Every morning before breakfast, Steve and I take our morning walk, accompanied by a rather large dog and two small ones. I usually handle Lilly, the lab mix, while Steve walks Sugar and Peanut - the rambunctious, energy-filled, affection-loving Chow/Shepherd puppies.
Almost every day, we play a game with "Sugars" that starts my day off with a happy heart and a smile on my face. It consists of Steve, alone, leashing the puppies and taking them several yards away from the house. Then, and only then, do I step foot out the back door. As soon as Sugar sees me, Steve drops the leash, and the onslaught begins.
It's as if all else disappears from her sight. She focuses her attention directly and plows through the grass - over hill and dale - to get to me. Her tail is wagging. Her fur is waving. And her tongue is dangling so far behind her face that it hits her ears! The drive and passion and sheer delight she exhibits while running to me, thrills me beyond words. She collides into my legs, and I reward her with hugs and rubs, exhibiting to her my own delight with her presence and pursuit.
I wish you could see it - experience it. There's nothing quite as tender as being the object of a little puppies' love and affection with no barriers, no boundaries. Nothing else matters for Sugar at that moment, except getting to the one she loves.
Oh, how I wish my life exhibited that same devotion to my Jesus. How cool it would be, to be so thoroughly focused and fixed on getting to the One who loves me that distractions were just things that flew by my face as I raced forward. That I would run the race He has set before me, fixing my eyes on the Author and Finisher of my faith (Heb. 12:3). Not running out of duty or prodding, but running out of sheer desire to be in His presence - to be with the One who loves me and the One I love.
That would be cool, wouldn't it?
So, what's stopping me? What's stopping us?
I say we do it. I say we not allow circumstances to distract us from Jesus. Let's choose each moment of the day to focus our attention on the One we love and Who loves us. Let's not fix our eyes on anything else - not family, not failures, not bank accounts, not struggles, not holidays, nothing. Let's focus or "fix" our eyes on Jesus and run to Him as hard and as fast as we possibly can, throwing off all inhibitions and letting our tongues whack us in the ears if need be!!!
Jesus, You are so good, and I am blessed to call You my Savior. I am honored and amazed that You love me - that You want to be with me. I praise Your name. I praise You.
By the way, just as I finished the last words of this column, my ears picked up the sound of a Christian band, singing their hit over the radio at my doctor's office. These are the words that I heard: "Fix my eyes (my eyes) on You (on You)...on You." Hmmmmm.....
Monday, November 24, 2014
Monday, November 17, 2014
The Thankfulness Default
Slower than cold syrup...that described the speed of my computer attempting to search for something the other day. No matter what I did, my computer just searched and searched and searched. I thought it was just an evil plot by my keyboard to torture me. However, my computer-savvy husband eased my mind and fixed the problem by simply restoring the default settings.
If you are anything like me, your computer lingo is a little less than up-to-date, so let me explain. A default setting is something your computer does automatically - once you tell it to do it. For instance, if you have more than one printer attached to your computer, you can push a few buttons and tell your computer to always choose the Epson Stylus as your default printer. That means every time you try to print something, the computer will automatically use that specific printer, unless you tell it differently. It's a default setting.
Now, I know it's not quite Thanksgiving yet, but I'm still thinking about it none-the-less...especially today while thinking about the default settings on my computer. What in the world do the two have in common? A lot, I think. At least, I think they should.
You see, what if we made "thankfulness" our default setting? Scripture tells us to be "thankful in all things. (I Thess. 5:18)" It tells us over and over again that God is due our thanks for simply being good (Ps. 106:1, Ps. 107:1, etc...!). It tells us that we are to be thankful in anxious situations, so that the peace of Christ can rule over our hearts (Phil. 4:6,7).
Why? What's the big deal about being thankful? It's because thankfulness reminds us that God is in control. It reminds us that we owe a debt to the Giver of all life. It changes our mindset and even our heart-set in the worst of circumstances. It brings peace, where there is none. It separates us from the rest of humanity who don't know Him...and paints a picture of Who He is.
Being thankful is essential in our walk. But what does that look like in real life? What does resetting our default system to thankfulness mean? Well, it means that when put in a "bad" situation, we will automatically choose to look for something good and speak life into that dark place. It means every time we get angry at our kids for doing something wrong, we don't lose our tempter. Instead of responding in a negative way, we default into being thankful that we actually have children to discipline. It means that every time we get behind someone going slower than the speed limit, we default to thankfulness and recognize that God might be sparing our lives from a wreck up ahead.
If you are anything like me, your computer lingo is a little less than up-to-date, so let me explain. A default setting is something your computer does automatically - once you tell it to do it. For instance, if you have more than one printer attached to your computer, you can push a few buttons and tell your computer to always choose the Epson Stylus as your default printer. That means every time you try to print something, the computer will automatically use that specific printer, unless you tell it differently. It's a default setting.
Now, I know it's not quite Thanksgiving yet, but I'm still thinking about it none-the-less...especially today while thinking about the default settings on my computer. What in the world do the two have in common? A lot, I think. At least, I think they should.
You see, what if we made "thankfulness" our default setting? Scripture tells us to be "thankful in all things. (I Thess. 5:18)" It tells us over and over again that God is due our thanks for simply being good (Ps. 106:1, Ps. 107:1, etc...!). It tells us that we are to be thankful in anxious situations, so that the peace of Christ can rule over our hearts (Phil. 4:6,7).
Why? What's the big deal about being thankful? It's because thankfulness reminds us that God is in control. It reminds us that we owe a debt to the Giver of all life. It changes our mindset and even our heart-set in the worst of circumstances. It brings peace, where there is none. It separates us from the rest of humanity who don't know Him...and paints a picture of Who He is.
Being thankful is essential in our walk. But what does that look like in real life? What does resetting our default system to thankfulness mean? Well, it means that when put in a "bad" situation, we will automatically choose to look for something good and speak life into that dark place. It means every time we get angry at our kids for doing something wrong, we don't lose our tempter. Instead of responding in a negative way, we default into being thankful that we actually have children to discipline. It means that every time we get behind someone going slower than the speed limit, we default to thankfulness and recognize that God might be sparing our lives from a wreck up ahead.
It means that every time our houses needs to be cleaned, we just do it - instead of getting grumpy and being irritating to those around us. We choose to be thankful that we have a house to clean. It means that every time the electricity goes off and we miss our favorite show, we default into recognizing and being thankful that we've had electricity for a very, very long time.
No, thankfulness is not our first inclination. Naturally, we aren't geared that way. We are geared to complain and gripe and say that everything is bad. However, if we are followers of Christ, we can choose to change our default setting to thankfulness. We can choose to be thankful, because that is what is commanded by Christ. It's our responsibility as Believers to show a world that is NOT thankful, how to BE thankful. Set your "default setting" on thankfulness and the world will know that you are His!
Thank You, Jesus that through You, I CAN choose thankfulness. I have SO much to be thankful for...and therefore, I choose to thank You today for my life and the way You are directing my life. Help me today to redirect my anxiety and worry...my impatience and arrogance...to thankfulness. Thank You, Lord..that You listen, when I call and that You desire to help.
No, thankfulness is not our first inclination. Naturally, we aren't geared that way. We are geared to complain and gripe and say that everything is bad. However, if we are followers of Christ, we can choose to change our default setting to thankfulness. We can choose to be thankful, because that is what is commanded by Christ. It's our responsibility as Believers to show a world that is NOT thankful, how to BE thankful. Set your "default setting" on thankfulness and the world will know that you are His!
Thank You, Jesus that through You, I CAN choose thankfulness. I have SO much to be thankful for...and therefore, I choose to thank You today for my life and the way You are directing my life. Help me today to redirect my anxiety and worry...my impatience and arrogance...to thankfulness. Thank You, Lord..that You listen, when I call and that You desire to help.
