God of Mercy

"You must not follow the crowds in doing wrong.

When you are called to testify in a dispute,

do not be swayed by the crowd to twist justice.

And do not slant your testimony in favor of a person

just because that person is poor.

If you come upon your enemy's ox or donkey

that has strayed away,

take it back to its owner.

If you see that the donkey of someone who hates you

has collapsed under its load,

do not walk by.  Instead, stop and help.

In a lawsuit, you must not deny justice to the poor."

Exodus 23:2-6

Mercy: 

(1) kind or forgiving treatment of someone who could be treated harshly

(2) kindness or help given to people who are in a very bad or desperate situation*

Of all the people to see broken down on the side of the road, it had to be her.  The woman in question had hurt me so much, turning her back on me in my greatest hour of need and even going so far as to spread lies to my neighbors.  I hadn't seen this woman in years, but the simple sight of her vehicle brought back all the hurt, humiliation and pain of that time in my life.  I had half a notion just to pass her by, letting her suffer in return for all the ways she brought trouble into my own life.  Then, I felt the gentle nudging of the Holy Spirit on my heart.  Stop.  She needs you help right now.

While it is easy to withhold help from those who are cruel to me, God has another plan for my life.  I can never forget that it is death that I truly deserve.  (Romans 6:23, Psalm 130:3)  Due to God's great love and mercy, however, He offers life through simple faith in Jesus Christ my Lord. (John 14:6)  God is a God of mercy, and as His child, He wants me to be known as such as well.

Enemies

It was a curious thing to see: goats and a baby lion romping around together in a pen.  My daughter and I were doing some channel surfing and had run across a program showing the results of an interesting experiment where natural enemies were raised together a friends. Instead of  following their instinctive predatory nature, they learned to get a long with each other.  Busch Gardens in Tampa, Florida even raised a dog and a cheetah together, demonstrating that natural enemies can develop close bonds if introduced to each other at a young age.

Watching these unlikely friendships form made me think of my own enemies.  I may not have anyone who is out to kill me, but there are those who rub me the wrong way, or seem to make it their life's work to try to bring me down, or who just don't seem to like me.  It is hard to treat such people with respect.  Instead, I'd rather give them a dose of their own medicine.

Paul gives me specific instructions in how God desires me to deal with those who are cruel to me.  He says to bless them, join them in times of joy and periods of grief, never assume they're the problem but instead do what I can to live in peace, do right in the eyes of everyone, leave vengeance to Him, and let good overcome the evil in my heart. (Romans 12:14-21) This is a tall order.

When I remember the only reason I'm still allowed to take another breathe is by the mercy of God, I can offer this same mercy to others.  Instead of pointing the finger at how much hurt others cause, I can realize there are three fingers pointing back at me, condemning me for my own selfish point of view.  As much as I feel slighted by others, I must understand that I have been on the giving end as many times as I have received.  If I think I'm not guilty of hurting another, I am not seeing the truth about myself.  (1 John 1:8)

As a child of a merciful God, I will be known as one who loves my enemies when I realize I used to be God's enemy.  (Romans 5:8)

Peer Pressure

Everyone said they saw him do it.  As a result, they all signed sworn statements, testifying to the fact that they were sure they knew who perpetrated the robbery.  The lone dissenter, however, refused to sign.  Instead, she stuck to her story that she had seen a different man enter the convenience store as she headed out the door.  Even though the majority of witness accounts conflicted with hers, she stood by what she knew to be the truth.  She didn't let peer pressure influence her testimony.

It is hard to go against the flow, standing strong against the crowd, especially when others speak with confidence and a sense of conviction.  There is something about human nature that makes me question my own memory when no one else shares my recollection.

God knows what makes humans tick.  Therefore, He warns against letting peer pressure influence the truth.  Many a man has been wrongfully convicted because someone was afraid to stand up for what they knew was right.  While I may not find myself as a witness to a crime, there are times when I am tempted to cave in to the pressure of the majority.

It could be when it seems everyone around me is speaking what they see as the truth but I know is clearly fallacy.  Maybe God placed me in such a position to be able to enlighten others in love.  

