Words of encouragement and strength to begin each day.
2 Timothy 2:15
"Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."
Daily life makes demands of us all physically and spiritually. However, as we go through "life" we learn along the way. We are given insight, inspriration, and knowledge that should be shared with others. Through our devotionals we strive to do just that; bring others to Christ through daily learning. If you have a motivating moment that you would like to share, include a scripture reference, return email address, and send it via our Contact Page. Together we can bring the true Word of God to the world.
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Romans 5:8 – But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
God certainly sets tradition on its ear. Many believe that first we must be made pure; then and only then, can we be saved; God does exactly the opposite. Christ came and without so much as a repent said “You are saved”. For some that is difficult to wrap their minds around. How can we be saved even before we admit our fall? The answer to that quandary is easy; God loves us.
This fact of Christ is exactly what allows sinners to come to Him without shame. If we were under condemnation, feeling dirty from our sins, our likelihood of gathering our baggage and approaching Christ would be greatly reduced. After all, no one wants to admit defeat, especially in a public forum. As such, God catered to the human mindset in that we need not fear being ostracized for our failures, but rather comforted in God’s love. To a level that no earthly parent can parallel, Christ looks beyond our failures and only sees the needful person behind them. Never should we feel a twinge of remorse in approaching the throne of God almighty, for any transgressions (past, present, and even future) have already been expunged from our record. We walk a clean representation of our Creator.
Now, excuses aside, we are welcome at the table of Christ; one and all. I pray today that you will join me for dinner Divine; a meal with Christ.
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Proverbs 29:15 – The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame.
There are those verses in the Bible that are so often quoted that the intention of the author has long ago been lost; this is one of them. Many seem familiar enough with at least a portion of this verse “the rod and reproof” often using it to warrant, and even encourage, corporal punishment of children. As a father I do not underestimate the use of occasion physical redirection (done out of anger, for a purpose, and in correct doses), but there is a larger message in this verse when taken as a whole.
Parenting in the 21st century has become an absentee occupation. Blame the economy for demanding both parents to be active outside the home, or perhaps the Suffrage Movement in an attempt to equal the playing field, or even the children themselves in a quest for the unobtainable more, but either way parents simply are not home to guide their children. In result, much more of what they do and who they are is left up to unmonitored self-discovery; often netting poor results.
We constantly request of our Father that He be with us to guide, support, and carry us through the day; yet somehow we expect our children, young, inexperienced and weak, to manage alone. Preparation for failure is where most children begin their day, and by culmination they usually achieve just that. To truly love is to set aside time when there is none, to the betterment of that love, considering the alternative if we don’t.
Most animals turn out their young after only a short time of instruction; we are not those animals. Our children demand, and strangely enough desire, for adults to help them stay in tune with righteousness; don’t we owe it to them to do just that?
Your goal; to set aside more time today than you did yesterday to talk to your child. It doesn’t have to be formal; just listen to what they have to say. This step, the first step, will start their journey towards God and a glorious future.
Monday, February 20, 2012
Genesis 6:3 – And the Lord said, My Spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years.
God said “Enough”. Seeing His creation turn from the ways of His desire, God pronounces that in 120 years there will be destruction, and of course there was. The scriptures go on to explain that God repented of having created man, and that His heart was grieved. Imagine that; the heart of God was sad for His very own conception.
I really don’t think that the melancholy disposition God took as He looked up the rampant sin in the world has ever changed. By sending Christ to redeem us God has created an alternative ending to that of the flood’s destruction, but to say that God is any less depressed as He gazes upon the state of mankind today would certainly not be true. For in true contemplation our world has transgressed to a state of even lower moral standards, and unfortunately continues to spiral downward at an alarming rate. Family values, ethical foundations, educational expectations, spiritual connectedness; all have fallen greatly in recent years, and there can be no expectation of a trend reversal.
We should however, not give in to the inevitable. Reaching out to our fallen brethren must be a priority in our walk. To simply snub the nose at society, writing it off to a lost cause, is not what God intends. Christ came to this degenerate earth to walk among the lost and bring them back to salvation, and that is exactly what He did. We too should set our radar to find those needing direction, helping them to recalibrate their GPS to God.
Our efforts should not cease after finding personal salvation; yet only begin. Salvation on an intimate level opens us to a lifetime of proclamation among the masses. We must now live out the gift of eternity so that others too may know the comfort that comes from the demise of this earthly life. This only comes through the testimony of the saved.
Be a billboard for glory today. Send the message of salvation into the world. Proclaim the kingdom of God from the highest mountaintop. Praise God in heaven for all of the earth to hear.
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Joel 2:18 – The Lord will be zealous for His land, And pity His people.
God cares; of this there can be no doubt. In those dark moments when the sunlight of day is clouded by the perils of destruction; God cares. Amidst death, swirling with vivid odors of decaying flesh and dreams; God cares. Trouble, strife, opposition reign in this world, moving to remove hope for the future, but in spite of it all; God cares. Your faith wavers, wonders, fails, and falls, through it all; God cares.
That day, this day, is upon us all. As we breathe our next breath we should realize it may be our last; such is the way of this life. God’s promises did not extend to ease of living, but rather joy in suffering. God is zealous for you, allowing His pity to flow like a torrential stream. Today I will bathe in that stream and feel the cleansing power that only Christ can provide; won’t you join me?
