have said I will keep to myself for this forum.

From Oklahoma:

The Bible uses the term “sleep” instead of death but then it says the “dead in Christ will rise first,” so does that mean we don’t go to Heaven as soon as we die and we’re just hanging around waiting on new bodies before we can go to Heaven?

MM: 
Generally, the term “sleep” is used for believers in Christ who pass away and “death” is used for non-believers. The reason is that the death of our bodies here on earth is not the end. When Christians die, our spirits are released from our bodies at the moment of death, and we go to Heaven. However, when a non-believer dies, the term “death” is used because it is not just bodily death, but spiritual death as well. Paul said, “We are confident and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord (2 Corinthians 5:8).” And in Philippians 1:23 he says, “I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far.” As far as the “dead in Christ will rise first” I believe that is a more involved conversation than I can write here, however, I think that while our spirits go to Heaven immediately, there will come a day when our bodies will be resurrected as a new, celestial body just as Christ’s was when He walked out of the tomb, and our spirits will be reunited with that new body.

From West Virginia:

Deborah was called to rule over Israel; God gave her that leadership. Was there any other women called to lead like Deborah? Her story is amazing.

MM:

If you want women who ruled the way Deborah did, the Bible is sorely lacking in that area, although I am sure there were many more. You have to remember in those days that women were not much more than chattel and used as bargaining tools, broodmares, and maids. In Deborah's case, no man stepped up to do the job, so God put a woman in place. For that era, it was a slap in the men's face to have a woman in a position of such power in Israel. In today's time, there is still as much division over whether women should have positions of authority in the church as in biblical times.

1 Timothy 2:12 "But I do not allow a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man, but to remain quiet."

That verse is used by men to show God doesn't want women in positions of power.

1 Timothy 2:15 "But women will be saved through childbearing if they continue in faith, love and holiness with propriety."

1 Timothy 5:14 "So I counsel younger widows to marry, to have children, to manage their homes and to give the enemy no opportunity for slander."

And these verses are used to back up the idea that women are to be satisfied with being wives and mothers, serving their husbands while the husband serves the church.

Now, that being said, I agree with it. I was perfectly content to be a wife and mother, and now a wife and grandmother. And if we lived in a perfect world, which is what those verses speak to, there would be no need for women to have positions in the church other than teaching Sunday school and singing in the choir or running the bake sales. The problem, however, is the same one that occurred in Deborah's time. Men do not want to step up and take hold of the authority they have been given—not in the homes and not in the church. So, we see women stepping up to take those roles. That is why I think God said in Galatians 3:28, "There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus."

That being said... there are other examples of women who served in positions that no man could have filled. Most of the women in the Bible from Eve to Mary were the reason Christ was born. But also, there are others who served in their own ways. Marion was a worship leader. Rahab saved the spies Joshua sent into the land. Elisabeth gave birth to John the Baptist. Mary & Martha prepared Jesus' body for burial. And Mary anointed Jesus' feet by breaking the alabaster box of oil that was worth a fortune.

I don't think our gender really matters. I think we serve the Lord in whatever way God presents to us whether it's teaching Sunday school, pastoring a church, or staying home to raise the kids.

From email:

Why is there such a divide in churches? And not just between denominations but even in churches that claim the same beliefs like Baptists or Pentecostals. Ask them a question and you get different answers and it starts a fight. What’s up with that?

MM:

I have heard a lot of disagreements as well and what I have learned is to not ask random people the same questions. Find someone you trust to give you straight answers from the Bible and not just their opinions. Humans are fallible, even pastors and teachers, and we have a hard time not interjecting our own opinions into everything. But to understand the Bible, you must first accept Christ as your Savior, and then have the infilling of the Holy Spirit, who is our teacher straight from Heaven. And no matter who you go to for answers, always make sure their answers line up with God’s Word. 1 John 2:27 says, “But the anointing that you received from Him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you.” Seek the Lord and He will teach you.

