The Wilderness – Learning To Lean On Christ During The Hard Times

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“We all like sheep have gone astray. We have turned, each one, to his own way.” ~Isaiah 53:6

Each Sunday, I try to post a devotional thought for you to meditate on. Sometimes it will be something out of my own studies and prayers. Other times – like today – it will be from another source.

Today, I am posting a very personal piece written by Sherrian about learning to trust in God during the difficult times:

Wilderness

I was reading something  recently where someone was comparing the wanderings of the children of Israel to their own life. It is quite a common thing to do, and understandably so . I’ve heard many sermons where Christians are compared to those stiff-necked people in one way or another, or even the way African American slaves viewed their plight as parallel to the Israelites trying to flee Egypt.

One of the most memorable titles of a sermon I got to hear was, “Lord, you got me out of Egypt, now get Egypt out of me!” As humorous as that is, it is also a sincere cry to be free from the sin within, now that we’re free from the bondage of sin.

Even now as my daily Bible reading is taking me through the books of the Law, it is impossible to ignore the legacy of sin that is regenerated with every human that is born. “We all like sheep have gone astray. We have turned, each one, to his own way.” ~Isaiah 53:6

What we constantly want is our own way, even if that way leads to destruction.

Reading what God’s people went through is like watching a scary movie. The audience may be aware a killer is lurking around a corner, and cries out to the tv screen for the character not to wander there, but you know they can’t/won’t heed your cries.

Having heard a lot of these bible stories since childhood, I want Israel to make different decisions. It’s hard not to think, “but God’s presence is right THERE with you. So much you’re afraid to go near. So much that you could die! How could you still sin? Choose life. Choose God!”

Then I’m drawn back to the reality of my own life. “but God’s Spirit is right HERE within me. So much that I don’t have to fear approaching the throne of grace. So much that I never have to fear death again! How could I still sin? Choose life. Choose God!” Yet sometimes I want to return to “Egypt” like they did.

At one point, the Israelites were hungry and all they could think about was the type of food they had in Egypt. They all of a sudden forgot the heavy burden, the harsh treatment, the abuse – they just remembered some food. Some paltry meal, some small satiation that was forgotten in the moments it was devoured.

That is me.

For the believer, sin comes at a price. We don’t relish in our sin, we hate our sin. We understand the way it hurts God, and holds consequences for others in our lives. Yet, for various reasons, motives, and periods of time, we still allow ourselves to be caught in the deceitfulness of sin.

We allow ourselves to be lied to, forgetting the hurt and the consequences, the shame and the regret. We allow the momentary pleasure to seem much more lasting and far reaching in our minds than the paltry morsel that it truly is.

When we’re in a wilderness (yeah, I’m being allegorical too :-D ), a hard place, a place of testing, a place of lack, it is tempting to want to go backwards. For me, I just hate the build up of what I’ve left behind as something more satiating and grandiose than what’s really there. Why lie to myself? Why believe the lie?

The truth is, the cross is EVER before me. Christ says to the church at Laodicea in Revelation 3:20 “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.” What’s even more interesting is before that in verse 17 Christ says, “For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.” They were also believing a lie! They were fooling themselves. Yet, he offers them Himself. He doesn’t leave them there.

They didn’t realize their need for Christ. Not a one-stop need (this passage isn’t about initial salvation, this passage was TO believers), but a constant neediness that keeps us moving forward towards Him!

Sometimes the hardest thing for me is knowing when something is REALLY in my heart as opposed to just a strong momentary desire, or a conviction that just isn’t as deep-rooted as it should be. Know what I mean? It feels real, but doesn’t mean that it is.

That’s how I feel about acknowledging my need for Christ. It’s head knowledge. I can say it. I believe it. I don’t always ‘feel’ it – because things aren’t always going wrong, or things are going too wrong. I want it to be rooted in my heart, so that when I’m tested, I’ll be purified.

Revelation 3:18-20 18 I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see. 19 Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent. 20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. 21 The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne.

Photo credit: freedigitalphotos.net

It Takes Both Of These Elements To Make True Religion

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“Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was just and devout” ~ Luke 2:25

Each Sunday, I try to post a devotional thought for you to meditate on. Sometimes it will be something out of my own studies and prayers. Other times – like today – it will be from another source.

Today, I am posting about what makes true and godly “religion”, by J.R. Miller, courtesy of Grace Gems:

True Religion Just Devout

True Religion: Being Just And Devout

(J.R. Miller, “Daily Bible Readings in the Life of Christ” 1890)

“Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was just and devout” Luke 2:25

He was just in all his dealings with men–and devout in his dealings toward God. It takes both of these elements to make true religion.

Some people are just–and not devout! They are scrupulously honest in all their dealings–and yet they never think of God, or of their duties to Him. They do not bow to Him in prayer, nor do they ever lift their hearts to Him in praise. They do not love Him.

They confess no obligations to Him. Their whole religion simply is honesty toward their fellow-men–while they utterly ignore God, their Creator and Redeemer, in Whom they live, from Whose grace every blessing in their lives flows, and upon Whom they are dependent every moment for breath and existence. It is readily seen, that such religion is no religion at all.

