Digesting the Truth

The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD, and He delights in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; for the LORD upholds him with His hand. Psalm 37:23,24 (NKJV)

Some Bible truths are easier for me to grasp than others. The first time I read them or hear them I have no trouble digesting the truth. Today’s passage was one that had to come in stages for me. God’s providential involvement in the fine details of my life came as I saw examples in Scripture lived out. Joseph easily comes to mind. When I come to the end of his story I can see how God was graciously directing his life step by step. Did it always make sense? No. Did it ever involve pain and disappointment? Yes. But God was faithfully bringing His plan to pass. I rest assured He is doing the same in my life.

One of the truths that first amazed me early on in my journey, was God actually delights in me and my ways. At first it was a concept that was entirely foreign to me. I had become so accepting of the lie that He tolerates me more than loves me, that I wasn’t sure how to handle His delight. It seemed almost too good to be true. But with time and seeing that phrase throughout Scripture, the truth began to take root and I learned to delight in His delight!

Many times our own misconceptions and preconceived ideas can wreak havoc along the way. There was a time when I thought the victorious Christian life would mean I had reached a point whereby I would never be bothered, offended, hurt, or disappointed by life again. I would live totally satisfied all the time. I would never feel sad again. And I certainly would not yield to temptation. With those things aside, I would live on a continual spiritual high. That kind of thinking only set me up for huge crashes. What I had to learn was I would fall at times, struggle at times, and hurt at times, but I would never stay down or be discarded by my heavenly Father. The thought that even in the midst of testings, trials, and turmoil His hand has a firm grip on me and He is sustaining me, is comforting beyond words.

So what do these truths do for me? They help me to see that with God I am not invisible, unloved, or abandoned. I matter to Him and am cared for by Him. Those are the truths that He is using to change me!

Father, thank you that You are consistent even when I am not. With flaws and all I am Yours. I marvel at such love. Amen.

Believing What You Are Told

And the Angel of the LORD appeared to him, and said to him, “The LORD is with you, you mighty man of valor!” Judges 6:12 (NKJV)

Often times we struggle to believe what God says about us because of the things we see, feel, hear, and experience. Gideon could not begin to digest the truth of what was being told to him (i.e., being a mighty man of valor) because everything in his life seemed to being saying just the opposite. Troubles had befallen his nation, God’s miracles were no longer apparent, he felt forsaken, his people were at the mercy of the Midianites, his family was poor and he was the least important within that family, and he could see nothing in himself that God could use that would allow him to be the leader God was calling him to be. In his opinion, he did not LOOK like a mighty man of valor, FEEL like a mighty man of valor, or BELIEVE he was a mighty man of valor. In essence, he was telling God, “You are wrong about me. You are mistaken. Your words cannot be true.”

While I may not come right out and say such a thing to God, He knows when the thoughts are there. God knows the list of arguments I have formulated in my mind that hinder me from reveling in the truth. He knows how I have excluded myself from being the intended recipient of His words to me. He knows the reason for the thoughts, the root of the thoughts, the wounds that feed the thoughts, and the firm grip the thoughts have on me. Yet, all of His knowledge does not stop Him from continuing to “woo me out of the jaws of distress into a spacious place without restriction!” He knows my only defense against such mindsets is to proclaim the truth and allow it to formulate my thought life.

The first chapter of Ephesians is a good place to start. It tells me I am blessed, chosen, called, blameless, adopted, loved, redeemed, forgiven, sealed, and empowered. His Word assures me that He has a plan and purpose for my life and that He will finish what He has started in me. My identity, security, and future all rest in Him. As I take in these truths, believe them, and live according to them, I will see the list of my own making begin to lose its credibility with me. Truth always dispels lies like light always dispels darkness!

Father, these are not just nice thoughts that are intended to comfort me on an off day. They are meant to revolutionize my life! I want to take Your Word over my own feelings, thoughts, and ideas. Amen.

Making the Exchange

To comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion ~ to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. Isaiah 61:2,3 (NIV)

I love the exchanges God is longing to make with us. He is offering us amazing things but so often I find myself unwilling to make the switch. I want the comfort, beauty, gladness, and praise but find myself hesitant to give up the mourning, ashes, and despair. As uncomfortable as they are, as miserable as they make me feel, and as draining as they can be, I still manage to hold on to them for the “treasures” they have become to me. I have learned to embrace them because they are so familiar to me.

So what does my loving heavenly Father do? He waits. He allows me to hold on to my thoughts, feelings, and emotions until the pain becomes so great that I RUN to Him for the exchange. He knows that I will not relinquish that which has me in bondage until I have squeezed out the last bit of distorted pleasure I can find in it. He gently woos me to Himself but knows that my heart will not seek Him with abandon until the discomfort of my mindset and choices becomes unbearable. How gracious He is! How resistant I can be.

