March 24-25, 2012
Transformational Thought
True or False?
“It’s freezing! Don’t go outside without a coat. You’ll catch a cold!”
“Don’t crack your knuckles like that! You’ll get arthritis!”
“Shaving causes hair to grow back faster and thicker.”
“You only use 10% of your brain”
“The rhythm method of birth control always works.”
These are all false. Yes, many of us have believed these to be true, but they aren’t. They are common myths and life is filled with many other myths. In general, a myth is a widely held but incorrect belief. Even though Christianity is about the truth, many myths actually exist in Christianity. These beliefs actually impede or even derail healthy Christian behavior and growth.
A prevalent myth among Christians is the belief that we need to wait for something in order to further our faith. Like, wait until I … learn more … mature more … am done hurting … find the right Bible …find that great teacher who really connects with me … get done with that big work project … get the kids off to kindergarten … get the kids into college … get back from vacation … get in a good small group … just get a couple things off my plate … give up my addiction… have time … have more time…really sense God’s presence and guidance … have my next crisis … have someone to mentor me … can take a class … tomorrow, tomorrow, tomorrow. Get the picture?
How many of these have you used? Yeah, me too! I even have a few I’m too embarrassed to let you see. I bet you do, too. Quick reality check: do you think these reflect God’s timeline or Satan’s? And don’t say “God is in control of everything and the timeline is always His timeline.” He wants us to grow in our faith NOW. Sure, He can use our feet-dragging in powerful ways, but He calls us to grow in every circumstance, not just when we feel like it.
Today’s scripture tells us that we can do immensely more than we can imagine … according to His power that is at work within us. We don’t need to wait … in fact we can’t wait. We are already behind. People are dying each day, and even though we don’t save them, God wants to use us to advance His kingdom. Your lack of growth dims His glory and leads to your further suffering.
Today, push the myths out of your mind and take that next step toward living the life of Christ. Start to grow your faith now by doing one thing a little more than usual. Pray for an extra 3 minutes, listen to God for 2 extra minutes, or read the Holy Bible for an extra 5 minutes. Honor God in your parenting. Resist that extra cookie or drink. Cut down your coffee. Control your emotions for 5 extra seconds. A little more is possible … now. Be disciplined with this and you will definitely see the benefit quickly. Edging Forward helps you move forward one step at a time. Quit being lazy and using lame excuses (I was the master of sophisticated but lame excuses). You are only hurting yourself. Life is your decision, so choose well.
Prayer
Dear Father God, I admit and confess that I let so many myths and falsehoods keep me away from doing Your work … and ultimately they keep me away from You. I ask that You fill me with the Holy Spirit and the gift of discernment to help me eliminate non-productive myths. I pray this and all prayers in the name of the One whom you sent to testify to the truth, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say - AMEN!
The Truth
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen.
Ephesians 3:20-21
Pilate said, "So you are a king?" Jesus responded, "You say I am a king. Actually, I was born and came into the world to testify to the truth. All who love the truth recognize that what I say is true."
John 18:37
Showing posts with label satan. Show all posts
Showing posts with label satan. Show all posts
Saturday, March 24, 2012
Saturday, February 18, 2012
Stepping Stones: How Selective is Your Club?
February 18-19, 2012
Transformational Thought
So many clubs exist that have very specific criteria for membership … the Italian Club … civic clubs like Rotary, Lions, and Kiwanis … Masons … country clubs … labor unions … political parties. Some companies are selective, as are the Pittsburgh Steelers or the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders. Colleges, med schools, the military … even families have criteria and selection processes for membership by marriage.
In today's world, harmony and tolerance have become goals unto themselves. Peace at any cost … All ways lead to God … Live and let live. Such "tolerant" attitudes actually lead to intolerance of anyone who claims to have the answer or truth. Religions or moral “clubs,” or groups with a certain belief seem to be treated differently. Their criteria or a selection process seems to be intolerable.
Jesus made it clear that He is the only way to God, the only way to real peace. In Isaiah 9:6 He is called the Prince of Peace. God calls us to love all people, but agreeing that other faiths can lead to God just so we can seek unity and “peace” is to deny our own faith … the teachings of God, the existence and work of Jesus, and the Holy Bible. And in doing so, we deny Jesus as our Savior. As Christians, we are not expressing Christ-like love when we accept as OK the beliefs of those who deny Christ or who live sinful lifestyles … all for the sake of unity and peace. The Bible is clear about God, Jesus, and moral issues.
The double standard for “clubs” really shows me the existence, power, and agenda of Satan, Satan wants people to believe being nice is all you need to do to be Holy, thus engaging with God by avoiding Christ. Satan wants to push the idea that we can connect with God on our own power, through our efforts. This is why we get stuck on the law and legalism, and have difficulty absorbing God’s gracious gift of forgiveness.
Today, begin expressing Jesus' love by loving people where they are, by building relationships with them and, as the Holy Spirit leads, by sharing the truths of the Gospel with them. Jesus is the only answer. Don’t let anybody guilt you into thinking Christianity is the only club with intolerant selection criteria. Show them how compassion and rigidity can co-exist.
Prayer
My Father, Help me never to deny my faith by accepting the unscriptural beliefs of others for the sake of unity and peace. Help me love others, no matter what their faith. Help me love them enough to build relationships with them. As the Holy Spirit leads, help me to share the truth of the Gospel with them … and to do so with love. Help me communicate in a manner that leads all to understand that Jesus is the only way. I pray this and all prayers through the One you sent to show us the way, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say - AMEN!
The Truth
Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me."
John 14:6
Then Darius the king wrote to all the peoples, nations and men of every language who were living in all the land: “May your peace abound! I make a decree that in all the dominion of my kingdom men are to fear and tremble before the God of Daniel; For He is the living God and enduring forever, And His kingdom is one which will not be destroyed, And His dominion will be forever. He delivers and rescues and performs signs and wonders in heaven and on earth, Who has also delivered Daniel from the power of the lions.”
Daniel 6:25-27
Transformational Thought
So many clubs exist that have very specific criteria for membership … the Italian Club … civic clubs like Rotary, Lions, and Kiwanis … Masons … country clubs … labor unions … political parties. Some companies are selective, as are the Pittsburgh Steelers or the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders. Colleges, med schools, the military … even families have criteria and selection processes for membership by marriage.
In today's world, harmony and tolerance have become goals unto themselves. Peace at any cost … All ways lead to God … Live and let live. Such "tolerant" attitudes actually lead to intolerance of anyone who claims to have the answer or truth. Religions or moral “clubs,” or groups with a certain belief seem to be treated differently. Their criteria or a selection process seems to be intolerable.
Jesus made it clear that He is the only way to God, the only way to real peace. In Isaiah 9:6 He is called the Prince of Peace. God calls us to love all people, but agreeing that other faiths can lead to God just so we can seek unity and “peace” is to deny our own faith … the teachings of God, the existence and work of Jesus, and the Holy Bible. And in doing so, we deny Jesus as our Savior. As Christians, we are not expressing Christ-like love when we accept as OK the beliefs of those who deny Christ or who live sinful lifestyles … all for the sake of unity and peace. The Bible is clear about God, Jesus, and moral issues.
The double standard for “clubs” really shows me the existence, power, and agenda of Satan, Satan wants people to believe being nice is all you need to do to be Holy, thus engaging with God by avoiding Christ. Satan wants to push the idea that we can connect with God on our own power, through our efforts. This is why we get stuck on the law and legalism, and have difficulty absorbing God’s gracious gift of forgiveness.
Today, begin expressing Jesus' love by loving people where they are, by building relationships with them and, as the Holy Spirit leads, by sharing the truths of the Gospel with them. Jesus is the only answer. Don’t let anybody guilt you into thinking Christianity is the only club with intolerant selection criteria. Show them how compassion and rigidity can co-exist.
Prayer
My Father, Help me never to deny my faith by accepting the unscriptural beliefs of others for the sake of unity and peace. Help me love others, no matter what their faith. Help me love them enough to build relationships with them. As the Holy Spirit leads, help me to share the truth of the Gospel with them … and to do so with love. Help me communicate in a manner that leads all to understand that Jesus is the only way. I pray this and all prayers through the One you sent to show us the way, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say - AMEN!
The Truth
Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me."
John 14:6
Then Darius the king wrote to all the peoples, nations and men of every language who were living in all the land: “May your peace abound! I make a decree that in all the dominion of my kingdom men are to fear and tremble before the God of Daniel; For He is the living God and enduring forever, And His kingdom is one which will not be destroyed, And His dominion will be forever. He delivers and rescues and performs signs and wonders in heaven and on earth, Who has also delivered Daniel from the power of the lions.”
Daniel 6:25-27
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Stepping Stones: The Antidote for Deceit: The Ultimate Instruction Book
January 17, 2012
Transformational Thought
We have talked many times about PAIN and discomfort. Whether physical or especially spiritual, emotional, psychological, or relational, pain and discomfort really motivate and determine many of our decisions in life. Unfortunately, this is where most of our knee-jerk, “help me now and I’ll deal with the consequences later” decisions and actions originate from.
The last 2 days we looked at the first 2 desert temptations of Christ, so today we will look at the third temptation: Satan using Scripture to tempt Jesus to leap from the top of the temple and land safely. Remember, Jesus is fully human and would have been seriously injured by such a fall.
Jesus could have jumped, and it would have been the job of the angels to protect him. It was not a temptation to commit an overt sin, but it was putting His Father's care to the test ... asking Father God to prove his care for Jesus. Jesus responded to Satan by quoting more Scriptures, the truth, and putting into context what Satan, the master of deceit, had quoted out of context.
We learn from Jesus' response that we should trust God and His promises, and not test His reliability for the wrong reasons. He promises to take care of us, but we shouldn't step in front of a speeding car to see what He will do. He has promised to meet our needs, but we shouldn't spend money recklessly.
In all three temptations, Jesus relied on the Scriptures for a proper understanding of what He was to do, and He quoted it in times of temptation. He did not take isolated verses out of context but balanced Scripture with an understanding of the true meaning of the verses and God’s overall plan and character. We find this to be part of the Armor of God that Paul exhorts us to use in the spiritual war we are in. Having experienced temptation, Jesus understands our condition. He is sympathetic, and He is also the perfect standard and role model.
Today, yield to the will of God. Memorize Scripture. And get a good study Bible that explains the context of these verses. Live it. Make a specific plan of how to do this more consistently as the Lord enables and pushes you. Life according to your flawed instruction book is limited and will lead you astray; so choose to use the perfect instruction book. WITHIN REACH will help you wring out all the power of God’s word to apply practically in your life.
Prayer
Dear Father God, You know I am so weak. Please help me to prepare to resist temptation by spending more time in Your Word. Teach me not just to read, but rather to live the Scripture. Please bring the right Scripture to my mind when I am facing a temptation … and also teach me to understand the whole story of Your word. I pray this in the name of the One who would never deceive me and who is the living word, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say - AMEN!
The Truth
Then the devil took him to Jerusalem, to the highest point of the Temple, and said, 'If you are the Son of God, jump off! For the Scriptures say, He will order his angels to protect and guard you. And they will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.' Jesus responded, “The Scriptures also say, You must not test the Lord your God.”
Luke 4:9-12
Those who obey him will not be punished. Those who are wise will find a time and a way to do what is right, for there is a time and a way for everything. . .”
Ecclesiastes 8:5, 6a
For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Hebrews 4:12
Transformational Thought
We have talked many times about PAIN and discomfort. Whether physical or especially spiritual, emotional, psychological, or relational, pain and discomfort really motivate and determine many of our decisions in life. Unfortunately, this is where most of our knee-jerk, “help me now and I’ll deal with the consequences later” decisions and actions originate from.
