They also didn’t have to deal with any sin, either their own or the sins of their parents or those around them. NO BAGGAGE! To go along with this heightened spiritual radar, Adam and Eve also had minimal sensitivity, awareness, and need for the physical world and physical needs. They didn’t care they were naked; they experienced no pain; they weren’t hungry or tired. They fully enjoyed awesome spiritual communion with God without interference from the physical world.

Then their lives experienced a dramatic upheaval. Sin flipped everything inside out resulting in a dulled spiritual radar and IQ. This contrasted with a newly found radar that had a heightened awareness, need, and sensitivity to the physical world and their own physical needs. For example, instead of being concerned that they were spiritually dead, they knew they were naked, ran from God, and experienced physical pain.

Think you would never have such an upside down, inside out radar? Well, think about the things that “call” out to us … food, hunger, sex, sleep, illness, physical pain, fatigue, alcohol, drugs, working out, money, bigger house, more comfortable car, pursuing that adrenaline rush. It’s amazing how needy, sensitive, and aware of these we are. But what about your spiritual radar and IQ? Well, you can fine tune and improve them too, but it takes effort and intentionality. Just as you give time and attention to your physical needs, you need to spend time attending to spiritual elements … fine tuning that radar.

Start by listening for God. He is always speaking to you in several ways: periodically through others, as often as you want through the Holy Bible, and constantly in your circumstances. Don’t let Satan and your flesh distract you. Don’t hyper-focus on the insignificant, “here today- gone tomorrow” material items of this world. Tune your radar … your attentiveness … your focus … to the powerful spiritual world of the intangible and eternal where God resides.

Today, make time to sit quietly in His presence. His most powerful communication is His still small voice speaking to your spirit. Do not be hurried, for this hurriedness tunes your radar to the physical world and closes your heart to the spiritual world. WITHIN REACH and Edging Forward were developed to help you tune your radar to see Him and recognize His direction in all your circumstances. Which radar you use is your decision, so choose well.

Prayer
Dear Father, I am waiting here quietly in Your presence. Your thoughts are forming silently in the depths of my being. I do not rush this process. I have learned that hurrying keeps my heart closed and stuck to earthly things. You are the Creator of all things. You are the King of the universe. Yet You choose to make Your home in my broken, humiliated, and humbled heart. It is there that You speak to me in holy whispers. I pray Lord that Your Holy Spirit will quiet my mind so I can hear Your still, small voice within me. I pray this in the name of the One who was perfectly tuned in to Your voice, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say – AMEN!

The Truth
And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice…1 Kings 19:12

My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up. For thou art not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness: neither shall evil dwell with thee. Psalm 5:3-4

‘For this people’s heart has grown dull, and with their ears they can barely hear, and their eyes they have closed, lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and turn, and I would heal them.’ But blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear.For truly, I say to you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it. Matthew 13:15-17

Did you know the work of God is present in our lives “before” we are even aware of it? In fact, millennia before we were even born, God knew who we were going to be. He was preparing the circumstances that would have the most influence and impact on us to show us our need for Him. He is with us from the moment we are conceived until the end of time if we choose to be with Him during this lifetime, a key decision with an impact that lasts forever.

The word prevenient means “to come before.” Think about this for a moment: God has always been there, planning for us, and waiting for us, in anticipation of the loving relationship He desires to have specifically with each one of us. God pursues this relationship … He actively “courts” us, continually showering us with buckets of love and grace. It’s unassuming … and never forced.

God is always wooing us, hoping we will accept His no-brainer, amazing offer. His offer is free to us, and saves us so much pain and struggle in this world. He offers an incredible, eternal life in heaven after this one. We were planned millions of years ago, then conceived to have this beautiful romance with God. Without it, we will forever feel an emptiness as we turn to ungodly substitutes that tease us and mimic what we are missing.

Today, take a look at what you are pursuing instead of God. With what hollow and harmful substitutes are you letting Satan entice you? To what are you turning for your needs … to soothe you … to bring you comfort… to help you escape your troubles? Anything other than God Himself, or what He provides, is a dangerous counterfeit. Know that the Lord is seeking you, and has been for thousands of years. Are you ready to receive the love and gifts He offers? When you do, you will be both humbled and empowered beyond your dreams. What you pursue is your decision, so choose well.

