God's Commission

"Moses my servant is dead.

Now then,

you and all these people,

get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land

I am about to give them--to the Israelites.

I will give you every place where you set your foot,

as I promised Moses. . .No one will be able to stand

against you all the days of your life.

As I was with Moses,

so I will be with you;

I will never leave you nor forsake you."

Joshua 1:2,3,5

As much as I didn't care for our newly elected leader, I was touched by the thought that such a change of command could take place so peacefully.  Despite the spirit of opposition that exists among our elected leaders and the arguments that regularly take place between them, this country still enjoys a peaceful transfer of power.  The history books as well as the international news is full of stories where kings were deposed, rebels forcefully took power or the people rose up against an unpopular ruler.  Thankfully, this is not the case in the United States. 

Similarly, the death of Moses could have been a tumultuous time for the nation of Israel.  They had been faithfully led out of Egypt and through their desert wanderings for forty years by one man and he was the one through whom God had spoken to the masses.  They depended upon Moses.  It must have been a scary thought, then, to enter into the unknown of this Promised land without Moses at the helm.  God, however, planned for a smooth transition and had chosen the one who would take the place of their great leader upon his death.

Just as God sent forth Joshua to lead His people, He is also commissioning me for His work (Ephesians 2:10).  Therefore, there are some truths the Lord taught Joshua which I will need to take to heart.

Courageous

He was a legendary general who led the Confederate troops during the civil war.  As a man of faith, he believed his destiny was set by God, giving him a bold persona on the battlefield.  Thus, Thomas Jonathan Jackson was given the nickname "Stonewall."

While you would probably never catch me walking around such a dangerous place as a war zone, I can boldly commit to following God's lead, courageously dong things I never thought I'd be able to do.  How can I possibly live in such a way?  I can walk fearlessly into the unknown because I know without a doubt that God is with me.

In the same way that God reassured Joshua with the thought that He would go with him, I can take heart by the same promise.  Before Jesus ascended into heaven, He left His disciples with the promise that I can grab hold of as well.  He said, "I am with you always, even to the end of the age" (Matthew 28:20).

Therefore, if this ever-present God of absolute power is for me, who can stop His plan for me from coming to fruition (Romans 8:31)?  My Enemy can try to discourage me, duping me into believing I am without hope when in reality I have the hope of eternity secured by faith in the blood of Jesus (Titus 1:1-3).  The weakness of my flesh can lead me to believe I cannot accomplish the mission to which God has called me when in reality God's power is manifested in me because of this frailty (2 Corinthians 12:9-10).  The world can seem like it's closing in on me, enticing me to give in to its tempting ways, but God is ready to transform my thinking to give me a clearer view of His will if I would only cooperate with Him (Romans 12:2).

In the same way that Joshua was instructed to be strong and courageous, so I am given the same boldness of spirit in the job God has prepared for me to do (Joshua 1:6, 2 Timothy 1:7).

Pursue Righteousness

I love watching the Olympics.  It is not so much the competition and the metal count that gives me such a desire.  Rather, it is the inspiring stories of personal struggles and triumphs that draws me to tune in each night.  

While I do love a physical challenge and am spurred on by the athletes' dedication and self-discipline, it is the spiritual call to run the race laid out for me that inspires me as of late (Hebrews 12:1).  In order for these athletes to compete at such a high level, their dedication to training must be strong: They must eat, sleep and breathe their sport.  There is a level of laser-sharp focus that few of us can truly understand.

If I want to walk with Jesus, however, I am called to adopt a similar attitude.  Instead of simply going through the motions, I am to actively pursue right living, disciplining myself to turn away from what comes naturally and pursue faith, love and peace with others which is quite unnatural to me (2 Timothy 2:22).  This kind of life takes dedication to God and His ways.  It will not come without some effort, but takes purposeful training, similar to what it takes for the Olympic athletes to reach such an elite competitive level (1 Corinthians 9:24-27).

