Limitations

As a father pities his children, so the LORD pities those who fear Him. For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust. Psalm 103:13, 14 (New King James Version)

I take great delight and comfort in the fact that God knows my human frailties, limitations, and weaknesses. He shows mercy and forgiveness in the midst of every one of them. As He does, He urges me to do the same toward myself and toward others. I am learning something that is making that understandable and doable.

Failures primarily come because of two different reasons. They come due to either my sin or my limitations. I am neither super human or perfect therefore I fail. Seeing this truth gives me direction as to what to do with the failure. If it is because of sin, I need to confess it to God and turn from it. As His child, I am assured of His love, mercy, and forgiveness. If, however, my failure is due to a limitation in ability, time, or resources then I need to see it as such and seek God’s grace to accept it or His intervention to change it. It is a reality check based on truth rather than a time for beating myself up.

This is not only a new way for me to start living my life, it is also a powerful ingredient to introduce into my relationships with others. Due to my own insecurities, I can often misunderstand and misperceive what others can or cannot do. A change of plans, an inability to give me what I want, or an unenthusiastic response can send me reeling with the idea I am unloved, unwanted, and unwelcome. I am not proud of this aspect of myself, but I am acutely aware of it.

Thankfully, God is showing me the necessity of practicing discernment rather than embracing perceptions. I must separate sinful acts from human limitations. If it is a sin, I must choose to forgive and show mercy. If, however, it is a human limitation I must see it as such rather than as a sign of rejection or disinterest. Rather than recoil, I can pray for them, extend an offer to help, and come to a fresh realization that they too are dust. Words cannot describe the freedom that comes when I simply acknowledge, “They are tired, they are busy, they are ill at the present. It really isn’t personal. It is life.” When I look at life as a whole, this lesson is a huge one for me to learn!

Father, forgive me for the times I have handed out condemning indictments against myself and others rather than seen the truth about our limitations. Teach me wisdom and discernment and fill me with grace and mercy. Amen.

Only You
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tgmezEn-zvE

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

Breaking the Chain

But all this gives me no satisfaction as long as I see that Jew Mordecai sitting at the king's gate. Esther 5:13 (New International Version)

Haman’s satisfaction, delight, and pleasure was unfelt due to what he chose to dwell upon and what he allowed to consume him. He had vast wealth, many sons, honor bestowed upon him by the king, special treatment, and promotions, yet his disdain for Mordecai kept him from enjoying any of it. Mordecai’s refusal to show him homage ate away at him and until he could annihilate him and his people (the Jews) he would be ruled by dissatisfaction and bitterness.

I can relate with Haman’s problem. Although he was in the wrong his attitude and actions hit home with me. I know what it is like to zero in on the losses, heartaches, and difficulties of life and subsequently lose the joy of living. A friend of mine calls it focusing on the black spot on the wall. It is that minute detail that holds not only my attention but my heart as well. It is the ever present cloud over my parade. It remains in the backdrop of my thoughts, ever ready to dampen any mood, darken any room, and weaken any resolve to live differently. It is my “life would be great if it weren’t for THIS” statement. It is the tender spot that reveals the area in my life that is still in need of God’s gracious touch and healing.

Where do I begin to loosen its hold and effect on my life? Like a heavy chain that still wraps itself around my soul, I am learning I must attend to one link at a time. Links have weakened and snapped as I have acknowledged their presence, confessed my heart attitudes, and looked for truth. I am down to what feels like the last few links…..the most profound and stubborn of them all. They are being dealt with through prayer….mine as well as individuals I trust. Last night, I took the worse case scenario, the deepest thoughts and feelings about this whole situation chain and brought it to my Heavenly Father. In the quietness of the late night hours I whispered to Him, “What if my perceptions are true and it really is as bad as I think? I begin with that premise and by Your grace I choose to walk in forgiveness and acceptance.” Sleep came quickly and I woke this morning feeling a bit less like Haman.

Father, I am tired of missing out on the joy of living and the delight of knowing You. Detach me from being controlled by anyone or anything apart from Youself. Teach me the better way to live. Amen.

On My Knees - Jaci Velasquez
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gArr7gyiMBY&feature=related

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

A Healthy Review

For you have heard of my former manner of life in Judaism, how I used to persecute the church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it; and I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries among my countrymen, being more extremely zealous for my ancestral traditions. Galatians 1:13, 14 (New American Standard Bible)

Paul never let go of the reality from where God had brought him. His life prior to his conversion stood in stark contrast to God’s work of grace in his life. Not only did he know of his past, others did as well. His reputation followed and preceded him as he crossed paths with individuals. After all, he was at one time adamantly opposed to Jesus Christ and any of His followers, as well as passionately involved with Judaism and the traditions of his ancestors. Knowledgeable in the letter of the law but blind to the Author of that law.

Although Paul knew where he had come from, he also knew it was no longer his way of life. He knew God had radically changed his life and he lived his new life in Christ with as much zeal as he did his former life. He was a billboard of faith that clearly showed the truth of 2 Corinthians 5:17 which says, “If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature. Old things are passed away. Behold, all things are become new.” A fuller appreciation of what was “new” for Paul was gained as he thought back to his former manner of life.

Looking back on one’s life must be done with the intent of realizing, appreciating, and proclaiming the work of God that has taken place. If it leads to shame, self-loathing, contempt, discouragement, or guilt over things already forgiven and covered by the blood of Christ, then it is nothing more than a review that puts one in a mental and emotional prison of torment. That should be a sign to us that the enemy of our soul is close at hand. Those “calling cards” are his finger prints and his plans are always to destroy us.

One way to foil his plans is to review the past allowing it to bring forth praise and thanksgiving for all God has done. Thankful for the forgiveness. Thankful for the fresh start. Thankful for the past being the past and not the present or future. Thankful for ministry that will be birthed as a result of a new life in Christ. Thankful that none of it need be wasted but rather used powerfully in the kingdom work of our Heavenly Father. Thankful that God saw fit to bring us into a different way to live our life and a different direction to take us. Thankful that our past no longer defines us. Paul knew how to view his past and we can learn from the example he set for us.

Father, I choose to turn each memory into a celebration of Your redemptive work! Amen.

I'm Not Who I Was - Brandon Heath
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R3SjCuSkaNs

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

To Whom Credit is Due

What then is Apollos? And what is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, even as the Lord gave opportunity to each one. I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth. I Corinthians 3:5,6 (New American Standard Bible)

Each of us who are believers in Christ have individuals we consider as the spiritual influences in our life. They were either involved in our salvation experience or in subsequent times of spiritual growth. Maybe it was a pastor, Sunday school teacher, ministry person, author, or just a special Christian God used in a great way to help us along on our journey with Jesus. They would be the first to come to mind if someone asked us who has had the greatest impact on our life. They may have gone on to be with the Lord or they may still be living on this earth. It may have been years since we last saw or spoke with them or we may still get together with them frequently. Whatever the case may be, their specialness and importance to us remains.

This was the kind of relationship Apollos and Paul had with the early Christians. Paul evangelized and established churches and Apollos worked faithfully with the congregations. It was easy for people to grow dependent on them and attribute their spiritual growth to these men. Who of us does not have our preferred speakers, preachers, and authors? Paul’s words are meant for any of us who have our ‘list’ of favorites.

Paul reminds us that any person who has helped us in our Christian life has simply been a servant through whom we have believed. They were the avenue or vessel God chose to use in our life. Then he quickly adds that although they were highly involved in the preaching and teaching of God’s truth, the growth itself was caused by God. Appreciate them? Yes! Highly esteem them? Absolutely! But the real credit goes to God. He is the one who caused us to listen to them. He is the one who caused their message to get through to us. He is the one who nudged us to open ourselves up to them as a person. He is the one who gave growth to the seeds they planted.

Certain individuals will always be special to me for the role they have played in my life. While my love, appreciation, and respect goes to them….the credit for growth goes to God!

Father, for so long I have given others the credit I should have been giving to You. I now see them as the vessels You graciously selected and used in my life. But all the glory and tribute belongs to You! Amen.

