Do you ever wish that you could be as free as the birds and as boundless as the clouds? Are there moments in your life when guilt weighs you down and weaknesses create limitations? Maybe you're lacking confidence. God desires you to be full of freedom. He made you to walk into deeper heights every single day. But then, the enemy places those lies within your mind. "You aren't good enough...You'll never be who you want to be," he says. You compromise the truth for worthless lies. Here in Titus 1:2, we find the Bible describing the source of our confidence - God's accomplishment on the cross and His promises for our lives. So today, God wants to challenge you to walk in Godly confidence. Not pride. Not self-sufficiency. Just the confidence that God provides uniquely for you to walk-out His calling on your life. GOD'S PROMISE DOESN'T RELY ON YOUR PERFORMANCE.
God desires me to walk with Godly confidence today. Confidence that I didn't wake up this morning for no reason or purpose. I am an imperfect person called to--with Jesus--complete God's perfect purpose. Confidence is the realization that God can, will, and greatly desires to WORK THROUGH ME TODAY in order to change the world! God wants me to do good because he is good!
Pride is the belief that I am capable of accomplishing great things by myself. It is opposed to confidence because it focuses the lens on what I must DO instead of what God desires to DO THROUGH ME! We serve a confident and humble God. Be confident that God made YOU for a purpose BIGGER than you. With Jesus, you are truly AWESOME and IRREPLACEABLE. Have a great day! It’s 5:30 am. The dumbbells remain on a rack inside the gym you’ve been planning on attending. Having the intention of working-out the next morning is easy right before bed. And then “buzz…buzz…buzz” rings the interrupter of dreams—night time dreams, as well as the dreams you have for your life—the alarm you set on your iPhone the previous night.
If you doze-off during this devotional, you’re in luck! The chances of hearing a similar message on New Year’s Eve is exceptionally high. That’s because this is a writing concerning the dreams and goals you have for your life—where you are, compared to where you want to be. But even more so than that, God has laid it on my heart to share some hope for those who can’t get out of bed in the morning to work-out or go to bed at night because they’re worried about homework (that’s me, btw). I’ve recently found myself using a well-known Bible verse, Philippians 4:13. It says, “For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.” He Makes Me Strong I’m not saying that you’ll wake-up tomorrow morning with a six-pack and huge biceps. I’m saying that He will give you the self-discipline to escape the bed covers and get to work! No matter how awesome it’d be if God completed your homework, it’s not happening! But I know He will give you strength through Jesus to accomplish it successfully without becoming overwhelmed! That’s the God we serve. A God of strength and power. “The Lord is my strength and my song; he has given me victory. This is my God, and I will praise him—my father’s God, and I will exalt him” (Exodus 15:2). Don’t give-up. Don’t compromise. Don’t be tempted to believe that it will never happen. Instead, believe that God’s got you, and he’s making you stronger day by day through the love and grace of Jesus. “I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong…Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think” (Ephesians 3:16-17, 20). “I admire people who love.” The words lay in the pages of my journal, but they cry out from the depths of my heart.
“Why?” you ask. “Love is easy. Give a hug, kiss, and box of chocolates!” But Godly love is so much more than that. In fact, it should encompass every avenue of our lives, leading and directing our footsteps. Love is to God as oxygen is to humans—inseparable! “We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love. GOD IS LOVE, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them” (1 John 4:16, emphasis mine). The call to follow Jesus comes with the call to LOVE like Him. But we cannot do it by ourselves! Loving like Jesus goes against our natural inclinations. That’s why it isn’t easy. But that doesn’t mean it isn’t worth it! “No one has ever seen God. But if we LOVE each other, God lives in us, and his love is brought to full expression in us” (1 John 4:12). Man! I think John should have put an exclamation mark after that statement. That’s exciting! God’s power at work within us—His Spirit—causes LOVE to flow out of us. Luke 10:25-29 tells of The Most Important Commandment. “The man answered, “’You must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind.’ And, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself’”” (Luke 10:27). Love God. Love People—wait! I think there is another one. That well known statement should include another sentence: Love God. Love Yourself. Love People. Maybe now you see why I admire people who love like Jesus. It’s definitely inconvenient. I mean, when is the last time you said, “I love you” to yourself after making a mistake? Have you recently given a hug to an enemy? And let’s be honest, God isn’t always the easiest to get along with either. Love is often tied-up in our most inconvenient situations in which we strive to give God glory. After all, it surely wasn’t easy nor convenient for Jesus to die on a cross for all kinds of sinners like you and me! “But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners” (Romans 5:8). Truthfully, I could spend all day talking about love. It really is that important! Just remember that you cannot love like Jesus alone. The only requirement on your part is to allow Him to have complete control of your daily life. Let Jesus consume your heart! Growing in Jesus = Growing in Love! Just Do It!When is the last time you went the opposite way of Nineveh? You know, the city that Jonah was supposed to visit for God? I would say that, if we were all honest, many of us skip-out on our intended destinations and then complain about them later. Thankfully, we don't end-up in large fishes!