This morning I made some long over due exchanges. What I gave to Him was so pathetic compared to what He gave to me. But He tenderly accepted my feelings of anger, hurt, rejection, loneliness, confusion, frustration, unforgiveness, bitterness, and resentment. As I placed every worthless feeling that had been consuming me into His receptive hands, He gave me the gifts of peace, satisfaction, and joy I was wanting all along. Oh, I have asked for those things many times but God will never put His gifts into hands that are filled with other things. My heart can only hold on to one thing at a time. Until I give to Him what I am grasping and clinging to, He has no choice but to keep His gift to Himself. It is kept safe and available for when I am ready to make the exchange.

I stand in awe of His work. I stand amazed at how easily I block Him. I praise Him that He never gives up on me. As Kathy Troccoli so eloquently sings, “It’s His stubborn love that never lets go of me!”

Father, You have waited for this moment and Your generosity fills my heart with gratitude and my eyes with tears. Thank you! Amen.

He Still Amazes Listeners

And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers. Luke 2:47 (KJV)

God is still able to astound a listener with His understanding and answers. Time and time again I have gone to Him seeking His understanding and answers. As I wade through the issues of my own life, who better to turn to than the One who created me and knows me better than anyone else? He knows my history completely. As David said, “He is acquainted with all my ways.” He has a perfect view and vantage point of my entire life….from beginning to end. He is aware of every breath I take, every thought I think, every word I speak, and every action I take. He understands what makes me tick, what brings me pleasure, what hinders my progress, what weighs heavy on my heart, and what lies buried in the caverns of my soul. He knows my longings, desires, ambitions, and dreams. The intimate details of my life are not only known by Him but are safe with Him. His understanding, insight, and knowledge of me is truly astounding.

And just as astounding are His answers to my questions…whether verbalized or unspoken. The very things that boggle my mind are cleared up as I take in His answers. My questions to Him are never seen as insignificant, childish, or unnecessary. They are welcomed and in time answered. Sometimes they are answered even before I have found a way to ask them. Nothing compares to receiving instructions and explanations from Him.

This morning I found myself once again wanting to be under someone’s spiritual care. I have known the preciousness of someone taking my hand and walking me through the rugged terrain of my soul. They shared insight and wisdom that I thrived under. Question and answer times with them felt safe. I was all too happy to remain in a “spoon-feeding” relationship. But God is letting me know while that may feel good it is not the best way to walk with Him. He wants me to be under His spiritual care. To bring my questions and concerns to Him. To look to Him to nurture, teach, direct, and sustain me. Who better to fill that role than the creator of the universe and designer of my life?

Father, may I listen to all that You have to say to me today through Scripture, songs, books, friends, or quiet thoughts. Speak into my open ears and receptive heart. Amen.

Memorabilia of the Mind

Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:13,14 (NKJV)

I am a mental pack rat. I have stored a lot of precious memorabilia in my mind and I visit the “trunks” often. It is okay and enjoyable to visit the memories for brief moments and savor the events that brought joy and delight to me. Faces of loved ones come to mind and I smile. Conversations are replayed over and over again that brought such strength to my spirit. The warmth of faces, the power of embraces that hugged me at the core of myself, the laughter that energized me, and the exhilaration of knowing someone had put out a welcome mat for me to their own heart. It doesn’t take long to realize that relationships mean the world to me. I thrive under the ones that were established years ago and have not diminished even with the separation of many miles and years. I rejoice in new found ones that I know are God-given.

But this morning, God is showing me the boundaries that need to be established for visiting my places of past delights. While it is acceptable and good to review these parts of my life, there is a danger when my visits lead to discontentment and longings for things to be as they were. When I become unwilling to close the trunk lid and move forward into what God has for me today, then I am actually stunting my own spiritual growth. I can often remind myself of the Baldwin sisters from the television show THE WALTONS. They were never able to leave the past. Their days were built on keeping the memory of their father and former boyfriend alive. Everything in their life was tainted and limited by the need for them to stay in the past. It was tragic for them and it is tragic for us today.

God is wooing me into the present. He is instructing me to visit the past sparingly for the precious times they were, but don’t cross over into the feelings of aching and mental anguish over the fact that they are no longer present realities. Capture the gifts they were meant to be but don’t allow the attachment to stay so strong that I miss His present goodness and gifts. In all reality I must let go in order to reach forward.

Father, help me to experience the reality of what You have shared with me this morning. Help me to look forward more than I look back. Amen.

Forgiveness Without Exceptions

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. I John 1:9 (NKJV)

Have you ever struggled with past sins in your life or those past sins in other people’s lives? Ever battle to stop seeing yourself or them through the grid of poor choices made, sins committed, and wrong paths followed? Maybe the problem is our focus.

