His Strength Is Perfect

He gives strength to the weary, and to him who lacks might he increases power. Isaiah 40:29

I have a friend who lives with a difficult disease. There are days she expresses the weariness of her particular battle. Not only does her physical condition drain her but the treatment to slow its progress is hard on her as well. Another friend is going through a family crisis. I don't know the details but I have seen and felt her heavy heart. There are days she is simply spent by it all but still clings to God tenaciously. Another friend has recently lost her husband of over 60 years. As the sorrow and loss fully hit, her body and soul will suffer excruciating pain.

The list could go on and on. I could become overwhelmed by the many stories of discouragement, depression, and discomfort. But today's verse shows me the power surge God will faithfully administer to each one. I know that each friend I mentioned looks to Him for the strength and power that only He can supply.

Right now, the terrain of their journey is rugged. Their situations have not seemed to change much. But in the midst of their storms God is faithful to infuse them with strength that they cannot produce on their own. He will send friends to encourage them but the actual strength will be administered by Him directly.

Like a life guard breathing life into a drowning victim, like an IV bag infusing medication into a patient, like a cord being plugged into a power source, they are connected to an ever present, ever ready, ever willing Source of strength and power. Therefore, I can continually lift them up in prayer and know His grace will be sufficient.

Father, You care about my friends even more than I do. Thank you for the strength You are giving them as their storms rage. You are not only their safe harbor and lighthouse You are the Provider of strength they need. Amen.

Roots and Fruit

The surviving remnant of the house of Judah will again take root downward and bear fruit upward. Isaiah 37:31

Fruit trees bear fruit as their roots go down deep into the soil for minerals and water. They are tapped into a rich source that is necessary for life. Jesus told us to sink our roots into Him by abiding in Him and it would result in us bearing fruit.

There are many things I can do without abiding in Christ and being connected to God's heart. I can join a church, get involved, teach, sing in the choir, go on visitation, work in children's ministries, attend seminars, read books, and do countless other things and STILL not see fruit. While these things are good they are not meant to be my life source. They are not what connect my heart to God's heart.

Connecting and abiding transpire when I simply come to God and receive from Him what He longs to give me. I have spent years looking to people and things to fill the emptiness in my life, to give me my identity, to meet my deepest needs. But as I did, I missed the true Source. It wasn't until I finally stopped and turned to God, and said, "You fill me where I am empty" that I found the connection and I marvel at what has transpired.

I know fruit will come of this ~ it is only natural. But it will not be because I am straining to produce it on my own. It will come because it is the natural result of abiding in Christ. While Satan would be quick to give me a list of things to do, God says to just stay connected to Him. Right now He is nurturing my spirit in ways I have never known. This is all new for me.
He has things for me to do and He has a work He is calling me to. But I must sink my spiritual roots downward in Him before I can begin to bear any fruit upward.

Father, I am in awe of how this works. Nurture me fully and produce Your fruit in me. You are my Source. Amen

Relying and Resting

Now on whom do you rely? Isaiah 36:5

I find it interesting how often God's character is brought into question. I make choices each day to hold on to the truth about God or to give in to the lies. Isaiah 36 is a chapter with a message meant to chip away at the truth about God. The outline is incredible. The plot is simple. Get them to question their trust in God, get them to question those who proclaim the truth about God, get them distracted with the "success" of the enemy, and make numerous good sounding promises to them.

I must be careful when listening to the counsel of others. I must make sure it reinforces the truth about God. When I walk away do their words cause me to trust God more or less? Do their words give me hope for victory or thoughts of defeat? Is my resolve to rely on and follow God strengthened or weakened? Is my view of God enlarged or diminished? Do I hold God's hand tighter or do I find myself grasping at something or someone else to hold on to?

I must remember, God is my Protector, Provider, and Peace. It does not matter what the circumstances look like, what the people around me are saying, how impossible things seem, or whether or not I know how something is going to turn out. What matters is how tightly I hold on to the truth about God.

Often, I find myself in need of remembering how God is truly the orchestrator of my life. As I cooperate with Him I am witness to His amazing abilities. I think of the beauty of the sunset. My job is to simply stand in awe of God's work. I am meant to rely on Him and to respond to what He chooses to do with me. I cannot make the mistake of relying on myself or anyone else to accomplish God's work in me.

Father, I once again yield the canvas of my life to You. I marvel at the choices You make for me. Thank you. Amen.

God Sees It All

Whom have you reproached and blasphemed? And against whom have you raised your voice and haughtily lifted up your eyes? Against the Holy One of Israel! Isaiah 37:23

When Saul wreaked havoc in the early church, Jesus was quick to ask, "Why are you persecuting Me?" It was more than identification with His people's suffering. It was, in fact, an acknowledgment that Saul's actions were against Christ Himself. It was no different with the Assyrians. God pointed out that all the threats, haughtiness, and poisonous words were directly spoken to him and about Him! As some people would say, "Thems are fightin' words!" Persecute His children and blaspheme His name and you WILL arouse God's anger. Can we possibly expect anything less from a loving God? Does not nature itself pattern this for us? Like a mother bear when her cubs are in danger, God is moved by the troubles of His children.

As I pen these words, I am aware there is persecution of Christians in many parts of the world. Loss, torture, imprisonment, and even death are faced by countless believers. Foxx's Book of Martyrs is so gruesome I can never read past the first three pages. I marvel at the tenacity and strength God has given His children.

When we see it happen, we question why and wonder when it will stop. I learn two truths from today's passage. God is fully aware of what is happening and He will act on behalf of His people. The same is true in each of our lives. God is aware of each heart ache and difficulty. He will act on our behalf. As we face the problems and injustices of this world may we remember Jesus identifies with us and God will use all of it! He won't waste any of it. I not only stand on that, I rest in it!

Father, You not only see what happens to Your children, You personally ache over it. Redeem each situation. Bring forth beauty from all the ashes. Amen.

A Productive Process

You will also be a crown of beauty in the hand of the LORD, and a royal diadem in the hand of your God…you will be called ‘My delight is in her’…for the LORD delights in you…as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so your God rejoices over you. Isaiah 62:3-5

In the summer of 2004 I came across this passage for what seemed like the first time. I had been on my journey for barely five months and this is what I journaled at the time…

It touches my heart and blows my mind that God sees me as a crown in His hand. Something of worth, value, and beauty. Someone He cherishes, loves, delights in, and rejoices over. May He steal my heart and keep me in awe of such wonder. His love and gentleness are foreign to me. I have viewed Him as tolerant of me at best. I was satisfied if I wasn’t offending Him in any way but I never dared to dream that He would actually extravagantly love me. Slight interest but not delight and rejoice over me. Slave master and harsh judge but not gentle, caring Abba Father. My view of Him has been distorted like bad reception on a tv. But through His Spirit, Word, and gentle touch He will bring Himself into right focus for me.

