Set Upon His Own Glory (1 Samuel 2:22-36)

Recently, we saw the downfall of Eli's sons. Instead of serving as priests for God's glory, they chose to pervert His ways for personal gain. Usually, this type of perversion in the House of God was punishable by death. Though Eli spoke warning to his sons, he did not follow the example and teaching given through Moses regarding the holy things of God. Ultimately, God chose to discipline Eli for honoring his wicked sons above honoring Himself.

Through this historical event, as students of the Bible, we should ultimately be growing in a relational knowledge of our God. Today, instead of focusing on a summary and interpretation of the text, we will be looking for specific characteristics of God's character. Here's a few that I pulled out of 1 Samuel 2:22-36:

1. God will discipline those who are His. Discipline helps us to navigate our relationship with God. It leads us closer to Him.
2. The knowledge of God in all nations is His will. - Those who are most influential in Israel were to be an example to the whole nation. The nation, as a result, would then be a shining example of relationship with God among the world. God was and is concerned about Himself being known by all the earth.
3. God provides hope. - Though this portion of the chapter is focused on the decline in the priesthood, Samuel is noted twice (v. 21-26). He is growing in favor with the Lord and men, a light of hope in comparison to the decline. God frequently gives us hope to sustain us for His purposes.
4. God is set upon His own glory. - He disciplines to reveal His greatness within us. He seeks for truth (Himself) to be known by all people. He provides hope as we live in His will. He is the source and center of life. This truth is core to everything He does.

© 2006 by Kendra Hinkle.

Corruption of the Sacred (1 Samuel 2:11-21)

At the Temple in Shiloh, Hannah relinquished her newly weaned son as a faithful completion of her vow to God. Verse 11 says that Elakanah returned home, which means that he confirmed his wife's choice and relinquished to Eli the fatherly authority to raise Samuel as a servant in the Temple. This transference of guardianship ends our time with Samuel's family.

The Scriptures now have us peering into the current state of the worship in Israel. Eli, the High Priest, had two sons who were very rebellious. They used their position as priests to greedily demand and steal portions of food from worshippers, to eat the fat of the sacrifices (belonging to God alone), to deal harshly with the people, and to have sex with women serving there. The fear of God was not in them.

Serving the Lord as a priest was a sacred position. It was reserved alone for the tribe of Levi. The books of Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy expound upon the role of the priests, who were lifelong servants before God. According to these books, the Levites blessed the other 11 tribes of Israel by standing between them and the presence of God. Holiness befits His house, and the Levites were to fear the holiness of God in the way they dressed, ate, and ministered. Their lives were a constant reminder to the people that God is not to be approached irreverently.

The corruption in Eli's sons is a heavy thought to weigh. It is repulsive in comparison to the holy standard of God. Through them, I am reminded that my own sin should be repulsive to me as I consider the holiness of God. I am loved and have a life purpose in God's will, but I still must daily choose between sin and obedience. Having a relationship with God did not, and does not, remedy the nature of my flesh. I, as Eli's sons were, am still tempted by my own evil desires. I am daily tempted in my sin to lower the standard on what is sacred.

With gladness, God gives me hope. Samuel, even as a youth, stood as a stark contrast to the rebellion of Eli's sons. You and I are to be that contrast to the world in our present time. As sinners, we blend in with the world around us. But as the saved, we stand apart because of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Day by day, God is working to grow us before Himself as He did with Samuel. Temptations abound, but we have the blessing of a responsive relationship with God to lead us in repentance and being made new in Christ.

As you seek to honor the Sacred One, be wise in recognizing, confessing, and repenting from sin and fleeing the temptations to lower His standard. Consider these wise words by Charles Swindoll in his sermon "It's the Work and It's Sacred":

The work of God is Sacred.
It is not our place to lower His standard.

Hannah's Song (1 Samuel 2:1-10)

The character of God which I see most illuminated by Hannah's song is His incomparable power and willingness to heap blessing upon those who are His. He is the judge and one who weighs men's actions. He sets the world on its foundation, allowing blessing to all, but choosing more specifically to exalt certain ones. He is a rock who alone is holy, whose decisions shatter the might of those who oppose Him and bring honor to those who love Him. Hannah witnesses to us through this song -- more than filling a human need, the love of God is extravagant to those whose hearts are fully His.

The lyrics to this song include those attributes and characteristics of God to which Hannah has been exposed. She found herself very lowly, only to be exalted by God's choice. What seems impossible is the very thing that God uses for the display of Himself among all people. This is not a God who needs anything from us. Instead, He is pleased to reveal himself through us. The song says that from the dust heap and the ash, one is seated among the noble. Those who are lowly receive honor that befits Him and His ways. It is for His glory. Hannah was included in God's plan to bring glory to Himself. He chose a barren woman to birth a boy who would do what is right in Israel. He would grow to be a man to lead all of the people in relationship with God. In choosing the lowly, God reveals His compassion and ability.

Have you taken the time lately to respond to God in your own creative song? These days I have few hiding places where my voice could be hidden if I were to sing, but it used to be common for me to sing prayers to the Lord, to sing praises, and even some worship songs that related to the place of my heart before God. I miss it. Hannah's song reminds me to sing new songs to the Lord. Such a responsive relationship with God is an honor, a place of undeserved mercy, and a place for holy fear.

© 2006 by Kendra Hinkle.

A Responsive God (1 Samuel 1:19-28)

The book of 1 Samuel has so far introduced us to sin's effect in the marriage unit and the family. It is a reflection of the deterioration of a God-centered nation. The revelation of sin's effects will get worse, but before it does the author gives us a promise of hope.

God hears. God responds.

