Who Are You Following?

"And the leaders and officials 

have led the way in this unfaithfulness."

Ezra 9:2b

God has always been concerned with the holiness of His people since purity reflects His nature (Leviticus 20:26, 1 Peter 1:16).  He knows the hearts of His people and how easy they are corrupted by worldly ways.  Therefore, it was His intention for His people to avoid intermarrying with the nations around them.  As a form of protection against idol worship, God desired for His people to stick with their own (Deuteronomy 7:1-4).

When many leaders were condoning rebellion, however, and making intermarriage seem acceptable, the people naturally followed.  It is the same today.  There are many pastors, speakers and teachers who have strayed from God's intended purpose for His people.  As a result, it is very important that I carefully choose those I follow.  I may think I'm secure in my faith, but in truth I'm easily swayed, just like the Israelites.  Therefore, I would be wise to select godly leadership.

Follow Suit.  When I was in elementary school I had a good friend whom I admired.  When she showed up one day with a fake fur coat, I went home and asked my mom for the same.  When it came time to buy a new coat, I chose one just like my friend but in a different color.  When it rained, she stayed dry under a bubble umbrella.  Of course I had to have one just like it.  My friend parted her hair down the middle and clipped it back on each side so I wanted to do just the same.  The more I spent time with her, the more she rubbed off on me.

While I may not adopt the style of my leaders, their behaviors, attitudes and beliefs will influence me.  Even if it is my intention to be mostly swayed by Jesus himself, I can't help but take on some of the ways of thinking of the people I follow.    

I would be wise to choose mentors with godly behavior, attitudes and beliefs, for they will soon become mine (1 Corinthians 15:33).

Chip off the Block.  I love to watch The Dog Whisperer on the National Geographic channel.  One of the things Cesar Millan teaches is that a dog is a reflection of his owner.  If the human struggles with fear, the dog will become fearful without the security of a calm, assertive pack leader.  If I want to have a healthy, obedient dog, I must work on some of my own issues first.

Similary, the more I'm around a person who I look up to, the more I will come to resemble them.  It makes sense, then, that I surround myself with godly people who teach me more about Jesus than I would ever know apart from them. In other words, if my leaders are not modeling Christ-like behavior, I should not consider them to be my leader. 

This is not to say I need to follow perfect people.  We all have our struggles and are works in progress (Philippians 1:6).  I can, however, choose those who are open with their issues and are willing to admit to downfalls, modeling for me humility and the act of submission to God's purification process known as sanctification (James 5:16, Malachi 3:3-4, Romans 6:6).

I would be wise to choose humble leaders who submit to God, for I will come to resemble them in many ways.

Influence.  There are only two directions in which I can travel.  One is toward Jesus, the other is away from Him.  I can work with Jesus or against Him (Matthew 12:30).  I can move in the direction of life or on the way to destruction (Matthew 7:13-14).  In life, I just have to choose.

Since I've got to take a stand, it is vital that I surround myself with people who point me to Jesus.  If I'm not consistently hearing that He is the answer to every problem, the missing link to each chain, and the perfect fulfillment of my every desire, I'm probably being led in the wrong direction.

It's easy to water down the gospel to make it more palatable for today's carnally-minded culture.  What I end up with, then, is a version of Jesus that is popular but not real.  A Gospel that appeals to everyone but has lost it's transforming power.  A message that seems relevant but is far from the truth.

I would be wise to choose teachers who keep Jesus front and center, for the path I follow will be strongly influenced by their teachings.

It matters who my leaders are.  While it is important for me to study God's Word for myself and work out my own salvation with fear and trembling, I am created to live in community with others.  When picking who I follow, I would be wise to choose those whose walk resembles Jesus and whose heart is humble and pliable.  Then I won't have to worry when I follow suit, take on their characteristics and am influenced by their teachings.  In order to stay true to Jesus and His intention for my life, I must always ask, "Who am I following?"

As I begin this day it is my prayer that those who are leading me help me keep my eyes on Jesus. 

When does my mentor encourage me to emulate them instead of Jesus?

How are my influences leading me down the wrong path?  

  

God is for my Good

"There, by the Ahava Canal, I proclaimed a fast, 

so that we might humble ourselves before our God

and ask him for a safe journey for us and our children,

with all our possessions.  

I was ashamed to ask the king for soldiers and horsemen to protect us from enemies on the road,

because we had told the king,

'The gracious hand of our God is on everyone who looks to him, but his great anger is against all who forsake him.'

So we fasted and petitioned our God about his,

and he answered our prayer."

