Perspective

"His wife said to him, “Are you still trying to maintain your integrity? Curse God and die.” 

But Job replied, “You talk like a foolish woman. Should we accept only good things from the hand of God and never anything bad?” So in all this, Job said nothing wrong." Job 2:9-10 (NLT)

            For those who may not know Job in practical terms he was a multimillionaire who was wildly successful in business and had a sprawling family. God had blessed him prodigiously, yet Satan had a thing for Job whereby he felt that Job was given a pass by God and given too much favor. So God let Satan do his worst to Job and while Job had amazing wisdom and perspective throughout his trial. His wife couldn't withstand the fiery trial they were confronted with. I totally understand her plight as they had 7 children and in one night they all perished, that's enough to crush even the above average woman. 

             Yet, as quick as she was to curse God an accept death... Job wasn't as dismissive. Why? I think it was because Job had an intimate knowledge of who God was. He knew the source of everything he was given, and knew that as quickly as he was willing to receive the abundance God provided so too must he be willing to accept the adversity as well. God knew this of Job, He knew how no matter what Satan would afflict Job with, Job would not sin. Just as He knew that Abraham would kill his only son for God. They KNEW God. 

              Adversities and challenges come to us in many different forms. Our greatest challenges put our true character on display. The bible is filled with men and women who endured challenges of every kind, some failed and others succeeded. The key ingredient to all successes was they all KNEW God and understood that no matter what, He would always come through for them. If we learn to have this perspective in the midst of adversity we will overcome. 

Unity

"The goal is for all of them to become one heart and mind—Just as you, Father, are in me and I in you, So they might be one heart and mind with us. Then the world might believe that you, in fact, sent me...So they'll be as unified and together as we are—I in them and you in me. Then they'll be mature in this oneness, And give the godless world evidence That you've sent me and loved them In the same way you've loved me." John 17: 20-23 (The Message)
 
      Ever watch a really good marching band make their movements and progressions in a song that has tremendous flare. Consider what you would see if one of those members were isolated on a football field, they would definitely look disoriented and lost making aimless facing movements and such. However, together in sync they look like something awesome to behold. I hope we realize that on God's great canvas of life we are that marching band moving as one in heart (for others and not ourselves) and mind (focused on Him). 
 
      In like manner, we are to be like that group of individuals who together are unified in one purpose. Pay careful attention to the emphasis that Jesus put on unity in His conversation with His Father. Its amazing how He prayed in earnest that we would show the world through our unity that we are in Him... as as a part of Him our aim should be to change the world by standing together.

Great Expectations

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." Jeremiah 29:11 (ESV)

     The people of Israel have been exiled in Babylon for years, being subjected to a culture that is extremely different than when they were in their own country. The prophet Jeremiah is being prompted by God to speak to the people and show them that even though their circumstances dictate otherwise there is a grand future awaiting them.

      What many of us may or may not realize is that the very moment we pray God's action is instantly activated, the manifestation of the action however, could take time. It doesn't mean that its not at work, in fact, what is about to unfold in our life is greater than what we initially hoped for to begin with. Some of us would be content to just emerge from our situation, but God is looking to do greater things. He's looking to exceed our expectation.

       The people of Israel were able to return to their homeland after exile and many were able to live prosperous lives in the aftermath. God wants us to have enough confidence in Him to rise above what we even see. He wants us to trust in the plan He has for us. If we know Him in the slightest bit, we'd expect the greatest of outcomes for our future. I hope one day we'd all recognize this is the way He wants to be known by us. We ought to believe for the greatest of expectations, He will never disappoint us.

No Regrets

"Anyone who puts a hand to the plow then looks back is not fit for the Kingdom of God." Luke 9:62 (NLT)

    Jesus makes it very apparent to his followers that those who make the choice to go after him must not look back. I'm sure many of us spend a considerable amount of time looking back for all sorts of reasons. The chief reason why we tend to look back at what might have been is regret. We could have done this, should have done that, and so forth, but in living for Christ we can't afford to let regret seep into our consciousness.


