Flesh vs. Spirit

 
I cannot describe the spiritual battles that others face, only my own. Today’s devotional is about the author’s battle with consecration. She writes about finding herself too weak and full of  imperfection and sin to dare dedicating herself to the Lord, but if she looks at Christ, all those thoughts vanish and she is left with a great desire to live for Him.

I know that battle, yet in my description I make a distinction between the flesh and the Spirit. Christ lives in me, but that old sinful nature clings to me like the ancient practice of putting the body of a murdered victim unto the back of the one who killed that person. What a stench, what a horror, but it does make vivid the reality of this war between God’s Spirit and my former nature. It is dead to God but still wants to rule my life. The NT is filled with instructions to help me recognize the difference and to live accordingly.

But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. (Galatians 5:16–17)

Sanctification is the work of God who changes my heart and desires, yet that sin nature resists doing God’s will because it is contrary to the nature of sin. However, God says:

And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another. (Galatians 5:24–26)

This is just one difference: the old nature is conceited, envious, and apt to spats with others. The Holy Spirit is not like that…

For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. (Galatians 5:13)

The devotional writer speaks of choosing to live for Jesus, and by looking to Him to make all fleshy thoughts vanish, then adds “I know it is His will that I should live like that, and that He is able to keep me from falling. And so all I can do is trust Him.”

It is no secret that the enemy wants God’s people to follow the dictates of that dead thing that seems strapped on our back. He uses various schemes to appeal to us. For me, it is a disguised pride that insists my own ideas are okay. For the devotional writer, it is doubt that God accepts her sacrifice of herself. Again, that could be rooted in that prideful idea that we need to be ‘good enough’ to serve God. If that notion governs me, then I will never serve Him because I will never be ‘good enough’ — which is a denial of the very basic truth of the gospel; we are not accepted or used by God based on our worth or abilities. Obedience is not about being able but about trusting Him and doing what He says, relying on His enabling and His Spirit. Still, it is a battle.

PRAY: Lord, so often the enemy whispers that I cannot do whatever it is that You ask me to do. I know that this statement is partly true but mostly a lie. In You and because of You, I can do all things. This is a trust issue, not an ability test. I have just over three weeks to do what seems impossible, but know it is Your will to get with it and just obey You, “for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through You who gives me strength.” (Philippians 4:11–13) Thank You for this timely reminder that my life is in Your hands!

God is in Everything

A couple of days ago, I found the above quote and it comes to mind often. Yesterday involved a lot of driving and time with someone who does not speak much English. However, meeting another friend who is fluent in her language was a delight for the three of us. I had no idea what they talked about, but the joy on their faces was a God-thing.

Arriving home and finding God in decisions we were making and giving us ideas through others who ‘happened’ to know this or that was more of that God-thing. Seeing Him in little things makes a difference in personal choices, and the way we think about life.

Today’s reading says, “Nothing but seeing God in everything will make us loving and patient with those who annoy and trouble us. They will be to us then only the instruments for accomplishing His tender and wise purposes toward us, and we will even find ourselves inwardly thanking them for the blessings they bring.”

While the reading goes on to link this idea as a deterrent to sin and complaining, I’m not sure that happens for everyone. Some may think that His presence means He is sternly watching all actions so they better behave rather than make Him scowl. Instead, seeing Him in all things ought to help us  realize His goodness and care. For me, it makes a difference in how I view life's extremes.

All things includes good and not so good. The flesh loves to take some credit for the good as if we made it happen or made right choices. The flesh also complains when things are not so comfortable and can even rail against it, totally forgetting that God is sovereign and has a loving and good reason for allowing any trials. Seeing Him in both extremes and everything in between produces praise and thanksgiving. It helps me to look for that good in trials and makes life a delightful adventure rather than a series of ups and downs.

Today’s reading also says I can believe God is faithful and wants good for me, not because I feel it or see it but because He says He is. This means faith enables the ability to see Him because faith is rewarded that way as my relationship with Him is deepened. He enables me to ‘just know’ that good things are happening, even before seeing or experiencing the results from trials. The Bible says that my faith forms the direction of my life. I know that doubt can prevent me from seeing His goodness, and doubt can be an inlet for all sorts of negativity, but faith enables the Holy Spirit to flood life with His fruit and when I’m filled with the Spirit, it is easy to see God in everything.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another. (Galatians 5:22–26)

The flesh is the source of pride, conceit, being annoyed with others or jealous of them. The Spirit is the source of what I really want: love, joy and all of the above. And the Spirit makes God visible to my heart.

PRAY: Jesus, I’m seeing so many of Your children who haven’t realized their battle with sin requires faith but also confession of doubt and fleshy living as being a huge part of redemption. Forgive the pride and send light into those who so badly need to see, not only this reality but the reality of You in all things. Keep me here. I love to see You in all things — and You making sense of the ups and downs of life.

