The Illogical Choice

"'Tell all the people,

"This is what the LORD says:

Take your choice of life or death!

Everyone who stays in Jerusalem will die 

from war, famine, or disease,

but those who go out and 

surrender to the Babylonians will live.

Their reward will be life!"'"

Jeremiah 21:8-9 NLT

Doesn't it seem obvious to choose life?  In order to preserve my life, I take the path of least resistance, the one that is safe, the easier.  But God doesn't always lead that way.  Therefore, I must heed His warnings and pay attention even if it goes against my self-preserving instincts.  For He has His own purposes.

Test.  There is much hope for me as one who is saved by grace through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ.  I have a priceless inheritance through Christ that can never be tarnished because it is held for me in heaven.  When this life is over I can expect an even better one in my Father's mansion, a special place prepared just for me by my Lord and Savior (John 14:2).  The thought of the good things God has in store for me is what often bolsters my faith during hard times.

And it is these difficulties that prove my faith as real, that purify it and makes it even stronger as I continue to love Jesus even though I don't see Him.  As I follow my good Shepherd even though He leads me into the valley of the shadow of death (Psalm 23:4).  As I trust Him enough to do the hard things He has set before me.  And my reward for believing Him at His word, for sticking with Him even when every fiber of my being wants to turn away, for treasuring Jesus more than my very life?  The salvation of my soul (1 Peter 1:3-9, Romans 6:22)!

Trusting Jesus means I'll often be asked to do the illogical as He tests my faith to prove it's authenticity.

Submission.  It goes against my nature to surrender to an enemy.  I want to fight, dig in, preserve my life, my home, my family.  If I were living in ancient Jerusalem, I would be terrified to give myself and my family over to an invading conqueror, giving up control and putting my life and the lives of those I love into the hands of a foreign army.  I would wonder, what will they do with us?  How will they treat us?  What will happen to my home?  Will I ever see it again?  

If I loved God enough to trust Him with my life, however, I would do as He said, surrendering to the enemy and believing that it would turn out as He promised (Jeremiah 21:9).  That things would go better for me in their custody than if I stayed at home where I wanted to be.  Doesn't God do the same today, sending me into situations I would never willingly choose for myself?  Allowing disease to ravage my body?  Permitting heartache to come my way?  I can either resist it, fighting against what God is up to, or I can submit to His sovereign plan, believing His Word that my love for Him will guarantee that it's all for my good (Romans 8:28).

Trusting Jesus means I'll often face the illogical choice, giving me the opportunity to submit to His sovereign plan.

Treasure.  It comes down to my value system.  Do I cherish my life, my health, my body, my stuff, my family the most?  Or is Jesus my greatest treasure?  The news is filled with the horrible choice several college students at Umpqua Community College recently faced:  Life or Jesus.  The victims were reportedly asked if they were Christians, and if they responded in the affirmative, they were shot in the head.  In order to make such a bold pronouncement of faith while staring down the barrel of a gun, one would have to adhere to a kingdom value system in which they loved Jesus more than their very lives.

What do I treasure most of all?  Jesus warned it would be difficult to follow Him.  He said if I want to be His disciple I can't look at things from a human point of view, but from God's.  "If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross and follow me.  If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it.  But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it"  (Matthew 16:24).  What good does it do me to gain any advantage I think I have by trying to preserve this temporary life if I lose my very soul for all of eternity?  No, it's much better to gain eternal life by giving it all to Jesus.

Trusting Jesus means I'll be faced with an illogical choice that will reveal what I treasure most.

From the outside looking in, I would appear as a fool.  But from a godly perspective, I am wise to trust Jesus enough to make the irrational decision in obedience to Him.  As I do, my faith is being tested, I'm given the opportunity to submit to God's plan, and I learn what it is I value most.  While I may make what seems to be the illogical choice, as a disciple of Christ, it is the only one that leads to life.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can trust God enough to do as He says even though it seems a foolish step to take.

When do I fail to surrender to God's plan for my life because I am afraid to give up control?

What do I treasure more than Jesus?  Would I be willing to give it up if faced with that choice?     

