The Compass

Matthew 6:33-34
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

There is a change coming! This is the topic of every New Year since I have been born. Yes, there is truth here; this year will be like no other. There has never been a 2014 and there will never be again.

I am getting a little more specific when it comes to my life. Changes are coming and have already started. Today is the day; the day where I will have to follow a new plan, a new direction for me. My body has been afflicted by Rheumatoid Arthritis since I was 16 years old. As of last night, medication that I have been on for years has been retracted from me. Possible latent effects from this medication are now surfacing. So what now? I don't know except for this.....

God has given us a compass; a direction in which to go; and I must follow by faith. When I got saved 25 years ago the direction of my life shifted. No longer would I trust in the processes of this world, but I would begin a journey lead by sweet whisper of the Spirit of God. Will this journey mean no suffering? No, "In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

Everyone likes continuity, stability; let's not "rock the boat" mentality. Well, me too! But change is coming! In the gospel we read when Jesus told his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side of the lake.” The Compass was redirecting them. But what happens; the Scripture reads, "A squall came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger". What do we do when the direction we are walking in brings trouble or something unfamiliar; a new road if you will; we cry out to Jesus! “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!”. Now we know that their was a rebuke after the Lord silenced the wind, Where is your faith?”. But I see men who obeyed the direction of the Lord, even if they were frighten, unaware of a storm that was pending. 

Obedience is better! At the end of this story, we hear the "men of faith" or "little faith" exclaiming, “Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him.” (Luke 8:22-25)

I declare I trust in the one who commands the even the winds and the water!



When the Lord asked Moses to scout out the "promise land", the leaders he sent obeyed and went foraging. The Compass leading; giving a command to change routes, go scout and return. When the Lord asks us to change direction, we are to obey and unlike most of these leaders....we are NOT to complain. If he is the Beginning and the End, why do we shrink back and allow fear to cloud over us; to hinder a course where the Lord is leading us? Only two returned with faith, Caleb and Joshua. Fear did not grip them and they did not allow disobedience to rest in them. These two saw the promise fulfilled! 


Fear is not of God! It's a spirit that comes to confuse and discourage and create and unnecessary alarm as if we were alone.



So it's a new season and truly a new day! I share this with you so you can pray for me. It's a new adventure, a new chapter in my life and I need wisdom. God does things in his own way and his own time. What may seem unfamiliar to me; well, he already sees the end from the beginning. 

 Pray that the Lord would give me understanding, insight and courage; that in his mercy he would bring healing to me. I will obey and not worry about this "body". “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. (Matthew 6:5)



The difference between the Arthritis diagnosis at the age of 16 and the new direction now, is no other than the Lord! I have learned to follow though sometimes I may be afraid; with the help of the Spirit of God I try to obey, though sometimes I fail. I pray for courage and that my heart would not be dismayed.



It's a new season; where is He taking you? Do not be afraid, he commands even the wind and the water from overtaking us!

God bless you!~Liz
www.LizRod.com

Fleas on Thanksgiving

Romans 12:7a NIV

if it is serving, then serve;

2013 Happy Thanksgiving!

I find myself communicating a lot this past week with you. As you know I adopted Savannah Hope on Tuesday. She is a precious little thing.

So she spent the day and the next morning I was playing with her and I thought I saw something on her move. Well, let’s leave it at that! I was scared and angry. I adopted Savannah from the same place I adopted Mercy & Grace. I was particular about the cat's health. Make sure she has no fleas; I have two other cats and this could be disastrous. Well lo and behold, you got it - this kitty cat has fleas. I was so overwhelmed. I drove immediately to the vet, and treated Mercy and Grace just in case somehow they also has picked up the fleas.  Luckily they were not playing together.  On the contrary they were on opposite sides of the house hissing at each other, and having spit fights.

So why this story on Thanksgiving? 

The Bible says that each of us have been given gifts from God. Many different gifts but the same Spirit, Glory to God! In my overwhelming, emotional state, I called my sister crying. It's the day before Thanksgiving and we have fleas!

I have a new adorable kitty cat that I don't know what to do with. You see, my brother-in-law a.k.a Dr. Doo-Little, he is a master at taking care of kitties. He has rescued many, housed them, lost some to disease, but not once has he given up on any of these little creatures.

In my desperation, I asked my sister if she could come up to the house on Friday, the day after Thanksgiving and have Dr. Doo-Little "un" flea Savannah.

