Exposed

Today while talking with a co-worker of mine, she made a statement that I couldn't get out of my mind.  Her statement was, "I thought that the more mature you become as a Christian, the less temptation you have to face."  My response to her was quite simple, "Actually. it's the opposite."  I honestly believe that this way of thinking is why so many of us fail in the area of consistency in our walk with God. We become comfortable in our religious routine.  We read the same scriptures, say the same prayers, go to church on Sunday and maybe even Wednesday and then have the mindset that life should somehow be easier as if we are doing everything God requires.  But are you? 

The Word of God is full of so many wonderful truths that God wants to expound on individually to each of us.  Yes, it is wonderful what we get from the preacher, teacher, books, daily devotionals, blogs, etc.  But there is nothing like one-on-one conversation with the Almighty God.  He is truly amazing.  Psalm 119:130 says, 'The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple'.  Clarke's Commentary on the Bible put it this way - 'Every sermon, every prayer, every act of faith, is an opening by which light is let into the seeking soul'. Think about it.  How does God speak to us?  One definite way is through His Word.  And one primary purpose of the Word is to expose darkness.  This is not a shameful process but one in which God is able to expose our sin in order to change us.  He wants us to become better Christians.  It's that process of sanctification.  You know the story.  First, you were justified. My Pastor used to say, "just as if I never sinned."  Romans 5:8 states, 'But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners'.  That wasn't all He did.  As we live our lives in this journey of trust, you continue to go through the sanctification process.  John 17:17 says, 'Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth'.  Here in this verse Jesus prayed for His disciples.  But I say we all go through this process.  A process of us becoming more and more like God and less attached to the world.  A process where we allow the Word to deliver us from things that are evil, expose the ugliness in our hearts, and give us the strength to fight off temptation. And believe it or not this process continues until the day that we die.  For it is at that point that we will be glorified. 

I can remember my Pastor saying on more than one occasion,"If the devil isn't bothering you, maybe you should be worried.  You never become so holy that the devil stops bothering you.  My life has shown that the closer I try to get to the Lord, the more satan comes at me.  And the weapon I use is the same one Jesus used when He was tempted of the devil - the Word of God.  As a mature Christian you should be little bit stronger than a babe in Christ.  But don't get cocky.  All this means is that satan is going to pull out his big guns.  He will be even more deceptive, cunning and conniving.  He will start to use those closest to you.  He will wait until you have that argument with your spouse to send temptation walking your way in the form of long legs or deep, dark chocolate.  He will use finances or sickness to discourage you, preoccupy your thoughts so that you spend more time worrying and less and less time in the Word.  My challenge to you today is for you to turn to the Word and not away from it.  Counteract the devil's schemes with the Word of God. Stand your ground.  Be proactive.  Pray and ask God to 'search your heart, remove those things that are not like Him'. Make this your daily prayer.  This Christian walk is not all blue skies and roses.  Sometimes there are periods of rain and weeds.  But thank God that in the midst of darkness we have been exposed to the light and the cleaning process never ends. 

Most Gracious Heavenly Father,

I thank You today for the process of sanctification.  A process where I am being set apart, growing in grace.  Thank You for not leaving me in the dark.  Instead You died for me just because You loved me.  I am so very grateful.  Lord I am asking that You continue to search my heart for those things that are not like You.  Help me to move in the same direction instead of fighting against the changes You are making in my life.  Help me to stay in Your Word, allowing it to expose the sin in my life.  I ask forgiveness for those sins that I have committed on this day in word, thought, or deed.  Thank You for your forgiveness.  I will continue to give You all the glory, honor and the praise.  In Jesus' Name I pray Amen. 

