He'll Get You Through It! – Psalm 46:1-2

1  God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. 

2  Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,...
– Psalm 46:1-2

He'll Get You Through It!

Have you ever struggled with anything in your life?  Me too.  

Have you ever had anything so "heavy" that the weight of it just kept you from doing anything and it even took your breath away?  

So have I.  

We have all been there, and we have all struggled with things like addictions, fear, worry, and/or character faults like pride, envy, greed, or jealousy, and we have all confided with close friends or relatives about how we know God can help us through our troubles. What we haven't confided (if we are truthful), is that we really don't believe a word of what we've shared (OUCH!).  

Oh we would like to believe it, but because sometimes our faith is based on immediate results, we don't even believe God can really help us, or that there is real power in His Word.  Not you?  Never?  I can honestly (and ashamedly), say that I have been there a time or two (or three), in my life.

It's easy to believe in God when things are going great isn't it?  I mean when it seems like everything you do is blessed by God, and all the puzzle pieces of your life are fitting just as they should, faith is easy.  But what about those times when God feels so distant and all of your heart cries just seem to echo against the cavernous walls of the abyss of emptiness?  Faith is a hard word then isn't it?

It is in those times when our faith needs to be the strongest.  We need to press in to God, through prayer and through His Word in order to discover His refuge, His strength, and His ever-present help, that today's scripture verse talks about.  We just have to BELIEVE that God is who He says He is, but just as important, we have to understand who and what God isn't.

Huh?

By "getting" that God doesn't work on things the way we want and expect Him to, we can stop wondering why our half-hearted and selfish prayers aren't getting answered.  God isn't going to wiggle His nose or cross His arms and blink and "poof" all of our problems will disappear.  He's bigger than that.  He's better than that.  

He does things the way HE wants - for our good - so that we can live the life that HE planned for us. Yes, we HAVE to believe, whole-heartedly (that means with ALL our heart, soul, and mind), that God is who He says He is; that His Word IS absolute.  We cannot waiver from that, nor can we add our own theology or expectations – God just won't honor that kind of selfishness.

We need to worship God for who He is. Majestic and Sovereign!  Holy!  Great and Powerful!  Merciful and Mighty is He!  If we can live each day in the Strength of the Lord, we will make progress in our journey to being Christ-like.  We don't need to fear or be concerned about failing because we won't be walking in our own weakness.  We'll be walking in His Strength.  

Our God is an Awesome and Powerful very present Help in all of our trouble . . . IF, we believe on Him as God.

Prayer
Father, I will worship You as You really are.  Help me to understand who You are in my life so that I can tell everyone how great You truly are.  I want to feel You in my heart so that I can surrender completely to You.  Thank You Lord, for being my hiding place when the world seems to be falling apart around me.  Remold me Lord to be a reflection of your Love and Your Glory.

Let us all seek God for who He truly is today!

Be blessed everyone!

– Richard

Ain't It AWESOME! – 1 Thessalonians 5:9-11

9  God didn't set us up for an angry rejection but for salvation by our Master, Jesus Christ.  
10 He died for us, a death that triggered life.  Whether we are awake with the living or asleep with the dead, we are alive with Him!  
11 So speak encouraging words to one another.  Build up hope so you will all be together in this – no one left out, no one left behind.  I know you are already doing this – just keep doing it!
– 1 Thessalonians 5:9-11

Ain't It AWESOME!

I love this scripture because it quickly reminds me how much God loves us.  Yes, He loves us – YOU AND ME!  In His perfect wisdom, He knew we needed a Savior – not just so that we can go about our daily business, living life and all that that brings here on earth, but even when we pass from this world and on to the next – with Him!  Do you know what that means?  Can you grasp the awesomeness of it all?

The same Christ – the One who we all look forward to living in eternity with, is already here with us!  We have Him with us – in ALL His magnificence and Glory!  We don't have to look forward – we just have to look inward!  The same Peace; the same Joy; the same Love; the same Forgive-ability-ness; the One and Only Christ is HERE . . . right NOW . . . WITH US!  

