Transformational Thought
Imagine seeing a beautiful red carpet being unrolled in front of an honored person as she excitedly walks forward with pride and jubilant expectation. An extravagant hairdo, head held high, all made up, and in her fanciest dress. The red carpet is her defined, honored, special, unique, and precious path … only for her ... to honor her ... and it’s designed for her maximum benefit and enjoyment.
Don’t we all want to walk our own personal red carpet? We do and we are. You see, your future is safely in the hands of your Lord and He has a path … a plan … your own personal red carpet specifically and specially designed for YOU. Sounds awesome, but there is one catch … even though you get to see the end point, you don’t get to see more than just one step ahead as He reveals it, your life, moment by moment.
Our natural me-centered tendency is to look farther ahead, anticipating and wishing for future moments, neglecting the special “now” moments He designed especially for us. Unrealistic expectations lead to letdowns, worries, hurts, confusion, frustration, and impatience. They clutter the red carpet path. Instead, we should be able to rest in God’s customized and loving path, the carpet designed perfectly for us, allowing us to enjoy each moment to its fullest.
God’s wonder and joy are only accessible in the present moment. Instead of gazing into the unknown future, live each moment in the joyful awareness of His presence. Enjoying the now acknowledges that God doesn’t make mistakes, really loves you, and meets your every need. Attaining this freedom isn’t easy, because our minds often wander to “Future Gazing” at will.
Today, when you find yourself engaging in “Future Gazing,” remind yourself that you are truly roaming in a fantasy land that is filled with potholes of self-destruction not self-preservation. This will help you return to the present where you will find Him waiting for you … rolling out your honored red carpet, designed specifically and especially for you.
Prayer
Dear Lord and Savior, What a comforting thought, knowing that You are unfolding my life to me exactly as You planned it. Teach me, Lord, how to spend more time in the present with You. I know that You hold my future far ahead of me and that when I “Future Gaze”, all I am really doing is exercising my imagination. It is impossible for me to know and anticipate what my future on Earth will hold for me. Help me walk forward on Your red carpet, never setting foot on anything but the present. I step forward today with confidence. I pray this in the name the One who died for the perfect ending point of my red carpet, Jesus Christ – and all God’s children say, AMEN!
The Truth
For he knoweth not that which shall be: for who can tell him when it shall be?
Ecclesiastes 8:7
Listen to me, O house of Jacob, all the remnant of the house of Israel, who have been borne by me from before your birth, carried from the womb; even to your old age I am he, and to gray hairs I will carry you. I have made, and I will bear; I will carry and will save. To whom will you liken me and make me equal, and compare me, that we may be alike? Those who lavish gold from the purse, and weigh out silver in the scales, hire a goldsmith, and he makes it into a god; then they fall down and worship! They lift it to their shoulders, they carry it, they set it in its place, and it stands there; it cannot move from its place. If one cries to it, it does not answer or save him from his trouble. Remember this and stand firm, recall it to mind, you transgressors, remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, 'My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose,'
Isaiah 46:3-10
I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.
Revelation 1:8
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Monday, May 30, 2011
Stepping Stones: “Thank You” Therapy
Transformational Thought
Did you ever notice how hard it is for some people to say “Thank you”? Two simple yet pretty powerful words. But for some people, they don’t even exist. Saying “Thank you” gives the other person authority, leverage, power into your life. It implies you need them, owe them … that they are one up on you.
In the past, we all suffered hurts, wounds, or letdowns. Our reflexive “healing” reaction is to develop defenses that make sure we don’t get hurt again. Two of our defenses are control and independence. These make sure we … 1. have a plan, and 2. are not being dependent on other people’s plans because we know what we need and how to meet our needs way better than anyone else. How dare God have a plan different from ours?
When our plan, strategy, or agenda doesn’t play out, our choices are … 1. Be mad, anxious, fearful, hurt, frustrated, discontented, upset, frantic, overwhelmed that we didn’t get what we wanted and thought was best, or 2. Be thankful that our all-knowing, all-powerful, loving, awesome Father God had a better plan to do what is truly best for our growth and fulfillment. Thankful is not our natural me-centered response, so it’s much more difficult to summon up. But it really is a much healthier response for you to improve your relationship with GOD, others, and even yourself.
Try thanking God regularly throughout your day. For each time you thank Him, You are acknowledging that He is you Lord and Provider.
Today, when events don’t go your way, STOP! Thank God. When you pray with thanksgiving during difficult times you are truly acting like a child of God. When you find it hard to be thankful, stop and remember who your Lord really is: the Author of your life and your faith. So what will you choose today when life goes differently than you want … frustration and angst, or thankfulness and peace? As always, your decision, so choose well. It’s easier than you think … try it today.
Prayer
Dear Father God,I know I’m supposed to give thanks in all circumstances; but I confess to You that sometimes my prayers are hollow … I can say them without feeling thankful at all … especially during difficult times. I know, my Lord, that I am totally dependent on You for everything … even my next breath. I know that all good things come from You, Lord. I thank You today in the midst of my struggles, and when I thank You, I receive with thankfulness Your Joy and Peace. All glory to You, my Lord. I pray this in the name the One who always was thankful and accepted His circumstances, Jesus Christ – and all God’s children say, AMEN!
The Truth
Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus
1 Thessalonians 5:18
Since we are receiving a Kingdom that is unshakable, let us be thankful and please God by worshiping him with holy fear and awe.
Hebrews 12:28
And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Colossians 3:15-17
Did you ever notice how hard it is for some people to say “Thank you”? Two simple yet pretty powerful words. But for some people, they don’t even exist. Saying “Thank you” gives the other person authority, leverage, power into your life. It implies you need them, owe them … that they are one up on you.
In the past, we all suffered hurts, wounds, or letdowns. Our reflexive “healing” reaction is to develop defenses that make sure we don’t get hurt again. Two of our defenses are control and independence. These make sure we … 1. have a plan, and 2. are not being dependent on other people’s plans because we know what we need and how to meet our needs way better than anyone else. How dare God have a plan different from ours?
When our plan, strategy, or agenda doesn’t play out, our choices are … 1. Be mad, anxious, fearful, hurt, frustrated, discontented, upset, frantic, overwhelmed that we didn’t get what we wanted and thought was best, or 2. Be thankful that our all-knowing, all-powerful, loving, awesome Father God had a better plan to do what is truly best for our growth and fulfillment. Thankful is not our natural me-centered response, so it’s much more difficult to summon up. But it really is a much healthier response for you to improve your relationship with GOD, others, and even yourself.
Try thanking God regularly throughout your day. For each time you thank Him, You are acknowledging that He is you Lord and Provider.
Today, when events don’t go your way, STOP! Thank God. When you pray with thanksgiving during difficult times you are truly acting like a child of God. When you find it hard to be thankful, stop and remember who your Lord really is: the Author of your life and your faith. So what will you choose today when life goes differently than you want … frustration and angst, or thankfulness and peace? As always, your decision, so choose well. It’s easier than you think … try it today.
Prayer
Dear Father God,I know I’m supposed to give thanks in all circumstances; but I confess to You that sometimes my prayers are hollow … I can say them without feeling thankful at all … especially during difficult times. I know, my Lord, that I am totally dependent on You for everything … even my next breath. I know that all good things come from You, Lord. I thank You today in the midst of my struggles, and when I thank You, I receive with thankfulness Your Joy and Peace. All glory to You, my Lord. I pray this in the name the One who always was thankful and accepted His circumstances, Jesus Christ – and all God’s children say, AMEN!
The Truth
Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus
1 Thessalonians 5:18
Since we are receiving a Kingdom that is unshakable, let us be thankful and please God by worshiping him with holy fear and awe.
Hebrews 12:28
And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Colossians 3:15-17
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Stepping Stones: God Wants Your Heart, Not Just Your Obedience
Transformational Thought
Sadly, the more I mature and learn, the more I realize how many mistakes I made growing up and during my early adult years. Giving into peer pressure, lying, cutting corners, getting my value from others’ opinions, sexual sins, alcohol and drug use, car accidents, financial blunders, listening to my emotions, even committing aggravated assault. They all flow from not trusting God and applying His instruction manual, and using my “Manual According to Karl” instead.
Wow, God’s grace is so amazing … protecting me from so many more consequences than I did experience … and actually allowing me to grow and minister to others. If you didn’t believe in miracles before, hopefully you do now.
I really want to save my 3 girls from the misery and frustration I experienced. In my zealous, dogged instruction of decision-making skills, I sometimes forget the most important aspect. My girls and I really want and need a strong relationship with each other. Unfortunately, all my criticism, judgment, correction, pushing, and demand for a higher standard, although from good intentions, have stood in the way of recognizing their greater need for me to be loving, caring, and soothing to them.
You see, without the relationship, all the education and pushing I do to help them be the one God desires, can be largely wasted energy. That is why Jesus died for us first. Then having a relationship with God empowers and enlightens us to absorb and apply His instruction for obedience. God doesn’t demand our obedience before deciding to have a relationship with us based on our successful level of obedience.
Glorifying and enjoying God, spending time with and growing in your relationship with Him should be the highest priority in your life. Maintaining a tidy, structured obedient life should be a secondary priority, not the top priority.
Today, give up trying to stay in control and keeping everyone happy. These are impossible tasks that waste your precious energy. Focus on building relationships … first with God and then with others. With strong relationships, the “obedience” … doing the right things part of living … will quickly follow as you apply His instructions.
Prayer
Oh Father, I declare to You, my Lord, that glorifying You is a much higher priority than maintaining order in my life. I know if I focus on You, I will have the appropriate order. While I make this commitment to You, I realize I do spend too much energy on keeping things under control. When I do this, I lose sight of You. I want my life to display the deep desire of my heart: to glorify You in carefree cheerfulness. I pray this in the name of the one who was able to relate to and obey You perfectly, Jesus Christ – and all God’s children say, AMEN!
The Truth
“Which commandment is the most important of all?” Jesus answered, “The most important is, ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”
Mark 12:28-31
But Martha was distracted with all her preparations; and she came up to Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to do all the serving alone? Then tell her to help me.” But the Lord answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things; but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her.”
Luke 10:40-42
Sadly, the more I mature and learn, the more I realize how many mistakes I made growing up and during my early adult years. Giving into peer pressure, lying, cutting corners, getting my value from others’ opinions, sexual sins, alcohol and drug use, car accidents, financial blunders, listening to my emotions, even committing aggravated assault. They all flow from not trusting God and applying His instruction manual, and using my “Manual According to Karl” instead.
Wow, God’s grace is so amazing … protecting me from so many more consequences than I did experience … and actually allowing me to grow and minister to others. If you didn’t believe in miracles before, hopefully you do now.
I really want to save my 3 girls from the misery and frustration I experienced. In my zealous, dogged instruction of decision-making skills, I sometimes forget the most important aspect. My girls and I really want and need a strong relationship with each other. Unfortunately, all my criticism, judgment, correction, pushing, and demand for a higher standard, although from good intentions, have stood in the way of recognizing their greater need for me to be loving, caring, and soothing to them.
You see, without the relationship, all the education and pushing I do to help them be the one God desires, can be largely wasted energy. That is why Jesus died for us first. Then having a relationship with God empowers and enlightens us to absorb and apply His instruction for obedience. God doesn’t demand our obedience before deciding to have a relationship with us based on our successful level of obedience.
Glorifying and enjoying God, spending time with and growing in your relationship with Him should be the highest priority in your life. Maintaining a tidy, structured obedient life should be a secondary priority, not the top priority.
Today, give up trying to stay in control and keeping everyone happy. These are impossible tasks that waste your precious energy. Focus on building relationships … first with God and then with others. With strong relationships, the “obedience” … doing the right things part of living … will quickly follow as you apply His instructions.
Prayer
Oh Father, I declare to You, my Lord, that glorifying You is a much higher priority than maintaining order in my life. I know if I focus on You, I will have the appropriate order. While I make this commitment to You, I realize I do spend too much energy on keeping things under control. When I do this, I lose sight of You. I want my life to display the deep desire of my heart: to glorify You in carefree cheerfulness. I pray this in the name of the one who was able to relate to and obey You perfectly, Jesus Christ – and all God’s children say, AMEN!
The Truth
“Which commandment is the most important of all?” Jesus answered, “The most important is, ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”
Mark 12:28-31
But Martha was distracted with all her preparations; and she came up to Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to do all the serving alone? Then tell her to help me.” But the Lord answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things; but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her.”
Luke 10:40-42
Saturday, May 28, 2011
Stepping Stones: Loneliness: Trusting Your Feelings Instead of God
Transformational Thought
My girls are such a blessing to me and are always surprising me with a variety of remarks that seem to slip out at the most random and cool times. Sometimes, I don’t think the lessons I am trying to get across to them actually sink in. But then, seemingly out of nowhere, their surprising statements pop out.
Tidbits like, “Dad, it seemed like you were in the room with me,” … “I felt like you were watching me,” … “I know you were there to protect me,” … “I heard you talking to me in my head,” and my favorite, “I found myself using exactly what you told me when I was little.” The interesting and amazing part is, I wasn’t even with them when they “experienced” my presence in their situations. I have tried to master the “being in two places at the same time” superpower, but you would have seen me on Oprah if I did.
Wouldn’t it be awesome if you could have a Father who was omnipresent (everywhere), created you, gave you life, loves you, pursues you through the ages and into the depths of your heart, perseveres despite your repeated rejections of Him, promises to always be with you, and never leaves your side?
You guessed it. You do have that Father. You are never alone. Your God is closer to you than you dare believe. He is not sitting up in heaven at the control panel, distant and disinterested in your needs and troubles. He is intimately close to you. Don’t let Satan’s lie get in your head and trick you into thinking God stranded you. Don’t let your feelings become your reality. Just because you feel alone doesn’t mean you are alone.
Today, try to be mindful of the direct connection between loneliness and your lack of awareness of how close God is to you. You’ll be surprised when you start to believe and then have faith in His promises to be by your side. You are much better off believing His promises and instruction instead of your feelings. Remember how many times your feelings tricked you in the past? Where will you place your faith, in your feelings or in God? Your decision, choose well.
Prayer
Dear God, I come to You to thank You for Your mercy and grace. I deeply desire to experience Your closeness and presence in my life. When I am aware of Your nearness I feel peaceful and content. When I fail to recognize You I feel frightened, vulnerable and lonely. Let my feelings of loneliness be a constant reminder that I need to seek Your face … and to know that the only thing I should fear is losing my connection with You. I come to You, Lord, with my ever-so-human emptiness. Fill me with Your divine presence. Fill me with life to the fullest. I pray this in the name the one who is always in Your presence, Jesus Christ – and all God’s children say, AMEN!
The Truth
The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
John 10:10
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.
Joshua 1:9
And as for me, thou upholdest me in mine integrity, and settest me before thy face for ever.
Psalm 41:12
My girls are such a blessing to me and are always surprising me with a variety of remarks that seem to slip out at the most random and cool times. Sometimes, I don’t think the lessons I am trying to get across to them actually sink in. But then, seemingly out of nowhere, their surprising statements pop out.
Tidbits like, “Dad, it seemed like you were in the room with me,” … “I felt like you were watching me,” … “I know you were there to protect me,” … “I heard you talking to me in my head,” and my favorite, “I found myself using exactly what you told me when I was little.” The interesting and amazing part is, I wasn’t even with them when they “experienced” my presence in their situations. I have tried to master the “being in two places at the same time” superpower, but you would have seen me on Oprah if I did.
Wouldn’t it be awesome if you could have a Father who was omnipresent (everywhere), created you, gave you life, loves you, pursues you through the ages and into the depths of your heart, perseveres despite your repeated rejections of Him, promises to always be with you, and never leaves your side?
You guessed it. You do have that Father. You are never alone. Your God is closer to you than you dare believe. He is not sitting up in heaven at the control panel, distant and disinterested in your needs and troubles. He is intimately close to you. Don’t let Satan’s lie get in your head and trick you into thinking God stranded you. Don’t let your feelings become your reality. Just because you feel alone doesn’t mean you are alone.
Today, try to be mindful of the direct connection between loneliness and your lack of awareness of how close God is to you. You’ll be surprised when you start to believe and then have faith in His promises to be by your side. You are much better off believing His promises and instruction instead of your feelings. Remember how many times your feelings tricked you in the past? Where will you place your faith, in your feelings or in God? Your decision, choose well.
Prayer
Dear God, I come to You to thank You for Your mercy and grace. I deeply desire to experience Your closeness and presence in my life. When I am aware of Your nearness I feel peaceful and content. When I fail to recognize You I feel frightened, vulnerable and lonely. Let my feelings of loneliness be a constant reminder that I need to seek Your face … and to know that the only thing I should fear is losing my connection with You. I come to You, Lord, with my ever-so-human emptiness. Fill me with Your divine presence. Fill me with life to the fullest. I pray this in the name the one who is always in Your presence, Jesus Christ – and all God’s children say, AMEN!
The Truth
The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
John 10:10
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.
Joshua 1:9
And as for me, thou upholdest me in mine integrity, and settest me before thy face for ever.
