Wineskins and Boxes

And no one puts new wine into old wineskins; otherwise the new wine will burst the skins and it will be spilled out, and the skins will be ruined. But new wine must be put into fresh wineskins. Luke 5:37,38

I often wondered why Jesus used this particular illustration with the Pharisees and Scribes when they wanted to debate with Him about the necessity for prayer and fasting. They could not grasp the fact that He fellowshipped with sinners and had disciples that did not fit into their picture of the “spiritual” life. After all, they had become quite adapt at putting God, the law, the Scriptures, and God’s people into a neat little box that left little room for variety, change, or uniqueness. Their self imposed, rigid life styles could not grasp the concept of freedom in the secular or religious areas of life. To them, Jesus and His teachings were too radical. So why Jesus’ talk of wineskins?

In Bible times the wineskins were made from goatskins. As grape juice would ferment it would expand. An old goatskin no longer possessed the ability to stretch so it would eventually break due to the expansion of the formation of wine. But a new wineskin would be able to stretch and hold its substance well.

The Pharisees were living their life out of the tradition of the law but completely missing a connection with the Law Giver. They had the requirements down pat….they were set in their ways. They could not see that Jesus offered a better way for them to live their life. It was a life lived under grace and mercy rather than law keeping. But this was too much of a stretch for them. Jesus wanted them to see that new life could not be poured into the old religious, legalistic life. In Him we are made new creatures.

There was a time when holding on to my way of thinking hindered me from stretching and growing in my Christian life. Without realizing it, I had placed God and my Christian life in a neat little box. At His urging, I dared to open the box and climb out. I dared to let go of what I thought was the only way to live the Christian life. Was there fear? You bet! Were there tears? Plenty! Did others see the change as a good thing? Not always. But I will say with passion, the changes have been necessary and life saving!

Father, may I never again live my life out of an old wineskin. Amen.

Whose Heart Do I Have?

But it greatly displeased Jonah and he became angry. Jonah 4:1

We often read the story of Jonah and at first draw the wrong conclusion for why he ran. We assume he feared the people of Nineveh or thought himself incapable of carrying out the mission God assigned to him. After all, he was being sent to a people known for their cruelty and godless lives. Given the same assignment some might conclude, “Why go? It is no use. They will never change.” It is easy to fall into the trap of picking and choosing where we want to go and who we want to share the gospel with depending on how we think they will respond. If most people knew someone was definitely going to turn to God they would not be able to go to them quickly enough. But if it seems impossible (given their life style, religious background, or poor reputation) we grow hesitant.

But fear or discouragement are not the reasons for Jonah trying to escape God’s call on his life. It is in the last chapter of Jonah the real reason is given. Following a great city-wide revival that most evangelists and pastors would die for, he storms off enraged that God was compassionate. He would have rather seen no repentance and God’s wrath poured out on this city of 120,000 people than to see grace, compassion, mercy, and loving kindness displayed. Why? Because they were his enemies and the enemies of his nation. He had one thought in mind and that was that God would judge and destroy them. There was no desire for forgiveness, compassion, or mercy. Where they would spend eternity was not his concern.

In recent days I have seen individuals within the body of Christ display the same animosity toward the immigration problems, toward cults and other religions, and toward Iraq. Are there reasons for concern? Yes! Are the actions of individuals and nations wrong? Yes! Should we come against false teaching that leads people astray? Yes! But at the same time let us not forget that souls are at stake. God longs to be compassionate to EVERY person. His desire is for them to come to know Christ and spend eternity with Him….the same as He desired for each of us who know Christ. Do my attitude, words, and actions display God’s heart or Jonah’s heart? While I know it is necessary to protect our country, may I not forget the very souls Christ died for.

Father, give me Your heart! I repent of my Jonah-like tendencies. Amen.

Who Are We Living For?

So is the man who stores up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God. Luke 12:21

Jesus told of a man who had an abundance of crops. His plan? To tear down his present barns, build bigger ones, hoard the harvest for himself, and basically live the good life in retirement. What is missing? Any thought or mention of God and what He would have him do. He does not know that even as he speaks the words of his “plan”, they are spoken on what will be the last day of his life. God calls him a fool. What he thought to keep for himself will be passed on to another person.

