Doing As He Has Done

A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. John 13:34 (New International Version)

There are two instances in Scripture where we are told to do what Christ has done. One is to love as He loved and the other is to forgive as He has forgiven. Both entail our interaction with others. Whether or not the loving and forgiving is “deserved” in our eyes, whether or not the other person is receptive to either, whether or not it is easy, we are to do as He did. He asks (insists on) nothing of us that He has not already done for us…in example as well as in relationship. He loves and forgives us when we least deserved it, when we aren’t receptive or even aware of it, and when we aren’t the easiest to work with or through.

Yet, at the same time, He knows we are human and will be prone to failure. He knows we cannot do as He as done without His help because out of our flesh and personal ambitions we will experience what Peter experienced when he proclaimed several verses later that he would lay down his life for Christ. In himself, he thought he was already equipped to die a martyr’s death yet failed miserably that very night. It was the beginning of coming to the end of himself and years later he DID lay down his life for Christ but only because the ability came from Christ.

No matter what the command to us is, we are as incapable of mustering up the obedience up on our own. Without true heart change from God’s work and Spirit in us we will accomplish behavior modification at best and it will be short lived. It will be a continual strain which lacks joy and fruit. It will be as empty and non productive as the things we attempted to do before coming to Christ.

So where do we start? We start with humility before God. We acknowledge what it is He calls us to do and how in ourselves we are unable to do it. We ask for His strength in our weakness and His work to be done in us even with our fleshly tendencies. This is the essence of Philippians 4:13 which says, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.“ As the opportunities arise to live out His commands we stay aware of our need of Him. He is not looking for or expecting perfection and neither should we. Progress and growth, my friends. Progress and growth.

Father, I am not able to do the least of Your commands without Your help. All that You tell me to do is only possible by Your grace and assistance. I need You. Amen.

Power of Your Love - Hillsong
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5PLAWhr1o1A

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

What To Do and How To Do It

Be strong and of a good courage. Joshua 1:6

Three times God speaks this phrase to Joshua in the first chapter of the Old Testament book that bears his name. Moses had died and Joshua assumed the position of leader to the nation of Israel. As he was given the monumental task of leading them across the Jordan River to take possession of the promise land, he was not only told to be strong and have courage but he was told the basis for that strength and courage.

Right from the start God assured him of His presence, provision, and power. Then He told him to meditate on His Word and to obey His commands. These were the conditions upon which success and prosperity lay. Without an awareness of God’s presence and a reliance upon His direction there would be no victory.

Whatever task or trial lies before me today, next week, next month, or next year, I must realize these same truths apply to me. I must not only live with an awareness of God’s presence, but I must abide in it. God must be my primary source for direction, protection, and provision. I must know the truth of His character, heart, and mind. That can only be found in His Word. As I spend time in His Word and meditate upon it through out the day, I am brought into an awareness of His step by step direction for me. His Word not only has commands to follow, but promises to claim, instructions to heed, and wisdom to glean. It is alive and applicable to me.

God wants me to hear the same thing Joshua needed to hear. I am to keep my eyes and my mind on Him. What or who I choose to look at and follow and what I choose to think on will have profound effects on my actions. They will set the direction for my entire day. When I am focused on listening to Him, He speaks. When I am determined to obey Him, He leads. When I choose to stay close to Him, He astounds me with His presence. The amazing thing is that He willingly gives me the desire and ability to do all of this and more. None of this is simply my own self effort and behavior modification. It is brought about by His Spirit working in me as I cooperate with Him. The internal changes that lead to external changes are the results of living in relationship with Him.

Father, You have told me what to do and how to do it. I look to You for the ability to follow and listen to You. I don’t want to miss a thing! At the end of the day may I realize the victories that were mine! Amen.

All to Jesus I Surrender - Robin Mark
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hO3BouKCtDs

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

What is in the Way?

Thus in Judah it was said, "The strength of the burden bearers is failing, Yet there is much rubbish; And we ourselves are unable to rebuild the wall." Nehemiah 4:10 (New American Standard Bible)

The rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem saw hindrances among progress. In the midst of verbal attacks and threats by enemies, there was the problem of rubbish that had not been cleared away. Debris from years of neglect and damage had not been removed and therefore was a present disadvantage to the work that needed to be done. It was causing the workers to stumble, become weak, and even susceptible to injuries. It was in the way!

God has recently led me into a house cleaning adventure. While the main rooms are looking good, there are closets, drawers, and cupboards in need of cleaning out and straightening up. My method? Clear EVERYTHING out of the space I am working in, put back only what needs to stay, and discard the rest! The results are amazing. My whole family is delighting in the transformation as heard in their words of encouragement and compliments. I am simply removing that which is in the way!

My spiritual life is no different. Solomon said it is the little foxes that spoil the vine. Such is the case with certain attitudes, words, and actions that can find their way into my life. Without continual inspection and extraction, they will grow and become a hindrance to the work God wants to do in me. They are the rubbish that needs to be removed. Be it negative speaking, worry, irritability, unkindness, selfishness, thoughtlessness, ingratitude, laziness, pity, or unbelief, they cannot be allowed to stay once they are detected.

I will continue with the renovation of my home, but throughout today my desire will be for God to show me any internal rubbish that needs to be acknowledged and removed. It is a type of mining that is necessary. Not for gold but for that which could cause me to stumble, become weak, and do much damage. It is called self examination and serves a profound purpose.

