It's a Trap

Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life. 

(Proverbs 4:23, NLT)

A while back, my youngest child decided she wanted to trap a wild bird for scientific (but mostly fun) purposes. 

She constructed her (very unsophisticated) trap, using two plastic bins, packing tape, string, a toilet paper core and some bird seed.

One look at her trap and I was thinking, “This will never work.” But much to my surprise, she trapped four birds in a very short amount of time.

Another thing that greatly surprised me, was the fact that the birds just kept coming back to the trap. The trap was not elaborate or camouflaged in any way. Other birds perched in the trees near our deck and watched their bird friends get caught in the trap. But seeing all still this didn’t deter the birds. They kept willingly hopping right into the trap. It seemed they were lined up waiting for their turn in the trap!

I was watching as she trapped bird after bird. I wondered, “How does this happen? How does she keep trapping these (obviously intelligent) birds?” 

The Holy Spirit spoke to my heart and said,

“The birds only see the bait. They don’t see the trap.”

Oh hello...somebody stand up and shout!

The birds were so focused on the bait…they completely ignored the trap.

Bait (defined by Merriam-Webster and for our purposes today) is, "to try to make (someone) angry by using criticism or insults” and "to use dogs to make (an animal, such as a bear or bull) angry or afraid”.

Trap (defined by Merriam-Webster and for our purposes today) is, "something by which one is caught or stopped unawares” and "a position or situation from which it is difficult or impossible to escape”. (Emphasis are mine.)

Bait comes in different forms. Birdseed was an effective bait for the birds; however, what bait can effectively be used to trap you? 

Every day, in every circumstance, life and death is placed before us. The power in that is…we get to choose. We choose life, blessings, prosperity, good, or curses, disaster, adversity, evil. ((Deuteronomy 30:15, NLT, NKJV, NASB, YLT) 

At times, some of us have been trapped into doing what others believe we should do...even though, we know what to do and not do in order to guard our hearts. Listen, at times...you are the only one who will make diligently guarding your heart a priority. Don't allow anything rob you of that.  If your life hasn't been on the course you want it to be on...examine yourself to insure you have been guarding your heart.

I pray for every reader today to, immediately recognize the traps that are set before us and for each of us to look straight through the bait and see and avoid the trap. In the name of Jesus, I declare we choose life!

DISCLAIMER: No birds were harmed in this scientific study or blogpost.

Church Work is W.O.R.K.

For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you. (2 Corinthians 9:10, NLT)

I’ve done a lot of church work. 

My first “ministry” was baking cakes every Sunday morning for our church’s fellowship time which required me to get up at 5:30 a.m. 

On Sunday…every Sunday.

I had an infant and a toddler at the time. *Nuff said*

I’ve scrubbed toilets, cooked meals (under direct supervision), washed dishes, ushered, greeted, spearheaded a fundraiser, coordinated Operation Christmas Child, insured church bulletins were prepared and submitted, organized a weekly play group for toddlers, worked in the audio department/video department/nursery/taught high school Sunday school, and provided photography services for fliers/websites/promos, and shot events that required me to be at every practice as well as work 10-12 hours shooting…that does not include editing time (which is generally 3-7 minutes per shot). 

Yes, I counted. 

All free of charge. 

I only mention the monetary statement because that is generally the first statement someone makes when they are required to do more than they feel like doing. 

“What? You expect me to do what?! I’m not even getting paid for this!”

I don’t at all mention my “ministries resume” to toot my own horn. I know where my help comes from. (Psalm 121:2) I merely mention it to validate, I’ve been there. I’ve done that. I have put in enough time to qualify to speak on the matter.

I know people have jobs, kids, car issues, and can be short on funds and energy. I can completely relate. My life isn’t, nor has it ever been perfect and/or easy by any means. 

But I also know that I know this, when I give…my God gives unto me…with good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, poured right in my lap! (Luke 6:38)

“It" what? Supernatural blessings, in every area of my life! 

Supernatural is the only way to effectively explain my life! 

(John 10:10)

When all is said and done, whether at home, or on the job, or in church, 

I don’t work for man…I work for the Lord. 

Either I want to serve with my whole heart, 

or 

I don’t want to serve at all. 

