Dichotomy

"Those who devise wicked schemes are near,

but they are far from your law.

Yet you are near, LORD,

and all your commands are true."

Psalm 119:150-151

Gossip.  Destructive agendas.  Selfish living.  Desperate crimes.  Evil plots.  Terrorist attacks.  Power plays.  Government takeovers.  Military regimes.  Twisted religions.  It's hard to live in such a cold, cruel world.  While here, it's easy to become just as destructive, selfish, desperate, evil and twisted.  After all, it comes quite naturally to my flesh.  As I run toward Jesus, sticking close by His side, I look around me and become discouraged as I stand firm in His teachings.  How can I carry on?

As I live as a foreigner in a strange land that is not my home, I can draw strength as I remind myself of a few truths (Hebrews 13:14).

Evil.  I have an enemy and his mission is to steal, kill and destroy (John 10:10).  It is his work to take away the peace I have in Christ, to eradicate all traces of God's love that wants to flow through me into a world in need, to extinguish the light of Jesus that flickers a message of hope to the darkness around me.  

Satan attempts to accomplish his objective through various tactics, schemes and sneaky plans.  While giving in to his around-the-clock attacks, it's easy to believe his filthy lies, buying into his message that all is lost, that I'm no good, that evil is winning and there is no hope for the world.  

If, however, I remember his power is limited by a God who is sovereign over all things and that he has no authority over me or any other follower of Christ, I can resist his attempts and watch him flee (James 4:7).  With such a God as this on my side, who can stand against me (Romans 8:31)?  Who can thwart His good plan?  Who can defeat His righteous and redemptive design for all of mankind?  Not one, not even the evil one who seems to have so much pull in this dark world.

I can draw strength from the fact that God is greater than Satan and his minions.

Far.  It's easy to wonder how the lost could live such self-destructive ways, especially when their mess spills into the lives of others who are vulnerable and defenseless.  I can feel discouraged when I witness the suffering inflicted upon the helpless by their fellow man.  I want to shake some sense into those stuck in a pattern of abuse as they ruin the lives of many like some kind of Tasmanian devil.  

Then God reminds me that they are far from His law.  They can no more do what is right than I can apart from the grace of God that flows through me due to my faith in Christ.  Without this grace, I'd be just as destructive, messy and abusive. In one way or another, I'm just like the worst of the worst.  We all need Jesus to save us from our own sinful selves.

I can draw strength from the fact that those who do evil acts and rise up against God's own operate in another stratosphere from God and His ways.  They can't help but do what they do (2 Timothy 2:26).

Near.  Many religions worship gods who are unknown and far away.  Little is understood about these deities and their followers pin their hope on what they believe these idols of stone and wood can deliver.  Unfortunately, they never really see any evidence of their impotent capabilities.  They are but a dim apparition in the far-off horizon.

In contrast, God is near.  The more I get to know Him, the bigger He becomes until He takes up the whole scope of my eyesight.  If I seek Him with everything that is in me, I will find Him (Jeremiah 29:13).  He is just that willing to be known.

I can draw strength from the fact that God is very near to me and wants to be intimately sought after and understood, becoming a Guide upon whom I can count and introducing a faithfulness that can be trusted.

There is no doubt that it can be hard to live in a world that seems to bent on destruction.  As I see the pain and suffering all around me, I can take heart by the fact that evil is limited and losing, the people caught up in wicked schemes are far from God and His ways, and God Himself is very near.  The dichotomy of evil and good cannot be denied.  Thankfully, when I choose God through faith in Christ, I am on the winning side (John 16:33)!

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can trust God enough to realize that evil men are far from You and Your ways.

How do I live a defeated life, forgetting that Jesus died to give me victory over sin and death?

When do I give up, thinking my failures pigeonhole me as a failure instead of realizing Jesus died to make me a victor?

Rock of Refuge

"But the LORD has become my fortress,

and my God the rock in whom I take refuge."

Psalm 94:22

They run but there is nowhere they can go where the insidious evil will not find them.  Even the innocent children are not exempt from the brutal acts of terror.  How do our brothers and sisters cope in such darkness, under such pressure, in the face of such evil?  They have a safe Place, a Refuge where they can take shelter; and He is the Lord whom they worship.

I may not face trouble on this level, but living in an evil, dark world can lead me to discouragement and heartbreak as I witness all the suffering and experience some myself.  Even though it may seem wickedness is winning and I have nowhere to take shelter, I am offered a refuge by faith in Jesus.  I may be on the verge of destruction, but I can take heart that through Christ, I will not be crushed, driven to despair or abandoned by God (2 Corinthians 4:8-9).  

