STILL HERE...AND RUNNING THE RACE

It's been a strange, busy time the last month. I haven't been able to blog my devotions, and to be honest with you, it's a direct reflection of the fact that my time with the Father has been suffering. It's funny how we can become so caught up in the affairs of life that we don't even realize that we have skipped a meeting with Him. When I do realize that it has been a couple of days, I allow my flesh to reason the conviction away and promise to do better because I'm walking in grace and not legalism.

I am, I realize, operating under grace. But that is not an excuse to fall into disobedience. Grace is the nature of the Father in how He deals with me. To use that as a crutch to not walk in the light of what I know to be true is abuse. Yes, that may sound a bit harsh, but it is time we start calling sin, sin. To glaze over it is dishonor to our Lord.

A side effect of not walking in fellowship with the Father is how I recognize changes in relationships moving back to what they were before I got my head on straight. A little more edgy attitude, a little sharp in the responses, feeling more pressure from the outside, noticing that others are struggling a little more because I'm not praying for them or responding to them in a way that encourages and edifies. My role as a father and husband changes. I don't like that feeling. I want to be strong for my family. I want to be the encourager. I want to be the one that my boys and my wife can depend on.

All that said, I'm back in the swing of things. I'm learning to forgive myself and to keep pressing for the mark. Any long distance runner will tell you that it is an even stride that will get you to the finish.

That thought takes me back to the Olympics. I was watching the marthon runners. When the race started, there were those that took off and set a great distance between themselves and the pack. I remember sitting there thinking that this can't be much of an event if the leaders are so easily made so early. But as I watched, I found that those in the lead quickly tired and before long they were no longer in the lead...sometimes they were no longer even mentioned. As they settled into their run, I'm sure they all finished, but at that point, it was just about finishing, not winning. The runners that maintained a steady pace and knew when to press harder ended up in the lead. Don't get me wrong. I'm not necessarily interested in being the lead runner for everyone, but for my family I am. In someone's race I will be a runner that finishes. In my personal race, I want to be the pacesetter that pulls others to be better than they would be if they relaxed or gave up. I'm still here...and running the race.

Catching My Breath

Romans 8:26-28 (The Message)

"Meanwhile, the moment we get tired in the waiting, God's Spirit is right alongside helping us along. If we don't know how or what to pray, it doesn't matter. He does our praying in and for us, making prayer out of our wordless sighs, our aching groans. He knows us far better than we know ourselves, knows our pregnant condition, and keeps us present before God. That's why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good. "

IN PLAIN ENGLISH

Sometimes, in the really hard times of life, I simply don't know how or what to pray. Sometimes, if I'm honest with myself, I don't even know if it's worth the effort. Sometimes, if I'm REALLY honest with myself, my flesh seems too overpowering. It is in those times that I find comfort in knowing - and I mean totally wrapping myself in the knowledge - that the Holy Spirit is there with me to take over. He knows what to pray to get me back on my feet and running again. Amazingly, sometimes I need to get quiet and just allow Him to pray over me and reconnect my spirit with Him. He will keep me in that right place - that perfect connection with the Father - as I allow him the freedom to do so.

AS FOR ME

How much God must love me to make a support system to keep me going. In college, there was a class I took that dealt with providing a learning environment for my classroom. The term the professor used was scaffolding. I picture it this way in my head. From a construction standpoint, a scaffold is something that is used to support and lift so that the worker can continue to move up on the project. With each level, a new piece is added to the scaffold so that the worker feels safe and confident that he won't fall (or fail in the "learning" environment). The Holy Spirit works the same way. As I progress in my Christian walk, I'm building a scaffold under me that is created by my faith and victories. When I get tired, the scaffold continues to support me and keep me in place - through the intercessions of the Holy Spirit - until I catch my breath and continue on.

