Out of the Ordinary

"Isaac pleaded with the LORD on behalf of his wife,

because she was unable to have children.

The LORD answered Isaac's prayer,

and Rebekah became pregnant with twins.

But the two children struggled with each other in her womb.

So she went to ask the LORD about it.

'Why is this happening to me?' she asked.

And the LORD told her,

'The sons in your womb will become two nations.

From the very beginning,

the two nations will be rivals.

One nation will be stronger than the other;

and the older son will serve your younger son.'"

Genesis 25:21-23 NLT

The mockingbird landed on the fern that swung gracefully in the springtime breeze where it hung on my family's front porch.  Spotting the unusual happening through my front window, I perked up.  "Lord," I prayed as I watched the scene unfold before me,  "I've never seen that kind of bird land in our ferns; it's usually the finches that come calling.  What does this mean?"

Soon, I received the sense that something was not right.  As the day wore on, God revealed to me the meaning of the rare sighting:  The mockingbird was targeting the eggs the finches had laid in a carefully-made nest snuggled in the center of the hanging plant.  The Lord was using this scene to warn me that the children in our afterschool program were in some kind of jeopardy.  

As the kids arrived later that day, I saw the threat:  the neighbor's brother who always seemed to be watching our home while he smoked on the porch, openly frolicked with his girlfriend while the rest of the family was away at work and school, and seemed to be generally up to no good was talking to one of the kids as they passed by his house on the way to ours.  Feeling a sense of foreboding, I later talked to my neighbor about the antics of her brother, and soon he was packing up his belongings and moving on.  God had used the sign to alert me to the threat this man posed.

When things happen that are out of the ordinary, it is wise to go to God for enlightenment.

Lesson

I arrived right on time for my weekly Bible study at my friend Karen's home.  Not seeing my usual greeter, their energetic Boxer-Pit Bull mix, I wondered if Buddy might be tied up in the back yard.  Distracted by my thoughts, I opened the door and was surprised by a set of muddy paws scrambling up into my Yukon.  "Buddy, you're all muddy!"  I exclaimed, the anxious tone in my voice only serving to heighten the animal's energy level.  "Sit!"  I ordered in my sternest voice.  My command only seemed to add to his excitement at my presence.  I carefully exited my vehicle and he proceeded to anoint me with mud.  I finally made it to the top of the stairs where I climbed behind the railing erected to keep him off the porch. Just then, my friend opened the door and came out on the porch, "Hi, Cindy!  Oh, what happened?"

After cleaning up, we talked about the incident.  "Usually, Buddy does not act this way.  All the other times I've come to visit, he waits for me to get out of the car before he greets me, and he never jumps up on me."

As we sought the Lord's guidance, He showed us the kingdom lesson found in the muddy Buddy incident;  We often leave the door open for Satan's work in our lives, many times without even realizing it.  Letting anger fester, for instance, gives Satan a foothold in my life, and withholding forgiveness also makes me vulnerable to his destructive work.  (Ephesians 4:27, 2 Corinthians 2:11)  Instead of staying alert and keeping submitted to the Lord, I easily fall into temptation before I even know what is happening, just like I unknowingly opened the door to a waiting muddy dog. (1 Peter 5:8,James 4:7)

Just as God used the unusual incident of the dog jumping into my truck as a sign to teach my friend and I an important lesson about His kingdom, He uses all kinds of things around me to enlighten me about Him and His kingdom ways. (Romans 1:20)  The only questions is this:  Am I paying attention?

Out of the ordinary circumstances can be used by God to teach me kingdom lessons.

Prophecy

Her abdomen erupted as if there was a battle taking place within her womb.  Sleep was nearly impossible since there was near-constant movement within.  I didn't know bearing children would be so disruptive to my normal life!  I can scarcely get anything done with all the commotion occurring within my belly.

Instead of going to a doctor or consulting the older, more experienced women, Rebekah went to the Lord for an explanation.  While a human may have given her a physical reason for her unusual pregnancy, the Lord gave her a prophecy concerning her condition:  There were two rival nations represented by the twins within her womb. (Genesis 25:21-23)

While it has been said by some that God does not give prophecies any more, I tend to disagree.  God's character is unchanging.  Even though I have the benefit of His indwelling Spirit, He is still free to give me a heads up about what is to come using any means necessary. (Acts 2:17-18) Sometimes, like the previously mentioned mockingbird in the fern, He alerts me to a future event using unusual events happening in my life.

Out of the ordinary circumstances can be used by God to warn of upcoming happenings or to reveal what is yet to come.

Understanding

He set off down the road riding his trusty donkey.  Soon, however, the animal seemed to turn against him, veering off into a field.  "What is wrong with you?  Get back onto the road!"  The angry man cried as he beat his beast.

