Designed With A Purpose

For thus says the LORD, who created the heavens (He is the God who formed the earth and made it, He established it and did not create it a waste place, but formed it to be inhabited). I am the LORD, and there is none else. Isaiah 45:18

Rick Warren wrote the book called THE PURPOSE DRIVEN LIFE. I know many people have bought it, read it, and benefited from it. While I haven't finished reading it yet I understand the message within it....to know God's purpose for our life. If a book were written on today's verse it could be entitled THE PURPOSE DESIGNED EARTH.

It would start out with the creation aspect. God fashioned the earth, molded it, and arranged it in just the right way. He created and equipped our planet to sustain life. To this day it is the only planet that possesses all the means for life to continue. For centuries people have breathed the air, drank the water, and eaten the food, yet the supply has not been diminished. What beauty continues as we see mountains, oceans, sunsets, and meadows! Wildlife in all its magnificence captivates us. So much abounds that God Himself spoke into existence.

But what would this planet be without people to enjoy it? A waste place. Desolate, empty, worthless. Over run by plants and animals ~ a glorified zoo or greenhouse. No one to notice and respond with praise to the Creator. What would be the purpose? No, He did not create it as a waste place. He made it to be inhabited!

His purpose for the Earth was to be lived on. It was created for us! Our home, our dwelling place. Not just to exist here but to work, play, relax, enjoy, and thrive here. So much beauty, so much space, so much richness. Take all of the technology and nothing compares to the roar of the ocean, the majesty of mountains, the intensity of waterfalls, the wonder of star lit skies, the fragrance of flowers, the adventures of forests, or the miracle of birth. I will never get over the beauty of changing seasons.

All of this and more makes me appreciate God's gift of life to each of us. And just as He created this world to be inhabited by us, He created us to be inhabited by Himself through Jesus. May He daily transform me into His kind of dwelling place.

Father, the wonder of Your creation overwhelms me at times. Thank you for deciding that I would be a part of it. Amen.

Having the Right Motives

I have aroused him in righteousness and I will make all his ways smooth; he will build My city and will let My exiles go free, without any payment or reward, says the LORD of hosts. Isaiah 45:13

Motives are those needs or desires in us that cause us to act a certain way. As I think about it, each of my words and actions have a motivation behind them. It becomes easy to play the "exchange" game....doing something for someone in order to get a need in my life met. What looks like an act of love may very well be my way of getting love in return.

So what are some of the things that drive me to do the things I do? What needs am I looking to others to meet for me? While this list isn't necessarily easy to write or read it reveals truth. I look for attention, appreciation, applause, approval, affirmation, compliments, assurance, and acceptance. I can tell those are my motives because when I don't get them I walk empty and my emotions become a heap.

What I am learning is the problem is not having these needs. The problem is looking to people to be my source for getting the needs met. God calls it exchanging His supply of water for broken cisterns. When all the while He is offering me the very things I am craving.

How different He is from us! Isaiah reminds me of three incredible things God does for us. He arouses us, makes our way smooth, and sets us free. He helps us to see the very obstacles that are hindering us to live life as He meant it be lived. Two years ago God woke me up to my own spiritual hunger, emptiness, and futility. He started me on a journey that had His direction and made progress possible. It is a continual experience of freedom in many aspects. And to think He does all that without expecting payment or reward.

God is not a god who does something and then wants to know what I plan to do to pay Him back. Salvation is not that way and neither is the Christian life. That would be like parents giving gifts to their children with bills attached to each one for repayment. God is not like that! When I think He is, I begin to live my Christian life out of duty, performance, and debt. I feel like a slave instead of a child.

Father, it is painful to look at these issues. May the new heart You are creating in me begin to transform my motives toward You and others. Amen.

His Choice For Me

I am the LORD, and there is no other; besides Me there is no God. I will gird you, though you have not known me. Isaiah 45:5

So often in Scripture we are told to do certain things. Here are a few of those commands: put on the whole armor of God, walk in the spirit, study to show yourself approved, forgive one another, etc.... How precious it is then to come across a verse that shows me something that God does for me. He girds me.

When I first read this verse, I thought of girding as being clothed or bound. The dictionary helped to expand my definition. It gave me the idea of encircling, making fast, surrounding, preparing, and providing. That’s quite a list! God literally gets me ready for reach day's duties, battles, adventures, and encounters.

