July 1
“By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence. And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires.” (2 Peter 1:3–4, NLT)
Drew Anderson once wrote in The Reader's Digest, “While my wife and I were shopping at a mall kiosk, a shapely young woman in a short, form-fitting dress strolled by. My eyes followed her. Without looking up from the item she was examining, my wife asked, "Was it worth the trouble you're in?"
There are many temptations in the world. Some temptations come in form-fitting dresses. Some are in the form of pills or bottles or syringes. Some are found in a bank or office building. Every human being deals with these temptations, often on a daily basis. Your mind or body might crave them. You might enjoy one for a time. But temptations have a way of corrupting or skewing your reality. If a temptation is too strong, it can take control over all your other emotions. It can capture your attention on a more permanent basis. It can take on such importance that other things you value in life take a back seat to that enticement. Be wary of temptations. They can destroy you. Don’t get caught up in an emotional attachment to things of this world. It’s all too easy to be manipulated or controlled by a worldly vice.
Rev. Charles Spurgeon once taught, "There was once a tyrant who summoned one of his subjects into his presence and ordered him to make a chain. The poor blacksmith -- that was his occupation -- had to go to work and forge the chain. When it was done, he brought it into the presence of the tyrant, and was ordered to take it away and make it twice the length. He brought it again to the tyrant, and again he was ordered to double it. Back he came when he had obeyed the order, and the tyrant looked at it, and then commanded the servants to bind the man hand and foot with the chain he had made and cast him into prison.
That is what the devil does with men; he makes them forge their own chain, and then binds them hand and foot with it, and casts them into outer darkness.
My friends, that is just what drunkards, gamblers, blasphemers -- that is just what every sinner is doing. But thank God, we can tell them of a deliverer. The Son of God has power to break every one of their fetters if they will only come to Him.” (pp. 48-49, Moody’s Anecdotes)
In this parable by Rev. Spurgeon, the blacksmith was bound by his own chain. That’s what temptations will do to you, if you let them have their way. These passions will take control over your life, stealing away your choices and hopes, capturing your thoughts and emotions and future.
In the scripture for today written by the Apostle Peter, you are warned to “escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires” (2 Peter 1:4). The writer of these verses argues that by “knowing God”, a person will be given a “godly life” (1 Peter 1:3). Empowered by a relationship with God, you can escape the temptations of this world and enjoy God’s “great and precious promises”. It is very difficult to escape the corruption of your life without God.
If you check into a Betty Ford Addiction Recovery Program, you will be taught that there are basic steps that a person needs to go through in order to combat addiction. The first three steps relate directly to our scripture for today. These steps state that 1) an alcoholic is powerless in the face of alcohol; 2) needs a greater power to restore balance and regain control of life; and 3) needs to trust in God, turning one’s life over to Him, in order to defeat insatiable destruction. Long before the steps were written for the Betty Ford Centers, the Apostle Peter was saying the same things. He wasn’t writing about alcohol addiction, per se, but instead writing about any temptation that can take over your life. God is the best place to start when facing the temptations of your life. God can help you regain some control and true peace in your life.
Is there something that is getting a little out of control in your life? Is there a passion or addiction that threatens your calm? Move closer to God when life starts losing its balance or when temptations pummel your heart and soul. You will find the greatest comfort and peace when resting in heavenly arms!
There are many temptations in the world. Some temptations come in form-fitting dresses. Some are in the form of pills or bottles or syringes. Some are found in a bank or office building. Every human being deals with these temptations, often on a daily basis. Your mind or body might crave them. You might enjoy one for a time. But temptations have a way of corrupting or skewing your reality. If a temptation is too strong, it can take control over all your other emotions. It can capture your attention on a more permanent basis. It can take on such importance that other things you value in life take a back seat to that enticement. Be wary of temptations. They can destroy you. Don’t get caught up in an emotional attachment to things of this world. It’s all too easy to be manipulated or controlled by a worldly vice.
Rev. Charles Spurgeon once taught, "There was once a tyrant who summoned one of his subjects into his presence and ordered him to make a chain. The poor blacksmith -- that was his occupation -- had to go to work and forge the chain. When it was done, he brought it into the presence of the tyrant, and was ordered to take it away and make it twice the length. He brought it again to the tyrant, and again he was ordered to double it. Back he came when he had obeyed the order, and the tyrant looked at it, and then commanded the servants to bind the man hand and foot with the chain he had made and cast him into prison.
That is what the devil does with men; he makes them forge their own chain, and then binds them hand and foot with it, and casts them into outer darkness.
My friends, that is just what drunkards, gamblers, blasphemers -- that is just what every sinner is doing. But thank God, we can tell them of a deliverer. The Son of God has power to break every one of their fetters if they will only come to Him.” (pp. 48-49, Moody’s Anecdotes)
In this parable by Rev. Spurgeon, the blacksmith was bound by his own chain. That’s what temptations will do to you, if you let them have their way. These passions will take control over your life, stealing away your choices and hopes, capturing your thoughts and emotions and future.
In the scripture for today written by the Apostle Peter, you are warned to “escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires” (2 Peter 1:4). The writer of these verses argues that by “knowing God”, a person will be given a “godly life” (1 Peter 1:3). Empowered by a relationship with God, you can escape the temptations of this world and enjoy God’s “great and precious promises”. It is very difficult to escape the corruption of your life without God.
If you check into a Betty Ford Addiction Recovery Program, you will be taught that there are basic steps that a person needs to go through in order to combat addiction. The first three steps relate directly to our scripture for today. These steps state that 1) an alcoholic is powerless in the face of alcohol; 2) needs a greater power to restore balance and regain control of life; and 3) needs to trust in God, turning one’s life over to Him, in order to defeat insatiable destruction. Long before the steps were written for the Betty Ford Centers, the Apostle Peter was saying the same things. He wasn’t writing about alcohol addiction, per se, but instead writing about any temptation that can take over your life. God is the best place to start when facing the temptations of your life. God can help you regain some control and true peace in your life.
Is there something that is getting a little out of control in your life? Is there a passion or addiction that threatens your calm? Move closer to God when life starts losing its balance or when temptations pummel your heart and soul. You will find the greatest comfort and peace when resting in heavenly arms!
July 4
“God is faithful; by him you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.” (1 Corinthians 1:9, NRSV)
“A little boy was eagerly looking forward to the birthday party of a friend who lived only a few blocks away. When the day finally arrived, a blizzard made the sidewalks and roads nearly impassable. The lad’s father, sensing the danger, hesitated to let his son go. The youngster reacted tearfully. “But Dad,” he pleaded, “all the other kids will be there. Their parents are letting them go.” The father thought for a moment, then replied softly, “All right, you may go.” Surprised but overjoyed, the boy bundled up and plunged into the raging storm. The driving snow made visibility almost impossible, and it took him more than half an hour to trudge the short distance to the party. As he rang the doorbell, he turned briefly to look out into the storm. His eye caught the shadow of a retreating figure. It was his father. He had followed his son’s every step to make sure he arrived safely.” (10,000 Sermon Illustrations)
Just as the father in the story above remained faithful to his son all along the dangerous path of the storm, God remains faithful in all the ways he watches over your life in this dangerous world. You are often told how you must be faithful. Being a faithful follower of Jesus Christ is one of the central tenets of the New Testament. However, we often forget that the same God who calls you to be faithful is also faithful. Faithfulness is part of God’s character. God expects you to be faithful but shows you how to be faithful through HIS own decisions and actions.
In the scripture for today, Paul included three very important words: “God is faithful”. These words are a description of God’s character and a defining foundation of your relationship. Even when you falter and fail and sin, God is still faithful. That is why a person can give up a life of sin and become a believer. God faithfully accepts the repentant sinner. It is in God’s basic beliefs to do so. When you are wavering on a decision, God is still faithful. Though you might wander from the path of righteousness, God is still faithful. When the truly faithful need God, God will be faithfully present.
How faithful are you in response to our faithful God? Can God rely on your faith to be strong when others have a faith that is weak or nonexistent? There are many ways to be faithful. Let me give you examples. When your teenage daughter is upset and declares she hates you, your faithfulness will show as you return her hatred with love. When a friend fails to remember a lunch date, faithfulness to God will require you do not take it out on that friend later. If your church becomes embroiled in a problematic situation, the faithful Christian will follow God’s direction in his or her response. When your emotions are pulling you to do something rash or to lash out, your faith should keep your response grounded in the grace of God. There are billions of ways to be faithful and billions of situations in which your faith could be tested. My only hope is that you will prove faithful just like your Father in Heaven.
“One of the most tragic events during the Reagan Presidency was the Sunday morning terrorist bombing of the Marine barracks in Beirut, in which hundreds of Americans were killed or wounded as they slept. Many of us can still recall the terrible scenes as the dazed survivors worked to dig out their trapped brothers from beneath the rubble.
A few days after the tragedy, I recall coming across an extraordinary story. Marine Corps Commandant Paul X Kelly, visited some of the wounded survivors then in a Frankfurt, Germany, hospital. Among them was Corporal Jeffrey Lee Nashton, severely wounded in the incident. Nashton had so many tubes running in and out of his body that a witness said he looked more like a machine than a man; yet he survived.
As Kelly neared him, Nashton, struggling to move and racked with pain, motioned for a piece of paper and a pen. He wrote a brief note and passed it back to the Commandant. On the slip of paper were but two words -- "Semper Fi", the Latin motto of the Marines meaning "forever faithful." With those two simple words Nashton spoke for the millions of Americans who have sacrificed body and limb and their lives for their country -- those who have remained faithful.” (J. Dobson and Gary Bauer, Children at Risk, pp. 187-188)
As we near the 4th of July celebrations in America, I hope you remember those leaders of our country who were faithful to independence. I hope you embrace the memory of those soldiers who remained faithfully at their posts during battle. I hope you remember the faithful parents who brought up children with respect and honor. Most of all, I hope you remember to be faithful to God in all that you do. Others are watching your actions. Can they see your faith in God?
Just as the father in the story above remained faithful to his son all along the dangerous path of the storm, God remains faithful in all the ways he watches over your life in this dangerous world. You are often told how you must be faithful. Being a faithful follower of Jesus Christ is one of the central tenets of the New Testament. However, we often forget that the same God who calls you to be faithful is also faithful. Faithfulness is part of God’s character. God expects you to be faithful but shows you how to be faithful through HIS own decisions and actions.
In the scripture for today, Paul included three very important words: “God is faithful”. These words are a description of God’s character and a defining foundation of your relationship. Even when you falter and fail and sin, God is still faithful. That is why a person can give up a life of sin and become a believer. God faithfully accepts the repentant sinner. It is in God’s basic beliefs to do so. When you are wavering on a decision, God is still faithful. Though you might wander from the path of righteousness, God is still faithful. When the truly faithful need God, God will be faithfully present.
How faithful are you in response to our faithful God? Can God rely on your faith to be strong when others have a faith that is weak or nonexistent? There are many ways to be faithful. Let me give you examples. When your teenage daughter is upset and declares she hates you, your faithfulness will show as you return her hatred with love. When a friend fails to remember a lunch date, faithfulness to God will require you do not take it out on that friend later. If your church becomes embroiled in a problematic situation, the faithful Christian will follow God’s direction in his or her response. When your emotions are pulling you to do something rash or to lash out, your faith should keep your response grounded in the grace of God. There are billions of ways to be faithful and billions of situations in which your faith could be tested. My only hope is that you will prove faithful just like your Father in Heaven.
“One of the most tragic events during the Reagan Presidency was the Sunday morning terrorist bombing of the Marine barracks in Beirut, in which hundreds of Americans were killed or wounded as they slept. Many of us can still recall the terrible scenes as the dazed survivors worked to dig out their trapped brothers from beneath the rubble.
A few days after the tragedy, I recall coming across an extraordinary story. Marine Corps Commandant Paul X Kelly, visited some of the wounded survivors then in a Frankfurt, Germany, hospital. Among them was Corporal Jeffrey Lee Nashton, severely wounded in the incident. Nashton had so many tubes running in and out of his body that a witness said he looked more like a machine than a man; yet he survived.
As Kelly neared him, Nashton, struggling to move and racked with pain, motioned for a piece of paper and a pen. He wrote a brief note and passed it back to the Commandant. On the slip of paper were but two words -- "Semper Fi", the Latin motto of the Marines meaning "forever faithful." With those two simple words Nashton spoke for the millions of Americans who have sacrificed body and limb and their lives for their country -- those who have remained faithful.” (J. Dobson and Gary Bauer, Children at Risk, pp. 187-188)
As we near the 4th of July celebrations in America, I hope you remember those leaders of our country who were faithful to independence. I hope you embrace the memory of those soldiers who remained faithfully at their posts during battle. I hope you remember the faithful parents who brought up children with respect and honor. Most of all, I hope you remember to be faithful to God in all that you do. Others are watching your actions. Can they see your faith in God?
July 6
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding;” (Proverbs 3:5, NKJV)
As I stopped by to visit a woman in the nursing home, I knew her time on this earth was short. Her breathing had become very rough and unsteady. Her coma had deepened. For more than eight years, she had been in that nursing home. Her body had become her prison. Disease had stolen her ability to walk, talk, and much more. Now, her body was finally giving out. The woman had been a strong Christian and a wonderful parent and friend. I prayed with her, then rose to leave when her daughter walked in. After a few moments to catch up, the daughter told me, “I can’t wait until mother dies. It’s been a long time coming. She has a much better place to go.”
Upon walking out of that room, a nurse’s aide backed up. She had overheard the conversation and did not enter the room. I had bumped into her upon leaving. I closed the door behind me as she backed up. I could see she wanted to say something. After asking forgiveness for running into me at the door, she asked me in a whisper, “Isn’t that terrible to want a mother to die?” My whispered response was quick, “Not at all. The woman has been suffering for years and has a much better home to go to in heaven. She’s going to love it there!”
The nurse’s aide was shocked at my attitude. She thought I’d side with her and not want the daughter to say such things like wishing her mother would die. I, on the other hand, knew the situation. This dying woman had long lived a life of a faithful Christian. She knew all about heaven. She longed to escape her suffering and finally, finally, finally be united with her Lord who was waiting for her. Though Christians believe in the sanctity of life and in the sinfulness of murder, I longed for this suffering woman to die. I prayed for it. This seems to be a contradiction for many people, but it’s not. Knowing of the surety of heaven and this woman's terrible suffering made the situation different.