      

King of my Heart

"I will praise you, Lord, will all my heart;

before the 'gods' I will sing your praise."

Psalm 138:1

They wanted a king.  For years, God had been the rightful Ruler of Israel, sending Judges to help turn the hearts of the people back to Him, but leading them as their ultimate King.  Now, however, these wayward people decided they wanted a king of flesh.  It was more important to them that they look like the rest of the world than it was for them to live life the way God had designed them to live.  Therefore, they demanded a king.

Upon their request, the Lord instructed Samuel to warn them of the pitfalls of their demands.  The human king would take, take, take; claim their sons for war, their daughters for royal service, their servants and prime livestock for his own use, and a tithe to benefit his own larder.  Most alarming was the prediction that the people would become like slaves to the king.  Still, they wanted their earthly king.  (1 Samuel 8)

In the same way the people of Israel rejected God as their king, I often do the same.  How can Jesus be the King of my heart?

Respect.  One of the most amusing scenes in the classic movie, "The King and I," is when the main character, Anna, is confronted with the custom that every man or woman in the king of Siam's presence prostrate themselves before him.  She watched his subjects, wives and children put themselves in ridiculous contortions in an attempt to show respect for their king by keeping themselves lower than he.  In the end, Anna refused to go through such ridiculous practices and agreed to simply bow when coming into his presence.

The position of a king demands respect, and Jesus is no different.  If I am to make Him king of my heart, it is important that I revere Him as worthy of all glory, giving up my own desire to take credit for anything good in my life.  This means I'll also treat Him the way He should be regarded, guarding His name as precious and considering His commands as important.

While it is not necessary for me to bow to Jesus, my heart must always be inclined to Him if I am to make Him King of my heart.

Surrender.  A kingdom is all about the king and fulfilling his desires.  This is why the Magna Carta, the groundbreaking document signed in 1215 between the barons of medieval England and King John, was such a big deal.  This forerunner to the U.S. Constitution secured liberty for the people, lawfully protecting them from a king's tendency to abuse his power at the cost of his subjects and giving rights to the people for the first time in world history.

As a resident of the kingdom of God, everything is about Him.  Instead of abusing His position like an earthly king does, bullishly taking the helm, however, God is a king who waits for His own to willingly bow to His plans and purposes.  When I make Jesus the king of my heart, then, it is up to me to place Him in that position as Lord, allowing Him to have full access to my heart. (Romans 10:9)  When I do so, I will no longer demand to get my way but over time I will find myself desiring His plan above my own, trusting that His way is better than my own.        

Residing in the kingdom of God means willingly surrendering to God and His good plans and purposes that go way beyond my own.

Loyalty.  My dog looks lovingly into my eyes, wanting nothing more in life than to please me.  He tries so hard to do my bidding and greets me with great enthusiasm every time I walk through the door.  In contrast, my cat can take me or leave me.  If he's in the mood, he'll greet me with an upright tail and friendly rub against my ankles.  If he's comfortable where he is, however, he'll stay put until he's good and ready to move.

A dog is known for loyalty because his heart is set on pleasing his master while a cat is more of a connoisseur of comfort, looking mostly to fulfilling his own desires.  When it comes to my relationship with the Lord, I would like to be more like my fully committed dog than my flaky cat.  When my heart is devoted to pleasing my King, I will set my own agenda aside and instead go after God's.  I will delight in His Word, knowing it is the very source of joy.  (Psalm 1:2)  I will be all in, wanting to live life His way even if it means sacrificing my comfort, my security or my rights.  The treasure of knowing Jesus Christ will surpass anything known to man.  (Philippians 3:8)

As a loyal subject in God's kingdom, I am committed to His agenda, not my own.

If I want to make Jesus King of my heart, I will need to respect Him, surrender my rights to Him, and remain loyal to Him.  In these ways, I will reside in the Kingdom of God and enjoy Him forever.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can trust God enough to put myself completely in His hands.

When do I rule my own life instead of letting Jesus take that position?

How am I guilty of disloyalty in my heart, valuing other pursuits and beliefs as more important than Jesus?         

True Worship

Today's post is an excerpt from my new book, 52 Days of Grace, a devotional designed to help you draw closer in your relationship with the Lord as you become more aware of His grace in your life.