Soon he found himself on a stretch of road between two walls.  Suddenly, his donkey pressed up against the wall, crushing his foot.  "Arrrgggg!  What has gotten into you?  I think you broke my foot!"  he raged as he liberally used his cane upon the beast's back.

The final straw was placed when the donkey simply laid down in the middle of a narrow lane.  "That's it!  I'm gonna kill you!"  No sooner had the words left his mouth than the animal began to speak to him.  "What have I ever done to you that you would treat me so cruelly?"

"You made me look like an idiot!  If I had a sword, I'd have stabbed you dead on the spot!"

"Have I ever done anything like this in all the years I have served you?"

The man's anger subsided and he said, "No."

Then he could see what the donkey had perceived all along:  A mighty warrior angel stood in the roadway, sword drawn, blocking the way. (paraphrased from Numbers 22:21-34)

Just as Balaam didn't see what was really happening to cause his donkey to balk, so there is much in my life that I do not perceive.  Lost keys seem like an aggravation to me but could be the means to slow me down and protect me from an accident that would happen if I was on the road at the wrong time.

Needed surgery being cancelled at the last minute seems like a disappointment but in reality, God is protecting me from unforeseen danger.  A lack of funds necessitating a call to a creditor seems like an embarrassment and hardship, but if I could see with spiritual eyes I would understand how God is using it to put me in touch with the sister in Christ on the other end of the phone line.

Out of the ordinary circumstances can be used by God to provide understanding to the work of His mighty hand in my life.

I can either view unexpected events as a curiosity, or I can seek God's guidance.  When I go to to Him, I may find a hidden lesson,  a warning regarding my future, or a bit of understanding hidden within the circumstances.  For this reason, out of the ordinary events become a window into God's kingdom.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I will pay attention to what God is teaching me this day.

When am I apt to ignore the unusual, assuming it's just a quirk?

How do I forget that God is constantly at work all around me?     

Sacrifice

"Take your son,

your only son--yes, Isaac, whom you love so much--

and go to the land of Moriah.

Go and sacrifice him as a burnt offering on one of the mountains, which I will show you."

Genesis 22:2

It was the only way to bring us close to God.  There was no other answer to mankind's sin problem.  The ultimate sacrifice had to be made in order to reconcile the image bearer to the Image.  God saw the necessity of giving up His one and only Son in order to right the wrong sin had committed.

The sacrifice of Jesus giving up His perfect life for those who fall short of God's glorious standard made relationship with a Holy God possible.  Sometimes, as grateful as I am for His love, it's hard for me to wrap my head around the expense of that selfless act.

God is gracious to have tested Abraham, not only to deepen his own faith, but to teach all of us something about faith, opening up a greater degree of understanding into the concept of sacrifice.

Jesus

He had never experienced separation from His Father.  They were together at creation, sharing in the formation of all things. (John 1)  They have always been one, setting up the example of how the body of believers is to operate of one accord (John 10:30, John 17:21). As close as the relationship is between Father and Son, they chose to experience separation for a time out of their great love for those they created in their image.

At the moment Jesus bore my sin so that I might become the righteousness of God, His Father turned His back on His Son. (2 Corinthians 5:21, Matthew 27:46)  As much as it hurt to see His Son suffer so, His holiness could not allow the usual nearness.  The oneness of Father and Son was broken for a time.

When I learn of the sacrifice God called Isaac to make, I can gain a greater understanding of the magnitude of God's love in giving up His Son for me.  While I may not be able to comprehend the closeness of the relationship enjoyed between the heavenly Father and Son, I can better relate to what Isaac was willing to give up out of obedience to the God he loved. Putting myself in Abraham's shoes and imagining me placing my own child on the altar is unimaginable;  yet that is what God did for me.

I learn of the expense of the sacrifice God made for me in giving up His precious Son when I study the story of Abraham and Isaac.

Life

He had waited for a child for so long.  In the man's old age, God finally fulfilled the promise made over 20 years before, giving him a son.  When Abraham finally held the life in his hands that was so long awaited, he never wanted to let him go.  This life was precious to him.

