Jennifer N. Buczynski's Blog, page 4

He Refused the Gall

Having placed a high priority on reading the Bible regularly, I’ve become rather familiar with the Scriptures. Sometimes this can be a dangerous thing, as I can overlook details believing, “Oh I already know this.” So I try to look deeper, to discover beautiful details I missed previously. For a long time I thought to myself (so assumptive of me!), “I don’t really need to read the Bible; I know it so well already.” (Actually — that was probably a lie from satan whispered in my ear, and I listened!! Ah…the age old story repeated again and again…)

Anyway, it’s easy to believe that you already know the Bible well enough once you’ve read through it a few times. But don’t be deceived. There is always more to learn! Isn’t that wonderful?? God’s Word is unlike any other work, unlike any other book. His breath is on the pages (see 2 Timothy 3:16-17). If you believe and trust in Jesus as your Savior, the Holy Spirit lives in your heart and breathes new life and understanding into your spirit as you read. He speaks to your heart, giving you “daily bread,” just as the Israelites received miracle manna daily while in the wilderness. He gives you more and more as you continue to seek Him. So pay attention as you read, and don’t forget to ask questions!

Today as I read Matthew 27 with my husband, I noticed this verse, “And when they came to a place called Golgotha (which means Place of a Skull,) they offered him wine to drink, mixed with gall, but when He tasted it, He would not drink it,” (Matthew 27:33-34). I realized I did not know specifically what “gall” was exactly. I never really consciously asked, “What is gall?” This is a great example of the Lord illuminating something, or bringing it to life. Tonight I asked, “What is gall?”

I searched online first, and then I used my Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary[image error] – (affiliate link). Turns out that “gall” was a vinegar made bitter with a variety of substances. It was commonly offered to people being crucified; it was used to soothe or eliminate pain; “gall” was a type of pain relief!

What does this mean? It means that out of His love for us, Jesus refused anything that would take away His pain and suffering for us. He chose the pain.  He Chose the Nails[image error], (affiliate link!) as Max Lucado would say.

Wow. I never knew Jesus was offered pain relief! Hebrews 12:2 says that Jesus “who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross…” This is just another opportunity that Jesus could have taken an easier way out, but He was all in to save us. To redeem us. I know I take the easy way out every time I can! If I can choose between suffering and suffering less…well, I usually take the suffering less option! I’m so glad Jesus loves me like this! He loves the Father and always walked in obedience to Him, even when He could have done otherwise. I’m so thankful.

So next time you read His word, look for the details and ask questions. You never know what He will show you just because you dug in a little bit.

(Yep, I have some affiliate links in this post. Thanks for your support.)

Listening to the Lord…

I set about listening for ten minutes tonight. 8:43-8:53pm.

I saw a sea of candles in my mind’s eye. The wind moves the flames in harmony. It was a beautiful vision. The Bible says that Holy Spirit moves us where He wills (see John 3:8). I pray that we, the Church, will move in harmony as one in Jesus Christ. I want to see us being in harmony even with those we’ve never met and those we have yet to form a relationship with.
Then I saw God’s hand reaching down to light the unlit candles, they were just waiting for His flame. I believe this represented people who did not know the Lord, but as He reached down to light their candles, to breathe on them, so to speak, they came alive with Him and fulfilled their purpose — bringing light to the world. “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.” (Matthew 5:14)

Here is something I felt the Holy Spirit saying to me – to you also:

“Your steps seem so slow, like you’re not making any progress. But it’s true you’re following after Me. You’re not veering to the right or to the left. Yes, your progress is slow, but still, it is there! I have not given up hope. I am renewing you day by day, as My mercies are new every morning. And I will birth the fruits of the Spirit in you – that’s why they are the Spirit’s fruits. They belong to Me and I will bring them to you.

Sometimes your sinful habits are just waiting to be broken by adding a righteous new habit in its place. Practice kindness when you’re angry, dance when you want to scream, kiss your husband when you want to shove him away. Put on music while you clean up spilled juice to distract your yourself. Things aren’t as bad as they seem when you put them in a different perspective and remember how much you love the people who are causing you “trouble”. (wink)

[I love that God just gave us practical tips!]

Verses mentioned:

“Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn your foot away from evil.” (Proverbs 4:27)
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.”  Galatians 5:22-23
“The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22-23

I hope that by sharing this you have been encouraged today.

He Will Transform Me

Last week, I was with my brothers, their respective wives/fiances/girlfriends, and my parents. Two out of four of us siblings live in different states so it’s not often that we are all together. We went out to dinner to celebrate my dad’s 60th birthday. As I looked around the table, I observed with humor and awe that all of us are similar. We act like our parents! Growing up together we learned mannerisms, quirks, silly smiles, facial expressions, how to use our hands and arms while we talk, how to argue. We also have natural tendencies that appear to be genetic– like being messy and forgetful.