I received an email story this morning from a friend that helped to put things in the right perspective. It told of a young woman with a past of drugs, alcohol, and prostitution, who had received Christ and her life and lifestyle were drastically changed. Trouble came when she and the pastor’s son became engaged. Outraged over the thought. the congregation struggled to see her as different from her past. A meeting was called and she was “roasted” to say the least. Her fiancé then spoke the words that so many need to hear. He told them "My fiancé’s past is not what is on trial here. What you are questioning is the ability of the blood of Jesus to wash away sin. Today you have put the blood of Jesus on trial. So, does it wash away sin or not? If it does not cover her sin it does not cover ours either."

Fortunately, the congregation took the words to heart as we all should. The story goes on to emphasize how we so often use past sin to beat up and condemn ourselves or other people and yet forgiveness is the heart of the Gospel. It is the reason Jesus died…so we could be forgiven. He did not give His life for all sins except ____________.

My thoughts this morning turn to a few truths I want to embrace. God’s forgiveness is complete and final. Cleansed means cleansed. No residue left like soap scum on a shower door. No streaks left like a little bug smeared across a windshield. God does not look at us and continually groan, “Oh, if only you hadn’t done such and such.” Unlike us, He never brings things out again that He has placed behind His back. But the enemy of our soul delights in convincing us that forgiveness is given grudgingly, sparingly, and partially. That it somehow cannot be as profound and permanent as I John 1:9 says. But my forgiveness is not earned, deserved, or dependent on my self-sufficiency. It was paid for in full by Christ!

Father, I dance in the truth and realization of Your forgiveness and will spend my days proclaiming that truth to myself, others, and Satan! Amen.

Lists to Live By

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye. Psalm 32:8 (NKJV)

The ability to receive instruction is contingent on two things: confidence in the instructor and possessing a teachable spirit. When I am hungry to learn something I become receptive to the truths shared with me. God has allowed me to sit under some incredible teachers in my life. Some have left a profound mark on my life. I have seen them as storehouses of wisdom from which I can draw instruction and guidance.

I love lists and three are racing through my mind this morning. Beth Moore has a powerful list she shares in her study BELIEVING GOD. It contains truths we all need to verbalize regularly. It is a five-statement pledge of faith and goes like this:

*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. I’m believing God!

Christine Wyrtzen also has an influential list she shares in her topic of LIVING AS A DAUGHTER OF PROMISE. It too contains truths we need to verbalize and practice regularly. It reads like this:

*Practice God’s presence.
*Live cherished.
*Embrace your emotions.
*Pursue the redemption of your pain.
*Live life out of the overflow.

While both those lists have benefited me greatly in my walk with God, I have come across God’s personal list in Psalm 37 and it goes like this:

*Trust in the LORD and do good.
*Delight yourself also in the LORD.
*Commit your way to the LORD.
*Rest in the LORD.
*Wait patiently for Him.

Father, I hunger for truths to live by. Thank you for instruction You give me through people but most of all through Your Word directly. Amen.

The Effects of Our Choices

But the children of Israel committed a trespass in the accursed thing: for Achan, the son of Carmi….took of the accursed thing: and the anger of the LORD was kindled against the children of Israel. Joshua 7:1 (KJV)

This verse follows Israel’s victory over the city of Jericho. But before that victory ever took place Joshua gave very clear instructions to the people not to take anything out of the city unto themselves because it was all to be consecrated to God. Along with the instructions, a warning was given. Joshua told them if they took items for themselves they would make themselves accursed as well as make the nation a curse and they would bring trouble upon it.

So here is what becomes clear to me about Achan. He KNEW he was taking something God had forbidden him to take. And what a load of forbidden goods he took and hid in his tent! A Babylonish garment, silver, and gold. As he collected and carried the items to his tent, he KNEW he was being disobedient and defiant toward God. But he also KNEW his actions would bring trouble upon his people (the nation of Israel). The consequences of his sin would fall to many others. God’s presence and protection were removed, they were not able to stand up against the city of Ai, thirty-six men died during the retreat, and the confidence of Israel drained out of them. As Achan saw this come about he KNEW he was the cause of it all.

It is easy for me to sit in wonder and judgment of Achan. I can detect his sin and the painful consequences that followed. But how good am I at recognizing my own sin and the consequences that would fall to me and other people in my life? Let’s face it, my sin whether in word, deed, or thought will affect more than just myself. But the effects can be broken if I bring them to the cross and allow Jesus to cleanse me. I don’t want to be like Achan and attempt to keep things well hidden in my life. After all, God sees everything I do, hears every word I speak, and is aware of every thought and motive I have. He knows when I have grabbed a hold of anything He has forbidden and His invitation to me is to come to Him for forgiveness, healing, and restoration. I accept His offer!

Father, I don’t want to bring trouble to others because of the effects of unconfessed sin in my own life. Help me to daily bring to You the sins of my words, actions, and thoughts. I receive the cleansing You offer. Amen.