“No one who denies the Son has the Father. Whoever confesses the Son has the Father also. Let what you heard from the beginning abide in you. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, then you too will abide in the Son and in the Father. And this is the promise that he made to us—eternal life. I write these things to you about those who are trying to deceive you. But the anointing that you received from Him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as His anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie—just as it has taught you, abide in Him (1 John 2:23-27).”

Read Jeremiah 6-12

©2017 Marie McGaha

Our Blessed Hope

"But from everlasting to everlasting the Lord's love is with those who fear Him, and His righteousness with their children’s children."

~Psalm 103:17

If you're a regular reader of my blog, you'll have noticed my absence over the past week. I went to Tennessee to visit my folks, who are both in ill health and getting on in years. For me, it was a long flight, a long drive, and lots of walking through airports. The week with my parents went by too quickly and then it was more driving, walking and flying to get back home. I'm exhausted! But I am so happy I was able to make the trip and spend the week with them. I am blessed to still have both my parents at this age in my life and I hope I will be able to see them again soon. I don't think that as a younger person, I fully appreciated having parents who love me, but as a mother and grandmother, I find I am more appreciative of having parents who are still with us. Especially since many of my friends have lost theirs and are grieving that loss. My parents are both Christians and I know when they do leave this world, they'll be with the Lord and one day, and I will see them again. I can't imagine how difficult it is for people who don't have that assurance with their families. 

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to His great mercy, He has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in Heaven for you (1 Peter 1:3-4)."

My paternal grandmother was the praying matriarch of our family, and the reason I am a Christian today. She died without seeing even one of her children or grandchildren saved, but the Lord never forgot her prayers. Her greatest hope was to see her family in Heaven one day, and that is also my greatest hope for my own children and grandchildren. Every time I think about my grandmother, I am filled with gratitude for her unending prayers that are the reason my parents will one day join her in Heaven, and someday, I will too. I always think what a wonderful family reunion that is going to be! Christ is our blessed hope both here on earth and in Heaven. If we are to have any hope at all, let us all hope in Him.

"For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession who are zealous for good works (Titus 2:11-14)."

Read Jeremiah 1-5

© 2018 Marie McGaha

Unanswered Prayers

“Therefore, we do not lose heart. Though our outward man is decaying, yet our inward man is renewed day by day. For our trouble, light and momentary, is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, as we look not at what can be seen but at what cannot be seen. For what can be seen is temporary, but what cannot be seen is eternal.”

~2 Corinthians 4:16-18

My father has cancer—for the second time. The first time was colon cancer, and after surgery and chemo, he was declared cancer-free. Our prayers were answered, or, as the doctors said, they cured him. A few years later, he was diagnosed with another tumor, this time on his organs and it was inoperable. He went through chemo for a very long time, but his one tumor became three, and then six, and now, there’s nine tumors and he quit chemo. Obviously, chemo didn’t work but it did make him very sick and my father, who usually weighed around 170 pounds, was down to 118. Since stopping the chemo, against doctor’s advice of course, he is gaining weight again. I’ve been praying for his healing for years, as has his church, my church, and every person I know that I’ve asked to pray for him, yet, he has not been divinely healed. People have laid hands on him, anointed him with oil, and everything else we are instructed to do for the sick (James 5:14-15). Yet, he still has cancer. So, what are we doing wrong? In short, nothing. Sometimes our prayers go unanswered, and as frustrating as that can be, I still believe God heard those prayers and there is an answer.

“As He went along, He saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, ‘Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?’ ‘Neither this man nor his parents sinned,’ said Jesus, ‘but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him’ (John 9:1-3).” 

