A Right Response

Then Jesus said to His disciples, If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. Matthew 16:24 (New American Standard Bible)

Feeling like I have lost control of a number of areas in my life can often cause me to go into a default mode in my thinking and behavior. This morning found me wondering how to get back on track with my life without taking the usual routes. Fearful of failing I often want to back away from anything that would challenge me or expose my imperfections. So in the midst of such thinking I asked God to help me begin to break the cycle of destructive thought patterns and conduct. To do something besides spiral into a pit and pull away from this week’s activities. He brought today’s verse to mind and then He honed in on one phrase within this verse…..”he must deny himself.”

At first glance it meant to tell myself no. When I want to eat in an unhealthy and unbalanced way I must say no. When I want to dwell on negative, condemning thoughts I must say no. When I want to stay to myself and avoid others I must say no. When I want to procrastinate on cleaning my house or balancing my checkbook I must say no. When I want to make someone besides God my primary source I must say no. When I want to spiral into a dark pit I must say no. When I want to do anything that would hinder or halt my spiritual, physical, mental, emotional, or social growth I must say no. Then finding the opposite of all those temptations is what I must say yes to.

I knew saying no was part of denying myself but I needed a bigger picture. A more profound definition to grab a hold of. A tool I often use to find the original meaning of a word is www.studylight.org. What I found there for the word deny is the very step I need to take and that I need to continue to take throughout today and into all of my tomorrows. Simply put, deny means “to forget one's self, lose sight of one's self and one's own interests.” In other words, get my eyes off myself and begin living outside of my default modes.

I will be the first to admit, this is a stretch for me. I am so use to dissecting my life, feelings, and thoughts until I am consumed by them. The end result is never peace but rather discord and confusion. It is no mistake that God chose to put denying oneself before taking up ones cross and following Him. It shows me where to start and which direction I am to head.

Father, at a time when I want to say yes to all that would be wrong for me, help me to say no and move forward in the direction You desire for me. With each no my voice will get louder and stronger. I trust You to increase the volume. Amen.

With All I Am - Hillsong
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FMrAafe7Mns

Getting into God's Word and letting God's Word get into me one truth at a time.

An Oak of Shechem

So they gave Jacob all the foreign gods they had and the rings in their ears, and Jacob buried them under the oak at Shechem. Genesis 35:4 (New International Version)

When the children of Israel had made a golden calf and proceeded to worship it, Moses ground it to powder, scattered it on the water, and made the children of Israel drink it. When Jacob was handed the objects of false worship he buried them under an oak tree. Both actions represented a distinct closure of wrong turns and the opportunity to start fresh. Both actions showed in a tangible way a funeral of sorts.

My point is this. Sometimes an end of something has to be drastic in order for the door of freedom to open. Hence, the need for alcoholics to pour liquor down a drain, for individuals to burn piles of pornographic literature, for smokers to destroy and discard packs of cigarettes, and for other addicts to do whatever it takes to break free of their addiction. They go beyond getting rid of it or just giving it to someone else. They destroy what seeks to destroy them.

A month ago, I opened myself up to an area of addiction. It wasn’t wrong in and of itself. As a matter of fact, at one time it was a beneficial part of my journey. But that beneficial part eventually became an addiction and had to be removed from my life. Over the course of a year or so I sensed within me a strength to reintroduce part of it back into my life through a couple of avenues including the purchase of a book. That action was enough to throw me off track on a journey intended to bring me to freedom. I was once again in the throws of an addiction and it was affecting numerous areas in my life including significant relationships. Like Moses and like Jacob, drastic measures needed to be taken. What were they?

Confession of wrong choices and accepting once again the truth that this particular area is off limits to me. Not out of punishment but rather for freedom. Some things needed to be deleted from my computer. Then came the question of what to do with the book. Give it away? Throw it away? No, something more profound and tangible that would represent a dieing off. I proceeded to pull the book apart, shred every page in a paper shredder, and then with shovel in hand head to the back yard for the burial. Each scoop of dirt loosened the grip of addiction and released me to continue finding my way to freedom. I awoke this morning with the absence of the oppression and sadness that has marked my path for the past month. My thoughts are clearer and my heart is lighter because I went back to the place where I had veered off the path and repositioned myself to re-enter it with joy! This time I didn’t need a Bethel experience…I needed an oak of Shechem.

