May 2
“When the Lord saw that he turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, “Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here I am.””
(Exodus 3:4, ESV)
(Exodus 3:4, ESV)
In the scripture chosen for today written above, the call of Moses is given. An angel had set a bush to burning on Mt. Horeb. Moses saw it and approached. God then called to Moses from the burning bush, saying, “Moses, Moses!” In response, Moses answered God, saying, “Here I am!” (Exodus 3:4). This was the first of many conversations between God and Moses. It was the beginning of their strong bond. Their relationship began with God calling out to Moses, but it never would have come to fruition if Moses had not responded to God’s call.
I believe that God’s call and the response by each person initiates all relationships with the divine. Some might seek God for a long time, only to hear God’s call some time later. Some might not hear God’s voice calling at all. Some may hear God’s call only to ignore that divine voice. Some aren’t even listening or don’t care. Chances are that you were probably called some time ago. Do you remember when? Were you too young to discern God’s voice? Did you respond to God immediately like the disciples to Jesus (Mark 1:18)? Did you wait to confirm God’s calling like did Gideon (Judges 6)? Have you yet to respond to God’s voice, afraid of where the Spirit may lead you? I believe that God calls the name of every person at one time or another. God wants a relationship with each of us. Despite God’s calling, some hear and some to not. Some respond and some do not. Some are listening for God’s call while others will not. Have you heard God lately? How have you responded?
A farmer from southern Indiana was in his field one day, toiling in the hot sun. He had spent many hours in previous months working the ground and planting the corn and soybeans. As Ken walked an edge of the field, examining an area of ground where the corn was not growing as well, he tried to discern a reason for the lack of growth. Kneeling to the grasp a handful of the soil, the hair on the back of Ken’s neck stood to attention. A quiet stilled the air. Something felt off. He immediately stood. Then, in the recesses of his mind, he felt the presence of God with him for the first time in a long time. As he pondered this turn of events coming out of the blue, he thought back to a conversation he had with his neighbor just two days previous. The two argued about the needs of a nearby family. Ken wanted to do nothing. His neighbor wanted to help. As the entire conversation played in his mind, Ken began to listen to what God’s Spirit was saying. He closed his eyes and reached out with his soul. In seconds, Ken knew what he must do. He left the field and called his neighbor. Together, they worked out a plan to help that needy family. In the next days and weeks, he answered God’s call. He ended up changing the future of that family.
Like Ken, there are times when God will come right to you for a discussion. God will enter your mind, God’s Spirit will stop you at a crucial moment, God will cause you to change directions. If God is alive as is preached, don’t you think God may want to come to you when important? Then, don’t be surprised when this happens to you. It’s part of being in relationship with God. It’s part of a spiritual life.
When God called Moses’ name from the burning bush, Moses immediately responded. This quick response by Moses was crucial to the developing relationship between Moses and God. God expects you to respond when HE calls. God desires your attention when HE is close by. How well do you pick up on God’s presence or voice in your life? How well do you respond to God’s call?
I once had a long conversation with a person who had never felt God’s presence in his life. Steve was beginning to doubt God. Part of him questioned if God had passed him by or if God was just a figment of imagination. As he shared with me his doubts there on the steps outside a building, I asked Steve to stop and listen. I asked him if he could hear the bee buzzing nearby. After a few moments, Steve responded that he indeed had heard the bee. I then asked him if he had heard the bee before I mentioned it. He had not. I then told him that just as he didn’t hear the bee until I made him pay attention to it, he might be missing God’s voice, because he wasn’t paying attention either. God might be calling out to him, but he might not be listening for it or sensing it. I asked Steve to pray at least three times a day in a place where he could be attentive to God’s voice. I asked him to take time while praying to ask God’s Spirit to speak to him. He promised to do so.
Just one day later, I saw him in passing. He told me that nothing had happened all day. I told him to keep it up. One day after that, he said he didn’t hear anything again. I told him to keep praying and listening. On the third day, he came to me and said that he felt the need to talk to another person in that building. He did so and found out that the person was going through a health crisis. Steve’s body was animated a he explained what happened. In the end, he believed that God had called him to visit that person in a time of great need. He would never have even talked to that person if not for the call of God’s Spirit.
I have felt God’s call, heard God’s voice, sensed God’s leading many times in my life. Usually, I was smart enough to respond. When I did not, I regretted it later. How long has it been since you heard God’s call upon your life? What happened when you responded?
In a visit with his grandfather, the young man asked the wise old man if he ever felt God talking to him. The grandfather’s lips curled into a small smile and he told his grandson, “I used to not feel God’s presence when I was young. But, as I get older, I can’t help but sense and feel HIM speaking to me most every day.” The boy was surprised that his grandfather felt God was so present in his life. The boy determined that day to feel God’s presence more in his life. He wanted to be wise someday, like his grandfather. If God was a part of that, the grandson wanted in! From that day on, the grandson listened for God’s voice and sought God’s presence. Years later, I got to meet that grandson. He had a very deep and wonderful faith that was a great comfort to me in a time of trial.
I believe that God’s call and the response by each person initiates all relationships with the divine. Some might seek God for a long time, only to hear God’s call some time later. Some might not hear God’s voice calling at all. Some may hear God’s call only to ignore that divine voice. Some aren’t even listening or don’t care. Chances are that you were probably called some time ago. Do you remember when? Were you too young to discern God’s voice? Did you respond to God immediately like the disciples to Jesus (Mark 1:18)? Did you wait to confirm God’s calling like did Gideon (Judges 6)? Have you yet to respond to God’s voice, afraid of where the Spirit may lead you? I believe that God calls the name of every person at one time or another. God wants a relationship with each of us. Despite God’s calling, some hear and some to not. Some respond and some do not. Some are listening for God’s call while others will not. Have you heard God lately? How have you responded?
A farmer from southern Indiana was in his field one day, toiling in the hot sun. He had spent many hours in previous months working the ground and planting the corn and soybeans. As Ken walked an edge of the field, examining an area of ground where the corn was not growing as well, he tried to discern a reason for the lack of growth. Kneeling to the grasp a handful of the soil, the hair on the back of Ken’s neck stood to attention. A quiet stilled the air. Something felt off. He immediately stood. Then, in the recesses of his mind, he felt the presence of God with him for the first time in a long time. As he pondered this turn of events coming out of the blue, he thought back to a conversation he had with his neighbor just two days previous. The two argued about the needs of a nearby family. Ken wanted to do nothing. His neighbor wanted to help. As the entire conversation played in his mind, Ken began to listen to what God’s Spirit was saying. He closed his eyes and reached out with his soul. In seconds, Ken knew what he must do. He left the field and called his neighbor. Together, they worked out a plan to help that needy family. In the next days and weeks, he answered God’s call. He ended up changing the future of that family.
Like Ken, there are times when God will come right to you for a discussion. God will enter your mind, God’s Spirit will stop you at a crucial moment, God will cause you to change directions. If God is alive as is preached, don’t you think God may want to come to you when important? Then, don’t be surprised when this happens to you. It’s part of being in relationship with God. It’s part of a spiritual life.
When God called Moses’ name from the burning bush, Moses immediately responded. This quick response by Moses was crucial to the developing relationship between Moses and God. God expects you to respond when HE calls. God desires your attention when HE is close by. How well do you pick up on God’s presence or voice in your life? How well do you respond to God’s call?
I once had a long conversation with a person who had never felt God’s presence in his life. Steve was beginning to doubt God. Part of him questioned if God had passed him by or if God was just a figment of imagination. As he shared with me his doubts there on the steps outside a building, I asked Steve to stop and listen. I asked him if he could hear the bee buzzing nearby. After a few moments, Steve responded that he indeed had heard the bee. I then asked him if he had heard the bee before I mentioned it. He had not. I then told him that just as he didn’t hear the bee until I made him pay attention to it, he might be missing God’s voice, because he wasn’t paying attention either. God might be calling out to him, but he might not be listening for it or sensing it. I asked Steve to pray at least three times a day in a place where he could be attentive to God’s voice. I asked him to take time while praying to ask God’s Spirit to speak to him. He promised to do so.
Just one day later, I saw him in passing. He told me that nothing had happened all day. I told him to keep it up. One day after that, he said he didn’t hear anything again. I told him to keep praying and listening. On the third day, he came to me and said that he felt the need to talk to another person in that building. He did so and found out that the person was going through a health crisis. Steve’s body was animated a he explained what happened. In the end, he believed that God had called him to visit that person in a time of great need. He would never have even talked to that person if not for the call of God’s Spirit.
I have felt God’s call, heard God’s voice, sensed God’s leading many times in my life. Usually, I was smart enough to respond. When I did not, I regretted it later. How long has it been since you heard God’s call upon your life? What happened when you responded?
In a visit with his grandfather, the young man asked the wise old man if he ever felt God talking to him. The grandfather’s lips curled into a small smile and he told his grandson, “I used to not feel God’s presence when I was young. But, as I get older, I can’t help but sense and feel HIM speaking to me most every day.” The boy was surprised that his grandfather felt God was so present in his life. The boy determined that day to feel God’s presence more in his life. He wanted to be wise someday, like his grandfather. If God was a part of that, the grandson wanted in! From that day on, the grandson listened for God’s voice and sought God’s presence. Years later, I got to meet that grandson. He had a very deep and wonderful faith that was a great comfort to me in a time of trial.
