The Grace of the Potter

"We are all infected and impure with sin.

When we display our righteous deeds,

they are nothing but filthy rags.

Like autumn leaves, we wither and fall,

and our sins sweep us away like the wind.

Yet no on calls on your name

or pleads with you for mercy.

Therefore, you have turned away from us

and turned us over to our sins.

And yet, O LORD, you are our Father.

We are the clay, and you are the potter.

We are formed by your hand."

Isaiah 64:6-8 NLT

I don't deserve it, none of us do (Romans 3:23).  Even my best attempts to do good are seen by God as soiled tatters, not a gleaming robe of righteousness as I might see it.  If I truly got what was coming to me, I'd be horrified (Psalm 103:10).  Still, God offers grace.  How extraordinary!

Father.  I should be banished to the outer reaches of the universe, exiled so as to avoid soiling God with my unworthiness, my sinful flesh, my body of death.  It makes sense that such a holy God wouldn't want to touch me with a ten-foot pole, that He would keep His distance and dictate His mandates from on high, turning a blind eye to much of my self-inflicted suffering.  It seems right that His higher ways and superior thoughts would keep Him far away from lowly mankind, that He would make me lie in the bed I have made in my selfish wickedness.

Instead, the true nature of God is of a compassionate Father who passionately desires to be intimately involved in my life.  This love for me is so powerful that it drove Him to offer His own Son as a sacrifice to atone for my sins, cleansing me from all unrighteousness so I can appear before the God of the Universe as holy and pure, not in my true state as immoral and corrupted by sin (Romans 5:8, 1 John 2:2, Colossians 1:22).  Therefore, through repentance and faith in Jesus, I can approach my Father as one who belongs in His presence, as one who is welcomed as a cherished child, as one who is wholly and perfectly loved (1 John 3:1, Hebrews 4:16).

Because of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross, God can extend His saving grace to me, the sinner, so that I can interact with Him as my loving Father.

Potter.  The lump of clay sits there completely powerless to form itself into anything suitable or beautiful.  It is destined to remain shapeless and pathetically unusable, that is until the hands of the potter close over its mass of mud.  He then expertly works to transform its shape from an ugly blob to something altogether different.  In His hands, there is much potential in each lump of clay.

He has compared me as His image-bearer to a lump of clay on His potter's wheel (Isaiah 64:8).  He could have left me as is, not caring enough to change me from my present state.  Instead, He loves me enough to take me through the painful and difficult process of sanctification, where He scrapes away that which doesn't belong and changes the way I think, speak, react, even exchanging my worldly values for heavenly ones (2 Corinthians 4:11, Colossians 3:10).  As I become who He intends me to be, I see things differently, my motivations and passions are converted to heavenly ones and my perspective lines up more closely with His (Ephesians 4:23-24).  He uses every situation I face to transform me into the image of His Son (Romans 8:28-29).  In His hands, I am becoming something altogether different yet uniquely me.

Because of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross, God can extend His saving grace to me, the sinner, so that the Potter can transform me into something beautiful through the work of His hands.

Artist.  I'm not a mistake, a complex being with feelings, dreams and hopes that emerged from the muck by chance.  I didn't evolve from apes through a long line of aberrations that resulted in increasingly higher intelligence and the accidental formation of a conscience.  Instead, I am here on purpose, made for a purpose.  I was knit "together in my mother's womb" and "I am fearfully and wonderfully made" (Psalm 139:13-14).

When I see my Creator as a gifted Artist who is unable to make junk but only creates good, I suddenly understand my inherent worth as the work of His hands (Genesis 1:31).  It is not in myself, per se, that I find my value, but in my Maker whose astounding work makes me valuable.  Just as a piece of artwork by van Gogh or da Vinci are infinitely more valuable simply because they came from such a talented hand, so I am essentially precious because I came from the hand of the greatest Artist of all times.  I was made by the same One who placed the stars in the heavens and brought forth breathtaking wonders.  Not only was I made for good not for the trash heap, but in Christ I have a wonderful mission that was prepared long ago for me to accomplish (Ephesians 2:10).  In Christ I am beautiful and functional!

Because of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross, God can extend His saving grace to me, the sinner, so that I can realize the beauty that is found within me as the work of the Artist's talented hands and the function for which I was made.

When I see my sin for what it is, an affront to God, I realize I don't deserve anything good.  Yet by the grace of God that comes through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ, I can interact with Him differently than as one who is condemned.  Instead, God becomes this loving Father who cares deeply for what hurts me, a master Potter who transforms me into the image of His Son, and a talented Artist whose very hand is what makes me valuable and useful.  In these ways, I get to experience the grace of God!

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can trust God enough to believe I am made valuable by His mark on my life.

When do I tear myself down, forgetting my inherent value?

How do I treat myself as trash instead of as a treasure?       

