Going Beyond Listening

But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. James 1:22(New King James Version)

Change does not come from simply hearing the truth, reading about the truth, or being taught the truth. Change is the result of applying the truth we hear, read, or are taught. If we think otherwise, we are merely lying to ourselves. God, through, James urges us to do what the Bible says not just hear it.

I have spent the last number of years reading many books and listening to many good speakers and teachers. Taking in truth for me was as refreshing and as rejuvenating as water is for a thirsty person. I thirsted for truth and drank it in. While I can attest to some change occurring in my life, I know that much of my internal, emotional make up has seen little change. Why? Because when it came to applying the things I was learning I either didn’t apply it or I didn’t apply it for very long. Much like the student who wants to be taught but refuses to do the work. Much like the person who wants to lose weight but doesn’t practice day in and day out what is taught at the weight loss clinic.

I have had many teachers in my life….not just school teachers. Many have been willing to teach me the things they know and I want to know. But just like the saying, “You can lead a horse to water but you can’t make him drink”, one can teach me many things but cannot make me apply it. Applying it has to be my choice and my doing.

I do not negate the work of God in my life when I speak of doing something. Part of His work in my life is brought about by practicing what I learn. Most of that practicing will take place away from the book I read or the person I listen to. It goes beyond the initial joy of learning to becoming a part of my life, for what I truly learn I will live.

Yesterday, God started my day with the thought of being friendly. Taking His word to heart set the course of my day and affected numerous interactions. It was reflected in my voice, my eyes, and my presence. It caused me to handle a sticky situation with wisdom and poise. It was enough to convince me that I want more of what I experienced. More of doing rather than just hearing.

Father, I marvel at You and all that You accomplish. You not only speak your word but You do your word. May I be more like You. Amen.

The Motions - Matthew West
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qaHmiFaX_pk

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

Don't Be Fooled

If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is useless. James 1:26 (New King James Version)

We are susceptible and vulnerable to self deception because we have deceptive and defective hearts. It is one thing to manipulate and fool the people around us. It is quite another to be so self deceived that we don’t even realize we have believed, bought, and embraced a lie. The lies are the very fibers that make up the material for the garments of hypocrisy we wear. Change will not occur because we don’t even understand there is a need for change. Hence, without revelation from God we will continue to cloak ourselves in a wardrobe of fruitless, purposeless, aimless living.

One litmus test for true religion is the bridling of the tongue. A person can have all the external manifestations of religion down pat and have it all come up worthless if there is no curbing of their words. Too often, we want to limit this to swearing or crude speech, but God wants us to go deeper and broader. While our conversations should be free of curse words, they should also be free of gossip, negative talk, lies, innuendos, exaggerations, boasting, putting others down, prejudice, and coveting (to name a few). All the church activities, Bible studies, doctrinal stands, and witnessing will be empty and futile if our speech continues to go unchecked, uncurbed, unchanged, and unguarded.

In order to avoid self deception I must be willing to let God show me the truth about myself, not only in the things I am saying but in all areas of my life. I want to know what would make my practice of religion profitless in God‘s eyes. Understand, this verse is not referring to salvation. Salvation is a relationship with God through faith in Christ. This verse is referring to the outward manifestation of that relationship. Think of the changes that could come about if just this one area of our speech would become apparent and fully realized. This is not a matter of looking around and seeing whether or not others are guarding their speech, it is a matter of each examining himself. And it starts with asking God to show us individually where we need to make some changes.

Our “speech therapy” needs to take place in our homes, work places, churches, and any other place whereby we are in the company of others. May God help us to not only detect our wrong usage of words but to replace them with words of truth, encouragement, and life! Not only the words we verbalize to others but also the words we say to ourselves.

Father, Your words are true and powerful. They always produce fruit and never return void. Make me like You. Amen.