May 6
“Sell your possessions, and give alms; provide yourselves with purses that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys.” (Luke 12:33, RSV)
In a recent study, young children were monitored in their homes by their parents for patterns that were out of the ordinary. Their perceptions were monitored by child psychologists. In the case of one young mother, there was a shocking result. Her young daughter was raised from an early age to be familiar with technology. She played learning games on an Apple Ipad tablet. She listened to music on the ipad. When she was potty trained, she was given the ipad to play on as a reward. Then, at the young age of three, the mother noticed something her daughter was doing. When the girl grew stressed or worried, she did not reach for her mother. She reached for the ipad. The mother felt that for her daughter, she was being replaced by a technological device.
In our world, “things” often are given more importance than their due. There are teens who think getting a car is more important than going to school. Women have turned down a wedding proposal, because the engagement ring held a diamond too small. For centuries, relatives have fought over the possessions of a deceased family member. A young boy was recently charged with assault after hitting his mother repeatedly. What did she do? She took away his Xbox as punishment for bad behavior.
While eating at a restaurant two weeks ago, I noticed a man and woman becoming agitated. His voice was raised, and he was gesturing toward the woman’s cell phone. She was pointing at him and yelling quietly. He said, “Can’t you put your phone away while we eat? Can’t we just be together?” For him, the phone kept her away. Her response was to complain that she had just received some texts from her sister, and he should mind his own business. I wondered if her phone was a primary motivator for marriage problems. Their angry outburst at the restaurant hinted that this was possible.
There are times when you don’t possess things, they possess you! Material things can come between two people. I find it interesting that when a person is taken over by a demonic spirit, they are called “possessed”. So too, a person can be “possessed” by possessions! Trying to gain dominion over Jesus when He was tempted, Satan tried to sway the Savior by “giving him all the kingdoms of the world”. Satan was convinced that Jesus could be tempted by all the riches and possessions of all these kingdoms. In response, Jesus told Satan to “Begone…only God shall you serve….” (Matthew 4:10). With these words, Jesus confirmed the connection between desiring possessions and worshiping them. If you are not careful, possessions can become what you worship in life. Then, they possess you!
In the scripture for today written above, Jesus encouraged his disciples and followers not to fall for the lure of possessions. If you connect it to the previous story in chapter 12 of Luke, Jesus even notes a connection between possessions and anxiety. They are tied together. Possessions can cause you deep anxiety if your pursuit is to attain as many "things" as possible or to hold onto them too tightly. In response, Jesus told the disciples to instead “sell” their possessions and “give alms” for the poor and needy (Luke 12:33). By giving up the hold that things have on you in this world and choosing God instead, it provides you with a greater treasure in God’s eyes. According to heaven, the gifts of charity are never tarnished for all eternity. They are a sign of true faith and great wisdom.
In a survey done in the magazine, Discipleship Journal, readers of the magazine were questioned about their greatest spiritual challenges. This magazine is read by many deeply faithful individuals. Yet among them, the most common spiritual challenge to be reported was materialism. The desire and worship of things can wreak havoc on your spiritual life. It can wreck relationships on earth and in heaven. Jesus knew this well. That’s why this scripture comes as a word of warning to all who desire to live a righteous life.
Do you have any possessions that possess you? Are you prone to put too much value in material things?
As a man lay dying in the hospital, I asked him what he was thinking. He responded that he would trade all his millions of dollars accumulated over the years for time to change some of his mistakes. Isn’t it funny how it takes death for many to realize the true value of possessions?
What possesses you; God or something you can put your hands on?
In our world, “things” often are given more importance than their due. There are teens who think getting a car is more important than going to school. Women have turned down a wedding proposal, because the engagement ring held a diamond too small. For centuries, relatives have fought over the possessions of a deceased family member. A young boy was recently charged with assault after hitting his mother repeatedly. What did she do? She took away his Xbox as punishment for bad behavior.
While eating at a restaurant two weeks ago, I noticed a man and woman becoming agitated. His voice was raised, and he was gesturing toward the woman’s cell phone. She was pointing at him and yelling quietly. He said, “Can’t you put your phone away while we eat? Can’t we just be together?” For him, the phone kept her away. Her response was to complain that she had just received some texts from her sister, and he should mind his own business. I wondered if her phone was a primary motivator for marriage problems. Their angry outburst at the restaurant hinted that this was possible.
There are times when you don’t possess things, they possess you! Material things can come between two people. I find it interesting that when a person is taken over by a demonic spirit, they are called “possessed”. So too, a person can be “possessed” by possessions! Trying to gain dominion over Jesus when He was tempted, Satan tried to sway the Savior by “giving him all the kingdoms of the world”. Satan was convinced that Jesus could be tempted by all the riches and possessions of all these kingdoms. In response, Jesus told Satan to “Begone…only God shall you serve….” (Matthew 4:10). With these words, Jesus confirmed the connection between desiring possessions and worshiping them. If you are not careful, possessions can become what you worship in life. Then, they possess you!
In the scripture for today written above, Jesus encouraged his disciples and followers not to fall for the lure of possessions. If you connect it to the previous story in chapter 12 of Luke, Jesus even notes a connection between possessions and anxiety. They are tied together. Possessions can cause you deep anxiety if your pursuit is to attain as many "things" as possible or to hold onto them too tightly. In response, Jesus told the disciples to instead “sell” their possessions and “give alms” for the poor and needy (Luke 12:33). By giving up the hold that things have on you in this world and choosing God instead, it provides you with a greater treasure in God’s eyes. According to heaven, the gifts of charity are never tarnished for all eternity. They are a sign of true faith and great wisdom.
In a survey done in the magazine, Discipleship Journal, readers of the magazine were questioned about their greatest spiritual challenges. This magazine is read by many deeply faithful individuals. Yet among them, the most common spiritual challenge to be reported was materialism. The desire and worship of things can wreak havoc on your spiritual life. It can wreck relationships on earth and in heaven. Jesus knew this well. That’s why this scripture comes as a word of warning to all who desire to live a righteous life.
Do you have any possessions that possess you? Are you prone to put too much value in material things?
As a man lay dying in the hospital, I asked him what he was thinking. He responded that he would trade all his millions of dollars accumulated over the years for time to change some of his mistakes. Isn’t it funny how it takes death for many to realize the true value of possessions?
What possesses you; God or something you can put your hands on?
May 8
“For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot.” (Romans 8:7, ESV)
According to the dictionary, to “submit” one’s self to someone, you’d have to “accede or yield to the authority or force of that one”. If you submit yourself to God, God’s rule and authority would be respected and honored and followed. You would yield your own will to God’s will. You would let God have the last word, follow God’s direction, accept God’s decisions and judgment. The scripture above notes that if you ever set your mind “on the flesh”, on worldly goals and authority, you will never “submit to God’s law” (Romans 8:7). Your own goals will become more important than God’s plan. Your own ideas will determine your choices.
Based on the scripture above and the definition of submission, you can see that there are ultimately two powers at war in your life. There’s God’s way, or there’s the mind set on flesh. You can follow God’s rules or make up your own. You can submit to God’s laws or set up your own laws. At any point in the history of humanity, you can see these two powers at work. Especially today.
Christian history (as well as many other religions and social groups) has defined marriage by the Godly rule of “one man and one woman in covenant”. Today, activists and politicians and media want that definition changed. You will need to decide which voice to follow, that of God or that of modern ideologies. Through the Ten Commandments in Exodus and Deuteronomy, faithful people were taught that one should never commit adultery. However, those in marketing say that “what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas”. Voices of “pragmatic ideologies” preach that what goes on behind closed doors is up to those who reside there…. God’s laws do not apply there. You have to choose which belief will decide your fate. Over and over, God’s law and worldly ideas clash with each other. You will always have to choose your direction, submit to God’s law or worldly ideas. Your future will be defined by your choices in this epic spiritual and moral battle for what is right.
When I met Richard, I knew we’d be friends. He was easy to get to know. He was fun to be around. When we talked, we’d usually end up laughing about something. He came to worship frequently, attended church functions, and gave regularly. However, Richard did not “submit” to God’s authority in all the areas of his life. For example, he refused to give up his heavy drinking. During his twenties, this didn’t pose too many problems. His wife enjoyed parties and get-togethers. When his three kids were born, it cramped his style somewhat, but Richard kept going strong with his drinking. Despite many scriptures arguing against drunken living, Richard convinced himself that his drinking was only for fun and hurt no one. He often said to me that “everybody deserved one vice in life”, usually saying this as he held an open beer in his hand.
In his late forties, Richard began having liver problems related to drinking. He also began being verbally abusive to his wife and kids when he didn’t drink. Richard was a friendly drunk. He would mellow with alcohol. That’s why he had so many drinking buddies. That’s why his wife let him drink. He was friendly when he had an alcohol buzz. However, this changed as he grew older. He would get irritable and resentful until he had his first drink of the day. When his doctor urged him to stop drinking due to complications from his liver and reactions between alcohol and his medications, Richard stopped going to see his doctor. When friends at church asked him to stop coming drunk to church functions, Richard stayed away from his home church.
Richard died at the age of 55, due to complications related to his drinking. After his death, his wife and children openly spoke of his anger and abusive behavior the older he got, due to the drinking. To this day, none of his children will drink alcohol for fear they will turn angry like their father. By submitting to alcoholism instead of God, Richard left a legacy of resentment and bad feelings in the wake of his death.
