Heart of Flesh

Originally published on April 30, 2012

"I will give you a new heart 

and put a new spirit in you;

I will remove from you

your heart of stone

and give you a heart of flesh."

Ezekiel 36:26

September has always been a special month for me.  Not only is it the month of my birth, but as a child and even as a homeschool mother, I always enjoyed the beginning of the new school year.  The preparation for the upcoming year brought a sense of hope and excitement to my days as I purchased new clothing and supplies, preparing myself for the challenges that lay ahead.

As the first day of school approached during my junior high and high school years, I would organize my notebook, making new dividers and filling it with fresh paper and pencils.  I then would turn my attention to my attire, deciding which outfit I would wear for the first day.  Often, I would get a pair of new shoes and somehow, this made me feel like a brand new person tackling a brand new school year.  

In the same way that my fresh, never-before-worn clothes and virgin pencils groomed me for the new classes I was about to face, the new heart of flesh that God has given me through faith in Jesus Christ prepares me for living my life as a member of the family of God.

Empowered Obedience

A friend of mine recently gave a great visual of the battle that occurs between my spirit and God's Spirit as described in Galatians 5:17.  "The sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature.  They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want." 

My friend likened this contrariness, this conflict to a tug-of-war between me and God. As God's Spirit moves me in His direction, my flesh pulls back against Him, pulling me in the opposite direction. The only way for me to go in God's direction is for me to stop pulling and let Him lead me.  If I drop the rope altogether, giving up the fight and surrendering my will to Him, I can freely walk along with Him.  

As one who has been provided through Christ with a tender and responsive heart (Ezekiel 36:26), I am given the ability to withstand the temptation to do things my way.  The grace of God which constantly flows through me from His indwelling Spirit empowers me to, "offer the parts of (my) body to him as instruments of righteousness.  For sin shall not be (my) master, because (I) am not under law, but under grace." (Romans 6:13-14)  Either I choose to give myself over to the pull of God, or the influence of sin.  

Each time I sense the tug of God leading me in His direction, there will be the temptation for my flesh to fight against Him.  But thanks to God's grace abundantly found in my life and manifested through His Son's death on the cross, I have the option and ability to drop the rope, giving in to God's will.  When I submit, the fruit of the Spirit are produced and there is no law against these things! 

I don't have to try harder to be good and please God, rather I have to nail, "the passions and desires of (the) sinful nature to his cross and (crucify) them there."  (Galatians 5:24 NLT) Or, as 17th Century Puritan preacher Peter Bulkeley said, "If God be God over us, we must yield him universal obedience in all things.  He must not be over us in one thing, and under us in another, but he must be over us in everything."  

I am empowered to obey by the grace of God when I submit to Him and allow Him to lead me.

Godly Devotion

Our neighbors own a huge German Shepherd who looks quite intimidating but who is actually a big baby.  He's gentle, calm and pretty laid back. . . until his owner brings out the beloved tennis ball.  Then he turns into the fetching machine, never taking his eyes of the yellow orb.  Nothing can distract him from the job at hand; squirrels, food, other dogs, they all fade into the background as the ball takes center stage, monopolizing his attention.  He's all about his ball.

In the same way, I am called to be wholly devoted to God.  He may allow a variety of attractive belief systems or alluring distractions to come my way in order to test me "to find out whether (I) love him with all (my) heart and with all (my) soul.  It is the LORD (my) God (I) must follow, and him (I) must revere.  Keep his commands and obey him; serve him and hold fast to him."  (Deuteronomy 13:3-4)

This kind of devotion comes with maturity as we progressively work toward, "attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.  Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming."  (Ephesians 4:13-14)  Growing in my walk with God means I will gradually become more Christ-like, little-by-little gaining an immunity to distractions.  The goal is to become like my neighbor's dog; all about my God!

As I cultivate my personal relationship with God through faith in Christ, I will increasingly develop my devotion for Him and Him alone.

Spontaneous Love

Have you ever tried really hard to love someone, especially someone who is particularly prickly?  I have. . . and it doesn't work.  I just don't have it in me to love like God loves me!  

