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Category Archives: Obeying God

Fresh starts and second chances

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I have a love/hate relationship with January 1st. I love the New Year because it represents a time of fresh starts, new commitments, and second chances. I hate the New Year because it usually reminds me I need to be more disciplined, give up something in which I’ve overindulged (chocolate and ice cream for instance), and generally get back on track in several areas.

I’m going to make a few of confessions as a way to confirm my “fresh starts.” Please feel free to hold me accountable. Are you ready? Here we go:

  • I have not been eating well the last few months. It started during our move from Midland to Houston in July. I’ve been pretty much eating what I want, when I want it. It’s not healthy and my jeans definitely know what I’ve been doing.
  • I slacked off in memorizing Scripture during the latter half of the year. I started 2011 off pretty well, but I allowed our move and a big deadline to push it to the back burner.
  • I sometimes allow email to distract me from the most important communication of the day. A couple of years ago God showed me that I should make my time with Him first priority. Email, Facebook, and household chores can often become black holes for my time. What I think is a “quick minute” turns into much longer.

Now, that I’ve opened up and made myself a little vulnerable I will also share with you my commitments to fresh starts.

  • I commit to healthy eating in 2012. I will not be legalistic; I will occasionally enjoy treats. But I will regularly feed my body with the good foods God gave us to eat – fruits, vegetables, and lean meats. Oh yeah, and not to excess!
  • I renew my commitment to Scripture memory. This month I will begin memorizing new passages from the book of Ephesians. I will also get back on track with regular review of previously memorized passages. (If you are interested in Scripture memory, check out the resources available on the free resources page.)
  • I also renew my commitment to make time with God my very first priority each day.

I am so thankful that God gives us chances to begin again. When we fall down, He picks us up and sets our feet back on the right path! And He also gives us each other for encouragement and accountability. That’s exactly why I shared all this with you – encouragement and accountability.

Have you made any commitments to fresh starts for 2012? Feel free to share!

 

Monday Minute in the Word – 2 Corinthians 8:1-5

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There’s no better way to start the week than by filling up with God’s Word. So each Monday morning join me here to take a brief, but reflective look into a passage of Scripture.  

Now I want you to know, dear brothers and sisters, what God in his kindness has done through the churches in Macedonia. 2They are being tested by many troubles, and they are very poor. But they are also filled with abundant joy, which has overflowed in rich generosity.

3 For I can testify that they gave not only what they could afford, but far more. And they did it of their own free will. 4 They begged us again and again for the privilege of sharing in the gift for the believers in Jerusalem. 5 They even did more than we had hoped, for their first action was to give themselves to the Lord and to us, just as God wanted them to do.  2 Corinthians 8:1-5, NLT

Halfway through the first century, many Christians in Jerusalem lived in extreme poverty. When the Macedonian Christians learned of their need they immediately acted to relieve it.

Read verses 2 and 3 again. Was giving easy for them? If not, why not?

When my three children were still at home, they frequently offered to help me when I had a long list of chores. However, they usually rejected the tasks I needed help with the most because they required too much effort.

Once when this happened God pointed out to me that I often do the same thing with Him. I say I am willing and ready to serve him, but when he gives me direction I sometimes hesitate to obey. His plan may not be what I had in mind. I may prefer an easier task. What happened to my willing obedience?

The Macedonian Christians provide an example of  predetermined obedience. 2 Corinthians 8:5 tells us they said “yes” to God in advance of his specific direction. They were completely committed to obedience whatever the cost might be. Although they were struggling financially, when God revealed the great need of the Christians in Jerusalem they quickly obeyed God and gave more than they could afford.

Have you ever struggled to obey God because it was too difficult? Or because obedience carried a great cost?

 

How could committment to “give yourself to the Lord” help with future obedience?

 

Sometimes I wish God would send me an email

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While I was folding clothes this morning I noticed something odd about my son’s new socks. The still bright white athletic sock had a bold red “R” stitched prominently on the toe. I pulled its mate from the dryer and there it was: a bold red “L!”

I don’t know about you, but this was a new one for me. However my husband – who really does know almost everything – declared he had seen that before and “yes, they do make some socks that fit more naturally to your left and right feet.” Go figure. It takes an engineer to inform me about “fitted socks.”

How helpful! The manufacturer put instructions on the socks. The little red “L” means: “Put this one on your left foot.” And the little red “R” means: “Put this one on your right foot.”

Wouldn’t it be great if the Christian life was like that? It would sure be easier and less stressful if God sent step-by-step instructions with every opportunity or decision? What I would really like is a detailed email. It could be in my inbox each morning with everything I need for that day. “Say yes to this and no to that.” “Don’t even think about going there!” And so on. Yes, that would be great!

