Read: Nehemiah 6
“My God, think on Tobiah and Sanballat according to these their works, and on the prophetess Noadiah and the rest of the prophets who would have put me in fear.” Nehemiah 6:14
Examine:
In this chapter Nehemiah’s enemies switch tactics. Instead of using outright threats they move into the realm of deceit. With each encounter, Nehemiah stood strong because he would only take cues from God; not man.
Apply:
There are three weaknesses in me that open the door for Satan to take me down in deceit. The first is fear of man issues. Fear of man does not mean that I sit around and tremble or that I become afraid of a person. Fear of man means that I allow the opinions of others to shape me because my pride doesn’t want to appear foolish in front of them. Fear of man means that I allow the words of others to take precedent over the voice of God in my life.
Wanting an easy way out is the second weakness that allows me to be deceived. The Bible says that the road that leads to life is narrow. A mission from God takes time to develop, requires much growth in me, and demands the sacrifice of my life. Satan litters the pathway with promises of relief and rest. If my heart is seeking a way to lessen the cost, then I am a sitting duck for the enemy.
Not knowing God’s desire of me is the final weakness that opens the door for me to find myself blinded by deception. My God is not silent. He speaks, He draws near, and He leads. He is not a God of confusion or chaos. The problem lies in that I do not always hear what He is saying. Competing demands drown out the voice of God. Finding clarity from God demands margin to sit still and necessitates me putting aside all things to pursue His will.
Pray:
Today it is all too much. That is the voice that I hear stirring inside of me. The pressure of all that is before me has captured my focus and I find myself sinking in a sea of doubt and anxiousness. This is a familiar place. As I learn to walk on water I often make the mistake of losing sight of You Jesus. From this place, I turn my eyes back to you and extend my hand.
Lift me up today Jesus. Take away my fear of man, stir in me a resolve that does not look for shortcuts, and give me the power to subdue any thought that competes with the will of our Father. You and I are joint heirs. You are my Savior. You are my advocate. You are my model. The cup that I carry is Yours, the yolk on my shoulder is the one You have given, and the passion that stirs in my heart is Your heart for those You said I should give my life to serve. All things in heaven are available to You and You challenged me to be so bold as to ask for the things needed to accomplish the will of our Father. So I am calling on Your word today. You know the size of my lack and the enormity of my task. I am calling on You to tangibly close the gap today and strengthen my heart to continue to run after You.
Friday, September 30, 2011
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Two Expressions of Anger
Read: Nehemiah 5
“I was very angry when I heard their cry and these words.” Nehemiah 5:6
Examine:
The Word teaches that anger is not always sinful. Leaders have to understand Holy anger and how to use it.
Apply:
There are two expressions of my anger. It will either manifest itself in passion or rage. Passionate anger has the ability to defend others, cast vision, and overcome hardship. Passionate anger is what sets captives free, starts revolutions, and overcomes huge obstacles. Passionate anger captures my attention, destroys my apathy, and forces me to get involved. Passionate anger harnessed into a righteous response is a good thing.
Rage on the other hand serves no purpose for good. It only destroys me and harms anyone it touches. Rage exploits others, justifies anything, and hardens my heart. Rage will take me places I don’t want to go, keep me there longer than I thought I’d stay, and cost me far more than I ever would have imagined. Rage is arrogant, vicious, and its thirst cannot be quenched. Rage hiding under a false veil of righteousness is among the most destructive of evils.
Pray:
Holy Spirit, I call to You this morning. I want my anger stirred over things that break our Father’s heart and once stirred I desire nothing else than to see it be channeled into a passionate response that honors the name of our Great Father. Rage is the friend of no one, but passionate anger channeled into a righteous response sets captives free.
I also need Your discernment over what really breaks the Father’s heart. The line between righteous indignation and my flesh just being ticked off is difficult to see. In the Name of being Righteous I can justify a lot of behavior and say some really nasty things. I hate that part of me and confess it to You. I have destroyed relationships, held on to bitterness, and exploited others all under the false banner of protecting what is right.
You also know how we are struggling right now. Brandy and I face uncertainty that we have never before experienced. It is hard to stand in the gap for those who have lost hope and not lose our own. This creates a pressure that makes containing my anger difficult. I beg for Your wisdom to guide my thoughts and actions today. Make my hands strong, my feet fast, and fuel in me a great resolve to see this task through to the end.
“I was very angry when I heard their cry and these words.” Nehemiah 5:6
Examine:
The Word teaches that anger is not always sinful. Leaders have to understand Holy anger and how to use it.
Apply:
There are two expressions of my anger. It will either manifest itself in passion or rage. Passionate anger has the ability to defend others, cast vision, and overcome hardship. Passionate anger is what sets captives free, starts revolutions, and overcomes huge obstacles. Passionate anger captures my attention, destroys my apathy, and forces me to get involved. Passionate anger harnessed into a righteous response is a good thing.
Rage on the other hand serves no purpose for good. It only destroys me and harms anyone it touches. Rage exploits others, justifies anything, and hardens my heart. Rage will take me places I don’t want to go, keep me there longer than I thought I’d stay, and cost me far more than I ever would have imagined. Rage is arrogant, vicious, and its thirst cannot be quenched. Rage hiding under a false veil of righteousness is among the most destructive of evils.
Pray:
Holy Spirit, I call to You this morning. I want my anger stirred over things that break our Father’s heart and once stirred I desire nothing else than to see it be channeled into a passionate response that honors the name of our Great Father. Rage is the friend of no one, but passionate anger channeled into a righteous response sets captives free.
I also need Your discernment over what really breaks the Father’s heart. The line between righteous indignation and my flesh just being ticked off is difficult to see. In the Name of being Righteous I can justify a lot of behavior and say some really nasty things. I hate that part of me and confess it to You. I have destroyed relationships, held on to bitterness, and exploited others all under the false banner of protecting what is right.
You also know how we are struggling right now. Brandy and I face uncertainty that we have never before experienced. It is hard to stand in the gap for those who have lost hope and not lose our own. This creates a pressure that makes containing my anger difficult. I beg for Your wisdom to guide my thoughts and actions today. Make my hands strong, my feet fast, and fuel in me a great resolve to see this task through to the end.
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Pausing to Get Right
Read: Nehemiah 4
““Don’t be afraid of them. Put your minds on the Master, great and awesome, and then fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes.” Nehemiah 4:14
Examine:
Nehemiah knew his task, knew his enemy, and knew his weaknesses. Nehemiah also knew his God. In moments of great risk he allowed his knowledge of God to push him forward past his knowledge of his challenges.
