Is Your Past Worth Your Present?

After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison… About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them.  Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken.  At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone’s chains came loose.  Acts 16:23-26 (NIV)

Whether we realize it or not, refusing to let go of our past will cost us our present.  It doesn’t matter if it’s an immediate past or years past.  The ability to forgive and let go of wrongs done to us frees us to receive and embrace the blessings God has for us in our present.  Now, we can always justify or have good reasons as to why we shouldn’t let go – why we shouldn’t let someone off the hook, so to speak.  However, at the same time, we can always choose to forgive, understanding that all things truly work out for our good because we really love God.  

Look at Paul and Silas.  They could have easily held on to the hurt and pain of being spitefully accused, falsely convicted and horribly beaten.  They could have easily justified having bad attitudes or even disgruntle dispositions.  Yet, they had prayers instead of resentment; they had praises instead of self-pity.  They chose not to concentrate of their hurt and pain, but on the goodness of God. Because of it - Paul, Silas, and every single person around them experienced a wonderful blessing.  All prison doors were opened and everyone's chains came loose.  

Today, ask yourself – is my past worth my present?  Is whatever happened to me in the past worth sacrificing what God is doing for me right now?  And do I really want to be surrounded by bound people?   The answer to all those questions is No.  So let go of your past because it’s not worth your present.

Are You That Hungry?

And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry.  Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, “If you are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.” But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.” (Matthew 4:2-4)

Two stories about two hungry people one act leading to prison, one act leading to freedom. Genesis Chapter 3 give the account of what is known as the fall of man.  After being deceive by the serpent to eat of the forbidden fruit, Eve offered her husband a piece.  At this point Adam had a choice, live a life without Eve or die along sider.  Adam so desired Eve, he chose to die with her rather than live without her.  Are you that hungry?

A man climbing in Utah's Bluejohn Canyon suddenly found himself trapped in a situation he may never have envisioned.  While climbing, an 800 pound bolder shifted and crushed and trapped his hand between the rock and the ground.  For 6 days he lied there waiting for help.  Finally at the thought of possible death, he made a tough decision to amputate his own hand.  He so desired life, he decided to amputate his own hand.  When ask the question about dying, his actions implied, I’m more hungry for life.

After fasting 40 days and 40 nights, Jesus was hungry and when challenged by the devil to turn stones in to bread to eat, His response implied, I’m not that hungry.  In the face of opposition, your actions will always communicate your true appetite.  The question is, is your appetite for God greater than your appetite for you.  Today is a simple reflective question to ask yourself when faced with opposition of right and wrong, flesh versus spirit.  Before I choose as the question, am I that hungry?

Be Thankful

Give thanks in all circumstances... 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NIV)

I have never seen a person who is focused on their problems give thanks.  I have, however, seen many distressed, distracted and disgruntled, when they are focused on an unfortunate circumstance.  Honestly, thanksgiving doesn’t come naturally when staring into the face of anything that is unpleasant – no matter what it is.  So in order for us to accomplish this – in order for us to be thankful in ALL circumstances – we have to learn how to refocus.

To refocus means to readjust or to concentrate on something different from before.  If you have ever taken a picture before, you know the difference it makes when something that was once out-of-focus is refocused.  It’s the difference between having a beautiful memento to cherish for life and having an unrecognizable picture that has to be discarded.  To complete the metaphor, all one has to do, for that beautiful memento, is to adjust a lens, press a button, or double-tap a screen.

Today, let us adjust our attitudes, press our faith and double-tap our thoughts.  Let us experience a beautiful day!  Let us refocus our attention on whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things (Philippians 4:8, KJV).  And Give thanks to God!

Time to invest my Time

Ephesians 5:15-16 (AMP)

Look carefully then how you walk! Live purposefully and worthily and accurately, not as the unwise and witless, but as wise (sensible, intelligent people), Making the very most of the time [buying up each opportunity], because the days are evil.

