30 Day Cleanse - Day 17

Scripture

"Fire tests the purity of silver and gold, but the Lord tests the heart." --Proverbs 17:3

Observe

A crucible is used to test the quality of silver, and a furnace is used to refine gold, but God HIMSELF is the one who tests our hearts.

"I, the LORD, search all hearts and examine secret motives. I give all people their due rewards, according to what their actions deserve." --Jeremiah 17:10

God REALLY cares about our hearts.

He requires that we search for Him with all of our hearts to find Him (Jeremiah 29:13); He requires that we do whatever we do with all of our heart for His glory (Colossians 3:23); and like we discussed on Day 16, He's equally concerned with our motivations AND actions (Proverbs 16:2).

 

 

 

The Heart of the Matter is Always a Matter of the Heart

Why does God care about our hearts so much?

Because our hearts are where He lives.

"He has identified us as his own by placing the Holy Spirit in our hearts as the first installment that guarantees everything he has promised us." --2 Corinthians 1:22

The word for heart in the Greek is "kardia". It literally means "heart"--but not the physical organ. Kardia refers to the innermost self and intentions of a person (think spirit).

God has placed the very essence of Himself (His Spirit) with our very innermost self (our heart), and He desires that our intentions reflect His heart.

In Luke 6:45, it says, "A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. What you say flows from what is in your heart."

If God lives in our hearts, what we say and do is a reflection on Him.

By putting us through any kind of test, God searches the contents of our hearts, reveals to us the condition of our hearts, and uses the results of the test to bring about greater godliness in our lives.

The Lord Tests the Heart

Abraham, the father of the nation of Israel, may be the most famous man to ever undergo the testing of God.

Mostly, we're all familiar with how God told Abraham to pick up his family, leave his home, and head in the direction God would show him. In turn, God would give him land (the Promised Land), decedents, and blessings.

Abraham decided to follow God, and God followed through on His promises.

But because the end of the story turned out so well (AKA Jesus was a descendent of Abraham, and the nation of Israel is always blessed by God), we sometimes forget the fact that Abraham walked in faith.  In fact, there was a HUGE gap in between the promises of God and their fulfillment--especially the descendents part.

<Read Genesis 16:1-18:15, Genesis 21:1-6>

Abraham and his wife, Sarah, were unable to conceive for years.

Finally, after much struggle and heartache, God released a miracle and at 91 years old, Sarah bore Abraham (100 years old) his promised son--Isaac. Abraham's faith had paid off.

Though God enjoyed blessing Abraham, He didn't want Abraham to follow Him because of the blessings. God wanted Abraham to follow Him because of who He was (is and will be).

So God tested Abraham's heart, by instructing him to sacrifice his only son--the son of promise, for whom he had waited nearly 100 years.

And what did Abraham do?

<Read Genesis 22:1-18>

In the first occurrence of the word "worship" in the Bible, Abraham showed God how much He was worth by making the trek up a mountain to sacrifice his son.

Seeing that Abraham's heart was in the right place (the place of honoring God above all else), God not only spared the life of Isaac but promised even MORE blessings to Abraham.

Apply

When we think about tests, we usually groan. Tests mean studying; studying means time and energy; and even if we study, there is no guarantee that we'll know what the teacher / professor (test creator) expects of us.

But the testing of God is different.

For God's "Heart Test", studying means spending time with God. It does require time and energy, BUT we know exactly what He wants. He gives us all of the answers in His Word (the Bible).

Though He doesn't cheat, God helps us EVERY step of the way.

If we are wise, we'll submit ourselves to the discipline of God. When times of testing come, our hearts will be in the right place to pass the tests and we'll experience more of God's blessing in our lives.

Pray

"Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me tin the way everlasting." --Psalm 139:23-24

Your Turn!!!

30 Day Cleanse - Day 16

Scripture

"All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the spirit." --Proverbs 16:2

Observe

We think that we are doing what is right, but God judges our real motivation.

Let's talk about the difference between the law and the spirit of the law:

The Law

A "law" is a rule or set of rules established and enforced by a governing body.

In America, our local, state, and federal leaders establish laws for us to follow. We drive within speed limits, stay off of private properties, and refrain from bringing weapons into public places. These laws are intended to protect us and the people around us.

In the same way, the supreme ruler of our universe--God--established certain standards under which His people must live:  The 10 Commandments (Exodus 20).

