The Ingredients for a Different Life

And he did what was right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his father David had done.2 Kings 18:3 (New King James Version)

As I read through 2 Kings I am struck by how many kings are described as doing evil in the sight of the Lord. The few times that it states a king doing right in the sight of the Lord always grab my attention. The first six verses of 2 Kings gives an amazing list of what Hezekiah did that was right in God’s eyes. I like to think of it as God’s brag book on His servant. Since it is important enough to make its way into the pages of Scripture it is important enough to gaze upon. Look at what this king did!

He removed the high places, broke down the sacred pillars, cut down the Asherah, broke in pieces the bronze serpent that Moses had made (because the people were worshiping it), trusted in the LORD, clung to the LORD, and kept His commandments. The things he broke down and destroyed had to do with the idolatry of the nation of Israel. The breaking down of those things were the results of Hezekiah’s personal walk with the LORD. Though many kings before and after him did just the opposite, Hezekiah broke the generational bents and ruled his life and his kingdom with love, obedience, and dependence on the King of Kings. The result was that God was with him and wherever he went he prospered.

I see a principle here that God has established. My private relationship with God will have an effect on my public relationship with people. As I open His Word and allow it to take hold of me, it has a profound effect on the choices I make, the things I do, the things I say, the way I treat others, and the person I am in my home. As I trust the Lord, cling to Him, and obey Him, He is reshaping and remaking me from the inside out. While I can change outward behavior only God can change my heart. And with that change of heart comes a change of life style.

It is never too late to open God’s Word and say, “Father, speak to me. Show me who You are and what You are like. Make me hungry for You. Make me thirsty for You. Be the One to satisfy me in the deepest parts of my being. Help me to take hold of You with both hands and all of my heart.” The results will astound you as God answers the cries of your heart!

Father, my life changes when it was You I chose to trust, cling to, and obey. Continue to do Your work in me as I sit on the Potter’s wheel. Amen.

The Motions - Matthew West
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qaHmiFaX_pk&feature=related

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

Seeing it the Way God Sees It

This is but a slight thing in the sight of the LORD. 2 Kings 3:18 (New American Standard Bible)

What can compare to God speaking the worlds into existence? Think of the majestic mountains, the vast oceans, the intricate details of a flower, the force of a waterfall, the wonder of the human body. All brought into existence by the words of God’s mouth. What He conceived in His mind He spoke into being.

I look at the miracles in the Bible and I marvel at the vast array. Water from a rock, dry paths through the Red Sea and Jordan River, 40 years of manna in the wilderness, barren wombs bringing forth life, blind eyes seeing, the lame walking (leaping and running), a boy’s lunch feeding thousands, the dead brought to life, storms at sea calmed with a word, numerous battles fought and won in creative ways. Not to mention the miracles of the heart. Atheists becoming Christians, persecutors of the church becoming preachers, lifestyles changing, God’s Word becoming understandable and alive.

The things I bring to God begin to shrink in comparison to these things. So often I think of the size and difficulty of my requests and yet God wants me to see that what seems so huge in my mind is a slight thing in His sight. Not that it isn’t important. For every detail and concern of my life is of utmost importance to Him. If it matters to me it matters to Him. Not only do my tears touch His heart but so do the reasons they fall. What is slight in the sight of the LORD is not my situation, my need, my desire, my request but rather what it will take for God to intervene, answer, and act.

God does not look at the difficulty of my situation in the same way I do. It took no more strength for Him to divide the Red Sea than to turn water into wine. I come to Him like a kindergartener approaching a college professor with a question about simple addition. It is like asking a marathon runner to jog around the block. Like asking a weight lifter to carry a small suitcase for me. If I compare my need to God’s strength, wisdom, and ability I begin to understand His question when He said, “Is anything to hard for Me?”

Father, let me fully comprehend Your vastness as I bring any situation or request to You! What is slight to You has me in awe! Amen.

Is Anything too Hard for God
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L4O5Uvm7yqc&feature=related

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

Truth That Was Skewed

Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but deceitful are the kisses of an enemy. Proverbs 27:6 (New American Standard Bible)

Wounds go deep. A physical wound may require anything from a bandage to stitches to major reconstructive surgery. An emotional wound is often harder to detect and more difficult to remedy. The first time I ever read this verse I equated it to simply being told the truth by a friend even if the truth hurt. It was a concept that made me squirm. Why? I didn’t like being hurt, even if it was for my good and even if it was necessary. Why? Because I developed a spirit of suspicion toward others at a young age.

