December 2
“This was because Ezra had determined to study and obey the Law of the LORD and to teach those decrees and regulations to the people of Israel.” (Ezra 7:10, NLT)
In Old Testament times, there was a period in which everything went wrong. Sin had captured the minds and hearts of the people of Israel and Judah. The inevitable result was that God gave them over to their sin, stopped protecting them, and even stopped listening to their prayers. Not long after, war enveloped the land, people suffered greatly, hunger became commonplace, and many people of Israel and Judah became slaves or paupers.
Then, everything changed.
The prophet Nehemiah went to Israel and urged the people to return to faith in God. The faithful responded to the prophet, started rebuilding Jerusalem’s walls, and began the reconstitution of biblical living in and around Jerusalem. At the same time, God sent the priest, Ezra, to the people of Israel. Ezra believed wholeheartedly in God. He acknowledged their sins in the previous decades and asked the people to repent for their idolatries.
Today’s scripture is a declaration of what made Ezra a holy man. Ezra was “determined” to reclaim a true faith in God among the people of Israel. He started the process within himself. Ezra 7:10 defined Ezra’s motivation in three ways. Ezra was “determined to study” God’s law. He was determined to “obey the Law of the Lord”. Finally, the scripture declares that Ezra “taught those decrees and regulations” in the law of the Lord to the people of Israel. This three-fold action by Ezra not only made him holy before God, it caused the people of Israel to find God as well.
For you to be holy before God, this three-fold action must form the basis of your will. You must be determined to 1) study God’s word, 2) obey the Law of God, and 3) teach the faith to others. Many people, even lifelong Christians, fail in this pursuit to holiness.
Some do not “study” God’s word. They might read the Bible for pleasure or listen to the preacher expound on scripture, but they never take the time to “study” God’s word. They don’t dedicate time and effort to learning the Bible, understanding its premises, and plumbing its wisdom. They might read a scripture, but they never make the effort to understanding how it relates to everyday life or what it says about the character of God. They might even memorize scriptures, but the scriptures are merely familiar words instead of treasures of wisdom.
Some do not obey the law of God. They might know the Ten Commandments, but they do not live out their meaning. It is not enough to know what the scripture says; you must learn to obey its meaning in everyday life. You need to respect God enough to follow the teachings of the gospel. AND… you should not only obey those scriptures that suit you. You don’t get to pick and choose which scriptures are relevant to your life. All God’s word has bearing on how you live!
Finally, some do not teach the faith to others. You can teach others what to believe in many ways. You might teach others by living a holy life. Your example will reflect the level of your faith in God. You may teach in a Sunday School, instruct others by being an elder or deacon, or mentor another person in how to believe. When you are a faithful follower of Jesus, God will constantly put people around you who need to learn how to live faithfully. They will need guidance. They will need to learn how to apply God’s word in their everyday world. All faithful and holy Christians learn to teach others what it means to love God in Christ Jesus!
Which of these three actions is your strength? Are you good at studying God’s word? Do you obey God’s calling? Are you a good teacher of the faith? Which of these areas is God looking to improve in you?
Thomas Becket was not born a holy man. He was the son of a crusader and a princess, born in London in 1118. He grew up well off. He had tailored clothes, a famous heritage, and wealth. His good looks caused women to swoon over him. His commanding presence and leadership abilities made him a chancellor of England, the highest civil office in the country, by the young age of 37. He was a favorite friend and ally of King Henry II.
In 1162, King Henry appointed Thomas Becket to the highest religious office in England: Archbishop of Canterbury. After taking the post, Becket began to change. The more he studied the Bible, the more he was convinced to change his life. He gave up his wealth. He stopped wearing expensive tailored clothing. He began to preach and teach others the truth of the Bible. He was known for spending hours in prayer each week. The more Becket began to be serious about his relationship with God, the worse his relationship with Henry II became. Becket spoke out against the excesses of the crown. He chastised Henry II for loose living and for causing injustices to proliferate in England.
Because Becket chose to be completely faithful to Almighty God, even at the expense of his relationship with King Henry II, his life was cut short. Four knights murdered him. However, to this day, Becket is revered as a holy man who was ultimately faithful to God. There are places in England where the name of Thomas Becket evokes a solemn response of respect.
Every one who seeks to be holy, to be closer to God, and to be faithful must work through the three actions spoken of in the scripture for today. Like Ezra before us, we need to recommit ourselves often to 1) the study of God’s Word, 2) obedience to God, and 3) teaching faith to others. I pray you work diligently at each of these three parts of your faith-life. They will not make your life easy, but they will make you a powerful force for God!
Then, everything changed.
The prophet Nehemiah went to Israel and urged the people to return to faith in God. The faithful responded to the prophet, started rebuilding Jerusalem’s walls, and began the reconstitution of biblical living in and around Jerusalem. At the same time, God sent the priest, Ezra, to the people of Israel. Ezra believed wholeheartedly in God. He acknowledged their sins in the previous decades and asked the people to repent for their idolatries.
Today’s scripture is a declaration of what made Ezra a holy man. Ezra was “determined” to reclaim a true faith in God among the people of Israel. He started the process within himself. Ezra 7:10 defined Ezra’s motivation in three ways. Ezra was “determined to study” God’s law. He was determined to “obey the Law of the Lord”. Finally, the scripture declares that Ezra “taught those decrees and regulations” in the law of the Lord to the people of Israel. This three-fold action by Ezra not only made him holy before God, it caused the people of Israel to find God as well.
For you to be holy before God, this three-fold action must form the basis of your will. You must be determined to 1) study God’s word, 2) obey the Law of God, and 3) teach the faith to others. Many people, even lifelong Christians, fail in this pursuit to holiness.
Some do not “study” God’s word. They might read the Bible for pleasure or listen to the preacher expound on scripture, but they never take the time to “study” God’s word. They don’t dedicate time and effort to learning the Bible, understanding its premises, and plumbing its wisdom. They might read a scripture, but they never make the effort to understanding how it relates to everyday life or what it says about the character of God. They might even memorize scriptures, but the scriptures are merely familiar words instead of treasures of wisdom.
Some do not obey the law of God. They might know the Ten Commandments, but they do not live out their meaning. It is not enough to know what the scripture says; you must learn to obey its meaning in everyday life. You need to respect God enough to follow the teachings of the gospel. AND… you should not only obey those scriptures that suit you. You don’t get to pick and choose which scriptures are relevant to your life. All God’s word has bearing on how you live!
Finally, some do not teach the faith to others. You can teach others what to believe in many ways. You might teach others by living a holy life. Your example will reflect the level of your faith in God. You may teach in a Sunday School, instruct others by being an elder or deacon, or mentor another person in how to believe. When you are a faithful follower of Jesus, God will constantly put people around you who need to learn how to live faithfully. They will need guidance. They will need to learn how to apply God’s word in their everyday world. All faithful and holy Christians learn to teach others what it means to love God in Christ Jesus!
Which of these three actions is your strength? Are you good at studying God’s word? Do you obey God’s calling? Are you a good teacher of the faith? Which of these areas is God looking to improve in you?
Thomas Becket was not born a holy man. He was the son of a crusader and a princess, born in London in 1118. He grew up well off. He had tailored clothes, a famous heritage, and wealth. His good looks caused women to swoon over him. His commanding presence and leadership abilities made him a chancellor of England, the highest civil office in the country, by the young age of 37. He was a favorite friend and ally of King Henry II.
In 1162, King Henry appointed Thomas Becket to the highest religious office in England: Archbishop of Canterbury. After taking the post, Becket began to change. The more he studied the Bible, the more he was convinced to change his life. He gave up his wealth. He stopped wearing expensive tailored clothing. He began to preach and teach others the truth of the Bible. He was known for spending hours in prayer each week. The more Becket began to be serious about his relationship with God, the worse his relationship with Henry II became. Becket spoke out against the excesses of the crown. He chastised Henry II for loose living and for causing injustices to proliferate in England.
Because Becket chose to be completely faithful to Almighty God, even at the expense of his relationship with King Henry II, his life was cut short. Four knights murdered him. However, to this day, Becket is revered as a holy man who was ultimately faithful to God. There are places in England where the name of Thomas Becket evokes a solemn response of respect.
Every one who seeks to be holy, to be closer to God, and to be faithful must work through the three actions spoken of in the scripture for today. Like Ezra before us, we need to recommit ourselves often to 1) the study of God’s Word, 2) obedience to God, and 3) teaching faith to others. I pray you work diligently at each of these three parts of your faith-life. They will not make your life easy, but they will make you a powerful force for God!
December 4
“So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while. These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.” (1 Peter 1:6–7, NLT)
Not long after winning a weightlifting competition, a powerlifter got a nasty cold. The cold virus attacked his lungs and gave him bronchitis. Not long after, his doctor confirmed he had pneumonia. For two weeks, the powerlifter could not do his normal exercise routine. In fact, he had difficulty just breathing normally. At night, he would cough for several minutes straight, only to collapse back into his bed.
After several more weeks feeling miserable, the powerlifter saw his doctor again. The doctor warned the man not to go back to intense exercise for a few weeks at least. The powerlifter was so convinced in his strength and fitness that he ignored the doctor’s orders. On a Monday morning, he convinced himself that while feeling somewhat better, he would hit the gym and do some weightlifting. He warmed up, then went to do the first lift. He could barely lift the bar and a few plates, less than a third of his normal ability! It took him several months to get back into competitive form.
A sick individual can envision him or herself able to go right back to work when that might hardly be the case! An inexperienced singer can imagine herself singing a popular tune at a nightclub. That doesn’t mean she can do it in all reality! Watching a football game and knowing all the stats of your favorite team doesn’t mean you’ll make a good coach. Even knowing a lot about a project doesn’t make you adept at completing it. The fact of the matter is that you can really only gauge your abilities by going out and performing a task. Just thinking you can do something doesn’t mean you can. When push comes to shove, when challenges block your way or personal insecurities rise up, you may find yourself unable to rise to the occasion.
Spiritually, this applies as well. A person may think he has the ability to preach from the pulpit even if he is afraid of public speaking. He might find it much more daunting to stand up there on a Sunday morning and accomplish this work well! A new Christian might figure she has more than adequate amounts of faith to teach others about Jesus. It might be her own pride that is pushing her to think so! Sometimes, the only real way to know if you can accomplish a spiritual task is for you to face the challenges, overcome the obstacles, and put your faith to the test!
At the time when Peter wrote the scripture for today from 1 Peter 1: 6-7, many faithful people faced persecution and ostracism for their belief in Jesus. That is why in the first verse, Peter mentioned that faithful Christians “must endure many trials for a while”. Times were difficult for believers. Romans were killing Christians. Jews were stoning them. In the city of Rome, Christians were forced to move underground to worship together safely. Some Christians resented these persecutions and trials. They began not only to resent the Jews and Greeks and Romans who led the persecutions but even to question why God allowed such suffering. 1 Peter 1:6 challenged these questions. Peter wrote that “these trials will show that your faith is genuine”. Peter believed that like gold is refined by fire to become purer and more valuable, a true Christian will prove priceless when put under trials and facing persecution or suffering or setbacks. Their faith will become evident despite misfortune or disappointment. 1 Peter 1:7 confirms that “when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.” God will notice that true faith and bless it.
John Hunt almost died as a young man. At 16, he contracted an unknown virus that went to his brain. He barely survived the illness. A few years later, he felt moved by the Lord to be a missionary to Fiji. He left with his young wife Hanna. This is their story…
“…on December 22, 1838 they arrived on the Fiji islands as missionaries. They shuddered at the sight. Two-thirds of all children were boiled and eaten. Every village had its human butcher. Aged parents were butchered and eaten by their children. A man would often cook his best wife or most tender child as a feast for his closest friends.
Some time after their arrival the chief’s youngest son was lost at sea. Seventeen women were killed and roasted as a result, and Hanna was forced to watch. The islanders then insisted the missionaries leave. But the Hunts refused. They found increasing numbers willing to listen.
Hunt translated the New Testament into Fijian and kept preaching fearlessly. Converts increased and chapels were built. At length, Hunt’s health broke, and when the islanders realized their missionary was ill, they flocked to the chapels to pray for him.
Hunt was dying but urged his wife and the islanders to praise the Lord and not be afraid nor sad. With his last breath, he uttered, “I want to praise the Lord abundantly, Hallelujah!”
The island was moved by his death, and even the wicked King Thakombau confessed Christ openly. Much of Fiji was transformed. The church in Fiji became a model of missionary work for the world.” (On This Day, December 22 reading)
John Hunt almost died. His marriage was hampered by his work among the Fijians. He witnessed terrible atrocities while trying to convert the people. His wife was forced to watch the murder and dismemberment of seventeen women. Children known to the couple were sacrificed to pagan gods. Despite all the trials; notwithstanding their physical and emotional pain; John and Hanna Hunt persevered. Their faith shone so brightly that many islanders begged to know more about Jesus!
Sometimes, the very trials you suffer will become the foundations of a powerful holy witness! Those obstacles you overcome in the name of Jesus will polish your faith to shine brightly. Through it all, hold fast to Jesus. Don’t let the depressing details thrown your way darken your heart or deaden your soul! Like gold refined by fire, let the trials further prove your love for Jesus. Let the strength of God fill your life. Let God’s Spirit empower and encourage you. “When your faith remains strong, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed….” (1 Peter 1:7)
After several more weeks feeling miserable, the powerlifter saw his doctor again. The doctor warned the man not to go back to intense exercise for a few weeks at least. The powerlifter was so convinced in his strength and fitness that he ignored the doctor’s orders. On a Monday morning, he convinced himself that while feeling somewhat better, he would hit the gym and do some weightlifting. He warmed up, then went to do the first lift. He could barely lift the bar and a few plates, less than a third of his normal ability! It took him several months to get back into competitive form.
A sick individual can envision him or herself able to go right back to work when that might hardly be the case! An inexperienced singer can imagine herself singing a popular tune at a nightclub. That doesn’t mean she can do it in all reality! Watching a football game and knowing all the stats of your favorite team doesn’t mean you’ll make a good coach. Even knowing a lot about a project doesn’t make you adept at completing it. The fact of the matter is that you can really only gauge your abilities by going out and performing a task. Just thinking you can do something doesn’t mean you can. When push comes to shove, when challenges block your way or personal insecurities rise up, you may find yourself unable to rise to the occasion.