Father, You have wooed me back to Yourself in a powerful way. Thank you for the forgiveness and freedom that has resulted from it. Amen.

I Need Thee Every Hour - Selah
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2ULhi1szjk

Getting into God's Word and letting God's Word get into me one truth at a time.

When We Want to Run

In the LORD I take refuge; How can you say to my soul, "Flee as a bird to your mountain.“ Psalm 11:1 (New American Standard Bible)

Do you ever wish you could go somewhere for a number of years and come back with evident changes in your life? Do you ever wish that the people who know you best could eventually see development that seems so slow in coming? Do you ever wish the person you have become would become someone different? Do you ever just not like who you are and what you are? If so, know that you are not alone. Although few will admit it, many feel the same way.


Have you ever shared with another person your feelings of inadequacy, depression, or sadness? Is there at least one person in your life who knows how much you struggle to walk in peace, joy, and love? If so, does your trust remain in tact that they have not changed their opinion of you, lost respect for you, or are on the verge of giving up on you and walking away? Do you wrestle with thoughts that had you not shared so much maybe things would be different? Do you entertain thoughts of backing away before abandonment is forthcoming?

Escape seems to be the “answer” that some of us feel would put us in a safe place. Like maybe if we just backed away from the places where we experience internal darkness and foreboding thoughts, we somehow believe things would begin to change for us. We can’t imagine the possibility that things could be any different without running away. David wasted no time in letting us know that doesn’t work. Refuge and safety is not a place you escape to. It is a Person you hide in. That Person is Jesus Christ and He longs to be your place of refuge. He longs to be my place of refuge as well. So how do we make Him that place and person for us?

Get honest with Him. Confide in Him and confess to Him all that is going on inside your heart and mind. Tell Him the things that fill you with shame as well as the things that fill you with joy. Let Him know your fears, disappointments, and aches, as well as your treasures, dreams, and laughter. He is not looking for you to stand in His presence only when a smile is on your face. He wants realness, authenticity, and intimacy with Him. Then listen as He tells you the things your soul longs to hear.

Father, help me to escape into You. Running is not the answer unless it is into Your arms. Amen.

You Are My Hiding Place - Selah
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lfUOLfBFFaU&feature=related

Getting into God's Word and letting God's Word get into me one truth at a time.

Strengthened and Straightened

Therefore, strengthen the hands that are weak and the knees that are feeble, and make straight paths for your feet, so that the limb which is lame may not be put out of joint, but rather be healed. Hebrews 12:12,13 (New American Standard Bible)

Recently at a Bible study, the question was asked how we resist the enemy and his attacks on us. As I contemplated that question I “knew” the right answers to give but because I wasn’t doing any of them there was no ability to speak the words. Fighting the enemy is daunting and many times I wait for things to get dark enough and the pain to get excruciating enough before I put forth the effort. The problem is all the damage that takes place within that amount of time. Today’s verse came to mind as my weaknesses, feebleness, and lameness stared me in the face. It awakened in me a desire for strength, straight paths, and healing. That desire is what can turn my gaze back toward God as the only One who can do in me what needs to be done and I am the only one who can allow Him to do His work in me. Others cannot will it. Others cannot do it for me. Like salvation, I must choose growth and change for myself.

How the enemy loves to fill my mind with thoughts that hinder the growth and change. How he loves to convince me there is no escape or way out of situations, emotional pits, or personal problems. Earlier this week, he bombarded me with thoughts such as, “You will never come to the place where God is truly your Source. Sure, you might stop looking to people to meet your needs (maybe) but you will always struggle to embrace God as your true need meeter. You also have no business writing devotionals since failure and faltering steps often mark your path. At this point it would be best for you to step away from everything and everyone until God’s work is complete in you. Then and only then can you begin to talk or write about the Christian life."

Although his words can seem convincing they lose their effect when the light of truth shines on them. Truth from the Bible. Truth from fellow believers. Truth from God’s Spirit living in me. Truth from sound teaching. Truth from music. Truth from resources I have been blessed to read. The truth God used this week was a reminder that He will finish all that He has started in me and one of the things He started was a desire to know Him. As far as devotionals go, broken vessels are usable and out of this broken vessel will come the very things God wants me and others to hear. Stepping away or quitting are no longer options….they never were.

