Directions for Daily Living

LIVING LIKE GOD IS YOUR GOD

2012-02-20T15:50:00.000-05:00

God wants us to live trusting Him. He wants us to be faithful to Him. He wants us to know what it’s like to have Him fulfill our lives and give us all that we need. He wants to bless us. When you become a believer in Jesus Christ He wants you to live in such a way that honors Him, and that way of living will certainly be different than a lot of the people around you. Not that God wants you to be odd, but instead of adapting to the ways of the world that are all about serving self, He wants us to live with His values that serve Him and honor Him. When we do, God uses us to point others to Him. He gets the attention. He gets the glory. And the people around you are either drawn to Him through you or they may keep their distance.

When the people of Israel entered the land promised to them by God, He wanted them to live trusting Him and serving Him. He wanted them to live pure lives, separate from the ways of the other nations. In so doing God would use them to testify of Himself, and the other nations would have a visual of God’s reality through Israel. They would have the opportunity, after hearing about Israel and the one true God, to turn to Him in belief. So God tells His people: “When you come to the land that the Lord your God is giving you, never learn the disgusting practices of those nations. …You must have integrity in dealing with the Lord your God.” Deuteronomy 18:9,13 (GW). The people of Israel were set apart to God for His purposes, and they were to live according to His purposes which would in turn invite His blessings on them. This would be a witness to the other nations.

Here are four things we can do to live like God is our God:

1. Grow.
“In a word, what I'm saying is, Grow up. You're kingdom subjects. Now live like it. Live out your God-created identity. Live generously and graciously toward others, the way God lives toward you.” Matt. 5:48 (Mes)

2. Purify.
Let's make a clean break with everything that defiles or distracts us, both within and without. Let's make our entire lives fit and holy temples for the worship of God. 2 Cor. 7:1 (Mes)

3. Go forward.
Yet, my brothers, I do not consider myself to have “arrived”, spiritually, nor do I consider myself already perfect. But I keep going on, grasping ever more firmly that purpose for which Christ grasped me. Phil. 3:12 (Ph)

4. Live the new you.
Could it be any clearer? Our old way of life was nailed to the cross with Christ, a decisive end to that sin-miserable life—no longer at sin's every beck and call! … Throw yourselves wholeheartedly and full-time—remember, you've been raised from the dead!—into God's way of doing things. Sin can't tell you how to live. After all, you're not living under that old tyranny any longer. You're living in the freedom of God. Rom. 6:6-7, 13-14 (Mes)

THE BLESSING OF THIRST

2012-02-13T13:15:00.000-05:00

“I will pour water upon him who is thirsty”, Isaiah 44:3 (Amp)

God chooses to bless people. He provides for them. He satisfies them. But there is a prerequisite in order to receive His blessings and inner satisfaction. He says He will “pour water on him who is thirsty.” Those who are thirsty for Him and His truth are the ones who are satisfied. He doesn’t satisfy everyone; only those who recognize their own spiritual drought. And they thirst for God.

Jesus said, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.” Matthew 5:6. We must be thirsty for righteousness before we are satisfied. That means thirsty for what God says are the “right things and the right way of living.” In other words God provides a way for us to live that pleases Him and satisfies us. And we discover that we thirst for that kind of life, and it can only be found in Christ. Jesus said, “Whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” John 4:14. Drink from the “Living Water” and you experience the fullness of life welling up in you.

If you want to know heart-felt complete satisfaction, thirst for the ways and truths of God. He will supply everything you need and fill you with His grace.

PERSONALLY DESIGNED BY GOD

2012-01-30T14:54:00.000-05:00

Your hands made me and formed me; give me understanding to learn your commands. Psalm 119:73

God made you and formed you. You’re handmade by God. He continues to form you and shape you. He’s more concerned with what’s inside than what’s outside. He looks at the inner you. He is shaping and making your character. He is more concerned with your character than your convenience and comfort. Job said “Your hands shaped me and made me,”…“Did not he who made me in the womb make them? Did not the same one form us both within our mothers?” Job 10:8; 31:15.

As a believer in the Lord, you belong to Him. You are not your own. You are His. Know that the LORD is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Psalm 100:3.

The Lord already has plans for you. The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me; Psalm 138:8. He has a purpose for you and He will work it out for your life. After all, He made you and He made you on purpose for a purpose.

The Lord has recorded the exact number of days you will live. You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed. Psalm 139:16 (NLT). God has given you an exact number of years and days, down to the hour and minute of life. He has recorded your starting time and your stopping time.

God sent you with instructions in order to accomplish your purpose in a specified amount of time. He personally handmade each of us for a unique purpose. Be who God created you to be because you’re the only one who can do what God created you to do.

YOUR MEASURE OF FAITH

2012-01-23T15:29:00.000-05:00

The Apostle Paul said, “For by the grace given to me, I tell everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he should think. Instead, think sensibly, as God has distributed a measure of faith to each one”. Romans 12:3 (HCSB)

Every Christian does not have the same measure of faith. Every Christian does not have the same spiritual gifts. Every Christian doesn’t have the same abilities. Every Christian doesn’t have the same opportunities. Your measure of faith is from God. It’s what He gave you. He gave each of us a certain amount of capacity to believe. And that’s what we’re responsible for.

Don’t compare yourself with others and their faith. They have a different measure of faith, and they are responsible to God for their measure of faith. It may be more. It may be less. It may be with many opportunities. It may be with few opportunities. It’s useless and counterproductive to compare. You can only be who God gave you the faith to be. Your influence for Christ will look different than someone else's and their influence will look different than yours.

What’s important is that we develop to the fullest the gifts, abilities, opportunities, and measures of faith God has given each of us, while at the same time accepting the limits of our measures of faith. This helps us to accept who God made us to be.

The Bible teaches that as you exercise the amount of faith you have, the opportunities to use it will increase. Then your opportunities to trust God will increase. This is what Jesus teaches in the Parable of the Talents, and He concludes by saying, “For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have more than enough. But from the one who does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him.” Matthew 25:29 (HCSB)

God measures out the opportunities for you, and He’s give you a measure of faith for those opportunities. Use them to the fullest and take joy in becoming who God created you to be.

GOD’S PEOPLE, GOD’S GLORY

2012-01-17T16:40:00.000-05:00

The prophet Isaiah said, In that day the remnant left in Israel, the survivors in the house of Jacob, will no longer depend on allies who seek to destroy them. But they will faithfully trust the LORD, the Holy One of Israel. A remnant will return; yes, the remnant of Jacob will return to the Mighty God. But though the people of Israel are as numerous as the sand of the seashore, only a remnant of them will return. Isaiah 10:20-22a (NLT).

The Lord delivered a remnant from Assyria and from the judgment Israel deserved because of their unfaithfulness to the Lord. The Lord called them to completely trust Him and return to Him as their God. They would be spared complete destruction.

Today the church is being called out of the world. In a sense it is a remnant delivered from the destruction of God’s final judgment. One of the purposes of the members of this remnant as the church is to be used of the Lord to call other “believers-to-be” out from the world. The Apostle Paul elaborates on this in his letter to the Christians in Ephesus… God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. … He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins. … Furthermore, because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for he chose us in advance, and he makes everything work out according to his plan. God’s purpose was that we Jews who were the first to trust in Christ would bring praise and glory to God. And now you Gentiles have also heard the truth, the Good News that God saves you. And when you believed in Christ, he identified you as his own by giving you the Holy Spirit, whom he promised long ago. Ephesians 1:5-13 (NLT).

Everyone in this world will not be forgiven and saved and go to Heaven. And as much as you would like to, you can’t save the world, and neither can I. But that’s not our job. Our job is to use every opportunity to work at leading people to become followers of Christ. We don’t know who will become a believer in Christ and who will not. Some will accept and some will reject. Some will say “no” now and later decide to welcome Jesus into their lives. Fruit doesn’t ripen all at the same time. Your responsibility and mine is to keep going, keep fishing, keeping looking for the fruit that’s ripe, and lead those we find ready to Christ. And God is glorified by His church.

FOLLOWING GOD’S PLAN

2012-01-09T16:04:00.000-05:00

The Apostle Paul said:
“I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, so that through my being with you again your boasting in Christ Jesus will abound on account of me”. Philippians 1:23-26

Paul was talking about feeling pressured from two directions: to go home to Heaven and be with Christ, or remain for the progress of the Gospel for the people’s sake. He saw that remaining was better for them.

Paul had a sacrificial attitude. He gave up his preference in order to serve the people at Philippi for the progress of the Gospel. You get to choose one of two plans for living out your life; your plan or God’s plan for you. The opportunity is to choose God’s plan and experience a rewarding fulfilled life. Proverbs 19:21 says, Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.

According to the verse in Philippians 1:23-26, following God’s plan involves:

1. Sacrifice and putting aside your preferences.

2. Serving others more than yourself.

3. Being convinced of God’s plan for your life.

4. Jesus Christ is exalted.

Really living is living out God’s plan for your life by serving others. Make the year ahead of you a year of service and live God’s way.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

2011-12-19T15:02:00.000-05:00

Who, being in very natureGod, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, Philippians 2:6-9

What a gracious, loving Savior we have. May Jesus be exalted in your Christmas celebration. We hope and pray you have a joyful and blessed Christmas.

David and Charlyn

TIS THE SEASON FOR WISDOM

2011-12-12T14:37:00.000-05:00

Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the reign of King Herod. About that time some wise men from eastern lands arrived in Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose, and we have come to worship him.” Matthew 2:1-2 (NLT)

To have been able to find Jesus, to even know about Him and being from a far country, and to be sensitive to the Lord God’s leadership – the wise men must have been very learned and well-read men. They were wise.

God says we should be wise. He wants us to learn and grow. He tells us to add to our learning and be instructed. He says that revering Him is the gateway to knowledge of true knowledge. “Let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance, … The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” Proverbs 1:5, 7.

What are you reading this holiday season that will make you wiser? I know it’s a busy time of the year, but if we’re going to keep our perspective and balance we need to take the time to nurture our souls. It’s wise to become knowledgeable of God’s ways and to follow them.

HEALTHY CONSCIENCE

2011-12-05T17:29:00.000-05:00

The Apostle Paul served God with a clear conscience. He said in his letter to Timothy, “I thank God, whom I serve, as my ancestors did, with a clear conscience”, 2 Timothy 1:3. The conscience is a powerful part of each one of us. According to Romans 2:15 (NLT) our conscience speaks to us, They demonstrate that God’s law is written in their hearts, for their own conscience and thoughts either accuse them or tell them they are doing right. Our conscience is one of the ways God directs our words and actions.

If the conscience is stifled, resisted, or denied, not only will sin increase but emotional health will be sacrificed. Spiritual and emotional health diminish. The world’s ways which are expressed in very influential ways through our current culture push many people to go against their consciences. A self-focused attitude is loudly proclaimed, and would seem to drown out the voice of conscience.

However if the voice of conscience is muzzled enough, it can become deaf, blind, and speechless to truth. We become deluded. Not only do we become sick individuals – spiritually, emotionally, mentally, and relationally – our society becomes sick as well. Or should I say our society IS sick and unhealthy. It’s in desperate need of truth.

Jesus said, "…know the truth, and the truth will set you free", John 8:32. The truth is what sets us free from our delusional selves. The truth is what frees up our conscience so that we can become healthy.

So what’s the key to knowing the truth? In verse 31 Jesus begins by saying “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, …” John 8:31. The key is to live as a disciple of Jesus, a follower of Him and His teaching. It means to believe in Him such that you learn how to live from Him. You learn life from Him. You actually get life from Him. That is the way to truth which sets our consciences free from self-deceit, from delusional thinking, from emotional pain, and from oppressive on-going guilt.

Guess who has been given the responsibility to express the truth? It’s been given to the church. Whether our society realizes it or not, it needs the church. It’s the agent through which Jesus makes more disciples.

As disciples of Jesus, we must serve Him with a clear conscience. Here are some of the ways a clear conscience can make you healthy and strong:

A clear conscience:

• makes you courageous to tell others about the difference Jesus has made in your life (Acts 23:1)

• leads to right conduct toward the world and toward other believers in Christ (2 Cor. 1:12)

• is necessary in order to love others (1 Tim. 1:5)

• is needed to fight the good fight of spiritual warfare (1 Tim. 1:19)

• is needed to serve in the church (1 Tim. 3:9)

• produces a pure character (1 Peter 3:16)

• is provided by the Lord (1 Peter 3:21)

• makes you competent and certain (Heb. 13:18)

A clear conscience must be worked at continually. Paul said in Acts 24:16, “I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and man.” Make it a priority to have and maintain a clear conscience. It is a powerful part of who you are and who you become.

DEAD AND ALIVE

2011-11-28T14:11:00.000-05:00

Don’t let anyone condemn you by insisting on pious self-denial or the worship of angels, saying they have had visions about these things. Their sinful minds have made them proud, and they are not connected to Christ, the head of the body. For he holds the whole body together with its joints and ligaments, and it grows as God nourishes it. You have died with Christ, and he has set you free from the spiritual powers of this world. So why do you keep on following the rules of the world, such as, “Don’t handle! Don’t taste! Don’t touch!”? Such rules are mere human teachings about things that deteriorate as we use them. These rules may seem wise because they require strong devotion, pious self-denial, and severe bodily discipline. But they provide no help in conquering a person’s evil desires. Colossians 2:18-23 (NLT).

We must learn to differentiate between what is of God and what is of man. What is of human origin and what is of Godly origin? Someone may say to you that you must trust God a certain way or live your Christian life a certain way or follow an experience they had or have a certain kind of experience with God. I’m not saying there is no merit in those things, but we should question the source. The danger is for anyone of us to make ourselves feel pious, godly, and “in touch with God – you can’t touch me,” by the actions we take or the words we speak. The question we must always ask is whether we do these things for ourselves or for Christ. Do we do these things because they make us feel good or feel spiritual? Or do we do these things to give praise and glory God?

Devotion, self-denial, and discipline are all necessary to follow Jesus. But they are not the answer to conquering the old flesh, the old you. The answer is in accepting the fact that the old you has died with Christ. You are a “new you” now. And the new you is capable of sincere selfless devotion, self-denial, and discipline in the strength of Christ because He now lives in you and through you.

Colossians 3:3-4, 10 (Ph) says, As far as this world is concerned, you are already dead, and your true life is a hidden one in Christ. One day, Christ, the secret center of our lives, will show himself openly, and you will all share in that magnificent denouement. … You have finished with the old man and all he did and have begun life as the new man, who is out to learn what he ought to be, according to the plan of God.

It’s time now to learn all about who you are as the “new person” in Christ. Learn what God’s plan is for you. Learn the truth and live it. You are new! You are alive! You are connected to Christ and His power forever! Live your new life with your new freedom in the new power you have from Christ living through you. This is your life now.

PERSEVERANCE AND PIT BULLS

2011-11-14T15:34:00.000-05:00

“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.” 1 Cor. 9:24-25.

Last week our son Andrew ran the City of Oaks Marathon in Raleigh, NC. Charlyn and I had the great opportunity to be there and watch him and cheer him on. It was an enriching time. As I think back on his race and the preparation he put into it, I think of some things that would encourage us in our spiritual race of faith in Christ.

Living and growing in the Christian life is a long distance race. The Bible says, Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, Heb. 12:1. The journey of faith is a marathon not a sprint. When people think of a marathon, most simply think that a person runs for several miles and that’s a really cool thing. But a lot goes into the preparation and a lot happens during the race. After all it’s over twenty six miles. To run that far is a huge feat in itself.

We’re all in the race of faith. Paul points to the finish line for us when he says, “I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace”. Acts 20:24.

When I think of Andrew completing his marathon I think of several things that apply to each of us in our “life-long race of faith”:

One is self-discipline. To rise early in the mornings, even when it was dark and cold, and run twelve or eighteen or twenty miles – takes self-discipline. To be faithful to the Lord and to what He says to do requires self-discipline. To follow Jesus as a disciple takes discipline. For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. 2 Tim. 1:7

Setting our minds on what we are going to do is essential too. Andrew made the decision to run the marathon months before the event itself. He set his mind to it and trained for it. Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. Col. 3:1-2. Set your mind on the interests of the Lord and you’ll run a worthy race.

Stay in the race even when you’re attacked by the enemy. Early one dark morning as Andrew was running his eighteen mile training run, he was attacked and bitten in the back of the leg by a pit bull. He fell down and began kicking. The dog ran away. Andrew got up and kept running for another eight miles before he felt the pain, and then decided to go back and tend to the wound. I’m thankful to say he required no stitches, only a tetanus shot, and the dog was not rabid. The next morning Andrew was out running again. We will be attacked and even knocked down at times, and momentarily hindered, but we must get up and get back to running the race. Just because you’re knocked off your feet at a point in time doesn’t mean you’re finished. The race is still in front of you. Run it! …finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given…

Hydration is a must when running a long distance. Andrew took advantage of the water stations along the way. He, like the others, paused and quickly gulped down cups of water. Jesus said, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life”. Rev. 21:6. Unless we pause regularly along the course of faith to drink of the life-giving water from Jesus, we will lose energy, stumble and fall, and bring unnecessary pain and problems to ourselves.

Encouragement from others injects strength into our weary spirits. We are dependent on the cheering from others to “keep going, don’t stop, you can do it, take the hill,…” Andrew was greatly motivated by someone he didn’t know who ran up along side him and said, “Be strong brother. There’s a hill up ahead.” Paul emphasizes the significance of encouragement when he speaks of Titus – “In addition to our own encouragement, we were especially delighted to see how happy Titus was, because his spirit has been refreshed by all of you.” 2 Cor. 7:13. Get around people who are encouraging and be refreshed.

There’s a saying among marathoners – “The real race is the last six miles. That’s when the race really begins.” The first twenty are hard, but the last six are grueling. It becomes a matter of pure endurance. And there is nothing wrong with gritty endurance. It’s everything right. The Bible tells us over and over to endure and persevere. It’s a component of faith. Jesus said, “The one who endures to the end will be saved”. Matt. 24:13.

So be strong brothers and sisters. Hills are up ahead. And by God’s grace and our gritty endurance we will cross those hills and then we’ll cross the last one. And as we come over that last hill we will see the finish line in the distance and we’ll run with renewed vigor because we know the arms of Jesus are opened wide and waiting for us on the other side.

A SANCTUARY

2011-10-24T17:21:00.000-04:00

When do we experience God’s protection, provision, power, and the joy of His presence in our lives? When we make Him our “sanctuary.” When we choose to live with God as our protection, provision, power, and ever present Counselor, we live with Him and in Him as our sanctuary, the “Holy Place.” In Psalm 16:11 we’re reminded of the emotional lift God’s presence has in our lives, “In Your presence is fullness of joy.”

Though the first application of Isaiah 8:9-14a refers to the enemy nations of Israel, the secondary application can be applied to our personal lives. Here we find some necessary steps on how to have God as our sanctuary:

1. When is God everything you need? When you are broken and shattered.
Verse 9 begins, “Raise the war cry, you nations, and be shattered! …be shattered! … be shattered!” The word “shattered” in the NIV is used three times in verse 9. It drives the point home that our arrogance must be shattered. When our self-will is broken, when we’re broken and hurt because of our sin, when we’re bowed before the Lord and our pride is broken – that’s when God becomes our sanctuary.

2. When is God everything you need? When you listen to God’s Word and put it into action in your life.
Verse 9 goes on to say, “Listen, all you distant lands. …” When we “do” what God says in the Scriptures, when we apply it to our lives – that’s when God becomes our sanctuary.

