AM I MY SISTER'S KEEPER?

I attended the Northwest Women's Conference this weekend with Elyse Fitzpatrick. She spoke on being our sister's keeper. She had so many great things to say. Here are the highlights of my notes...

SESSION 1

Churches today tend to be tourist friendly, an event people attend.
It should be family, relationships, deep, committed, transparent, Christ-centered.
We want to “keep space”. This was not the NT church. The NT church was family, brothers and sisters with deep and abiding relationships.

We hate conflict and change.

Church is a relationship in which people speak into my life, tell me when I’m sinning. Though there might be conflict I need to be involved in the lives of my sisters.

God has committed Himself to keeping me. This allows others to keep you. God really does the keeping – by using means/people.

Keeper – “shamar”
To hedge about (as with thorns) i.e. guard, generally, to protect, attend to.

John 10 – Good Shepherd passage
The Good Shepherd takes ownership! He lays down at the door of the sheepfold, determining what comes through the door.

The Keeper
owns you
cares for you
loves you
set His love upon you
keeps and protects you

Sheep wander – He keeps us!

God does “keep” us
1 Sam. 2:9 “He keeps the feet of His godly ones, but the wicked ones are silenced in darkness…”

When it’s up to God, we’re His friend; if it were up to us, we’d want to be His enemy.

Job 10:12 “care”
“Thou hast granted me life and lovingkindness; and Thy care has preserved my spirit.”

Psalm 25:20 “guard”
“Guard” my soul and deliver me; do not let me be ashamed, for I take refuge in Thee.”

Psalm 145:20 “preserves”
“The Lord keeps/preserves all who love Him; but all the wicked, He will destroy.”

He has no wrath left for us!! His wrath has been spent on His Son, on my past, present, and future sins.

An eternity’s worth of wrath was spent on the Lord in 3 hours for all the sins of the elect.

We are completely justified. Just as if I’d never sinned AND just as if I always obeyed!!!

God preserves us because that is His disposition towards us.

He sets His love on us.

The Heavenly Father watches over you because He loves you!

Psalm 121:3-8

“He will not allow your foot to slip; He who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, He who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord is your keeper; The Lord is your shade on your right hand. The sun will not smite you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will protect you from all evil; He will keep your soul. The Lord will guard your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forever.”

The Lord takes the heat; He is the shade!!

The Lord loves us so much. The Lord keeps us. Out of gratitude we respond with obedience and then we want to get busy in the lives of others.



SESSION 2

It is wrong after you’ve had a day of failure after failure of loving to think tomorrow I will do better.

This should be your thought - Christ’s record is my record. Because of that I will love my neighbor as myself.

When people are in love it changes their speech. You talk about what you love – work on loving Jesus! Think about Him.

When you work to make God love you, you only end up in pride or despair. He has already loved you to the maximum of His love and there it remains constant.

Fall in love w/ Jesus! Think about what He’s done on your behalf and then take care of your friends.

Romans 15:1-3

“Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of those without strength and not just please ourselves. Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to his edification. For even Christ did not please Himself; but as it is written, “THE REPROACHES OF THOSE WHO REPROACHED THEE FELL UPON ME.”

In Scripture, where there’s law, there’s gospel.

Why should I not live a life to please myself? Because Christ did not please Himself! Christ left the glory of ineffable Light, became encased in human flesh, and entered into a dark womb.

Christ always lived to please the Father, for our good!!!

Job 4:3-4
“…you have strengthened weak hands. Your words have helped the tottering to stand, and you have strengthened feeble knees.”

Hebrews 12:12, 13

“Therefore, strengthen the hands that are weak and the knees that are feeble, and make straight paths for your feet, so that the limb which is lame may not be put out of joint, but rather be healed.”

God brings discipline to our lives because He loves us – to point us to the Best, Himself!! (Not because He is angry, His wrath has already been spent, but because He loves…)

God has no other end in your life besides your endless happiness – IN HIM!

It is a function of love to bring you through discipline.

If you are holy – you are happy!

