Choose Wisely

"'Now since the LORD,

the God of Israel,

has driven the Amorites out before his people Israel,

what right have you to take it over?

Will you not take what your god Chemosh gives you?

Likewise,

whatever the LORD our God has given us,

we will possess.'"

Judges 11:23-24

Choices.  I am faced with dozens of choices each day.  What time will I get up?  How will I spend my time?  What should I wear?  What sounds good for breakfast?  Which route do I take to get to my destination?  While most of the decisions I make are not earth-shattering, each does have a consequence attached to it.  If I decide to hit the snooze on the alarm, I will have less time to get ready.  If I choose short sleeves, I could get cold.  If I pick the wrong route, I might be late.

These consequences may be reversible while others are permanent.  There is a choice I make, however, that is earth-shattering.  The consequences of this decision permeates every part of my life.  Many times, the outcome is unavoidable.  Do I follow God or do I commit to my own way?  Whichever path I choose, I must accept the outcome as the cost of making that decision.

When I walk according to my own flesh, doing what seems best to me and what most satisfies myself, I will produce fruit that reflects my choice.  I can't expect good fruit that comes from God's Spirit when I insist on doing things my way (Galatians 5:16-22).  Therefore, I must choose wisely and accept what follows.

Temptation

The aroma of baking bread drew me in.  I followed the heavenly scent, walking into the kitchen in time to see my daughter removing the loaves from the oven.  "Yum!  That smells so good."  I could not resist sampling a piece, slathering butter on the piping hot slice before savoring the flavor that delivered such satisfaction.  I could not resist the temptation of eating the freshly-baked bread.

It's hard to say "no" to something so good.  I simply don't have what it takes to stand firm against such a sensory assault!  This weakness of mine does not stop with food, however.  My own power of will is no match for the draw of my flesh.  I am sinful by nature and can't help but give in to its lure.  If I choose to follow my flesh, I will not be able to stand against the strong attraction that comes from within.

The apostle Paul put it this way: "For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature.  For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out.  For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do--this I keep on doing" (Romans 7:18-19).  No matter how hard I try, I will not be able to resist temptation when making the decision to follow my own flesh.  There is no way around this consequence.

What hope do I have, then?  Plenty!  Through faith in Jesus Christ, I have the option of following Him and tapping into the power His Spirit supplies to stand firm against temptation.  Instead of giving in, I will have the ability to turn away, taking the way out He so graciously provides (1 Corinthians 10:13).

When I follow my own path I will discover that I am helpless to stand firm against sin, but when walking in the power of the Spirit I will find success in my quest to resist the temptations of my flesh.

Discord

Worry and anxiety filled her heart.  Wherever she went, trouble seemed to follow.  It appeared as if she couldn't go anywhere without getting into an argument with someone or falling into some kind of trouble.  Not surprisingly, it wasn't long before she ended up in jail.  

While I may not have it so badly, I do experience strife and discord when I choose my own way.  If my own reputation and desire to be right is what drives me, I will stand my ground, making sure I get the last word.  Nothing anyone says will make a difference to my way of thinking when I am so set in my ways.  

Likewise, if it is my ambition in life to reach the lofty goals I have set, I will work hard, letting nothing get in my way.  As a result, I will have zero tolerance for people who prevent me from going where I want to go, developing a cold heart to the suffering that is all around me.  My only focus will be on me and my own aspirations.

Similarly,  if controlling every aspect of my life and the lives of those I love is my main concern, I will be consumed with such an overwhelming job.  Never will I be able to rest as I deal with all the details that are constantly coming to light.

Peace will only come when I choose to follow the Shepherd who loves me (Psalm 23). Doing so will bring about harmony that is only the result of being right with God through faith in Jesus Christ (Romans 5:1). When I stop fighting against the work of His Spirit in my life, I will find myself enjoying the peace He has promised (Romans 12:2, Psalm 85:8).

When I follow my own path I will experience nothing but strife while choosing to walk with Jesus will bring about peace.

