Acts 3:1-8, The Message

One day at three o'clock in the afternoon, Peter and John were on their way into the Temple for prayer meeting. At the same time there was a man crippled from birth being carried up. Every day he was set down at the Temple gate, the one named Beautiful, to beg from those going into the Temple. When he saw Peter and John about to enter the Temple, he asked for a handout. Peter, with John at his side, looked him straight in the eye and said, "Look here." He looked up, expecting to get something from them.

Peter said, "I don't have a nickel to my name, but what I do have, I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk!" He grabbed him by the right hand and pulled him up. In an instant his feet and ankles became firm. He jumped to his feet and walked.

I was just speaking with a coworker earlier today about people asking for handouts. How random that the next verses I was going to read in Acts were dealing with a similar story of a disabled beggar in the New Testament times!

When I visited a Swiss Avenue church plant on Wednesday night I met a young woman named Abby. When it came time for her to share about her current "petition" to the Lord, she began to talk and it quickly became clear that the Holy Spirit was actually the one speaking through her. The words she shared could barely roll off her tongue fast enough or with enough passion. She spoke of her desire, her burden, her task of spending time in God's presense with a desire to see an entire generation, no, an entire Nation come to know the Lord.

She spoke of her obedience to sit and pray. Pray and see what God will do. She was thoroughly convinced that God had called her to spend this time with Him and He will bring the people to her. People who need healing and prayer. They come to her door, they find her at work and school, she sees them. She prays for them. It was incredible to listen to her share.

This is the calling we have as Revolutionary Followers of Christ. We might not have worldly wealth; but we have something far greater that is available to us to use for Christ's glory. We have the power of God and His Holy Spirit in us. Look at this story from Acts. God hasn't changed since then. We can do these miraculous things, they happen a lot more than we might thing. Why are we afraid of it? It makes me nervous, I'll admit. But I think I would be more aprehensive if I wasn't nervous about the thought of healing a cripple. It's AWEsome (in the full sense of the word) to imagine. Let's pray expectantly and see what God will do.

Job 2:10b, NIV

"Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?"

When I was sick last weekend I had a four-day long pity party. I didn't read my bible, I hardly prayed. I was more concerned with feeling sorry for myself. What is up with Job being able to maintain his faith and integrity during the worst of times?! I was very convicted on Monday when I went back to work as I thought back on the previous four days. Why did I just watch tv and sleep instead of making the most of my time and using it for something productive?! I'm frustrated with myself and how easily I fell away from my knowledge of God and the satisfaction that comes from spending time with my Lord. Maybe next time, I'm so thankful that God forgives!

Acts 2:46-47, NIV

"Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved."

I visited a home church plant on Wednesday night and I had my Fellowship Metro women small group Thursday night. I could definitely meet every day with other Believers. It's amazing. I love the bond with other Christians that you can have even when you don't know each other. Both Wednesday and Thursday night there were people there who I had never met before and we got along really well, surprisingly well. A great description is "sincere hearts...praising God...enjoying the favor of all the people." I think this attraction and bond, combined with the powerful Truth about God, is what contributed to the number of those were being saved.

The same thing can still happen today if we're prioritizing our Christian outreach as a Community of Believers.

Acts 2:45, NIV

"Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need."

For some reason I see sacrifice like this as the ultimate definition of being a true disciple of God. I don't know if I have it in me, I like my possessions and goods. Don't get me wrong, I understand the importance and reward of living generously -- but I am selfish. Would I selflessly gift to anyone as they had a need (any need)? I'm not sure I could. But I want to say that I would if faced with that question.

Is standard tithing enough? Would a true disciple only give 10%? I read once in a book that instead of giving 10%, we should surrender 100%. That's my prayer tonight, that I will learn more about surrender and sacrifice as it pertains to me and my relationship with the Lord and my desire to be a committed disciple to His cause.

Acts 2:43-44, NASB

"They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles. And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common..."

I love the "sense of awe." When do you feel a "sense of awe?" When you witness something beautiful maybe? A young child. A beautiful sunset. A dearly loved friend sharing their heart. A miracle. Where did this sense of awe begin for these people? It began with truth and was nurtured through community.

