FAITH LOOKS UP! -- Colossians 3:2

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Yesterday, the message of "seeking things above" was presented.  The next verse in Colossians 3 mimics that same idea.  This is what it says:

"Set your minds on  the things that are above, not the things that are on earth."  (Col. 3:2)

In order to seek what is above, we must take a critical first step.  We will have to reprogram our minds and the way we think about these "things". We must train our minds to be set on the things of God, rather than on the things of this world.  The flesh looks around our world to see what it is that  we desire for ourselves.  But faith looks up; it desires the things that God desires.

My problem with living out this particular Scripture passage is this:  I know I should seek the things of God and set my mind on them.  I say that I should seek them. And I often teach others, as well,  their need to look up and to seek after the eternal things (even as I am teaching you right now). But to actually put this into practice in my day-to-day, even moment-to-moment life, well let's just say I typically fail, and fail miserably in practicing this.

It is true that there must be a shift of focus (Col. 3:1), but before there can be a true shift, there must be a firm and decisive choice,  to choose God over the lust of the eyes, flesh, and world.  For us to change our focus from looking around us to looking above to God, we must begin to practice a "line in the sand"  type of theology, making a right decision, choice by choice.  The line in the sand can be called the "choice line." On one side of the choice line is what is of this world; and on the other side is what is of the Spirit.  This is the scenario for every choice we will make.  There are no other choices.  

So if we will set our minds on what is of the Spirit, first and foremost, then we will have a greater ability, and even a greater desire, to begin to seek what is above.  Revival comes to a heart and life that is determined to be set on the God-things that it seeks, attempting to keep our mind from returning to a place where it seeks the world's things again.  The God-things will never be found on earth.  They can only be found where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. That is the place of the "above".   Faithful followers of Christ will learn to walk through life looking up!  

Are you looking up, or are you looking around you?  Above or on earth?

The Tests of God

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“Do not fear, for God has come to test you, that the fear of Him may be before you, that you may not sin.”  (Ex. 20:20)


Oh, how we struggle with the idea that God will test us!  Yet, after God gave the 10 Commandments to Moses, the Israelites became terrified.  They had just seen the lightening, heard the thunder, saw the mountain smoking, and heard the trumpet of the Lord.  Of course, they were terrified!  They wanted Moses to remain as the one who God would speak to.  They were afraid, and were happy for Moses to continue in his job. 

Sensing their great fear, Moses speaks to them the words I quoted above.  Jesus also came to test the hearts of all men.  Some will permanently fail the test; others will pass the important test (belief in Him), but fail countless other tests, and never attempt to consistently please the heart of God. 

I pray that I can be found in this last category.  I know that I have passed God’s first test of believing in my need for a Savior, and inviting Him to come into my life and change me.  And I am now in the process of learning how to pass His tests every moment of the day.  These individual tests have only one question that I must answer:  “Who will be in charge right now?”  This one question only has two answers:  The Holy Spirit or my sinful flesh.

God desired that His chosen people would not sin.  He still desires that I would not sin.  They Israelites had no Old Testament or New Testament.  I have both.  Israel had no Holy Spirit inside of them to help them make the right choices and do the right thing.  I do.  I can understand why they struggled so in the tests God brought to them, failing miserably most of the time.  I, however, have absolutely no excuse!

For the Israelites, God used their fear of Him to motivate them toward surrender and obedience to His word.  God uses something quite different in me; He uses my faith and my need of Him to motivate me toward that same surrender and obedience.  In both cases, God has only one goal.  “That we may not sin.”

I desire to pass all of my tests today, and everything is a test!  I surrender to the Lord Almighty, and to His Spirit within me, that I may walk by the Spirit in obedience to the will and command of God.  I desire an A+ at the end of the day!  What about you?

Jesus, Light of the World (12-22-12)

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(Excerpt from Cheryl Gnagey's Advent Devotional, "Jesus, Light of the World," for preparing to light the fourth Advent Candle, the Wise Men candle.)

Matthew 28: 1-10

"Had there ever been a darker day?  'How could they have crucified Him?  How could they have not know that He was the Light of our lives?  But now He is dead.  He's gone, and the darkness is more than our souls can endure.'  could these have been the heart-wrenching thoughts of those who had followed Jesus and had believed the He was the Son of God?  the would have been ours that day, I am quite sure.

