Stumbling In the Dark May 31, 2016

1 Peter 2:8 (NIV)

8 and, “A stone that causes people to stumble

    and a rock that makes them fall.”

They stumble because they disobey the message—which is also what they were destined for.

To those who respond in faith, the Stone is “precious,” just as it is precious to God. But to those who reject Jesus Christ as the Messiah, He becomes a stumbling block. Peter compares the response of unbelievers to Christ with the disobedience of the people of Israel and Judah. God became their source of judgment rather than their salvation. Peter, writing to God’s elect, admonishes them to be rid of all deceit and hypocrisy, envy and slander. He reminds them that they are being built into a “spiritual house” that will be evidenced by offering spiritual sacrifices. 

Does your life reflect your belief that Jesus Christ is a precious treasure? What spiritual sacrifices have you been offering Him? Peter identifies spiritual sacrifices as a declaration of praises to God for bringing us out of darkness and into His light. Recently, a beautiful young woman gave birth to a baby boy. He is struggling with an illness, fighting for his little life. Jesus is precious to her and she clings to Him as she continues to praise and worship her Lord. For those who do not know Christ, it is difficult to understand her faith. Jesus is a stumbling block to them, and yet so very precious to her!

Thoughts for today:  What causes you to stumble in your spiritual life? Are you able to declare praises to God even when things are difficult in your life? The Lord becomes precious to us as we learn to trust Him in all circumstances. What do you need to praise Him for today?

Going Down To Egypt-land May 30, 2016

Proverbs 3:5 (NIV)

5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart
    and lean not on your own understanding;

Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, who rely on horses, who trust in the multitude of their chariots and in the great strength of their horseman, but do not look to the Holy One of Israel, or seek help from the Lord. (Isaiah 31:1) These are words penned by the prophet Isaiah describing Israel’s reliance on Egypt, which represented wealth, false security, prosperity, and human wisdom. It is interesting to me that in former years, the Israelites had served as slaves to the Egyptians who were hard taskmasters. Yet they quickly wanted to go back to Egypt when the going got rough: But the people were thirsty for water there, and they grumbled against Moses. They said, “Why did you bring us out of Egypt to make us and our children die of thirst? (Exodus 17:3) How quickly the Israelites forgot their life of slavery as they remembered the “benefits” of Egypt.

We can easily become enslaved by forgetting the Lord and relying on “things” or “human wisdom” to bring us peace and understanding. Our only true peace comes through trusting in the Lord. God, in His infinite mercy and love, sent us Jesus Christ to be a precious Cornerstone for a sure foundation.

(Isaiah 28:16) We are promised that when we put our trust in Him, Egypt cannot have a hold on us.

What have you put your trust in? What things represent the “chariots and horses” of Egypt? Egypt’s wealth lured the people into thinking that freedom comes from wealth, when in fact they were enslaved in the midst of an affluent society. Their security was in the things that Egypt represented, but they had forgotten their God. The Lord is calling you to trust in Him alone; only in Him is there true freedom.

Thought for today: Do I look to things for strength to the exclusion of God?

Transitions May 29, 2016

Joshua 3:3-4 (NIV)

3 giving orders to the people: “When you see the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God, and the Levitical priests carrying it, you are to move out from your positions and follow it. 4 Then you will know which way to go, since you have never been this way before. But keep a distance of about two thousand cubits between you and the ark; do not go near it.”

When the Israelites crossed the Red Sea under the leadership of Moses, the Hebrew word “nasa,” which means to “enter” or “walk,” was used to signify the crossing of the Red Sea. When the Israelites crossed the Jordan River, however, the Hebrew word “abar,” meaning “to cross” or “to pass,” was used.

In our personal lives, we enter or walk into different seasons of our lives. This is not necessarily brought on by an abrupt change, crisis, or a significant event. Sometimes, we simply take the next step and the transition is smooth. There are times, however, when the transition is not smooth.

The Israelites were in transition, crossing over into the Promised Land. This would be a totally new experience for them, unlike anything they had done before and unlike anywhere they had lived before. There are times when we, like the Israelites, have to transition into unfamiliar territory. We become abar” people, claiming new territory and inheriting promises brought on by radical change. Although change can be jolting and unexpected, God is with us as we follow Him.

As Christians, we continue to face crossover experiences, journeying into places we have never been before. The Lord uses these times to stretch us and to change our character to be more like His. Are you in a time of transition? Trust the Lord to go before you as He did the Israelites. Be encouraged when God takes you to the other side. There will be a fruitful land waiting for you.