It is important to note as well, that this kind of discipline to staying the course will not earn eternal life for me.  Salvation is a free gift given by a loving and gracious God that is secured through Christ's sacrifice on the cross (Ephesians 2:8-9).  Instead, this life-long process of sanctification is one in which I must take part, cooperating with God as He transforms me into the woman He created me to be (Romans 12:2).

When I read His Word, then, it cannot be taken lightly, mindlessly going through the motions so I can check the task off my daily list of things-to-do.  Instead, I must search for the meaning found there, applying it to my heart and letting God use it to teach me His ways, rebuke my actions, correct my thoughts, and train me to live purely (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

When I am tempted to give into my selfish urges, I must stand firm, purposefully choosing to turn toward God and His righteous ways (James 4:4-10). When I get distracted from the race I am running, wasting time in mindless pursuits or veering off the path in an effort to gratify a sensual pleasure, I must keep my eyes on Jesus who joyfully pursued the prize that was set before Him, enduring torture and death on a cross in order to reach this goal of obedience (Hebrews 12:2).

In the same way that Joshua was instructed to stay the path, so I am given this same command to keep on the straight and narrow (Joshua 1:7, Matthew 7:14).

Resist Fear

It is perhaps the most common phrase uttered by God, "Do not fear."  He often sent His heavenly messengers to spur His people on, reminding them not to give in to this common emotion.  Fear is deadly because it can cripple my forward progress, paralyze my faith and blur my thinking.

I remember getting stuck at the top of a 15-foot cargo-net wall while testing out an obstacle course.  As the netting shifted beneath my feet, I tried the power of positive thinking to picture myself throwing my leg over the narrow board and descending successfully down the other side.  Unfortunately, the instability of my position only fed my fear of heights.  Regretfully, I found I could not move my leg to follow what my mind so optimistically imagined so I ended up retreating back down the way I came.

Fear had prevented me from carrying out the goal I had set for myself; to climb over that wall.  In a similar way, fear can work against faith, keeping me from answering the call God has placed on my life.  

It could be that the guilt of my sin weighs heavily upon me, deceiving me into thinking God will not empower me to live His way because of my sin.  The ensuing fear of His wrath, then, prevents me from walking the path He has laid out for me.  Who do I think I am, anyway?  How could I love others when I'm such a failure at loving myself (1 John 4:18)? In my delusion, I'm forgetting the forgiveness I have in Jesus Christ and the resulting overwhelmingly conquering power of God Who lives within.

Maybe I doubt God's ability to prevail when I take note of the direction my life is taking.  How could anything good come out of such I mess, I wonder. Instead, I can stand firm in the knowledge that God holds the blueprint for my life and His way will prevail (Jeremiah 29:11-13).

Other times I could feel the weight of the world on my shoulders, mistakenly thinking I've been left all alone to bear such burdens.  In reality, however, He is calling me to lay my burdens at His feet, taking strength from His very presence (Matthew 11:28).

In the same way that Joshua was instructed to resist fear, so I am given this same command to let God's presence inspire greatness (Joshua 1:9, Philippians 4:4-7).

I sometimes feel God has given me a tall order to fill.  Instead of getting discouraged, however, and give up, I can take to heart the instructions given to Joshua.  I can live boldly and courageously, pursue righteousness and resist the temptation to let fear rule my life.  All because of the Lord's faithful presence in my life, I'll be able to fulfill His commission.  

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can keep my eyes on Jesus, the only hope I have to stay on the straight and narrow.

When do I let fear rule my life?

How am I easily distracted from my mission in life?   


Originally published on February 17, 2014

Don't Lose Heart!

"I consider that our present sufferings
are not worth comparing with the glory
that will be revealed in us."
Romans 8:18

Pain wracked her body as contractions seized the uterus holding her baby who was eager to enter the world.  Beads of sweat formed on the mother's forehead as she strained to push her child out of her womb and into the hands of her husband.  As joyous an event as is the birth of a child, it is also painful due to the curse of sin.

