It's My Problem

 

"For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God." Romans 8:19-21

Have you ever been frustrated in your life? When it seems we're not moving forward, or we just can't get to that goal or dream, the resulting frustration can leave us feeling like we don't matter, or we don't have what's necessary to change what bothers us. Perhaps another person stands in the way of what we'd like to see happen. Politics, church issues, child poverty and family struggles cause loads of frustration.

Not only are we frustrated when we're not fulfilling our calling - the Bible says creation is frustrated too. However, although frustrating situations are not ideal and sometimes gut wrenching, they can be the catalysts to catapult us into something far greater.

Ben Arment, founder of Dream Year and STORY in Chicago says, "Frustration is a gift. Dreams are born from frustration." Do you see a problem? Are you bothered by that problem? Guess what - you're likely the one God may be nudging to solve that problem.

Most often when we want something to change, we say, "Someone really should do something about that." It much easier to talk about a problem to relieve some steam than actually do something to change the world around us. The gift in frustration is that, had we never been aggravated, we would never have been uncomfortable enough to even think about trying to change what bothers us. Perhaps this involves us first being willing to change ourselves.

Maybe you don't have the tools yet to help solve what frustrates you. Go get them. Maybe you need capital for your problem. Figure out a way to get it. Maybe you need a team to solve this problem. Find some people who are passionate about the same problem and inspire them.

Do you have the courage to tackle what frustrates you? I pray we will all be proactive about what truly bothers us. This is what will truly bring God's kingdom to earth.

The Eye of a Needle

"Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God." -Matthew 19:24
 
Once I had a coworker friend when I was a server at an upscale restaurant. For our purposes, we'll call him Rob. Rob was an extremely gifted young man. He was a big, tall lumberjack type of fellow with wit and intelligence as sharp as a knife. He had a photographic memory, and he never had to write down any of his orders. Now, that's quite a feat for a restaurant of that type - with a wine list a mile long and 3 different dinner specials a night. I believe he was working on his Masters degree at that time.

Now something really struck me about Rob. He never really needed anybody. He was a pleasant guy, and you could tell he enjoyed being so intelligent- more than others around him. But the sad part was, he didn't seem fulfilled. He seemed bored with his life. I got to thinking about Rob one day, and the scripture Matthew 19:24 came to mind.

"Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God."
 
If you grew up in church, you might remember this Bible story. Normally when it is taught the reference to "rich" is correlated to money. But this is not necessarily the full extent of it's meaning. As I saw with my friend Rob, he was rich in talents, gifts, and personality, so he hadn't needed to learn to depend on God the way I had needed to. Sometimes our greatest gifts are the things that can hold us back the most. Ever seen gifted people try to get out of responsibility because of their giftedness? The degree of our giftedness does not excuse us from needing God or avoiding consequences - in fact, it places a greater burden on us to depend on Him and use our gifts to the greatest extent. How much further could we go with God than in our own strength? "From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked." -Luke 12:48b
 
Are you a really gifted person? Do your strengths sometimes get in the way of your reliance on God? (Ps 26:3) Pray that you and your gifts can be used to the fullest extent to serve Him and those around you.

In the Zone

“So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want.” -Galatians 5:16, 17

As human beings, we have 3 parts. We are, spirit, soul, and body.  When we become born again, our spirit becomes alive in Jesus, meaning that when our physical bodies die, our spirits will experience eternal life in heaven.

But, even though our spirit is reborn, our soul is in the process of being reborn. This part of our being is our mind, will and emotions. It is here that the enemy can get a foothold in our lives, or where we can let God’s Holy Spirit can take over.  It is a constant struggle between the two. (Ephesians 6:12)

A wise man named Craig Hill created the graphic above.  He said that if we are walking in the Spirit, it means the door to the flesh is closed.  However, if we are walking by the flesh, then the door to the spirit is closed.  We need to learn to live in “the spirit zone” as much as we can - so that we are influenced by the Holy Spirit, walking in what He wants for our lives.  The one way leads to life, and the other leads to a slow death. “The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.” -Romans 8:6

Often when we are hurt in our souls, we can seek to avenge ourselves in our flesh.  This is dangerous territory.  Make sure you do not let the enemy gain a foothold in your life by reacting in the flesh.  (Ephesians 4:27) Remember, when the door to the flesh is open, the door to the spirit is closed!

Are you living in the Spirit zone?  Spend time with God today seeking His Spirit in every area of your life.  We can walk in peace, joy and love, no matter what is going on around us.