The question running through my mind this morning is, “What am I doing with the excess things in my life?” What is being saved for myself, what is being used for others, and what is being given to God? Not just in the area of material things, but also in the area of my time, acquired knowledge, and usage of talents. If I knew that my life would come to an end in the next year, month, week, or day, how differently would I view these things and how differently would I use them? Would I be more prone to give away what I otherwise would have kept for myself?

While God does not tell me the amount of time I have left on this earth, He does tell me my life is but a vapor compared to eternity. I have a daily choice to live my life for myself or to live it for God’s design and purpose. How many people will cross my path today with whom I can invest something? What is it that I hold in my hands or in my heart that can be given to God as I am giving it to another person?

Being rich toward God has nothing to do with the amount of things we are able to do but rather with what we choose to do with what we have. I do not want to come to the end of my life here on earth and find that I lived my life with a “hoarding” mentality. May I learn how to give away what God so graciously gives to me. The list of His gifts is impressive as He lavishes on me grace, mercy, love, forgiveness, material goods, attention, and a host of other blessings. May I learn to be a distributor in God’s kingdom. What I choose to do with the things I have will keep them temporary or make them eternal.

Father, help me to see that being rich in You and being rich in this world are two different things. What I give away, I give to You. Make me a willing and joyful giver. I choose to follow Your example! Amen.

Who Am I?

And you shall know the Truth and the Truth shall set you free. John 8:32

Who am I? Who is God? And who are we together? These are the questions for the beginning of a new journey in my life. Up until now I have not thought or even dared to ask them. Allowing God to give me the answers will forever change me. It will change the way I view myself, it will change my actions, it will change my desires, it will change everything about me, it will change the way I treat people, and it will change the rolls people and things play in my life.

This morning God is helping me to see what should not define me. What are the things that really do not tell me who I am or what I am like? Here is the list so far. I cannot define myself by what I own, who I know, what people think of me, how I look, opportunities I have, things I can do, what I portray to others, how people treat me, my limitations, my finances or lack thereof, the kind of car I drive, the kind of house I live in, the family that I grew up with, the family I now live with, my failures and successes, my ambitions, my disappointments, my joys, or even my personality. For if I define myself by these things that can so quickly change I am building my identity on shifting sand. They will not sustain me, fulfill me, satisfy me, or stabilize me to live my life as God intended me to live it. My identity cannot be based on anything external.

It is far too easy to think if I change things in my life, take on the characteristics of others, and have the right relationshipsTHEN I am improving who I am. But the person I am is not a garment I can put on and take off. While these things may shape me and change the way I think of myself they cannot change who I really am. They can only lead to living a life whereby I play dress up, make believe, and pretend. If they are removed from my life and I stand naked before God THAT is who I am.

It is essential that I look to God to show me who I am. His Word will tell me the good and bad about myself....my true self! I must see the full picture. If I only accept the bad then I will live in condemnation and shame. If I only accept the good then I will battle with pride and arrogance. Because God created me and He alone knows me inside and out, He is the only One qualified and able to tell me who I am.

Father, as I accept Your definition of who I am and allow it to become my identity, I will see myself with value, worth, and genuineness. Amen.

Where to Look

But Jesus said to him, “No one, after putting his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.” Luke 9:62

Paul said it this way in Philippians 3:13,14 “Forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” The Christian life is a life of advancement and looking ahead.

There are two ways of “looking back.” There are times precious memories come to mind and bring a smile to our face. We think back to particular people, places, and events and the thoughts encourage our heart. We make decisions and go back in our mind to when that decision was made as a way of rekindling the flame of that decision. We remember the sense of God’s call in a certain direction and renew our commitment to follow through. We realign ourselves with the reason and purpose for our journey. There is nothing wrong with those kinds of visits down memory lane. They are encouraging and often times necessary.

The other kind of “looking back” is done when the going gets rough, the storms of life intimidate us, and the journey gets difficult. We look back to when decisions were made and we second guess ourselves, doubt the choices we have made, and play the “if only” game. We lose sight of the reason for the journey and the ability to see God’s hand in all of it. We somehow think if we had really made the right decision, life would be easier and trials would be few. This kind of looking back leads to discouragement, regret, and uncertainty.

I am finding that during times of greatest difficulty I must not let the circumstances I am in and the emotions I am feeling interpret my journey for me. But rather I must review the truth about God and His divine leading in my life. I am not talking about facing the consequences of sin. That is a completely different topic. I am talking about knowing that I live my life with a passion for God and whether the daily results are comfortable or not, holding to the hand that never lets me go! Certain things do not change from day to day: God’s goodness, God’s love, God’s purpose, and God’s sovereignty. They form the guard rails and safety net of my existence.

