Transformational Thought
Yesterday we discussed what God desires from us. Today I want to be more specific. Say you have a choice between the following 2 kids … which would you choose? “Straight-A Jane” does everything right, chores all perfect, homework on time, straight A’s, never breaks 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 home when she turns 18.
Your other daughter, “Absent-Minded Mindy”, on the contrary, is rough around the edges, needs reminding for chores and homework, grades range from D’s to B’s, is 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 won 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 that he 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 say - 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, October 14, 2011
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Stepping Stones: Can You Read God’s Mind?
Transformational Thought
When I look back at my childhood, I recognize a big disconnect that dramatically affected me through my teen and early adult years … and I battle its subsequent ripples even now. The disconnect … what my parents actually wanted from me as a kid was different from what I thought they wanted. There were lots of reasons for this, but I wish I had known then what I know now about my parents’ hearts. So many mistakes and the resulting heartache, suffering, and regret could have been avoided.
In a similar fashion, a lot of my spiritual problems, which then led to psychological and relational problems, was the result of another disconnect … between what God really wanted from me and what I thought He wanted from me. God doesn’t need our plans and ideas; He wants our attention. He doesn’t need our obedience; He wants our adoration. He does not need us to spend hours thinking up things for Him to do and bless; He wants us to spread His Word and further His Kingdom here on earth.
I am so grateful that we serve a God who is not dependent on my strength, my time, and my money. What a mess that would be! I believe that He wants us in a place where we know He is leading. He is our shield. And a shield works best in the front, not behind us. Our question must be, “What is it You want me to do, Lord?” Most of us don’t even know our own hearts. Our ways are not His ways.
Today, take a piece of paper and draw 2 lines down the page dividing it into 3 equal parts. First, without thinking, write down the things that immediately come to mind about what God desires of you. Then, in the middle section write what the Bible says God wants of, from, and for you. Lastly, in the section on the right write down what others would write about you based on what they observe from your daily behavior and if they could see into your thoughts (who you really are). Hopefully, this will help show you some of the disconnects that interfere with abundant living. The first step to change is self-reflection and self-assessment. Your decision, choose well.
Prayer
O God, thank You so much for loving me as I am. I want to know Your desires and plans for me. At times I have glimpses of them and actually live them. But then the world’s clutter and my old tapes start playing and I lose sight of Your real desires for me. Thanks for persevering with Your plans for me even though I take the long way to get to Your goal. Thank You for the trials You allow that cause me to increase my trust in You. Help me give praise to You during the really tough storms in life. I know You are working all things out for your Glory. In the name of my connector to the Father, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say - AMEN!
The Truth
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose
Romans 8:28
And I will put this third into the fire, and refine them as one refines silver, and test them as gold is tested. They will call upon my name, and I will answer them. I will say, 'They are my people'; and they will say, 'The LORD is my God.
Zechariah 13:9
You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.
Deuteronomy 6:5
The thief comes to kill, steal, and destroy; but I came that you might have life, and have it abundantly.
John 10:10
When I look back at my childhood, I recognize a big disconnect that dramatically affected me through my teen and early adult years … and I battle its subsequent ripples even now. The disconnect … what my parents actually wanted from me as a kid was different from what I thought they wanted. There were lots of reasons for this, but I wish I had known then what I know now about my parents’ hearts. So many mistakes and the resulting heartache, suffering, and regret could have been avoided.
In a similar fashion, a lot of my spiritual problems, which then led to psychological and relational problems, was the result of another disconnect … between what God really wanted from me and what I thought He wanted from me. God doesn’t need our plans and ideas; He wants our attention. He doesn’t need our obedience; He wants our adoration. He does not need us to spend hours thinking up things for Him to do and bless; He wants us to spread His Word and further His Kingdom here on earth.
I am so grateful that we serve a God who is not dependent on my strength, my time, and my money. What a mess that would be! I believe that He wants us in a place where we know He is leading. He is our shield. And a shield works best in the front, not behind us. Our question must be, “What is it You want me to do, Lord?” Most of us don’t even know our own hearts. Our ways are not His ways.
Today, take a piece of paper and draw 2 lines down the page dividing it into 3 equal parts. First, without thinking, write down the things that immediately come to mind about what God desires of you. Then, in the middle section write what the Bible says God wants of, from, and for you. Lastly, in the section on the right write down what others would write about you based on what they observe from your daily behavior and if they could see into your thoughts (who you really are). Hopefully, this will help show you some of the disconnects that interfere with abundant living. The first step to change is self-reflection and self-assessment. Your decision, choose well.
Prayer
O God, thank You so much for loving me as I am. I want to know Your desires and plans for me. At times I have glimpses of them and actually live them. But then the world’s clutter and my old tapes start playing and I lose sight of Your real desires for me. Thanks for persevering with Your plans for me even though I take the long way to get to Your goal. Thank You for the trials You allow that cause me to increase my trust in You. Help me give praise to You during the really tough storms in life. I know You are working all things out for your Glory. In the name of my connector to the Father, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say - AMEN!
The Truth
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose
Romans 8:28
And I will put this third into the fire, and refine them as one refines silver, and test them as gold is tested. They will call upon my name, and I will answer them. I will say, 'They are my people'; and they will say, 'The LORD is my God.
Zechariah 13:9
You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.
Deuteronomy 6:5
The thief comes to kill, steal, and destroy; but I came that you might have life, and have it abundantly.
John 10:10
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
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Stepping Stones: Reckless Words
Transformational Thought
Thank you…yes ma’am…you’re beautiful…I love you. Words can be so powerful; they can bless, soothe, and empower. Get away…you’re fired…shut up…I hate you. Words can also isolate, devastate, and demoralize.
Words are fine tools, helping awesome relationships and connections to flourish. Words can also be heat-seeking weapons, deftly defending our psyche and attacking those who threaten our me-first kingdom. The world has come to applaud and exalt quick-witted retorts. My own need to be in control, to be the expert, to show my competence, or to cover my vulnerability pushed my mastery of the quick, sarcastic, sharp, verbal attack.
I came to realize that when I used words to damage others…I was actually damaging myself as well. Some important elements of who I am, like self-respect, self-esteem, honor, dignity, relationships, brain chemistry, connection to God…all injured and damaged. Again, we see this all too common phenomena, when we use words reflexively as self-protective maneuvers like really self-destructive word grenades.
Another downside of resorting to this counter-offensive using verbal attacks, it interferes with my opportunity to learn, practice, and hone much healthier skills and methods to deal with the perceived attacks. You see, God has other ways rather than my knee-jerk word grenades and I will never get a chance to develop them if I keep resorting to my old poor ones.
The Word of God gives us different instruction about our words, and where to start in developing new and healthier skills: what comes out of our mouths is really the reflection of what is going on in our hearts. In order to modify our word usage, we need to work on our hearts. God has worked on my heart over the years. My swearing is gone and my verbal attacks are markedly decreased. I still have work to do, but as I let God in more, the temptation is less and the need to protect myself by hurling word grenades is minimized as I rest in His defense of me.
Today, let your speech come under the control of the Holy Spirit. Say split second prayers before you respond. Think before you speak, not as you speak. Use your words today to lift someone up, to heal instead of hurt. As your positive speech patterns replace your negative ones, the increase in joy and peace in your relationships will simply amaze you. Maybe forward this devotional to someone who has given you grace with his or her words to thank them. Your decision, choose well.
Prayer
Dear Father God, Thank You for the awesome gift of speech. I confess, Father that I have misused this gift…I confess, Father, that I have used my mouth and mind to hurt others. Forgive me, Father. I pray that You fill me with Your Holy Spirit so that I may have the discipline to think before I speak. Help me pray before answering the phone and before responding to others in conversation. Let others see You in me by the words I speak. I pray these words in the name of the living Word, Jesus Christ; and all God’s people say - AMEN!
The Truth
Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
Proverbs 12:18
My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry,
James 1:19
Thank you…yes ma’am…you’re beautiful…I love you. Words can be so powerful; they can bless, soothe, and empower. Get away…you’re fired…shut up…I hate you. Words can also isolate, devastate, and demoralize.
Words are fine tools, helping awesome relationships and connections to flourish. Words can also be heat-seeking weapons, deftly defending our psyche and attacking those who threaten our me-first kingdom. The world has come to applaud and exalt quick-witted retorts. My own need to be in control, to be the expert, to show my competence, or to cover my vulnerability pushed my mastery of the quick, sarcastic, sharp, verbal attack.
I came to realize that when I used words to damage others…I was actually damaging myself as well. Some important elements of who I am, like self-respect, self-esteem, honor, dignity, relationships, brain chemistry, connection to God…all injured and damaged. Again, we see this all too common phenomena, when we use words reflexively as self-protective maneuvers like really self-destructive word grenades.
Another downside of resorting to this counter-offensive using verbal attacks, it interferes with my opportunity to learn, practice, and hone much healthier skills and methods to deal with the perceived attacks. You see, God has other ways rather than my knee-jerk word grenades and I will never get a chance to develop them if I keep resorting to my old poor ones.
The Word of God gives us different instruction about our words, and where to start in developing new and healthier skills: what comes out of our mouths is really the reflection of what is going on in our hearts. In order to modify our word usage, we need to work on our hearts. God has worked on my heart over the years. My swearing is gone and my verbal attacks are markedly decreased. I still have work to do, but as I let God in more, the temptation is less and the need to protect myself by hurling word grenades is minimized as I rest in His defense of me.
Today, let your speech come under the control of the Holy Spirit. Say split second prayers before you respond. Think before you speak, not as you speak. Use your words today to lift someone up, to heal instead of hurt. As your positive speech patterns replace your negative ones, the increase in joy and peace in your relationships will simply amaze you. Maybe forward this devotional to someone who has given you grace with his or her words to thank them. Your decision, choose well.