When Jesus changes lives…

 

The Lord taught me much at our family reunion that last weekend in July. As I reflect, it was not just for family that we were entirely blessed. He blessed me by letting me experience what it was like to be filled with His Spirit and feel entirely free to do or say whatever came to mind — and whatever came to mind was always praise and honor to Him. Complete freedom. I never once worried what others might think or that I might look like some sort of nitwit. Later, I was told by someone who wasn’t even there that I made a lot of people happy. That was Jesus at work and when the weekend was over, the joy remained. I felt like I’d just experienced a taste of heaven. Indescribable joy and worship.

That lesson reinforced what I’d known but never experienced in such measure. When God is in charge, there is no thought of self, no concerns about being rejected or sneered at, nothing negative, just great love and care for others to the point that self is totally out of the picture.

I didn’t make this happen. Being aware of God at work, I often felt like a bystander or an audience. He made clear what it means to be totally consecrated to Him. I didn’t even get tired, at least not until hours after on the way home. This was an amazing event for our family, but also for me.

Today’s reading is a description of how God made consecration to Him a reality for the person who wrote it. The writer used words like more light, no provision for the flesh, giving up all of self, having her will slain, and resting nowhere but in God. I don’t know what happened that revealed this to her, but it is definitely a NT norm:

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, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these the wrath of God is coming. In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. (Colossians 3:1–10)

Looking back at many learning experiences, it seems that once God does an amazing thing in my life, without me even asking or thinking about it, I’m never the same afterward. One time one of our children took off with a friend in the middle of the night. They soon decided that was foolish and came home, but before that, the parents of the other child were numb with fear. However, my husband and I were oddly calm. We knew it was God giving us peace that was beyond comprehension. It made no sense to be calm, but we were a stabilizer for those other two people and not surprised when the two children walked in the door. This experience of God taking over made a huge difference. Since we learned He could do it, we now seek it when life throws us a giant-sized curve.

In the same way, I’ve learned what the Spirit of God can do for me in being responsible for a big event, just as the author learned what consecration is like when God makes it happen. It is His gift to show us the glory of putting self to death and putting on the new self.

Yesterday, a few of us were asked to do something scary. Experiencing God’s grace in other scary things takes the fear away for saying yes to this request. I’m trusting God to give what is needed to do the task, and also trusting Him for the others who claimed they are too inadequate for the task. May they discover that God knows we are not adequate; no one can do it without Him and feeling helpless is far better than having fleshy confidence. As John 15 says, without Him we can do nothing.

PRAY: Jesus, without You, I am as limp and useless as a glove without a hand. You give what is needed when it is needed. Forgive me for the times I try to do things in my own strength. Help my friends realize their need for Your power and boldness, and to recognize the difference between that and mere human confidence. Thank You Jesus.

God reveals His will — pay attention!

A friend soon faces surgery to fix a detached retina in his right eye. He had the same problem years ago in the left one. Why? I haven’t a clue. Another friend takes care of her husband as his mind changes daily due to dementia. What is God’s purpose in this? I haven’t a clue. Many families struggle as one or more children (or grandchildren) are prodigals running away from them and from God. Why? I’ve no idea why this is happening either, but I do know one thing:

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. (Romans 8:28–29)

God uses all things, even trials, to transform my life. The Bible even says this about my trials:

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. (James 1:2–4)

A difficulty or trial happens for at least two reasons. God may reveal great faith. When my husband fell in March, he sat dazed on a nearby bench and prayed that he didn’t know the why of this fall, but he accepted it as part of God’s plan for his life. One significant “good” thing is that he does not complain about his pain. He has a stress fracture and the pain goes away only when he is flat on his back, but he continues to take care of his responsibilities without moaning. This trial has resulted in steadfast trust in the Lord.

Trials can also expose sinfulness. Every time I have computer problems, my patience disappears. I am not only annoyed and frustrated, but lack peace and joy indicating the flesh is running things rather than the Holy Spirit. I also realize that this trial is exposing my sinful desire to be in control of things rather than trusting God and patiently dealing with that minor issue of life.

Today’s reading says that the story of Job is enacted in the lives of Christians. It says, “Mysterious providences darken and attempt to ruin the lives of those who have seemed too good to need such discipline. Even to ourselves come afflictions that we cannot understand, and Satan seems so busy in the matter that it is hard to trace the hand of the Lord in it at all. But His hand is in it nevertheless, and He overrules everything. No trial comes except by His permission and for some wise and loving purpose which perhaps only eternity will disclose.”

