A New Song

This morning, I awoke with these words - "Sing unto the Lord a new song".  It is a sentiment repeated several times in the Psalms, and also in Isaiah (Ps. 96:1, Ps. 98:1, Ps. 149:1, and Is. 42:10).  This morning it spoke to me of the need to focus on something else in my daily life and my prayers.

Last night I found myself feeling overwhelmed with all I had to do.  I had worked hard all day and accomplished a great deal, but as I compared what I had accomplished with what I had yet to do and the deadlines in which to do it, it seemed impossible to accomplish it all.  I KNEW I needed to focus on the positive and thank God for what He had accomplished through me that day rather than on what yet needed to be done, but it was SO hard to turn off the part of my brain that was listing everything that yet needed to be accomplished!  Since that was what I had gone to bed thinking about, I knew this morning's verse about singing a new song was a reminder to me of my need to do so. I need to sing a new song of PRAISE instead of the old one of my overwhelming to-do list!  But I HAD been trying to do so and not succeeding as well as I would have liked.  Father, how am I to do this?  I want to "change my tune", but I'm having a hard time doing so.

Then another verse popped into my head:

"He put a new song in my mouth, praise to our God!" Psalms 40:3 ISV

Of course! I know that it is God that works in me both to WILL and to DO of His good pleasure (Phil 2:13).  He doesn't just tell me to do something and then sit back and watch me struggle to do it!  He works in me to accomplish it!  He will help me sing that new song - AND He will help me accomplish the things I need to accomplish since they are a required part of what He has directed me to do. He knows all that needs to be done, and will see that it happens as it should.  Thank you, God!

Father, today I am so grateful for your love and your power in my life!  I got far more accomplished yesterday than I would have believed possible, and I know I have YOU to thank for that.  Why then would I start worrying about the rest that needs to be done? OF COURSE you will help me accomplish what needs to be accomplished.  You're a loving God - not a capricious one that would set impossible tasks before me!  You will see me through it all, and I thank you!  Father, please help me remember this and rest in you.  Please help me keep my priorities straight and not allow concern about all I have to do to get in the way of interacting with those around me.  You know my concerns about the expected and unexpected guests so soon before we teach this class and how we'll manage to get our class prep done in time.  This too, must be your will - or else you will block it some way.  I trust you, Father to ensure that your will will be done in my little corner of the earth, as it is in heaven (Matt 6:10).  May your will be done in me this day and every day, I pray.  Thank you again for all that has been accomplished in the last few days, and for your promises that regarding what you have begun in me, YOU will continue to see it through (Phil 1:6). I am grateful that I don't have to worry about it. I trust you to see that everything gets done as it should. Lord, I believe, help thou mine unbelief! (Mark 9:24)  Thank you, God!

I am reminded of a quote - not sure where it came from.  It says something like: "Don't tell God how big your troubles are, tell your troubles how big God is!"  THIS is the new song I want to sing!  "How GREAT Thou art!"  Thank you, Father!

Rejoice!

"The Lord reigns!  Let the earth rejoice! . . .  He guards the lives of those who love him, delivering them from domination by the wicked."   (Psalms 97:1, 10 ISV)

What a wonderful thing it is to have God reign!  With God in control, we have nothing to fear and can rest in the shelter of His arms.  Verse 10 of Psalms 97 is such a wonderful promise!  It seems to me to promise far more than what is seen on the surface - and even that is pretty powerful.  Are there those who are seeking to dominate me today?  Who seem bent on making life difficult?  God will deliver me.  Thank you, God!

But I realize I don't have to look "out there" for forces trying to dominate me.  I think of Paul's words to the Romans:

"I don’t understand what I am doing. For I don’t practice what I want to do, but instead do what I hate. . . . I have the desire to do what is right, but I cannot carry it out. For I don’t do the good I want to do, but instead do the evil that I don’t want to do. . . . So I find this to be a principle: when I want to do what is good, evil is right there with me. For I delight in the Law of God in my inner being, but I see in my body a different principle waging war with the Law in my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin that exists in my body. . . . Thank God through Jesus the Messiah, our Lord, . . . For the Spirit’s law of life in the Messiah Jesus has set me free from the Law of sin and death. . . .  For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. To focus our minds on the human nature leads to death, but to focus our minds on the Spirit leads to life and peace." (Romans 7:15-16, 18-20, 21-23, 25, Romans 8:2-3, 5-7 ISV)

I can so relate to these words of Paul's!  I see it - that force inside of ME that is trying to dominate me - a spirit of selfishness and self-seeking.  It causes me to do things that I really DON'T want to do. For example, I'll make a pact with myself that I will exercise regularly or eat more healthy meals and then find myself doing the opposite. Surely this too is an example of "domination by the wicked", and I am so grateful for God's promise of deliverance!!!  