Spiritually, this applies as well. A person may think he has the ability to preach from the pulpit even if he is afraid of public speaking. He might find it much more daunting to stand up there on a Sunday morning and accomplish this work well! A new Christian might figure she has more than adequate amounts of faith to teach others about Jesus. It might be her own pride that is pushing her to think so! Sometimes, the only real way to know if you can accomplish a spiritual task is for you to face the challenges, overcome the obstacles, and put your faith to the test!
At the time when Peter wrote the scripture for today from 1 Peter 1: 6-7, many faithful people faced persecution and ostracism for their belief in Jesus. That is why in the first verse, Peter mentioned that faithful Christians “must endure many trials for a while”. Times were difficult for believers. Romans were killing Christians. Jews were stoning them. In the city of Rome, Christians were forced to move underground to worship together safely. Some Christians resented these persecutions and trials. They began not only to resent the Jews and Greeks and Romans who led the persecutions but even to question why God allowed such suffering. 1 Peter 1:6 challenged these questions. Peter wrote that “these trials will show that your faith is genuine”. Peter believed that like gold is refined by fire to become purer and more valuable, a true Christian will prove priceless when put under trials and facing persecution or suffering or setbacks. Their faith will become evident despite misfortune or disappointment. 1 Peter 1:7 confirms that “when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.” God will notice that true faith and bless it.
John Hunt almost died as a young man. At 16, he contracted an unknown virus that went to his brain. He barely survived the illness. A few years later, he felt moved by the Lord to be a missionary to Fiji. He left with his young wife Hanna. This is their story…
“…on December 22, 1838 they arrived on the Fiji islands as missionaries. They shuddered at the sight. Two-thirds of all children were boiled and eaten. Every village had its human butcher. Aged parents were butchered and eaten by their children. A man would often cook his best wife or most tender child as a feast for his closest friends.
Some time after their arrival the chief’s youngest son was lost at sea. Seventeen women were killed and roasted as a result, and Hanna was forced to watch. The islanders then insisted the missionaries leave. But the Hunts refused. They found increasing numbers willing to listen.
Hunt translated the New Testament into Fijian and kept preaching fearlessly. Converts increased and chapels were built. At length, Hunt’s health broke, and when the islanders realized their missionary was ill, they flocked to the chapels to pray for him.
Hunt was dying but urged his wife and the islanders to praise the Lord and not be afraid nor sad. With his last breath, he uttered, “I want to praise the Lord abundantly, Hallelujah!”
The island was moved by his death, and even the wicked King Thakombau confessed Christ openly. Much of Fiji was transformed. The church in Fiji became a model of missionary work for the world.” (On This Day, December 22 reading)
John Hunt almost died. His marriage was hampered by his work among the Fijians. He witnessed terrible atrocities while trying to convert the people. His wife was forced to watch the murder and dismemberment of seventeen women. Children known to the couple were sacrificed to pagan gods. Despite all the trials; notwithstanding their physical and emotional pain; John and Hanna Hunt persevered. Their faith shone so brightly that many islanders begged to know more about Jesus!
Sometimes, the very trials you suffer will become the foundations of a powerful holy witness! Those obstacles you overcome in the name of Jesus will polish your faith to shine brightly. Through it all, hold fast to Jesus. Don’t let the depressing details thrown your way darken your heart or deaden your soul! Like gold refined by fire, let the trials further prove your love for Jesus. Let the strength of God fill your life. Let God’s Spirit empower and encourage you. “When your faith remains strong, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed….” (1 Peter 1:7)
December 6
“Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.”
(Ephesians 6:18, NLT)
(Ephesians 6:18, NLT)
In the meditational book, Embracing Eternity, a story was included to demonstrate how too many Christians view prayer. There, we find this illustration: “I once heard of a deacon’s meeting that was steeped in controversy. The arguing had reached a fever pitch and no matter how hard they tried, they couldn’t seem to come to an agreement on some key issues. After a long and heated discussion, one of the deacons suggested, “Why don’t we pray about it?” Another man took a deep sigh and said, “Has it come to that?”
Funny how often we see prayer as a last resort. When all other options have been exhausted, and no stone has been left unturned, we lean back in our chair and think, Maybe it’s time to take the matter to God.” (LaHaye, Jenkins, and Martin; p. 356)
Surprisingly, Christians often fail to connect with God on a frequent basis. Even pastors are guilty. I remember while speaking to a pastor friend, he lamented, “I’ve been too busy to even pray!” Should it ever come to that? Prayer isn’t just for those times when everything else has gone wrong. As in the illustration above, it is not the “last resort”. It is not something meant as a duty or obligation. It is not something that should be added to the day if one has the time. Prayer is meant to be a constant part of a holy life. It is something that should be first on one’s list, not included only when everything goes wrong or when convenient. Prayer forms a powerful connection with God. It changes you. It alters your thinking. Good prayer will often open up possibilities and give you ample warning of things going wrong. Prayer can strengthen your resolve against evil spirits. Prayer can settle the soul and bring peace to a weary mind. It can heal the body. It can lighten the soul. Why not pray throughout your day?
The scripture above from Ephesians 6 contains Paul’s instruction concerning prayer. In writing to the church in Ephesus, Paul included the wisdom that the church should “pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion.” (Ephesians 6:8). Pray is not something that should be engaged in during holy times, worship times, or spiritual retreats alone. Prayer is meant to be a constant connection between you and your God. Paul adds that one should be “persistent” in their prayers for all believers. Also, one should “stay alert” in prayer, seeking God’s clarification of the spiritual battles nearby. Prayer is a powerful way of keeping tabs on every other part of your spiritual life.
Notice that the scripture for today emphasizes that prayer “in the Spirit” is what is needed at “all times” and “on every occasion”. Paul included the instruction to pray “in the Spirit” in order to separate out those prayers that are not done WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT’S INPUT. Some people pray out of habit, saying rote prayers without pondering their words. Some people pray only during worship or meals, neglecting constant communication with God that keeps you spiritually alert. Some people pray without listening for God to speak through the Holy Spirit. Prayer is meant to be a two-way communication between believer and God Almighty. The Holy Spirit forms the connection in the same way that a phone line forms a connection between two people making a phone call or a cell tower transmits the signal between two cell phones. You absolutely cannot get a call through to another person at this time without some kind of transmission line or cell tower. In the same way, you will not directly communicate with God in prayer without the connection that the Holy Spirit provides.
God has supplied you with a direct line to Him. True believers in Christ have been blessed with the Holy Spirit to enable that communication with the divine. Why not use it? Why not check in with God frequently? God wants to speak with you, warn you, help you, calm your soul, and so much more. Prayer is a powerful way to accomplish all these goals and more!
“Billy Graham tells the story of a young president of a company who instructed his secretary not to bother him during the morning hours of each day. He had a standing appointment that he refused to miss. One day the chairman of the board came to speak with him, and the secretary caught him at the door. “He cannot be disturbed,” she told the chairman. “He has an important appointment.”
The angry chairman wouldn’t take no for an answer, so he burst through the president’s door to find him on his knees beside his desk. He was praying. The chairman quietly backed out and closed the door softly. “Is this usual?” he asked the secretary. “Yes, he does that every morning,” she answered. As the chairman walked away, she heard him say under his breath, “No wonder I come to him for advice.”" (Embracing Eternity, p. 356)
How often do you speak with God? Do you pray “in the Spirit”? Is there something missing in your life, because you have not taken the time to pray about it? Let me encourage you to speak with God throughout your week. Come to God before you eat a meal. Speak with God during all parts of worship. When you are at a stopping point in your day, calm yourself, then open up to God in prayer. When stressed or irritated or worried or hopeful or jubilant, come to God in prayer. Find those little moments throughout your day to “pray in the Spirit”. I absolutely guarantee that it will not only change you, it will calm you and ease your burdens, and empower you, and strengthen you, and……. so much more!
Funny how often we see prayer as a last resort. When all other options have been exhausted, and no stone has been left unturned, we lean back in our chair and think, Maybe it’s time to take the matter to God.” (LaHaye, Jenkins, and Martin; p. 356)
Surprisingly, Christians often fail to connect with God on a frequent basis. Even pastors are guilty. I remember while speaking to a pastor friend, he lamented, “I’ve been too busy to even pray!” Should it ever come to that? Prayer isn’t just for those times when everything else has gone wrong. As in the illustration above, it is not the “last resort”. It is not something meant as a duty or obligation. It is not something that should be added to the day if one has the time. Prayer is meant to be a constant part of a holy life. It is something that should be first on one’s list, not included only when everything goes wrong or when convenient. Prayer forms a powerful connection with God. It changes you. It alters your thinking. Good prayer will often open up possibilities and give you ample warning of things going wrong. Prayer can strengthen your resolve against evil spirits. Prayer can settle the soul and bring peace to a weary mind. It can heal the body. It can lighten the soul. Why not pray throughout your day?
The scripture above from Ephesians 6 contains Paul’s instruction concerning prayer. In writing to the church in Ephesus, Paul included the wisdom that the church should “pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion.” (Ephesians 6:8). Pray is not something that should be engaged in during holy times, worship times, or spiritual retreats alone. Prayer is meant to be a constant connection between you and your God. Paul adds that one should be “persistent” in their prayers for all believers. Also, one should “stay alert” in prayer, seeking God’s clarification of the spiritual battles nearby. Prayer is a powerful way of keeping tabs on every other part of your spiritual life.
Notice that the scripture for today emphasizes that prayer “in the Spirit” is what is needed at “all times” and “on every occasion”. Paul included the instruction to pray “in the Spirit” in order to separate out those prayers that are not done WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT’S INPUT. Some people pray out of habit, saying rote prayers without pondering their words. Some people pray only during worship or meals, neglecting constant communication with God that keeps you spiritually alert. Some people pray without listening for God to speak through the Holy Spirit. Prayer is meant to be a two-way communication between believer and God Almighty. The Holy Spirit forms the connection in the same way that a phone line forms a connection between two people making a phone call or a cell tower transmits the signal between two cell phones. You absolutely cannot get a call through to another person at this time without some kind of transmission line or cell tower. In the same way, you will not directly communicate with God in prayer without the connection that the Holy Spirit provides.
God has supplied you with a direct line to Him. True believers in Christ have been blessed with the Holy Spirit to enable that communication with the divine. Why not use it? Why not check in with God frequently? God wants to speak with you, warn you, help you, calm your soul, and so much more. Prayer is a powerful way to accomplish all these goals and more!
“Billy Graham tells the story of a young president of a company who instructed his secretary not to bother him during the morning hours of each day. He had a standing appointment that he refused to miss. One day the chairman of the board came to speak with him, and the secretary caught him at the door. “He cannot be disturbed,” she told the chairman. “He has an important appointment.”
The angry chairman wouldn’t take no for an answer, so he burst through the president’s door to find him on his knees beside his desk. He was praying. The chairman quietly backed out and closed the door softly. “Is this usual?” he asked the secretary. “Yes, he does that every morning,” she answered. As the chairman walked away, she heard him say under his breath, “No wonder I come to him for advice.”" (Embracing Eternity, p. 356)
How often do you speak with God? Do you pray “in the Spirit”? Is there something missing in your life, because you have not taken the time to pray about it? Let me encourage you to speak with God throughout your week. Come to God before you eat a meal. Speak with God during all parts of worship. When you are at a stopping point in your day, calm yourself, then open up to God in prayer. When stressed or irritated or worried or hopeful or jubilant, come to God in prayer. Find those little moments throughout your day to “pray in the Spirit”. I absolutely guarantee that it will not only change you, it will calm you and ease your burdens, and empower you, and strengthen you, and……. so much more!
December 8
“Oh, how often they rebelled against him in the wilderness and grieved his heart in that dry wasteland. Again and again they tested God’s patience and provoked the Holy One of Israel. They did not remember his power and how he rescued them from their enemies. They did not remember his miraculous signs in Egypt, his wonders on the plain of Zoan.” (Psalm 78:40–43, NLT)
On December 7, 1941, the Japanese led a surprise attack on the naval base at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. Ultimately, this resulted not only in the deaths of thousands and the destruction of a good portion of the battleships in the Pacific fleet but in the entry of the United States into World War Two. Though it was a surprise attack on Pearl Harbor, leadership in the United States and several other countries saw the conflict coming. There were signs pointing to the surprise attack. The Japanese navy had been practicing torpedo attacks in shallow water for months. Pearl Harbor had shallow waters. Naval officers in Hawaii were told to expect the possibility of a Japanese attack. Planes and ships were rerouted and replaced as a precaution. People in Washington noticed the Japanese embassy was ramping up efforts and negotiations as if pressed for time. Some even knew of the embassy destroying documents. This later proved that the Japanese government was not planning on a diplomatic solution in the final weeks before the attack.
There were many other hints of an impending attack by the Japanese. The huge Japanese fleet involved in the attack had gone “missing” by naval reconnaissance weeks before December 7th. Just hours before the attack, a Japanese midget submarine was found and attacked at the Pearl Harbor entrance. Less than two hours before the air attack, the Japanese carrier aircraft were spotted by newly installed American radar in Hawaii. When it was reported, the Japanese aircraft were mistaken for American bombers. The surprise attack shouldn’t have been a surprise. There were so many warning signs. Still, leadership in the United States failed to put together the clues they were given. This resulted in heavy losses by the American Pacific Fleet that took almost two years to overcome.
Looking back, you can see that the United States failed to act on the signs for war they were given. The signs were there. In hindsight, they were obvious. The action at Pearl Harbor was called a “surprise attack” but it shouldn’t have been a surprise. Ample time and warnings were available to the United States leadership. They either failed to appreciate the signs or didn’t act on the warnings given.
Oftentimes, God will send signs and omens and warnings of impending spiritual battle. Some heed those signs. Some are oblivious to them. Some fail to act upon the signs. Some are blind to it all. Many people are surprised when spiritual battles or trials break out. Though God warns the people involved, they too often fail to take God’s action seriously and suffer for their lack of spiritual awareness.
The scripture I have chosen for this day’s meditation is from Psalm 78. This Psalm is called a “lament”, because it contains laments (sad songs) by the author for things that had gone wrong in Israel and Judah. This psalm was written after war broke out with the Chaldeans (Babylonians). However, long before this happened, there were numerous signs that things were going wrong in Israel and Judah.
