We Can Do Nothing Without Him

I’ve said a few times before that God won’t do for us what we can do for ourselves.  I’ve thought about that and while it’s true, I need to put it in perspective.  We have to do the work that is within our power, but nothing we do will ever be successful without God in the midst of it.  He gets all the glory for whatever we achieve because we can do nothing on our own.  

The Bible says, God gives us the power to gain wealth (Deut 8:18) and if we seek Him first, He will add everything we need to us (Matt 6:33).  Any success we achieve, is not because of anything inherent in ourselves.  It is all due to God’s power and grace even when we’re not saved.  He’s still giving us an opportunity to turn to Him, because He doesn’t move – He is constant. 

God made us in His (the trinity) likeness (Gen 1:26), so he gave us all we would ever need to accomplish great things – if we do the work and prepare.  But, we can never forget that it’s because of God that we live and move and have our being (Acts 17:28).  When you think about it, we control very little of our lives.  Look at what’s going on the world right now.  So, we have to understand that God is in control of it all (Luke 12:22-26).  God woke us all up this morning and gave us the mobility of our limbs.  Don’t ever get it twisted and believe that you’ve done anything on your own.  

So, next time you are thinking about what a great job you did on that last work project or how you really nailed that assignment, remember to give thanks to the One who gave you the ability to do so.  He is faithful!

I Get Distracted….What About You?

Today I had an epiphany, I get distracted a lot….a whole lot.  I mean, I have these plans for my day or my week or for a meeting, and all of a sudden something else has drawn my attention.  One of my co-workers said it best about me, “You get distracted by shiny objects.”  I realized today, they don’t have to be shiny to distract me. It could be a song on the radio or a video game or an email, and while none of those things are bad, if they are keeping you or me from our God-given purpose, they need to be minimized or eliminated.  I don’t mean you can never listen to the radio or play a video game or read email, I mean they need to be given the proper priority and put in their proper place.  

I know this sounds insane given the world we currently live in.  I know I feel almost lost without my phone where I can check text messages and my email, but the fact is that most of the text messages and emails can wait until a planned task is completed.   More than anything, I need to make plans and stick to them.  What usually happens is I get distracted by something other than what I’m doing, I go down a rabbit hole, and I still have to come back to whatever I was doing initially.  This ultimately takes more time away from other equally important things.  

For me, that means I have to focus and remove the distractions I can when I’m working on important projects.  If I don’t, the project just takes longer and ultimately, I’m the one who suffers as a result.  This applies to reading my bible, cooking dinner, reading a book, cleaning house, writing, etc.  I’ve got to gain some discipline to ensure I’m working and living smarter instead of harder.  Jesus came that we might have life and it more abundantly….all aspects of life (John 10:10).  He doesn’t want us to struggle, especially with things we have the power to change.  That doesn’t mean we won’t have hard times, but even in those, He’s there to lead and guide us in the way we should go while He’s working out the situation for our good (Romans 8:28).  I’ve said before that He will not do for me what I can do for myself.  I say this because, a lot of times, someone will say I need to pray about this or that, and really we just need to act.  Do what is right to do….there is no need for confirmation when you know the answer.  Just do it.  

For the past few weeks, I’ve been putting this blog up late on Sunday night, which in turn caused me to be up later than I should and not get a good night’s sleep before starting the work week on Monday mornings.  Today, I was determined to get the blog up before dinner time and I'm gonna reach that goal.   So, I still might get distracted by something else that keeps me up, but my intent is not to.  I turned off the TV and put down my tablet and phone and started writing.  I’m working on making this a habit.  We’ll see how it shakes out, because we’re striving for progress and consistency.  

We all have a purpose and assignments.  Are you giving them your full attention….your best?  I pray you will take a look at your life and discern the distractions keeping you from the getting the important things done.  God deserves better!

Who is God Leading You to Minister to?

As I’ve written over the past weeks, the current pandemic and racial issues in our world have caused me to truly consider my actions and my thoughts.  With that, my small group’s study of the Book of Acts, has caused me to consider how I interact with others.  The Book of Acts gives history and foundation for the church, as it lays out the actions and working of the Holy Spirit in the early church.  This week’s lesson emphasized how God does not show partiality between us.  He loves us all the same, no matter what we have or what we’ve done.  He sent Jesus to die for all our sins.  Of course, it’s up to us, whether we accept Him.  

However, Jesus told his disciples (followers) to go into all the world and tell the Good News of who Jesus was and the sacrifice He made so that we could all be reconciled to God.  Like many of us, who are saved, the early Christians thought they were special and that Jesus died just for them.  That was not the case.  Jesus came that all men (and women) would have the opportunity to receive the salvation He paid for with His life (John 3:17).  

