Jesus is Key

"God created everything through him,

and nothing was created except through him.

The Word gave life to everything that was created,

and his life brought light to everyone."

John 1:3-4 NLT

Ask the man on the street who Jesus is and you will hear a variety of answers.  Some will say a teacher, others a prophet.  Still others will say He was a good man who set a good example of how to live, while a few will say He's the Savior of the world.  As nice as these replies sound, they fall far short of describing Jesus fully.  In fact, without Jesus, life itself would not exist and there would be nothing firm upon which to build my life.  (Colossians 1:15-20, Isaiah 28:16-17)

Since Jesus is the key to life, let's take a few moments and examine His importance.

Conduit

Without Him, none of creation would exist.  When God got down to the business of generating everything, He started with nothing and from it created all things.  The channel through whom this miracle occurred was Jesus Christ.  (1 Corinthians 8:6)  

Through Jesus all things were made that have been made.  (1 Colossians 1:16)  Everything I can see with my eye was created and continues to exist by His service.  Even the things I am unable to see but nonetheless are real, such as all the orders of angels, were created by His power.  Without Jesus, nothing would exist.

What kind of impact could this Jesus have on my life?  When there seems to be no redeeming quality found in me, I can put my hope in Jesus who is able to deliver all the goodness of God into my life. (Galatians 5:22-23)  

When my life has become a series of failures and disappointments and is crashing down around my feet, Jesus can make something beautiful out of the debris. (2 Corinthians 4:7, Isaiah 61:3)  

When I have no hope as I stand on the precipice of a great chasm of despair, Jesus liberates me from such misery and brings with Him great expectations of what He has prepared for me, both here and in eternity. (Ephesians 2:10, John 14:2-3)

Jesus is the conduit through whom something is made out of nothing.

Life-Giver

Since a woman can give birth to a baby, females in some societies are called givers of life.  Those who donate an organ, thus making life possible for another plagued with disease, are said to have given the gift of life.  Either way, its easy to see how people can be considered as life-givers.

The one true Life-Giver, however, is Jesus.  After all things were created through Him, He actually gave life to everything He created.  The peculiar platypus received the heartbeat of life from its Creator.  The mighty elephant became animated at the hand of Jesus.  Man took his first breathe as a result of the work of Jesus.  

Furthermore, as the real Life-Giver, Jesus presents an even greater gift of life to each of His precious Image-bearers.  Through faith in Jesus, I can receive both an abundant life here in this fallen, wretched world, as well as the great hope of everlasting life in the world to come. (John 10:10, John 3:16)

Since Jesus is the Life-Giver, putting my faith in Him gives me new life. (2 Corinthians 5:17) Instead of living the old life where I did what came naturally, I now have a new way of living where I follow the Spirit of God who dwells within me. (Galatians 5:16-26) As such, my life is filled with purpose as I carry out the work God specifically created for me to do. (Ephesians 2:10) There is no greater sense of fulfillment than that which comes when the created behaves as it was designed to behave.  This is the life Jesus delivers!

Jesus is the true Giver of life.

Light

I awoke with a start.  Looking around me, I was startled to realize I could see nothing.  I waited a moment to let my eyes adjust.  Still, blackness pressed around me like a cold, unwelcome presence.  I groped around, feeling for the flashlight I had left near my pillow.  Once I found it and pushed the button, lighted pierced through the darkness, setting my heart to beating normally again.

There is nothing like waking up in the middle of the night during a camping trip to give you a sense of the true nature of darkness.  It transforms everyday objects into frightening obstacles or short jaunts to the bathroom into treacherous journeys.  Darkness influences my perception.

Jesus is the source of light.  Without Him, there would be nothing but darkness.  Without Him, there would be no understanding.  Without Him, there would be nothing but evil.  In the same way that light transforms a room, giving it a welcoming, homey feel, so Jesus changes my life in a similar way. 

What once was hidden now is in the open where I can find healing.  What used to be dark and scary now, in the light of Jesus, is unimposing and possible to be overcome.  What at one time overwhelmed me now, with the Light of the world at my side, is possible. (John 8:12)

Jesus is the Light of the world.

There is so much more to Jesus than what can be described.  He is the Cornerstone, the Ark, my Lord and Savior.  As such, I learn more and more of His incredible attributes the closer I get to Him.  When I seek Him with all of my heart, I discover that He is the conduit through whom all things were created, He is the true Giver of life, and He is the Light of all mankind.  As complex and wonderful as is my Savior, I will continue to learn more as time goes on, giving me even more reason to say, "Jesus is key."

