Arise, O Man of God

I'm treading on dangerous ground with this post.

Lust is not often discussed, much less by a young woman. It is brushed under the rug, ignored, and even accepted by far too many churches. Christian men, leaders, pastors - all have given in to this sin,but many are suffocating under it. Hardly anyone seems to believe that true victory can be found. Why do the headlines ring with the scandals of Christian leaders? Abuse. Pornography. Affairs.

It breaks my heart and angers me to see the way Satan has such a strong hold on my brothers in Christ! I've written the following as an encouragement to you. I know I don't understand the struggle that you deal with in lust, but I know the power of the God who lives inside of you. This battle is a hard one. The world you live in does not make purity easy. But, there is hope. There is freedom to be found in Christ.

I know. Women are plagued by their own temptations and are susceptible to lust as well. But, I am addressing this to Christian men because you are the ones chosen to lead the Bride of Christ. You are the ones with the weight and privilege of leading your family in righteousness. You are here to display Christ, my brother. He can and will do amazing things through a life surrendered to Him! I'm passionate about biblical manhood, and I long to see the mighty man of God rise up and show the world the power of the cross. So this, my brother, is for you. I do not post this with a heart of condemnation or hatred. It's quite the opposite really. Whoever and wherever you might be in this struggle, I love you as a sister in Christ and am praying that this will spur you on to fight the good fight, robed in the righteous purity of Almighty God.

O weak and weary brother,

Bound and shackled by your sin.

The hounds of lust have pestered

And you’ve given in again.

The world cries, ‘Just accept it!

That’s how you’re meant to be!’

 But don’t listen to those lies;

God’s man lives mightily.

Where are you men of honor?

Have the faithful disappeared?

Fierce lions roam the land unchecked,

While the world sits back and sneers.

Victory is possible,

There’s One Who paved the way.

Your Savior bled to bring you life;

There’s freedom in His wake.

Resolutions will prove futile,

Your strength will only fail.

But look to Him and plead His grace,

The Lord will soon prevail.

I know that I am just a girl.

What right have I to speak?

But brother, He has burdened me;

I long to see you free.

It breaks my heart to see the church

Enshackled by her sin.

O God, arise and cleanse Your bride!

Bring purity once again!

Raise up a mighty army,

Restore the godly man!

With eyes and hearts for You alone,

May they vanquish Satan’s stand.

Awake, O slumbering soldier,

Don’t you hear the Captain’s call?

With the cross of Christ before you,

Live to prove that He is All!

~MJ

Cherished Adoration ~ A Poem

O little heart of mine,

Won't you make your Savior glad?

Forsake the fleshly trinkets

For the Treasure of the Lamb.

"My love is weak, my heart is cold,"

You whisper fearfully.

But Jesus strokes your brow and says,

"That love is what I seek."

An upturned gaze, a word of praise

Arouses His great love

The very heart of Heaven speeds

At the smallest act of love.

Your love is His great treasure,

It's the crown of His delights.

So, pour it out, however small

On Christ the crucified.

~MJ

To the Weary Heart

The word "wait" is a term scattered all throughout Scripture. In Psalm 37, the Hebrew word "chuwl" is translated as "wait patiently". Yet, when I studied this word deeper, the definition confused me.

Chuwl- to dance, writhe in pain or fear, tremble, travail, hope, be in anguish, rest, fall grievously, trust, be wounded

"Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him." Psalm 37:7a

How could one word have such differing definitions? Dance and tremble? Writhe and hope? Trust and fall grievously? They seemed a contradiction. 

As I sought the Lord on this though, a beautiful picture came to mind. How many times is waiting an easy thing to do? How many times does that patient rest come as a result of surrender, even a tear-filled, heart-wrenching surrender? The Lord allows suffering in the life of His child to conform us into His image. As Charles Spurgeon once said, "Our Master's experience teaches us that suffering is necessary, and the true-born child of God must not, would not, escape it if he might. The jewels of a Christian are his afflictions. The regalia of the kings whom God hath anointed are their troubles, their sorrows, and their griefs. Let us not, therefore, shun being honoured."

O weary believer, would you glorify the Lord during this season of trouble, confusion, or pain? Then, wait patiently for Him. Hope, despite your trembling soul. Dance, in spite of your grievous fall. Trust, regardless of your anguished, wounded heart. For when our hearts are broken and we do not understand the Lord's ways, it is then He is able to teach us to cling to Him in a way we had never known before. 

This has been the path that the Lord has been leading me on these past four months: a season of waiting on Him, even when the road ahead is unclear or painful. The following quote has been a precious encouragement of late.

"Thou, Lord, bruisest me; but I am abundantly satisfied, since it is from Thy hand.” John Calvin

Oh, to be abundantly satisfied with His ways, even when they do not align with my own! I long for His will to be mine, that I would never doubt His goodness! And oh friends, how truly good He is! He has shown Himself so faithful over the past couple months, always near to still my restless soul. Troubled heart, your God will not forsake you! His ways are best; know that they are far greater than you could ever imagine! Even when the pain is overwhelming and your heart is left aching and bruised, trust Him. He is sovereign over all and will lead you through. 

"When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, You knew my path." Psalm 142:3a

Dear reader, He knows your path. Whatever you're struggling through right now, He knows...and His almighty arms are upholding you through it all. Turn to Him, trust in Him, and find rest in His unchanging promises. Has He ever failed you before? He will not start now.