Rest

CONSIDER
To persist in our selfish ambition and vain conceit we evidence our desire to live independently from Him. The results and consequences of such actions will be fulfilled as He promised.

BIBLE TRUTH

But because you are stubborn and refuse to turn from your sin, you are storing up terrible punishment for yourself. For a day of anger is coming, when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed. He will judge everyone according to what they have done. He will give eternal life to those who keep on doing good, seeking after the glory and honor and immortality that God offers. But he will pour out his anger and wrath on those who live for themselves, who refuse to obey the truth and instead live lives of wickedness. (Rom. 2:5–8 NLT)

HOW DOES THIS APPLY TO ME?
Hebrews 4:1–3 elaborates on God’s promises for a life that is desperately dependent on Him.

God’s promise of entering his rest still stands, so we ought to tremble with fear that some of you might fail to experience it. For this good news—that God has prepared this rest—has been announced to us just as it was to them. But it did them no good because they didn’t share the faith of those who listened to God. For only we who believe can enter his rest. As for the others, God said,

“In my anger I took an oath:
‘They will never enter my place of rest,’”
even though this rest has been ready since he made the world. (NLT)

PRAYER

Lord, I come to sing to You. I make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation! I come into Your presence with thanksgiving; let me make a joyful noise to You with songs of praise! For You are a great God, and a great King above all gods. In Your hand are the depths of the earth; the heights of the mountains are Yours also. The sea is Yours, for You made it, and Your hands formed the dry land. I come, I worship and bow down; I kneel before You, our Maker! For You are our God, and we are the people of Your pasture, and the sheep of Your hand. Don't let my heart turn away from You, for I want to enter Your rest. . . . (Ps. 95:1–11)

(excerpts from Desperate Dependency by J. Kirk & Melanie D. Lewis)

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Denial

CONSIDER
When we deny ourselves and turn from our selfish ways, we are to give up anything that pulls us away from God. If we find ourselves caught in the dilemma of deciding between God’s ways and anything contrary to God’s guidelines, then we are to oppose whatever is tempting us to choose a different path. Remember, God is not trying to hide His plan from you. You can follow step by step what He has revealed in His Word. As we learn to pay attention to the established truths, we can more readily hear what His Spirit whispers to our souls.

BIBLE TRUTH

Matthew, Mark, and Luke recount what Jesus had to say about becoming a follower of Christ. “Then he said to the crowd, ‘If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross daily, and follow me’” (Luke 9:23 NLT; see also Matt. 16:24; Mark 8:34).

HOW DOES THIS APPLY TO ME?
To follow Him, we are required to make the necessary sacrifices. We cannot continue to counterfeit the fruit of the Spirit while rejecting God’s design for love, joy, and peace. God created us. We cannot conjure up anything better than what He knows we need. We must offer up all our self-contrived dreams that are not His desires for us.

PRAYER

Lord, I am willing to endure anything if it will bring salvation and eternal glory in You to those You have chosen. I know this is a trustworthy saying: If we die with You we will also live with You. If we endure hardship, we will reign with You. If we deny You, You will deny us. If we are unfaithful, You remain faithful, for You cannot deny who You are. . . . (2 Tim. 2:10–13)

(excerpts from Desperate Dependency by J. Kirk & Melanie D. Lewis)

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Simplify

CONSIDER
If we followed “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you” (Matt. 6:33 NKJV), how would we order our lives? God first? Spouse second? Children third? Job fourth? Everything else falls into place after that? For all the years we have tried to follow that theory, it sounded good, but it’s impossible to do! In actuality, the Greek work translated “first” in Matthew 6:33 means “‘above all’ . . . which corresponds to the central position which orientation to the kingdom of God has in the proclamation of Jesus. Indeed, πρῶτον is so exclusive here that it carries the implication of ‘only.’” [Theological Dictionary of the NT] How in the world do you do that?

BIBLE TRUTH

And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried. For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them. Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you. (Luke 12:29–31 ESV)

HOW DOES THIS APPLY TO ME?
If God were to be above all in our lives with the only central position, He would be everything—in the center. With God in the center of our lives, everything we do involves Him and He influences everything we do. As He lives in and through us, we operate through His enablement to magnify and glorify Him.