Father, You have strengthened me once again. I praise You! Amen.

Redeemer Savior Friend
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r__K8E8y2SU&feature=related

Getting into God's Word and letting God's Word get into me one truth at a time.

When the Truth Sinks In

Blessed is the man whose sin the LORD does not count against him and in whose spirit is no deceit. Psalm 32:2 (New International Version)

Sometimes the full ramifications of Scripture can elude me. I can read it. Someone can tell me what it says and even explain what it means. But when it fails to become life changing for me I know that something is not getting through. God’s Word is meant to come alive to us and make a difference in us. The truths of Scripture should be anything but ineffective. Yet the question I have to ask myself when I am taking it in is, “Does it make a difference to me and what is that difference?”

I have often marveled at David’s ability to completely grasp God’s forgiveness of him. He delighted in it. He reveled in it. He acted upon the truth of it. When he knew he was forgiven he saw no need to live with a sense of condemnation, guilt, or shame. Just as surely as he knew he had sinned, he knew he had been forgiven. End of story!

One thing I appreciate about God is that He will go to any lengths to get us to see something we are missing. He knows just what to do to clear away the fog of our minds and the hindrances to His truths getting in. He longs for us to finally get it! He aches for us to fully receive what He is offering us.

Recently God amazed me with a concept of forgiveness that I just wasn’t getting but once it became clear I was astounded! The concept was this: When I fully realize that I am forgiven I get to live as if the offense never happened! The impact of that statement lightened the load of my heart tremendously. It took away the “I really blew it” mentality and allowed me to see the reality of a clean slate! It no longer defined me or confined me. It wasn’t me anymore!

Just ask yourself how differently you would think, feel, and act if the one thing that continues to hang over your head and torment you had never happened. Well, God has news for you. As far as He is concerned it didn’t and He invites you to come into agreement with Him. Let the truth of that concept sink deep into your mind and heart. Let it set you free!

Father, I never thought I could separate who I am today from what I did in my yesterdays. Thank you for the key that unlocked the prison door of my mind. Amen.

What Sin? - Morgan Cryar
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qaMIeOKQVDs&feature=related

Getting into God's Word and letting God's Word get into me one truth at a time.

An Important Component

Bring forth fruit that is consistent with repentance [let your lives prove your change of heart]. Matthew 3:8 (Amplified Bible)


The Pharisees and Sadducees had come to John to be baptized. He knew that much of their attention was on outward appearance rather than inward transformation. It was all about the heart and if the heart was real the actions would follow. Change was the fruit, proof, and result of true repentance. John the Baptist spoke a lot about repentance. By it he meant having a change of thoughts, mind, and conduct as well as regretting ones sin. Without those, the apologies and asking for forgiveness become empty words. Our lack of change can often cheapen our words when it comes to seeking another’s forgiveness.

Some of us know all too well the trail of “I am sorry will you forgive me” that exists in our history. Some may want to respond, “Don’t tell me, SHOW me!” They desire more than verbal acknowledgment of what we have done. They want to see change for our sake as well as theirs.

God is challenging me with that thought today. Because words of sorrow over sin can flow so easily with a desire to have things back to “normal” He wants me to begin holding off on those words. Not because I am not sorry and not because others will not forgive, but because change is necessary. Not perfection but definitely progress. When the change is evident the words will be precious to both sides.

The time will come for a conversation of confession and the giving and receiving of forgiveness but God wants me to take some time to allow for change. Not behavior modification but real change. It is still about the heart because that is the driving force behind the actions. What are the changes? He has given me a rather short but specific list. Not because more changes are not necessary but because true change is His desired outcome. The empowerment to implement the changes will come from Him but the willingness and cooperation lies with me.

For once I am not squirming at the idea of obedience. I am poised with anticipation of what He will bring about through the obedience.

Father, help me to bring forth fruit that is consistent with my repentance. May my eventual words spring forth from a garden of change. Amen.

Change My Heart oh God
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cUjUvoynGMM&feature=related

Getting into God's Word and letting God's Word get into me one truth at a time.

How?

