Copyright

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CONTENTS

Copyright1:TheCookie2:HappyBirthday3:YouAreWorthaLittleWaste4:GodLikesaParty5:CelebrateYourProgress6:CelebratethroughGiving7:ATimetoRemember8:CelebrateWhoYouAreandWhatYouHave9:CelebrateYou10:LearnWhentoStop11:GiveYourSoulaVacation12:Priorities13:MyAllinAll14:GiveGodYourAll15:CelebrateDiscipline16:DisciplineYourselftoCelebrate

NotesAboutTheAuthorJoyceMeyerMinistriesU.S.&ForeignOfficeAddressesOtherBooksbyJoyceMeyer

CHAPTER1

TheCookie

ItwasSaturdayafternooninSt.Louis,Missouri,duringour2007annualautumnwomen’s convention, andwewere on a brief lunch break preceding the finalsession of the conference. This is one of the most significant events that ourministrysponsors.Itisattendedbythousandsofwomenfromallovertheworld,and it requiresa tremendousamountofhardwork, creativity, andpreparation.The three-day conference begins on Thursday evening, and by the Saturdaylunch break, I’m usually mentally, physically, and emotionally tired. Thisparticular event seems to take a lot out ofme for several reasons.By the lastsession,Ifeelagreatdealofresponsibilitytobesurethattheconferenceendsinawaythatleavesourattendeesenergizedandverygladtheycame.

We had enjoyed a small lunch, and I was gathering all of my strengthgettingreadytogototheplatformandbringtheconferencetoafantasticfinish.Dave and Iwere leaving the lunchroomwhen I saw a plate of chocolate chipcookiesIhadpassedbywhenIwasselectingmylunchfromthebuffet.AsIsawthem this time I thought, “I really want (need) a little piece of one of thosecookies.” I stopped at the table and broke off about one-third of one of thecookiesandateit.AsweproceededtotheplatformDavesaid,“Didyoujusteatpart of that cookie?” His tone of voice was accusing and right away I gotdefensive.Ifeltlikesaying,“Chillout…itisjustapieceofcookie!”

YoumightwonderwhyDave cared about one-third of a cookie.Wehadrecentlysignedupataworkoutfacilityninemonthspriortotheconvention.Weworkedout threedaysaweekandhadcommitted toa specialeatingplan thatwas rather strict.Fourdaysaweekweatemostlyproteinandvegetables.Thefifthdaywascalleda“freeday”becausewegot toeatonemealconsistingofanythingwewantedtoeat.Usuallyonthatdayweatepastaand/ordessert.Wewerefreetoeatwhateverwewantedduringthatonemealaslongaswegotrightback on our eating plan the next day. Our free day for that week was thefollowing day, andDave had challengedme because I had eaten the piece ofcookieonthewrongday.

Inhisownwords,hewasonlytryingtohelpme.ButIdidn’twanthelporadvice. I wanted the cookie! I was tired, I had come a long way in theconference, and I needed something to getme to the finish line. I didn’t carewhatitwas,butitneededtobefun,pretty,orsweet.Andthecookiehappenedtobe the first thing I saw that fit that description. Being aman, Dave does notunderstandthingslikethat.Heisverylogicalandinhismind,itsimplywasn’ttherightdaytoeatthecookie.HewantedmetoknowthatIwouldbesorryafterIateit.However,Iwasnottheleastbitsorry.IfeltthatIdeservedit,andinthesamesetofcircumstancesIwoulddoitagain!

My friend saw what was happening between me and Dave, and havingcompassion and understanding, she put her arm aroundmy shoulder and said,“You deserve that cookie, and if I were you, when this last session is over Iwouldgobuyapairofshoestogowithit!”(SheknowsIlikeshoes.)Shetotallyunderstoodthatthecookiewasmeetinganemotionalneedofmine.Beingaleft-brainedmale,Davedidn’tgetitatall.

Iwentonstageandmadeajokeoutofit,likeIusuallydoaboutmostofthethings thathappenbetweenDaveandme,andeveryoneenjoyed it immensely.Actually, the ladiescheeredso longand loudandweresohappyforme that IhadeatenthecookiethatIbegantorealizethattherewasalargerissueinvolvedin theeatingof thecookie thatneeded tobeexplored.That’showthe ideaforthisbookwasbirthed.Interestinglyenough,whentheteachingaboutthecookieairedonEnjoyingEverydayLife, itwas sowell received that itwasvoted thefavoriteprogramoftheyearbythepeoplewhowatchthebroadcast.Obviously,I’dstruckanerve.

There are timeswhenweall need to eat the cookie andbuy the shoes inordertohelpusfinishwhatwehavestartedorasawayofcelebratingsomethingwehaveaccomplished.Yourcookieandshoescanbeanythingthatyouenjoy.Itcanbe a favorite food, anap, amanicureorpedicure. If you are abravemanreadingthisbook,youcanplaygolf,gofishing,gotoaballgame,orwhatever

helpsyourestandrefreshesyou.Youmayevenbeamanwholikesmanicures,pedicures, and bubble baths, or awomanwho likes to get out tools and buildsomethingamazing.Wedon’thavetofitintosomesocietymold.Wearefreetoenjoyanythingaslongitisnotimmoralorillegal.

I sincerelywish that themale specieswasmore understanding about thecookiesinlife,butmostofthemjustdon’tseemtogetit.Davefullyintendedtogo hit his golf balls Saturday evening, which is his way of relaxing andcelebrating a jobwell done. But he still had the nerve to comment aboutmycookie!Itisn’tfairthatcookieshavecaloriesandgolfballsdon’t.IfeverygolfballDavehithadtencalories,hewouldweighathousandpounds!

Dave trulywas trying tohelpmewhenhecommentedon thecookie.Heloves me immensely and is extremely good to me. But he simply didn’tunderstandmy need at thatmoment. Sadly, ifwe are not confident about ourchoices,wecaneasilyletotherpeoples’commentsmakeusfeelguiltyandruinthejoyweneedtoexperienceinlifethroughdoingthelittlethingsthatmeanalottous.Myfriendrescuedmefromtheguiltthatcouldhavehoundedmethatday,andIamthankfultoGodforusingher.Ididn’tneedguiltasIapproachedthefinalsessionoftheconvention.Ineededthecookieandthethoughtofshoeslaterthatday!

Sadly,ifwearenotconfidentaboutourchoices,wecaneasilyletotherpeoples’commentsmakeusfeelguiltyandruinthejoywe

needtoexperienceinlifethroughdoingthelittlethingsthatmeanalottous.

We’reNotBuiltforGuilt

Makingpeoplefeelguiltyaboutanything isnotGod’smodeofoperation.Thesourceofguilt is thedevil.He is theaccuserof thebrethren, according to theBible(seeRev.12:10).Godwillconvictusofwrongchoicesandactions,butHenever tries tomakeus feel guilty.Guilt presses us down andweakens us, butgodlyconvictionbringsawarenessofwrong,andanopportunitytochangeandprogress.

We are not built for guilt.God never intendedHis children to be loadeddownwithguilt,sooursystemsdon’thandleitwellatall.HadGodwantedustofeelguilty,HewouldnothavesentJesus toredeemusfromguilt.Hebore,orpaidfor,ouriniquitiesandtheguilttheycause(seeIsa.53:6and1Peter2:24–25).As believers in Jesus Christ and as sons and daughters ofGod,we havebeensetfreefromthepowerofsin(seeRom.6:6–10).Thatdoesn’tmeanthatwe’ll never sin, but it does mean that when we do, we can admit it, receiveforgiveness,andbefreefromguilt.OurjourneywithGodtowardrightbehaviorandholinessisprogressive,andifwehavetodragtheguiltfrompastmistakesalongwithus,we’llnevermakeprogresstowardtruefreedomandjoy.Perhapsthis is the main reason why so few people actually enter into and enjoy theinheritancepromisedthroughrelationshipwithJesusChrist.

Wearenotbuiltforguilt.

Your future has no room for your past. How much time do you wastefeelingguilty? It is important thatyou thinkabout this,becausespending timedwellingonpastmistakesissomethingGodhastoldusnottodo.HeevensentustheHolySpirittohelpusgainfreedominthisarea.Don’tbesointenseaboutevery mistake that you make. So what if you’re not perfect? Nobody else iseither.Besides,Jesuscameforthosewhoweresick(imperfect),notthosewhowerewell(perfect).

Yourfuturehasnoroomforyourpast.Howmuchtimedoyouwaste

feelingguilty?

The Apostle Paul was very emphatic about the need to let go of pastmistakesinordertohavethestrengthtopressontowardthemarkofperfectionthatGodiscallingusto.

NotthatIhavenowattained[thisideal],orhavealreadybeenmadeperfect,but I press on to lay hold of (grasp) and make my own, that for whichChristJesus(theMessiah)haslaidholdofmeandmademeHisown.

Idonotconsider,brethren,thatIhavecapturedandmadeitmyown[yet]; but one thing I do [it is my one aspiration]: forgetting what liesbehindandstrainingforwardtowhatliesahead,

Ipressontowardthegoaltowinthe[supremeandheavenly]prizetowhichGodinChristJesusiscallingusupward.

Philippians3:12–14

Satanwill definitely try tomakeus feel guilty about our sins, faults, andweaknesses. Evenworse, hewill try tomake us feel guiltywhenwe haven’tdoneanythingwrong.Untilmyfriendencouragedme,Iwasabouttofeelguiltyabouteatingonethirdofachocolatechipcookieonthewrongday!Therewasnosinineatingthecookie.Wecouldeatadozencookiesanditstillwouldn’tbesin.Itwouldnotbeagoodorawisechoice,butitwouldnotbesininthetruesenseoftheword.Ijustneededalittlecelebrationbeforeapproachingthefinishofmy conference, andwhat I almost gotwas a dose of guilt, frustration, andresentment—allfromateaspoonfulofcookiebatter!

I’vesurveyedmanypeopleonthissubjectandhavefoundthatmostpeoplefeelguiltywhentheytaketheopportunitytocelebrate.Theypushthemselvestogoonwithnojoyfuelintheirtank.Joyisthefuelweneedtoreachthefinishlineofanendeavorwithagoodattitude.Wemaydriveourselvestofinish,butsomewherealongthewaywewillprobablybecomebitterandgetachiponourshoulderifwedon’tlightenupandtaketimetocelebratethejourney.

Ibelievethatwemustconfrontthereasonswhywetendtofeelguiltyaboutenjoying and celebrating lifewhenGod has clearly ordained and commandedboth.Ourthinkinghasbeenwarpedintheseareas.Satanhasmanagedtodeceiveus,andbydoingsohesucceedsinkeepingpeoplewearyandwornout,feelingresentful,andtakenadvantageofbecauseofexcessiveworkandresponsibility.

We need times of refreshment and recreation as well as work andaccomplishment.

WhenIasklargeaudienceshowmanypeoplefeelguiltywhentheytrytorest or entertain themselves or even do things they enjoy,my guesswould bethat at least 80 percent of the people raise their hands. I was part of that 80percent until I decided that I was not built for guilt, and I was not going tocontinueallowingarenegadefeelingtorulemylife.

WhenIasklargeaudienceshowmanypeoplefeelguiltywhentheytrytorestorentertainthemselvesorevendothingstheyenjoy,myguesswouldbethatatleast80percentofthepeopleraisetheir

hands.

IstudiedGod’swordaboutguiltandstudiedHischaracterandnatureuntilIwastotallyconvincedthatGodisnotthesourceofguilt.Iseeguiltasanillegalalien that attacks our mind and conscience, attempting to prevent us fromenjoyinganythingGodhasprovidedforus.GuilthasnolegalrightinourlivesbecauseJesushaspaidforoursinsandmisdeeds.Ifitisinusillegally,thenweneedtosenditbackwhereitcamefrom—whichishell!Don’tgiveguiltagreencardor,evenworse,citizenshipandallowittotakeupresidenceinyou.

Iwasonceaddictedtoguilt.TheonlytimeinlifethatIfeltrightwaswhenIfeltwrong.IespeciallyhaddifficultyenjoyingmyselfbecauseIdidn’tfeelthatI deserved it. I was most definitely a person who needed to give myselfpermissiontolightenupandnotbesointenseaboutbasicallyeverythinginlife.Iwas intenseabouthowmychildrenbehavedand looked. Iwas intenseabouthow my house looked, how I looked, and what people thought of us. I wasintenseabout tryingtochangemyhusbandintowhatI thoughtheshouldbe. Ireally can’t think of anything I wasn’t intense about! I remember going to adoctoroncebecauseIwasexhaustedallthetimeandgenerallyfelthorrible.Hetalked tome fiveminutes and said, “You are a very intensewoman and yourproblem is stress!” I got offended, left his office, and continued on with myintense,stressfullifestyle.

I didn’t know how to trust God with daily life. I was out of balance inalmost everything and I did not yet realize that celebration and enjoyment arenecessary in our lives and we cannot be healthy spiritually, mentally,emotionally, or physically without them.Wemust remember that we are notbuiltforguilt,andweshoulddealwithitaggressivelyanytimeweexperienceit.

Thebestgiftyoucangiveyourfamilyandtheworldisahealthyyouandyoucannotbehealthywithoutcelebrationbeingaregularpartofyourlife.Youcan change the entire atmosphere in your home simply by giving yourselfpermissiontolightenup.

CHAPTER2

HappyBirthday

Iwanttohelpyouseeallofthereasonsyouhavetocelebrate.Let’sstartwithyour birthday. The day you were born was an awesome day, and everyanniversary of that day should be celebrated.We just celebrated our youngestgrandson’sfirstbirthday,and thehousewasfullofpeople,presents,andfood.He couldn’t have cared less, but we were having a great time! It seems wealwaysmakeabigdealoutofachild’sfirstbirthday,butastheyearsgoby,westopthinkingitisimportant.

Bythetimemostpeoplereachtheirthirtiestheysaythingslike,“ItisjustanotherdayandIamjustanotheryearolder.”“Idon’tneedaparty,anddon’tworryaboutagift.It’sjustanotherday.”FormostofmyadultbirthdaysIhaveworked. The office booked a conferencewithout realizing itwasmy birthdayandIapproveditbysaying,“Ohwell, it is justanotherbirthday.”Peoplewholovemesendcardsandgifts,andsomeoneusuallyinvitesmeouttodinnerifIamintownorwhenIgetbackintown.But,Ihavenothadaspiritofcelebrationinmyheartaboutit.AsfarasIwasconcerned,Iwasjustanotheryearolder.Iwould even say things like, “When you get this old, another year doesn’tmatter.”Myattitudewaswrong,andIamsorrythatImissedsomanychancestocelebrateanotheryearoflife.

WhenweseriouslyconsiderwhatthePsalmistDavidsaidaboutourbirth,

werealizeweneedtocelebratetheamazingworkGoddidwhenHecreatedus.

For You did form my inward parts; You did knit me together in mymother’swomb.

IwillconfessandpraiseYou forYouare fearfulandwonderfulandfortheawfulwonderofmybirth!WonderfulareYourworks,andthatmyinnerselfknowsrightwell.

Psalms139:13–14

Perhapspartofthereasonwhywedon’tfeeltheneedtocelebrateisthatwelackunderstandingonhowtrulyawesomeweare.Davidsaidthathisinnerselfknew that theworkGodhaddonewas amazingbeyond comprehension.Let’stakealookathowTheMessagetranslatestheseverses.

Ohyes,youshapedmefirstinside,thenout;youformedmeinmymother’swomb.

Ithankyou,HighGod—you’rebreathtaking!Bodyandsoul,Iammarvelouslymade!Iworshipinadoration—whatacreation!

Psalms139:13–14

Ifwe could see ourselves fromGod’s perspective,wewould see thatwehaveahugereasontocelebratetheanniversaryofourbirth.Ifoneyearoflifeisworthcelebratingwiththegustowehadonourgrandson’srecentbirthday,thenwe should celebrate evenmore the olderwe get.Why not celebrate thatGodkept your heart beating another year at an amazing thirty-eight million beatsduring the year? Your blood circulates through your body once every sixtyseconds and that is really amazing considering that youhavebetween twenty-fourthousandandforty-eightthousandmilesofbloodvesselsinyourbody.Thatmeansyourheartpumpedyourbloodthroughallthosemilesofvessels525,600timesinthepastyear!

Ourbodiesareamazingvehicles.Ihearmyhusbandandsonstalkintonesofwonder about some new car they admire, and yet our bodies are infinitelymorefinelytunedandbrilliantlydesignedthananyautomobileevermade.Ijustpassedmysixty-sixthyearof life, and thanks tomynewunderstandingof the

importance of celebration, I went all out to celebrate. I decided to have abirthdayweekinsteadofaday,andIcanhonestlysayitwasthebestbirthdaythat I can remember. That was mainly due to my attitude of celebration. Irealized that celebrating another year of life as a gift fromGodwas awayofhonoringHim.WhenIwassixty,myfamilygavemeawonderfulhugeparty.But this birthdaywas even better, because I really celebrated withmywholeheart.

I was due for some celebrating anyway. We had just been involved inseveraltragicsituationsinvolvingpeopleweknowandlove.Iwasdrained.Ontopofthat,IwasbehindinmywritingscheduleduetothetimeIhadtospendonanunexpectedwritingproject,andIneededtogetstartedagainrightawayonthisbook.MybirthdayjusthappenedtobeinthemidstofthistimeandIuseditasanexcusetoparty,relax,getsomenewclothes,eat,spendtimewithpeopleIlove,andgivetoothers.AlloftheseverynaturalthingshelpedmerecoverfromthetragiceventsandtheworkloadIhadjusthad,andtheyhelpedmegetreadyforthenextprojectIneededtotackle.

Itriedtositdownandstartthisbookwithouttakingtimetocelebrate,andtheonlythingIcouldthinktosaywas“Introduction”!Iputthatwordatthetopof thepageandcouldnot thinkofone thing tosayafter that. Ineeded to taketimetorefreshthroughcelebrationbeforecreativitywouldflowagain.Idecidedtohaveabirthdayweek,andforfivefulldaysIdidthingsthatIenjoyeddoing.Iavoided all problems, made a point of not being around people who arechallengingformetobewith,andItookthetimetothoroughlyenjoyeachthingI did. After two days of celebrating, I tried again to write and managed onesentence.Afterthatsentencenothingelsecametome.OnceagainIstaredattheblankpageon thecomputeranddecided tocelebratea fewmoredays!By thefifthday,IcouldfeelinmysoulthatIhadmadeatransitionandwasreadytoworkagain.TodayIgotstartedatsixAMandhavebeenwritingforhours.AndI’veenjoyedeverymomentofit.

Ifeelreadytoworkandbecreative;infact,Iwanttowork!IfIhaddeniedmyself the timeofcelebration,as Ihad for somanyyears, Iwouldhavebeenstruggling,frustratedandresentful,thinkingofhowIworkedallthetimewhileotherpeopleenjoyedthemselves.

I am sure thatmost of youwomen reading this book have had plenty oftimeswhen you have felt that you do all thework, nobody really appreciatesyou, and that your husband and children go about enjoying life without everrealizinghowmuchyousacrifice.Itiscommonlycalledamartyrsyndrome,andIhaditforatleastone-halfofmylife.Theanswertotheproblemisnotfoundinsomeoneelsedoingsomethingforyou,althoughthatishelpful.Therealanswer

isyoulearninghowtocelebrateyourownprogresssoyouhavestrengthtobeginthenextonewithoutresentment.Ilikeitwhenotherpeopledothingsformeorencourageme,butIhavedecidedthat if theydon’thappento thinkof it, Iamgoingtodoitmyself!

CelebratetheOrdinary

Everydaycannotbeabirthday,andthisdaymaybeaveryordinaryoneforyou.Perhapsyouhavejustfinishedspringcleaning,andsometimebeforetheweekisoveryouneedtovisityourmomatthenursinghome,takehertoadoctorvisit,gotothegrocerystore,makeittoaparent-teacherconference,takelittleJohnnietosoccerpractice,andwatchyourhusbandbowlonFridaynightsohefeelsthatyouareagoodwifewhoisinterestedinhim.Mysuggestiontoavoidbitterness,resentment,andperhapsamildnervousbreakdownistotaketimebetweenthespringcleaningandalltherestofthethingsonyourscheduleanddosomethingthatyoureallyenjoythatwouldqualifyascelebration.Thefirstthingyourmindisgoingtosayis,“Youdon’thavetimetodothat.”ButIamtellingyouthatyouneed to take the time. And if you do, the rest of your tasks will go moresmoothlyandjoyfully.Ifyoudon’ttakethetimetorechargeyourbatteries,thenyou are probably headed for some version of sinking emotions—discouragement,depression,despair,anger, resentment,or self-pity.Whenyoustarttofeeldown,justtakethetimetodosomething“up”thatliftsyourmoodandhelpsyoufeelbetteraboutlifeingeneral.

Cleaning house is an ordinary thing, but getting the job done can still becelebrated.Perhapswecouldenjoyordinary,everydaylifemoreifwelearnedtocelebrate the ordinary. I am actually inviting you to creatively find reasons tocelebrate.Wecannotalwayscelebrate fordaysata time like I justdid formybirthday,butevensmallcelebrationscanrefreshus.Eatacookie,buyapairofshoes,gotolunchwithagoodfriend,sitinthesunshine,goforawalk,orputaspoonful of whipped cream in your coffee. Take the time to do whatever isspecial toyou. Itdoesn’tevenhave to takea long time,but it isnecessary foroptimumjoyandmaintainingagoodattitude.

Toomuch of the ordinary iswhatwe normally get boredwith, but I amconvincedthat it’sourownfault.Wedon’thave towait forsomethingnice tohappen to us,we can be aggressive and do something nice for ourselves. Formanyofyou,Iknowthisisanewthought;onethatmayseemforeignandevenunspiritual.But I can assure you that it is part ofGod’s plan.You can createvariety,anditwillkeepyourlifemoreexciting.Isatwithmycomputeronmylapforaboutfourhours thismorningandthenstoppedforawhile todosome

otherthingsIneededtodo.WhenIwentbacktomywriting,Idecidedtositinadifferentpartofthehousejustforvariety.IchoseaplacewhereIcouldlookoutthewindowandhadplentyoflight.Simplelittlethingslikethiscostnothing,buttheyareveryvaluable.

Wedon’thavetowaitforsomethingnicetohappentous,wecanbeaggressiveanddosomethingniceforourselves.

NodayneedstobeordinaryifwerealizethegiftGodisgivinguswhenHegivesusanotherday.Anextraordinaryattitudecanquicklyturnanordinarydayinto an amazing adventure. Jesus said that He came that we might have andenjoylife(seeJohn10:10).Ifwerefusetoenjoyit,thenit’snoone’sfaultbutour own. Iwould like to suggest that you take responsibility for your joy andnever again give anyone else the job of keeping you happy. You can controlwhat you do, but you cannot control what other people do. So you may beunhappyalotofthetimeifyouonlydependonthemasyoursourceofjoy.ThePsalmistDavidsaidthatheencouragedhimselfintheLord,andifhecandoit,thenwecandoit.

Solomontalkedaboutcelebrationwhenhesaid:

Behold,whatIhaveseentobegoodandfittingisforonetoeatanddrink,andtofindenjoymentinallthelaborinwhichhelaborsunderthesunallthedayswhichGodgiveshim—forthisishis[allotted]part.

Ecclesiastes5:18

I can see from this Scripture that the cookie was my allotted part thatSaturdayafternoonin2007atourconference.Ithelpedmeenjoymylabor,andsincethenIhavelearnedagreatdealabouttheartofcelebration.IamsosorrythatIlivedsolongwithoutit,butIamfullycommittedtospendingtherestofmylifemakingupforlosttime!

Everydayisworthcelebrating,butespeciallythedayofyourbirth.Goforitanddon’tholdback.Godhasgivenyouanotheryear todotheordinaryandtheextraordinary,andyouarecheatingyourselfifyoudon’tcelebrate.

CHAPTER3

YouAreWorthaLittleWaste

TheBibleteachesustobeprudent,andthatmeansbeinggoodmanagersofallof our resources. Yet there are times when God gets rather extravagant withthosewhomHeloves.Sometimesinanefforttonotbewastefulwecanbecomedownright cheap and stingy. Some people are especially that way withthemselves. I know people who are generous with others, but their generalattitudetowardthemselvesisthattheycandowithout.Theysay,“Idon’tneedthat,” or, “I can dowithout that.”But I believe they are depriving themselvesbecausetheydon’tfeelworththecostoftheindulgence.

PerhapswecanlearnalessonfromJesus.HewasnearingthetimeofHissuffering and death, and He went to Simon’s house, where a woman namedMary cameup toHimandpoured expensive perfumeonHis head asHewasrecliningatthetable.SinceHewasatthetableIamassumingthatHeeitherwasorhadbeeneating(maybeacookie).Whenthedisciplessawwhatshedid,theybecame indignant, saying, “For what purpose is all this waste?” They talkedabouthowtheperfumecouldhavebeensoldandthemoneygiventothepoor.

Jesusrepliedbytellingthemnottobotherthewomanbecauseshehaddoneanoble (praiseworthyandbeautiful) thing forHim.Jesussaid that theywouldalwayshavethepoorwiththem,buttheywouldnotalwayshaveHim.Hesaidthatwhat shehaddonehadhelpedprepareHimfor the trialsahead (seeMatt.26:6–12).TheperfumeshepouredoutonJesuswasprobablyworthaboutone

yearofwages,butherextravagancecertainlyblessedHim.ThelovesheshowedtoHimhelpedgiveHim thestrengthHeneeded to face theupcomingdaysofpersecution, trial, suffering, crucifixion, and death. God often works throughunlikelyvesselsandinunusualwaystogiveuscourageandstrength.AfurtherstudyofthisamazingeventteachesusthatthehomeJesuswasinbelongedtoaleper,andthewomanwhoblessedHimhadformerlyhadsevendemonscastoutofher.ItisinterestingtonotewhoJesuschosetospendtimewithatthiscriticaltimeinHislife:itwasnotthereligiouscrowd.

Inthisparticularinstance,JesuswassayingthatforthistimeandoccasionHewasworth theextravagance,orwhat thedisciples sawaswaste.Weknowthatordinarilywastewouldnotbegood,buteverything isbeautiful in its time(seeEccles.3:11).Thereisatimetogetandatimetolose,atimetokeepandatime to give away (see Eccles. 3:6). Jesus certainly believed in giving to thepoor.HeandHisdiscipleskeptmoneywith themas they traveledspecificallyfor the purpose of giving to the poor theymet on their journey.But religiouslegalismleavesnoroomtobeledbytheHolySpirit.Everythingiscontrolledbyrules,regulation,andlawswhenoneisreligiouslylegalistic.ThisiswhyJesushad such harsh things to say to the religious people ofHis day. It is also thereasonwhy,whenHewanted to relaxwith friends,He chose ordinary peoplewho had made mistakes and wanted forgiveness, mercy, and a better way ofliving.

Thedisciples lookedatwhatwasgoingonfromtheirmindsandnot theirhearts,andtheymissedthewholepoint.MaryhadbeenforgivenformuchandshelovedJesusverymuch.ShelovedHimsomuchthatshewaswillingtotakewhatwasprobablyhermostpreciouspossessionandpouritalloverHimasanactofgratitudeandworship.HerwholehearteddisplayofaffectionministeredtoHiminsuchadeepandprofoundwaythatHesaidithelpedprepareHimforHisburial.Thiswholestoryistrulyamazingandcontainsawonderfullessonifwereallylookatitdeeply.

SeeingfromGod’sView

WhenwelookatthingswiththeeyesofourheartwearemorelikelytoseefromGod’sview.Thepoorarecertainlyimportant,butatthatmomentJesusneededtobepreparedforaworld-changingeventanditwasworthadeparturefromtheordinarywaythingswereusuallydone.

Whenourministrytakespeopletothemissionfieldforthefirsttime,theyusually comehome after seeing such severe poverty and feel that they shouldnever buy anything again that is not absolutely andvitally necessary, and thattheyshouldgiveawayeverythingelse.WewentthroughthesamethingbutsoonrealizedthatwhileGodwasaskingustohelpthepoor,Hewasnotaskingustobecomepoor.Peoplewhostarttofeelguiltyafteramissiontripandbegintoliveonwhat theyneed tobarelygetbyquicklybecomeunhappy,unlessofcourseGod has given them a special grace to make such an extraordinary sacrifice.Theycannotunderstandwhytheyareunhappybecauseafterall,theyaredoingthe noble thing.However, they are doing something that is not necessary andthatGodneveraskedthemtodo.

Wecannot laborandneverenjoy the fruitofour labor. It isnot inGod’splanforHischildren.Justaswearenotbuilt forguilt,wearenotdestinedbyGodtolivewithbarelyenoughtogetby.HeisElShaddi,theGodofmorethanenough.HeisJehovahJirah,theLordourProvider.HesaidthatHewasabletodoexceedingly,abundantly,aboveandbeyondallthatwecouldeverdaretoask,thinkorimagine(seeEph.3:20).Hesaidthatifwewouldbefaithfultobringallofourtitheintothestorehousesotherewouldalwaysbeenoughtohelpothers,that He would open the windows of heaven and dribble out (oops, I made amistake—HeactuallysaidPOURout)ablessingsogreatthatwecouldnottakeitin(seeMal.3:10).

Wecannotlaborandneverenjoythefruitofourlabor.ItisnotinGod’splanforHischildren.

CertainlyGodwantsandevencommandsus togive toothersgenerously.

YouwillseelaterinthisbookthatintheBiblewelearnthatgivingtothepoorispartofcelebratingourvictoriesandtheprogresswehavemadeinlife.ButGodneverintendedthatwefeelguiltyifwetaketimetoenjoythefruitofourlabors.Hard work deserves reward and we must not ever think that it doesn’t. Godrewards thosewhodiligently seekHim(seeHeb.11:6), sowhywouldHenotwantustoenjoytherewardofotherthingsweworkdiligentlyat?

OnthatSaturdayafternooninthefallof2007,thecookieIatepartofwasarewardformyhardworksofarintheconference.ItwastomewhatthesweetperfumewastoJesus.Itencouragedmefor therestof the journeyIneededtomake. Itwas a principle, and tobehonest, theone-thirdof a cookiehadverylittletodowithit.Sodon’tgetfixatedonthecookieandmissthelesson.Youcould start eating cookies three times a day and not get anything but fat. Thecookiecouldeasilyhavebeenacomplimentfromtherightperson,ahug,someperfume,aneckandshouldermassage,orathousandotherthings,butthepointwas that I needed a little something for me and my emotions. We all haveemotionalneeds,andignoringthemwillcauseseriousproblemsovertime.Godgave us our emotions, and it is notwrong to dowhat is needed to keep themstrong and healthy.Wemust not allow emotions to rule us, but denying theirexistenceisequallydangerous.

Thecookiedidnotfillmeup.Icouldhavedonewithoutit,itprobablywasawasteofcalories—Iknowanutritionistwouldsayithadnofoodvalue.ButIdidnotcareatall—IWANTEDTHECOOKIEANDIATEIT!

IsItWastetoBuyMoreofWhatYouAlreadyHave?

Itcanbeawasteandabreedinggroundforfinancialtroubletobuymoreofwhatyoualreadyhave,but thereare timeswhen it is acceptablebehavior.The firstthing to ask yourself is if you can afford what you are purchasing. What iswasteful for one person may be totally permissible for another depending onlevelof income.Onewaytodefineextravaganceis tryingto livebeyondwhatyoucancomfortablyafford. I recommendthatyoudon’tbuyoreat things justforentertainmentorencouragementifyoucannotafforditorifitwillharmyouroverall life in someway.Everythingwedo shouldbeguidedbyprinciples ofwisdom.

Mostwomenlikelittlethingslikesoapthatsmellsgood,perfume,earrings,shoes,anewtoptowear,orsomelittlethingthatisprettytolookat.Doweneedall of them? Of course we don’t, but we do enjoy them. And enjoyment hasintrinsicvalue.Weneedtoenjoyourjourneythroughlife.MyhusbandlovestogotothegolfstoreandofcourseIcan’tunderstandthatatallsincehealreadyhasgolfballs,clubs,gloves,shoes,hats,andallthatgolfingstuff.But,helovestogothereandheusuallycomesoutwithsomething,justlikeIwouldifIwentintoanaccessorystoreforladies.

Jesusdidnotdiesowecouldbemiserableanddenyourselveseverythingthatweenjoyorthatispretty.Hedidsaythatweshoulddenyourselves,butHewas talking about self-denial in order to serve others rather than being selfishand self-centered. Jesus did not go to the cross because we buy and wearearringsor other jewelry, or becauseofmakeupormovies or dancingor cardplaying.Hehadtogotothecrossbecauseofjealousy,greed,anger,lust,gossip,criticism,lying,hatred,andothersuchsins.Obviously,theremaybetimeswhenitisnecessaryandpropertodenyourselvestheitemthatwealreadyhaveplentyof,butwehavethefreedomasindividualstobeledbytheHolySpirit.

Ialsobelievetherearedifferentseasonsinourlivesinwhichwemayneedto followdifferent guidelines.WhenGodwas teachingme that I neededHimmore than I needed any other “thing” in life, He toldme not to askHim foranythingexceptmoreofHimuntilHegavemepermissiontodoso.Thiswasaseason of self-denial in my life that lasted for six months and was for thepurposeofteachingmeanimportantspirituallesson.Weallhavetimeslikethis

anditisimportanttobeabletoflowinandoutofthevariousseasonsofourlifecomfortably.IfIhavetoshopforearringsorDavehastogotothegolfstoretobehappy,thenwehaveaproblem,butifitissomethingwesimplyenjoy,thenGodwillsanctionitandevenhelpusfindwhatwearelookingfor.

