Correcting the Distortions

Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you. Ephesians 4:32 (New American Standard Bible)

How are you received when you ask another person to forgive you? Do they give you a guarded forgiveness whereby you walk away still feeling condemned, unaccepted and full of shame? If you have not experienced radical, gracious forgiveness from significant people in your life, chances are you see God in the same way. May today’s verse help to reshape your view in powerful ways. He is a God of compassion and mercy. He longs for reconciliation and welcomes us back each time we come to Him for forgiveness.

This does not mean our sin does not grieve, disappoint, or anger God. It does not mean there will not be consequences for the wrong choices we make. It does not mean God takes any of our sin lightly. It does not mean God does not desire a holier life for each one of us. It means He knows our make up and is willing to forgive our sin each and every time! Read through Psalm 103 to grasp a beautiful picture of God’s gracious act of forgiveness.

How we need to see God’s willingness, ability, and desire to forgive us. How we need to see His father’s heart! How He is saddened each time we think He merely tolerates us rather than loves us. When our view of Him is that His arms are crossed and disgust is displayed on His face, we cower and hide in our sin. But all the while God wants us to see Him as the father of the prodigal son. Is there someone in your life with whom you are presently separated? You long for their return and a restored relationship? God is like that! He is approachable with open arms.

How I thank God for the people in my life who have demonstrated God’s heart in this way. What a joy to ask their forgiveness and walk away knowing they still love me and their view of me has not changed. They allow me to have a fresh start, a clean slate, and a new chance….just like my heavenly Father. May I become more like that! I have the opportunity each day to either distort or correct another person’s view of God.

Father, may I not only realize the truth about Your forgiveness, but may I be willing to demonstrate it to others. May I no longer cause others to have a distorted view of You because of how I treat them. 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.

Making Prayer Less Complicated

It happened that while Jesus was praying in a certain place, after He had finished, one of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, teach us to pray just as John also taught his disciples.” Luke 11:1 (New American Standard Bible)

Prayer is the greatest privilege and tool of any Christian and yet so often the least used and most misunderstood. As in every other discipline of the Christian life, it is learned over a life time. When I accepted Christ at the age of fourteen, God did not automatically infuse within me all the ins and outs of prayer. He taught me things over many years. At times, I feel I am still at the elementary level, but recently the lessons have been profound.

God’s Word is becoming my textbook…particularly the book of Psalms. I am learning aspects of prayer through David’s prayers and I am the richer for it! Recently I have learned through him to be transparent and specific with God. Prayer is not meant to be a complicated system of saying just the right thing by following a specified formula. David did not pray like that and neither did Jesus. The requests were always to the point and even simplistic. When prayer becomes complicated and overwhelming something is amiss. At that point we tend to pray less and feel others are doing a better job of it than we are. While we are told to come to God as little children, prayer too often can seem like college level material.

Please know, I admire prayer warriors. I have listened in awe at those who have learned to pray in powerful ways. The first time I heard a person pray in a conversational way with God I was profoundly moved. But I still have much to learn and I am rejoicing at the pace God has set for me. His desire is for me to learn from Him and then put into practice what I learn.

For any who have become discouraged or bored with the idea of prayer, start with what you know and ask God to teach you more about the power, privilege, and practicality of talking to Him. The Bible is full of Old and New Testament examples from which we can learn. Many good books are available on the topic of prayer. Ask God to cross your path with people who are further along in that area and learn from them just by listening. As in any other area of the Christian life, ask God to awaken in you the desire and thrill of prayer. Your prayers may be simple but His answers will be profound!

Father, increase my ability and desire to talk to You. May my times of prayer come alive as I speak, listen, and learn. Help me to speak into Your open ears more often. Amen.

Come Just As You Are - Crystal Lewis
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5MqNV5NvtUQ&feature=related

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

Where’s the Strength?

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.
Ephesians 6:10 (New King James Version)

It is imperative as believers that we know in whose strength and power we are to stand, walk, and live. We have no trouble knowing our salvation rests in the finished work of Christ, but we somehow live as if the bulk of our Christian life depends upon us. As if, each day, we must muster up enough determination to withstand temptation, walk in forgiveness, do what we are suppose to be doing, love others unconditionally, keep our hearts and motives in check, never have a bad day, keep a smile on our face come what may, and walk through life untainted and unaffected by any and all circumstances. When in reality we feel that at any moment our life is about come unraveled and we will go down for the last count. Only to pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and try again! It is self sufficiency at its worst.

I am being reminded this morning that my true strength is in the Lord and in the power of His might. My flesh is weak and my power is very limited at best, so this truth encourages me. It settles the uneasy feelings that come when I contemplate my failures and phobias. It dries my tears over sins, regrets, and shortcomings. It comforts me in the midst of loss, disappointment, and unending needs.