At that time, I was just beginning to catch a glimpse of the truth about God and His love for me. I longed for the picture to be clear and truthful. I wanted to see myself through His eyes. Now, almost two years later this passage does not seem foreign to me anymore but it still arrests the deepest part of me as I drink in words like delight and rejoicing. As I daily take in His message to me I become the recipient of His smile, His encouragement, His touch, and His delight.

I cannot point to an exact time when God finally convinced me of the truths of His love. It was a process much like a metamorphosis. I began reading His Word and devouring books that taught me the truth about His love for me. Over the course of months the truth began to sink in. The fog of my soul was beginning to clear away and what I saw was breath taking.

He is not finished with me yet. There are still lies and distortions He wants to reveal and heal. But what He has done so far is beyond what I at one time thought was possible.

Father, you continue to amaze me with the truths of Your heart. The more I see the more I hunger. Show me, convince me, change me. Amen.

Relying and Resting

Now on whom do you rely? Isaiah 36:5

I find it interesting how often God's character is brought into question. I make choices each day to hold on to the truth about God or to give in to the lies. Isaiah 36 is a chapter with a message meant to chip away at the truth about God. The outline is incredible. The plot is simple. Get them to question their trust in God, get them to question those who proclaim the truth about God, get them distracted with the "success" of the enemy, and make numerous good sounding promises to them.

I must be careful when listening to the counsel of others. I must make sure it reinforces the truth about God. When I walk away do their words cause me to trust God more or less? Do their words give me hope for victory or thoughts of defeat? Is my resolve to rely on and follow God strengthened or weakened? Is my view of God enlarged or diminished? Do I hold God's hand tighter or do I find myself grasping at something or someone else to hold on to?

I must remember, God is my Protector, Provider, and Peace. It does not matter what the circumstances look like, what the people around me are saying, how impossible things seem, or whether or not I know how something is going to turn out. What matters is how tightly I hold on to the truth about God.
Often, I find myself in need of remembering how God is truly the orchestrator of my life. As I cooperate with Him I am witness to His amazing abilities. I think of the beauty of the sunset. My job is to simply stand in awe of God's work. I am meant to rely on Him and to respond to what He chooses to do with me. I cannot make the mistake of relying on myself or anyone else to accomplish God's work in me.

Father, I once again yield the canvas of my life to You. I marvel at the choices You make for me. Thank you. Amen.

A Strong Confidence

Then Rabshakeh said to them, "Say now to Hezekiah, thus says the great king, the king of Assyria, what is this confidence that you have?" Isaiah 36:4

The Assyrian army was to come against Judah ~ God's chosen people. Their track record against other nations was impressive. At present, they were undefeated and VERY confident. There was a smugness about them as they spewed out threats, lies, and distortions. Their opening question was meant to defeat with ridicule.

Many times, especially in the storms of life, the enemy of our soul uses the same tactics with us. He loves to shake our confidence by causing us to doubt the victory that is ours in Christ. His attacks must employ those things our senses experience ~ what we see, feel, and hear. It is easy to let circumstances define life for us. But we have to remember, things are not always as they appear. God is still on the throne and it is His hand we hold and His heart we trust even when all that is around us threatens to do us in.

Unless we realize our confidence is in God, we will have a tendency to think people, things, and events rule our life. A year ago when I found myself resigning from teaching and working a temp job at a warehouse for educational materials, I wasn't sure what was ahead. At that point I had two choices...fear or faith. Many mornings I would sit in my car and remind myself that God (NOT my circumstances and NOT my employer) was in control of my life. I would listen to music that reinforced that truth. He was and still is faithful!

Father, may I see that I am STILL in Your hands. Amen.

Streams, Pools, and Springs of Water

For waters will break forth in the wilderness and streams in the Arabah. The scorched land will become a pool and the thirsty ground springs of water...a highway will be there, a roadway, and it will be called the Highway of Holiness. Isaiah 35:6-8

I recently went through a discouraging time. I won't bother listing the lies and negative thoughts that were more than happy to make their presence known. Let's just say I lived, for a time, with utter despondency. Tears came as the ache grew. I was in a place all too familiar to my soul. I know others can relate with this. Times like this use to scare me. In the past I could not see any hope of escape.

But recently I have noticed two incredible changes. I have learned how to cling to God. He is teaching me it is okay to let Him know what is going on in my head and heart. Not that He doesn't already know, but He longs for ME to see it. There use to be a time I couldn't do that. I feared His condemnation, stern look, and ready lecture. But what I experience now is His understanding, His embrace, and His listening ear. Those are the rewards for any of us who dare to live honest before Him.

The second change I have noticed is the absence of fear that things won't get better. I couldn't see myself ever having a light spirit again. But recently it is the promise that peace and joy will return to me that gives me hope. These verses show a beautiful scene unfold in the wilderness and desert....streams, springs of water, and a roadway. Those terms reveal refreshment and direction for me. I know it's coming. I know It's available. And I know eventually God will open my eyes to it. Just like Abraham saw the ram in the thicket and Hagar saw the well of water, I know I will see what isn't apparent yet.

And it happened!

Father, thank you for Your gentleness and provision when I momentarily pass through valleys. I love it when Your encouragement lifts me up. Amen.

Comforting Words

Isaiah said to them, "Thus you shall say to our master, ‘Thus says the LORD, do not be afraid because of the words that you have heard‘." Isaiah 37:6

There are times when we need to seek out the godly counsel and prayers of others. Just like Judah, we find ourselves under attack. The Assyrians attacked with threats and questions of God's ability to help. Each difficulty that comes has the potential to do the same to us. Hence, we need people of strong faith to turn to when so much overwhelms us. Many times God will bring us reassurance through the words of another person.

In essence, God says to us what He said to King Hezekiah, "Don't be afraid. I will take care of everything." May we know it is true that God is not only aware of our predicament but He is actively involved in our situation. Faith means I keep holding on to the hand that is holding on to me. It means I listen to what God says above the many voices that lie to me. That I fix my eyes on Him rather than the experiences I am going through.

Presently, I am not facing storms or difficulties. But I am aware of some dear friends who are. May I use this time in my life to uphold them in prayer and encourage them as God shows me how. May I not feel helpless. Prayer is the most powerful gift I can offer for them.

Father, I can think of no greater One to turn to for my friends or myself. Show me practical things I can do for them. I place them in Your hands and I rejoice that they are safe. Amen.

A Right View of God

For jealousy enrages a man, and he will not spare in the day of vengeance. He will not accept any ransom. Nor will he be satisfied though you give many gifts. Proverbs 6:34, 35

Ever know someone whom you offended and no matter what you said or did to try to make up for it they refused to forgive you? From that day forward you were no longer a recipient of their love or friendship. Arms that use to hug you warmly upon a greeting were no longer extended to you. Disgust marked their face, cold shoulders were apparent, and the permanence of their view of you was felt.