Prayer
Dear Father, I come to You with a humble, yet thankful heart. It’s always so amazing to know that in spite of my wrong choices, Your love and grace continue to flow to me. What an awesome thought: You have been there waiting for me since before I was born … waiting with Your ever-present offer of a personal romance with me. I thank You for the love You give me. My Lord and God, please help me seek You as You seek me. I know now that my acceptance of You changes everything. You said “yes” to me at creation and again at the cross when You sent Your only Son to die for my sins. I say “yes” to You, Lord. I say “yes” to the greatest gift anyone could imagine. I pray this surrounded by Your grace and mercy and through Your Son Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say – AMEN!

The Truth
But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. Ephesians 2:4-5, 8-9

So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. Genesis 1:27

For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39

Just as they are getting your humane, but very lethal injection ready, the warden runs in to stop everything just in the nick of time. He lets you know of a true and amazing miracle … no one has ever seen anything like it.

He excitedly explains, starting with the basics. The penalty for your crime is death. The accuser, Satan, and justice demand that the price be paid by you. A perfect person, Jesus, who owed no penalty, has voluntarily stepped up demanding to take your place. He will be executed in your place. So, with the penalty or payment satisfied, you are now free to go and live your life. Your penalty is Paid in Full (the first blessing). What a great day.

But if that were the end of the story, it wouldn’t really be that great. You see, who really wants to date, befriend, hire, hangout with, or marry a convicted murderer, rapist, thief, or child molester? We all judge the types of people. We avoid them, fear them, and attack sinners like these. Your life, although spared, would be a walking death of isolation, ridicule, obstacles, loneliness, and never-ending effort to prove yourself worthy of a second chance. Do you doubt what I am saying? If so, talk to a sex offender about to leave jail who can’t get housing on the outside to satisfy parole conditions. Ask people with a criminal record how hard it is to get a real job.

This is where the second blessing comes and it’s even more amazing. Our record is purged as Christ’s record is transferred to our account. We inherit all He had. So now, the King of Kings, Lord of Lords, Prince of Peace, Almighty Creator of everything actually wants to hang out with you, date you, and even marry you forever. He trusts you with His kids and His valuable possessions. Most of all, He really loves you above all things and wants to get to know you intimately regardless of your past, present, and future sins. Amazing, isn’t it?

Today, try to see yourself the way God sees you. How much different could your life be? Now look at God with the gratitude and love that He deserves for all the grace and for the double blessing He extends to you (If we could even muster 1/1000 the love He gives us – wow!) Accept His instruction and I guarantee, actually, He guarantees your life will be grander beyond your finite imagination. Be glad the story doesn’t end with forgiveness. Rejoice in His second blessing of transferred righteousness. Whether you grab hold of the second blessing and live it is your decision, so choose well. Edging Forward was developed to help you apply this second blessing to your life.

Prayer:
Dear Gracious and Merciful Father, I confess my sinful ways before You and thank You for Your forgiveness. Thanks for not giving up on me and for relentlessly pursuing me, especially when I stray way off course. Thanks for the nudging You give me to get back on track, even though at times I see it as adversity. I now realize You were trying to catch my attention and get me back on the right path toward true peace, freedom, and contentment. Please help me to be a grateful prodigal son and not resent other prodigals whom You also forgive. I pray this in the name of the One who paid for me, died for me, and pursued me, Jesus Christ. And all God’s children say – AMEN!

The Truth:
“And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.’  But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry; for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ And they began to be merry.”  Luke 15:10-24

Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, “If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us.” But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, “Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.” And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.” Luke 23:39-43

Thus says God, the LORD, who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread out the earth and what comes from it, who gives breath to the people on it and spirit to those who walk in it: “I am the LORD; I have called you in righteousness; I will take you by the hand and keep you; I will give you as a covenant for the people, a light for the nations, to open the eyes that are blind, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, from the prison those who sit in darkness. Isaiah 42:5-7

One of the great elements of board games and cards is the competitive aspect. My family (including my girls) are really competitive, so we go at it. To me, the rivalry and the interaction are the 2 big ingredients, and boy, are we are ready to go at it. We will play until all hours of the morning.

