Love His Word

"I reach out for your commands,

which I love,

that I may meditate on your decrees."

Psalm 119:48

In order to live by God's Word, to allow Him to use His holy scriptures to change me, I'll need to see the Bible as more than just a collection of wise teachings.  I'll even have to go beyond the idea that His Word is a way for me to obtain head knowledge about Him, or even that it is a beautiful love letter written to me.  

In order to live by God's Word I'll need to see it as my life line, my daily bread, my sustenance; only God can bring about such a hunger within me (Psalm 119:18).  When He does, I will truly love His Word.

Trust.  "You think you're better than everyone else!  No one is impressed, Goody Two Shoes!"  The words hurt, although I knew my mocker could not understand my reasons for following Jesus.  Neither could he comprehend why I would live such a radically different life.  While my flesh cried out for revenge, to hurt as I'd been hurt, my heart knew there was a better response.

When in difficult situations when my faith is being attacked, it is important to trust God to give the best answer from the depth of His own Word.  Since I study His Word often, steeping my soul in it's goodness, the words are there, hidden in my heart and waiting for their Master to bring them to my mind.  And when He does, I can speak the Truth in love to a weary and broken soul, bringing healing to his bones (Proverbs 16:24).

When God cultivates in my heart a love for His Word, I will be able to trust Him to bring it forth in times of taunting.

Hope.  In the face of such a dark and discouraging world, it's easy for me to lose heart.  I may feel like giving up, especially when the going gets rough and rocky.  I may wonder, what's the point of living for Jesus?  I'd rather just drift along instead of struggling against the current of this world.  

Then I remember the Truth of God's promises found throughout His Word and I find courage to continue my press toward Jesus.  "Be strong and courageous.  Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you." (Deuteronomy 31:6)  "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28)  "Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.  See, I am doing a new thing!  Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?" (Isaiah 43:18-19)

When God cultivates in my heart a love for His Word, I will find hope upon which I can depend.

Seek.  "Obedience brings much blessing."  The young man proclaimed these words as truth as I shared the difficulty of doing God's bidding.  His way is so much different than the way I naturally am inclined to follow so living with Jesus as my King is not a natural thing to do.  But when I let Him have His way, seeking out His guidance, His best for me, His desires for my life, I find a certain freedom there.  Surprisingly, instead of being weighed down with a burden to obey, I find that His yoke is easy and His burden is light (Matthew 11:28-30).

Maybe this is part of the blessing my friend was talking about, this free and straight-forward way of living where I simply follow my Shepherd.  He knows the right way to go, He has all the resources to provide for my needs, He carries the burdens of my soul.  My only concern is to keep in step with His Spirit.  As I do, the responsibility for choosing correctly is off of me and placed squarely on my Lord's shoulders.  This is the blessing of obedience; the liberty to live as a well-loved sheep of the Good Shepherd's pasture!

When God cultivates in my heart a love for His Word, I will walk in freedom as I seek His best for me.

The Bible is more than just an instruction manual or words to live by.  It is the living, breathing Word of God that is able to transform my life.  When I ask God to give me a love for His scriptures, I will find a growing trust in His ability to give me the right response to my attackers, hope when it seems there's none, and a desire to seek His way above all others.  This is what will come from a love of His Word!

As I begin this day it is my prayer that God will give me a love for His Word.

When do I depend on man's wisdom instead of God's?

How do I neglect the very Word of God, or see reading it as simply a good habit?

Inner Life

"Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity,

and in sin did my mother conceive me.

Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being,

and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart.

Purge me with hyssop,

and I shall be clean;

wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow."

Psalm 51:5-7 ESV

I have a friend who always used to say, "As long as the yard looks nice the beds can be unmade and the dishes stacked in the sink," meaning that having the pretense of success as a housekeeper is all a matter of strategy: Focus on what everyone will see and they'll never know what lies undone inside.

While this is a fine, low-stress tactic to keeping house, I can't use that same approach with my life, although I often try.  Sometimes, I focus on keeping the outward appearance looking clean and tidy, but neglect the mess inside.

Which matters most to God, the outside or what no one else can see?

