July 14
We relegate the familiar to an area of insignificance. We take much of life’s good things for granted. Not just the fact that we live in the most advanced technological age that’s ever existed—an incalculable number of conveniences are at our fingertips—and that we are wealthy beyond the dreams of a people of a by-gone age, but more importantly that our sins are washed away and Jesus has cloaked us with His righteousness!
Yes, even that precious, ‘unspeakable GIFT’ (II Corinthians 9:15), we tend to take for granted. How many of us go through an entire day, an entire week—even while at church!—without considering the magnitude of what He’s saved us from? How many of us bother to reflect upon the priceless treasure He has availed to us? How many of us ever share the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ with another lost soul?
Unfortunately, not many of us are involved at all in evangelizing those around us, let alone going into a mission field. Our communities are becoming populated by people from differing cultural and religious backgrounds. To how many of them have we reached out with the salvation message? Oh, we don’t want to offend them—will that excuse ‘hold water’ when we use it to explain our silence before His Throne?
We need to proclaim the message that is of more significance than any other that has ever been uttered! We need to boldly declare as did Peter before the throng that gathered on the Day of Pentecost, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” Acts 2:38. The good news is forever alive and vibrant! Share it daily!
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
...If That's All...
July 13
In God’s estimation, there is nothing gained by the recognition or the accolades of men. In fact, Jesus said in Matthew 6:2-6, “When you do your alms, do not announce your gift as do the hypocrites so they will have glory from men. Indeed they have their only reward; rather, when you do alms, don’t even let your left hand know what your right hand is doing…and you will receive the reward of your Father.”
The honor of men is of no eternal value, although most of us strive to attain it. We consider ourselves to be unfortunate, unlucky, cheated, if we do not find ourselves crowned with honor by men for the small things we achieve.
We are swallowed up in the world’s idea of glory. We are enthralled by awards. From athletic competition to conflagration among nations, the old adage to which we adhere is, ‘To the winner go the spoils.’ We want the spoils. We don’t want to be an ‘also ran.’
But the Lord says something very sobering in Mark 8:36, “What shall it profit a man if he shall gain the whole world but lose his own soul?” The praise of men, the rewards of hard work may be delightful, but if that’s all a man has, he has nothing of eternal value.
In God’s estimation, there is nothing gained by the recognition or the accolades of men. In fact, Jesus said in Matthew 6:2-6, “When you do your alms, do not announce your gift as do the hypocrites so they will have glory from men. Indeed they have their only reward; rather, when you do alms, don’t even let your left hand know what your right hand is doing…and you will receive the reward of your Father.”
The honor of men is of no eternal value, although most of us strive to attain it. We consider ourselves to be unfortunate, unlucky, cheated, if we do not find ourselves crowned with honor by men for the small things we achieve.
We are swallowed up in the world’s idea of glory. We are enthralled by awards. From athletic competition to conflagration among nations, the old adage to which we adhere is, ‘To the winner go the spoils.’ We want the spoils. We don’t want to be an ‘also ran.’
But the Lord says something very sobering in Mark 8:36, “What shall it profit a man if he shall gain the whole world but lose his own soul?” The praise of men, the rewards of hard work may be delightful, but if that’s all a man has, he has nothing of eternal value.
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Ultimate Ownership
July 12
God wants all believers to leave a spiritual inheritance to their children. There is a reason He says regarding the law of the Lord, “Keep the commandments you have learned from your father and forsake not the instruction of your mother; bind them continually upon your heart and wear them over your heart.”
It goes on to say, “When you go, they will lead you, when you sleep, they shall keep you. When you awake, they shall walk with you; for the commandment is a lamp and the law is light. The reproof of their instruction is the way of life,” Proverbs 6:20-23.
The treasure of the Word is something we desire to bequeath to our children even more than we wish to leave them a financial inheritance. We know that the very foundation of the world is being shaken and the things we have always considered steadfast are toppling around us. We know the only thing that will endure is the truth of Christ.
We know the promise of the Lord in Proverbs 13:22 is, “A good man leaves an inheritance for his children’s children, but a sinner’s wealth is stored up for the righteous.” Ultimately, every good thing belongs to the people of God. Those who depend upon earth’s treasure will lose it all. Those who rely on the Lord will have it all!
God wants all believers to leave a spiritual inheritance to their children. There is a reason He says regarding the law of the Lord, “Keep the commandments you have learned from your father and forsake not the instruction of your mother; bind them continually upon your heart and wear them over your heart.”
It goes on to say, “When you go, they will lead you, when you sleep, they shall keep you. When you awake, they shall walk with you; for the commandment is a lamp and the law is light. The reproof of their instruction is the way of life,” Proverbs 6:20-23.
The treasure of the Word is something we desire to bequeath to our children even more than we wish to leave them a financial inheritance. We know that the very foundation of the world is being shaken and the things we have always considered steadfast are toppling around us. We know the only thing that will endure is the truth of Christ.
