Knowing Versus Doing

I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection....

 

Philippians 3:10

If asked the purpose for which God made you, what might you say?

 

You might give a lot of answers that required some action on your part. However, the simplest answer to that question relates to one primary thing—fellowship. The most important thing God desires from us is to have a deep and intimate fellowship with each of us.

Paul said he wanted to know Christ, and by knowing Christ he could not only experience the power of His resurrection, but His indwelling power in and through him as well. So often it is much easier to be busy with the urgent (or even Christian) activity than spending quiet moments before God. And before we realize it, days have passed since our last truly deep and intimate fellowship time with God.

Jesus understood how important quiet moments were with the Father. "After He had dismissed them, He went up on a mountainside by Himself to pray. When evening came, He was there alone" (Matthew 14:23). The more mature we become in our relationship with God, the more precious our time becomes with Him.

 

It is a time we look forward to daily, because it offers us a time to reflect, to share our concerns, disappointments, joys, and to hear Him speak. An interesting thing happens when we make fellowship with God a priority, the urgent things seem to wane as we focus on Him, and He makes all these other things fall into place.

Having Hope, Patience, And Prayer

Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.

 

Romans 12:10-13

 

 

 

In this passage Paul is encouraging the Christians in Rome to live in a way that brings honor to God. It begins with kindness and love, honoring each other by giving preference to others. In other words, we are not to look to get our needs met, but are more interested in being a blessing to others around us.

Next, he talks about not lagging in diligence, but being fervent in spirit. It is a commitment to work hard for the God, with a passionate love and joy. Not being lazy or apathetic, but sincerely excited about God and truly grateful for the amazing things that He has done for us, is doing, and will do.

 

But then he talks about rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, and continuing steadfastly in prayer. These three things:

 

1. Rejoicing in hope – means rejoicing in daily life, even when we cannot see a reason to rejoice, but knowing that because of God we have every reason to rejoice.
2. Patient in tribulation – means being patient in the midst of trials and hard times, knowing that God is completely in control.
3. Continuing steadfastly in prayer – means meeting with God in prayer faithfully as this is our means of communicating with Him.

We can boldly rejoice in hope, be patient in every difficulty, and continue in prayer steadfastly because we trust in God and believe in His presence in our lives. The bottom line is that the quality of our life is determined by our attitude from moment to moment and by applying these three keys as apart of our daily life, is only going to allow us to become better vessels for God to use to further His Kingdom and for His glory alone.

An Understanding Heart Of Wisdom

...but I am like a little child who doesn't know his way around. And here I am in the midst of your own chosen people, a nation so great and numerous they cannot be counted! Give me an understanding heart so that I can govern your people well and know the difference between right and wrong. For who by himself is able to govern this great people of yours?

 

1 Kings 3:7-9

 

 

The dying words of his father David were still ringing in Solomon's ears, along with the pomp and ceremony of the coronation. Maybe after all the servants had gone to bed, Solomon went in his bathrobe and slippers into the throne room and sat again on his father's throne. All the ceremonies said the chair was his, why then did it feel too big? Like a boy wearing his daddy's shoes, the young man Solomon felt too small for the job.

But Solomon didn't get fifty men to run in front of his chariot like his other brothers had done when they tried to become king. Instead like a little child saying his night time prayers, Solomon knelt down and talked to God as his Father.

An understanding heart.

Solomon asked for one thing: an understanding heart. He didn't ask for brain or brawn. He asked for a heart that knew God's thoughts and could penetrate beneath human motives so he would always know what best to do—that wisdom would give him more respect than armies or wealth. Solomon did receive these things, but they were not the source of his greatness—behind all of his success was a man asking for wisdom.

 

Wisdom and wisdom alone.

 

There is the padding of pride that could prop us up, but it never will work in the long run. Instead we need to bring our doubts and limitations to God and ask Him to make us what we are yet to become with His infusion of wisdom.

Contentment And Trust

…for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.

 

Philippians 4:11b

 

 

Have you ever thought about the life of a dog?

 

As long as they have food, water, a place to sleep, and an occasional walk through the park, they are the picture of contentment—they trust that someone will provide all that they need.

 

Has it ever occurred to you that contentment comes down to trust:

 

Who do I trust to provide what I need?

 

Who do I trust to look out for my best interests?

 

You could learn a lot from a dog.

 

In many ways, our lives take unexpected twists and turns that have been exciting and fun. And in other ways, it hasn't turned out at all like we had hoped. In the end, we have to decide if we trust that God is looking out for us and has our best interest.