Finding God in the Midst

"Then the LORD spoke to Job out of the storm..." Job 40:6

We live really busy lives. With work, school, church, social activities, hobbies and family time it becomes more and more difficult to schedule quality time with God. Even if we do have a quiet time, it's short at the most!

On top of all of this, things happen in our lives that discourage us, and may cause us to feel troubled or want to give up on our pursuits. Perhaps we have challenges in our lives such as an illness, workplace obstacle, relational conflict, or maybe service in church has become difficult. Whatever it is, we can find God in the midst of the storm.

The point at which we say, "God, take this cup from me," is the moment we need to push through to receive God's blessing. It's at this moment we need to stop and ask ourselves - what does God have for me in the midst of this? It's the moment of maturity, of growth - it's the moment where our strength ends and God's begins.

In the midst of Job's storm, after he realizes how powerful and omniscient God is, he repents for his unbelief in God's sovereignty and says, "Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know." (Job 42:3) God restored His fortunes and gave him twice what he had had before. God increased Job's territory greatly after all of his challenges. But, Job pressed through - He got to the point of worshipping God and letting go of the outcome even in the midst of his personal devastation.

Are you encountering significant challenges right now? Have you put yourself in a place to encounter obstacles that will grow and stretch you? Often these moments are not comfortable, but we need to put God at the center of our attentions to help us through. If we are able to stand firm, God will be able to bless us with our inheritance in Him.

Getting Rid of Judgments

"As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” -Ephesians 4:1-3

As human beings, we are naturally wired to make assessments about things. We like to make up our minds about things or people; we like categorizing and putting things into boxes. "She sounds like Alanis Morissette," we may say, or, "He reminds me of 'so and so'."

But the problem arises when we make negative assessments (judgements) about people, institutions, churches, businesses, or whatever it may be. When our judgement becomes a protection mechanism, that's when we need to be careful.

There was one person very close to me in my life that I kept on judging. I didn't know I was doing it until someone revealed it to me. I was continually defensive as I expected them to respond a certain way, or do certain things. Even if my judgements were true, they were controlling me! My judgements turned into self-protective anger.

Sometimes it is good to make an assessment of a situation, to know if it is something or someone we should or should not be involved with. But when we judge people, places, or institutions, we bring this same judgement upon ourselves. God's word says it! “For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” -Matthew 7:2 That's why we need to work hard to be gentle and forgiving, and to “keep the bond of peace.”  This doesn't mean just in our physical reality- it means in our hearts.

Is there anyone or any situation you need to let go of today? Our judgments can keep us in bondage. Let the Holy Spirit set you free today.

Crowd Approval

"Your approval means nothing to me, because I know you don’t have God’s love within you. For I have come to you in my Father’' name, and you have rejected me. Yet if others come in their own name, you gladly welcome them. No wonder you can’t believe! For you gladly honor each other, but you don't care about the honor that comes from the one who alone is God." -John 5:41-44 
Have you ever noticed how counterculture Jesus was?  He wasn’t interested in being buddy-buddy with the religious leaders of the day; he wasn’t interested in politics.  Jesus was only interested in the redemption of His people. "'Then Jesus said to the woman, ‘I was sent only to help God’s lost sheep - the people of Israel.'" -Matthew 15:24

The Pharisees angered Jesus because He saw how their tactics were keeping people away from God and His Spirit versus drawing them to Him.  They were more interested in the way they looked to others. (Matthew 23) Jesus didn't care much for their approval, because He knew they were mainly out for themselves. In the end, the people (influenced by the Pharisees) decided.  Crowd approval can be dangerous. 

In our own lives, it's easy to want to be approved by everyone.  It's a lot more warm and fuzzy to be liked!  But, sometimes God might call us to do things that make those around us uncomfortable or ruffle some feathers. This doesn't mean we don't listen to those we're accountable to - but it means we're not afraid of being politically incorrect.  

We don’t need to be concerned with crowd approval, but we do need to be concerned with our own motive.  Are we doing something because we love God, or because we’re afraid of people?  Are we loving others?  Are we serving those we are called to serve?  As long as we have God's approval, we don't need to worry about the crowd.

God is Good

"Once a religious leader asked Jesus this question: 'Good Teacher, what should I do to inherit eternal life?' 'Why do you call me good?' Jesus asked him. 'Only God is truly good.'" -Luke 18:18 & 19 

Have you ever said about someone, "She's such a good person," or "He's a good person"? I've found myself saying this many times, admiring people who do right by others.  But when I read the verse above, I was completely taken aback!  How can anyone be good, if Jesus Himself said He wasn't good - that only the Father was good?

