Thanks Giving or Thanks Living?

To have a day set aside for giving thanks is really great!  This year, on Thanksgiving Day, I spent some time thanking the Lord for things He has done in my life.  We thanked Him together, publicly for the food and friends and the day we could share. But this year, my personal thanks giving had a couple of add-ons. 

First, I was made aware of a host of things to be thankful for.  Many of these are things I often take for granted.  A kitchen mishap took my husband and son on a trip to the emergency room.  A slicer had gotten a piece of finger.  We knew the cut was not deep enough to have harmed the tendons, but there was a lot of blood and we were not sure if the skin could or should be reattached.

As they drove off, I found myself thanking God for both of them; a car to drive;  good roads; a hospital to go to; doctors and staff to care for them when they arrived; God’s healing power…The list went on.  Moments earlier, I had not even considered these things in what I was thankful for this day.  But they had become the focal points of what I was verbally thanking God for in that moment.  It turned out that wound had not been deep enough to reattach the skin.  In time, God’s design for the body will cause the skin to grow back. (Another reason to give thanks)  After stopping the bleeding, which took a bit more effort, they were on their way home.  I thanked and praised the Lord that it had not been more serious.

The other addition to my giving thanks this year was that God had me write a thank you a note to each person who was to be at our home.  It was a practical way to turn being thankful into giving thanks.  I so love these people.  They know that from my words and actions. Yet this was so simple to do, and it greatly touched those who received it.  That makes me want to do this more often and for more people I care about.

I had already known I would be writing this post about thanks living.  My experiences today simply changed how I would express the concept.  Thanksgiving, a special day to consider and to give thanks, although great, is not enough.  The Bible states, “Thank [God] in everything [no matter what the circumstances may be, be thankful and give thanks], for this is the will of God for you [who are] in Christ Jesus [the Revealer and Mediator of that will].”   (1 Thessalonians 5:18 ESV)  This verse says so much.  We are to thank God in all things, the good and bad.  We are to both feel thankful and express it.  All this is His will and Jesus gave a great example.  Thanking the Father was a natural part of His life.  I am sure he still does as He intercedes for us.

 We are also to thank God for who He is.  And we are to let others know about Him, both who He is and what He does.  “Give thanks to the Lord and proclaim His greatness.  Let the whole world know what He has done,” (1Chronicles 16:8 ESV)  The Psalms are full of expressions of gratitude for the mighty attributes and deeds of the Lord.  We can read and share these thoughts.  Better yet, we can tell of how wonderful He is to us.

 We can also thank God frequently for those He has placed in our lives.  This was Paul’s habit and he frequently noted this in his letters.  To the church in Ephesus he wrote, “I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers,” (Ephesians 1:16 ESV)  He wrote similar greetings to several other churches.  I think he probably expressed this same sentiment verbally to those around him daily.  We should too.  Telling someone you appreciate them may be that timely word that really encourages him or her just when needed most.

 So, thanks living is this.  Thank God, speak it out,  at all times regardless of what is going on.  Thank Him for who He is and for His blessings.  Also let other know that you consider them among these blessings, and that you thank the Father for them.

 The Bible instructs us to, “Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.” (Colossians 4:6 ESV)  I would like to add my thoughts to this.   “Let all your conversations be sprinkled with words of thanks, both to God and others.”  This habit will turn your thanks giving into thanks living.

Thankful or Giving Thanks?

As the month of November progresses, I have been reading posts on Facebook of things that people are thankful for.  This has been very encouraging to me.  Since I do not always check my Facebook daily, I did not see this trend until the 5^th of the month.  I thought about catching up and joining this group of my friends who were participating.  Realizing that this would require logging in daily, I chose not to.  Instead, I would consider the things I am thankful for on my own.

I remember a hearing message which stated that the term “giving thanks” appears 8 times as often as thankful (80/10) in the Amplified translation of the  Bible. (ESV is 73/3 and NLT is 46/10) This truly made me think about the subject of being thankful and looking at those scriptures.   I spent some time looking at these verses.   Even the few verses about thankfulness or being thankful were either an expression of Paul’s appreciation, or they were a part of a command to express thanks.