ThesamediscipleswhothoughtMarywasbeingwastefulwhenshepouredtheperfumeonJesusarguedamongthemselvesoverwhichofthemtheythoughtwasthegreatest.TheysawandjudgedMary’ssacrificialgiftaswaste,buttheyfailedtoseetheirownpride,arrogance,andcompetitivespirit.TheyneededtolookatthemselvesratherthanMarybecauseitwastheirpridethatwasasin,andnothergenerosity.

Jesustriedtotell themthattheyneededtocleantheinsideofthecupandnotworrysomuchabouttheoutside,butmostofthemneverreallyunderstoodwhatHewas saying.Hewanted them to realize that nomatter how perfectlytheybehavedorhowmanylawsandrulestheykept,noneofitmeantanythingiftheir hearts were not right. They never really understood that it wasn’t theperfumeorwhat itcost thatwas important,but itwasMary’sattitudeofheartthatwassovaluableandencouragingtoJesus.Theperfumewasjustthevehiclethatcarriedtheloveshefeltanddisplayed.

An important lesson that I have learned is to make all of my resourcesavailableforuseintheserviceofGodandman.Thatdoesn’tmeanthatGodwillrequiremetogiveallofthemaway,butitdoesmeanthatIamreadytoletthemgo ifGodasksme to.OccasionallyGodwill testourobedienceand loyalty toHimbyaskingustogiveawaysomethingthatmeansalottous.IfweareabletoobeyHimpromptlyandwithjoyitisevidencethatalthoughwehavethings,theydon’thaveus.

Jesus said that peoplewhohavewealth and keep on holding itwill havedifficulty entering the kingdom of God (see Mark 10:23). Having is not aproblem,butnotbeingabletoletgoofwhatwehaveisaproblem.Beachannelandletwhatcomestoyouflowthroughyou.

GodIsanAmazingDecorator

HaveyoueverpaidattentiontohowthetempleofGodwasdecoratedundertheOldCovenant?Itwasverybeautifulandornate,soGodmustlikeprettythings.It was built with the best wood available, and everything—and I do meaneverything—wasoverlaidwith gold.God’s house thatSolomonbuilt to honorHimwas filledwith gold, silver, expensive cloth, and every kind of preciousjewelknowntoman.Itwasbuiltwiththebestofthebest.

WhatwereadaboutHeavensoundsprettyamazing,too.Streetsofgold,aseaofcrystal,andagatemadeoutofonesinglepearl.Assomeonewhoenjoysprettyclothes,IhavenoticedhowthepriestsintheOldTestamentdressed—andtheywere pretty decked out.My point is thatGod likes beautiful things, andthereisnothingwrongwithuslikingthem,too.Someonewhoattendedoneofmyconferencessentaletterofcomplaintaboutmewearingrhinestoneearrings.Theythoughttheearringsweretooflashy,andIcouldn’thelpbutwonderhowtheywouldfeeliftheymadeittoHeavenandsawhowGoddecorates.WasHewastefulwhenHegave instructionsonhow the templewas tobedecorated? Iam sure He could have cut back on some stuff and not been so extravagant.Surelysomeofthatgoldcouldhavebeengiventothepoor.IthinkweneedtounderstandthattherearetimeswhenGodisextravagant,butthatdoesn’tmeanHe is beingwasteful. Nothing is wasted if it is used for a right purpose, andblessingyourselfattimesisrightandnecessary.

Nothingiswastedifitisusedforarightpurpose,andblessingyourselfattimesisrightandnecessary.

ReligiouspeopleoftensaythattheApostlePaulsaidthatwomenshouldnotwearexpensiveclothesorjewelryandtheyshouldnothaveelaboratehairstyles.Some have added makeup, but I cannot find any reference to makeup in theBible.Personally,IneedmineandwouldsuggestitforafewotherpeopleIhaveseen, too. IfGoddidn’t like colorHewouldnothave created it.Let’s lookatwhatPaulactuallysaid.

Let not yours be the [merely] external adorning with [elaborate]interweavingandknottingofthehair,thewearingofjewelryorchangesofclothes;

But let itbe the inwardadorningandbeautyof thehiddenpersonofthe heart, with the incorruptible and unfading charm of a gentle andpeacefulspirit,which[isnotanxiousorwroughtup,but]isverypreciousinthesightofGod.

1Peter3:3–4

All the Apostle is saying is that women should not merely or only beconcernedwithhowthey lookandhaving lotsofclothes,but theyshould firstandforemostbeconcernedwithhavingarightheartattitude.Hedidnotsaythatwomenshouldn’thavemorethanoneoutfitandthat itshouldbecolorlessandoutofstyle.Hedidnotsaythatwearingjewelrywasasin,buthedidsaythattobeoverlyconcernedwiththosethingswaswrong.IadmitthatIhaveseensomeprettyobnoxiousexcess,butwhenIhave,Ihavealsoseenobnoxiousattitudestogoalongwithit.WhenpeoplehavearighthearttowardGodtheydothingsinbalanceandarealwaysconcernedaboutrepresentingGodinaproperway.

God appears to me to be an awesome decorator. He can choose mywardrobe and decorate my house any time. Just look at the way He hasdecoratedtheearth.Thousandsuponthousandsofspeciesofanimalsandbirds,and trees and flowers exist. Howmany species of animals exist? The correctanswer is that nobody really knows. Over a million have been named, butexperts say there are possibly anothermillionwaiting to be discovered.Thereare twenty thousandspeciesof fish, six thousand reptiles,nine thousandbirds,andfifteenthousandmammals.Mostdon’tevenwanttoguessatthenumberandvarietyof insectsontheearth.Therearenearly twentyvarietiesofpenguins—thatseemsabitexcessivetome,butIguessGodlikesvariety.Thereare6,500varieties of roses, at least 7,500 varieties of apples and 7,500 varieties oftomatoes,butnotallaregrowncommercially.

CNN.comsaysthatresearchcountsseventysextillionstarswithintherangeofmoderntelescopes.Iamnotsurehowtheycountedthem,butthepointisdoweneedthemall?Isitwastefulorexcessivetohavesomanyouttherethatwecannotevenseethem?ThepointIamtryingtomakeisthatGodnotonlylikesvariety,HeobviouslyhaslotsmoreofeverythingthanHewouldhavetohave.He does exceedingly, abundantly, above and beyondwhatwould be required.Goddelights inamazingus.Take thepenguin forexample. I lovemoviesand

documentariesaboutpenguins.Theyarefunny,cute,andhaveamazinghabits.They look like theyarewearing tuxedos and theway theywalk ishilarious. IlovethemovieHappyFeet,whichisaboutapenguinwhocouldnotsingliketheothers,buthehadhappy feet—hecoulddance!When I seepenguins itmakesme happy. I am convinced that God does a lot of what He does just for ourenjoymentandtomakeushappy.

CHAPTER4

GodLikesaParty

Apartyisafestiveoccasionandwouldcertainlyqualifyasacelebration.Asamatter of fact many celebrations take the form of a party.We have birthdayparties, Christmas parties, office parties, anniversary parties—we can make apartyoutofanything.ThefirstmiraclethatJesusperformedthatisrecordedwasdoneataparty. I think that is interesting tosay the leastand that it shouldbenotedinourmemorybanks.JesuswasinvitedtoaweddingandwhileHewastheretheyranoutofwinesoHeturnedsomewaterintowinesothepartycouldcontinueasplanned.Nomatterwhatyourparticulardoctrineisaboutwine,thefactremainsthatJesusmadeitfortheparty,sodon’tgetcaughtupinthewineandmiss thepoint. Jesusattended theparty,Hehadnothingagainst theparty,andHewantedthepeopletoenjoytheparty.

I ammaking a big deal out of this because I believe thatmany religiouspeoplecouldnothaveagoodtimeatapartyiftheirlivesdependedonit.Theywouldprobably findsomethingwrongwith themusic, thewaypeopledressedand,of course, thewine.Theywould think themoney spent tohave thepartycouldhavebeenusedforamoreimportantpurpose.Religiouspeoplejustdonotseemtoknowhowtohaveareallygoodtime,butpeoplewhohaveagenuinerelationship with Jesus can somehow enjoy everything. The religious persontendstoavoidalmosteverythingthatcouldbeconsideredfuninaneffortnotto

sin,but thepersonwhohas close fellowshipwithGodand is ledby theHolySpiritcandoallthingsinmoderation.

Duringmy first fewyears asaChristian Iwent tochurchand tried tobegood to a point, but was definitely a middle-of-the-road, compromisingChristian.ThenIcametoaplaceinlifewhereIwantedmoreofGodthanIhad,andIgotreallyseriousaboutmyrelationshipwithHim.IgotsoseriousthatallIdidwasgotochurch,prayermeeting,andBiblestudies.Ididnotgotoparties!Iwasmuch tooserious-mindedaboutGod towastemytimeonfrivolous thingslikethat.Istoppedplayingvolleyball,Istoppedbowling,IstoppedplayinggolfwithDave—as amatter of fact I stopped everything thatwas fun andbecamedangerouslyclose tobeingoneof thePharisees thatJesushaddisdain for (seeMatt.23).Ifinallygotspiritualburnout,andmylifewassooutofbalanceandboring that I began to search the Scriptures for myself about joy and theenjoymentoflife.IdiscoveredthatGodlikesparties,aplayfulattitude,laughter,celebration,andfestivals.Healsolikesholiness,andthegoodnewsiswecanbeholyandenjoyaparty.JesusactuallysaidthatHecamesowecouldhaveandenjoylifeandhaveitinabundanceuntilitoverflows.Isuredidn’thavethat,soIdecided I was going to learn to really enjoy life. I was definitely one of thepeople that I amwriting this book for. I needed to givemyself permission tolightenup!

Iknowsomeof themorereligious-mindedpeopleare thinkingrightnow,“Well Joyce, the Bible does say to be serious-minded, sober, disciplined,prudent,anddiligent.”Theyarecorrectandweneedtobeallofthosethings,butwealsoneedtocelebrate,andifwedon’twewillbemissingthespicein life.Everything,includingus,willbetastelessandboring.

JoinMyParty

WhenJesus invitedpeople tobecomeHisdisciplesand followHim,HeaskedthemiftheywantedtojoinHisparty.IrealizeHewastalkingaboutHisgroup,butIliketothinkthattravelingwithJesuswasprobablyalotoffunaswellasalotofhardwork.HetoldtherichyoungrulerthatwereadaboutinLuke18tolayasidehisselfishlifestyleandjoinHisparty.Therichyoungrulerhadmoney,butitcontrolledhim,andJesuswantedhimtolearnthatrealjoywasnotfoundin what we own, but living for the right purpose. Repeatedly throughout thegospels(Matthew,Mark,Luke,andJohn)weseeJesus invitedpeople to leavetheir lifestyles and side with His party, and He is still issuing that invitationtoday.

LivingforGod,servingHimandothers,canbeablastifwelookatitwiththemindofChrist.IamworkingalldaytodayandIcaneitherlookatitasw-o-r-k, or I can decide I am going to have a party (fun)while I domywork. Itcomesdowntoa-t-t-i-t-u-d-e!Whatwillmyattitudebe?ThemissionthatJesushadcouldnothavebeenanymoreseriousandyetIampositivethatHelaughedwithHisdisciples,madejokesabouttheirgoofyways,enjoyedfood,rested,andsomehowmanagedtoturnthemissionintosomethingthatwasenjoyable.WhenwereceiveJesusChristasourSavioranddecidewewanttobeaChristianandliveaChristianlifestylewearenotgoingtoasolemnassemblyorafuneral,weare joiningHis party!My favorite image of Jesus is one I have seen ofHimlaughing.

Jesus can even make dying to self, which means being delivered fromselfish, self-centered living, an interesting journey if we look at it properly. Ispeak a lot on spiritualmaturity, dying to selfishness, takingupour cross andlivingholylives,andIamcontinuallyamazedathowmuchpeoplelaughwhileIdo it. Somehow the Holy Spirit brings the teaching out of me in a way thatmakespeoplelaughwhiletheyarebeingcorrected.Godisamazing!Peopletellme all the timehow funny I amandyet I speak a very straightforward, hard-hittingmessagethatisquiteserious.IhavejoinedJesus’party!

YouAreInvitedtotheParty

OneofthemostwellknownandlovedBiblestoriesisaboutayoungmanwholeft his father’s house to go out into theworld and live life his ownway.Hewastedallofhisinheritanceinundisciplinedlivingandfinallyendedupwithajob feeding hogs and eating what they ate. He made the brilliant decision toreturnhometohisfather’shouserealizingthathewouldhaveabetterlifeasaservantwithhisfatherthanlivingthewayhewaslivingintheworld.Hisfathersawhimcomingashelookedintothedistanceandimmediatelyplannedaparty.Theexactwordshespokewere,“Letusrevelandfeastandbehappyandmakemerry”(Luke15:23).Hegothissonnewclothes,aspecialring,andnewshoes,and he prepared an amazing feast. He was extremely happy that his son hadcometohisrightmindandhadreturnedhome.Everyonewasenjoyingtheparty,themusicwas loud,and theolder sonwhowas returning fromworking in thefield heard it. He asked what was going on and when he heard the news hebecame indignantandangryand refused togo to theparty.His fatherpleadedwithhim,buthepreferredtosulk,feelsorryforhimself,andmakeaccusationstoward his brother and father.None of his bad attitude prompted his father tostoptheparty,butitdidkeephimfromenteringin.

The older brother reminded his father that he had served andworked forhimmanyyearsandnevercausedany trouble,andnotoncehadanyonegivenhimaparty.Hisfatherrepliedthathecouldhavehadapartyanytimehewantedone, because everything the father hadwas always his. Tome, this is amostamazinglessonandonethatwecannotaffordtomissseeing.Godlovesus,andallthatHehasisoursaslongaswebelongtoHim.Heappreciatesourworkandeffort topleaseHim,but ifwe refuse toenjoy thebenefitsofbeingachildofGodthatisourfault,notHis.Wecanhaveapartyanytimewewantone.Everydaycanbeapartyifwelearntheartofcelebration.

Everydaycanbeapartyifwelearntheartofcelebration.

Jesussaidthat thekingdomofHeavenis likeakingwhogaveawedding

banquet forhis son, andhe senthis servants to summons thosewhohadbeeninvitedbuttheyrefusedtocome.Hesentotherservantsandtriedonceagaintoget them to come to thebanquet (party) but they treated itwith contempt andeachwentawaytohisfarmorbusiness(seeMatt.22:2–5).Itisverysadtomethatsomanypeoplelivealifeofstressandpressurebecausetheysimplydon’tknowtheartandvalueofenjoyingthejourney.

FeastsandFestivals

When I study theOld Testament and the lifestyle of the Israelites, whowereGod’schosenpeople,Iseethatitwasfilledwithparties.Thefirstcelebrationwesee recorded in biblical history is the Sabbath, which was a celebration ofcreation.Godworkedsixdays,andontheseventhdayHerestedfromHislaborsand took time to enjoy what He had accomplished. He commanded that theseventhdayofeachweekbecelebratedasadayholytotheLord.TheSabbathwasadaywhenpeoplewouldrememberandcelebrateallthatHehaddoneforthem,andwhatHehadcreated(seeExod.20:8–11).Itwasatimeofreflection,restoration,andcelebration.

The Passover feast and celebration was instituted for people to alwaysrememberhowGodhadprotectedanddelivered themfrom theangelofdeaththat passed throughEgypt, killing all of the firstborn animals and people (seeLev. 23:5). The slaying of the firstbornwas a judgment on Pharoahwho hadrefusedtoobeyGodandlettheIsraelitesgofromtheirslaveryinEgypt.

Thisnightwasanight to remember, and itdeservedayearlycelebration.GodwantsustorememberwhatHehasdoneforus.IfyouarenotJewishyouprobablydon’tcelebratePassover,butweshouldkeepthespiritofthatfeastbycelebrating similar things that God has done for us. We should call them tomind, discuss them with friends and family, and never stop celebrating thegoodnessofGodinourlives.

TheFeastofUnleavenedBreadbeganimmediatelyfollowingthePassoverfeast and lasted sevendays. Itwas instituted to remindpeopleof their exodusfromEgyptand that theyhad left theold lifebehindandwereenteringanewway of living. Just imagine—they had one party right after another (see Lev.23:6–8).

TheFeastofFirstfruits camenext. Itwas a celebrationat the timeof thebarleyharvest to remind thepeoplehowGodhadprovidedfor them(seeLev.23:9–14).Thisfeastlastedoneday.

TheFeastofPentecostcameattheendofbarleyharvestandthebeginningofwheat harvest and showed joy and thanksgiving over the bountiful harvest.Thisfeastalsolastedoneday.

TheFeastofTrumpetswasnext,anditwasaone-dayfeastexpressingjoy

and thanksgiving toGod.Part of this celebrationwas theblowingof trumpets(seeLev.23:23–25).

TheDayofAtonementwasabigday(seeLev.23:26–32),adaywhensinwas removedfromthepeopleand thenationandfellowshipwas restoredwithGod. It was a day when the people were required to afflict themselves withfasting,penitence,andhumility.IamgladasNewCovenantChristianswecanhave this celebration continually rather than once a year. I am also glad thatJesushumbledandafflictedHimselfonourbehalfandwecancelebratewhatHehasdone.

Ifwe[freely]admitthatwehavesinnedandconfessoursins,Heisfaithfuland just (true toHis own nature and promises) andwill forgive our sins[dismiss our lawlessness] and [continuously] (emphasismine) cleanse usfrom all unrighteousness [everything not in conformity to His will inpurpose,thought,andaction].

1John1:9

TheFeastofTabernacleslastedsevendaysandwasacelebrationofGod’sprotectionandguidanceinthedesertastheIsraelitestraveledfromEgypttothePromisedLand.ItrenewedIsrael’scommitmenttoGodaswellastheirtrustinHisguidanceandprotection(seeLev.23:33–43).

TheIsraelitesalsohadahabitofcelebratingafterajobwelldone.InEzra6:14–16we see that the people celebrated the finishing and dedication of thehousetheyhadbuiltforGod.Theycelebratedweddingsandprobablybirthdaysandanniversaries.Theyhadapartywhentheirchildrencameofagecalledbarmitzvah. Truthfully, it seems to me that they used any excuse they could tocelebrateandthatthecelebrationswerenotonlysanctionedbyGod,theywereorderedandordainedbyHim.

Areyoubeginningtocatchmydrift?Goddefinitelylikesaparty!

CHAPTER5

CelebrateYourProgress

Ouryoungestgrandsonrecentlystoodaloneforthefirsttime.Wewereoutoftownonthis joyousoccasion,butwereceivedaphonecall tellingus thegreatnews.Ivividlyrememberthattherewerefouradultsinthecarwhenwereceivedthe news and three of us acted fairly ridiculously about the event. I actuallyclappedmyhandstogether.Davegrinnedfromeartoearandinaverysurprisedtonesaid,“REALLY!”Agoodfriendwasalsointhecarandshegotexcited.Iheardquestionslike,“Howlongdidhestandthere?”and“Hashedoneitmorethanonce?”Nobodyasked ifhesatdownagain,althoughweallknewthathedid.Wewereevenaware thathecouldhave fallendown,butwedidnotcareabout anything other than his progress.We had a similar scene at our housewhen he smiled for the first time, ate his first solid food, crawled, and said“mama” and “da-da.”We get really excited about any little progress that hemakes and we all express it to him to encourage him. Dave and I just spentseveral days with the baby, and, to be honest, we probably encouraged himhundredsof timesduringthosefewdays.Idon’trememberevenonetimethatwechastisedhimforwhathecouldnotdoyet.

WhenIamoutoftownandcallmysonanddaughter-in-law,IalwaysaskifTravis has done anything new.My daughter-in-law sendsme pictures of newthings, like him in his swimming pool, on his swing, or standing at his playtable. God used this example to help me understand that He celebrates ourprogress just likewe celebrate theprogressof our children andgrandchildren.

Wecelebrateourdog’sprogressbygivingher treats.Weevenhavesome thatareintheshapeofacookie!Ifwecantaketimetomakeanefforttocelebratethedoggoingpottyoutside, thensurelywecanfindtimetocelebrateourownprogress.Celebrationstrengthensus.Infact,Ibelievethatifwedon’tcelebrateoccasionsofprogress,weareweakenedandexperienceunnecessarydefeat.

Ourdogwasstayingwithafriendwhilewewereoutoftown,andshetoldmethateventhoughshewastakingDuchessouttogopotty,shewouldcomein,lookather,squatinfrontofherandtinkleonthefloor.IwasshockedandcouldnotunderstandituntilIaskediftheyweregivinghertreatsaftershedidherjoboutside.Theywerenotgivingthemtoher,andshewaslettingthemknowthatiftheywerenotgoingtocelebrateherprogressandgiveheratreat,thenshewouldmakea realmess for them todealwith.Perhapsweare the sameway—ifwedon’tgetourtreatswedisplaybadbehavior!

Godisn’tkeepingarecordofeachtimewefall,butHeisexcitedaboutourprogress,andweshouldbeexcited,too!Ispentwaytoomanyyearsmourningovermyfaultsandweaknesses.Iwastaughttogrieveovermysin,butnobodyin the churchworld ever toldme to celebratemyprogress, and I think that istragic.IfyouhavemissedthisimportantlessonlikeIdid,thentodayIamtellingyoutocelebrate,celebrate,andthencelebrateyourprogresssomemore.

Godisn’tkeepingarecordofeachtimewefall,butHeisexcitedaboutourprogress,andweshouldbeexcited,too!

IamnotwhereIwanttobeintermsofholybehavior,butthankGodIamnotwhereIusedtobe.Ihavemadealotofprogressinthethirty-threeyearsthatIhavehadaseriousrelationshipwithGod.Godhaschangedmesomuch thattrulyIamanewcreaturejustasHiswordpromisesin2Corinthians5:17.Myhusband probably thinks he has been married to several women during hisjourneywithme,becauseIcertainlyamnotliketheonehestartedwith.Changeandprogressarebeautiful.TheyareasignthatwearealiveandGodisworking!Weneedtocelebrateprogress.

TheBiblediscussesrejoicing170times,andifwestudythewordwefinditisanemotionthatneedsanoutwardexpression.Wemayclapourhands likeIdidwhen I heard aboutmy grandson’s progress,wemight shout asDave didwhen our last sonwas born and he had the privilege of being in the deliveryroom, or we might go get a pedicure because we are rejoicing over andcelebratingthefactthatwehavenotwastedadayinself-pityforthreemonths.

If you are really rejoicing, you might even eat a cookie while you get thepedicure!

TheBible says that the path of the righteous grows brighter and brightereveryday(Prov.4:18). Ifyoucan lookbackandsay,“I’ve improvedover thelastyear.Mybehavior is a littlebit better. I’ma littlemorepatient. I’mmoregiving.I’matinybitlessselfish.Thenyoucancelebrate!Ifyoufeelyouhavemade no progress at all then the devil is probably lying to you.He has a badhabitofremindingusdailyofhowfarwestillhavetogo.Ihavenoticedthatthedevilisnotveryencouragingorcomplimentaryandthatlisteningtohimisverycounterproductive. If you are reading this book it means that you want toimproveandthetruthisthatanyonewhowantstoimprovewillimprove.Yourpath is growingbrighter and clearer everyday and celebratingour progress isoneofthewayswesay“ThankYou”toGod.

LastnightIlostmytemperovertheremotecontrolforthetelevision.Ihadworkedhardalldayonthisbookandfinallygotallsettledintowatchamovie.When I turned the televisionon Inoticed that the remotecontrolwas flashing“lowbattery.”Ithadjustenoughbatterypowertoturnthetelevisionon,butthenitwentdeadandwouldn’tevensomuchasturnitoff.Thevolumehadcomeonreallyloud,andIcouldn’tturnitdown.IcalledforDaveandalthoughhewasalmostintheshower,heheardthepanicinmyvoiceanddecidedtogetdressedandtotrytorescueme.Wethoughtitwouldbeaneasyfix.Wewouldsimplyputnewbatteries in theremote,butweonlyhadthreebatteriesanditrequiredfour.MycreativesidekickedinandIsuggestedthatwetakethebatteriesoutofaremoteforoneoftheothertelevisionsinthehouseandusethemintheremotefortheonewewantedtowatchthatevening(ithadabiggerscreen).

Wegotallthebatteriesonthecoffeetableandofcourseneitheroneofuscanseewithoutourglasseson.Wegotourglasses,butforsomereasonwewerenotseeingwellevenwiththem.Thelightwasdimintheroom,butbeingamaleandunwillingtoadmitthathecouldnotsee,Davecontinuedtoputthebatteriesin,firstonewayandthenanother,withoutsuccess.Bythistime,neitheroftheremotecontrolsworked.Thebatterieswerespreadouton thecoffee table,andweprobablyhadthegoodonesmixedupwiththebadones.AtthispointinourjourneyIwantedtotrytofixthemmyself.Davewouldn’tgivethemtome,andIwas getting angrier by the second. As we went to the sliding glass door sohopefullywecouldseebetterwithoutsidelight,fromaleaned-overpositionwebothraisedupatthesametimeandDave’shardheadhitmine.IsoundedasifIhadlostmysalvationforafewseconds.

OfcourseassoonasIcalmeddownIfeltbadthatI’dlostmytemper,butsince I nowknow that I amnotbuilt for guilt I had to resolve the situation. I

admittedmymistake,askedGodtoforgivemeandtriedtothinkofhowIwasgoing to celebrate this mess. I suddenly realized that although I could notcelebratelosingmytemper,IcouldcelebratethefactthatIwasforgiven!

YearsagoIwouldhavefeltguiltyfordaysbeforeIfinallycrawledoutofthepitofdespairandwouldhavebeensurethatGodwasterriblydisappointedwithme.NowIknow thatnothing Ido surprisesHim!Heknewall aboutmebeforeIwaseverbornandstillwantsarelationshipwithme.Hefeelsthesamewayaboutyou.IstronglyimaginethatJesushadagoodlaughlastnightasHewatchedDaveandmetrytofixtheremotecontrols.Weareoftenlikeamodernversion of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz from I Love Lucy. If God recordedanythingfromlastnight,IamsureitwasthefactthatIhavegrowntothepointthatIdon’twastetimemourningoversomethingthatJesusmadeprovisionforonthecross,whichisoursins.

Findwaystocelebrateyourprogressinsteadofmourningexcessivelyoveryourmistakes.Iamnotsuggestingthatwedon’ttakeoursinsseriouslybecauseweshould,butlet’salsocelebrateGod’smercyandforgiveness.

The morning after the television remote fiasco I had another interestingchallenge.IneededacertainmakeupbrushthatIknewIhadusedthepreviousday.Irummagedthroughmymakeupandcouldnotfindit,soIgotupandtookeverythingoutof thecontainerone thingata timeandstillcouldnot find it. IknewforsurethatIusedit thedaybefore.Isearchedthedrawer,anotherbox,the cabinetunder the sink, and finally tookadeepbreath andusedadifferentbrush.As soon as I had finished applying all ofmymakeup and hadmyhairfixed,Ifoundthebrush.Itwasablackbrushandthecountertoponthesinkisalsoblack,soithadbeenrightinfrontofmeallthetimebutIdidnotseeit.

ThereasonIbringthisupisbecausealthoughitwasfrustrating,Ididn’tgetupsetaboutitasIhaddonethenightbeforewiththeothersituation.IbelieveifIhad spent the evening condemning myself because I’d gotten angry, then Iprobablywouldhavegottenangryagainthenextday.Condemnationweakensusandwekeeprepeatingthesameerroroverandover,butcelebrationstrengthensus. You may remember that I had chosen to celebrate the fact that I wasforgiven,andasIsaidIbelieveithelpedmeresist thetemptationtogetangrythenexttimeIwasconfrontedwithsomethingridiculousthatwasjuststealingmy time. The devil doesn’t like a party or any kind of authentic joy orcelebration,soperhapsifwelearntodoitmore,wewillhearlessfromhim.

PunishmentorReward

Howcanyoumotivateyourselftodothethingsyouknowyouneedtodo?Isitbetter to reward yourself for doing well and making progress, or to punishyourselfwhenyoumakemistakesordonotreachyourexpectations?Ibelieveexperience teaches us that rewarding ourselves for a job well done is alwaysbetterthanpunishment.

Ihavesetsomegoalsformyselfatthegymforthisyear.IwanttomoveupintheamountofweightIcanbenchpressandIalsowanttobeabletodolungesinsuchamannerthatmykneetouchesthefloorduringtheexercise.Ifyoudon’tknowwhateitheroftheseexercisesare,letmejustsaythatforawomanmyagewhodidnotbeginexercisinguntiltwoyearsago,theybothmeanpain!

Ireachedmygoalonthebenchpresswithinamonthaftersettingit,butIhavenot been able yet to reachmygoalwith the lunges.Suppose I decide topunishmyselffornotreachingtheonegoalbydenyingmyselftheprivilegeofeatingdessertfortwoweeks,butIdonothingtorewardmyselffortheothergoalIdidreach.ExperienceteachesusthatIwouldbegintoconnectthelungeswithpunishmentandwouldmorethanlikelybegintodreadanddespisethelunges.ImightevenlowermygoalsoIcouldremovethepunishment.

Ontheotherhand,ifIcontinuedtotrytoreachmygoalconcerninglunges,but rewardedmyself in someway for reachingmygoalwith bench presses, IwouldtryhardertoreachmyothergoalbecauseIwouldmentallyconnectgoal-reaching with reward. I already know that I am going to reward myself andcelebrateafterIfinishthisbook,andknowingthatmakesiteasierformetokeepworking.

As parentswe are often tempted to punish our children forwhat they dowrong,yetwe fail tonotice and rewardwhat theydo right. I thinkwe shouldmake a big deal out of our children’s strong points and downplay theirweaknesses. I remembergetting in troublea lotwhile Iwasgrowingup,but Ihonestlydon’tremembermuchencouragement.Idoremembermyfathertellingme that I would never amount to anything. Nobody ever told me I could doanything I set mymind to, or that I had God-given abilities that I needed todevelop.Ilefthomeatageeighteenwithadeterminationtoprovetotheworldandmyself that I had value and ability, but Iwent about it thewrongway. I

became a workaholic who had never learned how to value reward andenjoyment.

Irecentlysawamovieaboutachildwhosemomwasasevereperfectionist,andnomatterwhatkindofworkthechildbroughthomefromschoolthemomalwaysfoundsomethingthatcouldhaveandshouldhavebeendonebetter.Shenevermentionedwhatthechilddidwell.Ofcourse,thegirlfeltsodiscouragedthathergradesbeganslidingdownhill.However,shegotanewteacherwhowasaverypositiveladywhoknewhowtomotivatechildren.Sheimmediatelysawthat the child needed encouragement and began to give it to her in generousproportions. Each thing the child did a good job with was complimented inwritingonherpapers.Forexample,insteadofsaying,“Youspelledtwowordswrong,”shesaid,“Yourhandwriting isbeautifulandyourstory isgreat.Yourspellingcanimprovealittle,butwewillworkonthattogether.”Youguessedit—the child loved the teacher and began to improve dramatically because sherespondedbettertorewardthanshedidtopunishment.

Ifindthatrewardingmyselfeveninsmallwaysmotivatesme.ItgivesmesomethingtolookforwardtowhileIamdoingthejobthatneedstobedone.AsIwritethisbookIsetgoalsformyselfeachdayofhowmuchIwanttofinish,and as I reach that goal I stop and do something that I enjoy. I go to a littlerestaurantintownthatIreallyenjoyandsitoutonthepatioandeat,orImakealatteformyselfandtakeabreak,orIgogetamassage.Icouldnameadozenthings,but I thinkyouget thepoint.What I enjoymaybedifferent thanwhatyouenjoy,butyouneed to rewardyourselfasyouwork toward reachingyourgoals.YesterdayIworkedlongerthanusualandIalreadyknowinmyheartthattoday I need towork a little less and do something I enjoy so I don’t get toowearyofjustwritingandwritingandwriting.Irefusetobeadrivenpersonwhoisafraidtofollowmyheart.

CelebrateChange

AschildrenofGodweneedtobecommittedtochange.ThroughoutourjourneyhereonearthGod’sSpiritwillbeworkingwithandinus,helpinguschangeforthebetter.Inordertomakeprogressweneedtoseewhatwearedoingwrong,andbewillingtolearnbetterwaystodoit.Godwantsustoseetruth(reality)sowe can agree with Him that change is needed, but we don’t need to punishourselveswhenweseeourfaultsortofeelguiltyandcondemned.Wecanevenlearntocelebratethechangesthatneedtobemadeinusandourlives.

WhenJesusascended toHeavenHe sent theHolySpirit tohelpusmakeprogressinholybehavior.TheHolySpiritworksholinessinus,andHedoesitthroughconvictingusofwrongbehaviorandconvincingustodothingsGod’sway.Henotonlyshowsuswhatneedstochange,Healsogivesusthestrengthtochange.HeisourStrengthener!John16:7–13givesusunderstandingof theministry of the Holy Spirit in our lives. He is our Comforter, Counselor,Teacher,Helper,Advocate, Intercessor,Strengthener,andStandby.He lives inclose fellowshipwith us. ThatmeansHe is always present andHis goal is tohelpusbewhatGodwantsustobesowecanenjoywhatGodwantsustoenjoy.Everybeliever’slifeshouldbringglorytoGod,andthatrequiresanattitudethatsays,“Changemeandmakemewhatyouwantmetobe.”

Change and growth is a process that will continue as long as we are onearth in our human bodies. Progress is vitally important, but perfection isimpossible.WecanhaveperfectheartstowardGodandHisplanforus,butourbehaviorwillalwaysbelackingperfectioninonewayoranother.

Progressisvitallyimportant,butperfectionisimpossible.

You, therefore, must be perfect [growing into complete maturity, havingreachedtheproperheightofvirtueandintegrity],asyourheavenlyFatherisperfect.