Prayer
Dear Father God, Thank You for the awesome gift of speech. I confess, Father that I have misused this gift…I confess, Father, that I have used my mouth and mind to hurt others. Forgive me, Father. I pray that You fill me with Your Holy Spirit so that I may have the discipline to think before I speak. Help me pray before answering the phone and before responding to others in conversation. Let others see You in me by the words I speak. I pray these words in the name of the living Word, Jesus Christ; and all God’s people say - AMEN!
The Truth
Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
Proverbs 12:18
My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry,
James 1:19
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Stepping Stones: Beauty Deposits from God
Transformational Thought
Last evening I glanced out my window and noticed the most unusual, eye-catching color in the sky. The setting sun created a light and shading scheme that spectacularly dazzled my eyes. After a minute of soaking it in, I walked away. Then something brought me back to that window for a much longer gaze. The realization struck me then and there that the displays of beauty must have been designed to declare their existence of His Holy Being. I realized only God Himself could create such day-halting beauty.
My daughter’s smile, a bright autumn day in New England, that glorious sunset, oceanic splendor, the Grand Canyon, Hawaii’s volcanoes, the Highlands of Scotland, the Kenyan Serengeti, the Northern Lights, my wife’s look. All these beautiful and wondrous sights are meant to proclaim his Presence in the world.
Can you imagine what the Garden of Eden was like? Because it was even better than what we see now. The amazing part…these are just beauty deposits of the real beauty promised to and waiting for us in heaven. Doesn’t it whet your appetite?
Amazing, divine splendor, untainted by the decay and sin of this world. Heaven will be like an endless museum of masterpieces, leading to the ultimate perfect Master, God. Everything else will pale and become insignificant after we see Him. Just as time seems to stand still when we gaze at a sunset, time will stand still infinitely in His divine, awe-inspiring, magnificent presence.
The problem, Satan’s plan is to, 1) get us to worship the beautiful art and forget about the Perfect Artist. Chalk it up to the Big Bang Theory. Or, 2) keep us so busy and jaded that we don’t appreciate God or the beauty deposits He graciously blesses us with as appetizers to the real banquet we will enjoy, someday soon.
Today, do not rush past these proclamations, these beauty deposits, without enjoying and giving thanks for them. Think about what they point to: our eternal place gazing at Him and being with Him. Hopefully this assurance, hope, and reality will overshadow the darkness, ugliness, and problems you are encountering today. The lenses you use are your choice, so choose well.
Prayer
Dear Father God, I worship You, in the beauty of Your Holiness. Thank You for giving me glimpses of Your ultimate beauty. Help me, Father, to not rush by the beauty deposits that You have provided. Your beauty is a gift. Thank You, Father. Help me remember that I, too, am a beauty deposit, and carry a responsibility myself…to declare Your glorious being to the world just as Your beauty deposits declare your beauty to me. I pray these words in the name of ultimate beauty, Jesus Christ; and all God’s people say - AMEN!
The Truth
The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.
Psalm 19:1
And they were calling to one another: "Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory."
Isaiah 6:3
For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.
Romans 1:19-20
Last evening I glanced out my window and noticed the most unusual, eye-catching color in the sky. The setting sun created a light and shading scheme that spectacularly dazzled my eyes. After a minute of soaking it in, I walked away. Then something brought me back to that window for a much longer gaze. The realization struck me then and there that the displays of beauty must have been designed to declare their existence of His Holy Being. I realized only God Himself could create such day-halting beauty.
My daughter’s smile, a bright autumn day in New England, that glorious sunset, oceanic splendor, the Grand Canyon, Hawaii’s volcanoes, the Highlands of Scotland, the Kenyan Serengeti, the Northern Lights, my wife’s look. All these beautiful and wondrous sights are meant to proclaim his Presence in the world.
Can you imagine what the Garden of Eden was like? Because it was even better than what we see now. The amazing part…these are just beauty deposits of the real beauty promised to and waiting for us in heaven. Doesn’t it whet your appetite?
Amazing, divine splendor, untainted by the decay and sin of this world. Heaven will be like an endless museum of masterpieces, leading to the ultimate perfect Master, God. Everything else will pale and become insignificant after we see Him. Just as time seems to stand still when we gaze at a sunset, time will stand still infinitely in His divine, awe-inspiring, magnificent presence.
The problem, Satan’s plan is to, 1) get us to worship the beautiful art and forget about the Perfect Artist. Chalk it up to the Big Bang Theory. Or, 2) keep us so busy and jaded that we don’t appreciate God or the beauty deposits He graciously blesses us with as appetizers to the real banquet we will enjoy, someday soon.
Today, do not rush past these proclamations, these beauty deposits, without enjoying and giving thanks for them. Think about what they point to: our eternal place gazing at Him and being with Him. Hopefully this assurance, hope, and reality will overshadow the darkness, ugliness, and problems you are encountering today. The lenses you use are your choice, so choose well.
Prayer
Dear Father God, I worship You, in the beauty of Your Holiness. Thank You for giving me glimpses of Your ultimate beauty. Help me, Father, to not rush by the beauty deposits that You have provided. Your beauty is a gift. Thank You, Father. Help me remember that I, too, am a beauty deposit, and carry a responsibility myself…to declare Your glorious being to the world just as Your beauty deposits declare your beauty to me. I pray these words in the name of ultimate beauty, Jesus Christ; and all God’s people say - AMEN!
The Truth
The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.
Psalm 19:1
And they were calling to one another: "Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory."
Isaiah 6:3
For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.
Romans 1:19-20
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Stepping Stones: Be Free By Being Controlled
Transformational Thought
Jumbo shrimp. Military Intelligence. Harmless crime. Non-fat ice cream. Even Christian psychiatrist. These are all oxymorons, figures of speech where seemingly contradictory words appear side by side to describe a concept. I know today’s Stepping Stones will sound like a contradiction as well, but here it is: “Be free by being controlled.”
At first glance, this instruction, “Be free by being controlled,” sounds impossible. You are probably thinking, isn’t the definition of freedom: ability to self-rule, no restrictions or controls, release from captivity or slavery. Freedom is the absence of control, so how do we get freedom by being controlled?
But this is a lesson we see and learn clearly and frequently throughout life. Obey the rules, or controls, of the land, and you get to be free from the confines of prison. Submitting to your teacher’s control, instruction, learning principles, and strategy allows greater freedom to choose the vocation you want. Submitting to your coach’s control provides you more freedom from anxiety, pressure, and fear when you face a difficult opponent. Submitting to a theatre director or music teacher produces great freedom to explore the art, maximize your expressiveness, and freely become the art form.
The same is true spiritually. As you submit to the Holy Spirit, stop fighting the way of God, put on the daily armor (more on Armor of God), and let the Holy Spirit control your mind and actions, you become free from the world and are supernaturally empowered by God. You become increasingly released from the condemnation of sin and free to become the one He created you to be.
Unfortunately, this law of life runs contrary to the world’s misguided system. That’s why the concept seems like an oxymoron. Satan is trying to trick you into thinking you are smart and independent enough, and thus, do not need to submit to any controls in order to live free. Observing the examples above is easy, but submitting our inner thought world and our entire being to an intangible person often seems beyond our me-centered agenda and vision. If you don’t choose God’s controls, by default, you will be using your own near-sighted ones, or Satan’s destructive ones.
Today, look at the controls in your life that allow you freedom. Also look at areas in your life that aren’t working out well. You most likely need some stronger controls or guidance in those areas. When you sin confess it, immediately. This gets you back into unimpeded fellowship with God, and places the Holy Spirit back on the throne of your life. In an important decision today, invite the Holy Spirit to guide you, and really submit to His guidance, observing and experiencing how it plays out. Let Him live in the depths of your spirit. His work can liberate you to be completely who God intended you to be, and live the life that is WITHIN REACH. Your decision, choose your controls well.
Prayer
Dear Father God, My desire to be in control is constantly getting in the way…by doing things my way, I am continually sabotaging myself. I know that when Your Holy Spirit is controlling my thinking and behavior, I feel more alive…more real. I am freer to live how You want and designed me to live. I pray for humility to allow the Holy Spirit to think for me, live through me, and love on me. I pray this in the freeing name my savior, Jesus Christ; and all God’s people say – AMEN!
The Truth
For to be carnally minded is death, but to be controlled by the Spirit is life and
peace.
Romans 8:6
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
Romans 12:2
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
Psalm 51:10
Jumbo shrimp. Military Intelligence. Harmless crime. Non-fat ice cream. Even Christian psychiatrist. These are all oxymorons, figures of speech where seemingly contradictory words appear side by side to describe a concept. I know today’s Stepping Stones will sound like a contradiction as well, but here it is: “Be free by being controlled.”
At first glance, this instruction, “Be free by being controlled,” sounds impossible. You are probably thinking, isn’t the definition of freedom: ability to self-rule, no restrictions or controls, release from captivity or slavery. Freedom is the absence of control, so how do we get freedom by being controlled?
But this is a lesson we see and learn clearly and frequently throughout life. Obey the rules, or controls, of the land, and you get to be free from the confines of prison. Submitting to your teacher’s control, instruction, learning principles, and strategy allows greater freedom to choose the vocation you want. Submitting to your coach’s control provides you more freedom from anxiety, pressure, and fear when you face a difficult opponent. Submitting to a theatre director or music teacher produces great freedom to explore the art, maximize your expressiveness, and freely become the art form.
The same is true spiritually. As you submit to the Holy Spirit, stop fighting the way of God, put on the daily armor (more on Armor of God), and let the Holy Spirit control your mind and actions, you become free from the world and are supernaturally empowered by God. You become increasingly released from the condemnation of sin and free to become the one He created you to be.
Unfortunately, this law of life runs contrary to the world’s misguided system. That’s why the concept seems like an oxymoron. Satan is trying to trick you into thinking you are smart and independent enough, and thus, do not need to submit to any controls in order to live free. Observing the examples above is easy, but submitting our inner thought world and our entire being to an intangible person often seems beyond our me-centered agenda and vision. If you don’t choose God’s controls, by default, you will be using your own near-sighted ones, or Satan’s destructive ones.