Looking ahead (3:1) we will see that a word from the Lord was rare in those days. Yet, outside of what her experience may tell her, Hannah makes a petition based on the character of God. Unchanging and reliable, Hannah believes that though God has been silent, He exists, hears, and has full ability to act. She humbles herself before His mighty hand, and He chooses to exalt her in her request for a son.

I've made plenty of petitions in my prayer life, but a petition based on God's character is a mature action in prayer. Many of my petitions are quick thoughts about what I think is best, but really I'm just moving my way through a mental shopping list so I don't have to feel responsible any longer. I did my part. Check it off the list. I should learn from Hannah in her remembrance of who God has faithfully shown himself to be through history, and her bold faith to request based on His character.

What a romancer is our God! He hears the words that Hannah didn't speak. (She was saying them in her heart, but not making a noise. The Priest, Eli, accused her of being drunk.) Then, according to His will for her, he opens her womb and she is given a son. The son's name is Samuel, which sounds like the Hebrew for "heard of God" (NASB Study Bible footnotes on 1:20).

Hannah is a woman of her word. She vowed to God that she would dedicate the boy to His service should God grant the request, and so she did. Samuel became a lifelong servant leader to the nation of Israel. God had in mind a man pleasing to Him, who would humble those involved in the corruption in the priesthood. From one broken woman who had nothing to offer God, He supplied in a way that would bless the whole nation of Israel. Samuel was no Savior, but He was a breath of hope for a disobedient nation.

Knowing that He hears and is able to respond, run into the arms of your dear Savior. Recount His great ways in saving you, or ask Him to show you more of His ways. He is a great Romancer, wanting of our dependent relationship with him.

© 2006 by Kendra Hinkle.

Good Girl, Bad Girl - Part 2 (1 Samuel 1:8-18)

Peninnah and Hannah have had quite the battle going on year after year. While both of these wives of Elkanah are sinners, Peninnah acts on selfish ambition to the detriment of those around her. She is a contrast to the broken vessel of Hannah, who eventually chooses to act upon faith.

Elkanah blessed Hannah with love and double portions, revealing no grudge against her in their childless marriage. Yet, Hannah allows herself to sink away from faith in God. As Peninnah provokes her to tears each year, Hannah accepts despair as an appropriate state of mind in her relationship with God. She is distracted from worship because of what she feels she is missing out on. Honestly, her future was bleak outside of God's hand, for sons would carry on their family inheritance within the Israelite tribe. In that day, it was normal for women to outlive their husbands, so widows were common. Sons would be a boast of God's blessing upon a family, as well as breadwinners able to care for their aging parents and widows. Hannah had a mountain of evidence waiting to affirm her despair.

Yet, one day her husband challenged her despair by offering the blessing of himself. He suggested to her that what she needed was right in front of her. Her husband's willingness to alter the family dysfunction opened a door for healing in Hannah. I assume that God whispered into Hannah's heart, moving her to believe that what she needs IS right in front of her. Next, Hannah went straight for the Tabernacle where she poured out her heart to the Lord. Hannah loved her husband, but her greatest need was the Lord.

Ladies, as much as we may want a man who gives of himself and desires to be our pursuer, there is no replacement for the centrality of Jesus Christ in our heart. If I were Hannah, it would have been so easy to rest in the man's assuring words, not moving to a place of active faith in God. I may have simply rest in the advantage of a supportive husband. I admire Hannah for acting dependently on God to rule over her situation. More than comfort in her husband's love, Hannah allowed her desperation to become God's business. As women, we are responsible for seeing that we choose to yoke ourselves with men who love the Lord and serving Him in their masculinity, but who also push us to greater faith in God instead of allowing us to rely on him for all of our needs. (How exhausting would that be for him to bear!)

You've got to love the expression of Hannah's heart in the temple. The priest confronted her as if she were drunk, but Hannah confessed complete dependence on God. Her expressive prayer has an audience of one. Though it was her prior reason for hiding in shame, Hannah now shared honestly with the most honored man in all of Israel, the High Priest. She had no reason for shame any more, because the Lord had accepted her into His house and heard her plea.

We have no reason to cower in shame. Those who approach the Lord through the High Priest (for Hannah it was Eli, for us it is Jesus) have appropriately approached God. There is no reason to hide our expression of love for God, nor relent when the highest of the high come before us. We stand secure in the righteousness of Christ and may rest in the peace of having our place before God. As Hannah did, so we too may go our way, eat, and have a face that no longer bears the sadness of sin's weight. Truth lives in our hearts and is replacing the lies of the evil one.

© 2006 by Kendra Hinkle.

Good Girl, Bad Girl (1 Samuel 1:1-7)

Welcome to 1 Samuel! As a quick review, the time of the Judges showed us a depressing outlook for the nation of Israel. Under Joshua, Israel had begun to conquer the land promised to Abraham so many generations prior. But, Israel did not obey God's command as they overtook the inhabitants of the land. This created an open temptation to chase after loves of the flesh, such as beautiful, exotic women from other nations. Israel intermarried with the nations around them, an act of disobedience to God. Instead of trusting in God's use of them to bless all nations, Israel intimately joined themselves to that which God forbade. Judges showed us that man's potential in sin was headed quickly away from their LORD, though the initial sin seemed reasonably beneficial. Isn't it so easy to disobey, especially when the infringements look minimal in the beginning? But the seemingly minimal infringements, not fully conquering the land and marrying women from the other nations, would soon catch up with Israel. The worship of God was now in competition within the homes of Israelites. Foreign gods were now being exalted alongside the God who calls Himself "jealous."