At 31 years old, I am aware of my sinful habits. I get anxious when things seem out of control, and when I get anxious, I get angry. I act fretful, feel fearful, start yelling. I don’t clean up everything I spill. I also seem to just get angry at insignificant things. Because of this, I have memorized a lot of scriptures about anger. For example:

“Let every person be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger, for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God” (James 1:20)
“Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips!” (Psalm 141:3)
“Be not quick in your spirit to become angry, for anger lodges in the bosom of fools.” (Ecclesiastes 7:9)
“Be angry, but do not sin” (Ephesians 4:26)

(…there are so many more!)

I really want to be more peaceful and less angry. I really do not want to forget to clean up my messes or misplace important things. I don’t want to interrupt when I’m excited or only care about what I have to say instead of listening to what others around me are saying…

So while I was observing my family, I realized that I am not the only one who has these specific sinful tendencies and habits. I know, it’s obvious, right? But I hadn’t considered before that here is my family, my parents, and they are struggling with the same sins that I am. They are a mirror to myself. When I’m irritated with them, I see myself. When we become Christians, it’s not like Jesus just immediately makes us perfect in every way, purifying us completely from our sinful natures. No, we have to “put on the Lord Jesus and make no provisions for the flesh, to satisfy its lusts” (Romans 13:14). We have to cry out to Him for help, for healing, for re-creating ourselves; we have to “be transformed by the renewing of our minds” (Romans 12:2).

I guess what I’m really getting at here is that we are not alone in our sins. “While we were still sinners, Christ died for the ungodly” (Romans 5:8). We are surrounded by other people who sin just as we do. I’m not alone in my struggle to not be ticked off by the slightest change in my day. I’m not the only one yelling at her kids to stop fighting because I don’t know what else to do. There are others who are trying to remember that God is holding them in the palm of His hand (John 10:29). I’ve gotten annoyed at myself because I can’t seem to stop sinning in these same areas again and again. But then I look at my family and I see they are like me, and then I see that I am not alone in the world. I am not failing God, like I have unconsciously believed. Now that I consider it, I believed that the Lord would point me out, “Oh look, there goes Jennifer, getting angry again.” Do you believe God’s pointing fingers at you? I did! (Yeah I’m not completely over that yet) but I’m learning to rest in His love. It’s ok that we fail. We are not the only ones struggling. He can uphold you; remember, it was while we were still sinners that Christ died for us. And now we are saints, only because of His gift of His righteousness that covers us. 

“But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.” (1 John 1:7)

So I will continue to pray that the Lord helps me strive against sin. But I will not beat myself up when change doesn’t come quickly. I do not fully understand the mystery that we are being perfected and will be made completely perfect, but I will trust that Jesus will not let me stay as I am; He will transform me in the twinkling of an eye.

“And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” (Hebrews 10:10).
“And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.” (2 Corinthians 3:18)
“…the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.” (Philippians 3:21)

Faith Comes By Hearing…

So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.

-Romans 10:17 

I recently read “Celebration of Discipline,” by Richard J. Foster, about different practices of Christianity and growing in your relationship with Christ. One chapter was about study, which is pretty much my favorite Christian “discipline.” It’s no surprise that I love studying and discovering truth in the Word and how it all works together. Foster make some fascinating points worth sharing:

“Study involves four steps. The first is repetition. Repetition regularly channels the mind in a specific direction, thus ingraining habits of thought. We may smile condescendingly at the old teaching method of recitation, but we must realize that sheer repetition without even understanding what is being repeated does affect the inner mind. Ingrained habits of thought can be formed by repetition alone, thus changing behavior.”

It seems that faith in anything can come by enough repetition. Even more surprising:

“It is not even important that the person believe what he or she is repeating, only that it be repeated. The inner mind is thus trained and will eventually respond by modifying behavior to conform to the affirmation.”

So if it doesn’t even matter if you believe it when you start repeating it. 

All the more reason to make sure you are getting God’s truth into your heart and mind. Memorizing Scripture, writing down Bible verses, talking about the word with your families, posting different verses on your walls, on your journals, teaching your children to memorize Scripture, simply repeating the word out loud or in your heart…it is just too easy to believe things that aren’t true simply because we hear them all the time. Let’s fill our hearts with truth that we can trust is from the Lord.

Here are a few delicious faith-building Bible quotes of who God is and how He relates to us. I encourage you to pick a verse or two, write it down on an index card, and read it aloud, tonight, tomorrow, all week. Carry it with you on errands, to work, while you’re with your family. Think on it, meditate on it, repeat it aloud, memorize with your family or just say it in your heart, that you may believe and have faith by hearing the truth of God’s word!  