The last 2 days we looked at the first 2 desert temptations of Christ, so today we will look at the third temptation: Satan using Scripture to tempt Jesus to leap from the top of the temple and land safely. Remember, Jesus is fully human and would have been seriously injured by such a fall.
Jesus could have jumped, and it would have been the job of the angels to protect him. It was not a temptation to commit an overt sin, but it was putting His Father's care to the test ... asking Father God to prove his care for Jesus. Jesus responded to Satan by quoting more Scriptures, the truth, and putting into context what Satan, the master of deceit, had quoted out of context.
We learn from Jesus' response that we should trust God and His promises, and not test His reliability for the wrong reasons. He promises to take care of us, but we shouldn't step in front of a speeding car to see what He will do. He has promised to meet our needs, but we shouldn't spend money recklessly.
In all three temptations, Jesus relied on the Scriptures for a proper understanding of what He was to do, and He quoted it in times of temptation. He did not take isolated verses out of context but balanced Scripture with an understanding of the true meaning of the verses and God’s overall plan and character. We find this to be part of the Armor of God that Paul exhorts us to use in the spiritual war we are in. Having experienced temptation, Jesus understands our condition. He is sympathetic, and He is also the perfect standard and role model.
Today, yield to the will of God. Memorize Scripture. And get a good study Bible that explains the context of these verses. Live it. Make a specific plan of how to do this more consistently as the Lord enables and pushes you. Life according to your flawed instruction book is limited and will lead you astray; so choose to use the perfect instruction book. WITHIN REACH will help you wring out all the power of God’s word to apply practically in your life.
Prayer
Dear Father God, You know I am so weak. Please help me to prepare to resist temptation by spending more time in Your Word. Teach me not just to read, but rather to live the Scripture. Please bring the right Scripture to my mind when I am facing a temptation … and also teach me to understand the whole story of Your word. I pray this in the name of the One who would never deceive me and who is the living word, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say - AMEN!
The Truth
Then the devil took him to Jerusalem, to the highest point of the Temple, and said, 'If you are the Son of God, jump off! For the Scriptures say, He will order his angels to protect and guard you. And they will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.' Jesus responded, “The Scriptures also say, You must not test the Lord your God.”
Luke 4:9-12
Those who obey him will not be punished. Those who are wise will find a time and a way to do what is right, for there is a time and a way for everything. . .”
Ecclesiastes 8:5, 6a
For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Hebrews 4:12
Monday, November 21, 2011
Stepping Stones: What Activity Motivates You?
Transformational Thought
Think back to your childhood. Remember some of the activities you were involved in, like athletics, band, music or voice lessons, a play, gymnastics, dance, 4-H, or horseback riding. Maybe for you it was an academic team, cheerleading, scouts, or a church youth group or activity.
I remember how much I looked forward to my sports practices and games. As scenarios played out in my head, I would try to forecast what I would do, or what the opponents would do, and imagine the possible outcomes. I would circle dates and times, and as I imagined these events they would fill my mind and push everything else out. I had to be on my deathbed to miss a practice, let alone a game. In fact, I even missed some summer vacations to play more ball.
Part of my full commitment to athletic activities came from my love of sports, but also I showed up because my coach expected me to. He could tell within 3 minutes if I had kept my commitment to practice since last time. In a way, he held me accountable for what I committed to do and was responsible for. But the main reason I showed up was that my teacher gave me the impression that I had the ability to play with greater skill than I believed I could, and he would get me to that level. This is an incredibly powerful tool and it was always quite motivating to me.
What if you could have a daily or hourly appointment with someone who loves you … someone who accepts you just as you are, while seeing in you far more than you see in yourself? What if this ultimate teacher, coach, or parent could relieve your stress, forgive all your transgressions, and eliminate your guilt, insecurity, and especially your world-weariness? In addition, HE could equip you to lead a fulfilled, successful, and abundant life. Wouldn’t you be wildly excited to get to those appointments, practices and games? What could ever hold you back?
If such a place and person did exist, and I hope you know He does, you could be confident that your greatest enemy would not want you going to these appointments, and that he would try to talk you out of it, or hide it from you. Well, God is waiting … for you to come to Him. And your enemy is always trying to get in your way, getting in your head, steering you away from the perfect teacher, or trying to steer you to an impostor coach (or activity) that will lead you astray.
Today, identify one activity that is keeping you from life-giving practice sessions with God. Why do you let them interfere? How are you de-valuing God’s impact in these coaching sessions? Why do you place so much value on the impostor’s coaching? Instead
, allow His love and acceptance, as well as His expectation of who He is helping you to become, to motivate you. Don’t let anything interfere with your sessions, because nothing will give you more than that session with Him. Identify one activity you can shorten to go to a Place and to Someone for all you desire. Find practical ways to begin laying a path to Him. Make dates with Him and then keep those dates. Your decision, choose well.
Prayer
Dear Perfect Coach and God, I know deep in my heart that spending time with You is the most important and rewarding investment of time I can make … yet, it is also the most difficult part of my daily behavior to master. I pray, Father, that You quiet the evil spirits who work so tirelessly to deceive me with intrusive thoughts and distractions. Help me submit to the Holy Spirit to master my flesh’s impulses and knee-jerk desires. I pray in the name of Your Son and my ultimate teacher, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say - AMEN!
The Truth
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
Philippians 4:8
O LORD, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar.
Psalm 139:1-2
Think back to your childhood. Remember some of the activities you were involved in, like athletics, band, music or voice lessons, a play, gymnastics, dance, 4-H, or horseback riding. Maybe for you it was an academic team, cheerleading, scouts, or a church youth group or activity.
I remember how much I looked forward to my sports practices and games. As scenarios played out in my head, I would try to forecast what I would do, or what the opponents would do, and imagine the possible outcomes. I would circle dates and times, and as I imagined these events they would fill my mind and push everything else out. I had to be on my deathbed to miss a practice, let alone a game. In fact, I even missed some summer vacations to play more ball.
Part of my full commitment to athletic activities came from my love of sports, but also I showed up because my coach expected me to. He could tell within 3 minutes if I had kept my commitment to practice since last time. In a way, he held me accountable for what I committed to do and was responsible for. But the main reason I showed up was that my teacher gave me the impression that I had the ability to play with greater skill than I believed I could, and he would get me to that level. This is an incredibly powerful tool and it was always quite motivating to me.
What if you could have a daily or hourly appointment with someone who loves you … someone who accepts you just as you are, while seeing in you far more than you see in yourself? What if this ultimate teacher, coach, or parent could relieve your stress, forgive all your transgressions, and eliminate your guilt, insecurity, and especially your world-weariness? In addition, HE could equip you to lead a fulfilled, successful, and abundant life. Wouldn’t you be wildly excited to get to those appointments, practices and games? What could ever hold you back?
If such a place and person did exist, and I hope you know He does, you could be confident that your greatest enemy would not want you going to these appointments, and that he would try to talk you out of it, or hide it from you. Well, God is waiting … for you to come to Him. And your enemy is always trying to get in your way, getting in your head, steering you away from the perfect teacher, or trying to steer you to an impostor coach (or activity) that will lead you astray.
Today, identify one activity that is keeping you from life-giving practice sessions with God. Why do you let them interfere? How are you de-valuing God’s impact in these coaching sessions? Why do you place so much value on the impostor’s coaching? Instead
, allow His love and acceptance, as well as His expectation of who He is helping you to become, to motivate you. Don’t let anything interfere with your sessions, because nothing will give you more than that session with Him. Identify one activity you can shorten to go to a Place and to Someone for all you desire. Find practical ways to begin laying a path to Him. Make dates with Him and then keep those dates. Your decision, choose well.
Prayer
Dear Perfect Coach and God, I know deep in my heart that spending time with You is the most important and rewarding investment of time I can make … yet, it is also the most difficult part of my daily behavior to master. I pray, Father, that You quiet the evil spirits who work so tirelessly to deceive me with intrusive thoughts and distractions. Help me submit to the Holy Spirit to master my flesh’s impulses and knee-jerk desires. I pray in the name of Your Son and my ultimate teacher, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say - AMEN!
The Truth
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
Philippians 4:8
O LORD, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar.
Psalm 139:1-2
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Stepping Stones: Who’s Stronger, A Tiger or Man?
Transformational Thought
Got a quick quiz for you. In a battle between a tiger and a man, who is stronger? You know, actually physically stronger? Correct, a tiger. Now, who is locked up in a cage, a tiger or a man? Tiger, correct again. Well, if a tiger is physically stronger than a man, why is the tiger the one who is locked up in the cage? Here is a hint … what does the man have that the tiger doesn’t? Gun, trap, and tranquilizers, and basically, some kind of strategy. You see, all the things the man brings to the fight come from his brain, his intelligence. If the man uses his intelligence, he can control the tiger. If he doesn’t use his intelligence, the tiger will devour him. The same goes for any sport or for actual war.
The tiger can represent our emotions. If we utilize our intelligence, thinking and strategizing our way through potentially harmful situations, we will control our emotions. But if we don’t use our intelligence, our emotions, the tiger, will devour us.
Emotions can get you in trouble by distorting your view of the situation, leading to knee-jerk reactions, impairing your judgment, raising your blood pressure, giving you heartburn, or interfering with your awareness of God and the ability to apply His instruction in a troubling situation. Left unchecked or unsupervised, your emotions will ultimately destroy you. That’s why this pearl of wisdom has been passed on through the ages, “Think before you react.”
On the flip side, we don’t want to annihilate or ignore our emotions. Just as we lock up the tiger for entertainment, education, edification, or admiration, we want to keep our emotions around because they do have a significant purpose. Emotions are a tremendous gift from God, even the “negative” feelings … but that’s a devotional for another day. Satan wants to push our emotional buttons so it is easier to hunt and devour us. Alcohol and drugs, even caffeine, bring emotions to the surface making them harder to control. This is one psychological reason that they are so dangerous and lead to many disastrous decisions.
Today, when you are experiencing a negative feeling, stop and think. Thinking before reacting is always helpful. Ask yourself, “Are my feelings controlling my thinking, or is my thinking helping me control my feelings?” Take a deep breath and consider the real problem and an actual solution, not just a knee-jerk quick fix. When you are able to think through your emotional states, your level of success during adversity will improve dramatically. WITHIN REACH will help you understand how to manage your feelings better.
Prayer
Dear Father God, thanks so much for giving me my intelligence and my emotions. I confess that I don’t think sometimes and I let my feelings devour my brains. Wow, the damage to You, to others and myself is so embarrassing to face sometimes. Thank You for the forgiveness You extend as I learn to apply Your instruction to my everyday living and trials. Help me control my feelings better, and improve my ability to take “every thought captive.” I pray in the name of the perfect role model, Christ Jesus; and all God’s children say – AMEN!
The Truth
We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,
2 Corinthians 10:5
Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly. A tranquil heart gives life to the flesh, but envy makes the bones rot.
Proverbs 14:29,30
Got a quick quiz for you. In a battle between a tiger and a man, who is stronger? You know, actually physically stronger? Correct, a tiger. Now, who is locked up in a cage, a tiger or a man? Tiger, correct again. Well, if a tiger is physically stronger than a man, why is the tiger the one who is locked up in the cage? Here is a hint … what does the man have that the tiger doesn’t? Gun, trap, and tranquilizers, and basically, some kind of strategy. You see, all the things the man brings to the fight come from his brain, his intelligence. If the man uses his intelligence, he can control the tiger. If he doesn’t use his intelligence, the tiger will devour him. The same goes for any sport or for actual war.
The tiger can represent our emotions. If we utilize our intelligence, thinking and strategizing our way through potentially harmful situations, we will control our emotions. But if we don’t use our intelligence, our emotions, the tiger, will devour us.
