Day 92: Give and Take

Day 92
Numbers 20-22, Mark 4:1-25

Life as a Christ-follower comes with a lot of ups and downs, as we've talked about. But it also comes with a lot of give and take, as we'll read about today. We need to give of ourselves so we can know God and His voice, but we also need to work on the entitlement and when we believe is ours. God gives us things and people in this life so we may grow and learn, but He also takes sometimes so we can thrive with Him and learn to rely on Him.

The Israelites continue to complain about needing water, showing a great distrust in God. While God yet again provides for them and brings water out of a rock, yet because of Moses and Aaron's failure to allow God to demonstrate His power to the people, they will not be permitted to enter the Promised Land. Rather than speaking to the rock, Moses struck it out of anger, which is not what the Lord had told him to do.Worse yet, Aaron and Moses took credit for bringing water out of the rock. "Must we bring you water from this rock?' Then Moses raised his hand and struck the rock twice with his staff." (Numbers 20:10-11) Moses gave the people water, but he took the glory for it. Sometimes we may think we're doing good, which we probably are, but we fail to lift our hands and eyes to the One above and claim it was all because of Him. Give freely, but don't take the glory.

We see other instances of giving and taking throughout our Numbers reading today. The king of Edom refusing to allow the people to go through the land. Aaron's death. Victory over the Canaanites. When the people face poisonous snakes, God once again provides a way to their healing. The bronze snake on the staff was a symbol of looking to Christ when we need help. The people knew they had sinned and that they needed God's redemption, so God provides a way. We are in the same boat daily. We know we do wrong by God and we need His redemption to make it right. So like God provided the bronze snake to save the people from dying on this earth, He provides us His Son to die for us so we may live eternally.

Balaam was most definitely a taker. He focused on gaining wealth and reputation. Our desires can blind us into thinking we deserve things like wealth and prestige, yet we need Christ. We can give Him devotion like it's no problem, but desires are another story. Balaam, ignoring the leadings of the Holy Spirit, made his own call to continue down the road with Balak. Rather than doing the work God had for him, we wanted to pursue his own riches and desires. God was so adamant to get Balaam's attention, He even made the donkey talk. Even though God permitted Balaam to continue down the road, there were conditions. Balaam only could speak to the people the words God gave him, not his own. Sometimes, God will give us an opportunity to share, but we take it and twist it to our own beliefs and misspeak God's intent. Be open and aware of the message God is giving you, then share it.

Jesus shares about the types of hearts that receive the message of Christ. The message can be given, but unless follow-up and growth happen, it can wither like a seed in bad ground. There are many things in this world that can wither our faith. If we are grounded in the wrong things and allow the weeds (or circumstances) of this world to smother us, we will lose heart. Be grounded in Christ and rely on Him. On the other side of that, when you take the message to others, follow up with them. Don't just share Christ and tell them they are good to go. Invite them to things that keep them grounded, or show them ways you stay grounded in your own faith.

We are told to share our light and give it to the world around us. We can't keep it to ourselves, but we need to answer for the hope we have. Give it freely. Also, we need to receive the words God gives us and gain understanding. Those who have listen, will understand more and more. Those who fail to listen will lose whatever understanding they have. It is important to always be open to teachings in the Word so you can continue to grow and thrive on good soil.

God will give and take away. He knows best what we need when, and His plans are always good. We also need to learn to give and be open to what God is doing in our lives. Give light of your hope to others who so desperately need it. Don't be a taker in this life and in this world, but give and give and give. Because of your giving and God's giving to you, you can grow and be rooted more deeply in Him, while helping others as well. Don't only focus on what you think you are entitled to (which is nothing), but remember that God is trying to lead you places so you can give His message to others. Give Him the credit and take nothing but Him with you.

Sticks and Stones

As I stare at the bruises on my arms from the 6 IV sticks I received, I notice they are healing. One week later, but they are on the track to clearing me of looking like an abuse case. I can't help but think of that phrase, "sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me." While bruises hurt and can't be touched for a few days without a little wincing, words do hurt for a very long time.

I've always been the kid to stick her foot in her mouth, then regret it for days, weeks, months after. I'm not even exaggerating. I still think about the time I said something stupid to someone while working 10 years ago at camp and I still call myself an idiot over it because apparently my joke became someone's reality. I didn't know the history there nor did I know what their life was dealing with in that moment, because 1: I didn't bother to find out. 2: I didn't think outside of my own shoes. Words last. Bruises fade.

