October 31
Sometimes we feel extremely inadequate. We know our Lord and Savior has vested great power within us. Indeed, we are the temple where the Holy Spirit dwells. When we have received Jesus as Savior and Lord, He makes His abode with us—He dwells within our hearts.
But we are woefully unproductive when it comes to allowing the Almighty One who dwells within us to use us to bring glory to His name. We desire to be useful to His Kingdom’s purposes, but we often find ourselves so preoccupied with the mundane things of time that we have nothing left to devote to the purposes of Heaven.
But there is something we can do in the course of our day as we go about our routine and as we interact with those who share our little corner of existence. We can be an encourager to those who are around us. We can help to lift them when they are down, to brighten their outlook when they are lost in the shadows.
Romans 15:2 says, “Let each one of us make it a practice to please his neighbor, to do him good, to care about his welfare; let us edify him and strengthen him in his spirit.” Let Jesus help us to say the kind word, do the kind deed, extend the hand of help—and thereby to glorify Him by acting as He would in our place.
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Friday, October 30, 2009
October 30
Although the Word of God never changes, the Word of God changes things! The entrance of God’s Word into a situation has the power to transform the circumstances, to conform them to the will of the One who holds all things in the hollow of His hand and whose plan for those who trust Him is to bless and do them good.
II Corinthians 4:13 says, “…I have believed, therefore have I spoken. We believe and therefore we speak.” We do not keep our faith bottled up within us—rather—we proclaim it! We do not anticipate disappointment in our expectation—rather—we expect that He will exceed our expectation of the good He will do in our behalf.
Will we see the outcome of our faith immediately? Perhaps, but perhaps not. We know that, “Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1). Sometimes the Lord expects us to stand fast in faith, anticipating the promise before the promise becomes reality.
The one thing we know—whether the answer comes immediately when we pray or whether Jesus allows us to mature through the struggle of wrestling as Jacob did until the promise is given (Genesis 32:24-30), the Word in which we hope is forever true and forever blessed—and it blesses us forever.
Although the Word of God never changes, the Word of God changes things! The entrance of God’s Word into a situation has the power to transform the circumstances, to conform them to the will of the One who holds all things in the hollow of His hand and whose plan for those who trust Him is to bless and do them good.
II Corinthians 4:13 says, “…I have believed, therefore have I spoken. We believe and therefore we speak.” We do not keep our faith bottled up within us—rather—we proclaim it! We do not anticipate disappointment in our expectation—rather—we expect that He will exceed our expectation of the good He will do in our behalf.
Will we see the outcome of our faith immediately? Perhaps, but perhaps not. We know that, “Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1). Sometimes the Lord expects us to stand fast in faith, anticipating the promise before the promise becomes reality.
The one thing we know—whether the answer comes immediately when we pray or whether Jesus allows us to mature through the struggle of wrestling as Jacob did until the promise is given (Genesis 32:24-30), the Word in which we hope is forever true and forever blessed—and it blesses us forever.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
October 29
The entirety of the Word of our Most High God is “yea and amen.” As there is no shadow of turning in Him, neither is there changing of His Word. What He spoke long ago to an ancient people, He speaks to us today. He has not modified His holy law to accommodate a modern age. He is forever the same.
Just as His Truth is unalterable, so are His promises. We may consider ourselves to be too sophisticated to pray and seek His help in time of need, but His offer to extend His help is part of the entirety of the Word that is forever written in Heaven and is forever true.
We know that the key to unlocking the coffers of Heaven and securing the favor of the Lord is our relationship with Jesus. It is He who empowers us to pray the prayers that pull down strongholds, to touch the hem of His garment to secure the healing, the deliverance, the prosperity, the answer we need.
In Matthew 21:22 we are told, “Whatever you ask for in prayer believing, you will receive.” We are not to ask doubting, we are to ask believing. We are not to ask to prove God, we are to ask trusting God! Because Jesus has made us righteous, we can expect God to make us mighty in our prayers!
The entirety of the Word of our Most High God is “yea and amen.” As there is no shadow of turning in Him, neither is there changing of His Word. What He spoke long ago to an ancient people, He speaks to us today. He has not modified His holy law to accommodate a modern age. He is forever the same.
Just as His Truth is unalterable, so are His promises. We may consider ourselves to be too sophisticated to pray and seek His help in time of need, but His offer to extend His help is part of the entirety of the Word that is forever written in Heaven and is forever true.
We know that the key to unlocking the coffers of Heaven and securing the favor of the Lord is our relationship with Jesus. It is He who empowers us to pray the prayers that pull down strongholds, to touch the hem of His garment to secure the healing, the deliverance, the prosperity, the answer we need.
In Matthew 21:22 we are told, “Whatever you ask for in prayer believing, you will receive.” We are not to ask doubting, we are to ask believing. We are not to ask to prove God, we are to ask trusting God! Because Jesus has made us righteous, we can expect God to make us mighty in our prayers!
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
October 28
Most people distain the idea of needing to be corrected. We like to think we’ve got our act together and if someone happens to disagree with what we do or what we say it’s because they simply don’t “get it” rather than because there is anything amiss within ourselves.
God doesn’t see us as we see ourselves, however. In His estimation, we all stand in need of introspection. We each need to allow the candle of His Holy Spirit to search out the inner recesses of our minds where our understanding dwells, and our hearts where our eternal self dwells.
Proverbs 23:12 admonishes that we, “Apply your mind to instruction and correction and your ears to words of knowledge.” We need to allow ourselves to be taught the spiritual truths that facilitate our eternal well-being as we must allow ourselves to be taught the knowledge that facilitates our temporal well-being. We must allow ourselves to become students of the Word.
We must read it, not merely superficially but with its spiritual and historical intent in mind. We must listen to the expounding of the truths of the Lord from the vantage point of those who’ve apprehended its fine points. When we do, the Word becomes alive in us; it becomes our teacher and our disciplinarian. When we have allowed it to correct us, we begin to attain unto the perfection of Christ.
Most people distain the idea of needing to be corrected. We like to think we’ve got our act together and if someone happens to disagree with what we do or what we say it’s because they simply don’t “get it” rather than because there is anything amiss within ourselves.
God doesn’t see us as we see ourselves, however. In His estimation, we all stand in need of introspection. We each need to allow the candle of His Holy Spirit to search out the inner recesses of our minds where our understanding dwells, and our hearts where our eternal self dwells.
Proverbs 23:12 admonishes that we, “Apply your mind to instruction and correction and your ears to words of knowledge.” We need to allow ourselves to be taught the spiritual truths that facilitate our eternal well-being as we must allow ourselves to be taught the knowledge that facilitates our temporal well-being. We must allow ourselves to become students of the Word.
We must read it, not merely superficially but with its spiritual and historical intent in mind. We must listen to the expounding of the truths of the Lord from the vantage point of those who’ve apprehended its fine points. When we do, the Word becomes alive in us; it becomes our teacher and our disciplinarian. When we have allowed it to correct us, we begin to attain unto the perfection of Christ.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
October 27
It’s a reality of life that some of the smartest people are the least astute spiritually. In fact, that’s often the case. It almost seems that great intellect and spiritual faith are incongruous. Perhaps that’s because those among us who are extremely intelligent have little need to develop the spiritual side of life—they gain all of what they perceive themselves to need through their keen minds.
But the Word of God tells us that it is the fool who denies God or his need of God. It is the fool—no matter his I.Q.—who negates the only aspect of his existence that will extend beyond his final breath. It is the fool who convinces himself that only the things that can be perceived though the senses are real.
What is one to do whose existence is anchored in the material realm? How can one expand to embrace the spiritual when his mind is focused on the things he can do, or say, or study, or solve, or own? The first step is to acknowledge that he, like his Creator, is a triune being—he is body, mind, and spirit. The things related to the body and mind may be well under his control, but the things of the spirit need to be awakened to the reality of his need for God.
So, he must pray the prayer from Psalm 51:6, “Lord, You desire truth in the inner being; make me therefore to know wisdom in my inmost heart.” Recognizing that the mind is the seat of knowledge but the heart is the seat of spiritual wisdom gives tremendous impetus to the discovery of the eternal side of one’s existence. Once that discovery has been made, its growth and maturation can begin. At that point, the brilliant, accomplished individual will have become truly wise.
