Red Flags

“I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature.

For I have the desire to do what is good,

but I cannot carry it out.

For what I do is not the good I want to do;

no, the evil I do not want to do – this  I keep on doing.”

Romans 6:18-19 NIV

“For in my inner being I delight in God’s law;

 but I see another law at work in the members of my body,

waging war against the law of my mind and making me

a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members.”

Romans 7:22-23 NIV

 

“What a wretched man I am!

Who will rescue me from this body of death?

Thanks be to God – through Jesus Christ our Lord!”

Romans 6:24-25 NIV

The sun is up! That puts a smile on my face. The coffee is fresh and smells wonderful! I hurry to pull on my “Life is Good” tee-shirt and start my day. As the day progresses, things happen, my mood changes, interruptions frustrate me, people irritate me, and from afar I see ridiculous red flags popping up in my heart’s garden. The flags are flapping in the whirlwind of my life reminding me to be careful, slow down, and take a Jesus break! I am ignoring the flags and one by one more things happen to spoil my day! The spiral down from “life is good’ to “you’ve got to be kidding” is out of control and about to do me in.

 

In total frustration I head for the garden. At least I can get those bizarre, random red flags out of my garden. I am so self-absorbed that today the flowers along the path in the garden are just so-so! Not ugly, but neither are they beautiful. As I pass by the Master Gardener I give him an over the shoulder “hey, how ya doing?’ as I make tracks to remove the annoying red flags.

 

As is his practice, the Master Gardner sneaks up behind me and taps me on the shoulder and says, “Paula, what’s your hurry?” Clearly, I am in no mood for this. Again, he speaks, “What’s up with the aggressive flag removal?” So I turn quickly on my sassy heels and look him square in the eye and say, “I’ll tell you what’s up!”

 

And so it begins. I begin to recall my morning. First the sun came up and I enjoyed a cup of coffee. Then I burned my toast! After that I had a relational conflict with a family member. Next my computer was not cooperating. Then phone rang revealing yet another problem. Grabbing my keys I ran to the car ready to begin my errands. Of course, the gas was on next to empty and as I was driving to purchase gas to feed my starving car I realized I had made a huge mistake in my checkbook. Since the Master Gardner seemed to be so interested in my insane life, I now dared to express to him that my impulsive nature was begging for a quick fix for all of these matters. Surely he could see that I was getting more and more frustrated by the minute.

 

While I had his attention, I told him about an incident that had happened a few days ago when fear nearly got the best of me. I also recalled the week before. I had been unmotivated, lazy and daydreaming my time away. It had left me with a deep sense of regret and lack of accomplishment. Then Jesus asked me a question, “Didn’t you see any of the red flags?” My response, “what red flags?”

 

I then began to lecture him about my lack of time for his red flags! Lord, you know I am an independent person and I am more than capable of controlling all that bothers me. Then Jesus smiled and said, “How’s that working out for you?” Sometimes he can be so annoying!

 

I wanted to pour my heart out to him but my pride kicked in and I wouldn’t admit my defeat or need. Secretly, I knew I was an emotional mess and on the edge of a melt down. Truth be told, none of this was a secret or a surprise to him. I knew he was listening so I began to complain about the good fortune of others. My pity-party was in full swing! Once again, Jesus asks, “Didn’t you see the red flags?” My response was, “Well maybe a couple, but I just didn’t have the desire or time to investigate why they were there.”

 

Then Jesus taught me as only he can teach. “Paula, I am the one who places the red flags in your garden. When I look into your future and see that you are in danger of making a mistake, heading for emotional melt down, or facing fear. I know when you will face an opportunity for an outburst of anger, or when you will be in a situation that will position you for greed, control, self-pity and selfishness. I know when you will be facing conflict with another person, depression, and discontentment. I purposely wave a red flag and then I place that flag securely on your pathway to serve as a warning.”

 

“Lord, what do those red flags mean?” Jesus replies, “My child, they mean you are about to sin!” “Lord it seems that I either do not see the flag, I ignore the flag, or like today I simply want the flag out of my sight!”

 

Now that I think about it, some of the same flags continue to reappear over and over flagging my repeated sins. I really don’t like to call them sins; I am far more comfortable labeling those incidents as mistakes or personal failure. Today I am wondering why I can’t seem to learn from these flags. Lord, why don’t you give up and stop making opportunities for me to heed the red flag warnings in my life. Lord, I try but I’m pretty sure I will never change. I don’t think I will ever get it right.

 

The fact is Jesus loves me so much that he will stop at nothing in order to get me to recognize the sinful flaw in my spirit that is keeping me from personal spiritual victory regarding every sin. There is no limit to the opportunities he will allow me to experience regarding sinful behavior. I am beginning to understand that Jesus simply wants me to trust him with my failures and allow him to help me overcome all my repeated sinful behavior. But because of God’s great love the opportunity to succumb to Satan’s temptation will always come with a red flag of warning.