The Power of Seeing the Purpose

Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails. Proverbs 19:21

Truth will be meaningful to me and I will be passionate about it when it transforms me. Until it causes a change in the way I think, act, and speak it has not really become a part of me. This was evidenced in my life this week as God peeled back the blindfolds from my eyes and removed the obstacles from my path that kept blocking me from seeing Him, trusting Him, and knowing Him. They had been in place for decades….even in the midst of so many changes that have taken place in the past three years. Lies and mindsets had so kept me in bondage that I often resigned myself to the idea that freedom would always stay just outside of reach. I am only able to share these thoughts today because with the freedom has come the removal of shame. My deliverance gives me permission and power to speak freely.

A few years ago God led a significant person into my life to mentor me. I reveled in the relationship but had some misunderstanding of the purpose. When the mentoring relationship ended I was devastated because of issues I had failed to address in my own life. These were issues of negative thoughts about myself and the stronghold of being highly addicted to people. God’s desire all along was that I would finally walk in total freedom and truly come to depend upon Him instead of people. His work was cut out for Him but then again He specializes in the very things that are impossible for us to accomplish on our own.

He set me free with this truth. He said, “Pam, you must understand the reason I brought this person into your life. I brought her into your life to mentor you, teach you truth, and point you to Me. She was not brought in to be a heart friend, healer, deliverer, meeter of needs, or fixer. And when she had accomplished what I sent her to do, she wisely and obediently stepped back. No person was ever created to be to you and do for you what I alone can be and do for you. Come to Me alone.” I have never grasped such a powerful truth and it set me free! In one swift moment I let go of the one I had clung to and embraced the One who welcomed me. This not only ended my unhealthy attachment to this person it released me from the feelings of rejection and abandonment that had consumed me for an entire year!

Father, what You have done for me leaves me in tearful wonder and awe. I will forever be grateful and passionate about it! Amen.

The Removal of Blinders and Chains

Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on Him, if ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. John 8:31, 32

One of the greatest desires we have is to be free. Jesus came to set us free and this passage gives the promise of freedom but it is based on a condition. So often we want the freedom but are either ignorant of the condition or unwilling to meet it. True freedom comes by not only knowing Christ as our Savior but by continuing in His Word. Not just reading it and accepting what it says, but believing it, standing by it, abiding in it, obeying it, and applying it. It is not just giving mental assent to what God says and accumulating the facts, but it is understanding His Words as truth and seeing them as necessary for change, freedom, empowerment, and growth.

I use to look at this verse and think if I take in enough truth it will change me. It will fix what is wrong with me. So I read countless books, listened to incredible speakers, poured into God’s Word, and became a sponge for knowledge. The problem is that while it excited me and fed me I failed to see any real change deep inside and still lived in bondage in numerous areas of my life. Not only physical bondage but mental, spiritual, and emotional bondage. I cannot express to you the confusion that grew in me as I realized the results I was hoping for were not forthcoming. And to make matters worse, I felt I had once again come to a point in my life whereby I could not admit to anyone that my life still had gaping holes that left me feeling empty, hopeless, and insignificant.

The problem was that while I knew a lot of truth I still had blinders on that prevented me from really digesting, understanding, and taking in the truth. When God removed the blinders and helped me to finally grasp truth, internal changes came that left me open mouthed with wonder! Missing pieces started falling into place, the fog of confusion cleared away, chains of bondage began to fall aside, and I finally saw God as my true Healer and Deliverer. Each day is now filled with discovery that is leading to continual growth and change. I am passionate when I say, “If God can do this for me He can do it for anybody!”

Father, I feel like I am tasting freedom for the first time. It is daily being served on a platter of truth for which I am ravenous with hunger. With outstretched arms, receptive heart, and open mind I come to You. Amen.

Leaning in the Right Direction

Incline you ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live. Isaiah 55:3 (KJV)

I love learning the meaning of words. Without the aid of a dictionary and good concordance I lose the rich meanings of words and hence the valuable lessons God would teach me through them. The word “incline” has my attention this morning. It has the idea of bending or leaning forward, to be drawn toward an opinion, to put oneself in a position of being persuaded. I was surprised to learn that we are told in Scripture to incline two things: our heart and our ears. I immediately wondered what the connection was. God was all too eager to show me!

What and who I listen to affects the way I think and believe. What I think and believe affects my actions and my words. It is like a domino affect over my life. It also epitomizes the reaping and sowing principle. That which I allow to be sown into my mind will be reaped in my speech and behavior. This is a powerful truth I must grab a hold of if I am going to live in victory rather than in defeat.

