Struggling Along in an Ungodly World

If you spend much time out in the world, you find out quickly that the world stands in stark opposition to your Christian walk and standards. In fact, if you are attempting to live out your Christian faith, you will discover many out there find every opportunity they can to take shots at your faith. It’s easy to get down about the situation and even find yourself struggling along trying to survive in the ungodliness of the world we are in.

Most every day you will come across those who make comments about you and to you; those who push the envelope nearby you with course jokes and jesting just to try to antagonize you; and, of course, you can’t forget those who find it sporting to actually openly ridicule you for your faith.

Jude assured us this would happen and even warned that it would grow in intensity as the day of the Lord approaches. He wrote: “In the last time there will be mockers, following after their own ungodly lusts” (Jude 1:18, NASB). The jokes, the jesting, the ridicule, the intimidation is all to be expected, if you are truly living out your faith.

Jude continues talking about these particular people by telling us: “These are the ones who cause divisions, worldly-minded, devoid of the Spirit” (v. 19). In other words, their jesting and mockery of the things of God are a direct revelation of their true nature of worldliness and absence of the Spirit of God within their hearts and lives. Keep in mind that their mockery is truly aimed at God; you are merely the servant through whom they are able to cast it.

Instead of allowing these individuals to create hardships for you or becoming judgmental or even condemning towards them, keep in mind what Jude tells us to do. He encourages us to: “Have mercy on some, who are doubting; save others, snatching them out of the fire; and on some have mercy with fear, hating even the garment polluted by the flesh” (vv. 22-23).

Rather than allowing yourself to feel beat-up by these individuals, Jude encourages you to recognize their plight; recognize their destiny is hell; and as you do so, you should be putting your efforts into snatching them out of the hell-fires by showing mercy and grace towards them.

Rather than becoming like them; reveal the love of Christ to them. Help them to recognize that there is a better way; there is a better path to take in life. There is the path of righteousness that leads to eternal life.

Certainly there will be those who reject your acts of mercy and grace, but by the power of the Spirit of God working through you, some will come to discover Christ as their Savior, repent and turn from their sinful ways and live transformed lives.

Simply be Jesus regardless of the mockery the world may generate against you. Allow the world to see only Jesus working in and through everything you are and everything you do. Leave all the vindication to God; simply show love—regardless!

Scripture Reading: “But I call to God, and the Lord will save me. I complain and groan morning, noon, and night, and He hears my voice. Though many are against me, He will redeem me from my battle unharmed. God, the One enthroned from long ago, will hear, and will humiliate them because they do not change and do not fear God. He acts violently against those at peace with him; he violates his covenant. His buttery words are smooth, but war is in his heart. His words are softer than oil, but they are drawn swords. Cast your burden on the Lord, and He will support you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken. You, God, will bring them down to the pit of destruction; men of bloodshed and treachery will not live out half their days. But I will trust in You.” (Psalm 55:16-23 HCSB)

Personal Prayer: Father in heaven, I am surrounded by mockers. My faith is tested daily; my ability to stand firm is constantly under pressure; my willingness to continue to serve you is under constant bombardment from those of this world. I pray You would strengthen me in those times when I become weak. I pray my trust would be constantly in You and in Your ability. I pray that those who would seek harm against me would find me to be a person of love, mercy and grace. Forgive me for where I have failed in the past and help me to ever be mindful that my response could have a great deal of influence upon the eventual response of those who would seek to harm me through their words and actions. I love You and praise You always…in Jesus’ name…AMEN!

From Mountain High to Valley Low

Have you ever found yourself dancing on the mountain of victory only to have your legs knocked from under you a short time later? You have finally reached the pinnacle; happiness, contentment and peace are overwhelming your life.

You’ve struggled for this moment, gone through times of extreme difficulty but finally you have reached what you were aiming for. And then, WHAM! You find yourself tumbling back down into the valley of despair.

Elijah was on the mountain of victory. God had shown up in a powerful way and all the prophets of the foreign gods had been destroyed. The Scripture tells us: “Ahab told Jezebel everything that Elijah had done and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. So Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, ‘May the gods punish me and do so severely if I don’t make your life like the life of one of them by this time tomorrow!’” (1 Kings 19:1-2 HCSB).

