Isaiah 9:2-4
The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned. (Isaiah
9:2)
THE CHOICES WE MAKE
EVERYDAY WE ARE CONFRONTED with decisions asking “What is more important: my convenience or the other
person’s benefit?” The choices that we make not only reveal who we are but what we think about others.
In this passage, the shadow of death hung over people because they turned from God and justice. They were desolate and burdened
with the heavy yoke of their sin. God had a choice. He could have left them to their deserved misery. Instead He chose to bring light and
to break their yoke. And not just that He freed them but, even more so, He brought gladness and rejoicing, increase and harvest.
Still today, many people are groping in their own darkness by rejecting or ignoring God. This passage foretells God’s greatest
choice which was giving Jesus Christ to free us from our sins. John 8:12 Jesus said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows
me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." No one has ever had more and greater choices than God. But when
faced with allowing sinners to suffer their deserved fate or to, instead, be born into this world to die for their sins He chose the latter. We
can trust God not just because of what He says, but even more so because of what He has chosen to do.
While reading your Bible, write in a notebook each choice that God makes concerning you.
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Isaiah 9:6-8
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given (Isaiah 9:6a)
TRUE VALUE
IN 2005, THIEVES broke into a British museum and stole a modern sculpture whose value was $6,000,000. It was never recovered and
it is feared that they melted it down for perhaps a few thousand dollars of scrap metal. They did not understand or appreciate its value.
Today we each have that same challenge when faced with someone of even greater worth.
This passage has perhaps the greatest set of paired words of anywhere in the Bible. “Wonderful Counselor,”
“Mighty God,” “Eternal Father,” “Prince of Peace” (“of” is not in the Hebrew).
These describe someone who is caring and wise, all powerful, timeless, loving, and harmonious. This is one who is transcendent and
majestic; who sits on the throne of Heaven surrounded by angels who continuously cry out in adoration and worship, “Holy, holy,
holy.”
Yet perhaps the most glorious and also confounding pair of words in this passage are “to us.” We slander God and rebel
against Him. We are sinners who deserve the full and eternal wrath of God; a people who do no good and whose mouths are full of
cursing and bitterness (Romans 3). And yet, the One who is the most magnificent was given “to us” who are most
undeserving so that He might redeem, regenerate, and glorify. This He did not grudgingly but with great zeal and with great love.
Write down every attribute and action of God that proclaims His majesty.
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Luke 1:32-35
"How will this be," Mary asked the angel, "since I am a virgin?" (Luke 1:34)
GOD’S POWER DESPITE THE DOUBT
THROUGHOUT THE BIBLE there are people who had a reason or excuse as to why God could not use them. There were those who
never started (the rich, young ruler in Matthew 19), those who gave up (Demas in 2 Timothy 4), and those who compromised (Abram
with Hagar in Genesis 16). But then there were the ones who believed God and acted despite their own inabilities. Moses protested,
“I have never been eloquent” (Ex. 4:10). Abraham questioned, “Will a son be born to a man a hundred years
old?” (Genesis 17:17) And here in Luke, Mary asked, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?”
Sometimes these reasons are legitimate: we have a limiting weakness or, as with Mary, the situation seems impossible. Sometimes
they are not: we are simply lazy or do not want to be bothered. But in all situations, God provides all sufficiency. God gives us His
promises because He knows that we are weak and afraid. In this passage God provided to Mary that which He promises to all of us:
“the Holy Spirit” and “the power of the Most High.” Because Mary obeyed and acted there was a great
result: God was true and faithful and the virgin bore “the holy one… the Son of God.” The weak gave birth to the
Almighty and the doubter gave us the surest thing: a Savior.
List excuses that keep you from doing God’s will and determine to obey instead.
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John 1:1-3
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2He was with God in the beginning. (John 1:1)
RELATIONSHIPS AND COMMUNICATION
GOD CREATED US FOR RELATIONSHIPS. This is the predominant theme throughout the Bible from Genesis 1 to Revelation 22. The
effect of sin is that we are separated from God (Isaiah 59:2), whereas one of the greatest benefits of salvation is that God adopts us as
part of His family (Eph. 1:5). When we repent, God forgives us of our sins so that fellowship might be restored with Him (1 John 1:9).
We see the high premium that God assigns to our relationship to Him by the phrases that He uses. He refers to us as brothers and
sisters, as sons and daughters. We are the bride of Christ. The Lord’s Prayer begins with “Our Father.” These are
connections of emotional intimacy.
A key ingredient to a successful relationship is communication. Interestingly, the very first title that God calls Himself in John’s
Gospel is “the Word.” By using this He emphasizes how vital it is that we understand God’s words, thoughts, and
desires. He, above all else, wants to communicate with us. He gave us the Bible so that we can sit with Him and know Him individually
and with certainty. We do not have to rely on other people’s antidotes, experiences, and oral history. God wants to speak to us
personally. He wants us to know His heart and His ways. And He wants to hear our prayers.
Starting today, determine to never miss a day of reading the Bible or of prayer.
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John 1:14-18
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the
Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:14)
GOD DWELT WITH US
HOW CAN I KNOW that someone really exists? I can see his name in a telephone book, but maybe that is just someone else with the
same name. I can interview someone who claims to have spoken to him, but perhaps she is lying. However, if I actually meet and talk to
this person then I will be convinced.
God is unseen. How do we know that He really exists and cares about us? The first time when God dwelt (tabernacled) with His people
was in Exodus 13:21. He led Israel in pillars of cloud and fire at the Red Sea. This was evidence to many of the invisible. Then in Exodus
40:34 God took up residence in the temple as the Shekinah glory. But because Israel turned from God, the Shekinah glory left the temple
in 586 BC (Ezekiel 11:23) and for hundreds of years God was again invisible.
Then in God’s perfect timing He chose once again to dwell among us. But this time instead of appearing as a “consuming
fire” He came in “grace and truth.” Instead of appearing at a distance, He walked among us. Because God
became human we can read His actual words, weep at His brutal crucifixion, and rejoice at His resurrection. Does God exist and does
He care? He became flesh and we saw His glory. What greater proof do we need?
On this celebration of God’s Incarnation, praise God for dwelling among us.
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Matthew 1:18-25
All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet (Matthew 1:22)
BOW IN WONDER
THE UNIVERSE IS ESTIMATED to have over 100 billion galaxies with each galaxy containing billions of stars. Yet the one who created
all of this with a word became a seven pound helpless baby squirming in straw. This should fill us with awe.
In becoming a man, God did not choose a family that was royalty, rich, or resourceful. He chose a simple and unknown but righteous
family. We should marvel.
When Joseph was afraid and humiliated by Mary’s pregnancy, God sent an angel to reassure him that this was, indeed,
God’s holy plan. We should worship in amazement.
God foretold the wondrous event of the Incarnation some 700 years before He fulfilled it. It is one of over 300 prophecies regarding the
coming Messiah in the Old Testament all of which have been completely fulfilled in Jesus Christ. All doubts should melt away replaced by
unshakeable confidence.
The coming of Jesus Christ was not a fortunate coincidence. It was determined before time began and was perfected in God’s
most exact time and place by His sovereign will. “Wonderful Counselor,” “Mighty God,” “Eternal
Father,” “Prince of Peace,” “the Word,” “The Light of the World,” “the Glory of
the Lord” was born to us. Welcome to the world holy child. Welcome to our lives Lord Jesus. May our hearts bow in wonder.
In quiet solitude, worship God in wonder and adoration.
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Isaiah 40:1-5
Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain (Isaiah
40:4)
SHAKING THE EARTH
WE HAVE MANY MODERN ENGINEERING marvels. The Big Dig (Boston) took 16 years and cost $15 billion. The Channel Tunnel that
connects the UK to France took six years and $7 billion. The world’s longest suspension bridge (Akashi Kaikyo Suspension
Bridge) at four miles long took two million workers 10 years to build. These great feats that moved a lot of dirt and steel were created to
bring people from one place to another more easily,
God also wants to move us; however, not from one location to another but from the domain of darkness to the kingdom of His beloved
Son (Colossians 1:13). To accomplish this, as this passage foreshadows, He had to be born as one of us and, in His sovereignty, He
would allow no obstacle to stop Him. If necessary, He would have leveled every mountain and lifted up every valley to prepare the way for
the Savior. No barrier would hinder His being born a child, growing and living among us, and then dying for our sins. This engineering
project would have infinitely eclipsed anything that we could ever do.
God also greatly desires to show us compassion and comfort. This spiritual journey is impossible for us; we need God to tear down
every barrier to reunite us with Him. God can shake the entire world to accomplish His purposes.
Remove any impediment in your heart to God’s salvation and grace.
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Designed for Relationships
BIBLE READING: Colossians 3:8-11
Suppose that I were to take our minivan and swerve off of the paved highway and into some rugged woods. It would not be long before
the chassis would be torn into pieces and the car clunk to a halt, now a broken-down wreck. Why so much damage?—because a
minivan was not created to be driven over harsh terrain. It functions best when driven on paved roads as the engineers designed it.
We are created in the image of God and thus we have been endowed with aspects of God’s nature such as wisdom, love,
justice, holiness, mercy, and patience. A key aspect of God designing us similar to Himself is that we can have a personal and endless
relationship with Him. That we have similar natures draws us to each other. We see this principle throughout creation: Lions form a
pride, fish swim in schools, and ants live in colonies. Whereas all the rest of creation has only one type that they are similar to—their own
species—we are unique because there are two types that we are similar to and, therefore, can form deep relationships with: other
people (individually and in community) and God.
When we lack any of these relationships we feel incomplete. When we try to fill any of these voids with something other than with what
God intended then we can make a wreck of our lives. But when we delight ourselves in the Lord and with His people, then He will give us
the desires of our heart (Psalm 37:4).
SONG: The King of love my Shepherd is
PRAYER SUGGESTION: Consider how being made in the image of God allows us the infinite privilege of intimately knowing the holy
and almighty God.
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Our Relationship with God
BIBLE READING: Genesis 1:26-31
The Bible is not a book of rules; it is a book about relationships and primarily our relationship with God. In Genesis 1 right after man and
woman were created we read an amazing sequence in verses 27 and 28, “… He created them. God blessed them; and
God said to them...”: creation, blessing, and then immediately personal interaction.
Then 1189 chapters later we come to the last quote in the Bible. Revelation 22:20 is from Jesus, “Yes, I am coming soon.”
We see God’s promise of coming to be more intimate with us. And everywhere in between these two passages we continually
read the premium that God places on relationships with us. He is our Father, we are adopted as sons and daughters, we are the bride of
Christ.
It is crucial that we read the Bible not just to learn about God but to know God. A fascinating example of this is Job. In Job 1:1 Job was
“blameless and upright; he feared God and shunned evil.” He had a true heart for God, but there was one thing that lacked.
It was not until he had persevered through his terrible trials that he was then able to conclude, “My ears had heard of you but now
my eyes have seen you.” (Job 42:5). Job had made that transformation from knowledge to relationship.
We are incomplete unless we are in relationship with God. May we have a deep and constant desire to be with God and to be in His
presence where there is “fullness of joy” and “pleasures forever” (Psalm 16:11 NASB).
SONG: O Master let me walk with Thee
PRAYER SUGGESTION: Heavenly Father, may I be diligent to develop that greatest of all relationships: between me and a loving
God.
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Relationships with Individuals
BIBLE READING: Genesis 2:15-23
God designed us to have personal, caring relationships with other individuals. Studies have shown that people who lack social contacts
are more depressed and stressed, feel more deprived, and even have more physical ailments.
At the beginning of Creation everything around Adam was perfect. He walked and spoke with God. He was surrounded by friendly
animals. He had unblemished health and plenty of food. But we read in Genesis 2:20 that Adam was incomplete, something was
missing. Even Adam needed the company of another person. So God created Eve and brought her to him.
God could completely fulfill all of our needs directly. When we need advice He could whisper in our ear infinite wisdom. When we have
doubts He could point to Scriptures that would strengthen our foundation. God does meet all of our needs but usually it is through other
people. We are conduits of God’s character. God pours His grace through us to someone that is hurting. We are the ones who
deliver the Good News of salvation to those who are lost. And, likewise, when we are needy we can go to others.
1 Corinthians 3:16 says, “Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you?” A
temple was not an isolated building maintained by only one person. It was a central, busy area and the primary place of God’s
presence. Similarly, as temples, we should be where many people can come to experience God’s mercy, love, compassion, and
forgiveness.
SONG: Brethren, we have met to worship
PRAYER SUGGESTION: God, if I ever doubt that my life is without meaning then remind me that I do not have only myself to offer to
other people but that I can give them You through me.
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Relationships in Community
BIBLE READING: Colossians 3:12-17
On one of my shirts I noticed a single thread dangling from the shoulder. So I gave it a quick tug hoping that it would break off. Rather, it
pulled all along the seam and created a gaping hole. The shirt was ruined. That one thread had a big impact.
An interesting verse is Colossians 2:2 (NASB). It states that we should be “knit together in love.” Each thread in a cloth
weaves itself over and under many other threads. Whereas a single piece of thread can be easily broken, once it is woven into a cloth
they form something strong. This cloth can offer protection, comfort, and even make a statement. Each thread was designed to be part
of something else.
Likewise, each Christian is like a single thread. Apart from a good community of believers we are weaker, more easily confused, and
tempted. Our struggles can be lonely and overwhelming.
God designed us to be woven into a body of believers. Some people we are woven under. We support them with mercy, fellowship, and
giving. Other people we are woven over. They support us with discipleship, concern, and prayer. Together we form a community that is
strong enough to protect us from the lions that prowl about seeking to devour (1 Peter 5:8). We are better equipped to encourage one
another and to forgive each other. And as a community we can be a greater force to make a statement for what is right: we can preach
the Good News of Freedom, heal the brokenhearted, and open the prison doors of the enslaved. What sews and binds us together is
love.
SONG: Blest be the tie that binds
PRAYER SUGGESTION: God, may I always have a great desire to be with Your people: to serve, worship, and love.
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Relationships are Difficult
BIBLE READING: Colossians 3:18-25
Relationships are complex and difficult. They can be the cause of severe depression, terrible self-esteem, addictions, and voluntary
isolation. But they can also be our greatest joy, satisfaction, purpose, and source of love.
In a culture where only accomplishments are considered noteworthy, many strive for friendships that only serve their own goals and
ambitions. Oftentimes only the powerful, popular and influential are sought out. People who have nothing to offer are easily discarded
and ignored. Friendships that are difficult or developing too slowly are inconvenient. We want our relationships like frozen dinners—easy
and satisfying.
Relationships take work. There must be a willingness to give of yourself knowing that there is the possibly that what you give may be
rejected and shattered. It requires believing the best of what another person says and when their best clearly falls short then humbly
restoring them (Galatians 6:1).
