Focus and Clear Vision

"Do not look at someone else and say - Well, if he can have those views and prosper, why cannot I? You have to walk in the light of the vision that has been given to you and not compare yourself with others or judge them, that is between them and God."

taken from My Utmost For His Highest, Oswald Chambers, December 29

Recently I was wrestling with God when this devotion hit me right between the eyes. I tend to wrestle because I have lost my focus. For example when I know He is requiring something of me yet I look at others that I think are not following suit (anybody see the problem with that view???).

How quickly God calls me up short in His mercy. Thankfully He loves His children with agape love; love that does what is best for them, not necessarily what they desire. That is why I read devotions like this right at the time when I need to hear them... because God is merciful and faithful.

And you know He is always on time... His Holy Spirit works on us, convicting us, reminding us God's Word, bringing people (or devotionals) across our path, whatever it takes to bring us to repentance.

Like a pair of glasses that get dirty over time, my heart gets dirty over time - gradual enough that I don't realize it's happening. God gets my attention, He encourages me to take a good look at my "glasses" and see all the dirty film that has built up. Once I clean them off through repentance, my clear vision comes back and I can see rightly again. He asks me, "What have I called YOU to do?" I answer, "Yes Lord," and we are back in focus again.

Renewing Your Strength

As the New Year begins, here is a good starting point - renewing our strength, strength only our Lord can give and sustain - and a wise path for the whole year ahead.

"Your life cannot be sustained without renewal from God. Just as it is essential to replace the body's energy by eating, the soul must be revitalized by feeding on the Book of God, by listening to the preaching of His Word, and by the soul-filling table of communion.

"How depressed we become when renewal is neglected! How poor and malnourished are the saints who live without the diligent use of the Word of God and secret prayer. If our faith can live without God, that faith is not from God; it is only a dream. But if our faith is from God, we will wait for Him as flowers wait for the dew....

"In humble prayer, draw near to the footstool of divine mercy, and realize the fulfillment of the promise, 'Those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength' (Isaiah 40:31)"

taken from: "Morning and Evening", Charles H. Spurgeon, January 2, Evening

A New Beginning

As I look over this past year of my life, I find myself overwhelmingly grateful for the measureless grace of God. The grace of God is what has brought me safe thus far and His grace will lead me home.

Last night as I prayed with my girls I was reminded that for the believer, new beginnings don't come once a year but every day. God's mercy is new every morning and great is His faithfulness. If I confess my sins, He is faithful and just to forgive me my sins and cleanse me from all unrighteousness. I don't have to wait; I can be cleansed, renewed, restored now because God is a living God, the one true God Who sees, hears, and acts on our behalf.

We have the privilege of living right now, not yesterday, or tomorrow, but right in this moment.