Heed the Warning

"When Silas and Timothy came from Macedonia,

Paul devoted himself exclusively to preaching,

testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Christ.

But when the Jews opposed Paul and became abusive,

he shook out his clothes in protest and said to them,

'Your blood be on your own heads!

I am clear of my responsibility."

Acts 18:5-6

"If anyone hears the trumpet

but does not take warning

and the sword comes and takes his life,

his blood will be on his own head."

Ezekiel 33:4

I live in a country where the gospel of Jesus Christ is often proclaimed.  Most of us know the basics: Jesus came to the earth in the form of a tiny, helpless baby (Luke 2:11), grew into a man and gave His life as a ransom for many. (Mark 10:45)  Never am I more exposed to Jesus than at Christmastime: churches host living nativity scenes, the truth of the gospel is declared in the form of songs on the radio and re-enactments of His birth play out in dramas and movies.  

The question I must ask myself is this: How do I respond to Jesus?  Scripture is clear that Jesus came to give me the gift of salvation. (Ephesians 2:8)  Do I simply accept, receiving eternal life as promised, or am I called to something more?

I am responsible for the path I choose in life.  If I do things my way, even though I saved from eternal damnation by the blood of Jesus, I will be walking the path that leads to destruction.  Little or no fruit will be the result, turmoil and confusion will rule.  If, however, I choose to follow Jesus, giving up my right to myself, He will lead me down paths of righteousness for His namesake. (Psalm 23:3)  Love and peace will then reign in my heart and I will bear much fruit. (Isaiah 9:7, John 15:5)

The Gospel is clear: Jesus said, "I am the resurrection and the life.  He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die." (John 11:25-26)  There is more to consider regarding Jesus, though.  If I truly love Him, not just desire to use Him as a means to gain eternal life, then I will choose to do as He commands.  (John 14:15)

I will love those who are unlovable.  I will forgive even though I'm hurt.  I will live in peace with others even when my rights have been violated.  I will seek to understand even when I don't agree.  I will refrain from judging those who are lost and living a life of destruction.  I will pray for those who hate me.

This Christmas, as I spending time celebrating the coming of Messiah, may His love rule in my heart.  May I decide to do more than just receive His love, but may I let down my defenses and allow His love to change me.  May the grace and mercy of a loving God spur me on to love Jesus in the way I love others.  

This Christmas will I pay attention to the truth of the gospel and make Him more than my Savior?  Will I make Him my Lord? (Romans 10:9)

Been With Jesus

"'Salvation is found in no one else,

for there is no other name under heaven

given to men by which we must be saved.'

When they saw the courage of Peter and John

and realized that they were

 unschooled,

ordinary men,

they were astonished

and they took note that these men had been with Jesus."

Acts 4:12-13

Peter and John were ordinary fishermen; men who earned their living by the labor of their hands and the brawn of their backs.  Fishing was a profitable industry, but not glamorous or enviable by any means.  These men were called by Jesus to be His disciples.  They spent time with Him, learning from Him and growing to love Him.  When Jesus returned to heaven to sit at the right hand of God the Father, they received His Spirit as a comforter, counselor and guide. (Acts 2:38-39) 

God's Spirit does more than just make me feel assured of my salvation, (John 15:26-27) He also gives me what I need to do what He's called me to do.  God does not call the equipped, He equips the called. (Hebrews 13:20-21)  Before Peter and John could realize the power God placed within them, they had to take a step of faith, trusting that God's Spirit would not let them down.  When they did, what they found coming from within them astounded everyone.

Courage

I remember the time one of my daughters stood up to the ice cream man who had just called her sister "fat."  At the age of 6, she respectfully told him that what he had said was not nice and that he should be ashamed that he had hurt her sister's feelings.  Standing up to an adult took courage.

In the same way, Peter and John courageously stood up to the power structure, speaking the unwelcome truth to the rulers, elders and teachers of the law.  They didn't have the authority of any man to speak in such a way to that prestigious group.  I might even call them "cheeky" or "sassy."  It took a lot of nerve to rock the boat in such a way.

There are times when the Holy Spirit gives me courage to speak out against injustice.  Sometimes it could be I'm called to write a letter to the editor of my local paper, taking a stand for Christ.  Other times, I could speak the truth to a professor attempting to undermine God's sovereignty.  Or, God could give me the boldness to speak the truth in love to an outspoken coworker who pushes her atheistic agenda.

God's Spirit equips me with courage to speak up in the face of opposition.