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can see Jesus as He really is, not as who I think He is.

When do I minimize His character based on my own feeble understanding?

How do I squelch His light in my life?

Common Foundation

"Then Jonathan said to David,

'Go in peace,

because we have sworn both of us 

in the name of the LORD,

saying,

'The LORD shall be between me and you,

and between my offspring and your offspring, forever.'

And he rose and departed,

and Jonathan went into the city."

1 Samuel 20:42 ESV

It would be the most difficult thing they had ever done.  The two were closer than brothers, tied by a heavenly bond made stronger by their shared faith in the One True God.  To part ways seemed impossible, yet that is what they must do.  In order to preserve the life of one, they must both make this sacrifice.

Jonathan's father, Saul, was out to get David.  Even though it didn't make any sense to either of the two friends, Saul hated David.  Hatred, after all, does not follow sound reasoning but is born of insecurity and fear.  Therefore, when the first king of Israel grew jealous of David's popularity, his good nature and his fighting skills, especially considering the Lord's Spirit had left Saul and fallen on David, it's not surprising that the elder wanted to do away with the younger. (1 Samuel 16:13-14, 1 Samuel 18)

So the two bosom buddies came up with a plan.  If Jonathan determined that his father was truly intent on killing David, Jonathan would send him a message and he would go into hiding. (1 Samuel 20:5-7, 19-22)  As they both feared, Saul's anger burned against David.

When I am facing the unthinkable, as David and Jonathan were, I can go boldly forward in a spirit of peace in the same way these two friends did when they parted ways, knowing the Lord would keep them both.  Likewise, I can bear up under any hardship, recognizing that the Lord is my true foundation upon which I can stand firm.

Loss

A precious loved one

My job

Independence

Health

Financial security

My sound mental state

There is so much I find worth keeping in this world yet which is often lost.  When suffering such heartache and stress, I can find consolation in my heavenly Father who knows how to comfort me in times of trouble.  (2 Corinthians 1:3)  He is in the business of binding up broken hearts, healing deep and hidden wounds, and restoring goodness when all seems lost.  (Psalm 34:18, Psalm 147:3, Joel 2:25)

When I present my deepest wounds to the Lord, bringing it out of the darkness and into His healing light, I will find comfort, healing and restoration.  When I hold onto what hurts me most, however, I will never experience His transforming love.  

It takes a risk on my part to expose my innermost wounds to the One who loves me perfectly.  I will never, however, be sorry as He proves His trustworthiness by turning my mourning into dancing, my ashes into beauty and my loss into gain. (Psalm 30:11, Isaiah 61:3, Philippians 3:8)

I share a common foundation of faith with the family of God that indulges us all with the riches of His love during times of loss. 

Hardship

I try to avoid it all costs, orchestrating my life in an attempt to steer around the potholes.  I prefer smooth sailing to rough waters, clear paths to difficult terrain, and easy going to hard challenges.  God, however, has a different way of thinking.

In His play book, the rough waters are where I find Jesus.  As I struggle to keep my head above the fray, I will find Him acting as a life-preserver when I turn to Him for help.  (Isaiah 43:2)  

God allows difficulty into my life in order to bring about traits such as perseverance, character and hope.  (Romans 5:3-5)  And this is not a false hope that will let me down, but a true sense of future expectation that can spur me forward to my heavenly reward.  The hard times are not in vain!

While I may prefer the simple and trouble-free life, God often places tests in my life in order to produce patience.  This ability to wait on Him despite the seemingly hopeless nature of my situation serves me well as I learn to lean on His strength when mine is gone. (James 1:3-4, Isaiah 40:31)

I share a common foundation of faith with the family of God that uses hardship to bring about good in my life.

Suffering

The pain was unbearable.  The minutes crept by as she waited for relief that seemed would never come.  She learned to live with constant pain as if it were her trusty companion.  In truth, she'd rather endure anything else in place of how she now suffered.

It is one of the great questions of life:  Why does God allow suffering?  Living in a fallen world, we all encounter some kind of pain at one time or another.  For those who belong to Jesus Christ through faith, however, there is always hope.

