He Knows

"Therefore, since we have a great high priest 

who has ascended into heaven,

Jesus the Son of God,

let us hold firmly to the faith we profess.

For we do no have a high priest who is unable

to empathize with our weaknesses,

but we have one who has been tempted in every way,

just as we are--yet he did not sin.

Let us then approach God's throne of grace

with confidence,

so that we may receive mercy

and find grace to help us in our time of need."

Hebrews 4:14-16

What do you face this day?  Does it seem unbearable, impossible to withstand, like no one could possibly understand what you feel?  Take heart, my friend.  Jesus gets it.  He's been there.  He knows what it is to hurt, to be tempted, to struggle.  He faced it all, withstood great hardship, yet never faltered.

Won't you go to Him with what hurts your heart?  What overwhelms you?  What seems so painful?

He knows.  And He will love you through it.

Broken

"The woman was convinced.

She saw that the tree was beautiful

and its fruit looked delicious,

and she wanted the wisdom it would give her.

So she took some of the fruit and ate it.

Then she gave some to her husband, who was with her,

and he ate it, too.

At that moment their eyes were opened,

and they suddenly felt shame at their nakedness.

So they sewed fig leaves together to cover themselves.

When the cool evening breezes were blowing,

the man and his wife heard the LORD God walking

in the garden.

So they hid from the LORD God among the trees."

Genesis 3:6-8

Everything was as it was made to exist:  Fruit grew uninhibited, free from the destructive elements of drought, disease and pests.  Man knew no enemy as all of creation lived in harmony with one another.  The image bearers tasted the sweetness of a perfect relationship with their Creator.  Then came sin, marring God's pristine masterpiece and ruining the connection between man and his Maker.

Shame became a new sensation as sin entered the equation.  Where Adam and Eve once enjoyed openness with the Lord, now they felt compelled to hide from His holiness.  Even though they were made for relationship, that bond had been broken.  Would things ever be the same?

Thanks be to God for Jesus Christ our Lord who restores us into right relationship with the One who created us for Himself!

Blood

It is a sign of life.  Whenever it spills, there is the fear that the victim's very life is draining from their body.  People donate it in an effort to help save these lives.  Since it is present at childbirth, it can also remind me of new life.  Without blood flowing through my veins, there is no doubt that my life is over.

Blood is necessary for life in this temporal body, but it is also an important role in my reconciliation to God.  Back in the time of Moses, God instructed His people to use blood to purify.  The law was sprinkled with blood when it was first presented to the nation of Israel, the Tabernacle and everything in it also received this treatment as did anyone who suffered from skin disease or even a home that had been contaminated by mildew.  (Hebrews 9:19-21, Leviticus 14)  Even more importantly, blood was used to signify cleansing from sin through continual animal sacrifices. (Leviticus 4)

All of this bloody ritual was necessary because without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness of sins.  (Leviticus 9:22)  The crimson liquid symbolizing life is the only substance God ordained for cleansing.  Therefore, the only way I can approach God as one who has fallen short of His impossibly high standard of perfection is through the covering of the blood of Jesus.  Nothing else can make me appear before a holy God as pure and righteous. (Romans 3:22, 1 John 1:7)

I am guilty of violating God's law, breaking the covenant He made between Himself and His people.  Thankfully, I am freely restored through the blood of Jesus.

Regeneration

If a salamander gets into a fight with an enemy, it can surrender it's tail as a defense mechanism.  Then, in a few week's time, a new tail will grow.

While this ability could be handy for humans, especially those who work around dangerous equipment like saws or farm machinery, it is not how God created the human body to function.  There is a type of regeneration that takes place, however, in those who accept the forgiveness that is offered in Christ.  This transformation occurs over time and is evident in how I relate to sin.  (2 Corinthians 5:14-17)  

At one time sin was as comfortable as an old pair of jeans.  As I grow closer to God through faith in Jesus Christ, however, that old life becomes less and less appealing.  The new life I've been offered where I live for Christ instead of myself fulfills me in a way I've never experienced.  It is how I was meant to live.

Now I am compelled to love those who hurt me, to obey His still small voice that leads me into the dark unknown, and to welcome the dredges of society as my closest friends.  The blood of Jesus not only cleanses me from sin, but it ushers me into a new way of living!

While sin has estranged me from God, the reconciliation that comes through Jesus also makes a way for me to enjoy a whole new way of living.

Restoration

When I moved into a new house with my family, we had kept our old dining room table even though the finish was peeling and flaking.  Once we got settled, I went to work on restoring this ugly piece of furniture.  While the project seemed daunting, the finished product was spectacular as the beauty of the wood was now evident for all to see.  Where once I had insisted on using a table cloth to cover up the horrible appearance, now I enjoyed the way the finish looked.  I felt like we had a new edition to our dining room!

