June 30
The world around us is slipping into a spiritual abyss. That sounds like a radical statement but the objective observer cannot but note the magnitude of change that is occurring in rapid order. Perhaps it’s more easily noted in a nation that has enjoyed freedom and prosperity than in parts of the world that have not.
We see natural disasters and man-made catastrophes impacting our environment and we see man’s inhumanity to his fellow man reaching epic proportions. We see men in high office and institutions that were once worthy of trust that have betrayed those who put their confidence in them.
We have seen war and pestilence in greater degree than at any other time in history. The sobering evidence cries out to our sensibilities, “APOCALYPSE!” We think of the words of Jesus in Matthew 24:33, “When these things happen, it (His return) is even at the doors.”
What then should we do in the face of the tragedy of the world and the hope of His coming? Psalm 47:1,2 gives us this insight: “Clap your hands…shout to God with the voice of triumph, for the Lord Most High is the great King over all the earth!” He will vanquish all His foes! His people will reign with Him eternally!
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Virtue Flows From Him
June 29
Sometimes we are pushed to acts of desperation. In our extremity, the adrenalin kicks in and we act in extraordinary ways. A story is told of a young man who was pinned under his car when the tire jack slipped while he was changing a tire. His mother lifted the car for him to slide from under it!
Feats of heroism are often attributable to an innate reaction to the desperation of the moment. A story is told in scripture of a woman whose lingering, debilitating sickness had caused her much suffering through over a decade. We are told that an issue of blood had weakened her for twelve long years.
When Jesus came to her town, He was thronged by the masses that followed Him, but she knew she must somehow press through the crowd to reach Him, for He held the solution to her problem. Matthew 9:21 tells us that, “She said to herself, ‘If I can but touch the hem of His garment, I’ll be made whole.’”
When she touched the hem of His robe, He perceived that virtue had gone forth from Him. He recognized the need in her touch although everyone around Him was touching, pushing, reaching to Him. When we approach Him with our needs today, virtue will flow from Him and we will, like the woman, be delivered.
Sometimes we are pushed to acts of desperation. In our extremity, the adrenalin kicks in and we act in extraordinary ways. A story is told of a young man who was pinned under his car when the tire jack slipped while he was changing a tire. His mother lifted the car for him to slide from under it!
Feats of heroism are often attributable to an innate reaction to the desperation of the moment. A story is told in scripture of a woman whose lingering, debilitating sickness had caused her much suffering through over a decade. We are told that an issue of blood had weakened her for twelve long years.
When Jesus came to her town, He was thronged by the masses that followed Him, but she knew she must somehow press through the crowd to reach Him, for He held the solution to her problem. Matthew 9:21 tells us that, “She said to herself, ‘If I can but touch the hem of His garment, I’ll be made whole.’”
When she touched the hem of His robe, He perceived that virtue had gone forth from Him. He recognized the need in her touch although everyone around Him was touching, pushing, reaching to Him. When we approach Him with our needs today, virtue will flow from Him and we will, like the woman, be delivered.
Monday, June 28, 2010
Never Charged
June 28
What would it take to make you happy? What turn of events could stamp a smile of joy indelibly onto your face? Perhaps it would require that you meet the ‘right’ person, the one who would fill the void in your life and bask with you in the light of all your joys and help shoulder the weight of all your burdens.
Perhaps it would be attaining professional recognition…climbing the corporate ladder to its pinnacle and from there having the ability to receive the acclaim of all your associates and the resources to realize all the dreams that money and power can afford to you.
It could be that you want nothing more than the resources to pay the monthly installments on a new car and to afford the mortgage on a nice, four-bedroom, three-bath home in which to raise your family. Of course, this dream would include a yearly vacation to a lovely destination and dinner out now and then.
But if you look at life from the perspective of the Lord, your perception of happiness, whatever it is, will not be without the element that is relevant to the spiritual aspect of your life. As Romans 4:7, 8 tells us, “Happy are those whose lawless acts are forgiven…those whom the Lord will never charge with sin!”
What would it take to make you happy? What turn of events could stamp a smile of joy indelibly onto your face? Perhaps it would require that you meet the ‘right’ person, the one who would fill the void in your life and bask with you in the light of all your joys and help shoulder the weight of all your burdens.
Perhaps it would be attaining professional recognition…climbing the corporate ladder to its pinnacle and from there having the ability to receive the acclaim of all your associates and the resources to realize all the dreams that money and power can afford to you.
It could be that you want nothing more than the resources to pay the monthly installments on a new car and to afford the mortgage on a nice, four-bedroom, three-bath home in which to raise your family. Of course, this dream would include a yearly vacation to a lovely destination and dinner out now and then.
But if you look at life from the perspective of the Lord, your perception of happiness, whatever it is, will not be without the element that is relevant to the spiritual aspect of your life. As Romans 4:7, 8 tells us, “Happy are those whose lawless acts are forgiven…those whom the Lord will never charge with sin!”
Sunday, June 27, 2010
God Forbid!
June 27
What a blessing salvation is to all who believe. The package Jesus purchased for mankind at Calvary encompasses forgiveness for sin, healing for disease, fellowship with people of like precious faith and intimacy with the Living God, the Creator of and Lord of life. It doesn’t get any better than that.
When we have embraced Christ as our Savior, we are set free from bondage to every sin. Whether we have been snared on the horns of unspeakable sin as was Adolph Hitler whose extermination camps were a stench upon the people who operated them or whether we 'merely' allow the occasional profane word to escape our lips and stain our hearts, we are free.
What does the knowledge of our freedom afford us? Certainly it gives us great liberty to rejoice in Jesus and thank and praise Him for the sacrifice of Himself that has made our freedom a possibility that becomes our reality the minute we receive Him into our hearts. But does it give us a license to sin with impunity? Does it afford us such access to His mercy that we can repeat our transgressions and slip through their trap repeatedly?
Perhaps it does, for His forgiveness extends beyond what we can imagine. But we have the example of Pharaoh in the book of Exodus in the Bible who repented many times of his sin of persecution of the people of God but was finally swallowed into the Red Sea and eternally lost because of his continual return to his sin. As Romans 6:1, 2 states clearly, “Should we continue in sin in order that grace may multiply?” Paul’s redounding answer to us is, “God forbid!”
What a blessing salvation is to all who believe. The package Jesus purchased for mankind at Calvary encompasses forgiveness for sin, healing for disease, fellowship with people of like precious faith and intimacy with the Living God, the Creator of and Lord of life. It doesn’t get any better than that.
When we have embraced Christ as our Savior, we are set free from bondage to every sin. Whether we have been snared on the horns of unspeakable sin as was Adolph Hitler whose extermination camps were a stench upon the people who operated them or whether we 'merely' allow the occasional profane word to escape our lips and stain our hearts, we are free.
What does the knowledge of our freedom afford us? Certainly it gives us great liberty to rejoice in Jesus and thank and praise Him for the sacrifice of Himself that has made our freedom a possibility that becomes our reality the minute we receive Him into our hearts. But does it give us a license to sin with impunity? Does it afford us such access to His mercy that we can repeat our transgressions and slip through their trap repeatedly?
Perhaps it does, for His forgiveness extends beyond what we can imagine. But we have the example of Pharaoh in the book of Exodus in the Bible who repented many times of his sin of persecution of the people of God but was finally swallowed into the Red Sea and eternally lost because of his continual return to his sin. As Romans 6:1, 2 states clearly, “Should we continue in sin in order that grace may multiply?” Paul’s redounding answer to us is, “God forbid!”
