Devotional

Doing the Right Thing (1)

“Be it known…that we will not.” Da 3:18
The higher you climb in life, the more certain people will try to assert control over you. Their threats can sound real, and the consequences of ignoring them, intimidating. Look at Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. Their commitment to God landed them in a fiery furnace heated seven times over. But it also promoted them to a place of great blessing and influence. Their story teaches us that for something to be an authentic test of character, it must be a situation in which the outcome is not in your hands. You simply make the choice to do what is right before God and leave the consequences to Him. It’s a trial by fire, but it’s a fire of refinement, and on the other side of it you come out stronger. Each time you do the right thing, choosing to embrace rather than escape the path God has called you to walk, you enter a new level of freedom. And as Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego discovered, three things happen: (1) You are set free from the “Nebuchadnezzars” who claim to have control over the outcomes of your life. (2) You are set free to say no to those who would try to use and manipulate you. (3) You are set free to serve your all-powerful King and say no to all the other pretenders who really have no power over you at all. In that moment you not only gain insight into who you are, but more importantly, Whose you are. And God will do one of two things: develop you in the fiery furnace, or deliver you from it. Indeed, He may do both!

Know Your Enemy (2)

“There is another power within me that is at war with my mind.” Ro 7:23 NLT
Today let’s talk about the enemy within. Your old nature is like a fifth column, always looking for ways to sabotage you. It’s the door through which Satan enters. You have two natures, an old one and a new one. They are opposite, and they are always on a collision course. A great illustration of this can be found in the birth of Jacob and Esau. “Rebekah became pregnant with twins. But the two children struggled with each other in her womb. So she went to ask the Lord about it. ‘Why is this happening to me?’ she asked. And the Lord told her, ‘The sons in your womb will become two nations. From the very beginning, the two nations will be rivals. One nation will be stronger than the other; and your older son will serve your younger son’” (Ge 25:21-23 NLT). Paul talks about his “Dr. Jekyll” nature and his “Mr. Hyde” nature. “I love God’s law with all my heart. But there is another power within me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to sin that is still within me” (Ro 7:22-23 NLT). What’s the answer? Starve your old nature and feed your new one! Again Paul writes: “No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier” (2Ti 2:4). That means you must: (1) regularly communicate with headquarters through prayer; (2) read God’s Word to be sure you’re obeying your Commanding Officer; (3) keep your spiritual morale high; (4) not get entangled with the wrong people or things.

Know Your Enemy (1)

“Endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.” 2Ti 2:3
The new birth creates a battle between your old nature and your new one. When you were redeemed, you were recruited into this battle. And it begins the moment your eyes open each morning. The big question is, will you hold up or fold up? Victory depends on knowing your enemy’s strategy and having a plan to deal with it. As a follower of Christ the attack you face each day is twofold. First, there is the attack that comes from without. “Know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? Whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God” (Jas 4:4). Now that doesn’t mean distancing yourself from your unchurched friends and denouncing all their activities. Nor does it mean adopting a holier-than-thou attitude toward them. It means that instead of the culture affecting you negatively, you engage and influence it positively, like light in darkness. Susanna Wesley defined “worldliness” as four things: (1) ”Whatever dulls the sensitivities of my spirit toward God, or takes the fine edge off my thought of Him—must be ruled out for He is my Lord. (2) Whatever injures and weakens my body, or affects the mastery of it—must be ruled out for it is the temple of the Lord. (3) Whatever adversely affects the clearness of my witness to Jesus Christ before others—must be ruled out for it was His parting wish that I should be a witness of Him. (4) Whatever may cause my brother to stumble in his Christian life—must be ruled out for that would grieve Jesus.”

Raising Secure Kids in an Insecure World

“I prayed for this child.” 1Sa 1:27 NCV
Protectiveness is part of parenting. But unless you’re careful you can shield your kids from the very things they need to mature. Sheila Wray Gregoire says we should Surrender them to God. We think we control their futures, but most of the time they turn out differently than we planned. Samuel’s mother, Hannah, said: “I prayed for this child…Now I give him back to the Lord” (vv. 27-28 NCV). Whether He chooses to send them to the jungles of Africa…the inner city…or a house around the corner…God knows best. Live with hope, not wishful thinking. Trust God to use them and guide them through life, even if He never reveals how or why. From this perspective it’s easier to accept that circumstances don’t determine the final outcome; they’re just the tools God uses to shape character. Encourage responsibility. Letting kids experience consequence shows them what works and what doesn’t. For example, a tumble off the swing set teaches them not to be reckless…and that failure to study results in poor grades. “It is good for people to endure burdens when they’re young” (Lam 3:27 GWT). Kids who learn responsibility and independence early are better equipped to succeed. Pray often and with purpose. Instead of praying for his “spiritual children” to be spared persecution, Paul said: “My prayer [is] that your love…abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so…you may be able to discern what is best and…be pure and blameless until the day of Christ” (Php 1:9-10 NIV). Being a Christian doesn’t mean life is always easy. But when you, the parent, demonstrate faith in God, your kids learn to trust Him too.

Are You Being Tempted?

“Blessed is the man that endureth temptation.” Jas 1:12
You’ll never be exempt from temptation. Each season of life just brings temptation in a different form. When you’re young you’ll struggle with the need for companionship and sexual fulfillment. In business you’ll be tempted to distort the truth, cheat and pocket the money. When you become successful, if you’re not careful you’ll become ego-driven, controlling and opinionated. The truth is, you never become so spiritual as to be exempt from temptation. After forty days of prayer and fasting, Satan tempted Jesus. So you are as vulnerable to attack after a great spiritual experience as you are in your lowest moments. Satan understood Jesus’ assignment and he was out to stop Him from accomplishing it. And he is out to stop you too! The battle you’re in is not over the past, it’s over the future. In the face of repeated temptation Jesus defeated Satan by using the Word of God, and you must too. Without it you have no defense. In what specific areas do you struggle? What’s your strategy for victory? What percentage of the time are you successful? What Scriptures have you memorized to help you conquer the tempter when he comes against you? Look at Samson, God’s champion: blinded, chained, grinding corn like an ox in a Philistine dungeon. Sin has a blinding effect, a binding effect, and a grinding effect. Graveyards and prisons are filled with people who were too weak to stand up against Satan. Dreams crash daily on the rocks of temptation. Move the ship of your life away from those rocks while you still can.

Are You a “Philip”? (2)

“And they chose…Philip.” Ac 6:5 NKJV
The Bible says: “We…came to Caesarea, and entered the house of Philip…this man had four virgin daughters who prophesied” (Ac 21:8-9). Here’s the second thing that qualified Philip for leadership in the church: He knew how to build a strong family. You say, “Does that mean if I’ve failed in marriage God won’t use me?” No, Samuel was one of Israel’s greatest prophets, yet he failed with his children. David wrote Psalms, yet his family life was a shambles. Interestingly, neither Samuel nor David had much to say in Scripture about family life. When it comes to church leadership, to have credibility in God’s house you must first have it in your own. So, pastor: (1) don’t sacrifice your family for your church; (2) don’t sacrifice your children for your congregation; (3) don’t sacrifice your spouse for your children; (4) don’t sacrifice the important for the urgent. The Bible gives us qualifications for leadership in the church. Paul writes that a leader “must be faithful to his wife, and his children must be believers who don’t have a reputation for being wild or rebellious…He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered; he must not be a heavy drinker, violent or dishonest with money…He must enjoy having guests in his home, and he must love what is good. He must live wisely and be just. He must live a devout and disciplined life. He must have a strong belief in the trustworthy message he was taught; then he will be able to encourage others with wholesome teaching and show those who oppose it where they are wrong” (Tit 1:6-9 NLT). So, do you qualify?