Matthew5:48

WecanseefromthisScripturethatperfectionmeansgrowing!IamoftheopinionthataslongaswearecooperatingwiththeHolySpirittothebestofourability, and we sincerely want to change, God counts us as perfect in Christwhilewemakethejourney.

Conviction is the tool the Holy Spirit uses to let us knowwe are doingsomethingwrong.Wesenseinsideofusthatouractions,words,orattitudesarewrong.Whatshouldourattitudebetowardthisconviction?Ithinkitneedstobeajoyfulattitude.

ThosewhomI[dearlyandtenderly]love,Itelltheirfaultsandconvictandconvince and reprove and chasten [I discipline and instruct them]. So beenthusiasticandinearnestandburningwithzealandrepent[changingyourmindandattitude].

Revelation3:19

God views conviction, correction, and discipline as something to becelebrated rather thansomething tomakeus sador frustrated.Whyshouldwecelebrate when God shows us that something is wrong with us? Enthusiasmsoundslikeastrangeresponse,butinrealitythefactthatwecanseesomethingthatwewereonceblindtoisgoodnews.FormanyyearsofmylifeIwasabletoberude,insensitive,andselfishandnotevenknowit.Ihadamaster’sdegreeinmanipulation,butactuallyhadmyselfconvinced that Iwasonly trying tohelppeopledowhatwasright.OfcourseIdidnotseetheprideIhadthatcausedmeto thinkmywaywasalways the rightway. Iwasgreedy,envious,and jealousbutIdidnotseeanyofit.Thatisasadconditiontobein,butpeoplewhohavenorelationshipwithJesusandwhodonotstudyGod’swordareblindanddeafinthespiritualsense.

Myheartwashardfromyearsofbeinghurtbypeople,harboringbitterness,anddoingthingsmyownway.WhenourheartishardwearenotsensitivetothetouchofGod.WhenHeconvictsuswedon’tfeelit.Therefore,whenwemakeenoughprogress inour relationshipwithGod thatwebegin to sensewhenwearedoingsomethingwrong,thatisgoodnews.Itisasignofprogressandshouldbecelebrated joyfully.The longerweserveGodandstudyHisways themoresensitive we become. We eventually grow to the place where we know

immediatelywhenwearesayingordoingsomethingthatisnotpleasingtoGodandwehavetheoptionofrepentingandmakingafreshstart.

My response to conviction used to be immediately coming undercondemnation.Condemnationpressesusdownandweakensus,itmakesusfeelguiltyandmiserable,butconvictionisintendedtoliftusoutofafault.TheHolySpiritshowsusourfault,andthenhelpsusovercomeit.WhenGod’sconvictionquickly turned into guilt for me I dreaded it and my attitude was, “Great!AnotherthingwrongwithmethatIhavetotrytofix.”Ididnotunderstandtheprocessatall;soduetolackofknowledgeonmypart,thedevilwasabletotakethe things Godmeant for my good and turn them into torment. How do yourespondwhenyouareconvictedbytheHolySpiritthatyouaredoingsomethingwrong?Doyoufeelbadandguilty,ordoyourealizethattheveryfactthatyoucanfeelGod’sconvictionisgoodnews?ItmeansthatyouarealivetoGodandgrowingspiritually.

IbelieveweshouldbethankfulwhenGodconvictsus,andwetrulyshouldcelebrate thefact thatwehaveseensomethingthatwillhelpuschangeandbeable to glorifyGodmore.Each timeyou are convicted of sin, try lifting yourhandsinpraiseandsaying,“ThankYou,God,thatYoulovemeenoughnottoleavemealoneinmysin.ThankYouthatIcanfeelYourdispleasurewhenIsin.ThankYouforchangingmeintowhatYouwantmetobe.”Thiskindofattitudewillopenthewayforyoutomakeprogressratherthanbeingstuckinyoursinduetobeingblindtoit,orthroughcondemnationfromthedevil.

WhenGodshowsusafaultHedoesnotexpectustofixit.Heonlywantsustoacknowledgeit,toagreewithHim,tobesorryforit,andtobewillingtoturn away from it.He knows—andwe need to know—thatwe cannot changeourselves,butHewillchangeus ifwestudyHiswordandcooperatewithHisHolySpirit.

Changeofalltypesisworthcelebratingbecauseitisrequiredforprogress.Theprocessmaynotbringjoy,butlateronitwillproducethepeaceablefruitofrighteousness that God desires and that we can enjoy (see Heb. 12:11). Giveyourself permission to lighten up and don’t be so intense about your ownperfection.Do your best and letGod do the rest. As long as you aremakingprogressGodispleased.

CHAPTER6

CelebratethroughGiving

Throughout the Bible we see people celebrating progress and victory in avarietyofways.OneofthosewayswastospecificallytakethetimetogiveanofferingtoGodandtothankHim.

NoahhadbeeninthearkoneyearandtendayswhenGodtoldhimitwastimetogoforthandbeginanewlife.Icannotevenimaginehowhappyheandhisfamily(andtheanimals)weretoseedrygroundandhavetheirfeetonsolidsoil.ThefirstthingthatNoahdidwastobuildanaltartotheLordandsacrificevariousanimalstoHim.InNoah’sdaythiswastheacceptablemethodofgivingtoGodandshowingappreciationforwhatHehaddone.GodwaspleasedwhenHe smelled the pleasant odor andHe pronounced a blessing onNoah and hissonsandsaidtothem,“Befruitfulandmultiplyandfilltheearth”(Gen.9:1).

Wewould quickly add a lot of celebration time to our lives ifwewouldtakethetimetogivethanksandperhapssomeothertypeofofferingwhenGoddoes amazing things for us. An attitude of gratitude shows a lot about thecharacterofaperson.Weshouldneverhaveanattitudeofentitlement,butweshould have one that says, “I know I don’t deserveGod’s goodness, but I amsuregratefulforit.”

Anattitudeofgratitudeshowsalotaboutthecharacterofaperson.

Abram (later renamed Abraham) regularly built altars to God andsacrificed, giving praise and thanks to God for his progress as he journeyedthrough the land. God had asked Abram to leave everything he was familiarwith,includinghomeandfamily,andgotoaplacethatwouldbeshowntohimashewent.Icannotevenimaginethedifficultyofobeyingsucharequest.Leaveeverything! Go where? What for? Abram found the courage to go andthroughouthisjourneyhetooktimetocelebratetheprogresshehadmadesofar(seeGen.12:7–8,13:4).Godwasleadinghim,takingcareofhimandkeepinghimsafe.Surelyattheendofeachdayweshouldtaketimetocelebrateinourhearts thatGod has kept us safe and enabled us to dowhatever needed to bedone. The evening meal could be used as a point of contact for this type ofcelebration. The feasts of Israel usually included food, so why not turn anordinarydinnerintoacelebration?Itwon’ttakeanyspecialpreparation;allyouwillneedisaheartfullofthanksgivingandawillingnesstotakeafewmomentsandexpressittoGod.

It is easy for us to get caught up in looking at how farwehave togo inreachingourgoalsinsteadofcelebratinghowfarwehavecome.Thinkaboutit.How far have you come since you became aChristian?Howmuch have youchanged?Howmuch happier are you?Are youmore peaceful than youwerebefore?Doyouhavehope?Thereisalwaysplentytocelebrateifwelookforit.

Itiseasyforustogetcaughtupinlookingathowfarwehavetogoinreachingourgoalsinsteadofcelebratinghowfarwehavecome.

AthoroughstudyoftheBibleshowsusthatthemenandwomenwhoGodusedinmightywaysalwayshadtheattitudeofcelebratingwhatGodhaddone.They did not take His goodness for granted, but they openly showedappreciationforlittlethingsaswellasbigones.

GodPartedtheRedSea

Haveyoueverhada timewhenyou felt thatyourbackwasagainst thewall?Youhadabigproblemandnosolution,andthensuddenlyGoddidsomethingamazingandenabledyou toescape safely fromyourproblem.Mostofuscanthink of a time like that. When the Israelites were led out of Egypt by GodworkingthroughMoses,theyeventuallyfoundthemselvesinaverydistressingsituation.TheRedSeawasinfrontofthemandtheEgyptianarmywasbehindthem. They had no place to go; they were trapped! God had promised theirdeliverance,andwhatHedidwasamazing indeed.Heactuallyparted theRedSea and the Israeliteswalked across on dry ground, but as theEgyptian armyfollowed,theseaclosedupoverthemandtheydrowned.

WhentheIsraelitesreachedtheotherside,thefirstthingtheydidwasstarttocelebrate.Theysangasongthatcamestraightfromtheirhearts,recordedinnineteen verses in the Bible (see Exod. 15:1–19). After the song, two of thewomen tookout a typeof tambourine, andall thewomen followed themwiththeirtambourinesandtheydancedandsangsomemore.TheentiresongtalkedofwhatGodhaddone,howgreatHewas,howHehadredeemedthemanddealtwith their enemies.Wewould probably experiencemore victory in life if wewould take time to celebrate the oneswe have already had. Once again, it isoperatingontheprincipleofbeinggratefulforwhatwehaveinsteadoftakinganinventoryofwhatwedonothaveyet.

GodRebuildstheBroken-down

Manyofusare inabroken-downconditionwhenwefinallyhumbleourselvesandaskGodtodoHisworkinus.Godisabuilderandarestorerofwhatwasonce lost and destroyed. I had lost my innocence through abuse, I had noconfidence, was filled with shame, guilt, bitterness, and many other painfulemotions.But,God!IlovethatphrasewhichisfoundinGod’sword.But,God—worked inmy lifeandhas rebuilt and restoredwhatwasoncebrokendownanduseless.Historyisfilledwithrecordsofpeoplewhocantellasimilarstory.

Nehemiahandhiskinsmen(theJews)whohadescapedexilelivedinpitifulconditions.Thewallof theircitywasbrokendown,andforany townin thosetimes that was a dangerous thing. Their wall was their protection from thesurroundingenemieswhoseemedtobeeverywhere.

Nehemiahwastoldoftheterribleconditionhiskinsmenlivedinand,afterweeping, fasting, and praying for days, he went to the king and asked forpermissionandtimbertorebuildthetemplegate,thecitywall,andahouseforhimself to live in.Nehemiahwasamanof action.Whenhe sawaneedor aninjusticehewantedtodosomethingaboutit,andweshouldbethesameway.Ithinkitisinterestingthatheaskedtohelpthepeopleandhewaswillingtoworkhard,buthealsoaskedforahouseforhimself.Perhapsherealizedthatbythetimehegottheprojectfinishedhewouldneedaniceplaceinwhichtoliveandrelax.

The project was a huge one, and it took a long time and a lot ofdetermination. During the rebuilding Nehemiah and the other workersexperienced constant opposition from their enemieswho tried to prevent themfrombuildingbydistractingthem.However,persistencepaidoffandeventuallythe projectwas completed.One of the first things they did after they reachedtheirgoalwastocelebrate!Ezrathepriesttoldthepeople,“Goyourway,eatthefat, drink the sweet drink, and send portions to him for whom nothing isprepared;forthisdayisholytoourLord.Andbenotgrievedanddepressed,forthejoyoftheLordisyourstrengthandstronghold”(Neh.8:10).

Notice that the priest told them to rejoice. It was the right thing to dospiritually.ThepartywassanctionedbyGodor,evenbetter,itwascommandedbyGod.JustimagineGodtoldthemtoeatfatandsugar!Soundslikeacookie

daytome!Theyneededtocelebrateagoodjobwelldone.Celebrationispartofourrecovery.Itrevivesusforthenextprojectorjobwehavetodo.Doyoutaketimetocelebratewhenyoufinishaproject,ordoyoumerelybeginthenextone?Ifyoudon’t rewardyourself insomewayforyourhardworkyouaremissingoutonpartofGod’splan.Remember,He rewards thosewhoarediligent (seeHeb.11:6).

God not only told them to enjoy themselves, but He told them to sendportions to those who were in need. I have learned over the past few yearsthroughstudyingGod’slovethatgivingtoothersisoneofthewayswecanandshouldcelebrateourownvictories.Itisawayofsaying,“Isureamhappyaboutwhat God has done for me, and I want to reach out andmake someone elsehappy.”

EstherwasusedbyGod tobringdeliverance to the Jews.AwickedmannamedHamanhadaplottodestroythem—but,God!Godhadhisownplananditwasaplan fordeliverance.HeusedEstherandheruncleMordecai tobringthis wicked plan to the attention of the king and through themGod achieveddeliverance for the Jews.When the victory had been won the Jews gatheredtogethertocelebrate.TheyneededitandGodwantedthemtohaveit.MordecairecordedthethingsthathadtakenplacebecauseitwaspartoftheJewishhistorythatneeded tobepassedon to theirdescendants.Healsocommanded that theJews keep the fourteenth and fifteenth day of themonth ofAdar, the days oftheir victory, yearly as a time of celebration and rememberingwhat God haddone.Theywereinstructedtorememberthattheirsorrowhadbeenturnedintogladnessand“frommourningintoaholiday—thattheyshouldmakethemdaysoffeastingandgladness,daysofsendingchoiceportionstooneanotherandgiftstothepoor”(Esther9:22).

Giving is a central part of the Christian lifestyle and we should do itaggressivelyandwith joy.GodhasgivenusHisSonJesusas thebestgiftHecouldgiveandinJesuswehaveallotherthings.InHimwehavebeenblessedwitheveryspiritualblessingintheheavenlyrealm(seeEph.1:3).

ItisthewillofGodthatwegivethanksatalltimesandineverything(see1Thess.5:18).Thanksgivingmusthaveanexpressioninordertobecomplete.Wecansaythatwearethankful,butdoweshowit?Areweexpressingit?Wesay“thankyou,”butthereareotherwaysofshowingappreciationandoneofthemisgivingtopeoplewhohavelessthanwedo.GivingtothepooriscommandedbyGod.Itisoneofthewayswecankeepacontinualcycleofblessingoperatinginour lives.Godgives tous andwe showappreciationbygiving to someoneelse,andthenHeblessesussomemoresowecandoitalloveragain.

TheBible puts it plainly.WhenGod blesses you asHe promised, find a

poormanandgivetohim.Donothardenyourheart,butopenyourhandswidetoyourbrethren.Ifyougivetohimfreelywithoutbegrudgingit thentheLordwill bless you in all yourwork and all that you undertake (seeDeut. 15:6–8,15:10).WhatwegivetoothersasaresultofobediencetoGodisneverlost.Itleavesourhandtemporarily,butitneverleavesourlife.Wegiveit,Godusesittoblesssomeoneelse,andthenHereturnsittousmultiplied.IlikethewayGoddoesthings,don’tyou?

WhatwegivetoothersasaresultofobediencetoGodisneverlost.Itleavesourhandtemporarily,butitneverleavesourlife.

AltarsandMemorials

Under the Old Covenant, men and women of God regularly built altars andsacrificedanimalsorgrainonthemasanoutwardsignoftheirinwardgratitude.As we have seen, they frequently established yearly holidays that were tocommemorate and bring to remembrance somethingwonderfulGod had doneforthem.TheBiblehas396referencestoaltars.WefindthemmentionedfromGenesis to Revelation. They have historically always been a part of worship,praise,andthanksgiving,andtheywillevenbeinHeaven,accordingtowhattheApostleJohnsawandrecordedinthebookofRevelation.

We also find several references to memorials. These were altars orbuildingsorpermanentobjects that servedas reminders.Theycould alsobe aday or days set aside yearly for the purpose of remembering. Altars andmemorials are solid objects that give substance to our show of thankfulness.People often build some type of memorial as an object that will stand as areminderof their lost lovedones.Weput tombstonesongravesasmemorials.Wegiveawards,plaques,andtrophies,whichareobjectsthathelpusrememberourvictories.Wearespiritualbeings,butwealsohavesoulsandbodiesandweneedtohavetangibleobjectsasreferencestoremindusofthings.

AnotherthingtheIsraelitesdidwastowritethingsdownasamemorialtowhatGodhaddone. Ihavekepta journalof thechallenges inmy lifeand thevictoriesforthirty-threeyears.TheBiblethatweloveandbaseourlifeonisamemorial towhatGodhasdoneforus.WhenweseeourBibleit immediatelysaysallkindsofthingstous.Wemaynottakethetimetothinkthroughallofthem,butoddlyenoughthepresenceofaBiblecangivecomforteventopeoplewhodon’tknowonewordthatisinit.TheBibleremindsusthatGodexistsandhassomethingtosaytous.HaveyouevermadeanotationinyourBiblenexttoaversethatspoketoyouduringaparticulartimeofchallengeorjoy?AsIleafthroughmyBible, I see notes in themargins, sometimes accompanied by thedate,andIrememberexactlywhatIwasgoingthroughwhenthatversespoketome.As I reread it, I’m visiting thememorial of amoment in timewhenGodmovedmeinaspecialway.

I firmly believe that saying “thank you” is good, but doing somethingtangible,atleastpartofthetime,isevenbetter.

Enter intoHis gateswith thanksgiving and a thank offering and intoHiscourtswithpraise!BethankfulandsaysotoHim,blessandaffectionatelypraiseHisname!

Psalm100:4

Please notice that the Psalmist suggested we come with thanksgiving(words)anda thankoffering (something tangible).Whenwecome together inchurchtoworship,givingispartofourworship.Itisatangiblewayofsaying,“God, I really appreciate all that you have done forme.” Giving is a way tocelebrate thegoodnessofGod.Whynotmakeadecision tobemoregenerousthanyouhaveeverbeeninyourlife?YoucannotoutgiveGodbecauseHewilltakeyourgift,blesssomeonewithit,andbringitbacktoyoumultiplied.Whatyougivemaybegone temporarily,but itnever leavesyour life.Givingbringsjoytousandblessingtoothers.

CHAPTER7

ATimetoRemember

IhaveoftensaidthatIthinkweforgetwhatweshouldrememberandrememberwhat we should forget. Jesus chastised the disciples on one of their journeysbecausetheyhadforgottenaboutamiracleHehaddone.Theyhadstartedoutonatripandsuddenlyrememberedthattheyhadforgottentobringenoughbread.Theyonlyhadone loafand thatwouldnotbenearlyenough. Ina shortwhileJesusbegantoteachthedisciplestobewareof,andontheirguardconcerning,theleavenofthePhariseesandHerod.Jesusofcoursewastalkingaboutbeingon their guard against deception, but thedisciples reasonedamong themselvesthatHewas talkingabout the fact that theyhad forgotten tobringbread, as ifthatwouldhaveconcernedJesusatall.Hethenbegantochastisethem,askingiftheyhadforgottenwhenHefedfivethousandpeoplewithfiveloavesofbread.Had they forgotten another amazingmiraclewhenHe fed four thousandwithseven loaves? Had they remembered, they would not be worried about goinghungrybecauseofnothavingbroughtenoughbreadwiththem.

IfwewouldrememberthemiraclesGodhasdoneinourpastwewouldnotsoeasilyfall intoworryandfearwhenwehavenewchallenges toface.WhenDavidwasfacingGoliathandnobodywasencouraginghim,herememberedthelion and the bear that he had already slain with God’s help. Because ofrememberingthepast,hehadnofearofthecurrentsituation.

IfwewouldrememberthemiraclesGodhasdoneinourpastwewouldnotsoeasilyfallintoworryandfearwhenwehavenew

challengestoface.

Areyoufacingsomethingrightnowthat loomsbeforeyou likeagiant inyour life? Is it illness or financial lack? Is it relationship problems? Is itsomethingyouhaveneverdonebeforeandyoudon’tknowwheretobegin?Thetruth is that itdoesn’tmatterwhat it isbecausenothing is impossibleforGod.TakesometimerightnowandrecallsomeofthethingsHehashelpedyouwithandbroughtyouthroughinthepast.Thinkaboutandtalkaboutthosethingsandyouwillfindcouragefillingyourheart.

Areyoufacingsomethingrightnowthatloomsbeforeyoulikeagiantinyourlife?

Iwasabusedforapproximatelyfifteenyears;myfirsthusbandabandonedmewhenIwaspregnantandhelivedwithanotherwoman.Ihadbreastcancerin1989;Ihadtohaveahysterectomy:Isufferedwithmigraineheadachesfortenyears.Ihavebeendesertedbyfriends,liedto,stolenfrom,andtalkedaboutinfalse and ungodlyways, butGod has been faithful and I am still herewith agoodreportandIamusingmyexperiencetohelpothers.Iknowmanyofyouhavethesametypeoftestimony.Forourownpreservationweabsolutelymustremember, recount, and recall themighty things thatGodhasdone forus andothers.

Apartyoftencommemoratesaspecialoccasionoranimportanteventlikeabirthday,ananniversary,aretirement,oraspecialachievement.Althoughthesetypesofmemorialsarenecessaryandgood,thebestonesarewhenwerememberGod’s intervention in thepast savingus fromdestruction. It fillsuswith freshfaithandhope,anditencouragesus—anotherwayofsayingitisthatitgivesuscourage.Nowonder thatGodsaysHeis toberememberedfromgenerationtogeneration.

God told the Israelites to remember that theywereslaves inEgyptand torememberallthemiraclesHedidtheretoconvincePharoahtoletthemgo.Hetold them to not be afraid of their enemies but to remember what He did toPharoahandtoallofEgypt(seeDeut.7:18).HetoldthemtorememberallthewaysHeledtheminthewildernesstohumbleandprovethem,andtoseeifthey

wouldkeepHiscommandmentsornot(seeDeut.8:2).Theyweretorememberthe difficulty along the way and the mighty acts of God in delivering them.When theywere thirstyHe broughtwater out of a rock, andwhen theywerehungryHerainedmannaforfoodoutoftheskyeachmorning.Theirshoesandclothingdidnotwearoutforfortyyears.Talkaboutneedinganewoutfit—thatmusthavebeentheultimate!

Jesus toldHis disciples and all thosewhowould ever believe inHim toreceiveHolyCommunionasawayofrememberingHisdeathandresurrection.HesaidthatthebreadwasHisbodybrokenandthewinewasHisblood.AsHesharedthebreadandwinewithHisdisciplesatthelastsupperHesaid,“Dothisofteninremembranceofme.”Itwasestablishedasanoutwardsignofaninnerfaithanditissomethingveryimportantthatweshoulddoalso.

Don’ttakecommunionjustonceamonth,orhoweveroftenyoudoit,asaritual,buttakethetimetorememberwhatJesusdidonthecross.Don’tjustgooutfordinneronyourweddinganniversary,buttakethetimetotalkabouttheyearsyouandyourspousehavehadtogether.Talkaboutthehardtimesandthegoodtimes.Whenanotheryearisgoneanditisyourbirthdayagain,don’tletitpassyoubywithoutrememberingthethingsyouhaveaccomplishedinlife,thefriends youhave had, and the times you laughed so hard that your belly hurt.WhenIhadmybirthdaydinnerrecentlymysonsaid,“Let’stellstories.”Iknewwhathemeantbecausewehavedoneitbefore,andthosetimeshaveturnedouttobeourbesteveningstogether.

I askedhimwhathe rememberedmost aboutgrowingupandhe recalledseveralevents.SomeIhadforgotten,someIhadneverknown,andothersIhadheard before, but theywere all touching andworth remembering.Dave and Ishared thingswe remembered about himand somehowwhen the eveningwasoverwefeltcloser.Heevensentmeatextmessagethenextdaysayingwhatablastheandhiswifehadwithusthenightbefore.Believeme,whenyouareinyour sixties, and you have a child in his twentieswho tells you that he had ablastwith you—it is something to remember!Laugh a lotwith your children.Theywantyoutobefuntobewith.Refrainfromfindingsomethingwrongwiththewaytheydressorstyletheirhair,orwhattheychoosetoeat.Whenyougettimewithyourgrownchildrenturnitintoaparty.Youhadthefirstpartoftheirlifetocorrectthem,nowitisGod’sturn.Fromnowonyougettoenjoythem.

Thereare161referencestotheword“remember”intheBibleconcordance,sixty-two for the word “remembered” and four for “remembering.” There aresixty-five references to theword“forget,” andmostof those are remindingusnottoforgetwhatGodhasdoneandhowHehasdeliveredusinthepast.

There are times to forget and things to forget. For example, when the

ApostlePaulsaidthatheforgotwhatwasbehind,hewastalkingaboutnotbeingcondemned over pastmistakes (see Phil. 3:13). In Isaiahwe are taught not toearnestlyrememberthethingsofoldbecauseGodisdoinganewthing.Allthatmeansisthatwearenottogetstuckinthepastandneverwantorbereadyforchange.Weheara lotof teachingabout forgetting thepastandalthough therearetimestodothat,weshouldalsobetaughttorememberthepastandpassitontofuturegenerations.

HistoryisHis-Story

Any history book is simply an account of what has happened in the past. InAmericawenowfindthatthehistorybookshavebeenrevisedandmostofthereferencesaboutGodhavebeentakenoutofthem.Wenolongerhaveourtruehistoryeasilyavailable,andthatisatragedy.HistorybooksinpublicschoolsarewrittenwithoutreferencestoGodorHisword,soinrealitywhatthestudentsaretaughtisnottruehistoryatall.Americawasfoundedbygodlymenandwomen,onthewordofGod.OurconstitutionandlawbookswerebasedonthewordofGod.Thegovernmentbuildings inourcapitalhave thewordofGodetched inthewallsand foundationstones.America isgreatbecauseshehasbeengodly,butiftheHumanistshavetheirwayandaresuccessfulinremovingthememoryofwhatGodhasdoneinAmerica,thenshewillbedestroyedorattheveryleastbecome a country we will not be proud to live in. (Our ministry does haveAmericanhistorybooksavailablethatcontainourcountry’struegodlyheritage.)

Thedevil isusingungodlypeople tokeepAmericansand theworld fromremembering what God has done in our past. The amazing growth, power,wealth,andcreativegeniusweexperiencedinsuchashortperiodoftimeintheUnitedStateswasnothinglessthanamazing,anditwasallbecauseofGod.ManmustnotnowtrytopushGodoutandtakethecreditthemselves,becauseiftheydo,theresultmaybesomethingwewilltrulynotwanttoremember.

The Bible is a history book of God’s story, and He warned that no oneshouldaddtoitortakefromit.Apersondecidingtochangeahistorybookdoesnot alter the history but does keep people fromknowing it. Ifwe don’t knowwherewe came fromwe usually don’t knowwhat direction to take aswe goforward.Ifourhistorywasgoodwecanrepeatitandifitwasbadthenwecanavoid repeating it.History,goodorbad, isalleducational.Mostofuswant toknowwhathashappenedinthepast.Weliketohearpeople’sstories,whichistheir history.We like to go tomuseums and seemovies about past wars andtragiceventslikethesinkingoftheTitanicorHitlerandtheHolocaust.Weareinterestedsimplybecauseitishistoryandassuchitispartofus.Wefeelmorecompletewhenweknowourhistory.

The Internet offersWeb sites that help people establish their family treesand I have oftenwondered if I have any preachers orministers inmy family

bloodline.Are there anymen orwomenwho did great things, anywriters, orinventors?Historybeckonstoustodiginandfindoutwhatsheholds.

Mostofusareborncurious.Weliketosearchoutamysteryandhistoryisfilledwithmystery.IknowI,forone,amamazedwhenIreadaboutsomeofthebattles that the Israelites fought, and the variety of ways that God deliveredthem.KnowinghistoryincreasesourfaiththatifGoddiditonce,Hecandoitagain.

Ifwedon’tpassthetruestoryofGoddowntothenextgenerationsitwillbetragic.Onlytruthcankeeppeoplefree.TellyourchildreneverythingyoucanaboutGod.TellthemBiblestoriesandhelpthemrememberthegreatthingsthatGodhasdone.BesurewhenyoucelebrateholidayslikeChristmas,Easter,andThanksgivingthatyouusethemasanopportunitytoteachyourchildrenandtoremindyourselfofwhattheyaretrulyabout.ChristmasisthedaywecelebratethebirthofJesusChrist.WehonorHimbygivinggifts tooneanother.Peoplehistoricallygive to thepoor atChristmastimemore thananyother timeof theyear.ChristmasisaChristianholiday,butmanypeoplecelebrateitwhohavenospecificreligiousaffiliation.Itisjustadaythattheygettogetherwithfamily,gotoofficeparties,andgiveandreceivegifts,but theyhavenounderstandingofwhat it is really all about.Wedon’twant to let ourselves fall into the trap ofobservingtraditionsthathavelosttheirmeaning.

Thanksgivingisnotjustadaytoeatturkeyandpumpkinpie.ItwasadayoriginallysetasidetorememberandgivethankstoGodforwhatHehaddoneinprotecting the first men and women who came to America to flee religiouspersecutioninEurope.ItwasatypeofharvestcelebrationliketheonethattheJewscelebrated.Aday togive thanks for thecrops theywereable toharvest.We should always take time at Thanksgiving to actually give thanks and itshouldbeaprayerofmorethanthirtyseconds.Isuggestsittinginagroupwithfamilyorfriendsandlettingeachpersonsharesomethinginparticulartheyarethankfulfor thathappened in thepastyearaswellassharing theirgratitude ingeneral.

Easter is a celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ and should notfocusonhuntingcoloredeggsandgettingbasketsfilledwithchocolatedeliveredby a rabbit. I am not against the Easter bunny or Easter egg hunts, but wedefinitely need to tell our children what the holiday truly represents. Thesespecialholidaysandotherswere institutedasmemorials,orwaystoremembergreat things that God did in the past, so let usmake sure that we remember.BeforeyousitdowntoamealwithfamilyonEaster,whynotgetyourBibleoutand read the story of the resurrection and offer a special prayer of thanks forwhatGodhasdoneforusthroughChrist?

RememberThatGodRemembers

ItincreasesourfaithwhenwerememberthatGodremembersus.Hepromisestoneverleaveusorforsakeus.Hekeepsoneeyeonusallthetime.Heremembersallofourprayers.Hekeepsourtearsinabottle,anddoesnotforgetthecryofthehumble,poor,andafflicted(seePs.56:8and9:12).

JustyesterdayIspokewithamanwhosewifediedofcancerattheageofthirty-nine,leavinghimwithfourchildrenandabrokenheart.HesharedhowhejustthoughthecouldnotgoonuntilhereadPsalm121,remindinghimthatGodishisKeeper.

Hewillnotallowyourfoottosliportobemoved;HeWhokeepsyouwillnotslumber.

Psalm121:3

TheLordwillkeepyourgoingoutandyourcominginfromthistimeforthandforevermore.

Psalm121:8

Thisman needed to be reminded that even though he had experienced atragedy, God had not forgotten him. God was watching over him and wouldenablehimtodowhatneededtobedone.Godwouldstrengthenhim.

A short time later he met a wonderful woman who had also endured atragedyinhermarriage.Theyfellinlove,married,andtogethertheyhaveraisedtheir seven children. Tragedy is not the end of life, but it can be a newbeginning.We may never understand why some things happen the way theyhappen,butnomatterwhathappens,GodisstillGodandHehasnotforgottenyou.

Godforgivesandforgetsoursins(seeHeb.10:17),butHeneverforgetsus.

CHAPTER8

CelebrateWhoYouAreandWhatYouHave

Areyouinthehabitoflookingatwhatyouarenotandwhatyoudon’thave,orhaveyoutrainedyourselftoseewhoyouare,whatyoucando,andtheresourcesyou currently have available? We need to learn to identify with Christ andacknowledgethegoodthingsthatareinus.

That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by theacknowledgingofeverygoodthingwhichisinyouinChristJesus.

Philemon1:6KJV

We easily form a habit of acknowledging the bad things we do, butaccording to this Scripture we need to acknowledge the good things in usthroughChristJesusinorderforourfaithtobeeffectual.

The Apostle Paul prayed that we would have a spirit of wisdom andrevelation in theknowledgeofGodandtheLordJesusChrist, that theeyesofourheartwouldbefloodedwithlightsowemightknowthehopeofHiscallingandtherichesofthegloryoftheinheritancethatisours.HealsoprayedthatwewouldknowtheexceedinggreatnessofGod’spowertowarduswhobelievein

Him(seeEph.1:17–19).Itisveryimportantthatwehaveaspiritofwisdomandrevelationthatwe

might know the following three things: Number one, that wemight have theknowledgeofGod,or thatwemayknowGodHimself.This isnotknowledgegainedthrougheducation,butitisknowledgegainedthroughrevelation.Itisaknowing that is revealed tousbyGodHimself.Number two is thatwemightknowthehopeofourcalling,whichmeanstheeternalplanofGodandhowwefit into it. God wants a possession and we are that possession. We are Hisdesired family. We must know that God is calling us to be His sons anddaughters and that as such we have an inheritance. An inheritance becomesactivatedwhentheonegivingtheinheritancedies,andsinceJesushasdiedwemustrealizethatwehaveaninheritancenow.Wearenotwaitingforone,butwehaveonenow!NumberthreeistherevelationknowledgeofGod’spowerthatisavailable to us. We can do anything that God asks us to do because of thegreatnessofHispower towardus.Paul states that thispowerofwhichwearespeaking cannot be measured; it is unlimited and surpasses even the greatestthingwecanimagine.Havemanyofushaveevenbeguntoknowthispower?Ifthispowerisalreadyavailabletous,thenwhydosomanyofGod’schildrenlivebroken-down lives, filled with depression, discouragement, and despair? Wemustnotbeafraidtoaskthesequestionsifwearetofindanswers.

TrulyKnowGod

HowwonderfulitisthatwemayknowtheGodoftheUniverse!TheAtheniansbuiltanaltartotheunknownGod(seeActs17:23).Withalloftheireducation,reasoning, and philosophies, they still could not understand God. The BibleteachesusthateternallifeistoknowGod.

Andthisiseternallife:[itmeans]toknow(toperceive,recognize,becomeacquainted with, and understand) You, the only true and real God, and[likewise] to know Him, Jesus [as the] Christ (the Anointed One, theMessiah),WhomYouhavesent.

