Having the Right List

I will give thanks to the LORD with all my heart; I will tell of all Your wonders. I will be glad and exult in You; I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High. Psalm 9:1,2 NASB

David knew the secret of living a victorious life no matter the circumstances, fears, sorrows, troubles, problems, heartaches, failures, or difficulties…..and he had plenty of those! It came down to choices. Turn to just about any Psalm and you will find something David has made up his mind to do. Each proclamation begins with a confident and determined “I will!” One of the reasons for that is David knew that where the mind went the man would follow. He knew that his words and actions were birthed in his thoughts. It is there they start as seeds and later come to fruition.

What would an “I will” list look like if we were to write one this morning? What would it sound like if we dared to speak it out loud? How different our day would be if we were to start it by saying, “I will trust God. I will tell others about Him. I will acknowledge Him. I will obey Him. I will make His plans my priority today. I will praise Him with words, music, actions, and activities. I will talk to Him and about Him. I will rejoice in Him. I will believe Him. I will follow Him. I will focus on Him. I will think about Him. I will serve Him. I will depend upon Him. I will go to Him. I will receive from Him. I will confide in Him. I will stand in awe of Him.” Oh, my, the list is endless!

This must be an active process we walk through. For if we do not intentionally determine our course of action for today, our list may look very different. It might read more like, “I will gossip. I will complain. I will argue. I will hold a grudge. I will worry. I will struggle. I will fail. I will miss all that God has for me.”

All I have to do is read through both those lists and my spirit reacts differently to them. The first list is empowering while the second is draining. The first builds confidence while the second robs me of peace and joy. I know which one I would rather live my life out of. But it is not just a matter of positive thinking. It is when I take my determined will and combine it with God’s will, Spirit, and Word that the victory comes.

Father, You know what today holds. Help me to formulate a list full of strength and confidence. Walking in victory will start with the steps taken in my mind. Amen.

Proof That Isn't True

And he left his garment in her hand and fled, and went outside. Genesis 39:12

There are parts of Joseph’s life that are so disturbing. He paid a high price for untrue things that were said and believed about him. Twice we see incidents where he is doing what he is suppose to do and yet “evidence” is presented that is used to paint an untrue picture about him. The result was separation and imprisonment.

In Genesis 37, Joseph is sent to check up on his brothers. His visit with them results in him being sold as a slave to some passing merchants. As a way of covering their tracks his brothers take his special coat that his father gave to him, dip it in the blood of an animal, and present it as apparent “proof” that he is no longer alive. Heartbroken and full of grief, his father accepts what he sees and what he is told as truth.

In Genesis 39, Joseph is bought as a slave and rises to a prominent position in Potiphar’s house. He refuses the advancements of Potiphar’s wife and runs, leaving his garment behind. As a way of hiding her own tracks, Potiphar’s wife takes his garment, holds it up to her husband as “proof” of Joseph’s intentions, and proceeds to malign Joseph’s character. Full of anger and rage, he accepts what he sees and what he is told as truth.

What was presented as truth and believed to be true was not true! How imperative it is that we not be found presenting lies as truth and also that we not be found accepting lies as truth. May we walk with integrity and discernment when it comes to handling and accepting actual truth.

And may we follow Joseph’s example when lies about us are being spoken and believed. God knows the true nature of our hearts, intentions, and actions. If we entrust the situation to Him, He will make sure the truth is eventually known. In the mean time, we must continue to live out each day with a determination to do what is right and faithfully carry out His plans for us. We cannot control what others may say or believe about us but we can rest in the fact that our Heavenly Father knows the truth. That knowledge alone should cause us to hold our heads up high when others would shake their heads because of faulty beliefs. In time, He will expose the truth and bring about what He intended for our life.

Father, when it is all said and done, I rest in the fact that You know the truth. No one else’s opinion or beliefs compare to Yours. Amen.

Standing Guard

He who guards his mouth and his tongue, guards his soul from troubles. Proverbs 21:23

Like a sentinel keeping guard over a prisoner or a valuable treasure we are commanded to guard many things in our life. This morning Scripture reminds me to guard my soul, my mouth, my foot, my heart, my mind, and the doors of my mouth. This implies protection, watchfulness, attentiveness, safety, and preservation. If I were guarding a prisoner it would be to keep him from escaping. But if I am guarding a valuable treasure it would be to insure it from being taken. In a sense, today’s verse has both these ideas. There are certain things I do not want to escape from my mouth and there is a protectiveness against my mouth being taken captive by wrong usage. So what are the things God would have me guard my mouth and tongue against? From what do I want to keep my mouth from doing? Here are some things that come to mind.