Thoroughly Tested

"Your promises have been thoroughly tested,

and your servant loves them."

Psalm 119:140

God loves me.  This truth never wavers.  Throughout my life, whether I've known it or not, acknowledged it or lived as if I'm worth less than the mud on the bottom of my shoe, believed it or felt like an orphan, I've been perfectly loved by Love Himself.  My love for God, however, has not always been as true.  And a devotion to His ways?  I've more often than not been dedicated to following my own path, in my time, according to my terms.  

My love for God's ways will grow, however, as I see them test out in my life.  His promises are worthy of my full faith, but I won't know this until I begin a journey of faith that begins with a single step.  I will always prefer my way over God's way until I begin to believe in the goodness of God.

Taste.  "If it doesn't fit, you must acquit."  Defense attorney Johnnie Cochran spoke these infamous words during the closing arguments of the O.J. Simpson trial, referring to the prosecutor's case against his client, but also to the risky courtroom demonstration of the defendant trying on the gloves used in the murder to prove he was their owner.  Unfortunately for the D.A.'s office, for whatever reason, the gloves didn't quite fit and this failed attempt ended up being the nail in the coffin of their case.  Sometimes, putting your money where your mouth is can backfire.

Unlike this cringe-worthy moment in criminal/pop history, I will never be disappointed if I place my weight on Jesus, making a public commitment to Him and the path He has for me.  David exhorts me to "Taste and see that the Lord is good." (Psalm 34:8)  He is always good, through and through (Psalm 136:1, 145:9, James 1:17).  He does not have bad days when He will let me down, when I'll be sorry that I placed my full trust in Him, when I'll regret having chosen His ways.  He is a good God whose goodness is thoroughly tested.  Therefore, I can place my full confidence in Him.

Since God's goodness is thoroughly tested, I can take Him up on His promises and find He will live up to them every time, without fail.

Repent.  Sometimes I'm on the fence.  I try to live my life my way yet still trust in Jesus as Lord and Savior.  Trouble is, I can't have it both ways.  Either I'm all in God's kingdom with Jesus as my King, or I'm ruler of my own life, fooling myself into thinking I'm following Jesus.  There can only be one king of my life.

This is why it's necessary to repent, literally meaning to "turn away."  I can't work with Jesus and fight against Him at the same time.  It's impossible to let Him have His way and me get mine as well.  Either I'm for Him or I'm against Him; the gospel of Jesus Christ begs a decision (Matthew 12:30).  This means there is no straddling the line; I must choose one side or the other.  And the only way I can choose Jesus is if I lay down my own faulty methods of coping with life, my inferior attempts at living a meaningful life, my meager tries at saving myself, and fully embrace God's good plan of redemption and restoration.

Since God's forgiveness is thoroughly tested, I can repent from my inferior way of living and embrace His best for me.

Rest.  I have an unhealthy pattern in my life.  I tend to pay too much attention to what I can do for Jesus, trying really hard to prove myself worthy and earn my keep.  As I scurry around like a busy little ant, giving what I think is my best for Him, I fail to see that Jesus has already done all that is necessary.  As He lovingly said to Martha, I am "worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed-or indeed only one." ( Luke 10:41b-42)  He went on to say that Mary, in sitting at His feet and listening to His every word, had chosen what is better.

How hard it is for me to go against my flesh.  It cries out for attention, wanting to do what comes naturally.  But in Christ, I am a new creation, made for new desires, new patterns, new motivations.  In order to find the restoring process as Jesus makes me into the woman I'm meant to be, I'll need to cooperate.  This means I must get out of the way and let Him do His job.  The best way to accomplish this is to enter into His rest, accepting what He has already done for me and making myself like pliable clay in His hands (Hebrews 4:1-7).

Since the Gospel of Jesus Christ has been thoroughly tested, I can rest in what He has already done, cooperating with His lifelong plan of transformation.

The more I see God's promises play out in my life, the more my love for Him and His ways will grow.  In order to start this process, I'll need to give God a try, taking Him up on His offer of forgiveness and relationship.  I'll also find it necessary to repent of my inferior ways and take up His superior plan for my life.  It's equally as important that I stop resisting His efforts in purifying me and making me into the woman He created me to be and start resting in His redemptive work.  In these ways I'll discover that God's promises are thoroughly tested and can be trusted.  What am I waiting for?

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can trust God with every part of my life.

When do I want my own way more than I want God's best for me?

How do I fight hard to get what I think I deserve instead of letting God give me what Jesus already died to secure for me?

   

Open Up!

"Hear, O my people, while I admonish you!

O Israel, if you would but listen to me!

There shall be no strange god among you;

you shall not bow down to a foreign god.

I am the LORD your God,

who brought you up out of the land of Egypt.

Open your mouth wide,

and I will fill it."