Father, let me see the beauty even in the darkest of moments. You are my Strength, my Comfort, and my Guide. I follow on! Amen.

What Music Does for God

But now bring me a minstrel, and it came about, when the minstrel played, that the hand of the LORD came upon him. 2 Kings 3:15

Music is so multi-faceted in its effects. When King Saul had an evil spirit, David’s music sent it packing. When the children of Israel went to war, music led the way to victory. Music was a part of Old and New Testament worship. In today’s verse as music is played, God’s hand is present. Paul and Silas sang and an earthquake followed.

In the past I have always viewed music in two aspects ~ what it does for me personally and how it can be used to praise the Lord. But today I am seeing another benefit. Throughout Scripture I see a pattern whereby music actually attracts God. He is drawn to it and moved to action by it. The music before a message, music before our quiet time, or music at any time is like putting a welcome mat out for the King of Kings. It is an invitation for God to be present and to display His power.

I had to stop a moment just now and listen to a praise song called “Shout to the Lord.” As I listened I could see how that song would attract God. How it would draw Him into the where I am at. Songs that are sung from our hearts cause God to take notice. We were created in God’s image. Our attraction to music and how it affects us is a mere shadow of what it does for God as well.

Think of what it would be like if someone wrote music with you in mind. The words talked about you and presented all the positive aspects of your life and accomplishments. Many songs written today are stories put to music. I have always loved music but when I became a Christian the music took on a whole new meaning for me. As I listen it draws my attention to the One the music is about. Whether it is a song of praise, a song about God’s character or work, or a testimonial type song about God’s intervention in a person’s life, I am affected by it. God is bigger in my mind after the music plays. But this morning I am hit with the realization that music affects God as well.

I think back to church services and I want to envision the music drawing God into the worship service. I want to see Him pleased and touched by the songs that are about Him and for Him.

Father, music touches You, doesn’t it? May I be more drawn to that aspect. Amen.

What Forgiveness Really Looks Like

So he got up and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion for him, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. Luke 15:20

Every time I read the story of the prodigal son I am struck by the response of the father. It stands out in such stark contrast to the depravity of the younger son and the harsh judgment of the older son. The younger son is not even hoping for this gracious response of his father. He is ready and willing to accept the role of a slave. He knows his sin and the just consequences of it all. The reception he expected was demonstrated in his brother’s reaction not his fathers. How often do we as God’s sons and daughters hesitate to receive the very things our Father stands ready to offer us because of self condemnation, a feeling of unworthiness, and the inability to grasp how loving, merciful, and tender God really is? While Scripture is full of examples of God’s true character, why is it we so often struggle to grasp it during times we need to see it the most?

I find in the area of forgiveness I am sometimes limited by my own past experiences and the reactions I received from significant people. When are we going to understand that our reaction to a repentant person is going to do much to shape their view of how God will react? Too often a person’s brokenness over their sinful condition is not deemed as sufficient for them to have learned their lesson. It is almost as if people stand back and say, “That isn’t enough.” Or they have the proud outlook of, “I have never done that and you shouldn’t have either.” It is the modern day Scarlet Letter that demands others walk in shame and regret rather than celebrating radical forgiveness.

Maybe it is time for each one of us to take a good hard look at God’s way of forgiveness as seen in this verse. It is a forgiveness some of us are not use to, a forgiveness some of us are not showing toward others, and a forgiveness that is still foreign to us. When we finally do experience this for ourselves we will be ready to show it to others.

Father, sometimes I feel like the prodigal son and sometimes I feel like his older brother. May I see this side of You and when I do may it forever change the approach I take with my own sin as well as with the sins of others. Amen.

Under His Care

He found him in a desert land, and in the howling waste of a wilderness; He encircled him, He cared for him, He guarded him as the pupil of His eye. Like an eagle that stirs up its nest, that hovers over its young, He spread His wings and caught them, He carried them on His pinions. Deuteronomy 32:10-11

We live in a world that can leave us feeling unloved, uncared for, and neglected. In the midst of loss, pain, heartache, depravation, loneliness, rejection, and unmet needs, where or who do we turn to? This morning my mind reflects on friends who are presently experiencing the harsh realities of life. A dear friend buried a much loved cat last night. For some that would be a small thing but her loss brings an ache. Other friends face cancer, multiple sclerosis, infertility, divorce, death of loved ones, unemployment, depression, separation, and regret. They all need a safe place for their hearts.