What Proverbs 14:4 (NASB) teaches is tremendously important: “Where no oxen are, the manger is clean, but much increase
comes by the strength of the ox.” Consider the manger as your life and the oxen as relationships. If you want a life that is clean
and unencumbered then keep people out of it. Just as a manager without animals, your life will be quite tidy, but you will also be empty
and not be what God created you for. When you bring people into your life you are going to have to clean up some messes, but much
strength comes from having those people there.
Let us use God’s abundant grace to develop deep and intimate relationships. The rewards are well worth it.
SONG: Let us break bread together
PRAYER SUGGESTION: God, give me the desire and power to follow Your example of pursuing close relationships.
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God Pursues us
BIBLE READING: John 6:41-47
God could have done just as well without any of us. He did not need to create us, but He did. Then we sinned in The Garden of Eden and
caused a great separation between us and God (Isaiah 59:2). He could have left us to forever struggle in loneliness and pain. Yet His
desire for an intimate relationship with us drove Him to be born of a virgin and become a man. But did He receive the adoration and
gratitude that He deserved for such a glorious act? Rather, He was refused adequate quarters at birth, hunted as a newborn, anonymous
throughout His childhood, vilified as a fraud, accused of being aligned with demons, rejected by His family and friends, denied, mocked,
spit upon, and tried as a criminal. Was this enough to cause Him to give up on us? His response was to pay the highest cost by suffering
on the cross the justice due to a thousand generations of sinful people. Then we killed His disciples and persecuted His church. His
response was to open His arms in forgiveness and ask every person to come to Him. He gives each one of us the possibility of having a
personal relationship with the Creator of the universe.
The Bible is about a loving God who continually pursues a sinful and self-centered people so that He might embrace us as sons and
daughters. May we, above all else, worship God with thankful hearts for His diligent pursuit of each one of us.
SONG: O love that wilt not let me go
PRAYER SUGGESTION: Thank you, God, that without Your drawing me to Yourself I would left in darkness and despair.
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How can we have a Relationship with God?
BIBLE READING: Job 22:21-30
We talk about having a relationship with God, but how do we have a relationship with someone who we do not see and who rarely, if at
all, speaks to us in an audible voice?
Two keys to a great relationship are communication and commitment. God--the greatest communicator ever--has written
the world’s most complete autobiography in which we can read about His thoughts, desires, actions, motives, and interactions
with other people. It covers thousands of years and involves hundreds of people. It is layered with depth and meaning. Everyday we can
read the Bible and learn something new about God.
But God did not merely leave us a book and then go away. He asks us to talk to Him through prayer. He asks to hear our
thanksgiving, requests, confessions, concerns, and everything else. He is with us wherever we go (Matthew 28:20). He assures us in
Hebrews 4:16 that we can always approach Him in confidence.
Friends and even family may leave us, but God promises His eternal commitment. He assures us in Hebrews 13:5,
“…Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” And in Isaiah 49:15 God illustrates His fidelity with the most
extreme comparison, “Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though
she may forget, I will not forget you!” God’s commitment is eternal.
The more we know God the more we will trust Him. Our interactions with God may not be as visible and immediate as
with another person, but that does not mean that they are not as personal, intimate, and deep.
SONG: O for a closer walk with God
PRAYER SUGGESTION: May everyday of my life be spent in intimate communion with You through your word and in prayer.
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Our Greatest Need
BIBLE READING: Psalm 73:23-28
What is our greatest need? Someone may say “air” since without air we would be dead within minutes. That would be
correct if our primary need was simply to stay alive and the only life we have is the one between birth and death. Another might answer
“our health” because if we are in poor health then we can be miserable for our entire lives. But that is assuming that the
quality of our health must dictate our outlook on life. Someone else may believe that it is “love” since without love our lives
are empty. That answer is getting closer, but love is merely the byproduct of something deeper.
Our greatest need is to have a right relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Only by this can we be assured of our
place in Heaven. Only by this do our lives have eternal meaning. Only by this can we endure sufferings (Romans 8:18). And only by this
can we come to know true love as from a Savior who gave His life for us (John 15:13). Our relationship with God affects everything.
Even the quality of our relationships with other people will improve if we use God’s character as our example. We will be able to
love more deeply if we experience God’s love. We will forgive most completely if we understand God’s forgiveness of our
abundant sins. We will sacrifice for other people when we grasp the tremendous sacrifice that God has made for us.
Our eternity, self-esteem, friendships, marriages, and attitudes are all influenced by our relationship with God. The stronger that is, the
stronger all of these other areas will be in our lives.
SONG: Great God of Wonders
PRAYER SUGGESTION: O God, set my heart to desire You first and foremost.
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The First and Greatest Lie
Now the serpent was more crafty than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said to the woman, "Indeed,
has God said, 'You shall not eat from any tree of the garden'?”
Genesis 3:1 (NASB)
When people are going through difficulties I usually hear variations of “Why me?” such as “I’ve been good.
Why is God holding back on me?” In Genesis 3:1 we find the first question ever asked in the Bible. It was by the Devil to Eve,
“Indeed, has God said, ‘You shall not eat from any tree of the garden’?” What was Satan getting at; what
was his lie? It was that God was withholding good from them. And thousands of years later this is still his best lie to us today. Despite all
of the people that God has saved, despite all of the prayers that He has answered, despite all of His abundant blessings, and, most of
all, despite the fact that He suffered and died on the cross, when we are in a trial our first words are usually, “Why is God
withholding good from me?” We must learn to quickly recognize this as a lie of the Devil. God’s ways may not be what we
expect but they are always for our best. If God cared enough to give you His Son then do you think that He would withhold lesser
blessings?
Bible Reading
Genesis 3:1-11
Prayer
No matter how difficult the times, God, let me never forget that You do truly care.
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The Day of Small Things
For who has despised the day of small things?
Zechariah 4:10 (NASB)
In one Bible story, a group of people worked on a great project. It required a tremendous amount of planning, resources, and hard work.
The results were spectacular. Another story is about one anonymous person who did something that took a few minutes and very little
money. Which was greater? The first was the Tower of Babel in Genesis 11. The second, in Mark 12, was about a widow putting two
small coins into the temple treasury. In the first, God Himself had to stop the work least the people became proud. For the
widow’s offering Jesus used it as a timeless example of faith.
Today’s media teaches us to admire the great and the spectacular. But what is the greater display of grace: the baseball player
who slugs the game winning home run or the single parent who is struggling to run a household and pay the bills but still makes the time
to teach her children to be godly? Is it the millionaire who gives thousands of dollars to charity or the person whose health is failing but
still manages to go to church every week and bless other people? Small things done with God’s grace are always great.
Greatness is not measured by the grandeur of the project but by obedience to God no matter how small the task.
Bible Reading
Genesis 11:1-9; Luke 21:1-3
Prayer
God, teach me to see that grace is everywhere; in the small things and in the large.
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Cleaning up
Thus you are to be holy to Me, for I the LORD am holy;
and I have set you apart from the peoples to be Mine.
Leviticus 20:26 (NASB)
Someone asked me to help him to move. When I arrived, I was overwhelmed by the mess. Not a mess created by his preparations to
move—he had not even started—but a mess that was part of his everyday existence. I could have gotten mad and walked away telling
him to call me when everything was in order but instead I said, “Let’s get started.”
When we are born-again God does not expect us to have our lives in complete order or He walks away in disgust. Together we work on
an area of sin and disrepair. Then He will go into another room, find another mess, and we will start working there also. Our lives have
many rooms and each one has some mess in it. Every day there is a challenge to clean up yet another sin. But each time that we triumph
over another sin we are becoming more like the character of God. God is not impressed by celebrity or great athleticism, but He will
wholeheartedly support the person whose heart is becoming like His own.
Bible reading
Leviticus 20:1-8
Prayer
God, remind me that the only time that I will be finally finish packing is when I make my trip to Heaven.
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True Joy
Thou wilt make known to me the path of life;
In Thy presence is fulness of joy; In Thy right hand there are pleasures forever.
Psalm 16:11 (NASB)
I normally do not watch much TV but one local station was having a marathon of a show that I used to like. I spent my entire Friday
evening watching episode after episode. At the end I was not a better person; I was not elated. I simply went to sleep. That weekend I
was running our church’s booth at a festival. We gave away over 1,000 tracts, many Bibles, salvation tapes, children’s
Bible books and more. I was up early, was on my feet all day, and got a bad sunburn. But when I went to bed I was rejoicing. My heart
was filled with joy and I had a deep feeling of satisfaction.
Is there any greater blessing and joy than to be serving God? What greater pleasure can there be than to make a positive eternal
difference in the life of another person? To give healing to the wounded; to give meaning to the hopeless; to give direction to those
adrift—this gives true satisfaction. His commandments are our blessings; His presence is our joy. It is a pitiable life that needs to find its
entertainment from the world and misses the joy of God.
Bible Reading
Psalm 16:1-11
Prayer
Cause me, Lord, to always remember that Your commandments are never burdensome but are, indeed, the very joy of my heart.
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Chicken Noodle Soup
“In pointing out these things to the brethren, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, constantly nourished on the words of the
faith and of the sound doctrine which you have been following.”
1 Timothy 4:6 (NASB)
Probably like many people, when I eat a bowl of chicken noodle soup my first few spoonfuls are usually just the broth off of the top. Then I
start getting to the noodles and bits of carrots. Eventually as I get closer to the bottom of the bowl I find the chunks of chicken.
This is what reading the Bible is like. If we read quickly and skim the surface of every chapter and book we will get a lot of broth. It is
nourishing and good but we will rarely discover just how amazingly fulfilling God’s Word really is. We must set aside the time to
study it and to let the Holy Spirit feed us with words that directly meet the true needs of our soul. If we are struggling with a sin (anger,
lust, envy) or have a need (loneliness, discouragement, anxiety) then do an in-depth study of that subject in the Bible. Or pick just one
book and spend a year examining it. You will be amazed how nourishing that time will be.
Bible Reading
1 Timothy 4:4-9
Prayer
God, give me a spiritual hunger for the rich sustenance of Your word.
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Living Portraits
“…put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created
him”
Colossians 3:10 (NASB)
In many places around the world you can see representations that rulers have created for themselves. These may be statues in the
center of squares or portraits on the sides of buildings. These are to remind the citizens who their leader is. They often depict the ruler in
a heroic pose or smiling benevolently to demonstrate that he really cares about his people. In some countries these depictions are
everywhere.
But there is a King, Jesus Christ, who is the greatest ruler of all and yet we have no paintings of Him, no statues, not even rough
sketches carved in stone. This is because, in a very real way, He created millions of living portraits of Himself. They are called
Christians. We are the ones who reveal God’s face to the world. The love and character of Jesus is “painted” as all
races, social classes, and nationalities. His portraits are in cafes and stores, walking down sidewalks and living next to neighbors.
It can be said that there are really five Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, and each Christian. And for many people the only Gospel
that they will “read” is the last one. May we always be a faithful image of God’s light, holiness, and love.
Bible reading
Colossians 3:5-10
Prayer
May people see in me the character of God.
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The Depths of God
Can you discover the depths of God? Can you discover the limits of the Almighty?
Job 11:7 (NASB)
For our wedding anniversary we went on a cruise. Sitting on the deck and looking out over the vastness of the water was wondrous.
Then at one stop we went snorkeling in 20-foot water and saw small coral reefs and brightly colored fish. A month later we watched a
documentary about the creatures that live near the bottom. They were amazing in their diversity and complexity.
The surface of the ocean is vast and marvelous, but it is much easier to sit in a boat than to explore the riches of its depths. Too often we
treat God the same way. We listen to sermons, maybe read an occasional devotional book but never take that personal leap to truly
learn more. It takes dedication to go deeper into the knowledge of God. A novice diver does not go straight to the bottom on his first
dive. He descends each time a little deeper. But each time the wonders are greater. God is infinite not just in His vastness but also in
every detail. This should be our passion. Let us not be the ones who sit at the surface with everyone else; let us be the ones who dive.
When we are in awe of the majesty of God it is then that we are closer to touching the bottom.
Bible reading
Job 11:7-9
Prayer
Give me a heart for the depths of God.
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Simple Obedience
But Naaman was furious and went away and said, “Behold, I thought, ‘He will surely come out to me, and stand and call on
the name of the LORD his God, and wave his hand over the place, and cure the leper.’”
2 Kings 5:11 (NASB)
Naaman who was the captain of a foreign army was also a leper. He heard that a prophet in Israel was able to cure leprosy, so he came
in all his splendor and stood at the doorway of Elisha. The prophet told him to simply wash in the Jordan seven times and he would be
healed. But Naaman was furious because he thought that something great should happen. Perhaps marvelous signs would appear in
the sky and the ground would tremble. Then he would know that it was from God. But, instead, the solution was simple. Fortunately a
servant had a clearer perspective and talked him into obeying.
How often are we like that? We want divine guidance for something important and are looking for a sign but God says, “Read my
word.” We are hurting and are expecting a magical touch but God says, “Pray and go to church.” And perhaps
most fundamental of all, we are unsaved and wanting some undeniable and personal confirmation but God says,
“Believe.”
God does not need to do tricks to prove anything. We should obey what He says in the Bible simply because He is God.
Bible reading
2 Kings 5:1-14
Prayer
Teach me, God, to simply obey.
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Hide or Speak?
“Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the LORD, “Though your sins are as scarlet, they will be as white as
snow; though they are red like crimson, they will be like wool.”
Isaiah 1:18 (NASB)
When you sin what do you think is God’s initial response? Is it swift judgment—“Now I’m going to get him”?
Is it another tally mark on the sin board with your name on it? Is God angry, chiding, disappointed? Is He shaking His finger? Did He turn
His back on you? If you picked any of these then consider this—when you sin, God’s first desire is for discussion.
What did God immediately do after the very first sin? He asked Adam, “Where are you?” When Cain’s sacrifice
was rejected God asked, “Why are you angry?” After the first murder God asked, “Where is Abel your
brother?” Throughout the Bible God does not cast immediate judgment upon His children when they sin. Instead He wants us to
talk to Him about it. Why? So we can see the error of our action or thought and confess. So we can understand the implications of it and
repent. And so we can grasp God’s forgiveness and be restored. When we sin we want to deny, to hide, to blame, or to cower.
God wants to talk.
Bible reading
Isaiah 1:18-20
Prayer
God, may coming to You be my first response to sin.
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What Creates Success?
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, Thou wilt not despise
Psalm 51:17 (NASB)
Every year I run a booth for our church at a county fair. We give away thousands of tracts and New Testaments. Some days we feel like a
lot was accomplished whereas other days seem unrewarding. But God does not call us to be successful; He calls us to be humble and
faithful.
To whom does God look? To the busiest, the most public, the most assertive? God will look “to him who is humble and contrite of
spirit, and who trembles at my word” (Isaiah 66:2). Activities will always produce some kind of results; humility will always
produce supernatural results. The humble one may be the busiest, the most public, or the most assertive but it is their relationship with
God that produces the fruit. The glory is always the Lord’s.
