After God’s Heart: Home

Tag: devotional

  • Fragrance of Foolishness

    Scripture Verses

    Dead flies make a perfumer’s oil stink, so a little foolishness is weightier than wisdom and honor. Even when the fool walks along the road, his sense is lacking and he demonstrates to everyone that he is a fool. (Ecclesiastes 10:1,3)

    Devotional Guide

    Not only is foolishness repulsive, it announces itself to everyone in the vicinity but the fool who is exuding it. When we walk in foolishness the aroma of our life is a stench, announcing to the world our lack of alignment with wisdom and God’s character. Compare this with the sweet aroma in 2 Corinthians 2:14-15:

    But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place. For we are a fragrance of Christ…

    When we walk in the Spirit (Galatians 5:16) we lead a life submitted to Jesus Christ resulting in that sweet fragrance of His character and nature surrounding it as He transforms us from glory to glory (2 Corinthians 3:18). We won’t have to announce it. The sweet allure of our Lord’s nature will become noticeable, drawing to God those whom He is calling to Himself and repulsing others who have made up their mind to reject Him.

    Prayer

    Lord, show us the dead flies in our lives — those unsubmitted areas of our character that reek of the stench of foolishness — overpowering the sweet scent of Your glory and character, Christ in us. We invite You in and ask You to renew our hearts and minds, our very nature, in You.

    Connect

    I want to hear from you! How is God speaking to you? Connect with me by leaving a comment. If this devotional was helpful to you consider liking and subscribe for more! Until next time, all God’s blessings be yours in Christ Jesus.

  • Healing Happens in Layers

    Healing Happens in Layers

    When Naaman came to Elisha for healing of his leprosy he came expecting it to happen in a flourish with flash and fanfare by the prophet’s loud proclamation and waving of his hand. 

    But Elisha sent his servant out to him with a simple message — “go and wash in the Jordan seven times…and you will be clean.”

    He started to go away. He nearly missed the healing that God had for him because it wasn’t the way he expected. He expected instant results and he almost didn’t obey. 

    BUT the Bible says he did end up being healed. He let go of his preconceived notions and obeyed. He walked out the instructions for the rinse-and-repeat process the prophet had given him. He went and dipped himself in the Jordan seven times. Seven times. Not once. Seven. 

    How often are we like Naaman, expecting God to do something one way and fail to see His hand when He presents us with a process and steps of obedience? Naaman was healed of a physical problem. But I find his story applicable to our emotional problems also. 

    The wounds of life may have afflicted you in multiplying layers over the course of years. Healing from this is not a once-at-the-altar situation. Just like Namaan’s healing, it is a rinse-and-repeat process.  So don’t be discouraged if — when you are washed by the Lord Jesus (the Living Water) — you find yourself not yet completely whole. Look back at the progress and submit to His process. Each washing brings another layer of newness, another layer of wholeness. 

    Keep walking out your sanctification. Immerse yourself in the Lord Jesus – again…and again. In His word. In worship. In surrender to the things He shows you. At each encounter with Him, let Him bind up another wound; let Him heal another layer of the past. And be encouraged friend — every time you say yes to Him, you’re that much healthier, that much closer to wholeness, until eventually, one day, just like Naaman, you will find yourself restored to health. 

    “The Lord builds up Jerusalem;

    He gathers the outcasts of Israel.

    He heals the brokenhearted 

    And binds up their wounds.”

    – Psalm 147:2-3

    (You can read about Naaman in 2 Kings 5)

  • Same God, Same Faith, Different Outcome

    Same God, Same Faith, Different Outcome

    Recently I memorized Hebrews chapter 11, the famous Hall of Fame of Faith. During my time memorizing, God began to open my eyes to things I had never noticed before. One of my takeaways was that while we CAN map out the very well traveled road of where our faith in Christ will take us spiritually, we cannot begin to guess where it will take us in this earthly life. Look with me, for example, at the first two men mentioned in the Hall of Faith – Abel and Enoch.

    • Two men beloved and pleasing to God.
    •  Two men with the same spiritual destination in Heaven.
    •  Two men who could not have met more opposing outcomes on earth.

    Abel’s Walk of Faith

    Abel and his brother Cain are both sons of their physical father Adam. But spiritually one is the son of Satan and the other a son of God. Genesis chapter 4 lays out a sweeping account of Abel’s life, faith, and death. In the space of 8 verses we see the sacrifices of Cain and Abel, the righteousness of Abel, the jealousy of Cain and the spilling of the first righteous man’s blood after Cain is rejected for trying to come to God his own way. (There’s only one way to God, and that is by faith in Jesus Christ, not in ourselves and our works)

    Because of his faith, Abel was counted as righteous by God who testified to this when He spoke to Cain. What does Abel receive by faith? All of the promises of God including right standing with Him, eternal life and the heavenly city He has prepared for His children! (See Hebrews 11:13-16)

    However in the physical realm, Cain is overcome with the passionate sin of jealousy when he is not accepted by God. Cain destroys him that is accepted – that is, Abel.

