LivingFaithDaily

Our Limited View of Life

I love to walk during my lunch hour at a beautiful park close to work. I find that this is a great time to just think and pray about life and often it is in these calm and quiet moments that it is easy for me to hear God and learn from Him.

Recently, I passed the row of trees shown in the photos above. As you can see, if I stood directly in front of the first tree, the ones behind it were no longer visible. However, if I took just two steps to either side, I could again see that there are many more trees lined-up behind it.

These trees created a great representation of our view of life verses God’s. While we can only know our life (see it) as it happens, God has that “two steps to either side” perspective; He knows all the plans He has for our entire life and can see how all the details line-up nicely.

Jeremiah 29:11 says, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Psalm 139:16 says, “Your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.”

This truth gives me peace and comfort. With a limited view of life, I often find myself lost and in need of direction. This is when I need to remember this lesson. God sees the full picture and knows why one tree needs to come before the other. So the best thing I can do is to pray to God for His guidance, direction, and understanding and search the Bible to remember passages like the ones listed above.

Our view of life may be limited, but it is comforting to realize that God has a full view and is walking it with us.

Share your thoughts. Do you see any additional lessons to be learned from the photos? Is there another Bible passage that comes to your mind about this topic?

Father Knows Best

Learning from a Toddler

God is always teaching me things; recently he has been using my 1.5 year old son. As my son and I walk across the street. I make him hold my hand, yet he tries with all his might to run ahead and rip free of my grasp. Why do I hold his hand? Because I’m wiser than he is and I know that crossing the street is very dangerous and that it is crucial he hold my hand for his own safety and protection. But he can’t see that; all he sees is the restriction and inconvenience. So what does he do? He throws a fit; he screams and whines the whole way across it.

I’ve also found that my son wants to play with electrical outlets. Why wouldn’t he? They are the perfect height and width for his pudgy little fingers. Yet each time he gets close to touching one, I have to discipline him. I don’t want to do it, but I realize as the parent that temporary sadness and pain will save him from much worse pain and suffering. He gets frustrated; unable to understanding why he must stay away from such a “fun” thing.

The Child in All of Us

It’s such a good thing we grow up and don’t stay a toddler forever. But the truth is, when it comes to God and my faith, so many times I act just like an immature little toddler. God holds me back from running ahead to a certain goal in my life and I whine. I complain about the fact that I have to wait for Him and let Him guide me there. I want what I want now. Why make me wait? But he knows the bigger picture; He knows the dangers I face along the way and that if He didn’t hold my hand, I might not make it across.

• Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6

Then there are the “outlets” in my life. This world offers so many intriguing dangers and my sinful nature is constantly drawn to them. Just like the outlets, they pop-up everywhere – at school, at home, and on the computer. And yet even here God tells us “No! I know better. I know that these things will hurt you terribly; they could even take your life and more importantly your soul.”

• Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 2 Timothy 2:22

And finally, there are those times in my life when God disciplines me. Ah, it hurts so badly. He takes away things I dream of. He takes my life and turns it upside down. And I ask him, “Why? How could he do this to me? Why does he bring pain, hurt and struggles into my life?” But deep down I know the answer. He is my loving Father. He is raising me up to be the person he knows I can be. He is refining me, making me stronger and making me rely on Him more.

• My son, do not despise the LORD’s discipline, and do not resent his rebuke, because the LORD disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in. Proverbs 3:11-12

Closing Prayer

God, I’m such a child. Sometimes I don’t understand and I struggle because I want my own way. But I know you love me and want what is best for me, even when I don’t. Lord, help me to trust you more! Lord, help me to grow and don’t give up on me if it takes time. Be patient with me and strengthen my faith and trust in you!

Sitting on the Fence

The world is full of Christians; the only problem is it’s hard to spot them. Too often, Christians think we can walk a wide path that lets us move freely between the world and God. We act, dress, talk and live just like the rest of the world.  But put us in a church, at a youth event or a service opportunity with other Christians and we quickly adapt and put on the appearance of a good Christian using the right words and actions.

We, Christians, need to be on guard against this sort of life; trying to live like the world and yet be a child of God. The Bible is very clear with people that say they believe in God, but do not obey His Word.