John17:3

WhenPaulprayedfor theEphesians, theyknewGodandhadeternal life,but still Paul prayed for them to have wisdom and revelation concerningknowing Him. They still needed to know Him more. Knowing God isprogressiveandmustbesoughtafter.Paulshareshisdeepestdesirewithus inPhilippians.PleasetaketimetodigestthisScripture:

[For my determined purpose is] that I may know Him [that I mayprogressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him,perceiving and recognizing and understanding thewonders ofHis Personmorestronglyandmoreclearly],andthatImayinthatsamewaycometoknowthepoweroutflowingfromHisresurrection.

Philippians3:10

There isabigdifference inknowingaboutGodandknowingGod.WhenwetrulyknowGod,wealsoexperience(know)Hispower.Paulwasdeterminedandheunderstood that theknowinghesoughtwouldbea lifelongpursuit.Heknew that the attaining of this knowledgewas not something to be gotten by

reasoningorfrombooklearning,butithadtobegivenbyrevelationfromGodand would be acquired progressively throughout his life. Thankfully, God isdeepenoughthatwewillneverknowallthereistoknow.OnlywhenwegotoHeavenwillwebeknownevenasHeknowsusnow(see1Cor.13:12).

It saddens me when people frequently equate Christianity with going tochurch andnothingmore. In churchwe are taught aboutGod, but an intimatepersonalrelationshipwithGodthroughJesusChristrequiresmuchmorethanaweekly trip to church. To know Him we must be hungry for the type ofknowledge that can only come from God Himself through revelation. It is aknowingthatgoesbeyondwhatwethink,see,orfeel.ItisaninnerknowledgeofGodthatcannotbetakenfromusthroughanythingoranyone.Whenwehavethisinnerknowledge,nothingoutwardcanswayusfromourbeliefinGod.Weno longerneedevidence toprotectour faith.We trustGod justasmuch ifHedoesnotgiveuswhatwewantaswewouldifHedid.Wedonotneedfeelingorseeing,becauseweknow.Jobsaid,“IknowthatmyRedeemerandVindicatorlives” (Job 19:25). Even though Job went through unimaginably difficult andseeminglyunfairthings,HeknewGod,andhisknowledgecarriedhimthroughthedifficultiesandbroughthimtoanewlevelofvictoryandblessing.

Many Christians live toomuch by feeling. If they feel joyful and happythentheysayGodisblessingthem,butiftheyfeelblah,cold,orflatthentheymightbeheardasking,“WhereisGodtoday?”IftheirprayerisnotansweredtotheirsatisfactiontheyaskwhereGodis.WhenweexperiencedthebombingoftheTwinTowers inNewYorkCityon9/11,anewscasterasked,“WherewasGodwhen all of this happened?” Had this newscaster knownGod, he wouldneverhaveaskedsuchaquestion.

IfwehaveatrueknowledgeofGodwearenotdisturbedbyanyscientificview, nor any theories of evolution, nor so-called contradictions in Bibletranslations.WehavecometoaperfectrestthatGodis,andknowingthat,thenwe know that nothing else matters. We do not feel a need to explain thingsbecause we know what cannot be explained in words. Paul said that he sawthingswhen he had visions ofHeaven that he could not explain.Men alwayswanttoexplainGod,butifweknowHimtruly,thenthefirstthingwegiveupistryingtounderstandHimorexplainHim.Thepersonwhoknowsspirituallyhasnoneedtounderstandmentally.

PraydailyforaspiritofwisdomandrevelationthatyoumightknowGodandHisChrist, theMessiah, theAnointedOne.Celebrate thatyouknowGod,thatyouareaneternalbeingandthatyouareprogressivelycomingtoknowHimbetter as each day passes by.What an amazing blessing it is to knowGod. Itshouldmakeussing,dance,clapourhands,andshoutforjoy.Celebratebecause

youhavejoinedJesus’party!

KnowGod’sCallandInheritance

Godwantsus toknowwhatHis eternalplan andpurpose are.Hewantsus toknow thehopeofourcalling.Hehaschosenus inHimself tobeholy, to livebeforeHimwithoutblemishandinlove.ThisisGod’scallanditisgreatindeed.Howcanwemeetsuchacallingsincewearefilledwithweakness,inability,andtheliabilitytotemptation?Howcanwebesoflawedandyethavethehopeofbeingholy?Itisbeautifullysimplewhenwehaverevelation.WearemadeholyinJesusChristandwecanliftupourvoicesandconfessoutloud,“IamholyinJesusChrist,IamblamelessandperfectinHim.”Whenanybelievercomestothe place of knowing by revelation what is his right now, he puts an end tosearchingrelentlesslyforsomething,becausehenowknowsthathehasit!Itisfinished!Itisdone!Itishis!Hecantheneasilybecomewhathebelievesthatheis. What I just said in the last six sentences is extremely important for eachperson to grasp, so I ask you to reread it.Wemust understandwhatwe haverightnow,otherwisewewillspendourlivesstrugglingtoobtainsomethingthathasbeenoursallalong.

Itriedformanyyearstoloveotherpeople,butIhadnorevelationthatGodlovedmeandthatIwasinfactfilledwiththeloveofGod(seeRom.5:5).Itwaseasy forme togive loveawayonce Iknew that Ihad it, but as longas IwasstucktryingtogetsomethingIalreadyhad,Iwasunabletogiveit.Wecannotgive awaywhatwe do not realize thatwe have!Nowonder theApostle Paulprayed for the church at Ephesus to know what they had inherited in Christ.Perhaps the reason we have difficulty accepting that holiness, peace, joy,righteousness, redemption,deliverance,wisdom,victory,and literallyhundredsofothersblessingsareours rightnow isbecauseof thewayweseeourselves.WeoftenlookatourselvesasmerehumanbeingsratherthanaschildrenofGod.WeneedtoseewhatGodsees.Weneedtolookwiththeeyeoffaith.Wemaythinkthethingspromisedareoursafterwechangeandbehavebetter,sowekeeptryingtoimproveandtragicallyweneverlearntocomeasweare.

YouAreInvitedtoa“ComeasYouAre”Party

Oneofthefirstthingsweaskwhenweareinvitedtoapartyis,“HowshouldIdress?”Mostofuslikeitbestwhenwefeelthatwecancomeasweare.Welikeitwhenwecanrelaxandbeourselves.InoticedthisScripturenottoolongagoand thought about how marvelous it is and what a message of acceptance itbrings:

ItisthroughHimthatwehavereceivedgrace(God’sunmeritedfavor)and[our]apostleshiptopromoteobediencetothefaithandmakedisciplesforHisname’ssakeamongallthenations.

Andthisincludesyou,calledofJesusChristandinvited[asyouare]tobelongtoHim.

Romans1:5–6

IfyouskippedovertheScripturepleasegobackandreaditandparticularlynoticethatyouareinvitedasyouare.GodwillworkinyoubyHisHolySpiritandhelpyoubecomeallthatyouneedtobe,butyoucancomeasyouare.Youdon’thavetostandafarandonlyhearthemusicoftheparty,youareinvitedtoattend.

Youhavejoyandpeacetoday.Youareredeemed,accepted,andmaderightwithGod.Youare!Not“youwillbesomeday.”WearedestinedtobemoldedintoHisimageandnothingcanstopitifwewillsimplycomewhenHeinvitesus.Wedon’thavetocleanupouractfirst.Wedon’thavetoputonareligiousdemeanorandgetoutourreligioustoneofvoice.

OurviewofGod,ourselves,andHisplanforusistoosmall.GodwantsustocomeoutofsmallnessandseethegreatnessofHiscallingandourinheritanceinHim.Whenweinheritathingitmeansthatwegetwhatsomeoneelseworkedfor.Jesusgainedaprizeforus.Heworkedforwhatweinherit,andallwecandoisreceiveitbyfaith.Nothingelseisrequired.DaveandIwillleaveourchildrenaninheritance.Theyknowaboutitandwillenjoyitwhenwedie.Atthattimethey will not need to do anything but receive it and enjoy what Dave and I

workedourwholelivestobeabletopassontothem.CanwebyfaithreceivewhatGodhasalreadydone foruson thecross?Weshouldnotbewaiting forHim todo anything, becauseHehas done all that needs to bedone.WeneedrevelationknowledgeconcerningwhatHehasdonethatitisoursrightnow.Onestepof faithwill putyou in themiddleof thegreatest inheritanceeverpassedfromonepersontoanother.Thatstepoffaithtakesthestruggleandfrustrationoutoflife.As1John4:17says,even“asHeis,soareweinthisworld.”Thatisgoodnews!

WeNeedVision

Wedonotneedmoreofanything,butwedoneedvisionconcerningwhatwealreadyhave.WeneedvisiontodogreaterthingsforthegloryofGod.WhenwetrulyknowGodandweseethehopeofHiscallingandourinheritance,wewillstep up to do greater things. Smallness will no longer satisfy us because weknowthatwehaveagreatGodandagreatcalling.

When God revealed Himself to Isaiah, the first thing Isaiah did was torecognize the importance and power ofwords and how vainmany of his hadbeen in the past (see Isa. 6:1–5). He saw the holiness of God, and he had arevelation ofGod that brought him to a place of repentance over some thingsconcerning hiswords. Perhaps itwas his small talk aboutGod that convictedhim.

Jesus asked Peter who people said that the Son of Man was, and Peterreplied, “Some say John theBaptist; others sayElijah; andothers Jeremiahoroneoftheprophets.”ThenJesusaskedPeter,“WhodoyousaythatIam?”GodislisteningtowhatwesayaboutHim,aboutourselves,andtheplanofGodforour lives.He listens to see ifweknowHimandour inheritance inHim.Petersaid, “You are theChrist, the Son of the livingGod” (Matt. 16:13–16). JesuswentontotellPeterthathisknowledgehadbeenrevealedtohimbyGod.

TheotherpeoplelookedatJesusnaturallyandreasonedastowhoHemightbe.Aswecanseebytheiranswers,theyreallyhadnoaccurateknowledge.ButPeterhadrevelationandJesustoldhimthatonthatrevelationGodwouldbuildHischurchandthegatesofhellwouldnotprevailagainstit.

ItellyoutrulythatwhenweknowGod,knowHiscallandinheritance,andgoontoknowHispower,thenthegatesofhellcannoteverprevailagainstus.Wewilldogreat thingsandhave joyful lives regardlessofour circumstances.Wewillliveinthespiritofcelebrationbecauseofwhatweknowinourhearts.

LetMeTellYouWhatIKnow

“LetmetellyouwhatIknow”wouldnormallybeastatementfilledwithpride,butinthiscaseIhaveapurpose.IwanttotellyouwhatIknowaboutyouandmeasChristians,andIamgoingtodoitfrommemorywithoutlookinganythingupintheBible.

IknowthatwearechildrenofGod,andthatwearecalled,anointed,andappointed by Him for greatness.We are destined to bring God glory and bemolded into the imageof JesusChrist.Wehave (notwillhave) righteousness,peace, and joy in theHolySpirit.Weare forgiven for all of our sins andournames are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. Jesus has gone before us toprepareaplaceforusthatwhereHeiswemaybealso.

I know that until He returns for us, He has sent His Holy Spirit as ourguaranteeoftheevengreatergoodthingsthatare tocome.Weareguaranteedan inheritance for itwas purchased with the blood of Jesus.We have a newcovenant and areoffered anewwayof living.Wearemadenewcreatures inChrist,oldthingshavepassedawayandallthingshavebecomebrandnew.Wecanletgoofpastmistakes,andpresstowardthemarkofperfection.IknowthatGodlovesuswithaneverlasting,unconditionalloveandthatHismercyenduresforever. Iknowthatall thingsarepossiblewithGodandwecandoall thingsthroughChristWhoisourStrength.

IknowthatGodneverallowsmoretocomeonusthanwecanbear,butHealways provides a way out, a safe place to land. I know that all thingsworktogetherforgoodtothosewholoveGodandarecalledaccordingtoHispurposeandthatwhatourenemiesmeanforharm,Godintendsforgood.IknowthatHeisourVindicator,ourRedeemer,andRestorer.Hemakesallthingsnew.

IknowthatGodneverallowsmoretocomeonusthanwecanbear,butHealwaysprovidesawayout,asafeplacetoland.

Wedon’thavetoworrybecauseGodhasallpowerinHeavenandontheearthandevenundertheearth,andHehaseverythingundercontrol.Iknowthat

Godhearsandanswersourprayers.IknowthatGodisourKeeperandwearesafe.Wehavebeen set free from thepowerof sin,weare seated inheavenlyplaceswithChrist Jesus andwearemade acceptable toGod through faith inJesus.

ThetruthisthatIcouldgoforawhilelonger,butIthinkbynowyouhavethepoint.BeforeIknewthesethingsIhadnopower,novictory,andnohope,butnowIknowthatmyRedeemerlives!Iknowthatweshouldbecelebratingwhatwehave rightnow, for trulywehavemore thanenough ineveryareaoflife!Allof thesewonderful thingsarecurrentlyoursthroughourfaithinJesusChrist.InHimwearenewcreatures;oldthingshavepassedawayandallthingsaremade new (see 2Cor. 5:17). I quoted Philemon 1:6 from theKing JamesVersion of the Bible in the previous chapter, but take a look at it in theAmplifiedTranslation:

[AndIpray]thattheparticipationinandsharingofyourfaithmayproduceand promote full recognition and appreciation and understanding andpreciseknowledgeofeverygood[thing] that isours in [our identificationwith]ChristJesus[anduntoHisglory].

Philemon1:6

Paul prayed that the Christians would know the good things that werecurrentlytheirs,andthatismyprayerforyou.

PaulprayedthattheChristianswouldknowthegoodthingsthatwerecurrentlytheirs,andthatismyprayerforyou.

KnowthePowerofGod

In the letter to theEphesians, Paul prayed thatwewould know the exceedinggreatnessofGod’spowertowardus.GodispowerfulandanyonewhobelievesinGodsurelybelievesthat,butthequestionis—dowebelievethatHispowerisavailabletousandthatitexistsforus?PaulspokeofGod’spowertowardus!

IlivedintotaldefeatthefirstfortyorsoyearsofmylifebecauseIdidnotknow that I had power as a Christian. I thought I just had to put up withwhatevercamemywayandtrytomuddlethroughuntilIdied,atwhichtimeIcouldgo toHeaven. I can tell you for sure that a life as I have justdescribeddoesnot giveglory toGod aswe are called to do.Wemust knowHispowertowardus!

Thisisapowerthathasalreadybeengiven.InLuke,Jesussaid,“BeholdIhavegivenyoupower…”.Wedonotneedtostriveforpowerorhopetohavepowersomeday—wehavepowernow!ThesamepowerthatraisedChristfromthedeaddwellsinus(seeRom.8:11)andwecanbequickened(filledwithlife)bythatpower.Thisisnotaonetimefillingthatthenslowlydrainsawayasthedays go by, but we can be daily filled and evenmoment bymomentwe canexperienceHispresenceandpowerinourlives.Thestartingplaceistobelieve!WemustbelievewhatGodtellsusinHiswordandwemustbelieveitbeyonddoubt.Evenifwedon’tfeelpowerfulwemustbelievethatwehavepower,andit is not an effort to do so ifwehave revelationknowledge concerningGod’spowertowardus.

God’s power is indeedgreat and it is so great that unlessGodopens ourspiritual eyes (givesus revelation)wewill nevergrasp it.Wehavenoway todeterminehowgreatGod’spowerisbecauseitcannotbemeasuredandithasnolimits.Thegoodnewsisthatitistowardus.ThisgoodnewsissoexcitingthatIthink I feel apartycomingon! I think Ineed to eat a cookieorbuyapairofshoesordosomethingthatmakesmelaugh;IneedtocelebratebecauseIknowthatIwillneverbeleftinapositionofbeingwithoutpower!

Thisisbetterthanknowingtheheadofthelocalpowercompany.Ihavetopayforthepowerthatcomesintomyhome,butthepowerthatIlivebyhasbeenpaid forbyJesusChrist. If thepowercompanycalledand toldus thatwehadbeenselectedtohavefreepowertherestofourlives,wewouldgetsoexcited

thatbeforelongeveryoneweknowwouldknowaboutthepoweravailabletous.Wewouldnothavetoworryaboutturningofflights,orhowmuchourhotwaterheaterran.And,whatifthepowercompanyguaranteeduspowerevenduringastorm?Wewouldnotneedtofearstorms.Wecouldlookupanddownthedarkstreetsallaroundusduringastorm,butourlightsandpowerwouldstillbeon.That is theway itworkswhenyouarehooked intoGod’sunlimitedpowerbyfaith.

Weare living inhardandperilous times,but thedarknesscannotputoutour light becausewe have free, unlimited power. I am excited and I feel likecelebrating, so I think I will take a break from my work, go make myself awonderfullatte,hugmydog,andgivemyhusbandabigkiss!

CHAPTER9

CelebrateYou

Iamback!Thelattewasgreatandsowasthekiss.Nowweneedtotalkaboutcelebratingyou,becauseyouarevaluable,and

definitely someoneworth a celebration! I cannot write a bookwithout tellingyouhowawesomeyouareandwhatgreatpossibilitiesyouhave.Iamafraidthatperhapsnobodyelsehasevertoldyou,andIjustcannotletyougoonemoredaywithoutknowingthetruth.Youarefearfullyandwonderfullymadeandyouaremadeforapurpose.AsabelieverinJesusChristyouarethehomeofGod—yes,Godlivesinsideofyou(seeEph.3:17).

Nowweneedtotalkaboutcelebratingyou,becauseyouarevaluable,anddefinitelysomeoneworthacelebration!

He has invested Himself in you and given you talents and abilities thatequipyoutodocertainthings.YouarepartofGod’splanandpurpose.

WhatDoYouThinkofYourself?

Have you ever taken time to think aboutwhat you think about yourself?

GodthinksthatyouarespecialandHecelebratesyouallthetime.Whatisyourattitude towardyou?Areyouworth a celebration? In theBibleweare told tosing, shout, rejoice, and be in high spirits because God has taken away thejudgmentthatwasagainstus.Hehascometoliveinthemidstofusandwehavenoneedtofear.BecauseHelovesusHedoesnotevenmentionpastsins,andHeexultsoveruswithsinging(seeZeph.3:14,17).

GodthinksthatyouarespecialandHecelebratesyouallthetime.

These Scriptures don’t say that God is sitting in Heaven crying andmourning because we make mistakes and are not all that He had hoped wewouldbe.Theysaythatweshouldbeinhighspirits(agoodmood)becauseGodlovesusandissingingoverus.Itsoundslikeapartytome!

Whenonelostsheepisfoundtheshepherdrejoices(seeMatt.18:13),soifyou justbecameabeliever in Jesusyesterday,God is rejoicingoveryou.Youmayhavealongwaytogobeforereachingspiritualmaturity,andyoumayhavemanyfaultsthatneedtobedealtwith,butGodisstillrejoicingoveryou.Heisalwayshappyabouthowfarwehavecomenomatterhowfarwestillhavetogo.Godalwayscelebratesprogress!

GodIsSmilingoverYou

God is pleasedwithyou!Now,beforeyoudecide to reject that pieceof goodnewsletmegiveyousomescripturalbackingformystatement.Ontwodifferentoccasions,avoice(God’svoice)cameoutofHeavensayingthatHewaspleasedwithHisSonJesus(seeLuke3:22andMatt.17:5).Thefirsttimethisoccurredwas at Jesus’ baptism and the second time was when He and a few of HisdiscipleswereontheMountofTransfiguration.BothoftheseeventsweremajoronesinthelifeofJesusandIamsurethatwhatGodsaidwasintendedtoaddtothecelebrationandencourageJesus.

YouareprobablythinkingasIdiduponinitiallyseeingtheseScriptures,“Ican understand God saying that to Jesus because He was perfect.” The HolySpiritwas trying touse theseScriptures toencourageme to stop thinking thatGodwasmadatmemostofthetimeandtodaretobelievethatHewasactuallypleasedwithme.LikemanyChristianswholackrevelationIhad themistakenideathateverytimeIdidsomethingwrongGodwasfrowningandwasa littlebit angry at me. That had been my experience with my earthly father and IassumedGodwasthesameway,butIwaswrong.ThePsalmistDavid,thelittleshepherdboywhobecameking,believedthatGodwaspleasedwithhimandyetweknowfromScripturethatDavidwasfarfromperfect.

Hebroughtmeforthalsointoalargeplace;HewasdeliveringmebecauseHewaspleasedwithmeanddelightedinme.

Psalm18:19

This statement also cameout ofDavid’smouth as part of a song that hesangtoGodonthedaytheLorddeliveredhimfromallofhisenemiesandthehandofSaul (see2Sam.22:1,20). Just imaginewalkingaround thehouseordrivinginyourcarsinging,“GodispleasedwithmeandHedelightsinme!”Idoubtthatmanyofuswouldhavethatkindofconfidence,butweshould.Davidalsosaid thatheknewGodfavoredhimandwasdelighted inhimbecausehisenemiesdidnottriumphoverhim(seePs.41:11).

Perhaps David was a little overly zealous and had an attitude problem.Afterall,whowouldhavetheaudacitytosaythatGodwaspleasedwithhim?But,wemustalsorememberthatGodsaidDavidwasamanafterHisownheart,so thatmeansHe likedhisbold attitudeof faith. Itmayhavebeenoneof themainreasonsthatGodchoseandanointedhimtobeking.Davidwasn’ttheonlyonewho talked like this.TheApostle Johnalso spokeofhimself asbeing thedisciplewhomJesusloved(esteemedandwasdelightedin)(seeJohn13:23).

Aftermuch study, I finally had to agreewith theHolySpirit.God is notmadatus,andHe isactuallypleasedwithusanddelights inus. Ibelieve thatGodissmilingoverusrightnow!Heseesus inandthroughJesusChrist.Areyou ready to acknowledgewhoyouare inChrist andeverygood thing that isyoursinHim(seePhil.1:6)?

IbelievethatGodissmilingoverusrightnow!

GodgaveMoseswordstoblesstheIsraeliteswith:

TheLordblessyouandwatch,guard,andkeepyou;The Lord make His face to shine upon and enlighten you and be

gracious(kind,merciful,andgivingfavor)toyou;TheLordliftupHis[approving]countenanceuponyouandgiveyou

peace(tranquilityofheartandlifecontinually).

Numbers6:24–26

Don’t fail to notice the phrase “approving countenance.” God is smilingoveryou!

I once had a pastorwho spoke thesewords over the congregation at thecloseofeachchurchservice.Whatwouldhappentous ifweactuallybelievedthatGodissmilingatus,thatHeapprovesofus?Ibelieveitwouldaddahighdegree of confidence and boldness that is actually necessary not only for theenjoymentof life,butalsoinorder toaccomplishthewillofGod.IfyouhavethecouragetobeginspeakingoveryourselfthatGodispleasedanddelightedinyou,Icanpromiseyouthat thefirst fewtimesyouwill feelembarrassed.Youmightevenblush,butyouwillalsobegintowalkwithnewlevelsofconfidence,power,peace,andjoy.

As I say often—God is not pleased with all of our behavior, but He ispleased with us if we love Him and want to make progress.When wemakepositive confessions, such as I am suggesting, we are not talking about ourbehavior,butwearetalkingaboutourheart.

IsItDangeroustoHaveaGoodOpinionofYourself?

Pride is a terrible sin, andwe are instructed inGod’sword not to thinkmorehighlyof ourselves thanweought to.We are told not to have an exaggeratedopinionofourselves(seeRom.12:3).Thatdoesn’tmeanthatweneedtohaveabadopinionoforlookdownonourselves.ItdoesmeanthatwearetorememberthatwearenobetterthananyoneelseandthatwhateverGodhasenabledustodo is a gift from Him. It is never a reason to have an exalted opinion ofourselves.Wehavenomore right toclaimcredit fora specialabilitywehavethanwedoforblueeyesorbrownhair.PaulwrotetotheCorinthiansandaskedthemwhattheyhadthatdidnotcomeasagiftfromGod(see1Cor.4:7).

Whenwearewarnednottothinkmorehighlyofourselvesthanweoughtto, it means that we are to realize that we are nothing apart from Jesus andwithoutHimwecandonothing.ThevaluewehaveisfoundinHimandwecancelebratewhoweareonlybecauseofHim.Actually,whenwecelebratewhoweareinJesus,itisawayofcelebratingJesusHimself.

Wemakethisalotmoredifficultthanitneedstobe.Itissimple—weareeverything in Jesus and nothing in ourselves. I like to say, “I am aneverything/nothing!”WecelebratebecauseoftheamazingworkGoddoesinus,and not because of any worth we have in ourselves. As long as we continuegivingGod thegloryforanythinggood thatwemanifestweareonasafeandrighttrack.

Forsomereasonreligionhastaughtpeoplethattobegodlytheymusthavealow,orevenbad,opinionofthemselves,andIbelievethiskindofthinkinghasdoneincalculabledamagetotheplanofGod.Ithinkthataslongasweknowweare lower than God and He is always our Chief and Head then we are safe.ConsidertheseScriptures:

Forsomereasonreligionhastaughtpeoplethattobegodlytheymusthavealow,orevenbad,opinionofthemselves,andIbelievethiskindofthinkinghasdoneincalculabledamagetotheplanof

God.

WhatismanthatYouaremindfulofhim,andthesonof[earthborn]manthatYoucareforhim?

Yet you have made him but a little lower than God [or heavenlybeings],andYouhavecrownedhimwithgloryandhonor.

YoumadehimtohavedominionovertheworksofYourhands;Youhaveputallthingsunderhisfeet.

Psalm8:4–6

Yes,wearelowerthanGod,butHehascrowneduswithhonorandglory.Doyouhaveanhonoringattitudetowardyourselforadisrespectfulone?WearemadeintheimageofGod(seeGen.1:26)andHehasgivenusauthorityoverallthe other works of His hands. God wants to work in partnership with us toaccomplishHispurposeontheearth,andwecannotdothatunlesswemaintainaproper attitude toward ourselves. I suggest that you say out loud daily, “I amnothingwithoutJesus,butinandthroughHimIamvaluableandIcandogreatthings.”

Doyouhaveanhonoringattitudetowardyourselforadisrespectfulone?

Idon’tthinkit’sdangeroustohaveagoodopinionofyourself(inChrist),butIdothinkitisdangerousnotto.Thetruthisthatyoucannotriseabovewhatyouthink.Wearealllimitedbyourownthinking.Ifwethinksmall,wewilllivesmall.Andifwethinkbig,wewilllivebig.GodwantsustorealizehowbigHeisandHewantsustobeboldenoughtothinkbigthoughts.GoddidnotchastiseDavidbecausehe thoughthecouldkillGoliath—Hewasproudofhim!DavidknewthathisvictorywasinGodandnotinhimself,buthewasconfidentandcourageousandrefusedtolivesmall.

What your life amounts to is directly connected to what you think ofyourself.Weneed to learn to think likeGod thinks.Wemust learn to identifywithChristand thenewpersonHehasmadeus tobe.Some identifywith theproblems theyhavehad in lifeandcall themselvesby thatname.Theysay,“Iam divorced. I am bankrupt. I am an abuse victim. I am an alcoholic.” Theyshould say, “I was divorced, but now I am a new creature in Christ. I was a

victimofabuse,butnowIhaveanewlifeandanewidentity.Iwasanalcoholic,butnowIamfreeandIhavedisciplineandself-control.”Hehasagoodplanforeachofus,butwemusthaveourmindsrenewed(learntothinkdifferently)ifweeverhopetoexperiencewhatJesuspurchasedwithHisdeathandresurrection.

Whatyourlifeamountstoisdirectlyconnectedtowhatyouthinkofyourself.WeneedtolearntothinklikeGodthinks.

In Scripture God uses words like “beautiful,” “honored,” “valued,” and“precious”whenHe is speaking ofHis people.There is no doubt thatwe areway less thanperfect, thatwehave faults andweaknesses.Wemakemistakesandbadchoices,andoften lackwisdom,butGod isGodandHeviewsus thewayHeknowswecanbe.Heseesusasafinishedprojectwhilewearemakingthejourney.Heseestheendfromthebeginningandisnotworriedaboutwhattakesplaceinbetween.Heisnotpleasedwithoursinandbadbehavior,butHewillnevergiveuponusandHealwaysencouragesustopresson.Godbelievesinyou!

DoesThisKindofTalkFrightenYou?

WhenI initiallybegan tosee thesekindsof things inScripture Iwasafraid toeven think thisway, letalone reallybelieve it. Iwasaccustomed to thinking Iwas a terriblewreck of a person, a lowlyworm and undeserving of anythingexceptpunishment.Mywhole identitywasbasedonwhatIdid,andsincethatwasn’tveryimpressiveitleftmewithapooropinionofmyself.

IwasafraidthatIwouldoffendGodifIdaredtohaveagoodthoughtaboutmyself.Iequatedgoodthoughtsaboutmyselfwithpride.IhadheardplentyofsermonsconcerningthedangerofprideandwastryingtobewhatIthoughtwashumble.IfeltsafeaslongasIdarednotthinkagoodthoughtaboutmyself.AsIsaidearlierinthebook,“IdidnotfeelrightifIdidnotfeelwrong.”

IshouldalsomentionthatthenegativeattitudeIhadaboutmyselfwasnotsomethingIwasevenconsciouslyawareof.ItwasjustthewayIlivedbecauseIdidnotknowanybetter. Icanexplain itnowasbeingself-defeating,ungodly,wrong,andtragic,butthatisaresultoftheknowledgeInowpossessofGod’sword.Ioftenaskpeopleiftheyhaveevergivenanythoughttowhattheythinkabout themselves. Most people have never thought about it at all and seemreluctant to do so. Someone could be filledwith self-depreciation, self-hatred,self-pity,orevenprideandarroganceandnotknowit.Wejustdon’tthinkaboutwhatwethinkaboutourselves,butweneedto.Istronglysuggestthatyouhaveameetingwithyourself and askyourself somepointedquestions regardinghowyoufeelandthinkaboutyourself.Youcannotdealwithaproblemifyoudon’tknowitevenexists.

The devil hates books like this because they bring hidden things into thelight.Satanworksindarkness,butwhenlightcomesinandhisworksandliesareexposedheiseasilydefeated.Itistimeforyoutocelebrateyou!Itistimeforyoutocelebrateyourprogress,yourstrengthsandabilities.ItistimeforyoutocelebrateGodinyourlife.

LearntoLiveontheResurrectionSideoftheCross

Wemustliveontheresurrectionsideofthecross.Jesuswascrucifiedandraisedfromthedeadsothatwemightnolongerbestuckinsin,livinglowly,wretched,miserable lives. Many people wear a necklace called a crucifix, which is anemblemofJesushangingonthecross.OftenweseeacrucifixinachurchwithJesushangingonit.IknowitisdonetorememberandhonorHimandIamnotagainstit,butthetruthisthatHeisnotonthecrossanylonger.Heisseatedinheavenly placeswithHis Father and has also lifted us above the low level ofthinkingandlivingofmostoftheworld.

TheApostlePaulsaidthathewasdeterminedtoknowJesusandthepowerofHisresurrectionthatwouldliftHimoutfromamongthedead(seePhil.3:10).Jesuscametoliftusoutoftheordinary,outofnegativethinking,guilt,shame,andcondemnation.Hecametotakeoursintothecrossanddefeatit.Ithasnopoweroverusanylongerbecauseweareforgivenandthepenaltyhasbeenpaid.

Which side of the cross are you living on: the crucifixion side or theresurrection side? It is good and respectful to remember that Jesus suffered aterribledeathforusonthecross,butweneedtoalsorealizethatHerosefromthedeadandmadeanew lifeavailable tous.There is apopular songentitled“BecauseHeLives,”andit isabout thatfact thatJesus’deathandresurrectiongiveusthepowerandprivilegetolivelifetodayinvictory.BecauseHeliveswecanloveourselvesinanunselfishway.Awaythatenablesustobeallwecanbefor God’s glory. The only way I know to say it is: get a new attitude aboutyourself!StopthinkingthatyourfailuresandmistakesaretoomuchforGod.Hehas cast all of your sins behindHis back (see Isa. 38:17).He isn’t looking atthemandyouneedtostoplookingatthem,too.DealwiththeminChristandgoon!

CelebrateYourLife

Howdoyoufeelaboutyourlife?Doyoulikeit,loveit,andenjoyit,ordoyouhate it andwishyouhadadifferentone thanyouhave?Doyou lookatotherpeopleandtheirlivesandwishyouwerethemandhadtheirlives?Doyouwanttolookthewaytheylook,ownwhattheyown,havetheircareerortheirfamily?

WantingwhatothershaveiscalledcovetingintheBibleanditisforbiddenbyGod.HeevenincludeditintheTenCommandments:

You shall not covet your neighbor’s house, your neighbor’s wife, or hismanservant,orhismaidservant,orhisox,orhisdonkey,oranythingthatisyourneighbor’s.

Exodus20:17

Youarenevergoingtohaveanyoneelse’slife,sowantingitisawasteoftime.Youwon’tlooklikethemeither,solearntodothebestyoucanwithwhatyouhavetoworkwith.

Ihaveadoptedanewphraselatelyanditishelpingmetodealwithrealityandnotwastemy timebeingupset about things I cannotdoanythingabout. Ihavebeensaying,“Itiswhatitis!”Somehow,thatisarealitycheckformeandIquicklyrealizeIneedtodealwith things thewaytheyare,not thewayIwishtheywere.

Nobody has a perfect life, and it is entirely possible that if you wantsomeone else’s life, they are busy wanting someone else’s too; perhaps theyevenwant your life.Unknownpeoplewant to bemovie stars andmovie starswantprivacy.Theregularemployeewantstobethebossandthebosswisheshedidnothavesomuchresponsibility.Asinglewomanwants tobemarriedandquiteoftenamarriedwomanwishes shewere single.Contentmentwith life isnotafeeling,butitisadecisionwemustmake.Contentmentdoesnotmeanthatweneverwanttoseechangeorimprovement,butitdoesmeanthatwewilldothe best we can with what we have. It also means that we will maintain anattitudethatallowsustoenjoythegiftoflife.