Mary Magdalene had been demon-possessed, and He had cast seven demons out of her.  She had known Him personally as her Light.  On the first day after the Sabbath was over, this Mary, and another Mary (the mother of James who was also called Jacob), and Salome were now able to do the work that was required for burial.  They left their homes early that day and brought to the tomb the spices that were necessary for a proper burial preparation of Jesus' body.  The sun had barely risen in the sky when they set off to the tomb in which Joseph of Arimathea had placed Him  There was not much to talk about as they walked to where He lay, for their hearts were too heavy for idle chit-chat and too sad to speak of their great sense of loss and sorrow.  But all of a sudden, the thought of the stone in front of the cave weighed heavy on them as they wondered who might help them move it so that they could do what they had come to do.

Approaching the tomb they saw an amazing sight.  The stone was already rolled to the side, and upon closer investigation, there minds tried to understand why the tomb was empty.  Jesus' body was not there!  A man wearing a white robe was sitting just to the right of the cave's opening, and he told the three not to be afraid.  But what were his next words?  Had he really said that?

'You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who has been crucified.  He has risen; He is not here; behold here is the place where they laid Him.'

Jesus . . . alive?  How could it be?  Was it really true?  Oh, what joy filled their souls as the reality of the scene settled upon them as they stared at the empty tomb!  The sorrow in their hearts melted away as the words He had spoken to them just days before became a clear reality in them.  ' And on the third day I will rise from the dead.'  At that very moment, their darkest day had tuned into  bright hopefulness as the Light began to fill their hearts.  The Light of the world was not dead at all.  He had risen from the dead.  The words of the man in the white robe rang in their ears as ran to tell the disciples this great news.  'Jesus, your Light, is alive!  He us on His way to Galilee where you will will soon see Him!'

It's all such an incredible story, isn't it?  From beginning to end it is truly amazing!  It requires faith to receive it and believe it, doesn't it?  Just like the wise men of old, the Magi of the greatest story ever told, we only must study the story, recognize the miraculous signs, and follow the Star, the Light of the world.  Having done those things, we must become again like the Magi.  Our love, adoration, and worship are the greatest treasures we can bring to the Light of the world.  As we offer ourselves up to Him, fully surrendered to His will and fully crucified in our won flesh, His Light in us, the Holy Spirit, will begin to shine outward to the world He is trying to reach.  The challenge to each one of us is to continue in daily fellowship with Jesus, reading His word, praying, and obeying all that He says.  Then He will be able to fulfill His purposes for all men, both Jew and Gentile, through those who are devoted to Him.

Won't you be a part of the continuing Christmas story, that is still being read by the dark world today, by allowing His Light to shine out of you and onto those who are in desperate need of the Light of the world?"

Our Great Cloud Of Witnesses

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(Excerpted material from Cheryl Gnagey's Spiritual Healing:  The Surrender That Brings Victory, Chapter 11)

Wow!  It seems like it has been a very long time since I have posted a blog for you to use in your devotion time with God! Though I enjoyed my time off, I am glad to be back in the saddle again.  I just love getting back to routine! As I continue to quote through my book, Spiritual Healing:  The Surrender That Brings Victory, I am picking it up again in Chapter 11, entitled "Enduring The Journey." 

"We will be taking an in-depth look at Hebrews 12: 1-4, but before we begin our study of that passage, I remind you that it is important to read the Word in context.  It is always a good practice when you are studying the Word to look at the chapter before, ore a few verses before and after what you plan to study.  This will often give great insight into your passage of study.

The chapter just ahead of Hebrews 12: 1-4 is the chapter I have often heard referred to as the 'Christian Heroes Hall of Fame' or 'The Faithful Who's Who List' of all who are aspiring to be faithful followers of Jesus.  It is filled with the brief stories of the faith of the likes of Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Joshua, Rahab, Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the prophets.

This chapter tells us of the accomplishments of faith and obedience.  It tells us of the  many who have gone before us who walked in faith and gained God's approval.  It is a chapter full of miracles and hardships.  And this chapter is about the lineage of every believer.  It is about the legacy that has been left for us and from which we are to learn and then imitate.  Hebrews 11 is a list of our great cloud of the great cloud of witnesses that Hebrews 12: 1-4 refer to!

