Natural Consequences

"Listen, all the earth!

I will bring disaster on my people.

It is the fruit of their own schemes,

because they refuse to listen to me.

They have rejected my word."

Jeremiah 6:19 NLT

As I read through the Old-Testament prophecies, I keep noticing a reoccurring theme:  God holds His people accountable for their faithlessness, their hypocrisy, their hard-heartedness.   He disciplines those He loves in order to bring them back to Him. Just because they were chosen by God to be His own precious possession does not exempt them from experiencing the consequences of their wayward actions.  And I have to wonder, how did their ungodly behavior, attitudes and beliefs influence the surrounding nations, the climate of the times, the culture as a whole?  And how did their destructive sway incite God's holy anger for the sake of His hallowed name?

Is it any different today?  Yes, those who have turned from sin and committed their lives to Jesus by faith fall under God's grace and are protected from the wrath of God's judgement for the sin that comes so naturally (Romans 5:9).  Yet I am called to holiness as His child (1 Peter 1:15-16).  I am to be a positive influence as the salt of the earth.  I am to shine the light of righteousness into the dark world (Matthew 5:13-16).  But I look at the culture around me and see my country falling apart.  We are in a bad way.  It's easy for me to blame the lost for the moral decline, for God taking His hand of blessing off our land.  Maybe I should instead be looking in the mirror to find who is to be held accountable for such deterioration.

Fruit.  I expect good things to flow into my life.  After all, I've given my life to Jesus, identifying myself as a Christian.  Doesn't that mean God's favor falls upon me, that my life will be filled with blessing as I align myself with the source of all beneficial and perfect gifts (James 1:17)?  Or does my habit of doing what comes naturally, of letting my own selfish desires serve as my greatest influence, of sowing seeds of my own sin nature that produces fruit of the flesh that is contrary to God's best block His flow of blessing(Galatians 6:7, 5:16-17)?

It's easy to blame God or others when my life is filled with prickly brambles instead of luscious bounty.  I may be constantly plagued by lust, drawn into confrontations with others, seem to be a magnet for trouble, envious of the lives of others that seem so much better, driven my a passion to make my mark in the world.  Instead of peace in my heart there's dissension, irritation replaces joy, coldness is in place of God's love, and harshness substitutes for gentleness.  Is this the life Jesus died to deliver (John 10:10)?  But it's not Jesus that's the problem, it's me.  I'm only getting what's coming to me as I neglect holiness, purity, humility, and a Kingdom-focus in order to cultivate my own sin-nature. And my country suffers as I fail to live as salt and light so others can see what He's doing in my life and give praise to Him (Matthew 5:16).

When I fail to walk by the Spirit, I negatively influence the world around me with the fruit of my own flesh (Galatians 5:19-20).

Stubbornness.  I want God's blessing more than anything.  I many times profess that His blessing is on me, that God is in control so I don't have to worry about a thing, that He's got my back.  Yet I willfully refuse to listen to what He's speaking to my heart, the bad habits He gently asks me to give up, the wrong attitudes of which He convicts me, the past I cling to like a snugly blanket. As a result, I don't live out my faith.  It doesn't reach any further than my lips, becoming only empty words I say but refuse to live out.

Instead, what if I lived my faith out loud?  What if I submitted to God, taking His messages to heart, refusing to defend myself or give excuses for why I won't let go of what is harmful?  What if I let down the walls I've erected to protect my own fleshly identity and allow God to give me a new one that is based on His love for me?  What if I let Him change the way I think (Romans 12:2)?  What a wonderful world that would be!

When I fail to listen to what God speaks to me, I negatively influence the world around me by sticking to my own stubborn ways.

Defiance.  I look for a better way, a path that won't offend others so much, one that is easier and will make me popular, that doesn't require me to change.  I spend a lot of time listening to sermons, reading God's Word and talking to other believers about deep topics, but I think I'm okay the way I am, or I'm afraid to go under the scalpel of the Great Physician, or I've talked myself into believing I'm not ready to endure the hand of the Master Potter.  Maybe tomorrow, I think.  Meanwhile, I continue to live as I've always lived, content in my wayward ways.

As a disciple of Jesus I'm meant to undergo transformation as my thoughts, attitudes and perspective are replaced with His.  If I choose to stick to my own, rejecting the truth of God's Word as irrelevant as justification to feel comfortable in my old skin, I'm not really His disciple.  Instead, I'm a rebel who is trampling on God's own Son, making a mockery of the sacrifice He made in coming to earth as a man and dying on the cross (Hebrews 10:29).  And how does my refusal to take up my own cross, my burden of suffering that is bound to come from following Him, negatively influence the world around me?  If I won't even deny my own self-interests in order to see the lost through my Father's eyes, how can I expect to be His ambassador(Matthew 16:24, 2 Corinthians 5:20)?  And how many people who need Jesus will not be introduced to Him because I'm so intent on living my own way?