True Worship

"Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God--this is your true and proper worship.  Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.  Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will."             (Romans 12:1-2) 

How do you worship?  In this country, when we hear the word “worship”, visions of musicians and singers leading us in songs of praise to God comes to mind.  But this passage tells us that worship is much more than that.  It is the constant act of offering our flesh, the very thing that can work to separate us from God, as a living sacrifice to Him.  The secret to true worship of God is giving our own desires continually over to Him so that He can use us as He wills.

This means when I feel my irritation level rise when dealing with difficult people, I need to immediately go to God and give Him my pride and allow Him to love them through me.  Or when the traffic is eating away my time and I feel my stress levels rise, I give Him my desire to control my own destiny and submit myself to the position my Father has placed me in at that moment, trusting Him with my time.  Or when tension mounts in my home, I will drop my own selfish point-of-view and ask God for His, allowing me to see the hurt that lies beneath the harsh words.  All of these scenarios are forms of worship of God.  All of them result in God’s work and thus glorification of His Name.

The world and our fleshly desires are constantly pulling us toward them, but a love of these things douses the richness and miracle of the closeness of God’s Spirit within us.  Let us instead invite God into every aspect of our lives, resulting in true worship that pleases Him.

Worship is more than singing, but a constant surrendering of our own desires.

How are you vulnerable to adopting the ways of the world?

When do you easily let your fleshly desires rule instead of submitting yourself to your heavenly Father?

Heavenly Father,

It is easy for me to think I can only worship You in a formal, corporate setting.  Your Word, however, tells me that each moment I live provides an opportunity to give praise to You.  Help me to constantly be aware of the worldly and fleshly influences on my life, and help me to choose You instead.

In Jesus’ Name I pray,

Amen

We are constantly receiving worldly messages telling us we are good enough, or that we have what it takes to succeed.  In truth, God's message runs counter to this message of self-fulfillment and inner-goodness.  

If you'd like to know more about God's grace and the role that grace plays in your faith, pick up a copy of 52 Days of Grace today, available on Amazon.  It's daily readings based on Paul's letter to the Romans will help you more fully appreciate your utter dependence on the grace of God.

  

Sowing Seeds of Righteousness

"Then Jacob called for his sons and said:

'Gather around so I can tell you what will happen

to you in the days to come.

Assemble and listen, sons of Jacob;

listen to your father Israel.'"

   Genesis 49:1-2

There were twelve sons who gathered around their father's death bed.  It was a solemn, grievous time, unlike the memories they all shared of recent family gatherings after they had been joyously reunited in a foreign land.  This was the moment when each man would discover what the future was to bring according to the way he lived his life.  Each one was about to discover the type of fruit that had been produced throughout their days.  Some learned of coming trouble and strife, while others received news of great fortune.  Either way, they were about to reap what they had sown.

I am no different from these young men.  While I may not receive a similar prophecy, I can expect my past decisions to affect my future.  Even though I am saved from eternal damnation by the grace of God through Jesus Christ, I still reap what I sow.  The question I must ask myself, then, is this:  What kind of seeds am I sowing?

Guard Against Evil

There are all kinds of messages bombarding my consciousness that are in direct opposition to God's goodness.  Many of these beliefs, viewpoints and principles of life appeal to my sinful nature.  When I hear that I must pull myself up by my own bootstraps when I'm in a bad place, for instance, or that all citizens should have the right to get married and enjoy the benefits found with that union regardless of sexual orientation as another example, my flesh inclines to agree.  It is easy to get sucked into evil.

Evil can be defined as a force that is in opposition to God.  This compelling power is at work all around me, effectively attempting to turn me off-course.  As long as I travel through life along the narrow path that leads to life, I am a target of my Enemy.  He has been described as a roaring lion prowling around looking for someone to devour.  (1 Peter 5:8)

With such a determined foe as this, I must enter the battle, purposefully taking steps to protect myself against the flaming arrows that Satan launches my way.  God has given me armor and weapons with which I can both protect myself and use to fight this battle. (Ephesians 6:10-20)  Instead of being a vulnerable target, I can then become a mighty warrior in the fight against evil.