But Hebrews 12: 1-4 turns its attention to us, and it will cause us to ask ourselves just what kind of legacy we want to leave for those who will come after us."

Read it and let its deep truths and challenges sink in.  I will be blogging about this passage tomorrow.

THE RESURRECTED LIFE -- Day 36

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Day 36:  Cornelius and Peter (Acts 10)

Cornelius believed in the God of Israel even though he was a Gentile centurion.  He was a devout man who not only believed in God but acted on his faith in the things he did.  Cornelius was a compassionate man who always was compelled by his heart to give money to the poor, especially to the Jewish people.  And prayer occurred constantly throughout his day as he depended on and called out to Israel’s God.  He knew that the gods of his people were not THE God!  Now this same God had taken notice of his faith and sent an angel who told Cornelius to send for a man named Peter.

Peter’s recent vision allowed him to believe the men who now stood at his gate, beckoning him to come down and go with them to Cornelius.  God had shown him that He had no partiality to Peter and his people.  From now on all people would have an opportunity to be a child of God.  God told him through the vision that He had cleansed all people.  Cornelius and his people could never again be considered unclean.  Peter left with the men and went straight to Caesarea where Cornelius lived.

Arriving at Cornelius’ home Peter found that many people had gathered, relatives and friends of Cornelius.  What was God’s plan for Cornelius, Peter wondered?  When Cornelius described how he had come to seek Peter out, Peter could see the hand of God at work.  Now, Cornelius anxiously awaited a word from Peter.

Speaking of God’s impartiality, Peter began to lay out the entire plan of God’s salvation:  belief, reverence, and fear followed by a life of godly works that flow from that belief.  He spoke of Christ’s life, death, and resurrection and the peace that is found in a relationship with Him.  Then, as he continued, God’s Holy Spirit descended upon all who were in the room.  Cornelius, all of his family, and the friends he had invited were saved, filled with the Spirit, and baptized.  Cornelius’ faith in the God of the Jews had now become complete as he trusted in Christ, the King of the Jews.  That day Jesus became his Lord and Savior.

Are you living a religious life that includes aspects of faith and good deeds, but living it without Jesus being the Lord and Ruler of your life?

THE RESURRECTED LIFE -- Day 23

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Day 23:  John the Baptist (Matthew 11: 1-6)

He came into the world in no insignificant or ordinary way.  His birth and name were foretold by an angel to his father, who then became mute until he arrived.  Both of his parents were beyond the normal childbearing years.  He had been filled with the Spirit of God before he even breathed his first breath.  He was given a clearly spelled-out assignment before he was conceived. He would be the forerunner of the Messiah, bringing a message to his people, a message of repentance of sin. Yes, his life had been extraordinary, and his call precise.  He would make ready a people prepared for the Lord’s coming.

Growing up, he knew his close relative, Jesus, was special.  How many times had he heard the stories of how their births were so similar, uncannily so?  Yet he hadn’t put it all together that Jesus was the One he was preparing the way for. (John 1:31, 33)  When the time came, he diligently set out to fulfill his special calling.

His message of repentance was well-received, though it was a brand new concept for his people.  Until then, they only knew they were to offer sacrifices for the sin they committed.  Never before had they been taught to turn from their sin.  But the message of repentance was necessary to prepare their hearts for the message of salvation.  The crowds continued to gather, to hear, and be baptized.  Some even thought that John might be the Christ.

On that particular day another crowd from Bethany joined John at the Jordan River.  When he looked beyond the olive trees, he saw Him coming—Jesus!  When He arrived at the river’s edge and revealed why He came, John was incredulous.  How could he baptize Him?  Yet the Spirit in him leaped, and he knew this was the Christ.  Understanding the requirement of the moment, John obeyed.  God confirmed in his spirit what he already knew.  “This is My Beloved Son!”

Yet John, months later, faltered in his faith.  Upon hearing of the works of Jesus, he sent his disciples to inquire if He was the Expected One, or should they look on.  Are you faltering in your faith?  Has your faith turned to doubt?  Try revisiting in your mind the day of your salvation.