     Take Lot's wife in Genesis 19:26 for example, she knew the only way for their salvation was to flee Sodom and Gomorrah and not look back in the process. However, for some reason she couldn't get herself to not look back, all the memories of a warped past were enough to have her realize she just couldn't leave it all behind so she turned around and became a pillar of salt.


       Jesus is not saying that we can't look back fondly on the memories, He's saying that don't let the memories impede your forward progress. In pursuing God's will for your life, you will undoubtedly face challenges and obstacles, but those instances are not to point you back to your past... they are to propel you towards what lies ahead. Instead of thinking of what should have been, think instead of what's going to be. It's a much better perspective to have. After all, what kind of progress can really be made by constantly looking back? That was Jesus' point all along.

Faith

"And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who comes to Him must believe that God exists and that He rewards those who sincerely seek Him." Hebrews 11:6 (NLT)

      I find it hard to believe that you can expect a change in life without having something to believe in. I find it hard, God finds it impossible. In order for us to really expect God to move in our lives it stands to reason that we actually have to believe that He exists. What's curious though is that even that may not be enough, because God is looking for us to raise our level expectation when it comes to Him.

       Ephesians 3:20 states, "Now all glory to God, who is able through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think." God has already planted within us power and ability to accomplish great things, the activating agent is our faith. For if we believe that He indeed has planted something within us, and that He intends to do things for us above our expectation level then we have achieved the necessary steps to make something great happen in our lives. Cling to the belief that He exists and trust His word. For if you do, life is yours for the taking.

First Response

"Then Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the Lord." 2 Kings 20:2 (AMP)


      King Hezekiah fell deathly ill and while he's in his bed suffering from this illness, the prophet Isaiah comes to him and tells him to get his house in order because he's going to die. The reality of Isaiah's words stung Hezekiah like a violent hornet. Curiously, Hezekiah didn't take this news as something that he should "just deal with," instead immediately after he heard the news his first inclination was to pray.


      I wonder how many of us would not just stop and let the heaviness of the prophet's word sink in, start feeling sorry for ourselves, and begin to make preparations for the end. Hezekiah bucked the trend and made his plea to heaven. He would say, "Remember, O God, who I am, what I've done! I've lived an honest life before you, My heart's been true and steady, I've lived to please you; lived for your approval." (v.3 MSG) He laid it all out there for God not with long flowery words but with short brutal honesty and then he wept bitterly.


      His plea reached God's ear and before the prophet could leave the courtyard God instructed Isaiah to turn around and tell Hezekiah that not only was God going to prolong his life, but also add 15 years to it. From sure impending death to a new lease on life Hezekiah teaches us something important about how to face the worst news in life and live to tell about it. We have to understand that God is moved by our prayers and if prayer isn't your first response in everything then you're missing out on the best in life God has to offer you.

The Examples

'Therefore, God's chosen ones, holy and loved, put on the heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, accepting one another and forgiving one another if anyone has a complaint against another. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so also you must forgive.' Colossians 3:12-13 (HCSB)
 
     Nothing shows others more that God dwells in us than the love that we display to one another. This verse highlights the significance of why we should love (because we are God's chosen ones... and He has forgiven us), and how it is effective for others (to be an example to the world). 
 
    I heard a preacher once say, 'Everything that happens in your life NEXT is subject to how you think NEXT.' And it's true... If the truly perfected heart of Christ is within us as is promised in the bible in Hebrews 10:14 ('For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are sanctified'). Then through His redeeming blood we are perfect... not by our own merits because we are flawed  in the flesh, but by His perfect redeeming sacrifice. Thus, if others around us fail we are to be compassionate and tolerant because Christ was the same to us.
 
