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!