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?            

Worthless Paths

"'Ah, stubborn children,' declares the LORD,

'who carry out a plan, but not mine,

and who make an alliance,

but not of my Spirit,

that they may add sin to sin;

who set out to go down to Egypt,

without asking for my direction,

to take refuge in the protection of Pharaoh

and to seek shelter in the shadow of Egypt!

Therefore shall the protection of Pharaoh turn to your shame,

and the shelter in the shadow of Egypt to your humiliation.

For though his officials are at Zoan

and his envoys reach Hanes,

everyone comes to shame

through a people that cannot profit them,

that brings neither help nor profit,

but shame and disgrace.'"

Isaiah 30:1-5 ESV

I panic.  Things are looking bad and I've got to do something before it gets worse.  I must act in order to slow the progression of pain and suffering.  Problem is, all I do is worthless and leads to disappointment and humiliation at the realization of how foolish I've been.  How did I get here, unsettled, confused, and bewildered at my predicament?  

It's all my doing.

Contrary Plans.  I do what makes sense to me.  I act according to what comes naturally, going the way that most pleases me and is within my realm of comfort.  I stay away from anything that meddles with my desires or stretches me outside of my normal sphere of ease and well-being.

Trouble is, every solution I'm drawn to is contrary to God's best for me.  He has a plan that goes in the opposite direction as mine (Galatians 5:16-18).  When I'm in charge of deciding what is best for me, I'll choose wrong every time.  If I instead let God's indwelling Spirit lead me as I surrender all to Him through faith in Jesus Christ, I'll find the game plan changing drastically.  While I tend to seek solutions that diminish suffering and choose the path of least resistance, God may utilize the difficult as tools to shape my character into the form of His Sons' (Romans 8:28-29).  While I look for self-serving and self-preserving options, God has a plan that glorifies His own name (Jeremiah 9:23-24, Isaiah 42:8).  While I lean toward the well-worn, smooth and crowded way, God's is less-traveled and far more difficult (Matthew 7:13-14).

My plans are contrary to God's plans so I must always seek His path upon which to travel.

Undirected Alliances.  I look for someone who can help me.  I need to know how to proceed, how to navigate through these uncharted waters.  I have no idea what to do, how to go forward, which direction to take.  Therefore, I go to the experts in the field, those who've gained experience in doing what I've never done, who are confidently extolling the virtues of their expertise.  I want the best on my side in order to give me the best possible outcome.

Trouble is, every source of help I'm drawn to is far inferior to what God has in mind.  As a follower of Jesus Christ, a grafted-in branch who has the benefit of deep roots supplying endless grace and untold wisdom, I can let His Spirit guide me to those who will help me in the way He has in mind (Romans 11:17).  When I instead lean on my own understanding, gravitating toward the wrong people who have the wrong goals and intentions, I've missed out on the blessing of letting God choose for me.  Since I have the advantage of a Helper who can point me to those who give godly advice and have kingdom direction, I would be wise to seek such guidance.

My alliances are with those who can't help in the same way the Spirit-directed partnerships can.

Mislaid Trust.   I put my eggs in the wrong basket, trusting in the kind of protection that seems wise but is far from God's best for me.  It seems good and smart to invest in insurance coverage, to go to the powerful who have clout enough to make a difference, or to place my trust in those who have connections that can help give me a leg up.  I check the expert's opinions and follow their outline to the letter.  I'm confident I've given myself the best possible chance.

Trouble is, I've failed to consult God regarding His master plan for my life (Jeremiah 29:11).  If He holds the blueprint for the ongoing construction project that is taking place within my heart, I may hold up progress if I act outside of His intentions and follow a different, contrary set of plans (Philippians 1:6).  I may even undo some of the work that He has done, setting back my progress as I selfishly seek my own ways.  If I want to see godly growth, I must submit to His plan for me, cooperating with what He has in mind for my life (Romans 12:2).  

My trust is mislaid when I put my faith in that which is outside of God's will, failing to consult God for His sovereign plan for my life.

Decisions made in a state of panic or desperation are not usually good ones.  When I feel burdened by suffering and difficulty, I look for a way out.  Unfortunately, I don't always consult God's indwelling Spirit, an advantage I've gained by trusting in Jesus as my Lord and Savior (John 14:26).  When I ignore this wonderful benefit, I tend to choose plans that are contrary to His, make ungodly alliances, and place my trust in the wrong places.  In these ways, all I do is pointless and leads to disappointment and worry.  What a worthless path to take!