Each time I come to the end of myself, God is there urging me to look to Him and live out of His strength and might. He wants me to know that as His child, I am endued with His strength and that strength increases as I receive it and rely upon it. It is a mighty force that is meant to be the driving force behind everything He calls me to do. It is where the ability to live the Christian life lies.

David spoke often of God being his rock, defense, stronghold, shelter, and fortress. Each is a picture and aspect of strength. The children of Israel knew that without God’s power and strength they would fail to win any and all battles. Paul reminded the early churches that it was God’s power, not their own, that was to be credited for their growth and accomplishments. Those things are true for us as well in this day and age.

Where is it you feel weak, unqualified, and inept? That is to be the starting point for looking to God to help you do what you need to do. It is a truth that is meant to give us hope and encouragement. I know what I need to approach God with this morning and I am confident He is waiting for me to do that.

Father, I want to stand in Your strength and power. I want to experience You doing through me what only You can do. Thank you that You are not limited by my limitations. Amen.

His Strength Is Perfect - Steven Curtis Chapman
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CzKo25QKPsY

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

Replacing Fear

Take care and be calm, have no fear and do not be faint hearted. Isaiah 7:4a (New American Standard Bible)

It seems that many times when God's people were threatened by other nations their first response was fear. Isaiah 7:2 says their hearts shook as the trees of the forest shake with the wind. Fear always seems based in what we believe the outcome of a situation will be. The "what ifs" grow to such an extent that fear becomes the result. This doesn't mean that the situation isn't real. After all, there was an approaching enemy. Their threats were real, their anger was real, their size was real. But what Judah failed to do, and what we often fail to do, is realize God always has the last word. And God's answer to all the threats was, "It shall not stand nor shall it come to pass." God is the boundary setter. He is the One who determines the end result of any circumstance in our life.

Our words and our thoughts are the seeds that take root in our minds and produce a harvest of fear. How often we respond to danger or tragedy with thoughts such as, "This is going to do me in, I am alone, I am defeated, I am powerless, I am not going to survive this." When all the time we have a God who says, "I will never leave you, I work all things together for good, I see the beginning from the end, you are the apple of my eye."

So how do we go against the fears? Remember and voice the truth. It is amazing how quickly words of truth can extinguish fear. Here are a few phrases that can be used to replace fear with peace, strength, and confidence.

*God (not circumstances or people) is in control of my life. He determines the outcome of each situation that comes my way.

*Everything in my life is Father filtered. It has already passed through Him before it gets to me. Job comes to mind so much.

*His many words of comfort and assurance are meant as much for me today as they were for God's people in Bible times.

*In every circumstance I am held in His hands, sheltered under His wings, and enclosed in His capsule of grace.

Father, when fears crop up help me to not give situations more power by buying into lies. You are my rock and my shelter against any storm. You determine outcomes and results. As long as I live on this side of eternity I have not seen the end of the story yet. Amen.

Be Strong and Take Courage - Don Moen
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GvpdMdxzyrs&feature=related

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

Joshua Moments

And Joshua said, “Alas, Lord GOD, why have You brought this people over the Jordan at all---to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites, to destroy us? Oh, that we had been content, and dwelt on the other side of the Jordan!” Joshua 7:7 (New King James Version)

Following an extraordinary victory at Jericho, the children of Israel are defeated at Ai. The confusion and fear of the moment caused words to tumble out of Joshua’s mouth that mirrored the responses he heard for years in the wilderness wanderings under Moses’ leadership. I am not sure if he ever voiced them at that time, but he now voices a prayer filled with suspicion and accusation against God. He has no idea Achan has sinned and brought this defeat upon Israel. Joshua is simply looking at a tragedy and in his mind he draws only one conclusion….and a wrong one at that! Never mind that God promised victory and demanded obedience for that victory to occur. Joshua has had his utopia shattered and his faith shaken. He is now faced with the reality that defeat is possible even in the midst of victories.

God is gracious. He listens as Joshua gives voice to the thoughts and intents of his heart and then God sets the record straight. He explains the reason for defeat and the conditions for victory. What follows is an immediate correction and Ai’s astounding defeat! I believe when it was all said and done, Joshua took away a valuable lesson from the entire experience. Who God is and what God does cannot be interpreted by the things we see, hear, feel, and experience. God is to be trusted not accused. He is to be held in awe not in suspicion. God’s blessings accompany obedience and painful consequences accompany disobedience. We are given the same opportunity to take away valuable lessons from our moments of hardship, fear, and failure. May we do so!

