That Which Hinders Change

The people answered and said, "Far be it from us that we should forsake the LORD to serve other gods.” Joshua 24:16 (New American Standard Bible)

This was Israel’s answer to Joshua’s challenge to choose between following the Lord or following other gods and their words astound me. Why? Because throughout the first six books of the Bible that which they state to Joshua is not what was lived out in their lives. Theirs was a constant forsaking of the Lord to serve other gods. As a matter of fact, after their professed choosing of God, Joshua tells them in verse 23 to put away the foreign gods that are among them. I know that the next book, Judges, is filled with the sad statements of the children of Israel doing evil in the sight of the Lord, forsaking the Lord, and serving other Gods. Theirs was a continual forsaking of the Lord and a continual serving of other gods.

What I see lacking in their statement to Joshua is confession….honest confession of what has been a pattern for them. It would have been encouraging to hear them say, “Yes, we have forsaken the Lord many times and, yes, we have served other gods. We acknowledge that and ask God’s forgiveness and from this point on determine and choose to serve Him and Him alone.” But no such declaration is made. What they failed to admit continued to be a problem and a stronghold to them.

It is no different for you and me today. God calls each of us to a place of confession , transparency, and repentance. That call requires that we get very honest with ourselves, with God, and with others. What we refuse to talk about, admit, and bring to the surface will remain a snare to us. Will it be comfortable? Not really. Will it ever be embarrassing or cause us to squirm? Most likely. But when we give voice to what we would rather deny or hide, several things take place. We become empowered to no longer live in our rut of choice. We lighten ourselves of the load of secrets and guilt we have carried. We take responsibility for our actions and attitudes. We take steps toward the freedom that we are meant to have. We garner the prayer support of those who finally see the truth about us instead of the image we have so persistently crafted and displayed in the past.

The Israelites were experts at saying what they felt sounded good but their lifestyles exposed the truth. Joshua saw this and admonished them to have heart changes. God sees the contrast of what we are saying and what we are doing and He too longs for us have heart changes.

Father, I have tasted the bitter fruit of living in denial and I have feasted on the rich reward of acknowledging and agreeing with You on the condition of my heart. Continue to bring me to the place of crystal, clear transparency at all times. Amen.

Change My Heart, oh God
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cUjUvoynGMM

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

An Important Component

Bring forth fruit that is consistent with repentance [let your lives prove your change of heart]. Matthew 3:8 (Amplified Bible)


The Pharisees and Sadducees had come to John to be baptized. He knew that much of their attention was on outward appearance rather than inward transformation. It was all about the heart and if the heart was real the actions would follow. Change was the fruit, proof, and result of true repentance. John the Baptist spoke a lot about repentance. By it he meant having a change of thoughts, mind, and conduct as well as regretting ones sin. Without those, the apologies and asking for forgiveness become empty words. Our lack of change can often cheapen our words when it comes to seeking another’s forgiveness.

Some of us know all too well the trail of “I am sorry will you forgive me” that exists in our history. Some may want to respond, “Don’t tell me, SHOW me!” They desire more than verbal acknowledgment of what we have done. They want to see change for our sake as well as theirs.

God is challenging me with that thought today. Because words of sorrow over sin can flow so easily with a desire to have things back to “normal” He wants me to begin holding off on those words. Not because I am not sorry and not because others will not forgive, but because change is necessary. Not perfection but definitely progress. When the change is evident the words will be precious to both sides.

The time will come for a conversation of confession and the giving and receiving of forgiveness but God wants me to take some time to allow for change. Not behavior modification but real change. It is still about the heart because that is the driving force behind the actions. What are the changes? He has given me a rather short but specific list. Not because more changes are not necessary but because true change is His desired outcome. The empowerment to implement the changes will come from Him but the willingness and cooperation lies with me.

For once I am not squirming at the idea of obedience. I am poised with anticipation of what He will bring about through the obedience.

Father, help me to bring forth fruit that is consistent with my repentance. May my eventual words spring forth from a garden of change. Amen.

