Go Deeper

"Ask all the people of the land and the priests,

'When you fasted

and mourned in the fifth and sevenths months

for the past seventy years,

was it really for me that you fasted?

And when you were eating and drinking,

were you not just feasting for yourselves?'"

Zechariah 7:5-6

I go to Bible study so that I can learn more about God and grow in my faith.  I worship as a part of the Body of Christ on Sunday mornings so I can feel the connection to God.  I  study His Word each morning so that my understanding will increase.  I pray so that I can hear God's voice and receive answers.  I am almost always selfishly motivated when it comes to God and His Kingdom.

I once had a neighbor who put a lot of demands on me.  As soon as our family moved into our new house she was on me like white on rice.  She had all kinds of plans for me as her new friend.  Her intention was that we would be the kind of friends that could just walk through each others' back doors unannounced.  To say the least, I was uncomfortable with her plans. 

Part of my frustration with that neighbor was that everything she did was all about her.  It seemed her only concern was with what she would get out of the friendship whether it be shared meal responsibilities, help with the kids or companionship.  She did not care about getting to know me or what made me tick.  Rather, she wanted to use me as a pawn in her game of life.

If I'm honest with myself, my relationship with God is much the same.  I don't really care to know about God unless it will help me become a better person, grow as a Christian or build my faith.  Rarely do I study His Word just to know Him more, without an ulterior motive.  I build healthy habits, godly friendships and good practices because I know it's good for me, kind of like eating broccoli.  

God wants more from me than regular ritual, shallow efforts and selfish motives.  He wants me to be like Caleb and Joshua who set themselves apart from their fellow Israelites by following God wholeheartedly.   He wants me to go deeper.

Awareness

Pastor Calvin Miller said, "Hate is born when men call evil good.  And like an infant serpent bursting from its small confining shell, it can never be cased so small again."  I may not like to think of myself as someone who hates, but I find I am quick to judge another's sins as wrong.  As I think about the wrongdoing of another, my heart turns proud and I self-righteously look down my nose at them.  I condemn them while turning a blind eye to my own sin.  

My pastor, Paul Pepin, says that it's hard to be judgmental when you remember who you are: a sinner saved by grace.  If I'm more focused on other people's sins but never take a good look at my own, I will never recognize how much Jesus suffered under the wrath of God because of my sin.  He willingly went to the cross to take the punishment for my selfishness, pride, intolerance and the like.  If I remember how much I've been forgiven, I'll be able to have mercy on others and love them right where they are. . . just like God does.

Anytime I overlook my own shortcomings and label them favorably, I am staying on the surface in my relationship with God.  He desires my honesty and sincerity.  Since He already knows my every thought, I am only fooling myself when I pretend to be better than I am or to gloss over my areas of sin.  Laying it openly before Him and allowing the Light to touch the darkness will bring healing and wholeness.  

Listen to the lyrics of "Bring it into the Light" by Haley Johnson and reflect on God's loving mercy, allowing sinners like me and you to connect meaningfully with Him.

If I want to go deeper with God, it is important for me to stay in a state of awareness of my sin and thus my intense need for Jesus.

Investigation

When I first met my husband, I wanted to know everything about him.  As our love grew, it was important to me that I understood his likes and dislikes, his family background, his motivations and his deepest thoughts.  Learning more about him helped our relationship as I could better appreciate him as a person, not just as my husband.

In my relationship with God I want to cultivate a similar investigative attitude, seeking to know Him intimately so I can better appreciate Who He is.  It is easy for me to take God for granted and think I have Him all figured out.  But God is complex and His workings unfathomable.  I could dedicate my whole life to studying Him but only discover a fraction of His character.  

On the other hand, God knows me intimately.  There is nothing about me that is a surprise to Him.  He delights in me! In the same way, He wants me to learn what is important to Him, what makes Him smile and what boils His blood.   Most of the time, it seems I only find out what is relevant to me.  I love to know He's got a great plan for my life but do I care to find out that He hates my tolerance of sin?  Jesus said it would be better for me to cut off my right hand if it caused me to sin.

If I really know His attitude toward sin, for example, why do I tolerate it in my life?  Why is it so easy to turn a blind eye?  Why do I minimize it and call it a weakness?  If sin wasn't a big problem, He would not have sent His only Son to make a way of reconciliation and redemption.  

Seeking to know God means I'll discover some personal sins, distractions and trivialities that I must cut off in my own life.  As Oswald Chambers said, "There are many things that are perfectly legitimate, but if you are going to concentrate on God you cannot do them."  

For instance, television can potentially bring a lot of worldly attitudes, sinful behaviors and raunchy entertainment into my home.  While I can choose to only watch God-honoring shows, I must ask if this is the best way to spend my time and whether it is serving to draw me closer to God.  

If I want to go deeper with God I must seek to know Him and ask the hard questions that will draw me even closer to Him.

