Get Your Own House in Order

Sure the world’s a mess, but cleanup must begin at home.

Here in the U.S., we’re in a downward moral spiral.  So what can we do about it?  Well, we can certainly pray, first of all.  We can work to elect godly representatives and leaders.  And we can even head into the mission field.  But the Bible provides important insight.

In Judges chapter 6, Gideon asked God for help defeating the Midianites.  But the Lord instructed him to first get his own house in order.  Gideon was to tear down his father’s altar to Baal and his Asherah pole.  It was really spiritual housecleaning.

We too might have idols in our lives: obsession with money, status, pleasure.  We, too, need to tear those idols down, cleaning up our own mess in preparation for the bigger tasks ahead.

God is Not Absent

We don’t always feel God’s presence, but that doesn’t mean He’s not there.

Maybe you’ve asked the Lord questions like, “Where were you God?”

“Where were you God when I lost my baby in the womb?”

“Where were you God when my mom or dad got sick?”

“Where were you when my marriage went south?”

“Where were you when I got bypassed at work by people who don’t have near my abilities?”

“Where were you when my children rebelled and rejected the faith?”

“Where were you God when our culture turned away from you?”

In this broken world, those things do happen, but none of that diminishes God’s omnipresence.

Psalm 11 assures us, “The Lord is in His holy temple, the Lord’s throne is in heaven.”  Combine that with His promise, “I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you,” and you can be sure of His presence.

Where Are You?

We were not made to live in caves; we’re supposed to embrace the mountain top!

When the Israelites turned from God and fell into national sin, Judges 6 tells us that the Lord gave them into the hands of the Midianites.  Things got so bad, the Israelites resorted to living in caves, so they could hide.  And it was all because of sin, which caused Adam and Eve to hide from God, and often does the same to us.

Have you ever found yourself so overwhelmed by circumstances or by shame, you go into hiding?

My friend, you were not made for cave dwelling.  You’re made for the mountain top.  So the first step toward victory is repentance.  Confess your sin and return to God.  Then, let your light shine before all!  We desperately need to do that as a nation, and just as much as individuals.

Not Enough?

So you think you just can’t measure up?  Think again!

You’re just too insignificant.  You’re just not smart enough.  You’re not pretty enough.  You’re not handsome enough.  You’re not strong enough.  You don’t have enough money.

Admit it; you’ve had those kinds of thoughts, and so have I.  Even Moses, in Exodus 4, told God he wasn’t eloquent enough to speak for Him.  But God replied, “I, even I, will be with you.”

Let me remind you, you’re made in the image of God, the Imago Dei.  And as a Christian, you’re a new creation, equipped by the Lord for every good work you were designed for.

Any thoughts to the contrary come from the enemy, who is a liar.  So whatever ministry you’re called to, approach with the confidence befitting a child of God, then cling to Scripture and hold on to its truths.

Have Courage

How would you define courage?  And when’s the last time you demonstrated some?

In Deuteronomy 31:6, Moses spoke to the Israelites, saying, “Be strong and courageous.  Do not be afraid . . . for the Lord your God is with you.”  And there you have it: The key to finding courage.

In Judges we read of Deborah, who was able to walk in courage, because she walked in the empowerment and awareness of God’s spirit.  God had assured her of victory, and she rested on that revelation.

My brothers and sisters in Christ, we too have the promises of Scripture that ultimate victory is ours, a victory that culminates in eternal life with God.  That assurance should change the way you think and the way you approach dealing with the culture, regardless of your circumstances.

Jesus said, “Fear not!” And we need to remember those two simple words every moment.

An Audience of One

Do you sometimes feel you’re invisible?  Not so.  God sees!

In terms of your service for Christ, you might be doing significant things no one ever knows about except you and God, but He sees it all.

It’s going to be quite amazing and I’m not being facetious when I say this: Some people who are least noticed on this earth will have the absolute biggest mansions in heaven, because what they did here went unnoticed by people or society, but God saw in secret.

Here’s the relevant scripture: Matthew 6:3-6, “But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing so that your giving may be in secret. Then your father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.”

So don’t be discouraged when others don’t notice you.  God certainly does!