With the decline of true God-centered worship, the family, the religious system, and the leadership of the nation are corrupted and begin their plunge farther away from God's holy standard. We see this in part as 1 Samuel opens. A man of God has taken for himself two wives, Hannah and Peninnah.

If we learned from history, we'd remember that we've seen this before. Firstly, polygamy appears in the Bible with Lamech (Genesis 4:19, 23-24), a man who exalted himself in his sinfulness. Then we watch as Abram listens to Sarai's faithless plea for children through marriage to her maidservant, though it is noted as the LORD who chose to close Sarai's womb at that time. Both of these situations contrast the monogamy of Adam and Eve, as well as the Law given through Moses. God's command and Biblical history both cry out for us to live by faith, but human nature is to live apart from faith in God.

Once again in 1 Samuel, we start with the work of God among a sinful people, His people. They've missed the mark, but His own glory and purposes still include the sinners He has entered into a covenant relationship with. He loves them with patience and steadfastness, allowing their sin to be a part of His fatherly discipline and consequences.

Our good girl, Hannah, is the husband's favorite. She receives a double portion for the yearly sacrifice, though she has born no children for him. Her barrenness is the work of the Lord's hand. Peninnah, our bad girl, is also a sinner. Yet, her character is shown in contrast to that of Hannah. Peninnah jealously provokes and hurts her co-wife, seeking destruction and selfish ambition. While everyone is feasting as part of a yearly celebration in Shiloh, Hannah is so upset and mournful that she will not eat. Peninnah knows how to play her cards to her own benefit.

Hannah and Peninnah keep their home in a yearly roller coaster through jealousy and competition. Can you imagine what the children and the husband felt like with this cat fighting going on each year? Ladies, we would be wise to note that we can strongly influence the climate of our homes. We have the honor of influence as we either set our hearts upon God or upon our own selfish ambition.

So, in response to the Lord's teaching about these women, what is the climate of your home right now? How are you contributing to it as either a single woman or a married woman?

In your relationships with other gals, especially those you may feel twinges of jealousy toward, do you pursue opportunities of self-promotion (destruction for them) or do you rest in dependence on God's hand, who has chosen to make you "barren" in the area of your jealousy? If God is allowing you to see the areas of your jealousy, then begin to search out what about you seems to be "barren." What do you feel you are missing out on, and how does it compare to the Bible's teaching about you? What truth can you cling to this week as you seek to live with character that edifies instead of destroys?

© 2006 by Kendra Hinkle.

Mother's Day at the Zoo

My mom, sister and I spent the day at the zoo on Mother's Day. Here's our self portrait...after many tries. I've also encluded some other nice pics.

Begging for attention.

Begging for solitude instead of being the freak show.

A giraffe who decided that licking the building was tasty!

Flirt

In the dark hours of the morning, I gathered with others from my church for THUMP (Thursday Morning Prayer). Getting ready for such an early morning was a sleepy struggle, but gathering with the saints and coming before God in concentrated, corporate prayer was priceless. I walked away with truth that continues to challenge my flirtatious heart.

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During prayer, a wise, older sister in Christ was confessing to the Lord that we flirt with sin. We like our sin. We like it so much that instead of accepting the truth of God and His Word, we entertain sin to please ourselves. We won't fully reject God, but we will definitely flirt with sin as though it is harmless. James 4:4 says, “You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God?”(NIV) If you've read from the Bible, you'll recognize that hatred toward God is definitely not harmless!

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My Christian sister’s prayer was teaching me that I am a flirt. For example, I may desire excessive food, lustful thoughts, or to be secure through my public image. Instead of resting in Christ for His timing and provision of my natural desires, I decide to take action into my own hands and flirt with indulgence. As a flirt, the 5^th piece of pizza, the daydreaming about a crush, or the pining for people’s approval seems so harmless. Yet, the consequence is that I’ve devoted myself to being my own greatest reward and my own source of ultimate pleasure.

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On the other hand, I flirt with sin by living according to law. I require myself to be righteous through excessive exercise, refusing to admit sin in public, or requiring others to live by my rules. My legalism leads me to devote myself to being my own source of wisdom and my own source of righteousness. In that state I have no need for Christ. What seems like righteous acts is really developing in me the heart of an adulterous woman who does not remain committed to her true love.

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Whether through indulgence or legalism, God becomes less and less my greatest pleasure, my redeemer, my wise counselor, and my great reward. My mouth acknowledges Christ, but in my flirty flesh I worship myself. The truth is that my need is Christ. My desperation is Christ.

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Is there any sinful thought or action that you or I may be tempted to flirt with, whether by indulgence or legalism? James 4 goes on to instruct believers to draw near to God and to resist the Devil. As you see your sin (It’s there, don’t worry about having to look too hard!), remember that you have a great and merciful God. Draw near to Him in the reality of your sin and resist the Devil’s schemes by remembering what He has taught you in the Bible, by confessing your sin to Him, and by relating honestly with other Christians as you celebrate Christ.

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Remember: Nobody likes a flirt.

© 2006 by Kendra Hinkle.

PARTY!!!!!!!!!!

On Saturday, I attended a party for a Korean woman who was here studying musical conducting. These gals in the picture are some friends from China who invited me to the party. Cindy (on the far left) and I teach Bible study together on Friday nights. Can you imagine that I am the tall one in the picture? That's a first!

Later that night, our town had a huge Jazz & Arts festival. It was all free!!! I was able to attend with a couple of Korean young women. I love the crowds of people! Is anyone else an introvert who loves crowds?

The two ladies I "jazzed" with attend prayer in Dallas every morning at 6am with their Korean church. Talk about dedication and accountability! They are definitely being faithful to the Lord while here in the states. Their steadfastness is a lesson to me.