When I fail to let God change me from the inside out, I negatively influence the world around me by robbing it of a much-needed representative of Christ.

I look around me at the moral decline and the climate of negativity and divisiveness and I want to blame others.  I think the decisions made by the powers to be are bringing God's righteous wrath upon the nation as a whole.  Yet I fail to see how my own lifestyle is dragging His holy name through the mud.  I am reaping fruit of the flesh, stubbornly refusing to listen to His offensive-to-my-flesh Word, and defiantly choosing my way over His.  In all these ways I'm the one responsible for the mess around me.  If I lived as I was called to live, God could use me to influence things for the better.  May I take the time to repent of my wayward ways and realize what I'm seeing around me is a natural consequence for the actions of God's people.  The future is in our hands so lets not waste any time.  Today is the day to repent and start living for Christ!

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can realize I don't live in a vacuum, that my actions affect the culture in which I live.

How do I fail to see the part I'm playing in bringing this country down?

How would it change everything if every professing Christian served as His ambassador, appealing to the world to come back to God?       

    

Superficial Treatments

"'From the least to the greatest,

their lives are ruled by greed.

From prophets to priests,

they are all frauds.

They offer superficial treatments

for my people's mortal wound.

They give assurances of peace 

when there is no peace.

Are they ashamed of their disgusting actions?

Not at all--they don't even know how to blush!

Therefore, they will lie among the slaughtered.

They will be brought down when I punish them,'

says the LORD."

Jeremiah 6:13-15 NLT

Sin has broken God's creation so nothing works as it was meant to work.  Nowhere is this more evident than in God's image-bearers.  People are hurting as a result.  Many solutions are offered by God's people to solve the problem of suffering as man tries to negotiate through the mine-field of life.  But I find the solutions offered to me, or the ones I suggest to others, run up against the wall of God's intention.  In truth, only One will bring about true healing and deliver the solution that was meant for mankind's troubles.

Coping Mechanisms.  Life is hard and I find that stress often overwhelms me.  There are so many ways I could choose to cope with the difficulties of life, but most are faulty, unhealthy and even harmful instead of helpful.  I can use drugs or alcohol to numb me from the realities of life.  Anger can be my go-to mechanism when encountering difficulty.  I can let food comfort and bring me joy and satisfaction.  Exercise or other obsessive addictions can give me some semblance of control.  Soon I find the coping mechanisms I choose cause more problems than results and never bring about the solution I had originally sought.

As I come to the end of myself, I may go to the church for help, seeking out godly support.  Unfortunately, the help I'm often offered is not what will bring about true healing.  I may be pointed to drug or alcohol treatment, anger management classes, books on how to survive stress, or any number of programs meant to bring healing. While these are all good things, the help I really need, the aid God sent as a solution to the sin problem that is the root of all that ails me, is never even mentioned.  As representatives of Jesus in a dark world, Christ must be the beacon of hope that is offered as the primary answer to every question, the foundation of all treatment programs, and the only Way to find peace, comfort, satisfaction, happiness, and sound mental health. Without Jesus, all other therapy offered will fall flat.

It is God's intention that Jesus quench every thirst, fulfill every need, and solve every problem that results from my faulty coping mechanisms (John 4:14, 6:35).  May the people of God always point broken people to Him first and foremost.

Relationships.  So much can go wrong as I live in this shattered world.  Marriages crumble, children rebel, friendships crash and burn, countries war, leadership quarrels, breakdowns occur right and left.  Can't we all just get along?  But it is inevitable that troubles will come as sinful beings attempt to live in tandem with one another.  And soon I taste the bitterness of defeat in my own personal life, especially in my bonds with others.

As I get to the point where I realize I need help to fix my failed relationships, I may go to the church for help, seeking out godly support.  Unfortunately, the help I'm often offered is not what will bring about true reconciliation.  I'm pointed to counseling, psychology, helpful classes that foster healthy relationships, or books on how to treat my relational problems.  While these all are good things, the help I really need, the Savior who reconciles ruined relationships, binds up the brokenhearted and promotes emotional healing, is never even mentioned (Isaiah 61:1).  Since Jesus is the cornerstone of the church, He must be the foundation of any solution offered to help people get along.  After all, He is the Prince of Peace, and there is no other name under heaven that is meant to rescue (Isaiah 9:6, Acts 4:12).  

It is God's intention that Jesus free captives of any imprisonment, including that of unhealthy relationships.  May the people of God always point broken people to Him first and foremost.