Devotion

When my dog looks into my eyes, you'd think I was his whole world.  He follows me around and desires nothing more than to be in my presence.  He even keeps tabs on my emotions; if I show a slight change in demeanor, he rushes to my side to comfort or calm.  Coal is devoted to me as his master.

This is the same kind of devotion I want with my Master.  As I go through my day, I have many tasks to accomplish and responsibilities to shoulder, but nothing needs to overshadow my attention to my Lord.  

Unfortunately, this is not the life I currently live.  I may start off each day well, but the moment a frustration or difficulty rears it's ugly head I lose focus of God.  I forget Who I'm following and start running after solutions.  I forget that everything that happens to me is used for the good and that I exist for His glory, not for my own.  In essence, I lose my single-minded, wholehearted devotion.

When my whole heart is committed to God, His love overflows in my heart and into the lives of others.  It won't matter that those I'm serving treat me like dirt because such will be my love for God.  When I'm fully dedicated to the Lord, the outcome of my service will matter not as long as I'm obedient to Him.   The time I spend will never be thought of as a waste even if no human notices my efforts.

Maybe my reactions could serve as a barometer measuring my level of devotion to God.  If I'm easily offended by offensive treatment, disappointed by lackluster results or hurt by a lack of recognition, then my heart is not with God.

If I want to go deeper with God, it is important that I dedicate my whole heart to Him.

It's easy to fall into the pattern of going through the motions when it comes to my relationship with Jesus.  But if I really want to please Him, I must go deeper.  That means I'll have to stay aware of my identity as a sinner saved by grace, ask the hard questions and gain a level of wholehearted devotion to God and God alone.  If this is my quest, my life will never be the same again.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can fully open my heart to God, not holding back any fears or secrets.

When do I tend to seek to know myself more than I strive to know the heart of God?

What is it that I'm afraid to look at within myself?  What would happen if I exposed that area to the Light?    

God's Mighty Hand

"This is the word of the LORD 

to Zerubbabel:

'Not by might

nor by power,

but by my Spirit,'

says the LORD Almighty.

Zechariah 4:6

He was in charge of rebuilding the Temple of God.  He relished the challenge at first, following the strict plan given by God generations ago.  It was the culmination of many promises made by the One True God: He would gather His people from all the places where He had banished them and bring them back to this place from which God first had carried His defiant people into exile.  (Jeremiah 29:14)  The humble carpenter was honored to be playing an important role in this historic moment.

Things, however, had not gone as smoothly as he had first hoped.  Opposition arose against the building of the temple; so much so that they had to stop construction for a period of ten years!  Zerubbabel almost gave up, until that momentous day when God himself sent a message to the foreman.  It was just the encouragement he needed to finish the job.

I'm not so different from Zerubbabel.  I may not have the skills and experience needed to head up an important job like rebuilding God's temple, but I do get discouraged by the tasks God has placed in front of me.  The slightest snafu can set me off course, plunging me into the depths of despair.  If things don't go according to plan, my plan, then I act like a piece of twine and come unraveled.  The most minor of irritations can get under my skin, distracting me from the job at hand.

Life is not orderly and organized.  Instead, it is filled with people who have different ideas than I do, others who follow a diverse callings and many who are working against me.  Things don't just fall into place.  Instead, I could more accurately say that if life were a jigsaw puzzle, I would still be trying to find all the edge pieces.  I am not equipped to negotiate life on my own.  When I try, I fail.  

As a follower of Christ, I am called to love the unlovable all around me.  The message God gave to Zerubbabel is the same kind of encouragement I need to get through each day.

Soaring

First there was the unexpected hospitalization.   Then came the car accident, and the ticket that went with it.  Then the phone call every parent dreads, "Mom, I've been in an accident but I'm okay."  It so happens that this final crash was potentially fatal as the teenage boy and his friend rolled the car, totaling it but miraculously walking away unharmed.  Each progressive crisis was another opportunity to trust God for my friend; another occasion to worry.

My friend would agree with me that life is hard and cannot be negotiated in my own strength.  I can try to stay strong for the kids, put up a brave front and do what needs to be done, but inside I am worn out.  The answer lies in where I find my strength.  

If I look to myself, my resources and my support system, I will soon run out of steam.  I am just not designed to carry the kind of load that life heaps upon me.  If, however, I do as the prophet Isaiah directs, I'll get through each day.  He said, "those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength.  They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."  (Isaiah 40:31)

Sometimes, carrying on in the face of day-to-day life is the most difficult task to accomplish.  The drudgery, the monotony, the lack of excitement can cause me to think my life is without meaning.  But if I keep my eyes focused on Jesus, believing that He created me for a special mission and, as unimportant as it may seem to me, I can know without question that God has planned some good works for me to do.

It could be that the good works are hidden in the cup of tea I share with a hurting neighbor or the seemingly insignificant act of helping an older woman carry her groceries to the car, or the kind word of encouragement I give to a coworker.  In the hands of Jesus, a small act of faith has an earth-shattering impact.

