“Satan rarely tempts us with the ‘big sins.’…Rather, he takes us down the delicate path of deception, an inch at a time…It’s never recognized until it’s too late. His tricks are timeless; his schemes subtle.” Chip Ingram quote from Invisible War
No wonder I seldom recognize the seriousness of my sin. Satan is sneaky. He knows how to tempt me in the areas of my life where I am most vulnerable, and he does it gradually with great patience. He lulls me into feeling secure and confident. I start pridefully thinking that I can handle any situation because I am a strong Christian. That is just where Satan wants me—feeling proud of my Christian walk. It is when I feel strongest that I am most vulnerable to falling prey to his tricks. This is the time he will slip in a small temptation. That small temptation will then lead to a little more sin. After all I handled that small sin issue last time--sort of—well enough. Before long I am numb to the seriousness of my behavior because I have become entangled in the rationalizations and self-justification of the sin I have now made a regular part of my life. It is so easy to see the small deceptions leading to major problems in other people. But what about myself? I am guilty of not recognizing my own sin.
“Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God's wrath comes on those who are disobedient.” Ephesians 5:6 NIV
In my case, I did not recognize my disobedience at all. I thought I was growing spiritually and doing right. Oh how deceived I was. Even though by man's standards I was doing right, by God's standards I was not. However, I know I was growing spiritually even during the times Satan had me most deceived because when I realized my level of sin, I knew what to do. I sought God. I prayed, studied scripture, read books by quality Christian authors, listened to pod casts by quality pastors, and sought solitude as a spiritual discipline. God loved me enough to discipline me and then restore me. He brought me to brokenness so that He could mold me into a correctly focused servant for Him.
“But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one.” 2 Thessalonians 3:3 NIV
My besetting sin is not that bad, but at the same time it is horrible. It is putting my faith and trust in humans instead of God. I was following the guidance of others without checking to see if their words really did line up with scripture. And I neglected to pray for God’s advice as often as I should have. It is so easy to place too much trust in someone you regard as a spiritual giant. God gives us Christian friends to guide and encourage us. But that does not mean that Satan will not use deception and his sneaky schemes to draw us into sinful, human directed instead of God directed behaviors. I am beginning to believe that is one of Satan’s most successful ploys—distorting our perceptions of the intentions and activities of our Christian friends. Satan does much mischief in the church because we are not vigilantly watching for his schemes. We are lulled into complacency.
So I must be alert for and recognize Satan's agenda especially when it involves my Christian friends.
“May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.” 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 NIV
Lord, keep me acutely alert to the deception and schemes of Satan. Make me your faithful servant in all my activities and relationships with others, especially my Christian friends.
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Sugar Coating
“Do not turn aside from any of the commands I give you today, to the right or to the left, following other gods and serving them.” Deuteronomy 28:14 NIV
One thing I love about the Word of God is that God tells me clearly and repeatedly what he expects from me. In multiple places it is stated that I am to have no other gods. God Almighty is to be the most important influence in my life. I am to worship only him. But do I?
For much of my Christian life, I interpreted putting God first as making sure I went to church, attended a Bible study, and read my Bible on a somewhat regular basis. I was not worshipping any graven image so I did not believe I was worshipping an idol. Yes, I put my career on a pedestal and I wanted people to discern from my appearance and possessions that I was a success. But isn’t that normal for young adults—even Christian adults? I now realize my attitude was wrong. My career and possessions were idols. With that realization, I thought I had removed all idols from my life. Wrong.
Each time I take a step in spiritual growth, I detect another step for which I was unaware of its existence. I recently discovered that I have not eradicated the sin of idolatry. My current idolatrous sin item is relying on mankind instead of God. When I have a problem, to whom do I go—my husband, a friend, a self-help book--anyone who will listen? What an insult to God!
