Now. . .

"Now seek the LORD your God with all your heart and soul.

Build the sanctuary of the LORD God 

so that you can bring the Ark of the LORD's Covenant

and the holy vessels of God into the Temple

built to honor the LORD's name."

1 Chronicles 22:19 NLT

The location had been chosen.  The materials were gathered and orders given for their preparation.  The charge and blessings were passed on from the Lord.  Needed encouragement for such a large project was imparted.  God's presence and provision was assured.  David made sure that everything was in place for his son Solomon to successfully build the temple.  Now it was Solomon's turn.

It's similar for me.  Everything has been set in place, prepared for me so that I can walk the path God has chosen for me (Hebrews 12:1, Ephesians 1:3, 1 Corinthians 1:7, John 10:10).  Now it's my turn.

Set.  "I can do anything I set my mind to do."  This is a popular sentiment that is based on the fact that what I think about can influence the direction my life takes.  Athletes understand the power of the mind and often use positive thought processes and well as visualization techniques to improve their performance.

If I use my brain power to mostly think about my own worthlessness, dwelling on how I have failed and doubting whether God can use me, I will head down that road of destruction.  If I focus mostly on using my own common sense and abilities to negotiate my way through life, I will move in a direction that takes me away from the Source of all I need to live the life I was created to live.  If my mind generates thoughts of worldly success, acquiring the trappings of the modern life and making for myself a comfortable existence that feeds my fleshly desires, I will succeed in making my own agenda rule supreme.

If, however, I set my mind on things above, using the brain God gave me to generate pure, lovely, excellent and praiseworthy thoughts, seeking Him and His will in all that I do, I will find myself walking the obscure path of life (Colossians 3:2, Philippians 4:8, Matthew 7:13-14).  Many times, spiritual warfare is waged on the battlefield of my mind (Ephesians 6:12).

Now that I have been given new life through faith in Jesus Christ, it is time for me to set my mind on the things of Christ.

Arise.  The time just didn't seem right.  I didn't have all my ducks in a row, so to speak.  I felt ill-equipped and unprepared.  Still, God had given me my marching orders.  Either I could ignore Him and continue on as if I hadn't heard His still, small voice, or I could muster up the courage to do as He had said.

Obedience takes faith.  In order to do what God wants me to do I must believe that He will equip me once I take that first step.  Walking forward into the darkness of the unknown, however, can be scary.  Instead of dwelling in fear and doubt, talking myself out of action, it is better to follow the advice of Nike and "Just do it."

God is always at work behind the scenes, setting all the necessary pieces in place and moving every player to where they need to be.  When I balk at His direction, hesitating to do as He has said, I am proving my lack of faith.  When I obey, refusing to wait for the elusive perfect time to act, I will find His plan at work all around me.

Now that I have been given new life through faith in Jesus Christ, it is time for me to arise and get to the business of obeying His call on my life.

Reap.  The ripened berries were dangling before me as I carefully moved down the row of raspberry vines.  Everywhere I looked, the tantalizing fruit hung down like tiny, ruby treasures hidden among the foliage.  I couldn't wait to pick this delicious fruit and get to the business of making jam.

While berries are quite delectable, there is another kind of fruit that is even more desirable.  When I let God's Spirit have His way in my life, giving Him the leeway He needs to work in my heart, I will discover evidence of His fruit growing in my flesh.  

Instead of impatiently pushing forward, I'll find the ability to wait on the Lord.  While I used to have a cynical attitude, now I see more of a joyful hope abiding within.  In the place of the anxiety and turmoil that used to rule my inner being, I find a peace that makes no sense to me (Galatians 5:22-23).

Furthermore, my obedience to God's calling on my life will lead to great blessing (Psalm 24:1-5).  Covered as I am by the blood of Jesus, I am free to focus on His kingdom as my standing with Him is made good (Romans 5:9-11, Matthew 6:33).  Instead of feeling the need to prove myself as worthy, or make my life mean something important, or going after all the things I think I need, I can simple abide in Him (John 15:5).  As I go after His will, I will find my perspective changing, giving me new goals and desires that line up with His (Psalm 37:4).  The resulting spiritual gifts will prove God's favor on my life.

Finally, as I set my mind on God and His ways, getting to the work of obeying Him, I will find myself making much of Him in my day-to-day dealings.  People will look at the fruit of my life and praise my Father in heaven (Matthew 5:16)!

Now that I have been given new life through faith in Jesus Christ, it is time for me to reap what He has sown.

It is easy for me to think I need to wait for just the right time before I can do what God wants me to do.  I must realize, however, that He has already laid all the groundwork.  Therefore, it is my job to set my mind on the task of seeking the Lord and get to the work of doing what I know He is calling me to do.  As a result, I will reap godly fruit and blessings as God gets the glory for the great things He is doing.  Now is the time.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can trust God enough to step out in faith and obedience.

When do I wait, thinking I'm not ready to do as He has said?