Finding my strength in God means I'll never forget who I am: a sinner saved by His grace.

Letting Go

Forgiveness.  I can think of nothing more powerful than the act of letting go of the hurt caused by another's sin.  Jesus' sacrifice on the cross gives me the ability to take this life-changing action.    Instead of holding onto the hurt, anger and pain, I can choose to place it in Jesus' hands where it will be covered by His blood.  Even if the one who hurt me never accepts this free gift of mercy that Jesus offers, I am free from the bondage in which sin holds me.  

It is not within my own power to forgive others.  I can try to let it go, push the act out of my mind and move forward, but the wound festers, lying just under the surface and ready to explode at the slightest provocation.  Likewise, it is impossible for me to forgive myself in my own power.  I can try to let it go, push the guilt out of my mind and move forward, but the shame and remorse will always hang over me like a heavy cloud, bearing down as I slink through each day.

It reminds me of the story of the sinful woman who anointed Jesus' feet with perfume.  She had hurt many people in the town.  Most likely she was the source of jealous anger within a marriage, broken trust and shame that spread like the plague.  There was also much heartache within her.  Her guilt bore down heavily upon her, disgrace and humility her constant companions.  If anyone needed forgiveness, it was her.

Jesus offered that forgiveness and she grabbed it hungrily.  Out of gratefulness and honor to her Savior, she loved Him the best way she knew how and Jesus recognized her gift of gratitude.  

Remembering the sins of which Jesus has forgiven me gives me the power to let go.  

Mission

I can relate to Moses.  When God called him dramatically at the site of the burning bush, he thought of all the reasons he was not the right man for the job.  First of all, he was just a lowly shepherd, not a leader or man of influence.  Then there was his speech problem.  To make matters worse, he also had a credibility problem since he'd run away from the Pharaoh's palace 40 years ago and most of the Israelites would probably not know his identity as a fellow Hebrew.  What was God thinking?

God has a mission for each of His people.  It is a specially chosen ministry that He has called every one of His children to embrace.  None of us are perfectly equipped to carry out that mission.  By design, God expects us to rely on Him for all that I need to accomplish His calling.  As the Apostle Paul said, ". . . for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties.  For when I am weak, then I am strong."  (2 Corinthians 12:10)

Paul understood from where the source of his strength and power came.  He comprehended that fact that God was the One who accomplished everything.  Paul's job was to submit to His authority and sovereignty.  

As a fellow follower of Christ, it's no different for me.  God will accomplish what it is He's called me to. . . if I will let Him.  Most of the time, however, I get in the way as I try to do it in my own strength or find excuses to not take the step of faith.  Once I walk off the proverbial cliff into the darkness of the unknown, Jesus will be there to provide firm footing. I can trust Him to accomplish the mission to which He's called me.  Then I will be like Zerubbabel whom God said, "What are you, O mighty mountain?  Before Zerubbabel you will become level ground." (Zechariah 4:7)

Relying on Jesus to accomplish the mission to which He has called me and seeing His mighty works reminds me of who I am without Him. 

God has presented me with an impossible task: To live in a fallen world and love all those around me.  As I keep my own identity as a sinner saved by grace before me I will remember to draw on Jesus for the strength to carry on and for the power to forgive.  Then I will truly see God's mighty hand accomplish His mission in my life.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I will rely on God and God alone to accomplish the mission to which He has called me.

When do I give excuses to God for why I can't do what He wants me to do?

How do I hold onto hurt instead of allowing the power of forgiveness to work in my life?  

City of God

"We have a strong city;

God makes salvation its walls and ramparts."

Isaiah 26:1

"For whoever wants to save his life will lose it,

but whoever loses his life for me

will find it."

Matthew 16:25

I have to admit that I'm afraid.  I have heard all the stories of God's amazing feats.  I have listened to testimonies of others who have trusted God and how He has provided.  I have seen His mighty works myself.  But I'm afraid to step off into the darkness.

Two of our daughters have finished one year at an expensive university where they are studying art.  God called them to this particular school and opened all the doors for them to begin classes last summer.  They have learned a lot in just one year.  Although they receive funds from the Veterans Administration for school as part of their father's retirement benefits and were awarded a Pell grant last year, they still racked up some debt in student loans.

The thought of my daughters starting off their adult life with debt has weighed heavily upon me and as I completed the financial aid packet this year, I strongly sensed God leading us to trust Him for the money.  When the award letter came back, they received no grants this year; only loans:  It was time for us to trust Him and reject the loan offers.

God knows my heart and sees my hesitancy to fully commit this expense to Him.  In response, He has shown me in the past few months how He will provide if I'll only trust Him.  For instance, He delivered wicker patio furniture, a weekend away for my husband and I, landscaping bricks to replace the wooden ones destroyed by termites and even some new hula hoops for the kids in the neighborhood: all at no cost to us!  As I scooped up this most recent acquisition, tears sprang to my eyes: Thank you Lord for showing me how much You can give to me if only I'll let you!  

