Gift of Forgiveness

Many times he delivered them, but they were bent on rebellion and they wasted away in their sin. But he took note of their distress when he heard their cry; for their sake he remembered his covenant and out of his great love he relented.

Psalm 106:43-45

Our God is such a merciful God.  So many times His people loved Him & turned on Him over and over but when His children call upon Him, He's there.  Yes, there are consequences to their actions and many have fallen because of it but our Father continues to display an amazing characteristic: forgiveness.  We need to learn and practice this every single day, even when we feel like there's nothing to forgive; these are the biggest areas of unforgiveness.  There's always something developing in our hearts and we need to learn how to identify and purify ourselves.

Usually, the only times I can see opportunities to forgive are when it's a major offense; something that hits me like a truck.  Those are easy to spot but did unforgiveness start at that very moment?  Could it be that it hurt so bad because of another past hurt that never healed?  We all have little things that bother us; called issues or sometimes people may call it "pushing our buttons" but all that means is that we're tender in some area that's being exposed.  This may have been a result of unforgiveness and needs to be washed and cleansed.  This is not easy by any means but we need to start by recognizing the root of our bitterness; it's a poison and we just don't know it.

Amazing and patient Father, thank You for Your precious gift of forgiveness and mercy.  It's unparalleled and also still foreign to a lot of us.  Help me and the rest of our children to learn this wonderful trait because it's the key to so many blessings to us and to those seeking deliverance.  Lord, I continue to pray for relationships in every area and that I may lead this faithfully.  In the awesome name of Jesus I pray, Amen!

Seek God not in Urgency

so David inquired of God: "Shall I go and attack the Philistines? Will you hand them over to me?" The LORD answered him, "Go, I will hand them over to you." Once more the Philistines raided the valley; 14 so David inquired of God again, and God answered him, "Do not go straight up, but circle around them and attack them in front of the balsam trees..."

1 Chronicles 14:10,13-14

David's military obedience really sticks out as he looks to God for 4every decision.  Sometimes, we ask for directions only once and then when the issue comes up again we react based off our own intellect and discernment.  If Davide did this here, he may have been defeated and handed over to the Philistines.  God knew that going head-on wasn't the right approach so he commanded David to circle around instead.  Today, we face similar scenarios but our faith seems to be limited to the urgency of seeking an answer.  If we have an answer based off last time or direction comes from our understanding, we will always fail even if we're right.  Humbling ourselves to ask for direction even if we think we have an answer is vital for having a heart like David's. 

I am so guilty of this, by a huge mile.  Only during those times where I lack an answer do I seek God's counsel.  There are times too when I seek Him when I'm just beginning a task or journey.  But what about all that time in between where most of the work should be done?  Nothing!  I'm just in task mode and I shield God from the task and I take over.  Why can't I just allow God to bless the whole journey?  How can I do this?  Through discipline!  I need to break through the mentality that God is only in heaven; He's here with me even as I write my devotions.  He's sitting right beside me and will continue to do so.  I need to train my mind to realize this truth.  

LORD and omnipresent God, thank You for being with each and every one of Your blessed.  I have a hard time realizing and living by this amazing truth but I believe it.  I want to depend on You so greatly that I feel lost and desperate when Your presence isn't felt.  I also pray that my task of relationships continue to grown for You.  In the precious name of Jesus I pray, Amen!

Undignified Exuberance

David, wearing a linen ephod, danced before the LORD with all his might, while he and the entire house of Israel brought up the ark of the LORD with shouts and the sound of trumpets.  As the ark of the LORD was entering the City of David, Michal daughter of Saul watched from a window. And when she saw King David leaping and dancing before the LORD, she despised him in her heart.

2 Samuel 6:14-16

David was not ashamed of the LORD and he displayed it here while acting "undignified" according to Saul's daughter.  He didn't care what other people thought of him yet he was the most loved warrior and king the people of Israel had.  When God's children look to please God some people will love you because they see God's Spirit withing You; others will despise and hate you because they don't know His fruit just yet.  We need to be consistently "undignified" to the world so that those touched by the Holy Spirit will know where to follow.

When I'm praising Jesus through music or in fellowship or prayer, it's exhilarating.  It cleanses me of my troubles and fear and what I'm left with is a childish joy and exuberance that isn't ashamed of our Mighty King.  I feel released and in tune with God's heart.  I believe this is how David felt when Michal despised him.  David didn't care because He was dancing in the Spirit.  This is something that we need to do more of.  It's not about academics, tasks or other rules, it's about spending time with Jesus in a celebratory way that gets us to a point where we don't care what people think anymore... because we're with Jesus!

You alone can bring on that type of Joy, that type of rejoicing.  I've never had that type of assurance and compassion where I don't care what others thought of my actions.  When I'm spending time with You Father, I'm not ashamed of who You are.  I know sometimes when I'm not in the Spirit my flesh becomes dominant and I start second guessing things, which leads to me being ashamed of You.  Please forgive me of my lack of faith and disobedience.  I will look forward to spending more time in my relationships today.  In the wonderful name of Jesus I pray, Amen!