Knowing that this life is not all there is gives me something to look forward to:  A new body where no pain will exist, no suffering will take place, and tears will never flow. (Revelation 21:3-4, 2 Corinthians 5:1-2) Furthermore, even though my physical body is wearing out, breaking down, and often seems to be my worst enemy, God is constantly renewing me inwardly, giving me a fresh spirit, a new outlook and a hope that encourages me to keep going.  (2 Corinthians 4:6-18)

As the suffering becomes worse in this world, I find myself more and more looking forward to my heavenly reward.  In turn, I become more eternally-minded instead of focusing on what is around me.  The real treasure cannot be measured in earthly terms, but I discover new riches in the abundance of God's love for me, in the intangibles that will last forever, and in the transformations that are occurring in my heart.

Through my suffering, then, I gain an eternal perspective and learn to see the value more in what God is doing in my heart than in how He may or may not heal my physical body.  The part of me that will last forever grows strong, even as my fragile body weakens.  Therefore I can rejoice in the pain as it is a reminder of all the good God is doing in me as well as what I have to look forward to in eternity.

I share a common foundation of faith with the family of God where pain is a vessel holding God's grace and mercy.

It seemed impossible for David and Jonathan to bear the sorrow of their parting, yet each knew the God who would give them strength for such a deed.  Similarly, the faith in God I share with His family gives me comfort in times of sorrow, good fruit when I face hardships, and an eternal perspective that comes through the pain.  In these ways, our common foundation of faith in God is more than enough to keep our footing firm.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can trust God even when I'm in the midst of great suffering.

How do I tend to give up when the going gets tough instead of drawing on the strength of the Lord?

What fruit has God produced through the hardships of my life?

Promises Kept

Today I am publishing another excerpt from my new book, 52 Days of Grace, available now on Amazon:

Promises Kept

“Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God— the gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures.”  (Romans 1:1-2)

“But Mom, you promised!”  I don’t know how many times I’ve heard that desperate cry from the mouths of disappointed children.  As parents, it’s common to break a promise.  We may have every intention of keeping our pledge, but, life happens, circumstances change, and our ability to fulfill that guarantee falls through.

God, however, does not have that problem!

The promise of our salvation through Jesus Christ was given all the way back in Abraham’s time when God said, “All nations will be blessed through you.” (Genesis 12:2-3 and Galatians 3:8) What a God of planning and forethought we worship!

Since we know the One True God is a God who keeps promises, we can trust Him with our very lives.  If He can fulfill prophecies made thousands of years before the birth of the Messiah, can He not free us from the bondage of worry, or the desire to control, or the pit of despair?  Yes, He can.  He has more than shown His trustworthiness.  Now it’s time to show our trust in Him by surrendering all to Him.

“Faith is two empty hands held open to receive all of the Lord Jesus.”  --Alan Redpath

How do you place God in the same category as man, assuming He will let you down?

What area of your life do you struggle with surrendering to the One who loves you unconditionally?

Have you sometimes said, “It’s not God I don’t trust, it’s me!  I’m the one who will mess it all up.”  How is this attitude showing a lack of respect for the Sovereignty and Power of God?

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for being the One who I can trust completely.  You will never let me down.  Help me to forget all the bad experiences I’ve had with people and judge You completely based on Your own merits as a loving, Promise-Keeper.  When I am tempted to use my own frailties as an excuse for not trusting You, remind me of Moses who also let his pride get in the way of following You without reserve.  You are a God who is in control and I place my life in Your hands.

In Jesus’ Name I pray,

Amen.


Click on the picture of the book to learn how to order your own copy!

Robe of Faith

"The LORD said to Samuel,

'How long will you grieve over Saul,

since I have rejected him from being king over Israel?

Fill your horn with oil,

and go.

I will send you to Jesse the Bethlehemite,

for I have provided for myself a king among his sons.'"

1 Samuel 16:1 ESV

It was what I had always feared about hiring someone else to mow our lawn.  We were preparing to move across the country so we decided to give our lawn equipment to a neighbor boy who was starting up a mowing service.  Until we actually loaded up our truck and drove away, though, we needed to take care of cutting the grass, so we hired a professional company.  This is how the tragedy came about.  

When the team of men descended on our lawn to mow, edge, trim and blow off the sidewalks and driveways, a death occurred; the annihilation of my ivy, meticulously planted around our mailbox and that of our neighbor's.  Without thought or care, the killer wielding a weed-eater had devastated the planting, sending precious vines this way and that.  As I stood at the edge of the small bed which I had painstakingly weeded earlier that morning, I couldn't believe the carnage that lay before me.