Saturday, June 26, 2010
June 26
We have a fig tree that grows in our living room. It is special to me because my grandfather had three fig trees that he cultivated in his garden. This was an amazing horticultural feat on his part because the cold winters of our part of the country did not allow the growth of fig trees.
My grandfather’s skill enabled him to bury the fig trees underground during the harsh winter months. I was very proud of him—especially when he gave me three fresh figs to give to my second grade teacher. She didn’t believe me when I told her my grandfather had grown them on his trees because she knew figs weren’t supposed to grow in our region.
Just as my grandfather’s fig trees were given extraordinary care; just as our fig tree grows indoors, so the God who loves us tends our lives so they will be able to flourish despite the adverse storms of life. He will put His hedge of protection around us to assure that the harsh cold of life’s realities will not diminish our ability to survive and flourish until the bitter winds subside.
If we allow Him to do so, He will plant us within the walls of His own house to shield us from the storms of life. Psalm 52:8 says, “I am like a flourishing olive tree in the house of God. I trust in God’s faithful love forever and ever.” Our association with people of faith further assures that we will be surrounded by prayer in His house in the cold seasons.
We have a fig tree that grows in our living room. It is special to me because my grandfather had three fig trees that he cultivated in his garden. This was an amazing horticultural feat on his part because the cold winters of our part of the country did not allow the growth of fig trees.
My grandfather’s skill enabled him to bury the fig trees underground during the harsh winter months. I was very proud of him—especially when he gave me three fresh figs to give to my second grade teacher. She didn’t believe me when I told her my grandfather had grown them on his trees because she knew figs weren’t supposed to grow in our region.
Just as my grandfather’s fig trees were given extraordinary care; just as our fig tree grows indoors, so the God who loves us tends our lives so they will be able to flourish despite the adverse storms of life. He will put His hedge of protection around us to assure that the harsh cold of life’s realities will not diminish our ability to survive and flourish until the bitter winds subside.
If we allow Him to do so, He will plant us within the walls of His own house to shield us from the storms of life. Psalm 52:8 says, “I am like a flourishing olive tree in the house of God. I trust in God’s faithful love forever and ever.” Our association with people of faith further assures that we will be surrounded by prayer in His house in the cold seasons.
Friday, June 25, 2010
The Word Is Affirmed
June 25
God doesn’t require us to believe Him on blind faith. He has given us an account of His miraculous intervention into the affairs of man that begins at the parting of the Red Sea! Of course, He counts it to our credit if we do, as evidenced by Jesus’ words to Thomas who had stated unequivocally that he would not believe Jesus had arisen unless he could thrust his finger into Christ’s wounds.
In John 20:27, 29, Jesus said to him, “Reach hither your finger and thrust it into My hands and My side, and be not faithless but believing...” Here Thomas responds, “My Lord and my God!” Then Jesus underscores the sublime truth that applies to all of us, “Because you have seen, you believe. Blessed are those who believe without seeing.”
We may say we have no such proof. We have not thrust our hand into the Lord’s wounded side. We have not held His nail-scared hand in our own. Yet, we have not been left without a convincing witness of the veracity of all the Bible assures us is true regarding creation, its history of man upon the planet, its matchless literature or the scarlet thread of salvation that it weaves through the entirety of its pages.
As II Samuel 7:22 states clearly, “There is no one like You and there is no God besides You as all we have heard confirms.” When those words were penned, there hadn’t yet been the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls that affirm the veracity of the Word. There hadn’t yet been the historical account of the resurrection. Yet the prophet knew by all he had seen and heard that the God who had led His people from captivity was worthy of all man’s praise and trust.
God doesn’t require us to believe Him on blind faith. He has given us an account of His miraculous intervention into the affairs of man that begins at the parting of the Red Sea! Of course, He counts it to our credit if we do, as evidenced by Jesus’ words to Thomas who had stated unequivocally that he would not believe Jesus had arisen unless he could thrust his finger into Christ’s wounds.
In John 20:27, 29, Jesus said to him, “Reach hither your finger and thrust it into My hands and My side, and be not faithless but believing...” Here Thomas responds, “My Lord and my God!” Then Jesus underscores the sublime truth that applies to all of us, “Because you have seen, you believe. Blessed are those who believe without seeing.”
We may say we have no such proof. We have not thrust our hand into the Lord’s wounded side. We have not held His nail-scared hand in our own. Yet, we have not been left without a convincing witness of the veracity of all the Bible assures us is true regarding creation, its history of man upon the planet, its matchless literature or the scarlet thread of salvation that it weaves through the entirety of its pages.
As II Samuel 7:22 states clearly, “There is no one like You and there is no God besides You as all we have heard confirms.” When those words were penned, there hadn’t yet been the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls that affirm the veracity of the Word. There hadn’t yet been the historical account of the resurrection. Yet the prophet knew by all he had seen and heard that the God who had led His people from captivity was worthy of all man’s praise and trust.
Thursday, June 24, 2010
The Only Message of Hope
June 24
We can’t calculate the totality of the Lord’s mercy and goodness to us. We can’t add up the column of numbers that equates to the faithfulness of Jesus as it is evidenced to us every morning.
Just as the sun warms each new dawn, just as the rain falls on our gardens, so the goodness of our God makes each day a testimony of His blessings in our lives. Whether we thank Him or ignore Him, He lavishes His mercies upon us. Whether we believe in Him or believe in false gods, He holds our lives securely in His hand.
He is the One of whom Ephesians 3:20-21 speaks: “Unto Him who is able to do exceeding abundantly above all we can ask or think, according to His power at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Jesus Christ.” He is the One whose name deserves all praise. We who are in the church must be fervent in our effort to share Him with the lost.
We must be resolute in our determination to cover the earth with His good news, for no other religion has the only message of hope! It is the message that can transform sinners to saints and turn the darkness to light! We have Jesus—and all the world must know Him and become part of His church. When they discover His goodness, lost and dying souls will embrace His full salvation.
We can’t calculate the totality of the Lord’s mercy and goodness to us. We can’t add up the column of numbers that equates to the faithfulness of Jesus as it is evidenced to us every morning.
Just as the sun warms each new dawn, just as the rain falls on our gardens, so the goodness of our God makes each day a testimony of His blessings in our lives. Whether we thank Him or ignore Him, He lavishes His mercies upon us. Whether we believe in Him or believe in false gods, He holds our lives securely in His hand.
He is the One of whom Ephesians 3:20-21 speaks: “Unto Him who is able to do exceeding abundantly above all we can ask or think, according to His power at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Jesus Christ.” He is the One whose name deserves all praise. We who are in the church must be fervent in our effort to share Him with the lost.
We must be resolute in our determination to cover the earth with His good news, for no other religion has the only message of hope! It is the message that can transform sinners to saints and turn the darkness to light! We have Jesus—and all the world must know Him and become part of His church. When they discover His goodness, lost and dying souls will embrace His full salvation.
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Credited to Your Account
June 23
The goodness of God is beyond our ability to fathom. If we actually tried to enumerate the ways He’s good to us, we would have an endless list. But instead of thinking about the incalculable evidence of His mercies renewed to us every morning, we tick off the things we don’t like and add them to our complaint list.
We may not actually express our complaints to Him in prayer. We maintain a façade of decorum in our relationship with Him, but lurking in our hearts’ bank is our extensive manifest where we’ve deposited and recorded our complaints—and He knows it’s there.