Like the nurse’s aide, there are many things in life that may puzzle you. You may not understand why something happens, what made a situation worse, or how you could make such a mistake. There are many, many things in life that are complicated, fuzzy, difficult to understand, even challenging to rationality. You won’t understand everything. You can’t. You aren’t God.
Recently, a documentary was aired on television in England. The subject of the documentary was the atom and its makeup. When asked how an electron works in the atom, a scientist mentioned how they didn’t quite understand it. Every time they measured where the electron was and what it was doing, the measurements seemed to change. It was as if the electron was there one instant and gone the next, then present in another way and then gone again. The scientist suggested that electrons may not even be in our known universe at times. It seems like they are coming and going from present reality to somewhere else or some other plane of existence that we don’t know about. The scientist then mentioned some of the scientific theories that point to these possibilities such as string theory and multiple dimensions. He finally ended the teaching moment by saying, “There’s a lot we don’t know about many of the basic building blocks of life.”
If a scientist with a PhD can’t figure out some of the foundational principles of the atom, its possible for many of us to not understand the complexities of our world. Did you know that there are billions of molecules and particles and physics occurring just on the head of a pin? There are many things in life too big for us to understand. God is one of them. You may not understand why the Heavenly Father sent Jesus to die on a cross, but Heaven knows why. You may not understand how the Holy Spirit enables you to communicate with God, but Heaven knows exactly how it’s done. For many, death is a huge unknown factor of life. God knows all about its intricacies. You may wonder why God leads you down a path today, but God knows where you are going and why you are bound to go there.
With all the unknowns in life, it is important that you learn to trust in God and God’s word. The scripture for today reaffirms this. It states that you need to “trust in the Lord with ALL your heart” (Proverbs 3:5). It also cautions you to “NOT lean on your own understanding.” Human understanding is so limited, so apt to be muddled by emotion or false logic. I know many people who have made poor choices despite having “the facts” or even the best teachers. God’s way is better in life. I have seen that over and over. Human knowledge and prejudices and blind spots and sinfulness all cause us to make poor judgments. God’s judgment is perfect.
Throughout your next few days, try to trust God even more. In your decisions and actions, consider what Jesus would do. In your interactions, trust the Holy Spirit to guide your words. Lean on God for your next steps. Let God prove that HE knows what HE is doing, even when you may not.
Upon walking out of that room, a nurse’s aide backed up. She had overheard the conversation and did not enter the room. I had bumped into her upon leaving. I closed the door behind me as she backed up. I could see she wanted to say something. After asking forgiveness for running into me at the door, she asked me in a whisper, “Isn’t that terrible to want a mother to die?” My whispered response was quick, “Not at all. The woman has been suffering for years and has a much better home to go to in heaven. She’s going to love it there!”
The nurse’s aide was shocked at my attitude. She thought I’d side with her and not want the daughter to say such things like wishing her mother would die. I, on the other hand, knew the situation. This dying woman had long lived a life of a faithful Christian. She knew all about heaven. She longed to escape her suffering and finally, finally, finally be united with her Lord who was waiting for her. Though Christians believe in the sanctity of life and in the sinfulness of murder, I longed for this suffering woman to die. I prayed for it. This seems to be a contradiction for many people, but it’s not. Knowing of the surety of heaven and this woman's terrible suffering made the situation different.
Like the nurse’s aide, there are many things in life that may puzzle you. You may not understand why something happens, what made a situation worse, or how you could make such a mistake. There are many, many things in life that are complicated, fuzzy, difficult to understand, even challenging to rationality. You won’t understand everything. You can’t. You aren’t God.
Recently, a documentary was aired on television in England. The subject of the documentary was the atom and its makeup. When asked how an electron works in the atom, a scientist mentioned how they didn’t quite understand it. Every time they measured where the electron was and what it was doing, the measurements seemed to change. It was as if the electron was there one instant and gone the next, then present in another way and then gone again. The scientist suggested that electrons may not even be in our known universe at times. It seems like they are coming and going from present reality to somewhere else or some other plane of existence that we don’t know about. The scientist then mentioned some of the scientific theories that point to these possibilities such as string theory and multiple dimensions. He finally ended the teaching moment by saying, “There’s a lot we don’t know about many of the basic building blocks of life.”
If a scientist with a PhD can’t figure out some of the foundational principles of the atom, its possible for many of us to not understand the complexities of our world. Did you know that there are billions of molecules and particles and physics occurring just on the head of a pin? There are many things in life too big for us to understand. God is one of them. You may not understand why the Heavenly Father sent Jesus to die on a cross, but Heaven knows why. You may not understand how the Holy Spirit enables you to communicate with God, but Heaven knows exactly how it’s done. For many, death is a huge unknown factor of life. God knows all about its intricacies. You may wonder why God leads you down a path today, but God knows where you are going and why you are bound to go there.
With all the unknowns in life, it is important that you learn to trust in God and God’s word. The scripture for today reaffirms this. It states that you need to “trust in the Lord with ALL your heart” (Proverbs 3:5). It also cautions you to “NOT lean on your own understanding.” Human understanding is so limited, so apt to be muddled by emotion or false logic. I know many people who have made poor choices despite having “the facts” or even the best teachers. God’s way is better in life. I have seen that over and over. Human knowledge and prejudices and blind spots and sinfulness all cause us to make poor judgments. God’s judgment is perfect.
Throughout your next few days, try to trust God even more. In your decisions and actions, consider what Jesus would do. In your interactions, trust the Holy Spirit to guide your words. Lean on God for your next steps. Let God prove that HE knows what HE is doing, even when you may not.
July 8
“Wait for the Lord and keep his way. He will exalt you to inherit the land; when the wicked are cut off, you will see it.” (Psalm 37:34, NIV84)
There was a famous saying that stood for centuries. Parents passed it down to their children. The saying was this: “Spiritual forces cannot work while earthly forces are active.” This adage was meant to help the generations to understand that sometimes the greatest obstacle to seeing God’s greatest miracles are the limitations human beings put in God’s way. If you think that the best way to do something for God is to get it done yourself, you are already making this huge mistake. It may be that God will work best in some situations when you don’t get in the way. Maybe your prayers are more important to a spiritual success than your money. Maybe your silent shoulder will help the grieving person more than your shallow words.
Today’s scripture reminds us that in many instances, we must learn to “wait for the Lord”. While being patient for God to act, you should just “keep HIS way” (Psalm 37:34). Don’t go off doing your thing your own way. Don’t force a situation to conform to your plans. The greatest contribution that you can sometimes accomplish is to get out of God’s way. Your prayers will help. However, in some situations (not all!), your words or actions might mess things up!
“I once thought that after I prayed that it was my duty to do everything that I could do to bring the answer to pass. He taught me a better way and showed that my self-effort always hindered His working and that when I prayed and definitely believed Him for anything, He wanted me to wait in the spirit of praise, and only do what He bade me. It seems so unsafe to just sit still, and do nothing but trust the Lord; and the temptation to take the battle into our own hands is often tremendous.” (Lettie B. Cowman, Streams in the Desert, p.120).
For several months, I counseled a husband and wife who were having severe marriage problems. I listened intently. I tried encouragement. I gave helpful suggestions. We worked through a marriage contract. I helped them to listen better to one another. The impasse was too great. More and more, I grew frustrated. Nothing seemed to help. No amount of prayer seemed to work. Every time I felt God suggesting something, it would fail during the counseling session. Finally, after a long time of prayer with God, I came to the sixth appointment with the couple. Despite hours of praying for them, hours of dialogue, and weeks of hard work, nothing was working. I had no answers. At that session, I opened with prayer as always. Then, I said to them that I was dumbfounded. I told them that I could sense their deep love for one another, but I couldn’t figure out what to do. I told them nothing worked and to pray more together, and then, return in two weeks. The session was only half an hour long. Nothing was accomplished, so I thought.
Two weeks later, the couple came back much better. They began to talk about some things they had done together. While praying, they seemed to get more and more out of their prayer time. I sat back in awe. It seemed that my words that “I don’t know what to do” and “There’s love in your relationship, but nothing is working.” And “I’m fearing for the worst, here!” had an effect. The couple doubled their efforts to work together. They prayed twice as long and much more deeply. Slowly, they were coming out of their marital funk and seeing their mutual love for one another. What I couldn’t get them to do through counseling, God could do just by having me back off. My suggestions and advice took a back seat. God was taking control of the counseling. By the way, they are happily married to this day! I still can’t figure out what happened. All I know is that when I gave all the control to God and the couple and got out of the way, the couple was able to heal.
In the scripture above, you are reminded that while you “wait for the Lord”, that you “keep God’s way”. It is important that when you leave a situation up to God that you continue to remain faithful. It is crucial that your prayers continue unabated. You may never “see” God’s great work if you don’t continue with faithful and prayerful actions. You may miss God’s punchline!
Are you good at waiting on the Lord? Are you impatient? While backing off of a situation to give God time to work, do you keep the faith? Do you only work hard when you get your way? Do you hesitate to stay out of a situation where God needs you to back off? If you don’t wait upon the Lord, you will not see God’s true power. If you don’t keep God’s way, you may never realize how God acted in a given situation. How can God exalt you if you are too impatient or lack faith? This scripture has so much to teach. Have you seen this?
Today’s scripture reminds us that in many instances, we must learn to “wait for the Lord”. While being patient for God to act, you should just “keep HIS way” (Psalm 37:34). Don’t go off doing your thing your own way. Don’t force a situation to conform to your plans. The greatest contribution that you can sometimes accomplish is to get out of God’s way. Your prayers will help. However, in some situations (not all!), your words or actions might mess things up!
“I once thought that after I prayed that it was my duty to do everything that I could do to bring the answer to pass. He taught me a better way and showed that my self-effort always hindered His working and that when I prayed and definitely believed Him for anything, He wanted me to wait in the spirit of praise, and only do what He bade me. It seems so unsafe to just sit still, and do nothing but trust the Lord; and the temptation to take the battle into our own hands is often tremendous.” (Lettie B. Cowman, Streams in the Desert, p.120).
For several months, I counseled a husband and wife who were having severe marriage problems. I listened intently. I tried encouragement. I gave helpful suggestions. We worked through a marriage contract. I helped them to listen better to one another. The impasse was too great. More and more, I grew frustrated. Nothing seemed to help. No amount of prayer seemed to work. Every time I felt God suggesting something, it would fail during the counseling session. Finally, after a long time of prayer with God, I came to the sixth appointment with the couple. Despite hours of praying for them, hours of dialogue, and weeks of hard work, nothing was working. I had no answers. At that session, I opened with prayer as always. Then, I said to them that I was dumbfounded. I told them that I could sense their deep love for one another, but I couldn’t figure out what to do. I told them nothing worked and to pray more together, and then, return in two weeks. The session was only half an hour long. Nothing was accomplished, so I thought.
Two weeks later, the couple came back much better. They began to talk about some things they had done together. While praying, they seemed to get more and more out of their prayer time. I sat back in awe. It seemed that my words that “I don’t know what to do” and “There’s love in your relationship, but nothing is working.” And “I’m fearing for the worst, here!” had an effect. The couple doubled their efforts to work together. They prayed twice as long and much more deeply. Slowly, they were coming out of their marital funk and seeing their mutual love for one another. What I couldn’t get them to do through counseling, God could do just by having me back off. My suggestions and advice took a back seat. God was taking control of the counseling. By the way, they are happily married to this day! I still can’t figure out what happened. All I know is that when I gave all the control to God and the couple and got out of the way, the couple was able to heal.
In the scripture above, you are reminded that while you “wait for the Lord”, that you “keep God’s way”. It is important that when you leave a situation up to God that you continue to remain faithful. It is crucial that your prayers continue unabated. You may never “see” God’s great work if you don’t continue with faithful and prayerful actions. You may miss God’s punchline!
Are you good at waiting on the Lord? Are you impatient? While backing off of a situation to give God time to work, do you keep the faith? Do you only work hard when you get your way? Do you hesitate to stay out of a situation where God needs you to back off? If you don’t wait upon the Lord, you will not see God’s true power. If you don’t keep God’s way, you may never realize how God acted in a given situation. How can God exalt you if you are too impatient or lack faith? This scripture has so much to teach. Have you seen this?
July 10
“He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken. On God rests my deliverance and my honor; my mighty rock, my refuge is God.” (Psalm 62:6–7, RSV)
In 1067, work was begun on a castle in southern Wales in England. The castle was built upon old Roman fortifications at the top of a limestone cliff, overlooking a valley. It was meant to project power and protection in the area. It took years to complete, then sections were added, and the walls were thickened. In one area of the castle, the walls are twenty feet thick. It is said that you can shoot a high-powered rifle at this area of the castle walls, and you won’t even hear it inside. In fact, one hundred soldiers could shoot at the walls for an hour and you wouldn’t even know a battle was going on outside if not for echoes coming from windows and defensive posts. Even cannon fire could only wear down the walls. They could take repeated blows before giving way. When a person was inside the confines of the castle in the eleventh century, he or she felt safe and secure. It was a very comforting feeling in those troubled medieval times, where many places in the world were completely unsafe.
The scripture above from Psalm 62 describes God as a “mighty rock” and “fortress” and “refuge”. The author found that God’s presence brought safety and security in life. Throughout history, many have learned to trust in the arms of God when life was uncertain or frightful. Faithful people have called upon God in prayer for deliverance (just as the author in Psalm 62:6). Trusting souls have leaned upon God’s everlasting arms and mighty power.
In the Bible, many felt God’s strength and protection. Moses called upon these while freeing the exiles in Egypt. Paul sought God’s deliverance and protection while shipwrecked near Malta (Acts 27-28). Elijah sought God in the wilderness near Beersheba, and God sent an angel to feed and watch over him (2 Kings 19). Joseph, though sold into slavery, was protected by God along the way; even when imprisoned wrongly (Genesis 37-40). David, who wrote Psalm 62, was himself protected by God many times. When strongman Goliath threatened David and the armies of Israel, God gave David the wisdom and prowess to defeat the giant. When Saul sought to kill David, God protected David through Jonathan. Since so many have found God to be such a source of strength, protection, and inspiration; how well do you lean on the powerful arms of Almighty God?
