What's left?

When we get rid of the stuff we don't have to keep, what's left is the stuff God want's for our lives.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. (Galatians 5:22-23 NIV)

When we walk by the Spirit, we don't need to worry about the law - Old Testament Mosaic, or any other kind. Walking with God will produce a life that is not only inside God's parameters that warn us of danger, it also produces a life that is enjoyable to live.

For, "Whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech. They must turn from evil and do good; they must seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil." (1 Peter 3:8-12 NIV)

Notice what speaking truth in love and pursuing peace gets us: good days. We do it because we love life. Jesus came to give us life...abundantly. Notice what happens when we hold on to the garbage: the face of the Lord is against us. We aren't just fighting ourselves, other people, or even fallen angels. When we sin, we fight against God. Nobody is going to win that fight.

Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. (Col. 3:12-13 NIV)

When we throw away the bad and hold on to the good, we enjoy a better walk not only with God but with people, too. We even enjoy being around people we need to forgive. We end up remembering that God forgave us, so we give forgiveness freely as well. The result: we experience peace.

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. (Colossians 3:15-17 NIV)

So how about you? Do you like what's left in you? Do you enjoy your walk together with God?

You don't have to keep it.

The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery;  (Galatians 5:19 NIV)

All too often, we approach God's instruction as a task list of things we have to do.  We check off the things that are "easy" for us hoping for an "A+" from God for doing them.  The things we like, don't want to get rid of, or struggle with stay on the list and never get "done."  What if, though, we looked at God's instruction differently.  What if we looked at the negative things on the list as things we are allowed to get rid of.  How would these lists look then?

idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, (Galatians 5:20 NIV)

Think about it: do you really want to hold on to hatred?  Does jealousy keep you warm at night?  How about fits of rage, does this really produce the kind of life you want to enjoy?  I know that much of our culture is built around selfish ambition, but he who dies at the top of the ladder with the most toys still dies.  Do you really like living a life pointing your finger at other people and arguing with them behind their back?

and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.  (Galatians 5:21 NIV)

You don't have do keep envy.  How cool is that!?!  I don't have to worry about how much stuff you have.  I don't even have to worry about the "value" of that stuff.  I can be content with whatever God has provided me today.

No, I'm not saying you can't take a drink.  Neither is God.  But how many times do you need to wake up with a hangover before you realize it's not fun anymore?  How many more times does it take before you realize it was never really fun?  The thing you were trying to forget is still there and God has been waiting to help you take care of it for real.  Maybe it's time to try another way.

Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. (Colossians 3:5-7 NIV)

Following the negative lists only produce lifestyles that are full of trouble.  Everyone wants to argue with God about sex until they find themselves pregnant, stuck in a bad relationship, and fighting with their partner all the time.  Doing things God's way in God's timing really does make relationships better, longer lasting, and more enjoyable.

But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.  Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices  (Colossians 3:8-9 NIV)

You even feel better when you stop those words before they come out of your mouth.  No regrets and no stress follows when words are truly spoken as a gift to the hearers.  When you stop lying, you stop having to keep track of which story you told to which person.  Wouldn't that be more relaxing?

and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.  (Colossians 3:10 NIV)

You are made in the image of your Creator.  Does it feel like it?  Do you reflect it?

How about you?  It's it time to get rid of some garbage in your life?  You don't have to keep it.

Do you Trust?

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." (Matthew 11:28-30 NIV)

Sometimes the problems with our walk isn't about the picture.  We see the picture clearly.  We know what God says.  The problem, however, comes in when we have to make the decision to trust.  God says that his ways will give me rest from my burdens.  Jesus says his yoke is easy and burden is light.  Do I trust that, though?  Do I trust it enough to give his way a try?

"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. "I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me-- just as the Father knows me and I know the Father--and I lay down my life for the sheep. (John 10:11-15 NIV)

Do I trust that, like a good shepherd, Jesus is willing and able to defend me against any attacks?  Do I trust that he is always with me, will always defend me, and will always provide what I need to live His design for my life?  Do I trust that Jesus is the Messiah/Christ, the Son of God, and God in the flesh?

"But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?" (Matthew 16:15 NIV)

Getting the picture right is an important first step.  Seeing God's design for our lives gives us the direction to move.  Trust, however, gives us the motivation to take a step, and then another, and so on.  Trust removes the barriers that hold us back.  Trust allows us to step out in faith.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13 NIV)

How about you?  Does you trust him?  Do you see the blessings as a result of that trust?

Do You See?

Sometimes it's good to just set aside your agenda for the day and look at the bigger picture.  What are your priorities for the day?  What are your most important relationships?  What is important in life?

I know these are big questions to be asking over your cup of coffee or deviled ham sandwich, but they are the kind of questions that show you where you are heading.  Your priorities determine your direction.  The question becomes, then, "How do your priorities align with God?"

Maybe the picture God has for your life is different than you think.  Many times, people talk to me about struggles in their life that show me how distorted God's picture for their life has become.  In other words, they picture they think God wants is not the picture God communicates that God wants.  Their "God picture" has gotten distorted.

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. (John 10:10 NASB)

Jesus told his disciples that he came so that we can have life more abundantly.  In other words, God wants us to have a good life.  This is God's desire.  This is God's design.  Adam and Eve had a perfect life designed, created, and provided by God.  God warned them of the one place that could take this perfect life away from them.  Why did God warn them?  God wanted them to enjoy the perfect life.

"All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. (John 14:25-26 NIV)

God spoke to people through the days of Moses.  Then, God spoke to people through prophets, whose writings we still have today.  Finally, God came down in the form of Jesus to speak with us face to face.  God continues to speak to us today through the gift of the Holy Spirit.  All of these methods are God's way of communicating with us and pointing us to the life God wants for us.  God wants to give us an abundant life.

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. (John 14:27 NIV)

What would your life look like this week if your heart was not troubled about anything?  What would it feel like to go through a week without being afraid, anxious, or worried?  How great would it be to live the life God has in mind for us?  It starts with seeing God's picture.

How about you?  Do you see God's picture for your life?  Does it match what God has communicated to us in the past?  Is your picture distorted?  What does that picture look like?