When God created the earth and everything in it, He "saw all that he had made, and it was very good."  (Genesis 1:31)  Once Adam and Eve disobeyed the one rule God had instituted, however, sin entered in and all was spoiled.  Where once fruit grew abundantly, now it required hard labor to fend off the onslaught of weeds.  What once was a life of peace and harmony now was rife with shame and discord.  The place that was created to bring nothing but joy was now a source of great suffering.

Sin ruined the goodness of God's creation.  Instead of living the way God intended, now we can expect to endure agony of some kind.  Thankfully, though, our present difficulties are not without purpose.

Future Glory

Soldiers know a little something about sacrifice.  Men and women serving in all branches of the Armed Forces give up the comforts of home, leaving the love and security of their families so they can travel to hostile areas where they engage our enemies in all kinds of dangerous situations.  They don't willingly live this lifestyle for the money, prestige or honor, because soldiers usually receive little of any of those benefits.  Instead, they serve out of love for their country and with the hope that their efforts will help usher in a brighter tomorrow.

In the same way, the hard times I go through by living in this fallen world are not in vain.  As the Apostle Paul said, "For our present troubles are small and won't last very long.  Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever!" (2 Corinthians 4:17 NLT)

The good I have to look forward to when things will again be as they should exist, can serve to spur me on and inspire me to persevere through hard times.

I will share in much praise and glory and honor when Jesus returns if I remain strong in my faith through the trials I now face.  (1 Peter 1:7b)

Hope of Salvation

I remember when I faced four months in the hospital.  I was pregnant with triplets and my uterus had begun to contract, making it impossible for me to stay at home.  While I lay in the hospital bed at 24 weeks gestation, the only thing that kept me going was the thought of the birth of healthy babies.  The hope of going home spurred me on through the difficulty of long-term hospital life.

As a follower of Christ, I have a similar hope of going home.  Jesus said as recorded in John 14:3 that, "In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you.  I am going there to prepare a place for you."  When times get tough, I can think of all the good things Jesus is storing up for me in my eternal home, thus giving me hope.

I find much inspiration in the words of Paul when he encouraged believers to, "let us who live in the light be clearheaded, protected by the armor of faith and love, and wearing as our helmet the confidence of our salvation.  For God chose to save us through our Lord Jesus Christ, not to pour out his anger on us.  Christ died for us so that , whether we are dead or alive when he returns, we can live with him forever."  (1 Thessalonians 5:8-10)

Jesus saved us from what we deserve so we can enjoy eternity with Him.  This is the kind of hope that can get me through the present pain of a broken body, the heartache of marital turmoil, or the sting of the loss of a loved one.  

Life is hard, but I have a lot to look forward to in Christ.

Intercession of the Spirit

"I don't know what to think."  This is often my response when I hear bad news.  It's hard to process tragedy, misfortune or heartbreak, leaving me feeling as if I don't know which way is up.  Thankfully, God knows my heart and mind and He understands why I act and feel the way I do.  

God knows me better than I know myself for He "examine(s) the deepest thoughts and secrets." (Jeremiah 11:20)  He knows what I'm going to say before I utter a word, and He understands all my little quirky ways. (Psalm 139:1-4)  

When I'm going through tribulation, my heart is troubled and my mind is like mush.  I can't form a complete, coherent sentence let alone utter a prayer to God.  Since God is so familiar with me, His Spirit can pray for what I need on my behalf. (Romans 8:26-27)  In this way, good comes out of the bad.

When I don't have enough money to pay the bills or buy groceries, the Spirit prays for a better understanding of poverty, giving me a greater sense of compassion for those who are suffering from hardship.

When I hurt so bad I can't get out of bed in the morning, the Spirit asks for an open heart with which I can use the extra time to thank Him for all the good He has given to me.

When I suffer the loss of a loved one, the Spirit calls upon the Father for the comfort that only He can give.

I can count on suffering while I live on earth but also on the Spirit of God to intercede with "groanings that cannot be expressed in words." (Romans 8:26b NLT)

The earth is not as God first created it to exist, but while I'm living here, I can remain strong by remembering the glory that I will share with Christ, the hope of salvation that He gives, and experience the way the Holy Spirit prays on my behalf.  Then, when hard times come, I will not lose heart!