Truth.  Naturally, I am God's enemy; a child of "God's wrath and heir to His indignation." (Ephesians 2:3)  This is not to say that I am not inherently valuable to Him, because I'm worth more than diamonds or rubies in His eyes.  It's just that my sin makes it impossible for Him to live as He so desires; in relationship with me.  And it's not just the things I do or fail to do that drives Him away from me, it is my very nature, my flesh, that drives a wedge between me and Him.  In other words, there's nothing I can do to repair the breach that exists between me and the One who loves me best.  I'm desperately estranged from my Father.

To know the seriousness of my sin and how it's nothing I can help or change is important to the state of my heart.  Without understanding of my total depravity, my inability to rise to the occasion of living a righteous life, I will never realize my desperate need for Jesus.  Apart from Him, I'm doomed to destruction.  Through faith in Him, my position in God's family as His child is restored, and I'm forgiven.

Once I get how lost I am, I can place my weight fully upon the Gospel of Jesus Christ to save me.  And then I will be free from the guilt that so easily weighs my inner self down.  I'll be liberated from my secret ambition to prove myself as worthy.  I can walk away from the old way of thinking that I don't belong because in Christ, I do.

The first step to focusing on my inner self that matters most to God, I must face the truth about my sinful flesh.

Scrutiny.  I spend time examining my schedule, squeezing in extra time here, and eliminating waste there.  I scrutinize my shortfalls, criticizing myself relentlessly.  I take my job seriously, always seeking to improve the way I do things.  But do I take this same ability to analyze and apply it to my heart?  Rarely.

As Socrates is known to have said, "The unexamined life is not worth living."  While this Greek philosopher may have had a different kind of examination in mind, God does want me to pay attention to what is going on inside, what drives me, and what makes me tick.  While I may have some insight into my inner workings, only God is truly "acquainted with all my ways."  (Psalm 139:3)

Consequently, I would be wise to take on the practice David demonstrated in Psalm 139:23 when He opened himself up to God, asking Him to "Search me, O God, and know my heart!  Try me and know my thoughts!"  Allowing God to come in and test my motivations, examine my heart, and then show me where I'm off will lead to growth and greater intimacy with the One who knows me best and loves me fully.

Only God can scrutinize my heart in a way that doesn't condemn but delivers inner peace and fosters spiritual growth.

Secret.  It's always fun to have a secret between friends; an inside joke that is shared between two people that care about each other.  Maybe it's because this speaks to my desire to belong, or my need to be known and still accepted, but sharing secrets can be a bonding experience.

God desires to share a secret with me. He knows me perfectly and loves me wholly.  With His wisdom, he wants to give me insight into why I am the way I am, and how I can grow in my faith.  It's like I have the opportunity for private lessons between me and my Maker.  What could be better than this?

God is a nurturing Father who is constantly at work encouraging me in my baby steps, stretching me gently in new ways, and leading me slowly down fresh paths.  He whispers words that lovingly chastise my attitude or introduce effective tactics for solving problems.  He personally shows me how He wants me to live, if I would only pay attention to His gentle prodding and instruction.

Once I let God into my heart, He will teach me secret lessons meant only for me.

God doesn't so much care about my outward appearance, my actions, or my religious attention to following the rules.  Even if I look really good on the outside, He is only going to concern Himself with what goes on inside.  Consequently, I must face the truth of my sinful nature, let God examine my heart, and cooperate with His private lessons.  In these ways, my inner life will please God much more than any effort I can make to clean up the outside.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can trust God enough to let Him in.

When do I pretend to be who I think God wants me to be, never letting Him see the real me?

How am I afraid to be authentic with God?

Love the Truth

"For the secret power of lawlessness is already at work;

but the one who now holds it back

will continue to do so till he is taken out of the way.

And then the lawless one will be revealed,

whom the Lord Jesus will overthrow

with the breath of his mouth

and destroy by the splendor of his coming.

The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance

with how Satan works.

He will use all sorts of displays of power

through sings and wonders that serve the lie,

and all the ways that wickedness

deceives those who are perishing.

They perish because they refused to 

love the truth 

and so be saved.

 . . .So then, brothers and sisters,

stand firm and hold fast to the teachings

we passed on to you,

whether by word of mouth or by letter."

2 Thessalonians 2:7-10, 15

Prayer infringes upon our personal rights and should be banished from schools.  The ten commandments cannot be considered a standard of morality since it comes from one religion and consequently violates the first amendment to the Constitution.  Married couples should have the freedom to be able to divorce, even if it's only because they no longer get along.  A woman has a right to kill her own unborn child because it's not really a life but merely some tissue that has attached itself to the wall of her uterus, kind of like a tumor.  Two men, or two women should have the same rights as any other heterosexual couple to enter into a marriage contract, receiving all the benefits found therein.

