Danger in Confidence

"But when he had become powerful, he also became proud,

which led to his downfall.

He sinned against the LORD his God

by entering the sanctuary of the LORD's Temple

and personally burning incense on the incense altar."

2 Chronicles 26:16 NLT

His approval ratings would have been high if they had possessed such a tool back in Uzziah's time.  As the leader of Judah, he sought God, pleasing Him with his wholehearted devotion.  As a result, the first half of his reign was quite successful.  Uzziah was victorious in battle against the Philistines and Arabs, constructed towers in Jerusalem and the desert, improved the living situation of his people by getting them to work the soil so the vineyards, farms and outlying fertile lands flourished. Since water is vital in that region, he irrigated the lands and increased his herds of livestock.  He developed the armed forces, equipping them well and bolstering the strength of his tiny nation even more by designing machines to help protect his cities.  In all, he must have been a well-loved king.

Admired, that is, until his fame spread and the popularity and power went to his head.  Then he became overconfident and prideful, overstepping his God-given boundaries by taking on the role of the anointed priests.  Consequently, he lived out the rest of his years in exile, suffering with leprosy while his son took the throne (2 Chronicles 26).

I am equally at risk of falling into such foolishness.  When God gives me great blessing, whether it be in the responsibility of leadership, worldly success, wisdom or riches, I will grow confident.  As I grow in strength, it is very easy to forget Who is responsible for my position.  Then I am in trouble.  Thankfully, there is a way to avoid such peril.

Stay Faithful.  There is a reason I am advised to keep my eyes on Jesus who both generates and develops my faith.  There is so much in this world to distract me from wholehearted devotion to God.  I easily get off-track by becoming involved in worldly pursuits that turn my attention away from my First Love, getting caught up in activities that are good in themselves but take up too much importance in my heart, and spending more time on developing my character than on sitting at the feet of Jesus.  As a result, I find my heart straying.

In order to stay true to God as my highest pursuit, I must always keep Jesus in my line of sight.  How was He able to endure such torture, being abandoned by those who claimed allegiance to Him at His hour of greatest need?  And who bore such suffering on the cross, paying no attention to the shame of such a death?  Keeping His focus on His true identity as Son of God, remembering His rightful place at His Father's right hand, knowing the joy of the reunion awaiting Him, Jesus endured.

Jesus gives me the inspiration and ability to stay faithful to the God who loves me.

Keep Humble.  Uzziah got a little too big for his britches.  He probably started off knowing full well that he was nothing apart from God.  Then, as people and nations began to sit up and take notice of his success, he might have started thinking there was something great in him that enabled such notoriety.  He could have went from believing God was his only hope to wondering if maybe his own intelligence and ingenuity got him to where he was.  It's not hard to become prideful since I'm stuck in this fleshly abode that is so conscious of self.

As a result, I must never forget my true identity as a sinner.  I am completely incapable of pleasing God in my own power or wherewithal (Romans 3:23).  As a result, I am utterly lost because of my sin.  Thankfully, the other part of my description is of one who is made righteous by grace through faith in Jesus Christ (Romans 3:24).  I am not left in my sin that earns me eternal death, but instead have been cleansed by the blood of Jesus.  Therefore, I am wholly dependent upon the grace of God.

Jesus keeps me humble as I keep in mind that I am nothing without Him.

Soften my Heart.  I find it hard to take constructive criticism, especially when I know in my heart it is true.  I know in my head that I need to follow the advise given, but it is hard to admit that I am wrong, let alone consider the fact that I need to change.  Realizing that I am no different from anyone else, though, seems to help me let go of my desire to defend myself.  

Sin is a disease I share with all of mankind.  The only difference between each individual is whether or not one is willing to admit to that sin.  Once I do own up to my wrong behavior, thoughts and beliefs, I can turn away from what is coming between me and God.  Since Jesus already died for that sin so that I could be forgiven, mercy from God through Christ is guaranteed.  The only thing keeping me from receiving that forgiveness, then, is my own unwillingness to confess (1 John 1:9).

Jesus delivers forgiveness to me when I am willing to admit to my sin.

