Free Nourishment

"Come, all you who are thirsty,

come to the waters;

and you who have no money,

come, buy and eat!

Come, buy wine and milk

without money and without cost.

Why spend money on what is not bread,

and your labor on what does not satisfy?

Listen, listen to me,

and eat what is good,

and you will delight in the richest of fare.

Give ear and come to me;

listen, that you may live.

I will make an everlasting covenant with you,

my faithful love promised to David."

Isaiah 55:1-3

All are in need but not everyone realizes it.  Each has a deficit but numerous think they're fine as is.  Every one is broken but countless believe they're intact (Romans 3:23).

For those who are hungry and thirsty, that know they have need of nourishment, Jesus has what is necessary (John 4:14, 6:35).

Come.  I was there watching, taking it all in but I never went forward to receive what was being offered.  I knew the attributes, had heard it described several times, but didn't take them up on their deal.  It was fun to watch the salesperson cook the food and use the kitchen gadgets but I never did buy their wares.  Therefore, I only had knowledge of the benefits of the tools but never actually experienced them for myself.

It's like this with Jesus.  I can know all of the benefits of following him, having memorized passages of scripture that proclaim of the Good News and the fruit that follows, reading about the experiences of others and understanding the concepts behind salvation.  But in order to taste God's goodness for myself, I must come to Him, turning away from my old way of living and fully embracing His (Psalm 34:8, Mark 1:15).  Mere knowledge does nothing for me and cannot save me.  For that I must come to Jesus (Acts 4:12).

When I see my desperate need for a Savior, I must come to Jesus in order to receive the free nourishment He is offering.

Open-handed.  It's always more difficult to receive than to give.  While it's nice to be given a gift, it always makes me feel a bit uncomfortable.  I feel guilty if I have nothing to give in return and there is always this sense that I owe the giver, that I must reciprocate in some way.  

It's natural to bring this same attitude to Jesus.  He is offering me exoneration from my earned death sentence, eternal life with Him, and peace with God from this day forward (John 3:16, Romans 5:1, 6:23) .  In Him I have the hope of heaven.  But what must I do to earn such riches?  What must I give in return?  There is nothing I can add to what Jesus has already done.  Salvation is a free gift offered to those who know of their need, who realize their inability to save themselves, who see the enormous chasm that exists between God's holiness and man's corruption (Luke 5:32).  I cannot earn such a gift, nor do I deserve it.

When I see my desperate need for a Savior, I must let go of any pretension that I can pay God back for salvation or that such a gift is warranted.

Tune-in.  It is my experience that children often hear what they want to hear.  If I tell them "No candy," they may hear "Maybe you can have some candy later."  If I say, "Clean your room," they think I meant, "If you feel up to it, put a few toys away."  If I proclaim, "We are leaving at 9:00 sharp,"  they interpret that to mean a nine o'clock departure is a goal to shoot for.

If I want my children to understand the true intent of my message, I realized early on I needed to make sure they were paying attention and that they received it in the same way I meant it.  In other words, I had to make sure we were on the same page.  It's human nature to reinterpret meaning to match up to one's own desires and outlook.  This means I must be careful when interpreting the Gospel.  I must receive it in the way it was meant.  It's important that I be willing to hear the truth and not filter it through my own understanding.  For this, I must incline my ear to the Lord and let go of any preconceived notions of what He may mean.  I must hear His true intention.

When I see my desperate need for a Savior, I must tune-in to what He truly meant to say, not in what I want to hear or in misleading tradition.

I've always heard it said that nothing in life is free.  This kind of skepticism may lead me to doubt the free sustenance that can be found through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ.  If I want to receive all He has to offer, though, I must come to Him, open-handed and with the humble realization of my great poverty, making sure to tune-in so I clearly hear His intended meaning.  When I do, I will experience the free nourishment that He is so willing to give, and that will change everything.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can see myself as I really am, and fully accept the gift of salvation through Jesus that I so desperately need.

When do I try to earn salvation, or feel it's God's duty to save me?

How do I doubt my worth, feeling uncomfortable with the thought of Jesus giving His life to save mine?

How to Find Peace Like a River

"This is what the LORD says--

your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel:

'I am the LORD your God,

who teaches you what is good for you

and leads you along the paths you should follow.

Oh, that you had listened to my commands!

