Faith and Application

February 6, 2025 Martha RodmanLeave a comment

Listen to the words of the wise; apply your heart to instruction. For it is good to keep these sayings in your heart and always ready on your lips. I am teaching you today—yes, you so you will trust in the Lord. Proverbs 22:17-19. NLT.

I have been having an ongoing conversation with the Lord. We have discussed why so many in their later season of life experience so many challenges. It seems the advertised “golden” years are not as golden as the commercials would like to portray! People hear about the joys of retirement with traveling, golfing, or cruising. However, many seniors face unexpected physical diagnoses. These diagnoses can limit their mobility and interactions. Last year I got to experience physical therapy for the first time because of a knee condition. Now both knees are complaining and I need to courage up to tackle a flight of stairs! These are fairly common complaints for those of us in our 70’s.

There is also the hovering concern or specter of dementia! Oh, I forgot a word or date. Could this be an early sign of dementia or Alzheimer’s? So what are we to do? Let fear ruin our lives? That definitely is not the answer! So I prayed and talked with the Lord about navigating these older years. I asked Him why things seem to be so hard. He shared a simple insight. He said it is time to apply all the lessons about Him we have already learned. Every lesson about His trustworthiness and His faithfulness, we are to put into practice. It is a time to lean ever more upon Him and what His Word has to say in every situation.

Often we can move through life with our heads full of knowledge about God and His ways. It is when we face challenges to actually apply what we know , is when we find out how much faith we truly have. Jesus told us that in this world we would suffer tribulations. James is very clear on this as well. Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know when your faith is tested, endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. James 1: 2-4. My senior friends, if your faith is being tested, it is a good thing. It is not easy, but He will work it out for your good. It will also benefit others. This is not just for senior friends, but for all of God’s children.

He also reminded me. These years are our last opportunity to show what it means to be a believer in Him. Whether or not we like it, people are watching you. Your family, friends and acquaintances really need us to model what it means to be a believer during trying times. When my sister was first diagnosed with lymphoma, God led me to Philippians 4:6-7. Very simple and familiar scriptures, but they became very real to me. Don’t worry about anything, instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. I keep applying these lessons through her breast cancer journey and now her heart and kidney concerns. The don’t worry part is challenging, but I am getting better at it!

My friends, it is not God’s plan that we simply spout platitudes about His goodness, but we must believe it. When faced with the trials of our faith, we must know that 2 Peter 1:3 is true. By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. There is no disqualifying circumstance to this verse. He has given us everything we need for living a godly life, the choice is “do we believe it?”. Oh my friends, the lessons you are learning today will benefit you greatly. They will help you, no matter what you face tomorrow. Many times it is the small things that help us endure. I remember singing (very croakedly) “this is the day the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it), during the first few weeks after my husband’s stroke. It came from deep within my spirit from the earlier lessons He taught me. This simple scripture helped me get through those tough days.

So no matter what season of life, learn to apply what you know. If you need more help in a matter, ask Him for it–or a good friend. Remember, He is our teacher. What a blessing it brings to Him, when we apply what we know!

Father, I thank you for teaching us how to apply Your Word to every circumstance we find ourselves in. I thank you we don’t have to worry about our future, because you are already in it. Prepare us for our future, but helping us learn to walk with you today. Help us truly “apply our heart to your instruction”. In Jesus’s Name, amen.

Faith and a Circumcised Heart

March 14, 2024 Martha RodmanLeave a comment

Circumcise, therefore, the foreskin of your heart, and be no longer stubborn. Deuteronomy 10:16 ESV

These past few weeks have been very busy. I have been spending time with the Lord and His Word, but I felt a separation from Him. As I prayed this morning, I asked Him for grace to receive from Him whatever I needed to connect. My daily reading schedule brought me to this verse, but I read it in the New Living Translation. Therefore, change your hearts and stop being stubborn. I thought, wow, that’s pretty clear. As read through the footnotes, it talked about uncircumcised hearts. In nature, foreskins, which have been removed, do not grow back. Unfortunately, our spiritual hearts can grow calloused, hard and unfeeling, which can lead us to unreceptiveness to the Holy Spirit. This effectively, separates us from our God.

Walking with the Lord in this life exposes us to not only our own thoughts and experiences but also those of our friends, family, co-workers and even our governmental leaders. Our heart is then subject to the abuse and challenges of life. The question is, what are we going to do with the disappointments, discouragements, and unmet expectations that we encounter? Whether or not we acknowledge it, it affects our heart (soul).

