Lukewarm

"I know all the things you do, 

that you are neither hot nor cold.

I wish that you were one or the other!

But since you are like lukewarm water,

neither hot nor cold,

I will spit you out of my mouth!

You say, 'I am rich.

I have everything I want.

I don't need a thing!'

And you don't realize that you are wretched

and miserable and poor and blind and naked!

So I advise you to buy gold from me--

gold that has bee purified by fire.

Then you will be rich.

Also buy white garments from me

so you will not be shamed by your nakedness,

and ointment for your eyes so you will be able to see.

I correct and discipline everyone I love.

So be diligent and turn from your indifference.

Look!  I stand at the door and knock.

If you hear my voice and open the door,

I will come in,

and we will share a meal together as friends.

Those who are victorious will sit with me on my throne,

just as I was victorious

 and sat with my Father on his throne."

Revelation 3:15-21 NLT

The game was simple: choose one side and show allegiance to your team by trying with all your might to tag as many members of the other team as possible, freezing them in order to render them as helpless.  The first team to immobilize all members of the enemy team wins.

As the kids ran around the field, though, I soon noticed one girl who seemed to be tagging anyone she could get her hands on.  "Beverly, which team are you on?"  I asked, trying to get her back on track.  She replied, "Oh, I don't want to pick teams.  I'd rather just run around and freeze whoever I can."

Just as it is important while playing this version of freeze tag to choose a team, so it is vital to my walk with Christ to likewise pick a side.  Jesus hates the middle!  He wants me to stake my claim, choose my side, pick my team.  To stay neutral or in the center, between Him and Satan, angers Him.  Perhaps this is because sitting on the fence is really a choice against Jesus and for the Enemy. (Matthew 12:30)   

It is sobering to think that I may exhibit this kind of indifference in some ways I didn't realize.  Let me take an objective look at the way I live my life.

Blended

They believed a little bit of everything.  If it sounded good to them, they would incorporate it into their belief system.  The Samaritans gathered together idols like some collect tea cups or stamps.  To them, every religion was equal and more of the same.

For this reason, among many, the Jews abhorred the groups of people who inhabited an area in the northern kingdom of Israel.  As a people group who were always taught about purity and staying loyal to the One True God, this kind of openness was repulsive to the Israelites.  As much as I understand about God's jealous nature, I still tend to drift toward a similar kind of unfaithfulness as I live in a world not so different from that of the Samaritans.

Talk show hosts spout words of worldly wisdom which sound good to my itching ears and I take it in as truth. (2 Timothy 4:3)  Instead of using the spirit of discernment which comes from honing my relationship with my holy Father, I rely on my own understanding and believe everything that appeals to my flesh.  (Proverbs 3:5-6)

The moment a sickness rears it's ugly head, I begin researching possible causes and never think to go to the Great Physician and seek His healing.  When a new television show sounds intriguing, I get hooked with nary a thought toward the effect it may have on my heart.  (Proverbs 4:23)

I am lukewarm when I blend into the world around me instead of taking purposeful steps toward staying true to my God.

Independent

  I used to think one of the most important traits to instill in my daughters was a spirit of self-sufficiency.  When they were young, I looked forward to the day when they could do things for themselves; wash their own clothes, prepare their own food and drive themselves to where they wanted to go.  

Once the girls reached the teenage years, however, God impressed upon me the importance of teaching them dependence.  Not a reliance on me and my husband, but a complete trust in their heavenly Father as the One who is able to supply all their needs.

To take this lesson to heart for myself, I need to drop the modern idea of autonomy and individualism.  Instead of looking to my own abilities and resources to provide for myself, I would do well to picture myself as a little girl who lives without worry as she looks to her rich and powerful Daddy to lavishly adorn her with good things.  In this way, I will live in the kind of relationship my Father intended for me.

In the place of going after what I think I need, I can instead focus on God's kingdom and on living in a way that pleases Him.  As a result, the Lord who knows my needs better than I will perfectly shower me with goodness. (Matthew 6:31-33)

I am lukewarm when I exhibit an independent spirit instead of looking to my Father as the Source and Supplier of all I need.

Not Ready

My husband went to pick up the daughter of a friend of ours but she was not ready when he arrived.  He had to wait as she gathered up all her necessities for an overnight stay, making him precariously close to being late for a class he was scheduled to teach.  This young lady almost missed out on this planned time with our family because she had not been paying attention to the time and was not prepared for my husband's arrival.