Giving Honestly and Happily

I Chronicles 29:14, 17

(14) "But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand.
(17)I know, my God, that you test the heart and are pleased with integrity. All these things have I given willingly and with honest intent." (NIV)

(14) "But me—who am I, and who are these my people, that we should presume to be giving something to you? Everything comes from you; all we're doing is giving back what we've been given from your generous hand.
(17) I know, dear God, that you care nothing for the surface—you want us, our true selves—and so I have given from the heart, honestly and happily." (MSG)

IN PLAIN ENGLISH
Everything that comes to us, comes from the Father. God of the Universe. The Creator of ALL THINGS. Understanding that simple fact, gaining that tiny piece of revelation knowledge will change your entire outlook and perspective on giving.

People today have a hard time comprehending this concept. It's all about "me" and "my success" that is created by the things we possess. I've been there...and struggle to make sure my revelation of Who actually provides for my needs and wants stays in tact.

This scripture provides two very different scenarios in dealing with what and how we give to God. The first is very obvious: when we realize that what we have comes from the Father and all we are doing is giving back to Him in order to give recognition to that fact, our giving is from a heart that is right; a heart that is willing and obedient.

The second scenario is not as obvious, but is the opposite of the first: when we believe that all we have comes by our own hand, then our giving becomes pious and self-promoting; it becomes an opportunity to either stop giving or give with a heart that is done grudgingly and out of obligation; looking at God not as generous but demanding or greedy. What a shameful way of viewing God the Father; a Father that wants nothing more than to bless His children in every way.

AS FOR ME
This revelation has been life changing for me. I won't begin to try to convince you that it's an easy road. There are times when my flesh WANTS to be self-promoting and pious. But at those times, I pray for the Holy Spirit to rise up and remind me of Whose I am and what He's given me in every area of my life...from spiritual, to mental, to physical, to material. Every area of my life is becoming prosperous. Although I get to benefit from the prosperity, it truly is in order to propetuate the Gospel. I didn't include the end of verse 17, but it goes on to explain that David was asking for God to continue to speak to and bless Solomon in building the temple. The temple dedicated to worshiping God. Which, in context of this discussion, is a forshadowing of perpetuating the Gospel in itself.

What a wonderful way to live life!

God Is Moving

II Corinthians 8:12 (New International)

"For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have."

"Once the commitment is clear, you do what you can, not what you can't. The heart regulates the hands." (The Message)

IN PLAIN ENGLISH

God looks at the intent of the heart and matches it up to the action you are taking...within your means. This takes the "legality" out of the responsibility to support the Church and places it directly into grace and obedience. Giving out of pressure or expectation places the heart in the wrong attitude of recognizing that everything belongs to God. (It has to belong to God or "being blessed" means nothing...it can't be a blessing from God if He doesn't have it to give.) If the Christian gives with a willing heart and is following out of obedience to the leading of the Spirit, the Holy Spirit will not lead him to give what he does not have. Likewise, it makes the responsibility of support the Church equal between all believers. A person that makes $100,000 can easily give 10% while someone that makes $10,000 is under a burden to make the same gift. One gives out of surplus while the other gives out of sacrifice.

Again, the key to giving is the attitude of the heart...it's willingness to give back to God what God has blessed me with. If I'm faithful to give with a willing heart, with a true commitment to meet God where I am and then follow that commitment with obedience, God will move tremendously in my behalf.

AS FOR ME
Man, am I struggling today. I'm so tired of digging out of this hole. I'm so tired of having to work to stay on the right path as my flesh resists with each step. I'm so tired of being that strong shoulder and keeping everyone around me lifted up and encouraged. I don't feel like I'm getting any encouragement at all from anyone but myself.

Thank you, Lord for your Holy Spirit. That as I feel tired and let down, that Your Spirit lifts me back up as I totally surrender to Him. Thank you that my obedience comes from my heart and not from my head or my flesh, but that they are both coming in line with the spirit.

As I keep the willing heart established and do what I can, GOD WILL MOVE.

How to overcome

Revelation 12:10-12 (King James Version)

And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.

IN PLAIN ENGLISH

This scripture has provided me with some encouragement to victory in the past. I say that without a great deal of enthusiasm because it always seemed to be a "victory chant" more than anything else. I knew the blood of the Lamb gave and still gives me victory, causing me to overcome, but it seemed a bit dry and flat. It just lays on the tongue like something that is lacking the flavor you expected it to have.

