Be careful what you pray for?

2 Samuel 11:1–12:31, 2 Peter 1:1–8, Psalm 139:1–24

The story of David and Bathsheba reads like a soap opera. David stayed home when his army went to war, saw a woman that fancied him, got her pregnant, and tried to get her warrior husband to go home and sleep with her. When he refused out of loyalty to his fellow soldiers still engaged in war, David wrote a letter to Joab and sent it by the hand of Uriah. In the letter he wrote, “Set Uriah in the forefront of the hardest fighting, and then draw back from him, that he may be struck down, and die.” (2 Samuel 11:14–15)

David sent the letter for this man’s destruction using the intended victim to deliver it! This shows how the power of lust and sin blinded his eyes and messed up his thinking. The next step was a bit more logical . . .  

“When the wife of Uriah heard that Uriah her husband was dead, she lamented over her husband. And when the mourning was over, David sent and brought her to his house, and she became his wife and bore him a son. But the thing that David had done displeased the Lord.” (2 Samuel 11:26–27) He displeased the Lord? Duh!

But David was still in that “duh” state. How could he be approached? He was the king, after all. These days, counselors sometimes advise wives to use a story-telling technique with their husbands when they are oblivious to a problem. The story needs to parallel the problem, but somehow fit with what the problem-person does know. This way, he might “get it.” Nathan the prophet used this technique with David.

“And the Lord sent Nathan to David. He came to him and said to him, “There were two men in a certain city, the one rich and the other poor. The rich man had very many flocks and herds, but the poor man had nothing but one little ewe lamb, which he had bought. And he brought it up, and it grew up with him and with his children. It used to eat of his morsel and drink from his cup and lie in his arms, and it was like a daughter to him. Now there came a traveler to the rich man, and he was unwilling to take one of his own flock or herd to prepare for the guest who had come to him, but he took the poor man’s lamb and prepared it for the man who had come to him.”

David had been a shepherd. He understood this story and his anger rose up against the man in the story. He said to Nathan, “As the Lord lives, the man who has done this deserves to die, and he shall restore the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing, and because he had no pity.” (2 Samuel 12:1–6)

Imagine his horror when Nathan told him he was that man! The story told in kindness by the prophet challenged this king and brought conviction and repentance. God spared his life, yet David’s story takes a turn for the worse from that point on. It went from victories to chaos. Some say this happened because of his adultery and manslaughter, but when I read today’s psalm, I wondered. These words were written by David:

“Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!” (Psalm 139:23–24)

I don’t know when he wrote that, but I do know that God answers prayers like this. In fact, I’ve often told people that if you ask God to show you the sin in your life, you’d better brace yourself. His revelation might come through reading Scripture, but more often sin is revealed when the Lord takes His hand off and I begin to see what He has been so gracious to restrain. Without His hand on my life, I realize my capacity for evil.

Peter wrote that because of Jesus, “His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.” (2 Peter 1:3–4)

David was God’s man for his day, but he was still a sinner like everyone else. In a moment, God revealed the evil in him. David’s self-centeredness overwhelmed his desire to obey God.

From this story, many lessons unfold. I’m not to excuse myself from spiritual warfare or from being involved in the building of God’s kingdom. I can take a rest on my rooftop, but I need to stay away from temptation. When it does happen, I need to run to Jesus before my sinful desires lead me down that path to action and then destruction.

Because of Jesus, sin does not have to happen, but if it does, there is forgiveness in Him. Seeing my weaknesses is an unsettling and difficult experience, but God will use if for good. The good happens when I confess, am cleansed, and then set free from my sin so I can become more like Him.

Overcoming sin

Years ago, my husband put on one of those very ugly, creepy soft rubber masks and tried to give me a hug. The mask freaked me out. No matter how much he tried to act like his normal self, I still wanted to run away. He had to remove the mask before I wanted to get close to him. 

Act the part or try harder is common advice given when relationships don’t work or other failures occur. However, when trying to be a godly person who overcomes sin, trying harder is terrible advice. It doesn’t work.  

