image via Pleated Jeans

“Don’t fool yourself into thinking that you are a listener when you are anything but, letting the Word go in one ear and out the other. Act on what you hear! Those who hear and don’t act are like those who glance in the mirror, walk away, and two minutes later have no idea who they are, what they look like. But whoever catches a glimpse of the revealed counsel of God—the free life!—even out of the corner of his eye, and sticks with it, is no distracted scatterbrain but a man or woman of action. That person will find delight and affirmation in the action.” ~ James 1:22-25 (MSG)

Let’s face it, friends. The mirror isn’t a miracle worker. It shows us what we really look like. It shows us the good stuff and the not-so-good stuff. It shows us the the extra weight we may have gained through the winter months. If it’s a good mirror, it gives us a clear picture of the “us” that everyone else sees when they look at us.

The problem is never the mirror. The problem is what we put in front of it. The problem is never the mirror. The problem is the way we filter and remember (or forget) what we saw.

“Those who hear and don’t act are like those who glance in the mirror, walk away, and two minutes later have no idea who they are, what they look like.”

The mature and diligent among us remember what they saw in the mirror and seek to correct what they didn’t like about their appearance. Whether it be weight, hair color, makeup problems, or an outfit that doesn’t look quite right – the power to change is in our hands… but only if we remember what we looked like, what needs to change AND act to correct it. Some require long term strategy. Others are as easy as another trip to the closet. Regardless of the solution, change requires action on our part.

The Word of God is a mirror. It shows us who we really are. It shows us what we really look like – inside and out. A life pleasing to God requires a commitment to take action on what we see and hear. It requires commitment and focus over the long haul. It requires us to be men and women of action.

These past few months have been a time of deep soul-searching for me. I am dissatisfied with what I see when I look in the mirror of God’s Word.

I want to change.

I need to change.

I will change. So help me, God.

“Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses… let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith” (Hebrews 12:1, 2 NKJV)

Jesus is your author – He not only started, but he planned and wrote your whole story. He knows how it goes. He knows this chapter and the next and the next.

“…in Christ, God leads us from place to place in one perpetual victory parade.” (2 Corinthians 2:14 MSG)

Jesus is your finisher – He not only wrote, but He finished your story. He knows how it ends.

“For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome.” (Jeremiah 29:11 AMP)

Since He did all of that, what’s our job? It’s found in the scripture at the top.

“Looking away [from all that will distract] to Jesus, Who is the Leader and the Source of our faith” (Hebrews 12:2 AMP)

He wrote it. He finished it. We look away from distractions, and look to Him.

So what was it that was bothering you?

As I write this, I’m watching the unfortunate events of the Boston Marathon unfold before our nation. I’m sure by the time you read this there will be a lot more known than what is known right now.

Here’s what I do know, and this won’t change:

• God is good, only good, and His plans are good – His plans are for our peace and well-being, never evil (Jeremiah 29:11)
• It’s the devil who comes only to steal, kill and destroy (John 10:10)
• We don’t have to be afraid (Psalm 3:6, Psalm 91:5)
• God hears and delivers from fear (Psalm 34:4)
• God comforts us in the midst of trouble so we can comfort others (2 Corinthians 1:14)

Would you pray this with me today?:

“God, we put our trust in You. You are our hope, our deliverance, our refuge. We pray for all affected by the events in Boston and surround them with faith and love. We pray wisdom and help for all those in leadership politically, in law enforcement and security. We thank you for leading and directing their steps. We pray for our fellow citizens. As you comfort us, we will comfort others. Make us a source of light, life and strength today to all who enter our sphere of influence. We humble ourselves before you, turn from our own ways and turn to You and Your ways. As we do this in sincerity, we believe you can and will heal our land.”

“Because of God’s tender mercy, the morning light from heaven is about to break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, and to guide us to the path of peace.” ~ Luke 1:78-79 (NLT)

That’s why it’s Good Friday.

Sunday’s coming!

“Every day [of my life] was recorded in your book before one of them had taken place.” ~ Psalm 139:16 (GWT)

I think we all know God has a plan for us, right? If not, He does. It’s a good one, too.

Knowing there is a plan and trusting God for the steps and the outcomes are two completely different things. The latter is the harder part some days. It’s harder for us, naturally speaking, because it requires faith. It requires us to quit trusting what we see, hear, feel and think. It also requires us to believe that He sees more from His vantage point than we do from ours.

Cooperating with God’s plan requires us to say “yes” to Him before we actually know what the road ahead looks like. Actually, it requires that we make a habit of saying “yes” to God and His plan sight unseen.