We are in a time right now where everyone is throwing around hateful words. They don't realize it - that is the sad thing, or maybe they realize it and not care. Either way, it needs to end. These words are destroying lives, hurting families, and breaking up friendships. If I sound dramatic, then you must be one of the ones flaunting the words, unknowingly expressing rights for the sake of your own agenda, and you fail to notice how your blanket statements and pointedness towards your "friends" can actually do harm right in front of you.

Luckily, in 1 Corinthians 13, we read this: "If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing."

Because of this passage, I can feel a little release. The people who speak harshly to me and have never taken the time of day to understand my life, my history, my family, my struggles, my heart, my daily hardships...don't deserve rental space in my head. The last few months have been hard. I'm going to be brutally honest here: I've had things go through my mind that have been unhealthy, unloving, and have caused me to question who I am as a daughter of the King. Those words have made me depressed for months and it has affected my family. But do the ones who throw words at it, in hopes of solving world problems even care to know the problems of the people around them before casting "their opinion"? Obviously not. 

So from now on, if you're like me and are affected by peoples' words, start over today.
Remember they don't have credibility in your life because:
1) They don't love you
2) They don't care about anything but their words and their "rights". Thus, they don't care about yours, unless you jump on board with theirs.
3) They will never assume the best out of you. 
4) They have not earned your respect. 
5) They will go public and never actually sit down with you to know your life. 
6) They will probably hate you no matter what you say. 
7) They should be ignored for all the reasons listed above. 

I've set a standard for myself when receiving "criticism". If someone is going to cast criticism at me, and I'm going to actually listen to it and consider it, they must:
1) Love Jesus
2) Love the Church (in general)
3) Love me
It doesn't work otherwise. 

You are loved. Just make sure you find those people who love you and meet your criteria and listen to them, not because you are fearful or hateful, but because you are important too. Don't ever allow toxic people to make you go to dark places over political or personal agendas. Those things don't last anyways. Jesus does and His love endures forever.

Day 91: Relationship, Not Rituals

Day 91
Numbers 18-19; Mark 3

The motives of what we do can be either rooted in relationships and genuine love for someone, or because we feel guilt and shame and it's just what you have to do or because it's what you've always done. I can't tell you how many times that phrase comes up in the church. "It's what we've always done." While doing what has been tradition and ritual isn't a bad thing, if we aren't careful, we lose sight of the people who so desperately need a relationship with Jesus, or with you, and the ritual becomes a blinder to how it feels for that person to walk in. Consider our reading today as we take a closer look at what the Bible says.

There was much duty and task-oriented activity among the Israelites. It was a way for them to serve God in their work and give them ownership of their faith. The same is true today. When we actually serve in some capacity in the church or community, we feel like we're a piece of it. How much more do you appreciate your church when you are actually taking part in serving on a Sunday or during the week? There comes a whole new light as to why the church does what it does. You are more likely to give to a church out of seeing the vision and the why of it, rather than being guilted and shamed into giving because giving "is what you're supposed to do". That means nothing to someone new to the faith. When someone can see the impact, however, they can buy into that.

The purpose of what we do is to share the love and redemption we have in Christ. The heart is the motive of for why you serve, never the duty or the task of it. If you truly believe that Christ is enough for you and that He deserves the forefront of your life, serving isn't an issue. I believe Aaron and his sons were chosen because of what God saw in their hearts. While the Old Testament is full of the rules and duties to be carried out, we have been redeemed by an all-powerful, all-loving God in Jesus by the time the New Testament rolls around. If you truly understand the price of sin from what you read in the Old Testament, then what Jesus did for you to create that relationship and close that gap between us and our Heavenly Father is the most important thing that should matter to us. In turn, we give back and are free of our guilt and our shame. Keep in mind that you are to share that freedom and how you have it to those who don't know anything about the Bible, traditions, rituals, old hymns, pews...They need to know it's more than ritual and "it's just something we've always done".

We can see Jesus throwing the rituals and traditions and the rules right out the window when He heals the crippled man on the Sabbath. He asks the crowd which was more important - the law or saving a life. Jesus is saddened by the hard hearts and the priority, and He heals the man anyways, knowing His accusers will use it against Him. Jesus cared more about people and winning a soul and life. Does your heart match up with this priority?