Another activity I really enjoy is puzzles, even though they’re non-competitive. I’m not sure why, but I love the challenge of hard puzzles. So, over Christmas break, or during a long family  vacation at the beach, we break out some tough puzzles. Each of us has a special area to attack. Then it all builds ‘til we get to that last piece. And we usually let the youngest one have the honors of bringing it all together.

Nothing is so disappointing as discovering that one last piece is lost. The 2500 piece puzzle looks broken without it. It’s incomplete, so the whole message isn’t there. That ultimate pinnacle is not reached … the beauty of the puzzle is diminished. Wow, isn’t it the same as God and his Word?

Like a puzzle, the body of Christ consists of many parts, which together make a complete picture. God has equipped each believer with particular gifts needed to do what God has called him or her to do. When that person is missing or not able to carry out his role, an important part of God’s plan is missing. The picture is incomplete. Not only does that person miss out on being part of God’s great puzzle, but all the other pieces are affected too. They won’t connect as a whole.

God has a perfect plan for His body of believers … including you! Like the pieces of a puzzle, each one of us has a specific place and a specific task to fulfill. When every piece is in its God-designed place, the picture is perfect. But when just one piece is missing, the body is incomplete and Satan gains.

So, when you see others struggling, realize that you are hurt when they aren’t able to fulfill their roles. You are part of that incomplete mosaic of believers. Look to help those who struggle, not only because God calls you to “care for the least of these,” but also because you will benefit from being part of a complete picture.

Today, take ownership of your place in the puzzle. Are you a lost piece … one that dropped off the table? Are some of your edges worn down or jagged … not fitting smoothly into the other pieces? Ask for feedback today from 2 people who are close to you. How can you fit better into God’s puzzle? Your decisions can sabotage God’s perfect fit, so align your decisions with God’s ways. Stop working against God. Working with your God-designed fit will lead to a pleasurable and easier life. The kind of puzzle piece you are is your decision, so choose well.

Prayer:
Father God, Thank You for letting me know that I am an important part of Your Grand puzzle. And thank You, Father, for equipping each member of Christ’s body, the church, to do what You have called him or her to do. Help me to be aware and sensitive as You lead me to do my part. Instead of judging or ridiculing others who are struggling, help me encourage and assist them in fulfilling what You have called them to do. I ask this in the name of the ultimate picture on the puzzle box, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say – Amen!

The Truth:
Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other. Romans 12:4-5

All that to say, I am a fairly large guy and I like my space. On a recent last-minute business flight I got stuck in the middle seat without the physical space I need, not enough room to work on my computer, and too much touching. And while I haven’t taken my tape measure with me, I am quite sure the airlines take away an inch of seat width and an inch of legroom from us each year.

While I was feeling cramped, a tall gentleman sat in the aisle seat next to me and spread out … his knee and elbow blatantly infringing on my small space. I was thinking it was going to be a very long flight. I debated whether I should educate him about seat etiquette, but as I prayed about it for a moment, and started assessing my options, a much better choice surfaced. Better options do surface when we prayerfully apply self-control to a situation.

I decided to talk with him. He was such a joy to talk with, that I forgot all about being in a middle seat. He was filled with kindness and peace. It’s such a beautiful thing to see God in the face of others. We went back and forth so effortlessly that our flight seemed about 10 minutes long. I never even noticed a hint of physical discomfort even though my physical circumstances were unchanged from my initial assessment.

Our natural inclination is to see life from a me-centered perspective. So the pursuit of comfort, not the pursuit of God’s appointments, becomes our focus. My initial attitude toward this kind man was so poor and me-centered, with no thought of God greeting me or letting me introduce God to him. That perspective and attitude can keep us from opportunities to experience God in ourselves or through others.