Call to Me and I will answer you, and I will tell you great and mighty things, which you do not know. Jeremiah 33:3 (New American Standard Bible)

There are times when we want the people in our life to give us the answers we are looking for. When we feel stuck in certain behavior problems we want them to tell us how to move forward. When we have a difficult decision to make we want them to tell us the best option to choose. When we want victory in an area of our life we want them to tell us how to go about obtaining that victory. When we want to grow as believers we want them to tell us how to do that.

God is reminding me that He holds the answers and knowledge that I need. He longs for me to direct the “how do I do that” questions toward Him. He knows what I don’t know and He is willing to teach me in ways that I can understand and grasp. This morning, I am bringing the questions to Him. It sounds something like this.

Father, how do I allow Your love of me to impact my life? How do I stop looking to people to make me feel loved, validated, wanted, and welcomed? How do I take my eyes off myself and begin to look around at others and their needs? How do I seek You with all of my heart, soul, and mind? How do I love you with all of my heart, soul, and mind? How do I follow You with abandon? How do I make You the center of my existence? How do I receive from You all that You desire to give me in the way of internal needs? How do I stop forming unhealthy attachments to the ones You cross my path with? How do I walk by faith and not by sight? How do I practice Your presence? How do I find healing for the wounds and hurts of life? How do I stop believing lies? How do reflect You in my words, actions, and attitudes? How do I find my safety, security, and sense of well being in You? How do learn to live my life differently? Tell me, teach me, and show me the things I do not know. The great and mighty things! Thank You that You will never leave me or forsake me. Thank You that You know the plans You have for me and You will fulfill Your purposes in my life. Thank You for not allowing me to find what I am looking for in sources other than You. Thank You that You will work all things out for good. Thank You that as I call to You, You will show me great and mighty things that I do not know.

Learning to take God’s hand and walk with Him, look to Him, and listen to Him is my goal. Showing me how to do that is His desire.

Father, help me. Amen.

Open The Eyes of My Heart
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wutmEjdbedE&feature=related

Getting into God's Word and letting God's Word get into me one truth at a time.

What to do With the Expectations

But what did you go out to see? Matthew 11:8 (New American Standard Bible)

Jesus asked this question of the people in regards to John the Baptist. In other words, He asked them what it was they were expecting. For He knew that expectations can lead to disappointment when there is no fulfillment of initial thoughts.

We live in a world where our expectations run high. We have certain expectations of people, of marriage, of jobs, of children, of churches, of ventures, of ourselves, of life in general, and of God. Webster’s defines expectation as a looking forward to; anticipation; a looking for as due, proper, or necessary; prospect of future success, prosperity, etc… When what we hoped for does not come about, discouragement can set in, as well as anger, frustration, and a loss of hope. If an individual has had too many disappointments in their life they learn to close themselves off in hopes of avoiding future disappointments.

But that is no way to live! David had it right when he learned to make God his expectation. His hope! He knew the frailty and limitations of people….himself included. He knew there was a danger in placing strong hope and expectation in events, circumstances, and relationships.

Many times I find my expectations are built on the desire to have needs met. I look to certain people to make me feel good, encourage me, validate me, and accept me. While they may or may not come through for me, God wants to be my primary Source for all of it. As I allow Him to meet my deepest needs, I can then invest myself in the lives of others. He refers to Himself as a fountain of living water to let me know He is a continual supply for me. The frequency with which I come to Him is up to me.

I was born with the need for security, love, fulfillment, and satisfaction. There is nothing wrong with needing those things. The problem is that too often I am turning to the wrong sources to get those needs met. Every one of them is found in Christ! He promises to come through for me if I but ask!

Father, depravation is not necessary in Your kingdom. The answer is not to squelch the needs I have but to learn to bring them to You. Teach me how to drink my fill of You in order to quench the thirst in me. Amen.

My Life Is In You, Lord
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0M0NALW7EM

Getting into God's Word and letting God's Word get into me one truth at a time.

A Necessary Work

Be it known to the king that we went to the province of Judah, to the house of the great God. It is being built with huge stones, with timber laid in the walls; this work goes on with diligence and care and prospers in their hands. Ezra 5:8(Amplified Bible)

The rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem in the days of Ezra, was a huge undertaking. It wasn’t without opposition and problems but it continued in the midst of them. The labor was hard, the circumstances were difficult, yet the work went on with diligence and it prospered.

