As the rain and snow

“I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee;  as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless. But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ.  Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ  and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith—  that I may know him…

“One thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead,  I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:4-10a,13b-14

When Paul was Saul, he had much to be proud of: heritage, pedigree, education, reputation, zealous religiosity. But once Jesus arrested his prideful ambition and changed his name, his heart and life orientation were transformed. In a new spiritual economy, where all was measured by eternal worth, what he’d assigned earthly value no longer charmed. (Acts 9:1-8,17-22)

It’s healthy to take regular checkups on what we hold dear. Passion for the Lord Jesus that was ignited in young faith can wane as earthly concerns and trinkets press in. The desperate trust we early practiced so earnestly can fade into self-confidence as needs and life situations change. Fire in the soul for testifying to God’s grace and goodness can cool to a flicker when brighter urgencies and busyness take priority. What we invest our attention, time, and resources in indicates where our treasure lies. What are we counting as real gain in our lives? (Matthew 6:20-21)

Is it our habit to appeal to the Lord on the basis of our accomplishments rather than His mercy at Calvary? Do we concern ourselves with erecting milestones, making memories, or establishing a legacy more than we value knowing Christ? Do we invest more in temporal things than eternal riches? Earthly gain holds no water to the surpassing worth of our Savior and knowing Him. What steps do we, or can we take to do so?

A grateful attitude and surrender to the Lord’s will propel us forward in cherishing Him above all else. When we look at the tangible and intangible ornaments of life in light of the cross, we see that they run through flesh fingers as elusive gain compared with the magnificent, glorious substance of Jesus.

“Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast
save in the death of Christ, my God!
All the vain things that charm me most,
I sacrifice them through his blood.

Were the whole realm of nature mine,
that were a present far too small.
Love so amazing, so divine,
demands my soul, my life, my all.” ~Isaac Watts (1707)

Lord, daily may I love and value You, my soul’s glory, joy, and crown, above all.

“Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel; say to them: ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Woe to you shepherds of Israel who only take care of yourselves! Should not shepherds take care of the flock? You eat the curds, clothe yourselves with the wool and slaughter the choice animals, but you do not take care of the flock. You have not strengthened the weak or healed the sick or bound up the injured. You have not brought back the strays or searched for the lost. You have ruled them harshly and brutally. So they were scattered because there was no shepherd, and when they were scattered they became food for all the wild animals. My sheep wandered over all the mountains and on every high hill. They were scattered over the whole earth, and no one searched or looked for them.

“‘I am against the shepherds and will hold them accountable for my flock. I will remove them from tending the flock so that the shepherds can no longer feed themselves. I will rescue my flock from their mouths, and it will no longer be food for them.

“‘I myself will search for my sheep and look after them. As a shepherd looks after his scattered flock when he is with them, so will I look after my sheep. I will rescue them from all the places where they were scattered on a day of clouds and darkness. I will bring them out from the nations and gather them from the countries, and I will bring them into their own land. I will pasture them on the mountains of Israel, in the ravines and in all the settlements in the land. I will tend them in a good pasture, and the mountain heights of Israel will be their grazing land. There they will lie down in good grazing land, and there they will feed in a rich pasture on the mountains of Israel. I myself will tend my sheep and have them lie down, declares the Sovereign Lord.  I will search for the lost and bring back the strays. I will bind up the injured and strengthen the weak, but the sleek and the strong I will destroy. I will shepherd the flock with justice.” Ezekiel 34:2-6,10-16

The Lord had harsh words for false shepherds, but gentle promises for His sheep. His hand of justice would destroy the wicked but rescue, protect, and feed His own. Where selfish shepherds took advantage of Israel’s sheep, He would give them every advantage of strength, healing and rest. He holds accountable those whom He’s trusted to be accountable for others, and offers with open hands all we need to serve them faithfully.

At home and in community, we have people to watch over with care. We will account for how we handle God-given responsibility.