Other times I could be the only one around the proverbial water cooler who carries a godly perspective on current events.  Instead of staying silent to keep the peace, I could interject the truth in a way that makes others question their own beliefs.

Then there are times when I witness a stranger abusing another in a public setting.  While it is easy to tell myself that someone else will step forward, it could be that I am the victim's only hope.

As a child of a merciful God, I will be known as one who is immune to peer pressure when I remember the risk Jesus took to save my life.

Protect Innocent

I mindlessly set about my daily task of watering the hanging ferns on my porch.  Deep in thought, I wasn't paying attention to the task at hand and pointed the hose directly into the center of the plant, forgetting about the nest of finches nestled within.  Suddenly, two baby birds were washed away, landing helpless and vulnerable on the ground.

While I did manage to return those babies to their nest, I scolded myself for my carelessness.  Instead of upholding my place as a protector of those tiny birds, I had inadvertently endangered their lives.

God wants me to take on the role of an advocate for the weak.  There are those who God has placed in my path because they need protection.  Therefore, I would be wise to keep on the lookout.

If I'm paying attention, I will find the quiet victim who needs a voice that I can lend.  I may also find the vulnerable who don't even realize the danger that lies all around.  My unique perspective makes me the one who can protect them from peril.  I also may become the source of hope for the powerless who cannot defend themselves.

As a child of a merciful God, I will be known as one who protects the innocent when I realize my own vulnerability before Him.

As one who benefits from the sacrifice Jesus made on the cross, I am to extend the same kind of mercy He freely gives to me.  He desires that I be known as a lover of my enemies, a woman with a strong backbone and a protector of the innocent.  When I embrace my true identity as a sinner saved by grace, the mercy God is known for will also flow from me.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I will not block the flow of mercy out to others.

When do I let peer pressure hold me back from speaking the truth?

How do I miss the weak who need my protection?  

* http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mercy

In Spirit and Truth

"Yet a time is coming and has now come

when worshipers will worship

the Father in spirit and truth,

for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks.

God is spirit, 

and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth."

John 4:23-24

The weight of the obligation weighed heavily upon her as she went through her day.  It was Wednesday and everyone expected her to attend services tonight, but she was tired.  The stress of the day felt like gravity had just increased it's force, pushing her down toward earth.  What she really desired to do was go home and rest, taking some time to reflect on all the good that God was doing in her life in order to refocus her mind.  (Philippians 4:8)  The guilt of letting her friends down, however, drove her toward church as she ended her day.  Her heart was weary and the joy was gone.

I don't know about you, but I tend to put pressure on myself to do things that I think others expect me to do.  It could be to teach Sunday School, participate in every church function, or show up each Sunday morning with a smile on my face.  Other times I think church is the only place where I can serve God and show Him how much I love Him.  The thing is, my spiritual act of worship is not what happens within the four walls of the building where my congregation meets.  My spiritual act of worship is in offering myself as a living sacrifice. 

Here's what Paul teaches about worship as translated in The Message. "So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life--your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, walking-around life--and place it before God as an offering.  Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him.  Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking.  Instead, fix your attention on God.  You'll be changed from the inside out.  Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it.  Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you." (Romans 12:1-2)

If I want to worship God as Jesus said, in spirit and truth, I must leave behind the idea that worship takes place in a certain place.  Instead, I can think of everything I do as an opportunity to praise and glorify God.  In order to do this, though, I will need to change the way I think.

Wholeheartedly

Recently I watched one of our cats, Midnight, "stalking" a gecko through the sliding glass door.  He was thoroughly engrossed in his mission, letting nothing distract him.  In contrast, Kale, our orange Tabby is pretty skittish due to his roots as a wild, street cat.  When he spots a bird or bug on the other side of the window, his interest is heightened, but he is always aware of his surroundings.  Kale never completely gives himself over to the hunt because he's always watching his back: His fear hampers his ability to hunt as he was created to do.

Fear does the same thing for me: It holds me back from completely embracing the mission God has for my life.  When I think What if I fail?  or What will people think? or Why would anyone listen to me? then I am letting fear rule me.  Accepting God's calling on my life means I will drop the fear and doubt, turn toward my Father and let Him give me a new perspective.