Apply:
As I sit and quietly pray I realize that my knowledge is weak. My understanding of the task, my knowledge of the enemy, and my awareness of weaknesses are all lacking. Most critically, my knowledge of God is too weak to press me forward.
Pray:
Holy Spirit, I sense that You are stirring something deep in me this morning. I can’t put words to it yet, but I feel it reverberating in my soul. I feel like I am on the eve of launching a major offensive only I realize that my plans are not right. Instead of charging ahead with something I know is not exactly right, I want to pause this morning.
As I have continued to sit silent this morning and listen, I feel like I now hear what You are saying. Just to ensure that we are on the same page I want to speak back to You the three stirrings I hear in my heart. My marriage is not strong enough to endure the battle ahead, the anger I carry in my heart is going to work against me, and the message I am carrying is not completely aligned with the one You want me to have. If those are wrong correct me. If not I submit to You today, trusting that you will give me revelation as to what to do with these stirrings.
““Don’t be afraid of them. Put your minds on the Master, great and awesome, and then fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes.” Nehemiah 4:14
Examine:
Nehemiah knew his task, knew his enemy, and knew his weaknesses. Nehemiah also knew his God. In moments of great risk he allowed his knowledge of God to push him forward past his knowledge of his challenges.
Apply:
As I sit and quietly pray I realize that my knowledge is weak. My understanding of the task, my knowledge of the enemy, and my awareness of weaknesses are all lacking. Most critically, my knowledge of God is too weak to press me forward.
Pray:
Holy Spirit, I sense that You are stirring something deep in me this morning. I can’t put words to it yet, but I feel it reverberating in my soul. I feel like I am on the eve of launching a major offensive only I realize that my plans are not right. Instead of charging ahead with something I know is not exactly right, I want to pause this morning.
As I have continued to sit silent this morning and listen, I feel like I now hear what You are saying. Just to ensure that we are on the same page I want to speak back to You the three stirrings I hear in my heart. My marriage is not strong enough to endure the battle ahead, the anger I carry in my heart is going to work against me, and the message I am carrying is not completely aligned with the one You want me to have. If those are wrong correct me. If not I submit to You today, trusting that you will give me revelation as to what to do with these stirrings.
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Home by 5:00
Read: Nehemiah 4
“And they all plotted together to come and fight against Jerusalem, to injure and cause confusion and failure in it.” Nehemiah 4:8
Examine:
In the opening verse of Nehemiah we see a group of people rising up to mock his work. Nehemiah aggressively prays against these people. Following his prayer things went from bad to worse. Now his enemies switch from simple mockery to plans of attack. For Nehemiah this would be the start of his greatest leadership challenge. What does one do when the task is tall and prayers for relief are answered by increased challenge?
Apply:
Anytime God calls me to a task I can expect two things: He is going to use it to refine me and the enemy will try to use it to destroy me. I have to be honest with myself. There is a large part of me that wants the victory without the dark nights of battle. I want to pray down the heavens, see my obstacles instantaneously dissolved and be home by 5:00.
Pray:
In the midst of this season of great faith I am often sidetracked most by my own emotions. As things heat up and the journey becomes challenging I am often tempted to quit. I don’t want to be refined and I despise attacks. I look at men like Nehemiah and I am challenged by their faith as I see the holes that exist in mine. I am stirred today as I see Nehemiah’s resolve and trust in You put on display. There are no shortcuts in this journey. I pray that I not allow my desire to be done to consume my need to patiently endure to the end. You have promised You will complete what You have started as long as I do not grow weary in doing what is right. That is my single source of hope today and I cling to it with one had, pick up my tools with the other, and continue my work on the task you have given to me. Help me to be holy today, fill my heart with worship, and empower me to be faithful.
“And they all plotted together to come and fight against Jerusalem, to injure and cause confusion and failure in it.” Nehemiah 4:8
Examine:
In the opening verse of Nehemiah we see a group of people rising up to mock his work. Nehemiah aggressively prays against these people. Following his prayer things went from bad to worse. Now his enemies switch from simple mockery to plans of attack. For Nehemiah this would be the start of his greatest leadership challenge. What does one do when the task is tall and prayers for relief are answered by increased challenge?
Apply:
Anytime God calls me to a task I can expect two things: He is going to use it to refine me and the enemy will try to use it to destroy me. I have to be honest with myself. There is a large part of me that wants the victory without the dark nights of battle. I want to pray down the heavens, see my obstacles instantaneously dissolved and be home by 5:00.
Pray:
In the midst of this season of great faith I am often sidetracked most by my own emotions. As things heat up and the journey becomes challenging I am often tempted to quit. I don’t want to be refined and I despise attacks. I look at men like Nehemiah and I am challenged by their faith as I see the holes that exist in mine. I am stirred today as I see Nehemiah’s resolve and trust in You put on display. There are no shortcuts in this journey. I pray that I not allow my desire to be done to consume my need to patiently endure to the end. You have promised You will complete what You have started as long as I do not grow weary in doing what is right. That is my single source of hope today and I cling to it with one had, pick up my tools with the other, and continue my work on the task you have given to me. Help me to be holy today, fill my heart with worship, and empower me to be faithful.
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Leaving the Naysayer
Read: Nehemiah 2
“I answered them, The God of heaven will prosper us; therefore we His servants will arise and build, but you have no portion or right or memorial in Jerusalem.” Nehemiah 2:20
Examine:
One of the great tools Satan uses to disrupt the work of God are naysayers. Naysayers always show up to argue, discourage, and shutdown people who are trying to do something great. Nehemiah robbed his naysayers of their power by pointing them back to God’s power, acknowledging his submission to God as a servant, and resisting the desire to argue back.
Apply:
The choices I make in this life have only three outcomes. They will have a positive impact on eternity, no impact on eternity, or a negative impact on eternity. The scriptures remind me of this when they speak of the power of my words. Words either bring life or steal it. It is an easy thing to be negative. In any great task there are very few things than can go right, but there is immeasurable opportunity for failure. I need to make sure that I do not walk the path of a naysayer. When I hear of the work of others my words to them should make an investment in their endeavor and encourage them to persevere until the end.
.
Pray:
Over the past few years You placed me in positions that allowed me to take part in many ministry opportunities. It saddens me to think of how many times I collapsed to the pressure placed on me and shot holes in the work of others. In doing this I missed the chance to invest in these people and their work. I served as a hindrance and a stumbling block and for that I find repentance in my heart. There is no going back and changing the past but there is a great chance to choices in the future that will positively echo throughout eternity.
