Upon What Does It Hinge?

How blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, Whose sin is covered! Psalm 32:1 (New American Standard Bible)

David reveled in God’s forgiveness of his sins because he took God at His word that sin would and could be forgiven if brought to Him. In Old Testament times a sin offering was brought in the form of a lamb or goat and upon the shed blood of that sacrifice forgiveness was promised (Leviticus 4:20). Jesus Christ later became that sacrificial lamb on the cross of Calvary. It is His shed blood that becomes the premise for God’s forgiveness today (1 John 1:9).

So what exactly IS God’s forgiveness? It is a pardon. In legal terms it means the forgiveness of a crime and the cancellation of the relevant penalty. While we may still be subject to the earthly consequences of our sin, the eternal penalty in Hell is cancelled. It means when sin is forgiven it is no longer held against us and we are no longer viewed in light of that sin. It is gone!

If that be the case, why do so many of us live as if the sin is still hanging over our head and God is reluctant to actually give the forgiveness He has promised? I have been asking God that question this morning and He has been quick to bring the answer. It has to do with that upon which I think forgiveness hinges. God is letting me know that my own pre-conceived ideas are getting in the way of me receiving His extravagant offer. While He says the price has been paid and forgiveness will be extended each time I bring the sin to Him, I stand entangled in the following thoughts:

*God withholds forgiveness until I am no longer sinning in that area.

*God does not take my confession seriously because I still fail.

*I have no right to ask His forgiveness if I have not come to the place of victory over the sin.

*I am an exception to His grace because I am not sinless yet.

I was stunned at how much was hinging on my behavior. I am no different than the person who says they will come to Jesus for salvation when they get their life together. Sort of like the person who cleans the house before the maid shows up! God is helping me to see that His forgiveness is not contingent on how good I do afterwards. It fully rests on the payment that was made by Christ on the cross. I never have deserved it and never will deserve it apart from Christ’s sacrifice and God’s grace.

Father, I have been hesitant to take You at Your word, yet You have never withdrawn Your hands that offer such a gift as this! Change will come as a result of Your forgiveness not as a prerequisite for it. Amen.

What Sin? - Morgan Cryar
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C3Wdzzx6-f4

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

Serving Two Masters

No servant is able to serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will stand by and be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon (riches, or anything in which you trust and on which you rely). Luke 16:13 (Amplified Bible)

Dare to take this verse further than the love of money and it will change your life. Serving two masters is done anytime something or someone is in competition with God for our heart. It could be money and it could also be relationships, job status, financial security, success, bitterness, refusal to forgive, prolonged grief, or any other person or thing we view as necessary for our own survival. Just as our minds can only think of one thing at a time, our hearts can only embrace one thing at a time. It is God or ____________ and each of us would do well to identify what is in the blank. If nothing comes to mind, ask God to reveal it to you. He is an expert at showing us the things to which we are blind.

I have often said, God does not reveal truths to us about ourselves to shame or condemn us but rather to heal, restore, and free us. If I have a master other than God that I am holding to and serving, my freedom will only come as I acknowledge it and release it. Depending on the strength of its hold on me the process of letting go may involve a lot of time. I am learning that the quicker I deal with it the quicker the freedom will come.

It is not easy to release what depicts security and value to us. That which we treasure in our heart and view as necessary for our life will be the hardest to relinquish. But unless we are willing to release our grip, our hold will be on the wrong source. I speak as one who has known the full impact of having my “second” master be a person, an attitude, a passion, a position, an addiction, and a loss. Yet none of those things could or should be to me what God desires to be to me.

None could say, “I will never leave you or forsake you.” None could love me with an everlasting love. None could die for my sins and secure a place in Heaven for me. None could create me with a purpose and move Heaven and Earth to bring about that purpose. None but God. When it is He whom I serve, He whom I love, He whom I am devoted to, and He whom I stand by I am in the right place in my life. That is when there is true peace, joy, and delight in living.

Father, You offer me so much when You offer me Yourself. Help me to choose You above all others every minute of every day. Be my only Master. Amen.

Be Thou My Vision - David Arkenstone: Celtic Hymns
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qMttnek4868

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

God's Way of Doing Things

Let all things be done decently and in order. I Corinthians 14:40 (King James Version)

I appreciate the fact that God leads by example. He faithfully demonstrates the very things He commands, demands, and expects of me. He is definitely not like many parents who say, “Do as I say, not as I do.” With God it is always “Do as I say and as I do!” I look back at the account of creation and I see things being done decently and in order with specific creation on specific days.

I am currently reading the book of Numbers and what started out as repetitive and seemingly boring details quickly gave way to seeing God set up tabernacle worship and the placement of His people in a decent and orderly fashion. When I look at the vast number of Israelites in the wilderness (over a million) I realize the necessity of God doing things decently and in order.

But the words of I Corinthians 15:40 are taking on a new dimension for me. I am resting in the fact that what God does in my life is being done decently and in order as well. His daily plan for me is being carried out with precision, dignity, and individuality. There is design and purpose in the things He has me do, the people He has me meet, and the way He interacts with me. I am gaining a new appreciation for the way He orchestrates my life…..one day at a time.

