The Danger of Fear

"Such love has no fear,

because perfect love expels all fear.

If we are afraid,

it is for fear of punishment,

and this shows that we have not fully experienced 

his perfect love."

1 John 4:18 NLT

Fear.  It casts out all reason and treads faith under its feet.  It disguises itself as my close companion, all the while destroying any hope of peace within.  Fear is a product of the enemy of my soul. (1 Peter 5:8)

Our Father is the God of the impossible.  Still, the expert says there is no way to receive what I've been promised.  I can either trust my God to do what man says can't be done, or I can give in to the message of sound judgement and common sense that appeals to my desire to work within normal channels. (Luke 1:37)

My God is supernatural, able to heal the sick, lame and afflicted.  Still, the doctors say there is no hope and I should prepare for the worst.  I can either trust my Father whose arm is not too short, or I can choose to believe the facts that tell me the odds against deliverance are overwhelming. (Numbers 11:21-23)

The Lord Is my shield and fortress.  Still, the papers are delivered and all evidence is pointing to the end of my marriage.  As the storm rages around me, I can either trust my Lord and Savior to deliver me from such a snare, or I can surrender to the seemingly inevitable, consoling myself with the thought that I did everything that could be done.  (Psalm 91)

If I truly understood the depth of God's love for me, driving Him to care for me extravagantly, I would no longer doubt His ability to do the impossible, to work supernaturally or to protect that which is precious to Him.  As my Father who loves me perfectly, He knows exactly what I need and takes delight in giving good things to me. (Matthew 6:31-33, Matthew 7:7-11)  Therefore, fully accepting this love God has for me will leave no room for the fear and doubt that threatens my peace.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can trust the God whom I cannot see more than I believe the signs that point away from Him and His work in my life.

When do I doubt God's provision simply because I don't understand how He could deliver me from such a mess?

How do I limit God by my lack of faith? 

What Kind of Love

"We love because he first loved us."

1 John 4:19

Imagine for a moment a mother nurturing her child.  She poured everything into her daughter's life, forgoing sleep in order to feed and change her throughout the night, giving up a lucrative career so that she could be there for her little one, caring for the developing babe in ways she never thought possible.  Every need was met, each tear wiped away, whenever heartache came there was comfort.  This mother gave all she had for this child.  

One day, after ten years of selfless giving, the little girl endured a bizarre incident where she developed amnesia.  Suddenly, the child didn't know her own mommy.  The one who used to be the center of her universe all at once became like a stranger.  Instead of running to her mama in search of solace, she turned away in fear.  This mother could hardly bear the pain such rejection wrought.

Now redirect your thoughts to that of our Savior, Jesus Christ.  He knows each of His own intimately, taking an active part in the formation of each human life.  Every Image bearer came into being through Him.  Without Him, there would be no life at all.  He is the ultimate Life Giver.

Still, when He came down into the world His Father painstakingly created through Him, not one of His masterpieces even recognized Him as the One who gave them life.  Not only that, He was rejected by His own, much like the daughter with amnesia denied her own mother.  It was as if all that He had done for mankind mattered not.  What pain must have pierced His heart.

Despite the anticipation of such treatment, such rejection, Jesus chose to come down off His throne and lower Himself to the position of a mere man. (Philippians 2:5-8) Knowing full well that He would be snubbed by the very ones He came to save, He still made the decision to endure such treatment.

What would drive Him to such a point?  What would compel Jesus to endure such torture?  Why would He choose to go through such pain?  Love. (Romans 5:8, John 15:13) 

The perfect love of God compelled Christ to humble Himself even though He deserved only adoration and praise.  This unspeakable love propelled Christ to the cross where He sacrificed not only His life, but for a time, even the bond He shared with His Father.  As the sin of all mankind drained the life from Christ's ravaged body, His Holy Father turned away.  The pain of suffering so deeply without the comfort of the Father of all compassion must have been excruciating.

This is the love that flows through my veins.  As a child of God through faith in Jesus Christ, I am saved by this love, offered abundant, eternal life through this love, and welcomed into a family because of this love. (John 3:16-17, 1 John 3:1)   Even though my sin earned me death, I was graciously and mercifully offered life due to such amazing love. (Romans 6:23)  

How then can I turn away from the lost who need such love so desperately?  Why do I find it so easy to withhold such love from those who don't deserve it?  If I was given such a gift despite my own unworthiness, why am I so stingy with His love?