These are some examples of how the truth is being exchanged in our culture for lies that sound good to the human mind.  While we can rationalize sin, it does not make it any less sinful.   But when we are living in an age where the secret power of lawlessness is already at work, those who are lost easily buy into everything that sounds good, even if it goes against the truth.  

Therefore, it is important that I stand firm, even if it makes me stick out like a Yankee fan at a Boston Red Sox game.

Loved

I am unlovable.  My life is in shambles; I've messed up more than I care to admit and have left more wreckage behind than Hurricane Katrina.  I'm incapable of doing anything right and might as well give up trying.  Who do I think that I am, anyway?  How can anyone love me when I'm such a loser?

The truth is that I am so loved by God that He would do anything to have a relationship with me.  In fact, He did do the ultimate thing by sending His only Son to die a sinner's death, taking the punishment meant for me so that I can, through faith, live in relationship with God as my Father! (John 3:16, Romans 5:8, 1 John 3:1)

In this age of lawlessness where I am surrounded by lies that sound good to my itching ears (2 Timothy 4:3), it is important that I remember the truth.  Satan constantly deceives me with thoughts that are easy to believe about myself, like that I'm a failure and am incapable of being loved.  If I choose to listen to God, however, He will tell me what is right, setting me back upon His path.  Then I can let His love flow to a world who so desperately needs it. 

The truth to stand upon is this:  God loves me beyond measure and His love is not conditional upon my performance.

Spiritually minded

These people just don't get it!  They are ruining our society, pulling us down with their godless beliefs.  We must fight against these organizations whose agendas are bad for our country.   We are constantly losing ground in this battle, though and I'm starting to feel hopeless.

It's easy to adopt this kind of attitude when I see the destruction of the healthy framework for a moral and upright society that our forefathers so diligently laid.  The truth is, however, that my battle is not against any human.  While it's the people I see on a day-to-day basis who are spewing their divisive talking points, rallying their troops and garnering support who I tend to hold as responsible.  Instead, my focus needs to be upon the unseen forces who influence them and are truly to blame.

My battle in this world is not against those who I see before me, but rather against Satan and his army who are constantly at work against God and His ways.  (Ephesians 6:12)  In order to fight this spiritual battle, I must use spiritual weapons; namely the Word of God and prayer (v 17-18)  By wielding these weapons liberally, I am doing much damage in the spiritual realm and am helping to make headway in the war waged against God and His people.

In short, I must be a woman of prayer who knows the Word of God and allows my Father to use it to transform my life.  (2 Timothy 3:16-17) 

The truth to stand upon is this: The battle that really matters is the one that takes place in the heavenly realms.

Strong and Courageous

There's nothing I can do, I am only one person.  What good will my actions serve in the scheme of things?  If only I held a higher office or had more influence, then maybe I could really take a stand.

The truth is that there is plenty I can do to influence my society.  Just as God told Joshua on more than one occasion, He also is telling me:  He wants me to be strong and courageous, not to be discouraged or afraid because He will be with me wherever I go. (Joshua 1:9)

The truth is that I am called to be the salt of the earth (Matthew 5:13), to improve the place where God has positioned me by living for Him.  Sometimes that means I'll be moved by His Spirit to speak the truth in love, even when I'm the only dissenting voice.  Other times God will inspire me to love the unlovable or reach out to the lost who act cruelly toward me.  Many times He'll drive me to my knees, praying for all who persecute His people and who pervert all that is good.

The truth to stand upon is this:  I have been given a spirit of power, love and self-discipline.  (2 Timothy 1:7)

When living in a culture where absurd beliefs are accepted as good and beneficial to all, it is important for me to take a stand for what I know to be true.  Some of these truths are that I am loved by God, that the real battle takes place where I am unable to observe it, and that I am given the ability to stand strong.  I can show how I love these truths by allowing His love to flow through me, wielding my spiritual weapons of warfare, and in living as the salt of the earth.  In this way, it's not my words that betray my beliefs, but rather my actions that show the lost around me the way to the Truth.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can always keep in mind how much God loves me.