We know the promise of the Lord in Proverbs 13:22 is, “A good man leaves an inheritance for his children’s children, but a sinner’s wealth is stored up for the righteous.” Ultimately, every good thing belongs to the people of God. Those who depend upon earth’s treasure will lose it all. Those who rely on the Lord will have it all!
Monday, July 11, 2011
Total Prosperity
July 11
The ‘steady-as-you-go’ financial plan isn’t likely to generate billionaires. No matter how effective the diligent plodder may be in assuring both his short-term and long-range financial well-being, he isn’t likely to be the individual whose portfolio will accrue him tens of millions of dollars.
Though we are privileged to live in the wealthiest country that has ever existed, though we have opportunities for success that are bounded only by our own abilities, we must recognize that part of the boundaries to our financial parameters are established by the resources with which we have to work.
Yet, those limitations are not entirely restricted to the dollars-and-sense means we have at our disposal, nor are they hemmed in by our financial savvy. Deuteronomy 15:10 presents a plan to us that reminds us that the Lord has His part in our economic well-being. He is fully able to prosper His people, regardless of their limitations. He is not bound by salaries or bonuses or Wall Street trends.
This passage states, “Give generously to your needy brother and do so without a grudging heart; then, because of this, the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to do.” God does not care only about your financial well-being but about your emotional, physical, mental and spiritual prosperity, too. When you heed His counsel, He will make all areas of your life to thrive.
The ‘steady-as-you-go’ financial plan isn’t likely to generate billionaires. No matter how effective the diligent plodder may be in assuring both his short-term and long-range financial well-being, he isn’t likely to be the individual whose portfolio will accrue him tens of millions of dollars.
Though we are privileged to live in the wealthiest country that has ever existed, though we have opportunities for success that are bounded only by our own abilities, we must recognize that part of the boundaries to our financial parameters are established by the resources with which we have to work.
Yet, those limitations are not entirely restricted to the dollars-and-sense means we have at our disposal, nor are they hemmed in by our financial savvy. Deuteronomy 15:10 presents a plan to us that reminds us that the Lord has His part in our economic well-being. He is fully able to prosper His people, regardless of their limitations. He is not bound by salaries or bonuses or Wall Street trends.
This passage states, “Give generously to your needy brother and do so without a grudging heart; then, because of this, the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to do.” God does not care only about your financial well-being but about your emotional, physical, mental and spiritual prosperity, too. When you heed His counsel, He will make all areas of your life to thrive.
Sunday, July 10, 2011
Little by Little
July 10
It would be wonderful to work for a company that paid enormous bonuses to its top ‘performers.’ It would be great if every well-considered investment accrued exponentially. But it doesn’t always work that way. Often, the least-recognized workers in an office are the most diligent and the best investment prospects go awry.
Our economy seems to be darkening. As we survey the horizon for a glimmer of a new day rising we don’t see even a thread of light that would indicate a bright new morning is about to dawn. It would be easy to throw up our hands in despair and resign ourselves to hopeless desperation—until we factor our God into the equation.
The Christ we serve is the ultimate Owner of all that exists. His Word that cannot fail and cannot lie reminds us that we are not dependent upon the latest report from the financial meccas of the world. Our security doesn’t come from Wall Street or from China or from the capitals of Europe!
Proverbs 13:11 assures us that, “He who gathers money little-by-little makes it grow.” We may not glean a great wind-fall bonus for our hard work and we may not reap an enormous pay back on our investments, but if we will lean on the Lord, trust in His faithfulness, we will gain a steady increase from our labor.
It would be wonderful to work for a company that paid enormous bonuses to its top ‘performers.’ It would be great if every well-considered investment accrued exponentially. But it doesn’t always work that way. Often, the least-recognized workers in an office are the most diligent and the best investment prospects go awry.
Our economy seems to be darkening. As we survey the horizon for a glimmer of a new day rising we don’t see even a thread of light that would indicate a bright new morning is about to dawn. It would be easy to throw up our hands in despair and resign ourselves to hopeless desperation—until we factor our God into the equation.
The Christ we serve is the ultimate Owner of all that exists. His Word that cannot fail and cannot lie reminds us that we are not dependent upon the latest report from the financial meccas of the world. Our security doesn’t come from Wall Street or from China or from the capitals of Europe!
Proverbs 13:11 assures us that, “He who gathers money little-by-little makes it grow.” We may not glean a great wind-fall bonus for our hard work and we may not reap an enormous pay back on our investments, but if we will lean on the Lord, trust in His faithfulness, we will gain a steady increase from our labor.
Saturday, July 9, 2011
He Will Supply
July 9
We are living in a very problematic economic time. If you are one who is inclined to see the hand of God moving through circumstances, you may have concluded by now that the failure of once stalwart business institutions and the ruination of once mighty industrial giants have occurred because we have relied upon man rather than on God.