     It is our responsibility to put away our former way of thinking in which we walked in: defeat, doubt, and despair among other things. And clothe ourselves with the mind of Christ full of love, faith, and power. I mean how often do we really think that; "God is able to do exceedingly and abundantly above anything that we can ask or think according to the power that lies within us?" (Eph 3:20) If your answer is not everyday then I urge you to make that an everyday occurrence for you don't want to miss out on blessing others as Christ has blessed us. For this is the purpose God intended for us from the very start.

Redemption

"For Adam also and for his wife the Lord God made long coats (tunics) of skins and clothed them." Genesis 3:21 (Amplified)
 
         This verse holds such significance to life that I couldn't resist using it after I was able to read between the lines. The setting here is man has fallen and is quite ashamed. He has learned to distinguish between good and evil, and knows that he did something very evil that went contrary to the wishes of his Creator. Thus, the Lord handed out punishments to the serpent, the woman, and the man.
 
         But God showing His nature of love and mercy even in the very beginning sought to cover their shame. Since they were naked (shameful) God took it upon himself to make clothing for them to cover their shame (sin). So what God did was pretty simple... He took an innocent pure third party (in this case an animal) and killed it (as a sacrifice) to clothe the shame (sinful nature) of mankind.
 
         Fast forward that to now and how that is relevant to us... around 2000 years ago He did the same thing for us using His son as a sacrifice (a innocent third party that was pure) so that our sin and shame could be covered. If God was so willing to do that for us, shouldn't we be so willing to go after Him? The serpent is still out there, but so too is the love and mercy of God that covers our shame (nakedness). Choose to accept that love for your life today.

Love

"For God so loved the world that He gave his one and only son, that whosoever would believe in Him would not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16 (NIV)

     The ultimate love story for God and man. If we trace the steps back to Genesis chapter 3 we find where man lost his way, by violating the only rule God gave him in the garden. As a result, the rift between God and man began with sin keeping both sides apart.

      The only bridge between God and man had to be an innocent pure sacrifice on behalf of man. Since, God's desire from the very beginning was to be close to man this sacrifice had to be initiated by God. He had to offer His very best in order to bring us back to Him, and He did so by giving His only son to us.

       I've heard of great love stories before but they all fall short in comparison to this story. For God so loved us!!! He gave! Love gives! So anyone that believes that love takes doesn't really understand the true meaning of love, nor have they taken notice of the ultimate example given to us. God's love gives...and so too must we if we are to show the true essence of love.

The Offering

^"And Noah built an altar to the Lord and took of every clean [four-footed] animal and of every clean fowl or bird and offered burnt offerings on the altar. When the Lord smelled the pleasing odor [a scent of satisfaction to His heart], the Lord said to Himself, I will never again curse the ground because of man, for the imagination (the strong desire) of man's heart is evil and wicked from his youth; neither will I ever again smite and destroy every living thing, as I have done. While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease." Genesis 8:20-22 (Amplified)
 
      Giving God your very best requires a commitment that originates from the depths of your soul. Noah had been on the journey of his life as God single handedly wiped out the earth. God has asked Noah to give up everything to build an ark because God was going to flood the earth. After the flood had subsided Noah's first inclination was to bring an offering to God as a sign of gratitude. Think about it... emerging from his greatest trial... Noah presented to God an offering.
 
      So moved just by the odor of the CLEAN sacrifice God made a standing promise that lasts to this present day. God used Noah's situation to not only try Noah but bring out the best in him. To bring out of Noah a fabric of obedience and gratefulness I doubt he ever thought he had. Doing things God's way brings out the best in us even if its through what we see as our worst circumstances. Realize that the worst things get, the more people ridicule your absurd idea to build an ark, or your ability to see what cannot be explained. The closer your deliverance is. What offering is God asking of you?

Whatever

"For the rest, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of reverence and is honorable and seemly, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely and lovable, whatever is kind and winsome and gracious, if there is any virtue and excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on and weigh and take account of these things [fix your minds on them]." Philippians 4:8 (AMP)

       Whatever is such a unique word, because it takes on so many different meanings. The best thing about this word is that its all encompassing. When Paul uses this word and how he uses it, his intent is for each aspect of the use of whatever to be all encompassing. As if to say... anything you do... do it all the way.

