Barometer of the Heart

"Whoever despises the word brings destruction on himself,

but he who reveres the commandment will be rewarded."

Do I grin and bear it?  Avoid it at all costs?  Hunger for it?  Recognize its value despite its offensiveness to my sin nature?

In the same way the readings on a barometer are an indication of future changes in the weather, the way I feel about and respond to the wisdom found in God's Word is an indication of the direction I travel in life and the status of my heart.  If I learn to interpret the atmospheric pressure measurements of a barometer, I can forecast the weather.  And if I pay attention to how I'm handling the Word of God, I can estimate where I'm headed in life based on the status of my heart.  Let's take some time to recognize the danger signs.

Avoid.  Whenever I hear the dreaded song, I quickly turn the channel.  I simply don't want to be faced with the doe-eyed animals who seem to be pleading for help from their desperate situations as "In the Arms of an Angel" by Sarah McLachlan plays in the background.  My heart breaks as I think of the suffering these helpless creatures endure and I feel helpless to rescue them.  While I could give a donation to the ASPCA to ease my mind, I'd rather avoid the effectively persuasive advertising campaign.  It's just too hard to see.

From time to time I take on this same mindset with God's Word.  I know it's powerful and living, able to get to the root of the dark places in my heart, but I don't always want to face it (Hebrews 4:12-13). Sometimes I'd just rather turn the channel and focus on something more pleasant.  While the discipline and training in righteousness that comes from exposing myself to the Holy Scripture is not always comfortable, it is good for me, useful for weeding out what is off in the way I think and operate in this world, and teaching me God's better way (2 Timothy 3:16-17).  Even though it doesn't feel good, it is beneficial to my faith walk.  My willingness to expose myself to His valuable training tool tells me a lot about the state of my heart.

When I avoid God's Word it's a sign that I've hardened my heart against God's loving instruction.

Dismiss.  "It's not relevant.  It's outdated.  Maybe it made sense back in the day, but we've progressed beyond our need for such archaic ways; we have learned a better way and the Bible is no longer necessary.  While there may be some redeeming qualities, most of it does not apply to the modern mind and our unique condition."  So goes the line of thinking in today's mind.  While I don't claim to adhere to such a view, it's poison can easily seep into my psyche and influence the way I process the situations I encounter.

Therefore, when I find myself dismissing any part of God's Word as irrelevant to my current circumstances, I'd better sit up and take notice.  God does not change with the times, altering His perception according to cultural or political variations (James 1:17).  He does not take opinion polls and is never influenced by the tide of popular trends (Numbers 23:19, Malachi 3:6).  He could care less about His popularity ratings.  Since He is so rock-solid in His character, His Word can be trusted as always relevant to meet me right where I am and able to speak to me exactly what I need to hear.  God's Word always accomplishes what He desires for it to bring about, therefore I dare not dismiss it as irrelevant (Isaiah 55:11).

When I dismiss God's Word it is a sign that I've diminished the powerfully influential nature of His ever-relevant Word.

Take Lightly.  It becomes a daily ritual.  As I read, my mind is drifting toward my to-do-list or I'm rehashing my current crises or I'm distracted by my surrounds.  Whatever keeps me from truly applying myself to the study of scripture, it succeeds in keeping me superficial, robbing me from the richness found there and the important truths I need each day.  Instead of being transformed by the renewing of my mind, I stay the same, stagnant as a mosquito-infested bog deep in the woods.

If I want to go deeper with God, I must treasure His Word as the prize that it is, taking in every word as a life-giving flow of spring water that refreshes my soul and points me to the way everlasting.  Instead of just reading, then, I can take on the persona of an explorer, picking apart each passage in a search for gems that will give me more insight into the Father I adore, His Son whom I can't live without, and the Spirit who empowers me to live abundantly.  As I come to know this great God through His infallible Word, I will find more insight into my own workings and how I fit into this world He created.  Therefore, taking His Word seriously is to my benefit.