Saturday, February 18, 2012
1 Corinthians 15:51 – Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed-
For a minute I contemplated death; the end of cognizant recognition of time, and became very alarmed. After all, who would want it all to come to a halting end? With nothing truly accomplished and nothing but darkness ahead, life coupled with the anticipation of death, could seem much like the perils of being a caged animal, destined for the doldrums of eternal starvation confined inside a foreboding hell; no hope for escape.
Nowhere however, is that written as God’s plan. From the eons of time past, and forward unto eternity, God has always had the hope for a change in destiny to occur in each person. That plan was in place when Adam was manifested in the Garden; it continued in the Body of Christ when he and Eve made the unfaithful choice, and has forever been cemented in the process for the future by the spilt blood of our Savior.
WE ARE SAVED FROM HELL THROUGH CHRIST OUR LORD!!!!
I shout in joyful appreciation for what a God, who by all rights should snatch from the unfaithful, has instead made readily available until the last dying breath. We talk of second chances, God talk of innumerable opportunities, for there never comes a time while of this world that our salvation is taken from us; only continually offered. It takes a cold and rancid man to reject an offer to be saved while sinking in the quicksand of life; so don’t.
Blessed be the God of eternal salvation who offers continually the cleansing blood of an ever-present Savior; Glory be to God.
Friday, February 17, 2012
Psalm 37:23 – The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, And He delights in His way.
Much has been said about finding direction in life; most of it about us finding it. Common perception seems to be that all we need to do is think hard enough about where we want to go and then in a moment of personal inspiration, set off towards that destination. Trouble seems to be that while we may decide what we are good at, or what makes us happy, this can have absolutely nothing to do with where God intends us to be. In fact, sometimes God may call us to be active in a ministry that has little to do with perceptible talents or desires and if we rely solely on the desires of the heart our destiny may never be filled.
Notice the scripture; God orders our way and He is delighted when we follow His way. I know in a world that tells us at every waking moment that we are to live for our own pleasure, the concept of living to please another (God) can be foreign, but that is precisely what God intends for us to do. And as harsh as that may sound to those accustomed to living towards oneself, only if and when you begin to do just that, live for God’s plan, can true happiness be known.
Turn on the news to see the results of living towards oneself. People, rich and famous people, have the ability to acquire everything and anything their hearts could ever desire, and yet they end up broken hearted and empty. Conversely, stuck somewhere in the basement of news reports we read about the person who has given up everything to heed the Lord’s calling, and they proclaim to have found unfathomable delight.
It’s not popular, sheik, trendy, or attractive, to proclaim God’s destiny as yours, but it is exactly what we must do. Only after much contemplation have I discovered where God wants me to be; have you found your direction? Set aside your motivations and listen to God tell you what will make Him happy; then do the unthinkable; listen. Now you are on your way to where God wants you to be.
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
John 20:6 – And He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast, and now they were not able to draw it in because of the multitude of fish.
When I read this verse I understand it as a call to cease putting our efforts in wrong directions and instead focus them towards Christ, the right side. The seven disciples had just spent an entire evening fishing with nothing to merit for their efforts, and along comes Christ (in disguise) who tells them to cast on the other side of the boat. As Christ was not displaying Himself recognizably, there must have been at least one thought of “What difference will that make?” among the seven. And yet, they do throw the net and reap an amazing bounty from waters they were sure would yield little.
And from this short story we gain the most intimate knowledge concerning our walk with Christ. All too often we concentrate our efforts in endeavors that by nature are correct, yet without the presence of Christ, reap little. It is not until Christ is interjected into the picture that those energies, previously seen as futile, miraculously begin to secure rewards.
Relying on personal strengths, such as did the disciples, gains us nothing but unrealized potential; while walking with Christ brings rewards aplenty. Focus on efforts you may have today and see if there is room for Christ to join your entourage. I am confident that many of your failures are not a result of improperly placed vigor, but rather a case of missing Leadership.
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Isaiah 1:27 – Zion shall be redeemed with justice
The first chapter of Isaiah is a very poignant description of God’s expectations and mercy. In the former, God belittles the sacrificial system that Israel had taken to; leaving no question beyond a shadow of a doubt, that while going through the motions, they truly did not learn from the process. In the latter, and only after a vivid description of the calamities that will befall the unrepentant, God promises mercy for those who rid themselves of evil and bow before His throne; quite a contrasting comparison.
On this day that, through media, commercialism, and a drive for the all-powerful dollar, we choose to celebrate the love of human kind, I thought it imperative to connect that to God’s love for us. Just a quick look at almost any card purchased for this day and the message intended is apparent “I love you regardless of what I say, do, or even what I don’t do”. We are a nation of intents that draws very short on results; we say we love but very often don’t show it in a tangible way, and thus today, a day to express our true feelings, becomes necessary. And so, Valentine’s Day has become the one day a year that we set aside all of our other loves, coming to the one (I hope only one) person who truly means the most to us and express that admiration in concrete words.
In all of that, don’t forget to love God. He who forgives before we commit, loves when we don’t deserve, and supports without our pleading, deserves to be at the top of any Valentine’s list. If love were a measurable thing, God’s would dwarf any quantity we could possess. His love transcends time, sin, and our own reluctance to accept, in ways that we cannot even fathom. So perhaps, as you buy those flowers, chocolate, and cards, you could say a prayer thanking the Master of Love for giving you the life that you live. In the end, Valentine’s Day started with God first loving us; should we not return that gift?
