Deeply Committed

"He was deeply committed

to the ways of the LORD."

2 Chronicles 17:6 NLT

Jehoshaphat's heart was courageous in the ways of the Lord.  In a world committed to everything that runs counter to God's heart, he was bold for God.

I can take a lesson from Asa's son.  Since I also live in a culture that defies the Lord in so many ways, I will be conspicuous if I take God seriously.  Therefore, it takes courage and a deep commitment to the Lord in order to persist in His ways.  It's time to embolden my heart in the Lord.

Not Ashamed.  I hear his name profaned in popular entertainment, yet uttering "Jesus" as the name by which I am saved ostracizes me from many circles (Acts 4:12).  It is easy to learn a certain hesitancy when talking about the most important relationship in my life; my connection to Jesus.

The Apostle Paul ministered in an environment similar to today's culture when he reached out to all the people in Rome.  He said, "I am not ashamed of the gospel because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: First to the Jew, then to the Gentile." (Romans 1:16)  

When I think as Paul did, seeing the power found in the good news of Jesus Christ, I will care more about what Jesus can do for someone than what they might think about me.  Delivering the message of hope and love found in Jesus will matter more to me than how it might be received.  My obedience to God's calling on my life will overshadow any shame I might feel in being linked to as unpopular a figure as Jesus (Mark 16:15).

I show my deep commitment to the Lord when I am not ashamed of the name of Jesus.

Infallible Word.  Many question it's veracity and use that as an excuse to avoid reading it.  Some wonder how a book written by man could actually be attributed to God.  Others doubt it's source.  As one who has read the Bible, however, I have seen it's power.  I know how God uses it to teach me His mysterious ways, to convict me of my sin, to correct my way of thinking, and to train me in how He wants me to live (2 Timothy 3:16).

Since I know the authority found in the Word of God, I must treat it as the powerhouse it is (Hebrews 4:12).  This means considering the Bible as a life-changing tool, not just a book filled with wisdom.  It also means I will see it as the source of truth for all, not just for those who follow Jesus, giving me a boldness to liberally use scripture to encourage, exhort, comfort and inspire.  As the very words spoken from the mouth of God, I can trust that He will use it to accomplish whatever He has set out to achieve with His own Word (Isaiah 55:11).

I show my deep commitment to the Lord when I believe in the power found in the infallible Word of God.

Right Teaching.  Everything is relative.  If it's right for you that's fine, but it may not be right for me.  If you think you should live a certain way I will support you but don't push your beliefs on me.  The height of love in this kind of world is to live and let live.

Yet I hear a different story from Jesus.  There is one way to heaven (John 14:6, 10:9), one narrow path that leads to life (Matthew 7:14), one standard by which we are all judged (Romans 3:23).  Either I can agree with what I know to be true, or I can be swayed by the message of relativity I hear from the world (2 Thessalonians 2:15).

If I am to stay true to the truth, I will need to give myself constant reminders of it's message.  It is also important that I meet with others who share my beliefs and can exhort me to stand firm on it's foundation.  This means making a solid commitment to study God's Word on my own as well as in a small group setting.  In a world that constantly seeks to destroy my faith, these safeguards are vital to the health and well-being of my faith. 

I show my deep commitment to the Lord when I stick to the right teaching.

In a world that is ruled by an enemy who seeks to destroy my faith (John 10:10), it is important that I devote myself wholeheartedly to the Lord.  When I do, a boldness will appear and I will no longer be ashamed of the name of Jesus, I will see God's Word as the powerhouse it is, and I will stick to what I know to be true.  In these ways I will display a deep commitment to the One the world has rejected (John 1:10-11, Psalm 118:22).

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can stand firm on the truth.

When am I susceptible to being swayed by the messages found in the world?

How do I often feel ashamed to say the name of Jesus in public?       

Finish Well

"For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro

throughout the whole earth,

to give strong support to those whose heart 

is blameless toward him.

You have done foolishly in this,

for from now on you will have wars."

2 Chronicles 16:9 ESV

I've heard it said that the bigger they are, the harder they fall, and judging by how many celebrities and national leaders crash and burn, it sure seems to be true.  This common saying speaks to the temporal state of our status and how I may be standing at the pinnacle of success today but tomorrow I could be in the gutter.  This is why I must realize that even in God's kingdom, the strongest can fall, the best can fail and the most faithful can doubt.  

Look at Asa, for instance.  He was known for his reliance on the Lord and the resulting peace his kingdom enjoyed (2 Chronicles 14:6).  Then came the end.  The last five years of his 41-year-reign were riddled with acts of foolishness never before seen in his life.  He relied on man, grew angry at God's prophet and punished his people for his own failings.  How could a faith so strong fall so hard?

Because of Asa's example, it is important that I keep striving, never resting on on my spiritual laurels and thinking that I'm standing on solid ground and could never waver or stumble.  I must stay faithful so I can finish well.

God First.  There are so many resources in this technologically-driven era.  If I have a problem, all sorts of solutions are at my fingertips.  When trouble comes my way, there are dozens of readily-available testimonials of others who have experienced what I am going through.  If I need advice, there is plenty out there, waiting to be dispensed at the click of a mouse or touch of a finger.

Since all of this wealth of information is in my face, constantly on my radar, it's easy to turn to the obvious channels for advice or guidance.  If I am to stay faithful to God, however, I must put Him first, thinking of Him as my go-to resource.  When I do so, He will show me His will for my life and guide me down the path that leads to life (Jeremiah 29:13, Psalm 23:1-3).

If I want to stay faithful so I will finish well, I must rely on God as my go-to resource.

Self Last.  I heard the stories for years, tales of adventure, hardship and toil.  My dad often strolled down memory lane, telling me how his older brothers would take advantage of his innocence, playing tricks on him and using him for their own amusement.  I often felt sorry for my dad, thinking of him as the little bother picked on by his cruel brothers.  I did, that is, until I talked to my uncle and heard another version of those familiar stories.  My dad wasn't always as innocent as he made himself out to be.

It's funny how I do the same as my dad, often painting myself in the best light and failing to see the part I played in a certain memory.  This practice is common to the human experience and is why I can't trust my own assessment of myself; it will always be swayed in my favor.

If I want to know the truth about the state of my heart, I must ask God to show me (Psalm 139:23-24).  He will let me know where I am off and how my reasoning is faulty.  I simply can't trust my own way of thinking or sense of judgement.  If I use my own standard to gauge my behavior, I will usually come out smelling like a rose.  Or I will cut myself a break, knowing the obstacles I face.  Or I will see myself worse than I really am.  In every case, my judgement can't be trusted.

If I want to stay faithful so I will finish well, I will have to place my own assessment of myself on the back burner.

Heart Whole.  I can say I want to know God, that He is my greatest pursuit, but my heart could tell a different story.  I could claim that it is His opinion of me that matter most, until I realize how devastated I am when a friend is disappointed in me.  I might think I can't live without the Lord, but I rarely spend more than a few minutes reading His Word or sitting in His presence.

In order to stay true to the Lord, it is important that I wholly commit myself to loving Him.  The moment another pursuit takes precedence over Him, my heart has been corrupted and I end up following a different path that leads to destruction.  

I can get distracted by my desire to defend and uphold my reputation, making that more important than what God has for me in a certain difficult circumstance.  Or I could begin to run after success, desiring accomplishments more than God's will for my life.  Or I could seek vindication, wanting a sense of justice I think will come when I get back at those who hurt me more than I want to stay in right relationship with the God who loves me and has promised to protect me.

If I want to stay faithful so I will finish well, I will have to maintain a wholehearted commitment to loving God (Romans 12:1).

It's true that the more successful one is, the further they have to fall.  In God's kingdom, my enemy is always at work attempting to steal my faith so that I will forget what is important.  In this way I am at risk of falling in my faithfulness to God.  Therefore, it is important that I keep God always as my first line of defense, placing my own opinions and reasoning behind God's, and maintaining a wholehearted commitment to loving Him.  In these ways I will be able to finish well.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can keep my eyes on Jesus, especially when I am tempted to trust my own line of thinking.

How do I go to other resources before I even think about God?

When am I guilty of cheating on God in my relationship with Him?

Take Courage!

"When Asa heard these words and the prophecy 

of Azariah son of Oded the prophet,

he took courage.

He removed the detestable idols

from the whole land of Judah and Benjamin

and from the towns he had captured in the hills of Ephraim.

He repaired the altar of the LORD

that was in front of the portico of the LORD's temple."

2 Chronicles 15:8

Asa stayed true to God.  As a result, he tasted peace for many years.  He removed idols, destroyed the high places and commanded his people to seek God and obey Him.  As a result of His faithfulness to God, he was given peace.  Peace, that is, until the latest uprising of the Ethiopians (2 Chronicles 14).  Perhaps he despaired despite the fact that God routed his enemy before him.  Maybe Asa wondered if God was still pleased.  For whatever reason, God chose to send Asa a message:  Keep staying true to Me and your efforts will be rewarded.