Then you would have had peace flowing like a gentle river

and righteousness rolling over you like waves in the sea.'"

Isaiah 48:17-18 NLT

It makes me feel better the moment I sit down to observe it's quiet strength.  As the waters flow past my feet I reflect on its mighty power, its faithful supply of water, its steadiness.  There is no panic found there, no worry that the river will dry up and cease to exist, no effort on the river's part to ensure the water will continue to come.  No, there is only a steady calm, a quietness as the millions of drops of water flow faithfully downstream.  And my heart becomes steady and calm as I sink into this serene atmosphere.

I want peace like this river in the midst of the strife that is found as I live life in this broken world.  I want harmony with God and others.  I want tranquility deep within my soul. Is there a way to find such peace?  Yes, it is available by turning away from the sin that comes so naturally to me and by putting on the Lord Jesus Christ by faith, the One who took my sins upon Himself so that I might be free from such a burden that leads me to eternal death (1 Peter 2:24,John 3:16, Romans 13:14).  And in Christ I have peace.  Even so, I sometimes lack the peace I crave.  Why?

Good.  "God is good all the time, all the time God is good."

            "God is good, God is great, let us thank Him for this food.  Amen!"

            "Life is hard but God is good!"

There are many slogans plastered on the back of cars, used at the dinner table or boldly proclaim throughout cyberspace, but do I really believe this foundational truth?  Do I live as if God is good? Or is the way I live my life telling a different story, declaring another testimony?

God teaches what is good.  He shows me where I'm off, how I cling to what is destructive and unhealthy, the ways I've learned to cope that are not what He meant for me.  In fact, He uses every situation I encounter, all the garbage I wade through in a typical day to bring about His best for me (Romans 8:28).  Since He is such a beneficial God, I can always trust His lessons and believe in Him as a source for good in my life.  Still, I often find myself straying, getting distracted by alternate messages, or listening to worldly advice that sounds good but is contrary to God's best for me.  I have to remember there is a difference between the good of God and the bad that is found everywhere else.  God is the only source of good (James 1:17).

If I want peace like a river I must be dedicated to only relying on what comes from Him.

Paths.  There are many paths from which to choose.  I usually prefer the easy more populated routes, the common, the well-traveled and worn trail.  Yet I can't choose which way to go based on my own instincts or perspectives (Proverbs 3:5-6).  As one who is saved by the grace of God through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ, I have a Shepherd who leads me where He wants me to go.

When I follow the Good Shepherd, I find myself on paths of righteousness that make Him look good and reflect well upon His good name (Psalm 23:3).  The way may be narrow and the going a bit rocky at times, but I will always be headed toward Life when I let Jesus lead (Matthew 7:13-14).  No matter how difficult the journey becomes, I will experience peace in the presence of my Lord and Savior.  I can't wander off the narrow path, away from His lordship, and expect peace.  I will only find discord and strife away from the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6).

If I want peace like a river I must keep my eyes on Jesus as He leads me down the path that leads to Life.

Listen.  "Pay attention, please!"  It may be one of the most common phrases uttered by school teachers everywhere.  When sitting in a classroom, it's easy for children to become distracted and for young minds to wander off when enduring a lesson.  I have to admit, though, it's not just children that struggle with paying attention.  It's often difficult for me to stay focused on a lesson when I'm listening to a teaching or sermon.  The human mind can easily stray.

For this reason, I must realize I'm prone to drift away from God and miss His directives in my life.  Sometimes I'm simply not paying attention and the message He has for me goes right past me.  Other times I'm too busy and am unable to hear Him over the din of activity.  Then there are the times when I'm afraid to learn what He has for me or I resist finding out what His latest message is for me and I simply ignore Him.  I can't avoid His voice and expect to find peace.  Only in heeding His lessons and submitting to His direction will I find quiet in my heart.

If I want peace like a river I must pay attention to Jesus and listen to His commands.  

Living in relationship with God through repentance and faith in Jesus is the only path to peace.  Still, I have to admit that tranquility and harmony do not always rule my heart.  Why doesn't God protect me from such feelings?  He cannot be mocked, I will always reap what I sow (Galatians 6:7-8).  If I stray away from His indwelling Spirit that teaches me what is good, guides me down the right path, and requires that I listen carefully,  I will sacrifice the peace that comes through Christ.  How do I find peace like a river?  Stick with Jesus, that's how (John 14:27)!

