Strengthened and Straightened

Therefore, strengthen the hands that are weak and the knees that are feeble, and make straight paths for your feet, so that the limb which is lame may not be put out of joint, but rather be healed. Hebrews 12:12,13 (New American Standard Bible)

Recently at a Bible study, the question was asked how we resist the enemy and his attacks on us. As I contemplated that question I “knew” the right answers to give but because I wasn’t doing any of them there was no ability to speak the words. Fighting the enemy is daunting and many times I wait for things to get dark enough and the pain to get excruciating enough before I put forth the effort. The problem is all the damage that takes place within that amount of time. Today’s verse came to mind as my weaknesses, feebleness, and lameness stared me in the face. It awakened in me a desire for strength, straight paths, and healing. That desire is what can turn my gaze back toward God as the only One who can do in me what needs to be done and I am the only one who can allow Him to do His work in me. Others cannot will it. Others cannot do it for me. Like salvation, I must choose growth and change for myself.

How the enemy loves to fill my mind with thoughts that hinder the growth and change. How he loves to convince me there is no escape or way out of situations, emotional pits, or personal problems. Earlier this week, he bombarded me with thoughts such as, “You will never come to the place where God is truly your Source. Sure, you might stop looking to people to meet your needs (maybe) but you will always struggle to embrace God as your true need meeter. You also have no business writing devotionals since failure and faltering steps often mark your path. At this point it would be best for you to step away from everything and everyone until God’s work is complete in you. Then and only then can you begin to talk or write about the Christian life."

Although his words can seem convincing they lose their effect when the light of truth shines on them. Truth from the Bible. Truth from fellow believers. Truth from God’s Spirit living in me. Truth from sound teaching. Truth from music. Truth from resources I have been blessed to read. The truth God used this week was a reminder that He will finish all that He has started in me and one of the things He started was a desire to know Him. As far as devotionals go, broken vessels are usable and out of this broken vessel will come the very things God wants me and others to hear. Stepping away or quitting are no longer options….they never were.

Father, You have strengthened me once again. I praise You! Amen.

Redeemer Savior Friend
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r__K8E8y2SU&feature=related

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

When the Truth Sinks In

Blessed is the man whose sin the LORD does not count against him and in whose spirit is no deceit. Psalm 32:2 (New International Version)

Sometimes the full ramifications of Scripture can elude me. I can read it. Someone can tell me what it says and even explain what it means. But when it fails to become life changing for me I know that something is not getting through. God’s Word is meant to come alive to us and make a difference in us. The truths of Scripture should be anything but ineffective. Yet the question I have to ask myself when I am taking it in is, “Does it make a difference to me and what is that difference?”

I have often marveled at David’s ability to completely grasp God’s forgiveness of him. He delighted in it. He reveled in it. He acted upon the truth of it. When he knew he was forgiven he saw no need to live with a sense of condemnation, guilt, or shame. Just as surely as he knew he had sinned, he knew he had been forgiven. End of story!

One thing I appreciate about God is that He will go to any lengths to get us to see something we are missing. He knows just what to do to clear away the fog of our minds and the hindrances to His truths getting in. He longs for us to finally get it! He aches for us to fully receive what He is offering us.

Recently God amazed me with a concept of forgiveness that I just wasn’t getting but once it became clear I was astounded! The concept was this: When I fully realize that I am forgiven I get to live as if the offense never happened! The impact of that statement lightened the load of my heart tremendously. It took away the “I really blew it” mentality and allowed me to see the reality of a clean slate! It no longer defined me or confined me. It wasn’t me anymore!

Just ask yourself how differently you would think, feel, and act if the one thing that continues to hang over your head and torment you had never happened. Well, God has news for you. As far as He is concerned it didn’t and He invites you to come into agreement with Him. Let the truth of that concept sink deep into your mind and heart. Let it set you free!

Father, I never thought I could separate who I am today from what I did in my yesterdays. Thank you for the key that unlocked the prison door of my mind. Amen.

