Hammer on Anvil '

Recently in my devotions I was reading from 2 Samuel 24. David had sinned against the Lord, and was instructed by Gad to build an altar. David set about his task immediately. He asked a man named  Araunah to sell him his threshing floor, which would become the site of the altar.

Since David was the king, Araunah humbly bowed before him, and told David he could have the threshing floor free of charge. David's response is what I want to focus on today: "I insist on paying you for it. I will not sacrifice to the Lord my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing."

What does it mean to sacrifice to God offerings that cost me nothing? It could mean any number of things. It could mean my "devotional time" is a few seconds at the end of a busy day, rather than rising while it is still dark to soak in His presence before the day begins. It could mean doing everything I want to do with "my" money, and tossing Him the crumbs I have leftover. It could mean only ministering to the needy when it fits conveniently into my schedule.

The missing link in these scenarios is that no sacrifice is involved -- and sacrifice is precisely what Jesus calls us to do. Rising while it is still dark may mean getting less sleep. Giving to God the first fruits of your finances (as we are instructed to do in Proverbs 3:9) may mean sacrifice in other areas of your spending. Being available to God 24 hours a day requires sacrifice. He may awaken you at 2 a.m. to pray for somebody. An acquaintance from church may call in the middle of the night, desperate for prayer and some words of encouragement. You may need to visit someone in the hospital, when you would prefer to enjoy an evening at home with family.

David was unwilling to offer to God that which cost him nothing. Yet many Christians prefer to remain in their comfort zones, and wince at the thought of sacrificing their time or money.

Romans 12:1 urges us to offer our very bodies as living sacrifices. My prayer for 2014 is that Christians everywhere would desire to "be filled with all the fullness of God" (Ephesians 3:19). I pray that we would remember that we are not our own; we were bought with the precious blood of Jesus (1 Corinthians 6:20) and are to honor Him in all that we do.

Instead of focusing on our possessions and how many more things we think we need, let's think of how little we can get by with, in order that we may bless someone else less fortunate. Instead of hoarding our savings, consider giving sacrificially to a worthwhile ministry, or travel to a third-world country yourself and be broken bread and poured-out wine to the poverty-stricken and HIV-infected.

The opportunities are endless. All Jesus requires of us is that we be completely HIS.

What Child is this 
Who, laid to rest on Mary's lap, is sleeping?
Whom angels greet with anthems sweet
While shepherds watch are keeping?
This, this is Christ the King
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing,
Haste, haste to bring Him laud,
The Babe, the Son of Mary.

This will be short and sweet. This is Christmas Eve, and I just want to encourage readers to think about the Christ Child as they gather to celebrate His birth.

Jesus, the Lord of heaven and earth, left His glory in heaven to come to earth as a newborn baby. He was born in a crude manger, surrounded by smelly animals. From His very birth, He exemplified humility.

And He asks us to do the same. Jesus tells us in Matthew 18:3 that unless we become as little children, we will never enter the kingdom of heaven. What about children does Jesus want us to emulate?

Children are innocent. Children have implicit trust that their needs will be met. Children are simple. Children are honest. Children are non-assuming. They are genuine and don't put on airs.

This Christmas, let's endeavor to be innocent and simple and honest. Let's have implicit trust that our heavenly Father will meet our every need -- because He promises to over and over again in His Word. Let's not pretend we have it all together when we know we're a mess.

Ann Voskamp wisely states in her Advent devotional The Greatest Gift, "You aren't equipped for life until you realize you aren't equipped for life. You aren't equipped for life until you're in need of grace."

Grace is what we celebrate at Christmas. Grace that came to earth as a newborn baby, walked among sinful men, and ultimately gave His life for our redemption.

Oh come, let us adore Him.

 My husband and I live on an acre of land in the country. From our sun porch, I take pleasure in watching the various birds that come to our feeder. Now that it's winter, I delight especially in the cardinals, and they are strikingly beautiful against a freshly fallen blanket of snow.

As I watched one day, a biblical parallel became obvious. One small house finch came and began to feed. Another bird came, but quickly flew away. And another, and another. Over the course of about 10 minutes, this little finch never wavered from his stance, though many other birds came and went.

I couldn't help but think of the story of Mary and Martha (Luke 10:38-42). While Martha was distracted by all the "busy work" in the household, Mary sat at the feet of Jesus and would not be deterred. Martha expected Jesus to take her side and tell Mary to help out, but Jesus said, "Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."