It is all too easy to tread on perilous ground when God blesses me greatly.  As I grow in confidence, it is important that I train my eyes on Jesus who enables me to stay faithful to God, keep humble by remembering my true identity, and am open to admitting my sin whenever it comes up.  In vigilantly maintaining these habits, I'll protect myself from falling into the danger that is found in strength.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can keep my eyes on Jesus.

When do I get distracted from Him?

How am I hard-hearted toward my own sin?

Shaken

"Since we are receiving a Kingdom

that is unshakable,

let us be thankful 

and please God by worshiping him with holy fear and awe.

For our God is a devouring fire."

Hebrews 12:28-29

My daughters and I heard it before we felt it.  A low rumbling resonated through the earth as we sat in the school room working on some math problems that February morning in 2001.  Living on an Army post as we did, we were accustomed to the sounds of artillery fire so we dismissed the noise as the normal concussions heard as a result of training exercises.  I stopped in mid-sentence, however, when I felt the rolling of the floor beneath my feet.  It took a few seconds for my mind to comprehend what was happening.  "Earthquake!"

As my four girls and I huddled in the doorway of our inner hallway for the duration of the 45-second quake, we truly realized our own lack of control.  We cried out to God in desperation, pleading with Him to stop the movement that was recorded at a magnitude of 6.8.

The Nisqually Earthquake caused damage to roads, bridges and buildings throughout the Pacific Northwest.  While these physical structures were shaken, the coming kingdom cannot be moved.  (Daniel 2:44)  What we have to look forward to is not like this world that is filled with things that can be lost, stolen and broken.  The knowledge of this truth can change the way I think of my life here, thus instigating a new way of living.

Remain Thankful

Physical pain, emotional suffering, abuse, divorce, murder, kidnapping, accidents, treachery. . . and the list goes on.  This world is filled with sin and it's consequences.  There is not a day that goes by that something bad doesn't touch my life in some way.  The question I often ask myself is, "What if this were all there was?  What if I had nothing better to look forward to?"  The answer I usually give myself is that I would have no hope and no reason to carry on.

Thankfully, I have an eternity with my Father after this life is over. Jesus said before He returned to His rightful position at the right hand of God the Father that He was going to prepare a place for me and all my brothers and sisters in Christ. (John 14:1-3)  For this reason I have nothing but good in my future, which makes me more willing to endure the present. (2 Corinthians 4:16-18)

Therefore, I can remain thankful despite the harshness of this world.  If my body is falling apart, I can turn away from despair and take on the garment of praise in a God who will give me a perfect body that will last an eternity.  (Isaiah 61:3)  If I struggle with broken relationships, I can take heart that my bond with a loving God can never be severed.  (Romans 8:38-39)  If it seems heartache after heartache keeps coming my way, I can keep my eyes on the One who comforts those who mourn.  (Matthew 5:4, 2 Corinthians 1:3-5)

While I live in this fallen world, it is my desire to remain thankful for a God who planned for eternity.

Worship

Addison Road performs a beautiful song that makes a good point regarding the holiness of God.  Take a moment to listen and meditate on the lyrics.  

What do I really know of the holiness of a perfect God?  Can I fathom His awesome character?  He is so great I cannot begin to know Him completely, nor hope to have Him figured out. (Isaiah 55:8-9, Isaiah 40:12-14)  Instead, I can only desire to know Him more, standing in awe every time He reveals a bit more about Himself.  It seems I should be careful to not grow complacent or accustomed to His miraculous ways, but always maintain a spirit of wonder.

When I see the intricate beauty of a budding rose, I can either pass on by or stop to revere the Lord as the maker of heaven and earth.   When it seems like everything is going wrong, I can either sink into despair or stop to look for the good that God is doing in the midst of the bad.   When I am tempted to do what comes naturally, I can either give in to my flesh or stop and sacrifice that desire on the cross, allowing God to have His way with my body which is His temple. (Romans 12:1)

While I live in this fallen world, it is my desire to worship the Lord in the way I live my life, giving Him the respect and reverence due such a holy God.