In my last post, I spoke of a thankfulness glass.  The goal is to have your glass not only half full, but brimming over.  Considering the command of God to express our thankfulness, I thought of how water gets stale when left in a glass.  For it to provide true refreshment to the drinker, it needs to be emptied and refilled regularly.  Likewise, when my heart is full of thankfulness, it should flow from my mouth with ease.  “The upright (honorable, intrinsically good) man out of the good treasure [stored] in his heart produces what is upright (honorable and intrinsically good), and the evil man out of the evil storehouse brings forth that which is depraved (wicked and intrinsically evil); for out of the abundance (overflow) of the heart his mouth speaks.” (Luke 6:45)

I have become increasingly conscious of expressing my gratitude to the Lord.  There is great joy and peace that comes with the awareness of all that I can thank Him for.  If I am having a hard time, I can start with the salvation provided by the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  I can continue on about a loving Father God and the companionship and leading of the Holy Spirit.  Before I even begin with my family, friends and things God has blessed me with, I have already thanked myself happy.

I was thanking God for this.  I am very happy that gratitude is becoming my default response to life.  Before I could pat myself on the back too much for these changes, God spoke to my heart. Though I may have improved my expression to Him, how am I doing with other people?  Ouch!  I try to voice kindness, mercy and gratitude to others.  But I have a long way to go.  The excuse “They know how much I appreciate them,” just will not hold up.  “Thank you” must be vocalized continually.

Have you ever bragged on how much you appreciate something a person has done, only to have that person later tell you he or she never realized you felt that way?  I can think of times this has occurred with my husband.  As I contemplate it now, I can think of other things, big and small, that he does, and I fail to let him know just how much these things affect me.  Then I think of my son.  Although I love and am grateful for so much about him, I tend to ask a lot more of him than telling Him what I appreciate. If I think long and hard enough, there are many people for which this is true of. Why is it so natural to tell others about something good, yet never speak your appreciation to the person you appreciate?

The reason I have been so encouraged by these Facebook posts is not that my friends are thankful.  It is that they have chosen to give thanks by writing it out.  Their time, effort and expression of thankfulness moves this from their hearts to my eyes.  As the reader, I get to experience this with them. 

So now, I find that simply considering what I am thankful for is not enough.  I will be actively attempting to thank those I appreciate.  God has already giving me some creative ideas on how to do this. 

I want my life to be one that shows what is in my heart.  “Through Him, therefore, let us constantly and at all times offer up to God a sacrifice of praise, which is the fruit of lips that thankfully acknowledge and confess and glorify His name.” (Hebrews 13:15 AMP)  My aim is to give thanks to God in every situation.  I also want to express my appreciation to others in both the big and little things of life.

So to start…To anyone reading this post, THANK YOU for taking the time!!!

Is Your Glass Half-Full or Half-Empty?

Is your glass half-full or half-empty? This is a question that generally refers to whether you are an optimist or pessimist. Do you look at life and the good in it? That would be considered half-full. Do you always look to what is missing in life or what can go wrong? That is half-empty.
 

With Thanksgiving coming up this week, I’ve been thinking about this question in terms of thankfulness. Is your thankful glass half-full or half-empty? Do you look at your life and the good you have experienced with a grateful heart? Do you see the future with hopefulness and appreciate the promise of tomorrow? Then your thankful glass is half-full. Or, when you look at your daily life, do you see mostly what is missing? Can you find a few things to be thankful for, but many other areas in which you feel you are lacking what you want or need? If this is you, your thankful glass is half-empty. Worse yet, it may be totally empty.

Have you ever met someone whose life seems to be full of good, yet all they do is complain? They have a good job and home. Their health and family are all doing well. Yet nothing will make them happy. Then you meet a person who is always hopeful and grateful for the every little thing. It seems this person has had a charmed life, until you then find the real story. There has been great heartbreak and challenge in this person’s life. And yet without digging deeper, you would never have known that anything was wrong. People have traveled to Third World countries and have found peace, joy and thankfulness in people who live in conditions we would consider deplorable.

What determines if a thankful glass is half-full or half-empty? Is it the circumstances or opportunities in one’s life? Is the temperament someone is born with the determining factor? Or is it a choice each person makes? The above scenarios make the first option, circumstances, unlikely. Temperament may play a small part, but there are people who live thankful, happy lives for a while, then after a series of trials, they become bitter. So temperament alone cannot be the deciding factor. A thankful glass that is half-full or half-empty is determined by what one chooses to look at.

