Be Careful Where You Go

Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the LORD, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in seasoned whose leaf does not wither- whatever they do prospers.

Psalm 1:1-3

Being a Christian means that Christ lives within us and that He is a part of all we do, all we say, and goes everywhere we go. We are blessed when we choose wisely where we will go. This verse calls us not to walk with the wicked, not to stand in the way sinners take, and not to sit with mockers. Not only is it important to watch where we go, but our posture is also important. In each of these scenarios, the posture of one's body becomes more and more comfortable with the ways of the wicked. Walking implies that we are going where the wicked go, standing insinuates the idea of being firmly planted in the way of sinners, and sitting assumes a comfortable position for conversation. Each position give the image of becoming more at home in the way of sin.

As Christ's followers we are called to be in the world, but not of it. We are to reach out and love sinners, meet their needs, and show them care and compassion. But we are cautioned about allowing their ways to direct our steps and take hold of our behavior. We must always be alert, for our enemy, satan prowls around looking to devour the righteous. Stand firm then and watch where you go and how you are postured. So, be careful where you go!

Sunday Scripture

“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.

‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭3:17‬ ‭NIV‬

God's Ways

Remember, dear brothers and sisters, that few of you were wise in the world's eyes or powerful or wealthy when God called you.  Instead, God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise.  And he chose things that are powerless to shame those who are  powerful.  God chose things despised by the world, things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important.

1 Corinthians 1:26-28 NLT

So much in these three sentences!  In a day of meditating I haven't been able to grasp all that God is trying to tell me through them.  I wanted to share with you anyway.  God works in ways we will never understand or be able to duplicate.  He takes what the world sees as nothing and silences the prideful with it!  He is not your ordinary problem solver.  God is unique in the way He works and so we should never get discouraged when we don't understand.  Instead, we should use those moments to draw nearer to Him growing in faith to withstand the long haul.  God is good in every way and we should always be ready for him to blow our minds.  He has the power to change things up when we least expect it! 

Dear God thank you for being so faithful!  You are the rock on which I can stand tall!  You are my strength and I trust you to fix any crazy situation through your unsuspecting ways.  Through weakness you bring strength.  From nothing you bring something big.  God you are so good!  I love you and praise Your Name!  Amen and Amen       

Don't Look Back

Why is the Lord bringing us to this land only to let us fall by the sword? Our wives and children will be taken as plunder. Wouldn’t it be better for us to go back to Egypt?” And they said to each other, “We should choose a leader and go back to Egypt.” Numbers 14:13

God had called the Israelites to leave Egypt. He saw them in the bondages of slavery, and he heard their cries of pain and saw their torment. He recruited a man named Moses as their leader to take the charge of moving them into the Promised Land, a land flowing with milk and honey. As they traveled through the desert, reaching their destination could have taken approximately 11 days. But it wasn’t until 40 years later that they reached Canaan. Their delay was because of their lack of faith, unwillingness to listen, and struggles with their own little gods.

Like the Israelites we have worshipped little gods and wondered in the desert. Little gods come in many forms such as money, time, sex, people, social media, TV, and especially the god of self. God will not tolerate other gods in our lives. He deserves and wants to hold first place in our heart, soul, and mind. He wants us to love him with our strength. God wants to be all we think about. He wants our work to be for him and his purposes. He wants our longings to be for more of him. And he will work to free us from our little gods. The problem is that often as he’s trying to free us from our slavery we long to go back to the worthless god. Why? Because leaving a god is uncomfortable. It is even scary. And, just like the Israelites, we can hate what we are leaving, but the hardships of making changes are so difficult. Although the Israelites were abused and taken advantage of, they did have food to eat and a place to sleep. There was good within the bad, but God’s desire is to move us to where it is only goodness! And that isn’t an easy journey.

When God is working to take a bad choice and bring you healing, don’t look back. If he is calling you to a new relationship, job, or location, don’t look back. Set your eyes on God and trust that what lays on the other side is for your good! It won’t be easy. You will have to learn to trust and have patience, but God never leads you into something that he won’t lead you through! And where he is leading is a Promised Land indeed.

Sunday Scripture

The Lord your God is with you, this Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you. In his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.

Zephaniah 3:17

Fools Rush In

The way of fools seem right to them,

but the wise listen to advice.

Proverbs 12:15 (NIV)

Fools are headstrong and do what they like;

wise people take advice. (MSG)

I have been so foolish. I look back on times in my life and realize that I rushed into situations without seeking wise counsel. I thought I knew, so I acted. Only to find out later that I was misinformed or that I misread a situation. Even when God clearly gave me scripture, I assumed it meant one thing, yet found out later he intended it to mean something else. Even in prayer we can rush into folly.

Just because you’ve been praying for a new home doesn’t mean the first one on the market is the one God wants you to buy. Perhaps you are afraid of being alone, so you rush into a relationship instead of waiting for the one God wants for you. Maybe a coworker rebukes you harshly, and you react rashly, knowing she needs to hear the words on your tongue, instead of waiting to respond in a way that is wise. Purchases on credit are often foolish. Failure to talk a situation through with wise counsel is sure to end in foolishness. Wise people wait and make decisions with the help of Godly people.

God is patient. He never rushes. Panic is not part of God’s character. As God works in you he will teach us to be patient and wise in your decisions. Where are you today? Are you a fool who rushes in? Or, are you growing in wisdom such that you find yourself waiting and seeking wise advice from God and Godly people?

Lord,

I confess my foolishness. I have rushed into situations when you were directing me elsewhere. I have spent money foolishly to meet a desires. I have spoken in harmful ways as I reacted to situations instead of prayerfully responding. Slow me down, Lord. Make me wise in all ways. And especially humble me to talk to others for wise counsel. Amen

Celebrate Forgiveness

As I was mowing the yard today, listening to Casting Crown's newest album, I was reminded just how wrong I am when it comes to asking for forgiveness.  In the song, When The God-man Passes By, the story of the woman who was about to be stoned caught my attention.  The lyrics are this:

I was a runaway, a gypsy chasing shadows in the night

A prisoner of secrets till religion dragged my shame into the light

All my darkness was revealed, just when I thoughg my fate was sealed

My accusers dropped their stones and walked away

'Cause when the God-man cleansed my name

I knew I'd never be the same

Those last two lines........she knew that once she was forgiven her life would never be the same.  It made me wonder how often I just go through the motions.....asking for forgiveness for my sins and never really claiming my new life.  When I ask for forgiveness I should be excited to start over!  I should celebrate my forgiveness and the fact that my life will be forever changed because of that special moment with Jesus.  So often I just ask for forgiveness and move on.  I take for granted the grace I am given and I don't really accept the fact that my forgiveness has the power to change my life.  Asked just once, I am forgiven and made new.  God sees me dressed in white!!    

It's time we all get excited about being forgiven!  It's time that we repent and celebrate!  Grab hold of grace and let it renew us!  Jesus made it possible for us to change our old habits, our old life, our old choices and never be the same again!  Because of that one moment, our lives will be different forever!  Accept the forgiveness once and for all and put the shame behind!  Let the God-man cleanse your name and stand up tall knowing you will never be the same!