Get Fit!

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This is the time of year when a lot of people (including me) are focused on working through their New Year’s Resolutions.  It’s time to get healthy, time to get fit, time to make goals, time to change way of thinking/way of doing, time to become more of who we want to be (however that may be formed into a resolution).

I see it as the time to build our muscles.  Hit the gym, so to speak (or literally!).

At the end of 2016 (3 days before Christmas), I was given the opportunity to build my muscles.  My faith muscles that is.  I was taken off a work project that I thought would last a good year or so.  Suddenly (and not conveniently), I had no income.

Funny word I chose there:  opportunity.  However it is truly an opportunity!

It’s the opportunity to work on my faith muscles.  Just like hitting the gym each day in order to build muscles, its time to hit the Bible (believe what He says in it, and work on my relationship with Him) to build my faith muscles.  The good news is I didn’t stop “going to the gym” (Bible, hearing from God) prior to this news, as He actually prepared me ahead of time.  I kept up the muscle maintenance needed for moments just like this.  I’m actually very excited that this is the season to “bulk up.”  I’m learning to appreciate what James said:

“Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.” (James 1:2 NLT)

I’m learning that when I go through “stuff” I get the chance to experience different aspects/qualities of God.  For instance, when I was afraid and had a sort of “bully” in my life, I experienced God as my refuge and strength, and as my vindicator. (“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” Psalms 46:1 NLT;  and “For the Lord will vindicate his people and have compassion on his servants” Psalms 135:14 ESV)  When I was laid off from my job of 11 years, I experienced God’s rest as never before. (“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28 ESV)  When I was single for so many years, I experienced God as my husband.  (“For your Maker is your husband, the Lord of hosts is his name; and the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer, the God of the whole earth he is called.” Isaiah 5:54 ESV)

You can never change my mind or convince me now that God is not my refuge and strength, or my vindicator, or my rest, or my husband.  I KNOW those things and nothing will ever change that because I experienced and lived it!  Those muscles are toned baby!

Continuing what James said after he said to consider the trials/troubles opportunities, he gives us the reason: “For you know that when your faith is tested (or faith muscle is built up – my words), your endurance has a chance to grow (bulk up – my words). So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. ”  In other words, the yuck in life is the opportunity to build up your faith muscles!  Then you will not need anything else and realize all you need is God alone!  He is enough!  He is all you will ever need in every situation.  Good or bad, God is all you need.

Want to come work out with me?

“So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (Romans 10:10 NKJV)

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Filed Under: Becoming, Believe, Faith Tagged With:

Bad Rap

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Lacking nothing. Sounds too good to be true. I’d like to lack nothing. How about being perfect and whole or complete? Is that possible?

Patience got a bad rap.

Whenever you mention patience, people roll their eyes. I think its because patience sure doesn’t sound all that great, especially if it means having to wait for things. I don’t think we’re good at that.  Its about the destination, not the journey. Or is it?

But patience is a fruit of the Spirit so it must be a good thing? Somehow.

Gets me to thinkin’. If I were truly patient, I wouldn’t worry. I wouldn’t be anxious about things not yet completed or arrived. If I was completely patient, I would be content in any situation. I would be as James put it “perfect and complete, lacking-nothing.”

“Let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.” (James 1:4 NKJV)

Now that sounds good!

There’s a Christian theory that has been passed down through the ages that in order to get patience, God will bring you trials. If you’re like me, it makes the sound of wanting patience like wanting to be a martyr. If you wanted patience, you’d want trials. Who wants trials?! Yuck!

But who wants to lack nothing? Me! Me! Me!

Let’s use this same theory with the other fruit of the Spirit: Love. So in order to get love, God would bring you the unlovable. Hmm. Or peace. To get peace, God would bring a storm. Or self-control, God would bring you something you can’t live without.

I dunno. I used to disagree with the theory. But I’m finding that the theory, though it has some flaws, may have some substance to it. In order to demonstrate true love, I think it would be best proven when you don’t feel love at all. Or to go through a tough storm and still maintain peace, would be real peace. Etc. I still think patience has gotten the bad rap because patience is pretty awesome – to have to wait for something and yet be confidently content – way cool!

If our number one goal is to be more like Jesus, then we’ve got a lot to work on. And if it means going through the muck and yuck of life to get there, then I’m in! God, have your perfect work done in me!

Reminds me of one of my favorite verses in the Bible because of the impact it has had on my life. It is when we are weak, can’t lean on our own intellect or talent or strength, but can only lean on God, that is when we can exhibit the fruit of the Spirit. When in all natural strength, it is not possible. Then God.

