WHATEVER YOU SAY WE WILL DO

 

WHATEVER YOU SAY WE WILL DO

 

Have you ever been at a job orientation with others, getting instructions on what is expected? I know I have gone through several such orientations. Some of the information seemed like common sense, but it still needed to be covered so no one could say we were not told about the expectations and possible consequences.

I like to know what the consequences will be. Many people guide their behavior by whether the consequences are worth it. For example, if I am told that being late 3 times will cost me my job, and I want that job, I will do everything in my power to avoid being late 3 times.

At orientation, the group signs paperwork stating that they understand their responsibilities and, in essence, agree to “whatever you say we will do”. In this day and age, a manual is often sent electronically, so you have a copy of what you signed. You can look back on it to refresh your memory or double-check whether something is acceptable.

An example would be: Is it acceptable for me to get another job in the same field while working for this company? As a pharmacist, I was not to be employed by 2 different chains at the same time.

It’s good for me to have things written down. I like paper. Many times, I find things more quickly when they are written down and filed or organized than when looking up documents online.

Many people say, “It’s just a piece of paper,” when it comes to marriage. That paper represents the covenant I made with the man I married. It is written down and shows we belong to one another. If it’s just a “piece of paper,” I wonder why so many couples choose not to get it? Not to put that covenant in writing, put up the document that represents such love and commitment. Maybe if it’s not written down anywhere, they don’t have to remember it?

I have had people tell me, after a cancer diagnosis, they couldn’t really remember what the doctor told them after hearing the word cancer. They would go back, even if allowed to record the appointment and hear it later. They also said they had someone go with them to write things down or ask for information they could read before making decisions about their treatment. Just hearing was not good enough.

As I think about this, I think, wow, how God knew this. In Exodus 24, Moses came and told the people all the words of the Lord and all the judgment and

 the people said

“All the words which the Lord has said, we will do.”

What happened next? It said he wrote the words down.

 Moses rose early in the morning and

1.      built an altar and 12 pillars (for the 12 tribes of Israel)

2.       sent young men of Israel to offer burnt offerings and a peace offering of oxen.

3.      Took half the blood and put it in basins, and the other half he sprinkled on the altar.

4.      Took the book of the Covenant and read it to the people.

They said: “All that the Lord has said we will do, and be obedient.”

Moses took the blood, sprinkled it on the people, and said, “This is the blood of the covenant which the Lord has made with you according to all these words.”

Am I not like the Israelites? I can go to church or other events to hear the word of the Lord and say I will obey. I hear things and then forget. Just like the manuals I had from orientation, I have this wonderful manual on life called the Holy Bible.

It is full of ways to live my life with a healthy mind, body, and spirit. I don’t need to be sprinkled with the blood of an ox or any other animal. There is a new covenant. If you read Hebrews 9:11-28, it explains why we needed a Mediator and why His death was necessary.

“For if the blood of bulls and goats and the ashes of a heifer, sprinkling the unclean, sanctifies for the purifying of the flesh, how much more should the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

 And for this reason He is the Mediator of the New Covenant, by means of death for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.” (Hebrews 9:13-15 NKJV)

Like the Israelites, I heard the Word of the Lord and said: “All the words of the Lord He says, I will do, I will obey.” Have you received the blood of the new covenant and said the same thing?

Could anyone be obedient to all that is given in God’s Word? Was anyone ever obedient to just the 10 commandments God gave in the Old Testament? There are at least a hundred more. When we receive the new covenant, our hearts really want to obey and do what God asks.

Every year, the sacrifices had to be made to redeem the people. (Hebrews 9:11-28)

Jesus Christ was offered once to bear our sins; not only that, but in reading about the commandments, I am told of the 2 greatest commandments.

The first is to love the Lord my God with all my heart (affection), with all my soul (spirit), with all my mind (intelligence), and with all my strength (will), and to love my neighbor as myself.

Two simple things. So they sound simple. Jesus said the second is like the first. When we do the first, the second happens. The love Jesus spoke of was worth more than all the offerings and sacrifices anyone, even a nation, could give.