Wisdom

It is said that wisdom comes with age, but God says it starts with a healthy respect and reverence for Him. (Psalm 111:10)  Peter and John were both common men who lacked any kind of formal education.  They were probably able to speak several languages in order to trade fish with the variety of people they dealt with in the marketplace, and they needed a working knowledge of money and trading to succeed in their business, but for the most part they were ordinary, working-class men.

Listening to them reason and lecture, however, the people had a different perspective.  Peter and John spoke as if they were proficient in philosophy, history and the art of deliberation.  They sounded as if they had trained under the best teachers money could buy.  Who were these men?

All those who questioned needed to know was who they had been with. Jesus gave them all the wisdom they needed to discuss deeply theological matters.  It's the same with me.  I don't need to take a special class or receive expert training to certify me as qualified to talk to others about my faith.  All I need is Jesus: He will equip me as I read His word, interpreting it and revealing truth as I trust Him to teach me.  Then, when I'm faced with those who have questions, He'll provide the answers if I rely on Him; His words will flow from me.  (Luke 12:11-12)

God's Spirit equips me with wisdom to speak the truth to a dark world.

Anointing

It's easy to think that someone who does extraordinary things is himself extraordinary.  The truth is, however, that God is the source of all amazing things.  Each of us is capable of doing the same as Moses, Elijah, David or Paul did because it was God who was working through them.  He set them aside for His purposes, using them as a vessel of His Spirit to accomplish His good purposes. (2 Corinthians 4:6-7)

Peter and John were not special or different than you or me.  The only thing enabling them to accomplish such astonishing feats as to leave the Jewish ruling council speechless was God's Spirit.  All He needs is a willing container which He can fill with His power.  If I submit to Him and allow Him to use me, I'll witness astounding deeds that only can be attributed to God.

I'll be able to speak clearly even though I stutter.  I'll suddenly lose my aversion to children and draw them to Jesus as if I were some kind of modern-day Pied Piper even though I never thought of being a teacher.  I'll gain a new appreciation for God's Word and a heart for those who desire to know and understand God's ways even though I never did well in school.  In short, when I trust in God, He'll set me aside for the work He's prepared for me to do.

God's Spirit equips me with an anointing to accomplish His purpose for my life.

Peter and John stood out as extraordinary even though they were ordinary fishermen.  In the same way, when I trust in Jesus as Lord of my life, He'll give me courage to do the impossible, wisdom beyond my education level, and an anointing that enables me to walk the path He has for me.  If I've been with Jesus, He'll call me, and then He'll equip me.  

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can trust God to give me what I need to accomplish His purposes for my life.

How do I doubt what God can do in my life by hesitating to step out in faith?

When do I fear my lack of training will hold me back from doing what God has put in my heart to do?

Peace of Preparation

"'I have told you these things, 

so that in me you may have peace.  

In this world you will have trouble.

But take heart!

I have overcome the world.'"

John 16:33

I didn't know what to expect.  I had never been through a military burial ceremony so I was walking into the unknown.  Thankfully, the personnel in charge told us exactly what was to happen during the short service, setting our minds at ease and helping us to prepare for what was to come.  Burying a loved one is never easy, but it's made so much more difficult when everything seems foreign and unfamiliar.

Knowing what to expect makes a tough time a bit easier to process.  As a follower of Christ, I have been similarly warned of what is to come in this life.  Jesus gave me a heads up so that I would be able to rest in His peace as things unfold just as He predicted.  Paying attention to His instructions gives me the freedom to trust in Him when the going gets hard.  He wants me to live life with my eyes wide open, with the full knowledge of what I can expect so that nothing I face will be a surprise.  Instead, the hardships will grow my faith as He and His words are shown to be trustworthy and faithful.

If I can trust Him with my unknown future, then I can certainly trust Him with the reality of the present.

Trouble is Guaranteed

I once heard someone say that I shouldn't be surprised when someone dies, but instead be amazed that I've been given another day to live.  Each breath I take is a gift from God, an extension of His mercy and grace.  Without His go-ahead or permission, neither good nor bad will enter my life.  

As a human created by a Sovereign God, I must always keep in mind that my life is literally in His hands.  I need also to remember that I am living in a fallen, sinful world filled with darkness and suffering.  This world is at odds with the Holy God in whom I claim allegiance through faith in Jesus Christ.  Because of the stance I take, aligning myself with Christ, I can expect the same kind of treatment He received while here on earth.  (John 15:18-21)  

It would be foolish for me to anticipate a comfortable life where everyone likes me and agrees with what I say.  I would be expecting different from what He warned of me if I thought I'd be well-received by those who don't belong to Jesus.  Going forward with my eyes wide-open means I'll rejoice when I run into opposition because I'll see it as a fulfillment of His warning.  It also means I'll not just accept hard times, but I'll actually be prepared for difficulties as a part of living a life submitted to God.