In the same way that some sandpaper, stain and polyurethane can make an old piece of furniture look like new, so the blood of Jesus restores my place in the family of God.  Because of the sacrifice that Jesus made on the cross, I can boldly approach the throne of a holy God. (Hebrews 4:16)  

The relationship I was meant to enjoy with my Creator, and which Adam and Eve did experience for a time, is restored to me.  Instead of hiding in shame because of my sin, I can relate to God as a daughter interacts with a loving father.  His love is not inhibited, but flows freely to me, His beloved child.  (1 John 3:1)

Sin destroyed the relationship with God for which I was created, but the sacrifice of Jesus made it's restoration possible.

God made me for relationship with Him!  My sin nature, however, comes between me and my holy Father.  The only way to bridge that gap is through faith in Jesus Christ.  It is His blood who covers my sin, making the transformation process possible and restoration into the family of God a reality.  In short, Jesus has mended what Adam broke so long ago, and I can enjoy the beauty of His free gift both now and for all of eternity!

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can hold my relationship with the Lord as most valuable.

When do I forget the reason for which God created me?

How do I get caught up in living for myself instead of for the One who completes me?

Enter His Rest

"Therefore,

since the promise of entering his rest still stands,

let us be careful that none of you

be found to have fallen short of it.

For we also have had the good news proclaimed to us,

just as they did;

but the message they heard was of no value to them,

because they did not share the faith of those who obeyed."

Hebrews 4:1-2

My mind is like a high-powered computer, processing information pertaining to my struggles at the speed of light, flitting from one problem to another as I think of all the possible solutions and probable outcomes.  From the moment I wake up, my brain is powered up and ready to go, speeding off down trails of random thoughts and memories or rushing forward through the forest of worry.  Either way, the battle of anxiety I face each day is fought in my mind.  

As a child of God through faith in Jesus Christ, I can live in peace, free from the mines hidden in the battlefield that is my mind.  This anxiety-free place exists; all I need do is enter into the peaceful garden my Father has created just for me.  How can I get to this wonderful oasis?  

Prove It

I looked at the slippery, muddy log spanning the small, dried-up gully as I made it to the halfway point of a mud run challenge sponsored by the U.S. Marine Corps.  I thought to myself, that log looks sturdy enough, but the only way I could prove my faith in it's integrity was to place my full weight on it as I used the fallen tree as a bridge to cross the wide ditch and continue on toward the finish line.

My walk with Christ is similarly like this obstacle course in which I will encounter all sorts of situations that stretch my faith.  I have the choice of hanging back, talking about how much I trust God but failing to move forward, or I can show that my faith in my Father is true by moving onward despite my fears.

I have a God who has promised to take care of all my needs.  When I place all my eggs in His basket, refusing to have a back-up plan or explore the 'what ifs' in my mind, then my faith is proved real. (1 Peter 1:6-7)

I enter into the rest God has provided for me when I prove my faith in Him to be real by walking through the fire with the calm assurance that He is there with me. (Isaiah 43)

Guard

Green, prickly vines crisscrossed the ground, turning my backyard into a jungle.  When I declared war three years ago on these insidious blackberry vines, poison ivy, and other wild plants, I invested hours each day hacking away at the unrelenting pests.  After digging deep to find the taproot or the end of the meandering root systems, I was able to conquer most of the invaders.

Even though I got rid of the largest part of the problem, I still must vigilantly guard against new growth by using my hoe like a surgeon uses a scalpel to remove a cancerous growth.  Staying aware of this ongoing problem and attacking invaders at their first appearance is key to staying ahead of the weed's progression.

As a human being with a sinful nature, I must stay equally as vigilant in guarding against a bitter root taking hold in my heart and giving birth to anger, resentment, hurt and hate. (Hebrews 12:15)  Just like the blackberries and other invaders wreak havoc, preventing the growth of any good plants, bitterness can rise up before I realize what is happening, blocking out the fruit of God's Spirit. (Galatians 5:22-23)  If I want to allow the peace of God to rule in my heart, I would be wise to let go of unforgiveness.

I enter into the rest God has provided for me as I liberally forgive those who hurt me, let go of unmet expectations, and accept the place in which God has placed me, thus preventing the growth of a bitter root.

Today

"Why do today what I can put off until tomorrow?"  This is the motto of the procrastinator.  While living according to this creed may lend itself to the "Don't worry, be happy" mentality, it is not the way God has designed for me to live in relationship with Him.