When I take God's Word lightly it is a sign that I've hit a roadblock in my faith walk, ceasing the forward progress toward my heavenly goal.

The way I think of and receive God's Word tells much about the state of my heart and the progress of my faith walk.  Learning to read the warning signs helps me to forecast the direction of my life.  When I avoid, dismiss and take lightly God's Word, I had better take notice for I'm headed in the wrong direction.  The state of my heart is vital to my spiritual health.  Therefore, I'd be wise to use these warning signs as a kind of barometer of the heart.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can trust God to use His Word to accomplish His plan for my life.

When do I avoid scripture because I simply don't want to hear what God has to say?

How am I fearing God's best for me? 

    

Danger in Confidence

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

which led to his downfall.

He sinned against the LORD his God

by entering the sanctuary of the LORD's Temple

and personally burning incense on the incense altar."

2 Chronicles 26:16 NLT

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

When do I get distracted from Him?

How am I hard-hearted toward my own sin?

Snowball Effect

"Satan rose up against Israel and caused David to take a census of the people of Israel.  So David said to Joab and the commanders of the army,

'Take a census of all the people of Israel

--from Beersheba in the south to Dan in the north--

and bring me a report so I may know how many there are.'

But Joab replied,

'May the LORD increase the number of his people a hundred times over!

But why, my lord the king,

do you want to do this?

Are they not all your servants?

Why must you cause Israel to sin?'

But the king insisted that they take the census,

so Joab traveled throughout all Israel to count the people."

1 Chronicles 21:1-4

When my mind is made up, the plan is in place, and the wheels are in motion, it's hard to change direction or stop altogether.  Like a snowball sent hurtling down a hill, my intentions build momentum and size until it's practically unstoppable.

There is something, however, that should stop me in my tracks:  Godly counsel.  What keeps me from listening?

Pride.  It's not that I think I know everything and possess all the answers, but when I've analyzed a situation and thought it through carefully, coming up with the perfect solution, it's hard for me to think there could be any other way.  The thing is, these "perfect solutions" usually come from my own perspective and understanding, not God's.  Since I didn't bother to consult Him, bringing His all-encompassing point-of-view into the situation, any answers I generate will be far from ideal.

Once I start down such a path, I can soon expect to crash and burn, run into a major obstacle, or come to a dead end (Proverbs 16:18).  Apart from God's grace, nothing will end well (1 Corinthians 15:10).  Therefore, I would be wise to humble myself, admitting that I don't have the answers or the wherewithal to successfully navigate the challenge I currently face. 

Once my attitude has been adjusted in such a way, taking my own self out of the picture, I can more easily accept advice that comes from a God-honoring source.  Then I might have a chance to stop the foolishness!

Pride often keeps me from heeding godly counsel.

Investment.  It is a valuable commodity.  Every human who ever existed has been given the same amount to spend each day.  Wasting it seems like such a shame.  Still, hundreds of units of this precious resource are squandered every day.

Time.  I have 24 hours of it each day yet often lament of a frequent shortage.  When time runs out, I'm frustrated.  When I'm waiting in line or stuck in a room filled with outdated magazines listening for my name to be called, I feel my time slipping away.  When I'm late, it seems like I never have enough.  

I realize the value of my time.  This is why I often stick to my guns, even if it seems I'm going nowhere.  If I've invested enough time into a project, or a particular solution, or a certain way of living, it's hard for me to give it up.  If I do, it seems like all the time I've spent will be in vain.

If instead I would realize the lessons that could be learned from going down such a foolish path, or the grace of God which will even things out once I get back on track, I might be able to heed a warning from a godly source.  It's not easy to change directions, letting go of my ways, especially if I've used up a lot of time getting as far as I now find myself.  Still, this investment is not more valuable than living God's way.  Anything I give up will seem foolish once I see things from God's perspective (Philippians 3:8).