Here is the kind of protection I need and can expect when I take refuge in Him.

Help.  When I was in the hospital recovering from surgery, I appreciated the tender, loving care of my husband.  Normal daily tasks like getting out of bed, taking a shower and putting on my clothes became a huge undertaking.  The pain and swelling in my abdomen and the slight confusion and wooziness caused by the drugs and anesthesia still lingering in my body teamed up to make it hard for me to function normally.  I needed assistance to accomplish most everything.  

I remember attempting to eat my first meal.  The nurses' aid delivered the tray to my table and helped me get in position to eat.  As I tried to raise my hand with the arm tethered to the IV, I found it awkward and difficult.  I spent several minutes attempting to adjust the tray table, to pull it closer and lower it down, but I just couldn't get it.  Finally my husband returned with his meal and was able to help me so I could eat.  Without help, most simple functions were difficult and overwhelming.

This is a picture of God as I'm going through hard times, facing evil attack, or in the midst of strife.  He offers gentle assistance, empowering me to keep on living and carrying on in the face of such hardship.  In the same way I couldn't function normally on my own after surgery, I need the help of my ever-present God who is my 24-7 support system (Psalm 46:1).

When I take refuge in God during times of trouble, I will find the help I need to get through.

Love.  I felt my foot slipping but before I even knew what was happening, a strong arm upheld me until I could regain my footing.  If my husband hadn't been right there beside me, paying attention to my plight, I may have fallen.  Similarly, God is right there with me, paying attention to every step I take.  His love-nature drives Him toward the suffering, the hurting, the needy.  Therefore, I can count on Him to be there for me when I need Him.

Not only that, but there's more about the love of God that keeps Him by my side, holding me up.  God's love never gives out, runs out of steam, or stops working (1 Corinthians 13:8).  His love just is, and it's the same now as it always has been, ever strong and faithful.  Therefore, I can cry out to Him in my greatest hour of need or in the smallest of irritations and His love will sustain me.

When I take refuge in God during times of trouble, I will find the love that holds me up.

Consolations.  Nothing I said made a difference.  Her heartache was so deep that she could not be consoled.  Only God was able to bring relief to my friend's hurting soul.

When the cares of life get me down and I feel discouraged by all that is coming my way, I can trust God to cheer me in just the way I need.  He knows how to comfort me in all my troubles, to ease my pain, and to encourage my heart.  He is "the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort. . ." (2 Corinthians 1:3b).

When I take refuge in God during times of trouble, I will find the consolation that cheers my soul.

There is no doubt this world is filled with darkness and evil.  As I pray for my brothers and sisters in harms way, I know they are finding haven in our Father who is their Rock of refuge.  I can follow suit, and when I do, I will find the help I need, the love that holds me up, and the consolation that brings cheer to my soul.  In these ways, I will join with the family of God and take shelter in my Rock of refuge.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can trust God to help me.

How do I try to muddle through on my own, attempting to negotiate the potholes of life without my Helper?

When do I wallow in sorrow, robbing God of the joy He finds in consoling me in my pain? 

   

Laugh in the Face of Fear!

"The LORD is my light and my salvation--

whom shall I fear?

The LORD is the stronghold of my life--

of whom shall I be afraid?"

Psalm 27:1

Alzheimer's and dementia threatens to develop.  Cancer looms.  Heart disease strikes all around.  Strokes render loved ones helpless.  Governments topple.  Wars break out.  Terrorists attack.  Unrest continues.  Anger provokes violence.  Injustice rises.  

There is much to fear in this world.  Because of who God is, however, I can laugh in it's face!

Light.  The darkness pressed in around me, palpable in it's completeness.  My eyes strained to pick up some kind of image, but none was to be seen.  The blackness in the cave was absolute, and I had rarely felt such fear.  What if we can't find our way back out?  Will we be doomed to die down here under the earth?  Then the tour guide ended my panic with the flick of a switch and light again flooded the cavern.

Light in the darkness brings comfort and security, especially when you're almost a mile under the earth in a deep cave.  While I rejoiced when the light turned back on during that tour, the beam of a few 100-watt bulbs cannot compare to the Light that comes from the Lord.  

When my life seems filled with evil and gloom, Jesus delivers hope for something better.  When everything is swirling in a whirlwind of confusion and I don't know what to do, Jesus stands firm in the storm, giving strong guidance and grounding me in truth.  When the unknown lurks like a terrifying monster in my future, Jesus is already there, completely aware and in control of all that is to come.