In the New Testament, we see a lot of divine healing by Jesus, and by the disciples in the Book of Acts. Throughout the Bible there were times of healing and although it may seem that a lot of people were healed, when you consider the span of time, nearly 3,000 years, there really wasn’t that many people who experienced divine healing. People get sick for various reasons; some will recover, others will not. We are frail humans born with an expiration date, and that’s something no amount of prayer will stop. But when we die or how we die isn’t even the point because we all have to die of something. The point is what we do with the life God gave us. We are here to serve God and Him alone and our reward is not healing, or riches, or anything else we can obtain in life, it’s hearing those words, “Well done good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:23) when we leave this life and step into life everlasting.

Tomorrow, I am flying out to see my father. It will probably be the last time I see him this side of Heaven. It makes me sad to think he will no longer be here for me to call whenever I want. He has a great sense of humor and I can always count on Pop to make me laugh. But I know that when he leaves this life, he will step into the life I long for, one where we see Jesus face-to-face, where we are reunited with those who have gone before us, where there is no more pain or disease or sorrow or tears (Revelation 21:4).

“So, to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong (2 Corinthians 12:7-10).”

Read Isaiah 17-21 (Continue reading Isaiah over the next week while I’m visiting my parents)

© 2017 Marie McGaha

Failure Is Not An Option

“But now that faith has come, we are no longer under the law, for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” 

~Galatians 3:25-28

I have worked since I was 13. First as a babysitter, then I cleaned a bar on Sundays, and at 15, I got my first real job with an actual paycheck—minus FICA and other taxes. That was a real shock. I didn’t know anything about taxes, Medicare, Social Security, or any of the stuff that went along with earning money in the adult world. Growing up and having to deal with adult issues was a shock but I learned quickly. We think life is full of rules when we’re kids and being a grown-up will give us freedom from our parents’ stupid demands—chores, curfews, who needs dumb rules like that? What we don’t realize is that once we are on our own, the rules of adulthood are much more demanding than anything our parents asked of us. We might have freedom to do as we want but we are still under the law of the land, the regulations of the governments on federal, state, and county levels dictate our lives. And, if we can’t handle that, and decide that we want to break all those rules, we wind up in places where the rules are fast and hard.

“For the righteous falls seven times and rises again, but the wicked stumble in times of calamity (Proverbs 24:16).”

Following Jesus has a lot of requirements but unlike the laws of the world, it’s not difficult to follow Jesus and stick with the ‘rules’. I’ve heard people say they couldn’t be a Christian because they just can’t be that “good”. My reply is, “Neither can I.” I can’t be good enough for Jesus because like Paul, there is nothing good within me (Romans 7:18). I fail every single day. I lose my temper. I get frustrated with my dogs, my husband, and situations that I face. I’ve even been known to say a bad word from time to time. But does that mean I failed at being a Christian? Absolutely not. What separates us from the world is that we have been forgiven. Even when we fall, Christ is there to pick us up and move us forward, not to kick us when we’re down. No matter what we do, or how we think we’ve failed, as long as we get up, brush ourselves off and move forward in Christ, we are not failures in His eyes. We are children of the Most High, and He does not give up on us.

“Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:13-14).” 

Read Isaiah 11-16

© 2017 Marie McGaha

Praise to Adonai

"Halleluyah! Praise Adonai from the heavens! Praise Him in the highest! Praise Him all His angels! Praise Him all His armies. Praise Him, sun and moon! Praise Him, all stars of light. Praise Him, highest heavens, and waters above the heavens. Let them praise the Name of Adonai, for He commanded and they were created. He set them in place forever and ever. He made a decree that will never pass away. Praise Adonai from the earth, sea monsters and all depths, fire and hail, snow and vapor, storm wind doing His bidding, mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars, beasts and all cattle, crawling things and winged birds, kings of the earth and all peoples, princes and all rulers of earth, both young men and maidens, old men and children. Let them praise the Name of Adonai, for His Name alone is exalted. His glory is above earth and heaven. He has raised up a horn for His people, a praise for all His kedoshim, for the children of Israel—a people near to Him. Halleluyah!"