3. When is God everything you need? When you follow His plan for your life.
Verse 10 says, “Devise your strategy, but it will be thwarted; propose your plan, but it will not stand, for God is with us.” God’s purpose prevails. Discover His plan and go with it. And don’t get ahead of Him. Let Him lead – that’s when God becomes our sanctuary.

4. When is God everything you need? When you respect God as holy in your everyday thinking, talking, relating, and actions.
Verses 12-14a tell us, “… do not fear what they fear, and do not dread it. The LORD Almighty is the one you are to regard as holy, he is the one you are to fear, he is the one you are to dread. He will be a holy place;” The Lord is not just a good Friend and Forgiver and Lover of our souls; He is Holy God Who is to be respected and reckoned with. And in so doing we find that He becomes our “holy place”, our “sanctuary” where we are protected, provided for, empowered, and refreshed with His constant presence.

WHERE’S THE WISDOM?

2011-10-03T14:23:00.000-04:00

… I want them to have complete confidence that they understand God’s mysterious plan, which is Christ himself. In him lie hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Colossians 2:2b-3 (NLT)

Jesus said,

Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. John 17:3

Our goal is to grow in the true knowledge of Christ. A complete confidence in Christ results in spiritual growth. I believe I speak for most of us when I say that we need more confidence in Christ, more understanding, and more wisdom and knowledge.

Where’s the wisdom? To grow in your relationship with Christ is wisdom. That’s where knowledge is. “All the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” are hidden in Him. Those treasures of wisdom and knowledge are there waiting to be unlocked as you grow in knowing your Savior and Lord.

The increase of wisdom from the Lord in your life is proportionate to the consistency and depth of your relationship with Him.

We need His wisdom in so many areas of our lives: personal life, marriage, family, career, finances, ministry, and relationships in general. You have a choice to grow in wisdom or not. How much do you desire the wisdom of Christ? I see a great need in my life for His wisdom.

Increase your time with Christ and your wisdom will increase.

A GOOD LIFE

2011-09-26T17:23:00.000-04:00

Now I will sing for the one I love a song about his vineyard: My beloved had a vineyard on a rich and fertile hill. He plowed the land, cleared its stones, and planted it with the best vines. In the middle he built a watchtower and carved a winepress in the nearby rocks. Then he waited for a harvest of sweet grapes,… Isaiah 5:1-7 (NLT)

The Lord provides the opportunity for us to live in righteousness, to serve Him, and to be productive according to His purposes. You are a part of the vineyard He has planted. He provides for you to grow and produce good fruit. He provides the fertile ground on a hill which is good for soil drainage and sunshine. He uses what happens in your life to enrich you and mature you. He is at work clearing the stones from your life that keep you from growing and depending on Him. Hebrews 12:1 reminds us to, strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us (NLT).

With all that God has done for us and is doing for us and in us, and the way He watches over us, we begin to get the picture that God expects us to grow and produce good fruit according to His will. A good foundation for a productive life that honors God and adds blessing to our lives is the personal time we spend with Him each day. Jesus said in John 15:5 “I am the vine. You are the branches. Those who live in me while I live in them will produce a lot of fruit. But you can’t produce anything without me” (GWT). You have this opportunity every day.

If you want to produce a lot of good – live, listen, and learn everyday from the One Who is good.

GIVE GOOD NEWS WITH ENERGY

2011-09-19T15:57:00.000-04:00

He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ. To this end I strenuously contend with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me. Colossians 1:28-29

As messengers of Christ entrusted with the good news of salvation, every believer has been given a stewardship, a responsibility. That stewardship, that responsibility includes proclaiming Christ. The word “proclaim” in v. 29 literally means “the publication of the gospel for the purpose of converting people to Christ”. Think of the many ways that you can “publicize” the good news of Christ and your personal faith story. Use the tools we have in our current age of technology along with building genuine friendships.

Bringing others to the place of believing in Jesus for the forgiveness of their sin is only the beginning of what we are to be about. It’s not just the proclamation that’s important; nurturing, reproving, and instruction in the ways and wisdom of God are just as important. Jesus didn’t say to go make more Christians. He said to go make more followers of Him. The objective is “full maturity in Christ.”

We’re not just helpers. We’re not just encouragers. These things are necessary. But there’s a lot more to it. We are to go beyond just helping people to hear about Christ. We are to go beyond just encouraging people to grow in there spiritual lives. Paul says, “I strenuously contend”. Bringing others to Christ and then bringing them along in their spiritual maturity is hard work. It takes a great amount of energy from you. It takes time, trouble, and tenacity. Give it all you’ve got! We must do all we can, as creatively as we can, as strategically as we can, as much as we can to move one another to maturity in Christ.

Where do we get the energy and power to do this? It’s the energy that Christ so powerfully works in us. It’s a joint effort. You and God. Work hard to make more maturing followers of Christ by depending on His power working in you and through you. That means we must stay plugged in to the power source all the time – God. If we don’t keep our personal time with God consistent, studying His Word, praying from our hearts, and applying His truth to our lives daily – then we lose the charge and must be recharged. Keep the charge flowing. Keep God’s power “on” in your life. Stay surrendered to God's Spirit. Jesus said, “For just as the branch cannot bear any fruit unless it shares the life of the vine, so you can produce nothing unless you go on growing in me” John 15:4 (Ph). If we’ll put our energy into it, He’ll put His energy into it.

SERVANT LEADER OR SELF-SERVING LEADER?

2011-09-12T15:58:00.000-04:00

How can you tell the difference between a servant leader and a self-serving leader? Gordon McDonald in his book Ordering Your Private World gives us some clues. He describes two kinds of people in the world: “driven” people and “called” people.

Driven people think they own everything; their relationships, their possessions, their position. Consequently they spend most of their time protecting what they own. Everything they do is controlled by their own self-interest. Therefore when they praise or encourage you, they’re really doing it for their own good.

Called people think everything in life is on loan; their relationships, their possessions, their position. Consequently they are not defensive or protective about their position as a leader. The truth is if a better leader comes along, they will partner with that person and sometimes even step aside and take a different role because the only reason they are leading is to serve people.

Ken Blanchard, author of The One Minute Manager, says the key to a servant leader’s heart is humility. People with humility don’t think less of themselves; they just think of themselves less. Jim Collins in his book, Good to Great, says when things go well leaders with humility look out the window and give everyone else the credit. But when things go poorly, they look in the mirror and say, “What could I have done differently that would have helped these people be the best they could be?” Servant leaders are willing to take the hit. They know that all people are human and make mistakes.

On the other hand, when things go well for self-serving leaders they look in the mirror and beat on their chests like King Kong, thinking how great they are. When things go wrong, they look out the window and blame someone else. They’re so self-absorbed that everything is filtered through an “I” orientation instead of a “we” orientation.

So how can you tell the difference between a servant leader and a self-serving leader? Watch how they react to feedback. If you give them feedback on how they’re leading and they “kill the messenger”, they’re self-serving. When you give them feedback you ignite their worst fears. You’ve pointed out a flaw in their character, in their leadership. They interpret that to mean that you don’t want them to be involved in any way anymore. To lose their position is their worst nightmare because it defines who they are. Consequently, they have to dismiss you and your feedback. “Self-serving leaders are only interested in maintaining their position and maintaining control.” – Ken Blanchard.

If you give feedback to servant leaders they consider it a gift. They will say “Thank you. This is helpful. I didn’t intend to do that. Is there anyone else I should talk to? Is there anything else I need to do differently? Tell me more.” Servant leaders love feedback because the only reason they lead is to serve.

The question we must all ask ourselves is, “Am I a servant leader or a self-serving leader?” Jesus was quick to answer that question: "The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others", Matthew 20:28 (NLT).

Our journey through life is to move from a self-serving heart to a serving heart. You mature when you realize that life is about what you give rather than what you get.

PRAYER IS THE KEY THAT UNLOCKS

2011-09-07T11:18:00.000-04:00

We Christians should live with defined objectives in life. To follow Christ means we make choices that will direct us to see God-given objectives become a reality in our lives. Paul lists some of those objectives for us to pursue in his letter to the Colossians.

So we have not stopped praying for you since we first heard about you. We ask God to give you complete knowledge of his will and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding. Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit. All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better and better. We also pray that you will be strengthened with all his glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need. Col. 1:9-11 (NLT)

Six objectives are listed for us:

1. Live in a way that will honor the Lord.
2. Please the Lord in every area of your life.
3. Produce good fruit through your way of life.
4. Get to know God better.
5. Be strengthened with God’s power.
6. Learn to be steadfast and patient.

The “gateway” to get to these objectives is to gain “comprehensive insight into the ways and purposes of God” (Amplified version). Paul says, “We ask God to give you complete knowledge of his will and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding. Then the way you live will…” In other words we should grow deep in God’s truths and gain more insight into His purposes so that we will be able to act on those objectives.

That’s the gateway to getting to the six objectives, but the gateway needs a “key”. The key to unlocking the gateway is PRAYER. Paul says, “we have not stopped praying for you… We ask God to give you…” Prayer is the key. The place to begin to fulfilling the objectives is prayer. Spend consistent time with the Lord in prayer. Live in a constant state of open communication with Him if you want to experience the results of His power in your life. Through a consistent state of prayer throughout the day God then works in and through your life and becomes your strength. Prayer becomes the conduit through which you experience God’s power to do what He wants you to do. The power of prayer is the power of God.

If you want to know and experience God’s power, patience, steadfastness, and joy, then be consistent and avid in your praying.

THE HONOR OF HUMILITY

2011-08-29T15:06:00.000-04:00

God wants us to live humbled under His loving rule. The Bible says in 1 Peter 5:5-6, God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble. Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. It’s the way to experiencing God’s best in our lives. It’s the way God blesses us.

How do we learn to live humbly under God’s love and leadership? We make use of opportunities to repent.

God gave opportunities to King Ahaziah to repent and humble himself before the Lord and worship Him as God. But he was stubborn and arrogant.

God allowed political difficulties to trouble Ahaziah.
When Ahaziah became king, the nation of Moab rebelled against Israel. This meant political trouble for Ahaziah. Since the days of David, Moab had been subject to Israel, but when the people of Moab realized that Ahaziah was a weak king they rebelled. The rebellion of Moab caused great political humiliation for King Ahaziah. But who was behind this humiliation? God. This was God’s plan to help Ahaziah humble himself and call upon the name of God to help him. Did political humiliation cause Ahaziah repent and call upon the Lord? No. So God dealt with Ahaziah in a different way.

God then allowed Ahaziah to experience economic trouble.
In 2 Chronicles 20 we find that Ahaziah entered into a shipbuilding venture with King Jehoshaphat. Both kings wanted to trade and make a lot of money with this great business venture that joined Judah with Israel. But Ahaziah was not serving God and so God was against him. God used this occasion to put economic pressure on Ahaziah. Ahaziah and Jehoshaphat had spent a lot of money to build these ships. They were no doubt counting on a great return on their investment. But instead they lost everything. Did this cause Ahaziah to repent? No.

God then dealt with Ahaziah in a personal way, by allowing his health to suffer.
Ahaziah had fallen through the lattice of his upper room in Samaria and injured himself. 2 Kings 1:2. We don’t know how it happened. Did he stumble? Was he drunk? Was this an accident? In any case, God allowed it to happen in an attempt to get his attention. The Bible says in Hebrews 12:11-13 (NLT) No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful. But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way. So take a new grip with your tired hands and strengthen your weak knees. Mark out a straight path for your feet so that those who are weak and lame will not fall but become strong.

God brings opportunities into our lives in order for us to give Him our attention once again. He allows things to cause us to turn back to Him, to walk closer with Him, to take our love for Him to the next level.

LIVING WITH A RIGHTEOUS GOD

2011-08-22T15:03:00.000-04:00

The Bible teaches God is righteous and just. He judges everyone. He judges the unbeliever and He judges the believer. The Bible also uses the word “judgment” to refer to the discipline the Lord gives his people. Heb. 10:30 “The Lord will judge his people.” That means the Lord “chastens” his people. He doesn’t “condemn” believers; He disciplines them. And it’s called “judgment” many times in the Scripture for the believer.

How are we to live in the presence of a righteous God?

• BE CAREFUL ABOUT WANTING WHAT YOU DON’T HAVE.

In 1 Kings 21, the Bible tells how King Ahab wanted Naboth’s vineyard. You find story after story in the Bible where people get in trouble for wanting what someone else has. And it’s not just a matter of wanting something “like” what they have but wanting the thing or person that someone else has. On the surface Ahab’s request seemed reasonable. He didn’t conscript the land as other kings of the region might have done. He offered to buy it or swap for some better place. But Naboth would not sell his vineyard, because God forbade it. He refused to sell because in Numbers 36:7 God said that if a family had been given a plot of land; it was to be handed down from father to son from generation to generation. Naboth’s refusal was an act of godliness.

From Naboth we learn that just because you do the right things and live for the Lord, doesn’t mean that you will be accepted and honored by the world. On the contrary don’t be surprised when the world mistreats you, when sinners sin against you, when you’re put down for standing up for what’s true and right. Jesus said in John 15:18-20, “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. Remember what I told you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also.”

From King Ahab we learn what happens when someone gives in to being self-focused and does what his old fleshly tendency wants to do. When we give in to the flesh, the devil paves the way for sin. Under the power of sin we become deceitful and dishonest in order to get our way.

To obtain the vineyard for Ahab, Jezebel his wife devised an extensive and devious plot. She ordered a phony trial in which false witnesses would bring testimony against Naboth and condemn him for blaspheming God and the king. Our sin always causes harm to others. Jezebel’s plot ordered that Naboth should be found guilty and executed. If we choose to live fleshly, in sin, it’s easy to find others who’ll go along with us. What is even more hideous about this plot is that the civil leadership fell right in line with Jezebel’s plan. They seemed to have no scruples about helping to put an innocent man to death. The Bible tells us in Gen. 4:7 (NLT) If you refuse to do what is right, then watch out! Sin is crouching at the door, eager to control you. But you must subdue it and be its master.

• KNOW THAT GOD WILL JUDGE.

Jezebel’s plan worked, Naboth was killed. It appears that the king and his wife got away with murder. We may say, “Where is God? Doesn’t He know? Doesn’t He care? Where is God when one of His own is put to death? Where is God when the innocent are put to death? Where is God when the wicked rise to power? Where is God when a man like Ahab and a woman like Jezebel can get away with murder? Where is God when evil is let loose in the world?”

God instructs Elijah to intercept the king with a message of judgment. Numbers 32:23 You may be sure that your sin will find you out. No one can break God’s laws and not be hurt by them. When we break God’s laws or violate His rules or disobey His guidelines – we suffer.

There is coming a day of judgment when God will settle all accounts. God’s mercy will come to an end. When an unbeliever dies during this “age of grace” in which we live, and he stands before the Lord, its judgment time. Mercy is ended. When a believer dies and goes to Heaven, and stands before the Lord, his time to make the most of his life for Christ is ended and its judgment time for his actions and words. Did you build your life, your actions, your words on Christ or not? That’s what will be judged for the believer.

During this life on earth, there are moments of God’s judgment. There are times of judgment in people’s lives. There are times of judgment in nations. Because God is righteous and just, He doesn’t let anyone get away with anything. And His judgment comes sooner or later.

• REPENT BY CHANGING THE DIRECTION OF YOUR LIFE.

Repentance is more than just being sorry for our sin; it’s a change of direction in life. Repentance includes much more than just thinking it or saying it. It includes a change in the way we act, talk, relate, and live.

• TAKE COMFORT IN THE TRUTH THAT GOD WILL SETTLE THE SCORE.

The Bible teaches that a day of judgment is coming. One day Ahab goes to battle against Ben-Hadad, the king of Syria. Rejecting the godly counsel of Micaiah the prophet, Ahab went into battle against a vastly superior Syrian army. And he was killed.

Be faithful to God with all that He’s entrusted to you. Be faithful in your worship of the Lord. Be faithful in serving others for the sake of Christ. We all need one another to build up one another’s courage and endurance to persevere to the end when our faith will become sight. Take comfort in the truth that God will settle the score one day.

WHEN LIFE GETS YOU DOWN

2011-08-16T08:55:00.000-04:00

Depression is a major problem for many. Experts tell us that one out of every four women will suffer from clinical depression at some point and one out of every ten men. Researchers attribute that difference in numbers to the fact that men are less likely to admit their problems and less likely to seek help. Depression is spread across all segments of society. No one is exempt. It's not a matter of I.Q., age, or social class. Some of the greatest people in history have struggled with feelings of depression. “I am now the most miserable man living. If what I feel were distributed to the whole human family, there would not be one cheerful soul on earth. To remain as I am is impossible. I must die to be better.” Those are the words of the 16th President of the United States, Abraham Lincoln.

Philip Keller writes “Most of us have our ‘desert days’ of despair. There are times when we forget the faithfulness of our Lord. God seems to become remote and far removed from our struggles. Life seems a relentless, remorseless erosion of our stamina and strength in the struggle to carry on. There seems so much more pain than pleasure in the pattern of our days. Forgetting the unremitting faithfulness of God to us in the past, we focus only on the futility and frustrations of the present. We can see no hope or cheering prospect for the future.”

What can you do to restore hope and joy when you’re discouraged?

1. TREAT IT AS GOD’S “PRIDE BLOCKER” IN YOUR SPIRITUAL GROWTH.

Heb. 12:5-6, 10-11 (NLT) Have you forgotten the encouraging words God spoke to you as his children? He said, “My child, don’t make light of the Lord’s discipline, and don’t give up when he corrects you. For the Lord disciplines those he loves,”… But God’s discipline is always good for us, so that we might share in his holiness. No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way. Sometimes God allows the discouragement in order to “block our pride”, to keep us from becoming arrogant and self-centered, instead of trusting Him.

2. REST AND REFRESH.

When Elijah was running for his life from Queen Jezebel, he was afraid, depressed, and exhausted. God gave Elijah time to rest and receive refreshment. This is really basic, but it seems that we find it difficult to do. To overcome stress we need to rest our bodies. Sometimes the most spiritual thing you can do is to not take on another project but instead rest. God did not even begin to deal with Elijah’s depression or wrong thinking until he was rested and refreshed.

3. FACE YOUR FEARS.

God confronted Elijah with truth. Elijah went into the mountains and hid a cave. And there God began to deal him. God asked Elijah a question, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” It was not that the Lord didn’t know. This question was not for God’s benefit, but for Elijah’s. Elijah responded by saying, “I have been very zealous for the LORD God Almighty.” But Elijah completely missed the point. God was not asking him what he had DONE. He was asking him what he was DOING. There comes a time when you must get up and get back to what God has given you to do.

4. GIVE YOUR ATTENTION TO HEARING GOD.

God tells Elijah He’s going to pass by, so he stood in the mouth of the cave and looked for signs of the Lord’s passing. First, there came a hurricane force wind so powerful that it splintered rocks. As soon as the wind died down, a mighty earthquake shook the mountain with its force. No sooner had the dust settled from the earthquake than a firestorm descended out of the blue sky consuming everything in its path. In each of this powerful events Elijah had looked for signs that the Lord was in them, yet He was in none of them. And then Elijah heard a gentle whisper – a whisper from God. Sometimes in the busyness of life with its stress and burdens and pressures we lose our focus. What we desperately need is to refocus on God. God tells us in Psa. 46:10 (NLT) “Be still, and know that I am God.” We can learn as Elijah did to look for God in the small things He does. If we pay attention we will begin to see God in our everyday life, in a phone call of encouragement, or an unexpected kindness, or an email, or an answered prayer.

