What Gets Between Me and God

In review of James 1:21 it says, “Get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls.”

Bottom Line:

Get rid of filth and all that is wrong in your life, humbly accept the word God has planted in your heart, for it has the power to save our souls as it takes hold.

What this means to me:

This passage reminds me to get rid of all that is wrong in my life, both inside and outside, and humbly accept God’s word that is planted in my heart, for it has the ability to save my soul as I let it take hold of my heart.

As we all know, cell phone reception and quality varies greatly. The same is true with myself and my reception with God. In order to get the best reception, I must be positioned correctly in order to hear God speak.

Often I never give God a chance to talk. I've already made up my mind, because I want to do what I want to do, not what God wants me to do. My heart can be hardened, and unwilling to listen. So, when I have a closed mind, he’s not going to talk to me!

But if I really want to hear from God, I need to understand what is keeping me from hearing from God. There are three mental barriers that keep my mind closed to God’s message.

Pride - If I think I don’t need God in my life and want to handle things myself, I’m probably not listening for God to speak. This kind of pride will keep me from being open to the possibility that God might want to say something to me.

Fear - I may not hear God speak because I’m afraid of what he’ll say to me or ask me to do.

Bitterness - If I hold on to a hurt, resentment, or a grudge, then I’m not going to be able to hear God, because my heart is hardened. It has grown cold and made me defensive, even to God’s love.

Harboring any sin is also a barrier to me hearing. In order to hear from God, I need to be clean. I can do this by confessing my sin and asking for forgiveness. Also, holding onto any resentment will kill you! Resentment is a self-inflicted wound that allow something from my past to continue to hurt me today. This needs to be let go, not because they deserve forgiveness but because I need to get on with life. I need to get rid of the bitterness, fear, and pride that keep me from hearing God’s voice and living out his purpose for my life.

James 1:21 says, “Get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls” (NLT).

To “Humbly accept” means that I let go of my pride and stop trying to figure it out on my own. This is the key to opening my mind and heart so that I can hear from the Lord.

What God Requires

In review of Deuteronomy 10:12-13 it says, “And now, Israel, what does the lord your God require of you? He requires only that you fear the lord your God, and live in a way that pleases him, and love him and serve him with all your heart and soul. And you must always obey the lord ’s commands and decrees that I am giving you today for your own good."

Bottom Line:

What does God require? He wants you to respect and follow him. He wants you to love and serve from your heart. He wants you to obey his commands. In doing so, it will go well for you.

What this means to me:

What does the Lord my God require from me. He wants me to respect and follow him. He wants me to love and serve him with all My heart. He wants me to obey his commands and decrees, so that it will go well for me.

Its natural to ask, "What does God expect from me?"  In Deuteronomy 10:12-13 it says ““And now, Israel, what does the lord your God require of you? He requires only that you fear the lord your God, and live in a way that pleases him, and love him and serve him with all your heart and soul. And you must always obey the lord ’s commands and decrees that I am giving you today for your own good.” (NLT).

In this passage Moses gives a summary in a simple and easy to remember form. The essentials of it is: (1) Fear God; (2) Live in a way that pleases him; (3) Love him; (4) Serve him with all your heart and soul; and (5) Obey his commands. It’s easy to over complicate faith with man-made rules, regulations, and requirements. So to keep from being frustrated and burned trying hard to please God, concentrate on his real requirements and find peace. Respect, follow, love, serve, and obey.

Moses gave this set of instructions to the people for the benefit, so that things will go well for them.  This is something I too can hold onto. Life will never be without difficulties or struggles, however things will go much better if I do them. Another benefit is the peace that comes from doing what pleases God.

Learning To Not Treat Sin Casually

In review of Exodus 34:7 it says, I lavish unfailing love to a thousand generations. I forgive iniquity, rebellion, and sin. But I do not excuse the guilty. I lay the sins of the parents upon their children and grandchildren; the entire family is affected—even children in the third and fourth generations.” (NLT).

Bottom Line:

God keeps his promises and lavishes unfailing love to a thousand generations. God forgives iniquity, rebellion, and sin, to the repentant; but will punish anyone who sins, laying the sins of the parents upon their children to the third and fourth generation.

What this means to me:

God will always keep his promises and will show me an unfailing amount of love. God will forgive my immoral or grossly unfair behavior, my rebellion and my sin. But for unrepentant hearts, he will punish them and their family to the third and fourth generations.

It seems harsh that sin would affect children and grandchildren. However this is no arbitrary punishment. Children still suffer for the sins made by their parents. Consider child abuse or alcoholism, as examples. While these sins are obvious, other sins like selfishness and greed can be passed along as well. It is important that I not treat sin casually, but to always repent and turn from it. The sin may cause you little pain now, but it could later sting in a most tender area of your life-your children and grandchildren. 