Psalm 78 begins by mentioning how the people of Israel sinned throughout their history, despite God causing the plagues to befall Egypt and the freedom from bondage God attained for them (Psalm 78:12). Instead, the people of Israel sinned all the way to the promised land. First, the Israelites complained about not having enough water, so God gave them more water (Psalm 78:15). This did not stop their complaints. Then, God gave them manna to eat. (Psalm 78:24). The people did not appreciate God’s gift. Though God supplied their need, they sinned. God caused birds to fly into their camp and the people captured the birds and were able to eat meat. They complained all the more of their conditions. Then, they sinned at Mt. Sinai, worshipping the golden calf. Through all this time, God gave the people what they needed when they needed it. In response, the people sinned against God.
For centuries later, the people of Israel and Judah should have noticed God saving grace and the wrath of God against all sin. All the signs were there in Egypt, but as the years went by, the people of Israel forgot God’s law and ignored God’s actions. As the scripture for today notes, Israel and Judah “rebelled against God” (Psalm 78:40). “Again and again, they tested God’s patience” (Psalm 78:41). The author of this psalm concludes that the chosen people simply failed to “remember God’s miraculous signs”. This resulted in the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem, and the suffering of defeat.
When you look back on hard times in your life, do you see that God sent warnings long before things fell apart? Did you notice the warning signs God sent before so much went wrong?
God sent warning signs to Egypt using the Ten plagues. God sent warnings to the people in Israel and Judah to be faithful in the wilderness. Egypt fought God. Israel and Judah sinned. All suffered because of their failure to heed God’s signs and warnings. When temptations or sin crop up in your life, God will give you ample warnings. God will show you what to do. In your prayers, God will cause you to feel fear or impending doom. God will cause guilt and shame in your soul. God will send people to guide you. God’s Word in the Bible will instruct you in the paths you should take. Will you heed God’s warnings? Will you notice the signs? Will you work your way back to God through repentance and humility? Will you pray with an open and trusting heart to Almighty God in Christ?
For a long while, God tried to get Martin Luther’s attention. God wanted Luther to enter the ministry and study scripture. Instead, Luther enrolled in college at Erfurt to study law. On July 2, 1505, God gave one final warning to Luther to change his direction. On that day, as Luther was traveling back to Erfurt, a fierce thunderstorm struck. Lightning nearly killed him. Frightened at the ferocity of the storm, Luther re- evaluated his priorities and decided then and there that he would enter the ministry and study the Bible.
Does God have to strike you with lightning for you to listen? Are you one to notice the little warning signs God gives when you are not following HIS will? Do not be surprised by spiritual battles waging around you and within you. Watch for God’s signs! Heed God’s warnings! Look for God’s direction. Listen to the Holy Spirit! To help you, God’s signs will light your way. All you have to do is notice them!
There were many other hints of an impending attack by the Japanese. The huge Japanese fleet involved in the attack had gone “missing” by naval reconnaissance weeks before December 7th. Just hours before the attack, a Japanese midget submarine was found and attacked at the Pearl Harbor entrance. Less than two hours before the air attack, the Japanese carrier aircraft were spotted by newly installed American radar in Hawaii. When it was reported, the Japanese aircraft were mistaken for American bombers. The surprise attack shouldn’t have been a surprise. There were so many warning signs. Still, leadership in the United States failed to put together the clues they were given. This resulted in heavy losses by the American Pacific Fleet that took almost two years to overcome.
Looking back, you can see that the United States failed to act on the signs for war they were given. The signs were there. In hindsight, they were obvious. The action at Pearl Harbor was called a “surprise attack” but it shouldn’t have been a surprise. Ample time and warnings were available to the United States leadership. They either failed to appreciate the signs or didn’t act on the warnings given.
Oftentimes, God will send signs and omens and warnings of impending spiritual battle. Some heed those signs. Some are oblivious to them. Some fail to act upon the signs. Some are blind to it all. Many people are surprised when spiritual battles or trials break out. Though God warns the people involved, they too often fail to take God’s action seriously and suffer for their lack of spiritual awareness.
The scripture I have chosen for this day’s meditation is from Psalm 78. This Psalm is called a “lament”, because it contains laments (sad songs) by the author for things that had gone wrong in Israel and Judah. This psalm was written after war broke out with the Chaldeans (Babylonians). However, long before this happened, there were numerous signs that things were going wrong in Israel and Judah.
Psalm 78 begins by mentioning how the people of Israel sinned throughout their history, despite God causing the plagues to befall Egypt and the freedom from bondage God attained for them (Psalm 78:12). Instead, the people of Israel sinned all the way to the promised land. First, the Israelites complained about not having enough water, so God gave them more water (Psalm 78:15). This did not stop their complaints. Then, God gave them manna to eat. (Psalm 78:24). The people did not appreciate God’s gift. Though God supplied their need, they sinned. God caused birds to fly into their camp and the people captured the birds and were able to eat meat. They complained all the more of their conditions. Then, they sinned at Mt. Sinai, worshipping the golden calf. Through all this time, God gave the people what they needed when they needed it. In response, the people sinned against God.
For centuries later, the people of Israel and Judah should have noticed God saving grace and the wrath of God against all sin. All the signs were there in Egypt, but as the years went by, the people of Israel forgot God’s law and ignored God’s actions. As the scripture for today notes, Israel and Judah “rebelled against God” (Psalm 78:40). “Again and again, they tested God’s patience” (Psalm 78:41). The author of this psalm concludes that the chosen people simply failed to “remember God’s miraculous signs”. This resulted in the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem, and the suffering of defeat.
When you look back on hard times in your life, do you see that God sent warnings long before things fell apart? Did you notice the warning signs God sent before so much went wrong?
God sent warning signs to Egypt using the Ten plagues. God sent warnings to the people in Israel and Judah to be faithful in the wilderness. Egypt fought God. Israel and Judah sinned. All suffered because of their failure to heed God’s signs and warnings. When temptations or sin crop up in your life, God will give you ample warnings. God will show you what to do. In your prayers, God will cause you to feel fear or impending doom. God will cause guilt and shame in your soul. God will send people to guide you. God’s Word in the Bible will instruct you in the paths you should take. Will you heed God’s warnings? Will you notice the signs? Will you work your way back to God through repentance and humility? Will you pray with an open and trusting heart to Almighty God in Christ?
For a long while, God tried to get Martin Luther’s attention. God wanted Luther to enter the ministry and study scripture. Instead, Luther enrolled in college at Erfurt to study law. On July 2, 1505, God gave one final warning to Luther to change his direction. On that day, as Luther was traveling back to Erfurt, a fierce thunderstorm struck. Lightning nearly killed him. Frightened at the ferocity of the storm, Luther re- evaluated his priorities and decided then and there that he would enter the ministry and study the Bible.
Does God have to strike you with lightning for you to listen? Are you one to notice the little warning signs God gives when you are not following HIS will? Do not be surprised by spiritual battles waging around you and within you. Watch for God’s signs! Heed God’s warnings! Look for God’s direction. Listen to the Holy Spirit! To help you, God’s signs will light your way. All you have to do is notice them!
December 11
“Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise.”
(James 5:13, NIV84)
(James 5:13, NIV84)
A lifelong member of the local church named Darlene sat in a booth at the diner. She looked tired and worn. She sat alone. As she drank her coffee, her face was scrunched up in a scowl. Her pastor watched her from the other side of the diner. She didn’t see him in the corner booth. Finally, prodded by the Holy Spirit to approach her, the pastor walked over to her booth and gave a warm, “Good Morning!”. She half smiled, then responded with a quiet greeting. Undeterred, the pastor asked her what she planned to do that day. She gave a couple of small tasks, but her conversation seemed introspective. When she responded with only a few short words to his attempt at conversation, he excused himself to go sit back down at his own booth.
About ten minutes later, as he was finishing his breakfast while contemplating upcoming events for the day, the pastor looked up to see the woman approaching. He put down his coffee and gave her a smile. Standing next to his booth, she asked if she could sit with him for a few minutes. He motioned for her to sit down. Darlene proceeded to tell the pastor of a problem in her family. After talking for five minutes straight, shedding some tears, and shaking as she retold her story, the pastor offered up a question: “Have you prayed about all this?”
Darlene’s answer was telling: “I’ve been so consumed by the stress and anxiety that I just didn’t think about prayer.” The pastor grabbed her hand and began a prayer.
Darlene is a lifelong Christian! She was well-taught about the Bible and God and prayer. Still, in the midst of her dilemma, she didn’t even think to pray! You might find her inability to think about prayer as surprising. In reality, Darlene’s lack of prayer in the middle of her crisis is all too common. Personally, I can’t understand it. Why not reach out to the greatest source of personal and spiritual strength in your life… to God? Why not ask the Holy Spirit to calm your nerves or ease your stress? I know prayer would help every time, so why don’t people just pray through their good and bad moments? How can a longtime lover of God just plain forget to pray or ignore prayer time? Are you guilty of this, too?
Maybe faithful people forgetting to pray is too common. That might be why James wrote in our scripture for today that “if anyone is in trouble, let him pray!” (James 5:16). He even suggests that faithful believers pray with music! The second half of the verse for today encourages the joyful to “sing songs of praise”! Wordless prayers, formal prayers, songs filled with prayer (praise), prayers said alone or with others, prayers by those who are hurting or happy… they all have a place in the faithful life. There are so many ways to pray, to talk with God! There are so many times that a prayer may lift your day, clarify your thoughts, or open your heart to grace and peace and forgiveness!
Max Lucado wrote about the need to pray constantly. After mentioning James 5:16, he wrote:
“Do you want to know how to deepen your prayer life? Pray. Don’t prepare to pray. Just pray. Don’t read about prayer. Just pray. Don’t attend a lecture on prayer or engage in discussion about prayer. Just pray.
Posture, tone, and place are personal matters. Select the form that works for you. But don’t think about it too much. Don’t be so concerned about wrapping the gift that you never give it. Better to pray awkwardly than not at all.
And if you feel you should only pray when inspired, that’s okay. Just see to it that you are inspired every day.” (Grace for the Moment, p. 376).
“A GODLY minister was once travelling in Scotland and put up at a certain tavern. At evening-time the landlord asked if he would conduct family prayer. He consented on the condition that the landlord would call all the servants of the household. The servants came in and when all seemed to be assembled, the minister asked, “Are all here?” “Yes,” said the landlord. “Not one missing?” he asked. “Oh, well,” said the landlord, “there is a poor girl we never bring in. She does the dirty work about the kitchen and is not fit to come in with the others.” “Well then,” said the minister, “I will not go on until she comes.” He insisted and the landlord yielded. Seeing her neglected appearance, the minister took a peculiar interest in her. When he was leaving the next day, he called for the girl and said to her, “I wish to teach you a prayer, and I want you to pray it until I come back again. It is this, ‘Lord, show me myself.’ ”
He left the hotel but returned in a few days. He asked the landlord, “How is that poor girl?” “Oh,” replied the landlord, “she is spoiled. She is of no use whatever now. She can do no work. She is weeping all the time. She mopes and is melancholy. I don’t know what is the matter with her.” The minister knew and asked to see her. The landlord brought her in and the minister said, “Now I wish to teach you another prayer. You have been praying, ‘Show me myself’?” “Yes,” she said, in deep distress, “and I am so wicked I can do nothing but weep over my sins.” “Now let me teach you another prayer, ‘Lord, show me Thyself.’ ”
Years passed. The minister was preaching in Glasgow when a neat-looking woman came up to him at the close of the sermon and said, “Do you remember me?” “No,” he said, “I do not.” “Do you remember teaching a poor girl in a hotel to pray, ‘Show me myself’?” “Yes,” he replied, “I remember that well.” “I am that girl. I prayed that prayer and got such a view of myself that I was overwhelmed with grief and despair. Then you taught me the other prayer, ‘Lord, show me Thyself,’ and He showed me Himself and my grief and despair went and I trusted Him and found salvation and He has made me what I am to-day.”
It is a good prayer for us all to pray, “Lord, show me myself,” and after He has shown us ourselves, let us go on and ask Him to show us Himself.” (Anecdotes and Illustrations, R.A. Torrey, pp. 75-77)
Got some time for prayer?
About ten minutes later, as he was finishing his breakfast while contemplating upcoming events for the day, the pastor looked up to see the woman approaching. He put down his coffee and gave her a smile. Standing next to his booth, she asked if she could sit with him for a few minutes. He motioned for her to sit down. Darlene proceeded to tell the pastor of a problem in her family. After talking for five minutes straight, shedding some tears, and shaking as she retold her story, the pastor offered up a question: “Have you prayed about all this?”
Darlene’s answer was telling: “I’ve been so consumed by the stress and anxiety that I just didn’t think about prayer.” The pastor grabbed her hand and began a prayer.
Darlene is a lifelong Christian! She was well-taught about the Bible and God and prayer. Still, in the midst of her dilemma, she didn’t even think to pray! You might find her inability to think about prayer as surprising. In reality, Darlene’s lack of prayer in the middle of her crisis is all too common. Personally, I can’t understand it. Why not reach out to the greatest source of personal and spiritual strength in your life… to God? Why not ask the Holy Spirit to calm your nerves or ease your stress? I know prayer would help every time, so why don’t people just pray through their good and bad moments? How can a longtime lover of God just plain forget to pray or ignore prayer time? Are you guilty of this, too?
Maybe faithful people forgetting to pray is too common. That might be why James wrote in our scripture for today that “if anyone is in trouble, let him pray!” (James 5:16). He even suggests that faithful believers pray with music! The second half of the verse for today encourages the joyful to “sing songs of praise”! Wordless prayers, formal prayers, songs filled with prayer (praise), prayers said alone or with others, prayers by those who are hurting or happy… they all have a place in the faithful life. There are so many ways to pray, to talk with God! There are so many times that a prayer may lift your day, clarify your thoughts, or open your heart to grace and peace and forgiveness!
Max Lucado wrote about the need to pray constantly. After mentioning James 5:16, he wrote:
“Do you want to know how to deepen your prayer life? Pray. Don’t prepare to pray. Just pray. Don’t read about prayer. Just pray. Don’t attend a lecture on prayer or engage in discussion about prayer. Just pray.
Posture, tone, and place are personal matters. Select the form that works for you. But don’t think about it too much. Don’t be so concerned about wrapping the gift that you never give it. Better to pray awkwardly than not at all.
And if you feel you should only pray when inspired, that’s okay. Just see to it that you are inspired every day.” (Grace for the Moment, p. 376).