Monday, November 3, 2014
Trading Death for Life
"Do you need a lawyer?"
I have never been asked that question in my life, but last week, I was asked not once, but TWICE. No, I was not in trouble with the Law. No, I didn't take something that didn't belong to me...unless you count that piece of my children's Halloween candy. No, there were no warrants out for my arrest. Instead, I was merely sitting in a courtroom, minding my own business, in support of a family friend. Of course, my husband and I were there for about 9 hours, so I am sure it looked like we were waiting for someone to come to our rescue, but we weren't.
Yet, being in the courtroom DID make me think. It made me think of the times I had broken the law in the past - the times that I had sped down those MS dirt roads with the wind blowing in my hair and the dust flying in my face. I was guilty of breaking the law. I just didn't get caught. Oh, I SHOULD have been prosecuted by the law. I SHOULD have had to pay the fine. I SHOULD have gone to Safe Driving School. Again, I just didn't get caught! However, not being caught, didn't make me any less guilty.
That's like our spiritual life. Not "getting caught" in our sin doesn't make us any less guilty. Romans 3:23 says, "All have sinned or fallen short of the glory of God." We have all messed up. We've all broken God's Law at one time or another and ended up standing before a Holy and Righteous Judge.
And what does that infringement of God's Law cost us? Scripture says that it costs us our lives: "For the wages of sin is death..."
Yuck! You mean to tell me that just because I lied to my mom about eating that piece of peppermint in the third grade, I am guilty and sentenced to death (life apart from God)? Yep. You mean to tell me that just because I ate waaaay too much food during Thanksgiving break that I am guilty and sentenced to death? Yep. You mean to tell me that just because I tried to make someone feel better by telling them that I liked their shirt, when it really was hideous that I am guilty of breaking God's Law and am sentenced to death? Yep. Whether you got caught or not, doesn't make you (or me) any less guilty.
BUT...the remaining part of Romans 6:23 says, "but the free gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ."
Think of it this way. You are standing before a judge on this earth, fully-knowing your guilt. Your hands are free, but your feet are cuffed. You know that there is nothing you can do. Your lawyer is absent. Your friends aren't allowed to speak on your behalf. The defense rests. All seems lost.
The judge returns to the bench and speaks the verdict - Death by electrocution. Your mind reels. You didn't mean for it to ever get this far. After all, you really didn't do anything to deserve the death penalty. You just broke the law...a little...one time. And now your life is over. You will die alone, wishing you had never crossed paths with that judge. You beg for the mercy, but to no avail. You plead for your case to be reviewed, but your time has come. Death is inevitable.
All of the sudden, from the back of the room, a Man steps forward. He looks intently at you, asking you to trust Him. Realizing He is your last chance, you beg Him...you plead with Him to do anything He can do to relieve you of this penalty...this judgment.
He smiles, approaches the bench, takes the guilty verdict and crosses out your name. Before you can say a word and question how He can do this, He writes His name above yours...canceling out your signature. The bailiff approaches and removes the cuffs from your feet and places them on the feet of the Man who took your place. Then he leads the new Prisoner away...towards the chair that will take His life - His life, instead of yours.
That's nuts...but it's TRUTH. Jesus Christ is our propitiation - our satisfaction before God. He substitutes His life for ours, if we but ask. No payment on our part is involved. Instead, a simple exchange of confessing words will do...along with a remorseful heart. Then and only then, is your guilty verdict appeased...is your punishment atoned for. Only then is court adjourned and your freedom secured.
So, I challenge you will all my heart. If you do not know this Substitute - this Jesus, then don't stop reading here. Instead, find a Bible and start reading in the Gospel of John. Read of Jesus' life and His great love for you - His death and His resurrection - all for your behalf. Then, ask Him to be Your substitution. Allow Him to trade your death for life. He loves you that much, my friend. He loves you that much.
Jesus, You know that there are those who may read this today, who need to know You. I pray for them. I pray You will reveal Yourself to them, so that they too, may know You as Advocate and Friend. Thank You for hearing my prayers for them. Thank You.