Help me to be an encouragement to others as they take on great tasks from You. Give me the wisdom and insight I need to help a person see what is right about their work and help me discern how to best help them move forward with Your provision and under Your authority. Help me leave the naysayer in me behind.
“I answered them, The God of heaven will prosper us; therefore we His servants will arise and build, but you have no portion or right or memorial in Jerusalem.” Nehemiah 2:20
Examine:
One of the great tools Satan uses to disrupt the work of God are naysayers. Naysayers always show up to argue, discourage, and shutdown people who are trying to do something great. Nehemiah robbed his naysayers of their power by pointing them back to God’s power, acknowledging his submission to God as a servant, and resisting the desire to argue back.
Apply:
The choices I make in this life have only three outcomes. They will have a positive impact on eternity, no impact on eternity, or a negative impact on eternity. The scriptures remind me of this when they speak of the power of my words. Words either bring life or steal it. It is an easy thing to be negative. In any great task there are very few things than can go right, but there is immeasurable opportunity for failure. I need to make sure that I do not walk the path of a naysayer. When I hear of the work of others my words to them should make an investment in their endeavor and encourage them to persevere until the end.
.
Pray:
Over the past few years You placed me in positions that allowed me to take part in many ministry opportunities. It saddens me to think of how many times I collapsed to the pressure placed on me and shot holes in the work of others. In doing this I missed the chance to invest in these people and their work. I served as a hindrance and a stumbling block and for that I find repentance in my heart. There is no going back and changing the past but there is a great chance to choices in the future that will positively echo throughout eternity.
Help me to be an encouragement to others as they take on great tasks from You. Give me the wisdom and insight I need to help a person see what is right about their work and help me discern how to best help them move forward with Your provision and under Your authority. Help me leave the naysayer in me behind.
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Leaders Lead with...
Read: Nehemiah 2
“The king said to me, For what do you ask? So I prayed to the God of heaven. And I said to him, If it pleases the king and if your servant has found favor in your sight, I ask that you will send me to Judah, to the city of my fathers’ sepulchers, that I may rebuild it.” Nehemiah 2:4-5
Examine:
Since it was his king who had stopped the rebuilding of Jerusalem, Nehemiah risked his life by speaking these words. This was a pivotal moment in his life and it found him ready. Besides seeking God’s help in prayer, he utilized all the human resources available, including his intellectual capabilities, his past experiences, his accumulated wisdom, his role and position in life, and people with whom he came in contact (in this instance, the king of Persia).
Apply:
As I read this passage four points for leading change really jump out. The first is patience. Four months passed between the time when God broke Nehemiah’s heart and his opportunity to do something about it. When he got to Jerusalem Nehemiah displayed patience again as he road through the city without announcing his plans for being there. Leaders lead with patience.
Preparation is the second thing that jumps out at me. In his waiting Nehemiah did not sit idle. He prayed, he took time to think, and he worked through a plan. He made sure that when given a chance he could answer all the basic questions and that he could make requests for all that was needed. He knew how long it would take, the resources he would need, the location of those resources, and what would be required to get those resources. Leaders lead with patience but they ruthlessly prepare themselves in the waiting.
The third thing that grabs me is opportunity. Nehemiah did not force an opening, but he was intently looking for an opportunity. He did not base his decision for moving forward on his preparation, but rather he waited with an eye towards an open door. When his opportunity presented itself Nehemiah did not hesitate. Leaders lead with patience, they prepare ruthlessly, and they never hesitate when the right opportunity presents itself.
The final thing that I see in this story is boldness. Nehemiah did not stick a toe in the water to test the temperature. When his moment came he cannon-balled into it. He did not hold back anything. From start to finish he put it all on the line and asked for everything he needed. Leaders lead with patience, they prepare ruthlessly, they seize opportunity, and they charge the hill with boldness.
Pray:
Preparation is the mindset I need to have during seasons of waiting and boldness is the stirring drive I need during seasons of opportunity. I think my tendency at times is to get those things backwards. I pray to You today and ask that Your wisdom and Spirit lead me in applying these lessons to my life.
“The king said to me, For what do you ask? So I prayed to the God of heaven. And I said to him, If it pleases the king and if your servant has found favor in your sight, I ask that you will send me to Judah, to the city of my fathers’ sepulchers, that I may rebuild it.” Nehemiah 2:4-5
Examine:
Since it was his king who had stopped the rebuilding of Jerusalem, Nehemiah risked his life by speaking these words. This was a pivotal moment in his life and it found him ready. Besides seeking God’s help in prayer, he utilized all the human resources available, including his intellectual capabilities, his past experiences, his accumulated wisdom, his role and position in life, and people with whom he came in contact (in this instance, the king of Persia).
Apply:
As I read this passage four points for leading change really jump out. The first is patience. Four months passed between the time when God broke Nehemiah’s heart and his opportunity to do something about it. When he got to Jerusalem Nehemiah displayed patience again as he road through the city without announcing his plans for being there. Leaders lead with patience.
Preparation is the second thing that jumps out at me. In his waiting Nehemiah did not sit idle. He prayed, he took time to think, and he worked through a plan. He made sure that when given a chance he could answer all the basic questions and that he could make requests for all that was needed. He knew how long it would take, the resources he would need, the location of those resources, and what would be required to get those resources. Leaders lead with patience but they ruthlessly prepare themselves in the waiting.
The third thing that grabs me is opportunity. Nehemiah did not force an opening, but he was intently looking for an opportunity. He did not base his decision for moving forward on his preparation, but rather he waited with an eye towards an open door. When his opportunity presented itself Nehemiah did not hesitate. Leaders lead with patience, they prepare ruthlessly, and they never hesitate when the right opportunity presents itself.
The final thing that I see in this story is boldness. Nehemiah did not stick a toe in the water to test the temperature. When his moment came he cannon-balled into it. He did not hold back anything. From start to finish he put it all on the line and asked for everything he needed. Leaders lead with patience, they prepare ruthlessly, they seize opportunity, and they charge the hill with boldness.
Pray:
Preparation is the mindset I need to have during seasons of waiting and boldness is the stirring drive I need during seasons of opportunity. I think my tendency at times is to get those things backwards. I pray to You today and ask that Your wisdom and Spirit lead me in applying these lessons to my life.