Psalm 81:8-10 ESV

We as a people can be frustrating.  We, like the Israelites, claim to follow God, but then we wander off, pinning our hopes on something other than the One who brings true fulfillment and meaning.

When I go off like this, God misses me, longing for a close bond with me.  He chastises me, disciplining me as a way to draw me back to Him, saying, "I have so much I want to give you, why will you not receive?  Why do you stubbornly resist my advances?"  He never stops pursuing me, reminding me of all I could have from Him, all the acts of His mighty hand that I have experienced.  He does not give up on me; He passionately desires my whole heart!

If I would open my mouth, He would fill it with such goodness; blessing beyond compare!

Love.  When I hear the word, "love," I get a picture of human love in my mind.  I think of a parent's love for a child which sometimes pushes her beyond her own capabilities in an effort to help her succeed.  Or the love of a man for a woman which smothers her, not allowing her to become the woman she was created to be.  Or the love of a woman for a man which is dependent upon him for her feelings of worth and well-being.  Or the love between two humans which is strong at one moment then fades in another.  This inferior love is far below what God has in mind when He speaks of love.

The kind of love I can expect from God is powerful.  It is grand; its scope being beyond my ability to fathom (Ephesians 3:18-19). This love is part of His character, not just an action He shows or a deed He does.  Love is who He is (1 John 4:8).  Therefore, this love does not change, waxing and waning according to my performance or attitude at the time:  God's love is constant.  It also is not dependent upon me at all, but absolute and unrestricted.  Therefore, this love cannot be lost (Romans 8:38-39).  This is the kind of love that cannot be constrained or limited.  In it's character, it is meant to flow freely to me and then out to others.  It is a sign that I belong to Him (1 John 4:7). 

This is the kind of love my heart desires, and this is the kind of love God is waiting with which to fill me.

Grace.  I want good things in life, but deep down, I feel like I don't deserve them.  I mess up despite how hard I try to do right.  I fail time and time again regardless of how much effort I put into following God's ways.  It seems like for every step forward I take, I end up going backwards three.  Life can be like running in loose sand; lots of effort with little progress made.

What I need to grasp is God's gracious character.  His grace gives me what I don't deserve.  His grace is all about lavish goodness flowing into my life apart from my ability to earn it.  It's God's favor upon me despite my failure to earn it.  Grace offers forgiveness where there is no virtue, kindness when I deserve wrath, abundance even though my actions earned lack (Ephesians 2:8, Romans 3:24).

God is waiting to pour out His grace in my life until it is overflowing in abundance.

Hope.  Without Him, I have nothing to look forward to.  Apart from Him, there is no expectation that things will be okay.  On my own, I can't honestly say that life will get better, that it will turn out for the good in the end, that there is anything beyond what I experience in the here and now.  If I don't have Jesus, I have no hope (1 Peter 1:3-4).

Through Christ, I can have an expectation for something better to come.  This is not all there is, and I was made for more than just survival.  I was created to thrive in the abundance of His love, and this is why Jesus came; to offer such fullness of life (John 10:10).  If things are bad right now, hope spurs me on with the thought that He came to give me a rich and satisfying life, not a measly existence filled with struggle and lack of purpose. 

Since He is always at work I can maintain a positive attitude based on the expectation that He is at work on my behalf, even if I don't detect it.   Furthermore, I need not fear the end, because in reality it is only the beginning.  The best is yet to come (John 14:1-3).  I have a future (Jeremiah 29:11)!

In Christ I have the hope that spurs me on to greater things, if I would only open myself up to receiving it.

I admit that I am stubbornly resisting God's work in my life.  Even though He desires to lavish His love, grace and hope upon me, I often fail to receive.  It is my desire that I let go of everything that holds me back, and simply open my mouth to accept His goodness.  When I do, I will find that He will fill me until it overflows in abundance.  Let me open up to Him!

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I will stop resisting God's work in my life and simply let Him give what He wants to give me.

How am I clamming up in the face of such a generous God?

When do I stick to my measly existence, refusing to even consider the abundance God is offering?

          

Amazing Grace!

"Though he was God,

he did not think of equality with God

as something to cling to.

Instead, he gave up his divine privileges;

he took the humble position of a slave

and was born as a human being.

When he appeared in human form,

he humbled himself in obedience to God

and died a criminal's death on a cross."

Philippians 2:6-8 NLT

I've heard it said that grace is getting what I don't deserve;  the unmerited favor of God.  I can think of many example of God's grace in my life.  Salvation from eternal punishment.  Abundant life.  Intimate relationship with the One who loves me most.  There is so much evidence of His grace.

The ultimate manifestation of His grace and the conduit by which grace His delivered to an undeserving humanity is Jesus.  Jesus is both the best example of God's grace extended to me as well as the means of His expression of that grace.  Without Jesus, a holy God could not show His grace toward sinful man.  Here are some of the sacrifices Jesus made in order for me to experience a constant flow of God's grace into my life.