Thought for today: Do I lose focus when I “crossover”? ( Do I take I got this , so it’s no longer important attitude?)

Righteousness Of God May 28, 2016

Romans 3:21 (NIV)

21 But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify.

The 1st century Jews understood the righteousness of God as being inherently tied to God’s faithfulness to His covenant people, the Jews. The Jews thought that their righteousness was linked to the fact that they were God’s covenant people. However, the law was only meant to be a tool that pointed them to God. The Jewish people thought that their possession of the law was enough to make them righteous, and yet Jesus told his disciples that their righteousness must surpass the righteousness of the Pharisees in order to enter the kingdom of God: For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:20) In essence, Jesus recognized the Pharisees as those who were so caught up in the law and their own righteousness that they missed seeing Him as the fulfillment of the law. Paul clarifies to the Jews that now (note the word now) righteousness apart from law has been made known, and this righteousness comes from faith in Jesus Christ. (v.21)

Even today it is easy for us to think that we must earn our way into a right relationship with God. We learn this at an early age when we receive credit for the good things we do. But there is nothing we can do to earn salvation other than believe in the One who can save.

Thought for today: Do I acknowledge grace in my life?

Tearing down The Devil’s Strongholds May 27, 2016

1 John 3:8 (NIV)

8 The one who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work.

Scripture tells us that Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil. (I John 3:8)

In Matthew 12, the Pharisees, the religious leaders of the day, accused Jesus of healing a demon-possessed man by power given to him by Beelzebub, prince of demons. Jesus explained to them that their logic was distorted. He came to drive out demons, so why would He be in partnership with the prince of demons? He told them, If Satan drives out Satan, he is divided against himself. How can his kingdom stand? (Matthew 12:26) He continued to explain to them that He drove out demons by the Spirit of God, demonstrating to them that the kingdom of God was at work. As believers, we are co-workers with the Holy Spirit in destroying the works of the devil. We are in partnership with God and work together to bring His kingdom power to earth. When I realize that I am to be united with God against the enemy, it motivates me to allow the Holy Spirit to drive out those things in my life that are not pleasing to God. By doing this, I can be more effective in my partnership with God.

Jesus made it very clear to His disciples, and likewise to future believers, that the enemy is always prowling around seeking to destroy believers. (I Peter5:8)

One way he is successful in doing that is to have us live with a mixture of God’s ways and his ways. Jesus commands us to live as children of light and to have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness. (Ephesians 5:8-11) In this way, we can be part of the kingdom of God, working together with Christ to destroy the works of the devil.

Where are you in conflict with God’s ways and the ways of man and the world? Are you willing to partner with God in destroying anything in your life that is a mixture of God’s ways and the world’s ways?

Thought for today: Do I make it a consistent practice to call sin out?

Response to Assault May 26, 2016

1 Samuel 19:9-10     (NIV)

9 But an evil spirit from the Lord came on Saul as he was sitting in his house with his spear in his hand. While David was playing the lyre, 10 Saul tried to pin him to the wall with his spear, but David eluded him as Saul drove the spear into the wall. That night David made good his escape.

As Saul sought to take David’s life, David asked Jonathan, Saul’s son, what he had done to cause Saul to be so angry that he would want to kill him. David knew that he was innocent of wrongdoing, yet he knew that Saul was the king and therefore he would not touch God’s anointed. (I Samuel

24:10) After being anointed by Samuel to be king, David spent his early years running and hiding from Saul. The passage in I Samuel 19 describes an evil spirit that came upon Saul as he was sitting with the spear in his hand. David eluded him as he had many times before. David was wronged. He had done nothing to deserve this kind of treatment from Saul, yet he was not going to retaliate.

In my own life, I have experienced times when I have felt the pain of spears and have wanted to get even. We must see things, however, from the perspective of heaven and replace our retaliation spears with the mantle of love. Courageous leaders know that to be like Jesus, they must abandon selfish ambition and vain conceit. It is by God’s supernatural grace that we are able to retreat and not seek revenge. If we want to lead others, we must love courageously and depend on God to protect and deliver us.

Has someone wronged you? Perhaps someone has said things about you that were not true and damaged your reputation. The Lord may call you to bring the truth into the light and confront the person. He may ask you to do nothing. Regardless, we are called to be like Christ in our attitudes: Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kind of evil against you because of me. (Matthew 5:11) James tells us that we should consider our trials as joy because the Lord will use them to develop our character in Christ:

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, lacking in nothing. (James 1:2-4) The Lord may be calling you to pray for the person who has insulted or wronged you.

