Someone is Watching

"The king took his place of authority beside the pillar

and renewed the covenant in the LORD's presence.

He pledged to obey the LORD

by keeping all his commands, laws, and decrees

with all his heart and soul.

In this way,

he confirmed all the terms of the covenant

that were written in the scroll,

and all the people pledged themselves to the covenant."

2 Kings 23:3 NLT

No matter who I am, someone is watching me.  I may think I am living a private, autonomous life, but if I belong to Jesus then my faith has designated me as a leader. (Matthew 5:13-16)

I have influence over at least one other person.  When I make a move toward the Lord, they are inspired to follow.  When I drift away, they are swayed to do the same.  While living my life, I must keep in mind the eyes who are watching and the feet who are following.  I would be wise to take a cue from King Josiah and set a godly example.

Intentional.  He didn't just have some vague idea of righteous living.  He didn't brush his position as leader aside as unimportant.  Josiah, the king of Judah, intentionally pledged to live according to God's Word.  I can do the same.  Instead of letting life happen to me, I can enter the battle and take up the kingdom weapons of warfare.  (2 Corinthians 10:3-5)

This means I can think of my life as a ministry tool that can point others to Christ.  (2 Corinthians 9:13)  It also means I must walk in the Spirit, not trying to set a good example through my own effort but yielding to the lead of God's indwelling Spirit who is always guiding me and empowering me to do what pleases Him.  (1 Corinthians 2:4-5, Galatians 5:16)  Living intentionally also will mean I must surrender my desires to my Father, letting His will be done in my life, especially when I think I have it all figured out.  (Romans 6:13) 

In the same way that Josiah made a public covenant before the Lord, I can resolve to make my life a living sacrifice. (Romans 12:1-2)

Open.  He didn't make this resolution in the privacy of his own home.  He didn't protect himself from humiliation in case he failed by keeping this covenant strictly between God and himself.  Neither did he try to cover up yesterday's ignorance of God's Law, pridefully looking out for his own reputation or protecting his ego.

Instead, Josiah intentionally resolved to live according to God's word before the entire nation of Judah.  (2 Kings 23:2)  This covenant made in the presence of the Lord was completely public.  Similarly, when I become aware of how I have offended the Lord, I can let another believer know of my repentance, bringing my sin into the light where it's power can be destroyed.  (James 5:16)  Hiding my sin only serves to increase it's strength, providing a foothold for Satan to work in my life. (Ephesians 4:26)  accountability is vital for living the life that pleases the Lord.

In the same way that Josiah made a public covenant before the Lord, I can live transparently within the Body of Christ.

Start.  Josiah didn't think things over once he found the Book of the Covenant.  He didn't consider how he should deal with such findings.  In reality, he immediately sought out God's counsel.

I can take a lesson from Josiah, not sitting on my sin once I've discovered how I've failed.  It's easy to think I must wait for just the right time.  People wait a lifetime to come clean before the Lord, fearing His wrath or His disappointment.

Thankfully, through faith in Jesus I have a high priest who makes it possible to approach the throne of grace without fear, as one who belongs.  (Hebrews 4:14-16)  Due to the blood of Jesus, I am a child of the King, my sins though scarlet are washed white as snow.  (1 John 3:1, Isaiah 1:18)  Thanks to the sacrifice Jesus made, i can live as one who is forgiven.  (Ephesians 1:7, 1 John 5:9)  Therefore, now is the time to come before the Lord and do what is right.

In the same way that Josiah made a public covenant before the Lord, I can make a move toward Him today.

Others are watching the way I live my life, taking cues from me on how to negotiate life's potholes.  Therefore, I would be wise to live as Josiah did, making an intentional, public, immediate move toward the Lord.  When I do so, I will be leading others to do the same.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can be ever mindful of those who are watching me.

When do I live as if I have no one to whom I must answer?

How am I foolishly hiding my sin, giving it more power to flourish?

Today is the Day

"As God's partners,

we beg you not to accept this marvelous gift

of God's kindness and then ignore it.

For God says,

'At just the right time, I heard you.

On the day of salvation, I helped you.'

Indeed, the 'right time' is now.

Today is the day of salvation."

2 Corinthians 6:1-2 NLT

"Why do today what I can do tomorrow?"  This is the motto of the procrastinator.  While it may not bring much harm to put some things off, it is not the same with God.  He is calling me, why wait?  I choose this day to not let the grace God extends be for naught;  I'd rather make it count!

Be Reconciled to God

Her life was a series of failures: Failed marriages.  Failed relationships.  Failed religious pursuits.  She was an outcast, shunned for her choice of lifestyle.  No one thought about her or cared to know her.  No one, that is, except the man who seemed to know the intimate details of her life but loved her enough to offer her living water that would eternally quench her thirst.  After this encounter with the Messiah, her life would never again be the same. (John 4)

Jesus stands at the door of my heart, waiting for me to invite Him into my life. (Revelation 3:20)  On my own, I have no rights to God because my sin has set me up as His enemy. (Colossians 1:21)  But the moment I let Jesus in, allowing His redemptive work accomplished on the cross to cover my sins, I am reconciled to a Holy God who loves me.

Jesus already did all the work, what am I waiting for?  

Today is the day to be reconciled to God through faith in Jesus Christ and to begin to live for Him.

Answer the Call

Times were bad.  The nation of Israel was divided into two kingdoms, both peoples following their own ways.   God wanted someone to deliver a message of repentance and salvation to the wayward people.  Who would go?  He put out the call: "Whom shall I send as a messenger to the people?"  Anyone could answer.  Who would be the one to step forward? 

It turns out that Isaiah was the man who responded to this call of God.  (Isaiah 6:8)  As a result, Isaiah became one of the most prolific as well as oft-quoted prophets.

What is God bringing to my attention that could be a part of my life's purpose?  Am I bothered by the homeless problem in my own community, or the horrific holocaust we call abortion or the lack of respect for marriage in this country?  Perhaps I could take the initiative and answer the call to love others and take a stand for righteousness.

It's not always easy to step out in faith, especially when I'm going out on a limb.  But as Oswald Chambers said, "Then comes the call to spiritual tenacity, not to hang on and do nothing, but to work deliberately on the certainty that God is not going to be worsted."  

God put out the call, so what am I waiting for?

Today is the day to step forward in faith and begin to live for Him, believing with all certainty that the dream He placed on my heart will come to pass.

Tell Others

They were confused and helpless.  The people reminded him of sheep without a shepherd, floundering around in the mundane details of their lives, searching for some kind of meaning and purpose.  He spread the Good News and healed the sick, but more kept coming.  There must be more workers! (Matthew 9:35-38)

The heart of Jesus went out to His people.  They needed Him and the message He delivered, but as God stuck in a mortal body, He saw the need for back-up.

When was the last time I told someone about Jesus?  Or brought the Words of life that would bring healing to the hurting?  Or spoke the Truth in the midst of deception?

God prepared the harvest, so what am I waiting for?

Today is the day to speak the Truth in love for all to benefit.

It is easy to put off the action for which I know I am destined.  Instead of waiting, it is my intention to make today the day I will be reconciled to God, answer His call, and tell others what they so desperately need to hear.  Today is the day of salvation!  

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I won't wait another day to begin living for Christ.

When do I hear God calling but fail to step forward in faith?

How am I afraid to speak the truth?