PC3 Devotions

Hebrews 5:11-14 

 11 There is much more we would like to say about this, but it is difficult to explain, especially since you are spiritually dull and don’t seem to listen. 12 You have been believers so long now that you ought to be teaching others. Instead, you need someone to teach you again the basic things about God’s word. You are like babies who need milk and cannot eat solid food. 13 For someone who lives on milk is still an infant and doesn’t know how to do what is right. 14 Solid food is for those who are mature, who through training have the skill to recognize the difference between right and wrong.

The issue for some of us is not that we are spiritual starving and need to be fed, but that we don’t have the “teeth” to digest solid spiritual food. We have more information available to us than at any other time in history and it hast not proven to make much difference. Information is not the problem. Jesus summed up the entire law with the simple command of love God and love others. In this single statement, He was revealing the greatest need of humanity and the highest call for us as Christians. Yet, for whatever reason, whether it be fear, selfishness or just being plain lazy, this weighty issue of faith does not sit well with our stomach.

Being independently dependent upon Jesus Christ involves understanding the true source for sustainability in our walks. We must be fueled by the love of God. There is nothing else strong enough to move us to care for one another by extending a hand. If we are shallow in our walks with God we will continue to be shallow with others no matter how hard we try to move in to the lives of those around us. Our willingness to “go there” and invest in the lives of others is an expression of our walks with God.

Like Christ, we must be willing to move into relationships with those that are in our care. It is our responsibility to engage them by investing and encouraging them. Helping someone walk with God requires taking the time to get to know them. Yet, the first step is making room in your own life so you can know more of God’s heart. Inviting Him in to your heart allows you to show the heart of God to others as you enter their world.

As we position ourselves to love, we are taking an enormous risk and leaving ourselves vulnerable. We may not be loved back. Our attempts to enter someone’s world maybe rejected. But, what God wants to awaken in the hearts and live of His people is greater and greater faith. Through our attempts of loving others, God stretches us, teaches us and reveals more of His character. The depth we crave in our walk with Him develops as our heart slowly becomes His own. This takes place all by following a simple command: love God and love others.

God, help me to take responsibility for my walk. Give me the courage to allow you into those places inside my heart that I often keep off limits from you. May I go deep with you so I can go deep with others. Amen.

Hebrews 11:1

 1 Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.

Hebrews 11:6

6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

The premise for the Greater Than series is based off the principle that what you know about God determines what you trust Him with. For the past five weeks, we’ve been delving deeper into the attributes of God and how our understanding of these qualities should influence the way we respond to life. For instance, if God is love, than you can freely love others. Knowing you worship a God of justice allows you to let go of bitterness and forgive those that have hurt you. If you believe in God’s provision, you can trust Him to meet your needs. Regardless of how chaotic your world might be at times, if you know God is in control, you can be confident that the situations you face are for your growth.

All of these statements sound good in principle. We nod our head in agreement or even blurt them out as a piece of advice to a friend. When a loved one is hurting or confused, it is crystal clear to us where their actions remain disconnected from their faith. But, when the spotlight gets turned in the other direction we freeze because it’s difficult for us to admit that we often understand these truths in our mind, but have a hard time believing them in our heart.

Instead of trusting God, we tend to place our trust in ourselves. Since we cannot see God, we are constantly fighting the urge to take control of our lives and direct the ship. We desire certainty without realizing that certainty is the opposite of faith.

God’s reality SHOULD have implications on our life. Yet, have we stopped long enough to ponder what does the reality of God mean to your marriage, singleness, work, status, family or generosity? Author and theologian AW Tozer once said, “the natural man is a sinner because and only because he challenges God’s selfhood in relation to his own. In all else he may willingly accept the sovereignty of God; in his own life he rejects it. For him, God’s dominion ends where his begins.”

When we can’t see ultimate greatness, we are prone to trifle around with the things that happen to catch our attention. Unfortunately, we often sell ourselves out and settle for the illusion of comfort and security. The author Romans touches upon this point:

Romans 1:21-23 

 21 For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like a mortal human being and birds and animals and reptiles.

This passage speaks of a massive exchange that stems from failing to estimate the weight of glory properly.  The people the author of Romans is writing to had an idea of God, but no regard for God. They gave no weight to who God was and granted no concern for Him. Notice the progression that unfolds because there is no regard for God.  Their thinking is distorted and their hearts pay the price.  They live half-hearted. One of the great exchanges that happened in the fall of mankind is the exchange of freedom for slavery. Author and theologian C.S. Lewis, in his book the Weight of Glory, said, “We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea.  We are far too easily pleased.”