Instead of fighting against the tribulations, then, I will embrace them as a part of the package of walking with Christ.  When I'm mistreated for the sake of Christ, I'll take it as a sign that I'm on the right path.  If everything is easy and people of the world tend to fall in line behind me, I may have to question to where my allegiance lies.

Living a life for Jesus means that trouble is guaranteed.

Don't Lose Heart

The rate of suicide tends to increase with economic downturns.  As people see their hopes and dreams slip away along with their lost investments and decreased job stability, many give up on life.  Putting my faith in anything other than God puts me at risk for this kind of mentality.

If I trust in my own wherewithal or abilities to get me through life, thinking that I'll be able to make my own dreams come true, I'll be in for a rude awakening when things don't go as planned.  As I try to come to terms with disappointments and frustrations in my life, I won't be able to cope if I think my well-being rests in my own hands.  

If, instead, I know that God is the master planner and that I can expect hard times both as a tool to grow my faith as well as a consequence of being at odds with the world, then I'll have the assurance that everything will be okay because the One who is in control is good. 

Trusting God means taking the good with the bad and realizing it is all a part of what He's doing in my life.  As a good God, (James 1:17) He will use it all for my good as I submit myself to His will.  (Romans 8:28)  When trouble comes, my faith will propel me through it and give me the strength to wait on His good purposes instead of thinking it is the end of the world.

Living a life for Jesus means that I won't give up when times get hard.

Jesus Wins

I remember watching a rerun of a football game where I already knew the outcome.  When my team, who would eventually win, fumbled the ball, I didn't despair because I realized the final score and rested in the knowledge that my team would be victorious.

In the same way, as a follower of Jesus, I already know that my team wins.  Satan, the Father of lies whose main mission is to deceive and confuse, will be thrown into the lake of fire for eternal torment.  (Revelation 20:10)  Knowing ahead of time that evil will not prevail is enough to give me confidence to live as more than a conqueror.  (Romans 8:37)  When I see the darkness around me, I can let this knowledge spur me on.  

It's easy to let the suffering discourage me.  It sometimes seems like evil is prevailing.  When these thoughts come into my head, I must remind myself what John said about discerning between the messages put out in the name of God and of the Devil.  He said the Spirit who is in me is greater than the one who is in the world.  As a vessel of the Spirit of God, I can not only recognize when a messenger is not from Him, but I can also prevail over the evil in this world.

As King David said in Psalm 37, "The days of the blameless are known to the LORD, and their inheritance will endure forever.  In times of disaster they will not wither; in days of famine they will enjoy plenty.  But the wicked will perish; The LORD's enemies will be like the beauty of the fields, they will vanish--vanish like smoke." (Psalm 37:18-20)

Satan my have free reign for now, but his power will not last forever.  Additionally, he only is able to do as the LORD allows.  Soon, his rule over this world will end and his punishment will begin.  In the meantime, I can trust that Jesus will not lose any of those who belong to Him.  (John 6:39)  I can live in confidence in this dark world that Jesus has overcome.

Living a life for Jesus means I can walk in the assurance of His defeat of evil.

Knowing what to expect makes going through the unknown a little easier.  Since Jesus gave me a heads up as to what to expect in this life, I can trust Him when I see things getting hard.  Then I won't be surprised when hard times come my way, I'll be inspired to continue on, and I'll rest in the knowledge that my Savior and Lord is a conqueror.  The result will be the peace that comes with His preparation.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can keep my eyes on my conqueror instead of on the work of the Evil One.

How do I lose heart in the face of suffering?

When do I forget that I'm on the winning team?

Words of Jesus

"When he had finished speaking,

he said to Simon,

'Put out into deep water,

and let down the nets for a catch.'

Simon answered, 'Master, we've worked hard all night

and haven't caught anything.

But because you say so, I will let down the nets.'

When they had done so,

they caught such a large number of fish

that their nets began to break."

Luke 5:4-6

"Go sit with the nerd who eats lunch alone every day."

"Go deep into the jungle and meet the viscous headhunters."

"Forgive the one who kidnapped your daughter from the safety of your own home."

"Quit your job and begin a full-time ministry."

"Sell your house and move into a smaller one in a drug- and gang-infested area."

"Move to a third-world country and start an orphanage."

These are all directives God has given to His people at one time or another.  None of them make sense to my own intelligence and common sense.  Each one of them goes against what I know to be the smart, self-preserving decisions on which I like to base my life.  Every one contains some kind of risk, whether it be physical, social or emotional.  None of them are things I would decide to do on my own.