Saturday, September 17, 2011
The Condition of My Heart
Read: Nehemiah 1
“Now these are Your servants and Your people, whom You have redeemed by Your great power and by Your strong hand.” Nehemiah 1:10
Examine:
The goal of leadership for a child of God should always be to have the power and hand of God leading the work. God will only give His hand and power to a leader whose heart is right. In this opening chapter Nehemiah displays the four quadrants of a leader’s heart that God honors: He was broken hearted for the condition of others, he put himself on the same level with those he desired to lead, he worshiped the greatness of God, and he pressed into a task that was humanly impossible.
Apply:
Since the results of my life will always be birthed from the content of my heart, there is nothing in life more vital than allowing God to reveal, correct, and strengthen the condition of my heart.
Pray:
“You are here because you prayed for the Lord to judge you severely, to correct you ruthlessly, so that you could serve Him more perfectly.” I read those words in a book yesterday and since that time they have haunted me. The moment I saw them I realized that there was nothing in me willing to pray them. I want to serve You more perfectly, but as I think about You judging me severely or correcting me ruthlessly I shudder. So, that is my starting point with you today.
I understand Your character and know that You will never do anything close to abusing me. Your correction is mild, loving, and kind as long as I am open to it so I am not afraid of what will happen to me. The reason I am resistant to praying for You to judge me severely or correct me ruthlessly is I am not ready to fully let go. There is something in me that still clings to living life on my own terms. That is the sin I see in me this morning and I confess it to You.
Before I can be an effective leader of others I have to first allow You to be an effective leader of my heart. As much as it frightens me to say it, I ask that You judge me severely, correct me ruthlessly, so that I may serve You more perfectly. Crucify the flesh in me that still clings to life. Break the yolk of legalism and kill the judge in me who casts condemnation on others. Let my heart be shattered for Your purposes, help me to feel the pain of others, set Your greatness as the single focus of my life, and lead me into impossible ventures that will echo through eternity. My life is Yours…
“Now these are Your servants and Your people, whom You have redeemed by Your great power and by Your strong hand.” Nehemiah 1:10
Examine:
The goal of leadership for a child of God should always be to have the power and hand of God leading the work. God will only give His hand and power to a leader whose heart is right. In this opening chapter Nehemiah displays the four quadrants of a leader’s heart that God honors: He was broken hearted for the condition of others, he put himself on the same level with those he desired to lead, he worshiped the greatness of God, and he pressed into a task that was humanly impossible.
Apply:
Since the results of my life will always be birthed from the content of my heart, there is nothing in life more vital than allowing God to reveal, correct, and strengthen the condition of my heart.
Pray:
“You are here because you prayed for the Lord to judge you severely, to correct you ruthlessly, so that you could serve Him more perfectly.” I read those words in a book yesterday and since that time they have haunted me. The moment I saw them I realized that there was nothing in me willing to pray them. I want to serve You more perfectly, but as I think about You judging me severely or correcting me ruthlessly I shudder. So, that is my starting point with you today.
I understand Your character and know that You will never do anything close to abusing me. Your correction is mild, loving, and kind as long as I am open to it so I am not afraid of what will happen to me. The reason I am resistant to praying for You to judge me severely or correct me ruthlessly is I am not ready to fully let go. There is something in me that still clings to living life on my own terms. That is the sin I see in me this morning and I confess it to You.
Before I can be an effective leader of others I have to first allow You to be an effective leader of my heart. As much as it frightens me to say it, I ask that You judge me severely, correct me ruthlessly, so that I may serve You more perfectly. Crucify the flesh in me that still clings to life. Break the yolk of legalism and kill the judge in me who casts condemnation on others. Let my heart be shattered for Your purposes, help me to feel the pain of others, set Your greatness as the single focus of my life, and lead me into impossible ventures that will echo through eternity. My life is Yours…
Friday, September 16, 2011
My Duty
Read: Ezra 10
“Arise, for it is your duty, and we are with you. Be strong and brave and do it.” Ezra 10:4
Examine:
As one reflects on the books of Ezra its message becomes clear. In order for people to be back in fellowship with the Lord, it was absolutely necessary for them to have proper temple worship (Ezra 1-6) and to live according to God’s Word (chaps. 7-10).
Apply:
The first application of this for my life today centers around the New Testament teaching of the temple and the new covenant instituted by God through Christ. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 says, “19 Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.” Temple worship is no longer about a building, sacrifices or rituals. As a follower of Christ, my temple worship is the living sacrifice of my time and talents. Christ is in me and the Holy Spirit is continually upon me. Wherever I am I carry with me the hope of the nations, the promise of eternity, and the power to overcome darkness.
The second application has to do with the choices I make with my lifestyle. “Does merely talking about faith indicate that a person really has it? Isn’t it obvious that God-talk without God-acts is outrageous nonsense?” These words from James chapter two ring loud to me today. This chapter also says that even the demons believe in Jesus and God. The context of this teaching from James is allowing my belief in Christ to cause me to live purely according to the entire teaching of Christ and to allow my faith in Christ to touch the lives of the poor and destitute.
Pray:
I can hear the call inside of my heart today from You, “Arise, for it is your duty, and I am with you. Be strong and be brave.” I accept the duty handed to me by You and in faith I believe that You are in me to complete it. I also acknowledge that while You are with me, this duty handed to me will demand that I be strong and courageous. Nothing of worth comes easy.
I pray that Christ in me would shine brightly today. I ask that His aroma would linger as a strong fragrance and that His strength in me would be boldly on display. I also pray that the desire to live a life of faith, prayer and works would consume me like a great addiction and fuel me unlike any other passion in life. Let Your great zeal lead me, Your great love guide me, and Your great strength empower me.
“Arise, for it is your duty, and we are with you. Be strong and brave and do it.” Ezra 10:4
Examine:
As one reflects on the books of Ezra its message becomes clear. In order for people to be back in fellowship with the Lord, it was absolutely necessary for them to have proper temple worship (Ezra 1-6) and to live according to God’s Word (chaps. 7-10).
Apply:
The first application of this for my life today centers around the New Testament teaching of the temple and the new covenant instituted by God through Christ. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 says, “19 Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.” Temple worship is no longer about a building, sacrifices or rituals. As a follower of Christ, my temple worship is the living sacrifice of my time and talents. Christ is in me and the Holy Spirit is continually upon me. Wherever I am I carry with me the hope of the nations, the promise of eternity, and the power to overcome darkness.
The second application has to do with the choices I make with my lifestyle. “Does merely talking about faith indicate that a person really has it? Isn’t it obvious that God-talk without God-acts is outrageous nonsense?” These words from James chapter two ring loud to me today. This chapter also says that even the demons believe in Jesus and God. The context of this teaching from James is allowing my belief in Christ to cause me to live purely according to the entire teaching of Christ and to allow my faith in Christ to touch the lives of the poor and destitute.