“Stop trusting in man, who has but a breath in his nostrils. Of what account is he?” Isaiah 2:22 NIV
God created and has control over everything. Yet I do not pray about my problems before I discuss them with a human being. God has given me a Christian family, and I am to use them to guide and help me. However, they are not to be my first source of counsel. Sadly, I do not even pray about my problems before I have rationalized and worked out solutions I find acceptable. I usually do not seek God’s instruction manual—the Bible. No wonder God expresses anger at my sin.
“If in spite of this you still do not listen to me but continue to be hostile toward me, then in my anger I will be hostile toward you, and I myself will punish you for your sins seven times over.” Leviticus 26:27-28 NIV
When I pretend at being a good Christian, but in my heart and actions spurn God, he is right in covering his ears when I just go through the motions of praying. My heart is not sincere because I have sought the counsel of others and have already made up my mind for a course of action before I ask God to bless my decision. I have placed my wisdom above the guidance of God. That is the sin of self-idolatry. God does not candy coat what he says about such sin.
“When you spread out your hands in prayer, I will hide my eyes from you; even if you offer many prayers, I will not listen. Your hands are full of blood; wash and make yourselves clean. Take your evil deeds out of my sight! Stop doing wrong, learn to do right!” Isaiah 1:15-17a NIV
So I must stop my sin of self-idolatry and learn to do right by seeking God’s advice at the outset.
Lord, please forgive my unwillingness to put you first in every aspect of my life. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, make me recognize when I commit the sin of idolatry and give me the ability to eradicate it from my life.
One thing I love about the Word of God is that God tells me clearly and repeatedly what he expects from me. In multiple places it is stated that I am to have no other gods. God Almighty is to be the most important influence in my life. I am to worship only him. But do I?
For much of my Christian life, I interpreted putting God first as making sure I went to church, attended a Bible study, and read my Bible on a somewhat regular basis. I was not worshipping any graven image so I did not believe I was worshipping an idol. Yes, I put my career on a pedestal and I wanted people to discern from my appearance and possessions that I was a success. But isn’t that normal for young adults—even Christian adults? I now realize my attitude was wrong. My career and possessions were idols. With that realization, I thought I had removed all idols from my life. Wrong.
Each time I take a step in spiritual growth, I detect another step for which I was unaware of its existence. I recently discovered that I have not eradicated the sin of idolatry. My current idolatrous sin item is relying on mankind instead of God. When I have a problem, to whom do I go—my husband, a friend, a self-help book--anyone who will listen? What an insult to God!
“Stop trusting in man, who has but a breath in his nostrils. Of what account is he?” Isaiah 2:22 NIV
God created and has control over everything. Yet I do not pray about my problems before I discuss them with a human being. God has given me a Christian family, and I am to use them to guide and help me. However, they are not to be my first source of counsel. Sadly, I do not even pray about my problems before I have rationalized and worked out solutions I find acceptable. I usually do not seek God’s instruction manual—the Bible. No wonder God expresses anger at my sin.
“If in spite of this you still do not listen to me but continue to be hostile toward me, then in my anger I will be hostile toward you, and I myself will punish you for your sins seven times over.” Leviticus 26:27-28 NIV
When I pretend at being a good Christian, but in my heart and actions spurn God, he is right in covering his ears when I just go through the motions of praying. My heart is not sincere because I have sought the counsel of others and have already made up my mind for a course of action before I ask God to bless my decision. I have placed my wisdom above the guidance of God. That is the sin of self-idolatry. God does not candy coat what he says about such sin.
“When you spread out your hands in prayer, I will hide my eyes from you; even if you offer many prayers, I will not listen. Your hands are full of blood; wash and make yourselves clean. Take your evil deeds out of my sight! Stop doing wrong, learn to do right!” Isaiah 1:15-17a NIV
So I must stop my sin of self-idolatry and learn to do right by seeking God’s advice at the outset.
Lord, please forgive my unwillingness to put you first in every aspect of my life. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, make me recognize when I commit the sin of idolatry and give me the ability to eradicate it from my life.