Ezra 8:21-23

He had taken his stand, expressed his allegiance, made it clear in Whom he trusted.  Now, when push came to shove, it was time to act on his proclamation.

Ezra knew something I often forget:  God is for my good.  He knew that if God was for him, no enemy could prevail (Romans 8:31).  Even though he may have grown faint at the thought of traveling through enemy territory without a band of soldiers, he chose to follow through with his beliefs and trust God wholly as his protector.

What would happen if I did the same?

Confidence.  I always wondered why some people had so much of it and I had so little.  In Junior High, I admired the girls who sang solos, the boys who made the class crack up at their jokes, or the jocks who led their team to victory.  I wanted to feel as self-assured as these kids obviously did.

I have since grown up and realized that everyone is insecure in one way or another.  In Christ, however, I am complete.  When I have embraced my true identity in Him, my character as a unique masterpiece of a Creator who loves me perfectly (Psalm 139:13-14, 1 John 3:1), I don't have to trust in me but in Him.  Instead of living like that timid, unsure adolescent, I can step boldly forward with the living God to back me up (2 Timothy 1:7).  

When I trust God wholly, fear is a thing of the past and doubt but a fleeting memory.  My confidence comes from what I recognize that God will do through me, because I know God enough to trust that He can work through anyone.  My confidence comes from my awareness of God's greatness.  My confidence comes from my security in His kingdom.

When I trust in the God who is for my good, I acquire a confidence in His ability to equip, protect and enable me.

Purpose.  Becoming stranded without money in the middle of nowhere on a cross-country move. A grease fire in the home we left behind.  Relying on tow-trucks three times in one week to rescue two of our vehicles which suddenly developed mechanical problems.  Major car repair on a strict budget.  The sudden death of our young cat and the expected passing of our longtime feline companion, all within two weeks.  Unfair treatment at work that caused a cut in income.  A car accident that totaled a vehicle.  

These are some of the challenges our family has faced in the past three months.  If I didn't know God and understand that He holds a purpose for every circumstance He allows into my life, I would despair at the struggles of life.  Thankfully, I know God has a plan and that He uses every single heartache, problem and difficulty to grow me into the woman He created me to be (Romans 8:28-29, Jeremiah 29:11).  In Christ, something beneficial comes out of every struggle.  My suffering is not in vain.

When I trust in the God who is for my good, I can walk through the hard times of life with the assurance that God has a purpose for every circumstance.

Peace.  It's easy to become anxious in a world filled with things to worry about.  If my life was dependent upon the president's ability to lead our country unscathed through turmoil, or an agency's fitness for thwarting every single terrorist attack, or the medical profession's power to stop an epidemic, my heart would be wracked with worry.  

Thankfully, I am not dependent upon man to protect me from harm.  Instead, I place my trust in God to keep me safe.  As I position myself in His capable and loving hands, anxiety melts away.  When I believe God will fight my battles for me, the constant quest to find the perfect solution is no longer necessary.  Letting God take the helm of my life means all the "what ifs" that used to keep me up at night suddenly hold no power to hold my attention.

When I trust in the God who is for my good, I will discover a peace as I place my life under His protection.

It's easy to make proclamations of faith like Ezra did, claiming that my God will protect me from all harm.  It's quite another thing altogether to follow through with my declaration of faith and place my trust in Him.  Knowing that God is looking out for my best interest, however, can give me the assurance I need to position myself in His capable hands. When I do, I'll discover a new-found confidence in His ability to work through me, a realization that there is purpose for everything that comes into my life, and a peace I can't explain in the midst of it all.  Only a God that is for my good could accomplish such feats!

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can trust God enough to let Him protect me.

When do I feel reckless when I consider abandoning traditional methods of protection in exchange for God's?

How big do I believe God to be?  Big enough to cover me through thick and thin?  Or is His power limited to what I can understand?

His Eye is Upon Us

"But the eye of their God was watching over

the elders of the Jews,

and they were not stopped until a report could go to Darius

and his written reply be received."

Ezra 5:5

Perhaps the most miraculous evidence of God's omnipotent character is His ability to manage events in a way that protects His own, delivers justice, draws the lost to Him and brings glory to Himself, all at the same time.  The complexity of life makes this task impossible.  

But nothing is impossible with God (Matthew 19:26).  He knows how to humble a man in just the way he needs(Daniel 4:37).  He has the foresight to deliver us from harm's way when all hope is lost (Exodus 14:10-28).  And, as in today's scripture, He can interfere with the enemy's attempts to halt kingdom work.