How do I let my own bad feelings for myself influence the way I treat others?

When have I let His love over come evil?  

Choose to Listen

"Therefore say to the children of Israel:

'I am the LORD;

I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians,

I will rescue you from their bondage,

and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm

and with great judgments.

I will take you as My people,

and I will be your God.

Then you shall know that I am the LORD your God

who brings you out from under the burdens

of the Egyptians.

And I will bring you into the land which I swore

to give to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob;

and I will give it to you as a heritage:

I am the LORD.'

So Moses spoke thus to the children of Israel;

but they did not heed Moses,

because of their anguish of spirit

and cruel bondage."

Exodus 6:6-9 NKJV

The days on the calendar stretched before me like a never-ending chasm, separating me from my husband and one-year-old daughter.  The bond I shared with our first-born was so strong that I couldn't imagine spending one night away from her, let alone dozens as the doctors prescribed. 

As an active young mother who relished the fresh air of outdoors, I savored my long daily walks shared with my baby-daughter in her stroller as we explored the area within our neighborhood or on the path circling the nearby lake.   Now, laying in the hospital bed at barely 24 weeks-gestation awaiting the birth of our triplet daughters, I fell into a state of discouragement.  How could I stay confined to this bed, alienated from the ones I love for the remainder of my pregnancy?

It was hard for me to listen to the doctor's orders when I was in such a state of discouragement and bondage.  It is similar with me and God.  Sometimes I cannot even take in His great promises because of the condition of my heart.

Discouragement

Grains of sand gritted against his skin, mixing with the tears that streamed down his face.  Rolling over to shield his eyes from the unrelenting wind, the solitary man was careful to stay within the confines of the narrowly shaded area of the thorny bush under which he lay.  A groan escaped his lips as his exposed leg met the unforgiving hardness of a pointy rock.  "Why can't I just die?  I'm as good as dead, anyway.  I've had enough, Lord!"  (1 Kings 19:1-4)

Elijah hit a low-point in his life, knowing that the evil Jezebel was out to kill him.  Thinking all hope was gone, the formerly brazen and faithful prophet became depressed.

Like Elijah, it is easy for me to become disheartened when things seem impossible.  When I'm focused on the difficulty of the circumstances, I tend to fall into the depths of despair, making it nearly impossible for me to hear God speak of His great promises.

When my heart is in anguish, it is hard for me to listen to the mighty words of God.

Cruel Bondage

Day after day he labored for his master's benefit.  Despite no wrong-doing of his own, he found himself enslaved to another in a foreign country.  He worked hard, living up to the teaching of his father without knowing if he'd ever see him or the rest of his family again.  Joseph's life was not going the way he had imagined it would.  (Genesis 39)

It is hard to see the goodness of God when I'm stuck in a situation I didn't anticipate.  Perhaps its the sudden death of a loved one, the end of a marriage, or the onset of disease.  Whatever the situation which burdens me, it can distract me from the message of hope God speaks into my life through His uplifting promises.

When I feel bound by difficult circumstances or unexpected tragedies, it is hard for me to listen to the great promises of God.

Choose to Listen

Whether I am sinking into a pit of despair or under the weight of an overwhelming load, I can choose to listen to the Truth of God's powerful guarantees as given to His people as they labored under the heavy hand of the Egyptians.

God promises me freedom from that which weighs me down, giving me a chance to live wholeheartedly for Him. (Galatians 5:1)  He also gives me the assurance of redemption from the jaws of death through faith in Jesus Christ. (Colossians 1:14)  In addition, the God of love promises my adoption into His family based on His compassion for me as His child. (1 John 3:1)  And most importantly, I am brought under His lordship as the sovereign Lord of all creation. 

When I choose to listen, I hear of the wonderful promises God offers to me.

Just as I had a hard time heeding the voice of my doctors when they kept me hospitalized for the good of my unborn triplets, discouragement and bondage can work against the message of  hope God has for me.  If, despite the difficulties, I choose to listen to what God has to say, I will find the Truth that will bring a full, meaningful life; salvation from certain death; inclusion into His family; and submission to a God who loves me.  This is the message that comes from intentionally preferring God in the midst of the hard times of life.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I will turn away from discouragement and bondage and toward God.

How do I let my feelings of despair keep me away from God and His promises?

When am I held back in life because I choose to let my circumstances get me down? 