I go into today with some choices. I can perk up my ears and listen intently to the enemy’s lies, to my distorted thoughts, or the world’s philosophies if I so choose. Or I can turn my ears toward the voice of my Father and His living Word. If I choose the first option I begin on a mental, emotional, and spiritual descent. It will lead me downward every time. Once there, I begin to loath and condemn myself, have harsh thoughts toward others, and live outside the realm of truth. This continues until I determine to incline my ears toward the voice of my Father.

Oh the change and freedom that comes when I begin to take my thoughts captive, stand against the schemes of the devil, and do some serious warfare praying and speaking! As long as I continue to lean forward and listen intently to what God is telling me I walk with courage, confidence, and wisdom. As His Word fills my mind it has a ripple affect on every other area of my life.

I choose today to be attentive to His ways, His Word, and His whispers. All day long, conversations will come my way and I will have to discern which ones I will listen to.

Father, I determine to incline my ear to Your voice. Speak clearly to me so that I don’t miss a thing You have to say. Your words live in me. Amen.

Determining Which Will Stay

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth. 3 John 1:4 (NIV)

I am learning there are many disciplines to the Christian life. There are things I must be practicing and implementing in my life on a continual basis in order to stand victorious against the attacks, lies, and schemes of the enemy. One of those disciplines is to walk in the truth. To live by, follow, occupy myself with, and link arms with the truth. To stand on it, in it and for it!

This is not a one time decision I make in the morning without further thought throughout the day. I must understand that I will be coming up against the enemies of truth all day long and each time I must remind myself of the truth, stand on the truth, voice the truth, embrace the truth, and enfold myself in the truth. If what I am seeing, feeling, thinking, or experiencing is contradictory to the truth, I must set aside what APPEARS to be true for what IS true.

Elizabeth George says, “Truth is what is based on and in agreement with God’s Word, what is real, and what is not a lie.” My thoughts must stand or fall according to that test. This is a process that takes time to practice, especially if I have lived with certain mindsets my whole life. The lies I have believed are exposed as I hold them up to the light of truth. They are then dismissed as I believe and receive the truth.

God is the only One who can help me to accept the truth over what I have been told, what I think I see, what I assume to be true. Lies and truth cannot coexist. There is room in my heart and mind for only one to reside at a time. Allowing lies to stay with me is easy. All I have to do is accept them without question or resistance. Not putting them through a comparison with truth is the same as putting out the welcome mat for them.

Truth on the other hand requires that I reject, renounce, and release the lies I have held to as I am taking in the truth. The longer I have held to lies about God, myself, and others the harder it is to exchange them for truth. But it is necessary, worthwhile, and possible. God said so!

Father, today I choose to stand on the truth of Your Word. Although the enemy will do everything in his power to keep the lies embedded in me, You are faithful to help me in the process of walking in the truth. I stand in agreement with You that there is only room for Your truth. Amen.

Learning to Fight Back

The enemy boasted, “I will pursue, I will overtake them. I will divide the spoils; I will gorge myself on them. I will draw my sword and my hand will destroy them.” Exodus 15:9 (NIV)

These words were voiced by the Egyptians as they proclaimed their intentions toward God’s chosen people. I can sense the venom in their words and the thirst for blood in their eyes as they spewed out their supposed conquest and victory. Of course, I delight to know that their threats were undone as they sank to the bottom of the Red Sea in the presence of their intended victims. The celebration of God’s people was profound that day.

God’s Word says that I too have an enemy. He is like a roaring lion and He is out to completely destroy me! Not just disturb, not just bother, not just intimidate….DESTROY! And he delights in his plan. I went to a Prayer Mapping event this weekend and saw so clearly the tactics he uses and the agenda he has. But I also learned how to fight him. I learned how to use my God-given authority to stand up to him. I learned the power of declaring God’s Word over each attack. I learned I don’t have to allow him to take up residence in my territory any longer.

For over forty years, he has delighted in the fact that I was unaware of his methods and schemes. He knew I was not putting on my armor each day and that I didn’t even know what the pieces represented for me. I was like the person standing on the battlefield confused and unprotected because I didn’t know who my greatest enemy was, what weapons were available for me, or how to use the weapons.

His greatest attack and subsequent victories over me have been in the area of my thoughts. How he has twisted and distorted the truth about God, about others, about myself, about my circumstances, and about the design, calling, and gifts of God on my life. In the past I simply tried to ignore him and hoped he would go away. Today I have come out with my armor on and fully intent on using it! He has messed with this daughter of the King far too freely and for far too long. The fight is on!!!

Father, how You must have grieved to see me walk through my days never using the armor or weapons You made so available. You knew the wounds I was sustaining were not necessary (so did the enemy). Now I know it as well! Amen.

