Knowing the Truth About Ourselves

But Peter said to Him, "Even though all may fall away because of You, I will never fall away." Jesus said to him, "Truly I say to you that this very night, before a rooster crows, you will deny Me three times." Peter said to Him, "Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You." All the disciples said the same thing too. Matthew 26:33-35 (New American Standard Bible)

Like Peter, we can often state, in a moment of strength, lofty thoughts that come back to bite us in weak moments. Peter had plans to stick with the Lord no matter what. He spoke with passion…runaway passion. He truly meant what he said but he said it grossly underestimating the strength of his own weaknesses. In his stronger moment, he could not imagine that the circumstances of life could have the effect on him of which Jesus warned him. Peter learned the hard way of just how human he was. Everything he said would happen, didn’t, and everything he said wouldn’t happen, did. I believe this incident forever changed his view of how vulnerable he was in this world and where his true strength had to lie.

I am learning to watch myself in my strong moments. When life is going well and I am owning an attitude that I can handle certain things I can often forget how close I am to stumbling. As scenarios play over and over again in my life and I see the effects remaining the same I am taking notice. If I keep repeating the same thing and getting the same painful result it is time I make a decision to avoid that particular action.

I have two weaknesses that come to mind and I am learning to guard myself better when it comes to them. There are certain foods that will trigger an eating binge with me. Partaking of them always leads to the same result. Hence, I KNOW if I start the result will not be pretty. No matter how strong I may feel and how sure I am that I can control those foods, the truth of the matter is I can’t. I am wise to avoid them.

There are also areas in relationships that tend to bring about the same results for me. There are certain people who hold too strong of a position in my life. If I contact them via emails, phone calls, or letters, and do not hear back from them I am crushed. As much as I don’t want this to be the case, my perceptions run wild and negativity sets in toward them and myself. In strong moments I may think I can handle not hearing from them, but I make a mistake when I allow those thoughts to persuade me to try one more contact. The scenario has played out too many times. My head may tell me the legitimate reasons for their lack of communication but my emotions spiral. So knowing this, the wise thing for me to do is resist the temptation to be in contact. I have had to see the truth of my weakness during times when I don’t even feel weak. Knowing myself is an important part of walking in victory.

Father, help me to see the truth about what controls me. If the result will be over indulgence or emotional suicide, help me to avoid the pitfall. I want to walk in wisdom and freedom. Amen.

I Surrender All - Vineyard
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7x2IpLSfqp8

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

Not Getting What We Want

So Ahab went home, sullen and angry because Naboth the Jezreelite had said, “I will not give you the inheritance of my fathers.” He lay on his bed sulking and refused to eat. I Kings 21:4 (New International Version)

Ahab had requested to buy a vineyard from Naboth. Because this vineyard was his family inheritance, Naboth refused to give it up. He was right in his decision. But Ahab did not want to hear the word no. He went to his room and refused comfort and food. His air of entitlement and thoughts that life should always go his way are what ruled his heart….and hence his actions. His tears would not be dried and food would not be his companion until his wife, Jezebel, had Naboth put to death and the vineyard finally became his. God saw this as Ahab selling himself to do evil and pronounced a death sentence upon him. In the end, I have to wonder if Ahab still considered it all worth it.

This passage becomes a wake up call to me. If I have a teachable spirit, God will cause His Word to pinpoint areas in my life whereby I must guard against having an Ahab response to the disappointments of life. My expectations can run deep when it comes to relationships, occupations, opportunities, possessions, and personal goals. If I am focused on immediate gratification instead of eternal value, the set backs, obstacles, refusals, and closed doors will trigger an Ahab response in me. I will become very self focused, sulk, and complain within myself. I will lose site of others and the kingdom work that needs to be done. I will somehow convince myself that I am insignificant and things will never get any better. Misery, tears, and anger will mark my path and life will be far from the way God purposed it to be for me.