It was hard for me to get that disappointment out of my mind.  Every time I passed by the mailbox, the loss hit me anew.  Throughout the day, it would pop back into my mind.  Then the anger would come.  Why were they so callous?  Wasn't it obvious these were plants, not weeds?  How could they be so ignorant?  Even after the company graciously offered to give us a credit on our account to make up for their infringement, I still couldn't get the violation out of my mind.

Can you relate?  This is how Samuel must have felt, although on a much larger scale.  The people asked for a king.  Against his better judgment but in compliance with God's command, he anointed Saul as king.  The young man grew on him and Samuel got behind this new ruler of the nation of God.  He would do anything to help him succeed.  After all, God's name was at stake.  Then, God took the kingdom out of Saul's hands as a result of the ruler's disobedience and rebellion.  What a disappointing end to the first king's reign.  Samuel was having a hard time getting over such a let down.

It is hard to move past what was lost, what could have been, a failure.  While it is difficult to move on after such a huge disappointment or fall, in times such as these, it helps to remember that God has a plan!

Fill Your Horn

He must get ready.  Even though he didn't know what was coming next, he could prepare in faith, believing God would soon supply a new king.  God said the new king would be a man after His own heart.  Therefore, this promised blessing was something to celebrate!  Despite the fact that Samuel didn't know how this whole drama would play out, he did know that God's plan could be trusted.  Therefore, he prepared for the journey ahead as if all the details were already laid out.  

I don't know what today may bring.  I haven't a clue as to how God will solve my problems, provide for my needs and work out my difficulties.  What I can be confident in, however, is that God is already there.  Every detail of my current situation has already been worked out by my all-knowing, time-defying, all-powerful Father.  All the necessities required for today's life have already been provided, although I may not yet hold them in my hand.  Every obstacle I will face today has already been negotiated in anticipation of my journey.  

Therefore, I can prepare for what is to come, even though I have no idea what that may be.  I can trust God enough to believe that there is something good coming down the pike, readying myself in response.

When my life lies in shambles around me, devastating me to the core, I still have the hope of what is to come, supplied by a living God who loves me beyond compare. (1 Timothy 4:10)  I am not like those who do not know the Lord as their beloved Father and don't have Someone to look out for them.  No!  I have a Father who has designed a beautiful plan for my life, who has designated a path for me to follow, who has prepared amazing things for me to accomplish.  (Jeremiah 29:11-13, Hebrews 12:1,Ephesians 2:10)  In response, I must live in a state of hopeful expectation, looking forward to what God is about to do.

When it seems nothing good is happening in my life, that I'm marking time in this journey called life, I can be assured that God is working out the details, placing all the pieces where they need to be, and preparing all involved for what is to come.  Therefore, I can get ready to move, being careful not to grow lackadaisical in my current state of perceived stagnation.  When the time is right, God will most likely call me forward at light speed, so I'd be wise to keep on my toes in anticipation of what is to come. (Psalm 77:14-19)

When I am reeling from the series of heartaches I have endured, it is easy for me to give up hope, wondering if God has forgotten about me.  Instead of throwing in the towel, however, now is the time for optimism.  My father of all compassion who is comforting me in my time of trouble will surely bring many opportunities for me to share this same comfort I have been receiving, but only if I'm looking for those openings. (2 Corinthians 1:3-4) I must be ready!

When difficulty comes, I can prepare for the good that is to come as part of God's superior plan.

Go!

We only knew one thing:  God was calling us to move across the country.  In the pattern of so many men and women of faith who have gone before us, we decided to move forward as if this move was already a done deal.  Even though my husband didn't have a job in our new hometown, we didn't possess a place to live, and we hadn't yet sold our current house, we proceeded as if all of these things had already happened, believing that God would come through in His timing.

We began contacting moving companies, sorting through our belongings, gathering boxes and packing material, boxing up some of our possessions, selling our furniture and organizing moving sales.  As we moved forward in faith, we saw God at work all around us, providing the anticipated job, supplying a buyer for our house, securing a home loan and guiding us to the new house.  All in all, we were able to see God work in mighty ways because we didn't sit around waiting for things to happen, but stepped out in faith, believing God would deliver.