Purpose.  I want to feel necessary to the workings of this world, to have a reason for getting up in the morning, to be counted on by someone.  It is in my nature to desire something bigger than myself, to see I've been created for a purpose, to find meaning for my life.  It's not always easy to discover this reason for my existence, however.

As I find little satisfaction in running the rat race, I may go to the church for help in finding my purpose, the thing that will drive me and propel me forward with passion for living.  Unfortunately, the help I'm often offered is not what speaks to my reason for existing; to bring glory to God and enjoy a strong bond with Him in every part of my life.  I may instead be pointed to career counseling, meaningful activities to fill my time, classes that teach successful living skills, or groups that foster strong bonds with like-minded people.  While these all are good things, the guidance I really need, the Savior who restores my bond with the God who holds the blueprint for my life, is never even mentioned.  Since God is the only One who gives me purpose as my Maker, honing my relationship with Him through faith in Jesus Christ is the key to opening the door to understanding my reason for living.  And it is in discovering the treasure of knowing Him more each day, and realizing the value of the bond I have with Him by faith, that will give me the passion I've been seeking (Philippians 1:21, 3:8).  

It is God's intention that His love be the passion that propels me through life.  May the people of God always point the aimless to Jesus who connects mankind to His everlasting source.

There is no doubt that the world is broken, and living here causes all sorts of issues.  As I learn to cope in unhealthy ways, mourn over broken relationships, and flail around as I discover I have no idea why I'm here, I turn to the people of God for help.  While I don't always find the help I truly need, the answer is more simple than any of us acknowledge.  Jesus is the best solution to any problem.  May He always be offered as the primary treatment, the One who promotes permanent healing, and the passion that drives man forward.  Everything else that is offered only tackles the issues I face superficially.  It is only Jesus who offers the permanent solution!

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can trust God enough to believe He sent Jesus for more than just offering a ticket to heaven.

When do I place Jesus on the back burner, assuming He doesn't have anything that can help me in my present struggles?

How do I seek a quick solution from a human source when Jesus offers permanent healing?     

A Search for Honesty

"LORD, you are searching for honesty.

You struck your people,

but they paid no attention.

You crushed them,

but they refused to be corrected.

They are determined, with faces set like stone;

they have refused to repent."

Jeremiah 5:3 NLT

Is there anyone who can be trusted to do the right thing, to treat others fairly, to speak the truth, to live authentically?  Who can I look to as an example, knowing they are imitating Christ (1 Corinthians 11:1)?  Is there anyone who is on track?  Which teaching is godly instruction meant to point me in the right direction?

And dare I ask the more sobering question: Can I be counted on as one who is honest, a seeker of truth?  Here are some things to consider.

Humble.  I had finally taken the plunge and agreed to venture into territory I long feared to tread.  My neighbor and good friend convinced me to attend the women's group at a local church.  As part of a weekly program, many Bible studies were offered and we both decided we would benefit from learning how to better love our husbands.  As we settled into that group on the first day, I was nervous yet excited to try this new experience of sharing with other women while we studied God's Word together in a search for greater understanding into our roles as wives.  I soon learned, however, the importance of humility as the leader claimed no strife had ever entered into her marital relationship.  As I wondered if it could be true that she and her husband had never argued nor uttered a cross word to each other, I realized this was a woman who could never understand my struggles, relate to my failures, or get where I'm coming from as a not-so-loving wife.  While I did finish out the series, I took everything she said with a grain of salt and never found true community within that little group.  The pressure of conforming to perfection was just too great to foster an atmosphere of trust.

I learned the importance of humility through that first venture into the world of women's Bible study, finding out how much more beneficial it is to come alongside one other, identifying myself as the worst of sinners, no better than anyone else (1 Timothy 1:15) .  When I'm upfront about my own sin struggles, weaknesses and failures, the barriers come down and true community is formed. It gives others hope for themselves when they see what God has done in one sinner's life.  When I pretend I'm perfect, however, that I'm above others, it only makes me out to be a hypocrite because every man has a heart blackened by sin (Romans 3:23, Psalm 53:2-3).  In fact, the pretension itself is rooted in the sin of pride and betrays my carefully groomed veneer, so why try to present myself as having it all together when its so obvious that I don't?  Much fruit comes when I humble myself and show my true state as a sinner who is graciously and miraculously restored to right standing with God through repentance and faith in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:21).

I am living humbly if I'm willing to share my struggles, open up about my failures, and reveal my weaknesses.

Authentic.  For a reason that probably has something to do with my sin nature, it's easy for me to lie when asked certain questions.  For instance, if my husband the college student goes into great detail about the finer points of the Hebrew language and then asks if I understand, I will readily say, "Yes!" hoping my response will bring to an end his desire to share his newly-found knowledge.  Or if my foreign friend asks if I'd like to try the eyeball as we dine on a fish that's proudly displayed in its entirety on a platter between the two of us, I'll tell her I'm too full to eat another bite.  Or if a friend asks if everything is alright when I'm feeling quite vulnerable, I'll tell her "Sure, I'm fine!" and give her my best smile.  Sometimes the truth can seem too difficult to speak.