While it is easy to fear all that I face, I need not be afraid for Jesus is the Light of the world (John 1:4-5).

Salvation.  She couldn't help herself.  The bottom of the pool was suddenly out of her reach and she realized she was in over her head.  She began to panic as her feet no longer felt the hard, welcoming surface.  Suddenly, a strong arm reached in, pulling her back to the shallows.  The girl was saved by an alert swimmer.

In the same way that this youngster could not save herself, I am incapable of getting myself out of the deadly bind to which my sin has fated me.  I am doomed to die as punishment for all the ways I've failed (Romans 6:23).  Suddenly, a Lifesaver reaches in and plucks me from my destiny of death, giving me a chance at life eternal.  Jesus died so that I could live (John 3:16).

Even more, Jesus rescues me from a shallow existence devoid of meaning and purpose (John 10:10).  I'm told I am nothing more than an accident, a mistake who happened to land here in this place and time.  Then Jesus enlightens me to the truth: I was made on purpose for a purpose by a God of purpose (Ephesians 2:10).  Significance is born.

As if that weren't enough, He did more.  My flesh desires nothing more than to live for me, meet my own needs and desires, and run after what will please myself.  Then Jesus gives me a power I never knew before and a transformation takes place.  As I'm molded into a new creature, the old things fade away as new desires form.  Sin is no longer the ruler of my life as a new King takes His throne (Romans 6:14).

While it is easy to fear what seems inevitable, Jesus rescues me from such a dismal certainty.

Stronghold.  I could see no way out.  There was danger all around yet no path on which to escape.  I was trapped, surrounded by the enemy.  As I realized by fate in this cyber war, I accepted death as the soldiers descended upon me.  My turn was up as I let someone else play the game. 

While life is not like a video game, there are situations when I may feel just as hopeless.  The Enemy of my soul is out to get me, giving me grief every time I turn around.  Yet Jesus has given me the upper hand at the mention of His name.  I am not without defense, being outfitted with a mighty Sword as I wield the weapon of God's Word boldly, dealing deadly blows as I submit to the Truth (Ephesians 6:17).

Other times the evil all around me seems to close in like a deadly wave of attacks.  It looks like the darkness is winning, ready to overtake all the good and overwhelm what is left of the noble and virtuous.  But Jesus has overcome, claiming victory in the battle of good versus evil (John 16:33).

Then comes temptation, rising up when I least expect it, crushing any pretense I have of self-control.  But Jesus offers a way out, and I gratefully escape from the heavy pull of sin (1 Corinthians 10:13).

While it is easy to fear what seems inevitable, Jesus has conquered every danger in my life, standing as a stronghold that cannot be penetrated.

Yes, danger is lurking around every corner, giving me many reasons to fear as I live this life.  But Jesus offers relief from such distress, shedding Light, offering salvation, and serving as a stronghold of victory.  Because of Jesus, I can laugh in the face of fear! 

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can trust God enough to accept all that He is offering me through Jesus Christ.

When do I attempt to give myself a meaningful life when Jesus has already died to deliver such bounty?

How am I walking in darkness because the Light seems out of my reach?  

  

With the Enemy

"You prepare a table before me

in the presence of my enemies."

Psalm 23:5a

My idea of a perfect life would mean there was no resistance, no evil, no adversary.  In this ideal world, I'd be able to live as God meant for me to live without anyone to oppose me, tempt me, or trick me.  

While I may fantasize about such a place, it is not a part of reality.  In this world there is an Enemy who is out to steal, kill and destroy, and there is evil which is in direct opposition to God's plan.   As I live in this dark place under the grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, these enemies actually serve a purpose in my life.  Even though I'd rather avoid them and wipe them out, God has something else in mind.

Faith.  It's only something I can talk about until it is tested.  I'll never know if it's real until I have to use it.  It stays as an idea in my head until I'm forced to put the concept into practice.  

Faith.  It's worth more than gold in God's economy.  And like gold, it must be purified.  The contaminants must be burned out by fire.  If the faith is real, it will survive the ordeals I'm faced with in life.  If it's not genuine, it will perish (1 Peter 1:6-7).

When I come face to face with an enemy, running into opposition as I go about my life, it's easy to doubt whether what I'm doing is important enough to put up with such difficulty.  I'm may be tempted to give in, letting my convictions go and living as if my choices don't matter.  Or, I can trust God in the plan He has for my life, believing it is good and that He will give me the strength to persevere.  