Emotions can get you in trouble by distorting your view of the situation, leading to knee-jerk reactions, impairing your judgment, raising your blood pressure, giving you heartburn, or interfering with your awareness of God and the ability to apply His instruction in a troubling situation. Left unchecked or unsupervised, your emotions will ultimately destroy you. That’s why this pearl of wisdom has been passed on through the ages, “Think before you react.”
On the flip side, we don’t want to annihilate or ignore our emotions. Just as we lock up the tiger for entertainment, education, edification, or admiration, we want to keep our emotions around because they do have a significant purpose. Emotions are a tremendous gift from God, even the “negative” feelings … but that’s a devotional for another day. Satan wants to push our emotional buttons so it is easier to hunt and devour us. Alcohol and drugs, even caffeine, bring emotions to the surface making them harder to control. This is one psychological reason that they are so dangerous and lead to many disastrous decisions.
Today, when you are experiencing a negative feeling, stop and think. Thinking before reacting is always helpful. Ask yourself, “Are my feelings controlling my thinking, or is my thinking helping me control my feelings?” Take a deep breath and consider the real problem and an actual solution, not just a knee-jerk quick fix. When you are able to think through your emotional states, your level of success during adversity will improve dramatically. WITHIN REACH will help you understand how to manage your feelings better.
Prayer
Dear Father God, thanks so much for giving me my intelligence and my emotions. I confess that I don’t think sometimes and I let my feelings devour my brains. Wow, the damage to You, to others and myself is so embarrassing to face sometimes. Thank You for the forgiveness You extend as I learn to apply Your instruction to my everyday living and trials. Help me control my feelings better, and improve my ability to take “every thought captive.” I pray in the name of the perfect role model, Christ Jesus; and all God’s children say – AMEN!
The Truth
We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,
2 Corinthians 10:5
Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly. A tranquil heart gives life to the flesh, but envy makes the bones rot.
Proverbs 14:29,30
Monday, October 10, 2011
Stepping Stones: Don’t Become Firewood
Transformational Thought
In my younger days I enjoyed cutting and splitting my own firewood. I would whip that sledge, honing my baseball swing, splitting and stacking all summer, and then enjoy the warmth of the fireplace during the winter. If you’ve ever split wood, you know how important and effective the “wedge” is to maximize your effort.
The wedge is a heavy chunk of metal with a sharp edge on one end and a flat surface on the other. Green wood is very difficult to split. To separate the round log into more easily burnable pieces of wood, the wedge is a necessity. It is slowly pounded into the log with a sledgehammer, and as it goes in, it pushes the wood apart, separating the fibers … weakening them to the point of failure. The harder the wood the more times you have to hit the wedge.
You see, this is similar to the enemy’s single-minded focus … separating us from our Father. His swings of the hammer are like the neglect we feel as he uses a wedge of deceit. “See, no one cares. You’re on your own.” He uses a sudden hurt, betrayal, or loss of innocence to tell us, “See, this is a dangerous world, and you’re all alone. You’ve been abandoned.” He uses assaults and abuses to scream at us, “See, this is all you are good for. You’re a reject.”
By constantly striking the wedge he weakens us. The details are different and unique for each of us, but the effect is always the same … an injury to the soul, and with it, separation from our Father. It may sound dramatic, but it’s true … the enemy wants to split us from God and put us in the fire!
But God is not willing to simply let that be the end of the story … so here’s the good news. Remember what Jesus taught us about our Father’s heart in the parable of the lost son. Filled with compassion, our Father God will come like a loving Father, take the wedge out, and pull us as close to His heart as we’ll let Him. He’ll take us back to heal the injuries, and finish things that didn’t get finished. He will come for you, no matter how long you were away or how far from Him you feel. He makes you his dearly loved daughter or son.
Today, identify the wedge. What one lie or deception is Satan using to separate you from God’s love and abundant life today? When you feel uncomfortable, look at some of the data for that situation. Some of that data or your conclusions are false. That is Satan’s wedge. Replacing that with God’s truth will draw you closer to Him. Your decision, choose well.
Prayer
Dear Father God, My deepest desire is to trust You with my whole being. But this trust does not come easily for me, Father. I know that if I learn to trust You … really trust You … nothing can separate me from Your peace. I will endure the pounding of the wedge and will use each strike to train myself to trust You. I will ruin the enemy’s plan by growing in grace through the very adversity he uses to try and harm me. I pray in the name of the reason for my trust, Christ Jesus; and all God’s children say – AMEN!
The Truth
But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him
Luke 15:20
Above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.
Ephesians 6:16
In my younger days I enjoyed cutting and splitting my own firewood. I would whip that sledge, honing my baseball swing, splitting and stacking all summer, and then enjoy the warmth of the fireplace during the winter. If you’ve ever split wood, you know how important and effective the “wedge” is to maximize your effort.
The wedge is a heavy chunk of metal with a sharp edge on one end and a flat surface on the other. Green wood is very difficult to split. To separate the round log into more easily burnable pieces of wood, the wedge is a necessity. It is slowly pounded into the log with a sledgehammer, and as it goes in, it pushes the wood apart, separating the fibers … weakening them to the point of failure. The harder the wood the more times you have to hit the wedge.
You see, this is similar to the enemy’s single-minded focus … separating us from our Father. His swings of the hammer are like the neglect we feel as he uses a wedge of deceit. “See, no one cares. You’re on your own.” He uses a sudden hurt, betrayal, or loss of innocence to tell us, “See, this is a dangerous world, and you’re all alone. You’ve been abandoned.” He uses assaults and abuses to scream at us, “See, this is all you are good for. You’re a reject.”
By constantly striking the wedge he weakens us. The details are different and unique for each of us, but the effect is always the same … an injury to the soul, and with it, separation from our Father. It may sound dramatic, but it’s true … the enemy wants to split us from God and put us in the fire!
But God is not willing to simply let that be the end of the story … so here’s the good news. Remember what Jesus taught us about our Father’s heart in the parable of the lost son. Filled with compassion, our Father God will come like a loving Father, take the wedge out, and pull us as close to His heart as we’ll let Him. He’ll take us back to heal the injuries, and finish things that didn’t get finished. He will come for you, no matter how long you were away or how far from Him you feel. He makes you his dearly loved daughter or son.
Today, identify the wedge. What one lie or deception is Satan using to separate you from God’s love and abundant life today? When you feel uncomfortable, look at some of the data for that situation. Some of that data or your conclusions are false. That is Satan’s wedge. Replacing that with God’s truth will draw you closer to Him. Your decision, choose well.
Prayer
Dear Father God, My deepest desire is to trust You with my whole being. But this trust does not come easily for me, Father. I know that if I learn to trust You … really trust You … nothing can separate me from Your peace. I will endure the pounding of the wedge and will use each strike to train myself to trust You. I will ruin the enemy’s plan by growing in grace through the very adversity he uses to try and harm me. I pray in the name of the reason for my trust, Christ Jesus; and all God’s children say – AMEN!
The Truth
But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him
Luke 15:20
Above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.
Ephesians 6:16
Saturday, October 8, 2011
Stepping Stones: Do You Have Childlike Trust?
Transformational Thought
When my girls were really small, I used to throw them way up in the air. Oh, how they loved it. They got really excited when we were in a house with a 2-story entrance so I could throw them really high. I delighted in the trust they unquestioningly had in me, even though I really didn’t have to do much other than be a decent father. I certainly wasn’t perfect. Our kids show us their unconditional trust, and at times, extreme gullibility, in many ways…running to our room when they have a nightmare, believing when we tell them about Santa, the Tooth Fairy and the Easter Bunny, or thinking we can make all their boo-boos magically go away.
God created us to trust easily, so we would trust Him, just like a child trusts their parents. HE knows trust and faith are two essential components of our walk with Him. But Satan realizes this and has devised a system to lead us away from God by taking advantage of our desire to trust.
Satan gets in our head, he magnifies both the natural inadequacies that we have as parents as well as the times we really do let our kids down, whether intentionally or unintentionally. Due to these hurts we experience as kids, we become jaded and cautious about trusting others. Trusting anything other than ourselves becomes hard for us, even under normal circumstances, let alone more potentially hurtful situations.
But you see, mistrust breeds loneliness, isolation, and a feeling that no one truly understands me and my path. I feel no one else is on my team, then self-reliance becomes my main coping strategy. Self-reliance is the opposite of what God wants in His relationship with us. The Holy Spirit within us can be our resident tutor, helping us untwist those past hurts so we can start to trust again. I’m talking about real 100% unconditional trust and wide-eyed belief, just like a small child, ready to trust all God’s promises and instructions and fall into His open arms.
Today, when no one else seems to understand you, simply draw closer to Your Lord and God. Rejoice in Him, the One who understands you and loves you perfectly. Trust His promises and instruction for living life. Apply His principles to a trouble area today and continue to apply it regularly to that area. Give the principle a chance to affect your life and don’t judge the results to prematurely. You’ve given your plan time to implode, give His plan time to succeed. Your decision, choose well.
Prayer
Dear Father God, I come to You for understanding because You know me far better than I know myself. I know, Father, that You comprehend me in all my complexity…no detail of my life is hidden from You. Help me understand my hurts more, forgive those who hurt me, and learn to trust You and Your promises. Give me the trust of a child when it comes to all that has to do with You. I pray in the name of the rock of my trust, Christ Jesus; and all God’s children say – AMEN!
The Truth
O LORD, my heart is not lifted up; my eyes are not raised too high; I do not occupy myself with things too great and too marvelous for me. But I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child is my soul within me.
Psalm 131:1,2
Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 18:3
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 straight your paths.
Proverbs 3:5,6
When my girls were really small, I used to throw them way up in the air. Oh, how they loved it. They got really excited when we were in a house with a 2-story entrance so I could throw them really high. I delighted in the trust they unquestioningly had in me, even though I really didn’t have to do much other than be a decent father. I certainly wasn’t perfect. Our kids show us their unconditional trust, and at times, extreme gullibility, in many ways…running to our room when they have a nightmare, believing when we tell them about Santa, the Tooth Fairy and the Easter Bunny, or thinking we can make all their boo-boos magically go away.
God created us to trust easily, so we would trust Him, just like a child trusts their parents. HE knows trust and faith are two essential components of our walk with Him. But Satan realizes this and has devised a system to lead us away from God by taking advantage of our desire to trust.
Satan gets in our head, he magnifies both the natural inadequacies that we have as parents as well as the times we really do let our kids down, whether intentionally or unintentionally. Due to these hurts we experience as kids, we become jaded and cautious about trusting others. Trusting anything other than ourselves becomes hard for us, even under normal circumstances, let alone more potentially hurtful situations.
But you see, mistrust breeds loneliness, isolation, and a feeling that no one truly understands me and my path. I feel no one else is on my team, then self-reliance becomes my main coping strategy. Self-reliance is the opposite of what God wants in His relationship with us. The Holy Spirit within us can be our resident tutor, helping us untwist those past hurts so we can start to trust again. I’m talking about real 100% unconditional trust and wide-eyed belief, just like a small child, ready to trust all God’s promises and instructions and fall into His open arms.
Today, when no one else seems to understand you, simply draw closer to Your Lord and God. Rejoice in Him, the One who understands you and loves you perfectly. Trust His promises and instruction for living life. Apply His principles to a trouble area today and continue to apply it regularly to that area. Give the principle a chance to affect your life and don’t judge the results to prematurely. You’ve given your plan time to implode, give His plan time to succeed. Your decision, choose well.