Shari grew up in a dysfunctional household, raised by a single mother. Her formative years were filled with little money and lots of worry. Shari's mother usually worked two jobs to support them. When Shari was in her twenties, she married a man who was not very warm, though he did love her. When she was twenty-four, Shari began to work at a job that was very stressful, with a manager named Rosie who was overbearing. Though too meek to stand up for herself, Shari tried her best to make things work. However, instead of relying on God, she made poor choices in her attempts to cope. When her husband was “in a mood”, she would take a drink or two of alcohol to calm her nerves. When she was challenged by a problem at work or faced an obstacle in her own life, she would take an anti-anxiety drug like Xanax. When everything seemed overwhelming, she took both alcohol and Xanax, despite the risks of liver damage. There were times that both were not enough to cope.
Shari was using the alcohol and Xanax as coping mechanisms. She was relying on their sedative effects to help her make it through. Fear and stress and anxiety had imprisoned her mind long enough. With a newfound faith in God, Shari changed her outlook on life. Relying on God’s strength, she realized that the alcohol and Xanax were only crutches in her life. With the help of a friend and the support of her pastor, Shari began to develop a strong prayer life. She grew spiritually strong. In short order, she stopped all her drinking. She let her prescriptions for anti-anxiety drugs go unfilled. The closer she was to God, the less she needed other crutches to stand up to the difficulties of life. Her marriage became stronger. She made some changes at work, leaving her old department. She became a very happy and supportive person who was beloved in her church.
Do you lean on worldly things as crutches? How much do you rely on the strength and protection of God? Are you willing to let God be your rock and fortress, or do you let fears and uncertainties cloud many moments? Do you let events or people shake up your calm, getting you all riled up? Do your fears control your actions or does God have some sway? There will be times when you need to let God be your rock and fortress. How can God be your strength in this period of your life?
The scripture above from Psalm 62 describes God as a “mighty rock” and “fortress” and “refuge”. The author found that God’s presence brought safety and security in life. Throughout history, many have learned to trust in the arms of God when life was uncertain or frightful. Faithful people have called upon God in prayer for deliverance (just as the author in Psalm 62:6). Trusting souls have leaned upon God’s everlasting arms and mighty power.
In the Bible, many felt God’s strength and protection. Moses called upon these while freeing the exiles in Egypt. Paul sought God’s deliverance and protection while shipwrecked near Malta (Acts 27-28). Elijah sought God in the wilderness near Beersheba, and God sent an angel to feed and watch over him (2 Kings 19). Joseph, though sold into slavery, was protected by God along the way; even when imprisoned wrongly (Genesis 37-40). David, who wrote Psalm 62, was himself protected by God many times. When strongman Goliath threatened David and the armies of Israel, God gave David the wisdom and prowess to defeat the giant. When Saul sought to kill David, God protected David through Jonathan. Since so many have found God to be such a source of strength, protection, and inspiration; how well do you lean on the powerful arms of Almighty God?
Shari grew up in a dysfunctional household, raised by a single mother. Her formative years were filled with little money and lots of worry. Shari's mother usually worked two jobs to support them. When Shari was in her twenties, she married a man who was not very warm, though he did love her. When she was twenty-four, Shari began to work at a job that was very stressful, with a manager named Rosie who was overbearing. Though too meek to stand up for herself, Shari tried her best to make things work. However, instead of relying on God, she made poor choices in her attempts to cope. When her husband was “in a mood”, she would take a drink or two of alcohol to calm her nerves. When she was challenged by a problem at work or faced an obstacle in her own life, she would take an anti-anxiety drug like Xanax. When everything seemed overwhelming, she took both alcohol and Xanax, despite the risks of liver damage. There were times that both were not enough to cope.
Shari was using the alcohol and Xanax as coping mechanisms. She was relying on their sedative effects to help her make it through. Fear and stress and anxiety had imprisoned her mind long enough. With a newfound faith in God, Shari changed her outlook on life. Relying on God’s strength, she realized that the alcohol and Xanax were only crutches in her life. With the help of a friend and the support of her pastor, Shari began to develop a strong prayer life. She grew spiritually strong. In short order, she stopped all her drinking. She let her prescriptions for anti-anxiety drugs go unfilled. The closer she was to God, the less she needed other crutches to stand up to the difficulties of life. Her marriage became stronger. She made some changes at work, leaving her old department. She became a very happy and supportive person who was beloved in her church.
Do you lean on worldly things as crutches? How much do you rely on the strength and protection of God? Are you willing to let God be your rock and fortress, or do you let fears and uncertainties cloud many moments? Do you let events or people shake up your calm, getting you all riled up? Do your fears control your actions or does God have some sway? There will be times when you need to let God be your rock and fortress. How can God be your strength in this period of your life?
July 12
“Then you will again see the difference between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not.”” (Malachi 3:18, NLT)
This past week, I was shocked to look at our local newspaper’s online web site. I live in the Midwest of the United States, home of conservative people (not talking politics here, but a view of life). I live in a small town, where conservative values are the norm. This is no San Francisco, where drug deals go down on the corner and prostitutes are not uncommon. It is not like Detroit, where there are bunches of absent landlords and drug houses. In this neck of the woods, changes come a little slower. People are a little more reserved. That’s why I was shocked to see that a local newspaper had an online story of how cross-dressers were coming to our area and promoted that their program was “fun” and “entertaining”. What? Since when were public displays of this sort considered a fun thing that should be viewed by all for enjoyment?
We live in an age where the world has turned upside down what is right and wrong, good and evil, dangerous and healthy, holy and unholy. It may be difficult for you to make choices when the world muddies your view and social media skews your perspective. For example, last week a news article cited how terrible was the situation for immigrants at a detention facility in Arizona. What the article failed to include was that the situation for the immigrants at that facility were magnitudes better than from whence they fled. There are places in Mexico, Central America, and South America where rape and murder and abuse and neglect are rampant. Lives are destroyed. The value of life is seriously degraded. However, you couldn’t tell it from the article. Many at the facility felt safe for the first time… ever. The article made the government look more abusive than the terrible places from which the immigrants fled. The article made the people seem like they were suffering instead of safe. It’s a crazy thing.
In schools you now have “gender fluidity”, where a boy can act like a girl, a girl can get a sex change operation, a person can take hormone-replacement therapy in order to look more masculine or feminine. You might see a boy in a dress or a girl who acts like a boy. In colleges, you often hear another sort of upside-down view of reality. On campus, the phrase “try before you buy” doesn’t apply to car purchases. It applies to sex. The phrase means that before you get in a serious relationship, you should try other things. Live together. Have sex with people of the same gender. Have sex with multiple partners. It’s the “in” thing. Popular people do it all the time. It is normal. In many states, this same changing of right and wrong now applies to marijuana. It was illegal in many places ten years ago, but now is legal. State legislatures tout marijuana as a safe drug, an enjoyable pastime, a popular recreational alternative. In these situations, and many more, a boy can become a girl, a drug can be considered not a drug, living in sin is considered a wise and modern ideal. What was wrong fifty years ago is now in style. What was biblically indecent is now considered ethical and moral and modern.
In the days of the prophet Malachi, the same type of thing had occurred. Where people had worshiped God previously, now they were found worshiping other gods or no god at all (Malachi 3:14). Where it had been considered sinful to cheat on your spouse and divorce your spouse, it became acceptable in those days (Malachi 2:13-16). People thought giving their offerings and tithes to God was a waste. Priests and prophets in the land were preaching wrongly (Malachi 2:6-8). Godliness was being perverted. What was wrong according to the Bible was right in the eyes of even priests. God was bad. Self-indulgence was good. Evil was fun. Good was evil. It was an upside-down world. In the midst of the craziness, the prophet Malachi proclaimed that when God’s punishment was complete, the people would repent. Then, the people would once again understand “the difference between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not” (Malachi 3:18). At that point in history, it was hard to tell who was holy and who was not!
Is it any different today? Prostitution is legal in Nevada and Amsterdam and many other places around the world. Taking antidepressants by teens is considered “normal”, as 25% of teens in the U.S. take them. Christians, who believe in God’s love, are called “haters” by many liberals. You can burn the U.S. flag, but burning a Gay Pride flag in New York is investigated as a “hate crime” (in the news yesterday). Do you see that the world loves to turn ethics and morals and holiness upside-down? Satan must be having a field day.
If our world continues to blur the lines between what is right and wrong, if the church continues to twist what is holy and what is not, if the modern world continues to manipulate what is good and evil for nefarious purposes, God’s judgment will come swiftly. As in the days of Malachi, there will come a time when God clarifies the difference between good and evil. I hope we aren’t caught in the struggle.
How has the world blurred the lines between right and wrong in your life? How can you help others see the truth?
We live in an age where the world has turned upside down what is right and wrong, good and evil, dangerous and healthy, holy and unholy. It may be difficult for you to make choices when the world muddies your view and social media skews your perspective. For example, last week a news article cited how terrible was the situation for immigrants at a detention facility in Arizona. What the article failed to include was that the situation for the immigrants at that facility were magnitudes better than from whence they fled. There are places in Mexico, Central America, and South America where rape and murder and abuse and neglect are rampant. Lives are destroyed. The value of life is seriously degraded. However, you couldn’t tell it from the article. Many at the facility felt safe for the first time… ever. The article made the government look more abusive than the terrible places from which the immigrants fled. The article made the people seem like they were suffering instead of safe. It’s a crazy thing.
In schools you now have “gender fluidity”, where a boy can act like a girl, a girl can get a sex change operation, a person can take hormone-replacement therapy in order to look more masculine or feminine. You might see a boy in a dress or a girl who acts like a boy. In colleges, you often hear another sort of upside-down view of reality. On campus, the phrase “try before you buy” doesn’t apply to car purchases. It applies to sex. The phrase means that before you get in a serious relationship, you should try other things. Live together. Have sex with people of the same gender. Have sex with multiple partners. It’s the “in” thing. Popular people do it all the time. It is normal. In many states, this same changing of right and wrong now applies to marijuana. It was illegal in many places ten years ago, but now is legal. State legislatures tout marijuana as a safe drug, an enjoyable pastime, a popular recreational alternative. In these situations, and many more, a boy can become a girl, a drug can be considered not a drug, living in sin is considered a wise and modern ideal. What was wrong fifty years ago is now in style. What was biblically indecent is now considered ethical and moral and modern.
In the days of the prophet Malachi, the same type of thing had occurred. Where people had worshiped God previously, now they were found worshiping other gods or no god at all (Malachi 3:14). Where it had been considered sinful to cheat on your spouse and divorce your spouse, it became acceptable in those days (Malachi 2:13-16). People thought giving their offerings and tithes to God was a waste. Priests and prophets in the land were preaching wrongly (Malachi 2:6-8). Godliness was being perverted. What was wrong according to the Bible was right in the eyes of even priests. God was bad. Self-indulgence was good. Evil was fun. Good was evil. It was an upside-down world. In the midst of the craziness, the prophet Malachi proclaimed that when God’s punishment was complete, the people would repent. Then, the people would once again understand “the difference between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not” (Malachi 3:18). At that point in history, it was hard to tell who was holy and who was not!
Is it any different today? Prostitution is legal in Nevada and Amsterdam and many other places around the world. Taking antidepressants by teens is considered “normal”, as 25% of teens in the U.S. take them. Christians, who believe in God’s love, are called “haters” by many liberals. You can burn the U.S. flag, but burning a Gay Pride flag in New York is investigated as a “hate crime” (in the news yesterday). Do you see that the world loves to turn ethics and morals and holiness upside-down? Satan must be having a field day.
If our world continues to blur the lines between what is right and wrong, if the church continues to twist what is holy and what is not, if the modern world continues to manipulate what is good and evil for nefarious purposes, God’s judgment will come swiftly. As in the days of Malachi, there will come a time when God clarifies the difference between good and evil. I hope we aren’t caught in the struggle.
How has the world blurred the lines between right and wrong in your life? How can you help others see the truth?
July 13
“By standing firm, you will win your souls.” (Luke 21:19, NLT)
In speaking about the destruction of Jerusalem and the coming persecution of Christians, Jesus warned His disciples to be wary of what was to come (Luke 21:10-17). In the scripture above, our Lord Jesus urged the disciples to “stand firm” in their faith during the coming times of trial. Jesus knew that by being steadfastly faithful, the disciples would “win their souls” (Luke 21:19). This was a warning to the disciples that no matter what happened, how difficult was life, despite the many dangers to their ministry, they needed to keep a firm faith in God no matter the situation. Jesus knew that in those times of trial, souls would be lost. In the heat of spiritual battle with challenges and obstacles and difficulties, some would lose their place in heaven by giving up on God.
I have seen people lose their souls. When life got too difficult, some blamed God and gave up their faith. Some stopped believing when worldly passions or addictions choked to death their budding faith. Some found faith in God inconvenient. They would rather golf on Sunday morning or go boating or go for a hike or sleep in than spend time worshiping God. What is it that jeopardizes your faith? Are good times more liable to damage your faith, or bad times? Does an activity lessen your time for prayer? Is there a person who entices you away from time with God? I believe it is crucial that you “stand firm” in your faith through the good and bad times. I think it is also crucial that you are aware of those things in your life that sap your faithfulness. It can be something as common as a habit. It may be hypocrites at your church. Money problems, pain, struggles, or stress might be your spiritual downfall. What is your spiritual weakness?
Mark Hatfield tells of touring Calcutta with Mother Teresa and visiting the so-called "House of Dying," where sick children are cared for in their last days, and the dispensary, where the poor line up by the hundreds to receive medical attention. Watching Mother Teresa minister to these people, feeding and nursing those left by others to die, Hatfield was overwhelmed by the sheer magnitude of the suffering she and her co-workers face daily. "How can you bear the load without being crushed by it?" he asked. Mother Teresa replied, "My dear Senator, I am not called to be successful, I am called to be faithful." (Beals, Beyond Hunger)
Without an enduring faith, you may not see the possibilities in a situation. Without a faith that is strong, you may not feel the uplift of the Spirit when you pray. Without a firm faith in God, you may lose hope precisely when it is most needed. Without an adequate faith, you may let God down in a moment when a miracle could have occurred. So many in our world have lost their faith and in the process have lost their way in life. They gave up on God and ended up feeling lost and alone and worthless and unforgivable.