His point of view will let me see myself  the way He sees me.   Instead of thinking I'm entitled to talk down about myself, I will understand that as a part of God's creation, I am valued and precious.  Consequently, to show respect for God I must esteem myself.  Once I accept myself the way I am, I am free to worship God without reservation in the way I live my life.

Where once I went through the motions of dispensing a positive word to a friend in distress, I will find God's truth flowing from my mouth in love.   Where I used to do just what I needed to do to fulfill the requirements of my job, I will adopt a new-found zeal for excellence in all I do.  Where I used to let my feelings dictate my attitude, I will find my focus on God to override any negative mind-set.

To worship God in spirit and truth, I must let go of fear and embrace the life that God has graciously given to me.

Sincerely

Have you ever said you would help someone, but when the time came to fulfill your promise, your heart was just not in it?  This has happened to me many times.  It seems that I was more concerned with appearing helpful than in actually being helpful.

I may be able to bluff my way through life in relation to other people, but I can't fool God.  He knows when I'm genuine and when I'm playing games.  He knows when I'm authentically hurting and when i'm putting on a front that all is well despite the pain inside.  He knows when I truly don't have time to do something and when I'm just making excuses because I'm afraid to try.

To give my life as an act of worship, I must drop the show and begin to apply honesty in my dealings with God.  He knows everything about me: my bizarre thoughts, my weird ways, my quirky practices and my deepest fears.  There is nothing I could reveal to God that would surprise Him.  He is before me and behind me.  There is no place I can go to hide from God.  He knows me intimately.  (Psalm 139)

Given that He is so familiar with all my ways, attempting to hide things from Him or put up pretenses before Him is an exercise in futility: It can't be done.  It's kind of like trying to hide in a glass house.

In the same way that I feel betrayed when my husband tries to hide something from me, my relationship with God is stunted when I pretend with Him.  He desires that I share my innermost thoughts, no matter how bad, hurtful or destructive they may seem to me.  God can handle my honesty, and there's no better way to strengthen my relationship with Him.

To worship God in spirit and truth, I must drop the act and trust God enough to let Him see the real me.

Always

I have been watching the life of a woman who is going through every mother's worst nightmare:  Her 15-year-old daughter was abducted from her own bedroom and disappeared without a trace.  The captor is in jail, refusing to talk, and the mother is desperate to find her only child.  After 10 weeks, she still searches.

During one of the darkest times anyone could imagine, you would think her thoughts would be consumed with her daughter and what she might be enduring.  Instead, this woman's faith leads her to praise God, thanking Him for His steadfast love, His ever-present power, His overwhelming mercy.  She gives Him all the glory for her ability to get up each day and move forward.  

This amazing woman of God reminds me of Job, who after losing his entire family and all his wealth in one day said, "The LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD." (Job 1:21b KJV)

If they can praise God even under such horrible circumstances, can I not thank Him even if I can't pay my bills?  If they can praise God in the midst of darkness, can I not adore Him even when I feel down and out?  If they can praise God while they suffer, can I not honor Him when tomorrow looms as an unknown chasm?  

Nineteenth Century writer and speaker Hannah Whitall Smith said, "Nothing can separate you from His love, absolutely nothing. . . God is enough for time, and God is enough for eternity.  God is enough!"  If He is all I need, then nothing in this life is able to conquer me.  The only way I suffer defeat is when I give myself over to the suffering, the misery or the hurts.  When hard times come it is necessary for me to willfully and purposefully keep my focus on the One who is my all in all and to resist falling victim to my circumstances.

To worship God is spirit and truth, I must turn my attention away from what is difficult and toward Who is sufficient.

Church is not the only place that I can worship God.  When I feel its my duty to go to church, or when I think I must in order to have a blessed life, I can instead learn to worship Him in spirit and truth.  This means, wherever I go and whatever I do I can accept whatever God gives me, practice honesty in my relationship with Him, and always focus on the good God is doing all around me.  When I adopt these customs, my life will be a living sacrifice to the One I love.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can cease to think of worship as a ritual or duty that I must do as a Christian.