Jesus has a way of breaking the mold of what's acceptable, normal or safe.  He is only concerned about one thing: doing the will of His Father.  (John 4:34, John 9:4) Since God's ways are opposite of the way I would naturally do things, (Isaiah 55:9) it takes effort to do things His way.  I must constantly allow Him to transform my mind into His way of thinking and doing.  (Romans 12:2)

When Jesus puts a radical idea on my heart, I can either act on it, or push it aside as impractical, reckless and radical.  My obedience is dependent upon what I've been doing up until that point.  Either I've been living for me or I've been undergoing training that prepares myself for His calling.

Stay Connected

We used to have this laptop that had a damaged power cord and a weak battery.  If we moved the computer even slightly, the connection between the source of electricity and the laptop would be broken resulting in the shutdown of the machine and loss of any work in progress.  Using this computer was risky and frustrating to say the least.

It's not so different with me.  When I'm connected to my Source of power, His love flows through me and I can do anything He asks me to do. (Philippians 4:13) But when sin, fear, doubt or pride get in the way and I begin relying on my own weak power, I no longer am able to accomplish anything that has kingdom merit.  (John 15:5-8 )

The world, however, tells me that I have the power I need to do whatever it is I want to do.  In reality, I'm helpless to achieve real change;  I need Jesus to transform me into who He created me to be.  (2 Corinthians 5:17)

How do I stay connected to the unlimited power of God?  Oswald Chambers likened the indwelling Spirit of God to a river.  He said, "The river of the Spirit of God overcomes all obstacles.  Never get your eyes on the obstacle or on the difficulty.  The obstacle is a matter of indifference to the river which will flow steadily through you if you remember to keep right at the Source.  Never allow anything to come between yourself and Jesus Christ, no emotion, or experience; nothing must keep you from the one great sovereign Source."

The key is to keep my focus so fully on Jesus that there is no room in my line of sight for doubt.  Whatever trouble or fear that pops up, I can then honestly say it is nothing compared to the overwhelming force of God that flows within me.  To do this I must moment by moment cultivate a strong relationship with Jesus.  Spending time with Him in the study of His Word, turning all my fears and doubts over to Him, and showing my trust in Him by doing what He says are all good steps to take toward building a close connection to my Source.

When I'm firmly connected the the Source, I'll have the power I need to answer His calling.

Seek First 

A friend of mine owned an enormous German Shepherd whose only passion in life was to chase his ball.  The moment I walked in the door, he'd pick up the ball and would never take his focus from that toy.  Nothing could distract him; not food, cats, affection, nothing!  He was all about his ball.

In a way, this is how God wants me to live my life, but instead of fixating on a hobby, toy or career, He is to be at the center of my attention. (Matthew 6:33)  In this way, instead of following man's way and going after what I want and need, I am showing God that I trust Him enough to let Him provide for me as I live my life for Him.

In my old way of thinking, I set a goal and then worked hard to achieve it.  In my new mind, I let God choose the goal and follow Him as He leads me to accomplishing it through His power.

The world tells me to live my life in pursuit of happiness and fulfillment.  God tells me to live my life for Him and I will find fulfillment as I please Him in being true to who He made me to be.

It's easy for me to worry about how I'll know the way God wants me to live my life.  Instead, I can wholeheartedly commit my day to Him and see how He guides me in what to do and supplies the words for me to say.

When I put all my effort into going after my relationship with Him above all other things, I'll never go without what I need.

Heavenly Minded

There is a saying that says, "Don't be so heavenly minded that you are no earthly good."  While this thought may appeal to my self-centered, independent mindset, it is contrary to God's Word.  The idea behind the saying is that God's ways have no bearing on the problems we are encountering on a daily basis here on earth.  

As the Creator of all things, I think God knows a bit about how the world works.  If I want to have an impact here on earth, I must keep my eyes on Jesus who is the author and perfecter of my faith. (Hebrews 12:2) If I set my heart and mind on things above, He will give me power over my earthly nature.  (Colossians 3:1-2)  Then I will be able to live my life in a way that pleases Him.

If, however, I set my mind on gaining knowledge, the trappings of success and popularity, then I risk becoming a fool in the eyes of God.  (1 Corinthians 3:18-19)  He is not impressed with my worldly pursuits and mindset.  I could earn a doctorate in rocket science and land on the cover of Time magazine but it wouldn't draw the eye of God.   What does delight the Lord is a heart fully devoted to Him and a mind continually set on Him.

Where is my mind this day?  Am I thinking about my schedule, my five-year plan or the obstacles that always hold me back?  Or am I focused on God's Word, the Truth that He knows the plan He has for my life, and His sovereignty which overwhelms all barriers?