When I run into obstacles as I walk the path God has marked out for me, I may wonder if I've strayed away from God's will, mistakenly thinking He would only take me on a road that is free from difficulty or that He'd steer me around evil.  In reality, I must trust Him enough to feel comfortable even though there's darkness all around, believing God will protect me.  I'm in a war and must expect opposition, but I am under the protective wing of the Almighty no matter how bad things look.  My faith grows as I take a risk and believe in His ability to shelter me through the attacks.

My faith is tested and grown as I trust Him enough to go about my business in the presence of my enemies.

Reality.  We will be hunted down by those who think they're on God's side.  We'll be labeled as blasphemers, persecuted in many ways.  Our hearts will be grieved as those around us party like there's no tomorrow.  This is our time of grief, but joy will come.  

Jesus warned His disciples of what was to come, what has been experienced since the beginning of the Church and what we now see as 21st Century followers.  He had a purpose for revealing such realities, not just trying to scare us but to teach us of a truth.  "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace.  In this world you will have trouble.  But take heart!  I have overcome the world."  (John 16:33)

Evil is a reality of living in this dark world that is ruled by a prince whose purpose is opposed to God's.  My battle as I live in such a wicked place is not against those I see, but versus the unseen powers of evil that are swirling around me in the heavenly realms (Ephesians 6:12).  They are hatching plans against me, dispatching troops to oppose me, and always thinking of ways to trip me up.  

Even though I face such insidious  and persistent evil, I am ruled by the Overcomer!  The power of Jesus is greater than any darkness I will come up against and He will not fail as my mighty Warrior.  Therefore, I can rest easy, knowing I am fighting on the winning side!

I must realize the reality of life in this world is that I will run into opposition, but He who is with me is greater than any foe I can face (Isaiah 54:17, 1 John 4:4).

Redemptive Power.  There seemed to be no hope.  Attacks were coming from all sides.  It looked like it may be the end.  Yet among the ruins, in the midst of the rubble, a tender shoot grew.  A flower flourished like a spot of beauty among the ashes.

This is a picture of God's redemptive power.  In the middle of attack, while withstanding blows from my enemies, I can gain sustenance, finding good in the midst of such evil.  Even more incredible is how God can transform that which was meant for my destruction, and go beyond merely protecting me from it, but actually using it for my good (Romans 8:28, Genesis 50:20).  In the hands of God, the most vile and dark act designed to be the end of me becomes the best thing that ever happened.

God can take the ugly and make it beautiful.  He can take that which was dead and breathe new life into it.  He is a God who gives strength to the weak, joy to the mourning, and praise in place of gloominess (Isaiah 61:3, Isaiah 40:29).  He is a redeeming God who is never without hope.  He is more than able to take that which the enemy meant for my destruction and use it as a tool of His redemptive power.

Even though it's easy to be intimidated by the opposition I face, nothing is so great that God is not greater still.

While I'd rather live my life free from trouble and foes, God has something else in mind.  He uses the opposition I face to grow my faith as I trust Him through the inevitable attacks, always transforming the outcome into something good.  In these ways, I can rest easy in the midst of my enemies, knowing that God has a plan through it all.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can trust God even though it seems things are hopeless.

When do I dread the darkness instead of trusting the God who is known for showing up at the darkest hour?

How do I despair when opposition comes, failing to recognize God's redemptive power which transforms the bad into something good?

Really?!

"Then the LORD asked Satan,

'Have you noticed my servant Job?

He is the finest man in all the earth.

He is blameless--a man of integrity.

He fears God and stays away from evil.

And he has maintained his integrity,

even though you urged me to harm him without cause.'"

Job 2:3 NLT

Wasn't it enough?  Hadn't he faced ample suffering?  Did his faith need further testing?  Hadn't he proved himself loyal to God?

It sometimes seems like God is toying with me, pushing me beyond what is necessary.  The truth is, however, He has His good, unfathomable reasons (Isaiah 40:13-14).

Bad with the good.  My idea of a good life is where I am protected from suffering, hurt and difficulty.  If I really think about it, I want a little taste of heaven here on earth.  I expect the world to be the proverbial bowl full of cherries.  If this is true, then, in the words of Erma Bombeck, "what am I doing in the pits?"

Job understood God's sovereignty more than I do. He realized that letting God be God means taking the bad along with the good.  It means things won't go according to my plan because God has something bigger and better in mind.  Even His concept of bigger and better is far different from mine.  Assuming my life here on this fallen earth is going to be all good is a mistake.  