David reminds me in Psalm 23 that, "The LORD is my shepherd; I have all that I need." (NLT)  In fact, I need look no further than Him for everything.

God is the Wall

Up until the invention of firearms, most cities were enclosed with a wall both for protection and to provide a visual boundary.  God told His people through the prophet Zechariah that, "I myself will be a wall of fire around (the city of Jerusalem). . .and I will be its glory within."  (Zechariah 2:5)  God was reminding them that He was their source of security.  As His child, I can take this reminder to heart.

Insurance is a big business in America today.  Agents try to get me to buy coverage to protect me, my family and my belongings in case of fire, flood, natural disaster, storms, accidents, and the like.  There is always a new threat looming on the horizon for which I am presumably at risk.  It is easy to put my trust in insurance to protect me from the unknown.  

This reminds me of some difficulty we ran into while running our free afterschool program ministry.  Due to the liability inherent with hosting groups of children in our home three times a week, we are unable to purchase liability insurance to cover our belongings or us in case someone decides to sue us.  The only coverage we have is on the house itself.  Many would call us irresponsible or even reckless, but we continue to run the program out of obedience to God and He has always protected us.  

This same attitude can cross over into all areas of my life.   I don't need to fear what man may do to me: "If God is for us, who can ever be against us?  Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won't he also give us everything else?"  (Romans 8:31b-32 NLT)  God has already shown me how much He will sacrifice for me in giving His One and Only Son, so won't He shield me from gossip, legal threats or sickness?  

Oswald Chambers wrote about being devoted to Jesus Christ to such an extent that nothing would distract my attention from Him.   "Jesus says--Go steadily on with what I have told you to do and I will guard your life.  If you try to guard it yourself, you remove yourself from My deliverance."  I can be my own worst enemy, getting in the way of the work Jesus is doing to take care of me.

If only I will keep my focus on my Lord who is, "my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge.  He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold."  (Psalm 18:2)

God is the Inheritance

Families have been torn apart by arguments over money and inheritance issues.  Grudges are held for years because one sibling is left more in the will of a deceased parent than another was given.  My husband's family has been plagued by this difficulty.  Siblings refused to talk to one another because of a few acres of land and a rundown shack.  It was sad to see relationships fall by the wayside because of an old cow pasture!

The tribe of Levi did not have this issue because while all the other tribes were receiving their allotment of land, God told them that, "The Levites, however, will not receive any allotment of land.  Their role as priests of the LORD is their allotment." (Joshua 18:7 NLT)  He also said that He himself is their inheritance.

I know they must have had some feelings of jealousy as everyone else worked their land, improving it's value so their children would inherit something tangible.  It's great to know God is their only possession, but hard to swallow when everyone around them had vineyards to cultivate, houses to call their own and flocks to tend.

It's not so different than me.  God has promised me that when I seek Him with all of my heart, I will find Him.  But many times my heart looks elsewhere.  I long for adventure, excitement and affection when I'm stuck washing the same dishes a thousand times, wiping runny noses and endlessly tying shoes on little feet.  Where's the joy in that?

If I look in the wrong places to find fulfillment, I will be disappointed.  If, however, I do everything for the glory of God and seek His kingdom only, I will never feel discontent.  God will then truly be my one and only possession; the only belonging that is worth holding onto.

If I will look to God as my precious inheritance, then I will do as David did and say, "I will praise you, O LORD, with all my heart."  (Psalm 9:1)

God is the King

It is expected that the 2012 campaign will cost a whopping $8 billion.  We place a lot of faith, and money, in the people who lead our country.  A friend of mine once said, "It doesn't matter who is in power; we'll still have the same problems."

I want to think that the right person in office will change everything, but my friend is probably right: in the scheme of things, the president doesn't have that much influence.  

Back in the time of the Judges, the people if Israel looked to God as their leader.  Even though He was the most well-equipped for the job, the Israelites grew restless and wanted a king like everyone else.  Their stubbornness got them into trouble as they suffered through one evil king after another.  Every once in a while a good king would come along who loved God and served Him only, but most of the time it was bad news.  

In the same way, I have been promised a God who is king over all the earth, but I want to be like those around me.  I listen to the advice of talk show hosts before I'll heed the counsel found in God's Word.  I am quick to change my ways to match those of my favorite celebrity while ignoring the example Jesus gave during His 33 years on earth.  I easily follow a friend whom I admire yet forsake God's Spirit Who dwells within me.  

Letting Jesus reign as King of my life is different than electing a president to lead a country.  As my Lord, He will do amazing things through me as I submit to His will.  Watchman Nee, 20th century Chinese Christian put it this way; "To have God do his own work through us, even once, is better than a lifetime of human striving."

