"Now the serpent was craftier than any of the wild animals the Lord God
had made. He said to the woman, "Did God really say, 'You must not eat
from any tree in the garden'?" - Genesis 3:1
God is big on giving man freedom and boundaries-freedom to manage what
He has entrusted to us, boundaries to protect us from evil. The
boundaries in the Garden of Eden were not set for the purpose of
limiting Adam. Man got into trouble when he questioned those boundaries.
God had provided everything he would need for life. He also entrusted
man with responsibility to manage and work the Garden. God gave him
freedom in that responsibility. God knows we were made to express
ourselves creatively through our work.
Each of us must have freedom and boundaries in our work life. Whenever
you are hired for a job, you must have the freedom to make certain
decisions. You must have the authority to manage things within your area
of expertise. You must also have limits within your area of
responsibility. You need to know where those limits are and stay within
them. Both freedom and boundaries are always under the umbrella of God's
authority and our authorities at work.
Jesus understood these boundaries. When He was tempted for 40 days by
the devil after being baptized, He was challenged by satan to go outside
His freedom and boundaries. (See Matthew 4:1-11.) Satan said that He had
the power to turn a stone into bread. Jesus was hungry and easily could
have justified using His power to feed Himself. However, Jesus
understood He could do nothing outside the boundaries of God's will for
His life. It was God's will for Jesus to be tempted and to withstand the
temptation. God was showing His Son that "man does not live on bread
alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God" (Mt. 4:4b).
You and I are tempted every day to go beyond our God-ordained
boundaries. Whether it is solving financial problems that have arisen
through debt, making wrong decisions due to pressure, or manipulating
someone in order to achieve our ends, it all represents rebellion toward
God.
Ask God to show you His freedom and boundaries for your life. These are
meant to enhance your life, not hinder it.
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Monday, October 11, 2010
FORGIVING OURSELVES
"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our
sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." - 1 John 1:9
The apostle Peter was one of three disciples who walked with Jesus
closer than the other nine. He was the most enthusiastic and the one
man who was willing to step into territories where others would not dare.
He was the first to step out of the boat and walk on water. He wanted to
protect Jesus at times when Jesus rebuked him for having a demon
influence him. He cut off the ear of the guard who wanted to arrest
Jesus in the garden. As Peter matured, the Holy Spirit harnessed his
many extreme emotions.
The greatest trial for Peter was when he denied the Lord just before
Jesus was crucified. Three times he denied knowing Jesus. Jesus
predicted that the cock would crow after the third time just to
reinforce the prophecy to Peter. Peter was crushed when he realized he
had failed His Lord so badly.
The Lord forgave Peter for his denial. However, gaining forgiveness
from Jesus was not the most difficult part for Peter. The hard part was
forgiving himself. As we mature in the faith, we begin moving in
victory after victory with our Lord. Then out of nowhere, an event happens that
reveals our true sin nature, and we are confronted face to face with
this reality. We cannot believe that we are capable of such sin. There
is no good thing in us save the grace of Jesus Christ and His blood
that cleanses us. When God looks at us, He looks at the blood of Christ that
has covered our sin. He does not look at our sin once we confess it.
When we have difficulty forgiving ourselves, this is pride at its
deepest level. We are making an assumption that we should never have
sinned and that we are too mature to sin. This is a trap from the enemy
of our souls. People who cannot forgive do not recognize from what they
have been forgiven. That includes us.
sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." - 1 John 1:9
The apostle Peter was one of three disciples who walked with Jesus
closer than the other nine. He was the most enthusiastic and the one
man who was willing to step into territories where others would not dare.
He was the first to step out of the boat and walk on water. He wanted to
protect Jesus at times when Jesus rebuked him for having a demon
influence him. He cut off the ear of the guard who wanted to arrest
Jesus in the garden. As Peter matured, the Holy Spirit harnessed his
many extreme emotions.
The greatest trial for Peter was when he denied the Lord just before
Jesus was crucified. Three times he denied knowing Jesus. Jesus
predicted that the cock would crow after the third time just to
reinforce the prophecy to Peter. Peter was crushed when he realized he
had failed His Lord so badly.
The Lord forgave Peter for his denial. However, gaining forgiveness
from Jesus was not the most difficult part for Peter. The hard part was
forgiving himself. As we mature in the faith, we begin moving in
victory after victory with our Lord. Then out of nowhere, an event happens that
reveals our true sin nature, and we are confronted face to face with
this reality. We cannot believe that we are capable of such sin. There
is no good thing in us save the grace of Jesus Christ and His blood
that cleanses us. When God looks at us, He looks at the blood of Christ that
has covered our sin. He does not look at our sin once we confess it.
