Merlin's Mustache

FYI: By the way, when speaking of earning jewels for your eternal crowns, many surveys taken over the years declare 98% of all Christians have never experienced the joy of leading a single person to Christ. Quoted from “crosswalk.com/church/pastors-or-leaders,” Christianity Q&A, Dr. Roger Barrier 9/24/19

I began the book by unpacking who you are and who God is and now seek to close it with what we’ve been given. In addition to the exceeding great and precious promises that position us to be partakers g God’s divine nature, there is the adornment of authority.

I like jewelry, but not just any jewelry. I love jewelry with a story. My wedding rings represent the story of our marriage. I have rings that were given to me at the birth of each son. I have pieces that are gifts from friends or that are tied to significant seasons or changes in my life. The meaning or timing behind the gift is how I determine if a piece of jewelry is an adornment or an accessory.

I love the story Hind’s Feet on High Places by Hannah Hurnard. It came into my life during my mid-twenties and has stayed with me ever since. I read it to my children when they were young, and I read it to myself whenever the need arises. In this allegory, a young woman filled with fears travels from home to the high places where perfect love casts out fear. Along the way, there are many twists, turns, and trials. At each place, the heroine, Much-Afraid, builds an altar and picks up a stone of remembrance that she carries in a pouch. At one point, she is so discouraged and the promise seems so far off that she is tempted to toss aside these memorial rocks as worthless reminders of her disappointment. On second thought she keeps them, which is a good thing, because later each stone is transformed into a jewel in her crown.

Scholars believe there are five specific crowns mentioned in Scripture. There is the Crown of Righteousness, which we receive when we exchange our sin and shame for Christ’s righteousness and He crowns us with His salvation. There is the Crown of Rejoicing; this one is reserved for those who worship and praise God regardless of their circumstances. Next is the Crown of Glory for those who long for His glorious reappearing. On these last few pages, I want to highlight the remaining two.

Pages 233-234. Without Rival: Embrace Your Identity and Purpose in an Age of Chaos, Confusion & Comparison. Lisa Bevere. Revell 2016

NEXT UP: The Imperishable Crown. See I Cor 9: 24-27.

When we no longer seek God for His blessings, we have time to seek God for Himself.  Oswald Chambers  The Moral Foundations of Life 728 L

There are times when I look out upon the landscape of Christian women today and I am utterly stunned by so many who are doing this dance of life and ministry so well. There are so many beautiful, brave, godly young women on the front lines right now that I find my heart so full of hope. I began to wonder if I can move into less of a climb and more of a slide position. Recently, while pondering I heard the Holy Spirt correct me. Their coming up does not mean you step back. You must continue to forge ahead. I never meant them to push you aside; let them push you up.

My trajectory of “up” may look different than it has, but I never hear God say look down, or drop your chin. He says lift it. When His daughters gather in unity, I see His glory.

So lovely one. I will share with you readers my passion. Simply you! I pray I will always labor that Christ the anointed One would be formed in you. I long to see you well equipped and positioned in Him to find what was originally entrusted to you. I long to help you on your dearest quest, to know Him. As I wrote this book, I realized I had tackled far too big of a subject, for we live in a day that is rife with rivals vying for our affection. The Apostle Paul lived in a different day, and yet the church he loved faced similar struggles.

“For I feel a divine jealousy for you, since I betrothed you one husband, to present you as a pure virgin to Christ. But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ. For if someone comes and proclaims another Jesus than the One we proclaimed, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or if you accept a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it readily enough.” (II Cor. 11:2-4)

Or as the Message translates this passage:

“The thing that has me so upset is that I care about you so much – this is the passion of God burning inside me! I promised your hand in marriage to Christ, presented you as a pure virgin to her husband. And now I’m afraid that exactly as the Snake seduced Eve with his smooth patter, you are being lured away from the simple purity of your love for Christ. It seems that if someone shows up preaching quite another Jesus than we preached – different spirit, different message – you put up with quite nicely.”

Hear me as a mother – nay, a grandmother: you were not made for the compromise of comparison. The Creator wove His originality into your DNA. Only you can give the unique expression of his love and glory, and the fruits and rewards of how you do this will travel with you into eternity.

NEXT UP:

Eternal Crowns. Seriously now? Yes indeed! Scholars believe there are five specific crowns mentioned in scripture. Certainly a lost perspective for me! And, actually several of theses crowns begin while we’re servants in His Kingdom!!

Perhaps it’s because we’ve been culturally & spiritually raised up in a dysfunctional democracy that has stymied our understanding and appreciation for being servants, and the actual significance of the Cross & His Kingdom for us to live fulfilled, joyful, and productive lives as His Ambassadors…. I’m in need of a refresher course! It’ll take the week, but change your life! Your choice. Always is!

Civilization is based on principles which imply that the passing moment is permanent. The only permanent thing is God, and if I put anything else as permanent, I become aetheistic. I must build only on God (John 14:6) The Highest Good – Thy Great Redemption, 5651

We do have this point in time. None of us is promised tomorrow, but you know this moment is yours. And the power of your choices can redeem all your moments. You have been seeded and heeled with a stunning story of promise. The book of your life can remain closed, or you can continue to turn the pages. Listen to Paul’s message to the Galatians:

Make a careful exploration of who you are and the work you’ve been given, and then sink yourself into that. Don’t be impressed with yourself. Don’t compare yourself with others. Each of you must take responsibility for doing the creative best you can with your own life. (Gal. 6:4-5 Message)

It’s so hard to know who you are if you are too busy looking at who you are not, or at who everyone else is. Therein lies the roots of hypocrisy. You must know who you are in this journey called life if you are to walk and not faint.

If you are not decisively intentional with your time, your days will float away from you as you are pushed and pulled by demands and distractions. When you lay aside this book, pick up pen and paper. Sort through what are wise and unwise uses of your time. You need to open up your days so you can dream again.

Carefully tie your goals to your dreams. So daughter (or son) without rival, what do you dream? You may counter your life is boring or mundane. I didn’t ask you for a status report. What is your passion? If you have lost it, get back into the presence of God until you find it again. Clear your head and your heart. Go for a walk, listen to worship music, and reconnect with the well of your soul.

You are never too old, never too poor, never too rich, never too educated, and never, never too uneducated to set goals or dream dreams. And for sure, you are never too young!

NEXT UP: Reflect First, To Gain Perspective For The Climb…

Always keep in contact with those books and those people that enlarge your spiritual horizons making it possible for you to first stretch, & then grow greater, in all of His DIMENSIONS! Oswald Chambers.

We live in a day and age when everything around us is tempest tossed. If you know who you are and whose you are . . . you will stand. We have chosen a life without rival . . . a life that can only be constructed by the Holy Spirit.

Since this is the kind of life we have chosen, the life of the Spirit, let us make sure that we do not just hold it as an idea in our heads or a sentiment in our hearts, but work out its implications in every detail of our lives. That means we will not compare ourselves with each other as if one of us were better and another worse. We have far more interesting things to do with our lives. Each of us is an original. (Gal. 5:25–26 Message)

And so, we end where we began.

This unique expression of you as an original will lead to a life in keeping with the Spirit. You were not created merely for comparisons, but you were created for God’s Son. Your heavenly Father wrote out the intimate details of your life in His book long before you drew your first breath. He wrote your life with living letters. No one else can live your story. It is time your pages came alive. Living the story lines written for others will leave what the Spirit has written of you unfulfilled. Each and every one of us has a specific course and destiny. The Holy Spirit’s direction is essential if you are going to live a life without rival. This Spirit-led life is not merely a concept or a romantic hope—it is an expression of spiritual discipline and a personal act of worship. A life of devotion, not distraction. With each act of obedience in both your intimate and your public life, God will detail his purpose for your life and his voice to you will grow in clarity.

BOTTOM LINE:

Your life and all of its potential is a God-given act of trust toward you. It would be a shame if all that is in you were like so much treasure and talents buried under the opinions and expectations of strangers. You are not here on earth as a spectator. You have far more important and interesting things to do with your life. It is time you knew this.

Your future is now.

Without Rival: Embrace your Identity and Purpose in an Age of Confusion and Comparison by Lisa Bevere Pg 230

NEXT UP: And We Do Possess This Moment!

It is impossible to read too much , but always keep before you why you read. Remember His 3-R’s, our “need to Receive, Recognize, and Rely on the Holy Spirit” COMES before all else. Taken My Utmost For His Highest Approved Unto God, 11 L 

What made this woman Thecla so powerful? She was naked and unashamed because at the revelation of Jesus she discovered herself. Even though she was a new convert, she made a compelling ambassador. As she raised her voice in prayer, she demonstrated courage in the face of death. A brave daughter who might be denied the right to preach fully clothed in many a pulpit won a multitude of converts naked and surrounded by beasts in a cruel coliseum. When I read stories like this, I like to think Eve smiles. (I am sure Sarah does too!) For the battle Eve lost in the intimate nurture and safety of a garden has been won many times over by reborn daughters in arenas of open hostility.

The crowd had gathered to see an execution, but instead they witnessed the reversal of the fall. May our lives continue this legacy. As we daily declare that our salvation and substance are found in Christ alone, we increase our capacity to be filled with him and hasten his return.

Today we know more about the Bible than at any other time in our human history. And yet where has this knowledge brought us? We have an abundance of information and a glaring lack of transformation. I fear in many ways and on many fronts intellect and talent have been substituted for God’s Word and the guidance of his Holy Spirit.

I want more. What I sense in my spirit is an outpouring and harvest without rival.

This broken world needs to see God’s power. Perhaps it is time we echo the prayers of the early church.