How do I keep God out of my head by pretending my thoughts line up with His?

When can I do a better job of sharing my fears, hurts and disappointments with my Father?  

No Neutral Ground

"He who is not with me is against me,

and he who does not gather with me, scatters.

When an evil spirit comes out of a man,

it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it.

Then it says, 'I will return to the house I left.'

When it arrives,

 it finds the house swept clean and put in order.

Then it goes and takes seven other spirits

more wicked than itself,

and they go in and live there.

And the final condition of that man

is worse than the first."

Luke 11:23-26

Sweden has long been known as a neutral country, refusing to take one side or the other but simply staying out of any conflicts or wars.  Today this philosophy is spilling over into the social realm as many Swedes are pushing for a gender-neutral government and society.  This year they have added a new pronoun into their official online version of the National Encyclopedia to be used as a gender-neutral replacement for "he" or "she."  "Hen" is now the preferred pronoun to be used to refer to a person without specifying their gender.  

While these progressive Swedes have deceived themselves into thinking gender does not matter, their foolishness does not change the Truth. God created man in His own image and made a distinction between males and females.  To God, gender does matter.  (Genesis 1:27)

This is how God operates.  There is truth and then there is falsehood.  There is right and there is wrong.  There is male and there is female.  While the world likes to try to convince us that there is a neutral ground or a gray area, God says otherwise.  Either I am working with Jesus, or I am working against Him.  I'm on His side, or I'm on the Enemy's.  I'm furthering the Kingdom of God, or I'm hampering His work.

I don't like to think of myself as working against God, but there are several ways in which I do just that.

Clean it Up

A friend of mine is trying to quit smoking.  She is finding out that there are a lot of different programs, treatments and methods available to help her stop this destructive and unhealthy habit.  While she wants to quit, she knows from past experience that it is virtually impossible to expect success from anything that resembles cutting out the nicotine cold-turkey:  It is beyond her own strength and ability to withstand the resulting side-effects.

It's like this with any bad habit or routine.  I may have the desire to stop cursing and resolve to never again utter a four-letter word, but the moment I'm weak and temptation strikes, I'm prone to going back to my old ways.

My attempts to try to clean up my act and behave more "Christian-like" work against what God wants to do in my heart.  He wants to transform my thinking and soften my heart, making it more sensitive to sin.  If, instead of surrendering to God, I try to sweep myself clean of everything evil and sinful in my own effort, my "house" will be empty and vulnerable to attack from the Enemy of my soul.

I am not saved by works, nor can I ever think to rescue my own self from the influence that sin has over me.  Instead, I must rely on the power that comes through my faith in the blood of Jesus which fills me with His Spirit.  (Romans 7:24-25)

Nineteenth-Century missionary Andrew Murray recognized his own helplessness against sin.  He said, "Remember the great need you have of the grace and assistance of God.  You should never lose sight of him--not for a moment."

I am made right with God through faith in Jesus. (Romans 1:16-17)  And this gift of grace is what opens up a relationship with a holy God who finishes what He started when He first called me.  He doesn't leave me as I was when I first began to call Him "Father."  No!  He begins His work in me from the moment I accept Jesus as my Savior and submit myself to Him as my Lord, and He doesn't quit until He's finished.  (Philippians 1:6)  As my friend likes to say, "Be patient with me, I'm under construction."

I am called to live a holy, pure life.  This process of sanctification, however, is not a job I can take on myself.  Instead, it is the result of God's hand in my life as I surrender myself to Him and exchange my will for His.  (1 Thessalonians 4:7-8)

When I try to clean up my own act in my own effort, I work against God and what He wants to do in His power, for His glory.

Fake it

I have heard it said that we should, "fake it 'til we make it, " meaning that with a positive attitude I can make anything happen.  Do I want to have the confidence of a rock start?  Pretend like I do until it comes naturally.  Have I always visualized myself as a novelist?  Tell myself I am and soon I'll be writing like the pros.  Am I up against a devastating bout with cancer?  All I need is optimism and everything will turn out alright.

