www.bunnythroughthelookingglass.blogspot.com is closing

Hi all,

Just to let you know that, whilst I have enjoyed my years at Blogger with my two blogs (Razors-edge-of-insanity and the above), its time for pastures new.

I have migrated to Wordpress so you will now find me at The Masked Rabbit's blog

I hope very much you will come to visit me there.

Thank you for your support (all three of you) and I look forward to catching up with you in my new home.

Hugs The Masked Rabbit (formerly Bunnygirl)

Whom will you believe?

It's one of the hardest things in the world, not listen to someone when they are jabbering in your ear and you are trying to concentrate on something else. We try to focus on the task at hand but all the while, aware of that annoying background twittering which we can't help but strain to catch a few words or phrases here and there.

I know, this happens often to me as I work in an open-plan office. I miss the days of having little offices with a small group of people. Open-plan means noise can circulate.

However, as I've been working in open-plan offices a while now, I have noticed something. If I fully concentrate on a task, I can block the background chatter out. It is possible. If you really put all your energy into focusing your mind on what is in front of you, you can tune out the discussion taking place five desks down, the messenger coming in with more files but talking about the problems with the lift, the receptionist dealing with a difficult caller. When I've truly been "in the zone", my boss has to all but wave his hands in my face to get my attention.

Well, it's like that with God and the devil. God tells us He is for us and not against us. He tells us He loves us and sent His Son to die in our place, to take the punishment that was rightfully ours and lay it on Jesus instead so that, when we repent of our sins, God can forgive us because of Jesus' sacrifice and we can have relationship with Him.

But obviously this isn't what satan wants us to hear. He will tell us that God doesn't exist, a figment of our imagination, that only children believe in such fairy tales and certainly not intelligent people.
If that doesn't work and we have accepted Jesus as Lord and Saviour, then satan tries another tactic and he can be very successful with this one.

He tells us that our sin is too great, that we aren't really sorry and actually, even if we are, God just doesn't forgive that sin because it's too awful, or we've done it too many times. Either way, the devil just whispers constantly those words that say we have done it this time and God no longer wants anything to do with us. We've failed Him for the last time and we are on our own - He's washed His hands of us.

Yes I am, once again, speaking from personal experience. There is that awful moment when you wonder if you actually have a conscience left, has it been seared beyond repair? Then, when you gratefully realise that isn't the case (and trust me, I am grateful my conscience is still working. Thank the Lord for giving us a conscience, when that goes or we stop listening to it, we really are in deep trouble!), you weep as you realise the extent of your sin, how you've fallen and just what this means.

Do we sometimes forget how God views sin? I recommend a reading of the Bible for God's perspective on it. It is sobering, to say the least and really I think it's important to know exactly what repentance is in the light of God's views on sin.

But having done that, what next? Well, 1 John 1 v 9 says "But if we confess our sins to God, he can always be trusted to forgive us and take our sins away."

You know, I have struggled to believe this. This is where the concentration becomes an issue and that twittering in the background can start to really affect us, we catch more of the words and phrases being used by the liar. The whispering voice tells me that I've been doing the same thing and keep saying sorry then doing it again. God can't forgive me, what I am doing is a mockery and I should just quit disappointing God and myself and terminate this relationship. I can't possibly keep God's high standards and I only set myself up for failure time and again. Viewed from today's culture and human perspective, the above sentiments seem like sensible advice. "Just accept that this is how it's going to be and move on. You can't help that you have this problem and you do so well in so many other areas, God is surely a bit unrealistic in His expectations that you will be perfect."

STOP RIGHT THERE! That kind of thinking, that kind of whispering is straight from hell and will lead you to a path of despair, destruction and, ultimately, death. Whom are you going to believe?
A snake that used to be an angel of light, who was thrown out of Heaven for being a prideful,selfish liar and who has always hated humanity and longs for nothing more than our destruction? Or do we believe and listen to God, our Creator, Him who gave us life in the first place, who gave us self-determination, who, when we were making a mess of things, didn't even withhold His own Son's life but gave Jesus up willingly for us so that He could remain Holy and righteous and yet still have relationship with us? But not just any relationship, He wants us as His children, He has adopted us!