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
I Am Back
My last post said that I was overwhelmed, and I was. The past three weeks have been challenging. All has turned out well and some of the challenges were truly blessings. However, my scheduled activities were totally upset. Today is my first “normal” day in almost a month. Unless something unusual happens, life should return to normal activities with the expected daily challenges. So I am writing tonight. Yeh!
In a way I feel a bit guilty that I have been neglecting writing about what God has been revealing to me. In a way I am not bothered because I know the reason why I have not posted a blog. However, I wonder if I am rationalizing my lack of writing or am being realistic and in tune with God. You see I am beginning to understand that Satan does much damage when we rationalize. It is not my place to justify my behaviors. It is my place to seek God’s will through thoughtful prayer and listening for his answer.
I needed a breather. I was beginning to show signs of stress. Tears were often just below the surface fighting to come out. I needed a break, and God provided a time of retreat. But did he want me to take nine days off from writing? No. I selfishly decided to not write one day. Yes it had been a trying day and I was tired. For me, once I start something I should not do, I will continue for quite a while before I can put a stop to my behavior.
This is the reason I do not buy M&M’s. I can have a package in my cupboard for several days, but once the package is opened and I eat the first one, I do not stop until the whole package is gone. It makes no difference that the sweet chocolate taste has become obnoxious. The package must be consumed. The consumption may be spread over a couple of days, but I am consuming the candy until it is completely gone.
It would have been no big deal if I would have sat down to write the next day. But I didn’t. I was still tired and stressed. After all, two days of not writing was not a big deal since I had written every day last month. The rationalization had begun, and it continued to feed on itself. I know it is okay to skip a day once in a while especially if God has not laid something on my heart to address. But he had. By the third day, I did not want to write. It was too much effort. I started to avoid listening to God. My conscious became calloused. Why do I let Satan sneak into my thoughts and control me like this?
So by not putting God first, I arrogantly rebelled against doing God’s will. I was full of human pride as I decided to do as I wanted to do.
The eyes of the arrogant man will be humbled and the pride of men brought low; the Lord alone will be exalted in that day. Isaiah 2:11 NIV
Who am I? A stubborn, rebellious woman.
Lord, forgive my arrogance of challenging your instructions to me. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, give me the strength to withstand Satan when he tempts me to rationalize my behaviors. Make me joyfully responsive to your every command.
In a way I feel a bit guilty that I have been neglecting writing about what God has been revealing to me. In a way I am not bothered because I know the reason why I have not posted a blog. However, I wonder if I am rationalizing my lack of writing or am being realistic and in tune with God. You see I am beginning to understand that Satan does much damage when we rationalize. It is not my place to justify my behaviors. It is my place to seek God’s will through thoughtful prayer and listening for his answer.
I needed a breather. I was beginning to show signs of stress. Tears were often just below the surface fighting to come out. I needed a break, and God provided a time of retreat. But did he want me to take nine days off from writing? No. I selfishly decided to not write one day. Yes it had been a trying day and I was tired. For me, once I start something I should not do, I will continue for quite a while before I can put a stop to my behavior.
This is the reason I do not buy M&M’s. I can have a package in my cupboard for several days, but once the package is opened and I eat the first one, I do not stop until the whole package is gone. It makes no difference that the sweet chocolate taste has become obnoxious. The package must be consumed. The consumption may be spread over a couple of days, but I am consuming the candy until it is completely gone.
It would have been no big deal if I would have sat down to write the next day. But I didn’t. I was still tired and stressed. After all, two days of not writing was not a big deal since I had written every day last month. The rationalization had begun, and it continued to feed on itself. I know it is okay to skip a day once in a while especially if God has not laid something on my heart to address. But he had. By the third day, I did not want to write. It was too much effort. I started to avoid listening to God. My conscious became calloused. Why do I let Satan sneak into my thoughts and control me like this?
So by not putting God first, I arrogantly rebelled against doing God’s will. I was full of human pride as I decided to do as I wanted to do.
