Failure is hard to admit and very difficult to recover from especially when some failures could have been avoided altogether. It can be failure to slow down while driving which resulted in an accident. Or failure to listen to your boss who said not to make that phone call but you did. As a result, there was a terrible fall out with a key client and the business suffered. Your job is now on the line.
Other failures can be a result of something outside of our control or we simply didn't have all the information when we made a decision.
Failure touches all aspects of our lives. We can fail spiritually, physically and emotionally. For most believers failure feeds into an overwhelming sense of guilt. And a fear that God may have written them off for good just like others they had repeatedly failed.
What often follows failure is this intense labor to get back into God's favor. We make promises and vows never to do this or that again only to find ourselves fallen flat on our face!
Think of Moses who failed by striking the rock in an outburst of anger rather speaking to it as God directed. Moses could not enter the Promise Land but he was not a failed leader of God's people. King David committed adultery and murder. But God did not remove His mercy from David but kept His promise that there would not fail to be a man on the throne. Jonah was called to Nineveh instead he ran in the opposite direction. God's plan was not hindered by his unwillingness and ordered Jonah back to save a wicked and lost city.
If failure teaches us anything is that God is faithful to work in our lives despite our fallen condition. It does not mean God turns a blind eye from our sins but knows how to make everything work for good to those who love Him (Romans 8:28). Life is not always good but God will always be good to us.
Beloved, we are not a failure but through Christ we are victorious. Even when we must live with the consequences of our failures God gives us greater grace to keep walking with Him instead of being paralyzed by shame. When shadows of regret and guilt want to darken our path we must press into Him.
Remember you are not the sum total of your mistakes, failures and mishaps in life. Rather you are new and being renewed in Christ as 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." (KJV). God is shaping us into a fine and beautiful child that radiates His glory and grace.
When your feet touch the floor in the morning remember His mercy is new each day - this very moment is new with fresh mercy - to carry you through another day.
Hold to this promise beloved and look up to an open heaven with no clouds of failure between us and our Savior.
I have swept away your sins like a cloud. I have scattered your offenses like the morning mist. Oh, return to me, for I have paid the price to set you free. Isaiah 44:22, NLT
Saturday, February 28, 2015
Saturday, February 21, 2015
Give Me A Sign
True to the words of Jesus in Matthew 16:4 we live in a wicked and adulterous generation that seeks for a sign.
Even today people look for some tangible evidence that proves His existence. These same individuals live own their own terms which almost seems to disprove His reality because they have experienced no ill or judgment for their sinful pursuits. They are a god unto themselves. But they fail to realize God is merciful and patient. He desires that no one perishes but is saved (2 Peter 3:9).
And yes, believers seek a sign from the Lord. David cried, "Give me a sign of your goodness, that my enemies may see it and be put to shame, for you, LORD, have helped me and comforted me." (Psalms 86:17, NIV). I often read this passage thinking much like Gideon in the book of Judges asking for some proof or evidence that God is present. If He truly called me or wanted me to do this or that than I needed Him to answer my special request.
It was then the Lord reminded me that the sign of His presence was not some material blessing or some other tangible evidence. The sign was Christ in me the hope of glory. In other words, we are a walking sign of His goodness! Psalms 40:3 says, "And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD."
A one definition of sign means to show some thing else exists is true or will happen. Beloved, what God is doing right now in our lives to makes us completely different from how we lived before is a sure sign of His present reality. We call this our personal testimony. Paul calls it being a spectacle in I Corinthians 4:9. The Greek word used for spectacle is the same for an open air theater. We are on a platform of sorts for a hungry world seeking a sign from God. A living and breathing illustration of God's power to transform our lives!
If there is any sign we need to ask of God is one more time let someone see Christ in us - even on our worst day. Nothing disproves those who fail to believe God exists than a life that radiates His glory where sin and darkness once ruled.
Even today people look for some tangible evidence that proves His existence. These same individuals live own their own terms which almost seems to disprove His reality because they have experienced no ill or judgment for their sinful pursuits. They are a god unto themselves. But they fail to realize God is merciful and patient. He desires that no one perishes but is saved (2 Peter 3:9).
And yes, believers seek a sign from the Lord. David cried, "Give me a sign of your goodness, that my enemies may see it and be put to shame, for you, LORD, have helped me and comforted me." (Psalms 86:17, NIV). I often read this passage thinking much like Gideon in the book of Judges asking for some proof or evidence that God is present. If He truly called me or wanted me to do this or that than I needed Him to answer my special request.
