Avoiding Captivity

So all Israel was recorded by genealogies, and indeed, they were inscribed in the book of the kings of Israel. But Judah was carried away captive to Babylon because of their unfaithfulness. 1 Chronicles 9:1 (New King James Version)

It is a phrase that is often repeated throughout Israel’s history in the Old Testament…..carried away captive. Bondage. Being captive was not their choice but rather a result of their choice to be unfaithful to God. The warnings were simple, obey and be protected and blessed. Disobey and fall into the hands of captors. They could not have one without the other. Neither can we!

While I have never been taken captive by a nation, I have tasted areas of captivity in my life. My forms of bondage are results of addictions particularly in the area of food and friendships. When I keep things balanced and in the healthy amounts I do well and walk in freedom. If I start looking to food or friends to be what they were not intended to be I quickly find myself captive to all sorts difficulties.

God has purposes for both food and friends in my life. Food is for the nourishment of my body. He has graciously added taste, texture, and temperature for my enjoyment but the bottom line is that it fuels my body. When I see it as such I derive satisfaction and stamina. When I decide to eat out of emotions rather than hunger I turn to binging, poor choices, and huge amounts. The results are weight gain and sluggishness and an open door to losing control in other areas of my life. It doesn’t take long for me to realize my appetite has become my captor and it is ruthless.

People are social, emotional, and spiritual encouragers. They are often God’s hands, feet, and heart to me. When I see them as such and accept God’s gift of love through them life is a joy. On the other hand, when I make them my personal need meeters and look to them to take responsibility for my emotional well being the dependency issue becomes my captor. The results are a heavy heart, confused thoughts, and a restlessness that is filled with spiraling mood swings.

God’s answer? Be faithful to Him. Look to Him as my primary Source and appreciate the others (food and people) as a part of Himself rather than a competition of Him. It is never a free for all. Boundaries and limits are necessary and together, He and I are working to set the parameters of those boundaries and limits. I want it to be said of me, “She was not carried away captive because of her faithfulness!”

Father, you have stirred my heart with Your truth this morning. The captors are always waiting to carry me away. May this be a day when I give them no opportunity to do so. Amen.

Made Me Glad - Hillsong
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LjBBzQBK7po&feature=related

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

My Past Is Not My Future

Now do not be grieved or angry with yourselves, because you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life. Genesis 45:5 (New American Standard Bible)

Terror struck the hearts of Joseph’s brothers because the person who knew what they had tried to bury for so long was standing before them. They expected harsh judgment maybe even death but received mercy and a plea to draw near. Healing of emotions comes with accepting the truth of what has happened along with the release of bitterness, anger, and revenge. We can only give away what we first have received for ourselves ~ grace, mercy, forgiveness.

Joseph had the right perspective of his life and the circumstances he faced. Our trials should carry us to God not from Him. We have a choice to focus on ourselves, our circumstances, other people's treatment of us, or God. Joseph not only saw the big picture from God's perspective but he wanted his brothers to see it as well. His counsel to not be grieved or angry with themselves was meant to help them walk in freedom.

So often we are prone to allow our past sins, failures, and wrong choices to define what our future will be like. It becomes a sign we wear over our life that says, "I did such and such and because of that I do not deserve to be loved, forgiven, or viewed without shame." Sometimes we place the sign over other people's lives. Any success or good thing is dampened because of the past if we hang on to it.

Joseph is not telling them that what they did was okay. He is simply telling them not to spend the rest of their lives under guilt and condemnation. How is that possible when you come face to face with the horrible things you have done? I am sure as time went on and they began to see the full extent of what they had done they doubted things could ever be made right. I find the most difficult time to embrace forgiveness is when my actions have affected another person. Freedom is found when I own what I have done, go to the one I have wronged, and go to God. I must know that there is always a big picture. With a few strokes of His brush He can restore the picture I have ruined.

Who is it today that I need to forgive? What are the words, actions, or perceptions I need to release through the act of forgiveness either toward myself or others? What is it that has me in turmoil as much as the turmoil of Joseph’s brothers? I look to God to show me what is hidden as well as what is being easily ignored.

Father, Your hands hold me and mold me. It will not always feel good but You have promised it will be a masterpiece when You are finished. I like that! Amen.

What Sin? - Morgan Cryar
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C3Wdzzx6-f4&feature=related

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

Guaranteed Returns

As you have done, it will be done to you. Your dealings will return on your own head. Obadiah 1:15 (New International Version)

Our actions matter to God. The way we treat others and respond to the situations of their life is noticed! What comes to your mind when you read today’s verse? It will all depend on how you have interacted with people. If we really understood what God is saying we would put more thought into the way we are living our lives. Throughout Scripture, God presents the reaping and sowing principle. Count on this….there will be a harvest. God is giving us the opportunity to make sure that harvest is good.