When I serve, it is my responsibility to insure everything I think, say, and do...glories the One who called me. (Colossians 3:23, 1 Corinthians 10:31, Galatians 1:15)

Everything else is checked at the door. 

When I am at church and someone asks, “Can you…..?"  I've made it a personal goal to do my best to say, "Yes ma’am/sir, I can do whatever you need me to do.” After all, I wouldn’t even have seed, had God not given seed to me to sow. (2 Corinthians 9:10)

In addition to agreeing to fill a position comes the responsibility to submit to that authority. (1 Peter 2:13-14) I am not called to argue against, talk about, or reason with authority. 

Since I'm on a roll, here is a hard topic. Sometimes we have to jump in and do something that isn’t within “normal” realms but is completely outside our comfort zone.

It is outside our comfort zone where we learn 

what we can really accomplish.

I use to be one who didn’t like change and I certainly didn’t like sudden change. That is until I heard Pastor Slavic Sagach teach a message at Walk on Water Faith Church. He made a statement long ago that I still live by today. He said, “The way you handle change, is a direct reflection of your character.” 

Oh hello. Somebody please help me now.

Taking his statement as a personal challenge teaches flexibility. Perhaps it taught me to0 much flexibility but that's a whole other blog post. *lol*

Coming in for a landing...the reality is, scrubbing toilets at church is no easier than scrubbing toilets at work.  

Let me bring it all home with this.

If a new girl comes to town, I've seen men move all heaven and earth and not let hell stand in the way to take that girl out on a date. How much more, must our affections be turned toward God and His kingdom?

That's a rhetorical question *grin*

Crossing the Border

Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. (Philippians 2:12-13, NKJV)

A short time back, my family and I drove the AlCan Highway from Seattle to Alaska (via the Cassiar Highway).

After crossing the U.S./Canada border, we still saw U.S. influence even though we were in Canada. 

However, the further we drove away from the border and the deeper we drove into Canada, we saw less and less of the things we were familiar with. Brand names, chain stores, animal crossing signs, wildlife, and landscape, were all different...the deeper we drove into Canada. 

Do you see the bear?

Once we cross any “border", we can identify "influence" directly across the line from where we were. But the deeper we get into where we are going, the prior influence decreases while our new influences increase.

When we are first born again (John 3:3, Romans 10:9, John 3:16), we cross over a “border". (2 Corinthians 5:17)

Please be encouraged, don’t get frustrated at things that haven't changed yet (the areas of your life where you are currently struggling). You have "crossed the border” but may still be dealing with “influence” from where you’ve been. (Matthew 6:33, Hebrews 12:1-2)

Renew your mind daily. (Romans 12:2)

Sometimes daily means hourly.

Sometimes daily means moment by moment. 

Also, please don't get frustrated at others when you see them operating in ways that aren’t agreeable with you. Stay fixed on Him (not them), pray for them, and lovingly correct with proper motivation when an opportunity arises. (Hebrews 12:1-2, 1 John 4:7, Proverbs 10:12, Mark 12:31, James 5:16) 

All this is not at all to use as a excuse to refuse to humbly accept or lovingly administer correction. (Ephesians 4:15, Proverbs 19:20) 

Always keep in mind, we are all walking out our own salvation…we are not walking out someone else’s salvation. (Philippians 2:12-13)

Therefore, my dear ones, as you have always obeyed [my suggestions], so now, not only [with the enthusiasm you would show] in my presence but much more because I am absent, work out (cultivate, carry out to the goal, and fully complete) your own salvation with reverence and awe and trembling (self-distrust, [a]with serious caution, tenderness of conscience, watchfulness against temptation, timidly shrinking from whatever might offend God and discredit the name of Christ). Philippians 2:12, AMP)

Self Control

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. (Galatians 5:22-23, NKJV)

I have self control because God said I do. (Numbers 23:19, 2 Timothy 3:16) God's Words always override my words and how I currently feel.

Independent of people and/or circumstances,  I (me...myself...and I) always decide (choose) whether or not to operate in self control. (Deuteronomy 30:19) 


The same is true for ALL God's promises. (2 Corinthians 1:20) 

• Healing (Isaiah 53:5)
• Finances ((Luke 6:38, Malachi 3:10)
• Freedom (Galatians 5:1)
• Peace (John 14:27, Isaiah 26:3)
• Abundant life (John 10:10, 1 John 2:25, John 3:15)
• Love (John 3:16, Romans 5:8)

"LOOPHOLE"!