Of the many gifts dispersed by the Spirit of God I am always amazed at the gift of Service. The gift of Service is a behind the scenes gift; it does not say here I am, look at me, see what I am doing..... No, this gift in operation reminds me of how the Lord Jesus went around bringing words of encouragement, healing and then just slipped away in the crowd. No attention grabbing....no, just an act of kindness to someone else.

My sister tells her husband Dr. Doo-Little that I was crying and in need. So what does a person who operates in this gifting look like; how do they respond? They pack the pork shoulder, throw the turkey breast in a bag, drive one hour from New Jersey, in the middle of the precipitation (snow by my house) and arrive at my home the day before Thanksgiving to help! Help who? Help me!

He spent hours in the bathroom with Savannah, removing this infestation from this precious little tiny creature. In the morning Savannah and mom were doing much better. Oh, it does not stop there. Dr. Doo-Little got up early in morning and went to the Bronx to pick up my dad and bring him to my home. You see, originally we were to have Thanksgiving dinner at my sister house, but they did not count it an inconvenience to pack up, drive in the snow and come to my rescue.

By the way, Dr. Doo-Little's real name is Marty Lagares. In the midst of it all Marty lost his dad the week before. 

So this Thanksgiving I want to give thanks to the Lord for Marty Lagares, for his selfless act of service.

BTW,  Help me wish him a Happy Birthday. Yes his birthday is just a few days away. Happy Birthday Marty!

God is so Good! 

This Thanksgiving, thank someone who is always serving, a behind the scenes person. Let them know how much you appreciate God working through them!

God bless you!~Liz

www.LizRod.com

Danger. Heed the Council

"So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!" (1 Corinthians 10:12)

I have to stay close to God, he's my protection.

When we were young our parents would say, go out and play, but "stay where I can see you".  It was for our protection.  Our parents were aware of the imminent dangers in the playground, the perils and threats in the streets.  

I grew up in the Bronx and I remember walking down the block from the bus stop.  As I walked I felt a presence as if someone was walking close behind me.  So I decided to look back.  Yes, there was a man taking strides with me.  I decided to cross the street, to test and see if this was my imagination or indeed danger lurked behind me. 

I crossed, he crossed.  I was afraid but smart enough to heed the instructions of my mom. The words echoed in my mind "be careful and wise." Every time I left the house those were my mom's words.   

As I got older, a teenager, a young adult, those words sounded "annoying".  "Mom, don't you think I can take care of myself?"

"God, don't you think I know how to live my life?"  I got this!  I'll call you when I need you. Surely there are others out there that need your help more.  I'm doing OK. Am I?

My mom's council helped me to escape the danger that had been following me.  I entered a safe place. It was a local restaurant who knew my family.  I was escorted safely to my apartment.  

The story continues and this man that followed me carried a knife and his face was painted like a clown.  I praise God for His protection and my mother's council. No harm came to me. This clown was no joke! His intent was harm.  Sometimes danger has a different face, we must be wise.

It's a disease that comes to destroy known as sin!  It's led by a master deceiver; one cloaked in light; Satan himself masquerading as an angel of light. (2 Corinthians 11:14) In the beginning of time the Lord spoke to the man he created and blessed him with an incredible abundance of goodness.  The Lord God made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground—trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food. (Genesis 2:9)

What is it that happens to us? When is God's provision not enough?  Who is instigating and having a battle in our minds? Why do we fall when the warnings are everywhere? 

If Adam and Eve ate from the tree of good and evil; why is it that discernment escaped them and the sensitivity of knowing right and wrong was somehow shadowed? Disobedience, a breaking of the rules, a curiosity that caused them to doubt their Creator did not result in more knowledge, but as God promised it lead them to death. (Genesis 2:16-17) This penalty has tainted every child that has been born.

Solomon, a little child not knowing how to carry out kingly duties asks God for a discerning heart to govern; a heart to distinguish between right and wrong; and the Lord blesses him with wisdom like no other man that ever lived (1 Kings 3:6-9).  Solomon constructs the temple for the Lord's Name in (7) seven years (1 Kings 6:38). Solomon is rich, wise, and being lured to a place where he will fall.  His palace took (13) thirteen years to build (1 Kings 7:1).  