We can have great techniques on evangelism, a top notch program on discipleship, and a sincere, zealous heart, but if we do not know
how to call upon God, if we do not know Him who “only doest wondrous things,” (Psalm 72:18) then who will bless our
efforts? Who will supply the power? A ministry that is supported by the Almighty God will be a display of His glory and love. For that He
asks for prayer, humility, and faithfulness. Then He can cause the growth as He pleases.
Bible reading
Psalm 51:14-17
Prayer
Teach me to pray and depend on You.
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Compassion instead of Contempt
And the lord of that slave felt compassion and released him and forgave him the debt.
Matthew 18:27 (NASB)
When someone offends or hurts me I usually think poorly of that person. Then I think not of his needs or qualities but what he did to me.
And the longer my unforgiveness lasts the larger and more horrible his sin becomes. The problem is that I have made that one sin
become greater than every other area of his life. I lose sight of who that person really is.
When someone hurts us we can too easily make him out to be a monster in order to justify our own bitterness and bad attitude. If he has
gossiped about us then it is as if he does nothing else in his life except to tell everyone he meets wicked lies about us.
Yes, sin needs to be reproved so that the person can walk in God’s fellowship again. But we also need to learn to look beyond
the sin and see the person again. We need to see someone who has fears and struggles; someone who is weak and needy. It is then
that we, too, will be moved with compassion. We will see the person that God loves and died for. And then we will forgive.
Bible reading
Matthew 18:21-27
Prayer
God, may my compassion always be greater than my unforgiveness.
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The Incarnation: God touching us
And Jesus came to them and touched them and said, "Arise, and do not be afraid."
Matthew 17:7 (NASB)
Just over 2,000 years ago God became human flesh and walked in our midst as a teacher, leader, and friend. But why the incarnation as
the starting point? Why did He not first appear as a great prophet? It may be because by becoming one of us in our most vulnerable
state God gave us a sense of belonging. We are not left alone. He is not a distant God. He is not a God who created everything and then
walked away to do more important things. Instead, by being among us, He proved that His attention is on us and that He cares deeply
about each one of us.
Everything about us is designed by God for relationships. From the second we are born we need other people to feed and clothe us.
And when we are adults we have desires to feel needed, for intimacy, and to connect with others. And the greatest relationship that God
has put into our hearts is to be with Him. He refers to us as brothers and sisters, as sons and daughters. We are the bride of Christ. He
asks us to call Him Father. The incarnation was God connecting with us and giving us the greatest relationship of all.
Bible reading
Matthew 1:18-25
Prayer
Thank you, God, that we belong to You.
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Content but not satisfied
“Not that I speak from want; for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.”
Philippians 4:11 (NASB)
I was 43 when I got married for the first time. Was I glad that it took that long? No. But I had good friends and family and was involved in
ministry. I was laid off three jobs in a row and was unemployed for long periods of time. Did the lack of income hurt? Yes. But in my free
time I was able to serve God more abundantly. Content but not satisfied. Contentment comes from knowing that God is faithful and in
control. It rests in the eternal, in the unseen. We can always be content.
Satisfaction comes from a job well done in the temporal and visible. Though we should be satisfied with individual accomplishments,
God does not want us to be permanently satisfied because we are never done. We will always have our own sin and are surrounded by
the lost, the abused, and the poor. There is much to do inwardly and outwardly.
We may hurdle from crisis to crisis, we may not like our finances or our marital status, but always present is that soothing contentment of
God’s presence. It is like sitting at a Mozart Symphony. We may be fretting over life’s worries but at any time we can
refocus on the music and be at peace.
Bible reading
Philippians 4:10-13
Prayer
May I stand on the eternal and with my hands fix the temporal.
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The Curse of Thorns
Cursed is the ground because of you; in toil you shall eat of it all the days of your life. Both thorns and thistles it shall grow for
you…
Then Pilate therefore took Jesus, and scourged Him. And the soldiers wove a crown of thorns and put it on His head…
Genesis 3:17b – 18a, John 19:1 - 2a
In the beginning God created a perfect world but we sinned and, as a result, the world was cursed. Pain and sorrow entered and death
became the rule. One result was that the ground became difficult to work with thorns entangling our feet and cutting our skin. Every time a
thorn caught someone’s flesh and blood trickled out it was a reminder of how we had sinned.
This sin caused a separation between God and us. We could not defeat this curse on our own. So into this doomed world stepped the
holy and righteous Creator. He united us by becoming the curse and fulfilling its requirement for punishment. To this end He was
whipped and beaten and then had a crown of thorns placed on His head and beaten into His brow as the thorns, a symbol of sin, cut into
His flesh and blood flowed out. He took upon Himself our curse so that we might have restored life with Him.
Bible reading
John 19:1-8
Prayer
Thank you, God, for becoming my curse so that I might be forgiven.
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Choose your Company Well
“He who walks with wise men will be wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.”
Proverbs 13:20 (NASB)
There was a story in the newspaper about a boy who grew up in a good family. He always got excellent grades, never got into trouble,
and was in youth ministry. But then in high school he fell in with a bad crowd. He started doing drugs, became rebellious and then was
found dead.
You will become like those whom you spend the most time with; those whom you let become a part of your life. If you spend time with
vulgar, crass people then you will become vulgar and crass. If you spend every evening watching TV then you will become like TV
characters; quick with the one-liner but thin of character and unable to develop true relationships. And if you are always alone then you
will never change because you will only become more like yourself.
But, if you spend time with God, if you get to know Him, and understand His ways and His motives then you will become more like God.
You will develop His character and think more like Him. To become godly you must spend time with God. Choose well whom you spend
your time with because it will shape your life forever.
Bible reading
Proverbs 13:18-21
Prayer
God, give me the wisdom to choose right companions
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Our Unchanging Rock
For I, the LORD, do not change; therefore you, O sons of Jacob, are not consumed.
Malachi 3:6 (NASB)
When I was growing up there was an abandoned sandpit that we made into an obstacle course with ropes, ladders, and homemade
bridges. At one spot, you had to crawl backwards through a drainpipe that ended at an overhang and then blindly step out onto a ladder.
One day, the ladder was missing and I stepped onto air. I fell about ten feet and landed on my back gasping for breath. That sandpit is
now a grocery store and I have grown much older. Everything changes and sometimes the things that we count on are gone.
Yet within this constant variation there is One who never changes and that is God. Nothing can change God because it is He who
controls and holds all things together. He cannot change Himself because in all ways He is perfect and in complete harmony. Because
God does not change we can be secure knowing that His attitude is always the same loving faithfulness towards us. His acceptance of
us does not vary since it is not based on our moods but on His immutability. To have an intimate relationship with us God had but two
options: that He degrade Himself to meet us or to glorify us to meet Him. Because He cannot change He changed us. We truly have a
solid, unchanging Rock on which to stand.
Bible reading
Malachi 3:1-6
Prayer
Thank You for being my unwavering rock.
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Fire and Salvation
“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works,
which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”
Ephesians 2:10 (NASB)
On a cold winter night I would pile some wood in the fireplace and surround it with crumpled paper. Then I would light the paper and turn
off the living room light. Eventually the wood will be in flames and the room will be lit up and warm. There have been times, though, that
the paper would burn for a few seconds and then go out. The logs would still appear dark and cold. Since there was no heat, smoke, or
light I would figure that the wood was not on fire and so would try again.
Just as we can tell when a log is on fire by the heat and light that it produces so salvation leads to righteous deeds. Salvation is more
than being handed a ticket to Heaven; it is a life changing experience. Just as some logs burst into flames instantly whereas others
smolder before catching on so Christians may also begin their walks differently. But if that person remains dark and cool then there
should be a question of whether or not that spark of salvation really took place. A life touched by God should be apparent to all of those
around it.
Bible reading
Ephesians 2:8-10
Prayer
God, may I always burn bright for Your glory.
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Not Just Fight or Flight
“For I have come to have much joy and comfort in your love,
because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, brother.”
Philemon 1:7 (NASB)
The two common options usually presented for when a person is put under stress is “fight or flight”—either attack the
adversary or run. Yet the Christian has two additional and much better choices. The first is given in Philippians 4:6, “Be anxious
for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” When we are
overwhelmed we have a God who wants to hear what is happening and who can do something about it. The Bible’s solution to
anxiety and to all other difficulties is prayer, prayer, and more prayer.
Then God gives us yet another refuge and that is the church. In there we can find people who can encourage us, support us, and comfort
us. It is where we can find godly counsel, regroup, and go out stronger than before.
The world either attacks or hides. However, the Christian can rest in a loving God and be embraced by His people. We are never alone.
What a wonderful assurance!
Bible reading
Philemon 1:4-9
Prayer
When I feel stressed, God, let me run to You and to Your people.
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A Solid Foundation
For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 3:11 (NASB)
In my area there are many wetlands where the soil is loose. Whenever there is a storm many of the trees growing there fall over. They do
not crack at the trunk, rather, their roots pull up out of the ground and so you can see the entire tree including the bottom of its roots lying
on its side. As you head north where the ground is firmer there are no fallen trees because they are more securely anchored.
We, as Christians, can choose which type of soil we are in. Many of us are easily overcome by doubts, confusion, or temptation. We
think, “God doesn’t love me” at the slightest inconvenience. We are easily toppled over. Other Christians rejoice in
even the hardest trials.
What is our foundation? We cannot get a more solid and trustworthy foundation than God. Our health may fail, our relationships may
break, our career may be lost, but Jesus Christ will never fail us. The heart of Christianity is that we can have a personal relationship with
God that can develop and grow. The more we read our Bible, go to church, pray, and worship the firmer our foundation will be and as our
roots sink deeper into God the more stable and secure we will be as a person.
Bible reading
1 Corinthians 3:11-15
Prayer
God, sink my roots deep into You.
^back to top
Godliness through example
A slave will not be instructed by words alone; for though he understands, there will be no response.
Proverbs 29:19 (NASB)
I cannot ski, but one winter a friend wanted to take me skiing. So I bought a book on the subject. I envisioned each technique until I felt
comfortable that I understood it. Then on that day I was not exactly confident but I was feeling assured. So I told him, “I know how
to do this.” Needless to say, I went down the slope sliding on my side with my skis and poles trailing ominously. Ultimately, I had
to watch him and let him teach me.
We are not instructed by words alone. What we need in our own lives, we must first learn from God. The Lord does not command us to
do something which He has not already accomplished Himself. He can tell us to “reach the world with the gospel” because
He has already died for the world. He can command us to “rejoice always” because for the joy set before Him, He endured
the cross, despising the shame. The Lord does not expect us to repent of and resist any sin which He has not already completely
defeated and triumphed over at the cross. We can forgive because He has forgiven us. We love because He first loved us. He is the
example set before us; we are not to compromise to anything lower.
Bible reading
John 13:5-15
Prayer
Give me a heart, God, to know You and to follow You.
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Release God
Trust in the LORD, and do good; dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness.
Psalm 37:3 (NASB)
An ex-pastor told a story where he was sitting on his sofa with his healthy daughter on his lap. There was a story on TV about starving
children in another country and he thought, “If You are a loving God then why do You allow this?” And he lost his faith.
Life is not fair and anyone of us can recount stories, perhaps even in our own lives, of undeserved tragedy. And how often do these
cruelties cause us to blame God? After all, He can do anything so why did He not stop this one or at least alleviate the suffering once it
did happen? But in many ways, He has. Jesus came not to be served but to serve and we as Christians—“little
Christs”—have the same calling. He has created us as an army with many resources: time, money, abilities, food, possessions,
etc. Most of the poor, oppressed, and defeated are outside of the church and that is where we need to go. We need to release God into
soup kitchens, missionary trips, hospital visits, orphanages, and nursing homes. We can fill boxes for the needy or donate to good
Christian charities. We blame God for miseries but we keep him bound up when we do nothing. The pastor on his couch said,
“Where is God” and the answer is “in you. When will you let Him out?”
Bible reading
Psalm 37:1-6
Prayer
God, make me the resource to fill that need.
^back to top
Perseverance
Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; yes, wait for the LORD.
Psalm 27:14 (NASB)
Abraham was told that he would be the father of a great nation, but his wife, Sarah, was barren. Joseph had a vision that he would be a
great leader, but he was sold into slavery in Egypt. Moses was told to lead the Hebrews out of bondage, but Moses himself was driven
out of Egypt.
God, as always, was faithful and twenty-five years later Abraham and Sarah had a son, Isaac, who became the father of a great nation.
Thirteen years later, Joseph was a ruler in Egypt. And forty years later, Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt. None of them quit.
We should persevere because God is not so much interested in making us comfortable as He is in making us joyful and more like
Himself. Times of despair and discouragement can build in us the character of Jesus Christ. We learn patience as we wait for
God’s timing. We learn faith as we trust God for what He knows to be best. We learn meekness as we put aside our personal
desires. We learn self-control as we try not to run ahead of God. Perseverance is hard, but it forces us to focus not on results but, rather,
on God.
Bible reading
Psalm 27:1-14
Prayer
Teach me, God, to wait for Your timing and to become more like You in the meantime.
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Prepare to Give
Give, and it will be given to you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, they will pour into your lap.
Luke 6:38 (NASB)
In my yard is a birdbath that collects rainwater. I never change the water and, as a result, the bottom is dirty and slimy. I also have a small
fountain with a leaf-shaped bowl at the top that has a spout from which the water flows into a larger basin. This bowl is always clean and
the water stays fresh and clear.
We want blessings that will run over and fill our laps. But notice that the first word of this verse is “give.” Many times God
wants to bless us abundantly but we are unable to receive it because we are still hoarding His previous blessings. Sometimes God has
to prepare us before we can receive His gifts. But this preparation may not be for us to be able to receive them as much as to prepare
us so that we will be able to give even more once we receive them. I could have simply filled the lower basin of my fountain and turned off
the pump, but the beauty comes from watching the water circulate from one bowl to the next. The vessel most able to receive fresh water
is the one that is most willing to pour out what it already has.
Bible reading
Luke 6:27-38
Prayer
Let me be a vessel that continually pours out God’s blessings to others.
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Nothing is Impossible
And behold, even your relative Elizabeth has also conceived a son in her old age; and she who was called barren is now in her sixth
month. For nothing will be impossible with God.
Luke 1:36-37 (NASB)
“For nothing will be impossible with God.” We often associate that phrase with stupendous events. We use it when talking
about preaching the Gospel to vast multitudes and seeing many saved. We quote it for a mighty healing or for getting Bibles into a
closed country. But the context is about trusting God when all hope has been dashed. It is about believing that God is sovereign and can
do what He wants. It is knowing that God is faithful and in the right time He will accomplish His purposes.
