Are You Willing?

"Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit to sustain me.”  Psalm 51:12 

A willing spirit. What does that have to do with the joy of salvation?  Or with sustaining me?  Apparently, quite a bit.  The Word of God is so powerful- yet it never wastes words.  Every word has meaning and application for us as believers.

Many times when life causes us to be discouraged, depressed and overwhelmed, something inside of us shuts down.  We have a tendency to put up walls between us and the Lord.  If we desire to have the joy of our salvation restored, we must be granted a willing spirit.

Willing for what?  Willing to turn things over to God.  Willing to hear His voice.  Willing to put down the things He tells us to put down.  Willing to follow Him wherever He leads us to go.  Willing to be restored. 

When we become willing, we, in essence become moldable, bendable and pliable. We become useful in the hands of the Master Potter.  A willing spirit is a sustainable spirit.  When we hand the reigns of our life over to God, he gives us grace to keep up going. He gives us grace to operate in His Spirit.

In this verse, the Psalmist is ascribing all the action verbs to God.  It is His to restore and His to grant a willing spirit. It is His to sustain me.   Isn’t that interesting? We cannot even be made willing to change into His likeness without him granting us a willing spirit.  We can do NOTHING apart from Christ.

Dear Lord, I surrender.  I need your help. I need you to help me be willing to be restored and transformed into Your likeness. I look to you as my source of all that I now- or ever- will need.  In Jesus’ Name.  Amen.

Sherri

Restored.

“Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit to sustain me.” Psalm 51:12

 

 

Have you ever lost your joy? Sometimes life has a way of zapping every bit of happiness and joy that we possess.  It is a dangerous place to be, however, when we lose the joy of our salvation.  When we forget who we are and where we came from; when we forget who He is and what He has done for us… We are on dangerous ground.

Sometimes we have to come before the Lord and ask him to restore that joy to us. The Bible talks about the joy of the Lord being our strength.  Joy in God is so much more than feeling like life is going our way.  It is so much more than the thrill we feel when our flesh is temporarily satisfied.

The joy of our salvation is one of the main things that make salvation attractive to others.  When we get down on life; lose our joy and smile, we render our testimony ineffective.  Today, begin to seek the Lord to help you get back to that first-love feeling.  You know, the feeling you had the day you first came to Christ and knew your sins were forgiven.  Pray until that becomes foundational in your walk with God.  And when that begins to slip; seek Him once again to do a work of restoration.

Dear Lord, I have lost the joy of my salvation.  Restore that to me. Reset my perspective.  Help me look at life through Your eyes and in the wonder of all Jesus purchased for me when He was crucified.  In Jesus’ Name.  Amen.

Sherri

 

 

Cast Away

“Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me.”  Psalm 51:11

In a society where the name of the Lord is profaned and blasphemed, it is easy to forget what a privilege the presence of the Holy Spirit is.  We can never take for granted His presence in our lives. 

It is through the Spirit, that we are convicted of sin and drawn to God for salvation.  It is through His Spirit that we are encouraged, comforted, taught and led in the ways of God.  The Holy Spirit works in the life of a born-again believer as a constant companion, friend, counselor and personal trainer.  When I have anger in my heart, the Spirit of God reproves me and causes me to be aware of the sin lurking there.  When I see someone at the store, it is the Holy Spirit who impresses me to go to that person and tell them that God loves them or buy them a bag of groceries.  He knows where I need to be; what I need to say and what my heart should be at all times.

In this verse, David is pleading with God to not be cast from the presence or have the Spirit taken from Him.  He recognized his sin and realized that he was unworthy to be in the presence of Almighty God.  He was cognizant of his lack and his pervasive need of God.

We need to mimic the attitude of the psalmist.  He caught the vision that His sin could result in judgment; of him being utterly cast from God.  He also understood God’s prerogative to withdraw himself from an unworthy vessel.

Lord, don’t let my sin separate me from you or cast me out of your presence.  And please, don’t willingly remove yourself from me.  Help me make you comfortable dwelling with me.  In Jesus’ Name.  Amen.

Sherri

 

Steadfast.

“Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.”  Psalm 51:10

Steadfastness.  Is that a term you think about often?  Probably not, unless you are dealing with a person who is all over the place.  There is a lot to be said about being steadfast.  The Bible talks about the fact that God changes not.  He is the same today, yesterday and forever.  That, my friend, is steadfast.

But what about us?   We are a far cry from being God.  We have good days; we have bad days.  We are exuberant; we are dejected.  We are hopeful; we are crest-fallen.  How on earth do we level out our emotions and walk in steadfastness?

This verse gives us insight into developing a steadfast spirit.  It begins with the Lord and His renewal of our spirit.  When He comes to live on the inside of us, His nature becomes available to us.  We no longer have to operate out of our own nature, but rather, we have His peace, strength, faith and hope living on the inside of us.  So, when things are looking rotten, we can stand firm in faith.  When someone has deeply wounded us; we can receive His love and comfort.

The world is craving stability.  The world wants something- and someone- they can count on.  With God’s help, you can be that person!

Dear Lord, help me to be stable and firmly established as you are firmly established.  Help me to take up your nature and crucify my own sin nature.  “…Renew a steadfast spirit within me.”  In Jesus’ Name.  Amen.

Sherri

Home Makeover; Heart Edition

“Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.”  Psalm 51:10

 

A pure heart.  What a tall order.  In the heart, lust is conceived.  In the heart, hate is conceived.  In the heart, murder is conceived.  The heart is a virtual hot bed of negative emotions.  But this does not have to be.

Jesus desires to take up residence within our hearts.  He wants to come in and do a major overhaul.  He wants to wash away all that is evil. All that defiles.  He desires to restructure our heart so that it becomes a dwelling where He, in His holiness, can dwell.

If we invite Jesus to come in and live in our hearts, it is our duty to allow him full access.  We must allow him to furnish our heart for His comfort.  We will have to take the lustful pictures off of the wall.  We will have to take the violent pictures off of the wall.  We will have to remove lying, slander and gossip. 

Jesus cannot be comfortable around sin.  It is our duty to allow Him to make any renovations that is required.  Becoming sanctified, that is what the Bible calls it.  Sanctification is a cooperative effort between us and God.  First, we ask Him to save and cleanse us, and He credits us as righteous- because of what Jesus has done for us.  But after that, we have a duty work in conjunction with the Holy Spirit to let go of the evil tendencies in our hearts and to be transformed into His likeness.

Dear Lord, create a pure heart in me. Show me the changes that you require of me and give me the grace to obey.  In Jesus’ Name.  Amen.

Sherri

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Inside Out

“Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me.  Surely you desire truth in the inner parts; you teach me wisdom in the inmost place.”  Psalm 51:5-6

 

In today’s passage, David is still grieving over the sin that he had committed.  But we see wisdom begin to emerge in verse 6.  “Surely you desire truth in the inner parts…”  This is a deep revelation that David has come to.  After committing adultery and staging the murder of his lover’s husband, David at first failed to see his shortcoming and sin as it was.  But after Nathan confronted him, it seemed a light came on and all of the sudden David sees the ugly underbelly of what he had done.  Thus, coming to the conclusion that he needed truth in the inner parts.

How many times do we justify our sins and rationalize our poor choices?  We always look at what we do personally in light of our feelings.  The problem with that, is that feelings are fickle and subject to change. That is why we need the truth of the Word of God as our bedrock.  His truth and wisdom will never steer us wrong.  He teaches us wisdom in the inmost place, in our spirit-man, where he dwells.  We must learn to heed the still, quiet voice of the Spirit, whispering direction and wisdom in our innermost places to walk in the wisdom that he has for us.

Dear Lord, help me to have truth in the inner parts.  Please help me to see things thorough the Light of your Word and the truth and wisdom you illuminate to me.  Teach and guide me, oh Lord, I pray.  In Jesus’ Name.  Amen.

Sherri

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Apologies. Where Do I Begin?

“Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you are proved right when you speak and justified when you judge.”

