November 7
It is important to be fervent and steadfast in prayer. The inclination of most of us is not to press forward with our requests to the Lord but to stop short of the realization of the thing for which we supplicate. How is it that we give up rather than pray through? Why do we give up?
There is a mindset that has infested the Christian outlook and it is not scriptural. We have become so accustomed to the quick fix mentality, to the instant gratification syndrome of the age that we apply the world’s mindset to the Word and to the promises contained within our holy book.
We have forgotten the words of the Apostle Paul in II Thessalonians 1:11 which adjure us to, “…always pray...that our God will…fulfill every desire for goodness and the work of faith.” We are to always pray. It doesn’t say we are to pray until we weary of waiting!
We must recognize that the Lord has a dual purpose for our prayers—to fulfill every desire for goodness within us and our circumstances and to accomplish the work of faith. As we pray, as we wait upon Him, we are perfected in the inner man and we are equipped to further His purposes in the lives of those around us.
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Saturday, November 6, 2010
Sure
November 6
How can we be sure the words of the Bible are true for us today? How can we know the Lord didn’t mean the gifts and promises for just the early church? Some theorize that the extraordinary evidence of the presence and power of the Holy Spirit in believers was necessary to ‘jump start’ the church.
They further believe that such means are no longer necessary because we have the entirety of the Bible now—and that is all we need for effective Christian living. One major fallacy to that argument is the question that springs logically from it: How can having the Bible be enough if part of it isn’t true any longer?
No, it seems people of faith have simply found a convenient argument to rationalize their own lack of power! We can no longer say as did Peter in Acts 3:6 when he encountered the lame beggar at the Temple, “Silver and gold have I none, but such as I have give I thee: in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk,” so we argue the gifts of the Spirit away!
But this doesn’t seem to be what God had in mind in Deuteronomy 7:9 where Moses said of Him, “God keeps His gracious covenant loyally for a thousand generations with whose who love Him and keep His commands. For a thousand generations? Indeed, this seems to affirm that His Word—all of it—shall stand forever!
How can we be sure the words of the Bible are true for us today? How can we know the Lord didn’t mean the gifts and promises for just the early church? Some theorize that the extraordinary evidence of the presence and power of the Holy Spirit in believers was necessary to ‘jump start’ the church.
They further believe that such means are no longer necessary because we have the entirety of the Bible now—and that is all we need for effective Christian living. One major fallacy to that argument is the question that springs logically from it: How can having the Bible be enough if part of it isn’t true any longer?
No, it seems people of faith have simply found a convenient argument to rationalize their own lack of power! We can no longer say as did Peter in Acts 3:6 when he encountered the lame beggar at the Temple, “Silver and gold have I none, but such as I have give I thee: in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk,” so we argue the gifts of the Spirit away!
But this doesn’t seem to be what God had in mind in Deuteronomy 7:9 where Moses said of Him, “God keeps His gracious covenant loyally for a thousand generations with whose who love Him and keep His commands. For a thousand generations? Indeed, this seems to affirm that His Word—all of it—shall stand forever!
Friday, November 5, 2010
Mighty Then, Mighty Now
November 5
What made Jesus so effective as a healer and a preacher in His day? Why did throngs of people follow Him into the desert and to the seashore? Why did they abandon their daily routines in order to hear this itinerant rebel proclaim the Word of God in a new way?
There are the standard reasons given for His amazing influence over the people who heard Him, and there is great veracity to each of them. Yes, people flocked to hear Jesus because there was little in the way of diversion available to them--and He provided an extraordinary one.
Yes, miraculous events occurred wherever He went and this was a tremendous blessing—blind eyes were opened, lame legs could walk, deaf ears could hear, broken lives were made new in whatever way the need required. In an age when medical and financial resources were negligible, Jesus offered free solutions to life’s most challenging problems.
But it was more than any one or than the sum of all of those reasons that compelled people to turn to Jesus and to follow Him. It is the same reason Paul tells us will compel the unbelievers of our day to turn to the Lord. In Ephesians 4:15 he says, “Speaking the truth in love, let us grow in every way to be like Christ Jesus.” The truth in love—mighty then; mighty now—is just like Jesus.
What made Jesus so effective as a healer and a preacher in His day? Why did throngs of people follow Him into the desert and to the seashore? Why did they abandon their daily routines in order to hear this itinerant rebel proclaim the Word of God in a new way?
There are the standard reasons given for His amazing influence over the people who heard Him, and there is great veracity to each of them. Yes, people flocked to hear Jesus because there was little in the way of diversion available to them--and He provided an extraordinary one.
Yes, miraculous events occurred wherever He went and this was a tremendous blessing—blind eyes were opened, lame legs could walk, deaf ears could hear, broken lives were made new in whatever way the need required. In an age when medical and financial resources were negligible, Jesus offered free solutions to life’s most challenging problems.
