Sober Judgment

"For by the grace given me

I say to every one of you:

Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought,

but rather think of yourself with sober judgment,

in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you."

Romans 12:3

When I was competing in the sport of bodybuilding, I looked in the mirror quite a bit.  It wasn't that I was vain, although that particular pursuit does lend itself to vanity and narcissism, but more that I was gauging my progress as I prepared for a contest.  Self-reflection, though, is not always accurate.  Either I found that I would determine my progress to be better than it really was, or I would think I looked worse than I really did.  Whichever way I judged myself, it was impossible for me to give an objective evaluation of my own physique.

Once contest day came, however, I would stand before a panel of judges who would form an opinion on the development of my muscles, the leanness of my form and the overall proportion of my physique.  In short, the judges would make a decision based on reality, not on what I think I am.

It's not so different with my spiritual physique.  It's hard for me to objectively assess myself because there are many things that blur my vision.

Fear

It was his first mission as king, and he blew it.  Instead of doing as the Lord commanded and completely destroying the Amalekites and all their belongings, he captured their leader and spared all he deemed as good.  When confronted by Samuel as to his disobedience, Saul claimed innocence and the Lord was grieved that He had made Saul king of Israel.  (1 Samuel 15)

Saul mistakenly thought that being a leader meant that he got to call the shots according to what he thought best.  When caught in a transgression, he lied to cover his own reputation.  Instead of courageously facing the truth, he cowardly stuck to his story.

It's easy for me to fall into this same trap.  I am afraid to look at my sin for what it is: an affront to a holy God.  Other times I'd rather pretend my issues don't exist and simply go on living as if I'm in the right.  Still harder is it for me to admit to a sin: What will people think of me?

Fear can hold me back from honestly scrutinizing my thoughts, speech and behavior patterns and seeing it the way God does.  I can let go of the dread I feel when I think of all the ways I fall short of God's standard because He has forgiven me through the blood of the perfect Lamb.(1 John 4:18)  

Due to this unspeakable sacrifice, I can boldly hold my darkest sin in the light, looking at it from all sides before turning away from it in victory.  I needn't take myself so seriously that I think that sin will be the end of me for Jesus has made sure that won't happen. (1 Corinthians 15:57)  

Instead, I can lighten up and realize that I am no different than any other human who ever lived: I am plagued with sin.  Thankfully, I am also washed clean by the blood of my Savior, giving me the freedom to live as one who is not condemned. (Romans 8:1)

Fear holds me back from sober judgment but the redemption that comes through Jesus Christ gives me courage to see myself as I truly am.

Pride

He thought of himself as a god, puffing his chest as he strolled along the roof of his majestic palace.  "Look at this city of Babylon that I have built with my own might and power.  This, the most beautiful city in the world, is a testament to my grand magnificence."

No sooner had the words left his lips than God began humbling King Nebuchadnezzar.  (Daniel 4)  The man became as an animal, sleeping out under the stars, grazing like a cow and forsaking all grooming.  After seven years, his sanity came back to him and he humbly acknowledged God as sovereign over all things.

Nebuchadnezzar is not the only one who needs humbling.  There are many times when I don't like to reveal my sin, thinking it is demeaning to my position to admit I'm wrong or that I will lose respect from those around me.

When I put my own reputation or status first, I am failing to give God this honored position in my life.  With this distorted sens of priorities, if He desires to place me where I receive no thanks or appreciation for my work, I probably will ignore His call.  When I'm more focused on me than God, I'll miss out on the opportunities to see Him work through me because I'm worried about how it will look to others.  

Humbly admitting to my sin is the most powerful relational tool I can use.  When I am honest, others will respect my openness and feel more comfortable to confess their own struggles, starting an avalanche of forgiveness.

Pride holds me back from sober judgment but humility comes as I place God's kingdom before my own.

Doubt

They did it again.  The people who were called by God to be His own people had turned against Him, doing their own thing.  When God sent the oppressive power of the Midianites to discipline them, they cried out to God in their distress.  Out of His love for them, He sent a prophet to remind them of their calling to stay faithful to God.  Then, He called on a mighty warrior; a hero to deliver them.  (Judges 6)

The thing is, this savior didn't seem so brave and courageous at first.  He doubted the message from God, asking how it was that the Lord had been with them if his people were in such dire straits?  God reassured him that He Himself was sending Gideon out against the enemy of his people.  He hesitated again, "but I'm from the weakest clan and as feeble as we are, I am the smallest one out of everyone in my family!  I'm no mighty warrior!"

It was clear who Gideon believed God to be at this point: small and incapable of saving his people.  Even though things turned out pretty well for Gideon and his 300 soldiers as they defeated a force of multitudes too many to count, he didn't start out with the kind of faith that believes God can do more with the weakest man committed to Him than the strongest man can do without God.  (1 Corinthians 1:25)

How many times do I doubt God's power when I'm faced with overwhelming obstacles, like when the bills are adding up to more than my income?  God can deliver me if I trust Him with my finances.  Sometimes my physical pain is more than I can handle.  God can give me strength to endure if I trust Him with my health.  Other times I'm afraid my family will forget about me and leave me all alone.  God is the comforter and father to the fatherless as well as a husband to the widow.  He can be my all in all if I trust Him with that mission.  

Doubt holds me back from sober judgment but faith will come if I give God a chance to work in my life.

I don't always see myself as I really am.  If I can let go of the fear I sometimes have of seeing my sin, the pride that places my own wants and needs above God and the doubt that betrays my lack of faith in the power of God to transform, then my eyes will be opened.  As I take on the perspective that God gives to me, I will be able to judge myself with a clear conscience.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can let go of the fear that so often holds me back.

When am I afraid to intentionally look at my sin?  How does this work to build a stronghold of sin in my life?

How do I betray my lack of faith in God when I doubt His ability to bring about change?

Knowledgeable Zeal

"Brothers,

my heart's desire and prayer to God

for the Israelites is that they may be saved.

For I can testify about them that they are zealous for God,

but their zeal is not based on knowledge.

Since they did not know the righteousness

that come from God

and sought to establish their own,

they did not submit to God's righteousness.

Christ is the end of the law 

so that there may be righteousness

 for everyone who believes."

Romans 10:1-4

His love for exercise combined with his passion for helping people made it an obvious choice:  He would open a gym.  His enthusiasm was infectious and soon the membership grew, fueling his excitement.  Ideas flowed as he brainstormed with his friends.  Soon, he trusted that business would improve and he would be able to expand.

Unfortunately, this man's zeal was not enough.  He possessed the passion and understanding of his field of interest, but lacked business know-how.  Success in the business world takes more than just enthusiasm and a good idea, it also takes knowledge.

The same could be said for my Christian walk.  I can feel much excitement about what Jesus does for me in redeeming my life, giving me hope for eternity with Him, and offering a greater purpose for my days.  I may want to shout it from the rooftops:  "Jesus loves me. . .and He loves you too!"

My enthusiasm, though, is not enough.  If I don't seek to know God's ways by studying His word and listening to His teachings, then my zeal may be based on fallacy which results in ungodly fruit.

Works

I grew up thinking that if I worked hard enough, good things would come my way.  I learned from my parents, teachers and other trusted adults that I could change the world if only I exerted enough effort.  With this kind of work ethic ingrained in my being, I began my walk with Jesus.  Trying to apply this same philosophy in God's kingdom, however, only put me at odds with Him.

Instead of thinking my service to God makes me right with Him, I must understand that I am saved by grace.  There is nothing I can do to earn God's grace:  It is freely given out of love for me.  Keeping my true identity as a sinner incapable of saving myself helps to guard against my inclination to judge others.

Another fallacy is the belief that if I work hard enough, my efforts will counteract all the times I ignore God's gentle, quiet voice, nudging me away from destructive patterns that conradict His teachings.  My ministries, volunteer commitments or good deeds will never take away my sin: Only the blood of Jesus can accomplish such a feat.  Understanding this truth will guard against my tendency to commit myself to activities out of a sense of guilt instead of as a response to my Father's call.

Other times I get caught up in the idea that life is like a formula; if I do "A" and "B" then I will get "C."  God, however, is sovereign and His plan for my life may or may not follow this pattern.  I cannot begin to understand the mind of God.  As He said through the prophet Isaiah, "My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways. . . As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." (Isaiah 55:8-9)  Grasping the mysterious nature of God will help to guard against frustration when things don't go the way I think they ought.

Coupling zeal for the gospel with knowledge of the love and grace God extends to all will result in the works of His mighty hand in my life.

Unrepentance

"I am sorry for disrupting the community movie night and not listening to you.  I know I made it hard on you and I wanted to let you know that it will never happen again."  The boy's apology sounded good.  At first, I was so impressed with his heartfelt confession and pledge to do better.  Unfortunately, I later realized these were mere words meant to impress his mother and I.  Soon, he was back to his old, trouble making behavior.

Recognizing myself as a sinner who has violated God's commands is only part of the package deal of committing my life to Christ.  The other part is in my repentance from my sinful ways.  This doesn't mean I will always think, speak and act perfectly.  What it does mean, however, is that I have turned away from my old ways and made up my mind to follow Jesus instead.

Many times, though, my life remains unchanged.  I continue to live as though I am still my own boss, not paying attention to where Jesus is leading me.  I am too caught up in my present way of living and too comfortable to give up any of those activities, habits and ways of thinking that run counter to God's ways.  Understanding that change is necessary as a child of God through faith in Jesus Christ will protect me from looking just like the world.

Another danger is when I hear God's gentle voice convicting me to modify my thought patterns, end the use of offensive words, or stop taking part in ungodly behavior, but I simply ignore Him.  If I really comprehended how my obedience is linked to my love for Jesus, then I would be able to live the holy life to which I am called. (John 14:15, 1 Peter 1:15)

Still other hazards lurk in the belief that my sins are covered by the blood of Jesus so I don't need to make much of a big deal about these transgressions that abound in my life.  Taking the free gift of salvation that is offered through Christ means that I also accept the redemption His blood makes possible.  As I enter into relationship with God, then, His holiness makes my unworthiness all the more evident.  Living with an appreciation of God's view of sin as an affront to His perfect nature means I, too, will see my sinful ways as abhorrent.  Gaining such insight will keep me from turning the invaluable gift of grace into something cheap and easy: It cost Jesus His life!

Coupling zeal for the gospel with knowledge of the importance of repentance leads to humility  and a desire to live in obedience to my Lord.

Lukewarmness

He was everything to everybody: Warm and engaging to those who wanted compassion, tough and hard-as-nails to those who desired results, and funny and entertaining to those who merely wanted to feel good.  Consequently, it was hard to know what this man really believed:  This politician didn't stand for anything.

In many ways, it is easy for me as a follower of Christ to retain the same attitude.  The danger here is that my lukewarmness will be an affront to God. (Revelation 3:16)

One hazard of living on the fence is in my outlook: When it comes to Jesus, I am neither hot nor cold; I can either take Him or leave Him.  I'm glad He saved me from eternal death, but I just don't feel the urge to tell anyone about Him or to live in a way that please Him.  I feel guilty about this fact, but I sometimes think that task belongs to someone better trained to do it or who is more gung-ho than I.  If I would realize that either I am working for Christ or against Him, "apathy" would never again be a word used in the same sentence as my name. (Matthew 12:30)

Another danger is in becoming desensitized to sin.  I am continually surrounded by sinful living.  I begin to think, Sin doesn't really seem like that big of a deal, after all, its my nature, right?  To guard against this numbness toward sin, however, I will need to understand the just nature of God.  In His eyes, just one of my sins earns me the electric chair.  Therefore, I cannot afford to carry a relaxed and easy-going attitude toward sin without offending God.

Another risk is in finding myself to feel content with the knowledge that I will go to heaven when I die.  If I stay in my comfortable place where I am never confronted with the reality of the millions who are lost, I may never care about the unsaved.  To protect against this kind of indifference, I must look beyond my own salvation and expand my vision.

In coupling zeal for the gospel with knowledge that there is no middle of the road when it comes to Jesus, my lukewarmness will turn to fire.

Passion for Christ is not enough to live a fruitful life.  To guard against ungodly fruit, I will need to understand that I can't work my way into God's favor nor can the grace He offers be taken lightly.  I also will need to guard against apathy which naturally occurs when I don't choose a side.  As I base my faith on the Truth, however, I will find a passion that will grow and I will begin to encompass a larger view as my zeal is no longer empty, but rooted in godly knowledge.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can guard against fallacies that lead to empty living.

How do I carry an indifferent attitude toward sin?

In what ways do I think my efforts will counteract my sin?

Children of Promise

"In other words,

it is not the natural children

who are God's children,

but it is the children of the promise

who are regarded as Abraham's offspring."

Romans 9:8

I confidently approached the imposing gate in my SUV.  Security officers, Military Police and bomb-sniffing dogs guarded the way, stopping me in my tracks.

"May I see your identification please, Ma-am?"  The guard took the military ID card I offered and stepped back to check the sticker affixed to the windshield of my vehicle.  After scanning my card with a handheld device and finding everything to his satisfaction, he returned my card and said, "Welcome to Ft Jackson, victory starts here!"  After stepping back sharply, he waves me on with, "Have a nice day, Ma-am."

In order to gain access to a military facility, I must have the proper authorization.  Only those who work on the post or are affiliated with the military are allowed onto the premises.  If I showed up without the proper sanctions, I would be required to go through a screening process that would verify my driver's license, registration and proof of insurance as well as the purpose for my visit.

Thankfully, there is no similar vetting process for entry into God's family.  I need no special credentials, certain bloodline that connects me to Jesus, or special abilities in order to enter the kingdom of God.  All that is needed is for me to commit my life to Jesus who already paid the price for my entrance.

This makes me a child of the promise, referring to the pledge God made to Abraham that, "all peoples on earth would be blessed through you." (Genesis 12:3b) When I accept the free gift of salvation that comes through faith in Christ, I enter into a relationship with God that is marked by certain characteristics.

Called by God

There was a comedy-drama released in 1988 called The Truman Show that chronicled the crisis that occurred when Truman Burbank discovered that his entire life had unknowingly been the subject of a reality show.  Every situation in which Truman encountered is contrived, carefully planned by producers to evoke a desired reaction for the entertainment of millions of viewers.  None of the relationships, situations or circumstances found in Truman's life were genuine, but rather a means to attract more attention for creators of his show.  No matter how hard this man tried, he would never be able to achieve anything outside of the will of the producers.

God is not like the producers of this interesting movie, controlling every move I make and engineering situations in order to achieve in me a desired result.  He is, however, perfectly sovereign.  Nothing can happen unless He allows it to occur.

Unlike the film, however, God is not out to exploit my life for His own benefit.  He has my best interest at heart and knows what I need to grow in faith.  (Romans 8:28,Malachi 3:3)  If a certain endeavor is not God's will, it will not succeed and I will find my efforts to be in vain. (Malachi 1:4)

I am called by God, not according to my own merit so I can rest in His sovereign plan for my life.

Objects of Mercy

He was born to showcase the might and power of God.  The ruler of Egypt stubbornly refused to let the people of God go, instead enduring many plagues and bringing about much suffering for the Egyptian populace.  God hardened the heart of Pharaoh in order to bring glory to Himself.  (Exodus 9:12,16)

Each of us are either made to be objects of God's wrath or His mercy. (Romans 9:20-24)  God decided my purpose before I took my first breath.   As one who is called to live for Him, I know my relationship with the God who saved me is based on His mercy, not on my merit.  I received the gift of salvation out of His love for me, consequently, I can live with the assurance that neither can I lose His love because of my own lack of goodness.

Now, I can confidently approach the ministry to which God has placed upon my heart, knowing that my efforts will be accepted as an act of obedience whether or not I see any signs of what I call "success."

I can also embrace the people God has positioned around me, loving them as I know God loves me; with abandon.

Furthermore, because of this assurance of acceptance by God based on His mercy, the pressure I used to place on myself to perform well has disappeared, leaving behind a compassionate point-of-view.

I am an object of God's mercy, created to bring glory to Himself through my eternally secure relationship with Him.

Prepared for Glory

I marveled at the tree every day on my way to school.  A neighboring barnyard featured a curious sight that never ceased to initiate questions in my young mind.  How did two trees come to grow as one?  Is that really one tree, or two trees growing together?  Which one came first? Did the owners mean to grow two trees in one?

Just as that unique tree appeared to have grafted one variety of species into another, making the secondary type grow its own branch from out of the original tree, I have been adopted into God's family.  Through faith in Jesus Christ, I receive the full rights of a family member, even though I have a foreign bloodline.  I bear no familial relation to the people of Israel yet I am a part of the promise.

As an adopted child of God, I was created to glorify God.  (1 Peter 2:9-12, Romans 8:30)  From the beginning, He had many good things in mind for me to do; people to love, ministries to carry out, tasks to accomplish.  (Ephesians 2:10)

Sometimes, though, the most powerful things I do for God's glory seem like the smallest things: Willingly and joyfully cleaning up behind my child.  Driving in traffic with a positive attitude as I use the extra time to talk to God.  Accepting delays and difficulties as opportunities to trust the mystery of God's plan.

I have been prepared for God's glory since He first gave me life.

I did not choose to follow God through faith in Jesus Christ on my own accord.  Instead, I was called by God who gave me the ability to see my need for Jesus so that He could get glory through my life, created as an object of His mercy, and prepared to give glory to God.  In this way, I am a child of the promise.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can live as a legitimate child of God.

When do I live for my own glory instead of God's?

How do I fail to embrace the purposes God has prepared for me?

Don't Lose Heart!

"I consider that our present sufferings
are not worth comparing with the glory
that will be revealed in us."
Romans 8:18

Pain wracked her body as contractions seized the uterus holding her baby who was eager to enter the world.  Beads of sweat formed on the mother's forehead as she strained to push her child out of her womb and into the hands of her husband.  As joyous an event as is the birth of a child, it is also painful due to the curse of sin.

When God created the earth and everything in it, He "saw all that he had made, and it was very good."  (Genesis 1:31)  Once Adam and Eve disobeyed the one rule God had instituted, however, sin entered in and all was spoiled.  Where once fruit grew abundantly, now it required hard labor to fend off the onslaught of weeds.  What once was a life of peace and harmony now was rife with shame and discord.  The place that was created to bring nothing but joy was now a source of great suffering.

Sin ruined the goodness of God's creation.  Instead of living the way God intended, now we can expect to endure agony of some kind.  Thankfully, though, our present difficulties are not without purpose.

Future Glory

Soldiers know a little something about sacrifice.  Men and women serving in all branches of the Armed Forces give up the comforts of home, leaving the love and security of their families so they can travel to hostile areas where they engage our enemies in all kinds of dangerous situations.  They don't willingly live this lifestyle for the money, prestige or honor, because soldiers usually receive little of any of those benefits.  Instead, they serve out of love for their country and with the hope that their efforts will help usher in a brighter tomorrow.

In the same way, the hard times I go through by living in this fallen world are not in vain.  As the Apostle Paul said, "For our present troubles are small and won't last very long.  Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever!" (2 Corinthians 4:17 NLT)

The good I have to look forward to when things will again be as they should exist, can serve to spur me on and inspire me to persevere through hard times.

I will share in much praise and glory and honor when Jesus returns if I remain strong in my faith through the trials I now face.  (1 Peter 1:7b)

Hope of Salvation

I remember when I faced four months in the hospital.  I was pregnant with triplets and my uterus had begun to contract, making it impossible for me to stay at home.  While I lay in the hospital bed at 24 weeks gestation, the only thing that kept me going was the thought of the birth of healthy babies.  The hope of going home spurred me on through the difficulty of long-term hospital life.

As a follower of Christ, I have a similar hope of going home.  Jesus said as recorded in John 14:3 that, "In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you.  I am going there to prepare a place for you."  When times get tough, I can think of all the good things Jesus is storing up for me in my eternal home, thus giving me hope.

I find much inspiration in the words of Paul when he encouraged believers to, "let us who live in the light be clearheaded, protected by the armor of faith and love, and wearing as our helmet the confidence of our salvation.  For God chose to save us through our Lord Jesus Christ, not to pour out his anger on us.  Christ died for us so that , whether we are dead or alive when he returns, we can live with him forever."  (1 Thessalonians 5:8-10)

Jesus saved us from what we deserve so we can enjoy eternity with Him.  This is the kind of hope that can get me through the present pain of a broken body, the heartache of marital turmoil, or the sting of the loss of a loved one.  

Life is hard, but I have a lot to look forward to in Christ.

Intercession of the Spirit

"I don't know what to think."  This is often my response when I hear bad news.  It's hard to process tragedy, misfortune or heartbreak, leaving me feeling as if I don't know which way is up.  Thankfully, God knows my heart and mind and He understands why I act and feel the way I do.  

God knows me better than I know myself for He "examine(s) the deepest thoughts and secrets." (Jeremiah 11:20)  He knows what I'm going to say before I utter a word, and He understands all my little quirky ways. (Psalm 139:1-4)  

When I'm going through tribulation, my heart is troubled and my mind is like mush.  I can't form a complete, coherent sentence let alone utter a prayer to God.  Since God is so familiar with me, His Spirit can pray for what I need on my behalf. (Romans 8:26-27)  In this way, good comes out of the bad.

When I don't have enough money to pay the bills or buy groceries, the Spirit prays for a better understanding of poverty, giving me a greater sense of compassion for those who are suffering from hardship.

When I hurt so bad I can't get out of bed in the morning, the Spirit asks for an open heart with which I can use the extra time to thank Him for all the good He has given to me.

When I suffer the loss of a loved one, the Spirit calls upon the Father for the comfort that only He can give.

I can count on suffering while I live on earth but also on the Spirit of God to intercede with "groanings that cannot be expressed in words." (Romans 8:26b NLT)

The earth is not as God first created it to exist, but while I'm living here, I can remain strong by remembering the glory that I will share with Christ, the hope of salvation that He gives, and experience the way the Holy Spirit prays on my behalf.  Then, when hard times come, I will not lose heart!

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can stand strong in the faith Jesus has given to me.

When do I forget what I have to look forward to in eternity and how can that spur me on?

How do I let suffering get me down? 

   

Spirit of Life

"Therefore,

there is now no condemnation for those

who are in Christ Jesus,

who do not live according to the sinful nature

but according to the Spirit,

because through Christ Jesus

the law of the Spirit of life

set me free from the law of sin and death.

. . .Who is he that condemns?

Christ Jesus, who died--more than that,

who was raised to life--

is at the right hand of God

and is also interceding for us.

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?

Shall trouble or hardship or persecution

or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?

. . .No, in all these things we are more than conquerors

through him who loved us."

Romans 8:1-2, 34-35, 37

I've heard stories of people who thought they could have it all;  There is the con man who lures a woman into falling in love with him so he can take advantage of her vulnerable state and bilk her of all her assets.  Or there are the businessmen who entice politicians to pass laws that would benefit their company.  Then there are the women who claim to stand for a woman's right to make her own health care decisions but deny that same privilege to their unborn child.  In every case, these people tried to act one way but live another.  Their hypocrisy betrayed their true master: Self.

When I commit my life to Jesus, I reap an everlasting benefit in freedom from death and hope for an eternal home with Him.  I am also promised a powerful bond with the love of Christ that nothing can break.  Is there anything that is expected of me?  If I truly experience His love can I go on living as if nothing has happened, continuing in my old ways?

If I truly have invited Jesus into my life to act as my Lord and Savior, then I will experience the Spirit of a whole new life.

Sinful

The caterpillar crawled along the leaf, munching it's crunchy goodness to feed his belly and nourish his fast-growing body.  He is limited in his mobility by his long, accordion-like body and multiple tiny legs, keeping him on the one plant where his mother first laid his egg.  He can never travel and see the world around him until he emerges from the pupa, or chrysalis as an entirely new creature.  The miraculous metamorphosis that takes place transforms him from a plump, awkward larva to a graceful, attractive butterfly.  Now he can live as the creature God intended for him to become.

In the same way, I am transformed into a new creature when I commit to Jesus as my Lord.  As the Amplified Bible interprets 2 Corinthians 5:17, "The old (previous moral and spiritual condition) has passed away."

My past sins, former way of thinking, and previous state as an enemy of God are all part of the old me. (Isaiah 1:18, Romans 12:2, Colossians 1:21)  If I choose to continue living my way, however, as if nothing has changed, it is as if I am not even saved.  I am still acting as one who is sinful and hostile to God. (Ephesians 4:22)

When I have a chance to react in love when treated poorly, then, I go back to my old ways and lash out in anger and self-righteousness.  I think, How dare you treat me that way!  The opportunity to show the compassion and mercy of God is lost.

When God sends a hurting soul who needs guidance and comfort, I retreat to my old position of sticking to my schedule and placing my tasks before my calling.  The chance I had to administer   reassurance through the truth found in God's Word was lost.

When things look hopeless and my circumstances seem impossible, I do as I always have and fret about what could happen, turning my body into a mass of pain and suffering.  The opening God had provided for me to trust Him passed right on by.

I must realize that as a believer in Christ Jesus, I must purposefully turn away from my old way of thinking, speaking and acting.  These are parts of my old self.  If I insist on living the way I used to live, it is important for me to understand that I will reap what I sow.  (Galatians 6:7)  God will not protect me from the consequences of my actions because He shows no favoritism. (Romans 2:9-11)  I am held accountable for how I choose to live. (2 Corinthians 5:10)

To live as if I've received the new life promised to me, I must put off the old, sinful ways.

Control

My husband received a remote-controlled helicopter from his brother last year for his birthday.  After charging the battery, we took it outside to take it for a spin.  It was pretty fun trying to raise it up in the air and make it hover without crashing into something (or someone).  The frustrating part, however, was that only one person could control the craft at a time.  

Just as this small model could only have one pilot at a time, so my life can only submit to one lord.  If I insist on acting as that leader, then God cannot.  The thing about God is that He is not a bully.  He does not force His way into my life, demanding His rightful place.  Instead, He is a gentleman, waiting for me to invite Him.  

When I see trouble coming down the pike and take immediate action in order to avoid disaster, I've left God out in the cold, denying Him the lordship I claim to have given Him.

When I go after what I want without a thought to God's sovereign plan, I've given control to myself instead of the Master Planner.

When I seek the advice of others when relationships turn sour but fail to acknowledge God, I deny the only One who can mend a broken heart and heal the wounds that drive people apart.

Jesus said, "No one can serve two masters.  Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other." (Matthew 6:24a)  If I claim to follow Jesus, I must let Him lead or I betray the identity of my true master: Me!

To live as if I've received the new life promised to me, I must give God control of all things.

Sonship

My sister and her husband are foster parents.  Every time they take in a child, whether it be for the short term or the long haul, they consider the youngster to be their own son or daughter.  Bloodline or length of time spent in their family matters not.  Instead, the love of God compels them to include any child that is taken in as a part of the family.

Similarly, God's love offers a place for me in His family.  There are no requirements of time served, righteousness obtained or abilities mastered.  On the contrary, I am invited because I trust in Jesus as my Savior.  The blood Jesus shed on the cross is the only prerequisite for entrance into this kinship.

God's Spirit gives me the assurance of my place in His family, helping me to feel comfortable and at ease in this new position.  (Romans 8:16)  As I become accustomed to the ways of my Father, I grow in my desire to obey Him out of the love that grows in my heart.  When I do as He instructs, I find that my life is blessed in many ways.  Even though hard times come, my Father is always there for me, protecting me, guiding me and strengthening me.

Troubles that used to consume me, sending me into a frenzy of anxiety, now serve as opportunities to see the power of my Father.

Activities that used to bring much pleasure now are seen as an affront to the One whom I serve as I find other ways to find enjoyment.

Difficult circumstances come as I grow in my faith, but I learn that my Father sends them as a tool to grow my faith.

To live as if I've received the new life promised to me, I must live as a child of God.

When Jesus becomes my Lord and Savior that is not the end, but only the beginning.  From there I cannot continue to live in my old ways and retain control of my life and still call myself a follower of Christ.  Instead, I only move forward in the Spirit of life when I live as one who is adopted into the family of my heavenly Father.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I will put off the old way of living and take on my new position in God's family.

When do I continue in old patterns without even trying to turn away from them?

How am I defiantly insisting on controlling my own destiny?  

New Way

"I know that nothing good lives in me,

that is, in my sinful nature.

For I have the desire to do what is good,

but I cannot carry it out.

. . .What a wretched man I am!

Who will rescue me from this body of death?

Thanks be to God--

through Jesus Christ our Lord!"

Romans 7:18, 24-25a

Monday was the big day; it marked the beginning of the change, the start of a new way of eating, the onset of "The Diet."  All the preparations had been made, fresh fruits and vegetables stocked the refrigerator, whole grain products lined the shelves and lean meats stood at attention in the freezer, waiting for their turn to be consumed.  The plan was in place, enthusiasm was mounting and soon the pounds would start melting off.

Then temptation came, rearing it's ugly head in the form of a mid-morning craving for donuts.  Thoughts of last week's freshly-made cinnamon rolls floated through my mind as the scent of bacon wafted past my nostrils.  Why is it so hard to stick to this diet!  I have the desire, I know what I need to do, but it seems I have no resistance to temptation. How will I ever lose this weight when I can't even get through the first few hours of my diet without thoughts of how I can cheat?

Anyone who has ever gone on a diet knows that the moment you deprive yourself of a certain food, that is the very thing that you want.  If I tell myself I am cutting out potato chips, for instance, I will suddenly grow this strong urge to munch on Ruffles, even if I haven't eaten them in awhile.  

This is a good example of how my sin nature works.  The moment I make an effort to follow God's laws, evil rears it's ugly head.  I may have the desire or urge to do what I know is right in God's eyes, but there is no power within myself to stand up to the temptation to do my own thing instead.

If the law had the ability to save me, there would have been no need for Jesus.  Instead, God gave His law so that I would know how despicable my efforts to obey are.  I fail time and time again!  To add insult to injury, God placed His law within my heart and mind, leaving me no doubt as to how wretched a woman I am. (Jeremiah 31:33)  What hope is there for me, a sinner?

Jesus is my only hope.  As the One who took my place on the cross, taking the punishment meant for my sin, He made a way out of this miserable cycle, giving me a new way to live.

Effort?

One of my favorite television shows as a youngster was "Leave it to Beaver."  This family sitcom took place in the late 1950's and highlighted the lives of Beaver, his brother Wally and their parents, Ward and June Cleaver.  

Many times, the two brothers would get in trouble because of a scheme Wally's sneaky friend, Eddie Haskell, would mastermind.  Eddie usually came out smelling like a rose while his unfortunate friends would bear the brunt of the punishment.  

Eddie didn't care about the welfare of his buddies but only desired to carry out his destructive plans.  Even though Wally and the Beaver were pretty good kids and wanted to do the right thing, it seemed as long as that conniving schemer was around, Wally and the Beaver had no chance of staying on the straight and narrow.

In a similar way, I may desire to do what pleases God, but as long as my sin nature is around, I'm doomed for failure.  Since I can't get away from my flesh, I must find another way to live.  As a follower of Christ, I can no longer depend upon my effort to do what I think is right.

Clearly then, making a resolution to stop swearing will not curb my propensity for cursing.  Neither will declaring my intention to cease from worry stop my incessant anxiety.  I can't expect to stop looking at pornography just because I don't want to do it anymore.  There has to be more to living a godly live than just my attempts at improvement.

Hope to end the cycle of sinful patterns in my life must come from somewhere beyond my own effort.

Anything Goes?

The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority began using the infamous slogan, "What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas" in 2005.  While this effective ad campaign may have increased revenue for the city known for gambling, entertainment and wild living, it is not a good  motto by which to live my life.

Sometimes I do, however, adopt this way of thinking when I realize my efforts don't make a dent in my sinful behavior.  Instead of increasing my exertion, which I know will not yield fruit, I may be tempted to take my approach to the opposite extreme.  In doing so, I figure that since my sins are forgiven, I can live any old way I want to live and let the blood of Jesus cover me.

This kind of mindset is dangerous, to say the least.  Not only am I taking too light of a view of sin, but I am also minimizing the sacrifice Jesus made on the cross for me.  Every time I fail to reach God's standard of perfection, I deserve death.  My transgressions against a holy God are serious enough that He demands the ultimate penalty.  Every time I fail to follow His ways, I deserve up God's wrath.  

As much as God hates sin, though, that's how much He loves me.  His love drove Him to make a critical  sacrifice in placing His wrath for my sin upon His own Son.  As the perfect Lamb of God, Jesus' death on the cross was enough to atone for the sin of all mankind.  This, however, was not a painless act.  The agony that Jesus endured for my sake goes way beyond anything I can imagine.

Not only was Jesus beaten, scourged, humiliated and tortured, but He also endured separation from His Father.  As the sins of the world came upon Jesus, God turned His back on His beloved Son.  Perhaps the pain of this break in the unity He normally experienced with His Father was even more excruciating than the physical pain of dying a tortuous death.  Love is what drove God to commit this unthinkable sacrifice.

How, then, can I possibly think that sin is not a big deal?  Even if it's just what I call a "little sin," that transgression still was a part of what drove Jesus to the cross.  Clearly, then, living a life where anything goes is not a way to live my life for Jesus.

Hope for an eternity with a holy God and His Son who sacrificed so much for me must drive me away from living as if sin does not matter.

New Way

Since I have no ability within myself to adhere to the Law that God gave, yet sin is plainly not to be dealt with lightly, how should I live my life to please God?  It seems I'm doomed if I try, and doomed if I don't.

The answer lies in not what I do, but whom I follow.  Under the new covenant prophesied by Jeremiah (Jeremiah 31:33), I am now able to do what God wants.  Instead of relying on my own effort, I find that as I follow my Shepherd, I am led toward His righteousness. (Psalm 23:3)  He enables me to continue down this path that leads to life, and staying in relationship with Him allows His fruit to be borne in me. (John 15:5-8) In this way, Jesus works in me to accomplish what is pleasing to Him.  (Hebrews 13:20-21)

Instead of trying to have a quiet time every morning, then, I find that I so desire to spend those moments with God that I rise early of my own accord with joy and anticipation of what He will tell me.

As a replacement for not taking a stand against sexually explicit, violent or indecent images that filter into my mind through television, movies and the Internet, I find that my conscience is so disturbed by what I see that I eagerly and willingly dispose of anything in my possession that does not please God.

When I usually have no problem with cheating on my taxes, justifying to myself that the government takes enough already and that I deserve to keep a little more for myself, I suddenly find that the previously rational explanation no longer makes sense and I desire to follow the letter of the law.  

Jesus changes me from the inside out when I submit to His work in my life, leading me to live my life in the new way of the Spirit.

Just as going on a diet seems to set me up for failure, committing myself to doing what God wants will not earn me His favor.  Taking on a form of cheap grace, however, and letting it all hang out is also not the answer to finding God's path.  Instead, it is found by seeking Him with all of my heart and letting Him do the work through me.  Then, I will find that I am walking in the New Way that pleases God.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can keep close to my Shepherd and not go off on either tangent that leads away from Him.

How do I depend on my own effort to do better for God?

When do I find myself giving up on taking a stand against sin and just letting it go?