Psalm 51:4 

This passage always gives me pause.  David knew he had sinned against Bathsheba because he knew she was married.  He knew he had sinned against her husband, because he had set up his murder.  But all of this paled in comparison to David’s understanding of his sin against Almighty God.

Our sins in this life usually affect at least one other person and sometimes our sin results in problems for many people.  But when all is said and done, we are much like King David.  Ultimately our sin is against our Creator, who made us in His image and for His glory.

Often we are required by God to make apologies to those we have wronged, especially if they know of our sin.  But always, our first apology goes to the Lord.  We must get things right with Him in order to be able to make things right with our fellow man.

Do you have some apologizing to do today?  Why don’t you come clean with God?

Dear Lord, I am sorry for the times that I have failed you.  I regret my wrong attitudes, actions and speech.  Please forgive me and help me to not sin against you today. In Jesus’ Name.  Amen

 

Sherri

 

 

 

Facing Sin Head On

“For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me.” Psalm 51:3

These verses were penned by King David after Nathan, the prophet, confronted him about his sin of adultery with Bathsheba and the setting up for her husband to be killed in battle. Although David should have been struck with remorse long before Nathan spoke to him, it seems that the voice of the prophet had left him a broken man.

Have you ever committed a sin so dark and unspeakable that you grieved over it?  Most of us have committed sin to a degree that we feel ashamed before God for our actions.  Because, in truth, no matter how small our sin, it always separates us from the holiness of God.  A white lie, an angry word, adultery… all of these results from the sin nature and if left unrepented, leads to death.

In this passage David was facing his sin head on.  What had seemed so desirable at the time, now looked back at him in the light of day.  He recognized his moral failure and he was having a hard time moving on.  All he could see was his wrongdoing, sin and separation from God. The sin was always before him.

When the Lord convicts us of sin, it is always to a redemptive end.  He convicts us so that we will repent, receive forgiveness and restoration.  It is not God’s will for us to be eternally condemned, always feeling unworthy to come in His presence.  If you are struggling with condemnation, please know that condemnation is from your enemy.  If you have repented, the sin is no longer always before you. It is behind you, plunged beneath the cleansing blood of Jesus.  When you confess sin and receive forgiveness, the Father does not remember it against you anymore.  And the good news is that “we have the mind of Christ.”  Therefore, we do not have to ever think again of our sins, except to say “Thank you God, I am clean and free of that.”

Dear Lord, I pray today especially for my friends who are struggling with guilt, shame and condemnation.  Help them to receive your forgiveness and walk in freedom from even the effects of sin.  Help them to see themselves as you see them- pure, righteous, holy and blameless in Your sight.  Thank you for your cleansing blood.  In Jesus’ Name.  Amen.

Sherri

Down and Dirty

 “Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.”  Psalms 51:2

Have you ever been dirty?  I mean really dirty head to toe?  Nothing feels better after that than getting a good, hot shower.  Being really dirty makes you appreciate clean far more.

Many of us remember that clean, light feeling we had when we first came to Christ for salvation.  The contrast of being a sinner, to being forgiven is such a heady experience.  You cannot even describe the joys of it adequately to someone who has not experienced it.

Unfortunately, in time, we sometimes forget where we came from and to what degree we were cleansed.  We do well to occasionally reflect on the transformation that occurred in that great exchange called salvation.  Even as Christians, we constantly need to go back to Christ for forgiveness.

I am so grateful that he washes away ALL our iniquity.  There is no sin beyond his capability to forgive, wash and erase.  No matter how much we have sinned, or how often, his blood is enough to make us pure, righteous, holy and blameless in his sight.  Selah- pause and calmly think about that.

Dear Lord, I am so grateful for your blood that makes me whole and clean.  Thank you for loving me enough to die for my sins.  Thank you that you became sin on my behalf.  For the gratitude in my heart, there are no words. In Jesus’ Name.  Amen.

Sherri

 

                                           

                                                   

It’s Just According

“Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions.”  Psalm 51:1

What a beautiful verse to begin such a beautiful chapter.  I am so grateful that His mercy is according to His unfailing love.  His rich, deep, unconditional, unmoving, unfailing love.  There is no telling how many times a day I need His mercy.  He is rich in mercy and His heart is tender toward us.  What a precious gift!