Eternal Perspecitive

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith...' Hebrews 12:1-2a, ESV

Today just want to say, "Thank you Lord for the process.  Even though many times I have wanted to quit, it has been through the promise of Your Word and the Holy Spirit that I have hope."  You see, I decided a long time ago to follow Jesus.  No turning back, no turning back.  I read a quote today in my devotional that said, 'When the events of life are viewed with an eternal perspective, things that initially seemed important are unimportant, and things that seemed unimportant become important'. (author unknown)  I sat and pondered this statement for while, thinking about those things that at one point were extremely important to me and now that God has changed my life just aren't that important anymore.  Truth be told I have lived my life as a 'people pleaser'.  You know the type, never wanting to rattle any feathers, keeping things bottled up inside.  I was the friend who always wanted to keep the peace so I sat back and allowed and sometimes participated in behavior that I knew was not living a life that was pleasing in the sight of God.  I was, in fact, living beneath the calling God had placed on my life.  I was that person in church who was always participating in everything.  If the doors of the church were open  then I was there, even to the point of neglect in other areas.  I allowed people on the job to walk all over me, just taking it, while feeling miserable on the inside.  I put aside doing the things I loved in obedience to the call that was on my life in order to please others and make them 'happy'. 

As God continued to change my life for His benefit and ultimately His glory, I realized that there are so many things that I thought were important that just aren't that important anymore. Things that contributed to ungodly behavior.  I could easily be like the Pharisees and Sadducees and boast about the things I don't do.  Now before I start to think of myself more highly than I ought to think, let me say that there are things that have taken the place religiously over those things that should be a priority in my life. Recorded television over quiet time with the Lord.  Working over quality time with my family and friends.  Holding a grudge over forgiveness.  Worry over peace.  Depression over joy. Fear over faith!  And then one day I decided 'NO MORE'.  It's time out for living below my calling.  I decided that I was ready to live the victorious life that God had planned for me. 

And this is my challenge to you today: start living an abundantly life, keeping an eternal perspective. It's time to throw off all that dead weight and to start living above the mess. You see, it's easy to get suckered in to behaviors that are not like God.  Satan is working a full-time job plus overtime trying his best to distract us, confuse us, keep us discouraged and depressed, wanting us to give up.  This is why we must look at our circumstances with eternal vision.  The easy thing to do is to give up or sometimes to give in.  To have a defeatist attitude. I know that you see the difficulties and problems that are staring you in your face.  But instead of focusing on your problems I dare you to look up to Jesus.  I am amazed at how many people constantly complain about what is wrong in their life and have never taken a moment to pray.  I heard my Pastor say  that is why we get on our knees to recognize our position, where we have to look up and acknowledge our dependence on God.  That is why  I encourage you to wake up each morning and put on your armor.  You must pray continuously, asking God to protect you.  To order your steps.   You must ask God to bridle your tongue. (I don't know about you but that is the one thing that often gets me into trouble.) Help you to make wise decisions.  Ask Him to remove those people who mean you evil and not good. One important thing for me was to stand my ground.  If God has delivered you from something why continue to participate or stand around silent as in agreement.  I am a witness God will make it where the transition is easy and you won't even have to explain.   Remember this nugget of wisdom:  Only what you do for Christ will last.  Be careful how you build your life's work.  And y'all I'm working to make heaven my home.  It's not about pleasing people.  It's about keeping God's commandments and following His Word.  I know that the difficulties of life will make you want to throw in the towel.  Don't!  God will give you just what you need to make it through.  Have faith.  Keep looking to Jesus and ask God to help you stay on the path.  The road may be narrow and not many will stay on it with you but those that do will be instrumental in helping to give you strength for your journey. 

Most Gracious Heavenly Father,

I just want to thank You today for those things that I don't understand.  I have come to find out that it is those things that show me just a bit of Your glory over and over again.  It is those things that reminds me that I can do nothing in my own strength.  That my victory comes in being obedient to Your Word and leaning and depending on You.  Lord I'm grateful for every mountain that You've brought me over.  I thank You for the journey.  I thank You for Your grace that is sufficient.  I thank You for new mercies. You have given me an eternal perspective.  I realize that as I look up to You my problems become smaller.  Instead I am able to see Your blessings.  I am reminded just how amazing You trully are and I just can't help but praise You.  This is what it is really about.  Thank you!  Lord I love You.  For the rest of my life I'm going to serve You. You have been just that good to me.  In Jesus' Precious name I pray Amen. 

