Janine

Integrity 11/21/12 @lordlovelight.tumblr.com

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“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Romans 12:2

Sorry, my friends for being away for so long, school gets too busy to write a public display of devotion the way I used to, and forcing it in made it feel like a chore to me rather than something I loved doing. We’ve got a small time window before chaos starts again, so I’m taking it. 

Lately, I’ve had the topic of integrity weighing heavily on my heart. In the past couple of months I’ve been faced with situations where there was a clear choice in front of me: God’s way and my way. The funny thing about it is that whenever we choose our way we think we’re happy but that feeling always has a tiny hint of guilt behind it. We don’t want to choose God’s way; something about our human nature fights against it. We want to be pleased all the time so when we adapt the “who cares” attitude we spiral downwards like a snowball becoming an avalanche, making choice after choice according to our own will. I know I’m not the only one who has experienced this. Either you’re going through it now or have gone through it before.  Here’s the thing though, choosing God’s way feels a million times better. The happiness that we strive for has a more overall lasting feeling than the temporary joy we experience from our own will. Choosing to live on the “yolo” side of life may be fun but living on Yahweh’s side of life is definitely better. 

The problem is that we feel like we have to live like the world. They tell us “it’s stupid being a virgin,” “alcohol will make you forget your worries,” “cursing up a storm is the only way to release your frustrations”, and a million other things more; but what makes you set apart as a Christian if you look and act just like everyone else? Romans 12:2 says “DO NOT conform any longer to the pattern of this world…” and yet we find ourselves doing the same things as everyone else, and making the same bad choices.  Francesca Battistelli sings, “It’s your life, watcha gonna do? The World is watching you. Every day the choices you make, say what you are and who your heart beats for.”   Sometimes when you’re choosing your will, it’s not your will at all but the world’s will. Choosing God’s will means sometimes being mocked, and it means denying that urge inside of you. God tells us, “If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.”  John 15:19

When you make a conscious choice for God way alone, soon enough His will becomes your will; you do things because you know He would be please and you realize that you don’t want to go back. God’s will is truly good, pleasing, and perfect, but for you to experience it you have to deny yourself. Are you willing to take the chance? After all, like Switchfoot says, “It’s your life. Are you who you want to be?” But better yet, are you who God wants you to be?  

2 Samuel 20 @lordlovelight.tumblr.com

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“So all the men of Israel deserted David to follow Sheba so of Bicri. But the men of Judah stayed by their king all the way from the Jordan to Jerusalem.” -2 Samuel 20:2

It only takes one person in the midst of confusion to cause a shift either for better our worse. When a voice of reason rises up, we have to be discerning in our choice to follow or not. In the debate over the greater claim of David, the men of Israel were up against the men of Judah. Suddenly we have a random voice in the crowd, “Sheda” desribed as a troublemaker, suggests that Israel leave because they have no claim on David. Because of this, the men of Israel abandoned David, but Judah remained. When a suggestion is made, will you follow blindly or will you stay and make a wise decision? It’s always easier to follow the crowd than to stick with what you truly believe in (the men of Israel were more numerous than Judah, thus more powerful). God calls us to make our decisions with wisdom and discernment before following what just seems like the easier option. We are also called to live against the grain even if it’s more difficult. “Enter through the narror gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it” (Matthew 7:13). We must be careful with easy ways out and enticing offers. “For false Christs and face prophets will appear and perform great signs and miracles to decieve..” (Matthew 24:24). Don’t fall for the tricks of the world and the deceptions of ‘troublemakers.’  Ask the Lord for wisdom and discernment in your decisions and he will give it to you.

-J
(10/5/12)

2 Samuel 19 @lordlovelight.tumblr.com

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“And for the whole army the victory that day was turned into mourning, because on that day the troops heard it said, ‘The king is grieving for his son.’” -2 Samuel 19:2

In our lives, sometimes the greatest victories come with the greatest sacrifices; it is up to us to choose which we will focus on. David’s men won the war but couldn’t even celebrate their victory because David was mourning the loss of his son, who was their enemy. Too often we hold on to aspects of our life gone wrong. For example, we get upset when we lose friends even though they were a negative influence in our lives. God knows what he’s doing, especially when he takes something away from us. Your mourning may be  blinding you from the greater victory underneath. David took the joy away from everyone who should have been celebrating their win. He lingered on the bad and ignored the good. Our human instinct is to dwell on the bad even when ead day is filled with victories and blessings. Take some time out of each day to reflect on the blessings God has given you. In the midst of chaos and stressful days, remember what God has already done for you and consider the great things he will continue to do. Take on the mind set of Psalm 77:11-12, and say in the mindst of chaos and sacrifice, “I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago. I will meditate on all your works, and consider all your mighty deed.” Your life is fill of victories but if you spend your time mourning over your losses, you will miss the great things God has done and will continue to do.

-J
(10/3/12)

For those following these devotionals, thank you for taking time out of your day to read them and thanks for the support.

2 Samuel 17 @lordlovelight.tumblr.com

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“Absalom and all the men of Israel said, ‘The advice of Hushai the Arkite is better than that of Ahithophel.’ For the LORD had determined to frustrate the good advice of Ahithopel in order to bring disaster on Absalom.” -2 Samuel 17: 14

God’s omnipotence and omnipresence are truly amazing. He works behind enemy lines before the attack even happens. God knew that Absalom wanted David dead but David was under the Lord’s protection. Evil cannot reach the children of God without him having a say in it. Psalm 36:7 says “The LORD will preserve him and keep him alive and he will be blessed on earth; you will not deliver him to the will of his enemies.” Before Absalom could ever reach David, God was playing a part in protecting him. Our God loves us so much and watched over us, regardless of the plan of others for our lives. If you are feeling attacked and overwhelmed remember that God’s hand is moving and making a way for you. “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them falls to the ground outside your father’s care. And even the very hairs of your head are all number. So don’t be afraid, you are worth more than many sparrows” (Matthew 10:29-31). You mean so much to the Lord; sometimes all he really wants us to do is just trust him. In the midst of the chaos in your life, God may be trying to say, “Don’t worry, I’ve got this.” We feel like all our defenses need to be up to take on the incoming storm, but God speaks up again saying “I’m way ahead of you.” Have faith in God’s omnipresence and remember that every attack that comes to you has to go through him first.

-J
(9/29/12) 

2 Samuel 16 @lordlovelight.tumblr.com

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“But the king said, ‘What do you and I have in common, you sons of Zeruiah? If he is cursing because the LORD said to him, ‘Curse David,’ who can ask, ‘Why do you do this?”” -2 Samuel 16:10

“Too often we ask to hear from God but choose to ignore the answer if we don’t like it. A second impulse we have is to go on the defensive when people speak against us. David acted extremely maturely in the light of these two situations. Shimei, a die hard Saul supporter, started hurling curses and rocks at David. Instead of taking Zeruiah’s offer to behead Shimei, as tempting as that sounded, David just let the man carry on. David would have been no different than anyone else if he took the easy way out. Besides Shimei’s curse could have been from the Lord, in which case, what right did he have to silence him? When people rise against you, there are two options: you can go on the defensive and strike back, or you can take it and leave them be. It’s difficult because our natural impulse is to counter the attack on us but when we do so, we become just like everyone else. Romans 12:2 tells us, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind…” We need to change our mindset when these situations arise before us. Take a deep breath, let the person say what they have to, don’t answer back with anger, and try to understand what the Lord is trying to teach you. “Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing” (1 Peter 3:9).  

-J
(9/28/12)

2 Samuel 15 @lordlovelight.tumblr.com

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“Then Absalom would say to him, “Look, your claims are valid and proper, but there is no representative of the king to hear you.” And Absalom would add, “If only I were appointed judge in the land! Then everyone who has a complaint or case could come to me and I would see that they receive justice.” -2 Samuel 15:3-4

Absalom was a true politician; he worked his way into the hearts of the people by telling them exactly what they wanted to hear. He was very clever to the point of near seduction; there was something very dark and corrupted about the way he went about slinking his way into the public eye. Our world is full of Absaloms trying to get our support by making us false promises. Now, in the midst of an election we are showered with campaign slogans, promises that will never be kept and reasons why we should vote a certain way. It’s easy to get swept away and convinced by fancy words and seductive promises. It works the same way with temptation towards sin. We are told exactly what we want to hear. Temptation comes like a politician with a silver tongue or lustful romance filled with sweet nothings. We must have wisdom and dicernment to keep alert and away from poor decisions. It is easy to fall into sin when we are slowly being enticed to the idea. 1 Peter 5:8 says, “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” Satan is going to go for the easiest prey, those who seem to be already slipping into his traps. Stay alert and careful that this doens’t become you. If you find yourself falling for the seduction of sin and the empty promises of the world, catch yourself and step away the edge. Stand strong against the world’s sirens song with wisdom and discernment, and don’t become prey.

-J
(9/26/12) 

2 Samuel 14 @lordlovelight.tumblr.com

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“The woman said, ‘Why then have you devised a thing like this against the people of God? When the king says, does he not convict himself, for the king has not brought back his banished son?” -2 Samuel 14:13

These hypathetical,”I have this friend” situtions keep getting placed before David as a way of getting  him to understand his own life and actions. Sometimes we have to hear it from someone else and gain a new perspective to actually understand what we’re going through. God sends people in our lives to open up our eyes and to help us take our own advice. It’s so easy to preach it, so easy to comfort others, but then when it comes to us taking action, everything we said to others seems to go out the window. We pose the same question to the Lord over and over but already know the answer. We know what we should do but fail to do it. David could have made a way to bring Absalom home, but instead he just stayed home  longing for his return. If you can make a difference, do it; don’t just sit there wishing something would happen. “Be the change you want to see in the world” (a quote often attributed to Ghandi). James 4:17 says “Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn’t do it, sins.” This verse is a wake up call, and a well deserved one. We are people of action, but when it comes to important things we freeze up. David remained longing for his son when he could have brought him home. You may be hoping your life would change or that your loved one would come to the Lord. It’s never going to happen if you don’t do anything about it. Have faith and take the first step. 

-J
(9/29/12) 

2 Samuel 13 @lordlovelight.tumblr.com

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“But he refused to listen to her, and since he was stronger than she, he raped her. Then Amnon hated her with intense hatred. In fact, he hated her more than he loved her.” -2 Samuel 13:14-15

As humans, we let thoughts and emotions overwhelm us and take over our actions. When we do our own will, we feel empowered and in control but that is exactly when we show how out of control we are. After it all, we come out feelign worse than when we began. Amnon only thought of how much he wanted Tamar that he didn’t think of the consequences of his actions. When he got her, he ended up hating her; his impulsive decision was all for naught. Amnon lacked one very important fruit of the spirit, self-control, amongst many others. We don’t realize how important this quality is until the lack of it leads to our down fall. We think that power comes from getting what we want, when we want, however we want it. We are a very purpose driven, goal striving, ‘out-of-my-way’ society, but we turn into monsters in our quest, especially when out goal is corrupted. There is nothing wrong with being motivated and determined, the problem is when you strive after your goal at the expense of others and forfeit all righteousness. It is in those moments that we have to ask “is it worth it?” The bible says, “A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls” (Proverbs 25:28). You may think that the power is all yours when you do your own will, but in reality, all you’re doing is just opening doors for Satan to enter in and take over. When you exhibit self-control you also exhibit your trust in God and his “good, pleasing, and perfect will.” Before you act, ask yourself “are you choosing the side of righteousness?”

-J

(9/24/12)

2 Samuel 12 @lordlovelight.tumblr.com

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“David burned with anger against the man and said to Nathan, ‘As surely as the Lord lives, the man who did this deserves to die! He must pay for that lamb four times over, because he did such a thing and had no pity.” -2 Samuel 12:5-6

Nathan comes to David with a story about a rich man with many sheep and a poor man with only one. In the story, the rich man takes that lamb of the poor man. Hearing this, David was infuriated and wanted to punish  the rich man with death; too bad the rich man was him. Nathan’s story just proves that David knew better in his adulterous situation and carried on with it. Sometimes it takes a whole new perspective to show us how wrong we are. Don’t let things reach the point where you are unknowingly condemning yourself to death. Start off with God and keep surrendering your situation into his hands. We know better but we still choose to act upon our impulses; eventually, it will all catch up with us. Give your situation to God and save yourself the rude awakening of your own condemnation. Consider 1 John 3:6, “No one who continues to sin has either seen him or known him.” If you are consciously choosing to sin over righteousness then maybe you’re in desperate need for an incounter with the Lord. We have to become true followers of Christ because “if we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth” (1 John 1:16). Leave your sins behind and step into God’s light by choosing the right we know we should do over the wrong we know we shouldn’t. Set the situation before the Lord and let him show you the path to follow. 

-J
(9/23/12)

2 Samuel 11 @lordlovelight.tumblr.com

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“In the morning David wrote a letter to Joab and sent it with Uriah. In it he wrote, ‘Put Uriah in the front line where the fighting is fiercest. Then withdraw from him so he will be struck down and die.’” -2 Samuel 11:14-15 

David was a man of action, which would seem like a good thing but his impulses may have been his greatest flaw. He sees Bathsheba, decides he wants her, and ends up getting her pregnant. Now he is left with the tricky situation of dealing with it. Plan A is that, instead of taking responsibility, he was going to send Uriah home, in which case Uriah would sleep with Bathsheba and the pregnancy would easily be explained. Seemed simple enough, and clever too; however, that plan failed when Uriah decided to sleep in the castle as an act of loyalty to his fellow soldiers. David takes desperate measures and moves to Plan B: kill Uriah without getting his hands dirty. So basically David sent Uriah to the front lines and let him die. We might be thinking how horrible David was but we aren’t much better ourselves. We, as humans, are notorious for covering up our sins and forcing situations to work which are never meant to. We make excuses for our actions in order to keep our hands from getting dirty, but we just end up making it worse. David ended up adding manipulator and murderer on top of adulterer to his list of sins. When the urge to act on impulse arises, take a moment and give the situation to God. Let him lead you rather than jumping without looking. Romans 12:9 says “Hate what is evil, cling to what is good.” When you see yourself start slipping into the web of sin, run as fast as you can to the Lord and he will free you from that which lures you in. “He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear” (1 Cor 10:13), however, the choice is yours on how you will react in difficult situations. 

-J

(9/22/12)