So REJOICE!  

WE LIVE WITH CHRIST!

  –  Victorious!  

  –  Righteous!  

  –  Free from condemnation!  

We are His chosen priesthood, designed from the beginning of the world to share in His love and amazing grace – right now and forever – AMEN!  

Remember this the next time you start getting down on yourself or when life starts seeming a little too "much" (or even a lot too much)!  Remember who is inside you – giving you the strength to get through it and cheering you on.  Remember that He willingly became YOUR sin (and mine), so that He could defeat it forever, and you will never, never, never have to be slave to it again!  Remember ALL that He has delivered you from so that you can encourage those around you.  Walk in the fullness of Christ, who is ALWAYS with you, and you will see miracles . . . not only in your life but in the lives of anyone and everyone you come in contact with.

THANK YOU JESUS!

Prayer
Father, thank You for giving me life through Your Son Jesus.  I pray that I will always remember that I have Him HERE with me NOW!  May I be a blessing to someone today by building them up and speaking encouragement into their lives.  Also, let me accept encouragement from others in all humility.

Have a blessed day everyone!

– Richard

Put Up Your Dukes! – 1 Timothy 6:12

12 Fight the good fight of faith, take hold of the eternal life to which you were called.
– 1 Timothy 6:12 

Put Up Your Dukes!

When I was young, my good friend Rudy convinced me to train with him to be a Golden Gloves Boxer.  The daily training and regimen was extremely difficult, but I had my buddy by my side to encourage me through it all.  At first, I could barely lift my arms with those giant 16-ounce gloves on, and I couldn't even do 10 push-ups, but before long, I was right there with all of the other boxers - hitting the speed bag, tossing the medicine ball, counting off (what seemed like) never-ending 3-munite rounds of push-ups and sit-ups and of course, perfecting my technique for spitting into the big silver bucket (I'm not sure why that was important, but I remember taking great pride in the spit I could produce . . . hmmm, a thought for another day).

Even though the routine became easier as time went on, the one training exercise I couldn't stand, and avoided as much as possible, was shadow boxing.  There we were, six or seven of us at a time in the ring, punching and jabbing at absolutely nothing.  To me it seemed futile.  I could see that others were quite good at it and for some, it even looked like they were actually fighting.  Even though Shorty (our trainer), explained that it was important to be able to visualize what to do in different situations throughout a fight, I just didn't buy in to it, so I just half-heartedly went through the motions.

At last, after weeks and weeks of training, I got my first chance for an actual spar (boxing practice against an actual opponent), and I was very excited.  I was confident and I wanted to put on a good show for my friend and for my trainer.  I got my butt whipped!

While I was in great physical shape, and my punches were on target and my jabs snapped through the air (and I spit perfectly in the bucket), I just wasn't prepared for the onslaught of punches and combinations from my opponent. 

I hadn't taken advantage of all of the training techniques that Shorty designed for me.  By discounting the shadow boxing exercises, I robbed myself of the ability to visualize my opponent, and to plan how to escape and avoid his  attack.  Needless to say that I never took shadow boxing for granted again and I entered the rest of my fights fully prpared. The outcome wasn't always what I wanted, but my losses were never because I had taken my training for granted.

Our Christian walk is a lot like that training.  There are many techniques and exercises available to us in order to strengthen our faith, our knowledge, and our ministry.  Some are obvious but some may seem a little awkward at times.  Of course we need to take full advantage of God's Word, and our prayer and devotion time is important so that we can get to know and commune with God . . . but how many of us exercise visualizing what we will do when the enemy attacks.  I'm not talking about the big attacks – illness, finances, death of a loved one, etc.  I'm talking about the daily temptations of life that are snares to every one of us.

We need to take a truthful look at ourselves, understand who we are in Christ, understand and be honest about who we would be without Him (this one is very important), and plan our strategies for combating those temptations.  We need to do this daily! Every morning of every day!  

Prepare for the attacks so that you can fight a good fight.  Stop being victimized by circumstances and you will soon find more and more victories in and over your life!

