The Place of Deliverance

"Now when they (the magi) departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, 'Arise and take the Child and His mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is going to search for the Child to destroy Him.' And he arose and took the Child and His mother by night, and departed to Egypt." Matthew 2:13-14

Egypt is the land the Israelites were delivered from slavery. Egypt is a dry, dusty, sandy place. Think about it. We use "Egypt" to describe hard places, a place or situation we were freed from, extreme distance or feeling far away from someone or something. So, if you are in a hard place; if you are in a land of deliverance; if you feel separated, set a part or far away from goodness; consider this. You just might be under cover. The Lord could be hiding you from the devouerer of your soul.

We serve an Omnipresent, Omniscient, Omnipotent God who has defeated a foe who can not be in more than one place at a time, is not all knowing or all powerful. And, our God will not allow any plan He has for you be usurped. So, if you feel like you are in "Egypt," rejoice! You may be in the Kingdom's witness protection program, hidden by the arm of the Most High God; and getting ready to testify as a bold witness for Christ.

More Than A Word - Hallelujah!

The most frightening book in the Bible is Revelation. John lays out the End Times (also known as the End of Days) with passionate finality. It is hard to grasp the things to come written in it, but I made a wonderful discovery about this book. Revelation gives us a word that we use ALL... THE... TIME; especially during the Christmas Season. The word is Hallelujah. Interestingly, it is only used four times in the entire Bible. In addition, those four times occur in one passage of scripture, Revelation 19:1-6.

"Hallelujah" means, Praise Ye the Lord. This phrase is seen 23 times in the Old Testament. "Praise" in the context of this phrase comes from the Hebrew word 'halal' meaning to shine, to flash forth light, to praise, to boast about, glory, be commended, made praiseworthy, worthy of praise. Basically, whenever we use the word Hallelujah we are saying, "God! Shine! Flash forth Your Light! We praise and boast about Your Glory. We commend You, who is praiseworthy and the only One worthy of praise!"

Saints, it is by design that we sing the Hallelujah Chorus during this time of year. Yes, Jesus was born, lived and died. But Hallelujah! He defeated our enemy and rose on the third day. Hallelujah! The story is NOT over. He is coming back as KING of kings and LORD of Lords! And, He shall reign For-EVER... and EVER! Hallelujah! For the Lord God Omnipotent reigns! 

Jesus is not a baby anymore. He sits at the right hand of Father waiting for one word, "Go!" It is no coincidence that the Lord has a song at Christmas that allows us to take part in the prophecy of the coming King. Hallelujah! Christ was born; Christ was risen and Christ.. will... come... again!

Fearfully and Wonderfully Made

The curtain began to rise and all of us contestants stood in pageant stance with beaming smiles. It was time to find out who was Queen and who would be on her court. Beauty pageants and modeling were part of my extra curricular activities in high school and first years of college. And, I am grateful for that time. I made many friends, some of them life long friends. I gleaned wisdom from directors and trainers on how to be successful in interviews, have good posture, answer impromptu questions for a live audience and to run a live show. Out of all the lessons I learned, the one I treasure the most is one from a former Miss California who was my pageant director for many years. She told me, "Lisa, you will never know what the judges are looking for. So, never dismay if you are not chosen queen. Because you can be the absolutely best apple in the world, but if they are looking for an orange, you will not win. Be the best you, you can be and don't worry about the other fruits. God has a plan for you. Trust Him with how He made you."

The Lord tells us in Jeremiah that He has a plan for us. He tells us in Psalms that He knit us in our mother's womb. He tells us that He knows every hair on our head. God made us the way He needs us to be for the purpose He has for us. I believe that God had something in mind for every detail about us. And, instead of marveling at how wonderful God sees us, we marvel at what we don't like about ourselves and constantly compare ourselves to others. In the pageant world, it happens. Let me tell you. Girls are looking at each other comparing butts, lips, hair and boobs... hey, I am just keepin' it real. Unfortunately, it happens among believers too. We compare our looks, homes, cars, jobs, economic status, and our kids to others. This is not good. We need to stop comparison. When we compare ourselves to others it can lead to an unhealthy jealousy or cause us to get off the path the Lord has for us.  