• God always speaks loud enough for those who are willing to hear.

5. GET BACK TO YOUR CALLING.

In 1 Kings 19:15, The Lord said to Elijah, “Go back the way you came,” God was saying, “OK, time is up. It’s time to get back to the work I have called you to.” When we turn our attention away from ourselves to serving others, our problems and difficulties will seem less overwhelming. If you want to reduce your stress and increase your fulfillment find someone you can pour your life into.

We need to realize that a lot of times we’re not in a position to estimate our own effectiveness. When you think you’ve won, don’t be so sure. When you think you’ve failed, don’t count God out. Let Him have the last word. It’s not a sin to be discouraged. It’s not a sin to be depressed. It’s what you do when you are discouraged, depressed, and feeling hopeless that matters. Don’t fight the battle alone. Get help. And remember; God is still there.

• There is no pit so deep that the love of God is not deeper still.

GOD’S STRENGTH IN YOUR LIFE

2011-08-01T16:06:00.000-04:00

The prophet Elijah challenged King Ahab to gather all the prophets of Baal to Mt Carmel to a contest to determine who really is the God of Israel. And it was there that the power of God was expressed in a mighty and convincing way.

We can learn from Elijah how to experience God’s strength and see His power by taking four actions.

1. STAND UP AND BE COUNTED.

So Ahab sent word throughout all Israel and assembled the prophets on Mount Carmel. Elijah went before the people and said, “How long will you waver between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him.” But the people said nothing. 1 Kings 18: 20-21.

In our postmodernistic day there is the trend to deny “absolute truth”. Postmodernism is all about “being objective.” It’s not just okay; it is good and right to accept all beliefs about God. But the truth is that God desires and demands decision. You must be for Him or against Him. And He will not permit the option of remaining neutral. Jesus said, “Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.” Matthew 12:30.

One of the biggest problems with Christians today is spiritual indecision. To say nothing to God is to say, “No” to God. Years earlier Joshua had issued his famous challenge to the people of Israel: “But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.” Joshua 24:15. To experience God’s strength in your life stand up and be counted for Him.

2. BE WILLING TO STAND ALONE.

Elijah was outnumbered 450 prophets to 1 but he was unafraid. This was designed to be a fair contest, but 450 prophets are not enough if you don’t have God on your side. And one is always enough if you’re on God’s side.

The misguided actions of the prophets of Baal remind us of a very important truth: Faith and sincerity are not enough. Faith is only as good as its object. It DOES MATTER who or what you place your faith in. All paths are not equally true. Neither is sincerity enough. No one could fault the prophets of the false god Baal as not being sincere but they were sincerely wrong. To experience God’s strength in your life be willing to stand alone, though God is with you.

3. REBUILD THE ALTARS THAT ARE BROKEN DOWN.

Sometime in the afternoon Elijah began the process of rebuilding the altar and preparing his sacrifice. The fact that the altar was in a state of disrepair was a powerful symbol of just how far the people were from the Lord.

What in your life have you taken back for yourself that needs to be returned to the Lord in order to worship Him as the one true God so that you are completely surrendered to Him? In what areas of your life, public and private, have you neglected to let God rule? To experience God’s strength in your life give those places in your life back to God to serve Him.

4. KNOW GOD MORE IN ORDER TO BELIEVE HIM MORE.

Elijah offered a simple prayer. In his prayer he prayed for three things: 1) that God would be recognized as the one true God, 2) that people would know that he was truly God’s prophet, and 3) that the hearts of the people would be turned back to the Lord. The Bible tells us the result: Then the fire of the LORD fell and burned up the sacrifice, the wood, the stones and the soil, and also licked up the water in the trench. When all the people saw this, they fell prostrate and cried, “The LORD—he is God! The LORD—he is God!” 1 Kings 18:38-39. To experience God’s strength in your life get to know Him more and you’ll believe Him more.

If three frogs are sitting on a log and two decide to jump off, how many frogs are left sitting on the log? The answer is three. The two haven’t jumped off the log simply because they decided to. Deciding counts for nothing. They’re still on the log until they actually jump off the log.

We can say we have decided to follow Jesus. We can sing about following Jesus. We can shout about following Jesus. But we are not following Jesus until we’re following Him.

It’s not just your decision that matters; it’s your actions that matter. Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says… Whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do. James 1:22,25

COURAGE IS NECESSARY FOR FAITH

2011-07-25T11:38:00.000-04:00

Believing in the Lord means believing in what He says and acting on it, even when we feel fear.

· It takes courage to let God use you as an

influence for Him.

God has a purpose in placing you among those you work with and associate with. God placed Joseph second in command under the Pharaoh, in order that he might save his people during a famine. There was Daniel who served in an influential position in both the Babylonian and the Medo-Persian empires. Esther married the king and became queen and was able to save the people of Israel. There was Nehemiah who served as Cupbearer to King Artaxerxes and was able to rebuild the wall around Jerusalem in spite of threats from enemies.

In each of these situations God placed someone in a key position in order to accomplish His divine plan. Mordecai said to Esther, “Who can say but that you have been elevated to the palace for just such a time as this?” Esther 4:14 (NLT)

You can live for Christ where you live, work, recreate, shop, go to school, wherever. God places you among those who haven’t committed their lives to Christ yet for the purpose of having an influence on them. Jesus said, “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.” Matthew 5:13. Be salt where you live and work, and influence others towards Christ. Make them thirsty for Him.

God often places individual believers in key positions in a pagan society to accomplish His purposes. Any place where you rub shoulders with those who aren’t followers of Christ is a key place to be used by God. Your influence as a believer in Christ is not just through words but also by what is seen in your life.

· It takes courage to live a Christ-like life without alienating those who may come to Christ.

You have to live in the culture, but you don’t have to let the culture totally rule you. We’re not of the culture; just living in it.

Jesus in His prayer for all who follow Him said, “My prayer is not that you take them out of the world … They are not of the world, even as I am not of it.” John 17:15-16. We are in the world, but not of the world. Sometimes Christians can push the “not of the world” so far that they’re not even “in the world”. And they alienate and push away those who aren’t followers of Jesus instead of attracting them to Him.

Yes, there is a dividing line. At some point with the culture, with those who are a part of the culture – you go a different direction than they do.

· It takes courage to do your part and let God do His.

God gives the commands. He gives us the instructions. Through His Word He tells us what we are to do. Our responsibility is to follow through. He says, “Go and tell”, “Go and do”. We must “act” on His word.

God will do His responsibility. Be assured and reassured from His Word, from what He says – that He will show up. He will do His part. The more we grow in believing the Lord, the more obedient we become and the more certain we become of His faithfulness.

· It takes courage to do what God commands.

When we leave off doing what God commands and teaches us through His Word, we will falter. We will become apprehensive and afraid. We will begin to rationalize our unfaithful behavior. We will live in sin.

The barricade we have available to us that can stand up against disobedience is the application of God’s Word to our lives. Take God’s Word and put it into practice and ask the Holy Spirit to be in control. Then we find we can take steps of obedience to the Lord and stay out of sin. Then we find that we have the strength to obey and trust God even when we feel fear.

THE LEDGE

2011-07-18T13:08:00.000-04:00

It was a Wednesday in June. My two sons, Josh and Andrew, and I went to Rainbow Falls and jumped. It was a thrill shared with my sons I would not have missed for the world. It was also an experience that in many ways reminded me of a believer’s journey of faith.

We were vacationing in the mountains in Sapphire, NC. We drove to Gorges State Park and hiked to the falls. At the trailhead, the sign read, “strenuous hike”, and so it was, a three mile round trip strenuous hike up and down, over roots and rocks. Once we got to the falls our adventure became more challenging, dangerous, fun, and thrilling. Just getting down to the river from the trail was a steep slippery journey. Once at the bottom it was a matter of calculated stepping and hopping from boulder to boulder to get to where we could get in the water. The rocky ledge from which we wanted to jump was on the other side of the river. We left our shoes and shirts on a rock and then slowly entered the cold water. The huge rocks beneath the water were so slick we couldn’t stand on them, and we had to crawl over them into deeper water where we could swim.

Once across the river the challenge was climbing up to the ledge. It was not a direct approach. Just pulling ourselves out of the water, trying to get a grip on the rocks was difficult in itself. Once out of the water we began the steep climb up the wooded side next to the huge rock wall from which we would jump.

It was a climb that consisted of fingers gripping small indentions in the rocks, hands holding on to roots, and feet placed strategically for a foothold. It took total concentration. Pulling up, pushing off, using all of our strength, calculating every move, we made it to the place just above and to the side of the ledge.

From there we had to climb down fifteen feet of rock wall holding to the roots that draped over the rock. At this point one slip of the foot, one missed grip of a root could easily mean a fall to our death. As I watched both my sons make the tedious climb down that rock wall, I silently prayed intensely for each of them. Once we got over to the ledge we made our way to the wider part where we could at least take a couple of steps to jump.

Standing on the ledge and looking out and around, the world seemed huge. The power and the noise of the massive falls to the left, the height of the surrounding mountains, the sky with passing clouds and the blue with no ceiling, the huge rocks scattered in the water in no certain pattern as if God had tossed a bucket of boulders into the river, and the water that had pooled below us from the falls – all gave me a sense of wonder, smallness, and mortality.

As each of us stood on the ledge and looked down we felt apprehension… well, I’ll go ahead and say it… we felt fear. It was about thirty feet from the ledge to the river below. We also knew we had to jump out and away from the ledge because the bottom of the rock wall sloped outward under the water. We needed to clear it as we jumped.

The longer we stood on the ledge and thought about jumping the more nervous we became. Not that any of us thought that it would be easier to just walk out onto the ledge and jump. A few moments were necessary to collect one’s thoughts, make some calculations, and then commit to the jump.

And then the moment comes to choose to stop thinking and to take your gathered thoughts and with all your strength spring forward, outward, and off the edge of the ledge, leaving the familiar to enter what you only know from a distance, and to splash into the cool water, exhilarated that you made it.

The Bible says, Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. (1 Corinthians 13:12b).

The lifelong journey of faith for the believer in Christ is much like a strenuous hike and a climb of spiritual maturity. It’s not easy to follow Jesus. We must depend on His strength and wisdom. Even if we slip, we’re still His, for His grace is sufficient and His salvation is sure. One day we’ll stand on the ledge and we’ll make our last jump, leaving the familiar that was not so comforting after all, and enter into that which we’ve known from a distance and have longed for all our lives – our home in Heaven. What an exhilarating moment that will be!

Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, or with the breadth of his hand marked off the heavens? Who has held the dust of the earth in a basket, or weighed the mountains on the scales and the hills in a balance? … Surely the nations are like a drop in a bucket; they are regarded as dust on the scales; he weighs the islands as though they were fine dust. … He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth, and its people are like grasshoppers. He stretches out the heavens like a canopy, and spreads them out like a tent to live in. He brings princes to naught and reduces the rulers of this world to nothing. … Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? … Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. (Isaiah 40:12-31).

TRUST THROUGH TRAGEDY

2011-06-06T16:41:00.000-04:00

When God told Elijah to stay with the widow and her son, God provided the food they needed during the famine. God was performing daily miracles with the jar of flour and the jug of oil. But just when everything seemed to be going the widow’s way, tragedy strikes. Her son dies, the boy whom God was keeping alive with the miracle of food everyday dies.

You place your trust in God who provides for you, but then somewhere along the way you’re blindsided by tragedy, some unexpected loss. How do we trust God through the tragedy and come to know His power, even during those difficult times? We must make some choices.

1. CHOOSE TO CONFRONT YOURSELF.

Do you ever think that because you’ve served God that He owes you? Maybe you think that if you live right you’ll be exempt from problems. The truth is that the obedient are not exempt from troubles and tests. Accepting this truth will keep us from making wrong decisions that would cause us injury. It also guards us from the erroneous thinking that it doesn’t pay to do right, or that troubles always indicate sin in our lives. We can be enjoying God’s miracles everyday and still not have our heart right with Him. In tragedy we have the opportunity to confront who we are and where we are in relation to God.

2. CHOOSE TO GET BETTER INSTEAD OF BITTER.

When we see tragedy from a temporary humanistic standpoint it’s easy to get bitter.
Then I realized that my heart was bitter, and I was all torn up inside. Psa. 73:21 (NLT)

Bitterness will only eat away at you. It does nothing good for you. Instead it tears you down and tears your insides into pieces. The good news is that we don’t have to let bitterness have its way.

3. CHOOSE TO GROW FROM IT.

“Give me your son,” Elijah replied. He took him from her arms, carried him to the upper room where he was staying, and laid him on his bed. 1 Kings 17:19

The widow chose to give her son to Elijah. In doing so she took a step of faith because she was really taking a step to place her faith in God. She took a step to grow in faith. God prepared the widow to give up her son by first giving up her food. She learned from giving up her food first to Elijah that God could provide when she trusts Him. Now she must trust Him with the thing she cares more about than anything else in her whole world.

Before David faced Goliath, God prepared him by defeating the lion and the bear that attacked his flock.

Take the small steps of faith because God is growing your faith. We all face loss and tragedy, but when we’ve been prepared by the Lord because we’ve taken steps of faith to grow – then we will be prepared. When we see through the eyes of faith we know our God is bigger than our problems, even bigger than something as devastating and as final as death.

4. CHOOSE TO PRAY INSTEAD OF PANIC.

“Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?” In all this, Job did not sin in what he said. Job 2:10

Job recognized that God also allows pain into our lives. And it’s the opportunity to choose to pray to Him and learn to trust He knows what He’s doing, even though we don’t like it or we don’t understand it or we’re upset about it. This is our journey of spiritual growth, step by step, gradually growing our faith in the Infinitely Wise, All-Knowing, Almighty, Merciful, Loving God.

When we pray according to God’s will, it results in God’s action.
This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him. 1 John 5:14-15

5. CHOOSE TO CELEBRATE THE LIFE GOD GIVES.

Elijah picked up the child and carried him down from the room into the house. He gave him to his mother and said, “Look, your son is alive!” Then the woman said to Elijah, “Now I know that you are a man of God and that the word of the LORD from your mouth is the truth.” 1 Kings 17:23-24

How is it that the very same God who provides enough oil and flour everyday to keep the widow and her son alive, one day allows her son to die? The upside is that her son’s death provided the opportunity for her to experience the power of God to a greater degree. It brought her to salvation in the Lord. And that’s the life to celebrate.

When tragedy strikes, it’s not the end. It’s part of the journey to trusting God more. God wants you to know He can be trusted through the tough times. It’s our chance to grow a little more in our faith in Him. The beauty of it is that He gives us “real life” through it and “lasting life” through death into an eternity spent in Heaven that will cause all of our troubles and tragedies to pale in comparison.

WHO TO TRUST

2011-05-23T15:39:00.000-04:00

We tend to take matters into our own hands and try to manipulate circumstances to meet our own desires. The problem is that many times it backfires on us. Before we can enjoy the fulfilled life God has for us, we must learn to rely on Him.

FOUR LESSONS FOR RELYING ON GOD:

1. CONFRONT YOUR FEARS SO YOU CAN TRUST GOD.

Often, the life of faith will lead down difficult paths. God never promised that the way of faith would be an easy way. In fact, just the opposite is true. God has promised us that life will be filled with trials and troubles, (Job 14:1; Job 5:7; John 16:33). Yet, that is the path of faith. But God also promises that He will take you through it.

2. ACCEPT THE UNEXPECTED.

God does a lot of things we may not expect. We think He would supply our needs and reward our faith the way we think He should. But He does the unexpected. Why? Because He is teaching us what it means to really trust in Him.

3. LIVE BY GOD’S GRACE ONE DAY AT A TIME.

Don’t buy into the false teaching that God always wants you to have lots of money and material things and wealth. The Bible doesn’t teach that. Elijah, the “man of God”, someone at the center of God’s will wasn’t led to a place of plenty.

The Apostle Paul teaches us the principle in Philippians 4:12-13, I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

The issue is not whether you have much or little; the issue is trusting God. And He will supply everything you need. Learn to trust in the “Gift-Giver”, not the “gifts.” Put your trust in the “Provider”, not the “provision.”

How long can you go without going to the grocery store before starving? Most of us could probably go for a long time. That’s because we live in America and we have a surplus. We have pantries and refrigerators and freezers to store our food. We have drive thru restaurants, so the family can eat in the car on the way to wherever we’re going.

We consider “storing up” to be a blessing, but the only danger with storing up is we may not learn to depend on God. We just simply depend on our selves and our surplus and hardly consider God to be our Provider and Guide in life.

The Bible does teach us to prepare for the future and to plan ahead, but there is a danger of depending on ourselves more than on God. We may take our eyes off of God and look more at what we can do to supply for ourselves, and then when things don’t go our way and circumstances upset our plans, we become frustrated, worried, and angry. But that’s because we weren’t trusting God. We were trusting in ourselves instead.

4. BE WILLING TO TRUST GOD WHEN YOU DON’T SEE THE ANSWERS.

The prophet Elijah said to the widow who only had one meal left for her son and herself, "Don't be afraid. Go home and do as you have said. But first make a small cake of bread for me from what you have and bring it to me, and then make something for yourself and your son. For this is what the Lord , the God of Israel, says: 'The jar of flour will not be used up and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the Lord gives rain on the land.'" She went away and did as Elijah had told her. So there was food every day for Elijah and for the woman and her family. For the jar of flour was not used up and the jug of oil did not run dry, in keeping with the word of the Lord spoken by Elijah. 1 Kings 17:13-16

When Elijah hears the widow’s sob story, he makes what appears to be the coldest demand in the Bible. He tells her to go ahead and fix her last supper, but to feed him first. On the surface this appears harsh and cruel, but it was really an appeal for faith and surrender to the will of God. When this widow heard the word of God, she went and did as Elijah had commanded her. It must have taken great faith to use the last little bit of meal she had to prepare bread for a total stranger. Yet she did it by faith. And because she took God at His Word and prepared bread for Elijah, God blessed. For years, until it rained again and the famine ended, every mealtime was a miracle. God worked a miracle in that jug and in that jar every single day.

We serve a God Who specializes in doing the impossible. It may look hopeless to us, but we must never count God out. He can take the little that is dedicated to Him by faith and multiply it to enormous proportions.

Hudson Taylor, the great missionary to China in the nineteenth century said, “God’s work, done God’s way, will receive God’s supply.”

God is able to turn hopeless situations around and give hope. He’s able to take death and give you life. He’s able to turn impossible into possible. He is able to take your faithlessness and give you faith – if we’ll really rely on Him. We should make our plans but trust God to lead us and provide for us. God wants us to look to him for strength to get through today, and not to worry about tomorrow. Jesus said in Matthew 6:33-34 (NCV) “Seek first God's kingdom and what God wants. Then all your other needs will be met as well. So don't worry about tomorrow, because tomorrow will have its own worries. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” He’ll take care of today, today, and He’ll take care of tomorrow, tomorrow.

GROWING FAITH

2011-05-17T08:40:00.000-04:00

The Bible says of faith, Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. … And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. Hebrews 11:1, 6

What kind of faith does it take to trust what God says with confidence and assurance?

It takes:

• A TRAINED FAITH

To be able to trust God and what He says through His Word, you must go through times of preparation. And many times that preparation requires a time of solitude and isolation for preparation of the heart.

Moses is an example. In forty years in Egypt Moses had learned the skills of worldly leadership, how to be a leader of men. In “God’s School of the Desert” he was taught for forty years the qualities of spiritual leadership: patience, maturity, and sensitivity in listening to the voice of God.