We can’t keep secrets from Him. He knows how we feel when we are trying to seem like we feel fine, that our spiritual lives are well-put-together and there is no barrier between ourselves and Him, but He knows the truth about us. Psalm 31:19 says, “How great is Your goodness that You have stored up for those who fear You…”
His goodness exceeds our ability to understand or to embrace. His goodness attains unto the heavens—the angels rejoice in and marvel at it! And it is not only goodness for today that is ours! No, the Lord Jesus Christ has a vast reservoir of goodness that is stored for us. When we ask mercy of Him tomorrow, He will write the check that will transfer it from His account to ours.
The goodness of God is beyond our ability to fathom. If we actually tried to enumerate the ways He’s good to us, we would have an endless list. But instead of thinking about the incalculable evidence of His mercies renewed to us every morning, we tick off the things we don’t like and add them to our complaint list.
We may not actually express our complaints to Him in prayer. We maintain a façade of decorum in our relationship with Him, but lurking in our hearts’ bank is our extensive manifest where we’ve deposited and recorded our complaints—and He knows it’s there.
We can’t keep secrets from Him. He knows how we feel when we are trying to seem like we feel fine, that our spiritual lives are well-put-together and there is no barrier between ourselves and Him, but He knows the truth about us. Psalm 31:19 says, “How great is Your goodness that You have stored up for those who fear You…”
His goodness exceeds our ability to understand or to embrace. His goodness attains unto the heavens—the angels rejoice in and marvel at it! And it is not only goodness for today that is ours! No, the Lord Jesus Christ has a vast reservoir of goodness that is stored for us. When we ask mercy of Him tomorrow, He will write the check that will transfer it from His account to ours.
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Face to Face
June 22
Do you ever become frustrated with yourself? Many of us do. The provocation may differ, but each of us has a mental image of who we want to be—and when we fall short of the ‘self’ we are in our head, we become upset with the reality of our lives.
Perhaps it is a career goal that always seems just beyond reach. It could be an area of self-control that we never seem to attain. It could be any of thousands of things that we want to master but find ourselves incapable of achieving the level of mastery that we feel we should achieve.
Life doesn’t make any promises that we will realize our desire to be the best or to attain recognition as the top dog in the eyes of others or in our own estimation. Many of us will simply have to learn to deal with the reality of falling short of our expectations. Many of us simply will not reach the goals we set for ourselves.
Except in the realm of the spirit. Philippians 1:6 gives us a promise that can keep us moving forward in our walk with the Lord. Here it says, “I am persuaded that He who has begun a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.” He will perfect you until you are like Him—when you see Him face-to-face.
Do you ever become frustrated with yourself? Many of us do. The provocation may differ, but each of us has a mental image of who we want to be—and when we fall short of the ‘self’ we are in our head, we become upset with the reality of our lives.
Perhaps it is a career goal that always seems just beyond reach. It could be an area of self-control that we never seem to attain. It could be any of thousands of things that we want to master but find ourselves incapable of achieving the level of mastery that we feel we should achieve.
Life doesn’t make any promises that we will realize our desire to be the best or to attain recognition as the top dog in the eyes of others or in our own estimation. Many of us will simply have to learn to deal with the reality of falling short of our expectations. Many of us simply will not reach the goals we set for ourselves.
Except in the realm of the spirit. Philippians 1:6 gives us a promise that can keep us moving forward in our walk with the Lord. Here it says, “I am persuaded that He who has begun a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.” He will perfect you until you are like Him—when you see Him face-to-face.
Monday, June 21, 2010
Not To Be Undone
June 21
The Bible lists some formidable things that can challenge the life of a believer: death, life, angels, principalities, persecution, famine, the sword of war. Most of these things are not encountered on an every-day basis by most of us in modern America.
Yes, death will ultimately come to every man. Yes, life can be fraught with challenge—simply making a living in a troubled economy presents one that did not face our parents’ generation. Yes, fallen angels compel evil principalities to wage war that can result in persecution of believers and in great peril worldwide.
Natural disasters can upset the food supply and the world’s breadbasket can become unproductive to the end that famine will occur. How should we who believe in the omnipotence of our Almighty God and Savior face these and other such potential eventualities?
Romans 8:37 gives our encouraging answer. Here we are told, “In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loves us.” We are assured that Jesus will give us the victory over every challenge that besets us. The Conqueror of hell and the grave will not allow His own to be undone by life!
The Bible lists some formidable things that can challenge the life of a believer: death, life, angels, principalities, persecution, famine, the sword of war. Most of these things are not encountered on an every-day basis by most of us in modern America.
Yes, death will ultimately come to every man. Yes, life can be fraught with challenge—simply making a living in a troubled economy presents one that did not face our parents’ generation. Yes, fallen angels compel evil principalities to wage war that can result in persecution of believers and in great peril worldwide.
Natural disasters can upset the food supply and the world’s breadbasket can become unproductive to the end that famine will occur. How should we who believe in the omnipotence of our Almighty God and Savior face these and other such potential eventualities?
Romans 8:37 gives our encouraging answer. Here we are told, “In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loves us.” We are assured that Jesus will give us the victory over every challenge that besets us. The Conqueror of hell and the grave will not allow His own to be undone by life!
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Overcoming Hindrances
June 20
Hindrances. Things that stand between us and the answers to our prayers are frustrating to deal with. When they interfere with the receipt of our answers we can become totally out of sorts. When they stop our flow of blessing, we can fail to recognize the origin of the hindrance. We might even presume to blame God.
But we would be incorrect in our assumption that the Lord had denied our petition. His Word assures us that He hears the cries of our hearts and that He cares for us to the point of taking our burdens upon Himself (I Peter 5:7). We know that when we lay our need before Him, He will supply it in full measure.
The incident is told of Daniel’s petition that was a long time in being fulfilled. In Chapter 9:21, he tells us, “While I was speaking in prayer, the angel Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision…touched me at the time of my evening prayer.”
The angel then spoke to Daniel in 9:23 saying, “At the beginning of your petitions, an answer went out and I have come to give it, for you are greatly beloved by God.”
After explaining the vision to Daniel, the angel stated in Daniel 10:13 that the answer was hindered by ‘the Prince of Persia,’ the demonic entity that exercises authority over that region. Before the answer to Daniel’s supplication could be received, the interference rendered by this evil being had to be defeated. Our prayers, too, can be hindered by forces that desire to prevent our blessing. Our part is to press forward in Jesus’ name until those forces are overcome.
Hindrances. Things that stand between us and the answers to our prayers are frustrating to deal with. When they interfere with the receipt of our answers we can become totally out of sorts. When they stop our flow of blessing, we can fail to recognize the origin of the hindrance. We might even presume to blame God.
But we would be incorrect in our assumption that the Lord had denied our petition. His Word assures us that He hears the cries of our hearts and that He cares for us to the point of taking our burdens upon Himself (I Peter 5:7). We know that when we lay our need before Him, He will supply it in full measure.
The incident is told of Daniel’s petition that was a long time in being fulfilled. In Chapter 9:21, he tells us, “While I was speaking in prayer, the angel Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision…touched me at the time of my evening prayer.”
The angel then spoke to Daniel in 9:23 saying, “At the beginning of your petitions, an answer went out and I have come to give it, for you are greatly beloved by God.”
After explaining the vision to Daniel, the angel stated in Daniel 10:13 that the answer was hindered by ‘the Prince of Persia,’ the demonic entity that exercises authority over that region. Before the answer to Daniel’s supplication could be received, the interference rendered by this evil being had to be defeated. Our prayers, too, can be hindered by forces that desire to prevent our blessing. Our part is to press forward in Jesus’ name until those forces are overcome.
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Never Stop Short
June 19
Have you ever gone to a restaurant and been disappointed—grossed out!—by receiving an under-cooked food? Not the rare steak you ordered; that’s a viable choice in the preparation of that particular dish. But what about a chicken sandwich where the meat was raw? That’s enough to ruin your appetite.