As God's child, He has already prepared a peaceful place of rest in which I can reside while the storms of life rage all around me.  Since He's already created a refuge for me, there is no reason to wait.  Today is the day!  As the Apostle Paul said in 2 Corinthians 6:2, ". . .now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation."

A life of peace is possible despite the troubles swarming around me.  The power of God transcends all my trials and gives me the ability to rise above the swirling current as I let Him take care of me.

I enter into the rest God has provided for me when I say to myself, "Today is the day!"

The fallen world in which I live is filled with difficulty, stress and heartache.  I can either choose to dwell among it, focusing on all that is bad, or I can show I trust my Father by walking forward with the calm assurance of His provision and protection, guarding against the root of bitterness taking hold in my heart, and taking the initiative to follow my Shepherd today.  Then I will find that quiet resting place designed especially for me.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I will live as God intended, at rest and free from worry.

When do I let my worries rule my life instead of the peace that comes from trusting God?

How am I harboring anger or resentment in my heart?

  

Living with Hope

"Delight yourself in the LORD

and he will give you the desires of your heart.

Commit your way to the LORD;

trust in him and he will do this:

He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn,

the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.

Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him;

do not fret when men succeed in their ways,

when they carry out their wicked schemes. . .

those who hope in the LORD will inherit the land."

Psalm 37:4-9

I think we can all agree that life is hard.  Tragedies hit out of nowhere.  Illness strikes when I least expect it.  Loved ones are ripped out of this life before I get a chance to say, "good-bye."  Pain and suffering is all around me.  Life is hard.

If it wasn't for the hope of eternity with Jesus, it would be impossible to endure.  Thankfully, I can look forward to the time when, "He will wipe every tear from their eyes.  There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." (Revelation 21:4)  Now that's something to which I can look forward!

It reminds me of the time our family planned a trip to Disney World.  For months we saved funds and made plans.  Our daughters saved spending money from what they earned dog walking and babysitting.  We studied the Disney website and literature designed to familiarize ourselves with the parks and decide which attractions we really wanted to see.  Excitement began to build and the mundane difficulties of our day-to-day lives faded in light of the anticipation of our upcoming trip.  

In the same way, I am able to endure the difficulties of life in light of the anticipation of my upcoming residency in a place with no struggles, no pain and no suffering.   Heaven gives me hope.  But I must continue living here where God has placed me.  I cannot live with my head in the clouds, creating my own reality where I ignore what's going on around me.  I'm here for a purpose.

Thankfully, God has given me some guidance in how to live for Him while I wait for the time when I will live with Him!

Delight

When I think of the meaning of the word "delight,"  I think of my dogs.  They exhibit a high degree of exuberance and joy upon my return from an outing.  It doesn't matter if I've only been gone for an hour, they greet me with great pleasure and enthusiasm.  Their tails wag intensely as their tongues loll out of their mouths and their eyes shine with excitement.  They absolutely delight in my presence!

Apart from sprouting a tail and learning to drool like a dog, how can I delight in the LORD?  One way is to enjoy and revel in the study of His Word.   God teaches that the blessed man is one who finds that, "his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night." (Psalm 1:4)  

I can either read the Bible daily and check that off my things-to-do list, or I can conduct an intense study of His Word, examining references and looking up the meaning of the terms.  I can apply it to my life, meditating on what I learned throughout the day, asking God to show me the lesson found there.  The Bible is more than just a book of advice, it is, "living and active.  Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart."  (Hebrews 4:12)

As I delight in Him, He will change my priorities and list of requirements needed to live.  Oswald Chamber wrote in My Utmost for His Highest that my life itself is the, ". . . essential thing. . . wherever you may go, even if it is into hell, you will come out with your life, nothing can harm it.  So many of us are caught up in the show of things, not in the way of property and possessions, but of blessings.  All these have to go; but there is something grander that never can go--the life that is 'hid with Christ in God.'"  

All I really need is God, and as I delight in Him, He will change the desires of my heart to line up with that truth.  

Commit

My husband and I have been married for 23 years.  We made a pledge before God, obligating ourselves to the marriage.  Because of this commitment, we have stayed together despite disagreements, hurt feelings or times when affection was lacking.  This kind of vow takes a confidence in the integrity of the institution of marriage despite what I see, hear or feel.  My sense of obligation keeps me rooted to the relationship.  

In the same way, I have a relationship with God through faith in Jesus, but entrusting my plans to God takes faith.  Faith involves taking a step into the darkness without knowing whether or not there will be something solid to hold my weight.  Faith, however, know the One in whom I place my trust is faithful to guide and provide.  As Oswald Chambers said, "Faith never knows where it is being led, but it loves and knows the One who is leading."