1. Worship God
2. Do NOT Worship Idols
3. Do NOT use God's Name in Vain
4. Keep the Sabbath
5. Honor Your Parents
6. Do NOT Kill
7. Do NOT Commit Adultery
8. Do NOT Steal
9. Do NOT Lie
10. Do NOT Covet

God's Law contains the parameters of how we ought to relate to God and how we ought to treat to others. It protects us and the people around us.

The Consequences

When we deviate from any law, there are consequences. Depending on the extent of the crime and the location in which it was committed, penalties range from fines, to jail time, to time in prison, to capital punishment.

Likewise, when we break God's Law, the penalty is death.

However, just like a sympathetic judge may allow the person on trial to do community service instead of going to jail, God knew that we would never be able to live up to his standards. Instead of punishing all sinners with death, He accepted sacrifices for penance.

But people still messed up--all the time--and were far away from the very God who created them.

So, God's son, Jesus, decided to give up His own life as a sacrifice--once and for all. He came to Earth, lived a perfect human life, and died on the cross to cover the sins of every man.

"All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God." --Romans 3:23

"The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life, through Christ Jesus, our Lord." --Proverbs 6:23

"But God demonstrates His own love for us in this:  While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." --Romans 5:8

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life." --John 3:16

Through Jesus, we are no longer bound to the Law. Instead, we have the Spirit of God living in us.

The Spirit

What does the Spirit of God do?

"For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death. For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God DID:  Sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh, so that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.... You are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you." --Romans 8:2-4, 9a

God's Spirit teaches us to know the heart of the Father, so we can live out the spirit of the Law.

Imagine this:

I ask you to deliver a present to my mom for Mother's Day, because I have to go out of town on business and am really disappointed I wont be able to be there for her.

You have a choice to respond in one of two ways:

1. The Law: You deliver the present, because that is what I asked.
2. The SPIRIT of the Law: You know that I really wanted to be there for my mom, so you throw a surprise Mother's Day party for her. You decorate, buy flowers, and set up a Skype date, so we can talk while I'm away.

When you fulfill the SPIRIT of the Law, you're not just following a rule, you're paying attention to the heart of the One who established it--the motivation behind it.

Apply

In today's verse, it states that the Lord weighs the SPIRIT.

We may think that we've done a good job, because we did what was required of us, but God tells us that He looks at our hearts--the motives behind our actions.

Jesus said, "'Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.'

'You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, "You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment." But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment.... You have heard that it was said, "You shall not commit adultery." But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.'" --Matthew 5:17, 21-22, 27-28

When we are filled with the Holy Spirit, we have the ability to understand the heart of God, and our hearts DESIRE to do God's will.

We no longer desire to sin--not because of the Law, but because of LOVE.

Like David said to God, "I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you." --Psalm 119:11

Let's remember to spend time in the Word of God and in the presence of God, learning God's heart. To know Him is to know LOVE, and LOVE is the greatest impetus for obedience.

Pray

God, we want our motives to be pure. We don't want to barely scrape by with the minimum; we want to serve you out of LOVE. We thank you that we are no longer subject to the Law but that you have given us Your Spirit. Please give us more of Your Heart, so we can live our lives to please you. Thank you for giving us the desire to do Your Will. Please give us creative ideas to communicate your LOVE to others. We love you! Amen.

Your Turn!!!

30 Day Cleanse - Day 15

Scripture

The Lord detests the sacrifice of the wicked, but he delights in the prayers of the upright. --Proverbs 15:8

Observe

The sacrifices of the ungodly are an abomination to the Lord, but the prayers of the righteous bring favor.

The Words

Three words I found interesting in this passage are:  Sacrifices, Lord, and prayers.

1. Sacrifices - Hebrew "zebach", to sacrifice, from "zabach", to slaughter for sacrifice. To me, slaughter is a brutal word--indicating a lot of hard work (to kill the animal) and personal forfeiture (because what once belonged to the person is no longer theirs).
2. Lord - Hebrew "Yhvh", the proper name of the God of Israel (so holy Jews will not say it or spell it). It comes from the word "havah" which indicates the state of being and becoming. It reminds us that God is, was, and always will be.
3. Prayers - Hebrew "tephillah", prayer, from "patal", to intervene or interpose. Remember how we discussed intercession? It's the act of intervening on behalf of another person. For instance, if my brother was getting in trouble for something my sister did, I would want to intervene on his behalf. When we pray for others, we are interceding (with God) for them.

God, the almighty, eternal, infinite God hates it when the wicked work hard or try to "give things up" to appease Him, but when the righteous come to God to make requests for God to move in the lives of other people, it is pleasing to Him.

This passage reminds me of two passages in Scripture that we have talked about recently:  1 Samuel 15 and Job 42.