Jezebel was infuriated and determined to destroy Elijah. “Then Elijah became afraid and immediately ran for his life” (v. 3). It’s amazing how quickly Elijah went from a dance of victory to running in fear for his life.

When he finally reached the valley of despair, “He sat down under a broom tree and prayed that he might die. He said, ‘I have had enough! Lord, take my life, for I’m no better than my fathers’” (v. 4).

You’ve been there as well! You know exactly what I’m talking about. Life was grand—until—the bottom fell out! The mountain top view was overwhelmingly beautiful but one little intrusion into your ideal world and you were sliding rapidly back down into the valley of utter despair.

Elijah began to throw a pity party for himself. He wanted out. He just wanted to die! But the Lord came to him and asked him: “What are you doing here, Elijah?” (v. 9). What are you doing groveling around in despair?

Elijah responded by recounting how faithful he had been while everybody else was being unfaithful. He quit looking at God and began only seeing all his mounting problems. Soon, despair took over. Has that happened to you? Past victories and the present workings of God become obscured by the mounting troubles of the moment.

But, once again, God showed up! Praise God, He never gives up. He told Elijah: “‘Go out and stand on the mountain in the Lord’s presence.’ At that moment, the Lord passed by. A great and mighty wind was tearing at the mountains and was shattering cliffs before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake there was a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire there was a voice, a soft whisper. When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. Suddenly, a voice came to him and said, ‘What are you doing here, Elijah?’” (vv.11-13).

God’s reminded Elijah of His divine power over all things. But, that wasn’t what God wanted Elijah to focus upon. It was the still small voice of God that beckoned Elijah to wake up to reality and to once again recognize who is ultimately in control of all things. And once again the same question came forth: “What are you doing here, Elijah?”

God is quietly asking you right now: What are you doing here today? Are you groveling in your despair? Throwing yourself a pity party? Overwhelmed by all the problems your life is filled up with?

Look to the One who is all powerful today. Look to the One who has the ability to pull you up out of the valley low and to carry you all the way back up to the mountaintop of victory. Listen for His still small voice beckoning you to simply trust Him.

God took Elijah and put him right back into service. God wants you back in service unto Him—right now! Simply trust His leading; have complete confidence in Him and Him alone! Quit whining and complaining and start shouting out your cry of victory.

Scripture Reading: “Protect me, God, for I take refuge in You. I said to the Lord, ‘You are my Lord; I have no good besides You.’ As for the holy people who are in the land, they are the noble ones in whom is all my delight. The sorrows of those who take another [god] for themselves multiply; I will not pour out their drink offerings of blood, and I will not speak their names with my lips. Lord, You are my portion and my cup of blessing; You hold my future. The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance. I will praise the Lord who counsels me- even at night my conscience instructs me. I keep the Lord in mind always. Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad, and my spirit rejoices; my body also rests securely. For You will not abandon me to Sheol; You will not allow Your Faithful One to see the Pit. You reveal the path of life to me; in Your presence is abundant joy; in Your right hand are eternal pleasures.” (Psalm 16 HCSB)

Personal Prayer: Father in heaven, I sometimes get really sidetracked. I lose sight of Your glory. I lose confidence in Your ability. I begin to take my eyes off of You and begin looking only at myself. I find myself especially vulnerable when I am up on a mountain of spiritual victory only to find myself slammed back down into the valley of despair. Father, I must learn to trust in You always. I must learn to listen for Your still, small voice that desires to lead me down the right paths of life. Help me, Lord, to trust in You alone! Help me when I falter to look only to You and help me, Lord, to become the person You desire for me to be. I love You and praise You always, in Jesus’ name…AMEN!

Impossible Missions Becomes Possible

Life can be tough even on a good day. Struggles and problems seem to bombard our lives bringing chaos into the midst of what should normally be times of peace and tranquility. Much too often it seems like you just pick yourself up from one problem only to find yourself facing yet another difficulty.

Moses had just come down off of the mountain. He had spent forty days basking in the presence of God only to discover that the people God had sent him to deliver from Egyptian bondage had already slipped back into their old ways. I’m sure he was overwhelmed by the entire situation. But in the midst of the mess, Moses remained focused upon God.