    So, Abel received spiritual life because of his faith. But because his faith stirred the jealous hatred of his brother Cain, the outcome of his spiritual faith was his physical murder (death).

    Enoch’s Walk of Faith

    As shocking as Abel’s physical ending was, Enoch’s couldn’t be a more wild contrast. Abel and Enoch have both come to God by faith. Both are called righteous. Both have received spiritual life. But while Abel endured the brutal death of being being murdered by his very own brother because of his right standing with God, Enoch is whisked away to Heaven by the Lord, escaping physical death altogether! The Bible says he “walked with God and he was not, because God took him.” He escapes the coming judgement of the flood, he escapes physical death even though he was a prophet in his time and spoke the truth to a wicked generation (See Jude). Enoch’s life was preserved to the uttermost. Whoa. What a contrast!

    Take Heart

    When I ask the questions, “What does this say about God’s ways? What does this mean for my life?” Two things come to mind:

    Firstly, that our righteousness is not a predictor of how life (or death) will go for us. There is a common teaching that if you are pleasing to the Lord nothing bad will happen to you. Well, tell that to Abel! While the Lord does often give protection and great provision to His people, our physical safety is not guaranteed. In fact, in Matthew 10:28 Jesus says the following,

    *28 “Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.”

    The encouragement for me here is this: we’re not living for the physical outcomes, which are temporary, but we are living for the King, Jesus Christ and for eternity, for the kingdom of God that we are a part of by faith.

    My second thought is this, that although there’s no security in knowing just how our physical life will play out as we walk by faith, there is great security in knowing our God and His plans for us. Romans 8:28-29 says the following:

    *28 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.

    29 For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren;

    If God is causing ALL things to work together for good, EVEN the bad things, then that is really comforting news. And not only this but the good that He is bringing about for those who have trusted in Him, is that He is making us more like Jesus, conforming us to the likeness of Christ.

    It’s not all about us either. We are to live our lives in a way that shows off the light within us. 1 Peter 2:12 says this:

    *Keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles, so that in the thing in which they slander you as evildoers, they may because of your good deeds, as they observe them, glorify God in the day of visitation.

    So no matter what’s happening here on this earth or what we’re facing in this life, let’s keep our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith. Let’s walk in the Light. Lay up our treasures in heaven, and entrust our future(s) to the One who preserves our souls for life with Him on the other side. Never forget that He is working all things together for our good and for His glory. ❤️

     

     

    *New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update. 1995. La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.

  • Waiting Right

    Waiting Right

    I don’t know a single soul that isn’t “waiting” for something in life. We yearn and long for the things not yet attained. As Christians, we’re collectively waiting on the return of Jesus Christ. We’re waiting for the fulfillment of future prophecy, for the Kingdom of God on earth and also for our heavenly home.

    We’re also waiting on dreams and goals that we hope to fulfill in this lifetime. Whether it’s a spouse, a family, a career, friends, the restoration of a relationship that’s been severed, Whether we speak of heavenly things or earthly, there’s an aching in our hearts for the things not yet fulfilled that we wish for. I’m not immune, my heart aches too.

    While I may hope for the fulfillment of some of my earthly desires, the only certain promises are those that the Lord has given. I’m holding fast the promises of God, and loosely all the other hopes of this life. And how shall we wait, you ask? Here’s what I’ve come to so far- with humility, with worship, and with faith.

    Waiting with Humility

    Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you. (James 4:10)

    Waiting with humility is pleasing to God. It’s saying “You know the best timing for this Lord, and whether or not it would be good for me. I trust You.” I have a list of earthly things that fall in this category that I keep bringing before the Lord myself. Quite a long list actually. By placing everything in His hands, I’m enabled to be content and fully present where He has me, even while hoping for open doors to other things.

    Waiting with Worship

    Whether or not we ever receive the earthly things and opportunities we are hoping for, God is a great God. He has redeemed our souls, and He is worthy to be praised! Worshipping reminds us of who He is and all He has already done for us both spiritually and physically. We can praise Him and retell all His deeds and works and invite His presence into our lives. Being reminded that God is a great King over all the earth and that He loves us and is working, weaving our lives together as He sees fit when we are obedient to Him is very comforting. Ephesians 1 is a great chapter for me when I have forgotten all the spiritual riches I already have in Christ Jesus.