It was then the Lord reminded me that the sign of His presence was not some material blessing or some other tangible evidence. The sign was Christ in me the hope of glory. In other words, we are a walking sign of His goodness! Psalms 40:3 says, "And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD."
A one definition of sign means to show some thing else exists is true or will happen. Beloved, what God is doing right now in our lives to makes us completely different from how we lived before is a sure sign of His present reality. We call this our personal testimony. Paul calls it being a spectacle in I Corinthians 4:9. The Greek word used for spectacle is the same for an open air theater. We are on a platform of sorts for a hungry world seeking a sign from God. A living and breathing illustration of God's power to transform our lives!
If there is any sign we need to ask of God is one more time let someone see Christ in us - even on our worst day. Nothing disproves those who fail to believe God exists than a life that radiates His glory where sin and darkness once ruled.
Saturday, February 14, 2015
God, Do You See Me?
I'm in a ministry to pray for others after Sunday service. I can't recall the number of times people start to cry when I've prayed this question often tucked in the back of their minds. "God, do you see me?" I'm remind of Nathaniel who was surprised when Jesus described him as man who had no guile or deceit. "How do you know about me?" Nathanael asked. Jesus replied, "I could see you under the fig tree before Philip found you." (John 1:48, KJV).
What Jesus sees in us - that redemptive work of His Spirit - is far different from what we see in ourselves.
The Scriptures say His eyes search the entire earth for a heart set on Him (2 Chronicles 16:9). Only He sees the depths of the human heart which no one including ourselves can see. An all seeing God means we are not alone or abandoned. He has witnessed every injustice, cruelty, pain and heartache we have suffered (and what we have done to others). Just as Jesus knew Nathaniel's character, He's speaking to us right where we live if only our ears are attentive to His voice calling us.
Of course, there are some who wish God to be blind to what is done in the dark. Places they have gone and things they have committed in secret but nonetheless He knows. He even sees the vain and polluted imaginations played out in the deepest caverns our minds. Things we may not even be fully aware of but it blinds us just the same to seeing Him clearly and fully.
Beloved, seeing is not always believing. Seeing is only testifying to the evidence at hand. Human nature will still doubt what we can see is actually real. Like the disciple Thomas in John 20:25 many believers will demand God to show some sign or token of His existence before they can truly believe Him.
But the Lord blesses those who believe without seeing Him (verse 29). Jesus may have glanced at John the beloved because in the previous chapter he had raced to the tomb to find it empty. There was only the grave clothes remaining but John believed (Luke 20:8).
And that's the point.
It's in the absence of evidence that speaks more of Christ reality than what the human eye can see. God is real. God exists without a need for proof or demand of visual evidence. As Job 33:14 says "For God does speak--now one way, now another-- though no one perceives it." (NIV). In other words, a God who speaks is a God who is real.
God sees what we couldn't (or don't want Him to see) because our vision is limited to what we understand or perceive to be real. All of us suffer from tunnel vision narrowed by self-interest. So we must ask God to open our eyes to see Him.
Remember this promise when troubling times overshadow your vision of Christ. They looked unto him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed. (Psalms 34:5 KJV). And when we look away from what troubles us - and look into the eyes of God - truly look deeply into His eyes - it says this in Song of Solomon 4:9 we capture His attention. Just a single glance in His direction will change us forever for God's heart is moved by mercy to help us.
What Jesus sees in us - that redemptive work of His Spirit - is far different from what we see in ourselves.
The Scriptures say His eyes search the entire earth for a heart set on Him (2 Chronicles 16:9). Only He sees the depths of the human heart which no one including ourselves can see. An all seeing God means we are not alone or abandoned. He has witnessed every injustice, cruelty, pain and heartache we have suffered (and what we have done to others). Just as Jesus knew Nathaniel's character, He's speaking to us right where we live if only our ears are attentive to His voice calling us.
Of course, there are some who wish God to be blind to what is done in the dark. Places they have gone and things they have committed in secret but nonetheless He knows. He even sees the vain and polluted imaginations played out in the deepest caverns our minds. Things we may not even be fully aware of but it blinds us just the same to seeing Him clearly and fully.
Beloved, seeing is not always believing. Seeing is only testifying to the evidence at hand. Human nature will still doubt what we can see is actually real. Like the disciple Thomas in John 20:25 many believers will demand God to show some sign or token of His existence before they can truly believe Him.
But the Lord blesses those who believe without seeing Him (verse 29). Jesus may have glanced at John the beloved because in the previous chapter he had raced to the tomb to find it empty. There was only the grave clothes remaining but John believed (Luke 20:8).