Years later Joseph spent a number of years in an Egyptian prison because he was unjustly accused. But those years of obscurity prepared him for promotion to Prime Minister of the Egypt.

The Apostle Paul, following his conversion spent 3 years in obscurity in Arabia. While he was there God was preparing him to be the great missionary to the Gentiles.

Abraham’s “faith training” gave him confidence in God. Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God. Romans 4:20

It takes:

• AN OBEDIENT FAITH

Don’t expect God to give you further direction in life until you follow the directions He’s already given you. If you’re confused over the will of God for your life today, it may be the result of not obeying what He’s already told you to do. Do what God has already told you to do and He will direct you life.

The road the righteous travel is like the sunrise, getting brighter and brighter until daylight has come. Proverbs 4:18 (GNB)

It takes:

• A CHALLENGED FAITH

God told Elijah to go to the Kerith Ravine and stay there. God caused the ravens to bring him bread and meat twice a day, and he drank from the brook. Then in 1 Kings 17:7 it says, Some time later the brook dried up because there had been no rain in the land.

What do you do when your brook dries up? What do you do when your supply starts to run out? When this happens to us sometimes we cry out, “Lord what happened?” Where did I go wrong? Didn’t you tell me to come here and wait and you would provide for me? How can I be in the center of your will and my brook is drying up?”

The reason we think that is because we tend to think that we are in the center of God’s will as long as everything is going great. Have you ever thought that maybe you’re still in the center of His will when the brook dries up? When our brook dries up we’re tempted to think that God’s power has stopped. But “drying brooks” are not an indication of God forsaking us. It’s only an indication that God is changing the source of His supply. God always knows what He’s doing and you’re always in His care. When you’re serving the Lord, you are often called to sit by “drying brooks.”

F.B. Meyer says, “Many of us have had to sit by drying brooks; perhaps some are sitting by them now –the drying brook of popularity, ebbing away as it did from John the Baptist. The drying brook of health, sinking under a creeping paralysis or a slow decline. The drying brook of money, slowly dwindling before the demands of sickness, bad debts or other people’s extravagance. The drying brook of friendship, which for long has been diminishing, and threatens soon to cease. Ah, it is hard to sit beside a drying brook…. Why does God let them dry? He wants to teach us not to trust in his gifts but in Himself. Let us learn these lessons, and turn from our failing Keriths to our unfailing Savior. All sufficiency resides in Him!”

Put your dependence, not in the gifts, but in the Gift Giver. Be willing to trust God even when your daily provisions fail. Our trust is not in the “daily provisions.” Instead our trust is in the Lord, The Provider. He’s going to provide for you, but He may change the source of His supply for you.

IN THE WORLD BUT NOT OF THE WORLD

2011-05-09T12:55:00.000-04:00

When the prophet Elijah appeared on the scene there had been sixty years of bloodshed, intrigue, immorality and idolatry in the nation of Israel. When Ahab came to the throne the Bible says that he was worse than the kings who came before him. How bad where things? The altars of the Lord God had been dismantled. His prophets were in hiding. His worshippers were a mere handful, scattered and intimidated into silence by the scope of the evil all around them. The believers in God had been so silenced that their existence was known only to God. And behind all of this evil was a diabolical duo – King Ahab and his Queen, Jezebel.

In America today we are living in what has been described as a post-Christian era. It is post-Christian not because there are no longer any Christians living in this country. There are probably more Christians than there ever has been, but it’s post-Christian in the sense that the Christian faith no longer plays a major role in shaping the values and morals of our society or in how we relate to one another.

The reality of this forces us to face some tough questions: Who or what is my God? Do I claim faith in the God of the Bible, but then live my life like I don’t really believe Him?

Is God really God in my life from the standpoint of what I treasure, what my attitudes are, what my priorities are, and what determines my behavior? What is really important to me? How committed am I to my relationship with God?

If you’re a believer in the Lord God here are some things we can do to live out a genuine faith:

• Decide to let God be God of everything in your life.
Rom.6:13 (NLT) Do not let any part of your body become a tool of wickedness, to be used for sinning. Instead, give yourselves completely to God since you have been given new life. And use your whole body as a tool to do what is right for the glory of God.

• Ask God to use you for His great purpose through your life.
Jer. 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

• Study the Bible thoroughly and be strengthened in the truth of one God.
2 Tim. 2:15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.

• Be courageous enough to identify with Jesus always.
Prov. 28:1 The wicked man flees though no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion.

SERVE GOD WITHOUT RESENTMENT

2011-05-03T11:29:00.000-04:00

Have you ever witnessed a child throwing a temper-tantrum in the middle of a department store (hopefully it was not your own). The child may do any number of things. They may pound on the floor with their hands and feet. They may lie on the floor and scream at the top of their lungs. They may throw things or swing their arms about. Or they may be very creative and do all of these things at the same time. But in all of this the child has a purpose - he is demanding that he get his own way.

Jonah became angry with God because he didn’t get his own way. He had obeyed God (finally). He was doing what God wanted done, but God had not done what Jonah wanted done. The Bible says in Jonah 4:1, Jonah was greatly displeased and became angry.

If we obey God with an attitude of unwillingness and anger then on our account it’s no better than disobedience. To act obedient while in your heart you resent it, doesn’t count as obedience. We may go through the actions, apparently obeying God. We are doing what we think we should be doing, living the kind of life we think a Christian should live. But secretly we are unhappy and angry with God for telling us to do it. We need to recognize that resentment does a lot of damage to us.

WHAT DAMAGE DOES RESENTMENT DO?

1. Resentment destroys your peace.
Then everything in life is seen through the lenses of our anger and resentment.

2. Resentment distracts you from your purpose.
Some people, deep inside their hearts, hold a grudge against God. They carry around resentment towards God. Why? They think He’s not interested in their lives or problems.

They’re convinced he doesn’t care because He hasn’t answered a particular prayer or acted on their behalf.

3. Resentment diminishes your productiveness.
It is hard to be productive when we keep our abilities to ourselves and use them for our own advantage instead of using them to benefit others and serve God.

4. Resentment distorts your perspective.
God may send us a blessing and we in our resentment may think to ourselves, “After all the things God has done for other people He is at last doing something for me.” And we act selfishly. An angry and resentful person loses his or her sense of perspective. And they begin to pick at little things.

HOW TO CONQUER RESENTMENT

• Confess it and release it.
Take your hands off of it. Let it go. Give it to the Lord.

• Surrender the control of your life to the Lord.

• You don’t have to understand all that God does in order to obey Him.
Job 38:1-5 And now, finally, GOD answered Job from the eye of a violent storm. He said: "Why do you confuse the issue? Why do you talk without knowing what you're talking about? … I have some questions for you, and I want some straight answers. Where were you when I created the earth? Tell me, since you know so much! Who decided on its size? Certainly you'll know that! Who came up with the blueprints and measurements?”

• Choose to serve God joyfully right where you are.
Psa. 100:2 Serve the LORD with gladness.

AN URGENT CALL TO GOD CHANGES EVERYTHING

2011-04-25T14:57:00.000-04:00

Abraham Lincoln wrote: “We have been the recipients of the choicest bounties of heaven. We have been preserved, these many years, in peace and prosperity. We have grown in numbers, wealth and power, as no other nation has ever grown. But we have forgotten God. We have forgotten the gracious hand which preserved us in peace and multiplied and enriched and strengthened us; and we have vainly imagined, in the deceitfulness of our hearts that all these blessings were produced by some superior wisdom and virtue of our own. Intoxicated with unbroken success, we have become too self-sufficient to feel the necessity of redeeming and preserving grace, too proud to pray to the God that made us. It behooves us, then to humble ourselves before the offended Power, to confess our national sins, and to pray for clemency and forgiveness.”

Lincoln proclaimed a “National Day of Fasting and Prayer” on March 30, 1863.

Spiritual renewal is always accompanied by repentance. To understand what repentance is we need to first know what it’s not.

What repentance is not:

• Remorse is not repentance.
Being sorry for our sin is only the beginning of repentance. You feel remorse. It leads us to really repent. The rich young ruler who came to Jesus went away sorrowful but he did not repent.

• Regret is not repentance.
Regret is wishing that our sin had never happened. We can regret it but never repent of it. Pontius Pilate regretted his decision concerning Jesus. But did he ever repent?

• Resolve is not repentance.
We can decide that we’re going to do better in the future, and that may lead to reform but it’s not repentance.

What repentance is:

• Repentance is a change of mind which leads to a change of heart which leads to a change of action.

This is what happened with the people of Nineveh. In Jonah 3:8 the king plainly stated…
“Let man and beast be covered with sackcloth. Let everyone call urgently on God. Let them give up their evil ways and their violence”.

Verse 10 gives the results: When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he had compassion and did not bring upon them the destruction he had threatened.

Dr. A W. Tozer suggested the following for personal spiritual renewal:

1. Get thoroughly dissatisfied with yourself.
Complacency is the deadly enemy of spiritual progress. The contented soul is a stagnant soul.

2. Decide on transformation of all areas of your life.
Timid experiments are tagged for failure before they start. We must throw our whole soul into our desire for God.

3. Put yourself in the way of blessing.
It’s a mistake to expect God’s help to come as a windfall apart from conditions known and met. To desire spiritual transformation, and at the same time to neglect prayer and devotion, is to wish one way and walk another.

4. Have faith in God. Begin to expect.
Look towards God. All heaven is on your side. God will not disappoint you. Spiritual renewal and a changed life are possible if the conditions are met.

In a well-furnished kitchen there are not only crystal goblets and silver platters, but waste cans and compost buckets—some containers used to serve fine meals, others to take out the garbage. Become the kind of container God can use to present any and every kind of gift to his guests for their blessing. 2 Timothy 2:20-21 (Mes)

GETTING THROUGH THE CRISIS

2011-04-18T17:13:00.000-04:00

Sometimes we find ourselves in a crisis that is beyond our control and all we have left is prayer. It’s beyond our control. There is nothing else you can do but pray. What can we learn in situations like that?

God uses crises to teach us 3 truths:

1. DON’T HESITATE TO PRAY.

When Jonah was swallowed by the big fish he prayed. From inside the fish Jonah prayed to the LORD his God (Jonah 2:1).

It was “from inside” the fish. He prayed from within the fish. It’s when we’re “inside” the crisis that we cry out to God with all our heart. It’s when we are under water, trapped, and in the dark. Sometimes that’s what it takes for God to get our total attention, our whole heart.

Abraham Lincoln once said, “I have been driven many times to my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had nowhere else to go.” Jonah was totally exhausted and at the end of his rope. He had no where else to turn. Only then did he cry out to God for help.

When Jonah had turned his back on God, it didn’t bother him to be separated from God. But suddenly, when Jonah was thrown over board, as he faced death, he found that it bothered him tremendously to be separated from God.

The most terrifying aspect of Jonah’s crisis was when he realized that God had almost given him what he wanted – to be free of his presence. Jonah wanted to run from God. Now the implications of that separation bring Jonah to repentance.

2. PRAY FROM ANYWHERE BECAUSE GOD WILL HEAR YOU.

Jonah recorded in Jonah 2:2, “In my distress I called to the LORD, and he answered me. From the depths of the grave I called for help, and you listened to my cry”.

How do you pray in the middle of a crisis? IMMEDIATELY and SCRIPTURALLY.
I don’t think Jonah waited. As soon as he cleared his throat he was praying. As he was sinking deeper in the sea inside the fish, he was praying. He prayed immediately.

What do you pray when you don’t know what to pray? Jonah prayed back to God what God had already said. He prayed God’s Word back to God. He prayed Scripturally. He quoted from the book of Psalms in his praying. He counted on the promises of God and prayed through Scripture.

In your crisis, pray God’s Word back to Him. That’s how we stand on what He says. That’s how we express our belief in Him. That’s how we claim His truths and promises.

3. GROWING IN FAITH IS NOT ALWAYS PRETTY.

And the LORD commanded the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land (Jonah 2:10).

Growing in faith may not be a beautiful emotional experience. It may not be a spiritual high. Most of the time it’s not.

Jonah left on a ship bound for the city of Tarshish, but he didn’t return in the same way. He spent 3 days and 3 nights in the digestive system of a big fish only to be vomited up on the seashore.

The good news is that no matter how much we mess up, or how disobedient we’ve been, or how far away we get from the Lord, or whatever uncontrollable crises we’re going through – there is always a way through it when we trust and obey the Lord. And the journey through it leaves you a changed person from what you were before.

GOD PURSUES US

2011-04-11T14:21:00.000-04:00

When we sin there are consequences. When we disobey God, there are consequences we must deal with. We bring them on ourselves. But God uses them to bring us back into fellowship with Him. He relentlessly pursues us. He will never ever give up on us.

Jonah chose a path of disobedience. God would have been within his rights to have said, “Jonah, you have disobeyed me, and as such you have forfeited the right to be called my child. I am letting go!” But he didn’t. Jonah expressed his rebellion, but God loved him too much to let him go. The Bible says that God sent the storm. This was not just an ordinary storm but a storm so great the even veteran sailors were afraid.

Sometimes God doesn’t calm the sea; He stirs it up. The issue, whether the sea is calm or stormy, is to choose to live for Christ, to follow Him, and to obey Him. And when the calm sea turns stormy, then we can call out to Him like the disciples did when they were with Jesus in the boat in the storm. And we trust in Him through it. And He delivers us through it.

God loves us too much to allow His us to drift into open rebellion without disciplining us. David said in Psalm 119:67, 71 “Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I obey your word. … It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your decrees.” God loves you too much to let you remain disobedient. God cares so much about us that He disciplines us.

The British poet, Francis Thompson, wrote an epic poem known as "The Hound of Heaven." In it he pictures someone running from God like a Jonah, only to find that the Lord patiently and triumphantly pursues him until the wayward child rests in the Lord’s arms. The central point of this poem is its outrageous assertion that sometimes we run from God and that God actually pursues us. Here are a few lines of the poem: “I fled from God, down through the nights and down through the days; I fled from God, down the arches of the years; I fled from God, down the labyrinth of my own mind. In the midst of tears, I hid. Under running laughter, I hid from God. Up vistaed slopes I sped, shot hurriedly over chasmed fears. ... But those strong feet of God came after me with unhurrying chase and unperturbed pace; with constant speed and divine instancy. .....And a voice, more persistent than the feet, spoke and said: “You are my precious one. I will not let you go.”

That’s the way God is. He is so persistent, so diligent, so untiring in his pursuit of us when we stray. He relentlessly pursues us. He will never ever give up on you.

ON THE RUN

2011-04-04T14:46:00.000-04:00

Have you ever just wanted to run away? We all probably have that feeling once in a while. We just want to get away. Sometimes it is even that way in the ministry. It is hard trying to please a lot of people and it’s stressful at times feeling responsible for many lives. We all have thoughts of escaping at times.

God invites you to join Him in His work. He impresses your heart, speaks through His Word, leads by His Spirit, and influences you through mature Christians. His calling in your life is just as significant as His calling in anyone else’s life. Ephesians 2:10 says, For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. (NLT)

The problem is that sometimes we don’t like what He tells us to do and we would rather run in the other direction. God called Jonah to take a message of judgment to Nineveh. God said to Jonah in Jonah 1:2 "Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me." Nineveh was an up-and-coming world power in Jonah’s day. It was the most important city in Assyria. Within fifty years, Nineveh would become the capital of the vast Assyrian empire. It was a great city but it was not a nice place. Their cruelty was known throughout the world. These were definitely not nice people and to put it frankly - Jonah hated them.

Sometimes, God tells us to do things that we don’t want to do. And we feel like turning around and running in the opposite direction. Maybe there’s someone at work you’ve known for a long time. And you’ve heard about the problems they’ve been having in their marriage. And God has pressed it upon your heart to talk to this person and engage them in conversation and to listen to them. And you’re thinking, “The last thing I want to do is hear about someone else’s problems. I really don’t want to have anything to do with that person.” Or maybe there’s someone you work with who doesn’t have many friends. You see him every day. And God wants YOU to be his friend. But you’re not on board with this idea for whatever reason.

God has commissioned you and me to take the gospel to those around us – even if we don’t want to. We may not like some of the things He tells us to do. That’s okay. We don’t have to like what He tells us to do; we just have to obey.

Because God has given us a free will we can tell God “No”. We may say “no” and try to do other things and go in another direction, but we will only find peace when we are in the will of God. The wise thing to do is to choose God’s agenda for us instead of our agenda because that’s what He’ll hold us accountable for.

Like Jonah, when we run away from the Lord, which means we choose not to go God’s way, we never get to where we’re going, and we always pay our own fare. We try to provide for ourselves what we need – inner peace, lasting joy, contentment, unconditional love, forgiveness. We try to take care of ourselves. And we sail right into a big storm.

But when we go the Lord’s way we always get to where we’re going, and He pays the fare. He provides all the things we need. He takes care of us.

“I run in the path of your commands, for You have broadened my understanding.” Psa. 119:32.

NO PAUSE BUTTON

2011-03-28T16:34:00.000-04:00

There is no “pause button” in the spiritual life. We’re either going God’s way and getting stronger in Him, or we’re going the enemy’s way and getting weaker. There is no “dead calm” on the sea of spirituality. We’re either putting the effort and energy into sailing God’s way, or we drift away from God’s ways and into enemy waters. You never stand still. The wind is always blowing. Paul reminds us to keep moving in the right direction in Eph. 4:13c-14 “… become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming”.

The important thing to know is that you and I have a choice in the matter. But to make no choice is to make a choice. Because in making no choice, the choice naturally becomes that of moving closer to the enemy. You drift in the direction of the enemy, and you become easy prey for him. God wants us to, “Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour”. 1 Peter 5:8

In the Bible Hosea prophesied that because God’s people refused to return to Him, they will become captives of Assyria. The sword will come against their cities. The bars on their gates will be destroyed. The sword will also consume them because of their own counsels. The prophets kept calling them to the Lord, but they didn’t exalt the Lord.

Consequently they will fall prey to their enemies. Hosea prophesied, They will not return to the land of Egypt; But Assyria--he will be their king, Because they refused to return to Me. The sword will whirl against their cities, And will demolish their gate bars, And consume them because of their counsels. Hosea 11:5-6 (NAS)

Their enemies would do 4 things:
1- They will capture them,
2- Tear down what they’ve built,
3- Destroy their security, and
4- Consume them.

If we don’t take the initiative to go God’s way, 4 things will likely happen to us:

1) The enemy will capture you and hold you prisoner.
Your enemies are the world, the flesh, and the devil. On a practical everyday level these 3 enemies could take you captive and hold you prisoner with such chains as: patterns of sin, strongholds of sin, unhealthy boundaries in your life, indecision, hurts from the past, fears of the future, self-centeredness, rebellion, pride, and bitterness.

2) The enemy will tear down what you’ve built.
He’ll tear down what you’ve built in your spiritual life. He’ll tear down what you’ve built in your marriage, in your family, with your children. He’ll tear down what you’ve built in your other relationships. He’ll tear down the responsible use of your time and energy and money.

3) The enemy will destroy your security.
Though you are secure with the Lord as His child for eternity, you’re not as protected from the enemy as you were. Your enemies move in, invade your life, and bring more temptations and more troubles and more worries.

4) The enemy will consume you.

What do we do?

We find the answers in 1 Peter 5:6-11 - Humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor. Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you. Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil… Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your Christian brothers and sisters all over the world are going through the same kind of suffering you are. … After you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation.

• Live surrendered to the Lord and build your security in Him.

• Throw off all your worries onto the Lord.

• Think clearly.
Stay alert to the enemy and His schemes.