Change My Heart oh God
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cUjUvoynGMM&feature=related

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

In Pursuit of Us

And the LORD God prepared a gourd, and made it to come up over Jonah, that it might be a shadow over his head, to deliver him from his grief. So Jonah was exceeding glad of the gourd. Jonah 4:6 (King James Version)

Today was the first time I have ever read through the book of Jonah and saw God’s pursuit of him. God pursued him in his place of comfort. (chap. 1) He pursued him when he ran. (chap. 2) He pursued him when he repented. (chap. 3) And He pursued him when he retreated in anger. (chap. 4) That is the place of today’s verse. God meets him in his grief and ministers to him.

We so often think of God as One who leaves us in our time of rebellion and anger. And yet David writes in Psalm 139 that no matter where we go, God has us encircled, enclosed, and hemmed in with His right hand on us! The knowledge of that in its entirety was too much for David to fully grasp. Think of it! God remains ever present and ever personal no matter what! This is not to say He approves of our sinful choices or ignores our actions. He does not set aside the sowing and reaping principle nor does He simply ignore our behavior. That would not be loving or wise on His part. But He desires restoration and deliverance for us just as He did for Jonah.

This morning I am reviewing in my mind the many different places I have been where God was still pursuing me. He pursued me as a lost sinner in need of a Savior. He pursued me in my camps of performance and legalism. He pursued me in my pursuit of others. He pursued me in my repentance and brokenness. And presently He pursues me in a time of healing and restoration. Like David, I am unable to grasp the knowledge of it. But God doesn’t expect me to understand it all. He simply desires that I embrace this aspect of Him and live life as a recipient of His mercy, love, and grace. He has promised to finish the work He started in me and I marvel as I see Him doing just that! Undeserving but delighted by it!

As you read this, I don’t know where you are in your walk with Him. You may be closer to Him than you have ever been before or you may be farther from Him than you ever thought you would be. I don’t know which it is but I know this: God is pursuing you every step of the way! He has enclosed you and has His right hand on you if you are His child through faith in Christ. He is not leaving and He is not letting go. He has a vested interest in you! Delight in that truth and own it. Let it sink in!

Father, You have put me in awe once again. The best and worst of me has not distracted, dismayed, or discouraged You from pursuing and wooing me. I cannot wrap my mind around that truth but I open my heart to it! Amen.

Uprooting the Root

Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord: looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled. Hebrews 12:14,15 (New King James Version)

I am becoming acutely aware of the fact that my biggest problem is not the circumstances or people in my life. My biggest problem is my own heart. What my heart chooses to hold on to and justify will be what places me in bondage. Until I recognize that and take the appropriate steps to rectify it I will not walk in freedom or daily connection with the heart of God. Neither will I grow or move forward in my Christian life. Today’s passage in Hebrews warns of a root of bitterness which can cause trouble and defilement (contamination).

Like a tangled web of disaster, a root of bitterness can grow to the point of completely covering my heart and my spirit. It can easily bring me to the place where truth is unable to get from my head to my heart and transformation is hindered. Along with that, it can connect and tie me to the very things I want to release. Things like painful experiences, wounds, and heartache. Unless I see the truth of this and act upon it, I will mistakenly focus on the outward circumstances of my life and walk with a victim mentality. It is a place of no comfort, no joy, and no freedom. The Christian life is reduced to empty, painful living.

Why is that a route I and so many others choose? I believe there are a number of reasons. To admit it means I must be honest about what is in my own heart…what I am really like. Once I admit the truth about myself I must take responsibility for my actions and attitudes that have gone awry. With responsibility comes an awareness of a need to change. As long as I can blame my circumstances and others for the way I feel and live, I can somehow hold them responsible for the condition of my life. But that will never bring about change or freedom. That will only keep me in bondage.

If I allow Him, God will expose any root of bitterness and through confession will begin to clear away the tangled mess. As I embrace His forgiveness and mercy there is an ability to open my clenched fists and closed heart which finally releases me from my own prison of pain. While it may take awhile to come to this point, the deliverance is instantaneous!

Father, I praise You for exposing my heart and root of bitterness. I receive Your forgiveness and dance in Your freedom. Amen.