Though it is a figure of speech, "being good" brings up an important point. You might have heard it said before, good doesn’t get us into heaven.  That seems kind of harsh, doesn't it?  However, Jesus wasn't interested in good.  He made the statement "only God is good", because only God is perfect, and no one on earth is perfect.  The Pharisees got tripped up on this point - after all, they did all the right things!  They were "good" people.  But, they completely missed the boat when they encountered Jesus - that He was the truth, He was their salvation - and they didn't even recognize Him.  

There is nothing we can do to make ourselves good, or perfect. The truth is, none of us are good on our own. But through Jesus, we have been provided a way out.  The one thing we can do is receive the gift of Jesus, so that we can be saved from our imperfections and live in eternity with Him. When we receive God into our lives, we become more than we ever could be, and His "good" rubs off on us, which then rubs off on others.  

Why not receive God’s goodness today?  "For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations." Ps 100:5

Keeping the Sabbath

"Remember to observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy." -Exodus 20:8

What is a Sabbath? The Israelites in Biblical times were religious about the Sabbath - and for good reason!  A Sabbath was a "rest day", a day of remembering God and honoring Him in that day.  It was a day that was set apart for that purpose.  

"Keep the Sabbath day holy. Don't pursue your own interests on that day, but enjoy the Sabbath and speak of it with delight as the Lord's holy day. Honor the Sabbath in everything you do on that day, and don't follow your own desires or talk idly."  -Isaiah 58:13

The Jews took the day so serious, in fact, that when Jesus arrived on the scene, they denounced Him for working miracles on that day. (Mark 2:24, Mark 3:4, Luke 14:5, John 5:9)

Today, we don't observe the Sabbath as the Israelites did.  Many stores and businesses are open on the day we would traditionally call "the Sabbath", on Sunday.  But even in our own lives the Sabbath can be practiced, by setting one day aside for rest and honoring God in that day.  I wonder how much we could accomplish the rest of the week and how many ailments we could avoid by giving our bodies a break, and taking a full day of rest, every week.

Do you honor the Sabbath?

Finding Favor with God

"But the angel said to her, 'Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God.'" -Luke 1:30

What does it mean to be favored by God? How do we find favor (preference) with Him? In order to birth God's plans, we need to be people He can trust. Does God pick and choose His favorites to birth His plans on the earth? He is not a respecter of persons, but each of us is uniquely called to an assignment custom-tailored for us.

The Bible says when we seek God with all of our hearts we will find Him. (Deut 4:29) It also says David was a man after God's own heart (1 Sam 13:14). When we incline our heart to God and seek after Him in righteousness and truth, God sees that He can entrust us with more. We may think that God calls and chooses His "favored." But the fact is we can choose to be favored.

Mary, the mother of Jesus, found favor with God. But it was because of her worship and her attitude that God chose her. "The angel went to her and said, 'Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.'" -Luke 1:28

The first sign of God's favor is His presence. It is God's favor and presence on our lives that makes us more attractive to others, helping us to fulfill His assignments, and validating His will for us.

The angel tells Mary the plan. She responds in obedience. "'I am the Lord's servant,' Mary answered. 'May your word to me be fulfilled.'" Can you imagine how she must have felt? According to ancient history, Mary is said to be between 12 and 18 years old. She must have been terrified - but she responded in obedience and faith! She had a righteous, positive and God-honoring attitude.

We know the nature of Mary's character because of the way she responds to God's assignment:

* She glorifies and praises God
* She realizes how God has blessed her
* She reminds God of His character
* She remembers His promises (Luke 1:45-55)

Do you have the favor of God on your life? Have you responded positively to an assignment He has given you? May we all respond in obedience and faith as we receive God's plan and favor on our lives in order to birth God-given dreams.

Provision Follows Obedience

"The man became rich, and his wealth continued to grow until he became very wealthy." -Genesis 26:13

 

During the time that Isaac (the son of Abraham) lived in the Old Testament, there was a famine. Isaac decided to go to the king of the Philistines for help. 

God spoke to Isaac and said, "Do not go down to Egypt; live in the land where I tell you to live. Stay in this land for a while, and I will be with you and will bless you. For to you and your descendants I will give all these lands and will confirm the oath I swore to your father Abraham." -Genesis 26:2 & 3

So Isaac did what God said. And he was blessed. So blessed, in fact, that the king of the Philistines told them to move away! "Then Abimelek said to Isaac, 'Move away from us; you have become too powerful for us.'" v.16 

There was a man close to our ministry who felt God calling him to create movies in Hollywood. He had the gift, the talent, and a passion for the craft and a passion for God. However, many months went by as he lived in Hollywood making many connections, but not receiving any work. He struggled to provide for himself and his family, and many times he considered moving back home. 