Prayer
Dear Father God, I come to You for understanding because You know me far better than I know myself. I know, Father, that You comprehend me in all my complexity…no detail of my life is hidden from You. Help me understand my hurts more, forgive those who hurt me, and learn to trust You and Your promises. Give me the trust of a child when it comes to all that has to do with You. I pray in the name of the rock of my trust, Christ Jesus; and all God’s children say – AMEN!
The Truth
O LORD, my heart is not lifted up; my eyes are not raised too high; I do not occupy myself with things too great and too marvelous for me. But I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child is my soul within me.
Psalm 131:1,2
Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 18:3
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 straight your paths.
Proverbs 3:5,6
Friday, October 7, 2011
Stepping Stones: At A Detour, Who Is Your Navigator?
Transformational Thought
We have been hit with a lot of rain the last couple of months, and especially, by Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee. Because of the flooding and downed trees, many were without power and a number of roads were out, especially around creeks and small bridges. So I have run into so many ‘road closed’ signs and ‘rerouting’ messages from my GPS.
As my daughter drives around, she isn’t used to being diverted from her planned course and then trying to find alternative routes. These ‘lesser’ routes seem to be such a nuisance and give her great uncertainty whether she will find and achieve her desired destination. She starts to get anxious and frustrated with each new wrinkle to her original plan and agenda.
As an engineer, God gave me an ability to visualize space and shapes and I am great with finding places and directions. It actually is a cool game when detours hit. As my daughter rides with me, she is completely relaxed. Due to her confident assuredness of getting to our destination, because of her faith in my ability to see the big picture map and ability to easily get us there, she is able to continue in gleeful teenage conversation with me as if this is the way it was supposed to be and nothing wrong had ever happened.
How do you respond when life gives you a twist and your plan is interrupted? Do you react with a nervous and frightened, agitated and frustrated, or angry and overwhelmed demeanor and attitude? Or do you have a confident assurance that the map, the course for your journey, has been laid out by the Master of the Universe?
How would you live if you believed, really believed, that your future is perfectly planned out and your final destination secured? Think of the freedom this knowledge and belief would provide. Think about how you would live and feel if you truly believed that no power, no detour, could take away the promise of your inheritance in heaven. How would you travel through life if you knew you had the ultimate navigator and navigation system showing you where to go everyday? You do in God and the Bible.
You see, Satan wants you to think you know exactly what you need, that you can predict the future, and you can figure out the perfect strategy to transform your own mind and life. Or he gets you to realize you don’t have the answers, but the world has everything you need, so you end up letting our crazy culture and word system guide you.
Today, instead of approaching the day uncertain of your destination and whether you will make it or not, know He has real answers for each fork in your road. When something unplanned by you happens, know God put it there on purpose for your growth and to help you in some way. Put on lenses and an attitude to accept that detour and make the most of it. This is easier said than done – a deep level of trust is required. A trust that is based on knowledge that His way is the perfect way. When you are at a fork in the road today, pray, then choose His way, and go with it. You will be surprised at the peace and satisfaction you will have by taking His detours from the world’s destructive route we are often on. Your decision, choose well.
Prayer
Dear Father God, You are so amazing. I commit myself to You, Father. I am Yours for all time, beyond time…into eternity. I know now that no power can deny me my inheritance in heaven. I know You want me to feel secure. I know, Father, that even when I falter as I journey through life that You will never let go of my hand. Help me to stay on Your course in this lifetime. I know You have awesome opportunities for me to see and experience along my way to Christ-likeness. I pray in the name of the grandest gift, Christ Jesus; and all God’s children say – AMEN!
The Truth
The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD, And He delights in his way.
Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; For the LORD upholds him with His hand.
Psalm 37:23-24
As for God, His way is perfect; The word of the LORD is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him.
Psalm 18:30
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Romans 12:2
We have been hit with a lot of rain the last couple of months, and especially, by Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee. Because of the flooding and downed trees, many were without power and a number of roads were out, especially around creeks and small bridges. So I have run into so many ‘road closed’ signs and ‘rerouting’ messages from my GPS.
As my daughter drives around, she isn’t used to being diverted from her planned course and then trying to find alternative routes. These ‘lesser’ routes seem to be such a nuisance and give her great uncertainty whether she will find and achieve her desired destination. She starts to get anxious and frustrated with each new wrinkle to her original plan and agenda.
As an engineer, God gave me an ability to visualize space and shapes and I am great with finding places and directions. It actually is a cool game when detours hit. As my daughter rides with me, she is completely relaxed. Due to her confident assuredness of getting to our destination, because of her faith in my ability to see the big picture map and ability to easily get us there, she is able to continue in gleeful teenage conversation with me as if this is the way it was supposed to be and nothing wrong had ever happened.
How do you respond when life gives you a twist and your plan is interrupted? Do you react with a nervous and frightened, agitated and frustrated, or angry and overwhelmed demeanor and attitude? Or do you have a confident assurance that the map, the course for your journey, has been laid out by the Master of the Universe?
How would you live if you believed, really believed, that your future is perfectly planned out and your final destination secured? Think of the freedom this knowledge and belief would provide. Think about how you would live and feel if you truly believed that no power, no detour, could take away the promise of your inheritance in heaven. How would you travel through life if you knew you had the ultimate navigator and navigation system showing you where to go everyday? You do in God and the Bible.
You see, Satan wants you to think you know exactly what you need, that you can predict the future, and you can figure out the perfect strategy to transform your own mind and life. Or he gets you to realize you don’t have the answers, but the world has everything you need, so you end up letting our crazy culture and word system guide you.
Today, instead of approaching the day uncertain of your destination and whether you will make it or not, know He has real answers for each fork in your road. When something unplanned by you happens, know God put it there on purpose for your growth and to help you in some way. Put on lenses and an attitude to accept that detour and make the most of it. This is easier said than done – a deep level of trust is required. A trust that is based on knowledge that His way is the perfect way. When you are at a fork in the road today, pray, then choose His way, and go with it. You will be surprised at the peace and satisfaction you will have by taking His detours from the world’s destructive route we are often on. Your decision, choose well.
Prayer
Dear Father God, You are so amazing. I commit myself to You, Father. I am Yours for all time, beyond time…into eternity. I know now that no power can deny me my inheritance in heaven. I know You want me to feel secure. I know, Father, that even when I falter as I journey through life that You will never let go of my hand. Help me to stay on Your course in this lifetime. I know You have awesome opportunities for me to see and experience along my way to Christ-likeness. I pray in the name of the grandest gift, Christ Jesus; and all God’s children say – AMEN!
The Truth
The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD, And He delights in his way.
Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; For the LORD upholds him with His hand.
Psalm 37:23-24
As for God, His way is perfect; The word of the LORD is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him.
Psalm 18:30
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Romans 12:2
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Stepping Stones: Are You An Oreo Believer?
Transformational Thought
I remember life as a teenager when everything seemed so simple. Authority was always corrupt or out of touch. Parents were always an obstacle to my pursuit of the good life. Money was the answer to having a successful life. Pink was a girl color I would never wear. Rock-n-Roll was the only music worth listening to. The popular girl would never go out with you because you weren’t cool.
With political elections on the horizon, the same black and white thinking is everywhere today. Both sides will use those “always” and “never” words making everything so extreme. One developmental milestone we all need to master is the ability to integrate good and bad in the same entity. Like an Oreo, black and white need to be seen together to “get” the whole picture, because other than God, nothing exists that doesn’t have an upside and a downside to it.
There are two sides to being a believer, one of light and one of darkness. As a believer myself, I spend most of my spiritual energy on the “light” side of things: the promise of salvation, the grace and mercy of our Father, and the power of forgiveness are just a few of the “light” elements. But to be a “whole” believer we need to accept the dark side as well. We must believe that Satan, the Prince of Darkness, is as real as Jesus. It’s an ugly, scary fact. I bristle at even having to write about him. However, we need to know and believe that Satan’s primary mission is to thwart God’s plan by separating us from Christ.
Be clear. Each day, especially for believers and followers of Christ, you are embroiled in diabolical spiritual warfare. Satan not only wants your attention, your family, your job, your relationships, but he also wants your soul - more than anything. His strategy is to create constant confusion and distraction in your mind. This confusion attacks every sphere … your brain chemistry, your emotions and personality, your relationships with others. Satan’s primary goal is disrupting your relationship with God. God calls you to renew your mind, not destroy it. But your mind is where the battle is fought.
Today, become a “Whole” believer. Integrate the light and the dark by accepting and being aware that there is a never-ending war between God and Satan, and the trophy is your soul. Identify a negative thought pattern that smudges your lenses, and instead, look at Christ’s teachings for the truth. When you are stressed remember the enemy isn’t your spouse, boss, money, job, or anything else … it is always Satan. Use God’s armor to be victorious.
Prayer
Dear Father God, My focus is on You. I believe and accept Your promise. I thank You for sending Your Son, Jesus, so that my sins may be forgiven. And I believe there is this diabolical creature, Satan. Your word tells us of his desire for death and destruction. I reject Satan and all his works. Help me, Father, to be aware, minute-by-minute, of this spiritual battle that wages around me. Help me remember that Satan tries to push my fleshly buttons, trying to tempt me to believe his lies about You. Thank You for the process that renews my mind, biologically, psychologically, socially, and spiritually: sending Jesus and giving us your instruction book, the Bible. I pray in the name of Your Son, the True Light of world, Jesus Christ; and all God’s people say – AMEN!
The Truth
He who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil's work. No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God's seed remains in him; he cannot go on sinning, because he has been born of God.
1 John 3:8-9
Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.
Ephesians 6:11-12
I remember life as a teenager when everything seemed so simple. Authority was always corrupt or out of touch. Parents were always an obstacle to my pursuit of the good life. Money was the answer to having a successful life. Pink was a girl color I would never wear. Rock-n-Roll was the only music worth listening to. The popular girl would never go out with you because you weren’t cool.
With political elections on the horizon, the same black and white thinking is everywhere today. Both sides will use those “always” and “never” words making everything so extreme. One developmental milestone we all need to master is the ability to integrate good and bad in the same entity. Like an Oreo, black and white need to be seen together to “get” the whole picture, because other than God, nothing exists that doesn’t have an upside and a downside to it.
There are two sides to being a believer, one of light and one of darkness. As a believer myself, I spend most of my spiritual energy on the “light” side of things: the promise of salvation, the grace and mercy of our Father, and the power of forgiveness are just a few of the “light” elements. But to be a “whole” believer we need to accept the dark side as well. We must believe that Satan, the Prince of Darkness, is as real as Jesus. It’s an ugly, scary fact. I bristle at even having to write about him. However, we need to know and believe that Satan’s primary mission is to thwart God’s plan by separating us from Christ.
Be clear. Each day, especially for believers and followers of Christ, you are embroiled in diabolical spiritual warfare. Satan not only wants your attention, your family, your job, your relationships, but he also wants your soul - more than anything. His strategy is to create constant confusion and distraction in your mind. This confusion attacks every sphere … your brain chemistry, your emotions and personality, your relationships with others. Satan’s primary goal is disrupting your relationship with God. God calls you to renew your mind, not destroy it. But your mind is where the battle is fought.
Today, become a “Whole” believer. Integrate the light and the dark by accepting and being aware that there is a never-ending war between God and Satan, and the trophy is your soul. Identify a negative thought pattern that smudges your lenses, and instead, look at Christ’s teachings for the truth. When you are stressed remember the enemy isn’t your spouse, boss, money, job, or anything else … it is always Satan. Use God’s armor to be victorious.