PRAYER

God, You have shown Your faithful love to me. But now, O LORD my God, but I am like a little child who doesn’t know his way around. And here I am in the midst of Your own chosen people. Give me an understanding heart so that I can know the difference between right and wrong. I know You are pleased when I ask for wisdom, so I pray that You will give me what I ask for! I desire a wise and understanding heart to follow Your ways. Help me to seek Your kingdom first.(1 Kings 3:6–12, Matt. 6:33.)

(excerpts from Desperate Dependency by J. Kirk & Melanie D. Lewis)

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Is God Hiding?

CONSIDER
God does not hide His will from us because He does not want us to know His plans. He desires for us to be active participants in relating to Him. “It is God’s privilege to conceal things / and the king’s privilege to discover them” (Prov. 25:2 NLT). There is great reward in pursuing a goal and attaining what the giver intended for us to have. We must simply look in the right place.

BIBLE TRUTH

If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does. (James 1:5–8 NIV)

HOW DOES THIS APPLY TO ME?
As we live lives that are desperately dependent on Christ, the resulting connection will magnify the Lord. Realizing that our central focus of life is to make Him look wonderful, the dross of the world falls away. Our unified adventure with God supplies purpose and meaning to life. C. S. Lewis wrote, “But look for Christ and you will find Him, and with Him everything else thrown in.”

PRAYER

Hear my prayer, O Lord; listen to my plea! Answer me because you are faithful and righteous. Don’t put your servant on trial, for no one is innocent before you. My enemy has chased me. He has knocked me to the ground and forces me to live in darkness like those in the grave. I am losing all hope; I am paralyzed with fear. I remember the days of old. I ponder all your great works and think about what you have done. I lift my hands to you in prayer. I thirst for you as parched land thirsts for rain. . . . (Ps. 143:1–6 NLT)

(excerpts from Desperate Dependency by J. Kirk & Melanie D. Lewis)

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Disappointed with God

CONSIDER
Too often we are disappointed with God because He did not respond in a way we thought He should. We place expectations on Him that He has never promised to fulfill. And then in our frustration and disillusionment we whine that God is distant and uncaring. It is true that His ways are incomprehensible, but for some reason we think we have Him all figured out. “Oh, how great are God’s riches and wisdom and knowledge! How impossible it is for us to understand his decisions and his ways!” (Rom. 11:33 NLT).


BIBLE TRUTH

“For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. I will be found by you," says the Lord. (Jer. 29:11–14 NLT)

HOW DOES THIS APPLY TO ME?
God does not want to hide from you. He desires an intimate relationship with you. So then why do we have to seek? God doesn’t work like we expect Him to. We find Him and His answers in the most unlikely places.

PRAYER
Lord, I am so grateful that You publicly proclaim bold promises. You do not whisper obscurities in some dark corner. You would not have told me to seek You if You could not be found. I know that You, the Lord, speak only what is true and declare only what is right. . . . (Isa. 45:19)


(excerpts from Desperate Dependency by J. Kirk & Melanie D. Lewis)

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In the Name of Jesus

CONSIDER
Paul adds a vantage point for whatever we do: “And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him” (Col. 3:17 NKJV). This is not adding to our job requirements, but delimiting our process. When we do all “in the name of Jesus,” we represent every aspect that is incorporated in the mentioning, hearing, or remembering of His name. When we operate “in the name of Jesus,” we are to be consistent with every truth that is incorporated in His attributes. As the Holy Spirit lives in and through us, we will consistently “do all in the name of the Lord Jesus” because we are not operating out of our own resources but are overflowing with His abundant supply. What an astonishing view of God the world would see if all Christians magnified the glory of God in such a fashion!


BIBLE TRUTH

Do you have the gift of speaking? Then speak as though God himself were speaking through you. Do you have the gift of helping others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. Then everything you do will bring glory to God through Jesus Christ. All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen. (1 Peter 4:11 NLT)

HOW DOES THIS APPLY TO ME?
Jesus also speaks of bringing glory to God when we ask anything in Jesus’ name.“You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father. Yes, ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it!” (John 14:13–14 NLT). Praying in Jesus’ name is remembering all the character traits of God, all the ways He has worked in the past, and what a difference it makes that Jesus died and paid for our sins. When we conduct our lives according to everything we know about His character, our expectations will be in line with the reality of who He is, and our hopes will not be disappointed.

