Being Childish

About that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who is greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?”

Jesus called a little child to him and put the child among them. Then he said, “I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven.  So anyone who becomes as humble as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven."  Matthew 18:1-4

Sometimes, God gives you such clarity that writing seems almost too easy.  The other day I was just hanging out with friends and family.  As I sat around, I noticed there were two distinct groups forming.  I do not know if they noticed it, but it was very similar to many situations we see today.  Men and women.  Progressive and Conservative.  Young and old.  Black and white.  We always gravitate to those who we are most comfortable with, and this was certainly the case here.  This dynamic continued until one young mother brought a little baby into the equation.  Suddenly, everyone gravitated to that baby from both sides.  They grinned at this beautiful bundle of joy, and for that moment, everyone was together.  There were no longer separate groups.  All were one.

It brought me to the idea of these verses on the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven.  God knows more than we do.  However, we often focus on the words, and we are not as clear on the application.  As I saw what unfolded before my eyes, it gave me a whole new insight to these verses.  Yes, God’s word is always true.  However, we always gain greater wisdom in seeing it in action.

The mentality of a child truly leads to greatness in the eyes of God.  Jesus talked about turning away from sin and becoming like children.  My first instinct was to say, “But children sin all the time.”  They will not always tell the truth.  They can be emotional and self-centered.  They do not always understand right from wrong.  However, that is why Jesus was incredibly wise in separating sin from the children.  We should be smart enough to know that we must turn away from sin.  This allows for the second part of these verses.  If sin is removed, what are we left with in a child?  Innocence, love, and joy are the initial responses that we would come up with.  It explains why a little baby is such a unifying force in any situation like the one I encountered.  We all are drawn to these things.  To be blameless, loved, and happy are things we all strive for.  The one thing that is not as clear is the word ‘dependent.’  A child is dependent on the care-taker.  It cannot survive without them.  Thus, a hidden gem in these verses is that the greatest in Heaven understands that they cannot achieve much of anything without Christ.  This is further underlined by Paul in his letter to the Philippians saying, “For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.” (Philippians 4:13)  We could even add things such as growing and thirsting for knowledge like the Samaritan woman as Jesus said to her, “Anyone who drinks this water will soon become thirsty again.  But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life.” (John 4:13-14)

Then finally, there is humility.  A child is incredibly powerful as I’ve just outlined, and yet, knows nothing of that power.  That’s Moses when he looks to God after He commanded him to lead the Israelites from Egypt and asks, “Who am I?” (Exodus 3:11)  It’s Paul when he breaks down sharing his own struggle with sin saying, “I want to do what is good, but I don’t. I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway.” (Romans 7:19) Humility simply is about knowing you are a child of God while understanding you are not Him.

Jesus is such an amazing teacher.  In today’s verses, He showed how one so little can be so strong.  The other day, God was able to reveal to me how one so little can be indeed as powerful.  Let us go today and beyond learning how having child like characteristics can be both life changing and empowering.  What inspiration can you draw from your childhood?  What child like characteristic can help you to get closer to God?  My prayer is that as adults we find strength in being ‘childish.’  Amen.

Wealth

Continuing with our instructions for living:

Proverbs 3:9-10

Honor the Lord with your wealth,
    with the firstfruits of all your crops;
then your barns will be filled to overflowing,
    and your vats will brim over with new wine.

These next couple of verses tell us how we are to handle our wealth.  We are to take the firstfruits of all of our crops, or the first of your earnings if you are not a farmer and honor the Lord with them.  This does not specifically say you have to take only your money and give it to the Lord.  It says to ‘Honor the Lord with your wealth’. 

Are you wealthy in other areas of life?  What about physically?  Have you been given physical wealth where you could lend a hand to someone else?  What about mental wealth?  Are you able to help someone else through a problem mentally?  What about being joyfully wealthy?  Have you shared that joy with another?

While we are certainly told to tithe as well, I think we often forget that we are to honor the Lord with the firstfruits of all of our crops.  When we pour of ourselves into others, we are filled to overflowing in return.

What part of the wealth God has given you do you need to share today?

Adversity

“But I want you to know, brethren,

that the things which happened to me

have actually turned out for the

furtherance of the gospel, so that

it has become evidence to the whole

palace guard, and to all the rest, that

my chains are in Christ.”