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

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.

How?

Call to Me and I will answer you, and I will tell you great and mighty things, which you do not know. Jeremiah 33:3 (New American Standard Bible)

There are times when we want the people in our life to give us the answers we are looking for. When we feel stuck in certain behavior problems we want them to tell us how to move forward. When we have a difficult decision to make we want them to tell us the best option to choose. When we want victory in an area of our life we want them to tell us how to go about obtaining that victory. When we want to grow as believers we want them to tell us how to do that.

God is reminding me that He holds the answers and knowledge that I need. He longs for me to direct the “how do I do that” questions toward Him. He knows what I don’t know and He is willing to teach me in ways that I can understand and grasp. This morning, I am bringing the questions to Him. It sounds something like this.

Father, how do I allow Your love of me to impact my life? How do I stop looking to people to make me feel loved, validated, wanted, and welcomed? How do I take my eyes off myself and begin to look around at others and their needs? How do I seek You with all of my heart, soul, and mind? How do I love you with all of my heart, soul, and mind? How do I follow You with abandon? How do I make You the center of my existence? How do I receive from You all that You desire to give me in the way of internal needs? How do I stop forming unhealthy attachments to the ones You cross my path with? How do I walk by faith and not by sight? How do I practice Your presence? How do I find healing for the wounds and hurts of life? How do I stop believing lies? How do reflect You in my words, actions, and attitudes? How do I find my safety, security, and sense of well being in You? How do learn to live my life differently? Tell me, teach me, and show me the things I do not know. The great and mighty things! Thank You that You will never leave me or forsake me. Thank You that You know the plans You have for me and You will fulfill Your purposes in my life. Thank You for not allowing me to find what I am looking for in sources other than You. Thank You that You will work all things out for good. Thank You that as I call to You, You will show me great and mighty things that I do not know.

Learning to take God’s hand and walk with Him, look to Him, and listen to Him is my goal. Showing me how to do that is His desire.

Father, help me. Amen.

Open The Eyes of My Heart
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wutmEjdbedE&feature=related

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

What to do With the Expectations

But what did you go out to see? Matthew 11:8 (New American Standard Bible)

Jesus asked this question of the people in regards to John the Baptist. In other words, He asked them what it was they were expecting. For He knew that expectations can lead to disappointment when there is no fulfillment of initial thoughts.

We live in a world where our expectations run high. We have certain expectations of people, of marriage, of jobs, of children, of churches, of ventures, of ourselves, of life in general, and of God. Webster’s defines expectation as a looking forward to; anticipation; a looking for as due, proper, or necessary; prospect of future success, prosperity, etc… When what we hoped for does not come about, discouragement can set in, as well as anger, frustration, and a loss of hope. If an individual has had too many disappointments in their life they learn to close themselves off in hopes of avoiding future disappointments.

But that is no way to live! David had it right when he learned to make God his expectation. His hope! He knew the frailty and limitations of people….himself included. He knew there was a danger in placing strong hope and expectation in events, circumstances, and relationships.

Many times I find my expectations are built on the desire to have needs met. I look to certain people to make me feel good, encourage me, validate me, and accept me. While they may or may not come through for me, God wants to be my primary Source for all of it. As I allow Him to meet my deepest needs, I can then invest myself in the lives of others. He refers to Himself as a fountain of living water to let me know He is a continual supply for me. The frequency with which I come to Him is up to me.

I was born with the need for security, love, fulfillment, and satisfaction. There is nothing wrong with needing those things. The problem is that too often I am turning to the wrong sources to get those needs met. Every one of them is found in Christ! He promises to come through for me if I but ask!

Father, depravation is not necessary in Your kingdom. The answer is not to squelch the needs I have but to learn to bring them to You. Teach me how to drink my fill of You in order to quench the thirst in me. Amen.