I now see the benefits of internal inspections, for they are done under the watchful eye of a God of forgiveness. One who is gracious and compassionate. Slow to anger and abounding in loving kindness. (Nehemiah 9:17) I need not cringe at the search light of His Spirit. As I yield, the results will be even more astounding than my cleaned out cupboards and closets!

Father, reveal to me any hidden places of my heart that need to be cleaned out. Help me to see what needs to go and what needs to stay. Amen.

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

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

Healing, Deliverance, or Obedience?

Heal me, O LORD, and I will be healed; Save me and I will be saved, for You are my praise. Jeremiah 17:14 (New American Standard Bible)

The Bible is filled with examples of healing and deliverance. As I have looked over the passages I am seeing something I had often missed. Most references to healing had to do with physical healing such as from birth defects, sickness, handicaps, and diseases. A few verses spoke of healing the soul….possibly from sorrow, distress, and heartache. Deliverance referred to being rescued from enemies or circumstances. It also was used when giving one over to an enemy.

Why the explanations? Because there have been times when I wrongly thought I needed God’s healing or deliverance from something and that wasn’t what I actually needed. I am referring to addictions, habits, sinfulness, idols of the heart, personality flaws, moods, temperament, and weaknesses. In those cases, it is not a matter of healing or deliverance, but rather confession, repentance, and obedience being needed. Although I would much rather have God just wave a magic wand over my life and free me of all the afore mentioned maladies, He is very clear on the way it should be. Simply put, confession is admitting the truth to God, repentance is turning from wrong behavior, and obedience is aligning myself with God’s Word in my thoughts, words, and actions.

The enemy of my soul would like to convince me to just accept my flaws or make excuses for having them. God wants to set me free and that will only happen as I see the truth about my own heart and allow Him to help me change. He is willing to give me the grace and strength to do whatever it takes to live differently, but I must cooperate with Him on a continual basis.

Let me give a personal illustration. I have admitted to being prone to looking to people to give me what only God can give me. While past wounds and experiences may have played a part in this, the bottom line is that it is idolatry. No different from when the children of Israel bowed down to their golden calf! Freedom will only be experienced as I confess it to God, do an about face in my searching, and love God with all my heart, soul, and mind. In myself it would be impossible, but as His child I can do all things through Christ Who strengthens me.

If there is an area in your life that you need freedom in, ask God to show you if it is healing, deliverance, or obedience that you need.

Father, there are times I need Your healing and deliverance, but also times when my greatest need is confession, repentance, and obedience. Thank you for the forgiveness and grace you so freely give! Amen.

He's Been Faithful to Me - Damaris Carbaugh
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fNoLUVTtr98&feature=related

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

Even When It Doesn't Make Sense

Simon answered and said, Master, we worked hard all night and caught nothing, but I will do as You say and let down the nets. Luke 5:5 (New American Standard Bible)

I love Simon Peter! Jesus has just told him to prepare for a miracle and Peter is giving him reasons why it won’t work. After an entire evening of fishing with zero results, Jesus tells Peter to drop the nets one more time. Simon has limited vision. Jesus sees and knows what Simon can’t imagine…a haul of fish so great that the nets will begin to break and two boats will be filled! But more than fish are caught that day. While Simon and the others are after fish, Jesus is after their hearts. When it was all said and done three would be disciples left everything and followed Him.

God wants the stories of Scripture to be more than interesting reading to us. With each encounter we witness He wants us to see ourselves and our situations within the story lines. There are times He will come to us with a request that does not make sense to us. Maybe it has to do with an area where we have failed in the past. Maybe it has to do with something we feel unqualified or unable to do. Maybe we hear the instructions but fail to see how it will ever work. Maybe we are filled with more doubt than faith because we can’t imagine God would actually be calling us to a position whereby He is preparing us for something great. It might be a long time desire of our heart and yet we begin to formulate all the reasons we don’t see it ever working.

But there is a combination in this story that encourages me today. Like a match and a stick of dynamite it is very affective when put together. After giving his opinion, Peter ends up doing what Jesus tells him to do. It is his cooperation that opens the door for a miracle. Like Peter, God is not calling us to understand it all or have it all figured out. There are times in our life when we know what God is suggesting, we see what it is He wants us to do, and in the end we must simply cooperate. It is okay to tell God how we feel, to give voice to our doubts and concerns. God understands our turmoil. But in the end our cooperation will join our hearts with His work and life will never be the same!

Sometimes faith has to lead the way and sometimes actions have to precede faith. I am not sure what was going through Peter’s mind when he finally did the very thing Jesus told him to do. His past experience told him it wouldn’t work, but his Creator told him it would. He had to learn what we all have to learn. It is Christ, not our feelings, not our opinions, not our experiences, that matters…even when it doesn’t make sense.

Father, You and I have had similar conversations. May today’s Scripture bring me that much closer to following You with abandon! Amen.