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can stay connected to Jesus and sensitive to His Spirit's leading.

When do I go off on my own, choosing my own path?

How do I lean on those who don't know God?        

Who to Trust?

"Do not put your trust in princes,

in human beings, who cannot save.

When their spirit departs, they return to the ground;

on that very day their plans come to nothing.

Blessed are those whose help is the God of Jacob,

whose hope is in the LORD their God."

Psalm 146:3-5 

It's election season!  As we delve into another long period of mud slinging, broken promises and hopeful anticipation, let's carefully consider whom we should entrust with this job of leading our country, of changing policy for the better, of directing the course of our future.  

Often, I place my faith in people who make confident and optimistic claims of their ability to create a better world in which we live.  I wonder about the direction this country is headed and wonder which candidate I should entrust with my vote, hoping against all hope that this time will be different, that this politician will truly live up to his lofty promises, that this man or woman will shake up the status quo and get things done.  

It's easy to place my trust in someone who makes wonderful pledges, has a sincere heart and a good plan, thinking if we don't elect the right person all will be lost.  Or is my trust better served in another place?

Help.  There is only so much man can do to help his fellow man.  He can claim to be trustworthy, but he will always change his mind on some point as his perspective changes throughout his life, letting down many people in the process.  Humans also tend to make lofty arguments about their ability to judge judiciously, giving everyone a fair shake.  I wonder, though, if it's even possible for any created being to think and act impartially 100% of the time.  We can also have the best of intentions to provide for all who are in need, but man is only man, after all, and will fail to deliver at some point.

If I place my hope in mankind, politician or otherwise, I will be let down.  Man is here today and gone tomorrow; what impact can mere humans make on their own?  Therefore, trust that is placed in the Lord our God, maker of heaven and earth, is a trust well-placed.  I will never be sorry that I placed my confidence in Him to uphold "the cause of the oppressed and [give] food to the hungry."  (Psalm 146:7)

As election season approaches, may I remember to choose a candidate wisely yet remember that God is the only One who can truly help in a way that makes a lasting difference.

Liberation.  People gather to protest.  Thugs take the opportunity to loot and wreak havoc.  Commentators and self-appointed spokespeople give their opinions.  Still, people remain imprisoned by their own destructive lifestyles, blinded by ignorance, and toppled off their pedestal by foolishness.  Is there anyone who can save us from ourselves?

Only God is able to set free those who are bound by sin and the consequences of destructive choices.  Only God can open up the eyes of the arrogantly unknowing.  Only God has the ability to place all things in proper order, giving deference to those who humble themselves before Him (v 7b-8).

As election season approaches, may I remember to choose a candidate wisely yet remember that God is the only One who can liberate us from our foolish ways.

Protection.  It's hard to see the vulnerable taken advantage of:  Widows suffer.  Orphans long for a loving home.  Single moms do the best they can.  Leaders rise up, making claims of passing laws to protect their rights, dispersing funds to help their plight, and forming committees to study how best to preserve lives.  Still, while their efforts are appreciated, there is only so much man can do on his own.

If I think that man is the one who is my best chance at protecting the mentally ill who suffer, or the alien who came with the hope of a better life only to be taken advantage of, or the homeless who are at the end of their rope, I'll be disappointed time and time again.  While those who follow Jesus are called to take up the cause of such as these, it is only through the power of a loving God that anyone is able to accomplish anything of worth.  It is God who is the ultimate Protector, who watches over the weak and upholds the cause of the vulnerable.  Therefore, I'd best align myself with Him and join in where He is already at work.

As election season approaches, may I remember to choose a candidate wisely yet remember that God is the only One who can protect the helpless.

As politicians make grand speeches and deliver inspirational messages, its easy for me to jump on their bandwagon, believing they will be the one who can bring about the change we so desperately need.  Unfortunately, if I place all my trust in man I will be let down.  Therefore, I'd be wise to trust in God who is the only One who can truly help, liberate and protect.  He is my great Hope, and I will never be disappointed when I place my faith in Him!

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can trust God enough to believe He is my only hope.

When do I get caught up in a politician's promises, hoping they will give us a better tomorrow?