PRAYER
Dear Jesus, I know that You say I can ask for anything in Your name and You will do it. I know this is so You can bring glory to the Father. Help me to only ask for those things that will help You bring glory to the Father. Jesus, I will ask anything in keeping with Your name, so You will do it. . . . (John 14:13–14)


(excerpts from Desperate Dependency by J. Kirk & Melanie D. Lewis)

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Magnification

CONSIDER
In science class we were introduced to a microscope, which is also used to magnify. During lab time a few glass slides were offered for investigation. With amazement we examined cells, hair, tadpoles, and a myriad of other items. The classroom filled with exclamations of “Wow!” “Cool!” “You gotta come see this!” “I never knew that was there!” The inquisitive would examine one item after another with astonishment and awe.

BIBLE TRUTH
“Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Cor. 10:31 NKJV).

“Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together” (Ps. 34:3 NKJV).

HOW DOES THIS APPLY TO ME?
When we follow the exhortation given in Psalm 34:3 to “magnify the Lord,” we function as a magnifying glass so the watching world can look through the lens of our lives to view the splendor, brightness, magnificence, excellence, majesty (glory) of God. We are to be a tool to allow others to

• perceive God as bigger than ever
• see God better
• make God easier to see
• see God in more detail
• make God appear closer
• view God like never before

Then those around us will exclaim “Wow!” “Cool!” “You gotta come see this!” “I never knew God was like that!” The inquisitive will investigate one life situation after another through the lens of our lives.

PRAYER
Lord, let me hear of Your unfailing love each morning, for I am trusting You. Show me where to walk, for I give myself to You. Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God. May Your gracious Spirit lead me forward on a firm footing. . . . (Ps. 143:8, 10)


(excerpts from Desperate Dependency by J. Kirk & Melanie D. Lewis)

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“Can You please explain what we’re supposed to be doing?”

CONSIDER
Are you confused at this point? Perhaps you have been inundated with all the lists that you need to check off in order to be a good Christian. You want to do right, but you don’t know how. If we allow God to be in control of our lives, what is our job?

BIBLE TRUTH
In Mark 12 the Sadducees and Pharisees were debating about all the rules, regulations, and requirements of the law. There were 613 commands in the Torah (Genesis–Deuteronomy). One of the teachers of the law asked Jesus, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?” (12:28). Restated, “Can You please explain what we’re supposed to be doing?”

Jesus answered, “The most important command is this: ‘Listen, people of Israel! The Lord our God, he is the only Lord. Love the Lord your God. Love him with all you heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.’ The second most important command is this: ‘Love your neighbor as you love yourself.’ These two commands are the most important commands.” (Mark 12:29–31 ICB)

HOW DOES THIS APPLY TO ME?
Bottom line? It is our job to be in a relationship with Jesus Christ. Sorry, but I can’t give you a checklist on that one, any more than I can give you a checklist that verifies that you are doing a good job as a husband or a wife. Sure, we may have expectations for our relationship with our spouse like, “Tell me you love me at least once a day”; “Take out the trash”; “Have dinner on the table at 6:00”; “Bring home a paycheck that will pay the bills”; and so forth. But if your spouse could place a checkmark by each of those tasks, does that guarantee a close relationship?

PRAYER
Jesus, please keep reminding me to listen. I believe You are the Lord my God, You are the only Lord. Lord, I want to love You. I want to love You with all my heart, all my soul, all my mind, and all my strength. Help me. Please help me to also love my neighbor as I love myself. . . . (Mark 12:29–31)


(excerpts from Desperate Dependency by J. Kirk & Melanie D. Lewis)

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Not My Job

CONSIDER
Sometimes wounded souls fall for the lie that they must pay for an offense that was done against them. For example, an adolescent may believe she must always carry the shame that was forced on her when she was molested. Or a divorced spouse may never again be happy as a result of the unfaithfulness of his partner. Or a sibling must continuously make allowances and excuses to cover up the deviance of her brother. Do not forget that Satan is the master deceiver, and he is eager to use any device to keep us from experiencing our freedom in Christ.

BIBLE TRUTH

So now, come back to your God.

Act with love and justice,
and always depend on him. (Hos. 12:6 NLT)

HOW DOES THIS APPLY TO ME?
By myself I cannot withstand the onslaught of Satan, who unrelentingly attempts to persuade me that I can be solely responsible for all areas of my life. Too many times I have fallen for the lie that I am capable of fulfilling God’s job description of Savior, sustainer, and benefactor. But I am not designed to fulfill His job description any more than a two-year-old who is playing house can assume the responsibilities of a wife and mother. Satan makes it look so easy to perform God’s responsibilities, while at the same time convincing us that it is so hard to let God be in control!