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can stand strong in the faith Jesus has given to me.

When do I forget what I have to look forward to in eternity and how can that spur me on?

How do I let suffering get me down? 

   

Spirit of Life

"Therefore,

there is now no condemnation for those

who are in Christ Jesus,

who do not live according to the sinful nature

but according to the Spirit,

because through Christ Jesus

the law of the Spirit of life

set me free from the law of sin and death.

. . .Who is he that condemns?

Christ Jesus, who died--more than that,

who was raised to life--

is at the right hand of God

and is also interceding for us.

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?

Shall trouble or hardship or persecution

or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?

. . .No, in all these things we are more than conquerors

through him who loved us."

Romans 8:1-2, 34-35, 37

I've heard stories of people who thought they could have it all;  There is the con man who lures a woman into falling in love with him so he can take advantage of her vulnerable state and bilk her of all her assets.  Or there are the businessmen who entice politicians to pass laws that would benefit their company.  Then there are the women who claim to stand for a woman's right to make her own health care decisions but deny that same privilege to their unborn child.  In every case, these people tried to act one way but live another.  Their hypocrisy betrayed their true master: Self.

When I commit my life to Jesus, I reap an everlasting benefit in freedom from death and hope for an eternal home with Him.  I am also promised a powerful bond with the love of Christ that nothing can break.  Is there anything that is expected of me?  If I truly experience His love can I go on living as if nothing has happened, continuing in my old ways?

If I truly have invited Jesus into my life to act as my Lord and Savior, then I will experience the Spirit of a whole new life.

Sinful

The caterpillar crawled along the leaf, munching it's crunchy goodness to feed his belly and nourish his fast-growing body.  He is limited in his mobility by his long, accordion-like body and multiple tiny legs, keeping him on the one plant where his mother first laid his egg.  He can never travel and see the world around him until he emerges from the pupa, or chrysalis as an entirely new creature.  The miraculous metamorphosis that takes place transforms him from a plump, awkward larva to a graceful, attractive butterfly.  Now he can live as the creature God intended for him to become.

In the same way, I am transformed into a new creature when I commit to Jesus as my Lord.  As the Amplified Bible interprets 2 Corinthians 5:17, "The old (previous moral and spiritual condition) has passed away."

My past sins, former way of thinking, and previous state as an enemy of God are all part of the old me. (Isaiah 1:18, Romans 12:2, Colossians 1:21)  If I choose to continue living my way, however, as if nothing has changed, it is as if I am not even saved.  I am still acting as one who is sinful and hostile to God. (Ephesians 4:22)

When I have a chance to react in love when treated poorly, then, I go back to my old ways and lash out in anger and self-righteousness.  I think, How dare you treat me that way!  The opportunity to show the compassion and mercy of God is lost.

When God sends a hurting soul who needs guidance and comfort, I retreat to my old position of sticking to my schedule and placing my tasks before my calling.  The chance I had to administer   reassurance through the truth found in God's Word was lost.

When things look hopeless and my circumstances seem impossible, I do as I always have and fret about what could happen, turning my body into a mass of pain and suffering.  The opening God had provided for me to trust Him passed right on by.

I must realize that as a believer in Christ Jesus, I must purposefully turn away from my old way of thinking, speaking and acting.  These are parts of my old self.  If I insist on living the way I used to live, it is important for me to understand that I will reap what I sow.  (Galatians 6:7)  God will not protect me from the consequences of my actions because He shows no favoritism. (Romans 2:9-11)  I am held accountable for how I choose to live. (2 Corinthians 5:10)

To live as if I've received the new life promised to me, I must put off the old, sinful ways.

Control

My husband received a remote-controlled helicopter from his brother last year for his birthday.  After charging the battery, we took it outside to take it for a spin.  It was pretty fun trying to raise it up in the air and make it hover without crashing into something (or someone).  The frustrating part, however, was that only one person could control the craft at a time.  