A hope in our lives may have shriveled up and we are wondering where God is and why He has not given us strength or comfort. We
may feel alone and abandoned. But that is never true. God is always with us and He always cares and when the time is right, He will
accomplish a great thing in our lives. It may not be when we expect it and it may not be quite what we expected. But because
God’s lovingkindness never ceases this much is guaranteed: it will be better. God’s blessings will always be better than
our expectations.
Bible reading
Luke 1:26-38
Prayer
God, may I constantly trust in Your faithfulness.
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Prospering in Rough Places
“Build houses and live in them; and plant gardens and eat their produce. Take wives and become the fathers of sons and
daughters, and take wives for your sons and give your daughters to husbands, that they may bear sons and daughters; and multiply there
and do not decrease.”
Jeremiah 29:5-6 (NASB)
One of the most devastating times in Israel’s history was the Babylonian captivity in 597 BC. Thousands were forcibly taken from
their homes and marched to a foreign country where they became slaves. Into this crisis stepped a prophet named Jeremiah who gave
them a message from God. Was this message for them to stop everything and wait for things to get better? Did He tell them to be angry,
to complain to every person that they could find, or to just give up? Rather, He told them to, “build, live, plant, eat, grow, and
increase.”
All too often when our lives seem to fall off of a cliff we want to lay there and feel sorry for ourselves and get others to feel sorry for us and
see how much we are hurting. But God wants us to use whatever circumstances we are in to grow and prosper. We can allow
circumstances to crush us or to use circumstances to shape us into the character of God.
Bible reading
Jeremiah 29:1-7
Prayer
Teach me, God, to use all circumstances as a lever to become more like Yourself.
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Give Yourself to Others
Is it not to divide your bread with the hungry, and bring the homeless poor into the house; When you see the naked, to cover him; And not
to hide yourself from your own flesh? Then your light will break out like the dawn, and your recovery will speedily spring forth; and your
righteousness will go before you; the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard.
Isaiah 58:7-8 (NASB)
Life can be difficult and sometimes we can feel like we are living in the shadows. It is when we turn inwards and focus our eyes and
thoughts on ourselves that we feel hopeless and overwhelmed. But of course that is the result because we do not have the power to
overcome our greatest struggles and so we feel hopeless.
It is when we turn to God that He comes like the sun cleaving through the dark clouds. This passage says that part of the solution is to
meet the needs of other people. We may still have struggles, but there is hope that recovery will come. That might be emotional healing
from something deep and traumatic or it may be forgiveness for the ravages of our own sins. There should be no defeated people in the
kingdom of God. Give yourself to others and God will give Himself to you.
Bible reading
Isaiah 58:6-12
Prayer
Teach me to give myself to the needs of others and trust You for hope and healing and guidance.
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Do what is Right
Surely in vain I have kept my heart pure, and washed my hands in innocence; for I have been stricken all day long, and chastened every
morning.
Psalm 73:13-14 (NASB)
In the first twelve verses of Psalm 73, Asaph complains about how the wicked get all of the breaks. They are prosperous and healthy.
They do not have the same problems and troubles that others do. They have such abundance that they do not know what to do with it all.
In contrast, Asaph tried to do what was right and yet it got him nowhere. While the wicked were enjoying life he was plagued and
punished (verse 14).
Is there anybody who has not had those thoughts at one time or another? It seems as though life is not fair and we are tempted to think,
“Why bother? Everyone else is cheating and they’re getting away with it. Why should I continue struggling to do what is
right and get nowhere?” But the reality is that there is a just God who will reward good and judge evil. Do what is right and God
will never forget to bless you. It is far better to have little yet dwell in God’s presence and pleasure then to have abundance and be
forsaken by Him.
Bible Reading
Psalm 73
Prayer
God, when I am tempted to envy the wicked and desire success no matter what the means please correct me and lead onto the path of
righteous.
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God’s Beautiful Treasure
I will give thanks to Thee, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Thy works, And my soul knows it very well.
Psalm 139:14 (NASB)
My father was a nature buff and when I was child we would walk through the woods and he would identify what tree a stick was from just
by examining the bark and other characteristics. When I was in the Boy Scouts I made a vase for my father and all around it I pushed little
sticks into the clay. It was truly one of the ugliest vases ever created. But when I gave it to him he treasured it with great joy and it is still
displayed prominently.
We may not like how we look or certain aspects of what we are but we must realize that when God made us He fashioned us into a
wonderful creation in which He finds great joy. He created us the way that we are because that is the best way for us to serve Him. We
are more than a static photograph that shows nothing more than our outward appearance. We can radiate God’s joy, love, grace,
and mercy and, when we do, these will be the things that people will remember about us. Our beauty to God is what is in our hearts and
not in what covers them.
Bible reading
Psalm 139:13-16
Prayer
Let me realize, God, that my greatest beauty is to shine Your love and grace out through me.
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Go Forward
Then the LORD said to Moses, “Why are you crying out to Me? Tell the sons of Israel to go forward.”
Exodus 14:15 (NASB)
The children of Israel were feeling trapped. Ahead of them was the Red Sea; behind them was the Egyptian army that wanted to take
them back to Egypt as slaves or slaughter those who resisted. To Israel they seemed to have only three choices: drowning, enslavement,
or death. Sometimes in our own lives circumstances seem to give us only three choices: bleak, bleaker, and bleakest. In verses 13-14
Moses proclaimed his solution, “Do not fear! Stand by and see the salvation of the LORD which He will accomplish for you
today… The LORD will fight for you while you keep silent.”
When we are in a terrible crisis oftentimes we want to stop trying and let God take control. But notice God’s response in verse
15. Many times when we want to stop, step aside, and let God take care of everything He wants us to “go forward.” We
want easy, but God wants effort. Maybe we think that we are stepping aside and “getting out of God’s way” but,
instead, God wants us to “go forward” with His strength. Our action coupled with God’s grace can produce
astonishing results.
Bible reading
Exodus 14:8-16
Prayer
Dear God, when I am feeling trapped and want to give up please give me the grace to go forward.
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Gratitude
But Hezekiah gave no return for the benefit he received, because his heart was proud; therefore wrath came on him and on Judah and
Jerusalem.
2 Chronicles 32:25 (NASB)
Hezekiah was attacked by a great army, but God destroyed his enemies and delivered him. So Hezekiah became famous and many
gifts were given to him by other rulers. Then he became sick unto death and asked God for healing and God answered his prayer. But
instead of thanking God, he became proud and was a braggart. He showed everyone how wealthy he was and became more interested
in his success then in being grateful for what God had given to him.
Every good thing that we have is a gift from God. This may include our house, car, job, church, family, and friends. But many times we
think that we have these things because we were smart or talented.
God does not ask us for great gifts in return for His blessings. What He wants is our gratitude. When we succeed, the proud heart shows
off and proclaims its cleverness; the humble heart lifts its praise to God knowing that it was only by His grace that we can do or have
anything at all. “Always giving thanks for all things” (Eph. 5:20) is not merely a command but should be a lifestyle.
Bible reading
2 Chronicles 32:20-25
Prayer
May I offer to God a heart of continual thanks for all that He has given to me.
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Cotton Candy
“Why do you spend money for what is not bread, and your wages for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is
good, and delight yourself in abundance.”
Isaiah 55:2 (NASB)
Whenever I go to a carnival I always get some cotton candy. It is colorful and tastes sweet but it is quickly gone and provides no
nourishment, no lasting sustenance. Sin is a lot like that. It is pleasing at first, but ultimately, it will never satisfy. And what is worse is that
it keeps us from God’s blessings.
Imagine that God has placed before you a huge table full of the most wonderful food. Behind you is a small, creaky table but on it is the
most tempting cotton candy that you have ever seen. You have a choice but you cannot have both. When you sin you do not experience
God’s blessings because you have turned your back on His table to eat the cotton candy that the world has to offer. God’s
feast is still there for the taking; you just have to turn around. That is called repentance. It is to turn from your sin to God’s
goodness and blessings, which are always there for you in abundance.
Prayer
Teach me, God, that You are my fortress, not alcohol or drugs; that You are my rock, not popularity or money; and that You are my hope,
not power or retirement.
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Keep Me with Your People
And let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of
some, but encouraging one another; and all the more, as you see the day drawing near.
Hebrews 10:24-25 (NASB)
Last night I had a fire blazing in the fireplace. When I went upstairs there were three logs burning with a glowing fervor. Thirty minutes
later I came back and saw that one of the logs had rolled off of the grating and was by itself. The other two logs were still together and
flames were dancing joyfully all over them. But this one log had turned dark and provided no warm or light.
Sometimes when we are struggling or going through a trial we become despondent and want to be left alone. Often the first thing that we
give up is going to church. This is a big mistake. The times in my life when I least felt like going to church because of discouragement I
forced myself and found them to be the best services ever. God will use others to warm us, to give us light, and to support us. When we
sulk off by ourselves we will only become cold and dark and lonely.
Prayer
Keep me always longing for the presence of Your people, God, and draw me back when I am tempted to go it alone.
Thought
Only when we surround ourselves with other Christians will we burn with warmth and fervency.
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God is Watching
“The eyes of the LORD are in every place, watching the evil and the good.”
Proverbs 15:3 (NASB)
We have a dog and a cat that live amicably together. However, the dog always wants to eat the cat’s food even though he knows
that he should not. So when no one is in the room he will pick up the cat’s small bowl in his mouth, carry it into the next room, put it
down, and eat the food. If he is caught while carrying the bowl he will drop it and run.
How many times do we take our sin to some isolated place thinking that no one will catch us? Jonah tried to escape God on a ship,
Achan hide stolen treasures, and the wicked say, “The Lord does not see” (Psalm 94:7). We may close the door when we
are on the internet or travel far from home expecting that no one will recognize us. But we forget that God is always watching. He sees
our actions as clearly as if He was standing in the room with us and knows our thoughts as though we were speaking them out loud. If we
would believe this then how much more ashamed would we be to sin? When we are tempted we should look over our shoulder, in a
manner of speaking, and say, “Don’t worry, God, I’m not going to do it.” Then we will realize the joy that
brings to Him and, consequently, the joy that victory brings to us.
Prayer
Let me always be aware of Your presence that I might be fearful to sin.
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Let’s Celebrate!
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!
Philippians 4:4 (NASB)
I read in the newspaper about a reclusive person who lived in a rundown house that was full of junk and piles of yellowed newspapers. It
turned out that they had a huge amount of money in a bank account. He had so much money but used little of it. We tend to scoff at these
type of people and think of them as foolish.
Too often Christians can be like that stingy, rich person; not because we have hoarded money but because we have held back
something even more valuable, God has given us so much and yet we can often lead frustrated lives full of complaining and trying to
“one down” the next person. Sometimes we think that the most spiritual Christian is the one who is the most dour and
serious. Many of us look like we are posing for the cover of the book of Lamentations. Yet in the Bible the words “rejoice,”
“glad,” “happy,” “celebrate,” and “joy” appear 624 times. God wants us to be full
of life, to glow and celebrate with His joy, and to be the type of people that others will be drawn to and want to be like. We have the
blessings of God—we should act like it! Unlike giving away money which can be depleted, we can never give away enough joy that we
will ever run out.
Prayer
God, teach me to focus on Your blessings that I might flow with Your joy.
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Redeeming Life’s Frustrations
With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the
saints.
Ephesians 6:18 (NASB)
Like a lot of drivers, I can get frustrated if I keep catching red lights. I want to get where I am going and they only slow me down. And it
especially makes me crazy if I get too many of them in a row. Then I was thinking about how I might use red lights for God’s glory
instead of a source of frustration. Since each red light lasts at least 30 seconds that gives me an opportunity to pray for someone. What
might have been a particularly annoying trip now means that more people will get prayed for.
We can too easily rush through life wanting to get to where we are going and accomplish what we want to do. In all of that business we
can forget to pray. Martin Luther claimed that when he had an especially busy day ahead of him he would get up even earlier so that he
could spend more time in prayer. Life is full of greater frustrations than red lights. We need to learn to redeem those and use them as
reminders to pray or as other means to obey God.
Prayer
Remind me throughout the day to look to You, God, and not get caught up in my business.
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The Small Things
But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me did not prove vain; but I labored even more than all of them, yet not I,
but the grace of God with me.
1 Corinthians 15:10 (NASB)
A quarterback threw the winning touchdown in a game and during the interview afterwards he thanked God for giving him the grace to do
that. As a Christian, my heart always leaps for joy when a Christian champion performs a great act of athleticism and then glorifies God.
It shows how God’s grace can accomplish much.
But what about the single parent who has to go to work, pay the bills, run the household, and still teaches her children to be godly? What
about the person whose health is failing but who still goes to church and blesses people? What about the person born into poverty and
abuse but grows up to be a minister or runs a soup kitchen? These are also all examples of how God’s grace can accomplish
much. These are not the people on TV but are the people around us. They are our true inspirations. Most of us will never be a Christian
celebrity but by His grace even those of us whose lives are more mundane we can still be a tremendous blessing to others. Let us be
content to be blessings where God has placed us and not yearn for those fleeting moments of greatness.
Prayer
May I use Your grace to be faithful in the small things and so glorify You.
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The Only Way
Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through Me.
John 14:6 (NASB)
I bought a prefabricated shed that needed to be assembled. No instructions were included so I called the company. They told me to put it
together any way that I wanted, it did not make any difference. I got on a plane for Los Angeles and the pilot said that he was going to go
whichever way the wind was blowing, it did not make any difference. I went to buy baby food for a six-month old and the store manager
told me to just give her whatever I had laying around in the refrigerator, it did not make any difference.
In all of these cases we would be incredulous. Of course it makes a difference. You just do not screw boards together and hope that a
shed comes out. You do not just fly wherever you feel like and expect that you will wind up at the correct destination and you just cannot
feed a six-month old anything you want. Yet that is the way that many people approach religion. “All ways lead to God,” so
they say. But the truth is that salvation can only come through Jesus Christ. All religions are not the same. Forgiveness of sins can only
come from a Savior who died for those sins and then rose again. In life we will accomplish nothing if we are careless; we should we be
even more careful to follow God’s only instructions to eternal life.
Prayer
Let me never become complacent or deceived and think that others can make it to Heaven apart from knowing Jesus Christ.
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Faith that Remembers
They quickly forgot His works; they did not wait for His counsel Psalm 106:13 (NASB)
What if God miraculously provided you with all of your food and drink, your clothes never wore out, and if anyone annoyed you they soon
transferred to another department or moved out of the neighborhood? And then God promised that your future would be filled with
wonderful abundance. You would think that you would sneer at any temptation, persevere through any hardship, and always stay faithful
to God.
This was essentially what Israel experienced in the Exodus. So what was their response? They complained that the food was not good
enough and that the leadership was getting all of the perks. They rebelled and created a golden calf and danced around it like it was
their god. Why? Their faith lacked endurance. They judged God on their current situation and if it was not to their liking then they would
yell, “Let’s go back.” Their faith had short-term memory; it was based only on how well the current circumstances
were going.
