In my single years I dated a man who looked at my ability to appreciate quality as worldly. But doesn’t God appreciate quality and beauty? Appreciating and demanding are two different things.

Through the years God has delighted me in surprising ways. Sometimes He provided fabulous second hand classics. Other times He gave me skills to replicate or barter for items I enjoyed. One time He prompted a shop owner to call me at Christmas and give me the outfit I’d admired months earlier. Gratitude welled up inside every time my heavenly Father showed His personal care for me. He not only met my needs, but many of my secret desires as well.

Now people hire me to pick out items for their homes. I realized my quirk is not a handicap at all. I just had to learn how to work with it. This skill helps me find quality items in consignment shops. It is okay to value a few nicer items more than trunks full of mediocre things. I love the challenge of creating a fabulous outcome from a mixture of parts.

I still admire those who look great with inexpensive fads, but I have come to appreciate my unique style.

What personal trait do you lament? Are you a fanatic about details, random in a sequential world or vice versa, a big picture person? Does this trait seem to upset you more than help you? How could this very trait be a gift to you and to others?

Our heavenly Father is the giver of every good and perfect gift (James 1:17). Even your quirks have a purpose. Ask Him to reveal the strength of your trait.

Blessings,

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I asked the Lord to be the doorkeeper for us. “If this is Your will, Lord Jesus, please open this door in such a way we can’t help but walk through. However, if in Your all-knowing wisdom, You don’t want us to go through this door, please clearly close it so that we will know to walk away.”

What I feared was having our emotions lure us into something that looked good on the outside, but contained hidden problems. My other concern was that the decision would fall into the gray zone where we weren’t clear on what to do. I was asking for a clear “yes” or clear “no.”

Larry called after the opening bid was set for the property we were considering. They wanted 33% more than the original sale price. This was a very clear answer. This was not a deal, but robbery.

I was disappointed with the outcome, but rejoiced that the Doorkeeper had clearly shut the door. I have no doubt that He initiated and answered my prayer.

What decision looms over you today? Have you asked the Doorkeeper to guard your way. He will if you want Him to.

Blessings,

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In the movie, The Iron Lady, Margaret Thather said even the poor need to pay taxes. When they don’t, they lack a sense of ownership and healthy pride for taking care of their neighborhoods. They are more likely to graffiti and expect someone else, the government, to take care of it.

Jesus paid taxes (Matthew 17:27). He said, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s” (Mark 12:17 NASB).

It is natural to hear grumbling in tax season, especially when we don’t agree with how our taxes have been used. Philippians 2:14 says. “do all things without grumbling.” So as Christians we know we shouldn’t gripe, but complaining can creep in. Maybe we need to remember the good things our taxes do.

Taxes go to make our roads safe, maintain sidewalks, traffic lights, and make driving for the most part pleasurable. Have you ever traveled in a populated poor country that has no money for roads? If so, you appreciate our streets.

Taxes pay police, firefighters, hospitals, teachers, government leaders including our judges and others who seek to maintain law and order. In some countries carjacking is an everyday occurrence. Bandits freely roam neighborhoods. People live in homes with barred windows that are surrounded by cement block walls and barbed wire.

Our taxes support our soldiers who protect our freedoms and our land. If we are unhappy with those in office, our taxes even maintain voting polls to change who’s in office.

Taxes work best when administered by people of good character with godly values. This is an election year, a perfect time to become informed on what is at stake and vote with sober wisdom. Pray for our nation and her leaders. Paying taxes reminds us that this is our country. It is our responsibility to do our part to protect and support our communities.

As you prepare your tax forms this year, thank God for your country and the blessings we share. Ask Him to guide our leaders and voters in wisdom on how to invest our resources well.

Blessings,

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“If you are slack in the day of distress, your strength is limited” (NASB).

I looked up the verse and learned the Greek word for “slack” is raphah. It means “to sink, relax, let drop, be disheartened.1” Wow. If I become disheartened or discouraged in trying times, my strength will be limited when I need it the most.