While most of us can identify with the puzzle of a trial and how easily we complain, I must not forget the rest of Job's story. Eventually God spoke to Job and this man realized that all his complaining and moaning about not knowing the reason for the trial was not an expression of his faith. In his troubles, he was to firmly hang on to the faith that he did have, expressed now and then, but not consistent. He did say:

But he knows the way that I take; when he has tried me, I shall come out as gold. (Job 23:10)

But he also complained that he didn’t know the why of it and God was not telling him. Then, at the end of the story, this man realized that he was not being true to his faith, and he confessed it saying:

I know that you can do all things and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted….  Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know. ‘Hear, and I will speak; I will question you, and you make it known to me.’ I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees you; therefore I despise myself, and repent in dust and ashes.” (Job 42:2–6)

God did not bring that trial on Job to punish him for sins committed. Instead, He used it to show him that faith wins. In this trial and his encounter with God, Job needed to realize this and stick to it. He also needed to confess his failure to do that. In other words, Job was not kept in the dark about why he went through such a severe trial. At the end of his story, God showed Job his attitude so he could confess his doubts, repent, and be restored.

PRAY: Jesus, I know that Your treatment of me is only a mystery for a time, a test to reveal my reactions. Will I trust You? Or will my sin nature fly into action? Do I honor You in the trial? Or do I stop trusting and take a nosedive? If You are revealing sin, You always reveal it to me so I can repent and become more like You. I may not know the reasons for the trials of others, but by grace, You show me  the ‘why’ of my experiences — even if it is just the need to pay closer attention to Your revealed will.

God knows me — He just wants me to agree with Him

While God tells us not to have personal bias toward others, it happens. My particular bias is toward those who are transparent, honest about their situation, emotions, desires, and opinions. They never leave me guessing about anything concerning them.

While God does not have to guess, it seems to me that He wants me to be transparent as well. As the psalmist declared, He knows anyway…

O Lord, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O Lord, you know it altogether. (Psalm 139:1–4)

However, the essence of confessing sin is being honest with God, telling Him what I have done and how my attitudes and thinking have been sinful. Since sin resists this and my old nature wants to look good regardless of what I am really like, sin’s tendency is to excuse it, or fake it, to try and portray to others what I think will impress them rather than being honest.

Honesty can be blunt and even unkind. This is why the NT clearly says,

Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love. (Ephesians 4:15–16)

Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. (Ephesians 4:25)

Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. (Ephesians 4:29)

Today’s reading points to this desire of God and how He used painful circumstances in the life of Job to accomplish it. First, it was God who was in control even though Satan did the work:

And the Lord said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your hand. Only against him do not stretch out your hand.” So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord…. And the Lord said to Satan, “Behold, he is in your hand; only spare his life.” (Job 1:12 & 2:6)

Job lost everything, including his children. He was struck with sores and in pain. He complained yet at times revealed his faith in God. Finally, God spoke and showed this man how much he did not know, and Job said:

“I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted. ‘Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?’ Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know. ‘Hear, and I will speak; I will question you, and you make it known to me.’ I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees you; therefore I despise myself, and repent in dust and ashes.” (Job 42:1–6)

Then the Lord spoke to those who had accused Job that he was in this situation because of sin: “My anger burns against you and against your two friends, for you have not spoken of me what is right, as my servant Job has.” (Job 42:7)

What did God mean? That all Job’s complaints were right? Or that his confession was right? Or was it that Job continually expressed what his heart was telling him, and finally he realized that he didn’t know everything about God?

The reading makes the point that when life is horrid, like Job’s life, God has purpose in it, and that purpose might be to show me what my heart is really like and how much I need the grace of God. Otherwise, my top priority is me — when I need to “despise myself and repent” of being entirely self-centered before God.

PRAY: Jesus, a recent temptation in which I didn’t do that well is still bugging me, and this reading makes me realize that confessing my attitude is not enough. Like Job, I need to despise that old dead selfishness and turn from it with all my heart. You want my love for You to be total, covering all areas of life, not just those that others can see. You want total transparency from me I can hide some things but “O God, you know my folly; the wrongs I have done are not hidden from you.” (Psalm 69:5)

 

Thankful for ALL things?

Yesterday’s thoughts are still with me this morning. God tells me to follow Him like one of His children should, then gives a list of what this means in ordinary life…

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not become partners with them; for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says, “Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ. (Ephesians 5:1–21)

This passage starts with therefore because the previous passage is about what God has done for me, including forgiveness of my sin. He has given me the ability to turn from sinful things and names many of them, then tells me to be filled with His Spirit which often includes a song in my heart and that I will be thankful for everything.

Reading that again makes me realize that if I am not thankful then I am not filled with Him but full of my sinful self, that old nature that wants what I want and quickly forgets that only God knows what I really need. And like bad news from my doctor and the resulting painful cure, I need to be thankful for whatever He uses to fix my broken and stubborn attitudes and behaviors.

In changing to more accurate imitation of God, starting small seems the best idea. Instead of griping when I sew a wrong seam, or my computer acts contrary to my wishes, or I burn my toast, I can find reason to be thankful for a good sewing machine and the ability to rip out an errant seam, thankful for a computer that saves me hours of time and give access to many resources, and the fact that there is more bread in the pantry to try again.