When Untrue Words Have Been Spoken

Now, O Lord GOD, You are God, and Your words are truth. 2 Samuel 7:28 (New American Standard Bible)

No one, and I mean absolutely no one has the right to define us except God. Our words live and the words spoken over us and to us from early childhood and well into our adulthood are powerful and can stick with us. How necessary it is that we make sure every word that comes out of our mouth or enters our ears is in agreement with what God‘s Word says about us! If they are not, we must counter them with the truth and renounce them as the lies that they are. If however they are affirming truthful words, we must take them in and allow them to quench the thirst within us. Along with that we can take a negative word that has been directed toward us and ask God to help us construct a Scriptural acrostics that will transform the word intended for harm into a word of beauty!

For instance, a friend in Sunday School shared how she was called a “prude” at work because of her desire to read Christian books. At the close of class, as this woman was closing in prayer, God brought an acrostics to my mind using her word. I came home and decided to find a verse to go with each word in the acrostics and am delighted to see God fashion an arrow of affirmation! Here is what He gave me…..

Precious ~ As you come to Him, the living Stone ~ rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to Him. I Peter 2:4

Redeemed ~ But now, this is what the LORD says ~ He who created you, O Jacob, He who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are Mine.” Isaiah 43:1

Undeniably loved ~ The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying: I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness. Jeremiah 31:3

Daughter ~ So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when He adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.” Romans 8:15

(of the) Eternal God ~ The eternal God is your refuge, and His everlasting arms are under you. Deuteronomy 33:27

Father, I no longer have to believe what I have heard or said. Freedom is found when I use Your Word as my grid of truth. Amen.

Awakened by the Pronouns

Ye shall walk after the LORD your God, and fear him, and keep his commandments, and obey his voice, and ye shall serve him, and cleave unto him. Deuteronomy 13:4 (KJV)

The pronouns of this verse have jumped out at me this morning. I simply had to go back and underscore them for emphasis, because they are being emphasized to me by the Spirit in a powerful way even as I write this devotional. I am recalling the many individuals I have walked after, feared (trusted), listened to, obeyed, followed, served, and cleaved (clung) to in my life when all the while the Lord God Himself was yearning for me to turn to Him. I am not talking about my years BEFORE I knew Christ as my Savior. I am referring to the decades AFTER I accepted Him.

Until recently, I have found it easier to listen to, watch, and emulate the people God has brought into my life. Instead of seeing them as channels, tools, and object lessons that God was using to encourage, enlighten, and instruct me, I was clinging to them with all that I had in me. I was somehow convinced they were the ones who could fix me, nurture me, and sustain me. It was rare that I saw my journey as just between God and me. I somehow needed a third party with us.

God was not the one I ran to for advice, comfort, encouragement, assurance, or security. While I may not have ever thought of fashioning an idol out of wood or gold, I bowed before my idols of flesh and looked to them to meet my many internal needs. I longed for them to give me affirmation, attention, and love. I sought their wisdom, opinions, and leadership. The sad thing is, without His loving and steadfast intervention I would still be living that way. As a loving but jealous God, He simply will not allow me to replace Him with any individual or object.

He has had to patiently and persistently teach me that turning to Him was the best of all choices. What He had to offer me would far exceed what any person could give me or do for me. Oh the joy the I have found in finally embracing Him as my Counselor, Comforter, Companion, and Champion! He still uses people in my life but now I can hear His voice as they speak, feel His hands as they minister, and know His presence as we fellowship together. He is finally at the center of my life and worship!

Father, thank you for not giving up on me when I so often failed to look to You. I repent of my idolatry and whole heartedly prefer You! Amen.

The Entirety of Relationship

Thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart. Deuteronomy 6:5,6 (KJV)

With whom or what am I passionate about, obsessed with, or excited about today? Who or what has my undivided attention? In whom or what does my allegiance lie? Who or what has predominance, priority, and prominence in my heart and mind? God’s intent, desire, and longing is that I be completely, extremely, and enthusiastically consumed with Him and by Him. To not only seek Him diligently and obey Him completely but to love Him with all that I have in me!

It starts with an acknowledgement of Him. He is God! Creator of Heaven and Earth. He lays claim to all He created and has the power to sustain that creation. He loves me with His whole heart and soul and invites me to do the same in regards to Him. He is holy, righteous, and just. He alone is worthy of my worship, adoration, and praise!

All means all! Not partial, not divided, not lukewarm, not somewhat, not halfway…ALL. Loving Him with every part of my will, mind, emotions, spirit, soul, strength, thoughts, motives, and intentions. He is not only deserving of it but desirous of it as well.

I must do more than give mental assent and a nod of agreement to what He says. I must allow His Word to get into my heart. For that is from where my words, actions, and worship stem. To take what He says to me in Scripture and own it, digest it, and embrace it for the treasure of truth that it is. For it to become a part of my inner being.