   

Strong Foundation

"By the grace God has given me, 

I laid a foundation as an expert builder,

and someone else is building on it.

But each one should be careful how he builds.

For no on can lay any foundation

other than the one already laid,

which is Jesus Christ.

If any man builds on this foundation using gold,

silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw,

his work will be shown for what it is,

because the Day will bring it to light.

It will be revealed with fire,

 and the fire will test the quality of each man's work.

If what he has built survives,

he will receive his reward.

If it is burned up,

he will suffer loss;

he himself will be saved,

but only as one escaping through the flames."

1 Corinthians 3:10-15

The three were sent out into the world to make a life for themselves.  One chose the quick and easy route, taking the first job that came along and using his first paycheck to lease an apartment.  The second son decided to reach a little higher than his brother and sought a management position while saving up for a down-payment on a mortgage for his very own house.  The third son was the most ambitious and determined of them all, developing his own business from the ground up.  Soon, he amassed enough of a fortune to build a brick home.  

As my version of the story goes, the big bad stock market crashed, leaving the economy in bad shape.  The first son lost everything as his job was the first to be cut, leaving him out on the street.  The second was down-sized to a lower-paying job and he foreclosed on the home he bought on a whim.  The third son felt the impact of the downturn, but with his strong credit rating and business plan, he was able to weather the storm without much of a loss.

While life is not always like a fairy-tale, there is a lesson to be learned from every story.  Whatever I build my life upon will determine it's quality in the eyes of the Lord.  If I base my beliefs on what Oprah, Dr Phil, or even Pastor Paul says, I'm building on a weak foundation.  The only strong base for a life of meaning and purpose is to lay the groundwork starting with Jesus Christ.  Anything else will not survive the fire of God's judgment.  

If I'm serious about making Jesus the basis for my life, I can start with what He said about Himself in John 14:6a when He said, "I am the way and the truth and the life."  Then, I will be able to weather any storm and can live with the assurance that my life will have an eternal impact.

Way

"There are many ways to get to God."  This common belief came from the mouth of one who grew up in the Catholic Church.  Lately, he had drifted from his roots and tried another religion.

While there may be many belief-systems designed with the goal of getting closer to God, only one leads to a true relationship with God the Father.  As a sinner who lives in a state of defiance against God's standard (Romans 3:23), I am doomed to destruction when I stand before God based on my own merit. (Romans 6:23a)  The only solution to my sin problem is for someone to take the punishment meant for my sins, giving me a chance to live instead of facing the death penalty.

Jesus Christ did this when He died on the cross, making a way for me to live eternally in the presence of a Holy God and experience His love in this life on a daily basis.  No other religion provides a remedy for the rift my sin creates between me and God.

Basing my life on the fact that Jesus is the only way will keep me on the narrow path that leads to life.  I may not have all the trappings those around me enjoy as they travel the wide path, but I will have peace they can never experience apart from Jesus. (Matthew 7:13-14)

The only strong foundation for my life is to believe that Jesus is the only way to God.

Truth

Most people today believe that truth is whatever is good for them.  What works for me may not work for you, but the understanding goes that there is no universal truth.

Building my life on this fallacy will lead to many pitfalls.  If I think lying is okay as long as it doesn't hurt anyone, I will soon find that deceit will always bring pain and suffering.  If it is my neighbor's belief that God doesn't mind how we live as long as we've accepted Jesus as our Savior, I will soon witness the fallout of living a life to please the flesh.  If my friend doesn't accept the teaching on forgiveness, our relationship will suffer as she holds a grudge against me.

Rejecting the idea of truth goes further than creating a life of chaos and misery.  In turning away from what is right I am turning away from Jesus Christ who is the Truth.  In Him is found the wisdom of God and the fulfillment of prophecies.  He is more than a Savior, He is also the source of all that I ever need to know about anything.

Basing my life on what Jesus teaches me will lead to a life that will stand under intense scrutiny.    No matter how hard someone tries to find some dirt, none will be found.  Accusations will fall flat and legal claims will come to nothing.  The result will be glory for God as others see all the good He is doing in my life.  (1 Peter 2:12)

The only strong foundation for my life is to believe that Jesus is the source of Truth.