When my mind is focused on heavenly things, my being is filled with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; all things that definitely do not come naturally to me.

The words of Jesus sound crazy to me as His follower.  The only way I'll be able to do what He asks is if I stay connected to the Source, seek His kingdom above all other things, and to keep my mind on heavenly things.  In this way I'll please Him and receive an abundant blessing that I'd otherwise never experience.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can focus on what Jesus is saying to me without regard to my circumstances or what my eyes may see.

How do I let my own earthly mind keep me from doing what Jesus asks because it doesn't make sense to me?

When do I go after my needs instead of letting Him provide?  

To Satisfy

"Wanting to satisfy the crowd,

Pilate released Barabbas to them."

Mark 15:15a

The hard prickly object hit me on the side of the head as I innocently walked toward my 5th-grade classroom during recess.  What was that?  I thought as I bent down to pick up the chestnut encased in it's thorny outer casing.  

"Ow!  That hurt!  Who threw that?"  I asked my friends as I rubbed the sore spot on my temple.  "What do they have against me?"  I wondered aloud, secretly feeling flattered when I spotted the group of boys laughing and pointing our way.

"Oh, I guess Billy must like you, Cindy."  my friends teased.

We all know how pre-adolescent boys show their affection; by hitting, throwing things at, or using some other form of physical violence toward the object of their liking, especially when boys gather together.  None of us makes the best decisions when influenced by a group.

While "Billy" may have been trying to get my attention in quite a desperate way, I too make foolish decisions when trying to impress or satisfy anyone or anything besides God.  There is much to distract me from obeying God wholeheartedly.  But without dedicating my whole heart to God, I can't please Him.

God or Others?

"I'd do anything to be popular," the little girl admitted as she ate her snack after school one day.  While this may seem drastic, most of us feel the same way, to one degree or another.  I remember when I was a student in High School being very concerned with buying the right pair of jeans and trying to act a certain way even though it didn't really feel natural; all with the goal of fitting in somewhere.  Teenagers are very concerned with what their peers think.

It's not so different, though, now that I've grown up.  I desire to please God, but many times I find myself thinking about what others will think.  What will people say if I skip weekly Bible study in order to spend more time with my family?  How will it look if my daughter shows up to church with a tattoo?  Will I be ostracized if I share what's really going on in my heart?

Just as Joshua challenged the Israelites to choose this day who they will serve, I must continually confront myself with the same choice. (Joshua 24:15)  Whose opinion matters most: God's or others?  Who will I follow: God or people I admire?  To whom do I pay the most attention: God or people?

When pleasing people is my innermost desire, I will do things that work against God like compromising on His precepts, telling myself it must not be that bad if everyone is doing it.  When trying to impress people, I will most likely end up hurting someone.  If I'm doing things, even noble things, for the wrong reasons, my efforts will bear no kingdom-impact and will mean nothing to God.  (John 15:5-8, Matthew 6:1)

When pleasing God is what my heart craves most of all, I will obey without question.  As Charles Spurgeon said, ". . . when God tells me to do a thing, if I say, 'What for?' I cannot have taken the place which Faith ought to occupy, which is that of simple obedience to whatever the Lord hath said."  Faith is believing beyond reason that God's way is best and that He is able to accomplish what He's promised.  Without this faith, it's impossible to please God.  (Hebrews 11:1)

With this faith, I can focus on pleasing God, not men.  As the Apostle Paul said, "You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed--God is our witness.  We were not looking for praise from men, not from you or anyone else." (1 Thessalonians 2:5-6)  A heart purely motivated by obedience to God will not hold any secret agendas or selfish plan.  Instead, it is all about pleasing the Lord.

A heart devoted to pleasing God will obey without question, while one intent on pleasing people will wonder about the impact made or worry about the fallout created.

God or Flesh?

"I don't want to clean my room!  I want to play outside!"  Anyone who has spent time with children recognizes this common attitude.  Children often express their desires, using them as an excuse to get out of chores.  If parents did not exist and kids simply followed their every whim and desire, I can only imagine the chaos that would follow.   While I chuckle at this sentiment, it reveals a serious underlying issue that faces every human.

I am inherently selfish.  My sin nature only focuses on me and my wants, comforts and drives.  If I live to please my flesh, I will, in the words of Paul, "reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. . . Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked.  A man reaps what he sows."  (Galatians 6:8, 7)

I can't expect good things to come out of my life: wholesome, uplifting, fulfilling and satisfying things, if I'm bent on pleasing myself.  Just as I can't expect to harvest a cucumber if I plant a carrot seed, it would be foolish for me to expect God to bless my life when I'm all about me.