In a similar way, I can hold my own life as dear to me.  It is the only one I've been given, and I have many dreams about how to live it.  There is much I want to experience, places I want to visit, and goals I want to accomplish;  most of us believe that the best way to show respect for the life God has given me is to live each day to the fullest. The only way to truly worship God with my life, however, is to give it back to Him. (Romans 12:1)

In the sacrifice of Abraham and Isaac, I can learn a little something about priorities.  While I tend to think my life is my own to live as I see fit, their act of obedience shows me that my life was bought at a price and now belongs to Jesus.  (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)  

Just as Abraham was willing to place all the hopes and dreams he had for his son on that altar, trusting God for his future and fulfillment of his promises, my act of true worship is to leave my own dreams behind and take up God's plan for my life.  When I crave the attention I garner when I wear clothing that shows some skin, show off my talents for attention or impart the knowledge I've gathered over the years, I can also place that selfish desire on the altar and instead take up the humility of Christ.  (Philippians 2:3-8)  I can also forget what I think I know about God and His ways and simply trust Him with the days to come, leaving my desire to know the details on the altar.

I learn what it means to give up my life when I study the story of Abraham and Isaac.

Will

"She is a strong-willed child.  I can't make her do anything she doesn't want to do!"  The mother shared her struggles with raising her daughter.  To be honest, I can place myself in the same category as this stubborn child.  While I may do a good job of hiding it, deep down inside, I want to get my own way and don't want to bow to the bidding of anyone else besides myself.

The human will is strong, but if I am to walk in the Spirit as described in Galatians 5:16, I will need to let it go.  Doing things my way only leads to trouble, (v 19-21) but letting God show me His way produces His fruit.  (v 22-23)

Instead of following the ways of the world and assume I should go to college and pursue a career, I will only please God if I seek His will for my life.  In the place of stubbornly insisting on getting my way so I can feel comfortable, I will only please God if I tell Him He can use my life in any way He sees fit.  As a substitute for treating others the way they treat me, I will only please God when I let Him use me to love those who persecute me.

I learn what it means to bend to the will of my Father when I study the story of Abraham and Isaac.

It's easy to read the words found in the Bible and think it has no meaning for my life today.  In reality, though, I can learn much that can be applied to every facet of my life.  As an example, I can learn about sacrifice through the incident of Abraham's obedience to God's calling on his life.  There I will discover the costly nature of the sacrifice Jesus made when He freely gave His life on the cross.  I also will realize that I can give up my life as an act of worship to God and that the only way I can please Him is when I stop living my way and let Him lead me on the path He has prepared for me.  In these ways, sacrifice becomes more than just a word.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can take the lessons God teaches through Abraham's sacrifice to heart.

When do I worship only on Sunday instead of giving my life as an act of worship?

How do I insist on getting my own way instead of considering God as the head of my life?

Man's Plan

"Lot and his two daughters left Zoar

and settled in the mountains, 

for he was afraid to stay in Zoar.

He and his two daughters lived in a cave.

One day the older daughter said to the younger,

'Our father is old,

and there is no man around here to give us children--

as is the custom all over the earth.

Let's get our father to drink wine

and then sleep with him

and preserve our family line through our father.'"

Genesis 19:30-32

He took matters into his own hands.  When it seemed God wasn't going to follow through on His promise to give him a child, he and his wife came up with their own means to reach that end.  Soon a son was born to his wife's Egyptian slave, and an entire race of people who would be hostile toward the nation of Israel was born.  (Genesis 16)

Another man simply ran away from God's plan.  Refusing to go tell a hostile group of people it was time to repent and turn to God, this prophet chose a path in the opposite direction in order to avoid the terrifying call God had placed on his life. (Jonah 1)

This new king defiantly did things his way instead of God's.  If the Lord said to run, he would walk.  If it was expected that he stop, this man would go.  So, on the occasion of a great battle, it was no surprise that the first anointed king of the people of God would do the opposite of what He instructed: capturing the enemy king, sparing the best of the flocks, and keeping everything that was good for himself. (1 Samuel 15)

Abram, Jonah and Saul were all sinful men, just look you and me.  Even though God had a good plan for their lives, they each chose to follow their own plan on at least one occasion.  God also has a good plan for my life, but when things don't go as I think they should or progress as quickly as I'd like, I am tempted to do as these men did and take matters into my own hands.  Unfortunately, there are consequences to following my plan instead of God's.

Far Reaching

I have often heard this excuse for living in sin: "It doesn't hurt anyone but me, so let me live my life my way!"

While it's easy to convince myself that my own sin only affects me, the truth is that my stubborn refusal to agree to God's ways have far-reaching consequences.  In the case of Lot's daughters, the offspring that came from their incestuous relationship resulted in two people groups who became the unconquered enemies of Israel.  Moses was later forbidden to attack the Moabites and Ammonites because of their family connection that can be traced back to the ill-conceived plan of Lot's daughters to continue their family line. (Deuteronomy 2:9 and 19)

Not only did these two groups of people present a threat to the welfare of the nation of Israel, they were also a source of idolatry.  Moab led the Israelites into sexual immorality and Baal worship (Numbers 25:1-3) and both nations hired Balaam to bring a curse upon the Israelites, forever banishing them from the assembly of the Lord. (Deuteronomy 23:3-6, notable exception to be Ruth)  The actions of these two girls wrought trouble for the people of God that they could have never foreseen.