 

This passage from Romans also gives me pointers to the "how" of it.  I need to focus my mind on the Spirit instead of on my human nature.  Isn't this what I was just writing about yesterday?  The need to focus not on my own weakness and beat myself up for it, but turn my attention instead to God's strength and rely on that!  The results speak for themselves. A focus on my weakness, does not work!  I just keep finding myself doing those things that I don't want to do and experiencing poorer health because of it.  But a focus on God's strength?  I know from other areas of my life where I do this more consistently that it makes a WORLD of difference, and I trust that it will make the difference here too.  

Thank you, Father, for your continued guidance in my life.  Thank you for your strength when I am weak.  May I learn to better rely on you, Father!  Thank you for your promise of holding me by your hand to keep me from falling - "He delights in every detail of their lives. Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand." (Psalms 37:23-24 - Holy Bible, New Living Translation ®, copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers. All rights reserved.) What an amazing concept - to hold hands with the God of the universe! Thank you, Father, that you do indeed care about the details of my life and guide me continually.  May I remember to continually look to you for that guidance and strength that I may indeed be delivered from the domination by the wicked!   Thank you, Father!  Amen.

Grateful for Weakness???

This morning, I was reminded of a verse that was brought to me a few weeks back (see post "God's Strength"):

"And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me." (2 Corinthians 12:9 - KJV)

As I watched myself this past week make some poor choices about what I was eating, I was reminded of some basic spiritual principles I've learned to apply in other areas of my life. I was thinking particularly of the financial/material realm where there are two principles that became quite important as I sought God's healing of my belief in lack instead of in His abundance. The first was the concept of being grateful in all things and the second was the principle of tithing to where I was being spiritually fed. I've come to believe that I'm being told to apply these lessons to my diet/health issues, and I've found it to be quite challenging.

Be Grateful in All Things: (Ephesians 5:20 - "Giving thanks always for all things unto God"; I Thessalonians 5:18 - "In every thing give thanks").  This advice sounds good at first glance, but it can be really difficult to apply in daily life.  You mean I'm to give thanks that I chose to eat that 2nd piece of pie or all those potato chips?  My habit has been to beat myself up about stuff like that.  How can I give thanks for something I wish I didn't do???? 2 Corinthians 12:9 has the answer - God's strength is made perfect in my weakness.  My clear weakness when it comes to certain food choices requires me to turn to God because I know that "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13 NKJV  Clearly I can gain the victory in no other way.  So, am I willing to "glory in my infirmities that the power of Christ may rest upon me"?  Am I willing to truly be grateful in all things, trusting Him to heal me?  And am I willing to turn my focus from myself and my failings to God and His strength?  I've seen the power of applying this principle in my financial life -- learning to focus my attention on the abundance coming my way instead of on the things I didn't have.  Now is the time to apply this principle to another part of my life - my diet and health.

Tithing: As I thought about applying spiritual principles I learned in the financial realm to the realm of diet and health, the other major principle I'd learned came to mind - that of tithing.  But how to apply it? My first thought was that giving a tenth of my food to the poor might be a way to do this - or perhaps a more conscious gifting of meals where I invite others into my home. But then I remembered what I learned in the financial realm -- the idea of tithing to where I've been spiritually fed to support those who serve as channels for God to feed me spiritually (these were the Levites in Biblical times).  Learning to do this has been such a HUGE blessing to me in the financial realm!  It required me to NOTICE where I was being spiritually fed and find a way to tithe there. God has SO MANY channels through which to feed me! Sometimes my spiritual food came in the traditional way, from a pastor at church, but often it came from other places - people I encountered in daily life that inspired me to grow spiritually, lessons from nature, a song that suddenly spoke to me.  I became quite creative in finding ways to tithe to some of these less obvious places where I had been spiritually fed.

So how does this tithing principle apply with regard to food choices?  How can I apply the concept of tithing specifically to food?  This is going to require prayerful consideration.  I really don't yet know the answer, but I'm looking forward to learning it! 