Disguised in Love

Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. "Never, Lord!" he said. "This shall never happen to you!"  Jesus turned and said to Peter, "Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men."

Matthew 16:23-24

Even with the best, heartfelt intentions, we can be overtaken by our flesh.  Peter had good intentions when it came to shielding his Master from harm but he forgot that God's plan wasn't for Jesus to reign in this world but the next.  In order for that to happen, Jesus needed to sacrifice His mortal body to save the world.  We all can be like Peter, losing focus on the eternal goal replacing it with the immediate or temporary one.  God's word and Godly counsel will tune our hearts correctly. 

The last few days and weeks I've been seeing a lot of prayers go through email asking for healing.  My thoughts are compassionate so I agree but at the same time how is that aligned with what God wants?  I don't know if I over think God's mercy but I feel the prayers we should be saying are words of submission and help to recalibrate our hearts so that we can accept and be content with what God's doing in and through the person needing prayer.  I want to be as lobing and compassionate as the person next to me but is that being like Peter now?  Saying something that is focusing only on the temporary life?  Should I be correcting or rebuking like Jesus did?  The devil is sly, he disguises himself in Peter, going against God's will in the form of temporary love.  We need to take a stand and be bold about the truth in Jesus.  We need to love the person but rebuke the devil by reminding ourselves that God's will prevails.

Heavenly Father, thank You for all that You are!  You are this amazing beacon that we always can see no matter what's happening around us.  You provide so many ways for us to find our way back to Your will and desire, all we need to do is follow the directions.  Help train my mind and disciplining Your servant to always focus in on what You desire for us on an eternity level.  Thank You my wonderful Savior, Amen!

Compassion to Save

A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to him, crying out, "Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is suffering terribly from demon-possession."  He answered, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel."  The woman came and knelt before him. "Lord, help me!" she said.  He replied, "It is not right to take the children's bread and toss it to their dogs."  "Yes, Lord," she said, "but even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters' table."

Matthew 15:22,24-27

We know that we can't catch Jesus off guard and this was part of God's plan.  So then why was He resisting healing her daughter until the end, at which He enthusiastically claimed this woman has great faith; enough to heal her daughter from demon possession?  He claimed that He was there to save the lost sheep of Israel, not for a Canaanite.  In the end we know Jesus came to save all so the woman was in God's eventual timing.  Did the woman interrupt the order of things or was it God's plan to reveal Salvation was for everyone when the appointed time came?  Did this act of mercy show God's compassion; thus, providing hope to the Gentiles?  Did this also plant seeds of humility in the hearts of Israel?  I'm not sure how all this fits together but through this passage I get to witness God's mighty compassion to save and to heal.  

This scripture reminds me of our Father's love and His ultimate goal for creation.  Int the end, God wants all of His children to stand united with the common goal of praising and worshiping our Creator.  Having a pure and holy relationship with our Father without the burden of sin is unimaginable right now.  I need to keep God's master plan in mind and not just look at my God-given life's goals; this is beyond even our short-term goals.  When someone is delivered to us, we cannot dismiss this person just because it doesn't fall within "our" calling or "purpose."  We need to submit to every anointed appointment.

Glorious Father, praise and honor to You for fitting every piece together so carefully.  Thank You for always recalibrating our hearts to come back to Your goals & desires instead of what we often call "our purpose."  We're reminded that "our purpose" is a small piece of Your plans and I need to keep that in focus daily.  Thank You my loving Lord & Savior, Amen!

False Security

Again Abner warned Asahel, "Stop chasing me! Why should I strike you down? How could I look your brother Joab in the face?"  But Asahel refused to give up the pursuit; so Abner thrust the butt of his spear into Asahel's stomach, and the spear came out through his back. He fell there and died on the spot. And every man stopped when he came to the place where Asahel had fallen and died.

2 Samuel 2:22-23

Sometimes we get a false sense of security because we feel like we're3e in control.  We feel like nothing can harm us because we're calling the shots or being the aggressor.  What happens here is that no matter how many times Abner warned Asahel, Asahel did not pay attention and was blinded by this false sense of security.  We do this too; we get caught up in chasing something but fail to hear God's warnings until it's too late and something happens.  We must always stop and allow time for the Holy Spirit to do some internal housekeeping so that we can follow, not lead.  

I do this every day; I'm not proud of it but I do.  I start doing something and forget to spend time at the feet of Jesus, listening to His wisdom and warnings.  I just want to see results so that's where my emphasis lies.  I know God is constantly speaking so I need to constantly listen.  To do this, I need to set up spiritual markers so that I'm reminded to spend time with God.  An easy one that I do is before meals.  Another one that I'm thinking of is before every bathroom break.  I don't want to go overboard right now so I'll just start there and see the fruit of the Spirit as I intentionally organize my life to surround my relationship with Jesus.

LORD God, Father and companion, thank You for the unconditional love that You've poured out for us.  I pray that I think of You and Your plans for me a little more each and every day.  I desire a gr3eater and deeper relationship with You my loving Daddy.  Help me to break through my strongholds so that I can love You more.  In the matchless name of Jesus. Amen!