       When it comes to matters of the truth... go all in. Honorable, just, pure, lovely and lovable... do everything all the way. Have a positive outlook, love other people, and watch how your life changes for WHATEVER you want it to be.

Appearances

“But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”-1 Samuel 16:7

      We put too much stock in appearances. We glamorize people who look nice and, fantasize about their wealth desiring what they flaunt. Excess is the rule of law these days as people strive hard to out do others in the pursuit of vanity. Its a vicious cycle. 

        Curiously, this is not something that just happened suddenly. Tasked with the job of coming up with a new King in Israel, (because God rejected the selfish glory of its present king) Samuel travels to a humble town where God's new man for the job resides. Just like anyone else given the responsibility of choosing from a lineup of good looking young men, perhaps we also would have chosen David's brothers. They were more appealing and stout, but there was an inner quality that Samuel could not see that set David apart from the rest. 

        How much stock do you put in appearances? Are they pretty important? If they are, you need to ask God to change the way you look at things into the way He looks at them. "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will." Romans 12:2

Worry

"And who of you by worrying and being anxious can add one unit of measure (cubit) to his stature or to the span of his life?" Matthew 6:27 (Amplified)

        What to do when the unexpected happens? When what you didn't see coming came? I know what most people do... they worry. They spend their time thinking about the unexpected and try to solve the problem themselves. Problem is, there can really be no contingency plan for what you cannot see. So what is a person to do? Simple. Pray. 

          The Bible says, "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God." (Philippians 4:6) By bringing everything at the feet of Jesus and laying it down you lose worrying about what you cannot control, and run to the only sure thing in life. Don't give in! Don't ever let your inhibitions to worry overcome you! Leave it at the cross where Jesus paid it all for you, so that you can expect the best results to come to pass.

In Whom do you Believe

“Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God.”- John 1:12-13 (NIV)

        In John 3:16 God made it very clear to this world that anyone who would believe in His Son would not perish but have eternal life. God's intent for the human race was not to condemn it. For us to be born in sin was not the way He devised the masterful plan of mirroring us in His image. Our unbelief in Him caused sin to enter this world. Had Eve truly believed that she would surely die if she ate of the tree, the thought of eating from it never would have entered her mind even with being pressured by the serpent to at least give it a try. 

      God sent Jesus in this world to right a great wrong, and the only thing He asked in return that we would believe in His Son. I mean look at how Jesus marveled when Peter identified who He was, "Jesus replied, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven. And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it." Matthew 16:17-18 Jesus entrusted Peter with the greatest of responsibilities because Peter could relay the message of belief to all mankind. 

     God is willing that we would believe so that we can accept a life of being His children. The question always remains in whom do you believe. If you do believe in Him, do everything you can to spread the word to others.

Destined to Reign

"You can be sure that God will take care of everything you need, his generosity exceeding even yours in the glory that pours from Jesus." Philippians 4:19 (MSG)


      I will never tire of this verse for as long as I live, for it shows every characteristic of God that is necessary for us to navigate the most difficult terrain. It also demonstrates the foolishness of your efforts to figure out all your problems on your own knowing full well that God can always go above and beyond anything you ask think or desire.


       Consider for a moment Adam in the garden of Eden. How God said to him, "Reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, and all the animals that scurry along the ground." (Gen 1:28b) His desire for us was to rule, but not in ways that were just enough to get us by... but to have to dominion. Yet some of us have dominion over nothing, and that's simply because we've turned away from the One who has always desired to give that very dominion to us. Don't let your circumstances get the best of you, Let Him get the best of your circumstance. That's been His desire since the dawn of time!

To Obey

"If they obey and serve Him, they shall spend their days in prosperity and their years in pleasantness and joy." Job 36:11 (AMP)

       God's sole desire since the dawn of creation was always to be obeyed. He gave Adam dominion over everything. He told him you can eat of every tree but only one. It was the very one that Adam would fall to eventually, but God gave him an opportunity to have everything and be blessed with joy if only he would have obeyed.