Nobodyhasaperfectlife,anditisentirelypossiblethatifyouwantsomeoneelse’slife,theyarebusywantingsomeoneelse’stoo;

perhapstheyevenwantyourlife.

Ifweweretowalkintothecancerwardofahospitalandaskaterminallyillpatientiftheywouldtakeourflawedlife,theywouldprobablybegladtodoso.They probably would not think that our problems were anything to be upsetabout.Ifweputthingsinproperperspectivetheyalwayslookbetter.Todaymyback hurts a little because I have been sitting in the same position for daysworking on this book, but the good news is that I canwalk and I even haveaccesstoTylenol.IhavebeentoplacesinIndiaandAfricawheresomethingassimpleasaspirinorTylenolwouldbeanamazingblessing.

TheNeverthelessPrinciple

Ioncereadabookthatwasbasedentirelyontheword“nevertheless.”Ittaughtthereader to takeeveryproblemin their life, lookat ithonestly,andthensay,“nevertheless,”andfindsomeoffsettingpositivethingintheirlifethatbroughttheproblemintoperspective.Itmightsoundsomethinglikethis:“Ihavealotofhardworktogetaccomplishedinthenexttwoweeks,nevertheless,afterthatmyscheduleismuchmoreopen,andIwillbeabletohavesomefunandgetsomeextrarest.”Amothermaybewearyandsay,“MysonwhohasAttentionDeficitDisorder isdrivingmecrazy,nevertheless, Idohavea son, and Iknowmanypeoplewhocannothavechildrenatall.”Afatherwhohastoworktwojobstomakeendsmeetmightsay,“Iamsotiredofworkingallthetime,nevertheless,IamthankfulthatGodhasprovidedmewithjobs.”

Nomatterwhowe are orwhat our challenge in life is, there is always anevertheless.Somepositivethingwecanlookatortalkaboutthatbringstherestoflifeintoperspective.Whydon’tyoutryit?Thenexttimeyouaretemptedtocomplain about your life in anyway, go ahead and state your complaint, andthen say,“nevertheless,” and find somethingpositive aboutyour life tooffsetthecomplaint.

JustaFewThoughts

Ifyouwokeupthismorningwithmorebodypartsthatdon’thurtthanthosethatdo,youareblessed.

Ifyouhavefood,clothes,andaplacetolive,youarericherthan75percentoftheworld.

Ifyouhavemoneyinthebank,inyourwallet,orsparechangeathome,youareamongthetop8percentoftheworld’swealthiestpeople.

If you have never experienced the danger of battle, the loneliness ofimprisonment,theagonyoftorture,orthepangsofstarvation,youareaheadoffivehundredmillionpeopleintheworld.

Ifyoucanreadthismessage,youaremoreblessedthantwobillionpeopleintheworldwhocannotread.

WordsAffectMoods

SomethingIhavedonetohelpmemaintainagoodattitudeaboutmylifeis tosayoutloud,“Ilovemylife.”Ourownwordshaveaneffectonourmoods,soitisbesttosaysomethingthatwillhelpyoufeelgoodratherthansomethingthatwillmakeyoumadorsad.Yourlifeiswhatitisand,astheysay,yourattitudetowarditcanmakeorbreakyou.

Youcanletstayinghappybeafunchallenge.Seehowmanydaysyoucangowithoutgettingintoabadmoodorfindingsomethinginyourlifetocomplainabout. Celebrating life is something we should do on purpose because weunderstandwhat a gift it is.God is life (see John 1:4), so in realitywhenwecelebratelifewearecelebratingGod!WithoutHimtherewouldbenolifeatall!Go ahead and try to create a bettermood by saying, “I lovemy life.” If youreallywanttofeelgoodtrythis,“IloveGod,Ilovemylife,Ilovemyself,andIlovepeople.”

Seehowmanydaysyoucangowithoutgettingintoabadmoodorfindingsomethinginyourlifetocomplainabout.

CHAPTER10

LearnWhentoStop

IshareinmyteachingthatweoftenstudythestepsofJesus,butfailtostudythestopsof Jesus.Weallneed to learnwhen to stop. Jesus stoppedwhatHewasdoing to listen to people and to help them.He stopped to rest, to have dinnerwith friends, tomakewine for awedding, and to do lots of other simple butimportantthings.OneofmybiggestproblemsformanyyearswasthatIsimplydidnotknowwhentostop.

My chiropractor has toldme to stop every forty-fiveminuteswhen I amwriting, togetupandstretchout themuscles inmybackso Idon’tendup inpain.ButwhenIaminaflow,itissohardtostop!Ifwedon’tknowwhentostop,wealwaysendupwithregrets later.Lastnight I lay inbedwithmyfeetand legs aching because of my back, and it could have been avoided had Istoppedoccasionallytodowhatmydoctortoldmetodo.Notknowingwhentostopcancauseallkindsofpaininourlife.

WhenJesusvisitedMaryandMartha,Maryknewwhentostop,butMarthadidn’t.MarysatatJesus’feetsoshecouldnotmissthemoment,butMarthajustkept working (see Luke 10:38–41). I wonder how many times in my life ImissedthemomentbecauseIwouldnotstopworking.IknowImissedmomentswithmychildrenwhentheyweresmallbecauseIvaluedworkoverplayingwiththem.Agoodlifeisallaboutbalance.Wehavetoknowwhentostartandwhen

tostopmanythings.Ecclesiastestellsusthereisatimeforeverythingandthateverythingisbeautifulinitstime.Workisbeautiful,butifweworkwhenit istimetoplaythenworkisnolongerbeautiful.Itcancreateastressthathastheabilitytodestroyourhealth.Playisbeautiful,butifweplaywhenweshouldbeworking,thenplaybecomesalackofdisciplinethatcandestroyus.

StoptoLaugh

It is important thatwe stop to laugh!Theworld is filledwith reportsof theft,violence, dishonesty, and corruption. If we don’t laugh I don’t how we willsurvive. Theworld does not always give us something to laugh about, soweneed to create our ownhumor.Yesterday,Dave and Iwere driving in the carwhenhesawasignadvertisingacertainitem,andhesaid,“Ibetthatwouldcostanarmandaleg.”Idecidedtobefunnyandsaid,“Ifyoupaidanarmandalegforityouwouldhaveahardtimegettingoutofthestore.”Helookedatmeindisbelief and said, “Youmust be pretty desperate for a laugh.” However, webothdidlaughforquiteawhile,especiallyme.Myjokewassounfunnythatitwas funny. Today we were both working out in the exercise room when hesuddenly lookedatmeand said, “I can liftmy legabovemyhead.” Iquicklysawapictureofhimtryingsuchafeatandthought,“Ifyouliftyourlegaboveyourheadyouwillfalloverbackward.”Hepressedthepointthathecoulddoitandsaid“Watchme!”Hethenlaydownflatonhisbackandliftedhislegabovehisheadandwebothbegantolaugh.ItwasoutofcharacterforDaveandrathersilly,butnonethelessitgaveusbothagoodlaugh.

Weneedtolightenup!

Ihavefoundthatlifeitselfcanbefunnierthanasupposedlyfunnymovie.Outofdesperationtolaugh,Ihavewatchedcomediansandfunnymovies,onlytofindthattheyarenotalwaysfunnyandIendupdisappointedthatIwastedmytime. However, if we look at life in a more lighthearted way it can be veryfunny.Weneedtolightenup!Mydaughtersoftencallmetosharefunnythingsthekidsdidorthingstheyarenoticingaboutthechildren’spersonalitiesastheyaregrowingup.Iamgladtheytakethetimetosharethosethingswithme.Welaugh, and then I tell Dave and he laughs, too. We could have missed thelaughteriftheywouldhavebeentoobusytocallorfeltthatitwasunimportant.Mydaughter-in-lawoften sendsmepicturesof thebabydoingcuteand funnythings.Hemighthaveafunnyhaton,orsomesillylookonhisface,butthose

picturesarealaughbreakforme.I am sure that several funny things happen to you every day if youwill

learntolookforthemandrealizehowimportantitistostopforlaughter.Let’sstoptolaugh:Evermindfulofthecongregation,theBaptistpreacherandhiswifedecided

togetanewdog,andtheyknewthatthedogalsohadtobeBaptist.Theyvisitedkennel after kennel and explained their needs. Finally, they found a kennelwhoseownerassuredthemhehadjustthedogtheywanted.Theownerbroughtthedogtomeetthepastorandhiswife.

“Fetch the Bible,” he commanded. The dog bounded to the bookshelf,scrutinizedthebooks,locatedtheBible,andbroughtittotheowner.

“Now findPsalm23,” he commanded.The dog dropped theBible to thefloor,andshowingmarvelousdexteritywithhispaws,leafedthrough,foundthecorrectpassage,andpointedtoitwithhispaw.

Thepastorandhiswifewereveryimpressedandpurchasedthedog.Thatevening, a group of church members came to visit. The pastor and his wifebegantoshowoffthedog,havinghimlocateseveralBibleverses.Thevisitorswereveryimpressed.

Onemanasked,“Canhedoregulardogtricks,too?”“I haven’t triedyet,” the pastor replied.Hepointedhis finger at the dog.

“HEEL!” the pastor commanded. The dog immediately jumped on a chair,placedonepawonthepastor’sforehead,andbegantohowl.

The pastor looked at his wife in shock and said, “Good Lord! He’sPentecostal!”

*

Therewasanairplaneflyingwithfourpassengers.Thepilotcamebackandsaidtheyweregoing to crash, but theyonlyhad threeparachutes.He told them todecideamongthemselveswhowasgoingtogetthem.OnewasaBoyScout,onewasthesmartestmanintheworld,onewasanelderlyman,andthelastwasapreacher.So,thepreachertoldthem,“YoutaketheparachutesbecauseIknowwhereIamgoingwhenIdieandIamreadytogo.”Theintellectualsaid,“Well,I have to have a parachute because I am the smartestman in theworld.”Theelderly man told the preacher and the Boy Scout to take the two remaining

parachutes because he had lived his life andwas ready to go. TheBoyScoutsaid, “There won’t be a problem because the smartest man in the world justjumpedoutoftheairplanewithmybackpackon.”

*

ThehusbandhadjustfinishedreadingthebookManoftheHouse.Hestormedintothekitchenandwalkeddirectlyuptohiswife.Pointingafingerinherface,hesaid,“Fromnowon,IwantyoutoknowthatIamthemanofthishouse,andmywordislaw!Iwantyoutopreparemeagourmetmealtonight,andwhenI’mfinished eatingmymeal, I expect a scrumptiousdessert afterward.Then, afterdinner,you’regoingtodrawmemybathsoIcanrelax.AndwhenI’mfinishedwithmybath,guesswho’sgoingtodressmeandcombmyhair?”

Hiswifereplied,“THEFUNERALDIRECTOR!”

*

AchildcamehomefromSundaySchoolandtoldhismotherthathehadlearnedanewsongabout a cross-eyedbearnamedGladly. It tookhismother awhilebeforesherealizedthatthehymnwasreally“GladlytheCrossI’dBear.”

*

Iamdesperatetolaugh.Iwastedtoomuchofmylifebeingmadandsad,andIhavealotofcatchinguptodo.IamcommittedtotakingeveryopportunityIcanfindtolaugh;whenIcan’tfindone,Iamgoingtotrytomakeone.IthinkJesuswas playful and funny. I can imagine Him teasing His disciples and playingpranksonthem.Maybeyoudon’tseeJesusthisway,butyoucannotproveHewasn’t thiswaysodon’t try torainonmyparade.IknowthatHewasserious

and sober minded, but He was always in perfect balance so He had to havehumor,too.

IfwelookatthetwelvemenJesuschosefordisciples,it’sclearthatHehadto have a sense of humor. They were emotional and competitive. Theyfrequently doubted andwere filledwith reasoning thatwasoftenhumorous initself. Peter said some fairly ridiculous things to Jesus during their journeytogether,butJesuschosehim,andtherestofHisdisciples.Hischoiceswerenotmistakes;theywerechosenonpurpose.Surely,JesuswantedustoseefromthechoicesHemade thatHe takes us aswe are and is not at all botheredbyourfaults. They did have many flaws; nevertheless, when Jesus called, theyfollowed.

IamsurethethreeyearstheytrainedwithJesuswereintense,buttheywerebalancedwithhumorandrest.

TrytoKeepUpwithChildren

Research shows that adults laugh approximately twenty-five times a day.Actually,Ithinktwenty-fivesoundshighformostoftheadultsIknowandamaround.Itis3:00PMwhereIamatrightnow,andIthinkImayhavelaughedfivetimessofartoday—butIpromisetotrytomeetmyquotabeforebedtime.

Jesustoldustobecomelikelittlechildren.

Jesustoldustobecomelikelittlechildren.Theycanhavefuninjustaboutany kind of situation and they never fail to stop and laugh. According tostatistics they laugh on average of four hundred times a day! I just spent fivedayswithmyone-year-oldgrandson,Travis, and I laughedmore in those fivedaysthanInormallydointwomonths.Hehaslearnedtolaughoutloudandsohedoesitfornoreasonatall.Hejustsuddenlylaughsoutloudandthen,whenwelaughathimlaughing,helaughsagainandagain.Hedoesitaslongaswewill keep the game going. He discovered how to open my glasses case andstartingputtinghisbabyspooninit.Eachtimehegotitopenhelaughed.Whenweclapforhisprogress,heclapsforhimselfandlaughsagain.Icanassureyouthatheisnotworried,anxious,orthinkingaboutallofhismistakesinlife.Nowonder Jesus told us to become like little children ifwewanted to enter andenjoyHiskingdom.

StoptoRest

Restingisveryimportantandmostofusneedtodoitalotmoreoftenthanwedo.Whatever happened to recess?When we were children in school we hadmorningrecess,lunch,andafternoonrecess.Thesewerealltimestoeatand/orplay and theywerewithin a six-or seven-hour period of time.Suddenlywhenhigh school started, recess disappeared! Did we stop needing it because webecame teenagers? The older we get, it seems, the less recess we get. Butperhapsitshouldbetheotherwayaround.IhaveworkedreallyhardsinceIwasaboutthirteenyearsoldandIambecomingfonderofrecesseveryday.Recessissimplyabreakinnormalbusinessthatallowsustimetorestandrelax.

IamgoingtotakeashortrecessandIwillberightback!Tenminuteslater:IambackandIfeelmuchbetter!BeforeItookmyten-minutebreak,Ihadtogotothebathroom,wasthirsty,

hungry, and stiff. I solved all of those issues in ten minutes and now I feelrefreshed.When you start feeling exhausted, when you hear yourself sighingfrequently, when your muscles are tense, and when your creativity has beenreducedtozero,itistimetostop!Weusuallyfeelthatwemustpressonbecausethejobhastobefinished,but thetruthis thatashortbreakmakesusbetter ineveryway.Italsoenablesustoenjoywhatwearedoinginsteadofresentingit.Wemustlearntocontrolourworkloadandneverletitcontrolus.

Takeabreakwhenyouneedone,becauseyouareworthit.Giveyourselfpermissiontorest!Youareahumanbeing,notahumandoing.IpromisethatitisOKtorest!Weallhavelimitsanditisfoolishnottoadmitthem.SomedaysmytankisnotasfullasotherdaysandIhavestoppedtryingtofigureoutwhy.Ijust stop before I am totally running on empty and sucking dirt into mycarburetor.Mydadwasanautomobilemechanicandhealwayssaid,“Neverletyourgastankgetemptybecauseyouwillsuckdirtintoyourcarburetor.”Ifhefoundmygastankclosetoemptyhegotupset,soIwascarefultokeepmytankatleasthalffull.IwishIwouldhavefollowedthatadvicewithmylifeenergy.IfIhad,Imighthaveavoidedsomeillnessandlaughedalotmore,andIamsureIwouldhaveaccomplishedjustasmuchbutenjoyeditmore.

Mostmistakeswemake in lifewe cannot goback andundo, butwe canlearn from them and hopefully prevent someone else from making the same

mistakeswedid.Somyadvicetoyoufromexperienceis:addmorerecessesintoyourlife.

TakeMoreVacations

IfIsay,“Takemorevacations,”youmightthinkthatyouwouldifyouhadmoretime offwork ormoremoney.But the truth iswe can take vacationswithoutmoneyandwecantakethetimewedohaveanduseitmorewisely.

Try taking half days off, but don’t use them to run errands, unless, ofcourse, theyare funones. Ifyoucan takevacation inone-hour increments, trytaking two hours off to go to lunchwith a good friend or relative you enjoy.When you do take time off, refer to it as vacation, not time off. The word“vacation”hasanicefeelingandagoodemotionaleffect.

Ithinkweactuallyhesitatetosaythatweareonvacationtoooftenbecausewedon’twantpeopletothinkwedon’tworkhardenough.Whensomeonefindsout that I am taking some time off they usually say, “Oh, are you going onvacation?”andIoftenfeelthatIneedtojustifyitbysaying,“Yes,butIwillbedoingsomework,too.”IthinkIjustifiedmyexistenceonearthbyworkingforsolongthatIstillneedtoreadmyownbooksandtakemyownadvicewhenitcomestothesubjectofvacation.

IrecentlyspentsometimewithafriendwhoisanattorneyandasIsharedwith him the things in this book, he toldme that he had taken three days ofvacationandalsofelttheneedtojustifytakingtimeoff.Aco-workerhadcalledhimandaskedwhathewasdoingwhilehewasoffwork.Herespondedthathewasgoingtoplaysomegolf,butthathewouldbedoingbusinessbyphoneande-mail.Weshouldbeabletotaketimeoffwithoutworkingandnotfeelguilty.Wedon’t have to always beworking in someway to justify our existence onearth.

Wheneverpossible,it’sagoodideatotakeoneortwovacationseachyearconsisting of aweek ormore because it usually takes us a couple of days toactually gear down and unwind enough to reach the level of real rest. In themeantime, take the day, half-day, two-hour, and ten-minute vacations that areimportant tomake lifemore balanced.Use holidays to rest and do things thatwill refreshyou,andbesure tobewithpeoplewhowillmakeyou laugh.Thenextchapterofthisbookisdedicatedtogivingyoursoulavacation,sogetreadyformorecelebration!

Taketheday,half-day,two-hour,andten-minutevacationsthatareimportanttomakelifemorebalanced.

CHAPTER11

GiveYourSoulaVacation

The subject of vacation is an important one, but our physical body is not theonly part of us that needs vacation.Our souls need a vacation, too.Have youevergivenyoursoulavacation?

Yoursoul iscomprisedofyourmind,will,andemotions,and it isaveryimportantpartofyourentirebeing.Youareaspiritualbeingandyouliveinaphysicalbody.But ifyoudon’tunderstandyoursoulandtheneedsthat ithas,youwillnotbeawhole,healthyindividual.

Youcantakeavacation,thinkingthatyouneedaphysicalrest,butifyoudon’tletyoursoulrestatthesametime,youwillreturnhomejustasexhaustedasyouwerewhenyouleft.Wecanlieonthebeachandworry,butthatdoesnotequalavacation.Wecantakeadayoffandspenditemotionallyupsettryingtodealwithpersonalproblems,traffic,highprices,andrudepeople,andwewouldhavebeenbetteroffstayingatwork.

Wecanlieonthebeachandworry,butthatdoesnotequalavacation.

Itisvitallyimportantthatwelearnhowtoletoursoulsrest.Jesussaidthatifweareoverburdened,weary,andwornout thatweshouldcometoHimand

learnhowHehandledlife.HesaidthatHewouldgiveusrestforoursouls.IntheAmplifiedTranslationoftheBibleitsaysthetypeofrestHeistalkingaboutis recreation, refreshment, and blessed quiet for our souls. I pondered Hisstatementand realized that Jesuswasofferingusavacation forour souls (ourinnerlives).Heoffersusrestforourmind,wills,andemotionsifwewillcometoHimandlearnhowHehandleslife.

CometoMe,allyouwholaborandareheavy-ladenandoverburdened,andIwillcauseyoutorest.[Iwilleaseandrelieveandrefreshyoursouls.]

TakeMyyokeuponyouandlearnofMe,forIamgentle(meek)andhumble (lowly) in heart, and you will find rest (relief and ease andrefreshmentandrecreationandblessedquiet)foryoursouls,

ForMyyoke iswholesome(useful,good—notharsh,hard, sharp,orpressing,butcomfortable,gracious,andpleasant),andMyburden is lightandeasytobeborne.

Matthew11:28–30

TheCureforStress

God’sanswertowearinessisfoundinHisword.HeinvitesustostudyhowHelivedand learn fromHisexample thebestway tohandlesituations in life.Allpeoplegrowwearyattimes.WatchmanNee,awonderfulChineseminister,said,“Theworldisindeedawearisomeplace.”Whenwearewearyweareexhaustedin strength, endurance, vigor, or freshness and we are out of patience andtolerance.Ourpleasureinlifehasbeenexhaustedandweneedhelp.Weneedtobe refreshed not only physically, butmentally and emotionally aswell.Beingweary isnot something tobeashamedof,but it is simplya sign thatweneedsomehelporabreak.

Beingwearyisnotsomethingtobeashamedof,butitissimplyasignthatweneedsomehelporabreak.

Theprinciple I have shared so farof taking time to rewardyourself on aregularbasiswillhelpyouavoidagreatdealofweariness.Thoselittlepleasuresinlifesuchasacookie,apairofshoes,anap,awalkinthepark,alunchwithafriend,amanicure,abubblebath,oragolfgameactuallyhelpusmorementallyand emotionally than they do physically.When our souls are rested, then ourphysical strength also increases.Do not fail to take the time to do these littlethingsforyourselfbecausetheywillhelpyouimmensely.But,thefirstthingweneedtodowhenwefeelwearyissimply“cometoJesus.”BeinginHisPresencegivesusrestanditalsoprovidesuswithcreativeideasonpracticalwayswecanberestored.

MoseshadgrownwearyasheattemptedtoleadtheIsraelitesfromEgypttothe Promised Land and God’s word to him was to let others help him (seeExodus18:18).Sometimeswejustneedtoadmitthatweneedhelpandthatwecannotdoeverythingourselves.BeingneedyisnotsomethingIwasgoodatinmylifeandIhavehadtolearnthataskingforhelpisnotasignofweakness,butratheritiswise.

MoseshadgrownwearyasheattemptedtoleadtheIsraelitesfromEgypttothePromisedLandandGod’swordtohimwastoletothers

helphim.

Moses was wearing himself out because he tried to do everything thepeoplewantedhimtodoand,tobehonest,wejustcannotkeepallofthepeoplehappyallofthetimeandnotbewornoutourselves.

GodsurelyknewthatwewouldallneedhelpbecauseHesentusHisHolySpirit, Who is referred to as “The Helper.” Go ahead and say it: “I NEEDHELP!”Askingisthefirstruletoreceiving,sodon’tbetoopridefultoaskforhelp.

Isaiahsaidthatallpeoplegrowwearyattimes.Nomatterwhatourageisorhownaturallystrongweare,weallhavelimitsandthatisOK.ItisOKifyoucannotdoitall.Infact,youcan’tdoitall.Isaiah’sinstructionwastowaituponthe Lord and be refreshed and renewed (see Isa. 40:28–31). Daniel said thatSatanactuallyseekstowearout thesaintsofGod.Weneedtorememberthat:the devilwants usweary,worn out, and exhausted.Hewill push us untilwehave no strength left if we are not careful, because he knows that if we areexhaustedwewillthink,say,anddofoolishthings;wewon’tenjoylifeandourwitnesstootherswillnotbegood.

AllofthegreatmenandwomenofGodtalkedaboutbeingwearyandhowtorecoveronce theybecameso.Wecan learnagreat lessonfromtheProphetElijah.

TakeaBreakandEataCake

Elijah was perhaps the greatest prophet in the Bible. God used him to doamazingthingsandyetweseethehumansideofElijah.Elijah(withGod’shelp)madefoolsofandslaughtered450prophetsoftheheathenidolBaal.Theyhadnomachinegunsorbombs inElijah’sday,so Isupposehekilled themwithasword. Just imaginehow tiredapersonwouldbe if theyhadaday likeElijahdid.Notonlydidhekill450peoplebuthealsobuiltanaltar,dugatrench,cutabullinpiecesforasacrifice,gotfourlargejarsofwaterfromthewellorbrook,and repeated this process several times (see 1Kings 18:21–40).After that heclimbedMountCarmeltoprayforrainwhilehisservantlookedforraincloudsasananswertoElijah’sprayertoendathreeyears’drought.Whenhisservantreportedthathesawatinycloudthesizeofaman’shand,ElijahtoldKingAhab(Jezebel’shusband)tohitchuphischariotandfleebecauseitwasabouttorain.Then, after the exhausting dayElijah had alreadyhad, theBible says that “hegirdeduphisloinsandranbeforeAhabtotheentranceofJezreel[nearlytwentymiles](1Kings18:46).HewasmostassuredlyexhaustedbeyondanythingIcanimaginewhenthisprocesswasover.

ThenextdayheheardareportthatJezebelhadmadeavowtokillhimthesamewayhehadkilledherprophets.Elijah’sreactionwasthatofanexhausted,weary man. He ran into the desert to hide, and he isolated himself from hisservantsandfriendsbecausehewasdiscouragedanddepressed.HesataloneinthedesertandaskedGodtotakehis life(see1Kings19:1–4).Exhaustioncanchangeourpersonalityandmakeusdothingsandbehaveinwaysthatwouldnotbenormalforus.Elijahwasnormallynotafraidofanything.Hewasverybold.Boldenoughtoconfrontandslay450ofJezebel’sprophets,butnowweseehimonlyonedaylaterbehavingquitedifferently.Idon’tknowaboutyou,butIcanrelate tohavingdays like theoneElijahwashaving. I havebeen so tired thatexhaustionalteredmypersonality;Ihavebeenfilledwithself-pityandnegativethoughts,andIhavewantedtoisolatemyselfandhaveeveryonejust leavemealone.

Elijahobviouslyneededhelp,soGodsentanangel tohelphim,whotoldhimtoariseandeat.Theangelprovidedacakeandabottleofwaterand toldhimtoeat,drink,andliedownandgotosleep(see1Kings19:5–6).Theangel

repeatedtheprocessagainandafterthatElijahhadstrengthtogoforfortydays.Wow! God’s answer to the great prophet’s exhaustion, weariness, anddesperationwas“Take a break and eat a cake.” It was equivalent to“Eat acookieandbuytheshoes.”Ithinkthisisamazingandthrillingbecauseitletsusknowthat theanswer tosomeof themostdifficult times in life is togetsomerest, eat something we enjoy, do something we enjoy, take a nap, and keeprepeatingtheprocessuntilwefeelwecangoagain.

Themulti-billion-dollarstressbusinessmightgobrokeifwealltookGod’sadviceonhowtocurestress.Perhapspeopledon’tneedsomanydoctorvisits,prescriptions, counselors, and treatment centers. Perhaps they just need avacationfortheirsoul.

I realize thatpeoplehaveseriousproblemsanddevastating losses in theirlives.IalsoknowthatthesimplethingsIamtalkingaboutarenottheultimateanswer for every situation, but they are the cure for much of the stress thatpeopleexperiencetoday.Everyonegetswearyunlesstheyknowhowtopreventit,orhowtorecover.

TheRestofGod

InMatthew11:28–29,Jesusspeaksofresttwotimes.Oneistherestofsalvationandtheotheristherestweneedfordailylife.TheinvitationtocometoHimandfind rest (v. 28) is in reference to receiving salvation through faith in JesusChrist.Whenwedothat,wefindanimmediatetypeofrestthatisonewehavenot experienced previously. We have the rest of knowing that our sins areforgivenandthatwearelovedandacceptedbyGod.Wealsohavetherestofnolongerbeingafraidofdeath,becauseweknowthatwhenwedie,wewillsimplypassfromthisearthlyrealmintotheheavenlyrealmwherewewillliveeternallyinGod’sPresence.

Thisfirstrestiswonderful,butwealsoneedasecondrestandJesustellsushow tohave thatwhenHesays, “TakeMyyokeuponyouand learnofMe…andyouwillfindrest(reliefandeaseandrefreshmentandrecreationandblessedquiet) for your souls” (v. 29). A yoke is a device that is used to couple twothings together, such as the pairing of oxen thatwere used to pull a plow forfarming. It isusedmetaphorically in theBible as a reference to submission toauthority.Italsoreferstobalancingoutaload.1Ifwestayyoked(veryclose)toJesusandsubmittoHisauthorityHewillhelpusbalanceoutourloadinlifeandwewilllearnhowHerespondstoeverysituation.

ToliveabalancedChristianlifewheretheloadisnottooheavyforus,wemustbewillingtotakeupJesus’yokeinthesmallthingsofeachdayaswellasin the big things of life. Someworkers find it hard to laborwith their fellowworkers; some husbands or wives find it hard to endure their in-laws; someemployees find it difficult to deal with their boss; students become weary oftheir relationshipwith teachers and other students. All of these are thingswemustbearinlifeand,ofcourse,wegettiredofthem.Wewishthatwecouldgetaway from them, or find away to get them away from us.Wemay feel castdown,discouraged,depressed,andhavenopeace,butwemustlearnthatJesuswants us to be yoked toHimand realize that these things are thingswemustlearn tobearwithagoodattitudebecause theyareGod’sportionappointed tous.

Godputsdifferentpeople togetherandwantsus to learnhow to loveoneanother and get along peacefully. God may put a careful, tidy person with a

careless,messyperson.Hemayputastrongpersonwithaweakone,ahealthyonewithasickone,oracleverpersonwithonewhoisnotsoclever.Heputshot-tempered,impatientpeopletogetherwithsweet-temperedandpatientpeople.One of them becomes yoked to the other and God uses them to balance oneanotherout.ThisgivesustheopportunitytolearnthenatureofChrist,andifwestruggleagainstit,wewillhavenorest.But,ifwesaytoGod,“Iamwillingtotakemyplace;Iamwillingtoobey;IamwillingtobloomwhereIamplanted,”thenwewillfindrestandjoy.

It took me many years to learn that it was useless to try to changesomethingthatGodhadassignedtomeasayoketobearinlife.IhadtosubmittoHiswill and let Him teachme to be peaceful in the situation. In his bookBalancedChristianLife,WatchmenNeesaid,“Thehighestlifewecanliveistowelcomeallthatwemaynaturallydislike.LetmetellyouthatyouwillbefilledwiththedeepestrestwithinifyouwilljoyfullyaccepttheyokewhichGodgivesyou.”2

God’sresthasbeenavailablesincetheseventhdayofcreation,whenGodHimselfrested.Manythingsareavailabletodaythatpeoplefailtoenjoybecausetheyareeitherignorantofthemorbecausetheyfailtobelieveandobey.

God’sresthasbeenavailablesincetheseventhdayofcreation,whenGodHimselfrested.

SpiritualRest

Althoughwe need physical rest, the type of rest spoken of inMatthew 11 isspiritualrest.Itisarestofthespiritandsoul(mind,will,emotions).Itisarestinwork,not fromwork.Whenwe restphysically,weneed to stopworking.Butthistypeofrestisdifferent.WhenJesuscametoMaryandMartha’s,hedidnotchastiseMarthaforworking,butforworrying.Hetoldherthatshewasanxiousand troubled aboutmany things, but that right at thatmoment, only one thingwasneedful and thatwas for her to enjoyHis visit. Shewas concerned abouthowthingslookedandwasupsetthatMarywasn’thelpingher(seeLuke10:38–41).Marthaneededtogiveherselfpermissiontolightenup!All thethingssheworried aboutwere not thingsworthworrying about.Thehouse beingperfectwasn’tthatimportant,andwhatMarywasdoingwasnoneofMartha’sbusiness.Sheneededtorelaxandenjoythemiracleofthemoment.Jesushadcometoherhouse,andeventhoughsheprobablyneededtomakesomepreparations,shedidnotneedtoloseherpeace.

Rest is not inactivity, but the harmonious working together of all thefaculties and affection—of will, heart, imagination, and conscience. Forexample,ifapersonmakesachoicetodosomethingthattheirconsciencedoesnotagreewith,theywillnotenjoytherestofGod.SomeonejustaskedmetodosomethingasafavortothemthatIdidnothavepeaceaboutdoing.IfIpleasemyfriendbydoingwhattheywantmetodothenIwillnothaverestbecauseinmyheart I don’t really feel it is a right thing forme todo.Myactions,heart,mind,andconscienceneedtoworktogetherinharmony.Marthaneededtolearnto restwhile sheworked.Marthaworked,but inher imaginationand thoughtsshewasangrywithMarybecauseshewasnotalsoworkingandthatpreventedMarthafrombeingatrestinternallywhilesheworkedoutwardly.

If the emotions, heart, will, or mind is set against the thing being done,therewillbenorest.Marthawasworking,butsheresenteditsoshecouldnotrest.Whenwehaveajobtodoweshoulddoitwillingly,notwithresentment.ItisvitalforustouseourfreewillandchoosethewillofGodwhenathingneedstobedone.Wesayinourheart,“IwilldothisasaservicetoGodandIwilldoitwithagoodattitude.”

ThisisexactlywhatJesusdidintheGardenofGethsemane.Heknewajob

hadtobedoneandthatGodwantedHimtodoit.HeprayedaboutitandeventhoughHewasawarethatitwasgoingtoincludeunimaginablesuffering,HesetHiswillinagreementwithHisFather’swill.HeenduredthepainandsufferingforthejoyoftheprizethatwassetbeforeHim.OnceHemadeHisdecisionGodsentangelstoministerHim.Ifourattitudeisproperwewillreceivedivinehelpenablingustodowhatweneedtodo.