Maintain Faithfulness

If I were to measure my thoughts, would the majority be about God and His ways, or mostly about myself and my ways?  Even though I have no way to take such a measurement, I have a sneaking suspicion that I mostly think about me.  

There are many good things in this life on which I can spend my time and efforts: art, exercise, nutrition, hobbies, careers, even serving in the church.  Out of everything I do in a particular day, however, how much is done with any thought to God and what He wants me to do?  Most of the time, I make my own schedule without consulting God, acknowledging Him, or more importantly, seeking Him out.

God is a jealous God, a consuming fire.  (Deuteronomy 4:23-24)  He is not jealous of me, but is jealous for me; my time, attention and heart.  Anything that distracts me from focusing on the Lord as my everything is in danger of being an idol.  An idol could be running, scrapbooking, cooking for the needy, or my job.  Whatever it is, if I am not willing to let it go if God asks, it means I'm holding on too tight, making it more important than God.  He is the only One I should be unwilling from which to part.

While I live in this fallen world, it is my desire to stay faithful to God as my most prized possession.

Everything in this world except my relationship with God is at risk of falling away.  Consequently, I cannot place too much emphasis on this world but keep a thankful attitude that I have so much more in my future than what I can see here.  It is also my calling to worship God in all my ways, and to maintain a faithful attitude toward Him.  In this way, I will invest in God's kingdom which will not be shaken.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can worship God in my attitudes and actions.

When do I sink into a negative attitude, forgetting all to which I have to look forward?

How do I maintain my loyalty to a God who wants all my attention?

Expectations

"Here is a trustworthy saying:

If we died with him,

we will also live with him;

if we endure,

we will also reign with him.

If we disown him,

he will also disown us;

if we are faithless,

he remains faithful,

for he cannot disown himself."

2 Timothy 2:11-13

There are many things I expect out of life.  I want to be able to live a comfortable, happy life, at least within reason.  I don't ask for much, I rationalize, so the few things I do enjoy I should be able to receive.  I also expect a minimal level of respect from those I come into contact with; after all, I am an important person. . . at least I am to me!  Another thing I expect is to reach my goals and to live my dreams.  What's the point of having them if they don't come to fruition?

The problem with these expectations is that when they fall through, I become disillusioned and disappointed.  In fact, I could even fall into a state of depression and hopelessness.  There are certain things I can expect from life, but they aren't based on my wants and desires.  Instead, these expectations are based on my actions and attitudes; I truly do reap what I sow. I can either sow seeds of sin and hopelessness, or I can stay faithful to God.

Live in Him

Sin is everywhere, especially in my own heart.  Selfishness, discontent, pride, hatred, gossip, worry, dissension, envy, slander and impurity can all be found in my heart.  

When I live to these sins, they become bigger and bigger in my life until Jesus can no longer be seen.  But when I do as Paul suggested and, "consider (myself) to be dead to the power of sin. . ." (Romans 6:11 NLT) then I can live in God through Christ Jesus.

If I die to sin, I can expect to live in Jesus just as He described (John 15:5).

Reign with Him

No one wants to simply survive.  I'd much rather think about having a life where I thrive, not just get through.  Sometimes, though, as much as Jesus promised an abundant life, that wealth doesn't show up as I expect. (John 10:10)  

I want a happy and fulfilling life, but sometimes I receive a difficult existence filled with suffering. Or, I dream of an abundance of money to share with others, but instead I am handed a life of living from paycheck to paycheck.  Or, I desire to do big things for God yet all I'm offered is seemingly meaningless work for Him.

The abundance Jesus promised can be found in my heart despite my external circumstances.  When I go through difficulties or disappointment, I can rejoice in these sufferings because it is a sign that not only will I share in the pain, but also in His triumph.  Endurance is more than just getting through.  Rather, it is to carry on despite the hardships, knowing that there is so much more waiting for me on the other side.

If I endure what God sends my way, I can expect to reign with Christ.

Disowned by Him

Big brothers or sisters are good at pretending their younger sibling is not related to them.  Hurtful treatment like this can cause a lot of friction but is thankfully not always a permanent situation: This stage usually ends once the elder reaches adulthood.  