“A GODLY minister was once travelling in Scotland and put up at a certain tavern. At evening-time the landlord asked if he would conduct family prayer. He consented on the condition that the landlord would call all the servants of the household. The servants came in and when all seemed to be assembled, the minister asked, “Are all here?” “Yes,” said the landlord. “Not one missing?” he asked. “Oh, well,” said the landlord, “there is a poor girl we never bring in. She does the dirty work about the kitchen and is not fit to come in with the others.” “Well then,” said the minister, “I will not go on until she comes.” He insisted and the landlord yielded. Seeing her neglected appearance, the minister took a peculiar interest in her. When he was leaving the next day, he called for the girl and said to her, “I wish to teach you a prayer, and I want you to pray it until I come back again. It is this, ‘Lord, show me myself.’ ”
He left the hotel but returned in a few days. He asked the landlord, “How is that poor girl?” “Oh,” replied the landlord, “she is spoiled. She is of no use whatever now. She can do no work. She is weeping all the time. She mopes and is melancholy. I don’t know what is the matter with her.” The minister knew and asked to see her. The landlord brought her in and the minister said, “Now I wish to teach you another prayer. You have been praying, ‘Show me myself’?” “Yes,” she said, in deep distress, “and I am so wicked I can do nothing but weep over my sins.” “Now let me teach you another prayer, ‘Lord, show me Thyself.’ ”
Years passed. The minister was preaching in Glasgow when a neat-looking woman came up to him at the close of the sermon and said, “Do you remember me?” “No,” he said, “I do not.” “Do you remember teaching a poor girl in a hotel to pray, ‘Show me myself’?” “Yes,” he replied, “I remember that well.” “I am that girl. I prayed that prayer and got such a view of myself that I was overwhelmed with grief and despair. Then you taught me the other prayer, ‘Lord, show me Thyself,’ and He showed me Himself and my grief and despair went and I trusted Him and found salvation and He has made me what I am to-day.”
It is a good prayer for us all to pray, “Lord, show me myself,” and after He has shown us ourselves, let us go on and ask Him to show us Himself.” (Anecdotes and Illustrations, R.A. Torrey, pp. 75-77)
Got some time for prayer?
December 13
“But they will have to give an accounting to him who stands ready to judge the living and the dead.” (1 Peter 4:5, NRSV)
While their mother was out doing grocery shopping, Jimmy and Tommy were left at home. Before she left, their mother gave them ample instructions. They were not to get into a fight, not to open the door to anyone but family, not to answer the phone, nor to “do anything wrong”. The mother trusted her boys to listen. Usually, they were pretty good at taking care of things while she ran her errands.
An hour and a half later, the mother came home to find the Jimmy and Tommy watching TV. As she put away the groceries, she inquired about what they had done while she was gone. The boys collectively explained that they had played a video game and then decided to watch TV. What the mother did not realize was that the boys did not follow instructions in their mother’s absence. Instead, they watched an anime show that had a fight scene. Caught up in the moment, the boys emulated the fight in their own living room. They fake-wielded swords by using a broom and a cane. In their exuberance, they knocked over a vase that was a prized possession for the family. All this they hid from her.
A few hours later, the mother noticed the missing vase and went to investigate. She found shards in the garbage and questioned the boys: “Did you two get into trouble while I was out grocery shopping?” At first, the boys denied any wrongdoing. When their mother pulled out a shard from the vase and waved it at them, they finally confessed everything. She mentioned, with tears streaming down her cheeks, how the vase held precious memories from her youth. Their punishment of extra chores and a week of extra helping around the house caused complaints and moans from the two boys. However, the two knew down deep that they deserved every last bit of their punishment.
This interaction between mother and sons is not uncommon. Children do break rules. Lessons are learned. Vases get broken. Accidents happen. Punishments do occur. I do not want to focus on the broken vase. Instead, I want to focus on the mother’s question of the boys, “Did you two get into trouble while I was out grocery shopping?” In response to their mother’s query, the boys lied and denied. They did not own up to their wrongdoing. They hid the truth. They attempted to deceive their mother. In response, they earned their punishment. The response of the boys to their mother’s question reminds me of people who act similarly to God. When they do wrong, many lie. They deny their responsibility in the matter. When they sin, they try to cover it up. They don’t want to take responsibility. All too many end up being punished by God for their inability to confess their sin, admit their failures, own up to their weaknesses, and ask for forgiveness. Instead of being honest with God and themselves, they continually deny their own sins and pridefully proclaim their own innocence.
In the scripture for today from 1 Peter 4:5, the author makes clear that those who sin “will give an accounting to him who stands ready to judge the living and the dead.” In other words, each of us will have to answer to God for our actions. You may want to deny your sin. You may want to cover it up. You may even tell yourself that your sin “wasn’t that bad”. All these responses will get you nowhere with God, “who judges the living and the dead”. God doesn’t want to hear your denials or excuses or prideful claims of innocence. God wants you to own up to your actions, take responsibility for your failures, and seek to make things right.
Lying and denying don’t work with God. Justifying your sins will come to naught. God knows when you act faithfully and when you fall under temptation. God knows when you respond righteously and when you sin. Today and in the future, you will need to give an “accounting to God” of your actions.
Young Tony was known to be a troublemaker. He was constantly going along with the crowd and getting caught doing wrong. When a friend decided to sneak some alcohol from his father’s stash, Tony went along with the scheme. The two drank enough alcohol to get sick and pass out behind a barn outside his friend’s house. Though his friend got in a lot of trouble for his actions, Tony’s mother blamed the friend for the everything. Tony’s mother believed that her son was “basically innocent” when in fact he was just as guilty.
For years, Tony’s parents got him out of trouble every time he made a major mistake. When he stole some candy from the store, they paid the storekeeper for everything taken plus gave some extra money as a thank you for not calling the police. When Tony crashed the car late at night coming home from a party, his father paid the deductible and had insurance cover the rest. Nothing further was said of the matter. When Tony was arrested for drunk driving, his parents paid handsomely for expensive lawyers to get him out of the charges due to a technicality. Tony knew in his heart that if he got into trouble, his parents would bail him out.
Sadly, Tony’s parents never expected Tony to give an accounting for his errors. They did not punish him for his terrible choices and awful behavior. Tony’s parents thought they were being loving to their only child. In point of fact, they were only teaching him how to be irresponsible and never to own up to his mistakes.
Without a shadow of a doubt, today’s scripture (along with many others) points to the FACT that God will require you to answer for your actions. Not only will God bless your faithfulness, God will also judge you for your sins. You ARE responsible for your choices. On Judgment Day, you will not get be able to lie your way out of wrongdoing. No fancy lawyer will be able to get you out of your due punishment. On your own, you will face God. There, you will give an accounting for your actions. I wonder what that moment will be like for you. Your eternal future hinges on what you do now.
Will you take responsibility for your sins? Will you confess your failings to Almighty God? Humbly, will you endeavor to make things right? OR Will you cover up your sinfulness? Will you deny your wrongdoing? Will you give excuses for your bad choices? Will you try and convince yourself that you are better than others? Will you blame others for your own mistakes? Someday, God will require an accounting for your judgments. Then, HE will determine your fate. Wouldn’t you like to be the person standing before God who showed love, confessed sin, made holy choices, believed in Jesus, and received forgiveness and grace? Wouldn’t you like to be the one to whom Jesus says, “Well done, good and faithful servant?” (Matthew 25:23).
Someday soon, you will give a final accounting for your actions. I pray that day goes well for you. I pray your Lord is ready to welcome you into His Kingdom, not punish you for all the many things about which you lied and denied along the way.
Did you want this meditation to be more positive and happy and warm and fuzzy? I’d rather save your soul than be nice. I’d rather speak the truth in love than ease your soul with empty platitudes. I want your Judgment Day to be a celebration of faith not a time of foreboding and punishment.
An hour and a half later, the mother came home to find the Jimmy and Tommy watching TV. As she put away the groceries, she inquired about what they had done while she was gone. The boys collectively explained that they had played a video game and then decided to watch TV. What the mother did not realize was that the boys did not follow instructions in their mother’s absence. Instead, they watched an anime show that had a fight scene. Caught up in the moment, the boys emulated the fight in their own living room. They fake-wielded swords by using a broom and a cane. In their exuberance, they knocked over a vase that was a prized possession for the family. All this they hid from her.
A few hours later, the mother noticed the missing vase and went to investigate. She found shards in the garbage and questioned the boys: “Did you two get into trouble while I was out grocery shopping?” At first, the boys denied any wrongdoing. When their mother pulled out a shard from the vase and waved it at them, they finally confessed everything. She mentioned, with tears streaming down her cheeks, how the vase held precious memories from her youth. Their punishment of extra chores and a week of extra helping around the house caused complaints and moans from the two boys. However, the two knew down deep that they deserved every last bit of their punishment.
This interaction between mother and sons is not uncommon. Children do break rules. Lessons are learned. Vases get broken. Accidents happen. Punishments do occur. I do not want to focus on the broken vase. Instead, I want to focus on the mother’s question of the boys, “Did you two get into trouble while I was out grocery shopping?” In response to their mother’s query, the boys lied and denied. They did not own up to their wrongdoing. They hid the truth. They attempted to deceive their mother. In response, they earned their punishment. The response of the boys to their mother’s question reminds me of people who act similarly to God. When they do wrong, many lie. They deny their responsibility in the matter. When they sin, they try to cover it up. They don’t want to take responsibility. All too many end up being punished by God for their inability to confess their sin, admit their failures, own up to their weaknesses, and ask for forgiveness. Instead of being honest with God and themselves, they continually deny their own sins and pridefully proclaim their own innocence.
In the scripture for today from 1 Peter 4:5, the author makes clear that those who sin “will give an accounting to him who stands ready to judge the living and the dead.” In other words, each of us will have to answer to God for our actions. You may want to deny your sin. You may want to cover it up. You may even tell yourself that your sin “wasn’t that bad”. All these responses will get you nowhere with God, “who judges the living and the dead”. God doesn’t want to hear your denials or excuses or prideful claims of innocence. God wants you to own up to your actions, take responsibility for your failures, and seek to make things right.
Lying and denying don’t work with God. Justifying your sins will come to naught. God knows when you act faithfully and when you fall under temptation. God knows when you respond righteously and when you sin. Today and in the future, you will need to give an “accounting to God” of your actions.
Young Tony was known to be a troublemaker. He was constantly going along with the crowd and getting caught doing wrong. When a friend decided to sneak some alcohol from his father’s stash, Tony went along with the scheme. The two drank enough alcohol to get sick and pass out behind a barn outside his friend’s house. Though his friend got in a lot of trouble for his actions, Tony’s mother blamed the friend for the everything. Tony’s mother believed that her son was “basically innocent” when in fact he was just as guilty.
For years, Tony’s parents got him out of trouble every time he made a major mistake. When he stole some candy from the store, they paid the storekeeper for everything taken plus gave some extra money as a thank you for not calling the police. When Tony crashed the car late at night coming home from a party, his father paid the deductible and had insurance cover the rest. Nothing further was said of the matter. When Tony was arrested for drunk driving, his parents paid handsomely for expensive lawyers to get him out of the charges due to a technicality. Tony knew in his heart that if he got into trouble, his parents would bail him out.
Sadly, Tony’s parents never expected Tony to give an accounting for his errors. They did not punish him for his terrible choices and awful behavior. Tony’s parents thought they were being loving to their only child. In point of fact, they were only teaching him how to be irresponsible and never to own up to his mistakes.
Without a shadow of a doubt, today’s scripture (along with many others) points to the FACT that God will require you to answer for your actions. Not only will God bless your faithfulness, God will also judge you for your sins. You ARE responsible for your choices. On Judgment Day, you will not get be able to lie your way out of wrongdoing. No fancy lawyer will be able to get you out of your due punishment. On your own, you will face God. There, you will give an accounting for your actions. I wonder what that moment will be like for you. Your eternal future hinges on what you do now.
Will you take responsibility for your sins? Will you confess your failings to Almighty God? Humbly, will you endeavor to make things right? OR Will you cover up your sinfulness? Will you deny your wrongdoing? Will you give excuses for your bad choices? Will you try and convince yourself that you are better than others? Will you blame others for your own mistakes? Someday, God will require an accounting for your judgments. Then, HE will determine your fate. Wouldn’t you like to be the person standing before God who showed love, confessed sin, made holy choices, believed in Jesus, and received forgiveness and grace? Wouldn’t you like to be the one to whom Jesus says, “Well done, good and faithful servant?” (Matthew 25:23).
Someday soon, you will give a final accounting for your actions. I pray that day goes well for you. I pray your Lord is ready to welcome you into His Kingdom, not punish you for all the many things about which you lied and denied along the way.
Did you want this meditation to be more positive and happy and warm and fuzzy? I’d rather save your soul than be nice. I’d rather speak the truth in love than ease your soul with empty platitudes. I want your Judgment Day to be a celebration of faith not a time of foreboding and punishment.
December 15
“The way of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, but he loves the one who pursues righteousness.” (Proverbs 15:9, NRSV)
“Perhaps the wound is old. A parent abused you. A teacher slighted you. A mate betrayed you.… And you are angry.
Or perhaps the wound is fresh. The friend who owes you money just drove by in a new car. The boss who hired you with promises of promotions has forgotten how to pronounce your name.… And you are hurt.
Part of you is broken, and the other part is bitter. Part of you wants to cry, and part of you wants to fight.… There is a fire burning in your heart. It’s the fire of anger.…And you are left with a decision. “Do I put the fire out or heat it up? Do I get over it or get even? Do I release it or resent it? Do I let my hurts heal, or do I let hurt turn into hate?” …
Unfaithfulness is wrong. Revenge is bad. But the worst part of all is that, without forgiveness, bitterness is all that is left.” (Max Lucado, excerpt from The Applause of Heaven).
When bitterness threatens to throw you into depression or keep you perpetually angry, you have to decide what to do. You can continue to wallow in the pain and anger, or you can seek forgiveness in the matter. Wallowing in the pain will bring bitterness and resentment with a desire for revenge. These emotions will burn in your heart and soul. The only way to move past the hurt and pain is to forgive in the name of Jesus. This is the only righteous path. It is the only way you will not self-destruct over the long haul. You may not be able to get an apology or change the person who hurt you, but you will find peace and be able to move past the torment that would consume mind, heart, and soul.