PRAY: Jesus, I so easily complain about such little things, yet if I cannot be thankful for the least of them, I will never be able to see Your goodness in the ALL things, including painful experiences and sad events. Fill me with Your Spirit for I need You to be thankful, but also enable me to have an eternal perspective that looks for ways to be like You even while I’m here living in time and in this very messy world. Open my eyes to see You — in everything, no matter what!

Give thanks in everything

 

It is easy enough to give thanks for whatever gives me joy. I could fill this page with examples and have answered prayer near the top of the list. But what about those things that are frustrating — like a computer problem, or no sign of spiritual growth in those I’m praying for, or a hot day filled with smoke from a wildfire? And even as I write this, I’m thinking that today might be another test. Last week God tested me about grumbling over the little things. Will this week be a test of giving thanks in everything?

And we urge you, brethren, to recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. Be at peace among yourselves. Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all. See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies. Test all things; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil. (1 Thessalonians 5:12–22)

This passage about being thankful is a package. The command from God is given more description by the words around it. That is, be thankful and esteem those over me in the Lord and who admonish me. Yesterday’s sermon was admonishment. I didn’t like some of it. I’m more motivated by the wonder of God than a call to do this or that as part of my response. Here, Jesus is telling me to be thankful — even though I have been thinking otherwise.

Instead of having a negative attitude toward that sermon, I’m supposed to warn the unruly. Mmmm. Do I even know any who are unruly? I ought to look in the mirror for the answer to that!

I’m also to comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, and be patient with all. This certainly suggests to be thankful that God entrusts me to do that, even though it often comes across as a rebuke, more like “if you are so strong, then take care of those who are not, with patience and with thanksgiving that you are in that place.” This makes me think that when I suppose I am stronger than others, such vanity actually puts me in a lower place. Thanksgiving is designed to level the field, not draw me into a spirit of judging others. If God shows me anyone who is genuinely struggling, then I’m to humbly care for them, not think I am better than they are. Rebuke.

The next line about not being evil is strong, yet evil can be subtle, like boasting or responding to someone sharing a problem with, “I’ve never had that problem” making them feel even more alone. Evil is not always an unjust and wicked act. People can make me feel useless and unloved with a thoughtless remark indicating I can do the same to them. Being thankful cures that subtle way of harming another person.

What is good for everyone if not hearing a thankful heart expressing the goodness of God? The joy of the Lord comes out, not joy that circumstances are the best ever, but joy that Jesus is the best ever. It puts my focus on Him and His goodness, and in being thankful for Him, the focus of others is shifted too.

The Holy Spirit tells me what I should say — I just need to listen and say it. All prophecies are expressed as a done deal. How thankful I should be that God will do what He says, and how evil it is to think that His will is going to be anything but good. Again, the right attitude is a blessing, to God, to me, and to anyone who hears me being thankful.

PRAY: Jesus, You give many reasons that I should give thanks, and even on those days when all seems contrary, I can be thankful that You are in this mess with me and giving me joy anyway. I’m so thankful that You do what You do — and with a great deal of patience to teach me to just be thankful in everything as this is certainly Your will for me.

Faith is… Faith fights

Being an optimist or a pessimist cannot be a way to define my faith. The presence or absence of trials should not either. Faith isn’t based on victories or defeats, no more than it is based on feelings or whether the sun is shining or not. Faith isn’t about trying harder either. Nor is it about how quick God answers prayers or even that He does answer prayer. Instead, faith is based on the character and attributes of God. Because He is who He is, I trust Him.

This means knowing Him. He reveals Himself in several ways, mostly through His Word and through the Person and work of Jesus Christ, but sometimes in dreams, visions, even in the events of life. “I spy God” is not a game but an incredible way to live.

Yet the enemy of our souls is a liar who wants me to think that God does not exist, that He does not want the best for me, that He does not hear or answer my prayers, that He is too busy or absent, with all sorts of suggestions and innuendo that challenges faith. For this, the Bible tells me:

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints…. (Ephesians 6:10–18)

The battle is not against people. That is another of Satan’s lies. He urges conflict to take my focus off Jesus and be upset with others, producing arguing or resentment or gossip or anything that reflects lack of love and division. But God tells me the real source of such things, the enemy delighting to mess with love and unity.

The battle is not a shouting match either. Lies can only be countered with truth, not force, determination, or trying harder. Instead, this battle requires knowing what God says so that I recognizes and puts all lies in their place. For that, I need to be in God’s Word every day, remembering what He says when those lies are flung at me.