A costly time investment often keeps me from heeding godly counsel.

Evil Influence.  It seemed like such a good idea at the time.  I could see no other way that would work.  My mind was convinced of the wisdom of my plan.  How is it that I can buy into such foolishness at times?

I cannot forget that I have an enemy whose mission is to steal, kill and destroy (John 10:10).  Whenever Satan gets a chance, he will plant a seed of doubt in my mind, introduce a sinful attitude, or hatch an evil plan.  It is easy for me to agree with such an ungodly influence because it often appeals to my sin nature.

My enemy could suggest that going down such a path will improve my self-image, giving me more confidence.  I easily buy into such a concept since I'm hungry for such a strong belief in myself.  Unfortunately, my view of myself will only improve when I see myself through God's lenses, realizing the assurance I seek comes from trusting Him (Psalm 139, Isaiah 40:31).

Satan also might give me the idea that buying into a certain solution will improve my status, giving others a higher opinion of my intelligence, or abilities, or potential.  It's easy for me to believe his lies since I strongly desire for others to think highly of me.  It's too bad, though, that true self-worth will only come from seeking God's pleasure, not in trying to impress people (1 Thessalonians 2:3-4).

Another tactic of my enemy is to persuade me to invest mostly in my needs and wants, giving me the impression that true meaning will come when I receive these earthly treasures.  How simple it is to get me to agree since my fleshly desires are such a powerful force.  Regrettably, running after riches will leave me feeling empty since their allure is fleeting.  Only kingdom-treasures will last (Matthew 6:19-21).

The influences of Satan often keeps me from heeding godly counsel.

Once I make up my mind, it is hard for me to pay attention to sound advice.  Usually, my pride, unwillingness to waste the time I've invested, or the influence of Evil are the obstacles that discourage such observance.  Therefore, to avoid the snowball effect, I would be wise to seek God alone.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can keep focused on God's plan for my life.

When do I most easily get off-track?

How can I help myself to remember to seek God above all other pursuits?               

Sober Judgment

"For by the grace given me

I say to every one of you:

Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought,

but rather think of yourself with sober judgment,

in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you."

Romans 12:3

When I was competing in the sport of bodybuilding, I looked in the mirror quite a bit.  It wasn't that I was vain, although that particular pursuit does lend itself to vanity and narcissism, but more that I was gauging my progress as I prepared for a contest.  Self-reflection, though, is not always accurate.  Either I found that I would determine my progress to be better than it really was, or I would think I looked worse than I really did.  Whichever way I judged myself, it was impossible for me to give an objective evaluation of my own physique.

Once contest day came, however, I would stand before a panel of judges who would form an opinion on the development of my muscles, the leanness of my form and the overall proportion of my physique.  In short, the judges would make a decision based on reality, not on what I think I am.

It's not so different with my spiritual physique.  It's hard for me to objectively assess myself because there are many things that blur my vision.

Fear

It was his first mission as king, and he blew it.  Instead of doing as the Lord commanded and completely destroying the Amalekites and all their belongings, he captured their leader and spared all he deemed as good.  When confronted by Samuel as to his disobedience, Saul claimed innocence and the Lord was grieved that He had made Saul king of Israel.  (1 Samuel 15)

Saul mistakenly thought that being a leader meant that he got to call the shots according to what he thought best.  When caught in a transgression, he lied to cover his own reputation.  Instead of courageously facing the truth, he cowardly stuck to his story.

It's easy for me to fall into this same trap.  I am afraid to look at my sin for what it is: an affront to a holy God.  Other times I'd rather pretend my issues don't exist and simply go on living as if I'm in the right.  Still harder is it for me to admit to a sin: What will people think of me?