Unchecked Anger

It always seemed to simmer just below the surface.  No matter what the circumstances, I couldn't shake the feeling of annoyance and bitterness that stuck around like a constant companion.  The slightest irritation would frustrate me.  I couldn't get a handle on what I thought was an anger problem.

What I later learned was that my insistence on living my way was tainting my heart.  Even though I wanted to follow Jesus, I stubbornly stuck to my own path, refusing to let go of the fears, doubts and insecurities that plagued me.  Whenever I thought about surrendering to Christ, something like panic would well up in me, encouraging me to set my own course instead of letting God choose for me.

Living in such a way led to a spirit of frustration as I found my life was not lining up with what I read in the Bible.  As  a result, anger was always ready to spring to life.  Jealously often raised its ugly head as I compared myself to others, always falling short.  I became envious of the fruit I saw in the lives of those around me.  Anger defined my life.

As I discovered the freedom found in following Jesus, mustering up the courage to surrender more and more of my life to Him, serenity began to fill my heart.  As I realized the depth of the love that God has for me, I trusted Him more and more each day, coming to appreciate the tender way He leads me through each challenge.  Before long, I noticed the familiar feeling of frustration rarely showing itself, replaced instead by contentment and a sense of security in my identity as God's well-loved child.

When I choose to go my own way I may find myself defined by anger, but surrendering to the way of the King will result in tranquility.

There are consequences for every choice I make; some are good while others are bad.  As a result, I would be wise to choose to follow Jesus, resulting in the production of fruit that will last.  If I insist on my own way, however, I will experience temptation that cannot be resisted, a life defined by discord, and anger that runs unchecked.  Instead of simply doing what comes naturally, then, I must be careful to choose wisely.

As I begin this day it is my prayer I will wisely choose to follow Jesus.

When do I fight against where Jesus tries to lead me?

How could the anger in my life be as a result of my determination to live life by my own rules? 


Originally published on March 25, 2014

Chink in my Armor

"One day Samson went to Gaza,

where he saw a prostitute.

He went in to spend the night with her.

The people of Gaza were told,

'Samson is here!'

So they surrounded the place

and lay in wait for him all night at the city gate.

They made no move during the night,

saying, 'At dawn we'll kill him.'"

Judges 16:1-2

Samson, like all humans, had many flaws.  One was his weakness for women.  As he succumbed to temptation one day, failing to detect the trap into which he was stepping, he sought out a prostitute.  In so doing, he made himself vulnerable to his enemies who were bent on his destruction.

I, too, have an Enemy who seeks to steal, kill and destroy (John 10:10).  His whole mission is to take away the peace that rules my heart through Christ Jesus, to damage my relationship with the Lord so I cease to live the abundant, purposeful life, and to wipe out the confidence I have in the God who will never let me down.

When I give in to the sin which lures me, I open myself up to attack from the Enemy, making myself vulnerable to his schemes (1 Peter 5:8, Genesis 4:6-7).  Even though Satan has no hold on me, I give him a foothold when I yield to the sin that seems so attractive to my flesh (Ephesians 4:27). Then, there is much that I lose.

Peace

As I sat by the river watching the slow-moving water, I could feel the stresses of life melt away.  Birds sang praises to their Maker, lifting up their voices in sweet harmony.  A cooling breeze gently set the trees to swaying, adding to the composition that delighted my senses.  Dappled light painted a beautiful design at my feet as the sunlight filtered through the leaves above my head. This place delivered a sense of peace to my soul.

While its nice to sit and enjoy such a serene setting, its not always possible to take time out of each day to do so. Thankfully, surrendering to the Lord delivers the same effect. When I let go of my desire to work out all the details of my life, fretting over how I will solve all my problems, peace floods my heart (Philippians 4:6-7).

Similarly, knowing that the blood of Jesus has covered all my sins, making me right with God, sets my mind at ease (Romans 5:1). I don't have to be perfect to enjoy the presence of my Father who loves me perfectly (Hebrews 4:16)! Guilt is not an issue when I know the depth of His love (1 John 4:16-18). 

