Warrior God

“The LORD will march forth like a mighty hero; he will come out like a warrior, full of fury. He will shout his battle cry and crush all his enemies.” (Isaiah 42:13 NLT)

Christ is often portrayed as a gentle shepherd, a humble teacher, a suffering victim. We don’t think of him as a powerful warrior.  Thus, we may pray for compassion, mercy, guidance--but, rarely do we ask God to fight our battles. Instead, when we are afraid of the darkness, when we are tired from the daily struggles, we succumb to discouragement. Like a soldier who has lost confidence in his general, we defect and surrender to the opposing side.

BUT, our God is a mighty warrior who knows how to fight. He is armed and skilled. We must acknowledge that God is our commander and put our complete confidence in His power and strategy. Only then will we be able to let Him lead the battle and fall in line behind Him.  

“O LORD, oppose those who oppose me. Fight those who fight against me. Put on your armor, and take up your shield. Prepare for battle, and come to my aid.” (Psalm 35:1-2 NLT)

Lord, fight our battles--both internal and external; defend us against all evil.

Deferred Hope

“Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a dream fulfilled is a tree of life.” (Proverbs 13:12 NLT)

Lord, for years I have been asking You--that You would reveal Yourself in ways that we can recognize, that You would heal us of all physical, mental, and spiritual illnesses, that You would guard us from evil, that You would guide us, comfort us, and strengthen us.

My heart feels heavy with deferred hope. How long must I wait, Lord? Why are You so slow?! I have been counting on Your promises. I am confident in Your ability, but your timing doesn’t make sense to me. Yes, I feel discouraged and impatient!

"For the vision is yet for the appointed time; It hastens toward the goal and it will not fail. Though it tarries, wait for it; For it will certainly come, it will not delay.” (Habakkuk 2:3 NASB)

Lord, I need help while I am waiting--regular updates on how You are working, renewed strength, fresh hope, constant reassurance. Please...

God Spark

“God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. Then Jesus went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.” (Acts 10:38 NLT)

Since I live in a rural area, I often burn our yard waste in the back yard. After every storm, I gather up the fallen tree branches and place them in a pile. The debris won’t burn by itself. I pour lighter fluid on it and then throw in a lighted match. Once the fire is started, I keep tending it--moving unburned branches and twigs toward the center, and making sure the fire burns steadily until everything is burned.

We can gather up our experiences as kindling--but God has to spark the fire. Without the Holy Spirit’s anointing, our circumstances are just a pile of debris--useless deadwood. But once the power of the Holy Spirit enters into the situation, what was mere rubble is transformed into something purposeful.

Lord, may your anointing fall upon the broken fragments of our lives. May Your Spirit spark a fire in us so that everything we experience becomes fuel for Your purpose.

Absolute Dedication

“Showing no concern for the uncertainties that lie ahead is the secret of walking with Jesus.” (My Utmost For His Highest, by Oswald Chambers)

Whether we realize it or not, we are completely dependent on God. We might act as if we are taking care of ourselves and our loved ones, but this is merely a vain illusion. Once we admit that we are reliant on God, the choice of absolute devotion makes more sense.

If we were completely dedicated to Christ, what would our lives look like? Can we still work at our jobs, care for our loved ones, and relax at the end of each day? Or, would we have to give up everything and become missionaries or join a monastery?

When we are constantly listening for God’s instructions, when our thoughts, words, and actions are influenced by God--then, we are living God-centered lives. On the other hand, when we are motivated by cultural expectations and consumed by earthly preoccupations--our focus is diverted, and our hearts are no longer tuned into God. Dedication is more dependent on intention and attention, and less on location. Whether we are at work, or at home, or living in a monastery--we will have to deal with uncertainties on a daily basis. Continually handing over these vulnerabilities is an essential part of absolute dedication and communion with God.  

Managing Your Inheritance

“I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people.” (Ephesians 1:18 NIV)

Pray for enlightenment. Imagine that God resides in a room within your soul. Ask him to turn the lights on and invite you into this space. Listen while he shares His perspective and wisdom.

Pray that you may know the hope of His calling. Ask God to help you perceive and respond to His call. Be confident that He has a purpose for you. Expect to hear from God. May the spirit within you be animated by God’s voice, so that you can live according to His purpose.

Pray that you may use your inheritance. We have been given access to God’s resources. However, most of us don’t have the spiritual maturity to understand this inheritance. Thus, we use only a fraction of the power that is available to us through Jesus Christ.

Lord, help us to see you, hear you, touch you, trust you, know you, and love you.  May we be animated by your Spirit and live according to Your purpose.

Romantic Husbands

Sometimes I watch stupid TV when I’m on the treadmill. It gives me an excuse to unleash my mid-workout crankiness by yelling at the TV.

So, the other day, I’m sweating and huffing away--and here comes a contest for the ‘Most Romantic Husband Award.’ As the husbands line up like pageant contestants, their wives explain how romantic their men are. Most of it centers around  fancy dinners, exotic trips, elaborate surprises, and lavish gifts. Since when did romance become so materialistic?

I know a man who supports his wife as she battles cancer. Every few weeks, he drives her over a thousand miles for treatment. He has stayed strong and stoic while having to watch his wife in pain. Now, THAT is romantic!

I know another man who was basically disowned by his family for marrying the woman he loves. For the last 18 years, he hasn’t talked to his parents, siblings, cousins, or old friends. He pours all his love into his wife and kids. Now, THAT is romantic!

I know men who raise their stepchildren as lovingly as they raise their biological children. I know men who sacrifice their dreams and ambitions to provide their families with stability and security. I know men who consistently stay involved, even when relationships get messy. Now, THAT is romantic!

Crossing Thresholds

“We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.” (Romans 5:3-5 NLT)

Think back on a trial that you have gone through--something that was beyond your capacity to get through on your own--a time when you overcame the temptation to drown in bitterness and despair and are now stronger for it.

Tribulation threshes us, separating the superficial from the meaningful.  Suffering can lead to endurance--increasing our capacity for pain. Perseverance strengthens our character, which, in turn, allows us a better understanding of God’s character--which is pure love. Experiencing God’s unfailing love leads to confident expectancy in God’s goodness. Once we make it over the threshold of despair, we can enter into this expanse of hope. And then, “We find ourselves standing where we always hoped we might stand—out in the wide open spaces of God’s grace and glory, standing tall and shouting our praise.” (Romans 5:1-2 MSG)