The more I thought about that, the more I see that I may be delinquent in my service to Him.  Without a doubt, He is my Savior.  But, have I done all that He’s told me to do?  There are some people I just don’t care for.  I mean, I love them as people, but I don’t “like” some of them very much.  I’m sure there are many people who feel the same way about me.  I can honestly say, I’ve never thought I was better than anyone else, but I have shied away from some characters because they were just “too much.”  

I wonder now if I’ve hesitated or ignored the leading of the Holy Spirit to share God’s love for them.  I’d like to hope that I haven’t, but I’m not sure.  The Lord loves all of us and I need to make sure that I love people and do for them, just as I would want someone to do for me.  I know we’re on a journey through this thing called life and the Bible and the Holy Spirit are our guides, if we have a relationship with Jesus as our savior.  The thing to remember is that Jesus is Lord. His Word reigns supreme.  He said to love God first and then my neighbor as myself (Luke 10:27).  That means I’ve got to be more intentional about sharing the love of Christ even with those I wouldn’t normally.  James said it best, in James 4:17, to one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin.  This is a process and as we learn better, we have to do better.  That’s my plan going forward.  

What are you not doing that you should?

In these extraordinary times, there’s lots of time for self-reflection.  I know I’ve been doing a lot of that over the past few months.  I’ve been taking stock of my life and what’s really important to me.  As always, God, family, friends, purpose, hobbies, etc.  So I’ve been more consistent with reading my bible and my devotionals.  In this time when I couldn’t get out in the public, I’ve been having virtual get-togethers with friends.  I check in with family members more frequently. 

Fortunately, I’ve been working the entire time we’ve been social distancing, except for a couple of weeks of vacation, so I haven’t had a lot of down time.  With the alone time I’ve had, I’ve been asking God and myself, what should I be doing with it?  What can I do to change the world in this time?  Who can I help during this time?  A few weeks ago, that looked like making notes for kids’ lunches for Action Ministries, who provides meals for kids who otherwise wouldn’t have lunch during the summer months.  It wasn’t a lot of effort but it was one way for me individually to help. Some may include donations, some may include time, some may be gifts and talents.  There are all sorts of ways to help.  You just have to look for them.  

What talents and gifts do you have that can be used to help someone else?  Everyone has gifts and talents and skills.  How are yours being used to make the world a better place?  Who can you help with their reading during the summer?  Or who needs you to pick up a few groceries?  What might your neighbor need from you?  It’s time for each of us to step out of our comfort zone and be what the world needs to move forward.  How can we with nothing but ourselves help someone?  What do you individually need to do?  James 2:26 indicates that faith without works is dead.  If you have faith, there should be some works because of it.  God did not give us gifts and talents to just sit on and be comfortable. He gave us exactly what we need to glorify him in not just our words but our actions (James 4:17).  It’s really between you and God, but know that He knows everything we do and everything we don’t.  Don’t be held accountable for the things you didn’t do.

What are you doing that you shouldn’t?

I read my devotional this morning and the title was “Stop!”  It got me thinking.  Are you so busy you can’t think straight sometimes?  Work? Ministry? Family? I know I am, but then I had to ask myself what things am I so busy with that I’m not fulfilling God’s Will?  I mean, have I ignored someone hurting to get some busy work done?  I hope not, but I know it could have happened, because there are some days that are overwhelming. 

Are we really seeking God for His direction and our next steps or we just going through the motions of doing what we believe needs to be done?  Are we stressed out and anxious, because if we are, we know that’s not God.  He said to “be anxious for nothing” (Phil 4:6).  Could it be we’re anxious and stressed because we’re doing things God never intended for us to do?  These are just a few questions, I’m asking myself.  I’m challenging us to consider the things we do every day and whether they are necessary.  How do we get to peace that surpasses all understanding (Phil 4:7)? 

By turning our areas of concern or anxiety into consistent prayer and praise/thanksgiving, Christ will move to the center of our thoughts and we won’t have space for the worry or the anxiety……only peace.  We’ll remember that while our situation may not change right away, we will – we’ll be reminded of who Christ is and what He has already done for us.  We’ll remember that no matter what comes, as God’s children, He will never leave or forsake us.  So, if we have an assurance that God will be with us during the difficult times and He won’t ever leave us, why do we spend so much time doing busywork?  Who are we trying to impress?  God is no respecter of persons (Romans 2:11) and if our best is like dirty rags (Isaiah 64:6), what are we doing?  Ask yourself if what you’re doing is furthering God’s kingdom per His Will and His Word.  If not, consider why you’re doing it.  Should you keep doing it?  If not, stop it.

Who do you need to forgive?