I must confess that oftentimes I am more like Martha -- more like the birds whose feet would barely touch the feeder before they flew away. I begin to pray and get distracted, instead of just maintaining my position and "feeding" on God's Word. I think of things that need to be done, and have a hard time focusing.

A wise friend once encouraged me to keep a notepad handy when I am having my quiet time with God. Then when my time of prayer or reading is interrupted by thoughts of things that need to be done, I simply make a note (so I won't forget to do whatever it is) and proceed in my time with God. I remind myself that time spent with Him is ETERNAL, and all that other stuff is temporal. If I hope to live and move in the power of His Holy Spirit each day, time with God is not simply desirable -- it's indispensable.

Lord, help us to be like the steadfast house finch who never moved from his place, despite all the distractions around him. May we be like Mary, and choose what is better.

One of the favorite verses of many Christians is Romans 8:28, because it says "all things work together for good" to those who love God. But I wonder how many of us really understand what this means.

Based on some conversations I have overheard, it appears many of us think this Scripture means everything in our lives will work out so we can be happy and comfortable, and not have to suffer much hardship. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Jesus tells us in John 16:33 that we WILL have tribulation in this world. Yet He tells us to be of good cheer, because He has overcome the world. What does this mean for us?

It means exactly what James 1:2 exhorts us to do: "Consider it pure joy" when you face trials. The way this plays out in my life is that I try to view everything as an opportunity for obedience. Whether the circumstance is something as mundane as someone cutting me off in traffic, or as heart-wrenching as interceding for a loved one who is seriously ill, I try to remember God's promise that all of it works together for good -- in His economy. Matthew Henry's commentary explains Romans 8:28 this way:

That is good for the saints which does their souls good. Every providence tends to the spiritual good of those that love God; in breaking them off from sin, bringing them nearer to God, weaning them from the world, and fitting them for heaven. When the saints act out of character, corrections will be employed to bring them back again. 

It's not about our comfort and happiness, friends. It's about what ultimately fits into God's plan and brings His purposes to pass in this world. His kingdom come; His will be done.

God does not force himself on us, though. We can delight in the privilege of denying ourselves and crucifying our flesh, or we can be obstinate and rebellious and prefer to remain in our comfort zones, where nobody would ever guess we are followers of Jesus.

My personal experience is that it really does work to "consider it pure joy" when facing trials. I much prefer feeling that rush of knowing my Father is at work -- breaking, transforming, purifying. It beats whining and feeling sorry for myself and in general being unpleasant to be around.

God's purpose is that we be "transformed into His image with ever-increasing glory" (2 Corinthians 3:18). Allow that truth to encourage your heart if you are weighed down with adverse circumstances today.

Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere (Ephesians 6:18).

In the verses immediately preceding this one, Paul admonishes the church at Ephesus to be strong in the Lord, and to be clothed with the full armor of God. Then he asks two simple things: that they pray for each other, and that they pray for Paul to fearlessly proclaim the gospel.

If you have ever wondered how to pray for other believers, you need look no further than the Bible for your inspiration. Consider the following:

• Fill us with the knowledge of Your will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding (Colossians 1:9).
• Help us to live lives worthy of You, pleasing You in every way and bearing fruit in every good work (Colossians 1:10).
• May we grow in the knowledge of God, and be strengthened with all power according to His glorious might (Colossians 1:11).
• Help us have great endurance and patience, and joyfully give thanks to the Father (Colossians 1:12).
• Grant us the spirit of wisdom and revelation so we may know You better (Ephesians 1:17).
• Enlighten the eyes of our hearts (Ephesians 1:18).
• Help us to know the hope to which You have called us, the riches of Your glorious inheritance in the saints, and Your incomparably great power for us who believe (Ephesians 1:19).
• Strengthen us with power through Your Spirit in our inner being (Ephesians 3:16).
• May Christ dwell in our hearts through faith (Ephesians 3:17)
• Grant us the power to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ (Ephesians 3:18).
• Help us to be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God (Ephesians 3:19).
• May our love abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight (Philippians 1:9).
• May we be able to discern what is best, and be pure and blameless until the day of Christ (Philippians 1:10).
• Fill us with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus (Philippians 1:11).

These are very powerful prayers that Paul employed for the believers in Colossae, Ephesus and Philippi. I encourage you to utilize them as you pray for others in the family of faith.