The rebuilding of areas in our life that have fallen or lost their effectiveness requires the same kind of diligence and care. We must be willing to see it through to completion even when it gets hard. Even when opposition from within and without comes into play. Even when it isn’t comfortable or enjoyable. If there is something in my life that needs attention and work on my part then I must be willing to cooperate with God in bringing about changes. It may be in attitudes, actions, words, disposition, or any host of things.

This has been a week of God opening my eyes to not only things that need to change in me but my responsibility for bringing about those changes with His help. It is not a matter of simply knowing I have to change. It is a matter of applying the truths of His Word to my life. Being a doer of His Word and not just a hearer. It is a matter of using whatever tools and materials are necessary to establish boundaries and walls for my emotional, physical, and spiritual well being. It is a matter of being accountable to God and at least one other person for the continuation of work that needs to be done.

The children of Israel were serious about building the wall and it showed in their decisions, discipline, and diligence. No less is required of me. They were not on their own and neither am I. For God is the One at work in me to complete what He started. He will show me places that need to be rebuilt, things that need to be gotten rid of, new ways to live my Christian life, and discernment along the way. He is diligent and caring in all that He puts His hands to and His work will prosper in His hands.

Father, I see the need for change and I accept the responsibility to make changes and receive Your help in bringing about those changes. Keep me diligent and let Your work in me prosper. Amen.

Change My Heart - Eddie Espinosa
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CEtsHWFE6-w

Getting into God's Word and letting God's Word get into me one truth at a time.

The Same God

(For He who effectually worked for Peter in his apostleship to the circumcised effectually worked for me also to the Gentiles), Galatians 2:8 (New American Standard Bible)

Different ministries, different men, different gifts, different opportunities, different weaknesses, different strengths, SAME God. The very God who called, equipped, and worked through Peter, called, equipped, and worked through Paul. Each of us need to see that same truth applied to us.

Do you know someone who is being used of God in mighty ways? The same God is using you! Do you know someone with whom God has brought about changes in their life? The same God is changing you! Do you know someone who is being held and upheld by God in the midst of struggles, failures, and negative circumstances? The same God is holding and upholding you! Put in any person’s scenario that has the fingerprints of God and know that He is the same God for you.

While we aren’t to compare ourselves with others, we can find a great deal of assurance and comfort from seeing that God is involved, impartial, and interested in each one of us as individuals. He doesn’t play favorites with some while ignoring others. He is not watchful of some and blind to others. Pick any Christian today, any Biblical character from centuries ago, any kingdom child and know that you are just as loved, just as thought of, just as chosen, just as cared for, and just as guided by God as they have been.

It doesn’t mean God will allow you the same exact opportunities. It doesn’t mean life will work exactly the same for you as it has for them. It doesn’t even mean prayers will be answered in the same way. Why? Because we are individuals with individual needs. God knows what is best for each one of us. God chooses to work His plans and purposes out in our lives for our good and His glory. Uniqueness of situations, ministries, and growth does not mean loved less. It means God has unlimited ways of working in each of us.

For those of us who easily condemn ourselves, live with feelings of inferiority, believe ourselves to be invisible (a lost face in the crowd), and think others are a top priority of God’s while we sit at the bottom of the list, God wants the message of His love for us and involvement in our life to sink in and challenge the core beliefs we have come to embrace about ourselves and about Him. He wants His Word to make it from our head to our heart. He wants us to see the truth and allow it to impact our life for good!

Father, You treat me as if I were an only child even though You have many children. To know that I have Your ongoing attention, acceptance, and interaction in my life is beyond my ability to fully grasp but I hold on to it just the same. Amen.

I Offer My Life - Don Moen
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v0ar5EfvAcU&feature=related

Getting into God's Word and letting God's Word get into me one truth at a time.

Refusing to be Brought Back In

And this occurred because of false brethren secretly brought in (who came in by stealth to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage), to whom we did not yield submission even for an hour, that the truth of the gospel might continue with you. Galatians 2:4,5 (New King James Version)

At one time, the Apostle Paul had lived a legalistic life….keeping the law in hopes of earning salvation. He went to great lengths to impose that view on others even to the point of seeing them imprisoned or put to death. His life was marked with the keeping of the law as well as the traditions of his forefathers. Unbeknownst to him, he was in bondage to the religious system of his day and made it his goal in life to keep others in bondage as well. Is it any wonder that once he learned the truth about salvation and had a personal encounter with the God of that salvation that he detested the idea of ever being put into bondage again? Although he would face the physical imprisonment of jail, he refused to allow his soul to ever again be in bondage. Freedom was his through Christ and freedom would remain his.