In the same way, my choice to follow my sin nature instead of the leading of the Spirit of God results in consequences that touch the lives of many.  Choosing my way instead of God's will always carries a high cost.  Instead of following in the footsteps of Lot's daughters, I can wait on the Lord who has a much better solution to the dilemma in which I now find myself.  His way may not come in my time or within my frame of understanding, but I can count on it to bless those who follow Him.

Choosing my plan over God's affects more than just me.

Manipulation and Deception

"I need a sale today to get my kids some clothes for school."

"The price doesn't matter; it's all about the payments.  Who cares of it costs $5000 less if the payments are not affordable?"

"We knew it had that problem.  That is why it's priced so low."

"Today is the final day of this sale.  Tomorrow the prices go up."

Car salesmen are known for their slick sales pitches and crafty come-backs, all with the goal of making a sale.  Instead of looking out for the best interest of their customers, they often are only concerned with their own bottom line.

In order to make a sale, people often end up using others as a means to an end.  While they may care enough to provide good customer service, the bottom line is that they can't make a living if people don't make a purchase.  It is not so different for me when I choose to follow my own plan instead of waiting on God to reveal His design.  In order for me to put my idea into practice, I will most likely need to use someone to accomplish my means.

Just as Lot found himself as a pawn in his daughters' scheme, the plan of man always requires manipulation and deception. When I don't have the funds to take a much-needed vacation, for example, I can either wait on the Lord to provide or I can convince my husband to take some money out of our emergency savings.

Or when I'm tired of waiting for physical healing under my doctor's care, I can either draw from the well of living water to help me carry on or I can search out someone who will tell me the news I want to hear and administer an alternative cure.

Or when the monotony of day-to-day life is getting me down, I can go the the Lord for a boost of my morale or I can badger my husband for an expensive makeover that I think will give me a new attitude.

Choosing my plan over God's means I'll need to use people as pawns to get what I want.

Values Compromised

"Desperate times call for desperate measures."  This well-known saying implies that in times of trouble, morality goes out the window.  This seems to be the case in today's scripture passage.  As Lot's daughters considered the unthinkable, they adopted the morality of the world in which they had lived.  

Sodom had just been destroyed for the pride, gluttony, laziness, and sexual immorality of her people.  (Ezekiel 16:49-50)  Since Lot had raised his family in the shadow of this kind of detestable atmosphere, his impressionable daughters had taken on these same kinds of attitudes and beliefs.  While they may have never come up with such a scheme on their own, the influence of those they lived around gave them depraved ideas.

When I let my eyes stray from God's perfect, prosperous plan for my life, I tend to drift toward options that appeal to the world but go against God's standards.  Adopting the world's ways as my own means I will compromise the principles He has taught me.

Choosing my plan over God's means I'll concede to the values of the world.

There is no doubt that God has a beneficial plan for my life.  Most of the time, however, that plan does not follow my time table or the take the path I had in mind.  For these reasons, I tend to try to find my own way.  Walking my own path, however, carries with it far-reaching consequences, necessitates the use of people as pawns, and involves the compromise of the values which God has instilled in me.  Therefore, it is always better to wait for God's plan than to take matters into my own hands.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can trust God even when everything seems to be going wrong.

When do I give up hope when I'm tired of waiting?

How do I use people to get what I want?

New Thing

"With the coming of dawn,

the angels urged Lot,

saying, 'Hurry!

Take your wife and your two daughters who are here,

or you will be swept away when the city is punished.'

When he hesitated,

the men grasped his hand and the hands of his wife

and of his two daughters

and led them safely out of the city,

for the LORD was merciful to them.

As soon as they had brought them out,

one of them said,

'Flee for your lives!

Don't look back,

and don't stop anywhere in the plain!

Flee to the mountains

or you will be swept away!'"

Genesis 19:15-17

The tears rolled as she, her husband and girls fled the city.  Her heart was in that wretched place!  As much as there was evil found there, she also discovered much good.  There were friends she adored, memories she cherished and places she treasured.  Life was enjoyable in Sodom and she hated to leave.  What would happen to all her friends and her favorite haunts?  How could God be so cruel?  These people weren't so bad!

Suddenly there came a horrific sound, like that of a million droplets of water sizzling on a giant hot pan.  The noise grew in intensity and she imagined she could even feel the searing heat on her back.  Her beloved Sodom!  What was to become of it?  Without thinking, she looked back over her shoulder, curious to see her home one last time.  It would be her final act before her flesh turned to salt.