Each day, we are given opportunity to choose our attitude. Good things are all around us. Waking up is a good thing in itself. Regardless of the trials and challenges we may be facing, there are many, many little things to inspire thankfulness. There are people in our lives that we can be thankful for. If these are the things and people are what we choose to look for, our thankful glass will always be half-full. Likewise each day will provide opportunities to make us less than happy. These can range from little irritations to seemingly insurmountable problems. If we choose to focus on these, our thankful classes can quickly become half-empty. We choose, minute by minute, which half of the glass we focus on.

When it becomes difficult to focus on the half-full portion of our thankful glass, it may be time to think of another cup. This is the cup of forgiveness that was purchased for us with such a high price. Jesus Christ paid that extremely high price so we could drink from this cup. “And in like manner, He took the cup after supper, saying, this cup is the new testament or covenant [ratified] in My blood, which is shed (poured out) for you.” (Luke 22:20 AMP) Jesus knew the price ahead and even asked the Father to remove it. But He saw the other half of the cup as well. “who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:2)

Looking to, and truly appreciating, this cup can help change how we look at our own circumstances. Hurts and challenges can become smaller when we realize he considered us valuable enough for this great sacrifice. (Any unforgiveness we harbor against others or ourselves can be brought to light. With the Lord’s help, we can forgive as well.) We are told to, “Do this, as often as you drink [it], to call Me [affectionately] to remembrance.” (First Corinthians 11:25) Remember and give thanks!

The apostle Paul, who suffered many challenges, always had this thankful cup not only half-full, but brimming over with thankfulness. We can take some good advice from him. “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things,” (Philippians 4:8 ESV) When good as the focus of our thoughts, we can quickly become thankful for many things that we may not of seen before.

So each day we must look at the glass of our lives and decide to focus on the thankful portion. By doing so, we can become people whose thankful glass is half-full. And not only can our thankful glasses be half-full, they can become brimming over. Drink deep from the glass of thankfulness today!

 

Baby Ducks

For little over year, I watched three children in addition to my son. Having been the parent of an only child, suddenly taking care of four was an adjustment.  I learned many lessons during this time.

One day, we were sitting by the lake. We observed a mother duck and six baby ducklings. As a mother duck swam the ducklings followed in a single file line. Wherever mama duck went, the ducklings followed. Then suddenly, as if on cue, the ducklings went into a double line. It was as if they had been told, “Pick a partner and get in line.” They continued swimming this way for some time. Then again as if on cue, they went back to the single file line.

The mama duck never had to turn to instruct or scold her babies. She simply swam and with whatever communication she used, they followed her wherever she went. We could neither see if this communication consisted of small gestures, nor could we hear if there were soft verbal cues coming from the mother. All we knew was the beauty and grace that we saw. The ducklings following just as mother intended.

Not wanting to be someone who continually yelled at the children, I looked for ways to make obedience preferable. So after seeing this together, the children and I talked about mama duck and her ducklings. We decided that this would become a new code word when we were out public. Things can get very chaotic with four children between the ages of seven and ten. So it was decided that day, that when I wanted them to follow me quietly and in a single file line, I would call, “baby ducks.” If I wanted them to change to following me two buy two, I would call, “double ducks.” This began as a game but ended up being a very convenient way to obtain the behavior that I desired. I didn’t have to yell or complain. When I said either ‘baby ducks’ or ‘double ducks,’ the children responded quickly and properly.

I’ve thought about those ducks many times.  Why did the ducklings follow the mama so easily and with total trust?  I’ve believe the trust was born from experience. Mama duck a given them life. She had fed and cared for them to sustain that life. She also protected them from the dangers to that life. They had no reason to do anything but trust mama duck.

We have all of those same things with the Lord. “Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6 ESV)  And He promises this life to us. “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”  (John 10:10 ESV)  We are fed by his word and have promises of provision for every need. “And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19 ESV)  The Lord cares for us tenderly with great love. “How precious is your steadfast love, O God! The children of mankind take refuge in the shadow of your wings.” (Psalm 36:7 ESV) “He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler.” (Psalm 91:4 ESV) 

 So we have the promise of the Lord for so much more than mama duck gives to her children. So let us be like the baby ducklings. We can follow Jesus wherever he leads. Whether the direction comes by reading the Bible, hearing a message that touches the heart, or simply feeling God’s promptings in daily situations, follow God’s lead.  There need be no vying for place in line and we can swim side-by-side with our brothers and sisters. It will be a beautiful thing to observe.  Who knows?  Someone may be watching and using us as their example of obedience.

