Used

"Now this man Micah had a shrine,

and he made an ephod and some household gods 

and installed one of his sons as his priest.

In those days Israel had no king;'

everyone did as they saw fit."

Judges 17:5

He and his mother were forced to move away from their home, settling instead in Bethlehem within her clan of Judah.  People had forgotten the ways of the Lord, neglecting to tithe. Therefore, this young man who had been set aside for service to the Lord by birthright could not provide for he and his mother (Numbers 18:20-24). Instead of staying put, then, they decided to return to the home of her youth.  Life there was difficult without the provision of the people's required offerings. 

So, one night, the young Levite crept away.  Telling no one, he started his journey, looking for adventure and somewhere else to stay.  Soon he came upon a man in Ephraim who had set up his own shrine.  When the man living there in the hills found out the young wanderer was a Levite, he was ecstatic. 

Micah used God by forming his own personal religion, employing the wandering Levite who was willing to be bought off.  Both men received what they sought; the young sojourner found a home where his Levitical heritage was respected, and the homeowner was given the opportunity to legitimize his religion.  I guess you could say it was a win-win arrangement.

Unfortunately, neither sought God's will in this situation.  Instead, both were a kind of lone-wolf, using God to fulfill their own visions.  While I may not go so far as to set up my own religion, I am in danger of going out on my own in some ways.  Therefore, I would be wise to remember the characteristics of God.

Sovereignty of God

I make my plans then ask God's help to carry them out.  I justify this risky way of living by telling myself that God must have given me these plans, or that the aspirations I have come from Him, or that He wants to help me make my dreams come true.  After all, I rationalize, God wants me to be happy, doesn't He?  

Unfortunately for me, I have a low view of God.  He is not here for my benefit, to cater to my desires or to make me look good.  How could the created lead the Creator (Isaiah 29:16)?  Instead, God is sovereign over all things.  He has a plan of which I know nothing, necessitating my connection to Him.  If I don't seek Him out, I'll have no idea what He wants me to do (Jeremiah 29:11-13).

Living with a respect for God's sovereign nature means I'll recognize His lordship over every part of my life, hindering my natural tendency to do what seems right to me.  Instead of following my own instincts or common sense, I'll seek out God in an effort to honor Him as King of my life (Proverbs 3:5-6).

Honoring God as sovereign also means I'll accept my place, embrace my calling and acknowledge the importance of the position in which He has placed me.  While its easy for me to complain about my current circumstances, compare myself to others and come up short or yearn for something more, I will show respect for God's dominion in my life by making the most of who He has made me to be, right where He has placed me (Romans 9:19-20).

Revering God as the One who is in charge of all things means I'll remember how He can use every situation to bring about good.  I can be sure He is right there with me, looking out for my own best interest, even when it doesn't feel good (Romans 8:28).

I honor God's sovereign nature when I let Him serve as Lord of my life instead of using Him as some kind of magic talisman that can get me what I want.

Holiness of God

The colors found in the desert rock formation reminded me of a sunset.  Sudden movement off to the side caught my attention as a chipmunk scurried up a large stone, perching there while munching on a nut like a spectator watching a sporting event.  A vulture circling above looking for prey gave me the impression of a car salesman making the rounds in his lot, trying to make a sale.  

Everything in all of creation can be compared to something else with which I am familiar.  Understanding comes when I measure the strange and unique against the common and recognizable.  In this way I can comprehend what seems difficult or just plain different.

When I try to use this same exercise to help me understand God, however, I get myself in trouble.  I attempt to compare the triune nature of God with the three forms of water: liquid, gas and solid.  Unfortunately, this contrast is not perfect.  Similarly, I may assess the fatherly nature of God as compared to my own earthly dad, leaving me with an inadequate description.  Hearing that God is my Shepherd, I try fitting Him into the mold of one who leads sheep.  While this gives me a good start to understanding His role as my Guide, it falls short of reaching the fullness of His nature.

Instead of trying to compare God to something in His creation, I must accept that I don't need to understand Him fully in order to follow Him.  His ways are higher than mine and His thoughts far superior to anything my mind can drum up (Isaiah 55:8-9). Therefore, there are some things about God that I must accept by faith, reminding myself of His holy nature.

