Blessed Are The Pure In Heart (Matthew 5:8)

Pure gold, pure silver: what comes to mind when you think of these terms?  For many, the idea of pure means that the item in question contains one element.  Pure gold is 100% gold.  Pure silver is also 100% silver, but what is a pure heart?  Would it be safe to say that a pure heart also contains just one thing?  To better understand this, the term heart needs to be defined.  

Most agree that man's heart is best understood as his mind, will and emotion.  If that is accurate, then we should take earnest heed to The Lord's warns.  A double minded man is unstable in all his ways. (James 1:8)  Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. (James 4:8)  From these warnings, it can be concluded that a person with a pure heart has a single heart for The Lord and is not double minded.

A person with a pure heart will have actions that are not evil, thoughts that are not evil and emotions that are devoid of evil.  Because his heart is single for The Lord, his thoughts, emotions and actions will follow.  Examples of this can be seen in the lives of Job and Enoch.

In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.  (Job 1:22)

And Enoch walked with God:and he was not; for God took him.  (Genesis 4:24)

The blessing for having a pure heart is to be able to see God. (Matthew 5:8)  This cannot mean that the believer will be able to visibly see God face to face, because the scriptures state that man cannot see God and be able to live, (Exodus 33:20) but instead, God will open the scriptures and reveal himself and also manifest his presence to him as they meet together in the quiet place.

Having a pure heart is not accomplished by putting things in or out of the heart, but by spending time with The Lord to where you love and desire him more than anything else.  Remember, a pure heart is the result of all the beatitudes mentioned in Matthew 5:3-7.  After being poor in spirit, mourning over your sin, standing meek before God, hungering and thirsting after righteousness and having a heart of mercy towards others, being pure in heart is more of a by product than an action.

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Your Past Does Not Determine Your Future (Matthew 1:5)

Your past does not determine your future.  Your past may strongly influence you as you decide your future, but it cannot determine it.  As you read the genealogies of Jesus in Matthew chapter one, you will come across Boaz.  This is the same Boaz that redeemed and married Ruth.  His family background was as bad as it could be.  Boaz's mother was the harlot that hid the Israelite spies in Jericho.  Can you imagine what life was like for Boaz as a young boy: the names that he was called and the shame he endured as he faced peers and the self righteous society?

In spite of it all, Boaz became somebody great and so did his mother.  Both are listed in the genealogies and are responsible for passing on their heritage to the Messiah.  Their lives are prime examples of what God and his grace can do.

We must remember that our past does not determine our future either.  Our families' good testimony cannot make us successful and it's failures cannot hold us back from success.  Even the failures in our past cannot hinder us from experiencing success.  Maybe you have made some very poor decisions and now your life's testimony is anything but desirable.  Remember, God's grace was given to buy you out of sin and to empower you for victory over it.  Your past cannot be changed, but God's grace can change your future.

As you face the shame of your past, remember the following.

1. Your past is in the past.  

And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God. (1 Corinthians 6:11)

2. What you were does not determine what you are or what you will be. 

In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. (Ephesians 1:11-12)

3. God's power changes lives and reputations

Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, (Ephesians 3:20)

Jesus' Titles (Matthew 1:1)

Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. (Matthew 1:1)

What a statement!  With just these 10 words of introduction, a Jewish person could understand the position and purpose of Jesus.  

Jesus was a named derived from Jehoshua which means Jehovah is salvation.  In merely two words, Jesus is declared to be the Jehovah who saves.  Those of us who know him as savior have recognized and experienced the salvation that he brings.

The title Son of David reveals that Jesus is the fulfillment of the promises in the Davidic covenant. The Davidic covenant states that from David a King would arise, build a house, establish a kingdom and sit upon the throne for ever.  (2 Samuel 7:11-13). These important details were also conveyed to Mary when she received the announcement from Gabriel.  He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.  (Luke 1:32-33). Jesus' kingdom--thou yet invisible--has already begun as he rules in the hearts of believers.  Upon his return, he will establish a visible earthly kingdom which he shall be reigned in righteousness.

Son of Abraham indicates that Jesus is the long awaited seed that was promised to Abraham in Genesis 12:1-3, 6-7; 13:14-17; 15:1-21; 17:1-14; 22:15-18.  The first mention of a promised seed appeared in Genesis chapter three and by this seed, the head of the enemy will be crushed.  Although the world that we live in seems to become increasingly dark, Jesus continues to be in control.  He will continue to save all that call upon him and will dwell within each believer bringing them the peace that passes all understanding.

What more do we need?  When you have the Jehovah that saves, the King of Heaven and Earth and the promised seed who crushes your enemy, you really don't need anything else.

Digging Up Evil (Proverbs 16:27)

Why is it that you more often hear people speak badly of someone than good?  Why is it that people look for bad in others?  A possible reason why people look for bad is so that they may destroy and pull people down others making them lower than themselves or to expose other people's lower estate and make themselves appear to be better.

An ungodly man diggeth up evil: and in his lips there is as a burning fire. (Proverbs 16:27)

However by just glancing at this passage, you can see that those digging for dirt are really the individuals with the spiritual problem.  Countless times I have seen people, in the name of Christ, look for dirt either to expose sin or a person's wavering in faithfulness to Christ.

We would be better to recall and live the words of the Psalmist: "Let the words of my mouth,

and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer" (Psalm 19:14) or the admonition of Paul: "Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers."

It is so easy for us to fall into this trap.  It happens as a result of our outlook on life.  If our heart's desire is to help people and to make them successful, we may see these same negative characteristics, but only as obstacles to overcome so that the benefits and goodness of the individual may be exposed.  Your tongue is a powerful instrument and can be used for good or evil. (James 3:5-10). Make sure that you use it wisely.

Mercy and Truth from Parents (Proverbs 16:6)

By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the Lord men depart from evil. (Proverbs 16:6)

Raising children is probably one of the most difficult tasks in life.  An innate tendency in all children is to follow the dictates of their flesh that they inherited from their fathers. It seems that much of child raising addresses these issues.  Throughout the years, many child raising techniques have been developed which have gained their host of followers.  Some people experience success implementing principles for child raising while others who employ the same techniques have failed miserably.  What most people fail to recognize is that success in child raising  is based on mercy and truth and not so much child raising techniques or training methods.