Unfortunately, there is only so far a positive attitude will take me if there's nothing to back it up.  It reminds me of a movie set where it looks like I'm seeing a real city landscape, but when I walk around to the backside of the storefronts, I find out it was all a facade: there are no real businesses to back up the claim of a town.

Does this translate to my walk with Christ?  Can I fake a humble heart until it actually exists?  I don't think so.  A sense of humility comes from recognizing my weakness and inability to do anything good in and of myself.  It also acknowledges that God is big enough to use me even if I can't see myself able to do anything for Him.  In other words, humility is the ability to take myself out of the equation and focus completely on God and His glory.  

Jesus is the picture of humility.  He is God.  He has every right to be treated with respect, honor and glory.  He should be exalted.  Even though He knew all of these things, He chose to lower himself to the position of a mere man out of obedience to His Father.  He didn't demand to be treated as He deserved, but instead took the treatment He was unjustifiably given.  Jesus was all about His Father's will, not His own position or rights.

This kind of attitude cannot be faked.  It comes through a process God takes me through as I admit my weakness and need for Him.  He guides me through struggles, presents difficulties into my life and serves us a generous portion of suffering, using these as tools to humble me.

When I try to fake it till I make it, I work against a God who knows how to humble a man or woman.  (Daniel 4:37)

Work

My husband has always been a hard worker and admires anyone who holds a high work ethic.  If you want to impress him, put your nose to the grindstone and get the job done!

It's easy to transfer this attitude that hard work pays off into my walk with Christ.  I like to think that I can impress God with all the labor I'm putting in for him.  I gladly volunteer in any capacity within the church when help is needed.  I cheerfully take on projects that no one else will do.  I pitch in whenever a call for assistance is placed.  

When I work for God, I'm the one in control of what I do, when I do it and who I work with.  I'm not following His lead, but running ahead, desperately trying to get His attention.  If I want Him to notice me, all I need to do is sit down and acknowledge His presence. (Psalm 46:10 , Jeremiah 29:13)  When I focus on my relationship with Him, it gives Him the opportunity to show me what He wants me to do. He changes the way I think as I spend time with Him, allowing me to see things more from His perspective.  (Romans 12:1-2)

Waiting is hard.  Pausing and letting God take the lead means that I'm admitting I'm not in control.  Trusting God does not come naturally.  When I'm unsure how I'll pay the bills, faith is resting in His provision despite what my checking account tells me.  When I'm living a nightmare that seems to never end, faith is leaning on His protection regardless of how vulnerable I feel.  When I'm tired of fighting the good fight, faith carries on in the face of fatigue.

Letting God work for me is not without it's rewards.  Isaiah so eloquently penned these words so long ago, but they still ring true today: ". . .they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." (Isaiah 40:31 KJV)

When I try to work for God I'm working against Him and soon run out of steam; but if I wait for Him and follow His lead, I'll never grow weary.

In God's kingdom there is no neutral ground:  Either I'm working with Jesus or against Him.  I don't intend to oppose Him, but I do just that when I attempt to clean myself up, fake the fruit of the Spirit, and work for God in my own strength.  It is my desire to instead work alongside Jesus to gather the harvest to which He has called me.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can firmly plant my feet on Jesus' side.

How do I try to clean my outside up while inside I'm still as dirty as can be?

When do I try to fake humility and which people in my life know the "real me?"

Connected

"One of those days Jesus went out to

a mountainside to pray,

and spent the night praying to God.

When morning came,

he called his disciples to him and chose twelve of them,

whom he also designated apostles:

Simon (whom he named Peter), 

his brother Andrew,

James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas,

James son of Alphaeus, Simon who was called the Zealot,

Judas son of James, and Judas Iscariot,

who became a traitor."