It took a long time for me to see that my view of God had such distortions. Every day was lived under the feeling that I had offended Him and I learned to shy away from the One who longed to draw me close. He wanted very much for me to see how willing He was to forgive me. I didn’t know that the father of the prodigal son was an exquisite picture of God when any of us return to Him. I didn’t know His longing and heart’s desire was for reconciliation. He is a God who invites us to come to Him for any reason!

I sometimes wonder what it would be like had there never been a ransom paid for my sin by Christ on the cross. If God had never been satisfied by the death of His Son. At the age of 14 I was very concerned about where I would spend eternity. I did not understand death, Heaven, or Hell. As a matter of fact, I thought when a person died they just stopped existing and that scared me…..at times even put me in tears. I cannot imagine what it would be like as an adult in my late forties if I still did not know the truth about God and where I would be spending eternity.

Thirty-three years ago God helped me to settle the issue of my salvation. Now decades later He continues to help me see His acceptance of me every time I come to Him with a need for forgiveness and reconciliation. I am cowering less and approaching Him more with the awareness that His love really is everlasting. No, He is nothing like the person described in the passage above. Today I walk in the awareness that He is my loving Abba and that definitely changes everything for me.

Father, the image I had of You never fit and for so long I didn’t understand why. Thank you for opening my eyes to the truth about yourself. Amen.

Beware of the Counterfeits

Until I come and take you away to a land like your own land, a land of grain and new wine, a land of bread and vineyards. Isaiah 36:17 (New American Standard Bible)

The enemy of our souls is a master at dangling counterfeit "carrots" in front of us. God lead His people to a chosen land ~ prepared just for them. The Assyrians were seeking to allure them away from their land and their God. Unless they held on to truth they would easily be persuaded to desert everything.

It is no different for us as believers today. Sometimes our journey takes us into places that resemble deserts and wildernesses. It is there that God seeks to teach us more about Himself and our walk with Him. It is imperative that we stay put until He moves us.

It can be so easy to seek shelter in other places besides the shadow of His wings. To look for answers from human sources rather than the Ultimate Source. To read books about the Bible rather than digging for gold nuggets in the Bible itself. Distractions continue to be Satan's bait in our life.

We must allow God to design our Christian lives for us. But rather than spend time with Him and allow His Spirit to do His transforming work in me, I can so easily decide I'll just copy another person's walk. I go after the counterfeits until I realize internal change never comes from outward conformity. I must seek an authentic relationship with God. He has NO twins in His kingdom.

May He give us the discernment to see when we are being lured by counterfeits. Then may we have enough fortitude to hold on tighter to His hand. We must stay in the place He puts us and abide with the One who loves us most.

Father, may I always know You are the genuine One. Your plans for me are always the best! Amen.

A Small Word That Says A Lot

While He was in one of the cities, behold, there was a man covered with leprosy, and when he saw Jesus, he fell on his face and implored Him, saying, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.” Luke 5:12

The simplicity of this man’s prayer is striking. We are not told how long he had lived with his leprosy but it was very extensive. Leprosy affected more than a person’s health. A person with leprosy had to move away from their home and society. They were required by law to yell out “unclean” if they were approached. It was highly contagious, disfiguring, and stigmatizing. Human touch was no longer available to them. There was no medical cure for it. In Bible times, it was the most dreaded and feared disease a person could have.

I cannot imagine all that was going through this man’s mind when he saw Jesus. This was his only hope of healing and he literally laid it all on the line with a short but powerful prayer. As I look at his prayer of ten words, the smallest word becomes the most profound word to me…..IF. It is a word that denotes choice with no guarantee. He had most likely heard of the many healings that Jesus had already performed so he knew the ability was there. It was not a question of “can You?” but rather “will You?”

Each of us have times in our life when we come to God with the same dilemma as this leper. We have a need, we give voice to our desire, and the word “if” lives within our prayer or at least within our mind. For some of us, it is not a question of God’s ability but rather His will. Prayer can easily become an exercise whereby we are trying to talk God into something that we are convinced He does not really want to do. Much of this thinking comes from a wrong view of God. We misinterpret His sovereignty as a way to make our life uncomfortable. We question His heart, His motives, and His ways. How He must grieve to see us cower to make requests of Him!
I want to learn to approach God with the simplistic trust of this leper. I want to see His heart and His character in the right way when I come to Him with a need. May I stop thinking that God hands out more “No’s” than “Yes’s”. There area still misconceptions about Him that He longs to clear up for me.

Father, my prayers reveal a lot about how I view You. As You transform my view of You, my prayers will be radically changed. Amen.

A Channel of Encouragement

Encourage the exhausted, and strengthen the feeble. Say to those with anxious heart, take courage, fear not. Behold, your God will come with vengeance, the recompense of God will come, but He will save you. Isaiah 35:3,4

I like the 35th chapter of Isaiah. It is a chapter full of hope and promise. Each of us faces times of exhaustion and feebleness physically, emotionally, and spiritually. It becomes easy to stay in a cocoon of discouragement. God knows when we have hit that point.

I have noticed today's verse isn't telling the person to encourage and strengthen themselves. God is telling us to do that for one another. Yet it is not always easy to see when someone is struggling. After all, when was the last time you recall someone raising their hand in a prayer service and admitting they ached from exhaustion and weakness? Even when someone asks them how they are doing, they give the quick "fine." We have somehow bought into the lie that we must always appear strong. And yet we soak our pillow with tears in the night feeling like God is the only One who cares, understands, or even wants to hear the truth.

May He open our eyes to the heart conditions of those around us. May He help us to see when someone is quieter than usual, withdrawing into themselves, or avoiding usual activities. Then may He give us the insight and wisdom to know how to draw truth out of them.

Lasting encouragement will come as we redirect their thinking back to God and His ability to lift them up. It takes time, prayer, and usage of Scripture. The full light may not come on for them right away. But a little encouragement at a time, over a long period of time, will ultimately have amazing affects. Many times we are called upon to use an "eye dropper" not a fire hose when speaking words of encouragement to a person. May we be loving and patient as we seek to plant the right seeds.

Father, open my eyes to those in need of encouragement today. Help me catch the slightest clue that their internal world is about to collapse. I know You will give me the words and opportunities. Thank you. Amen.

The Ultimate Landscaper

The wilderness and the desert will be glad, and the Arabah will rejoice and blossom; like the crocus it will blossom profusely and rejoice with rejoicing and shout of joy. Isaiah 35:1,2

Wilderness and desert. Those two words conjure up images in my mind of emptiness, loneliness, and dryness. While there may be life and plant growth in such places, it is sparse. Compared to a tropical rain forest or lush landscape it has more barrenness than vegetation. Conditions are ripe for thirst and discomfort.