What follows is a devastating exchange that lessens our desires.  We look around at the things we have exchanged for God’s glory and because we can’t fathom God’s greatness, all these things we have created look extraordinary. It is easy to think that our desires are greater than God can fulfill, but it’s because we have no vision for His greatness and therefore, no regard for His glory. We fail to live by faith.

Our prayer should be to set our eyes on God and ask to behold His greatness.  This way our hearts will be awakened and we will refuse to be pleased by anything less than the greatness we have been created for. When we see His greatness, we are awakened to enjoy the world around us because it is an expression of the glory of God.

We must learn to surrender to the truth in order to be shaped by God. Walking by faith is the only way this is possible. We encounter His truth and love when we begin to see God as God. This shifts our focus off ourselves and towards God. The formation occurs as our sense of holiness is enlarged. When we accept the invitation into God’s presence, we begin to align ourselves with His purposes. A maturing vision of God shapes our own character, as our heart becomes His very own. 

Your decisions reveal not only what you believe about the truth, but where your hope resides. Whether you realize it or not, you place your hope in every decision you make. Think about it for a moment. What drives your decisions? What do you hope will be the intended outcome? What caused you to act in a certain way?

For some, acceptance has the highest value. For others, they hope that their decision will provide some level of security. The appearance of success, a sense of notoriety, a moment of peace or a feeling of stability. These are just a few of the things we hope we’ll experience as a result of the decisions we make.

Hope always has a focus – a place where we set our eyes. Hope is directional as it points us towards something. There is movement when it comes to hope. It encourages us to move in a direction that is either toward God or away from Him, but it always points us somewhere. One direction leads us to something that cannot sustain (hopes of this world) while the other is where fulfillment is found (hope of God)

Decisions are hopeful and the weight of our hope needs a firm foundation. You have to decide what you will live for and then arrange you life to pursue it.  Often our foundation crumbles under the weight of the life we were made for. It is crucial we have a foundation strong enough to bear the weight of our hope. Consider these words:

Matthew 7:24-27

  ²⁴ “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. ²⁵ The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. ²⁶ But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. ²⁷ The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”

Our perspective of hope must develop past just feelings or received blessings. Seeing hope from a foundational standpoint occurs when you begin to widen the lens. Where you place your hope shines light on what you believe about God. If God is not trustworthy or has ‘failed’ you somehow, you will be less inclined to place your hope in Him.  Yet, if you see God as the supplier of our every need then you trust in His provision. Both perspectives of God reveal what our hope rests on.

If what you see determines where you are headed then questions involving direction are also needed as we evaluate where we have placed our hope. When we need hope, where do we turn? When we face difficulty, is our initial reaction to turn to friends, family, or even our sheer willpower to get us through this stretch? What direction do our eyes turn when we are trying to make sense out of something life throws our way? Do we look to people, circumstances or other aspects of this life? Is seeking out wisdom even in the picture?

Without having the Truth serve as our foundation, we find ourselves on shaky ground. Our hearts can easily be deceived and alter our perspective our decisions. Scripture talks about when we suppress the truth that we have a darken understanding, futile thinking and our hearts become hardened. Proverbs 17:24 says, “a discerning man keeps wisdom in view, but a fool’s eyes wander to the ends of the earth.” Keeping wisdom in view is keeping God as your focus.

In Matthew 7:24-27,  Jesus tells a parable that speaks of the importance of building a home on a solid foundation versus a house built on sand. The foundation becomes significant when the house begins to settle as it weathers the test of time. Eventually, the cracks in the foundation will cause the house built on sand to fall apart. The shifting sand cannot withhold the storms of life. There is no assurance, there is no rest and hope at best is fleeting. What your hope is in reveals who or what you are building upon. The reliability of that foundation to support you is displayed through the way we live our lives.

Only one foundation can provide rest and this is of great importance. Rest is the ability to be quiet and confident. It is dependent on trust and assurance, not on personal accomplishment or circumstances. Assurance and trusts are givens, resulting in rest when it comes to hope that is found in Jesus. Some may wonder why God is so concerned that we have hope. It is because without hope there can be no faith. In Hebrews 11:1, we read that faith is the substance of things hoped for. Faith springs out of hope.

God, may I see the truth as my firm foundation. May your Word and your will be the cornerstones that I build every decision upon. Thank you for providing me with unshakable hope. Amen.

