Penalty

Now you have been “thrown into prison, [and]…you will by no means get out of there till you have paid the last penny” (Matthew 5:25-26) Yet you ask, “Is this a God of mercy and love?” When seen from God’s perspective, it is a glorious ministry of love. God is going to bring you out pure, spotless, and undefiled, but He wants you to recognize the nature you were exhibiting— the nature of demanding your right to yourself. The moment you are willing for God to change your nature, His recreating forces will begin to work. And the moment you realize that God’s purpose is to get you into the right relationship with Himself and then with others, He will reach to the very limits of the universe to help you take the right road. 


His work is sometimes painful. It is hard. What am I supposed to learn? Am I being punished for something?

The Strictest Discipline...i.e. Cutting off My Right Hand

“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. (‭Matthew‬ ‭5‬:‭13-16‬ NIV)

This is not really the scripture in Chambers devotional today...but I found it when I looked at the scriptures that was in the devotional. I decided to look at Matthew chapter 5 in its entirety. I've come to the conclusion that the light in me does not shine for the world to see. It is under a bowl. It is hidden. It is not on a hill. I want that to change. I need the Holy Spirit to be living in me. In order to do that, there needs to be some changes. I need to get into the Word of God and spend a greater amount of time in prayer. I have been so impressed with the testimony of our friend Louie. He was an incredible man of God. One thing that was very clear was that he spent time in prayer. Serious prayer. He also loved others. Again and again at his memorial service a few weeks ago, people stood up to say how Louie had impacted their lives because of Jesus Christ.

I don't love others very well. I can't love them on my own strength. I've come to this conclusion in the past...and nothing has changed. I keep on the same useless path. This time, there needs to be a change. A profound change.

Here is today's scripture.

And if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell. (‭Matthew‬ ‭5‬:‭30‬ NIV)

There are many things that are perfectly legitimate, but if you are going to concentrate on God you cannot do them. Your right hand is one of the best things you have, but Jesus says that if it hinders you in following His precepts, then “cut it off.” The principle taught here is the strictest discipline or lesson that ever hit humankind.

I need to figure out what I need to cut off. I think it is facebook.

Unchanging Law of Judgement

With what judgement you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.  Matthew 7:2

This is actually a pretty terrifying scripture. I have been guilty of judging people and I'm guilty of not measuring out much to others.

The Ministry of Inner Life

"You are...a royal priesthood..."     I Peter 2:9

How long is it going to take God to free us from the unhealthy habit of thinking only about ourselves? We must get to the point of being sick to death of ourselves, until there is no longer any surprise at anything God might tell us about ourselves. We cannot reach and understand the depths of our own meagerness. There is only one place where we are right with God, and that is in Christ Jesus.

Other Focused

As a saved soul, the real business of your life is intercessory prayer. Whatever circumstances God may place you in, always pray immediately that His atonement may be recognized and as fully understood in the lives of others as it has been in yours. Pray for your friends now, and pray for those with whom you come in contact now.

Today's devotional is really quite simple. Very straightforward. We are to pray for others. We should not be focused on our own wants, desires, needs, problems to the point of never thinking of others. I am very self centered quite often. I think of all of my problems, struggles, agenda, what's next...etc. when do I stop and think about others?

We have the hope of salvation. Therefore, we have nothing to worry about no matter what this world throws at us. This should completely free me up to focus on other people.

The example for today is Job. After all he went through, he interceded for his friends. (Job 42:10)

surrender

He said, "Come."  So Peter got out of the boat and walked in the water and came to Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, "Lord, save me." Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him saying, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?"       Matthew 14:29-31

If you debate for even one second when God has spoken, it is all over for you. Never start to say, “Well, I wonder if He really did speak to me?” Be reckless immediately— totally unrestrained and willing to risk everything— by casting your all upon Him. You do not know when His voice will come to you, but whenever the realization of God comes, even in the faintest way imaginable, be determined to recklessly abandon yourself, surrendering everything to Him. It is only through abandonment of yourself and your circumstances that you will recognize Him. You will only recognize His voice more clearly through recklessness— being willing to risk your all.

The words above are copied directly from Chambers devotional today. I admit that I have debated with God in the past. I have said, "Was that really God speaking?" Pivotal moments in my life when I could have stayed in God's will...but instead I chose not to believe.

Right now...I admit, that I'm not hearing anything other than the word, surrender. I have had 30 interviews in the past 4 years for various library jobs. I am so frustrated that I cannot even describe it. I keep hearing the Lord say, "Surrender."

What does it mean? Does it mean stop trying? What?

I just see the waves and the winds and it all looks so impossible. I have given myself so many pep talks in the past...I don't know if I have a pep talk left.

I want to feel his hand reaching out to me and lifting me up above the waves.

Get Moving 1

There are some things in the Christian walk that I need to "do myself." For example....I need to choose and work at bringing every thought into captive obedience to Christ.

We demolish arguments and every pretention that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.   2 Corinthians 10:5

I need to start living victoriously. I have not been doing well in my walk with the Lord lately. I have not been spending time in prayer or in His word. Why am I surprised when I am once again in the depths of despair and discouragement? Why have I fallen victim to the lies of Satan....who constantly whispers how worthless I am and reminds me of all of my failures?

I don't know why my heavenly Father even puts up with me. I just want to be honest that I am human. I fail...I am not the spiritual one that lives in constant victory. I am real.

Sometimes when I go through and read these devotionals, I can hardly believe that I wrote them. They sound so wise and strong....when I am not. Most of the time when I read them, I can't even remember coming up with the words. I think...did I copy this? Was this really me writing this?

Satan is a liar. He wants to devour me. He knows my weakest points. He knows when to strike. Why do I not arm myself against this? Against these pretenses. Against these arguments.

"Oh, Lord...that I would live victoriously every minute of every day. That you would change my heart. That you would be my all and my everything. That I would not look to the left or the right. That I would not listen to the lies and believe them. That I would not think that I am capable and strong...and that I can do life on my own...that I know a better way. That I would not foolishly believe that I could find fulfillment in something or someone other than you, Jesus. I can only be victorious on my knees and in searching your truth that is found in your word."

This is straight from Chambers' devotional today:

Our Lord’s inner abiding was pure and unblemished. He was at home with God wherever His body was. He never chose His own circumstances, but was meek, submitting to His Father’s plans and directions for Him. Just think of how amazingly relaxed our Lord’s life was! But we tend to keep God at a fever pitch in our lives. We have none of the serenity of the life which is “hidden with Christ in God.

Since then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you will also appear with him in glory.
Colossians 3:1-4

You say, “Yes, Lord, just a minute— I still have this to do. Yes, I will abide as soon as this is finished, or as soon as this week is over. It will be all right, Lord. I will abide then.” 

I am sorry to admit that I do that all the time. The dishes, blogging, running an errand, cooking dinner, doing whatever...so many time it takes precedence over spending time with the Lord. I need to get moving NOW.