March 14 – WHERE TO GO

 Therefore (since God’s correction is good for you), lift your hands. Get on your knees. Pray and fast, and find God’s straight path so the injuries you suffer in that difficult time won’t make you unable to go on. Persevere until God brings you through and heals you. (Hebrews 12:12-13)

               How do you react when your belief; your trust and reliance on God, is tested? When things are going well for you, and life seems easy, you may be quick to thank the Lord for His love and for the way He provides for you. But, do you begin to question God in difficulty, when you are challenged, or when you face betrayal or opposition? Do you sometimes even turn to other sources for comfort and rescue?

               Pauls’ words echo the words of Isaiah (35:3-10), where the prophet urged the Israelites to stay faithful in very hard times. He promised, if they would continue in their belief, keep trusting even when they became tired and weak and afraid, that God would come. Isaiah said, “He will save you!” (Verse 4). Both Paul and Isaiah promise a day of joy and wholeness, when the suffering of trials and discipline and oppression will end. They said, “a great day is coming that will make you be glad you were faithful, and you kept on trusting the Lord.”

               Life will be hard. You will hurt. You will be angry. You will get weary. The answer is always the same – take it to God. The deeper the pain, the more you need Him.

March 13 – BUT, AN OLD WAY

 When they (outsider, non-Jews who haven’t been taught God’s law) follow the law as if it is somehow a part of them, they show that the reality of the law was written on their hearts by the Lord. (Romans 2:14-15)

               You have a choice. You can ask the Holy Spirit to

speak to you, giving you God’s truth for living your life and leading others. Or, you can consider what people and institutions around you say, using your mind, your emotions, and your personal sense of morality to define your way forward. Which way will you choose?

               Paul’s words seem to argue that men and women are created in a way that allows them to make good decisions. But, notice that he was speaking only of how people were created to be. Paul also said that, by nature, men and women choose to live based on desire for selfish pleasure rather than God’s way, until they encounter God (Ephesians 2:3). After that encounter, if you choose to follow His way, the Lord will bring His will to your life. His law, written on your heart, can fulfill its purpose. Until that time, you will be ruled by an effort to balance chasing self-centered desires within the limits of rules designed by yourself, and by other men and women. If you choose God’s way, you become a child of God, and the Holy Spirit provides your way. From that point, the Holy Spirit will teach you to live as God intended when He created you.

               Choose to live in God’s truth and walk in His ways. Trust the Lord to be your way to life.

March 12 – A NEW WAY

 If you are willing to be mine, and give your life to me obediently, all the very best of life will be given to you. (Isaiah 1:19)

               Is it time for you to change something? Do you hesitate? To pursue the new, you often must release the things of the present. Most of the time, change is a very hard thing to do. Your current process, your current location, and the people you have become accustomed to are but a few of the pieces of your life that can be woven into a security blanket of relative certainty in an otherwise very uncertain world. It is the way that you know. But, God may be calling you to a new and different way. He will often lead you to change something. God doesn’t want you to rely on anything or anyone but Himself for your security.

                Remember, Jesus said, “I am the way.” (John 14:6), and Isaiah relays that same message from God. “Follow my way, giving yourself and your will – all of your life – to me. Obey me, because I want the best for you.” This is a huge promise, presented in the simplest of terms. If you will decide to let the Lord determine your way – that means places, people, activities, and circumstances – then, His way will lead you to His very best.

                Giving up control of your life is a big deal. It is hard. But, God promises – it is worth it!

March 11 – A COSTLY DECISION

 As they followed Jesus along the road toward Jerusalem, the disciples were astonished and alarmed. They became more afraid as He took them aside, telling them more details of the things to come. (Mark 10:32)

               Will you follow Jesus when you see that He is leading you into trouble? Often, days following Him are spent in happy, positive, and even miraculous times. People’s lives are transformed from misery to joy, broken families are healed, and hungry people are fed. But, there are times when it becomes clear that trouble lies directly ahead.