ChangeYourApproachtoLife

Lifewillnotalwayschange,sowemustbewillingtochange.Askyourselfhowyouapproacheachdayandsituation.Doyouhaveanideaofwhatyouwanttotake place?Have you already decided that you cannot have rest or joy if youdon’tgetwhatyouwant?Ihearpeoplesay things like,“If it rains tomorrowIamnotgoingtobehappy,”or,“WhenIgethomefromworktodayIamgoingtobeupsetifmychildrendidnotcleanthehousethewayItoldthemto.”Whenwethink like this,we are preparing to be upset and lose our rest beforewe evenhaveaproblem.Wehavemadeourmindupthatwecannothaverestifwedon’thaveourway.Weshouldsayinstead,“Ihopetheweatherisnicetomorrow,butmyjoyiswithinmesoIcanbehappyandhaverestinmysoulnomatterwhatkind of weather we have.”We should think, “I hope the children did what IaskedthemtodosoIdon’thavetocorrectthem,butIcanhandleanysituationandremainpeacefulinmysoul.”

Lifewillnotalwayschange,sowemustbewillingtochange.

Do you approach life with a negative, complaining attitude, or with apositive,gratefulattitude?Doyoutaketimein life torewardyourselfforyourprogress,ordoyoupunishyourselfforyourweaknessesandmistakes?Doyouhurryallthetimeortakethedayonethingatatime,askingforthehelpoftheHoly Spirit? Do you live in the now (present moment) or do you live inyesterdayandtomorrowinyourthinking?Howweapproachlifemakesall thedifferenceinourqualityoflife,sowhenwecan’tfixlife,letusrememberthatwecanfixourapproachtolife.Makeyourmindupthatyouwillbehappyifyougetyourwayandyouwillbehappyifyoudon’t.

Doyouhurryallthetimeortakethedayonethingatatime,askingforthehelpoftheHolySpirit?

Weallhaveendlessexamples inour lifeofchangingourapproach.DaveandIstayinhotelsalotandoftenfindthatthebathtubhasnostoppertokeepthe tub filled. I enjoy a bath rather than a shower, so after getting upsetnumerous times over the lack of a stopper, I decided to carry onewithme. Ittakesupverylittlespaceandkeepsmeinrest.Mosthotelsdon’thaveverygoodlighting.Iimagineitisbecausetheyaretryingtosavemoney,butthefactisthatmostguestsdon’tenjoybeinginadarkroom.Aftercomplainingforyears,wenowcallaheadandaskthehotelforseveraladditionallampsforourroom.Ifthebulbs are not a high enough wattage to put out sufficient light, we go buybrighterlightbulbs.Onceyougetcommittedtolivinginrestandpeaceyouwillfindwaystoapproachlifedifferently.

Last year we were traveling to Thailand and India and were stranded inAlaskaduetoairplanemaintenance.IexpectedtoleaveSt.Louiswhereitwasvery cold and end up in Thailand where it was hot, so I left home wearingsandals and didn’t take a coat. When we got off the plane in Alaska it wasthirteendegreesbelowzeroandthewindwasblowingreallyhard.Mydaughter-in-lawgavemeapairofbrightpinksockstoputonwithsandals(stopanduseyour imagination); needless to say, they looked ridiculous. I bought a purplefuzzysweatshirt in thehotelgiftshopwhichIknewIwouldneverwearagainanddidnotwanttospendmoneyon,butitwasallIcouldfind.SowithmyhairstickingupbecauseIhadbeensleepingontheplane,mysummeroutfit,mypinksocksandpurplefuzzysweatshirt,IwalkedacrossthehotellobbyquitesurethatnobodyinAlaska,especiallyinthemiddleofthenight,wouldrecognizeme.Butour thoughtsarenotalwaysGod’s thoughts,andsureenough thebellmansaidloudly, “Aren’t you JoyceMeyer from television?” Immediately, a few otherhotel employeeswhowatchmyprogramcame runningover, and sowehad asmall“meetandgreet”inAlaskainthemiddleofthenight,withcrazyhair,pinksocksandsandals,andapurplefuzzysweatshirt.

I did not want to be in Alaska, and I did not want to run around in theridiculousoutfitIhadon,butIonlyhadtwochoices.Icouldbeupsetandlosemyrest,whichwouldnotchangeathing,orIcoulddecidetomakeanadventureoutofit.Ichosetheadventureandthingsworkedoutallright.Wecanchangeourqualityoflifebychangingourattitudetowardthesmallandbigthingsthatusuallyirritateandangerus.

EscapingTroubleIsNottheAnswer

Davidprayedthathecouldflyawayfromtroubleandbeatrest(seePs.55:5–8),butrunningfromtroubleisnottheanswer.Wemustfacetheenemyanddefeathim inGod’s power just asDavid defeatedGoliath.God has given us “goingthrough” power. He has given us a spirit not of fear, but of a calm, well-balanced,disciplinedmind(see2Tim.1:7).ItisnotGod’swillforustorunorhide from challenges, but to confront them head-on, knowing we can fight abattleandremainatrest.Afterall,thebattleisnotours,butGod’s!

God never blesses people who run. Wherever they are hiding, He findsthem and takes them back to what they ran from so they can face it andexperience true freedom. God gives us power and wisdom to deal withsituations,nottotrytoescapethem.Avoidanceisnotagodlycharactertrait.

Elijahtriedtorunandhide,butGodmadehimgobacktotheplaceheranfromandcontinuetheworkhehadbeencalledtodo.AfterGodgavehimacakeandabreak,Heconfrontedhimabouthisattitude.Heaskedwhyhewashidingandwhathe thoughthewasdoing.Elijahansweredoutofabitterattitudeanddistortedthinking.HesaidthathealonewaslefttoserveGodandpeoplewereseekingtokillhim.HetoldGodthatalltheIsraeliteshadforsakenHiscovenant,destroyedHisaltarsandkilledHisprophets,andonceagainElijahsoundedasifhewasfilledwithself-pityasHe toldGod thatonlyhewas leftbeingfaithful(see1Kings19:9–14).GodtoldElijahthatHehadseventhousandprophetsleftthathadnotbowedtheirkneetoBaalandHealsotoldhimtogetbacktowork.When we don’t stay in rest our thinking gets distorted and we lose properperspective.Wewant to runaway from responsibility, but aswecan seewithElijah,Godwillnotallowus todo thatbecauseescape isnever theanswer tolife’schallenges.

Whenwedon’tstayinrestourthinkinggetsdistortedandweloseproperperspective.

PrayerPrecedesRest

Our first line of defense against discouragement or disappointment is prayer.Prayatthebeginningofeachday,eachproject,everytrialanddisappointment.Don’tmerelyprayforthesituationtogoaway,butinsteadpraythatyouwillbeabletohandletheproblem,maintainthecharacterofGod,anddisplaythefruitoftheHolySpirit.PrayerinvitesthepowerofGodintooursituations.Youmayrecall that earlier in this book we talked about the importance of havingrevelationconcerningthepowerofGodthatisavailabletouswhobelieve.Thispowercanbereleasedthroughbelievingprayer.

Wearetoldnot tobeanxiousaboutanything,but ineverythingwearetoprayandgivethanks(seePhil.4:6).Itisfoolishandawasteofenergyandtimeto try to do anything before praying. Pray at all times, in every season, witheverymannerofprayer (seeEph.6:18).Weforfeitmore thanwecan imaginebecauseweoftenfailtopray.

Wewillhavenorestuntilwelearntostaycalmineverysituation(seePs.94:12–13).Themostfoolishthingintheworldis to trytodosomethingaboutsomething you cannot do anything about. When you are weary andoverburdened come to Jesus and find rest.TakeHis yoke uponyou and learnhowHehandleslife,andyouwillfindrest,relief,ease,refreshment,recreation,andblessedquietforyoursouls.Thatsoundslikeavacationtome!Doyouneedavacationforyoursoul?Ifyoudo,oneisbeingofferedtoyouthroughlearninghowtorestyourmind,will,andemotions,aswellasyourphysicalbody.

CHAPTER12

Priorities

Whenourprioritiesareoutoforderitalwayscreatesstress.Weneedorderinourhomes,schedules,closets,garages,finances,andeverythingelseinlife.GodisnottheGodofconfusion!Herunsaveryorderlyuniverse.ThereisnochaosinHeaven!GodtellsustoliveinthepeacethatHeleftforus,sotheremustbeawaytodoit.Wehavemanyprioritiesinlifethatneedattention,butinthisbookIwanttodiscussspiritualpriorities.

Sit,Stand,Walk,andRun

WefindallofthesewordsinScripture.WearetoldthatweareseatedinChristandthatreferstousenteringtherestofGod.Wearetaughttostandagainstthedevilandallevil.Weare towalkinGod,walkin love,walkinrighteousness,andwalkbyfaith.Wearealsotoldtorunourrace,runtowin,andrunandnotbeweary.

We are told to sit, stand, walk, and run, but many Christians try to runwithout ever having learned and practiced the other steps. These spiritualprinciples have a proper priority and must be established in our lives in thatorder.Babiesdonotjumpoutoftheircribsandbeginrunningaroundthehouse.Theyworka long timeat learning to sitwithpillowsproppedaround themorwiththehelpofanadult,andaftermuchtrainingandpracticetheyfinallylearntositalone.

Wearetoldtosit,stand,walk,andrun,butmanyChristianstrytorunwithouteverhavinglearnedandpracticedtheothersteps.

SomeChristianscanonlystayinrest(seated)iftheyhaveotherChristianscontinuallyproppingthemup,prayingforthem,andencouragingthemtodoso,butwemustgrowtotheplacewheretherestofGodisournormalstateandnotsomethingwemusttrytoattain.Wemustlearntositalonewithoutneedingtheconstantsupportofothersbeforewecanstartwalking.

I triedtorunbeforeI learnedtositanditwasdisastrous.I felt thatIwascalledtoteachotherpeoplethewordofGodsoIquicklystartedaministry.ButIexperiencedunbelievablestress—somuchstress that Iwassickandunhappymostofthetime.Iwastryingtorun,butIhadneverlearnedtosit,stand,orwalkyet.Nowaftermorethanthirty-threeyearsinministryIamrunningfast.Iaminthespiritualfastlane,hopefullyhelpingmillionsofpeoplethroughtheteachingministryGodhasgivenme.IknowhowtorunwithGod,butIalsonowknowhowtosit,stand,andwalkinGod,andIcandothemallsimultaneously.

SeatedinChrist

TheBiblealwaysdepictsChristasbeingseatedafterHisdeath,resurrection,andascension. It says thatHeascendedonhighand satdownat the righthandofMajesty, there towait forHisenemies tobemadeafootstoolforHisfeet(seeHeb.10:11–13). Inotherwords, JesusnotonlydidwhatHewassent todo inrest,butHethenenteredanotherdimensionoftherestofGodtowaitforGodtodo the remainderofwhat needed tobedone. I like to say, “Doyourbest andGodwilldotherest.”

WemustlearntodowhatisassignedtousfromGodandneverwastetimetryingtodowhatonlyGodcando.WecannotgobeyondwhatGodhasgivenusgracetodo.Icanwanttochange.IcanstudyGod’swordinareaswhereIneedgrowth,Icanprayaboutchange,butonlyGodcanchangeme.IcandowhatIcando,but IcannotdowhatonlyGodcando.Until I learned thedifferenceIlivedinstress.Icanwantalovedoneorafriendtoliveabetterlife,tobeclosertoGod,ortostopdestructivehabits.IcanprayforthemandIcanofferhelpiftheywilltakeit,butonlyGodcanchangethem.SayingthatwetrustGodisnothardtodo,buttruefaithenterstherestofGod.WedonotenterGod’srestwhenwearetryingtobelieve,weenteritwhenwehavebelieved(seeHeb.4:3,10).Aswetalkaboutrestrememberthatit isequivalenttobeingseated!Haveyoulearnedhowtosit?

EvenGodrestedfromHis laborsofcreationand took time toenjoywhatHehaddone.HedidwhatHepurposedtodoandthenHerested.JesusdidwhatHewassentbyGodtodoandthenHerested.Ourbiggestproblemisoftenthatwedon’tknowwhenweshouldbefinished.WhenwelaborinthefleshwithoutGod’shelpthenwehavenorest;allwehaveisfrustrationandstress.

Eachdaywehavecertainpurposes thatwewishtoaccomplishandat theendofthedayitispropertorest,notonlyphysically,butoursoulalsoneedsarest.Weneedrestphysically,mentally,emotionally,andspiritually.

WearespirituallyseatedwithChristinHeaven.Ourfeetmaybeonearth,butspirituallywearewithChristinHeaven.Christiansliveintworealmsatthesametime.A.W.Tozersaiditwell:“OurtroublespringsfromthefactthatwewhofollowChrist inhabitatonce twoworlds: thespiritualand thenatural.Aschildren ofAdam,we live our lives on earth subject to the limitations of the

fleshandtheweaknessesandillstowhichhumannatureisheir.Merelytoliveamongmenrequiresofusyearsofhardtoilandmuchcareandattentiontothethingsof thisworld. Insharpcontrast to this isour life in theSpirit.Thereweenjoyanotherandhigherkindoflife.”1TherewecanenjoytherestofGodnomatterwhatistakingplaceinthenaturalrealm.

Ourcircumstancesonearthdon’thavetodisturbusspirituallyifwelearnhowtostayseated.AsbelieversinJesusChristwehavehadaco-deathandco-resurrectionwithChrist. TheBible says, “We know that our old (unrenewed)self was nailed to the cross with Him in order that [our] body [which is theinstrument]ofsinmightbemadeineffectiveandinactiveforevil,thatwemightnolongerbetheslavesofsin”(Rom.6:6).

WearealsotoldinScripturethat“HeraisedusuptogetherwithHimandmade us sit down together [giving us joint seatingwithHim] in the heavenlysphere [by virtue of our being] inChrist Jesus” (Eph. 2:6).Wemust learn toidentifywithChrist and to believe thatwhatHe has right now,we also havethroughourfaithinHim.Wewillnotgetitatsomelaterdate,wehaveitnow(spiritually speaking)! God not only allowed Jesus to shed His blood for theremission of our sins, butHe has also put us inChrist so thatwhen theLordJesus was crucified God crucified our oldman with Him, too. That we werecrucifiedwithChristisafactinGod,butitisimpossibleforthehumanmindtoexplainthisfact.Thatiswhywemustbelievewiththeheart,ratherthantryingtoreasonthingsoutwiththemind.

Let us understand that whatever God has done in the past in Christ isalwaysnowforus.GodistheGodWhoisforevernow.Heisthegreat“Iam!”AllthefactsinChristarenowandtheyneverpassaway,theyareforever.ThecrossofChristisnow,theresurrectionofChristisnow,theascensionofChristisnow,thecomingoftheHolySpiritisnow,andthefillingoftheHolySpiritisnow.WeareseatedwithChristnow.WemustnottreatwhatChristhasdoneasmere history, but thanks toGod all thatHe has done is forever and it is oursnow!

Faithallowsustorestmentallyandemotionally.Evenourwillgetsarestwhen we have faith in God.We don’t worry or reason, we are not upset ordowncast,andwearenottryingtomakesomethinghappenthatisnotGod’swill—we are at rest! Paulwas singing in jail. Jesuswas praying for otherswhilebeingcrucified.Josephdecidedthatifhewasgoingtobeaslave,hewouldbethe best slave his owner ever had. He decided that if he was going to be aprisoner (even thoughhedidnotcommitacrime) thathewouldbeaprisonerwithagoodattitude.

Weneedtobehonestaboutwhattherealcauseofourstressis.Isitreally

our circumstances in life, or is it the way we respond to the circumstances?Thereisarestavailableandwemuststrivetoenterit.EnteringtherestofGodshouldbeournumberonepriorityafterreceivingJesusasourSavior.Iaskyouagain:haveyoulearnedtositandenterGod’srest?

HaveyoulearnedtositandenterGod’srest?

LearningtoStandinChrist

Wecanneverstandagainsttheenemy(Satan)unlesswelearntodoitfromourfirstpositionofbeingseatedinChrist.Restisaplaceofpower!

AndtheGodofpeacewillsooncrushSatanunderyourfeet.Romans16:20a

Ifwestaycalm,Godwilldeliverus.WemaysaythatwearetrustingGod,butthereisnoevidenceoftrustunlesswestayseatedinChrist.

The Israelites were seriously stressed due to their seemingly impossiblesituation of being literally between theRedSea and theEgyptian army!Theyhadnonaturalwayofescape.YetGodtoldthemtoholdtheirpeace,remainatrest,andHewouldfightforthem(seeExod.14:9–14).

Standingisapositionofknowingtheendfromthebeginning.WeknowthewordofGodandwhatHehaspromised,andwechoosetobelieveitmorethanwhatwesee,feel,orthink.Westandfirminourfaithknowingspirituallywearedeliveredandexpecting tosee themanifestationof itatanymoment.Wewaitexpectantly!Wewillgetwearyattimesbecauseweusuallyhavetowaitlongerthanwethoughtwewould,butJesushassaidthatifwewillcometoHimanytimewefeelevenslightlyweary,Hewillgiveusrest.Hewillgivewhatequatestoaspiritualvacationoravacationforoursoul.

LearningtoWalk

Awalkismadeupofmanysteps,andeachoneisachoice.OurwalkwithGodreferstohowweliveourdailylife.Oncewehavelearnedtositandstand,wearereadytostarttakingstepsthatwilleventuallyenableustowalk.WearenotwalkingwithGodsimplybecauseweattendchurchorreadourBible.Ourwalkis about our choices. The Bible says that we should walk (order our lives,conduct, andconversation) in the revealedwillofGod (seePs.119:1). It saysthat we should walk (order our lives) bywhat we know to be true (see Phil.3:16).Knowingtruthgivesusaresponsibilitytoactuponit.IrecentlywatchedatragicsituationunfoldasabrotherinChristbecameentangledinanaffairwithanotherwomaneventhoughhewasmarriedandhadtwochildren.Thesinoftheaffairopenedhimuptoallkindsofdeceptionandhissituationwentfrombadtoworse as he toldmany lies and got himself deeper and deeper in trouble.Hisfamilywasdestroyedandheendedupinjail.GodusedthatsituationtoshowmethatthemoreknowledgewehaveofGodandHiswillthemoreresponsibleweare to obey it.Whenonewho truly knowsbetter showsno reverential fear ofGodandarrogantlychoosessin,heopensadoorinhislifethatallowsthearmyofhelltomarchin.Knowingisnotenough;wemustdoandthedoingiscalledourwalkwithGod.WecanbeinchurchservicestentimesamonthandstillnotwalkwithGod.Wemustwalkinobedience.

WearetoldmanytimesintheBibletowalkinlove.Loveismerelyawordor theory unless it controls actions toward other people. Love can be verymystical unless we understand that at the very foundation of love is dailyconcernfordoingwhatwillbenefitothers.Whatwillmaketheirlivesbetterandhelpthem?

Wearetowalkbyfaith.Weliveandregulateour livesbyourconvictionabout our relationship with God (see 2 Cor. 5:7). Every action, emotion, andthoughtbecomessubservienttowhatwebelieveaboutGod.EnochwalkedwithGodandhadcontinualfellowshipwithHim,andtheBiblesaysthat“hewasnot,forGod tookhim[homewithHim]”(Gen.5:24). It soundsas ifEnochgotsoclosetoGodthat theworldcouldnolongerholdhim;heslippedover into thespiritualrealmandsimplydisappeared.TheBibledoesnotsaythatEnochdiedandwenttoHeaven.ItsaysthathewalkedsocloselywithGodthathesimply

wasnolongerhere.NoahwalkedwithGod(seeGen.6:9),Abraham,Isaac,andJacobwalkedwithGod(seeGen.48:15).TheymadetheirpersonalrelationshipswithGodapriority.TheysatinGod(remainedatrest),theystoodagainsttheirenemies,andtheywalkedwithGod.TheyalsorantheirraceandarerecordedintheBibleasmenofwhom theworldwasnotworthy.Theymadechoicesandformedhabitsthattheywalkedindayafterdayandyearafteryear.WeseefromthebeginningoftimemenwalkedwithGod.

Walkinga longway isnotdifficult ifyouknowwhen tositdownawhileand rest.Sometimesyourwalk ishinderedandyouneed to standabit inoneplace, yet all the while you are making progress. Habakkuk said that whennothingisworkingrightinourcircumstancesthatwecanrejoicebecauseGodisour Strength, our personal bravery, and our invincible army; He causes us towalk(notstandstillinterror,buttowalk)andmake(spiritual)progressonthehighplacesoftrouble,suffering,andresponsibility(seeHab.3:17–19).

Walkingalongwayisnotdifficultifyouknowwhentositdownawhileandrest.

WeareinstructedtowalkinthefearofGod,walkasChristwalked,walkworthyof theDivine calling,walk through thevalleyof the shadowofdeath,andwalk through the fire, the flood,and the storm.Walk in integrity,walk inrighteousness,walkinliberty,walkaschildrenoflight,anddon’twalkaftertheflesh.Wecanseethatwalkingisafull-timejob,soitisnowonderthatwemustfirst learn to sit and stand. I am fairly certain that if Imake a commitment towalk in all of these areas as God asks me to do, I will occasionally need avacationformysoul!

Let’sGoforaRun

Mydaughterquiteoftensaystome,“Iamgoingtogoforaruntoday.”Inthelasttwoyearsshehasbecomearunner,butshestartedwalkingfastanddoingalittle light jogging longbeforeher trainer lether run.Shedidn’t justdecide torunandstartrunning—itdoesn’tworkthatway.ItriedthatmethodmanytimesandeachtimeIhurteithermyfeetormyback.Mychiropractorfinallytoldmethat I was too old to start running now. He may be right about runningphysically, but I can still run spiritually. However, the same principle ofpreparationappliesinthespiritualrealmthatappliesinthenaturalrealm.

Ifyouhavelearnedtosit,stand,andwalkinGod,itistimetostartrunninginandwithGod.Davidsaidthathewouldnotmerelywalk,butruninthewaysof God (see Ps. 119:32). Are you ready to run your race with steady, activepersistence? Are you ready to be patient and persevere until you reach yourgoal?

Ifyouhavelearnedtosit,stand,andwalkinGod,itistimetostartrunninginandwithGod.

RunnersinPaul’sdaystrippeddowntoaloinclothtopreparefortherace.Areyoureadytostripoffanythingthat ishinderingyourrunwithGod?Theirbodieswereoiled(anointed)fortherace.WemustlivewithGodinsuchawaythatHecananointusforservice inHiskingdom.Runnersmustbedisciplinedandfocusediftheyintendtowintherace.Decidingtorunisabigdecisionandbeingsuccessfulatitrequiresahugecommitment.

Are your spiritual priorities in order? If not, this is a good time tomakesomedecisions.GodhasaraceforyoutorunandHisplanisforyoutowin,butyouwillhavetolearntosit,stand,andwalk.Youcanonlywinyourraceifyouknowhowtorunwithyoursoulonvacation.

CHAPTER13

MyAllinAll

Thetinywordallisused5,675timesintheBible,giveortakeafewdependingonwhattranslationyouarelookingat.Itisasmallwordthatmeansagreatdeal,andyetwepaysolittleattentiontoit.IfwereadaScripturethathasthewordallinitandignoretheall,itchangestheentirecontextoftheScripture.Thewordalltakesusintoinfinity.Wheredoesallstop?Howfardoesitgoandwhatdoesitinclude?

Jesus is the Lord of All. Our Al-mighty God, all-sufficient Savior, allblessingsflowfromHim,andHeisallthatweneed.WefrequentlysaythatGodisourall,buthaveweeverstopped to trulyunderstand the impactof thatonelittleword?All leavesnothingoutsideofGod’scontrol.AslongaswebelievethatsomethingsareoutofGod’scontrolwecannothaveapropersoulvacationbecausetherewillbesomethingforustoworryabout,trytofigureout,beupsetabout, or try to control and change.Wewill not live life as something to becelebrated because itwill keep usworn out all the time.Wewill probably beintenseandunabletorelax.

AslongaswebelievethatsomethingsareoutofGod’scontrolwecannothaveapropersoulvacationbecausetherewillbesomething

forustoworryabout.

GodKnowsAllThings

Godknowsall things (seeJohn21:17)!Don’tmiss the“all”of that statement.He knows the end from the beginning so He must know everything in themiddle.Healsohasallpower,allauthority;allthingsareunderHisfeet,andHefills everything everywherewithHimself (seeMatt. 28:18 andEph. 1:21–23).Heseesall,hearsall,andiseverywhereallthetime.Ifthesethingsaretrue,thenwhydowestillworryandbecomeanxious?Whydowegetemotionallyupsetwhenwehaveaproblemorthingsarenotgoingourway?Itmustbebecausewetrulydon’tbelievethatHehasallpower,knowsallthings,andlovesuswithallofthelovethatexistsintheuniverse.

Howmanyofour sinsdoesHe forgive?DoesHe forgive some,most, orall?TheBiblesaysthatHeforgivesthemallandcontinuallycleansesusfromallunrighteousness.Itisonethoseallandforever-nowthings.WhenJesusdiedonthe cross sin was dealt with once and for all, according to Hebrews, and thecleansinggoesoncontinually; it iswithout interruptionand forall time (see1John1:9andPs.103:1–3).GoddidnotputoursinsofftothesidesoHecouldglanceoveratthemoccasionally;theyarenotinfrontofHimenablingHimtoseethemcontinually;nordidHestoretheminaboxsomewheresoHecouldgetthemoutifneedbeandremindusofthem.Hedidnotcoverthemup,norsweepthemunderarug,butHehasremovedthemcompletely(seePs.103:12).HehascastallofoursinsbehindHisback(seeIsa.38:17).Heisnot lookingat themandHedoesnotwantustolookatthem,either.

Wedon’tneedtopayforthembecausethathasbeentakencareofaswell.All of our sins have been completely forgiven and there is no longer anysacrificeweneedtomake.Gobackandreadthatagain,please.Didyouseethe“all”andthe“havebeen”?Theyhavebeen(notwillbe)all(notsome)forgiven!Jesus atoned for our sins, and that means our account has been reconciled,balancedandweareatonewithGod.WehavepeacewithGod throughJesusChrist.Wecanlivewithoursoulonvacationandwecancelebratelifeasitwasmeant to be celebrated. We can give ourselves permission to lighten up andenjoy God and the life He has provided for us. We don’t need to be sad,depressed,anddiscouragedaboutourpast,noteventhepastofonemomentago!Goddoesnotwantustolivelifealwayslookingintherearviewmirror.Weneed

notforfeitanyjoyorenjoyment.Withgoodnewssuchasthis,howcanwenotcelebrate?

Allofoursinshavebeencompletelyforgivenandthereisnolongeranysacrificeweneedtomake.

AllThingsArePossible

If thereareno impossibilities thenwecan live inconstantvictoryandnothingcan threaten us ormake us feel afraid of the future.Withmen a great deal isimpossible, butwithGodall things arepossible (seeMark10:27).EverythingthatisinthewillofGodwillbeaccomplishedinHiswayandtiming.

Is life toomuchforus?Is thereanything thatwe justcannothandle?NotaccordingtoGod,forHesaysthroughtheApostlePaulthatwecandoallthingsthrough ChristWho is our Strength.We are ready for anything and equal toanythingthroughHimWhoinfusedinnerstrengthintous(seePhil.4:13).

BeforewewillletgoandletGodbeourallinall,weusuallyhavetofindout the hardway thatwe cannot do it all. The hardwaymeans thatwe keeptryingandfailingoverandoveruntilweadmittotaldependenceonGod.Itcanbealongandpainfuljourneyandsomeneverreachtheendofthemselves,butforthosewhodo,itisthebeginningoflivingwiththeirsoulonvacation.Theyknowtheycan’tdoitall,buttheyalsoknowthatGodcanandtheydecidethatwatchingHimdowhatneedstobedoneasonlyHecandowillbeentertaining.IlovetowatchGodwork.Itisoneofmygreatestpleasuresinlife.

JusthowsufficientarewewithoutGod?Wehadnothingtodowithbeingborn, no control over our nationality or the color of our skin, andwe did notcontrolourancestryorthebasicmentalandphysicalabilitieswewerebornwith.Apowernooneunderstandskeepsourheartbeating,ourlungstakinginair,ourblood circulating, and our body temperature up.A simple study of the humanbody surely must tell us that we have a Divine Creator. What a tragedy tobelievethatweevolvedfromapes!Asurgeoncancutthroughhumantissue,but,by a miracle no one understands, the body heals itself. We are amazed andimpressedby themedicineavailable today,yetweallgrowoldandeventuallywealldie,andnoamountofmodernmedicinecanstopthat!

Areweself-sufficient?Hardly!Thelawofgravitythatholdstheworldtogetheroperatesindependentlyof

us.Thebalanceofoxygenandnitrogenisexactlyrightformanandanimals.Theplanet is tipped on its axis at exactly 23½ degrees. Were it to vary at all,continents of ice would form at the North and South Poles with a desert inbetween. If the sunwere any farther awaywewould freeze todeath, and if it

wereanycloser,wewoulddieofsolarradiation.Ifthebalanceofanyofthesethings suddenly changed, even a tinybit,wewould all be instantlydestroyed.TheBiblesaysthatJesusisupholding,maintaining,guiding,andpropellingtheentireuniversebyHispower (seeHeb.1:3). It sounds likeahuge job,butHedoesitwithoutanyeffortseated(resting)byGod’sside.

Since we know that God is keeping the universe running properly everysecondofeveryday,whywouldwedoubtthatHecantakecareofus?Hehasallpower, all authority, all wisdom, and he loves us with a perfect love that ispromisedtousunconditionallyandforever.PutyourfaithinHimandenterHisrest.FaithistheleaningoftheentirehumanpersonalityonHiminabsolutetrustandconfidenceinHispower,wisdom,andgoodness(seeCol.1:4).Thinkthatover and askyourself if you trustGodabsolutely.Areyou leaningonHim ineverysituation?DoyoubelievethatHehasthepowertohelpyou,andthatsinceHe has allwisdomHe knows exactlywhat to do andwhen to do it?Do youbelievethatGodisgood,andthatHewantstobegoodtoyou?Ifyoudobelievethesethings,thenyouarereadyforthenextpieceofgoodnewsthatIhaveforyou.

ThereIsNothingforYoutoWorryAbout

Worryis totallyuseless.AsIoftensay, it is likerockinginarockingchairallday.Itkeepsyoubusy,butgetsyounowhere.Iwasaworrier,soIknowwhatastrongholditcanbecomeinourlives.Ialsoknowthatitisabadhabitthatisnoteasilybroken,butsinceallthingsarepossiblewithGod,thenitispossibleforustolivefreefromworry,anxiety,andfear.Ifyouarewillingtogiveupworrying,thenyouwillbeabletoenterintoanattitudeofcelebration.YoucantrustGodandenjoylifewhileHesolvesyourproblems.Giveyourselfpermissiontostopworrying.

Worryistotallyuseless.AsIoftensay,itislikerockinginarockingchairallday.Itkeepsyoubusy,butgetsyounowhere.

NothingisoutsideofGod’scontrol,soinrealitythereisnothingtoworryabout.IfforsomereasonGodcouldnotcontrolathing,whateverwouldmakeusthinkthatwecould?Whenwebegintolookatworryinarealisticmannerweseehowtotallyuseless it is.Ourmindsrevolveendlesslyaroundandaroundaproblem,searchingforanswersthatonlyGodhas.WemayponderathingandaskGodforwisdom,butwedonothaveGod’spermissiontoworry.PonderingathinginGodispeaceful,butworryistormenting.Whenweworry,wetormentourselves!WecanprayandaskGodtohelpusnottoworry,butultimatelywemustchoosetoputourthoughtsonsomethingotherthanourproblems.Arefusaltoworry is proof thatwe trustGod and it releasesHim to go towork in ourbehalf.

Worryisabigproblemforpeople.Iwonderhowmuchofourmentaltimeis spent worrying, reasoning, and fearing—-possibly more than is spent onanythingelse.Insteadofmeditatingonourproblemslet’schoosetomeditateonthe“alls”ofGod.LetusrealizehowunlimitedHispowerisandtrustHimtodowhatwecannotdo.

OnerelativelyshortScriptureintheBibleusestheword“all”fourtimes:

Castingthewholeofyourcare[allyouranxieties,allyourworries,allyourconcerns,onceandforall]onHim,forHecaresforyouaffectionatelyandcaresaboutyouwatchfully.

1Peter5:7(emphasismine)

Iamaskingyoutotakethetimetoreallylookatthisverse,wordbyword,andthinkaboutwhatitreallymeans.Wereceiverevelationthroughmeditation,notjustreadingquickly.ThereisgreatvalueindigestingaScriptureonewordatatime.

Castingmeanstopitchorthrow.Soweneedtoviolentlyrefusetoworry—tothrowitaway!Thewholeofourcaremeansallofourcares.Allanxiety,allworry,allconcernis tobethrownaway,andweshoulddoit thoroughly,onceand for all so thatwemakeadecision toneverwasteoneminuteofour livesworrying.Notonlyarewetothrowourcareaway,butthisversesaysthatwearetothrowourcaresonGod!BecauseHeisGod,Hecan—andwantsto—absorbourcares.Whatagift!Godcaresforusaffectionately—notbegrudgingly.Godenjoys caring for us. He cares about everything that concerns us and He isalwayswatching.NothingslipsbyGodunnoticed.

