Bonnie J Martin

#forsuchatimeasthis

Take Every Thought Captive

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My open page fell on Philippians again this morning. In chapter 4, verse 9, Paul speaks of learning and receiving and hearing things. Those things I shared yesterday, specifically in verse 8: whatever is true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, of good repute, excellence, worthy of praise; those things caused me to think on another verse. So I flipped some pages.

2 Corinthians 10 shares about our thoughts in verse 5. Our thoughts can get us in trouble. Can you relate? In the verses just before, there is the reminder that ‘we do not war according to the flesh.’ God wants our mind and heart. So does Satan.

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ, and we are ready to punish all disobedience, whenever your obedience is complete. 2 Corinthians 10:3-6

A friend of mine makes it known when she teaches that she has had to learn the lesson before bringing it to others. I know what she means! Sometimes those lessons are hard and unpleasant. But on the other side of the lesson, as long as we use the weapons of warfare there is that peace that passes all understanding.

Ephesians 6

Taking every thought captive. When my mind wanders and becomes bogged down in some junk, the best thing I can do is ask some questions. I have to destroy speculations. I have to apply the knowledge of God against the junk that wants to clutter my mind and heart.

Is it true?

Is it honorable?

Is it right?

Is it pure?

Is it lovely?

Is it of good repute?

Is it excellent?

Is it worthy of praise?

God gave us His Son for our salvation. He gave us His Holy Spirit for living life this side of eternity. Constantly with us. Always ready to apply truth. Always on guard against the enemy of your soul. Are you alert to and aware of His Presence? Can you take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ?

I don’t know about you but I am a work in process. I pray that you and I can grow in our knowledge of God so that each moment of junk that causes us issues can be exterminated. So we can walk in the truth of God’s love.

Is there a practical way you find that helps you walk in truth? What is it that keeps you in His perfect peace? Will you share so that others can join you in that endeavor?

Whatever is True

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I have a small block of wood painted black with printed words tucked into a visible place in my closet. There is a framed collage covered in reminders from past writings of my own. There is a reminder that I am a daughter of the King.

Why do I tell you these things? Because of that message on that small block of wood. That message is where I land in my open page today.

And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:7-9

TRUE

HONORABLE

RIGHT

PURE

LOVELY

GOOD REPUTE

EXCELLENCE

WORTHY OF PRAISE

That little block of wood has become an excellence reminder for me to practice these things. I can become side-tracked too easily by junk that doesn’t belong in my mind and heart. Lately, I have been replacing that junk with this reminder. To think on things that are true. Consider that junk and ask if it is true. If it isn’t true, I can lay it down; it doesn’t belong to me. Keep moving. My heart and mind is guarded with peace.

Holding tightly to what is honorable, right, pure, lovely, of good repute, excellence, worthy of praise. All of which, leads to that peace.

As you read each of those words, consider something in your life that you can apply each term. What do you need to remember today? Pick one and practice it. Pick another tomorrow, returning to previous terms and continue practicing.

Our relationship with God is just that; a relationship. He wants to be recognized by you on a moment by moment basis. No different than how your children or parents or friends are constantly in the thoughts you carry everywhere, more so is God. Only if you have a relationship with Him.

It doesn’t make everything bad in the world go away but it does shift my perspective and allows me to realign my focus. Thinking on these truths brings me into fellowship with my Creator.

Is there one here that resonates with you? Would you share?

The Open Page in Front of Me

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This open page is where I land this morning. If you followed along yesterday, you saw the same page. You can’t rush this. I started this book, Philippians, at some point in the past, laid it down, and have picked it backup. Do you find yourself doing the same thing?

It isn’t that these verses don’t hold my attention. Unfortunately, for me, I allow other things to jump in front of them. Sometimes it isn’t too unfortunate because it takes me to another set of verses and I become immersed in those. Immersion isn’t a bad thing when it comes to sinking into scripture.

You see my markings? I don’t claim to be a Bible scholar, although, I suppose anyone who studies the Bible could be considered a Bible scholar. I know far too little about it. I want to know more. So those markings are there to help me sink in and absorb the truths contained in these passages.

This particular Bible is called “The New Inductive Study Bible.” Within these pages, each book begins with instructions for study. There is no commentary in this Bible as you may find in others. There is a brief introduction along with the instructions. The instructions are suggestions for studying the specific passage in front of you.

I purchased this Bible at a Christmas Luncheon in Columbus, Georgia many years ago. Kay Arthur spoke at this luncheon and the ministry that she co-founded was represented. Precept exists to spread the gospel. You can find a plethora of Bible studies on their website. Go explore it!