Whom has the Lord entrusted to my shepherding? What position do my hands take toward them? Do I push away or pull toward and prod along? Am I tight fisted with time and resources, grasping preferences and control, or do I willingly open them in submission to Christ, and extend His enabled gentleness, generosity, and love? How effectively do I bind wounds, tend to concerns, and supply nourishment for body and soul? (Psalm 23:1-3; 1 Peter 5:2-3)

Good Shepherd, help me lead, care, and love as You do for me, and so honor You in shepherding Your people.

“Then Jeroboam built Shechem in the hill country of Ephraim and lived there. And he went out and built Penuel. Jeroboam said in his heart, ‘Now the kingdom will turn back to the house of David. If this people go up to offer sacrifices in the temple of the Lord at Jerusalem, then the heart of this people will turn again to Rehoboam king of Judah, and they will kill me...’ So the king took counsel and made two calves of gold. He said to the people, ‘You have gone up to Jerusalem long enough. Behold your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt.’  He set one in Bethel, and the other in Dan.  Then this thing became a sin...  He also made temples on high places and appointed priests from among all the people, who were not Levites.  And Jeroboam… offered sacrifices on the altar… to the calves that he made.” 1 Kings 12:25-32

“Put to death… greed, which is idolatry.” Colossians 3:5

Jeroboam had been promised the kingdom of Israel, all tribes but Judah, and God’s ongoing presence and favor if he would follow His ways. He had been warned against the folly of pursuing other gods. But an inkling of pride set in, sparked by the greed of control and fear of losing it, and this smallest slip away from God’s word began a descent from which he did not recover. One bit of questioning God’s ability to follow through here, one little self-directed tweak to ensure Israel’s fidelity there, now two golden calves to make worship outside Jerusalem accessible, and his weak foothold of faith crumbled. The small slide of wrong thinking and wayward ruling steepened toward full-blown idolatry and wickedness. His leading God’s people astray became a contagion and a new flawed standard by which every subsequent reign was measured. (1 Kings 11:31-38; 14:16; 15:34-16:3,18-19,25-26)

In our managing of daily responsibilities, we may be unaware of niggling doubts that set in and lead us astray. Good intentions easily warp into detrimental decisions. We profess to believe God’s sufficiency, but get torqued up making sure we have everything we need. We accept His assignments with big faith, yet let little doubts undermine our confidence to carry them out. We teach trust in all things, yet fail to apply it in small things. We claim God’s grace and Him as Lord, yet erect idols of works, proficiencies, and accolades to promote and protect ourselves in the world. Thus, we prepare our own slippery slopes without even recognizing their slow angle downward away from His highness.

Do we take time to assess the wholeness of our belief? Are we undivided in faith? If not, with whom and what do we share loyalty and trust? How well does our profession match our practice? Where do allegiances need redirecting, affections need retraining?

Where have we manufactured strange gods borne of doubt, fear, insecurity, even shame? Or of lust, selfish desert, arrogance, or gluttony? Identifying them is the first step to putting them away forever. Has a possession or position become more to us than God intends? Have we made idols of beauty, ease, security, control? Of children, a job, a banner of patriotism, or independence?

Father, establish me on the sure footing of all You are and promise, wholly committed to the praise of Your greatness and worth.

“Therefore prophesy concerning the land of Israel, and say to the mountains and hills, to the ravines and valleys, Thus says the Lord God: Behold, I have spoken in my jealous wrath, because you have suffered the reproach of the nations… 

“You, O mountains of Israel, shall shoot forth your branches and yield your fruit to my people Israel, for they will soon come home. For behold, I am for you, and I will turn to you, and you shall be tilled and sown. I will multiply people on you, the whole house of Israel, all of it. The cities shall be inhabited and the waste places rebuilt. I will multiply on you man and beast, and they shall multiply and be fruitful. And I will cause you to be inhabited as in your former times, and will do more good to you than ever before. Then you will know that I am the Lord. I will let people walk on you, even my people Israel… And I will not let you hear anymore the reproach of the nations, and you shall no longer bear the disgrace of the peoples and no longer cause your nation to stumble, declares the Lord God.

