Reinforcing the Good

“Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts.” (Colossians 3:16 NLT)

Nobody wants to listen to love songs after a breakup. We usually prefer to listen to music that matches our current mood. What kind of music plays in the background as you go about your daily activities? Have you noticed how this affects your perspective? The tune that plays in our heads influences our minds, reinforcing our attitudes.

There is plenty of bad in our lives. Every day, we experience some disappointment, we hear about someone who is suffering, we are filled with fears for tomorrow. If we dwell on the these things, we allow negativity and anxiety to seep into the core of our being. This gives evil undue influence over our minds.

Instead of focusing on the bad, we could reinforce all that is good. We can do this by changing the environment of our mind. Let us fill our lives with godly influences. Let us meditate on the message of Christ. Let us share what we learn by teaching and counseling others with all the wisdom that God gives us. As we surround ourselves with gratitude and praise, we amplify the good. We are no longer slaves to our past or present sorrows. We become free to rise above our circumstances, bolstered by faith. 

Lord, may we reinforce the good by surrounding ourselves in Your influence. May the negativity in our minds be replaced by gratitude and praise.

Fantasy Faith

“People look at you and think you’re saints, but beneath the skin you’re total frauds.” (Matthew 23:28 MSG)

I know several guys who are really into fantasy football. During football season, they become completely occupied in picking players, watching games, and comparing stats. It’s hard for me to understand why grown men would invest so much time, money, and energy in a fake activity.  I wonder if these men ever feel like frauds. I guess everyone involved knows that the whole thing is based on pretending, so it is acceptable.

Many of us approach faith in a similar way. From the outside, we look like saints--praying, going to church, attending Bible studies, volunteering with local charities, donating money to worthy causes, etc. We invest a great deal of our resources in proving our goodness. However, on the inside we are filled with worry and desire for control. We refuse to trust and submit to God. People look at us and think we are saints, but beneath the surface we are total frauds. Yet, we don’t think of our faith as fraudulent. No, we would characterize it more as fantasy faith. Everyone knows that there is a certain amount of pretending involved; thus, it is widely accepted.

Things that are acceptable by human standards are not always acceptable in God’s sight. God desires to have more than a fake relationship with us. He wants us to be real, inside and out. This requires that we be totally honest with ourselves, with others, and with God. We must have skin in the game. We must be willing to suffer and submit. We must trust. No more pretending. No more wasting time and energy on fantasy faith. 

Lord, we realize that You want a real relationship with us. Help us not to be satisfied with our fantasies of faith. May we be willing to shed all our pretensions and have an honest connection with you.

The Big Lie

“My people have left me to worship the Big Lie. They’ve gotten off track, the old, well-worn trail.” (Jeremiah 18:1 MSG)

I’m training for another half marathon. I don’t like to run with large groups. I could run the 13.1 miles by myself on the familiar trail where I do my daily training. However, I find myself looking up public, half marathon races. I’m particularly attracted to the events with large medals. I want the bling. I believe it will give legitimacy to my accomplishment.

This craving for validation extends to all areas of my life. I am seduced by opportunities to highlight my abilities and hard work. Like most humans, I am inclined to chase after earthly concerns. I behave as if that which is visible, tangible, and temporal matters more than the eternal. I operate under this false illusion. I am tempted to leave the path where I am meant to run. I tend to worship my own desires instead of glorifying God. I have gotten off track. I worship the Big Lie. I realize this is Sin. Yet, I act like an addict who knows she is hooked but can’t kick the habit. I need divine intervention.

Lord, please rescue me from the temptation to chase after validation. May I pay attention to your instructions and guidance. Help me to stay on track and run only down the path that You have chosen.

Expectantly Waiting

"God's kingdom," he said, "is like a king who threw a wedding banquet for his son. He sent out servants to call in all the invited guests. And they wouldn't come!” (Matthew 22:2-3 MSG)

The basement of our house is my son’s domain. He has it set up so he doesn’t have to come upstairs too often. He has a fridge and a microwave and a large stock of pop-tarts and easy mac--enough for a college student to survive on. When I’ve made a nice meal, I want to share it with him. I invite him up to eat with us several times each day. Sometimes he joins us, and sometimes he doesn’t.

This must be how God feels. He prepares for us and yearns for us. He wants to feed us and spend time with us. He wants us to get to know Him better.  Yet most of us never show up. We get lazy. We get busy. We sleep in. We go for a run. We go to work. We entertain ourselves. We would rather do other things than keep company with God. We stay in our domain where we imagine we can survive independently. We feed ourselves with inferior food instead of the fulfilling meal that is prepared by God.  