But it wasn’t just his freedom that he held on to, it was also the freedom of fellow believers that remained his passion. For any who would come into their meetings with the agenda of taking people back into legalism Paul refused to yield to their thinking or pressure for even a moment. He knew the truth, lived the truth, held on to the truth, and made sure that truth remained untainted.

I have never been one to believe I could earn my way to heaven by keeping the Ten Commandments or being good. Salvation by grace alone was readily accepted by me as a teenager. But I knew the bondage of letting outside standards and church traditions be the basis of my “spirituality”. I knew what it was like to live my Christian life thinking I had to earn God’s love and acceptance through rules instead of relationship. I knew what it was like to be guided by men’s opinions and preferences rather than God’s Word and Spirit. It is a bondage filled with the sense of condemnation, guilt, shame, and never being good enough. It was a way of life that left me feeling that God tolerated me more than loved me. Once I learned the truth about God’s love and living out of grace instead of law, it was a bondage I never wanted to return to again.

In the course of conversations, it does not take long for me to detect when someone desires to put me back into bondage by either their words, cold shoulders, or judgmental looks. Paul’s answer is my answer. I refuse to submit to their way of thinking. Knowing the truth about salvation and also about freedom in Christ is too precious to abandon for any chains of the soul.

Father, I have known bondage and I know freedom. It is now my passion to proclaim the truth and embrace You. Amen.

In Christ Alone - Brian Littrell
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jKq4tJte0lQ

Getting into God's Word and letting God's Word get into me one truth at a time.

Living Informed

I will not speak much more with you, for the ruler of the world is coming, and he has nothing in Me; but so that the world may know that I love the Father, I do exactly as the Father commanded Me. Get up, let us go from here. John 14:30, 31 (New American Standard Bible)

Growth and victory in the Christian life is built on truth. Truth about God, truth about myself, and truth about the enemy of my soul, Satan. For too long I either forgot about him, ignored him, underestimated him, or limited his effectiveness on me. God is bringing me from that state to one of awareness and offensiveness. The list of what I should speak to him is growing and as it does I am being empowered to live life as God meant for me to live it all along.

Jesus’ phrase, “he has nothing in Me” was made clearer in the Amplified Bible. Having nothing in Me means he has no claim on Me. [He has nothing in common with Me; there is nothing in Me that belongs to him, and he has no power over Me.] No claim, no common ground, no possession, and no power! And what he doesn’t have in regards to Christ, he doesn’t have in regards to me. My first thought was that I could not wait to inform him of my newly found facts. Why is that necessary? Because as long as I believe he is less or more powerful than he is, he will have the upper hand in my life. But when I face him with the truth it clears the way for me walk in obedience to God and move forward.

Jesus does not want us to live obsessed with the enemy but neither does He want us to live in ignorance of him and for many of us that has been the problem. Ignorant of his methods, schemes, and nature. All of that is brought to the forefront each time I insist that he back off! When that happens, my mind is freed up to focus on God and His working in my life. My energy is directed toward the tasks at hand. Something as simple as listening to a sermon without distractions of needs being met and wondering what the people around me are thinking becomes possible. It also, strengthens me in areas that have been weak and helps me to be better able to fight off attacks in the future. It is a new lease on life and I am taking it!

At the beginning of this week I had come to the end of myself and my heart’s cry was for God to show me what was wrong and what to do about it. I was certain that there were too many quirks and places of brokenness in me to ever walk in victory. It seemed I could not win over the onslaughts of emotions, perceptions, and knee-jerk reactions. What I brought to God was a plea for help and fighting the enemy with wisdom and the Word has been God’s answer and gift to me. It is working and I am beyond excited!

Father, You are faithfully bringing me out of the darkness and into the light. I joy in what You are doing and how You are doing it! Amen.

Worship Song - Maranatha Singers
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WMpbm2p-1mo

Getting into God's Word and letting God's Word get into me one truth at a time.