Religious groups will give you all sorts of ways to know if you have the Holy Spirit. Jesus has one simple answer: “by their fruit you will know them.” Paul gives us the definition of holy fruit: LOVE, JOY, PEACE, PATIENCE, KINDNESS, GOODNESS, FAITHFULNESS, GENTLENESS, SELF-CONTROL.

Today, repeat the list of holy fruit aloud and ask the Lord to make it true in you. Then take the next step, confess any sin in your life since your last confession. You can even use the “and I confess all my unknown sins and seek to turn from those activities.” Then the Holy Spirit is back on the throne of your heart, opening your ears to His voice and guidance. As you follow Him, this amazing fruit will be yours to taste and enjoy and it will truly satisfy the desires of your heart. The alternative route, the fruit of the flesh, will rot in your belly and destroy you. Which fruit you eat is your decision, so choose well.

Prayer:
Father God, Thank You for Your constant presence … thank You for Your answers to my prayers. And thank You, Father, for the gifts of the Holy Spirit. It is through the Spirit I call upon you. Please fill me more with Your Holy Spirit and every character You possess. I want to exhibit the qualities of that man You seated next to me on that flight … I want to be like Your child, Jesus, who lived out the fruit, and in whose name I pray; and all God’s children say – AMEN!

The Truth:
But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law. Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. Galatians 5:16-25

Delight yourself in the LORD; And He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD, Trust also in Him, and He will do it. Psalm 37:4-5

At The Five Ronaldo continued in Mark (14:1-11) “The Real Jesus: The Anointing of Jesus and the Plot Against Him″. If you would like to hear the message, click here.

I realized, at the center of my heart, I was worshiping or glorifying a lot of insignificant and worldly pursuits. You see, when you glorify something or worship it, you give it great weight in your life. The root of the Hebrew word for “glorify” carries this idea of “significant weight” or “heaviness”. For example, the sun has great mass, and weighs a lot. And the gravitational force of that weight causes  other, smaller objects to be drawn to it and to orbit around it. These smaller objects are subservient to the weighty object.

Ideally, I worship God. He’s bigger than and weighs more than anything else in my life, and He then determines the orbits of everything else around Him. I place God at the center intellectually, and give evidence of this through my attitude in life, the words I speak, and my actions.

We can worship many things. The short list: self, need for control, safety, love, acceptance, importance, competence, money, material things … or nice things like kids, house, spouse, job, ministry … the list is really endless. But all these lead to the same miserable destination.

No matter what trivial item I choose to worship, the weight I give it in my life will shape and determine the orbits of everything else in my life around it, including God. Listen to me closely! Placing God in a position orbiting around anything else is a formula for disaster. Only God is omnipotent, omniscient, and sovereign over all things. His place is at the center and He orders the orbits of everything else in a great way.

How did I get out of my rock bottom? Starting on the inside, I decided to make Jesus, not just my savior, but the Lord of my life. This one step allowed God to transform me from the inside out.

Today, when you make your decisions, examine what is at the center of your heart/universe. Start by asking, “What is my greatest need right now? On what does my life depend in this situation? From where do I get my confidence? What will get me into heaven?” Then take stock of the downside when you are worshipping anything other than God. Please give God the place and weight He deserves. It transformed my life, and it will transform yours. WITHIN REACH and EDGING FORWARD were developed to help you do just what I did, in a step-by-step way. Whom or what you make Lord of your life is your decision, so choose well.

Prayer:
Dear Father, through this renewed intimacy with You, I feel you are transforming me from the inside out. For far too long I have been focusing on the outer person. Now I focus on the inner person. I pray that as I increase my focus on You, my Lord, You will transform me into the one You desire me to be. I yield to you, Lord, I do not resist this change nor do I desire to slow it down or speed it up. I let You set the pace, Lord, for I know Your timing is perfect. I know now that a delay does not mean “no.” I hold your hand, Jesus, with childlike trust, just as babies hold their parent’s hands as they learn to walk, step by step. Hold my hand, Lord, let me feel and enjoy the tempo of this God-breathed life I am now living. All glory to You, God. Thank You Jesus. Thank You Lord. I pray this in the name of the One who always had God at the center of His heart, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say – AMEN!