Solomon be careful, don't allow wealth and riches to steal you from the heart of the Father. A little disobedience goes a long way. The Lord became angry with Solomon because his heart had turned away from the Lord, the God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice.  Although he had forbidden Solomon to follow other gods, Solomon did not keep the Lord’s command. So the Lord said to Solomon, “Since this is your attitude and you have not kept my covenant and my decrees, which I commanded you, I will most certainly tear the kingdom away from you and give it to one of your subordinates (1 Kings 11:9-11).

A warning about sin....IT'S OUT TO DESTROY US; a spirit of destruction and an obsession to see us fall.  Satan meddles in the lives of God's people with very clever propositions.  The means to this end is separation from God!

"These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the culmination of the ages has come.  So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it." (1 Corinthians 10:11-13)

As a child of God we have a Counselor that is forever warning us of imminent danger.  The Bible says that Jesus intercedes for me in prayer (Hebrews 7:25).  He has sent the Holy Spirit to guide me in all things; he warns, convicts, redirects, and loves me immensely.  He is forever speaking, if we would just listen.

Examine our hearts God.  "Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread.  Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, ‘Who is the Lord?’ Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God." (Proverbs 30:8-9) 

Don't allow us to misrepresent you and reap death (Leviticus 10).  Keep us under your protective cover, Lord.  Shower us with discernment; a clear view of the enemy that we may escape. As sin crouches and seeks to devour and destroy, help us Lord to master it, to do what is right, that it may not rule over us. (Genesis 4:7).

Sometimes danger has a different face, we must be wise.
Be careful out there!

God bless you!~Liz
www.lizrod.com

Truth, is it Tainted?

“Now you yourself know what Joab son of Zeruiah did to me—what he did to the two commanders of Israel’s armies, Abner son of Ner and Amasa son of Jether. He killed them, shedding their blood in peacetime as if in battle, and with that blood he stained the belt around his waist and the sandals on his feet.1 Kings 2:5 NIV

Ephesians 6:13-15 NIV
Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.


The belt of Truth and feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of Peace, wow! As I read 1 Kings it reminded me of the armor that the Apostle Paul speaks of in Ephesians. This armor, a "protective covering" if you will that is to be worn by the believer, equips us for battle, spiritual battle. Paul takes the physical armour used by the Roman soldiers and begins to share with us this analogy in the inspired Word of God. We as Christians are to be alert and of sober mind. Our enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8). At any moment, a subtle turn, a whisper, though it may seem far, can begin to settle in our hearts; a seed that leads to danger, to ruin. This turn, this decision, this entertainment of wicked thoughts, this call to leave the straight and narrow path (Matthew 7:13) it really can lead to a life of destruction.

Joab, the commander of King David's army; we read how he obeyed all the commands from King David. Yet, something incited him, provoked, prompted him to disobey and kill Abner who was the commander-in-chief of Saul's army; to kill him during a time of peace. The belt spoken off as "the belt of truth" and his feet, the sandals, both tainted by blood. Blood as a result of his own ego, his ownership of thoughts that lead to disobedience.

When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death (James 1:13-15)

When the belt of Truth is tainted, when we take it off or try to manipulate Truth, chose to handle it according to our own definition, when we define Truth to best suit us, we are in trouble. Joab was killed, orders given by King David and followed through by his successor King Solomon.

Nothing escaped King David; nothing escapes the King of kings. Compromise a tool of Satan, along with every concession or cooperation with evil intent leads us away from God; takes us away from that which is right. In his arrogance the wicked man hunts down the weak, who are caught in the schemes he devises (Psalm 10:2). Joab schemes did not go unpunished.

An armor designed for us with a shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one (Ephesians 6:16).

Reign in your thoughts, thoughts that can lead us to destruction. Commit every thought to the authority of Jesus Christ. For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ (2 Corinthians 10:3-5).

Re-read Ephesians 6 today. Let's make sure that our armor is on correctly, that each piece is secure.

Take the belt of Truth off and everything falls apart.

God bless you!~Liz
www.lizrod.com

Change is Comimg

2 Corinthians 4:7-9

But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.


The season of change is upon us. This is my favorite time of year along with Spring. I look on the horizon as I travel; look at the mountain range and see the transformation occur. It's a healthy vibrant green landscape full of life and within weeks it seems like it dies.

Two questions arise; is everything really alive in the midst of the green forest and when the conversion is complete, is everything that looks dead, really gone?

When all is well and life is fruitful we really don't pay much attention to the areas that are slipping away; the parts of our lives that may need attention. As the season changes and the lush of greenery fades away, the obvious sick or dead zones seems to appear. They have been their all along.