When Abraham received his marching orders, he had two choices.  He could have waited until he had more details, like what their destination was going to be.  Or, he could start the journey in faith, believing that God would reveal the needed information at just the right time.  As you probably know, Abraham chose the latter.  (Genesis 12:4)

When Noah had been given the blueprint for the ark, he had two choices.  He could have waited until he had the assurance that a flood indeed was imminent.  Or, he could begin work on the vessel that would ultimately save mankind from God's righteous wrath.  As you probably know, Noah chose the latter.  (Genesis 6:22)

When Jesus called His disciples, they had two choices.  They could have waited until they knew more about this fellow Jesus, making sure He really was the Messiah.  Or, they could drop what they were doing and follow Him.  As you probably know, the disciples chose the latter. (Matthew 4:20,22)

My faith is not really faith unless I act on it like these men of faith did, moving forward despite their inability to perceive all the necessary details.  Knowing that God has a firm grasp of what is to come must be enough.  Once I trust Him fully, I will be able to walk ahead in faith despite my own ignorance.

When difficulty comes, I can step out in faith, believing that God has an amazing plan for each footstep I take.

Watch

I planted the seeds nearly two weeks earlier, but still there was nothing.  For the past couple of days, I had walked around the perimeter of the garden, looking for sprouts.  Not being able to see any evidence of new growth, I felt discouraged.  Then I decided to take a closer look.  

As I walked down the center of the garden, squatting down to improve my view, I suddenly began to see lots of tiny shoots.  Delighted with this new discovery, I told my family that flowers were busting out all over the place!  This was quite a departure from my earlier attitude of doom and gloom when I couldn't see the new growth.

This reminds me of my faith.  When I am so busy with the details of my life, intent on checking off my list of things to do and accomplishing all that I think needs to be done, I don't pay much attention to what God might be doing around me.  When I take a closer look, however, taking the time to focus on Him and watch for evidence of His hand, I suddenly see things in a different light.

In the place of only perceiving a day filled with trauma, I realize all the compassionate people God sent my way to minster to me in my time of need.  Instead of only seeing my unfinished tasks that I find to be so earth-shatteringly necessary, it dawns on me that all the interruptions were really God's way of moving me in a different direction than I had planned to go.  While I judged my day as being a waste, spending most of it waiting in line for one thing or another, it hits me that God put me in touch with people with whom I normally wouldn't interact, giving me an opportunity to share the reason for the hope I have. (1 Peter 3:15)

God has a plan I know nothing about. (Isaiah 55:8-9) When I take the time and effort that is necessary to watch for what He is doing all around me, He will reveal great and wondrous things.  My heart will then soar as I revel in the miraculous nature of my amazing Father.

When difficulty comes, I can watch for evidence of God's mighty hand all around me.

It can be hard to get past disappointments and let downs.  Instead of dwelling on what could have been, however, I can prepare for what I believe God will do, move forward in faith, trusting that God will deliver, and watch for how He is revealing His amazing plan as I go.  In these ways I will be able to break out of my mourning clothes and step into my robe of faith!

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can trust God enough to step ahead in anticipation of what He will do.

When do I wait to make sure God is calling me before I answer His plea?

How am I hesitating to obey His call on my life because I don't know all the necessary details?

Obedience Trumps Sacrifice

"But Samuel replied,

'What is more pleasing to the LORD:

your burnt offerings and sacrifices

or your obedience to his voice?

Listen!

Obedience is better than sacrifice,

and submission is better than offering the fat of rams.'"

1 Samuel 15:22 NLT

I wouldn't do it.  There is no way that I would spend my free time after school cleaning the house.  Even though my mom left a note for me giving those specific directions, I chose to ignore her wishes, deciding instead to hang out with my friend and watch t.v.  To make up for my indiscretion, I took the time to make a nice dinner.  You see, as a teen I liked to cook.  I didn't, however, enjoy cleaning.  I figured the luxury of coming home to a home cooked meal would soften my mother's resolve, encouraging her to overlook the fact that I had blatantly disregarded her orders.

As a sinful being, it's easy for me to tailor the commands God has given me in the same way that I did with my mom's instructions, picking and choosing to comply to only what suits my tastes and desires.  Then, to make up for my rebellion and stubbornness, I try to butter God up with my exuberant offerings.  This is Saul's sin.  He tried to tweak God's commands to fit his circumstances, relying only on his own point-of-view instead of trusting God in His omnipotent perspective.  When I follow suit, I may think I'm on solid footing, but there is a reason why God values obedience more than sacrifice.