When we have difficulty forgiving ourselves, this is pride at its
deepest level. We are making an assumption that we should never have
sinned and that we are too mature to sin. This is a trap from the enemy
of our souls. People who cannot forgive do not recognize from what they
have been forgiven. That includes us.
FORGIVING OURSELVES
"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our
sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." - 1 John 1:9
The apostle Peter was one of three disciples who walked with Jesus
closer than the other nine. He was the most enthusiastic and the one
man who was willing to step into territories where others would not dare.
He was the first to step out of the boat and walk on water. He wanted to
protect Jesus at times when Jesus rebuked him for having a demon
influence him. He cut off the ear of the guard who wanted to arrest
Jesus in the garden. As Peter matured, the Holy Spirit harnessed his
many extreme emotions.
The greatest trial for Peter was when he denied the Lord just before
Jesus was crucified. Three times he denied knowing Jesus. Jesus
predicted that the cock would crow after the third time just to
reinforce the prophecy to Peter. Peter was crushed when he realized he
had failed His Lord so badly.
The Lord forgave Peter for his denial. However, gaining forgiveness
from Jesus was not the most difficult part for Peter. The hard part was
forgiving himself. As we mature in the faith, we begin moving in
victory after victory with our Lord. Then out of nowhere, an event happens that
reveals our true sin nature, and we are confronted face to face with
this reality. We cannot believe that we are capable of such sin. There
is no good thing in us save the grace of Jesus Christ and His blood
that cleanses us. When God looks at us, He looks at the blood of Christ that
has covered our sin. He does not look at our sin once we confess it.
When we have difficulty forgiving ourselves, this is pride at its
deepest level. We are making an assumption that we should never have
sinned and that we are too mature to sin. This is a trap from the enemy
of our souls. People who cannot forgive do not recognize from what they
have been forgiven. That includes us.
sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." - 1 John 1:9
The apostle Peter was one of three disciples who walked with Jesus
closer than the other nine. He was the most enthusiastic and the one
man who was willing to step into territories where others would not dare.
He was the first to step out of the boat and walk on water. He wanted to
protect Jesus at times when Jesus rebuked him for having a demon
influence him. He cut off the ear of the guard who wanted to arrest
Jesus in the garden. As Peter matured, the Holy Spirit harnessed his
many extreme emotions.
The greatest trial for Peter was when he denied the Lord just before
Jesus was crucified. Three times he denied knowing Jesus. Jesus
predicted that the cock would crow after the third time just to
reinforce the prophecy to Peter. Peter was crushed when he realized he
had failed His Lord so badly.
The Lord forgave Peter for his denial. However, gaining forgiveness
from Jesus was not the most difficult part for Peter. The hard part was
forgiving himself. As we mature in the faith, we begin moving in
victory after victory with our Lord. Then out of nowhere, an event happens that
reveals our true sin nature, and we are confronted face to face with
this reality. We cannot believe that we are capable of such sin. There
is no good thing in us save the grace of Jesus Christ and His blood
that cleanses us. When God looks at us, He looks at the blood of Christ that
has covered our sin. He does not look at our sin once we confess it.
When we have difficulty forgiving ourselves, this is pride at its
deepest level. We are making an assumption that we should never have
sinned and that we are too mature to sin. This is a trap from the enemy
of our souls. People who cannot forgive do not recognize from what they
have been forgiven. That includes us.
Friday, October 8, 2010
FINDING MEANING IN OUR LABOUR
"But I said, "I have laboured to no purpose; I have spent my
strength in vain and for nothing. Yet what is due me is in the
Lord's hand, and my reward is with my God." - (Isaiah 49:4)
Have you ever felt like you're spending your life using your
talent for nothing? Life is often spent doing mundane activities
that seem to have little eternal purpose.
The great prophet Isaiah was struggling with his own purpose. He
knew he was chosen to be a voice for God, yet life became
purposeless for Isaiah. We all go through periods when our
purpose seems to be clouded with the mundane. We see little
meaning in life. On the other hand, Isaiah didn't stay in this
place. We read in this passage that he knew the truth of his
existence. He could look past his present circumstance and know
that his real reward and purpose would be revealed in eternity.
He knew that God was just and fair, so he placed his faith on
this truth.
When life appears to lack meaning and purpose, remember that if
you devote your life to the purposes He has for you, the fruits
of your labour will be manifested in due time. "The one who calls
you is faithful and He will do it" (1 Thess. 5:24).
strength in vain and for nothing. Yet what is due me is in the
Lord's hand, and my reward is with my God." - (Isaiah 49:4)
Have you ever felt like you're spending your life using your
talent for nothing? Life is often spent doing mundane activities
that seem to have little eternal purpose.