The word for “limited” is tsar and can also mean “enemy 2.” When I drop my guard or give into discouragement, my strength works against me, not for me. That is exactly what my negative thoughts were doing. “Skip your exercises. They aren’t working anyway.”

Proverbs 13:12 says, “Hope deferred makes the heart sick, But desire fulfilled is a tree of life.”

It is natural to feel sad and disappointed when what we want does not seem to be happening, but we must be careful not to sink into those feelings. If we do, our strength will turn against us.

How do we defeat discouragement? The God of hope supplies joy, peace, and hope. Romans 15:13 says, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (NIV). The cure for discouragement is to lock my eyes lock on Jesus and off of my circumstances.

What has disheartened you? A lost account? Your withdrawn spouse, child, or friend? An ongoing illness? Our political climate? Don’t give up. Draw strength from the God of hope.

I am sticking with my exercises. Let’s press on together.

Blessings,

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P.S. I’ll be leading a Be Transformed group in Zebulon for women at the Dew4Him office. Please call or email if you would like to join us on Tuesday mornings beginning February 7th at 10 A.M. (919 469-2477)

1 Blue Letter Bible. “Dictionary and Word Search for raphah (Strong’s 7503)”. Blue Letter Bible. 1996-2012. 27 Jan 2012. < http:// www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?
Strongs=H7503&t=NASB >

2 Blue Letter Bible. “Dictionary and Word Search for tsar (Strong’s 6862)”. Blue Letter Bible. 1996-2012. 27 Jan 2012. < http:// www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?
Strongs=H6862&t=NASB >

Pulled in a dozen different directions at once, I’ve struggled to focus on what I was doing. Two thoughts have helped me navigate through the discordance. First, “I only have to do today what my heavenly Father wants me to do today.” That thought has been my north star. Each day I ask the Lord, what needs to be done today? Usually one or two things crystallize in my mind. I think through my list and smile. Those are exactly the things for this day.

When the gray shadows of looming deadlines creep across my mind, I remind myself, “Today I am taking care of today’s business.” Jesus said, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to accomplish His work” (John 4:34 NASB). If I am doing my Father’s will, I may get tired, but I’ll also be nourished.

That leads to the second principle. “Be mentally engaged where I am physically involved.” I have a bad habit of being one place while my mind is somewhere else. It helps to tell myself, “I’m doing this now. I’ll focus on that when it’s time.”

Jesus said it this way, “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own” (Matthew 6:33-34).

Chances are you too have seasons or days when you feel pulled in opposite directions—or nibbled to death by guppies. You may even have a few sharks. Try asking God what He would have you do today. Asking, is seeking His kingdom first. Then fully engage in that. Refuse to allow worry over what’s left to be done, to eat you alive.

Seeking God’s will for my day keeps guppies from growing into sharks. It might also turn a few sharks into guppies.

Blessings,

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I had to confess that I want to be self-sufficient. I don’t like to have needs. I like to feel strong and in control. I equate security with possessing the material and immaterial resources to seize every opportunity and conquer any problem.

Even in everyday life, I like being able to handle issues. When I’m dependent on others I must wait on their time table. In short, I like being self-sufficient.

As I thought about this my eyes landed on “My grace is sufficient for you.” The Greek word for sufficient means “to be possessed of unfailing strength.”1  Wow, that puts things in a different light. Would I rather be self-sufficient with my human assets or have the inexhaustible strength of Almighty God in every circumstance? No contest there.

When Paul asked the Lord to remove his weakness, God said to him, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Paul responded, “Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me” (2 Corinthians 12:9 NASB). Self-sufficiency is my enemy in that it keeps me from experiencing God and His best.

God’s grace-sufficiency isn’t to make me passive. Paul said, “But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me did not prove vain; but I labored even more than all of them, yet not I, but the grace of God with me” (1 Corinthians 15:10 NASB). God’s grace stokes the fires of creativity, energy, hope, or whatever I need.

What limits or losses have troubled you? Where could you use the unfailing strength of God? The next time you think, “I wish I had more time, knowledge, energy, money, experience…, or I wish I didn’t need…” remember God’s words. “My grace is sufficient for you.” In the end, self-sufficiency is the path to weakness. My need is where I experience God’s unfailing grace-sufficiency.