Today, look at the controls in your life that allow you freedom. Also look at areas in your life that aren’t working out well. You most likely need some stronger controls or guidance in those areas. When you sin confess it, immediately. This gets you back into unimpeded fellowship with God, and places the Holy Spirit back on the throne of your life. In an important decision today, invite the Holy Spirit to guide you, and really submit to His guidance, observing and experiencing how it plays out. Let Him live in the depths of your spirit. His work can liberate you to be completely who God intended you to be, and live the life that is WITHIN REACH. Your decision, choose your controls well.
Prayer
Dear Father God, My desire to be in control is constantly getting in the way…by doing things my way, I am continually sabotaging myself. I know that when Your Holy Spirit is controlling my thinking and behavior, I feel more alive…more real. I am freer to live how You want and designed me to live. I pray for humility to allow the Holy Spirit to think for me, live through me, and love on me. I pray this in the freeing name my savior, Jesus Christ; and all God’s people say – AMEN!
The Truth
For to be carnally minded is death, but to be controlled by the Spirit is life and
peace.
Romans 8:6
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
Romans 12:2
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
Psalm 51:10
Monday, October 3, 2011
Stepping Stones: I Need…..God
Transformational Thought
We just finished sweet 16 birthday parties for my middle daughter, Nicole. She even gets us to celebrate her half-birthday in April. She was blessed with nice gifts from friends and a good chunk of gift money, so we asked her if she had anything in mind to buy. She started, “Dad, I need a …” then stopped as she saw that reflexive look on my face when I hear, “I need…” And so she restated, “Dad, I would like to get an iPod touch so baldy.”
I need a ride. I need some love. I need some sleep. I need an answer. I need some money. I need a man. I need a drink. I need that part. I need my Starbucks. I need to scream. I need to take charge. I need to put my spouse/kid down. I need a job. I need a break. I need help. I need a touchdown. We were all needy…in fact, we were born very needy. We all need a ….SAVIOR. However, there are two types of people; those who are needy and recognize their real insufficiencies, and those who are needy but are totally unaware of their real inadequacies, and think they need many superficial things.
Recognizing the extent of your need for God is a blessing. Even though Satan tries to distract us from recognizing our need for God, we know we can’t meet all our needs by ourselves or through the trappings of this world. We do know, deep inside, the breadth and depth of our need. But, recognition is only half the battle. The other half is turning to Him rather than to idolatrous substitutes to fill our emptiness, to give us purpose or identity, or to soothe our hurts.
Turning to our Lord with daily intentionality will always be a challenge for us…will always be the toughest part of the battle. Why? For the first 10-20 years of our life, we were conditioned to take care of ourselves, to become independent. As adults, we are constantly bombarded and influenced by the heaviness of this fallen world. We choose immediate comfort over real and lasting sustenance. While on this earth you will have to contend with this spiritual-emotional “gravity” pulling you away from Him.
Today, when you face an “I need” moment, stop and ask God to show you whether it is a need or a want. If you are honest, the answer should be fairly clear. Next, exert some self-control over your initial comfort-driven impulse, and try to really address the underlying issue. Then look to His instruction manual to find what He has promised and provided for you. Remember, immediate answers aren’t necessary and you really can handle waiting if you will recognize His power and sovereignty. Your decision, choose well.
Prayer
Dear Father God, With each passing day, I recognize how desperately I need You. I do want You to be the center of my life…and I am trying to keep You there. But You know, Father, how easily I get distracted…how my thoughts wander away from You. I grope for You, Father; I need Your help, all the time. Help me understand those distractions as idols and help me learn how to close my ears to their falsely soothing coos. I pray these words in the name of the One who died for all my needs, Jesus Christ; and all God’s people say - AMEN!
The Truth
But he answered, "It is written, "'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.'
Matthew 4:4
So that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us;
Acts 17:27
For the commandment is a lamp and the teaching a light, and the reproofs of discipline are the way of life, to preserve you from the evil woman, from the smooth tongue of the adulteress. Do not desire her beauty in your heart, and do not let her capture you with her eyelashes; for the price of a prostitute is only a loaf of bread, but a married woman hunts down a precious life.
Proverbs 6:23-26
We just finished sweet 16 birthday parties for my middle daughter, Nicole. She even gets us to celebrate her half-birthday in April. She was blessed with nice gifts from friends and a good chunk of gift money, so we asked her if she had anything in mind to buy. She started, “Dad, I need a …” then stopped as she saw that reflexive look on my face when I hear, “I need…” And so she restated, “Dad, I would like to get an iPod touch so baldy.”
I need a ride. I need some love. I need some sleep. I need an answer. I need some money. I need a man. I need a drink. I need that part. I need my Starbucks. I need to scream. I need to take charge. I need to put my spouse/kid down. I need a job. I need a break. I need help. I need a touchdown. We were all needy…in fact, we were born very needy. We all need a ….SAVIOR. However, there are two types of people; those who are needy and recognize their real insufficiencies, and those who are needy but are totally unaware of their real inadequacies, and think they need many superficial things.
Recognizing the extent of your need for God is a blessing. Even though Satan tries to distract us from recognizing our need for God, we know we can’t meet all our needs by ourselves or through the trappings of this world. We do know, deep inside, the breadth and depth of our need. But, recognition is only half the battle. The other half is turning to Him rather than to idolatrous substitutes to fill our emptiness, to give us purpose or identity, or to soothe our hurts.
Turning to our Lord with daily intentionality will always be a challenge for us…will always be the toughest part of the battle. Why? For the first 10-20 years of our life, we were conditioned to take care of ourselves, to become independent. As adults, we are constantly bombarded and influenced by the heaviness of this fallen world. We choose immediate comfort over real and lasting sustenance. While on this earth you will have to contend with this spiritual-emotional “gravity” pulling you away from Him.
Today, when you face an “I need” moment, stop and ask God to show you whether it is a need or a want. If you are honest, the answer should be fairly clear. Next, exert some self-control over your initial comfort-driven impulse, and try to really address the underlying issue. Then look to His instruction manual to find what He has promised and provided for you. Remember, immediate answers aren’t necessary and you really can handle waiting if you will recognize His power and sovereignty. Your decision, choose well.
Prayer
Dear Father God, With each passing day, I recognize how desperately I need You. I do want You to be the center of my life…and I am trying to keep You there. But You know, Father, how easily I get distracted…how my thoughts wander away from You. I grope for You, Father; I need Your help, all the time. Help me understand those distractions as idols and help me learn how to close my ears to their falsely soothing coos. I pray these words in the name of the One who died for all my needs, Jesus Christ; and all God’s people say - AMEN!
The Truth
But he answered, "It is written, "'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.'
Matthew 4:4
So that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us;
Acts 17:27
For the commandment is a lamp and the teaching a light, and the reproofs of discipline are the way of life, to preserve you from the evil woman, from the smooth tongue of the adulteress. Do not desire her beauty in your heart, and do not let her capture you with her eyelashes; for the price of a prostitute is only a loaf of bread, but a married woman hunts down a precious life.
Proverbs 6:23-26
Saturday, October 1, 2011
Stepping Stones: Wanted: Supporting Actor in a Glorious Drama!
Transformational Thought
My mother is a great piano player, and she taught many others and me while I was growing up. She also loved musicals, so I reluctantly got a fair dose of those as a kid as well. My oldest daughter, who’s now in college, was always interested in music and drama too, so I have seen many plays and musicals. Seems like more of the same from childhood, but actually, watching the shows now is quite different than when I was a kid.
You see, as a kid watching the shows, I fell into the trap of thinking the actors were just being themselves and not really playing parts. Watching my daughter up on stage with her friends, I was now able to appreciate they were not being themselves. They were actually acting out something totally different, something the writer and the director envisioned for and coached out of them.
As Christians, whether we like it or not, our lives are all individual stages on which others might observe the performance of Christ. Despite our imperfections, we have been chosen to act out and reflect His Glory for others to see so they can become aware of His presence and power. Don’t worry about your stage being unworthy of Him. No matter how much you fix it up, no matter how polished you may become…you will never be good enough for the display of His radiant holiness.
However, our weakness is the ideal stage for the exhibition of His power. And for this glorious process to happen, we must submit to Him as the great Director. Really trust His instruction and purpose for us. Step into and revel in the awesome roles He designed for us. If you feel uncomfortable with God as your director, your other options are evil-intentioned Satan or your very nearsighted and incompetent self.
Today, play your rightful part in this Glorious Drama. To maximize this opportunity and experience, look inward and find what is distracting and hindering you from keeping your eyes constantly on Him, following His direction. Grab a pencil and paper and journal a few minutes. Then work on that distraction…see how He can ease the pain this distraction brings to you. Then you will be able to keep your gaze fixed on Him and His awesome splendor. Forget about your unworthiness. Watch the Glorious Drama unfold as He performs great things for you and through you. Your decision, choose well.
Prayer
Dear Father God, I want to be Your stage. I want to be available to be a stage from which You can display Your power and Glory. But Father, I am not a ready-to-use stage. I feel more like a splintery, unfinished platform. I feel I may not even be safe enough…I feel like my boards are not yet nailed down properly. Help me, Father, to look away from myself and to look at You. Use my tired, broken stage in any way You choose. I am encouraged and thankful as I read Your Holy Word telling me that Your power is made perfect in my weakness. Thank You, Father. I pray through the love and work of Christ Jesus for us, and all God’s children say – AMEN!
The Truth
And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”
2 Corinthians 12:9
But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.
2 Corinthians 3:18
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
1 Peter 2:9-10
My mother is a great piano player, and she taught many others and me while I was growing up. She also loved musicals, so I reluctantly got a fair dose of those as a kid as well. My oldest daughter, who’s now in college, was always interested in music and drama too, so I have seen many plays and musicals. Seems like more of the same from childhood, but actually, watching the shows now is quite different than when I was a kid.
You see, as a kid watching the shows, I fell into the trap of thinking the actors were just being themselves and not really playing parts. Watching my daughter up on stage with her friends, I was now able to appreciate they were not being themselves. They were actually acting out something totally different, something the writer and the director envisioned for and coached out of them.