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

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

A Call to Action

Everyone who comes to Me and hears My words and acts on them, I will show you whom he is like: he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid a foundation on the rock; and when a flood occurred, the torrent burst against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built. "But the one who has heard and has not acted accordingly, is like a man who built a house on the ground without any foundation; and the torrent burst against it and immediately it collapsed, and the ruin of that house was great." Luke 6:47-49 (New American Standard Bible)

A parallel verse to today’s passage is James 1:22, “Be doers of the word and not hearers only.” Jesus gave strong and contrasting examples of individuals who do and don’t put into practice His words. The similarities are astounding. Both come, hear, and build. But the outcome is dependent upon what is done with what is heard. Floods come to both as well as torrents, but the one not shaken, the one not left in ruins, is the one who lives out the truths he is taught.

I have no trouble coming to Jesus and taking in what He tells me. I have learned to recognize His voice as well as His Words. But I am shaken to the core when I do not practice the things He tells me. Scripture is full of sound advice to be heeded and applied. In many situations of life I know what to do, but like the Apostle Paul, there are times the doing of it is lacking. When that is the case, my house of emotions is shaken as the storms of life hit. God is reminding me that will not be the case if I will begin doing what He has shown me to do. He honors that obedience with strength, stability, and unshaken faith.

This was the center of a conversation I once had with a friend. She saw my struggles and knew when I was dwelling in dark emotional pits. Her words to me are always the same, “start doing what you know to do.” Each action in the right direction will lay a sturdy foundation for me as well as become a wrung to a needed ladder for rising above my moods and thoughts. There is no pretending or blaming, the choice is mine. But within that choice is the premise that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. I am not left on my own to make the necessary changes. Each decision is accompanied by God’s grace and enabling.

Victory replaces failure when God’s Word goes beyond my ears. All that I desire for my Christian life and all that God desires for me are possible as I daily practice the things He tells me.

Father, I take responsibility for the choices I am making. I trust You to bring about the necessary changes as I obey. Amen.

This is My Desire - Hillsong
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-XKxqqhOgVM&feature=fvw

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

Taking the Plow and Mantle

Another also said, "I will follow You, Lord; but first permit me to say good-bye to those at home." 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 9:61, 62 (New American Standard Bible)

Each of us must determine what, if anything, follows our statement of “I will follow You, Lord.” A certain man voiced those words to Jesus but wanted a little more time with his family before doing so. That “but first” clause constituted putting his hand to the plow and looking back. Back at his family. Back at his roots. Back at his life. Jesus knew that until the “but first” was no longer the condition of his heart, he would not be fit (useful) for the kingdom of God. Divided hearts make us unfit for that which God wants to do in and through us in His kingdom.

Is there an area in your life that divides your heart when it comes to total commitment to God’s call? Is there something you keep looking back to or at? Mine was evident yesterday as I once again gave in to the longings to sit under the teachings of my former mentor. What once fed my soul and spirit profoundly, is now forbidden fruit which can so easily tempt me. Why is it forbidden? Well, I assure you it isn’t because the teaching is no longer profound, relevant, or practical. It is all of the above and more. This woman and her ministry are both very blessed by God and very used by God. The problem is the dependency issues that still reside in me. God is continually reminding me that any contact or connection reopens doors that are meant to stay closed in order for me to live in freedom rather than bondage. I might enjoy a handful of grapes at her vines but it comes at the cost of intimacy with my Heavenly Father. The minute I linger in the fields of her ministry I become acutely aware of God’s silence. That is when I once again realize I am looking back…looking away from Him. That is when the desire to reconnect with Him outweighs the desire to reconnect with a person.

If I close my eyes, I can see myself in a field with my hands on a plow handle. Just a few feet in front of me is a mantle on the ground (much like the one Elijah threw down for Elisha) placed there by my Heavenly Father. It is His invitation for total commitment, total submission, and total loyalty. Usefulness in His kingdom is at stake when a divided heart resides within me. There is no looking back or going back to what once was, there is only a looking forward to what is meant to be of Him. I choose once again to step away from my mentor’s vineyard and into His.

Father, I am so aware of Your forgiveness once again. Each time I stray, fall, or fail You reach down to pick me up and start me on the path meant for me. I take a hold of the plow and mantle and follow You. Amen.

All to Jesus I Surrender
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7x2IpLSfqp8&feature=related

Holiness is a furnace that transforms the men and women who enter it. - Eugene H.Peterson

Heading in the Wrong Direction

But Jonah rose up to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the LORD. So he went down to Joppa, found a ship which was going to Tarshish, paid the fare and went down into it to go with them to Tarshish from the presence of the LORD. Jonah 1:3 (New American Standard Bible)

Jonah’s steps in the wrong direction were many. He purposefully headed away from God, went down to Joppa, found a ship, paid the fare, and boarded the ship to get to Tarshish. The verse begins and ends with the same phrase, “from the presence of the LORD.” At any point along the way, Jonah could have assessed what he was doing, changed his course of action, and headed in the right direction. If you are familiar with this Bible story you know all that transpired before the change came. He made matters worse with each choice he made. All of it could have been avoided had Jonah at any time headed toward God instead of away from Him.

Have you ever seen yourself in the person of Jonah? I certainly have! I find myself making wrong decisions and then proceed to make wrong choices on top of those decisions. Rather than stop at the first wrong step, I (like Jonah) just keep taking the wrong steps….making matters worse. I was in the midst of wrong choices this past weekend and even had my mind made up to make more wrong choices. What stopped me? I knew I would only make matters worse and that would lead to painful consequences. It wouldn’t be a large fish as in Jonah’s case, but it would be something that could easily swallow me up until I was ready to head in the right direction. So I stopped my planning. I stopped my running. I changed my heart and my mind. In essence, I rose to flee but decided to return.

