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Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. Ephesians 5:15-17
There’s an old song I remember singing in Sunday School that went something like this:
O be careful little eyes what you see
O be careful little eyes what you see
There’s a Father up above
And He’s looking down in love
So, be careful little eyes what you see
The song went on to remind us to be careful about the things we hear with our ears, do with our hands, say with our mouths and go with our feet. It is important to remember that the God of the universe, the King of Kings and Lord or Lords is with us wherever we go. He hears what we say, sees what we do and goes where we go.
One would think that the fact that our Heavenly Father is with us 24/7 would keep us from doing things that displease Him, but it doesn’t. We still say things that are hurtful. We still use God’s name in vain, and look at things we shouldn’t look at. We still hurt people physically, emotionally and spiritually. Sometimes the hurt we place on people is unintentional. Sometimes it’s well thought out and brutal. Either way it not only hurts the other person, it hurts our Heavenly Father, who continues to love us in spite of our reckless behavior.
As you travel along the path of life remember that not only is Your Father watching what you do, other people watch you as well. Your words and actions, the places you go and the things you do are all a reflection of what God is like. Just as the moon is a reflection of the light of the sun, each of us should strive to be a reflection of God to others.
The bad news is, we’re all human. We all fall far short of the ability to reflect Christ’s love 24/7 to those around us, especially those around us who are hurtful, angry, judgmental and vindictive.
The good news is that our Father in Heaven knows we can’t possibly be a perfect reflection of Christ to others. He loves us anyway, even when we are being poor reflections! He’s willing and able to forgive us no matter how many times we fail Him…and others. He is the God of second and third and fourth chances.
When you fail [and you will!] remember that you can come to your Heavenly Father and be forgiven. When others fail you, don’t allow their attacks to affect how you feel about yourself. God and God alone is your judge and He’s a fair, loving and merciful judge who not only knows your weakness but is willing to help you through the struggle.
PRAYER: Father God. Every day I get out of bed with the determination to be a perfect reflection of your love and mercy. Every day I fail in what I say, listen to, or do. I get hurt by those I love the most and retaliate to those who hurt me. Please help me to live in the wisdom that comes from you so that I can be a perfect reflection of your love. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.
Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Romans 12:11
The Apostle Paul admonishes us to keep up the energy level in our lives. If you have ever been around a new Christian you have an idea of what he is talking about. Someone who has just accepted Christ into their lives seem to manage to include Him in every conversation. They are excited about the new life they have found and have a peace that nothing can shatter.
Then, gradually, that fervor fades. Sometimes old habits start to show up. Old life style issues raise their ugly heads, and soon it’s hard to tell the difference between them and the rest of the world. Paul tells us to keep that fervor. Keep that excitement. Constantly remind yourself of what Jesus did on the cross for you.
That’s easy to say, but sometimes reality deals us some ugly blows. Perhaps the biggest thing that can be a ‘zeal zapper’ is our own failure to conquer bad habits or addictions in our lives. “Jesus heals. Jesus forgives. So why can’t I stop smoking, swearing, looking at porn, etc. etc.” We keep adding ‘things’ to our list to try to do better but nothing works. With each failure on our part the enemy reminds us that we aren’t worthy. He’ll tell us we aren’t really Christians. He’ll remind us that God is displeased with us. (By the way, that’s a lie. God is never displeased with us. He may be displeased with our actions but NEVER us.)
Another Zeal Zapper is the comparison game. We look at how others in our groups, churches, etc. have ‘mastered the Christian walk.’ Some of them even (not so grace-fully) tell us how we too can be just like them. We fill our lives with all sorts of activities to try to be better and only end up wanting to give up all together or suffering emotional, physical and spiritual fatigue. We lose heart when we realize we simply can not be like them. (Did I mention that God never tells us to be like other people? He tells us to follow Him and He is NOT a cookie-stamper God).
Zeal Zapper number three is disappointment with other people. Sometimes our expectations of others falls short when we put too much faith in them. Sometimes our expectations are shattered beyond recognition by the way we are treated by Zeal Zapping, Grace killing Christians who feel it is their duty to make sure you follow their ten easy steps to spirituality. There was only one person perfect enough for us to emulate. Stop trying to live up to the standards you place on yourself or others place on you. Allow your relationship with Jesus Christ to form your identity. Then, press on along the journey of life knowing that whether you walk confidently or stumble, Jesus is at your side guiding you all the way.