As Christians, whether we like it or not, our lives are all individual stages on which others might observe the performance of Christ. Despite our imperfections, we have been chosen to act out and reflect His Glory for others to see so they can become aware of His presence and power. Don’t worry about your stage being unworthy of Him. No matter how much you fix it up, no matter how polished you may become…you will never be good enough for the display of His radiant holiness.
However, our weakness is the ideal stage for the exhibition of His power. And for this glorious process to happen, we must submit to Him as the great Director. Really trust His instruction and purpose for us. Step into and revel in the awesome roles He designed for us. If you feel uncomfortable with God as your director, your other options are evil-intentioned Satan or your very nearsighted and incompetent self.
Today, play your rightful part in this Glorious Drama. To maximize this opportunity and experience, look inward and find what is distracting and hindering you from keeping your eyes constantly on Him, following His direction. Grab a pencil and paper and journal a few minutes. Then work on that distraction…see how He can ease the pain this distraction brings to you. Then you will be able to keep your gaze fixed on Him and His awesome splendor. Forget about your unworthiness. Watch the Glorious Drama unfold as He performs great things for you and through you. Your decision, choose well.
Prayer
Dear Father God, I want to be Your stage. I want to be available to be a stage from which You can display Your power and Glory. But Father, I am not a ready-to-use stage. I feel more like a splintery, unfinished platform. I feel I may not even be safe enough…I feel like my boards are not yet nailed down properly. Help me, Father, to look away from myself and to look at You. Use my tired, broken stage in any way You choose. I am encouraged and thankful as I read Your Holy Word telling me that Your power is made perfect in my weakness. Thank You, Father. I pray through the love and work of Christ Jesus for us, and all God’s children say – AMEN!
The Truth
And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”
2 Corinthians 12:9
But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.
2 Corinthians 3:18
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
1 Peter 2:9-10
Friday, September 30, 2011
Stepping Stones: Hope Cleans Your Lenses
Transformational Thought
Several years ago at Disney World in Florida, the world-acclaimed happiest place on Earth, I witnessed an amazing phenomenon rivaling a supernatural exorcism. I was watching a five-year-old boy. It was a typical hot and muggy Florida day, late in the afternoon, with long lines everywhere, lots of stimulation, many choices, and some probable letdowns. He was probably off schedule, hungry, and staying up late at night. This kid started having the granddaddy-of-them-all-with-a-cherry-on-top, meltdown (not my kid of course).
Then the most amazing miracle occurred. His parents said these magical words, “If you are good and can quiet down, you can have an ice cream and go swimming after dinner.”
It was like an exorcism was performed. The powerful evil forces that seemed to have such a firm grip on him dramatically retreated … after squaring off with the all-powerful ice cream sundae! Almost instantaneously, he was back to being a normal, well-behaved, and happy Magic Kingdom kid. Why? He now had hope. Hope is such a powerful emotional state. Expectation, trust, wishes, optimism, anticipation, and confident desire are potently influential dimensions of hope. You experience the same phenomena. Even when you are overwhelmed or filled with negativity and it seems like you have no control, you really do. At those times, you need to refocus on the hope you have in Christ.
The cool thing about hope is you actually believe there is a real chance of getting what you hope for. Hope can lift your perspective from weary feet to glorious views of the high road … the road to heaven. Way better than ice cream. How do you live your life? We’re talking about your daily attitude, the lenses you use to view life, your future outlook. Do your heart and daily actions display the ultimate hope that is powerfully alive in you? Or are you having a tantrum because hope is being sucked from your lenses, or seems so distant and out of reach?
Today, focus on this radiant destination, the Mind of Christ on this Earth and eternity in heaven with Confident Desire. This is real hope! When you do, whether the road ahead is rough or smooth becomes less significant. Like the boy at Disney who focused on the destination, it will be easy for you to handle the disruptions of the day. Whatever today’s obstacle is, attack it with the encompassing knowledge that you are getting double desserts … the Holy Spirit in this life, and eternity spent in the personal presence of God. Let real hope clean your lenses. Your decision, choose well.
Prayer
Dear Father, I know that hope is a golden cord that connects me to heaven. I feel as if my head is slumped and my feet are shuffling. Help me, Father, help me to have this cord hold my head high … even in the midst of the storms I am experiencing. Help me, Father, to hold in my heart a dual focus: Your continual Presence and the hope of heaven. These things I ask boldly, through the love and work of Christ Jesus for us, and all God’s children say – AMEN!
The Truth
Rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer;
Romans 12:12
Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose trust is the LORD. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.
Jeremiah 17:7-8
Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the LORD his God,
who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, who keeps faith forever;
Psalm 146:5-6
Several years ago at Disney World in Florida, the world-acclaimed happiest place on Earth, I witnessed an amazing phenomenon rivaling a supernatural exorcism. I was watching a five-year-old boy. It was a typical hot and muggy Florida day, late in the afternoon, with long lines everywhere, lots of stimulation, many choices, and some probable letdowns. He was probably off schedule, hungry, and staying up late at night. This kid started having the granddaddy-of-them-all-with-a-cherry-on-top, meltdown (not my kid of course).
Then the most amazing miracle occurred. His parents said these magical words, “If you are good and can quiet down, you can have an ice cream and go swimming after dinner.”
It was like an exorcism was performed. The powerful evil forces that seemed to have such a firm grip on him dramatically retreated … after squaring off with the all-powerful ice cream sundae! Almost instantaneously, he was back to being a normal, well-behaved, and happy Magic Kingdom kid. Why? He now had hope. Hope is such a powerful emotional state. Expectation, trust, wishes, optimism, anticipation, and confident desire are potently influential dimensions of hope. You experience the same phenomena. Even when you are overwhelmed or filled with negativity and it seems like you have no control, you really do. At those times, you need to refocus on the hope you have in Christ.
The cool thing about hope is you actually believe there is a real chance of getting what you hope for. Hope can lift your perspective from weary feet to glorious views of the high road … the road to heaven. Way better than ice cream. How do you live your life? We’re talking about your daily attitude, the lenses you use to view life, your future outlook. Do your heart and daily actions display the ultimate hope that is powerfully alive in you? Or are you having a tantrum because hope is being sucked from your lenses, or seems so distant and out of reach?
Today, focus on this radiant destination, the Mind of Christ on this Earth and eternity in heaven with Confident Desire. This is real hope! When you do, whether the road ahead is rough or smooth becomes less significant. Like the boy at Disney who focused on the destination, it will be easy for you to handle the disruptions of the day. Whatever today’s obstacle is, attack it with the encompassing knowledge that you are getting double desserts … the Holy Spirit in this life, and eternity spent in the personal presence of God. Let real hope clean your lenses. Your decision, choose well.
Prayer
Dear Father, I know that hope is a golden cord that connects me to heaven. I feel as if my head is slumped and my feet are shuffling. Help me, Father, help me to have this cord hold my head high … even in the midst of the storms I am experiencing. Help me, Father, to hold in my heart a dual focus: Your continual Presence and the hope of heaven. These things I ask boldly, through the love and work of Christ Jesus for us, and all God’s children say – AMEN!
The Truth
Rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer;
Romans 12:12
Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose trust is the LORD. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.
Jeremiah 17:7-8
Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the LORD his God,
who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, who keeps faith forever;
Psalm 146:5-6
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Stepping Stones: Freedom: 100% Mental
Transformational Thought
Pro athletes have such amazing physical skills. Tremendous coordination and deep-seated muscle memory have been developed through many years of intense, and intentional training. Hours of drills, techniques, and exercises. Reviewing and repeating the same actions with on-the-spot coaching and guidance have developed them into athletic machines, permitting them to maximize their physical potential. Given all that physical preparation, when they get onto the field a very significant physical organ will determine their success. The brain!
They say sports are 90% mental, meaning, what’s between their ears … their intellectual, psychological, stress management, relational, and emotional skills … really determine if they will maximize their physical abilities. In fact, to develop physical skills at such a high level many more mental skills are vital to success: perseverance, self-discipline, hard work, maintaining the integrity of the drills without taking short cuts, dietary self-control, studying plays, observation and application, and learning from mistakes. Life works the same way.
Freedom of speech … freedom to choose the vocation we want … freedom to practice any religion. But how free are we? How many of us are actually prisoners of our own hearts and minds? How many of us are “driven” to be something we are not. How often do we sabotage the path designed specifically for us. In an odd paradox, freedom really comes from having only one Master … the only one qualified to be the Master. Most of our troubles come from trying to blend masters (self, world, others, God) for our life … thus devising and implementing our own game plan and ignoring His. You will maximize your abilities and your life, in other words, achieve your God-given potential, when you realize your life is 100% mental and you humbly let all-powerful and all-knowing God be your coach and authority. That is when my life really turned around.
Here’s the bottom line. Life all comes down to decision-making. First come decisions you make in preparation, practice, skill acquisition and development. Then come the decisions to be made when real life is going on … how you apply these skills. This is the reason we push decision-making skills so often, as they are the key to life.
Today, find freedom by seeking to please God above all else. When you are angry, frustrated, overwhelmed, or experience some other uncomfortable feeling, just stop. Don’t act yet. Think of God and His big picture of salvation and eternity, or ponder Biblical passages that calm you. Let this soothe you. Then get back to the situation that was upsetting you. Now that you are calmer, think through a better solution than the one that initially went through your mind while you were upset. This is how you can be victorious in the mental aspect of your everyday living. Concentrate on staying close to Him at all times and humbling yourself to His instructions for your conduct. To develop practical skills to strengthen your mind and put God on the throne of your heart in your decisions, click here. Your decision, choose well today!
Prayer
Dear Father God, I come to You with a thankful, yet penitent heart. I confess, Lord, that I have let worship of others’ and my own expectations drive me, scattering my energy and focus. My desire to “look good’ in the eyes of others is also draining my energy. Help me, Lord, to focus on You. I know that this is the only way to achieve true freedom. Help me focus on serving the one and only Master, You. Help me, Father, to develop discipline in my life, taking my thoughts captive, so I can master the mental game that goes on inside of me and be victorious in this spiritual war for my soul. I pray, Father, that today and always I will let You direct my next step so that I will be free to enjoy You and to look forward to what You have prepared for me this day. These things I ask boldly, through the love and work of Christ Jesus for us, and all God’s children say, – AMEN!
