The Wise Will Stumble

Today as I studied the last of the book of Daniel with my "Tuesday girls", a scripture was brought up that merits some serious thought.

Daniel 11: 35 - Some of the wise will stumble, so that they may be refined, purified and made spotless until the time of the end, for it will still come at the appointed time.

In this part of scripture Daniel is being told about the rein of the anti-Christ. But today, this scripture really spoke to me personally about our walk as Christians.

We learn and grow every day as Christians, but we will not be completely perfected until we go to meet Christ. Along the way though, as we grow, we should ask for wisdom. And I am sure our God will gladly give it to us.

There will be some times in our walk that we are allowed to stumble and fall. To be thrown into dark places of despair by tragedy or trials. It is not always a mistake that we have made or sin that causes these things to happen. Sometimes it is just shear circumstance that gets us there.

I began to think on the phrase "some of the wise will stumble". When we stumble, it usually causes us to fall. When we fall, it is usually on our face. On our face before God in submission. It is in those times on our face that we cry out to God for help. We cry out because we are at the end of ourselves. In those times, His strength is made perfect in our weakness. Because of our willingness to give up trying and just let Him take over we are again made strong. So maybe since we are human and made with a will that is bent toward sin, we really need those times much more than we realize. Maybe we need to stop trying to avoid them and begin to just "live in Christ" through them. Even more, maybe to begin to do as James instructs and consider it pure joy when we face them.

James 1:2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds.

It is not during the peaceful times where we are coasting through life that we are radically changed or moved to a higher place spiritually. It is not during those times that we see the supernatural power of God at work. Instead it is in those dark times, the times in the valley, that mold and shape us. In times of tragedy, loss and trials we seek God for miracles with our whole heart. We look to Him, not complacently but expectantly. Asking for the miraculous to happen and really expecting it. We believe, we have faith, we have hope in Him because He is God.

In these times our hearts are laid bare before God, open; to be purified, refined, and transformed. To eventually be made spotless so we can be acceptable in His sight for eternity. What a thought, to be spotless before the creator, before our Father, before the one we love.

Yes, the wise will stumble and fall. This includes us. But we can rest assured that God is in control and the end will happen at its appointed time.

We will see many trials before then, so we must learn not to fight them. And eventually, even count it all joy.

Lets talk Truth

Do you ever get tired of hearing this?.....

You believe one way and I believe another so lets just all get along. The tolerance speech, lets just all get along. It’s the tolerance that is destroying our nation. I bet Satan roars with laughter. He knows the truth, that there is only one way to God. That's why he laughs. We are so quick to buy into it and all he needs us to do is to be off the truth by a fraction. Which a large percentage of the world is. Although God would like to see all His creation come to the saving grace of the cross of Jesus Christ, a lot will not.

Matthew 7:14 says "narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it."

Few who find it..... Could some of this be our fault? I mean those of us that understand the truth. Are we doing everything we can to let people know the truth about Jesus Christ? Are we accepting the "tolerance speech", letting them "believe what they want" while we silently watch them go to hell?

The truth is the truth. You can try and slice it or dice it any way you like but it does not change that it is still the truth. Truth in the Webster dictionary is defined as the quality or state of being true, reality, fact. So a fact is a fact, just because we don't like it, does not mean we get to change it. Like the bible, it’s either all true or none of it is true. You can't pick and choose what you want from it. But guess what, it’s all true.

People get so upset when you mention the name of Jesus. "Leave us alone, we have our religion", they say. "We have our books and our prayers". To them I say, the thing you are worshipping is wrong and it will not save you from the pit of hell. I care, please listen to me. I don't say this for my sake, I say it for yours.

There is only one way to heaven, not many. That way is through the saving grace of Jesus Christ. In all other religions you have to perform certain things, prayers, etc and if you do enough, then HOPEFULLY you will make it to heaven. You can never "do good enough" your way in to heaven. We are never going to be good enough, God is holy, sinless. We would have to go our whole life without committing even one sin just to stand in His sight. That's just not possible for us to do. This is why we needed a savior. To take the penalty for sin, which is death and make a way to God. That happened when Jesus Christ came and died on the cross, then rose again on the third day. He defeated the penalty of death for us.

The gift of salvation He offers is free; you do not have to work for it. You need only to receive it.

This my friend, is the unchangeable truth.

Eyes Wide Open

Yesterday was a very different day...

After my answers came to what this blog was to be about, I began to see everything around me differently. Mind you, I was driving in my car to a bible study when my answers came.

Every Tuesday morning I lead a women's bible study that lasts for about two hours. By the time I left there it was around noon. On the way home, I decided I would stop at the local Walmart to pickup a few random items. Normally I avoid Walmart like the plague, they are always so busy and you have to park a mile away. I know, I know, that in itself can be a lesson on patience if you approach it right. But I will leave that subject for another day.