This is what it means to live in relationship with God on a daily basis. But the key is to realize I cannot manufacture this on my own. If left to myself, I fail miserably. But because His Spirit lives in me I have the capability to flesh out the call of Deuteronomy 6. The ability to fall head or heals in love with God comes from Him! He will faithfully give me the desire, hunger, and longing for Himself. As it comes, I simply respond. Until I grasped this aspect of myself and God, I felt hopeless and helpless to live the Christian life outside of a mediocre and mundane mentality. When God opened my eyes to this truth my life in Him was revolutionized!

Father, You not only bid me to love You entirely, but You give me the desire and ability to do it. Love Yourself through me today. Amen.

In This Thing

Yet in this thing ye did not believe the LORD your God. Deuteronomy 1:32 (KJV)

Our faith in God can be tenuous at times. How often have we been through trying circumstances, experienced God’s faithfulness, witnessed His powerful interventions in our life, and known without a doubt that God was on our side, only to turn around and be filled with unbelief at a new issue, problem, or situation? The children of Israel epitomized this so well. Even with their history with God and His continual assurances and reminders, they still acted out of fear rather than faith. Their fear lead them not only to disbelief but also to disobedience. They were so focused on what they saw, heard, and felt that they became deaf to God’s voice, forgetful of His past provisions, and blind to His presence. They caved in to the opinions of others and all the “what ifs” their minds could conceive.

As I read this verse I am instantly aware of the areas in my life where God is saying the same thing to me that He said to the children of Israel. While I may not have specified, laid out directions from Him, I do have a multitude of promises from His Word that should cause me to walk with confidence, determination, and courage. His Word is meant to be a sword that I wield at any thought that leads me to believe lies about God or His involvement in my life. He longs for me to hear Him whisper His assurances to me. A few come to mind right now…

I will never leave you or forsake you. I know the plans I have for you. My thoughts are higher than your thoughts. I have loved you with an everlasting love. I delight in you. I have inscribed you on the palms of my hands. I will supply all your needs. My grace is sufficient. I formed you in your mother’s womb and continue to carry you Myself. Trust Me. Seek My face. Obey My voice. I will lead you. I will protect you. I have My hand and eye on you. My banner over you is love. Come unto me for rest, direction, wisdom, and guidance. In Me you will mount up with wings as eagles. I am here. You are mine.


His words are meant to do more than make me feel good or help me to merely survive. They are meant to equip me to walk with boldness and unhindered faith, so that His words to me can become, “In this thing you DID believe Me!”

Make it so, Father. Make it so. Amen.

God's Invitation to Us

And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the LORD, and wept sore. I Samuel 1:10 (KJV)

For any who are battling hurt, rage, anger, disappointment, depression, or extreme sorrow, Hannah becomes an example. When she came to the temple that day it was with a heart full of every imaginable emotion. The baggage she carried had been filled with the pain of infertility, continual verbal abuse of a family member, and a husband who did not understand why she was so upset. (I Samuel 1:1-8) She had hit her breaking point and resorted to the only One who understood her turmoil and could act on her behalf. She held nothing back as she poured out her complaint to God. There was no guardedness to her prayer, no denial of thoughts and feelings, no suppressed or repressed emotions. She was transparent before God. It may have taken her a while to get to that point but once she was there everything was brought out in the open. This was a woman who knew how to make God her refuge!

When was the last time you opened up to God on this level? When was the last time you came before Him with raw emotions, unhindered thoughts, and complete exposure of your internal world? It has taken many years for me to realize the necessity of such prayer times and to understand that God is actually inviting me to come to Him in that way. How it must have grieved God to see me with a guardedness when I approached Him. How He must have ached to see that I would hold back tears, keep back my true feelings, and lack an assurance that I was safe in His presence. I had somehow learned to play “dress up” and “pretend” with a God who could see right through me. But the masquerade ended when I began to realize God’s love is unconditional and His desire for me to come to Him with honesty is sincere.

I now know what it is like to cry so hard on His shoulders that my eyes are swollen and my throat hurts. He comforts and heals as I express my true feelings and admit what I am really thinking. I can now attest to the fact that not only can He handle it, He invites it. Each time I get out into the light what has been locked in the darkness, God amazes me!

Father, You have brought me from a guarded place into Your embrace. You taught me the necessity and appropriateness of my tears. Thank you for helping me to remove the “Off Limits” sign from my heart. Amen.

Making Matters Worse

Now behold, you have risen up in your fathers’ place, a brood of sinful men, to add still more to the burning anger of the LORD against Israel. Numbers 32:14 (NASB)

These words were Moses’ answer to a request made by the children of Gad and Reuben. They wanted to possess the land they stood on without crossing over the Jordan River to the promised land. It was a decision that could easily cause the rest of the nation to follow suite. That is exactly what happened forty years prior to this discussion, when eight out of ten spies gave a fearful report concerning the promised land and that fear spread throughout the camp. It ultimately led to God’s requirement that they wander in the wilderness for an additional four decades.

