Some say that what a person thinks about the most is their god, even their object of worship. Jesus said that what comes out of our mouths comes from the heart. That means that what we talk about the most reveals a great deal about our spiritual lives and the focus of our hearts.
When our youngest was about two, I was in the hospital for surgery. In those days, they didn’t send people home as fast as they do now, so a friendship developed between me and the other person in the room. At one juncture, she told me that I talked far more about the babe in the family than the other two children.
That was a rebuke from the Holy Spirit. He used it to get my mothering into balance. Instead of doting on the little one, I was reminded that all three are important. I cannot make a big deal about one to the exclusion of the others.
Now, reading this book about eating habits and attitudes toward food, God reminds me that food is not the biggest deal in my life either. Yes, we need to eat, and yes, we need to eat properly, but dwelling on what, when, and how much can put eating into that idolatry category.
As the book says, some people spend most of their waking hours thinking about food, their next meal, menu planning, and so on. I’ve not been that bad, but realize that the enjoyment of food has played an inordinate role in my thoughts. I’ve also realized how many times other things seek to dethrone Jesus — and that food is only one of many preoccupations.
For a few weeks God has been rapping my knuckles regarding food, but He has done this before with other things. My life is filled with family, friendships, learning (I’m an information gatherer), writing, teaching and art in various forms. I can go overboard on any one of these and even blame attention-deficit tendencies for doing so. God says my problems might find some excuses in that, but the reasons that I get obsessive about anything are spiritual reasons.
Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? . . . . But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. (Matthew 6:25, 33)
The first idol to be knocked off its perch was painting. I used to do a lot of it, often to the point that other responsibilities were neglected, meals were late, and I didn’t pay attention to vital interruptions, including those from the Holy Spirit. God is a jealous God — and for good reason. When I give Him my full attention, everyone around me prospers. When I obsess, everyone suffers, including me.
While not a person to follow the latest fads, I still can start something I enjoy or that challenges me, only to neglect the house, laundry, meals on time and even the ringing phone. Yet these verses are not just about becoming over focused on my interests and hobbies. They include giving too much focus or anxiety to the necessities of life — food, drink and clothing. It seems obvious that if I’m not to become obsessed with them, I’m not to become obsessed with anything.
This book on eating nailed me with my basic food problem: letting it and the enjoyment of it become a greater preoccupation than God, who is my joy and primary source of all things. The Greater Catechism says that I am to love and enjoy Him forever. No mention of food there.
The Bible says, “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31). Eating is first for God’s glory, not for my pleasure or even for my nutrition and health. Learning how to make that true is a big challenge. The first part of making it happen is ensuring that I am primarily focused on the kingdom of God and His righteousness. As I do that, whatever I need falls into place. I’m also discovering (as I have repeatedly in the past) that when God is on the throne, everything else bows to Him — not to me.
**********************
Lord, each blessing in life is Your servant. You order all things for my good so that I experience Your loving care. Those “things” occupying my life are gifts from You, but when I focus on the gift instead of You as Giver, then that gift usurps my heart’s throne — which belongs to You.
I’m thankful for Your discipline. One by one, You show me how each part of my life needs to take its rightful place. All the people and activities of life are Yours to bless me, not mine to govern or even worry about, never mind obsess over. Thank You for being patient, but also for victory as You help me keep that number one spot reserved for the only One who deserves to be there.
This morning I asked God to show me how to pray for those on my “Friday list” and He offered me this verse.
Wondrously show your steadfast love, O Savior of those who seek refuge from their adversaries at your right hand. (Psalm 17:7)
This could be translated as, “Distinguish Yourself as Deliverer for those who hope in You at Your right hand, to rescue them from those who oppose them.”
I glance at my prayer list. Most of these people have few enemies in the sense normally given to that word. They are safe from tyrants and terrorists (but not all are) yet all have a common enemy. Jesus called him the Liar and a destroyer who wants to deceive people and bring them to eternal destruction, if not visible disaster in this life. I’ve known for a long time that my prayers are not to persuade God, but to oppose this evil one who opposes good and all that God wants for us.
Satan’s biggest lies are about the nature and character of God. He suggested to Eve that God did not want the best for her. People still hear that whisper and are duped to think God does not care.