I can't help but look at Jesus' disciples and know that they were misfits, like I feel like at times. Jesus worked His ministry by healing multitudes and teaching to multitudes, but He truly poured into the twelve. A relationship was built up in the little group, and He sent them out to do the same. Spreading the Good News doesn't have to be HUGE, but Jesus did it by leading small. He had His few and He did life with them and taught them. I think many times we get caught up in the program and the numbers and we forget that it only takes a cup of coffee with one to start something powerful and win a heart for Christ.

Stop and think about the things you value about your church. The traditions? The rituals? The energy in the numbers? The programs that draw in the crowds? While these things are all great and have absolutely nothing wrong with them, we need to consider how Jesus did ministry. While He shared with crowds, He poured into a few. Get the "we've always done it this way" mentality out of your head and consider the ultimate WHY of what the church does, or is supposed to do. If the traditions and rituals are getting in the way of truly allowing in those who have no clue Who Jesus is or what the church is about, it's time to reassess. Get out of your habits, and look around you. There may just be a young soul in need of a cup of coffee and an ear. That is ministry. That is evangelism. Pouring quality into a few lives, rather than focusing on getting hundreds to an program and not spending a single quality word with them.

Day 90: Judgment: The Good, the Bad & the Ugly

Day 90
Numbers 16-17; Mark 2

It seems that in the world we currently live in at the moment, people feel very much at liberty to judge others and decide who they are based on surface evaluation. When you take the time to think about God's judgement and how Jesus handled judgements as we read about today, our petty gossips and calls can be put to shame. Our God is One of jealousy and wrath if we continually complain against Him. Jesus looked beyond the sin of a person, as we read about today as well. Let's learn from these instances today.

We can all think pretty highly of ourselves at times. We think we are the best, the most holy, the most worthy... Yet if you are a Christ-follower, you should know that the foot of the cross is a level playing field. It doesn't matter how the sin the person next to you committed and and few sins you've committed line up in comparison. You're both sinners and need redemption. We read about some jealousy in Numbers as the leaders fight to go up against Moses and Aaron, claiming that a new leader needed to be in charge. Moses tells him to be ready for the Lord to choose (as this is what a great leader would do - leave it in the Lord's hands). As you read, you see it didn't quite work out for Korah and his cohorts. The Lord's wrath spilled out upon them and their families, as well as the people offering incense. The judgement was put in God's hands, rather than that of Moses or Aaron.

Rather than trying to constantly throw guilt and judgement around to people you believe deserve it, allow God to handle it. The people who tried to overthrow Moses knew better, but allowed their arrogance to get in the way, thus the Lord took radical action upon them. As the people continue to grumble the very next day, we again, see the Lord's anger stir up. As you sit and read about their complaining, I bet like me, you just shook your head and wondered how the people could be so dumb. Yet look at your own life and what you have. Consider all the Lord has done for you and then put it up against the times you weren't happy or you complained. We fall guilty as well. Remember to thank the Lord for what He has given you, rather than being discontent with it. We don't deserve any of it, yet we act like we deserve the kingdom at times.

As Jesus carried out His own ministry, He too was surrounded by judgement-casters. The religious leaders obviously didn't support what He was doing and not only judged Him, but the people He hung around with. How often do we stand on the sidelines and talk about "those people" or share about who so n' so is hanging out with. Before you judge, consider who Jesus hung out with and what He came here for. He states as he was eating with Matthew's friends that the healthy don't need a doctor, but the sick do. The perfect people don't need Jesus, but the imperfect do. Here's a hint: NONE of us is perfect.

Not only did the religious leaders cast judgement about the people Jesus hung out with, but in turn, cast judgement on Who He was. We do this all the time. We need to decide each and every day Who Jesus is to us. The leaders doubted. We may doubt too. So many thought He was crazy, evil, or that He was indeed the living God among us Who died so we may live. The choice is yours. No one can make it for you. Decide today and everyday Who Jesus is to you. He doesn't need our approval, but we most definitely need His. The good news is, when you run to Him, you are approved.

Judgement is good, as it helps us grow when it comes from the Lord. Judgement is bad, when we try to do it ourselves to others. Judgement can be ugly, as we read today in Numbers. One thing is for sure, however: Judgement is to be done by God. Stop casting it yourself and deciding who is worthy around you. Simply exist in the light of Jesus, loving others, and allowing Him to do the rest. Why make more work for yourself?