Many times it is not unusual to find ourselves in spiritual deserts and wildernesses. At first glance there is no shade, no food, no water, and no company. It certainly lacks the comforts of home. Makes me more fully appreciate the 40 days Jesus spent in the wilderness fasting and praying.

That's one reason today's verse seems so extraordinary to me. to think of a wilderness or desert being glad, rejoicing, and blossoming is amazing! Sounds like an incredible way to spend my time in a place that is so easy to dread. If God can bring water out of a rock, He can surely bring life to the barren places in me.

His desire for me is to experience the joy and rejoicing even in the midst of my deserts. My flesh cannot manufacture this on my own, it must be Spirit produced. Those areas I yield to Him become the landscape He works with. I have a choice. I can hold on to the dryness or release it into His hands. He is the ultimate landscaper.

Father, I have been holding on to the very things You seek to work with. Give me the grace to let go. Amen.

Changing My View of God

He went on turning away, in the way of his heart. I have seen his ways, but I will heal him. Isaiah 57:17,18

There are times, even as believers, when we are prone to turn away from God and His ways. It is the way of our heart. God sees that. He knows ahead of time when that is going to happen. And yet although He has seen our ways and our waywardness He says “I will heal him.” His intent is never to leave us in our wanderings. Before salvation He was purposefully wooing us to Himself. After salvation He still woos us back to Himself.

I am learning that the first steps back to God are in being honest before Him. To admit to Him what is happening and what is going on in my heart. I use to find that so hard to do. I struggled to get past the thoughts of Him being disappointed and angry with me. When I would blow it, rather than approach Him with the truth and a heart of repentance, I would just try to improve my behavior and hope with time He would forget about the offense. It doesn’t work that way! Avoidance of the issues leads to a feeling of separation from God. Although He never leaves me I sense a distance. Unbeknownst to me, His desire was always to remove the distance.

A lot of this had to do with my view of God. When I viewed Him as angry, unapproachable, and tolerating me at best, I shrunk back rather than drew near. It wasn’t until I began to see what He was really like that I could come out of hiding and actually come to Him. He used examples in Scripture to help clear up my misperceptions. One example was the father of the returning prodigal son. If you are not familiar with the story take time to read Luke 15:11-32. For any who cannot see God as a loving, heavenly Father, that story will revolutionize you.

It is not just at salvation that God embraces us and celebrates our coming to Him. It happens every time we come to Him with honest confession of what is going on in our heart, life, and actions. I am finding it is okay to admit to God that my flesh is getting the best of me. To admit to feelings of anger, jealousy, and a bruised ego. To confess again that my heart has turned to idols of various shapes and sizes. He has known it all along! When I come He welcomes me back….every time!

Father, Your love overwhelms me this morning. Continue to change my view of You in areas where there are still distortions. Amen.

My Sure Refuge

He who walks righteously and speaks with sincerity, he who rejects unjust gain and shakes his hands so they hold no bribe; he who stops his ears from hearing about bloodshed and shuts his eyes from looking upon evil; he will dwell on the heights, his refuge will be the impregnable rock; his bread will be given him, his water will be sure. Isaiah 33:15,16

When our children were young they learned the song "O Be Careful." It was a song meant to teach the importance of guarding your eyes, ears, mouth, hands, and feet. As Christians, we hopefully learn to use those instruments for good rather than evil. Isaiah gives us God's version of that song. It goes beyond the fact that God is watching from above. It is God's way of giving us a peak into what is to be ours. He wants us to see a place of safety and surety He has provided for us as well as the sustenance we need.

This world is not always "user friendly." Days can seem long, deprivation can be cruel, people can disappoint us, health can fail us, and circumstances can leave us drained. But God intends for us to seek our shelter and refuge in Him when the storms hit. In affect, He not only shelters us but sustains us and nourishes us.

I grew up in Michigan ~ not far from Lake Michigan. Over the years, I have noticed the dramatic changes of the coastline. Houses that were built far back on the cliffs are now close to the edge as the elements have eroded the sand. Each assault takes away from an unsure foundation. THAT is a picture of other sources I may be tempted to seek refuge in. It may look safe and feel safe for awhile but erosion happens. And one day I find myself close to the edge.
How different the picture is of God. He is the impregnable Rock! Not one bit of His foundation is ever a victim to erosion. He is as trustworthy and dependable now as in eternity past. That is why when the best of plans fail, when friends are unable or unwilling to meet my needs, when my circumstances leave me worn, I am able to be strengthened internally as I dwell on high, seek His refuge, and feed off His ever fresh supply of food for my soul.

Father, You are aware of the very things that assault me today. I once again resort to Your shelter. Enfold me with Yourself. Amen.

Learning To Listen

You who are far away, hear what I have done, and you who are near, acknowledge My might. Isaiah 33:13

I have a friend with whom I could listen to for hours and never tire of her stories. When she speaks I pay close attention to her words because I want to gain insight into her life. I walk away from each conversation knowing more of how God has worked in her life. It restores the hope in me that God is working in my life as well.

God puts a lot of stock in the importance of learning about Him and His work. Whether it is something I hear from His Word, a sermon, a friend, a book or a song, as I take in the messages my view of God is enlarged. God wants me to be attentive and alert to the things He wants to teach me about Himself. That is one reason we have all the wonderful accounts in Scripture recorded for us. His Word is His own testimony of His character as well as His accomplishments. But He did not stop when the last verse was written.

Each of us have stories to tell of how God intersected our world at pivotal moments. Those stories are meant to be shared…whether with one individual or many. Each time I hear of God’s mighty work in someone’s life, His intent is that I would know that the same God is at work in me. When I see Him turn impossible situations to favorable ones in the lives of others, my faith is boosted that there is still hope for my own situation.

But it does not stop with hearing about His works. It is then imperative to acknowledge what I have heard. The stories are most affective when I take what I hear, agree with it, and see God’s right and authority to act on my behalf. To begin to take notice of what He has done, is doing, and will do in my life.

So what are the things I acknowledge about God today? When I hear another person’s story, what revelation of God will be a result of it? The word “knowledge” is part of the word “acknowledge” reminding me that I must first be aware of something before I can truly acknowledge it.

Father, my ears are open to hear You today. Your voice will travel through many vehicles to reach me. May I be attentive to all You have to say. Amen.

A Trustworthy Source

Let Him trust in the name of the LORD and rely on his God. Isaiah 50:10

We put our confidence in many things and people. At first we may have to think about it but with time trust can be something we automatically do. Good experiences build our ability to trust more. Bad experiences are painful but they can give us wisdom and discernment for the future.

Confidence is only as strong as the ability of the object or person. If I place my trust in something or someone that is not safe, stable, or sound the foundation will prove unreliable with time. It will give way under the weight of my expectations. Being fully confident in my beliefs will not change the degree of reliability of that object or person.

