Saturated in Prayer

“Don’t be pulled in different directions or worried about a thing. Be saturated in prayer throughout each day, offering your faith-filled requests before God with overflowing gratitude. Tell him every detail of your life, then God’s wonderful peace that transcends human understanding will make the answers known to you through Jesus Christ. (Philippians 4:6-7 TPT)

Close friends rarely run out of things to talk about. They can be vulnerable, honest, and transparent about everything. They aren’t concerned that what they say will be misused or misunderstood. This level of relationship takes commitment, time, and trust. I am lucky to have good friends with whom I can share my burdens, thoughts, and joys. However, I do not have this level of intimacy with everyone I meet. For example, if I needed help moving a heavy, cumbersome object in my home--I would only ask someone with whom I had a close relationship. It takes time to know a person well enough to assess their strength, dependability, and availability. What if I didn’t have anyone in my life that fit this description? I wouldn’t just ask a neighbor whom I wave at occasionally! No, I would try to manage by myself--even if I had to drag my burden alone. 

God is strong, dependable, and available. Unless we know God intimately, we won’t feel comfortable going to Him with each and every concern. This level of relationship takes commitment, time, and trust. Prayer is any form of communication with God. When we unload our concerns to Him, we confirm our confidence in Him. We only feel the need to handle things on our own when we have no one whom we can rely on. 

Anxious thoughts reveal a lack of confidence in God. Worry pulls us away from the presence of God and back into the muck of worldliness. Distrust breeds chaos, while trust generates peace. The more we communicate with God, the more we get to know Him. Through prayer, we express our dependence on God. When we hand over our concerns to Him, we dethrone any illusions of self-reliance. Gratitude reminds us of the source of all goodness and reinforces our confidence in God. External troubles do not vanish. However, a supernatural peace that transcends human logic protects our minds from turbulence as we trust in Christ Jesus. 

Faith Fatigue

“So, let’s not allow ourselves to get fatigued doing good.” (Galatians 6:9 MSG)

I am always tired after a long run, but most of the time, it is a good tired. I know that hard effort makes me better as a runner. However, there are weeks when I feel burned out. I want to quit; I have no motivation to continue. It’s hard to pull myself out once I have reached this stage of fatigue, so I’ve learned to recognize the symptoms and be proactive. I prepare for the onslaught of self-doubt by writing down my motivations before hand. I go back and review them before each race and long run. This mental preparation is essential in combating fatigue. I have learned to listen to my heart instead of my aching body.

Similarly, we must prepare ahead of time for periods of waning faith. On days when God seems distant, prayers go unanswered, progress is imperceptible, and fears are overwhelming--the natural urge is to stop trusting. Instead of listening to our doubting minds, we need to push forward under the power of the Spirit. This takes premeditated effort. Learn to soak in the presence of God. Don’t wait until you are weary and listless. Read, study, sing, meditate, listen, write, and worship. Fill up with grace and mercy.  

Watering Sidewalks

“The one who plants in response to God, letting God's Spirit do the growth work in him, harvests a crop of real life, eternal life.” (Galatians 6:8 MSG)

Watering my flowerbeds is time-consuming. I have to actively stand there and aim the hose nozzle at each plant. One time, I hooked up the hose to a sprinkler and placed it near the flowerbeds. When I went back to check on it, there was just as much water on the nearby sidewalk as there was on the flowers. 

God has assigned each of us a gardening plot. We are called to plant, water, weed, and harvest according to His purposes. We need to seek the Spirit’s guidance daily--asking whom we are to help, where we are to serve. Our work is not meant to be random or passive. Without focused attention, we end up watering sidewalks...wasting grace. Thus, let us do everything in response to God, letting God's Spirit do the growth work through us, harvesting a crop of real life, eternal life.