Life

The daily grind: I wake up to the annoying sound of the alarm, shuffle to the kitchen for a cup of coffee, turn on the news to hear the depressing onslaught of tragedy, scandal and corruption for the day, and begin another day in a meaningless string of equally-as-insignificant days.  What kind of life is this?

Jesus addressed this tendency for humans to settle for a shallow existence.  He said He is the gate to the kingdom of God who gives those who follow Him a full life filled with meaning and purpose.  Satan, however, only desires to use men for his own purposes, leaving a feeling of emptiness and discontent.  (John 10:7-10)

As I accept the abundant life Jesus offers, I will find my motivation for work that came from a desire for self-promotion and wealth turn into a passion for the humble ministry to which He has called.  In the place of looking for ways to please myself and fill my own tank of happiness, I find a desire to cater to the needs of others.  While I once found great pleasure in talking about the difficulties other's face, coming up with wonderful solutions for their problems, I now discover a love for lifting them up in prayer.

Where once existed an empty, self-centered life, now has been replaced with an abundant life overflowing with the love and goodness of God.  (Psalm 23:5)

I can base my life on many things, whether it be materialism, the teachings of wise men, or the search for self-fulfillment.  Whatever I decide to make as the foundation for my life, I will one day stand before God.  Only a life lived for Christ as the Way, the Truth and the Life, will be able to withstand the test.  I desire to build on the Strong Foundation!

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I will choose to live as Jesus is leading me to live.

When do I get caught up in following teachings that don't line up with what Jesus taught?

In what ways is my life empty and meaningless? 

The Jungle of Sin

"The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven

against all the godlessness and wickedness

of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness,

since what may be known about God is plain to them,

because God has made it plain to them.

For since the creation of the world 

God's invisible qualities--

his eternal power and divine nature--

have been clearly seen,

being understood from what has been made,

so that men are without excuse.

For although they knew God,

they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him,

but their thinking became futile

and their foolish hearts were darkened."

Romans 1:18-21

Vines covered the hill; prickly blackberry creepers intertwined with poison ivy, morning glory and poke weed.  There was not an inch of bare ground; only a tangled forest.  I tried in vain to grow some sunflowers in a sunny place, but the overabundance of weeds choked out the blooms, killing them before they had a chance to thrive.  If I had any hope of reclaiming our land, I would have to declare war on the persistent wild plants.

Starting one day in February of the following year, I pulled out every dormant vine, working hard to dig up and discard as much of the invaders and their roots as possible.  After a few weeks, what used to look like a wild jungle, especially during the summertime, was now tamed into a bare section of ground that could be utilized for garden space come Springtime.  The potential for a fruitful patch was always there, but I had to intentionally endeavor to keep the weeds from taking over.

In the same way, I have the potential of living a godly life that is pleasing to God.  As a follower of Christ, I possess the power of the Holy Spirit to enable me to live a holy life as Jesus did. (1 Peter 1:15, John 14:20-21, Romans 8:14)  Many times, however, the sin that I've allowed to exist and even thrive in my heart overshadows all the work the Spirit of God is doing.  I can't live according to what the Spirit teaches and still allow sin to remain, giving it a chance to thrive.  Sin will always choke out the fruit of God's Spirit,  just like the weeds on my property choked out the flowers I tried to grow.  (Galatians 5:16-17)

The power of Jesus is suppressed in my life because of my own wickedness.  God cannot be glorified when I let my sin nature rule despite the goodness of God which is evident all around me.

Selfishness

"Have it your way"

"You deserve a break today"

"Gimme a break"

It's everywhere you want to be"

You might recognize these catchy jingles from past advertising campaigns for Burger King, McDonald's, Kit Kat and Visa.  Many of the most popular and effective marketing schemes cater to my rights, my desires, my needs and my comfort.  Advertising executives know that humans think, "It's all about me!"

While big business knows what sells, this same frame-of-mind can't be translated into God's kingdom.  If I want to follow Jesus, I must want it His way, not mine.  I can't expect to focus on me and let Him lead at the same time: There can only be one master of my life.  Either it will be me, my stuff, my dreams and my ambitions, or it will be God.  I simply cannot have it both ways.  (Matthew 6:24)

There was a young man during Jesus' time who was pretty wealthy.  He came to Jesus with the question of how he can get to the kingdom of heaven.  After going through some of the commandments that the optimistic, confident chap claimed to have followed since childhood, Jesus took it a step further, hitting him in his weak spot.

"Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven.  Then come, follow me."  (Mark 10:21)  As one who lives in a developed country, even though I don't consider myself to be, I am wealthy in comparison to the rest of the world.   If Jesus asked me to get rid of all my stuff and become a vagabond, I don't know how much I'd be willing to respond.  I can relate to this young man's dilemma.

If I want to get serious about letting Jesus be Lord of my life, however, I must value Him more than any of my stuff, my relationships or my well-being.  What right do I have to any of this as one who has been bought with a price?  (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)  Perhaps Oswald Chambers said it best when he warned me to, "Beware of the inclination to dictate to God as to what you will allow to happen if you obey Him."

The power of Jesus will flow freely through me when I make Him Lord of every part of my life.

Coldness

"Well, he's getting what he deserved.  After all, he never really paid attention to his health but just lived the way he wanted to.  It's not surprising that he has kidney failure.  It's too bad."

I hold this kind of attitude in my heart more often than I'd like to admit.  While I may not say the above statement out loud, this kind of hard take on a situation often comes to my mind.  

As a human at the mercy of a loving and just God, I am on shaky ground when I put myself in His place.  There are times when I decide who is worthy, thinking that love is somehow earned or deserved.  In this way, I am squelching the fire of God's love that would otherwise flow through me.

Coldness of heart develops when I look down on those who God has placed in my path, thinking that they don't seem to measure up.  It could be those who treat me like dirt, always spewing hate and filthy language.  Even though their outside seems to be hard and crusty, this person may be working hard to protect their tender heart that has been wounded one time too many.

Sometimes it's the friend who wonders why her children talk back, use foul language and seem to know much more than any elementary student should.  Instead of pointing her to the Solution-Giver, I criticize her parenting style that allows all kinds of filth in through her choice of entertainment.

Other times I get caught up in the irritating and destructive behavior of the youth in our community instead of seeing them the way God sees them; as children who need Jesus.

Coldness comes from keeping my own perspective instead of seeing things through the eyes of God.  Where I see a jerk, God sees a wounded child.  Where I see irresponsibility, God sees potential.  Where I see disruption and disrespect, God sees the future of His kingdom.

The power of Jesus will flow through me when I replace my point-of-view with God's.

Fear

I stood on the top of the 12-foot cargo-net wall, paralyzed with fear.  I can't swing my leg over the top:  There's nothing to hold onto and I might fall!  The netting was shifting under the weight of my body, making me feel unstable and insecure.  I couldn't picture myself accomplishing the feat of negotiating this barrier.  What if I slip and fall?

My fear kept me from climbing over that obstacle.  At the moment, it seemed like I had lost control of my body as it became immobilized by my alarm and dread of falling to the hard ground below.  In the same way, fear can keep me from doing what God is calling me to do.  What if I fail?  I can't do that!  I've never tried anything like that before! That's just not me.

These are some of the negative thoughts Satan suggests whenever God offers a mission for me.  Instead of giving into the thoughts, however, I can do as Paul suggested in 2 Corinthians 10:5b and  ". . .take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ."

Then, when I sense God compelling me to begin a street-preaching ministry, I can turn away from the voices of dissension that seek to keep me down and instead rise up to meet the challenge, trusting in God to equip and enable me.  (Hebrews 13:21)

For the times that I feel a shift and know God is directing me to a new direction in my career, I can tune out the doubts and instead focus on the truth that all things are possible with God.  (Luke 1:37)

During the times of trial when circumstances are tough and I don't feel like I can carry on,  I can ignore the words that discourage and instead remember that I am able to continue on through the strength that Christ gives me.  (Philippians 4:13)

God does not choose me according to my abilities, my qualifications or my importance.  Instead, He sends out a call and its up to me whether or not I answer.  As Oswald Chambers wrote in his devotional My Utmost for His Highest, "The call of God is not for the special few, it is for everyone.  Whether or not I hear God's call depends upon the state of my ears; and what I hear depends upon my disposition."  Will I let doubt block His work in my life?

The power of Jesus will flow through me when I refuse to let fear rule my heart.

Sin can entangle me just as easily as the weeds took over my property.  Instead of following my sinful nature, though, resulting in selfish living, a cold heart and being immobilized by fear, I can let the power of Jesus flow through me by staying in step with God's Spirit.  Then, I will experience the full force of the power of the Truth in my life.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I will receive the heart of Jesus that is filled with compassion and humility.