When God rescues me from destruction, like he did to Lot and his family, it is important that I fully receive His mercy.

Don't Hesitate

I walked out to the end of the platform as the butterflies fluttered unfettered in my stomach.  Reaching the edge, I gasped as I saw how high I stood above the surface of the water.  The longer I stood there, the more my feet seemed to be cemented to the diving board.  Would I ever be able to jump?

The best way for someone who is afraid of heights to jump off the high dive is to walk straight out and take the plunge, without hesitation.  The more time there is to think, the less likely I am to jump.  This is similar to the practice of trusting God.  If I pause, vacillating back and forth between doubt and faith, the odds that I will stay in my disbelief are high.  My best chance at walking forward in faith is to move without thinking.

When God lets me know, then, that the pastime I love so much has become an idol in my life, it's best that I immediately let it go without thought to what I will miss.  Or when it is made clear to me that I am to change jobs, walking in faith means I will take purposeful steps toward making that new career a reality without wasting time on a list of pros and cons or in gathering advice from friends.  Or when He stops a ministry dead in its tracks I can go along with His mysterious plans even though it doesn't make sense to me.

I must trust God enough to let go when He says it's time to move on.

Don't Look Back

There was a lot I was going to miss but the hardest thing about moving was in leaving behind the people I had grown to love.  Every time I thought of it the sobs would come.  Soon I would find myself dwelling on the memories of times we had spent together, lessons they had taught me, and bonds we had formed.  How could I leave?

My problem with all the times the Army moved my family from one place to another was that I focused my attention on what I was leaving behind instead of anticipating all that God had in store for us.  He reminded me of this lately through the prophet Isaiah who said, "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 43:18-19a)

Whenever God calls me on to something new, I can believe that it will be good.  God is the giver of all good things so I can trust Him in the great unknown. (James 1:17)  After all; He is already there paving the way for me.  As I place my life into His hands, recognizing that He is the sovereign Lord over all creation and bowing to His plan, He will make plain the path He has for me to walk.  (Proverbs 3:5-6)

I must trust God enough to look forward with anticipation to all that He has prepared for me.

Don't Tarry

She did as her mother bid, but it was obvious her heart was not in it.  The pre-teen's shoulders slumped, her head drooped and her feet dragged as she walked toward the garbage can.  The bag of trash she held in her hand scraped across the driveway, threatening to break open.  While the girl obeyed in action, her spirit was far from compliant.

I can hold this same kind of attitude when it comes to God.  He calls me to something I either don't want to accomplish or I feel completely incapable of handling.  I step out in faith, but my heart doubts the outcome.  I go through the motions, thinking I'm answering God's call, but my attitude is poor to say the least.

Instead of dragging my spiritual feet in this way, I can focus on the faithfulness of God to create a plan of prosperity and hope for my life and in His willingness to equip the called, giving Him a chance to work through me as I rest in His arms.  When I pay more attention to my own plan and my subsequent disappointment in it's demise, however, the worse my frame of mind becomes. In addition,  the more I focus on my own inabilities, the greater my insecurity grows.

I must trust God enough to not tarry in my obedience to Him, either in attitude or action.

God loves me and often rescues me from destruction by moving me forward.  When He does so, it is important that I not hesitate in carrying out His instructions, avoid looking back toward what I am leaving behind, and not drag my feet in obeying Him.  In these ways I'll be able to embrace the new thing He is doing in my life!

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can trust God enough to let go of that which He is taking from my life.

When do I hold on to that which is no longer good for me?

How am I dragging my spiritual feet? 

Questions

"The other men turned and headed toward Sodom,

but the LORD remained with Abraham.

Abraham approached him and said,

'Will you sweep away both the righteous and the wicked?

Suppose you find fifty righteous people

living there in the city--

will you still sweep it away and not spare it for their sakes?

Surely you wouldn't do such a thing,

destroying the righteous along with the wicked.

Why, you would be treating the righteous

and the wicked exactly the same!

Surely you wouldn't do that!

Should not the Judge of all the earth do what is right?'

And the LORD replied,

'If I find fifty righteous people in Sodom,

I will spare the entire city for their sake.'"

Genesis 18:22-26 NLT

"C'mon, let's go to the store!"

"Why, Daddy?"

" 'Cause we're out of milk and we need to buy some more."

"Why?"

"Well, we use a lot of milk in our cereal and to drink with our meals."

"Why?"

"It tastes good and is good for us."

"Why?"

"Okay Vanessa, that's enough of the questions.  Let's just get in the car and go!"

"Why?"