Instead, God has a different way. He says when we sin, trying harder only adds to the problem. Instead of relying on the grace and strength of God, trying harder is trusting myself. Trusting myself is the root of sin in the first place. Instead, the Bible says…

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. (Proverbs 3:5–8)

When I fail, it was my own understanding that led to that downfall. Why then should I trust my own understanding to get me out of trouble? Trying harder will only multiply the problem, not fix it.

Instead, the solution to failure is confession and repentance. Confession is agreeing with God that I messed up. It can be as simple as getting angry in traffic or as complex as years of bitterness against someone who hurt me. Yet no matter the sin, God wants me to call it what it is. His response is always amazing.

Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy. (Proverbs 28:13)

Confession is important, but so is repentance. This includes renouncing sin, but repentance is more than that. I can admit I did something bad, but keep on doing it. Instead, God wants me to forsake that sin. Try accomplishing that without help! Just as trying harder does not keep me from sin, trying harder does not help me forsake it. God’s solution for sin is far more radical. He first forgives, then cleanses, then replaces.

Forgives: When iniquities prevail against me, you atone for our transgressions. (Psalm 65:3)

Cleanses: If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)

Replaces: You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. (Ephesians 4:22–24)

In the kingdom of God, the children of God are never to wear masks. God asks us to be transparent before Him and before one another. We cannot conceal our sin before Him and why would we try? He offers atonement and mercy, forgiveness and new life. He also gives us the Holy Spirit that we might have power to say no to sin and yes to righteousness and holiness. 

Pride makes me want to try harder, to do it myself. But I’ve tried harder against sin, in dieting, in keeping an exercise routine, in teaching, using other skills, even in keeping my house clean. None of that works. Just as I cannot overcome sin by myself, I cannot do anything without the help and grace of God. Others might call this a crutch, but I’ve learned that using crutches is far better than wearing a mask.

What to do with bad dreams

Sometimes I remember dreams, at least until breakfast. Normally they are not remembered, but most of those recalled are outlandishly funny. Sometimes I wake myself up because I am laughing aloud. 
 

However, one dream repeats itself every few months, with variations, and it bothers me because it does not fit with who I am when I am awake. I had this dream last night and woke up asking God to speak to me about it. How do I deal with what seems to be out of my control? The dream isn’t overtly sinful, but my bad attitude in the dream makes me feel as if I am doing something wrong. These verses from today’s devotional reading speak to my heart.

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, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. (Hebrews 12:1–4)

The answer to every problem, every question about spiritual life and even the meaning of troubling dreams is always Jesus. I can see that part of my dream is about my deepest desire to know Him better. That is a good thing. I can also see that my bad attitude in the dream is to be laid aside. Instead of dwelling on it, I’m to get back into the race with my eyes on the finish line — on Jesus who is the Perfecter of my faith. He faced far worse than I will ever need to endure, and set the example by keeping His focus on the joy of victory, not on the frustration of His struggle against sin. 

Phillips Brooks writes this: “Think… of anything that you are doing that is wrong, of any habit of your life, of your self-indulgence, or of that great, pervasive habit of your life which makes you a creature of the present instead of the eternities, a creature of the material earth instead of the glorious skies. Ask yourself of any habit that belongs to your own personal life, and bring it face to face with Jesus Christ.” 

He is right. No matter what is bugging me, dreams or otherwise, some glad morning I will wake to face my Savior and everything in this life will fade to nothing. For the joy set before me, I press on!

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Jesus, do I confess bad dreams? Or am I not responsible for them because my awake mind cannot make them happen nor change their content? I can confess that some of the attitudes in my dreams may be lurking in me while I am awake. I can also confess a good thing, that I am eager to see Your face. Until I do, draw me near and keep my eyes focused on You.

Abhorring doubt

Small children tend to believe everything they are told. Sadly, experience soon teaches them that this is not always so. I can remember the first few times that I realized even my best friends lied to me. For me, this was a deeply troubling offense and an insult. Certainly childlike believing was easier than trying to discern a lie, yet I also wanted to be trusted. Those lies created a barrier that became difficult to overcome.

