While I have grown spiritually over a lifetime, I still struggle with many of the same basic human issues. This discouraged me as a younger man causing me to question the veracity of my faith, but my response is different these days. Now I am actually encouraged by the knowledge that it is the work of God’s grace upon which I must wholly depend; frankly, it always has been and it always will be. While I must still work for perfection, it is the Lord Himself who brings sonship into full manifestation. Self-managed improvements are always too limited in their range and never get to root issues, but there are no limits for the Almighty. Father, I happily welcome Your holy work in me; As You promised, You will “finish Your good work in me” and bestow faith and encouragement that self-assurance never could.
FUTURE FORCAST
A farmer cannot control how weather will affect his future crops, but it is guaranteed that if no seed is put into the ground, no harvest will come forth. The future can’t be controlled, nor should it be feared, however, the seed I put in the ground now is the best forecast of what is coming. Everything I do or don’t do today affects my future. He who has given me this moment also holds all my tomorrows in His Mighty Hands. The person who doesn’t look ahead ends up blindly staggering down a steep, crooked trail without realizing it. Lord of All, You are rightly praised by all creation. Grant me grace to sow the right seed and confidently trust Your daily superintendence, guidance, provision and sheltering right arm. You are my refuge today and hope for all eternity.
BATTLEGROUND OR PLAYGROUND?
We install security in our cars, homes and businesses. We build fences, establish security checkpoints, hire gate guards and police to secure our lives. However, the most dangerous instrument of harm is the tongue. The Scriptures declare: “life and death proceed from our mouths”, so guarding my lips guards my life and the lives of others. Since there are no “electronic lip alarms” available, safety begins in the heart out of which the mouth speaks. When I permit worldliness to run free in my heart, it will be soon betray my good intentions. The heart is a battleground, not a playground. Lord, purify my heart and lips. Drive unholy thoughts and ways from my soul. By Your Word and Spirit destroy the enemy of my soul at its source.
NO OTHER FOUNDATION
“Look to the rock from which you were hewn”; these are powerful, penetrating words spoken by God to His people. I can change my mind, I can change my location, I can change my priorities, but I cannot reshape my foundation. Therefore, if I truly believe as did the psalmist that God “created my inward parts” and “knit me together in my mother's womb”, then I will not reject the LORD’s design on my life. No other foundation can support my calling and destiny; only the one from which I was hewn will suffice. No other life will fit the foundation already laid. Instead of wishing things were different, I must seek to understand and embrace the will of the LORD. Father, Your handiwork is perfect, I humbly yield to Your plan, purposes and ways.
GODLINESS VS. GOD-ISHNESS
God’s Word declares: “His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness”.Godliness produces “God-likeness”, transforming our values and behaviors to reflect His. But we are warned against “having a form of godliness but denying its power.” Godliness without power is not godliness at all. I call this false godliness “God-ishness” (yes, I made it up). God-ishness is an attempt to amend and reorganize God’s values and behaviors around our own. God-ishness is a powerless mockery of truth and is calamitous for our spiritual lives. “Sort of” will never do when it comes to the spiritual conflicts we will encounter in life, only godliness will suffice. Holy Father, help me take hold of godliness, faith and love.
TINY TROUBLES
A common maxim is “don’t sweat the small stuff”. This is true in most cases, but ignoring tiny troubles can be dangerous. A hairline fracture can eventually take down a plane or destroy a massive dam. Solomon warned of “the little foxes that spoil the vines.” While it is true that we often waste time and energy sweating over meaningless things, we must pay attention to the important details; all things are not equal. This is where discernment, wisdom and diligence play such important roles. The problem-solving power of God’s Word and Spirit combine to keep us safely on track. LORD God, You are perfect in all Your ways. Grant me grace for greater mindfulness, precision and determination to get things right and to stay on course.
MOUNTAINS TO MOLEHILLS
Unfortunately, it is pretty easy to let worry turn a small problem into a huge problem in our minds; making mountains out of molehills is as common as summer rain. But Jesus showed something much different: “if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea, and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them”. In other words, He challenged us to make mountains into molehills! When The LORD Almighty is our center of attention, even the biggest problems shrink to nothing. To believe His Promises and to proclaim them as our own is to push fear out of the spotlight and into the shadows. Father, of myself I can do nothing. In obedience to You, I can do all things in Your strength.
TRANSFORMATIONAL CHOICES
Self-generated transformation is always too limited in its scope, but I do play a significant role in it. Only God’s handiwork is sufficient to dig deep enough and has sufficient power to bring wholeness to my heart. Perfection is not simply a goal of God; it is His very nature. He is an exquisite finisher, so I must trust His Divine Work in me will be completed in His time and in His way. So what is my role? I must choose. In fact, I must chose again and again to surrender to God’s choices. I dare not trust another path. O Lord, Your Word is my hope and confidence: “And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory.”
INEXHAUSTIBLE MEANS
Every earthly resource is exhaustible. Trusting in whatever we have gathered for the future is as useless as when the Israelites tried to store away manna only to have it "breed worms and stink". Yet, a little bread and a couple of fish could feed 5,000 and still have leftovers with the Master’s touch. Life deals blows that shake our hope, but allowing pain or fear to shape our behaviors is the wrong course of action. My earth-born inclinations are scattered to the winds by the glorious victory wrought in knowing God’s limitless provision. When “The Lord Our Provider” wants to act, He has inexhaustible means and power. Blessed Father, You are Lord of All. Forgive my foolish attempts to live in my own strength. Teach me Your ways and lead me in the way of everlasting.
CELESTIAL INTERVENTION
Many things may temporarily stir emotions, but the soul cannot be awakened to God without Divine Initiative. It is the spark of the Lord Almighty that instigates deep searching or gnawing spiritual hunger. A horse will not walk straight without a hand on the reigns and I will do no better without God’s guiding embrace. The desire to run free and fast is also born of God and entirely acceptable as long as we stay on His designed course. Father, Lord of Glory and All Wisdom, You stir my heart and steady my stride. You O Lord Who are capable of all things will order my steps and lead me to secret placeswhere I may breathe the rarified air of the Most High. I gratefully welcome Your celestial intervention.