In this passage I see a tender picture of God as He cares for each of us. The verbs alone speak volumes to me. It is in the storms of life that shelter is sought. And it is in the desert lands and howling waste of the wilderness that we need a refuge in which to hide. God is inviting each one of us to close our eyes and picture ourselves as the eaglet in this passage. He wants us to drink in the truth that He is the One who longs to encircle, care for, guard, hover over, catch, and carry us. He wants to protect, nourish, and sustain us much like a mother eagle with her young.

This passage spoke volumes to me last night. I needed to see it and have it minister to me specifically. For once again God was reminding me that running to the wrong sources to get my needs met will leave me with empty arms and an aching heart. If I look to anyone or anything besides Him to give me significance, affirmation, acceptance, approval, or unconditional, unlimited love then I am setting myself up for disappointment. It is in the midst of my disappointment or loss that He calls me to come to Him. For He longs to give me what others cannot.

May others learn to do what I am doing this morning. I am putting my name in this verse and reveling in the thought that God’s tenderness and care are directed toward me.

Father, I once again look to You as my life source. May I experience all the ramifications of being under Your care. Amen.

Two Thrones to Choose Between

Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its lusts, and do not go on presenting the members of your body to sin as instruments of unrighteousness; but present yourselves to God as those alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. Romans 6:12,13

This morning I am picturing two throne rooms. In each a king sits upon his throne and not only allows but welcomes your presence. He smiles when you enter, motions for you to come closer, and is pleased to hear you say, “I am here to do as you wish. All that I am is yours. Please use me in your service. I am here to serve you.” At this particular moment you are there to present your eyes, ears, mouth, hands, and feet as tools to be used as he pleases. One throne is occupied by the King of kings and the other throne is occupied by sin.

In this passage I see choice written all over the place. As God’s child, I (more than anyone) have a choice as to whom I present myself and for what I proceed to do. Neither sin nor God forces my entrance or my involvement. It is by my choosing that I enter and volunteer. I cannot be in both throne rooms at the same time….it is impossible. Each room has its own unique atmosphere. Each has an agenda with very different consequences for service. The question is, “Which will I enter? Whom will I serve?”

There are two verbs of choice that I notice……let and present. In this passage the word let means to allow, give permission, permit, agree to, consent to, assent to, and accede to. Each time I sin I am the one granting permission for sin to reign. Allowing sin to be my king in the kingdom of my body. How sad to think that I would enter, kneel, and extend the parts of my body for service to this particular ruler…voluntarily!

Yet, the whole time God Himself is wooing me into His throne room. Granting me the desire and power to leave sin’s throne room. Inviting me to let Him rule and reign in my life. May I enter His throne room and abide in His presence continually. My actions, attitudes, and spoken words will reveal where I am spending my time.

Father, help me to make myself at home in Your throne room of my heart. Have the sovereign rule over me. I choose You! Amen.

Touching the Heart of God

When the Lord saw her, He felt compassion for her, and said to her, “Do not weep.” Luke 7:13 NASB

The stage is being set for a miracle. What has touched the very seat of Jesus’ emotions and affections? A widow who now grieves the loss of her only son! The NIV says His heart went out to her. Can you digest the tenderness of this scene? I have often heard it said that when we are in sorrow or distress, God’s tears mingle with our own. That is exactly what I see happening in this verse. Jesus doesn’t just feel sorry for the woman, He enters into the grief with her.

Think of the last time you grieved over something. Your chest could barely contain the pain, the tears flowed unceasingly, and you were consumed with such a cloud of heaviness that you feared you would never feel anything but grief again. It may have been the loss of something or someone dear to you. It may have been unalterable, horrible circumstances in your life. It may have been so wounding to you, that even now you struggle to put it into words. Got the picture? Now in that time, what did you sense Jesus doing? If you do not see Him as compassionate with you as He was with this widow, then there is work to be done!

I am moved by the fact that Jesus is about to do something radical. Not as a response to a person’s faith and not even in answer to a request that has been made of Him. He is about to intervene on behalf of this woman strictly out of compassion. How tender! But may I be so bold as to suggest that even when there is faith involved or a request being given, Jesus still acts on our behalf out of compassion.