I have never been asked that question in my life, but last week, I was asked not once, but TWICE. No, I was not in trouble with the Law. No, I didn't take something that didn't belong to me...unless you count that piece of my children's Halloween candy. No, there were no warrants out for my arrest. Instead, I was merely sitting in a courtroom, minding my own business, in support of a family friend. Of course, my husband and I were there for about 9 hours, so I am sure it looked like we were waiting for someone to come to our rescue, but we weren't.
Yet, being in the courtroom DID make me think. It made me think of the times I had broken the law in the past - the times that I had sped down those MS dirt roads with the wind blowing in my hair and the dust flying in my face. I was guilty of breaking the law. I just didn't get caught. Oh, I SHOULD have been prosecuted by the law. I SHOULD have had to pay the fine. I SHOULD have gone to Safe Driving School. Again, I just didn't get caught! However, not being caught, didn't make me any less guilty.
That's like our spiritual life. Not "getting caught" in our sin doesn't make us any less guilty. Romans 3:23 says, "All have sinned or fallen short of the glory of God." We have all messed up. We've all broken God's Law at one time or another and ended up standing before a Holy and Righteous Judge.
And what does that infringement of God's Law cost us? Scripture says that it costs us our lives: "For the wages of sin is death..."
Yuck! You mean to tell me that just because I lied to my mom about eating that piece of peppermint in the third grade, I am guilty and sentenced to death (life apart from God)? Yep. You mean to tell me that just because I ate waaaay too much food during Thanksgiving break that I am guilty and sentenced to death? Yep. You mean to tell me that just because I tried to make someone feel better by telling them that I liked their shirt, when it really was hideous that I am guilty of breaking God's Law and am sentenced to death? Yep. Whether you got caught or not, doesn't make you (or me) any less guilty.
BUT...the remaining part of Romans 6:23 says, "but the free gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ."
Think of it this way. You are standing before a judge on this earth, fully-knowing your guilt. Your hands are free, but your feet are cuffed. You know that there is nothing you can do. Your lawyer is absent. Your friends aren't allowed to speak on your behalf. The defense rests. All seems lost.
The judge returns to the bench and speaks the verdict - Death by electrocution. Your mind reels. You didn't mean for it to ever get this far. After all, you really didn't do anything to deserve the death penalty. You just broke the law...a little...one time. And now your life is over. You will die alone, wishing you had never crossed paths with that judge. You beg for the mercy, but to no avail. You plead for your case to be reviewed, but your time has come. Death is inevitable.
All of the sudden, from the back of the room, a Man steps forward. He looks intently at you, asking you to trust Him. Realizing He is your last chance, you beg Him...you plead with Him to do anything He can do to relieve you of this penalty...this judgment.
He smiles, approaches the bench, takes the guilty verdict and crosses out your name. Before you can say a word and question how He can do this, He writes His name above yours...canceling out your signature. The bailiff approaches and removes the cuffs from your feet and places them on the feet of the Man who took your place. Then he leads the new Prisoner away...towards the chair that will take His life - His life, instead of yours.
That's nuts...but it's TRUTH. Jesus Christ is our propitiation - our satisfaction before God. He substitutes His life for ours, if we but ask. No payment on our part is involved. Instead, a simple exchange of confessing words will do...along with a remorseful heart. Then and only then, is your guilty verdict appeased...is your punishment atoned for. Only then is court adjourned and your freedom secured.
So, I challenge you will all my heart. If you do not know this Substitute - this Jesus, then don't stop reading here. Instead, find a Bible and start reading in the Gospel of John. Read of Jesus' life and His great love for you - His death and His resurrection - all for your behalf. Then, ask Him to be Your substitution. Allow Him to trade your death for life. He loves you that much, my friend. He loves you that much.
Jesus, You know that there are those who may read this today, who need to know You. I pray for them. I pray You will reveal Yourself to them, so that they too, may know You as Advocate and Friend. Thank You for hearing my prayers for them. Thank You.
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