What color is your ensemble, really?..

..2 Corinthians 2:17   "For we are not like many, peddling the word of God, but as from sincerity, but as from God, we speak in Christ in the sight of God."

I get up early each morning, so the light isn't that great when I'm getting dressed for work.  The grey slacks, white shirt, and grey socks I pick to wear look good together. I routinely do a "color check" with my wife, asking if what I'm wearing goes together.  Her response: "Go stand in the light so I can see it better."  It isn't until I walk out the front door that the sunlight exposes the truth about my ensemble.  The slacks that looked grey in the house are actually green.  The "grey" socks have a bluish tint to them.  My "white" shirt turns out to be cream-colored.  While the outfit looks "okay", it doesn't match the picture in my head.  

Paul uses a similar word picture in describing how we should speak.  We are to speak the Word of God sincerely.  The word "sincerity" comes from a compound word translated "examined by the sun."  In other words, what we speak is to be accurate and true.  He tells Timothy to "handle the Word of God accurately" (2 Tim 2:15).

Not only are the words we use examined in the light, guess who's standing opposite us watching and listening.... God Himself, the Author of the Words.
I might be able to fool you, but not Him!

All this goes to say that I need to be watchful, careful how I speak and what I say.  I am representing my Savior and the Father is listening.

God, please help me to be diligent in handling Your Word today.  Sometimes I get lazy and what I say doesn't stand up to examination in the light.  Help me to be careful, speaking the truth appropriately, accurately in love.  Shut my mouth when I am about to speak inappropriately.  Let me sense Your presence throughout the day.  Amen.

What do you smell like?...

2 Corinthians 2:14-15   "But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place.  For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing;"

When my wife and I were dating, she wore a favorite fragrance called, "Here's My Heart".  I loved that cologne, not just because it smelled nice, but because it reminded me of her.  Even after dropping her off, her "scent" lingered in my car and it was if she were still there.

Scents, fragrances, aromas, smells, odors.  We are affected by our sense of smell.  A whiff of a familiar aroma stirs a memory and, with it, the accompanying emotions.  Smells are powerful "triggers"!

Paul is painting a word picture for his readers.  He describes a familiar sight, that of a victory parade. Following a significant triumph, word would get back to Rome and the preparations would begin.  A newly-constucted "arch of triumph" awaited the return of the conquering general and his soldiers.   When the day finally arrived and the parade wound its way through the streets of Rome, the tantalizing aroma of burning incense wafted throughout the city.  Everyone could smell it and they knew the parade had arrived.

As Christians, we have a distinct "aroma".  It isn't something physical.  It is intangible, but nonetheless identifiable.  It emanates from the Holy Spirit who indwells us.  It begins in our hearts and works its way out through our character,  our attitude, our outlook, our words, and our actions.  It is recognizable; it's what draws Believers to one another.  To unbelievers it is unique, but confusing.  They sense it, but don't understand it.

Lord, please light the incense afresh in me today.  Holy Spirit, I want others to recognize your fragrance in my interactions.  Control  my expression, my body language, my attitude, my words - everything about me - that others would be drawn to Christ.  Please let them "smell" You in me!  Amen.

The Ultimate Lifeguard...

2 Corinthians 1:10 "...Who delivered us from so great a death, and does deliver us; in whom we trust that He will still deliver us..."

I can still feel the embarrassment.  I was a 12 year old spending a lazy summer day at Seal Beach.  This was pre-surfboard, pre-boogie board.... my friend, Desi, and I were on our canvas surf mats waiting near the pier for the next big set of waves.  The beach was packed with teenagers trying to cram in the last few days of summer fun before heading back to school.  Desi and I had our backs to the beach, watching for signs of a swell, not realizing we were caught in a rip tide.  I happened to glance over my right shoulder and was shocked to see that we were drifting out near the end of the pier!  At the same time, Desi looked back towards shore and saw a crowd gathering as two lifeguards rushed into the surf.  "I think someone further out must be in trouble," observed Desi.  Little did we realize that we were the ones in trouble.  The lifeguards swam up to us, yanked us off our mats and hauled us in to shore.  Oh, the shame of it!  My face burns as I remember friends and strangers watching the two "cool surfer dudes" being dragged out of the ocean.

Looking back, I'm thankful for those lifeguards.  Even though I was oblivious to the danger, I was in desperate need of rescue.  The apostle Paul uses that same picture in speaking of one of God's roles in our lives.  He is the Ultimate Lifeguard!  He is constantly on the lookout for us, forever vigilant.  In that one little verse, Paul uses the word, "rescue" ("deliver") three times in three different tenses.  God has rescued us (past), does rescue us (present), and will still rescue us (future)!  Talk about a lifesaver!!!  Wow!!!

Even when I am unaware, oblivious to danger, God is ever watchful.  His love for me overflows in protection.  He rescues me from my foolishness, my ignorance, my unintentional and willful sins.  He restores and strengthens me.  He pulls me out of danger and sets me back on my feet.... again and again and again.

Thank You, Lord, for watching out for, watching over, and rescuing me.  Please help me to not be so much a bother to You today.  You deserve a break!  :-)   Amen.

"God's Optometry Office"

2 Corinthians 4:8-9  "We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair;  persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.  4:17-18  For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.   So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."

I received a call from my optometrist's office yesterday, reminding me that I need to come in for my annual checkup.  I'll spend an hour or so at the office answering questions such as, "Which is better, lens A or lens B?  Lens B or lens C?"  She'll test for glaucoma, check the status of my cataracts, and adjust my prescription to compensate for the degradation of my vision.

Why go through all those tests?  So I can see more clearly, focus more accurately.