Pray:
I can hear the call inside of my heart today from You, “Arise, for it is your duty, and I am with you. Be strong and be brave.” I accept the duty handed to me by You and in faith I believe that You are in me to complete it. I also acknowledge that while You are with me, this duty handed to me will demand that I be strong and courageous. Nothing of worth comes easy.
I pray that Christ in me would shine brightly today. I ask that His aroma would linger as a strong fragrance and that His strength in me would be boldly on display. I also pray that the desire to live a life of faith, prayer and works would consume me like a great addiction and fuel me unlike any other passion in life. Let Your great zeal lead me, Your great love guide me, and Your great strength empower me.
Thursday, September 15, 2011
The Mighty Hand of the LORD
Read: Ezra 8
“Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river Ahava, that we might humble ourselves before our God to seek from Him a straight and right way for us, our little ones, and all our possessions.” Ezra 8:21
Examine:
Being humble before God shows total dependence on Him and acknowledges that He has absolute control of every aspect of life. Humility under the mighty hand of God releases the power for the Almighty to be manifested in a manner that alters reality, shapes the future, and echoes throughout eternity.
Apply:
The primary task in leadership for me as a man of God is to make sure that I am humbled in total reliance on God. Remaining in a posture of submission to and reliance on God is the only part of the mission I have any power to effect. It is the treasure worth selling everything to obtain, it is the obsession that is worth abandoning everything to pursue, and it is the mission that sets the course for every aspect of my existence. Nothing else in life matters compared to the importance of me laying face down before my God completely naked of anything that is of me.
Pray:
“If the mighty hand of the LORD is upon me I can do anything.” I lay that statement out before You this morning and ask that You help me evaluate the reaction of my heart to it. I want to be honest with You and say that I am not sure that I believe it. I know that is not the Sunday school answer but the actions of my life do not provide enough evidence to prove that I honestly believe this statement to be an undeniable fact. I spend way too much time worrying over particulars of practicality and far too little time making sure that my heart is submitted to You. If I really believed that the essential ingredient to success in this life and the one to come was Your hand upon me, I think the desperation with which I pray, the intensity with which I follow, and the celebration with which I worship would be far greater.
I do not want to fake-believe in anything regarding You, because that means the best result I can hope for is a fake-believe experience of You. Open my heart today Holy Spirit. I proclaim a fast today. At the end of these three days, I desire this statement to resound deep in my heart and be displayed with wisdom in my actions. I am not humble before my God as I should be, but I am asking for You to carry me to that place so that I may find from You a straight and right way for all who are involved in this great work set before us.
“Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river Ahava, that we might humble ourselves before our God to seek from Him a straight and right way for us, our little ones, and all our possessions.” Ezra 8:21
Examine:
Being humble before God shows total dependence on Him and acknowledges that He has absolute control of every aspect of life. Humility under the mighty hand of God releases the power for the Almighty to be manifested in a manner that alters reality, shapes the future, and echoes throughout eternity.
Apply:
The primary task in leadership for me as a man of God is to make sure that I am humbled in total reliance on God. Remaining in a posture of submission to and reliance on God is the only part of the mission I have any power to effect. It is the treasure worth selling everything to obtain, it is the obsession that is worth abandoning everything to pursue, and it is the mission that sets the course for every aspect of my existence. Nothing else in life matters compared to the importance of me laying face down before my God completely naked of anything that is of me.
Pray:
“If the mighty hand of the LORD is upon me I can do anything.” I lay that statement out before You this morning and ask that You help me evaluate the reaction of my heart to it. I want to be honest with You and say that I am not sure that I believe it. I know that is not the Sunday school answer but the actions of my life do not provide enough evidence to prove that I honestly believe this statement to be an undeniable fact. I spend way too much time worrying over particulars of practicality and far too little time making sure that my heart is submitted to You. If I really believed that the essential ingredient to success in this life and the one to come was Your hand upon me, I think the desperation with which I pray, the intensity with which I follow, and the celebration with which I worship would be far greater.
I do not want to fake-believe in anything regarding You, because that means the best result I can hope for is a fake-believe experience of You. Open my heart today Holy Spirit. I proclaim a fast today. At the end of these three days, I desire this statement to resound deep in my heart and be displayed with wisdom in my actions. I am not humble before my God as I should be, but I am asking for You to carry me to that place so that I may find from You a straight and right way for all who are involved in this great work set before us.
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Being Offended
Read: Ezra 8
“I [Ezra] gathered them together at the river that runs to Ahava, and there we encamped three days. I reviewed the people and the priests, and found no Levites.” Ezra 8:15
Examine:
There were many things weighing on Ezra’s mind as he assembled the people and prepared for the journey back to Jerusalem. He would have felt a lot of pressure to get moving and start the journey. But Ezra had the foresight to pause, take a breath and get first things first. He assessed their spiritual preparations and found they were lacking.
Apply:
There comes a time in my life when, like Ezra, I need to pause and recognize where the things of God stand in my life. I can do some good and decent things on my own but I can do nothing holy without God. If the things of God (holiness, faithfulness, & worship) are out of sorts in me then my plans will be frustrated, the results will be short, and the rewards will be limited.
Pray:
I am carrying an unhealthy type of anger. I sense it in me strongly right now. I have been offended by some people in my life and I have allowed those wrongs to fester inside of me. To be offended is just as sinful as it is to be offensive. These things occupy my thoughts continually and I rehearse the things I want to say to them in my mind often. My anger burns inside of me. The thought of letting this go without speaking my mind on the matter makes my stomach feel poisoned. I know that there is an anger that is holy, but this inside of me is not. There is no love in it and the root of the offense has nothing to do with what is being robbed from You. It is all about me. I confess my anger to You as sin, and I cry out to You for help. I do not know how to repent of this. I have tried many times to release this, but the memories of the past still linger and my current encounters with these people result only in more offense. As circumstances would have it there is no place I can go on earth to escape this situation. My only hope is You changing my heart.
Holy Spirit, all things are possible to You. You empowered Jesus to withstand the cross and pray forgiveness for those who nailed Him there. I need that same strength today. I am allowing the sin of others to create sin in me and I desperately desire to stop it. I am asking for the humility and strength of love needed to endure this without sinning.
