The Way of Sorrow

"What sorrow for those who get up early in the morning

looking for a drink of alcohol

and spend long evenings drinking wine

to make themselves flaming drunk.

They furnish wine and lovely music

at their grand parties--

lyre and harp, tambourine and flute--

but they never think about the LORD

or notice what he is doing.

So my people will go into exile far away

because they do not know me."

Isaiah 5:11-13a NLT

It seems like a joyous, carefree way to live, the good life, really.  Many strive to grab hold of the life filled with recreation and fun, full of pleasure.  But is it all its cracked up to be?  

Illusion.  I'm the master of my own destiny.  I don't believe in an afterlife and I'm okay with that.  There can't be a God, otherwise He wouldn't allow all this suffering, therefore, I can live however I want.  I'm just not the type who is into this God-thing; I'm fine just the way I am.  There are many methods mankind uses to create the illusion that God does not exist, or that He is optional, there if we need Him but otherwise fine with being left alone. Either viewpoint pays no heed to the Truth:  There is a God and He made His image-bearers for relationship with Himself (Psalm 100:3).

To live for selfish pleasures creates a false reality where God does not exist and those who adhere to such a lifestyle delude themselves into believing they will never need answer for the way they lived their lives (Hebrews 9:27).   There are only two choices as a follower of Christ:  Live with my flesh as lord, or with Jesus as my Ruler (Galatians 5:16-23).  The first leads to destruction, the second to life (Matthew 7:13-14).  To numb oneself with alcohol or other diversions has a blinding effect toward God and His constant work all around me.  Either I pay attention and respond, or I ignore and and carry on as usual.  Despite my choice, however, God is a reality I cannot deny, try as I might (Galatians 6:7-9).

To create an illusion that God does not exist or that it won't matter if I acknowledge Him or not is the way of sorrow.

Short-Term Payoff.  "You can either go on the website and fill out the claim form and wait to hear the decision, or you can get an immediate response by going through the process over the phone.  Which would you prefer?"  I was speaking to a customer service agent with my cell phone provider who was helping me get a replacement for my broken phone.  I replied with a chuckle, "I'll take the quick way, of course!  I'm an American and we want things now!"  And so it is.  

Today's culture is all about "spending our children's inheritance," investing in the good life here and leaving thoughts of eternity for another day.  Maybe when I'm done having fun I'll be ready to settle down and think about God.  Meanwhile, the Savior who wants to deliver the best life as only God could deliver for all of eternity is exchanged for a mediocre life now (John 3:16., 11:25, 14:2-3)  It's like preferring plastic beads now over real pearls later, or a shack in the woods without indoor plumbing or electricity now over a mansion with all the amenities later.  I must not be deceived:  Today's best just isn't that great.

To invest in a short-term payoff in the here and now is to miss out on God's best for all of eternity, the way of sorry indeed.

Counterfeit Joy.  Every human desires it.  That happiness that doesn't come and go but stays put despite my circumstances.  The glow that tells me my life is good and all is well with my soul.  I search for it in religion, relationships, my life's work, but it is as elusive as a butterfly refusing to light on the flower that is my heart.  It's frustrating, really.  I pursue it, providing all the pieces that should bring it, but it never comes.

True joy only comes in knowing Jesus.  When I turn away from all other pursuits and place all my eggs in His basket, I will be "filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy" (1 Peter 1:8b).  Living for Him, with Jesus as my greatest treasure, my loftiest goal, the prize to keep my eyes upon (Hebrews 12:2), I'll discover a joy that does not fade over time and is not dependent upon circumstances.  No matter what comes my way, I'll have the hope of Jesus to carry me through.

To seek counterfeit forms of joy in human experiences is the way of sorrow.

Many have come up short when they live according to their own desires.  When I follow suit, I'll live under the illusion that there is no God at work all around me, invest for the short-term payoff, and look for counterfeit joy.  In each case, I'll be following the way of sorrow.  If I want a better way, I need only give my life to Jesus.  His way is far superior, and it leads to life abundant!

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can trust God enough to live His way so that I'll benefit in eternity.

When do I get caught up in following the way of Sorrow?

How am I investing in the short-term?    

   

Hope When Down

"Why are you cast down, O my soul,

and why are you in turmoil within me?

Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,

my salvation and my God."

Psalm 42:5

It seemed there was no reason to carry on, like life was futile and just an endless series of disappointments, hardships and heartaches.  What's the point?  Why am I here?  The pit yawned deep and dark beneath me.  Despair loomed.

It's hard to carry on when I feel discouraged and without hope.  Will I ever feel better?  Will joy return? This psalmist understood the wisdom of living according to what he knew instead of by how he felt.  How did he endure depression? 

Heart of Praise.  It's hard to give God glory and honor when I'm not feeling it.  It's not natural to lift my voice with words of worship and adoration when the darkness presses in.  My heart is not inclined toward the Lord when it feels like everything is spiraling out of control.  At these times, it's good to continually remind myself of the transient nature of my current emotional state.  This too shall pass.

My hope is not in my circumstances, not in anything inside of me, not in my own ability to save myself nor in any humans willingness to help.  The only confidence I have is in God.  As the prophet Jeremiah professed as he lamented the affliction, anguish and desperation he and the nation of Israel have endured, "'The LORD is my portion' says my soul, 'therefore I will hope in him.'" (Lamentations 3:24)

Reminding myself that God will pull me out of the pit, placing my feet on solid ground, gives me the strength to carry on (Psalm 40:1-2).

Deep Calls to Deep.  The waves of turmoil and trouble keep coming, one after the other.  It feels I'll never catch a break, as if I can't breath in deeply but have to settle for the quick snatches of air I can suck in between outbreaks of heartache.  As I weather such storms, I have the rare opportunity to connect to God on a deeper level, the core of my soul reaching out to Him in desperation.

It's hard to think of the struggles as a benefit, but it can be a sweet time of seeing God on a new level where I experience His comfort, His lovingkindness, His faithful strength and support.  If my life was always easy and comfortable, I'd never get to see this side of God.  My relationship with Him would stay on the surface, shallow and superficial.  

The times of heartache and misery are opportunities to connect to God on a new level, growing in my relationship with Him as we endure the hard times together.

His Song.  Most of the time you don't hear birds singing once the sun goes down.  If you are fortunate enough to live in an area where the Mockingbird resides, you may hear a bachelor's love song resonate through the still, night air.  While this sound may annoy one who is trying to sleep, it is a beautiful reminder of the song of the Lord that stays with me during the dark times.

Just because I'm going through hard times doesn't mean God's goodness has gone away.  He is still a God who is worthy to be praised, no matter how bad things look in my life.  His character never changes and His constant nature is imprinted on my soul.  Therefore, if I look hard enough, I'll see evidence of His handiwork throughout the night.

My connection to the steadfast love of God is not lost no matter my circumstance.

When I feel down and in the dumps, it may seem like I'll never come out of it.  During such times, it's important to remind myself that my heart will praise God again, that joy will return.  It also helps me to realize the hard times are a unique opportunity to grow in my relationship with the Lord.  Finally, the song God leaves in my heart will not depart just because the night has come.  When I'm in a state of depression, I always have hope through Jesus.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can trust God through the darkness.

When do I give in to feelings of depression instead of reminding myself of the hope I have?

How do I fail to connect to God when the going gets rough?

      

Kingdom Tempo

"Sing praises to the LORD, O you his saints,

and give thanks to his holy name.

For his anger is but for a moment,

and his favor is for a lifetime.

Weeping may tarry for the night,

but joy comes with the morning."

Psalm 30:4-5 ESV

I have found that I tend to expect life to go at a certain pace and have learned through experience to see things with warped insight.  For example, I hate to suffer and don't like seeing others hurt but life has dealt so many blows that I expect misery to remain like a faithful friend.  Likewise, anger tends to linger in my own heart, coloring my perspective and sucking the life out of me like a deadly leach.  Furthermore, if I look deep within, I find that I expect rejection and ill-treatment as a way of life because of my own depravity: I know it's what I truly deserve.

God, however, does not operate according to my faulty expectations.  He has His own timing that reflects His perfect character.  Because of this, I must look to His Word to learn the superior tempo to which God marches.