     Phillipians 1:12-13 (NKJV)

As seen throughout Scripture, God uses adversity to mold our character, purify our hearts and strengthen our faith.  In this passage, we see that God also uses difficult circumstances to further the gospel.  The Apostle Paul desired that he would “find a way in the will of God” to go to Rome (Romans 1:10).  God answered his prayer, although it was in a way that Paul might not have expected—i.e., his “visit” to Rome was as a prisoner. Yet in His infinite wisdom, God knew that through this adversity, Paul would have access to Roman guards and members of Caesar’s household, and as a result, the gospel would be declared and heard.

For a modern example, I think of a dear friend at church. She has major heart blockages (along with other medical conditions) and her doctors recently recommended that she have open heart surgery. After much prayer and godly counsel, she has decided not to have the surgery and instead, to trust that God will care for her to the extent of her days ordained on this earth.  She said the doctors were quite taken aback by her decision since they’re used to having patients follow their advice, but it has given her great opportunities to share her faith and the reasons for her hope and trust in God. They can see the peace she has that passes all earthly understanding despite her chronic pain and harsh prognosis.

Yet how often do we complain of difficulties and pray to have our burdens lessened or removed?  (I can imagine my reaction to having my prayer answered as Paul’s was by being imprisoned!)  But by failing to trust that God knows what He’s doing in our hardships, we miss out on His important work.  It would be better to pray for strength to bear our trials and for grace to shine for God’s glory in the midst of them. 

It’s been said that adversity will either make us better or bitter, so how will you react?  Will you trust God and willingly yield to His grand purposes? Will you view your afflictions as a platform to further the gospel, to provide opportunities to witness and to advance the cause of Christ?

Thursday Devotional - The Gift of Joy and Contentment

How many of us are truly joyfully content? Are you content with your job, your income, your family situation, your home, your car, and even your vacation options???

Over the years, God has helped me to grow in joy and contentment in certain areas. I could celebrate with many of my friends as they got married and started families years before me. Then, after Joe and I married and prayerfully pursued fertility and adoption options for almost a decade, we were still able to enjoy life. It didn’t mean we didn’t have disappointments along the way, but God helped us be more focused on what He had given than on what we didn’t have and wanted.

Solomon describes this joy in life and contentment as a gift from God!

Ecclesiastes 5:18-20     ¹⁸ This is what I have observed to be good: that it is appropriate for a person to eat, to drink and to find satisfaction in their toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given them—for this is their lot. ¹⁹ Moreover, when God gives someone wealth and possessions, and the ability to enjoy them, to accept their lot and be happy in their toil—this is a gift of God. ²⁰ They seldom reflect on the days of their life, because God keeps them occupied with gladness of heart.

Finding contentment and joy in the positions, possessions and people God has given to us is a satisfying gift of God.

Would others say we are a person of discontent or “occupied with gladness of heart?” Where do you and I need to ask God to help us better enjoy what He has given to us?

Alice

The Struggle Continues ...

Who can discern his errors?
       Forgive my hidden faults.

Keep your servant also from willful sins;
       may they not rule over me.
       Then will I be blameless,
       innocent of great transgression.

May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
       be pleasing in your sight,
       O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.  Psalm 19:12-14

Temptation is a tough thing to deal with.  We often say that the devil tempts us.  In hearing a sermon from my preacher this past weekend, I am not so certain.  There is a part of me that realizes that I am put in situations where I am tempted to sin.  However, that is neither God's nor the Devil's doing.  I believe that it is a test of faithfulness.  Not one that is created by God.  But instead one that is a constant battle.  It is a battle that never really goes away.  You get better at fighting it off and resisting, but you are never fully over it.  Furthermore, you must be concerned when you actually give in. It’s not the initial failure that gets you.  It’s the continual failure that you suddenly lose the will to fight.  I have been there before.  However once I got back in the fight and prayed, I again got to a place where I had won back my peace and felt connected with God.  But unlike before where I would once say I have overcome it, I substitute it with a phrase I learned from my mom as she fought through the civil rights era; the struggle continues.  This fit because the battle never ends.  You are consistently having to push against that which you struggle to reach.