Poor.  Recently, my family and I have tasted what it is like to be homeless.  During the time when we had no address and nowhere to call home except a local motel, I often thought of Jesus who had, "nowhere to lay his head." (Luke 9:58 ESV)  The One who possessed ultimate riches sacrificed such bounty in order to deliver God's grace to His own.

Missionary Sid Halsband put it this way.  "He who had unspeakable wealth said, 'Shew me a penny' (Luke 20:24).  He who abode in the ivory palaces of heaven borrowed a pillow in Bethany (Matthew 21:17).  He whose heavenly podium was the Great White Throne borrowed a boat from which to preach (Luke 5:3).  He who spoke worlds unknown into existence, borrowed loaves and fish to feed a hungry throng (John 6:9).  He who owns the cattle upon a thousand hills borrowed a donkey (Mark 11:3).  He who inhabits eternity borrowed an upper room (Matthew 26:18).  Finally He who is the source of life borrowed a tomb (Matthew 27:60)."

He who was rich became poor so I could taste true treasure (Matthew 6:19-21,  Matthew 19:21).

Mortal.  Aches and pains.  Suffering.  Aging.  Injuries.  Illness.  Death.  There are many disadvantages to living the mortal life, all of which Jesus willingly took on in order to show God's love and grace to mankind.

When Jesus was born of the virgin Mary, it was not as God disguised as man.  He was not some kind of superbaby who had to pretend He didn't know all things as He grew at His mother's knee.  He truly gave up His divinity in order to become a man.  He exchanged His divine nature in order to take up a human one (Hebrews 2:17).  And He made such a sacrifice for me, despite my unfaithfulness and my wayward spirit (Romans 5:8).

He who was divine became mortal so I could taste immortality (1 Corinthians 15:42-49).

Criminal.  He was scorned, accused, beaten, mocked, spat upon, and crucified.  Even though He had done nothing wrong, He was killed along with the other criminals.  Despite the fact that Pilate could find no wrong in Him, He was condemned to death on a cross by this symbol of human authority who bowed to political pressure (Luke 23:13-25).  He was treated like a common criminal even though His name is above all others (Ephesians 1:20-21).

As a result of His unspeakable sacrifice, I am made right with God.  My sin is covered by His perfect blood, ushering me into the presence of my Father who loves me perfectly but whose holiness requires separation from such filth as is found in my heart.  This redeeming aspect of Christ's sacrifice is remarkable evidence of God's grace in my life.

He who was sinless became sin so that I could taste the righteousness of God (2 Corinthians 5:21).

Sometimes I take God's grace for granted, not truly appreciating all that Jesus sacrificed in order to deliver the unmerited favor of God to my undeserving life.  Today, let me turn my attention to Jesus' willingness to become poor, mortal and to be considered as criminal, all for my sake.  Such grace is amazing indeed!  

As I begin this day may I truly appreciate the sacrifice Jesus made in order to deliver God's grace to me.

When do I take God's grace for granted, not recognizing what was given in exchange for that grace?

How am I ungrateful?

   

I Need Him

"As a deer pants for flowing streams,

so pants my soul for you, O God."

Psalm 42:1 ESV

Animals instinctively know their need for water and food.  They were created to go after the things that sustain life.  Even in the African wilds where water is scarce and predators are plentiful, wildebeests will risk everything for a sip of the life-giving fluid found in the crocodile infested river.  They know without water they will die, so they take the risk despite their intuition that tells them to flee.  Preservation of life is a primal drive they cannot ignore.

Does my heart yearn for Jesus as much as this wildebeest knows of his need for water?  The older I grow and the more rocky roads I've traveled, the greater is my understanding of my need for Him.  Without Him, I am nothing.

Grace.  Sometimes, I become aware of my heart beating within my chest and my lungs drawing in oxygen from the air around me.  I marvel at the way God put my body together, giving it the mechanisms needed to sustain these vital functions.  Even more astounding is the fact that each breath I take is not only an involuntary process but also a gift from my Creator.  Without His grace, I would not receive the next moment of life.

Unfortunately, I have spent most of my life taking it for granted.  I counted on the fact that I would wake up in the morning and that I would see tomorrow.  In reality, my life is completely in God's hands and I'm at His mercy.  In the hands of a cruel and heartless dictator-god, this would be a scary thought.  But under the control of a loving, generous and forgiving God, I can rest easy, knowing I am secure. (Psalm 91)

Oswald Chambers understood our reliance on God's grace for our very lives when he offered this gentle reminder.   "Don't forget to pray today because God did not forget to wake you up this morning."

I need Him for the very life I often take for granted.