In his letter the the believers at Rome, Paul explained that I can either live according to my own flesh, or follow God's Spirit who dwells within me.  (Romans 8:1-17)  Doing what I want leads toward death, while obeying God takes me on the path of life.  (Psalm 23:1-4)

A heart devoted to pleasing God will follow His lead down peaceful paths, while one focused on my own desires will reap a life of destruction and chaos.

God or My Reputation?

I've heard it said that there are two perceptions of each of us: One being who people think I am, while the other being who I really am.  The former is considered to be my reputation, while the latter is my character.

God deals with truth and reality not with perceptions and facades.  While I may be able to fool people into thinking I'm a pretty okay person, God knows my heart.  He knows me inside and out, understands how I think and even what I'm going to say before I say it.  There is nowhere I can go outside of His presence.  (Psalm 139)  

Despite this intimate knowledge of me and my shortcomings and evil heart, He loves me!  Evidence of this is that He picked me, I didn't choose Him. (John 15:16) Even though there's nothing good within me, (Romans 7:18)  He chose me for His purposes. (Ephesians 2:10)

Why, then, am I so intent on preserving my own reputation?  I want to make sure the things I do fit the perception of what I want others to have of me, or at the very least I don't want to look stupid or silly.  It's easy for me to make decisions based on what will make me look good instead of simply following God.  Or, I can fall into the trap of doing what I think I should do instead of being obedient to my Father.  

As Oswald Chambers taught, "The Holy Spirit expounds the nature of Jesus Christ to me in order to make me one with my Lord, not that I might go off as a showroom exhibit. . . .The spirit that comes in is not that of doing anything for Jesus, but of being a perfect delight in Him."

My relationship with God through faith in Jesus Christ is what matters most:  Whatever He calls me to do or not to do is secondary.  What is most important is how I am related to Him.  If my own desire to look good to others is what is driving me, then it's getting in the way of my connection to Jesus. 

A heart devoted to pleasing God will be focused completely on my relationship with Him, while one concerned with my reputation will hinder my intimacy with Him.

Jesus said it was impossible to serve two masters.  (Matthew 6:24)  Each day, I must ask myself who I desire to satisfy:  It's either God or a myriad of other distractions.  When I commit my heart to pleasing God, I will be able to set aside my tendency to try to impress people, gratify my selfish desires, and worry about my reputation. Then I can pray as David did, "Create in my a clean heart, O God.  Renew a loyal spirit within me. . .Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you."  (Psalm 51:10 &12)

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I will desire to please God above all other things.

When do I let my self-conscious state take me away from existing in a God-conscious position.

How do my desires overpower God's as I go through my day?

Anointed

"Now it is God who makes both us 

and you stand firm in Christ.

He anointed us,

set his seal of ownership on us,

and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit,

guaranteeing what is to come."

2 Corinthians 1:21-22

I go through walking shoes as if I were a long-distance runner training for a marathon.  Within weeks, a new pair of sneakers will start to break down and soon I'll be wearing through the soles.  In order to try to preserve the integrity of my workout footwear for as long as possible, I set aside one pair only for walking.  I don't wear them to run errands or to work in the garden.  I keep that pair only for that one specific purpose.

This reminds me of how God treats me.  He chose me to belong to Him, and thus, He set me aside for Him.  Since I live in a world that's completely focused on self: promoting myself, pleasing myself, pampering myself, and providing for the needs and wants of myself, I can easily fall into this same self-centered mode of thinking.

In reality, though, God made me for His purposes.  I am here to glorify Him.  As a follower of Christ, I am plucked out of the selfishness of the world's way of thinking and made into a new creation, set apart for Him.  If I'm going to live for Him and truly accept His anointing on my life, I need to understand how He has set me apart as a believer.

Service

In a time of rising unemployment, the hospitality industry is growing at such a rate that it will provide a 17% increase in new jobs between the years of 2004 and 2014.  It seems if I want to find a good, stable job, I need look no further than hotels, theme parks and restaurants.  Serving others is an expanding business.

In God's kingdom, serving others is what I'm made to do.  The Apostle Paul explained it this way to the church at Ephesus.  "For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."  (Ephesians 2:10)

It's natural for me to look out for myself.  For instance, if I find a great sale on a staple I use often, I will buy up extra so I'll have some on-hand for the months to come.  It doesn't occur to me to share the surplus with others; until God's Spirit lays it on my heart, that is.  God is generous and kind, as David so beautifully declares in Psalm 145:8-9.  "The LORD is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love.  The LORD is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made."

If I embrace the anointing God has placed on my life, I will become a servant, looking to the interests of others.  (Philippians 2:4)

Taught

It has been said that a man who represents himself in court has a fool for an attorney.  Yes, it is foolish to neglect counsel and try to depend only upon one's own intelligence and wits.  If I were accused of a crime, I would need all the help I can get.

While it is wise to seek a professional's representation in a court of law, in the classroom of God's kingdom I need no human teacher.  While I can and do learn much from other believers, gifted teachers and anointed pastors, I need not depend on man for my knowledge of God and His kingdom.  John revealed that, "the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you." (1 John 2:27a)

This explains why I can read the scriptures and glean much wisdom from the words while my unbelieving friend doesn't get it.  To her it's dry and dull while to me it's rich and alive with meaning!  Furthermore, if I pay attention, God will teach me things using everyday objects and experiences that are happening all around me.  Just yesterday a friend of mine demonstrated this truth when I showed her how the alignment on our truck was off;  as soon as I let go of the steering wheel it veered off to the right.    Immediately, God showed her that when we line ourselves up with Him, it's possible to stay on His path.  Her anointing taught her a biblical truth. (John 15:5)    

  

John further explained in his first letter that, "you have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth.  I do not write to you because you do not know the truth, but because you do know it and because no lie comes from the truth." (1 John 2:20-21)  As a believer who has been set aside by God for Him, I have been given the knowledge of the truth supernaturally.  When I study the Bible, I recognize the truth for what it is: His Word.  I soak it in as a sponge takes up water.  Because of this anointing, I can recognize the truth, and I know when something is false.  This comes from God.

If I embrace the anointing God placed on my life, I will be taught all I need to know by His Spirit.

Authentic

My friend was wearing a delicious fragrance the other day.  When I paid her a compliment, she explained how she bought it from a man who purchases outdated perfume at wholesale prices and sells them at a discounted rate.  She made a point to say it was the real thing, not one of those cheap knock-offs.

Likewise, I am able to maintain a real and authentic relationship with the living God!  It's not fake, based on my own worth, effort, abilities or fitness.  Instead, it is completely built upon the rock of Jesus' sacrifice on the cross.  The only reason I can be in contact with a holy and perfect God is through the cleansing blood of Jesus that makes me white as snow. (Psalm 51:7, John 13:8) 

Moreover, according to 1 John 2:27b, keeping close to God is a part of the teaching I receive from His anointing.  I am reminded that, "just as (God's anointing) has taught you, remain in him."  Because of His hand on my life, I can stay connected to Him and allow His power and love to flow through me. (2 Timothy 1:7)  But the second I go off on my own, seeking my own agenda, obeying my fleshly desires or trying to fix problems in my own strength, that connection is broken and I'm on my own.

God's touch on my life propels me toward Him.  But sometimes I'm afraid, and that doubt blocks His goodness.  Other times I'm hurt and instead of sharing the pain with Him, I try to put up a brave front and carry it myself resulting in a breech of faith.  Many times I rely on my own wits, my own resources or my own common sense instead of depending on Him.  Then I truly see how weak I am and how much I need Jesus.

If I embrace the anointing God placed on my life, I will be inspired to maintain a close relationship with Him.

God's anointing is not for my benefit and blessing.  Instead, His calling on my life results in the creation of a servant's heart, supernatural teaching from God Himself, and the desire to keep close to the Source of all good things.  Once I accept this anointing, I can move forward as a woman who is confident in what God will do in my life.

As I begin this day, it is my prayer that I can embrace the anointing God has already placed on my life as His child.

How do I block His grace by failing to live authentically in relationship with Him?

When do I fall back on my own intelligence instead of letting God impart His wisdom to me?      

Clean Heart

"Jesus replied, 

'And why do you break the command of God

for the sake of your tradition?'"

Matthew 15:3

Man has created all sorts of rules, traditions and guidelines for "good Christian" living which cannot be found in the Bible. For instance, it is said that God helps those who help themselves; that I must wear my Sunday best to church; I've heard that if I'm a good Christian I'll be there every time the doors of the church are open; many have told me that God doesn't give me more than I can handle; and of course there are thousands of expectations put upon me by some "church people" as to how I should think, speak, vote and act as well as in what kind of entertainment I should take part.

If I study God's Word closely, however, I'll instead find that God wants me to depend upon Him for my help as a child does with his parents; that He looks at my heart instead of my outward appearance; that He wants me to follow Him and the plan He has for my life instead of doing what I think is good; that God is always testing me with more than I can handle so that I will learn to cast all my burdens upon Him, although He won't allow me to be tempted beyond what I can bear; that I am to do everything for the glory of God, not to please man.