Monday, February 13, 2012
2 Corinthians 5:17 – Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away;
“If nothing ever changed, we would have no butterflies”.
Change is the one constant in a world that seems to offer no guarantees, and because it is constant, difficulty in accepting it can be a struggle. Human nature finds solace in the parts of life they can come to expect; regardless of whether they are positive or negative. Even those irritating moments in life that seem on the surface to be, well, nothing more than annoying, can be stressful when removed. Take for instance a noisy wheel on your car. For weeks it has tediously squeaked and chattered at every movement. Then today you take off for work and low and behold it is silent. Now for some that would come as a welcome reprieve, but for many, I included, the instantaneous silence after weeks of noise would be just as maddening; we dislike change.
God wants us to resist our suppositions for the future and embrace change. It would be easy if the Lord delivered to us a map of our determined path, complete with pit-stops, failures, lateral movements, and re-starts, but He doesn’t. Therefore, we must find solace in the reality of being led by a God that does know the end, and comforted in the love He has for us while doing it; both easier said than done.
Step one is simple; turn everything over to God. Stop trying to achieve on your own what might not even be part of God’s intent. Sometimes we find something we are good at and translate that into what we are called to be doing; not the way God works. Just because you can accomplish amazing feats in a particular skill set, does not mean that is where God has titled you to be. As such, there may come a time when God calls you to move on; be ready to do just that.
Overall it is about listening. Get into God’s word daily, pray for guidance, and then listen. God does have a plan, it will require change, and ultimately it will bring happiness to you and glory to Him; just be patient.
Thursday, February 09, 2012
Psalm 56:13 – For you have delivered my soul from death. Have You not kept my feet from falling, That I may walk before God In the light of the living?
David wavers; first he concludes God has saved him from death, and then in short order he questions whether God has kept him from falling; very strange. Contextually David has much to worry about; in danger from the Philistines, on the run from Saul, and seemingly always in turmoil, most of us would not question his right to desolation, and yet David is a great man of God so why should he?
The simple answer is that God expects us to waver. Remember, He sent Christ for the cleansing of our sins because he KNEW that we could not live without committing such transgressions. While we might want to believe that with just a bit of effort, insight, and training, we could live that life worthy of God; truth is we simply cannot now or ever will. But behold, do not despair for God did feel our pain, respond with grace, and send Christ as the remission for our sins, yesterday, today, and tomorrow.
To that we respond gladly for now we have that great wall of remission to lean upon when life deals a staggering blow; just as David was facing in our text. During those moments in life when evil rears its ugly head, hell-bent on destruction, endlessly oppressing your future, it is ok to run to God seeking solace and peace. And it is at times like this, undergoing fearful expectations for the future, that we can call out to God seeking explanatory responses to our queries. After all, there is no better way to get answers to pondering thoughts than that of simply asking; God wants us to.
Communication with our Lord is a two-way street. Look to the heavens and ask away; seek the knowledge of the One who possesses the infinite wisdom of the universe, for He wishes to share it with each of us. Begin each day with prayer, praise, and if it lies within you, questions. God will work in His time to answer each of your supplications, and in a way that is fitting to your future. Knowledge is power, and the power that we can obtain comes from God who wields it to the righteous.
Tuesday, February 07, 2012
1 Samuel 1:13 – Now Hannah spoke in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard.
In the moment of greatest need Hannah spoke in her heart to God; not audibly, but personally. Perhaps that is the key to her eventual success in receiving a child from God, her willingness to entertain a deep personal conversation with the Lord. Ironically, Eli sees this moment of private worship and asks her “Are you drunk?”
How strange to many it must seem when a person falls into a moment of visible, and yet private, connection to God. In fact, the outside can often look with disdain to him who chooses to listen rather than openly offer rhetoric in prayer. Oh yes, we are very quick to acknowledge the blatantly audible prayer warrior, who with colorful words and quick wit can wind a moment of Godly supplication into a soliloquy worthy of remembrance, but what about the pious moment of individual connectedness; do we see the glory in that?
Throughout the Bible, many a man (and women) of God can be seen to come to the Lord in open, yet private, moments of prayer. Reaching that level of personal conversation that we should all wish to emulate, they speak directly, candidly, and from the heart, to a God who wishes to hear. Without looking to follow accepted modes of corporate prayer, these people instead speak from a personal passion; a passion that drives them to know a God, His plans, and what being one with the creator of the universe truly feels like. This, my friends, is the true goal of prayer; to unite with God individually.
Setting aside time to talk to God is invaluable; setting aside time to listen to God is life-changing. Do not go one more day without hearing the word of God as He speaks it in your life. But remember, someone who does not understand may ask you “Are you drunk?”, and that’s ok, because being drunk with the love of God is a high that can never be equaled.
Monday, February 06, 2012
1 Corinthians 11:31 – For if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged.
How so very hard it is to be angry at someone who never refuses to be angry in return. Or perhaps, try to argue with someone who agrees with you. And best of all, attempt to berate a brother or sister for their shortcomings, and when they tell you “thank you” for your obvious insight, see if you can continue. Any of the aforementioned situations will be short lived for one very important reason; you are trying to condemn someone who has already faced their shortcomings.