Dealing with a 4-year-old's constant probings can be tedious and aggravating;  sometimes there simply  isn't an answer!  But a preschooler learns by asking questions and a patient father will take the time to give a thoughtful response.  While it sometimes seems a child is being fresh, she is really seeking understanding.  There is so much to learn about this world and her place in it!

In the same way, God welcomes my questions when I seek to understand, for it is in His response that I learn much of His character, experience His patience, and am reminded of His power.

His Character

It is said that my character is exposed when no one is looking.  Who I am, how I respond and what I do when I am by myself reveals my true nature.  If there's no one around late at night in the grocery store and I'm starving, will I pocket that candy bar?  When I'm filling out my taxes at the kitchen table, do I fudge the numbers to increase the amount of my refund?  If I see a toddler crying all alone on the side of the road when I'm late for an appointment, do I stop and try to help?

While my sin nature is constantly at war with the leading of the Holy Spirit within, persistently presenting opportunities to do the right thing, God is never faced with a dilemma.  His nature is constant and sure; never varying, and He never faces a moral quandary.  He is the Father of heavenly lights, source of all good things who does not change like shifting shadows. (James 1:17)  When it comes to God, I know what to expect.

In today's Scripture passage, Abraham learns more about God's nature by probing Him with a series of questions.  He wants to know how precious life is to Him, how just is His nature, and if He can be trusted.  Maybe Abraham wanted to know where he stood with God and how far the Creator of all things would go to save him if he were a resident of Sodom.

At the end of the exchange, the receiver of the promise seems to be satisfied with the character of the Giver of the promise.  He decides he can trust the Lord because His character is genuine.

The same is true for me.  I can trust God to never leave me, to bring good out of every circumstance, and to always provide a way out when I am tempted to stray. (Deuteronomy 31:6, Matthew 28:20, Romans 8:28, 1 Corinthians 10:13)  The character Abraham discovered by asking a seemingly endless string of questions gives me a solid rock on which to build my life.

I need not fear asking probing questions of God, for it always reveals His solid character.

His Patience

"Where are you going?"  Every time any member of our family gets ready to leave the house, we are accosted by the cute but curious children who live next door.  My eldest daughter is often irritated by their innate curiosity and their propensity for dispensing their own form of wisdom.  When my daughter responds to the inevitable probe with, "I'm going to work," the 4-year-old girl consistently comes back with, "But girls don't work!"

While this may not be the most encouraging way to be sent off to start one's day, the constant questions are a part of living in our neighborhood.  Therefore, the barrage can either be accepted with patience or dismissed as just another source of annoyance at the beginning of a long and frustrating day.

Thankfully, God never faces this dilemma.  It is in His nature to entertain the questions meant to teach me more about Himself with patience and endurance.  Therefore, I need not fear being brushed aside with annoyance.  God always takes the time I need.

I need not fear asking probing questions of God, for His patience is never ending.  (Psalm 86:15)

His Power

He revealed His plan for her life and she laughed!  Sure, it seemed absurd; giving birth to a child at her old age.  Even her husband was old and well beyond the years of fertility.  Why would she belief her frail frame could withstand such an ordeal as child bearing?  Instead of focusing on her own human weakness, however, her faith would have been bolstered if Sarah had remembered the power of the One who spoke.

God wasted no time in reminding her of His might when He asked Abraham, "Is anything too hard for the Lord?"  (v 14 NLT)  This is a good reminder for me, as well.  

When money runs short and the bills keep piling up, I can focus on my Father who owns the cattle on a thousand hills and promises to provide for my needs.  (Psalm 50:10, Matthew 6:31-33)  When tomorrow seems so dark and I'm afraid of what I will face, I can focus on my Father who is already there, shining His light into the unknown.  (Psalm 139:7-12, Psalm 91)  When it seems there is no one around me I can trust, I can focus on my Father who is faithful and true.  (1 Corinthians 1:9)

I need not fear asking probing questions of God, for He will use that opportunity to remind me of His mighty power.

Many times I have heard it said to never question God, but a study of His Word shows that those who were closest to Him learned by asking probing questions.  While it may reveal my lack of faith when I ask, "Why," there are other questions that can teach me about His character, demonstrate His patience, and give Him an opportunity to remind me of His power.  These are the kind of questions God welcomes from His children who are honestly seeking to know Him.  

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I will think of God as my Father who delights in my desire to know Him more.

When am I afraid to question God?

How do I withdraw from my Father in fear?  

Leave!

"The LORD had said to Abram,

'Leave your native country,

your relatives,

and your father's family,

and go to the land that I will show you.

I will make you into a great nation.

I will bless you and make you famous,

and you will be a blessing to others."