I am reminded of a passage found in Deuteronomy 14:22-29 that specifically speaks of the tithe of food (though it can also probably be considered regarding all tithe since at the time incomes would pretty much have come from farming):

"Be sure to tithe annually from everything you plant that yields a harvest in the field. Then in the presence of the Lord your God, in the place where he’ll choose to establish his name, you may consume the tithe of your grain, your new wine, your oil, and the firstborn of your livestock and flock, so that you’ll learn to revere the Lord your God all your life. Now the way may be distant from you, so that you are unable to transport your tithe because you have been blessed by the Lord your God and the place where the Lord your God chooses to establish his name may be distant from you.  In that case, convert it into cash, secure the money, and then bring it to the place where the Lord will choose. You may spend the money to your heart’s content to buy livestock, flocks, wine, strong drink, and whatever you desire. You and your household may eat there and rejoice in the presence of the Lord your God.  But you must not forget the descendant of Levi in your town, because there is no tribal allotment for him as there is for you. Every third year, bring all the tithes of your produce of that year and store them in your cities so the descendants of Levi—who have no tribal allotment as you do—foreigners, orphans, and widows who live in your cities may come, eat, and be satisfied. That way, the Lord your God will bless you in everything you do.”  ISV

Here it seems that two out of every three years, the annual tithe was to be set aside and used to provide for a spiritual retreat and feasting for the family. Can you imagine consuming a 10th of the annual crops all at once? Even if your retreat lasted for a couple of weeks and you DID share it with the Levites and anyone else around you, that would be a LOT of food!

Every third year it was to be stored to feed the local priests, foreigners, orphans and widows. This idea is repeated in Deuteronomy 26:12-13:

"Every third year you must offer a special tithe of your crops. In this year of the special tithe you must give your tithes to the Levites, foreigners, orphans, and widows, so that they will have enough to eat in your towns." Holy Bible, New Living Translation ®, copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers. All rights reserved.

Can you imagine what life would be like if everyone did this? Hunger would be wiped out!  This has all given me much food for thought. One of the things I've come to understand is how much the disease of overeating is based in selfishness and self-seeking and it seems clear that practicing tithing can help us learn to be less selfish. Perhaps that's the real point here. Can I approach food and eating from a totally unselfish perspective?  Am I willing to give of my food to others?   Even those favorite foods that I might be tempted to keep for myself? How often do I want what I want instead of seeking to support what others want when it comes to food?  I know that when I allow myself to be selfish in one area of my life, it starts to creep into other areas as well.  In the same way, when I practice unselfishness in one area, it begins to change other areas as well.  It seems to me that I am being given an opportunity here to practice unselfishness.

Father, thank you for your guidance!  I know you will continue to guide me as I continue to think about these things and seek your will.  Father, it's clear I need your power in my life.  I can't make healthy food choices on my own, but my body is YOUR temple and I want to keep it clean and healthy for you.  I look for Your strength to be made perfect in my weakness - for your power to flow through me and your will to hold sway in my life.  May things of the material world - including food - hold no more sway over me. May these bonds be broken that I may be free to live in a healthy way as you would have me do. You know my weaknesses better than I do.  And I know Your strength!  Thank you for working your will in my life this day and for the miracles I've seen you work to help me make more healthy choices.  Thank you, Father! 

Transformation Required!

This morning I saw something new in a verse that I've read over and over through the years:

"And do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." (Romans 12:2 NKJV)

In the past, I've always focused on the first part of this verse - the importance of not being conformed to the world around me, but allowing God to transform my mind.  Today I realized more fully the importance of this!  How many times have I sought God's will on something, crying out to him for guidance?  This verse points me to what will ensure that I can prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God! I need that transformation - that renewing of my mind.

It is so easy to be "conformed to this world".  One place I've seen it especially this week has been when it comes to my challenge with eating in a healthy way.  When those around me are eating things that I think taste good, but I KNOW are not in my best interest, it can be very challenging for me to make the choice to leave those foods alone!  I've never before thought of being "conformed to this world" in this way, but as I heard myself making excuses about the temptations around me, it seems pretty clear.  It doesn't matter what those around me are doing - I am not to be conformed to those examples, but am to be transformed by letting God renew my mind.  Thank you, Father, for this reminder!  Thank you for letting me fall into this trap so I could see it for myself.  And thank you, even more, for releasing me from the trap once I fell into it!!!!  You are an awesome God!  May I be willing to follow your guidance - in my eating, and in my entire life!  Thank you, Father!

As I think about this, I see clearly that the more I eat of foods that do not serve me, the more "foggy" my thinking becomes and the less able I am to hear that still small voice of guidance within me.  Clearly, allowing God to transform my mind - with regard to eating and everything else in my life - is needed if I am to clearly understand God's will. 