• Take a stand on your faith in God’s trustworthiness.
He is always true to what He says He’ll do.

• Remember you’re not alone.

• Suffer through.
God wants to build perseverance and character in you. Then you’ll grow to be stronger and stronger in the Lord’s strength.

• Be encouraged by the strength of your spiritual life that God produces.

WHEN GOD DELAYS (Part 2)

2011-03-21T17:30:00.000-04:00

“If only…” How many times have we used those words? It’s our typical response to circumstances we wish we could change.

When Jesus and the disciples arrived in Bethany they were told not only that Lazarus was dead, but that he had been buried for four days. When they finally arrive in Bethany, the family of Lazarus is not at all happy with him. John 11:20-22 When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed at home. "Lord," Martha said to Jesus, "if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask."

The first words of Martha reflect the classic response to a difficult situation, “If ….”
• “If only” I had convinced them to go to the doctor sooner.
• “If only” they had not been driving that evening.
• “If only” they had not had that surgery.
• “If only” they had been more careful.

What are we to do with our “if only’s?” We need to do what Martha and Mary did. They took them to Jesus. Even as Martha expresses her “if only you had been here” the idea is still in the back of her mind, that even yet He could still do something. She says in verse 22, "But I know that even now God will give You whatever You ask". The good news is that Jesus is big enough to take care of our disappointment.

Jesus asked her the most important question that any one can ever face: John 11:25-26 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”

Jesus made this very personal. He asked “Do you believe this?" He is not asking, “Do you believe in God? Do you believe in life after death?” Rather He’s asking, “Do you believe this? Do you believe in Me? Do believe that I am the resurrection and the Life.”

Martha’s response in v. 27 was “Yes, Lord, “I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.” She uses the “perfect tense of the verb”. It indicates a “firm and continuing commitment”. She had in the past put her faith in Jesus and that is where it remained. Jesus reminded her of her faith in Him.

When we’re faced with difficulties and unchangeable situations, the best response is to believe in Jesus and what He says is true and eternal. And let our minds and emotions rest on His infinite wisdom and our security in Him.

LASTING BLESSING

2011-02-21T13:55:00.000-05:00

Tuesday February 15, 2011 my mother went home to be with the Lord. She was 83. My family and I grieved as all families do when a loved one passes on. However through the grief we were able to rejoice over Mother’s life and legacy. As we stood around her and watched her take her last breath we said our final words of goodbye until we meet again on the other side in Heaven. With tears streaming down my face I said, “We’ve been blessed.” My family and I have truly been blessed by the lives of my father and mother.

The Bible says in Revelation 14:13, “Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.” “Yes,” says the Spirit, “they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them.” I am blessed because the deeds of my mother follow her. She has left a legacy that will influence me forever. Her blessing upon my life is lasting. The testimony of life, her commitment to the Lord, her faithful witness to Him, her Christ-like character, and her journey of ever increasing faith – all has impacted me in such a way that the way I go about life is forever affected.

During the memorial service I had the blessing of singing a hymn, “The Solid Rock”, with my two sons Josh and Andrew. I was blessed to be able to sing “Rise Again”, because of Jesus’ resurrection and my mother’s salvation through faith in Jesus, knowing that she would one day rise again with a new body. I was blessed to give a eulogy recounting some of the stories we remember as a family and how she has influenced her family to “trust and obey” the Lord. I was blessed by the pastor who gave the message and encouraged us in God’s truth. I was blessed by the gracious outpouring of family and friends and spiritual family who served us with prayers, hospitality, kind remarks, heart-warming memories, and food.

How will you live your life so that it blesses others, even long after you’re gone? What impact for Christ will you make on others? What deeds, words, actions from your life will follow after you?

“One life will soon be past. Only what’s done for Christ will last.”

WHEN GOD DELAYS (Part 1)

2011-02-07T10:53:00.000-05:00

Sometimes it’s hard to believe that when God is silent or He delays an answer to our prayers that it’s because He loves us. We tend to think God just doesn’t care. We may even question the presence of God. It can become a severe test of our faith. What helps us deal with this? I think there are a couple of things God wants us to know that will help us.

• Even Those That Jesus Loves Get Sick.
In John 11:1, 3 we learn, A man named Lazarus was sick. He was from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha… So the sisters sent word to Jesus, “Lord, the one you love is sick.”

When Jesus received the news of Lazarus He told His disciples that his illness would not ultimately prove fatal. For believers in Christ, our sicknesses also – even our last sickness – will not “end us” in death, physical nor eternal. But we will get sick and Jesus loves us still.

• Sometimes God Is Silent.
It says in John 11:5-6, Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. Yet when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was two more days.

Jesus loved this family but He did not hurry to them in Bethany. Rather He stayed two days were he was.

We sometimes have found ourselves in trouble and we pray to God, but He doesn’t seem to hear us. At those times we may think that God just doesn’t care about us. And we may become confused about God’s love for us.

But Paul reassures us of God’s constant love for us in Romans 8:35-39,
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? … No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Our death or the death of our loved ones, even if it should be sooner than expected, does not mean that Jesus doesn’t care about us.

Lazarus died, and at first it may seem confusing what Jesus said to His disciples.
In John 11:14-15 Jesus said, “Lazarus is dead, and for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.” These words seem really out of character for Jesus. His friend is dead, the sisters are crying, and Jesus is glad.

Charles Spurgeon said this about these verses: “Christ is not glad because of sorrow, but on account of the result of it. He knew that this temporary trial would help His disciples to a greater faith, and He so prizes their growth in faith that He is even glad of the sorrow which occasions it… He set so high a value upon His people’s faith that He will not screen them from those trials by which faith is strengthened.”

Remember:
God loves you through the sickness.
God loves you through the silence.
God loves you through the strengthening of your faith.

As our faith matures, we see more than meets the eye, we become more secure in God’s love for us, and we become more confident in the words and ways of God.

WHAT BEING GREAT IS REALLY ALL ABOUT

2011-01-31T10:47:00.000-05:00

John the Baptist performed no miracles, but throughout his life he faithfully followed the path God had chosen for him. And in the end Jesus commended his life as he did no one else. Jesus said that John was greater than anyone in the past, and that would include Abraham, Moses, or David. No one topped John the Baptist.

What do we learn from John the Baptist? There are Four Choices we must make that God would describe as “being great”.

1. Discover how God has uniquely designed you and called you for His purpose.
Eph. 2:10 (Mes) We neither make nor save ourselves. God does both the making and saving. He creates each of us by Christ Jesus to join him in the work he does, the good work he has gotten ready for us to do, work we had better be doing.

Question: How are you going to let this truth change your perspective of “you” this week? How will you act differently?

2. Point others to Jesus because He appointed you.
Jesus said in John 15:16 “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit - fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.” What Jesus said, He said to all His followers, and that includes you and me.

Question: What are you going to do to lead someone toward Jesus this week?

3. Deflate “self”.
John baptized many people and they flocked to hear him. But John constantly sought to downplay his own significance. John said in John 3:30 “He must become greater; I must become less.” For Jesus to increase in our lives, we must decrease.

Question: What can you do this week to decrease “selfish motives, fears, and insecurities” and increase your attention on Jesus?

4. Live greater than your doubts.
I am sure that all of us here have doubted and even stumbled at times at the way God’s plans seem to unfold in our lives. There are times when what is happening in our lives is a mystery to us. And we’ve felt that the Lord has let us down or at the very least that he hasn’t worked things out the way we would have desired.

John knew who Jesus was, but in prison, doubt began to worm its way into his heart.
In Matt. 11:3-6 John sent word to Jesus and asked, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?” Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.”

In effect Jesus says this to John: “John you may not understand why I do the things I do. And you may not understand or agree with my timing, but you can trust Me.” John decided to live and act greater than his doubts. He chose to live his life, in prison, and right up to the day he was beheaded – resolutely believing in Jesus.

• We must choose to believe Jesus and act in faith, with or without our feelings.

Question: How are you going to show your belief in Jesus this week – that it’s real – that Jesus is real to you?
To God, that’s what being great is all about.

IT’S HOW YOU LOOK AT IT

2011-01-24T10:41:00.000-05:00

As the people of Israel were getting ready to enter the Promised Land, Moses sent out 12 spies to check it out. Ten of the spies came back and said that conquering the Promised Land would be too tough. There were giants in the land. Two of the spies looked at the land through eyes of faith and said they could conquer the land with God’s help. But the children of Israel believed the first set of spies and their pessimistic outlook.

God gave them a test and they failed miserably. Instead of making it into the Promised Land, they spent years wandering around in the desert. Because these ten guys chose to look through eyes of fear, they lost an opportunity that God had prepared for them. They delayed their destiny for another 40 years.

It can happen to us, too. You’ve probably got a challenge in front of you right now. You know what it is. Maybe it’s your job or your finances or your marriage or your children. Maybe it’s a health issue. Something is in front of you that’s too big for you.

Nothing will play a bigger role in what God does through your life in 2011 than how you look at the world around you. It’s a matter of perspective. You have a choice: will you choose to look at your life through eyes of faith or eyes of fear? Look at the situation through eyes of fear and you’ll only see the giants in the land. Look at the situation through eyes of faith and you’ll see the big God who goes before you.

TRUSTING GOD WITH THE UNEXPLAINABLE

2011-01-10T11:50:00.000-05:00

We are often guilty of trying to second guess God. And when others are going through difficulties we are often tempted to act as if we know how to explain the plans of an infinitely wise God. But the truth is that our minds wrestle in vain to explain the unexplainable. When we’re unable to solve the mysteries that confront us, we can allow unanswered questions to rob us of our joy. It may be a tragedy that threw you into depression. Or it may be that you have experienced hurt from a relationship. Whatever it may be it can cause us to doubt the power or goodness of God.

Job was a man who worshipped God and did all the right things, but he was tempted to doubt God’s goodness. In spite of his goodness Job still underwent adversity. In one single day he lost everything, including his children. Then when you think nothing further can happen to poor Job, he breaks out with skin ulcers all over his body, and his health is destroyed. Friends came to comfort him, but they added to his misery by insisting he must have committed some horrible sin for which God was punishing him.

WHAT DO WE LEARN FROM JOB’S EXPERIENCE?

• You don’t know exactly how another human being feels.

What someone needs is a genuine friend who will walk with him or her on their spiritual journey - someone who encourages their faith without trying to explain the unexplainable.

• You are always in the care of a loving God.

Nothing happens in the life of the believer that has not first passed through the permission of God.

• Experiences you can’t understand provide the greatest opportunities to exercise faith.

Though Job continued to have faith in God he never learned why God permitted him to suffer. Sometimes there are no apparent or easy answers to life’s problems. Through suffering, we are forced to face the mystery of God. We’re challenged to trust Him deeper. Job did come to know God better.

• Faith is proven to be genuine only when it is tested.

The Bible reminds us that a faith that passes the test is more precious than gold.
1 Peter 1:7 These have come so that your faith - of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire - may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.

• God has multiplied blessings in store for you.

God blessed Job abundantly.
Job 42:12-13 The LORD blessed the latter part of Job's life more than the first. He had fourteen thousand sheep, six thousand camels, a thousand yoke of oxen and a thousand donkeys. And he also had seven sons and three daughters.

You may not get every single one of God’s blessings in this life, as Job did, but they are there for you. They are reserved in heaven, waiting there for you.

The Job who emerged from the severity of pain had a deeper trust in God than the Job who entered it. That’s what God wants to have happen in each of us when we, too, face the hurts that are a part of every human life.

BEGINNING THE NEW YEAR

2011-01-03T09:45:00.000-05:00

It’s that time of year again. We’re going to lose weight, exercise more, get out of debt, stick to a budget, stop smoking, save for the future, and spend more time with family. We want to improve ourselves and our quality of life. And these are all good, but in addition real living goes beyond these things.

Here are some New Year’s resolutions for living the “new life” we have in Christ:

• Pray more.
So he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord…‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty. (Zechariah 4:6, NIV)

• Invest in my spiritual gifts.
Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through a prophetic message when the body of elders laid their hands on you. Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. (1 Timothy 4:14-15, NIV)

• Get more intentional about evangelism.
I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. (1 Corinthians 9:22, NIV)

• Care for myself spiritually.
Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. (Philippians 3:12, NIV)

• Make the tough decisions I know are best.
And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me — the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace. (Acts 20:22-24, NIV)

• Confront debilitating patterns of sin.
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. (Hebrews 12:1, NIV)

• Quit comparing myself to other Christians, other leaders and other churches.
Turning his head, Peter noticed the disciple Jesus loved following right behind. When Peter noticed him, he asked Jesus, “Master, what’s going to happen to him?” Jesus said, “If I want him to live until I come again, what’s that to you? You—follow me.” That is how the rumor got out among the brothers that this disciple wouldn’t die. But that is not what Jesus said. He simply said, “If I want him to live until I come again, what’s that to you?” (John 21:20-23, Mes)

• Read more.
Timothy, please come as soon as you can…When you come, be sure to…bring my books,… (2 Timothy 4:9, 13, NLT)

• Prioritize my family.
A leader must be well-thought-of, committed to his wife,…attentive to his own children and having their respect. For if someone is unable to handle his own affairs, how can he take care of God’s church? (1 Timothy 3:2-5, Mes)

• Stay focused on the vision.
They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. (Acts 2:42-47, NIV)

THE GIVER

2010-12-20T13:55:00.004-05:00

We all hate tests and the only thing worse are finals. As the semester ends and we approach Christmas, students are glad their exams are over. When you read about Abraham’s life in the Bible, you see that his whole life led up to a huge final exam. It challenged his faith to the endth degree. It was the greatest test of all.

Many times in Abraham's life, his faith failed him. But the great thing is that although his faith failed him, God never ever failed him. Abraham loved Isaac his only child, and he was extremely proud of him, but even more important all of Abraham’s spiritual hopes were centered in him. His own hope of heaven was centered in God’s promise of the Savior that was to come out of the line of Isaac. You can almost see him with worshipful eyes as he looks upon his son, thinking of the promises of God, and thinking of the miracle of God in his life. But God had to have that place. God must occupy the highest place in our hearts.

How do we give Him the highest place in our hearts? Sometimes you must let go of what you love. In Abraham’s case it was his one and only son. In Genesis 22:2 God said to Abraham, "Take your son, your only son, Isaac, whom you love, and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about."

I’m not saying that God will tell you to do what He told Abraham. The principle that applies to all of us is letting go of something we love if it keeps us from letting God have the highest place in our lives.

Things were going great for Abraham and his family, and then out of the dark of the night a voice said to him, “Take your son and give him up as a sacrifice to Me.” Abraham’s world came crashing down around him. He couldn't believe that this, his son of promise, was to be taken away from him. The turmoil in his mind and in his heart, the “spiritual wrestling” that he went through, coming to the realization that God gave this son and now God wants to take him away again. But “Why?” His heart must have broken.

At first glance it almost seems that God is mocking Abraham. If you know the story, God promised Abraham and Sarah a son and through that son a great nation would grow. And now God was going to take his son away? Why did God say it the way He did – that he was to offer his son to God as a sacrifice? Had Isaac grown too dear to Abraham’s heart? Had he begun to take God’s place in his thinking?

But Abraham’s response was immediate. He quickly arose and traveled 3 days with Isaac until they reached the place of sacrifice. I wonder what thoughts crowded his mind during that long journey. Did he doubt God’s wisdom? Surely this question must have raced through his mind: “If Isaac, who was born as the result of a miracle and is the son of promise, why is God asking me to kill him?” The patriarch, Abraham, however, did not retreat, disobey, or turn aside to avoid making this ultimate sacrifice.

Here is what God is doing in each of our lives:
• God is leading each of us to the place where He asks us all to “let go” of our “Isaac”, to let go of the thing that we love and let God own it.

God wants every child of His to get to the place where everything in your life is consecrated to Him, sacrificed to Him, given to Him.

When you can learn to let go of the thing you love, the thing you're worrying about, the child that’s breaking your heart, the problems that are in your life that you're frustratingly trying solve – when you let go of them and let God “own” them, the miracle of God's grace is this: He gives you back something far greater – peace of mind, depth of relationship with Him, strength of character, a stronger faith, freedom from your fears, and confidence in knowing that God will meet all your needs.

When we take the gifts God gives us and grip them tightly to ourselves, we may find ourselves loosening our grip on God. When that happens we need to let go of the gift, let God own it, and strengthen our grip on Him, the Giver.

This Christmas as we are reminded of how the Heavenly Father offered up His only Son as a sacrifice for our forgiveness and salvation, may we gladly release to God whatever it is that we love more than Him. May our love for the Giver overshadow our love for the gifts.

GIVE ALTITUDE TO YOUR ATTITUDE

2010-12-13T10:22:00.000-05:00

Who has not asked the question, “Why? Why me? Why my family? Why is this happening to us?” These are familiar questions. No one is immune to suffering and adversity.

Job says Man is born to trouble as surely as sparks fly upward (Job 5:7). Some suffer for what they have done; others suffer because of what people do to them. Many suffer from circumstances which they cannot control. There can be nights of agony when God seems so unfair and it seems that there is no possible help or answer.

Temporary relief may seem adequate for the moment. But the real solution to suffering is not to isolate it in an attempt to do away with it, nor even to grit our teeth and endure it. The solution, rather, is to condition our attitudes so that we learn to triumph in and through suffering.

When the Apostle Paul sought relief from his “thorn in the flesh,” God did not take it away, but reassured him. He said in 2 Cor. 12:9 "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Paul concurred in 2 Cor. 9:8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

Billy Graham says: “Nowhere does the Bible teach that Christians are exempt from the tribulations and natural disasters that come upon the world. Scripture does teach that the Christian can face tribulation, crisis, calamity, and personal suffering with a supernatural power that is not available to the person outside of Christ.”

If you know anything about Job you know he lost everything. He lost his children, he lost his home, his business, his friends’ loyalty, his wife's confidence, and then finally he lost his health. He came to the conclusion at the end of it all that he wished that he had never been born. If anybody knew about trouble, Job knew about it. Yet he developed such a faith in his God through his trials that he could say “Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him;” (Job 13:15). There's a turning point within the book of Job, and at the end in the last chapter it says in Job 42:10 The LORD made him prosperous again and gave him twice as much as he had before. He was blessed again, he was given health, he was given his friends back, and he was given a beautiful family and abundance of riches. And he lived another 140 years.

Handling suffering seems to be a question of attitude: “What can I learn from it? How can I use it to the advantage of God’s eternal purposes?”

• Learn to look over and beyond the suffering in order to see God’s higher purposes and what He wants to teach you. Give altitude to your attitude.

COMMITMENTS THAT REWARD

2010-12-06T14:05:00.000-05:00

Why are commitments important?

2 reasons:

1) They bring reward.
Matt. 25:23 “You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things.”

2) They prevent pain.
1 Tim. 5:12 They bring judgment on themselves, because they have broken their first pledge.

We inflict pain on ourselves when we break our commitments.

6 COMMITMENTS THAT REWARD YOU

1. Have a clean reputation.
1 Tim. 5:22 (NLT) Don't appoint people to church leadership positions too hastily. If a person is involved in some serious sins, you don't want to become an unwitting accomplice. In any event, keep a close check on yourself.

As you grow in Christ and become more of an influence, more of a leader who leads people to Christ and to grow in Him – people “watch you.” We live transparent lives. We are therefore responsible to them to show Christ to them, not our self-centeredness. Where we go, what we do, what we say, what we type in emails and on FaceBook – all is connected to our reputation. And if we bear the name of Christ, as a follower of His, then we take His name, His reputation with us wherever we go and through whatever we say. Build up Christ-likeness in your life, and He will shine through more than your “self.”