Then the light came on it (or me)! There is a three-fold process here that causes me to overcome. The blood of the Lamb is the first part. God made way for me to live and walk in victory by the redemptive act of Jesus on the Cross. His beating, flogging, ridicule, harassment, abuse, and ultimately his death was for me. All of God's wrath was placed on Jesus as he assumed the role of a sinner. Everything the Father unleased on Jesus was meant for and should have been my judgement for my sins. Every time I feel beat down, whipped and hurt; every time I'm feeling persecuted and ridiculed and harassed; every time I feel like someone is taking advantage of me or abusing me or our relationship, I can rest assured that I have been placed in a position over it all...a position of an overcomer.

The second and third parts are my responsibility...to speak my testimony and to live for Christ until I die.

AS FOR ME

In order to actually FEEL like an overcomer; to make it real in my life that Satan is defeated, I have to do my part...the second and third parts of the three-fold process "and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death".

The second part of the process is verbalizing the victory. I think back to my walk time with the Lord where He told me to pray out loud because I needed to hear myself qoute the word. That's how my edification and motivation is built up in me, by speaking to myself in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs (Ephesians 5:19). It's not enough to put me over to hear someone else say it or to just pray silently in my head...my ears and voice need to join forces.

Then there is the other side to the word of my testimony...sharing what God has done and is doing in my life. A testimony is defined as "evidence in support of a fact or statement; proof; an open declaration or profession"

The third and final part of the process reminds me of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in Daniel 3. They loved with total abandon, not considering their lives. Simple obedience that pays off. Wow.

I'm Hungry

Psalm 119:31-40 (The Message)

Barricade the road that goes Nowhere; grace me with your clear revelation. I choose the true road to Somewhere, I post your road signs at every curve and corner. I grasp and cling to whatever you tell me; God, don't let me down! I'll run the course you lay out for me if you'll just show me how. God, teach me lessons for living so I can stay the course. Give me insight so I can do what you tell me—my whole life one long, obedient response. Guide me down the road of your commandments; I love traveling this freeway! Give me a bent for your words of wisdom, and not for piling up loot. Divert my eyes from toys and trinkets, invigorate me on the pilgrim way. Affirm your promises to me— promises made to all who fear you. Deflect the harsh words of my critics— but what you say is always so good. See how hungry I am for your counsel; preserve my life through your righteous ways!

IN PLAIN ENGLISH

After realizing how far I've come, how much progress I've made, and how wonderfully free I am, I want nothing more than to make sure I don't slip back into the ditch. God doesn't want me there either! Everything David asks for here is within God's will for not only his life, but for mine (and yours) as well. Earlier I found that obedience is just as much a decision in life as loving Tracye is. There may be times when I may not FEEL like loving her, but I CHOOSE to do it every minute of every day...because she deserves it...and so do I! Obedience and walking down the path that keeps me under His protection are choices that are easier to make with each day I live.

However, it's important not to forget that there are still things out there that want to trip me up. Only through consistent study of the Word and fellowshipping with Him can I ensure that not only my heart is established, but my mind begins to be renewed as well.



AS FOR ME

Ah, the secret...making the heart (spirit) and mind unified. There lies the hunger. As I walk daily in the wisdom He has given me; as I continue to walk in obedience; as I consistently follow His commandments, my spirit becomes HUNGRY for Him. My doctor told me once when we were discussing my weight loss that hunger is a GOOD thing. When your body tells you it's hungry, it's telling you that you have expended the energy it has stored and it is time to replace it. Right now, spiritually I'm ravenous! My spirit is telling me that I am needing more nourishment than just milk. I'm moving on to the meat of the Word, PRAISE GOD!