Discipline, correction, and punishment in our home was often given out in anger, impatience, irritation, and harshness. Afterwards there was not a time for reassurance of love or welcoming back into good graces. I simply waited until things seemed to be back to “normal” and life went on. Hence, when my actions evoked the displeasure of my parents, the message I took in was that I was unlikeable, burdensome, disgusting, and unloved. There was not an opportunity to develop a healthy attitude when it came to being corrected, even by well meaning people. I didn’t realize until years later that my view of being corrected and my view of the one doing the correcting was skewed. What God had intended to be a picture of His heart for sin, correction, and reconciliation, had quickly been distorted by the father of lies, Satan.

This distortion did not begin or end with my parents. It was the experience they were raised with and it became my own experience when it came to my correcting others. The day I saw my parents in me was a jolt beyond words. But God is assuring me the cycle can be broken. He is not only capable of helping me to see the right view of friend-induced wounds but the right way to be that kind of friend to others. It comes as I admit my own bankruptcy in this area and my own weaknesses. It entails discovering the root of my attitude about myself and others. It demands confession of my wrongs, exchanging many lies for truth, and a desire to see life from God’s perspective. He has given me countless individuals in the Bible who did it right and many who did it wrong. As I read their examples, may they become my personal tutors in the school of life.

Father, I have experienced changes in some areas and have a long way to go in others. Your unchanging love for me helps me to continue this process of growth. Amen.

Make It Real - Mark Lowry
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k-B3IeE9K58

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

Finding the Answer to the Question

Where is the LORD, the God of Elijah? 2 Kings 2:14 (New American Standard Bible)

These words were voiced by Elisha just after Elijah was taken to heaven by a chariot of fire and horses of fire. He had walked with Elijah long enough to see God’s mighty work and involvement in his life. He had no doubt God’s hand was on Elijah’s life and ministry. He knows he is to succeed him as the next prophet to Israel. This question is his request for God to be as powerful in his own life. I know how he feels!

I too have looked at the characters in the Bible and at the lives of Christians I have known and marveled at God’s work in their lives. There is no doubt of God’s calling on them. I enjoy looking at their life as a whole and seeing how God orchestrated the details of their life in a profound way. How He weaved the color schemes of their life into a magnificent portrait. But when it comes to my own life it is easy to miss God’s involvement unless I purposefully go back and see what has transpired so far.

Whenever I sing the song “Great is Thy Faithfulness” my mind immediately begins to play back the scenes of my life. I close my eyes and the “movie” begins to play out itself in vivid fashion. I marvel at the scenes that unfold: my salvation experience, graduating from high school and then Bible school, moving to Colorado to teach in a Christian school, meeting and marrying my husband, Tim, giving birth to our three children, making our move to Indianapolis, stepping back into teaching, finding freedom in Christ six years ago, resigning from teaching and seeing God provide full time employment, and daily learning to walk with Him in a whole new way. I also review the precious people He has brought into my life. This simple exercise never fails to bring me to tears as I become fully aware of God’s personal and powerful involvement in my life.

The same God who lived in the lives of Bible characters and demonstrates Himself in the lives of precious Christians I know today, is my God and heavenly Father! He is just as involved, just as personal, and just as interested in me as any of His other children. In that I rejoice and take great delight! Where is the God of Elijah? Living right in each of us who know Christ as Savior!

Father, You have once again over whelmed me with Your touch, favor, and presence. Today is another opportunity to see Your face, feel Your hands, and know Your heart. I love You! Amen.

He's Been Faithful - Damaris Carbaugh
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fNoLUVTtr98&feature=related

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

A Promise Keeper

Thus says the LORD: Do not be afraid of the words which you have heard, with which the servants of the king of Assyria have blasphemed Me. Surely I will send a spirit upon him, and he shall hear a rumor and return to his own land; and I will cause him to fall by the sword in his own land. 2 Kings 19:6-7 (New King James Version)

I find delight and comfort in God’s words for Hezekiah. As king of Judah, he and his people were being threatened by the king of Assyria. They had a track record of defeating many nations and boasted of that track record to Hezekiah. Their desire was to intimidate, distract, and eventually defeat God’s people. Yet God gives specific promises to Hezekiah that come true by the end of the chapter. In essence He says the king of Assyria will leave and be killed by the sword in his own land. What transpired was on a certain night 180,000 Assyrians were killed by the angel of the Lord and the Assyrian king went back to his homeland. While worshiping his god, Nisroch, his own sons killed him with the sword. Promise given, promise kept!

So why my delight and comfort? For the simple fact, that while God does not give me specific details for my daily situations, He nonetheless gives me promises to cling to. When faced with fears, He says, “Do not be afraid, I will never leave you.” When faced with disappointment, He says, “Do not be afraid, I will work all things out for good.” When faced with needs, He says, “Do not be afraid, I will meet all your needs.” When faced with loss, He says, “Do not be afraid, I will restore the years the locus have eaten.” When faced with difficult tasks, He says, “Do not be afraid, I will strengthen you and uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

He does not give me the specifics but He does give me the promises. Just as His promises were fulfilled countless times in Scripture they will continued to be fulfilled to me. As I look back I can attest to promises already fulfilled. Those reviews give me added assurance of future fulfillments. Walking by faith and not by sight does not mean I won’t see, it simply means I won’t see it ahead of time. So in times of testing, trials and troubles it is imperative that I verbally proclaim His promises to me and passionately claim them as His precious words to me. His desire is that, like Hezekiah, I bring the situations to Him and then listen as He reminds me of what He has promised to do.

