Shifting Value Scale

"For we who worship by the Spirit of God

are the ones who are truly circumcised.

We rely on what Christ Jesus has done for us.

We put no confidence in human effort. . .

I once thought these things were valuable,

but now I consider them worthless

because of what Christ has done.

Yes, everything else is worthless when compared

with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.

For his sake I have discarded everything else,

counting it all as garbage,

so that I could gain Christ and become one with him.

I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law;

rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ.

For God's way of making us right with himself 

depends on faith.

I want to know Christ

and experience the mighty power that raised him

from the dead.

I want to suffer with him,

sharing in his death,

so that one way or another

I will experience the resurrection from the dead!"

Philippians 3:3,7-11 NLT

I used to live for the sport of bodybuilding.  Every waking moment was spent devoted to increasing my knowledge about training, posing and competing.  Whenever I had a spare moment, I used it to think of ways in which I could tighten up my schedule, opening up more time for preparation, or I would visualize myself on stage going through my posing routine, or I would research new information on nutrition that could give me the edge over my competition.  In short, I ate, slept and breathed bodybuilding.

Now that I live for Christ, however, those things seem trivial and unimportant.  While I still work out, it is not what drives me each day.  As I slowly submit more and more of myself over to the Lord, I see how He takes those parts and transforms them so that I desire Him and Him alone.   Everything else fades in comparison with the awesomeness of knowing Christ.

Confidence

He seemed so cocky, this little boy dressed in shepherd's garb.  The man he so boldly confronted was a fighting machine; over 9-feet tall and dressed from head to foot in armor.  This giant of a man was accustomed to killing because it was his profession.  When he talked smack, he had something with which to back it up.  David, on the other hand, only had a sling and five pebbles.

While it may seem David was over-confident and in way over his head, the truth was that he had faith in God.  He knew in his heart that the same God who gave him victory over the lions and bears that attacked his sheep would conquer Goliath.  In fact, this ordinary lad believed this so sincerely that he was willing to back up his faith with action.  David had confidence in God (1 Samuel 17).

Where once I thought I needed more self-confidence, God has shown me I only need the heart of David.  The world-taught principle that I must believe I can do anything I put my mind to has yielded to a kingdom understanding that all things are possible with God(Luke 1:37).

As I grow in my relationship with God, He exchanges my old reliance on self for a new-found God-confidence.

Merit

Her beauty drew the once mighty king into adultery, treachery and murder.  She knew she deserved nothing but suffering for the part she played in this horrible drama.  No matter how much her heart ached with pain over the death of her beloved Uriah, she had to admit the love growing in her heart for the handsome king.  It's hard to deny the advances of such a virile and powerful man (2 Samuel 11)!

Bathsheba must have struggled with the breakdown of her own moral character.  Despite the fact that she was used by David to quench his own sexual appetite, she must have felt some kind of responsibility for the whole affair. Incredibly, God takes this woman who was at the center of such scandal and deception and not only gives her a son who would become king and the designated builder of God's temple, but also one of the few women mentioned in the lineage of Jesus(1 Chronicles 28:5-6, Matthew 1:6).

Once I enter into God's family through faith in Jesus Christ, I, like Bathsheba, am judged not on my own merit, but through the lenses of the grace of a loving God.  By way of the blood of Jesus, I am seen as righteous by holy God.  The blood of the perfect Lamb covers over all my sin, making me appear as white as snow (Isaiah 1:18).  Consequently, God can give me the hope of eternal life with Him and the blessings of His favor even though I do not deserve it based on my own merit (Romans 3:21-22).

As I grow in my relationship with God, He exchanges my own lack of virtue with the righteousness that comes by faith in Jesus Christ.

Suffering

He told the truth, but it was a reality they couldn't bear to face.  Infuriated by the accusations, they lashed out in anger.  How could they, the prestigious leaders in the temple, men of God, be accused of the death of a trouble-maker?  They had done their religion a favor in disposing of the one Stephen blasphemously called the Messiah.