If there is an area of your life where you will not submit to God’s ways, it will always come back to bite you. According to Romans 8:7, it will usually make you hostile to God. For Richard, a good Christian man, alcoholism came between him and God in the end. If you would have asked Richard in his twenties if he would lose his faith, he would have challenged your sanity. However, after years of following his own passion for alcohol, Richard’s drinking came between himself and his family. Alcoholism destroyed his relationship with God. Ultimately, it destroyed Richard’s life.
When you let your passions, your political views, your personal notions, your addictions, anger, resentments, worldly desires, or your misunderstandings control your life, you will find yourself in opposition to God. When truly faithful ways determined by God are not at the core of your life; you will become hostile to God. This scripture from Romans 8:7 is a clear warning that you need to “submit” all of your life to God’s will. Otherwise, the result will usually come back to bite you. God will become your enemy, just as worldly thoughts will become your best friends.
Is there an area of your life where you have chosen to follow worldly views, rejecting God’s ways? Has something ever driven a wedge between you and God? A spiritual war is waging hot and heavy in the world today. Which side will you be on?
Based on the scripture above and the definition of submission, you can see that there are ultimately two powers at war in your life. There’s God’s way, or there’s the mind set on flesh. You can follow God’s rules or make up your own. You can submit to God’s laws or set up your own laws. At any point in the history of humanity, you can see these two powers at work. Especially today.
Christian history (as well as many other religions and social groups) has defined marriage by the Godly rule of “one man and one woman in covenant”. Today, activists and politicians and media want that definition changed. You will need to decide which voice to follow, that of God or that of modern ideologies. Through the Ten Commandments in Exodus and Deuteronomy, faithful people were taught that one should never commit adultery. However, those in marketing say that “what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas”. Voices of “pragmatic ideologies” preach that what goes on behind closed doors is up to those who reside there…. God’s laws do not apply there. You have to choose which belief will decide your fate. Over and over, God’s law and worldly ideas clash with each other. You will always have to choose your direction, submit to God’s law or worldly ideas. Your future will be defined by your choices in this epic spiritual and moral battle for what is right.
When I met Richard, I knew we’d be friends. He was easy to get to know. He was fun to be around. When we talked, we’d usually end up laughing about something. He came to worship frequently, attended church functions, and gave regularly. However, Richard did not “submit” to God’s authority in all the areas of his life. For example, he refused to give up his heavy drinking. During his twenties, this didn’t pose too many problems. His wife enjoyed parties and get-togethers. When his three kids were born, it cramped his style somewhat, but Richard kept going strong with his drinking. Despite many scriptures arguing against drunken living, Richard convinced himself that his drinking was only for fun and hurt no one. He often said to me that “everybody deserved one vice in life”, usually saying this as he held an open beer in his hand.
In his late forties, Richard began having liver problems related to drinking. He also began being verbally abusive to his wife and kids when he didn’t drink. Richard was a friendly drunk. He would mellow with alcohol. That’s why he had so many drinking buddies. That’s why his wife let him drink. He was friendly when he had an alcohol buzz. However, this changed as he grew older. He would get irritable and resentful until he had his first drink of the day. When his doctor urged him to stop drinking due to complications from his liver and reactions between alcohol and his medications, Richard stopped going to see his doctor. When friends at church asked him to stop coming drunk to church functions, Richard stayed away from his home church.
Richard died at the age of 55, due to complications related to his drinking. After his death, his wife and children openly spoke of his anger and abusive behavior the older he got, due to the drinking. To this day, none of his children will drink alcohol for fear they will turn angry like their father. By submitting to alcoholism instead of God, Richard left a legacy of resentment and bad feelings in the wake of his death.
If there is an area of your life where you will not submit to God’s ways, it will always come back to bite you. According to Romans 8:7, it will usually make you hostile to God. For Richard, a good Christian man, alcoholism came between him and God in the end. If you would have asked Richard in his twenties if he would lose his faith, he would have challenged your sanity. However, after years of following his own passion for alcohol, Richard’s drinking came between himself and his family. Alcoholism destroyed his relationship with God. Ultimately, it destroyed Richard’s life.
When you let your passions, your political views, your personal notions, your addictions, anger, resentments, worldly desires, or your misunderstandings control your life, you will find yourself in opposition to God. When truly faithful ways determined by God are not at the core of your life; you will become hostile to God. This scripture from Romans 8:7 is a clear warning that you need to “submit” all of your life to God’s will. Otherwise, the result will usually come back to bite you. God will become your enemy, just as worldly thoughts will become your best friends.
Is there an area of your life where you have chosen to follow worldly views, rejecting God’s ways? Has something ever driven a wedge between you and God? A spiritual war is waging hot and heavy in the world today. Which side will you be on?
May 13
“For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father also will forgive you; but if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” (Matthew 6:14–15, RSV)
“Bitterness is its own prison. The sides are slippery with resentment. A floor of muddy anger stills the feet. The stench of betrayal fills the air and stings the eyes. …. The dungeon, deep and dark, is beckoning you to enter.… You can, you know. You’ve experienced enough hurt.… You can choose, like many, to chain yourself to your hurt.… Or you can choose, like some, to put away your hurts before they become hates.…” (Max Lucado, Grace for the Moment, p. 210)
There are many people today who have the inability to forgive. Because of this, they can’t let go of their anger, guilt, resentment, hate, or bitterness. They baby it. They harbor it. They keep it to the fore in heart or mind. Some will replay a bitter memory over and over until it is indelibly etched into the consciousness. Then, it remains there to conform every thought to its darkness. Do you have anything left unforgiven, any slight or sin or dastardly deed done to you? Be careful. As it says above, bitterness along with resentments and chronic anger and unforgiven wrongs can become YOUR prison. It can imprison your heart, barricade you from grace, and keep you from a true and deep relationship with God.
Jesus taught His disciples how to pray, using the Lord’s Prayer, in Matthew 6. Immediately following those words, He gave them the sentence above. These words form the scripture for today. They are words that came forth from Jesus’ lips as a cautionary addition to the Lord’s Prayer. According to this scripture, forgiveness from God hinges on your ability to forgive. If you cannot forgive others their wrongs or trespasses, you cannot be forgiven. If you are a forgiving soul, you will find God’s forgiveness forthcoming. Your own ability to forgive or not forgive will determine how much grace God will extend to you.
In Galatians 6:7, Paul cautions that in life you will reap what you sow. If you sow discord, you will find discord in your life. If you are a strong source of good things, you will reap their benefit. Looking at the verses for today, the same applies. If you sow a lack of forgiveness in your life, you will reap the same from God. If you are a forgiving person, you will find God to have the same character toward you.
There is a complication to forgiving. Many people think they are forgiving when they are not. They also may delude themselves into believing that they are full of grace when they are not capable of much at all. It is very important in your life that you reexamine yourself periodically to see if you remain a forgiving person. Life can make you hard of heart. Hurting can cause the lack of grace if you aren’t careful.
Do you need for another person who has wronged you to say they regret it BEFORE you let it go?
Do you find yourself holding on to a grudge for days or weeks, months or years?
Do you wish evil to happen to someone, because that person hurt you?
Do you fantasize about people you dislike suffering or failing?
When you look at a person, do past hurts or wrongs determine your view?
I was enjoying a nice conversation with a friend named June when a woman walked past. Immediately June went silent. Her eyes furtively glanced to see where the other woman was going and with whom she was speaking. I didn’t take June’s pause in our conversation as rude or interruptive. However, I did note her response. When June turned to me, she began to speak again. I noticed her soften. Her breathing slowed. From the physical responses to the emotional view I was presented, it was obvious to me that June was greatly bothered by this other woman.
A few months later, I had a chance to visit with June one-on-one. Remembering her response to this other woman, I gracefully mentioned that I had noticed her discomfort around this other woman. I asked if everything was okay between them. June told me how this other woman had hurt her deeply. She asked for me to keep it private. Of course, I would. Then, I cautioned her that she needed to let go of her anxiety and hurt surrounding this other woman. I told her that she didn’t need to carry this burden with her for so long. I held her hand and told her I would pray for her healing. I knew in my heart that her long-term suffering would only be healed when she forgave the other woman in God’s name.
Little resentments, hurts, pain, and embarrassments can take root in your heart and soul and mind. They can poison your view of another. Then, they can poison your own view of yourself. Then, they damage your relationship with God. Forgiveness is a beautiful, freeing experience. Even when another person never repents or regrets what was done to you, forgiveness frees you from the burden of carrying that pain long-term. Real forgiveness may take time, but it is the only way you can find peace in your soul. Ever met a person who kept a grudge long-term? How did it affect them over time?
God knows your failings and can forgive your faults, knowing everything you think. God still has grace for you. If you need peace in your heart, maybe its time you asked for forgiveness from God or another. If you want lasting peace in your heart, this means you need to forgive and let go of wrongs done to you. Otherwise, that poison will consume you in a multitude of ways from the inside out.
There are many people today who have the inability to forgive. Because of this, they can’t let go of their anger, guilt, resentment, hate, or bitterness. They baby it. They harbor it. They keep it to the fore in heart or mind. Some will replay a bitter memory over and over until it is indelibly etched into the consciousness. Then, it remains there to conform every thought to its darkness. Do you have anything left unforgiven, any slight or sin or dastardly deed done to you? Be careful. As it says above, bitterness along with resentments and chronic anger and unforgiven wrongs can become YOUR prison. It can imprison your heart, barricade you from grace, and keep you from a true and deep relationship with God.