There is a plethora of sayings pertaining to time, Benjamin Franklin said “You may delay, but time will not.” William Shakespeare said “Better three hours too soon, than one minute too late” One of the most interesting things I noticed many of us do is improperly invest our time.  Our time is one of the most valuable assets we possess. It has a guaranteed rate of return.  Many of us would say something like this “if I had a little more time I could get this done.” The issue is not in amount of time we receive, the issue is where we are investing the time we already have.  Each of us are given 24 hours in a day, yet many of us request more time as if, if we received more time we will manage it better.  Whatever I properly give my time to, there will be an increase in that area, if I’m on my job, I give my time to my assignment there will be an increase in productivity; if I’m with my family, there will be an increase in relationship, if I’m studying, in prayer, meditating, whatever I give my time to, there will be an increase in that area, if you invest your time into nothing, you will reap nothing. 

Today is a simple challenge, evaluate where you invest your time and ask yourself, am I getting the proper rate of return.  Maximize your time and you will maximize your return.

Life's Certainties

And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19 (NIV).

In 1789, Benjamin Franklin wrote a letter to Jean-Baptiste Leroy.  In it, he wrote, "In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes".  The meaning is simply that no one can avoid death or the burden of paying taxes.  Throughout the years, this quote has become famous, and when someone says death and taxes, they are takes a negative stance on what the world considers certainties in life.  If we're not careful we too can become like the world and become negative.

As Christians, we have certainties as well.  One of which is that God supplies all our needs according to the riches of his glory.  Since God's glory is limitless - our hope in him should be as well.  When the certainties of this world end, the certainties of God arise in our lives.  That is, when the world says death is the end, for those of us who have accepted Christ as our savior, know that death is only the beginning.  Likewise, when the world is burdened with monetary obligations, we should not be.  I am a living witness that when you are where God wants you to be, doing what God wants you to do, you will never go without.  God does meet your need.

Today, let us be confident that God will supply all of our needs, whatever they may be.  Resist the temptation of negative talk or quotes or phrases.  Speak what is true - what is certain, which is God's Word.

Free From Frustration

The Lord will perfect that which concerns me; Your mercy, O Lord, endures forever, do not forsake the works of Your hands (Psalm 138:8 NKJV)

Here's a prescription for frustration: Try to do everything perfectly all the time.  Oh, you may tell yourself that you are being "sensible" and not expecting too much.  But it's so easy to get caught up in plans and create unrealistic expectations of who you are and what you should be.  You need to relax and memorize this motto: Do your best and let God do the rest.

When you try too hard to be perfect and totally in control, you create frustration.  Life is a gift, but it's a gift with grit.  Sometimes you'll try to achieve a goal and fall short.  Tempers flair, rooms get messy, bodies get sick and clothes winkle.  It's all part of life.

What is your definition of a perfect person? a perfect relationship? a perfect career? a perfect marriage? Does your definition of perfect get in the way of enjoying life as it really is?  Can you become more comfortable with seeing yourself as someone who is loved and forgiven by God.  Can you appreciate the beauties of home, family, relationships, work, and worship as works in progress instead of lacking in polished perfection?

Relax and learn to love the imperfections.  Recognize that God creates beauty out of imperfections.  You are a person in process, and when you give yourself to the processes of God, you will discover a new and more beautiful definition of grace and perfection.

Is the power in YOU or the SPIRIT of GOD.

And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellent of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching were no with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.  (1 Corinthian 2:1-5 GNT)

While growing up I was a very good manipulator; I had the ability to talk myself out of almost any trap. I had the ability to communicate my point or my thought to almost anyone in almost anyway.  If I needed something from someone I could cry at the drop of a dime, so people would sympathized with me.  I could communicate with the intellects on their level in a way that would keep them doing my work. I could communicate with the athletes by speaking their language and get what I needed from them.  It was the power of persuasion.

Once I gave my life to Christ and began to attempt to live according to the Word of God, instinctively, I began to apply the same methods I used growing up.  I began to intellectualize the Word of God. Because it made since to me, I thought I was the source of the understanding.  How wrong was I? Although everything I said was spoken with good articulation, there was no power.  Although people’s minds were shifting about me, their minds were not shifting about God.  I had become the god in my convincing, it was all about me.  And the issue was our faith does is not in human wisdom, but in the power of God and His Spirit.  Because of me people were continuing to suffer, because of me people were missing God.  Paul learned something very valuable and we should be careful to imitate.  It’s in our weakness that God is made strong.  Today is a simple challenge, in your communication with people, even yourself, communicate the power of God, not the power in your ability and watch what God does with your faith.  Paul said it was in his efforts to communicate Christ above himself that he was able to speak with demonstration and power of the spirit with proof.  