THE RESURRECTED LIFE -- Day 13

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Day 13:  The Paralytic and His Determined Friends  (Luke 5: 17-26)

Three of the four Gospels record the story of the faith of a paralyzed man and his friends who were quite determined to see their crippled friend healed of his paralysis.  The measures they went to were extreme, and the result of their faith brought blessings untold.  Their faith was a witness as well to those who were content to live by the Law of Moses.

“What a blessed day this will be,” the Lord mused to Himself, for he knew power would be going forth from Him today for healing.  “The teachers of the Law and the Pharisees will also be present to witness the Father working through Me.”  Quietly He began to teach.  When He noticed some men making a desperate attempt to enter the room, He continued with His lesson, keeping His eye on the situation. 

The room was just too crowded.  No one budged.  Since they could not gain entrance, the men slipped back out the front door.  Moments later there was a commotion over the place where Jesus stood.  Looking up, Jesus drew everyone’s attention to the ceiling above Him.  A hush fell over the room as one tile after another was removed.  Amazement filled their eyes when they saw a man on a stretcher coming through the hole!  With great strength, the four men lowered their friend carefully into the presence of the Lord.  A collective sigh of relief escaped from the onlookers as the stretcher came to rest in the center of the room, right in front of Jesus.

Jesus knew the faith it had taken for these five men to come before Him, and the great compassion displayed toward their friend also revealed their love.  That faith and love resulted in the paralytic’s spiritual healing as well as his physical healing.  Because they acted on their faith, Jesus was able to clearly establish His authority over forgiveness and healing.

How determined are we to come into the presence of the Lord?  How determined are we to see our lost friends spiritually healed by salvation?  To what lengths do we go to be able to grow our relationship with God?  Are we willing to go outside of the norm in order to show our faith to God and others?  Or do we live in our comfort zones that keep us from intimacy and from receiving all that we need to live victoriously?

THE RESURRECTED LIFE -- Day 12

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Day 12:  Jairus and His Daughter (Mark 5: 21-24, 35-43)

Fear and despair gripped Jairus’ heart.  He had just learned of his daughter’s grave illness.  Quickly, he started for home.  Choosing the route that would take him by the sea, Jairus sought to soothe his mind with the splash of the waves on the shore.  Wondering what would happen to his daughter, he began to cry at the possibility of losing her.

His thoughts and tears were interrupted by the noise of a crowd surrounding a man standing on the edge of the shore.  Jairus recognized Him as soon as He came into clear view.  It was Jesus, the one who infuriated the Pharisees by performing healings on the Sabbath.  He had even overheard some of the Jewish leaders plotting against Him in the synagogue where he also worked.  Then it struck him.  “He HEALS people!” Jairus exclaimed to no one.

Running to the Savior, he fell at Jesus’ feet and begged Him to come to his house to heal his daughter.  Seeing Jairus’ faith, Jesus left with him.  But before they could reach home, in the very midst of yet another healing, a woman with a bleeding issue, Jesus and Jairus received word that his daughter had already died.   Tears welled up in his eyes and they could not be contained.  Seeing his deep sorrow and pain, Jesus said, “Don’t be afraid, Jairus.  Just keep on believing in Me.” 

When he arrived at his home the circumstances screamed in his head that all hope was lost.  “She is already dead.”  Some of his family even laughed out loud at Jesus when He said the girl was only sleeping. 

Then in the midst of his darkest storm, Jairus remembered the woman that was healed by merely touching Jesus’ garment.  It had happened just minutes ago.  She was healed by Jesus!  With new and deeper faith, Jairus stepped into his dead daughter’s room with Jesus.  And with just a touch and a command to get up, his daughter sat up and began to walk around the room.  His faith had brought healing to his daughter!

When your prayer seems impossible, even ridiculous to some, do you stand in your faith and wait on God?  As you wait, do you recall the faith you’ve seen in others, knowing that with God all things are possible?

THE RESURRECTED LIFE -- Day 11

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Day 11:  The Woman With the Issue of Blood (Mark 5: 25-34)

She came to see Jesus.  How much she had heard about this Man who was healing people.  Keeping her eyes fixed on His boat, she waited and watched for Him to emerge and step onto the beach.  She just had to see Him.  He was her last hope.