In this section of Deuteronomy, Moses was trying to prepare the Israelites to enter the Promised Land. He wasn’t just interested in their bodies entering, but their entering in with an understanding of whose they were and the whys. He spent some good amount of time reminding them of their shortcomings, and God’s grace. He rehearsed the mess up with the Golden Calf and how he had to go back up to the mountain with God a second time. He shared with them how he interceded for Aaron and the lives of the Israelites. I believe his heart was to help them understand the importance of making a decision to serve the Lord and Him alone, no matter what lay ahead.

I think he was speaking corporately, but in order for a nation to serve the Lord, every individual needs to make that decision. It is the same with the Body of Christ, we each need to decide to make Him Lord. And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you? He requires only that you fear the Lord your God, and live in a way that pleases him, and love him and serve him with all your heart and soul. Deuteronomy 10:12. So how can we love Him, with all our heart and soul, if our hearts are hardened? If we have grown calloused? We find part of the solution in verse 16. Therefore, change your hearts and stop being stubborn. Circumcision of the heart implies submission and humility. It is acknowledging, God is God and we are not. It is choosing to walk in His ways not our ways.

When things don’t go our way, our fleshly tendencies rise up, and we want to take control. Maybe we look around for other “gods” to follow? My friends, the best thing we can do when we find ourselves in these scenarios, is yield to Him and His ways. Take the time to pour your heart out to Him and listen. Heartache is inevitable, but He binds up the broken-hearted. When we allow Him to comfort us in our sorrow, our hearts stay softened.

If you find yourself with a hardening heart, go to Him, not away from Him. Lean in to Him and His ways. Stay in His Word and take time to worship Him. These are all softening agents. Maybe confess your story to a trustworthy friend and ask them to pray with you. Expect God to respond. Release your faith. He is ready, willing, and able to help us through any difficult struggles. What joyous fellowship when we return–even if we have only strayed a little way. Take the time to allow Him to search your heart for all the “no’s” you might have said to Him. That is the beginning of a hardened heart.

Father, I thank you for helping us to walk with humble, soften hearts toward you. I ask you search our hearts for areas where we may have allowed anger, disappointment or discouragement to seep in, hardening our hearts. Remind us of your loving care. In Jesus’ Name, amen.

Faith Trust · Uncategorized

Faith and “Reminders”

March 7, 2024 Martha RodmanLeave a comment

“Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit’, says the Lord Almighty. Zechariah 4:6. NKJV

Let’s get a little background on this scripture. Zechariah, was a postexilic prophet–called to encourage the returning Israelites to complete the Temple. The people were discouraged. They had begun a good work, but due to lack of funds and leadership they had drifted to dealing with their own lives. The Temple rebuild had come to a stand still. These people had returned with enthusiasm from Babylon, but opposition from the Samaritans and other distractions took its toll. Have you ever felt discouragement try to whittle away at your God given assignment? Are you fighting doubt or your own discouragement? You might need this reminder: It is not by force nor by strength, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. Zechariah 4:6. NLT.

Zechariah (whose name means Yaweh Remembers) was sent to encourage Zerubbabel, the leader that was sent to restore the Temple. This was the fifth vision, Zechariah had. It was a vision of a golden lampstand and two olive trees. The golden lampstand had a bowl of oil on the top surrounded by seven lamps, each having seven spouts and wicks. I appreciate Zechariah’s forthrightness. “What are these, my Lord? What do they mean?” Don’t you know the angel asked. No, my lord, I don’t. The he said to me, This is what the lord says to Zerubbabel: It is not by force nor by strength, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. I keep repeating this scripture, because most things we are facing we can’t fix. But He can. It is a reminder of how much we need the direction, power and strength the Holy Spirit can give us.

I am sure Zerubbabel struggled with the weight of the task he was sent to do. The exciting expectation that the returning Jews had, waned. They began with great strength, but now they had stopped working on the Temple. The angel continued talking to Zechariah. Nothing, not even a mighty mountain will stand in Zerubbabel’s way; it will become a level plain before him! And when Zerrubbabel sets the final stone of the temple in place, the people will shout: “May God bless it! May God bless it”. Then another message came to me from the Lord: Zerubbabel is the one who laid the foundation of this Temple, and he will complete it. Then you will know that the Lord of Heaven’s Armies has sent me. Zechariah 4:7-9. What an encouraging word to Zerubbabel! He would complete the re-building. I want to encourage you today. He that has begun a good work in you, (and subsequently) through you, will complete it. It may not look like you expect at this time, but it will be what He plans.

The angel was not finished. He went on to say: Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin, to see the plumb line in Zerubbabel’s hand. God rejoices when we begin, no matter how small. He rejoices when we do not grow weary in well doing. He rejoices in the small attempts we make. Zerubbabel still had to rally the workers to finish the Temple, but having the word of the Lord to boost his confidence was priceless. My friends, do not forget His Presence, just like the lampstand is there to give light. He wants to show us the how, when most times we are so busy asking the why we don’t proceed to the how and when. Zerubbabel already knew the what. The restoration was completed in 515 B.C.E. God’s promise was fulfilled. Keep walking my friends, your promises will be fulfilled as well, if we surrender and partner with the Holy Spirit. He is our power and might.

Father, help us to remember that Your work in us begins with Your Holy Spirit. You want us to rely on Him. He will lead us and guide us in all things. Help us to keep our eyes open to see what you are doing in the midst of discouraging situations. Help us to listen to Your voice and share its encouragement with those around us. We trust you, dear Father. In Jesus’ Name, amen.

Faith Trust · Uncategorized

Faith and Conversation

February 29, 2024 Martha RodmanLeave a comment

The tongue can bring forth death or life, those who love to talk will reap the consequences. Proverbs 18:21. NLT

Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it and indulge it will eat its fruit and bear the consequences of their words. Proverbs 18:21 AMP

I want you to use your imagination. Pretend you are back in the Old Testament times. About one year ago, you are part of a scene where God miraculously helps you and at least 600,000 fighting men, their wives and children and foreigners who escaped with you from the bondage of Egypt. Together you walk across the Red Sea on dry land. Look up and see the cloud by day, leading you and the others and the pillar of fire leading you at night . More miracles are happening as you are called to pick up manna for food every morning. Can you taste its sweetness? Are you one of the women who try different recipes? Which tribe are you with? Did you willingly contribute to the items needed to help construct the tabernacle? Or are you one of the artisans that worked with gold or spun the fabric? These were real people embarking on an amazing journey.

How exciting, scary and a bit overwhelming it must have been. The joy of the escape, the blessing of God leading them must have been so awesome. I can hear them discussing the miracles over and over. But we know no matter how many amazing miracles they saw and participated in, the excitement began to fade…and grumbling began. Soon the people began to complain about their hardship, and the Lord heard everything they said. Then the Lord’s anger blazed against them, and he sent a fire to rage among them, and he destroyed some of the people in the outskirts of the camp. Numbers 11:1. NLT. This seems pretty extreme, doesn’t it? I think it reveals God’s thoughts about grumbling and un-thankfulness. I know He is gracious, merciful and kind, but reading this story is sobering. God does not like grumbling.

Unfortunately, it doesn’t stop there. After the fire, we find the foreigners who left Egypt willingly; began to grumble as well. Then the foreign rabble who were traveling with the Israelites began to crave the good things of Egypt. And the people of Israel also began to complain. “Oh for some meat!” They exclaimed. “We remember the fish we used to eat for free in Egypt And we had all the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions, and garlic we wanted. But now our appetite are gone. All we ever see is this manna! Have you noticed that all it can take is one person to begin to grumble and complain or be critical and others begin to pick it up? It’s like a contagious virus! Like physical virus’s that get spread through a classroom with immature immune systems, the complaining “virus” can be spread through young believers–or even older saints can be infected if they haven’t been immunized with joy and thankfulness. After the foreigners began to grumble about the food and journey, the Israelites began to complain for meat.

Poor Moses. Moses heard all the families standing in the doorways of their tents whining. Don’t think your leaders don’t know when their sheep complain and are grumbling. It makes their work harder. And the Lord became extremely angry. Moses was also very aggravated. My friends, emotions happen. We can get frustrated and upset, but it is what we do with them that matters. Moses handled his aggravation by talking with the Lord. We can see he is quite clear on how he is feeling! And Moses said to the Lord, “Why are you treating me, your servant so harshly? Have mercy on me! What did I do to deserve the burden of all these people? Did I give birth to them? Did I bring them into the world? Why did you tell me to carry them in my arms like a mother carries a nursing baby? How can I carry them to the land you swore to give their ancestors? Where am I supposed to get meat for all these people? They keep whining to me, saying, “Give us meat to eat!’. I can’t carry all these people by myself! The load is far to heavy! If this is how you intend to treat me, just go ahead and kill me. Do me a favor and spare me this misery!” Wow, that is an honest conversation! And it brought some great solutions.

Then the Lord said to Moses, “Gather before me seventy men who are recognized as elders and leaders of Israel. (verse 16) They will hear the burden of the people along with you, so you will not have to carry it alone. (verse 17b). When we have a true complaint (or even a perceived one) the right thing to do is take it to the Lord, in faith, trusting Him to bring solutions.