As Stephen died a martyr's death, he asked God to not hold the sin of those murderers against them.  Filled with the Holy Spirit before his death, he even was given a glimpse of the glory of God in heaven and Jesus standing in His rightful place of honor.  Never had suffering at the hand of such evil men seem so glorious(Acts 7:51-60)!

Suffering is something I naturally try to avoid at all costs.  As I grow closer to God, however, my heart will become more like Stephen's who considered persecution as an honor and a way to share in the suffering of Christ (1 Peter 4:13).

As I grow in my relationship with God, He exchanges my aversion to suffering with a desire to know Him more intimately by going through difficulties.

The life I used to live before I knew Jesus is radically different than the one I live now.  I, however, can't take credit for this change as it is a work of God's Spirit within my heart.  He has turned my world upside down as He has exchanged my self-confidence, dependence on my own worth, and attention to personal safety and comfort with a new-found God-confidence, righteousness by faith, and an open mind when it comes to pain and affliction.  In this way, God is supernaturally shifting my value scale to line up with His.

As I begin this day, it is my prayer that I can easily let go of parts of my old life which God is calling me to release.

How often do I hold onto old beliefs instead of taking on God's ways?

When am I most apt to rely on my own wherewithal instead of God's power?


Originally published on March 26, 2013

Who are my Enemies?

"O God, if only you would destroy the wicked!

Get out of my life, you murderers!

They blaspheme you;

your enemies misuse your name.

O LORD, shouldn't I hate those who hate you?

Shouldn't I despise those who oppose you?

Yes, I hate them with total hatred,

for your enemies are my enemies."

Psalm 139:19-22

It's easy for me to think of people as my enemies.  After all, I'm human and people often rub me the wrong way, sometimes speaking out against me, or defying my plans, or seeming to rue my happiness and success.  Can't I catch a break here?  So I label people as enemies, but most of the time I'm off in my thinking.  

How did David think?  Who did he label as his enemy?

Speech.  "Keep Calm and Ignore Haters."  I see it in social media outlets all the time.  One group speaks out against the actions of another group. Or the attacks are personal, one person giving negative feedback to another.  The attacked ones circle the wagons and take their defensive positions, calling on their comrades to ignore the "haters" and press on.  Little notice is given to the intent of the speaker or the message found therein.  Instead, the stance is taken that if anyone speaks against me, they are my enemy and their influence should be removed from my life.

David had a different idea of who his enemies were.  Instead of focusing on his own feelings, reputation or success, his attentions were geared toward God and His status.  Speak out against me, that's okay.  Say something disrespectful of my God, game on!  Not that I'm ready to fight a battle because that would be a fight I could never win.  But I must stop thinking of those who say a negative word against me as my enemies.  God might be using them to humble me, or to deliver a message to me, or to give me a chance to show grace.  It's time to remove the label "hater" from my vocabulary and only concern myself with the fame of God's name. 

I can consider those who curse God's name and speak out against Him as my enemy, and let the love of Jesus flow into their lives (Matthew 5:44).

Defiance.  I have my own ideas of how life should be lived, what is important and what is not, which causes are worthwhile and which are fluff.  It could be that animal rights are high up on my list of importance so if anyone has a different way of thinking and finds themselves standing in my way, I label them as my enemy.  Or I'm all worked up about saving the earth and slowing global warming.  If someone else doesn't have the same sense of urgency as I, thus holding up progress toward a cleaner atmosphere, I've gained a new adversary.  Or I find myself looking for ways to curb the global population explosion, believing it is vital to limit family size in order to prevent future suffering.  If some don't agree, failing to heed my warnings, I remove myself from their list of friends.

David didn't waste his time making enemies of those who didn't agree with him.  Instead, He focused on those who rose up against God's best for His people.  I can do the same, seeing the enemy as the one who causes suffering for the vulnerable, who rises up against God's will for His creation, or whose hatred for God is evident in the way they defy Him.  It's time I stop worrying about those who don't agree with me and think about who doesn't agree with God.