I like the way Oswald Chambers put it in his entry for April 30th in My Utmost for His Highest:  "Love is not premeditated, it is spontaneous, i.e., it bursts up in extraordinary ways.  There is nothing of mathematical certainty in Paul's category of love.  We cannot say--'Now I am going to think no evil; I am going to believe all things.'  The characteristic of love is spontaneity.  We do not set the statements of Jesus in front of us as a standard; but when His Spirit is having His way with us, we live according to His standard without knowing it, and on looking aback we are amazed at the disinterestedness of a particular emotion, which is the evidence that the spontaneity of real love was there.  In everything to do with the life of God in us, its nature is only discerned when it is past."

It is not my effort that produces a loving attitude or loving acts, rather it is in extension of God's Spirit working through me.  "God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us."  (Romans 5:5)

As I let God's Spirit have it's way in me, I will find that the irritation I used to experience when dealing with a certain difficult personality has vanished and in it's place is patience and gentleness.

When I let go and let God, it will become apparent that my previous penchant for perfection and high expectations for others' actions has been replaced by a desire to let go of past failures and to always hope, believing with faith that things will get better.

If I follow God where He leads, I will soon see that circumstances and situations that used to anger me and send me into a tailspin now have no affect on me.  My blood does not boil and I'm no longer compelled to chew someone out, defending my position.  

Love comes as a natural extension of God Spirit as He becomes greater and I become less and will show up unprompted in ways I can't explain.  

God is the craftsman of my new heart.  Only He can, "Create in me a clean heart. . . and renew a right spirit within me."  (Psalm 51:10)  And with this heart of flesh I am empowered to obey God, to be wholly devoted to Him and to love spontaneously.  In this way, I am growing "in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church."  (Ephesians 4:15 NLT)

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I will let go and let God have His way in my life this moment.

When do I insist on having my way, thus preventing God to love others through me?

How do I hang onto my own desires, refusing to nail them to the cross?

Righteousness Reigns

"Nevertheless,

death reigned from the time of Adam to the time of Moses,

even over those who did not sin by breaking a command,

as did Adam,

who was a pattern of the one to come.

. . .Consequently,

just as the result of one trespass was condemnation for all men,

so also the result of one act of righteousness

was justification that brings life for all men.

For just as through the disobedience of the one man

the many were made sinners,

so also through the obedience of the one man

the many will be made righteous.

The law was added so that the trespass might increase. 

But where sin increased,

grace increased all the more,

so that, just as sin reigned in death,

so also grace might reign through righteousness

to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."

Romans 5:14, 18-21

The movie Spider-Man 3 presents an interesting dilemma with the transformation of the hero's once crimson suit to black.  Suddenly, Peter Parker finds that when he yields to it's appeal, he is empowered to live according to the evil that is within.  Instead of living heroically, then, he begins to give in to his desire for revenge and sinks to a new low.

Just as this darker version of Spider-man is a kind of study in opposites compared to his good alter-ego, so is Adam a pattern in reverse of Jesus.  Taking a moment to study the contrasts between the two will reveal the power of righteousness that reigns in the life of every believer.

Trespass vs. Act of Righteousness

The fruit seemed so innocent dangling from the tree.  It does look juicy and sweet.  What harm could come from just a bite?  Besides, I could use a bit of adventure.  If what the Serpent says is true, I won't really die. . . just know the difference between good and evil.  What's so bad about that?

In a moment of curiosity and carelessness, Eve offered the forbidden fruit to Adam and sin entered the world.  What once was pristine and perfect became flawed and spoiled.  The relationship that was created to be whole and without fear transformed into shame- and guilt-based.  Where peace and goodness once ruled, now toil and turmoil reigned.  The earth as God created it was now broken. (Genesis 3)

Sin resulted in a guilty sentence of death for all humans, dooming each of us to eternal separation from the One for whom we were made.  All creation groans under the burden of sin. (Romans 8:22)

In contrast, the innocent man hung painfully on the tree.  He does not deserve this penalty; He never did anything wrong.  He lived a perfect life, so why does He have to die?  I have seen evil, and this man is not evil:  This is a good man who died a needless death.  What's wrong with this picture? (Matthew 27:45-56)

The guards who stood watch over the crucifixion of Christ and witnessed the violent earthquake and darkening of the sun at his death, and even Pilate who washed his hands of Jesus' death, must have known in their hearts that something was different about this execution.  This man was no ordinary man.

