My Refiner

In preparation for a day of Thanksgiving , "Writings on the Doorframe" is offering a series of short devotionals based on Psalm 139 with the purpose of preparing your heart for the original intention for the holiday's creation: 

To give thanks to a generous and loving God.

"Search me, God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting."
Psalm 139:23-24

Oh, that I have a God who serves as my heart and brain surgeon, able to know my motivations, burning out all the impurities that inspire me toward selfish ends.  He can also explore my thoughts and point out the feelings and beliefs that lead me in the direction of a state of panic and destruction.

He is the perfect centrifuge, able to separate the godly from the sinful, and showing me how to rid myself of that which is shown to please me while offending Him.  He illuminates the path He has marked out for me, making it possible to walk in His ways.

Since I have a God who is so completely able to search me, why do I avoid this invaluable, divine tool, instead choosing to stay in my comfortable, self-seeking ways?  Knowing the healing that can come from His gracious scalpel, why do I feign ignorance, choosing instead to live with the cancer of sin?  If I really understood His love, wouldn't I welcome His scrutiny instead of fearing it? (1 John 4:18)

I have a God whom I can trust with the delicate task of separating what pleases Him from that which is an affront.  As He sits as a refiner of silver, holding me to the fire yet never taking His eye from me, the good that comes from the process becomes clear.  (Malachi 3:3a) I need not fear my Father's gentle probing.

Today, as I enter into the day set aside to thank God for all His goodness, I resolve to keep this truth at the forefront of my mind:

God sits as my Refiner.

God's Masterpiece

In preparation for Thanksgiving later this week, "Writings on the Doorframe" is offering a series of short devotionals based on Psalm 139 with the purpose of preparing your heart for the original intention for the holiday's creation: 

To give thanks to a generous and loving God.


"For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother's womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
My frame was not hidden from you 
when I was made in the secret place,
when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
Your eyes saw my unformed body;
all the days ordained for me were written in your book
before one of them came to be."
Psalm 139:13-16

Oh, that I have a God who created me with such care and attention to detail.  I often put myself down or think lowly of myself, not realizing what a precious work of art I am.

The Lord who created me from nothing started on the inside, molding me into His own image.  He then carefully pieced each trait together in the way that most pleased Him.  With great respect and awe, He breathed life into my inert form.  He was there, overseeing the entire process with great interest, never missing a detail.  Even when my life had not yet begun, He already knew exactly how it would come to pass, preparing me perfectly for each stage: No surprises and no mistakes.

Since I have a God who took such care in creating me, why do I think so little of myself?  Since I have a Creator who thought of every necessary detail, why do I fear my lack of fitness? (Exodus 4:10-12) Since I have a Father who looked upon my formless body and loved me deeply, why do I doubt His timely provision?

I have a God who made me His special creation and is never surprised at the circumstances in which I may find myself.  I am His precious masterpiece.

Today, as I prepare for a day set aside to thank God for all His goodness, I resolve to keep this truth at the forefront of my mind:

I am God's Masterpiece.

Never Far

In preparation for Thanksgiving later this week, "Writings on the Doorframe" is offering a series of short devotionals based on Psalm 139 with the purpose of preparing your heart for the original intention for the holiday's creation: 

To give thanks to a generous and loving God.

"Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?
If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,
even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast.
If I say, 'Surely the darkness will hide me
and the light become night around me,'
even the darkness will not be dark to you;
the night will shine like the day,
for darkness is as light to you."
Psalm 139:7-12

Oh, that I have a God who is never far from me.  I can try to run from Him, reaching for the heights of worldly success or sinking to the depths of despair.  Still, He is there by my side.  If I try my own way of living, He never gives up on me.  If I dip my toe into the pool of a foreign belief, He still cares enough to remind me of the Truth.  No matter what path I choose, His mighty hand is there to keep me from falling.  Even if I seek cover from His unrelenting pursuit in the darkest of places, He still sees me as if I were out in the brightest of lights.

Therefore, I need not hide from His loving hand.  Instead, I can step boldly into the Light where my transgressions will be washed away by the blood of Jesus.  I can stop the game of cat and mouse and embrace the prosperous plan He has for my life.  I can fall into His arms of love and accept the forgiveness, grace and mercy He is waiting to lavishly pour into my life.

If I am perfectly loved and pursued, why do I readily retreat from His great compassion?  If I am as deeply wanted as this by the God of all creation, why do I put such effort into resisting Him?  If He is always this close to me, why is it so easy for me to turn to other sources to fill my greatest needs?