How easy it is to follow folk religion, common beliefs and traditions instead of sticking to the Truth.  It is my desire to follow God and God alone, steering clear from traps that can ensnare me, throwing me off track.  To help me stay on the narrow path, I should look for these characteristics common to those who are wholeheartedly devoted to God.

Desire to Please God

When I was a child, I had a strong desire to please my mom.  If she asked me to run and fetch three or four paper towels, for instance, I would always get four.   I tried to do my very best because I really wanted to impress my mom.

This is how I want to be when it comes to God.  Not so much that I want to impress Him; how could I amaze the One who made me and knows my innermost thoughts?  Instead, I want to have that same drive to do my very best for Him.  It is my desire to go above and beyond when He calls me to a task.  At the end of my life, I would like to hear Him say, "Well done, good and faithful servant."

Since it is my desire to please God, I must make His teachings of the highest importance.  Out of all the advice, instruction and guidance I receive on a daily basis, His must overshadow all others.  If the counsel of Dr Phil doesn't line up with God's Word, I need to throw it away.  If my best friend gives me advice that doesn't jive with what I'm learning in the Bible, it must go, no matter how much sense it seems to make.  If everyone is telling me to do one thing, but God says to do something else, I better listen to God.

As one who is aspiring to commit my whole heart to God, my desire will be to please God in all that I do.

Let His Spirit Work

I have a friend who has the biggest heart for those who are suffering, but she is an unbeliever.  If she sees an animal without a home, she adopts him.  If a child is mistreated or neglected, she is quick to take her in.  If anyone is suffering, she wants to help.  

The problem is that since she doesn't have God's Spirit to equip her; she doesn't have His guidance, wisdom, love and patience.  Many times, her efforts backfire; animals die, children are not protected and chaos rules.  Even though her intentions are good, she's not empowered to carry them out.

Since I follow Jesus as my Lord and Savior, I have the advantage of His Spirit showing me His ways, prompting me in how to live so that I will please Him, and giving me wisdom in handling problems as they arise.

Jesus said that I am to stay connected to Him as the source of everything good.  He said, "I am the vine; you are the branches.  If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." (John 15:5)  I can try, like my friend, to do things to help others, but without the power of God's Spirit working through me, it's really not going to matter.

Anything I do on my own will not stand in His kingdom.  It must be out of obedience to His calling and with the enabling of His power.  Jesus explained this by saying, "If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned."  (John 15:6)

Letting His Spirit work through me means I'll have to push aside my own common sense, wait on His timing and bury my desire to know the details.  As former Prime Minister of Great Britain, Margaret Thatcher, once said, "Ideally when Christians meet as Christians to take counsel together, their purpose is not--or should not be-- to ascertain what is in the mind of the majority but what is in the mind of the Holy Spirit--something which may be quite different."

As one who is aspiring to commit my whole heart to God, I will let His Spirit work through me and look to Him as my only Source of power and wisdom.

Focus on the Heart

The way I treat my family is a good indicator of the state of my heart.  At home, guards are let down, appearances are not strictly maintained and standards are loosened.  While out in the community, I may make an effort to love those around me, cutting them slack as I'm called to do as a forgiven sinner.  But when I step foot into the comfort and safety of my own home, I tend to revert to my selfish ways.

When this is the case, my heart is in the wrong place.  I am aiming to please man and make sure I create a good reputation for myself.  This attitude leads to hypocrisy, judgementalism and Pharisaical thinking.

As a result, I must do as the Proverbs teach me and, "Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life."  (4:23)  This is important because,  "The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart.  For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks." (Luke 6:45)  If I allow evil into my heart through my thoughts, movies, music, television, friends' belief systems and activities, attitudes or any source other than God, I will harbor darkness in my heart.  Eventually, it will come out and harm those around me.

Instead, I can focus on, ". . . whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things." (Philippians 4:8) This means I can turn away from the worry of how I'll pay the bills and instead focus on how God has always provided.  I can stop dwelling on the hurt that someone caused me with their harsh words and choose to concentrate instead on positive things they do.  I can get rid of the entertainment that doesn't glorify God and only focus on that which affirms godly values.  

As one who is aspiring to commit my whole heart to God, I will purpose to protect my heart from all that will corrupt my thoughts, words and actions.

It is easy to get caught up in following common beliefs about God, but if I truly want to surrender my all to Him, I will need to have a strong desire to please Him, allow His Spirit to work in me and to lead me, and to focus on my heart.  Then I will be able to ask, as David did, to, "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me." (Psalm 51:10)

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can keep pleasing God as my utmost desire.

When do I fail to let His Spirit work and instead rely on my own strength?

How do I focus on other things like success and pleasure instead of on protecting my heart?