I really like this version of Psalm 119 where it talks about "divert my eyes from toys and trinkets" because the majority of my money issues falls with impulse spending. The last six weeks have been excruciatingly painful at times because my habitual flesh feels deprived that I can't (and won't) go out and indulge itself. But at the same time, there's a liberating feeling that goes along with controlling my flesh. All the time I've spent dodging creditors and "creating" money to pay bills with or do something I wanted to do, I did thinking I was in control. Now I realize that I wasn't in control. The money and the flesh were in control. For the first time, I know what true control means.

And it's not without rewards. Freedom from those bondages allows me to be free to worship and obey in ways that I've never experienced before. And I'm so hungry for more!!

Turn History Around

2 Chronicles 29: 10-11, 36 (The Message)

"I have decided to make a covenant with the God of Israel and turn history around so that God will no longer be angry with us. Children, don't drag your feet in this! God has chosen you to take your place before him to serve in conducting and leading worship—this is your life work; make sure you do it and do it well."

"Hezekiah and the congregation celebrated: God had established a firm foundation for the lives of the people—and so quickly!"

IN PLAIN ENGLISH

God responds to repentence. I love the fact that Hezekiah used the phrase "turn history around". God responds in such a way under the new testament that history is re-written...eradicating the old as if it never happened. I don't have to move forward and drag the old ways with me. My covenant truly turns history around; it changes history so that I have victory to build upon, not past mistakes. Every step I take in obedience today places me on that path outside of the ditch. I gain sure footing on solid ground. Then the next step is more solid. They build one upon the other. And I'm not doing it alone. God walks with me, encouraging me and loving me for my obedience. By following his voice, he tells me where to place each step, so that it is on a firm foundation and estabilishes my heart all the more.

AS FOR ME

Do I need this! My history has been one that has been filled with failure, strife, disappointment, disillusionment, pain, hopelessness, and I could go on-and-on. But to know that this is not my history any more is fantastic! Think about how the future is always dictated by the past. Your character and personality is made up of the experiences of the past. So in order for my future to be a reflection of who I am in Christ, my past has to show who I am in Christ. With Hezekiah, a new line had to be drawn in the sand. A point from which a new beginning had to take place. A point where no looking back was allowed.

With my covenant in Christ, when I look back, I see the same reflection backwards as I do forwards. I can't allow myself to see the failures and disappointments, but to see what and who I am now. For the first time, I can understand what it means to be free from the bondages of slavery to sin. I am totally free to walk in obedience. I can truly experience verse 36 and celebrate because the Lord has established a firm foundation for my life - and so quickly!

Ebb and Flow

2 Chronicles 29:10

Now I intend to make a covenant with the LORD, the God of Israel, so that his fierce anger will turn away from us."

2 Chronicles 31:20, 21

"This is what Hezekiah did throughout Judah, doing what was good and right and faithful before the LORD his God. In everything that he undertook in the service of God's temple and in obedience to the law and the commands, he sought his God and worked wholeheartedly. And so he prospered."

IN PLAIN ENGLISH

In reading these passages (and the chapters as a whole), you will see that Hezekiah purposed to turn the Isrealites around. For years, the nation of Isreal had done things in disobedience to the Lord and had turned their backs to the Lord. God had become angry with them. That lead to the desolation of the nation instead of the blessings God wanted to bestow. I love 29:10 where Hezekiah says that he will make a covenant with the Lord so that His fierce anger will turn from them. This is the verbal action of the heart of repentance. All the work that took place after that was the physical evidence of that repentance. As Hezekiah walked out the repentance of the nation, God's blessings began to flow again, restoring Isreal back to right standing. In 30:9b, Hezekiah tells the people that "He (God) will not turn His face from you if you return to Him." What a beautiful promise of redemption and restoration! And in 31:20, 21 you can see that the end result of repentance is restoration of God's blessings.

AS FOR ME

What joy this promise gives me! And how I can testify that it is true. The last week has been a bit of a struggle to keep up with the devotions as I started. It is so easy to allow the things of life to just edge back in. It's like trying to build up a wall on the beach to keep the tide at bay. You can eventually do it, but it takes perseverence and determination. When that water starts coming around the ends of the wall, just don't give up. Eventually the tide will ebb away and allow you to build more wall up so that the next time it flows in, you have a little more resistance.