Are You a “Philip”? (1)

“And they chose…Philip.” Ac 6:5 NKJV
Philip was one of seven men chosen to lead the New Testament church. Why? Because he had certain qualities. Let’s look at two of them: He had the ability to be Spirit-led. Philip started out as a deacon working in the administration department of the church. But he went on to become an evangelist, conducting a city-wide crusade in Samaria. “Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ to them. And the multitudes with one accord heeded the things spoken by Philip, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did” (Ac 8:5-6 NKJV). Now, the idea of staying there and building a great church must have been very appealing to Philip. But God had other plans. “An angel of the Lord spoke to Philip…‘Arise and go toward the…desert.’ So he arose and went” (vv. 26-27 NKJV). “Go where? To the desert? Are you serious, Lord?” Here’s a thought: when God speaks to you He may not tell you what you want to hear, or send you where you’d like to go. Have you considered that? Is that why you’re not actively seeking His guidance? Big doors swing on little hinges. In the desert Philip met the Ethiopian eunuch who served the queen of Ethiopia as secretary of the treasury. Philip’s assignment was to introduce him to Christ and baptize him. After that the eunuch returned to Ethiopia and history says multitudes there were won to Christ as a result. But it only happened because Philip could leave his comfort zone, step out in faith and follow God. Bottom line: in order to lead others you must know how to be led by God.

Don’t Get Bitter

“Watch out that no…bitterness grows up.” Heb 12:15 NLT
Betrayal is something others do to you; bitterness is something you do to yourself. It’s impossible to go through life without being hurt. It may be an unfaithful mate, an employee who slanders you, or a boss who fires you without explanation. Sitting at supper with His disciples, Jesus said, “One of you will betray me” (Mk 14:18 NIV). Shortly after that, Judas betrayed Him with a kiss. Some folks will kiss you today and kick you tomorrow. But Jesus refused to become bitter. That’s because He knew Judas’ kiss would usher Him into His destiny. Nor did Jesus turn His back on Peter when he denied Him. Instead, Peter was the only one He mentioned by name when He arranged to meet His disciples for breakfast following the resurrection. Jesus saw people in the light of their potential, not their problems. What they were at that moment didn’t keep Him from seeing what they would become when His grace touched their lives. And you must be that way too. This is why Paul wrote: “Get rid of all bitterness…Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you” (Eph 4:31-32 NLT). So eliminate any words of bitterness from your conversation. Stop rehearsing the details of your past unless it’s to teach and encourage others to rise above theirs. How often do you revisit your old issues? What are you doing to make sure no bitterness remains in your heart? God says, “Do not remember the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing” (Isa 43:18-19 NKJV).

Are You Fulfilled? (3)

“I delight to do Your will, O my God.” Ps 40:8 NKJV

To keep your dream alive and find fulfillment in the pursuit of it, you must allow yourself to keep dreaming. God gave Joseph two dreams: in the first, other sheaves of wheat bowed down to his; in the second, other stars bowed down to his. Note, he dreamed progressively higher, from sheaves to stars. Most creative people intuitively understand the importance of dreaming as a process for inspiration, motivation and fulfillment. George Lucas, creator and producer of the movie Star Wars, says one thing that kept him and his colleagues going during the difficult times was this: “We were always dreaming of how it was going to be.” If you are not a naturally creative person, then you have to learn how to keep dreaming. And if you can do it with a sense of humor, that doesn’t hurt. There’s a story about a student riding a bicycle on a college campus. On his tee shirt was the message: “I am going to be a doctor.” On the bike was a sign that also had a message: “I am going to be a Mercedes.” That’s somebody who had learned to keep dreaming! Andrew Carnegie, who was a Christian philanthropist during the early 1900s, said, “If you want to be happy, set a goal that commands your thoughts, liberates your energy, and inspires your hopes.” In other words—keep your dream alive and it will keep you alive. When David said, “I delight to do Your will, O my God,” he simply meant you’ll find your highest fulfillment in doing what God put you on this earth to do.

Are You Fulfilled? (2)

“Do not throw away your confidence; it will be…rewarded.” Heb 10:35 NIV

Consultant Dan Sullivan talks about the difference between our “ideals” and our “actuals.” He says, “The ideal is a picture we create of future desirable events and situations that enables us to move forward in time. The ideal does not actually exist outside our minds, nor is it achievable.” Why? Because it depends on everything being perfect. Life is, at best, messy. It’s filled with surprises—both good and bad. If you need the ideal picture of your dream to come into being in order to feel fulfilled, you will never be fulfilled. That doesn’t mean you should cast aside your ideal vision. It is useful for helping you to establish goals, find internal motivation, and strive for excellence. However, you also need to temper it. Where idealistic dreams expect to be realized immediately, realistic dreams make you appreciate the time it takes for them to become a reality. Where idealistic dreams do not tolerate anything less than perfection, realistic dreams leave room for you to be human and imperfect. Where idealistic dreams set you up for disappointment, realistic dreams set you up for success. The man who never made a mistake, never made anything. Indeed, the man who never made a mistake probably gets his salary from the one who does. The reason God doesn’t whitewash His heroes in the Bible is to let you know that in spite of your flaws, He can use you to accomplish great things. You say, “But am I not supposed to work on my weaknesses?” Yes, but you’ll only succeed in what you’re called to do by working from your God-given strengths.

Are You Fulfilled? (1)

“In due season he will honor you with every blessing.” Ps 37:34 TLB

There is usually a huge gap between the birth of a dream and the achievement of that dream. The question you have to ask yourself is whether it will be a fulfillment gap or a frustration gap. If it’s a frustration gap you’ll be miserable most of the days you’re in it. And every day that you’re frustrated instead of fulfilled, you lessen the odds that you’ll be able to keep moving forward toward your dream. Author Seth Godin calls this gap between when you set out to do something and when you actually start to see significant results, “the dip.” The dip represents the adversity you must face, the learning curve you must go through, and the hard work you must be willing to invest between conception and realization. If the dip you are in seems to be a road without end, here are some Scriptures you need to stand on: “Don’t be impatient for the Lord to act! Keep traveling steadily along his pathway and in due season he will honor you with every blessing.” “Do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised” (Heb 10:35-36 NIV). “So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal” (2Co 4:18 NIV). God has promised you more than just the fulfillment of your dream; He has promised joy in each step you take toward it.

Four Ways to Build a Relationship with the Lord

“Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord.”            2Pe 3:18 NKJV

First, make up your mind. Spiritual growth doesn’t happen by osmosis. You don’t just wake up with it one morning, you have to set your heart on it and make it your highest priority. Otherwise it won’t happen. “The Bible says: “Let not that man suppose he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways” (Jas 1:7 NKJV). Second, break up your will. Until your will is surrendered to God and brought into alignment with His purposes, you will go in circles spiritually. Israel went in circles in the wilderness for forty years, yet they were only eleven miles from the Promised Land. Don’t let that happen to you. “Now may the God of peace…make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight” (Heb 13:20-21 NKJV). Third, wake up your faith. Obey the leadings of God’s Spirit. Don’t be afraid, He will not let you down. Just make sure you don’t let Him down. “Without faith it is impossible to please Him, for He who comes to God must believe that He is…a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him” (Heb 11:6 NKJV). Fourth, take up your cross. “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it” (Mt 16:24-25 NKJV). If you’re serious about building a relationship with the Lord, do these four things.

The Benefits of Making Jesus “Lord”

“No one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit.” 1Co 12:3 NKJV
Making Jesus “Lord” of your life means that He must have the first and last word in all things that concern you. It means you are called to walk with Him, to prove yourself valuable to Him, to please Him and do what He wants, when He wants it, and in the way He wants it done. Here are three great benefits that come from putting Jesus behind the wheel and making Him “Lord.” (1) When you don’t know what to say, He will tell you. “The Sovereign Lord has given me his words of wisdom, so that I may know how to comfort the weary. Morning by morning he wakens me and opens my understanding to his will. The Sovereign Lord has spoken to me, and I have listened. I have not rebelled or turned away” (Isa 50:4-5 NLT). (2) When you can’t defend yourself, He will fight for you. “The Lord is my fortress, protecting me from danger, so why should I tremble? When evil people come to devour me…they will stumble and fall. Though a mighty army surrounds me, my heart will not be afraid. Even if I am attacked, I will remain confident” (Ps 27:1-3 NLT). (3) When the burden feels too heavy, He will carry it for you. “Give your burdens to the Lord, and he will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall” (Ps 55:22 NLT). And these three benefits are yours when you make Jesus “Lord” over every area of your life.