What kind of love would compel Jesus Christ to make the unthinkable sacrifice?  God's perfect love.  May this love propel me forward into a dark world where I will freely allow His light to shine, drawing people to His perfect love where they too will find relief from all that binds them.  (Matthew 5:16, Luke 4:18)  May His love move me to step beyond my comfort barriers where the real need lies.  May His love push me to look beyond myself to see the suffering all around me.  

What kind of love would drive the Son of God to endure rejection by His own, great human suffering, and separation from His Father?  The perfect love of God.  What can this love propel me to do today?

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I will stop hampering the flow of God's love through me and out to a hurting world.

When do I let fear stop this flow of love?

How do I judge others as unworthy of such unconditional love?

True Worship

Today's post is an excerpt from my new book, 52 Days of Grace, a devotional designed to help you draw closer in your relationship with the Lord as you become more aware of His grace in your life.

True Worship

"Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God--this is your true and proper worship.  Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.  Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will."             (Romans 12:1-2) 

How do you worship?  In this country, when we hear the word “worship”, visions of musicians and singers leading us in songs of praise to God comes to mind.  But this passage tells us that worship is much more than that.  It is the constant act of offering our flesh, the very thing that can work to separate us from God, as a living sacrifice to Him.  The secret to true worship of God is giving our own desires continually over to Him so that He can use us as He wills.

This means when I feel my irritation level rise when dealing with difficult people, I need to immediately go to God and give Him my pride and allow Him to love them through me.  Or when the traffic is eating away my time and I feel my stress levels rise, I give Him my desire to control my own destiny and submit myself to the position my Father has placed me in at that moment, trusting Him with my time.  Or when tension mounts in my home, I will drop my own selfish point-of-view and ask God for His, allowing me to see the hurt that lies beneath the harsh words.  All of these scenarios are forms of worship of God.  All of them result in God’s work and thus glorification of His Name.

The world and our fleshly desires are constantly pulling us toward them, but a love of these things douses the richness and miracle of the closeness of God’s Spirit within us.  Let us instead invite God into every aspect of our lives, resulting in true worship that pleases Him.

Worship is more than singing, but a constant surrendering of our own desires.

How are you vulnerable to adopting the ways of the world?

When do you easily let your fleshly desires rule instead of submitting yourself to your heavenly Father?

Heavenly Father,

It is easy for me to think I can only worship You in a formal, corporate setting.  Your Word, however, tells me that each moment I live provides an opportunity to give praise to You.  Help me to constantly be aware of the worldly and fleshly influences on my life, and help me to choose You instead.

In Jesus’ Name I pray,

Amen

We are constantly receiving worldly messages telling us we are good enough, or that we have what it takes to succeed.  In truth, God's message runs counter to this message of self-fulfillment and inner-goodness.  

If you'd like to know more about God's grace and the role that grace plays in your faith, pick up a copy of 52 Days of Grace today, available on Amazon.  It's daily readings based on Paul's letter to the Romans will help you more fully appreciate your utter dependence on the grace of God.

  

For This

"For this I will praise you, O LORD,

among the nations,

and sing praises to your name.

Great salvation he brings to his king,

and shows steadfast love to his anointed,

to David and his offspring forever."

2 Samuel 22:50-51 ESV

"God is good!"

I mostly hear this when something goes well for another.  I, too, often feel ready to praise God when things go my way, or when I am comfortable with the turn my life has made, or when everything falls into place the way I envisioned it.  "God is good!"  rolls easily off my lips.

What about when the test results are positive?  Or when I'm forced to wait in the unknown?  Or when my beloved's heart seems stuck in concrete?  Is God still good, or am I only willing to make such a profession when things are well for me?

There is a better reason to praise God for His goodness, and it is completely independent of my circumstances.  Not matter what I'm going through, I can still brag of His goodness because of these two gifts.

Salvation.  I deserve eternal death. (Romans 6:23) My sin has earned for me permanent condemnation, resulting in separation from God and all that is good.  Due to my transgressions, I have no hope of a future or anything good of which to look forward. (James 1:15)

In the same way a drowning man needs a lifeguard to save him from certain death, so I am completely incapable of rescuing myself from the inevitable.  My sin comes quite naturally, making it impossible for me to ever measure up to God's perfect standard.  Therefore, I can never hope to enter into God's kingdom based on my own merit.  If it were up to my goodness, I would be doomed to hell. (Romans 3:23)

Thankfully, God sent a Savior to rescue me from the path of death my feet so easily tread.  He offers a way for me to travel instead on the road that leads to life, even though I am completely incapable of walking such a way.  It is only through the blood of Jesus that I am made righteous and able to enter into the family of God, having a hope and a future of a place that is prepared specifically for me.  I am saved from the doom my sin secured for me. (John 14:2-3, Jeremiah 29:11-13)

With such a treasure held firmly in my grasp, my life takes on new purpose.  Instead of living for myself and my own selfish desires, I now live for God and His eternally good purposes.  Everything takes on significance.  Even the most mundane of chores can be done with the intent of bringing attention to the One who saved me. (1 Corinthians 10:31) Life now is rich with meaning. (John 10:10)

The salvation from death and an empty life God freely gives me through Jesus Christ is a reason to always give Him praise.

