Bitter Turned Sweet

"When they came to the oasis of Marah,

the water was too bitter to drink.

So they called the place Marah (which means 'bitter').

Then the people complained

and turned against Moses.

'What are we going to drink?' they demanded.

So Moses cried out to the LORD for help,

and the LORD showed him a piece of wood.

Moses threw it into the water,

and this made the water good to drink."

Exodus 15:23-25 NLT

It seemed their life was one stroke of bad luck after another.  Infertility, debilitating disease, accidents, family drama, legal trouble, pain and heartache.  She liked to say, "If we didn't have bad luck we'd have no luck at all!"

I can related.  Sometimes it feels like I'm left with the short end of the stick, leaving me to wonder, Can I ever catch a break?  Does God have something against me?  Why does everything in my life have to be so hard?

When my heart starts despairing over the state of the affairs of my life, I can trust God.  He has a way of turning what seems bitter into sweetness.

Good out of the Bad

It was the darkest day of his life.  He had enjoyed a few years with the boy who walked beside him oblivious to the turmoil going on inside his father.  Now, he wondered if this precious father-son bond was coming to an end.  While he trusted God enough to do as He asked, Abraham didn't have a clue as to how God would pull this off.  All the man was sure about was that God had asked him to sacrifice the very child through whom the Lord had promised great things and that He was a God who could be trusted. (Genesis 22:1-9)

Abraham knew God could bring his child back to life, but I imagine he must have struggled with the thought of putting his only child through such a trauma.  One of the things I worried about most as a mother was the pain and suffering my child endured.  It tore me apart to think about any of my children hurting without me being there to comfort them.  It is one thing to obey God, but it is a whole other matter when obedience would bring pain to my own child.  What would he think I'm doing to him?  Would he wonder if I never loved him?  How would my obedience negatively affect my child's psyche? These are some of the questions I would have pondered if I were in Abraham's shoes.

As Abraham wholeheartedly threw himself into the task of preparing the altar for the unthinkable, God saw the state of his heart.  He could see that Abraham was willing to sacrifice even his only son.  At the final hour, as Abraham raised the knife to take the life of his beloved son, God stopped him, providing instead a ram caught in the brush. (Genesis 22:10-18)

Through Abraham's darkest hour came a beautiful picture of God's love for us.  Out of God's incredible compassion for those He created in His own image, He was not only willing to sacrifice His own son in a way that would cause Him much pain and suffering, but He went through with the act.  Jesus willingly underwent immense misery and anguish at the hand of His Father who could not comfort Him at the time He most needed His soothing touch.  Sin made it impossible for God to even look upon His Son as He hung upon the cross.  Christ became sin Himself at the request of His Father, knowing this act would mean intense, solitary suffering.  He did it all for love, to bring His people back into a right relationship with the holy Father.

Therefore, when I am faced with difficulties in my own life, I can remember how God can take the ugly and turn it into the beautiful.  He can use pain and suffering to strengthen faith.  He can even take the darkest moment and transform it into the biggest blessing.

God has a way of taking what is the worst moment of my life and transforming it into the best thing that ever happened.

Victim into Victor

She could easily be pitied, the circumstances of her life were so unfortunate.  She lost both of her parents at a young age, leaving her no option but to be raised by her bachelor-cousin.   As she grew up in this single-parent home, she lacked the nurturing touch of a mother.  Even though her adopted father did his best, nothing could take the place of a mother's influence.  Still, she made it to the teen years.  As she nearly became an adult, another tragedy touched her life.  She was taken to the king's palace and prepared, along with countless other young virgins, to enter into a selection process to find the next queen.

While it is true that Hadasseh was chosen to take on the role of queen, I am sure it was not a position with which she was comfortable.  Raised to be a good Jewish woman, the Babylonian ways and custom must have felt foreign and uncomfortable to her.  Amazingly, God used the unfortunate life that belonged to this young girl and transformed her tragedy into triumph.  He placed this so-called victim of the horrible circumstances found in her life into a position of influence.  While there, God used Hadasseh, whom the Babylonian's called Esther, to save His people from an insidious plot devised to wipe the Jews off the face of the earth. (Esther)

God has a way of turning the tables, using the weak to shame the strong and the foolish to discredit the wise. (1 Corinthians 1:26-29)  Therefore, I need never think my position is too lowly.  If He is to get the glory out of my life, I must become less and He become more.  In this upside-down, backwards way of thinking, He can even use rocks to praise His name. (Luke 19:40)

As a result, I can trust God to bring triumph out of my tragedy.  There is nothing that I face that can keep me apart from the God who loves me.  In this way, I am always considered as a conqueror in God's eyes, even if the circumstances of my life bring about pity from those around me. (Romans 8:31-39) Through His ever-present love, I vanquish despair, strike down guilt and rise above hopelessness.  While I may feel like the walking wounded, the blood of Jesus makes me a champion in God's kingdom.