In a moment of excruciating pain and suffering, Jesus willingly took my sins upon himself, taking the wrath of God in my place.  The punishment that I deserved, He endured out of love for me.  Just as the sin of Adam resulted in the fall of mankind and ruin of all of creation, so the sacrifice of Jesus results in the justification of mankind and the hope of a renewed creation when He comes again. (Revelation 21:1-5)

Now, through faith in Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior I can enjoy a relationship with my Father in heaven and look forward to the day when all things will once again exist as God once created it to be.

The power of righteousness results in new life and right standing with God.

Disobedience vs. Obedience

"Eat anything you want.  I have provided a wide array of food for you to enjoy.  Explore; discover the variety of options.  The only thing off-limits is the tree located in the center of the garden.  It is called the tree of the knowledge of good and evil and of it's fruit you must not eat, or death will be yours." (paraphrased from Genesis 2:16-17)

This seems fair enough: an entire garden-filled with good things to eat with only one exception.  Temptation soon came through Satan in the form of a Serpent, and the result of man breaking the only law that existed was the new label of "sinner" for all of mankind.  From then on, every baby born was now known as a sinner.  What hope is there for the people whom God created?

In contrast knelt the man in the garden.  Blood dripped from His brow as He considered the suffering that lay before Him.  "If there is any other way for You to accomplish Your will, please save me from my fate.  Above all things, however, I desire You, Father, to get your way for Your glory." (paraphrased from Luke 22:39-46)

The humility of Christ that led to His obedience on the cross of Calvary resulted in a different label to cover up my identity as "sinner." (Philippians 2:8)  Through faith in this perfect Lamb of God, I am now known as "righteous."  Instead of being bound to sin, I have the option of enslaving myself to Christ and living for Him instead of myself.  (Romans 6:16-19)

The power of righteousness results in my new identity as one who is acceptable to God and brought into right standing with Him.

Law vs. Grace

The stone tablets weighed heavily upon his back as Moses trudged down the hill.  The cacophony of revelry grew louder with every step, making the law he carried feel even more burdensome.  How can any of us stand before such a holy God? (see Exodus 32)

The only thing the law that God gave through Moses accomplishes is to show me the extent of my disobedience.  When I see the standard God expects from me, I realize how useless are my efforts to reach it: There is no way for me to be good enough to please God.  Living according to His law only leads to death as I realize the futility of my efforts. (Romans 4:13-15)

To illustrate the contrast, I think of a river of grace that flows from God to me.  The greater my sin, the heavier the flood.  The only thing the law does is to define my sinful nature, but the grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ results in an abundant life where I am right with God.  My sin  never overwhelms God's grace: the blood of Jesus always prevails.

There is no sin, or no number of sins, which is too much for Jesus to handle.  He already paid the price and His sacrifice was more than enough to cover my debt owed to God.  Jesus has overcome.  (Galatians 2:21, 1 Corinthians 15:56-57)

When I lived by what was right and wrong I led a life that led to death, but now that my sinful nature as been put to death with Christ, it's not me who tries to do what's right, but it is Christ who lives within me who pleases my Father.  (Galatians 2:20)

The power of righteousness makes righteousness within me possible.

Adam is a pattern in reverse of the Christ.  The first brought condemnation, my identity as a sinner and death.  The latter, however, produced justification, my new label as one who is righteous by faith, and the possibility of life.  In this way, righteousness can reign in my life through faith in Jesus Christ.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that more of Christ will be evident in my life.

How do I fail to fully accept my identity as one who has been made right with God?

When do I let sin rule instead of righteousness? 

