The challenge of a new day. The thought of tomorrow. The worry builds. We are not helped by it, yet we still hold on to it. Why worry? The following is an expression of one of the inner struggles. The normal texts are my anxious thoughts. The bold & bold-italicize texts are my faith-filled thoughts supported by scriptures. I pray it makes sense and encourages you.
Why worry? Because I can. Because I want to. Because I have to. Have to? Oh really? "Therefore, I say to you, do not worry about your life ... ." Easy for Jesus to say. After all, He was God in the flesh. He had access to all the Father had. And we don't? To whom did Jesus speak those words? Are they not also for all of His followers? Are they? Yeah! Why is it easy to worry? Well, frankly, it seems that you treasure it. That is crazy, I don't! Your actions say, "Don't take that away from me too." Do you really believe that worry helps you? I know it does not, and I try not to worry. I do not like things to get the better of me. However, there are times when worrying seems necessary. Jesus said, "Therefore, I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink or wear."
I know that and I get it, food and clothes. So, can I worry about other things then? You know, e.g., a job, finances, relationships. I have food. I am clothed. But there are other things that I don't have. There are other things that I do have but not sufficiently. So, can I worry about them? Those things are legit. And God does not know that? You tell me, does He? I'll give you a moment to answer that question. I know He does. It just seems as if I am way down on His list. Sometimes, it can seem that way. But that's not the case. You are very valuable to Him. Anyway, what good is worrying about these things going to do for you? Jesus even asked that question, "Can you by worrying can add a single hour to your span of life?"
No, I can't. So, what am I to do, these needs are still pressing? I am trying to fix them. I am trying to find solutions. I am trying to meet these needs. Nothing has been working just yet and the worry builds. Don't you think worrying about these things is an affront to God? No? Can you explain what you mean? Well, if you persist in worrying, which means you are choosing to worry, then do you really trust God? Hmm, I guess you are right. Now, I am not here to condemn you but to speak the truth and encourage you thereby. Know this, the same God who provided what you needed most - salvation - promised to provide for your needs. Like the apostle Paul asked, "Will He, who did not spare His Son but give Him up for us, not also provide all that we need (Romans 8:32)?" Of course! The truth is that He knows exactly what your real needs are. And, He knows exactly when and how to provide them.
Here is the prescription for worrying: Give your worries to God. Bring them to Him in prayer and supplication with thanksgiving. See what He brings about in you (Philippians 4:6-7). So, instead of worrying, let your time and thoughts be consumed by seeking His kingdom and righteousness. Got it? Yes! Let's pray:
God of peace, We bring all our worries to You. We leave them at Your throne. We entrust them into Your care. Thanks for guarding our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus with Your surpassing peace. Thanks for providing our real needs today and always. May our time and thoughts be filled with seeking first Your kingdom and righteousness. We pray this in Jesus name. Amen and thanks!
Friday, June 29, 2012
Monday, June 25, 2012
Corporate Worship: Individual Confession
I was glad when they said to me, "Let us go to the house of the LORD!" [Psalm 122:1]
There are times in my life when going to the house of the LORD is not appealing. Yesterday was one of those days. In those moments, my focus is on me and not on the One whom I claim to love. Such selfish moments show that I am lacking in my devotion and commitment to Him. Though I make rationalizations why I choose to do something else or stay at home, there is no getting past what it really is: selfishness. In essence, I am choosing to withhold from the LORD what is truly His. This means that I am giving to another what belongs to the Him. It does not matter who or what this other is it becomes my god. Therefore, I am choosing to sin against Him, breaking the first commandment. Essentially, I am spitting in the face of the LORD, so to speak.
The LORD requires, desires, and commands my worship, not because He would be miserable without it. Or, because it is essential to His existence. The truth is, even if I choose to not worship Him He will still be worshiped. Creation cannot help but worship Him (e.g., Ps 19:1; Lk 19:40). Creation longs and loves to worship Him. As someone created in His image and likeness, I am given the privilege to worship Him. As a matter of fact, He is the One who has given me this privilege. It is not that I deserve to worship Him. It is not that my worship adds anything to Him, nor does it take anything away from Him. The LORD is not lessened in His nature by my failure to worship Him. He does not need an ego boost. Nor does He needs to be entertained. However, He is delighted when I worship Him. I am the one who benefits when I choose to worship Him. In worship I get to experience more of who He is and my desire for Him is further stirred.
So, yesterday, when I had one of those moments, the LORD challenged me. He has done so in different ways, but mainly through others, which was what He did yesterday. Previously, I would not say anything when my desire is to not go to the house of the LORD. Or, I would find a way to go "missing" or schedule something else. God, however, desires relationship not religion. As such, He is not satisfied with my nonchalance and selfishness. He knows how essential worship is to my relationship with Him and His people. He values it and wants me to protect it dearly. He wants me to value it as He does. Going to His house is a privileged opportunity that furthers my desire to grow in intimacy with Him.