“But He (God) said to me, ‘My grace (My favor and loving-kindness and mercy) is enough for you [sufficient against any danger and enables you to bear the trouble manfully]; for My strength and power are made perfect (fulfilled and completed) and show themselves most effective in [your] weakness.’ Therefore, I will all the more gladly glory in my weaknesses and infirmities, that the strength and power of Christ (the Messiah) may rest (yes, may pitch a tent over and dwell) upon me!

We must decrease, so that He can increase. Then we can be perfect and complete, lacking-nothing!

Patience is cool! Lord God, bring me more!

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Filed Under: Becoming, Journey, Trust, Weakness

Love vs. Pleasing

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I love the mountains. I fell in love and got married. I love golf (when I can play). I love my friends and family. I love my awesome dog Addie.

However, these things are not always pleasing to me. Driving in snow in the mountains can be scary. Golf was not pleasing when I threw out my back. My friends and family can at (very rare!) times not be pleasing.

But how do I show my love to someone? How would you describe how to love?

I’m inclined to do what I think they would want me to do for them. Or go out of my way to make them happy. Avoid disagreeing with them. Be a “yes” person to show them I’m on their side.

Right? Isn’t that showing love? Sounds good doesn’t it?

Actually, I’m learning there is a big difference between showing love to someone and pleasing them. Sounds like they are one in the same, but according to the Bible, they are very different. These ways I listed above, I think would fall more under the category of pleasing them.

Showing love is being patient with them, and kind in how I talk to and treat them. To love someone is to tell them the truth, even if it might hurt their feelings. Loving someone is to not remember what they did wrong to us. Showing love is to believe the best of them – even before they open their mouth. Oh wait! There’s a scripture that shows all this and more! Without any further ado…the true love:

“Love endures long and is patient and kind; love never is envious nor boils over with jealousy, is not boastful or vainglorious, does not display itself haughtily. It is not conceited, arrogant and inflated with pride; it is not rude/unmannerly and does not act unbecomingly. Love (God’s love in us) does not insist on its own rights or its own way, for it is not self-seeking; it is not touchy or fretful or resentful; it takes no account of the evil done to it/it pays no attention to a suffered wrong. It does not rejoice at injustice and unrighteousness, but rejoices when right and truth prevail. Love bears up under anything and everything that comes, is ever ready to believe the best of every person, its hopes are fadeless under all circumstances, and it endures everything without weakening.” (I Corinthians 13:4-7 AMP)

But what love is not is trying to please people. Sounds wrong doesn’t it?

Trying to please someone can put us in precarious situations, especially if what makes them happy causes us to act dishonorably.

As an extreme example, maybe they really want me to steal that motorcycle for them. If I wanted to please them, I would! Or more real life examples: what if they didn’t like to take responsibility for their finances, health, anger, self-medicating, marriage, relationships so they asked me to pay their bills, feed them donuts, keep my opinions to myself, bring them another beer, etc. If I wanted to please them, I would do these things for them because I want to make them happy. Even if it enables them to continue in sin. And pleasing them, causes me to sin.

Ouch!

Here’s the verse I’m meditating on today that brought about this whole line of thinking:

“Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.” (Galations 1:10 NIV)

It is dangerous to put anyone (even our spouses!) above God. Which I believe is exactly what happens when we try to please people.

Love. Love is more and more complex to me. I thought I knew what love was (sounds like a song?!). But I’m thinking again. Love is more than I can do on my own.

Heavenly Father, help me to truly love as You have loved me.

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Filed Under: #GodsLove, Becoming

Show-Off

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Happy Good Friday!  (Sounds strange saying that as today represents the day that Jesus was crucified, died, and was buried in a tomb – should be a sad day? But even so, it is all good because He did it for us!) But I digress.

God is a show-off: “God demonstrates…” I started writing down this verse this morning, and realized that God showed us something and didn’t just tell us about it. He demonstrates by His actions. He could’ve said, “I love you” and left it at that.

But He didn’t. He shows it.

“God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8 NKJV)

Makes me think about my own relationships. I’m sure you’ve heard the saying, “actions speak louder than words,” but do we really take that to heart and DO it? Am I really showing people love? Am I walking in forgiveness and letting them off the hook? Am I showing mercy? Am I putting others needs before my own (aka loving my neighbors as myself)?

Convicting isn’t it? How much do I really show people I love them? We are called to ask ourselves just that question:

“Examine and test and evaluate your own selves to see whether you are holding to your faith and showing the proper fruits of it. Test and prove yourselves.” (2 Corinthians 13:5a AMP)

But I thought faith was about believing God for the next promotion and taking the “steps of faith” in asking my boss for a raise? I think it can be that as well, but if I really believe that God is more interested in changing/growing me than my circumstances than “faith” takes on a different meaning.