A Miracle Unlike Any Other

"You see, at just the right time,

when we were still powerless,

Christ dies for the ungodly.

Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man,

though for a good man someone might possible dare to die.

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this:

While we were still sinners,

Christ died for us.

Since we have now been justified by his blood,

how much more shall we be saved

 from God's wrath through him!

For if, when we were God's enemies,

we were reconciled,

Shall we be saved through his life!

Not only is this so,

but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ,

through whom we have now received reconciliation."

Romans 5:6-11

I recently read a story about two soldiers who were fighting on opposite sides during the Vietnam War.  On April 16, 1972, Dan Cherry, an American pilot, shot down a North Vietnamese MiG fighter piloted by Hong My Nguyen.  After the war, Cherry often wondered about the man whom he shot down.  Finally, nearly 36 years later, the two men met and became fast friends.  

As a sinner who violates God's perfect standard, I am considered to be His enemy even more than these two soldiers were.  He created me to live in relationship with Him, but my sin forms a chasm between He and I, kind of like the Grand Canyon.  Consequently, I am unlike the two men in the above story because I cannot approach God to seek friendship based on my own worthiness.  I am powerless to cross the canyon existing between a Holy God and a woman of iniquity.

Thankfully, this is not the end of the story.  Just as two enemy soldiers became friends, my relationship with God has been miraculously reconciled because of God's great love for me.  According to His merciful, gracious and loving character, I am saved for Him through the sacrifice Jesus Christ made on the cross where He bore the punishment for my sins.   If I pay attention, this miracle of reconciliation will change the way I live my life.

I am Powerless

Aron Ralston spent five days and eight hours trapped in a slot canyon the width of his shoulders when he had dislodged an 800-pound boulder, setting in motion events that would radically change his life.  As he descended, the rock fell with him, ultimately pinning his arm against the red sandstone wall of what now seemed like his coffin.  He was powerless to save himself as he pondered his options at the bottom of this narrow ravine located in the remote area of Canyonlands National Park in Utah.

Ralston ended up cutting off his own arm with a dull multi-purpose tool and climbing out the canyon where he was rescued by a vacationing family and rescuers who whisked him away to the hospital, ultimately saving his life.  Even though the near-death outdoorsman was able to get himself out of the tight spot in which he found himself, he wouldn't have survived without help from others.

I, too, am powerless to save myself from the death my sins earn.  (Romans 5:6)   Not only this, but I am completely incapable of living a holy life in my own power.  (Romans 7:21-25)  When I accept my own powerlessness, I can begin to live in the security of God's love for me.  He loves me because of His character, not because I am lovable.  If I take this thought to its natural conclusion, I find that I therefore cannot lose His love because of my own character flaws, faults or failures.

This means that I can let go of past sin, placing it firmly on the cross where it is forever cast away from me. (Psalm 103:12)  Instead of thinking of myself as a loser who is unworthy of love, I can thirstily drink in the love that God pours into me, knowing it is not based on my character.  

It also means I can live in the security of God's character because He will never change and His love is unfailing.  (James 1:17, Isaiah 54:10)  When I feel unlovable because of all my disappointments and failures, I can embrace the truth that God is love and it is impossible for Him not to love me! (1 John 4:8)

Because of the miracle of reconciliation found through Jesus Christ my Lord, I can live in the security of His love, because of His unchanging character.

God's Love is Powerful

Tears streamed down her face as she pondered the difficulty of her situation.  She couldn't think of one friend she could call on since moving to live with her daughter and family.  There was always tension in the home, her beloved dog of 7 years and constant companion recently died, and her life seemed without purpose.  Honestly, all she could think about was dying so that she could join her friends in heaven.  What was there to live for in this wretched life?

There is more to my life as a believer than knowing that I am saved from Hell and given the gift of eternal life.  Jesus' death on the cross accomplished so much more!  He came to give me an abundant life in the here and now.  (John 10:10)

It is easy to get bogged down by all the cares of this world.  I have to admit, life can be hard, becoming unbearable at times as the pain overwhelms.  I can never lose sight of my God, however, whose love is powerful enough to purify the most wretched of sinners.  (Malachi 3:3-4)  His love is also mighty enough to take the most wicked of men and make him a servant.