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can trust God enough to follow Him closely.

When do I stray away then wonder why I'm filled with strife and anxiety?

How do I listen to the wrong messages?     

Shadow of the Almighty

"'But have you not heard?

I decided this long ago.

Long ago I planned it,

 and now I am making it happen.

I planned for you 

to crush fortified cities into heaps of rubble.'"

Isaiah 37:26 NLT

They are mocking God's righteous ones, those bought by the blood of the lamb.  They confidently predict the victory of their wicked agenda, citing examples of recent progress made.  I can't deny the power they seem to have to accomplish their evil plans.  What's going on?  How do I respond?  Do I just give in and call it quits?  

No!  God has a message for us in this age of wickedness.

God's Sovereign Plan.  Nothing happens outside of His will.  While everything that happens in this world is not good, God is completely and wholly good and righteous and He is at the helm of all that exists.  Since all of creation is under His dominion, even the Evil One himself, then I can rest in His sovereignty.  Either He ordained for the success of darkness I now see in order for Him to bring about His plan of redemption and to knock people to their knees where many will submit their hearts to Him, or He is allowing it for His own purposes.  Either way, it went through His hands.  He is not standing by wringing His hands and wondering, How could things have become so bad?  Oh, dear!  What will I do!?  No, God is firmly enthroned on high and no agenda can go forth apart from His divine permission (Romans 9:15-18, Job 1:12).

With such knowledge firmly implanted in my heart and mind, I can go forth with the assurance that God has a plan in the midst of the mess.  The success of the gay agenda, for instance, is not an accident but part of a greater purpose that will bring about good for God's people and His glory.  I must look for the ways He is at work through it and trust Him, believing that He knows what He is doing.  Similarly, the rise of ISIS can be a scary thing as I consider all who are at the mercy of such ruthless men.  I must remember, however, that they only have as much power as God has allowed them to have and they will never be given the authority to take away the hope in Christ His children have for eternity with Him (Psalm 27:1).

God the Almighty rules supreme and nothing happens outside of His sovereign plan.

Don't Listen.  I have to admit that I love reading the weather forecast.  I enjoy looking ahead to what the "experts" think will happen in the days to come.  While I hardly miss a day, I take it with a grain of salt, knowing that God is in control and He can do whatever He wants, even with the weather.  Can anyone predict God's plan? 

It's the same with anything else.  Since God is firmly seated on the throne, ruling over all there is, I don't have to pay attention to the proud proclamations and forecasts of those whose agenda is contrary to godly values, that which is downright dark and evil. So when political heavies predict their continued success in promoting their destructive agenda or terrorists boldly proclaim their plan to march forward and conquer the earth, I can remember they will only get so far as God allows.  I don't have to listen to what they say, or at least filter it through the lens of God's sovereignty.

Since God the Almighty rules supreme, I don't have to listen to any proud proclamations meant to strike fear into my heart.

Depend on the God of Heaven's Armies.  It is His desire that all come to know Him as Lord and Savior through faith in Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:9).  Some of us, however, are more stubborn and set in our selfish ways than others.  It is then that God must bring out the big guns, so to speak, to humble us to the point where we come to the end of ourselves and see our need for Him.  Until then, we'll most likely rely on our own resources and pull ourselves up by our own bootstraps, thinking we're strong enough to carry on alone.

There is a better way.  I can willingly submit myself to the God who is able to fight my battles for me in the way that brings about the most glory for Himself.  When I sit back and entrust Him with His rightful job of Commander in Chief, crying out to Him to break the strongholds of evil entrenched in this dark world, I will have the honor of seeing Him vanquish the enemy.  He has a plan to make His name known to all the earth, and sometimes this plan takes drastic measures in order to bring it to fulfillment.  There is no better place to be than in the camp of such military might as this!

I choose to depend upon the Almighty One with all the power to vanquish the enemies of His people with a mighty army of multitudes.