His Anger.  It's hard for me to shake it.  When I'm hurt, offended or sense my boundaries being crossed, it rises up within me, overwhelming my entire being like an unwelcome tenant.  If things go differently than the way I hope they will turn out, it revives from it's latent state, always present though lying dormant.

Anger.  I sometimes feel like Dr. Bruce Banner, the alter ego to the Marvel superhero Hulk.  He says his secret of transformation into the wrathful green beast is that he's always angry, that the rage is simmering just below the surface, ready to erupt at any time.  I can relate.  Because of this fleshly trait of mine, I expect God to be the same way, thinking that He's always ticked off but just holding it back for the sake of all of mankind.

In reality, scripture tells me that God's fury passes, He never keeps angry or holds a grudge against me (Psalm 103:9, Isaiah 26:20).  As a result, I can give thanks for such a God as this.  Even though He has every right to be angry due to my inability to adhere to his commands and my tendency to stray away from Him, He doesn't hold onto that righteous wrath in the same way I do.  

I can breathe easy because God's anger is but for a moment.

His Favor.  I am stingy with my praise and kindness.  I tend to only give something good to those I feel deserve it.  In fact, as a parent bringing up four girls, I often focused on what needed to be improved and had to intentionally work at giving positive affirmation for what they were doing well, otherwise I'd have been a harsh taskmaster.

Because of my flawed way of doling out approval and help to others, I tend to think God is the same way, expecting me to earn His favor.  Instead, God freely indulges me with His lovingkindness, giving me so much that I don't deserve.  His character is merciful and gracious and He loves to give me good things that I haven't earned, as a Father who enjoys making his child smile.

As hard as it is for me to fathom, this favor lasts forever.  Since it's based on His character and is not founded on a whim, it is not wishy-washy, sometimes there and other times not.  I can count on God to pour His lovingkindness into my life because of His dependability.

Therefore, there is nothing I can do to lose His favor (Romans 8:38-39).  I won't wake up one day finding myself on the outside looking in because God has lost His patience with me and abandoned me in disgust.  Because of what Jesus Christ has done for me in dying on the cross, I am securely in His good graces, the recipient of His lavish love (1 John 3:1).

I can breathe easy because God's favor lasts a lifetime.

His promise.  As hard as it is to go through something difficult in life, it is even more of a challenge to watch the ones I love endure hardship.  The suffering that ensues makes me want to rescue them from the hurt.  Instead, I can keep God's faithful promise in mind: Joy will come in the morning.

While this life here on earth can be hard to bear, what I have to look forward to in eternity through faith in Jesus Christ is beyond compare.  I cannot fathom the riches of glory that await me there, produced by all that I endure in this wicked world (2 Corinthians 4:17, Romans 8:17-18).  Therefore, I know suffering in this life is temporary and not in vain.

I can breathe easy because God's promise of coming glory can be trusted.

I am forever thankful that God does not live up to my puny and warped expectations.  Instead, He has His own agenda that is much superior to my own outlook on life.  While my anger seems to simmer just below the surface, God's is short-lived.  Even though I don't think I am worth many gifts, God's love compels Him to bestow His permanent favor upon me.  And while suffering seems to be a way of life here on earth, it is temporary: I can expect joy that will blow my socks off in the life to come!  This is God's superior sense of rhythm that rules the ebb and flow of my life of faith.  This is His kingdom tempo.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can trust God's unique tempo, letting Him run my life according to His own pace.

How do I trust in my own sense of warped timing, assuming God will operate according to what I expect? 

When do I think God will give me what I deserve instead of what He desires to lavish on me through Jesus?

The Difference

"Now it was so,

when Moses came down from Mount Sinai

(and the two tablets of the Testimony were in Moses' hand

when he came down from the mountain),

that Moses did not know that the skin of his face

shone while he talked with Him. . .

And when Moses had finished speaking with them,

he put a veil on his face.

But whenever Moses went in before the LORD 

to speak with Him,

he would take the veil off until he came out;

and he would come out and speak to the children of Israel

whatever he had been commanded.

And whenever the children of Israel saw the face of Moses,

that the skin of Moses' face shone,

then Moses would put the veil on his face again,

until he went in to speak with Him."