Luke 6:12-16

Here is a simple quiz you can take to help determine whether you are at risk for burning out on the job or in your ministry:

1.  Do you feel run down and drained of physical or emotional energy?

2.  Do you find that you are prone to negative thinking about your job or ministry?

3.  Do you find that you are harder and less sympathetic with people than perhaps they deserve?

4.  Do you find yourself getting easily irritated by small problems, or by your co-workers or team?

5.  Do you feel misunderstood or unappreciated by your co-workers or team members?

6.  Do you feel that you have no one to talk to?

7.  Do you feel that you are achieving less than you should?

8.  Do you feel under an unpleasant level of pressure to succeed?

9.  Do you feel that you are not getting what you want out of your job or ministry?

10.Do you feel there is more work than you practically have the ability to do?

Not only is this a great tool to use to determine whether or not I'm susceptible to burnout, but it is also an excellent way to gauge upon whose strength I am relying.

Jesus always stayed connected to His Father.  Consequently, His mind was always focused on His Father's will.  (Luke 2:49)  His habit of getting away from the task at hand and spending time in prayer with His Father kept Him in touch with the Source of all His power and gave Him an advantage when tackling the day to day frustrations that come with being human.

Wisdom

The world says that wisdom, or the power to judge and discern properly what is true and right, comes with age.  Psalm 111:10, however, says that, "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom."  Revering and placing God in the highest, most prominent position in my life begins a flow of His wisdom into my mind.  As I get closer to Him, He shows me how to live His way.   

Offering myself as a living sacrifice to God, committing myself to living for Him instead of for me, prompts Him to reveal His will to my transformed mind. (Romans 12:1-2) His way starts to become the preferred way for me.  

So when I'm connected to God and I'm faced with a major decision, my mind will be clear with the option He prepared for me at this time.  

When I'm following His lead and I come to a fork in the road, His preferred route will stand out to me as the clear path to follow.

When I am rightly related to my Father and disaster strikes, my heart will be at peace as He guides me through the steps He has for me.

Staying connected to my Father as Jesus did will give me wisdom to know His will for my life.

Strength

As a young adult, I competed in powerlifting.  As someone who was naturally strong, this sport seemed like a perfect outlet for me.  I ended up going to the Drug-Free Nationals and broke several records for my age group.  I had learned how to gain much physical strength.

But strong muscles do not naturally translate to emotional or spiritual strength.  If I'm physically fit, I am no better prepared to face the stresses and difficulties of life than my out-of-shape counterpart. 

I know a woman who is struggling with the loss of her daughter.  Her child did not die from a terrible disease, or run away from home.  No, this precious 14-year-old girl was abducted from the safety of her own bedroom.  To this day, the mother knows who took her, but not what her fate is.  Even though she is going through every parent's worst nightmare, she has an inner strength few can understand.  Some have called her cold and uncaring, others have assessed that she's in denial, still others wonder if she somehow played a part in this horrible act.  

The truth is, this mother has claimed, "The LORD as my strength and my shield." (Psalm 28:7) She knows from where her help comes (Psalm 121) and Who is the source of that assistance.  (Psalm 46:1-3)

Nineteenth-century clergyman Phillips Brooks put's it all into Kingdom perspective when he advised, "Do not pray for easy lives; pray to be stronger people!  Do not pray for tasks equal to your powers: pray for powers equal to your tasks.  Then the doing of your work shall be no miracle but you shall be a miracle.  Every day you shall wonder at yourself, at the richness of life which has come to you by the grace of God."

Staying connected to my Father as Jesus did will provide an unlimited source of strength to live for Him, no matter what comes my way.

Purpose

John the Baptist never suffered from an identity crisis.  He had been taught from the moment he could understand what his purpose was here on earth: "to make straight the way for the Lord." (John 1:23)  John's purpose was clear and he never wavered from fulfilling that plan until his death by beheading.  (Matthew 14)

Unfortunately, most of us don't know so clearly the plan God has for us.  (Jeremiah 29:11)  Just the fact that a plan exists, however, is enough to give my life meaning.  If, instead, I thought life was a giant cosmic mistake, a series of events that occurred randomly and unintentionally resulted in the complexity that is human life, I would tend to think my life was pretty worthless.  What's the point if there's no greater plan?  