Who’s In Control of Your Life’s Vehicle?

I recently went on a trip with three other women.  One had purchased a newer SUV and offered to drive.  We gladly took her up on that offer.  My friend drove the majority of the way to St. Louis. After about five hours of driving, she asked me to drive the final hour. When I entered the car I asked her where the cruise control was. She replied that she did not know. She never uses the cruise because she liked being in control of the vehicle.

My response to this statement was that I liked not having to think about how fast I am going. I find peace in not having to worry if I am speeding or have slowed down and become a danger to those around me. To me, cruise control simply means one less thing to be concerned with while driving. I can keep my focus on the road ahead, the drivers around me and my rearview mirrors. Oh yeah, and the great conversation in the car, as well!

 Later on that trip, I began to think of our two responses to cruise control and how they could apply to other areas. Do I try to stay in control of my life, or do I let God set that control?  Who is in control of my life’s vehicle?

What does being in control of your life’s vehicle mean?  Three major areas that people often try to control come to mind. These are the where we are going, how fast we get there, and what the other drivers are doing along the route.

The first control issue is the direction my life is going. Trying to control the direction of our lives can be very dangerous. “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.” (Proverbs 14:12 &16:25 ESV)  I was surprised to see that this verse appears twice in Proverbs, not just once. When I looked up the two passages I found that in chapter 14 this “way that seems right” appears between verses concerning a fool and evil ways. In chapter 16 it appears between verses that speak of wisdom and good. We must be very careful to not follow the way that seems right to us.  Whether it leads us directly into sin or it sacrifices God’s best, we don’t want to be lead by what seems be good.

The path that God leads us on can be contrary to where we want to go.  It can also be against the flow of traffic as others go the opposite way, choosing to not follow God. And still others will follow different plans as God leads them.  We are commanded by Jesus to seek that narrow path that was planned for us.  “Enter through the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and spacious and broad is the way that leads away to destruction, and many are those who are entering through it.  But the gate is narrow (contracted by pressure) and the way is straitened and compressed that leads away to life, and few are those who find it.” (Matthew 7:13-14 AMP)   We want to be sure that we aim for and enter by that narrow gate.Setting the speed of our spiritual journey can also be quite dangerous.  Impatience can cause us to run ahead of God.  He has a lot to say about waiting for Him.  “The Lord is good to those who wait hopefully and expectantly for Him, to those who seek Him [inquire of and for Him and require Him by right of necessity and on the authority of God’s word].” (Lamentations 3:25)  This verse both instructs us to wait with expectation and promises a benefit.  We are to wait, anticipate and seek His plan.  Both God and the plan will be good to us.                                                                                Not only must we not get ahead of God, but we must keep up with Him.  The attitude Matthew took when Jesus called him should be our attitude. “And after this, Jesus went out and looked [attentively] at a tax collector named Levi sitting at the tax office; and He said to him, Join Me as a disciple and side with My party and accompany Me. And he forsook everything and got up and followed Him [becoming His disciple and siding with His party].”(Luke 5:27-28 AMP)  When we hear the call of God to move forward, we should respond immediately.  The disciples followed Jesus for three years, staying close to hear His words.                                                                                                                                                 If you have run ahead or lagged behind, now is the time to return to the proper place.  ‘Therefore return to your God! Hold fast to love and mercy, to righteousness and justice, and wait [expectantly] for your God continually! (Hosea 12:6)  The perfect attitude of our hearts should be, “My times are in Your hands;” (Psalm 31:15a AMP)

The final area we are often tempted to try to control our life’s vehicle really concerns others more than ourselves.  We must learn that we cannot control the destinies of others.  Just as we cannot will that slow driver to speed up or turn off, we cannot will others to change the pace or direction of their lives.  All we can do is be good drivers ourselves and hope to influence those around us.  We can choose whether we follow or pass another vehicle depending on where and how they are driving.  We choose also who we follow, move beyond or stay alongside on our life’s journey.  Whatever we do should be with respect for others.  “Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor.” (1Corinthians 10:24 ESV)

So my advice to all is to scoot over and give up control of the wheel and the gas pedal.  Jesus can drive your life far better than you can.  Relax and enjoy the ride!

Greeting God

Whenever anyone arrives at our front door, there is barking and mad dashes around the living room.  Our two dogs go into ‘alert and protect’ mode. Once the door has been answered, and the person entering determined to be friend not foe, the alert turns into dances of excitement.