“Get up and go to the great city of Nineveh. Announce my judgment against it because I have seen how wicked its people are. But Jonah got up and went in the opposite direction to get away from the LORD. He went down to the port of Joppa, where he found a ship leaving for Tarshish. He bought a ticket and went on board, hoping to escape from the LORD…” (Jonah 1:2-3). What happened next? Well, while on board the ship, the crew faced a terrible storm. “Throw me into the sea,” Jonah said, “and it will become calm again. I know that this terrible storm is all my fault” (V. 12). And that they did! While in the sea, a large fish, directed by God, swallowed him! Interestingly, Jonah didn't pray that God would deliver him from the fish. He was, in a way, already delivered. Here are two things that Jonah did that we all need to do when we fail to complete our God-given tasks: 1. Recognize Deliverance and Act on It. Another words, when God gives you a second, third, fourth, fifth…chance, TAKE IT! 2. Don’t Complain About The Results You Don't Want to See. “Just kill me now, LORD! I’d rather be dead than alive if what I had predicted will not happen.” “The LORD replied, ‘Is it right for you to be angry about this?’” (Jonah 4:4:3-4). The results may not be what you want to see, but it is what you need. God honors your obedience, so follow the advice of Nike and “Just Do It” for God! Becoming Opportunity-TakersI would imagine that the majority of us have a list of things setting on the shelves of our hearts. Things that we want to do. Things that we know we should do. Things God has called us to do. Yet those opportunities and callings that keep knocking on the door of our hearts are held-back by fear.
You know, like fear of the monsters under your bed, spiders on…. What’s that, you are past that stage? Why is that? Hold on. Wait. I think I know the answer. YOU DISCOVERED THEY WERE LIES. You got more mature. Your age became beyond the “monster” stage, and you quickly—or perhaps slowly—came to realize that it was silly to be afraid of something so fake. What a waste of time! That’s how you need to look at the fears that inhabit you now. Is God calling you to take a step, but you are too afraid to take it? Is there a passion burning within your heart that hasn’t escaped fear’s grip. Is there a talent that has been enslaved to a fearful mindset? Just like the monsters, THE FEARS THAT ENSLAVE YOUR HEART ARE ONLY LIES. Lies from Satan himself. “Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced HIS perfect love” (1 John 4:18). If God places something in your heart, his all-consuming LOVE will push all of the lies of fear and insecurity out of the way, so his calling can escape. Besides, doors close eventually. So take–up the opportunities that God brings into your heart, and don’t let mere lies of fear hold you back. I love you God.
But you love me so much more. It doesn’t make sense. I mean, God you deserve to be loved. I don’t. But you love me anyway. Hey! What are you doing reading an excerpt from my morning prayer? Well, I guess I was the one who typed it there! Let’s look at some words from John the Baptist, “I baptize with water those who repent of their sins and turn to God. But someone is coming soon who is greater than I am—so much greater that I’m not worthy even to be his slave and carry his sandals” (Matthew 3:11). It’s okay, John the Baptist. I’m Unworthy too. John had become comfortable in his calling. People just came to be baptized, and he did it. The men came. The women came. The young and old. Jesus came—whoa, wait a minute! “’I am the one who needs to be baptized by you,’ he said, ‘so why are you coming to me?’” (V. 14). "But Jesus said, 'It should be done, for we must carry out all that God requires.' So John agreed to baptize him” (V. 15). Jesus knows we are all unworthy of his love. That’s why he came to earth and died in our place. He was sinless, spotless, perfect, amazing, and WORTHY. But he loved us anyway with amazing grace. You see, just because we are unworthy doesn’t mean God refuses to use us to accomplish His will. Look at what God used John for! God still uses the unworthy. God still loves the unworthy. Don’t let your “I’m not worthy…” keep you from God’s love and plan for your life. As I’ve written devotionals and blogs, I’ve learned to disregard irony. There are times in my life when I hear God speak to my heart. Sometimes, however, it takes a second voicing of the same subject to let me know—“Hey, this is it!” Such is the case of this devotional.