One of the definitions of community is "joint ownership or participation." God truth strikes awe in our hearts as we are touched deeply when we realize how unworthy we are for what Christ did for us. And the amazing thing is that God wants us to feel awe, not shame or disgrace, as we begin to accept His Message and acknowledge our part in this life we've been given. Our part is in a community of parts. God has given us our characteristics and skills for a specific calling, a designated role in a Community (aka: the Church). This is our sense of awe lived out in a feeling of ownership as we join in the Mission of the Message and seek to inspire and encourage others with this News of joy.

Acts 2:25b-28, New Living Translation

‘I see that the Lord is always with me.
I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me.
No wonder my heart is glad,
and my tongue shouts his praises!
My body rests in hope.
For you will not leave my soul among the dead
or allow your Holy One to rot in the grave.
You have shown me the way of life,
and you will fill me with the joy of your presence.’

These verses are quoting David, Old Testament David! His faith was sure as he penned these prophetic words that bring me renewed comfort tonight. I love that God uses us for his prophecies to be revealed. David knew that God had promised that one of his descendants would sit on the throne and his hope was in that oath. David was allowed a small glimpse into the future and knew that Jesus would be resurrected because God would not allow Him to rot in a grave.

I loved reading this entire chapter because it's like the doctrine statement for the first Christians, the Church. But, unlike our current concept of a doctrine statement, these words were spoken to men and women who knew who Jesus was; He had walked the earth at the same time and was a well-known name. People who had questioned, seen him, and wondered were now being told "the Jesus you crucified is Lord and Messiah." I wonder if their audience was shocked, as shocked as we would be if someone stood up and told us that Tom Cruise was the messiah? He's well known and seen as a fanatic by some, can you imagine the shock?? Fortunately for us - Jesus is far better than any human and God's message in this chapter was delivered in every listener's native tongue and undeniably true. Praise God!

Acts 2:17-21, The Message

"In the Last Days," God says,
"I will pour out my Spirit
on every kind of people:
Your sons will prophesy,
also your daughters;
Your young men will see visions,
your old men dream dreams.
When the time comes,
I'll pour out my Spirit
On those who serve me, men and women both,
and they'll prophesy.
I'll set wonders in the sky above
and signs on the earth below,
Blood and fire and billowing smoke,
the sun turning black and the moon blood-red,
Before the Day of the Lord arrives,
the Day tremendous and marvelous;
And whoever calls out for help
to me, God, will be saved."

I have been eager to read back into the beginning of the Church as it's told in Acts. I am always dumbfounded by the raw power of the Holy Spirit. Can you imagine how distant our relationship with God might feel without the Spirit moving and working in us? One of my favorite things about the Spirit is the comforting and unsettling reassurance it is that God is alive in me.

I wonder how many people can read things like this, or hear Christians talk about it, and wonder why we're always talking about "spirits" and "consuming" and "power", etc. I love that Christianity only has One Spirit, One God, and It's more like a Friend than a foe. It's not creepy. It's amazing! Ask us about it.

Genesis 18:9-15, The Message

The men said to him, "Where is Sarah your wife?"

He said, "In the tent." One of them said, "I'm coming back about this time next year. When I arrive, your wife Sarah will have a son." Sarah was listening at the tent opening, just behind the man. Abraham and Sarah were old by this time, very old. Sarah was far past the age for having babies. Sarah laughed within herself, "An old woman like me? Get pregnant? With this old man of a husband?" God said to Abraham, "Why did Sarah laugh saying, 'Me? Have a baby? An old woman like me?' Is anything too hard for God? I'll be back about this time next year and Sarah will have a baby." Sarah lied. She said, "I didn't laugh," because she was afraid. But he said, "Yes you did; you laughed."

_

I can remember quietly sitting crosslegged on the Sunday school room floor as a child and listening to this Old Testament story. (By the way, I always loved the mental image of gray-haired Sarah baking bread over a fire in a hot tent one afternoon and taking advantage of the opportunity to eavesdrop to the conversations on the other side of the tent canvas. I can see her smirk as she silently laughs at the prediction of these men.) As a child, the emphasis was always on the fact that Sarah didn't believe that God could do what He said He would do. This is still the emphasis I get from the story today.

Is anything too hard for God?

Jeremiah 32:27, "I am the LORD, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?"

Matthew 19:26, "Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.""

1 Samuel 14:6b, "Nothing can hinder the LORD from saving, whether by many or by few."

Luke 1:37, "For nothing is impossible with God."