I am not so different from this adolescent girl.  I get so caught up in my day-to-day activities that I forget that Jesus could come back at any time.  Am I ready?  Instead of watching for Him in eager anticipation, I tend to get comfortable in this world.  

When I settle in here, making this place my home, I become blinded to the work of God's hand all around me and instead focus on my own fitness.  Instead of seeing myself as the sinner in need of the grace of God that identifies me to Christ, I start comparing myself to others and judge myself as not so bad.  

Rationalization of my areas of sin soon follows and before I know it, I'm trapped in a stronghold of sin.  In order to stay in a state of readiness, I must always keep my sin before me, realizing my desperate need for Jesus.

I am lukewarm when I get comfortable with my sin instead of realizing my state of nakedness before a Holy God.

There is no doubt that Jesus hates the position in the middle of the road;  He'd rather I choose sides.  While I may think I've staked my claim, a thorough examination of my life may come up with a different conclusion.  My tendency to blend into this world, to live independently and my state of un-readiness reveals the truth:  I am in danger of being lukewarm.  Whose side will I choose this day?

As I begin this day may I intentionally choose Jesus.

When do I drift along instead of swimming purposefully toward my Lord and Savior?

How do I rely on my own resources instead of God's?  

True Wealth

"Whoever can be trusted with very little

can also be trusted with much,

and whoever is dishonest with very little

will also be dishonest with much. 

So if you have not been trustworthy

 in handling worldly wealth,

who will trust you with true riches?

And if you have not been trustworthy

 with someone else's property,

who will give you property of your own?"

Luke 16:10-12

I've met both rich and poor people, young and old, successful and not so much, but one thing I have noticed is there can be content, sold-out-for-Christ believers in all categories.  What makes them completely devoted to their Savior?  Their heart.

David was considered by the Lord to be a man after God's own heart.  (Acts 13:22)  It wasn't because he never sinned, because he did; big time.  (2 Samuel 11)  It wasn't because he was successful in everything he did, because he messed up royally. (2 Samuel 6)  It wasn't because he never doubted, because there were times of great uncertainty. (Psalm 22)  God considered this flawed human to be a man after His own heart because no matter what David did, he always came back to that place where he desired to please God above all other things.

How am I doing in devoting my heart to God?  I have been given little tasks and callings, worldly wealth (compared to the rest of the earth) and people for which to care.  The way I treat these blessings tests the location of my heart.  If I prove to be faithful to God, then He will give me more.  If, however, I doubt, follow my own lead or get caught up in the world, then God will keep me where I am until I come around to His way of thinking.  If I want true wealth, I'll have to pass the tests.

Small Things

Perhaps it started off with a small calling that God placed on my life.  Something like Love Your Family, or Tithe Obediently.  It seems like a little thing, that is, until I'm faced with crucifying on the cross my own selfishness and lack of faith.  Then, I'm afraid to let go of those sins that make me feel at home and comfortable in my own skin.

As I child of God, bought with the blood of Jesus, however, my life is not my own.  When I do let go of the self-centered attitude that rules my life and the feelings of disbelief that plague my faith, I find the Spirit of God there to take their place.  He is working to transform me from the inside out.  In order for this miraculous change to take place, however, I must let go of some rubbish that I consider to be part of my identity.

If I can't do the basic things like putting God first by giving up obsessions no matter how healthy they may seem, then I'm not ready to move onto bigger things.  Several years ago God asked me to give up running.  Now I can't say I was a gifted athlete or anything like that, but jogging was my time by myself to enjoy God and the outdoors.  I also thought of it as a safeguard against weight gain.  When He challenged me to give it up, my first thought was that I'd gain a ton of weight.  My next concern was in missing that daily time of exertion which I considered to be such a big part of my life.

I did, however, decide to turn that idol over to the Lord, and that is what running was to me: An Idol.  Once I let it go I found an instant change in my demeanor.  No longer was I afraid, but I felt empowered.  The numbers on the scale actually went down instead of up, and I gained some valuable time with my daughters as we began walking for an hour each morning.  Obeying God in this area brought about much blessing.

But more than that, my obedience also brought on some larger callings.  He has given me ministries I never dreamed I'd be doing, and responsibilities I didn't think I could handle.  I am, however, accomplishing more than ever because of God's power working through me, to His glory.