What does my Father do at that point? Allows me to experience enough pain from my “fit” to drive me back into His arms for restoration, comfort, and renewal. Humility and submission open the door for me to once again realize God’s love and involvement in my life. He is too loving to let me have all the things I want. His extravagance is in the area of giving me what is for my good and His glory. He knows I will not always understand but my the delight He has when I simply trust Him. What joy and peace are mine when I give to Him the confusion, disappointment, and heartaches.

It will always come down to what I believe about God’s character. Do I believe He loves me, has the best intentions for me, and is bringing about His chosen plan and purpose for me? If the answer is “yes” then I will begin seeing “no” as a loving response from Him rather than an act of cruelty. I will rest instead of resist.

Father, show me my Ahab ways. Teach me the ways of Your Spirit. Your gifts abound if I will but open my hands to receive them. Amen.

In Your Hands - Hillsong
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ThE0kn3u1kc&feature=related

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

It's All the Same to Him

Even the darkness is not dark to You, and the night is as bright as the day. Darkness and light are alike to You. Psalm 139:12 (New American Standard Bible)

A number of years ago, this verse changed my walking patterns. I use to never walk after dark, but the idea that God’s vision is not limited by darkness gave me the courage and freedom to do so. What I needed to know was that walking after dark was the same as broad daylight to God. I would envision the whole area lit up profusely! I came to love the canopy of stars that were displayed over my head. It has been a while since I have been able to take a walk in the moonlight but if given the chance I would do it again in a heartbeat.

God’s Word is so multi-layered. He not only wanted me to see this verse in light of evening strolls, but He wanted me to see that the circumstances of my life are the same as well. Whether my days are filled with dark moments or brilliant light moments, God is still not limited in His vision and watch care over me. Storms do not throw Him. Clouds do not block Him. Torrential down pours do not fill Him with uncertainties. And He wants it to be the same for me. He speaks peace in the midst of the storms and at the right moment calms them.

Not only are my light and dark circumstances all the same to God, but so are my various moods. I use to be concerned if I was not on a continual “high” of emotions. I did not want the low times or the even kilter times. Those always spelled danger to me as I frantically searched for something or someone to lift me up. What I am learning is to relax and rest. To picture Jesus right there with me whether I am on a mountain top or in the depths of a pit of despair. He never walks away and simply waits for me at the end of my tunnel, valley, or gulf. He holds and upholds me the entire way. That has helped me to see that the moods will pass. The down days of darkness will always give way to light. I am learning to believe that and anticipate it.

In my times of dark circumstances or moods, I am learning to lift my eyes to my Father and say, “Abba Father, I am Yours, and You always take care of Your own. You formed me in my mother’s womb and You have carried me ever since. I am inscribed on the palms of Your hands as well as on Your heart. I rest in You.” These are not just words to Him or me. They are words that shift my internal world and shelter me. Tears still flow and fears still surface, but eventually they give way to hope and healing. I am no longer left with a feeling of being stuck with no means for escape.

Father, thank you for the storms that have caused me to seek shelter in You. May I continue to see light and darkness as the same because of who You are! Amen.

Draw Me Close to You - Hillsong
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FB1yDv9_N1k&feature=related

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

Seeing for Myself

They said to the woman, "We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world.“ John 4:42 (New International Version)

Some are satisfied and content to let the words and experiences of others be their end all. I know the truth of that, for unlike the people of Samaria I often lived my Christian life watching and listening to others. As a teen, newly born into the family of God, it did not take me long to begin observing others as a way of learning how to live as a Christian. Good examples abounded and it felt safer to let those examples be my guide.

That is understandable for a fourteen year old. But now that I am in my early 50’s I have to question the tendency that still resides in me to take my leading from others. I still catch myself taking note of how another person walks with God and then proceed to follow rather than venture off on my own and discover my own unique, authentic walk.

I long for the day when I speak the words of the Samaritans which basically said, “We see it for ourselves now!” Whether it is in the area of prayer, applying biblical principals, setting standards, or just communing with God, it is imperative that my walk not be a mere copy of others. Copying their mannerisms, their style, their choices sets me up for a life of emptiness which is void of a genuine connection with God.