Where, then, is my hope?  If I can't expect all good all the time, what's the point?  My hope is in Jesus Christ and what He can do through the bad.  My hope comes from how He will use every bad thing to transform me into the image of Jesus (Romans 8:28-29).  My hope comes from the realization that this place is not my true home;  I have something far better to which I can look forward (Hebrews 13:14, John 14:1-3).

Walking with God by faith means taking the bad with the good.

Others tested.  She hurts so much she cannot sleep.  Her slumber is often interrupted by bouts of pain.  So great is her suffering that she cannot leave her home.  In the midst of such agony, her beloved cat dies in her arms.  How can she bear such heartache?

It is hard to see others suffer.  When those around me are hurting, it's sometimes hard to know what to do.  Part of me wants to comfort and encourage, another is ready to judge and fix.  How I respond shows where my heart is.

The heart of Jesus is to weep with those who weep.  When he encountered the deep mourning of Mary at the loss of her brother Lazarus, he was deeply moved, so much so that he wept with her (John 11:33-38).  This is our calling as His followers (John 12:15).

Does God sometimes allow suffering into the lives of others to grow the bonds within the body of Christ?  Is His concern for the strength of the church greater than His interest in my welfare?  Does He allow trouble to give opportunities for His family to come together?

Walking with God by faith means sharing in the suffering of others.

Lessons.  Until I saw it with my own eyes, I couldn't comprehend its height.  Standing at the top, however, and looking at the vista spread out before me, I gained a new understanding of how tall the Sears Tower was.  Standing at 1451 feet above the ground was similar to what it would look like to make it to the top of Mt Rainier in Washington state.  My respect for great heights grew that day.

God's ways are similarly higher than mine in ways I have a hard time comprehending.  I often think I can see what God is doing, or guess how He will operate, or assume I know in what way He will come through.  The reality is, however, that I have no idea.

I can't truly grasp God's superior sovereignty until I'm taken somewhere that goes far beyond my own ability to understand.  As I submit to His plan for my life, I gain a greater appreciation for His preeminence.  If I choose to fight His mysterious ways, I will go forward in anger and bitterness, questioning why a loving God would allow such suffering.  It all boils down to God having the right to do what He sees fit to do.  

Walking with God by faith means learning hard lessons about the sovereignty and supremacy of God.

It's hard to know why God allows suffering, especially when it seems I've endured enough already.  Living in relationship with Him, though, means I must let Him lead me through the valley of the shadow of death at times, trusting that He is with me.  I can learn to take the bad with the good, to respond in love to the suffering of others, and to realize His preeminence; I just can't expect to fathom His ways.  Then, when I feel like saying, "Really, God?"  I can instead say simply, "God."  I live in His world, so yes, really.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can give up my rights to direct my own life.

When do I assume God will never take me anyplace bad?

Why do I think I should be protected from suffering when the world is filled with it?           

Understand Your Badness

Today's reading comes from my new book, 52 Days of Grace, available now on Amazon in both paperback and Kindle.

Understand Your Badness

“But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God’s wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed.  God ‘will repay each person according to what they have done.’  To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life.   But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger.  There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile; but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.   For God does not show favoritism.”  (Romans 2:5-11)

We live in a world where who we know is more important than what we know.   Even a poorly qualified kid with a bad attitude and poor work ethic can get his foot in the door of virtually any corporation or organization with the right connections.   It is an attempt to fool Human Resources into thinking this individual would be an asset to their company, and the youngster may even believe that himself.

God is showing us in this passage how different His economy is to the world’s.  He judges us solely on our heart: our intentions, our attitudes or the direction we turn our face.  He knows whether we are seeking our own selfish desires or His.  He reads our hearts and identifies whether we follow Him or follow evil.  He takes a look at our attitudes and discerns if we have truly accepted the Truth or if we are following a lie.  We can’t bluff our way past God.

It is easy to read this passage and think, I’m not following evil.  Maybe I’m not fully committed to Jesus, but I’m not evil.  The scriptures tell us differently.  Either we are for Him, or against Him. (Matthew 12:30)  Either He is master, or something or someone else is. (Matthew 6:24) 

Consider the words of C.S. Lewis, author and 20^th Century Christian intellectual, “When a man is getting better, he understands more and more clearly the evil that is still left in him.  When a man is getting worse, he understands his own badness less and less.”  Each time we rely on our own judgment of ourselves and our behavior instead of God’s, we are following evil. 