 

The purpose of red flags is to make us all stop and evaluate what we are thinking or about to say or do. Red flags are an opportunity for us to consider the consequences. Red flags slow us down so we can remember all that Jesus has done for us and then, out of love and gratitude to him, choose to heed the red flag warning and obey his law. We must all come to a point in our spirit when we choose to love God more than we love our sin. Red flags are meant to be retrieved, placed in the hand of Jesus and their warning must be embraced and obeyed. The Holy Spirit lives inside of us to assist us in our weakness. Wretched people that we are, it is only Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit that can rescue us in our time of need.

 

There is no future in repeated sin. It fractures relationships; it ruins marriages, creates addictions, piles on debt, fosters discontentment, ends in unwanted consequences, and pushes God further away.

 

God is not the enemy. He does not find pleasure in slapping our hands or shaking his finger in our face. He is the one who raises the red flag. It is not a yellow flag of caution; it is a red flag that demands we stop! His precious hands prod and pull, He lures and loves. He convicts but he does not condemn. His purpose is to take us higher and perfect our spirit in the amazing process of sanctification. God is both consistent and persistent in his work of perfection in our life.

 

Satan on the other hand is the deceiver. As I walk in the garden of life Satan is busy stuffing self-interest propaganda flyers by the handful into my pockets as I pass by! He applauds my impulsive nature as I shove God into the background and sprint ahead. He throws smoke bombs between me and my Savior so that he will be out of sight and out of mind. He is giving away free tickets to Pleasure Island, but when all is said and done, he laughs and says, “You are a pathetic failure.” and my spirit is crushed!

 

But Jesus says, “Come to me, I am the lifter of your head! I am the lover of your soul and a very present help in trouble. I am able to change you from glory into more glory! You are precious in my sight!”

 

Questions:

1. What sin is it that God continues to bring you back to over and over again?
2. Have you considered the fact that God alone is able to help you overcome repetitive sin in your life?
3. Are you amazed at the extent that God will go to allow you to continue to repeat sinful mistakes in your life until you are able to surrender that sin to his forgiveness and restoration?
4. Is there currently a red flag waving in your heart’s garden?
5. What will you do with that flag? Will you choose to ignore it or heed it?
6. Will you ask God to help you to overcome the repeated sinful habit of the flesh that wars with your spirit?

Prayer:

Dear Jesus,

 

Thank you for your amazing love. Thank you that your love will not let me go. I even want to thank you that you continue to bring me back again and again to my point of disobedience until I finally learn a lesson and choose to heed your red flag of warning. It stands to reason that I will never have victory over that sin in my life unless I hand you my sin and obey your laws. Father I know that there is no way out of this trap of sinful behavior apart from you because I am weak, but I know that you are strong. You are my rock, my fortress, and my constant help in times of need. Jesus I know that there will always be opportunities for me to fall backwards. Therefore Lord, help me to focus daily on you so that I will not miss your red flags and that I will desire to heed every warning you set before me so that the victory will be mine! With you Lord, I know that all things are possible.

 

It is in your name I pray. Amen.

God's Holy Flashlight

“Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.

See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”
Psalm 139:23-24 NIV

Entering the garden today is a bit intimidating. You see, today I come with a purpose. I need to spend time with the Master Gardner and allow him to search my heart. Sometimes this process can be painful. It may require confession or it may require surrender. So before I sit with the Gardner I will spend a little time walking in the garden. When I drink in the wonders of his creation it always gives me the courage to know the Master Gardner has a grand design for my life and his design will never be anything less than perfect.

Walking among the fragrant day lilies, admiring the ruby red Rhododendrons, feeling the cool breeze of the morning kiss my cheeks, and walking the winding pathways brings comfort and assurance to my spirit because I know the Master Gardner will graciously deal with me in love, as he shines his examining flashlight into the deepest crevices of my heart.

The fact is, just like the Psalmist, David; I know God already knows everything there is to know about my life. This truth stirs feelings within me reminding me of Adam and Eve in Eden. Like Adam and Eve, fear of God’s exposure can have me running to hide the bushes. However, there is another option. I can choose to be like David, who found the thought that God knew everything about him, to be a real comfort. David found this knowledge worthy of praise!

David tells us, “O LORD, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O LORD. You hem me in – behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.” Psalm 139:1-6 NIV

In Psalm 139 David quickly looks to God, who is the one he trusts and asks him to search his heart and show him how to keep his life on track. He asks God to show him the way that lasts forever.

So today I will willingly choose to sit and allow the Gardner to shine his holy flashlight deep into my heart and reveal to me my anxieties and my wicked ways. I will be still and listen as he reveals the damaging sin in my life. During this time I may have to answer some tough questions. Paula, what are you anxious about? What are you afraid of? Why is there anger in your heart? How are you spending your time and energy? Paula, are you creating your own “Christian” assignments? Have you asked me if what you are spending your time and energy on is my assignment for you or your assignment? Are you serving me with gladness or out of duty? Why do you take on so many activities that have no eternal significance? Do you have something against another child of mine? Are you being honest with your answers or are you denying that many of your activities, thoughts, emotions and feelings may be sin? Has your busy work crowded me out? Are your responsibilities stuffing me to the bottom of your life? Are you making good use of your time? Are you being a good steward of the finances that I have entrusted you with? Are you sweet coating your bad choices as mistakes or do you admit that it is sin to put other gods before me? Do you see your disobedience and lack of trust as failure or do to recognize that those things are sin?