While we are just and honest in our transactions with men–it is to God that we owe the first and highest duties. We are His creatures; we are saved, if at all, by His grace; we owe to Him obedience, faith, love, honor, service. So we must be devout as well as just.

On the other hand, there are some people who profess to be devout–who are not just! They attend upon ordinances, they sing and pray; and then they go out into the week-day world, and are hard, unjust, greedy, and oppressive! It is very evident that this kind of religion does not please God. He wants our praise and honor–but He wants us to honor Him by our lives and actions, as well as by our lips.

There are two tables of commandments; and the second table commandments are as binding as the first. We are to love God with all our heart (the first table)–but we are also to love our neighbor as ourselves (the second table). While we are devout toward God–we are to be honest, true, unselfish toward men. The two things must go together, and must never be torn asunder!

Cut It Off & Pluck It Out!!! – Devotion

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“If your hand or your foot causes you to sin–cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life maimed or crippled–than to have two hands or two feet and be thrown into eternal fire!” Matthew 18:8…

Each Sunday, I try to post a devotional thought for you to meditate on. Sometimes it will be something out of my own studies and prayers. Other times – like today – it will be from another source.

Today, I am posting about the fact that anything which causes us to sin must be cut off, even if it brings some benefit by J.R. Miller, courtesy of Grace Gems:

Cut It Off Pluck Out Matthew 18.8

(J.R. Miller, “Daily Bible Readings in the Life of Christ” 1890)

“If your hand or your foot causes you to sin–cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life maimed or crippled–than to have two hands or two feet and be thrown into eternal fire!” Matthew 18:8

Our life is so full of temptation and peril–that even its best things may become stumbling-blocks. Our very qualities of strength–may become fatal forces driving us to eternal ruin.

Human beauty is a blessing from God–and yet beauty has proved a snare to many a woman, drawing her away from God.

Ability to make money is a perilous gift–which has led many a man to spiritual ruin. It is better to altogether throw away the money-making ability, and go poor through life with the talent wasted and shriveled, and reach Heaven–than to exercise the ability and grow rich, and be lost forever! These are illustrations of our Lord’s meaning when He speaks of ‘cutting off’ the hand or the foot which causes us to sin.

The appetites, desires, and affections–are part of the glory of humanity; and yet, when they are unbridled–they have whirled many a noble life to eternal destruction!

A steam-boat came into port which had long been out on the sea. An accident had happened which caused delay. The coal gave out; then all that would burn–cargo, stores, furniture–had to be burned up, in order to bring the vessel home. At last she gained the shore–but stripped of everything of value. Yet it was better to burn up all her cargo and stores–than perish at sea.

Just so, some men can get to Heaven–only by sacrificing every earthly pleasure and crucifying every sinful desire; but who will say that the prize is not worth the sacrifice? The hand would be better chopped off–than steal or strike down another. The foot would be better cut off–than carry one into crime or sin. The eye would be better plucked-out–than by its lustful gazing set the soul on fire. A man on a wrecked vessel had better throw his bags of gold into the sea and have his life saved–than hold on to the gold and sink into the waves!

Making Christmas Both Richer AND Less Expensive

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Yes, that reads like a contradiction – how can Christmas be both richer and less expensive at the same time. It’s simply a matter of changing priorities. And the way Christmas is going these days, that’s something that a lot of us need to do.

The whole purpose of Christmas is to celebrate the birth of our risen Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. But in the past few decades, that purpose has become obscured by the perceived need to buy more and better gifts for everyone on the list, and to work tirelessly at creating the mythical “perfect Christmas.”

The end result of all that extra effort isn’t always producing a better Christmas. In fact, many times it takes on the appearance of an exhausting project at work that leaves you tired and drained by the time it’s over. Do you ever feel that way during or after Christmas?

If you do, it’s time to make a change. This Christmas season is an excellent time to start.

Christmas Family

Lower The Emphasis On Gift Giving

From where I sit, gift giving is at the epicenter of what often turns into the Christmas nightmare. Not only does rampant gift giving turn Christmas into a major financial outlay, but there is also a major investment of time and effort. It’s all spent in an attempt to make everyone happy – to create the perfect Christmas, based on the gifts given.

There’s nothing wrong with giving gifts, but that should never take center stage.

In order to cut down on the emphasis on gift giving, try some of the following:

  • If you have a large family, get together with everyone and set a dollar limit on the amount spent for gifts per-person.
  • Cut back on the number of people you buy gifts for. For example, restrict it to giving gifts to children only, rather than adults as well.
  • Set up a Christmas grab bag. That might mean that each family contributes one or more relatively small gifts to the grab bag, and the exchanges are mostly anonymous.
  • Do a one-on-one gift exchange – everyone in the extended family pulls another person’s name out of a hat, and buys a single gift for that person.
  • Within your own family, cut down the number of gifts to just two or three important ones for each person. You can make up for the “quantity factor” by buying a number of relatively inexpensive stocking stuffers.
  • Rather than giving a gift, set aside time for some friends and family members – your time is often more important to loved ones than any gift you might give.