Prayer
Dear Father God, My focus is on You. I believe and accept Your promise. I thank You for sending Your Son, Jesus, so that my sins may be forgiven. And I believe there is this diabolical creature, Satan. Your word tells us of his desire for death and destruction. I reject Satan and all his works. Help me, Father, to be aware, minute-by-minute, of this spiritual battle that wages around me. Help me remember that Satan tries to push my fleshly buttons, trying to tempt me to believe his lies about You. Thank You for the process that renews my mind, biologically, psychologically, socially, and spiritually: sending Jesus and giving us your instruction book, the Bible. I pray in the name of Your Son, the True Light of world, Jesus Christ; and all God’s people say – AMEN!
The Truth
He who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil's work. No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God's seed remains in him; he cannot go on sinning, because he has been born of God.
1 John 3:8-9
Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.
Ephesians 6:11-12
Monday, August 8, 2011
Stepping Stones: Do You Recognize The Darkness?
Transformational Thought
What is darkness? You know, gloom and doom? We all have really bright and shiny days when everything goes great and we feel on top of the world. But those darker days, they are a lot tougher to describe and identify. You might be thinking, “What is he talking about? I know the dark days and can identify them pretty easily.”
Well, dark days can also be ones that are “neutral”, as these are often the seeds for future dark days. Nothing great or earth-shattering, nothing memorable. Satan starts to play with our head, getting us to think or believe we are nothing special, that God doesn’t really love us … that God isn’t interested in our wellbeing … that God is sitting on His throne with a scorecard, keeping track of our mistakes.
Why do we fall for Satan’s tricks? It’s because, at our core we are insecure. We feel inadequate and have a constant need for approval. We need to be important in this world or to someone. We want to be noticed. To make our mark on each day. Neutral days highlight these fears, accelerating the negative-thought-merry-go-round we willingly jump on.
Growing in God’s grace is all about trusting Him above all else, especially when we find ourselves in the darkness. Always trust God, whether it’s a for-all-the-marbles darkness, or the neutral days that set you up on the slippery slope for a bigger darkness. When you are in the dark, reach for His hand with confidence. Turn to Him. Resist hollow earthly solutions and addictions. Reaching for His hand in the dark is a display of magnificent trust and greatly weakens the spiritual forces of evil, the very forces that have tricked you to pursue the dark solutions.
When your world is dark and you trust God, His light will shine brightly through you for all to see … for His light shines brightest in the darkness.
Today, if you are in the dark and feel on the brink of giving up, cry out for His assistance and pray: “Help me, Holy Spirit.” Really look for the hand that is reaching out for you ... it is there. This brief prayer is a beautiful display of trust and a simple way to tap into His vast power. Learn to recognize the lies that take you from a neutral day to a dark day. Resist them and counter the lies with the truth and hope of God’s love, power, and sovereignty. Your decision, choose well.
Prayer
Dear Father, I am completely in the dark today – scared and disoriented – I don’t know which way to turn. Help me, God. Help me, Holy Spirit. You have designed me to seek light. I crave all kind of light – sunlight and even artificial light … but especially the light of Your holy presence. I want to walk in Your light, Father. It is easy for me to trust You when there is plenty of light in my world. But trusting You in my darkness is another matter. I am desperate, Lord. I am reaching for You in the dark. I know, Lord, that Your light shines brightest in the dark. I pray that even in times when I cannot see the illumination of Your light, that Your light shining through me is visible to those around me. I pray in need through Your Son Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say - AMEN!
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, purifies us from all sin
1 John 1:7
Even there Your hand shall lead me, and Your right hand shall hold me.
Psalm 139:10
What is darkness? You know, gloom and doom? We all have really bright and shiny days when everything goes great and we feel on top of the world. But those darker days, they are a lot tougher to describe and identify. You might be thinking, “What is he talking about? I know the dark days and can identify them pretty easily.”
Well, dark days can also be ones that are “neutral”, as these are often the seeds for future dark days. Nothing great or earth-shattering, nothing memorable. Satan starts to play with our head, getting us to think or believe we are nothing special, that God doesn’t really love us … that God isn’t interested in our wellbeing … that God is sitting on His throne with a scorecard, keeping track of our mistakes.
Why do we fall for Satan’s tricks? It’s because, at our core we are insecure. We feel inadequate and have a constant need for approval. We need to be important in this world or to someone. We want to be noticed. To make our mark on each day. Neutral days highlight these fears, accelerating the negative-thought-merry-go-round we willingly jump on.
Growing in God’s grace is all about trusting Him above all else, especially when we find ourselves in the darkness. Always trust God, whether it’s a for-all-the-marbles darkness, or the neutral days that set you up on the slippery slope for a bigger darkness. When you are in the dark, reach for His hand with confidence. Turn to Him. Resist hollow earthly solutions and addictions. Reaching for His hand in the dark is a display of magnificent trust and greatly weakens the spiritual forces of evil, the very forces that have tricked you to pursue the dark solutions.
When your world is dark and you trust God, His light will shine brightly through you for all to see … for His light shines brightest in the darkness.
Today, if you are in the dark and feel on the brink of giving up, cry out for His assistance and pray: “Help me, Holy Spirit.” Really look for the hand that is reaching out for you ... it is there. This brief prayer is a beautiful display of trust and a simple way to tap into His vast power. Learn to recognize the lies that take you from a neutral day to a dark day. Resist them and counter the lies with the truth and hope of God’s love, power, and sovereignty. Your decision, choose well.
Prayer
Dear Father, I am completely in the dark today – scared and disoriented – I don’t know which way to turn. Help me, God. Help me, Holy Spirit. You have designed me to seek light. I crave all kind of light – sunlight and even artificial light … but especially the light of Your holy presence. I want to walk in Your light, Father. It is easy for me to trust You when there is plenty of light in my world. But trusting You in my darkness is another matter. I am desperate, Lord. I am reaching for You in the dark. I know, Lord, that Your light shines brightest in the dark. I pray that even in times when I cannot see the illumination of Your light, that Your light shining through me is visible to those around me. I pray in need through Your Son Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say - AMEN!
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, purifies us from all sin
1 John 1:7
Even there Your hand shall lead me, and Your right hand shall hold me.
Psalm 139:10
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Stepping Stones: “Try Jesus”
Transformational Thought
Slogans are everywhere. “Just Do It,” “Got Milk,” “M’m! M’m! Good!” and “Have it your way,” to name a few. Christian slogans exist also, like “Let go, and let God” or “What Would Jesus Do?” But, it just dawned on me about how short and simple the best slogan is: “Try Jesus.”
Many times we resist trying new things because we don’t want to let go of our routine … or the old way, our good old comfort zone. We fear that by switching to the new thing we might lose something valuable that we won’t be able to get back. Or we fear looking awkward when we try something new and others judge us negatively. Or maybe we fear the amount of time and energy it will take to for us to learn and become good at the new way.
But when it comes to THE way, the way to the Promised Land, the good life, abundant living … what the heck are we thinking? Why would we ever want to go back to the old way spiritually … the way of the world … the way of conformed thinking and decision-making?
So, by “Trying Jesus” you have everything to gain and nothing to lose. And anyway, if trying Jesus isn’t what you want … Satan is always willing to take you back, and the fruit of the flesh is what you will reap: insecurity, anxiety, lust, jealousy, strife, bitterness, feeling overwhelmed, hopelessness, loneliness, frustration, disconnected, empty … wow, that’s just the beginning!
Doesn’t that thought just send shivers down your spine? I used to “try the world,” and the fruit of the flesh was what I reaped. I never want to go there again … nor would I wish it on my worst enemy. But here’s a certainty … you must serve one master or the other … Jesus or Satan. If you say that you are serving neither, then Satan has you right where he wants you.
“Try Jesus” and you just can’t lose. In fact, you win every day … and forever!
Today, pray the prayer of salvation and accept Jesus Christ as your Savior. Remember how free you were and joyful you felt the first time you tried Jesus? If He is your Savior, try Jesus as the Lord of your life, in all areas of your life. Make the decision to try Him everyday in a very concrete and intentional way. Put Him first, you will be amazed at how differently you will view life and how freely you will live apart from the bondage of this world.
Prayer
Dear Father God, I confess that I am a sinner, and I am sorry for trying to live my life without You. I need and ask for Your forgiveness. I know I cannot save myself and need a Savior. I believe by faith, and not through anything I can do, that Jesus, your Son, died on the cross to be my Savior. I believe He paid the penalty for my sin for me. I believe He rose from the grave to conquer death, sin, and sin’s separating me from you. I trust You, Jesus, as my personal Savior, I receive You as my Lord, and I turn from my sinful ways. Oh God, thank You for Your grace in forgiving my sins, coming into my life, and being with me forever. Now help me make You the Lord of my life. I pray this and all prayers in the name of the One I need to try all day and everyday, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say - AMEN!
The Truth
But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation.
Psalm 13:5
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.
John 10:10
The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because I am marked out by him to give good news to the poor; he has sent me to make well those who are broken-hearted; to say that the prisoners will be let go, and the blind will see, and to make the wounded free from their chains,
Luke 4:18
For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world, and forfeit his soul?
Mark 8:36
Slogans are everywhere. “Just Do It,” “Got Milk,” “M’m! M’m! Good!” and “Have it your way,” to name a few. Christian slogans exist also, like “Let go, and let God” or “What Would Jesus Do?” But, it just dawned on me about how short and simple the best slogan is: “Try Jesus.”
Many times we resist trying new things because we don’t want to let go of our routine … or the old way, our good old comfort zone. We fear that by switching to the new thing we might lose something valuable that we won’t be able to get back. Or we fear looking awkward when we try something new and others judge us negatively. Or maybe we fear the amount of time and energy it will take to for us to learn and become good at the new way.
But when it comes to THE way, the way to the Promised Land, the good life, abundant living … what the heck are we thinking? Why would we ever want to go back to the old way spiritually … the way of the world … the way of conformed thinking and decision-making?
So, by “Trying Jesus” you have everything to gain and nothing to lose. And anyway, if trying Jesus isn’t what you want … Satan is always willing to take you back, and the fruit of the flesh is what you will reap: insecurity, anxiety, lust, jealousy, strife, bitterness, feeling overwhelmed, hopelessness, loneliness, frustration, disconnected, empty … wow, that’s just the beginning!
Doesn’t that thought just send shivers down your spine? I used to “try the world,” and the fruit of the flesh was what I reaped. I never want to go there again … nor would I wish it on my worst enemy. But here’s a certainty … you must serve one master or the other … Jesus or Satan. If you say that you are serving neither, then Satan has you right where he wants you.
“Try Jesus” and you just can’t lose. In fact, you win every day … and forever!
Today, pray the prayer of salvation and accept Jesus Christ as your Savior. Remember how free you were and joyful you felt the first time you tried Jesus? If He is your Savior, try Jesus as the Lord of your life, in all areas of your life. Make the decision to try Him everyday in a very concrete and intentional way. Put Him first, you will be amazed at how differently you will view life and how freely you will live apart from the bondage of this world.
Prayer
Dear Father God, I confess that I am a sinner, and I am sorry for trying to live my life without You. I need and ask for Your forgiveness. I know I cannot save myself and need a Savior. I believe by faith, and not through anything I can do, that Jesus, your Son, died on the cross to be my Savior. I believe He paid the penalty for my sin for me. I believe He rose from the grave to conquer death, sin, and sin’s separating me from you. I trust You, Jesus, as my personal Savior, I receive You as my Lord, and I turn from my sinful ways. Oh God, thank You for Your grace in forgiving my sins, coming into my life, and being with me forever. Now help me make You the Lord of my life. I pray this and all prayers in the name of the One I need to try all day and everyday, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say - AMEN!
The Truth
But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation.
Psalm 13:5
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.
John 10:10
The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because I am marked out by him to give good news to the poor; he has sent me to make well those who are broken-hearted; to say that the prisoners will be let go, and the blind will see, and to make the wounded free from their chains,
Luke 4:18
For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world, and forfeit his soul?