Jesus taught His disciples how to pray, using the Lord’s Prayer, in Matthew 6. Immediately following those words, He gave them the sentence above. These words form the scripture for today. They are words that came forth from Jesus’ lips as a cautionary addition to the Lord’s Prayer. According to this scripture, forgiveness from God hinges on your ability to forgive. If you cannot forgive others their wrongs or trespasses, you cannot be forgiven. If you are a forgiving soul, you will find God’s forgiveness forthcoming. Your own ability to forgive or not forgive will determine how much grace God will extend to you.
In Galatians 6:7, Paul cautions that in life you will reap what you sow. If you sow discord, you will find discord in your life. If you are a strong source of good things, you will reap their benefit. Looking at the verses for today, the same applies. If you sow a lack of forgiveness in your life, you will reap the same from God. If you are a forgiving person, you will find God to have the same character toward you.
There is a complication to forgiving. Many people think they are forgiving when they are not. They also may delude themselves into believing that they are full of grace when they are not capable of much at all. It is very important in your life that you reexamine yourself periodically to see if you remain a forgiving person. Life can make you hard of heart. Hurting can cause the lack of grace if you aren’t careful.
Do you need for another person who has wronged you to say they regret it BEFORE you let it go?
Do you find yourself holding on to a grudge for days or weeks, months or years?
Do you wish evil to happen to someone, because that person hurt you?
Do you fantasize about people you dislike suffering or failing?
When you look at a person, do past hurts or wrongs determine your view?
I was enjoying a nice conversation with a friend named June when a woman walked past. Immediately June went silent. Her eyes furtively glanced to see where the other woman was going and with whom she was speaking. I didn’t take June’s pause in our conversation as rude or interruptive. However, I did note her response. When June turned to me, she began to speak again. I noticed her soften. Her breathing slowed. From the physical responses to the emotional view I was presented, it was obvious to me that June was greatly bothered by this other woman.
A few months later, I had a chance to visit with June one-on-one. Remembering her response to this other woman, I gracefully mentioned that I had noticed her discomfort around this other woman. I asked if everything was okay between them. June told me how this other woman had hurt her deeply. She asked for me to keep it private. Of course, I would. Then, I cautioned her that she needed to let go of her anxiety and hurt surrounding this other woman. I told her that she didn’t need to carry this burden with her for so long. I held her hand and told her I would pray for her healing. I knew in my heart that her long-term suffering would only be healed when she forgave the other woman in God’s name.
Little resentments, hurts, pain, and embarrassments can take root in your heart and soul and mind. They can poison your view of another. Then, they can poison your own view of yourself. Then, they damage your relationship with God. Forgiveness is a beautiful, freeing experience. Even when another person never repents or regrets what was done to you, forgiveness frees you from the burden of carrying that pain long-term. Real forgiveness may take time, but it is the only way you can find peace in your soul. Ever met a person who kept a grudge long-term? How did it affect them over time?
God knows your failings and can forgive your faults, knowing everything you think. God still has grace for you. If you need peace in your heart, maybe its time you asked for forgiveness from God or another. If you want lasting peace in your heart, this means you need to forgive and let go of wrongs done to you. Otherwise, that poison will consume you in a multitude of ways from the inside out.
May 17
“And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.”
(Matthew 22:37, RSV)
(Matthew 22:37, RSV)
To love God in a right manner, nothing must be more important in your heart, soul, or mind than God. Nothing must be placed above God’s will. Nothing can come between you and God. Everything will be required of you. This verse of the Bible is very difficult for every person, because it requires you to put everything and everyone and even yourself in at least second place. What comes first in your life?
When I met young Christine, I was amazed at her faith. She was generous to a fault. She loved to study the Bible. She was a leader in the youth group and her church. She had a beautiful singing voice. Christine was beloved in her congregation. At the church camp where I got to know her, she was a treasured soul. When people had a need, she stepped up to help. When someone felt down, she was quick to offer a word of encouragement or a hug. However, all this changed when Christine fell head over heels for Justin. She loved him deeply. The two were inseparable. They were “the” couple many wanted to emulate. I, however, was not happy with their relationship.
The longer Christine dated Justin, the more Justin became her center of attention. Where Christine had previously been one to offer a hug to others, now her hugs were reserved for Justin. In a situation where Christine would usually volunteer to help or offer leadership, instead she held back. Justin required her attention. Over the several years that I saw Christine, I noticed that her faith began to take a back seat to Justin. Her focus left God often. Justin was the new center of her world.
While I believe it is a wonderful thing to be in love with a soul mate, that should never relegate God to second place in a person’s life. Whenever that happens, one’s world will tip out of balance. It may take time, but something will eventually go wrong. A well-balanced life should include God in the position of greatest priority. Everything else will fall into place if God is one’s first love. When Christine fell in love with Justin, God seemed to take second place. Over time, this took a toll on Christine’s faith. It also took a toll upon Justin. At first, he liked being Christine’s biggest priority. However, he soon found her attention to be too consuming. At times, he had no space. She didn’t like him spending time with his guy friends. She was jealous of his vacations away from her. Also, Christine wanted Justin to make her into his number one priority in everything in life. Over time, this seemed to suck all the fun out of Justin. While he loved Christine very much, he didn’t want to be her everything.
When your life gets out of balance, God can often slip to second or third or fifth or last place. Inevitably, this causes issues with priorities and values. Your priorities and values change when what is important changes in your life. I have found that people who stop worshiping God and start worship “things” often devalue life. People who don’t find time for God in life will often find time for bad habits, addictions, or dysfunctional relationships. Those who ignore their relationship with God will usually lose their perspective, become selfish or egotistical, and be hard to live with. That is why the rate of divorce for true Christians is much lower than the national average. When you keep God in first place in your life, other things tend to flow more smoothly. Difficulties can be managed. Fears can be overcome.
The scripture for today reminds us that Jesus required the faithful to keep God first in life. Everything else would work out better that way. To further explain this adoration of the divine, Jesus said that you should “love the Lord your God with ALL your heart, ALL your soul, and ALL your mind” (Matthew 22:37). Do you place God first in these three areas of your life? Does God occupy the fiercest love of your heart, or is there something else you love more? Does God fill your soul up, or is your soul empty? Instead of centering on God, does your mind spin at worldly thoughts, fears, desires, passions, or emotions? What thoughts and feelings and desires control your heart, soul, and mind today? Is God’s voice able to overcome it all to place first?
I guarantee that if God slips from first place in your life, things will go awry. Don’t let this happen to you. How can you show God that HE is first in your life today? What thought, fear, or desire can God conquer for you? How might you show God that He still reigns supreme in your life?
When I met young Christine, I was amazed at her faith. She was generous to a fault. She loved to study the Bible. She was a leader in the youth group and her church. She had a beautiful singing voice. Christine was beloved in her congregation. At the church camp where I got to know her, she was a treasured soul. When people had a need, she stepped up to help. When someone felt down, she was quick to offer a word of encouragement or a hug. However, all this changed when Christine fell head over heels for Justin. She loved him deeply. The two were inseparable. They were “the” couple many wanted to emulate. I, however, was not happy with their relationship.
The longer Christine dated Justin, the more Justin became her center of attention. Where Christine had previously been one to offer a hug to others, now her hugs were reserved for Justin. In a situation where Christine would usually volunteer to help or offer leadership, instead she held back. Justin required her attention. Over the several years that I saw Christine, I noticed that her faith began to take a back seat to Justin. Her focus left God often. Justin was the new center of her world.
While I believe it is a wonderful thing to be in love with a soul mate, that should never relegate God to second place in a person’s life. Whenever that happens, one’s world will tip out of balance. It may take time, but something will eventually go wrong. A well-balanced life should include God in the position of greatest priority. Everything else will fall into place if God is one’s first love. When Christine fell in love with Justin, God seemed to take second place. Over time, this took a toll on Christine’s faith. It also took a toll upon Justin. At first, he liked being Christine’s biggest priority. However, he soon found her attention to be too consuming. At times, he had no space. She didn’t like him spending time with his guy friends. She was jealous of his vacations away from her. Also, Christine wanted Justin to make her into his number one priority in everything in life. Over time, this seemed to suck all the fun out of Justin. While he loved Christine very much, he didn’t want to be her everything.
When your life gets out of balance, God can often slip to second or third or fifth or last place. Inevitably, this causes issues with priorities and values. Your priorities and values change when what is important changes in your life. I have found that people who stop worshiping God and start worship “things” often devalue life. People who don’t find time for God in life will often find time for bad habits, addictions, or dysfunctional relationships. Those who ignore their relationship with God will usually lose their perspective, become selfish or egotistical, and be hard to live with. That is why the rate of divorce for true Christians is much lower than the national average. When you keep God in first place in your life, other things tend to flow more smoothly. Difficulties can be managed. Fears can be overcome.
The scripture for today reminds us that Jesus required the faithful to keep God first in life. Everything else would work out better that way. To further explain this adoration of the divine, Jesus said that you should “love the Lord your God with ALL your heart, ALL your soul, and ALL your mind” (Matthew 22:37). Do you place God first in these three areas of your life? Does God occupy the fiercest love of your heart, or is there something else you love more? Does God fill your soul up, or is your soul empty? Instead of centering on God, does your mind spin at worldly thoughts, fears, desires, passions, or emotions? What thoughts and feelings and desires control your heart, soul, and mind today? Is God’s voice able to overcome it all to place first?