Blessings,

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1 Blue Letter Bible. “Dictionary and Word Search for arkeō (Strong’s 714)”. Blue Letter Bible. 1996-2012. 15 Jan 2012. < http:// www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?
Strongs=G714&t=NASB >

How could being laid up during the holidays be God’s will? Romans 12:2 says that His will is good, acceptable, and perfect. James 1:17 says God is the giver of good gifts. This did not feel good or acceptable to me—or probably my family either—since they had to pitch in and cover for me.

Isaiah 55:8 comes to mind, “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” declares the LORD (NASB). God’s logic is not like mine, and my strategies are not like His.

• I value efficiency; He values the process of my sanctification.
• I value comfort and ease; He values my faith and trust.
• I’m impatient; He’s long-suffering.
• I want my way; He wants my best.

Whose ways are better? Isaiah continues in verse nine, “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts (NASB). Higher is better. God’s ways rate an A+, mine, well, they don’t even score.

My injury is rather minor in the scheme of things, but maybe that’s the important point. If I have a hard time gracefully accepting relatively small inconveniences how will I ever triumphantly face the really tough stuff of life?

I’ve asked God for the grace to practice His presence and to know Him better through this. Paul saw suffering as one way of knowing Christ better and said that nothing—including convenience, comfort, or economy—can compare with that (Philippians 3:10).

I am still limping and going to physical therapy. I can’t say I know why God allowed me to hurt myself, but it helps to know it wasn’t a stroke of bad luck. God is working out His perfect will for me.

What are you facing that seems like rotten luck? How would knowing your challenge isn’t from bad luck, but rather is something filtered through God’s good will, help you?  May we trust Him even when we don’t yet see.

Blessings,

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As I’ve thought through what I do—instead of bemoaning what I can’t do—I realized I can be a highlighter. Although I admire people who package their ideas in sidesplitting humor or brilliant freshness, that’s not my strength. However, my life and ministry can highlight what already exists—God and His timeless truth.

If I am not careful, I tend to focus on the gifts and abilities I wish I had and overlook what I can offer. I have come to realize that though most of our skills may not glitter or grab attention, they are gifts from God, that when exercised, please Him and bless others.

If I asked you to list the people who have influenced you the most, how many on your list would hold star power? My list is filled mostly with ordinary people who have let me get close to them, and they have loved me and invested in me in some way.

What do others notice about you? What compliments have you shrugged off because you think anybody can do that? Do people call you patient, resourceful, insightful, generous, or kind? Things that come naturally to us may not seem special or spectacular because they are familiar to us. Our abilities may never bring fame or wealth from the world, but they are special to God and when invested, will be rewarded by Him. See Matthew 25:14-30.

Psalm 139:13-14 says, “For You formed my inward parts;
 You wove me in my mother’s womb. I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works, And my soul knows it very well” (NASB).

The world wants us to focus more on what we wish we were than to appreciate who we are. Where do you think you could have done better than God in creating you? Knowing God has perfectly suited us for our roles in His-story, helps me believe that He made no mistakes in designing me. I have the raw ingredients to be successful in His perfect plan for me (Romans 12:1-2; 2 Peter 1:3).

Where has God placed you? Are you somebody’s best friend, mentor, or teacher? Do you run a company, classroom, ministry, or household? Doing your best in these areas—to the glory of God—spotlights our heavenly Father. God has uniquely made you to reveal His glory. When we accept who we are, we glorify our Creator. Highlighting turns out to be a high calling.

Larry and I appreciate your generosity to Lighthouse. Your gifts highlight God’s goodness to us and those who benefit from this ministry.

Happy New Year,

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For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich. 2 Corinthians 8:9, NASB

Last time we looked at some of what Christ gave up to enrich us. Today we look at some of our riches and gifts that benefit us everyday.