Steadfast Love.  The kind of love I'm used to seeing comes and goes, dependent upon my performance or as a reward for good behavior.  Human love is conditional, incapable of reaching the depth of God's unwavering love.  

This unconditional love is shown perfectly through the sacrifice made by His Son on the cross.  While I was still completely unaware of my need for help, while I was ignorant of the way my selfishness offended God and His holy nature, His loved compelled Him to make a way to repair the relationship my sin destroyed.  His love is so deep, so wide, so unfathomable that He took me as His child while I was still His enemy!  (Romans 5:10)

Such love cannot be lost.  There is nowhere I can go, nothing I can do, and no depth to which I can sink which will cause me to lose such love.  (Romans 8:35-39)  No matter how I feel, or how much I suffer, or how often I fail, His love for me is secure.  

This is a love that can take a bunch of wayward criminals and form them into a family.  (1 John 3:1)  This is the kind of love that sets the captive free.  (Luke 4:18)  This love melts even the hardest of hearts, turning it from stone into flesh.  (Ezekiel 36:26)

This steadfast love secured through faith in Jesus Christ is a reason to always give praise to God.

It is easy to base my praise of God on my circumstances, honoring Him and exalting His name when things go well but remaining silent when times are hard.  God, however, has given me so much of which to praise Him no matter my situation.  I have been granted salvation and a never-ending supply of His steadfast love through faith in Jesus Christ.  Completely apart from my own effort or merit, I have been given such precious gifts.  Of these alone I can always give praise to such a generous God!

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can always remember the love and salvation that are mine through faith in Jesus.

When do I base my praise on my circumstances?

How am I quick to sink into despair when things go differently than I expected, forgetting that God has a great plan for me?   

This is the Lord's Day

"This is the day that LORD has made.

We will rejoice and be glad in it."

Psalm 118:24 NLT

I was the poster child for Murphy's Law.  Everything that could go wrong that morning, did go wrong.  The coffee maker broke.  I tore a hole in my favorite pair of socks.  In my haste, I busted my shoelaces.  The gas gauge was on empty.  Traffic was unusually heavy, causing me to be late.  My morning was not off to a good start.

On days like this, it is easy to focus on the negative, letting all that is going wrong bring me down.  God, however, has a different intention for me.  Instead of thinking about all that is bad, He would rather I focus on all that is good. (Philippians 4:8) There is much in which to rejoice and be glad this day; it just might take a little effort to find the blessings that are mixed in with the struggles.

Life.  Every breathe I take is a gift from the One who graciously gave me life in the first place.  (Psalm 139:13-18)  Sometimes, however, just the fact that I am still alive and kicking does not seem like a reason to rejoice.  After all, I may have a wicked day before me or the pain, heartache and struggle may give me cause to wonder as to the purpose for such a dismal existence.

Even though my life may not feel so much like a gift right now, of this I can be sure: Jesus came so that He could deliver not a mediocre life where I barely survive, but an abundant life which brings me great joy.  (John 10:10)  Such richness and meaning is not based on material wealth, worldly success or even popularity. In fact, it's not based on my circumstances at all. Instead, it is found in the joy of intimately knowing the One who made me.  

I was made for relationship with Him.  When I enter into such a meaningful relationship with the God of heaven and earth through faith in Jesus Christ, I will find my life to take on a new perspective.  The things that used to make me happy now seem meaningless. (Philippians 3:7-9) Now, in tandem with the One who loves me perfectly, I can weather any storm, walk through any difficulty, or withstand any trial.  (Philippians 4:13)

Through Jesus Christ, life can give me great joy!

Provision.  Every good thing I have ever enjoyed, or even those I took for granted, are gifts from the Father of heavenly lights.  (James 1:17)  He never fails to give me exactly what I need when I need it.  The problem is, my faulty line of thinking gives me the wrong perspective, causing me to look for what I don't really need and desire things that seem good but are really quite destructive.