We must resign from our job of playing God and allow Him to assume His rightful position. He is the only one who can forgive sin, and I must resign from my self-appointed duty of attempting to collect all the debt I believe is owed to me. Because He forgave all my sin, I must continue relying on Him to exercise His righteous justice on my behalf. Not only must I trust Him to forgive my sin, I must rely on Him to redeem me from the sins of others who have hurt me. Without the Holy Spirit’s work in our lives, we are totally incapable of living the abundant life He designed for us to experience as a result of our desperately dependent relationship with Him. As we rely on Him to complete His work in our lives, we can experience all He has to offer those who allow Him to reign supreme.

PRAYER
I return, to You, my Lord and my God, for my sins have brought me down. I bring my confessions, and return to You, the Lord. Forgive all my sins and graciously receive me, so that I may offer You my praises. Help me be wise to understand these things. Let me have discernment and listen carefully. The paths of the Lord are true and right, and righteous people live by walking in them. (Hosea 14:1–2, 9)


(excerpts from Desperate Dependency by J. Kirk & Melanie D. Lewis)

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Forgive, Then What?

CONSIDER
So what are you to do after an account has been turned over for collection? It would be wise to make notations ***!!!!!!*** and to be alert for future infractions. Although your personal ledger sheet may indicate a zero balance, when an account is turned over for collection, it has not been settled. You may not forget that the injustice occurred, but you must remember that it is not your duty to see that it is paid. Retribution is not your responsibility. You can be free from the burdens of anger and bitterness while still exercising caution to avoid future violations.

BIBLE TRUTH

O my people, trust in him at all times.

Pour out your heart to him,
for God is our refuge. (Ps. 62:8 NLT)

HOW DOES THIS APPLY TO ME?
Operate on a “cash basis only” policy as you consider whether trust can be regained. Even though an individual may claim God has forgiven him or her, you must be desperately dependent on His direction for verification of the truth.

Guaranteed, Satan will be tempting you frequently to reclaim the outstanding balance. He will suggest a multitude of methods that you could employ to reassume control and attempt to make sure that the offending party pays for what he or she has done to you. In those moments you remind Satan and yourself that you are no longer responsible for collecting this debt. You have turned the responsibility over to God, who will handle the account as He sees fit.

PRAYER
God, You have spoken plainly, and I have heard it many times: Power, O God, belongs to You; unfailing love, O Lord, is Yours. Surely You repay all people according to what they have done. . . . (Ps. 62:11–12)


(excerpts from Desperate Dependency by J. Kirk & Melanie D. Lewis)

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Evidence of Forgiveness

CONSIDER
Ultimately all sin is an offense against God. Without forgiveness there is no redemption. Forgiveness is the evidence of a redeemed soul.

Against you, and you alone, have I sinned;
      I have done what is evil in your sight. (Ps. 51:4 NLT)

BIBLE TRUTH

My soul waits in silence for God only;
From Him is my salvation.
He only is my rock and my salvation,
My stronghold; I shall not be greatly shaken. (Ps. 62:1–2 NASB)

HOW DOES THIS APPLY TO ME?
The debt that is owed as the result of an injustice is ultimately owed to Him. As we lead desperately dependent lives we will allow all debts to be His responsibility. Only God is capable of resolving our crisis.

PRAYER
God, let all that I am wait quietly before You, for my hope is in You. You alone are my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will not be shaken. My victory and honor come from You alone. You are my refuge, a rock where no enemy can reach me. So I will only fear You, LORD, and serve You in truth with all my heart; for I consider what great things You have done for me. . . . (Ps. 62:5–7, 1 Sam. 12:24)


(excerpts from Desperate Dependency by J. Kirk & Melanie D. Lewis)

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Terms of Forgiveness

CONSIDER
Millions of people have repeated the Lord’s Prayer, which states, “and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” (Matt. 6:12 NLT). Since we only mechanically quote the passage, we neglect to recognize the conditions and terms of forgiveness. Do we really want God to forgive us in the same way we are forgiving others? In the verses immediately following the Lord’s Prayer Jesus elaborates further.

BIBLE TRUTH
“If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins” (Matt. 6:14–15 NLT).