And Yet Do I Have Hope

God's Word is always timely.  Unlike white after labor day, it is never out of season.  After an enlightening night at Bible Study, I come home to have a personal talk with Jesus.  I am directed to a verse that expressed how a part of me was feeling.

Therefore my spirit is overwhelmed within me; My heart is appalled within me.

( Psalm 143:4, NASB)

Another put it this way, ' I am losing all hope; I am paralyzed with fear. (NLT)

Now I am sure that there are some of you reading this that are saying, I have never felt this way.  I trust that God will take care of any and every situation.  If this is in fact the case and your faith has never been shaken then I say, "Hats off to you." I also say, "Just keep living."  Today I have stopped by to tell you that there are times when my physical being says, "I am on the verge of giving up.  God you are taking too long.  I have people that depend on me and I just don't understand your methods right now or the reason behind them." Or maybe you're saying, "Lord, why did you have to take my loved one.  I don't want to go on."  There can be a lot of reasons for wanting to give up.  You start to feel overwhelmed with life and you just don't know what to do. You feel alone, mistreated, and confused. Even though you had been going through, you always had hope and then things took a turn for the worse. 

But let me tell you how God works.  After reading this verse I begin to hum, 'When my heart is overwhelmed, my prayer is lead me to the Rock.  Lead me to the Rock, that's higher than I, O Lord.  Higher than I'.  I hummed it a couple of times and then I begin to sing out loud because you know there is something about knowing that there is no situation too big for God to handle and that you can go to Him anytime of the day or night  that has a way of lifting your spirits.  It helps you to put everything in perspective.  You see, David the writer of this Psalm was feeling  perplexed and overturned, lonely and afflicted.  He suffered both in spirit and in heart from the undeserved and unprovoked hostility of his persecutors. BUT (thank God for the conjunctions of life) he had a relationship with God.  Even in the midst of all his suffering his personal relationship with God and their history is what brought him through.  If you read on in this Psalm you hear David saying, 'I remember the days of old. I ponder all your great works and think about what you have done. I lift my hands to you in prayer. I thirst for you as parched land thirsts for rain. Interlude  (Psalm 143:5-6, NLT)  David had come to know that God was faithful.  He had a proven track record and even though everything that was going on caused these feelings to stir from within, He still trusted God. He had hope.  You know how I know that he had hope, he begin to prayer, turning to the One who he knew could handle what he was feeling.  He wouldn't be judged and classified as a weak believer.  He knew where he help would come from. 

And that is what I believe this Christian life is all about.  You get to the point in your life where you know that you know that you know that your life is ten times better with God on your side.  In fact you can't imagine your life without Him.  There is a calming peace in knowing that the situation today may be totally different tomorrow because God is at work.  You might not be able to see how God is working it out in your marriage, in your finances, in your relationship, in your family, in your heart but you know that He is. And no one can sway you from this thought.  Some may call you crazy and that's alright.  They called Jesus plenty of names but  in the end who reigned victorious...JESUS!  It's a mighty good thing to know Him.  Just think even Jesus, who had to take off royalty and become like you and I, felt alone.  Remember when He cried out , "My God, my God why hast thou forsaken me?"  Yet, He completed His task.  He finished His course.  And so can you.  It's alright to feel a little down sometime.  You're human.  Just don't stay there.  Reflect on what God has done for you in the past and get up out of that pity party.  Instead praise God that He has sustained you through this time.  Praise Him for His faithfulness and thank Him for what He is doing in your life. 

Most Gracious Heavenly Father,

(This is a prayer you must pray.  Ask God to give You the words and then walk in your victory. In Jesus' Precious Name I pray Amen.)