Therefore, when I don't receive the things my heart is set on, I can trust God that He is protecting me from what may be harmful, what could draw me away from Him, or what could suck me into a downward spiral.  He can be trusted to choose what is best for me. (Philippians 4:19) If I wait on Him and His timing, I will never be disappointed.  (Isaiah 40:31)

As a child of God through faith in Christ, I no longer need to run after the things I think I need in order to live.  Instead, I can busy myself with doing what my Father has called me to do and let Him supply my needs. (Matthew 6:31-33) This means my life will look much different from the lives of those around me who are focused on going after what they want.

Through Jesus Christ, my needs are perfectly met!

This is the day the Lord has made.  Is there anything in which I can rejoice?  Yes!  I have not just life and breathe, but the gift of a rich and meaningful life as well the promise of being well-cared for by the God with endless resources.  Yes, I do have much in which to rejoice if I would only look in the right place.

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

When do I let the cares of this world bring me down?

How am I tossed around like a ship in the sea instead of standing firm on the Solid Rock? 

True Love

"And the king was deeply moved

and went up to the chamber over the gate and wept.

And as he went, he said,

'O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom!

Would to God I had died for you,

O Absalom, my son, my son!'"

2 Samuel 18:33

You couldn't get much dirtier than that.  The king's son conspired to steal the throne, going so far as to deceive his own father as part of the scheme.  Instead of supporting his dad in his God-given role as leader of the nation of Israel, Absalom became power-hungry, stealing the hearts of the people away from David. (2 Samuel 15-18)

In such a scenario as this, I would expect the father to be angry at his son, thinking of him as an enemy.  David, however, mirrored the heart of God in the way he thought of this conspirator.  If Absalom had been any other man, he would be considered as David's sworn enemy.  Since the conniver was the king's own son, however, David had great compassion and desired mercy for him.  This is the heart of God toward me.

Sworn Enemy

You couldn't get much dirtier than that.  The Maker of heaven and earth who so graciously provided all that I need to live only wanted one thing from me: My heart.  Still, this image-bearer chose to follow my own way, doing what pleased myself and hardly ever thinking about the One who made it all possible.  

Instead of grateful praise, I whine and complain about what I don't like, fretting over all that is difficult.  Instead of a thankful heart, a cold, hard stone grows in its place.  Instead of humble acceptance of my place, I hunger for power and glory.  Nothing infuriates His just nature more.

My unfaithfulness makes me God's sworn enemy.  All the ways I fall short of His glorious standard put me on His "most wanted" list.  I have proved my loyalty to self in the path I choose to follow.  (Colossians 1:21,Romans 5:10)

There are many ways my mouth gives praise to God, extolling His virtues and singing His praises while my actions tell another story.  I say I trust Him to provide for all my needs but I never give Him a chance to supply those necessities, always rushing to draw from my own resources instead.  In my desire to avoid even a moment of want, I am denying my heavenly Father one of His greatest joys. (Matthew 7:9-11)

I tell others that nothing is impossible with God but when the seemingly impossible situation rears it's ugly head in my own life, I panic, letting worry seize my heart.  My refusal to see with eyes of faith reveals the true state of my wayward heart. (Philippians 4:6-7)

I speak words of faith, saying I love Jesus and desire to follow Him.  Unfortunately, I rarely spend time with Him and give Him little cooperation as He attempts to transform my life.  In my desire to retain control of my own life, I deny His lordship and end up working against Him. (Luke 11:23)

My sin makes me an enemy of God.

Grief

It hurt His heart.  The people He had created to walk with Him in the garden had betrayed Him, turning instead to their own ways, preferring the company of each other to His, looking elsewhere to find true satisfaction.  His intention was to enjoy perfect fellowship with His image bearers.  Instead, His heart grieved to see how wayward they truly were. (Genesis 6:5-6)

God mourns the gulf sin carves out between myself and Him.  It hurts His heart to see the ways I prefer my own comfort over the joy that comes from obedience to Him.  He grieves over the loss of intimacy that follows when I allow fear to rule my heart.  He mourns what could have been when He watches me turn away as I approach the unknown, preferring instead to stick with what I know.

In the same way that David grieved the loss of his son Absalom even though he was an enemy, so God's heart hurts over the chasm my sin creates.  Such is His sorrow that He went to great lengths to repair the breach.  Even though He knew it would cause great suffering, His plan of redemption included asking His Son to give up His divinity for a time, taking on human form and experiencing all the suffering known to man. (Philippians 2:6-8)

What a beautiful picture of God's amazing love.  Instead of casting me aside as an ungrateful reject who is unworthy of receiving such a gift, God's love compelled Him to commit the unspeakable act of sacrificing His own innocent Son in my place.  While I deserve death, Jesus did not.  Nonetheless, He died so that I can live.  Once I fully comprehend this love, I will understand more greatly the heart of a God who would grieve His children's sin.   