I can consider those who defy God and His ways as my enemy, and start praying fervently for them.

Work.  She had it out for her, or so it seemed.  No matter how hard this woman tried to make something good out of her life, this former friend was there to destroy her efforts.  She was actively working against her plans, seeking to stop anything good from coming out of her life.  This kind of opposition seems like enemy material to me.

David had a different way of looking at things.  While he long had people who sought out his destruction, it was those who actively opposed God that he considered as his enemy.  My true enemy is the one who tries to stop the good that God is doing, who works against what He is bringing about all around me, who resists His good plan.  Thankfully, there is no match for God, and He can fight this battle without my help.  He is not at all worried or threatened by the opposition of man, so I need not be either.

I can consider those who work against God as my enemy, and look for ways to overcome evil with good (Proverbs 25:21-22, Romans 12:21).

While it's easy for me to think of those who speak negatively about me, or defy my will, or work against my plans as my enemy when it's really those who do so against God who earn that label.  Even so, as a follower of Christ who is filled with His Spirit, I'm called to love these enemies, pray for them, and overcome their evil with good. 

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can trust God enough to not take offense at every stray word spoken against me.

When am I hypersensitive, focused on defending my choices and lifestyle?

How could I pay more attention to God's choice and will for my life? 

God's Resting Place

"Arise, LORD, and come to your resting place,

you and the ark of your might.

May your priests be clothed with your righteousness;

may your faithful people sing for joy."

Psalm 132:8-9

David, man after God's own heart, yearned for God to reside in a proper temple, not just a temporary tent.  He couldn't rest and even lost sleep, so deep was his desire to see God honored in such a way.  It was David's longing to see God rightly treated and worshiped in a temple made of stone, but God assigned the task to his son Solomon due to David's life marked by war and the shedding of blood (1 Chronicles 22:7-10).

Where is God's resting place today, the proper temple where He can be honored and worshiped?  It is me and you; we are the temple of God, bought with a price and meant to exist as a holy vessel (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).  What would it look like if my heart became like David's?

Invitational.  God is not a bully.  He is a Gentleman to the core, giving me the reigns to my life with the desire that I would willingly hand them over to Him. He doesn't snatch them out of my hands. When I do take such a step of submission to His perfect will, freely allowing Him access to the deepest parts of me and readily offering Him leadership, He is delighted.  It is His desire to be honored as a holy God and revered as the only One who is fit to control my life.  As I place Him in His rightful place on the throne of my life, I am beginning the process of restoration that will take a lifetime.  

It is impossible for me to find peace and fulfillment as I buck the system, working against the way God meant for things to exist.  When I invite Him into the resting place He created in my heart, the holy temple He erected through the costly sacrifice of His Son, I am taking a step toward worshiping Him in the way He was meant to be revered: With my life (Romans 12:1).  As He dwells within me and I pay attention to His presence, I'll find a transformation taking place.  As He changes me into the woman I was meant to be, I'll grow in my desire to honor Him in the way I live my life (Philippians 2:12-13) . I'll find I'm being changed from the inside out, and it all started with an invitation for Jesus to serve as my King.

When I invite God into my temple as Lord, cooperating with Him in His holy transforming work, I'll find a heart growing within me to honor Him in all I do.

Glory-focused.  I'm wired to want the attention for what I accomplish.  It's deeply ingrained in my flesh to desire affirmation from my fellow man.  It's not natural for me to do something without getting at least a bit of credit for a job well done.  

As I grow in Christ, however, I'll find a change taking place.  As His Spirit transforms me from the inside out, I'll discover a greater desire for God to get the attention for what is accomplished.  My fleshly hunger for a pat on the back by man is exchanged for a single mission: to see the name of Christ in lights and to hear His name proclaimed from the rooftops.  My labors become a love offering with my only desire being to make much of my Lord.

As God develops the heart of David within me, I'll find my focus gearing more toward His glory than mine.