As for this passage in front of me, pick a verse, any verse. Ask God to open your heart and mind to the Holy Spirit, if you are a believer. Read the verse. Read the verses preceding that verse. Read the verses following that verse. Read them again. Look at the words. Hear the voice of the writer. See the truths. Apply them to your life. Easier said than done? No. Do it.

Each time I open a page, I see something new.

If you aren’t a believer, go to Romans. Read and re-read the entire book. Then read it again. God, the Creator, gave His Son, Jesus Christ, to save you from hell. Hell is real. And it isn’t the worse thing you can imagine on earth. It is worse. How do I know? Because the wrath of God is promised for those that do not believe and follow Him. Read Romans and the rest of the Bible. Go to Revelation.

I’ll share more another time. Sit here for a while with an open page of your own.

I’m Up

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After taking care of necessities, I tiptoe to my kitchen. Coffee is next on my agenda. Yes, I am addicted to coffee. Yes, I am addicted to holding my warm mug of energy in my aging hands, finding comfort for some aches there. The warm liquid and I sit for a while before I have to really get going.

Purchased this little treasure from a little shop in Tennessee.

During that precious early morning time, with coffee mug in hand, I head to my office. This is a multi-purpose space. I spend quite a bit of time in this space.

Sweat drops of work cover this monstrosity.

The elephant in the room is the treadmill. There is a lot of history with that treadmill. It has been used by everyone in my household. It has stood the test of ten years of use. I used that treadmill during my training for my one and only half-marathon. Each one that gets on that treadmill has music in their ears. Mine happens to be Christian music. But I digress. Let’s get back to the rest of the room.

Go see Marian and Ned at http://www.dixiedreamsfarms.com/ for all kinds of soap, teas, spices, herbs, plants, friendship…..

Aloe plants line the top shelf of a bookcase. My husband would love for me to get rid of all the plants that I have collected over the years. We won’t talk about my back porch! These aloe plants have provided relief from my injuries sustained while attempting to cook. They bring life to the room. Yes, you are supposed to laugh.

I won’t show you everything but give you a quick list of stuff in this small space. It is a converted porch made sunroom. Filing cabinets. Shelves on the wall hold my small library. An old wooden desk that weighs as much as an elephant. A tall table I use as a desk for my computer work space. Two chairs and a rolling chair I use at my desk. Two walls of windows. A toy chest. Exercise stuff laden with dust. Pictures of my family. And most importantly, this is the room where Bible sits close by my work space.

I will share more later. Time to get ready for the rest of my day. Have a great day!

Good morning

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Hello.  What are you up to today?  Really!  What is on your agenda today?  What was the first thing on your mind when you opened your eyes this morning?  Or even before you opened your eyes?  Tell me in the comments.

My brain started waking up about an hour before my alarm was scheduled to sound.  That isn’t unusual for me.  I turned it off, knowing I wouldn’t go back to sleep.  But I stayed put.  I drifted in and out of consciousness until 30 minutes after it was to sound.  Once again, normal. 

I don’t stay put every day.  Some mornings I get up intentionally early.  (Like before the alarm sounds even when the alarm is set for an hour earlier than what I really need.)  These early mornings help me get ready for the day.

Tell me about your morning.

Teaching or Facilitating

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The feeds of my social media accounts are full of new opportunities for Bible studies. I saw one that is to begin today on 1 John!

Opportunities to learn and grow in knowledge abound. In-person classes, online classes, online books, books on paper, everyday life…..

Some years ago I had the opportunity to facilitate learning experiences. This particular role offered me more of a learning opportunity than I felt it offered the people that may have attended any of the moments we shared. I couldn’t say I was teaching but that I was facilitating. Facilitating a moment where one can sit and hear and participate in advancing our knowledge of a particular subject.

1 John 2:27 points back to Romans 12:2: And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

The teaching comes from God. He clears the fog of the world and reveals His light and truth. Yes, He can and does and will continue to use facilitators to share His message. But “His anointing teaches you” as you seek to know Him.

Allow God to teach you. Be willing and available to know Him.

New Year

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New year.

New day.

New choices.

New opportunities.

I am finishing up a study of 1 John. How appropriate this verse comes today! It isn’t the first time reading it. I am hoping it won’t be the last either.

One year, a hard one, has passed. It has ended. Times were dark in my heart and mind. Do you know what I mean? Did you have some of those hard patches too?

But this truth sweeps in to remind me of the Light. That the Light is already shining. And it is true. Because of Him it is in me. And it can be in you. Is it already?

It isn’t just that warm fuzzy feeling of goose bumps all over. It is the knowledge that true Light is and was and will forever be present.

It was in yesterday even if darkness tried to overtake me. It is definitely in today. And He has promised it will be forever.

When you keep reading 1John 2, you learn a little more about how darkness blinds but that light reveals truth. Read for yourself.