The Truth:
And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. 2 Corinthians 3:18

“And now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require of you, but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the commandments and statutes of the LORD, which I am commanding you today for your good? Behold, to the LORD your God belong heaven and the heaven of heavens, the earth with all that is in it. Deuteronomy 10:12-14

In the Holy Bible, when the crowd was about to stone the woman caught in adultery, they asked Jesus; “What do you say we do?” Jesus started to write in the sand and then said, “Anyone here who has never sinned can through the first stone at her.”

The young men looked to the old … the old looked into their hearts and they were the first to drop their stones. Jesus then asked the woman if anyone had judged her guilty. She said, “No one, Lord”. Then Jesus replied, “Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.”

How do you think God reacts when you fail? Listen carefully because this is critical: He writes it down … but not in the sand or on paper. Where God writes it is on a cross using Jesus’ blood. His message has three words: “Paid in Full”. He’s given you a gift card that He pre-paid in full for your penalty. The response He asks from you in return is to confess your sin, receive His gift, and use the Holy Spirit and His instructions to go and sin no more.

Now this is an important point, so hear this. Your personal gift card is not permission to sin … that is a whole different devotional on misusing this gift. Your gift card is freedom from the condemnation your sin would bring if it weren’t for such a gracious God who is perfectly holy and just, and also perfectly loving.

Today, redeem your gift card. How? Confession. We don’t use it enough. We sin a bunch, but most of us only confess, what, once a week … once a day … three times a day? I know I sin more than that, and I bet you do too. So, examine your thoughts and actions. When you miss God’s mark, stop and confess that you missed His mark and celebrate the freedom Christ purchased from the slave market of sin. Your renewed and liberated mind is now freer than ever to make Godly decisions. Using or not using your gift card is your decision, so choose well.

Prayer
Dear Father, I come to You with a thankful heart: thankful You sent Your son to pay the price for my sin, and thankful for Your gift of forgiveness. What a comfort to think of the words; “Paid in Full”. Better yet, thanks for the eternal life you offer me, free from sin’s devastation. Help me learn from Your wisdom and apply it to my everyday life. Please help me to stop judging others’ hearts. Let me be Your disciple, not a judge. Help me to forgive others as You have forgiven me. Focus my eyes on my own heart and intentions, not on those of others. I pray this in the name of the One who paid the ultimate price for my gift card, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say – AMEN!

The Truth:
Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. John 8:12

This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:5-9

So what does make the heart grow fonder? Let me share a bit. When Martine and I first married, it was nearly impossible to predict what she would want for dinner, how she would react to a surprise, or handle a hurtful situation. Now, after 20 years of marriage, I know what my wife will order in different restaurants, which movies she likes, and what words hurt or encourage her. I know she reacts to different people and situations. She knows me in the same ways. Although she still has a distorted belief that some day I will like the vegetables she prepares for dinner. Even my girls know I ain’t eating vegetables unless they’re french fries!

How did we get to know each other’s minds so well? It wasn’t easy, although many times it was fun. But it took time. In fact, it was the time spent together paying attention to and listening to each other. We were motivated to know each other’s minds, both to love the other person better, as well as to help make life more manageable and enjoyable for ourselves. As I spent time with her and got to know her better, I grew more fond of her. Actually, closeness makes the heart grow fonder.

God’s intent for us is to be conformed to the likeness of Christ … to develop the mind of Christ.  In order for this to happen, I need to know Christ … really understand who He is and how He thinks. How do you really get to know others? You spend time with them and pay attention. Once you see how they think and know their perspectives, you can really appreciate what they love and why they love it. As you spend more time with Jesus, you can’t help but care for Him more, and start to love the things He loves.

Try to make time to sit quietly in the presence of your Lord. I know how difficult it is to concentrate, but even the effort will please God and bring you peace. Your brain scan actually gets healthier when you spend time communicating with God. It renews your mind just as the Bible promises. Like any skill, the more you spend time with God, the easier it becomes, and the better you get at it.