The eyes of the arrogant man will be humbled and the pride of men brought low; the Lord alone will be exalted in that day. Isaiah 2:11 NIV
Who am I? A stubborn, rebellious woman.
Lord, forgive my arrogance of challenging your instructions to me. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, give me the strength to withstand Satan when he tempts me to rationalize my behaviors. Make me joyfully responsive to your every command.
Monday, September 20, 2010
Overwhelmed
I am feeling overwhelmed tonight. Nothing that dramatic is happening. It is just an accumulation of many small things.
“Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall.” Psalm 55:22 NIV
Okay, Lord, I hear the message in this passage of Scripture. But it is hard. There are so many details over which I have no control for the expected events taking place this week. I just cannot seem to wrap my mind around what I need to do. My brain is foggy. Clear thinking is just not happening.
“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:6-7 NIV
So, God, part of the problem may be that I am not humbling myself before you. Why should I be worrying about things over which I have no control? God, you are always in control. Turning my anxiety over to you is the only logical course.
God, forgive my arrogant attitude of thinking I am indispensable for the events happening this week. But, what about the details I need to handle?
“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Matthew 6:34 NIV
God, that is very clear. I am not to worry about what is possibly going to happen. Lord, conform my actions, plans, and attitudes so that they align with your wishes. Give me wisdom to handle the next few days in a manner glorifying to you.
“The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and He knows those who trust in Him.” Nahum 1:7 NKJV
What a promise!
Lord, give me a willing heart to humbly trust you with the events in my life this week.
“Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall.” Psalm 55:22 NIV
Okay, Lord, I hear the message in this passage of Scripture. But it is hard. There are so many details over which I have no control for the expected events taking place this week. I just cannot seem to wrap my mind around what I need to do. My brain is foggy. Clear thinking is just not happening.
“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:6-7 NIV
So, God, part of the problem may be that I am not humbling myself before you. Why should I be worrying about things over which I have no control? God, you are always in control. Turning my anxiety over to you is the only logical course.
God, forgive my arrogant attitude of thinking I am indispensable for the events happening this week. But, what about the details I need to handle?
“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Matthew 6:34 NIV
God, that is very clear. I am not to worry about what is possibly going to happen. Lord, conform my actions, plans, and attitudes so that they align with your wishes. Give me wisdom to handle the next few days in a manner glorifying to you.
“The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and He knows those who trust in Him.” Nahum 1:7 NKJV
What a promise!
Lord, give me a willing heart to humbly trust you with the events in my life this week.
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Okay. Okay.
Okay! Okay! I admit my rebellion against God. Yes I am a good person, but I do know I sin once in a while. In action or thought, I do break a commandment on occasion.
“For the Lord your God detests anyone who does these things, anyone who deals dishonestly.” Deuteronomy 25:16 NIV
However, I must admit, I am rife with selfish and defiant attitudes. I like to have things my way, and I like to be in control. I am not so different from millions of others.
“The Lord detests all the proud of heart. Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished.” Proverbs 16:5 NIV
Whoa! Does this mean my self-confident, I can-do attitude is sin? Am I wrong to take pride in my accomplishments and talents?
"God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." James 4:6b NIV
According to Scripture, these attitudes are sin. And sin is sin. It makes no difference how many people engage in similar behaviors. God loathes all sin. In Isaiah he warned the Jews that he would no longer tolerate their attitude of disregard for his commands.
“I will turn my hand against you; I will thoroughly purge away your dross and remove all your impurities.” Isaiah 1:25 NIV
God acted like a loving parent who punishes misbehavior because it is the only way to mold the child into a well-behaved, productive person. Isaiah was prophesying the words God gave him. He was stating that the sin of God’s people would be punished for the purpose of removing that sin. He was saving his people from the ravages of a life lived reveling in sin--a life of rebellion toward him.
So what rebellious sin do you need to eradicate from your life? Are you going to wait until God purges you? That is always an unpleasant experience as all effective punishment is. Or are you going to confess your sin and ask God to give you the power to be pure in his sight?