Psalm 41:12
Friday, May 27, 2011
Stepping Stones: Prayer is Power Journaling
Transformational Thought
As a psychiatrist, I often see patients who struggle with fears, wounds, hurts, distortions, unresolved conflicts, and misinterpretations, which profoundly interfere with their ability to live the abundant life Christ’s death made available to us. They also miss out on achieving their God-given potential.
In the beginning of their work with me, the struggles are often very vague and difficult for them to specifically describe and put their finger on. This contributes to the overwhelming and confused feelings most people experience as a result of these struggles which seem unstructured and never-ending.
One discipline I find really helpful, actually essential for most at the start of their personal transformation process, is journaling. When I ask patients to journal about their area of struggle, a common response is, “I don’t know where to start,” or “I won’t have enough paper to write about the whole issue,” or “You’ll never have time to read all I write.”
Once they start writing about it, they are forced to be very concrete, practical, and methodical as they dig in to the elements of the issue. They are always amazed at the insights they get, how little paper they end up using, the logical progression of the issue, and how much simpler the issue really is. As a result of the process, journaling reveals some very deep truths and insights about ourselves and our hearts.
Prayer accomplishes the same results (and more) through the same process. As we really think about what to pray for and why, we are verbally journaling with God. God wants us to come to Him in prayer, and one reason is it makes us analyze our situations and ourselves in a meaningful and revealing way.
God’s Holy Bible tells us repeatedly to bring our petitions to Him through prayers with thanksgiving. Regardless of how He answers your prayers, each prayer transaction comes with this promise: His peace will guard your heart and mind and will keep Him close to you. How much more incentive do you need to pray more!
Today, pray more, and not just that rote, vague, superficial prayer you repeat out of habit. Do some real mental prep and inventory. Even get out a pen and paper and journal about what you pray for and why. Record God’s answers to your prayers. Watch it play out over time. You will learn so much about God, His wisdom, and what to really pray for. Your eyes will be opened to see your real heart and desires. Do they align with God’s? Why or why not?
Prayer
Dear Father God, I come to You with an open, thankful heart. And when I bring my requests and petitions, You know exactly what I need and when I need it. Help me learn and believe that when you say “no” it’s because You’re planning something better for me, not because You are punishing or withholding. I pray today that I may increase my intimacy with You. Please help me remove all the aspects of my life that hinder my intimacy with You. Help me to better understand what is in my heart and learn to put You in the center. I pray this in the name the one who knew His heart exactly, Jesus Christ – and all God’s children say, AMEN!
The Truth
Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice. Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:4-7
As a psychiatrist, I often see patients who struggle with fears, wounds, hurts, distortions, unresolved conflicts, and misinterpretations, which profoundly interfere with their ability to live the abundant life Christ’s death made available to us. They also miss out on achieving their God-given potential.
In the beginning of their work with me, the struggles are often very vague and difficult for them to specifically describe and put their finger on. This contributes to the overwhelming and confused feelings most people experience as a result of these struggles which seem unstructured and never-ending.
One discipline I find really helpful, actually essential for most at the start of their personal transformation process, is journaling. When I ask patients to journal about their area of struggle, a common response is, “I don’t know where to start,” or “I won’t have enough paper to write about the whole issue,” or “You’ll never have time to read all I write.”
Once they start writing about it, they are forced to be very concrete, practical, and methodical as they dig in to the elements of the issue. They are always amazed at the insights they get, how little paper they end up using, the logical progression of the issue, and how much simpler the issue really is. As a result of the process, journaling reveals some very deep truths and insights about ourselves and our hearts.
Prayer accomplishes the same results (and more) through the same process. As we really think about what to pray for and why, we are verbally journaling with God. God wants us to come to Him in prayer, and one reason is it makes us analyze our situations and ourselves in a meaningful and revealing way.
God’s Holy Bible tells us repeatedly to bring our petitions to Him through prayers with thanksgiving. Regardless of how He answers your prayers, each prayer transaction comes with this promise: His peace will guard your heart and mind and will keep Him close to you. How much more incentive do you need to pray more!
Today, pray more, and not just that rote, vague, superficial prayer you repeat out of habit. Do some real mental prep and inventory. Even get out a pen and paper and journal about what you pray for and why. Record God’s answers to your prayers. Watch it play out over time. You will learn so much about God, His wisdom, and what to really pray for. Your eyes will be opened to see your real heart and desires. Do they align with God’s? Why or why not?
Prayer
Dear Father God, I come to You with an open, thankful heart. And when I bring my requests and petitions, You know exactly what I need and when I need it. Help me learn and believe that when you say “no” it’s because You’re planning something better for me, not because You are punishing or withholding. I pray today that I may increase my intimacy with You. Please help me remove all the aspects of my life that hinder my intimacy with You. Help me to better understand what is in my heart and learn to put You in the center. I pray this in the name the one who knew His heart exactly, Jesus Christ – and all God’s children say, AMEN!
The Truth
Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice. Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:4-7
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Stepping Stones: From Turtle to God
May 26, 2011
Transformational Thought
I was on vacation last week and had the privilege of witnessing one of the coolest and most hilarious sights ever. We were at a Myrtle Beach high-rise with a “lazy river” where you could leisurely ride around on an inner tube. Well, my 10 y.o., GiGi, decorated a little turtle and entered “Kevin” in the turtle race in the lazy river. Twelve noon was post time. The activities director dumped about 50 decorated plastic turtles into the river … and the race was on!
The excitement of the kids was so infectious that many of us parents got caught up in the “for all the marbles” turtle race on this muggy, 93-degree day. Even innocent bystanders, the people with no turtles in the race, were excited and interested in the outcome. People were hootin’ and cheerin’, running around the river to see where their turtle was … it was hilarious. I actually shouted to another excited father, “O baby, competition, you gotta love it!”
I’ve loved sports, ever since I could remember. Sports have clear goals, structure, expectations, excitement, winning, second and third chances, attention, escape from reality, rewards, measurable advancement, teamwork, camaraderie, and so much more if you really excel at sports. I was blessed to have many successful and exciting experiences in athletics.
But you see, even though sports were a positive activity in many ways for me, I also developed a dependency, an addiction, for them. I turned to them when I felt low, insecure, lonely, inadequate in another area, or when I was confused or overwhelmed, especially socially. Sports brought me relief from my discomfort. But unbeknownst to me, this really stunted my spiritual growth, because I should have been turning to God and His Holy Bible instead.
God wants you to be all His. Once you Believe in Christ as your Savior, and then Receive the invitation from God to have an eternal relationship with Him, He works constantly to wean you off all other dependencies. A big part of Becoming a real disciple of Christ is letting your security rest in Him alone … not in other things, people, or circumstances.
Today, reflect on some positive or stress-relieving activities in your life. Have you started to rely too much on them? Activities like work, food, hobbies? Or your spouse, kids, intellect, problem-solving skills? Yes, the list is endless. Do you turn to them before you turn to God? Turn to Him first today. He forms the foundation of your happiness first and then uses the other activities to provide satisfaction and fulfillment to help you grow.
Prayer
Dear Father, I thank You for all that I have. I thank You for the security You provide for my life. Day by day, this physical world becomes a more frightening place, such an insecure place. I accept You as my God and my Savior. But I humbly admit to You that I am not yet weaned from other dependencies. Help me let go of them as I grasp more firmly to You. I pray this in the name the one who depended solely on You, Jesus Christ – and all God’s children say, AMEN!
The Truth
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
So I became great and surpassed all who were before me in Jerusalem. Also my wisdom remained with me. And whatever my eyes desired I did not keep from them. I kept my heart from no pleasure, for my heart found pleasure in all my toil, and this was my reward for all my toil. Then I considered all that my hands had done and the toil I had expended in doing it, and behold, all was vanity and a striving after wind, and there was nothing to be gained under the sun.
Ecclesiastes 2:9-11
Transformational Thought
I was on vacation last week and had the privilege of witnessing one of the coolest and most hilarious sights ever. We were at a Myrtle Beach high-rise with a “lazy river” where you could leisurely ride around on an inner tube. Well, my 10 y.o., GiGi, decorated a little turtle and entered “Kevin” in the turtle race in the lazy river. Twelve noon was post time. The activities director dumped about 50 decorated plastic turtles into the river … and the race was on!
The excitement of the kids was so infectious that many of us parents got caught up in the “for all the marbles” turtle race on this muggy, 93-degree day. Even innocent bystanders, the people with no turtles in the race, were excited and interested in the outcome. People were hootin’ and cheerin’, running around the river to see where their turtle was … it was hilarious. I actually shouted to another excited father, “O baby, competition, you gotta love it!”
I’ve loved sports, ever since I could remember. Sports have clear goals, structure, expectations, excitement, winning, second and third chances, attention, escape from reality, rewards, measurable advancement, teamwork, camaraderie, and so much more if you really excel at sports. I was blessed to have many successful and exciting experiences in athletics.
But you see, even though sports were a positive activity in many ways for me, I also developed a dependency, an addiction, for them. I turned to them when I felt low, insecure, lonely, inadequate in another area, or when I was confused or overwhelmed, especially socially. Sports brought me relief from my discomfort. But unbeknownst to me, this really stunted my spiritual growth, because I should have been turning to God and His Holy Bible instead.
God wants you to be all His. Once you Believe in Christ as your Savior, and then Receive the invitation from God to have an eternal relationship with Him, He works constantly to wean you off all other dependencies. A big part of Becoming a real disciple of Christ is letting your security rest in Him alone … not in other things, people, or circumstances.
Today, reflect on some positive or stress-relieving activities in your life. Have you started to rely too much on them? Activities like work, food, hobbies? Or your spouse, kids, intellect, problem-solving skills? Yes, the list is endless. Do you turn to them before you turn to God? Turn to Him first today. He forms the foundation of your happiness first and then uses the other activities to provide satisfaction and fulfillment to help you grow.
Prayer
Dear Father, I thank You for all that I have. I thank You for the security You provide for my life. Day by day, this physical world becomes a more frightening place, such an insecure place. I accept You as my God and my Savior. But I humbly admit to You that I am not yet weaned from other dependencies. Help me let go of them as I grasp more firmly to You. I pray this in the name the one who depended solely on You, Jesus Christ – and all God’s children say, AMEN!
The Truth
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
So I became great and surpassed all who were before me in Jerusalem. Also my wisdom remained with me. And whatever my eyes desired I did not keep from them. I kept my heart from no pleasure, for my heart found pleasure in all my toil, and this was my reward for all my toil. Then I considered all that my hands had done and the toil I had expended in doing it, and behold, all was vanity and a striving after wind, and there was nothing to be gained under the sun.
Ecclesiastes 2:9-11
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Stepping Stones: Thirsty? Beware What You Drink
Transformational Thought
Our family was at the beach last week with my parents, brother and sister, and their families. We had a great time in the ocean and enjoyed various activities in the area. But one of our favorite activities in the evening, after a belly-busting dinner and some family devotions, is playing some board games or cards together. Stories of our childhood entertain our kids, and we all have funny comments or observations about our different perspectives and little secrets of growing up in our “interesting” family.
By the end of the night though, I was so bloated. Why? Because I drank so much limeade and soda. I hardly ever drink very much, so why now? After playing and sweating on the beach and being in the salt water all day, then eating a bunch of salty snacks and a huge salty dinner, I was dehydrated and didn’t even know it. Being so thirsty, over the course of a couple hours, I progressively and unintentionally guzzled so much that I was actually uncomfortable.
This is how our spiritual life often plays out. The world around us is so active, always speeding up and filled with options. As we get older, the activities are more complex and require more time, attention, and energy, and have more pressure associated with them. We become so engaged in them that both the enjoyable and the unpleasant activities alike can be draining.
As a result, without realizing it, we get spiritually thirsty for purpose, value, connection, attention, achievement, peace, love, and direction among other things. Unfortunately, this world offers more distractions than you can fit into one lifetime. We are thirsty, and at times, because of those distractions, we don’t even realize we are dehydrated. So, to unknowingly quench this thirst we start to unconsciously look to the world’s nectar and juices … idols. These idols provide some temporary relief … we get bloated and uncomfortable. Yet the thirst remains because the idol will never fulfill the need.
Today, try to understand that your deepest desire and drive is for a loving relationship with Jesus Christ. His joy and peace is the only way to satisfy your thirst. Take a look at some of the attitudes or objects you turn to … food, alcohol, attention, gossip, isolation, control, anger, shopping, status, money … when you are “thirsty” and need something. You are drinking for sure, but drinking the wrong thing will bring so much pain. Drinking the Living Water will bring all you will ever desire.
Prayer
Dear Father God, I am so thirsty … my soul is thirsty. At times I confuse this thirst with just being tired or stressed out. So I start searching for relief, or at least for some distractions. I know that all the while You are standing next to me … ready to quench my thirst. My soul thirsts for You, Lord. Allow Your gifts of Joy and Peace to enhance my awareness of You. I pray this in the name the only one who can quench my thirst, Jesus Christ – and all God’s children say, AMEN!
The Truth
I stretch forth my hands unto thee: my soul thirsteth after thee, as a thirsty land. Selah
Psalm 143:6
As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?
Psalm 42:1-2
Jesus said to her, "Every one who drinks of this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst; the water that I shall give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”
John 4:13-14
Our family was at the beach last week with my parents, brother and sister, and their families. We had a great time in the ocean and enjoyed various activities in the area. But one of our favorite activities in the evening, after a belly-busting dinner and some family devotions, is playing some board games or cards together. Stories of our childhood entertain our kids, and we all have funny comments or observations about our different perspectives and little secrets of growing up in our “interesting” family.
By the end of the night though, I was so bloated. Why? Because I drank so much limeade and soda. I hardly ever drink very much, so why now? After playing and sweating on the beach and being in the salt water all day, then eating a bunch of salty snacks and a huge salty dinner, I was dehydrated and didn’t even know it. Being so thirsty, over the course of a couple hours, I progressively and unintentionally guzzled so much that I was actually uncomfortable.
This is how our spiritual life often plays out. The world around us is so active, always speeding up and filled with options. As we get older, the activities are more complex and require more time, attention, and energy, and have more pressure associated with them. We become so engaged in them that both the enjoyable and the unpleasant activities alike can be draining.
As a result, without realizing it, we get spiritually thirsty for purpose, value, connection, attention, achievement, peace, love, and direction among other things. Unfortunately, this world offers more distractions than you can fit into one lifetime. We are thirsty, and at times, because of those distractions, we don’t even realize we are dehydrated. So, to unknowingly quench this thirst we start to unconsciously look to the world’s nectar and juices … idols. These idols provide some temporary relief … we get bloated and uncomfortable. Yet the thirst remains because the idol will never fulfill the need.
Today, try to understand that your deepest desire and drive is for a loving relationship with Jesus Christ. His joy and peace is the only way to satisfy your thirst. Take a look at some of the attitudes or objects you turn to … food, alcohol, attention, gossip, isolation, control, anger, shopping, status, money … when you are “thirsty” and need something. You are drinking for sure, but drinking the wrong thing will bring so much pain. Drinking the Living Water will bring all you will ever desire.
Prayer
Dear Father God, I am so thirsty … my soul is thirsty. At times I confuse this thirst with just being tired or stressed out. So I start searching for relief, or at least for some distractions. I know that all the while You are standing next to me … ready to quench my thirst. My soul thirsts for You, Lord. Allow Your gifts of Joy and Peace to enhance my awareness of You. I pray this in the name the only one who can quench my thirst, Jesus Christ – and all God’s children say, AMEN!
The Truth
I stretch forth my hands unto thee: my soul thirsteth after thee, as a thirsty land. Selah
Psalm 143:6
As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?
Psalm 42:1-2
Jesus said to her, "Every one who drinks of this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst; the water that I shall give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”
John 4:13-14
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Stepping Stones: Are You the Sour Apple on Your Family Tree?
Transformational Thought
The other day, we were enjoying a time of celebration with some friends and family. While most of the discussion was frivolous, fun, and positive, one of my relatives had many negative and pessimistic comments that impacted some people’s enjoyment of the occasion.
Everybody has a couple of sour apples on their family tree … you know, the ones who are grumpy no matter what the circumstances. Sure, they are cranky and negative when facing adversity or stressful situations. But sometimes they are grumpy even when the situation is neutral or positive, because that is just their view of life.
Why do we get grumpy? One common reason is that situations, people, things, life, aren’t going the way we planned. We feel hurt … we have to accept a different plan or agenda … we are disrupted or become uncomfortable. It’s amazing how we subliminally develop such a sense of entitlement … that an event or our entire day should always go our way … that all our wishes and demands, get granted. How dare God not grant all our wishes and desires?
So when events or circumstances don’t go our way, why do we respond with negativity, nastiness, and grumpiness? How is that going to help improve the situation? Negativity will just push people away and increase their negativity toward you. But sometimes the feeling is so strong, it flows out unfiltered and we don’t realize its impact. We also get attached to our need to immediately feel better, and in some odd, weird way, being grumpy gives us a sense of control, power, and attention. In reality, what we think is a self-protective response is actually a self-destructive response.
Today, if you feel nastiness coming on and you are tempted to grumble, try this: go to God and talk it out. Ask Him to reveal to you why He gave you something different than what you expected or wanted. Get in His word and seek Him. As you open up to Him, He will put His thoughts in Your mind and His song in your heart. The key … open up to Him! Stop being an entitled and self-centered downer in life.