Thankfully, there is a purpose for everything (Ecclesiastes 3:1) and God is the author of that plan!  Knowing there is a reason for my life gives me an impression that I possess value and also gives me a sense that I'm a part of a bigger plan that includes more than just me.  My piece fits into all the other parts and helps to create the whole.  (1 Corinthians 12)

When I put my life into the hands of the Master Artist, He creates a masterpiece.  Solomon poetically penned the thought that, "He has made everything beautiful in its time."  (Ecclesiastes 3:11)  Trusting God with my life means He's already done a beautiful thing, it's just a matter of waiting on the appointed time.  The fact that it will happen is a done deal.

As a child of God through faith in Jesus, I can count on the truth that God is transforming me into the image of His Son.  Continuing to walk in faith by obeying His personal guidance and allowing Him to keep up that transformational work means I'll develop godly desires to do what pleases Him. (Philippians 2:13-14)  This all comes through cultivating my relationship with the God who loves me.

Staying connected to my Father as Jesus did gives me a sense of purpose that guides me confidently through life as I follow His plan.

It's easy to burn out when I'm trying to live my life based on worldly wisdom, by working in my own strength and in creating my own plan for my life.  But endurance will come when I instead stay connected to my Father who dispenses His wisdom through me, gives me the strength I need when I need it and colors my entire life with a sense of purpose and design.  Then I will not only be able to avoid suffering from exhaustion and discouragement but will soar on wings like eagles.  (Isaiah 40)

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can stay connected to my source of wisdom, strength and purpose.

How do I try to rely on my own strength?

When do I float through my day, bouncing from one thing to another, instead of intentionally living according to His will?

Salted with Fire

"And if thine eye offend thee,

pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter

 into the kingdom of God with one eye,

than having two eyes to be cast into hell.

Where their worm dieth not,

and the fire is not quenched.

For every one shall be salted with fire,

and every sacrifice shall be salted with salt.

Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his saltness,

wherewith will ye season it?

Have salt in yourselves,

and have peace one with another."

Mark 9:47-50 KJV

In Old Testament times, God's people were required to make sacrifices to God for many reasons and in many forms.  One of the sacrifices was the grain offering and it was to be seasoned with salt, signifying the eternal nature of the covenant between God and His people.  (Leviticus 2:11-13)  

As a follower of Christ, I am a part of the new covenant.  No longer am I required to offer the same kind of sacrifices to which my ancestors were bound.  Instead, Jesus freed me from that requirement when He became the final, perfect sacrifice as He gave His life on the cross.  As the holy Lamb of God, His sacrifice atoned for all my sins.  Now I am free to enter into a relationship with God by faith in Jesus Christ my Lord.  And thus, I have entered into a new covenant. (Jeremiah 31:31-34)

Under this new promise, I am to give myself as a sacrifice.  The Apostle Paul instructs me to, "offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship." (Romans 12:1)  I am also called to be the salt of the earth, (Matthew 5:13) extending the love, grace and mercy of God given to me through Jesus to people who are lost.

In order to preserve my saltiness, and keep from compromising the teachings God has impressed upon me, I must hang onto the Truth.  Even though the world is filled with false teachings, Paul taught that, "Nevertheless, God's solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: 'The Lord knows those who are his,' and, 'Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness.'" (2 Timothy 2:19)

If I want to keep my living sacrifice seasoned with salt, I will need to get rid of anything that tempts and distracts me from running the race marked out for me. (Hebrews 12:1-4)

Relationships

I've heard it said that the most important things in life aren't things.  Many people talk about how going through a sickness or a difficult time taught them that their family and friends are what's really important.  While I agree with this sentiment to a certain extent, Jesus teaches something radically different in the Gospels.  

When He was busy ministering to people, healing and teaching, Jesus' disciples approached Him with the news that His family was there to visit.  Naturally, they assumed their Teacher would drop everything and ask them to come to the front of the line, bypassing all the others who had been waiting to see Him.  To everyone's amazement, He instead said, "Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?"  (Matthew 12:48)  He then went on to explain that everyone who does the will of His Father were considered to be His family.

While this is a great lesson in how important it is to view fellow believers as kin, there is a deeper lesson to be learned.  Jesus considered His relationship with His Father and His obedience to Him as His main concern.  As much as He treasured His family, He loved God more.  If they were getting in the way of His mission, then He would place them in the proper perspective; off to the side.  