Out of around 2.5 million people only two men proved to reverence and trust God: Joshua and Caleb. The essence of their report was in
Numbers 14:9, “… the Lord is with us; do not fear…” Too many of us are like the 2.5 million. We are like the
child who screams “You don’t love me” because she did not get a pony for Christmas. God wants us, instead, to be
like Joshua and Caleb. They remembered how good God is. Faith endures when it remembers.
God, when I am pressed in on every side may I recall your goodness to me.
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Do not fear!
Do not fear, for I am with you; do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, surely I will
uphold you with My righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10 (NASB)
One time the opportunity was right for me to share the Gospel with my neighbor but because I did not want to be rejected I did not.
Another time some co-workers were speaking badly about a person who was not there and I wanted to defend the person but because I
did not want to appear as being self-righteous I remained silent. Many times in life I make decisions based not the Bible or on
righteousness but to avoid pain or humiliation. I allow fear to make my choices.
God knows how easily we can tremble, how vulnerable we are. Many of the Bible’s greatest heroes needed reassurance. These
were people who would eventually stand against oppression and change the world; yet at first their hearts were faint and their faith was
weak. What were the first words that God spoke to Abraham, Hagar, Isaac, Gideon, Daniel, and Mary? It was “Do not
fear.” He had to first quiet their fears. Then they were able to take action relying on God’s promises and power.
When we are faced with a choice of obedience to God or yielding to fear let us also be strengthened by God’s words to us,
“Do not fear.” As 2 Timothy 1:7 reassures, “For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and
discipline.” Conquer fear with God’s promises
When I am weak may I turn to Your Holy Spirit for grace and power.
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Waiting in the Silences
When therefore He heard that he was sick, He stayed then two days longer in the place where He was. John 11:6 (NASB)
Martha and Mary were sisters whose brother Lazarus was deathly sick. So they did the right thing and sent for Jesus. But Jesus waited.
They did everything that they should have. Did Jesus immediately reward their trust in Him and remedy the current crisis? No. In fact, He
waited until the situation got to the point where it appeared beyond help, to where Lazarus died. Were Martha and Mary frustrated?
Were they confused with God’s dealings? I am sure they were. But God knew the outcome. God deliberately let the situation
become bleaker.
Are there times in our lives when we have been hammered and are reeling and we make the correct choice, which is to call upon God,
and He does not do what we want? And things are getting worse and we are praying but there is no change or even answer?
God delayed with Martha and Mary because He was not merely content to heal a sick man as much as He wanted to raise a dead man.
God will oftentimes be silent in our darkest moments, but often that is because He has a greater desire than to merely make us
comfortable.
Do we trust God because of what He does for us or because of who He is? Do we love God because of His responses or because of
His promises? We must trust God even in the silences.
Teach me to not to desire comfort but to desire God’s will.
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Grace to do what is Right
“Now the word of the Lord came to Jonah the second time, saying…”
Jonah 3:1 (NASB)
Here is the case of Jonah, the disobedient prophet. God told him to go to Nineveh, a very wicked city, and preach a message of
repentance and salvation. Jonah refused and ran away on a ship. But God created a storm and a great fish swallowed Jonah. After
Jonah repented, the fish spit him up on a shore. So Jonah went throughout the city and preached repentance and the city turned to
God.
God is gracious to the unsaved and to the saved. To the Ninevites whose sins were many, God not only spared them judgement but,
sent someone to share the magnificent news of God’s salvation. This is grace to the unsaved. For Jonah, God didn’t
simply cast him aside when he disobeyed and get someone else. God patiently “came to Jonah the second time” and told
him again what He wanted him to do. God wasn’t harsh or scolding. He simply gave Jonah another chance to obey. This is grace
to the saved.
Can anyone say that they have always been faithful and obedient to God? Grace allows us to lift up our heads after a mistake knowing
that God will give us another chance.
Prayer
God, I want to obey you always but when I do stumble thank you that you are always there to lift me up and give me another chance.
Thought
Grace can give us another chance to do what we should have done the first time.
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A Clean Chalkboard
“And when you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him,
having forgiven us all our transgressions, having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us and which was
hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.”
Colossians 2:13-14 (NASB)
I was teaching a Sunday school class and I asked everyone to call out some sins while I wrote them on a chalkboard.
“Greed,” “jealousy,” “anger,” “laziness,” “selfishness,” and on
went the list. Soon the chalkboard was filled so I took an eraser and wiped the entire board clean. But one student who was writing all of
this down cried out, “But I didn’t get them all. Can you write the list back up on the board.” But no one could
remember what was there.
This is how God’s forgiveness is. Before we become a Christian, every time that we sin it is as though God adds that sin to a list
on a giant chalkboard. For most of us that chalkboard can become miles long. But the second that we become a Christian, it is as
though a giant hand holding an eraser makes one long sweep of that chalkboard and everything is wiped clean never to be remembered
ever again.
Prayer
God, let me never forget that You have completely erased every remembrance of my sin so I don’t have to bear it any more.
Thought
No matter how long our list of sins, God’s forgiveness can erase them all forever.
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All are Necessary
“for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ”
Ephesians 4:12 (NASB)
To save money I was the General Contractor when my house was being built. I hired a carpenter, roofer, painter, mason, electrician,
plumber, insulator, and so on. I watched as each one did their own part yet coordinated with the others so that all was done in its proper
time. Eventually, I was able to move into a beautiful and solidly built home. Some of the contractors’ work was obvious for all to
see and some of it was hidden. But all was necessary for the house to be completed.
In the same way the worldwide spiritual church is a house that is being built by its members. Each one of us has a special gift from God
that allows us to contribute to the building of this church. Some of the work may be obvious like the pastor or youth minister. Other work
may be more hidden such as the one who coordinates the missionaries or gathers up the supplies for an outreach. But every one of
these people is necessary for the church to be built up and completed.
Prayer
May I understand and fulfill my part in building up the body of Christ.
Thought
Since God has given each one of us a gift we are all extremely useful and necessary for the building up of the church.
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God Blesses what is Right
A faithful man will abound with blessings, but he who makes haste to be rich will not go unpunished.
Proverbs 28:20 (NASB)
I was at a home center to pick up a $200 item that had been backordered. The salesman looked at my receipt, thought that I had already
paid for it and so told me that I could just take it out to my car and if anyone questions me then I should call him and he’ll vouch for
me. I knew that I really hadn’t paid for it. Not only could I have taken it for free but, the salesman would have even helped me. But I
knew that would have been stealing so I paid for it first.
It is God who blesses us. We may be able to “get away with something” even with the possible help or perhaps mistake of
the person we’re stealing from. But God knows. I could have gotten away with a $200 item but by doing what was right I’m
sure that I got more than the equivalent of that in God’s blessings. Plus I had a clear conscience. The world tells us that
we’re not getting our fair share, but obedience opens us up to God’s share.
Prayer
When I am tempted let me resist the momentary thrill of getting away with something and trust that Your blessings for doing what is right
will be greater.
Thought
God has a far greater abundance to give to us then we can ever get from the world.
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Faithfulness in the Basics
He who is faithful in a very little thing is faithful also in much; and he who is unrighteous in a very little thing is unrighteous also in much.
Luke 16:10 (NASB)
About eight years ago I started playing the violin. I ultimate want to play Bach, Vivaldi, and Handel. But everyday I have to practice scales
on the violin in order to solidify the basics of where my fingers should go to play the proper note. I can never expect to play a great
musical composition unless I first build up a foundation of good habits.
Similarly, in the Christian life we need to be faithful with the basics. We must have a daily time set aside for prayer, Bible reading and
study, and worship. We need to belong to a good church where we can support others and be built up by them. We need to love our
neighbors, our co-workers, and our family members and we need to share the Gospel with those who are not saved. By doing these
“little” things we will put away sin and develop the character of God. As we lay this solid foundation then God will use us in
greater ways for His glory.
Prayer
God, I want to be faithful in the small daily things and then allow You to use me however You see fit.
Thought
Only when we are practicing the “scales” of these important Christian basics will God then use in His greater
compositions.
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Relying on the Holy Spirit
And in the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes
for us with groanings too deep for words.
Romans 8:26 (NASB)
I was at a miniature golf course with some friends and their five-year old son was knocking the ball everywhere except near the hole. He
simply wasn’t physically mature enough to properly hold the club and swing it with any coordination. So I got up behind him and,
leaning over, I held his wrists. Then we both swung the club and the ball curved across the green felt, bounced off of a board, and landed
a few inches from the hole. The boy was amazed and proclaimed, “Look what I did!”
Similarly, as Christians on our own we can flail about never getting anything done quite right and looking awkward in the trying. But then
we pray and the Holy Spirit comes to our side and helps us out and we are able to accomplish far more than we would have been able to
do on own on. Then we can say, “Look what God did!”
Prayer
God, keep me from relying on my own plans, skills, or talents and in everything depend on your Holy Spirit through prayer.
Thought
Without God we are like a newborn bird flapping its wings frantically, but with God we can fly with the power of an eagle.
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A Rhythm with God
In pointing out these things to the brethren, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, constantly nourished on the words of the faith and
of the sound doctrine which you have been following.
1 Timothy 4:6 (NASB)
A metronome is a device that swings back and forth at a predetermined speed. Each time that it passes the center it makes a clicking
noise. It is used by musicians to create a constant rhythm while they play or sing. Without this constancy the music would become too
slow at the difficult parts and too fast at the easier parts. The music would sound terrible and everyone would be out of synch.
The Christian has a metronome also. It is what keeps our lives steady during the difficult times and on course during the easier times.
This metronome is our intimacy with God. We need that daily winding of the metronome by reading our Bible. Throughout the day we
need that constant clicking of prayer and worship. Then when life becomes difficult we are not overwhelmed by our problems and when
all is going well we do not lose focus.
Prayer
May my life be a constant rhythm of time spent with God, of never losing focus of who my guidance is from.
Thought
Life bombards us with noises that can send us careening in many directions, staying tuned to God keeps us focused on the right
score.
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From Glory to Glory
But we all, with unveiled face beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to
glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.
2 Corinthians 2:18 (NASB)
My cousin, who is an artist, once painted a picture of Jesus as He appeared to His disciples after His resurrection. The painting was
wonderful; the disciples showed a mix of shock and reverence and Jesus was human but somehow so much more. Everyone who saw
the painting was deeply moved. But then she said that she was going to redo parts of it. We pleaded with her not to—she could only do it
harm. But she went ahead anyway. The result took our breath away. It was even better. The colors were deeper and the painting seemed
so much more real.
This is how we are in the hands of God. As Christians we are not being transformed from wretched to miserable; from miserable to
not-too-bad. Instead, we are being transformed from glory to glory. Glory is not reserved for us in Heaven, God gives it to us here and
today.
Prayer
When I think that I am worthless and unimportant, please God, remind me how you have made me to be glorious.
Thought
Christians are not just people who are going to Heaven, we are a people whom God has transformed and made glorious.
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God is Sufficient
Now then go, and I, even I, will be with your mouth, and teach you what you are to say.
Exodus 4:12 (NASB)
The Israelites were slaves in Egypt and God called Moses to deliver them. But the first thing that Moses did was to question his
importance—“ But Moses said to God, ‘Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh…” (Exodus 3:11). The second
thing that Moses had a problem with was rejection—“Then Moses answered and said, ‘What if they will not believe me, or
listen to what I say? For they may say, “The LORD has not appeared to you.”’” (Exodus 4:1). The next thing
that Moses questioned was his abilities—“Then Moses said to the LORD, ‘Please, Lord, I have never been eloquent,
neither recently nor in time past, nor since Thou hast spoken to Thy servant; for I am slow of speech and slow of tongue.’”
(Exodus 4:10). This prompted God to make His great promise in Exodus 4:12.
We may feel weak and small and vulnerable. But God has said that He will empower us to do anything and everything that He wants us
to do.
Prayer
When I make excuses for why I cannot do what You tell me to do, God, please remind me that it is not my talents and abilities that you
are asking for but only a willing vessel for Your power.
Thought
In God I am important; with God I am strong; by God I am a champion.
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Snowflake
“And they were continually devoting themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to
prayer.”
Acts 2:42 (NASB)
One snowflake by itself is frail and vulnerable. The slightest bit of heat or pressure and it melts. But put enough snow together and you
can stop a city.
The Christian is a lot like that. When we are off by ourselves we can easily wither under the heat of a difficult job or constant demands
from people. The pressure from broken relationships or the world’s temptations can cause us to cave in. But when we surround
ourselves with other Christians we can all help absorb the blows. We can hold each other up and guide each other away from wrong
influences.
Sometimes the world can be like a raging furnace and it is times like that where the fellowship of church can allow us to reset our
priorities and chill out. We may find ourselves being devastated by some sin, but when we are with Christians and lean on each other
then we can stop any sin. Satan can easily pick off individual Christians with his withering attacks, but against a righteous army he must
turn and flee.
Thought
The best defense against temptation is holding God’s word and standing shoulder to shoulder with an army of Christians.
Prayer
If I ever feel capable enough to stand on my own then, God, show me this foolishness and bring me back to the fortress of fellow
believers.
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An Impossible Distance—A Great Rescuer
for “whoever will call upon the name of the Lord will be saved”
Romans 10:13 (NASB)
You assemble the world’s greatest long distance swimmers and line them up on the shores of New Jersey. Then you told them to
swim to England; a distance of 3,000 miles. Many of them might swim quite far, perhaps even several hundred miles. But eventually all of
them will tire and drown. The fact that some drowned closer to England than others would not really seem to make that much difference.
But suppose a few who were faltering summoned a rescue ship that took them all of the way to England. They did not complete the
journey on their own efforts but, nonetheless, they made it and were safe.
Salvation is like that. Many, even some of the best people in the world, try by their own efforts to bridge a distance that is not merely
3,000 miles but is infinite. Eventually all will fail and perish. But Jesus Christ is a rescuer--a savior—to those who call upon His name. He
will pull out of the stormy seas those who see their need and helplessness and bring them into His Father’s arms on the distant
shore.
Prayer
God, may those who are faltering and ready to go under call upon your name and be saved.
Thought
The distance to salvation is infinite and can never be bridged by our own efforts; only Jesus Christ can take us to the other shore.
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The Sluggard and the Upright
The way of the sluggard is as a hedge of thorns, but the path of the upright is a highway.
Proverbs 15:19 (NASB)
Two of my friends lost their jobs at around the same time. One focused on how dreary his life was and became depressed. He stopped
coming to church, he did not make an effort to find a new job, and he no longer spent time with his friends. My other friend, in contrast,
started praying about the situation right away, he put together and executed a plan for finding a new job, and he gathered much support
from his church and friends. What was the difference? The circumstances were the same. The first was like the sluggard who finds life
too difficult and so does nothing about it. He sees everything as an obstacle. But notice that the second person is not called the
ambitious but, rather, is called the upright. This is because the upright person relies on God and finds his or her motivation and strength
in Him.