Hebrews 10:14

14 For by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.

We live in a world that constantly strives to categorize us based on characteristics and qualities. The man whose office is his second home is known as a workaholic while the individual who always sees the glass half empty is labeled a pessimist. Each one of us is regularly stereotyped based on our age, personality, choices we make, experiences that we have gone through or even appearance.

Some of these stereotypes or labels bring us satisfaction and pride while others produce anxiety or maybe even hurt. Even though we recognize in our mind that these labels are simply labels, our heart can fall prey to believing those things actually define us as human beings. Every single day we live our lives under the influence of these labels.

Why is this topic on identity so important for us to understand? The reason lies in the fact that the labels shape our actions while our identity influences the way we view life. The labels we identify ourselves with tend to be deceitful. They misrepresent who we truly are when we are in a relationship with Christ and bring about expectations that are devastating to establishing authentic relationships. In a weird way, we do not mind labels because they also take personal responsibility for our actions off of the table. Hear something for long enough and you are going to begin to think it is true. Sometimes when we believe what everyone says about us, we will live it out. We will forever go through our days paralyzed by the fear and insecurities of having to measure up to some arbitrary standard that has already been taken care of through the cross.

If this is the case, then it is of utter importance that we take some time to examine how we view ourselves. Through what lens or perspective do you evaluate yourself? Do you define yourself from the perspective of others’ opinions, your job, and your season in life or do you define yourself based on the thoughts that race through your mind?

The fact that we are no longer objects of God’s wrath and have been brought back into a relationship with Christ is an incredible truth we tend to forget. If God sees us differently than we see ourselves, why do we continue to get caught up in the net of our own self? Why do we allow the perspective and labels of others to dictate who we are and how we are to live? Our tendency to forget about this truth is the problem. Even though there are numerous passages stating who we are in Christ, we do not give these truths too much thought in our day-to-day lives. Our man-made identities are hard for us to ignore as we are bombarded with them all day long. They have become engrained into our thinking and everyone expects us to live out of these identities. Everyone that is, but God.

Through Jesus we have been made clean, set apart and our sins are no longer held against us. The truth of how God sees us directly battles against the deception of the false identities that tend to dominate our lives.  Stuck living out of a wrong identity, we are unable to fully express the saving grace of the father. When we begin to view ourselves as new creations that have been designed by God for His purposes then the struggles that tend to overwhelm us can be understood in a completely different way. Our perspective begins to change.

Imagine if you lived out of your new identity and were no longer paralyzed by staring back at all of your sins and false identities? Does it scare you to live out of a truth that is counter to what the world says about you? Consider the impact you would have in your home, work, neighborhood and world if you walked in the security you have in Christ. There would be no stopping God’s kingdom from advancing. This city would be transformed as we begin to live out of our transformed lives, not simply out of a life that is built on a system of categories and labels. We would boast of the cross and power of a life in Christ.

God, may I ignore the subjective truth that I often use to define me. Instead, allow me to see myself as a new creation. Transform my heart. Let me boast of the cross. Amen.

Over the course of the past few days we’ve begun to explore in depth God’s character. At best, we’ve just hit the tip of the iceberg. We’ve barely begun to describe the attributes of God. There aren’t enough pages to adequately describe and contain His greatness. Volumes could be written on God’s mercy, grace and goodness and, even in that, we will just see a shade of each quality.

Our goal is to not only give you a glimpse into God’s heart, but also to dispel how intimidating big theological words can be. For instance, let’s reflect on God’s omniscient. Chances are good some of you just halted in your tracks. You’ve never heard this word, let alone know how trusting in this characteristic of God can alter your perception of your worth in God’s eyes. Omniscient can be defined as having complete or unlimited knowledge, awareness, or understanding; perceiving all things. One of yesterday’s scriptures spoke of God’s omniscience:

Luke 12:7

7 Indeed, the VERY HAIRS OF YOUR HEAD ARE ALL NUMBERED. Don’t be afraid; you are WORTH more than many sparrows.

Here are a few of the other passages on this aspect of God’s character:

Psalm 139:1-6

1 You have searched me, Lord, 
and you KNOW me. 
2 You KNOW when I sit and when I rise; you PERCEIVE my thoughts from afar. 
3 You DISCEN my going out and my lying down; you are FAMILIAR with all my ways. 
4 Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, KNOW it completely. 
5 You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me. 
6 Such KNOWLEDGE is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.

Hebrews 4:13

13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. EVERYTHING IS UNCOVERED AND LAID BAREE before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

Job 37:16

16 Do you know how the clouds hang poised, those wonders of him who has PERFECT KNOWLEDGE?

Matthew 6:3-4

3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, WHO SEES WHAT IS DONE IN SECRET, will reward you.