“I will take you from the nations and gather you from all the countries and bring you into your own land. I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses, and from all your idols I will cleanse you. And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules.  You shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers, and you shall be my people, and I will be your God. I will deliver you from all your uncleannesses. I will summon the grain and make it abundant and lay no famine upon you. I will make the fruit of the tree and the increase of the field abundant, that you may never again suffer the disgrace of famine…  Then the nations that are left all around you shall know that I am the Lord; I have rebuilt the ruined places and replanted that which was desolate. I am the Lord; I have spoken, and I will do it.” Ezekiel 36:6,8-12,15,24-30,36

God’s pledge to a scattered, battered Israel is balm to His people today. Even in the midst of world strife and uncertainty, the Lord is jealous for His own and on our side. Present disaster and upheaval are only precursors to true restoration, and suffering waste and want are stimuli to knowing God as Lord and ultimately his heavenly whole. His promise of one-day fruitfulness is real, and therefore engenders substantial hope. (Romans 8:31-34; Revelation 21:1-7)

How do these truths fortify ongoing perseverance when nations and communities war? How do they lighten daily burdens of angst, health, and toil? The Lord’s promise of spiritual revival should make a significant difference in daily motivation. His sure present and future blessing should yield its own fruit of joy, peace, and grace on the journey.

How are we spreading this hope? With whom do we generously share the fruit of delight in the Lord and hope in His sure promises?

Father, may I daily bear the fruit of hope, joy, and praise that upbuilds others and glorifies You.

“Now Hiram king of Tyre sent his servants to Solomon when he heard that they had anointed him king in place of his father, for Hiram always loved David. And Solomon sent word to Hiram, ‘You know that David my father could not build a house for the name of the Lord his God because of the warfare with which his enemies surrounded him, until the Lord put them under the soles of his feet. But now the Lord my God has given me rest on every side. There is neither adversary nor misfortune. So I intend to build a house for the name of the Lord my God, as the Lord said to David my father, “Your son, whom I will set on your throne in your place, shall build the house for my name.^” Now therefore command that cedars of Lebanon be cut for me. My servants will join your servants, and I will pay you such wages as you set, for you know that there is no one among us who knows how to cut timber like the Sidonians.’

“As soon as Hiram heard the words of Solomon, he rejoiced greatly and said, ‘Blessed be the Lord this day, who has given to David a wise son to be over this great people.’ And Hiram sent to Solomon, saying, ‘I have heard the message that you have sent to me. I am ready to do all you desire in the matter of cedar and cypress timber… And you shall meet my wishes by providing food for my household…’ And the Lord gave Solomon wisdom, as he promised him. And there was peace between Hiram and Solomon, and the two of them made a treaty…

“King Solomon sent and brought Hiram from Tyre… He was full of wisdom, understanding, and skill for making any work in bronze. He came… and did all his work.” 1 Kings 5:1-8,9c,12; 7:13-14

Solomon was not the first but the promised son of King David, the one to bear the seed of Christ. In merciful favor and answer to his prayer, God inspired him to interact with wisdom and grace. His father’s good friend became his good friend through an appreciation of talent, resources, and authority. Their relationship would manifest mutual respect and generous kindness that resulted in building a magnificent temple to God’s glory. (2 Samuel 7:11-13,16; 1 Kings 1:30; 6:7,11-14; 8:10-11)

Treating others well in the name of honoring God and His people always brings Him glory. Civil communication, uplifting benediction, and graciousness demonstrate Christ- likeness the world needs. Carrying on generational friendships bestows homage to loved ones across years and blesses all involved. (Exodus 20:12; 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13)

How willing are we to extend welcome and value to friends of loved ones? To invest in and embrace another generation of individuals distinct from us? Are we taking time to know them, to appreciate their experience and talents, or are we jaded with self-interest, prejudice, or skepticism? Do we take enough interest to offer commitment that benefits them? With whom will we engage to foster the richness of generational love? (1 Kings 12:6-13; Proverbs 11:25)

Lord, help me value and foster fruitful friendships with others from varied connections, blessing them as fellow image- bearers worthy of honor.