While it might be necessary to not always be brutally honest when it comes to my relationships with people, it's another story with God.  It is His desire that I always tell the truth to Him, reveal my true feelings, my hurts, my desires.  While I may not always feel safe to do so with humans, I can always trust God to handle my innermost thoughts with great care.  In fact, He already knows what's going on inside of me so I'm not really fooling Him when I put up a front with Him (Psalm 139:1-6).  He doesn't want me to say what I think He wants to hear, but would rather hear that I am honest with Him.  This is how I can show Him that I trust Him fully, and there's nothing that will draw us closer.

I am living authentically if I'm honest with God about the true state of my heart.

Manipulation.  "Oh, I thought you were sisters!"  the salesman gushes to me and my daughter as he attempts to win my favor so he can sell me a car.  Another time a telemarketer told me "You sound like a smart woman," with the hopes that I'd feel empowered to trust our savings to his investment firm.  At the local department store, a sweet young college student boosted my ego by saying the sweater I tried on really brought out the blue in my eyes.  Flattery is a common tactic used by salespeople.

I, too, can say things to try to get what I want.  It's surprising how often I have an ulterior motive when going through my days.  I want to promote my ministry so I look for opportunities to steer the conversation toward my pet issue.  Or it makes me feel more valuable when I'm involved in a popular pursuit so I do all I can to get the word out about the Bible study I lead, or the group I'm a part of, or the book I've written.  It's not so much that I want God to be glorified and others to find a great intimacy with Him, which I do, but my greater drive is to increase my happiness, improve my self-image, boost my feeling of well-being.  Instead, may I learn to truly seek God's kingdom as my primary motivation.  

I am living free from manipulation if my only goal is to live for an audience of One.

It's obvious that the world is filled with people who cannot be trusted to do the right thing or live the right way.  But if I look within, I find that I'm no better.  If I want God to be pleased with my heart I will need to humble myself to the point that I'm willing to live transparently before others, operate authentically in my relationship with Him, and stop my manipulative ways designed to get me what I want.  Then if God conducts a search for honesty, He'll find what He's looking for in me.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can live authentically in my relationship with God.

When do I pretend all is well, keeping my prayers superficial instead of opening up about the deep hurts in my heart?

How do I try to get people to do what I want instead of seeking to honor God in everything?

Importance of Repentance

"You have polluted the land with your prostitution

and your wickedness.

That's why even the spring rains have failed.

For you are a brazen prostitute

and completely shameless.

Yet you say to me,

'Father, you have been my guide since my youth.

Surely you won't be angry forever!

Surely you can forget about it!'

So you talk,

but you keep on doing all the evil you can."

Jeremiah 3:2b-5 NLT

It's easy to look around at all that is wrong, yet give myself a pass.  At least I'm not as bad as some!  I think.  Or, If the country doesn't repent and turn to God, we will all feel the consequences of the rampant immorality.  What I don't realize is that I may be part of what is bringing this country down.

Name Only.  "I've accepted Jesus into my heart."  The woman proclaimed confidently.  Yet she proudly and unashamedly stood in the street kissing her lover, another woman.  Across town the college student studied in her dorm room, distracted by thoughts of the night of passion she planned to share with her boyfriend as a reward for her hard work.  Her conscience wasn't bothered in the least as she believed her sins were covered by the blood of Jesus.  In the room below, the young man scrolled through pictures of naked women as a way to help control his lust.  He thought about sex all the time, even during the Bible study he attended on campus, although he never shared his secret with any of the other men in his group.  The young man thought of himself as a Christian and had convinced himself that pornography didn't hurt anyone but was a healthy outlet for his sexual urges.

These are some examples of men and women who are Christians in name only.  I should know because I was one of them for many years.  I thought of myself as a follower of Christ, I was quick to say I was a believer, yet my lifestyle told another story.  I lived as anyone else, led by my flesh and completely convinced that there was nothing wrong with my behavior.  I sometimes felt a twinge of guilt for what I did, but it soon passed without influencing my actions in any way (2 Corinthians 7:10). I didn't know Jesus at all, and would scratch my head when someone would say they loved Him.  What does that mean?  I don't feel anything for Jesus.  Maybe they're just a little over the top; I'm sure they just choose to go a little further than I have, but I'm still a Christian, I would say to myself as a way of soothing my worries.