We are more than conquerors!  We are Victorious Warriors! We are children of the Most High God!

Prayer

Father, thank You for reminding me that I need to be prepared and that I need to train my mind and my spirit to combat the enemy. I always want to fight the good fight so that I can live this life in hopes of reaching my eternal life - the one You called me to. Help me to recognize and to ward off the blows that the enemy will try to use against me. Help me to see his plan so that with Your help I can live this life Victoriously!

Have a blessed day everyone!

– Richard

True Happiness – Psalm 32:1-2

1 Happy are those whose sins are forgiven, TruHappiness. 
2 Happy is the one whom the Lord does not accuse of doing wrong and who is free from all deceit.
–  Psalm 32:1-2 (Good News Translation)

True Happiness
Have you ever noticed that people who are constantly in turmoil and/or trouble attribute their constant state of woe to not being "happy?"  They are constantly looking for happiness, but they just can't seem to find it!  They go from thing to thing, thinking that the new "thing" is THE thing that will finally bring them the happiness they seek.  The problem is, that soon that "thing" loses its flavor and the temporary excitement of finally finding "it" is replaced by more sadness and depression.  It's a vicious cycle and it is very sad to know that there are so many that seek to be happy by accumulating "things" instead of looking up, and letting go.

You see it's only when we "let go" of our own wants and desires, and we look up and forward to what God wants for us and needs us to do, that we put ourselves in position to realize true happiness.  It is only by coming to the saving Grace of Jesus Christ that we can realize true happiness – anything else is just temporary and meaningless.  The freedom that we can realize when we finally get what living "in" Christ means is the only way to truly live happy and contented lives.  That is not to say that we will never be sad, or experience tragedy or depression . . . it IS to say that when our time of weeping or sadness or depression is over, the joy of the Lord will strengthen us back to a time of peace, and excitement, and yes, happiness.

The Bible tells us that there is a time for everything, and our lives will always experience cycles of opposites.  Highs and lows, light and dark, big and little, alive and dead, sick and well, sad and happy – the time for these is appointed to each one of us, but the one constant, the one truth, the one promise we can hold on to, is our place with Jesus for all eternity. THAT is our source of happiness and nothing the world can throw our way can take it away from us.  

Now, then . . . those of us who have found and accepted that truth, are required to share that hope with those who don't have it yet.  I heard (on the radio I think), someone posing it this way:  If you suddenly found the cure for all cancer, would you not be obligated to share it with the world?  Would you not be excited to share it? We have the cure for death itself!  We have the answer to finding true happiness!  Now WE have to have the boldness to share it. 

Are we sharing the secret to happiness?  Are we making a difference in this world?  Maybe if we spent a little less time feeding our own walk, we could find a little more time to help someone else find the happiness they are so desperately seeking.  I know I am as guilty of this as anyone. It is so much easier to focus on my own need to get as close as I can to Christ, but I need to balance that with feeling the need to share that closeness and His love with those around me.  So that's what I'm working on . . . will you join me? Maybe, just maybe, we can help the world find the true happiness that keeps eluding them.

Prayer
Lord, I thank You for the true happiness that You have given me.  I thank You for  being my source of joy and for making my life wonderful.  I thank You for bringing balance to all my days and for being my life Source.  I pray Lord, that I can be a difference in someones life today and that I can be the light that puts them on the path to finding their own salvation and ultimate happiness.  Forgive my busy-ness in Your name Lord.  In my attempt to serve, I have wound up serving myself, and while I so enjoy growing to know You and learning how to live as a Christian, I realize that I may need to lighten the load I have placed on myself, and focus more on finding the fire that compels me to share Your love and happiness with the rest of the world.  

Have a blessed day everyone!

– Richard

Peaches, Apples, & Grapes – Galatians 5:22-23

22  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 

23  Gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

– Galatians 5:22-23

Peaches, Apples, & Grapes

Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness and Self-control – I will do my best to live up to the power of this "fruit" in everything I do today and if I'm successful I will sing praises to God . . . but if I'm not, at the end of the day when I reflect on how things went today, I will still praise God and thank Him for His Grace. Then . . . I will lay my head down and be at peace.

