Intrepid

April 5

Forgetting what is behind…I press on toward the goal.

Philippians 3:13, 14

Jim Sessions, co-host of the hunting show Intrepid Outdoors, headed into the Apache Kid Territory of New Mexico, with his cameraman, Dean Taylor, looking for bull elk.

Six miles up the trail, his horse hit an impasse. Undaunted, they backtracked a short distance to an area they’d passed earlier. It was suitable for camping, giving Jim time to have a meal and listen for bugling bulls at sunset.

Following a hearty meal they hiked a short distance to a high ledge overlooking several draws. Jim smiled at Dean as several bulls bugled, challenging each other in the fading light. The elk were close!

The next morning Jim and Dean set out in the direction of last night’s bugles.

Choosing a spot, Jim began calling to the bulls using his cow call. Two bulls answered! Closing the distance, calling intermittently then sneaking closer, it took less than an hour to call in and kill a beautiful 6 x 6 bull with his muzzleloader; all caught on tape!

What appeared to have been a setback to their reaching better hunting grounds failed to dampen Jim’s pursuit of his goal, all because he didn’t look at the blocked trail in defeat and dismay. Instead, he adjusted his plans!

†

The word intrepid means: fearless; courageous; adventurous; bold; brave; undaunted. The name of the show was chosen because they hunt that way, always pressing on, courageously looking for a way to reach their goal, no matter what obstacles pop up.

There is a spiritual parallel to their hunting mindset.

When we hit spiritual barriers we are given choices. We can either give up and quit, or we can reassess the situation, deciding to be flexible, and refuse to give up.

God is not caught unaware by the impasses of our life. He awaits us at each one, ready to give us input. His hope? That we’re ready to intrepidly adjust our plans and press on!

Prayer

“Help me keep a right attitude when I encounter trials, Lord. Show me which adjustments I need to make to reach the goal You’ve set before me. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

 Unnecessary Punishment

April 4

For Christ died for sins once for all…to bring you to God. 

1Peter 3:18 (author’s emphasis)

It had been a sleepless night, full of questions. Myriad thoughts wound their way through Mitch’s mind…and hopefully to a listening God’s ear. Around 5am God whispered, “Your sin has already received the punishment necessary.”

Immediately Mitch’s mind argued, “I know Jesus’ blood covered my sin. But I keep making mistakes!”   

“And?” God asked lovingly.   

“I feel so careless. How can You still be pleased with me?”    

“I was pleased with you before you awakened at 2:00 am when all this started, before you had any input in your day,” God gently chastened. Then He said, “You are Mine, and I am always pleased with you! You are looking for punishment that isn’t coming.”  

Knowing Mitch wasn’t convinced, God set in motion a series of events to show His loving faithfulness: his devotions that morning held meaning to each of last night’s questions…a song he listened to spoke of God’s unfailing love…and to settle the matter, when Mitch went for his morning walk, he encountered Tom, a brother in the Lord, who just happened to be working on the hiking trail in his remote area of the county. Tom greeted him with a message that could only have come from the Lord!

†

Many Christians suffer from a performance-based mentality pertaining to our relationship with God. The Father’s love, or withholding of that love, is based on whether we are living a godly life at the moment.   

Mitch and Tom’s meeting was not by chance. God was leaving no room for doubt as to how He felt about Mitch. This divine appointment settled the matter in Mitch’s heart. 

When Jesus died on Calvary’s cross it was for all sin…for all time! Not just for those of the past and present, and those in someone else’s future. Yet, many of us still question how our sin can’t deserve further punishment.  

The complete answer is deep, and not to be stumbled upon. As you come to the Father for answers, He will provide them…much as He did for Mitch. But rest assured…your performance has nothing to do with God’s being pleased with you. 

Prayer

“Although I don’t fully understand it, LORD, bring me to the knowledge that all my sin was atoned for on Calvary…and while I’m getting there, lead me in love. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

 

Bethel Emmanuel

April 3

Jacob took the stone…and set it up as a pillar and poured oil on top of it. He called that place, Bethel.

Genesis 28:18

As Mike read Genesis 28:16-22 he felt his spirit quicken. The small stone!

Several years ago, Mike’s life had been in shambles. Drugs had all but wrecked his marriage, and in surrender, he had cried out to Jesus. As he’d knelt in his backyard to pray, his right knee had come to rest on a small stone. Instead of throwing it out of the way, Mike held it as a precious jewel in his hand. In a Jacob-like moment, and unsure of his actions, Mike offered it to God as an altar to the work he was asking God to do in his heart, his life, and his marriage.