An Absolute, Unlimited Offer

For we were slaves. Yet our God did not forsake us in our bondage; but He extended mercy to us. Ezra 9:9 NKJV

Freedom is possible only as we accept the truth about ourselves and the truth about God. The religious leaders of Jesus’ day did not see themselves as being in bondage to anyone or anything when they said, “We were never in bondage to any man.” (John 8:33) Little did they realize they were in bondage to their own mindsets, heart attitudes, and religious systems. They could not see it therefore they were in no position to admit it and seek freedom from the very One who could give it to them.

Ezra 9 is a chapter of corporate repentance. As priest, Ezra cried out to God on behalf of his nation because of their disobedience. But throughout his prayer the word WE is constantly used. He entered into the truth of his own heart. Yet as He came to God with the list of offenses He also proclaimed the truth about God. God was aware of their bondage and was not backing away. He was graciously extending mercy. He does the same for each of us today.

When we are blind to the areas in our life that hinder us from living in freedom and joy, we are unable to bring them out into the light in order that God would do a work in us. He is extending the mercy but we are unaware of our need of it. We are in no position to receive it or live by it. At that point it remains an unopened gift! Whether the bondage is a habit, a mindset, a sinful act, or something that has been passed down from past generations, God is urging us to acknowledge it and accept the mercy, grace, forgiveness, and help He extends.

This morning, God is drawing me into conversations with Himself. I am aware of the things I need to admit to Him. There are mindsets that are affecting my relationship with others. There are places in my life where I am allowing the enemy to feed me lies and color my perception. There are blind spots that God would have me open my eyes to. None of this is possible to admit if I view Him as anything but a welcoming God. He is ready to hear me and ready to give me the mercy I so desperately need. He has spent the past few years building a foundation of truth about Himself to me. When I read a verse like Ezra 9:9 I now recognize that characteristic as being who my God is and what my God is like.

Father, Your heart is what draws me to You. I hear and accept Your invitation to come to You and receive from You. Thank you! 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.

The Effects of Our Choices

But the children of Israel committed a trespass in the accursed thing: for Achan, the son of Carmi….took of the accursed thing: and the anger of the LORD was kindled against the children of Israel. Joshua 7:1 (KJV)

This verse follows Israel’s victory over the city of Jericho. But before that victory ever took place Joshua gave very clear instructions to the people not to take anything out of the city unto themselves because it was all to be consecrated to God. Along with the instructions, a warning was given. Joshua told them if they took items for themselves they would make themselves accursed as well as make the nation a curse and they would bring trouble upon it.

So here is what becomes clear to me about Achan. He KNEW he was taking something God had forbidden him to take. And what a load of forbidden goods he took and hid in his tent! A Babylonish garment, silver, and gold. As he collected and carried the items to his tent, he KNEW he was being disobedient and defiant toward God. But he also KNEW his actions would bring trouble upon his people (the nation of Israel). The consequences of his sin would fall to many others. God’s presence and protection were removed, they were not able to stand up against the city of Ai, thirty-six men died during the retreat, and the confidence of Israel drained out of them. As Achan saw this come about he KNEW he was the cause of it all.

It is easy for me to sit in wonder and judgment of Achan. I can detect his sin and the painful consequences that followed. But how good am I at recognizing my own sin and the consequences that would fall to me and other people in my life? Let’s face it, my sin whether in word, deed, or thought will affect more than just myself. But the effects can be broken if I bring them to the cross and allow Jesus to cleanse me. I don’t want to be like Achan and attempt to keep things well hidden in my life. After all, God sees everything I do, hears every word I speak, and is aware of every thought and motive I have. He knows when I have grabbed a hold of anything He has forbidden and His invitation to me is to come to Him for forgiveness, healing, and restoration. I accept His offer!

Father, I don’t want to bring trouble to others because of the effects of unconfessed sin in my own life. Help me to daily bring to You the sins of my words, actions, and thoughts. I receive the cleansing You offer. Amen.

Missing the Key Ingredient

Draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double-minded. Be afflicted , and mourn, and weep; let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He shall lift you up. James 5:8-10 (KJV)

How often I have approached God with my sin and gotten no farther than merely confessing it. I would admit what I had done, agree with God that it was wrong, ask His forgiveness, and walk away feeling like the child who had just had a meeting with the principal concerning classroom misconduct. I struggled to sense forgiveness and acceptance. But I also found I walked away unchanged. What was missing? The entire middle section of this passage.

I often saw my sin and need of cleansing but failed to possess the affliction, mourning, and weeping. To see my own wretchedness and be broken over it to the same extent that God is grieved over it. For any who have sat under harsh, rigid, and legalistic teaching this whole topic only appears to be an invitation to shame and condemnation. We struggle to see God in any way other than the way He was when He appeared to Moses on Mount Sinai to give the Ten Commandments. It is foreign to see Him as the father of the returning prodigal. Watching and waiting and then embracing with open arms.

God’s response when I draw near to Him is that He draws near to me. When I humble myself before Him, He lifts me up! But part of the drawing near and humbling myself is found in seeing the seriousness and wretchedness of my sin. It involves being honest with myself and with God. No excuses, no blaming of others, no avoidance of the real issues.

This will be hard and nearly impossible if I see God with a scowl on His face, arms folded, cold, detached, unapproachable, and distant. Freedom comes when I approach Him with sorrow and brokenness and see Him as loving, accepting, and forgiving. It starts with honesty, transparency, and openness. God already tells me how the meeting will end and that in itself should help me to approach Him with genuine confession and repentance.

Father, I am still in the process of learning these truths. You teach me with such persistence, patience, and gentleness. Thank You that while You condemn my sin You love and accept me! Amen.

A Daily Choice

And you will defile your graven images overlaid with silver, and your molten images plated with gold. You will scatter them as an impure thing, and say to them, "Be gone!" Isaiah 30:22

One person astutely said, "We truly repent when we are finally done with our sin." But we will not get to that place until our appetites change. Only God can do such a work in us that what we once embraced we now abhor, what we once held on to we now abandon, what we once cherished we now despise. I am challenged today with a way to begin praying in regards to a change of appetite for my sin. Imagine the power of prayers like....

"God, help me to see my sin as You see it. Let my sin lose its appeal. May it disgust me and may I be repulsed by it. Let me become so attracted to You that sin would lose its attraction. Let me take it as seriously as You do. Let me remove its mask of beauty to reveal its true nature. For every sin is really an idol that needs to be taken down."

Until we are ready to say "be gone" to the sinful habits that we cater to, our lives remain unchanged. It must become a daily decision on our part to discard and denounce sin.

Father, You want me free. May I let go of those things in my life that are not OF You or FOR You. Amen.

Betrayed By Actions

They feared the LORD, and served their own gods. 2 Kings 17:33

A quick read through of 2 Kings 17 will reveal the sad state of the nation of Israel. It shows the extent they have gone to ignore God, replace God, and oppose God. And these were His chosen people! As a nation, they had seen His mighty works. They had experienced His deliverance from Egypt, provision in the wilderness, protection from enemies, victories in battle, and personal involvement that no other nation could claim their god had done for them. Each time they rebelled and faced the consequences of their actions, the pain would cause them to cry out to God for deliverance and God would deliver them. What a cycle! They would walk with God for a season, turn to idolatry, be in bondage to another nation, cry out for help, and see deliverance, only to start the cycle all over again.

Then my mind goes to our nation, America! A land that claims to be one nation under God and stamps the motto ‘In God we trust’ on our coins. A land that celebrates Christian holy days, prints Bibles, sends out missionaries to other nations, and practically has a church on every corner. A land that professes to be a Christian nation. But as a nation we seem to be doing the same thing Israel did…..we served our own gods. The god of materialism, god of self, god of humanism. Our actions betray us. The battles to remove religious symbols from state buildings, to take God out of the pledge, to rewrite history, to remove prayer from the schools, and so on merely show what happens when a nation has already removed God from their individual lives.
Then my mind goes to the church as a whole. While we say we fear God our actions once again betray us. God’s call to unity is answered with denominational walls. God’s call to love one another is answered with preferential treatment of some and cold shoulders to others. We pick and choose what we want to obey according to our preferences, standards, and personal taste. And all the while we are fighting among ourselves the world looks on and we wonder why more are not drawn to Christ.

Then I look at my own life and I conclude that any time I choose to sin I too am serving my own god. Someone once said, “You serve the one you love the most.”

God, help our nation! God, help our churches! God, help me! Amen.