The great prophet Isaiah was struggling with his own purpose. He
knew he was chosen to be a voice for God, yet life became
purposeless for Isaiah. We all go through periods when our
purpose seems to be clouded with the mundane. We see little
meaning in life. On the other hand, Isaiah didn't stay in this
place. We read in this passage that he knew the truth of his
existence. He could look past his present circumstance and know
that his real reward and purpose would be revealed in eternity.
He knew that God was just and fair, so he placed his faith on
this truth.
When life appears to lack meaning and purpose, remember that if
you devote your life to the purposes He has for you, the fruits
of your labour will be manifested in due time. "The one who calls
you is faithful and He will do it" (1 Thess. 5:24).
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
FIVE TRAPS LEADERS FALL INTO
"I set you apart for a special work." - Jeremiah 1:5 NCV
If you're a leader, consider these five traps:
(1) The need to be well-rounded! Great achievers are usually not
well-rounded. They're focused! Striving to be well-rounded only sounds
good. It actually forces you to invest time and energy into areas where
you'll never excel.
(2) Authority without competence! Every leader has authority over areas
in which s/he has little or no competence. When s/he tries to exercise
authority there, s/he often hinders everything and everyone under
his/her watch. To put it bluntly, there are things you're responsible
for, that you should keep your nose out of.
(3) The success intoxicant! Success is an intoxicant, and intoxicated
people seldom have a firm grip on reality. Leaders often assume that
their core competencies are broader than they actually are. This trait
is easy to see in others, but next to impossible to see in ourselves.
Admitting weakness doesn't make you less effective, it just expresses
what everybody around you has known for a long time.
(4) Guilt! We feel guilty about delegating our weaknesses. We assume
that everybody hates to do what we hate to do. Wrong! Delegation allows
somebody else to shine. Your weakness is their opportunity.
(5) Unwillingness to develop others! Sure it's easier to do things
yourself. But leadership isn't just about getting things done right,
it's about getting things done through others. If you can't find
somebody to hand things off to, look in the mirror. Your people are
exactly where you've led them. If you've nobody to delegate things to,
guess who needs to change?
If you're a leader, consider these five traps:
(1) The need to be well-rounded! Great achievers are usually not
well-rounded. They're focused! Striving to be well-rounded only sounds
good. It actually forces you to invest time and energy into areas where
you'll never excel.
(2) Authority without competence! Every leader has authority over areas
in which s/he has little or no competence. When s/he tries to exercise
authority there, s/he often hinders everything and everyone under
his/her watch. To put it bluntly, there are things you're responsible
for, that you should keep your nose out of.
(3) The success intoxicant! Success is an intoxicant, and intoxicated
people seldom have a firm grip on reality. Leaders often assume that
their core competencies are broader than they actually are. This trait
is easy to see in others, but next to impossible to see in ourselves.
Admitting weakness doesn't make you less effective, it just expresses
what everybody around you has known for a long time.
(4) Guilt! We feel guilty about delegating our weaknesses. We assume
that everybody hates to do what we hate to do. Wrong! Delegation allows
somebody else to shine. Your weakness is their opportunity.
(5) Unwillingness to develop others! Sure it's easier to do things
yourself. But leadership isn't just about getting things done right,
it's about getting things done through others. If you can't find
somebody to hand things off to, look in the mirror. Your people are
exactly where you've led them. If you've nobody to delegate things to,
guess who needs to change?
Monday, October 4, 2010
FINDING THE WILL OF GOD
"I desire to do Your will, O my God; Your law is within my heart." -Psalm 40:8
How would you describe the process by which you find and do God's will
in your life? For some, finding God's will is like playing bumper cars.
We keep going in one direction until we bump into an obstacle, turn, and
go in another direction. It is a constant process of elimination,
failure, or success. Is this the way God would have us find His will?
No. There is much more relationship between hearing God's voice and
living within the mystery of His omnipotence in our lives. Perhaps this
process is more like water in a streambed. The water is constantly
flowing to a final destination. As it presses against the streambed, it
gently points the water toward its final destination. There are no
abrupt head-on collisions, simply slight modifications of direction.
Occasionally, we come to a sharp turn in the contours of our life. For
those times, God allows us to stretch our normal response to change. A
popular Bible study says that we cannot go with God and stay where we
are. Finding and doing God's will always require change. What changes
are necessary in your life to join God in what He is already doing?
There is a direct connection between finding and doing God's will and
having God's law in our heart. A friend once complained that he did not
know what God wanted of him in his life. My immediate response was, "How
much time do you spend with God in Bible study, prayer, and meditation
on Scripture?" "Only a few minutes a day," he replied. How can we expect
to hear and discern God's voice if we don't spend focused time with Him?