I guarantee that if God slips from first place in your life, things will go awry. Don’t let this happen to you. How can you show God that HE is first in your life today? What thought, fear, or desire can God conquer for you? How might you show God that He still reigns supreme in your life?
May 20
“I will take my stand to watch, and station myself on the tower, and look forth to see what he will say to me, and what I will answer concerning my complaint.” (Habakkuk 2:1, RSV)
The prophet Habakkuk had a few issues to discuss with God. He saw faithless people prospering in the holy land (Habakkuk 1:13). He witnessed wicked men who took advantage of righteous people (Habakkuk 1:13). The rich basked in luxury, while poor people went hungry (Habakkuk 1:17). Justice was perverted in the courts and among the leadership of the people (Habakkuk 1:3). “Violence and destruction” were too commonplace. Exhausted at figuring out what God was doing to stop all these wrongs, Habakkuk decided to retreat to a place to speak with God. According to the scripture for today, he took his "station" at the watchtower and sought God out. He listened for God’s voice. He yearned for some answers and direction from God.
“Habakkuk retired to his watchtower to see how the Lord would answer him. He wanted to get alone in order to gain God’s perspective." There, God met with Habakkuk. There, he received a vision from God. "This is a most important principle for believers today as well. Whether we call it our “quiet time,” “devotions,” or by some other term, daily communion with God is crucial for every Christian.” (p. 1144, Believers Bible Commentary). There are times when you need to look for God in order to come to an understanding or to find some solace. Like Habakkuk, you may seek out a quiet place to pray and meditate, to reflect and think. Most of all, you will wait for God to come to you. How well do you wait for God’s direction? How quick are you to listen for God’s voice before you act?
In our modern world, we are too comfortable with getting what we want when we want it. You expect when you connect to the internet, there will be answers on Wikipedia. You stop in a restaurant knowing you will get enough to eat in a short amount of time. You take your car into a repair shop expecting it to be fixed in a few hours. Some things in life are not so easy. Some questions in life don’t have easy answers or quick fixes. Will you wait upon the Lord when you have issues to work through? Will you take the time to seek out God in a quiet place when your life turns chaotic?
Jesus taught His disciples to take the time to “go into a room and shut the door and pray to the Heavenly Father” (Matthew 6:6). In His own life, Jesus practiced this very thing. When Jesus learned that John the Baptist was beheaded, he “withdrew to a lonely place”. We can assume He needed to pray about it (Matthew 14:13). When Jesus went to Jerusalem, he spent a lot of time in prayer outside the city in the Garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 26:36). If Jesus knew the importance of quiet time with God, if the prophet Habakkuk desired quiet time while in his watchtower to speak with God, shouldn’t you look for a quiet place and quiet time to meet with your Lord?
Some people take long walks, pouring their heart out to God. Some retire to a familiar place to speak with God early in the day before anyone is awake. Others take the time in bed at night to pour out their concerns to the divine while everyone else is asleep. One carpenter I knew built a wooden bench in the woods behind his house at which to meditate. My home church built a prayer area in a courtyard for people to tarry for a quiet moment with God. I remember fondly the time I spent at a building in Chicago where on the top floor there was a quiet room painted like the sky. Music played quietly in the background. It was a treasured place to pray. You need to find a place to pray and meditate, to spend time with your God. This may become more crucial at particularly difficult times in your life. These moments will require a quiet place in which you are not distracted, a place wherein you can seek out God’s voice.
Are you one to find a quiet place to pray? Do you take the time to meet with God? When was the last time you sought out a time of quiet and reflection? How long has it been since you backed off all responsibilities just to meet with God? What happened then?
“Habakkuk retired to his watchtower to see how the Lord would answer him. He wanted to get alone in order to gain God’s perspective." There, God met with Habakkuk. There, he received a vision from God. "This is a most important principle for believers today as well. Whether we call it our “quiet time,” “devotions,” or by some other term, daily communion with God is crucial for every Christian.” (p. 1144, Believers Bible Commentary). There are times when you need to look for God in order to come to an understanding or to find some solace. Like Habakkuk, you may seek out a quiet place to pray and meditate, to reflect and think. Most of all, you will wait for God to come to you. How well do you wait for God’s direction? How quick are you to listen for God’s voice before you act?
In our modern world, we are too comfortable with getting what we want when we want it. You expect when you connect to the internet, there will be answers on Wikipedia. You stop in a restaurant knowing you will get enough to eat in a short amount of time. You take your car into a repair shop expecting it to be fixed in a few hours. Some things in life are not so easy. Some questions in life don’t have easy answers or quick fixes. Will you wait upon the Lord when you have issues to work through? Will you take the time to seek out God in a quiet place when your life turns chaotic?
Jesus taught His disciples to take the time to “go into a room and shut the door and pray to the Heavenly Father” (Matthew 6:6). In His own life, Jesus practiced this very thing. When Jesus learned that John the Baptist was beheaded, he “withdrew to a lonely place”. We can assume He needed to pray about it (Matthew 14:13). When Jesus went to Jerusalem, he spent a lot of time in prayer outside the city in the Garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 26:36). If Jesus knew the importance of quiet time with God, if the prophet Habakkuk desired quiet time while in his watchtower to speak with God, shouldn’t you look for a quiet place and quiet time to meet with your Lord?
Some people take long walks, pouring their heart out to God. Some retire to a familiar place to speak with God early in the day before anyone is awake. Others take the time in bed at night to pour out their concerns to the divine while everyone else is asleep. One carpenter I knew built a wooden bench in the woods behind his house at which to meditate. My home church built a prayer area in a courtyard for people to tarry for a quiet moment with God. I remember fondly the time I spent at a building in Chicago where on the top floor there was a quiet room painted like the sky. Music played quietly in the background. It was a treasured place to pray. You need to find a place to pray and meditate, to spend time with your God. This may become more crucial at particularly difficult times in your life. These moments will require a quiet place in which you are not distracted, a place wherein you can seek out God’s voice.
Are you one to find a quiet place to pray? Do you take the time to meet with God? When was the last time you sought out a time of quiet and reflection? How long has it been since you backed off all responsibilities just to meet with God? What happened then?
May 22
“Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you.” (Isaiah 49:15, RSV)
After one of the most difficult periods in the history of Israel and Judah, the people of God wanted to understand their place in it all. Had God abandoned them? Did God care that the Babylonians killed a million people in Jerusalem and took thousands as slaves? Had God given up on the covenant with Israel because of the sins of the people? When the scripture above was written, the people of Israel were still trying to understand if God was still in a relationship with them. As Isaiah spoke the words recorded above, God’s answer to all these questions was given. God was still in covenant with the people of Israel and Judah. God was still in a relationship with them. They had failed God, but God had not failed them.
Jeremy grew up in a dysfunctional household. His father and mother fought incessantly. There were mind games and unrealistic expectations. The punishments were meted down as if the parents were uncaring judges in a court of law. Grace was not a concept that Jeremy understood nor experienced very often. He struggled to find his place in life.
When Jeremy met Carly, he fell head over heals for her. She cared for him deeply. The two were an item in High School and grew closer in the years following. When they married, there were tense moments. Carly came from a loving home, not the dysfunctional chaos like Jeremy experienced. She was grounded and warm while Jeremy could be pouty and distant. Carly encouraged Jeremy to join her church before they were married. After their wedding, they both enjoyed friends and family who attended there.
After several years of marriage, Jeremy messed up in a big way. Not willing to miss a deal from a friend on a used truck, Jeremy paid for the vehicle out of savings. He emptied their nest egg to purchase the truck. Then, he drove home and told Carly how awesome the deal was he received. She was not happy. Though Jeremy needed the truck, he should have talked about it with Carly beforehand. Not wanting to lose the truck to another buyer, Jeremy couldn’t wait. They had a big argument over the purchase. Jeremy immediately distanced himself from Carly. He didn’t talk to her for days. He spent most of his free time after work with friends. He ignored her. Carly attempted to get Jeremy to talk. She tried to work through their disagreement. Jeremy was convinced that their marriage would end, because of what he did. His reaction was based on his dysfunctional upbringing.
Two weeks into the mess, Carly woke early on a Saturday morning and made Jeremy his favorite breakfast. Then, she served him with a smile. Throughout the day, she caressed his back and made loving conversation. That night, she made sweet love to him. It was a beautiful day for them both. As they laid in bed together after making love, Carly said to Jeremy in a whisper, “I love you so much. I never want you to forget that. We may have bad days, but I will always love you. I’ll always be there for you. I will never give up on you.” Jeremy’s eyes filled with tears, but he did not let Carly see them. Just moments before, he feared their disagreement. He worried about a divorce. He felt like a failure. But after her words were spoken, Jeremy saw his wife in a new light. He felt grace, not unending judgment. He felt love, not rejection. He felt peace, not guilt. In response, the two worked things out over the next twenty-four hours. They grew closer. Their love blossomed. It took Carly’s grace. It took Jeremy’s faith in his wife. It took a love that was committed and lasting.
No doubt, Carly’s response to Jeremy was based on her knowledge of God. God’s grace is legendary. God’s love is powerful. Even when you fail God, there is the hope of redemption and forgiveness. Even though you may falter, God remains faithful. God desires a lifetime relationship with you.