We Will Glorify - Twila Paris
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4skT9ndv6ng&feature=related

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

They're Just like Me

Elijah was a man with a nature like ours. James 5:17

We are also men of the same nature as you. Acts 14:15 (Barnabas and Paul)

But Peter raised him up, saying, "Stand up; I too am just a man." Acts 10:26 (New American Standard Bible)

Oh, the dangers and pitfalls of becoming enamored with people! Elijah, Barnabas, Paul, and Peter are just a handful among many who would remind me that people are people. I need the reminder because so often I can take a person’s sterling moments and believe THAT is the way they are 24/7. In my mind, they no long struggle, make wrong choices, live out of their flesh, fall to temptation, think wrong thoughts, feel negative emotions, disappoint God, themselves or others, or sin in any number of other ways. Not only is that kind of thinking far from the truth, but it sets me up with false hope. The false hope of, “If they can do it, so can I.” Then when I fail to live that way, confusion and discouragement sets in.

A few years ago I joined a study entitled “Woman of Significance” based on the book The Search for Significance by Robert McGee. As I listened to some of the women I began to think they were assuming if they went through this book they would eventually be free of fear, approval seeking, guilt, performance-based living, and any other malady in their life. It took me back to the time when I learned that God’s love was not dependent on what I was doing. As I listened to speakers and read books, I began to think the mature Christian life means “no struggles, no failures, just victory!” I actually thought I could reach that point this side of Heaven. What followed was a few years of continual reality checks!

What I learned and what I shared with the women in the study group was that living the victorious Christian life did not mean I would no longer struggle with my mind, will, and emotions. It meant I knew Who to go to each time I struggled. It meant I felt safe to confide in and cry with God. It meant I could walk and talk with authenticity and transparency instead of continual masking and hiding. Simply put, it meant I was human but helped and held by an incredible God!

There are still times I find myself being enamored with individuals, but God is faithful to remind me that they too have feet of clay and must continue to practice daily the truths He is showing them. Balance has come with the removal of my rose-colored glasses.

Father, seeing others as people like myself encourages me. Help me to not look down on or up to individuals but to simple look across at them. Help me to keep my eyes on You. Amen.

Only You
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tgmezEn-zvE

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

Alike in Many Ways

Elijah was a human being with a nature such as we have [with feelings, affections, and a constitution like ours]; and he prayed earnestly for it not to rain, and no rain fell on the earth for three years and six months. And [then] he prayed again and the heavens supplied rain and the land produced its crops [as usual]. James 5:17-18 (Amplified Bible)

How easy it is to forget that those who are used of God to do incredible things are still human. They have their own set of weaknesses, areas to battle, issues to face, and hurdles to over come. How easy it is to think they aren’t like us…that they somehow are in a category all their own. To believe that pain doesn’t feel the same to them, that they never grow weary, warn, or weak. Yet Scripture is full of examples that show us how far from the truth that thinking really is.

I am thankful that God chose to include the humanness of people when Scripture was being written. Moses was a doubter, murderer, and given to anger. David was an adulterer and murderer. Jonah was a rebel on the run. Elijah was fearful and given to bouts of depression. Peter was a denier and boaster. Saul was a persecutor of Christians. Naomi was bitter. While many good qualities were seen in their lives and many things were accomplished through them, God knew we needed to see the whole picture. I am glad He did so!

There have been individuals in my life that seemed beyond the struggles. I mistakenly thought they walked in continual victory and their life was filled with only right decisions, good attitudes, and perfection. How easy it was to feel that if I could just be them I would be happier, more successful, and better off. The more I played the comparison game the more discontent and dissatisfied I became until the tears would fall and the thoughts would become clouded. What is interesting is that when this takes place I am mostly comparing my weaknesses with another person’s strengths!

Rather than allow such thinking to continue God wants me to change my focus. It is time to stop the comparison games and discover the similarities! I am God’s creation. I am His child. He has plans and purposes for my life. He is involved in my life. He is working all things out for good in my life. He is using unique circumstances, relationships, and challenges to develop my heart and character. He does not play favorites or have twins. What He allows me to do or not to do is not a sign of insignificance or unimportance but rather a display of His distinctive creativity for me. I am loved, wanted, and accepted just as much as any other child of His. May my mind grasp it, my heart embrace it, and my life demonstrate it fully!

Father, in the secret places of my heart where I stand most in doubt and turmoil, meet me! Amen.