“But Felix, having a rather accurate knowledge of the Way, put them off, saying, ‘When Lysias the tribune comes down, I will decide your case.^’ Then he gave orders to the centurion that he should be kept in custody but have some liberty, and that none of his friends should be prevented from attending to his needs.

“After some days Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, and he sent for Paul and heard him speak about faith in Christ Jesus. And as he reasoned about righteousness and self-control and the coming judgment, Felix was alarmed and said, ‘Go away for the present. When I get an opportunity I will summon you.^’ At the same time he hoped that money would be given him by Paul. So he sent for him often and conversed with him. When two years had elapsed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. And desiring to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul in prison.” Acts 24:22-27

“‘I know your works. You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead. Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God. Remember, then, what you received and heard. Keep it, and repent… Wake up…

“I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.” Revelation 3:1-3,15-16

Felix, most excellent Felix, (2) relished his authority and the respect his long time position afforded him. (10) He was proficient in making himself just knowledgeable enough about the Way that he didn’t have to make a decision that might effect any inner consternation. He preferred pomp to principle, putting off to taking a possibly unpopular stand. He desired to please but couldn’t commit to faith to please the only One worthy.

What a contrast this waffling governor was to earnest, focused Paul! Felix had eyes for whomever could stroke his ego or get him ahead; Paul, no longer enamored with the things of the world, had eyes only for Jesus who changes the heart. Two years spent listening and never receiving left Felix lukewarm, whereas from the start, Paul’s heart was afire. (Acts 9:17-25)

What about us? Are our desires carried along by the wind and opinions of this world? Who and what hold sway over our motives and motivations? Do we play it safe in the culture, knowledgeable enough about many things but committed to none? Or do we intentionally set our desires above the world on things above? How earnestly do we set our course to be led by the Spirit and to know our Savior? (Exodus 33:13,18; Colossians 3:1-2)

While there are many alluring forces that flirt with our emotions and will every day, by God’s Spirit and practice we can learn to say no to unrighteousness. We can keep short accounts and quickly repent when convicted. We can reckon ourselves dead to sin and alive to Christ. (Romans 6:11; Titus 2:11-12; 1 John 1:9)

Lord, purify and fuel my every desire and keep steering me in Your path, guided by Your Spirit, unto Your honor.

“Thus says the Lord God:
Because you make your heart
like the heart of a god…

“The word of the Lord came to me: ‘Son of man, set your face toward Sidon, and prophesy against her, Thus says the Lord God:

“‘Behold, I am against you, O Sidon,
and I will manifest my glory in your midst.
And they shall know that I am the Lord
when I execute judgments in her
and manifest my holiness in her;
for I will send pestilence into her,
and blood into her streets;
and the slain shall fall in her midst,
by the sword that is against her on every side.
Then they will know that I am the Lord.

“‘And for the house of Israel there shall be no more a brier to prick or a thorn to hurt them among all their neighbors who have treated them with contempt. Then they will know that I am the Lord God.

“Thus says the Lord God: When I gather the house of Israel from the peoples among whom they are scattered, and manifest my holiness in them in the sight of the nations, then they shall dwell in their own land that I gave to my servant Jacob. And they shall dwell securely in it, and they shall build houses and plant vineyards. They shall dwell securely, when I execute judgments upon all their neighbors who have treated them with contempt. Then they will know that I am the Lord their God.’” Ezekiel 28:6,20-26

Brilliant splendor in sunrise, forests, wind-carved rocks … the Creator is manifest in our midst. Joy at new birth, long faithfulness of marriage commitments, wisdom of old age… God is manifest in the richness of family and years. But pestilence, hunger, pain, destitution, suffering? Yes, God is also manifest in these. The vast and perfect character of the holy Sovereign is revealed through all He orders and employs so people might know He is the LORD.