His Plan

One sunny day my daughters and I were walking our dogs through our busy neighborhood.  As we approached a wetlands area, the road narrowed and the sidewalk veered dangerously close to the speeding cars.  Ahead, I spied a young woman running with her Pit Bull.  Taking note of the breed of dog and keeping in mind that my two lab mixes tend to bristle at such types, I made the decision to cross the road.  "Let's cross to the other side."  Immediately, we all made our way to the far side of the road except my youngest.  Defiantly, she decided this would be a good time to conduct some desensitizing training for our older canine.  As a result, the young woman was forced to run down the center of the road to keep her dog from interacting with ours.  Thankfully, there was a lull in traffic which allowed her to do so.

What my daughter didn't perceive when making her rash decision was the woman's anxiety in encountering our dogs.  I noticed her reaction when she took sight of us with our two canines; she immediately stiffened up and looked for a way out.  My baby-girl, however, didn't perceive this bit of information. The other factor my daughter didn't consider was the close proximity of the road, leaving no room to pass at a safe distance.  This close call was a good opportunity to teach a lesson in obedience and the importance of trusting your parent's leadership and insight.

In the same way a child must learn to obey without question, realizing the parent has knowledge and understanding she has not, I must recognize God's sovereignty and complete comprehension of every situation.  Since His plan is unknown to me and all the variables involved are fully beyond my grasp, I must trust that He knows what He's doing while I haven't a clue.

When He allows a dreaded illness into my life, for instance, I may feel like my suffering is without purpose.  As I wallow in self-pity, feeling sorry for myself because the doctors don't know what is wrong, I can remind myself that everything God allows into my life will work together for my good.  Nothing happens without reason and especially the hard times serve the purpose of forming me into the image of Christ.  (Romans 8:28-29)

When my life seems to be dragging along and it appears I'm going nowhere fast, I can be assured that God is working out the details according to His perfect timing.  When He has deemed me ready and when all the necessary pieces are in place, He will move things along in accordance with His plan. (Isaiah 40:31, Proverbs 3:5-6)

When my financial outlook is bleak, I may feel like I have no hope.  As I submit to Him, however, I discover lessons about His perfect provision and learn to trust Him in a way I never before have.  Without the security of my bank account, I have been given the opportunity to see God provide in mysterious and miraculous ways, teaching me that He truly knows my needs and is much better equipped to give me what is necessary for life than am I. (Matthew 6:31-33)

Obedience to God's tender leadership is better than any sacrifice I could make because His plan is always better than mine.

He is God

Parting the waters of the Red Sea.

Creating the seen out of the unseen, forming all things from nothing.

Delivering a new kind of food specially made for His chosen people.

Curing the sick, raising the dead, healing the lame.

Softening the hardened heart.

These are God-sized tasks that only He is capable of accomplishing.  There is nothing that is impossible for Him.  Still, I often limit God in what I expect of Him.

I'm not the only one who possesses this weakness.  Moses, who knew God so personally that he was considered to be His friend, (Exodus 33:11) also doubted God's mighty power and scope of abilities.  When leading the people through the difficult time of wandering in the desert, the multitudes starting whining again.  While all their needs had been met, they craved meat and were not shy about voicing this desire. (Numbers 11)  

When Moses incredulously approached the Lord with their unreasonable request, himself adding some complaints of his own about the burden of leading such an ungrateful lot, God replied that he would give them meat.  He told Moses to tell the people that, "the LORD will give you meat, and you will have to eat it. . . You will eat it for a whole month until you gag and are sick of it." (Numbers 11:18, 20 NLT)  Moses, unable to figure out how God would supply such bounty said, "Even if we butchered all our flocks and herds, would that satisfy them?  Even if we caught all the fish in the sea, would that be enough?"  (v 22 NLT)

God's response told the doubting leader everything he needed to know, "Is the Lord's arm too short?" (v 23a)  In other words, is there anything He cannot do?  Is there any job too big for Him, any dilemma outside of His grasp, any need He is unable to meet?  No.  God is perfectly able to give me what I need, solve any problem I am facing, rescue me from even the most impossible of predicaments. Therefore, I can trust Him enough to do as He says.