“I [Ezra] gathered them together at the river that runs to Ahava, and there we encamped three days. I reviewed the people and the priests, and found no Levites.” Ezra 8:15
Examine:
There were many things weighing on Ezra’s mind as he assembled the people and prepared for the journey back to Jerusalem. He would have felt a lot of pressure to get moving and start the journey. But Ezra had the foresight to pause, take a breath and get first things first. He assessed their spiritual preparations and found they were lacking.
Apply:
There comes a time in my life when, like Ezra, I need to pause and recognize where the things of God stand in my life. I can do some good and decent things on my own but I can do nothing holy without God. If the things of God (holiness, faithfulness, & worship) are out of sorts in me then my plans will be frustrated, the results will be short, and the rewards will be limited.
Pray:
I am carrying an unhealthy type of anger. I sense it in me strongly right now. I have been offended by some people in my life and I have allowed those wrongs to fester inside of me. To be offended is just as sinful as it is to be offensive. These things occupy my thoughts continually and I rehearse the things I want to say to them in my mind often. My anger burns inside of me. The thought of letting this go without speaking my mind on the matter makes my stomach feel poisoned. I know that there is an anger that is holy, but this inside of me is not. There is no love in it and the root of the offense has nothing to do with what is being robbed from You. It is all about me. I confess my anger to You as sin, and I cry out to You for help. I do not know how to repent of this. I have tried many times to release this, but the memories of the past still linger and my current encounters with these people result only in more offense. As circumstances would have it there is no place I can go on earth to escape this situation. My only hope is You changing my heart.
Holy Spirit, all things are possible to You. You empowered Jesus to withstand the cross and pray forgiveness for those who nailed Him there. I need that same strength today. I am allowing the sin of others to create sin in me and I desperately desire to stop it. I am asking for the humility and strength of love needed to endure this without sinning.
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Modeling for my Kids
Read: Ezra 8
“THESE ARE the heads of their fathers’ houses and this is the genealogy of those who went up with me from Babylonia in the reign of King Artaxerxes…” Ezra 8:1
Examine:
One of the most critical things for a man of God is to lead his family. The men listed in this chapter did just that. They got up and risked everything to lead their families in pursuing God’s plan.
Apply:
Nothing in my life is more important that the God-journey I lead for my family. As my kids get older they will make their judgment regarding the reality God largely on what they saw of Him in my life. I cannot control the choices they will make in this process, but I can affect the amount of evidence they will have to step over if they choose to walk away from God.
Pray:
I want my kids to see in me a flawed man in passionate pursuit of a loving God. I want them to see a man who could sin and yet still be used by God. I want them to see a man who desired more than anything to be holy, yet never based his holiness on performance nor allowed imperfections to slow him down. My goal in life is not to portray an image of false religion to them nor is it to beat them down with a standard they can never attain. I want them to know the secrets of my heart, the depths of my failures, and the pain of my struggles. I want them to know Your hand on my life in a manner they serves Your purpose in theirs. I ask for the passion, humility, and wisdom I need to speak straight truth in their lives and I ask that they not have to look far to see that truth lived out in me.
“THESE ARE the heads of their fathers’ houses and this is the genealogy of those who went up with me from Babylonia in the reign of King Artaxerxes…” Ezra 8:1
Examine:
One of the most critical things for a man of God is to lead his family. The men listed in this chapter did just that. They got up and risked everything to lead their families in pursuing God’s plan.
Apply:
Nothing in my life is more important that the God-journey I lead for my family. As my kids get older they will make their judgment regarding the reality God largely on what they saw of Him in my life. I cannot control the choices they will make in this process, but I can affect the amount of evidence they will have to step over if they choose to walk away from God.
Pray:
I want my kids to see in me a flawed man in passionate pursuit of a loving God. I want them to see a man who could sin and yet still be used by God. I want them to see a man who desired more than anything to be holy, yet never based his holiness on performance nor allowed imperfections to slow him down. My goal in life is not to portray an image of false religion to them nor is it to beat them down with a standard they can never attain. I want them to know the secrets of my heart, the depths of my failures, and the pain of my struggles. I want them to know Your hand on my life in a manner they serves Your purpose in theirs. I ask for the passion, humility, and wisdom I need to speak straight truth in their lives and I ask that they not have to look far to see that truth lived out in me.
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
The Voice of Conviction
Read: Ezra 7
“Blessed be the Lord, the God of our fathers [said Ezra], Who put such a thing as this into the king’s heart, to beautify the house of the Lord in Jerusalem, and who has extended His mercy and steadfast love to me before the king, his counselors, and all the king’s mighty officers. I was strengthened and encouraged, for the hand of the Lord my God was upon me, and I gathered together outstanding men of Israel to go with me to Jerusalem.” Ezra 7:27-28
Examine:
Ezra praised the Lord for what was being done under him. By calling Yahweh, the God of our fathers, he noted that God had put all of this into the king’s heart. Ezra also noted that the privileges granted by Artaxerxes were for God’s glory, not Ezra’s.
Apply:
If Ezra were sitting across the table from me today I think he would offer me three pieces of advice: Be holy, be faithful, and be a worshiper. Everything needed in my life is found by standing holy before my God, being faithful in the tasks given to me, and offering continual worship to my Father in heaven.
Pray:
I hear the voice of conviction in my heart this morning. My holiness rests on the grace of Jesus and I know that nothing can make me unclean. That said, the grace of Christ is not an allowance to sin freely. I have opened the door for sin in my life and I have become carnal in some areas. There are desires I am nursing that I should not be holding close to me. I confess these to You this morning, accept Your forgiveness for them, and step forward today in anticipation of You filling the void in my heart left by them with a greater measure of love for You.
I also recognize that I have allowed my fatigue to open the door for a little laziness to slip in and that is dangerous. Your word teaches that just a little folding of the hands opens the door for poverty to seize me. I need to dial back in on the task at hand and finish strong. I pray for the time, energy, and resources I need to be faithful with what You desire of me today.
Lastly, as I examine my heart with this word from Ezra I see my lack of worship. Worship is a sign of absolute faith, complete submission, and total gratitude. It flows freely from a heart that is surrendered fully to You. My worship is hindered because I lack faith, resist submission, and practice ingratitude.
Holy Spirit, thank You. I have felt something uneasy in my spirit for the past couple of days and it is so amazing to get this all out in the open. I need You so desperately. Guide me. More than anything I desire for my heart to be transformed and my mind to be renewed by the truth You have spoken today. I appreciate Your discipline and joyfully accept Your correction. Today is a new day. Strengthen me to hold fast to You.