God does not necessarily make circumstances any easier for the upright, but where the sluggard sees life’s problems as reason
to quit, the upright sees these same problems as opportunities for God’s grace. Thorns or a highway—the choice is ours.
Prayer
When I am tempted to quit, God, give me the grace to move ahead.
Thought
Do not get tangled in life’s problems but let God use them to take you further than you have ever been before.
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Necessary Food
I have not departed from the command of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my necessary food.
Job 23:12 (NASB)
In survival, the rule of three states that you can survive no more than three minutes without oxygen, three hours without warmth, three days
without water, and three weeks without food. The results of these deprivations are obvious. As you get close to these limits you will feel
extreme discomfort. You will think about nothing else other than breathing, a thick blanket, a long glass of water, or spaghetti and
meatballs as the case may be.
But there is another type of deprivation that can be equally devastating. The problem is that the results are not as easily connected and
so we continue to go without. This is when we neglect to spend time with God by not going to church, or not reading our Bible, or not
praying. Then the consequences will be worry, anxiety, frustration, discouragement, anger or a host of other wrong attitudes or
temperaments. Usually we attribute these behaviors to trying circumstances or bad relationships, but fail to make the connection that our
time with God has been neglected. When we are spiritually healthy then we will be more joyful, confident, motivated, and peaceful.
Prayer
God, show me the urgency of my daily need for spiritual nourishment.
Thought
We must be just as diligent and concerned about our spiritual health as we are about our physical needs.
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Came to Pass
Then the LORD said to Moses, “Why are you crying out to Me? Tell the sons of Israel to go forward.”
Exodus 14:15 (NASB)
An elderly woman was asked what her favorite verse in the Bible is. She replied, “…and it came to pass.” When
asked why she chose this one she said, “Because it does not say, ‘…and it came to stay.’” The great
majority of our problems are temporary and those that do stay may only do so because we refuse to leave them behind.
Life is hard. There are many times when we want to give up and cocoon ourselves away from life’s storms. We can take our lives
and put them into a box and seal it and they will be safe from hurt and pain. But in there they will also wither and die. God tells you to
“go forward” and when you do He will be there to support you, to encourage you, and to bless you.
The little soul prays, “Lord, let me off easy.” The great soul prays, “Lord, make me as big as my problem.”
The small soul begs, “Lord, let me have a lighter load.” The giant soul asks, “Lord, give me strength sufficient for a
hard day.” The weak soul says, “I got tired and quit.” The busy soul prays, “Lord, stand with me until I finish
my task.”
Prayer
Lord, teach me to leave my problems behind and go forward with You.
Thought
When we walk with God there is not room enough for our problems also.
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Stage Fright
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever
you go.
Joshua 1:9 (NASB)
When I was in college I had to present the results of my research before an annual meeting of hundreds of the nation’s top
professors and students. While the presenter before me was speaking I was sitting in the audience terrified thinking, “I’ll
just leave and when they call my name I simply won’t be there.” But I prayed and was assured of God’s grace and
presence. I went up to the podium and all of my nervousness vanished. I did a great job and almost skipped off of the stage glorifying
God. I realized that if I did not give God a chance to pour out His grace and to glorify Himself in my life then I will never know what He can
accomplish. Ever since then, if I am nervous about doing something I will think back to this incident and remember how faithful God was
and can assured that He is just as faithful now. Then I have a confidence and strength that my own willpower could never conjure up on its
own.
Prayer
Whenever I am frightened and weak, God, let me remember that you are with me wherever I go.
Thought
Give God a chance to glorify Himself in your life and you may be amazed at what He will do.
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The Everlasting Arms
There is no one like the God of Israel. He rides across the heavens to help you, across the skies in majestic splendor. The eternal God is
your refuge, and his everlasting arms are under you.
Deuteronomy 33:26-27b (New Living Translation)
We have probably seen pictures of it. There is a burning building and someone is trapped on the third floor. She is leaning out of the
window in a panic and thick, black smoke is pouring out from inside the building. Down below is a ring of firemen holding a safety net
and assuring the woman that, if she jumps, they will catch her and she will be safe.
The world is like a drought stricken forest filled with dry, brown leaves. It only takes the fire of one sin to ignite it. Then we are trapped.
But how do we escape from a burning forest when that forest is our entire world? That is when we must turn to God because only He is
outside of this sinful world. We will only find comfort, peace, and strength from this world’s trials when we jump into God’s
arms by talking to Him in prayer, understanding Him by reading the Bible, and letting Him minister to us through fellowship with other
Christians.
Prayer
When I feel the heat of the world, God, let me fall into your arms and not be consumed by sin.
Thought
No matter how intense the fires of sin and temptation, God is always there to deliver us to safety.
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Toying with Wrong
Then it happened in the spring, at the time when kings go out to battle, that David sent Joab… Now when evening came David
arose from his bed and walked around on the roof of the king's house, and from the roof he saw a woman bathing…
2 Samuel 11:1a, 2a (NASB)
David was supposed to lead his army into battle. Instead, he sent Joab in his place and David stayed at home. Being bored, he
wandered up onto his roof and watched a woman bathing. He eventually slept with her and then had her honorable husband killed. If he
did what he was supposed to be doing to begin with then he never would have been put into that temptation.
Too often we fall into sin because we are somewhere that we should not be or are in a place where no one will see our sin. If being alone
with that man or woman is too tempting then only meet in public places. If you are on the Internet looking at unrighteous things because
you are bored then fill your time with ministry. Be where you should be and leave little room for temptation. Do what is right and leave little
time for sin.
Prayer
God, keep me focused on doing what is right and keep my eyes and hands from toying with what is wrong.
Thought
Do not force others to take up your slack in ministry while you fill your boredom with temptations.
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Calling Evil Good
Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; who substitute darkness for light and light for darkness; who substitute bitter for sweet,
and sweet for bitter!
Isaiah 5:20 (NASB)
It is bad enough how we have distorted the definition of a hero. In the past, our heroes were those who stood strong for their faith or for
patriotism. They were those who were willing to sacrifice much of themselves for the benefit of the many even unto death. Today the hero
is the one who can hit a game winning homerun or the actor who plays the rogue who gets the job done no matter what the means. We
have substituted celebrities for heroes.
But now we are going even further. The sports star who admits to adultery is wildly applauded and our children wear his jersey. The
music star who comes out of drug rehab for the umpteenth time is cheered. Celebrity divorce is found to be fascinating rather than
shameful. Somehow sin has become glamorous.
But God never changes. He is never influenced by the media’s efforts to make sin appealing. He never finds immorality, drug
addiction, or arrogance to be cool. He celebrates those who give of themselves for the sake of others. We should be the same.
Prayer
God, may I never find sin glamorous or interesting but rather hate it with Your hatred and to also love righteousness with Your fervor.
Thought
Refuse to cheer the “heroes” of our media but instead imitate the true heroes of righteousness.
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Guilt
How much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, cleanse your conscience
from dead works to serve the living God?
Hebrews 9:14 (NASB)
What is the purpose of guilt? It is to bring us to God so that He can do what? —Forgive us. The purpose of guilt is not to make us feel
bad or to make us miserable. These are the means of guilt. The purpose of guilt is to bring us to a place where God can wash us clean
from all of our sin. Guilt is like a street sign that points the way to God’s forgiveness. But too often, instead of going to where the
sign points, we pull it out of the ground and beat ourselves with it. When you sin, don’t beat yourself. Let God bathe you with
forgiveness. God wants your thoughts to be free and not burdened. Let Him cleanse your conscience. God wants your focus to be on
praising Him and not hiding from Him. Let Him make you as white as snow.
What are dead works? They are good deeds done with no effect to try to please an offended God. There is only one live work that can
cleanse our conscience and that is the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Prayer
When I sin, forgive me. When I am guilty, forgive me. When I am distressed because of my failures, forgive me.
Thought
Guilt should point you to God’s forgiveness.
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Do What is Right
When a man's ways are pleasing to the LORD, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.
Proverbs 16:7 (NASB)
I have two neighbors who share a property line and were very close friends. Gus put up a white picket fence. The other neighbor, Jim,
had some roses that were getting too tall. So Jim drove a nail into the fence and used it to tie up the roses. A few days later Gus pulled
out the nail. The roses plopped everywhere. Jim came out, words were spoken, and from then on they became enemies. One would call
the police if the other’s dog barked. The other would blow his fallen leaves back onto his neighbor’s side. Even the wives
stopped talking. All because of one incident in which neither one did what was right.
If Gus had offered a better way of tying up the roses then none of this would have happened. Or if Jim had apologized for driving a nail
into the fence and patched the hole then they would still be friends. But because neither responded correctly a good friendship was lost
and in its place came adversity. Rather than worry about our rights or privileges being trampled on we should instead do what is right
and trust God.
Thought
You take care of your actions and God will take care of your mind and heart.
Prayer
Teach me to do what is right and I will trust you, God, to give me wisdom and understanding,
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Justifying Sin
“And He said to them, ‘You are those who justify yourselves in the sight of men, but God knows your hearts; for that which
is highly esteemed among men is detestable in the sight of God.’”
Luke 16:15 (NASB)
A newspaper had a story about a thief who broke into over 200 houses in a criminal career spanning 30 years. When he was caught and
asked about the people that he had robbed he said that they would lie to their insurance company about the value of the goods and
actually make money on the crime so they were really no better than he was. It is amazing how people can justify their sin. “So
what if I told lots of people nasty things about her. She started it by telling someone something bad about me.” “I know that
I shouldn’t get drunk, but when I’m depressed it’s the only thing that makes me feel good.” “I admit
that we’re having pre-marital sex but we love each other and are planning on getting married some day.”
When we sin, God is not fooled by our justifications. When we gossip, get drunk or are immoral it is because we want to “enjoy
the passing pleasures of sin” (Hebrews 11:25). Instead of trying to justify our sin we must, rather, learn to cry out for
forgiveness.
Thought
With God’s grace there is no justification, reason, or excuse for sin.
Prayer
Teach me, God, to hate sin as much as You do.
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Hay Maze
“Make me walk in the path of Thy commandments, for I delight in it. Establish my footsteps in Thy word, and do not let any iniquity
have dominion over me.”
Psalm 119:35, 133 (NASB)
Around October a lot of farms will create mazes out of stacked bales of hay. Some only need a few turns to get through but others are
quite complex. Usually the bales are stacked three or four feet high. Children cannot see over them and so they must work their way
through the many turns trying to remember the dead ends that they had already stumbled upon. But an adult can easily see over the
bales and find the best way to maneuver the maze.
Life is like a maze with many choices along the way. Wrong decisions can lead us into pitfalls and stubbornness or forgetfulness can
lead back to the same dead ends. We can become confused and frustrated. But God’s word can guide us along the right path. It
enables us to see what the bad outcome would be for many decisions and helps us to avoid those consequences. The non-Christian
must struggle through life’s maze but the Bible “lifts us up” so that we do not have to be stuck in so many dead
ends.
Thought
Let God’s word guide you through life and you will finish a winner.
Prayer
God, teach me to rely on Your word to always make the right choice.
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Central Verse
“It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in princes.”
Psalm 118:9 (NASB)
The depth of our relationship with God can often be determined by what we take comfort in when we are under stress. On the extreme
wrong end is alcohol, drugs, pornography, and violence. But there are subtler traps that, although, not necessarily bad in themselves, can
keep us from running to God. These might include food, TV, shopping, or the Internet. We can come home beaten down by the world and
turn to one of these for the whole evening rather than to God in prayer.
Psalm 118:9 is the middle verse in the Bible and it should be the central verse in our lives. We can substitute any of the above
mentioned activities or one of our own particular solaces for “princes.” These “princes” can be destructive
or nothing more than a distraction. But in the presence of the Lord we find joy, wisdom, and comfort. It is a refuge that is readily available
no matter the place, the time, or the circumstances. When we are being hammered our first reaction should be to turn to God and not to
the devices of people.
Thought
Only in God will we find true rest.
Prayer
When opposed, beaten, or confused, God, teach me first to pray.
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Mistaken Identity
“And He continued by questioning them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’ Peter answered and said to Him,
‘Thou art the Christ.’”
Mark 8:29 (NASB)
One of the first plays ever written, Oedipus Rex, was about mistaken identity. Many Shakespearean plays also have mistaken identity as
their central theme. Even today, most mysteries or crime novels try to trick us into thinking that certain people are not whom we might
think they are. Ultimately these twists are used to surprise us and whether we figured it out beforehand is not very important.
But there is one case of mistaken identity that matters tremendously. When Jesus was with His disciples He asked them, “Who
do people say that I am?” “And they told Him, saying, ‘John the Baptist; and others say Elijah; but others, one of the
prophets.’” The people had high regard for Jesus, but that was not good enough. Even some of the disciples did not
understand that Jesus was the Son of God. But Peter made that great declaration, “Thou art the Christ.” It is crucial that we
understand correctly who Jesus Christ is. He is God, Lord, and Savior. He is the sinless Lamb of God, the great “I Am.” It
is only when we know Him correctly that we can have abundant life here and eternal life in Heaven.
Thought
There is only one person in all of history whose identity we must never mistaken and that is Jesus Christ.
Prayer
God, give me eyes to see You clearly and correctly.
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Luke 17:1-10 Small Faith
and Great Forgiveness
THOUGHT FOR TODAY: “And the Lord said, ‘If you had faith like a mustard seed, you would say to this mulberry tree,
“Be uprooted and be planted in the sea”; and it would obey you.’” Luke 17:6 (NASB)
In this passage, Jesus just told the disciples that no matter how many times someone offends you, you need to forgive every time. But
they replied, “We can’t do this; it’s impossible. Give us more faith!” Jesus’ response was, as usual,
oblique. The tree mentioned is probably the black mulberry whose roots, it was thought, could remain in the ground for 600 years. This
was deeply rooted and seemingly immovable—oftentimes like our anger. But faith as small as a mustard seed can remove it. What
Jesus is emphasizing is that we do not need great faith to forgive, it just has to be genuine and flow from a great God.
When we struggle with forgiving someone the problem is not that we do not have enough faith to forgive them but rather that we do not
want to. We want to see them suffer for what they did. We want them to feel the same hurt that they made us to feel. We want to give
them the message that if they hurt me then they will feel pain also, so they better think twice about hurting me again. It is only when we
understand just how much God has forgiven us can we then desire to forgive others.
When are sinned against we must focus not on the offense but on God’s forgiveness and move our heart to offer that same
forgiveness to that person.
PRAYER: God, teach me to forgive others as You forgive me.