God has a way of transforming a victim into a victor who can boldly approach His throne and receive an unlimited supply of grace. (Hebrews 4:16)

Pain into Peace

She lay under the vehicle, pinned to the cement driveway by it's weight.  My neighbor had been changing the oil in her car when it suddenly fell off the jack.  As she yelled for her family to come help her, unable to budge the heavy burden weighing her down, she wondered if her life was over.  Suddenly, an unexplained peace flooded her being as she trusted the Lord with her situation.

It didn't make sense that the young woman who lived next to me would feel serenity in the middle of such a near-disaster, but that is the kind of thing we can expect from a God who works in ways we cannot explain.  He sends His healing touch to those who cry out to Him as they lay in the hospital bed, suffering from unimaginable pain.  

He can be counted on to give a sense of calmness to the soldier who depends upon His strength in the middle of a firefight with enemy combatants.  

He has a way of comforting those who are grieving the loss of their beloved.

It is often when I reach the threshold of my own ability to withstand the pain of my current situation that I find His love entering my life in a real, tangible way.  Maybe it's the song of a bird that brings back memories of my dearly departed, or the sudden clarity found in the middle of a previously confusing situation, or the kindness shown when I expected none.

God has a way of turning the pain of this life into peace as I trust Him.

While my friend thought her life was filled with bitterness, she was only focusing on the hard things.  Changing her perspective, she was able to see all the ways God blessed her:  The children who grace her table, the miraculous healing, the protection in the midst of tragedy, the deliverance from lawsuits filed against them.  What had seemed so bitter in their lives had been turned into sweetness.  Good came out of the bad, their victim status was transformed into victory, and much peace came through the pain.  It is true that trusting God through faith in Jesus Christ can turn our bitter into sweet.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can see my life more from God's perspective, taking note of all the good He brings about each day.

When do I only have eyes for the negative?

How am I failing to trust God in the midst of the mess?

Questions

"The other men turned and headed toward Sodom,

but the LORD remained with Abraham.

Abraham approached him and said,

'Will you sweep away both the righteous and the wicked?

Suppose you find fifty righteous people

living there in the city--

will you still sweep it away and not spare it for their sakes?

Surely you wouldn't do such a thing,

destroying the righteous along with the wicked.

Why, you would be treating the righteous

and the wicked exactly the same!

Surely you wouldn't do that!

Should not the Judge of all the earth do what is right?'

And the LORD replied,

'If I find fifty righteous people in Sodom,

I will spare the entire city for their sake.'"

Genesis 18:22-26 NLT

"C'mon, let's go to the store!"

"Why, Daddy?"

" 'Cause we're out of milk and we need to buy some more."

"Why?"

"Well, we use a lot of milk in our cereal and to drink with our meals."

"Why?"

"It tastes good and is good for us."

"Why?"

"Okay Vanessa, that's enough of the questions.  Let's just get in the car and go!"

"Why?"

Dealing with a 4-year-old's constant probings can be tedious and aggravating;  sometimes there simply  isn't an answer!  But a preschooler learns by asking questions and a patient father will take the time to give a thoughtful response.  While it sometimes seems a child is being fresh, she is really seeking understanding.  There is so much to learn about this world and her place in it!

In the same way, God welcomes my questions when I seek to understand, for it is in His response that I learn much of His character, experience His patience, and am reminded of His power.

His Character

It is said that my character is exposed when no one is looking.  Who I am, how I respond and what I do when I am by myself reveals my true nature.  If there's no one around late at night in the grocery store and I'm starving, will I pocket that candy bar?  When I'm filling out my taxes at the kitchen table, do I fudge the numbers to increase the amount of my refund?  If I see a toddler crying all alone on the side of the road when I'm late for an appointment, do I stop and try to help?