Joy-filled.  When God made me, He meant for me to overflow with joy.  It was His desire that I taste unbridled happiness each and every moment.  His design included a provision for overflowing pleasure in Him to pour from within me.  The more I live in this world that is ruled by a dark lord, however, the more this joy is stolen from me, slowly seeping out as I get sucked into the darkness.

How can the joy I was meant to live in be restored to my life?  I can receive the joy that is mine by giving thanks for all that God is doing all around me.  Planting seeds of gratitude toward God cultivates a harvest of joy (Psalm 92:4-5, Colossians 1:11-12)!  And as I rest in His perfect provision, thriving in His protection, and dwelling as His well-loved child, "my heart leaps for joy!"  (Psalm 28:7)

Joy fills my heart when I give thanks for God's handiwork as I tune in my radar to His ever present help.

I live in a different age than David, but I can still have his heart beating in my chest.  When I invite God's Spirit in through faith in Jesus Christ, He'll develop in me a desire to see His name made famous and an overflow of His joy.  This is the result of God finding a resting place in my heart!

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can trust God enough to invite Him in as my Lord.

When do I keep God at arms-length, afraid of what He might find if He draws close?

How am I robbing myself of the joy He meant for me to possess by developing a cynical attitude?      

Coping in the Pit of Depression

"You have put me in the lowest pit,

in the darkest depths.

Your wrath lies heavily on me;

you have overwhelmed me with all your waves.

You ave taken from me my closest friends

and have made me repulsive to them.

I am confined and cannot escape;

my eyes are dim with grief.

I call to you, LORD, every day;

I spread out my hands to you."

Psalm 88:9-12 NLT

How did David gain the reputation for being a man after God's own heart?  Was it because he lived a perfect, upright life?  Or due to the fact that he never wavered in his faith, never doubted God's presence?  Or for the reason that David stayed true to God, never falling into despair despite the hard times he faced?

The answer is: None of the above!  David was considered by God as someone who pursued His own nature and core spirit because David didn't fake it with God.  Even when He fell into the pit of depression, he coped by sharing his true feelings with the God he knew would love him no matter what.  He didn't worry that he'd lose God's favor or kindness by telling the truth of how he felt to a God who would never leave him nor forsake him.

I can follow David's lead and cope with depression in the same way he did.  Since God often holds David up as a model of how to live in relationship with Him through the ups and downs of life, I would be wise to do as this shepherd-boy-who-became-king did.

Honest.  I've always heard that honesty is the best policy, but if I try to live by that maxim it doesn't always work out so well for me.  If I tell people how I really feel, I risk hurting their feelings or damaging our relationship or influencing the way they think of me.  So, I've learned to keep the ugly feelings, the dark thoughts, the inappropriate questions to myself.

This is not how God wants me to approach Him.  Even though people respond negatively to my openness for a variety of reasons, God is not at all threatened by my efforts to tell Him like I see or, or share my honest feelings with Him.  He will not be hurt and lash out in retaliation.  He doesn't back away in repulsion.  He doesn't think less of me.  David understood this heart of God and His desire for open, authentic communication with Him so he didn't sugar-coat his words.  I can do the same.

When I'm feeling down, like there is no hope, I can follow David's lead and share my honest feelings with the God whose love I cannot lose.

Face it.  I have learned from a long line of experts how to sweep things under the rug and leave it there, pretending like it doesn't exist.  Sometimes it's conflict that gets cleared away.  Other times I stuff down feelings that make me uncomfortable so I don't have to look at it's full ugliness.  Then there are times when I act like I have no problem with how a situation is handled by someone close even though I'm deeply hurt.  Yep, I'm good at living under false pretenses.

David didn't live this way.  Instead, he openly examined his thoughts and feelings no matter how inappropriate or uncomfortable.  Perhaps because he was so secure in His Father's love, he was able to bring out the deep, dark feelings that lay hidden in the recesses of his heart and look them over thoroughly in the light.  He even welcomed God's inspection, asking Him to "Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.  Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life." (Psalm 139:23-24 NLT)

Since David knew how well He was known by God and, at the same time loved completely and enduringly, he felt safe in allowing God access to the most secret parts of him.  There was no fear in being found out but rather a deep desire for intimacy that drove David to stand emotionally naked before God.  It is vital that I truly comprehend God's durable love for me so that I can face my own dark places and allow God in there as well.