                In front of the disciples, Jesus had just invited a man who approached Him to leave everything behind and follow Him. The other man determined he had too much to lose to risk all of it on Jesus. The disciples had made the decision to follow Jesus. Clearly, they wondered who had made the better decision. It was becoming evident that Jesus was serious about this plan to give up His own life. Maybe they did not wish to follow Him so closely if it meant they may also, literally, carry a cross.

                How about you? There will come a time when you will be faced with a choice between being true to Jesus at a great cost, or turning aside. Be prepared to make the right call when that moment arrives.

March 10 – OWNER OR SERVANT?

 But Jesus responded, “No one who chooses me over family, home, your work, or anything else will lose. Your life will be overflowing with such things, and with trouble. But, in eternity, those who have chosen me will come in first. (Mark 10:29-31)

               What do you think? Does Jesus want you to be rich? Or, does He require you to live as an impoverished martyr? Have you read Scripture to say that wealth is bad? Or, that it is evidence of good? Some feel a sense of guilt when they achieve wealth and other success by the world’s standards. Others feel that possessions and status are signs of God’s favor.

               Jesus says that focusing on these questions is not the way to spend your life. God’s kingdom is about Him, not about stuff. Certainly, it is not about collecting or hoarding stuff. The proper ambition is to be a trustworthy manager, rather than to be concerned about how much you manage. The faithful, loyal manager doesn’t think it is strange when the owner asks for His property. That manager is also careful to use everything he or she is given in a way that is consistent with the owner’s wishes and goals; to complete that owner’s work.

               Family, homes, labor, talents, and money are important. Each of these is created by God and should be respected and valued. Mostly, though, each one should be used for His purposes.

March 9 – HEALTHY FRUSTRATION

 Peter started in, defending himself saying, “We gave up everything to follow you!” (Mark 10:28)

                Do you ever reach a place of frustration; where you feel that you have done enough? Sometimes, you may work tirelessly, devoting all your energy to work that doesn’t seem to amount to much. In those times, you may focus on what you have given up, and all your hard work. You can easily lose focus on what God is calling you to do.

                Peter did what people often do in such times of frustration. He looked around, compared himself to others, and said, “I have done better than them.” Peter did not hear Jesus say what he wanted to hear. He was looking for praise and affirmation. After all, he had left his home and family, the family business, his standing in the community, and all that made him feel comfortable. Jesus told him, despite all of that, he still had not earned God’s favor. Nothing he could do would earn God’s favor. He’s saying that to you too. There is still nothing you can do to earn what the Lord offers to give to you. You can only accept Him and His way.

                Frustration is healthy. It’s good for you, when it drives you to Jesus Christ. Like Peter, let your frustration lead you to relationship with Him today.

March 8 – IMPOSSIBLE?

 So, they asked, “Who will make it into God’s Kingdom?” Jesus looked straight at them saying, “You can’t do it on your own, but for anyone who trusts and relies on God it is possible.” (Mark 10:26-27)

               Do you ever hear or ask this question, “What is required to please God and to get in on what God is doing?” Like the disciples asked, “Who will make it?”  Some think it is a basic right of every person. They feel that a loving god is going to simply overlook and forgive – regardless of their decisions and choices in life.

                Jesus makes it clear that this is not the case. In fact, He says it is not possible for anyone – no matter how good, how generous, how loving – to find relationship with God unless God makes it happen. Only moments before, Jesus disappointed a young man who thought he had checked all the boxes on God’s task list, and had therefore earned Jesus’ admiration. But, as he talked to Jesus he quickly realized he had not accomplished much after all. Jesus revealed the real tests – selfless love and constant reliance on the Lord. These, as Jesus explained, are only possible with God’s grace.

                Tear up your to-do list of how you will please God. Instead, let Jesus write His list on your day. Let Jesus accomplish the work you do. He just wants you!