What impact does God's attentions make in my life?  All the difference!

Protection.  He walked away from the car accident unharmed.  She delivered the baby without incident, despite the preliminary tests that indicated there would be complications.  Notwithstanding the allegations of wrong-doing and slander by the media, the little church continued their Vacation Bible School outreach in the midst of scandal.  God knows how to protect His own.

Sometimes what threatens is evil and meant to bring harm to the children of light.  God, however, turns the tables and uses it to further His kingdom (Genesis 50:20).  Other times the danger comes as a result of living in a sinful, broken world.  God, however, is able to change the very laws of nature, if necessary, to make a way where there appears to be none (Isaiah 43:19).  Then there are the times when I am in danger of falling into sin, letting a certain temptation overtake me.  God, however, offers the hint of escape, providing a way to turn away from the stronghold that threatens (1 Corinthians 10:13).

God's faithful attention to the details of my life offers protection.

Power.  "I can't do it anymore."  No truer statement could be made, and coming to the end of myself is what I need in order to realize how much I need Jesus.  I am not able to do what I'm called to do, resist the temptation to sin, or love a world that rewards my efforts with hate.  I am not able, but Christ who lives within me is more than capable (Galatians 2:20).

Therefore, when I feel I can't go on, Jesus will carry my load for me (Matthew 11:28).  When life's obstacles seem impossible to negotiate, He will empower me to continue moving forward (Isaiah 40:29, Proverbs 3:5-6).  When loving is the last thing I feel like doing to those who hurt me, God's love will overflow into their lives, doing what I'm incapable of doing (1 Timothy 1:14, 1 John 4:19).

God's faithful attention to the details of my life offers empowerment.

Purpose.  Life can sometimes feel like one random act of cruelty after another.  As I peer through the pouring rain, reflecting on the hardships my family has recently endured, it would be easy for me to despair.  Is it all for nothing?  Do I suffer just for the sake of suffering?  Is there any kind of a plan hidden within the difficulty?

Yes, there is a purpose.  God has designed a master plan for my life which utilizes all of the hiccups, potholes and tragedies as part of the beautiful design.  Otherwise, why would I want to carry on?  

With Him I can trust that the cancer is not a weapon used to inflict pain but a tool to offer opportunities to taste His mercy and comfort.  With Him I can trust that the string of unfortunate events is not some cruel joke meant to impose a feeling of hopelessness but a lesson in faith-building that offers glimpses of His greatness as He comes through time and time again.  With Him I can trust that the lack of worldly success is not some kind of bitter punishment but a method for growing a humble heart as I learn to bloom where I am planted.

God's faithful attention to the details of my life reveals His grand purpose.

Life can seem so random and cruel but at the center of it all is God, keeping an eye on all the working parts and lovingly caring for His own.  With such attentions from my Father, I can be sure of His protection, empowerment and purposeful leadership.  What a joy to live a life with His eye always upon me!

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can trust God with all the details of my life.

When do I despair as life seems so cruel?

How is it easy to forget that God has a plan?   

The Buck Stops Here

"Rehum the governor and Shimshai the court secretary 

wrote the letter, telling King Artaxerxes 

about the situation in Jerusalem.  

They greeted the king for all their colleagues--

the judges and local leaders, 

the people of Tarpel, 

the Persians, 

the Babylonians, 

and the people of Erech and Susa (that is, Elam).  

They also sent greetings from the rest of the people whom the great and noble Ashurbanipal had deported 

and relocated in Samaria 

and throughout the neighboring lands of the province 

west of the Euphrates River."

Ezra 4:8-10 NLT

There were a lot of people behind this letter written to the king of Persia, seeking to undermine the efforts of God's people to rebuild the temple of the living God as well as the city in which it dwells.  It proved to accomplish its purpose in halting the progress being made, planting a seed of doubt in the king's mind as to the Jews' trustworthiness in honoring the king, especially when it comes to the paying of taxes of any kind.

Usually it's the leader who must take responsibility for the actions of a group such as this.  To God, however, each one who agreed and supported this tactic is responsible for what happened as a result of this letter.  

It's the same with me.  Even if everyone around me resists God and works against Him, I always have the choice to side with Him, going against the crowd.  How do I often go with the flow, defying God as a result?

Status Quo.  Jesus went through a lot to deliver to me a new way of living.  He gave up His divinity for a time so that I could have the benefit of His indwelling Spirit (Philippians 2:6-8, Galatians 3:14) .  

He took the punishment for my sin upon Himself so that my body could be the new temple of God (1 Corinthians 6:19).  