Seeing the promises, accepting the promises, and living under the certainty of His promises is how I want to live my Christian life. No one but God offers such a gift!

Father, thank you that I am not left on my own to battle or survive this life. You are the ultimate promise Giver and Keeper. In that I rest. Amen.

I Will Sing - Don Moen
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lw9CcLGjouM&feature=related

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

Truth for the Maladies

My flesh and my heart fail; but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Psalm 73:26 (New King James Version)

Two of the most difficult things for me to do on a daily basis are acknowledge the truth about myself and keep my eyes focused on the One who is remaking me. I want continual, consistent victory. To always walk in strength and not weakness, fellowship and not loneliness, stability and not confusion. And when that is not the case I grieve, sigh, and cringe.

David knew how I feel. Read through the Psalms and you will see a man who knew how to voice fear, failure, frustration, weakness, anger, loneliness, regret, rejection, and pain. He was not one to sugar-coat his disposition or circumstances. He wasn’t one to spit out “bumper-sticker” phrases and “feel-good” philosophies. Yet he was called a man after God’s own heart and one reason was because the truth about God always over shadowed the truth about himself. God was the answer to every part of his life.

So when my flesh, inner person, mind, will, emotions, and soul fail, that does not have to be the end of my story. It does not have to be the summation of my life. Above every negative thing I know to be true about myself must hang the banner of truth which says, “God is my strength!” I must make that the home for my heart. It must be where I choose to live and breathe.

It is a continual process of taking my words, thoughts, emotions, and feelings and shining the light of truth on them. Allowing the Word of God to expose the lies and then deciding to believe God rather than believe the lies. There is a biblical truth to be embraced for every destructive malady in me. My loneliness is met with “I am with you always.” My self-loathing is met with “I have loved you with an everlasting love.” My sense of abandonment is met with “I will never leave you.” My feelings of hopelessness are met with “I know the plans I have for you.” My areas of weakness are met with “I am your strength and redeemer.” My sin is met with “I forgive you. I do not condemn you.” My failure is met with “I have established your steps.” God will not fail to show me the truths I need to hold close.

Father, Your whispers and reminders are precious to me. Help me to continually come home to You. Amen.

Stong Tower - Kutless
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lLYnN3rRC1Q&feature=related

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

A Portrait of Love

Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (New King James Version)

A Bible study discussion last night centered on the subject of love. Feeling loved as well as contributing to others feeling loved. This morning, I am reviewing the definition of love as found in 1 Corinthians 13. The first three verses let me know actions without love (though noble) are really empty and amount to nothing in God’s eyes. I imagine the reason for that is because something besides love can drive the actions. Ever have someone do something nice for you but their demeanor clouded the whole thing? Ever have someone tell you they loved you but their facial expression, physical poise, and sense of distance left the words feeling hollow? Ever find yourself going through the motions yourself?

As I read through verses 4-7 I am acutely aware of God needing to teach me to truly love others. Each phrase seems opposite of what I know to be the condition of my heart many times. If I were to slip my name into each of the phrases it would sound foreign to me, “Pam suffers long and is kind; Pam does not envy; Pam does not parade herself, Pam is not puffed up; Pam does not behave rudely; Pam does not seek her own, Pam is not easily provoked, Pam thinks no evil; Pam does not rejoice in iniquity, but Pam rejoices in the truth; Pam bears all things, Pam believes all things, Pam hopes all things, Pam endures all things.” It would sound foreign because I find myself being impatient, envying, focusing on myself, behaving rudely, wanting my own way, taking things personally, thinking the worst of others, embracing false perceptions, disbelieving, doubting, and giving up. I see relationships driven more by wanting my needs met rather than true interest in the other person.

If this were the end of the story I would walk away discouraged, defeated, and disheartened. I didn’t list those things to self condemn. I wrote them to reveal and acknowledge what I need to bring to God and see where I need His help, grace, and molding in my life. He is the ultimate Lover! 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 is a portrait of Himself and it is the pattern by which He desires to paint my portrait. He knows that in my flesh and on my own I am incapable of living and walking in love. He knows that my selfish motives and areas of neediness can often get in the way. For that reason, I call upon Him and fall upon Him.

Father, You aren’t just loving, You are love. Teach me to love! Amen.

Work of God Speak - Mercy Me
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WsoiI8XhpmY

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