God had honored his prayers, and Mike had kept that small stone in his car as a reminder of God’s faithfulness. Three weeks ago Mike brought the stone into the house, and placed it on the end table beside his chair.

Having just read the account of Jacob building the altar at Bethel, Mike felt compelled to do the same, erecting an altar to God for His faithfulness. So taking the stone, Mike anointed it with three drops of oil. “Here, now, I recommit this family and household to You, LORD. I thank you for blessings past, present, and future. I thank You for Your faithfulness and love, Your great mercy and grace. May this house forever be called Bethel Emmanuel, because it is a House of God because God has been, and always will be with us, Amen.”

Mike replaced the stone on the table, considering it his pillar before the LORD.

†

Does this sound a bit out of context, comparing one small rock to an entire altar? In truth, it's not the size of the altar, but what is in the heart of the person.

In today’s scripture, Jacob built an altar to God for his promised faithfulness. Scripture says that the Bethel altar still stands today.

There are moments in our lives when God shows up in the exact way we asked Him to. Those moments are rare, and meant to be remembered for their significance.

This morning, ask God to bring to remembrance any such moments in your life, and erect an altar to His faithfulness. Let it stand as your reminder of God’s promise.

Prayer

“I thank You, LORD, for always being faithful. Here, in this moment, I erect this altar of thanksgiving to Your Name. Amen.”

 

His Loving Don’ts

April 2

My son…let thine heart keep my commandments…and peace shall they add to thee.

Proverbs 3:1, 2 KJV

It wasn’t hard to tell Hanna was stressed over the choice she was facing. She really wanted to go on a weekend trip with Reuben. “God’s commandments say, ‘Don’t do this and don’t do that!’ I get sick of His constant control in my life! He proclaims my free will, and all the while He’s forcing me to abide by a set of rules He contrived to retain control of my life!”

In light of Hanna’s frustration, Jen was careful about phrasing her thoughts. “You know, Hanna,” she began, “you can go if you want. God isn’t going to stop you.”

“No, He won’t!” she countered. “But He’ll make me miserable if I do go!”

“Is it really God who would be making you miserable, or is this about you knowing it would be wrong to spend the weekend with Reuben before your wedding?” Jen suggested.

“Spending the weekend in the mountains is not a sin!” Hanna countered, rolling her eyes.

“No,” Jen said, “it’s not. But can you tell me that you haven’t been entertaining certain thoughts about what could happen if you go?” She softly added, “God isn’t trying to control your life, Hanna. He’s trying to save you a bunch of grief.”

“Grief my butt…” Hanna murmured.

“Maybe the reason you’re frustrated is because it is your choice and you want God to make it for you,” Jen volunteered. “That, my friend, is free will at its finest.”

†

God is not a Control Freak, in need of getting His way in our lives. He is, however, loving and considerate, and His Spirit will most certainly quicken within us when harm, through the possibility of wrong choices, threatens us.

When the frustrations of difficult choices arise, He’s asking us to trust His wisdom and omniscience so we can live in peace by submitting to the Spirit’s leading. But…He’s giving us the choice. And believe it or not, that makes some of us angry.

Prayer

“Sometimes free will feels like a sentence rather than freedom, Lord. Help me always yield to Your omniscience in the matters of my life, knowing You would never allow me to make poor choices without Your Spirit suggesting I re-think them. Amen.”

 

Unquestioning Obedience

April 1

Abraham built an altar there and…bound his son Isaac and laid him on the altar.

Genesis 22:9

As Lee related the story of her sister’s miraculous survival of such a horrific accident, the clarity of God’s intervention sharpened with each detail.

She began by sharing about her father’s unconditional dedication to God. “In 1994, my father was called to a seven day fast. Unclear as to the why of it, he unquestioningly obeyed God’s directive of just seven sips of water each day.”

Continuing, Lee’s voice caught as the memory of her sister’s struggle came rushing back, “Not long after Daddy’s fast, my sister, Kim, was in a terrible wreck. Her car hit a huge rock, flipped end over end, rolling several times, and finally came to rest with the engine literally sitting in her lap. With numerous life-threatening injuries, she endured twenty-two hours of surgery just to reattach her feet.” Tears formed as she composed herself, the personal knowledge of God’s favor evident.

“Many years later, Daddy told us that God revealed to him that his obedience in that fast, doing exactly as God directed, had saved Kim’s life. God had been ready to take Kim home, but restored her to perfect health because of Daddy’s faithfulness. She even became pregnant, delivering a healthy baby girl, despite the doctor’s prognosis that she would never bare children!”