Day 89: Ups and Downs

Day 89
Numbers 14-15; Mark 1

Whenever we face a high point in life and in our spiritual walks, we can usually be certain that a downward spiral isn't far behind. While this sounds scary or disheartening, we can rest assured that if we truly place it in the hands of our Father, that upward swing will come back. Today we read about instances in the lives of the Israelites and in Jesus' life of highs and lows. We also discover how important it is to keep Christ at the center and forefront of our lives to keep us in check during those swings.

As we continue to read of the Israelites' dismay at the land that is seemingly impossible to occupy. However, we need to keep in mind all of the miracles and hardships God has already pulled them through to get them there. It is incredibly generous of God to bring them to this land filled with blessing despite the grumblings and complaints of the people all along. Now, as the people continue to grumble and flat out reject the gift from God, the wrath of God pours out on them and is revoked from their generation, with the exception of Caleb and Joshua who had faith. Even after God had taken it away, the people realized they did want the land and tried to occupy it, but were chased far away.

Remember to look at what God has given you and what He has already done for you before complaining about what He is handing you. If you has pulled you out of the muck before, He sure will do it again if it is His will and direction for you. Don't look at the highs as lows in your life. Be thankful for all He has provided and don't wish for more or better. What He has given you is the best for you.

We need to make sure God is a priority in our lives each and every day. When we face those times in our lives that are high, it is easy to forget our dependence on Him and His strength, because it's not a high demand at the time. When we face those low times in life, it is easier to face when we have the relationship with Christ at our right hand, guiding us and showing us how to make it through. The Israelites had standards for coming before the Lord in their sacrifices and how they respected the Sabbath. While those standards aren't held to us and we have the freedom to come before God whenever and wherever we are, it is still important to make it a habit. Because we may not be stoned for dishonoring the Sabbath Day, life may be a little more tricky to navigate without spending time getting to know God and His voice.

Jesus experienced these highs and lows throughout His ministry. As we read about His story through the Gospel of Mark, we can see how Jesus seemed to live from a high to a low and back again. Jesus was baptized, then tempted, and his friend, John the Baptist was arrested. Then He called His disciples and began His ministry, healing many and carrying out the will of His Father.Notice, however that Jesus prays in an isolated place. Even He needed to take time to reconnect with His Father and know the direction He was going in. If Jesus set this example for us, we need to do this more than ever with each day.

One thing I'm intrigued by is the interaction that comes between Jesus and the man with leprosy. This man, who was probably feeling lower than low at the time, tells Jesus "If You are willing, You can heal me and make me clean." How often do you face something so low in life and say to Jesus "if You are willing...?" But do you know what the man did here? He gave the power to Jesus and made it His choice. He would have been fine either way, because he trusted what God was making out of his life that much. Jesus heals him, and tells him not to tell anyone else about it. However, the excitement this man had about being healed was something he couldn't keep to himself, and as a result Jesus was surrounded and followed everywhere He went. This man's low, his fear, became such a huge high and full of faith. Because he shared of his hope and his redemption, the Good News was shared.

You can be on a mountain top right now, or in the lowest pit possible in life, but know that in a blink of an eye, that can all change. How you handle your highs and your lows shares a story about Who Jesus is to you. Is His will enough for you? Don't underestimate a God Who has pulled you through before and complain about what He hands you. Don't neglect your time with Him and forget His voice when life is going well, because when you fall into that pit, you need to remember what His voice sounds like. Share the hope you have and remember to leave the choice in His hands for your life. He is creating something beautiful out of those highs and lows.

Day 88: A Process of Hardship

Day 88
Psalms 38-40

I honestly can relate to some of what David goes through in our reading today. It is actually astounding to me to read and see how closely the hardship David endures in this section matches that of what I have experienced before, and it all makes sense when you view the process from the outside.

As we begin reading of David's struggles with health and sickness, on top of the oppression from his enemies, there is a convicting prayer that is said by David from the bottom of his figurative pit.  David feels the sickness of his body in the physical form and in the spiritual, as he confesses and begs forgiveness for his sin. David seeks full healing and reliance on Christ not only in the aspect of the hardship he's faced up to this point, but now he is finding reliance in the lack of health in his body.

David gives us a model to live by as we read of his suffering and redemption. As he cries out to God, he asks for help, confesses his wrong-doing, and then puts full trust in Him. I think there is something so humbling about confessing ourselves to Christ, because it places us in a humble spot and forces us to set aside the pride that can eat our hearts and souls. Ask Christ for help and place yourself at His feet, giving over everything you've placed ahead of Him.

