Archive for June, 2010

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God’s Watching (in a Good Way!)

Monday, June 7th, 2010

Hi y’all. I just flew in from Edmonton where I spent the last four days for ministry purposes. Had no access to wireless during this time, so I’m now catching up and posting my blog. I hope you had a wonderful weekend! Here goes for the day’s devotional…

I recently read a well-known Christian author’s view about God’s involvement with people’s lives. Basically, she believes He watches our comings and goings from His throne in a cosmic observation tower, disengaged from life as we know it on earth. Frankly, my first thought was What Bible is she reading? 

The Scriptures teem with examples of God’s active involvement in people’s everyday lives. Take Joseph, for example. Only an all-seeing, all-knowing, all-powerful God could have orchestrated the details to position him as Egypt’s second-in-command. How about Esther’s winning a beauty pageant and being thrust into position as Queen so she could later save an entire nation from annihilation? Then there’s Jesus Himself cooking a beach breakfast for His disciples, weeping with sorrowing sisters at Lazarus’ tomb, and eating meals at the homes of saints and sinners alike.

The Bible I read tells me that God watches over us, but not with disinterest – He’s invested ‘way too much in us for that. Psalm 121 describes His role in vivid terms:

“I look up to the mountains – does my help come from there? My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth! He will not let you stumble; the one who watches over you will not slumber. Indeed he who watches over Israel never slumbers or sleeps. The LORD himself watches over you! The LORD stands beside you as your protective shade. The sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon at night. The LORD keeps you from all harm and watches over your life. The LORD keeps watch over you as you come and go, both now and forever.”

With those verses in mind, I simply cannot understand how a professing believer can think God watches from a distance with no care or concern for involvement. The Scripture is clear – God watches over us but He’s also with us every moment of every day. Amazing. That assurance gives me hope, confidence and peace beyond measure.

How do these verses encourage you? How have you seen God actively involved in your life?

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Comparison Trap

Friday, June 4th, 2010

Do you ever compare yourself to other people? C’mon, be honest. I’ve fallen into that trap a few times, and guess what? It’s not a comfy place to land.

Author John Ortberg addresses the problem of comparison in his book, If You Want to Walk on Water, You’ve Got to Get Out of the Boat: “I must ruthlessly refuse to compare my talents with anyone else. Comparison will lead to pride and a false sense of superiority if I’m ahead of someone, and misery if I’m behind. Or worse, I will discount and bury the irreplaceable treasure that the Lord of the Gift has given to me alone…I must come to identify, cultivate, invest, prize, and enjoy the gifts that have been given to me. The Lord of the Gift is very wise. He knew exactly what he was doing when he created you. He is well-pleased that you exist. He has entrusted to you everything you need to fulfill the purpose for which you were created.”

I use that quote when I teach about overcoming the fear of inadequacy, and I find its simple wisdom a good reminder to keep my focus where it needs to be – on God alone. The moment I look around and start comparing myself and my lot in life to others, my perspective blurs.

Peter’s outlook blurred in John 21:18-22. Jesus had just finished telling him by what kind of death he would glorify God and commanding him to “follow me” when he turned around and looked at John. “What about him, Lord?” he asked.

You’ve gotta love Peter. And you’ve gotta love Jesus for the answer He gave: “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? As for you, follow me.”

What a wise nugget, eh? God has a plan for each of us, and only He knows both the minute details and the bigger picture. Our focus needs to be on Him, listening to His voice and following that plan for our lives. The moment we start comparing our path with another’s, we step into a trap that leads only to discontentment, jealousy and envy.

Next time I find myself falling into that nasty trap of comparison, I’ll remember Jesus words and apply them to my situation: “If I want so-and-so to do (or have) such-and-such, what’s that to you? As for you, follow me.”

Any other sage words about avoiding the comparison trap?

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Rules, Rules, Rules

Wednesday, June 2nd, 2010

What rules did you have while growing up? Here’s a sampling from my memory lane…

  • Be home by 11:00 P.M.
  • No theatre attendance (“that’s where people sit in the back and behave inappropriately”).
  • No card playing.
  • No dancing.
  • No alcohol.

The list went on, flushing everything that looked like fun. And so I picked the ones I wanted to obey and rationalized my way through the rest…

  • Be home by 11:00 unless I don’t feel like it and I’m willing to pay the consequences.
  • No theatre attendance unless I want to see the featured movie.
  • No card playing unless I’m a guest at someone’s house where cards are played.
  • No dancing – well, I stuck to that one because I felt ‘way too self-conscious on the dance floor.
  • No alcohol – that one stuck, too. One whiff of an open bottle dissolved any temptation I may have had to drink the stuff.

Some rules were for my safety and well-being. Others simply helped our schedule at home run more smoothly and changed with circumstances and seasons. Some rules bugged me. Others were tolerable. Some I managed to appreciate.

The older I get, the more I understand the importance of rules. Imagine life in a society without them! Everyone would do what’s right in their own eyes. Chaos and crime would reign supreme. That’s why God has established rules. He knows that the human race can possess brilliant minds but zero wisdom. He knows we’re capable of royally messing up our lives and the lives others because of our selfish nature. And so, He’s laid out a few rules for us to follow. Here’s a sampling:

  • Practice monogamy.
  • Give to the poor, the widows, the orphans.
  • Speak up for the defenseless.
  • Give thanks in everything.
  • Think only thoughts that are pure and honorable.
  • Forgive those who hurt you.
  • Pray about everything.
  • Carry one another’s burdens.
  • Do not gossip.
  • Love Him with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength.
  • Love others as ourselves.

Good ones, eh? Imagine how sweet life would be if everyone on earth followed these rules. Too bad we don’t. Instead, we pick the ones we want to obey and rationalize our way through the rest. And what happens next? We end up in trouble and blame everyone but ourselves.

God’s rules are for a reason. Following them doesn’t flush the fun or cramp our style if we’re serious about living a life that He honors. Neither do they restrict us. Instead, they give us abundant life. Psalm 119:156 says, “LORD, how great is your mercy; let me be revived by following your regulations.”

Obeying God’s rules brings us understanding. Following them enables us to live well in a complicated world, surrounded by imperfect human beings. Embracing them brings benefits, while ignoring them brings regrets. Seems like a no-brainer then, doesn’t it?

How about you? What rules did you have while growing up? What insights do you have about God-given rules?

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