Think Spiritually

"When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd

coming toward him,

he said to Philip,

'Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?'

He asked this only to test him,

for he already had in mind what he was going to do.

Philip answered him,

'Eight months' wages would not buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!'"

There were way more people than anyone ever expected to show up.  As the masses gathered in around the hillside to listen to the lesson they hoped would come, the disciples marveled at the scope of the crowd.  

"I never imagined this many people would be interested in what He has to say."

"Well, I think they're more interested in seeing some more miracles."  Word of His mind-blowing feats had drawn the attention of many: the water changing into wine, the healings, not to mention the powerful teachings that no one can explain coming from an uneducated, carpenter's son.   

Jesus drew crowds wherever He went.  God was drawing people to the Truth in the same way He does today.  Once I begin to follow Him, however, I will discover a dichotomy within myself: my fleshly mind naturally focuses on the obvious and physical side of situations, like Philip did above, while God's Spirit prompts me to see things with His eyes.  If I only focus on what I can see with my physical eyes or comprehend based on past experiences, I will miss out on all He is doing behind the scenes that can only be seen with spiritual eyes.

Oswald Chambers puts it all in perspective when he wrote, "Common sense is not faith, and faith is not common sense; they stand in the relation of the natural and the spiritual: of impulse and inspiration.  Nothing Jesus Christ ever said is common sense, it is revelation sense, and it reaches the shores where common sense fails."

Following Jesus means I'll need to shed my rational and reasonable side and begin to look at things from His perspective. 

Problems

I used to be fond of quoting Murphy's Law which states, "If anything can go wrong, it will go wrong."  Besides being a pessimistic approach to life, this way of thinking also expects the worst out of every situation.  I imagine that A.A.Milne's character, Eeyore, from the beloved world of Winnie the Pooh carried this kind of attitude.

Although it is quite easy to see all the difficulties that creep up within the parameters of a normal day, a simple change in my outlook can make a world of difference.  Instead of looking at troubles as problems which wreak havoc, I can see them with spiritual eyes.  

God can use any situation for His glory. There is nothing so big and difficult that He wrings His hands as He wonders how He'll work it all out.  As Jeremiah prayed, "Ah, Sovereign LORD, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm.  Nothing is too hard for you."  (Jeremiah 32:17)

Whenever a problem or snafu creeps up in my day, therefore, I have the option of viewing it as an opportunity to trust God and a chance for Him to show His might and power.  When I make that choice, instead of dreading the difficulties, I'll find myself looking forward to the display of His supremacy and sovereignty that will soon follow.

God will use bad for good.  The only question is: To which will I pay attention?  The bad, or the good?

Choosing the perspective of Christ requires that I consider every crisis to be a vessel of His goodness, grace and mercy.

Delays

There is nothing more frustrating than driving in rush hour traffic when I have an appointment.  As I creep along the interstate, my mind calculates how much time I have left before my meeting and ultimately, how late I will be in arriving at my destination.

It's hard not to see delays as inconveniences or disruptions to my plans.  If I could see with a heavenly viewpoint for just one day, however, I would be amazed at all the accidents a setback diverted, how the time spent waiting in traffic was used to align the schedules of those who He purposed for me to cross paths with later that day, or when I was spared from heartache because of a delay.

Part of trusting God means I can choose to see delays and slowdowns as a part of His plan.  His timing is perfect, but it does not always meet up with my timetable.  Just because I have an appointment or a task to finish in a certain allotment of time does not mean that God's got the same plan for me that day.  When I stubbornly stick to my own agenda despite the fact that nothing seems to be going my way, I will live a frustrated and stress-filled life.

If, however, I choose to divert my attention away from the traffic creeping along all around me, the cashier moving as slow as molasses or the customer service agent who insists on going through all the troubleshooting steps, and focus on God as the giver of all good things, peace will fill my soul. (James 1:17 , Psalm 4:8)

Choosing the perspective of Christ requires that I perceive delays as divine adjustments in my schedule to more closely align it with His.