Fear can hold me back from honestly scrutinizing my thoughts, speech and behavior patterns and seeing it the way God does.  I can let go of the dread I feel when I think of all the ways I fall short of God's standard because He has forgiven me through the blood of the perfect Lamb.(1 John 4:18)  

Due to this unspeakable sacrifice, I can boldly hold my darkest sin in the light, looking at it from all sides before turning away from it in victory.  I needn't take myself so seriously that I think that sin will be the end of me for Jesus has made sure that won't happen. (1 Corinthians 15:57)  

Instead, I can lighten up and realize that I am no different than any other human who ever lived: I am plagued with sin.  Thankfully, I am also washed clean by the blood of my Savior, giving me the freedom to live as one who is not condemned. (Romans 8:1)

Fear holds me back from sober judgment but the redemption that comes through Jesus Christ gives me courage to see myself as I truly am.

Pride

He thought of himself as a god, puffing his chest as he strolled along the roof of his majestic palace.  "Look at this city of Babylon that I have built with my own might and power.  This, the most beautiful city in the world, is a testament to my grand magnificence."

No sooner had the words left his lips than God began humbling King Nebuchadnezzar.  (Daniel 4)  The man became as an animal, sleeping out under the stars, grazing like a cow and forsaking all grooming.  After seven years, his sanity came back to him and he humbly acknowledged God as sovereign over all things.

Nebuchadnezzar is not the only one who needs humbling.  There are many times when I don't like to reveal my sin, thinking it is demeaning to my position to admit I'm wrong or that I will lose respect from those around me.

When I put my own reputation or status first, I am failing to give God this honored position in my life.  With this distorted sens of priorities, if He desires to place me where I receive no thanks or appreciation for my work, I probably will ignore His call.  When I'm more focused on me than God, I'll miss out on the opportunities to see Him work through me because I'm worried about how it will look to others.  

Humbly admitting to my sin is the most powerful relational tool I can use.  When I am honest, others will respect my openness and feel more comfortable to confess their own struggles, starting an avalanche of forgiveness.

Pride holds me back from sober judgment but humility comes as I place God's kingdom before my own.

Doubt

They did it again.  The people who were called by God to be His own people had turned against Him, doing their own thing.  When God sent the oppressive power of the Midianites to discipline them, they cried out to God in their distress.  Out of His love for them, He sent a prophet to remind them of their calling to stay faithful to God.  Then, He called on a mighty warrior; a hero to deliver them.  (Judges 6)

The thing is, this savior didn't seem so brave and courageous at first.  He doubted the message from God, asking how it was that the Lord had been with them if his people were in such dire straits?  God reassured him that He Himself was sending Gideon out against the enemy of his people.  He hesitated again, "but I'm from the weakest clan and as feeble as we are, I am the smallest one out of everyone in my family!  I'm no mighty warrior!"

It was clear who Gideon believed God to be at this point: small and incapable of saving his people.  Even though things turned out pretty well for Gideon and his 300 soldiers as they defeated a force of multitudes too many to count, he didn't start out with the kind of faith that believes God can do more with the weakest man committed to Him than the strongest man can do without God.  (1 Corinthians 1:25)

How many times do I doubt God's power when I'm faced with overwhelming obstacles, like when the bills are adding up to more than my income?  God can deliver me if I trust Him with my finances.  Sometimes my physical pain is more than I can handle.  God can give me strength to endure if I trust Him with my health.  Other times I'm afraid my family will forget about me and leave me all alone.  God is the comforter and father to the fatherless as well as a husband to the widow.  He can be my all in all if I trust Him with that mission.  

Doubt holds me back from sober judgment but faith will come if I give God a chance to work in my life.

I don't always see myself as I really am.  If I can let go of the fear I sometimes have of seeing my sin, the pride that places my own wants and needs above God and the doubt that betrays my lack of faith in the power of God to transform, then my eyes will be opened.  As I take on the perspective that God gives to me, I will be able to judge myself with a clear conscience.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can let go of the fear that so often holds me back.

When am I afraid to intentionally look at my sin?  How does this work to build a stronghold of sin in my life?