There are at least three things the Bible tells me that He girds me with. They are strength, gladness, and power. These are the very things He equips me with as I step into another day of living in a fallen world. They are the tools I can use to come against ANY thing that wants to steal my joy, peace, and security.

I find one of the biggest joy stealers in my life has to do with times when people let me down. Many times they are not even aware they are doing it. My expectations run high and I make them a source they weren't meant to be. It is at that point I can choose the gladness God has girded me with or I can gird myself with doubts, discouragement, self condemnation, self pity, and anger. It becomes a "place" I choose to visit. And though it may be familiar to me, it is not comfortable, encouraging, or good.

I found myself returning to that place just a couple weeks ago. Once I realized it I prayed one of those simple prayers that become so powerful and life changing. I told God I didn't want to go there or stay there. Instead I wanted to resort to the shelter of His wings.

I am not exaggerating in the least when I say my demeanor, mood, emotions, and outlook instantly changed. I felt like a huge weight had been lifted off my shoulders. I see now that I always have a choice where I choose to abide and with what I choose to be girded.

Father, You have already chosen the right garments for me to wear and the right place for me to abide. Thank you for not allowing my own choices to feel good. Amen.

Finding Treasure and Wealth

I will give you the treasures of darkness and hidden wealth of secret places, so that you may know that it is I, the LORD, the God of Israel, who calls you by your name. Isaiah 45:3

I love it when I am reading a portion of Scripture and suddenly see a truth I never saw before. For me, that is the treasure and hidden wealth of God's Word. Each morning as I open the Bible, I anticipate the gold nuggets He has planned for me to find. I will admit, it has not always been like this.

Not too long ago, a friend of mine expressed what so many people feel when approaching God's Word. She said when she reads it she gets nothing out of it. Her quiet time becomes a chore she simply crosses off her list when finished. I remember the feeling! I remember having those very thoughts.

There was no joy at the thought of opening Scripture. If my goal was to read a certain number of chapters I did so and closed my Bible an unchanged person. I tried study guides....they bored me. I tried schedules...they left me feeling like a failure when I fell behind. New Years’ resolutions to read through the Bile would last all of a couple weeks and I'd just give up. Then it would be months before I'd attempt to pick up my Bible again.

I lacked hunger, appreciation, and desire to read Scripture. I knew it was something I should do but didn't see any good that came of it. Something was wrong and I couldn't figure out what it was. But it all changed in the spring of 2004 when I sat in my kitchen with my Bible and simply asked God to show me His heart in Scripture. I wanted to really get to know Him and to see what He was really like in His Word.

Not sure what would happen, I began reading and within a few verses the "light" was coming on for me. Right before my eyes, Scripture was coming alive to me. I believe it was that very day I took a notebook and began to journal the truths that were making their way from His Word into my heart. My life has not been the same since. I am not the same person I was two years ago. I now have a half dozen notebooks full of my treasure hunts.

Father, You enjoy revealing Yourself in Scripture and I enjoy being the recipient. Thank you for helping me to finally experience this aspect of the Christian life. Amen.

Here By His Choice

Thus says the LORD, your Redeemer, and the One who formed you from the womb, I the LORD, am the maker of all things... Isaiah 44:24

God's involvement in my life did not begin when I accepted Christ as my Savior. My salvation simply put me into family relationship with Him. The moment I trusted Christ to be my Savior in July of 1973 was the moment I became His child ~ His daughter. But His history with me was evident long before that.

I love the fact that God formed me in my mother's womb. He was active and present in the first seconds of my conception. He had His hands on me and was fashioning me for a purpose in the same way that He formed the earth from nothing and Adam from dust. He put into place all the intricate details for my body as well as my soul, spirit, and personality. As a potter molds clay, He molded me. I was His personal creation in every way.

And while He was forming me, He was talking to me as well. Isaiah 49:1 says He called me and named me. In the KJV it says He made mention of my name. What a personal, intimate Creator! I often wonder if at that time He was speaking His plans over my life. Whispering to me His intentions for me. That maybe today as I desire certain things, they are mere echoes of His words spoken long ago. I'd like to think so!