God’s Reward System (2)

“He will receive his reward.” 1Co 3:14 NIV
How will God evaluate and reward what you did for Him during your lifetime here on earth? Based on three tests: (1) The relationship test. The life God rewards is not a life of performance apart from relationship with Him. Jesus pointed out that unless you abide in Him and obey His commandments, you will not bear fruit for Him (See Jn 15:5). He commended the church at Ephesus for their good works, then turned around and condemned them because they hadn’t kept their love for Him alive. “I know your works, your labor, your patience…Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love” (Rev 2:2-4 NKJV). (2) The motive test. Jesus said to the Pharisees, “Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward…in heaven” (Mt 6:1 NKJV). Note the words “to be seen.” What should our motive be? To serve God and bring glory to Him! Even simple things like eating and drinking can do that (See 1Co 10:31). On the other hand, your most religious actions are worthless if your motive is to enhance your own ego and reputation. (3) The love test. Christ said, “Love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great” (Lk 6:35 NKJV). When it comes to good works, why is always more important than what. The Bible says, “Look to yourselves, that we do not lose those things we worked for, but that we may receive a full reward” (2Jn 8 NKJV). So keep your heart pure and your motives right!

God’s Reward System (1)

“He will receive his reward.” 1Co 3:14 NIV
Read these three Scriptures: (1) “The fire will test the quality of each man’s work. If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. If it is burned up, he will suffer loss” (vv. 13-15 NIV). (2) “No one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age (homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields—and with them, persecutions)” (Mk 10:29-30 NIV). (3) “When you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous” (Lk 14:13-14 NIV). These Scriptures clearly teach that God records your deeds and rewards you for them. Some of your rewards will come in this life, and some will come in the next. If you fail to understand that, you’ll find yourself saying, “I served God faithfully, so why am I still struggling? Doesn’t God notice or care?” Yes, God notices and He cares. But He doesn’t promise that the work you do for Him now will always result in gain from Him now. Many of the rewards God has for us are so great that it will take eternity to appreciate and enjoy them. Jesus said, “Whoever gives you a cup of water to drink in My name…will by no means lose his reward” (Mk 9:41 NKJV). No deed for God will be overlooked or go unrewarded—even a cup of cold water or a prayer in the middle of the night.

The Ultimate Therapy and Protection

“She prodded him day after day until he was tired to death.” Jdg 16:16 NIV
When you’re emotionally drained and under pressure, you’re vulnerable to making serious mistakes. Samson did. Notice how Delilah brought him down: “She prodded him day after day until he was tired to death. So he told her everything” (vv. 16-17 NIV). You can attend church every week and read your Bible from cover to cover, but it will do you little good if you’re running around physically and spiritually depleted. Furthermore, it’s hard to live with such a person, and almost impossible to help them because their mind is in the grip of a negative force. You say, “What’s the answer?” (1) Examine the company you’re keeping. When you need rest and relief go to the right people; when you’re feeling down, reach for those who can lift you up. The Psalmist said, “I am a friend to all…who follow your precepts” (Ps 119:63 NIV). (2) Check your fuel gauge. Samson wore himself out in a good cause because he failed to replenish his soul. Are you doing that? One New Year’s Day during the Tournament of Roses parade in California, a beautiful float suddenly sputtered and quit—out of gas. The whole parade was held up until someone found a gas can. The funny thing is, this float represented the Standard Oil Company. The Bible says, “He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak” (Isa 40:29 NIV). As you spend time with God in prayer and the Scriptures, He will strengthen you and give you back your peace and stability. It’s the ultimate therapy. It’s also the ultimate protection!

Courage (3)

“There is a greater power with us than with him.” 2Ch 32:7 NIV

David was bringing food to his brothers at the battlefront when he saw Goliath. He wasn’t thinking of becoming a hero, he just seized an opportunity other soldiers only dream about. Opportunities will catch you by surprise, and if you’re not alert and ready, you’ll miss them. What others discovered in David that day—had been there all along! If you’re a leader, you already possess the talent necessary to lead. But courage is what will establish you as a leader before others. The people we revere most, demonstrate courage —courage on the battlefield and in the boardroom, courage to defend the defenseless, or simply to attempt what nobody else thought possible. You say, “But I don’t have the money.” Don’t worry, capital follows courage. What always precedes how. Don’t be intimidated by the numbers. God is not moved by spreadsheets and market conditions, He’s moved by faith. Don’t let how intimidate you. It’s because how is so challenging that it provides you with great opportunity. If the pathway to success were well lit it would already be crowded. If how wasn’t a problem, someone else would already have figured it out. All progress begins with one question: “What needs to be done?” And somebody needs to be asking that question—why not you? The future belongs to those who have the courage to ask that question and the faith to hang on until they discover the answer. When the obstacles look too big and opposition seems too strong, stand on this Scripture: “Do not be afraid or discouraged…for there is a greater power with us than with him.”

Courage (2)

“Rise up; this matter is in your hands…take courage and do it.” Ezr 10:4 NIV

Pastor Andy Stanley writes: “I keep a little card in my desk that reads: ‘Dream no small dreams, for they stir not the hearts of men.’ More than once that simple statement has kept me from retreating from my dreams. I know from experience that it’s impossible to lead without a dream. When leaders are no longer willing to dream, it’s only a short time before followers are unwilling to follow. So dream! Dream big. Dream often. Somewhere in those random ideas that flood your mind, is one that will capture your heart and imagination. And that seemingly random idea may very well evolve into a vision for your life.” Every great accomplishment begins as a dream in someone’s heart. All things are created twice: first in your mind, and then in your life. Dreamers allow their minds to wander outside the boundaries of what is, creating a mental picture of what can be. They are not always the most talented or best educated—just the ones who refuse to put brackets around their thinking or limit themselves to what others have done. Doing this requires courage, lots of it! On the heels of every dream there’s a demon of doubt. No sooner is your dream conceived than your mind is suddenly filled with all the reasons why it may not work. And there will be folks around you who‘ll be quick to confirm those fears. In spite of that, you must forge ahead and dream; otherwise you’ll spend the rest of your life fulfilling the dreams of others. “Rise up; this matter is in your hands…take courage and do it.”

Courage (1)

“Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” Mk 1:17 NIV

If you want to experience God’s blessing in a new way, get ready to leave your comfort zone. When Jesus called His disciples they were on familiar turf, doing what they knew best: fishing. But they couldn’t stay there and follow Him. Neither can you. The Bible records: “As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net…for they were fishermen. ‘Come, follow me,’ Jesus said, ‘and I will make you fishers of men.’ At once they left their nets and followed him” (vv. 16-18 NIV). Notice, they had to leave the security of the familiar in order to fulfill their destiny. And in case you think you are too old to try something new, Abraham was seventy-five when he left the comforts of home to go out and establish a new nation. Your age is not the issue, your faith is. Understand this: today you are just one step of obedience away from the next truth God wants you to learn about Him, so you can’t afford to stay where you are. We all have a tendency to cling to the “tried and true.” The trouble with that is, when you are no longer being stretched you begin to shrink, you become complacent, you think you can handle things on your own, and you stop growing. That’s a dangerous place to be. If you feel restless at heart today and believe that God has more for you than you’ve been settling for, then it’s time to confront your fears, walk through them and launch out into a new experience with Him.