He walked this earth for a little over thirty years as God in the flesh. During that time He experienced sorrow, loneliness, pain, rejection, loss, and a host of other deep emotions. That is why He is able to enter into our sorrows with us. He knows how we feel because He knows how all of THAT feels. Each time we go through a time of grief He looks at us with compassion and quietly says, “Don’t cry.” The next time you experience what I am talking about, invite Him into the place where you are hurting. Then get ready to experience comfort and compassion in a whole new way!

Father, there are times I need to know the kind of compassion that You give so abundantly. I am learning to cry on Your shoulder and I am always touched by Your response to my grief. Amen.

Thought of, Known, and Valued

Are not five sparrows sold for two cents? Yet not one of them is forgotten before God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear, you are more valuable than many sparrows. Luke 12:6,7

We come into this world with many needs and this passage expresses three of them. We want to be thought of, known intimately, and valued. When those areas are met through loving parents it is easier to digest the fact that God feels that way toward us. But some of us lived with deprivation in one or more of those areas and it took years to realize God is different than our parents.

For me personally, the deprivation came because of alcoholism in our home. I would tell you to this day I was very close to my mom and had a special relationship with her. I cannot say the same thing about my dad. Nonetheless, in both cases they drank. My dad had a drinking problem throughout my life and my mom had a drinking problem during my pre-teen, teen, and young adult life. To this day I can remember the feelings of neglect and loneliness. There is no way for a child or even an adult to compete with “the bottle.”

I did not realize until recently that those same feelings carried over into my perception about God. They manifested themselves in feelings of being lost in a crowd, unknown, and not at all valued. The fact that God loved me was a generic, one-size fits all theology. I failed to see the preciousness of the truth of His love for myself. My soul craved more than what felt like empty words to me. After all, my parents said they loved me.

The change? It came as God introduced me to people who taught me what God’s love really looks and feels like and it came through seeing Scripture in a whole new light. The book of Psalms is filled with verses that tell me God delights in me. Zephaniah tells me God sings over me. Isaiah tells me God loves me so much He has inscribed me on the palms of His hands. My eyes get misty just reviewing these precious truths that have finally helped me see my heavenly Father in the right way.

Father, now when You say You love me it meets the deepest needs in my life. I no longer feel lost, lonely, or forgotten by You. Amen.

The Starting Place of Our Words

And at once his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he began to speak in praise of God. Luke 1:64

Silence had marked Zecharias’ life for almost a year. An angel had told him of his impending inability to speak because of his unbelief and said that would be his way of life until the things spoken had come to pass. Of course, God could have made his consequences for unbelief last until every prophet word about his son had come to pass but that was not the case. In actuality it lasted for eight days after his birth. Upon letting people know that he would be called John, Zecharias was finally able to speak his first words since his encounter in the temple. Can you imagine the how strange his own voice would have sounded?

His experience of living without speaking had given him plenty of time to think. I am sure he went through many emotions during that time. Maybe there were times of regret, self-pity, anger, frustration, and fear. But there is not a hint of this when he is given back the gift of speech. His ability to talk began with praise of God. This shows me that instead of harboring a bitter attitude he had cultivated a deeper walk with God. What came out of his mouth exposed what was in his heart. He had been given the gift of seeing first hand that God keeps His Word and accomplishes His will. God’s faithfulness, sovereignty, and control must have been a part of his voiced praise that day. What had built up for a little over nine months had finally been allowed to escape his lips and it was praise!

This causes me to think back to my own reaction to the uncomfortable events in my life. I have a choice as to what I choose to dwell on during those times. I can choose to dwell on the negative and grow bitter throughout my difficulty or I can choose to keep my eyes on Jesus and develop a heart of praise for what He is going to accomplish through all of it. I can take the attitude it will do me in or do me good. Whatever I choose will have a definite effect on the words that come from my mouth. If I am going to be like Zecharias when I come out on the other side of a hard time then I must take every thought captive as I go through the hard time.

Father, You have already said all things will work out for good. May I rejoice over the end of the story even when I don’t presently see it. Amen.