Just A Prayer Away

'Why, O Lord, do you stand far away? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble'?  Psalm 10:1

I find myself at a familiar place.  A place of contradiction between my heart and my head.  My physical man and my spiritual being.  Here I stand at a place where God seems distant.  I know what the scripture says, 'Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence?  If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there...even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast'. (Psalm 139:7-8,10, ESV)  Even so, with all that's going on around me I find myself like the Psalmist asking, "Lord where are you?"  Ever been there.  You sit and watch all the evil in the world.  Then sickness and death hits close to home.  Jealousy, envy, strife, murder, war, and so much more.  One would think that God would intervene and put a stop to all the madness. 

As I sit and ponder this subject, a puzzling thought comes to my mind...each and every Sunday thousands of people go to church.  Many who have accepted Jesus Christ as their personal Savior, walking in favor with all the rights and privileges of a child of God.  They are fed the Word of God but when calamity comes they turn away afraid, doubting God. Why is that?   I can recall being one of those Christians (you know the kind who hadn't developed a personal relationship with the Lord outside of Sunday morning).  But over time there was something about the Word, the more you hear it, the more you want to know about it.  You begin to take every opportunity you can to spend time in it.  And I'm sure I am not alone.  But every now and then I get weak.  Things start to pile up.  The first couple of tests and trials, your faith is strong.  You stand firm in your faith.  Then the third and the fourth thing occurs and you begin to wonder if the end is in sight.  You find yourself with nothing else to do but cry out to the Lord.  "JESUS!, in the words of Leandria  Johnson's new single.  And just as quick as you call His name He is there providing you the necessary relief you need to run on just a little while longer.  He refreshes your spirit.  He restores your soul. 

So what is my response to the Psalmist in the verse above?  He is 'just a prayer away'.  It may seem that He is acting indifferent and unconcerned when in fact He is all the while working He is working on your behalf.  Call His name and I guarantee that He hears you.  In fact, you can call Him at the same exact time that I call Him and He hears both of us.  He knows your voice.  There is no limit to the amount of times you can call on Him, He is always available. He loves to hear your voice. Your minutes never expire and there is never a bad signal.  Each and every time you call He answers.  I know there are times that it seems you are all alone...that God doesn't care.  I am here to encourage you today and remind you that He does care.  Have a little talk with Him.  Tell Him everything that is on Your mind.  Spend some time in Your prayer closet.  Come out believing that God is working and everything is going to be alright. 

Most Gracious Heavenly Father,

Thank You for Your eternal presence.  I thank You because there is never a time when you are not near.  Help me to have a better prayer life. A more consistent prayer life.  One that turns to You, not only in a time of crisis but also during a time of calm.  Not just in a time of want but also in a time of plenty.  My heart's desire is to know You more. Lord I accept Your will for my life.  I know that whatever it is that You take me through, You will give me what I need to make it through.  Thank you for Your sustaining power and for refreshment.  In Jesus' Precious name I pray Amen. 

At The Proper Time

Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.  I Peter 5:6-7

Have you ever found yourself in a holding pattern?  What is a holding pattern?  In studying I found two definitions.  The first, 'The flight path maintained by an aircraft awaiting permission to land' and the second, 'A state or period of no progress or change'.  This is the point where you have taken off along a path, this walk called Christianity.  During this flight you are trying your best to follow the course mapped out for you through the Word and the leading of the Holy Spirit.  You have come to accept that 'in this world you will have tribulations'.  You know that test and trials will come.  You have developed a relationship with the Lord and believe that what He says He will do.  Your only problem is 'why is it taking so long'? You are at the point, at this very moment, that you are tempted to steer off course and take over as Captain.  Today I am here to encourage you not to do this.  If there is one point that has been inbredded in my mind, it is that our Heavenly Father knows best. 

It's hard sometimes to understand the concept that God sees everything that you go through and doesn't stop it.  You read in His Word that He has the power to speak and the winds and waves obey.  You sing a song that says 'He's An On Time God'.  But in the back of your mind, as you cry yourself to sleep quietly, you wonder if He really cares. You know, there is a very important fact that I have come to know and that is that it is not about understanding what is going on in your life.  It is more about trusting and believing that God who is Sovereign has it all under control and is working it out for your good.  He may choose to leave you on a difficult job or in a difficult marriage to help you remember your dependence on Him and to experience His power firsthand.  You may never win the lottery and escape all your financial worries.  I stopped by to tell you that there is nothing that you can do on your own.  There is no success that you have had in this life that He did not carefully orchestrate.  Yes, your life may be in a holding pattern right now but you can praise God for His ability see ahead to cloudy skies and stormy weather and keep you safe through it all.  You just have to keep the faith. 