God appeared to Moses and told him: “Go, leave here, you and the people you brought up from the land of Egypt, to the land I promised” (Exodus 33:1 HCSB). But Moses recognized his inabilities and responded: “Look, You have told me, ‘Lead this people up,’ but You have not let me know whom You will send with me. You said, ‘I know you by name, and you have also found favor in My sight.’ Now if I have indeed found favor in Your sight, please teach me Your ways, and I will know You and find favor in Your sight. Now consider that this nation is Your people” (vv. 12-13).

Moses knew he could never carry out such a task in his own power and strength. He acknowledged his need for a higher power that would enable him to be able to function in the way such a task mandated. To this, God promised: “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest (v. 14).

Imagine for a moment the monumental task of leading over a million rebellious people on a journey through the wilderness. Imagine the planning and preparation needed to fulfill such a role. Imagine the problems and struggles that Moses would encounter along the way. Moses recognized it was beyond his own capabilities to fulfill such a mission. Without the help of God, he knew the mission was simply impossible.

Impossible missions are made possible through the presence of Almighty God. When God shows up, we have no need to fear or worry, we only need to sit back and watch in amazement as He carries out His marvelous works.

The Israelites had witnessed the power of God at the Red Sea. The Egyptian military was bearing down on them. They had nowhere to run. Doom was all they could see. But Moses looked beyond the difficulty and saw the answer. He raised his arms to heaven and told the people: “Don’t be afraid. Stand firm and see the Lord’s salvation He will provide for you today…The Lord will fight for you” (Exodus 14:13-14). And that they did!

King David found himself in the darkest moment of his life. He had committed numerous sins and was rapidly slipping into total despair. God sent Nathan the prophet to reveal his sin and God’s knowledge of it. In what is perhaps the most epic prayer of forgiveness, David cried out to God: “Do not banish me from Your presence or take Your Holy Spirit from me” (Psalm 51:11).

The fear of being banished from God’s presence and lacking the power of the Spirit was at the forefront of David’s mind at the moment. Above all other things, David understood life for him would be impossible without God’s presence and power. That should speak volumes to you and I.

As Jesus was preparing to return to heaven, He was sharing with His disciples some last minute instructions. He told them: “Look, I am sending you what My Father promised. As for you, stay in the city until you are empowered from on high” (Luke 24:49).

Jesus understood the struggles, problems, and difficulties that each of us would encounter. He knew we would be unable to overcome them in our own power. He recognized that carrying out His mission would only be made possible by the presence of God in our lives at all times.

Thus, He sent the Holy Spirit to empower and to enable us in all things. Moses knew he couldn’t carry out the task before him without the presence of God. David feared being without the Spirit of God. You and I must realize that we are incapable of carrying out the task before us without the presence of God.

Seek the presence of the Spirit to dwell within you, to guide you and to help you through life—not only in those difficult times when you seem to be sinking in life’s problems but even in the good times you need the presence of God’s Spirit—always.

Scripture Reading: Protect me, God, for I take refuge in You. I said to the Lord, “You are my Lord; I have no good besides You.” As for the holy people who are in the land, they are the noble ones in whom is all my delight. The sorrows of those who take another god for themselves multiply; I will not pour out their drink offerings of blood, and I will not speak their names with my lips. Lord, You are my portion and my cup of blessing; You hold my future. The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance. I will praise the Lord who counsels me- even at night my conscience instructs me. I keep the Lord in mind always. Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad, and my spirit rejoices; my body also rests securely. For You will not abandon me to Sheol; You will not allow Your Faithful One to see the Pit. You reveal the path of life to me; in Your presence is abundant joy; in Your right hand are eternal pleasures. (Psalm 16 HCSB).

Personal Prayer: Father in heaven, help me to understand the importance of Your Spirit in my life. Help me to recognize I am nothing without You. Help me to trust in You in all things—to have confidence in Your abilities rather than my own. As I go through my daily walk, I pray that You would guide and direct me. I pray that You would have Your way—that I would set aside my thoughts and trust in Yours. I love You and thank You for always caring for me…in Jesus’ name…AMEN!

Navigating the Forks of Life

Every day we are faced with new challenges and some of these involve decisions and choices that have the potential of altering our lives forever. We make minor decisions constantly, which route to take to work or the store. What to buy when we get to the store. What to see when we get to the movie theater.

Choices, decisions, forks in the road of life—all providing an alteration to the path we are currently following. We learn over time how important it is to put some thought into how we choose to navigate each of these forks to make the most of every decision.

