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I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. Psalm 139:14 (NIV)
Repeat after me:
- God said, “Let there be light and God saw there was light and that the light was good.
- God said, “Let the land and water be separate and he saw that the land and sea was good.
- God said, “Let the heavens be full of stars and galaxies and planets and it was so and God saw that it was good.
- God said, “Let there be birds and fish of many colors and sizes and varieties and God saw that they were good.
- God said, “Let there be every kind of animal that lives on the ground. Magnificent animals of many types, and God saw the animals and that they were good.
- God said, “Let there be plant life. Trees and flowers, moss and grasses to cover the earth and God saw that the plant life was good.
- Then God spoke into existence his most precious, marvelous creation when he said, “Let there be [INSERT YOUR NAME HERE].
Didn’t balk at the last one did you? Didn’t let your past hold you back from stating it? Wouldn’t allow your present weakness to keep you from stating an eternal truth? It is you know. After every step of creation God looked upon his created work and said “It is good.” It was no different when he spoke you into existence at conception.
The word ‘good’ in our English language doesn’t do the true meaning justice. God’s ‘good’ is way beyond man’s ‘excellence’ and when God made you, he saw you were good.
Don’t let your weaknesses keep you from seeing God’s handiwork in your life. Refuse to allow the poor choices you’ve made relationally, educationally, financially or spiritually detract from the reality that you are God’s special creation.
The Psalmist looked around himself at all that God had provided in the way of nature and creation. But what moved him the most? “I praise you O God because ‘I’ am wonderfully made.
When the Father spoke you into existence he knew you would fail miserably. He knew you would never amount to anything on your own. He knew you would never be able to find peace or live the life he required for salvation. That’s why he sent Jesus. That’s what Grace is all about.
You are fearfully and wonderfully made. Don’t ever let the enemy tell you different. Don’t let religion spoil your freedom in Christ. Remember, because of Jesus, when God looks at you he sees you are good.
PRAYER: Lord God in Heaven. Mighty King. Master Creator of the Universe. Daddy. I praise you for loving me in spite of my weakness and for making me your masterpiece. Thank you for a love that no one and nothing can sever. Amen.
You have six days each week for your ordinary work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath day of rest dedicated to the LORD your God. On that day no one in your household may do any work. This includes you, your sons and daughters, your male and female servants, your livestock, and any foreigners living among you. Exodus 20:9-10 (NLT)
During the ‘Good Ole’ Days’ Sundays were different! Shopping wasn’t an option because no stores were open. Even the best little boys and girls kept Sunday clothes on all day because that was proper. At least 50% of the people weren’t home for a good part of the afternoon because after church they were at someone else’s house for dinner and fellowship.
Stringent and legalistic as the rules were in those days, they had nothing on the original ‘Sabbath Day’ rules handed down to the Israelites. Work of any sort was forbidden. If you were caught working you were stoned first, then the action was investigated. Sabbath worship wasn’t an option, it was a requirement.
Then Jesus came along and taught us a valuable lesson regarding the Sabbath. He taught us that the Sabbath was made for men; men were not made for the Sabbath. Quite often Jesus got himself in trouble for what he did on the Sabbath. He did terrible things like healing people and taking away their pain. It’s interesting to note that most of these healings took place around the temple or synagogue. Why? Because Jesus was on his way to Church when an opportunity arose and he met it. Never let yourself forget, Jesus honored the Sabbath in his heart by doing Kingdom work with his hands.
Jesus changed the focus of the ‘Sabbath’ from duty to permission. There are many different views of when the Sabbath is for the Christ-follower, or if it should be followed or how it should be followed. But many of those arguments and viewpoints miss the intent of what God told us way back on the mountain.
Mankind was made for work. Some of us work with our hands, some with our heads. Some work to build things, some work to build lives. Some work to heal, some work to teach. Some work to serve, some work to provide. Work is a privilege for each of us and God has gifted us to work for his Kingdom and all work is Kingdom work for the believer.