He may be asking you to lovingly confront the offense. But regardless of His ultimate plan, He uses our willingness to not retaliate to grow Christlike character in us. Although constraining ourselves from retaliation goes against our human nature, God will see us through.

Thought for today:  Is my response to an offense in line with God?

Sent By God May 25, 2016

Matthew 10:1  (NIV)

10 Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out impure spirits and to heal every disease and sickness.

Jesus sent out the twelve disciples and gave them the authority to drive out evil spirits and to heal every disease and sickness. (Matthew 10:1) He told them to go to the Jews first, preaching that the kingdom of heaven is near. The evidence of the kingdom would be seen as the disciples proclaimed and demonstrated the kingdom. Before ascending into heaven, Jesus instructed the apostles about the kingdom and told them to wait for the gift of the Holy Spirit to empower them to carry out His work. (Acts 1) On the day of Pentecost,

120 believers were filled with the Holy Spirit. Today, God continues to fill and send out believers to demonstrate that indeed the kingdom of God is near.

(Matthew 4:17) The kingdom of God is the rule and reign of God on earth.

As the gospel is preached, the kingdom of God draws near. Jesus declared that the kingdom was near when He came to earth; He demonstrated the kingdom and He commissioned believers to advance His kingdom on earth:

From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing and forceful men lay hold of it. (Matthew 11:12) The kingdom was, the kingdom is, and the kingdom will be when Jesus Christ returns. As believers, we participate in the advancement of His kingdom as we spread the “good news” of Jesus Christ and demonstrate His goodness through prayer and faith.

Have you been simply waiting until Jesus returns for His kingdom to arrive? Perhaps you are content knowing you have received Jesus as your Lord and Savior but are unsure if you wish to participate in His activities on earth. The fullness of His Holy Spirit is here, guiding you and empowering you to actively participate with what He is doing as the world prepares for Him to return. Are you willing to pray for the sick or to reach out to the lost?

He has prepared you to step out in faith and advance His kingdom. He is still working on earth and the harvest is plentiful: Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore to send out workers into His harvest field.” (Matthew 9:35-38)

Thought for today: What work have I done to enhance/advance the kingdom?

El Shaddai, Provision For Fruitfulness May 24, 2016

Jeremiah 17:7-8(NIV)

7 “But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord,
    whose confidence is in him.
8 They will be like a tree planted by the water
    that sends out its roots by the stream.
It does not fear when heat comes;
    its leaves are always green.
It has no worries in a year of drought
    and never fails to bear fruit.”

God told Abram that he would make him into a great nation, that he would be the father of many nations, and that his descendants would be as numerous as the stars in the sky. (Genesis 12:2 and 22:17) His wife Sarai became restless waiting on the promise of God and decided to ensure that God’s Word would be fulfilled as promised. She told Hagar, her servant, to sleep with Abram, and she conceived, bearing a son named Ishmael. Abram and Sarai did not know God as El Shaddai, the One who would make them fruitful, so they produced a son “of the flesh.” God’s promise to Abram still remained the same, that Sarai would have a son in her old age. He promised a son of the “spirit,” and Sarai bore a son named Isaac from whom the nation of Israel came forth.

Why do we fall into the trap of taking things into our own hands?

I think it is because we do not have a full revelation of El Shaddai, our fruitfulness. We must guard against the temptation to try to fulfill God’s Word to us by ourselves. We might end up with Ishmael, a child of the “flesh.”

Have you tried to make something happen that the Lord promised would happen? As you wait on the Lord to fulfill His promises, there may be things that He asks you to do, but remember to always rely on the Holy Spirit to lead the way. So often I am tempted to make things happen that I believe the Lord has promised. Waiting on the Lord and His timing always births an “Isaac.” Doing things my way leads to an “Ishmael,” and Ishmael was sent out to the desert. If you find yourself in the desert, ask the Lord if you have not believed His word to fulfill His promise. 

Choose today to trust Him.

Thought for today: What is has happened when I didn’t trust God to provide?

Obedience May 23, 2016

Nehemiah 8:13-18 (NIV)

13 On the second day of the month, the heads of all the families, along with the priests and the Levites, gathered around Ezra the teacher to give attention to the words of the Law.