While people and things can prove to be untrustworthy, Scripture reveals the truth about God’s character, ability, and strength. When I place my trust in Him and in what He has said I am positioning myself on a solid foundation. One reason for all the stories in the Bible is to help us realize God can be trusted ALL the time to do what is right, good, and loving.

I cannot allow circumstances or the actions of others to be the test for whether or not I can rely upon God. I must trust Him with abandon and allow Him to interpret the events of my life through His grid of truth and trustworthiness.

On a practical level, God has recently changed the dynamics of my journey. He has called me on to a path of individual time with Him. A mentoring relationship has been completed and God is calling me away from the shelter and security of this person’s availability. The relationship is still there but her role as a mentor has been changed.

Trust in the goodness and love of God is what helps me to see this as a good and necessary thing. It is being done FOR me not TO me. For unless I venture on to the trail He has designed for me I will begin to see my growth deteriorate. Unless I embrace Him fully and allow Him to shift my focus and dependability unto Himself, I will cease to hear His voice. I trust His heart, His timing, and His ways!

Father, You are trustworthy. Thank you for the seasons of my life that change in Your time and in Your way. I take Your hand as I step on to this trail You have prepared for me. Amen.
Father

A Collection of Precious Things

The LORD is exalted, for He dwells on high; He has filled Zion with justice and righteousness. And He will be the stability of your times. A wealth of salvation, wisdom and knowledge, the fear of the LORD is his treasure. Isaiah 33:5,6

Each one of us face moments (even days or weeks) of uncertainty because we live in a fallen world. Life gets sticky and faulty foundations we build our lives on can prove to be loose, shaky, and untrustworthy. How encouraging to know that even in the midst of turmoil God is our stability. The very One who gives us strength to stand and endure. When everything in us wants to scream, "I'm not going to survive this," God is the One who keeps our internal world stable, steadfast, and sure. It is not a "pie in the sky" mentality. It is a truth that can be relied upon.

In the moments when our soul feels bankrupt and our support system has failed, God is the One who lavishes us with salvation, wisdom, and knowledge. He does not leave us to fend for ourselves. The part of us that makes decisions and chooses paths is guided by these incredible tools.

And the precious thing for us becomes our view of God. The fear of the LORD is our treasure. Fear in this sense does not refer to being apprehensive or afraid. It is having a reverential awe of God. To see His character, power, and heart and stand back in wonder. To know He can be trusted to not only get us through certain situations and relationships but to bring us out on the other side victorious.

I am becoming more and more aware of the truth that each circumstance I face and each person I come in contact with becomes a teacher about God. They show me something about who God is and what He is like or who God is not and what He is not like. Sometimes I have to clear away the falsehoods to see the truth.

Father, this morning uncertainties beat at the door of my spirit. May your stability, wisdom, and knowledge answer them all. Amen.

Personalizing Scripture

O LORD, be gracious to us; we have waited for You. Be their strength every morning, our salvation also in the time of distress. Isaiah 33:2

Scripture is meant to engage our hearts. For years I was not able to apply the words to myself. God always seemed to be talking to Israel or David or some other patriarch. Unless it was a generic verse that mentioned the whole world or a verse of condemnation, I did not think I could own it as mine. Oh, the many messages I did not hear!

This morning I had the privilege and experience of putting my name in Isaiah 33:2. It became my prayer and my heart's cry to God. Penned almost 3,000 years ago it becomes fresh and alive for me today. It becomes my words spoken into the very ears of God. I know He delights in the times I use His words as my own personal prayer journal. Although it took me decades to begin embracing His words for myself, He smiles at the fact that I do it now.

But I have also learned the power that comes when I pray scripture and insert a friend's name there. I can only imagine how it would minister to someone if I sent them an email or card with these words:

Friend,May the Lord be gracious to You ~ I know you are waiting for Him to act. May He be Your strength every morning and your salvation at this difficult time in your life.

I can imagine they would see my love and concern for them, but even more, their eyes would be directed toward the real Source of their help!

Father, this morning there are many names (including my own) that I could insert in this portion of Scripture. They are as fresh today as when Isaiah first penned them. Thank You that Your eyes and heart are open to my cry. Amen.

Above and Beyond

For as the heavens are higher than the earth. so are My ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:9

This verse is a good reminder to me that we cannot out dream, out think, or out plan God! Anything we come up with God can take farther than we imagined. He is not limited by our limitations. Often we can only see the little picture or what is right in front of us. We assume we have seen it all. That there is no more to come of it. Maybe it is time we allowed God to remind us of what He has done in the past so that our view of what He wants to do in the present and future will be enlarged.

For quite some time now I have been sending out email devotionals. It is my joy of each morning! I came across the very first devotional journal entry that I made in the spring of 2004. It went as follows:

James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting. James 1:1

James is writing to Jewish Christians who are scattered because of persecution. Many would have been babes in Christ. He surely remembered his fear when the disciples fled the Garden of Gethsemane. He will draw upon personal experiences to encourage them.
Each time I have been emotionally or physically separated from someone I love, the pain can be great. May I remember the pain when someone else faces it.

Show me Your presence and remind me of Your love when the people I so much want to be with are not available. Amen.

When I first started journaling my thoughts I had no intention of sharing them with anyone. But God’s ways are higher than my ways. He took the beginning seeds of my time with Him and grew them into what I send out today. Once again I have to tell myself that His ways are still higher than my ways. I don’t think He is finished with His purpose in the devotionals. He has more in store than I have dared to believe Him for. May I join Him!

Father, I want to know Your higher ways and thoughts for me. Amen.

A Place to Turn

Each will be like a refuge from the wind and a shelter from the storm, like streams of water in a dry country, like the shade of a huge rock in a parched land. Isaiah 32:2

I have heard some people say when they became Christians they thought all their troubles would be over and it would be smooth sailing from that point on. But for individuals like that, the day eventually comes that reveals their mistaken perception. They come to realize two important truths: they still possess a sin nature and they still live in a fallen world. Christians are not immune to heartbreak, tragedy, sickness, loss or any host of other catastrophes. The many hurricanes in the southern states affected the lives of both believers and non believers. The war in Iraq has brought death and mutilation to Christians as well as non Christians. The truth of the matter is that Christians suffer in this world like everyone else.

The difference between Christians and non believers isn't what goes on in the external world as much as what goes on in the internal world. We have a refuge, shelter, streams of water, and shade from the elements of our world. Because we know that our God rules justly and righteously, we know the results are always in good hands. Compared to eternity this life is a vapor. So the trials and tragedies are very temporary. At the time though, they can seem long and over whelming.

That is when we must go back to the Protector of our soul. Like stepping into a house when the weather gets bad, God will enfold us during the storms of our life. What is it we bring to Him? The beating of the wind? He is a refuge. The storm? He is the shelter. The dry places of our inner world? He is the living water (the streams of water) that spring up in us. The parched landscape of our internal world? He is the Rock that provides the shade in which we can stand and refresh ourselves.