When Christ came into my life, I knew that I had discovered Someone who did not lie. However, I also discovered something that troubles me far more than being lied to — my own sinful tendency to doubt God, the One who never lies. 

And the LORD said to Moses, “How long will this people despise me? And how long will they not believe in me, in spite of all the signs that I have done among them?” (Numbers 14:11)

Spurgeon calls unbelief a monster, a weed, worse than a weed. When it seeds itself in our hearts, we must aim at its root with zeal and perseverance, yet even when one weed is eliminated, more crop up to take its place. Doubt is faith’s great enemy.

Doubting the Lord hurts me, but what does it do to Jesus? I hate lies, but I also am personally wounded if someone does not believe me. How then must the one who said, “I am truth” respond when I do not believe what He says? Does doubt put a dagger deep into His loyal and faithful heart?

Sometimes I will tell someone a truth, the listener agrees with me, but then carries on as if I had never spoken. This too is hurtful and an insult. Yet I do it to Jesus. I agree with His wonderful words and write about them. I tell others what He says, loving His words and knowing they are true. But do I live according to what I know? Do I follow through with a changed life?

As Spurgeon says, Jesus has never given the slightest ground for my doubts. He is God the Son, sovereign and loving. He is the same today as yesterday and forever. He owns the cattle on a thousand hills. Nothing is too difficult for Him. He can meet any need, solve any problem.

Should I worry that my prayers will go unanswered? Or that He will not keep His promises? Or that I will be in need and He will turn His back? Spurgeon asks, “If Christ were only a cistern, we might soon exhaust his fulness, but who can drain a fountain?”

Another author, John Bunyan, says that unbelief has “as many lives as a cat.” It seems to me this is an understatement. In my sinful heart, doubt is more like dandelions. Even those that I think have been dug out to the root have a way of popping up again with even greater vigor, taking over the field of my heart.

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Lord, I so identify with the man who said, “I believe. Help my unbelief.” Doubt is a terrible insult to You and a traitor that habitually threatens my soul. Never do I want You to feel the insult that I feel when someone does not believe what I say, yet even as I write those words, I know that I am prone to doubt, prone to hearing the lies of Satan rather than remembering the truth that You always speak. I abhor the reality that my doubt insults You.  You are my Savior and from this sin I also need redemption. You have taught me to love truth. Keep teaching me to always recognize the source of my doubts and deal with this enemy until doubt can no longer find a place to grow in my life.

(Photo credit)

To Live is Christ — knowing forgiveness is greater than sin

When I pull a Bible verse out of its context and interpret it only by what it says by itself, the results could be mere imagination and speculation, not the Spirit of God speaking to my heart.

The verses I’m reading that warn about being divided have a context. Jesus was not talking about infighting in homes, families or churches, even though that is ruinous behavior. Rather, He was speaking to a crowd that thought He was crazy and accused Him of using satanic powers.

Then the multitude came together again, so that they could not so much as eat bread. But when His own people heard about this, they went out to lay hold of Him, for they said, “He is out of His mind.” And the scribes who came down from Jerusalem said, “He has Beelzebub,” and, “By the ruler of the demons He casts out demons.” So He called them to Himself and said to them in parables: “How can Satan cast out Satan? If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. And if a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand. And if Satan has risen up against himself, and is divided, he cannot stand, but has an end. No one can enter a strong man’s house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man. And then he will plunder his house. “Assuredly, I say to you, all sins will be forgiven the sons of men, and whatever blasphemies they may utter; but he who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is subject to eternal condemnation”— because they said, “He has an unclean spirit.” (Mark 3:20–30)

Jesus was ministering to hundreds of people. They kept Him and His disciples so busy that they didn’t have time to eat. His “own people” means “kinsmen” which referred to His half brothers, children of Mary and Joseph. They grew up with Jesus and knew that He was not an ordinary person. They said He was out of His mind, and this was not the only time they expressed this judgment.