Freedom in Forgiveness

Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me?  Up to seven times?”  Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times. Matthew 18:21-23 (NIV)

It is interesting that Peter asked about limiting forgiveness. Perhaps he just wanted to continue the conversation that Jesus had just finished about dealing with sin in the church.  A natural progression would be dealing with someone who sins against you personally.  Or perhaps, Peter was simply tired of having to forgive someone who kept doing wrong against him, and wanted to know how long he had to put up with it.  We really don't know what prompted Peter to ask the question, but I'm quite sure we can relate to the latter suggestion.  Each one of us has a limit, and when we reach it - we quite honestly don't want to have to forgive that person, again.

Nevertheless, Jesus tells us that we are to forgive seventy-seven times.   Now Jesus isn't saying we should forgive only 490 times.  Then on the 491st time, that's it!  No forgiveness for you!  He is making a point, which is this - we are to always forgive.  We can then infer also that we are to forgive even those who have passed away – since we should always forgive.  And really – what good is it to continue to be upset with someone who is no longer alive; they can’t see how flared our nostrils are; how twisted our lips are; or how cold our piercing eyes are?  The bottom line is this – we free ourselves from anger and resentment - when we forgive those who wronged us, whether they are alive or dead.

Today let us remember how God freed us, when we asked for His forgiveness and how He was faithful and just to forgive us our sins.  Now remain free and forgive others.

Listening to Your Conscience

To the pure all things are pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; but even their mind and conscience are defiled (Titus 1:15 NKJV)

Have you ever stopped in the middle of an activity because an internal voice was warning you of potentially negative consequences? Or paused mid-sentence because that same voice was cautioning you that your words might be unnecessarily hurtful?  That little voice is what some might call your conscience.  But what is your conscience? And is it trustworthy?

If cartoons are to be believed, your conscience wears angel wings and sits on one of your shoulders, offering the good-guy advice that is in sharp contrast to the devilish suggestions from the character with the pointy tail on your other shoulder.  Amazingly, dictionaries seem to agree.  The American Heritage Dictionary defines conscience as "the awareness of a moral or ethical aspect to one's conduct together with the urge to prefer right over wrong.  But there is a problem.  Who's to say what's "right" and what's "wrong"?  What source does this little voice reference to determine that which is considered moral or ethical?  Good question.  In his letter to Titus, Paul suggested that a conscience can be bad as well as good.  He also pointed out the difference between the two.

Without the anchor of a relationship with God, a conscience is nothing more than a reasonable facsimile of morality, something pieced together out of societal norms and wordly wisdom.  For those who know God, however that which they call conscience is most likely guidance from the creator of morality:  God in His Spirit.  Working from the inside out, God's Spirit can nudge you toward intelligent decisions on what to say and what to do and what not to say or what not to do.

Does that mean everything you hear from the voice in your head is a directive from God?  Probably not.  But if you desire to know God and to do His will, more often than not the voice you hear whispering advice will be the still small voice of God.  It's a voice worth listening to.

Grace Under Fire

Then Jesus said to them, “Give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s.” And they were amazed at him. Mark 12:17 (NIV)

When I look at my life, it is amazing to me how far I have grown in God.  There was once a time when every ill-willed act against me was met with an ill-willed response.  I do believe you know what I mean - where fire is met with fire, and grace is nowhere to be found.  I would marvel over those who showed grace in their mannerisms towards those who wished, hoped and even schemed for their demise.  I thought, "That could never be me".  Now I really don't know when it happened, but I do know that it has - I am now starting to change, and show grace under fire.

In our scripture for today, Jesus was in total control when responding to what was supposed to have been a trap.  In other words, he showed grace under fire.  The Pharisees and Herodians wanted to trap Jesus in committing blasphemy.  They asked if it was lawful for a Jew to pay taxes to Roman.  That is to say - who was the ultimate authority in his life, Caesar or God?  Jesus asked whose image was on the money for paying taxes.  They said Caesar's.  So Jesus responded give back to Caesar what was Caesar's (taxes, the money that had his face on it) and to God what was God's (tithes, praise and worship).

Today let us practice grace under fire.  When someone comes at us with the wrong intentions – let us not respond with harshness, but let us respond with grace - be in control, be direct and leave them amazed.