The battle is not my efforts to be a good person. Instead, I must wear the righteousness of Jesus Christ. He makes me a winner; I cannot do it without Him. Nor can I win if I forget the basic truth of the Gospel — Jesus saves me, not anything I can do gives victory over sin, only what Jesus has done. It is total faith in Him that vanquishes out the lies, faith that says I am saved, now and forever. Faith that knows God’s grace and power and is expressed in prayer that is prompted and led by the Holy Spirit, not by a whole list of my I-wants. Not that God ignores what I think or want, but Holy Spirit prayer is not focused on whatever makes me happy or comfortable but on the will of God. I cannot know His will if I’m set on having my own way.

So the war is fought with truth spoken in prayer, truth about who God is, truth about who I am in Christ, truth about His plan for this world and for those who live in it. He gives that truth in His Word and sometimes shows it in actions that shock and delight, not just answers to prayer, but unexpected events and blessings that are above and beyond anything I’ve thought or imagined.

PRAY: Lord Jesus, You are so amazing, a Warrior that fights for me and with me. You want me to know when the enemy is at work, but more than that, You want me to strike back and put out the fire of his lies — designed to defeat me yet You come alongside to remind me that You have already defeated him and I am safe in Your love and care. Thank You, thank You, thank You.

God does the work!

Yesterday afternoon God answered prayer with another surprise. My 28 year-old Bernini sewing machine has never had a problem but suddenly the lights over the sewing area stopped working. New bulbs didn’t help so I took it to the dealer. They tried. Nothing worked. Finally a clerk said leaving it for service would be very costly because opening it up to find an electrical problem constituted a regular and costly service call. Not only that, they haven’t had parts for that model since 2011. My best bet was to buy an external light to clip on my sewing table.

About to do that, the store’s regular technician came in. He praised my machine, asked what was wrong, fiddled with it, then said it was the light switch. He asked how much money I had, and told me “How about a report on social media?” Then he said, “I have no switches for this, but I’ve learned to hot-wire it.” In a few minutes, he took the machine apart, did something I could not see, put it back together, and the lights went on!

I’ve never hugged a clerk and a technician before, or told them how I’d prayed on the way to the store, but this was such a blessing to me, and a total surprise that cost me only a few words.

Then I got another one this morning, well two of them. When my computer does the unexpected, I’m usually frustrated and even angry. Today, the wireless keyboard just quit. Batteries were okay, but it disconnected from bluetooth and would not reconnect. After more than an hour and using my i-pad to get help, it worked. A test? I often get them after a blessing. Then after this test of my patience, another blessing.

This year’s devotional book has often been frustrating because the author writes as if a Christian’s will is vital before God does anything, and while my decisions are vital and necessary, this writer thinks it is more up to me than up to God to change my life. Today, this reading blessed me so much. I am passing it on as an illustration of this favorite passage:

Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. (Philippians 2:12–13)

The reading says…
   The Lord is leading me on, step by step. He has created in me a willingness and ability to consecrate myself to Him, to be His wholly and forever—to be His, not only in some of the special circumstances of my life or in some of the activities of my soul, but to be His myself—to abandon my whole self to Him, with all my powers and all my circumstances, to resign my whole will to Him without any possible reservation.
   He has now taught me that He himself has taken possession of me, and that He is having His own way in me, to make me just what He pleases. “This is His will, even my sanctification” ….therefore, if He has possession of me, it is impossible that He should leave me unsanctified for a single moment. It was only myself who hindered the work; and if I give myself up to Him, the work must be accomplished. I cannot but believe it. An actual transaction has taken place between God and my soul. I have abandoned myself to Him; so He has taken possession of me and—I must believe it—has sanctified me.
   A real work has taken place: on my part, consecration; on the Lord’s part, sanctification. For it is all His work from beginning to end! I say my part because the conscious asking of my soul was to give itself up; but it was God who did it in me. It is not a belief, but a reality in which I am rejoicing. I have abandoned myself to God, and He has taken possession of me. All the rest must follow. He cannot but do His will in me, which is my sanctification.
   Blessed Lord Jesus, what a perfect work was Yours! Oh, show me more and more of its completeness!

PRAY: Jesus, when reading an old book, it often seems written recently, as if this author is still around. Not so, but the ideas are contemporary and have been discouraging and sad. I know that You are the author and finisher of my salvation and to read this today seems an answer to prayer for all those who “Are you so foolish… that they think “Having begun in the Spirit, are now being made perfect by the flesh.” (Galatians 3:3) This thrills my heart once more because You are glorified again and rightly so!

Lord of Eternity

 
Months ago a relative asked me how the Bible could speak of things in the future as if they already happened. No sooner than my silent prayer for a good answer finished, God gave me something to say. I explained the difference between time and eternity. Time is for us the past, the present, and the future. However, our eternal God lives in the now. For Him, all things are now and He sees both the beginning and the end. His view covers all of what we call time and therefore He can say things like:

No one has ascended to heaven but He who came down from heaven, that is, the Son of Man who is in heaven. (John 3:13, NKJV)

Not all versions add the last phrase, yet this thought is throughout the NT — in his deity, Jesus is omnipresent. He is also apart from time. This is seen in verses like:

Even when we were dead in trespasses, (God) made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. (Ephesians 2:5–7)

How can I be both here and sitting in heavenly places? Only because God is eternal and for Him all things are now, not past, present, future. This is why we can trust the promises of God, for in His realm, they are already done.