Seek the truth of Light this year.

New Breath

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Twinkle in her eye with the excitement of pure innocence founded in the unknown experience yet ahead. Body strong but frail but capable of what she didn’t know she could handle. With fortitude of will she takes each step with unsure courage to tackle whatever comes next. With only a slight curve of her lips, because there is also pain, she expresses her joy even in the angst.

Lessons of life can’t compare to what others tell you. You just have to live it yourself. Meeting each new experience with alert intention but the flexibility of determination.

Because sometimes unexpected twists and turns desire to take your eyes off the prize at the end of the race. With eyes and will focused on the finish line enjoying the journey can be hard. But you keep going.

Not for yourself. You aren’t the reason you keep going. It is for others. Because there is someone who needs you. And you learn to take care of you for others. So you can be what others need.

Your hands and feet will lead the way for others coming next. Your voice will echo one day in the voice of another. Your actions and cares will be reflected in another’s actions and cares. Your priority will be their priority.

So be intentional and walk it out. Intentions without action are meaningless expressions. Love fiercely with no apologies.

“Jesus answered, “The foremost is, ‘HEAR, O ISRAEL! THE LORD OUR GOD IS ONE LORD; AND YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND, AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH.’ The second is this, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.””
‭‭Mark‬ ‭12:29-31‬ ‭NASB1995‬‬
https://www.bible.com/100/mrk.12.29-31.nasb1995

Gifting Grace

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How much severer punishment do you think he will deserve who has trampled under foot the Son of God, and has regarded as unclean the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has insulted the Spirit of grace? Hebrews 10:29 (NAS)

You may think this a strange verse to consider in the midst of Christmas season. For so long, I looked at this verse as a standard to which I could not achieve. My imperfect self could not possibly deserve that which was poured out and split open in a perfect covenant. But to not accept it?

Look at it again.

Start at the end.

Grace. That one gift wrapped up and placed in the perfect spot on the tree. Sufficient for all who seek it. Not to be worked for and achieved but a gift so precious only the best wrapping was used. The finest, in fact. Then, when that perfect wrapping was beat down the Spirit remained. Reminding of the grace so precious, for those that choose to accept it.

Google “define grace” and you will find two definitions before coming to the one referred to in this verse: (in Christian belief) the free and unmerited favor of God, as manifested in the salvation of sinners and the bestowal of blessings.

Believing in the free and unmerited favor of God.

Receiving the free and unmerited favor of God.

Understanding without the blood of the covenant there is no sanctification.

Knowing that being a sinner requires the free and unmerited favor through which the blood of the covenant sanctifies.

And you only have to accept it. No work required just acceptance.

Understanding the grace is not earned. Grace cannot be purchased. The price was paid.

The gift given.

Acceptance is the recognition that, as a sinner, the Son of God gave the gift that keeps on giving. Even when that old sinfulness pops up and rears its ugly head: GRACE.

Choosing to live in the grace offered by the perfect gift honors that Gift. Accepting that gift over and over. Continually looking for that gift. Embracing that gift.

Getting back to the beginning of this verse, to trample that gift, to grind that gift into the dirt, to set it aside and ignore it, to refuse acceptance of the continual presence of grace, to deny the free and unmerited favor……..

Deserving of severe punishment.

A free gift is yours this Christmas season. Wrapped in a blanket. Laid in a feeding trough. Will you honor and accept it?

Finding stillness

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Consumed with noises swirling around, it is hard to listen.  Twists and turns spin thoughts into a cocoon too tight to move.  Struggling to squeeze through just a sliver of space to open air.  Seeking silent air.  Perhaps, whispered air laced with a voice of peace.

Grace filled air.  Mercies fresh with no tightly woven web.  Liberty to stretch and shake loose from the prison of endless voices that have no meaning, no value.

Remembering the freedom of that space.  Breathing room.  Inhale.  Exhale.  Torso expands and fills.  Filling deep.  Feeling deep.  Then release.  Slow release.  Release the noise.

Repeat.

Stillness ushers in space for fellowship with God.  Silence welcomes His presence.  Awareness of Him.  Would that it could be known more readily in the chaos.  Practice.

We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ,  2 Corinthians 10:5 (NASB) 

 

Taking captive the swirling mass of disruption.  Bringing into focus the knowledge of God.  Precision with no confusion.  Clarity.

Worship Him.  His space.  For His glory.  For Him alone.

Creator.  Sustainer.  Provider.  Savior.  Healer.  Almighty.  Master.  Protector.

Thankful for His goodness.  Thankful for His kindness.  Thankful for His patience.  Thankful for His love.

Thankful that He knows needs before they are spoken.  Thankful for intercession.