Sharing Burdens

“Stoop down and reach out to those who are oppressed. Share their burdens...” (Galatians 6:2 MSG)

Every morning, my mind goes over all the plans I have for the day. I check the family calendar. There are always the usual household chores and maintenance tasks. Then there are appointments, commitments, and stuff I want to do. I make my list. I realize that I may not get everything on my list done. I also know that unanticipated burdens may be placed upon me. I will have to continually reassess my time and energy resources throughout the day and make adjustments. 

Like everyone else, I have my share of problems. I trust God to take on all that is beyond my strength to carry. I also ask the Lord to give me supernatural eyes to notice others who are oppressed. Sharing their burdens lightens my own load. Why? Because I don’t have to rely on my own reserves. I am merely a conduit. The Lord works through me, and I gain strength in the process. Thus, I reach out intentionally to those who are weighed down, downcast, and  persecuted. 

Lord, may Your grace flow through me to lighten the burden of at least one other person today. Show me who is in need; grant me compassion; fill me with strength. 

Training Ground

“Strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees.” (Hebrews 12:12 NIV)

Marathoners know that running 26.2 miles on race day is not as hard as the training that precedes it. Endurance takes time to develop. Each training cycle consists of incremental increases in weekly miles, long runs, speed work, and hill repeats. It takes months of consistent discipline to strengthen muscles, enhance cardiac output, improve VO2 max, practice fueling while running, and figure out how to prevent chafing from the inevitable friction of clothes and shoes. Unlike race day, training days have no cheering crowds, medals, or glory. Yet, it is these days of hard effort and dedication that lead to strength. The actual marathon merely reveals how well you have trained. 

“We presume that we would be ready for battle if confronted with a great crisis, but it is not the crisis that builds something within us—it simply reveals what we are made of already.” (My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers)

It is not adversity but our response to it which develops strength. Consistent practice is the essence of training. Feeble faith and weak worship is a recipe for defeat. We cannot learn to use swords in the midst of battle. Unless we learn to acknowledge, trust, and depend on God on easy days, we will not be able to do so during a crisis. Discipleship requires discipline. A strong faith is developed over time. Crises are simply tests that reveal how well we have trained. Let us not wait for trials to build up endurance, but allow adversity to reveal our existing strength. 

Fruits of the Spirit

“The fruit produced by the Holy Spirit within you is divine love in all its varied expressions: joy that overflows, peace that subdues, patience that endures, kindness in action, a life full of virtue, faith that prevails, gentleness of heart, and strength of spirit.” (Galatians 5:22-23 TPT)

In The Five Love Languages, author Gary Chapman writes about different ways each of us experiences and expresses love. According to this book, the five most common forms of showing love are: quality time, words of affirmation, acts of service, physical touch, and gift giving. A husband whose love language is gift giving may bring his wife flowers and also feel loved when she reciprocates with gifts of his liking. However, if the wife’s primary love language is service, she may feel more loved if her husband washed the dishes after a meal. Knowing each other’s love language can help us communicate our emotions and understand each other better.

Divine love, in all its varied expressions, is produced by the Holy Spirit within us. The love languages of the Spirit are: joy that overflows, peace that subdues, patience that endures, kindness in action, a life full of virtue, faith that prevails, gentleness of heart, and strength of spirit. Striving to produce these virtues in ourselves is ineffective. Most of us can only manage to stutter and stammer incoherently in our own power. Christ communicated God’s love. May the Spirit of God express love to us and through us--filling us with goodness and overflowing onto others. 

Base Camp

“God has called us to live a life of freedom in the Holy Spirit. But don’t view this wonderful freedom as an opportunity to set up a base of operations in the natural realm. Freedom means that we become so completely free of self-indulgence that we become servants of one another, expressing love in all we do.” (Galatians 6:13 TPT)

Mountain climbers set up a base camp prior to starting a multistage ascent. The base camp provides a staging area with all the resources needed for an expedition. This is generally a safe area that one can walk to or drive to with supplies. The real climb starts after the base camp. However, I have heard of people who go only as far as the base camp. That is the end of their aspirations. Their goal is limited to what they can achieve by their own power.