 14 They found written in the Law, which the Lord had commanded through Moses, that the Israelites were to live in temporary shelters during the festival of the seventh month 

15 and that they should proclaim this word and spread it throughout their towns and in Jerusalem: “Go out into the hill country and bring back branches from olive and wild olive trees, and from myrtles, palms and shade trees, to make temporary shelters”—as it is written.

16 So the people went out and brought back branches and built themselves temporary shelters on their own roofs, in their courtyards, in the courts of the house of God and in the square by the Water Gate and the one by the Gate of Ephraim. 

17 The whole company that had returned from exile built temporary shelters and lived in them. From the days of Joshua son of Nun until that day, the Israelites had not celebrated it like this. And their joy was very great.

18 Day after day, from the first day to the last, Ezra read from the Book of the Law of God. They celebrated the festival for seven days, and on the eighth day, in accordance with the regulation, there was an assembly.

In obedience to God’s Word, the people celebrated the Day of Atonement, always celebrated on the tenth day of the month, and the Feast of Tabernacles from the fifteenth to the twenty-first. The people celebrated with great joy: The whole company that had returned from exile built booths and lived in them. From the days of Joshua son of Nun until that day, the Israelites had not celebrated it like this. And their joy was very great. (v.17) During the seven days of the feast, the Jews lived in booths made of branches. It was a time of remembering the wandering in the wilderness, the goodness of the Lord, and His promised future kingdom. The people rejoiced in God’s Word, and there was a new willingness to obey His Word. At the Water Gate, revival had begun and the people enjoyed fellowship, feasting, and hearing the Word of God. True revival begins when God’s Word is proclaimed and His people respond. During the course of the history of the church, there have been spiritual revivals. People turn back to God, acknowledge Him as Lord, and are revived by His Holy Spirit: If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink.

Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him. (John 7:37) It was at another Feast of Tabernacles that Jesus said those words, centuries after Ezra had read God’s Word, and the people responded. Jesus Christ is the Water Gate for all who choose to believe in Him today.

Where have you been disobedient to God’s Word? Do you sense that the Lord is asking you to forgive someone and you have stubbornly been refusing? Is He asking you to trust Him in an area of your life? Like the Israelites, when you obey, you will be filled with joy and celebration.

Thought for today: Does my words/actions convey a life-force? 

In Christ May 22, 2016

John 21:15-17  (NIV)

15 When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”

“Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”

16 Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”

17 The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.

Jesus asks Peter if he loves (agape) Him. Peter answers of course he loves (filios – brotherly love) Him. Jesus asks him again, and again Peter answers the same way. Then a third time Jesus asks Peter if he loves (agape)Him.

Jesus recognizes that Peter does not yet understand, or have as part of his experience, the agape love of the Father. At this point in his relationship with Jesus, he was only able to love Him with brotherly love, much like he would a friend. It wasn’t until Pentecost that Peter could know and receive Christ’s love through the empowering and enabling of the Holy Spirit. Jesus met Peter where he was. Jesus meets us where we are and then works toward our knowing and receiving this kind of love. Obedience and love go hand in hand. As we remain in God’s love, obedience is the fruit. We want to obey.

Jesus uses Himself as the example of being obedient to His Father. It was love for us and obedience to the Father that held Him to the cross. The cycle goes like this: God loves the Son; the Son loves us; the Son obeys the Father; we obey the Son. As a result, our joy is made complete: As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. (John 15:9)

Jesus desires that you receive His agape love today: intimate love, the same as He has with His Father. He longs for us to love Him with more than brotherly love, with agape love. He describes this relationship in John:

Remain in me and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. (John 15:4) As believers, we are the branches connected to the vine.

The branches cannot live apart from the vine. As you receive God’s love, you, the branch, will bear much fruit.

Thought for today: How will people know that you are aligned with God and Christ?

Encouraging One Another May 21, 2016

Hebrews 10:24-25 (NIV)

24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

As you study God’s Word from the book of Hebrews, discover the value of being involved in a Christian community. The writer of Hebrews tells us to consider how we may spur one another on living a fruitful Christian life. A significant part of that is meeting together, both in our times of celebration on Sundays as well as other times of sharing life together.

Consider asking the Lord for a Christian friend or friends whom you can trust as prayer partners. Prayer partners give us the support, caring, and love of other believers. Let your prayer partners encourage you, pray with you, and keep you accountable as you strive to discover and obey God’s will for you. As you recognize God’s instructions for you from spending time in His Word, share your joys, concerns, and challenges with your prayer partners.