Prayer
Dear Father, I grumble and complain more than I like to admit. There are so many things that tick me off … so many things I want to be different in me, in others, and in the world. I realize it is my natural tendency to brood over these things and take it out on others who are close to me. I see now that the longer I focus on these things, the more likely I am to grumble. Even when I get control of my spoken words, my thoughts are full of complaints. Help me talk with You about these matters. I thank You, Lord, for listening and caring. Even if You choose not to change my circumstance, my communion with You alone will put Your song in my heart. I pray this in the name of the one who graciously accepted all You brought into His life, Jesus Christ – and all God’s children say, AMEN!
The Truth
And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD.
Psalm 40:3
Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance.
Acts 2:28
The other day, we were enjoying a time of celebration with some friends and family. While most of the discussion was frivolous, fun, and positive, one of my relatives had many negative and pessimistic comments that impacted some people’s enjoyment of the occasion.
Everybody has a couple of sour apples on their family tree … you know, the ones who are grumpy no matter what the circumstances. Sure, they are cranky and negative when facing adversity or stressful situations. But sometimes they are grumpy even when the situation is neutral or positive, because that is just their view of life.
Why do we get grumpy? One common reason is that situations, people, things, life, aren’t going the way we planned. We feel hurt … we have to accept a different plan or agenda … we are disrupted or become uncomfortable. It’s amazing how we subliminally develop such a sense of entitlement … that an event or our entire day should always go our way … that all our wishes and demands, get granted. How dare God not grant all our wishes and desires?
So when events or circumstances don’t go our way, why do we respond with negativity, nastiness, and grumpiness? How is that going to help improve the situation? Negativity will just push people away and increase their negativity toward you. But sometimes the feeling is so strong, it flows out unfiltered and we don’t realize its impact. We also get attached to our need to immediately feel better, and in some odd, weird way, being grumpy gives us a sense of control, power, and attention. In reality, what we think is a self-protective response is actually a self-destructive response.
Today, if you feel nastiness coming on and you are tempted to grumble, try this: go to God and talk it out. Ask Him to reveal to you why He gave you something different than what you expected or wanted. Get in His word and seek Him. As you open up to Him, He will put His thoughts in Your mind and His song in your heart. The key … open up to Him! Stop being an entitled and self-centered downer in life.
Prayer
Dear Father, I grumble and complain more than I like to admit. There are so many things that tick me off … so many things I want to be different in me, in others, and in the world. I realize it is my natural tendency to brood over these things and take it out on others who are close to me. I see now that the longer I focus on these things, the more likely I am to grumble. Even when I get control of my spoken words, my thoughts are full of complaints. Help me talk with You about these matters. I thank You, Lord, for listening and caring. Even if You choose not to change my circumstance, my communion with You alone will put Your song in my heart. I pray this in the name of the one who graciously accepted all You brought into His life, Jesus Christ – and all God’s children say, AMEN!
The Truth
And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD.
Psalm 40:3
Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance.
Acts 2:28
Monday, May 23, 2011
Stepping Stones: Let Adversity Be Your Tutor
Transformational Thought
When I first started my psychiatric practice, I really struggled with one problem for a while … when patients didn’t show up for their appointments. My mind was stressed as several issues swirled through my head. Were they OK, did they commit suicide, were they in a car accident on their way, I had lost income, would they resent me for having to bill them for a missed appointment, someone who was on my waiting list could have been seen instead and is still in distress.
Who wants problems? Nobody, right? But try thinking about problems differently. An ongoing problem can be like a tutor … a teacher that is always by your side teaching you. Your learning possibilities are limited only by your willingness to be “teachable”. The bottom line here is whether or not you can trust God to use the “difficulties” in your life for goodness.
If you want to learn all that your God has prepared for you, then you must accept His teaching methods. The more humble you are, the more teachable you are … the more teachable and flexible you are, the more you learn … the more you learn, the better you’ll understand life … the more you understand, the easier life is … the easier life is, the more you’ll glorify God … the more you glorify God, the more peace, contentment, and fulfillment you have as you draw closer to Him and achieve the mind of Christ.
You see, for me, I started looking at why God was allowing cancellations to occur. One major lesson the cancellations taught me – I was a control addict. I needed my agenda to happen my way. When it didn’t, it derailed me. These cancellations were an incredible tutor to me. Now I enjoy cancellations and trust God’s sovereignty, knowing He has something better for me to enjoy or take care of than what I plan during that time slot. He will provide for the safety of the patient and those on the waiting list; He will provide for my finances; and He has plenty of other tasks for me to accomplish in the extra time.
The other cool thing I learned was that God stopped giving me that test so often once I realized what the lesson was and started to “ace” the assignment. This really gave me incentive to dig into other areas of adversity with renewed vigor and insight so I could learn more about God and myself.
Today, remember that God is the potter and you are the clay. How flexible are you willing to be in His skillful hands? Take inventory. Any recurring problem? Let God tutor you using that adversity. Like it or not, this adversity tutor is relentless, so don’t ignore it. Your decision, choose well.
Prayer
Dear Father, I come to you with embarrassment as I confess that I really don’t like this tutor at all. What I really want is to have my problems taken away before I get stressed, I want to run away from my problems … Haven’t I spent enough time with this teacher? Isn’t there a simpler, less painful way to learn? Father God, I pray to You to help me trust You more … to trust that You intend my problems for something good … to transform me. Beginning today I will try to see my problems as blessings in disguise, stepping stones to my gradual transformation into Your likeness … depending on You, developing Your perspective, and understanding what is really important to You. Help me this day. Empower me to be a Lighthouse, reflecting Your light to others with ever-increasing Glory. I pray this in the name of my Perfect Tutor, Jesus Christ – and all God’s children say, AMEN!
The Truth
But now, O LORD, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand.
Isaiah 64:8
These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
John 16:33
When I first started my psychiatric practice, I really struggled with one problem for a while … when patients didn’t show up for their appointments. My mind was stressed as several issues swirled through my head. Were they OK, did they commit suicide, were they in a car accident on their way, I had lost income, would they resent me for having to bill them for a missed appointment, someone who was on my waiting list could have been seen instead and is still in distress.
Who wants problems? Nobody, right? But try thinking about problems differently. An ongoing problem can be like a tutor … a teacher that is always by your side teaching you. Your learning possibilities are limited only by your willingness to be “teachable”. The bottom line here is whether or not you can trust God to use the “difficulties” in your life for goodness.
If you want to learn all that your God has prepared for you, then you must accept His teaching methods. The more humble you are, the more teachable you are … the more teachable and flexible you are, the more you learn … the more you learn, the better you’ll understand life … the more you understand, the easier life is … the easier life is, the more you’ll glorify God … the more you glorify God, the more peace, contentment, and fulfillment you have as you draw closer to Him and achieve the mind of Christ.
You see, for me, I started looking at why God was allowing cancellations to occur. One major lesson the cancellations taught me – I was a control addict. I needed my agenda to happen my way. When it didn’t, it derailed me. These cancellations were an incredible tutor to me. Now I enjoy cancellations and trust God’s sovereignty, knowing He has something better for me to enjoy or take care of than what I plan during that time slot. He will provide for the safety of the patient and those on the waiting list; He will provide for my finances; and He has plenty of other tasks for me to accomplish in the extra time.
The other cool thing I learned was that God stopped giving me that test so often once I realized what the lesson was and started to “ace” the assignment. This really gave me incentive to dig into other areas of adversity with renewed vigor and insight so I could learn more about God and myself.
Today, remember that God is the potter and you are the clay. How flexible are you willing to be in His skillful hands? Take inventory. Any recurring problem? Let God tutor you using that adversity. Like it or not, this adversity tutor is relentless, so don’t ignore it. Your decision, choose well.
Prayer
Dear Father, I come to you with embarrassment as I confess that I really don’t like this tutor at all. What I really want is to have my problems taken away before I get stressed, I want to run away from my problems … Haven’t I spent enough time with this teacher? Isn’t there a simpler, less painful way to learn? Father God, I pray to You to help me trust You more … to trust that You intend my problems for something good … to transform me. Beginning today I will try to see my problems as blessings in disguise, stepping stones to my gradual transformation into Your likeness … depending on You, developing Your perspective, and understanding what is really important to You. Help me this day. Empower me to be a Lighthouse, reflecting Your light to others with ever-increasing Glory. I pray this in the name of my Perfect Tutor, Jesus Christ – and all God’s children say, AMEN!
The Truth
But now, O LORD, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand.
Isaiah 64:8
These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
John 16:33
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Stepping Stones: Close Your Eyes To Really See
Transformational Thought
We lost our power the other night. I was reflexively hitting the light switch expecting to get some help. Amazing how dark your house can be. Not being able to see is really problematic. It can be crippling, especially because we aren’t used to being in the dark. In our normal state, we are so dependent on our eyes as our primary radar system to gauge our surroundings. In fact, it takes an intense stimulus to set off our other radar systems … a skunk … a sudden noise ... a bitter herb … a nudge on the arm. Our vision is the most sensitive radar we have, and seeing clearly is vital to health and management.
When we lose our sight, we’re incapacitated. Our radar is out! Over time, though, we learn to develop our other senses … revealing an amazing world as these other previously little used radar systems get recalibrated, sensitized, and cranked up.
Believe this: God is at work in many areas of your life long before you can discern or “see” the results. Shut down your reliance on your material radar that’s been honed by the false influences of this world, and start to develop your spiritual radar. God built it into us, but we have allowed it to atrophy, wither away, and decay because we rarely turn it on or pay any attention to it. Trust Him by waiting patiently, and accepting each moment as a gift from Him to exercise and develop the most important part of your awareness and defense system: your spiritual radar.
When the time is right, when you have learned to tune into the spiritual station, you will see the results of His handiwork … of his Mercy and Grace. Work on your spiritual radar … learn the spiritual truths of the Bible, God’s character, His promises, His instructions for life, and His perspective of you. Develop a focus on the eternal. Trusting … believing these to be true and acting on them. That is how you tune your spiritual radar to the reality of life.
Today, begin living by faith rather than by sight. Do this by basing your decisions on His teachings instead of the world system’s answers. It will enable you to see and revel in His Glory. Miracles are not always visible to the eye … but those who live by faith see them clearly and regularly. The life you yearn for and that He has for you is WITHIN REACH. Tune in to His frequency and you will be able to see it and grab it easily!
Prayer
Dear God, I want to see Your Glory in myself and in others. I pray that You allow me just a glimpse of Your Glory. Please give me spiritual radar and discerning eyes so I can recognize miracles when I see them. I pray that You reveal more and more of Your Glory-moments to me. I look forward to Your radiant perfection. Sadly though, I know that this world I live in is deeply fallen. I pray for an increase in my faith so that I can accept and navigate through this world’s brokenness, yet remain open to seeing Your beautiful miracles. I pray this in the name of the One with perfect spiritual radar, Jesus Christ – and all God’s children say, AMEN!
The Truth
Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?
John 11:40
For we walk by faith, not by sight
2 Corinthians 5:7
For in thee, O LORD, do I hope: thou wilt hear, O Lord my God.
Psalm 38:15
We lost our power the other night. I was reflexively hitting the light switch expecting to get some help. Amazing how dark your house can be. Not being able to see is really problematic. It can be crippling, especially because we aren’t used to being in the dark. In our normal state, we are so dependent on our eyes as our primary radar system to gauge our surroundings. In fact, it takes an intense stimulus to set off our other radar systems … a skunk … a sudden noise ... a bitter herb … a nudge on the arm. Our vision is the most sensitive radar we have, and seeing clearly is vital to health and management.
When we lose our sight, we’re incapacitated. Our radar is out! Over time, though, we learn to develop our other senses … revealing an amazing world as these other previously little used radar systems get recalibrated, sensitized, and cranked up.
Believe this: God is at work in many areas of your life long before you can discern or “see” the results. Shut down your reliance on your material radar that’s been honed by the false influences of this world, and start to develop your spiritual radar. God built it into us, but we have allowed it to atrophy, wither away, and decay because we rarely turn it on or pay any attention to it. Trust Him by waiting patiently, and accepting each moment as a gift from Him to exercise and develop the most important part of your awareness and defense system: your spiritual radar.
When the time is right, when you have learned to tune into the spiritual station, you will see the results of His handiwork … of his Mercy and Grace. Work on your spiritual radar … learn the spiritual truths of the Bible, God’s character, His promises, His instructions for life, and His perspective of you. Develop a focus on the eternal. Trusting … believing these to be true and acting on them. That is how you tune your spiritual radar to the reality of life.
Today, begin living by faith rather than by sight. Do this by basing your decisions on His teachings instead of the world system’s answers. It will enable you to see and revel in His Glory. Miracles are not always visible to the eye … but those who live by faith see them clearly and regularly. The life you yearn for and that He has for you is WITHIN REACH. Tune in to His frequency and you will be able to see it and grab it easily!
Prayer
Dear God, I want to see Your Glory in myself and in others. I pray that You allow me just a glimpse of Your Glory. Please give me spiritual radar and discerning eyes so I can recognize miracles when I see them. I pray that You reveal more and more of Your Glory-moments to me. I look forward to Your radiant perfection. Sadly though, I know that this world I live in is deeply fallen. I pray for an increase in my faith so that I can accept and navigate through this world’s brokenness, yet remain open to seeing Your beautiful miracles. I pray this in the name of the One with perfect spiritual radar, Jesus Christ – and all God’s children say, AMEN!
The Truth
Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?
John 11:40
For we walk by faith, not by sight
2 Corinthians 5:7
For in thee, O LORD, do I hope: thou wilt hear, O Lord my God.
Psalm 38:15
Saturday, May 21, 2011
Stepping Stones: Choose Your Commander and Don’t be a POW
Transformational Thought
Conflict, war, disputes, battles. Even the words themselves cause us to brace ourselves. Uneasiness, discomfort, and even fear can tense up our muscles causing stress that get our hearts beating more quickly. And that’s just when the battles are concrete struggles played out on a field with a tangible opponent we can see.
Conflict is one of the biggest areas of struggle I hear and help with as a psychiatrist. So many of us struggle to manage and deal with tension and difficulty with other people. We avoid, procrastinate, and self-medicate to deal with the discomfort. Then we are often either too passive, or too aggressive when we finally step up to address the conflict.
Know clearly, our real wars are not human or physical battles; they are actually spiritual battles. The evil one is so crafty, so deceptive. And he is not flesh and blood of this world. The battlefield … our mind. That is why we all have struggles with insecurity, competency, purpose, value, uncertainty, importance, love, acceptance, and the list goes on. One of Satan’s favorite strategies is using deceptions and lies to subtly intrude into our minds and erode our confidence in God’s unconditional love and the power of our relationship with Him.
Fight back and do not let these lies go unchallenged. Be armed with the truth. Thoroughly know the Christmas and Easter stories, as they are the total and ultimate representation of God’s love and Jesus’ sacrifice for you. Who else, other than your parent, and maybe your spouse, would endure humiliation to that degree and actually die for you? Better yet, God promises to love us unconditionally and backs it up ALL the time with action.
Put Satan to the test … scrutinize his activity and love for you. Does it come close to God’s? Of course not. Does Satan ever say anywhere he loves you or wants to help you? Then why do you accept or trust anything from Satan? He is a great tempter and masquerader. The choice is yours. Don’t be tricked.
Your life management, and its course, success, and fulfillment all come down to this one simple question and decision. Who are you choosing as your Commander-in-Chief? God or Satan. No other choices exist. You think you can choose yourself. But you’ll get sucked into Satan’s strategies and become his POW and will quickly get brainwashed.
Today, don’t fall for Satan’s tricks. Resist his brainwashing, because he just laughs at you behind your back. Meanwhile God cries for you; He died for you. “Resist the devil and he will flee from you”. In each choice you have today (you actually have around 10,000 per day), identify God’s path and Satan’s path. Which should you trust? You often know what is right and wrong, but still choose wrong. Why? Journal about it today and determine to get to the bottom of your motives. WITHIN REACH will help you.
Prayer
Dear Father, Help me open my mind and my heart to You today … to open my entire being to receive Your love to the fullest. So many of Your children limp through life starved for Your love because they have not learned the art of receiving You. I know that receiving You is an act of faith: believing that You love me with unlimited, everlasting love. Train my mind, Lord, to trust You as I come close to You with confidence. I know that one of Satan’s favorite deceptions and intrusions into my mind and thoughts is to undermine my confidence in Your unconditional love. I fight back against this lie today ... I do not let it go unchallenged. I resist the devil in Your name and know that he will shrink away from me as I draw closer to Your presence. Give me Your strength today. Envelope me today and everyday with Your love and a peace that passes all human understanding. I pray this in the name of the One who rebuked the lies and endured many battle scars, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say - AMEN!
The Truth
You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.
John 8:44
Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
James 4:7
Conflict, war, disputes, battles. Even the words themselves cause us to brace ourselves. Uneasiness, discomfort, and even fear can tense up our muscles causing stress that get our hearts beating more quickly. And that’s just when the battles are concrete struggles played out on a field with a tangible opponent we can see.
Conflict is one of the biggest areas of struggle I hear and help with as a psychiatrist. So many of us struggle to manage and deal with tension and difficulty with other people. We avoid, procrastinate, and self-medicate to deal with the discomfort. Then we are often either too passive, or too aggressive when we finally step up to address the conflict.