God has called us to live in the Spirit. Our goal is NOT merely to set up a base of operations in the natural realm. This world with all its busyness is just a staging area for the real ascent. We are meant to leave behind our instinctual cravings for self-preservation, self-indulgence, and self-promotion. Set your sights on going higher than you can walk by your own power. Yield to the Spirit. Abandon anything that hinders your progress and climb freely. Let your life be an expression of love and freedom. 

Leashed Impulses

“We take every thought captive so that it is obedient to Christ.” (2 Corinthians 10:5 (GWT)

I don’t understand why people leave their dogs unleashed in areas where they could harm themselves or others. My dog would never bite anyone, but she might chase a rabbit or squirrel into the street and get run over by a car. Even when walking on a trail, I keep her leashed, because I don’t want her to get lost or hurt. The only place I let her roam free is our fenced backyard. Over the years, she has learned to be still, bowing her head in front of me, while I put on her leash before she exits through the front door. 

Yesterday, I had a sudden impulse. It seemed like a good idea, the right thing to do. It made complete sense. However, I leashed my thoughts and subdued myself to Christ. Before acting on any thought, I have learned it is best to wait quietly for the Spirit’s leading. 

Rushing out through every door of opportunity without restraint is unwise. Trusting that God knows what is best allows us to capture every thought, impulse, project, and emotion. Submit your will to God. Wait for the Master at each threshold. Do not leap through open doors, depending on your own wisdom. Rely on the Lord to guide you according to His purpose. 

Human Insufficiency

“Be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.” (Ephesians 6:10 NLT)

Our beloved dog has been diagnosed with bone cancer. The vet said she won’t live much longer. The only thing we can do is keep her as comfortable as possible until she dies. Now, I know that a dying pet might not seem like a huge crisis when compared to many other situations. However, it is hard for me--and this blog has always been a place where I share what I am learning in my daily struggles. I could write pages about how wonderful she is and how much we are going to miss her--but that is not the point of this post. I want to confess how I have been dealing with my feelings. 

I found out the news during a period of days when my closest family and friends were occupied with major issues of their own. I couldn’t bare to unload my emotions and add to their burdens. Thus, I tried other coping mechanisms--immersing myself in busyness and distractions, numbing myself with food. None of it worked. My dog was still in pain. I was still a mess.

“When you are yoked to Me, your weary souls will find rest.” (Matthew 11:29 VOICE)

In a crisis, most of us try to cope by depending on human support, distractions, busyness, indulgence, or other worldly resources. We yoke ourselves to human solutions, hoping to find relief. A yoke is a beam that is placed on a pair of oxen so that they may pull a load together. It is often custom-made to fit individual animals. Our weary souls can only find rest when we are harnessed to Jesus, when we collaborate with Him. The word collaborate means to co-labor or to work together. Our burdens can only be made lighter by drawing on the strength of God. Our insufficiencies are precisely shaped to lead us to Christ’s sufficiency. Every other coping mechanism will be ill-fitting and inefficient. Share your burdens with Christ. Be strong and confident in the Lord and in His mighty power.

Queendom

“May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.” (Matthew 6:10 NLT)

My queendom is my sphere of influence. It consists of those whom I interact with regularly, those who are within my reach, those whom I can affect. My queendom is limited to my family, friends, and a few others. These are the people whom I serve. They hear what I say, read what I write, and eat what I cook. They are built up by my encouragement and torn down by my criticism. My moods color their emotions, and my attitudes shape their perspectives.

When I work with God, submitting my queendom to His Kingdom, I expand my territory. My reach is no longer limited. I become part of God’s influence, participating in His intentions, distributing His goodness. His purpose and cause become mine. Citizenship in this Kingdom is available to anyone who desires it. It is not merit-based. To apply, one needs only to surrender any illusions of self-sufficiency. God’s Kingdom is not far away. It is near and present. Knowing God allows us to trust Him. Trust enables us to surrender. Surrender breaks down boundaries and enlarges our soul. When we spread this good news to everyone, Heaven comes to earth.