If only I will allow Jesus to serve as Lord of my life, than I will be able to say he is my, "King of kings and Lord of lords." (1 Timothy 6:15)

I can trust God with all things.  Unfortunately, it is all too easy for me to look to other sources for my protection, sense of worth and leadership.  God, however, is my everything!  Not only can He supply all my needs, but He is my protection, my inheritance and my King.  Today, I choose to live in the City of God.

As I begin this day, it is my prayer that I will trust God as the One who is, and was, and is to come.

How do I fail to give my whole heart to God?

When am I stingy with my life, keeping so much of it for myself instead of dedicating it to God?

Great Hope

"'The glory of this present house will be greater

than the glory of the former house,'

says the LORD Almighty."

Haggai 2:9

Oh man, I really blew it this time.  I'm not sure if there's any hope left for me.  I've thought this many times throughout my life, especially when I battle with the strongholds of sin in my life.  As a follower of Jesus, though, I always have hope.  His sacrifice on the cross covered all my sins, even those I haven't even committed yet.  

I constantly must remind myself that Jesus did not come into the world to condemn me, but to save me and that in Him I  no longer have to carry the responsibility for my own sins.  I don't have to worry that I will get what I deserve for my rebellion and inability to meet God's standards.  Instead, I have a hope through faith in Jesus Christ that never fades.

It's not only my own sin, however, that taints my life.  Many times, I suffer the consequences of others' actions.  I need not lose hope during these times, either, for Jesus has covered those sins and given me the ability and power to forgive.  

When I let go of the hurt and anger that results from being wounded by others, I am allowing Jesus to bear the brunt of the pain.  If, however, I stubbornly cling to my bitterness, I will suffer a slow and painful kind of death as I bear a load I was not meant to carry.  My heart will not be at peace and my body will break down under the pressure.  The consequence of living in a fallen world means I will come in contact with sin on a regular basis.  Life here is not as God originally designed it to exist: there is pain and anguish.

When I do come into contact with difficulties, whether it be as a result of my sin or someone else's, it should not, then, be a surprise.  As Oswald Chambers said, "Sin and sorrow and suffering are, and it is not for us to say that God has made a mistake in allowing them."  

The glory I can look forward to after the trials, however, is greater than I could ever imagine.  I do have a great hope through faith in Jesus Christ!

Testing

It was one health problem after another: pain wracked her body and her limbs would not cooperate in even the simplest of tasks.  Try as she might, she just couldn't bring herself to eat: There seemed to be no end to her suffering.  Even though her life looked to be filled with pain and affliction, my friend refused to turn her back on God.  There is no denying that He had allowed this and He could easily take it away.  

Like Job, however, she maintains that God has given her many good things in her life and it is up to Him if He wants to take some things away.  My friend is looking at God as the Sovereign head of all creation and she refuses to give up on Him.  She has God in the correct perspective.  

Jesus reminded us in Matthew 6:26 of what is important.  He asks, "What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?"  It is easy for me to give myself and my comfort, dreams and expectations the most important position in my life. I can go after these things instead of pursuing my relationship with God. When I do this and things go differently than I planned, I feel frustrated, upset and even betrayed.  This is not how my life is supposed to turn out!  

If, however, I give God the top honor and position of authority in my life, I can be like my friend and accept whatever comes my way; good or bad.   No matter what the outcome, I will be at peace because my relationship with God will remain intact.  At the end of time, Jesus "will reward each person according to what he has done." (v27)

If I stay true to God through the trials and testing times of life, He will not forget my wholehearted devotion to Him.

Persecution

Earlier this month, a Hindu man named Manesor Rabha who lived in India accepted Jesus as his Savior, immediately putting his life at risk.  Consequently, he went into hiding but a mob of forty Hindu radicals broke into his home and severely beat his wife and two Christian men who were guarding her because of their refusal to recant their faith in Jesus.  One was left barely breathing and all three were left with serious injuries that required hospitalization. 

Although this kind of violence is rarely seen in America, it is commonplace in other parts of the world.  The Apostle Paul warned us that, "In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted." (2 Timothy 3:12)  Persecution like what Daniel suffered under Babylonian rule is to be expected.  

Daniel drew the scorn of many in high places because of his refusal to bow down to any god but the One True God.  As a result, Daniel was thrown into the lions' den but God was faithful to not only protect him but to actually deliver him from all harm.  Even more miraculous, however was the witness Daniel gave of the One and Only God's power and sovereignty.  The Babylonian king Darius afterwards acknowledged Him as the Living God.

In a similar way, Jesus warned me that some may target me for my faith in Him.  Just as Mr. Rabha discovered, taking a stand for Jesus will bring the wrath of evil down upon me, but He said not to worry.  He Himself will give me the words and wisdom that no one can withstand.  I should expect that even those closest to me may betray me and that many will hate me because of Jesus.  "But not a hair of your head will perish.  By standing firm you will gain life." (Luke 21:18) In this way, many who otherwise would never know the gospel will hear the message of the cross.