Committing my way to the LORD means entrusting every part of my life to Him, letting Him have  His way.  But perhaps 19th Century Evangelist Dwight L. Moody said it best.  "The sweetest lesson I have learned in God's school is to let the Lord choose for me."  Trusting God doesn't mean I can make my plans and then ask Him to bless them, but rather to hand the reigns over to Him.

If I can make the same commitment to God as I did to my husband, unconditionally trusting Him, He has promised to make me able to stand in the sun without guilt or shame.  The blood of Jesus covers my sin when I commit my life to Him and accept Him as my personal Savior.  In so doing, I become innocent in God's eyes, relieving me of the burden of past, present and future sins.  


Making Jesus Lord of my life means letting Him have His way.  In turn, He gives me a spotless and innocent appearance before Him. 

Wait

Deals made behind closed doors.  Payment for service "under the table."  Conflicts of interest. Improper handling of tax payer funds.  Pilfering of finances to feed a gambling addiction.  Wherever I look, wicked schemes are taking place: Plots designed to benefit the planner, conspiracies thought up to further a dark plot, or a ploy intended for evil.  There's no doubt that immorality flourishes in this fallen world.

Even so, no sin goes unpunished.  Either Jesus has already paid the price for the sins of His followers, or the unrepentant sinner will face the consequences of eternal death.  Justice will be served.

In the meantime, I am called to quietly and untiringly wait for God to act.  He reminds me in Deuteronomy 32:35 that, "It is mine to avenge; I will repay.  In due time their foot will slip; their day of disaster is near and their doom rushes upon them."   I can trust God to punish evil, both now and in eternity.

Until then, the Apostle Paul gave some advice in Romans 12:17-20.  "Do not repay anyone evil for evil.  If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.  Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath. . . On the contrary, 'If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.  In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.'"

While I wait on God to enact justice on those who do me wrong, it is up to me to treat them with the same respect I would show to a friend.

This world is a difficult place in which to live, but as I wait to enter my eternal home, I have been given a plan.  I can take great delight in God,  make a commitment to Him and wait patiently for Him to act.  In this way I will glorify God with my life as I receive a new outlook, a clean countenance and the assurance of true justice for the wickedness going on around me.  

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can let go of all my expectations for my life and let God choose the way He wants me to go.

When do I try to take matters into my own hands, robbing God of the chance to enact His justice.

How can I love and treasure God above all other things? 

Withering Grass

"The grass withers and the flowers fall,
   but the word of our God endures forever."

Isaiah 40:8

Skeleton Trees Greek philosopher Heraclitus is known to have said, "Nothing endures but change."  Nowhere is this more apparent than in the fall garden.  In the past week I have raked leaves that have turned a flaming crimson or vibrant golden tree into a naked skeleton.  I pulled up once fertile tomato plants that wilted with the first frost of the season.  Gone were the fragrant basil and the climbing vines. Colossal Elephant Ears which once stood watch over our yard now bow to the ground in defeat.  Our garden is readying itself for winter just as our lives are in a constant state of flux.  It sometimes seems that change is the only thing we can count on.

Circle of Life  We are like these trees and plants because our life goes through a predictable cycle. Many a man has worked his whole life to leave a legacy, only to be forgotten once he is gone.  As important and impactful as we think we are, we are all like grass; here today and gone tomorrow, with another blade ready to take our place the moment we wither into the earth. 

A Life of Significance  If we base our lives on the significance of ourselves, we are fooling ourselves.   But if we ground ourselves in God's Word, which does not change, we will live a life of significance, pleasing to God.

Heart in Check  When we base our life on God's Word, our heart will never be allowed to stray into selfish territory.  As scripture teaches in Hebrews 4:12, ". . .the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart."  Living by God's Word means we will never rest in our sin but will be convicted to submit to our Lord Jesus Christ.

God's Ruler  God's Word is not wishy washy.  We know where we stand when we compare our thoughts, deeds and words to His standard.  God posed a revealing questions through the prophet Jeremiah.  "Does not my word burn like fire?” says the Lord. “Is it not like a mighty hammer that smashes a rock to pieces?" (Jeremiah 23:29) Measuring our life against the ruler of God's Word will always give us an accurate assessment.

Useful   God's Word is not just a collection of wise thoughts, poetic writings and historical works.  It is, ". . .God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." (2Timothy 3:16)  When we are open to the instruction, admonition, discipline, and preparation offered in scripture, we will be ready to do all that God has "prepared in advance for us to do." (Ephesians 2:10)

As I begin this day, it is my prayer that I will allow God's unchanging Word to bring about a powerful transformation in my ever-changing life.

Where am I not taking God at His Word?

How am I depending upon man's shifting opinions or beliefs instead of upon God's infallible Word?