Suffering

I go out of my way to avoid suffering.  If I had a choice between bearing a sinus headache for a day and teaching a class of preschoolers the day after gorging on Halloween candy, I'd definitely choose the children, as challenging as that would be.  Enduring pain is never something I desire.

God, however, has a different plan.  He uses suffering as a tool to mature and purify my faith. (Hebrews 2:10, Malachi 3:3)  Going through painful situations works to humble me and weaken me to such a point that I become desperate for the Source of my strength.  When I am down on my knees with nowhere else to turn, I cry out to Him.  It is then that I gain a wider view of God as He comforts as only He can.  (2 Corinthians 1:3)

How else will I experience that tender side of God unless I'm wounded and in need of care?  How else will I get to see His healing power unless I'm in need of healing?  How else will I begin to understand His mercy unless I experience it firsthand?  

Joni Eareckson Tada, who knows a little about suffering, said this: "The world has a philosophy that says, 'What can't be cured must be endured.' Christians have a philosophy that says, 'What can't be cured can be enjoyed.'"

Only someone who has reaped the benefits from suffering would be able to say such a thing.  When learning to accept where God has place me, I begin to see the fruit that is produced in my life:  Benefits like a greater dependency on God, a more acute awareness of His power in my life, a mind like Christ's, a better understanding of how Jesus suffered for me, and more wisdom and discernment from God.  

Choosing the perspective of Christ requires that I look forward to suffering as precious times of purification.

I'm naturally rich in common sense, but many times lacking in spiritual perception.  Purposefully deciding to see things through spiritual eyes, however, while increase its acuity.  I will find that problems become opportunities for God to show His power, delays are adjustments in my schedule to more closely align it with His, and suffering is a tool used to mature and purify.  With this kind of point of view, there is nothing in this life that will get me down.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I will choose to see things from God's perspective.

How often do I react negatively toward delays instead of thinking about how God may use them?

When do I avoid suffering instead of seeing it as one of the most powerful tools God can use in my life?   

  

The Power of Prayer

"One day Jesus was praying in a certain place.

When he finished, 

one of his disciples said to him,

'Lord, teach us to pray,

just as John taught his disciples.'

He said to them, 'When you pray, say:

Father,

hallowed be your name,

your kingdom come.

Give us each day our daily bread.

Forgive us our sins,

for we also forgive everyone who sins against us.

And lead us not into temptation.'"

Luke 11:1-4

I have gone through phases in my prayer life throughout my walk with Christ.  I started off in the beginning boldly telling God what I thought should happen.  As He began the humbling process, I felt uncomfortable telling Him what to do and began praying for His will to be done.  That too felt wrong.  I wondered, What's the point of me praying if I just tell God to go ahead and do what He's going to do?  Then I went through a phase where I struggled with praying, trying to balance the two extremes.  Now I am at a place where I share my inner struggles, my praise for Him, my dreams and hopes and pray that His name would be glorified as He brings me and others around to where He wants us to be.

Prayer is powerful.  I read in James 5:16 just how powerful and effective the prayers are of those who follow Jesus.  The purpose of prayer, however, is not only to bring about change.  The reason I pray is to bring God into every part of my life, to share my heart with Him and to submit my will to His, allowing Him to work a miracle in my heart.  Just as honestly opening up to my husband will strengthen the bond we have together, so does keeping lines of communication open with my heavenly Father.  

What is the purpose of prayer?  After all, I can't change the course of God's plan, nor should I want to.  Instead, prayer has a way of aligning me with Him, and opening up the pipeline between me and God that will deliver His flow of grace, love and mercy into my life.

Submission

If you spend any time around toddlers, you find out that the human will is strong.  There is nothing more satisfying to a 2-year-old than for them to do something all by themselves.  This independence builds a strong sense of self-worth as the tot realizes he has some ability to care for himself, even if it just means pulling on a pair of pants, or going potty by himself.  Humans want to feel useful and self-sufficient.

Prayer has a way of putting me in my place and reminding me of the proper order of things.  God is above all, and He is the source of all good things in my life.  (James 1:17)  It's easy for me to forget that and believe that my hard worked earned me my position, that my smarts and good planning resulted in a nice place to live or that my children's success is because I'm a natural-born mother.

When I talk to God, He has a way of reminding me that not only is He the source of everything, but I am completely at His mercy.  If He takes His hand off of me, I will fall.

Oswald Chambers challenges me to stay in close relationship with Jesus in order to keep properly submitted to Him as my Lord.  As I bow before Him, I am admitting that I need Him to perform a supernatural work through me.  Without Him, His commands are impossible.  "The Sermon on the Mount is not an ideal, it is a statement of what will happen in me when Jesus Christ has altered by disposition and put in a disposition like His own.  Jesus Christ is the only One who can fulfill the Sermon on the Mount."

Prayer reminds me of the source of my provision and from where the power comes to do as He asks.  God uses our conversations together to remind me that He is my all in all, and that without Him, I am nothing. (1 Corinthians 15:28, John 15:5)

One of the purposes of prayer is for God to remind me of my proper place in perspective to Him.

Humility

I am not naturally humble.  I am self-conscious, self-aware, self-absorbed and self-centered.  Everything I see, hear, read and feel is filtered through my brain which somehow colors it with my own point-of-view.  I am not objective because I tend to only see the world as it relates to me.  My opinions are formed based on my past, my experiences and my world-view.  Even though I have been known to have a low-view of myself, I have a pride problem.  I can't seem to see God for who He is and what He can do, apart from me.

As I talk to God, though, He has a way of humbling me; opening my eyes to see how my actions have affected people I claim to love.  He widens my vision to include others instead of only me.  He shows me where I owe forgiveness to someone who hurt me, and where I need to ask for forgiveness from one I hurt. Prayer humbles me.

My life is often filled with activities that seem to be good things to do.  There are ministries to run, people to encourage, new believers to disciple and the list goes on.  I often feel pressure to do for God, but take very little time to be with God.  As I spend time with Him, He shows me what He wants me to do and what needs to be cut out.  He usually surprises me with how little it is He wants me to do and how much He covets my time alone with Him.  When He was here on earth, Jesus spent much time in communion with His Father. (Mark 1:35, Luke 6:12, Mark 14;32-34) 

Martin Luther, sixteenth-century leader of the Reformation, said, "I have often learned more in one prayer than I have been able to glean from much reading and reflection."  As I spend time with my Creator, He uses those interludes to humble me and shape me into the young woman He has created me to be.

Another of the purposes of prayer is to give God a chance to chisel away my pride and fleshly ways to make more room for Him.

Defenseless

His fingers flashed across the keyboard as he searched for the information he needed to complete his homework assignment.  Suddenly, a vulgar and disgusting image flashed before him, catching him off-guard.  Curious, he took a closer look, trying to decipher the picture before him.  He'd never seen such a thing.  What is this all about? he wondered.  Should I ask my mom?  

There's no doubt about it: our children are vulnerable in the fast-moving, merciless world of cyberspace.  Stories surface on a daily basis of children who were lured by pedophiles, perverts or psychopaths bent on using the innocent for their own evil purposes.  Unsuspecting as they are, the uninformed child makes the best victims.  Consequently, a wise parent teaches his child what he needs to know to stand firm against the darkness that is lurking.  It's not so different with me and God.

As a child of God, I, too, am left defenseless against the insidious temptations that constantly plague me.  My flesh easily succumbs to the tiniest bit of pressure to do what comes naturally.  All I need is the smallest amount of doubt and I'll do things my way instead of God's.  

Thankfully, God is my source of protection against temptation, standing ready to help in times of trouble.  He is my, "refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble." (Psalm 46:1)  The thing about a sanctuary is that I need to take shelter within it in order for it to do any good.  Just knowing that a storm shelter exists, for example, doesn't do anything to protect me from a tornado if I don't hide myself within it's strong walls when the warning comes.

In the same way I must seek out God as soon as temptation strikes.  When I feel the need to lash out at someone in my own defense, it is important that I open up the lines of communication with my Refuge.    When doubts begin to rise up, God will strike them down with the truth if I take shelter in the shadow of His wings.  When I'm ready to give up because the struggle has seemingly become insurmountable, going to my source of protection will give Him a chance to remind me of the greater purpose for my difficulties.  Then, I can use His strength to stand firm upon His promises.