We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands. Whoever says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person. But if anyone obeys his word, love for God is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did. 1 John 2:3-6

God has called us to live a holy life. Don’t get me wrong; in no way am I saying this will be an easy task. In fact it’s a very tough calling and many times we will slip up along the way. Yet, not only does God forgive us, but he also gives us the strength and faith to keep pursing Him.

Why it is so important that we honor him with our lives? 1 John 4:19 says, “We love because he first loved us.” The reason we strive to live a godly life isn’t because we are scared of the consequences for our sins, but rather in response to the unbelievable love He has shown to us. And to top it all off, when we walk the walk God calls us to live and put Him first, God promises to bless us beyond what we could ever imagine (Luke 11:28).

So how do we live for God? Put Him first. Seek God by reading His Word every day. This will not only strengthen our relationship with him, but also help us stand strong against the world. Then, pray to God. Prayer is such a powerful tool Christians have, but often we choose to not use it because we don’t really believe that it will do us any good. God promises to hear us when we pray to Him and He tells us to bring every need and concern to Him (1 John 5:14, Philippians 4:6). Finally, take a close, unbiased look at your life today. Do you look any different from the world? Do you enjoy the same pleasures, music, language or goals? Don’t let yourself continue the acrobatics of jumping between the world and our Savior. Love the God with all your heart and bravely live your life as a Christian! God will bless your life if you do these things.

Bullet Proof Vest

If you were to go to a demonstration to see how a bullet proof vest works, you would likely see rounds being shot into a vest and then afterward be shown that no bullets penetrated through the vest. After a successful demonstration, chances are that you would agree that the vest works great because you have seen it in action.

Now imagine that you were asked to put on the same bullet proof vest that you just saw work perfectly to receive one shot into it. Would you still have enough confidence in the vest to trust that it would work? Odds are that you wouldn’t because knowing that a bullet proof vest works is one thing, but having to put that faith into action is another thing.

A lot of times our faith is just like this situation. We’ve read the promises that God makes to us…

• Never will I leave you. Never will I forsake you. (Hebrews 13:5)
• In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. (Proverbs 3:6)
• For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11)
• I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. (Isaiah 41:10)

…But knowing that God has made these promises and kept them perfectly in the Bible and trusting Him to keep these for us each day are two different stories.

Take a few moments to evaluate yourself. Where do you find yourself in the above situations? Do you have the knowledge, but you just can’t take the step to put it into action? Or have you completely surrendered your life to God; trusting in His unfailing promises? Knowing that Jesus is our Savior, our EVERYTHING, is one thing; living every day for Him and trusting Him with our lives is often another thing. God deserves our unwavering trust and faith in Him. He has NEVER broken a promise and He never will. Take that one shot today and see that your God works as promised.

Pray for Discontentment

I was driving home from work recently praying to God that he would help me to know how to share Him with others. I was struggling. It seems that many times my attempts to encourage Christians resulted in one of two things: They either got defensive when I encouraged them in their faith or they politely listen to me, but didn’t do anything afterward. And then it hit me – Christians are too content for God.

Ask yourself these questions and be honest in answering them:

• Would you like a new cell phone because your current one is outdated?
• Have you dreamed of purchasing a newer car and sending your current one to the scrap metal heap?
• Would you like a better job that makes more money?
• Have the commercials on television been reminding you lately that your clothes are no longer in style?

Unfortunately, we all would have to admit to answering many of these questions with yes. In almost every area of our life we find it easy to become discontent.

Now stop and ask yourself a few more questions:

• Do you find yourself complaining most days that you aren’t close enough to God and you desire to grow closer to him?
• Do you routinely seek to live a more God-pleasing life?
• Have you been praying that God would give you more opportunities to serve him and share him?

Obviously, the answers to these questions is all too often no.

Our problem is clear. Most times the only area of our life where we feel content is our relationship with Christ. And yet in the Bible we see that Paul, despite all his knowledge and passion for God, says this:  What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ. (Philippians 3:8)

Let’s not get defensive or read this in agreement and then do nothing further. Instead, let’s take action and become discontent for God! Where do you begin? Start with an honest prayer to God asking for his help. Then, make God a priority in your life by setting aside a time for him each day to read the Bible. Finally, get involved in your church in an area you feel passionate about using the talents God has given to you.