Zeal Zapper number four is disappointment with God. Your Heavenly Father loves you dearly. Sometimes He doesn’t do things the way we expect or want. Sometimes God’s ways are just plain confusing! But His ways are the best ways. Trust means that we give God permission to place whatever He chooses in our way in order to make us more reliant on Him.
Don’t let the Zeal Zappers take away the joy you have in Christ. Failure will come. Disappointment will happen. But He is always there wanting to encourage and energize you for whatever life places in your way.
PRAYER: Father God. I’m tired. I’m tired of trying to live by other peoples standards. I’m tired of trying to measure up to what I think you want instead of growing in relationship. I’m tired of being judged by others who seem to think they know all the answers to the easy spiritual life. I ask that you would forgive me for trying human things to accomplish divine results. Empower me with Your Spirit to live grace-fully for you. In Jesus name, Amen.
And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. Romans 5:5
I love the story of ‘The Polar Express’. This simple Christmas story captures the wonder and excitement of the Christmas celebration and the process in which we all come to realize that the wonder of Santa Claus is simply a story that many of us grow out of as we become ‘older and more refined’.
But ‘The Polar Express’ is also a symbol of what happens when hope dies. As we grow older we lose hope in the myth of Santa Claus, but we never lose the dream of ‘what if’. We never lose the wonder of what lay behind those wrapped packages under the tree or the excitement when the gift we made or purchased is celebrated by the one we chose to bless with it.
Losing ‘hope’ in Santa Claus isn’t a terrible tragedy. We learn to outgrow Santa. Losing hope in other areas, on the other hand, can cripple us for life or, at best leave us bruised, battered and hobbling along the path we call life.
We put hope in relationships, careers, and our health. But relationships fail. Jobs come to an end. We come to a point in our lives when we realize…we’re old, and with age can come the realization that some of our dreams just simply will not come true.
Hope fails when our hope is placed in things that, because of time and circumstance, fail. Even the best of relationships will end with death. Jobs and careers change with society. Aging is a natural consequence of time.
Hope that endures the tests of time can only come through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Relationship isn’t an object, it’s an organism. It’s not something you do; it’s something you work on every day. Hope that is built on a love relationship with God never ever fails because love never fails.
Too often we put our hope in God and when things don’t go the way we ‘hope’ we instinctively play the blame game. God’s an easy one to blame. You can’t see Him. He makes all these claims to be powerful and loving and merciful and just yet, we are surrounded by hate and injustice and death. But in those quiet, brutally honest times with our thoughts we have to admit that the pain we suffer isn’t the result of God, but the actions of evil people around us.
Hope built on God will not spare us the pain and the bruises of life. Hope built on God may not immediately take away the pain of divorce or the crippling action of disease or the consequences of addictive behavior or our poor choices.
Hope built on God will enable us to grow in relationship with Him and help us to endure all the trials of life. Hope in earthly things will fail. Hope in God never fails because all of God’s love is poured out on us through His Spirit and it fills our inner being with peace in the midst of the storm.
PRAYER: Holy God, I look around me and see so many things that have failed in my life. Some of those things are a result of my own stupid choices. Some are result of unrealistic expectations of myself, others or even you. I ask that your Holy Spirit would empower me to place all my hope in you so that I can have the inner peace I need to endure life because of your love. In Jesus name I pray this. Amen.
But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. Ephesians 4:7
We went to a candy shop once to get salt-water taffy. There’s was the best! It was one of those old-time candy shops where the salt-water taffy was in baskets. You could take a small container and choose the kind and amount of each flavor.
I enjoyed watching the little children being given a container and permission to choose. Some were very meticulous, choosing each piece carefully. Some would plunge their hands deep into the basket and try to get as much as possible into their tiny hands so that they could fill their basket with their favorite flavor. Try as they might, they couldn’t get the whole basket in their hands at once, but that didn’t stop them from trying.
Grace is like that large container of our favorite taffy. Each individual piece of taffy represents the times we fail Jesus. It may be a word spoken that never should have been heard. It may be a decision which ended up hurting your stand for Christ and/or those around you. It could be the inability for you to forgive someone who has hurt you deeply.