Mercy occurs when an alternative method for dealing with a person and their sin is employed instead of judgment and retribution.  While truth is the principle that needs to be developed in a person's life.  Many people while child raising fail to apply these two essential elements to their plan.  Instead, they react in an array of emotions that at best are nonproductive and in some cases sinful.

The two most common emotions displayed by parents while correcting or disciplining their children are anger and fear.  If mercy and truth produce desirable fruit, anger and fear will produce their own fruit which is usually the root problem in struggling families.  The reason that anger and fear occur is because the parents focus on themselves and their own needs instead of their children's needs.  Parental correction becomes the management of children problems which appear either to cause public embarrassment or parental failure.  As long as the parents continue to focus on these, mercy will never be present.  However, when parents truly focus on their children's needs, mercy becomes the mode by which truth is communicated and training principles are employed.

Sorrow Makes The Heart Better (Ecclesiastes 7:2-3)

The scriptures tell us that sorrow is better than laughter because by sorrow the heart is comparatively made better.  

It is better to go to the house of mourning, than to go to the house of feasting: for that is the end of all men; and the living will lay it to his heart.  Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better. (Ecclesiastes 7:2-3)

When Adam plunged mankind into his sinful state, man's heart became astray from God.  Although Jesus may have redeemed man from his penalty for sin, man's heart is still affected by it.  As man grows in grace and is progressively sanctified by the working of the Holy Spirit, his heart over comes sin's effect and is made better or more closely to how God intends for man to be.  It is through sorrow that man recognizes his weakness and need for God.  Although the sorrowful event may appear to present God as uncaring or devoid of love, it is really the opposite.  God wants our hearts in fellowship with him and for us to be conformed to the image of his son.  He accomplishes this work in the heart of man.  It is for our betterment that he allows these events to occur.

If sorrow is to make the heart better, we would be wise in helping people as they endure sorrow and experience the work that will change or make their heart better.  The Scriptures admonish us that if you have the opportunity to celebrate with people or mourn with others, you would be better to mourn with the mournful.  Consider that when celebrating with those feasting, there is no burden to bear, but those in mourning need help to bear their heavy burden.  As we help those who are hurting, it will be taken to heart because the heart was greatly relieved and touched.

Helping others through hurt does not mean that we need to take the hurt away.  That is impossible for us to do, but with empathy and compassion, we can carry the hurt with them.  While living our lives, we must strive to recognize and focus on the sorrowful needs of others.  It should be easy to find hurting people because it seems that in some way everybody is hurting.

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My Personal Decree From Proverbs 15

I will speak softly when others are angry. (Proverbs 15:1, 4, 7, 18, 23)

I will use my words to make things better. (Proverbs 15:2, 23, 26, 30)

I will have a right attitude towards being corrected. (Proverbs 15:5, 10, 12, 31-32)

I will share my heart with God. (Proverbs 15:8, 29)

I will run from the wrong and towards the right. (Proverbs 15:9)

I will allow God to use sorrow to change my heart. (Proverbs 15:13)

I will focus on developing a right heart instead of what I can gain. (Proverbs 15:25, 27, 21)

I will seek advice for achieving goals. (Proverbs 15:22)

I will seek to be humble so that God may establish me. (Proverbs 15:25, 33)

Love Your Life - Hate Your Life (John 12:25-26)

He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal. If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.  (John 12:25-26)

At some point in the believer's life, he comes to this passage and assesses himself by trying to determine if he loves or hates his life.  Many may conclude that those who hate their lives can only accomplish this by denying themselves of any desires and live lives of abasement and self denial.  Although this view may seem accurate, it is similar to living life much like the Pharisees did.  In their own eyes, these individuals never seem to reach the satisfactory level of hating their own lives.  They constantly seek for and add new regulatory guidelines for living the "hated" or "denied" life.

Thankfully, The Lord has made a life that pleases him much more easily attained and enjoyable.  Jesus simply defines the life he desires by saying, "Let him follow me."  So before breaking out your spiritual scourging instrument and beating yourself into subjection and self denial, ask yourself, "Do I want to walk with Jesus today and am I willing to follow him where he leads me?"  If your answer is yes, God is pleased.  If your answer is no, he wants you to know that you will not gain what you seek and will lose whatever joy you already have.  

It is understood that there will be people who are deceived in their hearts about their answers, but God is able to deal with their deception by bringing needed truth to their hearts.  Until he does, our efforts of setting them straight will be of no avail.  If your life is like most Christians, you may vacillate in your position as you live throughout the day.  If you find yourself walking away from The Lord and seeking your own will, desires or gain, confess your fault to The Lord, believe he has forgiven you and begin following him from that point on.  

Jesus came to give us life that is more abundant and free.  When you are following him, you will experience the joy that comes with it.  If you are not experiencing his joy, something is drastically wrong.  I am not saying that circumstances in life that may result from following him will always be easy or pleasant, but you should be experiencing the joy of The Lord and the sweetness of his presence.

Deliver My Heart (2 Samuel 22:28-29)

Sometimes life is just depressing.  Like huge waves, the circumstances of life overwhelm and press upon the soul burying it in the waves of sorrow, sadness and dispair.  Is there hope for this type of depression?  In 2 Samuel 22:28-29, The Lord touches on just one aspect of this broad condition.

And the afflicted people thou wilt save: but thine eyes are upon the haughty, that thou mayest bring them down.  For thou art my lamp, O Lord: and the Lord will lighten my darkness (2 Samuel 22:28- 29).

One of the Biblical terms for depression is the word affliction.  The various words used for affliction convey the idea of being depressed, poor and crowded in.  In other words, the circumstances in life crowd a person's heart creating depression and a perceived inability to escape.  For this condition, The Lord declares that help will be found in his word.  By his word, he promises to save or as the word is defined: to be open, wide or free.  God's word promises to remove the constraints upon the heart that were caused by life's difficult circumstances.  He accomplishes this by bringing light into the darkness of the heart.  The light may bring guidance or comfort.  This light and wide open freedom in the heart comes from hope provided by his word.  Remember, hope is not something longed for that you wish would happen.  It is the expectancy in the heart that God will do what he has promised.