One of the important purposes of prayer is that it gives me a weapon against temptation.

Prayer is not just about me telling God what to do or letting Him have His way.  It is so much more powerful than that.  Prayer reminds me of my proper place in submission to God, that I have much forgiveness to offer and receive and that without God I have no defense against temptation.  Prayer is not about me manipulating God, but about God transforming me as I grow closer to Him.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can remember that prayer has the power to bring me closer to God.

When do I treat prayer like a chore instead of as the lifeline that it is?

How do I try to stand up to temptations by myself instead of using God as my refuge against them?

Willing to Receive

"Peter said to him,

'We have left everything to follow you!'

'I tell you the truth,' Jesus replied,

'no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother

or father or children or fields for me and the gospel

will fail to receive a hundred times

 as much in this present age

(homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields--

and with them, persecutions)

and in the age to come, eternal life.'"

Mark 10:28-30

In order to reap, a gardener must sow.  And before she can sow, something must die.  Let me explain:  

I was talking to a friend of mine about her wonderful garden and the amazing produce she is enjoying.  I asked her to share her secret and she happily exclaimed, "Manure!  It's all about the manure!"  She raises horses and chickens as well, and liberally uses their old, fermented droppings to improve the soil before planting.  It must work because she brings in a bountiful harvest!

I was thinking about manure, and without getting too graphic, I thought about how the horse eats the grass which is utilized by the body for fuel and sustenance and then the wasted is excreted.  Before the soil can benefit from the fertilizer, the grass must be bit off by the grazing horse, separating it from it's life-giving roots as it enters the digestive system where it is ground into a pulp and digested into a more basic element that can be readily utilized.

In a similar way, there are many things that must die in my life before I will be ready to be used by God.  There are practices, beliefs, fears, unforgiveness, hurt; and the list could go on.  God asks me to give up things that are getting in the way of my relationship with Him.  When I obey, I am blessed.  When I tarry, I hurt the heart of God.  Disobedience is a form of doubt, and distrust of my Father injures my relationship with Him.

There is no need to fear letting go.  Jesus has promised that my sacrifice will bring a bountiful harvest, just like the the death of the grass brought life-giving nutrients to my friend's garden.  The question is: Am I willing to receive all that God is waiting to give me?

Ready

He'd been laying there so many years that he lost track of time.  This disease had plagued him for nearly 40 years, leaving him helpless to provide for himself.  He felt all alone in the world as he hoped beyond reason that this would be the day that he'd get to the therapeutic pool first, guaranteeing him a supernatural healing.  Once the angels stirred the waters, the curing powers would be released and all he must do is immerse himself within their cool depths.  This was his only hope.

When Jesus encountered this man, He asked him one question:  "Do you want to get well?" (John 5:1-8)  Well, duh!  But the answer the man gave revealed his heart.  He was putting all his eggs in the healing pool basket, which was a long shot at best.  Perhaps he was afraid to be whole.  Maybe he felt his identity was wrapped up in his infirmity.  It could be that he wasn't ready to receive what Jesus had to give him, that he was afraid to embrace the man God had created him to be.

I can relate!  God puts so many things on my heart to do, but then the doubt creeps in.  But I can't speak in front of a group, I'm not that kind of person.  But I don't know enough to lead a Bible study.  But I'm not a good enough conversationalist to witness to an unbeliever.  But. . .but. . .but.

My doubt is revealing my disbelief.  I am in essence telling God that He is not big enough to work through me, I am too much for Him to handle, He's not powerful enough to overcome my weaknesses.  

Moses suffered from this same problem.  God gave him a mission: Go to Pharaoh and tell him to, "Let my people go!"  Moses thought of every excuse in the book; what if I'm not leadership material?  What if the Israelites don't listen to me?  What if they don't believe me?  What if I can't speak well?  What if, what if, what if!