When I'm feeling down, like there is no hope, I can follow David's lead and face the feelings I tend to hide, allowing the God whose love I cannot lose access to my dark places.

Faithful.  My dog thinks the best of me.  He follows me around like a devoted friend, always keeping me company.  When I am agitated or upset, he doesn't run away but draws even closer in an attempt to comfort me.  If I walk ahead on the path, he cannot rest until he has caught up.  My dog is faithful to me, of this I can be sure.

In order to follow David's lead, I must cultivate this same spirit of faithfulness to God.  David never gave up crying out to God, casting all his cares upon the God he knew was there, even when he couldn't feel His presence.  David knew without a doubt that God would come through for him and always reminded himself of this truth, especially when he felt all alone, estranged from his Life-Source and like he had been kicked to the curb.  David didn't rest until he had shared his heart with God, and he never gave up on Him, knowing in his heart of hearts that God was his only hope.

When I'm feeling down, like there is no hope, I can follow David's lead and stay faithful to the God who will never leave me nor forsake me (Deuteronomy 31:6, Matthew 28:20).

When depression hits, how do I cope as a follower of Jesus?  It's easy to feel guilty that I sunk down into the pit in the first place, but I can gain much hope by realizing David often experienced similar despair and feelings of hopelessness.  Since David was considered a man after God's own heart, I can look to his example of how to cope with depression.  I can be open and honest in communicating my feelings to God, facing the truth of what is hidden within, and staying faithful to God, not giving up on Him because of how I feel.  In these ways I can learn to deal with depressed feelings in a way that honors God and grows my relationship with Him.  

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can realize how secure I am in God's love.

When do I fall prey to my feelings and think God won't accept me if I tell Him the truth?

How am I failing to understand the depth of His love for me and depriving Him of the opportunity to love me right where I am?

   

The Secret

"'So now, with God as our witness,

and in the sight of all Israel

--the LORD's assembly--

I give you this charge.

Be careful to obey all the commands of the LORD your God,

so that you may continue to possess this good land

and leave it to your children as a permanent inheritance.

'And Solomon, my son, learn to know the God

of your ancestors intimately.

Worship and serve him with your whole heart 

and a willing mind.

For the LORD sees every heart 

and knows every plan and thought.  

If you seek him, you will find him.

But if you forsake him,

he will reject you forever.

So take this seriously.

The LORD has chosen you to build a Temple as his sanctuary.

Be strong,

and do the work.'"

1 Chronicles 28:8-10 NLT

Everything was in place.  David had reached the end of his reign and was ready to place the crown on his son's head.  Before giving him such a responsibility, however, there were some things Solomon needed to know.  The charge David gave to his son could be a blueprint for living a life that is pleasing to God.  

What's the secret?  Well, it's really no secret.

Know and Serve.  It's easy to do one without the other.  I get caught up in serving, doing things for God, things He never asked me to do.  Things I think are necessary to the workings of His kingdom.  Things that seem good.  As I labor with gusto, I find myself growing weary as my own strength peters out.  Before I know it, the ministry I used to relish is nothing more than a chore; a responsibility added onto my long list of tasks to be done each week.

I was never meant to do things for God.  Instead, He'd rather I spend time with Him, getting to know Him in a more intimate way each day (Luke 10:38-42).  Then, when I see Him at work around me, I can join in, working in Him.  In this way it's really Him doing the work through me, empowering me to persist and enabling me to succeed (1 Corinthians 15:10, John 15:5).

