Chew on It

Have you ever wondered how exactly we are supposed to live this "holy and blameless" life that Christ calls us to?

How are we, sinners by human nature, to go through our day-to-day lives in this un-godly, corrupt world without sinning? Without making a total and complete mess of things??

While we are saved by God's Grace (getting something we don't deserve--Heaven) and Mercy (not getting what we do deserve--Hell), through faith in Jesus Christ ALONE, we are not allowed this "get out of jail free" card to just continue on in life as we please because we're "saved."

(We can talk another day on Grace and how we will never be perfect, nor does Christ expect us to be perfect.)

But now, think about this....

Just as you desire to please those you truly love with all of your heart, we should have a desire to please Christ once we come into a relationship with Him. Our hearts should WANT to live a life for Him.

But How???

Psalm 119:9
How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word. I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.

Psalm 119:97
Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long.

Psalm 1:2
But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.

Meditate.

Most of the time, this word is in reference to other religions, with a bad connotation. As if meditation is a bad thing to do. But when in reference to the "law" (God's Word), it is what we are to do in order to live this pure life of which we are called.

It's literal meaning according to dictionary.com is to engage in thought or contemplation; reflect.
My youth pastor once told me that it is as if you were chewing on something all day long.

Gum is where my mind goes when I think of chewing on something.  I love gum! I can chew 3-4 pieces in a day if I'm at work or needing to concentrate.

Scripture tells us repeatedly to meditate on God's Word, and Ps 119 says that it is the way that we can keep our "way pure".

Chew on God's Word.

As a teenager and throughout my college years, I made sure to surround myself with scripture that I knew I needed to memorize and have in my face each day.  I had signs on my mirrors, dresser, in my car, beside my bed...everywhere...with scriptures written on them.

"Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young..." (1 Tim 4:12)
"Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world..." (Romans 12:1-2)
"...he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear...." (1 Cor 10:13)
"Your beauty...should be that of your inner self..." (1 Peter 3:3-4)


Chew on it.

Can you depend on 1 piece of gum to get you through an entire day?? Week?? Month??
Absolutely not!!

After a few hours (at best) it starts getting stale, and eventually loses all flavor. It becomes tasteless, and you have to spit it out before it begins to disentigrate in your mouth from all the chewing.
Hey, I said I love gum...I know what happens if you keep chewing it!

The same is true with Scripture. Why do we, as Christians (preaching to the choir here!) think that we  can go any amount of time without diving into His Word for guidance?

Without reading, memorizing, and "chewing" on Scripture, we fail to live up to the life that Christ called us to.
We begin being flavorless Christians, instead of the "salt and light" of the World. (Mat 5:13)

Dive in to His Word DAILY!!

Write out an encouraging verse and tape it to your mirror...get some flavor in your life!

His Beauty Queen

From the time I was in 3rd grade, until the time I graduated High School, I was in pageants every year.

 I was never the real competitive type, but I LOVED getting all dressed up, putting on a pretty dress and prancing across the stage. 

My daddy went to every single pageant...along with every other family member (I know, they all hated me for it). 

One of the only things I can remember about each and every pageant are the words my daddy would say to me before each one of them.

"Heather, remember that no matter what happens, you are the winner in my eyes. You are the most beautiful one to me"

As a little girl, I soaked this up, and I really believed that my daddy thought I was the most beautiful one out there. I'm sure he did, which made it even better. 

I never really won a "real" pageant, but it never mattered because I knew I had a daddy waiting for me to embrace me after it was all over with and reassure me with those words once again. That I was his best...his favorite...no matter what.

Fast forward 20 years from first hearing those words. 

I was driving in my car listening to the radio, and this song comes on that I've heard a thousand times. I started singing along, but it was like God was speaking through it and my mind went back to those words my daddy told me so many times.

Francesca Battistelli "He Knows my Name" 

I don't need my name in lights

I'm famous in my Father's eyes

Make no mistake

He knows my name

I'm not living for applause

I'm already so adored

It's all His stage

He knows my name

You see, just as my earthly daddy has shown me over and over that he loves me no matter what...no matter what my "performance" shows, my Heavenly Daddy has such a greater love for me as well. 

And you.

He loves you for you. Not for what you have or have not done. He created your inmost being (Psalm 139) and you don't have to try and impress Him. He loves you because He IS love. 

It is so easy to believe the lies that are constantly racing through your mind. 

"I'm not good enough."

"I have sinned too much."

"I'm a failure"

"I'll never be perfect, so why even try?"

But, girlfriend, be assured that God is so much bigger than any lie that you could ever imagine. You see, He knows YOUR name....YOUR thoughts....YOU ARE ADORED! 

Despite anything you have or have not done, you are famous in His eyes. 

He is looking down upon you now saying:

"Sweet daughter, remember that no matter what happens, you are the winner in my eyes. You are the most beautiful one to me"

You are His Beauty Queen. He adores you in ways we can never imagine. 

Lets fall madly in love with Him daily and "prance across the stage" for Him.