First of all, if God tells you to take your hands off the wheel while you’re driving, you may want to question what he’s talking about! The wheel I want to talk to you about is the steering wheel of our lives. You see, each of us has a guide leading the direction of our footsteps and life. It may be you. It may be God. Or, then again, MAYBE ITS YOU! So many times in our lives, we try to take the driver’s seat. I know that I’m guilty of it. There are problems with taking the lead of your life. For starters, you have no clue how to lead your life! God sees it all; you only see what’s in front of you. Secondly, your timing is not good. The Bible says, “Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord” (Psalm 27:14 NLT). Thirdly, you can only live-up to what you can produce on your own. With God, there are no limits as to what he can do in your life for his glory! He wants his best for you to come alive in your life. “…the Lord is near. 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 comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:5-7 NASB emphasis mine). Even if you’re ambidextrous, it’s impossible. Why? Because your mind, heart, and soul cannot be completely fixed on both at the same time. It’s almost the New Year, and while the “Christian side” of your family will likely pray prayers of praise and resolution, the “non-Christian” side will likely celebrate with inappropriate partying. Similarly is the workplace and school. The Godly folk seem boring. They never seem to have any fun. In fact, they are too godly—at least, you think. The cool people, the not-so-strict Christians, are normally the popular. This leaves you with a decision. Will you choose God or the World? Most of the time, people don’t decide one over the other. Therefore, they try to paint two pictures at one time. The worst part? They believe they are okay. I mean, what’s wrong with having two lives, two faces, and four eyes? Well, it can blind you completely into foolishness. This is one of those situations where we are “Blinded By An Extra Set Of Eyes.” Together, let’s learn how to be who God’s called us to be. James 1:5-8 says, “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. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do.” The Bible describes Godly wisdom as follows, “But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere” (James 3:17). Wise people are “marked by deep understanding, keen discernment, and a capacity for sound judgement.” Unwise people are considered foolish in the Bible. Foolish people are “lacking in sense, judgement, or discretion; irreverent.” In Mark 7, foolishness is considered one of the many sinful and selfish aspects of the human heart. Among it lies lust, adultery, murder, greed, pride…You get the point! Solomon, the wisest man who has ever lived, said, “People ruin their lives by their own foolishness and then are angry at the lord” (Proverbs 19:3). What does all of this mean? How does it relate to the two pictures that represent two lives? You see, James begins his discussion about loyalty with a word on asking for wisdom. He says that divided loyalty—two lives—hampers the request of gaining Godly wisdom. Why do I care if I have wisdom? Why be loyal to God, COMPLETELY? The foolish decision of living a double-faced life builds-up and builds-up and builds-up in more foolishness. Eventually, you will be armed on Satan’s army, loyal to him alone and completely against God. You see, you GROW in the life that you CHOOSE. And Jesus said, “Every plant not planted by my heavenly Father will be uprooted, so ignore them. They are BLIND guides leading the BLIND, and if one BLIND person guides another, they will both fall into a ditch” (Matthew 15:13-14). As Jesus said in Matthew 15, blinded people lead blinded people until they both fall. However, the Bible also says, “And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness” (James 3:18). The life that you live greatly affects the life that others live. Isaiah the prophet prophesized about these spiritually blind people, “These people say they are mine. They honor me [God] with their lips, but their hearts are far from me…” (Isaiah 29:13). Therefore, living this foolish, double-faced life may look innocent on the outside, but what about the heart? I want to leave you with some encouragement as you face the temptations to give-in to two-faced living: God made YOU too BEAUTIFUL for you to be someone you’re not. Sometimes, those people in your life that seem like your best FRIENDS are actually your biggest ENEMIES in disguise. They will blind you to match their own blindness. Seek God’s WISDOM and not the world’s FOOLISHNESS. When we lay down the other brush; when we pull away the other picture; when