My Agenda

"After the people saw the miraculous sign that Jesus did,

they began to say,

'Surely this is the Prophet who is to come into the world.'

Jesus, knowing that they intended to come

and make him king by force,

withdrew again to a mountain by himself."

John 6:14-15

It's election season and I am inundated with political ads coming at me through my phone, in the newspaper, on the Internet and through the television.  Every candidate portrays themselves as the best possible choice, extolling their virtues, relevant experiences and productive record.  Everything a candidate says is colored by their agenda: First to get elected into office, then to accomplish certain tasks according to their beliefs and convictions.

I'm not a politician, but I have a few things in common with them.  I have an agenda, or certain things that I want out of life and I also tend to portray myself in the best possible light, hoping to garner the support of others.

I have my own expectation of how things should work, but God's plan rarely lines up with my agenda.  If I truly want Jesus to have lordship over my life, I'll need to line up my ways with His ways and let Him lead.

How to Live

Looking through my high school yearbook, I noted the following goals of the seniors who were about to embark on the journey of adulthood.  

"Get a job, make lots of money and take life one day at a time."

"Go to college, become a veterinarian, buy a Ferrari, find a gorgeous hunk, get married and have a romping time!"

"Get rich, get married, have babies and live happily ever after."

"To succeed in whatever I do."

"Move to Hawaii and become a beach bum."

Likewise, most of my goals in life are based on my own agenda.  I tend to make plans according to what will give me wealth, comfort and success.  I don't naturally drift toward poverty, struggles and failure, and in fact do whatever I can to avoid them.  If it were up to me I'd have enough money to never give me a reason to worry about expenses, enjoy good health all of my days and succeed in all my endeavors.  

God, however, is more concerned with my character than my comfort.  He is all about the inclinations of my heart and not at all about the ease of my circumstances.  God would rather I obey Him and live in poverty with a slew of failed business attempts behind me than for me to be a billion-dollar entrepreneur who never thinks of Him.

My agenda says to live a life of prosperity of health, wealth and family while God's idea of success concerns how my faith glorifies Him.

Use my Resources

I'll never forget a friend of mine who unwittingly taught me a lesson in generosity simply by sharing a bag of flour.  She had recently bought quite a few 5-pound bags of flour at a clearance sale where she paid 50 cents for each bag.  Her pantry was filled with bounty!  Instead of saving all the bags for herself, though, she willingly shared with me and her other friends.  

At the time, I remember thinking, I would have never thought to give the stuff away!  I would have been thankful that God had provided for my family in such a practical way and that I wouldn't have to buy flour for a year.  This got me to thinking about the things He has given to me.  Maybe everything I have was not meant for me but for someone else who is more in need than I.

My pastor says I should hold things with an open hand, being ready to give my belongings away as soon as the Holy Spirit prompts me to do so.  Unfortunately, I usually end up clutching my stuff with an iron grip.  I grow attached to the books on my shelf, the way my furniture looks in my living room, or in the comfort and convenience of my vehicle.  

In God's kingdom, however, everything belongs to God and has been entrusted into my care.  The way I handle the property, relationships and gifts He gives me says everything about where my priority lies.  If I refuse to help out a single mom who lost everything in a fire because I'm afraid to let go of some of the abundance I own, then I'm only concerned with me.

If I neglect the widow who can't feed her children because I don't want my family to find less food to choose from when they open the cupboard, then my agenda is more important than showing the love of God.

If I steer away from a fellow believer with a jaded past because I'm afraid to be seen with her, then my reputation is more important than encouraging her. 

Letting go of my agenda that is concerned with using my resources to only benefit me will result in the compassion of God ruling my life.

Company I Keep

I recently read a story of the Pied Piper who came into a town during the 13th Century and led all the children away to their demise by simply playing a fife.  It reminds me of how simple it is for me to get led away by someone who does not have my best interest at heart, but also how easily others can follow me.  The question is, what message am I delivering and where am I leading them?

Sometimes, I'm lured into a belief system that sounds like what I believe, but then I find out that there are all sorts of requirements that raise my suspicion.  Other times, my desire to lead a meaningful life drives me toward people who need "saving" and my goal becomes to build a following.  Many times, I only choose to hang around those who make me feel good about myself or with whom I feel comfortable.

In this way I am isolating myself from the very ones with whom God is drawing toward Him or who could humble and teach me.  Instead of being a lighthouse to guide the way of the lost to the Son, I am only focused on what feels good to me.  In looking out for my own reputation, I forsake the broken.  In tending to my own pleasure, I am veering away from those who are difficult to be around.

When choosing who I pursue, my highest consideration is to God and His plan.  If He brings someone prickly and challenging into my life, I can bank on the fact that she needs the love of God and can teach me something about compassion.  If a pregnant teen draws my attention, I can choose to pass right on by or spend some time giving her the encouragement of Christ.  If the grieving mother who turns to alcohol for comfort comes to my attention, I have the option of choosing what's best for me or what will most please God.

In order to give up my agenda, I'll need to make it a priority to spend time those whom God has placed in my path.

I have to admit that I do have an agenda, and that plan is all about me: my comfort, my success and my pleasure.  When I drop my agenda and adopt God's, I'll find that my life will never be the same.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I will look closely at my life and consider where my agenda strays from God's.

When do I make decisions based on what's best for me instead of consulting God?

How has my relationship with God suffered because I'm afraid to step outside of my comfort zone?

Think Spiritually

"When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd

coming toward him,

he said to Philip,

'Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?'

He asked this only to test him,

for he already had in mind what he was going to do.

Philip answered him,

'Eight months' wages would not buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!'"

There were way more people than anyone ever expected to show up.  As the masses gathered in around the hillside to listen to the lesson they hoped would come, the disciples marveled at the scope of the crowd.  

"I never imagined this many people would be interested in what He has to say."

"Well, I think they're more interested in seeing some more miracles."  Word of His mind-blowing feats had drawn the attention of many: the water changing into wine, the healings, not to mention the powerful teachings that no one can explain coming from an uneducated, carpenter's son.   

Jesus drew crowds wherever He went.  God was drawing people to the Truth in the same way He does today.  Once I begin to follow Him, however, I will discover a dichotomy within myself: my fleshly mind naturally focuses on the obvious and physical side of situations, like Philip did above, while God's Spirit prompts me to see things with His eyes.  If I only focus on what I can see with my physical eyes or comprehend based on past experiences, I will miss out on all He is doing behind the scenes that can only be seen with spiritual eyes.

Oswald Chambers puts it all in perspective when he wrote, "Common sense is not faith, and faith is not common sense; they stand in the relation of the natural and the spiritual: of impulse and inspiration.  Nothing Jesus Christ ever said is common sense, it is revelation sense, and it reaches the shores where common sense fails."

Following Jesus means I'll need to shed my rational and reasonable side and begin to look at things from His perspective. 

Problems

I used to be fond of quoting Murphy's Law which states, "If anything can go wrong, it will go wrong."  Besides being a pessimistic approach to life, this way of thinking also expects the worst out of every situation.  I imagine that A.A.Milne's character, Eeyore, from the beloved world of Winnie the Pooh carried this kind of attitude.

Although it is quite easy to see all the difficulties that creep up within the parameters of a normal day, a simple change in my outlook can make a world of difference.  Instead of looking at troubles as problems which wreak havoc, I can see them with spiritual eyes.  

God can use any situation for His glory. There is nothing so big and difficult that He wrings His hands as He wonders how He'll work it all out.  As Jeremiah prayed, "Ah, Sovereign LORD, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm.  Nothing is too hard for you."  (Jeremiah 32:17)

Whenever a problem or snafu creeps up in my day, therefore, I have the option of viewing it as an opportunity to trust God and a chance for Him to show His might and power.  When I make that choice, instead of dreading the difficulties, I'll find myself looking forward to the display of His supremacy and sovereignty that will soon follow.

God will use bad for good.  The only question is: To which will I pay attention?  The bad, or the good?

Choosing the perspective of Christ requires that I consider every crisis to be a vessel of His goodness, grace and mercy.

Delays

There is nothing more frustrating than driving in rush hour traffic when I have an appointment.  As I creep along the interstate, my mind calculates how much time I have left before my meeting and ultimately, how late I will be in arriving at my destination.

It's hard not to see delays as inconveniences or disruptions to my plans.  If I could see with a heavenly viewpoint for just one day, however, I would be amazed at all the accidents a setback diverted, how the time spent waiting in traffic was used to align the schedules of those who He purposed for me to cross paths with later that day, or when I was spared from heartache because of a delay.

Part of trusting God means I can choose to see delays and slowdowns as a part of His plan.  His timing is perfect, but it does not always meet up with my timetable.  Just because I have an appointment or a task to finish in a certain allotment of time does not mean that God's got the same plan for me that day.  When I stubbornly stick to my own agenda despite the fact that nothing seems to be going my way, I will live a frustrated and stress-filled life.

If, however, I choose to divert my attention away from the traffic creeping along all around me, the cashier moving as slow as molasses or the customer service agent who insists on going through all the troubleshooting steps, and focus on God as the giver of all good things, peace will fill my soul. (James 1:17 , Psalm 4:8)

Choosing the perspective of Christ requires that I perceive delays as divine adjustments in my schedule to more closely align it with His.

Suffering

I go out of my way to avoid suffering.  If I had a choice between bearing a sinus headache for a day and teaching a class of preschoolers the day after gorging on Halloween candy, I'd definitely choose the children, as challenging as that would be.  Enduring pain is never something I desire.

God, however, has a different plan.  He uses suffering as a tool to mature and purify my faith. (Hebrews 2:10, Malachi 3:3)  Going through painful situations works to humble me and weaken me to such a point that I become desperate for the Source of my strength.  When I am down on my knees with nowhere else to turn, I cry out to Him.  It is then that I gain a wider view of God as He comforts as only He can.  (2 Corinthians 1:3)

How else will I experience that tender side of God unless I'm wounded and in need of care?  How else will I get to see His healing power unless I'm in need of healing?  How else will I begin to understand His mercy unless I experience it firsthand?  

Joni Eareckson Tada, who knows a little about suffering, said this: "The world has a philosophy that says, 'What can't be cured must be endured.' Christians have a philosophy that says, 'What can't be cured can be enjoyed.'"

Only someone who has reaped the benefits from suffering would be able to say such a thing.  When learning to accept where God has place me, I begin to see the fruit that is produced in my life:  Benefits like a greater dependency on God, a more acute awareness of His power in my life, a mind like Christ's, a better understanding of how Jesus suffered for me, and more wisdom and discernment from God.  

Choosing the perspective of Christ requires that I look forward to suffering as precious times of purification.

I'm naturally rich in common sense, but many times lacking in spiritual perception.  Purposefully deciding to see things through spiritual eyes, however, while increase its acuity.  I will find that problems become opportunities for God to show His power, delays are adjustments in my schedule to more closely align it with His, and suffering is a tool used to mature and purify.  With this kind of point of view, there is nothing in this life that will get me down.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I will choose to see things from God's perspective.

How often do I react negatively toward delays instead of thinking about how God may use them?

When do I avoid suffering instead of seeing it as one of the most powerful tools God can use in my life?   

  

Feat of Faith

"'Unless you people see miraculous signs and wonders,'" Jesus told him,

'you will never believe.'

The royal official said,

'sir, come down before my child dies.'

Jesus replied, 'you may go.  Your son will live.'

The man took Jesus at his word and departed.

While he was still on the way,

his servants met him with the news that his boy was living.

When he inquired as to the time when his son got better,

they said to him,

'The fever left him yesterday at the seventh hour.'

Then the father realized that this was the exact time

at which Jesus had said to him,

'Your son will live.'

So he and all his household believed."

John 4:48-53

We live in a skeptical world where someone is always trying to sell me something.  Either it's a salesman attempting to woo me over the phone, a member of a cult ringing my doorbell and seeking to convince me that their way is the true way, or a political candidate portraying themselves as the best man or woman for the job.   I have to admit, with this much persuasion and manipulation going on around me, I have become suspicious of anyone who seems to be trying to sell me a bill of goods.

For this reason, it really is a feat of faith for me to trust God at His word.  I know of His trustworthiness, I've experienced the power of His hand in my own life, and I do believe He is able to do more than I ask or imagine.  The problem is in my suspicious nature; my I'll-believe-it-when-I-see-it kind of attitude.

As a follower of Jesus, though, I need to find a way to abandon my skepticism and wholeheartedly embrace His teachings.  In order for God to be glorified in my life, I must take Him at His word.

Go Forth

God said the word and Noah started building. (Genesis 6)  God gave the command and Abraham left the land of his father and began a journey to an unknown place. (Genesis 12) God spoke from a burning bush, and after some reassurance, Moses set off to speak to the Pharaoh about releasing the Israelites from the bondage of slavery. (Exodus 3-4)  The Bible is filled with accounts of men and women who heard the message of God and acted in obedience by faith.

I can say I trust in Jesus as my Savior and believe that with Him all things are possible, but if I'm afraid to speak the truth that He puts on my heart for fear of offending someone, then my faith is not authentic.

I can say that He is my strength when I am weak yet fail to answer the calling God has on my life because I just can't see myself doing that mission, then I'm betraying my lack of faith.

I can say that I am forgiven by the blood of Jesus but if I refuse to forgive myself or let go of the attitude of self-loathing I've cultivated over the years, then I'm revealing my belief that the blood of Jesus is not powerful enough to cover my sins.

Just as the royal official in today's scripture passage took Jesus at His word, going home when Jesus said his son would live, I too can take Him at His word.  When Jesus said our Father in heaven knows our needs and will provide, I can trust Him enough to go about my day without a thought to what I will eat or how I will pay the bills.  I have a Father who takes care of me, freeing me to put my whole attention toward His calling.

It reminds me of a story that was published in the April 9th, 1997 edition of USA Today.  The article extolled the virtues of an Automated Highway System that would use sensors, computer navigation systems and cameras alongside the road to control steering, acceleration and braking in highly congested areas. Drives would simply sit back and go along for the ride. While this scheme may relieve traffic issues, the one challenge remained in convincing people to comfortably trust the system.  It's hard to give control over to a computer.

While I could think of countless ways in which a computer could foul things up, the God who created me and all of the universe, is perfect in every way.  If I'm afraid to take a step to follow Him, it's not because He won't be a good leader, but rather that I'm not a faithful follower.

Taking Jesus at His word means I will go forth in faith, leaving the outcome in His hands.

Believe

I used to read a lot of books about UFO's and extra-terrestrial visits.  I believed all that stuff because I saw the testimonies people gave and it seemed to add up.  I never witnessed any events of my own so my faith was based entirely on what I read.

In the case of Jesus, my faith was given to me and is being matured as I walk with Him.  (Hebrews 12:2)  Even though I have not seen Jesus personally, I know He exists because God has drawn me to Him as my Savior (John 6:44) and I have witnessed the fruit of His Spirit when I walk with Him.  (Galatians 5:22-23)

After Jesus died on the cross and came back to life on the third day, He appeared before many people.  Thomas, one of His twelve disciples, said he would only believe it when he could feel for himself the wounds that came from the crucifixion.  When Jesus appeared and Thomas then believed, the risen Savior said, ". . .blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." (John 20:29b)

For me this means I will be called blessed when I continue believing good will come out of the struggles even though I receive no encouragement or sign that it will come to pass.  It also means that my faith will not waver even when I labor long and hard without seeing any fruit.  it certainly means that I'll stay on the narrow path even though it looks like I'm getting nowhere.

America's first missionary, Adoniram Judson, first went to India in 1812 before moving to Burma the following year.  It would be six years, however, before he saw anyone accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior.  For half-a-dozen long years he labored, never seeing any results for all of his efforts.  How could he know if what he was teaching was getting through if no one took him at his word?

Taking Jesus at His word means I will believe without seeing any fruit, results or noticing a change in the lives of those to whom I'm ministering.

Do

By the time a college student reaches her third year of school, she should have declared a major.  Knowing the degree one is working toward provides a blueprint to follow as the student chooses classes over the remaining years of her college career. Similarly, it is much easier to make choices in life when I know the master plan.

Things in God's kingdom, however, are different.  God is the One with the design for my life.  (Jeremiah 29:11) If I am going to follow Him, I cannot go by what I think is best, but must realize that God's ways are higher than my ways (Isaiah 55:8-9), or as Abraham Lincoln said in his Second Inaugural Address, "The Almighty has His own purposes."

If I am determined to do what God is calling me to do, though, I will soon realize that not only are His ways different from what I would have chosen to do, but I also will need to learn to blindly follow Him.  He does not reveal every detail of the plan before I take my first step.  And there comes the rub: Faith means doing what God says even though I can't see the big picture or the final result.

The good thing about following Jesus without being able to see the path in front of me is that He gets all the glory.  Oswald Chambers pointed out that, "We give credit to human wisdom when we should give credit to the Divine guidance of God through childlike people who were foolish enough to trust God's wisdom and the supernatural equipment of God."

It's foolish to heed His call and move to another country without any idea of where the support will come.  It's foolish to quit one's job at God's direction without having another one lined up.  It's foolish to take in a toddler after the biological children are all self-sufficient.  What's foolish to the world is wise and loving to God.  (1 Corinthians 1:18-19)

Following God without understanding the details is an example of faith in action.  When I take this kind of step of faith, I am assuring that all people will see my good works and praise my Father in heaven.  (Matthew 5:16)  There is no better way to let my light shine!

Taking Jesus at His word means I will obey without understanding, trusting that He is taking care of the details.

It is a feat of faith for me to go forward simply at His word, believe without seeing, and do without knowing the whole plan.  When I do so, however, I am demonstrating a genuine trust in My Lord and Savior.  I am showing with my actions that I believe He is the Master Planner.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I will trust without seeing.

How do I require at least a smidgen of understanding of a mission before I'll commit to it?

When do I fail to listen to God and instead do what I think is best?       

Hear for Yourself

"They said to the woman,

'We no longer believe just because of what you said;

now we have heard for ourselves,

and we know that this man really is

the Savior of the world.'"

John 4:42

I remember watching the children's television show Reading Rainbow when my daughters were younger.  Host Levar Burton would introduce child guests who recommended books to the audience with the familiar line, "But you don't have to take my word for it."

It's always good to have a reference of some kind when trying to decide whether or not to take a risk and purchase a new product, read a book, or make an investment.  I am inherently suspicious, so I don't swallow every line that I'm fed.

It is the same with me and Jesus.  I can have all the references in the world, hearing testimony after testimony of how He changed peoples' lives, but until I, "Taste and see that the Lord is good" (Psalm 34:8) I will never truly believe for myself.  My faith with be counterfeit as I rely only on what I've heard from others, not on what He's done for me personally.  

If I want to grow my faith in Jesus Christ I must hear from Him for myself.

Personal

My four daughters grew up in a Christian home.  Their mother and father were both believers and committed to following Him.  The girls heard about the Good News of Jesus Christ from the time they were first able to walk, and they attended church on a regular basis where that message was reinforced.  Because they grew up in a such home, it would have been easy for them to assume they were "in" with God.  

As they matured and grew, though, all four of them went through their own personal experience in which they accepted Jesus Christ as their own personal Savior.  They each had to reach the point of individual realization of their own sinfulness and their need for salvation.  Since they knew from where their help came, they turned to what they knew: Jesus.  

Each of my daughters knew the Bible stories backward and forward, they had knowledge and understanding of why Jesus died on the cross, they believed God existed and that He loved them.  But they needed to begin their own personal relationship with Him and get to know Him for themselves.  Up until then, their faith was only made up of folklore and tradition.  Today, each one of them can say that Jesus is their lifeline.

I can't just rely on the relationship others' have with Jesus and piggy-back my way into the kingdom of God.  Instead, I need to make Him my own Savior, and begin to experience life with Him by my side.

In order to hear from Jesus for myself, I need to make Him my own personal Lord and Savior.

Unique

Middle School is a difficult time in a young person's life.  It is when most kids go through puberty and a period of searching for their identity.  Considering the fact that schools tend to place this age group together in one school, it's no wonder Jr High, as we used to call it, is rife with fads and clicks.  Kids want to fit in with someone and try to mimic those whom they admire.  For this reason, walking into most middle schools is like walking into a clone factory: Most children look the same.

Changing my hair, clothes and behavior may be enough to get me into a certain group as a pubescent youth, but fitting in with God's family is a bit different.  If I want to find my place in the Body of Christ, I will need to learn to accept myself and others as God has individually formed us.

With all of the millions of people ever created, its hard to believe that each of us is a one-of-a-kind masterpiece.  It is true, though: I have a different combination of gifts, talents and personality that makes me distinct from everyone else.  

For this reason, I can't expect my relationship with Jesus to be the same as everyone else's.  Some interweave their devotional time throughout the day, while others stick to a morning time to set them on the right path.  A number of believers may be led to take a job in an industry known for its godlessness, while some work in a Christian-friendly environment.  A few can glean a message from Him virtually anywhere, even in secular music, while others are tempted to fall away by listening to anything other than gospel music.  

Since my connection with Jesus is as individual as I am, I must be careful not to mimic others faith, or judge those whose life does not look like mine.  Instead, I am to stay true to what God is calling me to do for my own life and, unless He convicts me to rebuke a brother or sister, leave all judgement to God.  He is the Father of us all and following Him will never lead me into sin.

In order to hear from Jesus myself, I need to cultivate my own unique relationship with Him.

Characteristic

I can recognize the handiwork of a friend because she has her own flavor.  One friend gives good advice, while another never stops by without a little something to share with me.  Others know how to make me laugh, while some get to the heart of the matter.  Each person has their own characteristic style of walking with Christ.

As I grow in my relationship with Him, I start to develop my own unique and personal story.  This testimony is constantly changing and evolving as I see more of His handiwork in my life.  When I tell others what God is doing for me, it will look different than what I hear from them.

This is one of the mysteries of God.  How can He be so big as to create all things, yet so small as to connect intimately and individually with each of His children?  As I walk with Him in this life He has given me, I will begin to learn more and more about Him.  Every new revelation will awaken in me a sense of awe at the greatness of my God.

This attitude of astonishment and respect for God is addressed by Oswald Chambers.  He said, "Faith is the inborn capacity to see God behind everything, the wonder that keeps you an eternal child.  Wonder is the very essence of life.  Beware always of losing the wonder, and the first thing that stops wonder is religious conviction.  Whenever you give a trite testimony, the wonder is gone.  The evidence of salvation is that the sense of wonder is developing."

It is easy for me to go on auto-pilot and discontinue my real and personal everyday walk with a living God.  Instead, I can turn this relationship into tradition and religion; doing ritualistic things that have worked in the past, copying what others are doing, going through the motions.  At this point, God ceases to be up-close and personal and has become far away and aloof.

Carrying a characteristic testimony that is fresh and new each day will come when I'm always connected to the One who is my Source of power, life and adventure!

In order to hear Jesus for myself, I need to develop my own distinguishable testimony through my exclusive experiences with a living God.

There are countless books written on how to develop a deeper faith in God.  This is not a great mystery, however, as the solution lies in my personal relationship with Jesus, my unique experiences with Him and how this all builds into my own characteristic testimony as I tell others of the wonder of God.  Don't, however, take my word for it: Find out for yourself and begin the adventure of a lifetime!

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I will keep my connection with God through faith in Jesus Christ fresh and new.

How do I fall back on dry, old religion instead of keeping my relationship with God at the forefront of my consciousness?

When am I copying what others do instead of blazing my own path and following God in my own way?

In Spirit and Truth

"Yet a time is coming and has now come

when worshipers will worship

the Father in spirit and truth,

for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks.

God is spirit, 

and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth."

John 4:23-24

The weight of the obligation weighed heavily upon her as she went through her day.  It was Wednesday and everyone expected her to attend services tonight, but she was tired.  The stress of the day felt like gravity had just increased it's force, pushing her down toward earth.  What she really desired to do was go home and rest, taking some time to reflect on all the good that God was doing in her life in order to refocus her mind.  (Philippians 4:8)  The guilt of letting her friends down, however, drove her toward church as she ended her day.  Her heart was weary and the joy was gone.

I don't know about you, but I tend to put pressure on myself to do things that I think others expect me to do.  It could be to teach Sunday School, participate in every church function, or show up each Sunday morning with a smile on my face.  Other times I think church is the only place where I can serve God and show Him how much I love Him.  The thing is, my spiritual act of worship is not what happens within the four walls of the building where my congregation meets.  My spiritual act of worship is in offering myself as a living sacrifice. 

Here's what Paul teaches about worship as translated in The Message. "So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life--your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, walking-around life--and place it before God as an offering.  Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him.  Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking.  Instead, fix your attention on God.  You'll be changed from the inside out.  Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it.  Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you." (Romans 12:1-2)

If I want to worship God as Jesus said, in spirit and truth, I must leave behind the idea that worship takes place in a certain place.  Instead, I can think of everything I do as an opportunity to praise and glorify God.  In order to do this, though, I will need to change the way I think.

Wholeheartedly

Recently I watched one of our cats, Midnight, "stalking" a gecko through the sliding glass door.  He was thoroughly engrossed in his mission, letting nothing distract him.  In contrast, Kale, our orange Tabby is pretty skittish due to his roots as a wild, street cat.  When he spots a bird or bug on the other side of the window, his interest is heightened, but he is always aware of his surroundings.  Kale never completely gives himself over to the hunt because he's always watching his back: His fear hampers his ability to hunt as he was created to do.

Fear does the same thing for me: It holds me back from completely embracing the mission God has for my life.  When I think What if I fail?  or What will people think? or Why would anyone listen to me? then I am letting fear rule me.  Accepting God's calling on my life means I will drop the fear and doubt, turn toward my Father and let Him give me a new perspective.

His point of view will let me see myself  the way He sees me.   Instead of thinking I'm entitled to talk down about myself, I will understand that as a part of God's creation, I am valued and precious.  Consequently, to show respect for God I must esteem myself.  Once I accept myself the way I am, I am free to worship God without reservation in the way I live my life.

Where once I went through the motions of dispensing a positive word to a friend in distress, I will find God's truth flowing from my mouth in love.   Where I used to do just what I needed to do to fulfill the requirements of my job, I will adopt a new-found zeal for excellence in all I do.  Where I used to let my feelings dictate my attitude, I will find my focus on God to override any negative mind-set.

To worship God in spirit and truth, I must let go of fear and embrace the life that God has graciously given to me.

Sincerely

Have you ever said you would help someone, but when the time came to fulfill your promise, your heart was just not in it?  This has happened to me many times.  It seems that I was more concerned with appearing helpful than in actually being helpful.

I may be able to bluff my way through life in relation to other people, but I can't fool God.  He knows when I'm genuine and when I'm playing games.  He knows when I'm authentically hurting and when i'm putting on a front that all is well despite the pain inside.  He knows when I truly don't have time to do something and when I'm just making excuses because I'm afraid to try.

To give my life as an act of worship, I must drop the show and begin to apply honesty in my dealings with God.  He knows everything about me: my bizarre thoughts, my weird ways, my quirky practices and my deepest fears.  There is nothing I could reveal to God that would surprise Him.  He is before me and behind me.  There is no place I can go to hide from God.  He knows me intimately.  (Psalm 139)

Given that He is so familiar with all my ways, attempting to hide things from Him or put up pretenses before Him is an exercise in futility: It can't be done.  It's kind of like trying to hide in a glass house.

In the same way that I feel betrayed when my husband tries to hide something from me, my relationship with God is stunted when I pretend with Him.  He desires that I share my innermost thoughts, no matter how bad, hurtful or destructive they may seem to me.  God can handle my honesty, and there's no better way to strengthen my relationship with Him.

To worship God in spirit and truth, I must drop the act and trust God enough to let Him see the real me.

Always

I have been watching the life of a woman who is going through every mother's worst nightmare:  Her 15-year-old daughter was abducted from her own bedroom and disappeared without a trace.  The captor is in jail, refusing to talk, and the mother is desperate to find her only child.  After 10 weeks, she still searches.

During one of the darkest times anyone could imagine, you would think her thoughts would be consumed with her daughter and what she might be enduring.  Instead, this woman's faith leads her to praise God, thanking Him for His steadfast love, His ever-present power, His overwhelming mercy.  She gives Him all the glory for her ability to get up each day and move forward.  

This amazing woman of God reminds me of Job, who after losing his entire family and all his wealth in one day said, "The LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD." (Job 1:21b KJV)

If they can praise God even under such horrible circumstances, can I not thank Him even if I can't pay my bills?  If they can praise God in the midst of darkness, can I not adore Him even when I feel down and out?  If they can praise God while they suffer, can I not honor Him when tomorrow looms as an unknown chasm?  

Nineteenth Century writer and speaker Hannah Whitall Smith said, "Nothing can separate you from His love, absolutely nothing. . . God is enough for time, and God is enough for eternity.  God is enough!"  If He is all I need, then nothing in this life is able to conquer me.  The only way I suffer defeat is when I give myself over to the suffering, the misery or the hurts.  When hard times come it is necessary for me to willfully and purposefully keep my focus on the One who is my all in all and to resist falling victim to my circumstances.

To worship God is spirit and truth, I must turn my attention away from what is difficult and toward Who is sufficient.

Church is not the only place that I can worship God.  When I feel its my duty to go to church, or when I think I must in order to have a blessed life, I can instead learn to worship Him in spirit and truth.  This means, wherever I go and whatever I do I can accept whatever God gives me, practice honesty in my relationship with Him, and always focus on the good God is doing all around me.  When I adopt these customs, my life will be a living sacrifice to the One I love.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can cease to think of worship as a ritual or duty that I must do as a Christian.

How do I keep God out of my head by pretending my thoughts line up with His?

When can I do a better job of sharing my fears, hurts and disappointments with my Father?  

Evidence of Faith

"The Jews replied,

'It has taken forty-six years to build this temple,

and you are going to raise it in three days?'

But the temple he had spoken of was his body.

After he was raised from the dead,

his disciples recalled what he had said.

Then they believed the Scripture 

and the words that Jesus had spoken."

John 2:20-22

When a tree falls in the forest and no one is around, does it still make a sound?

Which came first, the chicken or the egg?

Why am I here?

Some questions makes us think.  Others stimulate deep reflection and inner scrutiny.  One such question is, "What is faith?"  We know the definition of faith as given in Hebrews 11:1.  "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see."

But how do I know if my faith is real?  I do believe that God is in control of all things and that He directs my footsteps when I submit myself to Him, but how do I know my faith is authentic and not just so many words?  Where is the evidence?

Jesus often said, "Oh you of little faith" to those who knew him best: His disciples.  He said it when they were in the boat tossed around by the waves, (Matthew 8:26) when Peter walked on the water but then began to sink (Matthew 14:31), and when the disciples didn't understand Jesus' warning of the dangers of believing in the Pharisee's teachings (Matthew 16:8).  The disciples knew Jesus, trusted Him enough to leave their livelihoods and follow Him, yet were told their faith was lacking. 

The proof that my faith is real is manifested in my actions, not my words.  Faith without works is dead.  (James 2:17)  I show that my faith is real by what I do, not what I say or believe.  If I truly trust God, my life will look different that those whose faith is not authentic.

Obedience without Foresight

He gathered the materials according to the detailed blueprint.  His whole family joined in the project, working together to accomplish the mission.  The structure was massive and garnered the attention of many.

"Watcha' building, huh?  Some kind of boat?  I hate to tell you, but there's no water for miles around!  What a fool!"

The rumors spread. "He's crazy!  Have you heard about his wife?  She's as loony as he is!  She must be to put up with that mess.  Whose ever heard of such a thing?"

Years past by and the man grew older, but the ridicule never ended.  He was tempted to doubt, wondering if God really knew what He was talking about.  What is the plan?  A hundred years have gone by and I've never seen a drop of rain.  What if I was wrong and God didn't really tell me to build an ark?  

Still, Noah stayed faithful and obeyed despite his lack of understanding, his narrow vision, and shortsightedness.  He didn't know how it would all turn out, but he trusted that God knew.  But he didn't let his faith stop at words or beliefs.  Instead, he turned them into action in the form of obedience.

God is calling me to do something. He has put a burden on my heart for a hurting person or group of people.  He has convicted me of an area of sin.  He has prompted me to turn a corner and begin a new thing.  What I do next tells me everything I need to know about the validity of my faith.

If I reach out to comfort and encourage without knowing how I'll be received, my faith is real.  If I turn away from that sin despite my flesh fighting against that decision, my faith is true.  If I take a risk and step into the light of the new thing God is doing, my faith is authentic.

The proof that my faith exists is revealed in my willingness to obey without knowing the details, seeing the big picture, or perceiving the outcome.

Perseverance despite Discouragement

Won't these people ever get it?  They are a hard-headed bunch!  They have seen God deliver them, save them and provide for them, yet they refuse to stay true to God.  Why do I even try?

Moses was the one called to lead the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt and through a journey that included 40 years of wandering in the desert.  He was considered to be a friend of God  (Exodus 33:11), but did not get to see the promised land because of his disobedience on the occasion of drawing water from the rock of Meribah.(Numbers 20:12)

Moses kept faithful to God throughout years of complaining, bickering and grumbling.  Even when it seemed no one else cared, Moses continued pointing people to God.  It must have been discouraging to be surrounded by people just like you and me!  I am easily drawn into negative thinking about my circumstances.

When I am working on a mission or project, I am easily discouraged by a lack of results.  Maybe that's why I like mowing the lawn.  As I circle around the yard, I see the effect of my effort: The grass begins to look neat and trimmed.  But life in general is not this way.  I clean the dishes only to turn around for a moment and find another sink-full of soiled plates and cups.  I teach a lesson only to have to reinforce it again and again, wondering if the young mind will ever absorb the message.  I fill the tank up with gas only to see the needle move toward empty a few days later. Does anything I ever do stay done?

I can take heart and remember that God is at work even when I can't see the evidence.  When He places me in a position, no matter how small or inconsequential it may seem, it means a lot to God.  Keeping my eyes on Him when everything around me seems hopeless is proof of that my faith is genuine.

The proof that my faith exists is manifested in my ability to persevere despite the lack of encouraging works, evidence of changed lives, or even a vision of God's greater purpose.

Hopes beyond all Hope

She planned her life.  She desired to live a life pleasing to God, above all things.  Her family had promised her to an upstanding young man.  Then came the news.  She was pregnant.  The angel told her this would happen, but what would everyone say?  How would they treat her?  How could she ever hold her head high again?

Mary was chosen to carry the Christ child.  Despite the fact that she played a pivotal role in history, it came at great sacrifice to her own personal life.  An unmarried  pregnant woman of that time would have been considered to be an outcast.  Mary and Joseph knew the truth of God's plan, but no one else did apart from her cousin Elizabeth.  

The faith of Mary propelled her forward as she hoped against all hope in the One True God and His plan.  Many times my life looks crazy compared to the lives of those around me.  The decisions I make look reckless and foolish.  I seem to be dancing to the beat of my own drummer.

My faith, however, is shown to be real when I follow God's calling even if it makes me look like a fool in my community.  My faith is demonstrated as valid when I stay true to the narrow, rocky path God leads me on even when it passes by the edge of a dangerous precipice.  My faith is shown as authentic when I keep hoping in God's way even when everyone else is going a different direction.

The proof that my faith exists is manifested in my motivation to keep hope alive even when the odds are against me, it's never been done this way before, or I look different than everyone else.

Faith that is real doesn't need evidence.  Instead, faith that is authentic exists despite the lack of miracles, healings or other spectacular feats.  I know that my faith is real only by examining my actions.  When I obey despite the lack of foresight, persevere even though I'm discouraged, and hope beyond all hope, then my actions are proving my faith. This is the evidence of faith.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can trust God despite what I see with my eyes.

How do I trust my senses more than I trust God?

When am I so discouraged that I give up?