I use to equate Christian maturity with never feeling pain again. Let come what may, I should be able to hold my head up high and not let anything affect me. True growth came the day I realized I won't get through this life without pain. But now I know where to take the pain and hurts of life. I am reminded once again of God's protection, presence, and care in my life. I cannot imagine facing life without having a place of safety to retreat.

Father, You see my plights and You shelter me. May I resort to Your arms daily. Amen.

A Tender Shepherd

The LORD binds up the fracture of His people and heals the bruise He inflicted. Isaiah 30:26b

I have heard it said if a lamb continually wanders away from the flock the shepherd may take extreme measures to break the habit. He will break the front legs of the lamb and carry him on his shoulders until his legs heal. He is brought close to the shepherd even in that time of discipline.

It strikes me that many times it is in the experiencing of painful consequences that we make our way back to the Shepherd of our souls. Let’s face it, pain can be an effective deterrent and wake up call. God knows each of us so intimately that He sees the way we are prone to wander and He implements the means which will bring us back to Himself.

What I find comforting is the picture in today's verse of what He does once we come back to Him. He begins to do His work on the broken places in us and the very bruises He caused. I picture a doctor gently wrapping up a broken arm. Or a nurse applyng some ointment to a bruised area.

God knows that in our times of wandering and coming back we are in need of healing internally. He has much to show us about why we wandered off in the first place. Not much woud be gained if we merely experienced the painful consequences of our wrong choices. That's only a small picture of the whole process.

Part of His binding and healing is done with loving rebuke and lasting assurance. His intent is not that we cower in fear and shame. His purpose is for restoration and reconciliation. He is NOT a "Hitler" who strikes the table in anger and heaps disgust on us. He is a loving heavenly Father who longs to embrace us and bring us back into unity with Himself. If that is hard to fathom, think of a person who loves you dearly and would meet you with open arms and reassuring words. Think of the feeling of acceptance their embrace gives you. THAT is a mere shadow of God's heart.

Father, I marvel that You meet me with such gracious acceptance. May I demonstrate that quality to others so they will begin to understand that aspect of You. Amen.

An Inability to Rest

Then his servants came near and spoke to him and said, My father, had the prophet told you to do some great thing would you not have done it? How much more then, when he says to you, Wash, and be clean? 2 Kings 5:13

The simplicity of Naaman’s healing was astounding. He merely had to wash seven times in the Jordan River and his leprosy would be completely healed. Leprosy was a disease that carried with it a great deal of stigmatism and separation for the victim. Much like AIDs in our day. But instead of being grateful, Naaman was insulted by the option that was given to him. As he stormed off in rage, his servants came along side him with much needed insight and wisdom. They knew he did not lack fortitude. He would have done the most difficult task assigned to him. What he lacked was an obedient, humble, willing heart.

I find it interesting that many people have the same reaction to the Gospel message. The fact that salvation and connection to God is based on grace alone is unacceptable to them. Instead of accepting God’s offer as a gift, they walk away to begin working their way to heaven. I marvel at the tirelessness of people in false religions and cults that emphasize works over grace.

Sometimes they are driven by pride and self-sufficiency. But other times they just cannot conceive of a God who is so generous and loving. The image does not match what they have been taught or lead to believe. Or maybe they have just given up hope because they believe the lie that they have out-sinned God. I spoke with my 70 year old step dad one time and he shared his reason for not accepting Christ. He said he just doesn’t deserve to be forgiven for all the sin in his life. How sad! Unless God opens his eyes to the truth about mercy and forgiveness he will spend an eternity in hell because he felt unworthy to accept God’s free gift.

I also find it interesting how many believers have a ‘works’ mentality when it comes to their Christian life. They received God’s free gift of salvation but then felt like the rules had somehow changed once they became a Christian. For 30 years of my Christian life I fell into this very mindset. I believed God’s love was dependent on what I did and yet I could never seem to do enough. No matter how involved I got in Christian service I never seemed to be able to just rest in God’s unconditional love for me. In my mind, He tolerated me more than loved me. He was not the one I felt comfortable talking to. My sanguine personality caused others to think I was walking in joy but internally I was empty, self condemning, and unable to see God as a loving heavenly Father.

Seeing that God’s love for me as His child is unconditional has changed my whole life! I see many Christians in the same place I use to be and it breaks my heart. I am burdened for them to taste this aspect of God. I long to see them experience God in a way that is foreign to them now. May I be willing to come along side them, like Naaman’s friends, and help them see God for who He really is.

Father, for so many decades I knew so little about You. I had salvation and a lot of head knowledge but I walked empty. Thank you for redirecting my steps. I have a long way to go but I love the journey to Your heart. Amen.

A Daily Choice

And you will defile your graven images overlaid with silver, and your molten images plated with gold. You will scatter them as an impure thing, and say to them, "Be gone!" Isaiah 30:22

One person astutely said, "We truly repent when we are finally done with our sin." But we will not get to that place until our appetites change. Only God can do such a work in us that what we once embraced we now abhor, what we once held on to we now abandon, what we once cherished we now despise. I am challenged today with a way to begin praying in regards to a change of appetite for my sin. Imagine the power of prayers like....

"God, help me to see my sin as You see it. Let my sin lose its appeal. May it disgust me and may I be repulsed by it. Let me become so attracted to You that sin would lose its attraction. Let me take it as seriously as You do. Let me remove its mask of beauty to reveal its true nature. For every sin is really an idol that needs to be taken down."

Until we are ready to say "be gone" to the sinful habits that we cater to, our lives remain unchanged. It must become a daily decision on our part to discard and denounce sin.

Father, You want me free. May I let go of those things in my life that are not OF You or FOR You. Amen.

Open and Receptive

Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13

(I dedicate today's thoughts to friends who presently are facing difficulties and hard decisions without knowing the outcomes. For them, faith has become tenuous and their inner world seems torn. Even so they have not let go of the hand that holds them tightly.)

There are times I want to be so filled up with all that God offers , that I squish when I walk! God is a God of extravagance. He does not use an eye dropper in meeting my needs. He wants to fill me completely with joy and peace. He wants me to abound in hope.

Give people anything in this world. Pour it on them lavishly. Friends, wealth, importance, notoriety, honor, prestige, property....the list is endless. But if their life is absent of joy, peace, or hope those things in and of themselves will not satisfy the longings of their heart. That's why Scripture says a man's life does not consist of the things he owns. The accumulation of external things will never accomplish an internal work.

Many times we make the mistake of thinking a change of job, circumstance, or possession will bring us joy, peace, and hope. But those are needs that can only be supplied by God. We must ask Him to connect us to Himself in such a way that the supply gets through to us. The Bible gives us roadmaps. For peace ~ trust in the Lord with all you heart. For joy ~ rejoice in the Lord always. For hope ~ look onto Jesus.