There’s a level of ‘doneness’ that is required in food preparation, that’s why the baker sticks a toothpick into the center of a cake before pulling it out of the oven. That’s why noodles are tested before draining them and tossing them with the sauce. There are some foods that must be brought to temperature.
In the spiritual realm also, there is a point that must be attained in bringing the task the Lord has set before us to completion. The quality of perseverance is an essential piece of equipment in the toolbox of the believer who desires to accomplish anything in the behalf of the Kingdom of Christ.
In Galatians 6:9 we are told, “We must not become weary in well-doing, for we will reap at the proper time if we do not give up.” Stopping short of the completion time in sharing our faith may rob the Lord of a child who was on the threshold of entering the Kingdom—and rob us of the joy of escorting him there.
Have you ever gone to a restaurant and been disappointed—grossed out!—by receiving an under-cooked food? Not the rare steak you ordered; that’s a viable choice in the preparation of that particular dish. But what about a chicken sandwich where the meat was raw? That’s enough to ruin your appetite.
There’s a level of ‘doneness’ that is required in food preparation, that’s why the baker sticks a toothpick into the center of a cake before pulling it out of the oven. That’s why noodles are tested before draining them and tossing them with the sauce. There are some foods that must be brought to temperature.
In the spiritual realm also, there is a point that must be attained in bringing the task the Lord has set before us to completion. The quality of perseverance is an essential piece of equipment in the toolbox of the believer who desires to accomplish anything in the behalf of the Kingdom of Christ.
In Galatians 6:9 we are told, “We must not become weary in well-doing, for we will reap at the proper time if we do not give up.” Stopping short of the completion time in sharing our faith may rob the Lord of a child who was on the threshold of entering the Kingdom—and rob us of the joy of escorting him there.
Friday, June 18, 2010
The Storeroom
June 18
There is a time of the year when part of the unfolding panorama of life all around us includes the mowing and baling of the hay in the fields. This interesting procedure is done in order that farm animals will have food to last them through the cold months when grass is meager in supply.
This product, like all the fruit of the fields, must be harvested at an optimum time that has allowed the grass to grow and mature to its fullness but has not allowed the elements to damage it in any way. It is especially important that it be shielded from rain and moisture.
If it is to serve its purpose well, it must be harvested and stored securely away from any inclement weather. If it becomes wet, it will rot and it will be unfit for its intended purpose. When the cold winter months arrive, the farmer will have nothing nutritious to feed to his livestock. In a similar fashion, our thoughts have the potential to nurture and sustain or to undermine and destroy those with whom we share them.
In Matthew 12:35, Jesus says, “A good man produces good things from his storeroom of good, but an evil man produces evil things from his storeroom of evil.” In other words, if we have made the Word the treasure of our heart we will distain evil. Because we have seen the beauty of Christ we will make His thoughts to be our thoughts, His purposes to be our purposes—and His message of salvation to the lost will be ever upon our lips.
There is a time of the year when part of the unfolding panorama of life all around us includes the mowing and baling of the hay in the fields. This interesting procedure is done in order that farm animals will have food to last them through the cold months when grass is meager in supply.
This product, like all the fruit of the fields, must be harvested at an optimum time that has allowed the grass to grow and mature to its fullness but has not allowed the elements to damage it in any way. It is especially important that it be shielded from rain and moisture.
If it is to serve its purpose well, it must be harvested and stored securely away from any inclement weather. If it becomes wet, it will rot and it will be unfit for its intended purpose. When the cold winter months arrive, the farmer will have nothing nutritious to feed to his livestock. In a similar fashion, our thoughts have the potential to nurture and sustain or to undermine and destroy those with whom we share them.
In Matthew 12:35, Jesus says, “A good man produces good things from his storeroom of good, but an evil man produces evil things from his storeroom of evil.” In other words, if we have made the Word the treasure of our heart we will distain evil. Because we have seen the beauty of Christ we will make His thoughts to be our thoughts, His purposes to be our purposes—and His message of salvation to the lost will be ever upon our lips.
Thursday, June 17, 2010
June 17
OK, Lord, You’ve done it again. You’ve stumped us. So often, Your Word, which we know is simple enough for the most childlike among us to gain the knowledge of salvation through Jesus, states truth in a way that sometimes confounds those of us who ponder a bit too much; who rely a bit too heavily upon our own intellect.
And yet, upon reflection, light (no pun intended) penetrates the darkness of our minds and illumines us with insight we know we could not have reached without the help of the Holy Spirit who has among His tasks, the illumination of the dreary minds of genuine seekers of truth.
In Proverbs 16:1, You say, “The reflections of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.” It would almost seem that the reverse of that statement would be true—that a man’s heart should belong to the Lord even though his tongue may expose his own thoughts that dwell there.
That is so for the natural man who has not yielded his heart to the occupancy of Jesus Christ. The unsurrendered heart of a man does expose the darkest aspects of itself through his words. But the heart that is given to God should ponder the things of Christ—and then his tongue should speak of His salvation.
OK, Lord, You’ve done it again. You’ve stumped us. So often, Your Word, which we know is simple enough for the most childlike among us to gain the knowledge of salvation through Jesus, states truth in a way that sometimes confounds those of us who ponder a bit too much; who rely a bit too heavily upon our own intellect.
And yet, upon reflection, light (no pun intended) penetrates the darkness of our minds and illumines us with insight we know we could not have reached without the help of the Holy Spirit who has among His tasks, the illumination of the dreary minds of genuine seekers of truth.
In Proverbs 16:1, You say, “The reflections of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.” It would almost seem that the reverse of that statement would be true—that a man’s heart should belong to the Lord even though his tongue may expose his own thoughts that dwell there.
That is so for the natural man who has not yielded his heart to the occupancy of Jesus Christ. The unsurrendered heart of a man does expose the darkest aspects of itself through his words. But the heart that is given to God should ponder the things of Christ—and then his tongue should speak of His salvation.
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Honest and Direct
June 16
Proverbs 25:15 says something a little confusing. Here we are told, “A ruler can be persuaded through patience, and a gentle tongue can break a bone.” We must ponder these assertions carefully if we are to comprehend them at all!
We live in an age when national leaders regularly study opinion poles to determine whether their policies are viewed favorably or unfavorably by their constituents. Even though at times they push an agenda that is not well received by the voters, they refrain from pursuing those goals near election times!
They may put their agenda above the will of the people—but they are unlikely to do so at a time when their own defeat at the poles may result from their unpopular actions. Even more confusing is the second part of the verse that says, “a gentle tongue can break a bone”! This seems to say that words are powerful beyond measure.
In fact, words have a potential, even when they are uttered softly, to devastate the one at whom they are directed. The essence of this message to believers is that we should not veil our intent with subtlety as do the politicians. We should be honest and direct in all we say and do. If that is how we present ourselves to others, we will do no harm.
Proverbs 25:15 says something a little confusing. Here we are told, “A ruler can be persuaded through patience, and a gentle tongue can break a bone.” We must ponder these assertions carefully if we are to comprehend them at all!
We live in an age when national leaders regularly study opinion poles to determine whether their policies are viewed favorably or unfavorably by their constituents. Even though at times they push an agenda that is not well received by the voters, they refrain from pursuing those goals near election times!
They may put their agenda above the will of the people—but they are unlikely to do so at a time when their own defeat at the poles may result from their unpopular actions. Even more confusing is the second part of the verse that says, “a gentle tongue can break a bone”! This seems to say that words are powerful beyond measure.