How do I betray my lack of faith in God when I doubt His ability to bring about change?

A Cord of Three Strands

Two are better than one,
   because they have a good return for their labor:
If either of them falls down,
   one can help the other up.
But pity anyone who falls
   and has no one to help them up.
Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.
   But how can one keep warm alone?
Though one may be overpowered,
   two can defend themselves.
A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

I like to think of myself as pretty self-sufficient, independent and capable.  I don't often need help but when I do, I feel uncomfortable in putting anyone out.  I make it as easy as possible for someone to help me, first doing as much as I can by myself.

I was thinking about this recently when I was replacing the leaf in our dining room table.  I tried to do it by myself, mostly because I was too impatient to wait for one of my family members to help me.  I stood at the end of the table, attempting to pull it apart, but all that I accomplished was to slide the entire table toward me.  I could not do the job by myself.

Life is like replacing the leaf in my table: it is impossible to accomplish alone.  We are designed for community.  Look at the very beginning for evidence.  When God was busy creating all things, there was a definite pattern.  God created, then He look upon His handiwork and declared it good. 

The first time He pronounced something as "not good" was when He looked upon His first image bearer.  "The LORD God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone."  (Genesis 2:18)  God then created a helper suitable for Adam and so established the institution of marriage. 

But there's more to it than that.  Just as God the Father exists in relationship with His Son and Spirit, so we are designed to live in relationship with others.  We are not constructed to exist as lone rangers.

So what's the problem?  Why do I find it so hard to call on the help of others?

Pride

Proverbs 16:18 reminds me of the danger of trying to do things by myself.  "Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall."

It reminds me of the time God placed me in a situation where I needed help.  The doctor had just informed me that the triplet babies I carried in my over-burdened womb were in danger of starting the birthing process, resulting in a premature birth at 22 weeks of gestation.  His strict orders included bed rest and no straining whatsoever.  As the mother of an energetic 20-month old girl, this was impossible to accomplish without help.  If I tried to do this by myself, I would have jeopardized the lives of these precious three babies.

Friends, neighbors and family members pitched in to help me follow the doctor's instructions.  Unfortunately, 2 weeks later, my cervix had slightly dilated and my medical team found it necessary to admit me into the hospital.  My husband and I then needed help in caring for our daughter and the body of Christ came through in meeting that need.  It was impossible for us to get through that time alone and many who helped expressed the joy they experienced as they filled our needs.

Receiving help is admittedly more difficult than giving it.  But in humbling myself enough to allow someone to help me gives them a chance to receive the blessing of giving.  The Apostle Paul reminds me that,  ". . . the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”  (Acts 20:35b) 

Without a recipient, no one would ever be able to experience the blessing of giving!

Fear

I fear many things in this life despite the fact that God is in control and He has promised to take care of me.  As a fallen creature, I have a hard time fully grasping that concept and, consequently, I suffer from many fears.

One of the most prevalent is the fear of judgment from others.  I have been hesitant to let others into my life for fear that once they see the real me, they will not like what they see and will reject me.  I can't pretend to be who I think I should be in order to keep up false pretenses that are designed to hide my flaws.  This is exhausting and counterproductive.

Accepting help from others comes with a risk.  It is very likely that I will be judged by others.  But I must remember that, as a fellow fallen sinner, my brothers and sisters in Christ are also on a journey:  A quest of training in godliness, of swimming upstream toward our Savior Jesus Christ whose character for which we strive.   None of us are perfect, and just as God's grace is sufficient for me to survive any situation, I must extend that grace to others by giving them the benefit of the doubt.

Receiving help means I must not expect perfection, but accept the giver as he or she is. 

Pain

I've been let down many times in my life.  Either those I thought cared about me didn't bother to rush to my side in a time of need, or the body of Christ failed to support me in the way I thought they should.  Either way, it is hard to not take these let-downs personally.

