A New Attitude

"...let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes." Ephesians 4:23

"I'm feelin' good from my head to my shoes
Know where I'm goin' and I know what He'll do
God tidied up my point of view
And gave a new attitude."

As you can see, I took a few liberties with one of the songs Patti LaBelle made famous, "New Attitude".

I'm sensing I need that shift today. I love when God speaks immediately to a situation, even if it is a lecture, with an index finger shaking and pointing directly at me.

Last week it appeared some decisions were made, without my knowing, in an area where I give support and encouragement. The decisions made will have great impact on my involvement and my time. My initial response has been to resist. I felt I was being forced to take on new responsibilities and new committments without any consideration. Although I would have likely said 'yes', you know how it is when you feel presumed upon? Suddenly something within rises in opposition. I hate it when that happens! I have been really struggling with my reaction.

"...let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes."

Lord, I need you to purge me from this internal feeling that is being expressed outwardly in a disposition of difficulty. I do not believe what has happened was intentional, nor was it to burden me. In actual fact, the motive behind the change was to protect my position and provide possibilities for future participation.

Father forgive me for my reactions. Remove the desire to justify my response. My reactions are my responsibility. Situations and other people may influence my emotions, but no one can dictate how I respond. I cannot blame the decisions handed down to me on my disposition. My attitude remains a choice. Bring it into obedience to Your will and Your Word. Help me put on Your new nature of righteousness and holiness. Replace this rebellious attitude with one of submission. Change my pattern of thinking. Give me Your new attitude.

Chosen

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding." Ephesians 1:3-8

I sat behind her that night. She sat erect. Back straight. Head held high. Hands clasped. With each name called I saw the longing. She sat in hopeful silence. Barely breathing she waited. Yearning written all across her appearance. Her hands sometimes figeted in nervousness and anticipation. Until the last name was called. She stood with poise and refinement and left quickly. She had not received an award.

My heart ached for her. That was my High School story too. Being second or third didn't bring the accolation. "Close" or "Almost" didn't receive the medal. She wasn't chosen.

This morning reading the passage above, I remembered this young girl, feeling again her disappointment, rejection, failure. Whatever you are going through today remember that you are special to God. You are blessed, loved, chosen, adopted, favoured, redeemed and forgiven.

"Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing." 2 Timothy 4:8

If you know Christ as your Lord and Savior, one day your name will be called and the reward you will receive will be greater than any earthly trophy. He's applauding and giving a standing ovation for you today - Well done, good and faithful servant.

Anchor A Way

“When a light wind began blowing from the south, the sailors thought they could make it. So they pulled up anchor…” “Acts 27:13

A slight change in the weather. A few calm breezes offered encouragement. Despite Paul’s warning, the owner of the ship desired to take advantage of the momentary, peaceful calm and they “pulled up anchor”.

When storms in our lives cease for periods of time, do we “pull up anchor”? Jesus is the One who holds our life, but when things are going well are we just as sensitive to His presence and as attentive to His leading? Do we start trusting ourselves because of the false sense of security provided by the “light wind” and gentle breeze? We must never pull up anchor and give way to the sea. When hardships appear, making us feel powerless, we can only survive by giving way to the Master of the storm.

Let’s not be fooled. We need that anchor of hope. We need the anchor of reality. We need the anchor of faith. Our passage on this sea of life is not without hurricane force winds. Storms are inevitable, but our response is always optional. Our faith can remain in our Anchor. Our hope in Christ, is a strong and mighty anchor for our souls. It leads us…into God’s inner sanctuary. (Hebrews 6:19)

“Any sailor will tell you that only as the storm rages do we realize the strength of the anchor.” (Charles Swindoll) Paul’s anchor was in God. He trusted Him in the storm and listened and believed His voice. “For last night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood beside me, and he said, ‘Don’t be afraid, Paul, for you will surely stand trial before Caesar! What’s more, God in his goodness has granted safety to everyone sailing with you.’ So take courage! For I believe God. It will be just as he said.” Acts 27:23-25

Did you see where God was positioned? God stands beside us today in our storms as well. Not only is He close to us, but He knows the way through uncharted waters. Paul was going to Rome. He will never lead us anywhere that He has not already planned and prepared for our sailing ashore.

Is your anchor secure? Don’t “pull up anchor”, place it firmly in Christ. Let's anchor a way by holding fast to God. Some storms seem endless, but He will see you through. Don’t take my word, take His.

Fateful Choice of Convenience

“As he reasoned with them about righteousness and self-control and the coming day of judgment, Felix became frightened. ‘Go away for now,’ he replied. ‘When it is more convenient, I’ll call for you again.’” Acts 24:25

Wanting a time that was more convenient, I kept putting it off and putting it off. Finally I had convenienced myself out of a wonderful opportunity, while waiting for the perfect moment. I lost out, and it was too late. The opportunity was gone.

Convenience. A time more suited to our comfort, purpose or need.

Do you know there is no record of Felix ever finding a future “convenient” time to receive God?

Author Denis Waitley says, “there is not such thing as a future decision. You face only present decisions that will affect what will happen in the future.”

Author Ann Mainse writes, “…putting off the most important decision of your life is indeed dangerous procrastination.”

Satan’s most effective tool is having people believe they have plenty of time. We need to choose life today. 2 Corinthians 6:2 encourages, “Today is the day of salvation.”

I’ve heard it said that the tragedy of life is not that it ends so soon, but that we wait so long to begin it.