To form a habit, you just need to do something for 21 days in a row, right?

Today, I’m issuing a challenge. It won’t take more than a few seconds each day.

Here’s the challenge – for the next 21 days take a few minutes each day to do these simple things:

1. Commit yourself every day to The Lord to do all He’s called you to do.
2. Do what is right in front of you to do and do it as a service to God.
3. Pray “Your will be done today in my life.”

Making these actions a part of your routine will make a huge difference. Just wait and see.

So, who is up for the challenge?

Who’s in?

“Secular music, do you say, belongs to the devil? Does it? Well, if it did I would plunder him for it, for he has no right to a single note of the whole seven. Every note, and every strain, and every harmony is divine, and belongs to us.” ~ William Booth (Salvation Army Founder)

I realize this may be asking for trouble, but…

Do you think William Booth was right about “secular” music? Is every note, strain, and harmony divine, belonging to us? Even the ones we call “secular?”

Let’s be clear. I’m asking about music, not lyric content. It should be obvious that lyric content that is clearly in violation of scripture isn’t divine.

I’m bracing myself for some interesting discussion.

Leave a comment or two. Let’s talk. Please keep it civil. Thanks in advance.

“Never tell a young person that anything cannot be done. God may have been waiting centuries for someone ignorant enough of the impossible to do that very thing.” - G. M. Trevelyan

Someone told you it’s impossible.

So what?

What do they know?

What if you are the one God has been waiting for?

What if you are ignorant enough of the impossible to actually get it done?

What if?

Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy-laden and overburdened, and I will cause you to rest. [I will ease and relieve and refresh your souls.] Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me, for I am gentle (meek) and humble (lowly) in heart, and you will find rest (relief and ease and refreshment and recreation and blessed quiet) for your souls. For My yoke is wholesome (useful, good–not harsh, hard, sharp, or pressing, but comfortable, gracious, and pleasant), and My burden is light and easy to be borne. (Matthew 11:28-30 AMP)

Rest.

Relief.

Ease.

Refreshment.

Recreation.

Quiet.

Who doesn’t want that?

Who doesn’t NEED that?

It’s available today.

To you.

You should take it.

This is my prayer for you today.

“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” (Matthew 11:28-30 MSG)

“May your words be little builders, having within them the soul of the architect and not the wrecking crew.” ~ David Teems (TO LOVE IS CHRIST)

My long-time friend David Teems tweeted this recently. He has a great way with words. Always has.

He reminded me that our words have power. Words can build up. Words can tear down.

“Wise words satisfy like a good meal;
the right words bring satisfaction.

The tongue can bring death or life;
those who love to talk will reap the consequences.” (Proverbs 18:20,21 NLT)

Let’s choose our words carefully today. Let’s choose words and use words that bring life.

“… for if we could control our tongues, we would be perfect and could also control ourselves in every other way. We can make a large horse go wherever we want by means of a small bit in its mouth. And a small rudder makes a huge ship turn wherever the pilot chooses to go, even though the winds are strong. In the same way, the tongue is a small thing that makes grand speeches. But a tiny spark can set a great forest on fire.” (James 3:2-5 NLT)

“Men become accustomed to poison by degrees.” ~ Victor Hugo

“And forgive us our sins, for we ourselves also forgive everyone who is indebted to us [who has offended us or done us wrong].” ~ Luke 11:4 (AMP)

“And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him and let it drop (leave it, let it go), in order that your Father Who is in heaven may also forgive you your [own] failings and shortcomings and let them drop.  But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your failings and shortcomings” Mark 11:25-26 (AMP)

Unforgiveness is poison.

We become accustomed to it by degrees.

It can sneak up on us if we don’t watch over it.

“Love endures long and is patient and kind; love never is envious nor boils over with jealousy, is not boastful or vainglorious, does not display itself haughtily.  It is not conceited (arrogant and inflated with pride); it is not rude (unmannerly) and does not act unbecomingly. Love (God’s love in us) does not insist on its own rights or its own way, for it is not self-seeking; it is not touchy or fretful or resentful; it takes no account of the evil done to it [it pays no attention to a suffered wrong].” ~ 1 Corinthians 13:4-5 (AMP)

I am the problem.

If I keep track of how I have been wronged, it’s on me. If I let unforgiveness take root in me, it’s my fault. No matter who has hurt me, no matter how they have hurt me it’s my responsibility to keep my heart pure and walk in love.

Otherwise… I am the problem.

Listen up, me:

Today is a great day to take inventory and forgive.

Do it quick.

Do it by faith.

Whether you feel like it or not, just do it.