Pray for each other daily. Study God’s Word together and learn how it applies to your lives. This kind of interaction is a vital part of our journey with the Holy Spirit. Having accountability partners who are willing to invest in your life will help you to discern God’s will. Christian friends spur you on when you are faced with life’s challenges and pick you up when you are discouraged: Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work:

If one falls down, his friend can help pick him up! But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! (Ecclesiastes 4:9)

Are you willing to be vulnerable and become involved with a Christian community? Are you willing to submit your life to trusted friends and allow them to speak into your life? For some people, it will not be difficult to do that; for others, it will be a challenge. Our society today encourages independence, and we are becoming more and more isolated from one another. The Word teaches us to be in community, helping, encouraging, and discerning together the will of God.

Thought for today?  How do I handle accountability? How do I encourage others?

Believers As Living Stones May 20, 2016

1 Corinthians 3:16 (NIV)

16 Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst?

The Holy Spirit builds believers into “spiritual houses.” We are changed from “glory to glory,” becoming more like Christ as we yield to the building process. When our house was being built for my family, I watched as the foundation was laid. The workmen took special care as they lay the first cement blocks. After the foundation was in place, the rest of the house went up rather quickly. We need to follow the example of the workmen and take special care to lay the proper foundation for our “spiritual houses,” beginning with Jesus Christ as the Cornerstone. I heard about a company that specializes in rebuilding foundations by first locating the problem and then fixing it. I began to think about what it would take to rebuild the foundation of my present home. It would be an enormous task in both cost and time.

But the Lord waits patiently to repair the cracks in the foundation of our spiritual lives as we yield to Him as the master builder. It can be an enormous costly and timely job, but Jesus has paid the price and given up His very life so that He can become our spiritual foundation. Paul writes to the church in Corinth describing the building process: For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood or straw or hay, his work will be shown for what it is. (I Corinthian 3:11-13)

On what are you building your spiritual foundation? There will come a day when your foundation will be tested. Until that day, allow the Lord to do the building and repair where there is damage in your spiritual life.

The Lord is the master builder and He is building a place where He can dwell within you. Do you have a godly foundation? If so, allow the Lord to continue building the house. If your foundation is faulty, ask Him today to tear it down and build up His foundation in you so that your “spiritual house” will be able to withstand any storm.

Thought for today: Is my faith solid?

Demonstrating In Words And Actions May 19, 2016

John 2:22 (NIV)

22 After he was raised from the dead, his disciples recalled what he had said. Then they believed the scripture and the words that Jesus had spoken.

    According to Webster’s dictionary, to “proclaim” means “to declare publicly through speech or in writing.” Peter and John healed a crippled man outside the temple and the people were astonished and amazed. Peter’s response to the onlookers was: Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we made this man walk? (Acts 3) Peter boldly proclaimed that it was Jesus who healed the man. Many of us have witnessed the Lord heal people both physically and spiritually but have hesitated to share it with others for fear that they wouldn’t believe or understand. Recently, I had several people pray for my foot that had not healed completely after a severe injury.

Although the accident happened many months ago, I was still experiencing pain. After they prayed, my foot was significantly better and has continued to progress. Immediately, I shared this with people who I knew were believers, but I hesitated to share it with those who perhaps wouldn’t believe me. After my friends prayed with me, the Lord overcame my hesitation. He gave me a boldness to tell people I didn’t even know and proclaim Him as the rightful Healer.

Are you afraid to tell others what God has done in your life? Why is it so easy to fear what people think of us? Fear keeps us from sharing our

“God” stories – sharing those things that the Lord has done in our lives.

Years ago, I saw a friend from childhood who told me that she heard I had become “religious.” I tried to act as unspiritual as I could so that she would think differently of me. I did not like her label. It didn’t take long for the Lord to convict me, and I realized I simply need to be an authentic Christian.

I have become a better witness for Christ as I have sought to be myself – throwing off all labels and simply living my life for Him. It is freeing to know that I don’t have to convince anyone that Jesus is my Lord; they will see He is my Lord. Actions speak far more than words.

Are you willing to let your life be an open book for others, sharing the good news with your actions, only using words when necessary?

Thought for today: Is my life a “Bible” worth reading?

God’s Gracious Hand May 18, 2016

Nehemiah 1:8-9 (NIV)

8 “Remember the instruction you gave your servant Moses, saying, ‘If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the nations, 9 but if you return to me and obey my commands, then even if your exiled people are at the farthest horizon, I will gather them from there and bring them to the place I have chosen as a dwelling for my Name.’