The scribes went a step farther and said that Jesus was doing what He did by the power of Satan. At this, Jesus threw them some logic. It makes no sense that the ruler of demons would cast out demons. Everyone knows that would spell certain defeat, and the devil is not that stupid.

But the most important part of this passage, at least to me, is what Jesus says next. He talks about the dreaded unforgivable sin.

I’ve heard countless people fret about this, worried that they have committed it, afraid that they are doomed because they cannot be forgiven. All these people, and those who try to minister to them, need to carefully read this passage. These people said that the power by which Jesus lived was of the devil. Jesus said that idea was blasphemy against the Holy Spirit — because they were attributing what the Spirit did to the wrong person. That is, they said that the deeds, power, motivations and ministry of the Holy Spirit were actually the deeds, power, motivation and ministry of an “unclean spirit” — Satan. This accusation is unforgivable.

However, there is more to this. Two of Jesus’ half brothers, namely Jude and James, became Christians and wrote books in the New Testament. If they took part in these accusations against Jesus, and those ideas were unforgivable, they could never be saved. Could it be that such a sin is unforgivable only as long as it is being committed? What if His brothers, or even these scribes, changed their minds and realized their error?

It seems to me that the sacrifice of Christ on the Cross is sufficient to cover all sin. The only reason this sin, or any other sin, is unforgivable is that the person committing it will not let go of it. But if they see it as sin, confess to God their guilt, and ask Him to forgive them, forgiveness is theirs. 

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)

Jesus could have said unbelief is unforgivable, because as long as unbelief is a person’s frame of mind, they do not qualify for forgiveness. So is hardness of heart, or stubbornness to go my own way, or anything else contrary to the will of God. Forgiveness is for those who repent. Some sins might be more difficult to turn from, but whenever anyone makes that turn, God is right there to meet them — with forgiveness.

To Live is Christ — means honesty

Hypocrites have hobby horses. At least the hypocrites of Jesus’ day had pet issues that they rode constantly. These were the religious teachers and experts in the law along with the leaders of the Sanhedrin (their court of justice). These leaders had favorite rules and religious requirements, all external behaviors and all high on their list of things to demand of others. They also considered themselves God’s personal favorites. But Jesus said to them . . . 

Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone. (Matthew 23:23)

Hypocrite was not always a bad word. It once described stage actors who held a mask in front of their face to show the attitude of the person they portrayed. This word now means a fake, someone who pretends to be what they are not. One of the Greek words in the Bible that has been translated hypocrite means “a person marred by sin” and another describes someone who is “impious.”

God does not look at the masks. The Bible says, “The Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7).

The same is said of Jesus. The New Testament says that He “knew their hearts” and “knew what was in them.” With this discernment, He saw right through religious pretense. No one can fake it in front of Jesus. However, these scribes and Pharisees cared far more about outward appearances than they did about their own attitudes, or others, or even what Jesus thought of them.

We ought to care what God thinks and how we are perceived. Christians have been called hypocrites because we say we believe in Jesus Christ but our lives do not match our words. We do not “walk the talk” and therefore come into condemnation.

This is a just criticism because Jesus has given us all we need for Christian living and godliness. We have no excuse to fake godliness. Even though we often fail to measure up, instead of pretending, God wants us to confess our sin and shortcomings, then get what we need from Him, not wear a mask.

One example popped up last week. I heard a young Christian say that she “hated being at work because she had to pretend to be happy.” She did have some rough things going on in her life and no one would have condemned her faith had she been sad, yet somehow she thought a constant smile was expected so she faked it.

Other examples involve the masking of blatant sin. Professing Christians behave in questionable ways during the week, but piously go to church Sunday. They seem to have no idea that Christ died so they could resist and overcome sin.

I cannot point a finger at anyone without three pointing back at me. I’ve caught myself in church thinking “I need to look joyful” and I’ve told people “I’m fine, thank you” when I was anything but fine. Not mentioning my sins to others could make me look like I’m never guilty of anything. Isn’t that a form of hypocrisy?