The scripture for today brings to light that God “loves the one who pursues righteousness” (Proverbs 15:9). God has a place in His heart for the person who refuses to wallow in pity or dream up revenge. When you make a commitment to pursue righteousness, choosing to do what is right before God, Heaven takes notice! God keeps track of such attitudes and actions. Sadly, what God often sees in our world is the opposite. Here, people often choose “the way of the wicked” (Proverbs 15:9a). They sin. They become worldly. They get even. They pursue riches and wealth no matter who is hurt. They take advantage of others to get ahead. There is no thought of doing what is right or righteous. In Proverbs 15:9, God calls this “way of the wicked” an “abomination”. Other versions of the Bible say God “hates the way of the wicked” or “hates evil”. Yes, God can hate. When it comes to life choices. God loves those who choose righteousness but hates the way of the wicked.
It's not that God hates the wicked themselves, God hates “the way of the wicked”. God hates the evil choices and sinful reactions that so permeate our world. God endeavors to save every soul. Sadly, too many souls are filled with sin and vengeance and bitterness and resentments and so many more “ways of the wicked”.
While driving down a country road during a terrible storm late one evening, Marcia did not see the stop sign until it was too late. She slammed on the brakes but slid through the intersection. A car driving through that same crossroads hit her. When Marcia got out of her car, she was shocked to find the mother dead in the driver’s seat with a broken neck. Behind the mother was a crying young infant. Marcia had just caused a baby to lose her mother in this terrible accident.
For many years, Marcia beat herself up for this tragedy. She would tear up whenever she saw a young child. She would have flashbacks during her dreams. She lived through those moments a thousand times in her head. I asked Marcia, “Are you ever going to forgive yourself?” Her response, “I don’t think so.”
When Marcia turned forty-five, she received a letter in the mail from an unknown sender one Christmas. She opened the letter and began reading. As her husband watched her read, wondering who sent the pretty Christmas card, Marcia began to weep openly. She cried so hard and for so long that her husband thought she was going to pass out. He tried everything to calm her. Then, he read the letter. It was from a woman in her twenties named Candice. Candice was the baby in that back seat who lost her mother in the accident years before. Fearful that the letter would bring back all those terrible memories, the husband hurriedly finished the letter. Near the end, Candice wrote that for years she had hated Marcia for the death of her mother. However, she had recently become a Christian. She couldn’t make things right with God while harboring such hate for Marcia. In the letter, Candice wrote that before she went to the altar to give her heart to Jesus, she forgave Marcia with all her heart.
The tears coming from Marcia weren’t signs of hurt and pain, they were tears of relief. For once in her life, Marcia began to feel the possibility of forgiving herself for that terrible accident. Candice’s Christmas letter brought the first glimpse of hope and forgiveness to Marcia’s long-suffering soul. Candice gave an awesome gift to Marcia that Christmas. It was pure righteousness. It was something God loved. Finally, healing could begin.
The way of the wicked brings sadness, pain, guilt, shame, hopelessness, vengeance, fear, resentment, and bitterness, and more. The way of righteousness brings healing and hope and forgiveness and peace and restoration. Which kind of world do you want to live in? Which kind of person have you become?
If there is a “way of the wicked” in you, rid heart and soul and mind of its presence. Choose righteousness. Choose forgiveness and grace and redemption and hope. Be an agent of God is this fallen world. Don’t let your heart and soul and mind be clouded with all kinds of residue from unresolved hate or resentment or bitterness or suffering or abuse. Choose to forgive. Move on past. Let it go. Choose Jesus above the hurt. Confess your sin instead of holding on to your guilt. The alternative will only lead to heartbreak… for another… and for you.
Or perhaps the wound is fresh. The friend who owes you money just drove by in a new car. The boss who hired you with promises of promotions has forgotten how to pronounce your name.… And you are hurt.
Part of you is broken, and the other part is bitter. Part of you wants to cry, and part of you wants to fight.… There is a fire burning in your heart. It’s the fire of anger.…And you are left with a decision. “Do I put the fire out or heat it up? Do I get over it or get even? Do I release it or resent it? Do I let my hurts heal, or do I let hurt turn into hate?” …
Unfaithfulness is wrong. Revenge is bad. But the worst part of all is that, without forgiveness, bitterness is all that is left.” (Max Lucado, excerpt from The Applause of Heaven).
When bitterness threatens to throw you into depression or keep you perpetually angry, you have to decide what to do. You can continue to wallow in the pain and anger, or you can seek forgiveness in the matter. Wallowing in the pain will bring bitterness and resentment with a desire for revenge. These emotions will burn in your heart and soul. The only way to move past the hurt and pain is to forgive in the name of Jesus. This is the only righteous path. It is the only way you will not self-destruct over the long haul. You may not be able to get an apology or change the person who hurt you, but you will find peace and be able to move past the torment that would consume mind, heart, and soul.
The scripture for today brings to light that God “loves the one who pursues righteousness” (Proverbs 15:9). God has a place in His heart for the person who refuses to wallow in pity or dream up revenge. When you make a commitment to pursue righteousness, choosing to do what is right before God, Heaven takes notice! God keeps track of such attitudes and actions. Sadly, what God often sees in our world is the opposite. Here, people often choose “the way of the wicked” (Proverbs 15:9a). They sin. They become worldly. They get even. They pursue riches and wealth no matter who is hurt. They take advantage of others to get ahead. There is no thought of doing what is right or righteous. In Proverbs 15:9, God calls this “way of the wicked” an “abomination”. Other versions of the Bible say God “hates the way of the wicked” or “hates evil”. Yes, God can hate. When it comes to life choices. God loves those who choose righteousness but hates the way of the wicked.
It's not that God hates the wicked themselves, God hates “the way of the wicked”. God hates the evil choices and sinful reactions that so permeate our world. God endeavors to save every soul. Sadly, too many souls are filled with sin and vengeance and bitterness and resentments and so many more “ways of the wicked”.
While driving down a country road during a terrible storm late one evening, Marcia did not see the stop sign until it was too late. She slammed on the brakes but slid through the intersection. A car driving through that same crossroads hit her. When Marcia got out of her car, she was shocked to find the mother dead in the driver’s seat with a broken neck. Behind the mother was a crying young infant. Marcia had just caused a baby to lose her mother in this terrible accident.
For many years, Marcia beat herself up for this tragedy. She would tear up whenever she saw a young child. She would have flashbacks during her dreams. She lived through those moments a thousand times in her head. I asked Marcia, “Are you ever going to forgive yourself?” Her response, “I don’t think so.”
When Marcia turned forty-five, she received a letter in the mail from an unknown sender one Christmas. She opened the letter and began reading. As her husband watched her read, wondering who sent the pretty Christmas card, Marcia began to weep openly. She cried so hard and for so long that her husband thought she was going to pass out. He tried everything to calm her. Then, he read the letter. It was from a woman in her twenties named Candice. Candice was the baby in that back seat who lost her mother in the accident years before. Fearful that the letter would bring back all those terrible memories, the husband hurriedly finished the letter. Near the end, Candice wrote that for years she had hated Marcia for the death of her mother. However, she had recently become a Christian. She couldn’t make things right with God while harboring such hate for Marcia. In the letter, Candice wrote that before she went to the altar to give her heart to Jesus, she forgave Marcia with all her heart.
The tears coming from Marcia weren’t signs of hurt and pain, they were tears of relief. For once in her life, Marcia began to feel the possibility of forgiving herself for that terrible accident. Candice’s Christmas letter brought the first glimpse of hope and forgiveness to Marcia’s long-suffering soul. Candice gave an awesome gift to Marcia that Christmas. It was pure righteousness. It was something God loved. Finally, healing could begin.
The way of the wicked brings sadness, pain, guilt, shame, hopelessness, vengeance, fear, resentment, and bitterness, and more. The way of righteousness brings healing and hope and forgiveness and peace and restoration. Which kind of world do you want to live in? Which kind of person have you become?
If there is a “way of the wicked” in you, rid heart and soul and mind of its presence. Choose righteousness. Choose forgiveness and grace and redemption and hope. Be an agent of God is this fallen world. Don’t let your heart and soul and mind be clouded with all kinds of residue from unresolved hate or resentment or bitterness or suffering or abuse. Choose to forgive. Move on past. Let it go. Choose Jesus above the hurt. Confess your sin instead of holding on to your guilt. The alternative will only lead to heartbreak… for another… and for you.
December 18
“Make it your goal to live a quiet life, minding your own business and working with your hands, just as we instructed you before. Then people who are not believers will respect the way you live, and you will not need to depend on others.” (1 Thessalonians 4:11–12, NLT)
I once spoke to a member of a large church in North Carolina. We were at a wedding. He was family to the bride. I was there to see a friend get married. He didn’t know I was a pastor. I didn’t know what he did for a living. As we chatted, he mentioned that his church was very active in missions and outreach. Their services reached hundreds every Sunday. They had a TV ministry, where I am sure thousands could watch the worship services every Sunday morning. Their church service was a huge production. They even had a professional staff of sound technicians and video specialists. Their services contained special lighting and effects. The pastors could plan the service to its greatest effect. The member was proud of his church, which is wonderful. However, he commented that too many people keep their faith private. Just like his church, he believed they should be more public, more vocal, more visible on the internet and TV. He was critical of church people who did not speak openly about the faith wherever they went.
Now, while it is very important for Christians to have a public witness and to worship with others, the Christian life was not meant to be a public spectacle 24/7. There were times that Jesus preached to large crowds, as in the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5. On the other hand, that same Jesus often went to be alone to pray, met with people privately at their homes, and had very important conversations with individuals such as the woman at the well. There were aspects of Jesus’ faith that were very public but also many other aspects that were very private.
Today’s scripture focuses on the private aspect of faith. Here in Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians, Paul taught that Christians in that church should “make it their goal to live a quiet life” (1 Thessalonians 4:11). Christians should not be nosy or publicly pushy and demanding. Instead, they should “mind their own business and work with their hands”. Paul wanted the Christians in that church to be independent souls who were honorable in their business dealings and did an honest day’s work, “not needing to depend on others”. By being faithful and hard-working and honest in their private lives, those Christians were to be an example to others. 1 Thessalonians 4:12 concluded that the goal of being hard-working, honest people was that “people who are not believers will respect the way you live”.
There is a place for public worship. However, for a majority of the time, your spiritual life will depend on you being honest and dependable and faithful in your everyday business dealings and private interactions. The Christian faith isn’t all about big worship productions and social media exposure. Most of the faithful life involves making honest and godly actions in all the little areas of your life. By being faithful and true and dependable and honest in the little things, your life will become an example for others to follow.
Not everybody can be a public spiritual leader who is on TV and leading others to faith through social media. But all Christians can be faithful in the small things like being honest and forthright and independent and truthful and trustworthy in the little interactions of their everyday living.
“SAINT FRANCIS of Assisi once invited a young monk to travel with him to town to preach. The young monk was honored by his offer, and together the two set out for the city. They walked up and down the streets greeting people as they went. They chatted with the peddlers, played with the children, and smiled at the citizens that passed by. After some time they returned to the abbey. The younger man seemed puzzled and said to Saint Francis, “You have forgotten, Father, that we went to town to preach.”
“My son,” he replied, “we have preached. We have been seen by many. Our behavior was closely watched. Our attitudes were closely measured. Our words have been overheard. It was by thus that we preached our morning sermon.”
Sometimes the best thing we can do to honor God is simply to live an honorable life. Too often we think that God expects us to change the world when he would be happy if we just changed our behavior. It doesn’t take a great man or woman to make a great impact on society. It just takes a respected one.
“This should be your ambition,” Paul writes to the Thessalonians, “to live a quiet life, minding your own business and working with your hands, just as we commanded you before. As a result, people who are not Christians will respect the way you live” (1 Thessalonians 4:11–12).
Do you want to make a difference in the world? Do you want to live a holy and pleasing life? Then be faithful to your spouse. Get to work on time, and do the best job that you can. Set an example in your neighborhood. Pay your bills on time. Live within your means. Help an elderly woman with her car. Don’t cheat on your taxes. Spend time with your children. Live with integrity and honesty. God is most pleased when unbelievers see him in the lives of believers. The world is most impressed with God when it sees his children living honorable lives.” (LaHaye and Jenkins, Embracing Eternity, p. 368)
Now, while it is very important for Christians to have a public witness and to worship with others, the Christian life was not meant to be a public spectacle 24/7. There were times that Jesus preached to large crowds, as in the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5. On the other hand, that same Jesus often went to be alone to pray, met with people privately at their homes, and had very important conversations with individuals such as the woman at the well. There were aspects of Jesus’ faith that were very public but also many other aspects that were very private.
Today’s scripture focuses on the private aspect of faith. Here in Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians, Paul taught that Christians in that church should “make it their goal to live a quiet life” (1 Thessalonians 4:11). Christians should not be nosy or publicly pushy and demanding. Instead, they should “mind their own business and work with their hands”. Paul wanted the Christians in that church to be independent souls who were honorable in their business dealings and did an honest day’s work, “not needing to depend on others”. By being faithful and hard-working and honest in their private lives, those Christians were to be an example to others. 1 Thessalonians 4:12 concluded that the goal of being hard-working, honest people was that “people who are not believers will respect the way you live”.
There is a place for public worship. However, for a majority of the time, your spiritual life will depend on you being honest and dependable and faithful in your everyday business dealings and private interactions. The Christian faith isn’t all about big worship productions and social media exposure. Most of the faithful life involves making honest and godly actions in all the little areas of your life. By being faithful and true and dependable and honest in the little things, your life will become an example for others to follow.
Not everybody can be a public spiritual leader who is on TV and leading others to faith through social media. But all Christians can be faithful in the small things like being honest and forthright and independent and truthful and trustworthy in the little interactions of their everyday living.
“SAINT FRANCIS of Assisi once invited a young monk to travel with him to town to preach. The young monk was honored by his offer, and together the two set out for the city. They walked up and down the streets greeting people as they went. They chatted with the peddlers, played with the children, and smiled at the citizens that passed by. After some time they returned to the abbey. The younger man seemed puzzled and said to Saint Francis, “You have forgotten, Father, that we went to town to preach.”
“My son,” he replied, “we have preached. We have been seen by many. Our behavior was closely watched. Our attitudes were closely measured. Our words have been overheard. It was by thus that we preached our morning sermon.”
Sometimes the best thing we can do to honor God is simply to live an honorable life. Too often we think that God expects us to change the world when he would be happy if we just changed our behavior. It doesn’t take a great man or woman to make a great impact on society. It just takes a respected one.
“This should be your ambition,” Paul writes to the Thessalonians, “to live a quiet life, minding your own business and working with your hands, just as we commanded you before. As a result, people who are not Christians will respect the way you live” (1 Thessalonians 4:11–12).