Waiting on convenience we miss the joy of obedience and the acceptance of repentance. Maybe it’s not convenient, but what if Christ had felt the same way as He faced the cross? My salvation came because Jesus inconvenienced Himself for me.

Finding Spectacular in Simple

“As I was on the road, approaching Damascus about noon, a very bright light from heaven suddenly shone down around me.” Acts 21:6

In my years of growing up in the church, I’ve heard some pretty amazing testimonies. Reformed drug addicts and alcoholics. Near death stories that resulted in salvation. Prodigals returning home. Paul’s transformation described here was none less spectacular. What a dramatic conversion he describes. Makes my little story seem boring and meaningless.

My testimony isn’t filled with captivating before and after illustrations. As an eight year old I hadn’t tried drugs, hadn’t left home, been a victim of abuse, surrendered to passion or committed a serious crime. Although a light from heaven didn’t surround me as it did Paul, I have come to understand something very valuable. A light did shine within me that opened the eyes of a little girl’s heart. Beth Moore writes, “Every conversion cost the same amount of Christ’s blood shed on the cross. Every conversion was worth the loss of God’s only Son to Him.”

The day I gave my heart to Jesus and asked for forgiveness of sins was very exciting. Just as many angels rejoiced. I am thankful for all God saved me from experiencing. I’m thankful for experiences missed. I’m grateful for opportunities lost. I praise God for less drama and less pain.

“You don’t have to see a bright light from heaven to have a story to tell. The determining factor is not how exciting your conversion was but how excited you are now about your conversion. The simplest testimony from a person thankful to be saved is more powerful than the most dramatic testimony from someone who has told it so methodically that it has lost its fervor.” Beth Moore

Yesterday as I practiced the message I will be sharing with a group of ladies at a Christmas Brunch this coming Tuesday, my eyes filled with tears and goose bumps covered my body as the memories of God’s goodness, forgiveness and provision flooded my heart. Oh Lord, may I never take for granted all You have done for me.

Today, if God gives opportunity, let’s share our testimonies. No one can share it better than you. The simplest of salvation stories is still spectacular.

Model Ministry

“I have been a constant example…” Acts 20:35

Looking at Paul’s life we see a man who modelled ministry. His life had tremendous influence. He led others by serving. He became a servant leader by being a leading servant. He led as he followed Christ.

He did “the Lord’s work humbly and with many tears.” (vs.19) He endured trials and never shrank back. Ministry , although often thrilling, brings tears. He was authentic and vulnerable. He wasn’t afraid to express himself and let others see his emotions. Pain challenges and breaks us. A. W. Tozer writes that it is doubtful God can ever use us greatly until he breaks us. Breaking releases God’s power and God’s vision.

Paul demonstrated tremendous courage. He was aware that jail and suffering marked his path (vs.23), but he pressed on. He didn’t hesitate to follow Jesus as close as he could. Paul taught us that God is bigger than all our fears.

Paul was faithful to his responsibilities (vs.26). He showed commitment. In a world today that gives up and gives in at the slightest indication that effort will be required, Paul was diligent. He was faithful to God’s character, His Word and to His call on his life.

Paul didn’t focus on himself, but he did give careful attention to guard himself (vs.28). We can so easily burn out in ministry and then be of no use to anyone.

Our life speaks more than our words. More than knowledge there needs to be evidence. Most of our problem is not that we don’t know the Bible, but that we don’t live it out. If only we lived out half of what we know. Paul was a model for ministry. He writes, “I have been a constant example…” (vs.35).

Asking myself, how am I modelling ministry today?

Thorn Theology

"...I was given a thorn in my flesh..." 2 Corinthians 12:7

A thorn. Unidentified, yet not a stranger to many of us. It irritates and causes pain, unwanted and often undiagnosed. I believe the reason God does not specifically define Paul's thorn, is so that we can apply this thorn theology individually. It could be physical. It could be people. It's always personal.

Where did the thorn come from? We see the immediate cause was Satan (vs.7), but the ultimate cause was God.

What to do with a thorn? Pray. Paul makes a request. He gets a response. His life replies.

Paul asked three times for the thorn to be removed. He begged the Lord to take it away. Other translations say he "implored". It was an earnest desire that came from his heart to give God glory.

The answer he receives is "no". When God says 'no', He gives us something else that is better than what we thought we needed. This 'no' ushered in more grace. "He giveth more grace when the burdens get greater." "No" is never the end of the story.

Paul accepts God's answer. God strengthened Paul as Satan tried to destroy him. Paul doesn't just endure his thorn, he embraces it. He receives it with gladness (vs.9). Paul says, "For when I am weak, then I am strong." (vs.10) The "when" moment. At the very second of weakness, God makes us strong.

Paul teaches us here that with burdens come blessings. Each hardship is especially chosen for us by God. Thorns aren't accidental. God brings us exactly what we need to bring us to a point of obedience. "I was given..." The thorn was timed and tailor-made.

Sufficient grace can only come through sufficient faith. Let's confess the sin of self-pity and bitterness and allow God to fill us with His grace. Then, after committing the 'thorn' to God, let it go. Let's change the petition prayer to one of praise, remembering that God's power works best in weakness (vs.9).

If you would like someone to pray with you about your 'thorn', if you share your need in the comments, I will join with you for God's grace to carry you as He allows and uses this burden to change you into the image of His son. Our thorns may not be the same, but our response can be, whether the thorns are removed or remain.