Whether I succeed or fail, stand or fall, his love does not fail!  In life, some people will leave you behind if you do not meet their expectation.  But God’s love never depends on our ability to do right, but on His character, which is love.

“According to your great compassion….”  Based on His compassion, His tender heart, His great kindness. According to that, blot out my transgressions.  This is good news because my transgressions are enormous!  I have a God-sized sin problem. How about you?

I urge you today to take time to reflect on this indescribable gift of His love, His compassion and His ability to blot out your sin.  When He cleanses you, you are as clean as if you were never dirty.  He removes your sin never to look at it again.  Not because of your works, but according to His compassion.

Dear Lord, thank you!  Your gifts are beyond my ability to fathom them. Help me to always recall your great compassion and unfailing love.  Wash me of my sin, and help me to put it behind me just as you put it behind you.  In Jesus’ Name.  Amen.

Sherri

Overcoming

“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”  Romans 12:21

Dealing with people can, at times, be a bit tricky.  We all go through times when someone hurts us or says things that cause us problems.  And if we are honest, there are times that we are the ones inflicting the pain.

This passage of Scripture is a continuation of verses that began in verse 17.  We are instructed not “to repay evil for evil”. This is a simple and straight forward commandment, but in truth, hard to carry out.  Our natural tendency is to respond in kind to people.  It does not take any effort to smile and be gracious to the waitress that is friendly and helpful.  It takes a lot more character to be kind to the waitress who is slamming your drinks on the table and seems disturbed that you came to dine.

Anyone, saved or unsaved, can respond in a reciprocal manner when we are hurt, angry or offended.  But we must decide in advance that we will not allow ourselves to act ugly to others just because they were ugly to us.

I think about Jesus- our great example. He was mocked, scorned, laughed at, spat upon, beaten… and His response?  “Father forgive them for they know what they do.”  He was able to look beyond the present and have pity on them for the judgment that they were heaping on their own heads.

Often, the rude cashier is having family problems, financial problems or health problems which make them short and hard to deal with.  Maybe life has given them little to smile about.  As we go about, being God’s hands, feet, and mouths in this world, we must call to mind Jesus’ example.  We must be the overcomer in every situation.  We have to be “high road” people.  Often acting in kindness on our part, has a way of diffusing or breaking the negative pattern that others begin.

God is the only righteous judge who gets it all right.  Who are we to decide who deserves punishment and who deserves mercy?

Dear Lord, help me to respond in love on all occasions.  Let my life, speech and actions be good and not evil.  Help me to overcome every evil tendency within myself.  In Jesus’ Name.  Amen.

Sherri

Looking a Fool

“For man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.”  James 1:20

The Bible records that Jesus was angry.  But only a few times, and each instance was marked by righteous anger.  Once he was angry because the people were turning the temple into a marketplace.  Another example was when the man with the withered hand was in the synagogue and the people were trying to trip Jesus up and prevent him from healing on the Sabbath.  There were a few other instances when he showed indignation (when the disciples tried to prevent the children from coming to him.)  Other than that, you do not see Jesus going around throwing fits.  His one most notable recorded incident of being angry was based in righteousness and indignation toward people who were exploiting the things of God.

But man’s anger, well… it does not bring about a righteous life.  Why?  Because often our anger is based in selfishness, pride, hypocrisy and fear.  Whereas Jesus’ anger only had to do with the things of God, rejecting of truth or trying to prevent God’s will from coming to pass, ours is often not so noble.  His anger was always rooted in righteous judgment.  When he declares something wrong, it is wrong.  When we declare something wrong, often it is just our opinion or our perspective.

That is why a Christian must endeavor to avoid anger as much as possible.  In fact, the Bible urges us to stay away from people who are hot-tempered.  Proverbs 29:11 states:  “A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control.”  When we are angry, it almost seems we must give vent to our feelings.  But exploding in anger often results in increasing anger and bad feelings.  Especially if through our venting our anger turns to sin and condemnation.