Mark 8:36
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
Monday, March 28, 2011
Stepping Stones: “I need to wait to do something until I …”
Transformational Thought
“Don’t go outside without a coat. It’s freezing! You’ll catch a cold!”
“Don’t crack your knuckles like that! You’ll get arthritis!”
“Shaving causes hair to grow back faster and thicker.”
“You only use 10% of your brain”
True or False? These are all False. Yes, many of us have believed these to be true, but they aren’t. They are common myths. Life is filled with many myths. In general, a myth is a widely held but incorrect belief. Even though Christianity is about the truth, many myths actually exist in Christianity. These beliefs actually impede, or even derail, healthy Christian behavior and growth.
A prevalent myth among Christians is the belief that we need to wait for something in order to further our faith. Like, wait until I … learn more … mature more … am done hurting … find the right Bible … find that great teacher that really connects with me … get done with that big work project … get the kids go to kindergarten … get the kids into college … get back from vacation … get in a good small group … just get a couple things off my plate … give up my addiction … have time … have more time … really sense God’s presence and guidance … have my next crisis … have someone to mentor me … can take a class … tomorrow, tomorrow, tomorrow. Get the picture?
How many of these have you used? Yeah, me too. I even have a few I’m too embarrassed to let you see. I bet you do, too. Quick reality check: do you think these reflect God’s timeline or Satan’s? And don’t say “God is in control of everything and the timeline is always His timeline.” He wants us to grow in our faith NOW. Sure, He can use our feet-dragging in powerful ways, but He calls us to grow in every circumstance, not just when we feel like it.
Today’s scripture tells us that we can do immensely more than we can imagine … according to His power that is at work within us. We don’t need to wait … in fact we can’t wait. We are already behind. People are dying each day, and even though we don’t save them, God wants to use us to advance His kingdom.
Today, push the myths out of your mind and take that next step toward living the life of Christ. Start now by doing one thing a little more than usual to grow your faith. Pray for an extra 3 minutes, listen to God for 2 extra minutes, or read the Holy Bible for an extra 5 minutes. Honor God in your parenting. Resist that extra cookie or drink. A little more is possible … now. Be disciplined with this and you will definitely see the benefit quickly.
Prayer
Dear Father God, I admit and confess that I let so many myths and falsehoods keep me away from doing Your work … and ultimately they keep me away from You. I ask that You fill me with the Holy Spirit and the gift of discernment to help me eliminate non-productive myths. I pray this and all prayers in the name of the One whom you sent to testify to the truth, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say - AMEN!
The Truth
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen.
Ephesians 3:20-21
Pilate said, "So you are a king?" Jesus responded, "You say I am a king. Actually, I was born and came into the world to testify to the truth. All who love the truth recognize that what I say is true."
John 18:37
“Don’t go outside without a coat. It’s freezing! You’ll catch a cold!”
“Don’t crack your knuckles like that! You’ll get arthritis!”
“Shaving causes hair to grow back faster and thicker.”
“You only use 10% of your brain”
True or False? These are all False. Yes, many of us have believed these to be true, but they aren’t. They are common myths. Life is filled with many myths. In general, a myth is a widely held but incorrect belief. Even though Christianity is about the truth, many myths actually exist in Christianity. These beliefs actually impede, or even derail, healthy Christian behavior and growth.
A prevalent myth among Christians is the belief that we need to wait for something in order to further our faith. Like, wait until I … learn more … mature more … am done hurting … find the right Bible … find that great teacher that really connects with me … get done with that big work project … get the kids go to kindergarten … get the kids into college … get back from vacation … get in a good small group … just get a couple things off my plate … give up my addiction … have time … have more time … really sense God’s presence and guidance … have my next crisis … have someone to mentor me … can take a class … tomorrow, tomorrow, tomorrow. Get the picture?
How many of these have you used? Yeah, me too. I even have a few I’m too embarrassed to let you see. I bet you do, too. Quick reality check: do you think these reflect God’s timeline or Satan’s? And don’t say “God is in control of everything and the timeline is always His timeline.” He wants us to grow in our faith NOW. Sure, He can use our feet-dragging in powerful ways, but He calls us to grow in every circumstance, not just when we feel like it.
Today’s scripture tells us that we can do immensely more than we can imagine … according to His power that is at work within us. We don’t need to wait … in fact we can’t wait. We are already behind. People are dying each day, and even though we don’t save them, God wants to use us to advance His kingdom.
Today, push the myths out of your mind and take that next step toward living the life of Christ. Start now by doing one thing a little more than usual to grow your faith. Pray for an extra 3 minutes, listen to God for 2 extra minutes, or read the Holy Bible for an extra 5 minutes. Honor God in your parenting. Resist that extra cookie or drink. A little more is possible … now. Be disciplined with this and you will definitely see the benefit quickly.
Prayer
Dear Father God, I admit and confess that I let so many myths and falsehoods keep me away from doing Your work … and ultimately they keep me away from You. I ask that You fill me with the Holy Spirit and the gift of discernment to help me eliminate non-productive myths. I pray this and all prayers in the name of the One whom you sent to testify to the truth, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say - AMEN!
The Truth
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen.
Ephesians 3:20-21
Pilate said, "So you are a king?" Jesus responded, "You say I am a king. Actually, I was born and came into the world to testify to the truth. All who love the truth recognize that what I say is true."
John 18:37
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Stepping Stones: How Selective is Your Club?
Transformational Thought
So many clubs exist that have very specific criteria for membership … the Italian Club … civic clubs like Rotary, Lions, and Kiwanis … Masons … country clubs … labor unions … political parties. Different companies are selective, as are the Pittsburgh Steelers or the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders. Colleges, med schools, the military … even families have criteria and selection processes for membership.
In today's world, harmony and tolerance have become goals within themselves. Peace at any cost … All ways lead to God … Live and let live. Such "tolerant" attitudes actually lead to intolerance of anyone who claims to have the answer or truth. Religions or moral “clubs,” or groups with a certain belief, seem to be treated differently. Having criteria, or a selection process seems to be intolerable.
Jesus made it clear that He is the only way to God, the only way to real peace. In Isaiah 9:6 He is called the Prince of Peace. God calls us to love all people, but agreeing that other faiths can lead to God just so we can seek unity and “peace” is to deny our own faith … the teachings of God, the existence and work of Jesus, and the Holy Bible. And in doing so, we deny Jesus as our Savior.
As Christians, we are not expressing Christ-like love when we are willing to accept as OK the beliefs of those who deny Christ or who live sinful lifestyles … all for the sake of unity and peace. The Bible is clear about God, Jesus, and moral issues.
The double standard for “clubs” really shows me the existence, power, and agenda of Satan, who wants people to believe being nice is all you need to do to be Holy, thus engaging with God by avoiding Christ. Satan wants to push the idea that we can connect with God on our own power, through our efforts. This is why we get stuck on the law, legalism, and have difficulty absorbing God’s gracious gift of forgiveness.
Today, begin expressing Jesus' love by loving people where they are, by building relationships with them and, as the Holy Spirit leads, by sharing the truths of the Gospel with them. Jesus is the only answer. Don’t let anybody guilt you into thinking Christianity is the only club with intolerant selection criteria. Show them how compassion and rigidity can coexist.
Prayer
My Father, Help me never to deny my faith by accepting the unscriptural beliefs of others for the sake of unity and peace. Help me love others, no matter what their faith. Help me love them enough to build relationships with them and, as the Holy Spirit leads, to share the truth of the Gospel with them … and to do so with love. Help me communicate in a manner that lets all understand that Jesus is the only way. I pray this and all prayers through the One you sent to show us the way, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say - AMEN!
The Truth
Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me."
John 14:6
So many clubs exist that have very specific criteria for membership … the Italian Club … civic clubs like Rotary, Lions, and Kiwanis … Masons … country clubs … labor unions … political parties. Different companies are selective, as are the Pittsburgh Steelers or the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders. Colleges, med schools, the military … even families have criteria and selection processes for membership.
In today's world, harmony and tolerance have become goals within themselves. Peace at any cost … All ways lead to God … Live and let live. Such "tolerant" attitudes actually lead to intolerance of anyone who claims to have the answer or truth. Religions or moral “clubs,” or groups with a certain belief, seem to be treated differently. Having criteria, or a selection process seems to be intolerable.
Jesus made it clear that He is the only way to God, the only way to real peace. In Isaiah 9:6 He is called the Prince of Peace. God calls us to love all people, but agreeing that other faiths can lead to God just so we can seek unity and “peace” is to deny our own faith … the teachings of God, the existence and work of Jesus, and the Holy Bible. And in doing so, we deny Jesus as our Savior.
As Christians, we are not expressing Christ-like love when we are willing to accept as OK the beliefs of those who deny Christ or who live sinful lifestyles … all for the sake of unity and peace. The Bible is clear about God, Jesus, and moral issues.
The double standard for “clubs” really shows me the existence, power, and agenda of Satan, who wants people to believe being nice is all you need to do to be Holy, thus engaging with God by avoiding Christ. Satan wants to push the idea that we can connect with God on our own power, through our efforts. This is why we get stuck on the law, legalism, and have difficulty absorbing God’s gracious gift of forgiveness.
Today, begin expressing Jesus' love by loving people where they are, by building relationships with them and, as the Holy Spirit leads, by sharing the truths of the Gospel with them. Jesus is the only answer. Don’t let anybody guilt you into thinking Christianity is the only club with intolerant selection criteria. Show them how compassion and rigidity can coexist.
Prayer
My Father, Help me never to deny my faith by accepting the unscriptural beliefs of others for the sake of unity and peace. Help me love others, no matter what their faith. Help me love them enough to build relationships with them and, as the Holy Spirit leads, to share the truth of the Gospel with them … and to do so with love. Help me communicate in a manner that lets all understand that Jesus is the only way. I pray this and all prayers through the One you sent to show us the way, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say - AMEN!
The Truth
Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me."
John 14:6
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Stepping Stones: Satan, The Master of Deceit
Transformational Thought
The last 2 days we looked at the first 2 desert temptations of Christ, so today we will look at the third temptation: Satan using Scripture to tempt Jesus to leap from the temple and land safely.
Again, Jesus could have done it, and it would have been the job of the angels to protect him. It was not a temptation to commit an overt sin, but it was a test of His Father's care. It was a call to have Father God prove his care for Jesus. Jesus responded by quoting other Scriptures and putting into context what Satan, the master of deceit, had quoted out of context.
We learn from Jesus' response that we should trust God and His promises, and not test His reliability for the wrong reasons. He promises to take care of us, but we shouldn't step in front of a speeding car to see what He will do. He has promised to meet our needs, but we shouldn't spend money recklessly.
In all three temptations, Jesus relied on the Scriptures for a proper understanding of what He was to do, and He quoted it in times of temptation. He did not take isolated verses out of context but balanced Scripture with an understanding of the true meaning of the verses and God’s overall plan and character. We find this to be part of the Armor of God that Paul exhorts us to use in the spiritual war we are in. Having experienced temptation, Jesus understands our condition. He is sympathetic, and He is also the perfect standard and role model.
Today, yield to the will of God. Memorize Scripture. And get a good study Bible that explains the context of these verses. Live it. Make a specific plan of how to do this more consistently as the Lord enables and pushes you. Life according to your instruction book is inaccurate and limited, so choose to use the perfect instruction book. WITHIN REACH can help you do this.
Prayer
Dear Father God, You know I am so weak. Please help me to better prepare to resist temptation by spending more time in Your Word. Teach me not just to read, but rather to live the Scripture. Please bring the right Scripture to my mind when I am facing a temptation…and also to understand the whole story of Your word. I pray this in the name of the One who would never deceive me and is the living word, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say - AMEN!
