Loving or Using God

Then Jehoahaz sought the LORD's favor, and the LORD listened to him, for he saw how severely the king of Aram was oppressing Israel. The LORD provided a deliverer for Israel, and they escaped from the power of Aram. So the Israelites lived in their own homes as they had before. But they did not turn away from the sins of the house of Jeroboam, which he had caused Israel to commit; they continued in them. Also, the Asherah pole remained standing in Samaria.

2 Kings 13:4-6

Some people only seek God when they need something and once He provides then we say "I'm good now, see ya." Our Father knows that at the beginning of our faith, that's all we know and understand. He knows that the first step is to satisfy that initial need but what happens after that is where the true blessings are; knowing our Almighty Creator intimately! As we are red hot and on fire in the beginning of our faith, it's critical to our growth that we are4 set on the correct path of humility and God-centeredness. In the beginning of our faith we need to fuel our fire correctly so that we see God's love correctly instead of using God to serve us.

I've always wished that I could've established a relationship with Jesus earlier that I did but I know God's plan for me is perfect. I wasn't ready before and if I were on fire back then maybe I wouldn't have stewarded it properly. Maybe I would've used God to get what I want instead of the wonderful blessings I've been trusted with now. Since accepting Him into my life in 2004, God's provided so many wonderful opportunities to grow in faith. The fuel to my fire was of good quality that sustains even to this day. I'm so fortunate to have Jesus as my foundation and guide.

Heavenly Father, You reminded me today about my walk with You and how You never fail. Every time I take my focus off You I feel lost but when I come back to You with the right loving motives, the picture is beautifully clear. I serve You, not You serve me. This needs to be constantly on my mind; this is what I want and have signed up for. Lord, help me to tear down any asherah poles that prevent my full dedication to You. I never want to leave Your presence but I know I'll lose my way if I don't recalibrate to You daily. I love You, My wonderful King! Amen!

Attitude Reflects Faith

But God said to Jonah, "Do you have a right to be angry about the vine?" "I do," he said. "I am angry enough to die." But the LORD said, "You have been concerned about this vine, though you did not tend it or make it grow. It sprang up overnight and died overnight. But Nineveh has more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who cannot tell their right hand from their left, and many cattle as well. Should I not be concerned about that great city?"

Jonah 4:9-11

It seems to me that Jonah was very emotional and was very moody at this time. He was definitely battling some demons within because he was so dejected. Anything that came up, he just wanted to give up and die already. What was the source of Jonah's frustration? Was it the LORD's compassion for saving the Ninevites or even the temporary shade the LORD provided Jonah? No, he was near-sighted and paid too much attention to the detail, the temporary insignificant things, instead of the bigger picture and trusting God to take us through rough waters. Near-sightedness produces a negative attitude that will eventually lead to arguing with God, limiting our faith. Our attitude reveals how much we trust God with the little things.

As I struggle with some important decisions this quiet season, I can see a correlation between my attitude and how much faith I have. My recent poor attitude resulted because I p aid too much attention to lies and deception. I trusted less in God's covering and more of my own flesh. I listened to the evil within my flesh and looked at me, me me; instead of keeping the "Ninevites" in sight. I realize we all have our moments where we need to vent and release all that negativity but it's important how we do it. We need to choose our lightning rods wisely. After the storm has passed we need to make sure that nothing was damaged along the way and pick up ourselves and move on.

LORD, forgive me again of my poor attitude and selfishness. It's a direct result of taking m eyes of my purpose and allowing myself to be distracted by so many things. Help Your servant to pick himself up, dust off the junk and continue on. I pray to be used in any way to encourage and build the body of Christ. In the wonderful name of Jesus I pray, Amen!

Teaching with Faith

And of this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher. That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day.

2 Timothy 1:11-12

Being a teacher of the gospel isn't just duplicating the bible in ways people can understand. its about duplicating the Master Teacher, Jesus, by living out His teachings so that others can follow. Sure, some theology can be really left-brained but the heart and attitude by which we teach is very important. Paul suffered so greatly because he was revealing his faith s he taught. He didn't go from town to town with textbooks, relay the message, and was out of there. He genuinely displayed the faith behind the teachings. Those gifted as teachers need to be faithful encouragers.

It's so awesome to be on this journey with my LORD. This season has me constantly reminded of my purpose, and that is to teach the gospel by example. I love to explain the bible in the context of going through our journeys; a counselor perhaps. I know I'm on a season where I'm looking at my biblical education and I'm considering taking online/DVD classes. But am I missing the teaching examples through sitting in a classroom? Shouldn't I be learning how teachers teach and students learn? Textbook knowledge is only useful when used with the right agenda. I carefully need to pray on direction to my calling.