HOW DOES THIS APPLY TO ME?
In the same way you have been forgiven of your outstanding debts that cannot be satisfied except through Christ’s death, He also stands ready to forgive all who come to Him for forgiveness. We are much more eager to accept this forgiveness for ourselves than we are to allow the same justice to be meted out on those who have offended us.

PRAYER
Our Father in heaven, may Your name be kept holy. May Your Kingdom come soon. May Your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us today the food we need, and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us. And don’t let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one. . . . (Matt. 6:9–13 NLT)


(excerpts from Desperate Dependency by J. Kirk & Melanie D. Lewis)

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The Divine Collection Agency

CONSIDER
Often when Jesus taught about forgiveness He used a financial illustration to convey the concept. As with businesses, complications arise when bad debts remain in our lives, so accounts must be settled appropriately. There are occasions when there is no way a debt can be satisfied because the offense is so great. In those times it is essential to turn the account over to our divine collection agency. We must determine that we will no longer exert any energy in the collection of the debt, but allow God to be responsible for the account. With open hands we can release the strongholds that have bound us to our anger and bitterness. The only One who is truly capable of collecting the debt will see to it that justice is served.

BIBLE TRUTH
“But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness” (1 John 1:9 NLT).

“He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross” (Col. 2:14 NLT).

HOW DOES THIS APPLY TO ME?
Often we are reluctant to allow God to handle our accounts because we are not convinced we will be satisfied with the outcome. How will God settle the account? There are two methods God will use to reconcile outstanding debts. Either the offender will pay in hell for all eternity, or Christ’s death will cover the penalty.

PRAYER
Lord, I need Your help to stop being angry! Please help me turn from my rage! I do not want to lose my temper— it only leads to harm. I know that day by day You take care of the innocent, and we will receive an inheritance that lasts forever. I trust that You will destroy the wicked, and I trust in You, Lord, to possess the land. . . . (Ps. 37:8–9, 18)


(excerpts from Desperate Dependency by J. Kirk & Melanie D. Lewis)

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True Forgiveness

CONSIDER
True forgiveness evidences a relationship that is desperately dependent on God as we let go of our desires to control and give up our rights to seek satisfaction by our own means. As we forgive, we are demonstrating that Christ is trustworthy and that we can rely on Him to resolve our crisis as we relinquish to Him those who have wronged us. When others do not measure up to our expectations, we must realize that it is not our expectations they must live up to, but God’s. As a result, we venture to release our expectations to God’s guidance, allowing Him to be responsible for our lives and to be evident as our Savior, sustainer, and benefactor.

It is vitally important to realize that only God can forgive sins. The forgiveness we are commanded to give is for our benefit, that we may depend upon Him and walk rightly with Him.


BIBLE TRUTH
“And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you” (Eph. 4:32 KJV).


HOW DOES THIS APPLY TO ME?
We are releasing the offending party from our condemnation, and we are removing ourselves from the burden of seeking satisfaction. In actuality, the forgiveness we are to offer should assert, “You don’t owe me anything.” Our job is to take ourselves out of the role of playing God, and allow God to be responsible to see that justice is administered. The all-powerful God will lift the weight of our anger and bitterness when we forgive in a manner that passes the responsibility for retribution to the only One who is capable of righteously administering justice.


PRAYER
I pray to you, O LORD. You are my place of refuge. You are all I really want in life. Hear my cry, for I am very low. Rescue me from my persecutors, for they are too strong for me. Bring me out of prison so I can thank You. . . . (Ps. 142:5–7)



(excerpts from Desperate Dependency by J. Kirk & Melanie D. Lewis)

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Am I An Idol?

CONSIDER
We perceive that our job description includes the responsibilities of savior, sustainer, and benefactor—but this is God’s job description and we are not capable of handling His job. When others do not fall in line and follow our leadership so we can be their savior, sustainer, and benefactor, we become angry and bitter. With a long list of debts, we attempt to collect on what we believe is owed to us because we have done such an excellent job at ordering our world.

BIBLE TRUTH
Idolatry is not just an Old Testament sin. Idolatry is evident in modern times, even in America, when we assert control and expect others to acknowledge our authority. Usurping God’s authority results in the violation of the first commandment, which states,
“You must not have any other god but me” (Deut. 5:7 NLT).

HOW DOES THIS APPLY TO ME?
We insist on being idolized when we put ourselves in the place of authority as we attempt to control others and ourselves. Even when we demand that someone “owes” us, we are placing ourselves in the position of gods who maintain that justice is our responsibility.