To live is Christ means being honest. This is does not mean dumping my garbage on everyone, but it does mean that I do not whitewash it. Sinful pride makes me want to look better than I am. Honesty is admitting my pride and getting off any pedestals I’ve climbed or that others have put me on. The only thing honesty and hypocrisy have in common is that they begin and end with the same letters.

I cannot save myself

Today’s devotional continues in its emphasis on the importance of confessing sin. It points to a verse that is often used to explain why God does not answer our prayers. The verse puts the blame on unconfessed sin, sin that is harbored in the heart and is prized in some way. This is sin that I am not willing to abandon.

As I read this verse, I know that there will never be a time this side of heaven where my life is totally free from sin. I know enough about my old nature to realize that it is full of iniquity and constantly coming up with ways to glorify myself and do things my own way instead of God’s way. With that in mind, reading this well-known verse in context is a comfort. It says:

If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear. But certainly God has heard me; He has attended to the voice of my prayer. Blessed be God, Who has not turned away my prayer, nor His mercy from me! (Psalm 66:18-20)

Perhaps the psalmist shared my dilemma. He knew that his life, in a practical sense, will never be free of sin until he is with God in glory. Besides that, how can a person know if they are cherishing sin in their life anyway? Just when we think we have confessed it all, something happens and sin pops up out of nowhere. It seems as if the well of yuck will never run dry and sin is ever present, ready to express itself. Confessing every last bit seems impossible because there seems to be no end of those bits.

If having sin that is harbored is the criterion for communication with God, I’d be afraid that He never hears my prayers. That is why verses 19-20 are important. I do the best I can by being willing to let it go, but if I miss something, God is merciful; He hears me and knows my heart. He answers prayer because of who He is, not because of what I am.

I’m often comforted by another psalm. This one tells me that I’m not alone in failing to understand or perceive all that needs confession. If I wonder about missing something, this is a good place to go. It says:

Who can understand his errors? Cleanse me from secret faults. Keep back Your servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me. Then I shall be blameless, and I shall be innocent of great transgression. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer. (Psalm 19:12-14)

Only God can understand the depths of this sin that lurks waiting for opportunity to express itself. Only God can give me the right thoughts, attitudes and words. Of course there are presumptuous sins that I am aware of, but when those secret ones catch me off guard, I know there is much in me of which I am not aware. This knowledge nags at me and make me wonder if God will ever hear me.

Yet again, as the psalmist says, only God can take care of these hidden things. He can cleanse the secret sins, the stuff that I don’t know is there until it jumps out to bite me.

Confession is vital. His Spirit and His chastening help me do it, as does that sense of guilt which is like pain, warning me that something is wrong. Guilt (before or after sin’s activity) is God’s signal to confront sin and acknowledge it to God so He can cleanse it and help me forsake it.

Thinking about these things today makes me thankful all over again that I have a Savior who can save me. If I had to do it myself, I would certainly fail.

Easter Preparations

“Are you ready for Easter?”

Last night, a woman asked me this question. I hear similar questions at Christmas, New Years, and before a vacation trip, and I am never certain of the best way to answer them.

Some people prepare for events with special food, decorations, and a guest list. Some prepare for a trip by packing two weeks ahead of time and make long, detailed decisions about everything they are taking and everything they plan on doing or seeing on their vacation. My husband and I do neither.

When we travel, we pack the night before. While living out of a suitcase is a must on vacation, I’ve no intention of doing it before I go. We know what we need to take, and just toss it in. I can’t recall ever forgetting anything important by leaving our preparations until the last day. Besides, my life is far too busy to spend two weeks of it packing.

When we prepare for a holiday event, I mentally choose a menu, might even write it down, and certainly buy the ingredients ahead of time. However, I do the same for most meals. We do put up decorations for Christmas and sometimes for birthday celebrations, but our focus is not on the decor or the food.

Perhaps that is why I’m so puzzled by the question. I really don’t understand what the person is asking. It seems that they are talking about externals, about the “ceremony” of celebration. I suppose that is very important to them.