I recently cut some blackberry vines that were intruding into our yard.  Before I severed their link to the main part of the plant, they were healthy and vibrant, producing delicious berries of their own.  Within an hour of clipping those branches, the leaves were withering and wilting.  I am just like this blackberry vine:  Apart from Jesus, I don't have the necessary resources needed to thrive and I will never bear kingdom fruit.  If I make it my life's pursuit to grow closer in my relationship with Him each passing day, relying on His Spirit for all that I need to live, fruit will be produced in abundance and I will never run out of steam.

I am charged with knowing God and serving through Him.

Seek.  Meaning.  Purpose.  Wealth.  Fame.  Praise.  Security.  There are many things I can seek in this life.  Some seem beneficial while others are obviously destructive and self-serving.  None, however, will bring satisfaction apart from one pursuit.

I am promised to find God if I seek Him with all of my heart (Deuteronomy 4:29).  He is not a God who plays hide-and-seek, withholding his affections if He's having a bad day, or is overwhelmed with requests from others, or just doesn't feel like hanging out with me.  Jesus is always ready to meet me where I am and desires nothing more than to be invited in to the most mundane parts of my life (Revelation 3:20).  He wants to be found.

If I will hold God as my most valued treasure, worthy of being pursued as my utmost endeavor, I will find contentment and fulfillment.  If, however, He is just one of many pursuits, I will always feel like there is something missing and my heart will always be found wanting.

I am charged with seeking God with all of my heart.

Be strong and do it!  There are some callings that seem more important than others.  Missionary work in a war-torn country.  Preaching God's Word to a hungry flock.  Feeding the hungry and hopeless on the street.  Somehow, it's easy to glamorize some work while minimizing others.

In God's kingdom, however, every position is important, vital to the function of the whole (1 Corinthians 12:18).  Therefore, wherever God has placed me to serve, I must do so with gusto, realizing it's importance to God and His kingdom (1 Corinthians 10:31).

If I am called to be a mother, even if it doesn't seem very life-shattering to wipe runny noses and tie little shoe-laces, I can do my job as if it is the most important job in the world, which it is.  

If I am placed in a position as a janitor, while I may be looked down upon by many, I can clean with all my heart, letting Him use me for His glory and keeping in mind that doing my best is important to God.  

If I sometimes feel overlooked in the place God has positioned me, thinking there is nothing special about my life, I must remember that what I do is vitally important in God's eyes.  Since He saw fit to drop me down into this situation, it means I have a job to do that has kingdom merit.

I am charged to stay strong in the Lord and do my job to the glory of God.

David's charge to Solomon is filled with godly wisdom.  When I follow his advice, I will see the value in building my relationship with the Lord daily and being a willing servant, make it my life's pursuit to seek Him wholeheartedly, and to realize the importance of the position in which He's placed me and do my work to His glory.  In these ways I have discovered the secret of living a meaningful and fulfilling life that pleases God.  

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can stop going after meaningless pursuits.

When do I forsake my relationship with God in order to go after the latest craze?

When do I get caught up in looking for meaning in all the wrong places?  

Snowball Effect

"Satan rose up against Israel and caused David to take a census of the people of Israel.  So David said to Joab and the commanders of the army,

'Take a census of all the people of Israel

--from Beersheba in the south to Dan in the north--

and bring me a report so I may know how many there are.'

But Joab replied,

'May the LORD increase the number of his people a hundred times over!

But why, my lord the king,

do you want to do this?

Are they not all your servants?

Why must you cause Israel to sin?'

But the king insisted that they take the census,

so Joab traveled throughout all Israel to count the people."

1 Chronicles 21:1-4

When my mind is made up, the plan is in place, and the wheels are in motion, it's hard to change direction or stop altogether.  Like a snowball sent hurtling down a hill, my intentions build momentum and size until it's practically unstoppable.

There is something, however, that should stop me in my tracks:  Godly counsel.  What keeps me from listening?

Pride.  It's not that I think I know everything and possess all the answers, but when I've analyzed a situation and thought it through carefully, coming up with the perfect solution, it's hard for me to think there could be any other way.  The thing is, these "perfect solutions" usually come from my own perspective and understanding, not God's.  Since I didn't bother to consult Him, bringing His all-encompassing point-of-view into the situation, any answers I generate will be far from ideal.