There is a reason men like Mr. Rabha can stand up under persecution.  God's Spirit empowers me to take a stand as I remember that this life is not all there is.  Jesus said, "Blessed are you when men hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil because of the Son of Man.  Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven." (Luke 6:22-23)

Even though I naturally avoid harassment and maltreatment like the plague, Jesus almost makes it sound like something I should desire.  Since it comes with a great reward in heaven, it must be important to God.  Maybe my comfort and protection here on earth should not be my uppermost focus.

If I disregard my own safety and security and instead take a stand for Jesus, my suffering will be rewarded in heaven.

Object of Ridicule

Faithfully, day after day, he walked the halls of the school, placing his hand on each locker and praying.  He lifted the students, faculty and staff up to God and asked for revival.  For years he dependably and anonymously performed this act of love.  Finally, the people in the community began realizing a renewing of their faith in Jesus.  Many gave their lives to Him and were transformed.  The harvest had come!

Walking the halls of any school in this country and praying openly is just the kind of thing that could make me the laughing stock of the community.  Mordecai was another faithful, humble man of God who stood as a silent beacon of God.  He lived in a foreign, pagan society in which every kind of belief system was tolerated, except the truth.  Each day he stood at the king's gate in a silent show of support to his cousin and adopted daughter, Queen Esther.  To Haman, the second in command to the king, he was, however, an object of ridicule.

Everyone bowed to Haman and quivered at the very sight of him. . . everyone, that is, except Mordecai.  It is easy to cave into peer pressure or especially to the demands of a godless government.  If I don't toe the line, who know what could happen to me?  

But just like Mordecai humbly and quietly refused to compromise his beliefs, I can continue on the path God has called me, even in the face of ridicule.  Even if no one around me supports me.  Even if I'm the only one who understands why I'm doing what I'm doing.  God knows.  Fittingly, He sent these words of encouragement to me when I am ready to give up.  "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."  (Galatians 6:9)

If I keep on keepin' on even in the face of ridicule or rejection, God has promised a great harvest.

This life is filled with suffering, persecution and scorn, but if I stay true to God and the calling He has placed on my life there will be much celebrate once I make it to my true home in heaven!

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I will stay true to God's calling on my life.

How do I cave into the pressure around me and fail to take a stand for Jesus?

When is it easiest for me to take the safe road instead of the way that reveals the Gospel? 

Alive with Meaning

"Then the word of the LORD came through

the prophet Haggai:

'Is it a time for you yourselves to be living 

in your paneled houses,

while this house remains a ruin?'

Now this is what the LORD Almighty says:

'Give careful thought to your ways.

You have planted much, but have harvested little.

You eat, but never have enough.

You drink, but never have your fill.

You put on clothes, but are not warm.

You earn wages, only to put them

in a purse with holes in it.'"

Haggai 1:3-6

I spent hours slaving in the hot sun hoeing, weeding, fertilizing, spraying for pests and watering. The vine was huge and luscious, taking up an entire area of my garden.  There were tons of blossoms, seemingly indicating that our yield would be high.  But in the end, we only enjoyed one cantaloupe from that plant.  I felt like I wasted a lot of time.

I sometimes feel the same way with my life.  I put a lot of effort into my character, my career, my family and my friendships, with very little to show for it.  It seems like the outcome does not match up with the input.  It reminds me of riding a stationary bike: I pedal and pedal but never get anywhere.

King Solomon talked about the futility of living only in my won strength and for my own purposes, effectively working against God.  He said, "Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain.  Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain.  In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat--for he grants sleep to those he loves."  (Psalm 127:1-2)  I can do all the right things but if God hasn't blessed a thing, it won't flourish.

I want to live my life in a way that glorifies God, but it's hard to do that when I'm the center of my own attention.  

Heartless Efforts

There are 66 books in the Bible broken down into 31,101 verses, 783,137 words and 6,468 commands.   As overwhelmingly voluminous as it seems, if I resolved to read God's Word aloud it would take me about 70 hours or just under three days time.  

There is a lot of information to learn, absorb and heed found within the pages of the Bible.  I can dedicate my life to doing what it says and in fact many people do just that.  The danger, however, is that my relationship with God can become nothing more than a cold, heartless religion filled with an endless list of do's and don'ts.  Unfortunately, many have fallen into this legalistic trap, boiling the Christian life down to an attempt to follow His commandments to the letter, thus forgetting the grace of God.

It is easy for me to look at the overwhelming list of laws found in God's Word and forget that I am unable to do as God says in my own strength.  I can try but either my flesh will be weak and falter or my attitude will be wrong and I'll fail.  Instead, it is necessary for me to be "led by the Spirit. . . " (Galatians 5:18) which produces, "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.  Against such things there is no law."  (v 22-23)

I may ask myself, what is wrong with me at least trying to do the right thing?  As long as I go to church, read my Bible, pray, take communion and do all the other things I'm so supposed to do I should be pleasing God, right?