God reassured him each time, giving him signs to show and words to say, but finally Moses got to the end of his questions with, "Can't you send somebody else?"  (Exodus 3:10-4:16)  Then the Lord's anger burned against Moses.

I do not want to be on the receiving end of God's fury!  Instead, it is my desire to immediately obey without reservation, saying to myself, okay, I know I'm not up to this task, but God definitely is!  I have nothing to fear with Him backing me up!  (Isaiah 41:10)

When God calls me to let go of something and follow Him toward a powerful blessing, can I tell Him I'm ready to receive it?

Perspective

He was incredibly blessed.  God had given him a loving family, riches beyond his wildest dreams, and a peaceful life.  He couldn't imagine life getting any better.  Then came the test.  In one day, he lost it all, with his health to falter soon after.  How did Job respond? "The LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD." (Job 1:21)

If I am going to be able to receive the mission God has for me and the subsequent blessings that may follow, it is important that I keep it all in perspective.  While no one wants to live in poverty, either spiritually or physically, it is entirely up to God whether or not I do.  I can run after riches, friendships, and important ministries, or I can focus on my relationship with God and let Him decide what He does or does not give.  (Matthew 6:33)

Remembering that God is sovereign will help me to keep it all in perspective.  As 19th Century American Evangelist Dwight L Moody said, "The sweetest lesson I have learned in God's school is to let the Lord choose for me."

Once I'm ready to receive all that God wants to give me, will I be able to keep it in perspective, remembering that it's His to give and His to take away?

Glory

I have to admit, I love getting recognition for a job well done.  I don't readily admit this to others, but in my heart, I enjoy a good pat on the back every once in awhile.

In fact, I was anticipating just such an acknowledgment when my family and I got ready to move away from a Sunday school program where I had taught for four years.  Much to my surprise and disappointment, my last day to teach came and went without so much as a word of thanks from anyone.  I quietly exited the building that morning, humbled beyond recognition.  I said that I was serving for the glory of God, but when it came down to it, I wanted some of the glory as well.

When God calls me to a job, giving me a list of distractions to purge from my life, am I willing to quietly accept all He's doing, or does part of me think I'm a little better for my sacrifices?  In other words, is part of my motivation for obeying God so that my character will improve, my reputation will rise or my ministry will broaden?  

Everything I do is to be for the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31): to point others to Him as the source of all good things (James 1:17), to give Him the praise and the honor (1 Thessalonians 5:18), and to promote His will instead of my own (Matthew 6:10).

Now that I'm working in God's kingdom, it is important that my heart only desires the glory to go to God.

My motivation for surrendering my all to Christ can't be that I'll receive the promised hundredfold in return.  Instead, it is to be out of a pure desire to please my Father.  As I let go, I'll need to learn to be ready to receive, to keep all His blessings in perspective, and to do everything with God's honor and magnificence as the goal.  It is then that I'll be set free to follow Him wholeheartedly.  (John 8:32)

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I will keep my own agenda out of the picture and focus solely on God's will.

How do I take His blessings for granted, thinking I earned them or deserve them in some way?

When am I working for my own glory instead of God's?        

Reputation

"The king said to Daniel,

'May your God,

whom you serve continually,

rescue you!'"

Daniel 6:16b

Christian musician Bill Gaither tells the story of when he and his then newlywed wife, Gloria, approached a retired banker for a few acres of land where they could build a house.  The landowner had promised the land to the local farmers for cattle grazing.  When he realized the young man standing before him was the grandson of one of his former employees, however, he changed his mind and sold the young couple 15 acres for a price that was a fraction of what it was worth.  

What caused the retiree to revise his opinion?  The hardworking, honest reputation of Bill's grandfather.  The book of Proverbs says, "A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold." (Proverbs 22:1)  

While it is good that Grandpa Gaither earned a good name through hard work and integrity, I want people to think of God when they think of me.  I don't so much want others to tie my name to good things for my own sake.  Rather, I'd hope that I earn a reputation much like that of some men found in the pages of the Bible who truly lived out their faith in a way that impacted the world around them.