The leaves have fallen and now the dead trees, the trees that have fallen and split in two are resting on healthy strong trees.

When the seasons change somehow we too change. In the Fall we seem to gather in all we need for the cold days ahead; we prepare for storms and power outages that may occur; those storms that try to remove the Light from us and leave us in the dark.

How is the ground around you? Has it been fertilized throughout the Summer; have you taken good care of all that was overgrown and carefully trimmed and pruned all branches so they could produce good fruit? He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruit. (John 15:2) If we neglect to be a good ground keeper, that which has been ours to care for, will be like the dead tree leaning and split in two; useful for nothing except to be thrown in the fire.

The gentle breeze that comes in the Fall and adds to the removal of the leaves on the trees, well it reminds me of the Spirit of God that gently brushes through our lives. Seasons changing? Good! Let the Spirit of the Lord come and remove the dead weights that can can be a hindrance to our walk, our life! Interestingly enough, not every tree in the change of season looses their leaves as the same time.

I've read on the process, that incredible transformation that occurs, photosynthesis. The abscission layer, a layer of waxy, corky cells at the base of each leaf. This stops the growing process and stops the flow of sap. The process of how chlorophyll is lost and hence the Fall miracle happens. It's not just a colorful splendor but their is the miracle of preservation.

So, we fast forward into Spring and what do we see. The God of all creation has gently closed every tree bud, every flowering plant to be ready to thrive again. You see, these trees that seem like they are dying are really in a state of preservation. God has prepared the landscape; dead leaves if left on the trees, could freeze and with the storms coming, could cause a tree that otherwise would be healthy to fall in the midst of the storm.

The Lord gently prepares us for change and the storms to come. Get rid of that which is dying, shed those leaves away. The season is about to change. Preservation is coming; a season of defense, a safeguarding for what God has entrusted to us. What has he entrusted us with? We have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. (2 Corinthians 4:7-9)

Preservation..... which can be translated as Salvation. Hallelujah! He has kept us and is keeping us.

Is everything that looks dead gone; no, it's just getting ready to bloom again and the command and wake up call of the Lord. We can join creation and declare the glory of God as the skies proclaim the work of his hands. As day after day they pour out speech; night after night they reveal knowledge. They have no speech, they use no words; no sound is heard from them. Yet their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world. Psalm 19:1-4

We guard what the Lord has entrusted to us for the sake of preservation and to affect the next generation, the new season, so that the message of salvation, the Good News may be heard everywhere!

The season of change is coming....get ready....get ready. Let it Rain....I feel the wind of your Spirit!

Have we Kept What Belongs to God; at what expense?

Joshua 7:19 NIV
Then Joshua said to Achan, “My son, give glory to the Lord, the God of Israel, and honor him. Tell me what you have done; do not hide it from me.”


I read this story in God's Word last night and it caused me to weep. A story many are very acquainted with including myself; it caused much sadness in me.

The most wrenching part for me this time around was the family. In my mind I could not help but think, picture, try to imagine how this entire execution, the removal of this sin was accomplished. The sadness, the ripping of one of their own; casting them far from themselves to the point of death.

If God were to shine his light among us, the people of God; what have we done that has caused reproach; has stopped the blessing of God from flowing or worst yet, what curse have we invoked upon ourselves?

The crime was theft; You shall not steal Ex. 20:15. A close look and in the light of all the plunder it seems petty; silver, a robe, and a gold bar vs. 24. The issue here is not the quantity, he also broke another commandment, you shall not covet Ex. 20:17. He disobeyed God's rule; what God has spoken for their own protection. The city and all that is in it are to be devoted to the Lord; keep away from the devoted things, so that you will not bring about your own destruction by taking any of them Joshua 6:17-18.

So many things went wrong. Sin lead to more sin.

Achan thought that God could not see below the tent floor; all that represented sin was buried in the dirt. Achan, God not only sees below your tent but he is able to see beyond your heart of flesh; the intention, the motive, the deception, the arrogance, the bowing down to another god--self. I could go on and on at all the the Lord ministered to me last night.

Here is the pain; in order to eradicate the sin from the camp Achan and his entire family died! The stolen items--gone....the cattle and everything he owned--gone, his wife, his children....all gone. I don't believe they all went willingly; perhaps their was arguments that erupted. The wife-- I did not do it, he sinned against God not me, let me live!. Children crying, probably very much aware of the imminent death sentence; the look of disapproval of their father; why dad....why? We might argue that perhaps the family knew, but what if they didn't. Everyone in Achan's family paid for his wrong doing.