In moments like this I feel like such a boomerang Christian….going the wrong direction and then turning around and heading back. Fortunately for me God is consistent in His love, forgiveness, grace, and mercy. The lessons He is teaching me are difficult and uncomfortable at present. I don’t like the person I continue to be most of the time. I don’t like what others know about me. I don’t like the mistakes I keep making and the slip-ups I keep having. I do, however, take comfort in the fact that God loves me too much to allow me to stay this way. He will go to any length to reach, touch, and change my heart. He will stop at nothing to woo and win me to Himself. He will never give up on me even when I have given Him more than enough reasons to do so.

Father, forgive me for my thoughts and actions. I want to stop running and adding to the wrong choices I have already made. With You all things are possible and I rest in that truth. Amen.

Oh How He Loves Us - Kim Walker
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yF9uG-zR2Kw&feature=related

I welcome your questions and comments to any devotional thoughts. I am honored and delighted to share my journey with you and privileged to hear of yours.

Seeing the Whole Picture

Whoever comes to Me, and hears My sayings and does them, I will show you whom he is like: He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently against that house, and could not shake it, for it was founded on the rock. Luke 6:47-48 (New King James Version)

As believers, it is imperative that we take in the whole picture of Scripture. Often are the times when people approach the Bible with a “smorgasbord” mentality whereby they see and hear only what they want to see and hear. Many principles go hand in hand and must be embraced in their totality. Today’s passage is one such case in point. At a quick glance one might assume that knowing Christ as Savior will keep them from falling apart when life takes a turn for the worst, when in actuality there is a condition to the promise.

Jesus prefaces His promise of one not being shaken with the personal responsibility of coming to Him, listening to Him, and obeying Him. If those factors are not in place the storms of life will shake us up even though our salvation is secure. It goes back to James’ admonition to be a doer and not just a hearer of the Word.

No matter what the issue or struggle is in our life, there is a verse or principle of truth that will require action on our part. If I am struggling with a dependency issue, God’s call to me is to fix my eyes on Him and trust Him to meet my needs. If I am fearful, He reminds me to allow His perfect love to cast out that fear. If I am focusing on the weaknesses of others, I must align myself with the truth that I am to live with an awareness of my own weaknesses and trust God to strengthen us both.

Last night, I spoke with a friend about an area in my life that is in need of the most change presently…..doing battle when I sense a shift in my mood, attitude, and spirit. In those times when I want to curl up with misperceptions and negative thinking, God has steps of obedience for me to take. Those steps entail taking my thoughts captive, thinking on what is actually true, and renouncing the lies that desire to take up residence in my mind. In order to not be shaken each time the spiraling begins, I must choose to listen to His voice and obey His words. It is a daily (moment by moment) decision that God promises to bless and honor. He will help me if I will but cooperate and accept His help.

Father, I have lost so many battles but You have not given up on me. Thank you for not abandoning me in the midst of failure but rather extending to me hope, help, and healing. I look to You for help to obey. Amen.

Bow the Knee - Paula Orr
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x9z6l1PXsFE&feature=related

I welcome your questions and comments to any devotional thoughts. I am honored and delighted to share my journey with you and privileged to hear of yours.

God's Recipe for Success

We urge you, brethren, admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone. Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. Do not quench the Spirit. 1 Thessalonians 5:14,16-19 (New American Standard Bible)

As the Thanksgiving season approaches, many will find themselves looking up old and new recipes. They want to give their Thanksgiving dinner a special touch. Maybe they are after recipes to help reduce calories or recipes that enhance flavor….or both if that is possible. Whatever the case may be, finding the recipes and following the recipes are necessary for success.

This morning I am seeing God’s recipe for unity in the body of Christ as well as intimate fellowship with Himself. His “ingredients” include admonishing, encouraging, being patient, rejoicing, praying, being thankful, and not grieving His Spirit. I don’t know about anyone else, but one look at THAT list makes me realize more fully my inability to do any of them without His help and enabling. My flesh pulls away from every one of them. Yet, God is inviting me to seek His help and walk in obedience with His help.

He knows that within each of these areas there is power to change me and power to change those around me. I have no trouble being patient and encouraging around people I am comfortable with and feel accepted by. I have no trouble rejoicing when things go my way. My thankful heart is most evident when I am truly thankful for the circumstances of my life. But God wants me to notice the usage of the words everyone, always, without ceasing, and everything. That realization brings me to my knees before Him and causes me to admit my weakness apart from His strength. It shows me how much I limit my actions and attitudes to what feels good and brings delight.

I have heard it said that God is not interested in my comfort but rather in my character. The development of my character happens as I begin to live beyond what is comfortable for me. It happens when I am willing to exchange my desires for His, my wishes for His, my will for His, and my ways for His. He never said it would be easy. I can attest to that! He said it would be possible as I rely upon Him and walk in obedience to Him.

He has much to do in me, but as Creator of the universe and Divider of the Red Sea, I know He is willing and able to do it all!

Father, You have my attention and I have Your instructions. Transform my heart so that changes of my actions and attitudes will follow. Amen.

