God reminds us that we don’t have to be fearful of doing what He instructs us to do; of following, serving and standing for Him. Our family members may treat us differently; our friends may leave us out. We know we are serving a God greater than anyone and anything. And He will surely give us strength.
Trust God. Seek Him. Be Affirmed in Christ.
Yes, this should literally say ‘fill in the blank’
Recently, I was at a place of business where I encountered several questionable acts of customer service. The presentation of the employees led to poor interaction and performance.
And while I told my husband I was itching to make a witty meme capturing the sluggard demeanor of these employees that represented the four most current generations (where my geriatric millennials at? :)), I knew that would not be life-giving or God-honoring.
Instead, the Holy Spirit led me to share real life with you all and seek God for a deeper meaning in this encounter.
I started thinking of the forgiveness and freedom of habits and temptations that God has graced upon me. And this was not in a sense of comparison but a true humility check. I realized like the lethargic employees, I too am displaying something that I need to stop and give over to the Lord.
So, to my dear friends of all ages, let’s take a moment and ask ourselves, ‘What is it that I need to stop doing?’ For the employees I mentioned, maybe it is to stop being insecure or fearful of not fitting in and alternatively take pride in your work. As believers, our work is for the glory of God (Colossians 3:23). Or maybe it is to stop using a substance that numbs or make you feel better about reality. Practicing self-control and showing wisdom is God-honoring (Titus 2:12; James 4:7; 2 Timothy 1:7).
You know what your ‘stop’ is or what they are and so do I.
One of my ‘stops’ is working on being less controlling. I see the toll that being controlling can take on me and those I love most. Being controlling has the tendency to translate poorly in my marriage and leads me to burnout trying to do everything for everyone and not accepting help. Most important, being controlling takes the focus off of what God can do and puts it in the hands of sinful and weak me. By His grace I am saved, not by what I do (Ephesians 2:8-9). Through Him (not Kim) all things are possible (Matthew 19:26)!
Whether we are battling insecurity, discontentment, or a sense of feeling unsure of the future, God can and will meet us there. The truth is the thing or things you and I know we need to stop may be something we continue to battle. And the truth is that God does not love us any less. The sweet joy of our salvation is that the grace that saved us is the same grace that will continue to reconcile us and adjust us and refine us to be more like Christ. To truly stop the things we battle, we must accept that starting to follow Jesus is the only answer. There is no one else who can handle it like my God. He is the only way.
Dear friends, join me in this week’s application:
let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
Hebrews 12:1-3, NIV
God wants our real life. Not a performance or the character you play. He wants you and I and all parts of us. For His will and His glory.
Trust God. Seek Him. Be Affirmed in Christ.
Father,
Help me to see Your purpose for my pain. As I work through the impacts of being offended or even trauma, help me know Your will. Give me the attitude of Joseph; seeing life from two perspectives. As I process the wrong that has been done to me, at times with malicious intent by others, open the eyes of my heart. Help me see how You are working in me and in the world. How can my godly response to my pain edify others and, most importantly, glorify You?
In Jesus’ name!
Amen
Trust God. Seek Him. Be Affirmed in Christ.
You meant it for evil, but God meant it for good. Anyone that’s familiar with the Bible has probably heard this. Joseph, the one who was hated by his older brothers and sold into slavery. The one who experienced false accusations, imprisonment, and estrangement from his father because of the hateful actions of other people. Years later, when Joseph is in a position of great power and his brothers come to him expressing fear of his retaliation, his response is simple. No bitterness. No resentment. God meant it for good.
As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.
Genesis 50:20 ESV
What had to be going on in Joseph’s soul for him to respond this way? Notice that he did not ignore or downplay his brothers’ actions. As I tend to do, Joseph didn’t say, “oh it’s no big deal.” No, he spoke truth out of a change of focus that took place in his heart. “Yes, your actions were malicious… but God had greater plans!” Joseph did not forget or ignore what his brothers had done to him, but he came to realize how God worked through it all to bring about His purposes. He allowed his focus on the purposes and plans of God to be greater than the focus on the atrocities committed against him. In life people WILL hurt you. The choice between bondage to bitterness or to the freedom of forgiveness is yours.
Questions for reflection:
Trust God. Seek Him. Be affirmed in Christ.
I took this picture recently in Saugatuck, Michigan. I had a morning to enjoy time at the lake with friends.
We read a devotional that reminded us of the benefit of choosing biblical wisdom in all things. Such a beautiful reminder.
But being wise is more than just changing your actions. There has to be a decision that in whatever circumstance we are facing that we would choose to take the more wise route; God’s route.
But what if we don’t know which route is more wise? Let’s look to God’s word:
28Have you not known? Have you not heard?
Isaiah 40:28-31, ESV
The Lord is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He does not faint or grow weary;
his understanding is unsearchable.