This Liar tells people God does not exist, when often it is their idea of God that is false — and only that imaginary god does not exist. He tells people that God wants them rich, or that He is a doting God who overlooks evil and will not punish anyone. This enemy also says Jesus is not a real person, only a lovely idea, a concept we can follow. He tells us that sin is not so bad or that everyone does it; it is not a big deal.
There is more, but this is enough. I know what direction to take with my prayers today. My enemy will not like it, but he never does. That is why one of his lies is that God does not hear and answer, nor will He show His lovingkindness to those who hide close to Him, to those who pray. That lie will not stop me from seeking His face.
****************
Lord, I’m so aware of Satan always trying to keep me from talking with You. You have distinguished yourself to me as the Deliverer, the only One who can rescue me from this opponent who is the opposite of all that You are. As I pray today for others, may You show Your steadfast love to them as well, and rescue them from every lie and powerful force that sets itself against Your will for their lives.
This week in our part of the world, wildfires have destroyed most of the town of Slave Lake, burning houses and businesses and leaving many people with only what they could quickly load in a vehicle as they left. No lives were lost.
Our daughter-in-law sent a prayer request for her young brother and his wife. Their home burned to the ground. They saved their dogs, truck, and the clothes they had on them. I sent a message to our grandson saying that when such things happen, I want to gather family close and that I am praying for them. He wrote back:
Thank you for your thoughts and prayers. We are doing ok, it is terrible what has happened. I feel pretty bad for (my uncle and his wife) not to mention the rest of the people of Slave Lake. That sure is a lot of rebuilding to do for a lot of people lost everything but the shirt on their back. Fortunately, human nature compels us to help in any way we can; so many people are making food and cash donations. I'm sure there will be a combined effort to rebuild the town. People have a way of helping each other through disaster and tragedy, and although so much was lost which cannot ever be replaced, it seems everyone still has each other, and that is the most important treasure we have.
This touched me; his observations are true. Tragedy often brings out the best in people, even though looters take advantage of chaos and we are already being warned of scam “assistance” programs. However, so many people are offering whatever they can to help those who have lost their homes and possessions that agencies have asked them to stop for a bit so they can catch up with sorting and delivering donations. Even in a great trial like this, good is already happening.
Today’s reading in My Utmost for His Highest says that God does not keep anyone immune from trouble, not even His people. In fact, the Bible says that Christians are “more than conquerors in all these things.
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:35, 37–39)
These verses are not talking about imaginary or even spiritual trials. These troubles are real, whether famine, sword, persecution or fires, and they leave people in shock and destitute. However, because God is faithful, we can overcome. We rebuild or regain losses, yet biblical overcoming is more than that. It does not happen by our ingenuity, courage or the help of our friends. Our victory is the fact that no trial of any kind can destroy our relationship to God in Jesus Christ. It is secure no matter what.
I know that a terrible physical loss does not look like love to those who experience it, even to those who observe it. However, those who belong to Jesus know that no matter the losses here on earth, that is all that they are . . . here on earth. We have a greater treasure stored up for us in heaven, one that cannot be lost or taken from us.
Lest that seems too “pie in the sky” for anyone, we also have something else. Even in the midst of great loss, sorrow, trials and any other difficulties, God’s people also have His presence and His promise to never leave us or forsake us. We know that He is sufficient, no matter what happens to us.
*******************
God, I’ve had losses, yet nothing like our relatives and others who look at the burned out shells of what used to be their safe places. I know what has been destroyed can be rebuilt, but also know that even the most optimistic feel kicked in the stomach by what is happening to them and their community. Even though Your people know that houses and even life in this world is temporary, it is still heart-wrenching. May we be sensitive to the needs of others, yet reminded that one day all of what is here will be left behind, and even burned in that last fire. As my grandson says, we are glad to have each other.
I am also glad that I know You and Your promises. No matter what losses are suffered in this life, You never abandon us or leave us without the greatest resource of all — Yourself. As I pray for the people of Slave Lake and as people rally to help these who are suffering, may each one be aware of Your loving care. You can raise up good from these ashes. You have not stopped loving this world. May those who know You be aware of and even able to share Your persistent and constant love with those who are in shock and great sorrow.