But God’s original command was two fold. Not only are we given the privilege and giftedness to work, we are given permission to rest and reflect on all God has given us. Jesus came to teach us that the ‘rules’ of the Sabbath had been replaced with permission to worship God whenever and however we can.
The human body was made for work. The human soul was made for worship. Six days (days or your choosing) are to be set aside to work, but you have permission to set aside one day (at the least) for your soul to be refreshed and to reflect on what God is doing and calling you to do.
Do all to the Glory of God. Worship him in your work. Worship him in your play. Worship him in your rest. But take one day to let your soul catch up and focus on what God is doing in your life. He’s given you permission to do that.
PRAYER: Lord God I thank you for all you have done for me. I praise you for my giftedness and my ability to do Kingdom work for you. When my work becomes stress-filled help me remember it’s all for your glory. Thank you for the permission you gave us to take time for our souls to rest and reflect on your goodness. Amen.
Can an Ethiopian change the color of his skin? Can a leopard take away its spots? Neither can you start doing good, for you have always done evil. Jeremiah 13:23 (NLT)
It really shouldn’t surprise us, but it does. News reports come across every day of parents brutally abusing children; of domestic violence; of people we put in political office because of their integrity only to find out they lied to us.
Professional athletes fail as role models for our children while those who are out in left field attract them. Marriage is made a mockery and faith has become a ‘personal thing’ based on personal feelings and ideologies.
We ask, the question, ‘When will this all stop?’
The answer is, sadly, never. Sorry to burst your bubble, but we as humans are doomed when it comes to making the world a better place by our own initiatives. All the protest rallies and government intervention and foreign aid won’t solve the problem.
Scientific research may be able to pinpoint certain things to alleviate the symptoms of our disease. But the sad reality is, science has never been able to cure the wound of the human soul.
A brave preacher may on occasion stand before his people and preach a moving sermon against homosexuality, or divorce or pornography and be applauded for his call to repentance.
On the other hand, a preacher that stands before the congregation and speaks out against gluttony or critical spirits or intolerance will be roasted along with the beef at the dinner table.
We who are believers in Jesus Christ like to point fingers at those who don’t believe as we do. We shake our heads at those who follow after a life of sin. We create entire denominations to take a stand against this sin or that sin. But we fail to remember that we are all the same; all humans; all victims of the same disease.
When Jeremiah speaks to God’s people he reminds them that there is nothing good about them and there is nothing they can do to change. Nothing. They were evil from birth; they will be evil until the day they die.
Hopeless situation you may think? Not so. That’s why Jesus came into the world. Galatians 3:13 reminds us that Jesus didn’t take our sin away. He became our sin for us. There is nothing you can do to change your DNA. There is nothing you can do to change your past. There is nothing in your own power you can do to change your desires. Only Jesus Christ can do that when you accept his forgiveness.
Don’t be surprised at the evil around you. Don’t be surprised by the evil you fall into yourself. You are simply doing what humans do. But fear not. In Jesus Christ there is freedom in spite of yourself!
PRAYER: Lord Jesus, I’m appalled at the evil that surrounds me. I’m equally appalled at the evil I do in word, thought or deed. I praise you for the fact that even though I can’t change, you have changed me and taken my sin upon you. Praise you Lord, Amen.
An angry person stirs up conflict, and a hot-tempered person commits many sins. Proverbs 29:22
Way up in northernMinnesotaa small stream barely 40 feet wide and ankle deep begins its slow meandering south. By the time the mighty Mississippi River reaches the Gulf of Mexico, some 2,500 miles and 90 days later it is 200 feet deep and several miles wide!
The mighty Miss has been the subject of many stories throughout history. Some whimsical and romantic, some terrifying and dangerous.
The river is deceptive. Although the surface can look calm and inviting, just below the glass-like appearance is a churning monster that has taken many lives, destroyed homes and farmland and wreaked havoc in its path.
The Mississippi has a lot of similarities to anger. Anger, like theMississippi, can start relatively small. Little things like waking up late can grow as the kids are slow getting ready for school and miss the bus, the car won’t start, you get cut off on the interstate, stuck in traffic and late to work.
