“Call unto Me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou know not.”  Jeremiah 33:3

 
The story of King Saul is such a terrific saga; it shows how he began his career as king of Israel, his faith—or lack thereof, and how his reign ended. (1 Samuel 10:22-24, 31:1-6)  Although he really did not believe he was supposed to be the first king of Israel, once he actually became king, his arrogance would lead him to believe in his own strength. He was no different than the rest of us; he needed a paradigm shift to understand the leap of faith God desired for his life. 

A paradigm shift is anything that allows you to move from one level of thinking to another. For some, it is the transition from college student to professional. For others, it will mean the transition from single-and-free to mated-with-children. However, most of us will experience a paradigm shift upon the passing of one or both of our parents, when we finally understand the meaning of the circle-of-life. In that time and on that day, we truly become adults with an understanding that previously we were the next generation to fulfill the gap, and now we are the generation in the gap. 

Paradigm shifts are interesting events; they enable us to be in a particular circumstance while preparing ourselves to fulfill yet another role. In some cases, it becomes a type of projection into the future. In many instances becoming a Christian is akin to having a paradigm shift—your reality changes.  

If you grew up in a Christian household, the shift is actually quite different than if you found God on your own.  (Don’t bother to write, I am a fourth generation Christian)  I say the paradigm shift is different because, “In-born” Christians can be a little arrogant in their belief; like Pharisees, sticklers for the law, believing that God only works for us based on the things we do. “New-born” Christians can see God more liberally than “In-born” Christians, because they can easily recall the depths from which God has saved them. They will be the ones who continuously remind us of the gamut of God’s Grace and Love in the lives of humanity.  

It was the same when Jesus walked with the people; He caused a true paradigm shift among both the people and the Pharisees.  Each group had to change the way they looked at the extent of God’s Love.  For the Pharisees it was a new understanding that God loved people more than “The Law.”  For the people, it was in understanding that God loved them enough to forgive them for the sins they enacted against Him. So, whether you are an In-born Christian or New-born Christian, you should rejoice in understanding that God will do all He can to keep you, constantly shifting His paradigm to keep you in Grace!  L.  

Study Reference: Jeremiah 33:3   
From: "A Paradigm Shift." In The Master's Hands: 365 Daily Devotions For Everyday Living.  
Copyright © 2014 by Lavona E. Campbell

"… Be strong in the Lord and His mighty power..."    Ephesians 6:10


Most people understand that fasting is a principle practiced by many religions, yet many of us do not understand the true spiritual aspect of a fast.  For the most part, we understand the denial effect it has on our mind; the cleansing effect it has on our body; and, some of the discipline it offers practitioners.  However, we really do not understand how it trains us spiritually. 

One of the most poignant scenes outlined in our Bible is found in Matthew chapter 4, where Jesus, after fasting in the wilderness for forty days, is tempted by the devil. 

It is interesting to note that, the devil chose to launch his attack when Jesus appeared to be at His weakest, physically, mentally, and spiritually. As Christians, we have to believe that Jesus knew his adversary was coming, just as He knew about all the other events that would unfold during His time in physical form. So why inflict a forty-day fast at this particular time?  Why be physically weak when you know your adversary is planning to attack?  Why choose to be separated from those who truly love you, when you seemingly need them the most?   Think about this for a moment.  

Jesus understood that fasting gives us spiritual strength and power over temptation.  It solidifies our spiritual power over the mind and body, allowing us to access strength supernaturally.  It trains the body and mind to understand that we are not under the control of our urges, whims, habits, or needs. It is acknowledgment that we are spiritual beings whose soul relies on God for replenishment, not our environment.  

I know what you are thinking. “I can’t go without eating for even one day; much less 40 days. I need food!” I truly understand; after three days, I too am looking for food in all the wrong places.  But try to understand this. It is not the food that you should be mindful of, it’s the discipline.  The discipline of fasting controls temptation.  It enables you, empowered with spiritual strength, the ability to withstand even the most basic need over temptation.  A need so powerful, it goes back to before your small body left the womb. A need so potent, when you were born, you cried for it non-stop, and didn't even know its name. –Food.

The power of fasting is to teach your body how to listen to you, and not the other way around.  When the body tells you that you are hungry, starving, and ready to pass out; you tell the body that it has enough plump to fast another day.  When the body tells you that you need a steak, burger, or meat by-product, if not you will die; you tell the body, one more steak, burger, or meat by-product, and you will die.  Your body’s primal need relinquishes its control to you, not the other way around.  It learns to accept denial, cleansing, and discipline from you in obedience. And in turn, you relinquish your body, mind, and spirit to God.  L.    