Gossip! Saying those things that are not true, kind, or necessary about other people. Gossip serves one purpose and one person only. It’s purpose is to destroy another person’s character and reputation. It poisons the thoughts of a person against another. It inflicts unnecessary pain and suffering in an individuals life. Often it is done to bolster ones sense of superiority and an attempt to gain acceptance. Oh, that we would see the seriousness and repercussions of our words against another individual.

Lying! Saying those things that are untrue, incomplete, exaggerated, or inaccurate. Many times it serves the purpose of avoiding self disclosure and facing of consequences. It is a form of hiding for self protection. Based in fear and pride it has a shaky foundation at best. It breaks trust and security with the very ones with whom we seek build relationship.

Inappropriate talk! Whether it is foul language, filthy jokes, suggestive innuendos, racial slurs, or taking God’s name in vain it is imperative that we do not let it become a part of our speech in private or public. Along with these would be negative talk, angry words, and words of unbelief. May God help us to be on guard today!

Father, words really do live. May I be one to use life giving words to others and myself. I take my charge seriously and look to You for daily instruction, guidance, discernment, and help. Amen.

Speaking From the Heart

For his mouth speaks from that which fills his heart. Luke 6:45 NASB

For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks. Luke 6:45 NIV

For of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. Luke 6:45 KJV

Our heart (the seat of our emotions, feelings, and motives) can be filled, overflowing, and abundant with many things. Luke reminds me this morning that the contents of my heart will be revealed in the things I say and the way I say them. If I listen long enough to the speech of another individual I can begin to detect what is in their heart. I am not talking about sporadic conversation here and there but rather the theme of their words over a long period of time. Our words are like an ex-ray machine that expose the condition of our heart. The things I fill my mind with, the values I treasure in my heart, and those things I hold dearest in life are the very things I will spend the most time talking about.

So often, we as Christians have no trouble identifying bad language, cursing, and swearing as indications of a heart problem. But God wants us to realize negative talk, gossip, lying, bragging, people bashing, and even words filled with worry, despair, and disbelief reveal what’s in a heart as well. Whereas a heart full of praise, gratitude, respect, and godliness will also be seen in what comes out of our mouth.

David knew the connection of his heart and mouth so well that he prayed that the words of his mouth and the meditation of his heart would be acceptable to God. He also asked God to set a watch over his mouth to guard what was being said.

So how does a person fill their heart with the right things? By guarding the things they see, hear, read, and think about. For the heart is filled up with the things we feed upon, spend the most time doing, and what we are passionate about. Change what you are taking in and it will begin to have an effect on what is being “treasured up” in your heart. And if you are like me, you will find there are certain areas you struggle to master because you are so drawn to them. In that case, it is imperative that we ask God to change the appetite of our heart.

Father, may You show me any area that needs to change in my heart as well as in my conversations. May I not legitimize, excuse, or hold tightly anything You disclose to me that needs to be discarded. Amen.

Some Listened and Some Walked Away

O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those sent to her? How often I wanted to gather your children together, just as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you would not have it! Luke 13:34

Closed hearts. Disinterested responses. Refusal to listen. Resistance to the truth. Of all the people Jesus spoke to and came into contact with during His three year ministry in this world, how many came to know Him as their personal Savior? I dare say the percentage that walked away from Him outnumbered those who embraced Him. Fewer listened and took His messages in than received His words for themselves. If this was the case when Jesus was standing among them, face to face, it should not surprise me when the same thing happens today. I have often been encouraged by Jesus’ conversations with people. Here are a few things I have learned from Him.

He allowed people to approach Him with questions. When He gave answers, He allowed them the freedom to accept what He said or to walk away from Him. He used no high pressure, arm twisting tactics. I often wonder what happened to those people after they left Him. Did they go home, digest His words, and later return to Him? It is seldom that people respond the first time they hear the Gospel. May God bring to our minds the number of times it took for us to hear and then respond to Him.