A very different world indeed would be seen if our ability to admit delinquencies on a personal basis were an integral part of our lives. Yet, just a cursory look around nets the obviousness of people’s reluctance to be any part of conceding personal deficiencies. The alternative to doing so becomes a trend of judgment for the other chap. After all, if I myself am repulsively poor at a particular skill, what better way to increase my self-worth than by bringing all others down to my level via degenerative remarks? It follows the old adage “Misery loves company”.
So begins the exchange of unpleasantries as one person attempts to build themselves up at the expense of another; judge before you can be judged. So contrary to those beliefs is the word of God, that to implement them into our characters, one must truly begin a cyclic struggle for internal control. Imagine being told you were less than desirable in some way and saying thank you. Or perhaps you witness a friend or co-worker in an obvious moment of moral weakness and without batting an eye, simply smile, offer a word of comfort, and continue on your way. These and other moments of non-judgmental behavior are God-called responses, and are very difficult to manage.
Personal growth relies heavily on seeing what is damaged and then fixing it. When we cover up our delinquencies with rhetoric and harsh comebacks, nothing is renovated. Only when we come to terms with self-analysis, reflection, and intrinsic motivation to change, can true reformation commence. Make a list of your fragmented parts and begin a work project today. Make it a mission for change, growth, and closeness to Christ.
Saturday, February 04, 2012
Psalm 85:6 – Will You not revive us again, That Your people may rejoice in You?
The word revive in this verse means “to cause to live” and the writer is asking God to help him live again, to be reborn, awakened. Imagine a flower after a long winter as it feels the warmth of the coming summer, moisture from the melting snow, and a sense of newness blossoming on the horizon; God causes us to live in much the same way. In a world where so many believe in the right to live, God who created the heavens and the earth gives us the opportunity to live. Born of creation, destined for purpose, and striving for perfection, we live in His plan and according to His rules.
Our task is then simple; take the occasions given us and make the absolute most of them. Put aside petty ponderings and live every day as it is our last; for it might be. Many a life has been spent in consideration of what might be rather than in consternation of what will be. Push toward that ultimate glory of living for God as He would have you do, and then you will feel the passion of life burning within you.
God has caused you to live this day and looks forward to what you may accomplish in His kingdom. Don’t disappoint Him in any way. Turn away from Satan who attempts to dissuade you with many a distraction and set your sights on God.
Friday, February 03, 2012
2 Timothy 3:16 – All Scripture is given by inspiration for God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness …
And as we pick up from yesterday, God’s word leads us to the judgment we desire. Having spoken of the fallacy in seeking outside interference with Christians during moments of turmoil, this verse from Timothy explains concisely where we are instead to turn; God’s word. Plainly, if we are to live by a set of expectations contrived from God’s word, we then must also administer correcting activity from that same precept, God’s word.
Certainly most of us are familiar with the passages in Matthew (18:15-20) which humbly state the process by which discipline is to be implemented in a church setting (if not, please read), but they do not proclaim what is to be used as foundational principles when administering that correction. To that we have two options; we can use the law contrived of man, or we can turn to the divinely inspired principles of God. In my estimation we have but one choice; living by the law of God.
I feel an illustration for emphasis to be of importance at this point, thus I offer the following; with the Super Bowl looming but days away, I look at the rules that will be in place as the two opponents takes the field. For those among today’s readers who are familiar with the game of football, those rules are a dynamic and extremely important aspect of the game. Take away one rule, fail to enforce any single infraction, or mere ignorance of insight into the subtleties of those rules, and the entire game suddenly takes on a new luster. Imagine now if you would, that when the teams take the field on Sunday, that instead of NFL Football rules being in place, they played according to the procedures of Major League Baseball. Imagine Tom Brady attempting to pitch a ball to a receiver who then must swing a bat and drive the oblong sphere down the field to cornerbacks adorned with baseball gloves; oh, and let us not forget that tackling and hitting will no longer be permitted as that will often draw a umpire’s call during a MLB game. And no halftime for Madonna, she must instead take just a quick moment during the 7th inning stretch to wail her notes of entertainment.
Insanity I agree, but the point is proven; in this game we call Christian living, our directives for living, loving, and rectifying, must come from He who implemented the game (if you dare to call it that) in the first place; none other than God. Any time we attempt to live according to another set of rules, or punish accordingly, we have stepped outside of God’s plan. It isn’t always easy to see our fortunes and futures affected by others, and the normal instinct is to wish swift judicial altercations upon the offenders, however God’s plan is much bigger than those carnal commodities and we must be patient for the reward to come.
Thursday, February 02, 2012
1 Corinthians 6: 5-6 I say this to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you, not even one, who will be able to judge between his brethren? But brother goes to law against brother, and that before unbelievers!
In today’s sue happy world Paul gives some very thought provoking advice: don’t sue your brother, but rather settle it yourselves. In fact, he so speaks against seeking outside advice that he goes into an outright admonishment of those who do and asks the very poignant question, “Isn’t there anyone smart enough among you to figure it out?”
As always Paul has a flair for the dramatic, but behind that show is a man very much in the know. Just take a moment to think about it; as believing Christians we live our life outside of carnal law and strictly governed by God’s law of grace as presented through the blood of Jesus Christ, and yet when trouble arises we abandon those precepts and instead turn to a law of man’s creation. In conjunction, when we do so, seek outside counsel, it is very much in the realm of possibility that we are judged by a man or woman who does not walk with Christ. Therefore, summing it up, two Christians who reside in the kingdom of God, live according to His desires, and normally look to Him for guidance, leave that same kingdom and seek an unbeliever to judge according to a different set of rules not in alignment with Christ; certainly not God’s intention.