In fact, words have a potential, even when they are uttered softly, to devastate the one at whom they are directed. The essence of this message to believers is that we should not veil our intent with subtlety as do the politicians. We should be honest and direct in all we say and do. If that is how we present ourselves to others, we will do no harm.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
The Authority
June 15
Words can be effective tools in the construction of a relationship. They can be employed to build people up and to cement the best of our intentions. Words can also be weapons of destruction that undo the best of human efforts to achieve goals, to attain worthwhile ends.
The Word of God tells us that the power of life and death is in the tongue (Proverbs 18:21). That is a weighty burden for such a small member to bear. Many an individual has been destroyed emotionally, professionally, socially or spiritually by the destructive words of unthinking or uncaring individuals.
That is not the Lord’s intended use of this small but unruly member. His Word declares in Isaiah 50:4 that, “The Lord God has given me the tongue of those who are instructed to know how to sustain the weary with a word.” This speaks essentially of the awaited Messiah, but it is true for all who call themselves by His name.
Jesus is the One whose words sustain life and hope. It is He who is the Living Word. It is He who embodies the fullness of who God is and the totality of His power. Yet we, too, have been given the authority to assume the ministry He has begun of using words of hope to lift the downtrodden, to heal the sick, and to enlighten the lost.
Words can be effective tools in the construction of a relationship. They can be employed to build people up and to cement the best of our intentions. Words can also be weapons of destruction that undo the best of human efforts to achieve goals, to attain worthwhile ends.
The Word of God tells us that the power of life and death is in the tongue (Proverbs 18:21). That is a weighty burden for such a small member to bear. Many an individual has been destroyed emotionally, professionally, socially or spiritually by the destructive words of unthinking or uncaring individuals.
That is not the Lord’s intended use of this small but unruly member. His Word declares in Isaiah 50:4 that, “The Lord God has given me the tongue of those who are instructed to know how to sustain the weary with a word.” This speaks essentially of the awaited Messiah, but it is true for all who call themselves by His name.
Jesus is the One whose words sustain life and hope. It is He who is the Living Word. It is He who embodies the fullness of who God is and the totality of His power. Yet we, too, have been given the authority to assume the ministry He has begun of using words of hope to lift the downtrodden, to heal the sick, and to enlighten the lost.
Monday, June 14, 2010
You Are Mine
June 14
Intimacy with the Holy One is something that is incomprehensible to those who are not blood-bathed and redeemed. Even those who have taken the step of salvation are incredulous as to the depth and breadth of relationship that can be theirs if they will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Those who have been emboldened by the full salvation package and who enjoy fellowship with the Lord know the profound blessing that is theirs and cherish it above all else in life. It is the clear vision of Jesus’ finished work of redemption that causes a believer to cast his life at His feet—to live or to die for Him.
It is the invitation to become the Temple of the Holy Spirit that allows a believer to become a candidate to receive the gifts of the Spirit which He gives to whom He will. It is by growing in faith, becoming confident in the relationship that grants power in prayer, that a believer learns to lay all his care before Jesus, who he knows “cares for” him (I Peter 5:7).
It is because the believer trusts the integrity of the Word of the Living God which assures him, “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you. I have called you by your name; you are Mine” Isaiah 43:1, that a person of faith may face trial or loss. Because he knows Jesus has given him all things, he does not fear the loss of all things. Because Jesus has given him life, he does not fear death.
Intimacy with the Holy One is something that is incomprehensible to those who are not blood-bathed and redeemed. Even those who have taken the step of salvation are incredulous as to the depth and breadth of relationship that can be theirs if they will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Those who have been emboldened by the full salvation package and who enjoy fellowship with the Lord know the profound blessing that is theirs and cherish it above all else in life. It is the clear vision of Jesus’ finished work of redemption that causes a believer to cast his life at His feet—to live or to die for Him.
It is the invitation to become the Temple of the Holy Spirit that allows a believer to become a candidate to receive the gifts of the Spirit which He gives to whom He will. It is by growing in faith, becoming confident in the relationship that grants power in prayer, that a believer learns to lay all his care before Jesus, who he knows “cares for” him (I Peter 5:7).
It is because the believer trusts the integrity of the Word of the Living God which assures him, “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you. I have called you by your name; you are Mine” Isaiah 43:1, that a person of faith may face trial or loss. Because he knows Jesus has given him all things, he does not fear the loss of all things. Because Jesus has given him life, he does not fear death.
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Who's the Boss?
June 13
We can be very flip about God. Perhaps I should speak for myself here: I can be very flip with God. Sometimes I wonder why He suffers me as He does. I do not deserve His patience with my foibles that overtake me with very little provocation. Perhaps the worst of them, at least regarding Him, is my determination to ‘be in charge’.
I want to know ‘Why?’ I want to know ‘When?’ I want to understand the inequities I think I perceive—even though I know my finite mind cannot begin to drink in the concepts of fairness or justice from the eternal vantage point that He has—but which has not been given to me.
And in my quest to ‘understand,’ or perhaps more pointedly, ‘to be in charge,’ I interrogate God until I am reminded during a lucid interval to my folly that what He said to Job applies also to me: “Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Declare if you have understanding” Job 38:4.
I am further reminded of what He said to Moses when He met him at the burning bush: “Take off your sandals from your feet, for the place where you stand is holy ground” Exodus 3:5. He allows me into His presence, because He loves me; but it behooves me to bow before Him, recognizing that He, not me, is God.
We can be very flip about God. Perhaps I should speak for myself here: I can be very flip with God. Sometimes I wonder why He suffers me as He does. I do not deserve His patience with my foibles that overtake me with very little provocation. Perhaps the worst of them, at least regarding Him, is my determination to ‘be in charge’.
I want to know ‘Why?’ I want to know ‘When?’ I want to understand the inequities I think I perceive—even though I know my finite mind cannot begin to drink in the concepts of fairness or justice from the eternal vantage point that He has—but which has not been given to me.
And in my quest to ‘understand,’ or perhaps more pointedly, ‘to be in charge,’ I interrogate God until I am reminded during a lucid interval to my folly that what He said to Job applies also to me: “Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Declare if you have understanding” Job 38:4.
I am further reminded of what He said to Moses when He met him at the burning bush: “Take off your sandals from your feet, for the place where you stand is holy ground” Exodus 3:5. He allows me into His presence, because He loves me; but it behooves me to bow before Him, recognizing that He, not me, is God.
Saturday, June 12, 2010
No Distance from Our Savior
June 12
The people of God had once again been sold into captivity. The cycle that typified their relationship with the Holy One of Israel had again gone full circle. They had prayed in their extremity; He had heard them; He had delivered them; they were restored to greatness; they pursued false gods; they went into captivity again…
Over and over, His people were undone by their prosperity and by their blessed position in the safety of the Lord’s keeping and provision. Like them, we, find ourselves basking in the blessings Jesus has provided for us, and like them, we become complacent in the midst of the good He lavishes upon us. Like them, we become curious about other people and the gods they serve.
We become allured by the fun they seem to have, by their delights that appear so much more enticing than what the Lord has given to us. When we have fallen from faith and are at a distant point from where He desires us to be, even there His hand can reach us and draw us back. He says to us as He said to Jacob, “My servant, be not afraid or discouraged, for without fail I will save you from far away” Jeremiah 46:27.
No matter how far away we may go, when our hearts and minds turn toward the Lord, He is there. Perhaps one of the most beautiful modern depictions of this reality is the experience of Buzz Aldrin and Neil Armstrong whose first act when their spacecraft landed on the moon was to take communion. These two men of faith, so far away from their natural element, knew there was no distance that could separate them from their Savior; they/we are free in Him universally.