“The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.” (Psalm 103:8)
“Oh taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!” (Psalm 34:8)
“The young lions suffer want and hunger; but those who seek the Lord have no lack!” (Psalm 34:10)
“For the word of the LORD is upright, and all his work is done in faithfulness. He loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of the steadfast love of the Lord.” (Psalm 33:4-5)
“Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her, that He might sanctify her…” Ephesians 5:25
“I am the way and the truth and the life, no one comes to the Father except through Me.” John 14:6
“The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul.” Psalm 19:7
“The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” Psalm 18:2

…also, if you like to use Pinterest, do a search for free Bible verse printables! There are plenty! 

With love,

Jen

 

Ten Minutes Listening- July 12 2018

This morning my baby (Judah) woke up at 5:30. Not my best time! However, I decided to try and use it to my advantage. You may recall I sometimes like to set a timer for 10 minutes just to be quiet and tune into what the Lord may be saying. Often times I find this exercise is beneficial not just for myself but also for anyone else who reads it. Here’s what I believe the Holy Spirit spoke to me this morning. I will list the Scripture references below.

“Faith.

Resting in My arms* while I lead and direct and inspire you. Partner with Me. Together we will accomplish what you cannot do alone. Without Me you can do nothing.*

Your life is not a failure or a waste. You are accomplishing things everyday! Overcoming obstacles in your way, even if you don’t recognize it. With Me all things all possible.* You can do all things in Me.*

I have work appointed for you to do.* Stay the course. Work looks different for everyone. It is not always the “doing,” sometimes it looks more like “being.” Sit with Me and allow Me to transform you. Use my word to transform your heart and the way you think.* You will carry My presence into places where they need Me! I will keep in perfect peace those whose hearts are focused on Me.

You are My witness.* Even to the end of the age!* I will lead you and guide you with My eye on you.* I am keeping my eye on you! I send My presence before you.* I will keep you in the palm of my hand, wherever you go.*

Do not be ashamed about my mark of love upon you. Keep smiling, keep shining.”

Starred Bible references:

“The eternal God is your dwelling place, and underneath are the everlasting arms.“ Deuteronomy 33:27
“Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.“ Matthew 11:28
“I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.“ John 15:5
“But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:26
“I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13
 “ For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10
 “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” Galatians 6:9


“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:2
“So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” Romans 10:17 


“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Acts 1:8
“teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:20 


“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;

    I will counsel you with my eye upon you.” Psalm 32:8


“It is the LORD who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.” Deuteronomy 31:8 


“My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.” John 10:29 

Please, look through the Bible verses and see if the Lord has something He wants you to meditate on today. It will become part of who you are and what you believe. Trust God and rest in Him.

I hope this post has blessed you today.

Because He can…

Last night Rick & I read Matthew 9:18-38. This is a passage with Jesus going to heal someone and on the way, He ends up healing a woman who couldn’t stop bleeding for 12 years. Then He raises a girl from the dead, and restores the sight of two blind men. I started pondering the words of the woman and the blind men who were healed and what they did, as well as what Jesus said.

she thought, “If I only touch his garment, I will be made well“
“Take heart, daughter, your faith has made you well“
Two blind men “have mercy on us, son of David”
“Do you believe I can do this?” -Jesus  “..yes Lord“
“According to your faith be it done to you” -Jesus

We’ve all heard that we must live by faith and not by sight. The woman fully believed that if she only touched Jesus’ clothes then she would absolutely definitely be healed! Jesus testified that it was her own faith (in Jesus) that made her well. The blind men called out for mercy, and Jesus asked if they believed that He could do it. Then He proclaimed it would be done according to their faith.

It just struck me that Jesus doesn’t ask for us to have the right words. He tells us that it’s about our faith. The bleeding woman pushed her way through a crowd because she knew Jesus would heal her if she only touched his clothes! The blind men called out and then Jesus let their faith in Him speak for itself — resulting in their restored sight.

Jesus asked them if they believed He could do it. They replied yes; they were healed.
The woman believed if she could touch His clothes, she would be healed; she was healed.

Have you been slow to ask Jesus for something, believing that sure, He could do it, but the real question in your heart is whether He would do it for you? I’ve struggled with this. It is also doubt! Doubt that He loves me enough to say yes. Think about it. I Pray that He will increase your faith in His love for you. I pray you will trust Him with every need. Don’t shy away because you think He won’t supply your need. You don’t need the right words. You need only ask and then rest in the belief that He will act. Make this need a matter of constant prayer. Stop thinking, “He could do it, but will He?”

They trusted that because He could, He would.

in His love,

Jen

He Removes the Veil

“But when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed.”

2 Corinthians 3:16

Tonight Rick and I read 2 Corinthians chapter 3. This verse stuck out to me. The context is saying that the glory of the New Covenant is more glorious than the Old Covenant. Moses delivered the law on the tablets and had to place a veil over his face because of how bright it was (Exodus 34:34-35), and there is still a veil over those who do not know Jesus, particularly the Jews.