Elijah had hope when he said that it would not rain until he would speak it to happen.  Abram, even in his old age, hoped when he received the promise of a son through Sara.  David had hope after receiving the news of his newly born son's death.  Zacharias had hope after hearing that Elisabeth would bare him a son.  Hannah, Joseph in Egypt, the centurion and the woman with the issue of blood all had hope. And the list can go on.

As you struggle with the circumstances in life, look to God and his word.  From it, you will find the hope needed to deliver your heart from being crowded in.

For those who are chronically depressed, a network of support will be needed.  It will not be something that you can face or overcome alone.  Seek guidance from those who have been successful at aiding depressed individuals overcome.  Professional help may be needed and you will not be faithless in seeking their aid.  Faithless people either cease from striving to overcome or place their faith in sources other than God.  As these people guide you, look to God for strength as you take each step.  This is all that he expects from you.

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Blessed Are The Merciful (Matthew 5:7)

Mercy is an action that occurs as the result of compassion.  Many believe that mercy is the act of allowing somebody the opportunity to get away with wrong doing by not bringing judgment upon them.  Simply allowing wrong to be done without any type of consequence would be an injustice.

A person exercises mercy when his judgment is mingled with compassion.  Compassion moves the individual to take an alternative measure which would bring about the same result as judgment.  God, who is rich in mercy, acted differently towards man than simply exercising his holy and righteous judgment.  Because of mercy, he sent his son in our place to receive the retribution for our sin.

God declares that when we respond with mercy towards those who have wronged us, we will be blessed.  Being merciful is not easy.  However after experiencing being poor in spirit and mourning over your own sins, seeing others through eyes of mercy is much more easily attained.  Those who exercise mercy decide to focus on what a fallen sinner needs to be victorious instead of having the tunnel vision of justice being served.  When people commit sins against others such as lying, gossiping and offensive or hurtful acts, those with mercy will focus on why the person fell into such sins and seek to respond in the best manner to restore them.  It is important to remember that this should not just be viewed as an action to put on and copy, but that responding in mercy will be the result of God's grace working in your life as manifested in the Beatitudes.

Paul best demonstrates this principle in his dealings with Onesimus.  Philemon had every right to bring justice upon Onesimus for his wrong doing, but Paul urged him to recognize what was best for Philemon and to act in mercy.

As you interact with people each day, you have the wonderful opportunity to display God's compassion through mercy shown to others.  You can obtain this work of grace as you walk, fellowship and live a yielded life to God.

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RAPE (2 Samuel 13)

The desire in his heart moved him to target her.  With innocence and love she cared for her brother as his plan to satisfy himself unfolded.  He forced himself upon her and then cast her aside as refuse.  What were the results of this act and specifically, how did they affect Tamar?

When Amnon forced himself upon his sister, he did more than just take her virginity.  His wounds went much deeper because he first deceived her with love.  He conveyed love by desiring that he needed her to care for him.  His deception of being sick played upon her empathy and falsely convey his need for her.  This deception of love may have created wounds just as deep as the rape itself.

Amnon traumatized Tamar by his act of physical aggression.  Her cries of reasoning fell deafly upon his ears.  His heart was not concerned for love, but only lust.  Although the physical struggle may have only lasted for moments, she would continually struggle with it by reliving that moment for years to come.  Amnon also victimized Tamar with shame.  Tamar would experience shame as the community looked her, but more so would she face shame as she looked upon herself.  The one she may possibly be able to escape, but the other would be ever present.  Before rape, Tamar proudly wore the garments that the King's virgin daughters wore.  After rape, she wore shame and disgrace.  Her character, reputation and testimony were stolen from her.

Possibly the greatest of wounds occurred when she became hated by Amnon.  The term for hatred conveys the idea that the subject of hate is counted as an enemy.  In Amnon's eyes, Tamar became the enemy.  He saw it as her fault.  Her beauty, delicateness and femininity caused it all.  He probably saw himself as the victim of her beauty and was unable to control himself.

As an outcast, Tamar remained stunned and devastated as those around her did nothing.  Then after two years, Amnon was killed by Tamar's brother.  Amnon paid the price for the wrong that he did to his sister, but his payment did not removed any of the wounds created by his selfish sinful act.  Tamar wound carry those wounds with her for the rest of her life.

You or someone you love may be the victim of sexual abuse.  There is hope in the midst of this devastation.  God recorded this passage to reveal to them that he understands the depth of their hurt and wants to bring the deliverance that is so desperately needed.  It will not be an easy road of recovery, but he will provide the strength, people and resources that is needed to overcome.

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It's Not Just About You (2 Samuel 5:12)

David, after being annointed King over both Judah and Israel, moved upon Jerusalem.  The inhabitants resisted him and mocked his ability to overcome them.  In the end, David was victorious. God had blessed him and provided this victory, but not necessarily for David's sake.  God gave David the victory for the people's sake.  God may use you or work in your life to overcome obstacles, but when he does, you need to remember, It's not just about you.

And David perceived that the Lord had established him king over Israel, and that he had exalted his kingdom for his people Israel's sake. (2 Samuel 5:12)

You heard of the phrase, "No man is an island".  The statement declares that regardless of how much we may try to separate ourselves from others, our lives still affect other people.  When God works in your life, he also is doing a work in the lives of countless others.

An example of this could be when friends and I, at 18 years of age, were traveling home from school.  While on a back road, a tire became flat.  Before I could get out to work on the flat, a car pulled up and offered to help.  The car I was driving belonged to my sister and of course when we opened the trunk, there wasn't a spare.  Quickly, the stranger took off the wheel, threw it into his vehicle and said he would return.  I sat there and thought to myself, "What have I done?  Before I only had a flat tire.  Now I only have three wheels.  What am I going to do, if this guy doesn't return?"  After some time, he returned with the repaired tire, put it back onto the car and neatly put away all the tools.  It was then, that he handed me a gospel tract.  I never read it and I didn't need to.  I knew that I had met somebody who had something that I did not and that I needed to search out the matter.  A few years later, I came to Christ.  Since then, I surrendered to the ministry, went to Bible college, served in ministry for decades, reached countless souls for Christ, became a teacher, principal, Dean of students and vice-president of academics at a Bible college.  All of this because of a flat tire.  Today there are many serving as pastors, missionaries, teachers and secretaries because of that day.