Empowerment.  I am married to a military man with a can-do attitude.  Whatever needs to be done, he has the innate confidence that he can carry it out, accomplishing necessary tasks with gusto.  As a result, it's easy for me to watch him work and think I can do the same by adopting a similar viewpoint.  Unfortunately, this is not the case.

I am limited in my abilities, aptitudes and skills.  For example, if I resolve to respond patiently in my interactions with my family, I may truly desire to accomplish this goal and may have every intention to carry it out.  I can pepper my home with positive quotes and place reminders in plain view to help me remember my aspiration.  Unfortunately, I am not equipped to respond with patience;  my sin nature simply does not allow it.  I may do well for a time, but something will happen to set me off and every good intention flies out the window.  Then I feel like a failure and pick myself up and try again.

This is where my need for Jesus comes in.  I need His indwelling Spirit to empower me to do what goes against my sin nature.  Only by surrendering to Him and cooperating with His supernatural power working within me will I be able to respond in patience.  It's not really me, then, but Christ that lives within me producing fruit; a natural extension of letting Him have His way in that moment. (Galatians 2:20-21,  5:22-23)

I need Him in order to live the holy life I'm called to live. (1 Peter 1:13-16)

Righteousness.  We all have it.  Some realize it and seek to satisfy it's yearning.  Others ignore the pull, spending their whole lives attempting to cover it up.  God placed within us a desire to live in relationship with Him.

In today's culture I often hear the message that there are many ways to find spiritual fulfillment.  Many profess to a belief in prayer and of a higher power of some kind, innately knowing there has got to be more to life than just what they can see.  This being that they picture in their mind as god is all-accepting and welcoming of their attempts to reach him.  Unfortunately, the missing piece to the puzzle they are trying to fit together is sin.  Sin separates me from the One who made me and the Only One who can truly fill that empty hole in my heart.

Therefore, the only way to get to God is through Jesus and by accepting His redemptive, sacrificial work on the cross freely given on my behalf. (John 14:6)  Without Jesus, I am unable to enter into a relationship with such a holy God who loves me enough to have sent His own precious Son to fix my sin problem. (Romans 3:23) Without Jesus, then, my life is devoid of meaning and purpose as I attempt to live estranged from the One who holds the blueprint of my life in His hands.  (Jeremiah 29:11-13)

I need Him to repair the chasm that my sin created between God and me.

I need Jesus more and more each day, for many more reasons than can be notated here.  He supplies each breath I take, gives me the ability to live as I'm called to live, and makes me right with God.  I truly need Him every moment and for every purpose. Therefore, as I live out my faith this day, may I always keep my need for Him in mind.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can let go of my belief that I can do anything of eternal value in my own strength.

How do I rely too much on my willpower instead of on God's power?

When am I most at risk of forgetting my reliance on Him?      

Live by Faith

"For when I tried to keep the law,

it condemned me.

So I died to the law

--I stopped trying to meet all its requirements--

so that I might live for God.

My old self has been crucified with Christ.

It is no longer I who live,

but Christ lives in me.

So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God,

who loved me and gave himself for me.

I do not treat the grace of God as meaningless. 

For if keeping the law could make us right with God,

then there was no need for Christ to die."

Galatians 2:19-21 NLT

I put in all the work, doing all the right things; fertilizing, watering and mowing, being careful not to trample on the tender blades of grass.  Still, my lawn did not fill out with the lush, luxuriance I dreamed about.

Doing all the right things is not enough in life or in gardening.  Without the blessing of God, nothing will flourish.  I can plant the seed and take all the steps necessary to make sure it has a good chance, but only God can make that seed sprout and grow into a plant, or a beautiful yard.

This is like my walk with Jesus:  It is not a religion in which I perform certain rituals, jump through certain hoops and live a certain way, resulting in God's favor.  No.  My walk with Jesus is just that:  A walk.  It is a relationship with a real Savior who lives and breathes life into me.  

It is not possible for me to please God through my efforts in following His law.  Instead, I must realize that Jesus died so that I could live for Him by faith, not by works.

I've been Crucified

He faltered again under the heavy burden of the cross, stumbling as He labored up the hill toward the place called, 'Golgotha."  It wasn't the physical weight that hampered his climb, though.  Instead, it was the heaviness of my sin He bore upon Himself that mostly weighed Jesus down.  (1 Peter 2:24)

My old, sinful self died on the cross with Jesus.(v 20) In my old way of living, I had no choice but to do what came naturally in following the desires of my flesh.  I lied, cheated, stole, hated, doubted, disrespected life, showed no regard for God and basically lived for my own comfort and well-being because it was my nature to sin.

Now, however, I have another choice.  Jesus Christ has rescued me from that body of death and provided the option of following Him, allowing His nature to rule in place of mine. (Romans 7:24-25)

To live by faith I must first remember that my sinful nature has been crucified on the cross with Jesus.

