We must become like little children.

Unless we become like little children, we will not enter the kingdom of God. (Mat 18:3) It goes against our ambitions and pride, but that’s exactly why we need to do it. A childlike attitude is humble and full of wonder. There is so much God can do in us when we let go of our “adult” attitudes.

It’s so precious to see a little child watching his parent do something and then want to try to do it  himself. The parent will put the tool in the child’s hand, but it is the parent who is doing all the work. That’s exactly the picture of us when we submit to God in humility and love.

We see what Jesus did to heal and bless and we say, Daddy, let me do that. So He puts His hands on ours and works through us. Just like a child, we are thrilled because we think we did it, but we must always remember the source of that power.

God invites us to stand on His feet while He dances us. He loves it when we hold on and giggle with pleasure. And when we learn to trust Him more, the dances become fantastic and exciting. Let go of ambition and be a child. There is so much to discover and experience in the kingdom.

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We are expected to grow in the kingdom of God.

God does not expect us to be perfect, and He certainly doesn’t expect instant transformation. And again He said, ‘To what shall I liken the kingdom of God? It is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal till it was all leavened.’ (Lk 13:20-12)

Jesus is saying that the kingdom of God takes time to develop in us. We receive all that we need when we are saved, but He expects it to grow in us, until we are completely filled with His presence. We enter the kingdom in a heartbeat, but it takes time for our character to be molded and shaped into His image.

Too many people beat themselves up because they compare themselves to those who have been in the kingdom for a long time. They think, “I can never be like that.” But what they don’t see is how that veteran started out. Conversely, don’t judge someone else for not measuring up to your expectations. You do not know the growth they have already been through.

That Jesus should describe the kingdom like leaven should be good news. He puts Himself in us and brings life and growth that gets better and better everyday.

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Commitment is focused attention.

What do you think a mountain climber is thinking when he’s high up in the alps with thin oxygen and brutal conditions? Do you think he’s wondering when he should rotate the tires on his car? Probably not. He’s probably intent on taking the next step safely and checking his equipment. His focus must be directed on what he’s doing because his life is at risk.

Commit your works to the Lord, and your thoughts will be established. (Prv 16:3) If you can commit yourself to the Lord the same way you would commit to any serious task, your mind would be focused on the things of God. There’s no room for foolish thinking or harmful diversions.

Commit your works to God and you will do everything the very best you can. How could you offer anything to God knowing that you could have done it better, but didn’t feel like it? Committing to God changes how we think because we want to bless Him with what He’s given us. We are renewed in our minds. Our very thoughts become directed to Him.

And what ever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. (Col 3:23) That reward includes good thoughts.

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Serve Him out of love.

Our salvation requires payment. It is free to receive, but we pay our lives for freedom in Christ. We no longer own ourselves. He who is called while free is Christ’s slave. (1Cor 7:22) We are more than slaves, yes. We are heirs and friends, but the cost of freedom is our life.

If you choose to become a slave, you don’t get to dictate what you do or how you will be treated. Your master owns you. You put yourself in his hands to do what ever you are told to do. There is a point in our relationship with Jesus that we submit to being owned with complete love and joy. That is called bondservant. Paul, James, Peter, and Jude all called themselves bondservants because their love of Jesus overpowered their desire to own themselves.

If we are truly bondservants, then why do we hesitate or refuse to be obedient when we know we’ve been asked to do something? Would you do that if a flesh and blood master gave you a command? No. You would act immediately.

We need to find that place of obedience out of love, setting aside our own agendas. Be used by Him because of your love and love will fill you even more.

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We become bondservants out of love.

Salvation places us in a unique relationship with Jesus. We become both sibling and friend. He is our Savior, our Lord, and our Brother. We have a divine right to use His name and His authority. He gives us boldness to enter the throne room as heirs of righteousness. But as we grow in greater understanding of who He is and what He has done, we take on another aspect of this relationship–servant. Continue reading →

God blesses our dreams.

Dreams never die, they just become tarnished. Our dreams are real, like a lacy covering of an idea that came from God. They have substance and a place in the reality of our destiny. They remain, despite the attention we give them.

It is the enemy that makes us feel that our dreams are stupid. It is his lies that lure us away from our heart’s desires. The dreams that come from God will always speak to us of promise and potential. They make us excited to even consider.

There is life in what could be, because our dreams, the ones that beckon us up, carry the fragrance of the Spirit of God. It is His way of calling us to a higher place of joy and grace. Even if those dreams seem mundane and simple, when we are called out of ourselves, we grow in faith to achieve them. God blesses that with His grace.

Allow yourself to remember. Allow yourself to dream. There is more to this life than the requirements for survival. We were created to be expressive and joyful. Open your heart to His wooing. He is leading you to a realm of wonder and delight. Dreams do come true, and it is His delight to see you happy.

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