A Christian is wise, to hold back on venting their anger to the full extent.  There is wisdom in self-control. A truth the Lord has impressed on me many times is this:  if I have bad feelings in my heart toward someone, I must only apologize to God.  If I tell somebody off, I will have to apologize both to God and the one that I have behaved in an ungodly manner toward.  When it comes to apologies, less is more.  The less crow you have to eat, the less your tummy is sour!

Dear Lord, help me to be a person of control and restraint. Help me to walk in wisdom in relationships and to always demonstrate love, even in the midst of anger.  In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Sherri

Up to Speed

“My dear brothers, take note of this:  Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.”  James 1:19

This is one of those verses.  When I am doing well and having nor problems, I can read this and quickly assent, “Yes, that’s a good way to live.”  But when I have an injustice done to me, it seems the anger is there before I have a chance to think.  Then, BOOM!  I am quick to listen,, quick to speak and quicker still to become angry.  Then this verse hits me between the eyes.  Can anyone relate?

God’s Word is wise and profound.  Every syllable penned in the Word of God is intentional and has a purpose.  They exist because we need to hear them.

 Many a grade school teacher has reminded the students, “You have one mouth and two ears, so you should be listening twice as much as you are talking.”  I hate it.  But it’s true.  Why?  Because many times we only hear half the story.  We assume a whole bunch, we read into it and we blow our fuse before the person finishes what they are saying.

Choosing to hear a matter out to the end before jumping to a conclusion is one of the wisest things we can do.  Often, we are taking it as far worse than it is.  And of course, sometimes we are taking it exactly like it is.  That is why the next part says we are to be slow to speak.  Just because it crosses our mind does not mean it needs to jump out of our mouth.

How many times have we uttered hateful words when angry, because we wanted to reciprocate pain to the person hurting us?  How many times later do we regret those words?  We all know that an apology seldom erases all of the damage that thoughtless words have inflicted.  We forgive, but forgetting? That is so much more difficult.  If a comment is worth saying, it will be worth saying when all of the emotion of the moment has settled down.

Slow to become angry.  That’s a toughie, because it often seems like the anger comes out of nowhere.  But anger is something we can exert control over- if we rely on the help of the Holy Spirit.  We have to renew our minds to the truth of the Bible, and defer to the quiet voice of the Spirit speaking to us.

Dear Lord, help me overcome every evil tendency in my human nature.  Help me to reflect your image at all times and in every situation.  Help me to walk in wisdom and restraint.  In Jesus’ Name.  Amen.

Spiritual Dehydration

“As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God.”  Psalm 42:1

Is there anything more miserable than being truly thirsty?  True thirst causes us to feel desperate. I remember years ago when we were on vacation in August.  The day was reaching record temperatures.  After sight-seeing outside for several hours, we went into a restaurant to rest and cool off.  We all ordered water and the cashier informed us (rather rudely) that we would have to pay for the cup.  I remember a family member telling her, “I don’t care if it’s ten dollars!  I need a cup of water!”  She mistook our thirst for thrift.

This passage talks about the deer panting for streams of water.  How desperate it is for animals when we go through seasons of drought, through times when creeks and streams dry up.  This type of drought leads to desperation for wild-life.  The psalmist was saying that just as the deer gets desperate for water, he was desperate for more of God. 

When was the last time you noticed true spiritual hunger or thirst in your life?  Tragically, many of us snack just enough on spiritual tidbits and a thimbleful  of water, until we think we are satisfied.  We have become so accustomed to having so little, our stomachs and appetites shrink to a fraction of the size they ought to be.

Pray for the Lord to help you cultivate a deep hunger and thirst for the things of God.  Just as a gravely ill person loses a desire to eat or drink as the body shuts down, the spiritually dying do not realize their need.  Are you as passionate about the things of God as you once were?  If not, begin to cry out with the psalmist, “My soul pants for you, O God.”

Dear Lord, help me to recognize my need of you.  Stir up spiritual hunger and thirst in my soul.  I need you Lord, more than my body needs water.  Fill me, O God I pray!  In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Sherri

How is Jesus Feeling?