Study Reference: Ephesians 6:10, Matthew 4
From: "Strength or Weakness." In The Master's Hands: 365 Daily Devotions For Everyday Living.  
Copyright © 2014 by Lavona E. Campbell

“Thou hast granted me life and favor, and Thy visitation hath preserved my spirit.”   Job 10:12

 
Understanding balance is probably one of the most difficult things for us to do. We stand in awe of those who are athletes, dancers, and acrobats, because their discipline allows them to be able to achieve feats that somehow seem unnatural to us. I remember the first time I saw Michael Jordan play basketball. While he was already in the air, he stepped upwards twice as if he was actually going up a staircase to dunk the basketball. He languished in mid-air as he placed the basketball in the net, while the other players watched him from below his unseen staircase to the hoop. To viewers, he seemed to have a God given ability far superior to his opponents. But to teammates, he was the hardest working member, practicing more hours than any other player on his team.  

Sometimes we look at own our lives, and do not understand the balance between relying on our natural abilities and/or God’s Divine interaction. Often, one is clearer than the other, as it should be. While at other times, we can hardly determine which one is which. The truth is, save yourself some time and effort in trying to decipher the origin and just give God the glory, because either way, the gift came from God.  

Yes, there are times when you will receive God’s favor and emerge the victor when you have not trained for the fight. However, it is better to study for the exam and pray to ace it, than to pray to pass it and not study. If you have studied for the exam, at least God in His compassion can move the information buried deep within the recess of your brain and send it to the forefront. 

There are times when God will use your natural ability and there are times when He will use His. Ideally, we train, develop, and strengthen our natural ability, because as we do so, it is homage to God for the gift He has given us. Yet, we rely on His strength because we know we cannot accomplish much without it.  

You alone know what is natural to you and what is not; and, it is up to you whether you give God glory for your simple knowledge, superior skill, or His favor.  So, achieving true balance is individual.  It is your ideal understanding of how God responds in your life, and can be the difference whether your gifts are used for greatness or mediocrity.   L. 

Study Reference: Job 10:9-13  
From: "The Balancing Act." In The Master's Hands: 365 Daily Devotions For Everyday Living.  
Copyright © 2014 by Lavona E. Campbell

"Cast your burden upon the Lord, and He shall sustain you ...”   Psalm 55:22

 Although most of us prefer not to admit it, there is a purpose for the pain we go through. Consider the pain a caterpillar must experience during its transition in becoming a beautiful butterfly. As a caterpillar, it crawls the earth searching for food, using its many legs to climb the height of trees.  In order to go through its transformation, it must endure a deep incubation period wrapped in a tight cocoon, unable to move to the right or left, up or down.  It is almost a direct metaphor for the way most of us feel when we are going through personal strife. —Stuck, confined, nowhere to turn.  In order to experience flight, and life as a butterfly, it must wait for the cocoon to harden and physically fight its way out. This process is not immediate—it takes time.  More importantly, it cannot be rushed. If the butterfly cannot meet the struggle to make it out of the cocoon, it dies, and the cocoon becomes a coffin.

Although we believe our strife is completely unwarranted, and we commonly find ourselves asking God to remove our pain, problem, or adversity, the process of strife is necessary to aid us in becoming closer to God. Why?  Because most of the time when things are going wonderfully, we forget about our relationship with God.  When things are stressful and hardships are present, we remember to find solace in communicating with God.  Similar to the caterpillar during its restriction in the cocoon, God forces us to concentrate not on the exterior elements of our life, but the inner transformation necessary to experience a transition.  This type of transition takes us from a superficial relationship with God, to a deeper level of understanding what it truly means to receive sustenance from God.

Jesus, while in deep communal prayer with God in the Garden of Gethsemane, asked God three times to “remove this cup” from Him. Yet, He also said, “Not as I will, but as Thou will.” (Mark 14:36)   This statement is the key invocation added to our prayers that will help us as we pray for ourselves while going through our own adversity. Chances are, like Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane, the pain during your level of adversity will not go away. However, God will give you the strength to actually move through it.   And, like the butterfly struggling through the process of emerging from its cocoon, you will emerge transformed and much stronger from the process, with the ability to see the world from a completely different perspective and a higher vantage point.   L.

Study Reference: Psalm 55, Mark 14:32-42
From: "PAIN." In The Master's Hands: 365 Daily Devotions For Everyday Living.  
Copyright © 2014 by Lavona E. Campbell