Exodus 34:29, 33-35a  NKJV

All eyes were upon him as Moses descended the mountain.  This time, the people of Israel had stayed strong in their faith while they waited for his return.  Instead of turning to other gods, the people waited patiently.  When they saw their leader, however, there was something different about him.

"Is that Moses?  I recognize his clothing but I can't see his face."

"Ya, it looks like a lamp."

"The light is so bright!  What happened to Moses?  Is he still human?  I can't look!"

"Me either. . .I'm not sure if I even want to get any closer."

It must have been scary to see their leader transformed in such a powerful way.  After forty days up on the mountain with God, the face of Moses shone like the sun.  Spending time with the Lord changes us, too.  Even though the difference may not be noticed in such a radically obvious way as this, there is a transformation that takes place.

Peace

My family and I found notes for weeks after she left.  Brittany, our middle triplet daughter, enjoys leaving little messages throughout the house when she is gone on a trip.  When I entered the garage one morning, for instance, I found a slip of blue paper that said, "Have a good workout!"  In the refrigerator, there was another note that said, "Have a great breakfast.  I hope you're not late for church."  It took a few days for me to discover a tiny message tucked between my sheets that bid me a good night's sleep.

These notes left by Brittany help me and my family to remember her when she's not in our presence.  In a similar way, Jesus promised to leave His followers with the gift of peace.  This serenity can exist when we stay connected to Him, despite the strife of the world around us.  The spirit of calm that rules in my heart reminds me that Jesus is my Lord and everything is going to be okay, no matter how things seem.  (John 14:27)

So, when the test results come back positive and I am facing the trial of my life, the peace that floods my heart tells me I am tenderly cared for.  Or, when there seems to be no way to dig out of the mountain of debt that weighs me down, the quietness of my heart reminds me that I have a Father who knows and meets my needs.  (Matthew 6:32-33)  Or, when the loss of my loved one seems unbearable, the underlying serenity found beneath the pain gives me the message that I will get through this time of grieving.

When I spend time with the Lord and surrender all to Him, I will come away with peace that guards my heart and mind in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7)

Joy

It's not an emotion, but rather a fruit of the Holy Spirit.  Satan takes pleasure in stealing it from those who follow Christ.  Sin can block this gift of God, making me feel hopeless and full of sorrow.  Joy.  It is not the same as happiness which is based on my circumstances.  Instead, joy is a state of hopefulness and delight that comes from the Lord.  Many times I ironically find its presence in the midst of suffering, proving it's supernatural source.

There is so much to take this joy away, however.  I face troubles of every kind, battle against the sin that is always present in my wretched flesh, and am threatened to be overtaken by worry.  If I want to let this evidence of God's presence in my life burst forth, it is important that I not only spend time with Him, but choose Him above everything that demands my time and attention.

Instead of letting troubles demand my attention, I can choose the joy that simmers in the background.  While it is easy to fall for the temptation to despair, I can decide to focus on the goodness of the Lord and rejoice in His love for me.  As natural as it is for me to ponder all that remains unsolved in my life, I can instead prefer to believe the God of all resources is a God in whom I can be glad.

When I spend time with the Lord and stay connected to Him, I will rejoice in all that He is no matter my circumstances.

Hope

She had given up on the boy.  It seemed he would never learn, always choosing to follow the troublemakers.  In the past, though, this mother always believed her son would one day grow out of this phase of difficulty and enter into the great plan God had for his life.  When he was permanently expelled from school that fateful day of his 18th year, however, she felt all hope slip away.

It is easy to give up when things seem so impossible.  As one who follows Christ, however, and has been brought close to God through His sacrificial blood, I have a positive expectation of what is to come.  I know I am cared for, comforted, and promised a place personally prepared for me in the presence of the One who loves me perfectly.  For these reasons, I can carry on in the face of great difficulty.

How quickly that hope can slip away, however.  Hard times come and I forget everything I know to be true, thinking I am like those who don't have a Father who cares for me intimately.  During these times it is vital that I remind myself of who I am in Christ, making my future secure. (Ephesians 2:11-13)  

Nothing that happens in the here and now can remove me from what is promised to me.  I am assured not only of an eternity of blissful worship of the One who makes me complete, but the present with Him as well as He floods my life with His ever-present love.  (Romans 8:38-39)

When I spend time with the Lord, I am reminded of the hope I have in Him.