It’s a reality of life that some of the smartest people are the least astute spiritually. In fact, that’s often the case. It almost seems that great intellect and spiritual faith are incongruous. Perhaps that’s because those among us who are extremely intelligent have little need to develop the spiritual side of life—they gain all of what they perceive themselves to need through their keen minds.
But the Word of God tells us that it is the fool who denies God or his need of God. It is the fool—no matter his I.Q.—who negates the only aspect of his existence that will extend beyond his final breath. It is the fool who convinces himself that only the things that can be perceived though the senses are real.
What is one to do whose existence is anchored in the material realm? How can one expand to embrace the spiritual when his mind is focused on the things he can do, or say, or study, or solve, or own? The first step is to acknowledge that he, like his Creator, is a triune being—he is body, mind, and spirit. The things related to the body and mind may be well under his control, but the things of the spirit need to be awakened to the reality of his need for God.
So, he must pray the prayer from Psalm 51:6, “Lord, You desire truth in the inner being; make me therefore to know wisdom in my inmost heart.” Recognizing that the mind is the seat of knowledge but the heart is the seat of spiritual wisdom gives tremendous impetus to the discovery of the eternal side of one’s existence. Once that discovery has been made, its growth and maturation can begin. At that point, the brilliant, accomplished individual will have become truly wise.
Monday, October 26, 2009
October 26
The abilities the Lord has programmed into man are astounding. A simple knowledge of history and the progress that has been made during his six thousand years on the planet are cause for wonder at the curiosity and ingenuity that have produced such amazing medical and technological marvels.
The engineering skill of the ancient Egyptians who constructed the Pyramids or the Chinese who built the Great Wall evidence precision to detail that were achieved without modern instruments or calculators. Today, we have satellites that hurl into unexplored galaxies, sending back awesome revelations about our universe.
Yet, with all that man can do, with all he has achieved, there is one basic truth that remains unchanged. We still need one another. The greatest accomplishments of our ever-inventive minds are done through team-work, through cooperation, through sharing. Whether on the scale of industrial and medical and engineering feats that benefit mankind or whether on the level of personal interaction, unity is a profound advantage.
In the Body of Christ, we are admonished in Romans 12:5 that, “…we are one body in Christ and individually we are parts of one another, dependent upon one another.” No matter how significant and impressive may be our individual gifts, God did not design us to glean accolades for our ‘self.’ His intention is that we lift one another up, bear one another’s burdens, nurture one another in the admonition of the Lord so we might all serve Him more fully in holy surrender.
The abilities the Lord has programmed into man are astounding. A simple knowledge of history and the progress that has been made during his six thousand years on the planet are cause for wonder at the curiosity and ingenuity that have produced such amazing medical and technological marvels.
The engineering skill of the ancient Egyptians who constructed the Pyramids or the Chinese who built the Great Wall evidence precision to detail that were achieved without modern instruments or calculators. Today, we have satellites that hurl into unexplored galaxies, sending back awesome revelations about our universe.
Yet, with all that man can do, with all he has achieved, there is one basic truth that remains unchanged. We still need one another. The greatest accomplishments of our ever-inventive minds are done through team-work, through cooperation, through sharing. Whether on the scale of industrial and medical and engineering feats that benefit mankind or whether on the level of personal interaction, unity is a profound advantage.
In the Body of Christ, we are admonished in Romans 12:5 that, “…we are one body in Christ and individually we are parts of one another, dependent upon one another.” No matter how significant and impressive may be our individual gifts, God did not design us to glean accolades for our ‘self.’ His intention is that we lift one another up, bear one another’s burdens, nurture one another in the admonition of the Lord so we might all serve Him more fully in holy surrender.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
October 25
Our natural proclivity is to take things and people for granted. We don’t mean to. We start with good intentions and with good results, but time passes and we lapse into a comfort zone of indifference. The friendship that we valued continues to be important. We just don’t work at it with the diligence we once applied.
The marriage to the partner who inspired such passion has become like a comfortable pair of old slippers. We tend to do this in matters of faith as well. We know what we believe and we know in Whom is our salvation, but our day-to-day walk is along familiar paths and we don’t stop to savor His presence as we once did.
If the Jesus at Whose feet we placed our lives is Who He says He is, we owe Him so much more than a perfunctory nod to His Lordship on Sunday mornings. We owe Him our all. Hebrews 2:1 says, “Since all this is true, we ought to pay much closer attention than ever to the truths that we have heard, lest in any way we drift from them and slip away.”
We live in an age where deception is afoot. Many things are coming to pass that indicate His return is imminent. This is no time for complacency; it is an hour when vigilance is imperative. What can we do? First, and most importantly, we must attend to our own relationship with the Lord. It must be our top priority. Then we must share our faith with others, so they and we, may be watchful.
Our natural proclivity is to take things and people for granted. We don’t mean to. We start with good intentions and with good results, but time passes and we lapse into a comfort zone of indifference. The friendship that we valued continues to be important. We just don’t work at it with the diligence we once applied.
The marriage to the partner who inspired such passion has become like a comfortable pair of old slippers. We tend to do this in matters of faith as well. We know what we believe and we know in Whom is our salvation, but our day-to-day walk is along familiar paths and we don’t stop to savor His presence as we once did.
If the Jesus at Whose feet we placed our lives is Who He says He is, we owe Him so much more than a perfunctory nod to His Lordship on Sunday mornings. We owe Him our all. Hebrews 2:1 says, “Since all this is true, we ought to pay much closer attention than ever to the truths that we have heard, lest in any way we drift from them and slip away.”
We live in an age where deception is afoot. Many things are coming to pass that indicate His return is imminent. This is no time for complacency; it is an hour when vigilance is imperative. What can we do? First, and most importantly, we must attend to our own relationship with the Lord. It must be our top priority. Then we must share our faith with others, so they and we, may be watchful.
Saturday, October 24, 2009
October 24
Psalm 16:1 acknowledges a reality that is a comfort to everyone who believes in the all-encompassing goodness, mercy, love, and protection of our great and almighty God. It says, “Keep and protect me, O God, for in You I have found refuge and in You do I put my trust and hide myself.”
No matter how big we are, no matter how powerful we are, no matter how many people tremble at a mere word from us because our authority is over them in some fashion, under our guise of self-sufficiency, authority, power, superiority, lurks the little child who is sometimes afraid.
Some of the most bombastic or self-confident among us may be the most fearful. The façade of control might be just that—a false presentation of ourselves to camouflage the hurting person within who longs for assurance, for a sense of well-being, for the knowledge of being secure in hands that are stronger than our own.
The Lord extends this assurance to us. Whether we are weak and frail, and know we are, or whether we have deluded ourselves into thinking (or at least have projected the thought to others) that we can handle anything that comes down the pike—we are truly secure when we place our lives in God’s loving hand.
Psalm 16:1 acknowledges a reality that is a comfort to everyone who believes in the all-encompassing goodness, mercy, love, and protection of our great and almighty God. It says, “Keep and protect me, O God, for in You I have found refuge and in You do I put my trust and hide myself.”
No matter how big we are, no matter how powerful we are, no matter how many people tremble at a mere word from us because our authority is over them in some fashion, under our guise of self-sufficiency, authority, power, superiority, lurks the little child who is sometimes afraid.
Some of the most bombastic or self-confident among us may be the most fearful. The façade of control might be just that—a false presentation of ourselves to camouflage the hurting person within who longs for assurance, for a sense of well-being, for the knowledge of being secure in hands that are stronger than our own.
The Lord extends this assurance to us. Whether we are weak and frail, and know we are, or whether we have deluded ourselves into thinking (or at least have projected the thought to others) that we can handle anything that comes down the pike—we are truly secure when we place our lives in God’s loving hand.
Friday, October 23, 2009
October 23
Proverbs 27:5 says something that is on its face rather confusing. Here the wisest man who ever lived, Solomon, says, “Open rebuke is better than love that is hidden.” What have these polar opposite entities to do with each other and how can the one we perceive as being negative ever be preferred to the one that we perceive as being excellent?
Essentially, Solomon is telling his reader that harboring any feeling deep within yourself is not good. If you feel anger or feel the necessity to challenge or ‘rebuke’ someone for a perceived wrong, be open about your feeling. Don’t let it stew within you, building up resentment for a future day of uncontrollable wrath!