God knows everything. He possess all knowledge. God doesn’t ever get surprised and nothing new ever occurs to God. He knows both the past and the future for every single human being from creation until the end of the age.

Who we are going to be twenty years from now is known to God just as much as who were a decade ago. He hears and responds to every prayer ever spoken.

At first, it can be terrify to think that not a single thought, action or word of yours has happened without the full attention of God. There are things we’ve done or said we wish no one knew about, especially the creator of the universe.

But, this attention should cause a different emotion to stir within us. Yes, he has witnessed your struggles with sin, but he knows and cares about your feelings, scars, wounds and fears.

David, the person who pen the majority of the Psalms, was left speechless when he considered the amount of knowledge God possessed on his life. All he could utter was “You have searched me and know me.”

God, the one who spoke the world into existence and knows the details of how everything works, also pays attention to you. The only conclusion you can draw this is that you must really matter to God. You are valuable in His eyes.

Lord, your intimate knowledge of me is beyond my comprehension. You know about me and care for me in ways I will never fully understand. Everything is known to you, including my heart and for that I am forever grateful. Amen.

Proverbs 14:27
 27 The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, turning a man from the snares of death.

Proverbs 19:23

23 The fear of the LORD leads to life: Then one rests content, untouched by trouble.

The flu bug finally made its’ temporary residence at our home. With my wife out of commission and our two little ones under the weather as well, I took a day off from work to take care of the family. The girls had fallen asleep on the couch and I got sucked into watching day time talk shows. As I flipped through the channels, I came across an episode of Maury Povich that, according to the introduction, promised people would face their biggest fears and be cured by the end of the hour long show.

The way they hyped it up I thought I was going to see people freaking out over huge snakes, hairy spiders or crowded elevators. To my surprise, it turned out the guests possessed a fear of fluffy bunnies, bald people and, believe it or not, cotton balls.  It wasn’t a healthy dislike for these things but rather a dose of fear that elicited squirming in chairs, panic attacks, sobbing and eventually hysterically running off stage when the object came into their line of sight.

I couldn’t help but chuckle as a grown man was reduced to tears over the presence of a floppy eared bunny. It was just plain silly and odd. Even more perplexing than what I caught on the morning talk shows is how many Christians deep down inside have an undiagnosed and unhealthy fear: theophobia or the “fear of God.” For many of us the phrase “the fear of the Lord” is a pretty confusing, if not intimidating idea. For the next three weeks, we’ll be exploring how our “theophobia” has steered us in the wrong direction and given us a false view of who God is. We tend to fear God because we see Him as fickle, changing His mind about us based on our actions. However, our God is righteous and unchanging, worthy of our attention and respect.

The term “fear of God” has been used to keep people cowering before God as though He is simply waiting for them to cross the line so He can demonstrate His power and wrath.  God is not fickle in the things He asks us to do.  He is not cruel in the way He treats His children.  He always has a grand purpose for every relationship, for every encounter, for every difficulty, for every moment.

If the fear of the Lord is the beginning of all wisdom (Psalm 111:9, 10) then it is critical we begin to reclaim this term “fear”. The scriptures use the term “fear of the Lord” over and over again.  Most versions keep this phrase in tact and it can be viewed as reverent trust in the creator (Isaiah 33:6 and 1 Samuel 12:24).  It is connected to wonder, marvel and awe in His presence and power (Jeremiah 5:21-23, Exodus 14).  Yet, the intended meaning often gets lost in translation.

Our definition of this fear feeds all the worst parts about who we think God is and what we think about Him. We have this fear mentality that defines everything in terms of how it may harm me.  But a reverent fear understands there is something far more difficult to repair than something physical.  It is not about our safety or the guarantee that we will not be hurt.  The fear of God is about who we see, who we trust and who defines the way in which we live. Jesus talks about this point in Luke 12:

Luke 12:4-7 

 4″ I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. 5 But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after the killing of the body, has power to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him. 6 Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. 7 Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

In order to begin to see the fear of the Lord as a gift, one must view it through the contexts of both God’s authority and goodness. One without the other gives you a skewed view of Him. Only seeing his authority would cause you to be waiting for lightening bolts to strike anytime you screwed up or got caught in sin. In essence, this fear is driven by our belief that God is fickle and according to scripture this is not true. The God we serve is one who is consistent in His love for us (Hebrews 13:8). He is a God of justice (having to deal with our sin) and mercy (sending His son Jesus to die in our place). One filled with righteousness and loving-kindness. We must see God and feel His love. This type of fear draws you near and inspires wonder. Fear is a healthy respect for His authority and His willingness to use it.  This revering and awe produce in us obedience.

The fear of the Lord produces in us a posture that enables wisdom and knowledge to take root in our lives. We must position ourselves to see God for God. This starts by understanding we are not here on our own terms and that everyday is a gift from God.

The Bible uses a marvelous word when it comes to dealing with sin.  The word is “atonement.”  It carries the idea of satisfying or appeasing someone for a wrong that has been done to them.  So many times we think of forgiveness as God just saying, “that’s okay…” to whatever wrongs we have done.

Unfortunately, it goes much deeper than we imagine.  Forgiveness is not God simply turning a blind eye, letting things slide or being a big pushover. The reality is we can hardly grasp the weight of our sin. You wrong a person because you act with no regard for them or their value and the same is true of God. Sin is disregard for God, both His value and His image.

These acts, our sin, are an expression of what is taking placing inside of our heart. Sin is not ungodly, but non-godly. Disregard for God is the obstacle in our relationship with God meaning in God’s eyes it had to be dealt with. There was a price to be paid for our sin and it needed to be satisfied.  Take a look at this passage found in Romans:

Romans 3:25-26

25 God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished— 26 he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.

Notice what the sacrifice of Christ was intended to satisfy.  Remember, the penalty for sin, all sin, is death.  So, because our God is just, the price for our sin was to be paid.  Otherwise, God would go against His own word, making Him out to be a mockery.

God paid the atoning price, which allows us to be right again with Him. Stop and reflect on God’s motive found in verse 26.  Write it out in your own words.  God is both just and the ONE who justifies. He is the ONE who makes you right.

Now just look at this marvelous word one more time: at-ONE-ment.  Through the cross we have been made right with the ONE who is just and who justifies. The God we serve and worship is one who is consistent in His love for us (Hebrews 13:8).

He is a God full of justice (having to deal with our sin) and mercy (sending His son Jesus to die in our place). Jesus came to make sure our sin would no longer be an obstacle in our relationship with Him.

God, thank you for being the only ONE who could restore my relationship with you. I am in awe of how you can be a God full of justice as well as mercy. You paid the price. May I not take my sin lightly, but realize the great price of my restoration. Amen.

Hebrews 4:12

¹² For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

Few things are more aggravating for a teenager than having a broken leg during the summer. As his friends play outside, he is stuck in doors watching television, bored on the Internet or reading a magazine. The highlight of his day is attempting to soothe an itch he can’t quite reach inside his cast. Summer was supposed to be spent goofing off at the park or city pool. Then came the collision that left his leg broken and his summer plans forever changed.

He finds it increasingly difficult to resist the urge to grab a saw or scissors and free himself from the restraints of his cast. Yet, trying to get back on his feet before his leg is properly healed can have devastating effects: excruciating pain, a hitch in his step, a noticeable limp or even worse, causing a deeper break.

Chances are good he will end up right back in a new cast for an even longer amount of time all because he was unwilling to let the cast do its job. The only objective for the cast is to put his leg in the perfect environment for change to occur.

It helps his broken leg heal.

The same is true when it comes to our heart and the effect a collision with God’s truth causes. Only in the midst of our brokenness can we be truly healed and come through the other side with a new heart.

Such a collision occurs when our perspective of how things are or should be collides with God. When we run smack into the truth, when the way we see things gets challenged, we typically do not respond by surrendering.

But, when we collide with truth, as well as God’s love and mercy, it transforms us, shifting how we see things, how we respond and how we walk. However, without placing ourselves in an environment where God can begin the transformation process, our close encounter will never make it to our heart. We must allow what we experience to sink deeper.

Like the teenager who wants to rid himself of the cast, we sometimes try to speed up or completely avoid the formation process of our heart. There is no vision or plan for our growth. We are either growing into what we were made to be or shrinking from it. The choice facing us is whether we will be intentional or not about the formation process.

Romans 12:2 says to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. A renewed mind, a new way of seeing, is critical for us to offer ourselves to God and sacrifice our purposes for His. It requires submission to the truth.

Formation happens as a result of encounter. We are clay in the hands of the potter (Isaiah 64:8). As God presses in us, as a lump of clay, it is because He loves us. This sounds scary, doesn’t it?

Consider the opposite for a second. If He leaves us as a single lump of clay, then He doesn’t love us.

His shaping and forming us is an expression of His love. We are being shaped into His image. If the clay goes untouched for too long it becomes hard and dry. What the creator does is place His hands in water to keep it moist and pliable. Jesus is the living water that keeps us from becoming dry.

We must learn to surrender to the truth in order to be shaped by God. This begins when we become increasingly more aware of what we are being formed into. We encounter His truth and love when we begin to see God as God. This shifts our focus off ourselves and towards God. The formation occurs as our sense of holiness is enhanced. When we accept the invitation into God’s presence, we begin to align ourselves with His purposes. A maturing vision of God shapes our character, as our heart becomes His very own.

God, may I not rush the formation process. When I collide with your Truth, help me to posture myself in a way that this truth would be formed into my character. Enable me to view the shaping of my character as an expression of your love for me. Amen.

As the month of January comes to end, chances are good you have settled into a rhythm. New habits you have put into place are producing results and helping you live out your One Word. Yet, there are the those annoying patterns which continue to plague you. They cause you to wonder if lasting change will ever take place. Some times the resistance is so overwhelming you consider giving up and waving the white flag in surrender.

Weak legs that feel like Jell-O make you second guess if getting in shape is really worth the pain. The urges to grab a cigarette, the fridge handle or the television remote seem to be getting stronger. After the workday you just went through, putting someone’s needs before your own is the last thing you want to do. When the alarm clock goes off an hour earlier than usual, the natural reaction is to hit the snooze button rather than start off the day spending time with God.

All of us at some point in our lives have experienced the truth found in Hebrews 12:10-12:

10 Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. 11 No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. 12 Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees.

Hitting a wall is inevitable during this journey towards inner change. Discipline comes when you manage to climb over the wall and continue along the path towards growth. Change comes only through sacrifice. Staying focused on the end result will help you struggle in the right direction. If you focus long enough, things are bound to change. Behaviors, which at one time hurt and felt awkward, become normal and natural responses.

This movement towards growth is fueled by the knowledge that something more valuable lays on the other side of the pain. Re-read the verse in Hebrews again. What does the author promise for those who endure? The byproduct of our faithfulness is a harvest of righteousness and peace. Let this promise of scripture sink in for a moment. The author says the result of your training will not be a little change, but rather something which will yield a huge return in your character. A type of transformation where people cannot help but take notice.

God, let me remain steady and focused in the midst of the unsteadiness I might feel when you are doing your work inside me. Help me to remember the end goal while the change is taking place. May I see my personal growth as another way I can steward the influence you’ve given me. Amen.

Sometimes when our eyes are suddenly opened to the changes that need to take place in a certain area, even our marriage, we rush out of the gate without realizing which direction we should be headed. We spend all our energy on fixing things when in actuality we need to focus and reflect. Let’s pause look at a familiar passage:

Hebrews 12:1-2
1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Running the race requires us to see well. We must run with purpose and vision. How do we prepare ourselves for the course ahead? The author instructs us to cast off everything that keeps us from running the race.

Whether they realize it or not, the health of one’s walk with God influences their willingness to fulfill their role as a husband or wife. So, you must ask yourself: what hinders you from walking with God? Are there areas of your life that are undisciplined? What places exist where you need more faith or to experience forgiveness? Allowing these issues to go unresolved dampers your ability to walk. They weigh you down and impede your progress.

We are also charged with casting off the sin that keeps us entangled. Sin has the ability to pull us off the course by confusing our desires. We are conflicted and lured away by the deceptiveness that sin will satisfy the longing of our soul. However, those desires are a yearning for God and the life He has given us. Life is found only when we run the race He’s established for us.

We deal with sin by repentance.  We confess our sin, repent and receive His forgiveness for us. The second thing we are told to do is to fix our eyes on Christ.  Look to Him, learn from Him, and follow Him.  We must discipline ourselves to see Him and humble ourselves to follow Him.

It is when we fix our eyes on Jesus that we discover what keeps us from running well.  We discover the distractions, but most importantly, we discover our sin.  When we open ourselves to the fullness of His Light, the darkness that keeps us trapped is exposed. So, this morning, we want to simply fix our eyes on Him.  Let Him probe your heart and soul in order to expose and bring healing.

Lord, as I look at You, I sense your gaze on me.  Your loving eyes refuse to leave me unchanged.  I submit my life to your eyes for you to reveal any sin that entangles. Show me anything that hinders and I will put it aside.  Now, I fix my eyes on you, the author of my life.  Thank you for your mercy and the race you’ve set before me.  Amen.