Well, this is the same trap that the Israelites fell into during the time of Isaiah the prophet.  On the surface, it seemed His people were doing right but God knew their heart.  Consequently, He delivered the following message to his wayward people.  "The multitude of your sacrifices--what are they to me?  I have more than enough of burnt offerings. . . . Stop bringing meaningless offerings!  Your incense is detestable to me. . .When you spread out your hands in prayer, I will hide my eyes from you: even if you offer many prayers, I will not listen."  (Isaiah 1:11,13,15)

On the outside, it seemed like God's people were doing everything they were called to do; they offered sacrifices, presented offerings, burned incense, met together, commemorated celebrations and prayed.  God, however, could see their hearts.  He could see the malice, gossip, back-stabbing, hatred, coldness toward their fellow man, the complacency, self-righteousness and anger.  They were going through the motions be were not letting God himself into their lives, giving Him a chance to fundamentally change them.

This problem was not confined to Isaiah's time.  Unfortunately, it is prevalent today and is easily found within my own heart.   I can religiously attend church services every Sunday but callously ignore my neighbor's suffering.  I can rise early every morning to give myself enough time to study God's Word but pitilessly ignore the plight of the widow who is suffering in loneliness.   I can spend hours serving within the four walls of the church building but fail to share the gospel with the lost soul who exercises next to me each day in the gym.

God is calling me to live my life in submission to Him instead of spending my time doing what I think I should do to please Him.  

Shallow Existence

The greens of the carrots looked pretty good, but when I pulled the root from the ground it was short and squat.  The loose, loamy soil was too shallow, causing the tuber to hit the hard, unforgiving clay before it was fully developed.  Consequently, it had to expand out where the soil was conducive to growth.  I soon found that in order for a carrot to develop into a long, healthy variety I had to plant the seed in fine,well-worked soil that went deep.  

In a similar way, I can find myself like those short, squat carrots living a shallow existence.  This happens when I try to find meaning and satisfaction in material things or even in reaching my own aspirations.  

It is easy, for instance, to get caught up in all the amazing new technology, attempting to keep abreast of new innovations that will improve my life and bring me much joy.  

I am also easily lured into the trap of seeking to own a certain celebrity's "favorite things" thinking those items will make my life complete.  

My passions can effortlessly turn toward hobbies, gobbling up hours of my time in pursuits that bring me much pleasure but do nothing to further God's Kingdom.

Jesus compared His followers to sheep and himself to the gate providing access to His kingdom.  He said, "whoever enters through me will be saved.  He will come in and go out and find pasture.  The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full."  (John 10:9-10)

When I profess Jesus as my Savior, He has promised me an abundant life filled with meaning and purpose.  But many times I find myself following another master who sucks the life out of me.  I begin to live for pursuits that mean nothing in God's Kingdom and fritter away my time doing pointless pastimes. 

Maybe this is why I often feel useless or as if much of my life has been a waste.  I find myself dreaming of how I could spend my future but it usually has to do with my own sense of pleasure and comfort.  But God has a better plan: a design that is focused on pleasing Him, getting to know Him and to make Him known to a hurting world.    

God is calling me to live a life dedicated to following Him as the source of all purpose and significance.

Meaningless Work

Nine Inch Nails has a song called, "Every Day is Exactly the Same,"  which expresses the sentiment felt by many who work a regular job.  The routine becomes monotonous and it's easy to feel hopeless and as if the hours I spend are a waste of time.  

Many of us have invested years of our lives into careers which promised good benefits and a decent living while doing what we love to do.  After throwing myself into the day-to-day grind for years on end, I have nothing of true value to show for it.  The costs of living and raising a family ate up all the pay and the guaranteed nest-egg has yet to hatch.  What do I have to show for my life?

Jesus addressed the problem of dedicating my life to the pursuit of happiness and providing for my necessities.  He said, "These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs.  Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need." (Matthew 6:32-33)

If I make it my life's work to see where God is working around me then I will know where He wants me to go.  If, however, I live my life chasing money, recognition or power, my life will be one endless repetition of insignificance.

In God's hands, even the most mundane task can become significant, the routine can become powerful and the boring can take on new meaning.  Working for money leads to a dead end but doing it all for the glory of God guides me to riches only found outside of this world.

God is calling me to live a life dedicated to His kingdom.

I live in a culture that encourages me to focus on myself and to live a life dedicated to my own comfort and sense of indulgence.  But God has a higher calling for those who follow Him.  He has more for me than just a heartless effort, shallow existence and meaningless work.  Instead, He calls me to wholehearted devotion to Him, deep living and significant labor.  Then this life that God has given me will come alive with meaning as I live for Him instead of aiming to please myself.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I will live my life in hopeless abandon to You.

How much time do I spend devoted to pleasing God as compared to pleasing myself?

When do I feel burned out as I run after the wrong things?

Reputation

"The king said to Daniel,

'May your God,

whom you serve continually,

rescue you!'"