I don’t condemn ceremony. Ceremony and festivities can be meaningful. The Bible is full of celebrations. In fact, “In the Old Testament, feasts and festivals were occasions of joy. They were times for thanking God for blessings and granting relief to the poor and oppressed. They were often accompanied by singing, instrumental music, dancing, elaborate meals, and sacrifices. Depending on the nature and the requirements of the occasion, they were celebrated either at a sanctuary or at a person’s home” (Harper’s Bible Dictionary).

Today, Christians do not celebrate those Old Testament feasts. Instead, as described in the New Testament, many of them take on new meaning. For instance, Jesus observed Jewish feasts yet He transformed Passover for his followers into a ritual remembrance of his death (1 Corinthians 11:24) that we call the Lord’s Supper or Communion.

Aside from that, there are few regulations about feasts or fasts or festivals. Any observed by Christians have grown out of traditions around of the life and practices of Jesus and the experiences of the church. For example, we observe Christmas to celebrate Jesus’ birth. Some denominations celebrated Epiphany, related to the appearance of the Magi, and Lent as a remembrance of Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness. Ascension Day remembers His ascent into heaven, and Pentecost celebrates the gift of the Holy Spirit. Because the cardinal event of the Christian faith, the resurrection of Jesus, occurred on a Sunday, right from the beginning Christians gathered together on that day to worship and celebrate, rather than the Sabbath, which was Saturday. (See Acts 20:7, etc.).

Regardless of denominational preferences, Easter is the most important date on the Christian calendar. While we celebrate communion more often at His command to “do this in remembrance” of Him, Easter is grand time of rejoicing that He died for our sins, then rose from the grave to conquer death. Without the reality of what Jesus has done, our faith is nothing. Easter is our celebration of the key element in what we believe.

For me, being ready for Easter obviously is far more spiritual than it is physical. I could put up decorations, but have no idea what Easter decorations look like. Baskets, eggs and bunnies? For Christians, those things do not represent anything about Easter. I could prepare some sort of traditional food. The same woman who asked if I was ready also asked if I will be serving turkey or ham. I could, mainly because the stores have them in stock and on sale, but this year we will likely have salmon. For me, the food is not particularly about Easter either.

As I ponder this question about being ready, I think of the instructions Paul gives in 1 Corinthians 11:28-32 for the Lord’s supper or communion. It says:

But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body. For this reason many are weak and sick among you, and many sleep. For if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged. But when we are judged, we are chastened by the Lord, that we may not be condemned with the world.

Here, the idea of preparation is not about the meal but the heart. Before I remember the death of Jesus Christ for my sin and participate in communion, I am supposed to examine my heart and my life. Is there unconfessed sin in me? Do I need to bring anything to God for forgiveness and cleansing? If so, I’m not to participate in the meal unless that is done.

The Bible says that those who try to celebrate Jesus’ death and His sacrifice for their sin without confessing and repenting of sin are not in a place of celebration, but of judgment. In fact, in the case of the church at Corinth, He had brought weakness, illness and even death to some who had not obeyed this prerequisite for communion.

In light of these verses, the way to be ready for Easter is by keeping short accounts with God. This is certainly not a once-a-year thing, but something I must do every day, and sometimes often each day. It doesn’t matter to me if my house looks like “Easter” (whatever that means), or that the food is perfect and fitting the occasion. What does matter is that my heart is right with God.

The best part is that because of Easter being right with God is totally possible. That being the case, and thanks to Jesus Christ, right now I am ready for Easter.

Deal or no deal?

Years ago, a friend said to me, “I don’t know what the big deal is about believing that Jesus died for sinners. I believe that.”

I replied, “What about your sin?”

He was silent for a few moments, then said, “Oh, I see what you mean.”

Christians know the reality of sin, but instead of generalizing it, we admit it personally. In fact, when I do something that violates the will of God, I get the distinct sensation of Him turning His back. While Jesus promises that He will never leave or forsake His people, He is not pleased when we disobey Him, and I know the feeling of His displeasure. It is like He has left me.