The last couple of nights drove that home for me. On Tuesday night, I was telling my accountabilty buddy that I could see how my repentance had changed others in my life...Tracye and I have become united in working toward consecrating our relationship to the Lord as never before, my boys were becoming more solid in their walks, and my dad (who I'm praying will come back to the Lord soon) was filled with more joy and life than I have seen him in a long time. I know it may be presumptuous to assume I had anything to do with these other lives, but it bears witness in my spirit that the Lord is working in me and all my relationships.

Then last night Tracye and I had an issue come up that, on the surface, it appeared as if nothing we had worked for had made any difference. I tried to hold on to the spirit man on the inside of me but ended up just losing control and "fleshing out". Tracye went to bed upset with me...

This morning, we came back together and started the day with new beginnings and prayer. Then "BAM" this devotion hit me. It took Hezekiah a while to get the temple rebuilt; guess I can invest the same wholehearted attempt too. I know the resutls are going to be the same...God promised!

I Want This Life

Psalm 112:1-8

"Hallelujah! Blessed man, blessed woman, who fear God, Who cherish and relish his commandments, Their children robust on the earth, And the homes of the upright—how blessed! Their houses brim with wealth And a generosity that never runs dry. Sunrise breaks through the darkness for good people— God's grace and mercy and justice! The good person is generous and lends lavishly; No shuffling or stumbling around for this one, But a sterling and solid and lasting reputation. Unfazed by rumor and gossip, Heart ready, trusting in God, Spirit firm, unperturbed, Ever blessed, relaxed among enemies, They lavish gifts on the poor— A generosity that goes on, and on, and on. An honored life! A beautiful life! "

IN PLAIN ENGLISH
Look at the blessings that come upon the man that trusts in God. The man that lives by God's word. God desires and seeks such a man so much that he pours out all He has on him. It not only extends to material blessings and prosperity, but to personal protection for his well being and integrity/reputation. He brings peace to this man's mind. There is no strife in any area of his life.

AS FOR ME
I WANT THIS LIFE!!! After working so hard on my own, it is almost unimaginable, to-good-to-be-true if you will, to think that God simply wants me to rest in Him...to allow Him to bless me. And all I have to do for that type of life is to establish His word in my life. To walk according to His will. Seek His guidance and then follow His direction. This only comes by continual study and fellowship with Him. I've slacked up a bit the last couple of days and I can tell you that I noticed it. I noticed my lacking attitude in prayer and study time. I felt the old man attempting to creep back in. I got so over loaded with the world and it's pressures again, that I just put off that important and life-sustaining commitment. I'm back on track though...I WANT THIS LIFE!!

Committed

Psalm 37:5,6

"Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him and He will do this:
He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn,
the justice of your cause like the noonday sun."

IN PLAIN ENGLISH
Commitment and trust go hand-in-hand. The word "commit" here means to make a decision that is from the heart and one in which there is an establishment of trust - trust that God can and will care for me more than and better than I can do for myself.

The second half is a promise that He will protect and provide for me - on time and faithfully. The dawn comes everyday, regardless of the circumstances or feelings I'm facing. The noonday sun shines down and creates growth and burns away the fog that works to conceal and confuse.

AS FOR ME
Commitment is two sided. The Father is not going to require me to act in faith without rewarding me. He understands my struggles and weaknesses. Funny, my love language is appreciation. God demonstrates that with every step I take (no matter how large or small). I just have to recognize it!!

God's Power vs. The World's Power

Daniel 3:1-30 (Msg translation)

"King Nebuchadnezzar built a gold statue, ninety feet high and nine feet thick. He set it up on the Dura plain in the province of Babylon. He then ordered all the important leaders in the province, everybody who was anybody, to the dedication ceremony of the statue. They all came for the dedication, all the important people, and took their places before the statue that Nebuchadnezzar had erected.