So I am asking myself a few questions. What am I afraid of? Why is the thought of individually seeking God so daunting and tenacious at times? Why is it so appealing to just look at others? Why do I pattern my walk after people who are not me? After nearly four decades of knowing Christ why am I still not fully venturing out on my own?

God and God alone can answer those questions for me. Through the futility of my former seeking He has my attention. I am poised to hear Him for myself. No longer intent or content to let another person show me, tell me, or direct me, I finally step out to approach Jesus on my own. Any other teacher leaves me with more questions than answers. Any other guide fills me with confusion. It is time I see Him for myself.

Father, help me to know You, see You, and encounter You in a way that is unique and individual for me. I am weary of trying to be someone other than who You made me. Amen.

When You Call My Name - Vineyard
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J4Ce45YmVyE&feature=related

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

Let's Start Here

For thus says the LORD, Who created the heavens, Who is God, Who formed the earth and made it, Who has established it, Who did not create it in vain, Who formed it to be inhabited. I am the LORD, and there is no other. Isaiah 45:18 (New King James Version)

Genesis 1:1 is the introduction of God and what He did. Chapters 44and 45 of Isaiah reiterate that truth of God’s existence as well as His creation. I would invite anyone to read those two chapters and underline each time God speaks of creating the world as well as being God alone. It is not only a rich theological find but a pivotal starting point for each of us.

Sad to say, some can read portions of Scripture and walk away unmoved and unchanged. They are much like Pharoah when Moses spoke to him about letting the children of Israel go free from Egyptian rule. His response? “Who is God?” It wasn’t a question of a searching heart but rather a proud statement of self-importance and self-worship. Some have little respect for the Word of God and have no trouble snubbing their noses and hearts at it. For them, we must continue to direct them back to Scripture and pray that one day God will open their heart to the truth.

I rejoice, though, that not everyone will have that response. Some, me included, will find great comfort and encouragement in the proclamation of God and His creation. When that happens, we come to realize that since He created everything and He is God alone, then He becomes our starting point for life. Here is what I take away from Scripture this morning.

God fashioned this world and established the way this world should operate. His Word is my guidebook for how to live in this world in relationship with God and others. He has a purpose for His creation and I am part of that purpose. Just as He did not create this world in vain, as a waste, or without intentional purpose, neither did He create me in vain, as a waste, or without intentional purpose. The world was created to be inhabited by us and we were created to be inhabited by God.

I have played board games with individuals who have made up their own rules to play by and the game no longer resembled its original design. That is okay to do with a game you purchase, but I do not want to live my life according to my own rules, boundaries, and plans. God’s ways and thoughts are higher than my own and I want live my life to the fullest. That is only possible as I align myself with His original design. That in turn, is only possible as I look into His Word and take note of how He says things are to operate. There is not an area or issue in my life that is not addressed in some way in the Bible. It is my intent to discover what it says and by God’s grace allow the truths to transform me.

Father, I am ready to approach Your Word in a life changing way. I have lived long enough my by own means, methods, and coping skills. Teach me. Guide me. Change me. Amen.

You Are God Alone - Phillips, Craig, & Dean
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9xPzTSpbYmk&feature=related

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

When He Marvels

When Jesus heard these things, He marveled at him, and turned around and said to the crowd that followed Him, “I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!” Luke 7:9 (New King James Version)


And He marveled because of their unbelief. Then He went about the villages in a circuit, teaching. Mark 6:6 (New King James Version)

In all of the New Testament there are only two verses that reference Jesus marveling at something. In Mark 6:6 He marvels at unbelief and in Luke 7:9 He marvels at great faith. Unbelief and faith are polar opposites and yet Jesus responds to both in the same way…. He marvels. Quama/zw is the Greek word for marvel and it also means to wonder or be amazed. In other words, a person’s response to Jesus can evoke amazement in Him over ones faith or unbelief. It was true in Bible times and it is true in our times.