Love

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” (John 13:34 NIV)

Philosopher and writer Dallas Willard describes love as promoting the good of another. Love is often confused with what brings pleasure and comfort. Feeling good around a person is not the same as wanting good for the person. Love, in its truest sense, is not about emotions but about actions. It actively wills the growth of a person over the desire for self-promotion. 

Christ loved sacrificially, unconditionally. As Christians we are called to imitate Christ--to promote the good of others even when it is inconvenient. Our default human setting is to seek self-preservation and self-promotion. However, when we allow the Holy Spirit to work through us, our natural inclinations are transformed. We are empowered to love as Christ did--supernaturally, unconditionally, sacrificially. 

Powered by the Spirit

“When you attempt to live by your own religious plans and projects, you are cut off from Christ, you fall out of grace. Meanwhile we expectantly wait for a satisfying relationship with the Spirit. For in Christ, neither our most conscientious religion nor disregard of religion amounts to anything. What matters is something far more interior: faith expressed in love.” (Galatians 5:4-6 MSG)

I have two laptops that have different operating systems: Windows and Chrome. I keep both of them on my desk and use them interchangeably. Recently, I noticed that the Windows laptop was not charging properly--the cord was malfunctioning. Fortunately, the other laptop’s cord had similar specs, so I started plugging one laptop in while using the other. There was only one problem: I left both chargers plugged into the same outlet and would inadvertently use the broken cord somedays. After a few instances of completely drained batteries, I learned my lesson. I unplugged the glitchy charger and threw it out.

Religion may look similar to a relationship with Christ, but it operates differently. Legalism, rituals, and traditions can work initially, but not in the long run. When we attempt to live by our own religious plans and projects, we are cut off from Christ. Disconnected from the true source of power, we fall out of grace. Meanwhile we expectantly wait for a satisfying relationship with the Spirit, to be recharged, renewed, and filled with strength. Unless we put away the old methods, we will inadvertently reach for the familiar cords of religion, even though they are broken. This leaves us drained and powerless. For in Christ, neither our most conscientious religion nor disregard of religion amounts to anything. What matters is something far more interior: faith expressed in love. In union with Christ, our souls receive power. Trusting Him confidently, we learn to rely on nothing else. Our faith works through love--a desire to yield fully to God, so that He may work His purposes through us. 

Haste

“Willingness and stupidity don't go well together. If you are too eager, you will miss the road.” (Proverbs 19:2 CEV)

Trail running can be more challenging than running on a road. The terrain is often rugged, hilly, and full of twists and turns. During trail races, it’s easy to get off course if you aren’t paying close attention. Turns are often marked only by a single ribbon on a tree limb.  Runners who are eager to do well and are sure of their own navigational abilities fail to look up at the trees. They are so focused on maintaining their speed that they sometimes miss turns and get off track. 

Society teaches us to be confident in our own abilities and to always be in a hurry to get where we are going. This combination of pride and haste leads to poor choices. When we fail to look up, to consult God at every turn--we end up going the wrong way and wasting time and energy. Waiting for revelation knowledge may slow us down. However, it is better to be attentive and on the right path than to waste a single step on the wrong track.

Voice Recognition

“If you really knew God, you would listen, receive, and respond with faith to his words.” (John 8:47 TPT)

A wide range of devices now use computerized voice recognition technology. Amazon’s current voice assistant technology is named Alexa. Alexa devices enable users to dictate commands to power smart devices throughout the home. It can even be trained to tell your voice apart from that of others. By personalizing voice recognition, each member of a household can request their own music, schedules, lists, etc. Training artificial intelligence to recognize one voice over another requires a few steps. First, you have to mute other nearby voices. Then, you have to go to a quiet place and get close to the device. Finally, you have to say ‘Alexa, learn my voice,’ and then just follow the directions. Alexa asks you to repeat several phrases and ask questions. As with any form of communication, it takes a certain amount of time and repetition for the device to develop familiarity and work properly. 