Heavenly Father, thank You for fine-tuning my thoughts on my purpose. The more I allow You to shape my mind the more chiseled the image is. I pray LORD that You continue to speak to me about how I should carry out Your will so that I can encourage and build my brothers and sisters up in faith and discipleship. Please guard my heart and mind from attack of the evil one. I'm certain he's going to throw confusion and distractions my way. I'm here and say Yes to You my Creator. In the Holy name of Your Son Jesus I pray, Amen!

The Trap of Want

But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

1 Timothy 6:6-10

God is trying to teach us that when we operate outside of His provisions we will fall. God knows exactly what we need and grants us just what we need today to accomplish His desires. The problem happens when we transform our wants into needs. How many times have we said "I need this or that" when in fact they were just wants? Way too many times! If I were to say it like it is... "I want this iPhone" or "I want a better job..." it just sounds selfish and greedy... but that's exactly what it is! We're speaking deceit and are in a trap. So whenever I express my desire to have something I need to speak truthfully by the Spirit... let God search my heart and reveal my motives.

What an amazing way to correct my words. It makes a huge difference when I say "want" instead of "need." When it comes down to it, there's very little I need; and God has provided in every way... a hundred fold! If I think of my "wants" and compare how many things God's given... is that even fair?! No matter how much I want, I would want more. It reminds me of the saying, "one drink is too much and ten is not enough..." What this means is that once you start satisfying the wants it'll never be satisfied. Being in want means never being content. God wants all of His children to be content and satisfied with His provisions.

Loving and all-caring Father, thank You for always knowing exactly what we need. You constantly grant us with the peace and joy to be content no matter what the world throws at us. It's when I lose my focus on what's important; that's when I get down and depressed. Help Your servant to always keep You close to my heart. I thank You and love You. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen!

Basics of Faith

If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

1 Timothy 5:8

The scriptures here were talking about widows and how the families should care for them but I think it goes farther than that. I'm reminded how we are to love, provide and care for our families according to God's ways. Our foundation in Christ is one built on family, how can we be believers disconnected from this underlining truth? We can't! And that's why the scripture says that "he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever." If we don't put an emphasis on family then we're out to use Christianity for personal gain.

I think about my family and how much I love them. And then I think about how my actions reveal or gauge that love; it's very inconsistent. If I were to arrange my priorities according to where I spend my time then the things I love is my guitar, work, computer, eating, sleeping... what's clear is that being with my family isn't my most love possession when I claim it to be. If I truly call myself a disciple of Jesus Christ and an adopted member of God's family, I need to be consist4ant in y faith; I need to spend time with those who are my family.

Heavenly Father, just as Your Son Jesus spent time in fellowship with You, I need to follow that example as well. There are so many valuable4 lessons You've given to love but the constant lesson and example I've failed to recognize was the quiet times Jesus spent with You. Forgive me for being disconnected with Your will. I pray for a renewed spirit within me that will refocus my mind and heart back on the Trinity's wonderful example of family. That's what it's all about and I need to remember that with both my heart and mind. Thank You precious LORD for showing me the basics of faith. In the matchless name of Christ Jesus I pray, Amen!

Fighting Discouragement

He said: "Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the LORD says to you: 'Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God's... You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the LORD will give you, O Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the LORD will be with you.' "

2 Chronicles 20:15,17

Here, king Jehoshaphat was facing real, tangible threats from a big army coming to attack. Did he flee? Did he immediately retaliate? No, he called upon the LORD! After doing that God filled the king and his army with so much encouragement and faith they were able to stand firm and allow the LORD to do battle. This was the LORD's battle and the people were reminded of this before stepping into it.

I get discouraged a lot. I don't know what it is that so easily steals my joy. Is it a lack of faith? Is it maturity? Reflecting on this passage leads me to realize that I'm making it out to be all about me. God is working on my heart and mind to train me to see that attacks on me aren't really on me. An army's soldier isn't the one our enemy is trying to attack, it's what's driving the army, the commander and king. So I need to stand firm in my position to fight but understand that it's ultimately God's battle. He is victorious and not us.

Heavenly Father, I lack in so many areas. Forgive me of making it all about me. Strengthen Your servant to put on Your armor so that the attacks are deflected and extinguished. The enemy will try to turn our thoughts and actions against each other instead of allowing You to fight the real opponent, the devil and his army. I pray that You remind all of Your children to take a stand daily to remember this critical fact. I also pray over every single marriage and family, to unite them in the good fight. I thank You, my loving God and King! Amen!