(Photo credit)
Almost every evening and immediately after a good supper, I feel extremely hungry. My stomach is full, so I know this is not legitimate hunger. However, at times it feels like starvation.
About one week out of a month, it gets the best of me. Since I’m too old for hormonal cycles, I’ve been investigating. No answer has helped except the ideas given in a book called Love to Eat, Hate to Eat by Elyse Fitzpatrick. She suggests that some people crave the satisfaction that comes from eating so much so that it becomes a snare. It is also a sin because I claim God as my resource for joy and satisfaction, not food. To deny that and replace Him with food is idolatry.
This revelation helps. I’m confessing my cravings for what they are and have been able to resist, now that I see the sin side of them. However, this has not made them go away. The following verses describe some of my thoughts in this battle as God works to change the way that I think about food.
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. And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.” It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. (Hebrews 12:3–10)
Jesus hung on a cross when He could have come down and saved Himself. He resisted that temptation because His death was the Father’s plan. He said, “Not my will, but thine be done.” I’ve not resisted food cravings to that point, nor will that ever happen. I am encouraged by the commitment of my Savior.
I’m also encouraged that this discipline from God is also a mark of being a Christian. For those who never experience His chastening or His command to be self-controlled, there is no assurance that they are His children. God disciplines me because He loves me. This is for my good. It may be about health and good habits, but it is more about being able to say no to sin and yes to whatever He asks. If He says “Eat” then I eat. If He says “Don’t eat” then I won’t eat. This is mostly about obedience, not food.
For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed. (Hebrews 12:11–13)
Yea, I can relate to the painful rather than pleasant part, but also to the peaceful fruit of righteousness part. I have been to several “lots of food” events and ate only what I knew was right for me. This put great joy in my heart and gave me more confidence in other areas of obedience. I never realized how much sin destroys both until this war with food cravings. I’m also realizing that being concerned about losing weight or being healthy is not as important as being determined to please God. If I need those other benefits, He will bless me with them. For now, the focus is obedience.
****************
Father, I am thankful to be Your child, even Your child who needs discipline. Each area of my life belongs to You. I am delighted that You care about every part of who I am and what I do. Eating is such an ordinary activity, but even in that there is temptation or the threat of obedience. You say, “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31) and I say, “Amen!”
Sometimes it takes a while, yet if I spend enough time with people, I can usually discern whether or not they have a saving faith in Jesus Christ. Jesus Himself gave clues to look for. The plainest one is about love.
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another. (John 13:34–35)
This is about loving other Christians. It also is not an emotional sentiment. Christian love is action and wanting the eternal and present well-being of other believers. It is enjoying one another’s presence. There is a comradery that goes beyond any other common interest and a fellowship that is unknown to anyone outside of faith in Christ. We connect — because Jesus lives in us.
Another indicator is the attitudes in a person’s life. Jesus said, “Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad, for the tree is known by its fruit” (Matthew 12:33).
This fruit is described in Galatians 5 as the fruit of the Spirit: “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law” (Galatians 5:22–23).
The last phrase means that spiritual fruit is not produced by duty or keeping rules. The fruit of the Spirit grows in the life of a Christian simply because we belong to Him and He does it. When I see those traits, I know where they come from, again remembering that Christian love, joy, peace and so on are not like the qualities described using the same words by those who do not believe. His fruit is unique and cannot be imitated.
A third mark of a true Christian is obedience. Jesus said, “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him” (John 3:36, italics for emphasis).
I see two important truths in this verse. One is that eternal life is a present possession of those who believe in Jesus. The other is that Jesus links faith with obedience and unbelief with disobedience. This is further emphasized by John later on in the Bible.
Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him: whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked. (1 John 2:4–6)
Jesus lives in His people. We have the ability and power to walk as He walked because of His abiding presence. We can disobey, and sadly often do, but obedience is a characteristic that grows in us by His saving power. We are like a living tree — we cannot help but grow and to become more like Jesus because He is our source of life. He is who we are.
*****************
Lord, sometimes I meet a person and their personality is strongly good. I hope that they believe, but in time am disappointed because there is no love for Your people, no spiritual fruit and no desire to obey You. Other times I meet someone that, at first, seems just like everyone else, but then I begin to see qualities that belong only to You and to Your people. What delight to realize we share Your Spirit and are both walking with You.