For, surely, if you allow such negativity to fester within you, it will only worsen with time. Every perceived slight, every word spoken out of turn will gnaw at you. It is far better to state your concern openly and rationally than to allow it to darken your spirit or your attitude toward another individual.
Hidden love isn’t much better. Christ demonstrated His love for us openly. Should we not be likewise quick to embrace our fellow sojourners to our hearts with a love that is appropriate to the relationship? The Word tells us we should love even strangers, for some just might be angels in disguise! (Hebrews 13:2)
Proverbs 27:5 says something that is on its face rather confusing. Here the wisest man who ever lived, Solomon, says, “Open rebuke is better than love that is hidden.” What have these polar opposite entities to do with each other and how can the one we perceive as being negative ever be preferred to the one that we perceive as being excellent?
Essentially, Solomon is telling his reader that harboring any feeling deep within yourself is not good. If you feel anger or feel the necessity to challenge or ‘rebuke’ someone for a perceived wrong, be open about your feeling. Don’t let it stew within you, building up resentment for a future day of uncontrollable wrath!
For, surely, if you allow such negativity to fester within you, it will only worsen with time. Every perceived slight, every word spoken out of turn will gnaw at you. It is far better to state your concern openly and rationally than to allow it to darken your spirit or your attitude toward another individual.
Hidden love isn’t much better. Christ demonstrated His love for us openly. Should we not be likewise quick to embrace our fellow sojourners to our hearts with a love that is appropriate to the relationship? The Word tells us we should love even strangers, for some just might be angels in disguise! (Hebrews 13:2)
Thursday, October 22, 2009
October 22
One of the most exciting aspects of the old cowboy movies my generation of children enjoyed the most was what happened in the last few minutes. Invariably, the wagon train was surrounded, the Indians were getting closer and closer to achieving their way with the unfortunate pioneers, and every child in the theater was on the edge of his seat!
Then, in the distance, just over the hill beyond the view of the traumatized kiddos in the theater, we could hear the bugle sounding the attack! The cavalry was on its way and the wagon train and its intrepid but weary passengers were about to be saved!
Though we may have been on the verge of nervous collapse, in the depth of our little hearts, we knew the wagon train would be rescued. We knew the protectors of the frontier would show up and save the day. God wants us to be at least that sure of Him. Proverbs 20:22 says, “Do not say, ‘I will repay evil,’ wait for the Lord and He will rescue you.”
If we truly believe in the goodness of the Savior we profess to love and serve, we know our deliverance is at hand—whether we are saved out of trouble or whether we are comforted in our trouble—we know that Jesus will be true to His promise that He will not allow us to be forsaken. We know we needn’t take matters into our own hands, for the mighty hand of the Living God is in the business of rescuing those who trust in Him.
One of the most exciting aspects of the old cowboy movies my generation of children enjoyed the most was what happened in the last few minutes. Invariably, the wagon train was surrounded, the Indians were getting closer and closer to achieving their way with the unfortunate pioneers, and every child in the theater was on the edge of his seat!
Then, in the distance, just over the hill beyond the view of the traumatized kiddos in the theater, we could hear the bugle sounding the attack! The cavalry was on its way and the wagon train and its intrepid but weary passengers were about to be saved!
Though we may have been on the verge of nervous collapse, in the depth of our little hearts, we knew the wagon train would be rescued. We knew the protectors of the frontier would show up and save the day. God wants us to be at least that sure of Him. Proverbs 20:22 says, “Do not say, ‘I will repay evil,’ wait for the Lord and He will rescue you.”
If we truly believe in the goodness of the Savior we profess to love and serve, we know our deliverance is at hand—whether we are saved out of trouble or whether we are comforted in our trouble—we know that Jesus will be true to His promise that He will not allow us to be forsaken. We know we needn’t take matters into our own hands, for the mighty hand of the Living God is in the business of rescuing those who trust in Him.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
October 21
Matthew 6:14 is very clear. Here Jesus says, “If you forgive people their trespasses against you, your Heavenly Father will also forgive you your trespasses.” To be forgiven, we must forgive. Sometimes we have a hard time letting go of wrongs that have been done against us, and when we won’t let go, it’s almost impossible to forgive.
I wonder, if we were ever to confront our innermost feelings of resentment, of grudges held against all who’ve hurt or disappointed us, what portion of that negativity would we discover that we hold against God Himself? Yes, it’s a shocking thought, but perhaps it holds a measure of truth.
Someone we love dies. Who do we blame? The doctor who tried valiantly but unsuccessfully to save him? Someone we trusted betrays us. Do we love him too much to actually blame him so we transfer the blame to God? We fail at something we desired greatly to attain. Do we blame ourselves or do we lament, “Oh, God, why did You let this happen?”
If we find ourselves holding God in the unwarranted position of having let us down, the resentment we harbor can undermine all He desires to do in us and through us. If we allow a negative spirit to undermine our relationship with the One who loves us enough to have died for us, how can we begin to receive all He has for us—including forgiveness when we sin or the ability to forgive others?
Matthew 6:14 is very clear. Here Jesus says, “If you forgive people their trespasses against you, your Heavenly Father will also forgive you your trespasses.” To be forgiven, we must forgive. Sometimes we have a hard time letting go of wrongs that have been done against us, and when we won’t let go, it’s almost impossible to forgive.
I wonder, if we were ever to confront our innermost feelings of resentment, of grudges held against all who’ve hurt or disappointed us, what portion of that negativity would we discover that we hold against God Himself? Yes, it’s a shocking thought, but perhaps it holds a measure of truth.
Someone we love dies. Who do we blame? The doctor who tried valiantly but unsuccessfully to save him? Someone we trusted betrays us. Do we love him too much to actually blame him so we transfer the blame to God? We fail at something we desired greatly to attain. Do we blame ourselves or do we lament, “Oh, God, why did You let this happen?”
If we find ourselves holding God in the unwarranted position of having let us down, the resentment we harbor can undermine all He desires to do in us and through us. If we allow a negative spirit to undermine our relationship with the One who loves us enough to have died for us, how can we begin to receive all He has for us—including forgiveness when we sin or the ability to forgive others?
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
October 20
The bane of modern existence, of having the ability to reach out to someone thousands of miles away in the brevity of a nanosecond via the marvel of the internet is being put on ‘hold’ when making a phone call. Oh, you get an answer on the first ring—but then the games begin. Press 1 for…
Our frustration is exacerbated when we go through the gamut of numbers to push without ever speaking to a human being! If by some quirk of fate we are given the opportunity to present our concern to a presumably rational, live individual, we will probably do so only after spending some time on ‘hold.’
God, the One who holds the universe in the hollow of His hand, the One who keeps the planets orbiting in their course, the One who knows the very number of the hairs on your head isn’t like that. You don’t have to Press 1 for your language to come up in your communion with Him. You never have to wait.
Psalm 138:3 states very clearly, “When I called, You answered me and strengthened me with strength in my inner self.” The very act of calling upon the Lord fortifies us! There is power in His Name, in His Word, and in His shed blood. When we are in need, we call and He sets in motion His provided help.
The bane of modern existence, of having the ability to reach out to someone thousands of miles away in the brevity of a nanosecond via the marvel of the internet is being put on ‘hold’ when making a phone call. Oh, you get an answer on the first ring—but then the games begin. Press 1 for…
Our frustration is exacerbated when we go through the gamut of numbers to push without ever speaking to a human being! If by some quirk of fate we are given the opportunity to present our concern to a presumably rational, live individual, we will probably do so only after spending some time on ‘hold.’
God, the One who holds the universe in the hollow of His hand, the One who keeps the planets orbiting in their course, the One who knows the very number of the hairs on your head isn’t like that. You don’t have to Press 1 for your language to come up in your communion with Him. You never have to wait.
Psalm 138:3 states very clearly, “When I called, You answered me and strengthened me with strength in my inner self.” The very act of calling upon the Lord fortifies us! There is power in His Name, in His Word, and in His shed blood. When we are in need, we call and He sets in motion His provided help.
Monday, October 19, 2009
October 19
A sophisticated modern aircraft is a wonder to behold. The control panel has more buttons and switches than the untrained eye can begin to comprehend. Once the pilot has mastered the skill of flying, he can virtually turn the plane loose to fly itself.
Perhaps the most difficult part of flying then is simply trusting the equipment. We are accustomed to gauging our perception by what we see, what we hear, what we understand through our senses, but the pilot cannot trust his senses. He has nothing by which to assess his progress in flight but the equipment.