29 He gives power to the faint,
and to him who has no might he increases strength.
30 Even youths shall faint and be weary,
and young men shall fall exhausted;
31 but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings like eagles;
they shall run and not be weary;
they shall walk and not faint.
Wisdom can be found in waiting for the Lord. God’s peace can be found in the waiting. Hope can be found in the waiting, if we seek God through it.
While we are waiting on relationships to heal, for prayers to be answered, for the second chance, for direction or whatever else you and I are waiting and trusting the Lord for, we can have a different perspective.
Taking our eyes off of the circumstance and fixing our eyes on the Lord (Hebrews 12:2-3, ESV) is always the wise choice.
So today think of the following:
Dear friend, choosing to find the joy of the Lord in the waiting is a wise decision.
Trust God. Seek Him. Be Affirmed in Christ.
“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.”
James 1:5 ESV
Lord, so often my desire is to fix problems on my own. I get frustrated when I can’t figure things out. I’m frustrated because I’m living outside of Your intentions for me. God, help me to see life from the heavenly vantage point.
Your Holy Word is clear that hardships are a reason for joy. I don’t always see life that way, but it is true. You place trials in my life for a reason.
You place me in hard situations for an intended purpose. The adversity in my life should spur me to seek You; to seek You in steadfast and fervent prayer.
Jesus, I repent and ask Your forgiveness for all the times that I’ve trusted in my own counsel and ignored You. Forgive me for thinking I didn’t need You and trusting in myself. I need You Jesus.
I need You to walk with me in dealing with guilt, shame, hard relationships, grief, difficult decisions, and the ups and downs of every day life. I have joy knowing that You have promised that if I ask for wisdom, then it will be provided. As I wait for a change or further direction, help me to be continual and fervent in prayer. My situation may or may not change, but I am certain that You will work in my own heart.
But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
James 1:6-8 ESV
Change my focus from outward to inward, Lord. Heavenly Father, what are You wanting to change in me?
Trust God. Seek Him. Be Affirmed in Christ.
The other day I was sitting in my living room journaling. As I was thinking and praying about my relationship with the Lord, I wrote, “Lord make me more like You.”
As I continually look at the chasm between where I am spiritually and God’s standard, this is the desire of my heart. I asked the Lord to be shown where my character does not align with His heart and to be led in the everlasting way (Psalm 139:24).
As usual, this prayer is always answered with many ways where I can and need to grow in several areas of my life. My response was another request, “Lord, make me a more disciplined man.”
Interestingly enough as I was journaling, one of my daughters walks by with her “magic wand.” She then exclaims, “Daddy you’re a superhero! Poof!” After laughing with her and taking a moment to enjoy the innocence of children, I sat and thought further. I wondered, “if only it could be that easy?”
“If only I could snap my fingers, instantly grow spiritually, and become a superhero for God?” But our God does not work this way. He takes us through seasons and works in us over time. These seasons can often feel pointless and weary.
As I’ve thought about this over the years I’ve wondered why this is the case?
God has the power to do whatever He wants and His desire is for our spiritual growth and to be more like Him. Yes, His schedule is usually slower than what we desire. Like our society, we want change today. We want results now. But deeper than surface level changes, God is after our hearts and this takes time. He works in us through relationship.
Seasons of patience should cause you to increase your dependency for God in prayer; trusting and believing that God is faithful.
Questions for today?
What are you wanting God to do in your own heart right now? Don’t get discouraged in the waiting. Be engaged in the waiting. God has more for you to find in your weary seasons than a mere destination or results. He wants you to find more of Him.
Trust God. Seek Him. Be Affirmed in Christ.
Heavenly Father,
You have created me to be filled with gifts, aspirations and ideas. I praise You for how uniquely, fearfully and wonderfully You have formed me.
There are many dreams and goals that I have and Lord I truly want to please you in every decision made. Father God, help me to stay focused on seeking Your will for my life, not what I believe I should have or what others may say I should do.
Not seeking what is trendy or appealing but fulfilling Your purpose God.
I admit and confess the countless times that I attempted to take control, Lord have mercy on me. Forgive me for forgetting to rest in your sovereignty.
God I thank you for the people You have placed in my life as wise counsel. Lord I ask that You would continue to provide access to safe and wise born-again believers who I can reach out to.
I pray for Your Holy Spirit to help me to remember that seeking You through prayer, worship and meditating on Your word ultimately is the best way to seek Your good and perfect will for my life and brings wisdom in situations that feel uncertain.
Lord, I trust You with this prayer. Amen.
Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act.
Psalm 37:4-5
Trust God. Seek Him. Be Affirmed in Christ.
Trust God. Seek Him. Be Affirmed in Christ.
Affirmed in Christ