Reflecting back on her last twelve years brought more tears that stung her already swollen eyes.  So many doctors…so many procedures…so much pain.  She had been left penniless, and all her attempts to be healed had been for nothing. Year after embarrassing year, she watched her symptoms grow worse.  The shame of being unclean, and the isolation it brought, had been worse than the bleeding itself.

Coming back to the present moment, she saw Him step out of the boat, but before she could reach Him, others came and whisked Him away.  Dejected, she turned to go back home, realizing that her only chance had just slipped away.  But all of a sudden she was aware that a group of people from the crowd had begun to follow after the Man.  “This is truly my last opportunity,” she thought to herself.  Turning back, she joined the crowd that was fast becoming a mob.

In her weakened state she persevered to stay with them, but they were pressing against her.  All of a sudden a window opened up, and she could see Jesus!  They were pressing against Him as well.  And then the unthinkable happened.  She tripped and fell to the ground.  Believing that her last chance was gone, she made no effort to get up.  But as she lifted her gaze from the dirt, she caught sight of a robe she recognized.  Jesus was right in front of her!  With her last bit of strength she strained to touch His robe.  To her amazement and great surprise, her hand was full of that very robe.   In that instant her hemorrhage stopped, and she knew she had been healed of her long affliction.  Letting go of His robe, she began to tremble at the miracle that had just taken place in her.

This woman had great faith, but it was backed up by perseverance and determination to get close to Jesus.  Do you have that kind of determination to get close to Him?  How far will you go to be changed from the inside out?  Or are you content to stay in your sickly spiritual state?

I AM . . . The God of the Impossible--Ex. 6

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I purposed to use My servant Moses long before he became My servant.  My plan included 40 years in Egypt, followed by 40 years in Midian, but even that would not completely prepare him to be My servant in the  impossible ministry assignment that I was calling him to.  Between his 40 years in Midian and his Egypt assignment, Moses would have many questions and moments of unbelief.  The fear of Pharaoh and of what I was asking him to do, would cause him to want to run away from his calling.  It was in those "in between days" that I would teach Moses what it meant to be a servant.

Can you hear it in his questioning and unbelieving words?  This is what he said to Me:

• "Who am I to do this?"  (Ex. 3:11)
  
•  "What if my brothers ask who told me to come set them free?"  (Ex. 3:13)
  
•  "What if they will not listen to me?"   (Ex. 4:1)
  
• "What if I can't speak the words out?  You know I am slow of speech and slow of tongue!"   (Ex. 4:10)
  
• "Don't send me; send someone else!"  (Ex. 4:13)
  
• "Why did you bring harm to Your own people, and why have you sent me to help them?  I knew I wouldn't be able to do this.  I told You I wouldn't!"  (Ex. 5:22)
• "My people have not listened to me, so why do You think Pharaoh will?"  (Ex. 6:12)
• "I am not a good spokesperson.  My lips are unskilled.  Pharaoh will not listen to me . . . EVER!"   (Ex. 6:30)

Moses really only had one problem to overcome--his unbelief in Me!  Moses looked at Pharaoh, and then he looked at himself and his people, and he considered the task I gave him to be impossible.  And he was right!   His unbelief, and the  discouragement he felt when he did what I told him, to no avail, clearly show Me what I see over and over again when giving these difficult assignments to My children--that they are more impressed and have more clearly in their sights the problem, not Me.    You see, Moses looked a Pharaoh and was more impressed with what Pharaoh could do than what I could do.  Moses was not even glancing in My direction; he only saw the problem, Pharaoh.

When I give an impossible assignment, it is to teach one thing--that I Am the God of the impossible and that I am to be  trusted, Me alone.  I am utterly faithful to bring about what I say I will do.  It is up to My servants to put their faith in Me, not in  themselves and what they can do on their own.  They must even put the responses of their family and friends aside, and listen only to Me.  It is up to My servants to look to Me alone, not to the circumstances that I have allowed, for in doing so, they will experience fear instead of having complete trust  in Me.