I am a Friend of God - Phillips, Craig, and Dean
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aMnMN08sv4k

Happy Thanksgiving to each of you! Thank you for reading and sharing these daily devotionals!!!!

Tears and Joy

Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. James 1:2, 3 (New American Standard Bible)

James penned these precious words to believers who were facing extreme persecution in the early days of the church. They knew the taste of trials in their life. Persecution, separation from loved ones, imprisonment, even death. What could possibly be the joy in that? Some would say joy in the trials but James is pointing toward the result of the trials…the development of endurance. So too for us. Each circumstance of our life, each difficulty we face, each trial that comes upon us, as believers, become the seeds for the fruit that will be produced later on. THAT is what we can joy in as the tears fall, as our heart breaks, as the questions persist, and as our minds race.

Many today wake with pillows soaked from tears that have fallen in the night. The Bible has 175 verses that speak of weeping, crying, and tears. One of those verses is John 11:35 which simply says, “Jesus wept.” It was his response to the tears of Mary and other Jews at the death of Lazarus. He wept even though He knew there was to be a resurrection. He wept even though He knew the end of the story. Rather than condemn Mary’s tears, he mingled them with His. He knew that her tears were a matter of her emotions, broken heart, desperate situation, confusion, and unanswered questions.

For those of you who read this devotional today with tear stained faces and broken hearts, I hand to you two support beams of comfort. Beam #1, God has things He is producing through your trial, trouble, or temptation. It is not in vain that you are facing whatever you are facing. It is not a dead end street. It is not for nothing. What God does with it all is yet to be seen, but please know that the production of endurance and strength is part of what will take place in your life because of it.

Beam #2, God mingles His tears with yours. He knows your sadness. He knows your questions. He knows your ache. He sees it for the emotion that it is…not a lack of faith but rather an appropriate response to your plight. He has not forgotten you. He has not abandoned you. He is not condemning you. He is not waiting for you to “get your act together.” Like in the case of Mary, He is right there with you in the midst of what feels like death. He will give beauty for your ashes, joy for your sorrow, and praise for you heaviness of heart. (Isaiah 61:3) In that you can joy. Even when the tears fall with His.

Father, for each person who hurts today, I pray for Your strength to be upon in. Thank you for what will come of their trial and thank you for Your tears that fall with theirs. Amen.

With All I Am - Hillsong
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FMrAafe7Mns&feature=PlayList&p=2FB126D48DF4B086&index=80

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

The Purpose and Power of Acknowledgement

Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. James 5:16 (King James Version)

What would happen if, within the company of a trusted individual, you admitted and acknowledged the truth about yourself? What if you told them of a struggle, habit, addiction, sin, or fault that resided within you? What if you admitted to them what you could barely admit to yourself? For me, the result is always freedom. Freedom from condemning thoughts. Freedom from the bondage. Freedom from the spiraling moods. Freedom from fear of being found out. Freedom from the thought that if someone knew the truth they would reject me and walk away.

I have spent the last year and a half in an accountability relationship with a trusted friend. The original “purpose” was to help me walk through the pain and darkness of losing a mentor. What I didn’t realize at the start was my healing would necessitate learning to acknowledge what was going on inside my head and my heart. The first time I had to admit some of the worst things about myself I squirmed in my seat for 20 minutes. The fear of losing this person’s respect and help made it difficult to voice the truth. But when I finally spoke, the hold of my secrets was broken. Rather than being abandoned (as I feared) I was encouraged and accepted. The truth was out, I was free, and the relationship was in tact. It was a scenario that would play itself out many more times. As with forgiveness, confessing my faults to someone is for my benefit.

God knew this and placed the principle in today’s verse. It is the first step to healing and the second step is prayer. The result of combining these two steps is empowerment and freedom.

While the accountability relationship has now ended (it was time) the necessity of acknowledging the truth continues. As recent as late last night a two-day spiral ended with the sending of an email to this person and once again admitting what I was battling. I woke this morning without the weight or downward pull of my emotions.

People have often commented on the transparency of these devotionals. What I am finding is they too are a means of acknowledging the truth. When I admit that the journey is hard and failure marks my path I am the richer for it. May I never again believe it best to hide.