Let’s get practical! Do I live my life out of graciousness, forgiveness, generosity, tolerance, and benevolence? God says it will come back on me. Do I live my life out of selfishness, anger, impatience, revenge, and bitterness? God also says that will come back on me. What I want must be what I am demonstrating to others. It is not a matter of waiting for others to treat me the way I want to be treated and then acting in response to their goodness. That is backwards thinking. God’s way is for me to take the initiative and act first. When I do so, in the right way, I am following the pattern God has shown me….time and time again.

Sometimes we hesitate to live with other’s best interests at heart because we fear our needs will go unmet. God reminds us that will not be the case. We can trust Him on this one. It is like a boomerang! What I send out always comes back to me. Maybe not from the person I extended the goodness to, but it will come back. That is what He meant when He said, “Give and it shall be given unto you. Pressed down, shaken, and running over.”

A few illustrations come to mind….driving! I find that when I am prone to give way to other drivers the same is done back to me countless times. But when I drive selfishly and impatiently I can count on other drivers being just as rude toward me. As I encourage others, encouragement comes my way. As I give to others I become a recipient later on to an act of kindness. God said it this way, “To have friends you must show yourself friendly.” Part of living by faith is realizing goodness comes back to me that I have extended to others. I count on that harvest!

Father, help me to live my life giving away the very things You have given to me. May I demonstrate Your heart to others. Amen.

Make Me A Servant - Maranatha Singers
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0rznoe3zKxM

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

Waiting for Direction

Abram called on the name of the Lord…The Lord said to Abram, after Lot had left him….For all the land which you see I will give to you and to your posterity forever. And I will make your descendants as the dust of the earth…..arise, walk through the land….for I will give it to you. Then Abram moved his tent. Genesis 13:4, 14-18 (New American Standard Bible)

Have you ever had a difficult decision to make and weren’t quite sure what to do? I am learning that it is imperative that I learn to wait until I have discerned what it is God wants me to do. My personality is such that it is very easy for me to base decisions on emotions and the opinions of the people in my life. I am a “spur-of-the-moment” kind of person. I have spent the past couple of years departing from comfort zones, jumping off cliffs of security, and running with abandon into freedom. It has been quite interesting and necessary. But now I am sensing a shift in my own decision making processes. I am learning to wait!

I watch God’s interaction with Abram and find it settling. Genesis 13 is a chapter of returning, removing, and reaching for Abram. God brings him back to Bethel….a place of altar-building and decision making. Sometimes it is necessary for us to return to our own Bethels and realign ourselves with God’s agenda. It is a time to assess what it is God is doing in us, through us, and around us.

The first thing Abram is confronted with is disunity. The land is not big enough to support the herds of both Lot and Abram. A choice to separate is made with Lot being allowed to choose first. He picks what he believes to be the prime real estate and moves on. It is then that God gives some clear direction to Abram which is full of rich promises. He is promised land as far as his eye can see and descendents that are without number. Abram’s move comes after clear direction from God.

May I too learn to wait for clear direction from my heavenly Father. He will let me know in my spirit what I am to do, how I am to do it, and when I am to do it. There will be no confusion or second guessing. He may use the counsel of friends but I will not limit Him to that option alone. As I open myself up to hear His voice in this matter, I can rest assured He will speak.

Father, I desire to hear from You. I rest in the fact that I will know when You have given me direction. It is You I long to follow. 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.

The Gift of Examples

Now these things happened to them as an example, and they were written for our instruction, upon whom the ends of the ages have come. 1 Corinthians 10:11 (New American Standard Bible)

I am a visual person. I comprehend and learn better when something is shown to me rather than just spoken to me. God is gracious. He is extravagant in giving me examples to learn life lessons from. Some of those examples are found on the pages of Scripture and some of those examples are found in the lives of people who lived long after the Bible was complete. Today I am at a place whereby I need the review of examples to refresh my walk and broaden my view of the journey.

I am thinking back to the children of Israel in the wilderness. Forty years! And how did they spend most of their time? Complaining, whining, discontent, and argumentative. What did they miss? Seeing God’s provision, protection, power, and presence in their every day lives. It seems they were constantly looking at what others had, where others were going, and what others were doing instead of keeping their eyes, heart, and mind on the living God. God still remained faithful but the wonder of that faithfulness and the joy of living as recipients of that faithfulness were absent from their experience. Time and time again God did the things He did and said the things He said so that they would KNOW Him. Yet they ended up knowing so little about Him. God would have me learn from their example.

Each day that I live, I am the recipient of His grace, favor, direction, protection, and provision. He is not absent from me at any moment! He is faithfully working behind the scenes to unfold His plan and purpose for my life. He is doing a work in me in order that I would know Him and live life to the fullest. I lose the joy and wonder of it all when I start doubting any of that is true. My expectations dwindle when I begin to believe God is not involved, interested, or interceding in my life. My peace departs when I forget that I am in partnership with Him and will see His dreams for my life fulfilled. Above all I want to know Him and then I want to experience all that He has in mind for me. I bring to Him trust and obedience to His daily revelations and commands. He brings to me substance and sustenance of an abundant life.

