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Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Psalm 51:10
Can you hear the emotion in King David’s ‘voice’ as he pens these words? I see him hunched over a table in the far reaches of the palace, away from everyone. Surrounded by wealth, holding the power of the kingdom in his hands, considered mighty, powerful, invincible. Yet there he sits. His hands covering his face as he ponders the situation.
“How did I let it go this far? How did I let this happen? What will the people say? What’s next for me in God’s eyes? How can I fight off a bear, a lion, a giant and countless enemies and let this happen to me?”
The list goes on as David recounts the things in life that led him to this point. At that time it was perhaps the lowest point in his life, the time when his affair with Bathsheba was exposed. This well-known verse is or has been the cry of each of us as we’ve traveled this journey of life.
Our spirit is right. We know what we want to do. We charge straight ahead into battle with the intent of living for Jesus. We determine that nothing will keep us from the goal of living what we believe.
Then life happens. It’s not the big things that pull us down right away. It starts with the little things, tiny lapses that seem insignificant. But like a tumor they grow unseen until we realize we’ve strayed far from the path. The goal is no longer even in sight for us.
That’s when grace steps in. Grace says that no matter how far we stray from the path we intent to travel we can be forgiven.
Notice the words again. David asks his Father to ‘create a pure heart’. Only God can create something. To create means to make something completely new. The heart was considered the seat of emotion and the source of our thoughts and desires. David isn’t asking God to fix his heart, he’s asking for a new one. That’s the key to making meaningful and effective change in your life; coming to a point when you reach out to God and say “I can’t do this anymore. My DNA won’t allow me to make the changes I need to make. Make my heart (my emotions, my desires, and my passions) new. The old ones aren’t working
Only after our passions are made new can we hope to have the strength to change. Our determination to follow Christ unwaveringly can only happen after we have confessed our sin and by grace received forgiveness through Jesus Christ. Our spirit (the source of our actions) will only be pure when our heart is made new.
PRAYER: Father God. I’m so tired of trying and failing and trying and failing and trying and failing again. I try to hard to live for you without much success. Like David, I ask that you would create a new heart within me. I confess my sin and weakness. I acknowledge my need for you. I accept your forgiveness and grace through Jesus Christ. Help me go in your strength to tackle the issues I face today. In your name I pray, Amen.
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8 (NLT)
When a witness takes the stand in a court of law they really have only one job to do. Restate the facts of the case as they saw it. They aren’t asked for opinions. They aren’t asked to guess what the person was thinking or why they did what they did. They are only asked for what they saw.
When Jesus left earth to ascend into the presence of his Heavenly Father he left us with one charge; to be his witnesses. Witnesses aren’t flippantly chosen. They hold, in their hands, the success for or against the person being charged. You most likely wouldn’t want someone who seeks your demise to take the stand in your favor. You want someone who will stand up for you, who will refute any false accusations leveled against you.
That’s what Jesus wants from us. We aren’t asked to take a stand for our church or our denominational affiliation. We aren’t asked to look at others around us and determine if their actions are noble or not. We are only asked to tell what Jesus has done for us. I don’t need to explain or defend God and his ways. I only need to tell what Jesus has done for me.
Every day we come in contact with people who are beaten up, frustrated, scared, worried or wounded. They don’t need to hear how they need to change. They know that. They don’t need to hear how much they are hurting themselves. They know that too. What people really need to hear is about Jesus and what he has done in your life.
When he left us with the challenge to be his witnesses he didn’t leave us without power. The early disciples were told to ‘wait for God’s power to come on them’ before they began to testify of Christ. In the same way we need to be certain that as we take the stand to testify for Christ we are empowered by his Spirit.
You have everything you need to make a difference in the lives of people around you. Your family needs to know what Jesus has done for you on a daily basis. You don’t need to be a Biblical Scholar to tell others the truth of what God has done in your life. You don’t need to be a pastor or a missionary to share the love of Jesus. You don’t need a sermon outline or a list of Bible verses. All you need is to be willing and open to God’s leading. Be a witness. Tell your story. Jesus brought you to the place you are in so others could hear what he means to you.
PRAYER: Father God, I am so thankful for what you have done in my life. Thank you for grace. Thank you for mercy. Thank you for forgiving my sins. I’m so unworthy of your love. Help me to be a witness for you to those I come in contact with whether that means a smile, a kind word or the opportunity to share verbally what you mean to me. In Jesus name, Amen.