The Simplicity of Prayer

Then Elisha prayed and said, “O LORD, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.” 2 Kings 6:17

I love this story of Elisha and his servant. The king of Aram has sent an entire army to take Elisha captive. He is angry because Elisha is thwarting his military plans. Elisha’s servant is fearful as he sees his city being surrounded by this marauding band of Arameans. When he asks Elisha what they are going to do Elisha assures him there are more with them then with their enemy. Comforting words but not enough. Elisha then prays for a specific need his servant has. He simply asks God to open his eyes so he can see the truth of the situation. What the servant then sees changes his entire outlook for he sees the mountain full of horses and chariots of fire! What he could not accept by faith God allowed him to see with his physical eyes.

What strikes me this morning is the simplicity of Elisha’s prayer. Jesus said we must come to Him as a child. So often I have read those words and limited it to salvation. But the same is true as we approach God in prayer. When my children were small and they came to me for something they usually got right to the point. The request was simple as they pinpointed exactly what it was they wanted. As long as it was good for them and within my power to give them what they asked for, I usually did so. Imagine the things they would have missed out on had they never bothered to ask me! James 4:2 reminds me of this truth when God says, “You do not have because you do not ask.”

Elisha did not petition God with a fancy prayer or use a complicated prayer formula. His prayer was a mere eleven words in length but the ramifications were profound. I am not saying we should not persevere in prayer or never use a prayer formula. What I am saying is when we come before God with a request we can feel free to get right to the point. Some of the most profound answers to prayer for me have come from the simplest of prayers.

Father, may I not be intimidated by the thought of prayer. You never meant for it to be complicated or beyond my reach. I like that! Amen.

The Quality of Spoken Words

The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life….the tongue of the righteous is as choice silver…the lips of the righteous feed many…the mouth of the righteous flows with wisdom…..the lips of the righteous bring forth what is acceptable…the tongue of the wise brings healing…the lips of the wise will protect them….the tongue of the wise makes knowledge acceptable…the lips of the wise spread knowledge. Proverbs10:11, 20, 23, 31, 32; 12:18; 14:3; 15:2,7

Have you ever gotten so carried away with something that you found it difficult to stop? That is what happened when I started reading verses I had highlighted this past month. These positive phrases grabbed my attention and I found it impossible to choose just one to share. They cause me to ask myself if my words are portraying and accomplishing what is stated so eloquently. I long for them to be!

The older I get the more I am becoming aware of the power of words…for good or bad. Words can wound or heal. Words can encourage or discourage. Words can proclaim truth or spread lies. Words bring life to a situation or envelope it with death. Words value or devalue another person. Words can cheer a person on or stop them dead in their tracks. Since words originate in my heart, it is imperative that I examine my heart for dangerous words that would escape from my mouth.

Just by listening to myself or another person talk, I can tell by the words spoken if that person lives in fear, hostility, bitterness, anger, selfishness, or love, forgiveness, joy, wisdom, and righteousness. That is because words are a reflection of the heart. I am not talking about occasional conversations. I am referring to the patterns of a person’s speech. But I am here to tell you that as God begins to change the heart, the words will be transformed as well.

What would happen if a person took the above verses and prayed each one over themselves for a week? Asking God to anoint her with the kind of words that demonstrate the qualities listed. There is no doubt God would delight to hear such a request. Even praying just one of the phrases would result in a change for the good.

Father, Your Word is full of the qualities I desire in my own life….my speech in particular. Help me to be aware when my words do not reflect Your character and heart. Amen.

The Power to Turn the Words Away

Perhaps the LORD your God will hear all the words of Rabshakeh, whom his master the king of Assyria has sent to reproach the living God, and will rebuke the words which the LORD your God has heard. Therefore, offer a prayer for the remnant that is left. 2 Kings 19:4

We can so easily accept the things that are said about us. Some adults still carry the words spoken to them or over them from their childhood. Words that were spoken in anger, words that were spoken to hurt, words that were not true. I would venture to say that most of the negative thoughts we have about ourselves can be traced back to something that was said about us by our family, classmates, neighbors, or even church members. For some reason, we too easily dismiss what is true for what another person says or thinks. And worse yet, we accept what another person says over what God says in His Word about us.

I am learning more and more how important it is to know what God says about me. To find my value and worth in His Word. He has heard every negative accusation that has been leveled against me. His ears have been witness to the lies, misperceptions, and unreliable words spoken to, over, and against me. Each one of us have a trail of such sentences flung at us that stick like darts in our souls. God is the only One who can truly define me and place the appropriate labels over my life. For He is the only One who knows me thoroughly and can read my thoughts, motives, and intentions. Others are limited by what they see, perceive, and understand. But they are limited to the external view. Only God can look on the heart.