Unfortunately for me, this peace is often fleeting even though it is mine to keep. Satan knows how to push my buttons, drawing me into a state of worry or planting seeds of doubt about the security of my salvation. Once the thought is there, I easily glom onto it, letting the destructive thought pattern take me where it wants to go.  Soon the calm I once enjoyed is gone, leaving behind nothing but trouble.

If I want to protect the peace that comes from trusting in Jesus as my Lord and Savior, I must not give Satan a foothold by giving into temptation.

Purpose

From the time she was a little girl she knew what she wanted to do with her life.  From that point on, everything she did was with that goal in mind.  Nothing could distract her from her God-given purpose.  

Each believer has a specific purpose; a job for which they were created (Ephesians 2:10). When I seek God's will for my life, He reveals that focus that He meant for me, giving me a reason to drive forward each day (Jeremiah 29:11-13). As I accept His calling, everything suddenly begins to make sense.  Suffering is allowed into my life as part of the training necessary to prepare me for His use. I accept the bad along with the good, knowing that it all works together for my good and helps to propel me toward the purpose for which God has made me (Romans 8:28).

When I open myself up to the attacks of my enemy, however, this focus and drive is one of his targets. He aims to kill the plan God has for me, doing whatever he can to divert my attention away from it so I suddenly feel there is no reason for me to live. Or, he throws a wrench in the works with the hope that I will give up and forget about the good God has planned for my life.  

Instead of living with an aim and a purpose, then, I begin to wander aimlessly, going after one pursuit followed by another.  When one goal begins to lose its luster, I move onto another, never settling in for the long haul.  My life takes on the characteristics of an aimless wanderer instead of as a purposeful athlete training for an important competition (1 Corinthians 9:24-27).  Satan has killed my God-given purpose.

Thankfully, my calling is not gone, but I've only been fooled into thinking there is no reason for my pitiful life. Jesus, however, can restore that purpose as I keep my eyes on Him. Staying focused on Him enables me to run my race with purpose as I let go of all that distracts me from that single objective (Hebrews 12:1-2).

If I want to retain the sense of purpose I've been given as a child of God through faith in Jesus Christ, I must not give Satan a foothold by giving into temptation.

Faith

Each day was a carbon-copy of the one before.  Pain ruled her life, limiting her ability to care for herself.  She felt as helpless as a newborn baby.  Was this what God meant for her life?  Did He even care about her suffering?  She began to wonder if God even existed.  And if He did, why didn't He do something to help her?

Pain and suffering has a way of destroying faith.  Where once I believed God was capable of anything and I had full confidence in His goodness, sovereignty and power, misery and agony can wipe out that belief.

While God can use hard times like this to grow my faith and proving it as authentic, Satan's goal is to destroy my belief in God as my Helper and Source of comfort (James 1:2-4, Job 1:9-11).  If I begin to question God's goodness, wondering if He really has my best interest at heart, Satan thinks he's won the battle. What he (and I as I'm swept along by his lies) fails to realize , however, is the power of Christ that is within me, giving me the upper hand in this war (1 John 4:4). 

I have been given armor to protect me from the schemes of my enemy.  One of these pieces of protective gear is a shield to ward off the flaming arrows of the devil.  This important safeguard is made up of my faith (Ephesians 6:16). If Satan can destroy my shield, he thinks he's won the battle.

Instead of giving into the temptation that my enemy puts in my path, then, I must act as a soldier and quickly raise up my shield, using it to safeguard against what seduces me away from the path of righteousness.  

When hard times come my way, instead of focusing on the suffering,  I must remember my position as a soldier in a war and refresh my memory of all the good that will come from standing firm in my faith (Romans 5:3-5).

When trouble enters into my life, in the place of blaming God for what is unbearable for me, I can hold fast to the truth that I have been presented with a great opportunity to taste the compassion God has for me as I allow Him to give me comfort (2 Corinthians 1:3-4). 

When I'm faced with the impossible, I must not let down my guard, strengthening my firm stance with the truth that nothing is impossible with God (Luke 1:37).

If I want to stand firm in the faith I have in Jesus Christ, I must not give Satan a foothold by giving into temptation.