I recognize the holiness of God when I embrace Him and His ways as He teaches me, resisting my tendency to want to understand before I'll accept.

Relational Aspect of God

It wasn't so much that he didn't understand that bothered me.  Rather, it was the fact that he didn't seem to care enough to try to find out what made me tick.  When I was going through that marriage crisis, it was my husband's desire to grow closer to me that I craved the most.

I think we can all agree that the desire to be known and loved is as basic as the need for sustenance.  For instance, while a baby may survive without being held, it will not thrive apart from some kind of affection.  We all need connection with others who care for us.

Being made in God's image, it is apparent that this need for connection comes from our Maker.  He desires relationship with me as His child and He wove this longing for Him within each one of us, although I often seek to fill this void with lesser things (Ecclesiastes 3:11).  His desire for me is that I would share my heart with Him, depend upon Him to fulfill my every need and to love Him as He created me to love, seeking to know Him more each day through His holy Word.  

This is apparent in the life of David who was known as a man after God's own heart even though he committed the worst of sins (Acts 13:22). It was his desire to do as God had commanded that drew Him closer to God.  God knew that He could trust David with important missions, but also with tender truths that fall close to His heart.

Obedience is the outward manifestation of one's heart.  If I am bent on doing things my own way, I will forsake the leading of the Lord and go off on my own.  If, however, I am mostly concerned with my relationship with Him, I will be careful to do as He says, being unwilling to sacrifice my connection to Him just so I can get my way.  In other words, preserving my relationship with the Lord weighs heavily on every decision I make.

I show my understanding of God's heart when I place my relationship with Him above everything else, seeking to grow closer to Him more and more with each passing day.

In the same way that Micah came up with his own form of religion, I am guilty of doing the same, using God to try to get what I want, thinking I can completely fathom His ways, and seeking to impress Him with my dependable service.  If I want to guard against these common mistakes, I must remember God's sovereign and holy nature as well as His highest desire for me to build my relationship with Him.  In these ways, I'll avoid the pitfalls of Micah and cease using God for my own benefit.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can trust God enough to do what He says even if I don't understand what He's doing.

When do I place my desire to get something out of God above my desire to grow closer to Him?

How do I use God like a magic talisman, hoping He will supernaturally make things work out to my benefit?


Originally Published on April 1, 2014

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  

God's Commission

"Moses my servant is dead.

Now then,

you and all these people,

get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land

I am about to give them--to the Israelites.

I will give you every place where you set your foot,

as I promised Moses. . .No one will be able to stand

against you all the days of your life.

As I was with Moses,

so I will be with you;

I will never leave you nor forsake you."

Joshua 1:2,3,5

As much as I didn't care for our newly elected leader, I was touched by the thought that such a change of command could take place so peacefully.  Despite the spirit of opposition that exists among our elected leaders and the arguments that regularly take place between them, this country still enjoys a peaceful transfer of power.  The history books as well as the international news is full of stories where kings were deposed, rebels forcefully took power or the people rose up against an unpopular ruler.  Thankfully, this is not the case in the United States. 

Similarly, the death of Moses could have been a tumultuous time for the nation of Israel.  They had been faithfully led out of Egypt and through their desert wanderings for forty years by one man and he was the one through whom God had spoken to the masses.  They depended upon Moses.  It must have been a scary thought, then, to enter into the unknown of this Promised land without Moses at the helm.  God, however, planned for a smooth transition and had chosen the one who would take the place of their great leader upon his death.

Just as God sent forth Joshua to lead His people, He is also commissioning me for His work (Ephesians 2:10).  Therefore, there are some truths the Lord taught Joshua which I will need to take to heart.

Courageous

He was a legendary general who led the Confederate troops during the civil war.  As a man of faith, he believed his destiny was set by God, giving him a bold persona on the battlefield.  Thus, Thomas Jonathan Jackson was given the nickname "Stonewall."

While you would probably never catch me walking around such a dangerous place as a war zone, I can boldly commit to following God's lead, courageously dong things I never thought I'd be able to do.  How can I possibly live in such a way?  I can walk fearlessly into the unknown because I know without a doubt that God is with me.

In the same way that God reassured Joshua with the thought that He would go with him, I can take heart by the same promise.  Before Jesus ascended into heaven, He left His disciples with the promise that I can grab hold of as well.  He said, "I am with you always, even to the end of the age" (Matthew 28:20).