The Truth
Then the devil took him to Jerusalem, to the highest point of the Temple, and said, 'If you are the Son of God, jump off! For the Scriptures say, He will order his angels to protect and guard you. And they will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.' Jesus responded, “The Scriptures also say, You must not test the Lord your God.”
Luke 4:9-12
Those who obey him will not be punished. Those who are wise will find a time and a way to do what is right, for there is a time and a way for everything. . .”
Ecclesiastes 8:5, 6a
For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Hebrews 4:12
The last 2 days we looked at the first 2 desert temptations of Christ, so today we will look at the third temptation: Satan using Scripture to tempt Jesus to leap from the temple and land safely.
Again, Jesus could have done it, and it would have been the job of the angels to protect him. It was not a temptation to commit an overt sin, but it was a test of His Father's care. It was a call to have Father God prove his care for Jesus. Jesus responded by quoting other Scriptures and putting into context what Satan, the master of deceit, had quoted out of context.
We learn from Jesus' response that we should trust God and His promises, and not test His reliability for the wrong reasons. He promises to take care of us, but we shouldn't step in front of a speeding car to see what He will do. He has promised to meet our needs, but we shouldn't spend money recklessly.
In all three temptations, Jesus relied on the Scriptures for a proper understanding of what He was to do, and He quoted it in times of temptation. He did not take isolated verses out of context but balanced Scripture with an understanding of the true meaning of the verses and God’s overall plan and character. We find this to be part of the Armor of God that Paul exhorts us to use in the spiritual war we are in. Having experienced temptation, Jesus understands our condition. He is sympathetic, and He is also the perfect standard and role model.
Today, yield to the will of God. Memorize Scripture. And get a good study Bible that explains the context of these verses. Live it. Make a specific plan of how to do this more consistently as the Lord enables and pushes you. Life according to your instruction book is inaccurate and limited, so choose to use the perfect instruction book. WITHIN REACH can help you do this.
Prayer
Dear Father God, You know I am so weak. Please help me to better prepare to resist temptation by spending more time in Your Word. Teach me not just to read, but rather to live the Scripture. Please bring the right Scripture to my mind when I am facing a temptation…and also to understand the whole story of Your word. I pray this in the name of the One who would never deceive me and is the living word, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say - AMEN!
The Truth
Then the devil took him to Jerusalem, to the highest point of the Temple, and said, 'If you are the Son of God, jump off! For the Scriptures say, He will order his angels to protect and guard you. And they will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.' Jesus responded, “The Scriptures also say, You must not test the Lord your God.”
Luke 4:9-12
Those who obey him will not be punished. Those who are wise will find a time and a way to do what is right, for there is a time and a way for everything. . .”
Ecclesiastes 8:5, 6a
For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Hebrews 4:12
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Stepping Stones: Appointment’s That Motivate
Transformational Thought
For years I’ve taken a weekly music lesson and at times, it was the highlight of my week. It’s only 30 minutes, and my teacher is very talented, but he’s also kind of grumpy. But I still really enjoy that 30 minutes. I’m notorious for cancelling many different kinds of appointments because of my incessant overbooking, but I rarely cancel my music lesson.
Part of me not canceling my music lesson comes from my love of music, but also I show up because my teacher expects me to. He can tell within 3 minutes if I have kept my commitment to practice that preceding week. In a way, he holds me accountable for what I committed to do and am responsible for. But, the main reason I show up is because my teacher gives me the impression that I have the ability to play my instrument with greater skill than I believe I can. This is incredibly powerful and quite motivating.
What if you could have a daily appointment and go see someone who loves you…someone who accepts you just as you are, while seeing in you far more than you see in yourself? What if this ultimate teacher, coach, or parent could relieve your stress, forgive all your transgressions, and eliminate your guilt, your insecurity, and especially your world-weariness?
If such a place and person did exist, you can be confident that your greatest enemy would not want you going there, would try to talk you out of it, or hide it from you. Well, it exists and God is waiting…for you to come to Him. And your enemy is always trying to get in your way, by getting in your head and steering you away from the perfect teacher.
Today, accept and rejoice that the reality of place and the Person are waiting for you. Allow His love and acceptance as well as His expectation of who He is helping you to become to motivate you. Don’t let anything interfere with your appointments with Him as nothing will give you more that that appointment with Him. Identify one activity you can shorten to go someplace and to someone for all you desires. Find practical ways to begin wearing a path to Him. Make dates with Him and then keep those dates.
Prayer
Dear Father God, I know deep in my heart that spending time with You is the most important and rewarding investment of time I can make…yet, it is also the most difficult part of my daily behavior to master. I pray, Father, that You quiet the evil spirits who work so tirelessly to deceive me with intrusive thoughts and distraction. Help me submit to the Holy Spirit to master my flesh’s impulses and knee-jerk wants. I pray in the name of Your Son and my ultimate teacher, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children said - AMEN!
The Truth
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
Philippians 4:8
O LORD, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar.
Psalm 139:1-2
For years I’ve taken a weekly music lesson and at times, it was the highlight of my week. It’s only 30 minutes, and my teacher is very talented, but he’s also kind of grumpy. But I still really enjoy that 30 minutes. I’m notorious for cancelling many different kinds of appointments because of my incessant overbooking, but I rarely cancel my music lesson.
Part of me not canceling my music lesson comes from my love of music, but also I show up because my teacher expects me to. He can tell within 3 minutes if I have kept my commitment to practice that preceding week. In a way, he holds me accountable for what I committed to do and am responsible for. But, the main reason I show up is because my teacher gives me the impression that I have the ability to play my instrument with greater skill than I believe I can. This is incredibly powerful and quite motivating.
What if you could have a daily appointment and go see someone who loves you…someone who accepts you just as you are, while seeing in you far more than you see in yourself? What if this ultimate teacher, coach, or parent could relieve your stress, forgive all your transgressions, and eliminate your guilt, your insecurity, and especially your world-weariness?
If such a place and person did exist, you can be confident that your greatest enemy would not want you going there, would try to talk you out of it, or hide it from you. Well, it exists and God is waiting…for you to come to Him. And your enemy is always trying to get in your way, by getting in your head and steering you away from the perfect teacher.
Today, accept and rejoice that the reality of place and the Person are waiting for you. Allow His love and acceptance as well as His expectation of who He is helping you to become to motivate you. Don’t let anything interfere with your appointments with Him as nothing will give you more that that appointment with Him. Identify one activity you can shorten to go someplace and to someone for all you desires. Find practical ways to begin wearing a path to Him. Make dates with Him and then keep those dates.
Prayer
Dear Father God, I know deep in my heart that spending time with You is the most important and rewarding investment of time I can make…yet, it is also the most difficult part of my daily behavior to master. I pray, Father, that You quiet the evil spirits who work so tirelessly to deceive me with intrusive thoughts and distraction. Help me submit to the Holy Spirit to master my flesh’s impulses and knee-jerk wants. I pray in the name of Your Son and my ultimate teacher, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children said - AMEN!
The Truth
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
Philippians 4:8
O LORD, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar.
Psalm 139:1-2
Monday, November 15, 2010
Stepping Stones: God Desires: Relationship or Obedience?
Transformational Thought
Yesterday we discussed what God desires from us. Today I want to be more specific. Say you have a choice of the following 2 kids…which would you choose? “Straight-A Jane” does everything right, chores all perfect, homework on time, straight A’s, no breaking curfew, courteous, polite, follows all the rules…BUT, she doesn’t really like you, it doesn’t matter to her if you feel down, she isn’t interested in spending time with you or finding out more about you and can’t wait to leave when she turns 18.
“Absent-Minded Mindy” on the other hand is rough around the edges, needs reminding for chores and homework, grades range from D’s to B’s, forgetful, and ill-mannered at times…BUT, she loves you and cares about you, she celebrates when you’re happy and is sad when you hurt, she wants to spend time with you, is interested in how you tick, what you are interested in and what you dream about, and enjoys going on errands with you.
No brainer, right? Well, sometimes we get caught up thinking God is more interested in our obedience to Him rather than our relationship with Him. Sure, He wants both. But if He could only have one, He would yearn for our relationship with Him. Easy example: just think of the criminal on the cross, who had a minimal track record of obedience but believed in Christ, and how God rewarded him eternally. Or think of Mary and Martha: Jesus praised Mary’s pursuit of relationship and corrected Martha’s obedient pursuit of chores.
Satan’s system, our flesh, and our baggage are always pushing us into this work-based system for approval first. Then once we win God’s approval, He would want to have relationship with us. But the truth is really the other way around. Regardless of our long track record of disobedience, He pursues us like the father of the prodigal son, because He so loved the world and sacrificed His only Son.
Today, take a look at how much of your day is spent in dutiful obedience, and how much is spent building and growing a relationship with your Heavenly Father. When you shift the scales so that pursuit of relationship far outweighs obedience, you will realize that you actually become obedient to God and His instruction. Your decision, choose well.
Prayer
O God, thanks for desiring relationship with me even before I learn how to be obedient to You. If it were the other way around, and I needed to be cleaned up before I was worthy enough for You, I would be eternally damned. Help me not to fall into our world’s mentality of pursuing your approval instead of pursuing You. Once I learn to be close to You, the rest will take care of itself. In the name of the one who binds me to You in relationship, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children said - AMEN!
The Truth
And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, "Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me." But the Lord answered her, "Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her."
Luke 10:39-42
One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, "Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!" But the other rebuked him, saying, "Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong." And he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." And he said to him, "Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise."
Luke 23:39-43
Yesterday we discussed what God desires from us. Today I want to be more specific. Say you have a choice of the following 2 kids…which would you choose? “Straight-A Jane” does everything right, chores all perfect, homework on time, straight A’s, no breaking curfew, courteous, polite, follows all the rules…BUT, she doesn’t really like you, it doesn’t matter to her if you feel down, she isn’t interested in spending time with you or finding out more about you and can’t wait to leave when she turns 18.
“Absent-Minded Mindy” on the other hand is rough around the edges, needs reminding for chores and homework, grades range from D’s to B’s, forgetful, and ill-mannered at times…BUT, she loves you and cares about you, she celebrates when you’re happy and is sad when you hurt, she wants to spend time with you, is interested in how you tick, what you are interested in and what you dream about, and enjoys going on errands with you.
No brainer, right? Well, sometimes we get caught up thinking God is more interested in our obedience to Him rather than our relationship with Him. Sure, He wants both. But if He could only have one, He would yearn for our relationship with Him. Easy example: just think of the criminal on the cross, who had a minimal track record of obedience but believed in Christ, and how God rewarded him eternally. Or think of Mary and Martha: Jesus praised Mary’s pursuit of relationship and corrected Martha’s obedient pursuit of chores.
Satan’s system, our flesh, and our baggage are always pushing us into this work-based system for approval first. Then once we win God’s approval, He would want to have relationship with us. But the truth is really the other way around. Regardless of our long track record of disobedience, He pursues us like the father of the prodigal son, because He so loved the world and sacrificed His only Son.
Today, take a look at how much of your day is spent in dutiful obedience, and how much is spent building and growing a relationship with your Heavenly Father. When you shift the scales so that pursuit of relationship far outweighs obedience, you will realize that you actually become obedient to God and His instruction. Your decision, choose well.
Prayer
O God, thanks for desiring relationship with me even before I learn how to be obedient to You. If it were the other way around, and I needed to be cleaned up before I was worthy enough for You, I would be eternally damned. Help me not to fall into our world’s mentality of pursuing your approval instead of pursuing You. Once I learn to be close to You, the rest will take care of itself. In the name of the one who binds me to You in relationship, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children said - AMEN!
The Truth
And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, "Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me." But the Lord answered her, "Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her."