The tests in God's "optometry office" are a little more painful.  It feels more like going to the dentist than to the optometrist!   Paul describes the process as being "hard pressed" (the word actually describes the process of squashing grapes). Not comfortable, and it feels interminable!  However....God say it's only "momentary" and it's "light".  Easy for Him to say!!!  But,  He reminds me that there's a purpose to the pain.

God uses uses the  process to adjust my focus. He lifts my vision from the close-up, temporal to the long-range, eternal.  It is like changing from a macro to a wide angle lens.  God's "tests" help me to see the big picture. My perspective changes and so does my attitude.  My dread is replaced with hope, my fear replaced with joy.

Lord, I don't like what's going on right now.  I feel like a grape,with someones's foot squashing me into mush.  Yet I know that You have a purpose and a plan; You're making some adjustments to my "vision". I trust You.  My hope is in You.
Amen.

"Believing is Seeing!"

2 Corinthians 5:7  "...for we walk by faith, not by sight..."

The apostle was going through tough times, as were those to whom he was writing.  He spoke of having been so burdened that he "despaired of life" - he thought he was going to die.  He described having been afflicted in every way, perplexed, persecuted, and struck down.  Yet he affirmed that, even in those mind-numbing circumstances, he was not crushed, despairing, forsaken, or destroyed.

I remember attending a conference a few years ago, and getting to know a fellow-delegate named Greg.  Greg was an attorney,  a strong advocate for those with disabilities.  Greg also happened to be blind.  He lost his sight as a teenager, fooling around with fireworks.  What stands out in my mind about Greg is his confidence.  He walked without hesitation all around the hotel complex, never hesitating, not bumping into things.  He guided me when I was confused!

I asked him how he as able to maneuver so fearlessly.  His response still rings in my ears.  He told me that he came early to the conference and walked around the facility.  Using his white cane, he mentally mapped the place, noting "landmarks" and distances marked off in paces.  After that it was easy.  He just followed the map in his mind.  He walked by faith!

Many of us are experiencing "dark" times today.  Like Paul, we are confused and on the verge of surrender.  Like Greg, we can't see our way out of the situation.  Like Paul and like Greg, the Lord is telling me to walk by faith, not by sight.  My reality is not based on what I can physically perceive.  NO!  It is built on the firm foundation of hope... knowing Whose I am, knowing Who lives within me, convinced that He is working on my behalf, even when I cannot perceive it.

Lord, I refuse to give up or give in.  With Job I proclaim, "though You slay me, yet will I hope."  I acknowledge that my physical senses are limited and that to truly see You and Your plan, I must look through eyes of faith.  Lord, I confess that I am perplexed, and feel "struck down."  Please help me to follow You today, step by step, walking in faith, not by sight.

I forgive you, but...

2 Samuel 12:13-14       "Then David exclaimed to Nathan, 'I have sinned against the LORD!' Nathan replied to David, 'Yes, and the LORD has forgiven your sin. You are not going to die.  Nonetheless, because you have treated the LORD with such contempt in this matter, the son who has been born to you will certainly die.'"

David had sinned.  He had taken another man's wife and, in order to cover up the sin, had him killed.  Though he thought he had gotten away with it, deep in his soul he must have known that he could hide nothing from God.  Sure enough, along came Nathan the prophet to confront him and, when he did, David acknowledged what he had done.

Nathan proclaimed the good news that God had forgiven David and wasn't going to kill him, but then the other shoe dropped.  Because of David's rebellion, the baby in Bathsheba's womb, the fruit of his sin,  would die.   

There are always consequences to sin.  Science explains it this way: "for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction."  God's Word says, "What a man sows, so shall he reap."  The writer of Hebrews tells us that God disciplines us for our good, just like a good father would.

To be honest, that's what keeps me from presumptuous sin.  I sin enough without purposefully rebelling.  But when I am in a tempting situation, the Holy Spirit reminds me of "what happens next", and more often than not, it is enough to help me avoid Satan's trap.

One of my most important tasks in working with children is to teach them (and their parents!) this life-saving principle. and I have found that the most effective tool for teaching it is consistent, loving discipline.   I don't like discipline.... but I thank God for it!

Lord, thank You that You love me so much that You won't let me get away with sinning.  I am so grateful for Your Holy Spirit, Who keeps me in line.  Please help me to listen carefully to You today and to be careful in all I do and say.  Let me bring honor to You today.  Amen.

What have You done for me lately?

1 Samuel 27:1   "Then David said to himself, 'Now I will perish one day by the hand of Saul. There is nothing better for me than to escape into the land of the Philistines. Saul then will despair of searching for me anymore in all the territory of Israel, and I will escape from his hand.'  2 So David arose and crossed over, he and the six hundred men who were with him, to Achish the son of Maoch, king of Gath."

For years Saul had been relentlessly pursuing David.  David must have been thoroughly exhausted, discouraged, afraid.  He wanted, needed, relief from his situation.  Rather than asking God, he looked at his options and chose to seek protection from a Philistine.  The anointed one of Israel lived with and served Israel's arch-enemy for a year and a half!

I found myself in a similar state of mind recently.  Circumstances not of my doing and beyond my control had me discouraged and afraid.  I began sizing up my options and began to formulate a plan to solve the problems.  Like David, I neglected to include God in my plan.  After a somewhat sleepless night, I awoke to a song on the radio.  The line that still resounds in my mind was, "The same God Who was with you then is with you now."

What have You done for me lately?  I'm ashamed to admit that's how I tend to live my life.  I love the Lord, I trust Him, I've seen Him work miracles time and again, yet when I'm in trouble, I forget that God is here with me and wants to demonstrate His faithfulness once again.

Lord, please forgive my doubt, my pride, my lack of faith.  Thank You for graciously reminding me that You haven't changed and haven't abandoned me.  I trust You and gladly give you my "situation".  I will watch You work and will listen for Your direction.  I love you, Lord!  Amen.