Evenifwemakeafirmdecisionnottoworry,worrywillpresentitselftousandtrytoslipbackintoourthoughts.Ourjobistocastitdownthemomentwerealizeitistryingtooccupyspaceinourthinking.Iwilladmitthatinitiallyitisquiteabattle,butpersistencealwayspaysoff.Thedevilwilltryustoseeifwemeanbusiness,sowemustbefirminourdecision.IWILLNOTWASTEONEMINUTEOFMYLIFEWORRYING!Sayitoverandoverfirmlyuntilthisnewthinkingbecomesapartofyou.Whenyouaretemptedtoworry,IsuggestthatyoucelebratesomethingGodhasdoneforyou in thepast instead.Remember,thedevilhatesparties,butGodlikesthem.

Instead of leaning toward the negative and meditating on our problems,let’slookforthethingsinourlifethatoncewereproblemsandhavenowbeensolved.Wecancelebratethosethings,andwhenwedoitwillincreaseourfaithforcurrentsituationstoalsobesolved.Meditatingongoodthingsisadecisionthatyoumustmakeandnotafeelingyouwaittohave.

YoucanorderyourlifeaccordingtoGod’swill,ratherthanallowingittoorderyou.RememberthatGodhasallpowerandyouareinHim,soyouhavepower, too.Youarenotahelplessweaklingthatmustputupwithanykindofthoughtthatfallsintoyourmind.Youhaveweaponsofwarfarethatwillallowyou tocastdownwrong thoughtsand imaginations (see2Cor.10:4–5).These

weaponsarethewordofGodbeingusedinvariousways.Wecansingtheword,speaktheword,readtheword,studytheword,andmeditateontheword.Youcanonlythinkaboutonethingatatime,sothenexttimeyoustarttoworry,justdecide to think about something else and go ahead and enjoy your daywhileGodworksonyoursituation.

Thenexttimeyoustarttoworry,justdecidetothinkaboutsomethingelseandgoaheadandenjoyyourdaywhileGodworksonyour

situation.

TakeaVacationWhileYouWork

Whenwelearntolivewithoutworryingwecandoourworkorwhateverelseweneed to do, all the while with our soul on vacation. We can deal withcircumstancesthatareunpleasantandhandlealltheresponsibilitywehave,andyet remain totally peaceful and calm. I recall sharing this message once in achurch,and thepastorof thechurchgota revelationofwhat Iwassayingandliterally threwhishandsup in the air, sliddown into a relaxedposition inhisseat,andsaid,“Icanpastorthischurchwhilemysoulisonvacation.”

I think those of us who are in leadership feel responsible to make sureeverythinggoesthewayitshouldgo.Ofcourse,weshouldberesponsible,butifwe take a false or an exaggerated sense of responsibility then we will neverenjoywhatwe do.Casting your care does notmean that you don’t carewhathappens; it justmeans thatyouknowonlyGodcanchange it.Your faith is inHim rather than inyou, andyoucan let yourmind, emotions, andwill rest inHim.

Whateveryourassignmentisinlife,youcanenjoytheentireprocessifyoulearnhowtoletyoursoul(mind,will,emotions)rest.Davidsaid,“Bemercifulandgracious tome,OGod,bemercifulandgracious tome,formysoul takesrefugeand finds shelterandconfidence inyou” (Ps.57:1).Davidsaid thathissoul (mind, will, emotions) was resting in God. His soul was on vacation! Isuggestthatyouspendsometimeeachmorningdecidinghowyouaregoingtorespondtotheday.Setyourmindtobepeacefulnomatterwhathappens.

Oursoulneedstobequietratherthaninturmoil.Ifyoutakealookatyourinner life, what do you see?Are youworried, upset, and stubbornly resistingGod’splan,orareyousilentlywaitingonGod,expectingHimtobeallinall?

ForGodalonemysoulwaitsinsilence;fromHimcomesmysalvation.Psalm62:1

How long has it been since you have given your soul a vacation? It ispossibletotakeyourphysicalbodyonvacationforweeksandyettheentiretime

never let your soul be on vacation. You can lie on the beach at a beautifulCaribbeanislandresortwhileyoursoulisinturmoil.Yoursoulneedsavacationpossibly evenmore thanyourbodydoes. It needs tobequiet and at rest.Theentirepremiseof“eat thecookie…buytheshoes” isdesigned to letyoursoulrest.Itisnotwrongtoletgooflife’sdemandsandcircumstancesforawhileanddosomethingyouenjoy.

Itisnotwrongtoletgooflife’sdemandsandcircumstancesforawhileanddosomethingyouenjoy.

IfwelearntodothingsGod’sway,wewillbeabletoworkwithoursoulonvacationandwewillbeabletovacationwithoutoursoulworking!Onedayof inner rest is probably worth more to our overall health than a two-weekphysicalvacation.Giveitatry—startpracticinglettingyourmindandemotionsrestandwhileyoudoit,tellGodoftenthatyouaretrustingHimtosupplyallofyourneeds(seePhil.4:19).

AnytimeyoursoulgetsstirredupremindyourselfofthisScripture:

Returntoyourrest,Omysoul,fortheLordhasdealtbountifullywithyou.Psalm116:7

CHAPTER14

GiveGodYourAll

WhenwegiveGodourallweareactuallysayingtoHim,“God,Yourwillbedoneandnotmine.” It is theonlywaywecan livewithour soulonvacation.Otherwise,wearealwayswrestlingwithsomethingthat isnotworkingoutthewaywewant.Weexist forGodandHisglory,andbeingobedient toHiswillshouldbeourgoal.

AllthingswerecreatedbyandforHim.HeexistedbeforeallthingsandinHim, they are all held together. He is the Head of all things and mustoccupythefirstandchiefplace.

Colossians1:16–18

IsGodyourHead?IsHeyourKing,yourChief,anddoesHiswillruleinyour decisions? Have you given God your all? We must answer all thesequestionshonestly,andifwearenotabletosayyes,yes,andyes—thenweneedtochange.

JesussaidtoHisFather,“AllthatisMineisYours,andallthatisYoursisMine” (see John 17:10). What a beautiful Scripture! These thirteen wordscontainvolumesofmeaning.Whathaveyounotreleased toGod?Whatever itmightbe ishurtingyoumore thanyoumight realize.Stubbornlyhangingonto

ourownwill is never good for us.AnythingGod tells us todo is always andonlyforourgoodifwebelievethatwewillbeableto“LetgoandletGodbeGod.”

Iwasanexpertatbeingstubborn formoreyears than I like toadmitandperhapsyouhavebeenalso.Butthegoodnewsisthatwecanchange!Wecansurrender andwhenwe do ourwill goes on vacation. Just last night I had anopportunitytopracticewhatIampreaching.Davehadplanstoplaygolftoday,andImightsaythatitwasoneofmanytimesthathehasplayedlately.I,ontheotherhand,havebeendutifullyworkingon thisbook. I askedhim ifhecouldplayearly andgethomeby three sowecouldgoandeat early.He respondedthathewantedtohaveplentyoftimetoprayandstudybeforeheleftforthegolfcourseandthathedidnotwanttohavetohurrysinceitwashislastdaytoplayduringthistrip.Icouldfeelmysoulgoingoffofvacationrightthenandthere.Ifeltwordsforminginmysoulandmakingtheirwaytomymouthforexpression.Isaid,“Youcouldsacrificea little;afterall, Ihavebeenworkingallweek!”Icouldseerightawaythatkindofapproachwasnotgoingtowork,soIquicklydecided to give it toGod. I said toDave, “Youmake the decision and Iwillworkwithwhateverworks out.” In doing this, I was givingGodmy all, andimmediatelymysoulwentbackonvacationandGodwasabletoworkinDave’sheart.Within less than oneminuteDave said, “Iwill probably be able to gethomeby three.”When I thinkof the fightwecouldhavehadandatone timewouldhavehad,IamsogladthatIhavelearnedtogiveittoGod.IfHecan’tconvinceDave, then I certainly can’t. I don’t knowaboutyourhusband,but Ihavenoticedthatminedoesn’tliketobeconvincedbyme;hewantstothinkitwashisidea.EvenifDavehadnotchangedhismind,itwouldhavedonemenogoodtogetupset.HewouldhavestillhadagoodtimeplayinggolfandIwouldhavebeenupsetandmiserable.

Weallhave similar situations several timeseachweek, ifnotdaily.HowcanwelivewithoursoulonvacationifwearegoingtotrytoconvinceGodandeveryoneelsetodothingsourway?Wecan’t,sowhynotgiveouralltoGodsowecanexperienceHisallinourlives?

HowcanwelivewithoursoulonvacationifwearegoingtotrytoconvinceGodandeveryoneelsetodothingsourway?

I mentioned earlier that one of my greatest joys in life is watching Godwork. We can either open the door for God to do amazing things through

submission toHim, or close the door through being stubborn.My decision toshutupandgivethesituationwithDaveandhisgolftoGodisnotsohardnowbecauseIhaveexperiencedhowwonderfulitistolivewithmysoulonvacation.Buttherewasatimewhenitwasoneofthemostdifficultthingsintheworldformetodo.Don’texpectthatgivingGodyourallwillbeeasyinthebeginning.Itis easy to say it, but not as easy todo it.Our soul is verymuchalive—ithasstrongopinionsandthoughts,strongemotions,andastrongwill.Itwantswhatitwants,whenitwantsit.SuccessfullyturningoursoulovertoGodwillbesimilartobreakingawildstallion.Therewillbequiteabattle,butyouwillenjoy theridewhenthebattleisover.

Satandefinitelydoesnotwantyou to livewithyoursoulonvacation.Hewantsyoutoworry,beemotionallyupsetordowncast,andstubbornlyfightingforyourownwayandresistingthegoodwillofGod.Sadly,thisistheconditionthatmanyChristiansarein.Theygotochurch,andsingthesong,“ISurrenderAll,”butthatisasfarasitgoes.Thereisnotenoughteachingonthesoul,andmany people don’t understand the important role that it plays in our life. ThetruthisthatnomatterhowlongyouhavebeenaChristian,ifyoursoulisamessthenyouaremiserable.Theworldisalreadyfilledwithmiserablesinners,sowedefinitelydon’tneedmiserableChristians!

Don’tMissGod’sBest

TheApostlePaulbegged thosehe taught todedicateallof theirmembersandfaculties toGod forHiswill anduse (seeRom.12:1).Godwillmanage ifwerefusetodothat,becauseHewillfindasubmittedvesseltoworkthrough.ButwewillmissoutonGod’sbestforus.

WhydidGodchooseNoahandhisfamilytobesavedinthearkduringtheflood?Whatwassospecialabout thisoneman?TheBiblesays thatNoahdidaccordingtoallthatGodcommandedHim.Howmuchobediencearewewillingtowalkin?EspeciallyifwhatGodasksustodomakesnosensetoourmindordoesn’tfeelrighttoouremotions?IdoubtthatNoahunderstoodwhatGodwasaskinghimtodowhenherequiredhimtobuildanarkforanupcomingflood.Noah must have been the laughingstock of his region. I am sure that hisobedience hurt his reputationwithmen. Howwilling are you to obeyGod ifyourobedienceislikelytohurtyourreputationwithmen?

Paul said that if he had been trying to be popular with people hewouldnever have become an apostle of theLord JesusChrist.We cannot always beGodpleasersandpeoplepleasersatthesametime.

TheBibledoesn’tsaythis,butperhapsNoahwasnotthefirstoronlymantobe invited tobuild theark.MaybeGodaskedothersbutNoahwas theonlyonewillingtoobeyGod.Godisnotnecessarilylookingforpeoplewithamazingability,butHesearchesforavailability,andapersonwhoiswillingtosimplydowhat He asks them to do. If we will lift our hands to God and say, “I amavailable to do whatever you want me to do,” we can live with our soul onvacation.Wewillhavepeaceandjoyaswejourneythroughlife.

TheBibleusessomewordsthatwedon’thearveryoftentodayandIthinkweshouldtakealookatsomeofthem:

Dedication—Devotedtosomething,devotedtoadivinebeing,setasideforaspecialpurpose.AreyoudedicatedtoGod?

Consecration—AnointedwiththeHolySpiritforaspecialpurpose,nottobeusedforotherthings,madesacredbyaceremony(seeRom.1:7and1Peter2:5).

Doyouseeyourselfasonethatissetasideforaspecialpurposeinlife?Sacrifice—Offering something to God by giving up something that we

have.We can sacrifice praise, thanksgiving,money, time, or anything thatweown.Wecanalsosacrificeourselves.GodwantsustocometoHimasalivingsacrifice.

AreyouwillingtomakeanypersonalsacrificetobeinGod’sperfectwill?Submissionorobedience—Doingwhatweareasked todobysomeone in

authority,andwithagoodattitude.AreyousubmissivetoGodandallotherauthorityinyourlife?Chastisement—God’s correction (done in love) teaching people to obey

Him.Training(oftenpainful)thatisintendedtodevelopourcharacterandmakeusbetterpeople.

DoyoureceiveGod’schastisementwithanattitudeofcelebration?Pruning—Cuttingback,orcuttingoffawildordiseasedpartofaplant.We

areGod’splantandHeistheDivineGardener(seeJohn15:1–2).HowdoyourespondwhenGodcutssomethingoutofyourlifethatyouare

fondof?Myexperienceasa teacherofGod’sword is thatpeoplewouldnormally

prefer to hear words such as “love,” “grace,” “peace,” “prosperity,” and“blessing.”Theylosetheirsmilesandbecomequitesomberwithwordsliketheones I’ve defined above. However, I have discovered that even though theymightnotclapandcheerwhilebeingtaughtaboutthesewords,theywillbeveryhappylateroniftheylearnhowtoworkwiththeHolySpiritinapplyingthesedisciplinestotheirlives.

Whatkindofbooksdoyouread?Whatkindofteachingandpreachingdoyou prefer listening to? Do you have books in your library about characterdevelopment, integrity, spiritual growth and maturity, going deeper in God,livinginGod’spresence,andobediencetoGod?Or,doyoujustreadthingsthatmake you feel good, but don’t confront your behavior or challenge you tochange?Icouldprobablygointosomeone’shomeandlookattheirlibraryandtellyouwhatkindofChristiantheyareandhowinterestedtheyareinadeeperwalkwithGod.

Weofferresourcematerialatourconferencesthatwillhelppeoplematurespiritually,butIoftenhidethemeatofthewordunder“desserttitles,”sopeoplewillbuythem.Forexample,IhaveaseriesonobediencethatIcall,“Howtoberadically andoutrageouslyblessed.” Ihave touse the same tacticwhen Igivemydoghermedicine.Itakethelittlepillthatwillkeepheroutofpainandwrapcheeseorturkeyarounditsoshethinksitisatreat.Thatistheonlywaytogethertotakeit.

Ioncehadateachingseriesonprideandhumilityandnobodywouldbuyitbecausetheoneswhoneededitweretooconcerned(proud)thatsomeonemight

see them purchase it and think they needed it. I also tried a series called“Developing Patience,” and that did not sell verywell either. I actually heardpeople talkingat theresource tables,saying,“Youdon’twant tobuy that,youknowwhathappensifyouprayfororstudypatience.”Theyknewthatpatienceis only developed by going through trials, but they didn’t want to find outenough to actually begin towork through the process. As I have said before,headknowledgealoneisalmostuseless.TheprinciplesofGodmustbeworkedintoourlivesbystudyingthewordandthroughtheguidanceoftheHolySpirit.WeneedwhattheApostlePaulcalledthemeatoftheword.Weneedteachingsthatdealwithwrongattitudes,sin,dyingtoself,andotherimportantlessons.

TheHolySpiritledJesusintothewilderness,anuncomfortableplacewhereHewas tempted by the devil for forty days (seeLuke 4:1–2).Why?So Jesuscould put the principles into practice that He had studied and have theexperienceofresistinganddefeatingSatan.Wedon’tgetanymuscle(physicalorspiritual)withoutworkingout.AnytimeGodleadsusintoadifficultplaceitis always for our ultimate good. If you have been avoiding hard places IencourageyoutoembracethembecausetheywillhelpyoubewhatGodwantsyoutobe.

ThisCanBeaTurningPoint

PerhapsyouarebeingconvictedthatyouhavenotgivenyouralltoGod.Well,this can be a turning point in your life. God’s will is just a decision away. Iwould rather startwrong and finish right, than to start right and finishwrong.TheBibleisfilledwithstoriesofmenwhostartedinthewillofGod,butbegandriftingfromGod’swillintotheirown.

Iwouldratherstartwrongandfinishright,thantostartrightandfinishwrong.

SaulwasanointedbyGodtobeking,andhedidsomeofwhatGodaskedhimtodo,buthedidnotdoallthattheLordtoldhimtodo.Wemustunderstandtheimportanceoftheall.Theallmakesallthedifferenceintheworld.SomeofwhatGodrequiresdoesn’tworkwithHim;itisallornothingifwetrulywanttopleaseHim!Heislookingforobedience,notsacrifices.

SauldidalmostallthatGodasked,but“almostall”isverydeceptive.Wecaneasilydeceiveourselves,asSauldid,intothinkingwehavedonewhatGodhas asked. Saul had not done God’s will and was confronted by the ProphetSamuel. Samuel said, “The Lord sent you on a mission and said, Go, utterlydestroy the sinners, the Amalekites; and fight against them until they areconsumed.WhythendidyounotobeythevoiceoftheLord,butswoopeddownupon the plunder and did evil in theLord’s sight?”Saul answeredSamuel bysaying,“Yes,IhaveobeyedthevoiceoftheLordandhavegonethewaywhichthe Lord sent me, and have brought Agag king of Amalek and have utterlydestroyed theAmalekites.But thepeople took from the spoil sheep andoxen,thechiefofthethingstobeutterlydestroyed,tosacrificetotheLordyourGodinGilgal”(1Sam.15:18–21).ItwasatthispointthatSamueltoldSaulGoddidnotwantsacrifices,butobedience.

Ifwestudythisstorywecanlearnagreatlesson.FirstweseethatSauldidalmostall thatGodasked,but thelittlebithedidnotdogothimintoasmuchtrouble as if he had refused to do any of it. Secondly, we can see that Saul

deceived himself. His own reasoning denied his conscience its normal andhealthyfunction.IthinktheworstpartofthisstoryisthatSaultoldSamuelhekeptthebestofthespoiltosacrificetoGod.HesaidthathedisobeyedGodinordertobenefitGod.Thatistheworstkindofdeception!

Theworstthingaboutdisobedienceisthatitpromisestomakeyouhappyby giving youwhat youwant, but it ends upmaking youmiserable.We cannever be truly happywith anything less thanGod’s perfectwill. I have heardpeoplespeakonthepermissivewillofGodandsaythatGodwantsustowalkinHis perfect will, but that there is a place calledGod’s permissivewill that issomewherebetweenbeingoutofGod’swillcompletelyandbeinginHisperfectwill.IsupposethatmeanssomethingGodwillputupwith,butdoesn’tapproveof.

Ipersonallydon’tlikethatkindofteaching,becauseIbelieveasateacherof God’s word that it is my job to help people be excellent, not mediocre. IrealizethatwemayspendmostoflifeworkingtowardbeingintheperfectwillofGod,butwe shoulddefinitelyhunger for it, crave it, pursue andgoafter itwithallofourmight.Let’snotbemediocrepeople,whosettlesomewhereinthemiddle,halfwaybetweenGod’sworstandHisbest.Ican’tthinkofagoodnameforthatplace,butIsupposewecanjustcallitamessandbefairlyaccurate.

Saulstartedoutgood,buthedriftedfairlyquicklyintodoinghisownthing.Jacob,ontheotherhand,startedreallybadandendedupgood.Jacobwasamanwho cheated, lied, tricked people, and connived to get what he wanted, buteventuallyhegavehisalltoGodandbecameagreatservantofGod.InGenesis32:22–28 you can read about how Jacob was restored to God after he waswilling to give up all that he had in order to have peace in his soul.His souldefinitelyneededavacation.Hehadspenthisliferunningandhiding,worryingaboutbeingcaughtandpunishedforhisdeceptivebehavior.Buthedecided tochange.Itisnevertoolatetodothingsright!Thiscanbeaturningpointforyouifyouneedone.

IsYourBehaviorPleasingtoGod?

IestablishedearlierinthebookthatGodispleasedwithusasHischildren.Helovesandacceptsusasweare,butifourheartsarerighttowardHim,thenwewillalsowant topleaseHiminall things.IsGodpleasedwithhowyoudress,how you spend your money, what your entertainment choices are, what youread,watch,andtalkabout?It is truethatGodlovesusnomatterwhatchoicewemake,butHealsosaidthatifwelovedHimwewouldobeyHim(seeJohn14:15).Totalconsecrationisdefinitelyajourney,butthequestionis,whereareyou headed?Do youwant God’s perfect will enough to sacrifice anything inordertohaveit?AreyouwillingtogiveGodyourall?

Jesusonceaskeda rich,youngruler togiveallofhismoney to thepoor,andtheyoungmanwentawaysadbecausehewasunabletogivehispossessions(seeMatt.19:21–22). Jesuswouldhavegiven itback tohimmany timesoverwithjoy,buttheyoungmanfailedhistest.Hekepthispossessions,buthehadno joy. Sadly,much of theworld is in the same condition as the youngman.People’s possessions end up between them and God, and, sadly, theirpossessions are more important to them than they should be. Those peoplestubbornlyhangontotheirwaysandwillfulness,refusingtosubmittoGod;theyendupsad,depressed,angry,andunable tomaintaingood relationships.Theyareforeverlookingforsomethingtofillthevoidintheirsouls.

Oh, ifpeopleonlyknewthebeautyof livingwith theirsoulsonvacation.GiveyourwillavacationbysubmittingittoGodandstartcelebratinglife.Stopwrestling with God, and you will stop going around and around the samemountains(problems)becauseyouaredeterminedtohaveyourownway.

GiveyourwillavacationbysubmittingittoGodandstartcelebratinglife.

Whatdoes the richestman in theworldhave ifhismoney isgone?Whatdoesthemostfamousmoviestarorsingerhaveifsomethinghappensandtheylosetheirabilitytoperform?Whatdoesthemostbeautifulwomanintheworld

havewhenshegrowsoldandherskin iswrinkled,herhair isgray,andshe isperhapswalkingwithawalker?Wemustmakedecisionsnow thatwewillbehappywithlateroninlife,becauselateronalwayscomes.Iwanttogivemyallto God so I never have regrets later on about what could have been if I hadobeyed.

WhenwegiveouralltoGod,whenweobeyHiminallthings,andwhenall ofourconfidence is inHim,andwhenweonlywantwhatHewantsus tohave, there is nothing left to the soul but peace and rest (vacation).We havediscovered the resurrection life that Paul talked about that lifts us out fromamongthedeadwhilewearestillinthebody.ThePsalmisttalkedaboutbeinghidden in the secret place of theMostHigh (see Ps. 91:1). I believewe havefoundthatplacewhenweknowthatfromHimandthroughHimandtoHimareall things.Forall thingsoriginatewithHim, live throughHim,center inHim,andendinHim(seeRom.11:36).

Areyoutiredandweary,overburdenedandexhausted?ThencometoJesusandHewillgiveyouavacation foryour soul!Yourmind,emotions,andwillcanallbeatrestandyoucanbeaChristianthatisanalleluiafromheadtofoot,asAugustineofHipposaidyoushouldbe.

CHAPTER15

CelebrateDiscipline

Livingwith our soul on vacationwill require discipline. On the surface, thatsoundslikeacontradiction.Butwewillneedtousedisciplineinourthoughts,our emotions, and ourwillingness to release ourwill toGod’swill. Ifwe aregoingtogiveupworry,upset,andstubbornness,andinsteadchoosetocelebrate,party,eatcookies,buyshoes,playgames,andhavefeaststhatlastseveraldaysat a time,won’twe eventually get into trouble?Yes,wewould ifwe had nobalance.That’swhyweneed tounderstand the roledisciplinemustplay inallareas of life. Usually people grimace and groan when they hear the word“discipline,”butdisciplineisnotourenemy.Infact,itisactuallyourverygoodfriend.Disciplinehelpsustobewhatwesaywewanttobeandhavewhatwesaywewanttohave,butneverwillhavewithoutit.Godhasgivenusaspiritofdisciplineandself-controlaccordingtoScripture(see2Tim.1:7).Self-controlisoneofthefruitsoftheSpirit-ledlife.Alifewithoutdisciplineisadisaster,andone that is all discipline and no celebration is a dry desert. We must havebalance!

As we learn to celebrate other things, let us also learn to celebratediscipline,becauseitisawonderfultoolthatGodhasgivenustobeourhelper,notourmaster.Whenvariousdisciplinesbecomelaws,theybecomethemasterand we are the slaves. For example: When I was a young mother and

homemaker,Iwasextremelydisciplinedaboutmyhousework.Icleanedhouseeverydayandthatincludeddusting,polishing,sweeping,andusingthevacuumcleaner.Of course thedisheswerenever in the sink for long, and the laundrywas done daily. I refused to do anything that could have even hinted ofentertainmentuntilallofmyworkwasdone.Iwasproudofmyselfandactuallylookeddownonmyless-disciplinedfriends.

Letusalsolearntocelebratediscipline,becauseitisawonderfultoolthatGodhasgivenustobeourhelper,notourmaster.

AsIgrewinmyrelationshipwithGodandstartedlearningtobeledbytheHolySpirit,Ihadadaywhensomefriendsinvitedmetogoshoppingwiththemand I not only had a desire to go, but felt the Holy Spirit telling me to go.However, I said no, becausemydisciplined routine hadbecome a law formethatIlivedby.Ineverdeviatedfromit—Igotallmyworkdonebeforeanythingelse!Iendeduphavingamiserableday.Iresentedthefact thatIwasworkingandmyfriendswereenjoyingthemselves,butIfailedtoseethatitwasmyfault.NothingwentrightthatdaybecauseIwasbeingledbyJoyce,notGod.

As a child I realized that I did not get corrected bymy dadwhen Iwasworking,onlywhenIwasplayingorlaughingtooloud.Itseemedtomethattheworldapplaudedwork,butdisdainedplay. I felt safewhenIwasworkingandfollowingtherules.Thankfully,Ieventuallylearnedthatalthoughdisciplinesarenecessary,wemustnotletthemruleus.Itispermissibletooccasionallysay,“Ijustcannotdothatdisciplinetoday…Ihavetoplay!”Godhadtoteachmethatthe dirt would still be around the next day and that likeMartha, I was oftenoverlyanxiousandworriedaboutthingsthatIdidn’tneedtobeconcernedwith.We all need someMary days.Dayswhenwe lighten up and give ourselves abreak!

Occasionallywe just cannot go to the gym, or stay on our diet, or cleanhouse,ordowhateverour routine is,and that isnotwrongas longaswealsohave the discipline to get back on track the next day. The problem comes inwhenwe havemore undisciplined days thanwe do ones that are disciplined.IsraelwascommandedbyGod tohave feasts,parties,andcelebrationsseveraltimes a year, but theywere also commanded toworkmore than they partied.GodsaidthatinsixdaysHecreatedtheworldandrestedontheseventh,andHegaveusthesameformula.

I eat a cookie (with icing) approximately once aweek, but I know that I

cannot eat one daily andnot have a bad result. Sadly, somepeople cannot dothings in moderation. They say, “I am an all-or-nothing person.” But I don’tbelievethatisthewayGodintendedustobe.Ihavehadpeopletellmethatifthey allow themselves to eat one cookie, theywill end up eating another andanotherandanother,sotheyhavetodenythemselvesallthetime.Theyalsotellme how sorry they feel for themselves that everyone else can enjoy a dessertnowandthenandtheycan’t.IbelievethedevilhasdeceivedthemandtheyhaveforgottenthatGodhasgiventhemaspiritofdisciplineandself-control.Youcansayyeswhenyouwanttoandnowhenyouwantto.YouhavethesamepowerinyouthatraisedChristfromthedead!!!!!

DevelopaNewImage

Howyouseeyourselfisyourimageofyou.Itislikeapictureyoucarryinyourmentalwalletanditaffectsallofyourwords,emotions,actions,anddecisions.Ifyouseeyourselfassomeonewhocannotcontrolthemselves, thenthatis theway youwill be. If you see yourself as a personwho has discipline and self-controlthenyouwillmanifestdisciplineandself-control.

In God’s kingdom things work differently than they do according to theworld’sways.Forexample,God’swordteachesustolineourthinkingupwithHis, and then what He says will come to pass (Proverbs 23:7). That is theopposite of how the average person who has no knowledge of godly waysfunctions.Theyonlybelievewhattheysee.Theyhavenoknowledgeoforbeliefin the spiritual realm. As Christians, we believe first and then see!We trustGod’swordandpromisesmorethanwetrusthowwefeelorwhatweseewithournaturaleyes.

IfGodsaysthatwehaveaspiritofdisciplineandself-controlthenweneedtothinkandsaythatwehaveaspiritofdisciplineandself-control.IfyouwillseeyourselfthewayHeseesyou(finished)thenyouwillbecomewhatHesaysyouare.WemustrememberthatGodseestheendfromthebeginning.HecalledAbraham a father of many nations long before he had a child. He calls usdisciplinedandself-controlledandwemusthavethatgodlyimageifwewantalifeoffreedom.

DisciplineIsFreedom

Howdoyouviewdiscipline?Doyousee itassomething thatcontrolsyou,orsomethingthathelpsyoucontrolyourself?Doyouseeitassomethingyouhaveto do, or something that helps you become the person you truly want to be?Living a disciplined life is the only pathway to freedom. Discipline is notbondage—itisfreedom!

Disciplining ourselves to exercise and develop good eating habits sets usfree to feel good and be comfortable in our clothes.Disciplining ourselves tomanage our money wisely sets us free from the pressure of need and debt.Disciplining ourselves to be excellent rather thanmediocre or downright lazygivesus theenjoymentof self-respect.Discipline ishardwork,but it iseasierthantryingtolivealifethatisoutofcontrol.

Discipline allows us to enjoy a clean, well-kept home, automobile, andwork space. Inmanyways it sets us free from fear.Wedon’t have to fear aneconomicdownturn ifwehavedisciplinedourselves tobeprepared spirituallyand financially. Discipline and self-control are both gifts from God and areintendedtohelpusenjoythegoodlifethatisGod’swillforus.

Thisbook isaboutenjoying the freedomofcelebration. It isaboutgivingyourself a break and rewarding yourself for progress. It is about recess andvacation,butthetruthisthatnoneofthosefreedomsarepossibleunlesswealsousedisciplineandself-control.Usingagenerousamountofdisciplineandself-control iswhatmakes a life of celebration possible. Iwould be doing you aninjustice if I gave you the idea that you can do nothing but party, feast, andcelebrate.Actually,evenifwecoulddothatwewouldnotenjoyitbecauseGodhasbuiltustoneedbalance.Weactuallyneedthedisciplineaswellastheparty.Wemightevensaythatthedisciplineiswhatgivesustherighttotheparty.

Usingagenerousamountofdisciplineandself-controliswhatmakesalifeofcelebrationpossible.

YoumightrememberthatIwantedtoeatthecookieafterIhaddonefour

sessions in my conference and had one more to go. I had studied, prayed,worked, and disciplined myself and was in need of a reward. I like myoccasional cookie, but I discipline myself to a strict eating plan and threeworkoutsperweekatthegym.Iliketobuyshoes,butIdisciplinemyselftogiveshoesawayandIdisciplinemyself tobeable topayformyshoes. Idon’tputthemonacreditcardhavingnoideahowIwillpaywhenthebillcomesin.

Aboutnowyoumaybethinkingthatyoulikedthefirstfewchaptersofthisbookbetterthanyoudothisone,butbecourageousandkeepreading.IfyouquitnowwithoutlearningtheimportanceofdisciplineyouwillneverbeabletotrulyenjoytheotherlibertiesIhavediscussed.

InnerDisciplines

RichardJ.FosterinhiswonderfulbookcalledCelebrationofDisciplineteachesabouttheimportanceofinnerdisciplines,whicharereallyspiritualdisciplines.Iwanttotalkaboutthemalsobecausewithoutinnerdisciplinewewillneverhaveouterdiscipline.Forexample, if Idon’tdisciplinemyself tostudyGod’swordandpray,Iwillprobablyneverusewisdomwithmywords.Iwon’tunderstandtheimportanceorpowerofmywordsifIdon’tknowGod’sword.Ifwedon’tknowGodthenhowcanweknowanythingaboutwhatisrightandwrong,wiseorfoolish?HowcanweknowwithoutstudyingthatHeistheway,thetruth,andthelife(seeJohn14:6)?Ifwedon’tknowGod’sprinciplesofwisdomthenitiseasy to live with financial pressure simply because we are controlled byemotionswhenwemakepurchases.Wecanspendourentirelivesinselfishself-centerednessandneverevenunderstandthat it is therootcauseofmostofourproblems.

RichardFostersaid,“Superficialityisthecurseofourage.Thedoctrineofinstantsatisfactionisaprimaryproblem.Thedesperateneedtodayisnotforagreaternumberofintelligentpeople,orgiftedpeople,butfordeeppeople.”1

JesuschallengedHisdisciplestocomeoutintothedeeptofindwhattheytrulydesired(seeLuke5:4).

In order to live the deeper life we must learn to discipline thoughts,attitudes,andemotions.Wemustlearnthedisciplinesofprayer,worship,Biblestudy,meditation,fasting,giving,service,submission,solitude,andmanyotherthings. Living a shallow life is equivalent to living according to our ownthoughts, feelings, and will. The Bible refers to it as carnality, or livingaccording to theflesh.Thedeeper life isenjoyedbyapersonwhohas learnedtheartofdiscipline.Theylearntodisciplinetheinnerlifeandtheouterlifeaswell.AsIdisciplinedmyselftospendtimewithGoddailyinsolitude,reading,andprayer(conversationwithGod),IreceivedstrengthfromGodtobeabletodisciplinemyouterlife(mind,will,andemotions).