Time after time we go to the basket of grace. Because of our sin we reach deeply into the basket and pull out as much as we can. But the supply never lessens and there is never a lack. God’s grace is given to us according to Christ’s desire to give. We can never use it up. We can never deplete the supply. He chooses to give us an unlimited supply of grace to get us through the tough times of life, to heal the wounds of our soul, to sweeten our lives with forgiveness.
What are you struggling with today? Is it fear of the future? Reach deep into the basket of grace. Pull out all the promises of God’s constant presence and protection. Do you struggle with an addiction or shameful habit? Plunge you hand deep into the basket of God’s grace and fill your fingers with God’s forgiveness and power to conquer the frustration of not being able to life in victory. Are you suffering the scars of a life battered by abuse and anger? Dig down deep into the promises that Jesus’ desire is to heal you of those bruises. Taste the sweetness of a life no longer affected by the past.
God doesn’t give us grace according to our need; He gives it according to His vast, endless supply through Jesus Christ.
Go ahead. Walk into the candy shop of God’s grace. Take your fill. Enjoy the sweetness of God’s provision for your soul. You’ll never find Him lacking. You’ll never be alone.
PRAYER: Father God, No one knows the pain I harbor deep in my soul except you. No one understands the pain I struggle with on a daily basis. Pain due to fear, anger, my past, shame and guilt haunts me daily. Forgive me for my failings. Help me to taste the sweetness of your Grace. Empower me through Your Spirit to conquer the things in my life that keep me from relationship with you. Thank you for Your unending supply of Grace through Jesus Christ. Amen.
Buy the truth and do not sell it— wisdom, instruction and insight as well. Proverbs 23:23
When you want something of value you save every penny to get it. Let’s say, for example, you are a collector of fine art and you find a rare painting by your favorite artist, You decide you MUST have this painting so you plan on how to get it.
You give up other things of less importance; cut back on other expenses; perhaps get a second job. You study up on this particular painting and find out all you can about it. You become an ‘expert’ on this cherished of all possessions and the artist who created it.
After all your labors, on that day of all days, if you’ve worked hard and scrimped and saved, the time arrives. You go to the seller to make the purchase. You examine it one more time making sure there are no flaws and that everything is just as it should be. Once assured of this you lay down all that you have to make that cherished possession yours. Success has come. The fruit of all your labor and sacrifice has come. Let the celebration begin.
Now that the picture is hanging securely on the wall, how much would you sell it for? You would no doubt look at me incredulously. “Sell it? I just bought it!” you say. “Do you realize how much I’ve given up for it? The ball games I’ve missed. The fishing trips I’ve passed up? The party invitations I’ve passed on? It’s NOT for sale. No amount of money in the world would be enough. It’s mine.”
Solomon, in all of his wisdom, had enough money to buy anything and everything he wanted. Yet he tells us in Proverbs 23:23 what is really important: Truth. In our world of relativity Truth with a capital ‘T’ is hard to come by. We’ve bought into the idea that Truth is what you make it. What’s true for me isn’t true for you. Honesty is dependent on the situation. Wisdom changes with every new philosophy and whim of mindless, science based religion.
As Christ-followers, each of us is given Truth by the God of the universe, through His Word (the Bible) and His Son Jesus Christ. He has given us His Holy Spirit so that we can gain wisdom in understanding His ways and insight into how to walk this journey we call life. Seek after the Truth He has to offer us by drawing close to Him in relationship. Read His Word. It is still the only source of real truth available. Pray daily and often. What a marvelous opportunity prayer is. To think that we as mere mortals can talk personally with the Creator of the Universe! Don’t let past mistakes and your inability to understand God completely keep you from spending time getting to know Him. As God’s cherished possession, He has given all He has to acquire you and He’ll never let you go.
PRAYER: Father God, there are so many voices that are calling out to me to be tolerant of this or accepting of that. There are so ideas out there that confuse me as to what is right and wrong. I confess to you that I’ve not always followed you as I should. I ask for Your Holy Spirit to empower me to grow in relationship and understanding of Your ways so that they become a part of my daily existence. Thank you for giving so much so that I can live in Truth. In Jesus name, Amen.
Mike Fisk & Built with Grace 