Kari will go right up to a family member or visitor, give a quick lick and wait to be petted. Once she has been appropriately acknowledged, she goes back about her own plans.  (This is usually is laying down somewhere.) This behavior leaves you longingly calling, “Kari, come back!” She has ensured that you are okay to be in her home.  She lets you know she still cares and is happy to see you.  Nonetheless, she does not let your entrance make a significant difference in her activities.

Beamer, on the other hand, does not approach right away. He first goes to find one of his toys to present to the person entering. He brings the toy up close, but he does not drop it at your feet. He sits with a toy in his mouth expecting to be petted and praised. Do not try to take the toy from his mouth. It is for you to see, not for you to take.  It is as if he is saying, “Be proud of me for what I have, but do not touch!”

I look at these two approaches and think of my response when God enters my daily life. Each day I have an opportunity to respond to his gentle nudging and a variety of ways.  I have to admit that I have, on occasion, acted like each of my beloved dogs.

Kari’s response seems great at the onset. She is excited to see you and expresses this with licks and dancing. Do I welcome God’s entrance into my life with praise and excitement? Do I jump readily on board, only to go back to life as it has it has always been? I can welcome God’s coming, and even listen, without truly spending time and devotion to Him and His plan for me. Somehow, I can fail to be as impressed as I should that he has come to stay with me.

Beamer’s response is somewhat different. Although he knows and is very comfortable with the humans who live in his home, he still feels the need to impress when we enter. Neither my husband nor I have any great interest in the toy he presents. Nor do we require any gift or “offering of prey” from the dog that we love dearly. Have I have approached God in this way? Do I come with sacrifices of things that I have accomplished in my own power? Do I feel as though I have to impress God with my good works before I can be accepted by Him?  Although this is no longer common for me, I would have to honestly answer “Yes, I have.”

A Kari-like response makes me think of the scripture, “And the Lord said: “Because this people draw near with their mouth and honor me with their lips, while their hearts are far from me, and their fear of me is a commandment taught by men,” (Isaiah 29:2ESV)  God wants our hearts 24/7.  He is not impressed with our show of welcome, when our heart is not truly enamored with Him.

A Beamer-like response is also less than the Lord desires.  He doesn’t want us to come because of what we have accomplished.  We come because of what He has done.  “Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!” (Psalm 95:2 ESV)  The only gift He desires is a heart that truly appreciates and wants more of Him.

To find the correct response to the entrance of God in our lives, I looked to the words of the man God called ‘a man after His own heart,’ King David. “I have found in David the son of Jesse a man after my heart, who will do all my will.” (Acts 13:22b ESV)  Despite all of the mistakes and sin in David’s life, through good and bad times, David knew to, “Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually!” (Psalm105:4 ESV)  This means simply wanting to be with Him, not for a moment; not to impress; but to truly say, “One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple.” (Psalm 27:4 ESV) 

So how will you respond when God knocks at the door of your life today?  Don’t miss a moment with Him!

(By the way, this is just how my dogs act when we come home.  They both have many cuddly moments in them.)

Where Are My Glasses? (Correct My Vision 3)

I have always had trouble keeping my glasses on.  I can see fairly well if I am reading or looking across the distance of a room that I am in.  Consequently, I do not always put my glasses on.  My husband and son constantly hear, “Where are my glasses?” as we prepare to leave the house.

I would never dream of driving without wearing my glasses.  Nor would I attempt going to work, the grocery store, church or anywhere else that I may be reading signs without them.  I would not pay to see a movie and only get the blurry version because I did not have my glasses on.  Yet I frequently fail to put them on in day to day life.

I also find myself fighting to keep from taking my spiritual glasses off.  I have learned a lot of the Word in my 36 year walk with the Lord.  I find many principles are rooted deep in my heart and soul.  I can make it through many of the ordinary challenges of life by remembering verses learned in the past.  While knowing the Word is a good thing, it can be very dangerous as well.  Relying on memorized verses and past revelation from God will never adequately meet the challenges of today.  “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” (Lamentations 3:22-23 ESV)  Without the daily freshness, I am suddenly lamenting, “Where are my spiritual glasses?” 

For years I avoided this problem with my natural sight by wearing contacts.  They were the type that you could sleep in and clean weekly.  This way I never took them off.  This is a great place to be with the Word of God.  The Word can truly be ever before you.  This can be accomplished by reading and studying at a designated time each day, then keeping scriptures in mind all day.  I prefer to do this ‘all day awareness’ musically, with songs as well as verses that I have put to a tune.  Then the spirit man can pray and converse with God during the night as I sleep.  All three steps are intentional.

As time has gone on, I can no longer wear contacts.  When my vision is corrected for distance, I can no longer  see to read.  I’ve tried several options and have settled on progressive lenses.  I look through the top for distance, the middle for computer work and the lower portion for reading.  This takes some thought, and practice at first, but it gives the most accurate results.  It’s fairly natural to me now.

Approaching the Word is much the same.  Life brings many different circumstances every day.  There is no one verse fits all.  I must daily seek the leading of God for the moment of time I am in.  Verses on love and mercy will help while encountering a situation where others are gossiping and I feel pulled to join in.  Wisdom in finances and giving principles are needed when I encounter a financial need.  The list of needs and the answers in the Bible are numerous.  Each moment is unique.

The following principles can act as a guide.  The upper or distance vision is similar to the big picture.  This is the total approach to life.  My guiding verse for this is comes from the directive of Jesus.  “And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.” (Mark 12:30 ESV) The middle or the computer monitor vision is similar to how I see relationships with other people.  My guide for this is the continuation of the first passage.  “The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”  (Mark 12:30 ESV)

The final level of vision is the lower, reading vision.  This is the close up, everyday details of life. This is where constant attention is needed.  My encouragement here is from Psalms.  “Through your precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way.  Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”  (Psalm 119:104-105 ESV)  I need to follow God’s directions, hate false ways and shine that lamp on each and every step.  I can only do this by searching the Word continually.  As I do, my path will become clear.

So find your glasses.  Put them on.  Use them wisely. Love God!  Love people!  Seek His direction, and your path will become clear.

Seeing 20/20 (Correct My Vision 2)

The initial changes in vision that occurred when I received that first pair of glasses were dramatic.  The changes that occurred in my life when I first entered a relationship with God through Jesus Christ appeared more subtle.  Things began to change piece by piece, but there was an undeniable underlying sense that it was right.   It was a dramatic, internal change.

What are glasses but corrective lenses? Correction makes up the difference between what we perceive and what is actually true.  In natural vision, this is bringing everything to 20/20, the standard for accurate sight.  In the spiritual realm, it is aligning our vision with God’s perfect vision.  It is seeing the word as it truly is, without the filters of fear and doubt that so often cloud our lives.

When I received that first pair of glasses, I had a choice to make.  Which vision was really accurate? That which I had known, or that which I was now experiencing?  Of course, it was the new vision with the lenses. There would be no reason for the eye doctor to deceive me with lenses that would hinder my sight. This was the vision a driver’s license were based on.  This was truly clear.  I readily accepted this, because nothing else made sense.

Why then, when we are shown truth in the word, do we doubt it and base our judgments on prior experience? Do we think God has anything less than true, accurate vision?  He has given us the Bible to show us a clear path. “God says, “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”  (Jeremiah 29:11 NLT)  Yet we can often get discouraged and wonder if God really cares about us.  So which is true, the Word of God or our doubts?  Then Apostle Paul understood trusting God for provision.  “In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.  I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:12-13 ESV)  Do the words “I can’t take this anymore,” ever enter your mind?  So, again, which is true, the Word of God or our doubts? 

I can go on with examples of promises from the Word.  But the true question is why we ever take the glasses off.  Why do we choose to look at circumstances rather than the Word?

We can often be resistant to change.  We say we want to be more like Jesus.  But then we become resistant to the changes God initiates.  This can be because we do not want to admit we were wrong; even just a little bit.   Or it can be that we truly did not see that change was needed. Nonetheless, we have this promise of being molded into the image of Christ.  “And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another.” (2 Corinthians 3:18 ESV)  This transformation will come about by spending time in the Word regularly.

Another issue can be a desire to make our own choices.  The will of God is not always safe or comfortable, but it is always right.  The Scriptures will guide us in that will.  “For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God.”  (1 Peter 2:15-16 ESV)  Living as a servant is so contrary to the world view of ‘get all you can get.’  We don’t always want to choose His plan as Paul did concerning a visit to Rome.  “asking that somehow by God's will I may now at last succeed in coming to you.” (Romans 1:10 ESV)  During those times that Paul was not permitted to go to Rome, he did some pretty amazing things.  We may have a fear of stepping out of our comfort zone. It is safe where we are.  But studying the Word and following what we see, the will of God will soon become clear.