Just as this small model could only have one pilot at a time, so my life can only submit to one lord.  If I insist on acting as that leader, then God cannot.  The thing about God is that He is not a bully.  He does not force His way into my life, demanding His rightful place.  Instead, He is a gentleman, waiting for me to invite Him.  

When I see trouble coming down the pike and take immediate action in order to avoid disaster, I've left God out in the cold, denying Him the lordship I claim to have given Him.

When I go after what I want without a thought to God's sovereign plan, I've given control to myself instead of the Master Planner.

When I seek the advice of others when relationships turn sour but fail to acknowledge God, I deny the only One who can mend a broken heart and heal the wounds that drive people apart.

Jesus said, "No one can serve two masters.  Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other." (Matthew 6:24a)  If I claim to follow Jesus, I must let Him lead or I betray the identity of my true master: Me!

To live as if I've received the new life promised to me, I must give God control of all things.

Sonship

My sister and her husband are foster parents.  Every time they take in a child, whether it be for the short term or the long haul, they consider the youngster to be their own son or daughter.  Bloodline or length of time spent in their family matters not.  Instead, the love of God compels them to include any child that is taken in as a part of the family.

Similarly, God's love offers a place for me in His family.  There are no requirements of time served, righteousness obtained or abilities mastered.  On the contrary, I am invited because I trust in Jesus as my Savior.  The blood Jesus shed on the cross is the only prerequisite for entrance into this kinship.

God's Spirit gives me the assurance of my place in His family, helping me to feel comfortable and at ease in this new position.  (Romans 8:16)  As I become accustomed to the ways of my Father, I grow in my desire to obey Him out of the love that grows in my heart.  When I do as He instructs, I find that my life is blessed in many ways.  Even though hard times come, my Father is always there for me, protecting me, guiding me and strengthening me.

Troubles that used to consume me, sending me into a frenzy of anxiety, now serve as opportunities to see the power of my Father.

Activities that used to bring much pleasure now are seen as an affront to the One whom I serve as I find other ways to find enjoyment.

Difficult circumstances come as I grow in my faith, but I learn that my Father sends them as a tool to grow my faith.

To live as if I've received the new life promised to me, I must live as a child of God.

When Jesus becomes my Lord and Savior that is not the end, but only the beginning.  From there I cannot continue to live in my old ways and retain control of my life and still call myself a follower of Christ.  Instead, I only move forward in the Spirit of life when I live as one who is adopted into the family of my heavenly Father.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I will put off the old way of living and take on my new position in God's family.

When do I continue in old patterns without even trying to turn away from them?

How am I defiantly insisting on controlling my own destiny?  

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?

Give It All

"And Jesus sat over against the treasury,

and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury;

and many that were rich cast in much.

And there came a certain poor widow,

 and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing.

And he called unto him his disciples, and say to them,

'Verily I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast more in,

than all they which have cast into the treasury:

For all they did cast in of their abundance;

but she of your want did cast in all that she had,

even all her living.'"

Mark 12:41-44 KJV

It seemed as though all hope was lost.  Her daughter was missing.  A horrible career criminal had been arrested for her kidnapping, but the girl had yet to be found.  She was tempted to doubt.  The questions began to sting, accusing her of the unthinkable;  Maybe she's not as good a mother as they say.  She put her daughter at risk.  How is she staying so strong?  Maybe she planned this.  Maybe she's behind it all, otherwise wouldn't she be hysterical?  She's just too calm.

In a way, the widow who gave all she had is like this suffering mother.  Both knew God.  Each one was hurting in their own way but trusted God enough to believe that He would provide what they needed.  The widow sacrificed all her money, knowing that her heavenly Father would provide for her needs despite her poverty.  The mother sacrificed her privacy as she laid bare her soul in order to find her precious girl, knowing that her heavenly Father would provide protection against the cruel attacks.

Jesus honors faith made real by actions.  Just as the widow showed her belief that God would provide despite what the circumstances told her by donating her last coins, I can also give all I have.  In the same way that the mother threw her reputation aside, knowing that God would redeem her, I can forget about how I look and simply do as He says.  If God is for me, who (or what) can be against me?  (Romans 8:31)

Jesus will honor me if I can give until there's nothing left.  But where do I start?