For example, when I justify the nasty tone when speaking to my husband with the thought that he deserved that because of how he hurt me this morning, I am setting my own standards and thus claiming to be my own god.  If instead I turn over those feelings of hurt to Jesus and ask Him to show me where I am wrong, I am submitting to His lordship.  He will accordingly give me His perspective which sheds light on my own faulty line of reasoning.  It is not about being perfect, but about wanting to please my Father more than I want to protect my own feelings.  It is about submitting myself to God and letting Him defend me instead of thinking I have to protect myself.  This attitude shows how much I trust God.

God isn’t impressed with our connections or credentials; we can’t fool Him.  He is pleased with a heart that is fully committed to Him and a willingness to see our sin for what it is.  There is no way to sugar-coat disobedience and rebellion in God’s Kingdom. 

My heart reveals my motives for which

God will hold me accountable.

How are you guilty of sugar-coating your sin, calling it a “mistake,” a “blunder” or an “oversight”?

Are you honest with God, or do you try to bluff your way through prayer, pretending to be something you’re not?

Do you believe that God can handle the truth about you, and that He will never forsake you because of the blood of Christ?  There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus!

Heavenly Father,

I see Your goodness and I know Your standards, yet I try to pretend I’m something I’m not when I’m spending time with You. Thank You for the abundance of Your grace.   I ask Your help in dropping the pretenses and being honest and authentic in my relationship with You.  I know You love me with a love that will never end.  Help me to accept Your unconditional love.

In Jesus’ Name I pray,

Amen

For more information on ordering your own copy of 52 Days of Grace, click on the image of the book below:

Fall of Babylon

"After all this I saw another angel come down

from heaven with great authority,

and the earth grew bright with his splendor.

He gave a mighty shout:

'Babylon is fallen--that great city is fallen!

She has become a home for demons.

She is a hideout for every foul spirit,

a hideout for every foul vulture

and every foul and dreadful animal.

For all the nations have fallen 

because of the wine of her passionate immorality.

The kings of the world

have committed adultery with her.

Because of her desires for extravagant luxury,

the merchants of the world have grown rich.'

Then I heard another voice calling from heaven,

'Come away from her, my people.

Do not take part in her sins,

or you will be punished with her.'"

Revelation 18:1-4 NLT

I wanted my precious children far away from them.  Even though the new family in our neighborhood was friendly and accommodating, their influences were not good.  There were all sorts of things going on in their home that I had purposefully kept from our elementary-aged daughters.  Horror movies flashed openly on television screens for tender hearts to witness; violent video games were offered up as entertainment; vulgar music videos played non-stop in the living room; salty language flowed freely from the mouths of all.  In short, this family was not a good influence on our young ones.

As much as I treasure my children, my Father in heaven loves His own even more.  He desires for us to live holy lives: set apart for His use and not corrupted by the world.  One day this dark world will fall.  Therefore, what business have I as a child of Light to join in with her evil? (Ephesians 5:6-8)

Separate

I grabbed the egg and carefully tapped it on the side of the bowl, making a crack around the center of the shell.  Applying gentle pressure on either side of the opening, the egg broke apart.  Holding the contents in one side of the shell, I transferred the white and the yolk back and forth between each side until the white part of the egg slid gracefully into the bowl.  All that was left within the ivory encasing was the golden middle.

It is amazing how a chicken egg holds two distinct parts within it's shell.  While both the white and the yolk are an integral part of the whole, they are distinctly separate.  In a similar way, I am in this world but not of it; I simply don't belong here!  (John 15:19)

As a result, my life should look differently as His holy child than the lives of those who are lost all around me.  From my dress, to the music to which I listen, to the words that come out of my mouth, to the way I react to the circumstances of life, I should stand out.  There should be as distinct a difference between myself and my unsaved neighbors as there is between the yolk and the white of an egg.

This difference, however, does not come with my effort.  Instead, it is a transformative change that occurs as I place myself in the hands of the Master Potter. (Romans 12:2, Isaiah 45:9, 2 Corinthians 3:18) 

As a child of light, it is to the glory of God that I live a life that is separate from the world as I love those who are caught up in it.

Protected

I applied the sunscreen liberally to the exposed parts of my skin, imagining an invisible barrier forming between this protective membrane and the sun.  As long as I use sunblock, I am protected from burning as I work out in the yard or play in the sunshine.  If, however, I forget to apply this defense, I will suffer the consequences.