He stepped off the throne to deliver salvation to a world desperately in need of saving (John 3:17).  As God restored His Son to His rightful place of honor in heaven, He also gave Jesus the Holy Spirit to pour out on me (Acts 2:32-33).

Since I have been given such treasure, why would I do things the way they have always been done, failing to take notice of where the Spirit leads (1 Thessalonians 5:19)?  Why would I walk in the flesh instead of letting His Spirit guide my life (Galatians 5:16)?  Why would I maintain the status quo when God has something new in mind (Isaiah 43:18-19)?

I am responsible for going where God's Spirit leads me, not falling in line with what man expects of me.

Blend.  Do people around me know that I follow Jesus?  Or do I blend in, looking like the rest of the world in my attitudes, choices, and lifestyle?  As the salt of the earth, I am called to be different.  In order to make a kingdom-difference in this world, I must not lose my saltiness (Matthew 5:13).  I can't afford to become like everyone else because then, what good will I be in influencing the world for Christ?

It is Jesus dwelling in me that makes me different from the world.  If I resist His transforming work as He tears down the old and replaces the flesh with the new, how will I appear to my neighbor?  Like a hypocrite who talks the talk but doesn't walk the walk.  Like a carnal Christian who is bound by sin.  Like a member of the pop-culture church which is impotent and dead.

If I cooperate with what Jesus is doing, however, I will be transformed in my thoughts and attitudes, taking on a new persona that is focused on making the most of God in my day-to-day life (Romans 12:2).  I will then want what God wants and will find myself at odds with the world.

I am responsible for resisting the tendency to blend in with the world, instead cooperating with God's transformation process, making me different than the rest of the world.

Common Sense.  How do I usually make choices?  I always heard that I should make a list of pros and cons and choose the side that is more heavily weighted.  Or to follow my heart.  Or to just pick and let the chips fall where they may.

There are many methods used to make decisions, but all of them rely on my own resources.  Either it's what makes sense to me that wins out or what feels good that influences me the most.  

Whichever technique I use, I can only discern God's direction if I trust Him, placing all my confidence in Him and His ability to lead me.  What I absolutely cannot do is rely on my own insight, perception or intelligence.  Only by recognizing that He is the One with the plan, will I be able to discover the way He has prepared for me to go (Proverbs 3:5-6).  And I must be prepared to accept that this plan probably won't make sense to me.

I am responsible for trusting God instead of my own way of thinking.

People all around me are going the wrong way.  Either I could join in, taking the wide path that leads to destruction, or I could step out of the stream and find the narrow gate.  When I do, I must let the Holy Spirit lead me, resist the urge to blend in and instead let God transform me, and stop relying on my common sense or other carnal resources.  In these ways I won't be ashamed of the direction my life goes, and I'll honor God in the process.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can stop going with the flow.

When do I resist the leading of the Holy Spirit?

How am I trusting more in my common sense than in God's wisdom, which is far from common? 

God of All

"But Zerabbabel, Jeshua, and the other leaders of Israel replied, 'You may have no part in this work.

We alone will build the Temple for the LORD,

the God of Israel,

just as King Cyrus of Persia commanded us.'"

Ezra 4:3 NLT

In refusing their help, the Jewish leaders either acted wisely in protecting their mission, or they embittered their adversaries against them.  While it is apparent that their enemy's offer of help was a ploy to undermine their mission, the leaders' response reveals a common belief that runs counter to God's true character.  Even though they belonged to God, as do I through faith in Jesus Christ, He did not belong to them.  In other words, no one owns God.  Sometimes, though, I behave as if I do.

Gospel.  Everyone needs Jesus.  All have a sin problem that separates mankind from the God who loves them (Isaiah 59:2).  Each human was created for relationship with their Maker.  None can reach Him in their own strength or based on their own standard.  All fall short of God's perfect expectation(Romans 3:23).  This is why God sent Jesus, to save the world through Him (John 3:17).

Even though God is gracious, wanting none to be lost (2 Peter 3:9), I can be stingy with His saving gospel message.  I know a little about someone and their background and assume they wouldn't be interested.  Since when does an atheist care about Jesus? I reason to myself.  Or I observe the hardness of heart exhibited by a coworker and jump to the conclusion that she's the last person who would want to discuss spiritual things.  Or I choose who I share the Gospel with based on how open I think they will be.

In truth, only God knows what He has been doing in the heart of each (John 6:44).  I might be surprised who responds and who doesn't.  The confessed atheist might really be at a point where he is searching for meaning and a sense of his own worth.  The coworker could be hardened in an effort to protect the hurt Jesus longs to carry.  The narrow-minded among me might actually be ready to hear something new.