Today, I choose to meditate on what He has done in the lives of His other children in history as well as the present. His work in and through them will do much to encourage me each step of the way. He offers no less to me and will faithfully carry out His best for me.

Father, help me to follow You with abandon! Fulfill every dream and intent You have for my life. Don’t let me miss a thing along the way. Fill me with the wonder and joy of You! Amen.

Everlasting God - Lincoln Brewster
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jP2nz6PG8KM

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

Breaking the Silence

“Am I a God near at hand,” says the LORD, “And not a God afar off? Can anyone hide himself in secret places, so I shall not see him?” says the LORD; “Do I not fill heaven and earth?” says the LORD. Jeremiah 23:23,24 (New King James Version)

God’s Word brings comfort to me this morning. As I reflect upon feelings and emotions I do not like to experience, loneliness tops the list. There are times I want to be with people and yet I have experienced loneliness even in a crowd. When it seems I cannot reach others or be reached by them, separation envelopes me and I grow lonely. I can begin to feel isolated, invisible, and forgotten. I use to not know what to do with the thoughts. It seemed I had no choice but to curl up with the ache until it went away or something happened to distract me. If nothing else, I could hope for evening when I could just fall asleep and not feel any of it. God has a better way and I have choices!

I am learning that the raw emotions and discomforts of life are not meant to be ignored, glossed over, or denied. What I think and feel is meant to be acknowledged and voiced to God. He invites me to tell Him how I am feeling and when I am feeling it. The ache of my heart is never hidden from Him or ignored by Him. He wants me to know I am safe to tell Him about it and give the feelings to Him. He always stands ready to give me some exchanges. If it is lies I am believing, He offers truth. If it is loneliness I am feeling, He offers me His presence. If it is fear I am experiencing, He offers me courage. If it is insignificance I am sensing, He offers me worth and acceptance. The list is endless as are His offers.

Learning to go to Him and accept His offers has been slow in coming. I grew up being hesitant to share that which was hidden in my head and heart. The enemy of my soul had convinced me that silence was best when it came to areas of hurt, shame, or disappointment. But God, in His graciousness, placed people in the path of my life to coax me out my self imposed prison and as I opened up to them they counseled, nurtured, and helped me. His purpose in ministering to me through the body of Christ was so that I would eventually learn to go to Him. What people could do for me was a mere shadow of what He stood ready and willing to do for me. But He continues to leave the choice to me as to whether or not I will take Him up on His offer. I am learning to choose wisely and I am the richer for it!

Father, I kept silent when you longed for me to speak to You. I carried pain that You invited me to give to You. May those choices no longer mark my life. Amen.

Shout to the Lord - Darlene Zschech
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-j7CFfDvHc

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

What to Feed On

Trust in the LORD, and do good; dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness. Psalm 37:3 (New King James Version)

I can feed on (meditate, fix my thoughts on, and mull over) many things. I wouldn’t call myself a worrier, but my mind can become preoccupied with energy-draining, spirit-weakening, heart-burdening things that have absolutely no value or benefit. I can become consumed with thoughts of inadequacy, failure, what others think, unfulfilled desires, and limitations, but none of those serve a good purpose. They distract me from all that God would have me focus on and direct my attention. They rob me of the peace, contentment, and confidence that God would have me walk in and live out of on a daily basis. As one friend put it when I shared with her my tendency to dwell on a particular situation, “You have no business going there!” She was right, because allowing my thoughts to be on unnecessary things robs me of energy needed to do the right thing.

A sermon I once heard helped me to realize that what I focus on determines the direction of my words, actions, and attitudes. Today’s verse sandwiches my actions between God’s invitation and command to trust Him and feed on His faithfulness. His faithfulness is my sustenance, provision, and power for living. It might be His faithfulness toward me or other people. It might be His faithfulness so clearly seen in Scripture. There is not a story in the Bible that does not display the faithfulness of God. Many are the individuals who experienced God’s faithful call on their life and His faithfulness to carry out that call. I love the verse that says, “Faithful is He who calls you, who will also do it” (1 Thess. 5:24). True also, is His faithfulness demonstrated in the lives of those I know or about whom I read. That encourages me because I know God will act faithfully on my behalf as well.

Trusting God and feeding on His faithfulness are the extensions and benefits of being in close relationship with Him….one of intimate friendship. What He is doing on a continual basis is removing all that hinders me from enjoying such a rapport and connection with Him. His desire is that my associations, mindsets, and motives be conducive to growth and strength. That which weakens me is what He is working to weed out of my life. Is the process easy or enjoyable? Not usually. But whether I cooperate with or strain at His hand, His faithfulness continues. That’s what I carry with me into today. Let the feasting begin!

Father, Your faithfulness is beyond my ability to fully grasp but that does not stop me from reaching out to You. Thank you for Your demonstrations of faithfulness which are new and abundant each day! Amen.

What a Faithful God - Robert Critchley
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gLEgyKpzyUw&feature=related

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