Relationships are important to me.  I have friends who have been with me for a long time, and others who I've recently met.  Each one plays a role and fulfills a need I have as a human.  Every day I must re-evaluate these relationships using kingdom eyes.  Who is supporting me in a way that helps me to fulfill the calling God has placed on my life?  Who hinders my relationship with God by demanding my time and attention?  Who encourages me to grow in my relationship with God, even if it means making a sacrifice to see me less?  Who tears me down with her words or actions, either in my presence or behind my back?

To help me keep on track, it is necessary for me to constantly consider whether my relationships distract from Jesus or propel me toward Him.

Activities

Writer and editor John Boykin reminds me that, "Time is life--nothing more, nothing less.  The way you spend your hours and your days is the way you spend your life."  Every human is given the same amount of this precious resource of time.  The way I spend it reveals what is most important to me.

There are many hobbies and pastimes that may be allowable but not all things are considered to be valuable in God's kingdom or helpful in living a life devoted to God.  There is nothing wrong with social media, for instance.  But when it sucks up an hour of my time with mindless browsing and chatting, was that the best use of the time that God has given to me?

Exercise is also a healthy habit to take on: it improves my cardiovascular health, guards against osteoporosis and protects against many disease such as Diabetes.  Everyone should get some kind of regular, rigorous exercise.  When I start to spend too much time studying techniques, learning new theories and trying out different methods, however, it becomes a problem.  If my mind is continuously dwelling on working out and I'm unwilling to scale back or give it up for a season, it has become an idol, and God wants nothing to be placed in a position of importance higher than Him. (Deuteronomy 5)

To help me keep on track, it is necessary for me to constantly consider whether the way I use my time is honoring to God.

Beliefs

There are many beliefs floating around out there that seem good, but are contrary to God's teaching.  For instance, I have heard more than one person say that they hope they're good enough to make it into heaven.  It is common to think that our entry to an eternity with God is based on our works, but God is clear that none of us are good enough and fail to meet His standards.  (Romans 3:23)  My only hope is in Jesus.  (John 3:16-17)

Another widely-held belief is in 'karma,' or that my current actions can influence my future. This understanding is based on the idea that I can manipulate God into getting what I want by doing what I deem to be good, or that my life is a formula of cause and effect.  If I do, "A" then I will get "B."

Instead, God teaches that when I focus on Him and His kingdom, loving God and people, then all things will work together for the good.  It may not seem good at the time, but it will certainly bring about positive results in the long run. (Romans 8:28  Matthew 6:33)  He is the source of all the good in my life.  (James 1:17)

These folk-beliefs that have been passed down from other religions or folklore can work against my faith in Christ.  Just because something sounds good or makes sense to me doesn't make it the truth.  It is important that I remain vigilant of what I add to my consciousness.

Spending as much time as possible studying God's Word and putting it into action as well as keeping God at the forefront of my thoughts is what will help me combat the inclination to pick up foreign ideas. (Deuteronomy  8:6)  

To help me keep on track, it is necessary for me to constantly consider the beliefs I hold to be true and keep only those that are from God and His Word.

Giving my life as a living sacrifice to God means it will be better for me to get rid of things that seem good to me than to hamper my relationship with my Lord.  For this reason, I need to always be monitoring my relationships, activities and beliefs, keeping only those which glorify God and help me to honor Him in all I do.  Then, as I go through this life filled with trials and hardships that serve to test and refine my faith, I will continue to offer up a sacrifice that is seasoned with salt.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can honor God with my thoughts, words and deeds.

How do my friendships get in the way of my relationship with God?

When do I let my schedule control me instead of giving that honor to God?

Living with Hope

"Delight yourself in the LORD

and he will give you the desires of your heart.

Commit your way to the LORD;

trust in him and he will do this:

He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn,

the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.

Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him;

do not fret when men succeed in their ways,

when they carry out their wicked schemes. . .

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

Psalm 37:4-9

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

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

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

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

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

Delight

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

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

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

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

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

Commit

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

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

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

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


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

Wait

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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