However, one day an investor called him wanting to speak with him about funding all of his projects. What an answer to prayer! Although it had been confirmed to him through other believers that he was supposed to be there, he needed the financial provision in order to make his dream a reality. 

Are you awaiting provision from God? Sometimes, we need to make the first move toward God's leading. Provision follows obedience.

Overlooking Offense

"A person's wisdom yields patience; it is to one's glory to overlook an offense." -Proverbs 19:11
 
Has anybody ever made you mad? Like seething, fuming angry? Or has anyone done something to you or someone else that has hurt you? We all have to deal with offenses - we are human! It's been said before about churches, "You need to be a Christian to survive in church." We all have faults and scars. If we didn't we wouldn't be human! The fact of the matter is, we are all not immune to hurting someone else. But, how do we overlook offense that caused us hurt or harm?

I received some good advice from a relationship course I was taking: "The relationship is ALWAYS more important than the issue at hand." With established relationships, we need to keep in mind that when we're in the heat of the moment, we can tend to forget that the person causing us frustration or hurt is someone we really do care about. The relationship is more important than the disagreement.

God knows this, too. He overlooks so many of our offenses - He loves us much more than the offense we cause. Although He is completely righteous, He loves us more than righteousness. Otherwise, we would not be alive! His grace and atonement are what keep the salvation of mankind alive.

Although we need to set boundaries and confront the situation to deal with situations that may cause us further harm (See Matt 18:15), sometimes the best prescription is grace. The person may not be in a mental state to see what they are doing. Sometimes the person doesn't have the emotional or spiritual maturity yet to see what they are doing that's wrong or hurtful. Sometimes we may imply motive behind their behavior without truly knowing the cause.  This doesn't mean boundaries are not in order. Perhaps, by the Holy Spirit's leading, we can talk to them about what was done and how it could have been handled differently. But, "it is our glory to overlook the offense." (Proverbs 19:11)

God gives us grace for our mistakes. Are you able to overlook an offense?

The Only One in the World

"And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge - that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God."  -Ephesians 3:17-19

Have you ever wanted to be someone’s one and only?  I know I have.  When I was young, I dreamed of one day being the sole object of one wonderful person's affection, who loved and cherished me completely.  (Of course, when I dreamed of such a person, he had no faults, even thought I knew I had them!)

Before I was married, I longed to feel loved and important.  It took a while before that happened for me.  But, surprisingly, it was not my husband who first made me feel this way.  He was the second person.  The first person was God.

God loves us sooooo dearly.  He wants to us feel like His one and only, all the time!  I think it’s a little different for women than it is for men.  We are His girls.  We are His cherished ones.  And, if we let Him, He will tell us which relationships are good for us and which ones are not. The truth is, God can be this person for us, even if we are looking for that “special someone”, in the natural. 

As for guys, he loves you just as much!  Although the relationship may be a little different, (more like a father to a son), He desires that you know His love and that His love will sustain you, even as you are waiting for your spouse.  He desires to fill in all the areas where we lack, so our sufficiency is in Him.

Sometimes it’s hard to believe how much God loves us because of what our experiences have taught us. But, the reality is, when we put God first in our lives and believe what He says, we feel like His first.

Do you feel like you are the apple of God’s eye?  He desires that we know His love, more than anything or anyone else.  Seek Him out and experience His love today.

Guard Your Heart!

 

"Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it." -Proverbs 4:23

Many of us have heard the phrase "guard your heart" before. But what does this mean? Why does the Bible say to guard our hearts? Is this optional for someone who loves the Lord? I would venture to say that we wouldn't survive long in life without guarding our hearts to some degree. 

It's interesting to note that Solomon says, "Above all else..." That must mean the guarding of our hearts is really important! Then he goes on to say, "...for everything else you do flows from it." 

 

Think about that for a moment. Our hearts are wrapped up in our minds and emotions. These are the places where we begin to make choices about things - either positive or negative. The heart is the beginning of our beliefs. It's the creative workshop for our lives. Fear starts there. Love starts there. Doubt starts there. Dreams start there. Resentment starts there. Hope starts there. The heart is the birthing ground for so many things - it can also be the grave too. Our lives are a reflection of what is alive in our hearts. 

We need to be careful what we "feed" our hearts, or what we allow in. Just like we wouldn't eat food that's gone rotten or has worms, we shouldn't taken in rotten words or repeat them! They will make our hearts sick. We also need to be aware of who we develop relationships and emotional bonds with. Are these people good for us? Are they encouraging? It's okay to reach out to people who need it - but it's also important to have a balance of friends that you can depend on, too. All this influences how healthy our hearts will be! 