As today’s devotional reading points out, Joshua did not say to the people, “Shout, for the Lord will give you the city,” but “Shout, for the Lord has given you the city” (Joshua 6:16). How could he say that in view of the fact that the walls of the city were still standing as massive and impregnable as ever? Yet Joshua understood that when God said something would happen, it would happen, because from God’s eternal perspective, it was already a done deal!

In other words, I can consider all the victories that God promises as a sure thing — in His realm, they are completed even before they are accomplished.

When Jesus said, “In me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33) I can rest in that eternal truth. While my sin and the sin in the world is presently a foe that has yet to be conquered, in the mind of Christ, it has already been conquered. Since I have the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16), I can also think eternally and be confident of all that He says will/has happened. This way of thinking is called faith!

PRAY: Such joy to trust You, Jesus, and to realize that anything written as if it has already happened is great evidence that You are going to accomplish all that You say. I’m already seated in heavenly places! I am assured that the mess in this world is already overcome, even though I cannot yet see that. Living in time does not negate the facts of eternity. In Your mind, the promises You make are not about the future as much as they are declarations that they have already happened! What peace and hope You give because You know both the beginning and the end of all things!

Jesus is Enough …

Yesterday brought a contrast that still makes me smile. On one hand, I was upset at being charged a great deal of money for something I did not want or order. On the other, God had me give away a great deal of money to help someone else. The first issue is still not settled, but because of the joy the Lord gave me about the second event, I just shrug my shoulders at the first one.

Today’s reading is about encouragement vs. discouragement. As the author says, it is easy to say the world is a mess, or even that my life is a mess or point to other Christians and be critical of their shortcomings and failures. While the mess is there and watching the news can be a huge downer, Jesus says:

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” (James 1:2–4)

Some measure personal focus by a glass; is it half-full or half-empty? Others are either on or off, up or down, hopeful or downcast. We tend to be creatures of extremes. Yet I find that it is possible, in Christ, to be both at the same time. As a follower of Jesus, I can experience emotions opposite of what is normal for the events of life. For instance:

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. (James 1:2–4)

In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials. (1 Peter 1:6)

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. (2 Corinthians 12:9)

But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ (Philippians 3:7–8)

But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. (1 Thessalonians 4:13)

The negatives (or what I would normally think of as negative) are trials, grief, weakness, and losses, each having many variations. But in Christ there is an ability and a privilege to experience peace, hope, joy, a sense of God’s goodness and purpose, a deeper knowledge of Christ, even a different kind of grief at the death of loved ones. Jesus makes a difference.

In considering the whys and how’s of that difference, it seems mostly to be an eternal perspective, the opposite of “I want it fixed — now!” Trials produce patient steadfastness. I notice it when I am making a quilt. I used to grumble when a mistake had to be ripped out, but now think of it as part of the job and patiently pick out the erring stitches.

Weakness was also a pain, a kick to my pride, my desire to do all things well, not being unable in any way. The idea of being unable, or lacking power, or having some sort of impediment was not appealing, never mind a reason to boast, but God is teaching me that I am merely a limp and useless glove without His hand to move me… and to be glad about it, even boast that I’m only a hand.

I’ve lost much, everything from interests, opportunities, abilities, and most of all, family and friends. We have family that never return our calls, and family whose life was snuffed out way too soon. Grief happens, but in the grief, faith in the will and power of God sustains in ways that are unexplainable. He changes grief with His comfort becoming a fortress.

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:4–7)

PRAY: Yes, these things surpass understanding, yet Jesus, You are there in all of it and with me to make life an adventure and a joy, even with the struggles and mysteries of living it. Bless You always!

Avoiding a DIY salvation!

 

On those mornings when I wake up tired and feel like staying in bed, an inner compulsion overrides that lethargy and I get up. On those days when I’d rather watch television than do the dishes, an inner prodding gets me off the couch and into the kitchen. In my heart, I know this is the mind of Jesus Christ at work, overriding my fleshy laziness and motivating me to do what needs to be done.

Today’s reading begins with the prayer of Jesus that is a promise for His followers:

“I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. (John 17:20–21)

The problem the author has is believing that the will of God’s people overrides His will and that He cannot keep His promises if we don’t want Him to. What kind of salvation is that! I’m saved only because I cooperate? If that were true, no one would ever be saved…

As it is written: “None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.” (Romans 3:10–12)

However, there is something deep in the human heart that wants to be loved, loved in spite of being imperfect and full of flaws. People usually don’t love flawed people, but when the Spirit of God reveals to me that “God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8) then that deep desire is filled. Believing in Him changed me, gave me the life of Christ and the growing realization of how much He loves me. Not only that, I love Him “because he first loved us.” (1 John 4:19)

But then today’s reading spoils the wonder of this by saying, “We may have it all, dear Christian, if we are but willing.”