How would things have been had I not had the flat tire. Was God concerned about me? Yes, but more so in how his work upon me would affect others.  Your situations in life are not just about you.  They are about others.  We will never know on this side of eternity exactly how God is working.  What we must do is recognize that we are but a very small aspect of his great plan.  As you travel through your day, look for the opportunities that The Lord puts before you.  Some of them may be positive experiences and others negative, but in either instance, God is working good on your behalf and also for the benefit of others.

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Why Must I Suffer (Philippians 1:29)

Why do I have to suffer?  If I am saved and a child of God, why does not God keep me safe from ill and harm?  It just does not make sense.  Cannot God receive great glory by keeping me from these evils?  Will not God's deliverance and a better life drawn people to him?  

For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake; (Philippians 1:29)

Do these questions sound familiar?  Have you asked these questions?  If so, you are one of the countless number of believers who have experienced this struggle.  The answer is in the scriptures, but it may not be simple nor easy to receive.

From the fall of man until now, man has always sought to have life focus around him and his desires.  Wars have come about because of a clash in desires between people.  Nations have tumbled by judgment because the people sought their own way.  Religion is the work of man trying to gain the blessing of God based on merits or achievements.  Any gain obtained in these situations would be wrought by man and at best sharing glory with God.

God however has a different plan.  He has chosen the foolish and weak things of this world to confound the wise (1 Corinthians 1:27).  By choosing the foolish and weak things, God is clearly recognized as the provider of the blessing, strength or deliverance.  The lost and the saved experience the same problems in life: the former without hope and the latter by God's aid.  When we were astray and wanted nothing to do with God, he sought us.  He worked in our lives bringing us to the point of recognizing our sinful condition and need for a savior.  Because he paid our debt on the cross, redeemed us from sin, adopted us into his family, became our father and blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places (Ephesians 1:3-7), he has the right to do with our lives as he pleases.

He continues to work in the heart of unbelievers and is drawing them to himself.  When Christ is lifted up, all men will be drawn to him.  By lifting up Christ in your life, men will be drawn to Him.  His strength to you in trials and comfort in the midst of sickness, loss and trouble will lift up Christ before others.  Because he does not use our strength, he solely receives the glory that he deserves.

This is why we experience trouble.  This is why God allows us to experience sorrow, pain and suffering.  We may not like it, but when we yield to him, we gain what truly is best for our lives.

For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. (Romans 8:18)

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Magnify Christ (Philippians 1:20)

When I was a boy, I received a microscope for a Christmas present.  It was one of the best presents I ever received.  With it, I was able to see and explore things beyond my recognition.  I quickly found myself rummaging through the house for items to put under the scope.  Paper, ink markings, skin, bugs, leaves or anything else that poked at my imagination.  Everything was so big and details that I could never see before were suddenly before my eyes.

So now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death. (Philippians 1:20)

Our lives are like microscopes.  We demonstrate the hidden things of Christ that the world cannot see and magnify them in plain sight.  This is done by the fruit of the Spirit being manifested in our lives, which exalts and magnifies Christ.  Anybody can put on the pretense of religion, but longsuffering, gentleness and goodness cannot be mimicked.

As you walk with Christ today, allow him to live through you and reveal himself to others.  The most difficult part of this is to get out of his way.  As we die to ourselves, Christ can reveal himself through us.  Remember, the salvation and growth of those around us are dependent upon it.

Making Others Bold and Fearless (Philippians 1:14)

Can you imagine the fear that early Christians faced as they shared the gospel to the entirely heathen world and the nation of Israel that defied it?  They did not have a friend in the world, but what God did was bind their hearts together and used them to bring encouragement one to another.  Paul, by example of suffering for Christ and at the same time experiencing his wonderful grace, mercy, peace and comfort, was used by God to bring boldness to other believers and remove fear from their hearts.

And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.  (Philippians 1:14)

Individually, we must ask ourselves, "What in my life has God used which caused others to face their trials with boldness and without fear?"  Was it sickness?  I remember a lady in our church who died from cancer in her 40's.  She faced it boldly and at the same time carried concern for her family.  Her trial and example of faith brought strength to me.  I think of a mother whose son has brought great shame to her and her husband, yet she steadfastly remains faithful to God.  Her testimony is a beacon of God's grace to those around her.  I know a man whose family has pretty much fallen away from God, yet he firmly stands in allegiance to Christ.  Each of these have one thing in common: the examples of their faith brought boldness to others as they face similar and diverse challenges without fear.

God wants to use each of us to be an encouragement and example to others.  As you face your trials, trust The Lord.  Young believers and old are watching.  Your trial is part of God's plan to provide strength and encouragement to them.  Before you is a great opportunity.  All you need to do is be faithful.

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Fruits of Righteousness (Philippians 1:11)

Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God. (Philippians 1:11)

Have you ever felt that you cannot live the Christian life?  Do you see yourself as inadequate in being able to respond to life's problems in a spiritual manner?  If so, you are right where God wants you to be.

Many believe that living the Christian life is accomplished by making up your mind to live for Christ and then do it.  It may sound right, but it is far from the truth.  Years ago in a bible college class, I heard a young man present an assignment on sanctification.  In short, his message contained two thoughts: "I am sanctified positionally in my relationship with God.  This is God's part.  Sanctifying me practically (or lifestyle) is my part."  So he believed that his position in Christ was done by God, but his work at living more holy was done by him.  How far from the truth this is.  It is God who sanctifies me positionally and also makes me holy.  Without him, I can do nothing and will be nothing.  

This passage declares that the fruit of righteousness, which God wants to see in our lives, comes by Jesus Christ.  If you are at the point in your life where you recognize that you cannot live the Christian life, you are at a good point.  You will only come to Christ for him to perform your practical sanctification after you have recognized your inability to accomplish it.  God wants to sanctify your life and as a result receive all glory and praise.

I have a saying that I would share with people as I presented the gospel.  I would tell them, "You need to stop trying and start trusting."   They needed to stop trying to get to heaven and start trusting Jesus.  Along the same lines, we need to stop trying to be holy and allow Jesus to perform the work in us that we cannot do.  If I do it, I am only making the outside of the cup clean, but if Jesus sanctifies my life, I will be changed from the inside out.  