Willingness

Anyone who has raised children knows that a parent can assign a chore but the child's attitude while carrying out the directive is directly proportional to the state of their heart.  In other words, my daughter can sweep the floor as she's been told but only if she's willing to obey will the experience be pleasant.  Otherwise, her face will scowl and she'll grudgingly do as little as possible to get by.  

My desire to give sacrificially reflects my heart.  A heart inclined toward God and pleasing Him will cheerfully comply with His calling on my life.  Fear will be vanquished as I exchange my doubts for a desire to obey my heavenly Father.  

A heart plagued with disbelief and skepticism, however, will hold back and fail to act on what it is God has placed on my heart to do.  Obedience is the last thing on my mind as my fear blows  willingness out the window.

The Apostle Paul instructed the believers at Corinth in his second letter to them that, ". . .if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have." (2 Corinthians 8:12)  It doesn't matter what may or may not happen or whether or not I'm fit to accomplish the task.  If I'm willing, my gift will be received.   

To begin learning to give until there's nothing left, I must first cultivate a willing heart.

Faith

Once my heart is devoted to pleasing God and obeying Him, I'll need faith to fuel my actions.  I remember training to run a marathon.  As part of the preparation, I had to learn to bring along liquids to re-hydrate myself during the long periods of exertion.  All the conditioning in the world would mean nothing if I ran out of steam.

In the same way, I can have a great attitude and desire to do things for God, but if I don't have the faith to give me the boost I need to propel me into action, my cheerful enthusiasm will mean nothing.

A few months ago I learned of a young, single mother in our community who lost everything in a house fire.  I went to work gathering needed items to donate to this needy woman.  As I compiled the list of household goods that were considered to be immediate necessities, I expressed a desire to God to be able to furnish some of the items.  I knew we didn't have any extra money at the time, but my heart was willing to help.  

Immediately, I heard God speak to my spirit to give what I had.  I argued that I didn't have anything to give!  Then God gently instructed me to go to each closet and cupboard and take out the things on the list.  I began collecting pillows, blankets, rugs, towels and other supplies.  Soon, I had collected a few boxes full of goods.  Then I came to the kitchen where I clearly heard God tell me to give our entire set of stainless steel cookware. That didn't make any sense to me!  What would we cook on?  My desire to obey needed a belief that God would provide for our needs in order for me to be able to give up all we had to cook on.

As my faith drove me to hand over our cookware that day, I realized that God can do much with little.  Since then, our family of six has been cooking amazing meals using only a wok I found gathering dust in a dark corner and a cheap frying pan.  Doing without the nice set of pans has never been an inconvenience or hindrance.

Perhaps Oswald Chambers described faith best when he said, "Every time you venture out in the life of faith, you will find something in your common-sense circumstances that flatly contradicts your faith.  Common sense is not faith, and faith is not common sense; they stand in the relation of the natural and the spiritual. . .Faith is unutterable trust in God, trust which never dreams that He will not stand by us."

What thoughts are holding back my faith just now?  It's so easy to defeat myself before I even take a step.  Instead of talking myself out of obeying God, however, maybe it would be better for me to focus on God and His faithfulness.  I can trust Him, if only I will.

A willing heart will help me to develop a faith that won't waver in the face of overwhelming circumstances so that I can learn to give until there's nothing left.

No Limits

Possessing a willingness to obey and a faith to drive me into action will get me started on the path to giving as the widow gave.  Then, I may reach a point where the ingratitude, the criticism or the temptation to base my giving on those I judge to be deserving will cause me to question when enough is enough.  After all, how many times should I be expected to help, or assist, or offer a hand?  

There is no cap on giving.  When Jesus, being in the very form of God lowered himself from His heavenly position to come to earth as a human being, He held back nothing. (paraphrased from Philippians 2:5-11)  He gave His all, pouring out his very life in sacrifice on the cross so that I might live eternally when I take Him as my Savior.  If He as God Himself gave all he had, why would I think that I as a lowly sinner saved by God's grace think I can give any less?