It doesn't take much to get me feeling discouraged, wondering if all that I'm doing really matters, if my efforts have made a difference, if my faithfulness is having an impact.  Sometimes it takes a little assurance that my devotion and loyalty to God and his calling on my life has not gone unnoticed.  It's easy to feel disheartened when it seems my efforts are for naught.  But God always notices the state of my heart and will reward my obedience.  Therefore, I can take courage!

Fully Act.  Good enough for government work, I sometimes think as I complete a task.  I'm not sure where I first heard this saying, but it somehow entered by consciousness and seems to stick.  The whole idea that I can do just enough to get by really appeals to my sin nature.  As long as I complete the task, what difference does the quality of my work make? 

If my heart is wholly devoted to loving God, I will want to do my best for Him.  Whatever I do reflects on Him so the Apostle Paul exhorts me to, ". . .do it all for the glory of God." (1 Corinthians 10:31)  If I think of making much of God as I go through my day, reflecting well upon Him as I cross every "t" and dot every "i", my attitude toward work may change.

This is especially hard if I have a hard taskmaster, a boss who works me without a bit of praise, or a husband who doesn't appreciate my efforts.  If I think of God as my supervisor instead of man and that I'm working directly for Him, my outlook may improve (Colossians 3:23-24).

I can take courage and do my best because God will reward me for my obedience.

Don't Delay.  I never thought of myself as being lazy until I heard a new definition of the word.  Laziness is failing to do what needs to be done as soon as it comes into my consciousness.  In other words, if I delay doing what I know is right, I'm being lazy.

It's easy to procrastinate.  In fact, I have a thousand wonderful reasons why I need to wait to act.  I'm not ready.  I need to practice.  I haven't figured it all out yet.  I need time to come up with a plan.  I don't have time.  I don't have energy.  And the list goes on.

In reality, there is no time like the present to obey God's calling on my life.  As soon as I take a step of faith, I can be confident that He will give me everything I need to succeed.  I can be equally assured of the fact that Satan doesn't want me to move forward and will do whatever it takes to delay me.  Therefore, I would be wise to respond before my enemy has a chance to act.

I can take courage and obey as soon as I receive my marching orders because God will reward me for my obedience.

Honor God.  I make an effort to avoid using any profanity or to say things that would make God look bad.  I take pride in the fact that I take care of His temple, my body (1 Corinthians 6:19-10).  I have made it my practice to attend church each Sunday (Hebrews 10:25).

Still, there are ways I dishonor God.  Sometimes it's easy to focus on the stuff that is obviously good, that is noticeable to everyone else but fail to pay attention to what is hidden.  What about my thought life?  How often do I think about things that grieve God?  Or consider actions that would not please Him.  Or hold a grudge that turns into a root of bitterness (Colossians 3:13)?

While others may not realize my indiscretions, God sees every vile reflection (Psalm 139:1-2).  It is important, therefore, that I honor God in everything, not only in what is obvious.

I can take courage and honor God in all my ways because He will reward me for my complete obedience.

While I fall into discouragement all too easily I can take heart in the fact that God sees my intentions, my efforts and my motivation and will reward me for obedience to His calling on my life.  Therefore, I can live my life to the best of my ability, acting without delay and honor Him in even the little or hidden things.  I can take courage for my reward is coming!

As I begin my day it is my prayer that I can keep my eyes on the prize that awaits me at the finish line (Philippians 3:14).

When do I lose sight of what God is preparing for me and only live for today?

How am I guilty of doing just enough to get by? 

None Like You

"Then Asa called to the LORD his God and said,

"LORD, there is no one like you

to help the powerless against the mighty.

Help us,

LORD our God,

for we rely on you,

and in your name we have come against this vast army.

LORD, you are our God'

do not let mere mortals prevail against you."

2 Chronicles 14:11

Asa had enjoyed peace for ten years.  When an Ethiopian named Zerah attacked with almost double the forces, it would have been easy to despair.  Asa, however, believed there was no help to compare to God's and he trusted fully in Him.

To what or whom do I turn when I could be relying on God like Asa did?

Man's Wisdom.  I wanted to talk to someone face to face so I could hear some reassurance, find some encouragement and receive some sympathy.  I craved immediate relief and desired speedy solutions so I could get through this rough spot as quickly as possible and get back to the business of living.  Unfortunately, in my quest to ease my suffering and end the discomfort, I relied on man's wisdom instead of God's.

When it comes right down to it, I have a choice to make.  Either I trust God and let Him lead me down paths I would have never chosen for myself, or I do what makes sense to me and seems familiar and comfortable (Proverbs 3:5).  No matter how much I may try to convince myself, I can't follow God and live life my way at the same time; it's impossible.

I often turn to man's wisdom when I could be relying solely on God.