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Standing Firm
Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ; so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I may hear of
you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel
Philippians 1:27 (NASB)
There was a church that was small but was deeply into worshipping God, preaching the Gospel, and teaching truth from the Bible. Above
their outside door was carved “We Preach Christ Crucified.” But then they thought that getting larger was of primary
importance so they watered down the Gospel. Vines grew over part of the sign and now it read, “We Preach Christ.” But
some people left because they felt that the sermons were too judgmental and convicting so they compromised the teaching from the
Bible. The vines grew more and soon the sign read, “We Preach.” Then they decided that the congregation was more
interested in hearing messages on how they can be happier and more comfortable in life. Then all that was left on the sign was,
“We.”
It is too easy to go from “only Christ” to “only us.” This will happen when we think of a church as a business
rather than as the bride of Christ. Or when we are more concerned about the number of people than the deep of our relationship with
God.
Prayer
God, keep us firm in always focusing on You.
Thought
We must keep Christ’s body, the church, pure and holy.
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Forgive and Release
Now where there is forgiveness of these things, there is no longer any offering for sin.
Hebrews 10:18 (NASB)
Almost always when someone sins against me I will ponder how they should and will pay for this offense. It may not even be me meting
out the justice but I will at least wish for their failure or public embarrassment.
When we struggle with forgiving someone the problem usually is not that we do not have enough faith to forgive them but that we do not
want to forgive them. We want to see them suffer for what they did. We want them to feel the same hurt that they made us feel. We want
to give them the message that if they hurt me then they will feel pain also, so they better think twice about hurting me again.
But if they must suffer first before I will forgive them then that is not forgiveness because forgiveness involves releasing someone from a
debt. But if I make them pay off that debt first then there is nothing left to forgive. Let us not think that if someone hurts us, that we can
grab them by the neck and shake them real hard and then let go and say, “I forgive you” that we are being noble and
Christ-like. Forgiveness means graciously releasing them from a debt, not making them do penance first.
Prayer
God, when I am hurt, fill my heart with forgiveness.
Thought
Forgiveness is hard, but very necessary.
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The Foundation of Forgiveness
If Thou, LORD, shouldst mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand?
Ps. 130:3 (NASB)
Suppose each one of us was born with a video recorder above our heads. And, all throughout our lives, every time that we made an
unfair judgement or had a wrong thought regarding another person that recorder clicked on. And once we were finished with our sin the
recorder would turn off. Then we die and stand before God and He rewinds it and plays everything that is on it. Then He asks,
“Where do you stand?” We might say, “But Lord, I helped out all of those people and went to church every
week.” Then He will rewind the recorder and replay it, and once again ask, “Where do you stand?” Forgiveness is
our only hope. God’s forgiveness is always free, complete, and totally unconditional. We must understand this and embrace it
otherwise we will always struggle with anger and bitterness when someone offends us.
Forgiving others must always start with God’s forgiveness of us. A year ago a friend whom I had trusted inexplicably began to
slander me behind my back. When confronted he would repent but then continue to slander me. My thoughts against him raged more
and more. Finally, I realized that my solution was to first intensely study how God has forgiven me. Then, and only then, was I able to
forgive.
Prayer
God, grip me with how You have forgiven me.
Thought
How we forgive must flow from our own forgiveness.
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Fancy Dinner
And God saw all that He had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.
Genesis 1:31 (NASB)
My wife and I enjoy having groups of people over for dinner. A week ahead of time we will plan out a complete dinner including
appetizers and soup, gourmet entrees and fancy desserts. The day of the dinner we set the table just right and even fold the cloth
napkins into clever shapes so that when guests arrive everything wows them from the table settings to the variety and amount of food to
even the background music. Everything is perfect for a great evening.
Before God created people He prepared the universe for our arrival. Read Genesis chapter one and all of the things that God did by
creating light and water, sky and earth, vegetation and animals. And when everything was just right, He created man and woman who did
not step out into a world that was barren and needed a lot of work but into one that was teeming with life. When they felt the warm sun on
their faces and heard the birds and animals squawking and saw the lush forest they were amazed. Everything was perfect for a great
world. What a gift God has given to us!
Prayer
I marvel, God, at what you have prepared for us and thank You for such abundant gifts.
Thought
We should treasure the gift of this world with reverence and gratitude.
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Offering Peace
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
Matthew 5:9 (NASB)
One night my parents had a really bad argument. There was a lot of shouting and accusations. When they went to bed they still were not
talking. My bedroom was next to theirs and their bedroom door was open. There was a thick silence. I could not see in but I knew that
they were lying on each side of their bed, stiff as boards, arms crossed, and rigidly staring at the ceiling. I hated to see them that way. I
desperately wanted to heal the situation but I had no words or counsel that would suddenly resolve everything. I paced my room and
asked God for wisdom. Then it was obvious. I nervously crept into their room. I stood at the foot of their bed and in a bare whisper told
them that I heard them fighting and asked if I could pray for them. Neither said anything so I started. My voice cracked and I was hardly
louder than if I was standing there waving a tissue. I prayed for peace and reconciliation and that God would cover them with His grace. I
finished and quickly left the room. For many minutes I heard nothing but then there was a whisper; then another. Finally they were talking
again. Oh, the walls that prayer can break down.
Prayer
Where there is strife give me the courage to offer peace.
Thought
The healing of conflicts and quarrels is always our business.
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Like Father
And those who know Thy name will put their trust in Thee; For Thou, O LORD, hast not forsaken those who seek Thee.
Psalm 9:10 (NASB)
I teach children’s class at church on Sundays. It is interesting to see what traits of their parents the children pick up. One mother
who is very nervous and who sees the tragic potential in every situation has effectively instilled that same behavior in her eight-year old
daughter. The father who is all business and has no need for small talk has a son who gets impatient when the answers to the lesson
questions are not quickly to the point. Children imitate what they see in their parents.
Likewise, we only develop godly character that we first see in God. At first this may seem silly. God is perfect and we all
know that. But oftentimes our true perception of God is different. If we see God as being easily angered and unmerciful then we will likely
be the same way. Or if we think that He abandons us just when we need Him the most then we will not stay with others in their times of
crisis. The best way to strengthen our own weak characteristics is to first study those areas in God. When we see how He forgives then
we will be able to forgive. To be patient we must see God’s patience.
Prayer
Each day, God, let me see You more clearly.
Thought
Godliness comes by first knowing God.
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Life is Frustrating
“Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity.”
Colossians 4:5 (NASB)
Life can be frustrating. It may be that we are on a smooth path and then we run into a patch of thorns or that it seems that nothing ever
goes well. Either way we feel our blood pressure rising and our jaw getting tighter. Oftentimes while driving I will keep catching red light
after red light. Even at something this simple I can find myself becoming agitated. It is too easy for many of us to get annoyed. But this is
not the way that God wants us to be. He wants us to have peace.
One way to overcome these aggravating situations is to turn them around and use them for good; to make the most of
the opportunity. Now, red lights are a reminder that this is a good time to pray for others. And so that minute has turned from frustration to
sanctification. A longer commute to work because of traffic means more time to sing hymns, pray, and worship. That sore relationship
with that neighbor provides a chance to exhibit the abundant grace of God. If we can only learn to see life’s annoyances and
inconveniences as opportunities to seek God and to become more like Him then, oh, how great our peace will be.
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Prayer
God, as my frustration grows teach me to look more to You.
Thought
Give God your opportunities and not give your opportunities to sin.
Psalm 29:1-11
Clarity above the Chatter
Thought for Today: “The voice of the LORD is powerful, the voice of the LORD is majestic” Psalm 29:4 (NASB)
My wife and I honeymooned in a foreign country where we did not know the language and very few people spoke ours. One afternoon we
were in a market and a shop caught my eye so I said to her without looking, “I’m going over there” and, thinking that
she was right behind me, briskly walked over to it. She, however, had her attention fixed elsewhere and thinking that I was following her
went another way. Within minutes I knew that she was not there. I panicked and, in the midst of chatter that I could not understand,
frantically searched everywhere. After ten long minutes I heard her familiar voice and relief washed over me.
The world is a lot like that chatter. Its sin and the cruelty can set us into a panic and a frantic search for peace and
righteousness. All around us are things that we are not a part of. But then we open God’s word and in it we hear a voice that is
familiar and that we can trust. It is a voice that gives us wonderful promises and a hope that will never fail. As we read His word the
foreign chatter of the world fades away and is replaced with the peace of God.
Prayer: God, tune my ears to listen first to Your voice in this world of chatter.
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Psalm 46:1-11 Down the Drain or Like a Rock
Thought for Today: “For the mountains may be removed and the hills may shake, but My lovingkindness will not be removed from
you, and My covenant of peace will not be shaken,” Isaiah 54:10 (NASB)
White Lake in Bolotnikovo, Russia was a favorite for local swimming and fishing. It was almost fifty feet deep and a quarter-mile wide.
There were carp and other fish and children would dive into the cool water from overhanging branches. Then within a few hours, it was
gone. Fish, trees, and almost one million cubic yards of water were no longer there. All that remained was an expanse of mud and a
deep hole in the middle. Investigators believe that a fissure in the ground opened up and drained all of the water into an underground
channel.
There are many things in our lives that seem stable and permanent and upon which we may base our personal value. This may be our
careers, finances, good looks, popularity, health, status, etc. But then they are suddenly gone and we are shaken and confused. When
our hope and trust are in these things then our fall will be great. God, His word, and His promises will never change. When we cling to
God even if the bottom falls out in other areas of our lives we can still be confident because He will hold us up. Put your hope in God.
Center your pleasure and value in the eternal. They will never fail.
Prayer: Give me the faith to see the eternal and to put my confidence only be in You, God.
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Eagle's Wings
You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles' wings, and brought you to Myself.
Exodus 19:4 (NASB)
When you picture God bearing us on eagles’ wings you think of smooth sailing flying high above the fray. But this
is an intriguing verse when you realize the circumstances that it is referring to.
The Israelites were opposed in Egypt, but God did not remove or scatter their abusers; rather, His solution was for them to pack up
everything and leave their homes. They came to the Red Sea and the Egyptians cornered them and threatened to enslave them again.
But God opened up the sea and delivered them. Then in the wilderness they grew thirsty and complained. God gave them water. Then
they became hungry and complained. God gave them quail and manna. They grew thirsty again and complained. God gave them more
water. Then peoples came out to fight them. God delivered them. They overwhelmed Moses with disputes; God gave counselors.
God bearing us on eagles’ wings does not mean that life is easy and without conflict. There may be many trials and rough
circumstances but each time God will pull us through if we trust Him. We may feel overwhelmed and think that God has abandoned us,
but in truth He is bringing us along in His perfect way.
Thought
We want comfort in life; God wants Himself in our life.
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Joy and Sheep
And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep
which was lost!’
Luke 15:6-7 (NASB)
Luke 15:4-7 tells the story of a shepherd who loses one sheep. So he goes out looking for it and when he finds it, he brings it back and
celebrates. In this passage there are five individuals or groups that are mentioned. The sheep, representing the unsaved person, was
terrified and alone in the wild; vulnerable to being pounced on by a wild beast. But the shepherd, who would be a Christian sharing the
Gospel, finds the sheep and brings it back to safety and comfort. The sheep is glad to be rescued, the shepherd is rejoicing that the
sheep is back safe. So he celebrates with his neighbors who represent fellow Christians. And with this salvation all of the angels in
Heaven and God Himself rejoice.
Do you want to bring joy? Then share the good news of salvation. Then you, the newly saved person, other Christians, angels, and God
will rejoice. That is a lot of joy! No matter what our social or economic position is in life. No matter what trials we are experiencing. No
matter how new we are in Christ or how mature. Our capacity to bring joy is unlimited. What a great gift God has given to us.
Thought
We are bearers of great joy.
Prayer
God, give me a heart for the lost.
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Longing for Home
But as for you, go your way to the end; then you will enter into rest and rise again for your allotted portion at the end of the age.
Daniel 12:13 (NASB)
Once a year my wife and go on vacation. Usually we go to another country or at least to some place that is quite different from where we
live. We may see some fascinating sights, temporarily make new friends, and eat food that we have never had before. And although we
may be having a great time after several days we have a longing to go back home, to be with family and friends, and to be where we
belong.
All of us have a similar and constant longing in our hearts to be back home; to be in a place that we were made for and that is made for
us. How do we know that there is a Heaven? One reason is because even though our time on Earth may be filled with new experiences
and wonderful relationships we never quite feel like this is where we truly belong; that this is our final destination. We yearn for where
pain and sin will be vanquished and to be fully united with our Creator. Where even the greatest joys on Earth will be like a thimble of
water compared to the ever-flowing sweet nectar of Heaven.
Prayer
Thank you, God, for the portion that awaits us.
Thought
Our hearts will be restless until we are finally home with God.
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Changing our Clothes
And Jehoiachin changed his prison clothes, and had his meals in the king's presence regularly all the days of his life
2 Kings 25:29 (NASB)
The life of a prisoner is generally a miserable lot. You are told when to sleep, what to eat, what you can and cannot do, and who to
associate with; not to mention the typically unstylish clothes. It is a life of restrictions and bondage.
Sin is a lot like that. When we are enslaved to sin it can swamp our thoughts, dominate our emotions, and manipulate what we do. This
is especially true before someone becomes a Christian and so lacks the power of the Holy Spirit. Then, sin is master and its demands
can be oppressive. Sin can take even the richest or most powerful person and bring them into its dungeon.
But thank God that when we were unsaved prisoners He heard our groanings and, in His mercy, set us free (Psalm 102:20). But God
does not merely open the door to our cell and send us out into the world. He gives us the power to triumph over the oppression of sin. He
changes our prison clothes and wraps us with robes of righteousness. And He brings us into His presence where we can constantly
commune with Him and rejoice in His fellowship. The once miserable prisoner now sits with the King.
Prayer
Thank You, God, for freeing me.
Thought
Sin is a dungeon, forgiveness is true freedom.
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Leaning on the Beloved
"Who is this coming up from the wilderness, Leaning on her beloved?"
Song of Solomon 8:5a (NASB)
A number of years ago I proposed marriage to a woman who turned me down. It was gut wrenching and it negatively
impacted all areas of my life. I was depressed, I could not sleep, and I was stuck in a spiritual morose. I knew that I had to do something.
I asked, “How can I crawl out of this wilderness?” I concluded that true joy comes only from knowing God and the more that
I understood Him the more peace I would have. So I got a notebook and devoted each section to an attribute of God: holiness, love, all
powerful, all knowing, forgiving, patient, etc. Then I read through the entire Bible and every time I came to a verse related to one of these
attributes I wrote it into my notebook with some thoughts about who God is and how this affects my life. After finishing the entire Bible I
went back to each attribute and put together a heartfelt, cohesive study. I put it all together into a book called “Contemplating the
Almighty.” It changed my life. My spiritual foundation was more solid and my faith was riveted not to circumstances and emotions
but to the living God. When you are in a desert or are feeling defeated and low, come out of that wilderness leaning on your
beloved—God.
