How long will you people ruin my reputation? How long will you make these groundless accusations? How long will you pursue lies? Psalm 4:2 (NLT)
Ok, I am going to go out on a limb and let you know something about me. I believe that air fresheners are one of the greatest inventions to be introduced to this earth in years. They are so convenient now too. You can plug them in anywhere. The newest models have a switch you can set to freshen up the room every 15, 30, or 45 seconds. When they are all out of that smelly good stuff, just pop in a refill and you are good to go.
Why am I making such a big deal about these cool things? Here's why, in my opinion. If you have an animal, it takes away the smell. If you left your leftover lasagna on the table, it can sit there and rot for a week before you start to realize it. After a long day you can come home and open the door to the smell of a frosty winter mist instead of musty gym clothes. If you need to take care of those unwanted odors, then just use an air freshner and all will be better. That is why I am in love with air fresheners. But, we can also take this further and relate it to our every day life as a Christian. God can be the breath of fresh air in our walk with Christ. By reading the Bible, you allow yourself to wash away the sin by realizing how you are to live. By praying, we can erase those odors in our lives that bring disappointment to our Father.
When we have the right tools and equipment, it is easy to make even my place smell fresh and clean. When we have the right stuff in our Christian life, it makes it simple to resist the sin that will stink up the place. God is the only "freshener" that will work. After all, our very lives should be a sweet aroma to Him but it is after we totally let Him fill us that it can happen.
Let God freshen up your life. If it is stale, plug into Him. If it is messed up, take a shot of God every 15, 30 or 45 seconds. It will do wonders for your life. The more you allow God to freshen your life, the more you will be "smelling" great to others.
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
A Meeting In the Tent
The LORD would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks with his friend. (NIV)
Exodus 33:11
The setting: Moses has led the people of Israel out of slavery in Egypt. God made His presence known to the people in a number of ways. Perhaps the most dramatic meeting happened at the foot of Mt. Sinai. . . "On the morning of the third day there was thunder and lightning, with a thick cloud over the mountain, and a very loud trumpet blast. Everyone in the camp trembled. Then Moses led the people out of the camp to meet with God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain. Mount Sinai was covered with smoke, because the LORD descended on it in fire. The smoke billowed up from it like smoke from a furnace, the whole mountain trembled violently, and the sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder. Then Moses spoke and the voice of God answered him. The LORD descended to the top of Mount Sinai and called Moses to the top of the mountain. So Moses went up" (NIV) Exodus 19:16-20
Moses understood the importance of receiving God's guidance in leading the people. And he met regularly with God. . . "Now Moses used to take a tent and pitch it outside the camp some distance away, calling it the "tent of meeting." Anyone inquiring of the LORD would go to the tent of meeting outside the camp. And whenever Moses went out to the tent, all the people rose and stood at the entrances to their tents, watching Moses until he entered the tent. As Moses went into the tent, the pillar of cloud would come down and stay at the entrance, while the LORD spoke with Moses. Whenever the people saw the pillar of cloud standing at the entrance to the tent, they all stood and worshiped, each at the entrance to his tent. The LORD would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks with his friend". (NIV) Exodus 33:7-11
How often do you meet with God? When was the last time that you had a heart to heart chat with God? Do you have a regular appointment with Him? or is it an occasional meeting? Are you receiving His guidance for living your life? or are you trying to do it on your own? Where is your "tent of meeting"? that special place where you and God communicate.
If your "tent" has been left without a visit for awhile, why not start a new habit today? Meet God and allow Him to "speak" to you as His friend!
Exodus 33:11
The setting: Moses has led the people of Israel out of slavery in Egypt. God made His presence known to the people in a number of ways. Perhaps the most dramatic meeting happened at the foot of Mt. Sinai. . . "On the morning of the third day there was thunder and lightning, with a thick cloud over the mountain, and a very loud trumpet blast. Everyone in the camp trembled. Then Moses led the people out of the camp to meet with God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain. Mount Sinai was covered with smoke, because the LORD descended on it in fire. The smoke billowed up from it like smoke from a furnace, the whole mountain trembled violently, and the sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder. Then Moses spoke and the voice of God answered him. The LORD descended to the top of Mount Sinai and called Moses to the top of the mountain. So Moses went up" (NIV) Exodus 19:16-20
Moses understood the importance of receiving God's guidance in leading the people. And he met regularly with God. . . "Now Moses used to take a tent and pitch it outside the camp some distance away, calling it the "tent of meeting." Anyone inquiring of the LORD would go to the tent of meeting outside the camp. And whenever Moses went out to the tent, all the people rose and stood at the entrances to their tents, watching Moses until he entered the tent. As Moses went into the tent, the pillar of cloud would come down and stay at the entrance, while the LORD spoke with Moses. Whenever the people saw the pillar of cloud standing at the entrance to the tent, they all stood and worshiped, each at the entrance to his tent. The LORD would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks with his friend". (NIV) Exodus 33:7-11
How often do you meet with God? When was the last time that you had a heart to heart chat with God? Do you have a regular appointment with Him? or is it an occasional meeting? Are you receiving His guidance for living your life? or are you trying to do it on your own? Where is your "tent of meeting"? that special place where you and God communicate.