Do I have faith that God is changing me/developing me into Christ-likeness?

“What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works?” (James 2:14 ESV)

What types of works? The verses that follow (verse 15+) talk about feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, etc. But what about the verses before…

“Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.” (James 2:12-13 NIV)

Follow me here…we are to be merciful to (love!) others knowing that we ourselves will be judged with or without mercy (love) depending on how we have treated others. As I’m examining myself here (as mentioned earlier), I am struggling that just doing stuff for people with the mindset (heart) to do it in order to save myself from judgment without mercy seems selfish – not self-less.

And that is where I conclude that the works of my faith are more a heart issue than a works issue. If my heart is truly to become like Jesus, then my heart will be to do what He did and so will my actions. If He forgave, I forgive. If He spoke truth in love, then I speak truth in love. If He was patient, then I am patient.

Can I really do those things?  Yes! because He is in me to do it! To finish the verse…

“Examine and test and evaluate your own selves to see whether you are holding to your faith and showing the proper fruits of it. Test and prove yourselves. Do you not yourselves realize and know [thoroughly by an ever-increasing experience] that Jesus Christ is in you…” (2 Corinthians 13:5 AMP)

How would we really act and show our faith (love others) if we know Who is in us? What power would we have? What confidence and boldness could we walk in? What mercy, grace, love could we show others? Do you not realize it? Christ is in you! Christ is in me!

God, work in me to be less-self, and more-You in me. I want to be a show-off and demonstrate Your love to others just as You do for me!

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Filed Under: #GodsLove, Becoming, Faith, Love

Showers – Get Wet!

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There are all sorts of showers. Baby showers. Wedding showers. Rain showers. And showers to clean yourself off. All of them can be fun and refreshing.

If you’ve ever stayed overnight with my family, and mentioned you were going to take a shower, my Dad will say: “Try not to get wet!”

Now that is just silly, isn’t it? Of course you’re going to get wet if you’re taking a shower. For heaven’s sake, how else would you get clean! He says this obviously to be funny. However, I was considering today how this statement can resemble repentance.

Have you ever gone to God and repented for a sin, but then still felt dirty afterwards? As if the prayer was just words and God never forgave you. Like you walk into a shower (prayer), turn on the water and step in (repent), but somehow you seem to dodge every raining drop of water and not get wet (forgiveness). I’ve recently been there. I keep repenting for the same ‘ole thing. Silly isn’t it?

Why don’t I believe God and His word?! Jesus said: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (I John 1:9 NKJV)

Ah ha! God gives us a shower! He cleans us (even the messy dirty parts we like to hide)!

It’s interesting to me, that if we confess our sins – the ones we know about, then He forgives us for ALL of them, even the ones we don’t mention. I’ve never seen that before but that is cool! (Re-read the verse to make sure I’m seeing this correctly.)

How do you feel after you take a shower? Refreshed? Clean? Ready to start the day? How about after you’ve exercised or worked in dirt all day? I think the dirtier we are, the better it feels to have it all cleaned up!

“Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord.” (Acts 3:19 NKJV)

The other cool thing is we can take showers daily. Every morning, we can start anew. A blank slate. A new start. “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.” (Lamentations 3:22-23 ESV)

I think the struggle is more than just accepting God’s forgiveness (although that can be a struggle too), but it can also be avoiding/not sinning again when we’re in the same situation. It is HARD to change. It takes focus, determination, concentration, self-awareness, and revelation (“ah ha, I’ve seen this temptation before”). Paying attention to what you’re doing sounds easy, but for me, sometimes I run on auto-pilot – especially when I’ve been doing things the same way for a long time. So is it even possible?

Paul struggled with this as well – wanting to do the “right” thing, but doing the “wrong.”

“For what I am doing, I do not understand….For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice…O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? I thank God—through Jesus Christ our Lord!” (Romans 7:15-24 NKJV)

It is only through Jesus that we can do anything good! “You are my Lord, my goodness is nothing apart from You.” (Psalms 16:2 NKJV)

SO, it’s not focus, determination, concentration, self-awareness, and (earthly) revelation as mentioned before. Because all that focusing, will power, 3×5 card reminders amount to nothing. WE can’t do it. But God can do it IN us.

What a relief! I just need to ask God to do it in me – and wait expectantly as I watch it happen! GOD IS SO COOL!

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” (Proverbs 3:5-6 NKJV)

Makes this verse all the more clear to me: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13 NKJV)

Next time I shower (probably tomorrow morning), I’m going to get wet!

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Filed Under: Becoming, Forgiveness, Mercy