Mark 14:36, ""Abba, Father," He said, "everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.""

Job 42:2, "I know that you can do all things; no plan of yours can be thwarted."

Jeremiah 32:17, "Ah, Sovereign LORD, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you."

Luke 18:27, "Jesus replied, "What is impossible with men is possible with God."

I submit that there is not.

Hebrews 11:8-10, 13-16 NIV

By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.

All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth. People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.

I decided to reflect a little on my previous posts from my recent bible reading today. I haven't done this yet; I didn't realize that I have a theme. What God seems to be teaching me right now (not only through my daily bible reading but also events in my life), is obedience. It's obviously on my mind, and I'm sure God knows why.

Time for an honest-self-check: am I willing to obey God? Whatever that means?

I am really good at saying that I don't want to be in the place where I know where I am going - I want the unknown and adventure...right? But then I look at Abraham, he went. And he was a stranger, he didn't get what was promised in his lifetime. Can I take the plunge, can I make those sacrifices?

I want to agree. My heart desires to be willing to give up comfortable and predictable. But it is scary. When the opportunity, not just any, but the right opportunity, comes along what will my answer be?

This makes me wonder why humans were created as "creatures of comfort" or "creatures of habit"? It probably comes down to God's love for us and Him giving us free will. Naturally we want what is easy. But in this context, I resent that part of my human nature.

Obedience. Submitting my will over to God and His will. Cooperation. Open-mindedness. Am I able?

Genesis 16:1-2, The Message

Sarai, Abram's wife, hadn't yet produced a child. She had an Egyptian maid named Hagar. Sarai said to Abram, "God has not seen fit to let me have a child. Sleep with my maid. Maybe I can get a family from her." Abram agreed to do what Sarai said.

This could be one of those fashion magazine moments of "WHAT was she thinking?!" Seriously, the previous chapters of Genesis have been undeniable evidence of Abram and Sarai's faith and obedience to the Unseen God. You would think that Sarai could ignore the fact that she and Abram were old; I mean, God Himself said they'd have a son. Why on earth would Sarai suggest for Abram to sleep with her maid? I suppose we look/sound/think just as foolishly as Sarai when we attempt to jump the gun on God's plan and timing. I know I'm guilty of Sarai moments and, just like her, things don't work out as well when we don't let God do His job.

The cool thing is that God still works it out. Even in this story in Genesis 16, God sends the Angel of the Lord to the abused maid Hagar and speaks with her about her circumstances. Even if you're not necessarily as famous as Abram, God is still God and He loves you. No one is too small for God to work through or speak to or encounter.

Psalm 34:1-10, New Living Translation

I will praise the Lord at all times.
I will constantly speak his praises.
I will boast only in the Lord;
let all who are helpless take heart.
Come, let us tell of the Lord’s greatness;
let us exalt his name together.

I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me.
He freed me from all my fears.
Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy;
no shadow of shame will darken their faces.
In my desperation I prayed, and the Lord listened;
he saved me from all my troubles.
For the angel of the Lord is a guard;
he surrounds and defends all who fear him.

Taste and see that the Lord is good.
Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him!
Fear the Lord, you his godly people,
for those who fear him will have all they need.
Even strong young lions sometimes go hungry,
but those who trust in the Lord will lack no good thing.

I read these verses tonight at church during our time of praise. I'm so glad that Jill had pointed this Psalm out to me about a year ago. She and I had talked about it yesterday and it was immediately my choice when Gabe asked me to read. I loved reading it. God's word is so powerful! These verses touch me in a special way and I was incredibly honored to stand before other believers and speak God's praise and share in the presence of God together as a community.

Gensis 15:1, 13-16, The Message

After all these things, this word of God came to Abram in a vision: "Don't be afraid, Abram. I'm your shield. Your reward will be grand!"...God said to Abram, "Know this: your descendants will live as outsiders in a land not theirs; they'll be enslaved and beaten down for 400 years. Then I'll punish their slave masters; your offspring will march out of there loaded with plunder. But not you; you'll have a long and full life and die a good and peaceful death. Not until the fourth generation will your descendants return here; sin is still a thriving business among the Amorites."