As humans this side of heaven, we see in a mirror dimly. We cannot comprehend the complexities of His nature and that goodness and judgment, mercy and wrath, can coincide. We see through sin-jaded lenses of want and emotion, and are clouded by personal affinities and rights we will not surrender. We declare ourselves gods over the resources the Lord gives and identities and roles He’s assigned by His making and design. (Ezekiel 29:9-16; 1 Corinthians 13:12; 1 John 3:2)

Yet God in His word and love conveys His desire that we know Him, and that includes all of Him, every facet. He wants us to aspire to Christ-likeness and not settle for mediocrity in motive, behavior, or worship. He knows that it’s a complete understanding of who He is that will spur us on in spiritual zeal. A proper balance of fear and love, humility and adoration uplifts, purifies, and inspires honorable passion.

Do we prefer to choose what we want Him to be, rather than who He gloriously is? If so, we’re settling for making god in our image and so dilute His majesty and infinite greatness. In what areas of daily routine and life experience do I see Him manifest, and how will I respond?

Lord, ever present and splendid, keep me intent on seeing you work and glorified.

“And they came to Bethsaida. And some people brought to him a blind man and begged him to touch him. And he took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the village, and when he had spit on his eyes and laid his hands on him, he asked him, ‘Do you see anything?’  And he looked up and said, ‘I see people, but they look like trees, walking.’  Then Jesus laid his hands on his eyes again; and he opened his eyes, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly…

“And Jesus went on with his disciples… he asked his disciples, ‘Who do people say that I am?’ And they told him, ‘John the Baptist; and others say, Elijah; and others, one of the prophets.’ He asked them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’ Peter answered him, ‘You are the Christ…’ 

“And he began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes and be killed, and after three days rise again.  And he said this plainly. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. But turning and seeing his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, ‘Get behind me, Satan! For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.’

“And calling the crowd to him with his disciples, he said to them, ‘If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.'” Mark 8:22-25,27-29,31-34

Jesus worked a miracle to give the blind man sight, gradually. A taste, then full vision. He worked the same with Peter’s faith, working in this impetuous disciple a gradual and increasing recognition of who He was and why He had come. Peter was zealous from the start, but could not fully see on his own. The Lord saw who he would become over time, and kept after him to follow. (Matthew 4:18-20; John 1:41-42)

There are many lessons to be learned along the way to maturity. Jesus always performs His miracles in His way and at His pace to bring the best and planned effect. Indeed we are new creatures when we are saved by Christ, but the new then has a long way to go to glory. The miracle worked in God’s economy does not always match our impatient wants, but the gradual journey is a divinely-measured way that God uses to fulfill His every intent. (2 Corinthians 3:18; 5:17)

Where have we grown impatient waiting for the Lord to act in or dramatically change a situation? Do we get frustrated when we can’t understand the why and how of daily assignments right away? What have we gleaned from incremental learning that a hurried result or immediate answer would never have accomplished?

Is there a circumstance, an unanswered prayer, a challenge at work or in a relationship where God seems to be taking His time? What is He teaching, what aspect of my character honing, along the way? What new and clearer vision is He giving as I proceed in faith?

Lord, grant me patience and steadfastness as I learn to see You more clearly and grow to love You more.

“Then Solomon stood before the altar of the Lord in the presence of all the assembly of Israel and spread out his hands… Then he knelt on his knees in the presence of all the assembly of Israel, and spread out his hands toward heaven, and said, ‘O Lord, God of Israel, there is no God like you, in heaven or on earth, keeping covenant and showing steadfast love to your servants who walk before you with all their heart, who have kept with your servant David my father what you declared to him. You spoke with your mouth, and with your hand have fulfilled it this day. Now therefore, O Lord, God of Israel, keep for your servant David my father what you have promised him, saying, “You shall not lack a man to sit before me on the throne of Israel, if only your sons pay close attention to their way, to walk in my law as you have walked before me.” Now therefore, O Lord, God of Israel, let your word be confirmed, which you have spoken to your servant David.

“’But will God indeed dwell with man on the earth? Heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain you, how much less this house that I have built! Yet have regard to the prayer of your servant and to his plea, O Lord my God… that your eyes may be open day and night toward this house, the place where you have promised to set your name… And listen to the pleas of your servant and your people Israel… from heaven your dwelling place, and when you hear, forgive.” 2 Chronicles 6:12,13b-21

From the start, Solomon was aware of his special anointing by God. Not the king’s firstborn, nor even the son of David’s first wife, he was chosen by God to rule Israel and carry the Redeemer’s seed of promise. He’d asked the Lord for wisdom and received much more. And now, he’d overseen the building of the temple and experienced God’s faithfulness in manifold ways. Indeed, there was no God like his. (1 Chronicles 3:1-8; 17:10-14; 22:9-10; 2 Chronicles 1:10-12)

So on this basis of the Almighty’s unique favor and blessing, His kindness, attention to detail, and ample provision, His gloriously manifested presence, His personal attention and love, Solomon could approach in utter certainty that he would be heard and answered. Because no other god so loved, led, kept, and undertook, He was the One this king would approach, serve and obey. According to who He was and all He’d done, this God could therefore be trusted to keep His word. (Habakkuk 2:18-20)

Sadly, Solomon fell away in errant affection, but even then, no other God but his would remain faithful to fulfill His promise. Only He convicts and pursues with redeeming mercy. Only He forgives and restores, and loves with everlasting love. (1 John 1:9)

Will we trust this One? Will we cast our lot in with Him, our needs, dreams, plans for the future? Will we reckon His promises as trustworthy and behave as though we do? Will we come regularly to Him in praise and prayer and pleading? There is no God like Him, none other worthy of our full devotion, submission, and obedience.

O God, may I fear You, rejoice in Your goodness, and walk in Your ways every day, exalting Your worth and glory. (2 Chronicles 6:31)

“Now these things took place as examples for us, that we might not desire evil as they did. Do not be idolaters as some of them were; as it is written, ‘The people sat down to eat and drink and rose up to play.’ We must not indulge in sexual immorality as some of them did, and twenty-three thousand fell in a single day. We must not put Christ to the test, as some of them did and were destroyed by serpents, nor grumble, as some of them did and were destroyed by the Destroyer. Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come. Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

“Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.” 1 Corinthians 10:6-14

Hearing about another’s foibles and failures can bring a bit of satisfaction to the self-righteous who compare, even some gloating over their deserved consequences. But being told that these accounts are warnings, that we might also be so foolish, is not what most want to hear. The honesty of Scripture forms a solid foundation for understanding our sin, our sad estate, and our Savior. Its beautiful story is that while Christ finished with our sin’s penalty, our own story is not finished, and can be daily helped by knowing and applying the Word. (John 19:30)

“What then shall we say? That the law is sin? By no means! Yet if it had not been for the law, I would not have known sin. For I would not have known what it is to covet if the law had not said, ‘You shall not covet…’ So the law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good.” Romans 7:7,12

A list of warnings and prohibitions can be a ready turn-off for any normal individual. Restrictions and requirements imposed by another chafe when any authority other than self is imposed. Many eschew the Bible as old-fashioned, restrictive, and unenlightened by modern norms. But ignorance of its contents leads to misunderstanding about its relevance and redemptive intent. The holy scriptures give instructions meant for our good, to identify sin so we might recognize and not desire evil, but rather be able to escape and endure. The truth indeed sets free. (John 8:31-32)

What keeps the flesh from resisting temptation, from saying No, from wanting help? Its very flesh-ness! But when we take seriously the consequences God metes out on rebels, and grasp how God’s Spirit convicts and helps in real time, enabling us to resist, we learn to reprogram our desires. With every way out we take, faith muscles strengthen. And muscle memory is a great thing when the next temptation arises. (John 16:8; James 4:7)

How do we view Scripture’s practical warnings? How well do we even know them? What safeguards do we have, or need, in place to guide and guard our decisions? When we have fallen, would we quickly respond to God’s mercy in humble confession? (1 John 1:9)

Father, may I take Your word seriously at all times, and apply it unto righteous living that honors You.