Therefore, if this ever-present God of absolute power is for me, who can stop His plan for me from coming to fruition (Romans 8:31)?  My Enemy can try to discourage me, duping me into believing I am without hope when in reality I have the hope of eternity secured by faith in the blood of Jesus (Titus 1:1-3).  The weakness of my flesh can lead me to believe I cannot accomplish the mission to which God has called me when in reality God's power is manifested in me because of this frailty (2 Corinthians 12:9-10).  The world can seem like it's closing in on me, enticing me to give in to its tempting ways, but God is ready to transform my thinking to give me a clearer view of His will if I would only cooperate with Him (Romans 12:2).

In the same way that Joshua was instructed to be strong and courageous, so I am given the same boldness of spirit in the job God has prepared for me to do (Joshua 1:6, 2 Timothy 1:7).

Pursue Righteousness

I love watching the Olympics.  It is not so much the competition and the metal count that gives me such a desire.  Rather, it is the inspiring stories of personal struggles and triumphs that draws me to tune in each night.  

While I do love a physical challenge and am spurred on by the athletes' dedication and self-discipline, it is the spiritual call to run the race laid out for me that inspires me as of late (Hebrews 12:1).  In order for these athletes to compete at such a high level, their dedication to training must be strong: They must eat, sleep and breathe their sport.  There is a level of laser-sharp focus that few of us can truly understand.

If I want to walk with Jesus, however, I am called to adopt a similar attitude.  Instead of simply going through the motions, I am to actively pursue right living, disciplining myself to turn away from what comes naturally and pursue faith, love and peace with others which is quite unnatural to me (2 Timothy 2:22).  This kind of life takes dedication to God and His ways.  It will not come without some effort, but takes purposeful training, similar to what it takes for the Olympic athletes to reach such an elite competitive level (1 Corinthians 9:24-27).

It is important to note as well, that this kind of discipline to staying the course will not earn eternal life for me.  Salvation is a free gift given by a loving and gracious God that is secured through Christ's sacrifice on the cross (Ephesians 2:8-9).  Instead, this life-long process of sanctification is one in which I must take part, cooperating with God as He transforms me into the woman He created me to be (Romans 12:2).

When I read His Word, then, it cannot be taken lightly, mindlessly going through the motions so I can check the task off my daily list of things-to-do.  Instead, I must search for the meaning found there, applying it to my heart and letting God use it to teach me His ways, rebuke my actions, correct my thoughts, and train me to live purely (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

When I am tempted to give into my selfish urges, I must stand firm, purposefully choosing to turn toward God and His righteous ways (James 4:4-10). When I get distracted from the race I am running, wasting time in mindless pursuits or veering off the path in an effort to gratify a sensual pleasure, I must keep my eyes on Jesus who joyfully pursued the prize that was set before Him, enduring torture and death on a cross in order to reach this goal of obedience (Hebrews 12:2).

In the same way that Joshua was instructed to stay the path, so I am given this same command to keep on the straight and narrow (Joshua 1:7, Matthew 7:14).

Resist Fear

It is perhaps the most common phrase uttered by God, "Do not fear."  He often sent His heavenly messengers to spur His people on, reminding them not to give in to this common emotion.  Fear is deadly because it can cripple my forward progress, paralyze my faith and blur my thinking.

I remember getting stuck at the top of a 15-foot cargo-net wall while testing out an obstacle course.  As the netting shifted beneath my feet, I tried the power of positive thinking to picture myself throwing my leg over the narrow board and descending successfully down the other side.  Unfortunately, the instability of my position only fed my fear of heights.  Regretfully, I found I could not move my leg to follow what my mind so optimistically imagined so I ended up retreating back down the way I came.

Fear had prevented me from carrying out the goal I had set for myself; to climb over that wall.  In a similar way, fear can work against faith, keeping me from answering the call God has placed on my life.  

It could be that the guilt of my sin weighs heavily upon me, deceiving me into thinking God will not empower me to live His way because of my sin.  The ensuing fear of His wrath, then, prevents me from walking the path He has laid out for me.  Who do I think I am, anyway?  How could I love others when I'm such a failure at loving myself (1 John 4:18)? In my delusion, I'm forgetting the forgiveness I have in Jesus Christ and the resulting overwhelmingly conquering power of God Who lives within.