Lord, show me the sin you want me to eliminate today. Give me the power to overcome whatever it is about that sin that makes it attractive to me. Make me hate that sin with the intensity that you hate it. Teach me how to replace my sinful behavior with God-honoring actions and thoughts.
“For the Lord your God detests anyone who does these things, anyone who deals dishonestly.” Deuteronomy 25:16 NIV
However, I must admit, I am rife with selfish and defiant attitudes. I like to have things my way, and I like to be in control. I am not so different from millions of others.
“The Lord detests all the proud of heart. Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished.” Proverbs 16:5 NIV
Whoa! Does this mean my self-confident, I can-do attitude is sin? Am I wrong to take pride in my accomplishments and talents?
"God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." James 4:6b NIV
According to Scripture, these attitudes are sin. And sin is sin. It makes no difference how many people engage in similar behaviors. God loathes all sin. In Isaiah he warned the Jews that he would no longer tolerate their attitude of disregard for his commands.
“I will turn my hand against you; I will thoroughly purge away your dross and remove all your impurities.” Isaiah 1:25 NIV
God acted like a loving parent who punishes misbehavior because it is the only way to mold the child into a well-behaved, productive person. Isaiah was prophesying the words God gave him. He was stating that the sin of God’s people would be punished for the purpose of removing that sin. He was saving his people from the ravages of a life lived reveling in sin--a life of rebellion toward him.
So what rebellious sin do you need to eradicate from your life? Are you going to wait until God purges you? That is always an unpleasant experience as all effective punishment is. Or are you going to confess your sin and ask God to give you the power to be pure in his sight?
Lord, show me the sin you want me to eliminate today. Give me the power to overcome whatever it is about that sin that makes it attractive to me. Make me hate that sin with the intensity that you hate it. Teach me how to replace my sinful behavior with God-honoring actions and thoughts.
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Rebellious Sin
Sometimes my rebellion toward God is so entrenched that I have to experience an extremely unpleasant event before I understand a message that God has been sending my way for a long time. It is only after I suffer some severe consequences that I recognize the warnings God had been lovingly giving me. I am not unique in this area. Rebelling against God’s commands has been a problem throughout human history.
The first chapter of Isaiah has much to teach me even though this chapter was written to the nation of Judah. My attitudes and behaviors can be so arrogant that one would think I am as significant as a nation of God’s chosen people.
“…Why do you persist in rebellion?...” Isaiah 1:5 NIV
What parent finds pleasure in her child’s rebellious behavior, especially if there has been much discussion and punishment used to eradicate the offensive behavior? Likewise, God desires for us to quit being rebellious.
“…For the Lord has spoken: "I reared children and brought them up, but they have rebelled against me.” Isaiah 1:2b NIV
This verse was true during the time of Isaiah. But take a look around at our community and our church. One would have to be absolutely blind to not see the rebellion to God. A lot of good behaviors are being exhibited. However, the good behaviors, as the saying goes, are a mile wide and an inch deep. Good things are being done, but they are not being done for God. They are being done for self—the desire to look good, for people to think well of us, to soothe our conscious for some slightly bad thing we did. Our good, “churchy” activities are not pleasing to God.
"’The multitude of your sacrifices — what are they to me?’ says the Lord.” Isaiah 1:11 NIV
God tells us he would rather we quit our showy efforts to seem religious. He doesn’t need our pitiful, selfish labors.
“Stop bringing meaningless offerings…I cannot bear your evil assemblies.” Isaiah 1:13 NIV
I always thought that it was important to appear religious. But I had it backwards. Appearing religious is detestable to God. God wants our hearts. God says he will not listen to our prayers if we are living in rebellion to him and are insincerely seeking him.
