IS “IT” THE PROBLEM?

But it is not as though the word of God has failed.  Romans 9:6

         When those we love have heard the words of Jesus read to them and still exhibit unbelief, what is the problem?  Is it the Word of God that is ineffective or is it the depth of their unbelief?  I can jump to the right answer, as though it were on a test, and say that the Word of God is never ineffective but the inconsistency is not lost on me here.

         It wasn’t until 2009 that the light of truth about this very issue broke through to my heart.  Until then, I wrestled and self-condemned.  Continue reading “Is “It” The Problem?” →

 ANGUISH

I am speaking the truth in Christ – I am not lying; my conscience bears me witness in the Holy Spirit – that I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart.  Romans 9:1-2

Anguish is not a word to throw around carelessly.  Used too much by someone who loves drama, this person finds themselves in a position like the man who cried ‘wolf’ too many times.  When he really did encounter the wolf, no one believed him so help never came.  Words like anguish should be used sparingly. Continue reading “Anguish” →

PRAYER AND WEAKNESS

Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness.  For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.  Romans 8:26

         It is not a sin to be weak.  Weakness is a human condition.  Frailty plagues the most righteous man or woman, especially when in the midst of suffering.  Quickly, every one of us loses our spiritual perspective.  Our prayers reflect this. Continue reading “Prayer and Weakness” →

ARE WE ALL CHILDREN OF GOD?

For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.  Roman 8:14

         Isn’t everyone who lives on planet earth God’s child?  Many think so and refer to the human race as children of God.  It is a warm, fuzzy concept that usually expands to include the belief that angels are all around and are sent to protect us.  The biblical truth is that everyone who lives on planet earth is God’s creation but not necessarily His child.  The dividing line is what one does with Jesus.

In John 8, Jesus tells a few Jewish people, including leaders, that the only ones who were really disciples were the ones who followed His teachings.  Those who didn’t accept Him as the Messiah and follow His teaching were slaves of sin.  The Jews were indignant, insisting that they were related to Abraham and were not slaves to anyone.  Oh, how blindness snares us all.   They had been slaves of many nations during their long history.  Even while they were saying this to Jesus, they were under the domination and authority of the Roman Empire.  Pride does blind us! Continue reading “Are We All Children Of God?” →

MY FUEL OF CHOICE

But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness.  Romans 8: 10

         I’ve been up a while praying.  Convicted.  Aware that something is out of sync and asking God to counsel me and show me.  After feeling that I heard Him speak to my spirit, He urged me to get up and go to the next verse in my Romans journey.  He assured me that my ‘bread’ would be there.  I couldn’t imagine how, knowing the subject matter of my prayer and the perceived subject matter of Romans 8.  But here I am; humbled and in awe before my Father that, once again, He has gone ahead of me and prepared the spiritual meal.  He knew that the instruction He gave in prayer would be confirmed by His Word.

I was up praying about the incredible pressures I am facing all around me, both wonderful and awful. I have before me a new incredible opportunity for ministry but that venture alone could completely dominate my time.  Added to that are the pressures that come with walking on the front lines of battle.  In prayer, I cried out for clear vision about how to walk these days.  God’s message was clear and may only have been for me.  But in case it was also for you, I share it. Continue reading “My Fuel Of Choice” →

THE LIVING DEAD

For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.  Romans 8:6

         So many emails came yesterday that it wasn’t possible to respond to each of you.  I was so touched and encouraged that yesterday’s devotional hit a nerve.  I am so impressed by the spiritual depth and maturity of this devotional family.  You truly are eager for solid spiritual food.  Some of your notes were challenging; asking me questions to further clarify what I believe I’m learning.  Thank you!

I’ve got my feet set in this new direction.  Those who live according to the flesh are unbelievers.  Those who live according to the Spirit are God’s children.  The reason I believe God led me to this conclusion is through the phrase “setting your mind”. Continue reading “THE LIVING DEAD” →

FULLY ALIVE TO GRACE 

For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.  Romans 8:2 

         Larry Crabb, the author of many Christian books, tells the story of getting a ticket while driving through his neighborhood one evening.  The speed limit was 25 mph and he was clocked at 29 mph.  Larry, while watching the police officer write up his ticket, admitted being more than irked.  Who gets a ticket for going less than five mph over the speed limit!  He told the officer just that but the policeman calmly replied, “But what was the speed limit?”  “Twenty-five”, Larry muttered.

With the ticket in his hand, he drove home.  And he was angry.  He said to himself, with disgust, “What’s the big deal!  I was just going 29 mph.”   Continue reading “Fully Alive To Grace” →

WHAT COMES BEFORE GOOD NEWS

Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin.  Romans 7:24-25

My spirit is committed to Christ.  So is my mind and heart but they are also bent toward sin. My flesh is ever breathing down my throat.  I get weary of it, don’t you?  On the best of days, I sin.  On the worst of days, I sin more.  Often, I echo the words of C.J. Mahaney when he lamented, “I am the worst sinner I know!” Continue reading “What Comes Before Good News” →

REACHING BUT NEVER GRASPING

For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing.  Romans 7:19

Body, soul, and spirit are so connected.  My spirit is often willing, even eager, to walk as Jesus walked but that is difficult when issues of body and soul enter the picture.  I remember walking around a lake near my house one morning with our dog, Freska.  It was a beautiful Spring day, the kind I love.  No humidity.  Seventy degrees.  A faint breeze.  I was rested and relaxed.  I remember saying to the Lord, out loud, “I feel like I could take on anything for the kingdom today.” Immediately I heard in my spirit, “Be careful, Christine!  Your sense of balance is precarious.”

What He meant by that is this ~ What I want to do in my spirit becomes a challenge when my body is ill, or fatigued. Continue reading “Reaching But Never Grasping” →

WHAT IS CHRISTIAN MATURITY?

For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out.  Romans 7:18

When a parent raises their child from infancy to adulthood, the goal is to set him free at age 21 to soar on his own.  Along the way, a family looks on and notes the child’s progress.  The dependency of a toddler morphs into growing self-sufficiency as he learns to do things on his own.  Hand-holding lessens with age.

As a human, I am prone to take earthly contexts and impose them on scriptural principles.  When I think about being mature in Christ, I believe I should no longer be dependent and needy.  I should be mature and learn to manage myself.  I should practice restraint when needed and boldness when called for.  Others should say of me, “She’s so mature in Christ.”

But this is all backwards!  Continue reading “What Is Christian Maturity?” →