Many today are Christians in name only as evidenced by the fruit produced and the lack of a relationship with the One who offers salvation (Galatians 5:19-21, Matthew 7:21-23).  The answer is simple:  Repent of my sins and turn to God (Matthew 4:17, 3:8)!

Minimize Sin.  As a carnal Christian, I failed to see sin for what it is:  An affront to God.  I tended to categorize sin in order to ease my mind.  I didn't worry about the "little" ones, making accommodations for their presence in my life (Romans 13:14).  As long as I didn't kill, steal anything of great value, lie under oath, or cheat someone I personally knew I felt I was doing okay.  I was guilty of minimizing sin.

God finds all sin to be offensive to His holy character.  It is such a problem that He went to great lengths to solve it, sending Jesus as a sacrifice to atone for my sin, to make me right with Him (1 John 2:2, Romans 5:1).  With such a sacrifice made on my behalf, why would I trample upon the sacred cross of Christ by living as if sin, any sin, were not a big deal?  No, I cannot be perfect and I am not without sin, but I never want to make it my intention to sin (1 John 1:8, Romans 6:1-2).  I don't want to jump into sin, telling myself I'm only human, God understands and will give me a pass.  No!  the only pass I receive is through repentance and faith in Christ.  And if I truly understand what I've been saved from, the judgment and rightful condemnation my sin earns me, I would never again take sin lightly, instead treating it as the poison that it is.

Many today minimize sin, tolerating it as if it were a necessary evil, thus trampling on the Christ whom we've claimed as Savior (Hebrews 10:29).  The answer is simple:  I must sincerely repent of my sins, not as a show or religious rite, but earnestly in my heart as I face the reality of my own sins (Jeremiah 3:10).  Then I can turn to God.

Unfaithful.  It can be uncomfortable at times.  I'm usually in the minority.  I have to develop a backbone and get used to being on the outside if I am to follow Jesus.  If it is my goal in life to be accepted and popular, I had better choose another way of life.  It's easy to become unfaithful to God, to let the deceit cloaked as truth slide without calling attention to the pretense, or to look the other way when immoral behavior is celebrated, or to drift away from God and buy into other more widely accepted beliefs.  Before I know it, I'm cheating on God.

How do I betray Him?  By creating a new god in my own image, a god who I'm more comfortable with, a god who doesn't expect holiness or require repentance (1 Peter 1:16, Luke 24:47) .  A god who doesn't place any limits on my behavior, who will give me a pass when I face Him on judgement day, a god who is not God at all, but merely an idol I've carved to suit my own needs (1 Corinthians 6:9, Hebrews 9:27).

Many today are unfaithful to God by worshiping a false god made in their own image.  The answer is simple:  Repent of my infidelity toward God and return to Him in spirit and truth (John 4:23).

It is clear that we as modern Christians have lost our saltiness and have entered into dangerous territory (Mark 9:50).  It is not just the shocking decisions made by unbelievers that is propelling us down the wrong path as a nation, down the road that leads away from God, but it is the heart of those professing followers of Christ who may be most troubling.  It is we as believers who tend to be Christians in name only, who minimize sin, and who are unfaithful to God Himself.  What is the solution, then?  Repentance.  Let us not wait another minute to turn away from our sins and back to God; the welfare of our nation lies in our hands.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can trust God enough to let go of my pet sins.

When do I look the other way when sin runs rampant, telling myself it's none of my concern how others live?

How do I tend to minimize the sin in my own life? 

God's Domain

"This is what the LORD says:

'Heaven is my throne,

and the earth is my footstool.

Could you build me a temple as good as that?

Could you build me such a resting place?

My hands have made both heaven and earth;

they and everything in them are mine.

I, the LORD, have spoken!

I will bless those who have humble and contrite hearts,

who tremble at my word.'"

Isaiah 66:1-2 NLT

It's all His.  Do I realize this, or do I try to maintain some semblance of control? Placing God in a neat little temple of sorts, a box that I've created based on my own understanding of Him that diminishes His true nature and amounts to idolatry?  If I see Him operate outside of my own false perception of Him, I dismiss it, explaining it away instead of taking Him as He is in all of His power, glory and dominion. If He comes up against a wall I've created, I fail to let Him in, instead deceiving myself into believing I'm good just as I am, that there's nothing wrong with my faulty ways of coping, my worldly attitudes, or the provisions I've made for sin.  I work so hard to make this form of godliness work, yet all the time denying God's real character and the power found in repentance from my sin and submitting to His indwelling, transforming Spirit (2 Timothy 3:5).  I have created a whole other religion entirely.

It's time to stop.

Humble.  Never admit you're wrong.  Stand you ground no matter what.  No regrets.  It is what it is.  The world teaches me to own my decisions and go forward confidently, even if my actions turn out to be wrong, hurting many in the process.  In the words of John Wayne in the 1949 movie She Wore a Yellow Ribbon, "Never apologize, it's a sign of weakness."