Conventional Channels.  It's what everyone else does.  This route is the well-traveled one which many have pointed out as the best way (Matthew 7:13).  It's how everyone I know solves this kind of problem so it must be good, or so I tell myself.

In God's kingdom, His ways are upside-down and backwards from my way of looking at things.  In fact, He is so creative in His thinking that I could never fathom His solutions.  Even if I spent every waking moment studying God and His Word, I'd never in a million years be able to anticipate how He will act in any given situation.  He is just that much higher than I (Isaiah 55:8-9, Micah 4:12).  

Therefore, I need Him to show me His way.  I can't guess His purposes for me in a certain situation.  Instead, I just need to trust Him to show me His unique and higher way.  It's like what nineteenth century American evangelist D.L. Moody is known to have said: "The sweetest lesson I have learned in God's school is to let the Lord choose for me."

I often turn to conventional channels when I could be relying solely on God.

Quickest Solution.  It's drudgery, or it's painful, or it feels meaningless.  Whatever the source of the discomfort, I want to move on as fast as I can.  No more wasting time on this foolishness, I think, I need to get on with my life!

There's no doubt about it, I hate wasting time.  I have so much to do that I loathe interruptions, hiccups and distractions.  Anything that takes my attention away from my goal needs to be removed from my life.  

Unfortunately, God's plan for me often includes interruptions, hiccups and distractions.  In fact, many times God uses such tools as a wake-up call of kinds. These irritations and painful side-roads could be the very thing God is using to refine me, or build my faith, or grow my character (Romans 5:3-5, Malachi 3:3).

I often turn to the quickest solution when I could be relying solely on God.

When I understand that God is the source of all the good in my life, I will realize He is the only one I can rely on in times of trouble.  Then I will turn away from man's wisdom which sounds so good to me, conventional channels which seem like the obvious choice, and the quickest solution that I think will deliver the least amount of suffering and lessen the fallout.  It is then that I will be like Asa, saying there is none like You, Lord.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can trust God in all my ways.

When do I rely on what sounds good to me instead of letting God choose for me?

How am I most susceptible to accepting fleshly advice?  

Unleash the Power

"The Israelites were subdued on that occasion,

and the people of Judah were victorious

because they relied on the LORD,

the God of their ancestors."

2 Chronicles 13:18

Things looked bad.  In fact, it could have been the end for Abijah, king of Judah.  Instead of giving up as he surveyed the enemy troops gathered in front and behind, hopelessly surrounding him and his army, he cried out to the Lord and the Lord saved him.

When things look bad for me, I, too, can cry out to God, unleashing His mighty power in my life.

Believe.  There is much about my life that discourages me.  Sickness strikes, stuff breaks, relationships are strained.  It's easy to feel hopeless, as if I can never get a break.  Where's this abundant life Jesus promised (John 10:10)?

While the difficulties, struggles and trials often overwhelm, I have a choice as to where I place my attention.  When I focus mostly on what is going wrong, the problems become bigger and as a result, God becomes smaller.  If, however, I were to pay more attention to God, reminding myself of who He is, what He has promised, and how He has faithfully cared for me, He will grow bigger and my circumstances will fade into the background.

When things look bad for me and it seems I have no hope, it's time to believe that God is who He says He is.

Act.  Once I believe God can do the impossible, it's time to act.  Now it's easy for me to think there is something I must do to save myself and I'm often tempted to come up with a plan of action to do just that.  The kind of action I speak of here, however, is different.  Instead of trying to figure out what I must do to "help God along," the action that is necessary is placing my trust in God.

What does this look like?  It is what the men of Judah did when they raised the battle cry, readying themselves to fight even though it seemed the odds were against them (2 Chronicles 13:15).  They believed the God of their fathers was going before them and they acted as if the battle was already theirs.  Sure enough, as soon as they sounded off, the people of Israel, their enemies, fled and these formidable foes suddenly became easy pickings.

When things look bad for me and it seems I have no hope, it's time to act as if I believe God is who He says He is.

Watch.  Now that I've taken that step of faith, going forward into the unknown with the belief that God is already at work on my behalf, I must watch for Him.  What is He doing?  How is He saving me, protecting me, delivering me?  From where will His deliverance come?  As soon as I see the work of His mighty hand, I can fall in behind Him, joining in with what He has already started.

The fighting men of Judah understood this.  As they stepped forward in faith, sounding the battle cry, the soldiers of Israel began to retreat.  Immediately they knew what was happening: God was routing their enemies.  They didn't waste a moment's time but immediately set to work slaying their enemy.  Without God, this would have been impossible.  But God had set them up for success, making their job easy.

Likewise, I can watch for what God is doing and fall in behind as soon as I see His method of deliverance.  It could be that the medical tests will all come back clear, or several people will all suggest the same solution, or the phone will ring with an offer of help.  Whatever the mode of delivery, it's up to me to recognize God's hand at work.

When things look bad for me and it seems I have no hope, it's time to watch for God acting as He says He is able to act.

In this world with all it's troubles, it's easy to feel hopeless.  Instead of focusing on what is wrong, however, I can choose to believe that God is as big as He claims to be.  As my faith is bolstered, I can then take a step forward, believing God is there to catch me.  As I do, I can then pay attention to what God is doing to save me, watching for His mode of delivery.  God's power is always there, available for use, but it's not until I believe, act and watch that I will unleash His might on my behalf.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can trust God enough to step forward into the dark unknown.

When do I hesitate, doubting God could do the impossible?

How am I holding back, failing even to believe the most basic truths about God and His abilities?

Drawn to the Foolish

"But Rehoboam rejected the advice the elders gave him

and consulted the young men

who had grown up with him

and were serving him."

2 Chronicles 10:8

Rehoboam, son and successor of king Solomon, stuck with his foolish young peers, preferring their irrational advice to that of his father's wise counselors.  Thus, he succeeded in breaking the kingdom in two.

I am similarly drawn to make foolish choices.  Why is that?

Appealing.  My sin nature is all about pleasing me and my desires.  In my flesh, I am lord.  Consequently, if I am to let my natural self lead me, influencing me in the hundreds of choices I make a day, I will find myself doing what is contrary to God's will for my life (Galatians 5:16-18).

When someone close to me causes pain, either intentionally or by accident, I will then seek revenge, actively looking for a way to get back at the person who hurt me.  Or when I taste success and receive attention for my achievements, I will use it as an opportunity to make much of my own talents and efforts, elevating myself in the process.  Or when I have some free time I will use it to catch up on the entertainment options that lead my heart away from Jesus.

I am drawn to foolish choices because they appeal to my sin nature.

Sounds Good.  I know in my heart what God wants me to do, give up or turn away from.  Inward struggle ensues as His holy conviction is not what I want to hear.  In order to appease my conscience, I then seek out advice from those who will say what sounds good to me (2 Timothy 4:3).

King Ahab, leader of Israel, had a similar problem with seeking advice.  He wanted to join with the king of Judah, Jehoshaphat, in attacking the Syrians in order to regain a city that belonged to them.  Jehoshaphat wisely suggested seeking the Lord's direction so Ahab gathered 400 prophets who all advised him to carry out his plans.  One prophet, however, Ahab avoided because he "never prophesied anything good." (1 Kings 22:8)  Sure enough, God used Micaiah to warn Ahab against attacking Syria.  Still, Ahab went ahead with his plans and soon met his demise, just as Micaiah had predicted (1 Kings 22).

God warns me against relying on my own rationale, common sense or insight (Proverbs 3:5).  When I use my own standards and line of thinking as a guide, I will always choose what is contrary to God's will for my life.

I am drawn to foolish choices because they sound good to me.

Wrong Goal.  There are many reasons I do what I do, but if I examine my purpose or intended outcome, I will discover what drives me.  For instance, when I water my garden, it is my goal to provide life-giving water to my plants in a way that wastes as little as possible yet provides the maximum amount to the roots without wetting the leaves. As a result, I aim the end of the hose toward the base of the plants.  When my neighbor's toddler comes to help, however, her goal is to have fun and get wet.  As a result, she sprays the water up in the air and rarely provides much water to the vegetation that needs it.

It is the same with life.  If it is my goal to glorify God and make much of His name in every decision I make, my choices will tend to line up with His Word.  If it is my rights I intend to defend, or my agenda I mean to advance, or my feelings I aim to protect, then my choices will conflict with God's will for my life.

When faced with unfair treatment, godly ambition will lead me to keep quiet and pray but selfish objectives will end in my attempts to defend my entitlements and liberties.  When coming to a crossroads, a heart bent on lifting up God's name will lead me to submit to His plan for my life while a self-centered focus will result in making a choice that furthers my agenda.  When facing ill-treatment, if my goal is to glorify God then I will endure it for Jesus' sake but if I'd rather guard my sensitivities, I will find a way to get back at those who hurt me.

I am drawn to foolish choices because my goal is often wrong.

In the same way that Rehoboam stuck with his buddies who gave really bad advice, I am easily drawn to what is destructive or unwise.  The ungodly decisions tend to appeal to my sin nature, sound good to my way of thinking, and line up with the faulty goal I have set before me.  Therefore, I am naturally drawn to the foolish.  Now that I know this truth, it is up to me to stand firm against such folly.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I will be aware of my tendency to choose the foolish way.