Are you sensitive to what is in your heart? Are you discerning to what you feed it? Are you able to rest in God's peace and truth? We shouldn't forget how to guard our hearts - God will help us guard our hearts with peace, if we allow Him to. "And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." -Philippians 4:7

Women in Jesus' Ministry

"So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them." -Genesis 1:27

Women had a special place in the Bible.  They also had a special place in Jesus’ heart.

Consider these encounters Jesus had with women in the Bible: 

• "Anna, a prophet, was also there in the Temple... She never left the Temple but stayed there day and night, worshiping God with fasting and prayer. She came along just as Simeon was talking with Mary and Joseph, and she began praising God. She talked about the child to everyone who had been waiting expectantly for God to rescue Jerusalem." Luke 2:36-38

• "Jesus turned around, and when he saw her he said, 'Daughter, be encouraged! Your faith has made you well.' And the woman was healed at that moment."  Matthew 9:21&22

• "Soon afterward Jesus began a tour of the nearby towns and villages, preaching and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom of God. He took his twelve disciples with him, along with some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases. Among them were Mary Magdalene, from whom he had cast out seven demons; Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod’s business manager; Susanna; and many others who were contributing from their own resources to support Jesus and his disciples." Luke 8:1-3

• "Soon a Samaritan woman came to draw water, and Jesus said to her, 'Please give me a drink.' He was alone at the time because his disciples had gone into the village to buy some food. The woman was surprised, for Jews refuse to have anything to do with Samaritans." -John 4:7-9

• "While he was eating, a woman came in with a beautiful alabaster jar of expensive perfume and poured it over his head." -Matthew 26:7

• "It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and several other women who told the apostles what had happened."  -Luke 24:10

Many times there are cultural or religious assumptions when it comes to a woman's place in ministry or in the home.  But Jesus created a place for women wherever He went.  The Bible says we are to love and respect each other out of reverence for Christ.  (Eph 5:21-33; Col 3:19; 1 Peter 3:7).

Avoiding Self-Righteousness

"What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you shut the door of the Kingdom of Heaven in people's faces. You won't go in yourselves, and you don't let others enter either." -Matthew 23:13
 
Have you ever been around someone who seemed to exude self-righteousness? Often it's difficult to respect or get on the same page with someone with that kind of posture because it's hard to relate. Jesus tells an interesting story about this using the example of a Pharisee and a tax collector:

"Two men went to the Temple to pray. One was a Pharisee, and the other was a despised tax collector. The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed this prayer: 'I thank you, God, that I am not a sinner like everyone else. For I don't cheat, I don't sin, and I don't commit adultery. I'm certainly not like that tax collector! I fast twice a week, and I give you a tenth of my income.' "But the tax collector stood at a distance and dared not even lift his eyes to heaven as he prayed. Instead, he beat his chest in sorrow, saying, 'O God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner.' I tell you, this sinner, not the Pharisee, returned home justified before God. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted." Luke 18:10

The truth is, we all fall short, even if we think we're doing everything right. But how do we respond to those who we feel are at a different level of faith that we are? Do we look down on them; do we reject them? Or are we humble and gracious, like Jesus was with the tax collectors and prostitutes? 

There is a fine line between being holy before God, and becoming self-righteous. Jesus warned of the dangers of looking to our own actions for our salvation. The key is always looking to Him for redemption and remaining humble. The grace that Jesus give us is the key to everything that we fall short in in our lives.

Time to Pray

"But Jesus often withdrew to the wilderness for prayer."  Luke 5:16

There is no doubt that prayer (or talking with God) is an essential component of a believer's life.  But often we can get caught up in the demands and interruptions of life, and we may or may not spend enough time in prayer.  Truthfully, how important is prayer?  Is it a make or break situation if we don't pray?  How much time should we devote to prayer? 

The truth is, prayer is very important.  Talking with God refocuses our minds, gives us peace, and helps us hear from God on important matters that we could otherwise miss if we did not take time to talk to God, and be still and listen. I know of many successful men and women who book a time for prayer directly into their schedule, usually during the first moments of the day.  Prayer keeps us in communion with God, and keeps us in belief for the things we are hoping for. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 says that we should pray without ceasing! 

Jesus made it a habit of praying - all of the time!  It wasn't until I read the Bible from cover to cover that I realized how much Jesus prayed: 

• "One day soon afterward Jesus went up on a mountain to pray, and he prayed to God all night." Luke 6:12 (Just before choosing the twelve disciples)
• "After sending them home, he went up into the hills by himself to pray." Matthew 14:23 (Just before Jesus walks on water)
• "After telling everyone good-bye, he went up into the hills by himself to pray." Mark 6:46

"I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you've received it, it will be yours." -Mark 11:24 

Is prayer a daily habit in your life?  