The ISV puts it very plainly: "Do not be conformed to this world, but continuously be transformed by the renewing of your minds so that you may be able to determine what God’s will is—what is proper, pleasing, and perfect." (Romans 12:2)  This adds that additional thought - CONTINUOUSLY being transformed by the renewing of my mind.  There is no time when I have "arrived" and can rest on my laurels.  "Therefore, whoever thinks he is standing securely should watch out so he doesn’t fall." (1 Corinthians 10:12-13 ISV) In order to live a victorious life, I must CONTINUOUSLY seek God's transforming guidance in my life.  Father, you know how challenging this seems to me.  Too often it seems I seek your will, get it, take the next step, and then forget to check in with you again for a time.  May I drink continually from this fountain of living water that is you in me! May my eyes be kept focused on you, this day and every day of my life!  Thank you, Father!

Let Me Now Glean

I often read my Bible out of a software program on my computer.  It also has a lot of other study helps and one of the things it has is a devotional written by Charles Spurgeon that pops up with a daily message each time I open the program.  This morning I particularly liked what it had to say.  It started with this verse:

"Let me now go to the field, and glean ears of corn." — Ruth 2:2

I love the way God speaks to us from some of the most unlikely verses!  In this case, Spurgeon suggested that no matter how down and out we may feel, we can always go to the field and glean.  He reminded me that there are thousands of promises in the Bible just waiting to be gathered and treasured.  It is so true!  I think of several this morning that have come to me again and again in the last few days - gleanings from my morning studies:

• "It is useless to get up early and to stay up late, eating the food of exhausting labor—truly he gives sleep to those he loves." (Psalms 127:2 ISV)  What a wonderful promise for those who feel overwhelmed with duties or who have difficulty sleeping!

• "O Lord, your unfailing love fills the earth;" (Psalms 119:64 Holy Bible, New Living Translation ®, copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers. All rights reserved.)  I am SO grateful! Even in those times when it seems like no one cares, God is ALWAYS there! Father, your love means the world to me.  No matter how discouraged or upset I may be feeling, you are there to comfort and to guide me!  Thank you, Father!

• “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me; he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed and to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives, and release from darkness for the prisoners; to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor, the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; to provide for those who grieve in Zion—to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, a mantle of praise instead of a spirit of despair.” (Isaiah 61:1-3 ISV)  On those days when I am feeling depressed or am grieving or feel held captive by sin or circumstances, this is such a wonderful promise.  Good news to the oppressed! Freedom for the captives! The oil of gladness instead of mourning! A mantle of praise instead of a spirit of despair! Thank you, Father!!!!

• "Then God’s peace, which goes far beyond anything we can imagine, will guard your hearts and minds in union with the Messiah Jesus" (Philippians 4:7 ISV)  There are times when I've experienced this wonderful peace in the midst of the most challenging circumstances. What an amazing thing! There are times that I worry I'll forget to check in with my guide and Savior - but He's promised to guard my heart and mind!  Thank you, thank you, Father!

• "So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.  For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened."  (Luke 11:9-11 NKJV)  For those times when I feel like I'm just going in circles or pounding my head against a wall - that there are no doors opening to me, this is a marvelous promise - and a reminder to continue to "seek first the kingdom".

• "Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over" (Luke 6:38 KJV) Another great promise - and reminder to cultivate a generous spirit.

• "The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail." (Isaiah 58:11 NIV)  This is such a wonderful promise! I am so grateful for His guidance! 

• "See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name." (Revelation 3:8 NIV)  How grateful I am for those open doors God sets in front of me!  I appreciate the closed doors too because they keep me on the right path. But when it comes to those open doors, what a blessing to know that when God sets an open door in front of me, NO ONE can shut it!  It can be scary sometimes to walk through that door into the unknown, and there can be fear that things won't work out, but God promises that when He sets an open door in front of us NO ONE can shut it!  Thank you, God!

• "He will never let your foot slip, nor will your guardian become drowsy." (Psalms 121:3 ISV) Another amazing promise.  God can indeed be trusted to keep us on the right path!  Thank you, God!

As I think of these promises, another one comes to me in the form of a new habit I'm developing: 

• "Seven times each day I stop and shout praises for the way you keep everything running right." (Psalms 119:164 from THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language © 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson. All rights reserved.)

God indeed DOES keep everything running right and I am SO grateful!  I have seen such amazing examples of Him reminding me so I get done the things that need to be done.  His timing is amazing!  Father, indeed this morning, I stop and shout praises for the way you keep everything running right.  May I continue to remember that YOU are in charge and all is well!  Thank you, Father!

What are YOUR favorite promises?