In the same way that Moses was changed when He spent one-on-one time with the Lord, so I am transformed as well.  While the differences may not be evident to me, others will probably see a peace that doesn't make sense considering the difficulties I face, or a sense of joy that simmers below the surface, or a spirit of hope that drives me forward in faith.  These are some of the ways I reflect Christ to a world that so desperately needs His Light.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can trust God enough to invest time with Him each day.

How do I inadvertently miss out on all the good things that come from God because I am too busy with other things?

How can I radically change my daily schedule to intentionally make time for the God who is jealous for my time? 

Complete Joy

"We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard,

so that you also may have fellowship with us.

And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son,

Jesus Christ.

We write this to make our joy complete."

1 John 1:3-4

She can't keep a secret to save her life.  If she has some good news, I can see it written all over her face.  Soon, the words begin to flow, bursting forth like a volcano of joy and before I know it, I am sharing in her elation.

We should all be like my friend.  There is no reason to keep the things I have seen and heard regarding Jesus to myself.  Instead, the body of Christ benefits when I tell others what I have witnessed.

Share

I have a friend from a foreign culture.  There is not much with which we can relate; she is Muslim while I follow Jesus. She eats with her hands as is her country's custom while I prefer utensils.  She enjoys decorating her home with formal decor while I like a more homey motif.  

Even though we don't have much on which to base our friendship, there is one place where we can share a common interest: gardening.  We both enjoy growing flowers,trees, shrubs, and vegetables and share in each other's enthusiasm for our work.

In the same way that gardening draws my friend and I together, the common bond of faith in Jesus does the same for believers.   It doesn't matter from where each member of the body of Christ comes, we each have experiences where God demonstrates His love, power and sovereignty in our lives.  When I share these testimonies with others, it brings the body together to meet on common ground where we can all praise our Father in heaven.

When I tell others what God has done in my life, the body of believers shares in my joy.

One

My husband and I used to own a tandem bike.  When we first started riding it, it was hard for me to get used to sitting in the rear position where I couldn't steer.  Another adjustment I had to make from all my years of riding a regular bicycle was that if my husband pedaled, I had to pedal and if he coasted, I couldn't keep pushing but I had to take a break as well.  After a bit of practice, my husband and I were able to ride as one.

In the same way that two people can come together to ride a bike, so I have been invited into a similar kind of partnership with Jesus. (1 Corinthians 1:9) When I let Him lead, set the pace, choose the direction and pathway, I learn to walk beside Him.  Soon I will begin to see evidence of my communion with Him, kind of like the forward progress I experienced when I let my hubby lead on the two-seater bike.

As I tell others how God is working in my life, they will see the benefits of staying connected to Jesus and be inspired to do the same.  (John 15)  Instead of forging my own way, for instance, I tell how God opened doors I never noticed before. (Proverbs 16:9)  Where I used to work so hard to do the right thing, I can tell about how following Jesus is a more peaceful and less complicated way to live.  (Matthew 11:30)  In the place of following an impossible set of rules and traditions, I can tell how my relationship with Christ has set me free.  (Romans 8:2)

When I tell others others what God has done in my life, it is evidence of my communion with Him.

Complete

The Lord has geographically separated the family of my youth, much to my mother's dismay.  As she laments over the distance between her children's homes, I keep in mind it is always her heart's desire to see her children and their families all gathered in one place.  This kind of reunion makes her joy complete.

In the same way, our joy as believers is fulfilled when we see the work of God's hand corporately.  It does begin with each of our separate relationships with our Father and how we each work out that gift of salvation in our own life, but none of us are an island unto itself.  Instead, we are part of a bigger picture.  There is something about coming together as believers that opens up more insight and understanding, gives clarity to a situation and results in praise to our Father in heaven.

I am not a lone Ranger.  Instead, I am one soldier in an entire army of faith warriors who are fighting as one body to live for Christ; to love where there is no love, to shine light into the darkness, and to hope where there seems to be none.  There is power when we come together and seek His will.