Maybe I doubt God's ability to prevail when I take note of the direction my life is taking.  How could anything good come out of such I mess, I wonder. Instead, I can stand firm in the knowledge that God holds the blueprint for my life and His way will prevail (Jeremiah 29:11-13).

Other times I could feel the weight of the world on my shoulders, mistakenly thinking I've been left all alone to bear such burdens.  In reality, however, He is calling me to lay my burdens at His feet, taking strength from His very presence (Matthew 11:28).

In the same way that Joshua was instructed to resist fear, so I am given this same command to let God's presence inspire greatness (Joshua 1:9, Philippians 4:4-7).

I sometimes feel God has given me a tall order to fill.  Instead of getting discouraged, however, and give up, I can take to heart the instructions given to Joshua.  I can live boldly and courageously, pursue righteousness and resist the temptation to let fear rule my life.  All because of the Lord's faithful presence in my life, I'll be able to fulfill His commission.  

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can keep my eyes on Jesus, the only hope I have to stay on the straight and narrow.

When do I let fear rule my life?

How am I easily distracted from my mission in life?   


Originally published on February 17, 2014

Testing God's Patience

"'Yet you have forsaken Me and served other gods;

therefore I will deliver you no more.

Go, cry to the gods you have chosen;

let them deliver you in your time of distress.'"

Judges 10:13-14 AMP

They were chosen out of all the peoples of the earth to be His treasured possession (Deuteronomy 7:6).  There was nothing about them that set this nation apart from anyone else, nothing that drew the Creator of all things to them in particular.  Instead, it was His purposes that drove Him to make that long-ago promise to their father Abraham, creating a covenant that He could not break (Genesis 12:2-3, Genesis 15).  Still, out of all that God had done for the people of Israel, they tested His patience, failing to stay faithful to Him and turning to other gods.  

Similarly, I did not choose Jesus, but He chose me (John 15:16, John 6:37, John 17:2).  God opened my eyes to my need for Him, my utter helplessness to save myself, and drew me to Jesus, opening my heart to receive Him as my Lord and Savior (John 6:44, Romans 8:28-30). As I did, I experienced His great love, and realized my own wretchedness.  It was then that I understood God's great patience (2 Peter 3:9).

God did not send Jesus to convict me, dooming me to eternal suffering and giving me what I rightfully deserve because of my sins.  Instead, Jesus came to save me, delivering me from what is inevitable and giving me what I cannot earn; eternal life and a restored relationship with a heavenly Father who adopts me into His family as His precious child (John 3:16-17,1 John 3:1). Still, out of all that God has done for me, I test His patience, failing to stay faithful to Him and turning to other gods.

He is patient, waiting for me to come around, giving me a chance to see my sin and repent.  He gives me more chances than I deserve, yet still I test His patience in more ways than I realize.

Take for Granted

I assumed he would always be there.  I noticed all his quirks and irritating ways, pointing out what needed improvement.  Seldom did I thank him for his willingness to work hard, his faithfulness to me and his desire to take care of me.  Instead, I took these good traits for granted, assuming he would always be there for me to kick around.

As the wife of a soldier, there were many times when I would come to the above conclusion after my husband had left on deployment, willingly placing himself in harm's way in order to fulfill His commitment to his country.  I often took for granted the blessings I'd been given until it wasn't there any more.  Then, in his absence, I would suddenly be aware of how good I had it. 

It's easy to take those I love for granted, stubbornly refusing to cherish the moments I have as if they were fleeting.  In the same vein, I also take God for granted, accepting his grace, mercy and love as if I deserve it, failing to realize the sacrifice Jesus made so I could enjoy such unmerited blessings.  

If I did truly appreciate the lengths my Savior went to retrieve me from the depths of Hell, I would more easily put myself into His hands to allow Him to mold me into His image.  Instead, I assume God will forgive me for my own stubbornness, continuing to insist on doing things my way, knowing that He will give me a pass.  After all, I think, I'm only human.  I'm not perfect and can't be expected to never fall.