Ask your friend, what sin do you see in my life that concerns you? This takes courage!

James 5:19-20
“My brethren, if any among you strays from the truth, and one turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death, and will cover a multitude of sins.”

Sin is not covered when you don’t go and talk to your friend. You don’t love your sister enough if you will not risk facing your sister’s wrath.

Approach your sister saying to yourself, “There but for the grace of God go I.”
Approach your sister saying to her, “I might be wrong, but this is what I’m seeing.”

The easiest path is to ignore your sister’s sin.

Acts 20:35
“In everything I showed you that by working hard in this manner you must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”

“I want to tell you but I don’t want to have a relationship with you…” Example - We’ll send off an email in our technological age and then reply to the answer when it is our convenience.

Luke 15:4-7 You are the one, not the 99!

Luke 22:32 We are greatest when we serve.

You are not perfect. Don’t think you can’t help others because of your failures.

Jude 1:22-23 show mercy
“And have mercy on some, who are doubting; save others, snatching them out of the fire; and on some even have mercy with fear, hating even the garment polluted by the flesh.”

If you are not among the doubting, it is only because of God’s mercy and grace!

2 Tim. 2:24-26
“And the Lord’s bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will.”

You can’t bring anyone to repentance, that is God’s work, but you might be used by God, but use gentleness!


SESSION 3

Galatians 6:1-3
“Brethren, even if a man is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and thus fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.”

Don’t be a slave to another’s opinion. You can live transparently with your sister when you are not worried if your sister will not like you anymore.

The cross has already criticized me and I deserve to die.
The cross tells me I am more sinful and flawed, more than I ever dared believe.
The cross tells me I am more loved and welcomed than I ever hoped.

Therefore…don’t worry about another’s opinion.

Be enraptured w/ Jesus first.
Be immersed in God’s love for you and your love for Him.
Love for one another flows out of God’s loving us.

Transparent, accountable relationships are always done in the context of the cross!

Don’t be astonished at your sister’s sin.

We are all sinful and flawed but we are also more loved and welcomed by Christ…”therefore I will love you.”

The purpose of Women’s Ministry is to get other’s unstuck!

“caught in a trespass”
caught - surprised, overtaken, entrapped, being entangled by sin

A spiritual woman displays the fruit of the Spirit and is not presently entrapped by some sin that would prevent her from ministering to another.

“restore”
mend a broken bone
mend a torn fishing net
thoroughly equip an army
supply a ship w/ provisions

Restoration is done in a spirit of gentleness
meekness
the fruit of power
the Good Samaritan sacrificially poured oil into the wound

Luke 10:34

Go to the Lord and ask Him to show you your sin before you go to someone else to point out their sin.

Remember the “There but for the grace of God go I” mentality.

“I can go to you because I’m just like you.”

“I have enough sin to send the Son of God to the cross.”

No one’s life will be changed unless the Holy Spirit does it.

Because Christ loved you so, you don’t have to worry about the opinion of man.

Don’t deceive yourself.

It is easy to think you are spiritual if you aren’t confronting yourself.

It is easy to think you are spiritual if you aren’t being disciplined by others.

It is easy to think you are spiritual if you aren’t disciplining others.

The deceitfulness of our sin should SCARE US!

Keep others in your life because of it.

BLESS THE LORD, O MY SOUL!

O LORD my God, Thou are very great;
Thou art clothed with splendor and majesty - Psalm 104:1

EXALT THE LORD OUR GOD,
And worship at His holy hill;
For holy is the LORD our God - Psalm 99:9

BE GLAD IN THE LORD, you righteous ones;
And give thanks to His holy name - Psalm 97:12

NEW PREWRATH NOVEL

It was in October of 2007 that Kristen Wisen introduced herself and left a comment on my first prewrath blog. Her father, Robert Van Kampen, is one of my heroes of the faith. I'd read a couple of his books and when she identified herself as his daughter, needless to say my delight spilled out as a shriek to my husband in the other room. She had written to encourage me to not lose heart, though many would probably initially reject prewrath, she told me I was planting seeds to help prepare believers for the return of Christ. She has become a dear friend since then. We email often and have learned we both love to dig into the rich and wonderful truths of God's Word.