At the end of the day, we need to put the glasses of the Word on. We need to trust what we see as real and follow it with a heart full of trust in the Lord.  We will see amazing things we have missed before.

Open My Eyes (Correct My Vision 1)

I remember getting my first pair of glasses.  It was my junior year of high school.  My parents took me to pick them up on a Friday evening.   I put them on for the first time and everything changed.  As we walked out of the store and into the parking lot, I tripped several times.  I watched my steps and found the ground was closer than I had realized.  I would attempt to place my foot down and it would contact the ground far quicker than I expected.  I had to stop looking at my steps and just walk.

My parents needed to run an errand and I remained in the car.  I sat there looking out the window at a sign.  I would put my glasses on and read the sign.  Then I would take them off and marvel at how sharp the images were with the glasses on.  I studied the lines of each letter and the contrast of colors between letters and background.  From the sign my eyes drifted to the others sights around.  The traffic, the lights and everything around me was sharper and clearer.  I had been living in a blurry world without even realizing it.

A few years later, I had a similar experience when my spiritual eyes were opened.  I had grown up with a knowledge of God.  I had attended church and knew God was a triune being.  He was Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  I knew many things about Him and I knew many Bible stories.  I could tell you of Adam and Eve and original sin.  I could also tell the story of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ to open the way to heaven.  But something was not quite clear.

It was my sophomore year of college when I first saw the truth in the Word of God.  My eyes were opened to the truth that the promises of the Bible were not just for the members of a church, but for me personally.  This meant that a response from me was also required.  ^“He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him.  But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God,  who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.”  (John 1:11-13)  I needed to become one who ‘chooses to receive Him.’  I needed to believe on His name.  Being part of a church or a denomination was not enough.

Prior to this time, I had thought I was doing okay.  I wasn’t too bad and I was nice to other people.  I had been an active part of a youth group.  I saw my spiritual life as being just fine as it was.  Then the truth of God’s word opened my eyes and corrected that blurry vision.  Jesus came to the earth not just to save the masses, but also to have a deep and personal relationship with me.

The prophet Isaiah answered a calling from the Lord.  “And he said, “Go, and say to this people:  “‘Keep on hearing, but do not understand; keep on seeing, but do not perceive.’ Make the heart of this people dull, and their ears heavy, and blind their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their hearts, and turn and be healed.” (Isaiah 6:8-10)  The people of Israel were following their rituals and thought they were following the Lord.  But their vision had been blinded. 

There was a song from the 70’s named ‘Love Broke Through.’  The chorus of that song still resonates in my heart.  It describes how my vision was corrected that night.  “Like waking up from the longest dream, how real it seemed, until your love broke through.  I was lost in a fantasy, that blinded me, until your love broke through.”  I suddenly saw the world the way it was meant to be seen.

So if you have never entered into a relationship with the Father, through Jesus Christ, don’t wait any longer.  Ask Him to show you how blurry your vision has become, by giving you the corrective lenses of the word of truth.  Take action to access the relationship God is offering you today.  The sharpness and beauty will amaze you!

Playing To Win (The Game of Living in the Wisdom of God-3)