Today, as I prepare for a day set aside to thank God for all His goodness, I resolve to keep this truth at the forefront of my mind:

God is never far from me.

Perfectly Known

In preparation for Thanksgiving later this week, "Writings on the Doorframe" is offering a series of short devotionals based on Psalm 139 with the purpose of preparing your heart for the original intention for the holiday's creation: 

To give thanks to a generous and loving God.

"You have searched me, LORD,

and you know me.

You know when I sit and when I rise;

you perceive my thoughts from afar.

You discern my going out and my lying down;

you are familiar with all my ways.

Before a word is on my tongue you, LORD, 

know it completely.

You hem me in behind and before,

and your lay your hand upon me.

Suck knowledge is too wonderful for me,

too lofty for me to attain."

Psalm 139:1-6

Oh, that I have a God who knows me so intimately!  He is familiar with my schedule, my thought processes, and all my quirky ways.  When I'm surprised by the things that come out of my mouth, He knows why I said it as well as what I really meant to say.

In view of the fact that He has such knowledge of me, He keeps His hand on me, perceiving when I need extra security and when He can lighten His protection.  He runs interference for me and covers me when the bullets begin to fly. Only He knows what I need and when I require it. This knowledge boggles my mind.

Since I have a God who knows me like this, why do I fear in the face of threat?  Why should I be hesitant to walk with Him down the path of the unknown?  Why do I sometimes feel like no one understands me?

Even though I am perfectly known, it is easy for me to let the worries of life choke out this truth, or my pride that tells me the mission at hand is up to me blind me from reality, or my deceptive heart lead me into the deep, dark pit.

Today, as I prepare for a day set aside to thank God for all His goodness, I resolve to keep this truth at the forefront of my mind:

I am perfectly known

Consecrate Yourselves

"For I am the LORD your God.

Consecrate yourselves therefore,

and be holy,

for I am holy.

And you shall not make yourselves unclean

with any of the swarming things that swarm on the earth."

Leviticus 11:44 NASB

The gecko made its way up the wall, exploring the home of the family of four.  When it reached a certain point, it lost its footing and fell to its death.  When the woman of the Israelite home returned to her cooking area, she discovered the creature's body inside her favorite water jar, a vessel passed down to her from her mother.  According to God's law, she must now destroy this precious keepsake.  Her heart was broken.

Thankfully, I need not be concerned with making myself or any of my belongings impure by coming into contact with unclean creatures.  As one who has been bought at a price, however, I had better realize how I tarnish my testimony as a redeemed image bearer.  What kind of God do I represent to the world?

Holy God

She had worked hard all week and felt like she deserved a break.  When her friends invited her out to dinner, she eagerly accepted, ready for some fun after the grueling week that was finally behind her.  She briefly considered how this could be a temptation to return to drink after finally reaching the 3-months-dry mark, but she quickly dismissed the thought in her quest to enjoy the evening.  Unfortunately, the lure to relax with one drink had been too much for the young woman and she soon found herself in a drunken stupor after a night of drinking.

I've heard it said that, "The trouble with trouble is that is usually starts out as a whole lot of fun."  While there is nothing wrong with fun, relaxation and recreation, I must be careful of the temptations I expose myself to in my quest to enjoy life.  It is easy to justify this risky behavior by telling myself that everyone does it, or that God won't mind one slip-up.  

The reality, however, is that my God is a holy God and my sin is an affront to Him and the sacrifice His son made on my behalf.  If He was willing to go to such lengths to cover my transgressions, I had better be serious about avoiding temptation at all costs. (James 4:4-7, 1 Timothy 6:11)

If my mouth is what gets me in trouble, then, I had better stay out of conversations that could turn ugly or from people who tend to push my buttons.  If it is my eyes that lure me into lustful exploration, I had better block all temptations that come through every electronic device.  If it is my ears that entice me into politically-centered belief systems or godless world-views, I had better avoid listening to those programs or opinionated people who tend to lead me away from godly truths.

Since I serve a holy God, I had better run from temptation, always taking the way out He mercifully provides.  (1 Corinthians 10:13)

Jealous God

I was hurt that she didn't want my help.  My friend was in a tough predicament and I wanted to walk with her through the dark valley.  Instead, she opted to go it alone, embarrassed for me to see her in such a lowly place.  In reality, I loved her enough to be able to look past her circumstances and simply be there for her.