Ask yourself, "The fruit that people see, is it my fruit or Jesus'?"

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David Encouraged Himself (1 Samuel 29-30)

After running from Saul and taking refuge in the land of the Philistines, David again finds himself in a troubling time.  David fought the Philistine's battles with them and served his master well, but at the time when they would face the Israelites, David was forbidden and wrongfully accused.  David defended himself and tried to persuade his master to allow him to fight his enemies, but without success.

David, a man after God's own heart, was rejected and wrongfully accused.  Why was God allowing it to happen?  Why did bad things happening to such a good man?  Have you ever found yourself in a similar situation?  Have you ever done right in the work place only to be attacked?  Have you ever withstood evil only to suffer loss as a consequence?  When facing situations like this, we, like David, must recognize that a God is still in control.

Although things looked grim, God's was using the wrongful accusation against David.  Had it not been for his inability to fight for the Philistines, David would not have returned to Ziklag soon enough to lead the rescue for the women and children (1 Samuel 30:1-2).  While in the midst of adverse circumstances, David encouraged or strengthened himself in The Lord (1 Samuel 30:6).  In other words, as the battle raged in his heart, David held strong for The Lord.  Victory in that battle led him to seek The Lord for counsel even though it appeared that The Lord had forsaken him (1 Samuel 30:8).  Because of this, David prevailed, the women and children were rescued and The Lord was magnified.

As you face your most difficult trials, remember that God is sovereign and Lord over all, battle to keep your heart believing in God and continue to seek his face regardless of how things may appear.  When you do, God will provide the guidance and deliverance needed.

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Hunger and Thirst for Righteousness (Matthew 5:6)

Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. (Psalm 5:6)

Hungering and thirsting after righteousness is not something that just happens.  It first results from being broken and recognizing that you are unable to live up to the expectations of God and then looking to God for strength and ability (Matthew 5:3).  As God enables you and begins to perform his work of grace,  you, in an even greater way, recognize the wrong that you have done with your life and you mourn over the deeds and not just the consequences (Matthew 5:4).  Because of this, you become meek and yielded to God.  No longer do you desire to run your life: you recognize that by yielding to God, you gain blessing in your life (Matthew 5:5).

You begin to ask yourself, "What else does God have to offer?  What other errors does your life contain that need to be corrected?"  A stirring begins to happen in your life which brings about a longing for what is right.  At this point, you are hungering and thirsting after righteousness.  As a starving person desires that which is necessary for life: food and water, you too will hunger and thirst for the necessities of life or in other words the things of God.  

The necessities of life are found through fellowshipping with God.  You fellowship with God as you pray and pour your heart out to him.  He fellowships with you through his word and through preaching.  Fellowship also occurs as you labor together with God in meeting the needs of others.  The more fellowship you gain: the more you want.  Fellowshipping with God is satisfying and fills the heart of those hungering for righteousness. 

A Sorrowful Heart (Proverbs 14:13)

Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful; and the end of that mirth is heaviness. (Proverbs 14:13)

Trials and troubles bring sorrow or emotional pain in the heart.  Hopes of bringing cheer to those struggling with this pain are futile (Proverbs 14:10) and in the end would create a greater level of sorrow. When a sorrowful heart experiences laughter, it creates a greater longing for the joy that it is lacking.  If you have ever been on a diet and then tasted one of the "forbidden" foods, you know how much you long for them even more.  In the same manner, the heart that experiences laughter even more so longs for happiness.

The cure for a sorrowful or a heavy heart cannot be found in events such as shopping, partying, sports, movies, vacations, drugs or alcohol.  The cure is hope.  Hope brings strength to the heart and when hope is removed, the heart becomes sick (Proverbs 13:12).  If you are struggling with sorrow of heart, seek Jesus so that you may discover how he is your hope.  If you desire to help sorrowful people, convey that you are bearing their burden with them (Galatians 6:2) and share with them how Jesus has helped you through similar struggles.  Your testimony can be used by the Holy Spirit to cause people to cry out to Jesus.

Sorrows in life will come.  Although events may bring temporal relief, they cannot deliver your heart from the sorrow that it experiences.  Jesus is your true help as you face these difficult times.  Seek him and he will be found (Matthew 7:7-8).

Blessed Are The Meek (Matthew 5:5)

Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. (Matthew 5:5)

The world's philosophy is "Go for it!"  I remember a commercial from way back telling the consumer, "Get all the gusto you can get!"  Phrases like, "You deserve the best", "Go for it", "Make your dreams happen" all have the common thread of man going for what he wants.  In the end, these people never find the happiness that they seek because the way to true happiness is not found through your own efforts.  True happiness only comes from meekness.

Meekness does not mean to be weak, but instead to be mild.  Remember the slogan used in Superman comics: mild mannered reporter, Clark Kent.  With all the power that he possessed, he yielded to the circumstances and sometimes mockery of those around him.  To be mild is to yield to the circumstances around you.  You will yield to the circumstances when you recognize their importance or by simply grasping the importance of yielding.  The believer will be meek, mild or yielding when he recognizes the sovereignty of God and that the events in his life are part of God's divine plan.  Job in meekness declared, "But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold." (Job 23:10) In Ruth 1:16-17, she displays this same meekness.  To gain what you need and what is best, you must be meek. By being meek, you will inherit all that is good, acceptable and perfect (Romans 12:2) and according to this passage, you will inherit the Earth.

As the clay yields to the potter's hand, so we in meekness must yield to God (Isaiah 64:8).  Being meek will not just occur in your life, but will be the result of you first being poor in spirit and then mourning over the circumstances in life that you created by sinful methods.  Only after experiencing the first two qualities of the Beatitudes will you develop meekness.  When you do, you will be supremely blessed.

Blessed Are They That Mourn (Matthew 5:4)

Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.  (Matthew 5:4)

You have all heard the phrase "a blessing in disguise" and its meaning indicates that something undesirable may happen which in the end can be of great benefit.  The word blessed in this passage carries the idea of being supremely blessed.  At first glance, we may ask, "How can mourning be a blessing?"