Know clearly, our real wars are not human or physical battles; they are actually spiritual battles. The evil one is so crafty, so deceptive. And he is not flesh and blood of this world. The battlefield … our mind. That is why we all have struggles with insecurity, competency, purpose, value, uncertainty, importance, love, acceptance, and the list goes on. One of Satan’s favorite strategies is using deceptions and lies to subtly intrude into our minds and erode our confidence in God’s unconditional love and the power of our relationship with Him.
Fight back and do not let these lies go unchallenged. Be armed with the truth. Thoroughly know the Christmas and Easter stories, as they are the total and ultimate representation of God’s love and Jesus’ sacrifice for you. Who else, other than your parent, and maybe your spouse, would endure humiliation to that degree and actually die for you? Better yet, God promises to love us unconditionally and backs it up ALL the time with action.
Put Satan to the test … scrutinize his activity and love for you. Does it come close to God’s? Of course not. Does Satan ever say anywhere he loves you or wants to help you? Then why do you accept or trust anything from Satan? He is a great tempter and masquerader. The choice is yours. Don’t be tricked.
Your life management, and its course, success, and fulfillment all come down to this one simple question and decision. Who are you choosing as your Commander-in-Chief? God or Satan. No other choices exist. You think you can choose yourself. But you’ll get sucked into Satan’s strategies and become his POW and will quickly get brainwashed.
Today, don’t fall for Satan’s tricks. Resist his brainwashing, because he just laughs at you behind your back. Meanwhile God cries for you; He died for you. “Resist the devil and he will flee from you”. In each choice you have today (you actually have around 10,000 per day), identify God’s path and Satan’s path. Which should you trust? You often know what is right and wrong, but still choose wrong. Why? Journal about it today and determine to get to the bottom of your motives. WITHIN REACH will help you.
Prayer
Dear Father, Help me open my mind and my heart to You today … to open my entire being to receive Your love to the fullest. So many of Your children limp through life starved for Your love because they have not learned the art of receiving You. I know that receiving You is an act of faith: believing that You love me with unlimited, everlasting love. Train my mind, Lord, to trust You as I come close to You with confidence. I know that one of Satan’s favorite deceptions and intrusions into my mind and thoughts is to undermine my confidence in Your unconditional love. I fight back against this lie today ... I do not let it go unchallenged. I resist the devil in Your name and know that he will shrink away from me as I draw closer to Your presence. Give me Your strength today. Envelope me today and everyday with Your love and a peace that passes all human understanding. I pray this in the name of the One who rebuked the lies and endured many battle scars, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say - AMEN!
The Truth
You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.
John 8:44
Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
James 4:7
Friday, May 20, 2011
Stepping Stones: Take Your Life Out of the Microwave
Transformational Thought
Whether it relates to food, finances, sex, my favorite sporting event, an upcoming vacation, holidays, events with my wife or daughters, my schedule for the day, my strategy to deal with a stressor or conflict, plans to navigate a relationship obstacle … waiting without knowing if and how is so agonizing and unfair. Killing time and being patient to see whether my “master plan”, “needs”, or “expert” solutions will actually occur, or whether I have to accept someone else’s plan (who obviously doesn’t know or care about me as much as I do) is sometimes a tortuous struggle and significant test of my self-control.
Wow! So many beliefs within that first paragraph were incredible distortions of the truth. But in the moment, I totally believe them. When left to my own understanding, using my old crappy lenses to view life, my ability to assess present situations is often faulty, especially when I just go with my initial “gut” view and response.
We are in a microwave society ... the “I want all my needs met now,” or at least, “give me a sign that they will be met pretty soon” mentality. Now is not soon enough for most people. In this hurry-up world, it’s so difficult to let God set the pace, and accept His wisdom and decisions.
We need to slow down the merry-go-round of life … by taking a closer look at life through God’s lenses. Try accepting that God’s timing is perfect timing. Understand that a delay in your requests does not mean “no” forever. But if no is the answer you do get, understand that God only means “No, because I love you and actually have something better than what you asked for.”
Today, instead of getting impatient, frustrated, or wallowing in self-pity about what you didn’t get, be excited for the “something better” that God has in store for you or has already given you today. Be patient for His timing and accept His wisdom about what you do need today. Examine the glitches in your plan to see what the Perfect Teacher is teaching you today. WITHIN REACH helps you respond well to the situations God sovereignly brings to your life today.
Prayer
Dear Father, through this renewed intimacy with You, I am being transformed from the inside out. For far too long I have been focusing on the outer person; now I focus on the inner person. I pray that as I increase my focus on You, my Lord, You will transform me into the one You desire me to be. I yield to you, Lord … I do not resist this change, nor do I desire to slow it down or speed it up. I let You set the pace Lord, for I know Your timing is perfect. I hold your hand, Lord, with childlike trust, just as babies hold their parents’ hands as they learn to walk, step by step. Hold my hand and let me feel and enjoy the tempo of this God-breathed life I am now living. Thank You, Lord. I pray this in the name of the One who was never rushed, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say - AMEN!
The Truth
And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
2 Corinthians 3:18
Trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness. Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act. He will bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday.
Psalm 37:3-6
Whether it relates to food, finances, sex, my favorite sporting event, an upcoming vacation, holidays, events with my wife or daughters, my schedule for the day, my strategy to deal with a stressor or conflict, plans to navigate a relationship obstacle … waiting without knowing if and how is so agonizing and unfair. Killing time and being patient to see whether my “master plan”, “needs”, or “expert” solutions will actually occur, or whether I have to accept someone else’s plan (who obviously doesn’t know or care about me as much as I do) is sometimes a tortuous struggle and significant test of my self-control.
Wow! So many beliefs within that first paragraph were incredible distortions of the truth. But in the moment, I totally believe them. When left to my own understanding, using my old crappy lenses to view life, my ability to assess present situations is often faulty, especially when I just go with my initial “gut” view and response.
We are in a microwave society ... the “I want all my needs met now,” or at least, “give me a sign that they will be met pretty soon” mentality. Now is not soon enough for most people. In this hurry-up world, it’s so difficult to let God set the pace, and accept His wisdom and decisions.
We need to slow down the merry-go-round of life … by taking a closer look at life through God’s lenses. Try accepting that God’s timing is perfect timing. Understand that a delay in your requests does not mean “no” forever. But if no is the answer you do get, understand that God only means “No, because I love you and actually have something better than what you asked for.”
Today, instead of getting impatient, frustrated, or wallowing in self-pity about what you didn’t get, be excited for the “something better” that God has in store for you or has already given you today. Be patient for His timing and accept His wisdom about what you do need today. Examine the glitches in your plan to see what the Perfect Teacher is teaching you today. WITHIN REACH helps you respond well to the situations God sovereignly brings to your life today.
Prayer
Dear Father, through this renewed intimacy with You, I am being transformed from the inside out. For far too long I have been focusing on the outer person; now I focus on the inner person. I pray that as I increase my focus on You, my Lord, You will transform me into the one You desire me to be. I yield to you, Lord … I do not resist this change, nor do I desire to slow it down or speed it up. I let You set the pace Lord, for I know Your timing is perfect. I hold your hand, Lord, with childlike trust, just as babies hold their parents’ hands as they learn to walk, step by step. Hold my hand and let me feel and enjoy the tempo of this God-breathed life I am now living. Thank You, Lord. I pray this in the name of the One who was never rushed, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say - AMEN!
The Truth
And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
2 Corinthians 3:18
Trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness. Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act. He will bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday.
Psalm 37:3-6
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Stepping Stones: How Should We “Judge” One Another?
Transformational Thought
Yesterday, we opened up the topic of judging others. We saw how we are called not to judge but yet called to judge. We tried to differentiate between these two seemingly contradictory callings. The main element that clarifies the confusion involves looking at the heart of both the judger and the judged. You see, we are to judge others behaviors, but not their heart.
So what right do we have to condemn others? We are not perfect. Jesus made this clear to the crowd condemning the woman caught in adultery (John 8:3-9). They were clamoring to stone her, but Jesus asked, "If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her." One by one, her accusers disappeared.
Condemnation is such a final judgment, and we don’t have the right, authority, or power to condemn anyone. Only God has the perfect slate and is the author of the standard to declare, and, more importantly, carry out the final judgment of “Condemned!”
But according to the Bible, we are called as parents to correct our children … to pick elders and church leaders with certain character … to vote for Godly leaders … to be a third party helping settle a dispute between two brothers. So again, the permission to judge rests in the motivating engine in our heart that drives our criteria and actions as we judge another person.
If the motivation for judging someone is to condemn, shame, mock, belittle, or somehow, lower them … or to exalt ourselves, then obviously, this is not the kind of peer judging God calls us to engage in. But isn’t this the definition of what our flesh, that inner core of our insecure being, all about? Satan certainly does all he can to accentuate this mentality and tempt us to fall into lazy, me-centered behavior.
On the contrary, our motivation needs to be one of compassion, love, service, and encouragement. Trying to help someone avoid reaping the perilous fruit of the flesh that continued wrong behavior produces. Being the vehicle or mouthpiece of God, trying to direct them to God and His Word as their source of direction, healing, and transformation so they can overcome inappropriate or sinful behavior.
Another component to consider is how we approach the behaviors in question. Since we don’t know their motivations, we need to ask questions. Help them recognize the misconduct and start to help them search their hearts for the motivations, fears, issues, and me-centered process that led to the wrong behavior. We also want them to know God’s forgiveness, and His desire to receive them back into a transforming relationship with Him.
Today, jot down on a piece of paper the names of people in your life whose behavior God allows you to monitor and judge. Examine your heart and motivations in this assignment. If God has put you in a special position to speak into another person’s life, do it with love and with the motivations described above. You can be a great catalyst in their spiritual walk … or a major stumbling block … depending on where your heart is as you handle this assignment from God and for God.
Prayer
O God, I know I am sometimes quick to judge … and to condemn. Please forgive me. Help me to really see how you want to partner with me in ministry and have put people in my life for me to “judge”. Help me recognize the seriousness of this responsibility and guard my heart from my flesh and Satan. I pray this and all prayers in the name of the One slow to judge, always a servant, and quick to forgive, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say - AMEN!
The Truth
The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery, and placing her in the midst they said to him, "Teacher, this woman has been caught in the act of adultery. Now in the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do you say?" This they said to test him, that they might have some charge to bring against him. Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger on the ground. And as they continued to ask him, he stood up and said to them, "Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her." And once more he bent down and wrote on the ground. But when they heard it, they went away one by one, beginning with the older ones, and Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before him.
John 8:3-9
Yesterday, we opened up the topic of judging others. We saw how we are called not to judge but yet called to judge. We tried to differentiate between these two seemingly contradictory callings. The main element that clarifies the confusion involves looking at the heart of both the judger and the judged. You see, we are to judge others behaviors, but not their heart.
So what right do we have to condemn others? We are not perfect. Jesus made this clear to the crowd condemning the woman caught in adultery (John 8:3-9). They were clamoring to stone her, but Jesus asked, "If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her." One by one, her accusers disappeared.
Condemnation is such a final judgment, and we don’t have the right, authority, or power to condemn anyone. Only God has the perfect slate and is the author of the standard to declare, and, more importantly, carry out the final judgment of “Condemned!”
But according to the Bible, we are called as parents to correct our children … to pick elders and church leaders with certain character … to vote for Godly leaders … to be a third party helping settle a dispute between two brothers. So again, the permission to judge rests in the motivating engine in our heart that drives our criteria and actions as we judge another person.
If the motivation for judging someone is to condemn, shame, mock, belittle, or somehow, lower them … or to exalt ourselves, then obviously, this is not the kind of peer judging God calls us to engage in. But isn’t this the definition of what our flesh, that inner core of our insecure being, all about? Satan certainly does all he can to accentuate this mentality and tempt us to fall into lazy, me-centered behavior.
On the contrary, our motivation needs to be one of compassion, love, service, and encouragement. Trying to help someone avoid reaping the perilous fruit of the flesh that continued wrong behavior produces. Being the vehicle or mouthpiece of God, trying to direct them to God and His Word as their source of direction, healing, and transformation so they can overcome inappropriate or sinful behavior.
Another component to consider is how we approach the behaviors in question. Since we don’t know their motivations, we need to ask questions. Help them recognize the misconduct and start to help them search their hearts for the motivations, fears, issues, and me-centered process that led to the wrong behavior. We also want them to know God’s forgiveness, and His desire to receive them back into a transforming relationship with Him.
Today, jot down on a piece of paper the names of people in your life whose behavior God allows you to monitor and judge. Examine your heart and motivations in this assignment. If God has put you in a special position to speak into another person’s life, do it with love and with the motivations described above. You can be a great catalyst in their spiritual walk … or a major stumbling block … depending on where your heart is as you handle this assignment from God and for God.
Prayer
O God, I know I am sometimes quick to judge … and to condemn. Please forgive me. Help me to really see how you want to partner with me in ministry and have put people in my life for me to “judge”. Help me recognize the seriousness of this responsibility and guard my heart from my flesh and Satan. I pray this and all prayers in the name of the One slow to judge, always a servant, and quick to forgive, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say - AMEN!
The Truth
The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery, and placing her in the midst they said to him, "Teacher, this woman has been caught in the act of adultery. Now in the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do you say?" This they said to test him, that they might have some charge to bring against him. Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger on the ground. And as they continued to ask him, he stood up and said to them, "Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her." And once more he bent down and wrote on the ground. But when they heard it, they went away one by one, beginning with the older ones, and Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before him.
John 8:3-9
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Stepping Stones: To Judge Or Not To Judge
Transformational Thought
Like it or not, we are judging something all the time. Someone’s clothes … hair … car … house … cleanliness … weight … attitude. Some say it is wrong to judge, and we are not to judge … that judging is up to God. He is the only one who has the right and authority to judge. So they will often quote, “judge not lest ye be judged.”
But in the Bible, we are called as parents to correct our children … to pick elders and church leaders with certain character … to vote for Godly leaders … to judge false Bible teachers … to confront gossiping, addiction, or adulterous behavior … even to be a third party helping settle a dispute between two Christian brothers.
How can we carry out these duties without judging the individuals? What a dilemma … to judge or not to judge. How do we know when to judge and when to sit tight? Sorting out these contradictory instructions and scenarios is complex, and I don’t want to oversimplify, but most can be boiled down to this: what’s at the center of your heart motivating your behavior, either as the judge or the judged?
Only God can see into hearts and truly judge the full scope of an event. We can judge conduct, but only hypothesize about the motivation leading to the person’s conduct. God knows everything and judges accurately, impartially, and according to absolute truth. We are too limited to make the same quality judgments. We are called to judge conduct (tomorrow we will look at that element a little more), but not to judge someone’s heart. We do need to make sure our motives for judging conduct are focused on God and serve the person we are judging.
Today, try to determine whether you are judging a person’s heart or their conduct. If you are judging heart, that is a dangerous area that needs to be approached with extreme caution. If you are called to judge a person’s conduct, examine your heart and motives. Then glorify God in how you present that assessment to the individual you are called to serve.
Prayer
Dear Father God, I know I am sometimes quick to judge … and to condemn. Please forgive me. Help me understand my own issues better, and resolve my needs so I don’t feel compelled to judge and ridicule others to lessen my fears, anxieties, or insecurities and inadequacies. I pray this and all prayers in the name of the One quickest to forgive, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say - AMEN!
The Truth
But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.”
1 Samuel 16:7
"Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven;”
Luke 6:37
There is only one lawgiver and judge, he who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor?
James 4:12
Like it or not, we are judging something all the time. Someone’s clothes … hair … car … house … cleanliness … weight … attitude. Some say it is wrong to judge, and we are not to judge … that judging is up to God. He is the only one who has the right and authority to judge. So they will often quote, “judge not lest ye be judged.”
But in the Bible, we are called as parents to correct our children … to pick elders and church leaders with certain character … to vote for Godly leaders … to judge false Bible teachers … to confront gossiping, addiction, or adulterous behavior … even to be a third party helping settle a dispute between two Christian brothers.
How can we carry out these duties without judging the individuals? What a dilemma … to judge or not to judge. How do we know when to judge and when to sit tight? Sorting out these contradictory instructions and scenarios is complex, and I don’t want to oversimplify, but most can be boiled down to this: what’s at the center of your heart motivating your behavior, either as the judge or the judged?
Only God can see into hearts and truly judge the full scope of an event. We can judge conduct, but only hypothesize about the motivation leading to the person’s conduct. God knows everything and judges accurately, impartially, and according to absolute truth. We are too limited to make the same quality judgments. We are called to judge conduct (tomorrow we will look at that element a little more), but not to judge someone’s heart. We do need to make sure our motives for judging conduct are focused on God and serve the person we are judging.
Today, try to determine whether you are judging a person’s heart or their conduct. If you are judging heart, that is a dangerous area that needs to be approached with extreme caution. If you are called to judge a person’s conduct, examine your heart and motives. Then glorify God in how you present that assessment to the individual you are called to serve.
Prayer
Dear Father God, I know I am sometimes quick to judge … and to condemn. Please forgive me. Help me understand my own issues better, and resolve my needs so I don’t feel compelled to judge and ridicule others to lessen my fears, anxieties, or insecurities and inadequacies. I pray this and all prayers in the name of the One quickest to forgive, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say - AMEN!