Today, try taking a few minutes after reading the daily devotional to absorb God’s Word. Spend a few minutes imagining how Christ views your toughest situation today. How will you respond to the situation by viewing it the way Jesus would? Use His lenses and your life will take off to heights you could never imagine, ones God has waiting for you. Who or what you spend time with is your decision, so choose well.

Prayer:
Dear Father, I am sitting quietly in Your presence, waiting for and expecting Your blessings. Help make my mind still, Lord, in the midst of all the confusion. Make my mind still like a pool of water, ready to receive whatever thoughts You drop into it. Help me rest in Your presence, as I consider the challenges this day presents. Help me keep my focus on You … looking to You and communicating with You as we walk through this day together. I pray this in the name of the One with the perfect mind, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say – AMEN!

The Truth:
Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes. Psalm 37:7

Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, 1 Peter 4:1

The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. Romans 8:16-17

Worse yet, all the suffering I mentioned was inflicted by on me by ME! I was killing myself slowly with one poor decision after another. Blaming others, rationalizing my behaviors, and making lame excuses added up to self-inflicted persecution. What I want to talk about today is sacrifice, knowing that discomfort and danger are highly probable when we make the decision to honor God.

I was privileged to be invited to lead the first behavioral health team into Iraq after the fall of Sadam Hussein. Unrest and skirmishes were the norm along with occasional suicide bombings. Christians were being persecuted, yet the Minister of Health invited me to come. I brought 2 professionals with me: Jeff Black, PsyD, a Christian psychologist, and Leslie Vernick, LCSW, a Christian social worker. The 3 of us taught counseling skills to many different groups in the Kurdistan region in Northern Iraq.

As soon as we arrived in Iraq, our hosts, Ishbel and Josef, had an emerging situation on their hands. A man from their small local church who accepted Christ began receiving legitimate death threats from his brother. His family was embarrassed because he was putting pro-Jesus flyers on peoples’ windshields. The threats were real and our hosts were working hard to convince him to cease for a while, let his family cool down, and then find a safer venue for evangelism.

During the same trip a Christian couple escaped from Baghdad and arrived at our hosts’ church in the middle of the night under gunfire because they would not renounce Christianity. Other stories ended in death. Thankfully, our team was never in physical danger as we had guards with us for much of our trip.

On another occasion when I presented a six-day conference in Africa, one couple walked for five days to attend, wearing the same clothes the whole time including the walk home. One woman had to leave her family when she proclaimed her faith. I know of another in Africa who stayed in a violent situation because she felt God called her to do so. Then almost 40 of her family members and friends were saved after her death.

I am blessed. I have never experienced physical danger because of my faith. I did get reprimanded on 3 occasions by hospital employers for talking about Jesus and the Bible before I went into private practice. But, as I began writing, one of the joys and powerful activities of fulltime ministry is hearing the many sacrifices Christians make for their Lord, whether it’s fasting, sacrificing power and money, being shunned by family, enduring physical hardship, or facing danger.

Jesus went to the cross for you. But would you walk 5 days to hear the Word of God? Would you give up extra money, a favorite food, cigarettes or whatever else you are addicted to? How far would you walk? Why is it so hard to wake up on Sunday and get to 2 hours of service? Believe me, I ask myself the same hard question. I am thankful God puts people in my life every day to show me why, both by word, and especially by example.

Today, think about how much effort you put forth to praise God with others. Do you find time for God with only minimal effort, or when it fits into your schedule? Or do you sacrifice some of your “wants” to make regular time with God? How important is it to you to make it to church? What are you valuing more than Him? Will that object save you … or die for you? What are you willing to endure to worship God and meet Him each day? What you value and sacrifice is your decision, so choose well.

Prayer:
Father God, I thank You for the little and not so little reminders and lessons you place before me. Today, I have a renewed thankfulness for my ability to see … to hear … to speak. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit, Father, so that I may use all my senses to give you glory and to praise You … to show others Your majesty and importance in my life even in ways that I do not understand. I pray this in the name of my savior and teacher, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say – AMEN!

The Truth:
But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin. 1 John 1:7

May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
2 Corinthians 13:14