In the scripture for today, Isaiah relayed to the people of Israel and Judah that God would not forget them. Even though some people in your life may forget you, ignore you, reject you, true love is different. God always holds out for those who are willing to show grace and forgiveness and love. God loves to see faithfulness in marriage and in life. God would not give up on faithless Israel. God will not give up on HIS hope that you will remain in relationship with HIM.
Israel and Judah messed up greatly in the days of Isaiah. God called them on it. God judged them. God punished them. However, God consistently hoped for a return of their faith. God would not forget HIS covenant with them.
God’s love and faithfulness and grace are stronger than your weakness. How might you show God thanks for such love today? Who needs to feel your grace in this hour?
Jeremy grew up in a dysfunctional household. His father and mother fought incessantly. There were mind games and unrealistic expectations. The punishments were meted down as if the parents were uncaring judges in a court of law. Grace was not a concept that Jeremy understood nor experienced very often. He struggled to find his place in life.
When Jeremy met Carly, he fell head over heals for her. She cared for him deeply. The two were an item in High School and grew closer in the years following. When they married, there were tense moments. Carly came from a loving home, not the dysfunctional chaos like Jeremy experienced. She was grounded and warm while Jeremy could be pouty and distant. Carly encouraged Jeremy to join her church before they were married. After their wedding, they both enjoyed friends and family who attended there.
After several years of marriage, Jeremy messed up in a big way. Not willing to miss a deal from a friend on a used truck, Jeremy paid for the vehicle out of savings. He emptied their nest egg to purchase the truck. Then, he drove home and told Carly how awesome the deal was he received. She was not happy. Though Jeremy needed the truck, he should have talked about it with Carly beforehand. Not wanting to lose the truck to another buyer, Jeremy couldn’t wait. They had a big argument over the purchase. Jeremy immediately distanced himself from Carly. He didn’t talk to her for days. He spent most of his free time after work with friends. He ignored her. Carly attempted to get Jeremy to talk. She tried to work through their disagreement. Jeremy was convinced that their marriage would end, because of what he did. His reaction was based on his dysfunctional upbringing.
Two weeks into the mess, Carly woke early on a Saturday morning and made Jeremy his favorite breakfast. Then, she served him with a smile. Throughout the day, she caressed his back and made loving conversation. That night, she made sweet love to him. It was a beautiful day for them both. As they laid in bed together after making love, Carly said to Jeremy in a whisper, “I love you so much. I never want you to forget that. We may have bad days, but I will always love you. I’ll always be there for you. I will never give up on you.” Jeremy’s eyes filled with tears, but he did not let Carly see them. Just moments before, he feared their disagreement. He worried about a divorce. He felt like a failure. But after her words were spoken, Jeremy saw his wife in a new light. He felt grace, not unending judgment. He felt love, not rejection. He felt peace, not guilt. In response, the two worked things out over the next twenty-four hours. They grew closer. Their love blossomed. It took Carly’s grace. It took Jeremy’s faith in his wife. It took a love that was committed and lasting.
No doubt, Carly’s response to Jeremy was based on her knowledge of God. God’s grace is legendary. God’s love is powerful. Even when you fail God, there is the hope of redemption and forgiveness. Even though you may falter, God remains faithful. God desires a lifetime relationship with you.
In the scripture for today, Isaiah relayed to the people of Israel and Judah that God would not forget them. Even though some people in your life may forget you, ignore you, reject you, true love is different. God always holds out for those who are willing to show grace and forgiveness and love. God loves to see faithfulness in marriage and in life. God would not give up on faithless Israel. God will not give up on HIS hope that you will remain in relationship with HIM.
Israel and Judah messed up greatly in the days of Isaiah. God called them on it. God judged them. God punished them. However, God consistently hoped for a return of their faith. God would not forget HIS covenant with them.
God’s love and faithfulness and grace are stronger than your weakness. How might you show God thanks for such love today? Who needs to feel your grace in this hour?
May 25
“If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” (1 John 1:8, RSV)
Max Lucado gave the following illustration. “We do ourselves no favors in justifying our deeds or glossing over our sins. Some time ago my daughter Andrea got a splinter in her finger. I took her to the restroom and set out some tweezers, ointment, and a Band-Aid.
She didn’t like what she saw. “I just want the Band-Aid, Daddy.”
Sometimes we are just like Andrea. We come to Christ with our sin, but all we want is a covering. We want to skip the treatment. We want to hide our sin. And one wonders if God, even in his great mercy, will heal what we conceal.
How can God heal what we deny? How can God touch what we cover up?” (Max Lucado, Grace for the Moment, p.224)
One of the greatest sins of all times is the denial of sin. This can occur in a multitude of ways. Like Adam and Eve, you can hide your sin. You may think everything will go back to normal by hiding it. Of course, the opposite is true. They were never able to hide their sin from God. Some people rename their sin. They believe if the sin is not listed in the Bible, it is just a choice. Hogwash! There are people who manipulate others to tell them a sin is not a sin. Then, they deceive themselves into thinking that they are living righteously, because someone agreed with their assessment (2 Timothy 4:3). Really? I have met many who would not admit their sin. They figure that if they don’t admit a sin, it never occurred. How does that work?
In what ways have you played down a sin or denied a sin in order to cover up your guilt and shame?
When I was in seminary, I met a woman who was an open lesbian. She also wanted to be a pastor. Her goal in that time of her life was to make people believe that a homosexual lifestyle was Biblical. She wanted people to say that same sex marriage was Biblical. She promoted the idea that homosexual people were nice and therefore homosexual marriage is not sinful. In the end, what she was doing was advocating that the Bible condones same-sex marriage. She believed that homosexual sin does not exist except in the eyes of homophobic people, and that if two people love each other it can’t be sinful. However, the Bible is adamantly against a homosexual lifestyle, attitude and marriage. The books of Genesis, Leviticus, Deuteronomy, and Romans (among other places) all call this type of lifestyle sinful. You may disagree with the Bible and not believe homosexuality is wrong, but it is abundantly evident that the Bible does indeed teach that homosexuality is sinful.
In modern times, there are many people who have endeavored to advocate that sinful acts are not actually sinful. To do so is to lie to yourself and to God. When seminaries teach that the Bible does not teach that marriage is between a man and woman, they deceive people on what the Bible really says. When pastors preach that living together does not go against the word of God, they are justifying a lie. If a spouse of an alcoholic is enabling that sinful lifestyle, it is not loving. It is sinful. There are so many ways to deceive yourself about sin. In the end, the best thing you can do is name your sin. Only then can you begin to work through the repentance and forgiveness that will cleanse your heart and soul. The longer you lie to yourself about sins, the more you will damage your life and your relationship with God.
In the first letter of John, our scripture for today, the author is critical of those who deceive themselves into thinking that their sin is not sin. If you say you “have no sin”, you are lying to yourself (1 John 1:8). You are “deceiving” yourself. God’s truth is not in you. When your sin is hidden or justified or explained away, God’s truth is not in you. God is offended. Peace with God will not occur. Healing will not take place. That sin will fester and balloon and haunt you.
When I met Jennifer, I could tell right away that she was depressed. Her smile did not spread to her eyes. She was uncomfortable in her own skin. She looked agitated and sad. As I was working on my sermon one day, Jennifer stopped into my office. She started up a conversation, and I could tell she wanted to talk. I encouraged her to continue. I knew something was weighing on her heart.
As we talked, Jennifer admitted to having anger issues. Then, she told me that after dating a man for three years, she broke off the engagement. I asked her why she broke it off. She told me that she had fallen in love with another man. She proceeded to tell me how bad her ex-fiancé had been. He had too many expectations. He was often upset with her. He did not make much money. He wanted kids, whereas she did not. What Jennifer didn’t know was that I knew her ex-fiancé well. I knew he was a wonderful, faithful man. I knew her opinion of him was going to be different, but she painted him as the worst kind of human possible. Then why did she date him for three years and agree to the engagement with him?
I looked at Jennifer and said, “Do you regret leaving your fiancé?”
She was shocked I asked that question. However, something in her words seemed to indicate that she still had feelings for him. I felt called by God to ask that question. When I did, she swallowed. She couldn’t speak for almost a minute. Then, the tears started. She sobbed on and off for a half hour. Her ex-fiance had recently married another woman, and the two were very happy together. Jennifer felt she had thrown away a perfect husband. She kept lying to herself about how horrible their relationship had been, when it had been wonderful. Now, another woman was going to share a beautiful life with him, and Jennifer felt very alone and unloved. She was no longer dating anyone. It took us months to work through all the lies she had been telling herself about her ex-fiance, about the man whom she left him for, and about the lies she believed about herself and her relationships. Only later did Jennifer realize how all the lies she was telling herself were causing her depression, her anger, and her inability to form a deep relationship with God.
It is difficult to live with the lies you tell yourself. Don’t go down that road. It only ends up in heartache and pain. God wants you to be truthful with yourself and others. God wants you to be honest with HIM. Lying about your sins, deceiving yourself about your past, finding people who will tell you what you want to hear, and more, will only wreck your heart and soul and future.
She didn’t like what she saw. “I just want the Band-Aid, Daddy.”
Sometimes we are just like Andrea. We come to Christ with our sin, but all we want is a covering. We want to skip the treatment. We want to hide our sin. And one wonders if God, even in his great mercy, will heal what we conceal.
How can God heal what we deny? How can God touch what we cover up?” (Max Lucado, Grace for the Moment, p.224)
One of the greatest sins of all times is the denial of sin. This can occur in a multitude of ways. Like Adam and Eve, you can hide your sin. You may think everything will go back to normal by hiding it. Of course, the opposite is true. They were never able to hide their sin from God. Some people rename their sin. They believe if the sin is not listed in the Bible, it is just a choice. Hogwash! There are people who manipulate others to tell them a sin is not a sin. Then, they deceive themselves into thinking that they are living righteously, because someone agreed with their assessment (2 Timothy 4:3). Really? I have met many who would not admit their sin. They figure that if they don’t admit a sin, it never occurred. How does that work?
In what ways have you played down a sin or denied a sin in order to cover up your guilt and shame?
When I was in seminary, I met a woman who was an open lesbian. She also wanted to be a pastor. Her goal in that time of her life was to make people believe that a homosexual lifestyle was Biblical. She wanted people to say that same sex marriage was Biblical. She promoted the idea that homosexual people were nice and therefore homosexual marriage is not sinful. In the end, what she was doing was advocating that the Bible condones same-sex marriage. She believed that homosexual sin does not exist except in the eyes of homophobic people, and that if two people love each other it can’t be sinful. However, the Bible is adamantly against a homosexual lifestyle, attitude and marriage. The books of Genesis, Leviticus, Deuteronomy, and Romans (among other places) all call this type of lifestyle sinful. You may disagree with the Bible and not believe homosexuality is wrong, but it is abundantly evident that the Bible does indeed teach that homosexuality is sinful.
In modern times, there are many people who have endeavored to advocate that sinful acts are not actually sinful. To do so is to lie to yourself and to God. When seminaries teach that the Bible does not teach that marriage is between a man and woman, they deceive people on what the Bible really says. When pastors preach that living together does not go against the word of God, they are justifying a lie. If a spouse of an alcoholic is enabling that sinful lifestyle, it is not loving. It is sinful. There are so many ways to deceive yourself about sin. In the end, the best thing you can do is name your sin. Only then can you begin to work through the repentance and forgiveness that will cleanse your heart and soul. The longer you lie to yourself about sins, the more you will damage your life and your relationship with God.
In the first letter of John, our scripture for today, the author is critical of those who deceive themselves into thinking that their sin is not sin. If you say you “have no sin”, you are lying to yourself (1 John 1:8). You are “deceiving” yourself. God’s truth is not in you. When your sin is hidden or justified or explained away, God’s truth is not in you. God is offended. Peace with God will not occur. Healing will not take place. That sin will fester and balloon and haunt you.
When I met Jennifer, I could tell right away that she was depressed. Her smile did not spread to her eyes. She was uncomfortable in her own skin. She looked agitated and sad. As I was working on my sermon one day, Jennifer stopped into my office. She started up a conversation, and I could tell she wanted to talk. I encouraged her to continue. I knew something was weighing on her heart.
As we talked, Jennifer admitted to having anger issues. Then, she told me that after dating a man for three years, she broke off the engagement. I asked her why she broke it off. She told me that she had fallen in love with another man. She proceeded to tell me how bad her ex-fiancé had been. He had too many expectations. He was often upset with her. He did not make much money. He wanted kids, whereas she did not. What Jennifer didn’t know was that I knew her ex-fiancé well. I knew he was a wonderful, faithful man. I knew her opinion of him was going to be different, but she painted him as the worst kind of human possible. Then why did she date him for three years and agree to the engagement with him?
I looked at Jennifer and said, “Do you regret leaving your fiancé?”
She was shocked I asked that question. However, something in her words seemed to indicate that she still had feelings for him. I felt called by God to ask that question. When I did, she swallowed. She couldn’t speak for almost a minute. Then, the tears started. She sobbed on and off for a half hour. Her ex-fiance had recently married another woman, and the two were very happy together. Jennifer felt she had thrown away a perfect husband. She kept lying to herself about how horrible their relationship had been, when it had been wonderful. Now, another woman was going to share a beautiful life with him, and Jennifer felt very alone and unloved. She was no longer dating anyone. It took us months to work through all the lies she had been telling herself about her ex-fiance, about the man whom she left him for, and about the lies she believed about herself and her relationships. Only later did Jennifer realize how all the lies she was telling herself were causing her depression, her anger, and her inability to form a deep relationship with God.
It is difficult to live with the lies you tell yourself. Don’t go down that road. It only ends up in heartache and pain. God wants you to be truthful with yourself and others. God wants you to be honest with HIM. Lying about your sins, deceiving yourself about your past, finding people who will tell you what you want to hear, and more, will only wreck your heart and soul and future.
May 27
“Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and you still do not know me?....” (John 14:9, NRSV)
A husband and wife were celebrating their twenty-fifth wedding anniversary. For that special day, their two children decided to throw a party and invite two dozen close friends. As part of the festivities, a video was shown of their marriage and many events in their life together, including pictures and home movies. Following that, a meal was given in their honor. Enjoying the moment, the wife stopped eating her cake and leaned over to her husband whispering, “In the video, there was a picture of our first anniversary. Do you remember where that photo was taken?” Her husband did not. After a futile attempt to name the place, his wife said to him, “The picture was taken at the restaurant you took me on our first date. Do you remember the name of the restaurant?” He had forgotten, so he said, “Some pizza place.” Then, the two went on with their dessert. What the husband did not see was that his wife’s eyes began to water. She fought back tears, feeling he did not remember something very important to her. The husband didn’t know it at the time, but his wife’s thoughts for the rest of that gathering were centered around one question, “Does he really know me at all?”
You can be around a person for years and not really know that person. You may toil beside someone at work without even knowing their greatest fear or terrible burden. People can hide things from you. You might hide your weaknesses or failings from your family. Your online profile might contain a lot of information, but not the most relevant. All this is to say, you may not really know the people around you as well as you think.
After spending many hours with His disciples, Jesus was celebrating his last Passover with them. They were in Jerusalem. At that meal, Jesus told Peter that he was going to deny Jesus. Peter didn’t believe a word of it. He even told Jesus that he would lay down his life for Jesus, if it came to that (John 13:37). How wrong he was! Judas was already being tempted by Satan but wasn’t aware of it. He also had mistaken beliefs. As for Jesus, He was fully aware that His time was short upon the earth. It would not be long, and He would be hung on a cross, sacrificed for you. As Jesus sat at the table that night, Phillip asked Jesus to show the Heavenly Father to the disciples. For the many months Jesus had traveled with His disciples, He had done this all along. Jesus was the incarnation of the Father in Heaven. Jesus was the human “Exhibit A” of God the Father. Incredulous, Jesus said to Philip, “Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and you still do not know me?” (John 14:9). This question by Jesus is an important one for you to consider today. How well do you know Jesus?
I was teaching at a Bible Study at a Senior Center late one afternoon. The topic for the day was Genesis. I showed those in attendance how Genesis 1:1-2:4a is one common creation narrative. Genesis 2:4b through chapter 3 of Genesis is a second creation story. I taught those in attendance how the word for God is different in each of these two creation stories. The first uses the title “Elohim” in Hebrew for God. The second story uses the title “Lord God” or “Yahweh” (the King James uses Jehovah). The two stories are very different, using different idioms and titles and themes. It is believed they were written at two different times and influenced by two different strains of Jewish thought. When I was done with the examination of our Bible Study, a ninety-year-old woman said to me, “How come I’m ninety years old and nobody has every taught me this??? I can’t believe nobody ever told me about this! How could I have read this so many times and not seen this? I’m so glad you taught us today!” This wonderful lady had read the Bible for years, but never saw these stories in Genesis this way. She didn’t notice the subtle nuances of two very different narratives. She was shocked that she had missed this so many times.
You may read a passage of scripture over and over without really understanding its implications for your life. You may listen to a pastor for years and not really know the man behind the pulpit. You may worship God, but never really get to know the love of God personally. You may find yourself missing so much in your relationship with Jesus. Do you really know Him? I have found that it doesn’t matter how young or old you are, God can teach you so much. You might discover another side of God. You might realize the power of the resurrection. You may attend church for years, but a personal relationship with Jesus can totally change your perspective on the grace of God.
My hope for you today is that you get to know Jesus more intimately! Talk to Him. Seek His wisdom. Read the Bible with fresh eyes. Attempt to discover how the Holy Spirit might enlighten you today! Seek the wisdom of God. Let God open your heart to new possibilities. Let go of whatever is holding you back from a deeper relationship with the Divine. Jesus taught that some would never see heaven because they never really knew Him (Matthew 7:23). So, today, get to know God more fully. Pray to learn more about Jesus’ call upon your life. Ask and you shall receive; seek Him and you shall find Him! (Matthew 7:7)
You can be around a person for years and not really know that person. You may toil beside someone at work without even knowing their greatest fear or terrible burden. People can hide things from you. You might hide your weaknesses or failings from your family. Your online profile might contain a lot of information, but not the most relevant. All this is to say, you may not really know the people around you as well as you think.
After spending many hours with His disciples, Jesus was celebrating his last Passover with them. They were in Jerusalem. At that meal, Jesus told Peter that he was going to deny Jesus. Peter didn’t believe a word of it. He even told Jesus that he would lay down his life for Jesus, if it came to that (John 13:37). How wrong he was! Judas was already being tempted by Satan but wasn’t aware of it. He also had mistaken beliefs. As for Jesus, He was fully aware that His time was short upon the earth. It would not be long, and He would be hung on a cross, sacrificed for you. As Jesus sat at the table that night, Phillip asked Jesus to show the Heavenly Father to the disciples. For the many months Jesus had traveled with His disciples, He had done this all along. Jesus was the incarnation of the Father in Heaven. Jesus was the human “Exhibit A” of God the Father. Incredulous, Jesus said to Philip, “Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and you still do not know me?” (John 14:9). This question by Jesus is an important one for you to consider today. How well do you know Jesus?
I was teaching at a Bible Study at a Senior Center late one afternoon. The topic for the day was Genesis. I showed those in attendance how Genesis 1:1-2:4a is one common creation narrative. Genesis 2:4b through chapter 3 of Genesis is a second creation story. I taught those in attendance how the word for God is different in each of these two creation stories. The first uses the title “Elohim” in Hebrew for God. The second story uses the title “Lord God” or “Yahweh” (the King James uses Jehovah). The two stories are very different, using different idioms and titles and themes. It is believed they were written at two different times and influenced by two different strains of Jewish thought. When I was done with the examination of our Bible Study, a ninety-year-old woman said to me, “How come I’m ninety years old and nobody has every taught me this??? I can’t believe nobody ever told me about this! How could I have read this so many times and not seen this? I’m so glad you taught us today!” This wonderful lady had read the Bible for years, but never saw these stories in Genesis this way. She didn’t notice the subtle nuances of two very different narratives. She was shocked that she had missed this so many times.
You may read a passage of scripture over and over without really understanding its implications for your life. You may listen to a pastor for years and not really know the man behind the pulpit. You may worship God, but never really get to know the love of God personally. You may find yourself missing so much in your relationship with Jesus. Do you really know Him? I have found that it doesn’t matter how young or old you are, God can teach you so much. You might discover another side of God. You might realize the power of the resurrection. You may attend church for years, but a personal relationship with Jesus can totally change your perspective on the grace of God.
My hope for you today is that you get to know Jesus more intimately! Talk to Him. Seek His wisdom. Read the Bible with fresh eyes. Attempt to discover how the Holy Spirit might enlighten you today! Seek the wisdom of God. Let God open your heart to new possibilities. Let go of whatever is holding you back from a deeper relationship with the Divine. Jesus taught that some would never see heaven because they never really knew Him (Matthew 7:23). So, today, get to know God more fully. Pray to learn more about Jesus’ call upon your life. Ask and you shall receive; seek Him and you shall find Him! (Matthew 7:7)
May 30
“For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”” (Mark 10:45, ESV)
“One of the incredible abilities of Jesus was to stay on target. His life never got off track.… He kept his life on course. He could have been a political revolutionary.… He could have been content to be a teacher and educate minds.… But in the end, he chose to be a Savior and save souls.
Anyone near Christ for any length of time heard it from Jesus himself. “The Son of Man came to find lost people and save them” (Luke 19:10).… The heart of Christ was relentlessly focused on one task.” (Max Lucado, Grace for the Moment, p. 232)
In life, it is all too easy to become side-tracked. You may find yourself losing track of time or becoming embroiled in something that is not important. It’s easy to get all caught up in someone else’s problems, in the needs around you, in a particular cause. Your life can go “off the rails”. Looking back, you may find that you’ve lost your way.
Marty’s father owned a marina. The family lived and breathed the boating business. When Marty was young, he’d help out at the shop and fix things around the docks. He pitched in where there was a need. However, Marty did not want to grow up to be a marina owner. He longed to get a degree in education and teach High School History. It was his passion. Each evening in bed before he slept, he read stories from the pages of history. He pictured himself on the bridge of the Battleship Bismarck during World War Two or riding cavalry horses with Teddy Roosevelt and the Rough Riders. Marty loved his collection of history books.
When Marty turned seventeen, his father had a stroke. The stroke caused his father to lose the use of his right arm and to have problems with numbers. Being the only male in the family, Marty was expected to help his father. He did a wonderful job. When he turned eighteen, Marty felt the need to help more at the Marina. After speaking to his mother, he decided to wait on college until the family business was more stable and his father more able to handle the strain of work. That never happened. Marty took over more and more of the responsibility of the business. When his father died eight years later, Marty took over the business and ran it successfully. However, Marty was never happy with his life. He had taken over the family business out of obligation and necessity, not out of the love for the work. To compensate, Marty went through bouts of depression. He drank a little too much. He was a little too irritable. He resented the responsibilities with which he was now saddled. Nobody in his family realized how much Marty never wanted to be a marina owner. In his heart and mind, Marty missed teaching. That passion had been buried over the years. He felt he was living for the family business instead of doing what he would love. Marty had lost his way in life. It was taking a toll on his soul.
The scripture for today proclaims that the Son of Man, Jesus, was sent to this world on a mission. His main goal was “not to be served but to serve” (Mark 10:45). Jesus was to share the gospel, open hearts up to Heaven, and heal the sick. He was ultimately “to give His life for many”. Along the way, Jesus never lost sight of that mission. He never failed in that goal. He never wavered. He did not let the Heavenly Father down. He didn’t lose His way. Satan tried to get Jesus to focus on worldly treasures (see Matthew 4). It didn’t sway Jesus. Jewish leaders tried to silence Jesus. It didn’t work. Jesus was forever focused on His goals in life. Are you?
What did God gift you to do in life? Are you doing it? It is so easy to get side-tracked, lose your way, lose your focus, drift off. When you look back on your life, have you stayed true to God’s purpose for your life? Do you even know what that is?
Distractions abound in this world. A husband can easily become distracted by a female friend at work or a nice shiny new truck. A woman can get so lost in “looking good” that she forgets to be herself. Hobbies can become addictions. Desires can blossom into temptations. Work projects can pull you away from those you love. Friends can get lost in the struggle for success. Have you ever gotten distracted by something in your world and lost perspective?
My hope for you today is that you not only know what God sent you into this world, but to focus on that goal. Reclaim your priorities. Hold strong to what is your passion. Rekindle what your soul craves. Seek what would make God proud. At the end of your life, will God be saying “Well done, good and faithful servant?” (Luke 19:17) Or will you have lost your way? How well do your values and priorities align with your main purpose and plans for your future?
Anyone near Christ for any length of time heard it from Jesus himself. “The Son of Man came to find lost people and save them” (Luke 19:10).… The heart of Christ was relentlessly focused on one task.” (Max Lucado, Grace for the Moment, p. 232)
In life, it is all too easy to become side-tracked. You may find yourself losing track of time or becoming embroiled in something that is not important. It’s easy to get all caught up in someone else’s problems, in the needs around you, in a particular cause. Your life can go “off the rails”. Looking back, you may find that you’ve lost your way.
Marty’s father owned a marina. The family lived and breathed the boating business. When Marty was young, he’d help out at the shop and fix things around the docks. He pitched in where there was a need. However, Marty did not want to grow up to be a marina owner. He longed to get a degree in education and teach High School History. It was his passion. Each evening in bed before he slept, he read stories from the pages of history. He pictured himself on the bridge of the Battleship Bismarck during World War Two or riding cavalry horses with Teddy Roosevelt and the Rough Riders. Marty loved his collection of history books.
When Marty turned seventeen, his father had a stroke. The stroke caused his father to lose the use of his right arm and to have problems with numbers. Being the only male in the family, Marty was expected to help his father. He did a wonderful job. When he turned eighteen, Marty felt the need to help more at the Marina. After speaking to his mother, he decided to wait on college until the family business was more stable and his father more able to handle the strain of work. That never happened. Marty took over more and more of the responsibility of the business. When his father died eight years later, Marty took over the business and ran it successfully. However, Marty was never happy with his life. He had taken over the family business out of obligation and necessity, not out of the love for the work. To compensate, Marty went through bouts of depression. He drank a little too much. He was a little too irritable. He resented the responsibilities with which he was now saddled. Nobody in his family realized how much Marty never wanted to be a marina owner. In his heart and mind, Marty missed teaching. That passion had been buried over the years. He felt he was living for the family business instead of doing what he would love. Marty had lost his way in life. It was taking a toll on his soul.
The scripture for today proclaims that the Son of Man, Jesus, was sent to this world on a mission. His main goal was “not to be served but to serve” (Mark 10:45). Jesus was to share the gospel, open hearts up to Heaven, and heal the sick. He was ultimately “to give His life for many”. Along the way, Jesus never lost sight of that mission. He never failed in that goal. He never wavered. He did not let the Heavenly Father down. He didn’t lose His way. Satan tried to get Jesus to focus on worldly treasures (see Matthew 4). It didn’t sway Jesus. Jewish leaders tried to silence Jesus. It didn’t work. Jesus was forever focused on His goals in life. Are you?
What did God gift you to do in life? Are you doing it? It is so easy to get side-tracked, lose your way, lose your focus, drift off. When you look back on your life, have you stayed true to God’s purpose for your life? Do you even know what that is?
Distractions abound in this world. A husband can easily become distracted by a female friend at work or a nice shiny new truck. A woman can get so lost in “looking good” that she forgets to be herself. Hobbies can become addictions. Desires can blossom into temptations. Work projects can pull you away from those you love. Friends can get lost in the struggle for success. Have you ever gotten distracted by something in your world and lost perspective?
My hope for you today is that you not only know what God sent you into this world, but to focus on that goal. Reclaim your priorities. Hold strong to what is your passion. Rekindle what your soul craves. Seek what would make God proud. At the end of your life, will God be saying “Well done, good and faithful servant?” (Luke 19:17) Or will you have lost your way? How well do your values and priorities align with your main purpose and plans for your future?