And that's the point.
It's in the absence of evidence that speaks more of Christ reality than what the human eye can see. God is real. God exists without a need for proof or demand of visual evidence. As Job 33:14 says "For God does speak--now one way, now another-- though no one perceives it." (NIV). In other words, a God who speaks is a God who is real.
God sees what we couldn't (or don't want Him to see) because our vision is limited to what we understand or perceive to be real. All of us suffer from tunnel vision narrowed by self-interest. So we must ask God to open our eyes to see Him.
Remember this promise when troubling times overshadow your vision of Christ. They looked unto him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed. (Psalms 34:5 KJV). And when we look away from what troubles us - and look into the eyes of God - truly look deeply into His eyes - it says this in Song of Solomon 4:9 we capture His attention. Just a single glance in His direction will change us forever for God's heart is moved by mercy to help us.
Saturday, February 7, 2015
Bethel
I often heard Christians talk about going back to their first love. It was understood this was a place in time when a believer first fell in love with God. Here they first met their loving Savior who held out His arms and drew them close to His heart. Often such an beautiful encountered happened while they were still enslaved by sin and in a deep miry pit.
I agree this is where I heard God speak so clearly and felt a strong love toward Him. But as I matured in Christ the realization of going back to such a place was impossible.
Beloved, I believe we are not to go back as much as move forward with Him despite our present condition. And such a movement forward serves to mature and deepen our fellowship with Him. This unfolding revelation of love for Him (and He to us) is possible only through worship.
Perhaps that is why God spoke to Jacob in Genesis 35:1, "Then God said to Jacob, "Go up to Bethel and settle there, and build an altar there to God, who appeared to you when you were fleeing from your brother Esau." (NIV).
Jacob's life had been very difficult. He ran from his brother after he deceived Esau out of his birthright. Then he worked for Laban his uncle and father-in-law for twenty back breaking years. Jacob was cruelly mistreated until God directed him to leave. Now his two sons took matters in their own hands after their only sister was raped. The thought of going back to Bethel where he had first encounter God after his life was made difficult left little joy and love to be experienced.
Except God said to Jacob go to Bethel and build an altar.
Bethel was a place of remembrance as the Scriptures indicates, "...who appeared to you when you were fleeing from your brother Esau..." As I read this passage I felt the Lord remind me to come back to a heart of worship. I realized there had been very little worship and thankfulness. I was complaining and groaning over the lack of finances and wanting another place to live other than the one I found myself and there was the ministry at church which proved too difficult.
When we worship Him despite prayers unanswered or how we feel spiritually or how we envision our lives we will find our love for Him renewed. And in that moment of simply thanking Him we discover that regardless to a certain place or our present state God remains faithful to love us.
As we walk through this life with Christ ever so often we must stop at Bethel to build an altar of worship. He brought us thus far and will remain with us until the end.
I agree this is where I heard God speak so clearly and felt a strong love toward Him. But as I matured in Christ the realization of going back to such a place was impossible.
Beloved, I believe we are not to go back as much as move forward with Him despite our present condition. And such a movement forward serves to mature and deepen our fellowship with Him. This unfolding revelation of love for Him (and He to us) is possible only through worship.
Perhaps that is why God spoke to Jacob in Genesis 35:1, "Then God said to Jacob, "Go up to Bethel and settle there, and build an altar there to God, who appeared to you when you were fleeing from your brother Esau." (NIV).
Jacob's life had been very difficult. He ran from his brother after he deceived Esau out of his birthright. Then he worked for Laban his uncle and father-in-law for twenty back breaking years. Jacob was cruelly mistreated until God directed him to leave. Now his two sons took matters in their own hands after their only sister was raped. The thought of going back to Bethel where he had first encounter God after his life was made difficult left little joy and love to be experienced.
Except God said to Jacob go to Bethel and build an altar.
Bethel was a place of remembrance as the Scriptures indicates, "...who appeared to you when you were fleeing from your brother Esau..." As I read this passage I felt the Lord remind me to come back to a heart of worship. I realized there had been very little worship and thankfulness. I was complaining and groaning over the lack of finances and wanting another place to live other than the one I found myself and there was the ministry at church which proved too difficult.
When we worship Him despite prayers unanswered or how we feel spiritually or how we envision our lives we will find our love for Him renewed. And in that moment of simply thanking Him we discover that regardless to a certain place or our present state God remains faithful to love us.
As we walk through this life with Christ ever so often we must stop at Bethel to build an altar of worship. He brought us thus far and will remain with us until the end.