Thank You - Ray Boltz
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UFrdJ2V3r7Y

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

It Has to be Learned

Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. Philippians 4:11-13 (New American Standard Bible)

I have often looked at fellow believers, saw godly qualities in their life, and made the false assumption that they came by those qualities naturally. I failed to see what they had to “learn” before they could say “I know.” I was not privy to the times of testing God walked them through in order to develop in them the sterling qualities I witnessed later on. The education they gained in the school of life may have taken years and was wrought with tears and difficulties that few knew anything of. God is reminding me this morning, that the gold I see so profoundly in them was mined out of the darkest caves of their life. He is also letting me know it is no different for me.

As I read today’s passage I noticed for the first time Paul’s phrase, “I have learned.” His contentment in all circumstances and knowing how to get along with abundance as well as poverty, being full and going hungry, having needs met and having needs remain unmet, had to be learned. It had to be learned through experiencing those very things and allowing God to be his Teacher in each situation. It required many moments of saying with Jesus, “Not my will, but Yours, O God.” It required dieing to self. It required walking in the Spirit instead of living in the flesh.

I don’t consider myself a fast learner or cooperative student most of the time. It is usually with difficulty that I finally yield and see the richness in doing so. It takes awhile for God to convince me that He really does know best and is bringing about the best for me. The longer I walk with Him the clearer this becomes.

Presently, I am “learning” the necessity of letting go. I have spent a life time harboring attitudes when disappointment came my way. God has been faithfully helping me to hear His voice as He nudges me to let go of the expectations I have put on others as well as the thoughts I can so easily mull over and stay connected to when those expectations are not forth coming. I see now that freedom is a choice and so are the steps necessary to live in that freedom. For now, most of my waking hours are spent saying, “I’m letting go of THAT!” because “holding on” was so much a part of my life. The change has not come easily but it is coming and in that I delight!

Father, my letting go when I so often want to hold on is coming with Your help. Thank you for Your insistence and assistance. I need You and I love You. Amen.

Spirit Song - Maranatha Singers
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iC7RDZP7tFw

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

Redirecting My Focus

They refused to obey, and they were not mindful of Your wonders that You did among them. But they hardened their necks, and in their rebellion they appointed a leader to return to their bondage. But You are God, ready to pardon, gracious and merciful, slow to anger, abundant in kindness, and did not forsake them. Nehemiah 9:17 (New King James Version)

I love the fact that this list of God’s character does not follow a pronouncement of good behavior. It does not read, “When they obeyed, were mindful of Your wonders, cooperated with You, and stayed free of bondage, God was gracious and merciful, etc…” Rather, it lists the truth about their sinful hearts and actions. In their worst moments, God was ready to pardon. In their continual cycling into bondage, God was gracious and merciful. In their rebellion, God was slow to anger. In their stubbornness, God was abundant in kindness. In their forsaking of Him, God did not forsake them. Even at their worst, God remained at His best and continually reached out to them.

I am like the children of Israel in so many ways. As recent as yesterday, I turned (if just briefly) to that which could easily put me into bondage. The sense of what I did filled me with regret and remorse. My choice quickly turned to one of confession and wanting to distance myself from that which I had no business being near. God was gracious. God was forgiving. That is what helped me walk with a sense of cleansing and a fresh determination to remain free rather than guilt and shame.

Seeing God’s graciousness and love in the midst of my sinful choices and actions makes a huge difference. Those are the times I need the reminders the most. Those are the times when seeing the truth about Him has me in awe and wonder the most. For most of my Christian life, however, that has not been my practice. I spent more time beating myself up for the past rather than rejoicing in the character of God. I focused on my sin rather than on His forgiveness. On my mistakes rather than His mercy. On my stubbornness rather than His kindness. On my straying rather than on His staying. No wonder I was prone to live with a sense of condemnation rather than the truth of being loved, accepted, and forgiven.

When I have made wrong choices, when I have failed Him, when I have fallen, God is not wanting me to follow it with a season of guilt and shame. He is wanting me to bring it all to Him and then live with a fresh awareness of who He is rather than a stinging reminder of what I’ve done. He is a God who is always ready to pardon, always gracious and merciful, always slow to anger, always abundant in kindness, and always with me! Always!

Father, the list of Your attributes are astounding and reassuring for me. You outshine and outlast the worst of me. In that I rejoice! Amen.

East to West - Casting Crowns
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WyoVJfADlwo

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.