He must fully rely upon the gauges and dials on his control panel and trust them to do the job they are designed and programmed to perform. In the spirit realm, we, too have a gauge, a guide that is infallible. We must trust it, rather than our feelings or our perceptions.
Psalm 119:50 says, “This is my comfort and my consolation …Your Word revives me and gives me life.” When we can’t trust our senses or our feelings, we have the unshakable Word of the Living God to stand on, to embrace, to trust—it is the control panel that is programmed to deliver us safely to Jesus.
A sophisticated modern aircraft is a wonder to behold. The control panel has more buttons and switches than the untrained eye can begin to comprehend. Once the pilot has mastered the skill of flying, he can virtually turn the plane loose to fly itself.
Perhaps the most difficult part of flying then is simply trusting the equipment. We are accustomed to gauging our perception by what we see, what we hear, what we understand through our senses, but the pilot cannot trust his senses. He has nothing by which to assess his progress in flight but the equipment.
He must fully rely upon the gauges and dials on his control panel and trust them to do the job they are designed and programmed to perform. In the spirit realm, we, too have a gauge, a guide that is infallible. We must trust it, rather than our feelings or our perceptions.
Psalm 119:50 says, “This is my comfort and my consolation …Your Word revives me and gives me life.” When we can’t trust our senses or our feelings, we have the unshakable Word of the Living God to stand on, to embrace, to trust—it is the control panel that is programmed to deliver us safely to Jesus.
Sunday, October 18, 2009
October 18
We yearn to have the blessings of God. Unless we are atheists who deny that there is an entity we call ‘God,’ we yearn to have His hand of blessing upon us. We long to feel secure in Him, even as little children are secure in the love and provision of their parents.
We focus our prayers upon the attaining of the things we feel we need. We may not spend much time in praising God for His awesome power, in thanking God for His unfailing goodness, in acknowledging God for simply being Himself, but we do invest ourselves in the ‘gimme’ prayers of the immature.
Like a loving earthly father, our Heavenly Father desires that we reach full stature in our walk with Him. He wants to bless us as we grow in wisdom and faith and as we evidence the fullness of His character through our own. And to what end does He promote our spiritual growth and development?
His short answer is found in Psalm 21:6 where He says through the psalmist David, “You make him to be blessed and a blessing forever.” It is the Lord’s intention that the good things He lavishes upon His children will endure for time and eternity—but He also intends that we share the blessing by blessing others.
We yearn to have the blessings of God. Unless we are atheists who deny that there is an entity we call ‘God,’ we yearn to have His hand of blessing upon us. We long to feel secure in Him, even as little children are secure in the love and provision of their parents.
We focus our prayers upon the attaining of the things we feel we need. We may not spend much time in praising God for His awesome power, in thanking God for His unfailing goodness, in acknowledging God for simply being Himself, but we do invest ourselves in the ‘gimme’ prayers of the immature.
Like a loving earthly father, our Heavenly Father desires that we reach full stature in our walk with Him. He wants to bless us as we grow in wisdom and faith and as we evidence the fullness of His character through our own. And to what end does He promote our spiritual growth and development?
His short answer is found in Psalm 21:6 where He says through the psalmist David, “You make him to be blessed and a blessing forever.” It is the Lord’s intention that the good things He lavishes upon His children will endure for time and eternity—but He also intends that we share the blessing by blessing others.
Saturday, October 17, 2009
October 17
Philippians 4:19 is a wonderful verse that is filled with hope because it contains an amazing promise. It assures the believer that, “God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” Sometimes we stop short of completing the verse—we neglect to say, “…in Christ Jesus.”
It isn’t that we intend to leave Him out. We know He is the integral component to our spiritual journey and we want the assurance of a close walk with Him. However, we would like to think that upon becoming a person of faith the promises of God automatically swing into gear in our behalf.
We want to think that our needs will be supplied, that we shall want for nothing and while we’re hoping, we want our successes, our status among men, our performance evaluations to exceed those of all our counterparts. We want everyone who looks upon our lives to recognize the excellence of our faith and understand the reward that accrues to us because of it.
God wants the excellence of our faith to be evident to everyone who looks upon our lives, too. His reasons differ from ours, however. We desire to be known as people of God, people of integrity and grace. God wants us to be known for the way we receive Christ’s strength when we are weak, His help when we are in need and He wants us to be noted for our faithfulness to Him.
Philippians 4:19 is a wonderful verse that is filled with hope because it contains an amazing promise. It assures the believer that, “God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” Sometimes we stop short of completing the verse—we neglect to say, “…in Christ Jesus.”
It isn’t that we intend to leave Him out. We know He is the integral component to our spiritual journey and we want the assurance of a close walk with Him. However, we would like to think that upon becoming a person of faith the promises of God automatically swing into gear in our behalf.
We want to think that our needs will be supplied, that we shall want for nothing and while we’re hoping, we want our successes, our status among men, our performance evaluations to exceed those of all our counterparts. We want everyone who looks upon our lives to recognize the excellence of our faith and understand the reward that accrues to us because of it.
God wants the excellence of our faith to be evident to everyone who looks upon our lives, too. His reasons differ from ours, however. We desire to be known as people of God, people of integrity and grace. God wants us to be known for the way we receive Christ’s strength when we are weak, His help when we are in need and He wants us to be noted for our faithfulness to Him.
Friday, October 16, 2009
October 16
The Lord presumes the best of us in Luke 11:13 where He says, “If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask of Him?” I’m not positive, but that just might be a ‘left-handed compliment.’
Jesus knows us through and through. There is nothing about us that is hidden from His scrutiny. We cannot hide our sins in a secret place, for He knows our actions and our thoughts; therefore when He says that we know how to give good gifts to our children, He is making an accurate observation.
However, man is not universally good to his children. There are parents who defy the generalization Christ is making here, but for the most part, it is our desire to advantage our children however our circumstances will allow us to do so. We try to bless them through life and in death we bequeath to them all of our substance. We want them to have the best of all we’ve accrued. Yet the Lord recognizes that our goodness to our children is not necessarily the norm in our interaction with people.
We cannot always be relied upon to put the well-being of others above ourselves. So, when we consider the blessings of inviting the Holy Spirit to work in our lives, we are suspect. Is this entity really God? Would God really dwell in us? How much better do you believe God is than we are? Does a good parent deceive his children to harm them? Can we conceive of the circumstance when we would plot to harm our children to advantage ourselves? Then how can we imagine God might? Ask for the Holy Spirit in His fullness—and be blessed.
The Lord presumes the best of us in Luke 11:13 where He says, “If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask of Him?” I’m not positive, but that just might be a ‘left-handed compliment.’
Jesus knows us through and through. There is nothing about us that is hidden from His scrutiny. We cannot hide our sins in a secret place, for He knows our actions and our thoughts; therefore when He says that we know how to give good gifts to our children, He is making an accurate observation.
However, man is not universally good to his children. There are parents who defy the generalization Christ is making here, but for the most part, it is our desire to advantage our children however our circumstances will allow us to do so. We try to bless them through life and in death we bequeath to them all of our substance. We want them to have the best of all we’ve accrued. Yet the Lord recognizes that our goodness to our children is not necessarily the norm in our interaction with people.
We cannot always be relied upon to put the well-being of others above ourselves. So, when we consider the blessings of inviting the Holy Spirit to work in our lives, we are suspect. Is this entity really God? Would God really dwell in us? How much better do you believe God is than we are? Does a good parent deceive his children to harm them? Can we conceive of the circumstance when we would plot to harm our children to advantage ourselves? Then how can we imagine God might? Ask for the Holy Spirit in His fullness—and be blessed.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
October 15
Why is it that some of the people to whom we’ve witnessed, before whom we’ve endeavored to live out the ‘epistle’ of our lives which the Word says is read by those with whom we interact (see II Corinthians 3:2) fail to apprehend the veracity of our testimony about our precious Savior?
Why is it that the power of our prayers sometimes seems to fall short of the mark? We yearn to be like Jesus. We want His name to be glorified in us and through us, but our impact upon the world around us seems quite limited at best and totally insignificant at worst. What is wrong with us?