My sin causes a broken bond that grieves the heart of God.

Sacrifice

The mother stepped between her child and the gunman, shielding the one she loved from harm.  The husband, at great risk to his own life, snatched his wife from the path of the oncoming train, saving her from certain death.  The child took pity on his little puppy, courageously standing up to the stray dog that attacked him.

While it is understandable when a human makes such a sacrifice for a child of her own womb, or for a wife who has been good to her husband, or for a cute dog who is loyal to the end, it is hard to imagine doing such a thing for an enemy.  

This is a picture of the sacrifice Jesus made for me.  While I was still in my sin, Jesus bore the penalty I deserved upon His own shoulders.  Before I even realized the offense of my own flesh to a holy God, Jesus paid the price for these transgressions.  Despite the fact that my sin makes me God's enemy, He paid the ultimate price to set me free from the wages of that sin.  (Romans 6:23, Romans 5:7-8)

Such love, once completely known, casts away all traces of fear. (1 John 4:16-18)  No longer do I need worry that I'm not good enough.  Instead, I can fully embrace the forgiveness that is mine through Christ Jesus.  

The fear of rejection that plagues my heart can be discarded, replaced with a security that comes from knowing I am fully accepted through Jesus as a child of God, given a firm place in His family that includes an eternal inheritance. (1 John 3:1, Romans 8:16-18)

The sacrifice of Christ gives me a bold confidence to approach the throne of grace.  Instead of feeling inadequate or unworthy of such a honor, I can go before the Lord whenever I am in need, knowing that I will receive all that is necessary to carry on.  (Hebrews 4:16)

The love of God is such that He sent His one and only Son to die a sinner's death so I could live abundantly and eternally.

The love David demonstrated for his son Absalom is hard to fathom, especially as I live in such a cold, hard world.  This brand of love, however, mirrors the heart of God.  Even though my sin makes me His sworn enemy, the Lord grieves over the gulf my sin forms between He and I.  In an unspeakable act of love, He made a way to cross this wide chasm by sacrificing His own Son in my place, repairing the bond He cherishes so much.  This is true love.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can consider the love the Father lavishes on us.

How do I take such a precious gift for granted?

When am I afraid to step into the presence of God?  

Justice is the Lord's

"It may be that the LORD will look on the wrong

done to me,

and that the LORD will repay me

with good for his cursing today."

2 Samuel 16:12 ESV

This is not the way a king should be treated.  David's men were ready to defend their friend and God-appointed ruler of Israel against this man who taunted him.  Wasn't it bad enough that his son Absolom was attempting to steal the throne away from him?  Now this man named Shimei was bold enough to curse the name of the rightful king as they fled Jerusalem, not even letting them escape in peace.  Instead, this bitter, angry man kept pace with them, throwing dirt in the air, hurling stones and giving David a piece of his mind.  Obviously, as a supporter of the former king Saul, Shimei would not let David forget his past. (2 Samuel 16:5-14)  Interestingly, instead of rising up in arms against Shimei, David lets it go, allowing the man to vent as they traveled. David decided to let God be the judge.  

Today, we live in a world driven by personal rights.  People will die fighting to defend their liberties and do whatever it take to protect their good name.  God, however, is the one true Judge.  Only He knows what is fair.  Therefore, I can have the same attitude as David did instead of being so easily offended, letting God decide who deserves what.

Heart

It seemed good enough to me.  I had never been to a powerlifting meet before entering my first competition, but I thought my squats were up to par.  Imagine my surprise, then, when the head judge scratched me from the competition, concluding that my lifts were not performed to standard.

It's easy for me to be my own judge and jury, using my own sense of right and wrong to form an opinion about my actions.  Only God knows the true state of my heart, separating the selfish ambition from the humble obedience, the decisions made out of fear from the acts of faith, the anxious spirit from the mind at rest.  If I rely on my own judgement, I'll give a poor assessment.

Therefore, I am wise to simply trust God instead of depending on my own faulty line of reasoning, submitting myself to Him in all areas of my life.  When I do so, the path He has marked out for me to travel will become clear.  (Proverbs 3:5-6)

It is also important that I seek God's opinion of my motives and impulses, inviting Him to explore my heart thoroughly.  As I let Him examine my inner-most thoughts and desires, He will determine what is driven by fleshly desires, where I am self-centered and anxious or how I am offending Him.  Only then will I know the true state of my heart.  (Psalm 139:23-24)

Once I have a more godly perspective of myself, I can seek God's restoration.  Only He can redirect my desires, making them line up more closely to His.  Only He can generate a passion within me for pleasing Him instead of myself.  Only He can change my drive, replacing my craving for self-satisfaction with a longing to do His will. (Psalm 51:10)

While it may be easy for me to give myself a pass, only God can determine the true state of my heart.