What is the little thing God is calling me to do today?  It could be to get rid of a distraction like Facebook, television or some other technology.  Maybe it's to fulfill basic tenets of faith like tithing.  Or perhaps He's calling me to start a small ministry that I may think does not have a wide enough scope.  The way I handle these minor missions today determines what He will give me for tomorrow.

If I want true wealth, I better focus on doing my best in the small things with which God is entrusting me.

Worldly Wealth

Most Americans don't consider themselves to be wealthy, but in contrast with the rest of the world, we are rich.  How do I handle the money and resources with which God has entrusted me?  It is easy to fall into the trap of worrying about how bills will be paid, repairs completed or needs met.  When I spend so much time trying to go after what I require to live on, Jesus said I am acting like a pagan; One who has no God. (Matthew 6:25-34)

A father is entrusted with the job of providing for his family.  He knows what each member's needs are and also keeps track of the timetable in which these needs must be met.  The children do not need to help him do his job.  A good father supplies food, clothing, shelter and other provisions without being asked; He just does it.

In the same way, our Father in heaven knows exactly what I need.  I don't need to list out all the necessities because He has already taken care of them.  Instead, I can pay attention to the work He has placed before me.  

Equally as important is my level of contentment.  When I begin to go after money instead of letting God provide, I am showing my mistrust in His provision.  I can't expect His blessing when my faith is so weak.  (Hebrews 11:6)  There is nothing wrong with making money, but if that is my hearts desire, then I'm being unfaithful to my Father.  

The money with which God has blessed me has also provided me with a lot of possessions.  It's easy to get caught up in my stuff.  Sometimes I think about other things I want to buy when I could be meditating on what God is teaching me this day.  Other times I show my priorities when I won't let someone borrow my belongings for fear of damage or loss.  Many times I'm reluctant to let go of a favorite thing, even if God asks me to give it away.

Money means nothing to God.  It's only valuable to humans.  Although it can be used in a lot of good ways, it can also become a trap.  Jesus said, "No one can serve two masters.  Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other.  You cannot serve both God and Money."  (Matthew 6:24)

The way I handle my wealth reveals the location of my heart.  When I'm ready to give freely, hold my stuff with an open hand, and feel content with what God has provided, then I know money is not my god.

If I want true wealth, I better be ready to show that money or possessions are not more important than God.

Stewardship

Most people say that the most powerful event in their lives is the birth of a child.  There is nothing so humbling as to witness the beginning of a human life.  To see the miracle of procreation is awe-inspiring.

Many times, however, my children can feel more like a burden than a blessing.  God's Word reminds me that, "Sons are a heritage from the LORD, children a reward from him."  (Psalm 127:3) Turning my thoughts toward the negative when it comes to my offspring only leads to strife and discontent.

A train of thought which helped me get through periods of disgruntlement when raising our four girls was this:  God entrusted these children into the care of my husband and I.  Even though there are tough challenges and I feel frustrated, I know He has a plan in giving me these particular children.  For this reason, I know I can trust Him to bring me through and show me how to successfully complete this mission. 

After I finished this mini-sermon aimed at myself, I would follow-up with questions like, "What does God want me to teach these girls?" and "What is God showing me through this difficulty?"  I can honestly say that parenthood is a monumental challenge.  God is faithful, however, to provide plenty of grace, wisdom and discernment to handle any situation, if only I would trust Him.

The way I treat the children and other people that God has placed in my care shows whether or not I'm ready to move onto a bigger challenge.  Do I want to be a teacher?  Starting with my own family is a wonderful training ground.  Do I think I'm ready to lead a company?  Managing a family is the proving ground needed to prepare me for that task.  Do I desire to go into overseas missions?  Opening my home to those around me in order to share the Gospel is an example of missionary work.

If I want true wealth, I can begin with proving my readiness in the way I tackle the challenges God has placed in my midst.

A heart completely devoted to God is ready to go wherever He calls me.  What if, however, He starts with the small things, tests my handling of my current level of wealth, and checks my management of those He's already placed in my care?  These are all tests that God uses to see if my heart is devoted to Him so He can trust me with true wealth.

As I begin this day, it is my prayer that I can have eyes to see what is truly valuable in God's kingdom.

When do I get caught up in what I don't have instead of trusting in what God does have?

How am I unfaithful with the lives of those He has placed in my care, whether it be children, friends, neighbors or coworkers?