God is expectantly waiting for us today. We must be responsive and receptive. We must come prepared with our hearts cleansed by confession and our minds cleared of distractions. As we spend time with God, we get to know Him more intimately. The more we focus on Him, the less distracted we become. The more we understand Him, the more we love.

Lord, thank you for inviting me into your presence. Thank you for waiting for me. Please be patient with me. Draw me close to you. Help me know you and love you.

Incapacitated by Pain

“You took over and set everything right; when I needed you, you were there, taking charge.” (Psalm 9:10 MSG)

The whole family was sick with the flu. Everyone was weak and incapacitated. We couldn’t help each other. We couldn’t ask outsiders to come over since we were contagious. We were miserable, but in a few days we all got stronger. It reminded us how much we  take our health and our ability to function for granted.

Not everyone is so lucky. I know a man who had a stroke and is now totally incapacitated. He used to be a highly functional individual. Now he needs help with even the basics--bathing, feeding himself, going to the bathroom, dressing, etc.  It is especially devastating to watch someone who was once very capable become debilitated.

Many of us become similarly incapacitated by pain. Tragedy strikes us in unexpected ways: cancer, death of a loved one, unemployment, disability, divorce. We who were once highly functional adults become incapable of helping ourselves. We are crippled, discouraged and completely occupied by our suffering.

The Lord sees our intense suffering. He moves in when we are weak and incapacitated. If we surrender, His power shall take over. Yet, many of us stop short of complete submission. Instead, we take a detour into the land of resentment. We expend what little energy we have left on sharpening the weapon of bitterness. We are unable to access God’s peace and comfort.

Lord, help us to come to you when we are incapacitated by pain. Please take over our lives. Strengthen us. Comfort us.

Placebo Friends

“As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.” (Proverbs 27:17 NLT)

True friends are a rare gift. They care enough to be available. They reach out and help when we need them. They are consistent and truthful. They strengthen our character. We are better human beings because of them.

However, since true friends are so hard to find, we often settle for placebo friends. A placebo is something that gives you a false sense of satisfaction but no real benefit. Placebo friends make us feel like we are actively involved in relationships. We go out, we have them over to our homes, we do activities, we talk, we take trips, we buy each other gifts, and we share secrets. From the outside, it looks like we are good friends. Yet, there is no growth in our character. In fact, these relationships merely distract and drain us in the long run. We are no better off than we were before we ever met.

True friends sharpen and improve each other. We do not remain dull and blunt. Instead, we become more effective because of our friendship. We challenge each other to become better human beings. Like good medicine, we heal, comfort, and strengthen each other. 

I pray that we may all have true friends and be true friends.  

The Crowded Pedestal

“I will exalt you, my God and King, and praise your name forever and ever.” (Psalm 145:1 NLT)

Who or what is on your pedestal? Whom do you worship? What is most important?

It is in our human nature to place the Self/Ego on the pedestal. We promote our desires and seek honor and recognition. Many of us worship and praise God. However, we exalt ourselves at the same time. Our pedestals are crowded.

“He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less.” (John 3:30 NLT)

We need to humbly step down. The less time and energy we spend on elevating ourselves, the more we can focus on glorifying God. The more we depreciate our desires, the more we can appreciate Jesus.

Lord, grant me the humility to take a few steps down. Show me how to keep the pedestal clear for You, and only You.

The Spirit and the Beast

“Live freely, animated and motivated by God’s Spirit. Then you won’t feed the compulsions of selfishness. For there is a root of sinful self-interest in us that is at odds with a free spirit, just as the free spirit is incompatible with selfishness. These two ways of life are antithetical, so that you cannot live at times one way and at times another way according to how you feel on any given day.” (Galatians 5:16-18 MSG)

We all have both a Spirit and a Beast within us. We choose which one has control. The Beast is the animalistic, pleasure-seeking side of us. The Spirit is the part of God that is placed in each of us.

When the Beast is allowed to dominate us, our thoughts and actions are contaminated by pride and self-interest. When the Beast is chained up, it will cause quite a commotion--clanging its chains, demanding to be released. If that doesn’t work, it will wait for the next stressful situation and prey on our weakness. The Beast will try every trick to influence us. It will whisper: Unchain me. Feed me. I can make you feel better. The Beast cannot solve problems, but it can provide temporary distractions. Do not feed the Beast. It will just get stronger and more dangerous.