Jesus knew how to personalize His message with each person. To Nicodemus He spoke of rebirth. To the woman at the well He spoke of living water. To the rich young ruler He spoke of sacrifice. To His adversaries He spoke of heart issues. I too must ask God to give me discernment and variety when I am talking to individuals about Him. Often I have found that during a conversation certain thoughts will come to mind. I am learning to simply open my mouth and share what God is giving me at that moment.

Jesus desired people to come to Him but left the choice with them. I too must realize the choice is theirs. I am simply a vessel God can use in the process of someone coming to know Him. The bottom line is that God is always the One who tends to their hearts. I simply sow the seeds.

Father, You never gave up on me. Help me to not give up on the ones with whom I tell about You. Your desire lives in me! Amen.

Show and Tell

While the sun was setting, all those who had any who were sick with various diseases brought them to Him; and laying His hands on each one of them, He was healing them. Luke 4:40 (New American Standard Bible)

It had been a long day for Jesus. He preached in the synagogue, cast a demon out of a man, and healed Simon’s mother-in-law of a high fever. Now as evening approached people were making their way to the house where Jesus was at for what appears to be a late night or all night healing service. Since it was the Sabbath, the law forbade people from traveling great distances until after sunset. As word spread, Jesus’ popularity grew and the demands on His time and for His powers grew as well. In an age of no radio, television, computers, etc…. news of Jesus was spread via word of mouth. But people didn’t just talk about what Jesus was doing. They put feet to their words and brought others to Jesus for healing.

I see a pattern for personal evangelism here. Even in this age of mass communication God still intends for word of Him to spread via word of mouth. While some come to know Him via a religious program on television or radio many are still finding Christ because an individual took the time to verbally tell them about Him. Many times it is not just one individual that does the telling, it is many! As we share Christ we must realize we are somewhere in the long line of others who are sharing Him as well. It is imperative that we see the value of this sharing even if we don’t always see the end result.

I am convinced it is the Spirit of God who does much of the work in bringing a person to Christ and He uses many means to do it. Before that person ever comes to know the Lord there is much heart preparation that takes place. Each person has particular needs in their life that God will use to draw them to Himself. Along with that He will use the words and actions of His children as seeds in their life that need time to grow.

If God has you involved in the lives of people who don’t yet know Him personally, you are an instrument He plans to use. Each of us must realize that our life speaks volumes long before the words leave our mouth. We must not underestimate the effect our lives (when touched and empowered by God) have on the people around us.

Father, help me to live in such a way that my actions add credibility to what I tell others about You. I trust You for the harvest! Amen.

Settling the Unsettled Issues

How long will you hesitate between two opinions? I Kings 18:21

This question has been on my mind since yesterday. Elijah is asking a question to the nation Israel in regards to whom they are choosing to worship. But the question is multi layered for me. For I know all too well the frustration that comes when issues are unsettled in my mind. James says it is like being driven by the waves and tossed. The tossing of our souls can be draining.
I have found it does not work to base my beliefs on any issue according to public opinion or my own emotions. It is too unsettling.

As a young Christian I really wanted to know how to live my Christian life. I wanted to know what I should and should not be doing. This entailed what I should believe, how I should act, where I should go, how I should dress, etc… I would have been more than happy to be given a list of does and don’ts on paper. But since that wasn’t an option I learned to watch people and listen. What they said and did became my basis for what I said and did. It felt safe. If it worked for them it would work for me. I need guidelines as a teenager and examples abounded within my church. Someone once told me to let God and His Word guide me in this area, but that seemed too hard. It was easier for me to just let people be my teachers.

What I did not realize as a teenager and continued to miss as an adult was that in looking to people to define my Christian life for me I was missing out on a necessary aspect of my relationship with God. It is His intent that I look to Him to give me direction and guidance in the daily decisions I must make. Those things I accept or reject in my life need to be based on what God says. Sometimes Scripture is very clear on an issue and sometimes we have basic principles to go by. But it is not always clear cut and there is much variety in the body of Christ. A former pastor of mine once said the Christian life is like a housing addition. Each house is built to code but then there is room for variety in the design and final look of the house.

That is what I was missing in my connection with God. When it comes to an issue that is not an absolute command in Scripture I need to be able to go to Him directly and allow Him to help me make up my mind.

Father, You have always been there waiting for me to turn to You, to ask You, to seek You, to follow You, to know You. I now do that! Amen.