A herald then proclaimed in a loud voice: "Attention, everyone! Every race, color, and creed, listen! When you hear the band strike up—all the trumpets and trombones, the tubas and baritones, the drums and cymbals—fall to your knees and worship the gold statue that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up. Anyone who does not kneel and worship shall be thrown immediately into a roaring furnace."

The band started to play, a huge band equipped with all the musical instruments of Babylon, and everyone—every race, color, and creed—fell to their knees and worshiped the gold statue that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up.

Just then, some Babylonian fortunetellers stepped up and accused the Jews. They said to King Nebuchadnezzar, "Long live the king! You gave strict orders, O king, that when the big band started playing, everyone had to fall to their knees and worship the gold statue, and whoever did not go to their knees and worship it had to be pitched into a roaring furnace. Well, there are some Jews here—Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego—whom you have placed in high positions in the province of Babylon. These men are ignoring you, O king. They don't respect your gods and they won't worship the gold statue you set up.

Furious, King Nebuchadnezzar ordered Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to be brought in. When the men were brought in, Nebuchadnezzar asked, "Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that you don't respect my gods and refuse to worship the gold statue that I have set up? I'm giving you a second chance—but from now on, when the big band strikes up you must go to your knees and worship the statue I have made. If you don't worship it, you will be pitched into a roaring furnace, no questions asked. Who is the god who can rescue you from my power?"

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered King Nebuchadnezzar, "Your threat means nothing to us. If you throw us in the fire, the God we serve can rescue us from your roaring furnace and anything else you might cook up, O king. But even if he doesn't, it wouldn't make a bit of difference, O king. We still wouldn't serve your gods or worship the gold statue you set up."

Nebuchadnezzar, his face purple with anger, cut off Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. He ordered the furnace fired up seven times hotter than usual. He ordered some strong men from the army to tie them up, hands and feet, and throw them into the roaring furnace. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, bound hand and foot, fully dressed from head to toe, were pitched into the roaring fire. Because the king was in such a hurry and the furnace was so hot, flames from the furnace killed the men who carried Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to it, while the fire raged around Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.

Suddenly King Nebuchadnezzar jumped up in alarm and said, "Didn't we throw three men, bound hand and foot, into the fire?"
"That's right, O king," they said.

"But look!" he said. "I see four men, walking around freely in the fire, completely unharmed! And the fourth man looks like a son of the gods!"

Nebuchadnezzar went to the door of the roaring furnace and called in, "Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, servants of the High God, come out here!"
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego walked out of the fire.

All the important people, the government leaders and king's counselors, gathered around to examine them and discovered that the fire hadn't so much as touched the three men—not a hair singed, not a scorch mark on their clothes, not even the smell of fire on them!

Nebuchadnezzar said, "Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego! He sent his angel and rescued his servants who trusted in him! They ignored the king's orders and laid their bodies on the line rather than serve or worship any god but their own.

"Therefore I issue this decree: Anyone anywhere, of any race, color, or creed, who says anything against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego will be ripped to pieces, limb from limb, and their houses torn down. There has never been a god who can pull off a rescue like this."

Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the province of Babylon. "

IN PLAIN ENGLISH
King Nebuchadnezzar showed how the world reacts to Christians that stand up to the traditions of the world. The king makes a statement in V.15, "who can rescue you from my power?" In studying obedience, trust, and power, I have to recognize that the world does have power. Through laws and policies, and just plain traditions, there will be repercussions for my actions. However, God's power SUPERSEDES the world's power and deliverance is possible!

There is no contest between the world's power and God's. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego proved that. When they placed total trust in God, defied the world's power over them, and was thrown into the fire, God's power superseded the king.

AS FOR ME
If God is for me, who can be against me? I have to follow the laws of the world, but God is able to move on my behalf if those powers place me in harm or against God's will for my life. He is even merciful enough to help me out of messes I get myself in. My deliverance may not come in the form of AVOIDING the fire or flood, but it will certainly keep me safe through them so that He gets glory from it.

In the area of finances (where my MAJOR disobedience lies), I have to pay my bills, but God can move supernaturally to provide a way to make the payments and pay them off ahead of schedule. I do have to be aware of when God moves on my behalf and be ready to step in line with Him. Once that is done, I have to be a good steward and not get back in that place again.