We find the grumbling, criticism and complaints spread to Aaron and Miriam. God defended Moses, but Miriam came down with leprosy. My friends, God loves us to encourage others. He loves for us to speak words of life and to do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father. Colossians 3:17. The book of James reminds us of the problem our tongues can cause. It is restless and evil, full of deadly poison. Sometimes it praises our Lord and Father, and sometimes it curses those who have been made in the image of God. And so blessing and cursing come pouring out of the same mouth. Surely, my brothers and sisters, this is not right! James 3:8-10. NLT.

We are no different than the Israelites, I am afraid. We can start fires or we can put them out by our words. My friends, the other day as I was praying for our church during a time of intercession, in my minds eye, I saw a bunch of fire buckets sitting around. I asked the Lord, what are they for? He said, I want my people to put out fires of division, disunity, gossip and grumbling.” God has been moving amazing in our church. I haven’t heard of any rumblings, but I felt it was a preventative move. Are you willing to be a fire bucket in your sphere of influence? To guard your heart and tongue from the wiles of the enemy? Can you graciously with loving mercy, correct someone who is stumbling in this area? Let’s determine to guard our conversations. Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. James 1:19.

Please don’t think this is a small thing that doesn’t matter. We can either speak life or death. We can speak faith or we can speak doubt. We can encourage others or tear them down. Maybe your very word of encouragement will help someone else make it another day.

Father, I thank you for helping us in this area. It is so vital we grow in our ability to guard our hearts and what we meditate on concerning our brothers and sisters and our leaders. Help us to talk to you about our concerns, trusting you will give us wisdom and understanding. In Jesus’ Name, amen.

Faith Trust · Uncategorized

Faith and His Promises

February 22, 2024 Martha Rodman2 Comments

Remember your promise to me; it is my only hope. Your promise revives me; it comforts me in all my troubles. Psalm 119:49-50. NLT

I am so so grateful for God’s promises. I am grateful that He is a promise keeper. He is faithful to His promise, when I am not. Today I am feeling a bit distracted and stuck. Trying to press through and spend time with Him, but it isn’t working too well. So I put on some worship music and tried to settle in. Still a struggle.

Spent a bit of time kneeling prostrate before Him, humbling myself and realizing our God is hearing me, no matter what I am feeling. He sees my heart and struggle to meet with Him. As I quieted my heart and just rested in the knowledge of His presence, peace came. I began to feel restored and strengthened. I found the above scripture and was comforted by His promises, once again.

Why do we make it so complicated? He longs to have a relationship with us. He paid the costly price of restoring our relationship to Him. What a joy for Him when He sees us wanting to be with Him, surrendered and waiting.

I love that His promises are personal. I can claim them, and so can you. He promised to never leave us nor forsake us (one of my favorite promises!). I read there are over 7,000 promises in the Bible. Take a look at your concordance and read some of them. They are refreshing and comforting. The Lord always keeps his promises; he is gracious in all he does. Psalm 145: 13

We find a marvelous example of what happens when we believe His promises in Romans 4:20. Abraham never wavered in believing God’s promise. Om fact, his faith grew stronger and in this he brought glory to God. He was fully convinced that God is able to do whatever he promises. When we continue to grow in our faith in God’s promises (His word), we bring Him glory. The Holy Spirit wants to help us grow in this area. What promises are you trusting in today? Keep on my friend, keep on believing. Do not let the enemy steal your hope. And the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises to be fulfilled. May God who gives this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other, as is fitting for followers of Christ Jesus. Romans 15:4-5. NLT. Abraham and Sarah waited a long time to have their promised child. I can only imagine how difficult it was for them to keep trusting. (We know it wasn’t easy, because we have the story of Hagar and Ishmael).

Take time to renew your hope in His promises by reading His Word. Remind yourself of the stories (testimonies) of those who have gone before us. Remember that He who has begun a good work, will go on to perfect it. Philippians 1:6. If you need to remind yourself that He forgives when we ask–read Matthew 6 and the Lord’s prayer. Oh my friends, do not let a gap develop in your relationship with Him. No matter what season you find yourself in, He is present, able and willing to meet with you and me.

I find so much comfort in His promises, don’t you? Today, as I finally reminded myself of His promises I was able to enter in and find the rest He promises. It took some time, but it was so worth it!

Father, I thank you for your promises. I thank you that they are faithful and dependable, even we feel we aren’t worthy of them. I thank you for helping us trust in them and like Abraham, bring glory to your name. In Jesus’ Name, amen.