The Truth
For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), finding out what is acceptable to the Lord.
Ephesians 5:8-10
And I will lead the blind in a way that they do not know, in paths that they have not known I will guide them. I will turn the darkness before them into light, the rough places into level ground. These are the things I do, and I do not forsake them.
Isaiah 42:16
Pro athletes have such amazing physical skills. Tremendous coordination and deep-seated muscle memory have been developed through many years of intense, and intentional training. Hours of drills, techniques, and exercises. Reviewing and repeating the same actions with on-the-spot coaching and guidance have developed them into athletic machines, permitting them to maximize their physical potential. Given all that physical preparation, when they get onto the field a very significant physical organ will determine their success. The brain!
They say sports are 90% mental, meaning, what’s between their ears … their intellectual, psychological, stress management, relational, and emotional skills … really determine if they will maximize their physical abilities. In fact, to develop physical skills at such a high level many more mental skills are vital to success: perseverance, self-discipline, hard work, maintaining the integrity of the drills without taking short cuts, dietary self-control, studying plays, observation and application, and learning from mistakes. Life works the same way.
Freedom of speech … freedom to choose the vocation we want … freedom to practice any religion. But how free are we? How many of us are actually prisoners of our own hearts and minds? How many of us are “driven” to be something we are not. How often do we sabotage the path designed specifically for us. In an odd paradox, freedom really comes from having only one Master … the only one qualified to be the Master. Most of our troubles come from trying to blend masters (self, world, others, God) for our life … thus devising and implementing our own game plan and ignoring His. You will maximize your abilities and your life, in other words, achieve your God-given potential, when you realize your life is 100% mental and you humbly let all-powerful and all-knowing God be your coach and authority. That is when my life really turned around.
Here’s the bottom line. Life all comes down to decision-making. First come decisions you make in preparation, practice, skill acquisition and development. Then come the decisions to be made when real life is going on … how you apply these skills. This is the reason we push decision-making skills so often, as they are the key to life.
Today, find freedom by seeking to please God above all else. When you are angry, frustrated, overwhelmed, or experience some other uncomfortable feeling, just stop. Don’t act yet. Think of God and His big picture of salvation and eternity, or ponder Biblical passages that calm you. Let this soothe you. Then get back to the situation that was upsetting you. Now that you are calmer, think through a better solution than the one that initially went through your mind while you were upset. This is how you can be victorious in the mental aspect of your everyday living. Concentrate on staying close to Him at all times and humbling yourself to His instructions for your conduct. To develop practical skills to strengthen your mind and put God on the throne of your heart in your decisions, click here. Your decision, choose well today!
Prayer
Dear Father God, I come to You with a thankful, yet penitent heart. I confess, Lord, that I have let worship of others’ and my own expectations drive me, scattering my energy and focus. My desire to “look good’ in the eyes of others is also draining my energy. Help me, Lord, to focus on You. I know that this is the only way to achieve true freedom. Help me focus on serving the one and only Master, You. Help me, Father, to develop discipline in my life, taking my thoughts captive, so I can master the mental game that goes on inside of me and be victorious in this spiritual war for my soul. I pray, Father, that today and always I will let You direct my next step so that I will be free to enjoy You and to look forward to what You have prepared for me this day. These things I ask boldly, through the love and work of Christ Jesus for us, and all God’s children say, – AMEN!
The Truth
For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), finding out what is acceptable to the Lord.
Ephesians 5:8-10
And I will lead the blind in a way that they do not know, in paths that they have not known I will guide them. I will turn the darkness before them into light, the rough places into level ground. These are the things I do, and I do not forsake them.
Isaiah 42:16
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Stepping Stones: See What Is Invisible
Transformational Thought
God is not like us. He’s not flesh and blood, and that can make Him seem so far away from us. Even without the problem of sin, the idea of really knowing God is impossible for our finite minds. He is spirit only; we have a spirit confined in our body. He is infinite; we are limited. He is perfect; we are flawed.
So how can we know Him? Well, God has designed us with one key purpose in mind: relationship with Him. And He builds us for relationship with Him through the use of “analogy,” that is, through making us in His “image and likeness.”
Think of it this way. When we’re trying to explain a difficult concept, we create a word picture of some sort. We might use images from nature. The classic is using ‘The Birds and Bees’ to explain where babies come from. Or we’ll refer to a common experience: “Do you remember the scene in ‘The Wizard of Oz’’ where Dorothy…”, or “Do you remember that road trip we took to California?” We use analogies all the time. The reason we do it is to communicate our ideas clearly by identifying a situation the other person has interacted with and can easily identify and process.
“That which is known about God is evident … for since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen …” (Romans 1:19-20). The clear expression of God’s invisible attributes is this two-pronged analogy of His authority and holiness in our delegated authority and morality. God uses analogy for the same reason we do: so that we can understand His communication with us. Satan is always trying to distort God’s analogies so that we get lost and easily confused.
Today, remember you were designed for something far better than just “getting by.” But if you feel like that’s all you’re doing, perhaps you’re not listening to God as He seeks a close and mentoring relationship with you. Stop and ask, “Why am I not spending more time with the One who knows me best and knows what I need the most?” He is calling to you and His message is clear. WITHIN REACH will help you hear Him better and apply His teaching directly to your life.
Prayer
Dear Father, You built us for relationship with You. And You have been seeking to win us back since You called out to Adam and Eve in the garden, “Where are you?” Many times I hear you call for me, “Karl, where are you?” I confess, I hide behind some pretty transparent animal skins. I don’t even understand why I am hiding sometimes, but I want to. Thank You for Your recent working in my life to push me back into Your arms. Let me consistently desire the greatest thing of all, to be in relationship with You, O Father, through the merits of Jesus Christ our Lord, and all God’s children say - AMEN!
The Truth
For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.
Romans 1:19-20
But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him.
John 4:23
God is not like us. He’s not flesh and blood, and that can make Him seem so far away from us. Even without the problem of sin, the idea of really knowing God is impossible for our finite minds. He is spirit only; we have a spirit confined in our body. He is infinite; we are limited. He is perfect; we are flawed.
So how can we know Him? Well, God has designed us with one key purpose in mind: relationship with Him. And He builds us for relationship with Him through the use of “analogy,” that is, through making us in His “image and likeness.”
Think of it this way. When we’re trying to explain a difficult concept, we create a word picture of some sort. We might use images from nature. The classic is using ‘The Birds and Bees’ to explain where babies come from. Or we’ll refer to a common experience: “Do you remember the scene in ‘The Wizard of Oz’’ where Dorothy…”, or “Do you remember that road trip we took to California?” We use analogies all the time. The reason we do it is to communicate our ideas clearly by identifying a situation the other person has interacted with and can easily identify and process.
“That which is known about God is evident … for since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen …” (Romans 1:19-20). The clear expression of God’s invisible attributes is this two-pronged analogy of His authority and holiness in our delegated authority and morality. God uses analogy for the same reason we do: so that we can understand His communication with us. Satan is always trying to distort God’s analogies so that we get lost and easily confused.
Today, remember you were designed for something far better than just “getting by.” But if you feel like that’s all you’re doing, perhaps you’re not listening to God as He seeks a close and mentoring relationship with you. Stop and ask, “Why am I not spending more time with the One who knows me best and knows what I need the most?” He is calling to you and His message is clear. WITHIN REACH will help you hear Him better and apply His teaching directly to your life.
Prayer
Dear Father, You built us for relationship with You. And You have been seeking to win us back since You called out to Adam and Eve in the garden, “Where are you?” Many times I hear you call for me, “Karl, where are you?” I confess, I hide behind some pretty transparent animal skins. I don’t even understand why I am hiding sometimes, but I want to. Thank You for Your recent working in my life to push me back into Your arms. Let me consistently desire the greatest thing of all, to be in relationship with You, O Father, through the merits of Jesus Christ our Lord, and all God’s children say - AMEN!
The Truth
For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.
Romans 1:19-20
But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him.
John 4:23
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Stepping Stones: Your Mutiny Is Getting Squashed
Transformational Thought
I have 3 daughters, and they are great, great kids … I wouldn’t trade them for anything. They are very responsible and good with each other. When my wife and I go out, we leave them in charge to babysit … 19 year old babysits herself and the 16 year old; the 16 year old babysits herself and the 11 year old, and the 11 year old babysits herself and our dog, Duke. The determining factor when we granted them their wish to “be on their own” was, “whose rules will you use to manage yourselves and those you are in charge of ... our rules or yours?”
If they were able to be an extension of us, their parents, and be a caretaker of our rules, wishes, and authority, then we left them alone. If they were going to be their own kings (queens in this case), assume authority by overthrowing the existing regime (the parents), and rule based on their own whims, desires, and standards, then they weren’t allowed to be on their own.
Yesterday, we talked about how God created us to be His extension, the caretaker of His authority in all areas of creation, especially protecting His standards and guidelines for our lives. Our struggles, like insecurity, worry, depression, bitterness, fear, or loneliness, happen when we ignore, rebel against, or overthrow His authority, and place ourselves as the all-knowing, all-powerful Oz, the ruler of our universe.
When we use our ineffective and incomplete warped standards, rules, and guidelines for the goal of self-protection or self-promotion, we actually bring on our own self-destruction. Satan does a great job of hiding this blatant cause-and-effect principle in our lives from us. So, we persist being our own rulers and are ignorant that we are causing our daily debilitating, self-destructive consequences.
Today, as you experience some unrest, stop and ask yourself, “Whose rules am I using in this situation? In whose authority do I really trust?” God designed us to be caretakers of His authority, not kings resting in our own authority and developing our own kingdoms. WITHIN REACH is a resource that helps you become less of a king and more of a caretaker of God’s plan for your life. Your decision: who is king of your world? Choose well.