But unfortunately, we don’t always choose the right path and regret or failure soon befall us. If we continue to follow paths of wrong choices, our lives become a web of troubles and failures often leading to difficulty and hardships. Maybe I am talking about your life right now? Maybe your life has been plagued by bad choices that have landed you in ruin?

It probably didn’t just happen overnight. It started out with a bad choice every now and then. But before long it became a lifestyle for you and now it encompasses and controls your whole life. Despair and defeat seem to be your reward at every intersection of life?

God rescued the nation of Israel from the hand of the Egyptians—400 years of slavery! After a time of struggling in the wilderness, they found themselves in the Promised Land. Life was going great, God was blessing them tremendously but they struggled with navigating the forks of life. More often than not, they chose the wrong path and ended up in peril and away from God.

King David led the nation to a pinnacle of greatness through his rule though he made some bad choices along the way. Still, God blessed the nation. King Solomon built the most glorious temple the world had ever known and the nation gained world-wide notoriety. But Solomon made many bad choices along the way. His seven hundred wives introduced the pagan gods of the world into the nation of Israel and it wasn’t long before the nation was split in two.

Over the years, the nation continued its path of bad decisions, eventually landing both parts back in captivity. But, God didn’t write them off! God continued to love them through it all. Certainly He hated their choices but He loved His people just as He continues to love you today. Regardless of the wrong forks you’ve taken and the bad choices you’ve made, God still loves you and desires to draw you back into His arms of love.

As the enemy stood ready to take the Jewish people into captivity for their ungodly choices, God issued a promise to them through His prophet, Jeremiah. He declared: “When 70 years for Babylon are complete, I will attend to you and will confirm My promise concerning you to restore you to this place” (Jeremiah 29:10 HCSB). The people had shaken their fist in the face of God through their actions, choices and lifestyles; yet, God promised to make it all right.

He went on and described what He would do for them not only in their near future but throughout all eternity. He promised: “For I know the plans I have for you—plans for your welfare, not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. You will call to Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. I will be found by you and I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all the nations and places where I banished you. I will restore you to the place I deported you from” (vv. 11-14).

That is His promise to you today as well! God has a plan for you and for your life. It is a plan of wellness, happiness and eternal life, if you simply place your trust in His Son, Jesus Christ. God wants to restore you today. It doesn’t matter how far you have ventured away, His arms of love are long enough to reach you right where you are and draw you back to Him. But, you must surrender yourself fully over to Him.

As you navigate the forks of life, it is important to remember there are always at least two choices you can make. One of those choices is always the right choice, the others not nearly so much. The only right choice is through Jesus. Only you can make that decision to navigate your life down the right path.

King David committed a terrible sin against God and as he was finding his way back, He wrote this Psalm of repentance. Maybe, it needs to be your Psalm today:

Scripture Reading: “Be gracious to me, God, according to Your faithful love; according to Your abundant compassion, blot out my rebellion. Wash away my guilt, and cleanse me from my sin. For I am conscious of my rebellion, and my sin is always before me. Against You-You alone-I have sinned and done this evil in Your sight. So You are right when You pass sentence; You are blameless when You judge. Indeed, I was guilty when I was born; I was sinful when my mother conceived me. Surely You desire integrity in the inner self, and You teach me wisdom deep within. Purify me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones You have crushed rejoice. Turn Your face away from my sins and blot out all my guilt. God, create a clean heart for me and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not banish me from Your presence or take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore the joy of Your salvation to me, and give me a willing spirit. Then I will teach the rebellious Your ways, and sinners will return to You. Save me from the guilt of bloodshed, God, the God of my salvation, and my tongue will sing of Your righteousness. Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare Your praise. You do not want a sacrifice, or I would give it; You are not pleased with a burnt offering. The sacrifice pleasing to God is a broken spirit. God, You will not despise a broken and humbled heart. In Your good pleasure, cause Zion to prosper; build the walls of Jerusalem. Then You will delight in righteous sacrifices, whole burnt offerings; then bulls will be offered on Your altar.” (Psalm 51 HCSB)

Personal Prayer: Father in heaven, I have lived my life making bad choices, making wrong choices, and living out the consequences for those. I pray You forgive me; cleanse my heart and life. Remove the desire in me to follow after my own ways and help me to focus directly upon You. I commit my life to following the path that leads to You. I commit to walking beside You and being led by You when life becomes rough. Father, I pray You take control of me and mold me into the person You desire me to be. I love You and thank You for not giving up on me—for always being there for me! I praise You with my whole heart. In Jesus’ name…AMEN!