Consider Saul, a man zealous for spilling the blood of Christians.  He made it his life's work to persecute those who called themselves followers of "The Way," in reference to Christ's identity as the way, the truth and the life. (John 14:6)

Suddenly, Saul found himself face to face with Jesus, the One whom he had targeted.  Quickly, the power of God's love for Saul transformed his life's work from running counter to Jesus' mission to a purpose where he was working in Christs' favor as one of His most fervent apostles. (Acts 9:1-16)  God then changed Saul's name to Paul.

This kind of power can give me hope to know there is nothing His love cannot accomplish.  Is there a stronghold of sin I seem to be unable to break through?  The power of God can destroy it and make it a testimony to His love.

Is there a broken relationship in my life that seems impossible to repair?  The power of God can mend even the most painful wounds, binding people together with the bond of His love.

Is there a dream God once gave me that seems like it will never come true?  The power of God will finish what He started in my heart as I rest in His arms of love. (Philippians 1:6)

Because of the miracle of reconciliation found through Jesus Christ my Lord, I can live with hope in what His love can accomplish in my life.

Continual Intercession

Sirens set off attacks of sheer panic.  Conflict of any kind sent her running to safety.  Confrontation created anxiety that took hours to relieve.  The little girl's early years of living in an abusive home created in her a spirit of fear.

Even though my reaction may not be as severe, I do harbor a certain amount of trepidation regarding how God views my life.  Is He angry?  Do I disappoint Him?  Is He ready to give up on me?

Thankfully, God's love found through faith in Jesus never gives up! (1 Corinthians 13:8)  Jesus is continually sticking His neck out for me, coming between me and the wrath of God my sins deserve. (Hebrews 7:25)  There is never a time when I am not covered by His protective blood.

This means when I think those sinful thoughts, my Warrior shields me from the blows of a Just God.  When things don't go my way and I lose my temper, the blood of Jesus protects me from what I deserve and instead gives me forgiveness and another chance to try again.  When doubt holds me back from obeying God's call, Jesus takes the stand in my defense before the righteous Judge.

The intercession of Jesus is continual, occurring tirelessly in order to protect me from the wrath of God.  God is loving, but His just nature hates sin.  It is only through Jesus, who stands as my high priest, that I can approach the throne of grace with confidence. (Hebrews 4:14-16)

Because of this consistent work of the blood of Jesus to defend me against the judgment my sins deserve, I can live without fear of God's wrath.  When I truly understand the extent to which Jesus covers my sin, I can live without dread or apprehension of punishment of any kind.  (Hebrews 4:14-16)

Because of the miracle of reconciliation found through Jesus Christ my Lord, His love enables me to live without fear.

If my salvation or justification were based on me or my worthiness, I would be lost.  Because it is found in the unchanging nature of God, however, I am saved.  Through faith in Jesus, I can live in the security of His love, with the hope of all His love can accomplish and without apprehension of any kind.  My reconciliation to God is a miracle unlike any other.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can live with the security that comes from being His child.

When do I feel hopeless instead of keeping in mind the power of God that flows through me?

When do I sometimes feel insecure in my salvation?

The Watchman

"If the watchman sees the sword coming 

and does not blow the trumpet

to warn the people

and the sword comes and takes the life of one of them,

that man will be taken away because of his sin,

but I will hold the watchman accountable for his blood."

Ezekiel 33:6

During Medieval times, a watchman kept post on the city wall or other high place, constantly on the lookout for any signs of danger.  If a threat was perceived, the watchman would sound an alarm to warn the people.

In the same way, Ezekiel was called to be a watchman for the house of Israel.  As a prophet, it was his job to relay messages from God to the people, warning them to turn from their wicked ways or face the consequences.

