Blueprints and Diamonds

Week Thirty-One - Math is Logic

Of all the classes I disliked, math was at the top of my list. Oh, I could do it, but I never enjoyed it. As a matter of fact, when I was a freshman in High School, the State of Missouri started a trial in school curriculum. High School students were only required to take math and science in their first year. It was voluntary for the remaining three years. So, guess who never took another math or science class after their freshman year? Yes! Me!

 

My youngest daughter, however, loves math. She is a managing accountant for a large charity and keeps books to the last penny. I’m still happy to round things off!

 

But when it comes to looking for things we can count on, God comes top of the list! We talked about making deliberate calculations last week, the “I Wills” of scripture. Today, I want to show you why we can have such confidence.

 

It is because God is a deliberate calculator. He is total logic. His promises make perfect mathematical sense—in His calculations! To do math well, you learn how to calculate. Right? To add, subtract, divide, and multiply gives starting points for more difficult summations.

 

Let’s see if I can explain this with my limited ability!

 

When I face C, I know that A+B is greater than C.

 

When I face temptation (C), I calculate (A) 1 Corinthians 10:13 and (B) Philippians 4:13 are greater than my temptation.

 

(A)  God says, in 1 Corinthians 10:13, “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.”

(B)  I rest my faith in Philippians 4:13. “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”

(C)  Has no place to go! With the Lord’s promise to help me escape temptation, and the strength I am given through Christ, temptation is out-numbered.

 

When I face afflictions, I add Psalm 34:19 and 34:4 together and they become greater than C – my affliction.

 

(A)  God says, “Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all.” Psalm 34:19

(B)  My response? “I sought the Lord, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.”

(C)  Afflictions are temporary. When I lay them before the Lord, though they be many, I will be delivered from each one in the Lord’s time.

 

A = the promise of God.

B = my response by faith to His promise.

C = my challenging circumstance.

 

Here’s what I’ve found. There is a promise of God for virtually every situation I face. And, there is a biblical response of faith on my part that activates the promise of God to my life.

 

I can know that 2+2=4, but if I decide I don’t like that outcome or pass it off as inconsequential, I am left powerless to resolve the sum. It is similar with God. I can know His promise, maybe even repeat it, but if I don’t want God’s intended outcome, or don’t have faith in the power of God’s promise, I will be left at zero—without strength.

 

We must do the math. God’s promise plus my obedience by faith equals the desired outcome. The “I Will” of God overrides whatever I face or experience.

 

 

Have a look at these promises – the “A” of the situation. God says:

 

I will be with you. (Isaiah 43:2)

I will protect you. (Psalm 121:7)

I will be your strength. (Psalm 18:2)

I will answer you. (Psalm 91:15)

I will provide for you. (Philippians 4:19)

I will give you peace. (John 14:27)

I will always love you. (1 John 4:16, 19)

 

What is my part – the “B” of the equation?

 

I will live in your presence. (Psalm 16:11)

I will trust in you. (Psalm 56:3)

I will draw strength from you. (Ephesians 6:10-11)

I will ask, seek, and knock. (Matthew 7:7)

I will let you be my portion. (Lamentations 3:24)

I will rest in you. (Psalm 37:7-9)

I will love you with all my heart, soul, and mind. (Luke 10:27)

 

So, are you doing logical math with God, relying on His promise, obeying by faith? Or are your calculations off?

 

Futurizing

Four Depressed Men

Week Thirty - Deliberate Calculations

There’s a little two-word phrase scattered throughout Psalms that always catches my attention, “I will.”  It’s a deliberate choice.  It says, “In the face of whatever circumstance, I choose...” 

 

Let’s look at just a few. 

 

Psalm 5:3 – “I will look up.” 

Psalm 9:1 – “I will praise thee…I will shew forth all thy marvelous works.”

Psalm 9:2 – “I will be glad and rejoice…I will sing praise to thy name.”

Psalm 18:3 – “I will call upon the Lord.”

Psalm 34:1 – “I will bless the Lord at all times.”

Psalm 39:1 – “I will take heed to my ways.”

Psalm 55:17 – “I will pray  and cry aloud.”

Psalm 58:9 – “I will wait upon thee.”

Psalm 119:62 – “I will rise to give thanks unto thee.”

 

This type of deliberate calculation moves us into deeper faith.  Without it, we stand doubting, confused, or self-reliant.

 

Take time to peruse Psalms and mark all of the “I wills.”  You’ll find many more.  Then, look and see how you are doing.  Like one of the personality tests, add up the ones you practice and the ones you don’t and see how willing you are to deliberately calculate with God.

 

The “I will” of the Christian life is essential, especially in the circumstances we face today.  Unless we make a decided choice to continue following by faith, we risk getting side-tracked by the noise of the world and the threats of the enemy.  We need to deliberately calculate that the choice to believe God, follow His Word, and wait upon Him, adds up to the wisest path and the most secure future. 

 

Such was the choice of Daniel and the three Hebrew children.  Their “I will” said, “We will not defile ourselves.”  Or Isaiah, whose “I will” came as his heart melted with conviction and surrender at the vision of God.  “I will go,” he said.

 

“I will” takes you to amazing places.  It bows you in humility at the foot of the cross.  It lifts you up to soar with eagles.  It leads you to the sureness of His call and the great promise of Himself. God reveals His power, His love, and His beauty to the yielded heart. 

 

The walk of faith demands, “I will.”  Isaiah 50:7 reads, “For the Lord God will help me; therefore shall (will) I not be confounded; therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall (will) not be ashamed.”  Isaiah is saying, “I choose to follow, no matter what.”  What about you?

 

“I will” is why I am where I am today.  Not just serving in England, but also spiritually and in ministry.  I am walking by faith in what He has revealed to me.  If the course needs alteration at any time, He will make the adjustment, and I will know it adds up to my yieldedness to His superior calculations.

 

The walk of faith is not a blind walk.  It is a confident, assured stride based on the knowledge of God’s word, character, and promises.  It is a walk that says, with deliberate calculation, “The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me” (Hebrews 13:6).

The Enemy Within

Can Christians be Depressed?