The Truth About the Truth (2)

“You desire truth in the inward parts.” Ps 51:6 NKJV
If we’re brutally honest, we’d have to admit that sometimes the truth seems inadequate to do what we need done. We want our bosses to like us, so we flatter. We want our friends to admire us, so we exaggerate. We want people to respect us, so we live in houses we can’t afford and charge bills we can’t pay. Ananias and Sapphira sold a piece of property and gave a portion of the money to the church. But they lied, claiming the land sold for the amount of money they gave (See Ac 5). Their sin was not in holding back some money for themselves; it was in misrepresenting the truth. And their deceit resulted in their deaths. You say, “I’m glad God doesn’t strike people dead today for lying.” Don’t be so sure. Lying results in the death of: (1) A marriage. Falsehoods are termites in the trunk of the family tree. (2) A conscience. The tragedy of the second lie is that it’s always easier to tell than the first. (3) A career. Just ask the employee who got fired for embezzlement. (4) Faith. Think: How can God use us if we won’t tell the truth? Every football team has a player assigned to carry the play from the coach to the huddle. But what if the player doesn’t tell the truth? What if the coach calls for a pass but the player says the coach calls for a run? The coach won’t call on him very long. God says if you are honest in small things He will trust you with greater things (See Mt 25:21). So, can God trust you?

The Truth About the Truth (1)

“You desire truth in the inward parts.” Ps 51:6 NKJV
According to Psychology Today, more people say they have cheated on their marriage partners than on their income tax returns or expense accounts. Nearly half say that if they scratched another car in the parking lot they would drive away without leaving a note, although 89 percent agree that it would be wrong. Perhaps the question shouldn’t be, “Why does God demand such honesty of us?”, but rather, “Why do we tolerate such dishonesty?” Jeremiah weighs in: “The heart is deceitful above all things” (Jer 17:9 NIV). For many of us, our credo is, “You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you squirm.” At the age of three, when Mom asked, “Did you hit your little brother?” we knew that honesty had its consequences. So we learned to say, “Uhhhh, well, it’s not really lying.” We learned to cover things up. “Did I hit my baby brother? That all depends on how you interpret the word hit. I mean, sure, I made contact with him, but would a jury consider it a hit? Everything is relative, you know.” We say, “Did I hit my baby brother? Yes, Mom, I did. But it’s not my fault. Had I been born with nonaggressive chromosomes and had you not permitted me to watch television, it would never have happened. So I can say I hit my brother, but the fault isn’t mine. I’m a victim of nurture and nature.” We smile, but the Psalmist said, “You desire truth in the inward parts, and in the hidden part You will make me to know wisdom.” And that’s the truth about the truth.

Keep Trying

“Well done, good and faithful servant.” Mt 25:23 NKJV
In Discipleship Journal Paul Thigpen writes: “I remember coming home one afternoon to discover that the kitchen I had worked so hard to clean only a few hours before, was now a terrible wreck. My young daughter had obviously been busy ‘cooking’ and the ingredients were scattered, along with dirty bowls and utensils, across the counters and floor. I was not happy with the situation. Then, as I looked a little more closely at the mess I spied a tiny note on the table, clumsily written and smeared with chocolaty fingerprints. The message was short—‘I’m makin somethin 4 you, dad’—and it was signed, ‘your angel.’ In the midst of that disarray, and despite my irritation, joy suddenly sprang up in my heart, sweet and pure. My attention had been redirected from the problem to the little girl I loved. As I encountered her in that brief note, I delighted in her. With her simple goodness in focus, I could take pleasure in seeing her hand at work in the situation that seemed otherwise disastrous.” In the parable of the talents, Jesus pointed out that the two servants who invested and multiplied what had been entrusted to them received the Master’s highest commendation: “Well done, good and faithful servant.” On the other hand, the servant who buried his gifts rather than risk and lose, received the Master’s harshest condemnation: “You wicked and lazy servant” (v. 26 NKJV). Commendation or condemnation: which will you receive? God doesn’t say, “If you can’t do it right, don’t do it at all.” No, He’s pleased when you try, make mistakes, learn from them and grow. So keep trying!

Pray for Christians Under Attack

“Remember those…who are mistreated.” Heb 13:3 NIV
Do you ever pray for persecuted Christians in other countries? You should, because they are your spiritual family. John writes: “I saw…those who had been slain because of the word of God and the testimony they had maintained” (Rev 6:9 NIV). Increasingly, believers around the world are giving their lives for the cause of Christ and the testimony they’ve maintained in the face of hostility. “Are you trying to make me feel bad?” you ask. No, just: (1) More prayerful. “Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.” Next time you hit your thumb with a hammer and your whole body aches, remember this truth and pray for the great big worldwide body of believers, many of whom are still being mistreated, imprisoned, tortured, and even killed in Christ’s name. (2) More grateful. You say, “Grateful for what?” That your faith is so effective that you’re on Satan’s hit list; that he considers you a threat to his kingdom and his agenda in the earth. (3) More faithful. Richard Wurmbrand, who wrote Tortured For Christ, said, “What a person really believes is not what he says in his creeds, but what he’s willing to die for.” Now, the odds are that you will never be called upon to die for Jesus. But the question is, if you’re not willing to die for Him, what are the chances you’ll really live for Him? Before you can answer that question you must ask yourself, “How much of my time, my treasure and my talents am I investing into His kingdom?”

Have High Expectations of God

“I will…tell you…things you do not know.” Jer 33:3 NIV
In tough times we’ve a tendency to lower our expectations. As a result we end up settling for less than God wants. The Bible asks, “Is anything too hard for the Lord?” (Ge 18:14 NKJV). Now it’s easy to answer, “No!” But what you do next proves whether or not you actually believe that. Jesus said: “If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them” (Jn 13:17 NKJV). To walk in God’s blessing every day you must do what He tells you. And He may tell you to do something different! The problem is, we get attached to methods which worked in the past and keep going back to them. But by always looking to the familiar, you limit God. He’s much greater than any proven method, and He’s never predictable. His Word says, “Call to me and I will…tell you…things you do not know.” The Living Bible says, “I will tell you some remarkable secrets about what is going to happen.” What an offer! When God decided that Moses would lead the children of Israel out of Egypt, Moses never questioned God’s ability, he just questioned whether God could do it through him. What was God’s answer when Moses complained that he wasn’t an articulate speaker? “Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say” (Ex 4:12 NIV). God is neither enhanced by your strengths nor inhibited by your struggles. There’s more He wants to do through you than what you’ve experienced so far. So have high expectations of God and respond in faith to whatever He tells you.

Vitamins for Spiritual Health (6)

“Are you in health, my brother?” 2Sa 20:9 NKJV
Never forget, you’re not home yet. The story’s told of an old steamship that pulled into Southampton harbor and the passengers got off. Helium-filled balloons rose into the air and the crowd went wild as a young Hollywood starlet walked down the gangplank to be greeted by her family and friends. The last person off the ship was an elderly man who had spent more than fifty years of his life as a missionary in India. All his earthly possessions were in a tattered suitcase he carried by his side. After getting to his room in a cheap boarding house, he knelt by his bed and prayed: “Lord, I’ve served you all my life. I’ve sacrificed everything to tell others the good news of the gospel and brought many to you. Yet there was no one to celebrate my arrival or welcome me home.” As he knelt there the voice of God spoke to him softly and said, “Son, you’re not home yet!” And redeemed child of God, neither are you! If God has blessed you with a nice house, thank Him and enjoy it. But don’t get too settled. At best, it’s only temporary accommodation. Paul thought often of heaven: “For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you” (Php 1:23-24 NKJV). God has something “far better” in mind for you. A great preacher once said: “It is our main business in this world, to secure an interest in the next one.”