The Truth
But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.”
1 Samuel 16:7
"Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven;”
Luke 6:37
There is only one lawgiver and judge, he who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor?
James 4:12
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Stepping Stones: People Pleaser or God Pleaser?
Transformational Thought
I love to please my daughters. Who doesn’t want to see their kids happy, especially if we are the one bringing them delight? But I also want to see them safe and healthy. So when they make unhealthy or dysfunctional requests, it is easy for me to say “NO!” … even though they aren’t pleased, or are actually upset, or cry because of my answer.
Don’t believe me? What about when they ask … for their third bowl of ice cream … for the keys to the car and they’re only 13 … to stay out to midnight on a school night when they are 14 … to camp out with a boyfriend, alone, when they are 16. All these will easily get a “no” answer from me regardless of how displeased my beloved daughters are.
When fellow adults make dysfunctional requests, for some reason, for most of us, it is harder to say “no”. Whether I think they know more than I do about the particular situation … or they know what’s best for themselves more than I do … or I fear and hate being uneasy when people are mad or upset at me … or I fear their rejection … or I need their approval … or I need to be needed or accepted. Many “I need…” or “I fear…” lenses, based on a me-centered mentality, significantly interfere with our perspective, and lead to disrespectful, dysfunctional, or even sinful relational conduct.
When we focus on trying to please people by acting dysfunctionally, we are not serving God. If we are truly His servants, then our primary goal will be to please Him first, not others.
When Jesus lived on earth, many who believed in Him would not admit their faith. Because these people were more concerned about personal safety and other people’s opinions rather than God’s opinion, they did not live out their faith. Likewise, when we live as people-pleasers, we are demonstrating the fact that we are more concerned about people’s approval instead of God’s … and therefore our walk with Him will always be hindered.
Today, ask yourself: What is my greatest perceived need or greatest perceived threat when someone makes a request of me … or when I feel the need to people-please in a relationship? Whom am I trying to please ... God or the person? Maybe most of your life is lived to please God, but there is still some situation … or some person … that sparks you to be a people-pleaser. God wants us to put Him first in all things … we cannot please Him by placing more importance on people’s opinions … or our needs … over His.
Prayer
Dear Father God, I do want to please You. Forgive me for the times I let my desire to be accepted by a person outweigh my desire to please You. Thank You for Your love and for accepting me unconditionally. Help me to be a better servant, doing the right thing, not the people-pleasing thing, as I grow healthy relationships with others. I pray this and all prayers in the name of the One who was the perfect servant, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say - AMEN!
The Truth
I am not trying to please people. I want to please God. Do you think I am trying to please people? If I were doing that, I would not be a servant of Christ.
Galatians 1:10
Many people did believe in him, however, including some of the Jewish leaders. But they wouldn’t admit it for fear that the Pharisees would expel them from the synagogue. For they loved human praise more than the praise of God.
John 12:42-43
I love to please my daughters. Who doesn’t want to see their kids happy, especially if we are the one bringing them delight? But I also want to see them safe and healthy. So when they make unhealthy or dysfunctional requests, it is easy for me to say “NO!” … even though they aren’t pleased, or are actually upset, or cry because of my answer.
Don’t believe me? What about when they ask … for their third bowl of ice cream … for the keys to the car and they’re only 13 … to stay out to midnight on a school night when they are 14 … to camp out with a boyfriend, alone, when they are 16. All these will easily get a “no” answer from me regardless of how displeased my beloved daughters are.
When fellow adults make dysfunctional requests, for some reason, for most of us, it is harder to say “no”. Whether I think they know more than I do about the particular situation … or they know what’s best for themselves more than I do … or I fear and hate being uneasy when people are mad or upset at me … or I fear their rejection … or I need their approval … or I need to be needed or accepted. Many “I need…” or “I fear…” lenses, based on a me-centered mentality, significantly interfere with our perspective, and lead to disrespectful, dysfunctional, or even sinful relational conduct.
When we focus on trying to please people by acting dysfunctionally, we are not serving God. If we are truly His servants, then our primary goal will be to please Him first, not others.
When Jesus lived on earth, many who believed in Him would not admit their faith. Because these people were more concerned about personal safety and other people’s opinions rather than God’s opinion, they did not live out their faith. Likewise, when we live as people-pleasers, we are demonstrating the fact that we are more concerned about people’s approval instead of God’s … and therefore our walk with Him will always be hindered.
Today, ask yourself: What is my greatest perceived need or greatest perceived threat when someone makes a request of me … or when I feel the need to people-please in a relationship? Whom am I trying to please ... God or the person? Maybe most of your life is lived to please God, but there is still some situation … or some person … that sparks you to be a people-pleaser. God wants us to put Him first in all things … we cannot please Him by placing more importance on people’s opinions … or our needs … over His.
Prayer
Dear Father God, I do want to please You. Forgive me for the times I let my desire to be accepted by a person outweigh my desire to please You. Thank You for Your love and for accepting me unconditionally. Help me to be a better servant, doing the right thing, not the people-pleasing thing, as I grow healthy relationships with others. I pray this and all prayers in the name of the One who was the perfect servant, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say - AMEN!
The Truth
I am not trying to please people. I want to please God. Do you think I am trying to please people? If I were doing that, I would not be a servant of Christ.
Galatians 1:10
Many people did believe in him, however, including some of the Jewish leaders. But they wouldn’t admit it for fear that the Pharisees would expel them from the synagogue. For they loved human praise more than the praise of God.
John 12:42-43
Monday, May 16, 2011
Stepping Stones: Wisdom: Using the Creator’s Instruction Manual
Transformational Thought
I remember when I was putting together one of the girl’s first bicycles on Christmas Eve. It was past midnight and I still wasn’t finished, but was getting more frustrated as the pedals wouldn’t work. Martine came down and “encouraged” me to use the instruction manual so we could get to bed. Wow, 15 minutes later we were snug in our bed.
If you look up the word “wisdom” you will find as the first definition, “having the ability to make sensible decisions and judgments.” It’s been said, “to live is to choose.” And how many times have bad decisions put us in that downward spiral? Today’s scripture reading tells us that to receive God’s wisdom (think about that for a moment … God’s wisdom) all we have to do is ask … but there’s a condition … we must ask in faith.
I know I look back every 5 years or so and say, “Wow, if only I knew then what I know now ….” The problem is, I think I know everything now and what God should allow to happen in my life. But in 5 years, I will again say, “Wow, if only I knew then what I know now….” It is always like that. We will never know enough to be the one trusted to really be in charge and call the shots.
I am amazed by our pride and stubbornness as we continually rely on our own understanding instead of His, even when we know our track record in certain areas is terrible. Reading the manufacturer’s instruction manual always works. Winging the assembly of my life on my own costs me time, energy, money, and lots of stress and frustration. He is my creator, made for amazing endeavors, and has given me the most amazing Instruction Manual ever written. We have to be idiots not to follow it. But amazingly, we chuck it to the side and use our own bogus manual written by Satan, the world, and our flesh.
Today, stop facing life’s challenges and storms in a half-witted way. Instead let’s ask for and receive from Him who “gives generously and without finding fault”. Why would we want to make decisions with any wisdom other than His? Pretty arrogant, isn’t it … thinking we know it all, especially knowing our own track record. Be wise. Whose instruction manual are you using to assemble your life … yours or HIS? WITHIN REACH helps you apply His Instruction Manual to your decisions. Your decision, choose well.
Prayer
Father, I am learning Lord, that the battles I fight each day are not always fair. But through these battles I trust that You are watching over me and that You have a plan for me and for all of us. I have challenges that are far too great for me to overcome. I thank You, Lord, for helping me endure these burdens with Your presence and by bringing this Stepping Stones prayer community together. During times of burdens and trials, I lack wisdom, Lord. I don’t know what to do … which way to turn. But then I turn to the gift of faith that you have given me … and that faith leads me to believe that I will receive Your wisdom. You tell me in James 1:5-6 that if I lack wisdom all I need to do is to ask You and You will give Your wisdom generously. I am asking Lord, give me Your wisdom this day. I ask with faith and without doubt. Give all of us Your wisdom and peace, so that we too can be victorious in our battles and trials ... and weather well the storms in our lives. I ask You, my Lord and God, to align my desires with Your purpose. I pray this in the name of the One who used Your instruction manual when tempted by the evil one, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say - AMEN!
The Truth
How much better it is to get wisdom than gold! And to get understanding is to be chosen above silver.
Proverbs 16:16
If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.
James 1:5-6
So you will find favor and good repute in the sight of God and man. Trust in the LORD with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.
Proverbs 3:4-6
I remember when I was putting together one of the girl’s first bicycles on Christmas Eve. It was past midnight and I still wasn’t finished, but was getting more frustrated as the pedals wouldn’t work. Martine came down and “encouraged” me to use the instruction manual so we could get to bed. Wow, 15 minutes later we were snug in our bed.
If you look up the word “wisdom” you will find as the first definition, “having the ability to make sensible decisions and judgments.” It’s been said, “to live is to choose.” And how many times have bad decisions put us in that downward spiral? Today’s scripture reading tells us that to receive God’s wisdom (think about that for a moment … God’s wisdom) all we have to do is ask … but there’s a condition … we must ask in faith.
I know I look back every 5 years or so and say, “Wow, if only I knew then what I know now ….” The problem is, I think I know everything now and what God should allow to happen in my life. But in 5 years, I will again say, “Wow, if only I knew then what I know now….” It is always like that. We will never know enough to be the one trusted to really be in charge and call the shots.
I am amazed by our pride and stubbornness as we continually rely on our own understanding instead of His, even when we know our track record in certain areas is terrible. Reading the manufacturer’s instruction manual always works. Winging the assembly of my life on my own costs me time, energy, money, and lots of stress and frustration. He is my creator, made for amazing endeavors, and has given me the most amazing Instruction Manual ever written. We have to be idiots not to follow it. But amazingly, we chuck it to the side and use our own bogus manual written by Satan, the world, and our flesh.
Today, stop facing life’s challenges and storms in a half-witted way. Instead let’s ask for and receive from Him who “gives generously and without finding fault”. Why would we want to make decisions with any wisdom other than His? Pretty arrogant, isn’t it … thinking we know it all, especially knowing our own track record. Be wise. Whose instruction manual are you using to assemble your life … yours or HIS? WITHIN REACH helps you apply His Instruction Manual to your decisions. Your decision, choose well.
Prayer
Father, I am learning Lord, that the battles I fight each day are not always fair. But through these battles I trust that You are watching over me and that You have a plan for me and for all of us. I have challenges that are far too great for me to overcome. I thank You, Lord, for helping me endure these burdens with Your presence and by bringing this Stepping Stones prayer community together. During times of burdens and trials, I lack wisdom, Lord. I don’t know what to do … which way to turn. But then I turn to the gift of faith that you have given me … and that faith leads me to believe that I will receive Your wisdom. You tell me in James 1:5-6 that if I lack wisdom all I need to do is to ask You and You will give Your wisdom generously. I am asking Lord, give me Your wisdom this day. I ask with faith and without doubt. Give all of us Your wisdom and peace, so that we too can be victorious in our battles and trials ... and weather well the storms in our lives. I ask You, my Lord and God, to align my desires with Your purpose. I pray this in the name of the One who used Your instruction manual when tempted by the evil one, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say - AMEN!
The Truth
How much better it is to get wisdom than gold! And to get understanding is to be chosen above silver.
Proverbs 16:16
If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.
James 1:5-6
So you will find favor and good repute in the sight of God and man. Trust in the LORD with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.
Proverbs 3:4-6
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Stepping Stones: Faith is Getting in God’s Wheelbarrow
Transformational Thought
Two talented tightrope walkers amazed the crowd with acrobatics while crossing treacherous Niagara Falls. After many dangerous stunts, one acrobat asked the crowd if they thought he could cross the rope pushing his partner in a wheelbarrow. One man yelled, “I believe you can because you performed so many amazing feats already.” After the acrobat wheeled his partner across the Falls in the wheelbarrow, he again asked the crowd to be next and get in the wheelbarrow. No one came forward. They believed he could accomplish the feat, but lacked enough faith to put their own life in his hands.
Would you get in that acrobat’s wheelbarrow? Intellectual faith (or belief) is knowing you would be safe. Behavioral faith puts into action what we actually believe. There are simple truths that just jump out of The Holy Bible and grab us. Hebrews 11:16 contains one of those “ah ha” truths: Without faith, it is impossible to please God. Everyday is filled with these crossroads … of whether we truly believe God is who He says He is, does what He says He does, and knows all He says He knows. Do we just intellectually believe but in our daily lives avoid His wheelbarrow test? Or do we really have faith as evidenced by action based on that intellectual knowledge? This is where the rubber meets the road. You see, it is not just believing ... belief is where it starts and is the first intellectual step. But then you have to have faith, make it real, apply it to your life, take the leap into His hands with all your being.
Faith in Jesus as Lord of your life is what separates the spiritually mature from the spiritually struggling believer. Faith tells God we are willing to put our life, our needs, and our fate in His hands, and are willing to let Him be in control instead of us. We actually get in the wheelbarrow … without reservation or fear! We recognize that He is God, and we are His flawed human children who need all He will infinitely give. God loves this like any parent would. When we are truly able to have behavioral faith, admit our weakness, see His strength, and start getting out of His way, He can do amazing transformational work in our lives!!!!
Today, take a chance. Do one thing differently … the way you know God wants you to do it even though you haven’t in the past. Watch God lead you into freedom. Take a ride in His wheelbarrow. Remember the simple formula of Christian life: Believe > Receive > Become. And the arrows are ever growing doses and actions of faith. Your decision, choose well.
Prayer
Dear Father, I know my increased faith and belief in You is pleasing to You, for You tell me in scripture that without faith it is impossible to please You. I pray that all those reading and walking on these Stepping Stones are becoming a more pleasing people to You. I know that believing that You exist is only the beginning; I know You want a personal, dynamic, life-transforming relationship with me and the entire Stepping Stones community and the world. I know those of us who “earnestly seek You” will be rewarded with Your intimate presence. I place all hope in You, Lord. I pray that You restore me to full health of body, mind and spirit. I pray this in the name of the One who got in Your wheelbarrow and went to the cross, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say - AMEN!
The Truth
And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
Hebrews 11:6
God is my refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore, he I will not fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea.
Psalm 46:1-2
that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God
1 Corinthians 2:5
Two talented tightrope walkers amazed the crowd with acrobatics while crossing treacherous Niagara Falls. After many dangerous stunts, one acrobat asked the crowd if they thought he could cross the rope pushing his partner in a wheelbarrow. One man yelled, “I believe you can because you performed so many amazing feats already.” After the acrobat wheeled his partner across the Falls in the wheelbarrow, he again asked the crowd to be next and get in the wheelbarrow. No one came forward. They believed he could accomplish the feat, but lacked enough faith to put their own life in his hands.
Would you get in that acrobat’s wheelbarrow? Intellectual faith (or belief) is knowing you would be safe. Behavioral faith puts into action what we actually believe. There are simple truths that just jump out of The Holy Bible and grab us. Hebrews 11:16 contains one of those “ah ha” truths: Without faith, it is impossible to please God. Everyday is filled with these crossroads … of whether we truly believe God is who He says He is, does what He says He does, and knows all He says He knows. Do we just intellectually believe but in our daily lives avoid His wheelbarrow test? Or do we really have faith as evidenced by action based on that intellectual knowledge? This is where the rubber meets the road. You see, it is not just believing ... belief is where it starts and is the first intellectual step. But then you have to have faith, make it real, apply it to your life, take the leap into His hands with all your being.
Faith in Jesus as Lord of your life is what separates the spiritually mature from the spiritually struggling believer. Faith tells God we are willing to put our life, our needs, and our fate in His hands, and are willing to let Him be in control instead of us. We actually get in the wheelbarrow … without reservation or fear! We recognize that He is God, and we are His flawed human children who need all He will infinitely give. God loves this like any parent would. When we are truly able to have behavioral faith, admit our weakness, see His strength, and start getting out of His way, He can do amazing transformational work in our lives!!!!
Today, take a chance. Do one thing differently … the way you know God wants you to do it even though you haven’t in the past. Watch God lead you into freedom. Take a ride in His wheelbarrow. Remember the simple formula of Christian life: Believe > Receive > Become. And the arrows are ever growing doses and actions of faith. Your decision, choose well.
Prayer
Dear Father, I know my increased faith and belief in You is pleasing to You, for You tell me in scripture that without faith it is impossible to please You. I pray that all those reading and walking on these Stepping Stones are becoming a more pleasing people to You. I know that believing that You exist is only the beginning; I know You want a personal, dynamic, life-transforming relationship with me and the entire Stepping Stones community and the world. I know those of us who “earnestly seek You” will be rewarded with Your intimate presence. I place all hope in You, Lord. I pray that You restore me to full health of body, mind and spirit. I pray this in the name of the One who got in Your wheelbarrow and went to the cross, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say - AMEN!
The Truth
And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
Hebrews 11:6
God is my refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore, he I will not fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea.