There are two ways that mourning can be beneficial and bring about a blessing.  The first is when mourning is caused by sorrow over sin.  In this passage, the believer is exhorted about the blessing of being poor in spirit, which we previously identified as occurring when a person sees himself as inept and without rights.  When a person is poor in spirit, he sees his sinful condition from a different perspective.  No longer does he strive to justify himself, but instead mourns over the harm he has brought to himself, others and God.  The believer has remorse for his sins and grieves over his disobedience, anger, bitterness, unforgiveness, rebellion and pride.  It is during this time that God performs his work of sanctification and with it brings comfort.

The second way that mourning can be a blessing is when we experience comfort from the Holy Ghost.  In some cases, the only way to experience the great characteristics of God is to first meet a conditional criteria.  In order to experience mercy, you must be in a situation that needs mercy.  In order to experience God's healing power, you must first be sick.  Subsequently, in order to experience that amazing comfort that comes from the presence and ministry of the Holy Spirit, you must first have a heart that is mourning.  Without the mournful event, you would never experience the blessing of his comfort.

Everything in life can be a blessing.  The way to obtain the blessing is by looking to God while in the midst of life's circumstances.  The only thing that can keep you from experiencing this blessing is by you ceasing from being poor in spirit.

Good Words (Proverbs 12:25)

Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad. (Proverbs 12:25)

Did you know that everybody is having a hard time.  Every person in the world is dealing with some type of problem in their lives.  It may be sickness, financial, domestic, work related, oppression, passed experiences, sorrow, worry, failure and the list can go on.  Their problem may be directly related to them in that the situation is in their life or it may result from them dealing with the situation in a loved one's life.  In either case, we all are dealing with issues and according to this passage, it makes our heart stoop or we experience depression.  If we all are dealing with issues, how can we expect to help anybody?  The way we help is with our words.

This proverbs lets us know that our words can make a stooping or depressed heart brighten up or become glad.  We do not need to offer solutions to people's problems, we just need to give them the words that they need.  Galatians 6:1 tells us to bear one another's burdens.  If we speak words to struggling people that convey that they are not alone and that in your heart you are carrying the burden with them, it will bring the support and encouragement that they need and as Homer Alvan Rodeheaver wrote, it will brighten up the corner where they are.

The words that you speak are very powerful.  Saying the right words can build and encourage people while saying the wrong thing or at times saying nothing can be destructive.  Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof (Proverbs 18:21).

Insecurity (1 Samuel 18:7-13)

Because of disobedience, the prophet Samuel informed Saul that The Lord had rejected him as King and was appointing another to replace him.  In addition, Saul experienced trouble from an evil spirit (1 Samuel 16:14).  During this struggle, Saul encountered the battle with the Philistines, Goliath and David's victory.  These events brought insecurity into the heart of Saul, which resulted in destructive behaviors.

When David was lauded for his victory, the announcement caused Saul's heart to be filled with anger and grief.  Samuel informed Saul that the kingdom would be torn from his hand and because it appeared that David may be the man, Saul became fearful and jealous.  Instead of Saul managing the event, the event instead began to manage or control him.  From that moment forward, Saul eyed or suspected David of evil and as Saul continued to crumble, his emotions became actions. He began to attack what he believed to be the source of his trouble and eventually out of fear rejected or removed David from his life. 

These attitudes and actions of Saul are some of the very things we do when we are insecure.  Because of insecurity, we experience anger, fear, and jealousy.  We then become suspicious and attacking towards those around us.  In the end, we attempt to push away from us those that are causing us to experience insecurity.

People are not the source of our insecurity, we are.  We become insecure when we think that success is our responsibility.  Remember, we are never commanded to be successful, but we are commanded to be faithful.  

Grace For A Purpose (Ephesians 3:8)

Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;  (Ephesians 3:8)

Grace is an amazing part of God's plan and mighty work.  Many people have written about it and even more have sung about its wonder and goodness.  As we enter trial phases of our lives, we pray and ask God for his grace.  Sometimes we see others experience the greatest of difficulties yet abound by this grace.  By it we are saved and for daily living Paul says that it is sufficient.  But what is it and why does God give it?

Grace is more than just unmerited favor as it has been demonstrated in the Old Testament.  After the atoning work of Christ was completed, God was enable to work the fullness of his grace which is his divine influence upon our hearts which is reflected in the actions of our lives.  In other words, grace occurs when God does a work in us that we cannot do.  Many sick and dying have experienced this grace.  Those who have buried loved ones have experience this wonder working in their hearts as well as those suffering trials and persecution.  God offers this grace and wants to supply it to all believers.  His purpose for giving us grace goes beyond just the believers' needs and has an even broader and greater purpose.

God's grace working in our lives serves two purposes: to provide for us the strength and victory and also to provide a means of meeting the needs of others.  For Paul, God's grace was given to him personally for his trials and also to empower him to preach the gospel to others.  Dying grace provides strength to those dying, but also accomplishes a work in those witnessing God's grace.  During the greatest of trials that you have faced, God's grace was present for you and testified to others.  Your grace testimony has influenced others beyond what you can imagine.  So as you face your current trouble, remember that the strength you need is available to you in God's grace and that God wants to use you and your grace testimony in a work to help others.

Follow The Lord (1 Samuel 12:20-21)

And Samuel said unto the people, Fear not: ye have done all this wickedness: yet turn not aside from following the Lord, but serve the Lord with all your heart; And turn ye not aside: for then should ye go after vain things, which cannot profit nor deliver; for they are vain. (1 Samuel 12:20-21)

This admonition came from Samuel to God's people after they rejected God from ruling over them and instead desired a king.  As Israel did before them, they ran from God and sought refuge in idols.  It was a battle that Israel fought during their entire history and one that we also face daily in our lives.

We face this battle daily as our hearts search for security and happiness.  We are tempted to seek for these through experiences or in a deliver.  However, regardless of where we turn, it will always result in a greater emptiness than before because anything other than The Lord is empty and worthless.  We may fall to the allusive promise than sin offers and end up feeling more empty than before or we may seek deliverance from another only to become more captive.  Many fall into this trap and become castaways. 

The solution for whatever you need is always the same: serve The Lord God with all your heart.  This service is a heart condition and not to be confused with dutiful activity.  As you serve The Lord, you can experience his blessings, presence and strength.  These blessings may not come to you as down pouring storm, but as a drizzling rain slowly supplies water to the earth, you will slowly be supplied with what you need as you need it.

Wandering Saul (1 Samuel 9:15-16)

Now the Lord had told Samuel in his ear a day before Saul came, saying, To morrow about this time I will send thee a man out of the land of Benjamin, and thou shalt anoint him to be captain over my people Israel, that he may save my people out of the hand of the Philistines:for I have looked upon my people, because their cry is come unto me.  (1 Samuel 9:15-16)

This familiar passage of Scripture records the early days of Saul and in particular the time that Samuel recognizes and anoints him as King of Israel.  At first glance, it appears that Kish's sheep were lost and Saul in his attempt to find them was unsuccessful.  However, that is not the cause.  Through these events, God was bringing Saul to meet with Samuel for the purpose of anointing him to be king.  It was no chance accident that they met for The Lord declared on the previous day that he would bring the future King of Israel to Samuel.

As we struggle through our trials of life, remember that The Lord is performing a work in you and for you.  It may appear that events are out of control and working against you, but as God knew about Saul, he knows about you.  In his sovereignty, God will continue to work his divine plan.  Until that plan is accomplished or at best understood, we, by faith, need to be obedient to his will and submit ourselves to his care.  Remember, you may not be a king, but you are a child of the King and he will care for you as a loving father.

Like A One Way Street (Proverbs 11:2)

When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom.  (Proverbs 11:2)

I remember one time driving around a town and trying to get to a particular destination.  Along the way, I made a wrong turn and was trying to get myself turned around and back onto the right track.  Since this was before GPS devices, I needed to figure out my route on my own.  It seemed that each time I was close enough to get back to where I made my error, I would run into a one way street.  I didn't want the street to go in the one way direction, I wanted it to go my direction.  Facing life's problems can much the same way.

When a person's heart is filled with pride, it is like a one way street.  The solution for everything comes from within them.  They never allow advice to come in and influence their hearts and mind because of the pride that resides there.  The Lord warns us that when prides comes into our hearts, the end result will be shame or disgrace.  However for the humble it is different.  They don't see themselves as self sufficient, but instead look outside of themselves for strength and help and desire that it would come into them.  Their end result is wisdom.

This passage warns us to guard our hearts: not only from outside influences that can corrupt our hearts, but from the corruption that has dwelled within man since the fall.  God's word is sufficient to produce all the wisdom necessary for us to be successful, but we must seek it and yield to its teaching.

Your Today Affects Your Tomorrow (1 Samuel 2:2)

There is none holy as the Lord: for there is none beside thee: neither is there any rock like our God. (1 Samuel 2:2)

Hannah, who had been barren of children, went to Shiloh and sought The Lord.  Shortly afterwards, The Lord honored her request and she conceived a son.  After Samuel had been weaned, she again made the trip and presented Samuel to The Lord for his lifetime of service.  Hannah's heart rejoiced in The Lord and praised him with these words.

Many would state their desire to see The Lord do a great work in their lives so that they could see him in his magnificent splendor and praise him this same way.  However, in order to see God as Hannah did, we would need to act as Hannah.  Hannah declared after bearing Samuel the same that she did before even conceiving him.  When she prayed at the tabernacle, she already believed that there was none holy as The Lord because there was none besides him.  She also believed that there was no rock other than The Lord upon whom she could cast her burden and rest upon for strength and stability.  Experiencing success through trials and recognizing the greatness of God resulted from recognizing his greatness before the trial.  Our walk with The Lord and our vision of faith is like the water that primes the pump.  A pump that needs priming is similar to a fuel pump on an oil furnace.  If you have ever run out of fuel and then filled the tank, you found that the furnace's pump was unable to pump fuel from the tank until oil flowed directly into it.  Once you bled the fuel line, the pump was able to pump all the fuel needed.  In like manner, our present perspective of God by faith will affect how we endure through a trial and see him afterwards.

For Hannah, her heart possessed all the faith and understanding of The Lord necessary for her to make it through her trial.  When the trial ended, her knowledge expanded from what she already knew.  In order for us to endure trials and then exalt The Lord in this same manner, we must first experience him and his greatness.  Trials to do not usher us into an understanding of God and his greatness, but instead will develop our present relationship and understanding of him.

Your Heart Determines Your Path (Proverbs 10:17)

He is in the way of life that keepeth instruction: but he that refuseth reproof erreth. (Proverbs 10:17)

Our successes and failures are the results of the condition of the heart.  Faith and doubt occur in the same manner.  Many focus on actions, but actions can be deceiving.  Jesus pointed out that even though the Pharisees diligently kept the law, they were missing the greatest part (Matthew 23:23).  Their problem was not their actions so much as it was there heart.  We can fall into this same trap and if true change is going to place in our lives, there must first be a change in the heart.

This passage declares the destination of two groups of people: those experiencing life as intended by The Lord and those in error.  Both can be saved people as well as kind, likable, helping, caring and lovable.  Their disposition will not determine what they experience in life, but instead their heart's attitude towards correction.

The secret to experiencing the best that God has to offer you is to respond positively to his correction.   The term instruction in this passage also means chastisement and is reflected again in the latter portion of the verse as reproof.  The way to life is gained by guarding closely what God says to you as he provides corrective instruction.  This instruction may come through preaching, personal bible study or an admonition from a peer.  Subsequently the direct way to a life of error is to  refuse reproof.  Each of these responses take place in the heart of the believer.  The former reflects a "fear The Lord" attitude while the other has an attitude of pride.

Your path of life may be set by The Lord, but it will be gained or determined by your heart and in particular how you respond to correction.

Love: The Missing Ingredient (Proverbs 10:12)

Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins. (Proverbs 10:12)

Why does love cover sin?  Is there not a responsibility for the believer to point out the error of another?  Did not Paul tell us to mark the man that causes division (Romans 16:17)?  If so, then is it not contradictory to admonish us to cover sin?

As believers, there are two relationships that we must consider:  our relationship with others and their relationship with God.  Regardless of what we do for either relationship, it should always be motivated by love.  When a believer falls into sin, our actions towards them should reflect God's love in us.  If The Lord leads us to provide admonishment, then we are instructed to do it in love (2 Thessalonians 3:15).  However this aspect of love goes beyond the scope of the proverb in question.