The people of God had once again been sold into captivity. The cycle that typified their relationship with the Holy One of Israel had again gone full circle. They had prayed in their extremity; He had heard them; He had delivered them; they were restored to greatness; they pursued false gods; they went into captivity again…
Over and over, His people were undone by their prosperity and by their blessed position in the safety of the Lord’s keeping and provision. Like them, we, find ourselves basking in the blessings Jesus has provided for us, and like them, we become complacent in the midst of the good He lavishes upon us. Like them, we become curious about other people and the gods they serve.
We become allured by the fun they seem to have, by their delights that appear so much more enticing than what the Lord has given to us. When we have fallen from faith and are at a distant point from where He desires us to be, even there His hand can reach us and draw us back. He says to us as He said to Jacob, “My servant, be not afraid or discouraged, for without fail I will save you from far away” Jeremiah 46:27.
No matter how far away we may go, when our hearts and minds turn toward the Lord, He is there. Perhaps one of the most beautiful modern depictions of this reality is the experience of Buzz Aldrin and Neil Armstrong whose first act when their spacecraft landed on the moon was to take communion. These two men of faith, so far away from their natural element, knew there was no distance that could separate them from their Savior; they/we are free in Him universally.
Friday, June 11, 2010
Do You Have No Faith?
June 11
We’ve all seen the depictions of our brave heroes of faith—those wonderful artists’ renderings in children’s Bible story books of Moses parting the waters of the Red Sea while the Israelite children crossed to safety on dry ground as pharaoh’s army was swallowed by the returning water.
We’ve seen Daniel sitting in the lions’ den with ravening beasts circling around him with a snarl on their lips but without menacing him further. We know that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego emerged from a fiery furnace that was heated to such an extreme temperature that the soldiers who threw them into the flames were consumed—but they came forth without the scent of smoke upon them.
Can we ever forget the sight of the boasting Goliath mocking the shepherd boy David or the victory David won over the blasphemous, fully armed giant when he hurled one well-aimed stone at his mighty adversary? These indelible memories etched upon our minds in childhood bring us to the Lord’s question to His followers in Mark 4:40.
Here we find His disciples in a panic because the sea has become tumultuous and they fear it will swallow them and their small craft. Jesus says to them, however, “Why are you fearful? Do you have no faith?” He asks us the same question in the midst of our storms. He asks us to reflect upon the deliverances of the past and to trust Him to do a mighty work again—in our behalf!
We’ve all seen the depictions of our brave heroes of faith—those wonderful artists’ renderings in children’s Bible story books of Moses parting the waters of the Red Sea while the Israelite children crossed to safety on dry ground as pharaoh’s army was swallowed by the returning water.
We’ve seen Daniel sitting in the lions’ den with ravening beasts circling around him with a snarl on their lips but without menacing him further. We know that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego emerged from a fiery furnace that was heated to such an extreme temperature that the soldiers who threw them into the flames were consumed—but they came forth without the scent of smoke upon them.
Can we ever forget the sight of the boasting Goliath mocking the shepherd boy David or the victory David won over the blasphemous, fully armed giant when he hurled one well-aimed stone at his mighty adversary? These indelible memories etched upon our minds in childhood bring us to the Lord’s question to His followers in Mark 4:40.
Here we find His disciples in a panic because the sea has become tumultuous and they fear it will swallow them and their small craft. Jesus says to them, however, “Why are you fearful? Do you have no faith?” He asks us the same question in the midst of our storms. He asks us to reflect upon the deliverances of the past and to trust Him to do a mighty work again—in our behalf!
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Counted As Righteous
June 10
Our righteousness is as ‘…filthy rags…’ to God (Isaiah 64:6). It’s not that He doesn’t want us to be in right standing with His own holy person; it’s simply that we are totally incapable of attaining unto His unfathomable standard on our own. How can we be what we can’t even conceptualize?
What are we to do? Give up? Resign ourselves to lives of futile attempts at self- indulgence and self-fulfillment? Many people do just that—as evidenced by the cycle of hyper work activity punctuated by ardent pursuit of pleasure that defines their existence.
When we are tired of perpetuating the futility of the cycle, perhaps we will be ready to give God’s way a chance. Perhaps when we are weary of the honey of self-gratification that turns to gravel in our mouths, we will employ the method the Word sets forth—we will try Jesus, our great reward for time and eternity.
Romans 4:3 asks what the Word recommends and then informs us of its counsel: “What does the Scripture say? ‘Abraham believed God and it was counted to him for righteousness.’” When we simply believe and embrace the plan of salvation—when we receive Jesus as our Savior, we are counted as righteous.
Our righteousness is as ‘…filthy rags…’ to God (Isaiah 64:6). It’s not that He doesn’t want us to be in right standing with His own holy person; it’s simply that we are totally incapable of attaining unto His unfathomable standard on our own. How can we be what we can’t even conceptualize?
What are we to do? Give up? Resign ourselves to lives of futile attempts at self- indulgence and self-fulfillment? Many people do just that—as evidenced by the cycle of hyper work activity punctuated by ardent pursuit of pleasure that defines their existence.
When we are tired of perpetuating the futility of the cycle, perhaps we will be ready to give God’s way a chance. Perhaps when we are weary of the honey of self-gratification that turns to gravel in our mouths, we will employ the method the Word sets forth—we will try Jesus, our great reward for time and eternity.
Romans 4:3 asks what the Word recommends and then informs us of its counsel: “What does the Scripture say? ‘Abraham believed God and it was counted to him for righteousness.’” When we simply believe and embrace the plan of salvation—when we receive Jesus as our Savior, we are counted as righteous.
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
With Him
June 9
Sometimes there is great joy in the journey. That wonderful vacation spent abroad traversing the grand sites of Europe will be remembered for a lifetime. The visit to the American West to see its wonders—the Grand Canyon, Yosemite National Park—is imbedded in the memory forever.
But some journeys are without pleasant associations. The trip home to the funeral of a loved one is reflected upon with bittersweet thoughts of joys shared together in a happier time. Setting off for war was a time fraught with anxiety that paled only in comparison to the dangers encountered upon arrival at the front.
We yearn for lives that can be spent in peace and safety but the Word admonishes that when we cry for peace and safety, then sudden destruction will come (I Thessalonians 5:3). We know times of joy can expire in a moment and that our security hinges upon many unknowable factors.
Acts 14:22 tells us, “It is necessary to pass through many troubles on our way into the Kingdom of God,” but knowing this truth does little to make the passage less dreaded. Only one thing can change the unknown, can transform the worst, into moments of peace—knowing we go through them all with Jesus.
Sometimes there is great joy in the journey. That wonderful vacation spent abroad traversing the grand sites of Europe will be remembered for a lifetime. The visit to the American West to see its wonders—the Grand Canyon, Yosemite National Park—is imbedded in the memory forever.
But some journeys are without pleasant associations. The trip home to the funeral of a loved one is reflected upon with bittersweet thoughts of joys shared together in a happier time. Setting off for war was a time fraught with anxiety that paled only in comparison to the dangers encountered upon arrival at the front.
We yearn for lives that can be spent in peace and safety but the Word admonishes that when we cry for peace and safety, then sudden destruction will come (I Thessalonians 5:3). We know times of joy can expire in a moment and that our security hinges upon many unknowable factors.
Acts 14:22 tells us, “It is necessary to pass through many troubles on our way into the Kingdom of God,” but knowing this truth does little to make the passage less dreaded. Only one thing can change the unknown, can transform the worst, into moments of peace—knowing we go through them all with Jesus.
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
The Ultimate Power Trip
June 8
What’s the ultimate power trip? Is it being the guy who aces the test? Lands the big promotion? Wins the fair maiden? Picks the winning lottery number? All of this is heady stuff indeed. All of these things can make a person feel like he’s on top of the world. And all of these things can cause a man’s world to crash around him.
Life is fickle. Circumstances are ever changing. The old saying is that if you don’t like the situation you’re in, don’t sweat it because you won’t be in it long. Life ebbs and flows like the tide. The person who has it all can lose it all. So what then is the ‘ultimate power trip’?
Of course, it has nothing to do with the things of earth and time. It has everything to do with Heaven and eternity. So how can a mere mortal tap into the unseen realm where the Lord Jesus Christ dwells? How can a creature of earth’s dust touch the rarified realm of Heaven? The answer is found in Matthew 16:19.
Here Jesus says, “Whatever you bind on earth is bound in Heaven and whatever you loose on earth is loosed in Heaven.” Your words—spoken with faith in Jesus and confidence in His power—can transform lives from lost-ness to salvation. The power of life and death are yours to speak to those around you. Your ultimate power trip is to use your tongue for Jesus’ purposes and for His glory.
What’s the ultimate power trip? Is it being the guy who aces the test? Lands the big promotion? Wins the fair maiden? Picks the winning lottery number? All of this is heady stuff indeed. All of these things can make a person feel like he’s on top of the world. And all of these things can cause a man’s world to crash around him.
Life is fickle. Circumstances are ever changing. The old saying is that if you don’t like the situation you’re in, don’t sweat it because you won’t be in it long. Life ebbs and flows like the tide. The person who has it all can lose it all. So what then is the ‘ultimate power trip’?
Of course, it has nothing to do with the things of earth and time. It has everything to do with Heaven and eternity. So how can a mere mortal tap into the unseen realm where the Lord Jesus Christ dwells? How can a creature of earth’s dust touch the rarified realm of Heaven? The answer is found in Matthew 16:19.
Here Jesus says, “Whatever you bind on earth is bound in Heaven and whatever you loose on earth is loosed in Heaven.” Your words—spoken with faith in Jesus and confidence in His power—can transform lives from lost-ness to salvation. The power of life and death are yours to speak to those around you. Your ultimate power trip is to use your tongue for Jesus’ purposes and for His glory.
Monday, June 7, 2010
On This Rock
June 7
The onslaught against the Church of Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord began at its inception. The enemy of the purposes of God Almighty has been relentless in his endeavor to undo the people of God and to negate their effectiveness. What he couldn’t achieve through persecution from without, he has endeavored to do through corruption from within.
When believers observe a ‘social gospel’ being preached from the pulpits of the land instead of the pure Word of God, undefiled, it is disconcerting. When believers recognize a coarsening of the moral integrity of people of faith, it is heart wrenching. The line between the Church and the world is quite blurred.
Yet, we must take heart, for we know that things are never as they appear. When it seems the Body of Christ is ‘on the ropes’ and the inevitable knockout blow is about to be delivered, we must yet stand strong in the hope we have and in the assurance HE has given us that His Church, His Bride will not only survive but shall be pure and ready for Heaven.
The words of Jesus to Peter in Matthew 16:18 were true when He spoke them and they are forever true! “You are Peter and on this rock I will build My church and the forces of hell shall not prevail against it!” The battle is fierce. The foe is relentless. The casualties are many. The prize is each man’s eternal soul. Fight hard! Your Commander goes before you and fights with you.
The onslaught against the Church of Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord began at its inception. The enemy of the purposes of God Almighty has been relentless in his endeavor to undo the people of God and to negate their effectiveness. What he couldn’t achieve through persecution from without, he has endeavored to do through corruption from within.
When believers observe a ‘social gospel’ being preached from the pulpits of the land instead of the pure Word of God, undefiled, it is disconcerting. When believers recognize a coarsening of the moral integrity of people of faith, it is heart wrenching. The line between the Church and the world is quite blurred.
Yet, we must take heart, for we know that things are never as they appear. When it seems the Body of Christ is ‘on the ropes’ and the inevitable knockout blow is about to be delivered, we must yet stand strong in the hope we have and in the assurance HE has given us that His Church, His Bride will not only survive but shall be pure and ready for Heaven.
The words of Jesus to Peter in Matthew 16:18 were true when He spoke them and they are forever true! “You are Peter and on this rock I will build My church and the forces of hell shall not prevail against it!” The battle is fierce. The foe is relentless. The casualties are many. The prize is each man’s eternal soul. Fight hard! Your Commander goes before you and fights with you.
Saturday, June 5, 2010
Bathed in Prayer
June 5
Spiritual blindness pervaded the culture of Paul’s day. Only the Jews, among all the people of the world, abided in the Light of God’s revealed truth. The Greeks and Romans enjoyed a level of advancement that was amazingly creative and powerful—as did the Chinese in the east—but all abode in spiritual darkness.
When Christianity was introduced into the pagan world of Rome, the Apostle Paul strove fervently to scatter seeds of faith in every corner of the Empire. The Pax Romana enabled him to travel in relative safety and through his efforts, as well as those of the other Apostles, Light entered the darkness.
Their efforts were bathed in prayer. In Ephesians 1:18, Paul says, “I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened so you may know what is the hope of His calling.” Paul understood that it took more that mere exposure to Christ’s Light to illumine a man’s heart.
Paul knew that each heart needed to be tender toward Truth in order for the Light, Jesus, to penetrate the night. Today, we who bear Truth within us, must recognize the pervasive darkness around us. We must bathe the blind in prayer so their spiritual eyes and hearts may be open to Jesus’ life-changing Light!
Spiritual blindness pervaded the culture of Paul’s day. Only the Jews, among all the people of the world, abided in the Light of God’s revealed truth. The Greeks and Romans enjoyed a level of advancement that was amazingly creative and powerful—as did the Chinese in the east—but all abode in spiritual darkness.
When Christianity was introduced into the pagan world of Rome, the Apostle Paul strove fervently to scatter seeds of faith in every corner of the Empire. The Pax Romana enabled him to travel in relative safety and through his efforts, as well as those of the other Apostles, Light entered the darkness.
Their efforts were bathed in prayer. In Ephesians 1:18, Paul says, “I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened so you may know what is the hope of His calling.” Paul understood that it took more that mere exposure to Christ’s Light to illumine a man’s heart.
Paul knew that each heart needed to be tender toward Truth in order for the Light, Jesus, to penetrate the night. Today, we who bear Truth within us, must recognize the pervasive darkness around us. We must bathe the blind in prayer so their spiritual eyes and hearts may be open to Jesus’ life-changing Light!
Friday, June 4, 2010
Where? What? How?
June 4
Where does the Lord want us to go? What does He want us to do with our talents and abilities? How would He have us to carry ourselves into the world of lost, dying people who are perishing for a lack of the knowledge of His Gospel?
Answers to the above: Where He sends us. Lay them at His feet. With humility and love.
If we lack a surrendered spirit that will follow where He leads, and a devoted spirit that will make all our resources available to Him, and a humble spirit that will give Him the glory when our tasks have been achieved, then we will be nothing but the “…sounding brass and tinkling cymbals” of I Corinthians 13:1 that great gifts become without love.
Unless we are willing to lay all recognition for our efforts before Jesus, knowing as the Word says in Ephesians 2:10 that, “We are His…we are created in Christ Jesus for good work which God expects us to walk in,” we cannot begin to see the goal of our work, or to recognize the source of our abilities, or to appropriate the humility and love to please Him through our endeavors.