Christ can Live

The vine creeps up the arbor, growing longer and longer until the entire archway is covered with the purplish-green leaves, casting a refreshing bit of shade in the midst of a hot summer day.  As I stand underneath the mass of greenery, I marvel at the fact that all of this foliage came from one plant.  When I water, I need only soak the ground around the roots and the branches will benefit from the refreshment.

It is the same with me and Jesus.  Once my own flesh is out of the way, He is free to live through me.  Jesus said that He is the vine and I am the branch.  As long as I stay connected to Him, I will bear His fruit. (Galatians 5:22-23)  Apart from Him, I can do nothing that matters in His kingdom.  (John 15:5)

To live by faith I must stay connected to the Source of all good things: Jesus.

Don't set aside Grace

The store was filled with books written to help me succeed in life, live a more meaningful life, and to learn how to fulfill every dream of my heart.  While these self-help books promise great things, there is only One who can truly bring about healing (Psalm 147:3), holds the blueprint for my life (Jeremiah 29:11) and gives me desires that match up with His (Psalm 37:4).

As I have been freed from the inevitability of sin and given the opportunity to live in tandem with Jesus Christ, the temptation is there to fall back into my old ways.  Sin creeps in so naturally, guiding me down a path away from Jesus.  Before I know it, I am back to trying to be good enough to earn God's favor, turning to common-sense answers, and utilizing behavioral modification instead of letting the power of God change me from the inside out.

To live by faith I must never forget the grace of God that makes my relationship with Him possible.

It's hard for me not to work at doing all the right things as a way of growing closer to Jesus.  He, however, is not impressed with my efforts, but only desires a relationship with me.  In order for me to draw closer to Him, I must remember that my old, sinful self has already been crucified on the cross and need not hold power over me, leaving room for Christ to live within me.  Finally, I must be careful to remember to treasure the grace I've been given that allows me to enjoy a relationship with Jesus, and to make this relationship the most important thing in my life.  In these ways, I will live today by faith instead of by works.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can remember that I can't please God just by working hard.

How do I try to work my way to Jesus instead of taking the gift of redemption He freely offers me?

When am I most tempted to try to fix myself instead of placing my sin back on the cross, letting Him fill the resulting void?

Walk My Own Walk

"Who are you to judge someone else's servant?

To his own master he stands or falls.

And he will stand,

for the Lord is able to make him stand.

. . .For none of us lives to himself alone

and none of us dies to himself alone.

If we live, we live to the Lord;

and if we die, we die to the Lord.

So, whether we live or die,

we belong to the Lord."

Romans 14:4, 7-8

Blue eyes, blonde hair, ivory skin, tall, skinny, outgoing, musical.

Green eyes, ebony hair, chocolate skin, short, curvy, shy, sensitive.

Brown eyes, red hair, freckled skin, medium height, medium build, knows no stranger, math whiz.

Hazel eyes, auburn hair, tanned skin, average height, model-like body, wallflower, creative.

There are millions of possible combinations of physical attributes, personality traits and gifts, each coming together to create unique and distinctive human life.  As one-of-a-kind as God has made each one of us, He has also prepared a unique path for us to follow.  My path may take me through the valley of the shadow of death many times while others stay mostly on the flat lands.

Since God is a creative God who delights in giving each of His children different callings and passions, tailoring experiences and trials to uniquely prepare me for my path, I can learn to walk my own walk in a way that honors God and shows respect for others.

Don't Judge

She listens to secular, head-banging music, wears tattoos and sports many piercings while her friend sticks with contemporary Christian music and would only consider wearing artwork on her clothing and one set of holes in her ears.  While their appearance is drastically different, their hearts are both inclined toward God.  They work together on an outreach team and love to talk to others about Jesus.

It would be easy to judge the more radical young woman as the less spiritual believer, but the truth is that God has a plan for her rocker appearance.  Many of the lost she encounters every day feels comfortable around her because she looks just like them, but the Light she carries within draws them to Jesus. 

I am often tempted to look at the walk of those around me, thinking I should be more like them or that they should be more like me. When I carry this attitude, I am denying the creativity of God and the diversity of His people and their purposes.  I also become guilty of placing the directives I have received through my own personal time with God and applying that to others.  The way each of us lives our lives in those areas that are not fundamental to our faith can vary without dishonoring God.      

While I might best glorify Him as a mother, someone else might be created to give honor to Him in the workplace.  One could be living the life of a biker, while another is a straight-laced businessman.  Some might be formed with the purpose of witnessing for Him in a club or bar, while another could find that temptation to be too great.

Wherever God is calling me, I would do best if I would keep my eyes focused on my own walk, bearing in love with others whose walk looks unusual.  Different does not always mean wrong and what's good for me might be a great source of temptation for someone else.  I would do best by leaving the responsibility for judging another's walk to God Himself.