Daniel 6:16b

Christian musician Bill Gaither tells the story of when he and his then newlywed wife, Gloria, approached a retired banker for a few acres of land where they could build a house.  The landowner had promised the land to the local farmers for cattle grazing.  When he realized the young man standing before him was the grandson of one of his former employees, however, he changed his mind and sold the young couple 15 acres for a price that was a fraction of what it was worth.  

What caused the retiree to revise his opinion?  The hardworking, honest reputation of Bill's grandfather.  The book of Proverbs says, "A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold." (Proverbs 22:1)  

While it is good that Grandpa Gaither earned a good name through hard work and integrity, I want people to think of God when they think of me.  I don't so much want others to tie my name to good things for my own sake.  Rather, I'd hope that I earn a reputation much like that of some men found in the pages of the Bible who truly lived out their faith in a way that impacted the world around them.

Continually Serving God

His name was linked to the One True God from the moment he set foot in the Babylonian palace for training.  God's ways were always more important to him than the customs and traditions of the new culture in which he was placed.  Even though it meant he'd look as out of place as a snowman would in July, he stayed true to the Lord. 

Due to Daniel's faithful loyalty to the God he loved, the kings he served and no doubt others he came in contact with couldn't help but take note of the greatness of his God.  Pagan kings Nebuchadnezzar and Darius both came to an acknowledgment of the One True God's sovereignty and power through Daniel's life example.

Maybe this is what Jesus meant when he said, "You are the salt of the earth."  (Matthew 5:13)  Salt is a preservative, flavor enhancer, antiseptic and cleanser among a myriad of other uses.  As a jar of clay holding the precious and powerful Spirit of God, my presence in this world makes it a better place.  The scattering of His Spirit among all of humanity helps to add His characteristics and especially His love to a world that is lost without Him. 

Daniel inspires me to live each moment for Jesus, making the most of every opportunity and not being afraid to look different than everyone else as I obey His calling on my life.

Devoted to God

If anyone needed help, they went to the most influential man in the East.  Everyone knew they could trust him both in the way he conducted business as well as in his personal affairs.  If he said he would help, he could always be counted on and the animals in his flocks and herds were the best in the region.  Making a purchase from him was always a wise decision.  One thing he had no tolerance for was dirty dealings or cruel or unseemly ways.

There was no doubt about it; Job was a man devoted to God.  His reputation was one of honesty and integrity and everyone knew it.  My life is also a billboard for something.  Whether I know it or not, I am either advertising for God or for myself.  When people observe my life and the way I conduct my affairs, they either notice the characteristics of God and His fruit, or they just perceive my own flesh.

How much of God's love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control are evident in my day-to-day existence depends upon how much of my own will and flesh I have turned over to Jesus.  When He died on the cross, He provided a way for me to cast my own natural tendencies upon Him, leaving more room for His Spirit to show through.  As I die to myself, I can live for Christ.

Job inspires me to live a life of Godly devotion in which His characteristics are most evident to all with whom I come in contact.

Trusting God     

They hated him.  He was the favored one.  In fact, their father even gave him a special coat to wear making him an even bigger target among his brothers.  He always got away with everything and their father gave him fewer chores and responsibilities.  Needless to say, his brothers were jealous of his position in the family.

Joseph ended up being sold into slavery by the very ones who despised his existence.  Once a servant, he was thrown into jail for a crime he didn't commit.  Through it all, however, Joseph maintained his faith in God.  And the favor of the Lord was upon him.  Consequently, everything he put his hands to succeeded and he was given much responsibility.  

Once he finally came into the presence of the Pharaoh himself to interpret a dream, his reputation as a man of wisdom and good judgment had grown.  As the Egyptian leader placed Joseph into the position of second in command of the entire nation, he said, "Since God has made all this known to you, there is no one so discerning and wise as you."  (Genesis 41:39)

Pharaoh knew it was God who made Joseph special, not the young man's own effort, upbringing or heritage.  Joseph had made the source of his abilities abundantly clear.    When Pharaoh said he had heard that Joseph could interpret dreams, Joseph said, "I cannot do it. . .but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires."  (Genesis 41:16)

I, too, can point to God as the giver of all good things in my life.  How easy it is, instead, to take credit myself.  I worked hard to earn that position, or I deserve a nice vacation.  But if I give God the honor and the glory, then I am truly acknowledging Him as the source.  "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows."  (James 1:17)

Joseph inspires me to always give credit to God as the one who dispenses blessings, gifts, talents and all other good things in my life.

My reputation is important, but not as it reflects on me.  Rather, the way others perceive me says a lot about Who I follow.  Daniel reminds me to persevere, Job to live uprightly and Joseph to give God the credit for any gifts He has given to me.  These are the kind of reputations that are worth their weight in gold.

As I begin this day, it is my prayer that my life will point others to Jesus.

How do I tend to draw attention to myself instead of to God?

When do I forget that I'm Christ's ambassador to a fallen world?