    Waiting with Faith

    What God has promised He will bring to pass. I’m learning not to disregard the seeds that God has planted within my heart for certain things, but to wait on Him in faith. How long did Moses wait to deliver the Israelites? How long did Joseph wait in prison before he became second to Pharaoh? How long did Abraham wait before He received the promised son, Isaac? And in addition to the promises that these did receive fulfillment to in this life, there were more that they died in faith still waiting for. But not in vain. God always fulfills His promises, although very rarely in the timing we have in mind, or in the way we expect! Abraham was waiting to be established as nation. And it happened but not in his day. Joseph was waiting in faith for the Israelites to go back to the land God had given them, but only his bones went with the children of Israel when they left Egypt some 400 years later. Moses was waiting to go into the promised land but because of a disobedient act, he did not get to go in this side of Heaven. (As an aside here, he did get to enter it before the rest of the Old Testament saints when he spoke with Jesus on the mount of transfiguration!!) None of these saints waited in vain. God fulfilled His promises to them, but they didn’t see the full fulfillment in their lifetime here, some promises they (and we!) will receive in full at the resurrection and Christ’s reign.

    Results of Waiting Right

    But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength;

    They shall mount up with wings as eagles

     They shall run, and not be weary;

    And they shall walk and not faint.

    -Isaiah 40:32, KJV

    God doesn’t promise to give us every earthly desire, but He does love us, and He does honor His promises. When we wait on Him, He promises to renew our strength. I’m so thankful for this promise. I don’t know about you, but I’m so often at the end of my own strength and in need of His, and He’s always faithful!!

    So while I’m waiting, I’ll let God be God, I’ll keep a posture of humility because He IS the LORD and I am His creation. I’ll keep worshipping because He is worthy. And I’ll keep faith, knowing that His promises are sure, AND if there’s anything I’m waiting on that He hasn’t promised me, I can still wait with a quiet heart and an open hand, knowing that every good thing is a gift from Him. I don’t have to run out and grab it. He’ll open the door. He’ll give the gift. If He chooses not to fulfill some longing that I have, I can trust Him that it’s not what’s best for me. And all the godly  hopes and desires of our heart’s that we are waiting for His fulfillment for now, will make that fulfillment all the sweeter when He brings them about in His will, His way, and His timing.

    So let’s sing praise. Stand on His promises, what He has promised He is faithful to fulfill. And remember that He is working all things “together for the good of those who know Him and are called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28)

  • “Follow Me as I Follow Christ”

    “Follow Me as I Follow Christ”

    Mentorship and the Church

    “Everyone needs a Timothy and everyone needs a Paul in their life.”

    I’ll never forget the quote above. My pastor used to say it. He meant that we should be keeping a sharp eye out for those younger less experienced Christians in the body of Christ  to lead, mentor, and disciple; as well as looking ahead  to catch up to those whose walk is deeper and more mature than our own. Our Christian walk is one hand reaching back to give assistance, one hand reaching forward to receive, and both eyes fixed on Jesus.

    Someone has said that the best leaders are also great followers. They are ever learning. Ever growing. Ever changing. They are students of others. The best disciples are the same way. Primarily, we are students of Christ. After all, the word disciple means to be a follower or learner of (someone/something).

    Find a Mentor

    But, sometimes life decisions and relationships can get confusing, even if you are reading the Bible and earnestly seeking the Lord. Oh, what a significant difference it can make to have a living, breathing example of Christlikeness! How great a guidance it is to witness first hand a gracious but truthful handling of difficult situations and people by a follower of Christ, a man or woman whose life reflects the maturity of one transformed by submission to the Holy Spirit and the Word of God!

    *Note* If you don’t have the opportunity to be mentored by someone in your life like this, take heart! God gives this opportunity to many but not all. Just keep seeking the Lord! He will faithfully lead you and you will someday have the opportunity to be for others the mentor you did not have.

    Be a Mentor

    As you walk in the footsteps of faithful Christ-following men and women, soaking in lessons, gleaning the precious gems of wisdom for life and following Christ that they share with you through counsel or example, do not forget to ask God to show you someone who you can lead also. What is given to us is meant for us to freely give away. Don’t store it up for yourself only. Pass it on. Find a “Timothy.” Come alongside a younger brother or sister and help them along the journey. Encourage them, point them to a deeper relationship with Christ. Model for them how to navigate the situations of life with wisdom, and humility, with submission to the Holy Spirit and the commandments of God.

    Final Thoughts

    Through each of our obedience to the Lord and our love and care for one another, may the body of Christ be built up and brought to maturity! The Lord bless each of you in every way. May He give you a Paul. May He give you a Timothy. And may you fix your eyes on Christ as you ultimately follow Him!

     

    1 Corinthians 11:1

    Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.

    The New International Version. 2011. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.