We know that Jesus cannot fail; that His Word cannot lie, but the impact that it has through our efforts could not fill a page of scripture if the Bible were still in the process of being written today. We may not be a Paul or even a lesser apostle, but we are admonished to do great things for the Kingdom and we don’t seem to be accomplishing much. What can we do to have an impact for the Kingdom of Christ in our little sphere of influence? I Timothy 1:14 offers a clue.
In Paul’s epistle to his spiritual son he says, “The grace of our Lord flowed in abundant measure for me, by the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.” The Lord uses our shortfall to heighten our surrender! When we yield ourselves to Him more fully as Paul did, He is empowered to show Himself beyond measure through our faith—and HE will receive all glory through our endeavors—glory He’ll not share with another!
Why is it that some of the people to whom we’ve witnessed, before whom we’ve endeavored to live out the ‘epistle’ of our lives which the Word says is read by those with whom we interact (see II Corinthians 3:2) fail to apprehend the veracity of our testimony about our precious Savior?
Why is it that the power of our prayers sometimes seems to fall short of the mark? We yearn to be like Jesus. We want His name to be glorified in us and through us, but our impact upon the world around us seems quite limited at best and totally insignificant at worst. What is wrong with us?
We know that Jesus cannot fail; that His Word cannot lie, but the impact that it has through our efforts could not fill a page of scripture if the Bible were still in the process of being written today. We may not be a Paul or even a lesser apostle, but we are admonished to do great things for the Kingdom and we don’t seem to be accomplishing much. What can we do to have an impact for the Kingdom of Christ in our little sphere of influence? I Timothy 1:14 offers a clue.
In Paul’s epistle to his spiritual son he says, “The grace of our Lord flowed in abundant measure for me, by the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.” The Lord uses our shortfall to heighten our surrender! When we yield ourselves to Him more fully as Paul did, He is empowered to show Himself beyond measure through our faith—and HE will receive all glory through our endeavors—glory He’ll not share with another!
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
October 14
Is there a secret to successful prayer—the secret that unlocks the power we know He said we have but which somehow seems to elude us? Is there a posture we must assume—on our knees? On our face? In our prayer closet? Before a crowd?
We know Jesus prayed before multitudes. He was not ashamed to lift His voice before His Father, no matter who was present. Yet we know He often slipped away to be alone in the Throne Room of Heaven, alone with His Father.
What level of boldness or humility must we reach in order to flow smoothly from one scenario to another with the power that He had? We know that praying in His name is an integral part of our ultimate success in prayer. Is there some other element that we should include? Psalm 119:133, 134 establishes some principles that are important building blocks to place upon our secure foundation of prayer in Jesus’ name.
It says, “Establish my steps and direct them by Your Word. Let not any iniquity have dominion over me. Deliver me from the oppression of man so I will keep Your law.” The Lord does not want us to merely use His name as ‘name-droppers.’ He doesn’t want us to merely attempt access to God’s Throne because we are His! But, because we are His, we should order our lives to conform to His will and His way. When we do, the dynamos of His power works!
Is there a secret to successful prayer—the secret that unlocks the power we know He said we have but which somehow seems to elude us? Is there a posture we must assume—on our knees? On our face? In our prayer closet? Before a crowd?
We know Jesus prayed before multitudes. He was not ashamed to lift His voice before His Father, no matter who was present. Yet we know He often slipped away to be alone in the Throne Room of Heaven, alone with His Father.
What level of boldness or humility must we reach in order to flow smoothly from one scenario to another with the power that He had? We know that praying in His name is an integral part of our ultimate success in prayer. Is there some other element that we should include? Psalm 119:133, 134 establishes some principles that are important building blocks to place upon our secure foundation of prayer in Jesus’ name.
It says, “Establish my steps and direct them by Your Word. Let not any iniquity have dominion over me. Deliver me from the oppression of man so I will keep Your law.” The Lord does not want us to merely use His name as ‘name-droppers.’ He doesn’t want us to merely attempt access to God’s Throne because we are His! But, because we are His, we should order our lives to conform to His will and His way. When we do, the dynamos of His power works!
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
October 13
“Let your moderation be known to all men,” Philippians 4:5, makes an assertion that although we know we should heed, we probably don’t. We don’t particularly espouse the notion of being tempered; we prefer to be recognized for the depth of our passion, for the high level of our intensity.
We want to stand out from the crowd around the office cooler who take a little too long for lunch and who spend a little too much time focused on the office intrigues than they do for their commitment to the project. We want to be a cut above the neighbor who allows his grass to grow a little too high before mowing.
We prefer to be the one who doesn’t look frazzled at the end of a long day—the one whose luster doesn’t diminish due to the wear and tear of the demands we’ve fulfilled. We want to be the one who gets the notice of the guy in charge, we want to be the one who gets the boss’s nod for promotion.
We want to excel. And we can excel while being moderate. We can have verve while being grounded in Christ rather than exultant in ourselves. We achieve that goal best by acknowledging that it is Jesus who must receive the glory and by lifting Him up when accolades are placed at our feet.
“Let your moderation be known to all men,” Philippians 4:5, makes an assertion that although we know we should heed, we probably don’t. We don’t particularly espouse the notion of being tempered; we prefer to be recognized for the depth of our passion, for the high level of our intensity.
We want to stand out from the crowd around the office cooler who take a little too long for lunch and who spend a little too much time focused on the office intrigues than they do for their commitment to the project. We want to be a cut above the neighbor who allows his grass to grow a little too high before mowing.
We prefer to be the one who doesn’t look frazzled at the end of a long day—the one whose luster doesn’t diminish due to the wear and tear of the demands we’ve fulfilled. We want to be the one who gets the notice of the guy in charge, we want to be the one who gets the boss’s nod for promotion.
We want to excel. And we can excel while being moderate. We can have verve while being grounded in Christ rather than exultant in ourselves. We achieve that goal best by acknowledging that it is Jesus who must receive the glory and by lifting Him up when accolades are placed at our feet.
Monday, October 12, 2009
October 12
Have you ever wondered how the pioneers did it? I mean, they literally did it all. They maintained those cumbersome Conestoga Wagons through a journey of thousands of miles and, upon their arrival in an untamed land, they managed to construct homes, stores, farms, churches and pave the way for schools and universities!
Speaking only for myself, I cannot fathom my survival beyond the Cumberland Gap! Setting my lack of a venturesome spirit aside, how did they do it? I understand that they were not reliant upon the comforts that I take for granted, but even with the pampering of modernity aside, they were amazing people!
The bottom line in the matter boils down to their complete dedication to Matthew 7:24 which says, “Everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts upon them will be like a wise man who builds his house upon a rock.” Anyone who knows anything about construction realizes that before a structure can be raised, a stable foundation must be established. Without one, no matter how beautiful, how elaborate, how solidly constructed it is, the house will fall.
The pioneers built their future upon faith in the God of their fathers. When they left their houses and villages in the east to forge westward, they took their foundation with them, for their foundation was Christ. He is the One who kept them through the ordeal of travel and He is the One who established their new farms and cities upon their arrival in the new land to which He had called them to further His Kingdom.
Have you ever wondered how the pioneers did it? I mean, they literally did it all. They maintained those cumbersome Conestoga Wagons through a journey of thousands of miles and, upon their arrival in an untamed land, they managed to construct homes, stores, farms, churches and pave the way for schools and universities!
Speaking only for myself, I cannot fathom my survival beyond the Cumberland Gap! Setting my lack of a venturesome spirit aside, how did they do it? I understand that they were not reliant upon the comforts that I take for granted, but even with the pampering of modernity aside, they were amazing people!
The bottom line in the matter boils down to their complete dedication to Matthew 7:24 which says, “Everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts upon them will be like a wise man who builds his house upon a rock.” Anyone who knows anything about construction realizes that before a structure can be raised, a stable foundation must be established. Without one, no matter how beautiful, how elaborate, how solidly constructed it is, the house will fall.
The pioneers built their future upon faith in the God of their fathers. When they left their houses and villages in the east to forge westward, they took their foundation with them, for their foundation was Christ. He is the One who kept them through the ordeal of travel and He is the One who established their new farms and cities upon their arrival in the new land to which He had called them to further His Kingdom.
Sunday, October 11, 2009
October 11
Philippians 2:12, 13 is both confusing and comforting. It says, “Work out your own salvation for it is God who all the while is effectually working in you to will and to work for His good pleasure.” Work out your salvation…God is all the while working…
Who exactly is doing what here? Are we tasked with working in order to solidify our salvation? What about the assurance that salvation is a free gift purchased by Jesus Himself with the priceless commodity of His shed blood on Calvary? Did His blood pay for all our sins or part of them?