I got a job at my church working admin part-time. I also have a resume in for a Sorority House Director position living with the college gals. Please pray! I'd love to serve there, but also might be better fitted with my gifting elsewhere.

Plain and Simple

Select three common objects in your car, your home, or your office. I choose a wooden spoon, my ink pen, and the ash tray in my car that collects coins. Nothing too spiritually significant there. These objects don't have much importance to me at first thought. But, as I consider many of the women in the Bible who were commended for their faith in action, I'm reminded that the ordinary became grounds for the extraordinary because of obedient hearts.

There was Mary, mother of Jesus. She was a young woman, initially naive to the Lord's great plan for her as a part of the Savior's life. She was simple and faithful, a woman with an obedient heart who said, "I am the Lord's servant. May it be done to me as you have said" (Luke 1:38 NIV).

Secondly, there was Martha. Once corrected by Jesus in her irritation at her sister, Martha continued as a servant in the kitchen, practicing hospitality. No wonder Jesus went to the home of these familiar friends as one of his last stops before being crucified in Jerusalem. On this last stop with friends, Martha is not rebuked, for her heart has been corrected. "Six days before the Passover, Jesus arrived at Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. Here a dinner was given in Jesus' honor. Martha served..." (John 12:1-2 NIV)

The last example is from the book of Judges. It was often the women's role during the time of the Judges to set up the tents that a nomadic family lived in. Jael's arms and hands were acclimated to the practice of nailing tent pegs into the ground. Jael took the tools she was familiar with to practice obedience to God's will, killing the enemy king who was fleeing from Israel's military leader. Her hospitality and bravery gave her opportunity to use the hammer and tent peg that were a familiar part of her life. Jael received the honor of Israel's victory because she was willing to use what she had for God's glory. (To see the whole story, visit Judges 4.)

My challenge to us as women, is to faithfully and thankfully work with the Spirit of God to produce obedience through all things, even through the most simple and seeming insignificant objects and opportunities. Are you in on the daily adventure?

© 2006 by Kendra Hinkle.

Responding to Jesus - Your Unique Opportunity to Worship

This Week I finished a paper on the discipleship of Christ found in the gospel of John. I had some hilarious mental pictures going on at the end of the book that I wanted to share.

The risen Christ's last moments with His disciples on this side of heaven show us that we can respond to Christ, pleasing Him through unique worship. John does not end his gospel with the ascension of Christ as the others do. He chooses to end his eyewitness account with different responses that the disciples and Christ-followers had when seeing Him anew after His death.

For Thomas it is a moment of doubt followed by the exclamation, "My Lord and my God!" (20:28, NAS) Awe and amazement come from Thomas.

Then, Mary, in good womanly emotion, clings to Jesus so that He must say, "Stop clinging to Me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father" (20:17). Mary wanted to never let go of Jesus, and I believe she probably clung to Him in her heart for the rest of her life.

Lastly, in pure Peter style, with boldness and quick action, he threw himself into the sea to swim to Jesus on shore while the rest rowed in the boat with the miraculous catch of fish. (I'm pretty sure it was a cannon ball or belly flop for emphasis.)

Just as John began with the glorified Christ in writing this account, He ends in the same way. The joy of Christ is made complete by those who were once dead in their sins, as they now are made alive in His presence and respond to Him with all of their hearts. Those He discipled are worshipping Him with the gift of their lives, each in their own unique way.

© 2006 by Kendra Hinkle.

Slumber

When I go to sleep at night, I know that I have a great need. I fall asleep in the arms of God, aware that I am in a very vulnerable and weak state. I can't defend myself when I sleep, nor can I function well the next day without it. I must sleep. I was designed with a physical weakness, a need for rest. It is my daily reminder of my neediness for the One who created me.

God is not like me. He does not need to refuel and detox from the day's events. His energies are endless. His strength without bounds. So, He designed me to need Him at night when I close my eyes. I feel like I am the baby, whose sleep is necessary so often. He is the adult, adoring the weakness and loving the opportunity to watchfully protect.

Each night as I lay down, I look into the heart of God and worship Him for making me weak and needy. In such a state I rely on Him and trust Him for who He is.

© 2006 by Kendra Hinkle.

Unmoved in the Tide of the Jordan

I've begun my adventures in Joshua, and have a really great visual thought to share with you. As Israel begins its first steps into the Promised Land...an amazing moment in their history...the Ark goes before them into the Jordan River. As the priests carrying the Ark stand firm in the center of it, the waters have been withheld and stand in a heap. Just as the people of Jericho have feared (they are about to be obliterated), the Israelite people are walking across DRY ground as their God allows them to cross the Jordan onto the desert plains of Jericho.

For those watching this event occur, there are two amazing things to note. First, these people are dependent on the Lord's leadership. Israel, though great in number, is completely reliant on the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord to go before them, leading them in places where they have never been. They do not have scouts leading them, but from afar...it looks like a box is leading them across the Jordan. What Jericho doesn't know, is that the box is the Ark of the Covenant, representing God's presence among His people. It is the Lord who is leading them to Jericho, the thought of which should make Jericho begin to tremble.

Secondly, what the people of Jericho fear is not so much the people themselves, but the God who is parting the waters of Jericho and who has everything under His command. Jericho has already begun to melt away in courage because they've heard the rumors of a God who split the Red Sea to let this people walk through and to then drown the armies of the great Egyptian Pharaoh. This people is not dependent on a far off God like their false Baal, but He is in the midst of Israel and is headed straight for Jericho. Consider the hundreds of thousands of people crossing the Jordan at one time. A sea of movement around one immovable object at the center of the river. The Ark stands unmoved. It is the Lord's presence that allows these people to move forward, who is commanding the natural elements of the earth to do what they naturally do not do. Everything is operating around the immutability of this one object, this one presence...the Lord of all the earth.