Father, it is by living Your kingdom principles that I am empowered to live. Acknowledging what I am tempted to hide sets me free because that is what truth does. I lift my unshackled hands and heart to You! Amen.

The Power of Your Love - Hillsong
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ga6Qtxzd6vk&feature=related

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

What Has Been Missing?

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. James 1:22 (New International Version)

The failure to see change in my life (real and lasting change) is what drove me to search for answers last night. Areas of bondage that have not seen freedom, moods that have not stopped spiraling, emotions that have controlled me rather than me controlling them, relationships that have been strained due to dependency rather than nurtured in appreciation, are but a few of the issues at hand.

I have sat in churches for decades, read countless books, attended numerous women’s events, been in both mentoring and accountability relationships, been a part of Bible studies, and heard truth upon truth. All of it was good and necessary. So why have I not seen more change in my life than I have seen? Why do I continue to live more in the flesh than in the spirit? Why is it not making more of difference in my life?

It all comes down to one simple yet profound ingredient. It is not enough to know truth. Change will only come, victory will only be experienced, and freedom will only be mine as I APPLY the things I have learned. That is what has been missing. That is the answer I have been looking for.

What I have known but failed to do in my every day life is take my thoughts captive, think on what is true and good, walk in forgiveness, give others the benefit of the doubt, resist the enemy, accept God’s forgiveness, live in the present rather than the past, focus on Christ and others……the list is endless. I know this stuff but fail to do it when the tests and trials of life hit. When emotions invite me into a place of darkness, pity, and withdrawal I go. When my feelings get hurt I sulk. When disappointments come I spiral. When perceptions enter the scenes of my mind I believe them. All the while God is inviting me to take each opportunity to apply what He has been teaching me.

I can’t stop the emotions, perceptions, circumstances, and situations from being a part of my life. Jesus Himself said that in this world we would know troubles. While I can’t stop the trouble, I can by the grace of God respond differently. I have the tools. I have His Spirit. I have every reason and resource to live differently. I have choices. I have options. I have what it takes to change because I have Christ.

Father, there is a different way to live my life and I want to change. Today, with each opportunity, help me to apply the truths I have learned. I walk forward with Your forgiveness and favor. Amen.

I Surrender All - Hillsong
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.

What's Missing?

But be doers of the Word [obey the message], and not merely listeners to it, betraying yourselves [into deception by reasoning contrary to the Truth]. James 1:22 (Amplified Bible)

I am a learner and a listener by nature. I love to hear truth and I take it in quite easily. I am also a talker and a teacher by nature and love to give out what I have taken in. When I learn something new I can’t wait to share it with others. Communication, whether written or spoken, is where a huge part of my gifting and calling reside. That is one of the reasons I enjoy writing and sending out email devotionals. Sharing with others what God is teaching me, showing me, and instilling in me is exciting even at early morning hours.

For the past five years I have been on a constant motion of learning truth and sharing truth, but God has begun to nudge me to add something that has been missing. In the midst of learning and in the midst of sharing, I am also to be DOING the very things I am taking in and giving out. If not, I am missing a big part of the whole reason to know truth. A person who is presently working with me in some personal areas, is constantly saying to me, “Practice what you preach!” She knows that real change will come as I apply and practice what I am learning. Too often, I can be like the person who learns a lot about skiing through courses, books, and instructors but has yet to put on a pair of skis and head for the slopes….let alone go down them once I am there!

When is it evident that I am not living out the things about which I am talking? When difficulties hit, when life gets hard, when emotions run wild, when insecurities surface, when failures persist, when disappointments come. What I choose to do at THOSE times reveals how much application of truth is really taking place. If my tendency is to still run to others with questions, heartaches, and hard issues, then I am not yet seeing God as my shelter, provider, protector, and counselor. If difficulties lead me to wrap myself in pity and condemnation, I have not yet begun to see God as my healer and comforter.

A first step for me is asking God to soothe me in a place that hurts. To strengthen me in a moment of weakness. To guide me in a time of confusion. Bringing each issue and emotion to Him and being a recipient of His grace, mercy, peace, and help. Learning to crawl under the shadow of His wings and knowing at that moment that I am where I belong.