2. Influence others by truth, not bias.
1 Tim. 5:21 (NLT) I solemnly command you in the presence of God and Christ Jesus and the holy angels to obey these instructions without taking sides or showing special favor to anyone.

It’s easy to let those close to you persuade you one way or another. But if it goes against the truth of God’s Word, what are you going to do about it? Learn to lead lovingly by God’s truth.

3. Emphasize maturity before ministry.
1 Tim. 5:22 (Mes) Don't appoint people to church leadership positions too hastily.

We have a responsibility to facilitate the maturity of others before we place them in leadership. Otherwise, they become conceited and self-centered and lead others away from Christ instead of to Him.

4. Learn contentment.
1 Tim. 6:6 …godliness with contentment is great gain.

Contentment is something practiced. It is something learned. It’s a skill that pays off with great rewards, peace of mind, satisfaction, and joy.

5. Trust in God not money.
1 Tim. 6:17 (NLT) Tell those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which will soon be gone. But their trust should be in the living God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment.

Learn to enjoy trusting the Lord. Learn to enjoy what He gives you each day. Have an attitude of delight, joy, and celebration for the things and opportunities He gives you each day.

6. Invest in Heaven.
1 Tim. 6:19 In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.

Take in to account which life you’re investing in – the temporary one here on earth on the permanent one in eternity. Commit the remainder of your life to building God’s kingdom, not yours. Prepare for where you’re going to live eternally.

WHY BE CONCERNED ABOUT COMMITMENTS?

2010-11-29T09:33:00.000-05:00

In Paul’s first letter to Timothy he addressed a problem they were having at their church. The problem had to do with “commitment.” There was a need for the people to understand the significance of commitment. Commitment to provide for their families was essential. Apparently some were neglecting their families to pursue their own interests at the expense of their families.

Their church had a list of “older widows” who formed a “ministry team.” They had to meet some “qualifications, some commitments” to be on the list. They had to make a commitment to the cause of the team, to their ministry. They were to keep their pledge.

“Younger widows” were not put on the list because they may desert. They may still have children in the home or want to marry again. In either case, Paul says to refuse to sign them up. They most likely had other pressing issues in their lives as well. And there was nothing necessarily wrong with those issues that would prevent them from being totally committed to the team. If you sign them up, you set them up for possible “judgment” from the Lord if they don’t keep their commitment to the responsibilities and guidelines of the group. Paul put it this way in 1 Tim. 5:12 Thus they bring judgment on themselves, because they have broken their first pledge.

This concern for commitment is almost “foreign” to our society’s way of thinking today. A sense of commitment is not a part of the mindset today. People place little significance on contracts anymore. Many people today think its okay to break contracts, whether it’s their lease, or job related, or a marriage, or any kind of partnership.

But according to verse 12, a “broken contract” brings problems. Apparently God views contracts as something of great value. This doesn’t diminish the fact that He forgives and is merciful to us and He heals us, but it’s also true that when we break contracts and commitments, we will have more problems to deal with.

Take King David for example, a man after God’s own heart, and yet he sinned. After his repentance and renewal of faith in the Lord, he walked with the Lord again. However God said that the sword would never leave his house from then on. He would have trouble in his home. We are forgiven of our sins, but many times we must deal with the consequences after that.

• Commitment is colossal with God.

It holds great and lasting significance with Him. And He wants us to see it the way He does. Why? – Because it is beneficial to us, and it prevents pain, that we otherwise inflict on ourselves when we break our commitments. The truth is when we make a commitment or pledge, God expects us to keep it. When we don’t, He doesn’t flame us on the spot. He instead, disciplines us as disobedient children. That’s His form of “judgment” on His children. It’s just plain wise to make commitments and to keep them.

3 THINGS WILL HELP YOU KEEP YOUR COMMITMENTS

1. Know yourself.
What are your strengths? Your weaknesses? Your personality? What do you know that can trip you up? What do you know that can prevent you from being tripped up? What are your spiritual gifts? What is your gift mix?

Rom. 12:3-6 (NCV) You must decide what you really are by the amount of faith God has given you. Each one of us has a body with many parts, and these parts all have different uses. In the same way, we are many, but in Christ we are all one body. Each one is a part of that body, and each part belongs to all the other parts. We all have different gifts, each of which came because of the grace God gave us.

2. Know your purpose.
Eph. 2:10 (NLT) For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so that we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

Learn God’s purpose for your life. Listen for His calling. Take the “game plan” He has for you and run with it. That’s the real reason you were created, and that’s where you’ll find fulfillment. If you don’t know your purpose in life, you’ll struggle with commitments. If you don’t have direction for your life, you will struggle with commitments. Or you think you’re going in the direction that’s meant for you, but it isn’t, because it’s not God’s direction for you, and so you’re always second guessing yourself.

3. Visualize what God can do through your life.
Eph. 3:20 (NCV) With God's power working in us, God can do much, much more than anything we can ask or imagine.

All things are possible with God. God designed you for a commitment to His plans for you. God has shaped you for a purpose; with all your background, your past, your experiences, your strengths and weaknesses.

Therefore serve the Lord. Excel in enjoying life with Christ. Follow through with your commitments in the here and now, and you’ll experience an even fuller life in Heaven.

THINK ABOUT YOUR INFLUENCE

2010-11-15T13:05:00.000-05:00

Everyone has some influence. You have people around you, your family, your friends, your co-workers, your ministry team. And you are influencing them in some way.

I’ve just experienced another milestone in life with the birth of our first grandchild this past Saturday. I’ve officially become a granddad to a beautiful little granddaughter. As I held her thoughts crossed my mind of what her life will be like. What will be her personality? What joys will she experience in life? What sorrows will she go through? When will she accept Christ into her life? What events will impact her life? Her life will be full.

The issue that comes to my mind is the opportunity to influence her, to help her navigate through all that her life will bring. Granted, her parents will be the most influential in her life. But I also realize that we grandparents will have an influence too.

None of us go through life without creating some kind of influence. In every relationship you are an influence. The big question is “What kind of influence are we?” What direction are we leading people? Where are you taking others? Where is your influence steering people?

Since God’s purpose for each of us is to make more devoted followers of Christ and to facilitate their maturity so that they become more and more like Christ, and consequently experience a fulfilling life, we must take into account our influence and let God shape it to be useful in His hands.

God lists some qualities in His Word in 1 Timothy chapters 3 and 4 that we can aspire to in order to be a good influence.

The list includes:

• Good reputation.
• Honorable marriage.
• Self-controlled.
• Respectable.
• Live wisely.

• Friendly.

• Able to teach God’s truths.

• Not controlled by substance abuse.

• Not quarrelsome.

• Gentle.

• Promotes peace, not opposition.

• The love of money doesn’t rule your life.

• Manages your family well.

• Growing as a follower of Christ.

• Faithful to point out God’s truth to others.

• Take an objective look at yourself to see what others see.

We’ve got to think about how we are perceived by others. That will then lead us to not do anything that would keep others from coming to Christ or growing in Him, but do those things that would encourage them to follow Christ. The Bible says in 2 Cor. 8:21 For we are taking pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of men.

We can take our cue from what Paul tells Timothy:

1 Tim. 4:7 (NLT) Spend your time and energy in training yourself for spiritual fitness.

1 Tim. 4:15 (Mes) Cultivate these things. Immerse yourself in them. The people will all see you mature right before their eyes!

We can develop an influence that is good and right in the eyes of the Lord that will be good and right in the eyes of others. Or to put it another way – Do what’s right in your own life and you’ll rightly influence others.

WARRING & WINNING

2010-11-08T13:16:00.000-05:00

There is war that has been going on before any other war ever began, and it continues today. It’s a war that “propels” all other wars. It’s the “catalyst” for all wars. It’s the war “in the spiritual arena”. And it’s the source of all war and conflict.

HOW TO WAGE WAR AND WIN

1. BE SURE OF GOD’S CALLING.
1 Tim. 1:18 (Amp) This charge and admonition I commit in trust to you, Timothy, my son, in accordance with prophetic intimations which I formerly received concerning you, so that inspired and aided by them you may wage the good warfare,

Paul reminded Timothy that he had been entrusted with a calling from God. This God-given purpose had been committed Timothy. And in waging war on the spiritual battlefield, Timothy could get inspiration and strength from his life purpose from God.

You have a calling from God. He has called you to a specific purpose in life. He has a mission for you. He has equipped with spiritual and natural gifts. He uses your past, your experiences, and your hurts to shape you for the purpose He created you for.

• When you’re confident of God’s purpose for you, you become more confident in your spiritual battles.

2. FIGHT IN THE “GOOD FIGHT.”
1 Tim. 1:18 … fight the good fight,

The “good fight” is the spiritual fight. It’s the spiritual war. It is the “right” fight. When we find ourselves in conflict, we must remind ourselves that there is a spiritual battle going on too.

• You must also engage the spiritual enemy on the spiritual battlefield.

3. MOVE FORWARD WITH FAITH.
1 Tim. 1:19 holding on to faith … Some have rejected these and so have shipwrecked their faith.

In Ephesians Paul talks about taking up the “shield of faith.” Faith is taking steps to do what you believe God has “called” you to do. Faith is acting in “advance” of feeling like it. Faith is “obedience” to what God says to do in His Word. Faith is choosing to believe that what God promises will happen as we are obedient. It’s the “premise” before the “promise.” We do our part, and then God will do His.

• Exercising faith in God protects you against doubt and discouragement.

4. MAINTAIN A CLEAR CONSCIENCE.
1 Tim. 1:19 holding on to … a good conscience.

A “good conscience” is a conscience that approves of what you doing because you’re doing what is right. It’s directly connected with our behavior, our actions. A “bad conscience” weakens your resolve to be strong in the Lord. It “condemns” you. And you feel judged and condemned. Satan will play up your unconfessed sin. And you can then be easily defeated.

• A good conscience protects against condemnation.

5. GIVE PRAYER FIRST PLACE.
1 Tim. 2:1 I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone.

In the days of the early church, the Roman Empire was the government. And the Christians prayed for the Emperor and the government. Pray should come first before action. Ministry will not be productive without the ministry of prayer.

• The most important ministry that I have and the most important ministry that you have is “prayer.”

6. SUIT UP WITH THE ARMOR OF GOD.
Eph. 6:11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes.

• Every morning put on each piece of armor by thanking the Lord for what each means.

7. AVOID THE AMBUSH.
Rom. 13:14 (Amp) Clothe yourself with the Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah), and make no provision for [indulging] the flesh [put a stop to thinking about the evil cravings of your physical nature] to [gratify its] desires (lusts).

The flesh wants to sin and feed the fleshly ungodly appetites. Don’t give it the chance. Monitor what you watch, what you listen to, where you go, and who you spend time with. Don’t do anything that would give the flesh an in.

• Counter the desires of the flesh.

Phil. 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things.

Win the battle with God’s truth and power.

GROW IN LOVE

2010-11-01T16:07:00.000-04:00

The Apostle Paul says in 1 Tim. 1:5 (NAS) The goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.

One of the goals in teaching and learning from God’s Word is that we mature in God’s love.

3 Essentials are Necessary to Grow in God’s Love:

• A PURE HEART

“A pure heart” means a heart that is sold out to Christ. Your heart belongs to Him first and foremost. You are true to the Lord. Jesus said in Matt. 5:8 (Mes) “You're blessed when you get your inside world--your mind and heart--put right. Then you can see God in the outside world”.

Our hearts must be right with the Lord first before we can see reality from God’s perspective. Before we can see Him at work and before we can recognize His truth and His wisdom, our hearts must be totally committed to Him, without holding anything back for ourselves. We must be faithful to Him with all our heart, not just part of it.

My son Andrew was having trouble with his car. It wouldn’t take gas from the pump, or it would only take very little and then the gas pump would shut off. When he had it repaired he learned that the problem was the “canister” that filters impurities from the gas deteriorated and came apart, and debris went into the fuel lines. The lines had to be purified and the canister replaced.

If we allow impurities to come into our hearts and remain there, God’s power will not flow through our lives. We may try to apply God’s Word to our lives, try to put it “into” our hearts and minds, but it will be a very “limited” application. Or we simply reject it. We can’t take God’s truth in, except in very small quantities over a very long time, if we have impurities floating around in our hearts.

• A GOOD CONSCIENCE

That means a conscience without sin. It’s a clear conscience toward God and people. As you influence others and impact their lives, make the goal – love. Teach others because you love them. Influence others because you love them. Instruct others because you love them. Paul says in Rom. 12:9-10 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.

A good conscience means you don’t try to hide anything from God, as if we could. You’re totally open to the Lord and you confess your sin and you let Him rule in your life. And that means that you “obey” what He says in His Word. You put what the Bible says into practice in your life.

1 Peter 3:15-16 In your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.

The key to having a clear conscience is to set Christ as The Ruler in your heart. Let Him be the ruler over your heart and tell your heart what to do, instead of you or the culture or your feelings or your tendencies telling your heart what to do. If we’ll let Him rule our hearts, our minds, and our will, then we will live with a good conscience.

• A SINCERE FAITH

That means your faith is real. You live by faith. It’s who you are. You’re a man or woman of faith. You’re real with God. You’re real with people. To live true to God means that we must let His motives override our motives in all we do.

Heb. 11:6 (NLT) It is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that there is a God and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.

God rewards your steps of faith. But you must venture out, against your selfish will, and trust and obey the Lord. And the result is that He will deliver on His promises to you.

DOING WHAT’S FIRST FIRST

2010-10-25T17:33:00.000-04:00

God wants us to be steadfast through difficulties, setbacks, and attacks from the enemy. And He will strengthen and fortify us through it all when we put first things first.

Jesus said in Matt. 6:33 “He will give you all you need from day to day if you live for him and make the Kingdom of God your primary concern”.

What is your “primary concern” in life?
We can make many things our primary concern, other than the Kingdom of God, and no matter how hard we try and work, it seems we can’t get ahead or we are not inwardly satisfied or content, and we live in a state of frustration and pessimism. Why is that? It’s because we’re not trusting God and what He said.

Isa. 26:3 says, You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, whose thoughts are fixed on you.

TO HELP US DO WHAT'S FIRST FIRST
REMEMBER 3 THINGS:

• We can’t take from God and profit from it.

God says in Psa. 50:12 “All the world is mine and everything in it”.

If our priorities become confused and we start putting money ahead of God, then God doesn’t lose; we do. If we try to make more time for ourselves and give less to God, we will lose time. If we try to make more money for ourselves and give less to God, we will lose money. If we try to get more energy for ourselves for what we want to do and give less energy to serving God, we will lose energy. Nobody can take from God and profit from it.

• Give the first of what we have to the Lord.

Prov. 3:9 Honor God with everything you own; give him the first and the best.

Honor God and He will bless you. We are to give the first part of our income to Him, the first day of the week to Him, the first part of our day to Him. We should use the first day of the week to the glory of God. A lot of Christians have killed their joy, their witness, and their spiritual power by turning Sunday into an ordinary day and not putting Christ first in their week.

• Stay faithful.

When we connect the dots from the following verses we see that we are “managers” of all that God entrusts to us.

Col. 1:16 For everything, absolutely everything, above and below, visible and invisible, - everything got started in him (Christ) and finds its purpose in him.
1 Cor. 4:2 It is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.
Rom. 14:12 Each of us will give an account of himself to God.

The place to begin is our relationship with God. We must be faithful to Him. That’s what matters. If we’re faithful to Him in our personal lives then we’ll be faithful to His church and His work.

THE CHALLENGE OF HOLY LIVING

2010-10-19T11:24:00.000-04:00

General William Booth, founder of the Salvation Army, said to a new group of leaders, “I want you young men always to bear in mind that it is the nature of a fire to go out; you must keep it stirred and fed and the ashes removed.”

• Faithfulness to God takes a commitment to holy living.

1 Peter 1:14-16 (NLT) Obey God because you are his children. Don't slip back into your old ways of doing evil; you didn't know any better then. But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God – who chose you to be his children – is holy. For he himself has said, "You must be holy because I am holy."

We may have a tendency to come to church and want to belong to and live with the family of God without trusting Him or submitting to His will and ways. We want the blessings but not the commitments or obligations. We may still feed our appetite for the things of the world. We may live according to a “secular worldview” rather than a “Christian worldview”. Without God’s strength and guidance, it doesn’t take long for us to begin to compromise and live in disobedience.

WHAT HELPS US TO LIVE HOLY LIVES?

1. Take out the garbage.
2 Tim. 2:20-21 In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for noble purposes and some for ignoble. If a man cleanses himself from the latter, he will be an instrument for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.

Whatever impurities we may have in our lives, need to be cleansed from us. Get rid of the garbage. Get rid of anything that is displeasing to the Lord and dishonors Him.

2. Choose Christianity’s worldview.
1 John 4:5-6 They are from the world and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them. We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us. This is how we recognize the Spirit of truth and the spirit of falsehood.

God’s people and the people of the world can be identified by what they talk about. If a Christian talks or acts from a “non-Christian worldview”, then Christ is not ruling in their lives. They’re living in disobedience to God’s Word.

We must always “check” our worldview. The reason is because it’s easy to begin to “absorb” the “secular worldview” and our spiritual eyes are dimmed and we distort God’s truth. We then “filter” what we read in the Bible through the grid of a secular worldview. And then we may misinterpret what the Bible says and even think the Bible can be “contradicted”.

This is why we must stay close to the Lord and keep our lives “cleansed” from all sin. We must grow in knowing God more, which leads to trusting Him more, and therefore obeying Him more.

3. Pay attention to warnings.
Col. 1:28 (NLT) So we continue to preach Christ to each person, using all wisdom to warn and to teach everyone, in order to bring each one into God's presence as a mature person in Christ.

Warnings are good. We should take to heart the warnings God gives us . Being warned is a part of what God says to us.

4. Be trustworthy with what we get from God’s Word.
Col. 1:10 And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God,

Live your life worthy of the name of Christ. Live to please Him. See to it that your life produces goodness. And grow to know God more.

Commit to these things and you will see rewarding changes in the way you live as you grow in holy living.

GIVING SPIRITUAL GIFTS TO GOD

2010-09-14T11:04:00.000-04:00

Nehemiah called on his people to give for the sake of rebuilding the walls around Jerusalem and strengthening the city. Jerusalem would not be strong unless the people were willing to give and sacrifice.

One of the ways God calls His people today to give and sacrifice is financially.
In order to build a church building, it takes giving and sacrifice. A strong church is a sacrificial church. A strong Christian is a sacrificial Christian. Strength comes from sacrifice.

Nehemiah and the people made a covenant with God to support the temple ministry.
And they kept their promise.

What’s the application for us today as a church?

• GIVING SUPPORTS THE CHURCH STAFF.
The particular tithes that were collected and stored in the temple were for the support of the “temple workers.” It was so they could continue to serve the Lord.

• GIVING SUSTAINS THE MINISTRY OF THE CHURCH.
The result of Israel’s joyful service of dedication was a plentiful supply of produce to sustain the work of the ministry. And they gave joyfully just like it says in 2 Cor. 9:7, Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

The great missionary Hudson Taylor said, “When God’s work is done in God’s way for God’s glory, it will not lack God’s support.”

• GIVING IS A SPIRITUAL SACRIFICE.
Our financial gifts are really “spiritual gifts” to the Lord when given with the right attitude.

Notice what Paul called the financial gifts from the Philippian church in Phil. 4:18 They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God.