Do you want to make a difference in the world? Do you want to live a holy and pleasing life? Then be faithful to your spouse. Get to work on time, and do the best job that you can. Set an example in your neighborhood. Pay your bills on time. Live within your means. Help an elderly woman with her car. Don’t cheat on your taxes. Spend time with your children. Live with integrity and honesty. God is most pleased when unbelievers see him in the lives of believers. The world is most impressed with God when it sees his children living honorable lives.” (LaHaye and Jenkins, Embracing Eternity, p. 368)
December 20
“LORD, remind me how brief my time on earth will be. Remind me that my days are numbered— how fleeting my life is.” (Psalm 39:4, NLT)
“Life is like a parade that passes before our eyes. It comes. Hear the people shouting. It is here. In a few minutes, people crowd the streets. Then it vanishes and is gone. Does life strike you as being just that?
I remember, ah I remember, so many in the parade. I have stood, as it were, at a window, even though I have also been in the procession. I recall the hearty men of my boyhood, whom I use to hear pray. They are now singing up yonder.
I remember a long parade of saints who have passed before me and have gone into glory. What a host of friends we have in the unseen world, who are “gone over to the majority.” As we grow older, they really are the majority, for our friends on earth are outnumbered by our friends in heaven.
Some of you will fondly remember loved ones who have passed away in the parade. But please remember that you also are in the parade. Though they seem to have passed before you, you have been passing along with them, and soon you will reach the vanishing point. We are all walking in the procession. We are all passing away to the land of substance and reality.
We expect good things to come. We are not inhabitants of this country; we are citizens of the New Jerusalem. We are only shipwrecked here for a while, exiled from home until the boat comes to ferry us across the stream to the land where our true possessions lie.
Life, light, love, and everything is He who has gone before. Jesus is our Forerunner to the place that He has prepared for them that love Him (John 14:2).” (C Spurgeon, Beside Still Waters, p. 354)
We spend so much of our time trying to cheat death. For some, that means ignoring the signs of aging. You might look at yourself as young even as you are getting on in years. I know people who are forty-nine years old who think and act like they are twenty-four. Some people go through a midlife crisis as they attempt to recapture their youth as it slowly ebbs away. Some look in the mirror and do not see themselves clearly, while others ignore the wrinkles and liver spots thinning hair and other signs of age. All too many people cover up the signs of aging so to not have to think about the years passing by quickly.
A young woman came home for Christmas to a big welcome. Her father hugged her, smiles covering his face. Her mother had tears in her eyes because of her joy. The young woman hadn’t been home for four years. For her Christmas vacation, the woman slept in her old bedroom. There, surrounded by trophies and posters and pictures from her youth, she was suddenly overcome with memories. Then, as she looked in the mirror on her wall, she suddenly realized how different her life turned out. When she was last in this room, she couldn’t wait to get out there and change the world. Now, she had deep regrets. She regretted wasting her youth on parties and spending long hours making her mark in the business world. Though thirty-seven, she never found a soul mate or had a family. Suddenly that swanky apartment in the big city didn’t feel as much like “home”.
It may hit you today or tomorrow. For many people, the thought will come when a family member dies or an era ends. You will stop and think, “Where has the time gone?” You might get a cancer diagnosis and reflect on the choices you’ve made. Your best friend gets married and for a short while you reflect on choosing vocation over family. A personal idol dies by suicide and you wonder about your own mortality or your legacy or your choices. Every one of us at some time will stop and reflect on the breadth of life.
The scripture for today contains a short prayer. It is a plea by the author of Psalm 39 for the Lord to “remind him of how brief his time on earth will be” (Psalm 39:4). It is a call upon God, who is immortal and trustworthy, to speak to the heart on how life is “fleeting”. It is a call for God to remind the author that his “days are numbered” and to be careful to see them for what they are… a precious gift.
Lucinda always wanted to find love. As a little girl, she would lie in bed and night and wonder what her life would be like She had many hopes and dreams. Sometimes, she would picture herself at an altar with a handsome man, saying their vows of marriage. At other times, she could picture herself playing with a young child in the courtyard at her church. Nowadays, her world is entirely different. She is a divorced woman with one small child. Her days are spent working at two jobs to try and eke out a living, while her parents watch over her little one. Lucinda found the man of her dreams. She married her high school sweetheart. But along the way, they “feel out of love”. They did not take the time to work at the marriage. After having her child, she spent too many hours ignoring her husband’s wants and needs. In a moment of weakness, her husband had an affair that shook their marriage to the core. They both made mistakes. Their divorce was just another mistake along the way. Now, Lucinda is possessed by regrets, angry at men, overworked and depressed. She still hasn’t realized that she also lost her relationship with God along the way.
They say that in the final brief moments before you die, that your whole life passes by in an instant. In that second, it is as if your entire existence is “uploaded” to God for the Day of Judgment. I wonder what you will see and remember? How will you feel? What regrets still linger? What hopes and dreams went unfulfilled? What happened to your relationship with God? What values did you keep? What successes made you proud? What losses brought pain?
You have today. Today, you can add to the good memories. Today, you can ask forgiveness, rekindle a relationship, say “I love you”. You have today to make changes, build good memories, offer hope and encouragement, fulfill a dream. Today is full of possibilities, depending on what you want to do with the hours you have been given. Why don’t you use today to make some needed changes? Why not say the scripture above as your own prayer? Take time to pray with God! Spend time spreading love and good cheer and building up those good memories of a life well lived!
I remember, ah I remember, so many in the parade. I have stood, as it were, at a window, even though I have also been in the procession. I recall the hearty men of my boyhood, whom I use to hear pray. They are now singing up yonder.
I remember a long parade of saints who have passed before me and have gone into glory. What a host of friends we have in the unseen world, who are “gone over to the majority.” As we grow older, they really are the majority, for our friends on earth are outnumbered by our friends in heaven.
Some of you will fondly remember loved ones who have passed away in the parade. But please remember that you also are in the parade. Though they seem to have passed before you, you have been passing along with them, and soon you will reach the vanishing point. We are all walking in the procession. We are all passing away to the land of substance and reality.
We expect good things to come. We are not inhabitants of this country; we are citizens of the New Jerusalem. We are only shipwrecked here for a while, exiled from home until the boat comes to ferry us across the stream to the land where our true possessions lie.
Life, light, love, and everything is He who has gone before. Jesus is our Forerunner to the place that He has prepared for them that love Him (John 14:2).” (C Spurgeon, Beside Still Waters, p. 354)
We spend so much of our time trying to cheat death. For some, that means ignoring the signs of aging. You might look at yourself as young even as you are getting on in years. I know people who are forty-nine years old who think and act like they are twenty-four. Some people go through a midlife crisis as they attempt to recapture their youth as it slowly ebbs away. Some look in the mirror and do not see themselves clearly, while others ignore the wrinkles and liver spots thinning hair and other signs of age. All too many people cover up the signs of aging so to not have to think about the years passing by quickly.
A young woman came home for Christmas to a big welcome. Her father hugged her, smiles covering his face. Her mother had tears in her eyes because of her joy. The young woman hadn’t been home for four years. For her Christmas vacation, the woman slept in her old bedroom. There, surrounded by trophies and posters and pictures from her youth, she was suddenly overcome with memories. Then, as she looked in the mirror on her wall, she suddenly realized how different her life turned out. When she was last in this room, she couldn’t wait to get out there and change the world. Now, she had deep regrets. She regretted wasting her youth on parties and spending long hours making her mark in the business world. Though thirty-seven, she never found a soul mate or had a family. Suddenly that swanky apartment in the big city didn’t feel as much like “home”.
It may hit you today or tomorrow. For many people, the thought will come when a family member dies or an era ends. You will stop and think, “Where has the time gone?” You might get a cancer diagnosis and reflect on the choices you’ve made. Your best friend gets married and for a short while you reflect on choosing vocation over family. A personal idol dies by suicide and you wonder about your own mortality or your legacy or your choices. Every one of us at some time will stop and reflect on the breadth of life.
The scripture for today contains a short prayer. It is a plea by the author of Psalm 39 for the Lord to “remind him of how brief his time on earth will be” (Psalm 39:4). It is a call upon God, who is immortal and trustworthy, to speak to the heart on how life is “fleeting”. It is a call for God to remind the author that his “days are numbered” and to be careful to see them for what they are… a precious gift.
Lucinda always wanted to find love. As a little girl, she would lie in bed and night and wonder what her life would be like She had many hopes and dreams. Sometimes, she would picture herself at an altar with a handsome man, saying their vows of marriage. At other times, she could picture herself playing with a young child in the courtyard at her church. Nowadays, her world is entirely different. She is a divorced woman with one small child. Her days are spent working at two jobs to try and eke out a living, while her parents watch over her little one. Lucinda found the man of her dreams. She married her high school sweetheart. But along the way, they “feel out of love”. They did not take the time to work at the marriage. After having her child, she spent too many hours ignoring her husband’s wants and needs. In a moment of weakness, her husband had an affair that shook their marriage to the core. They both made mistakes. Their divorce was just another mistake along the way. Now, Lucinda is possessed by regrets, angry at men, overworked and depressed. She still hasn’t realized that she also lost her relationship with God along the way.
They say that in the final brief moments before you die, that your whole life passes by in an instant. In that second, it is as if your entire existence is “uploaded” to God for the Day of Judgment. I wonder what you will see and remember? How will you feel? What regrets still linger? What hopes and dreams went unfulfilled? What happened to your relationship with God? What values did you keep? What successes made you proud? What losses brought pain?
You have today. Today, you can add to the good memories. Today, you can ask forgiveness, rekindle a relationship, say “I love you”. You have today to make changes, build good memories, offer hope and encouragement, fulfill a dream. Today is full of possibilities, depending on what you want to do with the hours you have been given. Why don’t you use today to make some needed changes? Why not say the scripture above as your own prayer? Take time to pray with God! Spend time spreading love and good cheer and building up those good memories of a life well lived!
December 22
“And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:8–11, ESV)
It was a quiet, cold night. The sheep were making little noise. They were huddling together to retain heat. It would be a long, routine night for those shepherds in charge of the sheep. But the routine was altered in an instant. “An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them.” (Luke 2:9). All of a sudden, it was not such a routine night. As the darkness was pierced with the glory of the Lord, an angel stood in the midst of the shepherds and the sheep. Everything changed. The Angel first told the shepherds to “fear not”. After calming them, the angel offered unto these simple men the surprise of a lifetime. The Christ, the Messiah spoken of for centuries, was coming into the world. He would be born “in the city of David”, in Bethlehem. He would be a “Savior” to all the world.
At first the shepherds were full of shock and fear. An angel visiting them? God’s glory shining brightly in the night? What was going on? But, after the news from the angel, the shepherds were inclined to leave their flocks to another and go seek out this Savior who was born in Bethlehem. The shepherds were moved from shock to awe to amazement to curiosity. God was doing a powerful thing that day. God’s angels may have surprised the shepherds, but the angels also brought “good news”. God was making miracles happen in Judea.
When God decides to enter into your life, often your reaction will be the same as those shepherds from the gospel story. First, you might respond with shock or dread. You will probably be surprised or awed. You might recoil or shake with fear. We aren’t accustomed to having God just break into our everyday life. Even though God is active in this earth, many don’t look for evidence of God’s presence or endeavor to see God’s handiwork.
After shock or surprise has passed, God will want you to understand the reason for HIS action in your life. Note in the scripture how the angel told the shepherds the reason for the dramatic entrance. The angel was to proclaim the coming of the Christ, the Savior, the Messiah. The shepherds were invited to go see the child of God in the city of David. The angel didn’t come to the shepherds that night to make a showy entrance or to inspire fear. The angel came with good news. The angel also came with an invitation for the shepherds to visit the Christ child. The angel came to share God’s plan and to encourage them to action. They needed to visit the Christ child in the city of David.
When God or God’s angel visits you, there will always be a purpose in that revelation. As with the shepherds, God will be clueing you into something needing to be done. Often, this will come with God’s plan for your action, a mission to be accomplished. God’s visit may not be accompanied by a bright light and a powerful angel who speaks clearly. God’s visit may be through the Holy Spirit giving you direction in prayer. God may speak to you through the words of someone close to you. God may nudge you in a certain direction, alter your schedule, or shake things up. One way or another, when God comes into your life, there will be a reason. AND there will be a plan of action for you to take.
St. Francis of Assisi was born in 1182 in central Italy. His father was a rich merchant. He was not a religious man and not from a very religious family. Francis felt called only to join the army. While in battle, he was captured. After he was released from captivity, Francis came to Christ and began preaching around the countryside.
What many don’t know is that Francis felt called by God do something special for Christmas one year. On December 24, 1223, Francis found a cave near Greccio, Italy, and brought in animals traditionally associated with the birth of Christ. He built a manger, arranged the hay, and finished the scene. He then asked the people around Greccio to come visit the scene. As they walked around the nativity scene, Francis would shout, “Behold Your God, a poor and helpless child, the ox and donkey beside Him. Your God is of your flesh.” This was the first recorded example of a “Living Nativity Scene” or Live Christmas Program. And it was all caused when St. Francis was inspired while praying. He told his closest friends that “Christ himself was speaking directly to him”. (Robert Morgan, On This Day). Francis was given this live nativity as a part of God’s plan for the region and as a mission from God Himself to spread the gospel to Greccio, Italy.
God has plans for your life. In crucial moments, God will come to you. Those special moments may surprise you, even shock you. However, take note. God will be visiting you for a purpose. God will have both a plan and mission for you to perform.
At first the shepherds were full of shock and fear. An angel visiting them? God’s glory shining brightly in the night? What was going on? But, after the news from the angel, the shepherds were inclined to leave their flocks to another and go seek out this Savior who was born in Bethlehem. The shepherds were moved from shock to awe to amazement to curiosity. God was doing a powerful thing that day. God’s angels may have surprised the shepherds, but the angels also brought “good news”. God was making miracles happen in Judea.
When God decides to enter into your life, often your reaction will be the same as those shepherds from the gospel story. First, you might respond with shock or dread. You will probably be surprised or awed. You might recoil or shake with fear. We aren’t accustomed to having God just break into our everyday life. Even though God is active in this earth, many don’t look for evidence of God’s presence or endeavor to see God’s handiwork.