I act as if God can be owned

when I refuse the Gospel to those who seem like they'd reject its life-giving message (Romans 1:16).

Judge.  I wouldn't think a tattooed leader of a Metalcore band would be a follower of Christ, but I'd be wrong (Austin Carlile).  It would seem that a rough-looking truck-driver is up to no good, but appearances can be deceiving.  While I expect the clean-cut young man is the Believer, it's actually the leather-clad biker who loves Jesus.  In each case, I am guilty of judging based on appearances, something God never does (1 Samuel 16:7).

God has His people everywhere, spread out in all walks of life as salt sprinkled throughout the world (Matthew 5:13).  In this way, each person has a chance to hear the Gospel, to witness the Light, and to experience God's love.  As it is said, sometimes I am the only Jesus others will see.  It is God's desire that each of His image bearers gets the chance to see His love in action.  What better way than to distribute His followers in all places, from the lowliest to the highest?  

I act as if God can be owned when I judge others as non-believers based on their appearance.

Indiscriminate.  I swallow the message whole without chewing.  I feel secure as I listen to the trusted leader so I believe every word that comes from his mouth.  Instead of relying on the still, small Voice warning me of deception, I take the speaker at his word.

If I don't know God's Word for myself, I'll fall for a lot of false teaching, misinterpretation or just plain foolishness packaged as truth.  When I assume a teacher knows what she's talking about because of her image as a follower of Christ, I am ignoring the discernment of the Holy Spirit.  Instead, I must follow the example of the Berean Jews who tested everything Paul taught against the truth of scripture (Acts 17:11).  It's nothing against those who teach but simply a responsibility given to each believer, no matter their background.

I act as if God can be owned when I think I am unable to examine the Scriptures for myself to test a message from a well-known speaker.

It's easy to attempt to contain God, sharing the Gospel sparingly, judging others based on their appearance, and assuming God teaches only through man.  In reality, the Gospel of Jesus Christ is for everyone, people from all walks of life follow Jesus, and anyone can discern truth from falsehood no matter their background or education level.  In these ways, the Lord shows He is the God of all.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I not limit God by who I interact with, being stingy with His love.

How do I withhold the truth from some because I assume they won't listen?

When am I guilty of accepting a message without discrimination simply because of the speaker's reputation?

Start Here

"From the first day of the seventh month

they began to offer burnt offerings to the Lord,

but the foundation of the temple of the Lord was not yet laid."

Ezra 3:6 AMP

The people didn't let the lack of a temple keep them from obedience.  It had been nearly seventy years since the exiles had lived in their homeland.  Now that they were back, they built an altar on which to offer sacrifices, eager as they were to worship their Savior.  While they could have waited for the temple to be rebuilt, it was their intention to start off right where they were.

Similarly, I could have every excuse as to why I can't worship God in the way I live my life (Romans 12:1).  Instead, why not start right where I am?

Study.  I need a better Bible.  There is not a sufficient amount of time available.  It would be better if I had more education regarding God's Word.  When the time is right, I'll know it.

There is no time like the present to start studying God's Word.  I don't need a certain kind of Bible or a specific amount of time or level of education.  When I open up the Bible, it is not like any other book I have ever read.  It is alive, active, and full of power (Hebrews 4:12-13).

Taking a few minutes to read it's message each day, pondering the meaning and digging deep, God will use what little I digest to teach me.  Sometimes I'll be convicted to turn away from a certain behavior after exposure to God's Word.  Other times, it becomes a training manual in how to live life, handle difficult situations or honor God in the little things.  Then there are the times when it will enlighten me in how my current ways are not God's best for me (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

I will never be sorry that I invested time in studying God's Word.  When I do, He will use it to accomplish what He intends to achieve in my life (Isaiah 55:10-11).

In order to receive God's blessings in my life, I can start reading His Word right where I am instead of waiting until things are just the way I want them to be.

Prayer.  I don't know the lingo.  My life is not right, God will not hear my prayers.  I'm not good enough to talk to God.  Why would He listen to me?  I've never done anything like this; it feels weird and is outside my realm of comfort.

The truth is, God loves to hear from me and He prefers everyday language to the high and pompous vernacular I may hear coming from those praying with the intention of impressing others (Matthew 6:5-8).  What He wants is for me to pour out my heart to Him, to share my hurts, my dreams and my triumphs.  My Father just wants me to talk to Him.