I want you to simply think about that today and tomorrow we will continue the thought.
Romans 5:8 – But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
God certainly sets tradition on its ear. Many believe that first we must be made pure; then and only then, can we be saved; God does exactly the opposite. Christ came and without so much as a repent said “You are saved”. For some that is difficult to wrap their minds around. How can we be saved even before we admit our fall? The answer to that quandary is easy; God loves us.
This fact of Christ is exactly what allows sinners to come to Him without shame. If we were under condemnation, feeling dirty from our sins, our likelihood of gathering our baggage and approaching Christ would be greatly reduced. After all, no one wants to admit defeat, especially in a public forum. As such, God catered to the human mindset in that we need not fear being ostracized for our failures, but rather comforted in God’s love. To a level that no earthly parent can parallel, Christ looks beyond our failures and only sees the needful person behind them. Never should we feel a twinge of remorse in approaching the throne of God almighty, for any transgressions (past, present, and even future) have already been expunged from our record. We walk a clean representation of our Creator.
Now, excuses aside, we are welcome at the table of Christ; one and all. I pray today that you will join me for dinner Divine; a meal with Christ.
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Proverbs 29:15 – The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame.
There are those verses in the Bible that are so often quoted that the intention of the author has long ago been lost; this is one of them. Many seem familiar enough with at least a portion of this verse “the rod and reproof” often using it to warrant, and even encourage, corporal punishment of children. As a father I do not underestimate the use of occasion physical redirection (done out of anger, for a purpose, and in correct doses), but there is a larger message in this verse when taken as a whole.
Parenting in the 21st century has become an absentee occupation. Blame the economy for demanding both parents to be active outside the home, or perhaps the Suffrage Movement in an attempt to equal the playing field, or even the children themselves in a quest for the unobtainable more, but either way parents simply are not home to guide their children. In result, much more of what they do and who they are is left up to unmonitored self-discovery; often netting poor results.
We constantly request of our Father that He be with us to guide, support, and carry us through the day; yet somehow we expect our children, young, inexperienced and weak, to manage alone. Preparation for failure is where most children begin their day, and by culmination they usually achieve just that. To truly love is to set aside time when there is none, to the betterment of that love, considering the alternative if we don’t.
Most animals turn out their young after only a short time of instruction; we are not those animals. Our children demand, and strangely enough desire, for adults to help them stay in tune with righteousness; don’t we owe it to them to do just that?
Your goal; to set aside more time today than you did yesterday to talk to your child. It doesn’t have to be formal; just listen to what they have to say. This step, the first step, will start their journey towards God and a glorious future.
Monday, February 20, 2012
Genesis 6:3 – And the Lord said, My Spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years.
God said “Enough”. Seeing His creation turn from the ways of His desire, God pronounces that in 120 years there will be destruction, and of course there was. The scriptures go on to explain that God repented of having created man, and that His heart was grieved. Imagine that; the heart of God was sad for His very own conception.
I really don’t think that the melancholy disposition God took as He looked up the rampant sin in the world has ever changed. By sending Christ to redeem us God has created an alternative ending to that of the flood’s destruction, but to say that God is any less depressed as He gazes upon the state of mankind today would certainly not be true. For in true contemplation our world has transgressed to a state of even lower moral standards, and unfortunately continues to spiral downward at an alarming rate. Family values, ethical foundations, educational expectations, spiritual connectedness; all have fallen greatly in recent years, and there can be no expectation of a trend reversal.
We should however, not give in to the inevitable. Reaching out to our fallen brethren must be a priority in our walk. To simply snub the nose at society, writing it off to a lost cause, is not what God intends. Christ came to this degenerate earth to walk among the lost and bring them back to salvation, and that is exactly what He did. We too should set our radar to find those needing direction, helping them to recalibrate their GPS to God.
Our efforts should not cease after finding personal salvation; yet only begin. Salvation on an intimate level opens us to a lifetime of proclamation among the masses. We must now live out the gift of eternity so that others too may know the comfort that comes from the demise of this earthly life. This only comes through the testimony of the saved.
Be a billboard for glory today. Send the message of salvation into the world. Proclaim the kingdom of God from the highest mountaintop. Praise God in heaven for all of the earth to hear.
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Joel 2:18 – The Lord will be zealous for His land, And pity His people.
God cares; of this there can be no doubt. In those dark moments when the sunlight of day is clouded by the perils of destruction; God cares. Amidst death, swirling with vivid odors of decaying flesh and dreams; God cares. Trouble, strife, opposition reign in this world, moving to remove hope for the future, but in spite of it all; God cares. Your faith wavers, wonders, fails, and falls, through it all; God cares.
That day, this day, is upon us all. As we breathe our next breath we should realize it may be our last; such is the way of this life. God’s promises did not extend to ease of living, but rather joy in suffering. God is zealous for you, allowing His pity to flow like a torrential stream. Today I will bathe in that stream and feel the cleansing power that only Christ can provide; won’t you join me?
Saturday, February 18, 2012
1 Corinthians 15:51 – Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed-
For a minute I contemplated death; the end of cognizant recognition of time, and became very alarmed. After all, who would want it all to come to a halting end? With nothing truly accomplished and nothing but darkness ahead, life coupled with the anticipation of death, could seem much like the perils of being a caged animal, destined for the doldrums of eternal starvation confined inside a foreboding hell; no hope for escape.