 

If we are honest—really honest—with ourselves, we have to admit that we sometimes lack contentment because we are focused so much on what we don't have or wish that we where that we miss out.

 

There's this unspoken idea that if only certain things would happen, then life would be better, more fulfilling, more… something. But in the end, contentment really has nothing to do with circumstances but our interpretation of those circumstances.

 

Ultimately, contentment is a mind-set that ebbs and flows as we choose our point of comparison, but the big problem with all of it is that we end up missing out on the here and now.

 

So does that mean we just put on a happy face when feeling discontent?

 

Of course not!

 

For instance, sometimes discontent stems from selfish dissatisfaction, and it serves as a prompt to pay attention to where we are focused. At times, God also uses discontentment to lead us out of our comfort zone and into the next phase or season of His will for us, by producing divine discontent as a means of stirring in us the dissatisfaction that causes us to ask, "What is next, God?" And other times, discontentment simply reflects reality and the appropriate response can very well be grief.

 

Life is less about progressing toward some end point than about observing, learning, and loving well along the journey itself. When we pay attention to what is present in the here and now, we acknowledge that life has different rhythms, be them boring, energizing, productive, painful or joyful.

 

So no matter where we are in life we need to fully embrace each and every moment, believing that God is looking out for us and has our best interest… just trust Him.

Transparent

God has distinctly reminded me of a simple truth:

 

I find the greatest satisfaction, and give God the greatest glory, when I am least noticed—transparent.

 

A window, by nature, is not meant to be noticed, but its only purpose is to provide a clear vision of what is on the other side. If it does its job, people will forget it, remembering only what they saw through it—a good window should be invisible.

 

God's design is to make Himself more visible through us, and neither the presence of sin nor the absence of it should draw attention to ourselves instead of Him. As we grow daily aware of God's desire to conform us to His image, let's not grow consumed in being a reflection for the sake of being a reflection.

 

The Holy Spirit empowers us and sanctifies us so that we might disappear, not so that anyone can say, "Oh look, now there's a person that rocks. How I admire him or her!"

 

It's refreshing to remember that the amazing process of sanctification is far more than the Holy Spirit scrubbing off those smudges of the old self or sin to conform us to God's image—though He certainly does this. It is more than that though; it is the Holy Spirit working in our lives to make us more transparent, so that God's glory can be seen without distraction or distortion.

 

Our greasy fingerprints of self-exultation detract from the magnificent, saving Gospel of Christ—it's all about God and the world needs to see Him, not us. And, how splendid it is to be a window that shares this view to the world that is watching.

 

We ourselves need to start with a great view of the God, the Author and Perfecter of our faith, in order that the view that we show others is just that a true reflection of God.

 

Are we allowing God to shine through us, so He is noticeable, and not we ourselves?

Persevering Faith

Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith.

Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified.

 

2 Corinthians 13:5

 

 

 

Perseverance is a word that can mean so much.

 

Perseverance can spell the difference between success and failure in so many areas of life. Rarely is anything truly worthwhile achieved without perseverance and determination. Successful relationships, marriages, careers, ministries, and spiritual growth all depend on this vital trait. Perseverance involves making a personal promise or intentional decision to achieve a goal, which requires focus and determination until that goal is met.

 

Paul provides an excellent example of perseverance with steadfast determination. Despite the pain and persecution he faced, he could say, "One thing I do: forgetting what is behind and reaching forward to what is ahead, I pursue as my goal the prize promised by God's heavenly call in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 3:13-14).

 

We know that perseverance and determination are essential keys to success, and we may need to go through many rounds of reinforcing the principle of perseverance. But what does it mean to have persevering faith in our life?

 

C.S. Lewis beautifully illustrates persevering faith in The Screwtape Letters, where Screwtape, the senior devil, gives this advice to his young nephew: "Do not be deceived, Wormwood. Our cause [the Devil's cause] is never more in danger than when a human, no longer desiring, but still intending, to do our Enemy's will [God's will], looks round upon a universe from which every trace of Him seems to have vanished, and asks why he has been forsaken, and still obeys."

 

Thus, persevering faith simply stated means that once God draws us unto Himself in an effectual saving relationship through the finished work of Christ, we are His from that point forward. We then complete the race and run the course, which God has purposed for us before the beginning of time (See Ephesians 2:8-10). Neither our doctrine nor our life will be perfect this side of heaven, but this is not what is taught by perseverance. Rather, it is that we lay hold of the promise of God, that by the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit, we live according to His will and ways, which have been established in the Word.