As I am walking my own walk, it is important that I keep my eyes on my own path, lest I fall into a pit.

Don't Compare

The porcupine is not a fluke.  As strange as the platypus is, he was made on purpose.  Even though I don't understand the reason for the existence of roaches, God created them to be a part of His masterpiece.

God does not make mistakes and He doesn't fall asleep on the job.  Everything that happens falls under His umbrella of sovereignty.  (Jeremiah 29:11, 1 John 3:20, Psalm 121:3-4)  For this reason, I can trust Him in the way He uniquely created me.

God knew what He was doing, for instance, when He made me to be physically strong.  As a Jr High student, I was one of the only ones who could climb the rope in gym.  Later, I took to the sport of powerlifting.  The purpose for this unusual quality came in handy when I gave birth to triplets.  I was able to tackle the task of transporting all three children with comparative ease due to the unique structure with which God had blessed me.  If I had rejected this attribute and instead chose to ignore my natural strength, letting my muscles atrophy, I would have struggled with the logistical demands of raising multiples.

It reminds me of a story I read of a girl who struggled with her small stature and straight, dark hair. Looking around her in school, everyone else seemed to be taller than her and had curly, light hair.  She felt like a vacuum cleaner in a broom factory.

When she grew up, however, God called her to work with the people of East Asia where her appearance now became an asset.  Trusting that God knows what He is doing is not always evident in the present, but many times becomes clear as life goes on.

When I compare myself to others, thinking their gifts are better than mine or admiring their looks or even their homes, I am giving God the message that I am not content with what He has given to me.  Instead, I can choose to count my blessings, transforming my heart from discontent to thankfulness and praise, fully trusting Him with the plan He has for my life.

It's hard to glorify God when I tend to spend so much time questioning His plans and purposes!

As I am walking my own walk, it is important that I show my trust in God by accepting myself the way He has made me.

Live to My Master

My dog seems to have eyes only for me.  When we go out for a walk, he regularly checks to see if I'm still there at the other end of his leash.  A treat causes his entire body to wag, but he won't accept it until I give him the go-ahead.  In short, he'd rather please me than anything else in life.

I can learn a lesson from my canine companion by only having eyes for Jesus, desiring to please Him and Him alone.  (Hebrews 12:2, 1 Corinthians 10:31)  In this way, I won't get distracted by those whose lives look different from mine or whose calling seems better than mine.  Instead, I'll be completely focused on and dedicated to the task of pleasing God.

When a friend succeeds in her business, then, instead of feeling inferior and wondering if I should go to school and earn a degree so I too can succeed, I'll be able to express my excitement in her accomplishment.

When I live for God, I'll be able to see my own way more clearly instead of constantly second-guessing every decision that I make. (Proverbs 3:5,6)

Keeping my eyes on my Lord will give me the opportunity to see His goodness all around, even in the diversity of the gifts, talents and interests found in each and every human masterpiece.  Instead of being intimidated or jealous, I will find a more accepting and gracious spirit toward others.

As I am walking my own walk, it is important that I live to my own Master, doing everything for His glory.

The variety found in mankind is astounding.  Sometimes, though, this diversity in purpose, plan and lifestyle can tempt me to judge other believers based on non-essential matters or compare my own make-up to that of those around me.  When I learn to walk my own walk, however, I put my full trust in God, I am free to live to my own master as all those other distractions melt into the background.  Then I will be liberated to walk my own walk to the glory of God!

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

How do I get distracted by what others are doing for Christ?

When am I intimidated by the success of others?

Righteousness Reigns

"Nevertheless,

death reigned from the time of Adam to the time of Moses,

even over those who did not sin by breaking a command,

as did Adam,

who was a pattern of the one to come.

. . .Consequently,

just as the result of one trespass was condemnation for all men,

so also the result of one act of righteousness

was justification that brings life for all men.

For just as through the disobedience of the one man

the many were made sinners,

so also through the obedience of the one man

the many will be made righteous.

The law was added so that the trespass might increase. 

But where sin increased,

grace increased all the more,

so that, just as sin reigned in death,

so also grace might reign through righteousness

to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."

Romans 5:14, 18-21

The movie Spider-Man 3 presents an interesting dilemma with the transformation of the hero's once crimson suit to black.  Suddenly, Peter Parker finds that when he yields to it's appeal, he is empowered to live according to the evil that is within.  Instead of living heroically, then, he begins to give in to his desire for revenge and sinks to a new low.

Just as this darker version of Spider-man is a kind of study in opposites compared to his good alter-ego, so is Adam a pattern in reverse of Jesus.  Taking a moment to study the contrasts between the two will reveal the power of righteousness that reigns in the life of every believer.