In the first chapter of Nehemiah, we see Nehemiah’s complete dependence on the Lord. He turned to God in his distress over the state of affairs in Jerusalem. He reminded the Lord of His promises to meet the needs of His people who return to Him in repentance. Nehemiah humbly repented on behalf of himself and the people of Jerusalem who had turned from God. He sought the Lord through prayer and fasting. He knew that the Lord was trustworthy to supply the needs in just the right time for him to accomplish the task. Doors flew open when Nehemiah’s prayers filled the heavens and poured over King Artaxerxes, who became God’s instrument of supply. Nehemiah waited on God’s timing. When he received the resources he needed, he quickly proclaimed that it was only by God’s gracious hand that he had received the resources.

The Lord longs to be gracious to us as we turn to Him. He has an infinite supply of resources, and when we cry out to Him, He supplies what we need. Are you feeling empty, lonely or afraid? Jesus Christ is the answer to all of your needs. He stands at the door, knocking to come in and supply you with a banquet to satisfy your thirst and hunger. Are you willing to open the door and let Him in?

Thought for today: Do I consistently turn to God?

Humility Exhibited May 17, 2016

Philippians 2:3 (NIV)

3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves,

After David was anointed to be king, he enrolled in the school of

“hard knocks,” otherwise known as the school of humility. He learned to be subservient to his master, the king. King Saul became jealous of David:

When the men were returning home after David had killed the Philistines, the women came out from all of the towns of Israel to meet King Saul with singing and dancing with joyful songs and with tambourines and lutes. As they danced they sang:; Saul has slain his thousands and David his tens of thousands (I Samuel 18:6-7). King Saul’s jealousy of David’s military success turned into an obsession and he tried to kill David. David was pursued by Saul and had to hide from him, but the Lord used this to grow humility in David. David had opportunities to kill Saul, but in obedience and humility, he would not touch God’s anointed. Persecution, even the jealousy of others, though painful, can be a perfecting tool in God’s hands. David found success wherever he went. He was successful in defeating the enemies of Israel, yet he never tried to elevate himself in the eyes of the people. We can learn so much from reading the Psalms. Many were written by David as he faced difficulties. God used the difficult times to help David develop humility.

As we read through the Psalms, we enter into the agony David felt as Saul relentlessly pursued him to take his life. Spend time this week meditating on the Psalms, apply them to your life, and recognize the truth in God’s Word:

God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble. (James 4:6) How we need His grace to help us develop the humility we need to be courageous leaders!

Thought for today: How do I demonstrate humility?

Materialism May 16, 2016

Isaiah 23:3 (NIV)

3 On the great waters came the grain of the Shihor;
the harvest of the Nile was the revenue of Tyre, and she became the marketplace of the nations.

Tyre was the main seaport along the Phoenician coast. Part of the city was built on two rocky islands one-half mile from shore. The ships of Tarshish were laden with goods and the wealth of the nations.

Nebuchadnezzar captured the mainland city (572 BC), but the island was not taken until Alexander the Great destroyed it in 332 BC. The city of Tyre represents a nation that was full of pride in its wealth. She had become the marketplace for the nations. The Lord brought Tyre low and humbled “the pride of her glory.” Today, we see the pride and wealth in many nations, particularly in the United States. As individuals, we can easily be caught up in the “tyranny of Tyre.” God judges materialism in nations and in our personal lives. The Lord’s unfailing love, however, draws us to repentance when we see the tyranny of materialism. There is no silver, gold, or diamond that is more precious than the Lord.

What is your most valued possession? Whatever comes to mind first may be the thing that the Lord wants you to lay on the altar. He is a jealous God and has told us in His Word not to worship anything else above Him:

You shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven or on the earth beneath, or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I the Lord your God am a jealous God….

(Deuteronomy 5:7-9) Jesus knew that our possessions could be like “gods” that occupy our time and our hearts. He told the rich young ruler that if he wanted to inherit the kingdom, he needed to sell all of his possessions. The young man walked away.

What possession do you value above God? One easy test to see if you value something more than God is to look at where you spend your time, your treasure, and your talent. God is a jealous God, desiring that you have no other “gods” above Him. Consider today anything you have put before Him.

Thought for today?  What do I value above God?

Jehovah, The Promise Keeper May 15, 2016

Psalm 145:13 (NIV)     13 Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures through all generations.

The Lord is trustworthy in all he promises and faithful in all he does.