It is hard when someone I love turns elsewhere for support and assistance.  When I care about a friend or family member, that kind of help is part of the relationship and I have found that walking together through hard times strengthens a bond between two people.  

It's not so different with God.  He loves me with an enduring love that runs deeper than the ocean.  When I turn to other sources for wisdom, provision of needs, and guidance, it must hurt Him deeply.  He is a jealous God.  He is not jealous of me, but He is jealous for me.  It is His desire that I depend solely on Him as my only Source of support, help and supply.

Therefore, when I don't know what to do, instead of talking to a friend, seeking out so-called expert advice, or searching the Internet for answers, I can turn to God first.  He can be the One I run to at the beginning of every crisis, believing that He holds the solution to all my problems.  Instead of turning to Him as a last resort or after checking out my options, keeping Him at the top of my list of go-to-resources will show my understanding of His jealous nature.

Since I serve a jealous God, I had better turn to Him first as my only Source of supply, understanding, and direction.

Unchanging God

"Come mothers and fathers throughout the land, and don't criticize what you can't understand.  Your sons and your daughters are beyond your command, your old road is rapidly agin'.  Please get out of the new one if you can't lend your hand, for the times they are a-changin'."

You might recognize these words as the lyrics from a 1963 Bob Dylan song* called "The Times They Are A-Changin' " that served as a call to accept the change that was occurring in our country.  While he may have been mostly referring to civil rights, there is also a sense he's talking about other more sinister changes.  To whatever it is that he refers, the meaning is clear: Climb on board or get out of the way because the train of revolution is leaving the station.

Change is definitely a part of living in this world.  Values shift to accommodate new beliefs and soon we find that we've compromised so much of what we know to be true until we can't tell where we stand.  While the times might change, and people may adjust their points-of-view accordingly, God never changes.  (James 1:17)

It is easy to get caught up in the flow of the times.  I read God's Word and understand that He holds all human life as precious, yet my heart hurts for women who find themselves between a rock and a hard place. (Genesis 9:5-6, Exodus 20:13)   Therefore, I compromise what I know to be true and support abortion in the case of rape or incest.

I know that God is a God of purpose and that He created all things in just the way He wanted them to exist. (Genesis 2:23-24) When I learn the heart-wrenching stories of couples who can't express their love for one another because of their sexual orientation, though, I may be tempted to adjust my beliefs to accommodate their desire to marry.

I agree with God when He says I should be a woman of my word, but when it seems there is no other way, I adjust the numbers in an effort to stay in the lower tax bracket. (Exodus 20:16, Leviticus 19:11, Proverbs 12:22) 

Since I serve an unchanging God, I had better do what I know is right while standing for the Truth in this dark world.

Even though I don't need to worry about how I defile myself by what I touch or eat like God's people of old did, I do need to be concerned about how I taint my testimony of the God I serve.  Therefore, I must act as if I understand the holy, jealous, unchanging nature of God, letting these attributes influence the way I live.  In these ways I will show myself to be consecrated for His purposes.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can take God seriously as I walk with Him.

When do I turn to other sources for help when I'm in trouble?

How do I change my beliefs in order to keep up with the thinking of the times?  

* http://www.bobdylan.com/us/songs/times-they-are-changin#ixzz2lNHOmAH8

Distinguish

"You are to distinguish between the holy and the common,

and between the unclean and the clean,

and you are to teach the people of Israel

all the statutes that the LORD

has spoken to them by Moses."

Leviticus 10:10-11

She needed a few utensils to use in her soap-making endeavors.  Since she found it was important to guard against contamination by keeping the tools made for cooking separate from those used for creating the bars of soap, she labeled a storage bag for the non-food utensils.  My daughter knows enough to distinguish between the two uses for our utensils.

In a similar way, God differentiates between the holy and common, the clean and the unclean, the truth and deception.  While the world views everything as the same and even interchangeable, there is a difference to God.  Therefore, I must learn to distinguish as He does.

Holy and Common

"What in the **** was he thinking?"

"You mean, 'What in the hell was he thinking?'"

"Yes, but I wasn't sure what I should say since I was in a church."

"You shouldn't curse, but 'hell' is a place not a curse."

So was the logic overheard at a recent community meeting held in our church.  While the man did have the right idea that God does care about what comes out of our mouths, he didn't realize the church is not the only place where that matters.