Given this, I need to ask God to make me aware of anything I need to confess and make right with him. It’s great to know with confidence that God will always do what he has promised. In his word I can see the things he promised and know through examples written and in my own life that he comes through time and time again. The thing to remember is that it happens on his perfect timing and not on demand when I request it. Today I thank God for his unfailing love and forgiveness.

Before God Speaks, Deciding To Say "Yes"

In review of Luke 8:15 it says, “The seeds that fell in good soil stand for those who hear the message and retain it in a good and obedient heart, and they persist until they bear fruit.”

Bottom Line:

Seeds that fell on good ground represent honest, good-hearted people who hear and retain God’s word. They persist until they bear fruit.

What this means to me:

I can be just like the seeds that fell on the good ground as long as I continue to live with integrity and an open heart that will take hold of what God say’s and patiently put it into practice. If I do, then Jesus indicates that I would produce a huge harvest.

God will speak to me if I decide that I’m going to do what he tells me to do, even before he tells me. This is equivalent to saying, “God, if you want me to move, I’ll move. Before you even tell me, my heart has decided that the answer will be ‘yes.’ Whatever you want me to do, I will do it.”

Luke 8:15 says, “The seeds that fell in good soil stand for those who hear the message and retain it in a good and obedient heart, and they persist until they bear fruit” (TEV).

This verse is part of the four kinds of people Jesus used in this parable (ones who are resistant, ones who are shallow, ones who are busy, and ones who are good.) But this parable also represents four attitudes. Unfortunately I can have all four attitudes in the same day! One moment I’m saying, “God, I don’t want to hear you, because I know what you’re going to say.” And the next moment I’m saying, “Lord, tell me quick.” Then I hear it and think it’s good, but I don’t do anything about it. Maybe the fruit starts to bear, but then I get busy with work or school and the weeds grow up. Then other times I say, “God, whatever you want. I’m totally open to you.”

God wants me to have an attitude of obedience so that I can bear fruit; the biblical term for being successful. God wants me to be fruitful in my work, my family, my friendships, my relationship with God and with others, and my health.

So how do you bear fruit when God tells me something? I pass it on. When God tells me something, the quickest way to let it bear fruit in, is to tell somebody else what I've just learned.

Another translation of Luke 8:15 says, “They listen to God’s words and cling to them and steadily spread them to others who also soon believe” (LB). God wants me to pass on to others what I learn.

Immediate obedience is a difficult thing, and I’m not sure I’ll ever completely master it. I can however strive to be quickly obedient in all matters no matter what God tells me. I really want to produce good fruit in my life and the actual proof will be what I can do to pour what I’m learning into others. I will continue to reach out to those God has put around me to share what I’m learning.

Turning My Complaints Into Prayers

In review of Exodus 17:2 it says, "So once more the people complained against Moses. “Give us water to drink!” they demanded.“Quiet!” Moses replied. “Why are you complaining against me? And why are you testing the lord?”

Bottom Line:

Complaining and demanding is not a way to get anything from your leader, in doing so you pur undue pressure on them and also put the God to a test.

What this means to me:

Once again the people complained bitterly and demanded of Moses their leader to, “Give them water to drink!” Moses squelch's them and asks what they are complaining to him, and furthermore why are they putting the Lord to the test?

At this time in the story of Exodus, God has graciously saved the people from the tyranny of Egypt, and has supplied the people with water once before and unending food (bread in the morning and meat at night.) How quickly they forget! In this circumstance the people complained and demanded resolution to their problems to their leader instead of praying and asking God. In my own life, many of my problems can be solved by careful thought or by a simple rearranging my priorities. Others can be solved by discussion and good counsel from others. However, there are some problems that can be solved only by prayer. I need to make sure that I make a determined effort to pray when I feel like complaining. Complaining will only raise my level of stress, whereas prayer can quiet my thoughts and emotions, and prepares me to listen.

It’s easy to complain to a leader who’s in charge instead of looking for alternatives or praying. I’m guilty of this, and the stress to others in my realm.

Scripture tells me how God has promised to take care of me as long as I keep my priority straight,  “..seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matthew 6:33, NIV). When I’m in need I am to concentrate on putting his kingdom first. When I do, he will take care of everything else.

As a leader myself, it’s not pleasant to have your team come to you and complain, especially bitterly. In a secular environment, it’s tough for me to say to them, stop and pray!  I need to do my best to take care of those I lead such that they don’t have issues such that they would complain. But if it does happen, I need to not be defensive, but listen to what they are saying and earnestly see what I can do to help the situation; which could very well be for me to pray on their behalf.