Whom are you going to believe? You know what my thoughts were finally on this subject, as I battled the voice, that irritating, evil whisperer? As always, God's Word really does have an answer for everything. Jesus used it against the devil in the desert so why do we think it would be different for us?

I remembered the following, it popped into my head as I was beginning to lose the battle mentally -
John 6 v 67-69
"67 Then Jesus turned to the Twelve and asked, “Are you also going to leave?” 68 Simon Peter replied, “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life. 69 We believe, and we know you are the Holy One of God."

Whom else will I go to except the only One who can set me free from the besetting sin? Whom else will give me hope? Whom else can see me through the dark times and lead me to better choices in the future? Only God, only the Holy one of God!

Whom will you believe today?

Standing firm, even when it costs...

I won't go into details here but this is something I am walking through at this very moment in time. Only moments ago, I was in floods of tears so I speak from a position of experience when I expound on this subject.

There are times in our walk of faith when we are called to stand firm in our faith, in what we believe God has called us to do in obedience to Him. Sometimes, when He asks this of us, we see the victory immediately and praise God for those moments when they happen. They are wonderful, we feel amazing and we lift our voices gladly to our Lord, thanking Him for that opportunity and the swiftness of the victory.

But there are also times when we really see the battle and it's not just a quick five minute test of faith but something that we have to persevere, endure and keep pushing through on.

The book of Hebrews really opens this theme of enduring in faith, how God, through Jesus, has prepared the way for us , chapter 11 listing all of those who have gone before us in the fight of faith and stating what they endured and yet how they passed the finish line, in victory and to the glory of God.

A wonderful friend, who is kindly walking beside me in this trial, reminded me of a verse that speaks of faith in the midst of tough times, of holding on when it seems victory will never come - Romans 4v18" Even when there was no reason for hope, Abraham kept hoping—believing that he would become the father of many nations. For God had said to him, “That’s how many descendants you will have!”

It comes down to holding on to God, holding on to His word and believing it, even when everything around you seems to shout that the odds are impossible and that this time God can't possibly come through for you. As the hours and days go by and you see no sign of let-up, no relief from the hurt, anger, lies or whatever it is you are facing, it would be easy and, from a human perspective, understandable that you would want to give in. But God is calling you to stand strong, to speak out or even not to speak (as is the case for me currently).

Dear friend, if you are reading this and wearying in the battle, you have my sympathies and I feel so much for you. I really do. But I encourage you right now, as I have people encouraging me, HOLD FAST! STAND FIRM!

There is victory. There is hope. Just keep going. Remember Abraham? He had 20 years of hoping! I look back over 20 years and I can't imagine having that kind of faith for that long and STILL holding on to belief in God's promise. But I do believe God gives us the faith we need to endure. However, we have a part to play; we must ask for that faith then we must choose to accept it. This is also about choices, people. Choices that aren't easy but are the right ones. We will be misunderstood, we will be accused of being selfish, uncaring, stubborn, narrow-minded. But God knows our hearts, Jesus understands the pressures, having lived in our world as a man. The Spirit of God living in us urges us to cling to God.

How do we do this? How do we endure? How do we make good choices?
Hebrews 1(b) - 4 "And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. ² We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. ³ Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up. ⁴ After all, you have not yet given your lives in your struggle against sin".

God knows the struggle, He knows how much it hurts and how alone you feel, how tired and how much you want to just give in. Tell Him about it - it's not like you can shock God by your feelings and thoughts as He knows them all anyway. But tell Him because you need to let it  out, be open with Him and share your feelings, however negative and unsavoury. He loves you, He will listen, wipe away your tears then pour more Grace in to you and whisper "Go on, I know you can do this. Keep going, I am with you".

Let's encourage one another as we endure, as we press on. We are not alone, God is with us every step we take, through every tear shed and every moment our heart wearies and we falter. Keep going!

Hebrews 10: 23-24 "²³ Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. ²⁴ Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. "

"Ease up!" - When we are our own punchbag.

 

In the last two weeks, I have been priviledged to have unprecented times of praise and worship and feel the closeness of God which is very rare for me. It's wonderful! It's a joy to spend time with God and enjoy His Presence. Once or twice it's been a battle to let go of my self-control, my self-consciousness about standing in a room on my own and raising my hands in the air, clapping my hands, kneeling or being prostrated before Him. I have even found it hard to pray or sing in tongues but have known that it's the right thing to do and, when I have, God has been so good and blessed me incredibly. Again, I never really questioned this when I was younger and I received the gift of tongues but, as I got older, I began to question that gift. I began to wonder if it was me just making funny sounds. I wondered what was the point of it. So there are times still when I have to take a leap of faith and just go for it, trust God that I am not offending Him but am using a gift that He gave me to build myself up and for Him to use to pray about what's on His heart.

Funny how we lose that ability to feel comfortable doing such things when we grow up. Children don't have it. But when we grow up, we become suspicious of anything like that, anything remotely emotional because we know that emotions are treacherous things. We're so careful to not "get it wrong" that we end up missing the blessing that comes from just doing as we feel lead. Sometimes emotions are good and are God-given. It's why Jesus said God longs for us to have a childlike faith, we trust Him and go where He leads.

 I don't get to join with other Christians to praise and worship often. There are circumstances that mean a trip to church is a rare treat! I haven't been to a conference, worshipped with 1000s, worshipped with 100s. I dream of it but to be able to praise with other Christians, to pray with them is just something my heart longs for but at this time, can't have. When you are cut off from the Body, you can just lose touch with spending time in God's Presence singing, praising. It's like doing it every Sunday keeps you in practice. I am badly out of practice so its not so natural for me to do these things, especially alone.
I speak from 6 years of not being attached to a church or body of believers.

So to spend time alone, singing, praising, just doesn't come naturally to me. It feels odd, feels forced sometimes and uncomfortable.I lack practice!

So what's with the title of this post? I'll expand.

I've spent time in God's Presence, I've felt refreshed, blessed, challenged, loved. I've prayed for change in my life, in my attitude. Time with God, at some point, will make you aware of your need for Him, for the areas in your life that need His forgiveness, healing, cleansing.
Later that same day, or perhaps the following day, I've then acted in a manner that doesn't suggest a woman who has been communing with her Lord!

Let me give an example - I had a evening recently when I was alone for an hour or so and decided to watch worship videos online. I had an amazing time with Jesus. It took me by complete surprise and I was so blessed to the point of tears. God was so good to me.
The following day, at work, things happened and I not only lost my temper but used bad language and was in a foul mood for a good part of the day, not really communicating with my colleagues and just letting a cloud of rage envelope me (bit like Pigpen from the Snoopy cartoons).
Nice,huh?

So then, I got home, managed to calm down. Then I listened to worship music, watching God tv, thinking about what I'd experienced and then how I've behaved and I've felt defeated. I felt dirty, I felt useless and I felt like I've once again let God down, as I seem to all the time. How is it possible that I can spend time with God  being lifted into a special place in Him and yet only hours later, just act like I haven't been anywhere close to Him?

So I was beating myself up mentally this day, apologizing to God and saying "how do You put up with me? Why do You bother? I keep getting it wrong!".

Well, I've been hearing God  and He is saying clearly to me "Ease up on yourself! Stop beating yourself up. I love you." It's not the first time I've heard this. A friend has said to me recently that God loves me and He wants me to understand He loves me for me, not how well I behave. I have struggled with this feeling for many years and long to be free of it. It comes from problems with perfectionism, wanting to get it right exactly.

So what I want to say is, if you are beating yourself up about habitual sins, tempers, attitudes but you are praying and confessing, repenting, God knows your heart. He loves us. He knows we struggle with these things. If you're like me, He knows we struggle with perfectionism.

I was reading about this in my bible only today - He loves us! If God isn't beating up on us, do we think we're so much better than Him that we feel the need to do the job for Him, the one that, in our eyes, He appears to be neglecting?

No! Ease up on yourself. That's not to say be comfortable with sin but there is a difference. God is a good Father. Keep enjoying His Presence and let Him deal with you and your sins in His time but let Him spoil you in the meantime with His love. Yes, none of us deserve it but He gives it anyway. Isn't that the point? We are undeserving but God's love is so special that He gives it to us anyway.....BECAUSE HE LOVES US!!!