Holding onto the hurt of past disappointments can lead to the hesitancy to ask for help again.  If no one came through last time, what makes me think this time will be different?

Romans 12:4-5 reveals that, ". . . . just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others."

My body has many parts, and sometimes one of my parts lets me down.  I have been suffering from knee pain lately, and it affects the way I do everything throughout my day.  It is frustrating.

In order for my knee to heal, though, I need to give it proper attention.  I have found that I can't simply ignore it, hoping that the pain will go away.  Instead, I need to perform special stretches and exercises.  Simply overlooking my knee does not stimulate healing, but actually prolongs the injury.  Healing can only come by doing the prescribed treatment.

Likewise, members of the body of Christ are many times broken and incomplete, needing special attention and training.

Looking past my pain and asking for help from others gives these "Body parts" the practice needed in order to  stimulate growth in their role as a member of the body of Christ.

The willingness to receive help from an imperfect brother or sister plays a role in the growing process for other believers.

Receiving help is difficult and there are many obstacles that block my ability to ask for assistance.  My pride, fears and pain of past hurts can get in the way.  But as an image bearer who was created for community, God is best glorified when I set aside these barriers, and allow the body of Christ to function as He created it to serve.  

We are stronger together.

As I begin this day, it is my prayer that I can focus more on the best interest of others instead of on my own fears.

How do I rob others of the joy of giving?

When do I act as a lone ranger instead of including others in my life? 

The God of Second Chances

New Growth   The other day I noticed something peculiar on the tree that had been half-way devoured by tent caterpillars (see "Take Him Seriously" posted on November 1, 2011).  New leaves are forming on some of the bare branches!  Even though I came dangerously close to causing the demise of my favorite tree by disregarding expert advice and instead taking the easy way, God is giving me, and this tree, a second chance!

Pride    There are many instances recorded in the Bible when God gave one of His people another chance after a big blunder.  One that comes to mind is Moses.  "The LORD would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend." (Exodus 33:11)  This guy was pretty close to God!  But toward the end of the Israelites' time of wandering in the desert, Moses messed up pretty bad.  Not only did he disregard the specific instructions of God, to speak to the rock in order to bring forth water from within, but he took credit for the miracle, asking the people, "must we bring you water out of this rock?" (Numbers 20:6-13, emphasis mine)  This act of disobedience lost him the chance to enter into the promised land, but God still listened to his prayers (see Numbers 21:7-9) and considered Moses to be the leader of His people.

All is Not Lost  What about David, the man God considered to be one after His own heart? (Acts 13:22)  He fell big time when he took another man's wife, slept with her, killed her husband and took her as his own wife.  He lived in this deceptive state of sin for about a year before God sent Nathan to show him the truth.  After David repented and returned to the Lord, God gave him a second chance.  Even though there were many consequences to his sin, such as the death of his son and strife in his family, David was forgiven by God through the prophet Nathan and given another son, Solomon, who succeeded David as king. (2 Samuel 12:13, 24-25)

The Rock   When Jesus walked the earth, Peter was perhaps his most zealous disciple.  He claimed he would die for Jesus!  But when push came to shove and Jesus was standing accused before the Jewish leaders, Peter acted as if he didn't know his beloved friend, and even denied his name! (Matthew 26:69-75)  All was not lost, however, because Peter became one of the most influential leaders of the first church, preaching, healing and performing miracles in the power of God's Spirit. (see the book of Acts) Why would the Lord use such a seemingly spineless man unless He was a God of second chances?

As human beings, we are going to disobey, mess up and think that things will never be the same with God.  Don't believe it!  The One who made you and calls you by name is a God who gives second, third and fourth chances.  After all, He is all about our heart. 

"The LORD does not look at the things people look at.

People look at the outward appearance,

but the LORD looks at the heart.”

1 Samuel 16:7

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I will hold a higher view of the grace and mercy of our Creator. 

Where do I need a second chance?

Where do I need to extend a second chance to others?