Actually, it is me that has left. Every time I say ‘no’ to God, I am turning my back on Him. That is why it is up to me to turn around and come back.

Over and over Scripture affirms God’s invitation to sinners to do just that. He says, “Repent” which means to turn around, go a new way, God’s way.

In Luke 13, Jesus said that unless sinners repent, they will perish. In 1 John 1:9, Christians are told, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness,” but verses 8 and 10 say, “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us” and “If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.”

Instead of going along with it, God’s people have always struggled against sin, and sometimes lose. In the Old Testament, when Moses was up on the mountain receiving the Commandments, the Israelites were caught up in idolatry with a golden calf. He came down, confronted their sin with judgment, and after those who were guilty were slain by the sword, he said, “Consecrate yourselves today to the Lord, that He may bestow on you a blessing this day, for every man has opposed his son and his brother.”

Consecrate yourselves. Turn back. Give your lives back to the Lord. Set yourselves aside for Him and not for sin. Do it so He can bless you.

Sinners are blessed in many ways; life, sunshine, abilities, opportunities, pleasures. However the blessings of God go far beyond the ordinary things of life. They include forgiveness of sin, a clean heart and fresh start, and sweet fellowship with Him, and so much more.

Believing Jesus died for sinners is a big deal, but a far bigger deal is believing that He died for me.

Holding up my cup

Becoming a Christian takes only a moment; living the Christian life is a long-term challenge. While Jesus gives us His power to overcome sin, we are actively involved in the struggle. We also engage in spiritual warfare as we battle the forces of evil in prayer for ourselves, others, and the world around us. Our lives are never predictable, yet sometimes we look for a formula, a rule that will be a sure-fire solution to each day’s issues and perplexities.

In a discussion about rejoicing, one person offered, “I discovered years ago that joy depends on serving Jesus first, Others second, Yourself last.” While this is true, this acrostic quickly becomes a platitude to anyone who does not seek God’s renewing power on a continual basis. I’ve never been able to meet daily challenges with platitudes.

My verse today again reminds me how true that is. 1 Chronicles 4:10 says, “And Jabez called on the God of Israel saying, ‘Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!’ So God granted him what he requested.”

This verse is the foundation for the best-selling book, The Prayer of Jabez. It became a formula for thousands of people who looked for just one basic rule for life that would insure victory over sin and and bring them continual blessing. Does it work?

Watchman Nee, who wrote my devotional book, says that it is God’s intention to continually bless His people. If that blessing is absent, there is a reason. Instead of asking God to bless us, we need to find out what we have done to stop its flow into our lives.

Someone once illustrated this using a cup. He said if our lives are right with God, we are like a cup standing upright and He is pouring blessing into it. However, if we sin, the cup tips over and all is spilled out. The only way to be restored to our upright position is to “confess our sin and He is faithful and just to forgive our sin and cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).

Then this man repeatedly tipped and righted the cup and said, “Just realize that you will go through your Christian life tipping over and getting up. The best you can hope for is that the length of time becomes longer between tip-overs.”

This is the closest pat answer or formulas that I know of for a successful walk with God. While the prayer of Jabez is a good attitude to have, yet the prayer Jesus taught His disciples (commonly called the Lord’s Prayer), is just as good, and so also are the prayers of Paul. More important is praying according to the will of God in regard to the need of the moment and the desires of my heart, and even more important than that is keeping short accounts with Him so He can bless me.

Walking with Jesus is hard work, a daily, even a moment-by-moment act of paying attention to Him. Hanging a verse on the wall, memorizing and repeating verses, learning acrostics and catchy sayings do help me remember what I am learning, but no one thing covers all.

Only the person and work Jesus Christ covers it all. His blood covers my sin and my need to be clean, and when I turn to Him for answers, His direction conforms to His Word, not just one verse, but all of it. Not only that, instead of giving me pat answers, His daily bread always has an element of “being new every morning” and a delightful surprise to my heart.