Psalm 46:1-2
that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God
1 Corinthians 2:5
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Stepping Stones: Even in Darkness, Light Dawns
Transformational Thought
How many of us believe, deep down, that we deserve a trouble-free life? And even if we don’t feel we actually deserve it, we certainly desire and feel entitled to that problem-free life anyway. What do we really deserve? The wages of sin is death. Just trying to keep things real and be straight with you.
The consequences of Eve and Adam’s sin resulted from choosing “self” over God, and so they experienced separation from God, shame, pain in child birth (and child-rearing), and toiling in the field. Our own sins bring consequences to ourselves and others. We are constantly paying for our sins. Actually, when we sin, we deserve death.
Everything we get in this life ... breathing, walking, thinking, house, family, heat, food, ability to read or listen to this devotional … is all way more than we deserve. What we receive in life is given totally from God; it is His amazing grace. It’s unbelievable that we feel so entitled … that we feel we deserve all the blessings we get. And on top of that, we actually believe we deserve more than we already get.
Instead of being happy about the 38 cancer-free years we enjoyed, we are bitter, believing we “deserve” better. Instead of being happy about the 8 years we had with our son, we ruminate and believe we are entitled to more time with him when he dies. I know this sounds harsh, but we have to get over our level of entitlement, thinking we are the almighty Oz who knows and sees everything. Just because we had something yesterday, we feel entitled to have it again today (job, finances, college, friendship, health, etc). Jesus tells us clearly in John 16:33 that we will have trouble in this world, and that we will only find peace in Him. No pain, no gain.
Today, let go of the illusion of the trouble-free life and begin turning your focus toward your Lord during the dark times, for “Even in darkness light dawns.” Show God you trust His prescription and provision for your life more than your own plan. WITHIN REACH will help you deal with the pain that drives your troubled and regrettable behaviors.
Prayer
Dear Father, Please help me give up the belief that I deserve a problem-free life. I remain constantly hungry for solutions for all the difficulties in my life. I know now that this is false hope. You tell me through Your word that in this world I will have trouble. Help me focus my energy on seeking You … the only perfect One … instead of seeking perfection in this fallen world. I know and believe that it is possible to enjoy You and glorify You in the midst of adverse situations and circumstances. In fact, You have taught me that Your light shines most brightly through believers who trust You while they are in the dark. I thank You, Lord, for the Christians you have placed in my life. The kind of trust I see them having in You is clearly supernatural … only possible by Your Spirit living within them. It’s so beautiful and encouraging to see their hearts so steadfast, trusting in You Lord. I pray this in the name of the One who was perfect and really deserved the trouble free-life, but who instead suffered for me, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say - AMEN!
The Truth
I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.
John 16:33
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 6:23
Even in darkness light dawns for the upright, for the gracious and compassionate and righteous man. He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD.
Psalm 112:4 and 7
How many of us believe, deep down, that we deserve a trouble-free life? And even if we don’t feel we actually deserve it, we certainly desire and feel entitled to that problem-free life anyway. What do we really deserve? The wages of sin is death. Just trying to keep things real and be straight with you.
The consequences of Eve and Adam’s sin resulted from choosing “self” over God, and so they experienced separation from God, shame, pain in child birth (and child-rearing), and toiling in the field. Our own sins bring consequences to ourselves and others. We are constantly paying for our sins. Actually, when we sin, we deserve death.
Everything we get in this life ... breathing, walking, thinking, house, family, heat, food, ability to read or listen to this devotional … is all way more than we deserve. What we receive in life is given totally from God; it is His amazing grace. It’s unbelievable that we feel so entitled … that we feel we deserve all the blessings we get. And on top of that, we actually believe we deserve more than we already get.
Instead of being happy about the 38 cancer-free years we enjoyed, we are bitter, believing we “deserve” better. Instead of being happy about the 8 years we had with our son, we ruminate and believe we are entitled to more time with him when he dies. I know this sounds harsh, but we have to get over our level of entitlement, thinking we are the almighty Oz who knows and sees everything. Just because we had something yesterday, we feel entitled to have it again today (job, finances, college, friendship, health, etc). Jesus tells us clearly in John 16:33 that we will have trouble in this world, and that we will only find peace in Him. No pain, no gain.
Today, let go of the illusion of the trouble-free life and begin turning your focus toward your Lord during the dark times, for “Even in darkness light dawns.” Show God you trust His prescription and provision for your life more than your own plan. WITHIN REACH will help you deal with the pain that drives your troubled and regrettable behaviors.
Prayer
Dear Father, Please help me give up the belief that I deserve a problem-free life. I remain constantly hungry for solutions for all the difficulties in my life. I know now that this is false hope. You tell me through Your word that in this world I will have trouble. Help me focus my energy on seeking You … the only perfect One … instead of seeking perfection in this fallen world. I know and believe that it is possible to enjoy You and glorify You in the midst of adverse situations and circumstances. In fact, You have taught me that Your light shines most brightly through believers who trust You while they are in the dark. I thank You, Lord, for the Christians you have placed in my life. The kind of trust I see them having in You is clearly supernatural … only possible by Your Spirit living within them. It’s so beautiful and encouraging to see their hearts so steadfast, trusting in You Lord. I pray this in the name of the One who was perfect and really deserved the trouble free-life, but who instead suffered for me, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say - AMEN!
The Truth
I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.
John 16:33
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 6:23
Even in darkness light dawns for the upright, for the gracious and compassionate and righteous man. He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD.
Psalm 112:4 and 7
Friday, May 13, 2011
Stepping Stones: I Hope You Get Addicted to this Sleeping Pill!
Transformational Thought
So many times I have patients who come to me with complaints of not feeling rested. We discuss their sleep patterns and “sleep hygiene”… like noise, blinds or light in the room, temperature, bed partner, evening eating, exercise habits, caffeine and alcohol use. Sometimes these corrections help, but usually, something else is going on.
You see, they do need a rest, but not a nap or more sleep. Physical rest isn’t the core issue. What they actually need is a rest from the burdens and conflicts battering them each day. More sleep or a nap only rests the body. It’s not our bodies that needs rest … it’s our souls.
How do you find rest for your soul? We look to so many cheats that masquerade as soothers. Food, alcohol, caffeine, isolation, our kids and their zillion activities, more work, status, a more secure retirement plan, hollow prayer, church activities and service, pornography, exercise, TV, affairs, escape into fantasy through books, movies, internet, computer relationships, social media, and games. The list really is endless.
Where will we find rest for our soul? Jesus tells us, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Don’t fight the experiences and activities of the day. Accept them and see how God is growing you through these specially prescribed circumstances. Seek Him today. Go to Him. He will give you the comfort, peace, and joy you desire and need so your soul will feel rested. When your soul is rested, your body can’t help but have energy when you need it and restful sleep when you need or want it.
Today, put your life in His hands the same way you put your eternal life in His hands. Examine your stressors today and embrace them as workouts to strengthen and grow you. Be thankful for who you will be after the workout. Then ask a wise person to help you see the stressor more objectively … like God sees it. Let your soul rest with Him today and forever. His hands are big enough and soft enough!
Prayer
Dear Father, I come to You weary and burdened, I come to You to rest, I come for Your blessing and grace and to be restored. Today, the way ahead of me feels steep. I am slowing down, Lord, so I can cling tightly to Your hand. I feel You are teaching me a difficult, yet important lesson. I am ready to learn, I lift my hands up to You at this very moment, hands of faith to receive Your lesson, Your peace, Your presence. Light, life, joy, peace flow freely from You. I know that when my focus turns away from You, I reach for other things. As I reach, at times I drop the glowing gift of Your presence. I return to You my Lord; I turn to regain Your presence. I pray this in the name of the One who laid His life on the cross in Your hands, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say - AMEN!
The Truth
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
Matthew 11:28-29
He only is my rock and my salvation, my stronghold; I shall not be shaken. On God my salvation and my glory rest; the rock of my strength, my refuge is in God. Trust in Him at all times, O people; Pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us.
Psalm 62:6-8
So many times I have patients who come to me with complaints of not feeling rested. We discuss their sleep patterns and “sleep hygiene”… like noise, blinds or light in the room, temperature, bed partner, evening eating, exercise habits, caffeine and alcohol use. Sometimes these corrections help, but usually, something else is going on.
You see, they do need a rest, but not a nap or more sleep. Physical rest isn’t the core issue. What they actually need is a rest from the burdens and conflicts battering them each day. More sleep or a nap only rests the body. It’s not our bodies that needs rest … it’s our souls.
How do you find rest for your soul? We look to so many cheats that masquerade as soothers. Food, alcohol, caffeine, isolation, our kids and their zillion activities, more work, status, a more secure retirement plan, hollow prayer, church activities and service, pornography, exercise, TV, affairs, escape into fantasy through books, movies, internet, computer relationships, social media, and games. The list really is endless.
Where will we find rest for our soul? Jesus tells us, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Don’t fight the experiences and activities of the day. Accept them and see how God is growing you through these specially prescribed circumstances. Seek Him today. Go to Him. He will give you the comfort, peace, and joy you desire and need so your soul will feel rested. When your soul is rested, your body can’t help but have energy when you need it and restful sleep when you need or want it.
Today, put your life in His hands the same way you put your eternal life in His hands. Examine your stressors today and embrace them as workouts to strengthen and grow you. Be thankful for who you will be after the workout. Then ask a wise person to help you see the stressor more objectively … like God sees it. Let your soul rest with Him today and forever. His hands are big enough and soft enough!
Prayer
Dear Father, I come to You weary and burdened, I come to You to rest, I come for Your blessing and grace and to be restored. Today, the way ahead of me feels steep. I am slowing down, Lord, so I can cling tightly to Your hand. I feel You are teaching me a difficult, yet important lesson. I am ready to learn, I lift my hands up to You at this very moment, hands of faith to receive Your lesson, Your peace, Your presence. Light, life, joy, peace flow freely from You. I know that when my focus turns away from You, I reach for other things. As I reach, at times I drop the glowing gift of Your presence. I return to You my Lord; I turn to regain Your presence. I pray this in the name of the One who laid His life on the cross in Your hands, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say - AMEN!
The Truth
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
Matthew 11:28-29
He only is my rock and my salvation, my stronghold; I shall not be shaken. On God my salvation and my glory rest; the rock of my strength, my refuge is in God. Trust in Him at all times, O people; Pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us.
Psalm 62:6-8
Thursday, May 12, 2011
Stepping Stones: Live in “day-tight” Compartments
Transformational Thought
Recently, I was in the midst of a very hectic couple week stretch. The phone rang and my daughter’s boyfriend was on her phone telling me she was in an accident. My heart jumped … imagining the worst-case scenario and wondering why she wasn’t calling me herself. Thankfully, she was talking to the police and all involved were OK. But then came the many hassles of towing, totaling the car, dealing with expenses, having to find and deal for another car, and carpooling while being down one car. I thought I had the next several crazy weeks already planned out. So some of those agenda items got cancelled or moved to a later date.
How much time and energy do you spend fretting and worrying about things for tomorrow? ... next week? … next year? What if you could lay out the blueprint of your life right now? Figured you’d love this option, right? Your life would be set, wouldn’t it? You in charge, calling all the shots, getting the life you desire.
Why then is the divorce rate around 50% ... why is the lemon law necessary … why so many returns after Christmas ... why do so many students transfer colleges, switch majors, or change jobs? All these are situations were ones in which we were able to select exactly what we wanted. We have almost no control of the future, even less knowledge of what’s to come, and a limited idea of what we really need in order to grow into a better person, to really achieve our God-given potential.
You see, it is our natural desire to want to be the authority, the king of our own life. We also live under the flesh-driven delusional that we know everything about ourselves, especially regarding what we need, and when we need it.
You know the drill. When you were 16 you thought you knew everything. Then at 20, you look back and realize you didn’t know much at 16, but now, at 20, you are a genius. Then at 30, you look back at 20 and realize you were in way over your head, but think 30 is where you are really wise. Well, at 48 I know I still don’t know much and am thankful God does. I try to let Him run my life, because when I was I charge, I was great at devising lame excuses to explain why life wasn’t going according to my plan.
Today, try to live one day at a time. Focus on living in “day-tight” compartments. Take what God brings you today and be great with it and grateful for it because it is the perfect gift for you from the perfect gift-giver, regardless of whether you think it is right for you. Don’t let tomorrow’s concerns seep into today. Today is all we can truly need, right now. You don’t need to return it … you can’t!!! Your decision, choose well.
Prayer
Dear Father, I thank You for all Your blessings. I pray that You help me learn to accept the limitations of living one day at a time, trusting You with all my heart. Teach me, Lord, to release all worry and problems into Your care. Doing this brings beautiful simplicity to my life. I pray You will bring Your healing grace to my life and into the lives of those I love who suffer from sickness, fear, and wariness. I pray to You, my God, to help me live a life close to You. Contrary to how the world thinks of You, a life lived close to You is not complicated or cluttered. When I focus on Your presence within me, all things that were once troubling lose their power over me. The world around me is messy and very confusing. But I remember that You have already overcome this world so that I may have peace. I pray this in the name of the One who laid His life perfectly in Your loving hands, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say - AMEN!
The Truth
These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
John 16:33
And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.
Jeremiah 29:13
You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.
Isaiah 26:3
And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:7
Recently, I was in the midst of a very hectic couple week stretch. The phone rang and my daughter’s boyfriend was on her phone telling me she was in an accident. My heart jumped … imagining the worst-case scenario and wondering why she wasn’t calling me herself. Thankfully, she was talking to the police and all involved were OK. But then came the many hassles of towing, totaling the car, dealing with expenses, having to find and deal for another car, and carpooling while being down one car. I thought I had the next several crazy weeks already planned out. So some of those agenda items got cancelled or moved to a later date.
How much time and energy do you spend fretting and worrying about things for tomorrow? ... next week? … next year? What if you could lay out the blueprint of your life right now? Figured you’d love this option, right? Your life would be set, wouldn’t it? You in charge, calling all the shots, getting the life you desire.
Why then is the divorce rate around 50% ... why is the lemon law necessary … why so many returns after Christmas ... why do so many students transfer colleges, switch majors, or change jobs? All these are situations were ones in which we were able to select exactly what we wanted. We have almost no control of the future, even less knowledge of what’s to come, and a limited idea of what we really need in order to grow into a better person, to really achieve our God-given potential.
You see, it is our natural desire to want to be the authority, the king of our own life. We also live under the flesh-driven delusional that we know everything about ourselves, especially regarding what we need, and when we need it.
You know the drill. When you were 16 you thought you knew everything. Then at 20, you look back and realize you didn’t know much at 16, but now, at 20, you are a genius. Then at 30, you look back at 20 and realize you were in way over your head, but think 30 is where you are really wise. Well, at 48 I know I still don’t know much and am thankful God does. I try to let Him run my life, because when I was I charge, I was great at devising lame excuses to explain why life wasn’t going according to my plan.
Today, try to live one day at a time. Focus on living in “day-tight” compartments. Take what God brings you today and be great with it and grateful for it because it is the perfect gift for you from the perfect gift-giver, regardless of whether you think it is right for you. Don’t let tomorrow’s concerns seep into today. Today is all we can truly need, right now. You don’t need to return it … you can’t!!! Your decision, choose well.
Prayer
Dear Father, I thank You for all Your blessings. I pray that You help me learn to accept the limitations of living one day at a time, trusting You with all my heart. Teach me, Lord, to release all worry and problems into Your care. Doing this brings beautiful simplicity to my life. I pray You will bring Your healing grace to my life and into the lives of those I love who suffer from sickness, fear, and wariness. I pray to You, my God, to help me live a life close to You. Contrary to how the world thinks of You, a life lived close to You is not complicated or cluttered. When I focus on Your presence within me, all things that were once troubling lose their power over me. The world around me is messy and very confusing. But I remember that You have already overcome this world so that I may have peace. I pray this in the name of the One who laid His life perfectly in Your loving hands, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say - AMEN!
The Truth
These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
John 16:33
And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.
Jeremiah 29:13
You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.
Isaiah 26:3
And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:7
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Stepping Stones: Get Radar For His “still, small voice”
Transformational Thought
God’s Word tells us that He does speak to us. If we are not hearing, it’s because we are not listening. When Adam and Eve were in the garden, I believe they had amazing spiritual radar and high spiritual IQ … very sensitive to the spiritual world, inquisitive during their time walking in the Garden with God, and in tune with their own spiritual needs while also having minimal sensitivity, awareness, and need for the physical world and their physical needs. They ultimately enjoyed an awesome spiritual communion with God.
Then their frame of reference experienced a dramatic change. Sin flipped everything inside out resulting in dulled spiritual radar and IQ. This contrasted with a heightened awareness, need, and sensitivity to the physical world and their physical needs. For example, instead of being concerned that they were spiritually dead, they knew they were naked, ran from God, and experienced physical pain.
Think you would never have such an upside down radar? Well, look at yourself ... sex, food, hunger, sleep, illness, physical pain, working out, money, bigger house, more comfortable car, pursuing that adrenaline rush … amazing how needy, sensitive, and aware we are when these physical things “call” out to us. How are your spiritual radar and IQ? You can improve them but it takes effort and intentionality. Start by listening to God. He is always speaking to you directly, periodically through others, as often as you want through the Holy Bible. He speaks constantly in and through your circumstances.