David also realizes how short life is. When I faced major health issues, that was an eye-opener and even a game-changer for me, as I realized that I have no time to waste in getting Christ out there. After something that causes you to realize how much you need Christ in your life, you also realize how fragile this life becomes and how significant time is. In fact, after facing near-death, I realized that we have no time for fear, just as David did, as he set his fears at God's feet, asking for reminders of how short life is. Nothing else matters. Not wealth or fame. Those are things that don't come with us when it is all over. Only the lasting legacy you leave for Christ will last an eternity.

We need to remember that even though deliverance from our hardships can be a waiting game, there is hope. Recall how God has pulled you through before this time, and how He taught you to rely on Him. Think about how He will use you this time around and be give thanks for His growth in you through it. It's never easy waiting for the relief that is coming, but remember He will deliver you. Follow Him closely through those times and He will carry you. The world asks us to turn to so many different things to deal with hardships and struggles in this life, but God says to follow Him.

Finally, be the proof of Christ through your life. Truth and love are to be put together, just as justice and mercy are. David asks God to not withhold His love and mercy from him. We have a God Who loves us deeply and knows where we need to grow. He wants the best for us and to learn to lean on Him in times of these hardships. Since we have found this love and grace in our lives, we need to allow it to shine through to others all around us. Your story of hardship and redemption can move the mountain of someone else. Share it and glorify Christ in it.

I don't think anyone can honestly look at hardships and say they "enjoyed it". But when Christ brings us through hardships, we can see how mighty His power is in our lives and know that He is faithful to us as we look ahead to the next one. Remember that life is short and we need to share our stories of hope so that others around us can experience freedom in the midst of hardship as well. Be a light and rely on the Light.

Day 87: Comparison Trap

Day 87
Numbers 12-13; 2 Thessalonians 3

Comparison can be the root of many problems in our lives. It brings on pride, gossip, jealousy, misguidance, laziness, distraction, and other various issues. We can choose to put our eyes on what everyone around us has, or how God uses everyone around us and be jealous, or we can remember what He has done for us and thank Him for all He has given us.

I think we all believe to an extent that God has spoken through us. But do you sense the tension of pride in that statement? We may get a little jealous when God has used others in great ways. When we start comparing ourselves and the work we have done to others around us, we set aside Christ and His work. We actually hinder Him from working through us because of our pride. As I read of the situation with Miriam and Aaron play out, I can't help but cringe because I have been that person. The one who looked around me, rather than up and started comparing, then getting jealous, then getting eaten from the inside out with it. The unhealthy place comparing and jealousy puts you is a hard return to what God had intended, and time is lost on your comparison trap. When you can finally let that go, however, and allow your eyes to rest only on Christ, there is something freeing about it.

The pride of ourselves stems from this. When we are prideful, we think way too much of ourselves. This is the opposite of humility, which is something God looks highly upon as a character trait, as we can see from the interaction with Moses, Miriam, and Aaron. Moses' humility stemmed from an ongoing, growing relationship with God. How are you aligning yourself to be a more humble person? That being thinking of yourself less?

Comparison also leads to thinking we're not good enough. As the people scouted out the land they were to receive, they saw the giants there, and figured they couldn't defeat them. The only four that had faith were Moses, Aaron, Caleb, and Joshua. If you can recall, however, God has pulled these people out of some sticky situations before. It was obvious the people weren't looking up at God, but ahead at their problems. Rather than always looking directly at the giants in front of you, comparing them to your capabilities and knowledge, look up and remember where God has brought you. Remember the big problems He worked you through before, and remember that faith doesn't make sense.

When we compare our lives to the lives in this world around us, we can easily set our focus to our world, rather than to Christ. Paul lays out some specific instructions to the people of Thessalonica, that may contradict the people around them and their actions and values. This is tough. In a world of freedom and its own definition of it, it is hard to remember the true freedom that comes from Christ alone. We need to work on comparing what we have to those around us in this world. What the world values isn't what we as Christ-followers are to value. Even what some believers value aren't what we are to value. Paul warns us to avoid lazy believers, or those who refuse to work for their keep. Don't fall into the ideals of life, but run with the path God put you on.

What life are you comparing yours to? Whose face do you think of when you begin to doubt who you are and what Christ is capable of in your life? Turn that face into that of Christ and His power in your life. He has been so faithful to you so far- don't forget that as you look at other places to compare. Allow Him to become your center, in being thankful to Him for everything you have and are. He is our standard to live by. No one and nothing else deserves that spot.