We see a principle in Scripture that we would do well to digest. Sin angers God and that anger is increased when our sinful choices affect the people around us. This can be played out in two ways. People can become a victim of our sin and made to feel the affects of the consequences or they can actually follow the example we are putting before them.

Victimization is seen when a drunk driver hits another car causing injury or death to innocent people. Or when an angry gunman opens fire in a public building. Or when a person with sexual perversions preys upon a small child, teen, or adult. Or when shoplifting results in a store raising its prices to compensate the loss. These and many other scenarios have consequences that affect more than the one who makes the original choice. Each of us can reflect back on times in our life when we have brought pain and suffering upon another person because of a sinful choice we made.

But today’s verse points to the aspect of our sinful choices having a negative influence on another person. Our actions encouraging others to the do as we are doing. It can be as serious as involving something that is illegal or immoral or it can be on a smaller scale of spreading gossip, laziness, dishonesty, or discontent. My words and my actions in the presence of others serve as encouragements for them to follow my lead. May I determine to be an encourager of something that would lead to God’s pleasure instead of adding to His anger.

Father, keep reminding me that my choices affect more than just myself. May my influence on people lead them in the ways of righteousness. May the duplication of anything I do or say bring You delight. Amen.

Missing the Key Ingredient

Draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double-minded. Be afflicted , and mourn, and weep; let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He shall lift you up. James 5:8-10 (KJV)

How often I have approached God with my sin and gotten no farther than merely confessing it. I would admit what I had done, agree with God that it was wrong, ask His forgiveness, and walk away feeling like the child who had just had a meeting with the principal concerning classroom misconduct. I struggled to sense forgiveness and acceptance. But I also found I walked away unchanged. What was missing? The entire middle section of this passage.

I often saw my sin and need of cleansing but failed to possess the affliction, mourning, and weeping. To see my own wretchedness and be broken over it to the same extent that God is grieved over it. For any who have sat under harsh, rigid, and legalistic teaching this whole topic only appears to be an invitation to shame and condemnation. We struggle to see God in any way other than the way He was when He appeared to Moses on Mount Sinai to give the Ten Commandments. It is foreign to see Him as the father of the returning prodigal. Watching and waiting and then embracing with open arms.

God’s response when I draw near to Him is that He draws near to me. When I humble myself before Him, He lifts me up! But part of the drawing near and humbling myself is found in seeing the seriousness and wretchedness of my sin. It involves being honest with myself and with God. No excuses, no blaming of others, no avoidance of the real issues.

This will be hard and nearly impossible if I see God with a scowl on His face, arms folded, cold, detached, unapproachable, and distant. Freedom comes when I approach Him with sorrow and brokenness and see Him as loving, accepting, and forgiving. It starts with honesty, transparency, and openness. God already tells me how the meeting will end and that in itself should help me to approach Him with genuine confession and repentance.

Father, I am still in the process of learning these truths. You teach me with such persistence, patience, and gentleness. Thank You that while You condemn my sin You love and accept me! Amen.

Confident Living

Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and He shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD. Psalm 27:14 (KJV)

I have spent the last number of weeks brooding over a situation I know I will soon be facing. Turmoil, fear, and apprehension have marked my internal world because I did not feel I had it in me to walk with confidence and I doubted there would be favor shown to me by a particular person. This morning the Lord has graciously given me Psalm 27 to ease my mind and realize where strength, confidence, and assurance will come from. It is in looking to Him! All that David is saying in this Psalm is meant to be more than just nice words and wishful thinking. It is meant to infuse me with courage and strength.

Like David, I must make some proclamations about God that will in turn permit me to stand with certainty and poise. He is my light and salvation. My hiding place. My teacher, leader, helper, and deliverer. He is the one I seek and desire. He is the one who will take me up and set me upon a rock of security. I seek His face, His mercy, and His answers. I long to walk in His ways and experience the plain path He has carved out for me! While the enemy has sought to distract and discourage me with self-doubt and an anticipated negative reaction of another person, God is encouraging me to center my thoughts and focus on Him! The answer lies in Him. The confidence comes from Him.

Verse 14 gives me the prescription for a strengthened heart. Wait on the LORD. This is not just an act of biding my time until God intervenes. The true sense of the word is that I bind myself to God, look to Him, and place my expectations in Him. His desire is that I stand in confident trust and reliance upon Him. His message to me this morning is, “Connect with Me and I will more than see you through the very thing that has you perplexed. I will give you songs of joy and praise to sing!”

What an offer! Delight instead of despair. Confidence instead of confusion. Victor instead of victim. Singing instead of sadness. His thoughts really are higher than my thoughts!

Father, I love it when You give me counsel and advice! How You must delight in knowing that I am about to take in truth from You. Thank you for housing treasures in Your Word. I walk with a fresh boldness because of You. Amen.