Many are my persecutors and mine enemies; yet do I not decline from thy testimonies. Psalm 119:157
Can you say, with the psalmist, that you stay true in the face of persecution and temptation? This is a question we ought to ask ourselves often. Sometimes--often times--the easiest thing for us to do would be to just say, forget it. Compromising our integrity is infinitely easier than upholding it. There are far too many excuses that we can offer in an attempt to explain the sacrifice away, and on some levels we might actually be able to fool ourselves. But the truth is inescapable; eventually our conscience always catches on...and up, and we suffer. Guilt, shame, low self-worth, self-loathing, depression...our spirit's grieve the loss of innocence, the sacrifice of conscience to convenience. Giving in, backing down in the face of opposition...it's easy, but it comes at an immense cost.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
No More Law
But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people. Jeremiah 31:33
Did you realize you're not responsible to the law? Once you step under the umbrella of grace, the law no longer has any sway over you. You don't answer to it any more...ever! Now, that does not mean you don't have any authority in your life; just that it has changed. Instead of answering to the law now, you are responsible only to the Spirit within. The bad news is that you're the only one who can know what He's saying to you, so you WILL catch flak from those who think you're living too strictly...and from those who think you're living too loosely. God doesn't work with everyone in the same way, and people won't understand how He's working with you. Maybe you won't either. And sometimes you'll have to listen very, very closely to hear Him--He can be pretty quiet at times. The good news, though, is that He's exceedingly patient and far less rigid than the written law, because He is alive. The law was dead and could only bring death, but the Spirit inside you is alive and can bring life as you never thought possible. Just tune your ears to His voice and soften your heart to His pen.
Did you realize you're not responsible to the law? Once you step under the umbrella of grace, the law no longer has any sway over you. You don't answer to it any more...ever! Now, that does not mean you don't have any authority in your life; just that it has changed. Instead of answering to the law now, you are responsible only to the Spirit within. The bad news is that you're the only one who can know what He's saying to you, so you WILL catch flak from those who think you're living too strictly...and from those who think you're living too loosely. God doesn't work with everyone in the same way, and people won't understand how He's working with you. Maybe you won't either. And sometimes you'll have to listen very, very closely to hear Him--He can be pretty quiet at times. The good news, though, is that He's exceedingly patient and far less rigid than the written law, because He is alive. The law was dead and could only bring death, but the Spirit inside you is alive and can bring life as you never thought possible. Just tune your ears to His voice and soften your heart to His pen.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Let It Go
Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door. James 5:9
Did you realize that people will offend you? It's true. It's unavoidable and inescapable. They'll make you angry, hurt you, betray you. You can't control it. What you CAN control is how you respond to it. Will you get bitter and hold onto the hurt and anger? Or will you let it go, move on, forgive? The choice is yours to make, but let me give you a word of advice: just let it go. Holding onto things, developing grudges...they never hurt the other person; they always hurt you. And remember that God doesn't want to hear, "Well, he said such-and-such first!" or, "She did that to me!" any more than your parents did when you were growing up. God displayed the ultimate forgiveness when He forgave us. Maybe it's time for us to learn that lesson, too, and just learn to get over it.
Did you realize that people will offend you? It's true. It's unavoidable and inescapable. They'll make you angry, hurt you, betray you. You can't control it. What you CAN control is how you respond to it. Will you get bitter and hold onto the hurt and anger? Or will you let it go, move on, forgive? The choice is yours to make, but let me give you a word of advice: just let it go. Holding onto things, developing grudges...they never hurt the other person; they always hurt you. And remember that God doesn't want to hear, "Well, he said such-and-such first!" or, "She did that to me!" any more than your parents did when you were growing up. God displayed the ultimate forgiveness when He forgave us. Maybe it's time for us to learn that lesson, too, and just learn to get over it.
Monday, March 22, 2010
Are You Making God Jealous?
Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? are we stronger than he? 1 Corinthians 10:22
Such a simple question that we should be asking ourselves far more often than we do. Are we provoking the Lord to jealousy? God is a jealous God, as He well should be. He is, after all, the only God who can hear, save, love, heal, protect, promote, supply.... He died for us. He gave us everything, including our very lives. It's good to remember Who we're dealing with. He deserves love, honor, devotion, worship; deserves to be the only god in our lives. He deserves to be acknowledged in our lives. Are we acknowledging the Lord in and through our lives? Or are we putting our own wants, desires, and lusts first? Oh, we're all guilty of it at some point and to some extent. But we need to be asking ourselves regularly to keep ourselves in check: Am I making God jealous?