If your "tent" has been left without a visit for awhile, why not start a new habit today? Meet God and allow Him to "speak" to you as His friend!
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Reflect on Him
Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness. (NIV) Psalm 29:2
AW Tozer once wrote: "Worship is the effort to close the gap between the heart and the God it adores." God wants us to worship Him, to acknowledge who He is. Worship shows our devotion to God. It's an act of giving ourselves to God. When you spend time with God, try beginning your time by coming to Him in worship. . .praising Him for who He is!
How do you worship God? Here are a few ways to praise God:
What are you reflecting to others? What would others say you're reflecting to the world? Does your face reflect God's glory? Why not focus your praise on Him and allow Him to transform you into something that will have people asking you “what’s up?”
Reflect on Him---He deserves it!
AW Tozer once wrote: "Worship is the effort to close the gap between the heart and the God it adores." God wants us to worship Him, to acknowledge who He is. Worship shows our devotion to God. It's an act of giving ourselves to God. When you spend time with God, try beginning your time by coming to Him in worship. . .praising Him for who He is!
How do you worship God? Here are a few ways to praise God:
- PRAISE GOD IN SONG. . . if don’t consider yourself a singer, try reading some words to songs as part of your worship.
- PRAISE GOD FOR HIS CHARACTER TRAITS. . . for His lovingkindness, His grace, His power, His mercy, etc.
- PRAISE GOD THROUGH HIS NAMES. . . try going through the alphabet. . . A: Abba, B: Bread of Life, C: Creator, etc.
- PRAISE GOD BY PRAYING BACK PRAYERS IN THE BIBLE. . . 1 Chronicles 16:7-10; 1 Chronicles 29:10-13; Daniel 2:19-23; Luke 1:57-69, etc.
- PRAISE GOD BY READING THE PSALMS BACK TO GOD. . . Psalm 62, 89, 93, etc
What are you reflecting to others? What would others say you're reflecting to the world? Does your face reflect God's glory? Why not focus your praise on Him and allow Him to transform you into something that will have people asking you “what’s up?”
Reflect on Him---He deserves it!
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Plowing Through Life
But Jesus said to him, "No one, after putting his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God." (NAS) Luke 9:62
I am not a farmer’s daughter or a gardener, but I am wondering how many of us have ever plowed some land. I used my dad’s old fashioned plow when I was growing up and boy was it hard. But if you have never had the opportunity to plow, let’s imagine it in our minds for a minute. Well let's put our hands down on the plow handles and begin preparing the soil for seed that will be sown and produce (hopefully) a huge harvest! But, what happens when you look back? The plow goes crooked! No neat rows, but a hodgepodge of lines dug up in the field.
Now read the Scripture again at the beginning of this devotion. What do you suppose it means to look back as it relates to our lives with Him? Do we look back longing for an old way of life? Do we look back with regrets over past sins? Do we look back trying to relive past accomplishments? How do you look back or how have you looked back?
Other times we may not be looking back into our pasts, but instead looking side to side at what's around us? Again the plow will go crooked if we're not looking straight ahead. What distracts you from looking straight ahead, focusing your attention on Christ? Is it relationships? The pursuit of becoming comfortable? The attractiveness of what society has to offer? Ambition? Competition? Desiring what your friends and neighbors have? What's turning your focus away from purpose ahead of you?
Jesus didn't allow distractions in His life. He put His hands down on the plow with a fixed purpose and completed His task. Jesus doesn't want followers who are half-hearted or lukewarm. . . He doesn't want followers with a distracted or divided focus! How's your plowing? What needs to change so you can plow straight ahead and follow Jesus?
The only way we can accomplish what He needs us to accomplish is to understand what Christ expects from us and look directly to Him as our guide. Grab a hold of Christ and start plowing.
I am not a farmer’s daughter or a gardener, but I am wondering how many of us have ever plowed some land. I used my dad’s old fashioned plow when I was growing up and boy was it hard. But if you have never had the opportunity to plow, let’s imagine it in our minds for a minute. Well let's put our hands down on the plow handles and begin preparing the soil for seed that will be sown and produce (hopefully) a huge harvest! But, what happens when you look back? The plow goes crooked! No neat rows, but a hodgepodge of lines dug up in the field.
Now read the Scripture again at the beginning of this devotion. What do you suppose it means to look back as it relates to our lives with Him? Do we look back longing for an old way of life? Do we look back with regrets over past sins? Do we look back trying to relive past accomplishments? How do you look back or how have you looked back?
Other times we may not be looking back into our pasts, but instead looking side to side at what's around us? Again the plow will go crooked if we're not looking straight ahead. What distracts you from looking straight ahead, focusing your attention on Christ? Is it relationships? The pursuit of becoming comfortable? The attractiveness of what society has to offer? Ambition? Competition? Desiring what your friends and neighbors have? What's turning your focus away from purpose ahead of you?
Jesus didn't allow distractions in His life. He put His hands down on the plow with a fixed purpose and completed His task. Jesus doesn't want followers who are half-hearted or lukewarm. . . He doesn't want followers with a distracted or divided focus! How's your plowing? What needs to change so you can plow straight ahead and follow Jesus?
The only way we can accomplish what He needs us to accomplish is to understand what Christ expects from us and look directly to Him as our guide. Grab a hold of Christ and start plowing.
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