While it is true that I cannot live a perfect life, my attitude is often wrong.  If I truly understood how my sin offends my holy Father, I would not so easily accept it into my life, knowing that I'll be forgiven by a God who loves me.  If I really realized how much Jesus went through so I could live a life free from guilt, I would not put so much pressure on myself to impress God with my efforts, taking for granted the grace that I seem to have missed.  If the love of God really meant something to me, I would let it flow through me instead of hording it all for myself.

I often test God's patience when I take His precious gifts for granted instead of allowing Him to mold me into the woman He created me to be.

Unfaithful

Even though I had provided plenty of clean, well-maintained litter boxes throughout the house, our elderly cat still insisted on using the corner of the dining room as his personal bathroom.  Whenever I caught him preparing to do his dirty deed, I would run him to the nearest litter box and he would willingly use it for its intended purpose.  Obviously, he knew of its presence and how it was meant to be used,  but he often chose to do it his way instead.

While its easy to feel angry at my cat for choosing such destructive behavior, I am not so different when it comes to God.  He has shown me His goodness, demonstrating His love for me in the way He gave His own Son's life for me while I was His enemy because of my offensive sin, completely ignorant of my need of a Savior (Romans 5:8, 1 John 4:9).  He faithfully provides for my needs, giving me what is necessary while protecting me from harm (Matthew 6:31-33, Psalm 121:7).  His wisdom guides me through the toughest times of my life, making the path I must travel clear to me (Proverbs 3:5-6, James 1:5).

Still, I turn to other sources for answers when times get confusing, preferring that which I can see and hear over God's intervention which takes faith to trust (Proverbs  9:10).  When it seems action is needed, I often prefer to do something rather than to sit back and give God a chance to work, justifying to myself that action is better than passivity (Isaiah 40:31). Even though I know God is the Father of compassion who best knows how to comfort me in times of trouble, I often prefer the tangible touch of a human who I turn to instead of letting God take me through the deep waters (Isaiah 43:1-7, 2 Corinthians 1:3).

God made me for Himself.  When I arrogantly turn to my own ways instead of surrendering myself into His loving hands, I am missing out on all the good things God has saved up for me.  As a Gentleman, God would never force me to submit to Him.  Instead, He lovingly and patiently waits for me to willingly choose His life-giving way over my destructive approach.  For the times when I turn to Him, I truly taste and see that the Lord is good (Psalm 34:8).

I often test God's patience when I turn to other sources to find the good things God has already prepared to give to me (1 Corinthians 2:9).

Refuse to Trust

Love those who persecute me.

Forgive.

Run after kingdom-pursuits, not worldly ones.

Treasure relationships not possessions.

Hold belongings with an open hand.

These are some of the commands of God with which I struggle.  I often go my own way, hating my enemies, holding onto hurts, chasing success, valuing what I've worked so hard to attain more than anything else, and gripping my possessions as if they're what gives me security.  I often refuse to trust God enough to obey Him.

God values my obedience more than anything else I can give Him (1 Samuel 15:22).  Maybe its because when I do what He says, I am proving to Him that I trust Him.  With my actions, I'm saying, "Lord, even though I may not agree with what you are telling me to do and I certainly don't understand Your ways, I trust you enough to do what You say despite my misgivings.  Obeying You is more important than quenching my desire to comprehend or agree.  I want to please You by living life Your way."  Its amazing what a strong message my actions can deliver!

Therefore, when He impresses upon my heart the importance of turning the other cheek when I'm mistreated, I will trust in God's integrity enough to give up my desire to defend myself.  Or, when He calls me to step forward into the darkness, defying my own common sense and longing to stay where things seem safe, I will trust in God's Sovereign plan enough to give up my desire to see what is to come.  Or, when His way requires giving up my worldly possessions, I will trust enough in God's ability to give me more than I can ask or imagine and let go of what seems so valuable.

I often test God's patience when I don't trust Him enough to do as He says.

There is no doubt that God is a patient God.  Time means nothing to Him as He waits for me to fall into step with Him.  Still, I often take His goodness for granted, turn to other sources to receive what He so willingly gives, and refuse to trust Him enough to obey.  In these ways, I test God's patience.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can trust God enough to let Him have His way this day.

When do I refuse His guidance, insisting on doing things my way?

How do I take God for granted?


Originally published on March 24, 2014