Each of you is now a new person. You are becoming more and more like your Creator, and you will understand him better. Colossians 3:10 (CEV)
I’ll be honest with you. I’m not a runner. Never have been much of a runner and don’t really intend on becoming one. I love walking much better. When I’m walking I can enjoy the scenery more than when I’m gasping for breath. I’ve also noticed that when you are walking and you meet another walker, they smile and may even say hi. Runners? Not so much. Every runner I’ve met has either just passed by in a blur or were too busy grimacing to respond to my greeting.
If you are a runner and enjoy it, God bless you. I think you’re crazy, but that’s not important.
In spite of my disdain for running I have to admit that it does have it’s benefits and much of what you learn about running can aid you in life in general.
Take for instance the long distance runner. I have a friend who loves to run marathons. He’s run in several major marathons across the country and even though he’s never one a major one, he loves to compete in them and set a goal for where he will place. He considers himself a winner if he meets or exceeds his goal.
One thing I’ve learned from him as we’ve talked about his hobby is the importance of pacing yourself. When he begins a marathon he’s well aware that he can’t sprint the entire distance. He’ll burn out way to quickly. The distance runner learns how to ‘listen’ to his/her body, when to push, when to lay back, when to stop. The distance runner is aware of distractions but focused on the prize at the end.
A few years ago the story is told of a young runner who got confused on a race course. He was one step away from going to the state tournament and was favored to win at state. Tragedy struck however when he became confused and ran the wrong way. He realized his mistake and turned around. He didn’t get to go to state because of his miscue, but he finished the race well.
That’s what life is really about. Running the race, finishing well and realizing that distractions and disappointments may come but they will never keep us from the ultimate goal, the finish line.
That’s what Grace is about. Grace isn’t about winning the race, it’s about finishing. Grace isn’t about running a perfect race, it’s about running. Grace isn’t about performance on self but reliance on Jesus Christ. Religion demands perfection now. Grace knows perfection is both immediate (through Jesus’ sacrifice) and future (when our faith is made complete in his presence).
When you ask Christ into your life your eternal destiny is finished, but the race must still be won. You may not finish well, but you will finish. You may not run a perfect race, but you must run. You may be distracted, stumble or go off course. But you can always come back.
PRAYER: Father God, thank you that through the forgiveness Jesus offers my eternal destiny is settled. I realize I must still run the race. Thank you that you aren’t surprised when I stumble, go off course or don’t run to my potential. Empower me to strive for excellence in my running for your sake. Amen.
Don’t rip your clothes to show your sorrow. Instead, turn back to me with broken hearts. I am merciful, kind, and caring. I don’t easily lose my temper, and I don’t like to punish. Joel 2:13 (CEV)
When I was in about sixth grade a couple of friends of mine decided to have an overnight campout in one of the guys backyard. The tent was only big enough for two guys but they said I could hang out with them if I wanted to sleep under the stars. I went home and asked permission from my mom. Problem was, she said no. I could go back to play, but had to be home by dark.
I never went home that night. I lied to my friends about the pseudo permission I received and had an absolutely miserable time. They didn’t know it of course. I kept it well hidden as we played cards, sat around the campfire and told stories.
I slept under the stars that night with nothing but my light jacket. I assured my friends it was by my choice to sleep that way. I was cold. I was scared. Every little sound awakened me from a fitful slumber.
The odd part was, I was within eyesight of home. Just a short walk to a warm bed. In spite of that I was determined to do things my way. Even when I saw my dad drive by at about dusk I ignored the guilt and pain associated with knowing I was wrong! I took the long way home late the next morning. I was hungry, cold, tired and guilty. When I got home the next morning I was grounded for my actions. Both of my parents reminded me of the rules and assured me of their love, but that didn’t change the consequences.
You may be living the same way today. You are determined to live life your way. You know what God requires. You know the path you should take. You know that what you are doing is displeasing to God. You may even do as I did that night and try to convince yourself that everything is fine and life is good.
When you do things your way and leave God out there is an emptiness that nothing can fill. Relationships won’t fill it. Religion won’t fill it. Money, toys and social status won’t fill it. The only thing that will fill that emptiness is living for Jesus.
The prophet Joel wrote to a stubborn, rebellious people. People who’d seen God work many times but refused to follow him. Through the prophet God sends the people ofIsraelthe same lesson he sends us. ‘Come home. Get serious about life and living. I don’t want your rituals. I want your heart. I don’t want words. I want a passionate relationship with you. I’m patient. I understand your plight. I won’t lose my temper with you.’
PRAYER: Father God I have tried so many things to fill this void in my life. I confess that I am afraid to come home to you. I’m so used to people responding to my failures with anger and hostility I expect the same from you. Thank you for your patience, love, mercy and grace. Forgive me for being stubborn. Empower me to live for you. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.
Mike Fisk & Built with Grace 