The past few months have been a time of self-reflection for me. With everything going on in the world, I’ve found myself angry at people I consider to be unenlightened.  Whether it is about the response to COVID-19 and wearing masks or the senseless killings of black Americans, I’ve found myself to have moments of intense anger.  Inevitably after the anger comes a certain level of shame for feeling that way.  I know….God gave me the emotions and it’s natural to feel them.  I have to admit, sometimes, I’m a little conceited and feel that anger is beneath me.  I know that’s crazy, but it’s true.  All that said, the anger has been real and deep.

Then I think, “What would Jesus do?”  And, I’m reminded of Him forgiving the very ones who killed Him on the cross.  If Jesus can forgive those present at His own crucifixion (and all of us) and I am in Christ, surely He has given me power through the Holy Spirit to do the same.  According to the Greater Good Science Center at Berkeley, psychologists generally define forgiveness as a conscious, deliberate decision to release feelings of resentment or vengeance toward a person or group who has harmed you, regardless of whether they actually deserve it.  Forgiveness doesn’t mean that you forget or condone the offence, but it does mean letting go of the anger that can be exceedingly corrosive in your life.  Choosing to forgive brings peace of mind by allowing you to recognize the pain and move on to healing.  As long as you’re holding on to the pain and anger, the wound continues to fester and never really lets you go. 

Also in that way, we have to remember the “Lord’s Prayer”, where we ask God to “forgive our debts as we forgive our debtors” in Matt 6: 12.  So, if we expect God to consciously forgive our debts, we have to actually forgive our debtors.  What have you done that you need God’s forgiveness for?  I have a few things I can think of over the last day that I need God to forgive me for, so I have to forgive those who have wronged me.  I’m not saying it’s easy, but God doesn’t want us to carry the burden of our anger such that it leads us to sin.  Remember, forgiveness is a choice, it’s not a feeling.  We get to choose to let things go…..that’s that pesky free will at work. 

So the question is - who and what do you need to forgive to heal and move forward?  What and who are holding you back from your next step forward?  Don’t let it.  Forgive and move on. Remember, that’s what we want God to do for us.

What are You Hoping for?

Our pastors have been teaching on Hope for the past several weeks.  With everything going on the world, it’s especially important to hold on the hope right now.  Hope is favorable or joyful expectation – expecting good things to happen even when you don’t see them or understand how they will happen.  It’s not always easy to do.  But Christians have been called to walk by faith and not by what we can see with our eyes (2 Cor 5:7).  The world can be a treacherous place – hatred and fear drive people to do some awful things.  But our God already knows that – He knows that the heart is wicked (Jer 17:9) and that the only way for us to ever line up with His Word and Will is through being filled with the Holy Spirit.  We can’t live a fulfilled live on our own. That’s why God sent Jesus.  Jesus came to earth so that we might have life and with one that is more full than we could ever provide for ourselves (John 10:10).  Jesus is the only way to the Father.  He is our Hope (Romans 2:8-9).

You know, I’ve been dealing with myself, wanting to do and be more and more like Jesus.  I don’t completely know what that looks like for me, but I know it should be obvious that I’ve been with Him.  See, when we intentionally and consistently focus on Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit can and will work powerfully through us – He is the one to give us power to do God’s work (2 Tim 1:7). We can never do under our own power what the Holy Spirit can do – it’s just not possible.  We don’t have the capacity or the strength (2 Cor 12:9-10).  Unfortunately, it takes some of us a really long time to realize that.  When we stop relying on ourselves and lean more and more into God, through Jesus Christ, we will be able to accomplish more, understand more, love more, and forgive more. We’re still human and we’ll still make mistakes and have troubles, but we’ll be quicker to acknowledge them and get back on track. 

I continue to work on this – focusing more and more on Jesus so I can lean more and more into Him – remember He and the Father are one.  I’m not there yet and I know I have a long way to go.  I used to ask for things – the latest computer or tablet, a new car, etc. – and don’t get me wrong, I sometimes still do and there’s nothing wrong with wanting nice things.  But, there are things that are so much more important – the things that last and are eternal.  I’ve been praying when people see me, they will see the Jesus in me here on earth.  I hope God will use me to make other people’s lives better….whether through a kind word or a generous heart or some sound counsel.  I want to love the way He loves.  I know I can’t do that without His Holy Spirit consistently working in my life, so I have some work to do.  I have to pray more consistently with intention and get out of His way, but be obedient to His will and His word.

I challenge you to take a moment and consider what are you hoping for?  What’s that thing you want to accomplish?  What’s that thing you’re striving for?  Are you seeking God first for wisdom and understanding so your desires line up with His will?  If not, no better time than the present to start seeking Him.  Remember, Hope is favorable expectation. Don’t lose sight of it, no matter what is going on at the time.  If God be for you, who can be against you (Romans 8:31)?