I am a follower of Jesus and expect similar treatment and circumstances.  Since He is my role model, why would I want to hang onto anything when there is absolutely nothing that I can let go of that can get me closer to Jesus?  There is no human, no possession, no character trait, no ability that is able to give me what only Christ can give.  Therefore, there is no risk in letting go of all I have and all I am for His sake.  

As Paul said, ". . . whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ.  What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things.  I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ."  (Philippians 3:7-9)

If everything is garbage compared to knowing Christ, what is stopping me from giving it all away?  When I truly grasp the truth that only Christ is of value, then I will genuinely be able to offer myself as a living sacrifice.  (Romans 12:1-2)

Once I grasp the truth of the value of the cross and what Jesus did there for me, giving without limits will become as natural as breathing.

It may seem impossible that I could give like the poor widow gave, without thought to her own needs.  But anyone can give in a way that Jesus honors when by learning to cultivate a willing heart, letting God build my faith as I trust Him enough to obey, and realizing the depth of the sacrifice Jesus made for me so that I will no longer be constrained by boundaries.  Then I'll be able to give all I have and leave the rest up to God.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I will let go of the doubt that blocks my faith.

How do I fear giving too much, afraid that I'll have nothing left for me?

When do I avoid giving because I don't want to do without?  

City of God

"We have a strong city;

God makes salvation its walls and ramparts."

Isaiah 26:1

"For whoever wants to save his life will lose it,

but whoever loses his life for me

will find it."

Matthew 16:25

I have to admit that I'm afraid.  I have heard all the stories of God's amazing feats.  I have listened to testimonies of others who have trusted God and how He has provided.  I have seen His mighty works myself.  But I'm afraid to step off into the darkness.

Two of our daughters have finished one year at an expensive university where they are studying art.  God called them to this particular school and opened all the doors for them to begin classes last summer.  They have learned a lot in just one year.  Although they receive funds from the Veterans Administration for school as part of their father's retirement benefits and were awarded a Pell grant last year, they still racked up some debt in student loans.

The thought of my daughters starting off their adult life with debt has weighed heavily upon me and as I completed the financial aid packet this year, I strongly sensed God leading us to trust Him for the money.  When the award letter came back, they received no grants this year; only loans:  It was time for us to trust Him and reject the loan offers.

God knows my heart and sees my hesitancy to fully commit this expense to Him.  In response, He has shown me in the past few months how He will provide if I'll only trust Him.  For instance, He delivered wicker patio furniture, a weekend away for my husband and I, landscaping bricks to replace the wooden ones destroyed by termites and even some new hula hoops for the kids in the neighborhood: all at no cost to us!  As I scooped up this most recent acquisition, tears sprang to my eyes: Thank you Lord for showing me how much You can give to me if only I'll let you!  

David reminds me in Psalm 23 that, "The LORD is my shepherd; I have all that I need." (NLT)  In fact, I need look no further than Him for everything.

God is the Wall

Up until the invention of firearms, most cities were enclosed with a wall both for protection and to provide a visual boundary.  God told His people through the prophet Zechariah that, "I myself will be a wall of fire around (the city of Jerusalem). . .and I will be its glory within."  (Zechariah 2:5)  God was reminding them that He was their source of security.  As His child, I can take this reminder to heart.

Insurance is a big business in America today.  Agents try to get me to buy coverage to protect me, my family and my belongings in case of fire, flood, natural disaster, storms, accidents, and the like.  There is always a new threat looming on the horizon for which I am presumably at risk.  It is easy to put my trust in insurance to protect me from the unknown.  

This reminds me of some difficulty we ran into while running our free afterschool program ministry.  Due to the liability inherent with hosting groups of children in our home three times a week, we are unable to purchase liability insurance to cover our belongings or us in case someone decides to sue us.  The only coverage we have is on the house itself.  Many would call us irresponsible or even reckless, but we continue to run the program out of obedience to God and He has always protected us.  