Don’t let Satan and your flesh distract you. Don’t hyper-focus on the really insignificant, “here today, gone tomorrow” material items of this world. Tune your radar … your attentiveness … to the powerful spiritual world of the intangible and eternal … where God resides.
Today, try to make room … make time each day to sit quietly in His presence. His most powerful communication is His still small voice speaking to your spirit. Do not be hurried, for this hurriedness tunes your radar to the physical world and closes your heart to the spiritual world. WITHIN REACH helps you tune your radar to see Him and recognize His direction in all your circumstances.
Prayer
Dear Father, I am waiting here quietly in Your presence. Your thoughts are forming silently in the depths of my being. I do not rush this process. I have learned that hurrying keeps my heart closed and stuck to earthly things. You are the Creator of all things. You are the King of the universe. Yet You choose to make Your home in my broken, humiliated, and humbled heart. It is there that You speak to me in holy whispers. I pray Lord that Your Holy Spirit will quiet my mind so I can hear Your still, small voice within me. I pray this in the name of the One who was perfectly tuned in to Your voice, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say - AMEN!
The Truth
And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice…
1 Kings 19:12
My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up. For thou art not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness: neither shall evil dwell with thee.
Psalm 5:3-4
‘For this people's heart has grown dull, and with their ears they can barely hear, and their eyes they have closed, lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and turn, and I would heal them.'
But blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear. For truly, I say to you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.
Matthew 13:15-17
God’s Word tells us that He does speak to us. If we are not hearing, it’s because we are not listening. When Adam and Eve were in the garden, I believe they had amazing spiritual radar and high spiritual IQ … very sensitive to the spiritual world, inquisitive during their time walking in the Garden with God, and in tune with their own spiritual needs while also having minimal sensitivity, awareness, and need for the physical world and their physical needs. They ultimately enjoyed an awesome spiritual communion with God.
Then their frame of reference experienced a dramatic change. Sin flipped everything inside out resulting in dulled spiritual radar and IQ. This contrasted with a heightened awareness, need, and sensitivity to the physical world and their physical needs. For example, instead of being concerned that they were spiritually dead, they knew they were naked, ran from God, and experienced physical pain.
Think you would never have such an upside down radar? Well, look at yourself ... sex, food, hunger, sleep, illness, physical pain, working out, money, bigger house, more comfortable car, pursuing that adrenaline rush … amazing how needy, sensitive, and aware we are when these physical things “call” out to us. How are your spiritual radar and IQ? You can improve them but it takes effort and intentionality. Start by listening to God. He is always speaking to you directly, periodically through others, as often as you want through the Holy Bible. He speaks constantly in and through your circumstances.
Don’t let Satan and your flesh distract you. Don’t hyper-focus on the really insignificant, “here today, gone tomorrow” material items of this world. Tune your radar … your attentiveness … to the powerful spiritual world of the intangible and eternal … where God resides.
Today, try to make room … make time each day to sit quietly in His presence. His most powerful communication is His still small voice speaking to your spirit. Do not be hurried, for this hurriedness tunes your radar to the physical world and closes your heart to the spiritual world. WITHIN REACH helps you tune your radar to see Him and recognize His direction in all your circumstances.
Prayer
Dear Father, I am waiting here quietly in Your presence. Your thoughts are forming silently in the depths of my being. I do not rush this process. I have learned that hurrying keeps my heart closed and stuck to earthly things. You are the Creator of all things. You are the King of the universe. Yet You choose to make Your home in my broken, humiliated, and humbled heart. It is there that You speak to me in holy whispers. I pray Lord that Your Holy Spirit will quiet my mind so I can hear Your still, small voice within me. I pray this in the name of the One who was perfectly tuned in to Your voice, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say - AMEN!
The Truth
And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice…
1 Kings 19:12
My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up. For thou art not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness: neither shall evil dwell with thee.
Psalm 5:3-4
‘For this people's heart has grown dull, and with their ears they can barely hear, and their eyes they have closed, lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and turn, and I would heal them.'
But blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear. For truly, I say to you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.
Matthew 13:15-17
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Stepping Stones: Prevenient Pursuit and Grace
Transformational Thought
Most kids don’t come into the world in a totally random way. Most people have been thinking since their childhood about how many kids they will have, how they will parent them, whether they will get an apartment or house with extra bedrooms, plan a nursery, even planning their sexual activity. All before the pregnancy even starts.
Did you know the work of God is present in our lives “before” we are even aware of it? In fact, millennia before we were even born, God knew who we were going to be. He was preparing the circumstances that would have the most influence and impact on us to show us our need for Him. He then is with us from conception to the end of time if we choose to be with Him during this lifetime in which the impact of some key decisions will last forever.
The word prevenient means “to come before.” Think about this for a moment: God has always been there, planning for us, and waiting for us, in anticipation of the loving relationship He desires to have specifically with each one of us. God pursues this relationship … He actively “courts” us through love and grace. It’s unassuming … and never forced.
He is there wooing us, hoping we will accept His amazing offer. His offer is free to us, and saves us so much pain and struggle in this world. He offers an incredible, eternal life in heaven after this one. We were created to have this beautiful romance with God. Without it, we will forever feel emptiness as we turn to ungodly substitutes to attain what we are missing.
Today, take a look at what you are pursuing instead of God. What hollow and harmful substitutes are you letting Satan entice you with? To what are you turning for your needs ... to soothe you … to bring you comfort … to help you escape your troubles? Anything other than God himself or what He provides is a dangerous counterfeit. Know that the Lord is seeking you and has been for thousands of years. Are you ready to receive the love and gifts He offers? When you do, you will be humbled and empowered beyond your dreams. Your decision, choose well.
Prayer
Dear Father, I come to You with a humble, yet thankful heart. It’s always so amazing to know that in spite of my wrong choices, Your love and grace continue to flow to me. What an awesome thought: You have been there waiting for me even before I was born ... waiting with Your ever-present offer of a personal romance with me. I thank You for the love You give me. My Lord and God, please help me seek You as You seek me. I know now that my acceptance of You changes everything. You said “yes” to me at creation and again at the cross when You sent Your only Son to die for my sins. I say “yes” to You, Lord. I say “yes” to the greatest gift anyone could imagine. I pray this surrounded by Your grace and mercy and through Your Son Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say - AMEN!
The Truth
But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Ephesians 2:4-5, 8-9
So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.
Genesis 1:27
For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:38-39
Most kids don’t come into the world in a totally random way. Most people have been thinking since their childhood about how many kids they will have, how they will parent them, whether they will get an apartment or house with extra bedrooms, plan a nursery, even planning their sexual activity. All before the pregnancy even starts.
Did you know the work of God is present in our lives “before” we are even aware of it? In fact, millennia before we were even born, God knew who we were going to be. He was preparing the circumstances that would have the most influence and impact on us to show us our need for Him. He then is with us from conception to the end of time if we choose to be with Him during this lifetime in which the impact of some key decisions will last forever.
The word prevenient means “to come before.” Think about this for a moment: God has always been there, planning for us, and waiting for us, in anticipation of the loving relationship He desires to have specifically with each one of us. God pursues this relationship … He actively “courts” us through love and grace. It’s unassuming … and never forced.
He is there wooing us, hoping we will accept His amazing offer. His offer is free to us, and saves us so much pain and struggle in this world. He offers an incredible, eternal life in heaven after this one. We were created to have this beautiful romance with God. Without it, we will forever feel emptiness as we turn to ungodly substitutes to attain what we are missing.
Today, take a look at what you are pursuing instead of God. What hollow and harmful substitutes are you letting Satan entice you with? To what are you turning for your needs ... to soothe you … to bring you comfort … to help you escape your troubles? Anything other than God himself or what He provides is a dangerous counterfeit. Know that the Lord is seeking you and has been for thousands of years. Are you ready to receive the love and gifts He offers? When you do, you will be humbled and empowered beyond your dreams. Your decision, choose well.
Prayer
Dear Father, I come to You with a humble, yet thankful heart. It’s always so amazing to know that in spite of my wrong choices, Your love and grace continue to flow to me. What an awesome thought: You have been there waiting for me even before I was born ... waiting with Your ever-present offer of a personal romance with me. I thank You for the love You give me. My Lord and God, please help me seek You as You seek me. I know now that my acceptance of You changes everything. You said “yes” to me at creation and again at the cross when You sent Your only Son to die for my sins. I say “yes” to You, Lord. I say “yes” to the greatest gift anyone could imagine. I pray this surrounded by Your grace and mercy and through Your Son Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say - AMEN!
The Truth
But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Ephesians 2:4-5, 8-9
So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.
Genesis 1:27
For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:38-39
Monday, May 9, 2011
Stepping Stones: Thankfully, The Story Doesn’t End There
Transformational Thought
This might sound a bit shocking to most of you, but put yourself in these shoes and bear with me. What if you were a murderer, rapist, thief, or child molester … all terribly atrocious, sinful identities. Then you get caught, have a trial, and are found guilty. Your sentence is proclaimed – DEATH! You now anxiously await execution.
Just as they are getting your humane, but very lethal injection ready, the warden runs in to stop everything just in the nick of time. He lets you know of a true and amazing miracle … no one has ever seen anything like it.
He excitedly explains what just happened starting with the basics. The penalty for your crime is death. The accuser (Satan) and justice demand a price to be paid, namely, death. Satan wants it to be you. A perfect person (Jesus), who owed no penalty, has voluntarily taken your place and will be executed in your place. You are now free to go and live. Your penalty is Paid in Full (the first blessing). What a great day.
But if that were the end of the story, it wouldn’t really be that great. You see, who really wants to date, befriend, hire, hangout with, or marry a convicted murderer, rapist, thief, or child molester? We all we judge, avoid, are fearful of, and attack these sinners. Your life, although spared, would be a walking death of isolation, ridicule, obstacles, loneliness, and never-ending effort to prove yourself worthy of a second chance.
This is where the even more amazing, second blessing comes from above. The King of Kings, Lord of Lords, Prince of Peace, Almighty Creator of everything actually wants to hang out with you, date you, and even marry you forever. He trusts you with His kids, and His valuable possessions. Most of all, He really loves you above all things and wants to get to know you intimately regardless of your sins, past, present, and future.
Today, try to see you the way God sees you. How much different could your life be? Now look at God with the gratitude and love that He deserves for all the grace and double blessing He extends to you (if we could even muster 1/1000 the love He gives us – wow). Accept His instruction and I guarantee, actually, He guarantees, your life will be grander beyond compare. Be glad the story doesn’t end with forgiveness, and rejoice in His second blessing of imputed righteousness.
Prayer
Dear Gracious and Merciful Father, I confess my sinful ways before You and thank You for Your forgiveness. Thanks for not giving up on me and for relentlessly pursuing me, especially when I stray way off course. Thanks for the nudging You give me to get back on track, even though at times I see it as adversity. I now realize You were trying to catch my attention and get me back on the right path toward true peace, freedom, and contentment in Your ways and arms. Please help me be a grateful prodigal son and not be resentful of other prodigals whom You also forgive. I pray this in the name of the One who paid for me, died for me, and pursued me, Jesus Christ. And all God’s children say - AMEN!
The Truth
“And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.’
“But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry; for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ And they began to be merry.
Luke 15:10-24
Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, “If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us.” But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, “Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.” And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.”
Luke 23:39-43
Thus says God, the LORD, who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread out the earth and what comes from it, who gives breath to the people on it and spirit to those who walk in it: "I am the LORD; I have called you in righteousness; I will take you by the hand and keep you; I will give you as a covenant for the people, a light for the nations, to open the eyes that are blind, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, from the prison those who sit in darkness.
Isaiah 42:5-7
This might sound a bit shocking to most of you, but put yourself in these shoes and bear with me. What if you were a murderer, rapist, thief, or child molester … all terribly atrocious, sinful identities. Then you get caught, have a trial, and are found guilty. Your sentence is proclaimed – DEATH! You now anxiously await execution.
Just as they are getting your humane, but very lethal injection ready, the warden runs in to stop everything just in the nick of time. He lets you know of a true and amazing miracle … no one has ever seen anything like it.
He excitedly explains what just happened starting with the basics. The penalty for your crime is death. The accuser (Satan) and justice demand a price to be paid, namely, death. Satan wants it to be you. A perfect person (Jesus), who owed no penalty, has voluntarily taken your place and will be executed in your place. You are now free to go and live. Your penalty is Paid in Full (the first blessing). What a great day.
But if that were the end of the story, it wouldn’t really be that great. You see, who really wants to date, befriend, hire, hangout with, or marry a convicted murderer, rapist, thief, or child molester? We all we judge, avoid, are fearful of, and attack these sinners. Your life, although spared, would be a walking death of isolation, ridicule, obstacles, loneliness, and never-ending effort to prove yourself worthy of a second chance.
This is where the even more amazing, second blessing comes from above. The King of Kings, Lord of Lords, Prince of Peace, Almighty Creator of everything actually wants to hang out with you, date you, and even marry you forever. He trusts you with His kids, and His valuable possessions. Most of all, He really loves you above all things and wants to get to know you intimately regardless of your sins, past, present, and future.
Today, try to see you the way God sees you. How much different could your life be? Now look at God with the gratitude and love that He deserves for all the grace and double blessing He extends to you (if we could even muster 1/1000 the love He gives us – wow). Accept His instruction and I guarantee, actually, He guarantees, your life will be grander beyond compare. Be glad the story doesn’t end with forgiveness, and rejoice in His second blessing of imputed righteousness.
Prayer
Dear Gracious and Merciful Father, I confess my sinful ways before You and thank You for Your forgiveness. Thanks for not giving up on me and for relentlessly pursuing me, especially when I stray way off course. Thanks for the nudging You give me to get back on track, even though at times I see it as adversity. I now realize You were trying to catch my attention and get me back on the right path toward true peace, freedom, and contentment in Your ways and arms. Please help me be a grateful prodigal son and not be resentful of other prodigals whom You also forgive. I pray this in the name of the One who paid for me, died for me, and pursued me, Jesus Christ. And all God’s children say - AMEN!
The Truth
“And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.’
“But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry; for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ And they began to be merry.
Luke 15:10-24
Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, “If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us.” But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, “Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.” And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.”
Luke 23:39-43
Thus says God, the LORD, who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread out the earth and what comes from it, who gives breath to the people on it and spirit to those who walk in it: "I am the LORD; I have called you in righteousness; I will take you by the hand and keep you; I will give you as a covenant for the people, a light for the nations, to open the eyes that are blind, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, from the prison those who sit in darkness.
Isaiah 42:5-7
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Stepping Stones: God’s Great Puzzle
Transformational Thought
I was blessed to be born into a family of 14 children. After 60 years my brothers and sisters remain my teachers, accountability partners … and my best friends.
When her children where raised and living all across the country, my mother would cherish the times when we could all be together in her home. She prepared meals for days prior to the gatherings. She was in her glory when she took a head count and confirmed all were present.
At one such gathering, I had traveled 800 miles with my four young daughters to be part of this reunion. I noticed on this day that my mother appeared a bit “down”, so I asked her if everything was OK. She reminded me that my brother Jamie wasn’t able to join this gathering. I said flippantly, "What’s the big deal? You've got 13 other children here. Why aren't you satisfied with that?” And then came one of mom’s many treasured lessons.
She said that one missing piece is important because without all the pieces of the puzzle, the picture is incomplete … it ruins the beauty of putting the puzzle on display. She went on, as she always did, to link it to God and his Word.
She explained that like a puzzle, the body of Christ consists of many parts, which together make a complete picture. God has equipped each believer with the particular gifts needed to do what God has called him or her to do. When that person is missing or not following up with their role, an important part of God's plan is missing. The picture is incomplete. Not only does that person miss out on being part of God’s great puzzle, but all the other pieces are affected too and won’t connect as a whole.
Remember, that God has a perfect plan for His body of believers … including you! Like the pieces of a puzzle, each one of us has a specific place, a specific task to do. When every piece is in its God-designed place, the picture is perfect. But when a piece … even one … is missing, the body is incomplete.
Today, take ownership of your place in the puzzle. Are you absent … a piece that dropped off the table? Are some of your edges worn down or jagged … not fitting smoothly into the other pieces? Ask for feedback today from 2 people who are close to you. How can you fit better into God’s puzzle? Your decisions can sabotage God’s perfect fit, so align your decisions with God’s ways. Stop working against God. Working with your God-designed fit will lead to a pleasurable and easier life. Your decision, choose well.
Prayer
Father God, Thank You, Father, for letting me know that I am an important part of Your Grand puzzle. And thank You, Father, for equipping each member of Christ's body, the church, to do what You have called him or her to do. Help me to be aware and sensitive as You lead me to do my part. And help me encourage others to fulfill what You have called them to do. I ask this in the name of the ultimate picture on the puzzle box, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say – Amen!
The Truth
Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other.
Romans 12:4-5
I was blessed to be born into a family of 14 children. After 60 years my brothers and sisters remain my teachers, accountability partners … and my best friends.
When her children where raised and living all across the country, my mother would cherish the times when we could all be together in her home. She prepared meals for days prior to the gatherings. She was in her glory when she took a head count and confirmed all were present.