†

Lee’s account gives new meaning to God’s edict that, “Obedience is better than sacrifice.” 1Samuel 15:22 Not all who are called to fast will be asked to do so not knowing that their failure to obey might cost them their child’s life.

We may never see the fruit of our conformity, or know the consequences of our disobedience. But the importance of our unquestioning surrender to God is paramount in His ability to use us for the work of His Kingdom. He wants to know if we can be trusted to sacrifice our most precious possessions in order to carry out His plan.

Abraham, in light of his prior disobedience, and knowing that Isaac represented God’s promise, was willing to sacrifice his son. It is God’s desire that when He calls…we unquestioningly obey, leaving the future in His capable hands.

Prayer

“Teach me to respond immediately when You call, LORD. Give me strength and courage to trust in Your unconditional and fathomless love. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

Inspired by: Alereata “Lee” Thompson

 

Saved and Satisfied

March 31

They said to the woman, "We no longer believe just because of what you said.”

John 4:42

“Look,” Race broke in on Gavin. “I appreciate what you’re saying, but I’m quite comfortable living the life I live.”

“But God has so much more for you!” Gavin reiterated.

“Got it.” Race answered brusquely. “And if that’s how you feel, you should find out what that means for you. But just because He’s laid this on your heart doesn’t mean it’s meant for me. Besides, you yourself admitted I’m saved and assured a place with Jesus in eternity.”

Gavin was conscious of one thing: Race was quite comfortable being saved and leaving it at that. “Okay, I get it. I guess I just hoped you’d hear what I was saying.”

“I do hear you, Gav. I just don’t share your sentiment and drive to save the world. It’s not my job. I believe God lays that on certain people’s hearts. And if you’re one of them, more power to you!”

Gavin was struck by the sincerity in Race’s words. Race truly believed what he’d just said. Realizing he wasn’t the one to convict Race of his ignorance he let the matter drop, finished tying the new fly, and threw the line into the ripples, trying to at least entice a nice fat trout.

†

For some Christians it’s enough that Jesus’ blood has provided salvation, a place with Him for eternity. The Samaritan woman understood there was so much more! Jesus had given her a new life and she wanted everyone she knew to experience this wonderful transformation!

Two-thousand years later, Jesus is still offering new life. He asks us, like the Samaritan woman, to pass along what we’ve been given. Our salvation, the knowledge that we are now under the blood of Christ, is but a starting point. If we stop there, we not only miss the best God has for us, but someone in our sphere of influence may miss a chance to find it for themselves. Jesus didn’t come and die in our place to make us comfortable. He came to set the world free from the devil. He wants to enlist us in that process.

Prayer

“Draw me into the deepest part of Your love, LORD. Teach me how to make a difference in Your Kingdom here and now. Amen.”

 

Conditioning

March 30

For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear…

Romans 8:15

Lincoln and Kate weren’t too keen on fencing off their entire property but were at whit’s end as to how to deal with Max, their golden retriever. His lack of response to their commands―a total disregard for their authority would have been a better way to describe the situation―was unacceptable.

Frequently terrorizing the neighbor’s cat, Max hadn’t responded to obedience school or the one-on-one on-sight instruction by a professional trainer. The moment the trainer left Max would take off after the cat like he’d been shot from a cannon! At this point the Howards had spent several hundred dollars, to no avail, on behavior modifications. Then a friend told them about his invisible fence system. “Works like a charm!” they said.

So they had the system installed. It consisted of a heavy-gauge wire buried along the perimeter of the property which was connected to a low voltage electrical unit. Max, in turn, was fitted with a sensing collar. Any time he got within six inches of the underground wire he received a mild shock, telling him don’t come near here! Unpleasant, each shock taught Max to fear this invisible barrier. Eventually, he became conditioned to remain within the set boundaries.

†

Testing boundaries is human nature. From the time we are born until the day we die we seek to find our limitations.

Sin is one such boundary we experience. And usually its consequences cause us to keep our distance. However, many times we repeat our mistakes. When we do, Satan uses the event like a shock collar, telling us we’ve gone too far and are unforgivable and unworthy of redemption. He seeks to put us in bondage…because if we reach our full spiritual potential, he loses. With every mistake he whispers toxic lies, “God would never forgive you now. Even if He did, you’d just screw up again…why bother?” Satan is lying.

Paul says if we allow ourselves to be led by God’s Spirit He will change the condition of our heart from a spirit of fear to a Spirit of sonship. Don’t believe the lies, we are never beyond the reach of God.

Prayer

“Lead me by Your Spirit out of the enemy’s bondage, Lord. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”