Fairness

"It's not fair!"  If I've heard it once, I've heard this cry of so-called injustice a thousand times.  Children and youth have a way of seeing the world from a purely selfish point-of-view.  Unfortunately, the years have not necessarily made me any wiser than they when it comes to judging the world objectively.

Only God knows what His children truly need at any given time.  While I might think circumstances are too harsh, His wise perspective reveals the need for a sober wake-up call.  When I judge a period of one crisis after another to be too much, He determines it is exactly what I need to learn to depend upon Him for my strength.  Even if I think I can't wait another minute for relief, God's perfect sense of timing tells a different story.

Therefore, I can rely on my Father to give me exactly what I need just when I need it.  Keeping this truth in mind helps when I'm facing the harsh that seems so undeserved, or the difficult that I judge as too much, or the hurting that I've determined is beyond what is reasonable.  If I am to walk by faith, believing that God has my best interest at heart, I must trust Him enough to accept what He allows into my life, knowing that He will use it to transform me into the image of His Son.  (Romans 8:28-29)

This life, then, is not so much about getting what I think I deserve.  Instead, it is about receiving what I need.  In place of focusing on my own comfort and rights, I must realize God is constantly in the process of molding and purifying me.  While it is easy to get caught up with the worldly practice of defending my reputation, I can replace that pursuit with a quest for God's name to made well-known through the circumstances of my life. 

Living in a world that encourages me to defend my rights warps a godly perspective that let's God decide what is necessary.

Glory

"I can't tell God how to get His glory."  These words were all the more astounding considering out of whose mouth they were coming.  My friend had lost her daughter in a cruel and violent way.  In the midst of her suffering as she searched for answers, she came to the aforementioned conclusion:  God knows how to best get His glory.

When the Lord delivered His people out of the hands of harsh, Egyptian slave masters, He could have done it swiftly and surely, supernaturally providing a way out for the nation of Israel.  Instead, He chose to send Moses to appeal to the Pharaoh, performing signs and enacting plagues.  By the time the whole ordeal was over, all the people of the earth knew the might and sovereign power of the God of Israel.  (Romans 9:17)

In the same way, God chooses to work in ways mysterious to me in order to make much of His name.  I don't always appreciate His greatness when things go smoothly and cleanly.  When I'm at the end of my rope, however, out of options and at a loss as to how to proceed, I often discover the might of His hand as He delivers me through the storm.

If I were completely equipped and able to accomplish the impossible task set before me, how would God get the credit for my success?  Therefore, He often gives me much more than I can handle so I must rely on Him, setting Him up for gaining the credit for all He has done.   When people observe the outcome, they will be quite sure that such a feat could not be accomplished by mere human hands.

What if I enjoyed good health all the days of my life?  Most people would assume I took good care of my body and tired hard to avoid harmful substances.  Consequently, God might find it necessary to allow disease or chronic pain into my body, giving me a chance to rely on His strength.  When people observe the peace of my heart in the midst of the storm, they will know such serenity is not human-generated but can only come from the Lord. (Matthew 5:14-16)

People will know the Lord is my God and realize His greatness when they witness the fruit of His presence in my life.

I naturally am compelled to seek out my own best interest, especially when the going gets tough.  If I take a lesson from David, however, and give God the job of sitting as judge, I am acknowledging that only He knows my honest intentions, understands what is truly fair, and knows how best to get the credit for the good He generates.  Therefore, I would be wise to live my life as if true justice belongs to the Lord.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can stop trying to defend myself and instead let God choose what is right for my situation.

How do I spend so much time defending myself that I fail to see God's hand at work all around me?

When do I steal God's glory by trying to avoid suffering?

The Chair

Today's edition of Writings on the Doorframe comes from my new book, "52 Days of Grace," available now on Amazon:

The Chair

“What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, discovered in this matter?  If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about—but not before God.  What does Scripture say?  ‘Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.’  Now to the one who works, wages are not credited as a gift but as an obligation.  However, to the one who does not work but trusts God who justifies the ungodly, their faith is credited as righteousness.  David says the same thing when he speaks of the blessedness of the one to whom God credits righteousness apart from works: ‘Blessed are those whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.  Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord will never count against them.’