While my sin nature is constantly at war with the leading of the Holy Spirit within, persistently presenting opportunities to do the right thing, God is never faced with a dilemma.  His nature is constant and sure; never varying, and He never faces a moral quandary.  He is the Father of heavenly lights, source of all good things who does not change like shifting shadows. (James 1:17)  When it comes to God, I know what to expect.

In today's Scripture passage, Abraham learns more about God's nature by probing Him with a series of questions.  He wants to know how precious life is to Him, how just is His nature, and if He can be trusted.  Maybe Abraham wanted to know where he stood with God and how far the Creator of all things would go to save him if he were a resident of Sodom.

At the end of the exchange, the receiver of the promise seems to be satisfied with the character of the Giver of the promise.  He decides he can trust the Lord because His character is genuine.

The same is true for me.  I can trust God to never leave me, to bring good out of every circumstance, and to always provide a way out when I am tempted to stray. (Deuteronomy 31:6, Matthew 28:20, Romans 8:28, 1 Corinthians 10:13)  The character Abraham discovered by asking a seemingly endless string of questions gives me a solid rock on which to build my life.

I need not fear asking probing questions of God, for it always reveals His solid character.

His Patience

"Where are you going?"  Every time any member of our family gets ready to leave the house, we are accosted by the cute but curious children who live next door.  My eldest daughter is often irritated by their innate curiosity and their propensity for dispensing their own form of wisdom.  When my daughter responds to the inevitable probe with, "I'm going to work," the 4-year-old girl consistently comes back with, "But girls don't work!"

While this may not be the most encouraging way to be sent off to start one's day, the constant questions are a part of living in our neighborhood.  Therefore, the barrage can either be accepted with patience or dismissed as just another source of annoyance at the beginning of a long and frustrating day.

Thankfully, God never faces this dilemma.  It is in His nature to entertain the questions meant to teach me more about Himself with patience and endurance.  Therefore, I need not fear being brushed aside with annoyance.  God always takes the time I need.

I need not fear asking probing questions of God, for His patience is never ending.  (Psalm 86:15)

His Power

He revealed His plan for her life and she laughed!  Sure, it seemed absurd; giving birth to a child at her old age.  Even her husband was old and well beyond the years of fertility.  Why would she belief her frail frame could withstand such an ordeal as child bearing?  Instead of focusing on her own human weakness, however, her faith would have been bolstered if Sarah had remembered the power of the One who spoke.

God wasted no time in reminding her of His might when He asked Abraham, "Is anything too hard for the Lord?"  (v 14 NLT)  This is a good reminder for me, as well.  

When money runs short and the bills keep piling up, I can focus on my Father who owns the cattle on a thousand hills and promises to provide for my needs.  (Psalm 50:10, Matthew 6:31-33)  When tomorrow seems so dark and I'm afraid of what I will face, I can focus on my Father who is already there, shining His light into the unknown.  (Psalm 139:7-12, Psalm 91)  When it seems there is no one around me I can trust, I can focus on my Father who is faithful and true.  (1 Corinthians 1:9)

I need not fear asking probing questions of God, for He will use that opportunity to remind me of His mighty power.

Many times I have heard it said to never question God, but a study of His Word shows that those who were closest to Him learned by asking probing questions.  While it may reveal my lack of faith when I ask, "Why," there are other questions that can teach me about His character, demonstrate His patience, and give Him an opportunity to remind me of His power.  These are the kind of questions God welcomes from His children who are honestly seeking to know Him.  

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I will think of God as my Father who delights in my desire to know Him more.

When am I afraid to question God?

How do I withdraw from my Father in fear?  

Give it All

"Large crowds were traveling with Jesus,

and turning to them he said:

'If anyone comes to me

and does not hate his father and mother,

his wife and children,

his brothers and sisters--yes, even his own life--

he cannot be my disciple.

And anyone who does not carry his cross

and follow me cannot be my disciple. . .

In the same way,

any of you who does not give up everything he has

cannot be my disciple.'"

Luke 14:25-27, 33

He loved God and followed His commands all of his life.  He spent much of his time studying God's law and putting it into practice.  He wanted so much to please God and live forever with Him.  When the man heard that Jesus the Messiah was close by, he took the chance to find out the answer to his question.

"Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?"

Jesus answered just how he expected; "Keep the commandments."