~Psalm 148

Much of the Book of Psalms is dedicated to praising God. In fact, depending on which version of the Bible you read, the word "praise" appears about 250 times. The original Jewish word for 'praise' is "hallel" (הַלְּלוּיָהּ), which translates as a "joyous praise in song, to boast in God." When combined with "Jah" (Jehovah) or "Yah" (Yahweh), 'Hallelujah' becomes a high praise to Jehovah God.

We praise God to give Him glory for all He has done in our lives, especially for what Jesus Christ did on the Cross at Calvary. Without that single death-defying act, humanity would be hopeless and hopelessly lost. Salvation is our only hope for a future not only on Earth but for an eternity spent with Christ in Heaven. But praising God is not just for us here on Earth - even the heavenly hosts shout praises to God! 

"Then I heard something like the voice of a great multitude—like the roar of rushing waters or like the rumbling of powerful thunder—saying, 'Halleluyah! For Adonai Elohei-Tzva’ot reigns! Let us rejoice and be glad and give the glory to Him! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and His bride has made herself ready, She was given fine linen to wear, bright and clean! For the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the kedoshim.' Then the angel tells me, 'Write: How fortunate are those who have been invited to the wedding banquet of the Lamb!' He also tells me, 'These are the true words of God' (Revelation 19:6-9)."

In the end, life as we know it will cease one way or the other. Either we will die and leave this Earth, or we will see the coming of the Lord, but no matter which it is, life here isn't all there is. We will all stand before God either for judgement or for everlasting life in Heaven shouting, "Hallelujah!"

As for me, I choose to begin now. Hallelujah to the Lord my Savior who loves me and gave His life so I will spend eternity with Him!

Read Jeremiah 6-10

© 2018 Marie McGaha

The Best Laid Plans

“Then Jesus said to them, “You will all fall away because of me this night. For it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’ But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee.” Peter answered him, “Though they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away.” Jesus said to him, “Truly, I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” Peter said to him, “Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you!” And all the disciples said the same.”

~Matthew 26:31-35

The quote by Robert Burns, “The best laid plans of mice and men often go awry,” is one of my favorites. In fact, there’s times when it seems to be my life’s mantra. I make decisions to study the Bible more, pray more, worship more, attend church more, be kinder to others, always smile and say nice things no matter how I feel, to not sound cross, and let the actions of others slide off instead of responding with something less than kind—I don’t always succeed and then I feel guilty because I didn’t only fall short of my own expectations but I am sure I let God down again. I begin kicking myself for not having more self-control, for not being good enough, for not loving Jesus enough to be able to follow through on my own promises. It’s not that I intend to let the Lord down, I really try hard not to, but I fail just like Peter did. I would never do anything to let the Lord down, I tell myself, but I do, and like Peter, all I can do is cry and berate myself.

“For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing (Romans 7:18-19)”. 

Paul also had a problem doing the things he told himself he would do but instead, did the things he said he wouldn’t do. He also said he was the greatest of sinners and berated himself for the things he did that he was sure Christ could never forgive him for. Failing seems to be universal but what isn’t universal is how we continue after we’ve failed. When Judas Iscariot failed Jesus, he hanged himself. When Peter failed, he cried for a while, but we see Peter come back stronger than ever. So, we have a choice when we feel as if we’ve failed, we can be Judas or we can be Peter. While we may feel like Judas from time to time and want to lay down and die while wallowing in our failure, the Spirit of God within us rallies us to come back like Peter. No matter how we might feel, we have to remember that feelings pass. They are volatile like waves on the ocean—feelings cannot be trusted to guide us to where we want to be. Instead, we must rely on Jesus Christ within us.

“No weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and this is their vindication from Me,” declares the Lord (Isaiah 54:17).”

“I waited patiently for the Lord; He inclined to me and heard my cry. He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure. He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the Lord (Psalm 40:1-3).”

Read Jeremiah 1-5

© 2017 Marie McGaha