“Is this blessedness only for the circumcised, or also for the uncircumcised?  We have been saying that Abraham’s faith was credited to him as righteousness.  Under what circumstances was it credited?  Was it after he was circumcised, or before?  It was not after, but before!  And he received circumcision as a sign, a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised.  So then, he is the father of all who believe but have not been circumcised, in order that righteousness might be credited to them.  And he is then also the father of the circumcised who not only are circumcised but who also follow in the footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham had before he was circumcised.”  (Romans 4:1-12)

“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”  (Hebrews 11:1)

Jesus, being the author and perfecter of our faith, has equipped us to trust God for our justification.  No one that ever lived has been successful to work his way into God’s graces.  Even Abraham, who was considered to be a friend of God and made it into the -- Hall of Fame of Faith -- found in Hebrews 11, was made righteous not by his effort, but by his belief in God.

When we refrain from working to try to get right with God but instead trust simply in Him, the dividend of this faith is righteousness.  We can’t trust God without faith in Him, and we can’t be made righteous without trusting God.  Trust is the manifestation of our faith.  We know we have faith in God when we act on that faith by obeying His calling, just like Abraham did many times.

Think about a chair.  Before we sit down, we have to have faith that the chair will do as it promises to do; hold our full weight without collapsing.  We put that faith to the test by trusting this chair with our load, and thus lowering ourselves down to rest in it.  The act of sitting would never occur if we didn’t trust the chair, and we’d never trust the chair if we didn’t have faith in its integrity, character and ability to deliver on its promise to hold us.  Likewise, action (obedience) is the evidence of trusting God, but trusting is impossible without faith in Him.  This faith in action results in the gift of righteousness, something that can never be earned in our own effort.

When we show our faith in God,

we are made sinless in His eyes.

How do you try to earn your righteousness by doing good deeds?

When do you feel so unworthy of God’s love that you keep your distance in shame?

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for Your unspeakable love.  This amazing love sent Jesus to the cross, taking the punishment meant for my sins and thus making a way for me to get right with You.  Help me to treasure this bond that has been created between us by the blood of Jesus, holding it as my most treasured possession.  Every time I trust You enough to live as You intended me to live, I am using the gift of faith You have provided.

In Jesus’ Name I pray,

Amen

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Time to Move On

"David noticed that his attendants were whispering

among themselves,

and he realized the child was dead.

'Is the child dead?' he asked.

'Yes,' they replied, 'he is dead.'

Then David got up from the ground.

After he had washed,

put on lotions and changed his clothes,

he went into the house of the LORD and worshiped.

Then he went to his own house,

and at this request they served him food,

and he ate."

2 Samuel 2:19-20 NLT

He couldn't eat, not when his son's life was at stake.  He would do whatever it took to demonstrate his remorse to the God who mercifully spared his own life only to strike his son with illness.  David hoped his gracious God would release this innocent child from the fatal consequence of his own sin.  Why must my boy suffer for how I grieved the Lord?

David hoped beyond all hope that God would spare his son.  He put the precious child in God's hands, acknowledging God's sovereignty over his life.  Once the boy died, however, David moved on, accepting the fate God had delivered.

It can be almost impossible to move forward after such a devastating loss, especially as a result of one's own sin.  Thankfully, all things are possible with God and He has shown me through David's example how to do just that.

Let Go

The sin seemed to hang over her like a heavy layer of fog.  She couldn't shake the feeling of guilt that plagued her, tainting her flesh with a leprosy-like shame.  How could she ever forgive herself for being so stupid?

Like this woman, I often hold onto my sin like some kind of shameful trophy, letting it define me.  When I only think of myself as a sinner, I miss out on half of the gospel!  Yes, I am definitely a sinner who can never reach God's perfect standard (Romans 3:23), but I am also forgiven by a gracious God through the blood of Jesus. (Ephesians 3:7) Failing to accept this forgiveness as my own leaves me as a crippled child, unable to live my life the way God intended. (John 10:10)

David understood the gracious and merciful nature of God.  When the Lord said David was forgiven and his sin were removed from him (2 Samuel 12:13), this man after God's own heart believed it to be true.  He accepted the pardon that was so mercifully offered.