we surrender the other life to Jesus and finally begin to SEE, we begin to paint the picture that HE has CALLED us to. We begin to live the life HE has CALLED us to. Proverbs 12:28 says, “The way of the godly leads to life; that path does not lead to death.” Live the life more abundantly he has provided, set your eyes to him, and dream BIG this New Year! Isaiah Pauley From Under the Tree to On the TreeAccording to Luke chapter 7, Jesus was dining with some men of honor. All of a sudden, a woman came to the event and knelt down with a peculiar-looking present. Well, it would have been odd compared to the gifts of today. I doubt it was wrapped with red and green wrapping paper, and it was more than likely not topped-off with a bow. Nevertheless, she brought the object and knelt down to the feet of Jesus with the gift in her hands. She began to cry, washing his feet with her tears and wiping them with her hair. It wasn’t long before she began to kiss Jesus’s feet. Then, that gift came into use. It was “a beautiful alabaster jar filled with expensive perfume” (Luke 7:37). The woman anointed the feet of the Son of God with the gift that she brought. After the men of honor threw their shouts of discontent saying, “…She’s a sinner” (V. 39); Jesus spoke hope to the guilt-stricken, desperate young lady. He said, “Your sins are forgiven…Your faith has saved you; go in peace” (V. 48, 50).
What the women did was awesome, but I want to talk about Jesus. I want to use his method of receiving gifts to help us receive gifts this Christmas season in a way that honors him. Are you ready?
When I open gifts on Christmas, I have no thought in my mind of not receiving it. I have never turned my back, pulled back my hands, and sat down without acknowledging the gift that someone put a lot of work into purchasing for me. NOW, you are probably sitting there with hot cocoa and cookies wondering, “Who in the world does this? I know nobody that refuses to receive a gift that they are given.” The truth of the matter is this: it is much more common than you think, and it may just be you. In John chapter 5, there is a paralyzed man that Jesus heals. The “religious” folk of the day were criticizing Jesus for both healing on the Sabbath and claiming to be equal with God. Jesus had the gift of eternal life for them. He brought hope to their world. He healed the sick. He brought the dead to life. He saved many people from their sins. But then you have these Jewish leaders. Jesus told these “gift decliners” these very words: “You search the Scriptures because you think they give you eternal life. But the Scriptures point to me! Yet you REFUSE to come to me to RECEIVE this life” (John 5:39-40). Many people in today’s world don’t accept their gift—Jesus Christ. Instead, they follow the example of the Pharisees and other Jewish leaders who declined the gift of eternal life that Jesus tried to give them. You don’t deserve it! But gifts aren’t earned, they’re given. 2. JESUS HONORED THE GIVER. Let’s go back to our story. Despite all of the rude remarks of the honorary figures with Jesus, the receiver of the gift honored the giver. My pastor just spoke about this story this week, telling of the honor that Jesus gave this woman. Do us all a favor, and honor the people that give you gifts this year. Let’s follow Jesus’s example, and remember that gifts have a cost. 3. JESUS USED THE GIFT HE RECEIVED TO GIVE THE GIFT THAT HE GAVE. First of all, I want you to realize that none of this was possible without point number one. If Jesus didn’t receive the gift, he couldn’t have given the gift. If Jesus doesn’t accept the sinful, the sinful are doomed to eternal fire. If Jesus doesn’t accept the common, the common are left to look elsewhere for hope. If Jesus doesn’t accept who we are, we are left with that uneasy feeling of our shortcomings and the depressed sense of not being good enough. But thank Jesus! Because he accepted the woman, the woman accepted him. Because he accepts you and me, we can take advantage of the gift of salvation that he gives us. This Christmas season, accept the gifts that others give you, so you can bless others. Use it for God’s honor. Let it meet-up with the spiritual gifts that God has given you. Do what Jesus did, and take your gift, “From Under the Tree to On the Tree.” Use the gifts you receive to give the gifts that God desires of you to give. The tree is your platform. For Jesus it was a cross. Pray that he would show you what yours is. Because I accepted the gift of Jesus, I can proclaim his word. Because I accepted a laptop a couple of years ago for Christmas, this devotional is possible. Accept it, give it, and have a Merry Christmas! |
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