While sunscreen's protection is not 100% effective, God's is.  Because of what the blood of Jesus has done in covering all my sins, I won't receive the wrath of God my transgressions have earned me.  Instead, Jesus bore that punishment upon Himself when He suffered and died on the cross. (2 Corinthians 5:21)

As a result, I can live as a child of the King who can boldly approach His throne of grace.  (Hebrews 4:16)  I need not live in shame, letting the guilt of my failures, mess-ups and falls keep me from my Father who loves me.  The blood of Jesus allows God to freely and continually offer forgiveness. (Hebrews 9:22)  

All it takes is for me to accept His mercy and live as one who has been set free from the heavy burden of self-reproach.  Instead of beating myself up over my sin, then, I can walk forward toward the Light as one who rightfully belongs to Him.  

I sometimes can get caught up in sin, thinking I don't deserve any better than to live in it's filth.  The truth found in the Gospel, however, tells me that the blood of Jesus makes me righteous before a holy God, giving me a reason to step away from the sin that so easily entangles.

As a child of Light, I am protected from the wrath of God my sins deserve and can therefore live as His precious daughter.

Forgotten

I like to joke that the good thing about getting older is I can read a book a second or third time and not remember how it turns out!  While I know that I enjoyed the story of a certain novel, I have most likely forgotten the details of the narrative.

God has a similar trait.  While He does not suffer from memory loss, He has completely forgotten my sins.  This means that He has not only forgiven my transgressions, not holding them against me, but He has also removed them from me as far "as the east is from the west." (Psalm 103:12)

Therefore, when my Father looks upon me, He sees nothing but the cleansing blood of Jesus.  He does not think of me as the woman with anger issues, or the one who struggles with doubt and insecurities.  Instead, He views me as His precious daughter, seeing me clearly as the woman He created me to be.  Can I see myself similarly?

As a child of Light, my sins are forgotten by God and not forever linked to my identity.

God loved me enough to send His Son in order to reconcile my sinful self to Him.  As a result, I must live as one who is dearly loved, keeping myself separate from the world while still allowing His perfect love to flow out to the lost.  I can also remember my position in His family protects me from His wrath, freeing me up to live as a precious child.  Finally, my character is no longer marred by sin so I can be transformed into who God intended for me to be.  This is what inspires me to live a life apart from the evils of this world.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I will remember that I was created for greater things than this world can offer.

When do I get caught up in the offerings of this world, forgetting the plan God has for me?

How am I weighed down with the sin that has already been forgiven?

Counselor

"'Now I am going to him who sent me,

yet none of you asks me,

Where are you going?

Because I have said these things,

you are filled with grief.

But I tell you the truth:

It is for your good that I am going away.

Unless I go away,

the Counselor will not come to you;

but if I go, I will send him to you.

When he comes,

he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin

and righteousness and judgement:

in regard to sin,

because men do not believe in me;

in regard to righteousness, because I am going to the Father,

where you can see me no longer;

and in regard to judgment,

because the prince of this world now stands condemned.'"

John 16:5-11

We stood in the driving, cold rain with only an overhead shelter protecting us from the elements.  The weather mirrored our feelings as a faithful few gathered to say good-bye to a husband, father, son, brother, co-worker and friend.  Tears mingled with the rain as we walked back to our vehicles, the somber graveside service behind us.  Now began the difficult task of working through our grief and moving on without him.  Things would never be the same.

The disciples must have underwent similar feelings of loss as Jesus forewarned them of His impending departure.  I'm sure they wondered how they would live their lives without His physical presence.  Who would teach them?  Who would guide them?  How would they survive?  Would their faith falter?

Anticipating their worries, Jesus promised a Helper who would always be there to help them.  In order for this ever-present Spirit to be sent to those who follow Him, though, Jesus would have to return to His Father.  Out of the grief and suffering came the salvation of man, but also the gift of the Holy Spirit, our Counselor.

Conviction of Sin

I am a sinner saved by the grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ.  The reality of my identity must always be at the forefront of my mind, lest I grow self-righteous.  When I see areas of sin in others, it stands out like a beacon to me, tempting me to enlighten then of their wrongdoing and point them to the path of righteousness.

Jesus, however, taught another way to live in peace with one another.  Through His redemptive work on the cross, I am made right with a holy God.  Now, through the blood of Jesus, I am like a priest who can access God directly, without going through a middle-man or an intercessor.  I have my own personal relationship with my Creator.  

Because of this new-covenant relationship, formed through Christ's obedience to His Father's will even unto death, God can speak directly into my life.  As I walk in the light, keeping step with His Spirit, He leads me down paths of righteousness for His namesake. (Galatians 5:18, Psalm 23:3)  He never leads me into sin, but instead cultivates His fruit in me.(v 22-23) In His time, He reveals areas of sin which I need to surrender to Him for His glory. (v 24)

Many times I get this mixed up. Either I expect someone around me to notify me when I'm off-track, or I think it's my job to do the same for others.  In reality, this is the role of God's Spirit.  I like how Oswald Chambers explained it: "One of our severest lessons comes from the stubborn refusal to see that we must not interfere in other people's lives. . . When you do have to give advice to another, God will advise through you with the direct understanding of His Spirit; your part is to be so rightly related to God that His discernment comes through you all the time for the blessing of another soul."