Personally, I am to resist the temptation to complain, and pray instead. Prayer has the calming effect of putting things into proper perspective and leaving it in his hands. It allows me to take it off of my conscience thoughts.  

The book of Exodus is full of examples of how the people see the miraculous ways that God takes care of them. It happens time after time, but even with this, they still fail!  They complain, they sin, they easily forget. I used to think how could they possible do this, especially after what God has done for them? But, as I read the account, I see more similarities to my own life and my own natural tendencies. I’m glad that this book has been included as it points out inadequacies in my own life and things to be grateful for.

Father, today I pray that you will help remind me when I start to get off track or I’m tempted to complain. It is better for me to seek your assistance then for me to complain or put you to a test of you providing for me. I will hold onto the truth from Matthew 6:33. Father you are a God of compassion and mercy! Slow to anger and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness. I am grateful for your loving presence in my life.

Being Ready for Use

In review of Exodus 4:10-13, it says, 10 But Moses pleaded with the lord, “O Lord, I’m not very good with words. I never have been, and I’m not now, even though you have spoken to me. I get tongue-tied, and my words get tangled.”11 Then the lord asked Moses, “Who makes a person’s mouth? Who decides whether people speak or do not speak, hear or do not hear, see or do not see? Is it not I, the lord? 12 Now go! I will be with you as you speak, and I will instruct you in what to say.”13 But Moses again pleaded, “Lord, please! Send anyone else.”

Bottom Line:

Moses pleads with God to not do something, claiming what seems to be legitimate shortcomings on his pat. God let's Moses know that He, “God” is in control of what a man can or can’t do. He still wants Moses to go and tells him that He, “God”, will be with and guide him. Moses still tries to get out of it.

What this means to me:

When God asks me to do something, I may feel inadequate or unprepared for such a task. There’s no use in arguing with God about it. If God wants me to do something, he will provide everything I need in order to accomplish it. I need not do it on my own strength and abilities.

In these verses I see Moses pleading with God to let him out of his mission. After all, he was not a good speaker and would probably embarrass both himself and God. But God looked at Moses' problem quite differently. All Moses needed was some help, and who better than God to help him say and do the right things? God made his mouth and would give him the words to say. In the end, God still wanted him to go and told him, I will be with you as you speak, I will instruct you as to what to say. However even with this assurance, Moses still pleaded with God to send someone else.

Like Moses, It is easy for me to focus on my weaknesses and back away from what He asks of me. But if God asks me to do something, then he will help me get the job done. If the job involves some of my weak areas, then I can trust that he will provide words, strength, courage, and ability where needed.

I can’t count how many times God has prompted me to do something, but I’ve talked myself out of doing it feeling inadequate or having it be out of my comfort zone. These verses remind me that if God asks me to do something, he will provide what I need in order to do it. I just need to do it with humility and his strength, not my own. I really need to be conscience of these situations and not quickly dismiss them. Being obedient means responding when he asks and not delaying or taking time to think about it. I can always think back to the example of Moses and his life. Even after doubting his own abilities, he surrendered and did what God asked him to do. And the results of his actions are apparent in the book of Exodus and Deuteronomy.

Today, I ask that God forgive me for not responding when I should have in the past. I ask him to help remind me of his promise to help with whatever he has asked.

My Burdens and Oppression's Can Make Me Stronger

In review of Exodus 1:12 it says, "But the more the Egyptians oppressed them, the more the Israelite s multiplied and spread, and the more alarmed the Egyptians became."

Bottom Line:

The more they were oppressed and mistreated, the better they did; even increasing in number. The got to the point where the Egyptians came to fear them.

What this means to me:

Often when I’m oppressed and mistreated, I can do even better for God and multiple in my efforts; even to a point where the enemy will come to fear what I’m doing.

In the book of Exodus it explains how the Egyptians tried to wear down the Hebrew people by forcing them into slavery and mistreating them. I would imagine that this could be downright disappointing if not burdensome. God was with them, because even though they were under oppression, instead of being diminished and extinguished as a people, the multiplied and grew stronger.

When I’m burdened or mistreated, I can definitely feel defeated. However, what I’m learning is that my burdens can make me stronger and can develop qualities in me that will prepare me for the future. I cannot be an overcomer without troubles to overcome.

I need to keep my focus on being true to God in the hard times as well as the good ones. God promises to use these situations to grow and develop me into who he wants me to be. Just like the Israelites, God will use the problems I face to develop, grow and mature me. He will use it for his purposes. Today, I want to thank you God for taking enough concern in me and my life to train and discipline me. I pray that I will respond to what you're doing in my life rightly and that I can become a person that you can use.