At one such gathering, I had traveled 800 miles with my four young daughters to be part of this reunion. I noticed on this day that my mother appeared a bit “down”, so I asked her if everything was OK. She reminded me that my brother Jamie wasn’t able to join this gathering. I said flippantly, "What’s the big deal? You've got 13 other children here. Why aren't you satisfied with that?” And then came one of mom’s many treasured lessons.
She said that one missing piece is important because without all the pieces of the puzzle, the picture is incomplete … it ruins the beauty of putting the puzzle on display. She went on, as she always did, to link it to God and his Word.
She explained that like a puzzle, the body of Christ consists of many parts, which together make a complete picture. God has equipped each believer with the particular gifts needed to do what God has called him or her to do. When that person is missing or not following up with their role, an important part of God's plan is missing. The picture is incomplete. Not only does that person miss out on being part of God’s great puzzle, but all the other pieces are affected too and won’t connect as a whole.
Remember, that God has a perfect plan for His body of believers … including you! Like the pieces of a puzzle, each one of us has a specific place, a specific task to do. When every piece is in its God-designed place, the picture is perfect. But when a piece … even one … is missing, the body is incomplete.
Today, take ownership of your place in the puzzle. Are you absent … a piece that dropped off the table? Are some of your edges worn down or jagged … not fitting smoothly into the other pieces? Ask for feedback today from 2 people who are close to you. How can you fit better into God’s puzzle? Your decisions can sabotage God’s perfect fit, so align your decisions with God’s ways. Stop working against God. Working with your God-designed fit will lead to a pleasurable and easier life. Your decision, choose well.
Prayer
Father God, Thank You, Father, for letting me know that I am an important part of Your Grand puzzle. And thank You, Father, for equipping each member of Christ's body, the church, to do what You have called him or her to do. Help me to be aware and sensitive as You lead me to do my part. And help me encourage others to fulfill what You have called them to do. I ask this in the name of the ultimate picture on the puzzle box, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say – Amen!
The Truth
Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other.
Romans 12:4-5
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Stepping Stones: “By their fruit you will know them”
Transformational Thought
I suffer from slight claustrophobia. On a recent business flight I got stuck in a middle seat. I’d rather be in a dentist chair than sit in a middle seat on an airplane. And while I haven’t taken my tape measure with me, I am quite sure the airlines take an inch of seat width away from us each year.
While already feeling cramped, this tall gentleman sits in the aisle seat next to me and spreads out … his knee and elbow infringing into my small space. I’m thinking this is going to be a very long flight. I struggle with whether I should confront him about seat etiquette, but as I prayed about it for a moment, and started assessing my options, a much better choice surfaced. Better options do surface when we prayerfully apply self-control to a situation.
I decided to talk with him. He was such a joy to talk with, that I forgot all about being in a middle seat. He was filled with kindness and peace. It’s such a beautiful thing to see God in the face of others. We went back and forth so effortlessly that our flight seemed about 10 minutes long. I never even noticed a hint of physical discomfort even though my physical circumstances were unchanged from my initial assessment.
Our natural inclination to see life from a me-centered perspective in which we constantly need or feel entitled to comfort can lead to a poor, unsettled attitude. That perspective keeps us from opportunities to experience God in ourselves or thru others.
A lot of different religious groups will give you all sorts of ways to know whether or not you have the Holy Spirit. Jesus has one simple answer: "by their fruit you will know them." Paul gives us the definition of holy fruit: LOVE, JOY, PEACE, PATIENCE, KINDNESS, GOODNESS, FAITHFULNESS, GENTLENESS, SELF-CONTROL.
Today, say the holy fruit out loud and ask the Lord to make it true in you. Then take the next step, confess any sin in your life since your last confession. You can even use the “and I confess all my unknown sins and seek to turn from those activities.” Then the Holy Spirit is back on the throne of your heart opening your ears to His voice and guidance. As you follow, this amazing fruit will be yours to taste and enjoy. It will satisfy the desires of your heart. The alternative route, the fruit of the flesh, will rot in your belly and destroy you as well.
Prayer
Father God, Thank You for Your constant presence … thank You for Your answers to my prayers. And thank You, Father, for the gifts of the Holy Spirit. It is through the Spirit I call upon you. Please fill me more with Your Holy Spirit and the all the character You possess. I want to exhibit the qualities of that man You seated next to me on that flight … I want to be like Your child, Jesus, in whose name I pray; and all God’s children say – AMEN!
The Truth
But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law. Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.
Galatians 5:16-25
Delight yourself in the LORD; And He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD, Trust also in Him, and He will do it.
Psalm 37:4-5
I suffer from slight claustrophobia. On a recent business flight I got stuck in a middle seat. I’d rather be in a dentist chair than sit in a middle seat on an airplane. And while I haven’t taken my tape measure with me, I am quite sure the airlines take an inch of seat width away from us each year.
While already feeling cramped, this tall gentleman sits in the aisle seat next to me and spreads out … his knee and elbow infringing into my small space. I’m thinking this is going to be a very long flight. I struggle with whether I should confront him about seat etiquette, but as I prayed about it for a moment, and started assessing my options, a much better choice surfaced. Better options do surface when we prayerfully apply self-control to a situation.
I decided to talk with him. He was such a joy to talk with, that I forgot all about being in a middle seat. He was filled with kindness and peace. It’s such a beautiful thing to see God in the face of others. We went back and forth so effortlessly that our flight seemed about 10 minutes long. I never even noticed a hint of physical discomfort even though my physical circumstances were unchanged from my initial assessment.
Our natural inclination to see life from a me-centered perspective in which we constantly need or feel entitled to comfort can lead to a poor, unsettled attitude. That perspective keeps us from opportunities to experience God in ourselves or thru others.
A lot of different religious groups will give you all sorts of ways to know whether or not you have the Holy Spirit. Jesus has one simple answer: "by their fruit you will know them." Paul gives us the definition of holy fruit: LOVE, JOY, PEACE, PATIENCE, KINDNESS, GOODNESS, FAITHFULNESS, GENTLENESS, SELF-CONTROL.
Today, say the holy fruit out loud and ask the Lord to make it true in you. Then take the next step, confess any sin in your life since your last confession. You can even use the “and I confess all my unknown sins and seek to turn from those activities.” Then the Holy Spirit is back on the throne of your heart opening your ears to His voice and guidance. As you follow, this amazing fruit will be yours to taste and enjoy. It will satisfy the desires of your heart. The alternative route, the fruit of the flesh, will rot in your belly and destroy you as well.
Prayer
Father God, Thank You for Your constant presence … thank You for Your answers to my prayers. And thank You, Father, for the gifts of the Holy Spirit. It is through the Spirit I call upon you. Please fill me more with Your Holy Spirit and the all the character You possess. I want to exhibit the qualities of that man You seated next to me on that flight … I want to be like Your child, Jesus, in whose name I pray; and all God’s children say – AMEN!
The Truth
But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law. Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.
Galatians 5:16-25
Delight yourself in the LORD; And He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD, Trust also in Him, and He will do it.
Psalm 37:4-5
Friday, May 6, 2011
Stepping Stones: From The Inside Out
Transformational Thought
I know when I was at my lowest point … Essex County jail in Newark, NJ, ripped shirt, cut and bloodied face, bruised and battered body, sitting alone in a cold jail cell … I knew something was really messed up. But my focus was on trying to clean up the outer part of my life, trying to be a better decision-maker to improve my external behavior. A funny thing happened as I started this “makeover.” I realized in order to improve the part of me everyone saw, I had to really examine what was going on inside, in my heart first. Far too often, we focus on our outward self, but true transformation only can happen from the inside. Then it ripples outward.
I realized, at the center of my heart, I was worshipping a lot of insignificant items. You see, when you glorify something or worship it, you give it great weight in your life. The root of the Hebrew word for "glorify" carries the idea of "weight" or "heaviness". An object with great mass that weighs a lot, like the sun, causes gravitational forces that in turn causes other, smaller objects to orbit around it.
Ideally, I worship God. He’s bigger than and weighs more than anything else in my life, and He then determines the orbits of everything else around Him. God at the center, not just intellectually, but evidenced by my attitude in life, the words I speak, and my actions.
We can worship many things. The short list: self, need for control, safety, love, acceptance, importance, competence, money, material things ... or nice things like kids, house, spouse, job, ministry … the list is really endless. But all these lead to the same miserable destination.
No matter what trivial item I choose to worship, the weight I give it in my life will shape and determine the orbits of everything else in my life around it, including God. Listen to me closely! Placing God in a position orbiting around anything else is a formula for disaster. Only God is omnipotent, omniscient, and sovereign over all things. His place is at the center and He orders the orbits of everything else in a great way.
Today, when you make your decisions, examine what is at the center of your heart/universe. Start by asking "What is my greatest need right now?" or "What does my life depend on in this situation?" Then take stock of the downside when you are worshipping anything other than God. Please give God the place and weight He deserves. It transformed my life, and will transform yours. Your decision, choose well.
Prayer
Dear Father, through this renewed intimacy with You, I feel I am being transformed from the inside out. Far too long I have been focusing on the outer person. Now I focus on the inner person. I pray that as I increase my focus on You, my Lord, that You transform me into the one You desire me to be. I yield to you, Lord, I do not resist this change nor do I desire to slow it down or speed it up. I let You set the pace, Lord, for I know Your timing is perfect. I know now that a delay does not mean “no.” I hold your hand Jesus with childlike trust, just as babies hold their parent’s hands as they learn to walk, step by step. Hold my hand, Lord, let me feel and enjoy the tempo of this God-breathed life I am now living. All glory to You, God. Thank You Jesus. Thank You Lord. I pray this in the name of the One who always had God at the center of His heart, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say - AMEN!
The Truth
And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
2 Corinthians 3:18
"And now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require of you, but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the commandments and statutes of the LORD, which I am commanding you today for your good? Behold, to the LORD your God belong heaven and the heaven of heavens, the earth with all that is in it.
Deuteronomy 10:12-14
I know when I was at my lowest point … Essex County jail in Newark, NJ, ripped shirt, cut and bloodied face, bruised and battered body, sitting alone in a cold jail cell … I knew something was really messed up. But my focus was on trying to clean up the outer part of my life, trying to be a better decision-maker to improve my external behavior. A funny thing happened as I started this “makeover.” I realized in order to improve the part of me everyone saw, I had to really examine what was going on inside, in my heart first. Far too often, we focus on our outward self, but true transformation only can happen from the inside. Then it ripples outward.
I realized, at the center of my heart, I was worshipping a lot of insignificant items. You see, when you glorify something or worship it, you give it great weight in your life. The root of the Hebrew word for "glorify" carries the idea of "weight" or "heaviness". An object with great mass that weighs a lot, like the sun, causes gravitational forces that in turn causes other, smaller objects to orbit around it.
Ideally, I worship God. He’s bigger than and weighs more than anything else in my life, and He then determines the orbits of everything else around Him. God at the center, not just intellectually, but evidenced by my attitude in life, the words I speak, and my actions.
We can worship many things. The short list: self, need for control, safety, love, acceptance, importance, competence, money, material things ... or nice things like kids, house, spouse, job, ministry … the list is really endless. But all these lead to the same miserable destination.
No matter what trivial item I choose to worship, the weight I give it in my life will shape and determine the orbits of everything else in my life around it, including God. Listen to me closely! Placing God in a position orbiting around anything else is a formula for disaster. Only God is omnipotent, omniscient, and sovereign over all things. His place is at the center and He orders the orbits of everything else in a great way.
Today, when you make your decisions, examine what is at the center of your heart/universe. Start by asking "What is my greatest need right now?" or "What does my life depend on in this situation?" Then take stock of the downside when you are worshipping anything other than God. Please give God the place and weight He deserves. It transformed my life, and will transform yours. Your decision, choose well.
Prayer
Dear Father, through this renewed intimacy with You, I feel I am being transformed from the inside out. Far too long I have been focusing on the outer person. Now I focus on the inner person. I pray that as I increase my focus on You, my Lord, that You transform me into the one You desire me to be. I yield to you, Lord, I do not resist this change nor do I desire to slow it down or speed it up. I let You set the pace, Lord, for I know Your timing is perfect. I know now that a delay does not mean “no.” I hold your hand Jesus with childlike trust, just as babies hold their parent’s hands as they learn to walk, step by step. Hold my hand, Lord, let me feel and enjoy the tempo of this God-breathed life I am now living. All glory to You, God. Thank You Jesus. Thank You Lord. I pray this in the name of the One who always had God at the center of His heart, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say - AMEN!
The Truth
And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
2 Corinthians 3:18
"And now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require of you, but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the commandments and statutes of the LORD, which I am commanding you today for your good? Behold, to the LORD your God belong heaven and the heaven of heavens, the earth with all that is in it.
Deuteronomy 10:12-14
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Stepping Stones: The Ultimate Personal Gift Card
Transformational Thought
So many times, we make mistakes. Even big sinful ones. Unfortunately, we often let our fleshly me-centered nature and Satan go to town with these sins to cripple, bind, and blind us. The chains are made of guilt, shame, self-pity, lame excuses, blame-shifting, depression, fear, anxiety, isolation, addiction, insecurity, and the list goes on.
In the Holy Bible, when the crowd was about to stone the woman caught in adultery, they asked Jesus; “What do you say we do?” Jesus started to write in the sand and then said, “Anyone here who has never sinned can through the first stone at her.”
The young men look to the old … the old look into their hearts and they are the first to drop their stones. Jesus then asks the woman if anyone has judged her guilty … she says “no one, Lord”. Then Jesus says; “Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.”
How do you think God reacts when you fail? Listen carefully because this is critical: He writes it down … not in the sand or on paper, but on a cross and with Jesus’ blood. His message has three words: “Paid in Full”. He’s given you a prepaid gift card that He paid in full for your penalty. Your response is …. confess your sin and receive His gift.
Hear this. Your personal gift card is not permission to sin … that is a whole different topic. Your gift card is freedom from the condemnation your sin would bring if it weren’t for such a gracious God who is perfectly holy and just, but also perfectly loving and merciful.
Today, redeem your gift card. How? Confession. We don’t use it enough. We sin a bunch, but most only confess, what, once a week … once a day … three times a day? I know I sin more than that, and I bet you do too. Examine your thoughts and actions. When you miss God’s mark, stop and confess missing the mark and celebrate your freedom Christ purchased from the slave market of sin. Your renewed and liberated mind is now freer than ever before to make Godly decisions. Your decision, choose well.
Prayer
Dear Father, I come to You with a thankful heart, so thankful You sent Your son to pay the price for my sin, and thankful for Your gift of forgiveness. What a comfort to think of the words; “Paid in Full”. Better yet, thanks for the eternal life you offer me, free from sin’s devastation. Help me learn from Your wisdom and apply it to my everyday life. Please help me to not judge others’ hearts. Let me be Your disciple, not a judge. Help me to forgive others as You have forgiven me. Focus my eyes on my heart and intentions, and not on those of others. I pray this in the name of the One who paid the ultimate price for my gift card, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say - AMEN!
The Truth
Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.
John 8:12
This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1 John 1:5-9
So many times, we make mistakes. Even big sinful ones. Unfortunately, we often let our fleshly me-centered nature and Satan go to town with these sins to cripple, bind, and blind us. The chains are made of guilt, shame, self-pity, lame excuses, blame-shifting, depression, fear, anxiety, isolation, addiction, insecurity, and the list goes on.
In the Holy Bible, when the crowd was about to stone the woman caught in adultery, they asked Jesus; “What do you say we do?” Jesus started to write in the sand and then said, “Anyone here who has never sinned can through the first stone at her.”
The young men look to the old … the old look into their hearts and they are the first to drop their stones. Jesus then asks the woman if anyone has judged her guilty … she says “no one, Lord”. Then Jesus says; “Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.”
How do you think God reacts when you fail? Listen carefully because this is critical: He writes it down … not in the sand or on paper, but on a cross and with Jesus’ blood. His message has three words: “Paid in Full”. He’s given you a prepaid gift card that He paid in full for your penalty. Your response is …. confess your sin and receive His gift.
Hear this. Your personal gift card is not permission to sin … that is a whole different topic. Your gift card is freedom from the condemnation your sin would bring if it weren’t for such a gracious God who is perfectly holy and just, but also perfectly loving and merciful.
Today, redeem your gift card. How? Confession. We don’t use it enough. We sin a bunch, but most only confess, what, once a week … once a day … three times a day? I know I sin more than that, and I bet you do too. Examine your thoughts and actions. When you miss God’s mark, stop and confess missing the mark and celebrate your freedom Christ purchased from the slave market of sin. Your renewed and liberated mind is now freer than ever before to make Godly decisions. Your decision, choose well.
Prayer
Dear Father, I come to You with a thankful heart, so thankful You sent Your son to pay the price for my sin, and thankful for Your gift of forgiveness. What a comfort to think of the words; “Paid in Full”. Better yet, thanks for the eternal life you offer me, free from sin’s devastation. Help me learn from Your wisdom and apply it to my everyday life. Please help me to not judge others’ hearts. Let me be Your disciple, not a judge. Help me to forgive others as You have forgiven me. Focus my eyes on my heart and intentions, and not on those of others. I pray this in the name of the One who paid the ultimate price for my gift card, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say - AMEN!
The Truth
Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.
John 8:12
This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1 John 1:5-9
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