What? To be a Christian means that God made me willing, that He wooed me into His forever family with that powerful love, with grace and undeserved mercy and kindness. While I was still a sinner, He died for me. With that new nature,I am now willing.

The only problem I have with my will comes from that dead (separated from God) old nature that the devil appeals to with lies. He suggests God does not love me. He says I know more than God and I can run my own life, and I don’t need Him. The Bible is filled with warnings to not buy into those lies. Fleshy thinking cannot rob me of that new life that God has given, but it can trick me into thinking it can. Such nonsense can fill me with despair or with the notion to “try harder” to save myself by an act of my will. But God says:

Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. (Philippians 2:12–13)

He not only makes me willing but able to do His will. I’m fully aware that wanting the will of God is part of what Jesus does in redemption. Otherwise I would never want it. I pity those who are caught up in the idea that God only keeps His promises if we cooperate or in other words, even after being saved and reborn, my will is stronger than His? Really? I could not worship such a God.

PRAY: Lord, this morning my will is to forget Wednesday and have a long nap. Your will has other ideas. Yet my old nature could nap and You would not strike me off Your ‘fulfilled promise” list. I’d still be Your child, still be saved, still enjoy Your blessing, and still experience the reality that You can use even my disobedience in some way to make me more like Jesus. Just confessing it puts me back on track because I am safe in Your care, even when stubbornly sinning or not listening. You have saved me, still working to that end, and will not quit until one day I see you face-to-face and become just like You. My will is part of my old nature and will never want to cooperate with the perfection You have promised — it is only interested in do-it-yourself projects.

The best rest is in Christ

Last evening I made the mistake of looking at a book about color and design before I went to bed. It filled me with ideas and I could not sleep with all that going on in my head. I’d also discovered earlier that a company had take money from me without my knowledge. The strategy needed to get a refund was also in my mind. Not being able to sleep is abnormal as I usually am out as soon as my head hits the pillow. I did think of this verse:

It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep. (Psalm 127:2)

The verse didn’t help because I could not stop “eating the bread” with anxiety about the rip-off and excitement about the designs and making plans for my quilt fabric stash.

This morning I did a search for “rest” and discovered this word is used more than 350 times in the Bible. One of the prophets used it to describe the Messiah:

There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit. And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord…. In that day the root of Jesse, who shall stand as a signal for the peoples—of him shall the nations inquire, and his resting place shall be glorious. (Isaiah 11:1–2; 10)

I cannot imagine Jesus being kept awake by important things, never mind the relative trivia that occupied my thoughts. As I thought of Him, I considered what He wanted from me. Certainly, sleep would come if I was not worried about the refund due me. I tried to think biblically about the power of God to take care of that issue, only to relate to these words:

Thus says the Lord: “Stand by the roads, and look, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is; and walk in it, and find rest for your souls. But they said, ‘We will not walk in it.’ (Jeremiah 6:16)

I wanted a solution. That was the problem. I could not just give it to the Lord. However, He has more to say about that, something that evaded me in the middle of the night and rebukes me this morning — as well as granting a solution for not sleeping well…

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. (Matthew 11:28–29)

PRAY: Jesus, my body is paying the price of trying to carry a burden too heavy for me and for trying to design something when I needed to put everything aside and rest. Sometimes I feel like a spoiled child that keeps saying, ‘I can do it myself’ instead of letting You take care of all things. I hear Your voice in the words of the psalmist: "Return, O my soul, to your rest; for the Lord has dealt bountifully with you." (Psalm 116:7)


 

Seeing God in the small things…

God’s sense of humor shows up now and then when He tests me on my statements of faith. Yesterday’s devotion was about the sin of grumbling. I used a few small things as examples, mainly because I realize how easily I can complain about the least inconveniences and not even notice that I’m doing it. If my topic is wars, or shootings, or wife-beating, or other headlines from the news that bother me, I might realize that my grumbling is telling God that I don’t trust His sovereign actions. But those little things? Easy to let them be a regular part of life.

However, this morning He tests me. My thumb hurts. Two weeks ago I felt good telling someone how copper socks enable me to be without arthritic pain even though x-rays say I should have it. But this morning, I have it. I could almost hear God saying, “Now, what was that you said about grumbling?”