It is aggravating to see the arrogant posturing and to hear the confident proclamations of those promoting an evil and immoral agenda.  While I must stand firm against such wickedness, it is not with the desperation of those on the losing side.  Instead, I can keep in mind that nothing happens outside of God's sovereign plan, giving me the perspective I need to take their progress with a grain of salt knowing that God is the One truly in control.  I can depend upon Him to fight the battle in the way that will make His name famous through all the earth.  When I keep in mind that everything that happens is His doing, either by will or permission, then I can rest easy in the shadow of the Almighty (Psalm 91:1)!

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can stand firm against evil, knowing the One who has my back is beyond compare.

When do I sink into despair at the plight of this world, forgetting that God has a plan to redeem His creation?

How am I more focused on what Evil is doing than on what God is accomplishing? 

Finding Wisdom

"The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel:

for gaining wisdom and instruction;

for understanding words of insight;

for receiving instruction in prudent behavior,

for doing what is right and just and fair;

for giving prudence to those who are simple,

knowledge and discretion to the young--

let the wise listen and add to their learning,

and let the discerning get guidance--

for understanding proverbs and parables,

the sayings and riddles of the wise.

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge,

but fools despise wisdom and instruction."

Proverbs 1:1-7

I wonder if there is a magic formula:  If I do a certain thing or live a specific way, it will be mind.  I study tomes of godly instruction, looking for it.  I'm told it comes with age and experience.  But if I really want to find wisdom, I need look no further than God.

Treasure Commands.  I think I sometimes get a little mixed up.  Knowing I am saved by grace and realizing I'm set free from following the commands of God in order to save myself, I get the idea that His law is not important (Romans 7:4, Galatians 5:1).  That I can throw His statutes out the window.  That there is no longer any need for paying attention to His regulations.

Then I stumble upon 2 Timothy 3:16-17 and find that all of God's Word is from His mouth and "is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."  So I learn to take His law seriously, realizing these commands are a window into the heart of God, giving me insight into what is important to Him.  When I cherish all of scripture, including His law, I will find wisdom from God.  While it does not save me, God's law is included in the Bible for a reason, and therefore is meant to be appreciated.

I will find wisdom when I treasure God's commands.

Attentive Ear and Inclined Heart.  I tend to reach a point when I've had enough.  It's not that I think I know it all, but rather that I've learned so many new things I wonder if there could be anything more.  My world is often so rocked by fresh insight into God's ways that I think I can't possibly take any more in, that there is no more room for growth, that I need a respite from being stretched and pushed.  

But it seems that God is never at rest when it comes to my sanctification (Philippians 1:6).  He is always at work showing me new insight into His heart, a higher perspective when it comes to suffering, a alternative viewpoint of this world and His kingdom.  Since He is always at work, it makes sense that I should stay hungry for more.  If I reach a point of satiation, when I push myself away from His bountiful table, I am shutting myself off from receiving more insight into His kingdom.  

Therefore, it is important that I keep my ear trained on hearing more of His lessons and my heart open to receiving what He has for me.  Perhaps this is why Jesus often said, "Whoever has ears, let them hear (Mark 4:9, Matthew 11:15)."  Only those who were hungry for more of what He had to offer would be able to catch the lesson He was teaching.  And the same is true for me today.

I will find wisdom when I keep my ear attentive to His messages and my heart inclined toward receiving what He has for me.

Seeking.  Sometimes I'm only looking for what will help me get ahead.  Or I pick and choose what I really want to know. Or I have my radar up for what will help me in my current dilemma. If there is wisdom regarding a subject that doesn't interest me or that I judge as unimportant at this time of my life, I easily toss it aside as insignificant.

Instead, I would be better off adopting the attitude of a hunter, constantly seeking for godly insight, searching for it like a treasure hunter looks for hidden fortunes even if it doesn't seem to apply to me.  When a nugget of wisdom is found, I can hold onto it even if it makes no sense to me at this time, trusting that God will use it for my good and His glory.  In time I will see it's importance and it may help me realize that everything isn't about me.  Sometimes its good to take myself out of the picture altogether and simply be content to learn more about God's incredible character.

I will find wisdom when I seek for God's insight and understanding apart from my own life application.

Education is big in today's culture and I often lump wisdom in with knowledge that can be acquired.  But if I truly want godly insight and understanding to be mine, I must treasure God's commands, cultivate an attentive ear and inclined heart, and seek His wisdom as if it were the greatest treasure.  When I practice these ways, I will find wisdom that comes from God.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can trust God enough to take His commands as important, even if it doesn't seem to apply to me.