Vitamins for Spiritual Health (5)

“Are you in health, my brother?” 2Sa 20:9 NKJV
Never withhold because times are hard. The Bible teaches that those who set their mind on “getting” always lose, whereas those who set their mind on “giving” always win. The story’s told of a dog walking across a bridge with a bone in his mouth. When he looked down into the river and saw his reflection, he thought it was another dog with a bigger bone. So he jumped in to get it—and drowned. Paul dedicates two entire chapters in the Bible to the subject of money. Perhaps that’s a good answer to those who say, “All the church ever talks about is money.” Since money is congealed sweat, coined time, coined talent, negotiable you, it’s one way in which you can give yourself to God. It’s not the only way, but it’s a very important way. So Paul writes: “Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. For God loves a person who gives cheerfully. And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others…Yes, you will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous” (2Co 9:6-11 NLT). Unless you practice generosity there’s no point asking God for more money. He doesn’t pour His blessing into pots, but into pipes; not into reservoirs, but into rivers that let it flow out. Getting the idea?

Vitamins for Spiritual Health (4)

“Are you in health, my brother?” 2Sa 20:9 NKJV
Never forget the law of sowing and reaping. God set in motion certain laws and they never change. One is the law of gravity. Another is the law of sowing and reaping. “While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest…shall not cease” (Ge 8:22 NKJV). This law works both negatively and positively. If you sow good things you will reap good things; if you sow bad things you will reap bad things. Consider parenting. Eli the high priest was not only called to be a role model to the nation, but also to his two sons. Now, he may have been a great success in ministry but he failed badly on the home front. His sons, who were also priests, enriched themselves by taking bribes. They even slept with women in the temple courts. Pretty shocking, eh? So what did God say? “I will judge his house…for the iniquity which he knows, because his sons made themselves vile, and he did not restrain them” (1Sa 3:13 NKJV). As a result Eli’s sons were killed at the hands of their enemies, and when the news of it reached Eli he dropped dead. That’s the harvest law working negatively. But thank God it also works positively. Paul writes about it: “Knowing that whatever good anyone does, he will receive the same from the Lord” (Eph 6:7 NKJV). You say, “What does that mean?” It means that whatever good you make happen for others, God will make happen for you. So whether it’s a smile, a prayer, a gift or a helping hand, start sowing good seeds and you will reap harvests of blessing.

Vitamins for Spiritual Health (3)

“Are you in health, my brother?” 2Sa 20:9 NKJV
Never allow life’s disappointments to make you cynical. If you live long enough people will disappoint you, including your family. Even spiritual leaders will let you down! Paul wrote: “We wanted to come to you—even I, Paul, time and again—but Satan hindered us” (1Th 2:18 NKJV). Did you think Satan was going to send you a congratulatory telegram because you decided to serve the Lord? Not a chance! The walk of faith is one of delight—and difficulty. When you signed on for the first, you signed on for the second. Paul was on a sixteen-month missionary journey—one of miracles and church building. But he ended up in prison on trumped-up charges and was left to rot there. How did he respond? “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!” (Php 4:4 NKJV). You say, “How can somebody rejoice in prison?” When you see your disappointment as God’s appointment, you start to understand its purpose. Paul had books to write that would change the world, so God needed to get him “off the road.” Listen to what he wrote from prison: “I want you to know…that everything that has happened to me here has helped to spread the Good News. For everyone here, including the whole palace guard, knows that I am in chains because of Christ. And because of my imprisonment, most of the believers here have gained confidence and boldly speak God’s message without fear” (Php 1:12-14 NLT). Hidden in some of your biggest disappointments, you will find treasures of truth that literally transform your life and your future.

Vitamins for Spiritual Health (2)

“Are you in health, my brother?” 2Sa 20:9 NKJV
Never take God for granted. Don’t become overly familiar with spiritual things. Samson did that and he paid dearly. After discovering the secret of his strength: “[Delilah] lulled him to sleep on her knees, and called for a man and had him shave off the seven locks of his head…and his strength left him. And she said, ‘The Philistines are upon you, Samson!’ So he awoke from his sleep, and said, ‘I will go out as before, at other times, and shake myself free!’ But he did not know that the Lord had departed from him. Then the Philistines took him” (Jdg 16:19-21 NKJV). It’s a story of tragedy. Samson was born to lead Israel to victory. But instead he gave in to his lowest impulses, consorted with the enemy and thought he could get away with it. Listen to him: “I will go out as before, at other times.” But this was one time too many. His disobedience hadn’t robbed him of his supernatural strength before, but it did this time. He crossed a line and ended up losing his sight, his strength, his liberty, his credibility, and his usefulness. Eventually he died a prisoner of the Philistines. You say, “Today’s devotion sounds a bit harsh.” No, it’s protective! The Bible says, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” (Pr 9:10). When you persist in disobeying what you know God has told you to do and think you can escape the consequences, you’re headed for trouble. Repent, get right with God and get back on track while you still can.

Vitamins for Spiritual Health (1)

“Are you in health, my brother?” 2Sa 20:9 NKJV
The principles of God’s Word work like spiritual vitamins. For the next few days let’s look at some: Never excuse in yourself what you accuse in others. King David did that. In confronting him over his sin with Bathsheba, Nathan the prophet told David a story about two men. One had many cattle; the other had only one lamb. When a guest came to the rich man’s house for dinner, he took the poor man’s lamb. “David’s anger was greatly aroused against the man, and he said…‘the man who has done this shall surely die! And he shall restore fourfold for the lamb…because he had no pity.’ Then Nathan said to David, ‘You are the man!’” (2Sa 12:5-7 NKJV). Nathan continued: “Thus says the Lord God of Israel…I gave you your master’s house and your master’s wives…And if that had been too little, I also would have given you much more!…You have killed Uriah [Bathsheba’s husband]…with the sword; you have taken his wife to be your wife…Now therefore, the sword shall never depart from your house’” (vv. 7-10 NKJV). David didn’t know it, but he pronounced his punishment with his own lips: “He shall restore fourfold.” And David did. First, the child he fathered with Bathsheba died. Second, his son raped his daughter, and he didn’t have the moral authority to deal with it. Third, Absalom, the beloved son destined to inherit his throne, fomented war and died at the hands of his own people. Fourth, civil war broke out in Israel and thousands of people died as a result. The lesson is clear: never accuse in another what you excuse in yourself.

Wait and You’ll Experience God’s Best

“God…will fulfill his purpose for [you].” Ps 57:2 NLT
If you’ve been praying for God to send you the right partner, or for a better job, or to change the heart of a rebellious kid, remember, whether He changes the situation or changes you, He “will fulfill his purpose for [you].” God sees the big picture, and He loves you so much that He works out “all things for good in your life” (See Ro 8:28). One author writes: “It’s hard to make sense of life’s challenges when you’re in the middle…you’re too tired, your perspective’s limited…you don’t have the strength or vision to do this on your own…‘Trust the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding’ (Pr 3:5 GWT) means letting go of floundering attempts to manipulate people, circumstances, or timing…and returning the reins to the One who knows the way. Think about it; if you knew what you were doing, would you be in this mess? We talk about waiting on God. But He also waits on us…until we’re ready to receive…until we appreciate what we’re asking for…until we’ve made sufficient preparations in our heart…until we’re free from resentment and discontent…until our maturity level is appropriate and our understanding elevated…Sometimes He waits until we think He’s forgotten us just to test and grow our faith…Remember, ‘With the Lord a day is like a thousand years’ (2Pe 3:8 NIV). Eternity is His backdrop…and He can solve a problem in a minute, or in two generations.” Isaiah says, “The Lord longs to be gracious to you…Blessed are all who wait for him!” (Isa 30:18 NIV). Wait! Don’t get ahead of God and you’ll experience His best.