The tenderness of Joshua was so eloquently written in the Word of God. “My son, give glory to the Lord, the God of Israel, and honor him. Tell me what you have done; do not hide it from me.” The leader of God's flock; please, please Achan; perhaps with tears in his eyes; please agree with God, confess, remove this stench from the camp. It smells like death. Please.....Our choices have ripple effects; this should cause us to tremble.

One more thing, what if when the Lord was getting close to him, tribe by tribe, clan by clan. What if at the genesis of the search; what if Achan fell and called on the mercy of God, what if confession was offered quickly not waiting until he was the last family standing if you will; would things have turned out the same; perhaps? We do reap consequences, but why continue to hide the sin if God already knows....why?

This was an issue of first fruits. First city to conquer. It belongs to God! Don't touch what belongs to the Lord....it has rippling affects. Keeping what belongs to God curses everything we have; it causes death. Our choices do affect our family!

Something to ponder: “Will a mere mortal rob God? Yet you rob me. “But you ask, ‘How are we robbing you?’ “In tithes and offerings. Malachi 3:8


God bless you!~Liz
www.lizrod.com

Freedom to Worship

John 4:15
The woman said to him,“Sir, give me this water so that I won’t get thirsty and have to keep coming here to draw water.”

The familiar women at the well; she brings an earthen vessel perhaps to bring water back to her family.
She is all ready to satisfy her thirst and her need for this essential part of life; water.

But her trip is interrupted by a Jewish man sitting by the well. He proceeds to ask her to fetch him some water, but soon this conversation will cause her heart, eyes and mind to be opened up and experience worship like she has never known before.

This man, who asks for water in the midst of their short conversation, soon pierces right through her heart; offers something she needs, but soon she will realize that the wooden bucket that brings water from the depth of Jacob’s well cannot carry the water that Jesus is offering. Actually, she has nothing to offer, nothing to contain this living water that is being proposed to her. She yearns for it; she even knows she needs it. But she does not know how to attain it. The woman said to him,“Sir, give me this water so that I won’t get thirsty and have to keep coming here to draw water.”

She has learned that this water brings satisfaction. A Samaritan woman speaking with a Jewish man; this encounter is strange; something more than words is penetrating the core of her being. She begins to confess; yes, the man she lives with is not her husband. She agrees with Jesus.

This Living Water has the ability to cause confession to come out of our hearts. There is a cleansing that is a occurring; we feel it, we experience it and it draws us to come out for more. From the depths of her soul she asks questions that perhaps have been on her mind for a long time. I yearn to worship; it’s built within me, but where do I go; what mountain? Women, true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.” (John 4: 23-24) That’s it! Give me that Water! She runs, she testifies and tells all she comes in contact with, “Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. (John 4:29)

When we encounter God the miraculous happens. Did she really have to agree with Jesus? Was Jesus snooping around her home; was he checking out every move she made? How did he know she had so many husbands? How did this Light pierce the darkness? Why did he expose her?

Where can I go from his Spirit?Where can I flee from his presence? My frame was not hidden from him when I was made in the secret place. He has searched me; he knows my heart and my anxious thoughts. Psalm 139:7, 15, 23

See, you cannot drink of the Living Water and remain the same. Its purpose is for cleansing, renewal and restoration. You can’t help but worship when you have been released. When Light dispels darkness there is freedom. When Truth comes in to silence the lies, you can’t help but worship, you must tell someone; it pushes you to testify. It’s a liberating experience.

Nothing this woman had could contain the water that Jesus was offering. Jesus not only offered the Living Water, but he is the Living Water. We can’t carry it in the clay pot we have; flesh gives birth to flesh, but the spirit gives birth to the spirit (John 3:5-6). There must be a transformation that only God initiates. He changes the vessel, Glory to God, I am not the same. This conversion revolutionizes everything about me! I can’t help but tell all that I encounter; come and see the man that has told me everything about me! My expression of gratitude comes for a converted heart; it leads me to my knees. I don’t need a mountain to worship God; something miraculous has happened and I can’t help but express it wherever I go! Worship flows from within and my spirit rejoices; my heart has been engaged with the Living Water. Whoever drinks the water Jesus gives them will never thirst. Indeed, the water He gives will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” (John 4:14) Glory to God!