You see the sweetness of this kind of fruit comes from the decisions and the choices that I will make throughout my day.

I choose to Love

– I will love because God is Love and I love Him - I will remind myself of that when criticism rears its ugly head.

I choose to have Joy

– I will invite God into my circumstances and I will choose to see my problems as an opportunity to show everyone how good God is.

I choose Peace

– I will forgive and I will seek forgiveness. I will not let me pride be offended by anything or anyone.

I choose to be Patient

– I will look for opportunities to be 2nd (or 3rd or 4th). I will smile when I am inconvenienced and I will thank God for the opportunity to wait.

I choose to be Kind

– I will think on how good and kind my Lord has been to me and I will do my best to pass that on to others.

I choose to be Good

– I will do the right thing and I will look for opportunities to show the love of Jesus to others.

I choose to be Faithful

– I will keep my promises and I will do my best to make sure that others can trust me - with everything I do.

I choose to be Gentle

– I will not raise my voice today  . . . except to praise my Savior.

I choose Self Control

– I will monitor myself and I will think on God and His love and Grace for me before I make any decision.

I choose to honor my Father today by doing my very best - for Him. My choices and my decisions will reflect who I am - according to His Word.  My actions will show others that I believe what my Father says about me.  And at the end of my day, I will lay me head down in Peace and I will rest in His Grace.

Prayer

Father, I give my day to you and I will make my choices according to who You say I am.  I will be fruitful to the best of my ability. And Lord, I ask for Your guiding hand to help me and to show me if my fruit begins to sour. Let my life reflect who You are so that others are drawn into Your loving arms.

Have a blessed day everyone!

– Richard

Are You A Lumpy Christian? – Galatians 5:9

9 A little leaven leavens the whole lump.
– Galatians 5:9

Are You A Lumpy Christian?
We all know that just hearing the word "lump" brings about negative visual imagery – especially in this day and age when a lump usually means a nervous trip to the doctor followed by more nervousness and uncertainty as one waits for test results.  A lump can also mean that you have received a serious blow to a part of your body.  Then there are lumps in your throat, lumps in your oatmeal, and lumpy mattresses.  We can take our lumps and we can even sit there like a lump.  Either way you look at it – lumps can all be lumped together in one big negative "lump" sum.

In today's devotion we see that the negative influences in our life can turn us into lumpy, ineffective Christians.  Most of those influences may seem insignificant and harmless, but as soon as we start allowing them to become a part of our thought life and daily habits, we put ourselves in real danger of becoming a lump in the body of Christ.  One that can spread and grow as quickly as the lumps that send us running to our doctors.  There have been times in each of our lives when we have all shown signs of being a lump in the life of our church.  For some of us "lumps," we are benign and our negative influence can be quickly removed, but for some, the things that we are allowing in our lives have a real danger of doing major damage, not only to ourselves and our families, but to the church body as well.

A lumpy Christian is one who fits smoothly in to society and whose life does not shed any light on the darkness which surrounds those they have influence over.  They laugh at the same crude jokes;  they drink and party to excess;  they drive way too fast and too aggressively;  they show up late to work;  they get upset when things don't go their way (even in ministry); they hold on to past hurts, and they refuse to forgive things that happened many, many years ago.  They don't live any differently, and their walk is constantly a challenge because they have allowed the small things that are contrary to God's Word become normal things in their lives.  So while those "normal" things help them to function better (in their own minds), and they can blend better in society, they are casting a lumpy shadow on the rest of the church because while they are out there, living it up for their own pleasure, their unchurched friends and coworkers are getting a deformed view of what Christianity is all about.