On the other hand, when the Spirit is in control, our life is saturated with goodness, and our actions are influenced by love. When we feed the Spirit, we are strengthened in faith and trust. We are no longer enslaved by our compulsions. Self-indulgence is replaced by virtue.

The Spirit and the Beast cannot both be in control. We cannot release one and chain up the other according to our whim. We have to make a decision and commit to it.

Feed the Spirit; starve the Beast.

Lord, animate us and motivate us through Your Spirit. Protect us from our inner Beasts.

The Purpose of Praise

“Praise him for his acts of power, praise him for his magnificent greatness.” (Psalm 150:2 MSG)

Praise is defined as the act of expressing approval or admiration. We praise each other for various reasons.

Flattery is insincere praise. It is often used as a form of manipulation. It isn’t difficult to ingratiate oneself with others by stroking their ego. Unfortunately, many of us confuse flattery with praise. We even use worship as a tool to influence God to do our will.

Praise can be a form of encouragement. It provides us an opportunity to fortify and build up others who have extraordinary qualities and behavior. Praising and thanking God reminds us of His power and greatness, thus  bolstering our own faith.  

Praise allows us to give honor where it is due. It allows others to know we recognize and appreciate them--that we don’t take them for granted. As we notice the wonder of God’s ways, praise wells up inside us naturally. Expressing these emotions is the purest way to honor and worship God. 

Lord, I praise you.

Homemaker

“A wise woman builds her home.” (Proverbs 14:1 NLT)

I am at the bank. I need to answer all sorts of questions before I can open an account. I don’t mind most of them, but one makes me feel small:

Banker: “Are you self-employed?”

Me: “No, I’m just a homemaker.”

I haven’t had a paying job for over twenty years. Instead, I have chosen to devote myself fully to taking care of my family. My husband has been very supportive. Yet, I always diminish my role...just a homemaker.

What is a homemaker anyway? The things we do may seem insignificant in the eyes of the world. We make meals and wash the dishes. We go to the grocery store and put things away. We wipe the counters and mop the floor. We unclog sinks and toilets. We homeschool. We change diapers and wipe runny noses. We wash loads of clothes. We grow vegetables. We manage household finances and taxes. We fix the vacuum cleaner and the lawn mower. We walk the dog. We talk to bankers and electricians. We raise children. We help our husbands. We pray.

“She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: ‘Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.’” (Proverbs 31:27-29 NIV)

Lord, help me be more confident in my role as a homemaker. May I espouse Your ideals instead of worldly standards.

Centering Prayer

“We want to see.” (Matthew 21:33 NLT)

God sees and knows everything. So, why pray?

Most of our prayers are self-referential. We place ourselves in the center and look at things from our perspective. How things affect us is our primary concern. When we intercede for others, we try to identify with their pain and plead with God to relieve their suffering. Thus, even in intercessory prayer, our ego is still in the center.

“True contemplatives surrender some of their own ego boundaries and identity so that God can see through them, with them, and in them—with a larger pair of eyes. It is quite simply a higher level of seeing; it is deep consciousness.” (Eager to Love, Richard Rohr)

God is and always will be in the center. Centering prayer acknowledges this and moves to the inner core where God is present. Our egos are laid aside, and we become as trusting as a little child approaching a loving parent. We ask our Father to lift us up in His arms so we can see from His perspective. He scoops us up in His strong, caring arms. We become less afraid. Words become unnecessary. We see at a higher level. We share in a consciousness deeper than our own.

Lord, lift us up in Your arms, so that we may see and experience the larger reality from Your perspective.

Conveying Christ

“They brought the donkey and the colt to him and threw their garments over the colt, and he sat on it.” (Matthew 21:7 NLT)

The colt was chosen to carry Jesus through the crowds. He was picked for specific reasons: he wasn’t flashy like a horse, he was available, and he was yielding.

What are the requirements for those of us who are called to convey Christ to 0thers? We must be humble, accessible, and willing. We can’t be skittish or stubborn. We must maintain a low profile, so as to keep the focus on God.

Carrying Christ to others can be intimidating. The crowd can turn unruly at any moment. People are fickle. One week they will be full of praise and acceptance; yet, the next week they may be filled with complaints and accusations. Remain calm and confident. God’s got your back. May each step be unhurried and unworried as you move forward with Christ. 

Lord, train us to be humble, willing, and available as we convey Your message to others.  