When do I toss parts of God's Word aside because I can't relate to it?

How am I careless with scripture I don't see as relevant?

True Security

"For the waywardness of the simple will kill them,

and the complacency of fools will destroy them;

but whoever listens to me will live in safety

and be at ease, without fear of harm."

Proverbs 1:32-33

We live in a tumultuous time.  Terrorism threatens, "progressive" agendas violate traditional values, and foolishness is disguised as wisdom.  How can we be safe and secure in such a time as this?  How can we keep from being swept away?  

It is possible.

Turn Toward.  Life is a journey.  I've heard it often, so frequently in fact that it's easy to dismiss it as a meaningless cliche.  But life really is a journey, a series of steps, a trip down a rocky path that often becomes difficult to negotiate and hard to navigate (Matthew 7:13-14).  I easily get off track, wandering away from the way He marked out for me to walk, enticed by worldly temptations, fleshly desires and the Devil himself.  

Since it's so easy to turn away from God and His plan for me, it's important that I constantly take the time to take stock, to inventory my heart.  Of course, this is not a job I can do using my own faulty discernment.  Instead, I find it vital to sit down in the peace of my Father's presence and ask Him to show me where I'm off, how my thinking is wrong, where I've strayed (Psalm 139:23-24).  Once He shows me, and He has never failed to do so and can always be counted on to answer this prayer, I can turn back toward Him and His loving Hand of correction.  He will direct me toward the way everlasting, the pure and lovely thoughts, and the healthier coping mechanism.  

To find true security in such a volatile world I will need to make it a practice to turn toward God.

Passion.  My relationship with Jesus can easily become a religion; a series of obligations I must fulfill, a set of rules I must follow, a regimen I'm expected to adhere to.  But Jesus died for more than this.  His love for me is so intense that it drove Him to undergo great agony for my sake.  In order that I might live and taste the life He meant for me to live when He first breathed life into my inert form, Jesus gave His own.  Even though He never sinned, is pure as could be, He took my sin upon Himself, suffering the agony of bearing the punishment meant for me (2 Corinthians 5:21).  This is how strongly and passionately He loves me.

I can love like this as well.  Not in my own strength, but because God's brand of love flows through me by faith in Jesus.  If I allow God to have His way, He will develop in me a similar passion for Him which will overflow with a compassion for others.  Instead of just learning His ways, then, I'll be driven by love to put it in action, to let Him move my hands and feet in ways that demonstrate His great love.  The hungry will be fed, the broken given hope, the imprisoned set free.  

To find true security in such a volatile world I can let God's great love for me develop into a passion for Him and His image bearers.

Heed.  Either I'm too busy to hear or I'm too afraid to listen.  The first is an unintentional blocking of God's voice, the second a deliberate effort to ignore Him.  

When my days are filled with errands to run, activities to participate in, tasks to perform, I rarely sense His leading or notice His hand at work around me.  Instead, I'm too intent on sticking to my schedule.

I'm not always busy, though, and it would seem those quiet moments would be the ideal atmosphere for hearing God's voice.  Unfortunately, I all too often am plagued by fear, assuming the message He has for me will hurt me, or that He'll expect me to do what I don't want to do, or that I just won't be able to handle His rebuke.  So I pretend I don't hear Him, or do what I can to divert my attention away from Him.  How I must hurt Him in my self-preserving efforts.  As my loving Father He has my best interest at heart and knows exactly what is best for me.  I can trust Him with my life and I have no reason to fear.  Fear is a choice I make that hampers intimacy with my Papa.

To find true security in such a volatile world I must learn to heed God's gentle promptings and expert lead.

It's easy to feel hopeless, wondering if it's even possible to live a life of integrity when the world seems to be falling down around me.  How can I stand firm and keep from being sucked into living in fear, adopting popular worldviews, or being shaped by foolish rhetoric?  I can purposefully allow God to search my heart for what doesn't belong and responsively turn toward His best, allow God's love to develop in me a passion for Him and people, and to heed His lead.  When I do, I will find true security despite the volatile nature of the world.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can trust God enough to listen to what He is saying to me.

When am I afraid to hear what He wants to say to me?

How do I intentionally keep myself busy so I won't have to deal with His correction or His conviction?