God is good and gives us more than we deserve. However, sometimes God doesn't answer the way we expect. Take Abram for instance, from God's very voice he knew that his faithfulness would be rewarded. But as Abram gave offerings to God and God continued to speak, it quickly became clear that God's timeline for this reward would not come for many generations. If I were Abram, I might be inclined to question God about the dreary report He said my family will have for 400 years! But I suppose Abram's faith in God and God's plan was strong enough that he knew God was in control and to be trusted.

I hope that if God gives me a "dreary report" of what is to come for my life (doesn't scripture already give us a less-than-hopeful glimpse of what is to come?) that I'll simply seek Him more as I trust His love for me to outweigh any obstacles that come.

Genesis 12:1, The Message

God told Abram: "Leave your country, your family, and
your father's home for a land that I will show you."

My church's daily bible verse has been going through Genesis. As I read Chapter 12 tonight I was thinking about my life and the times when I did something new or adventurous. It in those times that God told me to leave the familiar and to a place He would show me. I love being in that mode of thinking, complete surrender and obedience.

I have a friend who did Y1 with me 2006-2007 currently visiting me in Dallas. As such, I am thinking a lot about that year of my life when I truly was in that mode. I wonder now, almost two and a half years later, if I'm still in the "land" that God wants to show me. I might be in Dallas (my country, near my family, in my hometown) but I can still keep the prayer in my head that I will hear God's voice when He tells me where to go next.

Matthew 5:21-22, The Message

"You're familiar with the command to the ancients, 'Do not murder.' I'm telling you that anyone who is so much as angry with a brother or sister is guilty of murder. Carelessly call a brother 'idiot!' and you just might find yourself hauled into court. Thoughtlessly yell 'stupid!' at a sister and you are on the brink of hellfire. The simple moral fact is that words kill."

I just saw a television commercial for the "think b 4 you speak" campaign. It was chiding people for using phrases like "that's so gay" without realizing what it really means or who it might offend. It made me think of scripture verses like these where I'm reminded that, especially as a Christian, what I say matters. Clearly, the tongue is evil and can't be trusted. With the weight of words being upon me, shouldn't I fill my mind and mouth with pleasing and pure thoughts? What goes in must come out.

Matthew 5:10-12, NIV

"Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you."

I don't think that God was playing a trick on us here by trying to get us to believe that persecution is a "blessing" (in the secular sense of the word). I think Jesus was trying to convey the reality of our lives as Christ-followers. We learn more about God through trials, we depend more on God in famine, we gain inner spiritual strength when out physical body is weak from pain. No earthy reward and no shiny trophy await us at the end of these difficult experiences. As these verses remind us, our unnamed reward is in heaven waiting for us. I have every confidence that this mystery reward will be far greater than even the biggest wrapped present under the tree on Christmas morning!

The question in my head tonight is, do I rejoice in the midst of trial? Am I glad that I'm a Christ-follower? I can easily exclaim "yes!" -- but my inner being hesitates as the visions of the alternatives and ideas the world offers appear in my mind.

"No" I tell myself; "God's way is better, it's all going to be worth it."

The evil one who hovers nearby whispers "doubt."

This is the conversation that will never end; but my faith is strong and, thankfully, the Holy Spirit is mighty - and He's on my side.

Matthew 5:9, The Message

"You're blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That's when you discover who you really are, and your place in God's family."

Peacemakers. That word sounds like a movie title like "windtalkers" or "braveheart." I love the irony God has with this verse for me today. At work in Customer Relations, and even today in my personal life, I feel like I'm destined to be a peacemaker. I shouldn't say it like it's a bad thing. But sometimes I feel burdened by the responsibility that comes with keeping the peace. I don't do it well because it requires quite a lot of selflessness. Who feels like that's easy?? Sometimes you want to compete or fight. I love that cooperation doesn't mean boring, goodness knows I need a little excitement in the midst of harmony and cooperation. I wholeheartedly agree with this translation of the verse; peacemaking reveals who you really are and teaches you more about your place in God's family.

Peacekeeping is always rewarding and you don't remember the sacrifices in the end - you remember that God worked through your life and it makes everything worth it.

Matthew 5:8, NIV

"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God."