Recognizing God’s voice also requires time, repetition, and familiarity. Find a quiet place and mute all other voices--internal and external. Listen expectantly. Develop sensitive ears. Get acquainted with the still, small voice of the Spirit. Repeat, record, and review everything that comes to you. Ask questions. Follow directions. For it is how we respond to our circumstances that reveals our trust in God. 

Rotten Motives

“I’ll tell you what these false brothers and sisters are counting on: your attention. They are ravenous for it. They are not acting honorably or in your best interests. They want to keep you away from the good news we proclaim so they can have you all to themselves.” (Galatians 4:17 VOICE)

Have you ever wondered why certain people are interested in you? Is it that they find you fascinating or that they want your attention? Do they have your best interests at heart? Or, are they merely trying to feel relevant?

I have learned to be suspicious of people who put up false fronts. They are like those buildings with tall facades that extend beyond their true dimensions. They want to lure you in by appearing to be more than they are--more fun, more wealthy, more friendly, more flattering, more attentive.  What do they hope to get out of all this? They want your attention and validation. They hope you will become dependent on them for approval, seeking their guidance. This makes them feel significant. What’s wrong with this type of relationship? It pulls us away from authentic connections that lead us to growth. Those who are honorable, who will put our best interests over their own, are rare and precious. You can identify these people by the consistency and sincerity of their actions. There is integrity in all their relationships. They find joy in bringing out the best in others, guiding them to Grace. 

Staking a Tree

“Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor.” (Galatians 3:24-25 NASB)

Years ago, my husband and I planted several trees in our backyard. These young saplings needed to be supported until their roots were well established. Thus, we staked the trees by attaching them to metal poles with ropes. The trees survived and grew. The next year, when we went to remove the staking, we noticed that some of the trees showed scarring where the ropes had been attached; a few even had bark growing around the ropes. It took a bit of effort, but we took off the stakes and the trees continued to thrive. 

Similarly, religious laws, traditions, and rituals can be useful tools that aid those who are not yet anchored in Christ. They provide support while we establish roots in faith. However, many of us rely on religion to permanently hold us up in our relationship with Christ. We become wrapped up in familiar ceremonies and beliefs--substituting church activities and denominational allegiance for faith. Prolonged dependence on religious organizations can constrict spiritual growth. We must learn to trust God alone, seek to know Him and be known. As we send out roots to the deepest parts within our souls, we receive nourishment and stability. Anchored in Christ, we grow tall and straight, mature in faith. 

Practicing Faith

“Don’t just listen to the Word of Truth and not respond to it, for that is the essence of self-deception.” (James 1:22 TPT)

In the U.S., physicians need a separate license to work in each state.  Obtaining licensure can be time-consuming and onerous. Thus, many doctors continue to pay dues to maintain their privileges, even after they have moved out of state. A dues-paying member who has not practiced medicine in a state for years can, thus, still be a licensed healthcare provider in that state. 

Many churches use a similar approach to membership. They assess growth by numbers--bodies that walk in the door and money collected each week. Those who pay their dues are considered in good standing, even if they do not practice their faith.  

Those who listen to the Word of truth but do not respond to it are deceiving themselves and others. Practicing the teachings of Christ--not church affiliation--leads to godliness. If our everyday life choices and values do not reflect compassion, inclusivity, justice, devotion, and honesty, then we are not true followers of Christ.  A changed perspective, responsive obedience, and the desire to please God above all else are the signs of true spiritual growth. 