Such a simple question that we should be asking ourselves far more often than we do. Are we provoking the Lord to jealousy? God is a jealous God, as He well should be. He is, after all, the only God who can hear, save, love, heal, protect, promote, supply.... He died for us. He gave us everything, including our very lives. It's good to remember Who we're dealing with. He deserves love, honor, devotion, worship; deserves to be the only god in our lives. He deserves to be acknowledged in our lives. Are we acknowledging the Lord in and through our lives? Or are we putting our own wants, desires, and lusts first? Oh, we're all guilty of it at some point and to some extent. But we need to be asking ourselves regularly to keep ourselves in check: Am I making God jealous?
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Practice Your Faith
But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, Jude 20
Faith is something you have to work at. It wavers, it falters, it weakens. We have to build it up the same way we have to build physical muscle--through use and work. Yes, some are more prone to it than others, but every one of us will lose our faith if we aren't constantly building it. How, then, can we do that? Well, the easiest way is through prayer. Prayer, by it's nature demands the investment of some measure of faith; and that's an investment that always pays off. You don't have to practice your faith by trying to move a mountain. There's an easier, more practical way: practice your faith through prayer!
Faith is something you have to work at. It wavers, it falters, it weakens. We have to build it up the same way we have to build physical muscle--through use and work. Yes, some are more prone to it than others, but every one of us will lose our faith if we aren't constantly building it. How, then, can we do that? Well, the easiest way is through prayer. Prayer, by it's nature demands the investment of some measure of faith; and that's an investment that always pays off. You don't have to practice your faith by trying to move a mountain. There's an easier, more practical way: practice your faith through prayer!
Always There
Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. Matthew 28:20
It's good to know that God is always with us. It's also sobering. Consider: He was with Peter when he preached at Pentecost...and when he denied Him three times, then gave up and went fishing. He was with Paul when he boldly testified before Felix and company...as well as when he approved of Stephen's stoning and saught to kill Christians. He was with Jonah when he was in the belly of the whale...but also when he was hiding in the belly of the ship. God was there when David slew Goliath...but He was also there when David killed Uziah after commiting adultery with the man's wife. Remember that God is ALWAYS with you, good or bad. He'll be there when you need Him, so be comforted. He'll be there when you're trying to hide, so be warned. Perhaps best of all, though, when we do those things we'd be ashamed of His seeing, He sees...and STILL STAYS!
It's good to know that God is always with us. It's also sobering. Consider: He was with Peter when he preached at Pentecost...and when he denied Him three times, then gave up and went fishing. He was with Paul when he boldly testified before Felix and company...as well as when he approved of Stephen's stoning and saught to kill Christians. He was with Jonah when he was in the belly of the whale...but also when he was hiding in the belly of the ship. God was there when David slew Goliath...but He was also there when David killed Uziah after commiting adultery with the man's wife. Remember that God is ALWAYS with you, good or bad. He'll be there when you need Him, so be comforted. He'll be there when you're trying to hide, so be warned. Perhaps best of all, though, when we do those things we'd be ashamed of His seeing, He sees...and STILL STAYS!
Monday, March 15, 2010
Easy Enough
Ah, Lord GOD! behold, thou hast made the heavens and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee: Jeremiah 32:17
Things get out of hand in our lives. They spin out of our control and grow too overpowering for us to deal with. Sometimes we simply are not able. Fortunately, we have a God who has never and will never see a situation beyond His control. He's never confused or at a loss. Our God is now and always will be able. And nothing you will ever face will be too hard for your God!
Things get out of hand in our lives. They spin out of our control and grow too overpowering for us to deal with. Sometimes we simply are not able. Fortunately, we have a God who has never and will never see a situation beyond His control. He's never confused or at a loss. Our God is now and always will be able. And nothing you will ever face will be too hard for your God!
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Into The Wilderness
And immediately the Spirit driveth us into the wilderness. Mark 1:12
Sometimes God has to put us in the wilderness before He can do something for or through us. Sometimes the good times must be preceeded by some tough times. See, it's the wilderness times when we develop strength, endurance, a thick skin. It's the wilderness times when we prove ourselves--to God, to Satan (see Job), to ourselves. It's in the wilderness that we grow and mature and gain invaluable perspective. But it's also in the wilderness that we can best see how God ministers to us. Life will have it's stretches of tough times. Remember that a) there's always something better to come on the other side of the wilderness; and b) even in that desert, you're never alone or forsaken.