Using some or all of these methods will not only cut down the amount of money you’ll spend for gifts, but it will also save you time and trips to the shopping centers. By de-emphasizing the importance of gift giving, you’ll have a fighting chance at making your Christmas holiday richer in other ways.

Pot Luck Gatherings

Next to gift giving, having get-togethers is generally the most expensive and time-consuming Christmas activity. If you are holding a holiday gathering at your house, it can cost a lot of money, take a lot of time, and result in a lot of stress. But you can get around this by arranging potluck dinners.

Ask everyone you are inviting to bring a side dish and a dessert, while you supply the main course, drinks, and of course the house. This will not only save you money, but it will also reduce preparation time and stress. Since most people these days are dealing with their own financial struggles, you shouldn’t be embarrassed about asking others to help with preparations.

By reducing gift giving and replacing full-on Christmas gatherings with potluck dinners, you’ll be clearing the decks to create a richer Christmas.

Put Christ Back In Christmas

If you are Christian, putting Christ back in Christmas should be obvious. But as Christians we’re often disproportionately influenced by the culture around us, and we can easily lose sight of this. We can get caught up chasing all of the typical holiday “bells and whistles” that everyone else does.

This isn’t just about going to church more often. Set aside some extra time to reflect on who Jesus was, and what He has meant to you in your life. Dive even deeper into the Bible than you do at other times of the year. Take a shot at singing in the church choir during the holiday season, even if you can’t sing. Singing is a form of group worship that can have a profound effect on your life.

The deeper you get into the real meaning of Christmas, the easier it will be for you to avoid all the other excesses that have become so common – and so draining – during the holiday season.

And as a Christian, the Christmas season can be a time of reflection and reconnection, that will help set the tone of your faith for the coming new year.

Look For Opportunities To Volunteer

Volunteering is a form of putting your faith into action. During the Christmas season, churches and other charities are working overtime. There are more needs at this time of the year than any other. It‘s not just the holiday – winter is also setting in, causing problems for the less fortunate. As it says in the Bible, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few…” – Matthew 9:37. Christmas is an outstanding time to join in and become one of those workers.

Christmas is the season of giving, and there’s no better way to give than by volunteering your time. And there are no better people to give that time to than to those in need. Despite the widespread holiday celebrations, there are many households that can’t afford a special Christmas dinner, or gifts for their children. There are so many ways you can help make Christmas the season it’s supposed to be for people who can’t otherwise afford it.

What many people don’t realize is that when you give to other people, the feeling that you get as a result is the greatest gift of all. Most of us don’t feel as if we can make a difference, but you can – especially at Christmas.

Will you dare to be different this Christmas, and try to have a richer holiday in the process?

He Sees Countless Evils In Each One Of Us! – Devotion

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Each Sunday, I try to post a devotional thought for you to meditate on. Sometimes it will be something out of my own studies and prayers. Other times – like today – it will be from another source.

Today, I am posting about the evil that is in our hearts, and why the gospel is truly “good news” by J.C. Ryle, courtesy of Grace Gems:

(J.C. Ryle, “The Gospel of Mark” 1857)

Breaking Chain

See what a black catalogue of evils the human heart contains

“For from within, out of a person’s heart, come . . .
evil thoughts,
sexual immorality,
theft,
murder,
adultery,
greed,
wickedness,
deceit,
eagerness for lustful pleasure,
envy,
slander,
pride, and
foolishness.
All these vile things come from within; they are what defile you and make you unacceptable to God.” Mark 7:21-23

Let us distinctly understand, when we read these words, that our Lord is speaking of the human heart universally. He is not speaking only of the notorious profligate, or the prisoner in the jail. He is speaking of all mankind. All of us, whether . . .
high or low,
rich or poor,
masters or servants,
old or young,
learned or unlearned
–all of us have by nature such a heart as Jesus here describes! The seeds of all the evils here mentioned, lie hidden within us all. They may lie dormant all our lives. They may be kept down by . . .
the fear of consequences;
the restraint of public opinion;
the dread of discovery; or
the desire to be thought respectable.

But every person has within him, the root of every sin!

How humble we ought to be, when we read these verses! “We are all as an unclean thing” in God’s sight. He sees countless evils in each one of us, which the world never sees at all, for He reads our hearts. Surely of all sins to which we are liable, self-righteousness is the most unreasonable.

How thankful we ought to be for the Gospel, when we read these verses! That Gospel contains a complete provision for all the needs of our poor defiled natures. The blood of Christ can “cleanse us from all sin.” The Holy Spirit can change even our sinful hearts, and keep them clean, when changed. The man that does not glory in the Gospel, can surely know little of the plague that is within him.

How watchful we ought to be, when we remember these verses! What a careful guard we ought to keep over our imaginations, our tongues, and our daily behavior! At the head of the black list of our heart’s contents, stand “evil thoughts.” Let us never forget that. Thoughts are the parents of words and deeds! Let us pray daily for grace to keep our thoughts in order, and let us cry earnestly and fervently, “lead us not into temptation!”