The Plague of Doubt

". . .the angel said to him: 'Do not be afraid, Zechariah; 

your prayer has been heard.

Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son,

and you are to give him the name John. . .'

Zechariah asked the angel, 'How can I be sure of this?

I am an old man and my wife is well along in years?'

The angel answered, 'I am Gabriel.

I stand in the presence of God, 

and I have been sent to speak to you

and to tell you this good news.

And now you will be silent and not able to speak

until the day this happens,

because you did not believe my words, 

which will come true at their proper time.'"

Luke 1:13, 18-20

I remember when my oldest daughter was 4-years old.  She was always a chatterbox, but when she came into the age of inquisition, she became an interrogator worthy of the CIA or FBI.

"Come on, honey, it's time for me to give you and your sisters a bath."

"Why?"

"Because you're dirty and it's almost time for bed.  It's nice to go to bed clean."

"Why?"

"So you won't get the sheets dirty."

"Why?"

"Because then I'll need to wash the linens and I'd rather not make so much work for myself."

"Why?"

"Because I already have enough to do, now come on and gather up your sister's pajamas and let's head into the bathroom."

"Why, Mommy?"

"Because I said so!"

Preschoolers are naturally curious, constantly seeking to learn about the world around them.  I, too, tend to want to know why things are a certain way or what makes someone do what they do. There's nothing wrong with a healthy interest in what makes things tick.  Take Mary, for instance.  When the same angel that visited Zechariah showed up in her presence, Gabriel gave her some astounding news: you are going to have a baby named Jesus who will grow up to be some kind of ruler over a never-ending kingdom and will even be called the Son of the Most High. (Luke 1:26-38)

Mary accepted this shocking news but showed a simple curiosity in how it would all come about since she wasn't married.  How would she become pregnant; how was God going to bring this about?  There was no question as to whether this event would happen, just an interest in how it would occur.

Zechariah, on the other hand, questioned the accuracy of this message and God's ability to bring it to pass.  To make his point, he called attention to the old age of he and his wife.  

Curiosity is not discouraged by God; only doubt.  I am reminded in Hebrews 11:6, that without faith, or the ability to believe something will happen, it is impossible to please God.  

But I am prone to doubt, just like Zechariah.  His experience reminds me that there are consequences for my doubt.  Thankfully, my doubt will not stop the will of God.  Just as God's promise still came to pass in the form of a baby named John, God's purpose will always go forth. (Isaiah 14:26-27)  The only question is: Will I be a part of it, or will I be watching from the sidelines, mute and paralyzed by fear and disbelief?

God's Sovereignty

My husband and I owned a tandem bike for a period of time.  It was difficult for me to ride in back while he controlled the handlebars and brakes.  Donald decided in which direction to go and when it was time to stop.  If we rode down a hill, only he could slow it down.  In a nutshell, my husband had all the control and I had none.

This is kind of how it is with me and God.  He decides the direction my life will take, how fast I need to go, when it's time for a bumpy ride and when I need to stop for a rest.  This is His world and He's in control.

The problem is, I possess this desire to know my own future.  I want to know the details of what's coming up ahead.  When I give into this desire, I attempt to figure out what is happening and what I think will be the expected outcome.  I analyze all the possible angles, coming up with solutions for each scenario.  I spend a lot of time thinking about the issues at hand.  Much to my dismay, the reality is that this is the definition of "worry."

When I doubt God's ability to lead me well and hesitate to give Him control, I fall into an anxious heap.  Jesus said not to go after our needs or to try to orchestrate the details of my life because God knows what I need.  Instead, He said to, "seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things (all my needs) will be given to you as well.  Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow  will worry about itself.  Each day has enough trouble of its own."  (Matthew 6:32-34)

Worry and anxiety is a sign that I'm not trusting God's sovereignty and His ability to lead me well.  

If I want to avoid the plague of doubt when it comes to God's control over my life, I must learn to trust Him enough to place everything in His capable hands.  (Philippians 4:4-7)

God's Calling

God asked the impossible from a man who doubted.  He wondered how God could possibly use a reject like him to deliver such an important message to His people.  What if they didn't listen?  What if they didn't believe him?  What if he couldn't get the words out?  Who am I to do something so big?