I don’t need to speak badly of others or think how awful the Israelites were for saying one thing then doing another and turning away from the promises they were given. The awesome thing is God keeps His promises. The best thing is that he gave us all the new covenant so no one is left out.

God, through the new covenant, has given us everything we need to accomplish His will in our lives.

I, like so many others, want my own will. God's will is always better, as He desires only the best for His children. Peace will always be better than money, Joy will always be better than temporary happiness, and His love will always be near.

I will end with this passage from Hebrews that enables me to do what God has called.

“Now may the God of Peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that Great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.” (Hebrews 13:20-21 NKJV)

Keep believing, and if you need help in balancing your health, mind, body, and spirit for whole health, reach out. Email evapopekjesusrx@gmail.com for a free strategy session.

 

Why Testing Brings Complaining

 

Why Testing Brings Complaining.

 

I got to thinking about freedom and how, when we live in freedom, it can bring many choices and opportunities to its people. In the story I read, it made me think that not only does freedom allow us to make choices, but it also makes us feel tested when given such freedom.

Do you like to be tested? I know there was a time in my life I hated tests. In school, we are tested to see what knowledge we have gained or, in many cases, to see where we lack.

Back in my day, we took tests with pencil and paper, not on a computer. Usually, the tests were multiple choice. Occasionally, there would be an essay question. We didn’t have verbal tests, but there are tests where, to show competency, you may have to be observed completing a skill to show you will be safe to yourself and to others.

An example would be that, to get your driver's license, you would take a written test (or one on a computer) and then take a driving test to show you know the rules of the road and are safe to yourself and others.

There are occupations where you must observe someone for a specific number of hours in that occupation and be trained in it before being given a test. In other words, gaining experience and having a leader or mentor show you what it is truly like to be in the field you may be interested in.

A test is coming. As you go through life, be assured tests are coming your way. They may not be the kind with a pen and pencil or to obtain a degree or certificate, but be assured someone or something will “test” you.

Is testing a bad thing? I used to hate being tested. I was a horrible test taker in school. Things would get so jumbled in my head, I would start sweating, and my scores very seldom would reflect what I really knew.

In the College of Pharmacy, we would be graded on 4 or 5 tests throughout the class, so no outside assignments or extra credit. I would study with people, and after the test, they would ask how I did. I did not do well many times, scoring below 70%. My classmates couldn’t believe it. They would say, “But you knew the material; you got all the right answers when we would study.” After several times of this happening, they felt so bad for me that they said I should go and ask for a verbal test.

Another option they suggested was that I go on a beta blocker to help me relax. This would require a doctor's prescription, and I just was not willing to do that. No one ever suggested what today many college students are on, with or without a prescription, Adderall.

Students would ask if it bothered me, how bad I did. Of course it did, but I would hold my head up and say Of course, but I was always hopeful I would do better on the next test.

I would go back to the apartment and cry and pray. I would ask God if being a pharmacist is really what I should do. I knew it was, and I knew only by God’s grace did I get accepted into the College of Pharmacy.

Now that’s a statement for all of us! Only by God’s grace are we accepted! Now I’ll explain why I titled this “Why We Fear Freedom More than Control.”

I know God tests His people because His Word says He does. In Exodus chapters 15-16, I read the words, “He tested them.” I hope you read those chapters.

God’s people were given freedom under Pharaoh's control. Reminds me of some adult children. I will be doing the JesusRx Prescription for Children podcasts soon, and I was thinking about what a good example children are when given freedom. (https://jesusrxprescriptionforlifeshow.podbean.com/)

Some young adults don’t want to be under the control of their parents, so they leave the situation and are now free to live however they want. They can choose to serve the Lord God or not. They can choose many things to do with their time. They can travel, go to as many parties as they desire, take of whatever food and drink makes them happy. Hang out with friends all day.

They can also choose where to work and how to earn money to pay bills they never had to think about paying. They now see how important their choices are and the consequences of those choices, whether good or bad.

Under Pharaoh’s control, the Israelites were given work. The work Pharaoh demanded. They were fed. They lived a life without freedom. Pharaoh was not for them. He was for himself.