In our early years and through the trials and challenges of the years of our growth to become the world’s military and economic powerhouse, we were a people who honored the God of our forefathers. We recognized as did they, the hand of Providence upon us. We considered ourselves to be a people of ‘manifest destiny.’
Today, the ‘wise’ among us declare those who are people of faith in the Living Christ to be foolish. If our founders were alive to see their mockery of all that is right and holy, they would stand aghast at the headlong plummet into false religion and godlessness that those in leadership positions over us have fallen. Though we have fallen long and hard away from the foundation of our republic, we who believe in His name still have the words of Christ to which we cling.
In Matthew 7:31-33 He said, “Do not worry about what you shall eat or what you shall wear as the pagans do; rather, remind yourself that your Heavenly Father knows what you need. He wants you to first seek His Kingdom and His righteousness, then He will add all things unto you.” We are not dependent upon the economy; we are dependent upon God Almighty! If we will turn to Him at the point of our distress, He will, “…supply all our need, according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus” Philippians 4:19.
We are living in a very problematic economic time. If you are one who is inclined to see the hand of God moving through circumstances, you may have concluded by now that the failure of once stalwart business institutions and the ruination of once mighty industrial giants have occurred because we have relied upon man rather than on God.
In our early years and through the trials and challenges of the years of our growth to become the world’s military and economic powerhouse, we were a people who honored the God of our forefathers. We recognized as did they, the hand of Providence upon us. We considered ourselves to be a people of ‘manifest destiny.’
Today, the ‘wise’ among us declare those who are people of faith in the Living Christ to be foolish. If our founders were alive to see their mockery of all that is right and holy, they would stand aghast at the headlong plummet into false religion and godlessness that those in leadership positions over us have fallen. Though we have fallen long and hard away from the foundation of our republic, we who believe in His name still have the words of Christ to which we cling.
In Matthew 7:31-33 He said, “Do not worry about what you shall eat or what you shall wear as the pagans do; rather, remind yourself that your Heavenly Father knows what you need. He wants you to first seek His Kingdom and His righteousness, then He will add all things unto you.” We are not dependent upon the economy; we are dependent upon God Almighty! If we will turn to Him at the point of our distress, He will, “…supply all our need, according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus” Philippians 4:19.
Friday, July 8, 2011
The Continuing Debt of Love
July 8
Debt. Our progeny will live and die with an acute awareness of what that word means. Our nation is engulfed in a sea of red ink and our creditors are not inclined to forgive our debt as the U.S. did after WW II when virtually all the nations of Western Europe were indebted to us for our role in rescuing them from subjugation by the Nazis.
The largess of our nation toward victims of natural disasters and ruthless dictators is unparalleled in human history. At great cost to ourselves, we have galvanized the mechanism of collecting and distributing monies to the needy throughout the world whenever a crisis arises, no matter the religion or culture or nationality of the victims.
And now, the shoe is, so to speak, on the other foot. Ours is the nation in a tight economic spot, but there is no talk of reciprocal action on the part of nations like China and India who, but for the sharing of our technology with them and the export of our industries to their shores, would still be groveling in abject poverty. Rather than lean upon the goodwill of nations who have long expressed distain for us and our freedom, we should resolve to rely again upon the benevolent hand of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
He raised us up and allowed us to be strong and great among the nations! If we will return to Him, He will be able to help us and to restore what has been taken away from us by the foolishness of our leaders. When we have been delivered from spiritual and economic poverty, we can then appropriate the truth of Romans 13:8, “Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellow man fulfills the law.”
Debt. Our progeny will live and die with an acute awareness of what that word means. Our nation is engulfed in a sea of red ink and our creditors are not inclined to forgive our debt as the U.S. did after WW II when virtually all the nations of Western Europe were indebted to us for our role in rescuing them from subjugation by the Nazis.
The largess of our nation toward victims of natural disasters and ruthless dictators is unparalleled in human history. At great cost to ourselves, we have galvanized the mechanism of collecting and distributing monies to the needy throughout the world whenever a crisis arises, no matter the religion or culture or nationality of the victims.
And now, the shoe is, so to speak, on the other foot. Ours is the nation in a tight economic spot, but there is no talk of reciprocal action on the part of nations like China and India who, but for the sharing of our technology with them and the export of our industries to their shores, would still be groveling in abject poverty. Rather than lean upon the goodwill of nations who have long expressed distain for us and our freedom, we should resolve to rely again upon the benevolent hand of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
He raised us up and allowed us to be strong and great among the nations! If we will return to Him, He will be able to help us and to restore what has been taken away from us by the foolishness of our leaders. When we have been delivered from spiritual and economic poverty, we can then appropriate the truth of Romans 13:8, “Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellow man fulfills the law.”
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