There is a sense of security and peace when I take in the words of Psalm 37:23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD; and he delighteth in his way. The word ‘ordered’ comes from a Greek word that means to set up, establish, fix, prepare, direct, fashion, ordain, perfect, prepare, and provide. Talk about significance! Seeing God’s watchfulness and detailed ordering of my life is the reason I can then delight in His ways. It is a delight He revels in as well.

I may not always understand God’s choices for my life but in this truth I choose to live…..God is faithful, good, loving, attentive, involved, and in control. His Word is filled with examples of that! Nothing He does is haphazard or half-hearted. Who better to arrange my life than the very One who created and sustains life?


Father, I feel cared for by You! I joy in the fact that whatever You have planned for my day as well as my life will be done decently and in order. Thank you that I need never expect anything less! Amen.

Ppotter's Hand - Hillsong
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jSyKUoCxFMU&feature=related

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

Confident and Specific

And the king said to her, “What do you wish, Queen Esther? What is your request? It shall be given to you—up to half the kingdom!” Esther 5:3 (New King James Version)

Four times King Ahasuerus (Xerxes), voiced these words to Queen Esther (Esther 5:3,6; 7:2; 9:12). He ruled over 127 provinces, so when he said, “Up to half the kingdom” it was an extravagant offer! Each time, Esther was ready with specific requests which she had thought through in advance. She stated those requests with confidence because of the king’s words to her. In essence, he was saying, “Ask and it will be given to you!” He wanted to know what was on her mind and he wanted to give her what she desired. What love and what risk! He had no idea what she was going to say and yet he made a radical promise….and KEPT it! Each and every time!

Jesus has spoken the same words to us. He said, “Ask and it shall be given unto you, seek and you will find, knock and the door shall be opened on to you.” He also said, “Ask anything in my name, and it shall be given unto you.” But one of the differences between Ahasuerus and Jesus is that Jesus already knows what we plan to ask even before we ask it!

So I am asking myself this morning whether or not I approach Jesus with the same confidence as Esther approached Ahasuerus. Am I as specific? If not, why not? I believe my answer lies in the fact that I realize God does not always give me what I ask for. It is time to look at that aspect of prayer and see the reasons He would say, “No.”

I must embrace the truth that God is able to do ALL things and that His ways are above my ways. His “no” often means, it would not be good for me to have what I am asking Him for, He has a better plan, He desires to work in a different way, or He knows what is best. It can also mean there is sin that needs to be dealt with first. In the midst of it all, He invites me to trust Him with abandon and not depend on my own understanding. As I pray I must review the character and heart of God. If God’s denial of my request leaves me with thoughts of not being loved or cared for then I am buying into lies. The truth of the matter is that Jesus has invited me to ask and that gives me confidence. His sovereignty and wisdom gives me peace.

Having said this, let me also say that I believe Jesus intends and desires to do so much more than I dare to ask. I have to wonder what would happen if I received Christ’s words in the same way that Esther received Ahasuerus’ words. May I find out!

Father, help my prayers to be both confident and specific. There is much about prayer that still eludes me but I want to learn. Lord, teach me how to pray! Amen.

Draw Me Close - Kathy Troccoli
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bgQJVfUQLho

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

God's Time Table

Noah was 600 years old when the flood of waters came upon the earth or land. Genesis 7:6 (Amplified Bible)

It is easy to read Scripture and forget the span of time that takes place from verse to verse or chapter to chapter. Whole lifetimes can be covered with just a sentence. One of the reasons we have stated ages in the Bible is to better understand the time frame that underscores the events. When we see that things did not usually happen instantaneously but rather over decades or even centuries of time in the days of Bible characters, we are better equipped to understand the possible years involved for the unfolding of God’s plan for us. It causes us to refocus our attention on God’s time table instead of our own.

From the time that Noah was told to build an ark for safety against a coming flood and the actual occurrence of the flood, 100 years had elapsed. While it would have been easy to grow discouraged and maybe even abandon the task, he stayed strong in his hope and his work. He did not let the slowness of the pace deter, distract, or disturb him. Trust involves walking by faith, living in God’s strength, and allowing Him to set the velocity of the steps.

There are numerous things I would like to see happen in my life. Spiritual growth and a deepened awareness of who God is, sit at the top of the list! But I know that two factors play into the progress on this journey….God’s predetermined time table and my willingness to cooperate. My desire is that I am farther along by this time next year but God Himself knows the actual distance that will be covered.

I also desire doors of opportunity to open and to be more confident and settled in my role within His kingdom work. Up to this point I feel that much of what He is doing in me is preparatory. Will this be a continued year of the same, or will I see His plan and purpose unfold and take place? I do not know but I know this….it continues to be according to His time table. It is imperative that I follow Noah’s example and stay strong in my hope and what God would have me do presently.

May I realize afresh that the process and progress of discovering God’s call on my life takes time and may I be in no more of a rush than the Designer of that call.

Father, Your time table takes precedence over my own…I yield. Amen.

In His Time - Maranatha Singers
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wo-rGzx2OZk

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