Well, her second novel is set to debut on February 15th. The first one, "The Appearing", was great. (I haven't told her this but I love the second one even more; I was privileged with a sneak preview read!) It is riveting all the way through. I was working on a photography project when she sent me the manuscript. I told her it would have to wait until I finished my editing. Now, when you've been editing photos for hours on end it gets rather tedious. I needed a distraction. I picked up the manuscript and I'll let you guess which I finished first, my photo project or the book? It was the book.

To visit Kristen's website and learn more about "Overcomer", (she'd already picked out the name before we met), click here. Go ahead and order it too while you are at it. You won't be disappointed!

Oh, and what's really cool...we are getting together for the first time next month. And speaking of the rich and wonderful truths of Scripture, Lord-willing, I'm going to get to hear her teach Romans 8 to the gals in her ladies Bible study!

CHANGE IN AMERICA

Well, we've just inaugurated a new president that has been touting that America needs change. I think America is going to change, but not necessarily for the better. This is a link that will take you to a video message to our nation by a Lebanese woman. It is put out by The Heritage Foundation. She tells her story of how her country changed because the radical Muslims came in and changed it. And guess what...it's happening here in America too. The following are my thoughts after I watched the video...

Where do I start?! Wow! We already have Hamas cells in the US. Our cities are seeing mosques go up left and right. This woman called Europe, Eurabia. What struck me was how Israel treats the people of her enemies…how kind they were to the people that only want to kill them…obviously this is what happens when you are blessed and influenced by the one true God of the Bible. This why America has treated her enemies with respect. But how much longer is that going to be the case?!

How do we fight against what I believe God has prophesied will happen? I guess from the human perspective, as Americans we should. But from heaven’s perspective, I don’t see the tide being stopped. This woman says all the moderate Muslims should band together and stand up as Americans first, but will they is the big question? My understanding of Scripture is that Jewish people and believers all over the world will be undergoing great persecution when Christ returns to gather His elect. It will begin in Israel and then spread. It makes sense to me that Antichrist will be aligned somehow with the Muslims in bringing this about. This video seems to give credence to that and just causes me to be even more sober-minded – that we could begin to see prophesy unfold right before our eyes. As believers we need to be letting the Word of Christ dwell in us richly, we need to be sharing our faith, we need to be standing for truth. Eventually this is going to cost us. We need to be prepared to endure. I love the Lord's words to Peter when He told Peter that Satan had asked permission to sift Peter like wheat. The Lord told Peter that He’d prayed that his faith would not fail. Though Peter denied the Lord, his faith never completely failed. He repented and went on to be a dynamic force in the church, because of God’s power. We need not fear because God is for us and nothing is going to separate us from His love! And, I believe it is those who heed the Lord’s warnings and instructions in Matthew 24 who will be more prepared for what is coming.

THE TRUTH OF WHAT IS HAPPENING IN ISRAEL

I received this letter today from a friend who has friends in Israel.