Nowhere however, is that written as God’s plan. From the eons of time past, and forward unto eternity, God has always had the hope for a change in destiny to occur in each person. That plan was in place when Adam was manifested in the Garden; it continued in the Body of Christ when he and Eve made the unfaithful choice, and has forever been cemented in the process for the future by the spilt blood of our Savior.
WE ARE SAVED FROM HELL THROUGH CHRIST OUR LORD!!!!
I shout in joyful appreciation for what a God, who by all rights should snatch from the unfaithful, has instead made readily available until the last dying breath. We talk of second chances, God talk of innumerable opportunities, for there never comes a time while of this world that our salvation is taken from us; only continually offered. It takes a cold and rancid man to reject an offer to be saved while sinking in the quicksand of life; so don’t.
Blessed be the God of eternal salvation who offers continually the cleansing blood of an ever-present Savior; Glory be to God.
Friday, February 17, 2012
Psalm 37:23 – The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, And He delights in His way.
Much has been said about finding direction in life; most of it about us finding it. Common perception seems to be that all we need to do is think hard enough about where we want to go and then in a moment of personal inspiration, set off towards that destination. Trouble seems to be that while we may decide what we are good at, or what makes us happy, this can have absolutely nothing to do with where God intends us to be. In fact, sometimes God may call us to be active in a ministry that has little to do with perceptible talents or desires and if we rely solely on the desires of the heart our destiny may never be filled.
Notice the scripture; God orders our way and He is delighted when we follow His way. I know in a world that tells us at every waking moment that we are to live for our own pleasure, the concept of living to please another (God) can be foreign, but that is precisely what God intends for us to do. And as harsh as that may sound to those accustomed to living towards oneself, only if and when you begin to do just that, live for God’s plan, can true happiness be known.
Turn on the news to see the results of living towards oneself. People, rich and famous people, have the ability to acquire everything and anything their hearts could ever desire, and yet they end up broken hearted and empty. Conversely, stuck somewhere in the basement of news reports we read about the person who has given up everything to heed the Lord’s calling, and they proclaim to have found unfathomable delight.
It’s not popular, sheik, trendy, or attractive, to proclaim God’s destiny as yours, but it is exactly what we must do. Only after much contemplation have I discovered where God wants me to be; have you found your direction? Set aside your motivations and listen to God tell you what will make Him happy; then do the unthinkable; listen. Now you are on your way to where God wants you to be.
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
John 20:6 – And He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast, and now they were not able to draw it in because of the multitude of fish.
When I read this verse I understand it as a call to cease putting our efforts in wrong directions and instead focus them towards Christ, the right side. The seven disciples had just spent an entire evening fishing with nothing to merit for their efforts, and along comes Christ (in disguise) who tells them to cast on the other side of the boat. As Christ was not displaying Himself recognizably, there must have been at least one thought of “What difference will that make?” among the seven. And yet, they do throw the net and reap an amazing bounty from waters they were sure would yield little.
And from this short story we gain the most intimate knowledge concerning our walk with Christ. All too often we concentrate our efforts in endeavors that by nature are correct, yet without the presence of Christ, reap little. It is not until Christ is interjected into the picture that those energies, previously seen as futile, miraculously begin to secure rewards.
Relying on personal strengths, such as did the disciples, gains us nothing but unrealized potential; while walking with Christ brings rewards aplenty. Focus on efforts you may have today and see if there is room for Christ to join your entourage. I am confident that many of your failures are not a result of improperly placed vigor, but rather a case of missing Leadership.
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Isaiah 1:27 – Zion shall be redeemed with justice
The first chapter of Isaiah is a very poignant description of God’s expectations and mercy. In the former, God belittles the sacrificial system that Israel had taken to; leaving no question beyond a shadow of a doubt, that while going through the motions, they truly did not learn from the process. In the latter, and only after a vivid description of the calamities that will befall the unrepentant, God promises mercy for those who rid themselves of evil and bow before His throne; quite a contrasting comparison.
On this day that, through media, commercialism, and a drive for the all-powerful dollar, we choose to celebrate the love of human kind, I thought it imperative to connect that to God’s love for us. Just a quick look at almost any card purchased for this day and the message intended is apparent “I love you regardless of what I say, do, or even what I don’t do”. We are a nation of intents that draws very short on results; we say we love but very often don’t show it in a tangible way, and thus today, a day to express our true feelings, becomes necessary. And so, Valentine’s Day has become the one day a year that we set aside all of our other loves, coming to the one (I hope only one) person who truly means the most to us and express that admiration in concrete words.
In all of that, don’t forget to love God. He who forgives before we commit, loves when we don’t deserve, and supports without our pleading, deserves to be at the top of any Valentine’s list. If love were a measurable thing, God’s would dwarf any quantity we could possess. His love transcends time, sin, and our own reluctance to accept, in ways that we cannot even fathom. So perhaps, as you buy those flowers, chocolate, and cards, you could say a prayer thanking the Master of Love for giving you the life that you live. In the end, Valentine’s Day started with God first loving us; should we not return that gift?
Monday, February 13, 2012
2 Corinthians 5:17 – Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away;
“If nothing ever changed, we would have no butterflies”.