Father, so often my devotionals can seem like someone else’s words. They are foreign rather than familiar to me because what I am saying is not always what I am doing when life gets hard. Help me to make Your truths a part of my every day walk. I need the change that You are offering me. Amen.

Power of Your Love - Hillsong
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pQg6sk5B3qY

Fixing my eyes on Jesus, the Author and Finisher of my faith!

Reviewing the Gifts

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. James 1:17 (New King James Version)

While God has certainly showered many good and perfect gifts on my life, July houses three of them I am reflecting on this morning.

Today is my nation’s 232nd birthday! Outside of a brief visit to Canada, I have spent my entire life here in America and I love my country. I hear complaints about the government, gas prices, unemployment rates, weather, questionable lifestyles, and education system, but we are still a blessed nation! We still possess the freedoms our forefathers wisely established at the founding of our country. Natural beauty still abounds within each of our fifty states and the four seasons are displayed in many of those states. Opportunities still exist and all the stories of heroic deeds people do have not been written or told yet. Churches, Bibles, Christian music, Christian material, and faith are still abundant within our borders. Charity and missions are still displayed to other nations. For these and much more I am deeply thankful.

July 2 marked Tim and my 25th wedding anniversary! I come from a family where divorce runs rampant so I know it is by the grace and gift of God that our marriage has lasted and will continue to last. Joy, difficulties, changes, challenges, moves, children, laughter, tears, harmony, discord, questions, and love have all marked our path as husband and wife. Through it all God has continued to impact and influence our lives through circumstances, people, situations, and each other. He has kept His hand and His eye on us and will continue to do so.

July 13 will be my 35th spiritual birthday! For the first fourteen years of my life there was no Christian influence whatsoever. I knew only two truths from Scripture (God created the world and Adam and Eve were the first people He created). I didn’t know the Bible or what Jesus had done for me. Yet, God allowed me to attend a VBS and understand enough to trust Christ. He has nurtured the growth in me all these years, but the last four years have seen the most change and growth. I marvel at His gracious ways! He took me from legalism to freedom. From distorted views of Himself to amazement over His heart. From rarely reading His Word to now writing daily devotionals from its treasure cove! Indeed, July is a precious month for me!

Father, I am filled with adoration for You and appreciation for the gifts You have lavished on me. To be a recipient of Your love and favor is beyond words. Thank you! Amen.

God Bless the USA - Lee Greenwood
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tNqUORIFV4I

Necessary Conversations

Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. James 5:16 (King James Version)

I use to read this verse and limit it to simply admitting my sin to others. This morning the Lord is broadening the scope for me and helping me to see that faults include sins, weaknesses, deviation from truth, skewed thinking, and a host of other things I can so easily keep to myself. My healing and wholeness is dependent upon not only walking in honesty with God but also in honesty with others. Willingly being open, authentic, transparent, and vulnerable with individuals whom God is using in my life. It is not His intent that I become an “open book” to every person I meet, but rather to learn to confide in the ones who are God’s safety net for me.

At one time I would have thought I already do that, but recently God has shown me where I still have the tendency to be selective in what I share. Openness for me is hindered when I fear disclosure will result in rejection, a loss of love, or loss of respect. I buy into the lie that my weaknesses or struggles are not worth talking about with others. It is not just a matter of pride. It is a matter of sensing shame and disapproval in myself. I keep thinking I am suppose to be at an age where talking with others is no longer necessary. That allowing another person to walk me through issues is forbidden. Even as I write out the thoughts I can see all the lies that abound and how they have confined me to something God does not want for me.

God’s solution? Talk to the people He has given me to talk to and take the matter to Him in prayer. He is the One who will ultimately reveal the necessary truth. It may be He shows me the answer and it may be He shows the other person the answer. Either way we each get the benefit of seeing God work! While the joy will be ours the credit and glory will be His. Seeking another person’s advice and help does NOT mean I am replacing God with them….although that is an area I must continue to watch. It is simply operating within the boundaries He has established. My “lone ranger” mentality must give way to community. As a member of the body of Christ, it is imperative that I stop living as an amputated limb!