Once I start down such a path, I can soon expect to crash and burn, run into a major obstacle, or come to a dead end (Proverbs 16:18).  Apart from God's grace, nothing will end well (1 Corinthians 15:10).  Therefore, I would be wise to humble myself, admitting that I don't have the answers or the wherewithal to successfully navigate the challenge I currently face. 

Once my attitude has been adjusted in such a way, taking my own self out of the picture, I can more easily accept advice that comes from a God-honoring source.  Then I might have a chance to stop the foolishness!

Pride often keeps me from heeding godly counsel.

Investment.  It is a valuable commodity.  Every human who ever existed has been given the same amount to spend each day.  Wasting it seems like such a shame.  Still, hundreds of units of this precious resource are squandered every day.

Time.  I have 24 hours of it each day yet often lament of a frequent shortage.  When time runs out, I'm frustrated.  When I'm waiting in line or stuck in a room filled with outdated magazines listening for my name to be called, I feel my time slipping away.  When I'm late, it seems like I never have enough.  

I realize the value of my time.  This is why I often stick to my guns, even if it seems I'm going nowhere.  If I've invested enough time into a project, or a particular solution, or a certain way of living, it's hard for me to give it up.  If I do, it seems like all the time I've spent will be in vain.

If instead I would realize the lessons that could be learned from going down such a foolish path, or the grace of God which will even things out once I get back on track, I might be able to heed a warning from a godly source.  It's not easy to change directions, letting go of my ways, especially if I've used up a lot of time getting as far as I now find myself.  Still, this investment is not more valuable than living God's way.  Anything I give up will seem foolish once I see things from God's perspective (Philippians 3:8).

A costly time investment often keeps me from heeding godly counsel.

Evil Influence.  It seemed like such a good idea at the time.  I could see no other way that would work.  My mind was convinced of the wisdom of my plan.  How is it that I can buy into such foolishness at times?

I cannot forget that I have an enemy whose mission is to steal, kill and destroy (John 10:10).  Whenever Satan gets a chance, he will plant a seed of doubt in my mind, introduce a sinful attitude, or hatch an evil plan.  It is easy for me to agree with such an ungodly influence because it often appeals to my sin nature.

My enemy could suggest that going down such a path will improve my self-image, giving me more confidence.  I easily buy into such a concept since I'm hungry for such a strong belief in myself.  Unfortunately, my view of myself will only improve when I see myself through God's lenses, realizing the assurance I seek comes from trusting Him (Psalm 139, Isaiah 40:31).

Satan also might give me the idea that buying into a certain solution will improve my status, giving others a higher opinion of my intelligence, or abilities, or potential.  It's easy for me to believe his lies since I strongly desire for others to think highly of me.  It's too bad, though, that true self-worth will only come from seeking God's pleasure, not in trying to impress people (1 Thessalonians 2:3-4).

Another tactic of my enemy is to persuade me to invest mostly in my needs and wants, giving me the impression that true meaning will come when I receive these earthly treasures.  How simple it is to get me to agree since my fleshly desires are such a powerful force.  Regrettably, running after riches will leave me feeling empty since their allure is fleeting.  Only kingdom-treasures will last (Matthew 6:19-21).

The influences of Satan often keeps me from heeding godly counsel.

Once I make up my mind, it is hard for me to pay attention to sound advice.  Usually, my pride, unwillingness to waste the time I've invested, or the influence of Evil are the obstacles that discourage such observance.  Therefore, to avoid the snowball effect, I would be wise to seek God alone.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can keep focused on God's plan for my life.

When do I most easily get off-track?

How can I help myself to remember to seek God above all other pursuits?               

Despised

"As the ark of the covenant of the LORD

was entering the City of David,

Michal daughter of Saul watched from a window.

And when she saw King David

dancing and celebrating,

she despised him in her heart."

