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In his early years as king of Israel, Solomon truly depended upon God. The responsibility of leading the nation overwhelmed him, causing him to cry out: “Now, O LORD, my God, You have made Your servant king in place of my father David. But I am only a child and do not know how to carry out my duties” (1 Kings 3:7). Solomon begged God for a discerning heart so he could govern the people well and distinguish between good and evil.

God’s response was lavish: “I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be” (1 Kings 3:12). Moreover, God gave Solomon blessings for which he did not ask. Sadly, in spite of God’s abundant provision, Solomon’s reign did not end as it started. Over time his heart turned toward other gods. By the end, the nation was on the verge of division and Solomon viewed life as meaningless.

What went wrong? Against God’s command, he married foreign wives. Eventually his wives and their idol worship turned his heart away from God (1 Kings 11:4). This exception ultimately led to his downfall.

We too are led astray when we allow areas of disobedience to exist in our lives. Sin can be enticing, luring us to places we never intended to go and exacting a price we never intended to pay. But we no longer have to choose disobedience. It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. He lovingly reveals sin to us and gives us the strength to walk out of it as we ask Him. No sin in your life is exempt from God’s power!

Is there a sin you’re allowing to linger? Will you turn in repentance from it with no exceptions today?

There’s a disease spreading rampantly, one infecting the mind, emotions and will of many believers. The symptoms mirror the way many in our society live, allowing this condition to go undetected for long periods of time. Jesus warned us about it. The disease is called self-sufficiency.

Self-sufficiency is a state of mind that originates in lie based beliefs. Jesus warned us: “You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing’” (Revelation 3:17).  With our words and actions we tell God, “I don’t need you.”  We think we are rich – rich in wisdom, rich in strength, rich in love… Yet Jesus tells us we are deceived: “You do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked” (Revelation 3:17).

We were created to live in union with God, His Spirit reigning over our spirit; His Spirit influencing our mind, emotions and will. Apart from Him, Jesus said, we can do nothing of eternal value. Self-sufficiency keeps us apart from Him because we trust in and rely on ourselves. We believe we can supply and provide for our every need. We are deceived.

The cure, according to the Great Physician, is to “buy” from Him everything we need. (Revelation 3:18)

The treatment and preventive care are glorious:

 “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with Him and he with Me” (Revelation 3:20).

 Jesus heals us as we open the door of our lives to Him. The cry of our heart should be, “Lord, I need you.”

Self-sufficiency is 100% curable. When the prescribed treatment and preventive plan are implemented, the success rate is 100%.

Let’s not allow the disease of being self-sufficient to remain in any area of our lives.

Today, say to the Lord, “I need you. Every hour I need you.”

 

Through the years women have expressed to us their desire for more. Not more money or even more time. They want to do more for God. They have dreams in their heart, gifts they’ve been given, experiences to share, and relationships and resources that seem sovereignly placed at their disposal. Yet the opportunities haven’t come. Doors haven’t opened.

We understand their desires. We’ve had them as well. But we wonder:

 What if more would be destructive?

 What if more, at least at this present time, would take your eyes off the One for whom you long to do more? What if more would hinder the work God longs to do in you, a far more important work than anything you could ever do for Him?  What if more is  destructive because it’s more about you than bringing glory to God?

The nation of Israel wanted more. Yet it wouldn’t have been loving and wise for God to give it to them:

“How gladly would I treat you like sons and give you a desirable land, the most beautiful inheritance of any nation. (I would if *) I thought you would call me ‘Father’ and not turn away from following me” (Jeremiah 3:19). [*our words]

Often, before we do more for God, we must go deeper in our relationship with God. Anything less would set us up to be destroyed. As a group of people clamored for more, Jesus said:

 “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (Matthew 6:33).

 To seek the righteousness of God is to pursue being in right relationship with Him. Jesus said this because He knew the true more, the ultimate soul-satisfying more, is always found in our relationship with God.

Have you been longing for more in any area of your life?

Will you lay your more at God’s feet and ask Him for more of Himself?