God is so pleased with how He made you. Let me be very clear. This does not include, disobeying God's Word, being chained to sin and/or not taking care of your temple. So, please don't read this and say, "Well, this is how God made me so I'll just... keep on smokin'." What I am talking about is your natural born talents and gifts, the physical physique He intended you to have and the life YOU are to lead. Being YOU in the center of God's will is the best TO be and place to be. If you are there, AWESOME!! If not, I repeat what I was told so many years ago, "Be the best you, you can be and don't worry about the other fruits. God has a plan for you. Trust Him with how He made you; fearfully and wonderfully." Well... I added a little : )

Time to Purge

I would have been so embarrassed if ya'll were to see what was in my closet. It was such a mess. I had clothes with tags on because I had not worn them. There were clothes with holes or stretched out because they were old. In the corner, there were clothes too small because I am just not 22 anymore. I mean it is really ridiculous. This past weekend I decided it was time to clean the closet and get rid of some things. So, I put things in piles, washed what I was keeping and bagged up what needed to go.

This is what we need to do with our heart, souls and minds before we start writing our New Year's resolution. There are areas in our hearts that need to be given over to the Lord, thoughts in our minds that need to go and bandages on wounds that are just not working anymore. If we are going to run the race for Christ we have got to keep our temples clean. So, I'm just asking tonight, is anyone's house dirty? Is there any unfinished business that needs to happen?

We have 25 days left in this year. I am challenging us to take these last 25 days to take an inventory of ourself. What needs cleaning up? What needs healing? What needs to go? If you are not sure, ask the Lord. He will tell you. Whatever it is with the Lord's help take care of it. We don't want to end the year right, we want to end this year BEING right. Then we will be ready to hear what God has instore for us next year. And, His resolutions for us our way better than what we can think of on our own.

Hallelujah! Hanukkah!!

This blog is dedicated to Hal and Barbra Miner, Rabbi Murray Silberling, Julie Burkhart, the dancers of Beth Emunah and Shepherd of the Hills Church. I am truly blessed and grateful for the time I had with you. The knowledge that you shared with me regarding the Jewish roots of the Christian faith and sharing your deep passion for worshipping the Lord through dance is priceless. These are gems that I treasure and thank the Lord for. God bless you all. And Happy Hannukkah!

Baruch Ha Shem (Praise the Name)

Lisa

So, what is Hanukkah anyway? Thanks to those mentioned above I am able to share. During the 2nd Century BCE, Jerusalem was controlled by a Syrian King who desecrated the Temple with false gods and unclean sacrifices. A revolt took place and the Jews regained control of the Holy City and decided to re-dedicate the Temple to the LORD. However, there was only enough oil to keep the eternal flame lit for one day. A miracle happened. The oil lasted for eight days, which is the time it takes to press, prepare and consecrate fresh olive oil. 

Recognizing that the LORD had provided, Judah, his brothers and the entire congregation of Israel decreed that the festival should be celebrated every year. It begins on the 25th day of Kislav (sometime between late November and early December according to the Gregorian calendar) for 8 nights and days. Each night a candle is lit on the chanukiah candelabra and stays lit for 30 minutes after sunset. This year it began on Dec. 1 and will end Dec. 9. During Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights, children and adults play with dreidels and Latkes are a popular food eaten. And, there is celebration with praise and worship through song and dance.

As we prepare to celebrate the birth of Christ, please remember our Jewish brothers and sisters in Christ as they celebrate the miracle of the oil. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem and that more Jews would come to know Yeshua (Jesus) as Ha Mashiach (the Messiah); who first came as the suffering servant and who will return as their, our, conquering KING.

Unwavering Walk

Pure truth is hard to find. There are so many markets selling words of wisdom. Discernment is really needed to wade through all the information that is at our finger tips, literally. As a former journalist, it amazes me how people take what they read or hear as truth without checking out the story or the sources. It's even more amazing how many people are being led astray spiritually due to receiving false doctrine and becoming mesmorized by the charisma of someone before character is weighed. I am thankful, so thankful, that the man behind the pulpit at my church is a preacher of biblical truth and walks his talk. He will not move a centimeter from the Word and he yields to it.