Second Chances

“But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: ‘God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.’ Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”  -James 4:6 & 7

Some days I wish I could start my life all over.  I feel like I have fallen short.  Other days I am immensely grateful for all I’ve been given, the grace & healing that God has given me, and all of His second chances. 

When we trust God for our lives and repent for our mistakes, He gives us second chances.  This is what I take from the life of David.  Even though David made many mistakes, even adultery and murder, God still gave him a second chance. God gave David grace because he had a repentant heart.  He was a "simple fool."

The Bible talks about the difference between the wise and the foolish.  “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” (Proverbs 9:10) A simple fool is someone who is able to change direction, apologize and repent for his or her actions.  A hardened fool is someone who makes poor decisions but for whatever reason does not repent. (Ps 53:1)

Saul was an example of a hardened fool.  Although he was given several warnings, he decided to go his own way.  (1 Samuel 15:11) Because he decided not to turn back to God, he became a hardened fool.  

Aren’t you grateful that God gives us second chances when our hearts are soft toward Him? Take that chance and make something of it today.

Reaching for the Gold

"Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize." -1 Corinthians 9:24
 
Several years ago, a lady at my church had given me a CD recording from a women's meeting I had missed the week before. "Oh thanks," I said, not really caring that I had missed it. Little did I know how much that message would change my life.

On the way to an evening small group, I popped the CD in my CD player on the drive there. The woman on the CD began to speak about "running the race" of faith. She explained that Olympic runners don't get up at 5am to win the silver, or bronze medal - they want to win the gold! At that very moment something struck a chord within the inside of me. I had been dating a guy for a couple of years, and our belief systems were very different. He came from a different faith background than me, and my growth as a Christian at my new church wasn't doing much for our relationship. I knew at that moment I had to break it off - this wasn't what I wanted for my life. I wanted more.

Though the breakup was hard, I felt so relieved! It was like a weight had been lifted from my shoulders. Even though I couldn't see the full picture, and I had been scared to leave before, I knew that God had something better for my life. The relationship had become unhealthy, and I was struggling to grow. It definitely wasn't God's best for me. Now I am married to a wonderful man that had I not made that choice years earlier, I would've never had the opportunity to know. I am so thankful God rescued me out an unhealthy situation, so I could be given a better chance to "run my best race."

God desires that each of us run the race of faith - to the very best of our ability. Is there anything you feel you're settling for in your life? Nothing is going to be completely perfect, but is there anything you're not doing or are doing now that you'll regret later? Think about your passions - the things you enjoy - when you're sitting on your deathbed will there be anything you wished you would've tried?

What is the gold in your life? What is it that God has placed in your heart? Go and do that thing.

Fan the Faith, Diffuse the Doubt

“For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.” -2 Timothy 1:6-7

Have you ever noticed the dichotomy between faith and doubt? Doubt is dull, lifeless, and cold.  Its rain on a parade, a needle that pops a balloon, a wet blanket, or a party pooper.  Nobody likes a wet blanket, or a party pooper, but there are doubters and haters nonetheless.  Some people cover up their doubt by saying they’re being “realistic”.

Sometimes we have to make a conscious effort to diffuse the doubt in our lives – whether it’s coming through our enemies, our friends, or even our own mouths.  Just like clouds, doubt is everywhere.  But we shouldn’t let it deter us or cause us to feel hopeless. We should let it be an indication that God is working in our lives.  We should let it cause us to let our faith grow stronger, and make adjustments where necessary. 

Although the reality of some situations exists, our faith is something no one can take away from us – unless we let them.  Living in faith is not about living in a false reality – it is about living in God’s reality – that anything is possible.

The cool thing about things that are truly God-birthed is that no one can squash them – unless we let them.  We are the guard of the God-given dream, while God is our protector.  We don’t need to let other people trample our dreams or our faith so easily.

Discern the difference between faith and doubt.  Are you “fanning your faith” today?

As One!

"For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others." -Romans 12:4, 5
 
Dr. Lance Wallnau, a speaker and author on Christian cultural influence, talks about supporting one another in our respective callings "As One." In a message he once shared, he pointed out the similarities of the Christian life and that of the movie Gladiator.

Before the main character and commander-turned-slave Maximus goes out into the Roman Coliseum as a gladiator, he devises a battle plan between he and the other slave men going with him. He knew they would not survive on their own. Therefore, they developed a strategy to defeat whatever might come their way - together.