Where does the Lord want us to go? What does He want us to do with our talents and abilities? How would He have us to carry ourselves into the world of lost, dying people who are perishing for a lack of the knowledge of His Gospel?
Answers to the above: Where He sends us. Lay them at His feet. With humility and love.
If we lack a surrendered spirit that will follow where He leads, and a devoted spirit that will make all our resources available to Him, and a humble spirit that will give Him the glory when our tasks have been achieved, then we will be nothing but the “…sounding brass and tinkling cymbals” of I Corinthians 13:1 that great gifts become without love.
Unless we are willing to lay all recognition for our efforts before Jesus, knowing as the Word says in Ephesians 2:10 that, “We are His…we are created in Christ Jesus for good work which God expects us to walk in,” we cannot begin to see the goal of our work, or to recognize the source of our abilities, or to appropriate the humility and love to please Him through our endeavors.
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Glory to Christ Alone
June 3
God has created a beautiful universe and He has been gracious and generous in His sharing of it with mankind. He allows us the opportunity of looking into the heavens and beholding the glory of the stars He flung into space with His hands. He warms us with the sun and lights our darkness with the light of the moon.
He has fashioned people with whom we may interact—friendships to enjoy, lovers to dispel our loneliness, children to challenge our ability to nurture the next generation and inspire them with faith. Flowers to brighten the seasons, food to satisfy our hunger…so much of His provision enriches our senses.
We know He blesses us from His great heart of love for us, and we know He will not share the glory He deserves from us because of His amazing bountiful gifts with another. Beyond the praise and honor He deserves for the every-day treasure that we take for granted, there is another area of which we should be mindful when we are lifting praise and thanksgiving to Him. The Lord gives us the opportunity to serve Him, to further the goals of Christ.
Some have been called to preach His Word or to expound the doctrines of His Kingdom. There are people who have amassed great fortunes through their purported efforts to spread the Gospel. Revelation 19:10 admonishes us from the pen of the Apostle John as he wrote while on the Isle of Patmos, “Don’t bow down to me, for I, too, am a fellow slave with you and your brothers who have the testimony of Jesus! Worship God!” He alone is worthy of praise for all His gifts. No man deserves His glory.
God has created a beautiful universe and He has been gracious and generous in His sharing of it with mankind. He allows us the opportunity of looking into the heavens and beholding the glory of the stars He flung into space with His hands. He warms us with the sun and lights our darkness with the light of the moon.
He has fashioned people with whom we may interact—friendships to enjoy, lovers to dispel our loneliness, children to challenge our ability to nurture the next generation and inspire them with faith. Flowers to brighten the seasons, food to satisfy our hunger…so much of His provision enriches our senses.
We know He blesses us from His great heart of love for us, and we know He will not share the glory He deserves from us because of His amazing bountiful gifts with another. Beyond the praise and honor He deserves for the every-day treasure that we take for granted, there is another area of which we should be mindful when we are lifting praise and thanksgiving to Him. The Lord gives us the opportunity to serve Him, to further the goals of Christ.
Some have been called to preach His Word or to expound the doctrines of His Kingdom. There are people who have amassed great fortunes through their purported efforts to spread the Gospel. Revelation 19:10 admonishes us from the pen of the Apostle John as he wrote while on the Isle of Patmos, “Don’t bow down to me, for I, too, am a fellow slave with you and your brothers who have the testimony of Jesus! Worship God!” He alone is worthy of praise for all His gifts. No man deserves His glory.
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Finding God's Favor
June 2
Finding God’s favor. At first contemplation the prospect of finding God’s favor sounds like it would have the same impact upon our lives as would our winning of the lottery for ‘mega millions’! It sounds like the ultimate opportunity to ‘hit the jackpot.’ But God isn’t the lotto in the sky. His purposes are loftier than that.
Perhaps then, finding God’s favor means we would become more socially adept. Some of us are constrained from achieving any real social concourse by our inability to relate well to other people. We tend to be introverted and our efforts to interact with others fail abysmally.
Of course, the Lord would have us to be accomplished in establishing relationships and building rapport with others because part of our purpose in being here is to share the good news of Jesus with others. If we are tongue-tied and socially inept, we will be ineffective toward that end so it behooves Him to facilitate His own purposes by giving us more social grace.
But God’s favor exceeds even that lofty endeavor. In Exodus 33:17, God makes this astonishing promise to Moses—“I will do the very thing you have asked because you have found favor in My sight.” The very thing he asked. But, Moses, like God’s people today, knew he must ask in accordance with God’s will in order to reap the fruit of that amazing promise.
Finding God’s favor. At first contemplation the prospect of finding God’s favor sounds like it would have the same impact upon our lives as would our winning of the lottery for ‘mega millions’! It sounds like the ultimate opportunity to ‘hit the jackpot.’ But God isn’t the lotto in the sky. His purposes are loftier than that.
Perhaps then, finding God’s favor means we would become more socially adept. Some of us are constrained from achieving any real social concourse by our inability to relate well to other people. We tend to be introverted and our efforts to interact with others fail abysmally.
Of course, the Lord would have us to be accomplished in establishing relationships and building rapport with others because part of our purpose in being here is to share the good news of Jesus with others. If we are tongue-tied and socially inept, we will be ineffective toward that end so it behooves Him to facilitate His own purposes by giving us more social grace.
But God’s favor exceeds even that lofty endeavor. In Exodus 33:17, God makes this astonishing promise to Moses—“I will do the very thing you have asked because you have found favor in My sight.” The very thing he asked. But, Moses, like God’s people today, knew he must ask in accordance with God’s will in order to reap the fruit of that amazing promise.
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
The Unknown
June 1
The ‘unknown.’ At once the senses of exhilaration and apprehension slither up our spine at the thought of the term and what it might entail. We like to think that our unknowable tomorrows hold excitement and adventure that will lead us to accomplishment and prosperity. We hope for wonderful things.
Yet there is that lurking voice of caution that admonishes that we not be too hasty to presume the best. The better part of prudence is to be ever vigilant and prepared to deal with eventualities that may be less than the pleasant ones we eagerly anticipate.
The Word of God encourages us to look forward to a bright tomorrow. In fact, in Lamentations 3:22, 23, it says, “Your mercies never end. They are new every morning. Great is Your faithfulness.” What an up-lifting hope is contained in that assurance! What an amazing path of confidence on which to take our next step.
Here we are told not only that we might expect God’s presence and mercy to be extended toward us on the morrow, but we may presume that all our tomorrows will be enveloped in beauty and light and life! If His mercy toward us never ends, we may be confident that we need never face a day without His blessing upon it.
The ‘unknown.’ At once the senses of exhilaration and apprehension slither up our spine at the thought of the term and what it might entail. We like to think that our unknowable tomorrows hold excitement and adventure that will lead us to accomplishment and prosperity. We hope for wonderful things.
Yet there is that lurking voice of caution that admonishes that we not be too hasty to presume the best. The better part of prudence is to be ever vigilant and prepared to deal with eventualities that may be less than the pleasant ones we eagerly anticipate.
The Word of God encourages us to look forward to a bright tomorrow. In fact, in Lamentations 3:22, 23, it says, “Your mercies never end. They are new every morning. Great is Your faithfulness.” What an up-lifting hope is contained in that assurance! What an amazing path of confidence on which to take our next step.
Here we are told not only that we might expect God’s presence and mercy to be extended toward us on the morrow, but we may presume that all our tomorrows will be enveloped in beauty and light and life! If His mercy toward us never ends, we may be confident that we need never face a day without His blessing upon it.
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