To do this, I must always be on alert, like a soldier pulling perimeter duty.  If I let my guard down, thinking I am safe from attack, Satan will use the opportunity to launch an assault.  Therefore, it is in my best interest to realize I have an enemy, arm myself against him, and prepare some attacks of my own.

I do this by clinging to the truth as I've been taught, recognizing the attacks when they come and resisting the urge to fall for the lies Satan feeds me.  Furthermore, I can continue to strengthen myself with God's Word and prayer, utilizing the offensive weapons God has given to me.  (Ephesians 6:17-18)

If I want to sow seeds that will result in blessing, I will need to purposefully guard against evil.

Stand Firm in Temptation

I stepped gingerly onto the slippery log.  As part of an obstacle course, competitors were expected to cross a small ravine on a slick, muddy tree posing as a bridge.  If I slipped, I would most certainly fall off, necessitating a climb up the hill and another try at crossing the gap.  I had better be careful the first time I tried this obstacle in order to avoid a lengthy delay.

Similarly, it is very easy for me to slip and fall into sin.  I am constantly tempted to give into my sinful urges whether it be to lose my temper at someone, slide into a cycle of worry, or turn to another resource to provide for my needs instead of trusting God.  Whichever way I am tempted to try to do things my way instead of God's, God will always provide a way out. (1 Corinthians 10:12-13)

Looking for the mode of escape as I am presented with the option of sin takes practice.  As soon as I feel frustrated I can either let myself go and naturally give into anger or I can listen to the still, small Voice telling me His plan is better than mine.  He reminds me there is more than one way to do things and my way is not the only option.  If I listen to the Lord, my anger will subside as I acknowledge that God is in control.

When I start to analyze a problem, feeling the temptation to look at it from every angle in order to find a solution, God may bring a passage of scripture to my mind, reminding me to turn my troubles over to Him.  (Philippians 4:6-7)  Soon I experience the peace flooding my soul as I walk through the mode of escape God has provided.  

For the times when I am tempted to depend upon my own supply to provide for my needs, my Father may gently remind me that I am rich in Christ and that He owns the cattle on a thousand hills and knows how to give good gifts to His children who ask for them. (Philippians 4:19, Psalm 50:10, Matthew 7:11)

If I want to sow seeds that result in blessing, I will need to stand firm against temptation, taking the way out God always provides.

Surrender to God

We have a dog who is stubborn as all get out.  Whether it be time for a bath, toothbrushing, flea-medicine application, or to go to bed, this willful canine resists our attempts to care for him.  Either he digs his claws in, trying to avoid the inevitable, or he growls in an effort to get out of what is necessary.  Whatever his tactic, this is one strong-willed dog.

I am not so different from my pet in many ways.  I spend a lot of time fighting what God is trying to do in my life.  Sometimes, He is attempting to teach me something through difficulties but I resist learning the lesson, choosing only to focus on the pain of the situation.  Other times, God is trying to grow my faith by taking me through the fire, but I stubbornly insist that He is out to get me burned.  Then there are the times when I struggle against the direction I know God is leading me, obstinately hanging onto the desire to control my own destiny.

In all the above examples, I am just like my dog, resisting the good care my Master is trying to give me.  If, instead of fighting God I gave into His efforts, letting Him have His way, think of how He would transform me!

The apostle Paul taught that my spiritual act of worship is to give myself as a living sacrifice to God. (Romans 12:1) This means in a moment-by-moment act of surrender, I let go of my desires and take on God's instead;  I release my craving to control the direction of my own life and let Him take the wheel;  I stop fighting what God is trying to do and simply let Him have free reign in my life.

If I want to sow seeds that will receive a blessing, I will need to give into God, letting Him work without any resistance from me.

Even though I am saved by grace, I will reap what I sow.  If I want to plant seeds of righteousness in my life, I can do so by guarding against evil, standing firm when temptation comes my way, and surrendering fully to God.  In these ways I will reap the blessings of God.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can sow seeds of righteousness.

When do I expect good out of my life when all I put into it is negative?

How am I giving into the temptation to sin without even a fight?