Change is the one constant in a world that seems to offer no guarantees, and because it is constant, difficulty in accepting it can be a struggle. Human nature finds solace in the parts of life they can come to expect; regardless of whether they are positive or negative. Even those irritating moments in life that seem on the surface to be, well, nothing more than annoying, can be stressful when removed. Take for instance a noisy wheel on your car. For weeks it has tediously squeaked and chattered at every movement. Then today you take off for work and low and behold it is silent. Now for some that would come as a welcome reprieve, but for many, I included, the instantaneous silence after weeks of noise would be just as maddening; we dislike change.
God wants us to resist our suppositions for the future and embrace change. It would be easy if the Lord delivered to us a map of our determined path, complete with pit-stops, failures, lateral movements, and re-starts, but He doesn’t. Therefore, we must find solace in the reality of being led by a God that does know the end, and comforted in the love He has for us while doing it; both easier said than done.
Step one is simple; turn everything over to God. Stop trying to achieve on your own what might not even be part of God’s intent. Sometimes we find something we are good at and translate that into what we are called to be doing; not the way God works. Just because you can accomplish amazing feats in a particular skill set, does not mean that is where God has titled you to be. As such, there may come a time when God calls you to move on; be ready to do just that.
Overall it is about listening. Get into God’s word daily, pray for guidance, and then listen. God does have a plan, it will require change, and ultimately it will bring happiness to you and glory to Him; just be patient.
Thursday, February 09, 2012
Psalm 56:13 – For you have delivered my soul from death. Have You not kept my feet from falling, That I may walk before God In the light of the living?
David wavers; first he concludes God has saved him from death, and then in short order he questions whether God has kept him from falling; very strange. Contextually David has much to worry about; in danger from the Philistines, on the run from Saul, and seemingly always in turmoil, most of us would not question his right to desolation, and yet David is a great man of God so why should he?
The simple answer is that God expects us to waver. Remember, He sent Christ for the cleansing of our sins because he KNEW that we could not live without committing such transgressions. While we might want to believe that with just a bit of effort, insight, and training, we could live that life worthy of God; truth is we simply cannot now or ever will. But behold, do not despair for God did feel our pain, respond with grace, and send Christ as the remission for our sins, yesterday, today, and tomorrow.
To that we respond gladly for now we have that great wall of remission to lean upon when life deals a staggering blow; just as David was facing in our text. During those moments in life when evil rears its ugly head, hell-bent on destruction, endlessly oppressing your future, it is ok to run to God seeking solace and peace. And it is at times like this, undergoing fearful expectations for the future, that we can call out to God seeking explanatory responses to our queries. After all, there is no better way to get answers to pondering thoughts than that of simply asking; God wants us to.
Communication with our Lord is a two-way street. Look to the heavens and ask away; seek the knowledge of the One who possesses the infinite wisdom of the universe, for He wishes to share it with each of us. Begin each day with prayer, praise, and if it lies within you, questions. God will work in His time to answer each of your supplications, and in a way that is fitting to your future. Knowledge is power, and the power that we can obtain comes from God who wields it to the righteous.
Tuesday, February 07, 2012
1 Samuel 1:13 – Now Hannah spoke in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard.
In the moment of greatest need Hannah spoke in her heart to God; not audibly, but personally. Perhaps that is the key to her eventual success in receiving a child from God, her willingness to entertain a deep personal conversation with the Lord. Ironically, Eli sees this moment of private worship and asks her “Are you drunk?”
How strange to many it must seem when a person falls into a moment of visible, and yet private, connection to God. In fact, the outside can often look with disdain to him who chooses to listen rather than openly offer rhetoric in prayer. Oh yes, we are very quick to acknowledge the blatantly audible prayer warrior, who with colorful words and quick wit can wind a moment of Godly supplication into a soliloquy worthy of remembrance, but what about the pious moment of individual connectedness; do we see the glory in that?
Throughout the Bible, many a man (and women) of God can be seen to come to the Lord in open, yet private, moments of prayer. Reaching that level of personal conversation that we should all wish to emulate, they speak directly, candidly, and from the heart, to a God who wishes to hear. Without looking to follow accepted modes of corporate prayer, these people instead speak from a personal passion; a passion that drives them to know a God, His plans, and what being one with the creator of the universe truly feels like. This, my friends, is the true goal of prayer; to unite with God individually.
Setting aside time to talk to God is invaluable; setting aside time to listen to God is life-changing. Do not go one more day without hearing the word of God as He speaks it in your life. But remember, someone who does not understand may ask you “Are you drunk?”, and that’s ok, because being drunk with the love of God is a high that can never be equaled.
Monday, February 06, 2012
1 Corinthians 11:31 – For if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged.
How so very hard it is to be angry at someone who never refuses to be angry in return. Or perhaps, try to argue with someone who agrees with you. And best of all, attempt to berate a brother or sister for their shortcomings, and when they tell you “thank you” for your obvious insight, see if you can continue. Any of the aforementioned situations will be short lived for one very important reason; you are trying to condemn someone who has already faced their shortcomings.
A very different world indeed would be seen if our ability to admit delinquencies on a personal basis were an integral part of our lives. Yet, just a cursory look around nets the obviousness of people’s reluctance to be any part of conceding personal deficiencies. The alternative to doing so becomes a trend of judgment for the other chap. After all, if I myself am repulsively poor at a particular skill, what better way to increase my self-worth than by bringing all others down to my level via degenerative remarks? It follows the old adage “Misery loves company”.