Do you see that you have done this same thing?  I have given you an assignment that is bigger than you, bigger than your ability, bigger than the "helpful tips" others can give you.  But it is not bigger than Me!  Your trust and faith in Me has been growing over the years, but this assignment before you is to help you learn that you need ME!  I want to strip you of your self-reliance and self-sufficiency.  For My plan to be accomplished, you must surrender yourself to Me.  If you do not, then you are tying My hands, and My plan will fail.  I am waiting for your full surrender.

Are You Dressed Appropriately?

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The Full Armor of God

If you are a believer, you are engaged in a vicious battle.  I bet you didn't need me to tell you that!  As Christians we know that there is a battle raging in the heavenlies over our souls.  God has us; Satan wants us.  We have been schooled in this topic; we know that we are often attacked in the area of temptation.  But there is just one problem that I can see, in my life as well as in the lives of the believers I know.  We do not often WIN the battle at hand.  What is it that keeps us from winning?  Simple.  We are not wearing the proper attire for battle!  All to often we find ourselves in the midst of an all out attack, and our armor is still hanging neatly in our closet!  Or maybe this sound more like you. . .You always have your helmet of salvation on, but the rest of your armor has gone missing.  You are not even sure where you left your sword!

Today while I was reading in I Chronicles 12, I came across a description of David's military force.  Think again of the picture in your mind of you, as a warrior against the enemies of God, inappropriately lacking pieces of your armor.  Now consider David's army as described in the  Word:

• Mighty men of valor
• Men trained for war
• Men who could handle both shield and spear
• Men whose faces were like that of a lion
• Men who were swift in action

As I considered how often I go out each morning to battle, with my helmet of salvation tightly strapped on to my head and the Word of God, my sword, in my hand ready to fight if necessary.   Yet, I lack the rest of my armor.  Realizing this,  I began to understand just why it is that I am prone to lose my battles with temptation.  You see, I know I am saved; but I set out each morning, knowing the enemy desires to do battle with me, leaving behind the rest of my armor except for the study I have done that morning.  Though having my helmet on and my sword in my hand, it is not sufficient armor to win.  On these days, dressed inappropriately for battle, I cannot win.  

In my case I must go to that closet, take out and put on the pieces I so often leave behind.  There is the breastplate of righteousness, that covers and protects my heart, and the belt of truth that helps me discern the lies that the enemy tells me.  Going barefoot is of no military help when I leave my shoes of the gospel of peace on the floor of my closet.  Those shoes are a reminder that God and I are on peaceful terms now because of the shed blood of His Son on my behalf.  And what good is a soldier without his shield of faith?  One cannot walk in both fear and faith at the same time.  It is one or the other.  Without faith in full bloom, the enemy will terrorize us fear, shooting us with one fiery dart after another.  With no faith in place, no truth in place, no righteousness in place, no peace with God in place, our relationship with God and His word will not prevent us from being hit over and over again by an enemy seeking to destroy us.

We must learn that it is vitally important to our walk with God that we be Mighty Children of Valor -- trained to fight, able to use our shield of faith and sword of the Spirit together, with a face of strength, being willing to act quickly against every temptation of our enemy.  

This was the description of David's mighty men.  Is it a description of you?  If not, you need to go to your closet and drag out that dusty armor, and put it on!  Don't leave home without it!

 

Is It Really All About Me?

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Is it really all about me?

We are very capable of creating our own gods. When we begin to worship them, we are opening a door not only to feed our flesh, but a door that many others might follow us through. Our self-created gods have one purpose. In the end, they make US god. As we worship them, our flesh gets to be in control and do what it wants, making us the god of our own lives. Life then becomes all about me, not the God I claim to worship.

There is a woman in the Old Testament who gave her silver to her son to create an ephod (Israel's priests already had one that they used in worship at the Tabernacle) and other household idols (teriphim that were worshiped to gain prosperity and guidance).  In the end, her son created graven and molten images that were idolatrous duplications of the priestly ephod and ark of the covenant.  He even hired a wicked Levitical priest to be the priest of his family.

You might ask how this story is relevant to us.  The answer is found in the historical account of what Israel was like in the days of the Judges.  This one sentence is repeated throughout the book of Judges:  "Every man did what was right in his own eyes."  Doing this very thing, this Jewish son re-created a religion that would be to his liking and his benefit, a religion in which he was in control.  He already knew what was right in God's eyes, and turned from it to what he deemed right.