Godly parents are not for themselves. They raise children to know the love of God and why His ways are for them. Godly parents want their children to live in the Freedom God has given them and the dreams God has instilled in them. Things go haywire when people start living for selfish desires and ambitions that leave anything about God out.

The Israelites couldn’t handle the freedom they were given. Let’s see why I think this.

They were set out into the wilderness, led by God’s servants Moses and Aaron. They had no water. We can’t live without water.

They complained.

Wouldn’t we complain to our city employees if we didn’t have water or if our water became contaminated? If we have a well we may call someone to refract it, going deeper to get us water.

We may then complain about the cost.

Next, they had no food, so they complained. They were mad at the leaders. Like adult children, they get mad at the parents for leading them to freedom in Christ, and they complain when they don’t have what is needed to live.

God said He tested them. God allowed His glory to appear to them.

Even in their complaining, it didn’t change who God is or His glory.

Just like Moses and Aaron said to the children of Israel, “Come near before the Lord, for He has heard your complaints.”

We can lead our children back to the Lord, His provision, freedom, and love.

In chapter 15, the Israelites are singing and dancing because they are free, and then they complain about it.

I find it interesting that it says Israel came to the “Wilderness of Sin.” Are we not in the wilderness of sin?

This world is full of so many things that could bring me down. I never want to complain about the freedom I have to make choices in this world.

I never want to complain that I was better off without Christ in my life and the bondage of fear, shame, and guilt I was under. That was removed when I accepted the freedom offered on the cross and through the shed blood of Jesus.

I would have never recognized it if I believed the lies from this world and the enemy of my soul.  

I’m reminded of these words:

 Isaiah 5:20 - Woe to those who call evil good and good evil; discernment is crucial.

Romans 12:2 - Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.

What I do know from reading the passage is that God heard their complaints and provided their daily needs. He wanted them to know He was the Lord their God.

God provided food to be gathered daily for what was needed for that day. No more and no less. If they gathered more, which some did, it bred worms and stank. The exception was on the day before the Sabbath; they were to gather more, as the Sabbath was a day to rest.

Once again, you had people who would not listen and go out and try to gather on the Sabbath, but there was nothing to gather that day.

As a child of God, I can thank Him for bringing me to freedom. I can thank Him for His provision, and I can even complain to Him about anything.

If you are a parent who loves and wants only what’s best for your child, how do you feel when they complain? Nothing is ever good enough. They may complain they don’t get the clothes they want, the electronics, the trips, the freedom to stay out all night, the freedom to sleep until noon. In other words, you don’t know how to take care of them properly.

In all honesty, I didn’t know. I went to a church in hopes I could get some backup from the Lord. Be assured He loves your children even more than you do.

A huge mistake I made was being legalistic and trying to set Godly rules when the Holy Spirit wasn’t guiding me.

I realize, as I am in a study now called the Gospel-Centered Life by Robert H. Thune and Will Walker, how it is impossible to do what is right on my own. I realize how the Spirit will overcome the flesh if I rest in what Jesus has done for me and never forget it.

I watch my almost 3-year-old grandson not do what he is asked to do, and I reflected on how no one taught him to disobey. No one taught him to hit his brother. No one taught him to throw a fit. I was reminded it is in us. The very reason we need a savior.

I have freedom from all the do’s and don’ts when I live a life guided by the Holy Spirit. How do I know if I am living that way?

Good question. When tests arise in my life, I will know. I will know because I won’t complain, but rather reflect on my freedom to make choices.

I will know because peace will abound, and the fruit of the Spirit will be evident.

"The mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace." Romans 8:6 

 

"The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace..." Galatians 5:22-23

 

If you find yourself complaining when testing comes, know you can go to God with your complaint. He will listen and provide as He sees fit. He can do that. He’s God.

 

If you are like Pharaoh and only come to God when things are bad, and you want relief, well, you see where that got Pharaoh and those he led. (Just read Exodus 14 if you don’t know where his hard heart led him)

 

I have no idea where you are today. I hope you are walking in the freedom God provides while we are, like the Israelites, walking in the wilderness of Sin and allowing Him to lead you into the promised land with Him. Let Him destroy your enemies and be guided by the Holy Spirit.