It will start wit my choosing to be obedient - to the point of commitment (stubbornness) and to stick with my choice. Thereby walking into the fullness that God has for me.

Total Abandon

Daniel 3:1-30

If you read the whole story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, you will find their trust in God is made through total abandonment. They show that trust is a faith where the end result in life or death is GLORY. Through the fire, Nebucadnezzar could SEE God at work. When he brought them out, he could see what God had done...no singed hair or clothes, no smell of smoke, etc. It is because of God's power that Nebuchadnezzar was "converted" as well as the whole nation.

IN PLAIN ENGLISH
There is a message here that God's power was shown as Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego demonstrated their willingness to trust God with their lives and defy the king (V.28). There is not enough of that type of total abandon in the lives of Christians today (especially MINE). When that commitment/choice for total abandon is made, the following will occur:
1. God WILL move on your behalf in acts of deliverance.
2. Others WILL see God's power and ability.
3. These signs, wonders, and miracles will convert the hearts of the lost and convict the fellow believers that are not walking in the Light.

AS FOR ME
I'm beginning to see that God does have the power and ability. V28 stands out as the largest reason in my life that I don't see God's power...I need to trust with my life. Maybe not physically, but all that I have and am. Total Abandon. God has blessed me so far - just because He's adopted me into the family - think of what He could do if I let go of those areas that are holding me down!

Trusting the Father's Abilities

Daniel 3:17

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego faced this issue with their lives. Beginning in V13, we see that the three Hebrew boys were told exactly what their fate would be - the furnace. They were not deterred from obedience. They knew that God was able to deliver them. They were willing to put that trust to the test.

That's when faith arrives.

However, they might have expected Him to deliver them before they got to the furnace door. They said in V18 that even if He didn't deliver them, they would not worship idols. This tells me that they expected to be thrown into the furnace if God didn't deliver them before then.

Though it could be interpreted that they doubted, they were DETERMINED to be obedient.

IN PLAIN ENGLISH
Obedience and trust is just as much a CHOICE as love is. That trust in abilities comes from a developed relationship. The commitment to trust over-rides the mental fear that comes and creates doubt. Some may see this as just plain stubbornness.

AS FOR ME
When was the last time I was called stubborn? I can tell you that it certainly wasn't meant in a positive context. However, I see that I have to put that characteristic to work on the positive force in my walk with Christ. Stubbornness could be counted as commitment. But I still need to feel that regardless of the circumstances I'm facing, God is ABLE to help me. I need to look at his power to understand his ability.

Obedience

Genesis 22:18

God promised Abraham and his descendents blessings as a result of their obedience. This promise was reinforced after Abraham was willing to sacrifice Isaac in obedience to God's instruction.

->Abraham's obedience came from God's promise.

->God's promise came from his covenant with Abraham (Gen 17:9)

->Abraham's covenant came as a result of his faith in God, demonstrated through the tithe to Melchizedek (Gen 14:20).

->The tithe came as a result of Abraham's recognition of God's blessings.

->God's blessings came as a result of His relationship with Abraham.

IN PLAIN ENGLISH
When a relationship is made, those in the relationship begin to trust each other and a desire to help protect each other is forged. This desire to protect produces blessings on both sides of the relationship. Both want to provide support to the other. Both want to see the other's success. As that heart attitude develops, actions begin to take place to prove the relationship. The end result is that BOTH are blessed with:
1. Stronger relationship
2. Increased trust in each other
3. Furthering their united cause

AS FOR ME
I see that ultimately, my lack of obedience comes from a lack of trust. These are areas of my life where I simply don't trust the Father. I don't know if the lack of trust comes from not being sure of His ability or His willingness. This will be the path of my search for now.