Imagine praying this verse over yourself or a loved on daily. Replacing the word "you" with the word "me" or with your loved one's name. It is then that God can begin that internal work that brings about radical change.

Father, Your extravagance is beyond my comprehension. Fill me completely. Amen.

As Good As Done

Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for He has visited us and accomplished redemption for His people. Luke 1:68

The prophecies of Scripture are meant to be more than glimpses into the future, promises of what will happen, and assurances to hold on to. As far as God is concerned, once the words are spoken they are as good as done! Today’s verse is a good example. I noticed as I read it that the phrase “accomplished redemption for His people” is in the past tense. And yet this was spoken before Jesus was even born and definitely before He went to the cross. God does not see things as we see them. We are limited to what we see, feel, touch, and experience at the present. Because God is eternal, He is in attendance in the past, present, and future. Therefore, even before something actually comes about for us it is already as good as done.

This encourages me when I think about spiritual growth. As I journey my way through this life I often feel like the child on his way to a vacation spot asking, “Are we there yet?” With me the question is more, “Am I there yet? Am I getting anywhere? Is this working?” I don’t always see it the way God sees it. I see where I have come from and where I am right now. While I see growth, I also see failure, set backs, and obstacles. While I can revel in victories the path can also be strewn with defeats. I can too easily say, “Yes, I want to be THERE but I know I am HERE right now.” God does not want me to live my Christian life in such a state of mind.

Two verses come to mind this morning. Hebrews 12:2 tells me to fix my eyes on Jesus who is the author and finisher (perfecter) of my faith. And Philippians 1:6 is said with confidence as Paul reminds me that God will finish what He has started in me! In God’s eyes I am not only a project I am a finished product, because it does not all depend on me. He is the One working in me to bring about His purposes. As I listen to Him, cooperate with Him, and follow Him I experience a moment by moment transformation and become what He already sees me to be.

Father, I once again see You as the Potter and myself as the clay. Before I was even born You had me in Your mind and now I am in Your hands. Mold me and make me whatever Your heart desires. Although I don’t always see it, I am complete in Christ. Amen.

Hearing His Whispers

Your ears will hear a word behind you, "This is the way, walk in it," whenever you turn to the right or the left. Isaiah 30:21

I am rejoicing today over God's involvement in my life. He does not send me out on journeys and assignments without His presence. Each step of the way He is behind me with His hand on my shoulder. At pivotal moments, He leans forward and whispers into my ear the direction He would have me to go.

It is imperative that I tune my ears to hear His voice. Many are the distractions that would seek to get me off track. Many are the voices that long to lead me astray. But God is the one who can direct me along the right path ~ His path.

And what about the times I fall to distractions, listen to other voices, and get off track? God faithfully begins the process of wooing me back to Himself. The discomforts of wrong choices are just one way He has of bringing me back to Himself. There is never a point when I cannot turn back to Him. He never forbids my feet from stepping back onto His path. My decision to step away in the first place hurt us both. But after I have repented and rejoined Him, He once again places His hand on my shoulder, leans forward, and whispers, "Welcome back! This is the way, walk in it." That is when I once again know I am where I should be.

Father, You are a gracious Guide and Companion of my journey. I feel Your hand and I listen for Your whispers. Thank you. Amen.

Close Enough to Hear

And looking at them Jesus said to them, "With people this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26

How easy it is to forget these words and the power of them! A friend of mine recently shared with me five darts Satan loves to hurl at me: doubt, discouragement, diversion, defeat, and delay. Last night was one such time. I made the mistake of taking my eyes off the love and character of God and proceeded to look at what seemed to be an impossible situation. But this morning, through another friend, God has reminded me that He is still capable of taking a seemingly impossible situation and changing it into an extremely favorable one. That little phrase has revolutionized my thinking and therefore warded off the darts!

I am a firm believer that any and all discouragement is rooted in lies. It is imperative when I know I am discouraged that I ask myself what lies I am presently believing. Many times those lies are directed at the character of God. They tend to attack one of the five statements Beth Moore is known for:

God is who He says He is!

God can do what He says He can do!

I am who God says I am!

I can do all things through Christ!

God's Word is alive and active in me!

Last night I went to bed hungry to hear God's reassuring voice and longing to feel the embrace of His arms. It was my prayer each time I woke up. This morning BOTH are evident! Has my situation been resolved? No. Will I see God do what I asked Him to do? Maybe. Even so, my spirit has been revived and I am once again ready to hold my head up high and walk with confidence and the realization that God can be trusted. May I not doubt for one minute that God can turn things to me for good and may I not doubt for one minute that if the answer comes back "no" He holds my heart in His hands. His character still rings true! He is sovereign, loving, and in control. THAT is what I am strengthened by today!

Father, keep me close enough to hear Your whispers and to feel the brush of Your wings as they shelter me. Thank you for restoring my soul! Amen!

Asking To Be Taught

It happened that while Jesus was praying in a certain place, after He had finished, one of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, teach us to pray just as John also taught his disciples.” Luke 11:1

Have you ever seen something in someone’s life and desired to see it evidenced in your own life? One of Jesus’ disciples wanted to be taught to pray. Who better to go to for that lesson than Christ Himself? What would happen if we learned to take our requests before God in the same way this disciple took his request to Jesus?

Can you think of someone who is loving? Imagine praying something like this: Jesus, teach me to be loving like __________. Jesus, teach me to be a good steward of my money like _______________. Jesus, teach me to be a diligent worker like _______________. Jesus, teach me to be forgiving like _______________. Jesus, teach me to be a bold witness like_____________. Oh, the things we could pray for based on the example of individuals in our life! What better way to express what it is we want Him to do in our life, than to find people who exude those qualities and use their life as a basis for what we ask God to give us.

There must have been something in the way John’s disciples prayed that captured this disciple’s attention. What is it that is capturing your attention in another person’s life? It could very well be that God is urging you to bring that particular area to Him so that He can begin to do a similar work in you. You might even start by asking God to open your eyes to the qualities in other people that He wants to instill in you as well. He can do that without taking away your uniqueness.

Understand of course, that sometimes in order for God to teach you something, the learning process may not always be comfortable. I remember asking God to give me an intimate walk with Himself that I noticed in another individual. He is in the process of answering that prayer but the pain involved is great at times. There are things and people I have to let go of in order to be more dependent on Him. He knows this is hard for me but He has assured me there is no other way to get what I asked for. I believe Him and I trust Him.

Father, I see examples all around me of what I desire to learn myself. You are an exquisite teacher and I desire nothing more than to be taught by You. Amen.