ApplyingdisciplinehassetmefreetoenjoyalifewhereIamnotcontrolledby an unexpected and uninvited emotional downturn due to difficultcircumstances that came without an invitation. Discipline sets me free fromragingagainstanunexpectedhormonethatdecidedtogointhewrongdirection

withoutanywarning. Ino longerhave tobowtonegative thoughts, ideas,andimaginings that don’t agree with God’s word. But, I would not have knownGod’swordhadInotdisciplinedmyself to learnit.Sowecanplainlyseethatthedisciplineoftheinnerspirituallifeisthedoorwaytobeingabletodisciplinetheotherareasofourlife.

Spiritualdisciplinesareintendedforordinaryhumanbeingsandnotjustforthespiritualgiantsor thosewhoholdsometypeofministryposition.Theyareformomsanddadswhogo towork,cleanhouse,cut thegrass,buygroceries,anddotheirbest toraise theirchildren.Theyareforboysandgirls, teenagers,young singles, and not-so-young singles.Don’t be deceived into thinking thatyouarenotoneoftheelitecalledtoadeepspirituallife.ChristhasbrokendownallofthedividingwallsandweareallthesameinHim.Weallhavethesameresponsibilityandthesameprivileges.Ifyouthinkthisdeeperlifeisnotforyouthenyouwon’ttrytoattainitandthatwouldbetragicindeed.

You need no special training to be deeply spiritual except that you arehungryformoreofGodinyourlife.TheremustbealonginginyoursoulforagenuineexperiencewithGod.Withoutthatlonging,youwillalwaysbesatisfiedwithcounterfeitsandmirages.Youmightthinkthatanoccasionalgoodtimeisthebestyoucanhave,butinrealityyoucanhavejoythatcannotbeexplained.Tobecomedeeplyspiritualdoesnotmeanthatyoumustwearallblack,wipethesmile from your face, and maintain a look of intensity at all times. Deeplyspiritualpeoplearethehappiestandmostpeacefulpeopleonearth.

Legalistic, rigid people are miserable, but when discipline is practicedundertheleadershipoftheHolySpirit,itisoneofthemostbeautifultoolsGodhasgiventoman.Andtheresultofthatdisciplineisgrace,flexibility,peace,andjoy.

Itispossibletobeoverlydisciplined,asIoncewas.RichardJ.Fostersaid,“TheSpiritualDisciplinesareintendedforourgood.Theyaremeanttobringtheabundance of God into our lives. It is possible, however, to turn them intoanothersetofsoul-killinglaws.Law-boundDisciplinesbreathedeath.”2

Wemaybecomezealous in our quest for spiritual disciplines andmerelyturnthemintoexternalrulesthatneverchangetheheart.ThePhariseeswerethemostdisciplinedmenoftheirdayandyettheyweresad-faced,rigid,andcritical.They told everyone what to do because they knew what was right, but theypersonallyhadnospiritualtenderness.Theyneverliftedafingertohelpanyone!True spiritual disciplines should make us more like Jesus, Who is humble,gentle,meek, and lowly, and yet at the same time ismighty, powerful, and avictoriouswarrior.Jesusalwaysmaintainstheperfectbalanceineverything.

Disciplinesarenotmeanttomanipulateandcontrolyou.Theyareintended

tokeepyouonthenarrowpaththatleadstolife(seeMatt.7:13–14).Youcanbedeeplyspiritualandamazinglydisciplined,andyetcelebrateeverydaythatGodgivesyouon earth.You canbedeeply spiritual and laugh four hundred timesdailylikelittlechildrendo.

DisciplineYourself

Oneofthemostirritatingthingsintheworldtomeisapersonwhoisextremelydisciplined insomeareaof their life,andwhotries toforce theirdisciplineonme.We must beware of trying to make everyone do what we do. Even if itwouldbegoodforthem,itisbetweenthemandGod.Itisbesttoprayforpeople(humbly)andnotofferadviceunlesstheyaskforitorit isevidentthatGodisopeningadoor forus tomakeasuggestion. Ihavehad to remember thatGodhasgivenmeself-control,andthatmeansIamsupposedtocontrolmyself,notothers. I need to discipline myself before I even think about trying to helpanyoneelse.

When we have developed a discipline in a specific area we often try toconvinceotherpeople that theyneed todiscipline themselves in thesamewaywedo.Somepeoplewhodon’tdrinkcoffeeliketotryandmakemefeelguiltywhenIdrinkit,buttheyarewastingtheirtime.IalreadygaveitupanddidnotfeelanydifferentthanIdowhenIdrinkit.IhavealsohaddiscussionswiththeLordaboutitandcheckedwithanutritionistwhoassuresmethatinmoderationcaffeineisnotbadforme.JustbecauseGodhasledsomeoneelsenottodrinkcaffeinedoesnotmeanthatHeisleadingmethatway.Myhusbandtriedtotalkmeintoexercisingforyears,butitdidnogooduntilGodtoldmetodoit.Onmycookieday,Ihatebeingwithoneofthosepeoplewhonevereatssugar—Idon’twanttofeeltheirthoughtsandseetheirdisapprovinglooksaboutwhattheymayassumeisalackofdisciplineonmypart.

Ihadabadhabitformanyyearsoftryingtotellotherswhattodoinareaswhere I was successful, but I finally learned that God told me to disciplinemyself, not everyone else. I believe we often lose our own victories throughtryingtogiveadvicetoothers.Becarefulwhenyouthinkyoustand,lestyoufall(see1Cor.10:12).Trying to tellotherswhat todo isoftenamanifestationofpride and it always opens the door for a fall. One of the secrets to beingsuccessful is tokeepyoursuccess toyourself.WhenIamtrying to losea fewpoundsIinvariablycannotsticktomyplanifIstarttellingeveryonewhatIamdoing.However, if IkeepitmainlybetweenmeandGod, thenHestrengthensmeandgivesmesuccess.

IhadabadhabitformanyyearsoftryingtotellotherswhattodoinareaswhereIwassuccessful,butIfinallylearnedthatGodtoldme

todisciplinemyself,noteveryoneelse.

Thereisatimetosharethings,butalsoatimetobequiet.Youhaveaspiritofdisciplineandself-control,anditisyourbestfriendifyouknowhowtouseitproperly.Itwillhelpyoubedeeplyspiritualandsuccessful inallareasof life.Weshoulddefinitelycelebratediscipline.

SomePracticalGuidelines

Ifyouhavelotsofareasinyourlifethatyourealizeneeddiscipline,don’ttrytocorrectallofthematonce.“Onethingatatime”isusuallythebestpolicy.Pray,asking God to give you direction about what to tackle first, and when youbelieveyouhaveapropergoalthengetarealisticplanonhowtoaccomplishit.NoticeIsaidprayfirstandthenplan.Don’tmakeyourownplanandtellGodHehas tomake itwork. I alsowantyou tonotice that I saidmakea realisticplan.

Ifyouneedtocleanyourbasementandgarage,don’tplantogetthembothcleaned inoneday. Itmightbebetter to set agoalof twoweeks. It is alwaysbettertoreachyourgoalearlythanit is tohaveunreasonableexpectations,getdiscouraged,andnever reach itatall.Perhapsyoushoulddedicateoneor twohoursadayto theprojectuntil it isfinished.Onceyoureachthegoalyoucancheckitoffyourlist,lookatthefinishedproductwithjoy,andeatacookie!

Maybe you need to lose fifty pounds and you would like it gone twomonths before swimming season begins and youwant towear a bathing suit.Thatprobablywon’thappen!Ifthatisyourgoalyouwon’tlastlongbecauseyouwillhavedefeatedyourselfwithanunrealisticgoal.Maybeyoushouldsay,“BythistimenextyearIwillhavelostfiftypounds,Iwilllookgreatinmybathingsuit,andIwillbeexercisingregularly.”Thatisthelong-termgoalandyoucansetshort-termgoalsthatwillhelpyoureachit.

Maybeyourgoalshouldbetolosesixtoeightpoundseachmonth.Iknowthatdoesn’tsoundlikemuch,butusuallyweightthatislostslowlyandproperlyismorelikelytostayoffthanweightlostthroughanunhealthyfaddietofsomesort.Themoreoverweightyouare,thefasteryouwillloseweight,sothisgoalmustbeanindividualone,butitshouldberealistic.

Youwillalwayshavesomethinginlifethatyouareworkingtoward.Youwill never have everything checked off your list. So keep at it and enjoy thejourney.IcanrememberwhenIfeltverydisappointedwithmyselfifIranoutofday before I got everything accomplished that I had planned. It seemed that Iwasalwaysdissatisfiedwithmyprogressuntil I finally realized thatnomatterhowmuchIdidtherewouldalwaysbenewthingscomingup.Icancheckonethingoffofmylist,butanotheroneisbeingadded,sowithGod’shelpIfinally

learnedtodomybesteachdayandgetupthenextdayandstartagain(withagoodattitude).

Youwillalwayshavesomethinginlifethatyouareworkingtoward.Youwillneverhaveeverythingcheckedoffyourlist.Sokeepatit

andenjoythejourney.

Aswetrytoreachourgoalswewillhavetimesofsuccessandwewillalsohavetimeswhenwefeelthatwefailed.But,thetruthisweneverfailunlesswequit and give up. I love JohnMaxwell’s theory thatwe can fail forward. 3 Inotherwords,wecanlearnfromourmistakesandkeeppressingon.Ifyouareona diet and suddenly on the tenth day you get emotional and eat everything insight,thatdoesn’tmeanthatyoushouldjustgiveupandkeepovereatingeveryday.Seetheeatingdayasamomentarysetbackinalong-rangeplan,getupthenextday,andkeepgoingintherightdirection.Messinguponedaydoesn’tneedtoruinyourentireplanifyoudon’tletit.

If you are trying to get out of debt and have been really discipliningyourselfandcuttingbackonunnecessaryspending,thenyoureallyblowitandbuysomethingthatyoushouldnothavebought,don’tgiveup.Perhapsyoucanreturn the item, but if you can’t then learn a good lesson and keep on goingforward.Evenaturtlewilleventuallygetwhereheisgoing!

Ithinkmybestpracticaladviceistorealizethatourlivesdon’tgetoutoforderinoneday,andtheywon’tgetbackinorderinoneday.Ifwewantsuccessweneedtorealizethatitwon’tcomequicklyorbemaintainedwithoutaneffort.Weareusuallyundisciplinedforquiteawhileinanareabeforeitbeginstocatchupwithusandoncewedecidetodowhatisrightitwilltaketimetostartseeingresults.Becommittedtoalifestyleofdisciplineandself-control.Don’thaveanattitude that says,“Iwant tohurryupand lose thisexcessweight so IcaneatwhateverIwanttoagain.”Ifthatisyourattitudeyouwillliveonarollercoasterofupsanddownsallofyourlife.Makeadecisionthatyouaregoingtoliveadisciplinedandself-controlledlife,butthatalongthewayyouwillgiveyourselfanoccasionalbreak toeat thecookieandbuy the shoes,orwhatever it isyouenjoydoing.

Andlast,butnot least, Iwant tosuggest that inadditiontoplanningyourdisciplines for the day you also plan something that you enjoy.Take time forrecess!Makethatlatteandenjoydrinkingit,takeawalkinthepark;ifyouaregoing tomake itacookieday,besure toenjoyeverybite. Ihavefound that I

don’t discipline myself without a plan and I have also found that I ammorelikelytodothingsIenjoyifIplanthem,too.

Taketimeforrecess!Makethatlatteandenjoydrinkingit,takeawalkinthepark;ifyouaregoingtomakeitacookieday,besureto

enjoyeverybite.

Godhasgivenusaspiritofdisciplineandself-controlandallweneedtodoisexerciseit.Bytheway…themoreyoudisciplineyourselftheeasieritwillbe!

CHAPTER16

DisciplineYourselftoCelebrate

The themeof thisbookhasbeencelebrationand learning to rewardourselvesforprogress.Ithasbeenaboutgivingyourselfpermissiontolightenupandnotbe so intense. I want you to celebrate life and enjoy it immensely because IbelievethatisGod’swill.Sincelifecanoftenbechallengingandwecaneasilygetentangledinallofitsproblems,wewillneedtoactuallydisciplineourselvestokeep the themeofcelebrationalive.Weallhave todealwithproblems thatariseandpeoplethatfrustrateand/ordisappointus.Thereisnowaytobealiveand avoid that, but ifwe addgenerous portions of celebration to our liveswewillfindthatwedon’tfeelsooverwhelmedbytheunpleasantparts.RememberthatJesussaidweshouldcometoHimwhenwefeeloverburdenedandwornoutandHewouldgiveusrecreationforoursouls(seeMatt.11:28–29).

Iwanttoemphasizeagainthatwhenyouplanyourday,makesuretomakeroomforsomethingthatyouenjoy.Ifyouarenotaccustomedtodoingthis,andmost of you probably aren’t, itwill require discipline. I can almost guaranteeyou that initially youwill feel guilty simply becausewe feelmore acceptablewhenweareworkingandaccomplishingsomething. I surveyeda roomfullofpeopleyesterdayandaskediftheyfeltbetteraboutthemselveswhentheywereworkingorrelaxing.Allofthemsaidtheyfeltmoreacceptablewhentheywereworking. They all happened to be youngmothers and confessed that they felt

guilty relaxing if anywork remained tobedone.Whydowe feel thatway? Ithink thecorrectanswer iscomprisedofseveralparts.First,wearecreatedbyGodtoberesponsibleandthatisanecessaryandagoodtrait.However,ifweletthe good thing go too far it becomes a bad thing, and we become overlyresponsibletothepointthatwecannotrelax.Wecaneasilytakeonafalsesenseof responsibilitywherewe feel responsible todomore than is reasonable.Wecan join the driven society around us that is supporting a multi-billion-dollarstress-related business, or we can discipline ourselves to include regularcelebrationandrewardsforprogress.Thefactthatourentiresocietyseemstobedriven, andworships career success, becomes another part of the reasonwhymostpeoplefeelguiltyiftheyarenotaccomplishingsomethingallofthetime.

Ihavemetyoungmomswhofeeltheyarenotwhattheyshouldbeunlessthey can juggle marriage, parenting, homemaking, and a career. I rememberwhenitwasoutoftheordinaryforamothertoworkoutsideofthehome,andnow it seems tobe rare if theydon’t.What each familydecides todo is theirchoice, but one thing is for sure: nomother should feel belittled because shedecides to devote herself entirely to her family andmake that her career.Onethingwedon’thavetodoisdriveourselvestobelikesomeoneelse.Jesussetusentirely free from the tyrannyofcomparisonandcompetition,andwecanandshouldcelebratethatweareunique(see2Cor.10:12).

ConstantlyMakingAdjustments

Asyouaddcelebrationtoyourlifeyoumayfindthatyouoccasionallygotoofarand need tomake adjustments.One of the reasons I had somuch trouble notworkingallofthetimeisthatforsomereasonIwasafraidImightgetlazyifIlightenedup.MyfamilylaughedatmewhenItoldthemthat,butitisthetruth.Iknowthatitiseasytogotoofarinanything,andIjustwanttomakesurethatIstay in balance. I have learned to trust Godwith thewhole thing and simplyfollowtheleadingoftheHolySpirit.Iworkhard,butIrest.AndwhenIhaverestedandcelebratedenoughthenIgobacktowork.

Therearepeoplewhodon’t liketowork,andtheyhavenoproblematallpartyingandplayingallofthetime,butthatisnottruecelebratingbecausetheyare not doing anything to be celebrated. Celebrating nothing is not genuinecelebration!These individuals are lazy and undisciplined and quite often theirnaturaltemperamenttendstowardfun,buttheyhaveneverlearnedthedisciplineandrewardofhardwork.Ithinkwewillallbeoutofbalanceinsomewayifwedon’tcontinuallymakeadjustments.

I am more naturally inclined toward work, accomplishment, andresponsibility; therefore I have had to learn how to discipline myself to rest,celebrate,andtaketimetorewardmyselfforprogress.Itwasnotaneasylessonforme to learn, because the other traitswere deeply ingrained inme and hadbecomewhoIwas.Iwasnotahumanbeing,butinsteadIhadbecomeahumandoing. I also knowpeoplewhohave struggled just asmuch as I did trying toovercomethetendencytoplaytoomuch.Theywereundisciplinedpeoplewhofound work and responsibility hard to deal with. They were experts atprocrastination and avoidance, but they have asked for God’s help and usedprinciplesofdisciplinetoovercomeexcessintheirareajustasIdidinmine.Thebottomlineisthatweallhavetodisciplineourselves;otherwiseourliveswillbeoutofbalance.

I have found that I rarely make a decision to fix something withouteventually needing tomakemore adjustments. Iwill probably always have tostandfastinthislibertyofnotworkingallthetimeandtakingtimetocelebrate.I think somepeoplewill always have to discipline themselves to not play toomuchanddotheworkthatneedstobedone.Iamalwaysmakingadjustments

andIfindthatmostwell-balancedpeopledothesamething.Itissimplytooeasyinoursocietytogetoutofbalance.Weliveinadrivensocietywherepushingourselves is applauded, yet we also live in a society that is addicted toentertainment,soweshouldalwaysexerciseourselvestofindtherightbalancebetweenthetwooppositeextremes.

Weshouldalwaysexerciseourselvestofindtherightbalancebetweenthetwooppositeextremes.

IregularlynoticethatIhavegottenoutofbalanceinsomeareaofmylifeandhavetomakeanadjustment.Iworkhardtomaintaingoodeatinghabits,butseveraltimesayearIstarteatingtoomuchofsomething(usuallycookies)andhavetohaveameetingwithmyselfandsetnewgoalsagain!TherewasatimewhenIfelt likeafailurewhenthathappened,butIhavelearnedthatIcanfailforward.IcansimplyrealizeIamoutofbalanceandstartdoingtherightthingagain. Itwouldbebetter if Inevergotoff track,but I amahumanandwon’tmanifestperfectcontrolineveryareaeverydayofmylife.Godhasgivenusaspiritofdisciplineandself-controlsowecangetbackontrackwhenwenoticethatwehaveveeredoff.HealsogivesusHisHolySpirit tomakeusawareofthose times and help us make the adjustments needed. You are living a self-defeating life if you feel guilty each time you realize you need to changesomething. As I said earlier in the book, we can and should celebrate beingconvictedbytheHolySpiritaboutareasinourlifethatneedtochange.Wecancelebrate that we have the ability to stay in balance by making regularadjustmentstoourlifestyle.

We can take a negative view and moan over the fact that we need tochange,orwecancelebratethefactthatwecanchangewithGod’shelp.Thatisgoodnews!Ilovegoodnews—itislikewatertoathirstysoul(seeProv.25:25).Wewillbechangingallofour lives. Ifwedon’tneed tochangeanymore thatmeanswearedead.Life is aboutprogress andprogress is about change, so ifyoudon’tlikechangeyouwillhavetogetoverit.

FacingTruth

Truth is something we need to celebrate because we cannot change anythinguntil we face truth about where we are. And that is usually the hardest part.Neither can we change until we stop feeling guilty about where we are rightnow. The process of conviction, facing truth, and disciplining ourselves tochangegoessomethinglikethis:

IameatingtoomuchbutIdon’twanttofaceit,soIkeepmakingexcuses.Isaythingslike:“Idon’teatasmuchasmostpeoplethatIknow,”or“TheolderIgettheslowermymetabolismworks,”or“Thedrycleanermusthaveshrunkmypants.” This year when I got out my summer pants I noticed they were alltighter.SinceIhadneededtohavesomeofthemtakenintheyearbeforelast,IwassurethattheseamstresstookthemintoomuchandIjustdidn’tnoticeitlastyear.Mypointisthatourexcusesareendless.Theyareactuallyreasonsstuffedwithlies.ThenextphaseformeistofacethetruththatIameatingtoomuch.Ifyoucometothispointyoumightevenwanttosayitoutloudorconfessittoafriend:“IhavebeeneatingtoomuchandthatiswhyIhavegainedweight.”Thetruthwillsetyoufree.

FormeIfindthatwritingdowneverythingIeatfortwoweekshelpsmegetbackontrack.FirstofallItendnottoovereatifIhavetowriteitdownandlookatmy list, and secondly I start realizinghowexcessive Ihavebecomewhen IbegintosaynotothingssothatIdon’thavetowritethemdown.

Once I have faced the truth and fully realizedwhat I did that causedmyproblem, it is not that difficult to fix it. I amusually a little hungry for aboutthreedays,but Icanevenavoid thatbynibblingoncarrotsandcelery.BeforelongIambacktomyperfectweight,Ifeelgoodaboutthewaymyclothesfit,andI feelgoodbecauseIamdiscipliningmyself.ThenIcanhavemydaysofcelebration(cookiedays)withoutagnawingfeelingthatIamdoingthewrongthing. I have just gone throughoneofmyadjustment timeswhilewriting thisbookand I amcelebrating the fact that I can see the truth, receiveconviction,andwithGod’shelpmakethechangesIneedtomake.Jesuscametobringgoodnews and part of that good news is that we can find a way to celebrateeverythingifwewilllookforit.

RefusetoLiveinMourning

Part of disciplining ourselves to celebrate life is refusing to live inmourning.Thereisatimetomourn,butwedarenotletitbecomeawayoflife.TheBiblesaysthatweeping(mourning)enduresforanight,butjoycomesinthemorning(see Ps. 30:5). There are things that happen in life that rightfully need to bemournedover,butjoyalwaysreturnstobalancethingsout.Wemustletthejoybackintoourlivesaftertimesofsadnessandnotfeelguiltyaboutenjoyinglifeafterdisappointmentoreventragedyhasstruck.Thereisatimetomournandatimetorejoice,butwemustnotliveinthestateofmourning.

Partoflifeisdealingproperlywithsadnessanddisappointment.Wecannotavoidthem—andweshouldnotdenytheemotionsthatgowithlossofanykind—butwecan recover! Iwas saddenedwhen I learned thata trustedemployeehadbeenstealingfromus,butIrejoicedthatGodbroughtthewrong-doingintothe lightand itwasdiscovered. Ihavea timeofmourningwhenpeople I lovedie,but I canalso rejoice that theyknewJesusandare spendingeternitywithHim.IamsadwhenIrealizethatIhaveletanareaofmylifegetoutofbalancethroughlackofdiscipline,butIcanrejoicethatInowseethetruthandambackontrack.Forallmourningthereisanoffsettingreasontocelebrate,andalthoughmourning is proper and is evenpart of our healing, it cannot last forever.Wecannotliveinastateofmourningoverthingsthathavehappenedthatwecannotchange. In Christ there is always a place of new beginnings and that is goodnewsworthcelebrating.

InChristthereisalwaysaplaceofnewbeginningsandthatisgoodnewsworthcelebrating.

Weprolongourtragediesbycontinuingtomournoverthemlongaftertheyareover.Wecaneasilymakethemistakeofregrettingwhatwehavelostinsteadofcountingwhatwehaveleftandmovingforward.Ilostmychildhoodandmyinnocencethroughabuse,anditwastragicindeed.EventhoughIgotawayfromthe abusive situation at the age of eighteen, I continued tomourn and live in

regretandbitterness forapproximatelyanother thirtyyears. Itwasonlyafter IhadbeentaughtbytheHolySpirit theprinciplesIamsharingwithyouinthisbookthatIunderstoodtheimportanceofrefusingtomournanylonger.ItwasadecisionIhadtomakebasedonGod’spromiseofanewlifemadeavailabletomeinJesus.

We see this principle brought out beautifully in the book of Esther. TheJewish people were being oppressed and threatened with extinction, but Goddeliveredthem.Assoonasthedeliverancewassecured,theywereinstructedtomournnomore,buttodeclareaholidayduringwhichtheywouldrest,feast,beglad,andsendgifts tothepoor.Theywerealsoinstructedtokeepthisholidayevery year so they would remember the time when they got rest from theirenemies, and as themonth that their sorrowwas turned togladness, and frommourning(Esther9:18–22).

Theyhadnotonlybeenphysicallydelivered,buttheychosenottocontinuethinkingandtalkingaboutthepasttragedy.Ihadtodothesamethinginordertotrulybefree.Iwalkedawayfromabuseattheageofeighteen,butcontinueditinmysoulforanotherthirtyyears.MysoulneededavacationbutIdidnotevenknowonewasavailable.ThankGodforrevelationandthetruththatsetsusfree.Onceweknowit,wecandisciplineourselves toactaccordinglyandenjoythebenefitsofknowingandservingGod.Godsaystorejoiceandcelebrateandwemustdisciplineourselvestodoit.

I pray that as I share these thingswithyou that theywill helpyou avoidwastingyearsofyourlifeinmourningasIdid.HopefullyyoucanbenefitfromthematayoungeragethanIdid,butwhateveryourageis,rejoicethatyouseethe light now and can start celebrating today. Even if you don’t “feel” likecelebrating,youcandisciplineyourselftodoitandyourfeelingswilleventuallycatchupwithyourdecision.

ICan’tCelebrate…IStillHaveMyProblem!

PerhapsyoustillhaveyourproblemandhavenotyetbeendeliveredasEstherandherpeoplewere.Youmaybethinkingthatyoucan’tcelebratebecausethereis nothing to celebrate yet, but you can begin by faith because you have yourhopeinGod.

The Psalmist David gives us a good example of this in the Psalms. Hetalkedtohisownsoulandaskeditwhyitwasmourningbecauseofhisenemiesandwhy itwas castdown?He then instructedhisown soul toput itshope inGodandwaitexpectantlyinGodWhowasthehelpofhiscountenance(seePs.42:9–11). Our countenance is the look we have on our face, so David wasactually saying that God could help him smile even in the midst of hisunpleasantcircumstances.Ihavefoundthattalkingtomyself(mysoul)isoftenveryhelpful.Wedarenotletouremotionscontrolouractions.Ifwedothenweare letting thedevilandour fleshcontrolus rather than theHolySpirit.Davidrealizedthathewassad,depressed,anddowncast,sohetoldhimself(hissoul)tosmileandbehopefulinGod.

Ifyouknow thepowerofhopeand faithyoudon’thave towait foryourcircumstances tochange to start celebrating.Evenas Iwrite thisbook,wearewaiting for a pathology report on a member of our family that could meanserioustroubleifitdoesn’tcomebacknegative.WetrustGodandkeeprejoicinginHimbecauseitmakesnosensetodoanythingelse.Allofourlivesarefilledwithupsanddowns,butwedon’thavetogoupanddownwiththem.Wecanremain stable inGod!God is smilingover us andwe can smile back atHim!SinceGodsitsintheheavensandlaughsatHisenemiessurelywecansmile(seePs.2:4,37:13).

Ifyouknowthepowerofhopeandfaithyoudon’thavetowaitforyourcircumstancestochangetostartcelebrating.

GoodNews!

RichardJ.FosterremindsusinhisbookthatcelebrationisatthecenterofGod’sheart.Jesusenteredtheworldonanoteofcelebration:“Ibringyougoodnewsofagreatjoy,”criedtheangel(Luke2:10).Jesusalsolefttheworldbequeathinghispeaceand joy to thedisciples. “Peace I leavewithyou:My [own]peace Inow give and bequeath to you” (John 14:27). “These things I have spoken toyou,thatMyjoymaybeinyou,andthatyourjoymaybefull”(John15:11).

Jesus began His public ministry by proclaiming the year of Jubilee. Hewantedpeopletorealizethataperpetualjubilee(celebration)ofspiritwasnowavailable.Captiveswerereleased,debtswerecanceled, theblindreceivedtheirsight,theoppressedwereliberated,andthepoorreceivedgoodnews(seeLuke4:18–19).Jesuswantedthepeopletoknowthattheynolongerhadtoworryandbeanxious.TheycouldtrustHimtotakecareofthemandthisformedthebasisforcelebration.Theburdenoffixingeverythingthatwasnotrightinlifewasnolonger theirs.Theycould livewithout fear!Theycouldcast theircareonHimandliveincelebration.

“Celebration is central to all the Spiritual Disciplines. Without a joyfulspiritoffestivitytheDisciplinesbecomedull,deathbreathingtoolsinthehandsofmodernPharisees.Everydiscipleshouldbecharacterizedbycarefreegaietyandasenseofthanksgiving,”saysRichardFoster.1Itisvitalthatwedisciplineourselvestocelebrate;otherwise,wewon’tbeabletomaintainanyoftheotherdisciplinesthatarenecessarytosuccessfulliving.

Themediatodayfillstheworldwithbadnews.Theyreporteverytragedy,murder, and theft. They run and rerun reports of politicians and other leaderswho are dishonest and immoral. There is nothing uplifting about the eveningnewsontelevisionorinthenewspapers,butIhaveabookonmylaprightnowthatisfilledwithgoodnews!ItistheBibleanditisthebookIbasemylifeon.Jesuscametobringgoodnews!Hepreachedgoodnews!TheworldweliveinandourlivesarenothopelessbecauseJesusisalive!Heisthelightindarknessandhopetothehopeless.

Therearegoodthingstakingplaceallovertheworld,butthemediararelyreport them.Forexample,we justgot thepathologyreportbackonourfamilymember and it was all negative. The newswas good!We should all tell and

retelleverygoodreportwehear.Weshouldwaragainsttheprevailingspiritintheworld of sadness, depression, and fearwith a genuine spirit of celebratingwhatGodhasdoneforusandwhatHeisdoingeverydayofour lives.Ihavedecidedtoswimupstreamagainstthenegativecurrentinoursociety.Let’sstayonthenarrowpaththatleadstolifetogether,andavoidthebroadpaththatleadstodestruction.

Let us join with the Apostle Paul in his declaration to celebrate life nomatter what was going on around him: “But none of these things move me;neitherdoIesteemmylifedeartomyself,ifonlyImayfinishmycoursewithjoyandtheministrywhichIhaveobtainedfrom[whichwasentrustedtomeby]theLordJesus,faithfullytoattesttothegoodnews(Gospel)ofGod’sgrace(Hisunmeritedfavor,spiritualblessing,andmercy)”(Acts20:24,emphasismine).

*

Sometimesbythe timeweget to theendofabookwehavetakeninsomuchinformation that we may have forgotten the main points that the author washopingtomake.Idon’twant that tohappenwith thisbook,soIwould like toremindyouofafewthings:

1. Eat the cookie… buy the shoes! The cookie is only a symbol of aprinciplethatIamsharing.Dosomethingthatyoulikeandenjoy,anddon’tfeelguiltyaboutit.Don’tlettheworkaholicandout-of-balancepeopleinyourlifemakeyoufeelguilty,either.

2. Ifyoudon’tknowwhatyouenjoybecauseyouhaven’ttakentimetoenjoymuchofanythinginyourlife,thenstartexperimentingandfindout.Youmayevenhavetodevelopinterests,butwhateveryouneedtodo,doitandrefusetolivewithoutcelebration.

3. Reward yourself for progress and stop punishing yourself foreverything you view as a mistake or a failure. Remember that younever really fail if you keep pressing forward and God is ready toforgiveyourfaults,mistakes,andsinsifyouwillsimplyaskHimto.

4. Learn to lighten up! Don’t be so intense about life’s problems andchallenges.Itisdoubtfulthattheywilleverallgoaway,soweneedtolearntoco-existwiththemjoyfully.

5. Celebratedisciplinebecauseitisyourfriendandnotyourenemy.

6. Disciplineyourselftocelebrate,becauseGodlovesaparty!7. Celebrateyoubecauseyouareworthit!8. CelebrateJesusbecauseHeistheabsolutegreatestandmostawesome

giftthatwehave.

Well,thebookisfinishedandIamgoingtocelebrate!Friendsarecomingto visit and I told them to bringmy cookie! If you are wondering about thiscookie, it is something called a “double-doozie,” and it is two chocolate chipcookieswithicinginthemiddle(youshouldtryone).IdodisciplinemyselftoeatonlyhalfofonebecausethelasttimeIatethewholethingitnauseatedme.To finishwriting an entire bookdeservesmore thanhalf of a cookie, so I amgoingouttodinnerwithsomeofmyfamilyandIamgoingtolaughasmuchaspossible.AfterdinnerIamgoingtowatchagoodmovie.YesterdayIcelebratedalmostbeingdonewiththebookbytakingmytwowonderfuldaughters-in-lawshopping.Iamdeterminedtofindsomething tocelebrateeverydayofmylifeandIinviteyoutojoinmeinmyquest.

NOTES

11.GiveYourSoulaVacation

1.Vine,W.E.,Vine’sExpositoryDictionaryofNewTestamentWords:AComprehensive Dictionary of the Original Words with Their PreciseMeaningsforEnglishReaders(MacDonaldPublishing,1989).

2. Nee, Watchman, Balanced Christian Life (Christian FellowshipPublishers,NewYork,1981).

12.Priorities

1. Tozer, A.W.,The Pursuit of God (Christian Publications, NewYork,1948),101–102.

15.CelebrateDiscipline

1. Foster, Richard J., Celebration of Discipline: The Path to SpiritualGrowth(HarperSanFrancisco,SanFrancisco,1983),1.

2.Ibid.,9.3. Maxwell, John C., Failing Forward: Turning Mistakes into SteppingStonesforSuccess(ThomasNelson,Nashville,2000).

16.DisciplineYourselftoCelebrate

1. Foster, Richard J., Celebration of Discipline: The Path to SpiritualGrowth(HarperSanFrancisco,SanFrancisco,1983),191.

ABOUTTHEAUTHOR

JOYCEMEYERisoneoftheworld’sleadingpracticalBibleteachers.A#1NewYork Times bestselling author, she has written more than eighty inspirationalbooks,includingTheLoveRevolution,NeverGiveUp!,theentireBattlefieldoftheMindfamilyofbooks,andtwonovels,ThePennyandAnyMinute,aswellasmanyothers. She has also released thousands of audio teachings, aswell as acomplete video library. Joyce’sEnjoying Everyday Life® radio and televisionprogramsarebroadcastaroundtheworld,andshetravelsextensivelyconductingconferences. Joyce and her husband, Dave, are the parents of four grownchildrenandmaketheirhomeinSt.Louis,Missouri.

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