During one scene, all of the men are huddled together with shields covering each side of their company. When it's time to attack, Maximus shouts "AS ONE!!!" The men shout back, knowing their next step in strategy. They eventually (and amazingly) beat the odds together as each man fights under Maximus' leadership and serve alongside each other, with strength and honor.
 
Isn't that much like the Christian life? The Bible says to "fight the good fight." (2 Tim 4:7) Often we forget who our enemy is, and instead point our arrows and swords at each other. Often we don't realize our need to be under the covering of a capable and servant-minded leader. Much of the time we fear developing lasting and accountable relationships, fighting our battles alone. Sometimes we harbor offense that cripples us for a lifetime, and binds us to the idea that there is no one out there who can support us. Sometimes we let our individual goals and dreams override that of the group.

But, in order to fight the good fight that Timothy talks about - and even survive in some cases - we need to fight together to see our dreams and purpose come to life and fruition in God. A single individual accomplishes nothing great. Greatness is accomplished by a group of dedicated and diverse people who understand God's will and "battle plan" for the earth.

Are you fighting the battle alongside others you love and trust? May no one have to fight "the good fight" alone.

Being Aware of Resistance

"Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour."  -1 Peter 5:8

Have you ever started something you know God had called you to only to be met with extreme resistance?   "Why is this happening to me?" we might ask.  "God, all I'm trying to do is serve you!"

What we fail to realize is that we have an enemy that is "hell bent" on deterring us from our mission.

Things will happen in life.  Demands will continue to be placed on us, problems and issues will arise, and what we have to do will continually try to dissuade us what we feel called to do. 

So how can we push through?

Being aware of our enemy is the first step.  Expecting resistance will better prepare us for that resistance, and developing a plan to tackle that resistance will also help us in defeating it. Reading the word, prayer, worship, and speaking life and truth over situations that we’re going through are tools that can help us overcome.  I know a businesswoman who is continually listening to good preaching (even while she sleeps!) to re-program her brain to overcome.  We also need to be aware of resistance in our personal lives, and manage our time & emotions well (i.e., fatigue, PMS {ladies}, loneliness).

Are you aware of the resistance in your life? Pray today and ask for the Holy Spirit's help in defeating that resistance.  The Holy Spirit is our helper while we are living out our calling on this earth.  (John 14:26)

Different Rules

"Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven." -Matt 18:18

 

Have you ever noticed that Jesus does the rather uncanny? He drives demons into pigs, He turns water into wine - He multiplies bread and fish. Twice He says in Matthew, "Whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven." Jesus plays by different rules. 

Our trouble is, we've always played by the rules our family, society, and the world has taught us. But these rules can leave us powerless. If we believe our circumstances are bigger than our God we're headed for trouble. If we believe that God has no power (when He's shown He does), we're rendered helpless. We need to learn different rules. We need to learn the rules of heaven. 

In The Fourth Dimension by Yong-gi Cho, he describes another dimension whereby we can access heaven. When we become believers, the spiritual dimension is alive and well in our hearts, and is accessible to us. The blood of Jesus made it possible for us to access heaven. Pastor Yong-gi Cho describes story after story of how God taught Him to access this fourth dimension for His purposes. 

Just as when we play a game, we need to learn the rules of heaven so that we can live successful, victorious lives. We can do this by engaging in activities that build our faith, such as going to an active church, proclaiming what God says over our situation, agreeing with people who believe with us in prayer, and speaking life over our lives, hopes, dreams, and the people we love and serve. 

Are you in a habit of "proclaiming" prayer? Are you in a habit of worship? Are you in a habit of believing God for the best, no matter what? Make it a habit to play by the right rules. We know Jesus has already won. We just have to believe Him.

Taking Only His Yoke

"Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light." -Matthew 11:29-30
 
In our busy world, it is easy to get involved in so many things. When life gets complicated, often it can birth many children! 

Because we have such a limited amount of time on earth, it is essential that we use our time where we are best suited or called. The Message version of the above verse states, "I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you?ll learn to live freely and lightly."
 
The problem lies in what we feel obligated to. We may not want to let someone down or lose our reputation. It is wise to be accountable; it is prudent that we follow through. But, we need to know our limits. The magic word for this problem is, "no." Jesus challenged His disciples to put Him first, even before friends or family. (Luke 9:59-62) 

Even when Jesus was in full pursuit of His purpose, sometime He had to say "no" to the multitudes to get some rest for He and His disciples. (Mark 6:31) Although He was God, He knew the limitations of a mortal frame. 

