Author: kezha1

Ananias was frightened and hesitant when God spoke to him about Saul of Tarsus, the fiery persecutor of the early Church…who had been converted. But the vision was very clear, the instructions of the Lord concise, and Ananias’s role in it all laid out succinctly. (Acts 9:10-18) If God gives you the clarity to see it, He’ll also give you the character to purse it, the wisdom to maintain it, and the strength to fight for it…never allowing fear to dictate. In his book, “My Utmost for His Highest”, author Oswald Chambers wrote, “A touch comes, and you know it’s the right hand of Jesus Christ. For whenever His hand is laid upon you, it gives inexpressible peace and comfort…full of support, provision, comfort, and strength. And once His touch comes, nothing at all can throw you into fear again.”

This Scripture about king Asa was true and yet untrue. Yes, in the beginning of his rule of Judah, he did remove the pagan high places (II Chronicles 14:3) but he did not continue his initial efforts throughout his life. And in his old age, Asa showed a real lack of trust in the Lord and was not completely obedient in the outward, visible areas of his life. His obedience was dependent on what he thought was the most important to him not God. The fact was, everything matters to God…and there is no such thing as trivial when it comes to obeying God…either you do in all areas of your life, or you don’t – and neither do you get to pick and choose the things you’ll trust God in & the things you’ll hang on to. Trusting God in all avenues of our life takes compliant submission and open hands.

Peter had addressed the crowd that had gathered that Day of Pentecost, boldly giving them evidence of Christ’s life, death, and resurrection. And then he gave them this promise…not only for them & their children but for us also. Or as Isaiah 57:18-19 had prophesied, someday God would call all those far and near… guiding, healing, and restoring them to Himself. This same promise is available to us today…a gracious gift given as we call on the Name of the Lord for Salvation. (But remember, ultimately it’s God’s choice and calling that enables us to call on Him.) Acts 13:48 John 6:37)

A great quote from Charles Spurgeon goes something like this- “While others are congratulating themselves, I have to sit at the foot of the Cross and marvel that I’m saved at all.” We’re indeed like toddlers, who after being patiently taught how to dress themselves will suddenly proclaim, “Me can do!” and start coming down stairs in the most outlandish outfits! Rather than taking what we been taught by God and using it in humility, meekness, and modesty…we crave self-important honor and a “Look what I’ve done!” haughtiness. Luke 6:24-26 teaches us that we will reap disaster in the end when we rely on our own achievement rather than realizing our abject spiritual poverty.

As Believers, we are indebted to Christ to show charity towards those difficult people in our life. I Thessalonians 5:14 instructs us to encourage the fainted hearted, help the weak, and be patient with all. Which means to intentionally conduct ourselves with softened hearts & long-suffering. For as followers of Christ, we have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak…ever patiently imitating Christ before them.

We listen to many voices…some with good ideas and things we should do, while other voices try to send us far from the right path. And it’s up to us to correctly discern these voices as to whether we should listen to them. We can listen to the loud, obnoxious, and crude voice of the world…filled with its worldly wisdom, ways, and counsel. But remember, the world hates God and everything about Him, (James 4:4) and you can never love both the world and God. (I John 2:15) Or maybe you listen to the voice of your own flesh. It whines for immediate gratification in its sinful and base lusts, corruption, and pride. But the voice of your flesh will get you into more trouble than you can imagine, for its so very easy to compromise yourself rather than fight against it. Sometimes we listen to the voice of Satan himself. His voice is sophisticated and eloquent…his words subtle, enticing and misleading with half-truths and deception. But his biggest trick is to whisper doubts into our ears, and then wait to see what we’ll do. Finally, do you listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit? Yes, that still small voice (I Kings 19:12-131) of the Holy Spirit takes concerted effort, diligence, wisdom, and careful discernment. But as this verse in Isaiah points out, if you listen to the Holy Spirit, He will rightly direct your path.

The entirety of Psalm 16 gives us hope that God will never abandon our soul and that we can rely & trust in Him in the process. Here in verse 11, we see that God is our very life…the firm foundation of our journey with Him, and the gracious gift given of everlasting Salvation. So it can be with joy that we follow Him…for He is our refuge, our security, our counselor and defender, for ever & ever.

God creates, sustains, and upholds all things by His power. It is in Him that we live, and move, and have our being. (Acts 17:28) The Doctrine of Providence or the Sovereignty of God is defined by the Westminster divines as this: God, the great Creator of all things, does uphold, direct, dispose and govern all creatures, actions, and things, from the greatest even to the least, by His infallible foreknowledge, and the free and immutable counsel of His own Will…” His Sovereignty is one of God’s greatest characteristics…that He is the all-powerful, Almighty, Ruler over all, and should give any Believer much comfort and peace… knowing that God is in control. Charles Spurgeon once penned, “There is no attribute more comforting to His children than that of God’s Sovereignty.” The Most High God is carefully & actively watching over all things…including you today.

Have you ever said something to a stranger only to have it misconstrued and interpreted wrongly? This happen to me this morning, and I’m still quite baffled as to how she took a light-hearted remark as offensive. But the important thing in that moment became for me…was I going to take offense by her unfriendly reply? That’s because it didn’t matter how I felt at the moment, for obviously she had misread and taken my remark personally… and reacting negatively would have just compounded the interaction. Praise God for wisdom, disciple, and self-control as I learn anew day by day… ever looking to Him as my model for forgiveness.

Now don’t get me wrong, I’ll be the first to admit I like to stay within my “Comfort Zone”…it’s relaxing, easy, peaceful, and soothing. There in the cocoon of my comfort zone, I only participate in activities that are familiar…making me feel in control of my environment. I don’t search out and willingly engage in any awkward situations that produce anxiety or stress on my part. But the drawback of only living in my comfort zone is that I’ll never be challenged to grow. Paul talked about pleasing man or God in Galatians 1:10, and that’s what it all boils down to…do I want to please myself, or my God? Growth only happens when we are stretched through serving and self sacrifice to others. Just as Spiritual growth only happens when we say “Yes” to God’s calling. But the real danger of staying in my comfort zone, is being lulled into a apathetic, insensitive, and numb mindset that someone else will do God’s work, not me.