But it was more than any one or than the sum of all of those reasons that compelled people to turn to Jesus and to follow Him. It is the same reason Paul tells us will compel the unbelievers of our day to turn to the Lord. In Ephesians 4:15 he says, “Speaking the truth in love, let us grow in every way to be like Christ Jesus.” The truth in love—mighty then; mighty now—is just like Jesus.
Thursday, November 4, 2010
False Accusations
November 4
False accusations. There’s hardly a person alive who has not at some point in life borne the weight of being, if not falsely accused, at least misunderstood. Many have spent time incarcerated due to the misinterpretation of evidence that resulted in prison sentences. Jesus was sentenced to death on trumped up charges.
The weight of being ill perceived due to erroneous argumentation that affirmed guilt is a heavy burden. It is perhaps heavier than the weight of bearing actual guilt. When our actions are misrepresented, or our motives are misunderstood, we are perplexed—it caused the Lord to cry out to the Father, “Why have You forsaken Me?” (Mark 15:34).
Paul knew what it was like to be misunderstood. He had spent a lifetime building a reputation within the Hebrew religion. He was, by his own account, “a Hebrew of the Hebrews…a Pharisee…” Philippians 3:5, but by verse 8, Paul had concluded that all he’d accomplished in his own strength was, “…but dung.” So when in Acts 19:26, it was said of him, “This man Paul has persuaded and misled a considerable number of people by saying that gods made with hands are not gods,” the apostle was able to stand against the lies!
Paul was able to continue to proclaim Jesus boldly. Though he stood before judges who misunderstood and maligned him, he remained faithful. Though he faced hardship and imprisonment and torture and ultimately death for doing so, he would not be silent! Like him, may we not be intimidated by erroneous perceptions of ourselves or our motives. Though our faith may be maligned, our motives distorted, may we be emboldened by the truth we bear to steadfastly declare it to the lost—no matter what the cost!
False accusations. There’s hardly a person alive who has not at some point in life borne the weight of being, if not falsely accused, at least misunderstood. Many have spent time incarcerated due to the misinterpretation of evidence that resulted in prison sentences. Jesus was sentenced to death on trumped up charges.
The weight of being ill perceived due to erroneous argumentation that affirmed guilt is a heavy burden. It is perhaps heavier than the weight of bearing actual guilt. When our actions are misrepresented, or our motives are misunderstood, we are perplexed—it caused the Lord to cry out to the Father, “Why have You forsaken Me?” (Mark 15:34).
Paul knew what it was like to be misunderstood. He had spent a lifetime building a reputation within the Hebrew religion. He was, by his own account, “a Hebrew of the Hebrews…a Pharisee…” Philippians 3:5, but by verse 8, Paul had concluded that all he’d accomplished in his own strength was, “…but dung.” So when in Acts 19:26, it was said of him, “This man Paul has persuaded and misled a considerable number of people by saying that gods made with hands are not gods,” the apostle was able to stand against the lies!
Paul was able to continue to proclaim Jesus boldly. Though he stood before judges who misunderstood and maligned him, he remained faithful. Though he faced hardship and imprisonment and torture and ultimately death for doing so, he would not be silent! Like him, may we not be intimidated by erroneous perceptions of ourselves or our motives. Though our faith may be maligned, our motives distorted, may we be emboldened by the truth we bear to steadfastly declare it to the lost—no matter what the cost!
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Another Bout with Another Problem
November 3
Another bout with another problem. The cycle seems endless. The enemy proverbially, ‘’comes in like a flood,’’ and the Lord, ‘‘raises up a standard against him’’ Isaiah 59:19, according to His promise. The believer has experienced the faithfulness of God many times, but he is weary.
The evil one plays upon his understanding of the human propensity to become exhausted under the pressure of trial—and he understands that if he can simply remind a believer of how many battles he’s already fought, wear him down to the point of rendering him unfit for the current battle, he’ll do it!
Jesus understands our frame far better than His old nemesis the devil, for He has Himself walked in a tabernacle of flesh. He knows what it’s like to be weary—without bending. Jesus knows what it’s like to be tempted—without succumbing. Because He’s borne our grief and sorrow, He can succor us when we are bowed under the weight of all that besets us.
In I Peter 2:21, the apostle reminds us that, “You were called to this because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example so you should follow in His steps.” Peter couldn’t overcome his problems alone. He needed Jesus to attain victory. The Lord knows you can’t gain mastery over your many battles on your own either. As He helped Peter, Jesus will help you—no matter what you face.
Another bout with another problem. The cycle seems endless. The enemy proverbially, ‘’comes in like a flood,’’ and the Lord, ‘‘raises up a standard against him’’ Isaiah 59:19, according to His promise. The believer has experienced the faithfulness of God many times, but he is weary.