As a follower of Christ, my body has been bought at a price and is no longer my own to do with as I please.  Instead, it is a temple of God's holy Spirit. (1 Corinthians 6:19-20) Consequently, I am set aside for His purposes and I am called to live a life that is pleasing to Him.  (1 Peter 2:9-12)

On the flip side, it is ridiculous for me to look at the lost around me and expect them to behave in a godly way.  They have neither the power to do so by the Spirit of God, nor the understanding of their own sinfulness.  Therefore, I must distinguish between who belongs to God through faith in Jesus Christ and who has yet to enter into that transforming relationship.

Since there is a difference, I am called to love those who act callously, crudely and coldheartedly because they know not what they do. (Matthew 5:44)  The world is filled with lost souls who need the love of God, and many times His people are the conduits of His compassion and kindness.  If I instead hold them to a standard that is impossible for me or anyone else to meet, I am forgetting the difference the empowering Spirit of God makes in a life. (John 16:5-15, Acts 1:8)

As a child of God through faith in Christ, I must distinguish between those who are made holy through the blood of Jesus and those who are not.

Clean and Unclean

"We can do whatever we want."  I couldn't understand what my new neighbor was trying to say.  She had invited my daughters and I over to her home for a spa night with the hope that her girls would find friends in mine.  Unfortunately, we soon learned their ideas of the freedom found in Christ were skewed.

A few years later, this family of six suffered unwed pregnancies by two of the daughters and a dabbling into homosexuality by a third.  Clearly, this kind of freedom was not what God had in mind for His people.

I am reminded that everything is allowable for me to do as a child of God.  Not all things, however, are good for me. (1 Corinthians 6:12)  Therefore, it is important that I not take on the attitude of my neighbors, thinking I have been given carte blanche in how to live my life; to spend my time the way that pleases me, to take part in activities that appeal to my sin nature, or to keep the company of those who give me a good feeling.  

Instead, I must realize there are some pastimes that steal my heart from my jealous Father, some places where I will find temptation to sin, and some people who will corrupt the beliefs I know to be true.  (Exodus 20:5, 2 Timothy 2:22, 1 Corinthians 15:33)  For this reason, it is important that I strive to know the difference between what is good for me as God's child, and what is not.

As a child of God through faith in Christ, I must distinguish between the clean and the unclean.

Truth and Deception

Cleanliness is next to godliness.

God helps those who help themselves.

God does not give us more than we can handle.

Money is the root of all evil.

These are all common sayings that are attributed to truths found in the Bible, but are not, in fact, Biblical.  They may have a basis of truth, but each twists that truth just enough to make it wrong.   For instance, it is the state of my heart that is more important than the outward cleanliness and I am only made right with God by the cleansing blood of Jesus (Matthew 7:18-23, 1 Samuel 16:7, Matthew 23:25-26).  

Likewise, there is nothing I can do to save myself and God works best when I cooperate with Him instead of trying to make something happen apart from Him (Ephesians 2:8-9, Isaiah 40:31).  

Furthermore, God doesn't tempt me beyond what I can bear but He often allows much more into my life than what I can carry in my own strength (1 Corinthians 10:13, 2 Corinthians 12:9).  

Finally, while money is not good or bad in and of itself, the love of it can ruin a man and his faith.  (1 Timothy 6:10, Matthew 6:24)

If I am to be able to discern between godly wisdom and that which is from the world, I will need to make a commitment to learning the truth found in God's Word.  The more I study, the easier it is for me to pick out that which does not line up with His plumb line. (2 Timothy 3:16-17,Psalm 1:1-3, 2 Timothy 3:14-15) If I stay away from His Word, simply relying on what I already know, I will fall for anything that sounds good to me. (Matthew 13:20-21)

As a child of God through faith in Christ, I must distinguish between the Truth and deception.

I live in a world where everything is treated as equally as valid.  In God's economy, however, there is a difference between the holy and common, the clean and unclean, and the truth and deception.  Therefore, as His child, I must learn to distinguish the difference instead of embracing everything as good.  In this way I will please God as I take His kingdoms ways seriously.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can lean not on my own understanding but instead submit myself to God and His ways.

When do I prefer my ways enough to choose the lies that sound so good to my sin nature?

How am I putting myself in jeopardy by allowing temptation into my life?     

Dangerous

"Aaron's sons Nadab and Abihu took their censers,

put fire in them and added incense;

and they offered unauthorized fire before the LORD,

contrary to his command.

so fire came out from the presence of the LORD

and consumed them,

and they died before the LORD.

Moses then said to Aaron,

'This is what the LORD spoke of when he said:

Among those who approach me

I will be proved holy;

in the sight of all the people

I will be honored.'

Aaron remained silent."

Leviticus 10:1-3

Even though the steer was docile, he was still a 1500 lb animal whose size I must respect.  As a child, I was active in a local beef 4-H group.  Our little farm raised a small herd and some of my most enjoyable memories were of the time I spent training one or two of the heifers or steers to show in the local fair.  One year, I decided to train two: a petite female and a large neutered male.  The steer grew to be quite large, and even though I wasn't afraid of him and could approach him like a pet, he still had the strength to be able to hurt me.  Therefore, I could never let my guard down around him.

I must be the same with the Lord.  He is a loving God whose throne I can boldly approach through faith in Jesus Christ, but I must remember He is also a holy and just God who has the power to take my life at any time. (Hebrews 4:16, Hebrews 12:28-29) Even though I don't believe God wants me to be wary of Him, there does need to be a level of respect and awe of His power.  He is a dangerous God.

Therefore, I must not take God and His Word lightly.  While He may not strike me down on the spot for my recklessness, I can strive to honor Him in the way I live my life, showing my understanding of His power and righteousness.

Own Understanding

They thought they had Him all figured out.  They gave their friend advice as if they knew all of God's ways.  Instead of offering comfort and support, they condemned the man who suffered so much, assuming they knew what God was doing.  Soon, those friends of Job were put in their place by the God whose ways are so much higher than any man's. (Isaiah 55:9, Job 42:7-9)

While I may not consciously think I have God all figured out, I sometimes act like I do when I limit His powers in my puny expectations of what He is able to do, or in the way I assume He'll provide in a way I understand.  The fact of the matter is that God has resources, power and a purpose of which I know nothing.  I may have seen God work in my life and think He'll always operate this way, but the truth is that I have no idea what He has in the works.

Therefore, I would be wise not to fit God in the proverbial box, using my own common sense and intelligence to try to explain Him.  Instead, I must let God be God and stay in my place as a mere human.  

When I'm not sure how I'll get through a difficult time, then, I can let go of all preconceived notions of how I can cope and simply put my fears and needs into His hands, letting Him have complete control over how He'll deliver me through. (2 Corinthians 12:8-9)

When I think I know how I want my life to go, arranging every detail just so, I can let go of my plans and let God order my footsteps. (Proverbs 16:9)

When I assume the good things I have in my life are as a result of my own hard work, I can let go of the worldly perspective that I go after what I need as instead invest in God's kingdom while letting Him provide for my needs.  (Matthew 6:32-33)

I am flirting with a dangerous God when I lean on my own understanding. (Proverbs 3:5-6)

Own Expectations

She was angry.  Her life had not turned out the way she wanted and there had been many days of suffering.  In response, she lashed out angrily at the Lord, cursing Him for her lot.  Unfortunately, my friend turned away from God, claiming atheism as her new religion.

While I may not go to such extremes, there are times that I feel angry when I find myself in a place of difficulty,  It is easy to blame God since I know He is in control.  I am warned by the apostle Paul, however, that God cannot simply set aside His character in order to make me happy; I reap what I sow. (Galatians 6:6-7) 

When I think I deserve to live a life free from difficulties, for example, but I continually work against God's efforts to mold me as He sees fit, I can't expect smooth sailing.  Or if I break the law by speeding to get to work, I can't be angry when I receive a ticket.  Or if I cheat on my taxes, thinking I am just making sure I don't pay more than my fair share, I can't be surprised when others take advantage of me.  I will receive in the same measure I give. (Luke 6:37-38)

It is easy to expect certain outcomes in life even when I fail to do what I know I should.  God is not going to change the laws of nature, protect me from the consequences of my own rebelliousness, or enable me to continue in my sinful ways.  He is a holy God with a plan to shape me into the image of Christ.  Therefore, I must adjust my life accordingly instead of expecting God to do such conforming. 

I am flirting with a dangerous God when I bear my own expectations.

Own Standards

"I don't think that is such a big deal.  I mean, it's not like you're taking someone's life, or something.  It's just a little lie."  It's easy to justify sin.  When I attempt to live my life by my own standards, I will find I measure up pretty well.  If I take a chance and see how I look compared to the perfection God expects, however, I will see the reality of how far short I fall. (Romans 3:23)

Judging my life soberly only leads me to one conclusion:  I need Jesus.  I am sorely in need of a Savior to both save me from the wrath of God my sins deserve, but also to deliver the grace I need to live a life that is pleasing to Him.  Since my Father is a holy God, I must realize how important it is for me to strive for holiness as well. (1 Peter 1:14-15)

This means separating myself from the sin that comes so naturally to me.  It also means I can't take any provisions for giving into temptation, thinking that God doesn't mind if I let my guard down and let sin have it's way in my life every once in awhile.  After all, I justify, at least I don't do it all the time.

This kind of attitude is risky.   Since Jesus gave His all for me, I must give my all for His glory.  It's not that I must somehow earn my place in His kingdom, but rather that I take His sacrifice seriously and live accordingly. (Romans 12:3)

I flirt with a dangerous God when I live according to my own standard.

I don't intend to take God lightly, but sometimes I do.  Without thinking I may lean on my own understanding, carry my own expectations, and judge myself according to my own standards.  When I live in such a way, I am flirting with a dangerous God.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can let God be God and stay in my place.

When do I expect good when I sow much bad.

How do think I'm better or worse than I really am?

Prepared for Service

"Then the LORD said to Moses,

'Bring Aaron and his sons,

along with their sacred garments, the anointing oil,

the bull for the sin offering,

the two rams, and the basket of bread made without yeast,

and call the entire community of Israel together at the entrance of the Tabernacle.'

So Moses followed the LORD's instructions,

and the whole community assembled 

at the Tabernacle entrance."

Leviticus 8:1-4 NLT

He spent years training to be a doctor; four earning an undergraduate degree, four more completing medical school and another three in a residency.  Thousands of dollars were spent in preparation.  Once he completed his residency, he was ready to serve.

Becoming a medical doctor takes a serious commitment to entering that field of work; it would be hard to finish the grueling process without dedication and perseverance.  While practical training is a key part of the process, no one can begin treating patients until they have gone through rigorous instruction.  Preparation is essential.

While the world trains people to enter into specific fields through education, God has a different kind of preparation.  Instead of relying on my skills, knowledge and experience as a gauge as to when I'm ready to serve, God tests my heart by calling me first.  Once I accept the calling by faith, He equips me to be able to carry out His mission.  Instead of looking at a stack resumes filled with credentials and choosing the best prepared, then, He considers my willingness to be used as His only criteria.  Instead of calling the equipped, God equips the called.

Dressed

Before he entered the playing field, he painstakingly strapped all the pads to his body, sliding his jersey on over the bulky shoulder pads.  He stepped into the pants, complete with pads to protect his thighs, knees and hips. Next, he laced up his cleats to help give him traction on the grassy turf. Finally, he carried the helmet, ready to place it on his head before he went out on the field.

While a game of touch football in the backyard does not require a special uniform, playing organized ball does.  No player is allowed into a game without the proper gear.  In the same way, I have been given special attire to don as preparation for entering service.  When I make a commitment to stand for the Lord, Satan places a target on my chest.  As a result, I need armor.

Paul reminds me in Ephesians 6:10-18 that I am a part of a spiritual battle against the unseen forces responsible for much of the destruction found in this dark world.  When I take God's side in this fight, Satan will launch attacks against which this armor will help me to stand firm.  The truth as found in God's Word, my right standing with a holy God that comes through the blood of Jesus, the Gospel of Jesus Christ that gives me peace with a just God, my faith that helps me believe when everything I see tells me to give up, and the salvation that comes by grace are all integral parts of this protective covering.  

Once I'm shielded in this way, I take up my weapons, the Word of God and all kinds of prayers.  Now I am ready to stand firm in what God is calling me to do, no matter what my Enemy does.  In the same way that a football player would not enter the field without his gear, so God prepares me for service by providing armor to both defend myself against the one whose purpose is to steal, kill and destroy, and to inflict damage to his position. (John 10:10)

Before I enter into service for the Lord, it is important that I suit up in the armor He has supplied.

Anointing

She couldn't explain it, but she possessed this passion for serving the homeless.  When she spoke to those who were suffering, a light shone from within her, drawing the lost to hear the message of the Gospel.  The words flowed from her mouth without effort, touching the hearts of all who listened.

As a follower of Christ, I have been set aside for His purposes and supernaturally equipped to fulfill what I've been created to do.  (2 Corinthians 1:21, Ephesians 2:10) While I may need to obtain an education or specific training to fulfill certain requirements that allow me to enter into a certain field of work, there is nothing man can do to prepare me for God's service.  He provides all the training I need.  (1 John 2:27)

My job, then, is to stay connected to the Source of my anointing.  When I walk in the Spirit, I am enabled to teach, preach, encourage, help, prophesy, heal or whatever it is I am supernaturally equipped to do.  When I step out on my own, however, I will be able to do nothing.  (John 15:4-5)

This is not to say preparation is not important.  It takes much work to fulfill God's calling.   It is, however, work empowered by God's Spirit.  If I step out in faith, believing God will equip me to do as He has called me to do, I will find I'll be able to do things I never dreamed I could do.  If I hang back, afraid to let God use me because I can't picture myself doing what He says He will do, I will never experience His anointing:  I possess it, but I will not see it come to fruition.

Before I enter into service for the Lord, I must realize I have been set aside for His purposes and am supernaturally equipped to accomplish the mission to which He has called me.

Purified

She didn't feel clean.  Her mind was consumed by her past sins and she couldn't shake the feeling of guilt over how she hurt her family.  Even though she had acknowledged Christ as her Savior, she failed to fully accept His forgiveness.  Therefore, she continued living the life she thought she was destined to live.

It can be hard to believe all my sins have been wiped clean by the blood of Jesus.  (Isaiah 1:18, 1 John 1:7)  The truth is, however, that the moment I enter into a relationship with Him through faith, His righteousness becomes my own.  His sacrifice was enough to make me appear holy and blameless before God. (Colossians 1:22) 

Therefore, what Jesus did in sacrificing Himself out of obedience to His Father accomplished what my effort is unable to do: make me right with God.  What Jesus did in dying on the cross provided a way for God to forgive my unforgivable transgressions against His righteous requirements.  What Christ did in taking the punishment required for my sin was all that was necessary.

All that is left for me, then, is to accept what He has already done for me.  When I genuinely grasp the complete forgiveness that is found in Christ, I can live a truly free life.  Free from condemnation, free from fear, free from hesitation.  As Jesus said, "If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." (John 8:36)

Before I enter into service for the Lord, I must fully accept the complete forgiveness I have in Christ.

God's kingdom is upside down and backwards from any earthly one.  I cannot expect to apply worldly principles, then, to His realm.  Instead, I must take on the preparation He has for those who are called according to His purpose.  When I accept His calling, I will find armor made to prepare me for spiritual battle, an anointing that fits me for the task, and purification that sets me free from the burden of sinful entanglements.  In these ways, I am prepared for service.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can fully accept the calling God has placed before me.

How do I hold back because I don't believe God can use me as He has suggested?

When am I afraid to step forward in faith?            

Fellowship Offering

"If he offers it for a thanksgiving,

then he shall offer with the thanksgiving sacrifice

unleavened loaves mixed with oil,

unleavened wafers smeared with oil,

and loaves of fine flour well mixed with oil."

Leviticus 7:12

The women were scurrying around in the kitchen, preparing a feast of all the traditional fixin's.  There was tender, roasted turkey, creamy mashed potatoes, savory stuffing, tangy cranberry sauce, sugary sweet potatoes, traditional green bean casserole, steaming-hot rolls followed by an array of pies.  So much time is spent preparing the spread and enjoying the tastes that it's easy to forget why we gather around the table.  The purpose of the holiday is to give thanks to God.

President Abraham Lincoln, in the midst of a bloody civil war, issued a proclamation on October 3, 1863 at the request of the editor of Godey's Lady's Book, Sarah Josepha Hale to "set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens."  It was his intention to nationalize a previously local celebration first established by President Washington so that all American hearts would annually be turned toward the Lord and all He so mercifully provides.

The Israelites were given a similar rite to help them turn their hearts toward God's goodness as He blessed them in so many ways.  They were given the option of presenting to the Lord a fellowship offering as an expression of thankfulness for His provision.  How can I do the same, especially as I prepare for the upcoming American holiday of Thanksgiving?

Attitude

I woke up dreading the day to come.  Even though I was excited to move to our new location, I knew moving day would be filled with hard work as we loaded all of our belongings onto the moving truck.  Since I had fallen into bed in the wee hours of the morning, I was running on little sleep, adding to my poor outlook.  It seems I couldn't shake this grumpy attitude.

There are many factors that can play into the way I feel about my current circumstances.  Ultimately, though, the way I think or feel about the life God has given me is up to me.  Either I can be grateful for all with which He has blessed me, or I can desire more than what He has supplied.

This reminds me of a story I heard about Mother Teresa.  In 1994 she spoke at the National Prayer Breakfast, recounting the time she cared for a sickly woman she found living on the street.  As she showed the poor soul the love of Christ, placing her gently in bed, the dying woman took hold of the nun's hand and with the most beautiful smile on her face uttered only two words, "Thank you."  Her eyes then closed as she died.  

Mother Teresa was touched by her attitude of gratitude.  Instead of drawing attention to her great needs of hunger, pain relief and poor health, she choose to give her caregiver a dose of grateful love.

There are so many times when I choose to feel sorry for myself and the predicament in which I find myself instead of being thankful for all the good God has given to me.  It is really a matter of my heart.  Paul encourages us to "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God." (Colossians 3:16)

I present a kind of fellowship offering to the Lord when I choose an attitude of gratefulness instead of discontent.

Focus

The weeds were everywhere.  I couldn't take my eyes off the jungle of invaders creeping over the ground in my flowerbed.  It was hard to focus on any other chore in the yard until I removed all those weeds.  After I finished the job, I turned my attention toward the roses that had been presiding over my frenzied weeding.  The colors popped from luscious vines as the drops of dew seemed to magnify their beauty.  How did I miss such splendor?  I was focused only on what was wrong with the garden and had completely overlooked all that was good.

This happens often in my life.  The evil and darkness is so obvious in the world in which God has placed me, making it all too easy to focus my attention on everything negative.  If I turn my attention toward the Lord, however, and resolve to look for all the good that He is doing, I might be surprised at what I find. (James 1:17)

Instead of seeing only the couples who are divorcing right and left, I will begin to notice the marriages that are thriving against all odds.  When it is easy to adopt a spirit of despair based on the rowdy behavior of the children in my Sunday School class, I may be surprised at the fruit God is growing when I turn my attention toward their hearts.  In the place of focusing on the wrong that seems so obvious in my country's culture, I will find much for which to praise God when I look for the good that is just beneath the surface.

If I look for the evil, dark and sinful in the location which God has placed me, I will find it.  If, however, I choose to turn my attention toward the goodness that comes from God, I will discover much treasure in which to encourage my heart and pour out in gratitude to my gracious Father.  (1 Timothy 4:4, Proverbs 11:27)   

I present a kind of fellowship offering to the Lord when I turn my attention toward the good that God is doing all around me.

Training

As my children were growing up, it was easy for them to take the good things people offered.  What was not so natural, however, was for them to express their gratitude for gifts given to them.  It took regular reminders to train my daughters to say, "Thank you."

In the same way, I can't expect gratitude to come naturally.  It takes intention and a sense of purpose to train myself to give thanks in the way God has in mind.  (Philippians 4:6)  It may be fairly easy to feel grateful when I receive a raise in my paycheck, an unexpected gift, or good health.  It takes practice, however, to give thanks to God for the times of struggle, the let down that comes when I don't receive what I expected, or the unfavorable diagnosis.  

Since God is a good God and I am His child through faith in Jesus Christ, I can rest in the knowledge that the hard stuff in my life will be used to bring about good. (Romans 8:28)  It may not be the kind of good that I am used to categorizing as beneficial, but it will, nonetheless, be exactly the good He deems as best for me.

Therefore, I can trust God enough when money is low to thank Him for the little, knowing the struggle is not without reason.  I can also thank Him for the pain that keeps me humble enough to realize it is not I who sets the agenda for my life.  I can even thank God for the unthinkable, keeping my faith in a God who has a master plan of which I know nothing. (Jeremiah 29:11)

I present a kind of fellowship offering to the Lord when I intentionally choose to thank God for all His goodness.

At this time of year, many people are talking about the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday.  As I prepare for the big day, however, it is my intention to develop an attitude of gratefulness toward the God who loves me enough to sacrifice His only Son for my benefit, to purposefully look for the good He is doing all around me, and to train myself to give thanks even when it seems there is nothing for which to be grateful.  In doing these things, I am presenting a kind of fellowship offering to a loving, gracious Father who knows how to give good gifts.  (Matthew 7:11)

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can look for all the good God is doing.

When do I focus more on the bad that rises to the surface of my consciousness?

How can I make the effort today to thank God for the good things for which I must search?