A Sunday Morning Flight

As we were driving to church yesterday, my husband pointed out the constant stream of monarch butterflies flying across the highway. He told me that each year monarchs migrate the same way that birds do. They come up to Wisconsin each spring and head back to the Sierra Madre Mountains of Mexico each fall. I was awestruck. I couldn’t believe that this flimsy little insect flew almost 3000 miles twice a year and it knew exactly where to go!

Then it hit me – God is unbelievable! If He cares enough about tiny monarch butterflies to make sure they safely make it thousands of miles to the exact same spot each year, how much more does he take care of me and watch over the little details of my life. However, it’s always easy to say that I trust God, but when the time comes and this is tested, I resist. I don’t want to give God the details of my life because the truth is I struggle to fully trust him with the most important things. Isn’t this true for all of us? We can trust God with our eternal salvation, but when it comes to finding a spouse, taking care of our family, mending relationships, or finding the right school or job we prefer to “handle” these things. During these times, we need to remind ourselves what God tells us in His Word:

Consider how the lilies grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well. – Luke 12:27-31

Application:

1. What worries or fears do you struggle to put into the capable hands of our LORD?
2. Pray today that God would help you to surrender that aspect of your life into his  capable hands.

I’m wonderfully made!

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. Psalm 131:14

We like to vent about our least favorite physical features, our lack of certain talents and abilities, and our desire to be someone else. Today’s verse takes a different stance. It points out that we are fearfully and wonderfully made! You are a fantastic creation designed by God to be exactly who you are. During this week, our focus is on praise and worship and today we see how good it is to make a habit of praising God for the way he made us.

We can do this, first of all, by verbally praising and thanking him for the gifts and talents he has given us and, secondly, by using those gifts and talents to the best of our ability. If you play a musical instrument, start playing it in situations that serve God. If you are blessed with academic success, use those smarts to assist others. If you have athletic abilities, showcase them in a way that honors God. If you are caring, volunteer.

Look at this whole section of the Psalms one more time:

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. -Psalm 139:13-16

GOD HIMSELF knit you together in your mother’s womb; he already knew you and exactly who he wanted you to be ALL THE DAYS OF YOUR LIFE! WOW!

God, today and EVERY DAY, I praise you and give you all the glory for this life you have given me!

When I am weak, then I am strong!

When was the last time you got down on your knees and thanked God for the bad things that happen in your life? What about actually PRAISING him for them? If you are like me, that thought rarely crosses your mind, but let’s take a close look at what the Bible says about this topic.

After loosing every earthly possession he had, even his family, Job responded by doing this:

At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship and said: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised. –Job 1:20-21

And Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians 4:16-18:

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

God never promised that the life of a Christian would be easy, in fact, he actually says the opposite (2 Tim 3:12). However, he does promise that he will work everything for our good (Rom 8:28), he will never leave our side (Deut 31:8), and he will carry us through even the most challenging times in our life (Josh 1:9).

Let’s have the attitude of Paul when he was asking God to take away some of his toughest struggles and let us PRAISE him for the storms in our life, for our trials, and our hardships. Remember that when we are weak, then God is strong.

2 Corinthians 12:8-10  Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

There it is – the ever coveted compliment!

“Lindsay, your painting is beautiful. You have so much talent.”

“Eric, you are the best quarterback in the league this year.”

“Sara, every time I hear you sing I’m blown away by how beautiful your voice is.”

“Jacob, you are so smart. You always seem to pick up on these math problems so quickly.”

Ah. There it is – the ever coveted compliment. We would be lying if we said that we didn’t like being complimented. The truth is there is something reassuring and wonderful about being complimented and praised for a job well done. And there is nothing more frustrating than not being noticed for going above and beyond expectations.

Now let’s refocus this into our faith lives. Think of the AWESOME POWER, the MAJESTY, the GLORY, the MIGHT, and the LOVE of God. Look up at the sky and see a beautiful sunset or the power of a storm. Look at the smallest details in eyes of a significant other who loves you. In these things and countless others, we see just a glimpse of the awesomeness of God.

How often do we give God the praise that he is due? It is easy to always ask God for things or even thank him for things, but how much time do we spend praising God just because he is God?  We should worship God not only for what he has done for us, but also for the mere fact that he DESERVES it and DESIRES it.

As we focus on Praise and Worship this week, let’s make Psalm 147:1 our motto:

Praise the LORD. How good it is to sing praises to our God, how pleasant and fitting to praise him!

Check out this song by Leeland: May our Praise: