To Live As Christ - Page 20 of 35 - A Personal Journey With God

I Will See Your Face

July 29, 2013 by brianmichaelsteck Leave a Comment

Sun Shower — A sun shower from our home in Colorado Springs.

The journey of life can be long and hard. It can be full of joys and disappointments. There are seasons that seem to never end and then there are those we wish wouldn’t.

A danger I fall into is described in Psalm 17:14. “By your hand save me from such people, Lord, from those of this world whose reward is in this life.”

If I were to be honest with you and myself, I’d say it’s easier to slip into this pattern of contentment than I’d like it to be; finding a temporal reward becomes very enticing.

David fishes his thought in Psalm 17:15:

“As for me, I will be vindicated and will see your face; when I awake, I will be satisfied with seeing your likeness.”

And this is my prayer — for myself. That awaking from seasons of pleasure or pain, my desire would be for Him and my satisfaction in seeing his face.

Debt is an attack on liberty

July 15, 2013 by brianmichaelsteck Leave a Comment

I was recently gifted “The Founder’s Bible“, compiled by signature historian David Barton, which is a conglomeration of historical writings from men who founded the United States. Proverbs 22:7 makes this observation:

“The borrower becomes the lender’s slave.”

Thomas Jefferson made it a point that in order to live in freedom, we must avoid debt, both as individuals and as a country. Debt is an attack on liberty.

Jefferson writes:

“I am for… applying all the possible savings of the public revenue to discharge of the national debt. But if the debt should once more be swelled to a formidable size, its entire discharge will be despaired of and we shall be committed to the English career of debt, corruption, and rottenness, closing with revolution. The discharge of the debt, therefore, is vital to the destinies of our government.”The Founder’s Bible, David Barton

The clarity with which scripture and our nation’s founders had regarding debt is brilliant, and we would be smart to avoid debt, both personal and public, at all costs.

“My son, if you have put up security for your neighbor, if you have shaken hands in pledge for a stranger, you have been trapped by what you said, ensnared by the words of your mouth. So do this, my son, to free yourself, since you have fallen into your neighbor’s hands: Go — to the point of exhaustion — and give your neighbor no rest! Allow no sleep to your eyes, no slumber to your eyelids. Free yourself, like a gazelle from the hand of the hunter, like a bird from the snare of the fowler.”Proverbs 6:1-7

Trusting Our God Who Is Near

June 18, 2013 by brianmichaelsteck Leave a Comment

The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them.Psalm 145:18-19

This truth is a salve to my heart this morning. I’m so quick to want to take things into my own hands; yet, over and over, God gently redirects me to:

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him,and he will make your paths straight.”Proverbs 3:5-6

Why is trusting so hard?

I think it’s safe to level with you and admit that it’s not easy to trust. In general, I struggle to release control; whether it’s a matter of releasing responsibility to others, counting on someone to come through or relying on God for the answer, I’d much prefer to take the reigns myself. (At least then I’d have something to grip onto when I drive the whole horse-cart off the cliff.)

The whole idea of releasing control is not easy. Fear of the unknown and the desire to prevent it seems innate in us. I get the picture a passenger bracing their feet against the floorboards with arms fully extended from the dash while the driver makes a quick stop in traffic. Even though that passenger can do nothing to stop the car from crashing, the inner desire for control ignores rational logic and causes the passenger to take hold of anything within reach in order to to feel some sliver of security.

The honest truth is that I’m like that. In the face of trouble, I disregard rational logic, tensing up and convincing myself that I’m in control. When in reality, I’m powerless to change my circumstances.

What’s the alternative?

Having been in the driver’s seat during one of those tension-filled traffic moments, I know how it feels to see your passenger contorting in all sorts of shapes and squealing high pitches that border on inaudible frequencies — all the while, I’m calm because I know that the vehicle is completely in my control. All the squirming and squawking from the other side of the car is unnecessary and communicates a lack of trust.

The alternative to being anxious is to release control.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.Philippians 4:6

Psalm 145:18-19 is consolation that God is near when I bring my petitions to Him. Philippians 4:6 reminds me to be thankful in the process. Proverbs 3:5-6 gives hope that as I surrender, God will guide my path.

May the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, guard your heart and mind in Christ. Think on Him and let your worries rest.

[Note: all “passenger” references are purely theoretical and in no way mean to accuse my wife or anyone else related to me of this type of behavior 😉 ]

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