Like tributaries add to the Mighty Miss, life circumstances add to the anger. Co-workers fail to pull their weight, the food delivered at lunch isn’t right, and the trip home from work is every bit as frustrating.
By the time you open the front door you are just like the Mighty Miss. On the outside you may look calm and serene. But just below the surface you are ready to lash out at the smallest infraction.
Anger can be most destructive because it lurks below the surface, ready to strike. Like a raging river it destroys everything in its path, completely unconcerned about whether its destruction is of innocent or guilty parties. Anger, when unchecked can cripple us internally by leading to frustration, vindictiveness, bitterness and a critical spirit.
Physically anger can affect us too by leading to ulcers, heart problems and a variety of other maladies. Anger is a relationship buster as well.
So what can we do with anger? First of all, don’t let it grow. Take it to the Lord as soon as you sense anger beginning to grow. Jesus understands what frustration is like, He knows what it is like to be mistreated, misunderstood and wrongfully accused. He sees your attempts to do the right thing, and your failure to accomplish your goals.
Many times anger happens when we lose sight of who we are in Christ. Focusing on his love for us and his understanding of our frustrations is the first step to dealing with the anger issues. Realizing that we are not responsible for the behavior of others releases us to let God be God in the lives of those who disappoint us. Trust in God to do the right thing in his time can go a long ways to defeating anger and it’s destructive results before they happen.
PRAYER: Father God. I confess to you that I’m angry. I’m disappointed with the way life is treating me. I’m frustrated because I can’t seem to accomplish the things I set out to do. I’m tired of being falsely accused and misunderstood. Empower me with your Spirit to squelch feelings of anger before they start. Protect me from allowing my circumstances to affect my attitude. In Jesus name, Amen.
What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ. Philippians 3:8
What are you holding on to that keeps you from selling out completely for Jesus?
That’s a hard question that frankly none of us really wants to answer because it forces us to look deep within ourselves and evaluate what is really important. It’s easy to give up things we can’t hold on to anyway. You can give up your worldly possessions when they are burned in a fire or blown away by a tornado. You have no choice. They are gone.
But what about the things in life we really cherish. The relationships we’ve been building for years; the retirement package we’ve worked so hard and so wisely to build; the children we’ve raised. When they get taken from you is your attitude one of acceptance or does their loss drive you to despair, anger, bitterness and frustration.
The easy answer to all this (as if there were an ‘easy answer) is to ask yourself if what you are getting in return is better than what you have. The problem with this ‘easy answer’ is that too often we have to wait until all the cards are played out before we know if we are better off than we were before.
The Apostle Paul was, by the standards of his world at the time, destined for fame and glory. He was all the things men in his era would hope to be. Educated, powerful, highly-esteemed. Yet one day on the road toDamascushis life was changed forever. Everything Paul had worked to build was gone in a flash of light.
Later, he writes to the church inPhilippiand says, “Looking back, I now realize that all the things I fought for, all the things I worked so hard to attain, all the things I thought were important and that I couldn’t live without, pale in comparison to knowing Jesus.
Paul compared everything he considered dear to garbage! He looked at what he had then and stood it side-by-side with what he had found in Jesus and all the things that he’d fought so hard for looked like nothing more that a stinking, smelly, rotten pile of trash. Yuk.
So, the question that comes to each of our minds must be this. What are you fighting so hard to keep? When you compare those items to knowing Christ, how do they compare?
It’s easy to answer this question about some things, but what about the ‘good things’ you have? Is your ministry more important than the one you minister for? Is your family more important than the one who created families? Is the money you are fighting so hard to keep more important than the one who ‘owns the cattle on a thousand hills’?
Nothing, absolutely nothing you can think of, or hold in your hand or dream in wildest dreams can compare to knowing Christ and until you are ready to give it all up, you will never experience the freedom he died to give you.
PRAYER: Lord Jesus, in my heart you are worth everything to me, but in my actions it’s so easy to put other things in front of you. Empower me with your Spirit to be able to give everything up for you. Amen.
Mike Fisk & Built with Grace 