"Well, I've done that since I was a boy!"

Jesus knew this was a man who took His Father's law seriously.  "There is one more thing;  Give all you have away to the poor and come follow me."

He couldn't believe He would ask such a thing.  Give away all of His riches?  How foolish and risky that would be!  What would he and his family live on?  No. . .that is too much to ask.. . I just can't do it. (Mark 10:17-31)

It's easy to sympathize with the young rich ruler.  He had it all but he didn't live for his own comfort, as is so common to do.  Instead, he tried to live his life in a way that pleased God.  All he wanted was the assurance of God's acceptance of his offerings.  Unfortunately, he went away sad because Jesus asked for more than he was willing to give.  The young man wanted to please God only if it came on his own terms.  He would try to do his best for God, but only if he could decide the means he would use.

I am so like this young man.  My heart desires to please God, but there are certain places I won't go, specific things I won't give up, or particular people I want by my side.  If, however, I truly want to delight in the Lord, I must be prepared to give it all.

My Heart

Mother Teresa, a tireless servant of Jesus Christ who worked with the lowest of the low in the slums of Calcutta, India said, "A clean heart is a free heart.  A free heart can love Christ with an undivided love in chastity, convinced that nothing and nobody will separate it from his love."  This is how she was able to do the unthinkable: care for lepers, love the unlovable, nurse the hopeless.  Her heart was entirely devoted to Jesus, loving Him in the way she gave attention to the lost and suffering of this world.

When David prayed for God to, "Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me," (Psalm 51:10) he was committing himself back to the One he loved above all else.  He was throwing himself at God's mercy, knowing that He alone could rid him of all that distracts his heart from His true Love.  Only Jesus can capture my heart in such a way that my passion is for Him alone.

Many times, however, the trappings of this world, the worries that threaten to overtake me, or my inner drive to make a name for myself can take away from my One True Love.  How many times is my heart tainted with other than pure devotion to God?

What am I unwilling to give up for Jesus.  Which parts of my heart am I retaining for my own purposes and pleasure?  I could secretly want some recognition for the good things that I do.  Maybe it's hard for me to act selfishly, where there's no pay off for me.  It's likely that my heart is more devoted to my comfort than to following God's calling on my life.

Whatever I find to be the holdup, I must realize and accept that a pure heart is free from anything selfish that would keep me from following Jesus without hesitation.

If I want to delight the Lord, I will be ready to give my whole heart to Jesus.

My Mind

There are problems to solve, past conversations to analyze, blame to place, plans to make, work to perform, hurts to examine, revenge to plan and behavior to understand.  My mind is a battlefield, and if I want to have any chance of winning that fight, I will need to power of God to help me change the focus from me to Him.  

Even though there is much to capture the attention of my thoughts, it is possible to use my mind in a way that shows love and respect for God.  The Apostle Paul teaches me to focus my thoughts on things that will please God.  He says in Philippians 4:8, "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anythings is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things."

Virtuous and commendable thoughts are those that dwell on all the good that God is doing, not on all the problems and difficult circumstances that He allows for my good.  A friend of mine says that our words, spoken or thought, "create life or death.  Look at every problem as an opportunity for God to show Himself in ways unimaginable."  My life would change immensely if I viewed conflict or suffering as a way for God to display His mighty power instead of as a hardship.

Dwelling on the difficulties that come my way by asking myself Why does everything have to happen to me? or wondering, Great; what else can happen to make my life even worse than it already is? is counteractive to my faith in God.  Joyce Meyer talks about God's purposes for the hard things or difficult tasks He brings my way.  She said, "God doesn't tell you to do hard things so He can stand back and laugh and watch you struggle.  He tells you to do the things He knows are gonna work out to your good in the end." (Romans 8:28)  Keeping my mind focused on the good that will come out of the bad is pleasing to God.  

In addition, my thoughts not only can look negatively on my circumstances, but also on my own self.  When I think negatively about certain aspects of my character, I am tearing apart one of God's image-bearers: Me.  For instance, I have the habit of saying or thinking that I have a big mouth.  Thankfully, a friend of mine recently corrected my thinking.  She said, "You are assertive and can see the what needs to be done.  You speak up for others in a way that they cannot do for themselves."  When she put it like that, I instantly could feel myself sit up a bit straighter and my thinking began to turn more positive.  Putting myself down is not humility, it is showing a disregard for God's grand design.