After shock or surprise has passed, God will want you to understand the reason for HIS action in your life. Note in the scripture how the angel told the shepherds the reason for the dramatic entrance. The angel was to proclaim the coming of the Christ, the Savior, the Messiah. The shepherds were invited to go see the child of God in the city of David. The angel didn’t come to the shepherds that night to make a showy entrance or to inspire fear. The angel came with good news. The angel also came with an invitation for the shepherds to visit the Christ child. The angel came to share God’s plan and to encourage them to action. They needed to visit the Christ child in the city of David.
When God or God’s angel visits you, there will always be a purpose in that revelation. As with the shepherds, God will be clueing you into something needing to be done. Often, this will come with God’s plan for your action, a mission to be accomplished. God’s visit may not be accompanied by a bright light and a powerful angel who speaks clearly. God’s visit may be through the Holy Spirit giving you direction in prayer. God may speak to you through the words of someone close to you. God may nudge you in a certain direction, alter your schedule, or shake things up. One way or another, when God comes into your life, there will be a reason. AND there will be a plan of action for you to take.
St. Francis of Assisi was born in 1182 in central Italy. His father was a rich merchant. He was not a religious man and not from a very religious family. Francis felt called only to join the army. While in battle, he was captured. After he was released from captivity, Francis came to Christ and began preaching around the countryside.
What many don’t know is that Francis felt called by God do something special for Christmas one year. On December 24, 1223, Francis found a cave near Greccio, Italy, and brought in animals traditionally associated with the birth of Christ. He built a manger, arranged the hay, and finished the scene. He then asked the people around Greccio to come visit the scene. As they walked around the nativity scene, Francis would shout, “Behold Your God, a poor and helpless child, the ox and donkey beside Him. Your God is of your flesh.” This was the first recorded example of a “Living Nativity Scene” or Live Christmas Program. And it was all caused when St. Francis was inspired while praying. He told his closest friends that “Christ himself was speaking directly to him”. (Robert Morgan, On This Day). Francis was given this live nativity as a part of God’s plan for the region and as a mission from God Himself to spread the gospel to Greccio, Italy.
God has plans for your life. In crucial moments, God will come to you. Those special moments may surprise you, even shock you. However, take note. God will be visiting you for a purpose. God will have both a plan and mission for you to perform.
December 25
“But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, are only a small village among all the people of Judah. Yet a ruler of Israel whose origins are in the distant past, will come from you on my behalf.” (Micah 5:2, NLT)
Most scholars believe that the prophet Micah spoke some 510 years before the coming of Jesus. When Micah wrote the words from scripture included above, Jerusalem was trying ever so diligently to rebuild its walls and temple. As the people thought about all the destruction of the past war with the Babylonian Empire and all the construction needing completion, few people thought much past the next few days let alone a few years. But then there was Micah. He included a prophecy in his writings about a ruler who would arise from the “small village” of Bethlehem (Micah 5:2). This ruler would come to the people of Judah “on God’s behalf”. We know that just over five hundred years later, Mary and Joseph would travel to Bethlehem for the census (Luke 2:1). There, Jesus would be born.
Matthew even mentioned Micah 5:2 in his recollection of Jesus’ birth (in Matthew 2:6). Matthew saw Jesus’ coming as a fulfillment of Micah 5:2. In a way, Matthew reminded the Jews and Jewish Christians that long before Jesus was born, God had plans to send a Messiah, a Savior, a special ruler to Judah. That special one would come from Bethlehem. Isaiah, Zechariah, Ezekiel, Daniel, Jeremiah, and others foresaw the coming of the Messiah. Each gave a testimony that God was planning this for centuries. In a sense, God planned this all along. And God keeps His promises. God sent Jesus to fulfill a promise. In a sense, God was saying, “See, I told you I would send HIM!”. “See, I did this just like I said I would!” (Max Lucado hinted to this theme in his Christmas meditation in Grace for the Moment).
As Christmas Eve approached, I planned a special worship service. Many preparations were made. Candles were set apart for people to share that night. Decorations adorned the church entrance. A special manger scene was arranged at the front of the sanctuary. The choir prepared a special song just for communion. The elders set apart a special loaf of fresh bread and filled the glasses of wine in preparation. Then, just a few hours before the service, we had a terrific winter storm. It snowed one inch every hour. I lived very close to the church, and it was difficult to get there! The winds were horrific, up to thirty miles per hour. A “snow emergency” was declared. People were asked to refrain from travel. All throughout the hours before the service, I wondered what we would do. I was going to worship alone if I had to. I would not cancel the service on Christmas! As I waited, praying alone in the sanctuary, I heard bells and motors. I looked up to see lights dancing off the stained-glass windows. People from the congregation arrived on horseback, on snowmobiles, on big 4x4 trucks, and more. A member pushed a plow through the parking lot. With a few minutes to go, I greeted people at the door. They were covered with snowflakes; some were shivering with cold. We had a beautiful service, though only a few dozen were able to make it.
After the service, I told one elder about my worries that nobody would attend. He smiled and whispered to me, “If you remember, when we left last Sunday about a dozen of us promised that we’d make it no matter what.” And they did make it. And they brought others with them. I wondered if they’d come out in such terrible weather. I needn’t have worried. They were going to keep their promise to be there for Christmas services.
It's a beautiful thing when people fulfill a promise. It is wonderful when people not only say they’ll come through, but they actually do it with aplomb! Why do people brave such weather, overcome terrible difficulties to come to worship? Because they want to spend time with God! They also do it knowing that God always keeps His promises, too!
Long before Jesus came into the world, God the Father let the prophets know that the Messiah was coming. Then, Jesus came. The Son of God was sent just as promised. It was God’s way of saying, “See, I did this just like I said I would!”
When people come through for God, we are just following God’s example. When you keep a promise, you are acting faithfully. When you follow through on your word, others can see your trustworthiness. You keep your promises. You can be trusted. You are faithful.
Someday, you will face death. One thing that will bring ultimate comfort is the knowledge that God keeps His promises. God promised to send prophets, and HE did. God promised to send Jesus, and HE did. God promised to free us from sin on the cross, and HE does. God raised Jesus to eternal life as a promise of resurrection. God keeps His promises. HE does things just like HE said HE would! You can bank on the promises of God. Like the angels told the shepherd when Jesus was born, “Do not fear!” God is taking care of things all around you this Christmas. Why not follow through on your promises, be trustworthy, and set an example of faith for others to see! God has done this already for you!
Matthew even mentioned Micah 5:2 in his recollection of Jesus’ birth (in Matthew 2:6). Matthew saw Jesus’ coming as a fulfillment of Micah 5:2. In a way, Matthew reminded the Jews and Jewish Christians that long before Jesus was born, God had plans to send a Messiah, a Savior, a special ruler to Judah. That special one would come from Bethlehem. Isaiah, Zechariah, Ezekiel, Daniel, Jeremiah, and others foresaw the coming of the Messiah. Each gave a testimony that God was planning this for centuries. In a sense, God planned this all along. And God keeps His promises. God sent Jesus to fulfill a promise. In a sense, God was saying, “See, I told you I would send HIM!”. “See, I did this just like I said I would!” (Max Lucado hinted to this theme in his Christmas meditation in Grace for the Moment).
As Christmas Eve approached, I planned a special worship service. Many preparations were made. Candles were set apart for people to share that night. Decorations adorned the church entrance. A special manger scene was arranged at the front of the sanctuary. The choir prepared a special song just for communion. The elders set apart a special loaf of fresh bread and filled the glasses of wine in preparation. Then, just a few hours before the service, we had a terrific winter storm. It snowed one inch every hour. I lived very close to the church, and it was difficult to get there! The winds were horrific, up to thirty miles per hour. A “snow emergency” was declared. People were asked to refrain from travel. All throughout the hours before the service, I wondered what we would do. I was going to worship alone if I had to. I would not cancel the service on Christmas! As I waited, praying alone in the sanctuary, I heard bells and motors. I looked up to see lights dancing off the stained-glass windows. People from the congregation arrived on horseback, on snowmobiles, on big 4x4 trucks, and more. A member pushed a plow through the parking lot. With a few minutes to go, I greeted people at the door. They were covered with snowflakes; some were shivering with cold. We had a beautiful service, though only a few dozen were able to make it.
After the service, I told one elder about my worries that nobody would attend. He smiled and whispered to me, “If you remember, when we left last Sunday about a dozen of us promised that we’d make it no matter what.” And they did make it. And they brought others with them. I wondered if they’d come out in such terrible weather. I needn’t have worried. They were going to keep their promise to be there for Christmas services.
It's a beautiful thing when people fulfill a promise. It is wonderful when people not only say they’ll come through, but they actually do it with aplomb! Why do people brave such weather, overcome terrible difficulties to come to worship? Because they want to spend time with God! They also do it knowing that God always keeps His promises, too!
Long before Jesus came into the world, God the Father let the prophets know that the Messiah was coming. Then, Jesus came. The Son of God was sent just as promised. It was God’s way of saying, “See, I did this just like I said I would!”
When people come through for God, we are just following God’s example. When you keep a promise, you are acting faithfully. When you follow through on your word, others can see your trustworthiness. You keep your promises. You can be trusted. You are faithful.
Someday, you will face death. One thing that will bring ultimate comfort is the knowledge that God keeps His promises. God promised to send prophets, and HE did. God promised to send Jesus, and HE did. God promised to free us from sin on the cross, and HE does. God raised Jesus to eternal life as a promise of resurrection. God keeps His promises. HE does things just like HE said HE would! You can bank on the promises of God. Like the angels told the shepherd when Jesus was born, “Do not fear!” God is taking care of things all around you this Christmas. Why not follow through on your promises, be trustworthy, and set an example of faith for others to see! God has done this already for you!
December 27
“These people are false apostles. They are deceitful workers who disguise themselves as apostles of Christ. But I am not surprised! Even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no wonder that his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. In the end they will get the punishment their wicked deeds deserve.” (2 Corinthians 11:13–15, NLT)
A few decades ago, I learned about a pastor who had a terrible history. The guy was warm and compassionate. He came across as loving and caring. However, this was his “hook”. This is how he manipulated others. Being so easy to trust, members of his congregation came to him when things went wrong. They were on his doorstep when a death came to the family. Parishioners were lining up at his office door to talk as he finished leading worship. The pastor had a smile that made people trust him, and a demeanor that said, “you can lean on me.” However, after a couple of years, rumors began to spread in his church, rumors of improprieties. When the pastor left suddenly after only three years, fights broke out in the congregation. There were those who loved and cherished this warm and loving pastor, and there were those who hated him vehemently. The reason why some hated him? He had affairs with multiple women in the congregation. They came to him for marriage counseling and were seduced. The women trusted him. Instead, he manipulated them for sexual favors. Some of the women he cheated with believed he really loved them. Only a couple of the women he seduced knew about the other women until after he left. Then, other women came forward to mention other affairs. One woman who was seduced called him, “The handsome pastor who brought evil with a smile.” So egregious were his sins that a book was written about the damage he caused to so many. The book is well known by those who advocate against clergy abuses.
You might hear about false apostles in the stories from the news. A priest was arrested for sexual assault of a child. A raid in a hotel the city netted a pastor who was seeing a prostitute. A church member faces charges after it is found that she stole money from a charity of her own congregation. A church leader is stripped of appointments when it is discovered that he was manipulating church contracts for personal gain. Very few church leaders are corrupt, yet the news often paints a picture of churches rife with cheaters and pedophiles and worse. While this is far from true, there are church people who cannot be trusted. They are described in the scripture for today as “false apostles” and “deceitful workers” who masquerade as faithful people. It is important you keep on guard against them.
Paul wrote two or three or more letters to the Corinthian church. Scholars are split on how many letters Paul wrote to this church. What we do know is that at least two survive in our Bible (probably three, though I will not get in that here!). Paul’s intent in writing these letters was to correct problems that arose in the Corinthian church such as people coming to worship drunk, prideful sins among the faithful, issues with giving, and problems with church function. The Corinthian church was problematic for Paul. However, what especially worried Paul were church leaders “who disguised themselves as apostles of Christ” (2 Corinthians 11:13). These “false apostles” would lead people astray. They would promote themselves, their causes, and their ministry all the while causing disarray and mistrust in the church. These false apostles often caused heresies and sinful ideas to be practiced in the church. Paul was constantly fighting their influence in Corinth and other places.
Have you ever witnessed at work a person who was given a position of power but was not qualified for that position or used that position for personal gain? Often, these people will cause dissention and fights among other workers. Good people will often be singled out and slighted. Their “toadies” will be promoted and praised and given perks and raises that are unjustified and undeserved. In the church, these false leaders can be spiritually deadly. All the while causing dissentions and church fights, they will promote and bless their loyal followers while causing true people of faith to be cast aside, thrown out of the church, or castigated in the community.
False people of faith have been among the faithful ever since the beginning of humankind. Moses dealt with doubters and schemers like Korah and Abiram. Even Aaron and Miriam were turned against Moses at one point. Behind all of the evil scheming is Satan. Paul explained in 2 Corinthians 11:14 that Satan even “disguises himself as and angel of light”. Those who are false apostles follow Satan’s example, acting “righteous” while practicing their evil. In the end, they will be punished for their wickedness (2 Corinthians 11:15). God will not allow their evil to endure forever.
Satan is so good at disguising his evil, that many people are seduced by his actions. Adam and Eve were only the first to be seduced by him (Genesis 2). Many have been drawn into evil by Satan’s manipulations and by those who manipulate others for evil purposes. You might even be deceived by one of these false apostles for a time. They are very convincing. Their lies are particularly believable.
Because God will punish their wickedness, and because God will oppose them, you may notice these false apostles by the lies they tell. Look for their evil inconsistencies. Look for them to hide things. Isn’t Satan good at hiding the truth and playing with lies? Isn’t Satan called the “father of lies” in the gospel of John? I have found that these false apostles always believe a lie, and it manifests itself in everything they do. If you can find the lie they believe, it will expose their heresy.
Sadly, in the pursuit to find the truth and keep from the error of false apostles, many good and faithful leaders have been wrongly accused. That’s why you will often hear liars in the world calling others “racists and misogynists” in worldly tirades. Instead of dealing with the truth, worldly liars often will use name-calling and race-baiting in order to taint the reputation of good people. Its just one of the ways they manipulate the sheep, these wolves in sheep’s clothing.
In the same way that politicians use social media to promote their lies and agendas, false apostles will be very good at using social means to secure their own power. They will manipulate courts and ecclesiastical councils and other followers to do their dirty work, while they weave their web of lies. In the end, they will find hell waiting for them, for all the evil they promoted and the harm to the truly faithful.