So begins the exchange of unpleasantries as one person attempts to build themselves up at the expense of another; judge before you can be judged. So contrary to those beliefs is the word of God, that to implement them into our characters, one must truly begin a cyclic struggle for internal control. Imagine being told you were less than desirable in some way and saying thank you. Or perhaps you witness a friend or co-worker in an obvious moment of moral weakness and without batting an eye, simply smile, offer a word of comfort, and continue on your way. These and other moments of non-judgmental behavior are God-called responses, and are very difficult to manage.
Personal growth relies heavily on seeing what is damaged and then fixing it. When we cover up our delinquencies with rhetoric and harsh comebacks, nothing is renovated. Only when we come to terms with self-analysis, reflection, and intrinsic motivation to change, can true reformation commence. Make a list of your fragmented parts and begin a work project today. Make it a mission for change, growth, and closeness to Christ.
Saturday, February 04, 2012
Psalm 85:6 – Will You not revive us again, That Your people may rejoice in You?
The word revive in this verse means “to cause to live” and the writer is asking God to help him live again, to be reborn, awakened. Imagine a flower after a long winter as it feels the warmth of the coming summer, moisture from the melting snow, and a sense of newness blossoming on the horizon; God causes us to live in much the same way. In a world where so many believe in the right to live, God who created the heavens and the earth gives us the opportunity to live. Born of creation, destined for purpose, and striving for perfection, we live in His plan and according to His rules.
Our task is then simple; take the occasions given us and make the absolute most of them. Put aside petty ponderings and live every day as it is our last; for it might be. Many a life has been spent in consideration of what might be rather than in consternation of what will be. Push toward that ultimate glory of living for God as He would have you do, and then you will feel the passion of life burning within you.
God has caused you to live this day and looks forward to what you may accomplish in His kingdom. Don’t disappoint Him in any way. Turn away from Satan who attempts to dissuade you with many a distraction and set your sights on God.
Friday, February 03, 2012
2 Timothy 3:16 – All Scripture is given by inspiration for God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness …
And as we pick up from yesterday, God’s word leads us to the judgment we desire. Having spoken of the fallacy in seeking outside interference with Christians during moments of turmoil, this verse from Timothy explains concisely where we are instead to turn; God’s word. Plainly, if we are to live by a set of expectations contrived from God’s word, we then must also administer correcting activity from that same precept, God’s word.
Certainly most of us are familiar with the passages in Matthew (18:15-20) which humbly state the process by which discipline is to be implemented in a church setting (if not, please read), but they do not proclaim what is to be used as foundational principles when administering that correction. To that we have two options; we can use the law contrived of man, or we can turn to the divinely inspired principles of God. In my estimation we have but one choice; living by the law of God.
I feel an illustration for emphasis to be of importance at this point, thus I offer the following; with the Super Bowl looming but days away, I look at the rules that will be in place as the two opponents takes the field. For those among today’s readers who are familiar with the game of football, those rules are a dynamic and extremely important aspect of the game. Take away one rule, fail to enforce any single infraction, or mere ignorance of insight into the subtleties of those rules, and the entire game suddenly takes on a new luster. Imagine now if you would, that when the teams take the field on Sunday, that instead of NFL Football rules being in place, they played according to the procedures of Major League Baseball. Imagine Tom Brady attempting to pitch a ball to a receiver who then must swing a bat and drive the oblong sphere down the field to cornerbacks adorned with baseball gloves; oh, and let us not forget that tackling and hitting will no longer be permitted as that will often draw a umpire’s call during a MLB game. And no halftime for Madonna, she must instead take just a quick moment during the 7th inning stretch to wail her notes of entertainment.
Insanity I agree, but the point is proven; in this game we call Christian living, our directives for living, loving, and rectifying, must come from He who implemented the game (if you dare to call it that) in the first place; none other than God. Any time we attempt to live according to another set of rules, or punish accordingly, we have stepped outside of God’s plan. It isn’t always easy to see our fortunes and futures affected by others, and the normal instinct is to wish swift judicial altercations upon the offenders, however God’s plan is much bigger than those carnal commodities and we must be patient for the reward to come.
Thursday, February 02, 2012
1 Corinthians 6: 5-6 I say this to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you, not even one, who will be able to judge between his brethren? But brother goes to law against brother, and that before unbelievers!
In today’s sue happy world Paul gives some very thought provoking advice: don’t sue your brother, but rather settle it yourselves. In fact, he so speaks against seeking outside advice that he goes into an outright admonishment of those who do and asks the very poignant question, “Isn’t there anyone smart enough among you to figure it out?”
As always Paul has a flair for the dramatic, but behind that show is a man very much in the know. Just take a moment to think about it; as believing Christians we live our life outside of carnal law and strictly governed by God’s law of grace as presented through the blood of Jesus Christ, and yet when trouble arises we abandon those precepts and instead turn to a law of man’s creation. In conjunction, when we do so, seek outside counsel, it is very much in the realm of possibility that we are judged by a man or woman who does not walk with Christ. Therefore, summing it up, two Christians who reside in the kingdom of God, live according to His desires, and normally look to Him for guidance, leave that same kingdom and seek an unbeliever to judge according to a different set of rules not in alignment with Christ; certainly not God’s intention.
I want you to simply think about that today and tomorrow we will continue the thought.