Moses was full of excuses when the Lord asked him to deliver His people out of Egypt. God began to reveal himself as Jehovah when Moses began to question Him. Moses had no understanding of the Lord as Jehovah, the Promise Keeper. When Moses was on the mountain receiving the Ten Commandments from the Lord, the people began to worship other gods. Jehovah saw their idolatry, and, as the Righteous Judge, was prepared to destroy them. Moses reminded God of His promise to make the Jewish people into a nation, and the Lord relented and did not destroy the people.

(Exodus 32:11-13) Jehovah remembered and kept His word to preserve His people. Moses returned from the mountain and gave the people an opportunity to repent. Those who did not were killed. In Exodus 33, we see Jehovah, the Promise Keeper, once again keeping His promise to go with Moses to lead the people out, even though He had said He would not go with those “stiff-necked people.” The intimacy that Moses found with Jehovah is seen as the Lord answers his request.

Do you know Jehovah God as the “promise keeper”? Is there a promise in His Word that you continue to cling to, wondering if it will ever be fulfilled in your life? A precious friend of mine told me that God may not answer your prayer when you want Him to, but He will always answer on His time. Our time frame is not always the same as God’s. Give Him your disappointments and impatience, and choose to trust Him as the Promise Keeper.

Thought for today: Do I think about the ways in which God kept His promises to me?

Readying Our Feet With The Word May 14, 2016

We must be alert, ready, and watchful at all times to fight the schemes of the enemy. Peter tells us that the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. (I Peter 5:8) The Roman soldier of that time wore protection, even on his feet. If his feet were disabled, it would be difficult, if not impossible, to fight in battle. Just like the soldiers, we must wear “spiritual armor” on our feet. 

Ephesians 6:15 says we are to have our feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. The Word of God is the means of “readying” our feet for action. Jesus used the Word of God to fight the enemy when He was in the wilderness. When the devil challenged Him to turn the stones into bread after a prolonged period of fasting, Jesus used Scripture as His weapon against him. (Matthew 4:4)

We must read the Word, study the Word, meditate on the Word, and know the Word so that we will be armed and ready for any battle with the enemy. When many of the disciples deserted Jesus, He asked the twelve disciples if they too wished to leave Him. Peter answered: Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. (John 6:68)

Jesus’ words bring us life. Where do you need to be revived? As you read His Word today, ask the Holy Spirit to bring life into any area that seems lifeless.

Thought for today: Where does my life need revival?

Gathering Resources May 13, 2016

Paul writes in his letter to the Philippians that God will supply all their needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus. It is critical to understand that the Lord supplies all our needs. I would tell my younger children that I would supply their needs – food, clothing, shelter – but if they wanted to buy “things,” they would need to work to buy them. Often I would pay for half of their “wants,” but they knew that I would always supply all of their needs to the best of my ability. Our Lord has promised, through His Son Jesus Christ, to supply all of our needs. Jesus puts it this way in Matthew 6:26: Therefore I tell you do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?

When rebuilding Jerusalem, Nehemiah knew that God would supply all of the resources he needed to complete his God-given assignment. He knew that wherever God called him, He would provide what was needed to accomplish the task. The Lord has called us to live sacrificial lives for God and for others. We are only able to do this when we love the Lord God with all of our hearts, souls, minds, and strength. Jesus tells us in His Word that when we seek Him and His righteousness first, all other things will be added.

Nehemiah sought God first, and he was able to approach a pagan king to obtain the supplies that he needed.

What is it that you need today? Ask the Lord to supply your needs and to help you to recognize His provision. Seek wisdom in areas where you seem to be lacking – finances, relationships, work. He promises that He will meet every need according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.

Thought for today:  Do I trust God to supply?

Power From The Spirit May 12, 2016

Acts 2:4     4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.

Pentecost was the 50th day after the Sabbath of Passover Week. It was also called the Feast of Weeks, the Feast of Harvest, and the Day of First Fruits. The Israelites were instructed by God to celebrate the Feast of Harvest by giving to God the first fruit of the crops they had harvested.

Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, is the “first-fruits” – the one who is the way for us to have eternal life and the guarantee of our resurrection. (I Corinthians 15:23) On Pentecost, the Holy Spirit that was promised by Jesus descended on those gathered. It is not surprising that He sent His Holy Spirit at Pentecost because it symbolizes the celebration we have in Christ, the first-fruits. Growing in our relationship with Christ is dependent on our continual willingness to yield to and be dependent upon the Holy Spirit. 