When a difficult moment came in my ministry, I struggled. Nothing seemed to work. My faith did not waver, but my body was wracked with challenges. I had doubts in my own abilities. Thank heavens, I had no doubts in God. On a particularly difficult day, I thought I was alone in the church building. I walked down a hall and there was a young lady from the church, sitting on a pew. She was waiting for her father to pick her up, and he was late. She had been watching me do some of my work. She noticed how comfortable I felt at the altar. She caught me standing at the altar for a moment praying. When I passed her, she watched me intently. Though young, she knew I was suffering. Later, she told me, “I sat there wondering if you’d give up and get upset. I noticed you didn’t.” I never knew she was watching me, examining my faith in her own way. She gathered courage from me that day. My spiritual struggle and unwavering faith in God became something she did not soon forget. She reminds me of it to this day!
How strong is your faith? Will it last? Is something draining your spiritual passion right now? Jesus wanted all His followers to remain true and stand firm in faith. Not only is Jesus discerning your level of faith, others are too!
I have seen people lose their souls. When life got too difficult, some blamed God and gave up their faith. Some stopped believing when worldly passions or addictions choked to death their budding faith. Some found faith in God inconvenient. They would rather golf on Sunday morning or go boating or go for a hike or sleep in than spend time worshiping God. What is it that jeopardizes your faith? Are good times more liable to damage your faith, or bad times? Does an activity lessen your time for prayer? Is there a person who entices you away from time with God? I believe it is crucial that you “stand firm” in your faith through the good and bad times. I think it is also crucial that you are aware of those things in your life that sap your faithfulness. It can be something as common as a habit. It may be hypocrites at your church. Money problems, pain, struggles, or stress might be your spiritual downfall. What is your spiritual weakness?
Mark Hatfield tells of touring Calcutta with Mother Teresa and visiting the so-called "House of Dying," where sick children are cared for in their last days, and the dispensary, where the poor line up by the hundreds to receive medical attention. Watching Mother Teresa minister to these people, feeding and nursing those left by others to die, Hatfield was overwhelmed by the sheer magnitude of the suffering she and her co-workers face daily. "How can you bear the load without being crushed by it?" he asked. Mother Teresa replied, "My dear Senator, I am not called to be successful, I am called to be faithful." (Beals, Beyond Hunger)
Without an enduring faith, you may not see the possibilities in a situation. Without a faith that is strong, you may not feel the uplift of the Spirit when you pray. Without a firm faith in God, you may lose hope precisely when it is most needed. Without an adequate faith, you may let God down in a moment when a miracle could have occurred. So many in our world have lost their faith and in the process have lost their way in life. They gave up on God and ended up feeling lost and alone and worthless and unforgivable.
When a difficult moment came in my ministry, I struggled. Nothing seemed to work. My faith did not waver, but my body was wracked with challenges. I had doubts in my own abilities. Thank heavens, I had no doubts in God. On a particularly difficult day, I thought I was alone in the church building. I walked down a hall and there was a young lady from the church, sitting on a pew. She was waiting for her father to pick her up, and he was late. She had been watching me do some of my work. She noticed how comfortable I felt at the altar. She caught me standing at the altar for a moment praying. When I passed her, she watched me intently. Though young, she knew I was suffering. Later, she told me, “I sat there wondering if you’d give up and get upset. I noticed you didn’t.” I never knew she was watching me, examining my faith in her own way. She gathered courage from me that day. My spiritual struggle and unwavering faith in God became something she did not soon forget. She reminds me of it to this day!
How strong is your faith? Will it last? Is something draining your spiritual passion right now? Jesus wanted all His followers to remain true and stand firm in faith. Not only is Jesus discerning your level of faith, others are too!
July 16
“One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision and told him, “Don’t be afraid! Speak out! Don’t be silent! For I am with you, and no one will attack and harm you, for many people in this city belong to me.” So Paul stayed there for the next year and a half, teaching the word of God.” (Acts 18:9–11, NLT)
“Have you ever heard of the "Dependent Order of Really Meek And Timid Souls"? When you make an acrostic of its first letters, you have "Doormats." The Doormats have an official insignia--a yellow caution light. Their official motto is: "The meek shall inherit the earth, if that's OK with everybody!" The society was founded by Upton Diskson who wrote a pamphlet called Cower Power.” (Chuck Swindoll, The Quest for Character, p.44). This group was known to hold back, refrain, back off, and exhibit fear at the thought of speaking out or taking a stand. However, there are times that God wants you to open up about your faith. Also, knowing that others of true faith will support you makes that easier.
In the scripture for today, the apostle Paul was in Corinth. He’d been worshiping at a synagogue there and desired to plant a new church in this area of Asia Minor. However, Paul knew that at previous synagogues, he almost lost his life to Jewish leaders who desired to silence any mention of Jesus being resurrected. In Acts 17, Paul and Silas received grievous threats of harm from people in a synagogue at Thessalonica who rejected the gospel. At that synagogue, a man named Jason and his whole household were attacked for accepting faith in Jesus. Paul didn’t want a repeat of that scene in Corinth. Paul refrained from preaching. He kept more to himself. God, however, wanted this to change. The Lord “spoke to Paul in a vision” one night saying, “Don’t be afraid! Speak out! Don’t be silent!” (Acts 18:9). God knew that the people in Corinth were ready for the gospel message. In response, Paul did not hold back. He preached some of his best sermons, and many responded to the gospel, including one of the leaders in the synagogue named Crispus (Acts 18:8).
There are times when you may want to hold back what you know about God. Maybe others have made fun of your faith. You might have encountered resentment and hostility when you shared the gospel with others. I have known many a youth who was mocked or criticized for saying they were Christian. When others might make fun of your faith, your natural tendency is to keep silent or hold your tongue. There are moments in which listening is better or safer. However, there are also moments when God wants you to speak up about your faith. It might be when someone needs encouragement. A friend may need to know you are praying for her. A co-worker may need to hear a scripture of wisdom or comfort. In that letter to a graduate, God may desire that you include a scripture with meaning. Don’t be surprised when God pushes you to speak out about your faith. Don’t hold back!
I was on a mission trip to Honduras in Central America, working with a group from Habitat for Humanity. On the second day of the work, we were at a job site high on a hill overlooking a small town. As we worked, I felt the need to talk to one of the workers, the foreman. He had a smile on his face, even while working hard in the hot sun. He was very respected by his men. As I worked next to him, I felt God telling me to talk with him. I didn’t know enough Spanish to have any kind of deep conversation, but I knew enough to get by. I asked him where he lived. He pointed to a section of the small town down the hill. I then asked him if he went to church there. He said yes. Then, we began a long conversation about his church. Come to find out, he was an elder at his church and often spent hours working there. His church building did not have completed walls yet but did have a roof and sturdy framing. He told me of his hopes to make enough money to buy a car to pick up those who limped or walked on crutches and bring them to worship. I encouraged him, gave him ideas for worship, and mentioned Bible Study themes that could help his congregation. For the rest of the week, whenever we worked near each other, he asked me about projects he wanted to do at his church. If I would not have felt the push by God to inquire about his faith, I never would have known how faithful this man wanted to be. AND, he never would have been able to gather encouragement and ideas from me. God brought us together. I felt so at home with him and his crew all week!
God may push you to speak out about your faith at important times when you may feel the need to hold back. Sometimes, when you open up, it may be that God wants you to know that you are near someone who has the faith to help you. If you hold back, you may never know the very person God sent you somewhere to speak with. If you remain silent when God wants you to share your faith, you may never find that faithful person who may bless your life in a wonderful way! If you don’t share your faith in a holy moment planned by God, a very needy soul may never receive salvation.
When Paul did as the Lord commanded and opened up to the people of Corinth, amazing things happened. Many came to believe in Christ. Paul was so amazed in their acceptance of the gospel and reception of the Holy Spirit, that he stayed there “for the next year and a half” (Acts 18:11). An entire church grew in that city because Paul listened to God’s urging and did not hold back his faith. Watch for those moments in your life when God wants you to share the gospel message. Listen for God’s voice when HE desires that you speak out about your faith. You may not realize the people God is bringing to you, who need you, who need to hear about your faith, or who need the gospel. Amazing things will happen when the moment is right and God’s message is shared by your passionate faith! Amazing things!
In the scripture for today, the apostle Paul was in Corinth. He’d been worshiping at a synagogue there and desired to plant a new church in this area of Asia Minor. However, Paul knew that at previous synagogues, he almost lost his life to Jewish leaders who desired to silence any mention of Jesus being resurrected. In Acts 17, Paul and Silas received grievous threats of harm from people in a synagogue at Thessalonica who rejected the gospel. At that synagogue, a man named Jason and his whole household were attacked for accepting faith in Jesus. Paul didn’t want a repeat of that scene in Corinth. Paul refrained from preaching. He kept more to himself. God, however, wanted this to change. The Lord “spoke to Paul in a vision” one night saying, “Don’t be afraid! Speak out! Don’t be silent!” (Acts 18:9). God knew that the people in Corinth were ready for the gospel message. In response, Paul did not hold back. He preached some of his best sermons, and many responded to the gospel, including one of the leaders in the synagogue named Crispus (Acts 18:8).
There are times when you may want to hold back what you know about God. Maybe others have made fun of your faith. You might have encountered resentment and hostility when you shared the gospel with others. I have known many a youth who was mocked or criticized for saying they were Christian. When others might make fun of your faith, your natural tendency is to keep silent or hold your tongue. There are moments in which listening is better or safer. However, there are also moments when God wants you to speak up about your faith. It might be when someone needs encouragement. A friend may need to know you are praying for her. A co-worker may need to hear a scripture of wisdom or comfort. In that letter to a graduate, God may desire that you include a scripture with meaning. Don’t be surprised when God pushes you to speak out about your faith. Don’t hold back!
I was on a mission trip to Honduras in Central America, working with a group from Habitat for Humanity. On the second day of the work, we were at a job site high on a hill overlooking a small town. As we worked, I felt the need to talk to one of the workers, the foreman. He had a smile on his face, even while working hard in the hot sun. He was very respected by his men. As I worked next to him, I felt God telling me to talk with him. I didn’t know enough Spanish to have any kind of deep conversation, but I knew enough to get by. I asked him where he lived. He pointed to a section of the small town down the hill. I then asked him if he went to church there. He said yes. Then, we began a long conversation about his church. Come to find out, he was an elder at his church and often spent hours working there. His church building did not have completed walls yet but did have a roof and sturdy framing. He told me of his hopes to make enough money to buy a car to pick up those who limped or walked on crutches and bring them to worship. I encouraged him, gave him ideas for worship, and mentioned Bible Study themes that could help his congregation. For the rest of the week, whenever we worked near each other, he asked me about projects he wanted to do at his church. If I would not have felt the push by God to inquire about his faith, I never would have known how faithful this man wanted to be. AND, he never would have been able to gather encouragement and ideas from me. God brought us together. I felt so at home with him and his crew all week!
God may push you to speak out about your faith at important times when you may feel the need to hold back. Sometimes, when you open up, it may be that God wants you to know that you are near someone who has the faith to help you. If you hold back, you may never know the very person God sent you somewhere to speak with. If you remain silent when God wants you to share your faith, you may never find that faithful person who may bless your life in a wonderful way! If you don’t share your faith in a holy moment planned by God, a very needy soul may never receive salvation.
When Paul did as the Lord commanded and opened up to the people of Corinth, amazing things happened. Many came to believe in Christ. Paul was so amazed in their acceptance of the gospel and reception of the Holy Spirit, that he stayed there “for the next year and a half” (Acts 18:11). An entire church grew in that city because Paul listened to God’s urging and did not hold back his faith. Watch for those moments in your life when God wants you to share the gospel message. Listen for God’s voice when HE desires that you speak out about your faith. You may not realize the people God is bringing to you, who need you, who need to hear about your faith, or who need the gospel. Amazing things will happen when the moment is right and God’s message is shared by your passionate faith! Amazing things!
July 17
“Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways.” (Proverbs 4:25–26, NIV)
The book of Proverbs was written as a collection of wisdom sayings to help guide the faithful through life. They are very ancient sayings, some as old as 1500-2000 BC. Despite the age of these sayings, the message they declare is timeless. The wisdom is pithy and relevant. In the scripture above, the reader is taught to keep his (the book was originally written for young men) eyes fixed “ahead”, watching for possibilities and dangers (Proverbs 4:25). It also urges the reader to be careful choosing which paths to take in life (Proverbs 4:26). Taken together, these two verses urge the young man to be aware of his surroundings and thoughtful in his choices in life. He shouldn’t rush along headlong without thinking. He should be aware of the blessings and the pitfalls gathering ahead.
These verses fly directly in the face of some of the worldly wisdom today. There are some parents who urge their children when young to “sow their wild oats”. This phrase urges young people to let loose once in a while, go crazy, push the limits, take chances, and break boundaries. This phrase gives many young people the incentive to break laws or engage in risky activity or have multiple sexual partners. I do not advocate such nonsense. I side with this scripture. I believe any person should “give careful thought” to the path he or she is taking. You need to keep your eyes open to the possibilities and dangers before you. Let God influence your choices and guide your steps. Your faith is more than adequate to help you find healthy boundaries and instruct you on important life decisions.
There are many people, Christians included, who blindly forge ahead in life without any thought of the consequences. They don’t take time to make plans nor talk to God about which path to go in life when a crossroad looms ahead. They tend to enjoy their freedom, but not consider what could go wrong. They overlook the dangers, instead looking for the most fun. They don’t take the time to pray before big decisions. They make life and death choices without a moment’s reflection. I might expect this from young people, but adults do it often as well.