I often forget how vulnerable to attack I am and simply live in a way that pleases me.  When I follow my own flesh, I open myself up to the work of my enemy.  If I want to remain firm in my walk with the Lord, then, it is important that I guard against Satan's schemes.  Taking the way out when temptations come will allow me to retain the peace that guards my heart and mind, protect the purpose God has for my life, and to keep my faith in Him who is able to do more than I could ever imagine.  In these ways, I can avoid developing a chink in my armor.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can stand firm in my faith, keeping aware of my enemy who is constantly on the prowl.

When do I live as if I have no enemy, assuming I am safe from attack?

How do I easily give in to temptation, making myself vulnerable?    


Originally published on March 28, 2014  

Consuming Fire

"The sinners in Jerusalem shake with fear.

Terror seizes the godless.

'Who can live with this devouring fire?' they cry.

'Who can survive this all-consuming fire?'

Those who are honest and fair,

who refuse to profit by fraud,

who stay far away from bribes,

who refuse to listen to those who plot murder,

who shut their eyes to all enticement to do wrong--

these are the ones who will dwell on high.

The rocks of the mountains will be their fortress.

Food will be supplied to them,

and they will have water in abundance."

Isaiah 33:14-16 NLT

God is love (1 John 4:16).  He is patient, compassionate and faithful (Exodus 34:6).  He is merciful, not giving me what I deserve (Psalm 103:10).  I get the feeling that God is cuddly and soft, warm and fuzzy, comfortable and tame.  But God is not a teddy bear.  Rather, He is a dangerous lion as Aslan, the archetype of Christ, is described in the C.S. Lewis classic The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, "He's wild, you know.  Not like a tame lion."  God is able to consume me with His holy fire (Hebrews 12:29).

While I'm protected from His wrath by the blood of Jesus, I don't want to take advantage of His grace, taunting and testing Him, flaunting my sin to see how deep His grace and mercy goes.  In the same way its not wise to provoke a seemingly friendly lion or gorilla at the local zoo, I must always keep in mind that He is not altogether safe.  He is good but still dangerous.  When I take Him lightly, playing around with Him as if He were under my thumb or wrapped around my little finger, I am not showing respect for His might and holiness, nor gratitude for His gracious gift of life and salvation.  When I realize His danger, I will be more careful to yield to His Spirit.  And when I let Him lead me, amazing things will happen.

Honest.  It's not always easy to do the right thing.  Sometimes I want what's easy not what is true.  I don't want to rock the boat or be the odd one who doesn't go along with the crowd so I don't act when I should.  Or I may gain from adjusting the numbers on my tax return thinking no one will know so I cheat. Or I'm unusually hard on some while giving others another chance; I'm not always fair.

God's Spirit convicts me of these things and when I take Him seriously, I pay attention to His gently prodding, the uncomfortable feeling that comes when I go outside His will.  Instead of pushing it aside and pretending I don't know any better, I stop doing what is wrong, submitting to His holy nature that's guiding me away from unrighteousness.  

When I keep God's holy and righteous fire in mind, I respond to His Spirit leading me to live honestly, fairly and to do what is right in His eyes.

Trusting.  I've become pretty good at working the system, at milking it for all it's worth, at getting what I deserve, my fair share.  Growing up in America, I learned that to get my piece of the pie I sometimes have to manipulate things.  Sometimes that means fudging the numbers when reporting the private purchase of a vehicle so I can keep more of my money instead of giving it to Uncle Sam, other times it means taking a free handout when someone else needs it more.  I often don't trust God to give me what I need, always thinking of ways I can have more.

God's Spirit gives me a different perspective when I take Him seriously.  It's easy to justify my actions, telling myself the kind of fraud I partake in is not so bad in order to appease my guilty conscience.  But if I realize how I grieve His Spirit with my wandering eye, my jealous spirit that sees my neighbor's life as more fulfilling or desires a different kind of blessing, I would stop yearning for more and start trusting Him in His provision.  Instead of failing to be happy with what He's graciously given me and looking for ways to get more, I can learn to be content in what I do have.

When I keep God's holy and righteous fire in mind, I respond to His Spirit leading me to walk in gratefulness where He is enough to satisfy.