How am I foolishly giving man the confidence that only God can handle? 

Love His Word

"I reach out for your commands,

which I love,

that I may meditate on your decrees."

Psalm 119:48

In order to live by God's Word, to allow Him to use His holy scriptures to change me, I'll need to see the Bible as more than just a collection of wise teachings.  I'll even have to go beyond the idea that His Word is a way for me to obtain head knowledge about Him, or even that it is a beautiful love letter written to me.  

In order to live by God's Word I'll need to see it as my life line, my daily bread, my sustenance; only God can bring about such a hunger within me (Psalm 119:18).  When He does, I will truly love His Word.

Trust.  "You think you're better than everyone else!  No one is impressed, Goody Two Shoes!"  The words hurt, although I knew my mocker could not understand my reasons for following Jesus.  Neither could he comprehend why I would live such a radically different life.  While my flesh cried out for revenge, to hurt as I'd been hurt, my heart knew there was a better response.

When in difficult situations when my faith is being attacked, it is important to trust God to give the best answer from the depth of His own Word.  Since I study His Word often, steeping my soul in it's goodness, the words are there, hidden in my heart and waiting for their Master to bring them to my mind.  And when He does, I can speak the Truth in love to a weary and broken soul, bringing healing to his bones (Proverbs 16:24).

When God cultivates in my heart a love for His Word, I will be able to trust Him to bring it forth in times of taunting.

Hope.  In the face of such a dark and discouraging world, it's easy for me to lose heart.  I may feel like giving up, especially when the going gets rough and rocky.  I may wonder, what's the point of living for Jesus?  I'd rather just drift along instead of struggling against the current of this world.  

Then I remember the Truth of God's promises found throughout His Word and I find courage to continue my press toward Jesus.  "Be strong and courageous.  Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you." (Deuteronomy 31:6)  "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28)  "Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.  See, I am doing a new thing!  Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?" (Isaiah 43:18-19)

When God cultivates in my heart a love for His Word, I will find hope upon which I can depend.

Seek.  "Obedience brings much blessing."  The young man proclaimed these words as truth as I shared the difficulty of doing God's bidding.  His way is so much different than the way I naturally am inclined to follow so living with Jesus as my King is not a natural thing to do.  But when I let Him have His way, seeking out His guidance, His best for me, His desires for my life, I find a certain freedom there.  Surprisingly, instead of being weighed down with a burden to obey, I find that His yoke is easy and His burden is light (Matthew 11:28-30).

Maybe this is part of the blessing my friend was talking about, this free and straight-forward way of living where I simply follow my Shepherd.  He knows the right way to go, He has all the resources to provide for my needs, He carries the burdens of my soul.  My only concern is to keep in step with His Spirit.  As I do, the responsibility for choosing correctly is off of me and placed squarely on my Lord's shoulders.  This is the blessing of obedience; the liberty to live as a well-loved sheep of the Good Shepherd's pasture!

When God cultivates in my heart a love for His Word, I will walk in freedom as I seek His best for me.

The Bible is more than just an instruction manual or words to live by.  It is the living, breathing Word of God that is able to transform my life.  When I ask God to give me a love for His scriptures, I will find a growing trust in His ability to give me the right response to my attackers, hope when it seems there's none, and a desire to seek His way above all others.  This is what will come from a love of His Word!

As I begin this day it is my prayer that God will give me a love for His Word.

When do I depend on man's wisdom instead of God's?

How do I neglect the very Word of God, or see reading it as simply a good habit?

Willingness of a Savior

"While Jesus was in one of the towns,

a man came along who was covered with leprosy.

When he saw Jesus,

he fell with his face to the ground and begged him,

'Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.'

Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man.

'I am willing,' he said.

'Be clean!' And immediately the leprosy left him.

Then Jesus ordered him,

'Don't tell anyone, but go,

show yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for your cleansing,

as a testimony to them.'

Yet the news about him spread all the more,

so that crowds of people came to hear him

and to be healed of their sicknesses.

But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed."

Luke 5:12-16

He tripped and fell, skinning his tender knee on the unforgiving pavement.

"Waaaaa!  I want my Mommy!" the toddler screamed before running off to find his savior.  When the mother caught sight of her distraught child, blood dripping down his shin, she responded immediately.  "Come her, Baby.  It's okay, I'll get you fixed up and you'll feel better in no time."

Suddenly, the little boy's cries turn into sniffles as he put himself into the caring hands of his mother.

This mom didn't have to think about whether or not she'd help her beloved son.  Instead, she was eager to end his suffering.  It's the same with Jesus.  He is always ready to help me, if only I'd put myself into His caring hands.

My healing is dependent upon Jesus' willingness to save me, not on my worthiness or degree of need.  No matter what the pain, He is willing and able to help me.  For that reason, I can trust Him, believe in Him and base my faith on His integrity.  He's a voluntary Savior.

Trust

My daughter adopted two feral kittens a couple of years ago.  Knowing nothing but the streets they came from, these two skittish kitties needed lots of patient and gentle care.  Over time, they have gradually built a level of trust in their human family.  They've progressed from scared, timid felines hiding under the furniture, to the more friendly, playful cats we know today.  Wild cats are used to thinking of humans as predators so it takes commitment to show them otherwise.

It's not so different with me and Jesus.  Even though He has shown me to be trustworthy, I tend to shy away from letting Him get too close.  I may be afraid He's going to condemn me for my sinful ways, forsake me for my lack of faith, or expect from me more than I can give.

The truth is that He came to the world to save it, not condemn it (John 3:17), there is nothing that can separate me from from His love and He'll never leave me (Hebrews 13:5  Romans 8:35).  As long as my heart is willing, what I have to give is enough.  (Psalm 51:17)  If I let Jesus into the deepest recesses of my soul, He will become my best friend.  (Revelation 3:20)

Because Jesus is willing to help me, I can trust Him with my life.

Believe

I hear a lot about the concept of belief in this age of "if it feels good do it" and "anything goes" mentalities.  People can believe in many different ideas and philosophies, but there is only one God and one Truth. (Isaiah 44:6  John 14:6)  If there is belief, there must be a concept, idea or entity in which I place that belief.  I can't just believe.

Since Jesus is able to do more than I ask or imagine, I would rather believe He will provide for my needs.  (Ephesians 3:19-21)  Since Jesus is the Mighty Counselor, I feel secure in putting my relationships into His capable hands.  (Isaiah 9:6)  Since Jesus is the Savior of the world, I accept His sacrifice as the only thing giving me life eternal, freedom from condemnation and peace with God and others.  (Acts 4:12)

Believing is what takes place in my heart, but if it's true acceptance my life will be changed as I surrender more of myself to Jesus.  Oswald Chambers said it's as if Jesus is challenging me: "If you would be My disciple, give up your right to yourself to Me."  Then he goes on to say, "When once the surrender has taken place we never need 'suppose' anything.  We do not need to care what our circumstances are, Jesus is amply sufficient."

Where am I questioning?  Maybe it's when I'm sitting in the doctor's office again, waiting for yet another test result as the pain persists to ravage my body.

Perhaps I wonder whether Jesus really can help when I cry myself to sleep over the pieces of my broken marriage.

It could be that I'm not believing Jesus can do a thing to improve my unstable job situation or less-than adequate living conditions.  

I can believe Jesus will do as He's said He will do, without a second thought.  In my mind, I can make it as if it's already happened.

Because Jesus is willing to help me, I can believe He is able to do anything.

Basis

When I sit in my Lazy Boy recliner, I feel confident in lowering my full weight to rest on it because I know it's made with sturdy craftsmanship:  It's integrity comes from the way it was constructed.

Likewise, my faith in Jesus is based on the fact that He is, "the same yesterday and today and forever," (Hebrews 13:8) as well as, "the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End." (Revelation 22:13)  He is also the, "author and perfecter of my faith" who is seated at the right hand of God Almighty.  (Hebrews 12:2)

Jesus and His teachings do not change with the times, He is an integral part of all of creation, and He is the One who makes my faith possible.  I can base my confidence on all of these truths.

It is easy, however, to get caught up in all that Jesus has done for me.  He has freed me from guilt and shame.  He has given me a peace that I would not otherwise experience.  He has given me a sense of purpose and meaning as I follow Him.  These, however, can all be considered to be icing on the cake.  My faith is not based on these "perks" or benefits.  If it was, the moment life gets difficult, my conviction would waver.

Instead, my faith is based on the solid Rock of Jesus.  (1 Peter 2:6)  On Him, my confidence is sure.

Because Jesus is willing to help me, I can base my faith on His identity and integrity.

There's no question that Jesus wants to take up a bigger space in my life.  He is willing to heal, to restore and to bind up my broken heart.  Consequently, I can trust Him in all things, believe He can do all things, and base my faith on Him who is all things.  Jesus is my all in all.

As I begin this day, it is my prayer that I can cast away all doubt and keep my eyes solely on Jesus.

When do I let fear block my belief in the One who can set me free?

How is my faith based on what I get out of my relationship with Jesus instead of on who He is?

Itty Bitty Faith

"Then the disciples came to Jesus

in private and asked,

'Why couldn't we drive it (the demon) out?'

He replied,

'Because you have so little faith.

I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain,

Move from here to there

and it will move.

Nothing will be impossible for you.'"

Matthew 17:20

Without faith, it's impossible to please God.  Why?  Because, I must believe that He exists and know that He rewards those who wholeheartedly seek Him if I'll ever have a chance of bringing pleasure to Him.  (Paraphrase of Hebrews 11:6)

Faith is knowing without a doubt that the promises of God will come to pass.  Faith is trusting in what I cannot see despite what my eyes are telling me.  Faith is giving God a chance to work when I feel desperate for answers.  Faith is getting up when I feel like staying down on the ground where I fell.  Faith is believing that the unfeasible dream, impractical desire and hopeless mission is possible.  Faith is believing that with God, all things are possible. (Luke 1:37)

Take a moment to listen to What Faith Can Do  by Kutless and meditate on the words.  What can a little bit of faith do in my life?  

Believe

"All it takes is faith and trust. . . and a little bit of pixie dust."  Peter tells Wendy, Michael and John as he gave them their flying lesson.  Soon they were flying off to Neverland.

While the only place I can fly is in my dreams, faith does give me the ability to believe in impossible things.  

When God says He loves me even though I'm His enemy because of my sin, I can swallow that truth and take it into my being, allowing His love to transform me.  (Romans 5:8 and 10)  

When God says that He made me on purpose in His own image, giving me all my traits and characteristics, even placing me in my particular family; faith allows me to accept His Word as truth, granting me a new sense of value and worth.  (Genesis 1:27, Psalm 139:13-16)

When God says He will provide for all my needs and that He knows what I require to live, I can believe that He will take care of me.  (Philippians 4:19  Matthew 6:31-34 )

While Peter Pan asked his students to "just believe,"  God does not ask us to do that.  It is hard to consider something as truth without a source of power to back it up.  In what or whom do I believe?    Thankfully, we live in a world where God rules with sovereignty, and I can count on Him to do exactly as He says He will.  God is more than able to back up what He says.

As Augustine reminds me, "Faith is to believe what we do not see, and the reward of this faith is to see what we believe."  Believing I am now a friend of God through faith in Jesus means I no longer need to fight Him on every trial, tribulation or difficulty He brings into my life as my Refiner.  Believing I have great worth means I will guard my heart against all the temptations that surround me every moment.  Believing I have a Father who is my Provider means I am free to pursue His Kingdom work without restraint.

Faith in God enables me to believe that God is who He says He is.

Trust

Soften a heart hardened by pain and disappointment

Forgive a friend who inflicted a deep wound

Love a callous, cold neighbor

Live victoriously over sin

Kick an unhealthy habit

Honor God with my thoughts, words and actions

These are all examples of hard things.  Even though I couldn't imagine that a hard heart could be softened, I can trust God to accomplish this.  My hurt may seem beyond repair, but God can give me the strength to forgive as He forgave.  The angry, cutting words from across the fence seems to strengthen the barrier, but I can trust God to love him through me.  It may seem difficult if not impossible to live a life to please God instead of my flesh, but I can trust Him to back me up with His power when I choose His way.  

Once I believe that God is who He says He is, it's time to put that faith into action.  If I say I have faith in a chair to hold my weight but refuse to actually lower my body down to rest on it's structure, my faith is empty.  What difference do my words make if I'm unwilling to back it up with action?  

It's the same with my faith in God;  I can say I believe in Him but if I act like the rich man who went away sad because Jesus instructed him to go and sell all he had, then my faith means nothing.  (Mark 10:21-22)  As early 20th Century American Quaker author Elton Trueblood said, "Faith is not belief without proof, but trust without reservation."

If I trust God, I'll act on the promises He has declared, knowing that He will enable me to do hard things.

Wait

"Hurry up and wait" is the unofficial motto of the U.S. Army.  My husband spent many-an-hour on a hot tarmac waiting to fulfill a mission.  As an Airborne soldier, he learned that an early call time didn't necessarily mean the assignment would actually be carried out early.  Rather, in order to make sure everyone and everything was in order before beginning an exercise, soldiers were expected to be ready.

I would not do well with this scenario because it's hard for me to wait when I don't know what the hold-up is.  I'd rather see action;  tasks being accomplished, headway being made and progress being detected.  Hanging around and killing time until everything is ready to proceed is difficult.

Even though God does want us to wait on Him (Isaiah 40:31-32), it is not so much that I need to sit around waiting for action, as it is that I continue in what He has called me to do while I let Him do the work of preaching, teaching and changing hearts.  

Oswald Chambers described the idea of waiting on God in this way.  He said, "If when God said 'Go,' you stayed because you were so concerned about your people at home, you robbed them of the teaching and preaching of Jesus Christ Himself. When you obeyed and left all consequences to God, the Lord went into your city to teach; as long as you would not obey, you were in the way.  To wait is not to sit with folded hands, but to learn to do what we are told."

Where am I in the way of God's work because I refuse to wait on Him?  In my need to see action, results and fruit, I am blocking God's voice from being heard.  I am becoming a stumbling block because I am too concerned with my mission instead of God's.  Anything done apart from Jesus means nothing; even if I do it in His name. (John 15:5)

Faith allows me to wait on God, even if I don't see the purpose or understand the reason.

Jesus said it only takes a little bit of faith to move mountains.  That itty-bitty faith allows me to believe that God is who He says He is, to put that faith into action by trusting Him to do hard things through me, and to wait on Him to do the real work.   It's not the size of my faith that matters, but the magnitude of the One in whom I place my faith that makes all the difference!

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can take my little faith and place it in God's mighty hands.

How do I fail to trust God to do what I consider to be impossible?

When do I put my plan into action instead of waiting on God to initiate His?

Heart at Peace

"A heart at peace gives life to the body."

Proverbs 14:30

World leaders pursue it.  The Swiss and Norwegians give prizes to promote it.  Entertainers sing about it.  Philosophers wax poetic on the origins of it.  Religions claim to have it.  Talk of peace is everywhere, but is peace even possible apart from the One who created me?


The Dalai Lama said, "We can never obtain peace with the outer world until we make peace with ourselves."  
Mahatma Gandhi said, "Each one has to find his peace from within.  And peace to be real must be unaffected by the outside circumstances."
Buddha said, "Peace comes from within.  Do not seek it without."


Each of these men knew the importance of a heart at peace, but were confused about how to find it.  It comes not from within and cannot be found through sheer effort and determination.  Instead, peace comes from a mind that is focused on God and His ability to take care of me.  Rest is found in loving Him and His law, for then I am not fighting against His ways.    A sense of harmony permeates my life because I am reunited with God, now able to foster a personal relationship with Him because of Jesus' sacrifice on the cross. 


Peace is found in being right with God.  How do I know whether my heart is at peace?

Content

Here is my picture of contentment:  Sitting in a comfortable chair on a cold winter's day next to a blazing fire with a dog at my feet and a good book in my lap.  Aaahhh.  I'm more relaxed just thinking about that scene.  

Feeling satisfied and completely at ease with my circumstances is not a usual state for my heart.  Most of the time I am thinking of ways to improve the way I do things or how I can upgrade my possessions or about additions I can make to my home or yard to increase my quality of life.  I am usually not content.

The Apostle Paul knew how to be happy with what God had given him, whether in plenty or in need, well-fed or hungry.  He said the secret was to know that, "I can do everything through him who gives me strength."  (Philippians 4:13)

True contentment has nothing to do with my circumstances, my possessions or my position.  Instead, it has everything to do with the One who provides all things.  God will get me through any situation if I would only trust Him.  This means I must give Him the control, allowing Him to choose how much I will have, or not have, and I will choose to be thankful for what He has given me, not pining away for what I lack.  

Turn of the 18th Century writer and preacher William Law said, "One who makes it a rule to be content in every part and accident of life because it comes from God praises God in a much higher manner than one who has some set time for the singing of psalms."  The bottom line is that when I choose to be thankful for the place God has put me, I am paying tribute to Him with my attitude.

A heart at peace keeps my focus on what I do have, not on what I don't have.  It is then that I am truly praising God.

Trusting

Playing on a teeter-totter is an exercise in trust.  If the person on the other end of the lever suddenly jumps off, I will crash to the ground and my faith in that person will fall as well.  But if that playmate instead keeps steady on their end, being mindful of my well-being when exiting, I know I am in good hands.  I would trust the second person more than the first.

In this same way God has proven himself to be completely trustworthy.  Over 300 of the prophecies told about the coming Messiah were fulfilled in the the birth, life, death and resurrection of His Son, Jesus Christ.  Moreover, there are over 2,000 total prophecies given in the Bible, all of which came true.  


Beyond the prophecies, there are hundreds of accounts of times that God came through for those who followed Him; He delivered Noah, his family and ark load of animals from the flood of judgment.  God asked Moses to do the impossible but made it possible by His mighty Hand.  He sent Gideon to war when He was outnumbered 300 to 1, yet secured him victory.  


In the same way, God will never let me fall and I can trust that He has my best interest at heart.  The psalmist reminds me that, "Blessed is the man who fears the LORD. . .he will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD.  His heart is secure, he will have no fear."  Psalm 112:1, 7-8)


Trusting in God, though,  takes more than reading about all the ways God is dependable.  Building a trust relationship also means I will need to experience His times of deliverance for myself.  When I take a step of faith, getting in over my head out of obedience to Him instead of saying, "Oh, no, I can't do that.  I'm not ready for that yet,"  I am telling God that I have confidence that He will give me what I need to accomplish what He's put before me.  I am saying that I know that He's up for the job even if I'm not.  I am giving God the message that my life is in His hands.


 A heart at peace grows deep roots to feed on the living water offered only by God.. . and flourishes.  

Devoted

The blackberry vines threatened to overtake our yard.  At first it was kind of fun to have some blackberries right in our own backyard.  Then, the insidious vines began to encroach on our yard, reducing the size of our grassy area.  One day I'd had enough.  I declared war on the intruder.  

As part my anti-blackberry campaign, I needed to devote my full attention to the annihilation of this unrelenting menace.  Each day I dedicated some time to pulling vines out of the ground.  Once I reached the end of the yard, it was time to start over again at the other end, continuing by pulling out the vines that had recently sprouted.  I could never let my guard down.  Even today, 2 years later, I must do a weekly sweep of the area to remove any determined plants.  

My attention to God and His ways could be similarly attentive.  Just as it was unwise to leave any roots or stragglers when clearing the berry bushes, I must be equally as diligent when clearing things out of my life that dishonor and distract from God.  There are many activities, relationships and philosophies that seem harmless and even kind of interesting at first.  Soon, though, I will find that they will encroach on my heart, taking the attention that once was devoted to God.

Like the Israelites, I need to be careful when dealing with idols and false gods.  It was said that the heart of Jehoshaphat, king of Judah was at first, "devoted to the ways of the LORD; furthermore, he removed the high places and the Asherah poles from Judah."  (2 Chronicles 17:6)  He was not just focused on God and His ways, but he was also diligent about removing from the presence of his people the temptation that would take his people away from God.

How many times I hang on to music, movies or magazines that dishonor God because it seems wasteful to throw them away.  Other times I feel justified in keeping objects or hobbies that tend to be obsessive for me because I've already invested so much time and money into them.  Or there are certain belief systems that seem right to me and I continue to support out of tradition but are actually in conflict with the message of the gospel.    

A heart at peace is intolerant of anyone or anything that takes away from my full devotion to God.  

Peace is possible.  As I give God more and more of my life to do with as He pleases, I am left with a peace that is inexplicable.  The evidence of this heart at peace is a sense of contentment, an ability to trust God, and a devotion to God and God alone.  This is truly a picture of good health!

As I begin this day, it is my prayer that I will seek peace with God by pursuing Him and Him alone.

What am I unwilling to let go of out of respect and reverence for God?

When is my heart discontent with the circumstance in which God has placed me?