This same attitude can cross over into all areas of my life.   I don't need to fear what man may do to me: "If God is for us, who can ever be against us?  Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won't he also give us everything else?"  (Romans 8:31b-32 NLT)  God has already shown me how much He will sacrifice for me in giving His One and Only Son, so won't He shield me from gossip, legal threats or sickness?  

Oswald Chambers wrote about being devoted to Jesus Christ to such an extent that nothing would distract my attention from Him.   "Jesus says--Go steadily on with what I have told you to do and I will guard your life.  If you try to guard it yourself, you remove yourself from My deliverance."  I can be my own worst enemy, getting in the way of the work Jesus is doing to take care of me.

If only I will keep my focus on my Lord who is, "my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge.  He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold."  (Psalm 18:2)

God is the Inheritance

Families have been torn apart by arguments over money and inheritance issues.  Grudges are held for years because one sibling is left more in the will of a deceased parent than another was given.  My husband's family has been plagued by this difficulty.  Siblings refused to talk to one another because of a few acres of land and a rundown shack.  It was sad to see relationships fall by the wayside because of an old cow pasture!

The tribe of Levi did not have this issue because while all the other tribes were receiving their allotment of land, God told them that, "The Levites, however, will not receive any allotment of land.  Their role as priests of the LORD is their allotment." (Joshua 18:7 NLT)  He also said that He himself is their inheritance.

I know they must have had some feelings of jealousy as everyone else worked their land, improving it's value so their children would inherit something tangible.  It's great to know God is their only possession, but hard to swallow when everyone around them had vineyards to cultivate, houses to call their own and flocks to tend.

It's not so different than me.  God has promised me that when I seek Him with all of my heart, I will find Him.  But many times my heart looks elsewhere.  I long for adventure, excitement and affection when I'm stuck washing the same dishes a thousand times, wiping runny noses and endlessly tying shoes on little feet.  Where's the joy in that?

If I look in the wrong places to find fulfillment, I will be disappointed.  If, however, I do everything for the glory of God and seek His kingdom only, I will never feel discontent.  God will then truly be my one and only possession; the only belonging that is worth holding onto.

If I will look to God as my precious inheritance, then I will do as David did and say, "I will praise you, O LORD, with all my heart."  (Psalm 9:1)

God is the King

It is expected that the 2012 campaign will cost a whopping $8 billion.  We place a lot of faith, and money, in the people who lead our country.  A friend of mine once said, "It doesn't matter who is in power; we'll still have the same problems."

I want to think that the right person in office will change everything, but my friend is probably right: in the scheme of things, the president doesn't have that much influence.  

Back in the time of the Judges, the people if Israel looked to God as their leader.  Even though He was the most well-equipped for the job, the Israelites grew restless and wanted a king like everyone else.  Their stubbornness got them into trouble as they suffered through one evil king after another.  Every once in a while a good king would come along who loved God and served Him only, but most of the time it was bad news.  

In the same way, I have been promised a God who is king over all the earth, but I want to be like those around me.  I listen to the advice of talk show hosts before I'll heed the counsel found in God's Word.  I am quick to change my ways to match those of my favorite celebrity while ignoring the example Jesus gave during His 33 years on earth.  I easily follow a friend whom I admire yet forsake God's Spirit Who dwells within me.  

Letting Jesus reign as King of my life is different than electing a president to lead a country.  As my Lord, He will do amazing things through me as I submit to His will.  Watchman Nee, 20th century Chinese Christian put it this way; "To have God do his own work through us, even once, is better than a lifetime of human striving."

If only I will allow Jesus to serve as Lord of my life, than I will be able to say he is my, "King of kings and Lord of lords." (1 Timothy 6:15)

I can trust God with all things.  Unfortunately, it is all too easy for me to look to other sources for my protection, sense of worth and leadership.  God, however, is my everything!  Not only can He supply all my needs, but He is my protection, my inheritance and my King.  Today, I choose to live in the City of God.

As I begin this day, it is my prayer that I will trust God as the One who is, and was, and is to come.

How do I fail to give my whole heart to God?

When am I stingy with my life, keeping so much of it for myself instead of dedicating it to God?