Sunday Christians

“They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that!” (2 Timothy 3:5 NLT)

What if your elderly grandpa were in a nursing home, and everyone in the family visited him on Sundays. There are bound to be some family members who show up out of a sense of obligation or duty. This is how many of us view God--someone who lives in church and expects a visit from us every Sunday.

Church attendance may appear religious, but it does not equal intimacy with God. Sitting in a pew for a few hours on Sunday may make you feel pious. However, if you live the rest of the week detached from Christ,  what’s the point? Gathering together to worship God and grow in faith is a good thing. Unfortunately, many ‘Christians’ have rejected the power that could make them godly. They prefer pleasure, comfort, and self-importance over living as Christ did. Many churches have become congregations of like-minded people who come together once a week to see and be seen. They may have successful fundraising events, construct large buildings, develop impressive programs, entertain the masses, provide moral lessons, and provide avenues for socializing. They may use God’s name while they do all this, but it is all in vain.  For you cannot revere Christ one day a week and ignore His teachings the rest of the days. Sunday Christians who turn into weekday hypocrites dishonor God. 

Accepting My Voice

“Do everything you can to present yourself to God as a man who is fully genuine, a worker unashamed of your mission, a guide capable of leading others along the correct path defined by the word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15 VOICE)

I have always had a deep voice. When I was young, high-pitched voices were considered feminine, especially when singing. I was told that my natural voice was not pretty; in order to sound acceptable, I was encouraged to sing in falsetto. I could not express myself fully in this limited vocal range. However, I succumbed to cultural expectations. I chose to sound appropriate rather than authentic. Years later, I discovered several female singers with beautiful, deep voices. They expressed themselves with power and passion. These women taught me that it was okay to be different. Eventually, I became comfortable with my own voice. I decided that I would rather be rebuffed for being true than be accepted for being false.

These days, I focus on speaking and writing more than on singing. I want to articulate my thoughts in ways that increase understanding--for myself as well as others. I am aware that my voice may not be pleasing to everyone, but that is okay. Authenticity is never shameful. I would rather be rejected for being sincere than be approved for being counterfeit. I concentrate on being the person whom God created, conscious that my differences are my gifts, unapologetically genuine, always seeking truth and understanding. 

Power Steering

“When I was living among you, you lived in responsive obedience. Now that I’m separated from you, keep it up. Better yet, redouble your efforts. Be energetic in your life of salvation, reverent and sensitive before God. That energy is God’s energy, an energy deep within you, God himself willing and working at what will give him the most pleasure.” (Philippians 2:12-13 MSG)

My first car did not have power steering. It was hard to maneuver, especially at slower speeds. I would have to turn the steering wheel and wait for the car to respond. These days, most new cars have computerized power steering. Not only does this make cars more responsive to the driver’s touch, it also increases fuel efficiency and safety. 

Reverence and sensitivity to God allow us to recognize the energy of the Holy Spirit within us--God himself willing and working at what will give Him the most pleasure. When we are steered by God’s Power and not by our own effort, life transitions are less laborious. We become one with Christ, in relationship, responsively obedient to His touch. Under His guidance, our movements remain efficient, steady, and secure. 

Mutual Edification

“Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.” (Romans 14:19 NIV)

In a pasture near my home, there is a herd of black cows of various sizes. There is one calf that looks different from the rest.  It has a large white patch of skin around its middle. It sticks out among the herd. I wonder if this calf is more likely to be a prey for coyotes. 

Communities are similar to herds. There is comfort in numbers, so people seek to form tribes with others who are similar.  It is safer to conform than to be odd. Just like in a herd, being different can cause you to be a target of predators.

Ironically, it’s common to feel uncommon. Most everyone I know feels unusual--like an oreo cow in a herd of black cattle. Depending on your attitude, you might see yourself as either a misfit or as extraordinary.  When we recognize that everyone is unique in their own way, we are able to make peace with our individual differences and work towards mutual edification. Our focus shifts from self-valuation to uplifting, encouraging, and enlightening others.