How do I squelch love's fire with my cold, hard attitude?

When do I let fear hold me back?  

Strength in the Wait

"Wait on the LORD: 

be of good courage, 

and he shall strengthen thine heart: 

wait, I say, on the LORD."

Psalm 27:14 KJV

It's hard for me to sit still while I'm waiting.  If I'm waiting for a ride to pick me up, I set up surveillance out the window, pacing around the house, watching the clock.  If I'm in line waiting for my turn at the checkout, I keep my eyes busy, taking in everything around me.  I try to hold a conversation, but it is hard to concentrate as I wait. It seems like the act of waiting brings about a spirit of restlessness within me.  I consider waiting to be a negative thing.

In God's book, however, waiting is a good thing. He tells us in Isaiah 40:31 (KJV) that, ". . . they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint."  

Waiting produces strength.

I may be waiting for healing, a heart to soften, circumstances to change or my acceptance of those circumstances to develop.  I could be waiting for deliverance, answers or understanding.  Sometimes I'm waiting for help, release from a difficult situation or to see a sliver of light piercing through the darkness.  

Whatever I'm waiting for, God will use it to strengthen me.

Heart

It's easy to feel discouraged, especially when hard things keep happening in my life. I feel like quitting, giving up and letting go.  But God has a plan, and keeping this in mind helps to give me hope.  As long as I'm alive, there's always hope!

It reminds me of a story I read about former Governor of New York Mario Cuomo.  When he was a child, a 40-ft Blue Spruce from his family's yard was uprooted during a storm.  As it lay in the street, his family despaired. All, that is, except Mario's father who rallied them together to lash ropes around the tree and, as a tiny band of five warriors, strained to right the tree.  With the strength of his father's determination, they came together and accomplished the amazing feat of replanting that tree where it still stands to this day!  

It would probably never occur to me that a large tree like that could be stood up and have the chance to grow again.  Maybe this is part of the reason I lose heart; I fail to see the possibilities.  My vision is too short.  My expectations are low. 

When Mary was visited by the angel Gabriel as recorded in Luke 1, she asked how she would become pregnant since she was a virgin.  The messenger explained how God's spirit would come upon her and that, "Nothing is impossible with God." (v 37)

Remembering God's sovereign power works to encourage me and give me hope.

My heart can be strengthened when I remember that with God, the sky's the limit and anything is possible.  

Faith

I can buy creams that claim to firm my skin, conditioning treatments that promise to strengthen the hair, and toothpastes that declare their ability to fortify the tooth and rebuild enamel.  All of these assertions go against science which tells me that growth only occurs from the inside out.  Very little, if anything, can be done to strengthen these tissues with topical applications.

It's the same with my faith.  It takes training to grow my faith, not an application of truths from the outside.  Simply reading about or learning of God's Word will not grow my faith.  Instead, it must be tested through trials and difficulties when I get the opportunity to trust what I've learned about God.  Will He really deliver?  Can I trust Him with my life?  Does He love me?  All of these questions will be answered as I struggle through the hard times at His side. 

 My faith is strengthened through the training found in life's trials.

Resolve

We live in a culture where it's easy to fade into the background and fail to stand for anything.  There are so many voices telling me that all religions are the same, marriage takes on many different forms, or there really is no such thing as truth.  

As a follower of the Truth, I know there is only one Way to God, that marriage is a union between a man and a woman, and that Jesus is the Truth. 

Paul encourages me to, ". . .stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain." (1 Corinthians 15:58)  Since I know I have the hope of heaven and the resurrection, there is nothing to fear in this life.  I have everything to look forward to through faith in Christ.  I should live this life with abandon, determining to do my best to stand firm for what is important.

My resolve is strengthened when I remember to what I have to look forward.

Waiting on the Lord is difficult.  Sometimes I'd rather take matters into my own hands and speed things up a bit.  But if I do wait on Him, I will be encouraged with the power of God's sovereignty,  I will learn that God can be trusted as I struggle through the trials, and I will stand firm as I keep in mind the eternal reward that awaits me.

As I begin this day, it is my prayer that I will remember the value that comes with waiting patiently.

How do I show my disdain for waiting by the way I choose to wait?

In what ways can I choose to take a stand for God in a culture that disregards His Truth?