Peace And Joy Are Our Possessions As Christians

For the kingdom of God is… righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

 

Romans 14:17

 

 

When you are born again—when you have made Jesus the Lord of your life and you have entered into a lasting relationship with God—then the fruit of that relationship will be righteousness (which comes as a result of salvation), peace, and joy. You can expect peace and joy to become a part of your daily life when you are a Christian—but just like all the other benefits of being a Christian, these attributes come at a price.

 

During the darkest days of the Revolutionary War, as George Washington tried to regroup during the winter of 1776, the great English writer, Thomas Paine, wrote a stirring essay on a drumhead that encapsulated the monumental struggle of that conflict. It was called "The American Crisis," and it so moved George Washington that he ordered his officers to read it to every soldier in the Continental Army, hoping that it would inspire them not to give up hope.

 

These are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will in this crisis shrink from the service of their country. But they that stand it now, deserve the love and thanks of men and women. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered. But the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. Heaven knows how to put a proper price on its goods. It would be strange indeed if so celestial an article as freedom should not be highly rated.

 

Things of great value, both physical and spiritual, come at a great price. God's salvation may be free, but discipleship is costly. The gifts of the Spirit may also be freely given, but they are not cheap. Our preparation for God's eternal purpose is as rigorous spiritually, as an athlete's training is, and learning to hear God's voice is a lifelong process.

 

We must learn to hear God's voice and obey His commands as then will we experience His joy and peace. And only then will we be the effective vessels for Him to use and mold us into what He wants us to be, and that the world needs see. If we are really serious about walking with God, He will teach us, guide us, comfort us, and yes, we will know His peace and joy in our life.

 

It is an interesting paradox that God orchestrates in our lives. On the one hand, our trials increase as we grow stronger in Him. On the other hand, the fruit of the Spirit—including peace and joy—develop to the point that we are given grace to weather the trials, and the rest of our lives are filled with harmonious fellowship with God.

 

Now notice that our lives are filled with harmonious fellowship with God… it does not say our lives will be filled with harmonious fellowship within our circumstances or with others others.

 

Why?

 

Well, because if those around us are not born again Christians or are Christians but are not seeking to live according to God's will and the leading of the Holy Spirit then they will not be experiencing peace and joy in their lives.

 

Knowing this, as we follow God, we will through circumstances or when in contact with others that seem to zap our peace and joy, will have the endurance of peace and joy to continue on and not be shaken by the discord and chaos that is taking place. Isaiah wrote, For you shall go out with joy, and be led out with peace (Isaiah 55:12).

 

Have you ever heard someone say, "I'm not going to allow these circumstances to rob my joy?" In making this declaration they are being absolutely biblical—peace and joy are our possessions as Christians. The only way that we will walk in unrest as growing and mature Christians is if we allow circumstances or the devil to rob us of our peace and joy. The truth of the matter is that the devil attempted to rob them of their joy, but he only succeeded if they allowed him to.

 

That is why:

 

• Paul and Silas could sing praises to God in the Philippian jail (See Acts 16:25).
• Stephen could praise the God of heaven as he was being stoned for his bold witness (See Acts 7:55-60).
• Peter wrote, But rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy (See 1 Peter 4:13).
• Paul, at the eve of his martyrdom, could write, I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith (See 2 Timothy 4:7).

These and many more did not allow the devil to influence them or still away the peace and joy they have from God even if their circumstances where less than ideal. So again from the writings of Isaiah, we can say along with him regardless of what our current circumstances might be, that we as Christians know that, You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You (Isaiah 26:3).

Being An Example In Our Writings

Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.

 

 

1 Timothy 4:12

 

 

I don't like to place too much weight on the importance of blogging… because it is, after all, nothing more than disconnected community. And yet what we type out and post on our blogs, or what we say in response to others' blogs, are part of our eternal imprint left on this earth.

 

So in that sense, it is as important as any other life activity.

 

In the Christian blogosphere, I think it can be easy to forget that not only Christians are reading. Our audience, for instance, is composed largely of people who are in agreement with a lot of what we say—that's just the way it works.

 

So at times I think we can all forget that we are in a very public sphere, and that we can honor or shame the name of God with what we write.