Today we have many messages from this watchman to help keep us on alert, but like the people of Ezekiel's time, we say, "'Come and hear the message that has come from the LORD.'" (Ezekiel 33:30b)  Then God revealed the truth when He told the prophet that, "My people come to you, as they usually do, and sit before you to listen to your words, but they do not put them into practice.  With their mouths they express devotion, but their hearts are greedy for unjust gain." (verse 31)

How do we stay on-task during such evil times?  It is easy to get sucked into the way of thinking, living and speaking like the world around us.  Temptations are everywhere.  But I am not left without defense.  The Apostle Paul reminds me that, ". . . in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others." (Romans 12:5)

We are placed in community to help each other keep from danger and we are each accountable to one another for our actions.  

Confession

We sat on the porch, enjoying the coolness of the evening.  Well, maybe my friend was enjoying it, but my insides were twisted into a knot.  God had put it on my heart to confess a certain area of sin to my sister in Christ.  Now, as the time came near to " 'fess up", I considered backing out.  What will she think of me?  

My gracious friend received the news with love and mercy.  And as I relieved myself from the burden, I found something else to be true: After I confessed, it was as if a burden had been lifted. No longer was this a deep, dark secret. . . it was out in the open.  

Incredibly, that confession was the end of that sin.  Once I revealed the dark secret and let the Light shine upon it, that sin no longer had power over me and the temptation to succumb had vanished.  


James addressed this area of acknowledgement of sin to one another in his letter to the believers scattered among the nations.  In reminding us of the importance of prayer he said, ". . .confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.  The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective." (James 5:16)


I had experienced this healing that James spoke about.  Exposing my sin to the Light gave my sister the opportunity to pray for me, putting into motion the power of God in my life.  In turn, she was also able to fulfill the law of Christ by carrying my burden. (Galatians 6:2)


If I am to be accountable to my brother or sister in Christ, I will need to be honest about my areas of sin.  Confession leads to a relief of my burden and healing in this area of sin.

Live out Loud

I have heard it said that hurting people are more likely to unload their burdens at the local bar than in church.  One reason is because they won't find any condemnation in the saloon, but another explanation is that people are more authentic when they're out having a good time than they would be when they're sitting in church.  For some reason, we seem to think we need to be on our best behavior in church, putting up a front that everything is okay and I'm actually a pretty decent human being.

This runs counter to the message of the gospel!  "While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."  (Romans 5:8)  We don't have to be clean and perfect in order to step foot in church.  Instead, God accepts us as we are, flaws and all.  He redeemed me from the clutches of death by no effort or sense of worth on my part.  It is not my worthiness that makes me able to come into the presence of God.  Rather, it is the blood of Jesus that makes me clean and able to come into His company.

Why, then, do I insist on pretending that I'm someone I'm not?  Why do I think I need to be perfect in order to be acceptable enough to worship God in a group setting?  The church is made up of a bunch of broken people!  Until I can be honest enough to live transparently, openly admitting to my sins, the church will never feel like a safe place to confess areas of struggle.

As the Apostle Paul told the group of believers at Colosse, "Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator."  (Colossians 3:9-10)

I am a work in progress, and as such will have many rough spots left to be smoothed by my Master Potter.  I am no longer condemned, therefore I am free from the fear of punishment from my sin.  There is no need for me to hide my struggles, except to save face.  My pride encourages me to pretend I'm better than I am, but that kind of effort can be exhausting.  The sobering thought is that the One whose opinion of me should matter most, is the One who already know my heart.  I'm not fooling Him.. . and I'm probably not pulling the wool over anyone else's eyes, either.

If my reputation is more important to me than living in the way God intended, then I will be robbed of the blessing and peace found in living transparently with my family.

Submission  

There is nothing more humiliating and embarrassing to a parent than their children fighting and bickering in public.  I remember one family who I met when we were decorating the tree in the Army chapel we had just started attending.  I actually hadn't even met them, but had already formed an opinion about the lack of cohesiveness and respect within their family by observing the way the teenage sisters interacted with each other.  

"You're so stupid.  Why are you even here?"

"Shut up!  Just leave me alone, you moron!"