With God, however, my refusal to acknowledge Christ as Lord over all things means He will treat me as a stranger before our Father in heaven.  (Matthew 10:33)  Sometimes I don't want to admit in front of others that I follow Jesus, but other times it's an issue of lordship.

It is easy to desire to retain control over certain areas of my life, such as my finances, or my hurt feelings, or my relationships.  If I truly want to say I belong to Him, however, I will need to prove it by submitting these areas to Him.  

If I disown Jesus as my Lord and Savior, I can expect to be disowned by Him.

With everything I expect out of life, there are only a few areas on which I can count.  If I die to sin I know I will live in Him.  Moreover, enduring the difficulties God sends my way will result in sharing in the triumph of Christ.  It's sobering to realize, however, how my inability to identify myself as a Christ follower will result in Him denying my kinship.  Thankfully, I can always expect God to be faithful, even when I can't be trusted.  He will never let me down, of that I can count!

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I will only expect what God promises.

How do I pin my hopes on a good life here and forget that eternity with Christ will far outshine anything I could dream of?

Can I think of a time when God has been faithful despite my unfaithfulness?

The Land Mourns

"There is no faithfulness,

no love,

no acknowledgment of God

in the land."

Hosea 4:1

As Americans, we like to think we live in a kind of "promised land."  People come from all around the world to taste the freedom our country offers.  Like the Puerto Rican immigrants sang in West Side Story, "I want to live in America!" People sneak into this country illegally in order to have a shot at a good life; one that they have no chance of living in their home country.  It does seem to be a promised land.

The problem appears when I assume that God thinks the same way about America.  If I look at my country through the eyes of a Holy and Just God, I come to a different conclusion.  I find that I have turned away from God and toward the gods of Independence, Comfort and Worldly Success.  I witness a serious lack of love for my fellow man.  I see a tendency for man to take credit for all the good things this country enjoys.  

In a nutshell, America is headed away from God.  The US may be a "Super Power" but its lacking the power of God.  America no longer considers herself to be "one nation under God."  We as a people group are moving in a dangerous direction.  As an American believer, I am not exempt from this trend.  I am easily influenced by the culture in which I live so it is important that I pay attention to what is important to God.  

Faithfulness

When Jesus prayed for His Disciples in the Garden of Gethsemane, He also prayed for all those who would believe in Him by hearing their message.  He prayed to His Father that believers would, "be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you.  May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me."  (John 17:21)

Unity in Christ sets believers apart from the rest of the world that cannot get along with each other.  In order for this to be accomplished, though, my flesh must be surrendered to Christ.  I must want His will more than my will.  I must let God have His way in my life.  When believers submit to Jesus as Lord, we act as one.

Oswald Chambers said that since Jesus prayed this prayer, "God will not leave us alone until we are one with Him. . ."  It is vital to our existence as people of God that He be the head of us. When I turn to other things as lord of my life, He no longer is my Lord.  I am acting unfaithfully.  I am stealing His glory.  I am committing adultery.  


God sets my example; "the faithfulness of the LORD endures forever."  (Psalm 117:2)  He always does what He says He will do, He always lives up to His promises, on Him I can always rely.  This is the standard He has set.  


It is not natural for me to stick with something and be true to my word.  I may mean well when I say I will be there for someone, but then life happens, distractions rise up and tragedy hits.  Suddenly there are more important things to which I must attend and the promise falls by the wayside.


Faithfulness is not a trait I can obtain through sheer effort and determination.  Rather, it is a natural extension of following Jesus.  Faithfulness comes from God and when I am connected to Him I will see evidence of it in my life. 


One of the best litmus tests of my faithfulness to God is in how I spend the time He has given me.  As author John Boykin said, "Time is life--nothing more, nothing less.  The way you spend your hours and your days is the way you spend your life."  As a child of God who was made to glorify Him with my life, my use of time must be wise and intentional.  I show my unfaithfulness to God when I fritter my time away on mindless television, spend endless hours on social media or simply do the things that please myself.  


Faithfulness to God means I spend my time seeking Him, His kingdom and His righteousness, for His glory.

Love

Love is very important to God.  He said, "If I speak with human eloquence and angelic ecstasy but don't love, I'm nothing but the creaking of a rusty gate.  If I speak God's Word with power, revealing all his mysteries and making everything plain as day, and if I have faith that says to a mountain, "Jump," and it jumps, but I don't love, I'm nothing.  If I give everything I own to the poor and even go to the stake to be burned as a martyr, but I don't love, I've gotten nowhere.  So, no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I'm bankrupt without love."  (1 Corinthians 13:1-7 MSG)

Even if I'm like Mother Teresa in my words, actions and beliefs, but am not patient and kind with others, nothing else I do matters.  If I remember the wrongs done to me, easily pop a gasket or secretly enjoy seeing the suffering of those who hurt, it doesn't matter what I do for God.  If I write a child off, thinking there is not hope so why should I keep trying to help, any amount of effort I make to please God will be null and void.  

Love is what is important to God.  If I want to know what love looks like, I need look no further than God for He is love.

"Love never gives up.  Love cares more for others than for self.  Love doesn't want what it doesn't have.  Love doesn't strut, doesn't have a swelled head, doesn't force itself on others, isn't always 'me first,' doesn't fly off the handle, doesn't keep score of the sins of others, doesn't revel when others grovel, takes pleasure in the flowering of truth, puts up with anything, trusts God always, always looks for the best, never looks back, but keeps going to the end.  Love never dies."  (1Corinthians 13:4-8 MSG)

I can't love this way on my own.    Instead, I am only able to love this way because God first loved me.  In doing so, He bathed me in His love, placing His Spirit of love inside of me so I can pass that love on to others; if only I will let go of my own natural desires and inclinations.

When I am fed up with my husband and tempted to fly off the handle, love hangs in there, sticking to the commitment I made to him before God.  During the times when I am hurt and my mind acts like a Rolodex of wrongs, love cuts the offender a break and doesn't try to retaliate.  If I feel discontent with my life as I compare it to that of my friends', love directs my attention to all the good I have and to what I can look forward.    

If I am to stay true to God I must let His love flow through me, softening hearts and changing lives.

Acknowledgment

I was walking down the street, doing my daily exercise when a young woman approached from the other direction.  When I could see the whites of her eyes I said, "Good Morning."  The woman completely ignored me and proceeded to pass right by with nary a word or even a look.    Maybe she was listening to music or it could be that she suffered from hearing problems.  Whatever the case may be, it made me angry.  She did not even acknowledge my existence!  

Everyone wants to be acknowledged.  It is said that the best way to make someone feel welcomed is to look into their eyes and greet them using their name.  This method satisfies our need for recognition.  We feel like we're valued and important.

In a similar way, God desires for me to pay attention to Him.  Instead, many days I go for hours without even thinking about Him.  I'm driving into the busy parking lot, searching for an empty spot when I absent-mindedly ask God to provide a place to park.  Suddenly a spot opens up.  Instinctively I say, "Never mind, God.  There's one right there."  

It's easy to think things happen by chance, as a result of my hard work or because of the generosity of someone else.  If I want to please God, I need to make an effort to include Him in all parts of my life and give Him the credit for all the good things.  This effort will not go unnoticed.  As the Proverb goes, "In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight."  (Proverbs 3:6)

Things just go better when I recognize God's presence in every part of my life.  After all, He can't help me if I'm ignoring Him!

Acknowledging God takes effort as I give Him the center of my attention every moment of the day.  

Living in a country, and frankly a world, that doesn't take God seriously is a dangerous place to live.  But it can be done in a way that glorifies God if I will stay faithful to Him, love as He has loved me, and acknowledge Him in all my ways.  In this way, even though the land mourns, I will rejoice.  

As I begin this day it is my prayer that God will be glorified as I live in a place that glorifies other gods.

How do I fail to acknowledge God in even the simplest of tasks?

When do I let love fall by the wayside, instead following my own natural tendencies?