You have learned the rules and taken a step off start. Now is when the game really gets fun. Are you extremely competitive? Not too many people play a game without wanting to win. Competition can bring out both the best and the worst in us. As we continue to play games as we grow up, we hopefully become better sports.  As a child, I hated being sent back to start because someone else landed on my spot. I was sure I would lose the game.  As an adult, I see it as merely a setback.
As we walk through life, testing and trials of can bring either the best or the worst out of us. “The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, or out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.” (Luke 6:45 ESV)
The longer we walk with Christ and see God’s faithfulness, the more we will develop faith and trust that he will bring us through.  We learn that setbacks do not determine our outcomes.  Our attitudes should improve, and our hope and trust soar.
To be successful in any game you must know your opponent. Football teams watch video of games played by their upcoming opponent. They study strength and weakness, and they proceed from there. Chess players study the moves of other players, both to sharpen their own skill and defeat their opponents. Whether it be a board game, card game, sport or any competition, watching the opponent to see his or her tendencies can be very valuable. But even more than knowing your opponent’s strengths and weaknesses, it is important to develop your own strength. This is done by daily walking in the Word.
So in life, who is our opponent? “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” (1 Peter five: 8 ESV) So often we think we are fighting against other people. This simply is not true. “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.”(Ephesians 6:12 ESV)  Our enemy is the same enemy that tripped up Adam and Eve.  He is the same enemy Jesus faced and defeated.  The devil is the enemy of God and we belong to God.  Therefore, he is our enemy.
Our enemy, the devil, knows the Bible and will taunt us with it. This was evidenced by his attempts to tempt Jesus in the wilderness. (Luke 4)  He repeatedly quoted Scripture to Jesus. He knew what the word said, but did not allow the Holy Spirit to show the true meaning. He twisted the word to tempt Jesus, and he will do the same to us. It may come as a thought or a misunderstanding of something said by another. The intent is always the same. He will either try to deceive us and cause us to sin, or to doubt the direction God is leading us.
We are called to fight with faith. “Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.” (1 Timothy 6:12 ESV) We are to keep advancing around the game board. Though the enemy will try to make us retreat, we seek the will of God, trust the word and advance.
We are not in this game alone. This is a game played with partners. These partners are your brothers and sisters in Christ. People who play games or sports with the same partner for a long period of time get to know, trust and rely on those partners. They can often tell exactly what moves that partner will make. Then they can adapt themselves to those moves. We also can get to know our brothers and sisters in Christ. We can operate together to advance the kingdom of God. “Two are better than one, because they have a good [more satisfying] reward for their labor;”(Ecclesiastes 4:9 AMP)  We are all in this together.
And our greatest partner of all is Jesus! He walks beside us, every move we make. “For he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5b ESV) We can trust that He will be with us until the end. The final words of the Matthew’s gospel states, “And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:16b ESV)  We are never alone on this journey.
Our opponent has already been defeated. “And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying,“Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God.” (Rev 12:10 ESV) So move forward in the power of God. Many are watching and cheering for you. "Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God." (Hebrews 12:1-2)
So follow the directions you have received. Play the game to win.  Your ultimate victory is guaranteed! 

Playing By the Rules (The Game of Living in the Wisdom of God-2)

Once you have set up the game board and placed your piece on start, the next step to successfully play any game is to learn the rules.  You accomplish this by reading the directions.  For a successful walk with God, the directions come from His Word.  Fear of the Lord, our starting point, respects the fact that His plan is the best.  “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.”  (Isaiah 55:9)  We must acknowledge that He has the perfect plan for our life.  Then we must invest time and energy to find that plan. 

Learning the Word of God is the key to playing the game successfully.  The Bible is our rule book and our playbook.  Reading, studying and memorizing it provides the directions for our daily life. It guards against sin. “I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.” (Psalm 119:11 ESV)  It provides direction “Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.” (Psalm 119:105 ESV)

Once we learn the rules, we must agree to abide by them.  Many board games and card games have a series of “house rules” that people have added over the years.  To speed up monopoly, my family dealt out three properties to each player at the start of the game.  I remember a friend coming over and being both confused and upset with my brother for doing this.  There are certain card games that my husband and I always clarify the rules before playing.  I don’t think either one of us knows what the original rules actually state.  We just know how we’ve played in the past. 

For a game this practice may be fine, but not with the Word of God.  We must not only learn the rules and directions set forth by the Bible, we must also follow them.  We cannot alter His directions to make things more convenient or to our liking. Throughout generations, these alternate interpretations and additions to the Word of God have led to divisions between believers.  On an individual level, one can try to make God’s Word support a preconceived idea or desire.  The only successful way to operate your life is to take His Word and keep listening until you are following His original directions for you. 

Obedience is the key.  We learn His Word and do what it says. “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” (James1:22 ESV)  To avoid deception, we must obey what we hear.  We must do what the Word instructs us to and not do what we think it says.  King Saul learned this the hard way when He did some of what God commanded, but did not follow through with the whole plan. God’s response was not what he expected.   “And Samuel said, “Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams.” (1 Samuel 15:22)  God is not pleased when we make up our own rules by adapting what the Bible teaches.  Our good works apart from His leading are not pleasing to Him. 

With these tips in mind, it’s time to get in the game.  Study the Bible, your rule book.  Listen to God’s direction for you.  His voice is so much better than rolling the dice or spinning a wheel. Then start your journey around the board of your “Game of Living in the Wisdom of God.”