Work

There is a principle is sales training that I have heard expressed
like this: "You can work hard, or you can work smart."

The same principle applies in spiritual things. We can work hard,
yet accomplish nothing because we do it in our own strength. Or, we
can work in agreement with God and see amazing things happen.
  
  When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, "Put out into deep
  water, and let down the nets for a catch." Simon answered, "Master,
  we've worked hard all night and haven't caught anything. But because
  you say so, I will let down the nets." When they had done so, they
  caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break.
  (Luke 5:4-6 NIV)

Jesus Wept (hurt)

If you have not been hurt by someone, you may not have been close
enough to them to be hurt. We are deeply emotional beings. It is the
way of life, and just another aspect of our lives that is in the
image of God.

Perhaps you have not thought about God hurting? Remember the
shortest verse in the Bible, the one most of us learned as a child:
"Jesus wept." (John 11:35)?

If He was not capable of feeling emotional pain, I do not believe
we would either. But He is. So we are. And we do.
  

Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and
  repent. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my
  voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he
  with me. To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me
  on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his
  throne. (Rev 3:19-21 NIV)

New Years

Some say that the first days of a new year are like any other days.
Others say there is something special about them. Whichever way you
think... you are correct.

True: One day is as another. Also true: If we can use dates on a cal-
endar to help us make changes in our lives, that makes them special.

Whether you make resolutions or not, changes that bring us closer to
God are always for our good. Use what helps; do what works for you.
 

They will return to it and remove all its vile images and detestable
  idols. I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in
  them; I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a
  heart of flesh. (Ezek 11:18-19NIV)

Giants In Your Life

Do you have a "Goliath" in your life--not a 9' warrior in bronze
armor, but a problem that looks or feels too big to overcome?

What I said in today's prayer I have learned through "precious and
costly experience" and I believe it to be true:

 "You have a solution to what I face before I face it. I will
 see it when I see You as greater than the challenge."
 

A champion named Goliath, who was from Gath, came out of the
  Philistine camp. He was over nine feet tall. He had a bronze helmet
  on his head and wore a coat of scale armor of bronze weighing five
  thousand shekels; on his legs he wore bronze greaves, and a bronze
  javelin was slung on his back. His spear shaft was like a weaver's
  rod, and its iron point weighed six hundred shekels. His shield
  bearer went ahead of him. Goliath stood and shouted to the ranks of
  Israel, "Why do you come out and line up for battle? Am I not a
  Philistine, and are you not the servants of Saul? Choose a man and
  have him come down to me." On hearing the Philistine's words, Saul
  and all the Israelites were dismayed and terrified. (1 Sam 17:4-8,11 NIV)

Not What You Say

Some think that saying "Lord, I praise You." is praising God. In my
opinion, it is not. It is a vague, unspecific acknowledgement, but
certainly not genuine praise.

My lovely wife constantly encourages me. She makes certain that I
know how she feels about me and she is very specific. However, if
she only said, "I encourage you." over and over, would that be
encouraging? No. Perhaps eventually annoying--but not encouraging.

I believe it is the same in our relationship with the Lord.
  

I will exalt you, my God the King; I will praise your name for ever
  and ever. Every day I will praise you and extol your name for ever
  and ever. Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; his greatness
  no one can fathom. (Psa 145:1-3 NIV)

Who Gets Hurt

Ever notice that sometimes people hurt those who are closest and
kindest to them? Perhaps it is like a predator sensing weakness.
Perhaps it is their pain lashing out at a convenient target. Perhaps
it is intentional. Perhaps they cannot help themselves.

Whatever the reason or situation, I know that it takes far more
strength to respond in God's love than to respond defensively.
Personally, I cannot do it on my own--only through the Lord and by
yielding to His Spirit (Romans 8).
  

O God, whom I praise, don't stand silent and aloof while the wicked
  slander me and tell lies about me. They are all around me with their
  hateful words, and they fight against me for no reason. I love them,
  but they try to destroy me--even as I am praying for them! They
  return evil for good, and hatred for my love. (Psa 109:1-5 NLT)

Rules vs. Relationships

Rules vs. Relationship: A very, very old conflict.

Most of us begin in Rules; that is how we learn. However, we should
grow into Relationship because love is the fulfillment (or complete
expression) of all the Rules. So, how do you know where you are?

Is your interaction with God motivated by requirements and
avoidances to escape consequences, e.g., "I have do this, but can't
do that because it's sin.", or, does it flow out of love for Him and
living in agreement with Him because you love Him?
  

The commandments, "Do not commit adultery," "Do not murder," "Do not
  steal," "Do not covet," and whatever other commandment there may be,
  are summed up in this one rule: "Love your neighbor as yourself."
  Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment
  of the law. (Rom 13:9-10 NIV)