1 Chronicles 15:29

She had never done anything to harm the woman, yet venom spewed from her mouth whenever they met.  It was as if she had a natural-born enemy without understanding why.  To make matters worse, my friend observed this woman interact with others and she seemed to possess such a sweet disposition.  It's as if she transformed into an angry beast whenever she saw my friend.

There is a reason we face this kind of harsh treatment in this world.  In fact, Jesus warned us of such behavior.  He said, "If the world hates you keep in mind that it hated me first. . .They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the one who sent me" (John 15:18, 21).  Whenever I live for God with all of my heart through faith in Jesus Christ, obeying Him with great joy and wholehearted devotion, I can be sure someone will sneer.

Jesus was despised by man so I can expect the same kind of treatment when I live in Him.  How do stand firm and carry on?

Not personal.  I can be so easily offended, insulted when coming into contact with abrasive personalities.  If I keep in mind that it's not me who gets under the skin of those who are lost, but Jesus who is in me whose Spirit demands a response, I'll more easily respond in love (Matthew 10:34-35).  

His Light shining from me sheds light into the darkness which can be quite uncomfortable for those who have made friends with the shadows (John 1:5, Matthew 5:14).  Therefore, my mere presence can be enough to set the lost on edge.

Even my speech offends, colored as it is by the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  When I speak, offensive truths are revealed, even if I'm not intentionally evangelizing.  Because of my faith in Christ, my views are different, my beliefs are radical, and my perspective is upside-down and backwards.  Therefore, most of what I say is challenging to the core-values of the lost.  In fact, sometimes it's downright insulting (1 Corinthians 1:18-21).

My lifestyle can also be an object of wrath, drawing criticism and ridicule from those who know their own choices are quite destructive.  In comparison, the lives of the lost are devoid of meaning and purpose, causing inner turmoil as they ponder their empty legacy.  Such insight can bring out the worst from those who have rejected God's saving grace.

When receiving harsh treatment from the world I can remember that Jesus is the true object of their wrath.

Purpose-focused.  I often think I deserve the best in life, wanting a life of ease and comfort as I give into my fleshly desires.  The truth is, however, that as a follower of Christ I have a great purpose. That reason for living includes glorifying God in all that I do.

Therefore, I must keep the bigger picture in mind whenever rough treatment is aimed at me.  Instead of giving attention to my own wounds and bruised ego, I can remember that God has a greater purpose that goes way beyond me.  He could be using me to reach a hardened heart, or break through the strongest fortress, or liberate a burdened soul.

When receiving harsh treatment from the world I can keep a purpose-focused perspective, remembering that God's point-of-view is much wider in scope than mine.

User-friendly.  To me, Jesus is easy to access, always available and eager to accept.  To those who are lost, however, He is offensive, radical and downright foolish.  Even though He stands at the door of their heart, offering to come in and live life with them, His very presence demands a decision.  Either I am for Him, or against Him (Matthew 12:30).

Since God opened my eyes to my need for Jesus, softening my heart and drawing me to Him, I can't imagine life without the abundance He died to deliver (John 6:44, 10:10).  For those who haven't experienced such bounty, however, Jesus represents everything they cannot yet possess.  

Apart from Jesus, one can attempt to live a full and meaningful life but will find it's possession to be quite impossible.  There is no richness, no meaning, no purpose for God's image-bearers when separated from the One who gave them life.  Therefore, I can represent everything the lost cannot attain in their own strength.   

When receiving harsh treatment from the world I can remember that Jesus means something different to me than He does to the world.

It's easy for me to be hurt when receiving harsh treatment from those with whom I come into contact.  Remembering that it's really Jesus who is their target, that God has a greater purpose that goes beyond me, and that the lost don't yet realize the treasure that is Jesus can help me to stand firm in the face of such mistreatment.  After all, being despised by man is a sign that I belong to Jesus.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can trust in God's greater plan when facing difficult treatment from the world.  

How do I so easily take things personally instead of remembering it's not about me?

When do I lose track of what God has in mind for the world at large?