This same absolution from the death sentence my sin has earned me has also been offered to me through faith in Christ.  Due to His selfless sacrifice on the cross, my sin has been removed from me as far as the east is from the west. (Psalm 103:12)  Though my sins are like scarlet, I have been bleached white as snow. (Isaiah 1:18) All that remains is the righteousness of Christ. (Romans 3:22)

With such a gift tucked firmly in my heart, how can I go on living in shame?  It's as if I were spitting in the face of Jesus!  He went through Hell to deliver the gift of salvation, yet I fail to accept it when I hang onto my sin.  I fail to let the blood of Jesus cover my sin when I don't fully embrace the forgiveness God offers, letting it taint me as if Jesus never died.  I live cowering in disgrace as if the death of my precious Savior accomplished nothing.  I don't want His death to be in vain!

In order to move on from the shame my sin leaves behind, it is time I fully embrace the forgiveness found in Christ, letting His blood cover my sin so it no longer taunts me.

Worship God

I just didn't feel like giving God any accolades.  My heart felt cold as a stone and I couldn't bring myself to offer even a tiny bit of praise.  So many trials had struck my life at one time; what good can I offer to God?  For what is there to thank Him?

I often think worship is based on my feelings.  If life is good and I'm feeling fine, I can sing His praises.  When everything starts falling apart, however, and I'm overwhelmed with pain and suffering, it can be hard to turn my heart toward the God who is waiting to love and comfort me.

In reality, God deserves my praise no matter what is going on in my life.  Job, possibly the most afflicted man in all of human history, was able to give honor to God for his very life in the midst of great anguish.  Even though he had lost all his children and wealth, he was able to say, "Blessed be the name of the Lord." (Job 1:20-21)

My present circumstances don't diminish God's glory in the least bit.  He is still God, sitting high upon His throne.  It is by His hand that I take each breathe and only due to His mercy that I wake each morning.  I often find it significant that no matter what hurt or difficulty is plaguing my life or what tragedy has struck the world at large, the birds continue to sing praises to their Creator.  Nothing stops them from paying tribute to His glory!

Similarly, I can wake up with a song on my heart because I am redeemed by a God who didn't have to pluck me from the grave but out of love, chose to do so. (Romans 5:8) I can focus on the good that flourishes all around me, giving thanks to my Father for providing such bounty. (James 1:17, Isaiah 6:3) I can turn my attention away from the darkness of evil that threatens to overtake me, and instead home in on the Light of the world that delivers hope to my heart. (John 1:4-5, John 8:12)

In order to move on from the heartache found in the midst of a dark world I can choose to worship God no matter my circumstances.

Get on With Living

I stood at the edge of the conveyor belt watching for my luggage to appear.  It seemed all the other travelers from my flight were plucking their suitcases off the moving delivery system except for me.  Where was my stuff?

I can often feel like I'm standing on the outskirts of life, watching it pass on by like that luggage that didn't belong to me.  The hurt in my heart, or the pain in my body, or the bitterness of my soul can paralyze me, preventing me from joining in with life.  

When Jesus died on the cross, He became a conduit that delivered new life to me.  Along with this new life came a purpose; a grand design.  Every experience, each event, all the circumstances, whether good or bad, weave together to form a beautiful tapestry that is called my life.  Some threads seem ugly, hurtful and useless at the time, but in the hands of the Master Weaver, they work together to become breathtakingly gorgeous. (Romans 8:28)

Such a masterpiece is not meant to be admired like a painting in a museum.  No!  I am a piece of art that is intended to be used.  There is a great plan for my life that was put in place from the beginning of time; good things for me to do, kingdom missions for me to accomplish and acts of kindness for me to perform. (Ephesians 2:10) No one else can do what I've been called to do.

Therefore, when hard times come my way I can remember that I do not suffer in vain.  Instead, it will all work together to help conform me into the image of Christ, building character traits that will last forever and providing raw materials needed to build the masterpiece of my life.  

This amazing creation that is my life, then, will be used to bring glory to God as I follow the path He has set before me.  If I stay rooted in place, however, refusing to set foot on the course marked out for me because of the hurt I feel, or the pain I'm experiencing, or the injustice I've suffered, I'll never truly find my purpose.  I will not be living, then, but merely surviving.

In order to embrace the life God has created for me to live, I can decide to get on with it, refusing to let sin and suffering keep me from the plan God uniquely designed for me to fulfill.

David could have moped around, wallowing in the grief of losing his son and the shame of falling so far.  Instead, he accepted the forgiveness offered to him, took the time to worship God in the midst of his suffering, and got on with the business of living.  In so doing, he demonstrated for me how to move on when sin and suffering taints my life.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can trust God enough to accept the forgiveness He offers through faith in Christ.

When do I beat myself up for past or present sins, essentially refusing the forgiveness that came from Jesus' sacrifice?

How am I rooted to the spot in misery when I could move forward on the path God designed for me to walk?