Luke 10:39-42
One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, "Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!" But the other rebuked him, saying, "Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong." And he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." And he said to him, "Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise."
Luke 23:39-43
Friday, November 12, 2010
Stepping Stones: Who’s Stronger, A Tiger or Man?
Transformational Thought
Got a quick quiz for you. Who is stronger, a tiger or a man? You know, physically stronger? Correct, a tiger. Who is locked up in a cage, a tiger or a man? Tiger, correct again. Well, if a tiger is physically stronger, why is the tiger the one locked up in a cage? Here is a hint…what does the man have that the tiger doesn’t? Gun, trap, tranquilizers, and usually some kind of strategy.
You see, all these things the man brings to the fight come from his brain. If man uses his intelligence, he can control the tiger. If he doesn’t use his intelligence, the tiger will devour him. The tiger represents our emotions. If you don’t use your intelligence by thinking and strategizing your way through an issue, your emotions kill you.
Whether your emotions get you in trouble with poor judgment, raise your blood pressure, give you heartburn, or interfere with your awareness of God and applying His instruction in a troubling situation, your emotions, left unchecked or supervised, will destroy you.
On the flip side, we don’t want to annihilate our emotions. Just like we lock up the tiger for entertainment, education, edification, or admiration, we want to keep our emotions around because they do have a significant purpose. Our emotions are a tremendous gift from God, even our “negative” feelings, but that’s a devotional for another day. Satan wants to push our emotional buttons so it is easier prey on and devour us. Drugs and alcohol bring emotions to the surface leading to many disastrous decisions.
Today, when you are experiencing some negative feelings, stop and think. Thinking before reacting is always helpful. Ask yourself, “are my feelings controlling my thinking, or is my intelligence controlling my feelings?” Take a deep breath and think about the real problem and a solution. When you are able to think through your emotional states, your level of success during adversity will be dramatically improved. Click here for WITHIN REACH to help you understand how to manage your feelings better.
Prayer
Dear Father God, thanks so much for giving me my intelligence and my emotions. I confess that I don’t think sometimes and I let my feelings devour my brains, and wow, the damage to others, You, and me is so embarrassing to face sometimes. Help me control my feelings better, and improve my ability to take “every thought captive.” I pray in the name of the perfect role model, Christ Jesus; and all God’s children said, – AMEN!
The Truth
We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,
2 Corinthians 10:5
Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly. A tranquil heart gives life to the flesh, but envy makes the bones rot.
Proverbs 14:29,30
Got a quick quiz for you. Who is stronger, a tiger or a man? You know, physically stronger? Correct, a tiger. Who is locked up in a cage, a tiger or a man? Tiger, correct again. Well, if a tiger is physically stronger, why is the tiger the one locked up in a cage? Here is a hint…what does the man have that the tiger doesn’t? Gun, trap, tranquilizers, and usually some kind of strategy.
You see, all these things the man brings to the fight come from his brain. If man uses his intelligence, he can control the tiger. If he doesn’t use his intelligence, the tiger will devour him. The tiger represents our emotions. If you don’t use your intelligence by thinking and strategizing your way through an issue, your emotions kill you.
Whether your emotions get you in trouble with poor judgment, raise your blood pressure, give you heartburn, or interfere with your awareness of God and applying His instruction in a troubling situation, your emotions, left unchecked or supervised, will destroy you.
On the flip side, we don’t want to annihilate our emotions. Just like we lock up the tiger for entertainment, education, edification, or admiration, we want to keep our emotions around because they do have a significant purpose. Our emotions are a tremendous gift from God, even our “negative” feelings, but that’s a devotional for another day. Satan wants to push our emotional buttons so it is easier prey on and devour us. Drugs and alcohol bring emotions to the surface leading to many disastrous decisions.
Today, when you are experiencing some negative feelings, stop and think. Thinking before reacting is always helpful. Ask yourself, “are my feelings controlling my thinking, or is my intelligence controlling my feelings?” Take a deep breath and think about the real problem and a solution. When you are able to think through your emotional states, your level of success during adversity will be dramatically improved. Click here for WITHIN REACH to help you understand how to manage your feelings better.
Prayer
Dear Father God, thanks so much for giving me my intelligence and my emotions. I confess that I don’t think sometimes and I let my feelings devour my brains, and wow, the damage to others, You, and me is so embarrassing to face sometimes. Help me control my feelings better, and improve my ability to take “every thought captive.” I pray in the name of the perfect role model, Christ Jesus; and all God’s children said, – AMEN!
The Truth
We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,
2 Corinthians 10:5
Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly. A tranquil heart gives life to the flesh, but envy makes the bones rot.
Proverbs 14:29,30
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Stepping Stones: Don’t Become Firewood
Transformational Thought
In my younger days, I enjoyed cutting and splitting my own firewood. I would whip that sledge, honing my baseball swing, splitting and stacking all summer, and then enjoy the warmth of the fireplace during the winter. If you’ve ever split wood, you know how important and effective the “wedge” is.
The wedge is a heavy chunk of metal with a sharp edge on one end and a flat surface on the other. Green wood is very difficult to split…to separate the wood into logs. The wedge is a necessity. The wedge is slowly pounded into the logs with a sledgehammer, and as it goes in, it pushes the wood apart, tearing the fibers…weakening them to the point of failure. The harder the wood the more times you have to hit the wedge.
This is the enemy’s single-minded focus…separating us from our Father. His swings of the hammer are like the neglect we feel as he uses a wedge of deceit like: “See, no one cares. You’re on your own.” He uses a sudden loss of innocence to tell us, “See, this is a dangerous world, and you’re all alone. You’ve been abandoned.” He uses assaults and abuses to scream at us, “See, this is all you are good for.”
By constantly striking the wedge he weakens us and separates us from our Father. The details are different and unique to each of us, but the effect is always the same…an injury to the soul, and with it, separation from our Father. It’s dramatic but true…the enemy wants to split us from God and put us in the fire!
But God is not willing to simply let that be the end of the story…so here’s the good news. Remember what Jesus taught us about the Father’s heart in the parable of the lost son. Filled with compassion, our Father God will come like a loving Father, take the wedge out, and take us close to his heart. He will also take us back to heal the injuries, and finish things that didn’t get finished. He will come for you, no matter how old you might be, or how far away from Him you feel. He makes you his dearly loved daughter or son.
Today, identify the wedge. What one lie or deception is Satan using to separate you from God’s love and abundant life today? When you feel uncomfortable, look at some of the data for the situation. Some of that data or your conclusions will be false. That is Satan’s wedge. Replace it with God’s truth and that will draw you closer to Him.
Prayer
Dear Father God, My deepest desire is to trust You with my whole being. But this trust does not come easily for me, Father. I know that if I learn to trust You…really trust You…nothing can separate me from Your peace. I will endure the pounding of the wedge and will use each strike to train myself to trust You. I will ruin the enemy’s plan by growing in grace through the very adversity he uses to try and harm me. I pray in the name of the reason for my trust, Christ Jesus; and all God’s children said, – AMEN!
The Truth
But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him
Luke 15:20
Above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.
Ephesians 6:16
In my younger days, I enjoyed cutting and splitting my own firewood. I would whip that sledge, honing my baseball swing, splitting and stacking all summer, and then enjoy the warmth of the fireplace during the winter. If you’ve ever split wood, you know how important and effective the “wedge” is.
The wedge is a heavy chunk of metal with a sharp edge on one end and a flat surface on the other. Green wood is very difficult to split…to separate the wood into logs. The wedge is a necessity. The wedge is slowly pounded into the logs with a sledgehammer, and as it goes in, it pushes the wood apart, tearing the fibers…weakening them to the point of failure. The harder the wood the more times you have to hit the wedge.
This is the enemy’s single-minded focus…separating us from our Father. His swings of the hammer are like the neglect we feel as he uses a wedge of deceit like: “See, no one cares. You’re on your own.” He uses a sudden loss of innocence to tell us, “See, this is a dangerous world, and you’re all alone. You’ve been abandoned.” He uses assaults and abuses to scream at us, “See, this is all you are good for.”
By constantly striking the wedge he weakens us and separates us from our Father. The details are different and unique to each of us, but the effect is always the same…an injury to the soul, and with it, separation from our Father. It’s dramatic but true…the enemy wants to split us from God and put us in the fire!
But God is not willing to simply let that be the end of the story…so here’s the good news. Remember what Jesus taught us about the Father’s heart in the parable of the lost son. Filled with compassion, our Father God will come like a loving Father, take the wedge out, and take us close to his heart. He will also take us back to heal the injuries, and finish things that didn’t get finished. He will come for you, no matter how old you might be, or how far away from Him you feel. He makes you his dearly loved daughter or son.
Today, identify the wedge. What one lie or deception is Satan using to separate you from God’s love and abundant life today? When you feel uncomfortable, look at some of the data for the situation. Some of that data or your conclusions will be false. That is Satan’s wedge. Replace it with God’s truth and that will draw you closer to Him.
Prayer
Dear Father God, My deepest desire is to trust You with my whole being. But this trust does not come easily for me, Father. I know that if I learn to trust You…really trust You…nothing can separate me from Your peace. I will endure the pounding of the wedge and will use each strike to train myself to trust You. I will ruin the enemy’s plan by growing in grace through the very adversity he uses to try and harm me. I pray in the name of the reason for my trust, Christ Jesus; and all God’s children said, – AMEN!
The Truth
But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him
Luke 15:20
Above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.
Ephesians 6:16
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Stepping Stones: Do You Have Childlike Trust?
Transformational Thought
When my girls were really small, I used to throw them way up in the air. Oh, how they loved it. They loved when we were in a house with a 2-story entrance where I could throw them really high. I loved the unquestioning trust they had in me, even though I really didn’t have to do much other than be a decent father. I certainly wasn’t perfect. Our kids show us their unconditional trust, and at times, extreme gullibility, in many ways…running to our room when they have a nightmare, believing when we tell them about Santa, the Tooth Fairy, and the Easter Bunny, or thinking we can make all their boo-boos go away.
God created us to trust easily, so we would trust Him, just like children trust their parents. But then Satan gets in our head. He magnifies the natural inadequacies that we have as parents, and the times we really do let our kids down, whether intentionally or unintentionally. Trusting others then becomes hard for us, whether it’s the result of normal circumstances or hurtful situations.
Mistrust breeds loneliness, isolation, and a feeling that no one truly understands me and my path. I feel no one else is on my team, and self-reliance becomes my main coping strategy. Self-reliance is the opposite of what God wants in His relationship with us. The Holy Spirit within us can be our resident tutor, helping us untwist those past hurts so we can start to trust again...100% unconditional trust and wide-eyed belief, just like a small child, ready to trust all God’s promises and instructions and fall into His open arms.
Today, when no one else seems to understand you, simply draw closer to Your Lord and God. Rejoice in Him, the One who understands you and loves you perfectly. Trust His promises and instruction for living life. Apply His principles to a trouble area today and continue to apply it regularly to that area. Give the principle a chance to affect your life and don’t judge the results too prematurely.
Prayer
Dear Father God, I come to You for understanding because You know me far better than I know myself. I know, Father, that You comprehend me in all my complexity…no detail of my life is hidden from You. Help me understand my hurts, forgive those who hurt me, and learn to trust You and Your promises. Give me the trust of a child when it comes to all that has to do with You. I pray in the name of the rock of my trust, Christ Jesus; and all God’s children said, – AMEN!
The Truth
O LORD, my heart is not lifted up; my eyes are not raised too high; I do not occupy myself with things too great and too marvelous for me. But I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child is my soul within me.
Psalm 131:1,2
Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 18:3
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 straight your paths.
Proverbs 3:5,6
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