In The Potters Hand - Hillsong (HQ sound)
http://youtube.com/watch?v=6beNoG0H0E0&feature=related

He is wooing you from the jaws of distress to a spacious place free from restriction, to the comfort of your table laden with choice food. Job 36:16

When It Is For Him

Whatever may be your task, work at it heartily (from the soul), as [something done] for the Lord and not for men, Colossians 3:23 (Amplified Bible)

While this passage refers to work ethics at places of employment, it took on new significance to me as I pondered some actions God was calling me to take. It followed a time of asking God how I was to go about doing the very things He was instructing me to do. None of those things came naturally for me. None would come from my own personal desire and ambition. I have found when God gives me a command that requires super natural ability, the super natural ability will come from Him….just as soon as I become receptive and willing.

So what is it that God is wanting me to do? Walk in love toward an individual who seems to want nothing to do with me. A person I see often but whose actions and demeanor make me feel unwanted and unwelcome. To stop allowing my perceptions to rule me. To allow Him to change the way I “deal” with negative feelings and emotions. To trust in Him and His goodness. To live outside my own box of perceived needs and necessities.

Each of these and more are possible as I depend upon God for the ability and as I realize I am doing them for Him. What I can’t or won’t do for myself or for another individual can be done for God whole heartedly. When He is the One I am seeking to please and delight, my heart attitude is corrected and the actions follow.

In Psalm 32:8, God promises to guide and instruct me. When I become willing to do something for Him, it opens the door to that guidance and instruction. As soon as my heart is bent toward Him, I have no trouble discerning what I need to start doing and how to do it. I also have no trouble knowing He will supply the ability in accordance to a fresh desire to obey Him. Whether it is in the area of forgiveness, trust, or love, I can anticipate His support and assistance through out the task at hand.

Behind each command that I am hesitant to follow, I must tune my ears to hear Him say, “Will you do it for Me?” Somehow, that question gives me a whole new perspective and desire. The sense of excitement lets me know He has special things in mind as I carry out His wishes. He has begun to replace hesitancy, fear, and unwillingness, with an enthusiastic readiness to begin to implement His plan of action. I can’t wait to see what comes of this!

Father, thank you for making this about You! Amen.

You're Still God - Kathy Troccoli
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CvclzwpAMxg

He is wooing you from the jaws of distress to a spacious place free from restriction, to the comfort of your table laden with choice food. Job 36:16

The Whole Message

Then they said to Jeremiah, "May the LORD be a true and faithful witness against us if we do not act in accordance with the whole message with which the LORD your God will send you to us. "Whether it is pleasant or unpleasant, we will listen to the voice of the LORD our God to whom we are sending you, so that it may go well with us when we listen to the voice of the LORD our God." Jeremiah 42:5,6 (New American Standard Bible)

What pastor would not thrill to hear his congregation proclaim the words the Jews had spoken to Jeremiah. In essence they were saying, “Tell us what the Lord says and we will obey…no matter what!” In reality, they had already made up their minds to do what they wanted to do. If God’s message to them was not what they wanted it to be, they really had no intention on walking in obedience. Jeremiah 43 reveals they did exactly what God warned them NOT to do….they headed to Egypt! They decided since the message was not what they wanted it to be then, in their minds, it wasn’t from God.

I am astounded! The message was crystal clear. “Stay in Babylon and you will be abundantly blessed and protected. Go to Egypt and you will die!” As clear as that was, they rejected the wisdom and warning of God’s message through Jeremiah.

Does that sort of thing still happen today? Absolutely! The Bible is clear about Heaven and Hell. It is clear about salvation coming through faith in Christ alone. And yet people don’t want to accept that as God’s message. They have their own idea of how life and the after life works and that has become “truth” to them. When the Jewish people chose to reject God’s message it did not change the message. When people today choose to reject what the Bible clearly says, it does not change the message. Unfortunately, many will come to realize that when it is eternally too late.

But it is not just the world that picks their way through God’s Word with a smorgasbord mentality. Christians are often guilty of the same mindsets. Hence, we get a prosperity gospel, all law, all grace, God’s love, God’s judgment. God is a God of balance and His Word is just as balanced. Yes, there is grace but there are also warnings for disobedience. There are boundaries and limits God has established and when we live within them we are within the parameters of blessing and favor.

I have known what it is like to live outside of God’s intended will for my life. It is a place of frustration, loneliness, heartache, and profound sadness. Those are the very things God has used to draw me back into submission and obedience to Himself. I came to the place where my way was too uncomfortable. May I speak the words found in today’s verse with a ready and willing heart to yield to whatever God says.

Father, my ears and heart are open to what You have to say to me. May I walk in obedience even when what You say isn’t what I hoped it would be. Amen.

We Bow Down - Twila Paris
http://youtube.com/watch?v=1rjmBNKk-4w&feature=related

I welcome your questions and comments to any devotional thoughts. I am honored and delighted to share my journey with you and privileged to hear of yours.

The Meaning and Result of Following

And Jesus said to them, "Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men." Mark 1:17 (New American Standard Bible)

I have often missed key phrases within a verse and in doing so I have missed precious promises given by God. Within today’s verse is one command and one promise. Jesus told two brothers to follow Him. That was the command. Then He gave the promise, “I will make you become fishers of men.” If I miss the fact that Jesus is the one making them what He is calling them to do and be, then I will in turn miss the fact that He is making me what He is calling me to do and be as I follow Him. It is the epitome of Isaiah’s words that He is the Potter and I am the clay.

