Are you a scorekeeper? The reason we keep score when we play games is the desire to know who is ahead, who the winner is at the end of the game. I can remember when our kids were small and they played T-ball. The first parent meeting would unveil the concept of “not keeping score’. It was such a joke because at every game parents were keeping score even though they weren’t supposed to. After every game, in the car on the way home the inevitable conversation would take place with your child about whether they really won or lost the game. Have you ever been a part of one of those games? No losers, everyone is a winner, everyone gets to play. The problem is that in our heart of hearts we know it isn’t true; there is a score, there is a winner, there is a loser, which is why we call it a game.
Somehow we have carried that same mindset into our spiritual walk as well. I love what Ecclesiastes 3:15 says: “Whatever is has already been, and what will be has been before; and God will call the past to account.”
Forgiveness turns the scorecard over to someone who knows what the real score is: God-everything, Me-nothing. All our failures, faults and losses are taken over by our redeemer. He does a spiritual reset and changes it all. At the end of the day God has the final word, and His word for those who believe and receive is a simple yes. The score is settled at zero, our debt has been paid.
Palm 139:23,24
“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 of everlasting.” We are reminded here of four things by the voice of King David:
- Know my heart and test me.
- Know my anxious thoughts.
- See if there is any offensive way in me.
- Lead me in the way of everlasting.
The practice of these four processes eliminates your spiritual scorecard. It keeps our spirit in check with God’s spirit by constantly pruning us, removing things that hold us back and hinder the work of God in our lives.
Often times we use the scripture, “If God is for us, who can be against us?” Can I challenge you with this thought today; If God is for you, then why are you against you? God will give you the supernatural seed of forgiveness that you need to apply to yourself. It is a daily practice to let go of our past, trust God with our redemption and walk out the forgiveness that has been appropriated for us by Christ. Forgive, forgiven, forgiveness; it all begins with Him and ends with Him and the scorecard, well He owns that too.
Be sure to download today’s worksheet: handout 9_23_2013
Cheryl Jamison / For His Name's Sake 
Well, Here I am. I have not been able to get to everyday but God knows my heart and now that I am embarking in a new season, I am a full time student after not been a student for awhile now I need to posture and focus so that I can actively participate. I will make and effort to do this with more heart and more aware that following God will do it, the sacrifice shown is not compare to what He has done for us so, I will do as much as I can.
Psalms 139 is one of my favorite ones, because I too constantly see myself praying those three lines over and over for I know God sees me and knows me and all the obstacles that are in front of me. I want to be closer and know more to fill me with His word and as the age thing come close to home, I am taking very little steps and grasping more and more of what I am getting.
Know my heart and test me, know my anxious thoughts, see if there is offensive ways in me an lead me in the way of everlasting. This is a constant prayer that I pray everyday when I see me thinking that I am not what I need Him to see, then I reflect and all I can see is Jesus Christ beautiful face and the smile He gives me when I leave everything in His hands. He know that I am very hungry for the word …..so here I am to hear more and to learn more. God bless us all. Amen
Keep at it Rita, everyday is a win when you are present with Him!
Blessings,
Cheryl J
A simple reflection on the wonderful words today…making it a “great day” each day…
A year ago at the start of the school year and every month proceeding..ok really all the time it seems….”I was” or “I am” rushing out the door every morning after getting myself ready and my kids…some days were worse than others but it was never fun and I found my attitude of “I hate mornings”because there was always someone angry or upset with the morning rush.. Having really been dealing with some personal and health issues this past few months, I have found that I needed to not be anxious, slow down, and give the old morning way to God. I thought it was just a little thing but it really was making the day a bigger thing..and in return giving me a poor attitude. The past few weeks have been “the newness each day” that I needed. Everyone is much happier in the morning, though moments still occur, I have such a better outlook and attitude to my morning routine. I even make sure on our drive, we all say a thankful moment or thing to get our day started off right!
Salena,
What a beautiful picture of a Grace Place with your family, not perfect but circled with grace. Proud of you, keep leaning in!
Blessings,
Cheryl J
Huge season of change coming for me in the next few weeks. I’d been miserable and fighting obedience. I just knew *I* could work my own way through the issues. I wasn’t going to lose the game.
Guess what? I couldn’t win it. And I wasn’t supposed to. I was supposed to submit, to turn it over. When I finally figured that out about three weeks ago and decided to GIVE IT UP, the flood gates opened up, and God directed change in a way that can ONLY be described as miraculous. An executive level job in a large bank not only opening up but being offered within two weeks? Doesn’t happen. But it just did. Because He is faithful even through our stubborn disobedience. Thank goodness for Grace.
Patty, WOW! Change indeed, in spite of ourselves! Kill that stubborn disobedience before it kills you, I totally get that! He is faithful and His grace abounds, thankful for you!
Cheryl J
This reflexion was so thoughtful for me. Really, we have nothing while God has everything . We can have everything only if we get God inside us. That is so hurd to get and do, but it is not impossible. I’m trying to feel more God in my life. That blog will help me a lot. Thanks so much Cheryl. And I’m sorry about my English. I’m still learning. I’m here in the USA almost 2 years ago.
Liane,
Your English is beautiful and your hunger for God is too! Thanks for sharing your heart and your desire for more of God. I know His presence will lead you and draw you closer to Him.
Blessings,
Cheryl J
Cheryl – Mary Kaye just directed us to your blog. Wow! What a huge blessing this morning! I love your heart and I love YOU! I will be reading 🙂
Kelly
I am so encouraged by Salena’s testimony of giving her morning rush over to God and letting Him cover the morning with grace. Most days, the act of getting my kids up and out the door to school feels like I’m running a race! I feel like I need a break and it is only 7:45AM! I am going to start surrendering my morning rush to God, letting Him take over and being thankful for the little things each morning…the sun shining in my kitchen window, the morning greeting I get from my dog, the bus driver who waits for my son as he shows up late to catch the bus to school. There is so much grace each day and I am so blessed! Glory to God!