Their bickering lowered a blanket of negativity over the otherwise festive gathering.

As dramatic as the above scenario seemed, it pales in comparison to the kind of fights that take place today within the body of Christ.  Arguments range from disputes over the color of carpeting to be installed in the foyer to the kind of study that should be used on Wednesday evening services.  The world outside shakes it's head in disgust, not surprised that those who act "holier than thou" are really just as bad as the rest of us.

James reveals the reasons for our bickering.  He said, "What causes fights and quarrels among you?  Don't they come from your desires that battle within you?  You want something but don't get it."  (James 1:1-2)  

The Apostle Paul reveals the antidote to fighting.  "Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ." (Ephesians 5:21)  If I let Brother Tom have his way with the choice of carpet color, I am showing respect for Jesus, who is the head of the Church.  If I insist on doing things the way I want and dig my heals in, I am saying through my actions that getting my way is more important that Christ. 

When I get along with the Body of Christ, God is lifted high to those who are watching. Therefore, I am instructed to, "become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which your shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life." (Philippians 2:15-16)

I should not give unbelievers something to talk about in the way I interact with my family.  If I insist on getting my way, I will cause a disagreement or argument, making Jesus look bad.

Submitting to my brothers and sisters in Christ is an influential testimony to the power of God found in the gospel.

I am accountable for my actions to the family of God.  Consequently, I can learn to openly confess my sins when appropriate, live my life transparently for all to see the grace of God, and to submit to others out of reverence for Christ.

I can either live for my own best interest, or I can live as God intended.   Only one way will glorify Him. 

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I will live as God intended.

How do I put up a front of perfection instead of letting others see my faults?

When do I tend to take a stand for something that will not glorify God, but will simply serve to get me what I want?

Hope Springs Eternal

". . .hope does not disappoint us, 

because God has poured out his love into our hearts 

by the Holy Spirit, 

whom he has given us."

Romans 5:5

The heartache of a son in jail.  The hurt of a harsh tongue-lashing by a boss.  The pain of untold physical ailments.  The sleepless nights spent praying for a lost daughter.  These are but some of the ways we can suffer in this life.  But our suffering is not in vain, for this passage of Romans reveals the effect of our distress: suffering produces a hope that does not disappoint.  But in what do I hope?

I can hope for the best, hope for tomorrow, or vow to never lose hope, but these sentiments all fall flat in the light of the Truth.   Since hope is a feeling of expectation of what will happen in the future, and only God knows the future, it is futile to hope for hope's sake.  Hope must spring from faith in the Creator.  This life filled with suffering can cause anyone to grow weary, "but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength.  They will soar on wings like eagles;  they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." (Isaiah 40:31) Eighteenth century English poet Alexander Pope coined the popular saying that, "Hope springs eternal," highlighting man's need to anticipate better days.  It is true that without hope, man will fall into despair, but on what is my hope based?

Jesus  Christmas is a time when I hear a lot of talk about hope.  We hope for peace on earth.  We hope that things will be better in the new year.  We hope to make it through the season with our sanity.  But hope without Jesus is in vain.  "He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world."  (I John 2:2) All the suffering in this world is as a result of sin, and my only hope for conquering the suffering caused by sin in this world is by trusting in Jesus as my Savior from the punishment of my sin, and from the hold that sin has on my life. Jesus is my only hope.

Love  Now that I have Jesus, I have love. God has poured out His love in my heart! With love in my heart, I have the ability to love others. And this love can change the world.   Paul advised the church in Rome  to not, ". . .just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good.  Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other." (Romans 12:9-10 NLT)  The love in my heart spills over so that I can love others, giving them tangible evidence on which to base their hope in God .

Holy Spirit  Before Jesus went back to heaven after his resurrection, I'm sure the disciples were nearly panicked with the thought of living their lives without the constant presence of their Savior.  At least that's how I would have felt if I were them. Knowing my need for help, Jesus left me with His Spirit to give me all I need in order to accomplish His calling on my life.  He told His disciples to, "not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about.  For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit. . .But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you.” (Acts 1:4-5, 8)  I am not alone in my walk, but I have the very power of God within me to guide me, strengthen me and equip me.  With the gift of God's indwelling Spirit, my hope is complete.