Jericho should be shuddering, and so should we! This is our God! He is not our puppet to bow to our wants. He is the Lord by which we move forward in every endeavor of life. He stands immutable while the movement of our lives crosses the Jordan. I like that visual...that everything else is moving and acting upon the very command and breath of God, while He remains unmoved and unchanged.

Have a sit, and remember that One stands unmoved in the midst of what you face today.

© 2006 by Kendra Hinkle.

Treat Him as Holy

One day this week I was angry with God over my circumstances. In my unbelief, I allowed worry and elevated emotion to overcome the joy that is mine in Christ. I sat with Him in my anger, having liberally spoken what was on my mind. Then, the Holy Spirit began to convict me using scripture.

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I am finishing my study of Deuteronomy. Through it I've watched as Moses gave his last words to Israel before they crossed the Jordan to take possession of the land promised to their ancestors (Abraham, Isaac, & Jacob). It was a long road from Egypt, with many learning opportunities as God’s trials allowed them to see what was in their hearts. On the opposite side of the Jordan River and looking across it into their future, anticipation was building. But one man had yet to die on this side of the Jordan before they could enter - Moses.

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In His last days, Moses chose to recount to Israel their journey and all that the Lord had done for them. He also challenged them to courageous obedience for the warfare ahead. These last words of a faithful lover of God bring humiliation to my doubting soul. Moses was forbidden to enter the promised land because he failed to treat God as holy before the people (Numbers 20:8-12). God allowed Moses to ascend Mt. Nebo to look over the land where Israel would soon enter, but he could not go in as a consequence of his sin (Deut. 32:48-52).

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God is faithful to the glory of His own name, and Moses’ failure to treat God as holy before the people at Meribah could not be overlooked. Imagine that! Moses was the man allowed to be hidden in the cleft of the rock to see God’s glory pass by, whose second nature was to fall prostrate before God and seek His counsel. Such favor with God might bring us to think that Moses got special treatment, but God’s zeal for His own name would not consider it.

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Deuteronomy finishes with the faithfulness of Moses. In being disciplined, he does not puff himself up as He did at Meribah, nor did he disregard the specific commands of God. Instead, rebuke successfully taught him to fear and honor God no matter what the circumstances. He stands before the people to raise high the banner of God’s glory, with both them and him aware of his inability to enter into the promised land. There is no zeal for the name of “Moses,” only a love and fear for the name of God.

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How much more should I, a woman saved by God’s son, treat Him as holy? Trials have revealed my unbelief and a loose tongue. I am learning to balance fear and transparency before God. He allows me to lay all of my emotions down before Him, as David did in the Psalms. But accusing God according to my unbelief dishonors His name. I was wrong to accuse God of unkindness and forgetfulness in my unbelief.

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In contrast to myself, Moses words in his last days show that he believes God. Moses understands that being disciplined does not mean that God has forsaken him, something I previously was confused about. My heart has been challenged to grow in treating God as holy, as well as doing so for his commands for us as the church. My circumstances, my emotions, and even my rationale may seem to justify sinful dishonor…but God is the one who does not change.

In all spiritual wisdom, may you and I be able to revere and laud the holiness of God, just as Moses did in the midst of being disciplined:

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There is none like the God of [Israel],

who rides the heavens to your help

and through the skies in His majesty. (33:26)

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Ascribe greatness to our God!

The Rock!

His work is perfect, His ways are just…

Righteous and upright is He. (32:3-4)

Have in Mind a Blessing for the Needy

Deuteronomy is a challenging book to consider. On one hand, it hold the last words of Moses and he makes his last address to the new generation before they enter and take hold of the land God had promised their forefathers hundreds of years before. No longer slaves to Egypt, they have been taught, shaped, tested and readied for God's great plan ahead. Underneath the repetition of laws and instructions found in Leviticus and Numbers, there is a building anticipation for God's fulfillment of His promise to Abraham.

On the other hand, I am reading through the same instructions again. The repetition is challenging my attention span as a Bible student. None-the-less, I found a shout from God among the chapters I read today. This little shout shows me much about the heart of God. Take a look at these verses:

When you reap your harvest in your field and have forgotten a sheaf in the field, you shall not go back and get it; it shall be for the alien, for the orphan, and for the widow, in order that the LORD your God may bless you in all the work of your hands. (Deuteronomy 24:19, NAS)

Remember what Amalek did to you along the way when you came out from Egypt, how he met you along the way and attacked among you all the stragglers at your rear when you were faint and weary; and he did not fear God. (Deuteronomy 25:17-18, NAS)

In all that God has been doing to make this gathering of ex-slaves into a nation, there is a repeated concern and demand that the Israelites practice sacrificial love toward those in need. In the abundance of what God will provide in the land, there will still be those among them who have need. God will be caring for them from the abundance He provides the rest. So, each man who has enough (grain, olives, grapes) is responsible for having in mind a blessing for the needy. What he worked to grow and harvest is not for him alone. The needy are to share in His blessing.

The second verse about Amalek shows God's great anger toward anyone who disregards and seeks to take advantage of the needy and weak. They are a disgust in His sight and show a disregard for the holiness of God. Not even the memory of Amalek is to remain in the future of Israel. As Amalek treated the weak, so God will treat him.