The question is not, as Rafiki of the Lion King asked Simba, "who are you?"  Rather, the inquiry I should constantly make is, "who is God?"  You see, God's calling on my life has nothing to do with me.  It isn't dependent upon my abilities, gifts or desires.  Instead, it is about God and His ability.

When Moses asked God, "Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?"  God's reply was, "I will be with you."  (Exodus 3:11-12)

In the same way, when God places a burden on my heart for the hurting and downtrodden in my own neighborhood, but I'm afraid I won't be able to do the job, I can remember that God is with me.

Or when God convicts me to teach a Bible study despite my lack of degree in Bible teaching, I can take heart that God is with me.

Or when God inclines my heart toward the people of a third-world country even though I've always hated to travel, I will gain courage from the fact that God is with me.  It's not up to me.

The anecdote to doubt in the face of God's calling is to remember that God is with me and He will accomplish what He set out to do.

God's Plan

Clouds are looming on the horizon.  My way seems dark with no way out.  Voices laugh tauntingly as I continue down the path that seems destined for doom.  Should I continue on the way my Master pointed?  I wonder as my foot falls in a pothole.  Is this the way He meant for me?  It seems wrong; filled with pain and suffering.  How can this be right?

Which way is God leading that seems risky or perhaps not something I would choose for myself?  When I read that the Lord said, "For I know the plans I have for you. . .plans to proper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future," it's easy for me to form a picture in my mind of what those plans may look like.  I see comfort, pleasure and fulfillment.  

Then reality sets in as the test from the doctor comes back positive, the daughter goes missing or the loved one moves on to someone else.  How can anything good come out of this?  

Just as God allowed hard things to enter Job's life in order to test his faith, sometimes God allows trials and difficulties in the same way.  Other times, God's plan includes working with people I don't like, doing I job I don't particularly enjoy, or sticking with a marriage that brings unhappiness.  

Living a life of faith devoid of doubt means I'll have to do as Solomon instructed in Proverbs 3:5-6 NLT.  "Trust in the LORD with all you heart; do not depend on your own understanding.  Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take."  

In order to stop doubting, I must trust God's plan as good, even when it seems bad.

Asking questions of God is not forbidden, but doubting whether He is really in control of all things, is calling me to do something big or even small, or has a plan for my life comes at a price.  To fight the plague of doubt, I'll have to place my life in His hands, remember that He equips the called, and that His plan is good no matter how it looks to me.  Then I will avoid the consequences that come with disbelief and be able to say as Mary did, "I am the Lord's servant.  . .May it be to me as you have said."  (Luke 1:38)

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can trust God with my whole heart and let go of the fear that holds me back.

When do I let my own insecurities hold me back from answering God's calling?

How do I judge a hard thing as not from God?

  

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?

False Strongholds

"Tyre has built herself a stronghold;

she has heaped up silver like dust,

and gold like the dirt of the streets."

Zechariah 9:3

Soldiers who have endured combat rely on their buddies to help them survive.  As they fight the enemy, a bond is formed as they watch out for one another.  They look to each other for help; no one can fight a war alone.

I can never forget that I am involved in a war.  It is not a battle waged against flesh and blood, but a spiritual war.  Satan wants to take God's place and he will do everything in his power to diminish the ranks of the Lord's soldiers.  It is important that I keep this truth in mind as I maneuver my way through life.  It is equally as vital that I remember on whom I can rely.  The psalmist had it right when he said, "I lift my eyes to the hills--where does my help come from?  My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth." (Psalm 121:1-2)

Take a moment to listen to Casting Crowns sing, "Praise You in this Storm," and meditate on the message of this psalm.  

As much as I want to say I always rely on God to get me through life, I have to admit there are many other fortresses behind which I seek shelter.  Even though I know He is my, "refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble," (Psalm 46:1) I continue to turn elsewhere for help; I rely on false strongholds.

Money

It has been said that money will buy a bed but not sleep; books but not brains; food but not appetite; finery but not beauty; a house but not a home; medicine but not health; luxuries but not culture; amusements but not happiness; religion but not salvation--a passport to everywhere but heaven. (Voice in the Wilderness)

I may not have a lot of money, but there are ways that I lean on it as my security.  I listen to the financial gurus who tell me I should carry a certain amount in my savings account in case of emergencies and that I should prepare for retirement.  Experts are constantly bombarding me with information about how to make my money work for me, how to get the most out of my money and where is the best place to invest my money.