Dr. J. Kie Bowman
Executive Pastor
Hyde Park Baptist Church

Most who see him remark on his striking resemblance to Billy Graham. I put a picture on here so you can judge for yourself. But, look. Doesn't he? Well, he may look like Mr. Graham, but what I appreciate is his heart for the Lord and the way he honors his wife and family, like Mr. Graham. I honor him because he is commited to his post, Hyde Park Baptist Church. I respect him because he has lived Christ-like under some real trials. Even now, he is in the midst of another storm and our church is diligently praying for him. And still, every Sunday we are guaranteed an unfiltered sermon straight from God's Word. We get a little bit of milk, potatoes, green beans and a big, fat, juicy steak. A whole meal is given to us right out of the oven, on-fire! HALLELUJAH!!  It is solid doctrine. And that's why I listen to him. He tells the truth.

This is a side note. If you are in a church that is a mile long and an inch deep, something... is amiss. If you are in a church where the pastor is more concerned about his name than THE Name, run. If you are in a church where the pastor is harder to meet with than Donald Trump; careful that is an ego problem that stems from pride. And pride goeth before a fall. If you are in a church where the pastor waters down the Word or leaves it out due to fear of people leaving, you will starve spiritually; if that is the only person feeding you. Beware. We are in the times of "Tickling Ears." Make sure you are in a church where the pastor encourages, exhorts and corrects. All three are needed.

Those three are exactly what we get at Hyde Park. Sometimes it's, "You can do it saints!" Sometimes it's a Hebrew and Greek lesson. Sometimes it's getting bandages for our wounds. And, sometimes it's, "Get right with God."

Dr. Bowman is awesome. I consider him my spiritual father. He encourages me to make Jesus proud and be all I can be in His army. I am so glad and thankful that the Lord has returned me to Austin, Texas under the leadership of Dr. Bowman and part of the family at Hyde Park Baptist Church. Is he perfect? Is my church perfect? No, to both of those. But, they constantly point me to the perfect One. I love my pastor. I love my church. And, that is the unfiltered truth.

A Confession

Many years ago, a Pastor told the congragation that he wasn't preaching the message to them, but he was preaching to himself. Well, this blog is an example of that. I hope you are encouraged, but I am basically preaching to myself. So, pray for me.

I don't have too much of a problem when I get hurt by others. But, when my family or friends come under fire I am Rea-DY to FIGHT! Today, I got a call from my mom about a family situation that has been long standing and really gets my goat. Basically, there is someone that is in the life of a relative that is just Oooo! Just... OH! He is not right. He is just not right. My flesh rises up like dough with an overload of yeast in the oven whenever the subject comes up. Ya'll may not believe me, but I wished from my heart that the Lord would take him out. I told the Lord, "There is no way I am spending an eternity with that guy. So, take him out now before he gets saved."

Hate, anger and bitterness entered my heart; and it weighed me down. My peace and joy were gone. I could barely sleep at night. In the Lord's way, He let me know I needed to forgive this person. With my husband sitting next to me, I pounded my fist on my lap and through gritted teeth said, "No Lord! I will not forgive him!"

It has been years and I still have to lift this person up and forgive. Again, lift this person up and forgive. Forgive again, and again, and again, and again. It is a struggle. Forgiveness is hard when you feel the person is undeserving. But who am I? Without Christ, I am the same as this guy. With Christ, I have the ability to walk in peace despite what the enemy is doing to and through this guy. With Christ, I have the power to refrain from allowing his actions to dictate mine.  With Christ, I am able to forgive.

God is good. When I began this process by taking a step in faith to forgive through prayer, a weight lifted and I was able to sleep again. My peace and joy returned. I don't know how. I just know that it worked. And, once again, the Lord has proven that His Word works, EVERY.... Time!

Are you having a hard time forgiving? Sister... Brother... Believe me. I... FEEL.. You. But, let's pray for each other. Let's grab the hand of the One who is the Master of Forgiveness and ask for his help. There is no doubt in mind. He will.