Proverbs 10:12 admonishes us to cover the sins of another with love.  It is the latter part of the verse referring to hatred and strife.  Just as hatred in the heart of a person focuses on issues and stirs up trouble with those around them, love does its perfect work.  It contrasts hate in that instead of focusing on self and the hurts that have caused hatred, love focuses on others and the needs that they have in order to live successfully.  This act of love should not be confused with the putting on of a loving face and acting in a loving manner, but all the while experiencing other emotions in the heart.  There is too much of this in Christianity today.  It is nothing more than hypocrisy or the playing of a part as one on a stage.  The spiritual person will abide in love (John 15:9-12) and this love will be manifested in how he treats others and in particular, those who have sinned against him.

Parents should not allow the sin of their children to affect their relationship with them as well as brothers and sisters, husband and wife and fellow believers. There is a difference between condoning sin and covering it.  When sin is covered, it cannot be recognized.  Does your relationship with others reflect that their sin is covered or are there actions and attitudes that indicate there is trouble between you and another?  If so, then love is absent.  You can get it by dwelling in God.  There are not three quick steps to complete, but instead a heart condition that needs to occur.  By sitting at the feet of he who is love personified, you will gain this much needed virtue for your life.

Hatred Stirs Up Strife (Proverbs 10:12)

Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins (Proverbs 10:12)

I walked out on my back porch one day and noticed that all of the little birds were congregating in a small bush like tree.  Their chirping was distinctly different than at other times and the branches of the plant seemed to tremble.  I was wondering what could be causing these birds to behave in this manner when suddenly a hawk swooped down into the yard and landed on the rail of the neighbor's fence.  Just the overall presence of this hawk in the area caused the birds to behave as they did.

In a similar fashion, hatred does the same thing.  When hatred rests in the heart of a person, a stirring occurs with the people with whom they interact.  It is not difficult to recognize that if a person hates another, there will be strife between the two, but it goes beyond that.  Hatred in the heart of a person controls that person and will affect their entire demeanor.  It will affect their actions towards those that they hate as well as those that they love and because of this hatred, their relationship and interactions with others will be grating.  Just as food items can be grated or abrasively torn, people with hatred will act abrasively towards others.  When this occurs, strife is experienced by all.

Granted, these people may have hatred in their hearts because of abusive relationships, domestic troubles, financial ruin, health struggles and the list can go on, but their actions are still unwarrented.  Christ, our sufficiency, should enable us to deal with all of life's struggles and enable us to deal properly with others in the midst of the greatest of hurts.

The answer for those who stir up strife in relationships with others is not necessarily to give them a rebuke--although their sin does require it--but to recognize what may be the cause of their hurt, which has led to hatred, and then lead them to experience victory over it.  Until this occurs, strife will continue to be present, others will be hurt, sin will continue to occur and God will be robbed of the glory that he deserves.

Do you continually have strife with many people?  If so, you may be the cause of this strife?  Instead of defending yourself, stop and ask The Lord to put his finger upon the root problems in your life that are moving you to such strife.  If you seek, you will find and when you find, you must begin to deal with those issues.  As you gain victory over these hurts, your experiences with others will become more pleasant and life will become enjoyable.

Family Head (Ephesians 5:23)

For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.  (Ephesians 5:23)

Christ as the head of the body is the savior of the body. The reference to savior in this passage is not the salvation of the soul, but the saving of the body or the church.  This savior is the deliverer or preserver of the body.  A closer look at this verse reveals that the husband as head of the home is the savior or preserver of the home.  As husbands and fathers, we are to nurture, love and protect those in our home.

Husbands can accomplish this by providing emotional security to their family members as they accept them for who and what they are and not strive to push them into being anything different than what God has planned for them.  Love is a decision and action and should be displayed by men as they place their family member's needs above their own and meet those needs through verbal expression and quality interaction.  As leaders of the home, husbands are to protect their family from destructive people, attitudes and influences.  All of these are the actions of the head of the family, which is the savior.  There is never a time that the leadership of the family should be passed over to another.

Therefore as you face life, it is imperative that your recognize your responsibility and influence as the family head.  Their protection and deliverance depends on you.

Caves, Dens and Strongholds (Judges 6:2)

And the hand of Midian prevailed against Israel: and because of the Midianites the children of Israel made them the dens which are in the mountains, and caves, and strong holds.  (Judges 6:2)

The children of Israel had disobeyed The Lord and began to fear the gods of the Land.  Because of their disobedience, The Lord allowed the Midianites and associated countries to oppress them.  Instead of recognizing their error, repenting and seeking The Lord, they dug out dens, caves and strongholds for them to seek refuge from their oppressors.  Their actions of self preservation were just as sinful as bowing to the idols of the land: the latter involved seeking deliverance by a false god and the former involved them delivering themselves or being their own god.

Our lives have not been much different.  Like Israel, hypothetical caves, dens and strongholds are things that flesh driven man creates to deal with the consequences of his sinful actions. While lost in sin, we too developed our self defense mechanisms or our own methods of refuge just as the Israelites did.  Some of our self defense mechanisms also may have been developed during times of backsliding or wandering away from God.  Either way, we all have them. Today, they may be one of our greatest enemies and the cause for more of our failure at living by faith than our spiritual enemy.  Our actions of self preservation may occur when we dominate those in our environment while striving to control all aspects of our lives or it may appear as an over indulgence in work to achieve security through recognition or avoidance of rejection.  Self preservation may occur when the believer tries to escape his circumstances by either physically running away or by escaping through drugs, alcohol or any other method of mood altering.

While in the midst of a trial or difficult circumstances, stop and check yourself.  Honestly look at what you are doing and determine if you are trying to bring about a resolution to your problem.  If you are, that action is just one of your coping mechanisms.  If you are exercising it here, then you are more than likely doing it in other areas of your life.  That hypothetical cave, den or stronghold needs to go.  You can get rid of it by repenting and confessing.  Afterwards, ask God to guide you to him for refuge and deliverance.  The process will occur over and over and is nothing more than becoming a disciple of Jesus Christ.