The Power of Influence

“God’s kingdom will be taken back from you and handed over to a people who will live out a kingdom life.” (Matthew 21:43 MSG)

Every day, we are given the opportunity to influence our environment. Some are in powerful positions, and, thus, their impact may be widespread. Others may only be able to affect a few neighbors and friends. Either way, this power needs to be wielded carefully and thoughtfully.

God’s kingdom is His sphere of influence. Like a tenant farmer, we are given the right to plant, grow, and harvest on God’s land. We are allowed to inspire and encourage those around us.  Do we use this opportunity to impress others and get what we want? Or, do we live out the kingdom life--tending to those whom God has placed in our lives, helping them grow deeper and more fruitful? 

Lord, thank you for allowing us access to your sphere of influence. Help us to use this influence according to your will, not ours. Show us how to grow deeper in your love, producing abundant fruits of the Spirit.

Holy Audacity

“When we trust in him, we're free to say whatever needs to be said, bold to go wherever we need to go.” (Ephesians 3:12 MSG)

We are usually bold in areas where we feel competent but timid about tackling things that are beyond our abilities. Human boldness is linked with pride. Pride makes us depend on ourselves. It makes us care what others think. It is driven by our desire to express our strengths and viewpoints. Holy audacity is different. It is not pride based. It doesn’t care what others think. It is driven by the need to express God, not ourselves.

“One of the most essential qualities of the faith that is to attempt great things for God, and expect great things from God, is holy audacity. (Streams in the Desert)

Holy audacity is fueled by trust in God. This trust emboldens us to speak up, even when it may bring condemnation from others. It gives us the courage to step up to challenges that are beyond our capacity. It allows us to attempt great things for God and expect great things from God. 

Lord, make us bold. May we say what you place in our hearts. May we do what you direct us to do.

Desperate Days

“When I was desperate, I called out, and God got me out of a tight spot.” (Psalm 34:6 MSG)

There are times when I feel like I am trying to get across a rushing river. Even though I am using all my strength to wade through, I keep getting knocked down by the  swift current. It is tempting to give in to despair when we are overwhelmed by helplessness.  Yet, when our desperation reaches a high point, it protrudes above the troubling waters, providing us a way out.

“Desperate days are the stepping-stones in the path of light.” (from Streams in the Desert)

It is exhausting to wade through raging rivers of tribulation. Yet, we continue to strive under our own power as long as we can. Desperate days are God’s opportunities to teach us dependence. These are the days when we can no longer rely on our own physical strength, cognitive ability, financial assets, or social support system. All we have left is God, so we turn to Him. We choose to climb out of the churning waters and onto the stepping stones of trust, hope, and faith. We are still in the river, but not of it. We learn to walk above the chaos. 

In my helplessness, I shall turn to You, O Lord. I cling to You in desperate faith. Show me the path out of darkness and into light.

Steps to Restoration

“They will then hand him over to the Romans for mockery and torture and crucifixion. On the third day he will be raised up alive." (Matthew 20:19 MSG)

As Christians, we tend to focus on certain aspects of our faith. We celebrate resurrection, but we would rather not think about crucifixion. We emphasize Christ’s love, healing, and glory, while downplaying his humiliation and suffering. We like to think about how God is going to make everything better. We tell others about the benefits of faith in Christ. We point out how we have been restored. However, this is not the whole truth. It’s like leaving out unpleasant information from a recruitment brochure. Jesus suffered. He was mocked, tortured, and crucified. Death precedes resurrection.

Faith does not protect us against suffering. Instead, it trains us to trust God in the midst of pain. We learn to surrender--to let our egos and agendas die. This submission is essential before restoration. The path to experiencing God goes through the valley of suffering. Faith strengthens us, whipping us into shape so we can withstand afflictions and degradations. Grace resuscitates us. Love restores us. 

Lord, help us to accept that humiliation and suffering are prerequisites to restoration.

The Downside of Resentment

“Surely resentment destroys the fool, and jealousy kills the simple.” (Job 5:2 NLT)

Narcotic pain medications like oxycontin are often prescribed for patients after a painful procedure. Unfortunately, many people continue taking these pills longer than absolutely necessary. Giving up the drug can cause withdrawal symptoms, so most people continue the habit. This leads to drug dependence as the patients require more and more of the drug to manage their pain. If they continue on this path, their addiction will destroy their lives.

Resentment is normal when faced with injury and injustice. Yet, the longer we hang on to this emotion, the  more it controls us. We develop a tolerance to it. We become dependent on it. When we allow bitterness to take over our lives, it corrodes us from the inside. Prolonged unforgiveness eventually leads to self-destruction.