This man led his family astray.  And he could not have known that the creation of his own god according to his desires would also lead one of the twelve tribes of Israel into idolatry as well.  The tribe of Dan discovered this ephod, fake image of the god, and the priest who absolved this family of any guilt, and the tribe of Dan stole them!  Now following this "god" instead of Jehovah, Dan is led astray and is not even mentioned in the twelve tribe in Revelation 7: 4-8.  By the same token, Eve would have had no idea that putting herself first would affect every other human being!  One person's sinfulness can have disastrous consequences in the lives of many.

What are the gods of your life?  What is it that you have created to protect you, bring pleasure to you, make you feel good, put you in the driver's seat, let you do what you want?  What is it that seems right in your eyes because it is not hurting anyone else?  Is it tobacco, alcohol, television, exercise, Facebook, pornography, working too much, material goods of any kind that you just can't get enough of, ministry?  Is it self-sufficiency that says you don't need anything or anybody, pride and arrogance, self-absorption, believing that everything is just fine in your life, false humility otherwise know as the "Eeyore syndrome"?  Every day we should be looking deeply within our hearts so that we might see the gods we have created.  Then we should be about the business of destroying them by surrendering to the only God who can.  

What is damaging our walk with God has the potential to damage others as well.  Who is your "collateral damage?"  Is it your spouse, your children, your parents, your co-workers, your friends, your brothers and sisters in Christ.  Putting your flesh first is destructive to the kingdom of God and the work He wants to do before Christ returns.  

Think about it.  Ask God to show what your gods are.  Pray about it.  Surrender to the God Almighty, confessing your idolatry (agreeing with God that it is true).  Then stand up and walk in faith in the only God, as a witness to the whole world!

Stuck in the Mud

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 Israel was preparing to enter into the Promised Land. Only the rain-swelled Jordan separated them from it. Under the wise direction of Joshua, the priests and the ark of the covenant entered the river first. A thousand yards behind the ark the 2 million plus group crossed over on dry land with their eyes firmly fixed on the Presence of God, the ark. If you are in a raging river, who are your eyes fixed on, yourself and your circumstances, or the Almighty God?

God has a "promised land" for you and me.  It is called the abundant life of Spirit.  It is a life in which we are to walk in the power of the Spirit and leave our crucified flesh on the altar of surrender.  The Israelites are such a great example for us today.  The spring rainy season was occurring, and the Jordan River constantly was out of its banks.  Yet, this is the very moment that God chose to bring His people into their new land--2 million people and all of their animals and belongings!  But Joshua, their new leader, trusted God and called the priests to bring the ark and set out across the river.  The very moment they exercised their faith, the dangerous river pulled back into on big heap upstream.  When the priests feet hit the riverbed, it was completely dry, as well!  One by one, the entire company crossed over on dry ground. 

So why do we struggle so with our faith in God to take us through our journey to that "impossible" heart transformation that He desires in us?  Why is it that we refuse to see that God is waiting for us to put our full focus and trust in Him so that He can do that "impossible" work in our hearts?  He is capable of helping us cross the great divide between walking in the flesh and walking in the Spirit.  He has the path laid out for us and He wants His Son to lead us to that abundant life by His Spirit within us.  Yet, we continually attempt to "cross the river" in our own strength and power.  Consistently, we keep drowning in our self-efforts to accomplish what we were never fashioned to do.

The Israelites were not to just sit on the banks of the Jordan, though, as if waiting for God to pick them up and move them.  On the contrary, when it was time to walk across, they were expected to walk!  But they could never have pushed the water back into a heap, and they likely would have drowned had they attempted to swim across.  God did the impossible so that it would make the "walking" easier.  The same is true in our journey to holiness.  God awaits your surrender to His will and His way.  He awaits that trusting gaze upon Him with a heart that says, "I believe YOU can do this in me; and I know that I cannot; so please GO AHEAD!"  When you get to that kind of surrender, watch out!  You might just see the "water" rolled back and the way become very clear--AND NO MUD dried up so that you do not get stuck along the way!