Obedience to God's tender leadership is better than any sacrifice I could make because He is God and it is not my desire to limit His omnipotent power in any way.

Faith

All the good deeds, best efforts, or noble intentions can't please God.  My dedication to going to church regularly, serving dependably or studying diligently won't make God's heart sing.  Even my constant attention to Him, my desire to speak of Him often or to testify of His great works will not generate as much pleasure for God as this one intangible. 

Faith.  It is that belief that even though I have no physical proof or tangible evidence of God's existence, I still choose to believe He is who He says He is and is capable of doing all that He has promised.  Despite the apparent lack of a guarantee that everything will turn out okay in the end, faith gives me the hope to believe just that impossibility.

Without my blind trust in a God I can neither see nor touch, there is no way to please Him. (Hebrews 11:6)  But my faith is not in word only.  It may be easy for me to say I believe God will deliver me from my troubles, or that He will provide for my needs, or He will draw a calloused heart toward Him, but talk is cheap.

The only evidence that exists of the authenticity of my faith is found in my actions.  Do I cower in fear when danger draws near, or do I step forward boldly in the face of difficulty, knowing without a doubt that my God will come through on my behalf?  

Do I waver in my resolve when confronting the anemic state of my bank account in comparison to the mammoth strength of my debt, or do I sleep soundly each night, knowing without a doubt that my God will provide all I need?  

Do I observe my wayward loved one with skepticism, wondering if a leopard can change his spots, or do I have the freedom to bear with him in love, knowing without a doubt that my God will usher His child into His kingdom?

James tells me that, "For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so faith apart from works is dead." (James 2:26)  My faith is only real faith if I act on it, trusting God enough to operate the details of my life as if what I believe but can't see is, in fact, a reality.  In order to prove to God that I trust Him, I must act like what I profess to be true as if it were true.  I must back up my mere words with action.  I must live as if what I believe God will do has already come to pass.

Obedience to God's tender leadership is better than any sacrifice I could make because it proves my faith as real.

Saul took matters into his own hands, thinking his way was better suited for his current situation than was God's.  When he did so, Saul did as I often do; he thought his sacrifice would make up for his disobedience and rebellion against God's specific instructions.  There is a reason why obedience is far superior to any act of surrender I could make.  When I do as God says, I am acknowledging His superior plan, recognizing His omnipotent power, and showing that my faith is authentic.  For these reasons, obedience trumps sacrifice every time.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can trust God enough to do as He says.

When do I think my plan is better simply because it is visible and known?

How am I guilty of doubting God's good intentions for me because I'm afraid of the unknown? 

Done Foolishly

"'You have done a foolish thing,' Samuel said.

'You have not kept the command

the LORD your God gave you;

if you had,

he would have established your kingdom

over Israel for all time.'"

1 Samuel 13:13

Saul had good reason to take matters into his own hands and make offerings to the Lord without Samuel.  His troops were scattering, the courage of his men was waning, and the enemy's forces were mustering, gathering more and more strength with each passing hour.  He was the leader:  He must make a decision!

Adding to the justification of his resolve to cease waiting and start acting was the fact that Samuel did not show up when he said he would.  Saul felt he had no choice but to go ahead without the judge and prophet.  He would never attempt such a feat as fighting the Philistines without first seeking God's favor.  Therefore, it seemed he was left without an option; it was time to offer up the sacrifice himself. (1 Samuel 13:1-10)

It is easy to do what seems right and what looks like the wise choice, but to completely disregard God's command.  If I am to avoid this pitfall of Saul, I had better stop acting foolishly.

According to Man's Wisdom

God helps those who help themselves.

Don't worry, be happy.

A penny saved is a penny earned.

Cleanliness is next to godliness.

It seems right to my common-sense-way-of-thinking that God probably does want me to make an effort in solving my own problems, to simply replace my worry with a smile, to save as much money as possible, and to keep my house, belongings and body clean as a way to get closer to Him.  

If I ask God for wisdom, however, and study His Word, I will find something quite different.  In reality, God gives strength to those who wait on Him (Isaiah 40:31), the only anecdote to worry is prayer (Philippians 4:6-7), a wise investment is one that is made in Him and His kingdom (Luke 12:16-21, Matthew 6:19-21), and godliness comes through self-sacrifice and seeking God and His kingdom above all things (Romans 12:1, Matthew 6:33)

When stress is building and I'm looking for something to grasp onto, it's easy for me to reach out to what is convenient and readily available.  If the advice seems right, I'm ready to jump in with both feet, accepting the wise words as truth.  