My name means "pure one" and this verse is often associated with the meaning. I suppose "seeing God" could take many forms. You can see God in His word, in other people, in creation, through a life lesson, in a movie, in hindsight, etc. I believe what this verse is really telling us is that if you open your eyes and heart to God's simple, but pure, truth -- you'll see Him. It's hard to see God with a cynical or skeptical heart. It's hard to see God with a judgmental or critical mind. You are blessed if you focus your mind and heart on things pleasing to the Lord, because then you will see God.

Hey - this sounds completely different in the The Message! Read this: "You're blessed when you get your inside world—your mind and heart—put right. Then you can see God in the outside world." That's what I just said up there! (well basically...)

Matthew 5:7, NIV

"Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy."

Mercy | compassion or forbearance shown especially to an offender or to one subject to one's power ; also : a blessing that is an act of divine favor or compassion.

After reading that description, who doesn't want mercy? After reading that description, who wants to give mercy? That's a little more difficult. I have a hard time showing mercy to an offender. I want revenge. I struggle with showing mercy to someone considered "lower" than me. Yet, knowing that if I show mercy I'll also receive mercy, why don't I obey this scripture more often? Clearly, this is yet another instance in which I am helpless and God needs to step in and teach me how. As the Author of mercy, and the only One who can effortlessly extend mercy to all, I can only hope and pray that God will continue to show me mercy when I'm undeserving so I can learn how to do the same.

Matthew 5:6, The Message and NIV

"You're blessed when you've worked up a good appetite for God. He's food and drink in the best meal you'll ever eat."

"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled."

I have felt more "full" in the last week since I've begun spending a few minutes of my day in scripture than I have felt in a while. It's such a good use of my time, not nearly enough of my time in comparison to what God deserves or desires. But, nonethless, I'm enjoying my daily message. I don't know who reads it, if anyone even does. But I'm not writing these things for other people, I'm writing them for me and God. I enjoy finding the time, even if it's just a few minutes, to think about a verse or two and translate those thoughts into words so there is evidence of my efforts to grow close to the Lord. And, just as this verse says, I'm hungering and thirsting for more of this as the days continue. God is satisfying and I'm grateful!

Matthew 5:5, The Message

"You're blessed when you're content with just who you are—no more, no less. That's the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can't be bought."

God gives us a lot of blessings when we live a servant-attitude life. So far, the main theme I'm seeing in the beatitudes is humbleness. You could say Christ-likeness too, that really sums it all up. We're to be like Christ. Simple. What Would Jesus Do? Fully Rely on God. Greater is He Who is within you than he who is in the world. Look unto Jesus. Cast all your cares. This is the theme of our generation, past generations, and all humankind to come.

I'm accustomed to reading this verse "Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth." But I like how The Message phrases this one. Contentment and authenticity have become a quest for my life. I think it all started in high school, or even junior high, when I began to wonder why things and people were the way they were. I didn't like pretending, I liked raw emotion. I didn't like false, I thrived on seeking the truth. This is when I realized that as Christians we should not look alike. We can believe the same truths without being morphed into some creepy identical lump of people. I can practice my beliefs in a way that is personalized to me, Katie, and still in line with what pleases God. So I'm enjoying the affirmation given in scripture that we're blessed when we recognize what wonderful creations we are.

Matthew 5:4, The Message

"You're blessed when you feel you've lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you."

Making a big purchase is exciting but it also can make you gain an unhealthy priority. Materialism is a struggle for so many people, and Dallas is infamous for being too focused on their stuff. How many people do I know who, including myself, would feel "blessed" if they lost their dearest possessions? Not many. BUT - this verse reminds us that we may not always lose everything, we might just feel like we've lost everything. Whether its a disappointment in finances, relationships, physical health, image/self value -- I'm sure at one point, we've all felt like it's gone and we're alone. To switch things up, do you think you could maintain a manner of feeling like it's all gone and lost, even when times are good? If the "I'm invincible/" mentalality is something that keeps ups from truly being embraced by God (in whatever way/shape/form that means to us), shouldn't we always keep an attitude of humbleness, not just in the midst of tragedy or loss? I think that this attitude will also remind us that God is the One we should hold most dear, as this verse assumes of those who follow Christ.

Matthew 5:1-3, The Message

When Jesus saw his ministry drawing huge crowds, he climbed a hillside. Those who were apprenticed to him, the committed, climbed with him. Arriving at a quiet place, he sat down and taught his climbing companions. This is what he said: "You're blessed when you're at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule."