The Holy Spirit is the One who leads us into the truth of God’s Word, who guides us in our daily lives, and who empowers us to live the Christian life as effective witnesses for Christ.

Have you allowed the Holy Spirit to have His way in your life? Pray for your personal “Pentecost” daily so that the Lord can live His life through you.

Thought for today:  Do I allow God to have His way in my life?

Obedience From The Heart May 11, 2016

I Samuel 15:22     But Samuel replied: "Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the LORD? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams.

The words of Christ to His Father not as I will but as You will… (Matthew26:39) demonstrate that obedience was the spiritual attitude of Christ. True obedience begins in the interior life. Too often we are more concerned with the things we do rather than with the attitude of our heart. In the scripture above, Saul thought that because he had made a sacrifice to God, he was pleasing God. But his heart was not obedient, as pointed out by Samuel.

David was described as a man after God’s own heart. (I Samuel 13:14) In the Psalms, David said that he loved God’s law. (Psalm 119:97,127) Being obedient to God requires a diligent search of the Scriptures so that we know what God commands. Then we need to incorporate the Word into our lives.

Micah 6:8 provides an accurate description of what obedience involves: He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. Allow the Holy Spirit to give you the strength and power to have an obedient heart.

Have you been sacrificing for God and calling it obedience? God tells us in His Word that God is looking for obedience, not sacrifice. Sometimes we work so hard for God and sacrifice so much that we forget He is looking for a humble heart willing to simply love and follow Him.

Thought for today:  What prevents me from being consistently obedient?

Christ, The Living Stone May 10, 2016

Ephesians 2:20-22     20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. 21 In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. 22 And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.

Paul reminded the Ephesians that as Gentiles they were once separated from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel, foreigners to the covenants of the promise, and without hope. (Ephesians 2:11-12) Now they were brought into the promises of God through the blood of Jesus.

As fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household, their “spiritual houses” were built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets with Christ as the chief cornerstone. As believers, we have been joined together to become a holy temple for the Lord – a dwelling place for His Holy Spirit. The body of Christ is built on the cornerstone of Christ Jesus. As the Lord builds on His foundation, we are joined together as one building. Paul describes the building in another way as he describes the gifts of the Holy Spirit that each of us possesses: Now the body is not made up of one part but of many. If the foot should say, because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body. And if the ear should say because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body; it would not for that reason cease to be a body. (I Corinthians 12:16) Paul explained to the early church that God was building His temple, His body, each with a unique role to play and that they needed one another in order to have the body function properly. It is the same for us today. Christ is still building His body, the church, and we need one another to function as a whole.

Are you connected to the body of Christ, or have you isolated yourself from other believers? Together we encourage, build up, and exercise the unique gifts God has given us. Together we can make a difference in the world.

Thought for today: What has separated me from the body?

The Power of Sin May 9, 2016

Romans 3:9     What shall we conclude then? Do we have any advantage? Not at all! For we have already made the charge that Jews and Gentiles alike are all under the power of sin.

Paul says that all people are under the power of sin. Speaking to the

1st Century church, he uses language that reflects the domination of the Jews by the ruling power, the Romans. Paul describes humanity as being under sin, as opposed to committing sin. This reflects his determination to show sin as bondage and enslavement. People are imprisoned under sin, unable to be set free by anything that they can do. Knowing this, God sent our Liberator,

Jesus Christ, The One who has the power to free us from our sins. After defining the privileges of being a Jew, Paul concludes that in spite of these privileges, Gentiles and Jews alike are under sin: There is no one righteous, not even one… (v.10). He then describes, through a series of Old Testament quotations, what that looks like. (vv.10-18) Keep in mind that God is faithful, and although we fall into sin, His faithfulness continues to draw us back to Him.

Have you ever thought of sin as being “bondage”? The Israelites were slaves, in bondage in Egypt for 400 years. Moses led them out of Egypt.

Their crossing the Red Sea to freedom is a picture of the freedom we have in Christ as believers. Imagine the scene: the horses and chariots of Egypt chasing the Israelites who were filled with confusion, fear, and perhaps even terror. It seemed a certainty that the Egyptians would catch up with them. Moses, God’s leader, raises his staff and the waters part, enabling the Israelites to cross over on the dry seabed. Jesus raised His staff (the cross) and enabled us to cross over from the bondage of sin into the freedom of new life in Him. The terror of the enemy is drowned in the sea. What sin is chasing you today? Raise the cross of God’s righteousness in your life and cross over into freedom.

Thought for today: What keeps you bound?