God tells me that if I seek Him with all of my heart, I will find Him (Jeremiah 29:12-13).  Therefore, it doesn't matter how I failed in the past, where I have screwed up big time, or how many times I've fallen.  What counts to Him is my intention.  If I really want to be in relationship with Him, He is ready to come in and share life with me.  

Astoundingly, Jesus already accomplished everything that is necessary to take care of my sins.  Instead of having to face the judgement of God, then, I am shielded from His righteous wrath by my Intercessor (Romans 8:34).  The blood of Jesus covers my sin so that when I come to God's holy throne, He sees only the perfect, blamelessness of my Savior.  This is why I can freely and boldly come to Him in prayer.

In order to taste the sweetness of communion with my Maker, thanks to Jesus, I can start talking to Him right where I am.

Obedience.  I'm not ready.  There are preparations I must make.  I need to gain more experience, grow in my walk, and feel more equipped.  Surely it can't be the right time to do what He is calling me to do?

I recently heard a story that inspired me.  There was a little community church whose people were sold out to Jesus.  They noticed a trend: People in need would visit the office a couple times a week, asking for food.  In response, the administrators began to keep bags of groceries under the desks, ready to distribute to those who had fallen on hard times.  From this simple ministry, a food bank servicing the entire county arose.  

Obedience to God's calling only takes a single step.  Once I respond to the need God has brought to my attention, or react to the hurting I see around me, or resolve to do something instead of standing by and watching the injustice taking place before me, God will do the rest.  I can trust Him to equip me, lead me and provide for me.  Even when I have no idea where my small step will take me, God knows exactly what He has in mind to bless many through my obedience.  

In order to see God work through me, I can take the first step of obedience today, right where I am.

What are my excuses for waiting?  Whatever they are, I can set them aside and start right where I am.  I can use what I have and open up God's Word, talking to Him in the only way I know how, and respond to His current calling on my life.  When I do, I will experience blessing like I've never known.  If I'm overwhelmed and don't know where to begin, why not start here?

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can make today the first of many where I will trust God enough to offer Him what I have right now.

In what area of my life does it seem like I'm waiting for just the right time before I will take a tiny step of faith?

When do I fail to start because I'm afraid I can't finish (Philippians 1:6)?

Persistence of God

"The LORD, the God of their fathers,

sent persistently to them by his messengers,

because he had compassion on his people

and on his dwelling place."

2 Chronicles 36:15

He was out in the wilds, wandering around vulnerable and scared.  Not knowing what to do, he kept walking, stumbling along the rocky ground.  Unbeknownst to him, danger lurked around the corner.  The little sheep was about to wander off the edge of a cliff.  Then he heard a voice calling his name.  This is not just any voice, however.  It was the beloved sound of his shepherd who cared enough to search him out.  Even though this man possesses dozens of other sheep and could afford to let one go, he doesn't.  He seeks the one out, combing the rough terrain until the lost is found (Luke 15:3-7, John 10:11-15).

This is the heart of God.  Why does He go after me so persistently, never giving up on my hardened heart and wayward ways?  Because He is the good Shepherd.  I often don't even give Him a shred of hope that I will change.  Still, He never stops pursuing me.

Word.  I couldn't believe my ears.  The words pierced my soul as if the voice floating over the radio waves was speaking directly to me.  The message I needed to hear was delivered straight to my heart.  While the lesson wasn't exactly what I wanted to hear, it was necessary to my forward progress.  God knows how to get a message through to His own.

Whether it is a passage of scripture displayed on a roadside sign, a word spoken in passing by a coworker, or a devotional left in a public waiting room, God knows how to use the written and spoken word to get through to me.  The only question is whether or not I will heed the warning, respond to the wake-up call, or pay attention to the advice.  

God will never stop pursuing me through the written and spoken word delivered by those who follow Him.

Deed.  She wasn't used to people caring enough to give without expecting anything in return.  The kind and generous act took her by surprise, reducing the usually hardened and composed woman into a pile of tearful thanks.  The gift of money was just what was needed to demonstrate God's love to my friend in a powerfully tangible way.

Sometimes a kind word in a cold and harsh world, a gesture of thoughtful consideration as the battle for the survival of the fittest carries on around me, or an act of compassion in the midst of indifference delivers a message of God's love more powerfully than the most eloquent sermon (1 John 3:18).

God will never stop pursuing me through the actions of those who follow Him.

Signs.  It was one of the most powerful messages I had ever received.   I was not sitting in a church listening to a sermon, or bent over God's Word in my favorite chair, or lying on a counselor's couch.  The pivotal message was delivered when I was performing the mundane chore of watering the ferns on my front porch.