I received this challenge today, to have in mind a blessing for the weak and needy. It is proactive and decided in advance, that what you have is not yours but rather God's. Our blessings are there to share as an extension of the heart of God. He is the defender of the weak and brokenhearted. He is concerned for the hurting and needy. Let's not communicate the opposite to the world we live in. They need to see His heart lived out through us.

© 2006 by Kendra Hinkle.

Scripture marked “NAS” is taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by the Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.

Pounding the Streets of Austin

Austin was freezing...literally. We started with a 28 degree temp and warmed up to 34. When I committed to the race, I thought that there was no way it would be cold in south Texas. I was wrong! The misty wetness made it cold before and after the race, but during the race the temp was perfect.

I was able to beat my goal time of 2:05 for the half marathon. I actually got right at 2 hours, which was my dream time. The race felt really good this time. Having one under my belt from 2004 helped so much. Good luck to y'all in Indy who will be doing the half in May.

I met lots of young ladies on my trip, some who are from Denton and some from Austin. Their company was an encouragement to me...and I love to meet new people. I also learned a new phrase:

Keep Austin weird!

A Bump in the Road

Tomorrow I have an etiquette dinner to attend before I head to Austin for my race. (Yes, they are trying to teach me to be a lady. The suspense is killing me. Can they do it? ) I've had a few bumps in that my car is now unable to make the trip to Austin. On Wednesday, my car started to overheat. I got it into the shop and made partial repairs and am babysitting the other problem for the moment. I have a ride down to A-town, but not one returning before work on Monday. I've made some calls to other runners heading down and surely one will work out.

The car scenario was perfectly timed for somethings that have been on my heart in relationship with God. He's teaching me greater trust in Him.

The Heart of the King

This week, I was reading through Deuteronomy 17. Moses is giving his last address to the people (the whole of the book) before he dies and the new generation of Israel enters to take possession of the Promised Land. Knowing that they will possess the land and then desire a king to rule over them like the other nations, God lays down some guidelines about the man He will choose to be king. I liked thinking of these guidelines as indicators of character in the man I will marry, and as a test for my own heart. God says that the king:

1. Should be from among Israel, and not a foreigner.
2. Must not acquire great numbers of horses (military strength which would be like tanks and aircraft today)
3. Must not take many wives or his heart will be lead astray
4. Must not accumulate large amounts of silver or of gold for himself
5. As King, he must copy the Law for himself to read all the days of his life

What I see in those qualities that relates today is that my husband should be from among the Christian brethren. His core values should reflect a Christ-centeredness. Second, his greatest strength is not his ability to bust his shirt by flexing muscles or having a great car, but deep down his confidence and strength are found in Christ's righteousness. As women, we can encourage men so they know that we respect them greatly, but first it comes from their relationship with Christ. (We should never be a substitute for Christ in a man's life.) Muscles and cars are not sinful things (preach it, sister), but they are not to be the source of a Godly man's confidence. Thirdly, gratification of his desires is held to account by other brothers in Christ. Women, or other sources of gratification, can act as seducers to lead a man away from God. In the Old Testament, foreign women were seducers who led sinful men to worship other gods. A man being called to account by other brothers in Christ is important, because sinful battles don't dissipate with marriage. They are lifelong and part of the sanctification process. Fourth, his bank account does not rule him. God granted his kings great wealth, a blessing to the king and to the kingdom. What is financially acquired should be treated as kingdom property, under God's and the individual's authority. It is not a boastful possession, but a matter of stewardship while on earth. Lastly, the words of God are near and dear to his heart. The OT king had to copy, a long and careful process, his own scroll of the Law. The words of God are read by this man all the days of his life so that he fears and honors God appropriately.

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A man who fears the Lord...isn't that such an attractive quality?! I'll never have to be his nagging wife or his disciplinarian, because God's got that under control. There's a country song that reminds me of this. It uses the phrase, "Because she never asked me to." The husband does all of these honorable things for her, because he can love freely instead of by her nagging.

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All of this talk about Godly men makes me want to be a better Christian woman. Now, how do you and I measure up to these same qualities?

© 2006 by Kendra Hinkle.

Heart Tease

A few years ago, my roommate and I allowed our hearts to be led into sorrow by one of the cutest kittens EVER. She was a manager at a local pet store, so I frequently visited the store to see the kittens, puppies, and fish. The exotic birds were big, and they scared me. I stayed close to her when we approached, lest I loose an eye or facial appendage of some sort! Maybe that's a little over-dramatic, but that's my imagination for you.

Anyway, she said we could invite a pet home overnight, and she'd take it back to work the next day. We didn't have fuzzy pets in our apartment, so the invitation was quite tempting. I withheld from the offer for a long time, because I tend to get emotionally attached to cute fuzzies.

"I'm strong," I told myself. I won't be led into grief over a simple little, cute, fuzzy kitten. Several months down the road, I asked if we could bring this super-cute, white kitten home to play with. We brought her home, and to our detriment, named her within the hour. By the time a few hours were gone, we were talking about what it would require to have her as our new pet!

Pets are require responsibility, and I tend to be a traveler. An apartment is also a small space for an animal. These were two big road blocks for me. Reluctant, but totally wanting, we started to seriously make some calls to inquire about pet deposits, vet bills, etc.

All night long I got up almost every hour to make sure she didn't want to come cuddle in my room, to make sure she was sleeping OK, etc. Come morning, she had to go back to the pet store until we made a final decision. Later that day I called my roommate...AND THE KITTEN WAS SOLD! We hadn't made a firm decision, so the cutest little white kitten had a new home. Both of our hearts sank.

We knew this would happen!