Verse six talks about 'at the proper time', after giving some clear instructions on 'right living'.   I don't know about you but my first question was "When is this?"  Barnes Notes on the Bible gives two distinct thoughts as to what this might mean.  First, this could be an assurance that your deliverance would come at some point.  You will not always be in this state.  Secondly, your deliverance may come in due time, right when you need it. Maybe in the present life or maybe in the life to come.  In the meanwhile you are commanded to live a life that is pleasing to the Lord, serving Him in all you do.  Go ahead and tell God all about your problems.  He does care and at the proper time He will permit landing.  It is no secret what God can do, what He has done for others He will do for you. 

Most Gracious Heavenly Father,

I come to You at this moment thanking You and praising You for sustaining me. So many times I become consumed with the present that I can't see the bright future You have planned for me.  Help me to resist the temptation to do things on my own.  Let me wait for your perfect timing.  Guide my feet while I run this race.  I may not understand but I don't need to, as long as I'm in Your hands I know that everything is going to be alright.  In Jesus' Precious Name I pray Amen.

Think God

'If then you have been raised with Christ seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.  Set your minds on things that are above and not on things that are on earth'. Colossians 3:1-2

You know the old saying, 'It's hard to see the forest for the trees'. The idea that we can't see the beauty of what is in front of us for looking at the minoot details.  It means that you are so deeply involved in a situation, and perhaps focusing too much on individual details, and not enough on the situation as a whole. Those times in life when circumstances try to hinder you and it becomes difficult to live the life God intended for you to live. Life just continues to slap you in the face.  There are all kinds of distractions or stressors, as the minister put it this morning, that might cause you to grow weary and tired.  A broken heart.  A stressful job.  A misbehaving child.  An unloving spouse.  Financial woes.  How better off your life would be if you would look upon them, not as individual circumstances, but instead look ahead to the big picture.  The beauty of what God is doing in your life.  The way He is using the circumstances of life (the good and the bad times) to make you into a person to be used for His glory.

Those of you who have been reading my blog for a while now know that I often refer to the war that you and  I experience within.  It is more than just the battle between good and evil, right and wrong.  It's  those times when you are desperately trying to stand firm in your faith, fighting to see past what the human eye can see.  You are a Christian.  You have been 'raised with Christ' and because you are now alive in Him you should seek to understand the spiritual truths and the will of God.  So how does one go about doing this, especially when so many things seem to be upside down in your life.  You know what the Word says and you believe it in your heart.  But you just can't stop thinking about your circumstances.  This scenario is something that I have been thinking about for awhile, in fact it is my life right now.  So as I sat trying to block out all the noise in my mind in order to praise God and open myself up to receive the Word that I know God had prepared just for me, I begin to pray in my spirit.  And in an answer to that prayer, the Spirit led me to the verse above.  It's easy to sit and constantly think about a bad situation, a bad job situation or what may have caused you a broken heart, the loss of someone you love. But today at this moment I thank God for the alternative to dwelling on a bad situation. God instructs us to 'set your minds on things that are above'.  Literally, THINK GOD! It's about having an inner disposition to look upward in every situation.  Thinking Heavenly thoughts that come from knowing what God has promised in His Word.  One thought that kept replaying itself over and over in my mind is that 'God is still good'.  No matter what the circumstance, He is still in control and has a purpose for the pain. After being reminded of this very thing I realized the ball was now in my court.  It was time for me to make a decision.  Either I was going to continue to dwell on my circumstance or I was going to make an active decision to think on things above.  My choice....THINK GOD! When I sit and think of the goodness of Jesus and all He has done for me, there is no competition.  He is my one constant!  My Everything!  My Calm in the midst of chaos!  He keeps the smile on my face and the joy in my heart.  And He is faithful.  He has come through so many times before and made a way out of no way and I believe that He will do it again.  What about you?  Will you trust Him?