LORD, thank You for challenging me in my moments of selfishness. Thanks for all whom You moved to challenge me in such moments. Help me to bring such selfish feelings and attitudes to You, always. I know You will set me aright and lead me to worship You in spirit and truth. Increase my devotion and help me to honor my commitment to love You with my everything. Thanks for the privilege of going to Your house to worship You. Such a privilege is truly sweet and honorable that I should never despise or take for granted. Help me to always treasure going to Your house. Let my focus always be on You, for that is more more than enough to fill me with gladness to go to Your house to worship You with others, no matter what.
There are times in my life when going to the house of the LORD is not appealing. Yesterday was one of those days. In those moments, my focus is on me and not on the One whom I claim to love. Such selfish moments show that I am lacking in my devotion and commitment to Him. Though I make rationalizations why I choose to do something else or stay at home, there is no getting past what it really is: selfishness. In essence, I am choosing to withhold from the LORD what is truly His. This means that I am giving to another what belongs to the Him. It does not matter who or what this other is it becomes my god. Therefore, I am choosing to sin against Him, breaking the first commandment. Essentially, I am spitting in the face of the LORD, so to speak.
The LORD requires, desires, and commands my worship, not because He would be miserable without it. Or, because it is essential to His existence. The truth is, even if I choose to not worship Him He will still be worshiped. Creation cannot help but worship Him (e.g., Ps 19:1; Lk 19:40). Creation longs and loves to worship Him. As someone created in His image and likeness, I am given the privilege to worship Him. As a matter of fact, He is the One who has given me this privilege. It is not that I deserve to worship Him. It is not that my worship adds anything to Him, nor does it take anything away from Him. The LORD is not lessened in His nature by my failure to worship Him. He does not need an ego boost. Nor does He needs to be entertained. However, He is delighted when I worship Him. I am the one who benefits when I choose to worship Him. In worship I get to experience more of who He is and my desire for Him is further stirred.
So, yesterday, when I had one of those moments, the LORD challenged me. He has done so in different ways, but mainly through others, which was what He did yesterday. Previously, I would not say anything when my desire is to not go to the house of the LORD. Or, I would find a way to go "missing" or schedule something else. God, however, desires relationship not religion. As such, He is not satisfied with my nonchalance and selfishness. He knows how essential worship is to my relationship with Him and His people. He values it and wants me to protect it dearly. He wants me to value it as He does. Going to His house is a privileged opportunity that furthers my desire to grow in intimacy with Him.
LORD, thank You for challenging me in my moments of selfishness. Thanks for all whom You moved to challenge me in such moments. Help me to bring such selfish feelings and attitudes to You, always. I know You will set me aright and lead me to worship You in spirit and truth. Increase my devotion and help me to honor my commitment to love You with my everything. Thanks for the privilege of going to Your house to worship You. Such a privilege is truly sweet and honorable that I should never despise or take for granted. Help me to always treasure going to Your house. Let my focus always be on You, for that is more more than enough to fill me with gladness to go to Your house to worship You with others, no matter what.
Thursday, June 21, 2012
The War Within
The war inside me rages, the weight of it sometimes takes its toll,
but I have no need to fear, for there is a lover who keeps my soul.
The war within me is much greater, than the war that's without,
but they have one thing in common, they work to wear me out.
The war inside me seeks to dominate, so I am overcome by it,
but I have a conquering savior, to whom alone my life I submit.
The war within me is divisive, seeking to make me double-minded,
but my loyalty belongs only to Him who for my sake was wounded.
The war inside does haunts my dreams, even when am awake,
but it moves me to daily die to self and to live for Christ's sake.
The war within does not happen to me only, it is common to all of us,
but none of us will be overcome if our lives are hidden in Christ Jesus.
So rage on you war within, try your worst to scare and torment me,
but I will not be afraid, for I am strong in the Lord, God Almighty!
Ephesians 6:10
I encourage you all: Be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power!
but I have no need to fear, for there is a lover who keeps my soul.
The war within me is much greater, than the war that's without,
but they have one thing in common, they work to wear me out.
The war inside me seeks to dominate, so I am overcome by it,
but I have a conquering savior, to whom alone my life I submit.
The war within me is divisive, seeking to make me double-minded,
but my loyalty belongs only to Him who for my sake was wounded.
The war inside does haunts my dreams, even when am awake,
but it moves me to daily die to self and to live for Christ's sake.
The war within does not happen to me only, it is common to all of us,
but none of us will be overcome if our lives are hidden in Christ Jesus.
So rage on you war within, try your worst to scare and torment me,
but I will not be afraid, for I am strong in the Lord, God Almighty!
Ephesians 6:10
I encourage you all: Be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power!
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