Struggling Under a Heavy Load

As I deal with people on a regular basis, I find many who think everything is just going great. The attitude that life is great so everything is great prevails—at least until you begin to dig a little deeper. Soon, you discover many have clothed themselves with this façade of “everything’s okay,” when in reality, they are struggling under a very heavy load in life.

On the outside people are smiling and appear content, while on the inside, hurts and pains from life’s ongoing struggles are choking the life right out of their being. Every day we all come into contact with people who are hurting—struggling just get by, but we just pass them by. That person could even be you today? Maybe you can relate very well to what I am talking about?

I was thinking about the life of the little guy named Zacchaeus. His life appeared to be going okay—at least for him. He was doing well financially although others disliked him because he was the tax-man. However, he apparently wasn’t content with his life—he was seeking after something more.

The Scripture tells us that Jesus was headed in his direction but his short stature prevented him from being able to see over the crowds, so “he climbed up a sycamore tree to see Jesus” (Luke 19:4 HCSB). Now, why would he care so much about seeing Jesus? Wasn’t life as great on the inside as he portrayed it to be on the outside? Apparently not! And Jesus knew it!

Jesus “looked up and said to him, ‘Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, because today I must stay at your house.’ So he quickly came down and welcomed Him joyfully” (vv. 5-6). Of course the crowds saw nothing good in Zacchaeus as they accused Jesus of lodging “with a sinful man” but Jesus looked beyond the façade of contentment and saw a life struggling under a heavy load.

The love, mercy and grace expended to this man by Jesus loosed the shackles that bound him up and transformed his rock-hard heart into a supple heart, loving, giving heart. Zacchaeus responded to the Lord’s interaction into his life by saying: “I’ll give half of my possessions to the poor, Lord! And if I have extorted anything from anyone, I’ll pay back four times as much!” (v. 8).

Certainly we see a great work of salvation in this man’s life but we also see a great release from all the inner-struggles he had been dealing with for many years. The freedom offered by Jesus is a freedom that is complete as He said in John 8:36: “Therefore if the Son sets you free, you really will be free” (John 8:36 HCSB).

Zacchaeus discovered freedom from his sins as well as the heavy load he had been carrying along through his life. He discovered the freedom of Jesus. He discovered what Jesus was referring to when He said: “Come to Me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. All of you, take up My yoke and learn from Me, because I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for yourselves. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30).

Peter encourages us to: “cast all your care upon Him, because He cares about you” (1 Peter 5:7). Whatever you are struggling with today, Jesus wants to lift that burden from you and set you free to enjoy His presence and to have life in great abundance (John 10:10).

Don’t struggle along any longer under your heavy load; rather, give it over to Jesus!

Scripture Reading: How happy is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered! How happy is the man the Lord does not charge with sin, and in whose spirit is no deceit! When I kept silent, my bones became brittle from my groaning all day long. For day and night Your hand was heavy on me; my strength was drained as in the summer’s heat. Then I acknowledged my sin to You and did not conceal my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,” and You took away the guilt of my sin. Therefore let everyone who is faithful pray to You at a time that You may be found. When great floodwaters come, they will not reach him. You are my hiding place; You protect me from trouble. You surround me with joyful shouts of deliverance. I will instruct you and show you the way to go; with My eye on you, I will give counsel. Do not be like a horse or mule, without understanding, that must be controlled with bit and bridle, or else it will not come near you. Many pains come to the wicked, but the one who trusts in the Lord will have faithful love surrounding him. Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, you righteous ones; shout for joy, all you upright in heart. (Psalm 32 HCSB).

Personal Prayer: Father in heaven, I thank You for always being near and always helping me. Your abundant love, mercy and grace are forever strongholds that uphold me and strengthen me. I pray that You would lift away my inner struggles today. Set me free from their weight so I may live in the abundance of freedom that You offer to all who will trust in You. I love You and praise You today, O Lord…in Jesus’ name…AMEN!