 

As a disclaimer, I'm not writing this in response to any comments that have been made on my blog, or any discussion I've been involved with anywhere else. This is just a result of observing the various ways interaction and disagreement are handled around the Christian blogosphere. And my own difficulty keeping the balance between truth and purity as I moderate my writings and handle disagreement.

 

So this is a reminder for me as much as anyone else who might read.

 

The point is that there is more at stake with what we write than whether our fellow Christians agree. There are many eyes reading, and we want to point others to God, and to be transparent in our sanctification so that He can shine through.

 

The world is reading.

Do All To the Glory Of God

Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

 

1 Corinthians 10:31

 

"What on earth are you doing?!"

 

You may have heard that phrase as a child when told to clean your room and instead got distracted and found yourself playing or reading.

 

But if God were to ask you this question, how would you respond?

Paul tells us that as Christians we are on this earth to bring glory to God in everything we do. And that means even in the mundane day-to-day activities of life, we are to consciously show how glorious God is.

 

We as Christians know God's glory is the manifestation of all that He is in His unsurpassed and stunning perfection. It is His amazing love, wide mercy, and deep grace. His glory is seen in His truth, justice, wisdom, and power.

 

But what should that look like to a world that is watching?

 

To glorify God means that we have the high privilege of being a reflection of Him to a world that is totally unaware of what He is really like. Acts of mercy to the undeserving, grace to the needy, forgiveness to an offender, living wisely according to His will and the leading of the Holy Spirit—all give the watching eye visibility to the character and quality of God.

 

Does God radiate from our lives day after day, so that the world might see and know Him as a result, and He be glorified through it all?

Re-Set The Mind

Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy— meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.

 

Philippians 4:8-9

 

 

 

There are so many things—good and bad—that happen in life that we can focus our minds on:

 

• Setbacks
• Financial problems
• Hurts that people have inflicted upon us

Or

 

• Blessings
• Doors that have opened
• Well-spring of joys we experiences daily 

The list could go on and on…

 

However, when we are in the midst of pain of those real life situations, there is nothing that our mind, our flesh wants to do more than to dwell on that thing, to stew over it, to relive it over and over again.

 

But what is the result of that action?

 

The result is that we live in that pain, failure, tragedy, disappointment continually—it gets into us—and that is what we become. Romans 8:6 says it well: The mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace.

 

What will we experience? Living death!

 

What will we lack in our lives? Life and peace!

 

Our quality of life is completely dependent on where our minds are set.

So God, through Paul, is giving us clear, specific guidelines on what to focus our minds on:

 

• True things
• Noble things
• Just things
• Pure things
• Lovely things
• Excellent things or Good Report  

We are to focus our mind on these kinds of things, and when we can't see or find anything like that around us to focus our minds on, then it's time to turn our thoughts toward God who is all of those qualities! And when we do, we will experience life and peace, even at a greater level than we have previously known. 

 

In Colossians, God says, "Take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ," to make sure that everything that goes on in our head aligns with His commands and character. And so we need to diligently and deliberately "set" our mind on the true, noble, just, pure, lovely, and excellent things. Then we will experience a lot more of God's divine life and peace in our lives, and experience more of His intimate presence.

Listening Skills

How many times have we heard, "I just needed someone to talk to" from someone looking for guidance or who just needs some encouraging advice? In that situation, the key thing for us to do is to listen.

 

Here are four guidelines to listening well:

 

1. Don't display feelings of disapproval right away – Sometimes when a person gets an opportunity to open up and speak freely, we tend to let our responses get away from us and they may be expression of  hostility or negativity, instead of allowing the person to express what is going on in their lives without passing judgment. Remember to accept people for who they are and listen to them. Help them grow into what they can be by first allowing them to express their feelings.

 

2. Develop helpful responses to what is being shared – Helpful responses can be verbal or physical. Some authorities think there are only four good listening responses:

 

• "Mmmm."
• "Uh-huh."
• "Oh."
• "I see." 

The best responses in listening are short and contain an invitation to continue to talk. Or a response can also take the form of a nod of the head, an understanding smile, or a gesture of your hands.

 

3. Listen for the sound of silence – One of the most difficult things for you to do may be to say nothing. Silence can be the most creative time during a conversation. Like any other activity, silence calls for self-control and diligent practice. Rushing in to cover over periods of silence may hold up the true thoughts that are being gathered before they are expressed. It may be just a time of building up the courage to make a major statement. Sometimes there just needs to be some quiet time to just think. Though a silence that does grow too long should be broken and a good way to do this is to ask the person to elaborate on a point that they have been talking about.

