Only God's Way

    17All this has come upon us, but we have (AJ)not forgotten You,
         And we have not (AK)dealt falsely with Your covenant. 
    18Our heart has not (AL)turned back,
         And our steps (AM)have not deviated from Your way, 
    19Yet You have (AN)crushed us in a place of (AO)jackals
         And covered us with (AP)the shadow of death. 


Psalm 44:17-19

Sometimes we feel like God has turned away; that even though we haven't done wrong in the eyes of the Lord He still chooses to be silent.  In this psalm, that's the cries of David's heart (I think it's David).  He still remained faithful to God even though things around him seemed like God has withdrawn His favor on His chosen people.  How can this be?  We know that God will never leave or forsake us; that's a promise never to be broken.  So what are possible reasons for this silence?  It could be that we're not listening even though we might be doing all the right things.  It could also be like Job, God had a purpose to glorify Himself through His faithful servant.  Whatever the reason is, we need to get our minds straight that God knows what we could never know.  His ways are definitely not our ways.  We always need to remember that and live out our faith.

This reminds me of a scene in the movie Battle: LA, that we saw last night.  The sergeant encouraged the lieutenant to make a decision; whether right or left, it didn't matter.  Just make a decision and the troops will follow.  The underlying factor in a military function like that is the leaders know more than the troops.  There's a trust factor there that cannot be compromised; if not, people will die.  This is true with our relationship with God.  I cannot live out my own life the way I see fit.  Sounds weird but that's the truth.  We need to live out our days in submission and trusting in God's omnipresence and knowledge.  He knows, not us.  So we need to trust Him even though we may disagree.

Heavenly Father, thank You for knowing all things.  It's really hard living out a life where the world praises the works of men instead of the Creator of Heaven and earth.  Our minds are poisoned with false teachings and misdirection but You have provided Your might Word to pave the way.  Help me to be true to all that You've entrusted me with.  In the highest name I pray, Amen!

Have a Purpose

 ^24(AV)Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives ^(AW)the prize?^(AX)Run in such a way that you may win.

 ²⁵Everyone who ^(AY)competes in the games exercises self-control in all things They then do it to receive a perishable ^(AZ)wreath, but we an imperishable.

 ²⁶Therefore I ^(BA)run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not ^(BB)beating the air;

 ²⁷but I discipline ^(BC)my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.

1 Corinthians 9:24-27

Paul explains how foolish it would be to run a race without a goal, a purpose.  It's like getting in our cars in the morning, fighting traffic only to have nowhere to go.  It's important to have a goal, even short-term goals sometimes, so that we have direction along with our purpose.  Our lives as Christians need to be run in the same manner.  When we serve, serve with a purpose.  When we love, love in a way that's all out for Christ.  Our ministry or callings will be called out before the Lord and we need to have won.

I find myself going along the current too many times.  I see myself doing the minimum required instead of really putting effort and sacrificing my selfish ambitions.  In the last 24 hours, how have I served God?  Did I forget Him?  Other than a few prayers here and there I haven't spent much time with Him; and even less time doing something for Him.  I'm terrible at this!  But I know I mustn't dwell on my failures but look to Jesus in my next opportunity.  I have to serve... to win!

Thank You, Father God for Your mercy.  If You judged us by our performance we would fail miserably.  But all You ask of us is to love You with all our heart, mind, soul and body... and that's the race I want to win.  

Hand in Hand Transformation

 ¹Now concerning ^(A)things sacrificed to idols, we know that we all have ^(B)knowledge Knowledge^(C)makes arrogant, but love ^(D)edifies.

 ^2(E)If anyone supposes that he knows anything, he has not yet ^(F)known as he ought to know;

 ³but if anyone loves God, he ^(G)is known by Him.

1 Corinthians 8:1-3

In this letter to the Corinthians, Paul is talking about how our knowledge of food freedom (that we're free to eat anything) can be a stumbling block to those with less knowledge.  Many new Christians at that time were getting used to the freedom Christ provides but many were still stuck on tradition.  They wanted to break free but it will take time to move on from all the Jewish rules and regulations.  Paul was warning believers not to put a heavy yoke upon them.  If they were still stuck on a tradition, honor God by not forcing them right away to change.  We must take each person and walk them through the transformation, hand in hand, never pushed.

Not being Jewish or even coming from a Catholic (or very traditional) church, I don't have the same experiences to focus on.  Yes, I was a Catholic and know about some of the traditions but not enough to really develop a lifestyle around. But what I take from this lesson is that we're all a work in progress and our missteps should not be taken as opportunity to strike but an opportunity to grow stronger and more faithful.  I think about a child learning to walk.  At first the child cannot even stand but after a while he'll get up on 2 feet and eventually wobble from here to there.  Without Paul's advice, we could criticize for not being able to run fast but that's not the nurturing, loving God we know.  I need to be patient with each person like how God is patient with each of us.

In my heart today I feel restless and very impatient; almost a little angry.  This is because my prayers to have a child has once again have gone unanswered.  My wife spoke to me the other day to trust Him, no matter what on not rely on human methods... she's absolutely right and I'm convicted.  I know I need to trust Him but like that little child learning to walk I need to learn to walk in faith.  So many things are easily given to me that I'm fat and lazy with my faith.  I need to pray harder and harder with persistence but patience, knowing He, the King of all will always be there.  And if the answer continues to be no I must find peace in that.

Father God, thank You for being my Creator.  You know every single cell in my body and my thoughts.  Please Lord, I beg that You transform my heart and faith to align with Yours.  Mold Your servant into a vessel You can use for kingdom works.  In the precious name of Jesus Christ I pray, Amen!