The Lord detests the sacrifice of the wicked.

<Read 1 Samuel 15>

God had given the king of Israel, Saul, an objective:  Completely destroy the Amalekites--including women, children, and animals. They were to be entirely eliminated.

Saul went to war against the Amalekites, but he wanted to impress his men, so he saved the best of the Amalekite possessions, including animals and their king, Agag.

Because Saul was disobedient to God, He sent Samuel, His priest and prophet, to correct him. "The Lord sent you on a mission and told you, ‘Go and completely destroy the sinners, the Amalekites, until they are all dead.’ Why haven’t you obeyed the Lord? Why did you rush for the plunder and do what was evil in the Lord’s sight?” --1 Samuel 15:18-19

Saul tried to defend himself, stating that the items he collected were to be sacrificed to God. (He tried to appease God with a sacrifice to make up for his actions.)

But God, through Samuel, revealed His heart to Saul: "What is more pleasing to the Lord:  Your burnt offerings and sacrifices or your obedience to his voice? Listen! Obedience is better than sacrifice, and submission is better than offering the fat of rams. Rebellion is as sinful as witchcraft, and stubbornness as bad as worshiping idols. --1Samuel 15:22-23a

Literally, God could not stand Saul's sacrifice, and the consequences were crucial. "So because you have rejected the command of the Lord, he has rejected you as king." --1 Samuel 15:23b

 But he delights in the prayers of the upright.

<Read Job 42>

The story of Job is a simple one:  Job was a faithful man of God, whom God blessed with family, land, and possessions. The devil challenged God, stating that if He removed His blessings from Job's life, Job would no longer serve Him. God, knowing Job better than anyone, took the challenge, and allowed the devil to take away Job's blessings. Job lost his children, his land was devastated, and his possessions were literally consumed by every kind of natural disaster.

But, Job still praised God.

So, the devil came back to God again, saying that if Job's body was injured, he'd break. God took the challenge again, and the devil was allowed to terribly inflict Job's body (as long as he didn't take Job's life). Job's body was covered in boils so bad that he scraped his skin off with pieces of pottery.

But, Job still praised God.

Job's wife turned bitter, and told Job to curse God and die.

But, Job still praised God.

Finally, Job's friends arrived, and for chapter upon chapter in the Bible, challenged Job's faith--saying things that weren't true about God, and declaring to Job that he must have sinned.

Literally everything that COULD go wrong in Job's life DID.

But, Job still praised God, saying, "Though He slay me, I will hope in Him." --Job 13:15


Finally, at the end of the book, God shows up and reveals Himself to Job in a powerful way. Then:

"After the Lord had finished speaking to Job, he said to Eliphaz the Temanite: 'I am angry with you and your two friends, for you have not spoken accurately about me, as my servant Job has. So take seven bulls and seven rams and go to my servant Job and offer a burnt offering for yourselves. My servant Job will pray for you, and I will accept his prayer on your behalf. I will not treat you as you deserve, for you have not spoken accurately about me, as my servant Job has.' So Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite did as the Lord commanded them, and the Lord accepted Job’s prayer. When Job prayed for his friends, the Lord restored his fortunes. In fact, the Lord gave him twice as much as before!" --Job 42:7-10

Job's righteous prayer for his friends not only spared them from the wrath of God, but also brought incredible blessings back into Job's life.

Apply

For OUR Spiritual Growth:  Every day we live, we make choices whether or not to obey God. God wants us to follow Him by laying down our will in the moment--the sacrifice of self. When we ignore God's voice, we feel the need to try to make up for our disobedience by doing random things for God--the sacrifice of stuff. Which does God prefer? "Then Jesus said to his disciples, 'If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me.'" --Matthew 16:24

For OTHERS to Know God:  Prayer is powerful. God loves us so much that, because we belong to Him, He chooses to listen to our requests on the behalf of others. When we ask for God to heal others, to introduce Himself to them, or to intervene when they aren't making good decisions, those prayers deliver our friends and family out of bondage, and free us up to receive the blessings of God.

Pray

God, help us to know you more. Please build our faith in you, so when you ask us to do things, we will be obedient in the moment. Give us hearts of compassion for others, so we can intercede for them. Give us wisdom in how to pray for the people around us every day. We thank you that we get to be part of your plans, and that you love us enough to listen when we pray! Amen.

Your Turn!!!

Thoughts?

30 Day Cleanse - Day 14

Scripture

"In all labor there is profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty." --Proverbs 14:23

Observe

Hard work brings about abundance, but just talking leaves a void.

Multiple Uses

For Future Kings:  Solomon reminds his sons that kingdoms are not made successful by the length of the king's speech, but by the strength of his efforts.

For Bible Times:  Most of the reading audience would have been farmers, gardeners, craftsman, and people of trade. For them, the message is that all of their hard work will bring about provision, but if they are idol (for example, sitting and chatting instead of working) they will not get anything accomplished.

For Today:  Most of us do not barter and trade for the things we need. We work for our wages, and use the compensation to purchase the things we need. This passage encourages us to be diligent workers, so we can get paid. AKA-Talking about getting a job doesn't actually make us any money.

Apply

This verse applies to our Christian walk, as well.

For Our PERSONAL Spiritual Growth:  James 1:22 states, "But don't just listen to God's word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves." We need to make sure that we don't just talk about God's word, but apply it to our lives. The extra work taken to make spiritual truths our reality WILL pay off.

For Others to Know God:  Later in his book, James says this: "What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone? Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing, and you say, 'Good-bye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well'—but then you don’t give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do? So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless. Now someone may argue, 'Some people have faith; others have good deeds.' But I say, 'How can you show me your faith if you don’t have good deeds? I will show you my faith by my good deeds.'" --James 2:14-18

Likewise, 1 John 3:18 says, "Dear children, let's not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions."

In order to be proper ambassadors of God's Kingdom, we must do more than just love people with our words. We must take care of their practical needs.

Our hard work will bring about spiritual abundance in our lives, and in the lives of those around us.

Pray

God, we pray that everything we do would be done for your glory. We ask that you would help us to internalize your word, to make it part of our lives so that we live by it. Help us to listen to the Holy Spirit's guidance, so our hearts and our actions will line up with your will. Amen.

Your Turn!!!

Is God challenging you through this passage? Is there anything else in Proverbs 14 that stood out to you?

30 Day Cleanse - Day 13

Scripture

 
"A wicked messenger falls into trouble, but a faithful envoy brings healing." --Proverbs 13:17

Observe

If we look at this verse by itself, we see a principle repeated throughout Proverbs:  Trouble will befall the wicked, but God preserves the task of the godly.

When I researched the words, though, I found something cool:

Defining the Terms - Part 1

The term "wicked messenger", in the original Hebrew, is a combination of the words "rasha" (meaning wicked, criminal) and "malak" (meaning angel).

There was a moment in time when the angels of Heaven had a chance to choose between God and Lucifer (Satan). Those who chose Satan were thrown out of Heaven, thus the term "fallen angels."

These fallen angels are more commonly referred to as "demons."

The word for fall is "naphal", meaning "fall" but in many different ways. For example, to fall by being thrown down, cast out, judged, overthrown, or smote.

"Ra'" is the Hebrew word for adversity in this passage. It is a word for affliction, calamity, and distress--which comes from the root word "ra'a'" meaning to spoil by literally breaking it to pieces.

Remember how we talked about the difference between the enemy's destructive abilities and God's? The devil destroys by distraction, but God destroys by taking away authority.

So, let's reread this verse from the vantage point of spiritual warfare:  Demons are thrown down and broken into tiny little bits.

And that's only part one!

Defining the Terms - Part 2

The term "faithful" is from the Hebrew word "emun" meaning established, faithful, trustworthy, true. It comes from the word "'aman" meaning to build up or support. It can have the same connotation as parental guidance and insinuates a trustworthiness based on faithfulness over time. It is unshakably certain and true.

The term "envoy" is from the Hebrew word "tsiyr", meaning "ambassador".

"Marpe" is the Hebrew word for healing in this passage. It comes from the word "rapha" which means cure and thoroughly make whole.

Who is the faithful ambassador who brings the cure?

Isaiah 53:5 prophesies about Jesus, saying,"He was wounded for our transgressions, bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon him, and with His stripes, we are healed."

Jesus is the faithful ambassador from Heaven who brought us complete healing and wholeness.

Apply

Proverbs contains SO many pieces of wisdom. Most of them are repeated again and again. Sometimes, it can feel a little monotonous or boring.

Let's remember, though, that all Scripture points to Jesus.

Time in the Word of God is time spent seeking God, and He rewards those who diligently seek Him (Hebrews 11:6).

Pray

God, help us to find You in the Bible. We know that it is important to renew our minds with the truth found in Your Word, so please make Your truth alive to our hearts. When we read, help us to interact with You and walk away with a greater understanding of who You are and what You are doing. We thank You that while we are learning and growing in You, You are fighting on our behalf. Continue to make us aware of the spiritual victories You have already won for us, so we can walk in victory too. Amen.

Your Turn!!!

30 Day Cleanse - Day 12

Scripture

"A man will not be established by wickedness, but the root of the righteous will not be moved." --Proverbs 12:3

Observe

No one can stand firm in evil, but the righteous have deep roots that cannot be shaken.

Evil = Nothing

Evil is a shallow thing.

Evil is the opposite of good. We associate the word evil with anything negative, immoral, wicked, or depraved. In the Bible, evil is carried out by Satan and his minions (demons).

Evil, however, is much like darkness.

Darkness is not a substance. It cannot be held, nor measured. It is not comprised of "darkness atoms", nor does it contain energy. It is has neither volume, nor mass. It cannot be captured, nor contained.

Darkness is not anything, except the absence of light.

Similarly, evil is not a substance. It is the absence of God.

And actions that are evil are simply actions that take place without God in them.

God is the creator of everything. It says in John 1:3 "All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being."

So, think about the people who try to build their lives on evil.

It would be like trying to construct a Lego tower on a shadow of a table. Without the table itself, the entire Lego structure would fall.

Likewise, people who try to found their life on wickedness--the lack of God--end up falling to pieces.

Building on God

In contrast, the righteous have deep roots in God that cannot be shaken.

How do the righteous become so deeply rooted?

1. Getting into God's Word.
   "How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers! But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night. He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in its season and its leaf does not wither; and in whatever he does, he prospers." --Psalm 1:1-3
2. Living out God's Word.
   "Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded on the rock." --Matthew 7:24-25
3. God's Word in us:  Jesus.
   "So now you Gentiles are no longer strangers and foreigners. You are citizens along with all of God's holy people. You are members of God's family. Together, we are his house, built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets. And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus himself. We are carefully joined together in him, becoming a holy temple for the Lord." --Ephesians 2:19-21

Apply

Every day we're alive, we have an opportunity to build our lives on God--through reading the Word, living the Word (walking it out), and getting to know Jesus better.

At the same time, each day is filled with teeny tiny pivotal decisions--like whether or not to honor God with our words or how we treat someone.

My prayer for all of us is best stated through our Bible Memory Verse:  May the words of our mouths, and the meditations of our hearts, be pleasing in God's sight. HE is our Rock and our Redeemer. (Psalm 19:14)

Pray

God, we recognize that nothing in this world would exist without You. You have made all of creation--including us--and we'd be foolish to try to live without You. We have so many big and small decisions to make every day. Help us to get closer to you, so everything we say and do will be built on the strongest foundation:  You. We want to honor you. Amen.

Your Turn!!!

30 Day Cleanse - Day 11

Scripture

"By the blessing of the upright a city is exalted, but by the mouth of the wicked, it is torn down." --Proverbs 11:11

Observe

When those who walk in righteousness bless a city, that city is lifted high; when the ungodly speak, the city is overthrown.

Keeping it Real

There is a great deal of power in the things that we say.

If an entire CITY can be changed by the blessing of the righteous or the curses of the ungodly, think about how much our words impact the INDIVIDUAL people around us.

I just want to encourage you today that the things that you say have everlasting impact. You can make a choice whether to use your words to bless the people around you and watch them become better people, OR to tear them down and watch them embody the negative things that you say.

Recently, I was challenged by someone to watch the things that I say--because I'm an example as a leader.

But it's NOT just me.

We are called to be imitators of Christ (Ephesians 5:1); we are called to be the light of the world (Matthew 5:14); and we are chosen to be ambassadors of God (2 Corinthians 5:20).

Our lives are not our own, and neither are our words.

As it says in Ephesians 4:29 "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen."

Apply

When we speak about our families, our churches, our leaders, our friends, our schools, our hometowns, our coworkers, and the places that we work--we have an ability to either speak blessings over them and bring the Kingdom of God, or speak death over them.

I challenge you to think before you speak:

What do I want this person to become?
What do I want my nation to become?
What do I want my family to become?
What do I want my church to become?

And then start speaking blessings over and praying for those things, believing that God will bring change to the areas that need it.

If "life and death are in the power of the tongue" (Proverbs 18:21), let's bring life.

Pray

Memorize: "Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my rock and my Redeemer." --Psalm 19:14

Your Turn!!!

Have you ever spoken positively of someone, blessing them even when you didn't want to, and seen God totally change their heart? Write about it below!!!

(P.S. Any time you see God fulfill a promise of Scripture, write it down. God will use it to build your faith and the faith of others.)