My Life Is In You, Lord
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0M0NALW7EM

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

A Necessary Work

Be it known to the king that we went to the province of Judah, to the house of the great God. It is being built with huge stones, with timber laid in the walls; this work goes on with diligence and care and prospers in their hands. Ezra 5:8(Amplified Bible)

The rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem in the days of Ezra, was a huge undertaking. It wasn’t without opposition and problems but it continued in the midst of them. The labor was hard, the circumstances were difficult, yet the work went on with diligence and it prospered.

The rebuilding of areas in our life that have fallen or lost their effectiveness requires the same kind of diligence and care. We must be willing to see it through to completion even when it gets hard. Even when opposition from within and without comes into play. Even when it isn’t comfortable or enjoyable. If there is something in my life that needs attention and work on my part then I must be willing to cooperate with God in bringing about changes. It may be in attitudes, actions, words, disposition, or any host of things.

This has been a week of God opening my eyes to not only things that need to change in me but my responsibility for bringing about those changes with His help. It is not a matter of simply knowing I have to change. It is a matter of applying the truths of His Word to my life. Being a doer of His Word and not just a hearer. It is a matter of using whatever tools and materials are necessary to establish boundaries and walls for my emotional, physical, and spiritual well being. It is a matter of being accountable to God and at least one other person for the continuation of work that needs to be done.

The children of Israel were serious about building the wall and it showed in their decisions, discipline, and diligence. No less is required of me. They were not on their own and neither am I. For God is the One at work in me to complete what He started. He will show me places that need to be rebuilt, things that need to be gotten rid of, new ways to live my Christian life, and discernment along the way. He is diligent and caring in all that He puts His hands to and His work will prosper in His hands.

Father, I see the need for change and I accept the responsibility to make changes and receive Your help in bringing about those changes. Keep me diligent and let Your work in me prosper. Amen.

Change My Heart - Eddie Espinosa
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CEtsHWFE6-w

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

The Same God

(For He who effectually worked for Peter in his apostleship to the circumcised effectually worked for me also to the Gentiles), Galatians 2:8 (New American Standard Bible)

Different ministries, different men, different gifts, different opportunities, different weaknesses, different strengths, SAME God. The very God who called, equipped, and worked through Peter, called, equipped, and worked through Paul. Each of us need to see that same truth applied to us.

Do you know someone who is being used of God in mighty ways? The same God is using you! Do you know someone with whom God has brought about changes in their life? The same God is changing you! Do you know someone who is being held and upheld by God in the midst of struggles, failures, and negative circumstances? The same God is holding and upholding you! Put in any person’s scenario that has the fingerprints of God and know that He is the same God for you.

While we aren’t to compare ourselves with others, we can find a great deal of assurance and comfort from seeing that God is involved, impartial, and interested in each one of us as individuals. He doesn’t play favorites with some while ignoring others. He is not watchful of some and blind to others. Pick any Christian today, any Biblical character from centuries ago, any kingdom child and know that you are just as loved, just as thought of, just as chosen, just as cared for, and just as guided by God as they have been.

It doesn’t mean God will allow you the same exact opportunities. It doesn’t mean life will work exactly the same for you as it has for them. It doesn’t even mean prayers will be answered in the same way. Why? Because we are individuals with individual needs. God knows what is best for each one of us. God chooses to work His plans and purposes out in our lives for our good and His glory. Uniqueness of situations, ministries, and growth does not mean loved less. It means God has unlimited ways of working in each of us.

For those of us who easily condemn ourselves, live with feelings of inferiority, believe ourselves to be invisible (a lost face in the crowd), and think others are a top priority of God’s while we sit at the bottom of the list, God wants the message of His love for us and involvement in our life to sink in and challenge the core beliefs we have come to embrace about ourselves and about Him. He wants His Word to make it from our head to our heart. He wants us to see the truth and allow it to impact our life for good!

Father, You treat me as if I were an only child even though You have many children. To know that I have Your ongoing attention, acceptance, and interaction in my life is beyond my ability to fully grasp but I hold on to it just the same. Amen.

I Offer My Life - Don Moen
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v0ar5EfvAcU&feature=related

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