“Jesus wept.”  John 11:35

The shortest verse in the Bible, and yet so telling.  A little background to this verse may be helpful.  Jesus was close friends with a family- Mary, Martha and Lazarus.  Mary was the one who had poured perfume on Jesus’ feet.

When Jesus received the word that Lazarus was sick, He did not respond as you would except, given their relationship.  Instead he lingered on where He was, proclaiming the Word of God.

When Jesus arrived and was told he was dead, he asked to be taken to the tomb where Lazarus lay.  This is when the Bible records today’s verse.  “Jesus wept.”  This is such a tender description of Jesus.  The Bible indicates that Jesus knew all along that Lazarus would die and that He would raise him back to life.  That is why this verse is so striking.  Even though Jesus knew that he had the solution to Mary and Martha’s problem, He identified with their pain in the meantime.

Regardless of where you are today, what you are going through or what lies ahead… Jesus sees your situation, He has great plans to help you, but until then… He is moved with compassion with where you are now.  He knows you are hurting.  He knows that you are scared.  And His heart is tender toward you.  He is moved with the feelings of our infirmity.

The God we serve is not a far off God who does not care.  No, instead He is a God who walks beside us each step of the way, caring for us, loving us, and crying with us.

Dear Lord, thank you that you are real.  Thank you that you care about me, your creation.  I pray especially today for those who are hurting, those who feel abandoned, those who think that everything is falling apart and they do not understand your timing or seeming delays.  Please comfort them and help them feel your presence even now.  Help them to rise up in their faith, knowing that you see and you will answer.  In Jesus’ Name.  Amen.

Sherri

Where in the World Am I?

Do not love the world or anything in the world.  If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.”  I John 2:15

Have you ever stopped to think what it means to love the world?  I have.  Unfortunately, it tends to happen during a season that I am under conviction because I have begun to look at what everybody has and what all I want. 

Our culture is geared toward identifying what you want in life and going for it.  Media makes us feel like the worldly things are “must-have’s” for everyone.  You deserve it; and in fact, you are nothing without it. If you do not have the latest Smartphone; iPod; flat screen TV; or flashy new car, you are a “nobody.”  Christians live in the same world as everybody else. We are all hearing the same messages and humanistic ideals.  If we are not careful, we can become as guilty as someone who does not know Christ in coveting all the world has to offer.

Many times the offerings of the world are polar opposites to the righteous decrees of God’s Word.  The world says you deserve to be treated right, give your spouse an ultimatum and find someone who will love you like you deserved to be loved.  The Bible says that God hates divorce.  The world says that it is normal, and in fact healthy, to have many intimate partners.  The Bible calls all such relationships outside of marriage, sin.  The world says look out for number one; the Bible says love your neighbor as yourself.

Though we live in the world, the Bible teaches we are not of the world.  Are you uncomfortable living here?  If not, you may be living too close to the world.  Are you wearing all the latest styles?  Do you read all the same parenting books?  It may be time to re-evaluate your choices.

The Lord does not want us to be different just to be whacky hold-outs in society.  He expects us to be different so that people will have an opportunity to encounter God in this world.  People need to see us, admire us and want what we have.  To turn from the world does not mean you begin to hate everyone who has a different opinion.  It does not mean you preach at everyone about what they are doing wrong.

This world is our mission field.  We need to work at finding ways to build relationship with people who are different than us.  Jesus sat and ate with sinners.  But he was strong enough to not allow the world to influence him.  Rather, he influenced the world. 

If you are like me, there is a lot of room for improvement in this area.  Every now and then, it is prudent to take stock of where you are, where you are going, and what things in life matter to you.  God does not mind us having nice things, pretty clothes, or cool gadgets.  As the saying goes, we can have those things as long as they do not have us!

Dear Lord, please forgive me for adopting the attitudes of the world and for desiring the things the world has to offer.  Help me be satisfied with all the good gifts you give me.  Help me be a person of impact in the lives of others.  In Jesus’ Name.  Amen.

Sherri