If you have a spouse, how did you get to know him or her before you were
married? You spent time together. You got to know everything about each
other. Our walk with God is no different. It isn't enough to have a
desire to follow God; we must put our energy into getting to know Him.
His will for us flows out of our relationship, it is not an end in
itself. Commit yourself to seeking Him more in your life by spending
more time with Him. "Call to Me and I will answer you and tell you great
and unsearchable things you do not know" (Jer. 33:3).
How would you describe the process by which you find and do God's will
in your life? For some, finding God's will is like playing bumper cars.
We keep going in one direction until we bump into an obstacle, turn, and
go in another direction. It is a constant process of elimination,
failure, or success. Is this the way God would have us find His will?
No. There is much more relationship between hearing God's voice and
living within the mystery of His omnipotence in our lives. Perhaps this
process is more like water in a streambed. The water is constantly
flowing to a final destination. As it presses against the streambed, it
gently points the water toward its final destination. There are no
abrupt head-on collisions, simply slight modifications of direction.
Occasionally, we come to a sharp turn in the contours of our life. For
those times, God allows us to stretch our normal response to change. A
popular Bible study says that we cannot go with God and stay where we
are. Finding and doing God's will always require change. What changes
are necessary in your life to join God in what He is already doing?
There is a direct connection between finding and doing God's will and
having God's law in our heart. A friend once complained that he did not
know what God wanted of him in his life. My immediate response was, "How
much time do you spend with God in Bible study, prayer, and meditation
on Scripture?" "Only a few minutes a day," he replied. How can we expect
to hear and discern God's voice if we don't spend focused time with Him?
If you have a spouse, how did you get to know him or her before you were
married? You spent time together. You got to know everything about each
other. Our walk with God is no different. It isn't enough to have a
desire to follow God; we must put our energy into getting to know Him.
His will for us flows out of our relationship, it is not an end in
itself. Commit yourself to seeking Him more in your life by spending
more time with Him. "Call to Me and I will answer you and tell you great
and unsearchable things you do not know" (Jer. 33:3).
Friday, October 1, 2010
FEAR NOT
"For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of
love and of self-discipline." - 2 Timothy 1:7
God calls each of us to engage in spiritual warfare at times. Whenever
satan wants to come against one of God's children, he does so by trying
to intimidate through fear.
Goliath's formidable size and arrogant boasting intimidated Saul and
Israel's army. And because God's anointing had fallen from Saul, he was
unable to respond with courage to Goliath's charge. Fear paralyzes and
torments. That is why Saul could not respond.
The anointing had fallen on David, who was just a young boy, but mighty
in spirit. David did not cower at the size or shouts of the giant
Goliath. He saw Goliath through the eyes of God, who saw him as a mere
speck. David had righteous indignation for an affront to the armies of
the living God.
David did not weigh the risk of failure because his faith was resting
totally in God. That is another important factor in overcoming
fear-complete trust in God.
When the Lord began training me to confront fear, the training grounds
were a groundless lawsuit, intimidations, and calamity that confronted
my very existence. Learning that these were merely tactics of the enemy,
designed to instill fear, allowed me to stand firm in God's power to
overcome.
Do not fear sudden calamity if you are walking uprightly before God. It
may be setting the stage for a great victory that will bring praise and
honor to your heavenly Father. These battles are training grounds for
greater victories to come.
love and of self-discipline." - 2 Timothy 1:7
God calls each of us to engage in spiritual warfare at times. Whenever
satan wants to come against one of God's children, he does so by trying
to intimidate through fear.
Goliath's formidable size and arrogant boasting intimidated Saul and
Israel's army. And because God's anointing had fallen from Saul, he was
unable to respond with courage to Goliath's charge. Fear paralyzes and
torments. That is why Saul could not respond.
The anointing had fallen on David, who was just a young boy, but mighty
in spirit. David did not cower at the size or shouts of the giant
Goliath. He saw Goliath through the eyes of God, who saw him as a mere
speck. David had righteous indignation for an affront to the armies of
the living God.
David did not weigh the risk of failure because his faith was resting
totally in God. That is another important factor in overcoming
fear-complete trust in God.
When the Lord began training me to confront fear, the training grounds
were a groundless lawsuit, intimidations, and calamity that confronted
my very existence. Learning that these were merely tactics of the enemy,
designed to instill fear, allowed me to stand firm in God's power to
overcome.
Do not fear sudden calamity if you are walking uprightly before God. It
may be setting the stage for a great victory that will bring praise and
honor to your heavenly Father. These battles are training grounds for
greater victories to come.
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