It is in this environment where I learn a new source of strength that comes from humbling myself before the Lord, admitting when I'm wrong and being willing to repent of my damaging habits, behaviors and customs.  Instead of bristling as He probes my heart, revealing the ways I offend Him in my independence that insists on getting its way, my tendency to follow my own agenda, my pride in standing on my own two feet, I can surrender to His efforts to transform me (Psalm 139:23-24, Romans 12:2).  I can answer when He calls, listening to His words and apply them to my own life, heeding His warning that I'm headed in the wrong direction.  Does it come naturally?  No.  Will it result in God's best for me?  Yes.

It's time I stop resisting God's attempt to mold me into the image of His Son and instead become like putty in His hands (Romans 8:29).

Realistic.  The whole concept of celebrities is strange if you think about it.  As a culture, we take a regular person with problems, hangups, flaws and difficulties just like anyone else, and elevate them to a position of honor where they can be adored, admired, and idolized.  We learn all we can about their tastes, habits and routines, and begin to get the feeling that we know them personally.  The details of their lives are displayed at the grocery checkout, across the Internet, and highlighted on the nightly news.  It seems we are connected in some way, that there is a relationship there.  In reality, we don't even know these unfortunate people, only the image that has been displayed for all to see.

Don't I tend to do the same with God?  Instead of getting to know Him as a living, breathing God, I learn second-hand details that may or may not be true.  I buy into widely held beliefs without talking to Him personally to find out if my thinking might be off.  I look at the Lord as a far-away Being who is too highly elevated to be known, so I settle for learning about Him like He's a kind of fairy-tale character.  Instead, He wants to be an intimate part of my life, invited to inspect every dark corner of my heart and to be involved with every decision, heartache and triumph (Revelation 3:20) .  When I get to know Him so personally, I'll find He is different than the image I'd made Him to be.  I must adjust my thinking to line up with this reality instead of expecting Him to conform to mine.  I can't stay as I am and grow closer to Him; I must turn away from all that offends Him and fully buy into His true purposes.  Is He a cuddly, comfortable God?  No.  Will I find peace as I take Him as He is, not as I've made Him to be?  Yes.

It's time I stop making my own image of God that doesn't line up with His true character and instead adopt a realistic impression of His magnificent nature.

Reverent.  It's easy to focus on all the comfortable, cuddly parts of God and ignore what makes me uneasy.  I love to think of His love, grace, mercy, compassion, kindness, patience, and generosity.  It warms my heart to think of how far He has removed my sin from me through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ, of my resulting full acceptance by Him, and the power over sin and death that is mine in Christ (Psalm 103:12, John 6:37, 1 Corinthians 15:57).  I don't like to think of God's holy judgement that is coming, how offensive my sins are to Him, to realize my unworthiness compared to His holiness (Hebrews 9:27, Psalm 51:4, Luke 5:8).  Apart from Jesus, I don't have a leg to stand on (Psalm 130:3).  I'm toast.

To truly realize God's holy nature is to tremble at every Word that proceeds from His mouth, to take Him seriously instead of pushing Him aside in favor of other pursuits, to give Him any position other than the highest.  Yet I tend to develop a casual attitude toward Him, getting so comfortable that I easily ignore His promptings to turn from my ways, telling myself that He understands I can't always obey or that He doesn't expect me to be "perfect".  Instead of realizing the gravity of my sin, that it is such a serious offense that He went to such great lengths as to sacrifice His own precious Son to atone for those sins.  My sin is not a minor crime but a major affront to His holiness.  Therefore, I can't make friends with sin, justifying it to ease my conscience.  I must turn away, flinging it off like the dangerous affliction that it is (Hebrews 12:1, Matthew 5:30).  Is it okay for me to get comfortable with my sin?  No.  Will I find freedom when I repent of it and turn to God through faith in Jesus Christ?  Yes (John 8:36).

It's time I stop lowering God to the position of man, believing He sees my sin as not that big of a deal and instead revere Him enough as a Holy God that I listen to Him and do what He says.

I live in my Father's World, yet I often make it out to be mine.  I pride myself in my independence, make God into a cuddly teddy bear that doesn't reflect His true nature, and as a result, fail to respect Him as He deserves to be regarded.  It's time for me to stop the charade and humble myself before Him, take Him as He really is instead of who I've made Him out to be, and develop a healthy respect and fear for His power and authority.  As I do, I'll fully acknowledge I live in His domain.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can trust God enough to find out His true nature.

When do I make up a god that fits my own perception of Him?

How do I offend Him by refusing to let go of the sin that often defines me?

Warning

"But because the rest of you have forsaken the LORD

and have forgotten his Temple,

and because you have prepared feasts 

to honor the god of Fate

and have offered mixed wine to the god of Destiny,

now I will 'destine' you for the sword.

All of you will bow down before the executioner.

For when I called, you did not answer.

When I spoke, you did not listen.

 You deliberately sinned--before my very eyes--

and chose to do what you know I despise."

Isaiah 65:11-12 NLT

It's not a matter of ignorance, or a lack of knowledge of the consequences of following such a destructive path.  We've been warned.  Many have cautioned against such defiance toward the God of heaven and earth.  Yet we boldly legalized the slaughter of innocent babies, removed God from schools and the public arena, redefined gender roles and identity, and arrogantly changed the definition of marriage.  God despises our blatant sin celebrated as progress.  What do we do now?

Repent.  "Stop!" the mother commanded her toddler as he reached toward the burning candle.  This warning would do no good at all if the little boy didn't respond.   If he heard his mother's caution yet defiantly continued stretching his finger out to touch the flame, he'd come away with a burned finger, experiencing the consequences of his own foolish actions.  A warning is meant to be heeded.

God warns for a reason.  He is not just doing His duty as the Overseer of mankind.  He knows it is in man's best interest to live according to his Maker's intentions, in the way He intended for life to be lived.  Any other way wreaks havoc in His creation.  It must be aggravating to put so much care and thought into fashioning an entire world filled with humans made in your own image, only to have them come up with their own rules for living so they can do what they think will make them happy, completely ignoring their Creator's plans and purposes.  

But His anger is not like mine.  His is a righteous anger at man's defiance, and how long will we go on ignoring His cautions?  It is a dangerous thing to fall into the hands of a living God (Hebrews 10:31)!  Let us as individuals and ultimately as a nation choose to turn away from all that offends Him and toward Him as the Source of all good things.  But it must start with me.  If I am unwilling to repent of my own sin on a regular basis, as soon as God brings it to my attention, how can I expect those who are lost to stop doing what is wrong?

It is vital that mankind repent of our defiance, and it is the disciples of Christ who must take the lead in this need for humble submission to God and His intended purpose for His creation (2 Chronicles 7:14).

Pay Attention.  I'm constantly amazed at how easy it is for me to skim through life, distracted and half-way alert to what's happening around me.  My mind is usually preoccupied on solving some problem, mulling through a previous conversation or mentally checking of my list of things-to-do.  As I interact with those around me, I find myself giving less than my full attention to what is being said.  I'm guilty of not living fully in the moment.

This tendency to go through life half-way absent spills over into my relationship with God as well.  Every human is on some level aware of His existence, even if they do not acknowledge Him (Romans 1:20).  He left His mark everywhere so we are without excuse, are unable to say, "I didn't know You were real!"  As such, it is not His fault if I don't pay attention to the evidence of His constant work that is all around me, the guidance He consistently gives me, the outworking of His redemptive character that turns what was meant for evil into something beautiful.  If I don't see it, it's not for lack of its existence, but because I didn't look with my eyes wide open.

If I want to see God at work, I must give my full attention to what He is constantly busy doing.

Submit.  The parking tickets accumulated on the dash of his car.  No matter how many times he was cited for parking in the wrong place, however, he never changed his behavior.  Instead, he stuck to his guns, believing the law to be foolish so as not applying to him. He ended up owing thousands in outstanding violations because of his defiance.

God is always at work correcting the ungodly attitudes, words, behavior and thoughts of His people.  His correction is meant to get me on track so I will honor Him in all I do and reap the benefits of living in the way He intended for me to operate.  Still, all of His discipline only results in heartache if I don't submit to Him.  When I stubbornly insist on sticking to my guns, refusing to yield to His Hand, I'll reap the consequences of my noncooperation.  When I humbly accept His best, even when it goes against everything that makes sense to me, I'll find the blessing of obedience.

I can't expect to live the good life when I refuse to submit to God's correction and His purpose for my life.

Modern man has been warned by God.  Many have cautioned against the road down which we are barreling at top speed.  Still, all is not lost.  As one of His own people, there are some things I can do.  I can respond to His warnings by repenting of all that offends Him, interceding on behalf of my nation and setting an example for others to follow.  I can pay attention to His work all around me, drawing attention to His goodness to all who will listen.  And I can submit to His ways, leading the charge to obey at all costs.  While it may seem there's no stopping the downward spiral, there is a way to find forgiveness and restoration.  May we heed God's warnings now, before it is too late.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can stop fretting and start repenting.

When do I complain about the state of the culture yet fail to turn away from all the ways I've made provisions for my flesh (Romans 13:14)?

How can I make a commitment to seek God's face in all my ways?

The Grace of the Potter

"We are all infected and impure with sin.

When we display our righteous deeds,

they are nothing but filthy rags.

Like autumn leaves, we wither and fall,

and our sins sweep us away like the wind.

Yet no on calls on your name

or pleads with you for mercy.

Therefore, you have turned away from us

and turned us over to our sins.

And yet, O LORD, you are our Father.

We are the clay, and you are the potter.

We are formed by your hand."

Isaiah 64:6-8 NLT

I don't deserve it, none of us do (Romans 3:23).  Even my best attempts to do good are seen by God as soiled tatters, not a gleaming robe of righteousness as I might see it.  If I truly got what was coming to me, I'd be horrified (Psalm 103:10).  Still, God offers grace.  How extraordinary!

Father.  I should be banished to the outer reaches of the universe, exiled so as to avoid soiling God with my unworthiness, my sinful flesh, my body of death.  It makes sense that such a holy God wouldn't want to touch me with a ten-foot pole, that He would keep His distance and dictate His mandates from on high, turning a blind eye to much of my self-inflicted suffering.  It seems right that His higher ways and superior thoughts would keep Him far away from lowly mankind, that He would make me lie in the bed I have made in my selfish wickedness.

Instead, the true nature of God is of a compassionate Father who passionately desires to be intimately involved in my life.  This love for me is so powerful that it drove Him to offer His own Son as a sacrifice to atone for my sins, cleansing me from all unrighteousness so I can appear before the God of the Universe as holy and pure, not in my true state as immoral and corrupted by sin (Romans 5:8, 1 John 2:2, Colossians 1:22).  Therefore, through repentance and faith in Jesus, I can approach my Father as one who belongs in His presence, as one who is welcomed as a cherished child, as one who is wholly and perfectly loved (1 John 3:1, Hebrews 4:16).

Because of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross, God can extend His saving grace to me, the sinner, so that I can interact with Him as my loving Father.

Potter.  The lump of clay sits there completely powerless to form itself into anything suitable or beautiful.  It is destined to remain shapeless and pathetically unusable, that is until the hands of the potter close over its mass of mud.  He then expertly works to transform its shape from an ugly blob to something altogether different.  In His hands, there is much potential in each lump of clay.

He has compared me as His image-bearer to a lump of clay on His potter's wheel (Isaiah 64:8).  He could have left me as is, not caring enough to change me from my present state.  Instead, He loves me enough to take me through the painful and difficult process of sanctification, where He scrapes away that which doesn't belong and changes the way I think, speak, react, even exchanging my worldly values for heavenly ones (2 Corinthians 4:11, Colossians 3:10).  As I become who He intends me to be, I see things differently, my motivations and passions are converted to heavenly ones and my perspective lines up more closely with His (Ephesians 4:23-24).  He uses every situation I face to transform me into the image of His Son (Romans 8:28-29).  In His hands, I am becoming something altogether different yet uniquely me.

Because of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross, God can extend His saving grace to me, the sinner, so that the Potter can transform me into something beautiful through the work of His hands.

Artist.  I'm not a mistake, a complex being with feelings, dreams and hopes that emerged from the muck by chance.  I didn't evolve from apes through a long line of aberrations that resulted in increasingly higher intelligence and the accidental formation of a conscience.  Instead, I am here on purpose, made for a purpose.  I was knit "together in my mother's womb" and "I am fearfully and wonderfully made" (Psalm 139:13-14).

When I see my Creator as a gifted Artist who is unable to make junk but only creates good, I suddenly understand my inherent worth as the work of His hands (Genesis 1:31).  It is not in myself, per se, that I find my value, but in my Maker whose astounding work makes me valuable.  Just as a piece of artwork by van Gogh or da Vinci are infinitely more valuable simply because they came from such a talented hand, so I am essentially precious because I came from the hand of the greatest Artist of all times.  I was made by the same One who placed the stars in the heavens and brought forth breathtaking wonders.  Not only was I made for good not for the trash heap, but in Christ I have a wonderful mission that was prepared long ago for me to accomplish (Ephesians 2:10).  In Christ I am beautiful and functional!

Because of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross, God can extend His saving grace to me, the sinner, so that I can realize the beauty that is found within me as the work of the Artist's talented hands and the function for which I was made.

When I see my sin for what it is, an affront to God, I realize I don't deserve anything good.  Yet by the grace of God that comes through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ, I can interact with Him differently than as one who is condemned.  Instead, God becomes this loving Father who cares deeply for what hurts me, a master Potter who transforms me into the image of His Son, and a talented Artist whose very hand is what makes me valuable and useful.  In these ways, I get to experience the grace of God!

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can trust God enough to believe I am made valuable by His mark on my life.

When do I tear myself down, forgetting my inherent value?

How do I treat myself as trash instead of as a treasure?