Monday, September 5, 2011
Things I don’t See in Me
Read: Ezra 7
“This Ezra went up from Babylon. He was a skilled scribe in the five books of Moses, which the Lord, the God of Israel, had given. And the king granted him all he asked, for the hand of the Lord his God was upon him.” Ezra 7:6
Examine:
Ezra had a heart for God. He devoted his life to learning God’s ways, applying them to his own life, and sharing that knowledge with others. Because of his devotion, God’s favor was upon him. Ezra worked at developing his skills, but his skills were not the key to his success. The favor of God caused the favor of a king to be poured out on him.
Apply:
Pursuing God’s heart will always be manifested in a hunger to learn His word, the discipline of applying it to my life, and the desire to share my experience of Him with others. The intensity of God’s favor poured out on my life is a multiple of the intensity with which I pursue His heart.
Pray:
I have been thinking on this for a while and the thing that I see in my own life is a pattern of failing to operate in these three things simultaneously. In different seasons I seem to desire these things individually, but I recognize that I do not see these three things working in concert with each other.
You teach me in Your word that all that is required of me is to lay down my life and follow after You. I take the fruit that my life is currently producing and lay it aside as not being worthy of Your presence inside of me. The voice I hear inside of me this morning is not giving me specific steps to take. Your still small whisper is just asking me to acknowledge that all is not right. I freely admit that.
Holy Spirit I submit to Your leadership. Create inside of me an intense hunger for learning the ways of God’s heart. Help me to find an unrelenting drive to see God’s ways overtake my own. Break my heart for the absence of You in the lives of others.
Sunday, September 4, 2011
Seeing the Success
Read: Ezra 6
“And the elders of the Jews built and prospered through the prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah son of Iddo. They finished their building as commanded by the God of Israel and by decree of Cyrus and Darius and Artaxerxes king of Persia.” Ezra 6:14
Examine:
God decreed this work to be completed but the journey was far from simple. The rebuilding of the temple required alignment and endurance. The entire body of God-ordained leadership (spiritual, governmental, tactical, and practical) came together to complete this task. Priests served along side governors who served along side prophets who served along side laborers and together they led the people of Israel through the twists and turns that ultimately resulted in the temple being finished.
Apply:
This journey I am on is only beginning. I need to keep good records and stay alert to the things going on around me. The twists and turns will come. Sleepless nights will follow unthinkable setbacks. There will be highs, lows and everything in between. The end will depend not on my talents, intellect, or strong will. Seeing the success of this work will weigh on me staying submitted to God and having the humility to allow the vision He has given others to shape the work that lays ahead.
Pray:
Until You lead in another direction I must keep chasing the last thing You set before me. Nothing has released me from Your work in Sweetwaters and the burning in my heart to see Your body of believers in the U.S. re-engage the mission of Christ. Those two things keep me up at night and consume my energies. If You were to appear to me in bodily form and offer me anything in the world I would ask for the wisdom and resources needed to accomplish those two tasks. I believe they are my temple-building tasks and have given my life to pursue them.
I do not want this to be my task alone. I believe there are others who have been called to join in this incredible task, but right now I feel really alone and I am becoming a little confused. Father, is it time for the resources to catch up to the vision? There are people needed and funding will be demanded soon. I do not doubt Your provision but there is uncertainty in my soul regarding timing. Uncertainty makes me hesitant and no one follows a hesitant leader. I pray that You give me the vision I need to be certain today. Help me walk in the path that You have ordained for me.
“And the elders of the Jews built and prospered through the prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah son of Iddo. They finished their building as commanded by the God of Israel and by decree of Cyrus and Darius and Artaxerxes king of Persia.” Ezra 6:14
Examine:
God decreed this work to be completed but the journey was far from simple. The rebuilding of the temple required alignment and endurance. The entire body of God-ordained leadership (spiritual, governmental, tactical, and practical) came together to complete this task. Priests served along side governors who served along side prophets who served along side laborers and together they led the people of Israel through the twists and turns that ultimately resulted in the temple being finished.
Apply:
This journey I am on is only beginning. I need to keep good records and stay alert to the things going on around me. The twists and turns will come. Sleepless nights will follow unthinkable setbacks. There will be highs, lows and everything in between. The end will depend not on my talents, intellect, or strong will. Seeing the success of this work will weigh on me staying submitted to God and having the humility to allow the vision He has given others to shape the work that lays ahead.
Pray:
Until You lead in another direction I must keep chasing the last thing You set before me. Nothing has released me from Your work in Sweetwaters and the burning in my heart to see Your body of believers in the U.S. re-engage the mission of Christ. Those two things keep me up at night and consume my energies. If You were to appear to me in bodily form and offer me anything in the world I would ask for the wisdom and resources needed to accomplish those two tasks. I believe they are my temple-building tasks and have given my life to pursue them.
I do not want this to be my task alone. I believe there are others who have been called to join in this incredible task, but right now I feel really alone and I am becoming a little confused. Father, is it time for the resources to catch up to the vision? There are people needed and funding will be demanded soon. I do not doubt Your provision but there is uncertainty in my soul regarding timing. Uncertainty makes me hesitant and no one follows a hesitant leader. I pray that You give me the vision I need to be certain today. Help me walk in the path that You have ordained for me.
Saturday, September 3, 2011
The Death of My Jesus
Read: Zechariah 13
“Awake, O sword, against My Shepherd, and against the man, My Associate,”
declares the Lord of hosts. “Strike the Shepherd that the sheep may be scattered;
And I will turn My hand against the little ones.” Zechariah 13:7
Examine:
If a person wants to call on the name of God and hear him answer, that person will have to walk in opposition of popular teaching and endure personal refinement.
Apply:
I create my own version of Jesus that fits in my mental box and makes sense to me. When God decides to take me deeper, the first step is always the death of what I thought it meant to be like Christ. This is painful because I am often guilty of deifying false beliefs that have been taught to me. Many times this will require me to walk away from tradition and popular teaching.
After God has killed my false Jesus, He begins the process of removing what is caustic in me. This season of purification by fire is intense and does in fact feel cruel, but God lovingly does this to make me more like Jesus. He knows my limits and will only subject me to what I can handle. I have to keep my focus on Him and allow Him to transform me into something stronger.
Pray:
Father, as I look back on this past season of my life I can see this process so clearly. Outside of absolute unwavering truth about You, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit almost nothing of what I once believed about Christianity stands today. I took human teaching and made false idols that supported my way of living. It has been painful, but by Your grace I have endured to this point and now see following after Christ through an entirely new lens. I also look back at who I was 20 months ago when we started this journey and I hardly recognize the mental pictures I have of that man. Throughout many painful days and sleepless nights, You broke me down to a place that allowed You to start building me back up in Christ.