Prayer and meditation on God are essential in your continual struggles.  We all have something that we struggle with.  Think of one thing that you indulge in or know is wrong but fail on multiple occasions.  You will know what it is when you find yourself in that ‘I promise not to do that again’ place only to find yourself in that ‘Oops, I did it again’ place.  There are a couple of things that are important to remember about your struggles.  One, we all have them.  Yes, some manage it better than others, but that does not mean they do not exist.  You are not alone in your struggle.  Second, we have a patient and amazing God who loves us unconditionally and will guide us IF we call on Him.  Sometimes, my utterance of His name is the added strength for me to overcome my situation.  Some say, “Jesus, take the wheel,” and others might say, “God?  If your listening, I need a little help here.”  Some might clutch a cross or some other item (wedding ring for example) to help remind them of their promises to God.  And before you ask, yes, He will deliver you.

God sees something in everyone.  He decided that there was a place for us in His kingdom, and most importantly, He gave His only Son so that we could fail and still have a chance at His glory.  I think back on the person I once was, and I’m humbled at the man I have become because of the power of God’s grace.  We should have a renewed joy in the people we have become in our renewed belief.  He revealed our faults, and freed us from barriers that once prevented the building of a closer relationship with Him.  So what is it that holds you?  How can you better manage your weakness?  My prayer is that we realize we can be closer to God by acknowledging that no matter how far we get, the struggle continues.  Amen.

Wiser than God?

Proverbs 3:5-8

Trust in the Lord with all your heart
    and lean not on your own understanding;
 in all your ways submit to him,
    and he will make your paths straight.

 Do not be wise in your own eyes;
    fear the Lord and shun evil.
 This will bring health to your body
    and nourishment to your bones.

These verses seem so simple in concept yet are so hard to live.  Think about someone that you trust completely.  When faced with a decision in life, do you go only to that person and follow exactly what they say?  Not likely.  You might go to them and seek advise but you likely balance that advise with what your own gut tells you to do. 

Here we are told to trust in the Lord and to not go off our own gut feeling.  We are told not to think of ourselves as wise rather to fear the Lord and shun evil.

One area in my life that I can see this being applicable is with my search for my next career move (not necessarily out of TR).  I have tried to be wise and go with what I feel is right but God has clearly shut some doors.  I know he has some good reasons so as tough as it has been at times, I am trusting him.  As a result, I stress less over it, which I know is going to bring better health to my body.

What area of your life have you tried to be wiser than God?  Take time today to pray about it and really turn it over to God.

Declaration of Dependence

“Stand fast therefore in the liberty

by which Christ has made us free, and

do not be entangled again with a

yoke of bondage.”

    Galatians 5:1 (NKJV)

"My soul, wait silently for God alone,

for my expectation is from Him. He only

is my rock and my salvation; He is my

defense; I shall not be moved. In God is

my salvation and my glory; the rock of

my strength, and my refuge, is in God."

     Psalm 62:5-7 (NKJV)

As we celebrate Independence Day in the U.S. this week, we have much to thank God for in so blessing this country. We have freedoms that many places in this world do not have.  We should not take them lightly or for granted.

As believers, we have amazing freedom in Christ---freedom from the penalty of sin, freedom from death, freedom from the cares of this life. We are also blessed by the truth we have in Christ. He is the way, the truth and the life (John 14:6). That truth makes us free when we believe on Him and live by His word.

But freedom is only one side of the coin. Even while declaring our country's independence, the founding fathers recognized the importance of reliance upon God and the inalienable rights that come from Him alone. This applies to us as individuals as well.  The Christian life cannot be lived without dependence upon God.  For He has given us life and salvation, our very being and all the blessings we enjoy. We must walk humbly with the Lord, letting Him lead and acknowledging our reliance upon Him for all things. He alone is our strength, our defense, our refuge.  

I pray that we rejoice in the freedom we have in Christ but also that we joyfully declare our total dependence upon our gracious Lord.

Freedom In The Spirit

Yes, even today when they read Moses’ writings, their hearts are covered with that veil, and they do not understand.

But whenever someone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.  For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.  So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.  2 Corinthians 3:15-18

Reading God’s word can be convicting.  There are many times I will read something, and have a strong visceral reaction towards it.  I begin to ask myself, “Is this the flesh rebelling or is my heart in the wrong place?”  I reflect as if God is trying to teach me a lesson that will take an amount of time for me to learn.  Spiritual growth is supposed to be this way.  You feel uncomfortable, and you must start stretching it out testing it to get comfortable.  Then there comes a level of thankfulness as it sinks in.  Then as I write my a devotion based on it, I pray that God guides me to say the right things and not lead me and those who would read it wrongfully.  It is then that I can feel God’s Spirit begin to awaken, and it flows within me.  Before I know it, the words flow freely, and my confidence in what God is impressing on me sinks in.  My heart is filled with His love, and my mind and soul are free from hesitancy and inhibition.