It makes me think of "The Beverly Hillbillies," that sitcom from the 60's in which the poor family discovered oil on their property and became sudden millionaires.  They abruptly moved uptown into a mansion, but never really left their backwards, country ways.  The Clampetts gained access to parts of society they were never before allowed to observe, but they really didn't care.  To them, money was not all that important.

If only I could adopt this attitude.  Unfortunately, I often buy into the worldly point of view that money will give me a sense of security and will act as a buffer against hard times.  As all too many people found out when the stock market crashed, hard-earned money is easily lost and is not a wise foundation upon which to base my life.

Jesus taught that, "No one can serve two masters.  Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other.  You cannot serve both God and Money."  (Matthew 6:24)  If I am depending on money to provide my sense of safety and give me confidence to face the unknown future, I am turning my back on God to fulfill those roles.  Money cannot save me, protect me or sustain me; only God can do that!

Money is a tool that can be used by God, but it is also the most powerful hindrance of my ability to fully trust God.

Education

We are living in an age of education.  I am always hearing the message that education is the key to success and will break the bonds of poverty.  George Washington Carver, a slave who went on to become the president of the Tuskegee Institute and an important scientist, said that, "Education is the key to unlock the golden door of freedom."  He knew that schooling was the means by which he was able to accomplish so much with his life.

The mistake is when I place my trust in the right degree, believing that my preparation will mean I'll never go without work, always be successful and never need worry.  Unfortunately, all too many people have realized this is not the case.   Education has now reached the point where many diplomas are not worth the paper they're printed on; the quality is decreasing while the cost is increasing.  So many people have earned higher degrees that diplomas have lost their attraction for employers.

Instead of putting my faith in education, I could take the advice of the psalmist who said, "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom."  (Psalm 111:10)  As I place God in the position He deserves as Lord of my life, respecting Him as the Giver of life and all good things, I will put less and less stock in my level of education and more and more in what's really important.

Jesus taught that I should, "seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." (Matthew 6:33)  If I pay more attention to what God is doing around me and less toward striving to reach my own personal goals, He will provide for my needs.  Education will never be able to protect me, save me or guide me.

Education can give me knowledge and provide opportunities, but only God can be trusted to guide me and give my life meaning.

Plan

My plan was to go to college, earn a degree and enjoy a successful career.  Reality turned out a bit different.  I went to college, got married, had a child, finished my degree, gave birth to triplets and put my all into motherhood.  I never imagined myself to be a mother.  I never particularly enjoyed children but God knew better. As the wisdom of Solomon reminds me, "In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps." (Proverbs 16:9)

I had a plan for my life, but only God knew the design He had for me!  In His sovereignty, His plan trumps anything I can drum up for myself. If I were to choose, I would have never decided to raise four daughters as a stay-at-home mother.  But God ordained it and it came to pass.

If I put my faith in the plan I have for myself, trusting that if I follow the steps, everything will turn out right, I'm bound to be disappointed.  Instead, if I follow God and trust Him for the path my life will take, I will live a life of hope and peace.  Knowing the One who holds the blueprint for my life has a way of setting my mind at ease when it comes to thoughts of the future.

Trusting in my own plan for my life will lull me into a false sense of security while giving the reigns over to the LORD will lead me down a path of assurance and serenity.

Remembering the truth as I battle through life will give me the ability to continue.  God is my refuge and security.  He is my source of strength.  Only He knows the future and has my life in His hands.  If I put my full faith in Him, I will be able to avoid the false strongholds of money, education and creating my own plans.  Then, I will fully devote myself to God and not focus on my own sense of what I should or should not do and can truly say,

"The Lord is my light and my salvation--

whom shall I fear?

The LORD is the stronghold of my life--

of whom shall I be afraid?"

Psalm 27:1

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can trust in God and God alone.

When do I give money too much power in my life?

How do I rely on the plan I've made to get me through the day instead of trusting God for His? 

Enemies

"If only you would slay the wicked, O God!

Away from me, you bloodthirsty men!

They speak of you with evil intent;

your adversaries misuse your name.

Do I not hate those who hate you, O LORD,

and abhor those who rise up against you?

I have nothing but hatred for them;

I count them my enemies.

Search me, O God, and know my heart;

test me and know my anxious thoughts.

See if there is any offensive way in me,

and lead me in the way everlasting."

Psalm 139:19-24

"Love your enemies

and pray for those who persecute you,

that you may be sons of your Father in heaven.