Since it doesn't seem to be working to wait on God's timing and I'm wondering if He might have forgotten about me.  I'm tempted to find my own solution and start making things happen.   Or, I tirelessly search for different treatments to cure what ails me, constantly trying alternate remedies and seeking the advice of medical professionals, never once committing my health to the Lord who is the Great Healer. (Jeremiah 17:14)  Or I constantly hear messages about smart, financial investments and I start believing the only responsible thing is for me to go after what I need, forgetting that I have a Father who already knows what is necessary for my life.  (Matthew 6:31-33)

I am acting a fool when I live my life according to man's wisdom instead of God's.

Disregarding God's Commands

I know what God said, but it doesn't really apply to this particular situation.

God will understand.  It's just this once. . .

I usually don't but I have no other choice.

I can come up with a million justifications for my rebellious actions but when God sees my unwillingness to do as He has commanded, it's only called one thing:  Disobedience.   Therefore, it should be my highest desire to pay attention to what God teaches to me and to do as He says.

When a coworker stabs me in the back, jeopardizing my job, my natural response is to defend my reputation and preserve my position.   If I honestly seek the Lord in this situation, however, I might find that it is His desire that I respond in love, graciously forgiving my attacker and letting God use this trial in a way that glorifies Him.  Handling the crisis my way might have saved my job, but a prime opportunity to further God's kingdom and produce godly fruit was lost. (Matthew 6:14-15, Luke 3:8)

When I'm laboring over the tax forms, stressing about all the money I owe the federal government, a friend shows me a way out.  As I ponder her suggestion I realize it seems like a fail-safe plan.  Making the necessary adjustments would save me thousands of dollars in taxes, but would cost me much more in my relationship with the Lord.  (Matthew 22:21, Romans 13:6-7)

When I pass by the homeless people sprawled out on the sidewalk, I feel disgusted at the way they are ruining the atmosphere of the downtown area.  When I get home, I am so bothered that I write a letter to the editor of the local newspaper, demanding action by the authorities to "clean up the mess."  My way of thinking may garner much support, but it flies in the face of God's desire for me to love the unlovable and reach out to those in need.  (Matthew 5:42-48, Luke 10:25-37)

I'm acting a fool when I disregard what God has taught me through His Word.

Led by Desperation

The birds cowered in the bush, listening to the sound of the hunter quietly approaching.  One of the pheasants grew anxious, finding it hard to stay put.  Even though her friends implored her to hunker down and stay in the safety of their cover, this nervous Nellie suddenly fluttered out of the tall grasses, unable to sit there while danger lurked so close.  She must have felt doing something was better than doing nothing.  Unfortunately, she paid for such a foolish decision with her life.

This tragic scene in the movie Bambi always touches my heart.  I can relate to the little pheasant who wanted to fly to safety, far away from the predator who sought her life.  I often share her faulty line of thinking, believing that doing something, is better than just sitting there like a lump on a log!

Godly decisions are not made in a state of panic and desperation is not a wise counselor.  Instead of letting my anxious heart be my guide, I would exhibit wisdom if I first took the time to seek God's counsel. (2 Chronicles 18:4, James 1:5)

Recognizing God as the sovereign planner of my life, granting Him dominion over my days, means I'll watch for Him to guide me down the path He designed for me to follow.  (Hebrews 12:1, Proverbs 3:5-6)  

This probably means my decisions may look foolish to those who are in the world.  Most people won't understand why I do what I do.  Some may even call me irresponsible or just plain stupid for following such a path.  In the end, however, I will be glad that I paid attention to God's leading and went where He called me to go.

I'm acting a fool when I let desperation be my guide.

I can relate to Saul when he felt stuck between a rock and a hard place.  In the stress of the moment, he made the decision he thought was best.  Unfortunately, he leaned on his own understanding, disregarded God's commands, and let desperation lead him  Consequently, he lost favor with the Lord.  If I want to avoid a similar result, I would be wise to let God's Word be my guide, to pay close attention to what He teaches me, and to follow Him and Him alone.  In these ways, I will avoid acting as foolishly as Saul did.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can seek God in all my ways, even when I'd rather take the first advice that sounds good to me.

When do I disregard God's ways as if they aren't important?

How do I let desperation be my guide?