When do I mostly choose what sounds good to my way of thinking instead of seeking God?

How do I seek out my own goals instead of doing what glorifies God? 

Ready to Answer

"When the queen of Sheba

heard of Solomon's fame,

she came to Jerusalem to test him with hard questions."

2 Chronicles 9:1a

She had heard stories of great wisdom and had come to see for herself.  She didn't hold back but vigorously tested the rumors.  The queen of Sheba grilled Solomon relentlessly and came away with a high opinion of him, realizing that what she had heard was true.

While it must have flattered Solomon to have such a woman show an intense interest in him, there are more important questions I may be asked as people notice my faith.  As a follower of Christ, I must always be ready to give the reason for the hope that I have (1 Peter 15-16).

Gospel.  It doesn't take a degree or special training.  I don't have to hold a certain position or designation to have the authority.  If I know Jesus, I am equipped to share the gospel.

Letting others know the good news about Jesus Christ does not take some kind of formula or sales pitch.  The truth is, it only takes a heart willing to be used by the Holy Spirit to share the life-giving message (1 Corinthians 2:1-5).  If it had something to do with my clever presentation or intellectually stimulating argument, I would get some of the glory.  As it is, my status as a child of God is completely due to what Jesus has done for me in dying on the cross as a punishment for my sins, and in how the Father has drawn me to Him, showing me my desperate need for Him (John 6:44).  

The closer I get to Jesus, the more I want others to know of His goodness.  The more I realize the depth of my depravity and my utter dependence upon the grace of God to save me through faith in Jesus Christ, the more I want to share of that grace.  This change of heart is all as a result of His indwelling Spirit at work inside of me.

Therefore, when someone asks why I am at peace when my life seems to be falling apart, I will eagerly share of my hope in an eternal life secured by the blood of Jesus and offered by a God who loves me (John 3:16-17).  When I am stopped in my tracks as an acquaintance wonders why I bother to say a kind word to those who are gruff to me, I can't help but tell of a God who loved me enough to pluck me from certain death even though I was His enemy (Romans 5:8).  When others notice my smile, I want to tell of the joy that is found in knowing Jesus (1 Peter 3:8).

I must always be ready to share the good news of Jesus Christ that has given me so much hope.

Source of Goodness.  It's easy to give credit to luck, effort or smart planning for the good things in my life.  It would be simple to tell of the plans I made years ago that resulted in the position in which I now find myself.  It wouldn't be hard for me to take the credit for any wisdom, talents or gifts I regularly use.

When others ask me how I reached such a position, I could either tell about all the years of hard work that propelled me up the ladder, or I can tell of the goodness of God and how anything is possible with Him.  

When I receive a compliment on a job well done or a task beautifully completed, I could either take the opportunity to pump up my own ego or I could graciously share how I would not have been able to even start such a project if it weren't for the faithfulness of God who continually gave me all that was necessary.  

When people wonder how I can keep going forward in the face of such turmoil and difficulty, I could either talk about my ability to focus or I could tell about my reliance of Jesus as my source of strength (Philippians 4:13).

I must always be ready to give credit to God as the source of everything good in my life (James 1:17).

Sovereignty.  What if it rains?  What if I get into an accident?  What if my coworkers don't show up?  What if, what if. . .the "what ifs" often threaten to overtake me.  In reality, God is a good God and He holds the blueprint for my life in His hands (Jeremiah 29:11).  Therefore, I need not fear about what may happen, for God knows exactly what will happen and He will be there with me every step of the way (Psalm 139:5,16).

Acknowledging God's sovereign nature results in peace as my role in life is boiled down to following His lead.  Since I've been absolved of all responsibility for finding solutions to my problems, providing for all of my needs, and fighting every battle that comes my way, I discover a calm spirit of tranquility settling into my heart.  It's no longer up to me to succeed but Him to achieve His purposes through me.  What a relief!

When hard times come, then, I can give a message of hope as I convey my belief that God's good plan will weave something beautiful out of the mess I see around me (Romans 8:28).  When things go differently than I expected, instead of lashing out in anger and frustration, I can quietly express my faith in God's good plan.  Even though I may not understand it, simply knowing His plan is there can give me hope.  When it's clear I've lost control of my life, I can rest easy knowing that God never wrings His hands and His strength never runs out (Isaiah 40:28).

I must always be ready to submit to God's sovereign plan, acknowledging His dominion over the details of my life.

No one likes to be put on the hot seat, but as a follower of Christ, many are watching the way I live my life.  As a result, I can expect to be questioned as they see the peculiar way I handle the details of my life.  Therefore, I must always be ready to share the gospel, acknowledge God as the source of all good things, and admit to God's sovereignty over all things.  In these ways, I'll be giving an answer for the hope I have despite the hopelessness of this dark world.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can stay in a state of readiness to share the good news of Jesus Christ.

How do I hold back because I'm afraid to say the wrong thing?

Can I trust God to empower me to deliver the message He wants me to give?

     

Higher Calling

"Forgetting the past

and looking forward to what lies ahead,

I press on to reach the end of the race

and receive the heavenly prize for which God,

through Christ Jesus, is calling us."

Philippians 3:13b-14

It gets tiring, running this race called life.  I scramble to live responsibly, providing for my needs and those of my family.  I run myself ragged in an attempt to keep up with the ever-changing expectations of this modern world.  I put all my effort into elevating myself, working to improve my self-esteem and climbing the corporate and social ladders.

Not surprisingly, I soon feel exhausted, burned-out and empty.  There must be more than this . . .

Kingdom Choices.  If I were to take inventory of my choices, I would probably discover that most of them are based on need.  The job I give so much time to was selected because it would supply enough money to pay the bills.  The way I spend my time is often based on outside pressures; whatever is most pressing gets my attention.  The money God has entrusted me with often goes towards fulfilling worldly obligations like retirement investments, emergency funds and meaningful activities for the family.  Rarely, however, do I seek God's will in the choices I make.

If I were to do as Jesus has called me to do, however, I would put His kingdom first, letting my heavenly Father provide for what is required for life.  As His child, it is not necessary for me to spend the resources God has provided to supply my needs (Matthew 6:31-33).  He never meant for me to be focused on such trivial, temporary pursuits.  

Instead, He has called me to something higher.  He has saved me with His blood so I could follow Him down the path of life, committing to the job which brings Him the most glory and that has been set aside for me to do.  The abundant life He died to give me includes using my time in ways that further His kingdom instead of letting worldly demands and expectations rule my heart.  Compared to the riches found in Christ, money means nothing and is simply a tool He can use to bring glory to His name.

As a follower of Christ, He has called me to make Kingdom choices instead of decisions based on need.

Jesus Pursuit.  My problems.  My goals.  My desires.  If I'm honest with myself, I would have to say that most of my effort goes toward my own pursuits, what makes me feel fulfilled, what seems important, what solves the latest puzzle or eases the most pressing crisis.  In short, I am my own god going after worldly quests.

If I were to focus on Jesus, however, I would find that running after these worldly and fleshly pursuits would no longer suffice (Hebrews 12:1-2).  Instead, as I keep my attention trained on Him, life would suddenly make sense as I would be able to make out the way He has designed for me to live.  My priorities would shift and those things that used to seem so important suddenly don't matter at all (Philippians 3:8).  What used to get my blood pumping now is exposed as an empty and destructive diversion.

As a follower of Christ, He has called me to run after Him, keeping my eyes on Him as I grow in faith. 

God Honored.  I can't believe she would say such a thing, spreading such lies about me.  I must restore my image and clean up my reputation.  It's easy to feel hurt when personal attacks come my way.  I mostly focus on how I can clear my name and stand up for my rights.  God, however, has a greater purpose for allowing such difficulty into my life.

If I am to live in a way that honors Him, His glory is to be my primary concern.  Therefore, when I am treated unfairly, my first question must be, "How will God's name be praised through this?"  Instead, I usually ask, "How can I defend myself or seek retribution for the one who attacked me?"  It's hard for me to see how He could be using a certain situation to further His great name unless my heart is devoted to Him (Romans 12:1).

I can be the greatest evidence of God's love for a fallen world in the way I seek to honor Him despite my own anguish.  When the lost see my compassion for those I should be cursing, they take note of Who I follow.  When others notice a gracious response when a cold, hard slap in the face seems to be necessary, they will look for Who is responsible for such grace.  When it shocks others to find me reaching out to the dredges of society, they will wonder Who gives me such kindness.  Then they will find Jesus behind it all.

As a follower of Christ, He has called me to honor God with every part of my life.

Living life can be exhausting when my real mission is ignored.  If I pay attention to what Jesus teaches, I will find that He is calling me to something greater than myself.  I was saved to make kingdom choices, pursue Jesus and use my life for His glory.  In these ways I will answer that higher calling and begin to truly live.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can keep my eyes on Jesus even when distractions come my way.

When do I run after other pursuits that do not give much meaning or contentment?

How am I making choices based on what I need?

Recipe for Healing

"If my people,

who are called by my name,

will humble themselves

and pray and seek my face

and turn from their wicked ways,

then I will hear from heaven,

and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land."

2 Chronicles 7:14

We are in a bad way.  Times are hard:  Reports of riots, shootings, uprisings, kidnappings and mass murders fill the news.  Friends and neighbors experiences foreclosures, bankruptcy and other financial hardships.  Divorce and turmoil rock many families.  Where is God and why doesn't He do something?

It's easy to blame God when the responsibility lies squarely on the shoulders of His people.  If I want my nation to receive a blessing from God, He has given a recipe to follow for those who are called by the name of Christ.

Humble.  Even though He deserved all praise and honor, He willingly set His position and authority aside in order to bow to His Father's wishes.  No one twisted His arm, coerced Him into action or bribed Him to do the unthinkable.  Jesus chose to set aside His divinity and take on the form of man so that He could die a terrible death on the cross; all to rescue me from the wrath of God.

Jesus humbled Himself, taking a position that was lower than what He deserved, giving up His rights as Creator and Sovereign God (Philippians 2:6-8).  This act is the very definition of humility.  As a human, I find it hard to humble myself even a fraction of what Jesus did for me.  In fact, I tend to exalt myself, trying to take credit for my success or position in life when it's really due to the gifting and placement of the Creator.  Or I stand up for my rights, putting my liberties and perceived privileges as more important even than God getting the glory.  Or I fail to do what I know is right when it takes me where I don't feel comfortable going.  

Until I can admit that I don't have all the answers, that I may be wrong in the way I am living my life, that I am a part of the problem not the solution, then I will fail to see my desperate need for Jesus and my utter reliance upon Him.  Until I know how wretched I am, and every Christian similarly admits to their own bankruptcy, we will not be able to receive blessing for our land.

When I, as a part of the Body of Christ, admit to my total dependence on the mercy of God and let go of my desire to live life my own way, God will unleash His blessings and bring healing to this land.

Pray and Seek.  She never gave up.  Even though the judge was uncaring, even failing to respect God's sovereign nature, she still appealed to him time and after time, pleading for justice against those who sought to destroy her.  Finally, because he wanted to get her off of his back, this ungodly judge gave in, protecting and avenging her by his judgement (Luke 18:1-8).

How much more will God in His perfect sense of justice and mercy protect His own people?  Yet how easily I give up when I don't see immediate relief from the suffering I see all around me.  Instead of stopping my prayers, it is God's intention for me to persist, pleading with Him for justice when I see the innocent mistreated, or when darkness is portrayed as light, or when wrong is exchanged for what is right.

I am to earnestly pray, seeking God and His will as my only hope.  Never must I grow faint in my petitions, but continue to approach the throne of grace time and time again.  He hears my prayers even if I can't see any evidence of such.  He is listening to my every cry.  He pays attention to my godly appeals (1 John 5:14).

I can't simply pray for what I think should happen, however.  I must always couple my petitions with the earnest quest for His will.  As I cooperate with His transforming Spirit working inside of me, resisting the urge to think just like the world does, I will better discern God's will for me, in turn gaining knowledge of how to pray (Romans 12:2).

When I, as a part of the Body of Christ, pray persistently for the will of God, God will unleash His blessing and bring healing to this land.

Repent.  Everyone was watching it.  Even though my spirit felt ill-at-ease, I began making the popular show a part of my weekly routine.  Soon I began letting down my guard and easing up on my standards.  Before I knew it, I was adopting as my own some of the worldly beliefs and ways of thinking found in this television family.

There is much that I tolerate in my life that is offensive to God.  Instead of paying attention to His indwelling conviction, however, I often continue in the ways that please my sin nature.  God has a better way and I will never taste His goodness unless I turn away from that which harms me.

Living in a world where sin is socially acceptable, its easy to minimize the impact of such transgressions.  I begin to agree with the voices around me that abortion is sometimes necessary, or that everyone has the right to marry who they love no matter their gender, or that revenge is sometimes necessary.

When I, as a part of the Body of Christ, repent from the sin that so easily entangles, God will unleash His blessing and bring healing to this land.

I am partly responsible for the wretched condition of the times in which I live.  It's easy to blame God for not protecting us, or thinking others carry the responsibility.  The truth is, as a follower of Christ who is called by His name, I bear the burden of reaping what I sow.  After all, those who are lost don't know any better.  

Therefore, if I humble myself, placing myself under His sovereign authority, earnestly praying His will to be done, and repent from the sin I so easily tolerate, I will unleash the blessing from God that will bring restoration to this land.  The recipe for healing has been given to me, if only I will follow it.


As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can seek God as the sole source of blessing and healing.

How do I pass the buck, choosing to believe the responsibility for the state of the world lies elsewhere?

When do I believe I have the answers that will fix today's problems, failing to humble myself before the Lord?