He causes his sun to rise on the evil

and the good,

and sends rain on the righteous

and the unrighteous."

Matthew 6:43-44

I have something to talk about today that makes me uncomfortable.  It is the topic of enemies.  Usually, when I think of enemies in the context of today's verses, I think of those who have hurt me personally.  But in light of the book I am reading that warns about the threat of radical Islam to Western society, I am thinking of a more global enemy.

There is no doubt, we are being hunted.  And it's not because of America's free society or our work in spreading democracy, although that is something that radical Muslim's hate about us.  We are being stalked because we do not conform to their belief system as laid out in the Qur'an.   We are targeted because we do not worship Allah and spread the teachings of Mohammad who commands that infidels be annihilated.  (Koran 9:5)

I don't know what to do with this information as a follower of Christ.  On the one hand, I'm with David.  I want to pray for the destruction of my enemies.  I desire to see them destroyed for the sake of freedom-loving people everywhere.  I want to warn everyone, especially those in power, to wake up and smell the coffee. . . that death is on our doorstep and we are welcoming it in with open arms in the name of tolerance and religious freedom!

Then I look at my heart as I read on in Psalm 139 and the words of Jesus found in Matthew 6.  My heart is anxious and offensive to God.  I remember that He is good to all. . . even to those who kill in the name of Allah.

When I give my heart back to God, He fills it with love for my enemy.  And He shows me some things I need to know about my enemy.

Lost

According to the UN, 1.25 billion people in the world claim to be Muslims while just over 2 billion profess Christianity as their religion.  Islam is growing at a rate of 6.4% worldwide as compared to a rate of 1.46% for Christianity.  At this rate, Islam will soon overtake Christianity as the most popular religion.  

This means there are millions of people who are being deceived by a teaching that leads away from the One True God.  They are giving their lives in the hopes of collecting on a promise of reward from Allah when all they will receive is separation from God and an eternity of suffering.  

I have friends who are Muslim, and they passionately believe that Islam is the one true religion.  They believe with all their heart that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is his prophet.  

As they talk about their struggles, I see that they are the same as me, trying to do right but failing miserably.  They need a Savior just as much as I do. They need the assurance of salvation that only comes from accepting Jesus as their Savior, just like I do. They need to know God loves them despite their less-than-worthy performance, just like I do.

If I can think of those who follow radical Islam in the same way, I can learn to pray for them as lost souls who desperately need Jesus instead of as ruthless killers who will stop at nothing to wipe out Western civilization as we know it.  ". . .when we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son."  (Romans 5:10)

We all deserve God's wrath because of our sin, but are offered salvation out of His great love for us.  

Freedom

As an American, freedom is important to me and I think of it as a God-given right.  But God doesn't offer freedom as a way of life.  Instead, He offers freedom from the bondage of sin.  "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery." (Galatians 5:1)

When something as sinister and merciless as radical Islam is threatening Democracy around the world, I want to fight it.  I think it is our duty as freedom-loving Americans to take a strong stand against it.  But maybe that's not an attitude I can take to God.  Who says all Christians have a right to live in a free society?  God does not.  Is that His priority when He looks at the state of the world?

As I read and study the Bible, it seems to me that God is all about reconciliation.  He is all about relationship.  He created us so that we could be connected to Him on a personal level.   I see many Christians around the world who are living in oppressive societies where their faith grows stronger and stronger.  

Perhaps I'm getting it mixed-up.  Freedom is a wonderful blessing, giving me the opportunity to worship God.    But political freedom for all people should not be my prayer.  Instead, freedom from the bondage of sin that is offered through faith in Jesus Christ should be my greatest desire for all people.  Even for those who want to kill me.

As Oswald Chambers wrote, "Freedom is the ability not to insist on my rights, but to see that God gets his."  My enemies cannot kill this kind of freedom. . . and they need it just as much as I do.

Maybe today's devotional was a little off-the-wall.  It was hard for me to write and I am struggling with the idea of loving an enemy that is so bent on my destruction.  But I believe God has a plan.  I believe He loves us.  I believe He is a good God.  In light of all these things, I know He wants me to pray for my enemies as I remember that they are lost and in need of the kind of freedom faith in Christ can give.  

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can look to God for help in loving my enemies.

How do I put people in categories, deciding who deserves the gospel message and who doesn't?

How would loving my enemies change my heart attitude?