We must consume (and teach) our whole bible (not just the parts we like), 

refusing to live in ignorance. (Revelation 22:19, 1 Corinthians 12:1)

You may currently be walking through the fire 

(opposition to receiving God's promises). 

That doesn't always mean you've done something wrong. (John 9:2-3)

Jesus told us we would have battles to fight 

and 

we would have temptations to overcome. 

He also told us to  be courageous and not be troubled because 

nothing can separate us from His love,

He won't ever leave us, 

and

He has already insured our victory! 

(Romans 8:37-39, Deuteronomy 31:6, Luke 17:1, 

Ephesians 6:12, John 16:33, 1 Corinthians 15:57)

SOLUTION!

If you are facing problems today...

• be strong and courageous because you are not alone,
• just believe,
• give Him is rightful place in your life, 
• stay connected to Him, 
• have faith God is on your side, 
• don't waver, 
• never-ever give up on what God has promised you, 
• and allow your spirit (what you know that you know to be true...God's Word) to rule your mouth!

(Deuteronomy 31:6, Mark 5:36, Matthew 6:33, John 15:5, Romans 2:11, Jeremiah 29:11, James 1:6, Galatians 6:9, Romans 4:17)








"But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed." (Isaiah 53:5, NLT)

"Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full--pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back." (Luke 6:38, NLT)

"Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do," says the LORD of Heaven's Armies, "I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won't have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test!" (Malachi 3:10, NLT)

"It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery." (Galatians 5:1, NLT)

"I am leaving you with a gift--peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don't be troubled or afraid." (John 14:27, NLT)

"You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!" (Isaiah 26:3, NLT)

"The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly." (John 10:10, NKJV)

"And in this fellowship we enjoy the eternal life he promised us." (1 John 2:25, NLT)

"so that everyone who believes in him will have eternal life." (John 3:15, NLT)

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16, NLT)

'but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."(Romans 5:8, NLT)

The Fire In Marriage

From time to time, we welcome a guest blogger to Key Tov Blog. Today's blogpost is from my ten year old daughter, enjoy!

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church. (Ephesians 5:25-29, NKJV)

When my Mom was reading today's bible study, I remembered when I camped at  Matanuska Glacier in Alaska. My Dad started a fire and he gave the fire some dry wood, well that didn't last long! So my Dad went to go find some moist wood, that lasted longer than the dry wood. 

So as it got late, it got colder. My Dad found some rocks and put them behind the fire to reflect the heat. That warmed us up really quick. 

You see, it's almost the same in marriage. If you give your spouse things just to make them happy (like the dry wood) your marriage won't last that long. But if you give your spouse things because you really love them, then that's like the moist wood. It lasts a whole lot longer if you do it because you love them. 

Just do it for the next generation, do it for the world, do it for GOD! 

And when my Dad put stones behind the fire to reflect heat, thats the love. The "left overs" for your offspring and friends, family, mom, dad, and other couples to understand, "Wow, that's a great marriage we should ASK THEM for tips on how their successful!" Always keep that fire burning! And only let people that will give moist wood to your fire into your life!

Respectfully, Mikea Faith Fulton

Please make a comment below to ask questions. 

Art compliments of Mikena Grace Fulton

Last Text

He who trusts in his own heart is a fool, But whoever walks wisely will be delivered. (Proverbs 28:26 NKJV)

Recently, I was texting with a friend. Their text seemed very…well, a little odd. 

After a few minutes, it dawned on me….my friend was texting and driving. 

*GASP* 

In order for us to avoid being diagnosed with the speck-n-plank syndrome…let’s take a different approach. Let's learn from the situation. (Matthew 7:3-5, Mathew 7:1)

To insure I was correct, I asked, “Are you texting and driving?” My friend responded with, “Yes but I have voice text.”

This is my issue with driving and voice texting.

1. The recipient still has to read incoming texts in order to respond. Voice texts only work for outgoing texts.
2. The recipient still has to proofread their outgoing texts to insure the text is correct.
3. In both scenarios, the driver is still distracted…terribly distracted.