Releasing resentment requires us to deal with our pain. There will be discomfort. We shall suffer through withdrawal symptoms. However, it is foolish to hang on to grudges. Anger, hatred, envy, and bitterness are all toxic and addictive. Thus, it is imperative that we kick these habits before they destroy us. 

Lord, release us from harmful addictions to resentment. Help us to forgive and accept forgiveness.

Access Ramp

“Every ditch will be filled in, every bump smoothed out, the detours straightened out, all the ruts paved over.” (Luke 3:5 MSG)

I never appreciated ramps until I had to push a baby stroller. Since I’m able- bodied, steps are not a problem for me. Yet, when I’m pushing a stroller, every step, every curb, every uneven path becomes a challenge.

Religion should make faith more accessible. Instead it often adds unnecessary steps in the form of regulations and rituals. Those who seek God are often deterred by dogmatic barriers and burdening guilt. Removing the obstacles and leveling out the uneven pathways can improve access to those searching for God. 

Lord, use me to fill in the ditches, smooth out the bumps, straighten out the detours, and pave over the ruts. Show me how to build ramps so that everyone can have access to You.

Consequences

“Because they trespassed against me, therefore hid I my face from them, and gave them into the hand of their enemies.” (Ezekiel 39:23 KJV)

The rabbits trespass into our dog’s territory all the time. When the dog sees them, she chases them. The rabbits get away through the slits in the picket fence. This must have happened a thousand times by now--playing with danger and getting away with it. But yesterday was different. A rabbit came into the fenced yard. The dog chased it as usual. The rabbit tried to squeeze through the gap in the fence posts but got stuck. The result was a bloody mess.

“One of Satan's most deceptive and powerful ways of defeating us is to get us to believe a lie. And the biggest lie is that there are no consequences to our own doing.” (Charles Stanley)

We might get away with harmful choices a thousand times.  This makes us think that what we are doing is not really all that bad.  The boundary lines between good and evil seem blurry. We continue to rebel, be unfaithful, and trespass further into enemy territory. Eventually we get trapped. The consequences are horrific.

Lord, may we develop a strong sense of moral boundaries and always stay on the side of good. Help us not to trespass against you.

Responsive Obedience

"Put your minds to a life of responsive obedience to the voice of your God." (Zechariah 6:15 MSG)

Sometimes the touchscreen on my phone freezes up. I press harder, swipe every which way--but no response. This is quite frustrating. I usually end up having to reboot it or do a hard reset. Meanwhile, I cannot use my phone.

In order to be useful to God, we have to be responsive to His touch. We have to do what He wishes. Therefore...

Put your Minds--Concentrate, focus, be determined. Prepare your heart. Once your mind is set on something, the rest of your behavior will follow.

To a Life--a permanent, all-encompassing commitment; be dedicated to this vocation.

Of Responsive Obedience--Consecrate yourself to the Lord. Conform to His will. No deviations or distractions. Faithfully adhere to His directions. Be zealously obedient.

To the Voice of your God.--Pay attention. God’s expressions are everywhere. When God speaks, listen passionately. 

Lord, may we be sensitive to Your voice; may we respond with obedience. May we be dedicated, determined, and committed to You.

Familiar Stories

“Since they refuse to trust truth, they're banished to their chosen world of lies and illusions.” (2 Thessalonians 2:12 MSG)

The stories we tell ourselves are not always true. We make up narratives based on our experiences and observations. Much of this is made up in our minds even before we are fully mature. Every day we get new data. However, we usually accept information that supports our narrative arc, while disregarding anything that doesn’t. Here’s an example: A person who might have suffered in the past may construct a storyline for her entire life based on victimization. She sees herself as the tragic heroine who is always being harmed or exploited. Every day she might encounter good people who are helpful and kind. But she dismisses these incidents as insignificant, because they don’t fit the narrative that she has created. Yet, if someone unintentionally hurts her feelings, she will add that as evidence to her existing story. We want our stories to make sense, so we grab on to anything that supports our  long-held theories and prejudices, even when they are not true.

Compartmentalization is often a defense mechanism. It allows us to dismiss new information when it conflicts with our existing beliefs. We pretend that certain discoveries are only applicable in limited circumstances. Denial is just a euphemism for lying to ourselves. When we refuse to accept truth, we exile ourselves into a land of delusions. We voluntarily go down the path of destruction. We entomb ourselves in familiar, yet false stories rather than embracing truth.

Lord, may we trust and accept truth, even when it leads to uncertainty and discomfort.