Father, I need You and I need the ones You graciously give to me. Heal those places of distrust and insecurity that abide in me. You are my true Healer but You have chosen to bring others into the operating room of my soul. Thank you. Amen.

Pendulum Living

Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow. James 1:17 (New American Standard Bible)

A conversation with a friend last night brought a mentality to the surface. I call it the “pendulum” mentality. The enemy of our soul is good at attempting to get us to swing from one extreme to another. I never bought into his lie that I had to earn my way to Heaven but once I accepted Christ I lived with the idea that I could somehow earn God’s love and favor if I just worked hard enough. My Christian life was revolutionized the day I realized God’s love is NOT dependent on what I do. Since that time, God has continued to show me areas in my life that are affected by a pendulum mentality.

It usually comes about when I have seen victory in an area and because I don’t want to re-enter a place of bondage I go to the other extreme. Like the person who conquers over eating only to begin starving herself, I have seen myself struggle to have a healthy balance between extremes. Emotional dependency can be replaced with the thought that I will live independent of others. This means not asking questions, not seeking advice, not letting any needs known, not fully enjoying the people God has placed in my life, and not receiving their gift of friendship or giving them mine. It is a desert island experience God is not calling me to but the enemy is inviting me to.

God is gradually slowing down the swing of the pendulum and He is using many factors to do it. For one He is using His Word and letting me see how often He crossed the paths of people with significant individuals. Sometimes the relationship lasted a life time and sometimes it was for a specific season. He is also giving me “safe” people with whom to interact. They are encouraging, truth tellers to me without condemning and judging me. They know how to lovingly redirect my thinking if I begin heading in the wrong direction. They see the work God is doing in my life and cheer me on as growth is evident. These things run both ways as they allow me to encourage them.

So how do I keep these precious relationships from becoming unhealthy attachments? I keep in mind that God is my primary Source for all things. I make sure I connect with Him on a daily basis and live out of that connection. I learn to give and receive the gift of friendship in the context of what God meant it to be. I am free to embrace God’s gifts to me but am not free to idolize them. God must be the central focus of my life. The healthier my relationship is with God, the more balanced my relationship will be with people. As I live out of this truth, the “high wire” under my feet becomes wider and wider. For any who seek to find a balance in certain areas of their life, I invite you to ask God to show you that balance and watch as He moves Heaven and Earth of do so. He longs to show each of us life is not meant to be an “all or nothing” experience!

Father, none of this has surprised You. You know the balance You have called me to and will eventually help me to fully live in it. Amen.

Letting Others Know

Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availed much. James 5:16 (King James Version)

There are two things I use to find difficult to share with others. One was my sins, failures, weaknesses, and struggles. The other was my need for prayer. I was convinced if people knew my places of sin, sorrow, and brokenness, they would change their view of me, reject me, or just plain abandon me. I also failed to see the power and necessity of their prayers. If given, prayer requests remained general in nature as a way to not disclose any real needs of the heart. The enemy of our souls loves it when we don’t see the truth and freedom of these two aspects of the body of Christ. On the other hand, our Abba Father delights to see us embrace the truth of His words to us.

Yesterday I experienced both areas. While at work I began struggling with thoughts the enemy was using against me in order to take me down an emotional spiral. Within a few hours I knew I was in trouble. Instantly, God brought to mind a friend who is a prayer warrior. I reached for my cell phone and did something I have never done before. I sent a text to her which said, “Pray for me. Choices are hard today.” She knew what I meant as she has been helping me to see that I have a choice in the area of my thoughts. Within minutes the thoughts subsided and I began to think clearly once again. God proceeded to walk me through the necessary steps to regain my footing. Within the hour I was able to text back to her, “Victorious at last.” The rest of my afternoon went amazingly smooth! The enemy knows (and I am learning) the power that comes when we allow fellow believers to lift us up in prayer. If this is something you are not doing, I invite you to seek out the prayer warriors in your life and avail yourself of their willingness to help you in this way.

Along with that, God has placed in my life precious individuals with whom I can discuss the areas of struggle from my past and present. Last night I experienced the joy and strength of one such conversation. This is not a time to simply air my dirty laundry. This is a part of my journey to freedom! These are individuals who will listen, advise, and pray. They celebrate God’s steady work in my life and continually assure me they are not going ANYWHERE. They are my God given guard rails and support beams on this journey. I treasure them!

Father, You never meant for me to walk isolated from Your body of believers. Thank you for the ones You have crossed my path with. May Your hand of blessing be on each one of them today. Amen.

The One Who Is At Work In Me

In simple humility, let our gardener, God, landscape you with the Word, making a salvation-garden of your life. James 1:21 The Message

From the first time I read this verse in The Message I fell in love with it! We live in a house that was once owned by a professional landscaper. For nearly ten years now we have enjoyed the beauty and benefits of his work. All the cultivating, planting, weeding, designing, and decorating by his hands left his mark on our yard and is a continual delight to our eyes as we watch the various flowers and plants come to life each spring.

When I stop to realize that God is landscaping my life with His Word I am in awe. Whether He is planting seeds for later growth, removing weeds of sin as I repent, rearranging the things and people in my life, or just adding special touches here and there, I am learning to trust His skillful hands and tender heart.

Sometimes the seeds He is planting are watered by the tears that have fallen due to loss or disappointment. No matter what He is doing, I have learned to trust Him for a beautiful outcome in the future. With each work He is doing, I am learning to see the necessity of it. Even if I don’t know the specific purpose I can at least look up to Him and agree with Him that it is needful. He is not One to do anything that ends up being wasted or insignificant. Like a treasured painting, each stroke of the brush is intentional and essential.

Each day I must choose whether or not I will entrust myself to the Potter’s hands and the Landscaper’s labor of love. While I know there will be tears at times, I also know there will be laughter. There will be the right blend of rain and sunshine. Sometimes I will walk amidst storm clouds and harsh winds and other times I will experience clear skies and absolute stillness. I leave the weather, the work, and the wonder up to Him who is the essence of wisdom and miracles.

This morning as I head to North Carolina I will review the past landscaping that He has done and the present landscaping that He is doing. It will be a discipline that will build my excitement and expectations for His future gardening. I am the recipient of the work of His own hands.

Father, I yield to Your touch. Nothing in my life is off limits to You. I know You have already planned out every detail of the landscaping to be done. Glorify Yourself through the entire process as I know the end result will far exceed my wildest imaginations. I love You! 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.

Accepting the Gifts

Every good gift and every prefect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. James 1:17

I just finished reading today’s selection from Our Daily Bread and my mind is swimming with the gifts God desired to give me for many years but I did not know how to reach out my hand and accept them. While I was able to receive the gift of salvation at the age of 14, it took decades to realize other intended gifts God had for me. Three gifts are coming to mind that I now possess. They are the gift of fellowship that crosses over denominational lines, the gift of reading various versions of the Bible, and the gift of listening to Christian music that ministers deeply to me. I have reveled in the joy of these gifts for nearly three years now. What took me so long?!

The answer lies in two sources. For one, I did not know God was offering me the gifts. I had so cloaked myself in the garments of separation that they were not even an option for me. But I was also taught these were counterfeits of God’s actual will and I felt if I embraced them I must be backsliding. I felt like the person who possessed a ticket to an amusement park. The ticket permitted me to ride any ride I wanted, but I did not have the luxury of doing that. I was limited to the rides of other people’s choices. I was also like the person who purchases a television set but allows the salesman to program the remote to his favorite channels. I had completely missed the heart of Paul’s themes which express the ability to take our instructions from God. I was not able to look to God for direction in how to live my individual Christian life. And I was miserable!

What finally helped me to see the truth? God brought genuine Christians across my path that radiated with a love for Christ and they were free! Free to enjoy the gifts God offered. I hungered to live my Christian life in the same way. My new found desire allowed me to finally reach out my hands and receive multiple gifts God joyfully gave me. And what I have come to realize is that it is not a matter of whether or not I align myself with the boundaries, rules, and limitations others would seek to imprison me with but rather whether or not I allow God to design my walk with Him.

Father, You have been so patient in waiting for me to accept what You have been offering me all along. Thank you! Amen.