A woman thought putting a musical horn on her car was a nifty idea. She liked the joy it brought when the horn played a song or ditty instead of just a “honk”. It was a neat electronic gadget with which she often had lots of fun among her friends. She learned to program different tunes according to her moods but would often just let it pick a random arrangement. She never really thought about the possibility that this fun electronic toy could so embarrass her family. I’ll let their daughter tell what happened:
“When I was in high school, musical car horns were popular. My mother’s deluxe model played the first line of 48 different songs. But when it was extremely cold, the horn sometimes developed a short and played on its own. I urged Mom to take it out of our car, but she refused to get rid of it.
That is, until the cold winter afternoon that Mom and Dad attended a graveside funeral service for an elderly aunt. As they were pulling out of the cemetery, the horn blared the first stanza of “We’re in the Money.” I never heard the horn again.” (Rosida Porter, from “Reader’s Digest”).
This illustration is a humorous one, but it carries a little warning between the lines. Mom and Dad didn’t see the possibility that the wrong tune would play at the wrong time. The family did not let them forget when that happened.
Do you waltz through life without fixing your eyes ahead? Do you focus so much on the past that you don’t look ahead to what is looming? Are you too quick to make important decisions, and then pay for it later? Do you fail to see the consequences in the heat of the moment? The scripture for today is a subtle warning against moving through life too rashly or emotionally. Though these are ancient words, they contain wisdom relevant for today, for you, for your future.
These verses fly directly in the face of some of the worldly wisdom today. There are some parents who urge their children when young to “sow their wild oats”. This phrase urges young people to let loose once in a while, go crazy, push the limits, take chances, and break boundaries. This phrase gives many young people the incentive to break laws or engage in risky activity or have multiple sexual partners. I do not advocate such nonsense. I side with this scripture. I believe any person should “give careful thought” to the path he or she is taking. You need to keep your eyes open to the possibilities and dangers before you. Let God influence your choices and guide your steps. Your faith is more than adequate to help you find healthy boundaries and instruct you on important life decisions.
There are many people, Christians included, who blindly forge ahead in life without any thought of the consequences. They don’t take time to make plans nor talk to God about which path to go in life when a crossroad looms ahead. They tend to enjoy their freedom, but not consider what could go wrong. They overlook the dangers, instead looking for the most fun. They don’t take the time to pray before big decisions. They make life and death choices without a moment’s reflection. I might expect this from young people, but adults do it often as well.
A woman thought putting a musical horn on her car was a nifty idea. She liked the joy it brought when the horn played a song or ditty instead of just a “honk”. It was a neat electronic gadget with which she often had lots of fun among her friends. She learned to program different tunes according to her moods but would often just let it pick a random arrangement. She never really thought about the possibility that this fun electronic toy could so embarrass her family. I’ll let their daughter tell what happened:
“When I was in high school, musical car horns were popular. My mother’s deluxe model played the first line of 48 different songs. But when it was extremely cold, the horn sometimes developed a short and played on its own. I urged Mom to take it out of our car, but she refused to get rid of it.
That is, until the cold winter afternoon that Mom and Dad attended a graveside funeral service for an elderly aunt. As they were pulling out of the cemetery, the horn blared the first stanza of “We’re in the Money.” I never heard the horn again.” (Rosida Porter, from “Reader’s Digest”).
This illustration is a humorous one, but it carries a little warning between the lines. Mom and Dad didn’t see the possibility that the wrong tune would play at the wrong time. The family did not let them forget when that happened.
Do you waltz through life without fixing your eyes ahead? Do you focus so much on the past that you don’t look ahead to what is looming? Are you too quick to make important decisions, and then pay for it later? Do you fail to see the consequences in the heat of the moment? The scripture for today is a subtle warning against moving through life too rashly or emotionally. Though these are ancient words, they contain wisdom relevant for today, for you, for your future.
July 19
“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth.” (Romans 1:18, ESV)
Be forewarned. This Bible Meditation may hurt a lot or at least sting a bit!
If you read the above verse of the Bible carefully, it will reveal a very important fact about ungodly and unrighteous people…. they “suppress the truth”. That is why Jesus so honestly admitted that “the truth shall set you free” (John 8:32). There is a direct correlation between truthfulness and righteousness/unrighteousness, between truthfulness and godliness/ungodliness. Only truly faithful people can deal and live with the truth about things in life. Sinfulness and distance from God come more and more from being untruthful and lying, manipulating the facts, and twisting your view of a situation. All ungodly people will at some time “spin” the facts to their bias. They will twist the facts in order to make bad things look good or good things look bad. Those who respect God must also be known as people who speak the truth, deal with the truth, or call out the lies of this world.
"A USA Today poll found that only 56% of American teach honesty to their children. And a Louis Harris poll turned up the distressing fact that 65% of high school students would cheat on an important exam. Recently a noted physician appeared on a network news-and-talk show and proclaimed, "Lying is an important part of social life, and children who are unable to do it are children who may have developmental problems."" (“Daily Bread”, September 23, 1991) Lying is so prevalent in human existence that people tend to believe it is normal to lie. You might even lie to yourself and believe a “white lie” is just a bias or a point of view. God requires you not to lie if you want to be considered faithful. You need to deal with the truth, not play with it.
Sometimes, its hard to deal with the truth. A long-time secretary at a church was found guilty of embezzlement. She had been a secretary at that church for more than twenty-five years. When they asked her about the theft of monies, she spoke candidly. She mentioned that after being at the church for ten years, her husband became seriously ill. With his medical bills piling up, they had nowhere to turn for help. Over time, she began to take some of the cash that came in for special offerings. She convinced herself that the special offerings, which went toward those who had special needs, should include her family. She convinced herself that her family was as bad off as many of the people the church sent money to help. For more than a decade, she skimmed the money off the special offerings, always in cash. How was she caught? A person donated a $100 bill for a special offering, and no $100 bill was ever included in the deposit to the bank. Over the years, police forensic accountants figured that this secretary had stolen more than $50,000. She told the police, “I always intended to pay it back. I didn’t really steal it!” Isn’t it crazy how easy it is to delude ourselves into turning a lie into a truth? She thought if she paid off the money she had stolen, the money wouldn’t be considered stolen!
A president of the United States had oral sex with an aide. He claimed he had not had sex with her, because there was no intercourse! It is still called oral sex! His testimony was a lie.
A company was fined for harm to the environment when a chemical was released into the surrounding area. The head of the company said his company shouldn’t have been fined, because it was an accident! That still doesn’t hide the FACT that the damage was done! It makes it sound like nobody was at fault! It was “just an accident”! This “spin” was an outright lie.
A husband cheats on his wife and blames her for their marriage problems. He believes in his heart that if she would have been a more loving wife, he wouldn’t have cheated. But he still did cheat!!!! He did commit adultery! He may believe he is innocent, but he still lies to himself about what he’s done and his guilt in the affair.
The reason we are having so many problems in society today is because there are so many people who lie. Politicians are “spinning the truth” to epic proportions. People who have done wrong bury the truth in the back of their minds. Then, they rationalize away what they’ve done. It’s just another way to spin the truth. Cheating on tests, twisting the facts to suit your own bias, hiding the results of a medical test because you can’t face it….. there are so many ways to “suppress the truth”. Our scripture for today calls any suppression of the truth “unrighteousness” and “ungodliness”.
Is there an inconvenient truth you need to tell yourself today? Is there a truth that you are hiding from others? Is there some truth you can’t face out of fear? Remember what Jesus said: “the truth shall set you free”. You can never be truly free in Christ as long as you hide the truth or live a lie.
If you read the above verse of the Bible carefully, it will reveal a very important fact about ungodly and unrighteous people…. they “suppress the truth”. That is why Jesus so honestly admitted that “the truth shall set you free” (John 8:32). There is a direct correlation between truthfulness and righteousness/unrighteousness, between truthfulness and godliness/ungodliness. Only truly faithful people can deal and live with the truth about things in life. Sinfulness and distance from God come more and more from being untruthful and lying, manipulating the facts, and twisting your view of a situation. All ungodly people will at some time “spin” the facts to their bias. They will twist the facts in order to make bad things look good or good things look bad. Those who respect God must also be known as people who speak the truth, deal with the truth, or call out the lies of this world.
"A USA Today poll found that only 56% of American teach honesty to their children. And a Louis Harris poll turned up the distressing fact that 65% of high school students would cheat on an important exam. Recently a noted physician appeared on a network news-and-talk show and proclaimed, "Lying is an important part of social life, and children who are unable to do it are children who may have developmental problems."" (“Daily Bread”, September 23, 1991) Lying is so prevalent in human existence that people tend to believe it is normal to lie. You might even lie to yourself and believe a “white lie” is just a bias or a point of view. God requires you not to lie if you want to be considered faithful. You need to deal with the truth, not play with it.
Sometimes, its hard to deal with the truth. A long-time secretary at a church was found guilty of embezzlement. She had been a secretary at that church for more than twenty-five years. When they asked her about the theft of monies, she spoke candidly. She mentioned that after being at the church for ten years, her husband became seriously ill. With his medical bills piling up, they had nowhere to turn for help. Over time, she began to take some of the cash that came in for special offerings. She convinced herself that the special offerings, which went toward those who had special needs, should include her family. She convinced herself that her family was as bad off as many of the people the church sent money to help. For more than a decade, she skimmed the money off the special offerings, always in cash. How was she caught? A person donated a $100 bill for a special offering, and no $100 bill was ever included in the deposit to the bank. Over the years, police forensic accountants figured that this secretary had stolen more than $50,000. She told the police, “I always intended to pay it back. I didn’t really steal it!” Isn’t it crazy how easy it is to delude ourselves into turning a lie into a truth? She thought if she paid off the money she had stolen, the money wouldn’t be considered stolen!
A president of the United States had oral sex with an aide. He claimed he had not had sex with her, because there was no intercourse! It is still called oral sex! His testimony was a lie.
A company was fined for harm to the environment when a chemical was released into the surrounding area. The head of the company said his company shouldn’t have been fined, because it was an accident! That still doesn’t hide the FACT that the damage was done! It makes it sound like nobody was at fault! It was “just an accident”! This “spin” was an outright lie.
A husband cheats on his wife and blames her for their marriage problems. He believes in his heart that if she would have been a more loving wife, he wouldn’t have cheated. But he still did cheat!!!! He did commit adultery! He may believe he is innocent, but he still lies to himself about what he’s done and his guilt in the affair.
The reason we are having so many problems in society today is because there are so many people who lie. Politicians are “spinning the truth” to epic proportions. People who have done wrong bury the truth in the back of their minds. Then, they rationalize away what they’ve done. It’s just another way to spin the truth. Cheating on tests, twisting the facts to suit your own bias, hiding the results of a medical test because you can’t face it….. there are so many ways to “suppress the truth”. Our scripture for today calls any suppression of the truth “unrighteousness” and “ungodliness”.
Is there an inconvenient truth you need to tell yourself today? Is there a truth that you are hiding from others? Is there some truth you can’t face out of fear? Remember what Jesus said: “the truth shall set you free”. You can never be truly free in Christ as long as you hide the truth or live a lie.
July 20
“I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears.” (Psalm 34:4, ESV)
“But in addition to the troubles through which we pass, sometimes more threatening, certainly no less damaging, are the fears that attend them. Fear makes us lose perspective, doubt God’s faithfulness, question the value of the fight. Fear induces stress, bitterness, cowardice, and folly. (D.A. Carson, For the Love of God Vol. 1, p.25)
It is surprising to me the many ways that fear plays with the minds of the faithful. You might fear losing something or someone. Fearing the loss of income is huge for many men. The fear of being rejected leads many to be manipulated. Fears over past wrongs coming to light in the internet age is a constant suffering for many. There are hundreds of “phobias” (irrational fears) that plague many people in the world. Agoraphobes fear going outside into public places. Arachnophobes might leave their house if a spider is present. Aquaphobes are deathly afraid to get on boats or even travel across a bridge. Fear drives many people to do rash things. It may impel a person to give money to those who make promises to allay her fears. Businesses capitalize on the fears of people, selling things that make them feel better or more secure. Terrorists use public fears in order to manipulate the media, change a political climate, or send a message to rivals. Abusive people often use fear to intimidate, bully, threaten, or control others.
Three boys were playing on the playground at school, when one of the three decided to play a trick on the other two. To get maximum effect, Jerry brought a rubber snake and a rubber spider in his pocket. When his two friends were on the monkey bars, he threw a snake on one and a spider on the other. Both screamed and jumped down. Then, they yelled at Jerry for being so awful. One of the two threatened, “I’m gonna tell Miss Summers what you did! She’s going to call your mom and you are gonna get in trouble!” Jerry turned white at the thought. He apologized over and over. He didn’t want to get his favorite teacher upset, nor involve his parents. From then on, Jerry didn’t dare pull such a prank with his two friends.
The prank that Jerry pulled caused his two friends to call upon their teacher for help. Miss Summers held a lot of power on that playground. When children fell or were hurt, Miss Summers was the one they called to help. When dirty deeds were done by naughty children like Jerry, the other children knew that Miss Summers would right the wrongs. The children all knew that Miss Summers was fair and reliable, held a lot of power with the parents and other teachers, and was always able to step in when needed. The children felt comfort from her presence. They felt secure that everyone would play fairly with her around. There was no reason to be afraid with Miss Summers at the school!
Just as those children felt safer and more secure with their teacher close by, the children of God take comfort in God’s powerful presence as well. When things go awry, faithful people look to God for help and assurance, peace and protection. God is able to do great things. Throughout scripture, God challenged and defeated those who were evil, who caused suffering, those who broke commandments and took advantage. God is the great cosmic power upon whom you can call. There is no need to fear when God is your strength and shield (Proverbs 2:7). If you do feel afraid, God can bring assurance to your soul and encouragement to your heart.
Today’s scripture teaches that God is a great source of strength and comfort for those suffering from fear. The words were written by David during a time in his life when there were a lot of threats and challenges. Armies were ready to fight David. Leaders saw him as a threat. In the midst of all the turmoil, David wrote in Psalm 34:4: “I sought the Lord, and HE answered me and delivered me from all my fears.” With enemies around him, David felt completely unsafe. However, after seeking the Lord in prayer and through worship, David felt God’s strength upon him. David felt the Lord’s powerful hand close by.
When life throws you a few curveballs, don’t forget to follow David’s example. Seek the Lord God. Let the Lord “deliver” you from ALL your fears. God, who created the universe, surely knows how to handle your situation. God has abilities that are far above your own. Lean upon His everlasting arms. Seek His wisdom. Pray for His Spirit to give you strength and courage. God is more powerful than anything or anyone in creation (Romans 8). Why not lean on that strength when you feel afraid?
Don’t think for a second that God won’t step in to help you. That doesn’t mean you will never face troubled times. It means that God will be watching, evaluating, then acting. Your God is alive and powerful enough to raise Jesus from the dead, right? Don’t you think there is something God can do for you as well? Put your fears at God’s doorstep. Then, take the courage God gives to rise above all the stress and trepidation that this world can throw at you. While others might wilt in a moment of trial, you can remain calm in the knowledge that everlasting and powerful arms guard you. God’s angels are able to protect you. Heaven awaits you. God cherishes your faith in Him.
Is there a fear nagging at your mind today? Talk to God about it. Don’t wait!
It is surprising to me the many ways that fear plays with the minds of the faithful. You might fear losing something or someone. Fearing the loss of income is huge for many men. The fear of being rejected leads many to be manipulated. Fears over past wrongs coming to light in the internet age is a constant suffering for many. There are hundreds of “phobias” (irrational fears) that plague many people in the world. Agoraphobes fear going outside into public places. Arachnophobes might leave their house if a spider is present. Aquaphobes are deathly afraid to get on boats or even travel across a bridge. Fear drives many people to do rash things. It may impel a person to give money to those who make promises to allay her fears. Businesses capitalize on the fears of people, selling things that make them feel better or more secure. Terrorists use public fears in order to manipulate the media, change a political climate, or send a message to rivals. Abusive people often use fear to intimidate, bully, threaten, or control others.
Three boys were playing on the playground at school, when one of the three decided to play a trick on the other two. To get maximum effect, Jerry brought a rubber snake and a rubber spider in his pocket. When his two friends were on the monkey bars, he threw a snake on one and a spider on the other. Both screamed and jumped down. Then, they yelled at Jerry for being so awful. One of the two threatened, “I’m gonna tell Miss Summers what you did! She’s going to call your mom and you are gonna get in trouble!” Jerry turned white at the thought. He apologized over and over. He didn’t want to get his favorite teacher upset, nor involve his parents. From then on, Jerry didn’t dare pull such a prank with his two friends.
The prank that Jerry pulled caused his two friends to call upon their teacher for help. Miss Summers held a lot of power on that playground. When children fell or were hurt, Miss Summers was the one they called to help. When dirty deeds were done by naughty children like Jerry, the other children knew that Miss Summers would right the wrongs. The children all knew that Miss Summers was fair and reliable, held a lot of power with the parents and other teachers, and was always able to step in when needed. The children felt comfort from her presence. They felt secure that everyone would play fairly with her around. There was no reason to be afraid with Miss Summers at the school!
Just as those children felt safer and more secure with their teacher close by, the children of God take comfort in God’s powerful presence as well. When things go awry, faithful people look to God for help and assurance, peace and protection. God is able to do great things. Throughout scripture, God challenged and defeated those who were evil, who caused suffering, those who broke commandments and took advantage. God is the great cosmic power upon whom you can call. There is no need to fear when God is your strength and shield (Proverbs 2:7). If you do feel afraid, God can bring assurance to your soul and encouragement to your heart.
Today’s scripture teaches that God is a great source of strength and comfort for those suffering from fear. The words were written by David during a time in his life when there were a lot of threats and challenges. Armies were ready to fight David. Leaders saw him as a threat. In the midst of all the turmoil, David wrote in Psalm 34:4: “I sought the Lord, and HE answered me and delivered me from all my fears.” With enemies around him, David felt completely unsafe. However, after seeking the Lord in prayer and through worship, David felt God’s strength upon him. David felt the Lord’s powerful hand close by.
When life throws you a few curveballs, don’t forget to follow David’s example. Seek the Lord God. Let the Lord “deliver” you from ALL your fears. God, who created the universe, surely knows how to handle your situation. God has abilities that are far above your own. Lean upon His everlasting arms. Seek His wisdom. Pray for His Spirit to give you strength and courage. God is more powerful than anything or anyone in creation (Romans 8). Why not lean on that strength when you feel afraid?
Don’t think for a second that God won’t step in to help you. That doesn’t mean you will never face troubled times. It means that God will be watching, evaluating, then acting. Your God is alive and powerful enough to raise Jesus from the dead, right? Don’t you think there is something God can do for you as well? Put your fears at God’s doorstep. Then, take the courage God gives to rise above all the stress and trepidation that this world can throw at you. While others might wilt in a moment of trial, you can remain calm in the knowledge that everlasting and powerful arms guard you. God’s angels are able to protect you. Heaven awaits you. God cherishes your faith in Him.
Is there a fear nagging at your mind today? Talk to God about it. Don’t wait!
July 23
““The Lord is our witness,” the elders replied. “We promise to do whatever you say.” So Jephthah went with the elders of Gilead, and the people made him their ruler and commander of the army. At Mizpah, in the presence of the Lord, Jephthah repeated what he had said to the elders.” (Judges 11:10–11, NLT)
When I was younger, there was a saying that I heard very often. It is not so much used today, but it was very prevalent decades ago. When young, I thought the saying was an old one, because older people said it often. However, when I began to study the Bible, I realized that the saying had actually come from scripture.
My grandfather came into the house with a disheveled appearance. His hair was matted in sweat. His face was upset. He looked very frustrated and tired. Then, he said to my grandmother, “As God is my witness, I am not going to cut that grass until that mower is fixed. I’m not going to do it.” People in those days would often use the phrase, “As God is my witness”, in order to explain the seriousness of a matter. It was a phrase that relayed the importance of a moment and the honesty of the speaker. However, this phrase told even more. It implied that God would not only see the event witnessed, God would judge the persons involved.
If God is a witness to events of this life, that means we are all being watched and judged by the Almighty. Our actions and words are being monitored and evaluated by a righteous and unbiased judge of all the universe. God is not distant and far removed from our lives. God is ever-present, watching, evaluating. God witnesses what we say and do, and God’s witness determines what is right and wrong in life.
What has God witnessed in your life lately? What has God observed? What actions have played out before HIS watchful eyes? Are you aware of God being your witness?
Throughout all of history and every civilization, witnesses were very important. A true witness could explain why something happened and help people to judge if a person did right or wrong, bringing justice and peace. A false witness has always been recognized as a loathsome bane of society, ruining justice and subverting fairness. For a long time, people in courts put their hand on the Bible and promised “as God is my witness” to speak truthfully. Just as God was seen as a witness to what happens in this world, a human witness was subject to God’s watchful eye. Since the God of the Bible was seen as an advocate and proponent for justice and righteousness, to falsely accuse a person or be a false witness was seen as an affront to God. To do so would incur the wrath of God.
Why do you think that the phrase “as God is my witness” has been used for thousands of years? It is because of what people have observed in that time. God is a witness to events of this world. God does send wrath upon the unrighteous, the liars, the schemers, the unholy, the false witnesses of this world. God demands justice and righteousness. Those who falsely witness and accuse will incur the wrath of God. Why? Because God is alive and well and powerful and present and listening and watching and evaluating and judging our words and actions. Since God is alive and present and powerful, you should watch what you say and do, for God IS witness to every bit of it. God does have the power to take action and render judgment.
Our scripture for today contains the statement of the “elders of Gilead” to Jephthah (Judges 11:10). Jephthah was judge of Israel. The elders of Gilead were respectful of his position and believed God’s power rested upon him. They knew he was God’s representative. When they met with Jephthah, they spoke honestly and truthfully before him. They even appealed to his relationship with God and believed in their righteous acts when they said, “The Lord is our witness”. They wanted Jephthah to protect them against the warring Ammonites. Though in the past they had issues with Jephthah, they grew to respect his leadership. They knew God was with him. God was a witness to Jephthah’s leadership. God was active in his kingdom. The elders not only found respect for Jephthah; they knew God was watching over his shoulder.
How well do you realize that God is a witness to the events of your life? Since God is watching and evaluating your choices and words, how well have you given evidence of your faith? As witnesses are called to relay the truth to a court of law, what will God as witness share of your life on Judgment Day? Were you vengeful or angry? Did you show faith and courage? Did you hide the truth or betray a friend? Did you leave a world a better place because you were in it, or did the world suffer through your failures?
As God is your witness……..
My grandfather came into the house with a disheveled appearance. His hair was matted in sweat. His face was upset. He looked very frustrated and tired. Then, he said to my grandmother, “As God is my witness, I am not going to cut that grass until that mower is fixed. I’m not going to do it.” People in those days would often use the phrase, “As God is my witness”, in order to explain the seriousness of a matter. It was a phrase that relayed the importance of a moment and the honesty of the speaker. However, this phrase told even more. It implied that God would not only see the event witnessed, God would judge the persons involved.
If God is a witness to events of this life, that means we are all being watched and judged by the Almighty. Our actions and words are being monitored and evaluated by a righteous and unbiased judge of all the universe. God is not distant and far removed from our lives. God is ever-present, watching, evaluating. God witnesses what we say and do, and God’s witness determines what is right and wrong in life.
What has God witnessed in your life lately? What has God observed? What actions have played out before HIS watchful eyes? Are you aware of God being your witness?
Throughout all of history and every civilization, witnesses were very important. A true witness could explain why something happened and help people to judge if a person did right or wrong, bringing justice and peace. A false witness has always been recognized as a loathsome bane of society, ruining justice and subverting fairness. For a long time, people in courts put their hand on the Bible and promised “as God is my witness” to speak truthfully. Just as God was seen as a witness to what happens in this world, a human witness was subject to God’s watchful eye. Since the God of the Bible was seen as an advocate and proponent for justice and righteousness, to falsely accuse a person or be a false witness was seen as an affront to God. To do so would incur the wrath of God.
Why do you think that the phrase “as God is my witness” has been used for thousands of years? It is because of what people have observed in that time. God is a witness to events of this world. God does send wrath upon the unrighteous, the liars, the schemers, the unholy, the false witnesses of this world. God demands justice and righteousness. Those who falsely witness and accuse will incur the wrath of God. Why? Because God is alive and well and powerful and present and listening and watching and evaluating and judging our words and actions. Since God is alive and present and powerful, you should watch what you say and do, for God IS witness to every bit of it. God does have the power to take action and render judgment.
Our scripture for today contains the statement of the “elders of Gilead” to Jephthah (Judges 11:10). Jephthah was judge of Israel. The elders of Gilead were respectful of his position and believed God’s power rested upon him. They knew he was God’s representative. When they met with Jephthah, they spoke honestly and truthfully before him. They even appealed to his relationship with God and believed in their righteous acts when they said, “The Lord is our witness”. They wanted Jephthah to protect them against the warring Ammonites. Though in the past they had issues with Jephthah, they grew to respect his leadership. They knew God was with him. God was a witness to Jephthah’s leadership. God was active in his kingdom. The elders not only found respect for Jephthah; they knew God was watching over his shoulder.
How well do you realize that God is a witness to the events of your life? Since God is watching and evaluating your choices and words, how well have you given evidence of your faith? As witnesses are called to relay the truth to a court of law, what will God as witness share of your life on Judgment Day? Were you vengeful or angry? Did you show faith and courage? Did you hide the truth or betray a friend? Did you leave a world a better place because you were in it, or did the world suffer through your failures?
As God is your witness……..
July 25
“In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace which he lavished upon us.” (Ephesians 1:7–8, RSV)
The scripture above, chosen for today, explains the relationship between Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross and God’s grace. On the cross, with His suffering and death, Jesus brought you and me “redemption through His blood”. When you sin, the connection with God is damaged or severed. Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross redeems that relationship with God. If you honor Jesus as your Savior, you can receive “the forgiveness of your trespasses” (Ephesians 1:7). All this is done to show “the riches of God’s grace lavished upon you” (Ephesians 1:8). Jesus’ offering on the cross declares God’s plan that grace and forgiveness are able to overcome sin and loss. God desires to keep you in relationship with Him. Jesus is one more example of God’s grace and mercy coming your way.
However, there are many Christians who do not deal well with God’s grace and forgiveness. They will not allow this “lavish grace” of God through Jesus to complete its desired effect. When you sin, do you continue to hold it against yourself even after asking for God’s grace and forgiveness? Do you fail to forgive someone even when God has already done so? Do you hold a grudge? Are you overly judgmental? Through Jesus, God has showered God’s grace upon you. You were meant to cast your sins toward Heaven and ask for God’s grace and forgiveness. When you fail to do that, you continue to damage your relationship with God and with God’s people. You destroy God’s plan to stop the alienation that sin causes in your life. By doing so, you disrupt God’s plan for your complete recovery from the grasp of sin.
Sheri was a very loving mother and an active Christian. She taught Sunday School. She helped with meals for funerals. She was always present at mission events. She was an active participant in worship. After a worship service one evening, Sheri’s daughters were at a youth meeting held after the service ended. While waiting, she sat out on a seat near the exit. I left the youth meeting early to get ready for a funeral. As I walked toward my office, I saw Sheri sitting in the darkened hallway. I gave her a little touch on the shoulder as I walked past, and she smiled up at me. It was then that I noticed that her eyes were glistening. I immediately stopped and asked what was wrong. At first, she said it was nothing. Then, when she saw I was concerned and caring, she spoke barely above a whisper. When Sheri was only a teen, she fooled around and got pregnant. A month into the pregnancy, she lost the baby. Every year on the date she lost that baby, she would cry for the child that was lost. Her husband was the only one who knew about it, until she shared it with me. As we talked about that lost child, I realized that Sheri not only sought to remember the child, she blamed herself for that child’s death. She could not forgive herself for things she had done and not done. Twenty years later, she was still beating herself up for that terrible event in her life.
There are many people, even strong Christians, who have not let the loving grace of God wipe away the sin and pain of past events. They beat themselves up for weeks, months, even years over past wrongs. The unforgiven sins eat away at the soul of the person. Grace and forgiveness by God are needed, but they will not allow the healing to occur. The pain and agony festers. The memory hits like an ice-cold blast on a winter’s night.
The scripture for today, written by the Apostle Paul, proclaims the great work of Jesus on the cross. It hails the redemption, forgiveness, and grace that God brought to bear long ago. Yet, there are too many who will not allow God’s grace and forgiveness and healing to occur. They continue to suffer in silence, while God longs to see a complete redemption.
Is there some sin or guilt that continues to drag you down? Is there a regret or resentment that remains in the back of your mind? Is there an old grudge or hatred that eats away slowly at the corners of your heart? Jesus is the cure. The cross was God’s “lavish” statement of grace. Why not give up the past with its pain to Almighty God? Can’t you let God clean the slate? What is holding you back from experiencing the joy of a complete redemption through the work of Christ?
If you always let things go to God quickly, you are among the rare and wonderful people of life. If you ask for forgiveness and grace and are willing to follow God’s direction, you do well. If you harbor something still unforgiven in your heart or mind, you are in the majority. God desires your complete commitment. You can’t feel God’s awesome love unless you are willing to let go of those things that God is ready to forgive.
What part of your present or past needs the riches of God’s grace and forgiveness today?
PS... After months of sharing and counseling, Sheri let go of her pain. We prayed together at the altar. She finally accepted God's mercy. Every time I see her, I see the genuine smile on her face of a person who has felt the healing power of grace!
However, there are many Christians who do not deal well with God’s grace and forgiveness. They will not allow this “lavish grace” of God through Jesus to complete its desired effect. When you sin, do you continue to hold it against yourself even after asking for God’s grace and forgiveness? Do you fail to forgive someone even when God has already done so? Do you hold a grudge? Are you overly judgmental? Through Jesus, God has showered God’s grace upon you. You were meant to cast your sins toward Heaven and ask for God’s grace and forgiveness. When you fail to do that, you continue to damage your relationship with God and with God’s people. You destroy God’s plan to stop the alienation that sin causes in your life. By doing so, you disrupt God’s plan for your complete recovery from the grasp of sin.
Sheri was a very loving mother and an active Christian. She taught Sunday School. She helped with meals for funerals. She was always present at mission events. She was an active participant in worship. After a worship service one evening, Sheri’s daughters were at a youth meeting held after the service ended. While waiting, she sat out on a seat near the exit. I left the youth meeting early to get ready for a funeral. As I walked toward my office, I saw Sheri sitting in the darkened hallway. I gave her a little touch on the shoulder as I walked past, and she smiled up at me. It was then that I noticed that her eyes were glistening. I immediately stopped and asked what was wrong. At first, she said it was nothing. Then, when she saw I was concerned and caring, she spoke barely above a whisper. When Sheri was only a teen, she fooled around and got pregnant. A month into the pregnancy, she lost the baby. Every year on the date she lost that baby, she would cry for the child that was lost. Her husband was the only one who knew about it, until she shared it with me. As we talked about that lost child, I realized that Sheri not only sought to remember the child, she blamed herself for that child’s death. She could not forgive herself for things she had done and not done. Twenty years later, she was still beating herself up for that terrible event in her life.
There are many people, even strong Christians, who have not let the loving grace of God wipe away the sin and pain of past events. They beat themselves up for weeks, months, even years over past wrongs. The unforgiven sins eat away at the soul of the person. Grace and forgiveness by God are needed, but they will not allow the healing to occur. The pain and agony festers. The memory hits like an ice-cold blast on a winter’s night.
The scripture for today, written by the Apostle Paul, proclaims the great work of Jesus on the cross. It hails the redemption, forgiveness, and grace that God brought to bear long ago. Yet, there are too many who will not allow God’s grace and forgiveness and healing to occur. They continue to suffer in silence, while God longs to see a complete redemption.
Is there some sin or guilt that continues to drag you down? Is there a regret or resentment that remains in the back of your mind? Is there an old grudge or hatred that eats away slowly at the corners of your heart? Jesus is the cure. The cross was God’s “lavish” statement of grace. Why not give up the past with its pain to Almighty God? Can’t you let God clean the slate? What is holding you back from experiencing the joy of a complete redemption through the work of Christ?
If you always let things go to God quickly, you are among the rare and wonderful people of life. If you ask for forgiveness and grace and are willing to follow God’s direction, you do well. If you harbor something still unforgiven in your heart or mind, you are in the majority. God desires your complete commitment. You can’t feel God’s awesome love unless you are willing to let go of those things that God is ready to forgive.
What part of your present or past needs the riches of God’s grace and forgiveness today?
PS... After months of sharing and counseling, Sheri let go of her pain. We prayed together at the altar. She finally accepted God's mercy. Every time I see her, I see the genuine smile on her face of a person who has felt the healing power of grace!
July 27
“An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up.” (Proverbs 12:25, NIV84)
For several years a woman had been having trouble getting to sleep at night because she feared burglars. One night her husband heard a noise in the house, so he went downstairs to investigate. When he got there, he did find a burglar. "Good evening," said the man of the house. "I am pleased to see you. Come upstairs and meet my wife. She has been waiting 10 years to meet you." (William Marshall, Eternity Shut in a Span)
So many people go through life full of anxiety and worry. They fear for what is to come. They wring their hands in worry over what may have gone wrong. Their minds are occupied and running full steam with theories, opinions, projections, what-ifs, until they are consumed by it all. How well do you handle anxiety and worry? Do your fears cause you untold anxious moments?
The scripture for today from Proverbs 12 teaches that a heart full of anxiousness and worry “weighs a man down” (Proverbs 12:25). It presses down on you. It is a weight you bear. A person having an anxiety attack once told me: “It feels as if an elephant is sitting on my chest! I can hardly breathe!” While speaking these words, the person was gasping for breath. The crazy thing was that the person was physically fine, just suffering from anxiety and fear that had totally controlled her emotions. There was no breathing problem, no problem with her heart. Anxiety had so dominated her mind that her body went into a type of state where even the simplest task of breathing was overwhelming and difficult. That’s what anxiety does to a person. It overtakes your emotions and makes life difficult. The anxieties you feel can easily wreak havoc on your body, making it hard to breathe. They also weigh down your soul. Those anxieties will crush God’s spirit within you.
Jesus taught, “Who of you by being anxious can and any bit of time to your life?” (Luke 12:25). Anxiety doesn’t add time to your days, it takes away time from your life. It carries you away with a tsunami of emotions and fears. It causes you untold stress. Praying becomes difficult. Your concentration will ebb away. You might pace or play with your hands. Your feet might twitch up a storm. Stress from anxiety steals your peace and calm. It causes you to be unable to focus on God’s promises nor feel God’s comforting Spirit. Is this what you want? Anxiety is self-generated. A person can’t force you to be anxious. You choose this response for yourself.
In Philippians 4:6, Paul says, “Have no anxiety about anything, but through prayer and supplication and thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God…”. Herein, you are given a way to deal with your anxiety. Use prayer and supplication and thanksgiving as antidotes. They will attack your anxiety and ease your depression. While the anxious heart weighs and man down, “a kind word cheers him up” (Proverbs 12:25). When anxiety threatens, spend time with people who have kind words. Focus on God’s loving grace. Pray for God’s peace and strength. Place your worries in God’s hands. Give thanks for what you do have instead of focusing on what you may not have.
J. Arthur Rank, an English executive, decided to do all his worrying on one day each week. He chose Wednesdays. When anything happened that gave him anxiety and annoyed his ulcer, he would write it down and put it in his worry box and forget about it until the next Wednesday. The interesting thing was that on the following Wednesday when he opened his worry box, he found that most of the things that had disturbed him the past six days were already settled. It would have been useless to have worried about them.
Why spend so much of your time suffering with anxiety? Why let fears and what-ifs steal years from your lifespan. The anti-dote is prayer and grace and forgiveness and God. Seek peace there. Nothing else in life can compete with God’s antidote. Alcohol won’t soothe the anxiety for long and will make it worse. Time may heal you some but won’t release you from the grip of anxiety. Drugs, sex, money, and all the other worldly helps may get you by for a short time, but the effect will be short-lived. When anxiety knocks, seek God’s embrace.
Anxiety harbors doubts. True faith harbors peace. Find that peace at the feet of the Almighty God.
So many people go through life full of anxiety and worry. They fear for what is to come. They wring their hands in worry over what may have gone wrong. Their minds are occupied and running full steam with theories, opinions, projections, what-ifs, until they are consumed by it all. How well do you handle anxiety and worry? Do your fears cause you untold anxious moments?
The scripture for today from Proverbs 12 teaches that a heart full of anxiousness and worry “weighs a man down” (Proverbs 12:25). It presses down on you. It is a weight you bear. A person having an anxiety attack once told me: “It feels as if an elephant is sitting on my chest! I can hardly breathe!” While speaking these words, the person was gasping for breath. The crazy thing was that the person was physically fine, just suffering from anxiety and fear that had totally controlled her emotions. There was no breathing problem, no problem with her heart. Anxiety had so dominated her mind that her body went into a type of state where even the simplest task of breathing was overwhelming and difficult. That’s what anxiety does to a person. It overtakes your emotions and makes life difficult. The anxieties you feel can easily wreak havoc on your body, making it hard to breathe. They also weigh down your soul. Those anxieties will crush God’s spirit within you.
Jesus taught, “Who of you by being anxious can and any bit of time to your life?” (Luke 12:25). Anxiety doesn’t add time to your days, it takes away time from your life. It carries you away with a tsunami of emotions and fears. It causes you untold stress. Praying becomes difficult. Your concentration will ebb away. You might pace or play with your hands. Your feet might twitch up a storm. Stress from anxiety steals your peace and calm. It causes you to be unable to focus on God’s promises nor feel God’s comforting Spirit. Is this what you want? Anxiety is self-generated. A person can’t force you to be anxious. You choose this response for yourself.
In Philippians 4:6, Paul says, “Have no anxiety about anything, but through prayer and supplication and thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God…”. Herein, you are given a way to deal with your anxiety. Use prayer and supplication and thanksgiving as antidotes. They will attack your anxiety and ease your depression. While the anxious heart weighs and man down, “a kind word cheers him up” (Proverbs 12:25). When anxiety threatens, spend time with people who have kind words. Focus on God’s loving grace. Pray for God’s peace and strength. Place your worries in God’s hands. Give thanks for what you do have instead of focusing on what you may not have.
J. Arthur Rank, an English executive, decided to do all his worrying on one day each week. He chose Wednesdays. When anything happened that gave him anxiety and annoyed his ulcer, he would write it down and put it in his worry box and forget about it until the next Wednesday. The interesting thing was that on the following Wednesday when he opened his worry box, he found that most of the things that had disturbed him the past six days were already settled. It would have been useless to have worried about them.
Why spend so much of your time suffering with anxiety? Why let fears and what-ifs steal years from your lifespan. The anti-dote is prayer and grace and forgiveness and God. Seek peace there. Nothing else in life can compete with God’s antidote. Alcohol won’t soothe the anxiety for long and will make it worse. Time may heal you some but won’t release you from the grip of anxiety. Drugs, sex, money, and all the other worldly helps may get you by for a short time, but the effect will be short-lived. When anxiety knocks, seek God’s embrace.
Anxiety harbors doubts. True faith harbors peace. Find that peace at the feet of the Almighty God.
July 30
“God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another. Do you have the gift of speaking? Then speak as though God himself were speaking through you. Do you have the gift of helping others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. Then everything you do will bring glory to God through Jesus Christ. All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen.” (1 Peter 4:10–11, NLT)
For many Christians, faith is a one lane connection. That connection is between you and God. It is a human-divine connection that is nurtured and strengthened by prayer. The Bible is studied to know God better. This is a false interpretation of the Christian life. If this is what you think, stop now! In reality, faith is NOT a one lane connection. There are many lanes. There are many connections. There is a connection between the faithful person and God, that person and other Christians, that person and those outside the faith, that person and the natural world, and so much more. Your spiritual life involves many interactions, many lanes, many relationships, many possibilities on earth as in heaven.
When I was searching the internet for pictures to describe Christianity, the picture on the left was given as an explanation of the human relationship with God (I added the NO!). It is very incorrect. It assumes that the whole gist of faith is a relationship between the human and God alone. The other relationships of faith are not significant or relevant. The Christian life is deeply personal and of one lane, human to God and back again. There are no spiritually significant interpersonal relationships according to this understanding. This conceptual view is patently false. If your relationship with God is ONLY personal, you are not only missing out, you are failing God.
The scripture above was written to help show early Christians that faith is also about relationships with others and in other places. Peter began the scripture by noting that each true Christian is given “a gift from God’s great variety of spiritual gifts” (1 Peter 4:10). However, that spiritual gift, though given by God, is derived to “serve one another”, to “help others”, to “bring Glory to God”. The gift is not to bring personal glory. It is not for the benefit of the Christian alone. It is for the benefit of others. God choses or adapts your spiritual gifts with a consideration of how others may be affected and helped, benefited and encouraged. Spiritual gifts are not only seen by God. Others will notice your spiritual gifts and need them. The world needs your spiritual strengths. History is deeply affected by the perfect combination of your spiritual gifts.
As I was leaving a meeting at the church building, I noticed one of the Sunday School teachers off to the side. She was alone and pensive. There was a sad look upon her face. Feeling God’s urging, I asked her to step outside the meeting and speak with me. She smiled and followed. I led her out in the hallway, turned to her and said, “OK, what’s wrong? You don’t usually have a frown on that face of yours!”
After a few minutes of conversation, it became obvious to me that she was being stifled by her work in the church. Being a teacher in the public school, people had urged her to be a Sunday School teacher. They thought this would be a perfect place for her. Wrong! Though she had the gift of teaching in the public arena, her spiritual gifts were not along teaching lines. She loved outreach and missions. She would be perfect as a mission coordinator! When I mentioned that she was stepping down, people had all kinds of feelings. Some thought she was angry at me. Some assumed she was dissatisfied with the students or the Board of Christian Education. However, these thoughts evaporated as soon as she began to work with a local mission program. She collected food and school supplies for needy kids. As she worked, I never saw a person smile so much. She ate it up. The work brought her alive. The more different types of mission work she did, the more she was on fire for Christ!