In my life I have learned there is always a need for personal renewal. David struggled with his sinful thoughts and attitudes just like I do. David had Saul chasing him; he had battles to win and men to supervise. It must have been really easy for David to let life distract him, causing him to loose his focus. David knew his own heart. He knew he was capable of lust, jealousy, pride, anger, fear, and trying to control his own life. David admitted that he had nothing but hatred for his enemies. (vs. 22) David learned there was forgiveness, renewal and hope. You see, David, on his own was a major screw-up, yet God made him a King!

Questions:

1. Have you ever sat before God and allowed him to shine his holy flashlight into your heart for examination?

2. What was the result?

3. How frequently does your heart need to be examined?

4. What are the benefits to daily examinations?

5. Do you relate to running ahead of God and choosing how you spend your time?

6. Would you agree that sometimes even good things have to go so you will have time to seek God and his wisdom?

7. Are you allowing God to change you from the inside out for his holy purposes?

Prayer:

Dear God,

Today I confess that one of my greatest sins is trying to orchestrate my own life. At times I see that I am still trying to gain your favor and approval by the amount of work I do for you. So today I want to bring my works before you. What would you have me do? What jobs and activities would you have me set aside? God, how would you have me spend my days? Search me and know my heart. What are the things in my life that are making me anxious? What is offensive to you? What thoughts and attitudes have me in bondage? God, I pray that you would lead and direct me in your ways that are everlasting. I desire to do the work you have for me to do. I desire to live free of emotional, and mental bondage that physically cripples me and mentally defeats me. Help me Lord to know that sometimes I even have to say “no” to good things so I can better serve you. I must learn to surrender my fears to you and know that even if the worst case scenario happens, I am still loved and will be cared for by you. You are and always will be more than enough! Search me O Lord and know my heart today.

In your Son’s name I pray. Amen.

If Only I Had a Green Thumb!

“Though the fig tree does not bud, and there are no grapes on the vines;

though the olive crop fails, and the fields produce no food,

...yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will be joyful in God my Savior.

The sovereign Lord is my strength!”

Habakkuk 3:17-19a NIV

I love to garden. During the winter months I find myself surrounded by my garden books and seed catalogs. I begin sketching out flower beds and dreaming about what I am going to plant in the spring.

I have to admit that at times I get frustrated because my thumb is not as green as I wish it to be. For me it is a year by year experiment, always wondering which flowers will flourish and which ones will be a disappointment. Sometimes I plant and the results are absolutely beautiful! The plant that I have lovingly cared for is all I could have imagined and hoped for. When the plant blooms it is a vision of delight! Other times my efforts are destroyed by lack of rain, weeds, pestilence, poor soil, wrong light exposure, not enough nutrients, or the deer invite themselves to dine in my garden. I must confess that sometimes sheer neglect on my part has left me with nothing but a dead plant!

Today I am reflecting on the fact that all of my efforts to put my life in perfect order seem to always fail. My thumb is never green enough to produce a perfect garden of inner beauty and my self efforts are never enough to produce a sinless life. I have come to realize that just like neglecting a real garden it is also possible to neglect my spiritual garden. When this occurs, the once vibrant plants of love and grace will end up dying from neglect.

As I think about the imperfections of my garden, I am reminded that a very long time ago God desired that humanity live in a perfect garden. On the day that sin entered the garden that God had planted in Eden life fell from its perfect condition to an imperfect condition. Because sin entered the world, the perfect life ended and trouble began. Today I am reminded that there will always be times in my life when things are not so good. The fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines. There will be times when my crops will fail and my garden will be parched and ugly. But I know that God is only a prayer away. The Master Gardner always stands ready to breathe his forgiveness and grace into my life causing it once again to flourish.

I know perfectly well that life has not always been fair and there have been many times when life has dealt me some hard blows. I admit that sometimes I don’t feel much like rejoicing. Yet I know that I can always have at least one reason to rejoice.

Because of sin, Adam and Eve were cast from the garden. Unfortunately, all of humanity was banned from the garden as well. But now, God has provided a way for us to be restored. God sent his son, Jesus to redeem all of us. If you have not done so already, God wants you to invite Jesus Christ to come into your life and in a very personal way Jesus wants to make your heart his home. Because of this, I always have reason for rejoicing no matter what my circumstances may be. I hope you have accepted Jesus Christ, because if you have, this is your reason for rejoicing too!

Questions:

Where do you sense difficulty or failure creeping into your life?

Has Jesus Christ become you personal Savior?

If so, are you rejoicing that God has given you a second chance to be with him forever?

Prayer:

Dear God,

Thank you that you have provided a way that I may come back into your presence. Help me to choose to not give in to despair during the difficult times of my life, but rather to give you my challenges. Please turn my sorrow into rejoicing because of the second chance that you have given me.

In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen.