Provision of Stones

We have been speaking in group about God calling David and the battlefields he ran onto.  God also called Peter to a battle ground.  He forged his character and we saw a great transformation through many events he passed through.  We left off with questions for you to write about as you continue journaling your own stories:

1. Can you see where God has called you to a battle line?
2. How has YOUR character been forged now or in the past?
3. Did you sink like Peter or trust as David?

Be sure to stay in the liberty of Christ, do not float down stream into condemnation as you think back.  Remembering this might help: Peter had no experience with walking on water, he simply had faith that it could be done because he was watching Christ.  David trusted God because he had experiential knowledge and had proven to himself that God would indeed save him.  Don't you think that Peter's big faith in Christs faithfulness to help him walk on water was as extraordinary feat as David using his skills and trusting God to hit the giant target?

Sometimes when things happen in life and we start floating down stream instead of walking in faith.  Our view of Christ starts to fade and all the distortion around us creeps on close.  We become frustrated, as the space closes in, the oxygen starts to die down, we get a bit sweaty and clammy.......then angry.

When we get angry it stems from fear.  When Peter feared, he sank.  Christ asked him this question:  Why did you doubt?  This must mean that fear comes from doubting God's faithfulness or not knowing his promise to rescue us in a given situation.  Sin moves us outside of God's presence and we are exposed to harmful elements.  You will notice it is very easy for you to get disturbed and angry when this happens.  When Peter became afraid, he simply called out to Christ.  Christ reached over and took his hand and gently spoke convicting words which could teach Peter to maintain his faith when being thrashed by an onslaught of evil.  

David had won many of the battles with fear.  God had trained him to be a warrior, to run to His battle lines and fight for the Lord.  David chose a stone to sling at Goliath.  There were many other choices made available - But the stone was Davids choice. 

There are times in life when we will have to walk out in faith on turbulent waters.  There will be other times when we will be asked to enter the battle field and run to the front lines and fight His fight.  How will you fare?  What weapon will you select, which fight will you enter?  Will you call out to Christ of sink like a perfectly weighted stone?

You intent to do God's will can only be fulfilled by the power of the holy spirit.  In and of ourselves we are no better than an ordinary mob mentality.  So we must pause to ask ourselves:   Are we seeking our own vengeance….or for God to do extraordinary things through His ordinary people and bring justice to all?

For Example:  

John 8:3-11

And the scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman caught in adultery and having set her in the midst they said to Him, Teacher this woman has been caught in adultery, in the very act. Now in the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women, what then do You say?  And they were saying this testing Him, in order that they might have grounds for accusing Him.  But Jesus stooped down and with His finger wrote on the ground.  But when they persisted in asking him.  He straightened up, and said to them.  He who is without sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.  And again He stooped down and wrote on the ground.  And when they heard it, they began to go out one by one, beginning with the older ones, and he was left alone, and the woman, where she was in the midst.  And straightening up Jesus said to her.  Woman where are they? Did no one condemn you?  And she said No one Lord, and Jesus said, Neither do I condemn you, go your way.  From now on sin no more.

What I found interesting is what “testing” in the Greek language actually means.  It means -attempting to entangle a person in sin.  It’s what Satan does to try and present someone as being unapproved. 

If you will notice, the Pharisees were taunting Christ to defend the law of Moses, but Christ stooped down and with His finger, wrote on the ground.

 

Now stick close with me for another point before concluding: The word “wrote” in Greek means to ponder.   It also has another meaning – appealing to the indisputable and legal authority of the passage quoted. 

This  made me ponder….    “What if Christ was writing a passage in the dirt that He was pondering?”

The scribes and Pharisees persisted, we're told; then Christ straightened up and stated – “He who is without sin throw the first stone”. In this verse he is not speaking of general sin.  This Greek word is “sin specific” it meant that these leaders were adulterers themselves.  Notice they did not bring the man before Christ, only the woman.  Weren’t they both adulterers?

Now look at this scripture from Romans 2  which will solidify this meaning:

¹Therefore you have^(A) no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. For^(B) in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things.

So, may I ask......

What are we holding in our hand?

Peace or stones?

Are we stoning people?

Or are we kneeling down and allowing God to deal with the situation justly?

John 8

When we rise, are we casting stones or speaking God’s word?

Points to ponder on how to hand similar situations :

 Knowing we are ordinary people,  we have to have support and a new understanding to truly change how we handle things. 

·        Wisdom of the Lord for discernment

·        Prayerful consideration of all points

·        Use the examining table concept 

·        Seek peace above all else

·        Do not let the sun go down on your anger

Reflect on all this adding in "The Wind and A Stone" the previous weeks information.  We will not be meeting Friday, which gives each of you an extra week to write for group.

Liberty, Free Will.....Fear

Are You That Confident

Ordinary or Extra Ordinary

 

 

 

I will miss each of you, please feel free to e-mail me any of your stories to add to the one we are writing anytime.

Much love,

Candace

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