Bearing Fruit

“I chose you…to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last.” Jn 15:16 NIV
Before leaving this world Jesus took His disciples aside to prepare them for the problems they would face after He was gone: “I am the vine; you are the branches…apart from me you can do nothing…I chose you…to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last” (vv. 5,16 NIV). Here Jesus teaches us two important things: (1) You only discover who you are, in relationship to Christ. “Apart from me you can do nothing.” When you forget that, you end up trying to do things only God can do, like solving your problems your own way, or promoting yourself through clever strategies. You’re not blessed in any endeavor because of your performance; you’re blessed because of your connection to Christ. Unless you understand that, you’ll waste your time chasing people who have no more power than you do. Your strength and success are in Christ, the Vine, so stay connected! (2) Before you get the fruit that remains, you lose the fruit that’s temporary. “He cuts off every branch that…bears no fruit” (v. 2 NIV). You can be a good branch, connected to a good vine, bearing good fruit, and suddenly God starts cutting back certain things in your life. Things you thought would always be there are taken away; now it feels like you’re going backwards. It takes faith to believe that God would permit you to lose what you’re proud of, and what you draw your security from in order to give you something better—fruit that lasts, enduring success. So, difficult though it may be, let it go. God has something better in mind for you.

Weigh Yourself on These Scales!

“Faith without deeds is dead.” Jas 2:26 NIV
One day a man trying to lose weight stepped on the bathroom scales. His wife asked, “How are you doing?” He replied, “Okay, just one problem; according to these scales I ought to be eight inches taller.” When it comes to demonstrating true discipleship, James puts us all on the scales: (1) When it comes to feeding the hungry: “Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing, and you say, ‘Good-bye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well’—but then you don’t give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do? So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is…useless” (vv. 15-17 NLT). (2) When it comes to loving people and treating them with respect: “Suppose someone comes into your meeting dressed in fancy clothes and expensive jewelry, and another comes in who is poor and dressed in dirty clothes. If you give special attention and a good seat to the rich person, but you say to the poor one, ‘You can stand over there, or else sit on the floor’—well, doesn’t this discrimination show that your judgments are guided by evil motives?” (vv. 2-4 NLT). (3) When it comes to caring for the needy: “Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress” (Jas 1:27 NLT). Get your doctrine out of the deep freeze! Take your theology off the drawing board and start using it in a practical way. Come on—weigh yourself on these scales.

Salvation

“What the law was powerless to do…God did by sending his own Son.” Ro 8:3 NIV
The Bible says: “A certain ruler asked Him, saying, ‘Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?’ So Jesus said…‘Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.’ But when he heard this, he became very sorrowful, for he was very rich” (Lk 18:18-23 NKJV). This man had already achieved the three P’s of success: power, prosperity, and prestige. He was a bottom-line guy: “What must I do?” Even the way he worded the question suggests he thought he could get eternal life the way he’d gotten everything else—by self-effort. He mistakenly assumed that heaven was just a payment away, but it’s not. Only a cold-hearted God would sell salvation to those who can afford it. That’s a hard concept to grasp since we’re rewarded for our performance. But just as you wouldn’t impress Picasso with your crayon sketch, so your character and good works don’t qualify you for heaven. Eternal life costs more than you can afford. That’s why you don’t need a résumé, you need a redeemer. Money wasn’t this man’s problem, self-sufficiency was. It wasn’t his income that kept him out of God’s kingdom, but his ego. And it’s not just the wealthy that have difficulty grasping this; so do the educated, the strong, the good-looking, the popular, and even the religious. To receive salvation you must first acknowledge that you’re spiritually bankrupt, your cupboard bare and your reputation worthless. You can’t approach God demanding justice—you can only come pleading for mercy. And if you come today, that’s what you’ll get!

What It Means to Serve (3)

“Serve the Lord with gladness.” Ps 100:2
Paul writes: “When people commend themselves, it doesn’t count for much. The important thing is for the Lord to commend them” (2Co 10:18 NLT). If your self-worth is based on anything other than God’s approval, you won’t serve with the right motives. Insecure people worry about how they’ll be perceived by others. They hide their weaknesses beneath layers of protective pride. The more insecure you are, the more you need people to serve you, and the more you work for their acceptance. One Bible scholar writes: “In order to be of service to others we must die to them; that is, we have to give up measuring our meaning and value by the yardstick of others…Thus we become free to be compassionate.” Your service should not be based on the response of those you are serving, but on obedience to God alone. True servants of God don’t insist on having lofty titles. If their job description calls for it, they wear that badge with humility. Paul, the greatest of the apostles, wrote: “You may brag about yourself, but the only approval that counts is the Lord’s approval” (v. 18 CEV). If anybody had a chance to name-drop, it was James the half brother of Jesus. What credentials; imagine growing up with Jesus as your brother! Yet he simply referred to himself in Scripture as “a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ” (Jas 1:1). Your service to Christ should be both your job and your joy: “Serve the Lord with gladness.” Can you imagine what would be accomplished if we all got serious about our role as servants—and did it joyfully?

What It Means to Serve (2)

“Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus.” Php 2:5 NIV
Paul wrote: “Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant” (vv. 5-7 NIV). In order to serve God you must focus on others rather than yourself. Much of what we do is self-serving. We serve to be admired, or to achieve our own goals. Some of what we do is more manipulation than ministry. We’re really thinking about ourselves and how noble and wonderful we are. We even use serving as a bargaining tool: “God, I’ll do this for you if you’ll do that for me.” No, true servants don’t use God for their purposes, they let God use them for His. God is always more interested in your attitude than your achievements. King Amaziah lost God’s favor because “He did what was right in the sight of the Lord, yet not with a true heart” (2Ch 25:2 NRS). Self-forgetfulness is a daily struggle, a lesson we must learn over and over. You can measure your servant’s heart by how you respond when others treat you like a servant. How do you react when you feel taken for granted, bossed around, or treated as an inferior? Jesus said, “If someone takes unfair advantage of you, use the occasion to practice the servant life” (Mt 5:41 TM). You say, “It’s not fair. I keep giving to this person but they never give back.” Just keep serving, knowing “the Lord will reward everyone for whatever good he does” (Eph 6:8 NIV).

What It Means to Serve (1)

“Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.” Jn 13:8 NIV
Jesus “took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist…poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped round him. He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, ‘Lord, are you going to wash my feet?’…Jesus answered, ‘Unless I wash you, you have no part with me’…When he had finished…he put on his clothes and returned to his place. ‘Do you understand what I have done for you?’ he asked them…I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master’” (vv. 4-16 NIV). Observe two things Jesus taught: (1) In order to serve God, you must serve others. When Peter objected, Jesus said, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.” To play your part in God’s plan you must put others first. What you’re doing right now may enrich you personally, but are you serving others and pleasing God? (2) When it comes to serving, nothing should be beneath you. Can you picture it? Jesus, who was God, stooping to wash the lowest, dirtiest and smelliest part of the body. Keep that picture firmly in mind next time you’re asked to do something you don’t want to do, or something you think is “beneath you.” Christ saw so much value in the least, the lost, the last and the lowest, that He came to redeem them. And today He wants us to go out of our way to serve one another.

Try to Be More Understanding

“Be kindly affectionate to one another.” Ro 12:10 NKJV
Often the reason a relationship fails is not because of a difference of opinion, but a lack of understanding. Why aren’t we more understanding? For three reasons: (1) Selfishness. Somebody quipped, “There’s two sides to every question—as long as it doesn’t concern me personally.” Paul writes: “Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another.” (2) Fear. Prejudice is often the fear of what we’re unwilling to try and understand. When it comes to new ideas you’ve two options: open your mind and grow, or reject them and stay the same size. We tend to compare what we don’t understand with what we think we do—like the folks who told Columbus the earth was flat. When it comes to building relationships you’ve got to be willing to do what you’ve not yet done. (3) Differences. It takes more than one color to make a rainbow and one musician to make an orchestra. When you take time to appreciate the differences in people, you discover we all share the same hopes and fears. Harry Truman said, “When we understand the other fellow’s viewpoint and what he’s trying to do, nine times out of ten he’s just trying to do right.” Two of our most common problems are “gift-envy” and “gift-projection.” One happens when we compare our talents with others and feel inferior. The other happens when we expect others to feel equally passionate about what we do. The Bible says, “There are different kinds of service…but we serve the same Lord” (1Co 12:5 NLT).