Sometimes God has to put us in the wilderness before He can do something for or through us. Sometimes the good times must be preceeded by some tough times. See, it's the wilderness times when we develop strength, endurance, a thick skin. It's the wilderness times when we prove ourselves--to God, to Satan (see Job), to ourselves. It's in the wilderness that we grow and mature and gain invaluable perspective. But it's also in the wilderness that we can best see how God ministers to us. Life will have it's stretches of tough times. Remember that a) there's always something better to come on the other side of the wilderness; and b) even in that desert, you're never alone or forsaken.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Wait For It...
For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. Hebrews 10:36
Sometimes we want to do what we're supposed to, then immediately look around for the reward. We've gotten accustomed to quick and easy gratification and payoff. That's not how God always works, though. Sometimes, yes, He'll bless obedience and right quickly. Other times, however, He chooses to wait. In these times we have need of patience; we must learn to keep going and doing right trusting that He'll bless in His own time. And He will! God doesn't always bless us right away, but He does always bless.
Sometimes we want to do what we're supposed to, then immediately look around for the reward. We've gotten accustomed to quick and easy gratification and payoff. That's not how God always works, though. Sometimes, yes, He'll bless obedience and right quickly. Other times, however, He chooses to wait. In these times we have need of patience; we must learn to keep going and doing right trusting that He'll bless in His own time. And He will! God doesn't always bless us right away, but He does always bless.
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Tell Him What You Want
And Jesus stood still, and called them, and said, What will ye that I shall do unto you? Matthew 20:32
This is a specific question asking for a specific answer. Jesus knew these men, knew their need, knew their desire...yet He asked them what it was that they wanted. God can and will and desires to do for us what we need. He loves us and enjoys working great things on our behalf; but He usually waits to hear that need and desire expressed. It's not at all that the Lord doesn't know your heart, but He longs to hear it from you. What is it that you want and need in your life? Tell Him! Be vocal with God; be specific with God.
This is a specific question asking for a specific answer. Jesus knew these men, knew their need, knew their desire...yet He asked them what it was that they wanted. God can and will and desires to do for us what we need. He loves us and enjoys working great things on our behalf; but He usually waits to hear that need and desire expressed. It's not at all that the Lord doesn't know your heart, but He longs to hear it from you. What is it that you want and need in your life? Tell Him! Be vocal with God; be specific with God.
Friday, March 5, 2010
Faith
Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions. Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. Hebrews 11:33-34
I don't have it all figured out, and I'm not a person of particularly strong or plenteous faith. More often than not life kicks my butt and my problems seem insurmountable. Much of the time I'd simply prefer to crawl under a rock and be done with it. But that theory doesn't transfer to practice. I have to take each hit and straighten up for the next one, gasping out a "Why, God?" in between. And sometimes that little question is my mustard seed of faith. Sometimes it's all I have. But faith, no matter how little or feeble, is powerful when applied to the proper source. It's not faith to believe in the possible--that's knowledge...hope, at best. Faith presupposes a reason when there obviously isn't one. Faith assumes a way out when there are no doors or windows. Faith clings to hope when all hope is gone. And it is not faith if you do not believe in the impossible.
I don't have it all figured out, and I'm not a person of particularly strong or plenteous faith. More often than not life kicks my butt and my problems seem insurmountable. Much of the time I'd simply prefer to crawl under a rock and be done with it. But that theory doesn't transfer to practice. I have to take each hit and straighten up for the next one, gasping out a "Why, God?" in between. And sometimes that little question is my mustard seed of faith. Sometimes it's all I have. But faith, no matter how little or feeble, is powerful when applied to the proper source. It's not faith to believe in the possible--that's knowledge...hope, at best. Faith presupposes a reason when there obviously isn't one. Faith assumes a way out when there are no doors or windows. Faith clings to hope when all hope is gone. And it is not faith if you do not believe in the impossible.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Good Intentions
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. James 1:17
God's desire and intent for us is as unchangeable as He is: He wants good for us. God wants to bless us, to give us good things, to perform great works in our lives. That is His will and desire for your life. And you know what? He isn't going to change His mind. He isn't suddenly going to say, "No, I think I'll torment that one." Or, "Let's put a little bitterness into that one." God wants peace and joy for you, and He has it ready to ship. Better yet, He's already got it set out waiting on you...all you have to do is follow where He leads, and there it will be.
God's desire and intent for us is as unchangeable as He is: He wants good for us. God wants to bless us, to give us good things, to perform great works in our lives. That is His will and desire for your life. And you know what? He isn't going to change His mind. He isn't suddenly going to say, "No, I think I'll torment that one." Or, "Let's put a little bitterness into that one." God wants peace and joy for you, and He has it ready to ship. Better yet, He's already got it set out waiting on you...all you have to do is follow where He leads, and there it will be.
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