We need to stop being lumpy.  We need to stop desiring the "treasures" of this world and we need to start believing God's Word, and putting It into practice.  We need to let the Holy Spirit reveal those little things that can work their way into our routines and become "normal" behavior, so that we can start spreading the Gospel by the way we live.  If we would start living full and Spirit-filled lives, Christianity would start appealing to the masses as something that is genuine and real, and something that could be counted on to bring wholeness and healing and community.  Isn't that what everyone is looking for?  We need to smooth out the Christian image, but it is going to have to start by getting rid of the little things in our lives that have changed us into ineffective, unappealing lumps in the Body of Christ.

Prayer
Father, I am so sorry for being a lumpy Christian.  I thank You for Your Word and for showing me that there are things in my life that I need to change.  Help me to get rid of the unlovely things in my life so that I can be a better witness of the love and forgiveness that comes from knowing You.  I pray that I can change someone's mind today about what Christianity is all about – through the grace of Your Love and the Power of Your Holy Spirit I know I can do it.

Have a blessed and lump-free day everyone!

– Richard

A Prayer For You All! – Ephesians 3:14-21

A Prayer For You All!

14 For this reason I kneel before the Father, 

15 from whom His whole family 

      in heaven and on earth derives its name. 

16 I pray that out of His glorious riches 

      He may Strengthen you with Power 

      through His Spirit in your inner being, 

17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. 

      And I pray that you, 

      being rooted and established in Love, 

18 may have Power, 

      together with ALL the saints, 

      to grasp How Wide, 

      and How Long,

      and How High, 

      and How Deep, 

      IS the Love of Christ, 

19 and to know this Love 

      that surpasses ALL knowledge

      that you may be Filled 

      to the measure of ALL the Fullness of God.

20 Now to Him who IS ABLE 

      to do immeasurably More 

      than ALL we ask, 

      or imagine, 

      according to His Power 

      that is at work within us, 

21 to Him be Glory in the Church 

      and in Christ Jesus 

      throughout ALL generations, 

      FOREVER AND EVER! 

      AMEN!

 – Ephesians 3:14-21

Nothing I can add can top this one – I pray this for you ALL today!

Have a blessed day everyone!

– Richard

Peace Out! – 2 Corinthians 13:11

11 Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace;  and the God of Love and Peace will be with you.
– 2 Corinthians 13:11

Peace Out!
Rejoice!
Restore your relationships!
Comfort one another!
Agree with one another!
Live in Peace!
     THEN...God, who IS Love and Peace, will be with you.

Pretty heady stuff eh?  Can you wrap your mind around this one?  The ball is in your court – whatcha gonna do with it?  You gonna run with it or are you gonna sit around waiting for God to make you feel like being a lovable and peaceful Christian?   If that's the case I hope you have a good set of lungs because you're gonna be holding your breath for-a-long-time!  

God wants us to take the initiative and show the world that we are different – that we talk differently, we drive differently, we live differently, and we react differently – not because we are being made to, but because we choose to.  We have to make a conscious effort to rejoice in the face of tough situations like when we receive a bad Dr's report, or a job loss, or to show love and compassion to those who oppose us.  We must choose to speak life into situations that by all outward appearances seem to be hopeless, and we must live peaceably and be examples of calm in the midst of our trials so that our neighbors and coworkers, and anyone else observing us will be drawn to the light of Christ that dwells within us.

As we do this . . . as we make the choice to rejoice in the life that we have, and as we demonstrate peace, and love, and kindness, and we learn to live full and contented lives (despite our circumstances), we will experience God's love and peace which will enable us to go even deeper in our relationship with Him.  In turn, this will allow us to be even more effective in bringing peace and love and joy to those who don't know Christ.  It is a continuous cycle that as Christians, we should be constantly working in and towards.  

I have been trying to apply this in my own life and I can tell you that I have never felt more at peace with who I am and my walk in Christ.  I am, on a daily basis, getting a better understanding of the depth of God's love and the sweet taste and aroma of His peace in my life, and I actually feel physically better because of it.  Oh, I still have arthritis, and I still have all the aches and pains that go with that, but the stress just isn't there as much.  I wish I could say it isn't there at all, but I am still learning how to make the right choices in celebrating my life as Christ intended, and I know that everyday, I will get a little bit better at living in peace.