Don’t delude yourself into thinking you are immune to believing a lie or trusting the wrong person. Even in this moment, evil forces outside and inside the church are seeking to manipulate your heart, soul, and mind. Satan doesn’t sleep. Evil always lies in wait.
I have found the Holy Spirit is a wonderful resource given to the truly faithful to root out evil. If you feel the Holy Spirit warning you that something is wrong, don’t ignore that uncomfortable spiritual feeling. On the other hand, be wary of Satan’s spiritual manipulations. You and those around you might be so enamored by a lie promulgated greatly in social media and the culture that you might have no idea you are being manipulated by evil until its too late. For example, those who have believed the lies surrounding the Covid-19 vaccine, those who trusted the government and the CDC, those who trusted Big Pharma to save them from this Wuhan virus may be in for a rude awakening when the truth comes out.
I am not perfect. I too have listened to the wrong voices and followed the wrong teachers. I too have been seduced by Satan’s lies. The older I get, the more I realize how good Satan is at lying and how evil are the manipulations in this world. Let the scripture for today be your warning that false apostles will be found inside and outside holy halls. Don’t be seduced by their lies. Trust in the God’s truth. Seek wisdom. Reject lies and liars. Listen to the Holy Spirit.
You might hear about false apostles in the stories from the news. A priest was arrested for sexual assault of a child. A raid in a hotel the city netted a pastor who was seeing a prostitute. A church member faces charges after it is found that she stole money from a charity of her own congregation. A church leader is stripped of appointments when it is discovered that he was manipulating church contracts for personal gain. Very few church leaders are corrupt, yet the news often paints a picture of churches rife with cheaters and pedophiles and worse. While this is far from true, there are church people who cannot be trusted. They are described in the scripture for today as “false apostles” and “deceitful workers” who masquerade as faithful people. It is important you keep on guard against them.
Paul wrote two or three or more letters to the Corinthian church. Scholars are split on how many letters Paul wrote to this church. What we do know is that at least two survive in our Bible (probably three, though I will not get in that here!). Paul’s intent in writing these letters was to correct problems that arose in the Corinthian church such as people coming to worship drunk, prideful sins among the faithful, issues with giving, and problems with church function. The Corinthian church was problematic for Paul. However, what especially worried Paul were church leaders “who disguised themselves as apostles of Christ” (2 Corinthians 11:13). These “false apostles” would lead people astray. They would promote themselves, their causes, and their ministry all the while causing disarray and mistrust in the church. These false apostles often caused heresies and sinful ideas to be practiced in the church. Paul was constantly fighting their influence in Corinth and other places.
Have you ever witnessed at work a person who was given a position of power but was not qualified for that position or used that position for personal gain? Often, these people will cause dissention and fights among other workers. Good people will often be singled out and slighted. Their “toadies” will be promoted and praised and given perks and raises that are unjustified and undeserved. In the church, these false leaders can be spiritually deadly. All the while causing dissentions and church fights, they will promote and bless their loyal followers while causing true people of faith to be cast aside, thrown out of the church, or castigated in the community.
False people of faith have been among the faithful ever since the beginning of humankind. Moses dealt with doubters and schemers like Korah and Abiram. Even Aaron and Miriam were turned against Moses at one point. Behind all of the evil scheming is Satan. Paul explained in 2 Corinthians 11:14 that Satan even “disguises himself as and angel of light”. Those who are false apostles follow Satan’s example, acting “righteous” while practicing their evil. In the end, they will be punished for their wickedness (2 Corinthians 11:15). God will not allow their evil to endure forever.
Satan is so good at disguising his evil, that many people are seduced by his actions. Adam and Eve were only the first to be seduced by him (Genesis 2). Many have been drawn into evil by Satan’s manipulations and by those who manipulate others for evil purposes. You might even be deceived by one of these false apostles for a time. They are very convincing. Their lies are particularly believable.
Because God will punish their wickedness, and because God will oppose them, you may notice these false apostles by the lies they tell. Look for their evil inconsistencies. Look for them to hide things. Isn’t Satan good at hiding the truth and playing with lies? Isn’t Satan called the “father of lies” in the gospel of John? I have found that these false apostles always believe a lie, and it manifests itself in everything they do. If you can find the lie they believe, it will expose their heresy.
Sadly, in the pursuit to find the truth and keep from the error of false apostles, many good and faithful leaders have been wrongly accused. That’s why you will often hear liars in the world calling others “racists and misogynists” in worldly tirades. Instead of dealing with the truth, worldly liars often will use name-calling and race-baiting in order to taint the reputation of good people. Its just one of the ways they manipulate the sheep, these wolves in sheep’s clothing.
In the same way that politicians use social media to promote their lies and agendas, false apostles will be very good at using social means to secure their own power. They will manipulate courts and ecclesiastical councils and other followers to do their dirty work, while they weave their web of lies. In the end, they will find hell waiting for them, for all the evil they promoted and the harm to the truly faithful.
Don’t delude yourself into thinking you are immune to believing a lie or trusting the wrong person. Even in this moment, evil forces outside and inside the church are seeking to manipulate your heart, soul, and mind. Satan doesn’t sleep. Evil always lies in wait.
I have found the Holy Spirit is a wonderful resource given to the truly faithful to root out evil. If you feel the Holy Spirit warning you that something is wrong, don’t ignore that uncomfortable spiritual feeling. On the other hand, be wary of Satan’s spiritual manipulations. You and those around you might be so enamored by a lie promulgated greatly in social media and the culture that you might have no idea you are being manipulated by evil until its too late. For example, those who have believed the lies surrounding the Covid-19 vaccine, those who trusted the government and the CDC, those who trusted Big Pharma to save them from this Wuhan virus may be in for a rude awakening when the truth comes out.
I am not perfect. I too have listened to the wrong voices and followed the wrong teachers. I too have been seduced by Satan’s lies. The older I get, the more I realize how good Satan is at lying and how evil are the manipulations in this world. Let the scripture for today be your warning that false apostles will be found inside and outside holy halls. Don’t be seduced by their lies. Trust in the God’s truth. Seek wisdom. Reject lies and liars. Listen to the Holy Spirit.
December 30
“For the Lamb on the throne will be their Shepherd. He will lead them to springs of life-giving water. And God will wipe every tear from their eyes.”” (Revelation 7:17, NLT)
Scholars call them “lachrymatory bottles”, and they may be older than 400 BC. You may have never heard of the name nor seen one. However, in ancient times, these bottles were not uncommon. They are “tear bottles”. In ancient times, when women suffered the death of a husband or saw a loved one off to war, they would cry into a “tear bottle”. During the 1860’s, wives are said to have saved their tears in these bottles after their husbands left for the Civil War. The more tears in the bottle, the more love they had for the soldier. The more tears in the bottle, the more love that was shed over the loss. The bottles represented the respect and sorrow given for the dead or gone. The bottles were corked to prevent the tears from evaporating. Still, the tears did evaporate with time. It is said that in time all tears would inevitably dry up in the bottles. Then, it was believed, the woman would be able to move beyond her grief and learn to live again.
Tears are a human way of expressing hurt, pain, loss, and so many more emotions. They even may be shed when a person is elated or excited. Tears are a sign that you are interacting with your environment, engaged with others, feeling sympathy or love or joy. A person who is heartless often sheds no tears. A person who is evil will not be touched by the tears or crying or hurt of another. Some who are evil even enjoy the tears of the suffering.
Our God is not in any way evil. Jesus was known to be compassionate, even weeping at the death of His close friend, Lazarus (John 11:35). Scripture notes that God was sad, hurting, and full of sorrow at various times in history. God was moved by the tears of the innocent, by the suffering of widows and orphans, and by the hurts of life. It was once recorded by a wise sage that a truly compassionate person cannot stop tears from flowing at the suffering of another. A compassionate person is moved to comfort the hurting and afflicted. An evil person could care less.
The scripture for today describes the compassion of Jesus in full display. From Revelation 7:17, we are told that while Jesus is in Heaven, He will care deeply about what happens to the faithful who are hurting from evil in the world. Here in today’s verse God’s choice will be to “wipe away every tear from their eyes.” Jesus’ compassion comes through. God’s love for the true and faithful is legendary. The tears of the innocent bring action from God’s soft heart.
“Alexander McLaren said, “You tell me the depth of a Christian’s compassion, and I will tell you the measure of his usefulness.” How deep does your compassion go? God is looking for such people.
How does it affect you, knowing there are many people who do not know Christ, knowing they are basically on their way to a certain judgment? Does it move you? Until you are moved in the depths of your soul, you will not be moved to take any action.
Nehemiah was a man in a position of great influence and power as he served under the king. He was not a preacher or priest or scribe. He was what we might call a layman today. But Nehemiah loved God. One day, someone told him about the plight of the Jews and how the city of Jerusalem was now lying in ruins. Nehemiah began to weep and pray and say, “Lord, what can I do about this problem?” After his weeping came working. After his despair came determination. The devastation of Jerusalem touched him, and he wanted to do something about it. So he prayed and he devised a plan. Then that plan began to unfold.” (Greg Laurie, from www.Harvest.org).
The suffering and tears of the people in Jerusalem after war drove Nehemiah to action. The death of Lazarus moved Jesus to raise Lazarus from the dead. The suffering and dying of innocent people of faith will move God during the last times of Revelation. The God of the Old and New Testaments is emboldened to action by the tears of the innocent suffering. Shouldn’t the tears of others who suffer move you to action as well? Even when a person is suffering because of their own mistakes, it will affect you. All suffering touches the compassionate.
Charles Spurgeon preached the following words: “What Christian among you lives without occasional difficulty and serious losses? Are there no crosses at home? Are there no troubles abroad? Can you travel from the first of January to the last of December without feeling the weariness of the way?
No ship can navigate the Atlantic of earth without meeting with storms … If Jesus wept (John 11:35), do not expect that you will be without tears of bereavement. Parents will go before us; infants will be taken, and brothers and sisters will fall before the scythe of death.
You cannot, dear friend, travel the wilderness of this world without discovering that thorns and thistles grow in it. Step as you may, your feet must sometimes feel the power of the thorn to wound. We may forget to laugh, but we will always know how to weep.
The surest method of getting rid of present tears is communion and fellowship with God. When I can creep under the wing of my dear God and nestle close to His bosom, let the world say what it will, let the devil roar as he pleases. I am safe, content, happy, peaceful, and rejoicing.” (p. 364, Beside Still Waters)
In this moment, God desires to dry your tears. It is God’s compassionate wish that there be no suffering. Satan brought suffering into this world. God will end suffering in it. Until that day comes, look for God to ease your pain and encircle you with everlasting arms of love. I bet if you take the time to close your eyes in prayer right now, you will very soon feel those Heavenly Arms of Love reaching for you. God will come to dry your tears. It’s only a matter of time.
Tears are a human way of expressing hurt, pain, loss, and so many more emotions. They even may be shed when a person is elated or excited. Tears are a sign that you are interacting with your environment, engaged with others, feeling sympathy or love or joy. A person who is heartless often sheds no tears. A person who is evil will not be touched by the tears or crying or hurt of another. Some who are evil even enjoy the tears of the suffering.
Our God is not in any way evil. Jesus was known to be compassionate, even weeping at the death of His close friend, Lazarus (John 11:35). Scripture notes that God was sad, hurting, and full of sorrow at various times in history. God was moved by the tears of the innocent, by the suffering of widows and orphans, and by the hurts of life. It was once recorded by a wise sage that a truly compassionate person cannot stop tears from flowing at the suffering of another. A compassionate person is moved to comfort the hurting and afflicted. An evil person could care less.
The scripture for today describes the compassion of Jesus in full display. From Revelation 7:17, we are told that while Jesus is in Heaven, He will care deeply about what happens to the faithful who are hurting from evil in the world. Here in today’s verse God’s choice will be to “wipe away every tear from their eyes.” Jesus’ compassion comes through. God’s love for the true and faithful is legendary. The tears of the innocent bring action from God’s soft heart.
“Alexander McLaren said, “You tell me the depth of a Christian’s compassion, and I will tell you the measure of his usefulness.” How deep does your compassion go? God is looking for such people.
How does it affect you, knowing there are many people who do not know Christ, knowing they are basically on their way to a certain judgment? Does it move you? Until you are moved in the depths of your soul, you will not be moved to take any action.
Nehemiah was a man in a position of great influence and power as he served under the king. He was not a preacher or priest or scribe. He was what we might call a layman today. But Nehemiah loved God. One day, someone told him about the plight of the Jews and how the city of Jerusalem was now lying in ruins. Nehemiah began to weep and pray and say, “Lord, what can I do about this problem?” After his weeping came working. After his despair came determination. The devastation of Jerusalem touched him, and he wanted to do something about it. So he prayed and he devised a plan. Then that plan began to unfold.” (Greg Laurie, from www.Harvest.org).
The suffering and tears of the people in Jerusalem after war drove Nehemiah to action. The death of Lazarus moved Jesus to raise Lazarus from the dead. The suffering and dying of innocent people of faith will move God during the last times of Revelation. The God of the Old and New Testaments is emboldened to action by the tears of the innocent suffering. Shouldn’t the tears of others who suffer move you to action as well? Even when a person is suffering because of their own mistakes, it will affect you. All suffering touches the compassionate.
Charles Spurgeon preached the following words: “What Christian among you lives without occasional difficulty and serious losses? Are there no crosses at home? Are there no troubles abroad? Can you travel from the first of January to the last of December without feeling the weariness of the way?
No ship can navigate the Atlantic of earth without meeting with storms … If Jesus wept (John 11:35), do not expect that you will be without tears of bereavement. Parents will go before us; infants will be taken, and brothers and sisters will fall before the scythe of death.
You cannot, dear friend, travel the wilderness of this world without discovering that thorns and thistles grow in it. Step as you may, your feet must sometimes feel the power of the thorn to wound. We may forget to laugh, but we will always know how to weep.
The surest method of getting rid of present tears is communion and fellowship with God. When I can creep under the wing of my dear God and nestle close to His bosom, let the world say what it will, let the devil roar as he pleases. I am safe, content, happy, peaceful, and rejoicing.” (p. 364, Beside Still Waters)
In this moment, God desires to dry your tears. It is God’s compassionate wish that there be no suffering. Satan brought suffering into this world. God will end suffering in it. Until that day comes, look for God to ease your pain and encircle you with everlasting arms of love. I bet if you take the time to close your eyes in prayer right now, you will very soon feel those Heavenly Arms of Love reaching for you. God will come to dry your tears. It’s only a matter of time.