Why Do We Ask?

I recently heard of a woman who was addicted to plastic surgery. I know, I had never heard of such either, but it was true. This sad individual had so many surgeries she literally looked "fake" or "artificial." She had so many nose surgeries that she had been told by the surgeons that the next one on her nose may cause it to literally collapse. In reality, she looked deformed, almost freakish.

I will just use one example to show how she looked..... Have you ever seen someone who pressed their face and lips up against a window pane and seen the lips flatten out? Of course you have and we all would laugh at them if they did it now. Well this poor individual's lips looked as though they were pressed flat against a window pane, permanently. A truly sad sight to see. The upper and lower lips were probably 2 or 3 times what is "normal" for her.

Here is my thought. Does she ever ask someone who loves her what they think? Ask the question how do I look? How would they respond? Would they ever dare to tell her the truth? Does she really want to know the truth?

Today's treasure is found in John 8:1-11. Here Jesus encounters the scribes and Pharisees at their best (or worst depending on your understanding). They bring to Jesus a woman caught in the very act of adultery. (This in itself screams "setup") Once they throw her before our Savior, they reminded HIM of what Moses said. At that point they proceeded to ask a question of Jesus that has caused me to stop and think for a bit..... "But what do YOU say?" This is a huge question. They were not really wanting to know but simply were trying to set HIM up in a trap.

In vintage, Savior, Son of God form, Jesus "takes care of business!" He doesn't play in little human games, but as usual cuts to the chase and turns this whole stinking, reaking setup into a heart revealing, heart searching moment. See John 3 for another one of these moments!

But here is my question. Did they really want to know what HE had to say about the situation? Where they really interested in hearing from HIM regarding this? The answer to both of these is NO WAY, HOSEA! (yes, I am bi lingual, and that is the extent of my bi and lingual) They were only interested in how HE would play into their game. They had an agenda and that was their goal, get on with their agenda!

Before we jump on the bandwagon and slam those horrible Pharisees let's pause and think this through. Aren't we really a lot like that ourselves? We have our own little agenda's and we pretend to approach God with wanting to know what HE has to say on the matter. When we don't get what we expect we simply sleek off into the darkness?

From my years of ministry I have seen this happen over and over and over! We simply want God to agree with us, that we are right and our plan is right! When HE or HIS word (or HIS servants also) do not agree, we much like these Pharisee's turn from HIM and leave the scene. How tragic. This is a failure in two different areas.

1) A failure to understand ourselves. We by nature (birth) are sinners and bent towards making wrong decisions with wrong motives. Even after salvation we must "check" each and every thought, motive and decision by "what does God say about it?" When what we think, desire and do is contrary to what God has to say we must turn TO HIM and not away from HIM. This is proof that we are HIS and willing to do HIS will.

John 3:20-21... I love the Amplified Bible on this...For every wrongdoer hates (loathes, detests) the light and will not come out into the light, but shrinks from it, lest his works-his deeds, his activities, his conduct-be exposed and reproved. But he who practices truth-who does what is right-comes out into the light; so that his works may be plainly shown to be what they are, wrought with God- divinely prompted, done with God's help, in dependence upon HIM.

Isn't that revealing? When we come to HIM and HIS word to seek counsel, direction and understanding it proves the validity of our motives. But when we refuse what HE has to say it reveals the true nature of plan! Sinful, selfish and even satanic.... But their is also another failure we must understand.

2) A failure to understand Gods ways. HIS ways are not ours. HIS thoughts are not ours. HIS desires are not ours. (See Isaiah 55) We must not only desire to know what HE says but also to allow HIM (through the Holy Spirit) to align our lives with HIS desires. Legalism nor license is the pattern for freedom but loving devotion to HIM, developing a love for HIS word and a love for simple yieldedness to HIS Spirit. "It ain't rocket science." But it is a battle. HIS Spirit will often work contrary to our natures and desires. But don't lose heart!!! HE knew all this from the start!

As the woman taken in adultery learned, we too can trust HIS heart. But no more games! No more gimmicks! Ask HIM what HE thinks? Ask HIM how you look? Search HIS word and listen..... HIS heart is speaking!

Blessings
Bruce

Childlike Trust...

Years ago when my daughter was much younger ( I am glad she's gotten older and I haven't) we had a little situation where I was going to have to correct her. I had come home from work and her mother had informed me of the "situation." I took her to "the room" ( we all know what that is) and proceeded to work this into a teachable moment. After her acknowledging her wrongdoing, I proceeded to give her two options for her punishment.

Her response is the meat of our bloggie today! She looked at me with her little blue eyes and said "daddy, whichever you think is best." OUCH! Boy that one caught me by surprise. I did finish her lesson that day but not without her response still impacting me 20 plus years later. May it bless you today also...

That little rascal in her most simple terms cast her whole trust on me at that time. Now, as I look back, I know why she did that with me. I was the one with the most tender heart as my precious wife was (and still is ) the discplinarian of the family. She is LAW and I am grace....most times. Our little girl had that figured out and knew that while it may hurt for a bit, healing would come much quicker via the avenue of grace.

Here's my thought for the day..... WHY can we not seem to trust our Great God that way? Why do we have to negotiate? Why question? Why squirm soooooo much? I believe it is really a lack of understanding HIM! We do not understand HIS heart towards us!

Matthew 7:7-11.... is a passage about prayer, asking and receiving from God. In the midst of this powerful passage HE uses a very real illustration regarding a father's response to his son's request. Then in verse 11 HE says.... "If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask HIM!"

This is really about understanding the heart. Christ uses our understanding of the heart of the parent and their love for their child and contrasts it to the heart of God. The term evil here describes our selfish nature to its core. If we with all our imperfect limitations give so freely to our children, how much more so, from our Loving Father, will HE do that which is best for us!!

This is really not about getting as much as it is about trusting in the HEART of GOD! Childlike trust! Will HE truly do, give, supply all that is best for you and I ? All we have to do is look at the cross of Christ. He saw our need and supplied it in full measure! How much more so now that we are HIS children!

In your situation, in your struggle, in your marital problem, financial situation and physical impossibility turn to HIM right now and say....." Daddy, do what ever YOU think is best." Believe me, you'll be glad you did..... ask my daughter!

Blessings,
Bruce