The evil one plays upon his understanding of the human propensity to become exhausted under the pressure of trial—and he understands that if he can simply remind a believer of how many battles he’s already fought, wear him down to the point of rendering him unfit for the current battle, he’ll do it!
Jesus understands our frame far better than His old nemesis the devil, for He has Himself walked in a tabernacle of flesh. He knows what it’s like to be weary—without bending. Jesus knows what it’s like to be tempted—without succumbing. Because He’s borne our grief and sorrow, He can succor us when we are bowed under the weight of all that besets us.
In I Peter 2:21, the apostle reminds us that, “You were called to this because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example so you should follow in His steps.” Peter couldn’t overcome his problems alone. He needed Jesus to attain victory. The Lord knows you can’t gain mastery over your many battles on your own either. As He helped Peter, Jesus will help you—no matter what you face.
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Eternity's Victor
November 2
From sports events to financial investments, everyone likes to associate with winners. When it comes to that uniquely American sport, football, a tried and true fan can reiterate the statistics that have been pertinent to his team for the last several decades. In the realm of finance, markets are closely watched.
In the religious arena, there are many more ‘teams’ playing in the league in the United States of America than there were when our founding fathers declared that there was to be religious freedom for all. They didn’t have any idea of the influx of ideas that would come into the country with the passage of time.
They couldn’t have imagined that there would be other religions besides Judaism and the various denominations of Christianity that exist here in our day. Yet, the Lord has always known. He knows the end from the beginning, and He is never intimidated when His ancient enemy seems to be making inroads into territory that is rightfully His.
Jesus doesn’t want us to be intimidated either. In I Corinthians 15:58, Paul said to the believers of his day and penned for all who would follow them, “My dear brothers, be steadfast, immovable, knowing that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” We may stand on the assurance that though governments, financial institutions, football teams may rise and fall, Jesus stands eternity’s Victor!
From sports events to financial investments, everyone likes to associate with winners. When it comes to that uniquely American sport, football, a tried and true fan can reiterate the statistics that have been pertinent to his team for the last several decades. In the realm of finance, markets are closely watched.
In the religious arena, there are many more ‘teams’ playing in the league in the United States of America than there were when our founding fathers declared that there was to be religious freedom for all. They didn’t have any idea of the influx of ideas that would come into the country with the passage of time.
They couldn’t have imagined that there would be other religions besides Judaism and the various denominations of Christianity that exist here in our day. Yet, the Lord has always known. He knows the end from the beginning, and He is never intimidated when His ancient enemy seems to be making inroads into territory that is rightfully His.
Jesus doesn’t want us to be intimidated either. In I Corinthians 15:58, Paul said to the believers of his day and penned for all who would follow them, “My dear brothers, be steadfast, immovable, knowing that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” We may stand on the assurance that though governments, financial institutions, football teams may rise and fall, Jesus stands eternity’s Victor!
Monday, November 1, 2010
Receive His Amazing Gift
November 1
We tend to get wrapped around the axel rather easily. It doesn’t take too much provocation to render us fearful and anxiety ridden. One would think that the longer we have walked with the Lord, the less inclined we would be to allow these negative emotions to have sway over us, but many of us do.
Our ‘common sense,’ that natural attribute that requires us to ponder things from a logical perspective, declares that our fears are unfounded, for we are people of faith and power in Christ. Our common sense dictates that we turn our negative thoughts over to Jesus and allow Him to fill our minds with peace.
Our Lord Himself asked in Luke 24:38, 39, “Why are you troubled? And why do doubts arise in your heart?” These words were spoken by Jesus to His disciples after His crucifixion and resurrection. They were spoken when He came to them after dying before their eyes and then returning to them.
He went on to give them the solution to their doubts and fears. It is the solution to ours, too: “…Look at My hands and My feet.” Jesus is here making it very clear that He bore these wounds to deliver His people from all that besets us—disease, doubt, sin, death. Our part is to receive His amazing gift.
We tend to get wrapped around the axel rather easily. It doesn’t take too much provocation to render us fearful and anxiety ridden. One would think that the longer we have walked with the Lord, the less inclined we would be to allow these negative emotions to have sway over us, but many of us do.
Our ‘common sense,’ that natural attribute that requires us to ponder things from a logical perspective, declares that our fears are unfounded, for we are people of faith and power in Christ. Our common sense dictates that we turn our negative thoughts over to Jesus and allow Him to fill our minds with peace.
Our Lord Himself asked in Luke 24:38, 39, “Why are you troubled? And why do doubts arise in your heart?” These words were spoken by Jesus to His disciples after His crucifixion and resurrection. They were spoken when He came to them after dying before their eyes and then returning to them.
He went on to give them the solution to their doubts and fears. It is the solution to ours, too: “…Look at My hands and My feet.” Jesus is here making it very clear that He bore these wounds to deliver His people from all that besets us—disease, doubt, sin, death. Our part is to receive His amazing gift.
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