Following involves obedience and trust. It always sandwiches me between God’s command and His promise. It is not a matter of figuring things out for myself, determining my “game plan”, and then mustering up the strength and ability to carry it out. It is a matter of learning to listen to God’s voice throughout my day and doing what He tells me to do. Following Him is not a one time event but rather a moment by moment yielding. And what does that look like?

When someone offends me, my “following” is forgiveness. When I am going about my day at work, my “following” is doing my job faithfully and to the best of my ability. When an opportunity for witnessing opens up, my “following” is to share what I know to be true about God. When things do not go my way, my “following” is acceptance and submission to my Father’s will. When I am aware of sin in my life, my “following” is confession and repentance. No matter what the situation is, God’s Word and God’s Spirit in me will always let me know what the “following” is to be. And it is His grace, not my self effort, that will help me to follow.

As I walk in obedience, He is the one making me whatever He chooses to make me. I don’t have to worry that time will run out before He is finished. I don’t have to help Him out. I just simply need to follow. He created me and called me with a full picture of my life in view. He will use many tools, people, and situations to make me His masterpiece. Today is just one of many days whereby I do the following and He does the making.

Father, I trust You to finish the work You have started in me. Give me the wisdom, discernment, and desire to hear You clearly and follow You whole heartedly. Amen.

Heading in the Opposite Direction

But Jonah rose up to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the LORD. So he went down to Joppa, found a ship which was going to Tarshish, paid the fare and went down into it to go with them to Tarshish from the presence of the LORD. Jonah 1:3 (New American Standard Bible)

As much as I crave God’s clear cut, explicit directions in my life, I stand amazed at Jonah’s reaction. He decides to not only disobey and head in the opposite direction but plans to get as far away as he can. He wants as much space between himself and God’s will as is humanly possible. His blatant disobedience is hard to watch without wincing in my spirit. Yet I know God’s intent for having this story in Scripture is meant to showcase something personally to me this morning. If I allow it to remain on the pages of Scripture and not enter my own heart I am going to miss the personal application that is meant to transform my life.

What is the “Nineveh” God is sending me to on a daily basis? When are the times I am “jumping aboard” to head in the opposite direction of His call? It is not usually in the big areas. This morning God is probing my heart with questions that can feel uncomfortable if I forget His reason for asking them. His desire is always that I allow Him to expose the areas that need His transforming touch. While His questions may be direct and pointed they are asked in a tone of gentleness and love.

So how am I doing at responding to His commands to me? Commands such as: love your enemies, forgive one another, obey your husband, be a keeper at home, share your faith, let your words be gracious, be kind to others, put others before yourself, pray for others, study His Word, be attentive to the needs of others (particularly the poor, widows, and orphans), have the right motives, be patient toward people, etc…. For it is when I refuse to extend my hand to another person or close my heart to one in need that I am being a Jonah. I may find a hundred other things to do rather than the simple thing God is directing me to do but it is at that point that I am finding my own ship to head in my own direction.

Jonah had his reasons for where he was headed and I have my reasons. Part of Christian maturity is aligning my actions and beliefs with the desires of my Father’s heart. Today will reveal whether I am boarding a ship or grasping the hand of my Father in obedience.

Father, You have spoken. Help me to obey in all areas. Amen.

A Call to Stand Still

So the priests who bore the ark stood in the midst of the Jordan until everything was finished that the LORD had commanded Joshua to speak to the people, according to all that Moses had commanded Joshua; and the people hurried and crossed over. Joshua 4:10 (New King James Version)

I find it interesting that for a while the priests were called to stand still! The duration of their “stand” was until everything God commanded was finished. It wasn’t finished when the entire nation of Israel crossed over the Jordan River on dry land. It was finished when twelve individuals had removed twelve stones for memorials from the river bed and Joshua had set up twelve stones as a memorial in the river bed. Once all of that was accomplished, the priests were allowed to move forward.

To me, standing still is always more difficult than moving forward. It doesn’t seem natural or necessary from my perspective. But I am quickly learning (and relearning) that MY perspective is not the issue….God’s perspective is! I often feel like the student at the back of room who is wildly waving her hand in hopes of being “chosen” for something! And yet over my restlessness and enthusiasm God seems to be saying, “Stand here until I have finished some things in you and some things in others.” He can tell by my slumped shoulders and confused look that I do not understand His command.

While He has not shown me all the reasons or the full picture for this stand still moment, He has let me know what it does NOT mean and what I am to be doing during this time. It does not mean He doesn’t care or is uninvolved in my life. It does not mean I am insignificant or unusable. Nor does it mean there aren’t future plans and purposes for my life. Those are the interpretations the enemy delights in whispering to me. Those are the lies I must counter with biblical truth. I must poise myself to hear God say, “I care about you and you are My precious child. I know the plans I have for you…they are good plans. In My time and in My way I will unfold those plans to you. Rest in Me. You are right where I want you…for now.”

With that said, I see things God wants to accomplish in me at this time. Drawing closer to Him and developing a dependency upon Him is primary! He is still fixing the false concepts and perceptions I have of Him. He is also walking me through the huge issue of emotional dependency. Two powerful tools He is giving me are books and crossing my path with individuals who have walked this road before me. Seeing just those two areas is enough to convince me that standing still is an excellent idea after all!