Is it a joint effort? Jesus has done His part and it remains for us to keep our end of the deal in order for it to be a binding contract? If there is some aspect of the deal that we must do, exactly what is our part? If eternal salvation hinges on our completion of our part, then we really must understand what our part is! It’s of utmost importance that we not allow ourselves to misunderstand what this verse is saying. Christ indeed has completed the work of salvation.
Our part is to receive His free gift, but once we do, there is a process of maturing in the things of God that requires us to, of our own volition, set aside our childish attachments to the things of earth and co-operate with the Lord in His project of conforming us to the image of Jesus. This process requires us to die to the old man who savored the temporal and become alive to the new man who receives the eternal with which He is replacing it.
Philippians 2:12, 13 is both confusing and comforting. It says, “Work out your own salvation for it is God who all the while is effectually working in you to will and to work for His good pleasure.” Work out your salvation…God is all the while working…
Who exactly is doing what here? Are we tasked with working in order to solidify our salvation? What about the assurance that salvation is a free gift purchased by Jesus Himself with the priceless commodity of His shed blood on Calvary? Did His blood pay for all our sins or part of them?
Is it a joint effort? Jesus has done His part and it remains for us to keep our end of the deal in order for it to be a binding contract? If there is some aspect of the deal that we must do, exactly what is our part? If eternal salvation hinges on our completion of our part, then we really must understand what our part is! It’s of utmost importance that we not allow ourselves to misunderstand what this verse is saying. Christ indeed has completed the work of salvation.
Our part is to receive His free gift, but once we do, there is a process of maturing in the things of God that requires us to, of our own volition, set aside our childish attachments to the things of earth and co-operate with the Lord in His project of conforming us to the image of Jesus. This process requires us to die to the old man who savored the temporal and become alive to the new man who receives the eternal with which He is replacing it.
Saturday, October 10, 2009
October 10
We are deeply touched by unexpected acts of kindness, by random evidence that we’re thought of with love and that our feelings are worthy of consideration. Of course, we gladly accept the well-thought-out plan that provides us a pleasant surprise, but small, every-day consideration can’t be topped.
We have read the scripture that tells us God’s mercy toward us is new each day (Lamentations 3:23) and we are thankful for that. We are not so foolish as to believe that life could be good, that we could arrive at blessings by our own endeavors or by happenstance.
So we cry out as did David in Psalm 119:21, “Let Your mercy and loving-kindness come also to me, O Lord. Let Your salvation be mine according to Your promise.” We know our own proclivity to take God’s goodness for granted. We presume that because today has been blessed, tomorrow will be blessed also.
And we don’t want to handle God’s mercy and kindness lightly. We want to have thankful spirits that acknowledge His consistent kindnesses and rejoice in His unexpected blessings. Because He is so good to us, we sometimes forget to express our appreciation. Let’s rejoice the heart of God with our hands lifted in thanks and continual praise!
We are deeply touched by unexpected acts of kindness, by random evidence that we’re thought of with love and that our feelings are worthy of consideration. Of course, we gladly accept the well-thought-out plan that provides us a pleasant surprise, but small, every-day consideration can’t be topped.
We have read the scripture that tells us God’s mercy toward us is new each day (Lamentations 3:23) and we are thankful for that. We are not so foolish as to believe that life could be good, that we could arrive at blessings by our own endeavors or by happenstance.
So we cry out as did David in Psalm 119:21, “Let Your mercy and loving-kindness come also to me, O Lord. Let Your salvation be mine according to Your promise.” We know our own proclivity to take God’s goodness for granted. We presume that because today has been blessed, tomorrow will be blessed also.
And we don’t want to handle God’s mercy and kindness lightly. We want to have thankful spirits that acknowledge His consistent kindnesses and rejoice in His unexpected blessings. Because He is so good to us, we sometimes forget to express our appreciation. Let’s rejoice the heart of God with our hands lifted in thanks and continual praise!
Friday, October 9, 2009
October 9
We’re always happy to hear about late bloomers—the 49 year old grandmother who begins college with the other freshmen inspires us. We’re glad to know that the drug addict who was on the road to dereliction found the path to health and success.
But the old adage, “Don’t put off until tomorrow what you can do today,” though not as poignant, is a far surer way to attaining the goals that we truly desire to reach. Among those cherished goals that we should be desirous of attaining are those that relate to our spirit.
Our God encourages us to seek the right spiritual path for ourselves and to follow it throughout life. He makes it very clear that death-bed salvation is not guaranteed to anyone. In Proverbs 8:17 He says, “I love those who love Me and those who seek Me early and diligently shall find Me.”
There is no promise to the effect that all late comers are welcome. And that does not negate the reality that some do have late-in-life conversions. That does not negate the fact that the Lord desires everyone to be saved and woos each of us throughout our lifetime. But the only guarantee we have is this moment.
We’re always happy to hear about late bloomers—the 49 year old grandmother who begins college with the other freshmen inspires us. We’re glad to know that the drug addict who was on the road to dereliction found the path to health and success.
But the old adage, “Don’t put off until tomorrow what you can do today,” though not as poignant, is a far surer way to attaining the goals that we truly desire to reach. Among those cherished goals that we should be desirous of attaining are those that relate to our spirit.
Our God encourages us to seek the right spiritual path for ourselves and to follow it throughout life. He makes it very clear that death-bed salvation is not guaranteed to anyone. In Proverbs 8:17 He says, “I love those who love Me and those who seek Me early and diligently shall find Me.”
There is no promise to the effect that all late comers are welcome. And that does not negate the reality that some do have late-in-life conversions. That does not negate the fact that the Lord desires everyone to be saved and woos each of us throughout our lifetime. But the only guarantee we have is this moment.
Thursday, October 8, 2009
October 8
Would anyone be so foolish as to embark upon a long journey without a road map? Yes, Marko Polo did and so did Christopher Columbus—and perhaps some husbands have—but most of the time, we really do want a sense of where we’re going and knowledge of how to arrive there expeditiously.
When we are in unfamiliar territory, we might even hire a guide. Most tourists into Kenya or Uganda don’t set off without a guide, without someone who knows the wild land like the back of his hand. We love adventure, but we don’t want any unpleasant surprises along the way.
Life is a trip into uncharted territory. Each day is a journey to a place we’ve never been. Nobody awakens with a complete vision of what the day will hold. We may have a plan, an idea of where we are to go and what we are to do, but in reality, we can’t presume there won’t be a turn of events that will change our lives—perhaps forever.
The Lord has offered to be our Guide. He’s extended His offer to show us the way successfully through the ordinary routes we travel and the highways and byways and rabbit trails that could become part of our journey. In Psalm 32:8 He says, “I will instruct you and teach you the way you should go. I will counsel you and keep My eye upon you.” It’s really too good an offer to pass up.
Would anyone be so foolish as to embark upon a long journey without a road map? Yes, Marko Polo did and so did Christopher Columbus—and perhaps some husbands have—but most of the time, we really do want a sense of where we’re going and knowledge of how to arrive there expeditiously.
When we are in unfamiliar territory, we might even hire a guide. Most tourists into Kenya or Uganda don’t set off without a guide, without someone who knows the wild land like the back of his hand. We love adventure, but we don’t want any unpleasant surprises along the way.
Life is a trip into uncharted territory. Each day is a journey to a place we’ve never been. Nobody awakens with a complete vision of what the day will hold. We may have a plan, an idea of where we are to go and what we are to do, but in reality, we can’t presume there won’t be a turn of events that will change our lives—perhaps forever.
The Lord has offered to be our Guide. He’s extended His offer to show us the way successfully through the ordinary routes we travel and the highways and byways and rabbit trails that could become part of our journey. In Psalm 32:8 He says, “I will instruct you and teach you the way you should go. I will counsel you and keep My eye upon you.” It’s really too good an offer to pass up.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
October 7
Some choices are difficult. Which suit is more becoming? Which lipstick shade enhances the complexion? We tend to ponder overmuch—even when it comes to simple choices. But there are some decisions that should require no hesitation.
In Deuteronomy 30:15 we are told that God posed a choice to the Israelites. He said, “I set before you this day life and good or death and evil…” He has set the same choice before us but our choice doesn’t always appear as clear as He intends it to be. Perhaps that is why we drag our feet.
In I Corinthians 6:11, the Word states clearly that, “You were washed clean of all your sin and you were justified, declared righteous by our Holy God in the name of Jesus Christ and by the power of His Holy Spirit.” We all needed cleansing and Jesus’ sacrifice of Himself is sufficient for all of us. But we have that pesky choice to make.
Will we select life and good or will we wallow a while longer in the death and evil of the sin we find so alluring? We know we want the promise of Heaven for eternity, but are we willing to relinquish the pleasures of sin immediately? We will when we recognize that we have all to gain or lose—and we haven’t the guarantee of one more day to decide.
Some choices are difficult. Which suit is more becoming? Which lipstick shade enhances the complexion? We tend to ponder overmuch—even when it comes to simple choices. But there are some decisions that should require no hesitation.
In Deuteronomy 30:15 we are told that God posed a choice to the Israelites. He said, “I set before you this day life and good or death and evil…” He has set the same choice before us but our choice doesn’t always appear as clear as He intends it to be. Perhaps that is why we drag our feet.
In I Corinthians 6:11, the Word states clearly that, “You were washed clean of all your sin and you were justified, declared righteous by our Holy God in the name of Jesus Christ and by the power of His Holy Spirit.” We all needed cleansing and Jesus’ sacrifice of Himself is sufficient for all of us. But we have that pesky choice to make.
Will we select life and good or will we wallow a while longer in the death and evil of the sin we find so alluring? We know we want the promise of Heaven for eternity, but are we willing to relinquish the pleasures of sin immediately? We will when we recognize that we have all to gain or lose—and we haven’t the guarantee of one more day to decide.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
October 6
Every one of us has a high calling that we may not begin to recognize until the moment in God’s great scheme of things when it is to be implemented. The story of Esther in the Old Testament is a profound evidence of this truth. She was an ordinary girl who had no idea of the significant role she was to play in the saving of her people the Jews from annihilation. (See the Book of Esther in the Old Testament.)
Like her, we go about our ordinary tasks as we engage with ordinary people in our ordinary lives—until God brings us to the point where we may invest ourselves for His purposes and accomplish the ends that will reveal His glory. We may not receive any recognition, but when we are truly on God’s errand, we desire only that He be glorified in us.
This is not merely an Old Testament concept. Romans 9:17 reiterates the fact that God’s intention for our lives transcends our own, whether for good or for ill, depending upon our willingness to surrender to His purposes. If we allow ourselves to be used as Esther did, He will magnify His name through our surrender.
But, Paul says of Pharaoh, who positioned himself against God, “I have raised you up for the very purpose of displaying My power in you, so My name may be proclaimed throughout the earth.” If we don’t allow our good works to glorify Him, the Lord is perfectly capable of evidencing His majesty by the destruction that we pull down upon ourselves through our rebellion.
Every one of us has a high calling that we may not begin to recognize until the moment in God’s great scheme of things when it is to be implemented. The story of Esther in the Old Testament is a profound evidence of this truth. She was an ordinary girl who had no idea of the significant role she was to play in the saving of her people the Jews from annihilation. (See the Book of Esther in the Old Testament.)
Like her, we go about our ordinary tasks as we engage with ordinary people in our ordinary lives—until God brings us to the point where we may invest ourselves for His purposes and accomplish the ends that will reveal His glory. We may not receive any recognition, but when we are truly on God’s errand, we desire only that He be glorified in us.
This is not merely an Old Testament concept. Romans 9:17 reiterates the fact that God’s intention for our lives transcends our own, whether for good or for ill, depending upon our willingness to surrender to His purposes. If we allow ourselves to be used as Esther did, He will magnify His name through our surrender.
But, Paul says of Pharaoh, who positioned himself against God, “I have raised you up for the very purpose of displaying My power in you, so My name may be proclaimed throughout the earth.” If we don’t allow our good works to glorify Him, the Lord is perfectly capable of evidencing His majesty by the destruction that we pull down upon ourselves through our rebellion.
Monday, October 5, 2009
October 5
When you have the Lord, you have it all. When you don’t have Jesus, no matter what else you may have, you have nothing. Oh, it may not appear to those around you that you have nothing. You may have wealth that approximates that of Midas, but neither your wealth nor your possessions, nor the talents that enabled you to attain them constitute true wealth.
True wealth transcends what you have. If you have little, you trust the Lord to provide what you need. If you have much, you hold it lightly, you scatter it among those whose blessings do not approximate yours, you ask the Lord to show you how He would have you to generously share—and you give with a cheerful heart when He does.
When you are able to do that, then you become like David who said in Psalm 4:7-8, “You have put more rejoicing in my heart than when the wheat and new wine have yielded abundantly. In peace will I lay me down and sleep, for You Lord, alone, make me to dwell safely.”
If all you have is temporal wealth, you fret about it. When your wealth transcends earthly possessions, you have great joy that exceeds the delight you once took in the success of your endeavors—and—you rest peacefully at night. You have no fear of the thief, for you gladly disburse the spiritual treasure you possess.
When you have the Lord, you have it all. When you don’t have Jesus, no matter what else you may have, you have nothing. Oh, it may not appear to those around you that you have nothing. You may have wealth that approximates that of Midas, but neither your wealth nor your possessions, nor the talents that enabled you to attain them constitute true wealth.
True wealth transcends what you have. If you have little, you trust the Lord to provide what you need. If you have much, you hold it lightly, you scatter it among those whose blessings do not approximate yours, you ask the Lord to show you how He would have you to generously share—and you give with a cheerful heart when He does.
When you are able to do that, then you become like David who said in Psalm 4:7-8, “You have put more rejoicing in my heart than when the wheat and new wine have yielded abundantly. In peace will I lay me down and sleep, for You Lord, alone, make me to dwell safely.”
If all you have is temporal wealth, you fret about it. When your wealth transcends earthly possessions, you have great joy that exceeds the delight you once took in the success of your endeavors—and—you rest peacefully at night. You have no fear of the thief, for you gladly disburse the spiritual treasure you possess.
Sunday, October 4, 2009
October 4
Did you ever hear the saying, “God don’t make no junk”? We’ve all complained about how we are—how we look or what we’ve achieved (or haven’t achieved) and some well-meaning friend has admonished, “God don’t make no junk.” Cute. Felt really great about yourself once you heard that. Or not?
Flip little quips don’t traverse the span in our minds that is a great gulf between our reality and the hopes and dreams we have for ourselves. Even those who have attained great things with their lives, who have received the accolades of men, still have a gnawing hunger within themselves for something more.
Ephesians 2:10 gives us tremendous insight into the root of our dissatisfaction and the remedy for it. Here we are told, “We are God’s handiwork, born anew in Christ Jesus in order that we may do the good works God has ordained for us to do and walking in the path He has set before us.”
No matter how brilliantly we go through life, no matter how successfully we overcome all life’s challenges, until we have put our feet on the course that leads to the accomplishment of those things in the spiritual realm that the Lord who designed us for eternity desires that we do, we will feel unfulfilled.
Did you ever hear the saying, “God don’t make no junk”? We’ve all complained about how we are—how we look or what we’ve achieved (or haven’t achieved) and some well-meaning friend has admonished, “God don’t make no junk.” Cute. Felt really great about yourself once you heard that. Or not?
Flip little quips don’t traverse the span in our minds that is a great gulf between our reality and the hopes and dreams we have for ourselves. Even those who have attained great things with their lives, who have received the accolades of men, still have a gnawing hunger within themselves for something more.
Ephesians 2:10 gives us tremendous insight into the root of our dissatisfaction and the remedy for it. Here we are told, “We are God’s handiwork, born anew in Christ Jesus in order that we may do the good works God has ordained for us to do and walking in the path He has set before us.”
No matter how brilliantly we go through life, no matter how successfully we overcome all life’s challenges, until we have put our feet on the course that leads to the accomplishment of those things in the spiritual realm that the Lord who designed us for eternity desires that we do, we will feel unfulfilled.
Saturday, October 3, 2009
October 3
We tend to compare ourselves even though the Bible admonishes that this is not wise (II Corinthians 10:12). Someone is always going to be better looking, in better shape, richer, more successful. Where does it end? It ends in our frustration at falling short of the image of who we want to be that’s in our head.