As I directed the hose toward the second hanging basket, I was deep in thought and forgot about the baby finches housed there.  Instead of carefully circumventing their nest, I blasted the water directly into their home, washing one out onto the ground.  Panicked, I quickly lowered the plant down to the flowerbed where I could return the baby to the nest.  In so doing, God spoke to my heart, showing me of His compassion and care that flowed through me.  You see, due to some circumstances of my life, I had been plagued with the idea that I was cold-hearted and uncaring, not able to nurture or show compassion to another.  Through this simple interaction with God's creation, He delivered a message I needed to hear.

God will never stop pursuing me through the glory of His creation (Psalm 19:1-6).

My Father is a God who never gives up on me.  His creative use of the written and spoken word, loving deeds, and signs found throughout His creation all work to deliver messages I desperately need.  God never gives up on me and relentlessly pursues me in whatever means are necessary.  The persistence of God is astounding!

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I will pay attention to the creative ways God pursues me.

When have I heard a message at just the right time?  How does this powerfully demonstrate God's great love for me?

How am I missing out on God's pursuit of me because I'm not paying attention to the messages He is sending?

Talk About a Turnaround!

"Then he restored the altar of the LORD

and offered fellowship offerings

and thank offerings on it,

and told Judah to serve the LORD,

the God of Israel."

2 Chronicles 33:16

He was about as bad as they come.  When you think of an enemy, he fit the bill.  He spent his days hunting down followers of Christ, using his power and position as a member of the Jewish Sanhedrin to persecute the early Christians.  Then he encountered the very One whose name he sought to destroy, and everything changed.  Instead of being bent on wiping out the followers of the Way, Saul became zealous for Christ and joined in with their cause (Acts 7:58-8:3, Acts 9:1-9). 

The history of Christianity is filled with such stories of radical transformation.  Coming into contact with a supernatural God who loves us beyond comprehension results in changes that cannot be generated any other way.  

Thus was the case of Manasseh, evil king of Judah who humbled himself before God and experienced a drastic change of heart.  And the same is true for me when I accept Jesus as my Lord and Savior and am turned from a slave of sin to one of righteousness (Romans 6:18).

New Perspective.  I was my most crucial consideration.  My plans, my safety, my comfort, it’s all that mattered to me.  Then I humbled myself before Jesus, recognizing how much I needed Him and letting Him lead me as only the Good Shepherd can. 

Over time I sensed a change.  Now I prefer God’s plan for my life, knowing it will bring Him glory.  Instead of worrying about how I can protect myself from harm, I let God do the shielding as I live for Him.  More often than not, I’m letting go of my desire to feel at ease with my familiar routine and surroundings and allowing God to push me beyond my limits.  While it is a work in progress, there is, nevertheless, a change taking place in my perspective.

Coming into contact with Jesus changes the way I see things.  For instance, I’m naturally drawn to anything that makes me feel good about myself.  Sometimes it looks good on the outside, like helping others or volunteering with charities, but my motivation is purely selfish.  I like how I feel when I’m doing good.  Jesus begins to show me, however, that I’ll never feel as complete as when I’m answering His call on my life (Ephesians 2:10).

Accepting Jesus as Lord and Savior begins a transformation process that includes a radical change in my perspective.

New Mission.  Cindy Lauper famously sang about a girl’s longing for fun.  The culture in which I live gives me the impression that my purpose here on earth is to gratify my own desires, quench my own thirsts, and satisfy my own appetites.  Then I meet Jesus and He gives me a new mission.

Now it is my heart’s desire to please God, placing myself under His authority.  As His servant, it is His calling which determines my footsteps.  Instead of doing what sounds good to me, I am now driven to seek His will, resisting the temptation to do as the world does (Romans 12:2).

Accepting Jesus as Lord and Savior begins a transformation process that includes a mission that comes from God instead of me.

New Values.   He had everything of which to be proud:  A strong Jewish heritage.  A stellar record.  A dependable and loyal image.  Paul possessed every reason to boast in himself.  After coming into contact with Christ, however, his values changed.  What once seemed so important now he considered as rubbish.  The only thing that mattered was knowing Christ Jesus as his Lord (Philippians 3:3-11).

What happens when I meet Jesus and invite Him into my heart?  The same as with Paul.  The pursuits I used to appreciate enough to chase wholeheartedly begin to lose their luster.   The friends I found as vital to my social life are now seen in a new, unflattering light.  The possessions that once seemed so important to my well-being now are considered as worthless.  Jesus becomes more as everything else fades in importance.