 

4. Make reflective statements – One important role you can play is to reflect the thoughts or emotional content of what the other person experiences. A good listener is like a mirror or a sounding board. Through "reflection," the one who is sharing comes to know themselves better.

Pick up on the last statement that was shared with you and reflect it back to this person, to let them know you are aware of what they are saying and invite them to continue. Reflecting statements with someone encourages them to keep talking.

 

By employing basic listening techniques in any situation, we will make better use of our time for both of us and the other person. With the Holy Spirit's guidance and these basic listening skills, we will be able to listen and communicate in a worthy and God honoring manner.

In Light Of Valentine's Day

Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life.

 

Proverbs 4:23

 

 

 

What is translated as "heart" here actually refers to our mind or inner being and not to our seat of emotions and affection. The "spring" is literally the outgoings of life or the out flowing of spiritual vitality.

 

We should not accept the unbiblical council of the world to "follow our hearts"—that is a recipe for disaster. We are called to bring the Word of God to bear on our heart. We should always be on guard against sinful desires. But guarding our hearts should not become a self-focused attempt to avoid ever being disappointed.

We're not to guard our hearts from attraction.

 

Look, in friendships as single men and women, you're going to be attracted to people, but use discernment when moving forward in any form of relationship. Don't pick up and run away from that relationship the first moment that you sense some form of attraction. Instead seek God and maintain a pure heart and mind in all dealings.

 

God can help you to process that in a godly way.

If we attempt to guard ourselves against attraction or disappointment, at times we may end up cutting ourselves off from the good gifts of friendship and fellowship that God has for us. And if, the person that you are interested in doesn't share the same kind of romantic interest in you, God will enable you to trust Him and provide strength to walk through that disappointment.

 

We are to live lives that point to God as our greatest treasure.

 

Regardless if there is an attraction there or not, our ambition as Christians should be to live lives that point to God as our greatest treasure. To live lives of love for others that display the love that God has shown to us. Our desire should be to never do anything that hurts another person or causes that person to stumble, but we are not called to flee from any disappointment in life—we are called to live lives of faith.

 

C.S. Lewis, in The Four Loves says this:

 

I believe that the most lawless and inordinate loves are less contrary to God's will than a self-invited and self-protective lovelessness... Christ did not teach and suffer that we might become, even in the natural loves, more careful of our own happiness... we shall draw nearer to God, not by trying to avoid the sufferings inherent in all loves, but by accepting them and offering them to Him; throwing away all defensive armor. If our hearts need to be broken, and if He chooses this as the way in which they should break, so be it.¹

 

 

And with that we should know that God seeks to guide us in this process of guarding our hearts—what are we to do when affections come?

 

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:6-7).

 

 

If we lay our requests—hopes and fears—all before God, His peace will guard our hearts. Not from all pain, disappointment, and suffering—but from something far worse than these. The peace of God will guard our hearts and minds in Christ for His glory and our good.

 

 

[1] C.S. Lewis, in The Four Loves  pg. 170

 

Trying Not To Compartmentalize Our Spiritual Life

To organize our months, we buy calendars.

 

To keep all our documents in order, we buy filing cabinets.

 

To arrange our pantry, we buy those handy pre-labeled containers.

 

We love to place our lives in neat compartments because, after all, life is more manageable and seems to run smoother when it comes in bite-size pieces. And so we divvy out time for our family, friends, work, exercise, shopping, household chores, and, if time permits, a little fun.

Unfortunately, it's easy to do the same thing with our spiritual life. Some of us do this to cope with an overwhelming schedule. Still, while others simply treat Christianity as just a "Sunday thing." The problem is, as long as we compartmentalize our spiritual life, we're missing out.

 

In fact, when we treat God like yet another category to manage, we've shortchanged our own Maker.

 

To some, the concept of a holistic spiritual life seems radical. It gives God the license to affect every single area of our lives, to have the final say in even the smallest of decisions. Whole-life faith is all-consuming and it can't be contained or slotted. Our relationship with God wasn't intended to be just a section of life—His desire is for us to be consumed with Him in every part of our existence.

 

Jesus wasn't into a segregated faith.

 

When asked what the most important commandment was, He didn't answer, "Love the Lord with whatever part you can offer on Sundays." The cornerstone of our faith—is to love the Lord with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength (See Mark 12:30). Our Christian walk, exemplified by the love we show, should encompass everything we do. Our love of God should impact everything from the emotions we feel (heart) to our worship (soul) to our private thoughts (mind) to our physical actions (strength).