Don't Fight the Life Guard

For thus the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, has said, In repentance and rest you will be saved, in quietness and trust is your strength. But you were not willing. Isaiah 30:15

God’s ways are truly unique. In an age of self made men and women God’s prescription for salvation and strength remains the same ~ repentance, rest, quietness, and trust. It reminds me of a life guard who swims out to a person who is drowning. All the victim’s efforts are working against him. The more he thrashes around in the water the more his energy drains from him. In an effort to stay alive he may even fight against the one who has come to rescue him. As he ceases trying to save himself and places his life in the able hands of the life guard, it is then that he will be saved.

The same is true in my Christian life. As I read some earlier verses in Isaiah 30:9-11 I was struck with the determination God’s people had to remove themselves from the truth. May I not live my Christian life that way.

I must start with honest introspection. I make a BIG mistake when I decide to hide or cover up my sin. Fig leaves did not work for Adam and Eve and they will not work for me. There is a freedom and strength that comes from finally acknowledging to God what He has known all along. Ask anyone who is recovering from an addiction and they will tell you the first step is admitting you have a problem When I refuse to admit my sin to God I am once again “fighting the life guard.”

When my children were small , part of my parenting was in teaching them to do things for themselves. Yet God’s methods are to teach me to rely and depend on Him. Rest, quietness, and trust are gifts I must learn to value. May I not be found telling God, “I can do it myself.” If I would take all the energy I use trying to figure things out by myself, trying to control situations and people, and trying to get life to work for me, and instead look to God for His wisdom and ways I would then realize my salvation and strength.

Father, You continually extend Your hand and Your heart to me. Help me to trust You more each day. Amen.

Disaster or Success?

Woe to the rebellious children, declares the LORD, who execute a plan, but not Mine, and make alliance, but not of My Spirit, in order to add sin to sin, who proceed down to Egypt without consulting Me, to take refuge in the safety of Pharaoh and to seek shelter in the shadow of Egypt! Isaiah 30:1,2

This is God’s list of offenses pertaining to His own children. These two verses can be summed up in five words…..YOU HAVE NOT ACKNOWLEDGED ME!” How often am I guilty of living my Christian life without seeking His face? I too put plans into motion that are not His plans. I make alliances with someone other than God. I take step upon step without consulting Him. I seek shelter and safety in sources other than God. And then when life falls apart I ask God, “Where were You?” I have failed to desire His involvement in my life and then accused Him of abandoning me when the consequences of my own choices came about.

But these verses can become an instruction manual for success rather than a recipe for disaster. It starts with setting my own agendas aside and seeking what it is God wants to accomplish. God knows the plans He has for me ~ to prosper and do me good. THAT’S the plan I ought to be cooperating with. Seeking His plan and then acting on the revelation is much better than coming up with my own plan and desiring God to rubber stamp it with His approval.

Then I must make sure my alliance is with Him. That means connecting with God to further His work. It is the picture I get when two nations join forces to fight a common enemy. My union with God allows me fellowship and friendship of the deepest kind. Also, God desires that I consult Him. God should be the first and primary One from whom I seek advice and counsel. God has stored up wisdom for me. Why should I go after the counterfeits when the genuine is available? He longs for me to ask Him.

Lastly, I need to make sure my place of refuge, safety, and shelter is in Him. Oh, if God’s children would just realize the security found in Him! The bottom line is that God is inviting each of us to carry out His plan, become His ally, consult Him, and seek safety and shelter in Him. It is an invitation that is pregnant with possibilities.

Father, You are so extravagant with Your invitations. May Your desires become my mantras. Amen.

Betrayed By Actions

They feared the LORD, and served their own gods. 2 Kings 17:33

A quick read through of 2 Kings 17 will reveal the sad state of the nation of Israel. It shows the extent they have gone to ignore God, replace God, and oppose God. And these were His chosen people! As a nation, they had seen His mighty works. They had experienced His deliverance from Egypt, provision in the wilderness, protection from enemies, victories in battle, and personal involvement that no other nation could claim their god had done for them. Each time they rebelled and faced the consequences of their actions, the pain would cause them to cry out to God for deliverance and God would deliver them. What a cycle! They would walk with God for a season, turn to idolatry, be in bondage to another nation, cry out for help, and see deliverance, only to start the cycle all over again.

Then my mind goes to our nation, America! A land that claims to be one nation under God and stamps the motto ‘In God we trust’ on our coins. A land that celebrates Christian holy days, prints Bibles, sends out missionaries to other nations, and practically has a church on every corner. A land that professes to be a Christian nation. But as a nation we seem to be doing the same thing Israel did…..we served our own gods. The god of materialism, god of self, god of humanism. Our actions betray us. The battles to remove religious symbols from state buildings, to take God out of the pledge, to rewrite history, to remove prayer from the schools, and so on merely show what happens when a nation has already removed God from their individual lives.
Then my mind goes to the church as a whole. While we say we fear God our actions once again betray us. God’s call to unity is answered with denominational walls. God’s call to love one another is answered with preferential treatment of some and cold shoulders to others. We pick and choose what we want to obey according to our preferences, standards, and personal taste. And all the while we are fighting among ourselves the world looks on and we wonder why more are not drawn to Christ.

Then I look at my own life and I conclude that any time I choose to sin I too am serving my own god. Someone once said, “You serve the one you love the most.”

God, help our nation! God, help our churches! God, help me! Amen.

Our Teacher/Student Relationship

For his God instructs and teaches him properly. Isaiah 28:26

It touches my heart to know that the God of the universe, the Creator of everything, is the very One who teaches me. He is my Tutor. What kind of teacher is He? A couple years ago I would have said He was harsh, demanding, unrealistic, impatient, and critical. To sit in His classroom was uncomfortable to say the least. But when I began to see His true character the whole scene changed.

Now I would say He is loving and extremely patient. He is thorough and does not hesitate to repeat a lesson until I actually have it. He knows me intimately so is aware of my individual learning style. He knows my past as well as my future and already has each day of instruction planned. His desire is to have my undivided attention and notices when that is not the case.

There are times when my heart is divided, my love for learning is dulled, and my lack of motivation is apparent. But He remains the same. He knows when the light bulb has come on for me and rejoices to see it! To see His look of approval and hear His words of pleasure are such great rewards.

And yet, I know there are times I grieve Him. Times when, although He loves me, He does not approve of my actions or attitudes. Times when I fail to do my assignments. Times when I do poorly on tests. Times when I am not even close to an ideal student. Times when discipline becomes part of the process. All is done in an effort to reintroduce me to a hunger for learning and a thirst for Himself.

I am learning it is okay to go to God and admit what is really in my heart. When I lack motivation I am free to ask Him to put that in me. When I lack love for others I am free to ask Him to give me His heart. In other words, whatever I am in need of, I can take it to Him, admit it, and ask for His filling in that area. This is a new truth and new experience for me in this new year.

Father, I am present in Your classroom throughout my life. May I be receptive to ALL You teach me. Amen