Won't you join me in making a lifestyle change?  Make the choice to be a peacemaker and watch your life change for the better.  I challenge you to give up something that you feel is rightfully and justifiably yours in order to bring peace to the situation.  For example, have you been at odds with someone over a debt that is owed?  Forgive the debt and then apologize for any ill-feelings that may have come about because of the debt.  Are you angry with someone for hurting your feelings?  Go to them and apologize for being angry at them (chances are they aren't even aware you've been angry).  Do you have a family member that you haven't talked to in a long time because of something that happened years ago?  Call them today and tell them you love them.  Then watch as God moves in your life – and theirs.  Send me a note with your story . . . I'd love to hear how God has restored your relationships because you made the choice to be a peacemaker!

Prayer
Father I thank You for the revelation of my role in living in peace and rejoicing in my life.  For too long I was expecting You to bring peace in my life but I wasn't willing to do my part.  I see now that I must make the choice to live as a peacemaker in order for Your grace and peace to be active in my life.  I pray that as I continue living my life according to Your Word, others will be drawn to Your peace, which surpasses all earthly understanding.

Have a blessed day everyone!

– Richard

Shameless Hope – Psalm 119:116

116 Uphold me according to Your word, that I may live; And do not let me be ashamed of my hope.
– Psalm 119:116

Shameless Hope
One of the biggest areas of weakness in my Christian walk is in being able to openly share the Gospel with folks I don't know - you know . . . Strangers!  It wasn't always like that though.  When I was first saved I was one on-fire Christian.  It just so happened that I was saved two months before I entered the Art Institute, and my "peers" at the time were "free" thinkers and "darkness" worshipers.  You know the kind . . . witches, vampires, stoners, freaks, etc., etc.  Everyone – I mean Everyone got a big dose of "JEEESus" with both Fire and Brimstone barrels blasting away at their sin and debauchery.

Needless to say I clashed with my classmates like plaid pants and polkadot shirts, and I got into quite a few confrontations because of it.  So what changed?  I guess over the years, as my new Christian "honeymoon" period ended, I grew tired of always having to defend myself (notice that my focus was on myself).  I never made much headway with the art school kids and I know it was because of my accusatory and not-so-"Grace"-full approach.  Looking back I wish that I could have shown more of the Love of Jesus in my approach, but I thought I was doing the right thing at the time.

I must say that some years later I had the divine appointment, and yes, the joy of working with a witch (not the black hat, toads, and warts kind, but the mother earth, love-spells, and chanting kind . . . still however, very much a witch), and we had a good working relationship.  When she found out I was a Christian, she started trying to shock me with some of her life views, but instead of taking the bait, I just shared with her that even though I personally didn't believe in what she did, all I could do was show her the love of Christ and pray for her.  I also shared what Jesus had done for me and how He changed my life.  I would also ask her if I could pray for her from time-to-time.  She would always decline but I know that the gesture touched her heart and she even told me once that she had never met a Christian like me and she even used the word "refreshing.".  Who knows, she may just be a Christian now because of the seed God had me plant all those years ago.

All that to say that I haven't always struggled with personal evangelism and even now, if the right situation presents itself, I can comfortably share Jesus, and everyone who knows me, knows that I am a Christian.  It's just the street-kind of evangelism that I'm not comfortable with, and when I try to look at the root behind this lack of confidence, I have to admit that it all boils down to pride and fear (which go hand-in-hand by the way).

What will people think of me?
What if they get angry or violent?
What if they ask a question I don't know?
What if I do it wrong?

I know that all of these "what ifs" are silly but I must confess that they still hold me back.  I am learning though, that if I will just open my mouth, that Jesus will "uphold me" and the Holy Spirit will give me the words to say.  And no matter the person's response, I can have confidence in my faith.  God won't let me down and I won't ever be ashamed of my hope which is life in Christ forever.