Learning to Fight

But He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.” Matthew 16:23 (New King James Version)

Although Christ’s words were spoken to Peter, Satan was the intended recipient of those words. We would do well to be as bold in our tone and terminology when addressing the enemy of our soul. Jesus had no trouble knowing who was really behind the rebuke Peter gave him, and we need to be just as wise to his workings in our lives as well.

It has taken me years to realize just how active the enemy and his minions are in my waking hours. Too often I failed to notice his finger prints and would simply attribute my troubles to living in a broken world and possessing a sinful nature. Little did I realize the things I was blaming my problems on were also his tools and he was proficient at using them. While certain words, thoughts, and actions may start with me, he is delighted to run with them once I let my guard down. I failed to see each one as darts in his hands.

What are the “darts” he uses in my life? Wrong perceptions, feelings of jealousy, condemning thoughts toward others or myself, fear of rejection, hopelessness, a sense of being unfulfilled and unsatisfied, longings for things I can’t have, idolatry, self-pity, insecurities, and emotions that take me down wrong trails. Today was the first day I began to see how much the enemy is involved in using them. How skilled he is at using them.

Once I saw what was happening (what has been happening) I got angry. Really angry, because I saw the damage he was doing with little resistance from me. That is when I began to call him on the carpet. I voiced the fact that he was a liar and that I no longer wanted to choose to believe his lies. I proclaimed the truth of Who I belonged to and who I was in Christ. Throughout the day, the least negative thought that came to mind was enough to bring the “Get behind me, Satan” phrase out of my mouth. He heard it a lot and he heard it often.

The results have been astounding! I have begun to live as a victor instead of a victim. I am learning I can be bold in Christ and I like that! It is the difference between taking control and being controlled. Will it continue to work as well tomorrow and the next day and the next? Definitely! I can’t wait to use the rest of the verse on him!

Father, I am learning to fight the enemy on Your terms and it is working. Keep me bold and keep me in tune with You. Amen.

Protector of My Soul - Maranatha Singers
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sj3mCYB5iqg

Getting into God's Word and letting God's Word get into me one truth at a time.

Unleashing the Truth

You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world. 1 John 4:4 (New American Standard Bible)

Scripture is meant to touch all areas of our life, but often we can limit its impact by limiting its interpretation. Many times I have read today’s verse and seen it as merely a reference to Christ versus Satan. Earlier today, however, God brought this verse to mind when I began battling some mindsets. He helped me see that if Christ (in me) is greater than Satan and his entire host of demon helpers, then He is also greater than any personal weaknesses and propensities I have in me. The very things that continue to trip me up and break me down are inferior to Him and His strength. I need that assurance lest I draw the conclusion that I will never see victory in certain areas of my life.

I want this to be more than truth making its way into my head. I want it to be truth that shapes my life and brings about change. Tonight I am very aware of an area in my life that needs to change and the uncomfortable part is that others are aware of it as well. A part of me wants to run, hide, and avoid any situation which will bring my weaknesses to the surface. The temptation is strong to be around others only on days when I am able to be strong physically, emotionally, and spiritually. After all, how can I be an encouragement to others if I walk in failure? Wouldn’t it be better to not be seen than to set a poor example?

As I pondered those ideas it didn’t take long for me to see that God wasn’t in them. His desire is for my freedom and growth not my disappearance and withdrawal. He knows that each failure simply stands as a reminder that there is still work to be done in me. He knows that my ability to fight will not be accomplished away from the battle. He also knows that stepping away is not the answer…stepping up to the plate is!

Tonight I choose to allow this verse to come alive in new ways to me. Yes, greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world. But also, greater is He that is in me than all the other things that are in me. Greater is He that is in me than anything in me that leads to mistakes, failure, and wrong choices. Greater is He that is in me than every thing that attempts (and sometimes succeeds) to pull me in the wrong direction. Tonight I choose to let my failure serve as a reminder of the greatness of the One who lives in me.

Father, I marvel that You never seek to rid Yourself of me. You keep working. You keep molding. You keep cultivating. You keep staying. Forgive me and take me farther. Amen.

Greater Is He - Sparky Marco
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nqww8NgYpzI&feature=related

Getting into God's Word and letting God's Word get into me one truth at a time.