Father, there is no such thing as wasted time when it is of You. I choose to stand in this place until You have finished all that You desire to do at this time. I leave the timing and the commanding to You. Amen.

Radical Obedience

And many of those who had practiced curious, magical arts collected their books and [throwing them, book after book, on the pile] burned them in the sight of everybody. Acts 19:19 (Amplified Bible)

I have often heard of accounts in history when revival resulted in the destruction of former articles of sin and addiction. Often times, bonfires would be built and those things that had become an ingrained part of people’s lives were thrown into the flames. It must have been a profound site. I can only imagine the scene of an entire town bringing their drug paraphernalia, pornographic literature, demonic books and music, immodest clothing, and whatever else they had been in bondage to, and tossing them one by one into the inferno. It would mark a distinct end to a part of their life that kept them at arms length from God.

The Old Testament is filled with accounts of God requiring His people to stop the practice of idolatry. Part of the process was the necessity to completely destroy the idols they had made and subsequently worshipped. True freedom would not come merely through confession and repentance of the idolatry. While it was a good start, it was not the end of the obedience God demanded. For He knew if the idols remained, the tendency to bow to them once again would exist. Ridding their homes and land of every last idol was the ultimate display of total surrender. Stopping short of that act meant unresolved issues and incomplete obedience. Thus the door to freedom would once again close.

I have been in prayer this morning over a personal issue in my own life. While I have sought forgiveness and freedom countless times I have not sensed a release from its hold. While it would not be considered immoral or illegal it is keeping a death grip on my soul that demands a difficult but necessary step of obedience. There is absolutely no question in my mind of what God is requiring me to do nor of the grace He is offering me to actually do it. Failure to obey will not result in a loss of His love for me, for I know His love is based on who He is NOT on what I do. But failure to fully cooperate with Him in this area will result in a loss of His blessing on my life, stunted spiritual growth, and an inability to receive all He has for me. It will also grieve Him and obstruct the intimacy with Him I have come to experience and embrace. That is too great a price to pay in His opinion and mine. Therefore I choose to take hold of His extended hand and walk a path of obedience that will lead to freedom…no matter how painful the steps may be. Let the tears flow as this heart follows Him!

Father, the decision has been made. Give me the grace to obey You unreservedly. Amen.

Whose Will?

I do not seek or consult My own will [I have no desire to do what is pleasing to Myself, My own aim, My own purpose] but the will and pleasure of the Father Who sent Me. John 30:6b Amplified Bible

Jesus set the standard high when He spoke these to the very people who were seeking to kill Him. They were the truth by which He lived His life. From the moment of His conception to His ascension, He had but one mindset….to do the will of His Father. With Jesus, there was no other longing, desire, or purpose in life. His actions stemmed from it. His words were birthed from it. His attitude was a result of it. He did not make a plan, perform a miracle, have a conversation, or draw a conclusion that did not coincide with His Father’s will and pleasure.

As I go through my day can His words be my own? Will I allow Him to do such a work in me that everything comes down to God’s will over my own will? Knowing that His ways are higher than my ways and His thoughts are higher than my thoughts should be grounds enough for preferring His will over mine. With that said, what makes it so difficult?

I live in a fallen world…so did Jesus. I taste rejection and hurts from people….so did Jesus. I come up against trials, temptation, and troubles…so did Jesus. I have faced misjudgment, mistreatment, and misunderstanding….so did Jesus. I know hunger, tears, and heartache…so did Jesus. I have an enemy who seeks to destroy me…so did Jesus. The list could go on and on but my point is this, Jesus faced most of what I face in this world. He knows what I face each day because He faced it as well. And yet there are differences that reveal the nature of my difficulties to voice His words for myself.

I have a sin nature. My view of life is limited and my view of the future is blocked. I can only be in one place at a time. While I house divinity within myself in the form of the Holy Spirit, I am not divinity itself. My flesh is at war with my spirit. These are just a few of reasons it is imperative that I pattern my life after Jesus. He spent time in prayer, saturated Himself with Scripture, spoke the truth to Himself and others, and lived with the sole purpose of doing His Father’s will. In order to do that I must come to the place of seeing my need for His help. May I learn to whisper “Not my will by Thine be done” to every circumstance, situation, difficulty, loss, and tear as I go through my day. Trust Him, follow Him, listen to Him, and obey Him with abandon! May His words be my heartbeat today!

Father, may Christ’s words live in me! Amen.

Doing What He Says

Shimei then said to the king, “The word is good. As my lord the king has said, so your servant will do.” So Shimei lived in Jerusalem many days. I Kings 2:38 NASB

Shimei spoke these words to King Solomon. Each of us have the daily opportunity to speak the same words to God. For those of us who know Jesus as our Savior, we have the Holy Spirit dwelling within us. If we are willing to listen, He will whisper instructions to us. If we are willing to obey, He will empower us to do what He says. So what might those whispers sound like?

When I was a child, my siblings and I enjoyed playing a game called “I Spy.” One person would say “I spy something blue.” And the rest of us would proceed to guess at a variety of objects in the room that were blue until someone actually pinpointed what the person was spying. It kept us amused and busy to say the least! Well, in a sense, God has begun nudging me to be on the look out for certain things…three so far.

First, be on the look out for opportunities to defer to others. To put it another way, watch for ways to put others first. It is amazing how many times and places this becomes possible. At work, in traffic, in stores, in our homes! It becomes a joy to discover an opportunity and a delight to carry out the plan. What I found was with each success, I was asking God to help me see another one. No one around us knew we were doing this but God and I were having the time of our life!!!!

Second, be on the look out for the enemy’s presence. With God’s help I am becoming acutely aware of his tactics, finger prints, and attendance. What I am seeing is amazing me! Last night, something was said that rubbed me the wrong way. In the middle of my inner irritation and anger, God startled me with the realization that the enemy was in our midst. He was feeding me interpretations and thoughts that fueled my fire, and I was taking the bait…or plate rather! When I spied the enemy, his gig was up! All the anger in me left as he departed and what could have been a miserable evening turned into rejoicing!

Third, be on the look out for allowing God’s truth to take precedence and counter negative messages that run through my head. For instance, I get dressed, look in the mirror, and the first thought to hit me is “You have got to loose some weight.” But God’s truth needs to take precedence. I am fearfully and wonderfully made! When my hair won’t cooperate God’s truth is that my hair is my crown of beauty. He has a truth for EVERY thought to be battled and renounced.

There will be plenty of opportunities to voice Shimei’s words to God today. And to think He will supply the will, the way, and the success!

Father, my journey is one of daily interacting with You and there really is no better way to live! Amen.

Making Myself at Home

If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love. John 15:10 KJV

So often I have missed the simplicity of God’s words or misunderstood them all together. Complicated them and kept them out of reach. Misread them and missed the message God wanted me to digest. Approached Scripture with preconceived ideas that hindered me from taking in truth and hence applying truth. What a huge corner is turned when God begins to enlighten me on the meaning and mystery of His Word!

For years I would read a verse like John 15:10 and come away with the idea that God’s love for me is contingent on my obedience to His commandments. Not so! This verse does not say, “Keep My commandments and I will love you.” It tells me if I keep His commandments I will abide in His love. I will make myself at home in His love. Understand it, embrace it, receive it, live out of it, and be changed by it. What a difference! Obedience is the doorway that opens my life to fully experiencing God’s love….it is not the condition, foundation, or prerequisite for that love. If that were the case, how in the world could God love me before I even knew Him? How could He love me while I was still in my sin?

Sometimes I have even limited His commandments to a list of does and don’ts. A type of law keeping. Then I wonder why God seems like a harsh law giver rather than a Shepherd, Father, and Friend. While God certainly has things for me to do and things for me to avoid in this life, His commands are broader. This morning, He is graciously revealing a list of commands that are meant to draw me closer to Him. Abiding in His love results from confessing sin to Him, listening to Him, learning from Him, leaning on Him, seeking Him, meditating on Him, looking to Him, following Him, depending on Him, resting in Him, embracing Him, speaking to Him, yielding to Him, receiving from Him, knowing Him, trusting Him, reflecting Him, believing Him, and living for Him. That list is not complete but it is powerful. Oh what I miss when any of these ingredients are missing from the recipe of my life!

Father, I have always had Your love but I am just now learning how to make myself at home in it! How to revel in it. How to delight in it. Obedience no longer has to be a word that intimidates me but rather it can be a word that invites me to abide in Your love. Amen.

Partial Obedience

Then the word of the LORD came to Samuel: “I am grieved that I have made Saul king, because he has turned away from me and has not carried out my instructions.” When Samuel reached him, Saul said, “The LORD bless you! I have carried out the LORD’s instructions.” I Samuel 15:10,11,13 (NIV)

The instructions were clear (I Samuel 15:1-26). Saul was to destroy the Amalekites and their animals because of their treatment of the children of Israel when they left Egypt. But Saul didn’t do that. He destroyed everything except the king, the best of the animals, and all that was good. His partial obedience was noticed and condemned by God. Hence, Samuel was told two very different things by God and Saul. God said Saul had not obeyed Him and Saul said he had obeyed. Upon hearing Saul’s statement, Samuel had one question for him. In essence he said, “If you have truly obeyed God, why am I hearing bleating sheep and lowing cattle?” Samuel and Saul were within hearing distance of his disobedience. The eventual consequence of that disobedience was his loss of position as king.

Partial obedience is no obedience as far as God is concerned. Every part of His commands to us are significant and necessary. But we often approach His Word with a smorgasbord mentality. Picking and choosing what appeals to us and ignoring what doesn’t. How our selective, partial, incomplete obedience must grieve the heart of God as well. Are there consequences? Absolutely! They may be in the form of missed opportunities, loss of position, withdrawn blessings, or even shortened life. Although we live under grace and not under law, this principle still applies. God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. But there is encouragement in the midst of what seems harsh.

David was called a man after God’s own heart even though he had a trail of sin behind him that included adultery and murder. How can that be? Because when he was confronted with his sin he repented and always sought reconciliation with God. When Saul was confronted with his sin he always made excuses and minimized the offense. Repentance opens the door for restoration and reinstates God’s hand of blessing on a life. Refusal to admit the wrong, blocks the return of blessing. It is that simple.

Father, may I grieve at my partial obedience as much as You do. Help me to completely obey and fully follow You. Amen.