Isn't that such like a girl. We tease our hearts all the time. If we are crushing on a guy or even without a crush and longing for something else, we tease our hearts by our thoughts, music, movies...you name it. Somehow, our conversations and attention become centered on the very thing that may be untimely in God's eyes. I've had many a moment of teasing my heart with chick flicks. Afterward, my emotions lead my mind into thinking about the male relationship that simply isn't a part of my life right now. Music, the internet, and our own daydreams can tease our hearts in the same way. Wanting a husband or new car isn't a bad desire, but seeking after it in an untimely way is distracting. By teasing our hearts, we might reject or miss the very thing that God has placed in our path.

I knew that I would get attached to the kitten and then grieve when I couldn't keep it. But immediate gratification feels so good! I got to pretend and make up a false life with the kitten as my own. I totally do that with guys, too. Girls, if you are like the majority of us, then your heart and mind are easily convinced to go places that encourage untimely lust of something. And it doesn't even have to be a male relationship!

The next time you feel like a heart tease might be around the corner, talk to a godly friend or spend some time in the Word and prayer. First, set your mind on God and let Him know that He is the greatest romancer of your soul. Then, after you've reminded yourself of what matters most, make a wise decision that will help instead of hinder your pursuit of purity.

© 2006 by Kendra Hinkle.

Hephzibah

Do any of these words describe you: Hephzibah (my delight is in her), rejoiced over, Beulah (married), sought after, no longer deserted, watched over, provided for, or a splendor for others to see?

This morning I was amazed to read Isaiah 62, with its wonderful descriptions of how God will rejoice over His people. The descriptions are not that of quiet affection. They are boastful and bold descriptions of His heart toward us. What a wild realization, that our God delights and rejoices over us as a groom does his new bride! We will be a part of the new Zion in Heaven. We will be among the Holy People and the Redeemed of the Lord (v. 12). If God delights in the whole lot of His children so greatly, how much more does each and every one of His children bring Him delight.

Is this hard for you to grasp? It is for me. Some of us, including myself, may cling to a lie or be wrestling through the process of replacing a lie with truth. In the past, I accepted the lie that said, "Because the knowledge of a good marriage wasn't given to me, I have the right to harbor unforgiveness or bitterness toward those who influenced the degradation of marriage in my soul." Then, when I looked to God, I transposed those same unmet expectations onto God. In my deceived mind, I accepted that God did not have a good gift to give me, because He was no better than those sinners that influenced me negatively.

Whoa! Hold on a minute. Through one unreconciled experience in my life, God moved from being GOD to being no better than a sinner. Where does truth come from...my experience or from God himself? In the old way of thinking that I just described, truth came from me and was limited to a sinful, shameful reality. By believing a lie, I limited the knowledge of God in my heart and mind. My experience wasn't good, therefore (I assumed wrongly) God wasn't good. After my understanding of God was successfully diminished by Satan's lies, then everything about my view of life developed from that same small, wrongful picture of God. When I would go to weddings or read about God loving me as a husband does His wife, that sure wasn't a promising thought.

Praise God that He heals us through the processes of time, counsel, and truth! Today, I can wrestle with the idea of being called Hephzibah, or for God saying of me, "My delight is in her." I am learning to trust God for things I have not seen, including being loved like Isaiah 62 describes. It is a process. I'm still working towards it, but I can trust that God's truth is better than my own judgment. When trials come, God remains unchanged. I pray that anyone reading this would grow in their knowledge of who He is and how much He loves them.

What is the result of believing how greatly you are loved, delighted in, and delighting in whom you are married to? Isaiah 62:10 says, "Raise a banner for the nations!" As ladies, we know what that means. When we put our trust and love into a man, every girl within a 50 mile radius knows about it. We identify ourselves with that person through social status and obvious affection. So, is that how we react to God's great love for us? Are the nations, or even our neighbors, aware of how great His love is? If you are soundly believing in God's delighting in and rejoicing over you, then consider the raising of the banner for the nations your challenge.

© 2006 by Kendra Hinkle.

Crocs at Hallmark

This afternoon, I've been searching the mall to try on a pair of running shoes, but sadly learned that I will have to go to a specialty store to try the appropriate pair on. As I walked the mall, Hallmark's bright display of Crocs (foam mule shoes for anyone confused) caught my eye. Shoes being sold in a greeting card store? That's wild to consider!

Some things in life simply don't fit together. Here are some examples:

• Me and trying to get my voice to carry across a crowded, or even semi-crowded room with no microphone
• The little boy's rabbit pajama suit in A Christmas Story that his mom forced him to try on
• Feeding nose excrement to your beta fish (only a youth minister from Indiana!!!!!)
• Taping the dead beta fish to the fishbowl after it had jumped to waterless freedom
• Inviting the cutest kitten you've ever seen home for the night (just one night) and then crying when it had to go back to the pet store to be sold
• Pornographic media being displayed on public TV
• Crocs at Hallmark!

"Crocs at Hallmark" reminds me of a holy God choosing to dwell among sinners. It didn't fit together, but He wanted us to be with Him. Isn't grace amazing?! My studies in the Old Testament have taught me so much about the extent God has gone to for people to dwell with Him and Him with us. His character remained unchanged throughout time and all the way to the cross.

Next time you see something that strangely, seriously, or humorously does not fit into its context, just say to yourself, "Crocs at Hallmark," and remember the great extent God has gone to to enable us to dwell with him. We were those Crocs at one time, but through Jesus, we have become a beautiful public display of...greeting cards...for the world to view.

This analogy is ending here!

© 2006 by Kendra Hinkle.