“He Showed Them His Hands”

“Jesus…showed them his hands.” Jn 20:19-20 NCV
Dr. Paul Brand, a brilliant surgeon who worked at the Christian Medical College in Vellore, India, writes: “I work with the marvels of the hand nearly every day…But one time of the year holds special meaning for me…When the world observes Passion Week…I reflect on the hands of Jesus…those hands that had done so much good were taken, one at a time, and pierced through with a thick spike…Roman executioners drove their spikes through the wrist, through the carpal tunnel that houses finger-controlling tendons and the median nerve…maiming the hand into a claw shape, and Jesus had no anesthetic…Later his weight hung from them, tearing more tissue, releasing more blood. Has there ever been a more helpless image? The disciples, who’d hoped he was the Messiah, cowered in the darkness or drifted away.” But that’s not the last time we see Jesus’ hands. The Bible says: “When it was evening on the first day of the week, Jesus’ followers were together. The doors were locked, because they were afraid of the elders. Then Jesus came and stood…in the middle of them and said, ‘Peace be with you.’ After…this, he showed them his hands…His followers were thrilled when they saw the Lord.” Dr. Brand adds: “For the remainder of his time here, Jesus chose [to minister through] scars in each hand. That’s why I believe God hears and understands our pain…he kept those scars as a lasting image of wounded humanity. He knows what life on earth is like because he has been there. His hands prove it.” So bring your wounds to Jesus today and let Him make you whole—body, mind and soul.

The Blessings of the Blood (2)

“He has reconciled you to himself through the death of Christ.” Col 1:22 NLT
Observe: (1) You have been reconciled to God. God wants unbroken, intimate friendship with us, as with Adam in Eden. But sin made us enemies of God. “You who were once far away from God…enemies, separated from him by your evil thoughts and actions” (v.21 NLT). Yet He never stopped pursuing that relationship, sending Jesus to restore it. He “made peace by means of Christ’s blood on his cross” (v. 20), resulting in your reconciliation to God. The Greek word for “reconciliation” means “to be friends as we once were.” Now you can walk and talk with God as Adam did. Now God sees you as “holy and blameless…without a single fault!” (v.22 NLT). (2) You are the Lord’s redeemed. At the Jordan River John saw Jesus and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (Jn 1:29 NIV)—Jesus, “In whom we have redemption through his blood” (Col 1:14). The word “redemption” means “liberation from captivity by a ransom paid.” Not only are you purchased at the cost of Christ’s life, you are also adopted by blood into God’s family. (3) You are forgiven of all sins. “In whom (Jesus) we have…the forgiveness of sins.” How did He accomplish the total removal of all our sins? “Having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us…he took it away, nailing it to the cross” (Col 2:14 NIV). He wrote in His blood, “paid in full” across your outstanding bill of indebtedness to God, nailing your “canceled debt notice” to His cross. You are forgiven. You owe nothing!

The Blessings of the Blood (1)

“[God] has delivered us from the power of darkness.” Col 1:13 NKJV
History’s crowning moment occurred when “Christ died for the ungodly” (Ro 5:6). He didn’t just die for His friends and supporters, He died for people who despised Him. It was no quid-pro-quo deal where Jesus said: “I’ll accept you if you accept me.” No, it was a selfless, one-sided act of love. No conditions, nothing demanded in return. As a result, God “delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the dear Son.” Selah! Stop and meditate on the advantages you enjoy through Jesus’ blood: (1) You’ve been delivered. The Greek word Paul used means to literally rescue by drawing us to Himself. Your deliverance was a deeply personal event to Jesus. By His shed blood He drew you to Himself. The distance sin had put between you and God was reversed and you were “accepted in the beloved” (Eph 1:6). (2) You’ve been freed from the power of darkness. That “power” is Satan’s tyranny over those living under his control. Christ’s blood liberated you from the darkness, ignorance and blindness Satan uses to deceive and manipulate you. (3) You’ve been translated into the kingdom of God’s son. The word “translated” implies being transferred from one place to another. In Paul’s day superpowers like Rome would annex other nations and make them part of Roman territory. Often the conquered were better off under Rome, enjoying such privileges as safety, food, mail service, travel protection, etc. Christ’s blood transferred you into His kingdom to enjoy these advantages: guaranteed protection, abundant provision for all your needs, full status of sonship, and unlimited access to His throne.

Christ Is Totally Credible (2)

“Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said…‘It is finished!’” Jn 19:28-30 NKJV
From the moment of His birth to the hour of His death, Christ’s life was predicted in detail by Old Testament prophets. He fulfilled about forty different prophecies during His lifetime. Statistically, the chances of that happening are about one in a billion! Why is it important to point this out? Because voices are being raised that question His virgin birth, His deity, His miracles, His resurrection, and His soon return. Evidently the same folks were around when Peter lived. He writes: “I will work hard to make sure you always remember these things after I am gone. For we were not making up clever stories when we told you about the powerful coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. We saw his majestic splendor with our own eyes when he received honor and glory from God the Father. The voice from the majestic glory of God said to him, ‘This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy.’ We ourselves heard that voice from heaven when we were with him on the holy mountain. Because of that experience, we have even greater confidence in the message proclaimed by the prophets. You must pay close attention to what they wrote, for their words are like a lamp shining in a dark place—until the Day dawns, and Christ the Morning Star shines in your hearts. Above all, you must realize that no prophecy in Scripture ever came from the prophet’s own understanding, or from human initiative. No, those prophets were moved by the Holy Spirit, and they spoke from God” (2Pe 1:15-21 NLT).

Christ Is Totally Credible (1)

“Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said…‘It is finished!’” Jn 19:28-30 NKJV
What made great intellectuals like C. S. Lewis commit their lives to Christ? His credibility! Observe some of the Old Testament prophecies Jesus fulfilled during His lifetime: (1) He would enter into Jerusalem on a donkey: “Behold, your King…He is just and having salvation, lowly and riding on a donkey” (Zec 9:9 NKJV). (2) He would be betrayed by a friend: “My own familiar friend in whom I trusted…has lifted up his heel against me” (Ps 41:9 NKJV). (3) He would be sold for thirty pieces of silver: “So they weighed for my price thirty pieces of silver” (Zec 11:12). (4) They would gamble for His garments: “They divide My garments among them, and for My clothing they cast lots” (Ps 22:18 NKJV). (5) Not one of His bones would be broken: “He guards all his bones; not one of them is broken” (Ps 34:20 NKJV). (6) He would be buried in a rich man’s tomb: “They made His grave with…the rich at His death” (Isa 53:9 NKJV). (7) That He would be raised again from the dead: “You will not leave my soul in Sheol, nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption” (Ps 16:10 NKJV). John records: “After this, Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, ‘I thirst!’” In full possession of His mental faculties, with His mind unclouded, He checked off the prophecies He was supposed to fulfill right down to the last one, and said, “It is finished” (v.30 NKJV). Christ—He’s totally credible, and you can trust Him!

You Can’t Do It Alone (2)

“They shall bear the burden…with you.” Nu 11:17 NKJV
You may be a great visionary, but you will not succeed until you learn to inspire others with your vision and transfer it to them. If you can’t do that, you are condemned to experience an ancient curse that was reportedly used in Romania: “May you have a brilliant idea, which you know is right, and be unable to convince others.” Now, while the ability to communicate is important in transferring your vision to others, it takes more than that. You must have credibility and conviction. People will only buy into your vision if you are sold out to it. Convincing others of the significance of your vision can happen only if you are convinced of its significance. That requires the right message, spoken by the right messenger, to the right people, at the right time, and in the right way. Psychologist and author Dr. Larry Crabb describes this convergence, saying: “A vision we give to others of who and what they could become, has power when it echoes what the spirit has already spoken into their souls.” That power can convince people to join you in the pursuit of your vision, and greatly enhances your chances of success. There is an interesting mathematical dynamic in the Bible which states that one person can put a thousand others to flight, but two people can put ten thousand others to flight (See Dt 32:30). Yes, the Scriptures teach the power of synergy. When you get the right people involved, plus the blessing of the Lord, you’ll accomplish more than you ever dreamed possible.