In The Ditch

For the first time in my life, I have not only been able to, but have the desire to spend 1 1/2 to 2 hours a day in devotion to the Lord and seeking His voice. It's July and I'm in Colorado spending a week with my wife of 25 years, finally getting a honeymoon we never had. We are with another couple and everyone likes to sleep in but me. Getting up at 7 and seeing no one else until at least 9, sitting in the sun room overlooking mountains covered with snow so close I could probably walk to make a snowball (if I could breath in that altitude!) - gave me the perfect opportunity to really spend some one-on-one time with the Father; something I hadn't really expected. I spent the week reading and praying during that time and, while it was very calming and peaceful, I realized that I had become so detatched from not only my relationship with Him, but everyone around me as well.

Towards the end of the week, I felt a yearning to really speak with my Pastor.

To really have him speak to me, actually.

I couldn't pinpoint what was causing the seperation but I wanted to find out. It opened up a discovery that I was actually very "alone" in the world. If you have ever found yourself in this place, it won't surprise you when I tell you that my mind began flooding with thoughts of "Pastor doesn't have time for you", to "You're just not important enough". If I wasn't feeling alone to begin with, I certainly was when my mind began running away. With every UNCONTROLLED thought that came, I felt less and less significant. (A common trend in my life over the last couple of years.) Nevertheless, I kept praying for the Lord to make a time when my Pastor and I could be alone and he would just start speaking into my life, telling me what I needed to hear to place my life back on the right road.

We returned home and back into our normal routine. Weeks went by and nothing happened. Again, those thoughts came to me that I wasn't important enough for him to bother with. After all, he had other men in Leadership that he was molding and praying for. Then it happened. On August 28, 2008, my Pastor said that he had some things on his heart that he wanted to talk to me about. I was prepared for him to speak into my life...or was I?

He started by telling me that he was having alerts going off in his spirit regarding some dangerous times in my life. That there were things in my life that I needed to address once and for all or risk stepping out from God's protection. With each word he spoke, my spirit-man yelled in my head "YES!". I knew he was right. I knew there was unrepentant sin in my life that needed to be dealt with. I knew that I was in a ditch and needed to get out of it before I became buried. And I was amazed that God cared enough to speak to me through my Pastor. I sat, I listened, I agreed, and I took it all like a man. The man God was creating me to become. I sat there while Pastor spoke into my life non-stop for two hours straight before giving me the opportunity to speak. I listened as he told me that he loved me too much to allow me to just lay in the ditch. He loved me enough to risk me getting offended and walking out. He had enough faith in me to stay and make the corrections needed in my life.

And I sat there taking it all in because I loved him enough to allow him to speak to me.

The hunger for God was so strong that I couldn't do anything but soak the experience up. The bottom line was that I was not being obedient in a major area of my life and it was affecting EVERY OTHER area of my life. I had never been a faithful tither, and because of that I was not expressing my faith in God. Jesus was my Savior but he was not my Lord. I told my Pastor that I knew this was going on in my life and that I was willfully disobedient and defiant because I didn't feel that I had to tithe in order to show my love for my God and Savior. However, in the recent months I had become increasingly aware that the outward expressions and actions are visible signs of the inward love. The genesis of these expressions were there, but the obedience was not.

Tracye and I left 3 1/2 hours after the start of the meeting just in awe of what God wanted in our lives and the desire to allow Jesus to help pull me out of the ditch.

I'm reminded of someone else that was in a "ditch" of sorts. Peter walked to Jesus on the water and found himself sinking when he was confronted by the winds and rains pelting him from the storm. When he found himself sinking (my analogy of the ditch) he cried out AND ACCEPTED help from Jesus and they walked back to the boat (my analogy of getting back on the road) TOGETHER. I left that night realizing that I don't have to, and even can't, crawl out of the ditch on my own. Jesus is there to reach out and take hold of so that together we can get me out of the ditch and back on the road.

So that's where I am.

My plan for getting back on the road is this:

1) Determine what I need in my personal devotion time in order to get to the place of obedience.
2) Set a plan and goal to be at various stages of growth so that I can see where I am.
3) Hook up with an accountability brother. One of the most important things I can do because if I don't, I'll eventually stop the first two tasks.