We are told in Hebrews 13:5 that we should be content with what we have—and that is followed by the promise that Jesus will not fail or forsake us. Often our concern regarding what we have or who we are is rooted in the fear that we will fall short, that we won’t ‘make it’ in life.
The reality that we will not be failed or forsaken by the One who loves us most and gave His life for us negates that fear. If we stand on the totality of that assurance, we will rejoice in Him, no matter what we have or what we lack. Does that mean we shouldn’t strive to attain worthy pursuits? Not at all.
However the One to whom we should compare our efforts is not another frail occupant of a tabernacle of flesh. We should compare ourselves to Jesus and seek after His goals. Ephesians 4:12, 13 says, “He desires that we attain full maturity in Christ, attain our completeness in Him.” Nothing excels that goal
We tend to compare ourselves even though the Bible admonishes that this is not wise (II Corinthians 10:12). Someone is always going to be better looking, in better shape, richer, more successful. Where does it end? It ends in our frustration at falling short of the image of who we want to be that’s in our head.
We are told in Hebrews 13:5 that we should be content with what we have—and that is followed by the promise that Jesus will not fail or forsake us. Often our concern regarding what we have or who we are is rooted in the fear that we will fall short, that we won’t ‘make it’ in life.
The reality that we will not be failed or forsaken by the One who loves us most and gave His life for us negates that fear. If we stand on the totality of that assurance, we will rejoice in Him, no matter what we have or what we lack. Does that mean we shouldn’t strive to attain worthy pursuits? Not at all.
However the One to whom we should compare our efforts is not another frail occupant of a tabernacle of flesh. We should compare ourselves to Jesus and seek after His goals. Ephesians 4:12, 13 says, “He desires that we attain full maturity in Christ, attain our completeness in Him.” Nothing excels that goal
Friday, October 2, 2009
October 2
In II Timothy 3:16, we are shown the logical progression of our drinking in the Living Water that is Christ, of partaking of the Bread of Life through the Word of God. Jesus is the Living Word that we take unto ourselves when we study His truth.
In this beautiful passage Paul says to his pupil, “Every scripture is God-breathed for instruction, for reproof and conviction of sin, for correction and for discipline in obedience and training in righteousness in conformity to God’s will. Where are we on these stepping stones to His will?
When we have accepted that the Holy Bible is indeed His inerrant word, do we then allow it to instruct us? In it are the lessons of life if we will but receive them. It is our reproof when we are wrong—it cuts to the quick of our being and convicts us of our sins of omission and our sins of commission. It is our schoolmaster that corrects us by teaching us the way we should go.
Then it takes us beyond mere knowledge of what our right course should be and instructs us in righteousness to make us like Jesus! Though we cannot attain perfection while in this tabernacle of flesh, we can progress toward it; we can reflect Jesus and those who look upon us may see His likeness in us. Where are we in this progression? Where are you? Where do you want to be?
In II Timothy 3:16, we are shown the logical progression of our drinking in the Living Water that is Christ, of partaking of the Bread of Life through the Word of God. Jesus is the Living Word that we take unto ourselves when we study His truth.
In this beautiful passage Paul says to his pupil, “Every scripture is God-breathed for instruction, for reproof and conviction of sin, for correction and for discipline in obedience and training in righteousness in conformity to God’s will. Where are we on these stepping stones to His will?
When we have accepted that the Holy Bible is indeed His inerrant word, do we then allow it to instruct us? In it are the lessons of life if we will but receive them. It is our reproof when we are wrong—it cuts to the quick of our being and convicts us of our sins of omission and our sins of commission. It is our schoolmaster that corrects us by teaching us the way we should go.
Then it takes us beyond mere knowledge of what our right course should be and instructs us in righteousness to make us like Jesus! Though we cannot attain perfection while in this tabernacle of flesh, we can progress toward it; we can reflect Jesus and those who look upon us may see His likeness in us. Where are we in this progression? Where are you? Where do you want to be?
Thursday, October 1, 2009
September 30
If we were to take a poll and ask just one question—“What does it take to be happy?”—the answers we would receive would traverse a wide gamut of people’s perception of what constitutes happiness. The poor would answer that having wealth would make them happy.
The wealthy would contend that having riches simply makes the trials of life more comfortable. People with undiscovered talent would contend that getting their ‘big break’ would make them happy. Those thwarted in their ambition would be sure that getting the promotion they deserved would make them happy.
The Bible has a different answer entirely. In Psalm 128:1 we are told, “Blessed is the man who fears and worships the Lord, the man who walks in His way and lives according to His commandments.” Though the things that happen in our lives can impact our existence for good or for ill, it is only our relationship with the Lord that can make us truly blessed.
And note, the blessings that follow those who are committed to Jesus are set in motion by the man himself! By walking as the Lord would have him to walk, by worshipping Jesus in the beauty of holiness, by obeying His righteous dictates, a man assures himself of the blessings that transcend his circumstances and extend beyond this mere mortal realm and tap into eternity.
If we were to take a poll and ask just one question—“What does it take to be happy?”—the answers we would receive would traverse a wide gamut of people’s perception of what constitutes happiness. The poor would answer that having wealth would make them happy.
The wealthy would contend that having riches simply makes the trials of life more comfortable. People with undiscovered talent would contend that getting their ‘big break’ would make them happy. Those thwarted in their ambition would be sure that getting the promotion they deserved would make them happy.
The Bible has a different answer entirely. In Psalm 128:1 we are told, “Blessed is the man who fears and worships the Lord, the man who walks in His way and lives according to His commandments.” Though the things that happen in our lives can impact our existence for good or for ill, it is only our relationship with the Lord that can make us truly blessed.
And note, the blessings that follow those who are committed to Jesus are set in motion by the man himself! By walking as the Lord would have him to walk, by worshipping Jesus in the beauty of holiness, by obeying His righteous dictates, a man assures himself of the blessings that transcend his circumstances and extend beyond this mere mortal realm and tap into eternity.
October 1
God doesn’t want us to be quitters. In all things, He expects us to follow His own example and He sticks with a project, no matter what. We know that He created the earth and looked upon it and said that it was good. He fashioned it to be good, but He barely got past the first couple of pages in Genesis before things began to go awry.
The people He had fashioned for fellowship with Himself, the epitome of His creative handiwork had succumbed to the wiles of a subtle foe and had disappointed the One to Whom they owed their beauty, their intellect, their all. At that point in time, God could have destroyed everything He’d made.
He could have at least given mankind up as an unprofitable venture. But He didn’t. He stuck with His errant creation. He devised a plan that would redeem us from the destruction we had brought upon ourselves. Here we are, several thousand years later—still resisting Him—still finding Him reaching out patiently to us, still holding out a lifeline to save us from the destruction we’ve brought upon ourselves.
When we have grasped the magnitude of our salvation, when we have realized the Gift He has bestowed upon us and we have appropriated it for ourselves, He wants us to reach out to others as steadfastly as He reaches out to us. In Romans 2:7 it says, “To those who by patient persistence in well-doing seek glory and honor and immortality, He will give eternal life.” Don’t give up! Keep seeking! Keep believing! Keep sharing! Your labor is not in vain.
God doesn’t want us to be quitters. In all things, He expects us to follow His own example and He sticks with a project, no matter what. We know that He created the earth and looked upon it and said that it was good. He fashioned it to be good, but He barely got past the first couple of pages in Genesis before things began to go awry.
The people He had fashioned for fellowship with Himself, the epitome of His creative handiwork had succumbed to the wiles of a subtle foe and had disappointed the One to Whom they owed their beauty, their intellect, their all. At that point in time, God could have destroyed everything He’d made.
He could have at least given mankind up as an unprofitable venture. But He didn’t. He stuck with His errant creation. He devised a plan that would redeem us from the destruction we had brought upon ourselves. Here we are, several thousand years later—still resisting Him—still finding Him reaching out patiently to us, still holding out a lifeline to save us from the destruction we’ve brought upon ourselves.
When we have grasped the magnitude of our salvation, when we have realized the Gift He has bestowed upon us and we have appropriated it for ourselves, He wants us to reach out to others as steadfastly as He reaches out to us. In Romans 2:7 it says, “To those who by patient persistence in well-doing seek glory and honor and immortality, He will give eternal life.” Don’t give up! Keep seeking! Keep believing! Keep sharing! Your labor is not in vain.
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