PRAYER
Lord, I commit everything I do to You. I trust You. Please help me. I don’t want to worry about evil people who prosper or fret about their wicked schemes. So I will be still in Your presence, Lord, and wait patiently for You to act. . . . (Ps. 37:5, 7)



(excerpts from Desperate Dependency by J. Kirk & Melanie D. Lewis)

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Playing

CONSIDER
It is a tremendous delight to watch children “play house.” A toddler may make the announcement that she will fix dinner for the family and then proceed to her play kitchen. Pulling a pot from the cabinet she lists the ingredients that will be included: ketchup, macaroni, carrots, cereal, cheese, but no peas! In the mixing bowl she plans to add salad, mustard, salt, and hamburgers, of course. But wait! She still has to fix the chicken nuggets! Since the dipping sauce is missing, she broadcasts that she is going to town as she heads out the door with her purse and Mom’s car keys. Mom has been chuckling while watching the preparations, but when the toddler actually opens the door to the family car and inserts the keys into the ignition, terror grips her heart. Making a mad dash to rescue her child from “play,” Mom reminds the toddler that she is not big enough to drive the car. Of course, a temper tantrum ensues because the toddler has big dinner plans that cannot happen if she does not drive to the store to get dipping sauce for the nuggets! Although Mom may offer alternatives, the toddler will insist, “I want to do it myself!” But the wise mother knows her child is not capable of handling everything she desires.

BIBLE TRUTH

Trust in the Lord and do good.
      Then you will live safely in the land and prosper.
Take delight in the Lord,
      and he will give you your heart’s desires.
Commit everything you do to the Lord.
      Trust him, and he will help you.(Ps. 37:3–5 NLT).

HOW DOES THIS APPLY TO ME?
As children “play house,” in our feeble attempts we “play God.” We imagine a multitude of strategies to promote our self-interest in order to feel good about ourselves and avoid pain. Usually we are controlling every situation perceivable. During our playtime we may say things such as, “Show me how to control my situation better”; “Give me more ideas on how to please myself”; “Teach me to be a better god.” We stomp our feet and assert, “I want to do it myself without any help!” Our self-sufficient attitude exudes extreme confidence in our own ability and worth. But an all-wise God knows we are not capable of handling everything we desire.

PRAYER
Lord, I cry out to the You; I plead for the Your mercy. I pour out my complaints before You and tell You all my troubles. When I am overwhelmed, You alone know the way I should turn. . . . (Ps. 142:1–3)



(excerpts from Desperate Dependency by J. Kirk & Melanie D. Lewis)

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Pearls and Pigs

CONSIDER
Many people are surprised to learn that Jesus taught there are times we are to “treat that person as a pagan or a corrupt tax collector" (Matt. 18:17). In those days, if a corrupt tax collector saw you on the street and said you owed $10,000 in taxes, you would be required to pay or you would be put in jail. So the corrupt tax collectors were avoided with extreme measures. It would not be uncommon for people to walk on the other side of the street with eyes down in order to circumvent any contact. Can you believe Jesus would actually promote such conduct?

BIBLE TRUTH
“Don’t waste what is holy on people who are unholy. Don’t throw your pearls to pigs! They will trample the pearls, then turn and attack you” (Matt. 7:6 NLT).

HOW DOES THIS APPLY TO ME?
Yes, there are actually times when we should make wide circles to steer clear of people. But as we are addressing these situations that cause anger to us and to God, we ultimately must grieve the truth and forgive the debt. God is the final authority, and it is His job to see that the appropriate judgment is satisfied. We must yield to His way and give up our will in all areas of our lives.

PRAYER
God, I humble myself before You. Enable me to resist the devil, so he will flee from me. I desire to come close to You, so You will come close to me. I wash my hands, because I know I am a sinner; please purify my heart, for my loyalty is divided between You and the world. There are tears for what I have done. I am filled with sorrow and deep grief. I am filled with sadness instead of laughter, and gloom instead of joy. I humble myself before You. Please lift me up in honor. . . . (James 4:7–10)



(excerpts from Desperate Dependency by J. Kirk & Melanie D. Lewis)

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Should Christians Be Treated Differently?

CONSIDER
“Is the person a Christian?” This criterion does make a difference because God offers a specific course of action for guilty Christians. If the wrongdoer is not a Christian, we must grieve and allow God to mete out His justice as we forgive the debt. Remember, grieving is about adjusting our lives based on the truth. In regard to the unsaved, we must realize the truth that unsaved individuals are unable to conduct themselves with the love, grace, and mercy of a forgiven soul. They cannot be held to the same standards God expects of the saved. Often we jump to confrontation and boundary setting without grieving the truth that a person cannot evidence godliness and goodness apart from the grace of Christ. Rather than being angry with the sinner, we must grieve for his or her soul.


BIBLE TRUTH

“It isn’t my responsibility to judge outsiders, but it certainly is your responsibility to judge those inside the church who are sinning. God will judge those on the outside; but as the Scriptures say, ‘You must remove the evil person from among you.’”
(1 Cor. 5:12–13 NLT)

HOW DOES THIS APPLY TO ME?

“If another believer sins against you, go privately and point out the offense. If the other person listens and confesses it, you have won that person back. But if you are unsuccessful, take one or two others with you and go back again, so that everything you say may be confirmed by two or three witnesses. If the person still refuses to listen, take your case to the church. Then if he or she won’t accept the church’s decision, treat that person as a pagan or a corrupt tax collector.”(Matt. 18:15–17 NLT)

PRAYER
Lord, You are righteous in everything You do; You are filled with kindness. Lord, I know You are close to all who call on You, yes, to all who call on You in truth. You grant the desires of those who fear You; You hear my cries for help and rescues me. Lord, You protect all those who love You, but You destroy the wicked. . . . (Ps. 145:17–20)



(excerpts from Desperate Dependency by J. Kirk & Melanie D. Lewis)

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Would God Be Angry?

CONSIDER
If we suspect that an unmet expectation has resulted in anger concerning an issue that God would also be angry about, we must first ask, “Is there biblical proof?” Many times we assume God would be angry about a particular situation, but we cannot find the scriptural backing for our assertion. So often we seek for biblical proof to justify our own solution to accomplish the end result we desire. We must truly seek His solutions. Seeking Him in desperate dependency will unveil His plan.

BIBLE TRUTH

“And why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own? How can you think of saying to your friend, ‘Let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,’ when you can’t see past the log in your own eye? Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend’s eye.” (Matt. 7:3–5 NLT)

HOW DOES THIS APPLY TO ME?
With biblical proof evident, our next decision to consider is this: “Can I expose and confront the sin?” We can never be ready to confront what is in others’ lives until we are content in Christ with the way things are in our lives. Otherwise we may be trying to control people and situations to make our lives better instead of ministering Christ to others.

PRAYER
Jesus, I am going to keep on asking for Your answers, so that I may receive Your answers. I want to keep on seeking Your solutions, so I may find Your solutions. I will keep on knocking, so the door will be opened. You promise that everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. . . . (Matt. 7:7–8)



(excerpts from Desperate Dependency by J. Kirk & Melanie D. Lewis)

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Healthy Grief

CONSIDER
As we adjust and reorganize our lives based on a loss, there are two avenues we may take. We may fall into toxic grief, or we may choose healthy grief. Healthy grief views loss from the perspective of God’s truths. A previously toxic scenario can result in praise and earnest expectation: “I lost my job because I stood for what is right; God promises He will supply my every need (Phil. 4:19); God declares He will never leave me or forsake me (Heb. 13:5); He knows the plans He has for me (Jer. 29:11); I can trust God (Ps. 28:7).”

BIBLE TRUTH

The LORD is my strength and shield.
      I trust him with all my heart.
He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy.
      I burst out in songs of thanksgiving. (Ps. 28:7 NLT)

HOW DOES THIS APPLY TO ME?
Grief issues span the spectrum of what might be considered insignificant to some through extreme crisis situations. It is the essence of grief to coexist with what we cannot control, and it is essential that we are content in Christ while coexisting with what we can’t control. The intensity of the grief often reveals the value an individual has placed on a person, position, or possession. In the resolution of grief it is imperative to recognize Christ as relevant to every situation we encounter. “How does God expect me to adjust my life based on this loss and remembering His love, care, and trustworthiness?”

PRAYER
Lord, You know the plans You have for me. I choose to trust You that they are plans for good and not for disaster, to give me a future and a hope. . . . (Jer. 29:11 NLT)


(excerpts from Desperate Dependency by J. Kirk & Melanie D. Lewis)

If you would like to receive our blog posts via email, simply submit your email address in the box on the left. They will make you verify your request by jumping through a few hoops, but that is for your safety!

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