God-Centered Decision Making

I'm at it again...job searching. My Bible training program ends in May, and I am on the hunt just like last year at this time. I never would have imagined moving to Texas, but God opened the door. It has been a perfect shaping and growing habitat for me. I'm so grateful for this unique time. How often does someone get to take a whole year of their life out to study the Word and be mentored by Godly women?

I'm privileged to walk through the decision making process with God on my side. I can't imagine it without His ear, His guidance, and His values to guide me. Today, I wanted to take a moment to emphasize two things that have been on my heart as I look forward to the unknown times ahead.

First, I've been praying in the likeness of Acts 1:24-25. In the early church, there was need to replace the apostolic position that Judas had filled. They needed a faithful eyewitness to join them in their leadership. They chose two men, and then laid the matter out to God. Their prayer said something like, "God, you know the hearts of these men. Show us which one of these you would choose to fill this ministry."

I want to be the type of person whom my husband and my future employer would choose because God showed his favor and approval of my inner life. I want God to be able to say to my husband and my employer, "Have you considered my servant, K."

Second, I want to begin processing decisions in a way that will be an asset for the rest of my life. I want to create a prayer and listening groove so worn out on my path of life that I can't help but fall before God to get His counsel. Making a decision without Him would be absurd...and I need to make sure that I am practicing that attitude while I am a young woman. I will also prepare myself for action and watch for Him. I want to be ready!

Car Wash

Today, I washed my car. It hasn't been washed since August when I made a mad dash back into the country from Northern Ireland and immediately hauled my stuff in storage from Indy to Kansas to Texas. So...I greatly needed to get 'er done. In all of her 1993 splendor, my little car needed a bath.

Sitting in the car in the auto car wash is kind of fun. You never really know what's coming at you, except that the car will hopefully keep you dry and free from soap suds. I likened my faith to that car today. I take care of it and nurture it so that when action is needed, I can go. When the storms of life appear on the horizon or random things come at my spiritual windshield, I am safe and protected. My car and I, we see our rough roads and our smooth ones, but God holds us together and directs us to His purpose.

I have a mentor who is helping me to learn speaking and thinking skills to aid my verbal teaching. She challenged me to begin thinking of analogies in all areas of life that might help someone to understand spiritual things easier. You can thank her for this little effort, confusing and odd as it may be!

Learning to Excellently Display the Holiness of God

Last night in one of my evening church classes, the teacher was encouraging us in development as leaders. She showed us that in the Bible, leaders were seasoned over time. Their titles didn't magically give them maturity, but their willingness to be a moldable piece of clay in God's hands did. With this encouragement came the warning of seeking a title or position before seeking to be a student.

As a Biblical example, consider two different censuses of the Israelite people in Numbers. Those able to go out to war were numbered beginning at the age of twenty. Those in the tribe of Levi who were counted began at the age of 30, and these were the men who would serve with the priests in the Tent of Meeting. We discussed this a bit, and noted the difference in age. For those whose hearts are willing, God will shape you for the service He calls you to. God takes seriously the honoring and exalting of His holiness among people. When you come to lead, you come to serve the nation like the Levites did. They were set apart to Him, and would spend the first thirty years of their lives preparing towards that service.

Today, us young ones are so eager to display our zeal and watch it come to fruition. Zeal is good and honors the Lord. But, I don't want to mistake a title or position as the "arrival point" of my maturity. The truth is that I have a lot to learn, and can honor God by my excellence and humility. As I seek to serve, I seek to learn about how to excellently carry the holiness of God as a display for the world to see.

May the Lord test our hearts through His Word and prayer, to reveal to us those things that are pleasing and those things that set themselves up against Him.

© 2006 by Kendra Hinkle.

And the Plague Was Checked

Today, I read this really great verse in Numbers that reminded me of Jesus. It is in chapter 16, where Korah and 250 influential men in Israel rebelled against Aaron and Moses. God called Aaron and Moses to lead the people, which he confirmed many times in miracles and even by the mouths of the people. Yet, some of the men (Ladies, we're in danger, too.) get jealous of these leaders in their exalted position. They rally other "men of renown" from among the camp to rebel with them. As they take their stand before God and in opposition to His chosen leaders, he whispers a little disapproval as the ground opens up and swallows the rebels.

The very next day, the people as a whole gather against Moses and Aaron. God's glory comes again and begins to discipline the people through a plague causing death. Moses and Aaron fall on their face before God, and Aaron runs to offer incense as a pleasing aroma before God. The NASB says that Aaron "took his stand between the living and the dead, and the plaque was checked." Aaron, the high priest, fulfilled his role as mediator between the people and God. He did just as God had commanded in the Law, and God honored Aaron's obedience by checking (ending) the plague.

Doesn't that sound familiar?! Jesus, the high priest who is interceding before God on our behalf, took His stand between the living and the dead to check the sin's plaque of death to eternally save us. I like to think of Jesus standing, a strong and valiant Son of God, who is able to separate the living and the dead. Spiritual death cannot cross His boundary and kingship over those who believe in Him. Death has been checked through the pleasing aroma of death upon the cross.

© 2006 by Kendra Hinkle.

Multitude and Solitude

After Passion 06 in Nashville, TN...with its 18,000 college students and workers, concerts, worship gatherings, crowded hallways and elevators, excellent teaching...I returned home. I came back to small town Texas. The pace of life was a bit of a shock as I bought groceries and entered an almost silent house. Where were the crowds of students? Does anyone have a wristband I can check (one of my jobs as a volunteer at Passion 06)?

I love that our God is in the midst of the multitude and in the solitude. The heart of worship glorifies Him in both.

On the mountain, you are there.

In the valley, you are unchanged.

Along the rolling plains, My God, you still have splendor.

There is none like you.

© 2006 by Kendra Hinkle.