According to the scripture for today, spiritual gifts are chosen with the expectation that they will be used “to serve one another”, in outreach, to build up the church, and for the benefit of both God and our world. Don’t be shoe-horned into a certain spiritual job because that’s what others expect or that’s what your family has always done! Determine your spiritual gifts, and figure out where God wants you to use them! Realize that your spiritual gifts may make you feel uncomfortable or ill-prepared for a while. However, as you use the spiritual muscles that God has given you, you will feel energized and spiritually fulfilled. Those spiritual gifts will touch other lives and bring God great pleasure! The use of your spiritual gifts will bring “glory to God through Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 4:11)!
Are you using your spiritual gifts? How many others have been affected by God’s Spirit in you? Has God recently changed your spiritual focus or direction? Are you doing the work God wants you to right now? Sometimes, God may change your spiritual strengths to adjust to a new need around you. How well do you adapt to spiritual changes in your spiritual gifts? If your faith is growing stale, maybe you aren’t doing what God needs done; maybe you aren’t helping or serving where there is the perfect need for what you have to give!
When I was searching the internet for pictures to describe Christianity, the picture on the left was given as an explanation of the human relationship with God (I added the NO!). It is very incorrect. It assumes that the whole gist of faith is a relationship between the human and God alone. The other relationships of faith are not significant or relevant. The Christian life is deeply personal and of one lane, human to God and back again. There are no spiritually significant interpersonal relationships according to this understanding. This conceptual view is patently false. If your relationship with God is ONLY personal, you are not only missing out, you are failing God.
The scripture above was written to help show early Christians that faith is also about relationships with others and in other places. Peter began the scripture by noting that each true Christian is given “a gift from God’s great variety of spiritual gifts” (1 Peter 4:10). However, that spiritual gift, though given by God, is derived to “serve one another”, to “help others”, to “bring Glory to God”. The gift is not to bring personal glory. It is not for the benefit of the Christian alone. It is for the benefit of others. God choses or adapts your spiritual gifts with a consideration of how others may be affected and helped, benefited and encouraged. Spiritual gifts are not only seen by God. Others will notice your spiritual gifts and need them. The world needs your spiritual strengths. History is deeply affected by the perfect combination of your spiritual gifts.
As I was leaving a meeting at the church building, I noticed one of the Sunday School teachers off to the side. She was alone and pensive. There was a sad look upon her face. Feeling God’s urging, I asked her to step outside the meeting and speak with me. She smiled and followed. I led her out in the hallway, turned to her and said, “OK, what’s wrong? You don’t usually have a frown on that face of yours!”
After a few minutes of conversation, it became obvious to me that she was being stifled by her work in the church. Being a teacher in the public school, people had urged her to be a Sunday School teacher. They thought this would be a perfect place for her. Wrong! Though she had the gift of teaching in the public arena, her spiritual gifts were not along teaching lines. She loved outreach and missions. She would be perfect as a mission coordinator! When I mentioned that she was stepping down, people had all kinds of feelings. Some thought she was angry at me. Some assumed she was dissatisfied with the students or the Board of Christian Education. However, these thoughts evaporated as soon as she began to work with a local mission program. She collected food and school supplies for needy kids. As she worked, I never saw a person smile so much. She ate it up. The work brought her alive. The more different types of mission work she did, the more she was on fire for Christ!
According to the scripture for today, spiritual gifts are chosen with the expectation that they will be used “to serve one another”, in outreach, to build up the church, and for the benefit of both God and our world. Don’t be shoe-horned into a certain spiritual job because that’s what others expect or that’s what your family has always done! Determine your spiritual gifts, and figure out where God wants you to use them! Realize that your spiritual gifts may make you feel uncomfortable or ill-prepared for a while. However, as you use the spiritual muscles that God has given you, you will feel energized and spiritually fulfilled. Those spiritual gifts will touch other lives and bring God great pleasure! The use of your spiritual gifts will bring “glory to God through Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 4:11)!
Are you using your spiritual gifts? How many others have been affected by God’s Spirit in you? Has God recently changed your spiritual focus or direction? Are you doing the work God wants you to right now? Sometimes, God may change your spiritual strengths to adjust to a new need around you. How well do you adapt to spiritual changes in your spiritual gifts? If your faith is growing stale, maybe you aren’t doing what God needs done; maybe you aren’t helping or serving where there is the perfect need for what you have to give!
July 31
“And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.” (John 14:16–17, NIV84)
While in my third church, I was dealing with a situation that was spiraling out of control. Because the church was growing so quickly, some members wanted the pastor to only take care of church members and ignore outside responsibilities. Some wanted the church to keep growing by requiring the pastor to focus a good amount of time on gaining new members and initiating new programs. Some members wanted the church to remain small and intimate and didn’t like all the new visitors. A few advocated that we hire a second pastor to help in the growing ministry. Power plays and politics were threatening to destabilize the church because the direction forward was unclear. People were taking sides. After some amount of prayer, I went to talk with an older member of the congregation who was highly respected. We spent dozens of hours over the next month considering what might work best for the church. Together, we prayed for direction. She arranged for me to consult with other members and helped to organize help for me in the meantime, to keep me from getting burned out. She was a godsend, such a help. She was a counselor and friend. She was my advocate in the church, always helping the ministry.
They are out there; advocates and counselors sent by God. They are people who make perfect mentors. You can trust them. You can rely on their perspective and wisdom. However, there aren’t many. Good counselors and advocates are getting more and more rare. Trustworthy counseling and advice are sometimes hard to come by. True Christian mentors, who are not caught up in their own agendas, are a godsend. However, many Christians don’t realize that the Holy Spirit is a very reliable and trustworthy Counselor. When the Holy Spirit lives within you, that Spirit can direct your steps and lead you to new insights. In John 14:26, Jesus said that the Holy Spirit will cause the faithful to remember important spiritual things and teach you what you need to know at the right moment. Though at times, a human counselor or mentor is very important, God’s Spirit is a perfect counselor and adviser upon whom you should learn to rely.
In today’s scripture, Jesus said that “the Spirit of truth” would be sent to the faithful. Jesus would arrange it. This Spirit of truth, no doubt the Holy Spirit if you read closely in John 14, would be a powerful “Counselor to be with you forever” (John 14:16). God’s Spirit of truth would help you discern good from evil, right from wrong, truth from lie. In scripture, Satan is called “the father of lies” (John 8:44) and “the deceiver” (Revelation 12:9). To counter the lies all around you, God gives you the Holy Spirit as a “Spirit of truth”. With the Holy Spirit’s help, you can figure out the truth and determine the lies. The world is full of lies and liars. That’s why the Spirit of truth can’t be found in the world. John 14:17 teaches us that “the world cannot accept” the Spirit of truth. It is too full of deception. However, when you accept Jesus Christ and ask for God’s Holy Spirit to enter your heart, you are given a way to discern the lies in your thoughts and in your world. You can separate out fact from fiction. You can see more clearly the spiritual battles going on around and within you. You can have a spiritual Counselor with you at all times. You can feel God’s presence.
Just remember one hugely important fact: without the Holy Spirit in you, you are vulnerable to lies and deception. You are more liable to lie to yourself and others. You may be blind to the truth. If you do not have the Holy Spirit powerfully in your life, you must ask for it now. Ask God to send the Spirit into your heart and cleanse your mind (John 14:16). Even the disciples knew that anyone who is a real Christian needs the Holy Spirit in order to make it in this world (Acts 8:14-17).
Stephanie was engaged. She loved Lucas deeply. However, the closer that the date came to their wedding, the more she worried. Something wasn’t right. She couldn’t put a finger on it, but something was off about their relationship. Five months before their wedding date, Stephanie went on a retreat with her church adult mission group. While on the trip, she spent extra time in prayer. On the last night of the trip, she and her pastor prayed that she might see more clearly what might be wrong in her relationship with Lucas.
Over the next month, Stephanie felt that her spiritual batteries had been charged during that mission retreat. However, the more that month passed, the more she realized that she was living a lie. She did everything Lucas wanted to make him happy. She liked to please him. But Lucas didn’t even really know Stephanie’s real heart. When they went on a date, he picked the restaurant. When they ordered, she would tell him whatever he wanted was fine. When they went out with a group, it was with his friends. When they held hands, it was because Lucas asked. Stephanie was so fearful of losing Lucas that she molded her whole being to his. His likes became her likes. His desires were her desires. She had lost herself and her needs in the whole process. Things had to change.
Over the next few months, Stephanie and Lucas began to talk about these things. Lucas found out slowly but surely that he didn’t even know the “real” Stephanie. She hid her real self behind a facade. Not long after, Stephanie called off the engagement. She had lied to herself about her love for Lucas. She had deceived him, hiding her hopes and desires out of fear. In the end, it was the best thing for them. You see, over the next year the real Stephanie began to come out of her shell. When she and Lucas began to see each other again a year later, Lucas liked the real Stephanie. The two fell madly in love all over again. If you meet them today, their passion and love are obvious….. and real….. thanks to the Spirit of truth.
Your mind or heart might harbor a doozy of a lie that you tell yourself. The Spirit of truth is going to fight you on that! Your past might be filled with deceptions that haunt you to this day. The Spirit of truth can counsel you on what to do. Real Christians learn over time to trust the Holy Spirit’s leading. They pray in the Spirit, seeking truth and direction. Jesus planned on the Spirit of truth to help you discern your way in this treacherous world. Learn to distinguish the Spirit’s influence, trust the Spirit’s revelations, lean on the Spirit’s direction. If you follow the Spirit of truth, you will find so much more than you were looking for. “Ask and you shall receive, seek and you shall find, knock and it will be given to you” (Matthew 7:7). What are you really asking for? What are you really seeking? What doors do you need opened? The Spirit of truth knows……
They are out there; advocates and counselors sent by God. They are people who make perfect mentors. You can trust them. You can rely on their perspective and wisdom. However, there aren’t many. Good counselors and advocates are getting more and more rare. Trustworthy counseling and advice are sometimes hard to come by. True Christian mentors, who are not caught up in their own agendas, are a godsend. However, many Christians don’t realize that the Holy Spirit is a very reliable and trustworthy Counselor. When the Holy Spirit lives within you, that Spirit can direct your steps and lead you to new insights. In John 14:26, Jesus said that the Holy Spirit will cause the faithful to remember important spiritual things and teach you what you need to know at the right moment. Though at times, a human counselor or mentor is very important, God’s Spirit is a perfect counselor and adviser upon whom you should learn to rely.
In today’s scripture, Jesus said that “the Spirit of truth” would be sent to the faithful. Jesus would arrange it. This Spirit of truth, no doubt the Holy Spirit if you read closely in John 14, would be a powerful “Counselor to be with you forever” (John 14:16). God’s Spirit of truth would help you discern good from evil, right from wrong, truth from lie. In scripture, Satan is called “the father of lies” (John 8:44) and “the deceiver” (Revelation 12:9). To counter the lies all around you, God gives you the Holy Spirit as a “Spirit of truth”. With the Holy Spirit’s help, you can figure out the truth and determine the lies. The world is full of lies and liars. That’s why the Spirit of truth can’t be found in the world. John 14:17 teaches us that “the world cannot accept” the Spirit of truth. It is too full of deception. However, when you accept Jesus Christ and ask for God’s Holy Spirit to enter your heart, you are given a way to discern the lies in your thoughts and in your world. You can separate out fact from fiction. You can see more clearly the spiritual battles going on around and within you. You can have a spiritual Counselor with you at all times. You can feel God’s presence.
Just remember one hugely important fact: without the Holy Spirit in you, you are vulnerable to lies and deception. You are more liable to lie to yourself and others. You may be blind to the truth. If you do not have the Holy Spirit powerfully in your life, you must ask for it now. Ask God to send the Spirit into your heart and cleanse your mind (John 14:16). Even the disciples knew that anyone who is a real Christian needs the Holy Spirit in order to make it in this world (Acts 8:14-17).
Stephanie was engaged. She loved Lucas deeply. However, the closer that the date came to their wedding, the more she worried. Something wasn’t right. She couldn’t put a finger on it, but something was off about their relationship. Five months before their wedding date, Stephanie went on a retreat with her church adult mission group. While on the trip, she spent extra time in prayer. On the last night of the trip, she and her pastor prayed that she might see more clearly what might be wrong in her relationship with Lucas.
Over the next month, Stephanie felt that her spiritual batteries had been charged during that mission retreat. However, the more that month passed, the more she realized that she was living a lie. She did everything Lucas wanted to make him happy. She liked to please him. But Lucas didn’t even really know Stephanie’s real heart. When they went on a date, he picked the restaurant. When they ordered, she would tell him whatever he wanted was fine. When they went out with a group, it was with his friends. When they held hands, it was because Lucas asked. Stephanie was so fearful of losing Lucas that she molded her whole being to his. His likes became her likes. His desires were her desires. She had lost herself and her needs in the whole process. Things had to change.
Over the next few months, Stephanie and Lucas began to talk about these things. Lucas found out slowly but surely that he didn’t even know the “real” Stephanie. She hid her real self behind a facade. Not long after, Stephanie called off the engagement. She had lied to herself about her love for Lucas. She had deceived him, hiding her hopes and desires out of fear. In the end, it was the best thing for them. You see, over the next year the real Stephanie began to come out of her shell. When she and Lucas began to see each other again a year later, Lucas liked the real Stephanie. The two fell madly in love all over again. If you meet them today, their passion and love are obvious….. and real….. thanks to the Spirit of truth.
Your mind or heart might harbor a doozy of a lie that you tell yourself. The Spirit of truth is going to fight you on that! Your past might be filled with deceptions that haunt you to this day. The Spirit of truth can counsel you on what to do. Real Christians learn over time to trust the Holy Spirit’s leading. They pray in the Spirit, seeking truth and direction. Jesus planned on the Spirit of truth to help you discern your way in this treacherous world. Learn to distinguish the Spirit’s influence, trust the Spirit’s revelations, lean on the Spirit’s direction. If you follow the Spirit of truth, you will find so much more than you were looking for. “Ask and you shall receive, seek and you shall find, knock and it will be given to you” (Matthew 7:7). What are you really asking for? What are you really seeking? What doors do you need opened? The Spirit of truth knows……