Genesis 12:1-2 NLT

"How can we move to Germany now?"  I asked my husband of three years.  During our short marriage, our family had grown by a daughter closely followed by a set of three more.  Life was pretty hectic in a home filled with four girls aged three and under, and I needed the reinforcement my parents supplied.  Why would God move us to a foreign land, so far away from my support system?

As I look back to that scary time, I can see God's hand at work.  Leaving my beloved homeland and some of my most cherished people was His way of growing my faith and building my character.  In order to receive the blessing God has for me, it is often necessary that I leave behind what is familiar and trust God for what is to come.

Country

It is said that the way to catch a monkey is to secure a hollowed-out coconut in place and fill it with peanuts, a banana or some other snack.  When a curious primate approaches the tempting treat, he slides his hand through the hole.  Once he makes a fist to grab the food, however, his hand will no longer fit through the opening and he is "trapped" by his own greed.  Simply letting go of the treasure would buy his freedom, but most monkeys are unwilling to walk away from such a find.

This reminds me of how I can be when it comes to the world.  In order for me to fully embrace God's kingdom, I must let go of my sin and worldly temptations.  If I hold on tight to the habits of my flesh, I will find myself living in a way that is contrary to God's plan for my life.  (Galatians 5:17)  But if I let go of the trappings of this world which appeal so much to my sinful nature, then I can keep in step with God's Spirit.

When I feel trapped in an area of sin, then, I can remember that I have the power to let go of that transgression, instead nailing it to the cross where it will tempt me no more. (Galatians 5:24)  Or when I am constantly drawn to the message of the world that tells me I am king of my own life, then I can remember that Jesus is the only One who is worthy to hold such a position. (Philippians 2:9-11)  Or when I struggle with a negative attitude toward my circumstances, I can remind myself that God will work everything for my good, even if it doesn't seem good at the time.  (Romans 8:28)

In order to fully grasp the kingdom of God, I must leave behind the country in which I live along with it's alluring attractions.

People

My heart swells as I hear the anthem played.  Tears form in my eyes as I think of all the men and women who have given their lives so that I might enjoy freedom.  There is no doubt that I have a pride in my country and that I am not ashamed to identify myself as an American.

As I grow closer to my Father, however, this allegiance is beginning to shift.  While I still am thankful to live in a country where I have the liberty to live as I see fit, it is to God that my highest allegiance is found.  My hope is in Him, not in the politicians who run our country, nor in the people who work so hard day in and day out to make our communities safe, nor in the members of the armed forces who sacrifice so much.

Instead of relying on these fellow humans as my source of hope for a better tomorrow, I am learning to fully trust in the Lord.  Without Him, not one of us could take a breathe let alone make a difference in the world.  Apart from the sovereignty of the Lord, no plan would ever come to fulfillment, and there is no salvation to be found under any other name than that of Jesus Christ my Lord!  (Acts 4:12)

While those running for office may have great ideas and inspire much optimism for tomorrow, it is not in mere man that I will place my confidence.  Instead, I am learning to place all my eggs in God's basket, trusting that He is where my hope is found.

In order to live in a state of blessing, it is vital that I identify myself more as God's child than as a daughter of the country in which I live.

Family

They expected Him to drop everything at the mention of their presence.  Family deserves the position of highest honor so they had every reason to believe Jesus would prefer them over the multitudes who gathered that day to see Him.  As soon as He heard of their arrival, they were sure they would be immediately ushered to the front of the line.  Boy, were they wrong!

Instead of honoring His family, Jesus chose the opportunity of His mother and brothers' visit to illustrate the hierarchy of God's kingdom. (Matthew 12:46-50)  While I have heard it said that, "blood is thicker than water," insinuating that family ties are the strongest of all bonds, Jesus turned this belief on it's ear.  While it is important to honor one's father and mother, this relationship is not the one that should drive my decisions.  

Some family members use their position as blood relatives to manipulate others into action.  If I am to live in relationship with my heavenly Father, however, guilt can no longer be a factor in decision-making.  When God calls me to go, then, I must freely obey without worry of who I will leave behind.  Trusting God in such a way means I am letting Him take care of those whom I love.

In order to follow Jesus, I must understand His definition of family and accept the hierarchy of His kingdom.

I cannot expect to receive God's blessing and continue to live my life as I see fit: I must choose one or the other.  If I decide His kingdom is more important than mine, then I will exchange the world for His ways, identify myself more with God than my country, and realize my family cannot hold more weight than the Lord.  As I leave these allegiances behind, I will be able to fully grasp the blessings the Lord has prepared for me.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can remember Who holds the allegiance to my life.

When do I place my hope in politics, not realizing that no blessing can come to a nation apart from the Lord?

When am I blinded to all the ways a nation has offended God because of my patriotism?   