Embracing God and His word is true freedom.  In a discussion with a good friend of mine, I was able to share a bit of my faith discussing The Greatest Commandment.  As I shared the lessons from it, I could see the glow coming to their face.  This was a great feeling as I did not worry where I was or who might have heard me.  It was just the conversation and the words God impressed upon me to say.  There are lots of things that cause us to think of words God would wish us to say yet somehow never make it out of our mouths.  Sometimes it is prudent to not say anything particularly as it may be harmful.  However, we must be able to discern the difference between prudence and fear.  Prudence is obedience to God much like patience.  Fear is a tool of the devil that prevents the best God puts in you to come out.  To combat this, we must be courageous as courage is the opposite of fear, and we know this much through God’s word.  Think of the many times Joshua was encouraged where the phrase “Be strong and courageous” was repeated to him multiple times (see Deuteronomy 31 & Joshua 1).  The more courageous we are, the freer we become, and it is this freedom Paul speaks of in the verses today.

Jesus Christ died so that we would be free from the bondage of our sins.  The love He showed is certainly far above anything we could imagine.  However, all because we cannot fathom His sacrifice does not excuse us to be meek followers unwilling to share His love, grace, and wisdom with others.  Don’t let the fact you are not Jesus inhibit you from being like Him.  Remember the words of Paul when he said, “Because of Christ and our faith in Him we can now come boldly and confidently into God’s presence.”  Be willing to share what God places on your head, heart, and soul with others.  What message has God placed on your heart today?  What is the one thing God would want you to share with others?  My prayer is that on this Independence Day, we celebrate one of the greatest freedoms we have; the freedom in the Spirit of The Lord.  Amen, and Happy 4^th of July everyone!

Love and Faithfulness

Proverbs 3:3-4

Let love and faithfulness never leave you;
    bind them around your neck,
    write them on the tablet of your heart.
Then you will win favor and a good name
    in the sight of God and man.

Continuing on from last week, Proverbs 3 is giving us instructions on how we should live in order to have a good life as God intended for us.  Here we are told to love and be faithful.  To bind them around our neck and write them on the tablet of our heart.  In other words, be clothed in love and faithfulness.  If we are clothed in them, others will surly see that in us. 

Being liked by others is often something we want in life.  Here we are told that by clothing ourselves in love and faithfulness, we will win favor and a good name in the sight of both God and man.  This is something that I know I find to be a desire of my heart. 

So how do we cloth ourselves or bind them around our neck and write them on the tablet of our heart?  What this really means is that you live it in all things.  It sounds so simple yet it can really be a challenge. 

How can you show others that you are clothed in love and faithfulness?    

His Marvelous Works

“I will praise You, O Lord, with my whole heart;

I will tell of all Your marvelous works.

I will be glad and rejoice in You;

I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High.”

     Psalm 9:1 (NKJV)

Throughout the Bible, we are exhorted to praise God because He alone is always worthy of praise--not only for what He does but for who He is.  In the above passage, we’re told to tell of all His marvelous works and I’m here to do just that.

I just finished a very challenging project at work—filling in for another attorney editor on a book that I’d never worked on before. To make it even more daunting, the book was in a substantive area of the law that I didn’t know, working with authors I didn’t know and the book was quite large with a pressing deadline.  Needless to say, I was nervous and felt more than a bit overwhelmed when I started this project a couple months ago.  But God was faithful, as always. 

I committed myself and the work to God each day, and prayed for His help and guidance so I could do my best on it, that He would be glorified. He didn't fail but was there with me, day by day, each step of the way.  Oh I made mistakes, but He helped me make the necessary corrections and even to apologize when I needed to.  My heart overflows with gratitude to Him!  It is humbling and awesome to serve such a faithful, gracious Lord!

I’d like to invite others to share in the comments something that God has done in your life:  

Let’s tell of His marvelous works!

Let’s testify to His goodness and His greatness! 

Let’s sing His praises together! 

Doing so will encourage us and bless our gracious and worthy Lord.