My sole job is to keep in-tune with God, walking in step with Him so that I'll recognize and respond to His correction in my thoughts, words, and actions.  Additionally, when I'm rightly related to Him, I will only speak into another's life under His direct guidance.  When I am grieved by someone's indiscretion, I can be sure that God is taking care of it in the same way He does for me.

Jesus returned to His Father so the Counselor could come and remind me constantly that I am a sinner saved by grace.

Reveals Righteousness

I can spend a lifetime trying to impress God.  My heart desires to do His will, living my life in a way that pleases Him.  As time goes on, though, I see how futile are my efforts. Try as I might, I just can't do right. (Romans 7:19)

Thankfully, Jesus came to free me from slavery to my sinful nature.  The One who is truly righteous and holy took the punishment for my transgressions, freeing me from the bondage of sin and death.  As I entered into a relationship with Christ, accepting the salvation offered through faith, His righteousness became mine.  In the eyes of God, my sin is covered by the cleansing blood of Jesus, making me appear to Him as holy and pure.

Apart from Jesus, however, I am not sinless.  Instead, I am plagued with this flesh of selfish desires.  I am not capable of living right.  How then can I ever hope to please God, pursuing perfection and maturity in this life? (1 Peter 1:16)

Jesus did not leave me helpless in the futility of my sinful flesh.  Instead, He left me with a Counselor, the Holy Spirit, who brings a righteousness into my heart.  As I walk in step with Him, paying attention to His leading, He will produce fruit in my life; fruit that reveals the nature of God Himself.  Then I will notice the ability to love the unlovable. A joy will fill my being in the midst of strife when I let His Spirit lead.  Peace will rule my soul as His Spirit has His way in my life.  

When I let God's Spirit direct my paths, I'll discover a new-found patience and tolerance for others. As the Spirit takes the lead, kindness, goodness and gentleness will flow out of my naturally cruel, wicked and rough exterior.  Where once fear, doubt and self-indulgence ruled, God's Spirit makes way for authentic, faithful, and self-controlled living.

I cannot fake righteousness.  Instead, it is only revealed in my life through the exposure of the characteristics of the indwelling Spirit.  As He works to chisel away more of my flesh, then more of His righteousness is made known.

Jesus returned to the Father so the Counselor could come and empower me to live in a way that pleases Him.

Demonstrates Judgement

Murder.  Kidnapping.  Sex Trafficking.  Child Pornography.  Drug Addiction.  Alcoholism.  These are a few examples of the evils of the world in which we live.  The fallout from the work of the Evil One is all around me.  Lives are shattered, hearts are broken, families are fragmented, children are suffering.  If I didn't know any better, I'd think that Satan had won.

Through the presence of the Holy Spirit in my life, however, the guilt and punishment awaiting the Prince of this world has been made plain.  I can rest assured that he will get what's coming to him and that no sin will go unpunished.  For those who follow Jesus, He took that punishment.  But for those who refused His saving grace, the eternal death sentence has been handed down.

As the great deceiver and author of evil, Satan has nothing but bondage, suffering and torment to look forward to for all of eternity. (Revelation 20:10)  God is a just God.

How does this affect me as I live my life in the here and now?  I can trust that God will not let injustice pass unnoticed.  When it seems evil is winning, I can remind myself that God's judgement over Satan is coming.  During the times when I feel overwhelmed with the hurting and suffering caused by the darkness of this world, I can trust God to bring justice in the end.

Jesus returned to the Father so the Counselor could come to demonstrate His judgement over Satan.

I hear a lot being said about Jesus and His role in my salvation, but I cannot overlook the importance of the Holy Spirit who convicts me of my sin, produces His righteous fruit in my life, and displays the judgement that Satan has awaiting him.   In the words of the 19th century missionary to China, "We have given too much attention to methods and to machinery and to resources, and too little to the Source of Power, the filling with the Holy Ghost."  The Counselor is my constant companion and supply of power:  Without Him, I am impotent.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can trust completely in God's Spirit to equip and empower me to live for Him.

How do I try to take on His role of convicting by pointing out sin in others, thus getting in the way of God's Sovereign work?

When do I feel despair at the work Satan is doing around me?