According to the (NHTSA) National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, “Driving while texting is six times more dangerous than driving while drunk."

From my experience, people cannot text and have a decent conversation when they are face to face with someone. Much less text and safely operate a six thousand pound (average weight) vehicle at the rate of speed of sixty miles per hour (average on the highway) creating a velocity of…well, a lot. 

Once I discovered my friend was texting and driving, I explained;

"I love you too much. And I will never knowingly be anyone’s last text.” 

And I stopped texting, immediately.

Thankfully, my friend has read Dr. Larry Ollison's book, "Breaking the Cycle of Offense" and still loves me. They didn't get offended and hopefully will never text and drive again...even with voice text.

I’m sure you’ve seen the notices that show a picture of a person’s last text. That last text before they crashed their car and hurt or killed themselves or someone else.

Before I get in my car, I put my phone on silent, and put it in my purse. That is my way of committing to not text while I drive.

After this incident with my friend, I started thinking about all the challenges going on Facebook, etc. And I thought to myself, we should make a Last Text challenge.

So, I challenge each and every one of you. Refuse to position yourself where you could be someone’s last text by letting everyone know, I don’t text anyone while they are driving because I love you too much. 

Father, in the name of Jesus, I pray for every reader right now to rise up and commit to refuse to text and drive as well as refuse to text anyone who is driving. May each and every one of us understand the magnitude of the power we are responsible for when we are behind the wheel for ourselves as well as all those around us. Thank You Lord for loving us so much, we know to walk in wisdom. Especially when assuming the responsibility of driving a car. 

What about you? Will you take the challenge? Will you challenge your friends and family?

Crutches

He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love. (Ephesians 4:16, NLT)

I recently hurt my left ankle and have been on crutches all week. While the crutches have helped me move around, I’m not moving around like I should be. And most certainly, not how I prefer to be.

I’ve had to take extra time to tend to my ankle. Ice, elevate, wrap, soak it as well as orally take anti-inflamitories.

The first thing I noticed about using crutches is, the rest of my body has paid the price by compensating for what my left ankle is not currently performing. 

In other words, when my whole body is doing what it was created to do I can accomplish many things. But since my left ankle isn’t bearing its share of the weight, I haven’t accomplished much.

The Spirit of God has been speaking to my heart and has shown me a direct correlation between my ankle and the church. When the whole church body each does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow so that the whole body is healthy, growing, and full of love.

Of course there are times (seasons) where, the church has to tend to the needs of the hurting. (Ecclesiastes 3:1) But for the most part, the church is created to be healthy, growing, and full of love.

If you are hurt, by all means, tend to yourself and ask others to pray you through to wholeness. But don’t camp out in the city of "Hurtville". Even on crutches, I can help cook, do light housework, and teach homeschool. 

We can all do something on our way to full victory!

And as a sidenote; 

if you feel as if a church has failed you, 

don't camp out there either. 

Just determine to do what the LORD has said to do! (Hebrews 10:25) 

I don't know how many excuses I've heard about why people refuse to go to church but continue to be faithful to going to the bar. 

As if the bar has never failed them. 

Ok, I won't camp out there either.

At times, in the church I’ve seen the same 10% of people doing 90% of the work. That equation results in the churches inability to be healthy, grow, and love as it was created to.

When each part does its own special work, the church is everything God created her to be (Ephesians 4:11-12, Ephesians 4:16) 

Please allow me to lovingly encourage you, if you are looking at the church and wondering why it isn’t…well, let’s just say, healthy, growing, and full of love…please ask the Lord to bring to your attention precisely what your part is in the body. And as He is faithful to show you, please be faithful to do your own special work. (1 Corinthians 1:9, Colossians 3:23, Ephesians 4:16)

Father, in the name of Jesus, I pray for Your people, the church. Please bring to each and every one of our attention, ways to immediately rise up and do our own special work so that Your church is healthy, growing, and full of love! Lord, we ask You to show us the gifts and talents You have given to each of us, and how we can best use them to serve on another, and bring You all the glory. May everything we think, say, and do, honor You Lord God. And may we always, always remember who it is we are working for. 

1 Peter 4:10

1 Corinthians 10:31

Colossians 3:23