In Luke chapter 7 Jesus accepted Mary’s gift of precious ointment as an act of worship.

The Bible tells us in Heb. 13:16 And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.

Jesus said in Luke 16:9 (Ph) “Use money, tainted as it is, to make yourselves friends, so that when it comes to an end they may welcome you into eternal habitations.”

He’s saying give your money to make friends that last forever. In other words, give your money to be used to bring people to Christ, into God’s family. And then when you get to Heaven they’ll be there too, and they will welcome you there because of what you did in your giving.

Let’s use our WIN10n2010 theme to motivate us even more to invite someone to church this Sunday. Make the sacrifice for their eternity and God’s glory.

OFFERING OF PRAISE

2010-08-31T08:06:00.000-04:00

When Nehemiah and the people of Israel had finished building the walls around Jerusalem, they had a worship service. They gave praise to God. Nehemiah and Ezra assigned people to be “worshippers” on the walls. They worshipped with such enthusiasm that their shouts and songs were heard from very far away.

Worship is something we give to God. Praise is an offering to God. The Bible calls it a “sacrifice of praise.” Heb. 13:15 says, Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise - the fruit of lips that confess his name.

HOW DO WE MAKE PRAISE AN OFFERING TO GOD?

• Give it joyfully
Nehemiah and the people placed the emphasis on “joyful praise.” Singing is mentioned 8 times in chapter 12, Thanksgiving 6 times, Rejoicing 7 times, and Musical Instruments 3 times. The most important part of this dedication service was not the marching around the walls; it was the “joyful praise” that came from the people. They offered their praise thankfully, joyfully, and loudly. It was accompanied by various instruments. It was not a time for muted, meditative worship. It was a time for praising the Lord with great enthusiasm.

Psa. 100:1 (NAS) Shout joyfully to the LORD,
Psa. 33:1 Sing joyfully to the LORD, you righteous; it is fitting for the upright to praise him.

• Give it sacrificially
In their worship service Nehemiah and the people offered sacrifices to the Lord, even though their enemies were still around.

There are times in your life when you’re going through a difficult time. You’re in the middle of a family crisis or financial struggle. And yet you choose to give praise to the Lord. That’s a “sacrifice of praise” to the Lord, because you’re praising Him anyway.

• Give up territorial rights
It’s not about us; it’s about God’s glory.

When the people of Israel walked around the walls they had the opportunity to see the results of their labor and to realize that the work had not been done by one person. Various people and families had labored on different parts of the wall, but no one “owned” the part he or she worked on. The wall belonged to God.

We can expect serious problems after we build a building if individuals or groups in the church start claiming “territorial rights.” Just go ahead and pass the word, no one will be able to claim their space for themselves alone. Nothing anyone does or gives earns them the right to claim and control some area of the building. It all belongs to God and must be used for His glory. It is given to Him for His use and glory. In light of His ownership we will be flexible with our space for God’s glory and everyone must be willing to give up territorial rights.

Let’s carry the truth forward into our future to continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise.

STRENGTH THROUGH SACRIFICE

2010-08-23T14:13:00.000-04:00

Nehemiah knew that the nation of Israel would never be strong as long as Jerusalem was weak. But Jerusalem would not be strong unless the people were willing to give and sacrifice. So he calls on the people to give and sacrifice to the Lord for the sake of their city.

God calls His people today to give and sacrifice for the sake of His church in order to build it. A strong church is a sacrificial church. By the same token a strong Christian is a sacrificial Christian. Strength comes from sacrifice.

• If you want to be a strong Christian, you must be a sacrificial Christian.

The first thing you can do to become strong through sacrifice is to Give Yourself to God’s Purpose.

Nehemiah 11:1 Now the leaders of the people settled in Jerusalem, and the rest of the people cast lots to bring one out of every ten to live in Jerusalem,

What is it God wants us to give ourselves to?

1. Make the numbers grow.
The Israelites moved into the city in order to make the population grow. People were needed to protect the city and to cause it to flourish.

Our purpose for the church is to “make the population of the church” grow.
We’ve got to bring more people. Invite more people. Build more relationships outside of the walls of our church for the purpose of bringing them to Christ and to join God’s family.

2. Love God by loving His family.
If the people really loved God and their city, then they would want to live there.
When God’s people really love Him, they will love His family, the church.

3. Be a part of the church’s mission.
God brought these people back to the city because He had a special job for them to do. They were to build the walls and gates. And then God wanted to bless the world through them. To abandon the “restored city” was to obstruct the working out of God’s purpose through Israel.

What’s our mission? To go and make more devoted followers of Christ. All of us must be doing our part in the church’s mission.

4. Use your gifts.
It took a lot of people with their many skills to maintain the ministry in Jerusalem.

God wants to use everyone with their different gifts and skills to get His work done. The important thing is that we give ourselves to the Lord so He can use us as His tools to accomplish His work. Each person is important and each task is significant. Your spiritual gifts are significant and have a place at Clay Community. And God wants you to use those gifts for the building up of the church. Those of you who are using your gifts you’re setting the example for others. Let’s continue to sacrificially give ourselves to God’s purpose in order to experience His strengthening.

KEEP YOUR COMMITMENT REAL

2010-08-10T10:05:00.000-04:00

The reality of your commitment to the Lord is expressed in the way you live. The challenge for each of us is to live out our commitment in real time, to make our talk our walk.

Here are three actions to take to keep your commitment real:

1. SUBMIT TO GOD’S WORD.

Our obedience ought to be a joyful response to all that He has done for us in Christ. Col. 3:1-5 (NLT) Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits at God's right hand in the place of honor and power. … For you died when Christ died, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. … So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you.

We don’t succeed at living the Christian life because we make promises to God, but because we believe the promises of God and act on them. We love God by obeying what He says. Jesus said in John 14:21 (NIV) "Those who know my commands and obey them are the ones who love me, and my Father will love those who love me. I will love them and will show myself to them."

2. SEPARATE FROM WORLDLINESS AS GOD’S PEOPLE.

The small group of Jewish people who were rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem with Nehemiah was surrounded by idolatrous Gentiles. And they wanted the Jews to become a part of their social and religious and business society. The Law of Moses prohibited the Jews from living like the Gentiles, although the Law didn’t stop them from being good neighbors or good customers. Jesus said we’re in the world, just not of the world.

How were they to conduct their lives in this setting? They were to show the difference between what was holy and what was not, what was acceptable to God and what was not, how to tell the difference between what was godly and what was sinful. The Bible says in Ezek. 44:23 (NLT) They will teach my people the difference between what is holy and what is common…

How are we to conduct our lives in a society that is increasingly unChristlike and idolatrous? Paul tells us in Phil. 2:14-16 Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life. To separate ourselves from worldly ways means total devotion to God, no matter what the cost. When a man and woman get married, they separate themselves from all other potential mates and give themselves completely to each other. It’s total commitment motivated by love, and it is a balanced decision: “We separate from others to the one who is to be our life’s mate.”

3. SUPPORT GOD’S WORK THROUGH THE CHURCH.

G. Campbell Morgan said, “Whereas the house of God today is no longer material but spiritual, the material is still a very real symbol of the spiritual. When the church of God in any place in any locality is careless about the material place of assembly, the place of its worship and its work, it is a sign and evidence that its life is at a low ebb.”

The way we care for our building indicates what we think of our God. I appreciate so much those who have been involved in the upgrade of the appearance of our rooms. And when the time comes for us to build a building, it needs to indicate what we think of God and the purpose He has given us.

The way we give indicates what we think of God. The Bible says in Prov. 3:9 (GW) Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the first and best part of all your income. We all have bills to pay. We may have a debt we’re paying down. We may have car payments, but… our tithes and offerings should come right off the top. It’s the first thing we give. That’s because we want God to bless us and our families so we can pay our bills and our debts. And He does. He says if we’ll give He’ll give even more back. And He has proven Himself over and over again to be true to His Word.

Tithing and giving beyond the tithe are God’s ways of providing resources for the church. The Bible teaches in Malachi 3:10 (NLT) “Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do,” says the LORD Almighty, “I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won't have enough room to take it in! Try it! Let me prove it to you!” You’ll find you cannot out-give God. The more you give, the more He gives to you above what you would even expect. As your love for the Lord grows, generous giving becomes normal and joyful. Jesus said, Matt. 6:21 (NIV) "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

Keep your commitment real, and be true to the Lord and to yourself.

THE UNINVITED

2010-08-02T16:14:00.000-04:00

Have you ever been awakened by an unwelcomed noise and you weren’t sure what it was? Such was my experience recently while on vacation. Our room was on the fifth floor of seven. I was awakened from a dead sleep at 3:00AM by a noise that at first I thought was the alarm clock. But then I determined it was not that, but I never fully determined what it was. I thought it could be someone using their in-room Jacuzzi, and then I thought it was someone flushing the toilet, and then I thought it was just a noise the air conditioning unit makes on occasion.

But regardless of what it was, IT was not the issue. The issue was that it kept reoccurring every half hour or hour, I’m not sure as I wasn’t keeping track of it by the clock. What I am sure of is that just about the time when I would doze off to sleep the noise would suddenly wake me.

My first reaction was definitely a negative one with the question “Why?!” But then as time passed I began to think through a more positive reaction that would prevent me from getting out of bed later that morning in an ill mood. For one, this incident was something beyond my control at the moment. I call it an “uncontrollable”. And life is full of them. Some are less severe than others, but some are extremely severe, such as terminal cancer. What occurred to me gives me an analogy that I can apply to the “uncontrollables” in my life.

As I lay in bed I wondered how I could derive any comfort and peace through the uninvited interruptions to my precious sleep. The Apostle Paul said in Philippians 2:1, “Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate?” I would have to say at that moment when I was trying to sleep only to be suddenly shaken out of it that I did not feel the least bit “encouraged or comforted or tender or compassionate.” But those are the things I want. That is what I strive for. That is what I need – in every circumstance, not just the good ones.

And so it came to me that in situations such as these there are at least five things I can do to respond in such a manner so as to find comfort and encouragement, thereby warding off anxiety and a negative mood.

The first thing I realized is that the uninvited noise would either change or end. Solomon said in Ecclesiastes 3:1 “For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven.” It begins and it ends.

The second thing that came to mind was the principle that I reap what I sow. Galatians 6:7 says, “You will always reap what you sow.” I know I’ve annoyed many people in the past and still, I’m sure, get on somebody’s last nerve on occasion. And therefore I accept the fact that I’m doing some reaping.

The third lesson I took from this is that God is sovereign and He allowed it. He had a reason, a reason in line with His purpose for me. He knew it was going to happen even before I ever thought about going to this particular vacation place, even before I was born. The Bible tells me He has me surrounded and what comes into my life is only what He allows. Psalm 139:5 says “You are all around me on every side; you protect me with your power.”(GNB) I am in His charge and under His everlasting care.

The fourth thing I got from this is that God will in some way use it for my good. Romans 8:28 says, “God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.” It will benefit me. It will teach me.

The fifth thing I realized is that God will use the incident in some way to make me more like Christ. Romans 8:29 says, “For from the very beginning God decided that those who came to him – and all along he knew who would – should become like his Son.”(LB) Whether the situation is large or small, major or minor – God will use it to conform me to the likeness of His Son. He promised.

If I will remember these things when the uninvited comes into my life I will deflect the anxiety and negativity that so persistently tries to control me, and I will instead reflect the joy of Christ’s presence in me.

I know I’ve shared my personal experience but I’ve done so hoping that what I’m learning may be beneficial to you as well.

THE HUMBLING EFFECT OF GOD’S GRACE

2010-07-05T11:15:00.000-04:00

God makes a promise in 2 Chron. 7:14 (NIV) “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land”.

God tells us how to respond to His grace in Rom. 2:4 (NAS) Do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?

God’s grace is so amazing it should completely humble us.

FOUR WAYS TO HUMBLY RESPOND TO GOD’S GRACE:

1. SERVE GOD AS YOUR ONLY GOD.
Jesus said in Matt. 6:24a (Amp) “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will stand by and be devoted to the one and despise and be against the other.”

If we serve God we must serve Him in every area of our lives. Serve Him in all your relationships, in the morning, throughout the day, at night, in your public life, and in your private life. We either serve God or we don’t. To serve Him is to worship Him. If I’m not serving Him in all areas of my life, then He’s not really being worshipped by me.

2. LOOK AT GOD’S CREATION.
Whenever God wanted to encourage His people, He would direct their attention to His creation around them and remind them that He had made it all. (Isa. 40). To acknowledge the Lord God as the Creator of all things is a great source of strength and peace.

He is actively involved in His creation. He sees when a sparrow falls to the ground. Matt. 10:29 (NLT) Not even a sparrow, worth only half a penny, can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. He has counted all the stars and named them. Psa. 147:4 (NLT) He counts the stars and calls them all by name. He cares for His creation and you’re at the top of His list.

3. OBEY GOD FROM THE HEART.
Nehemiah in chapter 9 tells us how the nation responded to all that God had done for them. They refused to submit to His authority, or listen to His Word, or obey His will. The question is, “How could they turn their backs on God after all He had done for them?” The answer is, “They didn’t really love Him from their hearts.” What obedience they gave was only external; it wasn’t from the heart. In their hearts they were still living in Egypt and wanted to go back there.

To get in on God’s goodness, we must love Him from our hearts. Our hearts must be His. Not just our actions, but our hearts must belong to Him. Everything in our hearts is given up for Him.

4. SURRENDER TO GOD.
We can’t always change our consequences but we can bow to the Lord in them. We can submit to Him in the middle of it all. We must surrender ourselves to Him as our ultimate Ruler and continually seek His counsel through the consequences.

The good news is that He will guide you and give you answers even through the discipline He has placed on you. Heb 12:11 (NLT) No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening – it is painful! But afterward there will be a quiet harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.

Think about the God we serve. He is a glorious God. He is powerful. He is faithful. He is forgiving. He is loving. He is longsuffering with us. He is generous. He disciplines us if we rebel. This God that we serve certainly deserves our loving obedience.

LOVE GOD’S WORD

2010-06-28T14:56:00.000-04:00

When we drift away from loving, reading, and obeying God’s Word, we lose God’s blessing.

Psa. 1:2-3 (NIV) His delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.

If we want to be productive and produce the life of Christ and the fruit of the Spirit, then we must delight in God’s Word.

3 BASIC RESPONSES TO GOD’S WORD:

KNOW IT

The Bible doesn’t automatically change someone or circumstances just because we read it or recite it. It must be “understood” before it can enter the heart and release its transforming power.

Jesus points out the significance of “understanding God’s Word” in Matthew 13 with the “parable of the soils”. We can choose to be more responsive to God’s Word. Ask yourself, “Will I be the Roadside Soil that forgets God’s Word? Or Will I be the Rocky Soil that gets emotional about God’s Word but then I lose my motivation when I don’t feel emotional about it? Or Will I be the Weedy Soil which allows the things of the world to choke out the effectiveness of God’s Word in my life? Or Will I be the Good Soil that takes God’s Word to heart and applies it to my life, and it produces great things in my life?”

ENJOY IT
When Ezra read and explained God’s Word, the people’s first response was one of “conviction and grief”. They mourned over their sins and observed “The Day of Atonement” and how God had dealt with their sins. The “Feast of Tabernacles” followed “The Day of Atonement”, giving the people an entire week of happy celebration. And so they rejoiced in God’s Law.

The secret of Christian joy is to believe what God says in His Word and act on it. Joy that’s not the result of faith in God’s Word is not joy at all; it’s only a good feeling that soon disappears. Live by obedience in God’s Word and God gives you a joy that the world can’t give. Your emotions will be trained by your obedience to His truth.

Psa. 119:162 (NLT) I rejoice in your word like one who finds a great treasure.
Psa. 112:1 (NIV) Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, who finds great delight in his commands.

DO IT
When we obey what the Lord says and serve Him because we “rejoice in Him”, then our serving will be a delight to us and not a drudgery. To the believer without joy, the will of God is grueling, but to the believer who is happy in the Lord, the will of God is nourishment. John 4:34 (NIV) “My food," said Jesus, "is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work.”

Obey God’s Word enthusiastically.
Psa. 100:2 (GW) Serve the LORD cheerfully. Come into his presence with a joyful song.
Rom. 12:11 (NLT) Serve the Lord enthusiastically.

Take delight in following His instructions. Enjoy God. The Holy Spirit uses God’s Word to cleanse and revive the hearts of God’s people. Respond positively to God’s Word, and God will work in you and through you for His glory and your good.

DIG IN

2010-06-14T12:33:00.000-04:00

No, I’m not thinking about food… well… yes I am, but that’s not what I want to talk about here. When I say “Dig In” I’m using those words in a military way – “to dig trenches in order to defend a position in battle.”

The Bible says in Ephesians 6:13 (NIV) … after you have done everything, to stand. After Nehemiah and the people had completed rebuilding the walls around Jerusalem, they had to be steadfast in consolidating and conserving what they had gained, and strengthen their community. God had great things in store for Jerusalem. One day His Son would walk the city streets, teach in the temple, and die outside the city walls. God would fulfill His purpose.

1 John 8 (NAS) Watch yourselves, that you do not lose what we have accomplished, but that you may receive a full reward.

To live the life the God wants us to live and to do the work He wants us to do, we must do what we can to “guard” what has been accomplished for the Lord. Dig in.

• WORK WITH GOD-GIVEN LEADERS

- The leader develops the leadership.
Nehemiah chose the leaders. He figured out who would be best for the tasks. Paul told Titus in Titus 1:5, 2:15 (Mes) I left you in charge in Crete so you could complete what I left half-done. Appoint leaders in every town according to my instructions. … Tell them all this. Build up their courage, and discipline them if they get out of line. You're in charge. Don't let anyone put you down.

- Help them get the job done right.
God is looking for faithful, God-honoring people who will have the courage and conviction to obey Him and serve Him, come what may.

• DEEPEN TRUE COMMUNITY

Nehemiah wanted to populate Jerusalem with citizens who knew they were Jews and were committed to who they were. Deepen community and fellowship with those believers who are committed to following Jesus. They’re sincere. They mean business with God. They’re willing to sacrifice. Nehemiah and the people laid their lives on the line and risked everything to obey the Lord and restore the Jewish nation. Romans 12:1 (NIV) …offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God - this is your spiritual act of worship.

• TRUST GOD’S ABILITY

- God works through ordinary people to get His work done.

- What’s been torn down can be rebuilt.
If you think the Enemy’s victory is final in your life, then you’ve forgotten God’s promises. There is always a new beginning for those who are willing to take the risky steps of faith and pay the price.

- God keeps accounts of His servants.
Romans 14:7, 12 (NIV) For none of us lives to himself alone and none of us dies to himself alone. So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God. When we stand before the Lord one day, we will each give an account of our lives before we can receive our rewards.

- The Lord is able to keep His work going.
The 1st group of Jewish exiles came and rebuilt the temple and restored worship in spite of difficulties and delays. 80 years later Ezra led another group who continued the building. 14 years after that, Nehemiah led another group to rebuild the walls and gates.

No matter how discouraging the circumstances may be, God is able to accomplish His plans in your life and through your life if you will trust Him and do what He says. When the circumstances are discouraging we need not be. God is at work fulfilling His purpose in your life and He will be faithful to finish it.

TURN OPPOSITION INTO OPPORTUNITY

2010-06-07T10:36:00.000-04:00

When you’re moving forward for the Lord, the Enemy will try to stop you. He doesn’t want to see the work of the Lord progress. Opposition from the enemy not only shows evidence that God is leading and blessing, but it is also an opportunity to grow. Satan wants to use problems as weapons to defeat and destroy what God is doing, but God uses them as tools to build us up.

ENEMY TACTIC 1: RIDICULE
One of the tactics of the enemy is to “insult” the servants of God. Goliath ridiculed David. Jesus was mocked by the soldiers during His trial. The heroes of faith had to endure mocking. Heb. 11:36 (NLT) Some were mocked, and their backs were cut open with whips. Others were chained in dungeons.

HOW TO RESPOND: PRAY, HAND IT OFF TO THE LORD, AND STICK WITH YOUR GOD-GIVEN PURPOSE
When Nehemiah was rebuilding the walls around Jerusalem he prayed and asked God to fight the enemy for him. He didn’t allow himself to get detoured from his work by taking time to reply to their words.

The words people say may “hurt” us, but they can never “harm” us, unless we let them get into our system and poison us. If you spend time dwelling on the Enemy’s words, you give Satan a foothold from which he can launch another attack closer to home. Anything that keeps you from doing what God wants you to do helps Satan.

ENEMY TACTIC 2: INTIMIDATION
The enemies of Nehemiah completely surrounded the city of Jerusalem. What do you do when your enemies intimidate you?

HOW TO RESPOND: USE THE SPIRITUAL EQUIPMENT GOD HAS PROVIDED
As believers our battle is not against people, but against Satan and his demonic forces. He uses people to oppose the Lord’s work, but the real war is spiritual. Suit up with the spiritual armor of God. Eph. 6:10-11 Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. Take your thoughts captive to be obedient to Christ. 2 Cor. 10:5 (NCV) We capture every thought and make it give up and obey Christ. If you focus only on the “visible” enemy and forget the “invisible” Enemy, you will begin trusting in your own resources and that will lead to defeat.

ENEMY TACTIC 3: DISCOURAGEMENT
Pressures from the outside can create problems on the inside. If you become discouraged, you defeat yourself. Discouragement is a key weapon in Satan’s arsenal. When your commitment to anything else or anyone else is stronger than your commitment to the Lord, you will get discouraged. James 1:6-8 (NIV) He who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does. A double-minded person is unbelieving, not really trusting in the Lord, and consequently he will be unstable.

RESPONSE: PAY LITTLE ATTENTION TO COMPLAINERS AND KEEP WORKING
If you take time away from serving the Lord, doing what He’s called you to do, to listen to everybody who wants to complain and bend your ear – you will never get anything done for the Lord.

ENEMY TACTIC 4: FEAR
The Jews in the outlying villages kept bringing reports that the enemy was planning a surprise attack on Nehemiah and his people. How do you deal with the tactic of fear?

RESPONSE: GIVE AND RECEIVE COURAGE
When a situation creates fear in your heart, remind yourself of the “greatness of God.” If we view God from the perspective of our problems, we will fail. If we view our problems from the perspective of the greatness of God, we will have confidence and succeed. 1 Cor. 15:58 (Amp) Therefore, … be firm (steadfast), immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord [always excelling, doing more than enough in the service of the Lord.]

SEEING THE VALUE IN YOUR WORK

2010-05-24T13:39:00.000-04:00

Sometimes we wonder, “Is it worth it? Is all the hassle and stress and junk you put up with and go through at work really worth it?” Even your work within the church can raise questions like that. You may wonder, “Am I really making a difference”?

There are 2 things we must do to give value to our work. We must “work with purpose” and “work with people.”

1. WORK WITH PURPOSE

• Make it your priority to serve God.

Eph 6:7-8 (NLT) Work with enthusiasm, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will reward each one of us for the good we do.
Though you may work under the supervision of others, in reality you’re working under the supervision of the Lord. When we have that mindset, then it raises the worth of our work to a high level. We’re actually serving God. And He is making preparation to pay us when we get to Heaven.

• Do your work for God’s glory.

1 Cor. 10:31-32 (NIV) So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. Do not cause anyone to stumble.
The purpose of all ministries and all work is the glory of God. Whatever you do, do it for the glory of God. That even includes mundane household chores and repairs. I have to continually remind myself that I’m glorifying God with each task.

2. WORK WITH PEOPLE
You’ve got to be able to get along with people and work with them in order to give value to your work and bring glory to God.

To work with people we’ve got to realize…

• God uses all kinds of people.

It may amaze you that God is able to use certain people, but He does, and we must accept that fact.

• Leaders must set the example.

Neh. 3:1 (NIV) Eliashib the high priest and his fellow priests went to work and rebuilt the Sheep Gate.
This verse tells us that the “high priest” got involved in the work to rebuild the walls and gates around the city of Jerusalem. He set the pace. He considered the work on the wall to be a ministry to the Lord. Leaders don’t stand by and tell others what to do and how to do it; they get involved in the work. The speed of the team is the speed of the leader.

• Some people will not work.

There will be some people in the church who will just not get involved in the Lord’s work. Ultimately it’s their loss, but we must accept that as reality.

• Some people do more work than others.

When Nehemiah and the people worked on the walls around the city, some of the workers completed their assigned task and then asked for additional assignments. There are some people in the church who do more work than others. And my hat is off to them. I thank the Lord for them.

• Some people work harder than others.

A man named Baruch worked harder than others on his section of the wall.
Neh. 3:20 (NIV) Next to him, Baruch son of Zabbai zealously repaired another section.
Eccl. 9:10 (NIV) Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might.

This is our chance. Let’s work for God’s glory with all our might, with all our energy. Each of us has a place to fill, a job to do. 1 Cor. 15:58 says, Always excel in the work you do for the Lord. You know that the hard work you do for the Lord is not pointless. (GW)
It’s time to put your foot on the “accelerator” and give it the gas. It’s time to “excel”. All the hard work you do for the Lord is all worth it, and you’ll get your reward from Him one day.

YOUR FAITH STATUS

2010-05-18T10:12:00.000-04:00

Jesus said…
Mark 9:23 "Everything is possible for him who believes."
Matt. 17:20 “If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you."

What’s the status of your faith? What evidence of faith does your life reveal? Faith is something you exercise, something you do, something you express.

Our faith is expressed when we do these 4 things:

• WAIT
Heb. 6:12 Imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.
Psa. 27:14 Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.

Real faith in the Lord brings a calmness to your heart that keeps you from rushing about and trying to do in your own strength what only God can do.

• RISK
When Nehemiah approached the king of Persia to request that he go to Jerusalem to rebuild the walls and gates, he was taking a risk. He recorded in Neh. 2:4, “The king said to me, ‘What is it you want?’ Then I prayed to the God of heaven.”

When we’re faced with a sudden decision or a question, the first thing we need to do is send a quick prayer to the Lord. Don’t answer without doing that. And back up your quick prayers with the praying you’ve already done. Then you’re already in line for the answer because you’ve spent a lot of time already praying about it. Nehemiah’s quick prayer was backed up by 4 months of fasting and praying.

Taking “faith risks” isn’t about jumping off a cliff and simply going for it; it involves planning. Not only had Nehemiah prayed for this opportunity to talk to the king; he had planned for it and had an answer ready. During his 4 months of waiting he had thought the matter through and knew exactly how he would approach the project.

Taking a risk of faith means you do your homework. Then don’t fear being obedient to the Lord.

• EXPECT GOD
1 John 5:14-15 This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us - whatever we ask - we know that we have what we asked of him.

God is sovereign over the dealings of nations and people. We can ask God according to His purpose, according to His will, according to what He wants done as described for us in the Bible, and then we can trust Him that He will do it. And then we must act accordingly.

• CHALLENGE
Jesus said in Matt. 10:16 (Mes) "Stay alert. This is hazardous work I'm assigning you. You're going to be like sheep running through a wolf pack, so don't call attention to yourselves. Be as cunning as a snake, inoffensive as a dove.”

As you commit yourself wholeheartedly to work at the task God has given you, you can expect the enemy to show up. The devil will try all kinds of things to stop you and distract you and make it easy for you to not follow through with commitment. Your faith will challenge the enemy.

Your faith will challenge others’ complacency and negativity. Some will say, “We like things the way they are. Don’t change anything.” Others will say, “We’ve already tried that and it didn’t work.” True faith will challenge complacency and negativity.

Your faith will challenge others to get on board. Nehemiah said the hand of God was upon him as the leader, and the followers began the work.

Your faith will draw ridicule from others. Just as soon as you step out in faith to do God’s work, to follow His will, the enemy will show up and try to discourage you. Everyone who has ever accomplished anything has faced ridicule. Jesus faced it. The Christians faced it in the book of Acts. Festus told Paul he was crazy (Acts 26:24).

To grow in our faith we must ask ourselves these questions:
- Am I willing to sacrifice my will to see God’s will accomplished?
- Am I patient in gathering the facts and planning my work for the Lord?
- Do I cling to the past, or do I desire to see God do something new?
- Am I cooperating in any way with the enemy and thus weakening God’s work?

Anyone can go through life as a “destroyer”; God has called His people to be “builders.”
Be a “faith builder”. Grow your faith and help others to grow in their faith.

4 WAYS CARING CARRIES YOU FORWARD

2010-05-10T11:44:00.000-04:00

If you’re going move forward in life after you’ve been hurt, or experienced failure, or had your heart broken, you’ve got to “care.” It’s takes an “attitude of caring”

1. CARE ENOUGH TO ASK ABOUT GOD’S PURPOSE FOR YOU.

God put Joseph in Egypt, Daniel in Babylon, and Esther in Persia – all according to the purpose He had for them. God always prepares His workers and puts them in the right place at the right time to accomplish a purpose He wants done.

• You are in the right place at the right time for God to work His purpose through your life.
God is using your circumstances, the good, the bad, everything to place you where you are so that you will fulfill the purpose He has for you. Look for the Holy Spirit’s direction. Keep your spiritual ears open and listening, and keep your spiritual eyes open and looking.

We set our eyes not on what we see but on what we cannot see. What we see will last only a short time, but what we cannot see will last forever. 2 Cor. 4:18 (NCV)

• Learn all you can about God’s purpose for you.

Ask questions. Research. Learn what your gift mix is and how God has shaped you to serve. Grasp the 5 core values of community, spiritual growth, ministry to others, bringing unchurched people to Christ, and worship. Make these values your personal values. And apply them to your purpose with your gift mix.

2. CARE ENOUGH TO FEEL GOD’S PURPOSE.

Nehemiah said, “When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven.” Neh. 1:4

God is in the business of “rescuing” people’s souls. And He’s counting on you to be on His “rescue team.” We need to feel what God feels, see what He sees, hear what He hears. What’s on God’s mind? People, their salvation. And that’s what needs to be on our minds. Their eternities are on the line. And you and I can do something about it.

• Get on your mind what’s on God’s mind – the salvation of people.

The more you spend time with God the more you’ll think what He thinks and the more you feel what He feels.

3. CARE ENOUGH TO PRAY.

Define God’s purpose for your life and then feel what He feels about it, praying for God’s blessing and then get to work on it.

• Get God’s purpose in your head, pray it into your heart, and make a plan to start.

4. CARE ENOUGH TO LET GOD USE YOU.

Nehemiah prayed, “O Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of this your servant and to the prayer of your servants who delight in revering your name. Give your servant success today by granting him favor in the presence of this man.” Neh. 1:11

For God’s will to be done He needs people to be available to Him. When God answers prayer He begins working in the one praying. The reality of it is that He works in us and through us to help us see our prayers answered.

Nehemiah knew he would be taking a risk to approach the king with the matter of going to Jerusalem to rebuild the walls. It could mean life or death. What if the king happened to be in a bad mood? It was a test of faith for Nehemiah just to talk to the king. But He trusted in God’s greatness to get him through whatever.

God continues to look for people who care – people who care enough to ask about God’s purpose for them, who are moved by that purpose, who pray earnestly for God’s help, and then make themselves available for God to use to get the job done.

• Are you willing to say, “Here I am God – use me?”

STAND STRONG

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Leaders get blamed for things they didn’t do and criticized for things they tried to do. They get misquoted and misunderstood and rarely given the opportunity to set the record straight. If they act quickly, they’re reckless. If they bide their time, they’re unconcerned or cowards.

We battle a diabolical Enemy who is a “master deceiver” and a “murderer.”
2 Cor. 11:3 (NLT) But I fear that somehow you will be led away from your pure and simple devotion to Christ, just as Eve was deceived by the serpent.
1 Peter 5:8 (NIV) Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

Satan comes as a “snake” who deceives or as a “lion” who devours. This is why we must be ever alert and spiritually equipped to oppose him. Satan wants to intimidate you and strike fear into your heart and defeat you.

Sanballat and his group focused their attacks on Nehemiah when he and the people had completed the building of the walls and the gates around Jerusalem. Nehemiah’s enemies tried to intimidate him, discredit him, immobilize him, and eliminate him by using 4 strategies.

SATAN’S STRATEGIES FOR ATTACKING YOU

• Compromise
Nehemiah’s enemies wanted to meet him in a village “halfway” between Jerusalem and Samaria and figure out how to “work together”. We must take care that we cooperate with the “right people” at the “right time” for the “right purpose”; otherwise we may end up cooperating with the enemy.

• Slander
Nehemiah’s enemies sent him an open letter and accused him of treason. Sanballat wanted the public to know the contents of the letter because he wanted to undermine Nehemiah’s reputation and leadership. In our day, sad to say, email is used to create disagreement and division and hurt.

• Threats
Nehemiah was threatened but he let it be known that he was not about to run away in the face of danger. Satan will used threats to try to trap you. Prov. 29:25 says, Fearing people is a dangerous trap, but to trust the LORD means safety. (NLT)

• Hidden Schemes
Some of Nehemiah’s own workers secretly cooperated with the enemy. People sometimes get out of touch with what’s real. They lose sight of God’s big plan and the purpose He has for them and instead start believing in something else that is actually contrary to God’s purpose. And they flatter themselves with their faulty thinking.

ANSWERS TO SATAN’S ATTACKS

1. Beware that the enemy wants to destroy.
Jesus said in John 10:10 (NIV) The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy;

2. Be convinced of the greatness of God’s work.
God has given us is the greatest work in the world. 1 Cor. 15:58 (NIV) Stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. Jesus said in Matt. 16:18 (NLT) I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it.

3. Keep your boundaries healthy.
With some people you love them but don’t like them. You forgive them but don’t trust them. You pray for them but don’t cooperate with them. You speak to them but keep your distance. Rom. 16:17 (Mes) says, Keep a sharp eye out for those who take bits and pieces of the teaching that you learned and then use them to make trouble. Give these people a wide berth. There is a time for “limited fellowship” when a person is not a “safe person.” It’s a form of church discipline.

4. Simply deny the untruth.

5. Pray for God’s strength.

6. Get back to work.
Remember your purpose. And remember the devil is trying to distract you and detour you from accomplishing the work God has for you.

7. Take care of your character and God will take care of your reputation.

8. Be courageous.

9. Test it against the Scripture.

10. Trust in God’s promise.
Phil. 1:6 (NCV) God began doing a good work in you, and I am sure he will continue it until it is finished when Jesus Christ comes again.

Our work is far from done. 50% of the community in which you live is unchurched. This is our opportunity, our time, our assignment – to go get them and bring them to Christ.

3 QUESTIONS TO ASK WHEN TROUBLE COMES

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Walt Disney was fired by a newspaper editor for lack of ideas and he went bankrupt several times before he built Disneyland. It took Thomas Edison two thousand experiments before he invented the right filament for the first light bulb. When a young reporter asked him what it felt like to fail so many times, Edison replied, “I never failed once. Inventing the light bulb just happened to be a two thousand step process.”

Job said in Job 5:7 (AMP) Man is born to trouble as the sparks and the flames fly upward. You get blindsided with a setback of some kind. You lose your job. Maybe you lose your health. One of your children gets into trouble. Maybe you feel ostracized because you take a stand for Jesus where you work or go to school. How do you keep going when you feel like giving up?

You’ve got to ask yourself 3 questions. The first question is “Why? – Why am I doing what I’m doing?” Nehemiah went back to Jerusalem, which had been destroyed, and gathered around him those how had already gone back and had begun settling in the broken down city with broken down walls. He led them to rebuild the walls around the city. Why? Because he understood that to be God’s purpose for His people.

Paul said in Phil 3:12 (NLT) I keep working toward that day when I will finally be all that Christ Jesus saved me for and wants me to be. Jesus saved you for a purpose. He saved you to serve a purpose. Your job is to keep working toward fulfilling that purpose. That’s His will for you and me. So when you’re having a bad day, you’ve got to remember why you do what you do.

Then there is a second question. “How? – How am I going to do this?” You’ve got to have a plan. Not only knowing why, but having a plan builds your determination and motivation for staying steadfast.

Nehemiah said in Neh. 2:16 (NLT) The city officials did not know I had been out there or what I was doing, for I had not yet said anything to anyone about my plans. Nehemiah got his plans together before he began building. He did his homework.

You’ve got to narrow your purpose in life down to some specifics. What exactly does God want you to do? What about your spiritual gifts, your strengths, what you feel strongly about? Most of us can only do 2 or 3 things well. Do you know what those are for you? Have you connected your spiritual gifts to God’s calling for you?

We’ve got to plan our lives around the plan that God has for our lives. Plan each day according to the purpose God has given you.

The third question is “Who – Who will help me?” Nehemiah knew he would need help. He would need protection during the long trip back to Jerusalem. He would need building materials. He needed the king’s permission and letters to the keeper of the king’s forests to supply the timber. When he arrived he asked for the help of a few men to survey the wall. In the building of the wall, he asked everyone to help.

You cannot accomplish the task, the mission, the purpose God has called you to do on your own. You need help.

Doing what God wants you to do and serving the purpose He has for you is not always easy. Truthfully it’s mostly difficult. It’s challenging. It’s hard. And the Devil is constantly hurling his ammunition at us, and more so now than ever before. He is setting traps where we least expect them.

The Good News is that the same God who strengthened Nehemiah to finish building the walls of Jerusalem will strengthen you to finish your purpose with joy and accomplish the work He has called you to.

What's Your Message?

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The Apostle Paul says “My life is worth nothing unless I use it for doing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus—the work of telling others the Good News about God’s wonderful kindness and love”. Acts 20:24 (NLT)

You and I have been given assignments from the Lord. We have a “general assignment” that is the same for all of us, and that is to turn people into fully devoted followers of Christ. “For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people's sins against them. This is the wonderful message he has given us to tell others. We are Christ's ambassadors”. 2 Cor. 5:19-20a (NLT)

You also have a “specific assignment”. God wants to work in and through you where you live and work to turn people into fully devoted followers of Christ. “For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do”. Eph. 2:10 (NIV) Jesus said, “You did not choose me; I chose you. And I gave you this work: to go and produce fruit, fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you anything you ask for in my name.” John 15:16 (NCV)

Only two things will last forever: people and God’s word. If you’re going to produce fruit that will last, you’ve got to invest in people and what God says.

God has called you to introduce people to Christ and bring them into His family. He wants you to use your spiritual gifts, your natural gifts, your personality, your abilities, your position, your circumstances, your opportunities, your relationships for the assignment He has given you to bring people to Christ to follow Him and to experience the purposeful meaningful life He has for them.

The word has gotten around. Your lives are echoing the Master's Word, … The news of your faith in God is out. … You're the message! 1 Thes. 1:8 (Mes)

Your life, including your words and actions, is to be a message of the good news of Jesus Christ. Some of us may need to read over our life message and reword it. Maybe we need to delete some things. Maybe we need to add some things.

We’re not only the messengers of the good news; we are the message. And it’s the most important message the world will ever see or hear.