Are there any yokes (or burdens) you are carrying that God has not called you to bear? Pray about those today and ask God which ones He has called you to bear. I believe the saddest thing we could do is exchange busy (obligatory) work for the work of our true calling. Let God lead you in this today.

Things I Cannot Comprehend

"I am nothing—how could I ever find the answers? I will cover my mouth with my hand. I have said too much already. I have nothing more to say." -Job 40: 4&5

Have you ever marveled at the greatness God?  There are so many things that I cannot understand or comprehend.  My human mind just can't process it.

For instance, I cannot comprehend:

• How God knows each of us, intimately and personally; how he knows the number of hairs on each of our heads (Luke 12:7)
• How He created the world, simply by speaking (Genesis 1:9-12)
• How God created the universe, all of the planets and millions of stars (Genesis 1:14-17)
• How God created people - in His image - with the most complex body system of any other living creature on earth (Genesis 2:7)
• How God parted the Red Sea on behalf of the Israelites (Exodus 14)
• How He created Jesus, and Jesus, through Himself, gave us the power to overcome death (Matthew 28, Mark 16, Luke 24, John 20)

I suppose that is why we need faith - to overcome our natural mind.  "For the LORD Most High is awesome. He is the great King of all the earth." Psalm 47:2

Does your faith surpass the things you may not understand?  This childlike trust on our part reveals our place in the kingdom of heaven.  (Matt 18:3)  Decide to believe & trust Him today. 

Great Followership

"At once they left their nets and followed him." -Matthew 4:20

What makes a great follower? Why should we be great followers? Becoming a selfless follower is one of the biggest proving grounds for becoming a leader. We need to learn to lay down our own agenda. A great follower will more than likely produce a great leader. Conversely, poor followers make poorer leaders.

Jesus was the greatest example of serving his followers by laying down his life. He did the most menial task you could have done back in those days as an act of service to them; he washed their feet.

"He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, 'Lord, are you going to wash my feet?' Jesus replied, 'You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.' 'No,' said Peter, 'you shall never wash my feet.' Jesus answered, 'Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.' - John 13:6-8

Simon McIntyre, in his book Follow the Leader states, "...people who grasp at leadership and try to bypass the apprenticeship of followership only demonstrate their misunderstanding of the purpose of leading." He goes on to say, "(Servants) are strong, intelligent, confident people living successful lives. They are able and willing to take on roles of service because they are confident in themselves and not so insecure as to feel that taking on sometimes menial tasks might be beneath their dignity. They are following the example of Jesus..."

We might think of serving another person as demeaning and self-effacing. This is in fact the point of serving - to get past ourselves.

Elisha followed Elijah. Joshua followed Moses. Joseph served Potiphar. The disciples followed Jesus. Sometimes we need to lay down our agenda in order for God to truly birth His plan and purpose in us. One of the ways He does this is through calling us to serve another man's vision. We need to realize it is not all about us.

Who are you following right now? Are you serving them to the best of your gifts, talents, and abilities?

My Only Hope

"For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect." 1 Peter 1:18-19

When I was younger, I was really seeking God. I was hungry, and my heart was craving a true experience with a living God. I had grown up in a stuffy church that seemed rather phony to me, and I was looking for something real, something authentic. I would pray to God as a teenager, but I had a really hard time hearing Him or feeling His presence in my life. This led me to check out New Age as a way to extend my faith.

Well, it was cool for a while. They did Reiki and meditation and other things that I thought was drawing me closer to God. It was real, for sure. But at one point at one of the meetings, I felt a dark heaviness come over me. I knew it wasn't what God wanted. I cried out to Jesus to help me, and the darkness went away. I determined not to go back there again.

Several months later, I attended a church where the Holy Spirit was active. I really enjoyed that church, and although I had a lot of "church hurt" to get over I really grew and matured there. I had finally found the authentic faith and relationship with God I was looking for that was real. I really felt God's presence in my life and I could feel it in others. This was the truth.

Today we're called closed-minded if we say Jesus is the only way to heaven. But if I gave someone directions to my house and they got lost because they didn't follow them, what can I do? God sent His son Jesus to die on our behalf, and Jesus is alive for our lives today. The Holy Spirit is active on the earth helping us with anything we may need. He is called the helper. (John 14:26)

Sometimes if all we've experienced is superficial religion we can write Christianity off as counterfeit. But we have to get in a place where the truth of God can be ministered to us.

Do you experience God's presence on a daily basis? Have you felt His activity in your life? Have things happened to you that you know could only be God? If you haven't yet, seek Him out. God says we will find Him when we seek Him with all of our hearts. (Jer 29:13) I know that was true for me.