Prayer
Dear Father, You are the most powerful, sovereign king ever. You are also the most loving and sacrificial king to Your subjects. Thanks for sacrificing for me, a rebellious subject, who often overthrows Your rule in my life. I know when my flesh is on the throne; I reap the fruit of the flesh. Open my mind to Your wisdom, and the guidance You have for me to develop the Mind of Christ. In the name of the King of Kings, Jesus Christ, and all God’s children say - AMEN!
The Truth
Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Galatians 5:19-21
And the LORD said to Samuel, "Obey the voice of the people in all that they say to you, for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected me from being king over them. According to all the deeds that they have done, from the day I brought them up out of Egypt even to this day, forsaking me and serving other gods, so they are also doing to you. Now then, obey their voice; only you shall solemnly warn them and show them the ways of the king who shall reign over them."
1 Samuel 8:7-9
I have 3 daughters, and they are great, great kids … I wouldn’t trade them for anything. They are very responsible and good with each other. When my wife and I go out, we leave them in charge to babysit … 19 year old babysits herself and the 16 year old; the 16 year old babysits herself and the 11 year old, and the 11 year old babysits herself and our dog, Duke. The determining factor when we granted them their wish to “be on their own” was, “whose rules will you use to manage yourselves and those you are in charge of ... our rules or yours?”
If they were able to be an extension of us, their parents, and be a caretaker of our rules, wishes, and authority, then we left them alone. If they were going to be their own kings (queens in this case), assume authority by overthrowing the existing regime (the parents), and rule based on their own whims, desires, and standards, then they weren’t allowed to be on their own.
Yesterday, we talked about how God created us to be His extension, the caretaker of His authority in all areas of creation, especially protecting His standards and guidelines for our lives. Our struggles, like insecurity, worry, depression, bitterness, fear, or loneliness, happen when we ignore, rebel against, or overthrow His authority, and place ourselves as the all-knowing, all-powerful Oz, the ruler of our universe.
When we use our ineffective and incomplete warped standards, rules, and guidelines for the goal of self-protection or self-promotion, we actually bring on our own self-destruction. Satan does a great job of hiding this blatant cause-and-effect principle in our lives from us. So, we persist being our own rulers and are ignorant that we are causing our daily debilitating, self-destructive consequences.
Today, as you experience some unrest, stop and ask yourself, “Whose rules am I using in this situation? In whose authority do I really trust?” God designed us to be caretakers of His authority, not kings resting in our own authority and developing our own kingdoms. WITHIN REACH is a resource that helps you become less of a king and more of a caretaker of God’s plan for your life. Your decision: who is king of your world? Choose well.
Prayer
Dear Father, You are the most powerful, sovereign king ever. You are also the most loving and sacrificial king to Your subjects. Thanks for sacrificing for me, a rebellious subject, who often overthrows Your rule in my life. I know when my flesh is on the throne; I reap the fruit of the flesh. Open my mind to Your wisdom, and the guidance You have for me to develop the Mind of Christ. In the name of the King of Kings, Jesus Christ, and all God’s children say - AMEN!
The Truth
Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Galatians 5:19-21
And the LORD said to Samuel, "Obey the voice of the people in all that they say to you, for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected me from being king over them. According to all the deeds that they have done, from the day I brought them up out of Egypt even to this day, forsaking me and serving other gods, so they are also doing to you. Now then, obey their voice; only you shall solemnly warn them and show them the ways of the king who shall reign over them."
1 Samuel 8:7-9
Monday, September 26, 2011
Stepping Stones: God Promotes You, Now What?
Transformational Thought
It’s fun watching our girls get excited about babysitting opportunities. Our pride oozes when we hear our friends rave at how mature and skillful our girls are in this new role. You see, authority is being delegated to them, and then they exercise good moral judgment while ruling over the kids they have responsibility for. These are 2 key characteristics God designed in us. They represent broad analogies of His own attributes. First, He promotes us above all creation and delegates authority to us, and second, He gives us morality.
In regards to the first characteristic, He gave Adam and Eve (and therefore all humans) authority over creation. We don’t create out of nothing as God can, but we are creative. We don’t command the nature as He does, but we understand what it is to tame animals, or bring the elements under our authority in metalwork, or in cultivating crops.
As for the second characteristic, God built into us a sense of right and wrong, as well as the responsibility to choose right over wrong. Consider this … we’re the only creatures who understand the concept of shame, because we’re the only creatures who understand what it is to break rules or to do the wrong thing. Birds don’t apologize; cats don’t get embarrassed; dogs don’t have law courts.
God wants you to bring creation under His authority through the exercise of your authority. Your family, your job, and your recreation, just to name a few, are facets of the creation that He has entrusted to your care. You have free will, so these aspects are yours to do with as you decide: either for His glory (which is also to your benefit, satisfaction, and growth), or to ultimate destruction. There is no middle ground.
Every longing of your heart, every desire, or impulse to act, create, manage, control, or fix is actually a reflection of the impulse to exercise the authority He has delegated to you, and to exercise your sense of right and wrong.
Today, when you have impulses submit those regarding authority and morality to Him. That is, exercise self-control over each impulse and then ask, “What Would Jesus Do?” We are not animals that react instinctively. God gave each of us a great mind and a sense of morality to maximize our responses, thus glorifying Him and fulfilling ourselves at the same time. Your decision, so choose well … and you’ll find two things becoming increasingly true: you’ll love Him more AND suffer discomfort a lot less.
Prayer
Holy Father, Mighty God: In You we live, and move, and have our entire being. From You we receive the authority to order our lives as we please: either for our good and Your glory, or for our own glory and pain-filled living. Please have mercy on us, that we may increasingly understand that the best authority is that which is exercised according to Your word, and the best morality is that which resonates with Your will. This we ask, through the sacrifice of Christ, and all God’s children say, – AMEN!
The Truth
“Let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. God blessed them; and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”
Genesis 1:26-28
Then the LORD God took the man and put him into the Garden of Eden to cultivate it and keep it. The LORD God commanded the man, saying, “From any tree of the garden you may eat freely; but from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat from it you will surely die.”
Genesis 2:15-17
It’s fun watching our girls get excited about babysitting opportunities. Our pride oozes when we hear our friends rave at how mature and skillful our girls are in this new role. You see, authority is being delegated to them, and then they exercise good moral judgment while ruling over the kids they have responsibility for. These are 2 key characteristics God designed in us. They represent broad analogies of His own attributes. First, He promotes us above all creation and delegates authority to us, and second, He gives us morality.
In regards to the first characteristic, He gave Adam and Eve (and therefore all humans) authority over creation. We don’t create out of nothing as God can, but we are creative. We don’t command the nature as He does, but we understand what it is to tame animals, or bring the elements under our authority in metalwork, or in cultivating crops.
As for the second characteristic, God built into us a sense of right and wrong, as well as the responsibility to choose right over wrong. Consider this … we’re the only creatures who understand the concept of shame, because we’re the only creatures who understand what it is to break rules or to do the wrong thing. Birds don’t apologize; cats don’t get embarrassed; dogs don’t have law courts.
God wants you to bring creation under His authority through the exercise of your authority. Your family, your job, and your recreation, just to name a few, are facets of the creation that He has entrusted to your care. You have free will, so these aspects are yours to do with as you decide: either for His glory (which is also to your benefit, satisfaction, and growth), or to ultimate destruction. There is no middle ground.
Every longing of your heart, every desire, or impulse to act, create, manage, control, or fix is actually a reflection of the impulse to exercise the authority He has delegated to you, and to exercise your sense of right and wrong.
Today, when you have impulses submit those regarding authority and morality to Him. That is, exercise self-control over each impulse and then ask, “What Would Jesus Do?” We are not animals that react instinctively. God gave each of us a great mind and a sense of morality to maximize our responses, thus glorifying Him and fulfilling ourselves at the same time. Your decision, so choose well … and you’ll find two things becoming increasingly true: you’ll love Him more AND suffer discomfort a lot less.
Prayer
Holy Father, Mighty God: In You we live, and move, and have our entire being. From You we receive the authority to order our lives as we please: either for our good and Your glory, or for our own glory and pain-filled living. Please have mercy on us, that we may increasingly understand that the best authority is that which is exercised according to Your word, and the best morality is that which resonates with Your will. This we ask, through the sacrifice of Christ, and all God’s children say, – AMEN!
The Truth
“Let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. God blessed them; and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”
Genesis 1:26-28
Then the LORD God took the man and put him into the Garden of Eden to cultivate it and keep it. The LORD God commanded the man, saying, “From any tree of the garden you may eat freely; but from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat from it you will surely die.”
Genesis 2:15-17
Saturday, September 24, 2011
Stepping Stones: How Much Do You Resemble Your Father?
Transformational Thought
In every child there is evidence of the parents’ contributions to the child’s makeup. They have their father’s eyes or their mother’s nose. Whose intelligence or stubbornness they have is often up for debate! What we often forget is that we, too, bear an image, an imprint of our designer – our Father’s image and likeness.
God is not like us, yet He designed us to understand who He is, so that we can be in a wondrous relationship with Him. For this reason, He gives us a likeness or analogy of His infinite and perfect attributes and character. For example, in a limited way we understand His greatness, power, knowledge, authority, creativity, sacrifice, love, and other attributes. He gives us a sense of time and eternity. He imprints us with an ability to grasp right and wrong … good, better, and best.
Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control are attributes and characteristics that we find in God. This means that every encouragement to obey God is not just a rule, law, or helpful hint about life. Yes, it’s those, but it is also so much more. It’s a call to be what we were ultimately made to be. Becoming holy isn’t so much about “being good” as it is about “being human”… not the human of this world, but instead, the human God created us to become, through the blood of Jesus and the power and leading of the Holy Spirit.
When we try to do life our own way, according to our own instruction manual, we get so frustrated, because we aren’t being used for the purpose for which we were designed. It’s like using a paintbrush to change a diaper, or a hammer to eat dinner. When something is serving its designer’s intent, then effectiveness, impact, peace, and fulfillment are plentiful.