I know that the rest of the world is confused. Some people go to church, give money, talk God and act religious, yet they are without love, spiritual fruit and obedience. Others are Your children but are in what we call a backslidden state. They act like everyone else, except that Your love shines through now and then, and so does the fruit. No wonder that at the end of this age, You will have to separate the sheep from the goats. Even the most discerning among us could not do it with certainty.
My prayer today is that Your people, me included, would act like it. Help me be more loving and increasingly fruitful. May I obey You in all things. Whatever else people think of me, I want to be marked as a genuine Christian.
There is a myth that manages to get into the hearts of people and convince them that if they follow Jesus Christ, they cannot possibly have any fun. They are convinced that life as they know it will change drastically from pleasure to stern duty and no laughing.
I am convinced that this is a lie from our spiritual enemy. I know God is not a kill-joy, yet after our fantastic anniversary celebration, it has popped into my head a few times that having as much fun as we did with family and friends has to be a sin. Eating good food, enjoying people and laughing over mostly silly remarks is just not a godly way to behave. I woke up this morning wondering if all that enjoyment was really from God, and then read this exhortation from Paul to a young pastor:
As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life. (1 Timothy 6:17–19)
Paul tells Timothy to challenge rich people. In our country, I’d say almost everyone that I know is rich comparatively. We live in a prosperous part of the world so I can safely say that these verses contain something God wants me to know.
He says I’m not to be haughty, high-minded or proud. By His grace (we did pray), pride didn’t even enter my head this weekend. The closest might have been when I felt delight at the spiritual fruit I was seeing in others. I did say I was proud of our kids, but it wasn’t my doing that they were kind and good. This was a gift from God and a feast for my heart.
The verses say that I’m not to set my hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God. We are so aware of His blessing. Both my husband and I have experienced extended times of uncertainty about bills getting paid, even of having food on the table. We know that God is our supply. We openly thanked Him for all He has done for us. Without God, we know exactly what emptiness is and that any ability to do well comes from Him.
These words also say that God richly provides us with everything to enjoy. He cares about pleasure. He wants us to enjoy life. Of course that does not say He wants us to enjoy sin, but fun does not have to be sinful. Doing good, generosity, sharing our lives and resources with others is fun. Being thankful for everything also makes joy bubble up in our hearts.
****************
Lord, we stayed up late and laughed much. We talked and listened, and felt Your presence. I feel sad for those who think that being a Christian cannot be fun. You are the joy-Giver and our source of joy.
You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. (Psalm 16:11)
Last night our children invited our friends to celebrate our wedding anniversary with us. The house was full of people, laughter and good food. It was a great night, but too short. People had to go home and we stayed much later than sane people should stay up. I don’t normally go for a ‘short’ devotional time, but this morning, God gives me something to think about that is simple and straightforward.
Let it be known to you therefore, brothers, that through this man (Jesus) forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, and by him everyone who believes is freed from everything from which you could not be freed by the law of Moses. (Acts 13:38–39)
The word translated “freed” in the ESV is literally “justified” which is not as easily understood. Some explain it by saying that God treats those who believe in Jesus Christ “just as if I’d” never sinned. Spurgeon explains it well and restate it in my words.
Justification is the result of faith and was given to me the moment Christ came into my life, the same moment I accepted Him — and He is all that I need to save me from sin. I was and am fully justified, no less than all those who now wear white robes and are with God in heaven. The thief on the cross was fully justified the moment that he turned in faith to Jesus. Paul was fully justified the moment Jesus encountered him on the road to Damascus.
There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. (Romans 8:1)
God accepted me the moment Christ took me into His kingdom by faith. I am pardoned fully, all past, present and future sin is put under the blood of Christ. I stand accepted in His sight as though I had never been guilty.
****************
Lord, last night we joyfully celebrated a milestone in our marriage. What a delightful time You gave us. Yet as I read this and think about being justified, this becomes an even greater joy to my heart. Because of Your grace, the joy and freedom of eternity are already mine. It started the day Jesus came into my heart. For those of us who believe, this justification is a current reason to celebrate. It is also our future hope and expectation that when we step from this life through the door to heaven, the party will go into full swing and never stop.