“When you spread out your hands in prayer, I will hide my eyes from you; even if you offer many prayers, I will not listen. Your hands are full of blood; wash and make yourselves clean. Take your evil deeds out of my sight! Stop doing wrong, learn to do right!” Isaiah 1:15-17a NIV
Looking religious is not wrong if it is a result of seeking God in love and faith.
“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” Hebrews 11:6 NIV
God promises to reward those who stop rebelling against him.
“If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the best from the land;” Isaiah 1:19 NIV
So, which comand of God's are you rebelling against?
“If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love.” John 15:10 NIV
Lord, through the power of the Holy Spirit, take away every thought and action that is rebellious to you. Make me yearn for obedience to you.
The first chapter of Isaiah has much to teach me even though this chapter was written to the nation of Judah. My attitudes and behaviors can be so arrogant that one would think I am as significant as a nation of God’s chosen people.
“…Why do you persist in rebellion?...” Isaiah 1:5 NIV
What parent finds pleasure in her child’s rebellious behavior, especially if there has been much discussion and punishment used to eradicate the offensive behavior? Likewise, God desires for us to quit being rebellious.
“…For the Lord has spoken: "I reared children and brought them up, but they have rebelled against me.” Isaiah 1:2b NIV
This verse was true during the time of Isaiah. But take a look around at our community and our church. One would have to be absolutely blind to not see the rebellion to God. A lot of good behaviors are being exhibited. However, the good behaviors, as the saying goes, are a mile wide and an inch deep. Good things are being done, but they are not being done for God. They are being done for self—the desire to look good, for people to think well of us, to soothe our conscious for some slightly bad thing we did. Our good, “churchy” activities are not pleasing to God.
"’The multitude of your sacrifices — what are they to me?’ says the Lord.” Isaiah 1:11 NIV
God tells us he would rather we quit our showy efforts to seem religious. He doesn’t need our pitiful, selfish labors.
“Stop bringing meaningless offerings…I cannot bear your evil assemblies.” Isaiah 1:13 NIV
I always thought that it was important to appear religious. But I had it backwards. Appearing religious is detestable to God. God wants our hearts. God says he will not listen to our prayers if we are living in rebellion to him and are insincerely seeking him.
“When you spread out your hands in prayer, I will hide my eyes from you; even if you offer many prayers, I will not listen. Your hands are full of blood; wash and make yourselves clean. Take your evil deeds out of my sight! Stop doing wrong, learn to do right!” Isaiah 1:15-17a NIV
Looking religious is not wrong if it is a result of seeking God in love and faith.
“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” Hebrews 11:6 NIV
God promises to reward those who stop rebelling against him.
“If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the best from the land;” Isaiah 1:19 NIV
So, which comand of God's are you rebelling against?
“If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love.” John 15:10 NIV
Lord, through the power of the Holy Spirit, take away every thought and action that is rebellious to you. Make me yearn for obedience to you.
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Bible Study
Marvelous. Miraculous. Stupendous. Wonderful.
These were my thoughts after attending the first Bible Study Fellowship class this fall. I study my Bible daily. I regularly attend church. I talk with Christian friends in person and electronically. But nothing encourages me more nor builds my desire to learn more about God than studying God’s Word in a strong, Scripture-based, God-inspired Bible study.
“Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another — and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” Hebrews 10:25 NIV
So, I encourage you to find and actively participate in a quality Bible study.
Lord, thank you for BSF. Thank you for using BSF to encourage me to spend more time with you. As I study your word for this Bible study session, draw me closer to you.
These were my thoughts after attending the first Bible Study Fellowship class this fall. I study my Bible daily. I regularly attend church. I talk with Christian friends in person and electronically. But nothing encourages me more nor builds my desire to learn more about God than studying God’s Word in a strong, Scripture-based, God-inspired Bible study.
“Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another — and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” Hebrews 10:25 NIV
So, I encourage you to find and actively participate in a quality Bible study.
Lord, thank you for BSF. Thank you for using BSF to encourage me to spend more time with you. As I study your word for this Bible study session, draw me closer to you.
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