I praise God that Scripture is filled with human frailties, because my life is filled with them as well. There are moments I get it right and do it right. To God be the glory! But there are also moments when I blow it. Times when the circumstances of life send me reeling and I forget the very truths I stood in just prior to stumbling. I have laughed at the number of times I have read a previous devotional I have written and wished I were THAT person! Times when the words that flowed so easily and with confidence seem so far away. Times when I question God, despise myself, and wrongly judge others. The enemy would taunt me with feelings of failure and hypocrisy. But God is gracious. He calls me what I am…a human in continual need of His grace and mercy. With each “Joshua” moment He will meet me and change me. Praise Him!

Father, in the midst of my tears, doubts, and fears You remain faithful and loving. And in the midst of joy, faith, and courage You are still faithful and loving. I praise Your sameness! Amen.

You're the Heart of Me - Kathy Troccoli
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sjXjOndUS7A&feature=related

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

Transformed Words and Thoughts

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my strength and my Redeemer. Psalm 19:14 (New King James Version)

I am learning that the two most powerful areas in my life to guard are my words and my thoughts. Both have the ability to rule my day in ways of blessing or ways of despair. I am amazed how quickly the wrong thoughts can plunge me into a pit so deep and produce words so dark that it leaves me spiritually, emotionally, and physically drained. But I am equally as amazed by how quickly I can be energized and freed when I take the thoughts captive, purposefully meditate on the right things, and speak the truth about God, myself, and my circumstances.

Show me a person who is bitter, angry, and negative and I will show you a person who has not embraced the truth of Psalm 19:14. What they don’t realize is how much is stemming from their heart and mind. We feast on the things we think about. That is it! That is what carries us through our day and it affects every part of our day. I want my feelings, will, and intellect to be filled with the things that are acceptable, delightful, desirable, favorable, and pleasurable to God. When that is the case, it will be evidenced in my actions and my words.

I am not saying this is an easy task. It is a battle! I find that I am doing battle against very negative thoughts all day long. When I dwell on them and allow them to rule me I reach a point of hopelessness and rage. What I am learning is to battle the thoughts with truth. A friend once suggested writing out a truth list and then proceeding to read the list out loud over my life on a daily basis…sometimes several times a day. Just simple phrases like I am loved, God is my all in all, I am an over-comer, etc… I must use Scripture as well. It is the only way to silence the murmurings and musings of my heart.

David knew the truth of this when he penned Psalm 63! It was not written when he sat on the throne of Israel or while he was enjoying the comforts of life. It was written in the wilderness. It is filled with thoughts of blessing, praise, trust, seeking, worship, and assurance. It definitely gives no hint of a victim mentality. I choose to follow his example!

Father, up until now so many of my thoughts and words have kept me from embracing Your power, love, and purpose. You desire that I replace the lies with truth and I am finally ready to do that. Amen.

Beautiful One - Tim Hughes
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v9bC9CRv9oU&feature=related

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

What Has Been Missing?

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. James 1:22 (New International Version)

The failure to see change in my life (real and lasting change) is what drove me to search for answers last night. Areas of bondage that have not seen freedom, moods that have not stopped spiraling, emotions that have controlled me rather than me controlling them, relationships that have been strained due to dependency rather than nurtured in appreciation, are but a few of the issues at hand.

I have sat in churches for decades, read countless books, attended numerous women’s events, been in both mentoring and accountability relationships, been a part of Bible studies, and heard truth upon truth. All of it was good and necessary. So why have I not seen more change in my life than I have seen? Why do I continue to live more in the flesh than in the spirit? Why is it not making more of difference in my life?

It all comes down to one simple yet profound ingredient. It is not enough to know truth. Change will only come, victory will only be experienced, and freedom will only be mine as I APPLY the things I have learned. That is what has been missing. That is the answer I have been looking for.

What I have known but failed to do in my every day life is take my thoughts captive, think on what is true and good, walk in forgiveness, give others the benefit of the doubt, resist the enemy, accept God’s forgiveness, live in the present rather than the past, focus on Christ and others……the list is endless. I know this stuff but fail to do it when the tests and trials of life hit. When emotions invite me into a place of darkness, pity, and withdrawal I go. When my feelings get hurt I sulk. When disappointments come I spiral. When perceptions enter the scenes of my mind I believe them. All the while God is inviting me to take each opportunity to apply what He has been teaching me.

I can’t stop the emotions, perceptions, circumstances, and situations from being a part of my life. Jesus Himself said that in this world we would know troubles. While I can’t stop the trouble, I can by the grace of God respond differently. I have the tools. I have His Spirit. I have every reason and resource to live differently. I have choices. I have options. I have what it takes to change because I have Christ.

Father, there is a different way to live my life and I want to change. Today, with each opportunity, help me to apply the truths I have learned. I walk forward with Your forgiveness and favor. Amen.

I Surrender All - Hillsong
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7x2IpLSfqp8

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