Each day I am given ample opportunities to respond in faith or unbelief toward God and my response has the potential to amaze Him. The question is not whether or not God is amazed but at what is He amazed. As I ponder that, a slew of questions begin formulating in my mind, as to how I will respond. Will it be with great faith or unbelief? When I see weaknesses in myself? When I am faced with a test or trial? When people are unavailable? When I am placed in a new situation? When life falls apart? When the future looks uncertain? When medical diagnoses are grim? When I am outside my comfort zone? When personal choices lead to painful consequences? When I am unable to control what I most want to control? When I don’t get my way? When others get what I want? When I do not see change in myself? When I sin? When life gets hard?

When I am faced with those or any other concerns the question becomes, “Which is greater, God or my issue?” In all honesty, is God still God? Is He still loving, in control, and watching over me? Is God able to do what He says He can do? Is He trustworthy?

I have spent the past couple of weeks in introspection and tonight I am determining that if God is going to marvel at anything in my life, I want it to be my faith rather than my unbelief. As a matter of fact, if I am going to marvel at anything in my life I want it to be my faith as well.


Father, the disciples once asked for their faith to be increased. I ask the same. May my faith increase to the point of causing You to marvel. May I get to the place of marveling over You and all You do. Amen.

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

Unnoticed but Undeniably True

Ye are blessed of the LORD which made heaven and earth. Psalm 115:15 (King James Version)

I am being reminded of something I need to consistently stand guard against. For if I don’t, it will awaken many sleeping giants within me. That culprit is called “comparison.” The moment I make the mistake of comparing myself with someone else in any area I open the door to discontentment, envy, jealousy, unthankfulness, ingratitude, and dissatisfaction. It becomes ice water to my spirit and causes many problems in my relationship with people and with God.

God’s antidote? Acknowledge and embrace the truth that I am presently and abundantly blessed by Him. There is much truth to the song, “Count Your Blessings.” I am not referring to merely the physical, material blessings but the spiritual, emotional, and social blessings as well. God is extravagant to each one of us in countless ways and I so often go from day to day with little or no awareness of it. What I don’t notice I fail to appreciate, but God is pulling back the curtain of my mind and is showing me the very things He has lavished on me. I find myself asking numerous questions and each one is opening my eyes to His goodness and favor.

What if the many things I take for granted were suddenly lost in a house fire? What if God had never given me a means to communicate with Him through prayer? What if I lived in a place where there was absolutely no other believer in my life? What if the Bible was never translated into my language? What if the Holy Spirit was never given to me and I was left to muster up the changes and obedience on my own? What if music didn’t exist? What if every significant person I have ever known had never crossed my path? What if any or all of my senses (seeing, hearing, tasting, touching, and smelling) were never given to me? What if I had never heard the gospel? The questions are endless as are the blessings! God has placed these and many others into my life and He delighted in doing it. At the top of the list is the fact that He is so personally involved in my life. He knows me and is making Himself known to me.

This morning, I am acutely aware of the fact that someone besides me needs this reminder. May we no longer give the enemy the ability to distract, discourage, or dishearten us with what we don’t have and instead joy and dance in what is ours. May each one of us allow God to re-ignite within us a profound awareness of Who He is and what He does for us on a continual, daily basis. For we ARE blessed indeed!

Father, forgive me for the many times I have been blind and deaf to Your blessings and gifts to me. May praise be forthcoming from my lips and my heart! Amen.

Made Me Glad - Hillsong
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U0Zc_VWJJoI

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

From My Mouth to God's Ear

I cry aloud with my voice to the LORD; I make supplication with my voice to the LORD. I pour out my complaint before Him; I declare my trouble before Him. Psalm 142:1,2 (New American Standard Bible)

I remember hearing sermons in the past referencing the fact that we have been crucified with Christ and are dead to sin. Illustrations were given of a dead corpse and how nothing could affect that corpse. I would walk away with the assumption that if I were truly “dead” to the things of this world nothing should have an affect on my thoughts, emotions, feelings, or moods. The words and actions of others would be incapable of affecting me. How far from the truth I was living!