No matter how strongly my thoughts naturally turn toward the negative, a mind dedicated to Jesus will be transformed into a mind that pleases God.

My Will

My will is defined by Merriam-Webster as, "a disposition to act according to principles or ends."  In other words, my will is what gives me the drive to make a decision.  This determination or resolve can work toward my favor and support my desires, or it can push me closer to Christ.  When my will yields to Christ, I will act in a way that pleases God.  When, however, my will is solely set on me and my wishes, then I'm only gratifying myself.

Thankfully, God is not a bully who breaks my will and forces me to obey Him.  He sends situations and hard times into my life to help me to see those parts of me of which I must let go in order to come to Jesus as I am, ready to let Him work through me.  Fear, worry, anxiety and doubt are obstacles that get in the way of my access to Him.  God, however, never gives up on me.  He compassionately and relentlessly pursues me with His persistent love, guiding me in the way I can go, if I will only choose.

Allowing God to have access to my life comes only with my blessing.  He will not force Himself upon me, but waits to be invited.  As Jesus said in Revelation 3:20 ESV, "Behold, I stand at the door and knock.  If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me."

A closer relationship with Jesus that goes beyond a Savior/Saved association, must be initiated by me.  I must desire to make Him Lord of my life.  As Oswald Chambers explained regarding those things to keep me from giving Jesus lordship, "The Holy Spirit will locate the one impregnable thing in you, but He cannot budge it unless you are willing to let Him."

My will is the one thing that can get in the way of Jesus having full ownership of my life.  Sure, there are sin struggles, fleshly strongholds and other barriers; but all of those can be removed by Jesus.  I, however, must permit Him access to my life.

As strong as my will may be, it is only possible to please God is I am agreeable to give ultimate sovereignty over my life to Him.

Simply wanting to please God on my own terms is not enough.  I must be willing to give my whole heart to Jesus, dedicate my mind to thoughts that please Him, and give Him complete access to my life.  In these ways I will do what the eager, young rich ruler would not do: Follow Jesus.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can keep my thought life turned toward the good things God is doing.

How does my heart betray my true focus?

When do I unintentionally set my will against God?

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?

Door of Hope

"But then I will win her back once again.

I will lead her into the desert

and speak tenderly to her there.

I will return her vineyards to her

and transform the Valley of Trouble

into a gateway of hope."

Hosea 2:14-15

I was worried about the tree.  We had planted the River Birch five years earlier and it had since grown to be as tall as our two-story house.  It's full, lush branches cast an oasis of shade in our backyard, helping to shield us from the hot summer sun.  But that fateful year, it's luscious leaves became a feast for an army of caterpillars, reducing it's once flourishing leafiness to a barren, collection of branches.  I was afraid we were going to lose the tree.

Amazingly, the following spring brought a bounty of fresh, emerald foliage, filling in all the gaps that had remained since the damage was first done eight months before.  Our tree had been restored.

In many ways I am like that tree.  The troubles of life have worked to wear me down to a bare skeleton, sometimes making me feel like there's nothing good left and that all hope is gone.  God, however, has a plan for my life.  And that plan is a good plan that is meant for my betterment.  But that plan is not for the benefit of me and my own comfort and pleasure.  Instead, that plan exists so that I will come back to God, entering into a relationship for which I was created; restoring the connection between God and me.    

God is a God of restoration.  He is always concerned with my well-being as it relates to Him.  Apart from Him, my life is meaningless because I was created for Him!  In relationship with God through faith in Jesus Christ, my life makes sense.  Troubles become times of refining, difficulties draw me closer to Him,  hardship builds my faith.  ". . . all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28)

Desert

The barrenness stretched on for miles, as far as my eye could see.  Flat, dry nothingness, void of any interesting landmarks or features filled my view.  From what I could see, this was not a place I wanted to stay long.  I couldn't drive fast enough to escape the miserable desolation.   

As you can see, the desert is not my favorite place to visit.  I am told by those who love it that there are beautiful features of this kind of wilderness.  It's not that I don't believe them; I've seen the desert flowers, colorful rock formations and beautiful minerals, but I much prefer the lush, green landscapes.

I think it's like this in my spiritual life as well. I'd rather go through times of growth, abundant love and wonderful feelings of joy and happiness.  But many times I find myself in a spiritually dry place, seemingly void of any beauty or purpose.  God, however, always has a reason.