Heavenly Father,

I love you.  You are amazing.  You are awesome.  Your presence is unmistakable and your power undeniable.  You are holy. You are faithful.  That is why I trust You.  No matter what the life may throw my way, I know that You will sustain me.  Lord, you give power to the faint and when I have no might you increase my strength.  I'm tired Lord but I am waiting on You.  I'm waiting for Your deliverance which is far better than anything that I could ever orchestrate myself. I don't want to make a move to the right or to the left unless I am sure that You are leading me.  Help me to 'be still'  so that I may experience Your salvation. All these things I ask in Jesus' precious name I pray Amen. 

Our Comforter

“I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you."  John 14:18

I'm reading a book right now by Charles Swindoll entitled, Embraced By The Spirit. The theme of the book is about developing a relationship with the Holy Spirit and receiving the full benefit of His indwelling in our hearts. So what do you do when the very life that you have come to know is turned upside down?  When the very person you believed in the most lets you down.  Your security blanket is lost.  The one you love is gone on to live with the Lord.  Who will you go to now to have those conversations that you couldn't tell to anyone else?  The company is going out of business and you have mouths to feed at home. How are you going to pay your bills or buy groceries.   I know that, as a Christian, you want to tell yourself that everything will be okay.  That you can handle it.  You've read the scriptures.  You don't want others to know that this incident has shaken the very foundation of your faith.  You still say all the right things but when you are alone the questions begin to come. So what do you do?

When situations like the ones mentioned above are taking place in your life it is easy to feel like you are alone.  You feel like no one is there for you even though there may be people around you.  You may even feel that God has abandoned you.  After all He is sovereign.  He could have stopped this from happening to you but instead He allowed it to happen.  Now you are scared, worried, alone. Read again the words Jesus spoke to His disciples in John 14:18.  Jesus promised that He would not leave you comfortless (or orphaned).  Just another indication that God was looking down the road and working on your behalf.  He was making preparation for you to receive His promise.  Although you may experiencing some or all of the emotions I listed above you can take comfort in knowing that you are not alone for you have a Comforter.  One who will provide inner strength during your weakest moments.  A Comforter who is able to speak to the Father on your behalf when you don't have the words.  When the world that you once knew is no more.  Jesus himself, during His time down here on earth, experienced some of the very things that you may be feeling.  By giving us a Comforter, He was saying that I love you too much to abandon you.  I am going to provide for your future well-being.  Praise God!  He left you with everything that you would need for your time here on earth, especially during those difficult moments.

This word today comes at a very timely moment.  I think about how even though I grieve the loss of someone I loved, I am happy because of the things He left with me and so many others.  Driving in my car I hear the nuggets of wisdom that He shared throughout His ministry and I'm grateful.  I can only imagine how the disciples felt having experienced the teaching and preaching of Jesus firsthand.  How sad they must have felt when they learned of His upcoming death.  Which is why He quickly told them, "Don't worry.  I got you covered.  I am not leaving you alone. I will come to you through my Spirit.  I will speak to you through the Word.  I will continue to show you love through visits of grace and mercies that are new every morning.  That is why you can go on.  There is still work for you to do. 

Father, in the midst of my tears I know that You are still worthy.  Thank You for not leaving me alone to deal with the difficulties of life.  I rejoice because I know that it is in my weakest moments that you are able to stand up in me and show Your strength.  I know that the reason that I am still standing today is because of You.  I thank You today for the Holy Spirit that dwells within me. I know that there have been many times that I didn't have the words to say and yet the Holy Spirit made intercession for me and I'm still here today.  Help me not to doubt but to trust You and stand on Your promise that You will never leave me nor forsake me.  I will forever give Your name the praise.  In Jesus' Wonderful Name I pray Amen.