I kept thinking something was wrong with me because I still had feelings, sorrows, and hurts. Ashamed to admit it to myself or God, I tried denying, burying, and ignoring the fact that life WAS affecting me. To me, being sad, lonely, down, or disturbed was unacceptable behavior. I lived with the fear that I was a disappointment to God because I still battled the negative responses to life. I wasn’t “dead” enough but very much alive with feelings, aches, and reactions.

The enemy had a wonderful time with my misunderstanding and misinterpretation of Scripture. He reveled in the fact that I missed the prayers of David in the Psalms. David was a man who knew how to express his true heart, feelings, and thoughts to God. He had complaints, troubles, heartache, fears, disappointments, anger, anguish, and a host of other things he freely brought to God. He knew how to give voice to the emotions within himself.

Charles Spurgeon said it well. “We do not tell our troubles to the Lord that He may see them, but that we may see Him. It is for our relief, not for His information, that we speak plainly to Him concerning our problems.” David knew such relief and the power of pouring his heart out to God. I, too, am learning the benefit and necessity of telling God when I am lonely, hurting, sad, fearful, uncertain, frustrated, and just out of sorts. For as soon as I get the words out, He begins to minister to me in profound ways.

Father, telling You what was really going on inside of me use to be a foreign concept. How You longed for me to find out the truth about this aspect of prayer. Thank you for hearing my cries for help. Amen.

He Will Shelter You - Kathy Troccoli
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zgtu5dhqUYE&feature=related

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

Trust Amidst Troubles

I will rejoice and be glad in Your loving kindness, because You have seen my affliction, You have known the troubles of my soul. Psalm 31:7 (New American Standard Bible)

The words rejoice, be glad, affliction, and troubles of my soul seem to be an oxymoron…a combination of contradictory or incongruous words. The ability, desire, and practice of rejoicing in God’s loving kindness is the most difficult when we are afflicted and troubled. But that is also when it is the most necessary. When all of life seems to be telling us that God is anything but loving or kind, that is the time we need to proclaim it the loudest. When what God chooses to do or not do causes us to doubt His care for us, that is the time we must hide under the shadow of His wings and allow Him to be our shelter.

Job expressed his trust in God amidst the loss of fortune, family, and health. David spoke of God’s safety during the very times he was being hunted down and his life in danger. Paul reveled in contentment amidst persecution and imprisonment. Were these men super human? No. Were they ever fearful, discouraged, uncomfortable, or angry? Absolutely. But they had discovered the value of drawing close to God during the times of greatest hardships. They knew that the things they endured did not change the character or truth about who God is.

I have learned that life is going to be full of troubles whether I trust God or not. But I have also learned my soul will find rest only as I seek my shelter and security in Him during those times. When my world falls apart, when the tears come, when the feelings of foreboding want to engulf me, I have learned to shut my eyes and view a precious picture. The scenes may vary but I always picture Jesus standing right by me, with His arm wrapped around my shoulder. I take in His words like, “I will never leave you or forsake you. I am with you always. I will work all things for good. I will take care of you.” No one on earth can speak such words to me besides Jesus. No one else has the ability to carry out those words.

So this morning I choose to proclaim Him as my shelter in all storms, my safety in all dangers, my provision in all losses, my help in all troubles, my comfort in all heartache, and my defense in all battles. There is no other way to live life victoriously.

Father, Your voice speaks louder than any whispers from the enemy. He would love nothing more than for me to buy into his lies. I refuse! Amen.

Warrior is a Child / Do I Trust You - Twila Paris
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Pzu-jWpcdw

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

Whose am I Seeking?