That means on Wednesday, when patience is running thin, our attitude of thanksgiving is just as important as any day of the week. It means when we're at the mall on Saturday, enjoying a nice afternoon, God's wisdom on how to manage money is just as relevant when shopping.

We were never created to be compartmentalized, much less deal with our spiritual life in the same way.

 

In other words, our body is inseparable from our mind and emotions, which is inseparable from our soul. But for most of us, our physical nature comes first. We naturally wake up in the morning thinking our own thoughts, feeding our own bodies, and living our own lives.

 

How can God possibly fit into every single crevice of our day?

 

A comfortable form of Christianity might tell us to strike a balance between the two: Divvy it up with God. He'll take care of the big things of your life and you manage the rest. Yet, while the God of the universe is certainly able to care for the majors in our lives, He's just as capable with the minors. When we attempt to balance the various areas of life ourselves, giving God access only to parts we see as pertinent to Him, we end up overwhelmed and unsatisfied.

 

The modern concept of balance is that life should be on these scales equally measured out. We will never be able to balance life, but we should seek to live a harmonious life where things fit together. A harmonious life may be 10 percent here, 20 percent there, and 70 percent there. All percentages aside though, the point is that we aren't the CEOs of our own lives. God is—and He's the only one capable of "running" our entire lives. Our spirituality is like a mountain stream in which we aren't the ones guiding the water—we're the ones apart of the out flowing of the water, that is being guided by a stronger source.

 

Embarking on that journey requires giving God free rein to rule in all areas.

 

God isn't worried about if our outfit we are wearing matches our shoes or whether our car is running in tip top shape—the universe is under His command (See Hebrews 11:3). He does, however, care deeply about our every move—even more than we do. We don't have to fall into the trap of handling something on our own because we figure He doesn't have an opinion on what we do or decide. Jesus' life proved that God is passionate about walking with us in even the most "remote" places. That includes our finances, our entertainment choices, our speech, our relationships and every other area in our lives that we may think doesn't matter to Him.

Giving Our All For God

For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought the good fight. I have finished the race. I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only, but also to all who have loved His appearing.

 

2 Timothy 4:6-8

 

 

 

Here we see that Paul is writing from his prison cell in Rome and is coming very close to the end of his life, as by the revelation of the Holy Spirit, and he knows it. He knows that these are some of the last words that he will ever write, and he intends to make them count.

 

But what is so interesting is that he stops his instructions to Timothy to write these words about himself. He says that he's given everything he's got—he's laid himself out for God. He's done everything he was called to do, and he has no regrets.

 

Paul is teaching us that this is the way to live out our life and this is the way to finish our life—having given all for God.

 

All through these verses Paul is really speaking to us today. We are acutely aware that we are not getting any younger, and what we do with our time daily is to count for all that God has called us to do for His Kingdom.

 

We need to give our all for God and hold nothing back.

 

We need to love Him, obey Him, and serve Him and His people with all the talents, skills, and gifts He has blessed us with. We should long to come to the end of our life, like Paul, knowing without a shadow of a doubt that we have given our all for God.

Sowing In Tears

Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy.

 

Psalm 126:5

Psalm 126:5-6 describes an interesting process that goes against our natural tendencies when we are taken into a difficult period in our lives. Whenever we are hurled into a crisis that brings tears, our tendency is to retreat or recoil in fear and hurt.

 

However, there is a better way that God tells us to handle such times of travail.

"Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy. He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him" (Psalm 126:5-6).

 

God is telling us that if we will do what is unnatural for us in these circumstances, and follow the leading of what the Spirit is doing, He will make sure that what we sow in tears will return in joy.

 

This is an important lesson we need to learn when faced with difficult circumstances. Rather than sit back and allow self-pity and discouragement to consume us, we should plant seed during this time.

 

The psalmist acknowledges that we are doing this while we are in our pain.

 

However, during this time we are to sow seed and that seed will return to us in another form. Here is what will happen when we do this: "He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him." We will receive joy and fruit from the seed that we plant during this time. Sheaves represent the fruit of a harvest and we will actually get a harvest from this seed.

We must not let the circumstances destroy us, but allow it to continue to mold us to be used in a mightier way for God's Kingdom and the calling He has on our lives. Though we may not see what God is doing and the fruit that God wants to bring from these circumstances, we need to continue to sow through the difficult times and in the end we will be blessed with the fruit of the harvest.