I am so thankful for what You have done. I am also scared to death. In a few days I will have to stand firm and fight to not be sucked back into my old normal. In a few short days I will also have to learn to trust You in ways that will be unfamiliar to me. I am relying on You to be faithful because You promise to complete what You started. I do not know where this journey ends but I want You to know I am so grateful for the road that led me to where I am. You are faithful, You are gracious, You are loving, You are strong and the price of my life feels like a pitiful offering for all of You I have experienced. I love You and remain faithfully committed to finishing this race and keeping my eyes set on the ultimate prize.
“Awake, O sword, against My Shepherd, and against the man, My Associate,”
declares the Lord of hosts. “Strike the Shepherd that the sheep may be scattered;
And I will turn My hand against the little ones.” Zechariah 13:7
Examine:
If a person wants to call on the name of God and hear him answer, that person will have to walk in opposition of popular teaching and endure personal refinement.
Apply:
I create my own version of Jesus that fits in my mental box and makes sense to me. When God decides to take me deeper, the first step is always the death of what I thought it meant to be like Christ. This is painful because I am often guilty of deifying false beliefs that have been taught to me. Many times this will require me to walk away from tradition and popular teaching.
After God has killed my false Jesus, He begins the process of removing what is caustic in me. This season of purification by fire is intense and does in fact feel cruel, but God lovingly does this to make me more like Jesus. He knows my limits and will only subject me to what I can handle. I have to keep my focus on Him and allow Him to transform me into something stronger.
Pray:
Father, as I look back on this past season of my life I can see this process so clearly. Outside of absolute unwavering truth about You, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit almost nothing of what I once believed about Christianity stands today. I took human teaching and made false idols that supported my way of living. It has been painful, but by Your grace I have endured to this point and now see following after Christ through an entirely new lens. I also look back at who I was 20 months ago when we started this journey and I hardly recognize the mental pictures I have of that man. Throughout many painful days and sleepless nights, You broke me down to a place that allowed You to start building me back up in Christ.
I am so thankful for what You have done. I am also scared to death. In a few days I will have to stand firm and fight to not be sucked back into my old normal. In a few short days I will also have to learn to trust You in ways that will be unfamiliar to me. I am relying on You to be faithful because You promise to complete what You started. I do not know where this journey ends but I want You to know I am so grateful for the road that led me to where I am. You are faithful, You are gracious, You are loving, You are strong and the price of my life feels like a pitiful offering for all of You I have experienced. I love You and remain faithfully committed to finishing this race and keeping my eyes set on the ultimate prize.
Friday, September 2, 2011
A Familiar Arrow
Read: Zechariah 11
“Thus declares the Lord who stretches out the heavens, lays the foundation of the earth, and forms the spirit of man within him, behold…” Zechariah 11:1-2
Examine:
There are times when the world feels like it is spinning wildly out of control. God can seem distant and the pain of life hit close to the heart. In the midst of very real circumstances and a seemingly unreal God, the scriptures continually testify to His greatness.
Apply:
Today God lays before me blessings and curses. I can choose to believe in my circumstances. When I do that God takes a back seat, my emotions are given the front seat, I become my own god, and life is resigned to being a series of random events with no purpose.
The other option is to believe in the sovereign God of the heavens, the redemption given in Christ, and the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit. When I make that choice randomness is replaced by purpose, weakness is supported with strength, and uncertainty is crushed by peace.
Pray:
I awaken today with an arrow piercing my heart. It is a very familiar arrow. I have seen it split my armor and find the tender places of my flesh many times before. It never fails to knock me flat on the ground and the pain of it affects every aspect of my life. Our enemy has learned to fire this arrow with great precision and he has once again proven his accuracy. As I sit and stare at this arrow, I am aware of something. I am not as angry at the enemy for shooting it as I am upset at You for allowing it. If I strip away the religious jargon and just talk straight with You, I am rife with anger towards You because of this.
I am confessing this to You today as sin. Nothing should ever cause me to turn on You, but I am often guilty of doing just that. When I don’t get my way or when suffering comes, I flail around with a woe-is-me attitude towards You and life. Instead of standing firm like the noble warrior You created me to be, I run for the hills like a whining coward. It is really a funny picture when I think about it…
So let’s move on from this place together. Regardless of what my emotions say I choose to rest in You. I take the contents of my life, place them at Your feet, and trust that where I am is under the rule of Your sovereignty. I choose blessings this morning and will hold my head up today because I am anointed to carry Your good news.
“Thus declares the Lord who stretches out the heavens, lays the foundation of the earth, and forms the spirit of man within him, behold…” Zechariah 11:1-2
Examine:
There are times when the world feels like it is spinning wildly out of control. God can seem distant and the pain of life hit close to the heart. In the midst of very real circumstances and a seemingly unreal God, the scriptures continually testify to His greatness.
Apply:
Today God lays before me blessings and curses. I can choose to believe in my circumstances. When I do that God takes a back seat, my emotions are given the front seat, I become my own god, and life is resigned to being a series of random events with no purpose.
The other option is to believe in the sovereign God of the heavens, the redemption given in Christ, and the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit. When I make that choice randomness is replaced by purpose, weakness is supported with strength, and uncertainty is crushed by peace.
Pray:
I awaken today with an arrow piercing my heart. It is a very familiar arrow. I have seen it split my armor and find the tender places of my flesh many times before. It never fails to knock me flat on the ground and the pain of it affects every aspect of my life. Our enemy has learned to fire this arrow with great precision and he has once again proven his accuracy. As I sit and stare at this arrow, I am aware of something. I am not as angry at the enemy for shooting it as I am upset at You for allowing it. If I strip away the religious jargon and just talk straight with You, I am rife with anger towards You because of this.
I am confessing this to You today as sin. Nothing should ever cause me to turn on You, but I am often guilty of doing just that. When I don’t get my way or when suffering comes, I flail around with a woe-is-me attitude towards You and life. Instead of standing firm like the noble warrior You created me to be, I run for the hills like a whining coward. It is really a funny picture when I think about it…
So let’s move on from this place together. Regardless of what my emotions say I choose to rest in You. I take the contents of my life, place them at Your feet, and trust that where I am is under the rule of Your sovereignty. I choose blessings this morning and will hold my head up today because I am anointed to carry Your good news.
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