Nevertheless many even of the rulers believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they were not confessing Him, for fear that they would be put out of the synagogue; for they loved the approval of men rather than the approval of God. John 12:42-43 (New American Standard Bible)

Changing one’s mind, actions, or beliefs because of the opinion, judgment, or view of another person can be an unstable path to walk out your faith. According to today’s verse, there were rulers who believed in Jesus but would not let it be known because they feared the ramifications of the Pharisees. The approval of those in “charge” meant more to them than God’s approval. The sad thing is they were content to let it be that way. The approval of others is where they derived their honor, dignity, identity and security. In their minds, they could not afford to lose that approval and acceptance even at the risk of God’s disapproval.

I have spent most of the past four decades living with such approval seeking tendencies. So sure that others knew better than me and were wiser than me, I let them be in charge of my decisions and the direction of my life. Even if I was sure of something, one question on their part left me in doubt. I looked to them to set my standards, establish my guard rails, and dictate my belief system. I seemed to be more in tune of what they wanted of me and for me rather than what God wanted. Decisions could not be made with assurance unless I ran it past them first. This wasn’t their doing as much as it was mine. Unlike in the days of Jesus with the Pharisees, the people I sought approval from really had my best interest at heart. So what was wrong?

My relationship with God was often sketchy. I lacked the confidence that God could walk me through issues and difficulties. I left it up to others to tell me when I was right and when I was wrong. Even now when I know what it is like to hear God speak to me in my spirit, I still sense a need to run it by those I have come to trust. While the Bible says that there is wisdom found in a multitude of counselors, I can sometimes turn that into second guessing God and the things I know He has spoken to me.

The solution? Begin having more private conversations with God and taking the steps He directs me to take without asking people’s opinion. That is not easy for me. As a matter of fact it is both scary and uncomfortable. But I believe it is the necessary in order to develop stronger spiritual muscles. It will help me to become more dependent on God rather than on others. It is how I can begin to have a more intimate, connected walk with God. When the time is right, I can share with others what God is doing. Not out of a need for their nod of approval but as a way of acknowledging what God is doing.

Father, the journey is shifting once again. Replace my fears with anticipation of what You are about to do. My eyes are on You and my hand is in Yours. Lead me, guide me, change me. Amen.

My Deliverer - Chris Tomlin
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pmGeeNDJzx0

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

Receiving Their Words

Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips. Proverbs 27:2 (New American Standard Bible)

I have often read this verse and walked away with two conclusions: I should not brag on myself but let others do the complimenting. Yet this morning the first word in Proverbs 27:2 grabs my attention. How many times have we NOT let someone say something affirming to us? Rather than receive their kind words we brush off what they say with, “Oh, it was nothing.” Or we dismiss what they are saying with a contradictory negative statement. Or we feel the need to quickly compliment them back which comes across as insincere and forced. Why are we finding it so difficult to accept and embrace the verbal or written praises of others?

Maybe our view of ourselves is so distorted that we feel undeserving of anything nice being said to us. Maybe we question the sincerity. Maybe we mistakenly think that a refreshment to our soul is somehow being prideful. Maybe we have a wrong picture of humility. Maybe we think the worst parts of us nullify anything good that might be found in us. Maybe we grew up with very little affirmation and encouragement, therefore the words are foreign to us and make us squirm. Maybe just maybe we fail to see God’s gift to us in those words.

Whatever the reason may be, the enemy accomplishes two things when we fail to let someone celebrate, commend, affirm, or compliment us with their words. He prevents us from receiving something that was intended to minister to our soul in a deep and satisfying way. And he causes the other person to feel somewhat foolish for giving out kind words and it could lead them to shut down the attempt in the future. Let’s not let him have such a victory!

For some of us, it will take time to begin seeing compliments as a good thing and learning to drink them in with thanksgiving. Maybe the next time someone pays us a compliment in any way we could start with just this simple phrase: “Thank you for your kind words!” Those words spoken with good eye contact, a smile, and a possible hug would do tremendous things for both the recipient and the giver of gracious words.

Father, help me to fully embrace generous words spoken to me and to also become extravagant in voicing affirming words to others. You are my role model in rich communication. May I follow Your example! Amen.

Amazing Love - Hillsong
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-NeKnC4WXCs&feature=related

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