My comfort from this scripture today came from the description of Jesus as he climbed up the hillside to teach. Sometimes scripture gives me such a vivid mental picture of what it would have been like to hike alongside the living Messiah, and it's an overwhelming thought. I love that Jesus just cozied up and taught "the committed" things He knew they would need (and all of us yet to come) to know in order to follow Him for the rest of time.

I would like to think that today is another hike on the hillside with Jesus. Today, Jesus and I are strolling along and if I chose to set myself aside and, even for a moment, acknowledge a "quiet place" in my heart and mind, I will truly be able to hear what He is teaching me today. With less of you there is more of God...

Daniel 3:24-29, The Message

Suddenly King Nebuchadnezzar jumped up in alarm and said, "Didn't we throw three men, bound hand and foot, into the fire?"

"That's right, O king," they said. "But look!" he said. "I see four men, walking around freely in the fire, completely unharmed! And the fourth man looks like a son of the gods!"

Nebuchadnezzar went to the door of the roaring furnace and called in, "Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, servants of the High God, come out here!" Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego walked out of the fire.

All the important people, the government leaders and king's counselors, gathered around to examine them and discovered that the fire hadn't so much as touched the three men—not a hair singed, not a scorch mark on their clothes, not even the smell of fire on them!

Nebuchadnezzar said, "Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego! He sent his angel and rescued his servants who trusted in him! They ignored the king's orders and laid their bodies on the line rather than serve or worship any god but their own.

"Therefore I issue this decree: Anyone anywhere, of any race, color, or creed, who says anything against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego will be ripped to pieces, limb from limb, and their houses torn down. There has never been a god who can pull off a rescue like this.

I've never grown tired of this story. God was powerful and AWEsome, He still is. When I read this story my heart beat quickens as I imagine witnessing this miraculous moment. If I knew that the most powerful king was going to throw me into a fire, I don't know that I would even expect this to happen in my wildest dreams. Can you imagine the humbling realization that God has chosen you to be a testament to His power in that situation? I would believe that God can use anyone; however, I would never expect it to be me. In the same way, I imagine that Daniel and his friends felt the same way. In the entire story of Daniel we see his servant-like attitude and humble obedience to living according to what God would have him do. I pray this morning that my life would also be consumed with the same obedience and attitude; perhaps God will see fit to be honored through my life.

Micah 6:8

But he's already made it plain how to live, what to do,
what God is looking for in men and women.
It's quite simple: Do what is fair and just to your neighbor,
be compassionate and loyal in your love,
And don't take yourself too seriously—
take God seriously.

Sometimes when I wonder how to live life or get through the challenges that I'm faced with, just this week I kept complaining that I "had life all over me." I get stressed out and forget that God has made it plain. Granted, the Bible doesn't always provide step-by-step directions for how to buy a car or who you should date; however, I think that sometimes I do take myself too seriously and forget that there are only a few basic principles to keep. Beyond those, I think God simply expects and hopes that we will honor Him with our choices and resources and future. So I'm going to buy a new car tomorrow.

Romans 14:22-23 The Message

Cultivate your own relationship with God, but don't impose it on others. You're fortunate if your behavior and your belief are coherent. But if you're not sure, if you notice that you are acting in ways inconsistent with what you believe—some days trying to impose your opinions on others, other days just trying to please them—then you know that you're out of line. If the way you live isn't consistent with what you believe, then it's wrong.

This is what being "authentic" means to me; cultivating my own personal relationship with God based on what I believe He and the Bible say is right and wrong. I understand that sometimes the way people live may appear inconsistent to others because it could have changed from what it was before, whether for good or bad. But change happens. The question is, have you changed your beliefs/behaviors because of a growing and maturing relationship with God? This is easy to explain when someone questions you on the noticeable difference in your life. Or did you change to try and please others and, as a result, now live a life that is based on wrong/out-of-line/inconsistent beliefs?

I want to pursue this relationship with God and welcome healthy change in my life. I want my spiritual habits and actions to have meaning based on a desire to do them rather than an obligation. I want to talk to God first, before sharing and asking the advice of others. I want more coworkers or family members or even strangers to ask me about my behavior so that I can tell them about God. Or even better, I want to speak more about God to everyone than I currently do. If I say "I am second" or "God, Others, Me" - then isn't it about time I start acting that way?

Happy New Year!