So how do I get over my fear?  I could tell you that I am going door-to-door this weekend to share God's Word, but I wouldn't be telling you the truth.  The truth is that I need your prayers in this area.  Now don't get me wrong, I don't think God has called me to be a street preacher, so my goal isn't to take up residence on a downtown corner and hand out tracts, but I would like to be able to openly share Jesus with the Starbucks barista or the clerk at Home Depot.  I would love to be able to share Jesus while I'm in the checkout line at the grocery store, or while getting my hair cut, and I know that I will get there.  I just need to get over myself and let the Holy Spirit guide me so that before long, it will be second nature to me.  Knowing this and doing this are world's apart however, so please pray for me as I seek God's face and I ask Him for a new boldness and courage in my personal evangelism, and I will pray for you too.

Prayer
Father I need Your help.  I need to get rid of the pride that has a grip on my life so that I can openly share Your Word.  I know that it is silly to be fearful, but at the same time I am letting that fear keep me from sharing the love of Jesus.  I am asking You to put into my heart, the burning desire to share Your Love, Grace, and Forgiveness with everyone.  I am asking You to reveal those moments that I need to step out in faith and open my mouth in obedience.  I am asking You to take the fear of rejection out of my heart and replace it with the joy of revelation.  Uphold me Lord, according to Your Word, that I may live for You - unashamed, unafraid, and unintimidated.

Have a blessed day everyone!

– Richard

"Bean" There - Done That – Genesis 25:29-34

29 One day Jacob was cooking a stew. Esau came in from the field, starved. 

30 Esau said to Jacob, "Give me some of that red stew - I'm starved!"  That's how he came to be called Edom (Red). 

31 Jacob said, "Make me a trade: my stew for your rights as the firstborn."  

32 Esau said, "I'm starving!  What good is a birthright if I'm dead?"  

33 Jacob said, "First, swear to me."  And he did it.  On oath Esau traded away his rights as the firstborn.  

34 Jacob gave him bread and the stew of lentils.  He ate and drank, got up and left.  That's how Esau shrugged off his rights as the firstborn.

– Genesis 25:29-34

"Bean" There - Done That

In this story, we see that Esau came in from the field "starved" but I would venture to say he was starved much in the same way we would come in from a hard days' work - not really starved, but really hungry.  I  don't think he was to the point of death, even though he claimed to be.  It's just that the stew smelled so good and he wanted some (Esau was used to getting his way).  He was so insistent in getting what he wanted that he gave away his birthright – for a bowl of beans – just to satisfy his flesh.  The Word says that Esau ate and drank then got up and left.  I bet he let out a loud obnoxious belch as he walked out the door.

Have you ever wanted something in the moment and were willing to trade something valuable to get it?  No?  I would venture to say that if we're not careful, we can compromise who we are in Christ almost every day. No, I'm not talking about the big things (like birthrights), but how about things like honesty, purity, righteousness, integrity?

It could be something as simple as breaking the speed limit (but I'm late to church), or maybe spending a little too much time on facebook during working hours (but I need to keep up with what's going on), or how about watching a move you really shouldn't be watching (but "racy" pictures and foul language are just a part of life nowadays).  We could come up with all kinds of excuses, but each time we give in to even the most (seemingly) insignificant "want," or "desire," we are compromising who we are in Christ.

Ask the Lord to reveal the things that satisfy your flesh, and then ask Him to help you to resist the enemy and temptation to satisfy those needs.  Let's claim victory over self indulgence this week and present ourselves as holy to our Lord.  Let's show Him that as His children, we aren't spoiled little brats but mature warriors, ready to stand victorious over the offerings of the enemy.  We will see our walks go to new heights, and this world that we live in might just be changed as we set examples of what it really means to live as Christians.

Prayer
Father, please show me those triggers that set off my need for self gratification.  I know that I seek my own will far too often and I need Your help to claim victory over that part of my life.  I want to serve You and to only do Your will.  I want to be so in tune with Your design for my life, that anything and everything that I might seek to satisfy "me" would no longer be desirable, but that Your Word and Your Heart would be my sole desire.

Have a blessed day everyone!

– Richard