Temptation.  Maybe I think I'm stronger than I am, or that I would never fall into "that kind of sin", or that I'm immune in some way.  Whatever the reason, I often don't take temptation seriously, thinking I could never give in.  When I do, I see the importance of doing whatever it takes to stay away from temptation, running in the other direction if necessary.

Jesus said "If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away.  It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell"  (Matthew 5:29). This is the kind of seriousness I must go about avoiding the temptation to lust, or lie, or doubt, or gossip, or hold a grudge, or a myriad of sins.  It is important that I avoid even looking upon evil much less taking part in it.  How many movies have I watched that depicted adulterous relationships, sexual exploits, or murderous plots?  I must not even have a hint of such things in my life for when my heart is involved, its the same as if I physically took part in such acts (Matthew 5:17-48,Ephesians 5:3, 1 Corinthians 6:9).

When I keep God's holy and righteous fire in mind, I respond to His Spirit leading me to stay away from temptation, not making provisions for sin or viewing others taking part in evil.

It's easy for me to get too comfortable with God, thinking of Him as a cuddly Santa Claus-type character.  In reality, He is a consuming fire, dangerous to play around with.  Keeping this in mind, I will better listen to His inner promptings and find a desire to live honestly and righteously, to trust Him enough to be content with His provision, and to flee all kinds of temptation.  In these ways I've shown that I understand God's full character, and that He is a consuming fire.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I not only see God in a way that makes me comfortable, but in His true state.

How do I ignore His promptings, assuming He won't mind if I don't always listen?  

How am I not content with what He's given to me?            

Seemingly Sweet, Deceptively Bitter

"My son, pay attention to my wisdom,

turn your ear to my words of insight,

that you may maintain discretion

and your lips may preserve knowledge.

For the lips of the adulterous woman drip honey,

and her speech is smoother than oil;

but in the end she is bitter as gall,

sharp as a double-edged sword."

Proverbs 5:1-4

Solomon is warning his sons of the dangers of adultery, the allure of the other woman, the danger in straying.  While his caution is timely and powerful, there is more that I can glean from his godly advice.  In my own life, there is much that lures my flesh away from the path that leads to life.  Therefore, I am wise to heed this important advice.

Keep Discretion.  It's easy to go with the flow in order to keep the peace.  The world all around me is headed in the wrong direction and it is tempting for me to join in, to adopt politically correct beliefs, to compromise under the guise of "love."  To do so, however, does nothing to win the soul of the lost.  Instead, I end up falling victim to the lies and lose my saltiness (Matthew 5:13-16).

Therefore, it is important that I guard the godly knowledge I have attained, constantly honing my understanding of the Gospel and applying the truth of God's Word to every belief and worldview I encounter.  Instead of just swallowing messages I hear, I must chew them up, searching for the flavor I have come to recognize as the truth.  If I can't taste it, if it doesn't line up with Scripture, if it makes sense to my mind but raises red flags in my spirit, I would be wise to turn away and reject such messages.  It's time I stick to what is right.  

I am wise to heed the advice of Solomon to keep discretion in all my ways.

Cultivate Appreciation.  I live in a world where I am encouraged to strive for more, to look for ways to conserve time so I can benefit later, to scrimp today so I can splurge tomorrow.  While this may seem wise on the surface, the result tends to be a spirit of discontent.  When I'm always wanting more, focused on saving now for later, scurrying around so I can have some extra time at the end of the day, I fail to appreciate what I do have.  In order to have more later, I am not present now.  I'm so future-focused that I miss opportunities to connect with those I come into contact with as I'm rushing around, neglecting what I have in this very moment while I'm reaching further, higher and beyond.  

Therefore, it is important that I cultivate an appreciation for what God has given me, to pay attention to what is happening in the here and now.  In the words of Jim Elliot, "Wherever you are, be all there!"  It's easy to be so distracted by tomorrow that I miss out on today.  Whatever God has blessed me with in this moment, then, I can choose to treasure it.  The idea that the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence tends to deceive me into thinking my own yard has no value.  It's time to be grateful for what is in my midst.

I am wise to heed the advice of Solomon and cultivate an appreciation for what I've been given (Proverbs 5:15).