So now, Lord, listen to their threats to harm us and empower us, as your servants, to speak the word of God freely and courageously. Stretch out your hand of power through us to heal, and to move in signs and wonders by the name of your holy Son, Jesus! (Acts 4:29–30 TPT)

And what did these prayers set in motion?

At that moment the earth shook beneath them, causing the building they were in to tremble. Each one of them was filled with the Holy Spirit, and they proclaimed the word of God with unrestrained boldness. (Acts 4:31 TPT)

It is time for God’s Word to be proclaimed with unhindered brash boldness. In many ways, the challenges Thecla faced were not that different from our own. There was outrage when she decided to take a path that was unexpected and to live a life that was consecrated. Family members tried to hold her back, the government tried to legislate her faith, men tried to take her by force and suppress what they saw as rebellion. And yet all along she was the one who was truly free. Whether she lived or died had no bearing on who she knew she was . . . she was a handmaiden of the Most High God.

NEXT UP: Living A Life Without Rival

Without Rival: Embrace your Identity and Purpose in an Age of Confusion and Comparison by Lisa Bevere Ch. 10: A Life Unrivaled Pg 225-227

“You are never too old to set another goal or dream a new dream.” C. S. Lewis

I want to share yet another ancient story of courage and devotion with you. There once was a beautiful young virgin named Thecla. She chanced to overhear the gospel as Paul preached in a neighboring house. She sat perched by her window transfixed as she listened to Paul’s call to the young men and women to worship Christ in chastity and virtue. Thecla was betrothed, but when she heard Paul’s words, she decided to spurn the arranged marriage and live out the remainder of her days for the glory of God.

Paul was oblivious to his influence on Thecla, but her decision did not go over well with her mother and her fiancé, who used their influence to stir up an angry mob against Paul. The civil unrest landed Paul before one of the governors of Iconium, who had him immediately imprisoned.

Grief stricken, Thecla used pieces of jewelry to bribe her way into the prison to meet Paul and hear the gospel of Jesus directly. When her family discovered their missing daughter in Paul’s prison cell, they had both of them brought before the governor. Paul was scourged then cast outside the city. Thecla’s mother denounced her, and the young woman was condemned to death. She would be burnt at the stake to serve as an example to any other daughters who might consider such wanton rebellion.

As Thecla went to her death, Paul gathered with other Christians outside the city in the catacombs and prayed earnestly. Thecla was bound to the stake, but when the flame was lit, she didn’t catch on fire. Then a storm of unusual violence arose, the downpour put out the flames at her feet, and Thecla was delivered from death. Afraid that it was a sign from the Greek gods, the authorities released her and put her out of the city. Disowned, Thecla met up with the other banished Christians who had decided to travel in the company of Paul to Antioch.

No sooner had they entered the city when a man of great influence and power named Alexander was drawn to Thecla’s beauty and tried to purchase her from Paul. When Paul refused, he tried to take her by force. Thecla fought back violently and in the process, removed Alexander’s crown of laurel leaves and spurned him publicly, as she commanded him not to touch a handmaiden of God.

Outraged, Alexander dragged her before the governor of Antioch. In the dispute, Thecla admitted tearing Alexander’s clothes as she tried to escape. Again, she was condemned to die. Her execution was set for the following day, and this time she was to be torn and eaten by wild beasts.

The women of Antioch were outraged. They felt the judgment against Thecla was unjust. A Roman woman of noble birth stepped forward and requested that Thecla be allowed to stay in her home rather than in the prison to protect her virginity. Over the course of the evening the older and younger women became close friends.

The next morning the noblewoman wept bitterly as Thecla was chained behind a fierce lioness and led off to an arena. The crowd roared as Thecla was stripped and forced into a stadium filled with lions and bears. The first creature to reach her was the lioness. It came running up to her, but rather than attack, the lioness turned and adopted a posture of protection at Thecla’s feet.

A bear charged, but before it could reach Thecla, the lioness killed it. Next, a male lion attacked, but again the lioness fought to protect Thecla. The struggle ended with the death of both lions, their bodies locked in combat at her feet. The masters of the game whipped and goaded the remaining animals toward their prey. But beast after fierce beast cowered and refused to attack. The crowd fell silent, as the fear of the Lord hushed the noisy arena. Thecla lifted her voice and prayed boldly.

The governor stood to his feet and stopped the games. He demanded to know who this woman was and what was the source of this power she possessed. She answered, “I am the handmaid of the living God . . . I have believed on that Son in whom God is well pleased. For He alone is the way of salvation and the substance of life immortal . . . whosoever believeth not on him, shall not live . . .”

The governor commanded clothes to be brought to her and ordered her release. Hundreds if not thousands were converted to Christ that day, and the early church annals reported that the women of Antioch praised God with one voice until the city shook with the sound. Thecla went on to live a long, full life and preached the gospel until she died in her nineties.

NEXT UP:   Living with A Brash Boldness During Times of Chaos, Confusion, & Comparisons! Summarized Pages 224-244