Continually Serving God

His name was linked to the One True God from the moment he set foot in the Babylonian palace for training.  God's ways were always more important to him than the customs and traditions of the new culture in which he was placed.  Even though it meant he'd look as out of place as a snowman would in July, he stayed true to the Lord. 

Due to Daniel's faithful loyalty to the God he loved, the kings he served and no doubt others he came in contact with couldn't help but take note of the greatness of his God.  Pagan kings Nebuchadnezzar and Darius both came to an acknowledgment of the One True God's sovereignty and power through Daniel's life example.

Maybe this is what Jesus meant when he said, "You are the salt of the earth."  (Matthew 5:13)  Salt is a preservative, flavor enhancer, antiseptic and cleanser among a myriad of other uses.  As a jar of clay holding the precious and powerful Spirit of God, my presence in this world makes it a better place.  The scattering of His Spirit among all of humanity helps to add His characteristics and especially His love to a world that is lost without Him. 

Daniel inspires me to live each moment for Jesus, making the most of every opportunity and not being afraid to look different than everyone else as I obey His calling on my life.

Devoted to God

If anyone needed help, they went to the most influential man in the East.  Everyone knew they could trust him both in the way he conducted business as well as in his personal affairs.  If he said he would help, he could always be counted on and the animals in his flocks and herds were the best in the region.  Making a purchase from him was always a wise decision.  One thing he had no tolerance for was dirty dealings or cruel or unseemly ways.

There was no doubt about it; Job was a man devoted to God.  His reputation was one of honesty and integrity and everyone knew it.  My life is also a billboard for something.  Whether I know it or not, I am either advertising for God or for myself.  When people observe my life and the way I conduct my affairs, they either notice the characteristics of God and His fruit, or they just perceive my own flesh.

How much of God's love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control are evident in my day-to-day existence depends upon how much of my own will and flesh I have turned over to Jesus.  When He died on the cross, He provided a way for me to cast my own natural tendencies upon Him, leaving more room for His Spirit to show through.  As I die to myself, I can live for Christ.

Job inspires me to live a life of Godly devotion in which His characteristics are most evident to all with whom I come in contact.

Trusting God     

They hated him.  He was the favored one.  In fact, their father even gave him a special coat to wear making him an even bigger target among his brothers.  He always got away with everything and their father gave him fewer chores and responsibilities.  Needless to say, his brothers were jealous of his position in the family.

Joseph ended up being sold into slavery by the very ones who despised his existence.  Once a servant, he was thrown into jail for a crime he didn't commit.  Through it all, however, Joseph maintained his faith in God.  And the favor of the Lord was upon him.  Consequently, everything he put his hands to succeeded and he was given much responsibility.  

Once he finally came into the presence of the Pharaoh himself to interpret a dream, his reputation as a man of wisdom and good judgment had grown.  As the Egyptian leader placed Joseph into the position of second in command of the entire nation, he said, "Since God has made all this known to you, there is no one so discerning and wise as you."  (Genesis 41:39)

Pharaoh knew it was God who made Joseph special, not the young man's own effort, upbringing or heritage.  Joseph had made the source of his abilities abundantly clear.    When Pharaoh said he had heard that Joseph could interpret dreams, Joseph said, "I cannot do it. . .but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires."  (Genesis 41:16)

I, too, can point to God as the giver of all good things in my life.  How easy it is, instead, to take credit myself.  I worked hard to earn that position, or I deserve a nice vacation.  But if I give God the honor and the glory, then I am truly acknowledging Him as the source.  "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows."  (James 1:17)

Joseph inspires me to always give credit to God as the one who dispenses blessings, gifts, talents and all other good things in my life.

My reputation is important, but not as it reflects on me.  Rather, the way others perceive me says a lot about Who I follow.  Daniel reminds me to persevere, Job to live uprightly and Joseph to give God the credit for any gifts He has given to me.  These are the kind of reputations that are worth their weight in gold.

As I begin this day, it is my prayer that my life will point others to Jesus.

How do I tend to draw attention to myself instead of to God?

When do I forget that I'm Christ's ambassador to a fallen world?