I love the reminder in this verse that God can rebuke what He has heard. One definition of rebuke is to turn back or keep down. I like to imagine the negative words like arrows being turned back by my Father.

Whether it is something presently being said or something that was said years ago I can rebuke it. I can stand up and say it is not true! Spoken out loud, my rebuke carries the power to turn back the words. It grounds me once again in the reality of who God says I am. While God says I am a sinner, He also says I am cherished, loved, the apple of His eye, delighted in, rejoiced over, engraved on the palms of His hands, and made in His image. He not only loves me unconditionally, He loves me completely!

Father, keep reminding me of what You know to be true. I turn my ears to hear Your whispers. Amen.

The Power of My Words

Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs it down, but a good word makes it glad. Proverbs 12:25

I am struck by the power of words. The most recent lesson I am learning to date is the choice I have to speak life or death over my situations, my relationships, my dreams, my family, and my internal or external world. I want to make sure that the words I release from my mouth will have the greatest, most positive effect on me as well as on the people within the range of my voice.

Knowing Scripture and the character of God are my two greatest assets to right speaking. As I implement them into my every day speech patterns, things begin to shift in a dramatic fashion. I have to realize that the things I feel, see, experience, and think must take a back seat to the realities of who God is and what He is able to do. If I only give voice to the doubts, discouragement, and fears, that will be what I wrap my soul in for the day. I will walk in defeat with a strong sense of hopelessness. I have been there and it is not enjoyable in the least! While there are times for being honest before God and admitting to Him and myself what is going on in my head, I must never leave the conversation on a down note.

David knew how to pour out his complaint before God but he always ended it with praise and proclamation of the power of God. There was no doubt that he felt more cared for by his heavenly Father than controlled by people or circumstances. A friend of mine once told me about the reversal rule. Rather than say, “I know the Lord is faithful but the situation looks hopeless” the reversal rule says, “The situation looks hopeless but I know the Lord is faithful.” That slight change puts the focus back on the Source of life.

The words that I choose to speak today will reveal a lot about what I really believe. They will reveal whether I believe God has more power or my circumstances have more power. They will reveal whether I walk in hopelessness or am held by Hope. God spoke the worlds into existence. What will I choose to speak into today? May they be words that express faith, truth, and power. I cannot live on anything less.

Father, I cringe when I think of the words that have been spoken by me in the past. May I live each day speaking words that empower myself and others. Amen.

The Permanence of His Gifts

Thus says the Lord GOD, “If the prince gives a gift out of his inheritance to any of his sons, it shall belong to his sons; it is their possession by inheritance.” Ezekiel 46:16

I have often heard it said if a person does not use the gifts God gives them they will lose them. But this morning I am seeing a principle in Scripture that challenges such thinking. Apparently if a gift of inheritance was given to a son it was given on a permanent basis. If a gift of inheritance was given to a servant it was his until the year of jubilee (the ending of every 50 years). As a child of God I can rest assured that the Prince of all princes lavishes His gifts on me and never takes them back. What security!

While it is true that I can miss an opportunity to use my gifts and that particular opportunity may not come my way again, the gift remains. It is also true that I have a gracious heavenly Father who will present other opportunities to use my gifts if I but ask. It wasn’t until recently that I began realizing and thanking God for the gifts He has freely given to me. It has been in recognizing the gifts that I am placing myself in a position to begin using them. Two come to mind this morning.

God has given me the gift of humor. For years I misused it and others misunderstood it. At one time, being funny was labeled as immature and became an area of shame for me. I tried to lock it away and keep it from surfacing. But God in His tenderness revealed to me the purpose of that gift…it was to bring laughter and delight to others. Now I thank Him for the opportunities to make another person smile and feel better.

Communication is the other gift. Whether in written or verbal form I love to communicate. If I am not careful this gift can be misused but God is showing me ways to use it properly and as I follow His lead I am amazed at what He does with the words. Like the humor, there was a time I thought I had to squelch the words but I never quite succeeded. Good thing!

Why the examples? To illustrate the fact that while I may misuse a gift, while some may misunderstand a gift, while I may go through a time of not even using a gift….it is still there. God will not remove it. He gave it to be used and will in time help me to use it for its intended purpose. The same is true for you, dear one.

Father, I often failed to see what You so freely gave. Now I treasure each gift and stand in awe of how You allow them to be used. Amen.