Trespass vs. Act of Righteousness

The fruit seemed so innocent dangling from the tree.  It does look juicy and sweet.  What harm could come from just a bite?  Besides, I could use a bit of adventure.  If what the Serpent says is true, I won't really die. . . just know the difference between good and evil.  What's so bad about that?

In a moment of curiosity and carelessness, Eve offered the forbidden fruit to Adam and sin entered the world.  What once was pristine and perfect became flawed and spoiled.  The relationship that was created to be whole and without fear transformed into shame- and guilt-based.  Where peace and goodness once ruled, now toil and turmoil reigned.  The earth as God created it was now broken. (Genesis 3)

Sin resulted in a guilty sentence of death for all humans, dooming each of us to eternal separation from the One for whom we were made.  All creation groans under the burden of sin. (Romans 8:22)

In contrast, the innocent man hung painfully on the tree.  He does not deserve this penalty; He never did anything wrong.  He lived a perfect life, so why does He have to die?  I have seen evil, and this man is not evil:  This is a good man who died a needless death.  What's wrong with this picture? (Matthew 27:45-56)

The guards who stood watch over the crucifixion of Christ and witnessed the violent earthquake and darkening of the sun at his death, and even Pilate who washed his hands of Jesus' death, must have known in their hearts that something was different about this execution.  This man was no ordinary man.

In a moment of excruciating pain and suffering, Jesus willingly took my sins upon himself, taking the wrath of God in my place.  The punishment that I deserved, He endured out of love for me.  Just as the sin of Adam resulted in the fall of mankind and ruin of all of creation, so the sacrifice of Jesus results in the justification of mankind and the hope of a renewed creation when He comes again. (Revelation 21:1-5)

Now, through faith in Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior I can enjoy a relationship with my Father in heaven and look forward to the day when all things will once again exist as God once created it to be.

The power of righteousness results in new life and right standing with God.

Disobedience vs. Obedience

"Eat anything you want.  I have provided a wide array of food for you to enjoy.  Explore; discover the variety of options.  The only thing off-limits is the tree located in the center of the garden.  It is called the tree of the knowledge of good and evil and of it's fruit you must not eat, or death will be yours." (paraphrased from Genesis 2:16-17)

This seems fair enough: an entire garden-filled with good things to eat with only one exception.  Temptation soon came through Satan in the form of a Serpent, and the result of man breaking the only law that existed was the new label of "sinner" for all of mankind.  From then on, every baby born was now known as a sinner.  What hope is there for the people whom God created?

In contrast knelt the man in the garden.  Blood dripped from His brow as He considered the suffering that lay before Him.  "If there is any other way for You to accomplish Your will, please save me from my fate.  Above all things, however, I desire You, Father, to get your way for Your glory." (paraphrased from Luke 22:39-46)

The humility of Christ that led to His obedience on the cross of Calvary resulted in a different label to cover up my identity as "sinner." (Philippians 2:8)  Through faith in this perfect Lamb of God, I am now known as "righteous."  Instead of being bound to sin, I have the option of enslaving myself to Christ and living for Him instead of myself.  (Romans 6:16-19)

The power of righteousness results in my new identity as one who is acceptable to God and brought into right standing with Him.

Law vs. Grace

The stone tablets weighed heavily upon his back as Moses trudged down the hill.  The cacophony of revelry grew louder with every step, making the law he carried feel even more burdensome.  How can any of us stand before such a holy God? (see Exodus 32)

The only thing the law that God gave through Moses accomplishes is to show me the extent of my disobedience.  When I see the standard God expects from me, I realize how useless are my efforts to reach it: There is no way for me to be good enough to please God.  Living according to His law only leads to death as I realize the futility of my efforts. (Romans 4:13-15)

To illustrate the contrast, I think of a river of grace that flows from God to me.  The greater my sin, the heavier the flood.  The only thing the law does is to define my sinful nature, but the grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ results in an abundant life where I am right with God.  My sin  never overwhelms God's grace: the blood of Jesus always prevails.

There is no sin, or no number of sins, which is too much for Jesus to handle.  He already paid the price and His sacrifice was more than enough to cover my debt owed to God.  Jesus has overcome.  (Galatians 2:21, 1 Corinthians 15:56-57)

When I lived by what was right and wrong I led a life that led to death, but now that my sinful nature as been put to death with Christ, it's not me who tries to do what's right, but it is Christ who lives within me who pleases my Father.  (Galatians 2:20)

The power of righteousness makes righteousness within me possible.

Adam is a pattern in reverse of the Christ.  The first brought condemnation, my identity as a sinner and death.  The latter, however, produced justification, my new label as one who is righteous by faith, and the possibility of life.  In this way, righteousness can reign in my life through faith in Jesus Christ.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that more of Christ will be evident in my life.

How do I fail to fully accept my identity as one who has been made right with God?

When do I let sin rule instead of righteousness?