But wait. According to 2 Peter 1:3, God has already given us “everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him…” This means that God has already provided all I need to know to live the life He requires and the power to do it.

First, the Bible is “a lamp for my feet and a light on my path” (Psalm 119:105). God reveals Himself and His ways to us in His Word. Studying His commands and character will equip us with knowledge and wisdom to make godly decisions. The trouble is we actually have to read and study it. Remember the man whose “delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night?” He is “like a tree planted by streams of water which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither” (Psalm 1:2-3). I want to be like that.

Second, God has given us His Spirit. If you have been born again, you have the Holy Spirit residing within you. His presence is so precious that Jesus told the disciples it was better for Him to leave them so the Spirit could come (John 16:7). The Spirit, our Counselor, guides us into all truth. He whispers to us what He hears from the Father (John 16:13). The Spirit also works through us with the same power that raised Christ from the dead! (Eph 1:19-21; Eph 3:7; Col 1:29)

Third, we have the church, the body of Christ. God intends for every Christian to be a connected, active member of a local church. Not only do we have a place of service, but it is there that we are prepared and equipped for service and built up and matured in the faith.

The Word. The Spirit. The Church. Everything we need for life and godliness. Are you missing any of these?

One Wrong Turn Can Take You to Florida

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A couple of weeks ago when my husband and I were in Houston we saw a sad message on a digital sign on I-10. It read: “Elderly Katy couple missing.” The sign also described their car and posted a contact number.

Two days later, Wayne read a news story that they had been found in Florida. The married couple, both in their 70’s, had left a family gathering to drive about one mile to another family member’s home. They took one wrong turn – just one. Three days and 524 miles later a state trooper found them at a truck weigh station in Florida. (According to one report I read neither one suffers from dementia.)

Huh. If you never turn around just one wrong turn can take you a long way from where you are need to be. True in driving. Even more true in following Jesus.

All throughout Scripture, God calls His wayward people to “return.” When we get off course in following Him – even one wrong turn, one small compromise – we will take off on a trajectory that leads us far away from Him.

Again and again in Scripture God calls His people to return. What does that mean?

  • First, we must stop going the wrong direction. Stop doing the things that are contrary to the nature of God. Oh yeah, I’m talking sin.
  • Then we must turn around and come back to Him. Humble ourselves and agree with God that we were wrong. True repentance involves a little grieving and mourning. (See James 4:7-10.)
  • Then we must closely follow Him. Move when He moves. Stop when He stops. Turn when He turns.

That way we will end up where Jesus wants us to be. And not in Florida. Unless of course, that’s where Jesus wants you to be!

Lord, help me be careful

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When we think about the attributes of God, what comes to our minds first? Maybe, loving, gracious, or forgiving. Where does “just” and “holy” fall on our list? Somewhere near the bottom?

God is loving, but He is also just. We need to keep in mind the whole character of God to respond to Him as we should. King David understood this. Psalm 100 begins like this:

I will sing of your love and justice. I will praise you, LORD with songs. I will be careful to live a blameless life – when will you come to my aid? I will lead a life of integrity in my own home. Psalm 101: 1-2, NLT

David experienced God’s love, grace, and forgiveness multiple times throughout his life. Chosen to be king. Protection from Saul. Victory over his enemies.

He also knew God’s justice. Heavy conviction of sin. Discipline for disobedience. Even the consequences of his sin affecting others.

David desired to live a blameless life because God is both loving and just. David longed to please God and David learned to fear the possible result of disobedience. No one knew better than David that sin can have dire consequences.

Psalm 101 voices David’s commitment to obedience to God. He longed to offer a blameless life to the God who is both loving and just. David even got very specific about how he intended to live. Read Psalm 101 below from the New Living Translation. Perhaps God will move you to make a commitment of your own to Him today.

I will sing of your love and justice, Lord.
I will praise you with songs.
I will be careful to live a blameless life—
when will you come to help me?
I will lead a life of integrity
in my own home.
I will refuse to look at
anything vile and vulgar.
I hate all who deal crookedly;
I will have nothing to do with them.
I will reject perverse ideas
and stay away from every evil.
I will not tolerate people who slander their neighbors.
I will not endure conceit and pride.

I will search for faithful people
to be my companions.
Only those who are above reproach
will be allowed to serve me.
I will not allow deceivers to serve in my house,
and liars will not stay in my presence.
My daily task will be to ferret out the wicked
and free the city of the Lord from their grip.