You Can’t Do It Alone (1)

“I am not able to bear all [this] alone.” Nu 11:14 NKJV

One day Moses told God that the job was too big for him. So God told Moses to find seventy men with leadership ability. Then He said: “I will take of the Spirit that is upon you and will put [it] upon them; and they shall bear the burden…with you” (v.17 NKJV). Understand this: you will never fulfill your dream as long as you are unable or unwilling to get others to buy into it. Don’t think that because your dream is worthwhile, people will automatically line up to be part of it. It doesn’t work that way. The same dream that will bless you, can bury you if you don’t surround yourself with the right people. Moses said, “I am not able to bear all these people alone, because the burden is too heavy for me. If You treat me like this, please kill me here and now” (vv. 14-15 NKJV). Don’t wait till you’re on the verge of a nervous breakdown or your family is falling apart before you reach for help.
When God calls someone He always calls others to stand with them. So start looking around you. You may need just one person, or you may need many. Indeed, the greater your dream, the greater your team must be. But here’s the good news: the size of your dream determines the size of the people who will be attracted to it. If you have a big dream, you have even greater potential for good people to help you. What you need to do is connect with them, invite them in, transfer the vision and then turn them loose.

How to Behave in Church

“That thou mayest know how…to behave…in the house of God.” 1Ti 3:15

The church is like a garden; it has great potential for growth and beauty. But cultivating a garden calls for time and labor; it also requires being on the lookout for weeds and pulling them up before they grow and kill your plants. Two of the most common weeds in the church are: (1) Favoritism. “Then Peter began to speak: ‘I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right. You know the message God sent to the people of Israel” (Ac 10:34-36 NIV). Peter, who struggled with prejudice, said, “I now realize…that God does not show favoritism.” How about you? Do you realize that too? Or do you mix only with “your own kind”? Cliques in church are high treason to the King of Kings. If there’s one lonely soul in your church, you have work to do! The Bible says that God “gives families to the lonely” (Ps 68:6 TLB). When people are shy, wounded, insecure, or lacking in trust, you must reach out and bring them into your circle of fellowship. (2) Gossip. “Don’t speak evil against each other, dear brothers and sisters” (Jas 4:11 NLT). When you hear gossip about someone, stop it dead in its tracks. Unless you are willing to talk directly to the person, don’t talk about them. And don’t let anybody else talk about them either. Gossip is the art of saying nothing, and leaving nothing unsaid. If you want to promote harmony in the family, don’t indulge in it.

Working for God-His Way

“Created in Christ Jesus to do good works.” Eph 2:10 NIV

God had a plan for your life before you were born. Indeed, it’s why He brought you into the world. Simply keeping you “busy” was not His goal. He wants to see you doing the work He “prepared in advance for you to do.” Joining a worthy cause and working hard is commendable, but you can end up as a square peg in a round hole, expending time and energy without achieving the you-shaped purpose God had in mind. He wants you to be purpose-driven, not work-driven! So: (1) Ask Him to reveal His will to you. “It is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose” (Php 2:13 NIV). God will actually create desires within you that guide you toward accomplishing His purpose. It’s not serendipity or super-spirituality, but God at the helm steering your ship. (2) Expect to do more than you are capable of. Self-directed activity is self-limited activity. God-directed activity is unlimited activity. God never calls us to do what we can; He calls us to do what He can! “[He] is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us” (Eph 3:20 NIV). Listen, act on His promptings, and all things become possible to you. (3) When the work is demanding, draw on His indwelling power. Paul says, “I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me.” How much divine energy is needed for your assignment? “All His energy.” Awesome! And it is available to you today.

Decisions, Decisions, Decisions!

“O Lord; point out the road for me to follow.” Ps 25:4 NLT

Even simple decisions can be stressful. Ever watch a child struggle to choose between chocolate or strawberry ice cream? And the bigger decisions, like whom to marry, which career to choose, whether to buy a house or to undergo high-risk surgery, etc. can be nerve-racking! But you can reduce your stress level by following these biblical principles: (1) Do the research. “Anyone who answers without listening is foolish and confused” (Pr 18:13 NCV). Get all the facts and avoid making decisions you’ll regret. Knowledge has never been more accessible; through the Internet, helpful books, and especially God’s Word: “Your commands…are my constant guide” (Ps 119:98 NLT). (2) Talk to God. “Show me the right path, O Lord; point out the road for me to follow.” Consulting God helps prevent premature decisions, clarifies your priorities and prepares you to hear His counsel. Is God interested in your decisions? Yes. “The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives” (Ps 37:23 NLT). (3) Be open to new ideas. Don’t get trapped in old mind-sets. “Wise men and women are always learning, always listening for fresh insights” (Pr 18:15 TM). Clinging to the familiar can be crippling. God may choose to lead you along a new path of fresh insight. So breathe deeply, seek His wisdom, and open up your heart to receive it. (4) Get advice from trusted friends. “It’s a hard road that’s walked alone,” says an old Celtic proverb. So follow Solomon’s counsel: “A fool thinks he needs no advice, but a wise man listens to others” (Pr 12:15 TLB).

Handling Criticism the Right Way (4)

“If God is for us, who can be against us?” Ro 8:31 NKJV

The moment you lift your head above the crowd you’ll attract attention, and not always the kind you want. Learn from the duck. He stays calm on the surface, keeps paddling underneath, and lets the water run off his back. Time is on your side. When Nathaniel asked, concerning Jesus, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip answered, “Come and see” (Jn 1:46 NKJV). Nathaniel did, and he ended up becoming a disciple. Often, as events unfold, the cause of the criticism will become clear and you’ll be vindicated. But you must keep going. George Bernard Shaw, the Irish playwright, certainly had his critics—but he knew how to handle them. After one opening a critic stood up in the audience and shouted, “It’s rotten!” To which Shaw stood up and replied, “I agree, but what are we against so many?” Nobody had more critics than Paul, yet he wrote: “If God be for us, who can be against us?” Without courage we simply accumulate a collection of good ideas—and regrets. Most of our missed opportunities wouldn’t have been missed if we had been willing to push through the criticism and embrace what could have been. All of us experience fear. But here’s the difference: the winner’s need for progress overwhelms their reluctance to take a risk. They can live more easily with the memory of having tried and failed, than not having tried at all. They know that failure is an inevitable part of success, and failure always brings criticism. And while others fear stepping out into a new opportunity, the winner fears missing out on it.

Handling Criticism the Right Way (3)

“It is to a man’s honor to avoid strife.” Pr 20:3 NIV

When it comes to criticism: (1) Concentrate on your mission and change your mistakes! Most of us do the opposite; when criticism comes we change our mission and concentrate on our mistakes. If you run every time you make a mistake, you will never accomplish anything. Instead you’ll live in constant frustration. The only real mistakes are the ones from which you learn nothing. So instead of dwelling on your mistakes, count on making some, growing wiser and moving on to finish the job. There’s an old Arabian proverb that says, “If you stop every time a dog barks, your road will never end.” Don’t let your failures become roadblocks—turn them into building blocks. In Proverbs 27 verse 17, the Bible says, “Iron sharpens iron” (NIV). So pray and grow sharper through criticism. (2) Spend time with the right people. When you have optional time spend it with those who build you up, not tear you down. Quality time with the right people will strengthen your faith and fortify you against the effects of the worst criticism. It will also keep you from becoming critical yourself. When crows attack a hawk, the hawk doesn’t counterattack. Instead, it soars higher and higher in ever widening circles until the pests leave it alone. What a great strategy! Circle above your critics rather than stooping to their level: “It is to a man’s honor to avoid strife, but every fool is quick to quarrel.” If your attitude is to have an effect on people it will be because of your example, not your defensiveness.