There have been truths I failed to grasp for years. A number of years ago, my mother shared with me the reaction she had when she found out she was pregnant with me. In essence, she shared some details of my womb experience. I was the fourth child to be born. At the time, my parents’ marriage was strained and finances were tight. So my mom's initial reaction to my conception was anger and tears. Hence, the message was delivered to me as I lived in her womb that I was a burden. It manifested itself into my adult years as an ever present idea that I was a burden to any people in my life ~ even close friends.

God is in the process of rewriting that message and He is starting with the truth of His choice for me to be born. When negative thoughts arise I now have something to counter them with. He loved me, chose me, formed me, called me by name, and purposed my existence. I am alive and here on purpose!

Father, You not only hold my hand today, your were holding it as You formed me. I am touched by Your touch. Amen

It's All in the Heart

He feeds on ashes, a deceived heart has turned him aside. And he cannot deliver himself, nor say, is there not a lie in my right hand? Isaiah 44:20

The Bible speaks of various kinds of hearts. I looked up "heart" in my Strong's Concordance and was amazed at the list I found just from the first five books of the Bible. Some were admirable hearts and others were in need of transformation. Allow me to share my findings.

I saw a hardened heart, an evil heart, a grieved heart, an honest heart, an innocent heart, a failed heart, a glad heart, a willing heart, a stirred heart, a wise heart, a hateful heart, a sorrowful heart, a selfish heart, a discouraged heart, an obstinate heart, a departing heart, a lifted up heart, an upright heart, a servant's heart, a deceived heart, a wicked heart, a hot heart, a fainting heart, an astonished heart, a joyful heart, a glad heart, a fearful heart, a perceptive heart, a blessed heart, a circumcised heart, a loving heart, and a turned away heart. I now have a better understanding of various heart conditions. Considering the heart is "ones innermost character, feelings, and inclinations " it is easy to see the importance of having a right heart.

Our words, actions, and attitudes are a result of what is going on in our heart. They are fruit from the "trees" of our heart. No wonder we are encouraged to watch over our heart with all diligence, because from it flow the springs of life (Proverbs 4:24). I recently heard a speaker talk about the necessity of reaching the heart of our children. For them or us, that is the only way true change will come about.

In today's verse the deceived heart has three characteristics. It turns a person away from God, cannot deliver him, and keeps him holding on to lies. This type of heart can be found in anyone. So I must ask myself how as a Christian I can be deceived. Unless I know the truths about God and His Word I am a walking target for deception. And the frustrating part about deception is that many times we don't know we are embracing it.

I must continually ask God to search my heat and reveal to me where I am living with deception or any other negative condition.

Father, may my heart be an open book to You. May I long to know the truth about the condition of my heart as much as You long to show me. Amen.

He Never Leaves

When you pass through the water, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched. Isaiah 43:2

Ever go through a difficulty or loss and someone you hoped would be there for you wasn’t? For whatever reason they were unavailable. You long to hear words of encouragement from them but nothing comes. Not an email, not a phone call, not a visit. The worst part of any trial is the feeling of abandonment and a sense that you are on your own.

Jesus wanted to make sure we knew He would be with us and see us through any and all painful situations…no matter the size or duration. Someone once said when you find yourself in the oven of affliction, God’s eye is on the clock and His hand is on the dial. Although it is easy to sense His distance He is still a very present help in time of trouble.

Rather than abandon He draws close. Rather than ignore He consistently watches. Rather than distance Himself He carries. He is like no one else. People can pray, encourage, counsel, listen, and help. But only God can step in and minister to the deepest hurts, fears, wounds, and emotions we experience.

He is not just watching from a distance ~aware of what is happening. He is in the water, river, and fire with us. There may be times the water level rises so high that He must put me on His shoulders or the flame’s heat becomes so intense He must shelter me under His wings for protection. Other times He may just need to hold my hand or put His hand on my shoulder. But at no time does He become preoccupied with other things and have to withdraw.

Yet, even with all that, He still sends friends of faith into my life to encourage me. It may be just a phrase or two reminding me that God is in control and cares for me. It may be a reminder of their prayers. It may be assurance of their help if needed. These and many other kindnesses are like “hugs” to my spirit. As they are expressed, He squeezes my hand tighter, smiles, and nods His approval. For their words have not only touched my heart, but they have touched His as well.

Father, I embrace Your words of “I will never leave you.” They allow me to pass and walk through it all. Amen.