Hoping in God through faith in Jesus Christ cannot disappoint because of the overflowing love with which He fills me, and His Spirit which dwells within me.  I truly do have hope for tomorrow!

As I begin this day, it is my prayer that I will only hope in the Lord, placing all my trust in Him and His plan for my life.

How do I ignore the still small voice of the guiding Holy Spirit?

When do I withhold God's love from others? 

Peace on Earth

The Word became flesh 

and made his dwelling among us. 

We have seen his glory, 

the glory of the One and Only,

 who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

John 1:14

We live in an age of relativity:  If it works for you and doesn't hurt anyone, do it.  Each person chooses their own path and own set of morals and beliefs.  There is no absolute, universal truth.  What's good for you may not be good for me.  In reality, there is such a thing as Truth, and He came to earth as a baby many years ago, heralding the coming of His Kingdom.  

At Christmas time, I hear a lot about peace.  Christmas cards proclaim "Peace on Earth," we wish each other peace, and it is a time when all of mankind (at least in the western world) is expected to come together in peace, even if its just for one day.  But Jesus is not a promoter of peace.  He did not come to bring peace into the world, at least in the way we think of it.  When the angels proclaimed the Messiah's birth those 2000+ years ago, they declared,  “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.” (Luke 2:14)   Does peace come to those who reject the  Babe in the manger who has now become the Savior of a lost world?  There is no fence sitting when it comes to Jesus.  Either you are for Him, or you are against Him.  So where is this peace on earth proclaimed by the angels?

In my heart and mind   There is no peace apart from God.  When I am following my own path, determining my way, and thus rejecting God's plan for my life, I will not have peace.  Peace comes when I turn all things over to God, trusting Him for all my needs, choosing not to worry about anything.  As a follower of Jesus, this kind of peace is readily available to me.  With all the last minute preparations that need to be made in the few days left before Christmas, I choose the peace of Christ to reign in my heart and mind.

With God  Is it possible to make friends with our enemies?  Terrorism has divided this world as never before, yet there are those who still believe that if we're nice to our enemies, they will work with us and become our friends.  Diplomacy is not a sound foreign policy, in and of itself, because our enemies hold different beliefs, values and understandings of this world.  It is the same with me and God.  I am His enemy, and no amount of sweet talking will get me into His good graces!  But I do have hope in Jesus. When I accept the gift of salvation that came through Christ, taking the punishment for my sins, then my relationship with God is repaired.  "Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." (Romans 5:1) Now I am free to worship God and relate to Him on an intimate, one-on-one basis.  This Christmas, I choose to celebrate the peace I now have with God.

With Others  The idealized version of Christmas shows an extended family sitting around the tree opening presents, delighted to be in each other's presence.  Unfortunately, in reality, this is not always the case.  Much of the stress of holidays stems from the fact that we are thrown together with people we have a hard time getting along with, or maybe don't even like, and then we are expected to have a wonderful time.  This is impossible with me.  But with Jesus, it is actually possible to have peace within my relationships with others.  In His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus called peacemakers "blessed," and said that they would be called the sons of God.(Matthew 5:9)  Peace is a hallmark of those who follow Jesus, because it is His calling for me to live in peace with those around me.  But this can only happen if I set aside my hurts, desires and pride, and put the best interest of others before myself. Only then will peace rule in my relationships with others.  When I am surrounded by those I may struggle with this Christmas, I choose the peace of Christ to rule in my relationships.  

Where is this peace on earth that the angels proclaimed that first Christmas morn?  It is in my heart and mind, in my relationship with God, and in my relationships with those around me, thanks to the "little Lord Jesus, asleep on the hay."  

As I begin this day, it is my prayer that peace will rule in my life, even when strife and chaos is swirling around me. 

How can I let go of things that bother me for the benefit of peace in my relationships with people?

Where do I take for granted the sacrifice Jesus made so I can have peace with God?