       Similarly God gave the kingdom of Israel to Saul, He only asked Saul to obey some simple instructions. These instructions Saul willfully disobeyed and God took the kingdom from him. It's interesting how truly important obedience is to God.

       I've seen that those who are obedient to God are truly blessed, because God loves those who are submitted to Him. Obedience is the outward expression of your inward love for God. It doesn't matter how much you say you love Him, but it does matter to Him how you show it. Jesus was obedient to the point of death, and God exalted Him above every other name (Phillippians 2:9). This represents true evidence of how God honors obedience. You should try it.

God's purpose

The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth. He will fulfill the desire of them that fear him: he also will hear their cry, and will save them. (Psalm 145:18-19 KJV)

       A great Pastor once said referring to what God desires for us to do, "...God won't make you do something you don't want to do... He'll give you a desire in your heart to press on with His will...." Such a profound admonition is found in this verse. When Jesus asked us to cast our cares upon Him for He will care for us, He wasn't just trying to appease the masses with flowery words, He said it because He meant it.

      As we desire to see God's purpose in our lives fulfilled its incumbent upon us to seek God with tremendous determination and purpose. In doing so, we'll not only find out that He is near, but perhaps He was closer than we thought He'd be. In turn, He'll save us from situations we didn't have an answer for on our own. I endeavor to give my desires over to Him, so that He in turn may grant me the desires of my heart. Will you do the same? I doubt you'll be disappointed.

Our Ally

"[But] to this day I have had the help which comes from God [as my ^[d]ally], and so I stand here testifying to small and great alike..." Acts 26:22a (Amplified)

      Paul at this point is suffering persecution on account of preaching the gospel to the Gentiles. The Jews are as outraged with Paul as they were with Jesus and are demanding his death. Paul is appealing to the Romans for his justice, but reminds them all that his defense is not provided by earthly means but through heavenly realms.

      Throughout the books of Acts Paul's boldness in the gospel is evident. He preaches with fire as though there is no doubt that God is by his side, and he unashamedly proclaims it to even the highest Roman officials. So compelling is his argument that the Romans can find no cause to put him to death.

       Our takeaway from this is the same ally that Paul had is our Ally today. We can confidently proclaim the word of God to others because no matter how much persecution we may face, we have an Ally who always protects, and guides us in the paths that we ought to take. Let us like Paul be bold in our confidence in God who has been so good to us throughout our lives in good times and in bad.

Step Out

"...But when he (Peter) perceived and felt the strong wind, he was frightened, and as he began to sink, he cried out, Lord, save me [from death]!Instantly Jesus reached out His hand and caught and held him, saying to him, O you of little faith, why did you doubt? And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased." Matthew 14:30-32 (Amplified)

        When Peter delved into the innermost depths of his faith he focused only on Jesus, "So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water, and he came toward Jesus." (v.29) As He walked toward Jesus his direction was secure and no outside circumstance could derail the arrival to the destination.

         Until... he lost his focus, "But when he perceived and felt the strong wind, he was frightened." (v.30) All was fine and dandy until perception entered the picture and his sense of focus was diminished altogether. Now instead of using his tunnel vision to arrive to where Jesus was calling him he...began to sink.

          Doesn't this seem eerily familiar to our own lives? Where we are seeing Jesus do the impossible and for a moment we get carried away in the euphoria of our faith and dare to dream for the impossible. Jesus tells us to come, and we do for a moment until... the moment of true faith comes when we percieve our surroundings exactly like Peter did. The best part of this story however, is how Jesus ends it as when Peter begins to drown Jesus reaches down to save him. That's definitely something we can all identify with.

           If we ever find ourselves out there on the sea using impossible faith, remember one thing... focus intently on Christ because if you do there is no question you will reach your goal.