Accepting Jesus as Lord and Savior begins a transformation process that includes a new set of values.

No matter how I start out, God is able to radically transform me when I invite Jesus to sit as my Lord.  I will receive a new perspective, mission and value system as He takes over as my shepherd, transforming me into His own image.  Talk about a turnaround!  That’s a change worth talking about!

As I begin this day it Is my prayer that I can cooperate with God as He works to change me.

How do I tend to cling to the old ways when the new has already come (2 Corinthians 5:17)?

When am I unwilling to adopt my new mission?

     

Then He Knew

"In his distress he sought the favor of the LORD his God

and humbled himself greatly 

before the God of his ancestors.

And when he prayed to him,

the LORD was moved by his entreaty

and listened to his plea;

so he brought him back to Jerusalem and to his kingdom.

Then Manasseh knew that the LORD is God."

2 Chronicles 33:12-13

Sometimes it takes a crisis or tragedy to set thing right in my life.  I don't naturally choose to know that the LORD is God (Psalm 100:3).  It's easy to live my life apart from Him, forgetting who He is and denying His sovereign nature.  Forgetting, that is, until I'm up against a wall, or facing my own demise, or at the end of myself.  Then, I suddenly recognize how much I need Him.

Humbled.  For seven years he lived a solitary existence, out in the wilds of the land.  Instead of dining at the king's table where he wanted for nothing he ate grass like a cow.  There was no bedding to sleep upon nor blankets to cover him as he slept.  Consequently, he awoke each morning drenched in dew.  Year after year passed without grooming of any kind and his hair began to resemble the feathers of a bird, his nails growing to a hideous length.  Nebuchadnezzar, mighty king of Babylon, remained this way until he acknowledged that God is most powerful and the sole source of all good things.  God knew what it took to humble this man (Daniel 4:28-37).

Equally, He knows what it takes to wake me up from my slumber.  I naturally believe I can do whatever I put my mind to, that I will succeed if I simply try hard enough, or that everything I have is as a result of my own hard work.  I also foolishly deceive myself into thinking I can protect myself from harm as long as I take all the precautions that are necessary, covering myself with insurance policies and never putting myself in harm's way.  Suddenly, I find myself in a place where I believe I am the captain of my own destiny, the king of my own life and am able to provide for my own needs.  It's clear I need to recognize how dependent I am upon the sovereign Lord.

Sometimes it takes a wake-up call for me to remember that I am at God's mercy.

Heard.  Sometimes I feel unnoticed, unimportant or overlooked.  I can stand in a crowd of people and not one person will acknowledge me, as if I don't exist.  It's easy to go through life thinking no one cares.

Thankfully, the Lord is a God who cares (1 Peter 5:7).  He hears my plea and responds to the cry of my heart.  When I realize how much I need Him and His compassionate touch, I reach out to Him.  And the amazing part is that He hears me!  This God who made all things, oversees all of creation and keeps all the parts going also notices little ole' me.  

He is never too busy, preoccupied or consumed with more important things to attend to my needs, no matter how trivial they may seem.  He loves to listen to my petty complaints, or hear about my seemingly inconsequential grievances, or take note of whatever is plaguing my mind.  

When I cry out to the Lord with a humble heart, He hears me: I am understood.

New Understanding.  As I enter into this sweet union with my Father who loves me, I gain a fresh perspective on life.  Apart any effort of my own, I become less and He becomes more.  My scope of vision is dominated by the Lord as all the other stuff I used to pay attention to fades to the background.  All the goals and pursuits that drove me forward now seem so silly as I appreciate my relationship with Jesus as most valuable (Philippians 3:7-9).

Unfortunately, I cannot always attain this understanding on my own.  Many times it takes a difficult time to get me to the point where God can get through to me.  Then I will come away with the realization that the Lord is God;  He made me, I belong to Him and am the work of His hand: I am completely dependent upon Him.  It's always been true, it's just that I don't always see it.

When I am heard, God gives me a new understanding of His sovereign nature.

Only God is God.  I don't always acknowledge that I am not, however.  Many times it takes a wake-up call of some kind to humble me to the point where I can acknowledge His sovereignty.  When I do, He will hear my cries and get to work changing my perspective.  Then I will know that the Lord is God.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I will humble myself before the Lord, recognizing my position at His mercy.

When do I forget about God as I go through my day, wrongly thinking I have control of my own destiny?

How am I guilty of being my own god, placing my wants and desires at the forefront of my vision?