I digress. Sorry. Back to the story.

As I got out of my car I notice there was as lady up ahead of me who was limping. She was pushing her cart to her car. I thought, "maybe she needs help, I'll ask her". But by the time I got to her she was already getting into her car.

Then I noticed a lady walking from her car towards the entrance with a scowl on her face. I wondered to myself what her problem might be. So, I said a small prayer for her.

As I approached the entrance myself, there was a tall thin man outside the door. He was a bell ringer for the Salvation Army. I looked straight at him and smiled a great big Jesus loves you smile at him. You know what he did, he smiled a great big smile right back at me. He smiled so big you could see his whole face light up.

I noticed everyone around me. I was so engaged in all the people, I almost forgot why I was there. As I checked out, I had a conversation with the women in front of me, the woman in back of me and the cashier. I was looking for any and every opportunity to mention Jesus, any opportunity to show his love to them. As you can probably figure out, I got to do that. We can stand around and wait for the opportunity or we can find a way to make one.

I used to be so afraid to talk to random strangers, why in the world was I afraid? The worst thing they can do is say something rude or mean. Didn't Jesus experience way worse than that. I think I should be able to handle a rude comment. Hows that for perspective.

I have a sister that shows no fear in this area. Check this out. As you well know, snacks and drinks are much needed items for a road trip. Several months ago, before we began a road trip together, we stopped at a gas station for supplies. As I was pondering my drink selection, I could hear her talking clear across the room. She had already picked and was in the process of purchasing. So she says to the cashier "What can I pray for you about today?" I have to say, my jaw hit the floor. Watching her engage total strangers in conversation inspires me.

The rest of my day was the same. I just seemed to notice everyone around me more clearly. I saw the world and the people in it through different eyes, through Christs eyes. And the best part, I was willing and ready to respond like him also.

Job 42:5 "I have heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees you"

The Journey Begins

As I started putting this blog together yesterday, I began a conversation with God, asking Him what in the world He wanted me to do with this thing. Yes, I think I might have been given what I can only explain as a gift from Him to write. So if He decided to give me this gift what exactly did he expect me to do with it. Hmmmm. What to do...... What to write.....

So I posted some things that I had already written, which were all very random subjects. But shouldn't this thing have a purpose, a reason for you the reader to follow what I write. Once again I began to pray. "What are you up to God?" What is it You want the reader to follow?".

As always when God begins a work, He completes it. As I drove in to town today to meet with what from now on I will lovingly refer to as the "Tuesday girls", (my Tuesday morning women's bible study group), God began to answer my prayers. His answer came in the form of a question as He sometimes does to me. Does he do that to you? Anyway, this was the question, "what would happen if you got up every morning and really committed to give your day to me for my kingdom?" OK, so can you see where He is going with this? Maybe this thing isn't just about writing. Hmmmm.... I think big things might be coming....

I began to think , if I were to get up everyday and really commit my day to Him there is no telling what might happen. There's no telling where He would take me and who might be affected. But I am sure of one thing, when we make ourselves available, He will use us. That is all He really needs, for us to be available. He doesn't really need our help, in spite of what we think. He has the power to do the rest.

So I have committed to become intentional, to become available and to give up my grasp on my agenda each day. To be transparent, loving and open with my life. To overcome the fear of rejection and fear only God so I can experience things that others only read about. To be looking for opportunities everywhere I go to do as Jesus would do. Lets take some God-sized risks together! Will you commit with me?

So our journey to be about our fathers business begins... Follow me.... Here we go....

I Want to Become Dangerous

Have I stepped across the line of freedom and entered into rebellion?

No, I have just sold out completely to God and I am ready for whatever He has for me to do.

Call it extreme, call me a Jesus Freak but don't forget to call me ON FIRE FOR GOD!

I want to be strong in the name of Jesus. I want wisdom and the courage to take God-sized risks where very few will. I want to speak up in confidence when I have something to say. I want to be vulnerable and transparent. I want my life to draw others into this adventure that is life in Christ.

I have become desperate for God. Willing to go the extreme, do anything, fight any battle not to go through life as a mediocre christian.


To become desperate means to begin to live in the victory promised by Jesus Christ. Here is where you will have to turn your life in order to change and become who God intended you to be.

People that are starving in third world countries are desperate for food and water. When the relief truck comes full of food and water do they stand politely and wait their turn? No, they are desperate, they charge the truck, they want to live. They climb over one another to get to the food that will save their lives. When you are starving you are desperate.

Are you starving for God and desperate to know Him completely as I am? Are you in need of the bread of life and living water?

We are living in a dieing world where the lost are wandering around looking for answers, answers we as Christians have. Will you go on the path less traveled and become dangerous with me?