Time to Shape Up

The last couple of weeks have been very introspective.  Some long and arduous issues had come to at least a temporary end and as we moved into the new year season.   I was hit hard with the Romans 12, 1-2 theme of having a renewed mind through submission to the Lord.  Not only did I write about it, but was also presented with several teachings from various sources on those exact verses. 


One of the things I got to look at was the fact that there is sin in the camp.  With that there are two options.  Either there is a lack of faith that God can deal with it, or there is willful disobedience in just flat out wanting to continue in sin.  Neither one is that good.  We can be confident that God will forgive us if we confess our sins.  If Jesus asks us to forgive 70 X 7 in a day, surely the Father will exceed that in mercy.


Another thing we have to look at is , do we fear the Lord?  This should be one of the drivers to be obedient unto Him.  If we are being disobedient, than we do not have the proper fear of the Lord.  Our fear should be two fold.  We should be scared of what God may do to us in disobedience.  Punishment is never fun.  It is a terrible thing to fall into the hands of an angry God.  On the flipside, and what we need to have more of, is not the fear of punishment, but fear in letting God down.  When I was a child, there was nothing worse than disappointing my Dad.  I loved him so much and wanted his love.  If I broke the rules, I knew that I had hurt him, and that was worse than any punishment.  We should feel the same way towards God.


Another aspect I have been looking at is being the living sacrifice being our reasonable service.  If we were to totally commit to God, what things are standing in the way?  Is there a hobby we love that we might have to set aside?  Is there a job we have that is taking all of our time and energy?  Would we rather sit around and watch our TV program than to get down on our knees in prayer time, or to study God's word?  Our reasonable service calls for us to put God first, and our desires into submission.


All of these issues could be blocking the Lord from using us mightily, or preventing our prayers from being answered.  Our blessing could be right around the corner, but we can be just like the wanderers in the wilderness who, when within just a few miles of the promise, lost their chance and spent the rest of their days just wandering about because they were unable to trust in God with all their hearts.  Why would God use us and bless us mightily if we are unwilling to submit ourselves to Him?  How can we hear Him and get His guidance if we have an unrepentent heart and choose to sin against Him? 


In this new year and as we approach the day of atonement, we need to be taking stock of ourselves and ask as David did, to ask God to examine our hearts and see if there be any wicked way in us.  If you are serious, don't be surprised to see trying situations arise.  It is when we are jostled about that what is on the inside of us spills out.  How we react to situations reveals to us what is in our hearts.  Do we fret and cry and moan and groan, complaining why me, oh poor me?  Or do we get down on our knees in prayer and open up our books and ask God to show us what He is trying to teach us?


We are coming up on trying times, my friends.  We need to be getting our houses in order.  We need to be getting ourselves right with God.  Playtime is over and it is time to grow up.   God isn't seeking ability, but availability. 


Joshua 24:14 Now therefore fear the Lord, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the Lord.
15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.