Precious Life

"And I will require the blood of anyone

who takes another person's life.

If a wild animal kills a person,

it must die.

And anyone who murders a fellow human must die.

If anyone takes a human life,

that person's life will also be taken by human hands.

For God made human beings in his own image."

Genesis 9:5-6 NLT

The quilt hanging on my living room wall was more than just a decoration; it was a family heirloom.  My great Aunt had created it with her own hand, using fabric taken from favorite dresses that had worn out and been banished to the scrap heap.  Each color in the pattern reminded my ancestor of the memories made while wearing those garments.  

For me, however, it held an even greater value than a memento of days gone by.  This handmade keepsake hung as a gentle reminder of the importance of life and the character qualities God placed in each of us:  Traits such as creativity, the ability to forgive, and the desire to love.  This quilt reminds me of how precious each life is.

Since God took such great care in putting me together, much as my kin took the time to develop a pattern, choose colors that complemented each other and carefully stitch each block together so that the finished product would be both pleasing to the eye and meaningful to the heart, I must look upon the life He created as precious.  In fact, God holds each of us accountable for the lives of all men and women, each of whom were made in His image.  Therefore, while I must hold all life as precious, human beings are to be especially well-regarded.

Protect

The precious jewel was never flaunted, but kept under lock and key.  Great pains were taken to protect this gem from the harmful effects of the elements and was never carelessly left laying around where a thief could simply pocket it for himself.  

While jewelry is often treated as valuable, life is not always cherished.   Unborn babies are ruthlessly murdered in an effort to get rid of a woman's inconvenient burden.  The elderly are easily ignored and many times neglected or abused by those who don't recognize their worth.  Even those who do not possess the power that comes from having the means to provide for all their own needs find themselves tossed aside like so much garbage.

Instead of judging which segments of society are important, God says every life He so painstakingly created is precious.  Therefore, my fellow man is to be protected as a precious jewel.

God holds me accountable for the steps I take to protect every human life.

Revere

"What an idiot!"  she shrieked as the driver of a racy sports car cut her off in traffic.  I can relate!  It's easy to let my temper get the best of me while driving in rush hour traffic. While its natural to lash out at a stranger who so recklessly jeopardized my life, if I am to take God and His teachings seriously, I must revere my fellow man.

While I can justify my demeaning attitude toward others, from God's point of view there is never an occasion when it is appropriate to degrade the lives He created.  This means that those who bring me down with their lousy outlook on life are not losers, as I am so quick to label them, but simply image-bearers who need Jesus as much as I do.

For the criminals who languish in prison, seeming to be a waste of the DNA so painstakingly placed with purpose in their tissue, I must see them as men and women created for a specific purpose for which they don't yet comprehend.

As easy as it is for me to scorn the drunk who panhandles at the side of the road and seems to want nothing more from life than a few more dollars so he can score his next bottle, it is vital that I remember his position in this world as one created for relationship with his Creator.

God holds me accountable for intentionally revering every human life.

Honor

"Life sucks!"  It's easy for me to adopt this commonplace attitude, especially when it seems everything is going wrong.  In fact, one of my favorite and oft-quoted sayings is Murphy's Law which states, "If anything can go wrong, it will go wrong."

The problem with this negative mindset is that it assumes the worst of life.  While it may seem from my lowly perspective that everything is going wrong and life is simply a serious of unfortunate events, the reality of God's plan tells me that He has created me for a specific purpose that will bring good into my life as well as hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11)

It's easy to ignore this truth, however, when I get bogged down in my own narrow way of seeing things.  While I may expect my day to go according to my own plan, a snafu may simply be God's way of setting me back on His path so I can enjoy His blessings.  When the car breaks down, my knee blows out and the air-conditioning stops working, I can either see this as the worst day ever or a time where God is trying to get my attention, refocusing my efforts back to His kingdom and giving me a chance to trust Him.

Life has not been given to me so that I can focus only on the negative.  Instead, I am to view each day as a gift, seeing it not as a series of ill-fated episodes but rather as a new opportunity to give thanks to my Father above and to encourage those around me with this truth.

God holds me accountable for choosing to honor my life as a gift.

All life on earth is valuable to God, but He especially holds human life in high regard.  Therefore, if I am to follow Him with all of my heart, I must take specific steps to protect life, especially the more vulnerable segments of society.  I would also do well to revere life, choosing not to speak ill of others or judge them as less important.  Finally, knowing that the life God has given to me is precious, it is important that I take each day with a thankful heart.  In these ways I will honor life as precious.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can hold all life as dear.

When do I look down on others, even if it's only in my mind?

How am I showing a lack of respect for life in the way I view the difficulties of each day?