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The more we focus on something, the more we want it.
Isn’t that the truth when we flip through those catalogs in the mail? Suddenly, the item for sale is a “must have.” We were able to live without it before, but now we must “stock up” and buy half a dozen for our fall wardrobe.
Or we have zoned in on that “perfect guy” or that “gorgeous girl.” All we can think about is how to be with that person. We dream about them. We find ourselves secretly smiling when we recall some past conversation with the object of our affection and wonder if they like us the way we like them.
Sports teams win and lose based on their ability to forget about the fans and focus on the play. They practice visualizing a win and then concentrate on grabbing hold of that trophy.
So, if we can focus so heartily on outward things, why is it we struggle with focusing our hearts on the inner life of faith? Read the rest of this entry »
Remember as a kid when Mom or Dad would ask you to do something and instead of instantly obeying, you made a face and started giving all kinds of excuses why that wasn’t a good idea?
What were the typical results? In exasperation, your frustrated parent probably said something like, “I don’t want to hear it – just do it!”
Well, like a good parent, God also wants us to be obedient children, without getting an earful from us. Read the rest of this entry »
When God doesn’t move as quickly as we would like or expect Him to, we can respond in several different ways.
Ideally, we would graciously accept His patient work on our behalf and remember that He is working behind the scenes and getting us prepared before He does the big reveal and gets us to the next level in our lives.
Yes, but how many of us truly think that way initially?
Typically, we moan or get mad or blame God for being so slow to act. We might even throw our hands up in despair and ask, “What did I do wrong?”
I am guilty of particularly that last response. In fact, I think that question was the exact phrase on my lips just yesterday.
If patience is a virtue, I certainly don’t have much of it! But oh what good can come of having to wait just a little longer. Read the rest of this entry »
Intimidated by demanding tasks and crumbling under self-imposed pressure, I cried aloud pitifully to God from the safety of my car, “Help! I need a new level of Your strength. I am really discouraged and I don’t know if I can do this.”
I half expected God to pat me on the back and tell me that I could just forget all about those trying responsibilities. He would somehow whisk me out of all my overwhelming circumstances like some supernatural Prince Charming.
Instead of sympathy or promise of an immediate and gallant rescue, I heard God’s quiet voice reassure me within my spirit, You can do all things through My strength.
Really, Lord? I silently questioned. I sure didn’t feel overjoyed by His words, although I knew He was right. God had just quoted me part of a Scripture, after all. Read the rest of this entry »
If you have ever spent days, months, or even years repenting for the same sin, I want to offer you a word of encouragement. You don’t have to keep flailing yourself.
If you have already repented before the Lord in prayer about something wrong that you did or didn’t do or even some wrong thought that you had, you are not obligated to walk around long-faced, cry so hard your eyes get puffy, or sit around on some solitary ash heap to prove a point or get God to believe you are truly sorry.
You have already been forgiven! And as far as God is concerned, your sins are as far as the east is from the west (Psalm 103:12). In fact, He doesn’t remember them (Isaiah 43:25, Hebrews 8:12).
So, who does?
Well… we do when we find ourselves in similar situations as the original situation in which we sinned. And, of course, we have the Accuser – the devil himself – who wants to intimidate us and make us feel ashamed all over again. Read the rest of this entry »