Avoid Temptation.  As I go on my daily walk, there is a corner where my dogs catch a scent that captures their attention.  Each time we reach this part of our route, they use every tactic they know to pull us over to that enticing spot so they can add their scent to the collection.  Since we know this is such a temptation for them, we do what we can to avoid that place, making a wide berth around the tempting spot and picking up the pace as we go around that corner.  It's the same with me.   There are some areas in my life that are strongly alluring to me, that trip me up every time, that are too strong of an attraction for me to resist.

Therefore, it is important that I avoid temptation, making it as easy as possible to stay true to Jesus and to stick to the race He has marked out for me to run (Hebrews 12:1).  Instead of testing my resolve by exposing myself to that which easily lures me away, I would be wise to stay away from what is hard for me to resist.  It could be sensual entertainment, ungodly company, or obsessive pastimes.  Whatever it is that draws me away from my First Love, it is important that I stay far away in order to minimize the temptations I often face.  It's time to actively work to keep my life pure (1 Peter 1:13-16).

I am wise to heed the advice of Solomon and avoid the temptation that will lure me away from God's best for me (Proverbs 5:7-8).

There is much wisdom found in God's Word.  If I am to be considered as wise, I must realize the things that are seemingly sweet in my life may turn out to be deceptively bitter.  Therefore, it's important that I heed the warnings of Solomon and maintain a discerning mindset, nurture a grateful spirit for what God has blessed me with, and to keep far away from that which seduces me away from the narrow path.  These are the words of wisdom to which I choose to pay attention.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can trust God enough to guard the knowledge He has given me, turning away from what doesn't line up with His Word.

How do I compromise what I know is the Truth in an effort to appease those with differing beliefs?

In what ways do I deny the Truth to those who are lost and in desperate need of Jesus?

Laugh in the Face of Fear!

"The LORD is my light and my salvation--

whom shall I fear?

The LORD is the stronghold of my life--

of whom shall I be afraid?"

Psalm 27:1

Alzheimer's and dementia threatens to develop.  Cancer looms.  Heart disease strikes all around.  Strokes render loved ones helpless.  Governments topple.  Wars break out.  Terrorists attack.  Unrest continues.  Anger provokes violence.  Injustice rises.  

There is much to fear in this world.  Because of who God is, however, I can laugh in it's face!

Light.  The darkness pressed in around me, palpable in it's completeness.  My eyes strained to pick up some kind of image, but none was to be seen.  The blackness in the cave was absolute, and I had rarely felt such fear.  What if we can't find our way back out?  Will we be doomed to die down here under the earth?  Then the tour guide ended my panic with the flick of a switch and light again flooded the cavern.

Light in the darkness brings comfort and security, especially when you're almost a mile under the earth in a deep cave.  While I rejoiced when the light turned back on during that tour, the beam of a few 100-watt bulbs cannot compare to the Light that comes from the Lord.  

When my life seems filled with evil and gloom, Jesus delivers hope for something better.  When everything is swirling in a whirlwind of confusion and I don't know what to do, Jesus stands firm in the storm, giving strong guidance and grounding me in truth.  When the unknown lurks like a terrifying monster in my future, Jesus is already there, completely aware and in control of all that is to come.

While it is easy to fear all that I face, I need not be afraid for Jesus is the Light of the world (John 1:4-5).

Salvation.  She couldn't help herself.  The bottom of the pool was suddenly out of her reach and she realized she was in over her head.  She began to panic as her feet no longer felt the hard, welcoming surface.  Suddenly, a strong arm reached in, pulling her back to the shallows.  The girl was saved by an alert swimmer.

In the same way that this youngster could not save herself, I am incapable of getting myself out of the deadly bind to which my sin has fated me.  I am doomed to die as punishment for all the ways I've failed (Romans 6:23).  Suddenly, a Lifesaver reaches in and plucks me from my destiny of death, giving me a chance at life eternal.  Jesus died so that I could live (John 3:16).

Even more, Jesus rescues me from a shallow existence devoid of meaning and purpose (John 10:10).  I'm told I am nothing more than an accident, a mistake who happened to land here in this place and time.  Then Jesus enlightens me to the truth: I was made on purpose for a purpose by a God of purpose (Ephesians 2:10).  Significance is born.

As if that weren't enough, He did more.  My flesh desires nothing more than to live for me, meet my own needs and desires, and run after what will please myself.  Then Jesus gives me a power I never knew before and a transformation takes place.  As I'm molded into a new creature, the old things fade away as new desires form.  Sin is no longer the ruler of my life as a new King takes His throne (Romans 6:14).

While it is easy to fear what seems inevitable, Jesus rescues me from such a dismal certainty.

Stronghold.  I could see no way out.  There was danger all around yet no path on which to escape.  I was trapped, surrounded by the enemy.  As I realized by fate in this cyber war, I accepted death as the soldiers descended upon me.  My turn was up as I let someone else play the game. 

While life is not like a video game, there are situations when I may feel just as hopeless.  The Enemy of my soul is out to get me, giving me grief every time I turn around.  Yet Jesus has given me the upper hand at the mention of His name.  I am not without defense, being outfitted with a mighty Sword as I wield the weapon of God's Word boldly, dealing deadly blows as I submit to the Truth (Ephesians 6:17).

Other times the evil all around me seems to close in like a deadly wave of attacks.  It looks like the darkness is winning, ready to overtake all the good and overwhelm what is left of the noble and virtuous.  But Jesus has overcome, claiming victory in the battle of good versus evil (John 16:33).

Then comes temptation, rising up when I least expect it, crushing any pretense I have of self-control.  But Jesus offers a way out, and I gratefully escape from the heavy pull of sin (1 Corinthians 10:13).

While it is easy to fear what seems inevitable, Jesus has conquered every danger in my life, standing as a stronghold that cannot be penetrated.

Yes, danger is lurking around every corner, giving me many reasons to fear as I live this life.  But Jesus offers relief from such distress, shedding Light, offering salvation, and serving as a stronghold of victory.  Because of Jesus, I can laugh in the face of fear! 

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can trust God enough to accept all that He is offering me through Jesus Christ.

When do I attempt to give myself a meaningful life when Jesus has already died to deliver such bounty?

How am I walking in darkness because the Light seems out of my reach?  

  

A Thorn in my Side

"'For your part,

you were not to make any covenants with the people

living in this land;

instead, you were to destroy their altars.

But you disobeyed my command.

Why did you do this?

So now I declare that I will no longer drive out

the people living in your land.

They will be thorns in your sides,

and their gods will be a constant temptation to you.'"

Judges 2:2-3 NLT

Every time I put my walking shoes on, something sharp would poke me in the arch of the foot.  Instead of taking the time to investigate the source of the pain, however, I rushed through my morning walk, eager to move on to the next part of my day.  Consequently, I developed a sore where the irritating little prickle stuck me each time I took a step.  

The only solution to relieve the pain that came with walking and to allow my foot to heal was to take the time necessary and attention needed to remove the culprit from my shoe.  As I examined my shoe, running my finger along its inside surface, I located the cause:  A tiny yet sharp thorn that had somehow worked itself into the fabric of my footwear.  

In the same way that my inattention to the problem of the thorn in my shoe was a constant source of irritation to me, that which I fail to crucify on the cross can become a thorn in my side and a snare to me. (Galatians 5:24)

Temptation

It was God's intention that His people remain pure.  Knowing how easily His image bearers are swayed, His plan included the necessity for the people of Israel to live separately from the people who dwelled nearby.  

Instead, the Israelites failed to drive out the indigenous people.  Their altars still stood, their pagan ways threatened to taint the ways the Lord had taught them to live and their daughters were a constant lure for the young men of Israel. (Judges 1:19-36)  In short, their unwillingness to take God at His word threatened their relationship with Him.

Similarly, my unwillingness to root sin out of my life threatens my relationship with God. (James 1:14-15) The more I entertain a fleshly thought, desire or craving, the more power it holds in my life.  Soon, I'll find myself giving into the temptation and living as if I have no Savior.  (Romans 6:12-14)

Therefore, I must take sin seriously, realizing it's insidious nature and never allowing it to take root in my heart.  When I become aware of my proclivity for gossip, then, I must turn away from my fleshly desire to share information about others.  Surrendering my natural tendencies to Christ gives me the power to only speak what will build others up.

Instead of giving in to my innate craving for sensual pleasures, I must remind myself of the richness of living in tandem with a God who provides for all my needs.  That which promises satisfaction outside of Him never delivers.  

As a replacement for worry that eats away at the peace that trusting in Jesus supplies, I can dedicate each anxious thought to the God who has all the resources necessary to lovingly care for me.

Allowing sin to dwell in my heart serves as a thorn that will constantly tempt me to succumb to it's power.

My Plan

I thought I had it all figured out.  I would earn my degree, start a career and live a life fulfilling all my dreams.  Unfortunately, I failed to consult the One who held the blueprint for my life.  If I had, I would have realized the better plan He had for me to dedicate my life to supporting my devoted husband and raising our four amazing daughters.

When I insist on making my own plans apart from God, I won't get to see His glorious purpose nor witness His awesome power at work.  As long as I hold the reigns to my life, driving in the direction I want to go, I'll miss out on the peace that comes in letting God choose for me.  As long as I think I have the wherewithal to create my own destiny, I'll fail to appreciate the purpose He has given me in Christ.  (Ephesians 2:10)  As long as I insist on doing things my way, I'll forego witnessing the work of His mighty Hand as He consistently makes a way where there is none.

Let's face it; my plan is puny in comparison to God's.  Since His ways are so much higher than mine, and His mind so far superior to what sits between my ears, I can expect great things to come from Him. (Isaiah 55:9)  When I trust Him enough to let Him have His way in my life, I will witness great and wondrous things.

I will see Him fill my empty gas tank through the thankful heart of a sister whose need had been met.  Or I will witness the way He takes what was good and transforms it into something even better.  Or I will observe the unexpected provision coming from a surprising source.

Insisting on following my own path will be a constant source of heartache as I miss out on the good God has planned for me.

Idols

There are some things that cannot be denied:  Jesus sits at the right hand of God Almighty. (Mark 16:19) He will judge all of mankind. (2 Timothy 4:1, John 5:22) In the end, every knee will bow and tongue will confess that He is Lord. (Philippians 2:8-11)  Whether or not I acknowledge these truths and give Him the honor due in the here and now is up to me.

It is easy to let other people, things and pursuits creep in and take the place of Jesus as lord of my life.  Sometimes I give more regard to those I love than I do to the One who loves me perfectly. (Luke 14:26, Matthew 12:46-50) Other times I put my all into going after that which seems to give me fulfillment instead of finding all I need at the feet of Jesus. (John 4:14, Luke 10:38-42) Sometimes I spend more time learning how to become a better employee and thus gain a promotion than I do to acknowledging the truth that will lead to godly living.  (Titus 1:1)

When I live in such a way, I risk losing the blessing that comes with walking in tandem with His Spirit.  Instead of producing fruit that leads to godliness, (Galatians 5:22-23) I will find my life becoming a testimony to the results of living according to my sinful nature.  

The lust of my flesh will rule me, dissension and quarreling will follow me, and my own selfish ambition will lead me away from the path the Lord has prepared for me. (Galatians 5:19-20) Not surprisingly, I'll sense a pulling away from God that is really just me turning away from Him.

Denying the lordship of Christ in my life will result in a loss of the blessings God has stored up for me.  (Ephesians 1:3, Deuteronomy 11:26-28)

There is much I allow in my life that can turn into a thorn in my side and a snare to my life.  Instead of ignoring such dangers, I would be wise to remove temptation that leads to sin, resist the urge to make my own plans, and constantly be on the lookout for that which can become an idol.  In these ways I'll remove that which can lead me away from Christ and take advantage of the opportunity He's given me to crucify these dangers on the life-giving cross.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I will grasp hold of the indwelling power that Jesus gives me over sin.

When do I become comfortable with sin, entertaining temptation as if it were my friend?

How do I let things or people come between me and Jesus?