The OT describes Israel’s response when life handed them hardship…

They did not keep God’s covenant, but refused to walk according to his law. They forgot his works and the wonders that he had shown them. In the sight of their fathers he performed wonders in the land of Egypt, in the fields of Zoan. He divided the sea and let them pass through it, and made the waters stand like a heap. In the daytime he led them with a cloud, and all the night with a fiery light. He split rocks in the wilderness and gave them drink abundantly as from the deep. He made streams come out of the rock and caused waters to flow down like rivers. Yet they sinned still more against him, rebelling against the Most High in the desert. They tested God in their heart by demanding the food they craved. They spoke against God, saying, “Can God spread a table in the wilderness? He struck the rock so that water gushed out and streams overflowed. Can he also give bread or provide meat for his people?” Therefore, when the Lord heard, he was full of wrath; a fire was kindled against Jacob; his anger rose against Israel, because they did not believe in God and did not trust his saving power. (Psalm 78:10–22)

The bottom line is that their faith was fine as long as it fit with their expectations, but when they craved more, or when the blessings were not to their preference, their lack of faith showed up. This story tells me what I must NOT do… don’t stop obeying Him, don’t forget all the goodness He shows me, don’t demand more and better, or complain.

God listens. Will I feel sorry for myself? Will I toss my socks in the trash? Will I go for pain killers? Will I grumble about this thumb, which is quite painful? Or will I thank God that I can trust Him, whether I’m hurting or not?

Reading the rest of Psalm 78 is a testimony to the love of God. In spite of their complaining, He kept pouring out His blessings. They “tested God again and again and provoked the Holy One of Israel. They did not remember his power or the day when he redeemed them from the foe” speaking of their exodus from slavery in Egypt. Yet in the end, He selected David to shepherd His people and continued to show them mercy.

This is God. Even when I am at my worst, He remains at His best. His love isn’t about my performance. He loves because of who He is, not because I deserve it. I know that even if I gripe, my sin was on the shoulders of my King, Jesus Christ who died so God could forgive me long before I was born. And for me, that is enough reason to ignore the pain and thank God for His remarkable goodness.

PRAY: Lord, if this is what You want for me, I will trust You. Even this small thing reminds me of my frailty and weakness, of my need for You and Your grace. Fill me with Your Spirit that I can be thankful for all things, even sore thumbs, that tell me You are with me and taking care of me. Bless Your holy name.

Praise rather than protest...

 

Yesterday’s reminders about being thankful and that being thankful is the will of God, also reminded me of how easily I complain. Today’s reading reminds me again, that even the smallest dissatisfaction is finding fault with the Lord. He is sovereign and nothing escapes His notice or is out of His control. How dare I criticize the God I profess to love.

Examples: My toe hurts. It is too windy. The sun is too bright. The day is filled with interruptions. My cousin talks too much. I can’t find shoes to fit my narrow heels. The pizza is too salty.

Need I go on? Do these get excused because they are not about the ‘big’ things like corruption in the market place, drunk drivers, the seductive power of false teachers, or the floods and fires that ruin lives? Do I rate all these things like some people rate sin and make some excusable and others so disgusting that they are almost unmentionable and candidates for a self-righteous declaration such as, “At least I don’t do that”?

Every complaint I make is a verbal insult to God, a declaration that He is not doing His job the way I think He should. It isn’t that God needs me to affirm Him or His wisdom — He knows what He is doing and knows it is perfect. The problem is with me. I can easily talk and act like a spoiled child who wants all things done to suit her likes and dislikes.

What is the cure for such foolishness? I have written in a prayer request notebook that I cannot sin and praise God at the same time. Today’s reading affirms that by pointing out how many times the Bible tells readers to praise and thank Him. The word “praise” is used more than 230 times. Worship is used nearly 200 times, “thanks” and its variations about 130 times. Complain and grumble appear only 40-50 times and is criticized or expressed negatively in every one of those verses.

God saves His people from our enemies. Imagine complaining about that! He heals and blesses us. Do I not thank Him and only complain for more? How ignorant and wrong to think my wants are more important than His will or His wisdom.

Praise the Lord, for the Lord is good; sing to his name, for it is pleasant! (Psalm 135:3)

He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the Lord. (Psalm 40:3)

Be exalted, O Lord, in your strength! We will sing and praise your power. (Psalm 21:13)

At midnight I rise to praise you, because of your righteous rules. (Psalm 119:62)

God is to be praised for what He does and for who He is. He is Lord of all, loves all, is righteous and good, and sovereign. He also says: “I form light and create darkness; I make well-being and create calamity; I am the Lord, who does all these things.” (Isaiah 45:7)

This leaves me with nothing to criticize. He knows what He is doing, even if to me it doesn’t seem right or I’ve no clue why some things happen. My role is to trust Him and declare that trust in praise.

PRAY: Today is a new day. It will be filled with all sorts of things. Will my reactions to each one be trust, faith, praise? Or will I doubt and complain? I know that Your Holy Spirit does not produce those sinful reactions. I also know how much I need to be filled with Your Spirit so that I am not sinning by grumbling or even thinking that You do not know what You are doing. Keep me in Your will — thankful and trusting You with all things, including all calamities —along with the well-beings that seem so much easier to praise.