How do I miss out on a blessing because of my fear and doubt?

Wake Up!

"To the angel of the church in Sardis write:

These are the words of him who holds the seven spirits

of God and the seven stars.

I know your deeds;

you have a reputation of being alive,

but you are dead.

Wake up!

Strengthen what remains and is about to die,

for I have found your deeds unfinished

in the sight of my God.

Remember, therefore,

what you have received and heard;

hold it fast, and repent.

But if you do not wake up,

I will come like a thief,

and you will not know at what time I will come to you."

Revelation 3:1-3

She had a reputation for being confident and assured.  People went to her for advice because she always seemed so certain, quick to point others in the way she thought they should go.  She owned her own business and dabbled in local politics.  When most people in the small town thought of someone who had it all together, they thought of this woman.

In reality, her heart quaked at the thought of being alone and she constantly second-guessed her decisions.  Her opinion of herself was low and most would be surprised to find out she didn't like herself all that much.

In the same way that my friend's reputation before mankind was an illusion, so I must ask myself if what others see in me is the same as what God perceives in my heart.  It is easy to be busy doing what I think I should do and act in the way I distinguish as how a faithful, godly person should act, but what is the reality as God sees and judges?

Thankfully, there are some steps that will bring me back to completion in God's sight.

Remember

"I forgot!"  It has been a common excuse used by our daughters when disobeying.  While I found this to be exasperating as the girls were growing up since I knew they possessed the potential for a higher level of responsibility, I had to admit that I exercise the same defense when it comes to following Jesus.

Many times I know the teachings of Jesus since I study them on a daily basis, but I fail to apply them to my own life.  As a result, I lash out at my loved ones in anger when I am disappointed instead of taking the warning of Psalm 37:8 to heart.  Or I practice "keepin' it real" with my friends but I leave out the part about doing it with love. (Ephesians 4:15)  Or I build up resentment toward those who hurt me and are bent on my destruction while Jesus wants me to let it go and lift those adversaries up in prayer.  (Matthew 6:14, Matthew 5:44)

Other times I live so much in the flesh that I let my natural reaction serve as my guide instead of going after the Truth.  Then I find myself adhering to a religion instead of following my Good Shepherd, trying to shape myself into who I think I should be instead of letting the power of God do the transforming work.  (2 Timothy 3:5, John 10:14, Romans 12:2)

In order for God to find my heart complete, it is important that I remember what He has taught me.

Obey

My friend uses a catchy motto to remind herself who she was in Christ.  It goes something like this:  "I'm a human being, not a human doing."  In the same way that Jesus revered Mary's desire to spend time with Him as the better choice over her sister Martha's focus on finishing all the preparations (Luke 10:38-42), He looks for a heart that is compliant and ready to follow Him. (Luke 4:18-22)

While my heart is what is important to God, not my deeds, it is my willingness to do as He says that reveals the inclination of my heart.  (1 Samuel 15:22)  Oswald Chambers makes this distinction in My Utmost for His Highest devotional.  He writes, "We count as service what we do in the way of Christian work; Jesus Christ calls service what we are to Him, not what we do for Him."

I can't work my way into His good graces and I can't expect to please God by simply doing what I think is right.  Instead, it is a love for His teachings and a desire to comply that brings joy to my Father's heart. (John 14:15)  He desires a pliable heart that is willing to let go of my own ways and adopt His instead. (Psalm 51:17)

In order for God to find my heart complete, it is important that I obey Him without reserve.

Repent

The new skier was on a route headed for destruction.  While she could see she was on a collision course with another skier, she didn't yet possess the skills to be able to change her heading.  Consequently, the young woman crashed into the other student.  Thankfully, they were both moving at a slow rate of speed so the injuries were negligible   The lesson learned, however, was powerful.  

When I see myself traveling in the wrong direction, the only way I can avoid crashing and burning is to change my present heading.  I must turn away from traditions that are empty and meaningless, setting my sights instead upon pleasing the Lord in the way I live every part of my life.  (Isaiah 1:10-17, Romans 12:1)  If I'm caught up in doing things out of obligation instead of obedience to God's direct calling on my life, then it is time for me to change my focus.

A shameless heart will continue doing the things I know to be wrong while making an effort to look godly on the outside.  An unrepentant spirit also shows it's colors in my lack of attention to the areas of sin in my life God is pointing out as unacceptable.  I must also be careful not to drift in my walk, but to make a conscious effort to keep reaching out to my Source of power and direction. (John 15:5)

In order for God to find my heart complete, it is important that I keep my heading programmed on Jesus. (Hebrews 12:1-12)

It is easy to slip into an easy way of living where I drift along aimlessly.  As one dedicated to following Jesus, however, I must wake up!  God sees the real condition of my heart so I would please Him by remembering His teachings, obeying His Word, and repenting from all that He despises.  In these ways my heart will appear as complete before Him.

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

How do I let my own flesh lead me instead of following Jesus?

When am I most in danger of slipping into mindless traditions?