First Timothy 4:14 says, “Do not neglect your gift” (NIV). Some gifts develop through use (Hebrews 5:14). That new computer or smart phone becomes more prized as you learn how to use it. The same is true with spiritual treasure. Our appreciation of its worth increases with understanding and use. Below are some of the many ways Christ enriches and gifts us. Pick a couple of neglected ones and begin developing them.

Through His poverty we have become rich:

• In life—Because Jesus died, I no longer need fear death (Hebrews 2:15). His death brought me eternal life. Eternal life is the highest quality of life that begins here and continues all through eternity. See Romans 6:23.

• In peace—Because Jesus suffered the wrath of God and man on the cross, I now have peace with God, and the peace of God is available to me. (John 3:36; 16:33; Romans 5:1; Philippians 4:8).

• In wisdom—Jesus, considered a fool by the world, “became to us wisdom from God” (1 Corinthians 1:23, 30). Divine wisdom is mine for the asking (James 1:5).

• In love—Because Jesus was hated, I am forever loved (Romans 8:38-39). The God of love now lives in me providing an unlimited supply of love (1 John 4:8, 16). Biblical love is acting for someone’s eternal good. Jesus loved those who crucified Him by dying for them, not by feeling warm and fuzzy toward them. God gives me the power to express love when I don’t feel loving (1 John 3:18).

• In comfort—Because Jesus suffered, I can receive and give comfort (2 Corinthians 1:3-4).

• In power—Because Jesus became weak, “His incomparably great power” is available for us who believe (Ephesians 1:19; Romans 8:37). Now that Jesus has returned to the Father, we can do greater works than He (John 14:12).

• In authority—Because Jesus temporarily emptied Himself to take the form of a slave (Philippians 2:7-8), I now have spiritual authority to live a victorious Christian life and make disciples. (Matthew 28:18-20; Ephesians 1:18-23).

• In purpose—Because Jesus left heaven, He has also sent us into the world (John 17:18). “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10 NASB). “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up” (Galatians 6:9 NIV).

• In acceptance—Because Jesus was rejected, I am accepted in Christ by God. (Mark 15:34; Luke 17:25; Romans 15:7)

• In wholeness—Because Jesus was broken, I am complete (Luke 22:19; 1 Peter 2:24).

• In joy—Because Jesus became a man of sorrows, I have everlasting joy, (Isaiah 35:10, Romans 15:13).

• In hope—Because Jesus entered a hopeless world, I have hope that will not disappoint (Romans 5:5; Hebrews 11:1)

• In righteousness—Because Jesus became sin, I have “become the righteousness of God in Him” (2 Corinthians 5:21).

As we close 2011 recognize you have all you need to enter 2012 with hope and confidence. Christ became poor that you through His poverty might become rich. This year may we remember all Christ is for us and not neglect His gifts.

Happy New Year

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2 Corinthians 8:9 says, “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich (NASB). When we look at Christmas we see the joy and excitement of God becoming human. Jesus is fulfilling God’s plan established before the foundation of the earth (Ephesians 1:4). Yet, from the triune God’s viewpoint there was loss and sacrifice.

The pre-incarnate Jesus was rich. He came from heaven—a place so wonderful Paul described it as, “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived” (I Corinthians 2:9 NIV). He had almighty power. He spoke and worlds were created.

Though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor:

• From almighty to helpless infant.
• From a throne in heaven to a manger in Bethlehem. He was so poor a group of women supplied His needs as He ministered to others. A fish supplied a coin to pay His taxes. Foxes had holes; birds had nests; He didn’t even have a bed (see Matthew 8:20).
• From omnipresence to the limits of human body.
• From never being hungry to being so hungry He was tempted to turn a stone into bread.
• From never knowing weariness to being so exhausted He could sleep through a raging storm.
• From being worshiped by angels to being scorned, slandered, and spat upon by men.
• From spotless to becoming sin on a cross.
• From Deity to suffering servant.
• From immortal to mortal.

Jesus became poor so we could become RICH. Next time we will look at how His poverty has made us rich. In the meantime let’s pause and remember what Christmas cost Christ. Please enjoy God With Us by Todd Agnew.

Merry Christmas,

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