Here’s the full passage:

“Since we have such a hope, we are very bold, not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face so that the Israelites might not gaze at the outcome of what was being brought to an end.  But their minds were hardened. For to this day, when they read the old covenant, that same veil remains unlifted, because only through Christ is it taken away. Yes, to this day whenever Moses is read a veil lies over their hearts.But when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. Now the Lord is theSpirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.”

(2 Corinthians 3:12-18)

One of my favorite things about the Bible is that it has many layers of understanding. On the surface we see this relates to Moses and the Jews having a veil over their minds that prevents them from knowing Jesus. Then when one turns to the Lord the veil is removed. Yet when I read this, I felt the Lord gently saying,

“This is true for all areas of your life. Whenever you struggle with understanding anything, just turn to Me. I will remove the veil that prevents you from seeing your next steps. I am Truth and when you look at Me, you will see the truth for every problem!” 

“…Looking to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith…” – Hebrews 12:2

Look at Jesus, He wrote our faith and will finish it


“In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path” – Proverbs 3:5

(When you look to Him, He will show you where to go)


“Open my eyes that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law” Psalm 119:18

(When you look to Jesus to open your eyes you will see more wonderful things in His law/word)


“I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth” Psalm 121:1-2

(Look to Jesus and His help will come!)


“For we are powerless against this great horde that is coming against us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.” 2 Chronicles 20:12

Keep your eyes on Him and He will act!

There are so many layers, it’s like peeling an onion. There are so many layers of truth to be opened up and discovered. The only way we can learn more and see more is to look to Jesus. Pilot asked “What is truth?” But we know…. “The sum of your Word is truth” (Psalm 119:60). “Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God!” (Romans 11:33). There is so much more depth and beauty and riches in every word of His Word, and I know I want to walk in God’s truth! May He remove the veil from your understanding as you strive to know Him more.

 

Small Beginnings

I got an email today about Asheritah’s new book “Jesus is Enough”, which is a Bible study on Colossians. I sat jealous for a minute, thinking something along the lines of, “Well, I guess I won’t be able to create a study on Colossians then,” like she just took the wind out of my sails or something ridiculous like that.

As if no one ever before has written about the book of Colossians.

As if no one will ever again write about the book of Colossians.

As if I ever planned to write about Colossians, anyway!

(Plus I literally want to buy it!)

This is just fear.

As I went down the email, God spoke to me through this word:  

“Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin.” Zechariah‬ ‭4:10‬ ‭NLT‬‬

As if He’s saying to me right now, “You’re still just starting. Don’t start big. You don’t have to have everything planned out. I rejoice to see you starting to consider all of this. My plans for you are bigger than what you can imagine. And my plans for you aren’t stopped by my plans for Asheritah’s! As if she could take your calling away from you. No, the gifts and calling of God are irrevocable.”

-Don’t let your fear that someone else is going fulfill your calling stop you from fulfilling your calling! Your fear will hold you back more than someone else’s success would you hold you back. Trust in God, keep your eyes on Jesus, and move forward!-

Blogging again…

So, it seems I am back to the blogging life. Well, at least the writing life. As my newest baby (Judah!) has turned 6 months, I’ve been feeling a little pull, a little tug here and there from the Lord to start writing again. As usual, I have no idea where to start, but He usually shows up once I obey and follow His lead! Unfortunately, time has lapsed since my last blog post…about two years time…and I’ve forgotten how to do most things. In fact, I’m pretty much writing to myself here because I lost all of my subscribers? I don’t know how, but it happened. Wah. I also lost about 29 blog posts, so I’ll be utilizing the wayback machine. They won’t be properly formatted with colors and such but I’ll make it work. I think the posts are worth saving. This time we’ve signed up for automatic billing so the website doesn’t fall apart because I forgot to pay…ah!

I also have to figure out how to use WordPress again; I am definitely rusty!! But bear with me, and I’ll start learning again. Thanks for hanging in there. I am going to post right after this something that I wrote earlier today.

A New Perspective

The Lord spoke to me the other day and I want to share it with you. I pray He will speak to you through this too. Please let me know if you have been touched by it or if you need prayer. Remember, this is written as though from God’s perspective.

—-

“I AM giving you a new perspective. See things from My view. My thoughts are greater than your thoughts. I know every living being intimately. Everything and everyone is LAID BARE before My eyes. You are an open book. I see everything as it unfolds. Before it unfolds I tell of it. I AM outside your time, declaring the end from the beginning.

I will heal you. Yes, you have many wounds that you do not know of. But I will reveal them and I will heal them. I will transform you and give you a dress of white. My daughter, My bride. My sister, My bride. 

You can trust Me.”

 

References:

Isaiah 55:8-9- “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith theLord.  For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

Hebrews 4:13 – “And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do.“

Isaiah 46:10 – “declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose…“