Sometimes it's in my best interest to be deprived of good things for a time so that I truly appreciate every gift that comes down from my Father.  Otherwise, it's very easy for me to take goodness for granted.

Other times there are lessons I can only learn through difficulties.  My life is full of these kind of "on-the-job training" situations that have served to train me in righteousness.

Then there are the times when God takes me through the fire to refine me, holding me close to the flames to melt away all the impurities, carefully monitoring my well-being to make sure I don't get burned.  

The desert is a barren place, but it is a place I must sometimes go in order for God's love for me to be renewed.  Nothing can separate me from His love, but there are many-a-time that I drift away from His astounding love.  The desert times draw me back to my rightful place in the circle of His luscious, abundant love.

Like an oasis in the desert is God's love for me.  When I, as His precious child, am experiencing the dry times of my life, I can rest assured that He is using it for my good.


God uses the hard things to soften my heart and make it more receptive to receiving His love.

Vineyards

About six years ago, my husband and I bought a brand new house in a brand new development.  It was nice to move into a house that belonged to us and in which no one else had ever lived.  The struggle for me was that I missed all the big trees that would come along with an older home with a more established yard.  We were starting from scratch.  

The Israelites did not experience this problem.  Instead, God promised them a land flowing with milk and honey where they would live in, "large, flourishing cities you did not build, houses filled with all kinds of good things you did not provide, wells you did not dig, and vineyards and olive groves you did not plant."  (Deuteronomy 6:10b-11)  It was ready for them to move in and start living.  

Later, when God used the Babylonians to punish His unfaithful people by sending them away from this land of promise, He sent a message of encouragement to the exiles through the prophet Jeremiah.  He said, "Again you will plant vineyards on the hills of Samaria."  (Jeremiah 31:5)  He was letting them know that even though they were experiencing their desert time, they would once again receive the blessing of the promised land.  God would restore their previous blessing.

There are times when I think I have blown it.  I fell away from God and His love for a time, and He had to bring out the big guns to get me back on track.  It seemed like I would never again experience His blessing.  But it is in His nature to restore to me my vineyards; to give me good things again.  You see, His love transcends me, my nature or my performance.  As Max Lucado says, "We think God's love rises and falls with our performance.  It doesn't. . . He loves you for whose you are: you are His child."   

As God's precious child, I am loved beyond measure, and it is in His nature to treat me as I don't deserve.  In His great grace and mercy He often gives me back what once was lost.  He restores relationships, renews hearts and returns health. . . even though I have no way of earning it.  

God delivers me from hard times and delights in restoring me to a place of blessing because of His great love.

Gateway 

I grew up in a town that boasted to be, "The gateway to Washington's greatest mountain destinations," as well as the home to Farman's Pickles and the King County Fair.  Even though the latter two were more interesting to me as a child, the first is probably the most important.  Visitors to Mount Rainier National Park drive through Enumclaw as the last substantial town before they head up into the mountains to go skiing, hiking or sightseeing.  After passing through Enumclaw, the visitors knew they are entering into beautiful, forested and mountainous terrain: they have almost reached their goal.

In much the same way, God offers a door of hope through which I can re-enter an area that used to be a stronghold of sin but now has been transformed into a place of peace and healing.  An unpromising marriage relationship, in the hands of Jesus, can be made over into a loving partnership. 

A place that used to trigger addictive behavior patterns that destroyed and harmed many can now be a location where God's healing love can be proclaimed.  

Burning, destructive anger, in the hands of Jesus, is transformed into a passion for knowing God and obeying His calling on my life.

God has a way of providing a gateway of hope that leads to new, never-before-experienced conditions in old places of sin.  He takes the old and makes it new.

There is no doubt about it: Life is hard.  Thankfully, God is completely in control and He uses the hard times to grow my faith and refine my character, soon after restoring the blessings that I once enjoyed.  He also delights in transforming an area of sinfulness and turning it into something beautiful.  

My God is a God of refinement, restoration and transformation; if I will only walk through the door of hope.

As I begin this day, it is my prayer that I will give God the darkness in my heart and allow Him to transform it into light.

How do I resent the desert times of my life instead of recognizing God's Sovereign hand in it all?

When do I resent the position I currently find myself, looking back to times when things seemed better?