Update From Israel

January 2009

Dear Friends,

As you all know, Israel is in a middle of a war. First, we would like to thank you for your prayers and to tell you that we are doing fine.
I know that the news broadcast picture the Palestinians as the victims and us as the aggressors. But the truth must be said.
In the last eight years… eight years! The cities in the south west side of Israel suffer from attacks by the Hamas. Missiles are launched at our cities regularly, on a daily basis. Israel did not react at all. Children in Sderot and other settlements in the region learned to lie down under the desk in school when the alarm goes off. Many families left the area while others stayed and tried to have some kind of normal life. What does it mean? They never take showers that take more than two minuets, the children do not play outside, they drive with open windows to hear the alarm… normal life.
Then, six months ago, Israel signed a cease fire agreement with the Palestinians. Israel did not shoot even one bullet, but Hamas kept sending missiles to Israel. Not a lot, but still few every day. In the mean time the Hamas built tunnels under the border with Egypt and smuggled long range rockets.
Israel knew about it but respected the cease fire. Why? Good question.
As the six month came to an end, the Hamas started a big attack on the southern cities, including Ashkelon, where our church has meetings. For some days Israel waited hoping the Hamas will quit, but they didn't.
Do you know any country in the world that would allow something like that to happen for eight years? The Hamas shoot their missiles in purpose to kill civilians, women and children. Thanks to the Lord, the God of Israel, they have little success. But they definitely are destroying the lives of many.
Two weeks ago Israel said that enough is enough. We attacked with much power and are giving the Hamas a hard lesson. In the mean time Hamas keep shooting missiles and long range rockets to our cities. Now the Grad rockets can reach some 40 KM. That means that they reach even northern than Ashdod. 3 of the missiles landed in Gan Yavne, thank the Lord in open spaces. Few landed in Ashdod and killed a woman who was a secretary in the high school where Amir studied.
It is not fun time in Israel, Now as I write this letter, the alarm in Gan Yavne went off 3 times. Each time all has to go to a shelter and wait there until we hear the explosion.
I am sure you see many pictures in the media of dead civilians on the Palestinian side. This is true. But some thing must be said:
First, Israel never aims at civilians! The Hamas terrorists took of their uniforms and they fight with civilian clothing. So not always when you see civilians they are civilians.
Second, The Hamas uses children and women as human shields. Probably you heard yesterday that the IDF bombed a UN school. The true story is that there were no students there. The place was full with refugees and terrorists. The Hamas launched bombs from the school yard to hit the Israeli soldiers. The IDF had no option but to fire back. We know that the terrorists kidnapped children and they walk from one place to another with children because they know that the Israeli soldiers will not shoot while children are around.
Third, since the terrorists hide behind civilians and since many houses are in fact storage for missiles, Israel has no choice but to bomb the houses. Now listen to that. Before Israel attack a building we warn the people who are inside that we are going to do that and ask them to leave. How do we do that? By sms, telephone calls and by spreading notes from an airplane. We know that many of the terrorists escape because of that, but the IDF has high standards of morality.
Forth, Since the war started the heads of the Hamas disappeared. The fact is that we know where they are. Many of them are in a shelter under the Gaza main hospital. They know that Israel will not bomb a hospital so they use the sick and injured as their shield.
Yes, we are sorry for any civilian that hurt from our activity. It is not our goal. Whenever Palestinian children and women are hurt, the Israelis have real sorrow. When Israeli children suffer, the Paletinians have real happiness. Wars are not nice. The Palestinians civilians have to stand against the Hamas and not allowing them to shoot Israel.
The Israeli army is doing his best to win the battle but is also very careful not to harm innocent people. I don't think that there is any army that would be as careful as the IDF. It should be said that our care for the civilians increase the number of injured and dead on our side.
At the moment the war continues. Israeli soldiers are fighting in Gaza strip while Israel sends humanitarian aid to the Palestinians.
All the schools in the south are closed, so Orit stays at home with the kids. I work almost as usual. We do not have church meetings in Ashkelon now.
Please pray with us that this battle will end with some hope for the two peoples. The situation must be changed. Israel should not agree to have her children under a threat day and night.
We trust the Lord and we know that He is sovereign. Please pray that we will be bold to share the eternal hope with our friends and families especially now.
May our Lord Jesus Christ receive the Glory.

Yours in Him,
Eitan and Orit Kashtan

A NUGGET FROM DR. MARTIN LLOYD-JONES

"Have you realized that most of your unhappiness in life is due to the fact that you are listening to yourself rather than talking to yourself?"

Talking to oneself about God, His Word, and His will is the issue!

A NUGGET FROM JOHN MACARTHUR

"For believers, God's sovereignty is the overarching and all-encompassing reality that keeps everything in perspective."

This is why we can rejoice in the midst of pain and sorrow - because God has promised that He will cause "all things to work together for good to those who love Him, to those who are called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28