Today, whatever your situation is, look at the Scriptures to consider the Designer’s intent for your life. Know that He really is calling you to “be all that you can be.” Write down what you need to believe differently about God or yourself so you can become all that He designed you to be. Write down what stops you from actually believing it. Usually, a distortion about God or our self is what interferes with our believing. So start to unpack the lie you believe that holds you back from walking into the part God has written for you! WITHIN REACH helps you identify and overcome those obstacles.
Prayer
Dear Father, Teach us to know that You have designed us for better things. Teach us to understand that obedience to You is not burdensome, but that obedience is a return to our original glorious design. By the power of your Spirit, make us to be more and more the image of Christ, who bears Your image perfectly and fully. Help me to get out of Your way and understand better my role in Your work of growing me. These things we ask boldly, through the love and work of Christ Jesus for us, and all God’s children say, AMEN!
The Truth
Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.
Genesis 1:26-27
But to this day whenever Moses is read, a veil lies over their heart; but whenever a person turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.”
2 Corinthians 3:15-18
In every child there is evidence of the parents’ contributions to the child’s makeup. They have their father’s eyes or their mother’s nose. Whose intelligence or stubbornness they have is often up for debate! What we often forget is that we, too, bear an image, an imprint of our designer – our Father’s image and likeness.
God is not like us, yet He designed us to understand who He is, so that we can be in a wondrous relationship with Him. For this reason, He gives us a likeness or analogy of His infinite and perfect attributes and character. For example, in a limited way we understand His greatness, power, knowledge, authority, creativity, sacrifice, love, and other attributes. He gives us a sense of time and eternity. He imprints us with an ability to grasp right and wrong … good, better, and best.
Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control are attributes and characteristics that we find in God. This means that every encouragement to obey God is not just a rule, law, or helpful hint about life. Yes, it’s those, but it is also so much more. It’s a call to be what we were ultimately made to be. Becoming holy isn’t so much about “being good” as it is about “being human”… not the human of this world, but instead, the human God created us to become, through the blood of Jesus and the power and leading of the Holy Spirit.
When we try to do life our own way, according to our own instruction manual, we get so frustrated, because we aren’t being used for the purpose for which we were designed. It’s like using a paintbrush to change a diaper, or a hammer to eat dinner. When something is serving its designer’s intent, then effectiveness, impact, peace, and fulfillment are plentiful.
Today, whatever your situation is, look at the Scriptures to consider the Designer’s intent for your life. Know that He really is calling you to “be all that you can be.” Write down what you need to believe differently about God or yourself so you can become all that He designed you to be. Write down what stops you from actually believing it. Usually, a distortion about God or our self is what interferes with our believing. So start to unpack the lie you believe that holds you back from walking into the part God has written for you! WITHIN REACH helps you identify and overcome those obstacles.
Prayer
Dear Father, Teach us to know that You have designed us for better things. Teach us to understand that obedience to You is not burdensome, but that obedience is a return to our original glorious design. By the power of your Spirit, make us to be more and more the image of Christ, who bears Your image perfectly and fully. Help me to get out of Your way and understand better my role in Your work of growing me. These things we ask boldly, through the love and work of Christ Jesus for us, and all God’s children say, AMEN!
The Truth
Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.
Genesis 1:26-27
But to this day whenever Moses is read, a veil lies over their heart; but whenever a person turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.”
2 Corinthians 3:15-18
Friday, September 23, 2011
Stepping Stones: Posing? For Who?
Transformational Thought
When I was 26 years old, I was the greatest … in my eyes. But when I met someone I was infatuated with, I would try hard to hide the skeletons, hurts, defects, scars, and fears swirling inside of me. But of I really was great, what was I hiding and why? I feared that if she saw those things, she would surely reject me. I was posing, pretending to be someone I wasn’t.
So many activities and experiences from childhood reinforce this scary and isolating concept of conditional acceptance. I know now that my parents loved me through thick and thin. But many times when I was a kid, that wasn’t so clear to me. I would interpret, actually misinterpret, their words, facial expressions, tone of voice, body language, consequences, or sharp critique of my activities as rejection, rejection based on my performance.
You see, most Earthly systems, excluding our government, are mainly works-based systems. Perform well, and get lots of acknowledgment and rewards. Mess up, and get criticism and lose a lot. Even in church, memorize a verse … get a gold star. Do well in youth group … get asked to join the worship team. Make a mistake … people gossip. If a Pastor’s wife is shy … she is viewed as cold.
Unfortunately, this conditional acceptance is a habit or pattern of thinking and viewing the world that flooded into my spiritual world as well. For so long, I had closed off parts of my life from God. I didn’t want Him to reject me, so I tried to hide my broken areas. I believed I could only bring a “cleaned-up” version of myself to Him.
How ignorant … how futile. Wounds and sins that we try to shut away from the light of His love will only fester, get worse, and then infect other areas of our life. Like a computer virus, we usually don’t realize what happens until a lot of damage occurs. Secret sins that we try to “hide” from our Lord can split off and develop lives of their own … controlling us without our knowledge while creating and building debilitating fear in our relationships and actions.
Today, open yourself completely to God. Open yourself to His transforming and healing presence. Let his brilliant love-light search out and destroy your hidden fears. Tell Him directly about one fear you struggled with today. The sooner you let Him into all those areas, the sooner His instruction and healing can soothe your hurts, and transform your heart and mind for lasting fulfillment and joy. Your decision, choose well.
Prayer
Dear Father, You know me inside and out. I no longer want to hide things from You. I am tired of hiding my wounds from You, then having to bear them all myself. Thank You for taking my yoke, and bearing my pains. I pray that Your love-light will seep deeply into the inner recesses of my being. Help me to understand Your perfect love … and to believe that perfect love drives out all fear. I pray this in the unconditional name of Jesus, and all God’s children say – AMEN!
The Truth
Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
Psalm 139:23-24
There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.
1 John 4:18
When I was 26 years old, I was the greatest … in my eyes. But when I met someone I was infatuated with, I would try hard to hide the skeletons, hurts, defects, scars, and fears swirling inside of me. But of I really was great, what was I hiding and why? I feared that if she saw those things, she would surely reject me. I was posing, pretending to be someone I wasn’t.
So many activities and experiences from childhood reinforce this scary and isolating concept of conditional acceptance. I know now that my parents loved me through thick and thin. But many times when I was a kid, that wasn’t so clear to me. I would interpret, actually misinterpret, their words, facial expressions, tone of voice, body language, consequences, or sharp critique of my activities as rejection, rejection based on my performance.
You see, most Earthly systems, excluding our government, are mainly works-based systems. Perform well, and get lots of acknowledgment and rewards. Mess up, and get criticism and lose a lot. Even in church, memorize a verse … get a gold star. Do well in youth group … get asked to join the worship team. Make a mistake … people gossip. If a Pastor’s wife is shy … she is viewed as cold.
Unfortunately, this conditional acceptance is a habit or pattern of thinking and viewing the world that flooded into my spiritual world as well. For so long, I had closed off parts of my life from God. I didn’t want Him to reject me, so I tried to hide my broken areas. I believed I could only bring a “cleaned-up” version of myself to Him.
How ignorant … how futile. Wounds and sins that we try to shut away from the light of His love will only fester, get worse, and then infect other areas of our life. Like a computer virus, we usually don’t realize what happens until a lot of damage occurs. Secret sins that we try to “hide” from our Lord can split off and develop lives of their own … controlling us without our knowledge while creating and building debilitating fear in our relationships and actions.
Today, open yourself completely to God. Open yourself to His transforming and healing presence. Let his brilliant love-light search out and destroy your hidden fears. Tell Him directly about one fear you struggled with today. The sooner you let Him into all those areas, the sooner His instruction and healing can soothe your hurts, and transform your heart and mind for lasting fulfillment and joy. Your decision, choose well.
Prayer
Dear Father, You know me inside and out. I no longer want to hide things from You. I am tired of hiding my wounds from You, then having to bear them all myself. Thank You for taking my yoke, and bearing my pains. I pray that Your love-light will seep deeply into the inner recesses of my being. Help me to understand Your perfect love … and to believe that perfect love drives out all fear. I pray this in the unconditional name of Jesus, and all God’s children say – AMEN!
The Truth
Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
Psalm 139:23-24
There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.
1 John 4:18
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Stepping Stones: The Light Is In You, Just Flip The Switch
Transformational Thought
When I was a child, my friends and I would play this game. We would go into the basement at night and turn off all the lights … and then try and find each other. The mixed feelings were similar to watching a scary movie when you are afraid, but at the same time, excited with an interesting blend of anticipation and reluctance for the unexpected. One of my friends was almost paralyzed with the fear that one of us might grab and scare him in the total darkness. At times I would crawl along the floor for safety or to execute a surprise attack. Weird how we didn’t really like the game, but we would frequently play it. Don’t know why … peer pressure I guess. Still to this day, when it is pitch black, I remember some of those experiences.
Looking at our struggles as adults, we can find ourselves still wandering in the darkness of immaturity and insecurity. To avoid or limit danger, we start crawling on the basement floors of our lives. We get so used to that strategy that when the lights are finally turned on, we keep crawling with a blindfold in place, unable to let the light show us where danger lies and where the path to freedom and fulfillment really is.
I see so many people crawling through their lives on the basement floor, cursing the darkness … while all the time God is shining brightly. Not only is He shining brightly around you, if you are a Christian, the Holy Spirit is shining in you.
You can allow that light to shine through you and out of you to illuminate your path by making Godly decisions. Decisions in line with God’s will keep the Holy Spirit on the throne of your heart and keep that light brightly shining. Making wrong decisions puts the flesh on the throne of your heart and puts a bushel over that light. God wants each of us to be light-bearers … to be lighthouses. The Holy Spirit, who lives in you, will shine God’s light from your face into your surroundings and to those around you. But the key is the quality of the decisions you make. This is why The Holy Bible (and we at Lighthouse) stress Godly decision-making skills. It truly is the key to your life, because you will make 5,000 – 10,000 decisions … just today!