When I tell others what God has done in my life, it completes the picture by providing the missing piece that only I was given.

Good news is meant to be shared!  There is no reason for me to keep God's mighty works under wraps.  Instead, when I reveal the work of His mighty hand, it draws the body of Christ together, gives evidence of my relationship with Him, and completes the joy of His people.  It is my desire to build up the body of Christ by freely speaking of His goodness.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can remember my connection with my brothers and sisters in Christ.

How do I tend to behave like an individual instead of a piece of the whole?

When do I focus on the struggle instead of looking for evidence of my relationship with God that I can then share with others?   

Born for a New Life

"We were therefore buried with him

through baptism into death in order that,

just as Christ was raised from the dead

through the glory of the Father,

we too may live a new life."

Romans 6:4

When I was younger, I read a Stephen King novel called, "Pet Sematary."  The characters in this horror story learn of an ancient Micmac burial ground near their home where they foolishly bury their recently deceased pet cat.  The resurrected feline later returns home but is not quite the same: There is an unpleasant odor emanating from her body, her fur is disheveled, she seems to have developed a penchant for killing and tearing about small prey without consuming the flesh and her behavior is just plain strange.  Things go downhill from there.

Although I am not recommending this book or the practices found within, the premise is an interesting one: new life brings new characteristics.  While the change in temperament and personality of the "reborn" cat was disturbing, those that come from a new life through faith in Jesus are positive and godly.

As one who has been born again in Christ, I don't have to live the way I used to live.  Instead, I can live a new life! (John 3:3)

Led by the Spirit

Her life was busy and filled with many church activities.  She hungrily consumed all the Christian literature she could find, seeking to learn all she could about living for God.  Her desire to please Him drove her to say "yes" to every request for help from the church.  Even though her family complained that they missed her and the children cried when she left them with a sitter for the fifth time in a week, she felt the need to do her best for God.

This woman's zeal is misplaced.  Instead of being passionate about her relationship with Christ, she is nearly fanatical about her service for Him.  It is easy to find myself in this same predicament when I replace my devotion to Jesus and a desire to follow Him with a performance-based mentality.

Jesus noticed this same pattern occurring in the church at Ephesus.  He said that while they were very industrious, enduring trouble patiently, standing firm for the truth and enduring patiently, they have forgotten their first love: Christ.  (paraphrased from Revelation 2:1-4)

Jesus is to be the catalyst that drives my life.  As Oswald Chambers reminded, "We are not sent to battle for God, but to be used by God in His battlings.  Are we being more devoted to service than to Jesus Christ?"

If I am motivated by my own conscience, doing what I think I ought to do as a "good Christian," then I have forsaken my first love.

If I seek to do my best for God but leave Him out of the picture, then I have forsaken my first love.

If I am driven by guilt, jumping from activity to activity in order to make up for my sins, then I have forsaken my first love.

If Jesus is the Lord of my life and I aim to worship Him in the way that I live, then I will do only what He puts in my path as I follow Him and freely accept the love He has for me.

My new life in Christ inspires me to turn from my own plans, common sense and rationale, instead following my new lord: Jesus.

Created Anew

I enjoy watching makeover shows, whether it is a house, clothing style or way of life that is being renovated: Watching the old, unattractive, unhealthy stuff being removed and witnessing the transformation to the new is fascinating.  It's great to see how much of an improvement to someone's well-being a change can bring.

When I accept Jesus as my Lord and Savior, dedicating my life to Him, I undergo a kind of makeover. Instead of using paint, shopping sprees and strenuous exercise, however, God initiates the change supernaturally through His Spirit. (Ephesians 4:22-24)  Although my new creation is from God, I must let go of the old and bring in the new: it doesn't happen automatically.

If I continue in my old way of thinking, giving into worry, lust or deceitful thoughts, I am failing to shed my former skin.  Sin is no longer my only choice: I now have Jesus who will give me power to take captive every thought to glorify God.  (2 Corinthians 10:5, Philippians 4:8)

If I stay in my comfortable former pattern of seeking pleasure by giving in to overeating, worldly entertainment or obsessive social media, I am choosing to stay in my fleshly ways.  These sins need hold me no longer since I have the option of gaining my satisfaction in Jesus. (Psalm 37:4)

If I still make decisions based on what I think is right, using my own understanding, advice from others or selfish ambition to spur me along, I am acting as if I'm my own boss.  This old way is not my only alternative, as I now know the One who holds the blueprint for my life.  (Jeremiah 29:11-13)

Instead of living to myself and what makes me happy, I now can take on my new mission; to glorify God by doing the good He has prepared especially for me to do!  (Ephesians 2:10)

My new life in Christ comes with a fresh purpose that brings new meaning to my days.

Knowledgeable in God

I read about an incident where a pastor was asked how he came to know God.  He said, "Son, I was driving down the road one day and heard birds chirping, and I knew then, I knew God." (from Share Jesus Without Fear by William Fay, pg 103)

While nature does give us insight into God's presence and character, it is not the same as actually getting to know Him personally through faith in Jesus Christ.  When I belong to Him through faith, I acquire a desire to know Him better.  The basics of my faith, drives me forward into His kingdom where I learn to live in a way that honors God.

When circumstances seem impossible as the bills mount, relationships crumble and grief threatens to engulf, I can live joyfully due to the hope I have in my God who is able.  All resources are at His disposal, no heart is too hard for Him to soften and comfort is His specialty. (Psalm 50:10, Psalm 51:10-12, 2 Corinthians 1:3-5)

When affliction comes, bringing with it fear and uncertainty, I will find courage at my disposal to move forward as I remember the fruit of persecution. (Hebrews 10:32-36, Romans 5:3-5)  From this suffering comes patient and unswerving endurance, maturity of character, and hope in eternity.  These are benefits gained nowhere else but in the school of difficulties.

For the times when I feel like giving up, I will stand firm in prayer, witnessing the hand of God as He moves in response to my pleas.  My faith grows as I see the ways He comes through, consistently meeting my needs and answering my prayers. (James 5:16)

My new life in Christ leads to a knowledge of God that brings with it the tools to live a godly life.

Thankfully, the transformation that occurs in my life as I begin anew in Christ is not like what was experienced in Stephen King's thriller.  Instead, I can choose to be led by God's Spirit, take on my new identity and take seriously the knowledge God gives me about His kingdom.  In this way I will truly see how I was born for a new life.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I will choose to pay attention to God's lead.

When do I go my way, ignoring God's teachings.

How am I doubting in God's ability to provide for my needs? 

My Life as a Sermon

"Preach the word of God.

Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not."

2 Timothy 4:2 NLT

"But I don't want to!"  The sound of the whining child grated on my nerves.

"It doesn't matter if you want to or not.  The chores need to be done and as a part of this family, you need to pitch in and do your part. . . whether you feel like it or not."

Maybe this sounds familiar. . .children don't always want to do their chores.  Maybe in your house the battle is over homework or a myriad of other things.  Whatever is the source of conflict, I can guarantee that where there is a will. . . there is a battle of some kind.

As an adult, I am not immune to this childish mindset.  There are many things I don't want to do.  I don't feel like cleaning, for example. In fact, I could call myself a reluctant cleaner.  Every once in a while I'll feel inspired to clean and then I'll go crazy, getting everything spic and span.  Most of the time, however, I clean because it needs to be done.  Another thing I rarely want to do is to go to the dentist.  Again, it is something that is important for my overall health, so I make a point to do it.  

Life is filled with examples of "chores" like these.  My walk with Christ is not so different.  There are things I am called to do whether or not I'm in the mood.  I can't wait until I feel inspired or in the mood.  

One of these things is that even though I'm not a pastor, I am called to preach, whether I feel like it or not.  Some kinds of preaching can't be done from the pulpit but are best observed by onlookers watching a life that is wholly committed to Christ. 

Love

She holds the hand of the leper.  He runs back into a burning building to save a child.  She prays for the one who beats her.  Love compels people do the unthinkable, the heroic, the foolish.  

As much as I love my family and would give my life for them, I don't think I really understand the depths of God's love for His people.  It is important that I let His love sink into my very being.  Unless I truly grasp the magnitude of His love, I will not fully become the one who God has created me to be.

The Apostle Paul explained this truth to the believers at Ephesus.  "I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit.  Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him.  Your roots will grow down into God's love and keep you strong.  And may you have the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is.  May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully.  Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God."  (Ephesians 3:16-19 NLT)

It all begins with surrendering my all to Jesus.  As I do this, I will grow in His love and will experience more of His love.  Coming into contact with the love of Christ as I allow Him to invade my being, transforming me into His image, empowers me to love others as He does.  This is the fullness of life that God has given me; not to simply feel that love He has for me and soak in it, but to allow the love to flow over into the lives of others.

In this way I will be preaching a powerful sermon to people around me.  Scottish scholar and writer William Barclay put it this way when he wrote that, "More people have been brought into the church by the kindness of real Christian love than by all the theological arguments in the world. . ."

Loving others is not always easy; some are prickly porcupines and others are cuddly teddy bears.  If I have endured a difficult day and am in a hurry when God places a hurting porcupine in my path, I have two choices.  Either I can go with my feelings and turn away, or can I allow the love of Christ to show some compassion to someone who needs a kind word.  

The love of Christ is a sermon that will always preach, if I will only yield to the Preacher.

Joy

I remember trying to catch our neighbor's bunny.  Everyone gathered to retrieve the escapee.  We corralled, lured and chased, but nothing seemed to work.  As soon as we thought we had her, she would hop away.  A rabbit-loving friend of mine later told me that if we would have sat down and relaxed, the bunny would have come right to one of us.

Joy is like that elusive rabbit. Alexander MacLaren, a 19th Century Baptist Minister, said,  "To pursue joy is to lose it.  The only way to get it is to follow steadily the path of duty, without think of joy, and then, like sheep, it comes most surely, unsought, and we 'being in the way,' the angel of God, fair-haired joy, is sure to meet us."  

Following Jesus and giving control over to Him produces the fruit of joy in my life.  It's easy to pursue my Savior when things are going smoothly, but what about when all seems lost; when the car breaks down, the child becomes ill, or the breadwinner loses his job?  Maybe this Jesus-thing isn't working out so well, I may think.

Trusting in Jesus means letting Him decide where the path of my life goes, and which route it will take.  Knowing that He loves me, I can say that, "even though (I) don't see him now, (I) believe in him and (am) filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy." (1 Peter 1:8)

Joy comes when I continue on the path of faith, even when things aren't working out the way I want.  

Jesus

"We don't believe in Jesus."  The words hit hard.  This phrase came from the mouth of a father whose family is open to all kinds of beliefs.  All kinds, that is, except for the very One that brings life.  They have practiced Islam, learned about Hinduism, New Age beliefs and the teachings of Buddha.  They study all varieties of religions together as a family, but they deny Jesus and the message of the cross.

This is not a surprise.  It was prophesied in Psalm 118:22  and Peter talked about this dismissal of Jesus as he appeared before the Sanhedrin, a Jewish panel of judges.  He said that Jesus is, "'the stone you builders rejected, which has become the capstone.' Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved."  (Acts 4:11-12)

The name of Jesus is powerful.  It is the salvation of my soul!  The world I live in, however, does not respect His name.  Characters in movies use His name as a curse word.  Others make jokes with His name.  Then there are those who deny His deity and power while claiming to have accepted the salvation that is offered through faith in Him. 

There is no doubt that the name of Jesus provides some controversy.  As His follower, I hold Him in the highest regard, as the source of my salvation. . . the rescuer of my soul from the depths of Hell itself.  I owe my all to Him.  Jesus is the reason for my faith, and salvation is the reward of this faith. 

Since Jesus holds such an important position in my life, can I give any less than my very best for Him?

There are many times when I would rather live my life for me, but claiming Christ as my Savior means I put Him first.

I could never imagine preaching a sermon, but the way I live my life says a lot about what I believe.  If the love of Christ overflows to others, His joy is evident despite my circumstances, and I give my all for Jesus, then the message I convey will be one that points to the gospel.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I will preach a sermon with my life that glorifies God.

When do I let circumstances steal the joy God has given to me?

How do I live my life in such a way that says I have no hope in Christ?