Today, when you see “darkness” around you, stop, pray, and think about the Holy Spirit shining through you. Get out of His way by confessing your wrong decisions. Then start making the decisions you know you should. Be bold, and He will shine through you. You know what He wants you to do, even though it might go against your agenda, so just do it and see the magic that happens. Blessings or curses, it all comes down to the decisions you make and whether you have a “Thy will be done” or ”My will be done” mindset and motivation. Your decision, choose well.
Prayer
Dear Father, I do not like the darkness. I want to live in Your radiant light. When I do find myself in spiritual darkness I reach for Your guiding hand. I reach for Your hand in joyful trust, knowing You will never leave my side. I pray, Father, that I may brighten the world by reflecting who You are. Help me, Lord, to spread Your light into the darkness of someone’s life. I pray this in the name of Jesus who is the light of the world; and all God’s children said – AMEN!
The Truth
When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."
John 8:12
You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.
Matthew 5:14
Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you. For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the LORD will arise upon you, and his glory will be seen upon you. And nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising.
Isaiah 60:1-3
You can make this choice by loving the Lord your God, obeying him, and committing yourself firmly to him. This is the key to your life. And if you love and obey the Lord, you will live long in the land the Lord swore to give your ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
Deuteronomy 30:20
When I was a child, my friends and I would play this game. We would go into the basement at night and turn off all the lights … and then try and find each other. The mixed feelings were similar to watching a scary movie when you are afraid, but at the same time, excited with an interesting blend of anticipation and reluctance for the unexpected. One of my friends was almost paralyzed with the fear that one of us might grab and scare him in the total darkness. At times I would crawl along the floor for safety or to execute a surprise attack. Weird how we didn’t really like the game, but we would frequently play it. Don’t know why … peer pressure I guess. Still to this day, when it is pitch black, I remember some of those experiences.
Looking at our struggles as adults, we can find ourselves still wandering in the darkness of immaturity and insecurity. To avoid or limit danger, we start crawling on the basement floors of our lives. We get so used to that strategy that when the lights are finally turned on, we keep crawling with a blindfold in place, unable to let the light show us where danger lies and where the path to freedom and fulfillment really is.
I see so many people crawling through their lives on the basement floor, cursing the darkness … while all the time God is shining brightly. Not only is He shining brightly around you, if you are a Christian, the Holy Spirit is shining in you.
You can allow that light to shine through you and out of you to illuminate your path by making Godly decisions. Decisions in line with God’s will keep the Holy Spirit on the throne of your heart and keep that light brightly shining. Making wrong decisions puts the flesh on the throne of your heart and puts a bushel over that light. God wants each of us to be light-bearers … to be lighthouses. The Holy Spirit, who lives in you, will shine God’s light from your face into your surroundings and to those around you. But the key is the quality of the decisions you make. This is why The Holy Bible (and we at Lighthouse) stress Godly decision-making skills. It truly is the key to your life, because you will make 5,000 – 10,000 decisions … just today!
Today, when you see “darkness” around you, stop, pray, and think about the Holy Spirit shining through you. Get out of His way by confessing your wrong decisions. Then start making the decisions you know you should. Be bold, and He will shine through you. You know what He wants you to do, even though it might go against your agenda, so just do it and see the magic that happens. Blessings or curses, it all comes down to the decisions you make and whether you have a “Thy will be done” or ”My will be done” mindset and motivation. Your decision, choose well.
Prayer
Dear Father, I do not like the darkness. I want to live in Your radiant light. When I do find myself in spiritual darkness I reach for Your guiding hand. I reach for Your hand in joyful trust, knowing You will never leave my side. I pray, Father, that I may brighten the world by reflecting who You are. Help me, Lord, to spread Your light into the darkness of someone’s life. I pray this in the name of Jesus who is the light of the world; and all God’s children said – AMEN!
The Truth
When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."
John 8:12
You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.
Matthew 5:14
Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you. For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the LORD will arise upon you, and his glory will be seen upon you. And nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising.
Isaiah 60:1-3
You can make this choice by loving the Lord your God, obeying him, and committing yourself firmly to him. This is the key to your life. And if you love and obey the Lord, you will live long in the land the Lord swore to give your ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
Deuteronomy 30:20
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Stepping Stones: Rely On Yourself, Or Rest In Him?
Transformational Thought
There was a big burly lumberjack who came from a long line of lumberjacks. His parents named him … Jack. He was hired to cut down 30 trees a day. For the first few days the 30 trees fell easily under his axe, since Jack was a stud. But on day 5 he only cut down 25 trees, and on day 10 only 8. On day 20, even though he was swinging that axe faster and harder than on day 1, only 3 trees fell. Jack was so confused and frustrated, not to mention very tired since he was working harder than ever.
The supervisor was worried about his best worker and came to observe why Jack’s performance had trailed off so dramatically. The supervisor saw that the lumberjack’s axe was completely dull. So he told Jack, who was huffing and puffing and on the verge of exhaustion, that he needed to sharpen his axe. Jack fearfully blurted, “I can’t. I don’t have time … I need to cut down 30 trees today and I am already behind.”
Does this describe you some days? So many of us are exhausted, worn out, and in need of true relaxation and refreshment. I don’t mean sleep … I mean real psychological and spiritual rest. We keep swinging harder and faster, but our blades, our tools, are dull and getting duller by the minute. By dull, I mean our life and decision-making skills, really our psychological and emotion management skills, just aren’t as honed as they should be or as we need them to be.
We’ve been so indoctrinated to think resting means idleness or laziness. Our insecurity and past mistakes push our need to swing furiously and often, to show that we are worthy, or to make up for our past. Jesus, who had the most to do, rested often. Resting in God has two huge benefits: first, it allows us to sharpen our axes as we clear our lenses and hone our skills; second, when we relax in His presence, we demonstrate trust in Him to take over and accomplish what we can’t. We always need to find that balance between trusting and resting in Him and being an active and good steward of what we can control.
Trust is such a rich word, filled with meaning and direction for our life. So many of us do the exact opposite of what God wants for us. We turn away from Him when we are exhausted because we associate God with duty and diligence. We wrongly believe that going to Him means we have to do more, instead of allowing Him to give us more.
Today, set aside 15 minutes to take a rest and specifically lean on, trust in, and be confident with God. Meditate on His power and His love for you. Relax in His presence. When you lean on Him for support and rest, He delights in your trusting confidence in Him. Then as you rest, listen to what He is telling you, either directly or through your circumstances. He will talk to you. Your decision, rest in Him or rely on yourself, choose well.
Prayer
Dear Father, I come to You depleted and worn out. I come to You, Lord, for refreshment. I know that resting in You will save me. I thank You, Father, for Your reassuring Word that You spoke through Your prophet Isaiah, telling me that coming to You in quietness and trust shall be my strength. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit so that I may lean on Your understanding, not mine. I pray this with trust and expectation, and in the name of One who rested in You perfectly, Jesus; and all God’s children say – AMEN!
The Truth
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding
Proverbs 3:5
This is what the Sovereign LORD, the Holy One of Israel, says: In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength
Isaiah 30:15
There was a big burly lumberjack who came from a long line of lumberjacks. His parents named him … Jack. He was hired to cut down 30 trees a day. For the first few days the 30 trees fell easily under his axe, since Jack was a stud. But on day 5 he only cut down 25 trees, and on day 10 only 8. On day 20, even though he was swinging that axe faster and harder than on day 1, only 3 trees fell. Jack was so confused and frustrated, not to mention very tired since he was working harder than ever.
The supervisor was worried about his best worker and came to observe why Jack’s performance had trailed off so dramatically. The supervisor saw that the lumberjack’s axe was completely dull. So he told Jack, who was huffing and puffing and on the verge of exhaustion, that he needed to sharpen his axe. Jack fearfully blurted, “I can’t. I don’t have time … I need to cut down 30 trees today and I am already behind.”
Does this describe you some days? So many of us are exhausted, worn out, and in need of true relaxation and refreshment. I don’t mean sleep … I mean real psychological and spiritual rest. We keep swinging harder and faster, but our blades, our tools, are dull and getting duller by the minute. By dull, I mean our life and decision-making skills, really our psychological and emotion management skills, just aren’t as honed as they should be or as we need them to be.
We’ve been so indoctrinated to think resting means idleness or laziness. Our insecurity and past mistakes push our need to swing furiously and often, to show that we are worthy, or to make up for our past. Jesus, who had the most to do, rested often. Resting in God has two huge benefits: first, it allows us to sharpen our axes as we clear our lenses and hone our skills; second, when we relax in His presence, we demonstrate trust in Him to take over and accomplish what we can’t. We always need to find that balance between trusting and resting in Him and being an active and good steward of what we can control.
Trust is such a rich word, filled with meaning and direction for our life. So many of us do the exact opposite of what God wants for us. We turn away from Him when we are exhausted because we associate God with duty and diligence. We wrongly believe that going to Him means we have to do more, instead of allowing Him to give us more.
Today, set aside 15 minutes to take a rest and specifically lean on, trust in, and be confident with God. Meditate on His power and His love for you. Relax in His presence. When you lean on Him for support and rest, He delights in your trusting confidence in Him. Then as you rest, listen to what He is telling you, either directly or through your circumstances. He will talk to you. Your decision, rest in Him or rely on yourself, choose well.
Prayer
Dear Father, I come to You depleted and worn out. I come to You, Lord, for refreshment. I know that resting in You will save me. I thank You, Father, for Your reassuring Word that You spoke through Your prophet Isaiah, telling me that coming to You in quietness and trust shall be my strength. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit so that I may lean on Your understanding, not mine. I pray this with trust and expectation, and in the name of One who rested in You perfectly, Jesus; and all God’s children say – AMEN!
The Truth
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding
Proverbs 3:5
This is what the Sovereign LORD, the Holy One of Israel, says: In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength
Isaiah 30:15
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