Thought
Do not faint, lean and walk.
Prayer
In the low points, You are there to carry me.
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God's will may be Tough
“And immediately He compelled the disciples get into the boat… the boat was… battered by the waves”
Matthew 14:22a, 24a
Does being in God’s will mean that everything will go well and smoothly? Is pain, suffering, or inconvenience ever a test of
whether we were obedient or not? We can see in the Bible that sometimes being in God’s will is harder than not. In Matthew 14
Jesus compelled the Apostles to get into the boat. When there was an impending storm. They were being hammered by the waves and
in fear of their lives. Yet Jesus came waling on those very waves. Jesus could easily have just cured the blind man in John 9 on the spot
but instead He put mud in his eyes and sent him to the pool at Siloam. He regained his sight at the pool. Jesus wept in Gethsemane and
bled on the cross. But three days later He was risen. Comfort and ease are not our umpires on God’s will but obedience to the
Bible and righteous are. We can be easily frustrated and when the struggles come we are tempted to cry out, “Why should I
bother trying to be when this is what I get?” But if we persevere, Jesus will come waling on those waves, and we will see again,
and eventually we will be lifted into glory.
Thought
Life may not be fair but God is faithful.
Prayer
Teach me that serving may be inconvenient and righteousness may require sacrifice.
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Use the Manual
“So let us know, let us press on to know the LORD…"
Hosea 6:3a (NASB)
I have an intricate mantle clock that broke. I decided to fix it myself. To replace the broken part I had to remove most of the gears and
then put them back into their exact places. I did not have a manual but used logic and trial and error. At the end, everything looked
correct so I wound it up. Nothing happened—no gears turned, no hands moved, no tick-tock.
Too often this is how we try to figure out God. We are content to define Him based on opinion and experience. But mostly
we end up in error. We create a God who is too judgmental or too uncaring or too unnecessary and then we turn our back on Him
because we do not like what we see.
God’s primary means for knowing Him is through a diligent study and meditation of the Scriptures. This is our
manual. We will never properly appreciate and worship God until we know Him rightly. The greatest task to which we can devote
ourselves is to knowing God. It is what gives us hope, meaning, stability, and motivates us to godliness. When we grasp the true
knowledge of God through the Bible then it is that He will move in our lives and have power.
Thought
The more that we know God, the more we will worship Him.
Prayer
Give me a diligent heart that seeks to know the true God.
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Jesus as Human
What is man, that Thou dost take thought of him… Yet Thou hast made him a little lower than God, and dost crown him with glory
and majesty!
Psalm 8:4-5 (NASB)
Not much is written about the first thirty years of Jesus’ life. Why is that? Perhaps it is because His being human and living a
simple and righteous life was enough. He did not need to be the center of attention and involved in big events and accomplishments. He
gave dignity to simply being human.
From this we can learn at least two lessons. First, our achievements do not give us dignity. Yes, God wants us to work
while it is still day (John 9:4) and to do all to glorify His name. But in being human we are endowed with great honor. That Jesus was
satisfied to dwell as a one of us certifies that forever.
Secondly, it confirms that we should not honor someone only because they are rich, powerful, beautiful, a celebrity, or
educated. For thirty of His years we have no record of Jesus possessing any of those things. Yes, Jesus became a human to die for our
sins and be resurrected, but those early years were not merely preparation for that stupendous act. They demonstrated something nearly
as wonderful: that being human is in itself of such great dignity that God was pleased to dwell as such for a nearly anonymous thirty
years.
Prayer
Praise You, God, for being pleased to walk as one of us.
Thought
Being human carries with it honor and dignity
^back to top
Cigarette Ad
“In Thy presence is fulness of joy; In Thy right hand there are pleasures forever.”
Psalm 16:11 (NASB)
When I was out this morning I saw two advertisements for cigarettes. One referred to pleasure and the other to being true. But to me they
were not offering joy and loyalty but rather poison and illness. So much of the world is like that. The Devil blinds us with momentary
pleasures so that we do not see that it is actually an invitation to death. Much of today’s advertising has become Jesus’
“whitewashed tombs.” On the outside they are promises of beauty and fulfillment but inside they are full of death and
unrighteousness.
What is truly satisfying has not changed since the beginning of creation. Technology and medicine have made our lives
more productive and convenient but meaning and dignity still freely come from our Creator. Do you truly believe Psalm 16:11? Do you
understand Jesus’ words in John 10:10, “I came that they might have life, and might have it abundantly”? Do you
have fullness of joy? If not, then maybe God is too small a part of your life.
The message behind these ads are envy, pride, and instilling a sense of incompleteness. Within God’s promises are joy, love,
and power. We must believe God’s word and live our lives according to it.
Thought
True joy, deep to the bones, can only come from knowing God.
Prayer
God, may I find my completeness in You alone.
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God does not owe us Comfort
Why should any living mortal, or any man, offer complaint in view of his sins?
Lamentations 3:39 (NASB)
I have seen many Christians have things go badly and blame God as though it was unfair for them to have to endure trials. Why does
God owe us comfortable, easy lives? We disobey Him. We lust or envy or are unloving. We complain about the Sunday sermon or music
if we even went to church at all. Then we call God unfair when life does not go how we want it. Does the vase say to its maker, “I
don’t like the shelf that you put me on; I deserve better?”
God has forever proven His love by being crucified, saving and forgiving us, and making us His child. So when something does not go
well will we throw all of that away as though losing our job is somehow more significant than Jesus dying for our sins? Is God no longer
faithful? Never.
Do we always know what is truly best for our lives? Can we trust God in His perfect and infinite wisdom that He knows better? Maybe
that trial will make us more godly or protect us from some hidden danger.
When trials come, let us not be so prideful as to tell God that we deserve better and that He is messing up. Rather, let us turn from blame
to prayer and draw near to Him.
Thought
God is always the solution to troubles and never the problem.
Prayer
You are blameless and holy, deepen my trust of You.
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Mountains and Valleys
When the whirlwind passes, the wicked is no more, but the righteous has an everlasting foundation.
Proverbs 10:25 (NASB)
It was a long time before I finally got married. On my first day back to work from that joyous celebration I was laid off from
my job. It then took five years before we were able to have a child. God gave us two wonderful girls but within a week of their coming
home I found out that one of my close relatives had cancer. Oftentimes a joyous occasion is followed by a period of struggle or sorrow.
Jesus and His disciples experienced the same thing. In Matthew 17 on the Mount of Transfiguration Jesus appeared in His glory, two of
the greatest Old Testament prophets, Moses and Elijah, were present, and God the Father.spoke. After descending the mountain they
were met by a man with a demon possessed son and by a lack of faith from the disciples who could not cure him. How quickly the
exhilaration of the mountain experience was tarnished by this chaotic and frightening scene.
Life can be like a seesaw: up high one moment and then jarred against the ground the next. What steadies us throughout
this turmoil is the solid, unmovable foundation of God. Knowing God’s character and promises in the Bible, recalling His
faithfulness, and walking in the Holy Spirit will carry through any chaotic situation.
Thought: On the mountains and in the valleys we must stay firmly on God’s foundation.
Prayer: Let You be my guide, God, and not circumstances.
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Mary’s Perseverance and Loyalty
For the Mighty One has done great things for me; and holy is His name.
Luke 1:49 (NASB)
When a tragedy hammers us we can be confused, shaken, and crushed. But what could make this situation even worse
was a foreboding that something horrible may occur. Then we have the added troubles of anxiety and paranoia. Soon after Jesus was
born, a prophet, Simeon, prophesied to Mary an ominous message, “A sword will pierce your soul.” This being one the
few conversations with Mary recorded shows that it had a lasting impact. For 33 years she might have wondered every day what it
foretold. She probably watched Jesus closely in every situation with nervous guardianship. It was not that something bad could happen,
but that it definitely would. In time she saw her beloved son murdered in a most horrible fashion and Simeon’s prophecy must
have quickly come to mind as her soul was ripped to pieces. Yet in all of this she was fiercely loyal to her family and to God’s
will.
In following God, all may not be smooth and carefree. There may be persecution, mocking, and the constant presence of
evil. We may be tempted to leave God because life is difficult. Yet we, like Mary, must be fiercely loyal and persevere to the end for then
we will have understanding and great reward.
Thought: Especially in hard times we must strengthen our loyalty to God.
Prayer: God, give me the power to persevere.
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God Binds us up
He heals the brokenhearted, and binds up their wounds.
Psalm 147:3
A few months ago, my wife gave birth to twin girls. They were 6 ½ weeks premature and very small and vulnerable.
For the first couple of months they were kept tightly bundled not only to keep them warm but also to give them a sense of protection and
comfort. We were taught by the hospital staff how to properly fold the blanket and tuck in all of the corners. If we did not do it right then an
arm might be left out. But when done correctly, they looked like two burritos.
When we are hurting and we allow God to heal and comfort us He does His work carefully and lovingly. The word
“binds” in Psalm 147 is also used to refer to the careful wrapping of a turban. If done incompletely or sloppily a turban will
fall apart or look bad and will reflect poorly on its owner. God knows our wounds. He was brokenhearted. He knows the exact way to
wrap up what is hurting so that it may heal completely.
How does God heal us? First we must avoid the world’s substitutes: drugs, alcohol, revenge, hatred. Then we
must turn to God through prayer, trusting His promises, and being with His people. We must continue to obey and do what is right. In
time, God will heal.
Thought: When you are hurt, God wants to wrap His comfort around you.
Prayer: In my pain may I seek your healing first, God.
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Why not just let God do it all?
We must work the works of Him who sent Me, as long as it is day; night is coming, when no man can work.
John 9:4 (NASB)
I live where it is illegal to pump my own gasoline at the station. So I always wait for the attendant. Once while on a trip I
pulled up to a pump and waited. After five minutes I thought, “Cars have been coming and going since I’ve been here. Am I
being ignored because I am out-of-state?” Then I noticed people getting out of their cars and pumping gas; I was in a self-serve
state.
Many times in our Christian lives when we need something we just wait for God to show up and do it all. Yes, we may
pray but otherwise we do nothing and nothing gets done. Then we blame God for not taking care of us and for preferring and taking care
of others first. The truth is that grace and power were there but we were too sullen and lazy to take it. We want blessings handed to us.
But to walk on water we need to get out of the boat, to pass through the Red Sea we need to go forward, and to turn water into wine we
must first fill the jugs.
Though God may not bless everything that we do, we can be sure that He will never bless our inactivity.
Thought: Both success and failure come from trying but nothing is always the result from never trying.
Prayer: May my hands always be quick to do God’s work.
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What do we ever get from a dummy?
“I have spread out My hands all day long to a rebellious people, who walk in the way which is not good, following their own
thoughts”
Isaiah 65:2 (NASB)
I was in a large department store and could not figure out where an item was located. I saw the back of what looked like a store
employee standing next to a counter. I walked up from behind and said, “Excuse me” only to then realize that it was a
mannequin. I certainly felt foolish and hoped that no one noticed. The designer did a great job making it look realistic, but it could never
have helped me. I saw a real store clerk nearby but was too embarrassed to approach her so I wandered off still clueless.
How many people in the world try to get guidance from that which is not real! They believe true happiness comes from buying certain
products or from wealth or beauty. They follow false religious leaders. They ruin themselves with drugs or alcohol. When all along, the
real God is standing there clearly signaling the true way. He points to the Bible asking us to read it, study it, and even challenge it
confident that it will prove itself true in all circumstances.
Why do we talk to dummies when the living God has the answers? And why do we walk away from Him when we are still searching?
Thought: God’s way may be narrow but it is clearly illuminated.
Prayer: Turn me when I am facing what is empty.
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Assurance for the New Year
Then he said to Him, "If Thy presence does not go with us, do not lead us up from here.”
Exodus 33:15 (NASB)
A new year will always bring surprises. We may try to anticipate what lies ahead but usually something unpredictable lies
beyond our sight. This can cause some anxiety. We usually prefer knowing what is in store so that we can prepare for it.
In Exodus Moses had the same problem but instead of concern just for himself or his family he had to oversee an entire
nation. God told Moses to “Bring up this people” but Moses wanted details; he wanted reassurance. He knew that the
road ahead would be tough and that he would not be able to handle it without God. In today’s verse Moses says to God,
“Do not take me anywhere if you are not going to be there with me every step of the way.” God gave His promise and
Moses lead the nation to the Promised Land.
In the same way, we need the assurance of God’s presence wherever we go; otherwise, we will be fearful and
anxious. But many times in the Bible God has promised that He will always be faithful to be with us, to guide us, and to strengthen us. So
let us know that though this new year will have unexpected events God’s presence will go with us.
Thought: The year may be new but God’s faithfulness is as solid as ever.
Prayer: Thank you, God, that Your presence will lead me throughout this new year.
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What is your Value?
Thus says the LORD, “What injustice did your fathers find in Me, That they went far from Me And walked after emptiness and
became empty?”
Jeremiah 2:5
Money itself is fairly worthless. Its importance comes only because of the value that we assign to it. What gives you your
value as a Christian? Is it the ministries that you serve in or the church that you attend? Is it what you accomplish or how much money you
give? It should be none of these things. Your value as a Christian and as a human being rests entirely on your relationship with God.
Luke 8:43-44 says, “And a woman who had a hemorrhage for twelve years, and could not be healed by anyone, came up behind
Him, and touched the fringe of His cloak; and immediately her hemorrhage stopped.” This woman was most likely not powerful or
rich. She was just one person in a crowd. But we read about her thousands of years later not because of who she was but because she
touched God.
When we push God out and fill that space with the things of the world we will be empty. But when we fight through the crowd of
distractions and obstacles like that woman just so that we can be closer to God then He will say to us as He did to that woman,
“My child, your faith has made you well; go in peace.”
Thought
God gives us value that we can never achieve for ourselves.
Prayer
Teach me to obey because you have lifted me up.
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Waiting for Samuel
Thus Samuel grew and the LORD was with him and let none of his words fail.
1 Samuel 3:19 (NASB)
At one time in Israel the spiritual atmosphere was pretty bleak. The current high priest, Eli, was lazy and callous to his responsibilities.
The nation’s future spiritual leaders, Eli’s sons, were cheaters and disrespectful of the ways of God. They would steal the
best parts of people’s offerings for themselves and then threaten them when challenged. The situation was reason for good
people to despair. What they did not know was that there was a boy named Samuel whom God was preparing to be a righteous
advocate for His people. Samuel would bring back a holy reverence for God and lead Israel in justice and truth. However, it would take
several years for this to come about.
Many times in our lives our situation looks bleak, not just the present but also for as far into the future as we can see. We
are tempted to despair. Some even fall away from Christianity because God seems unconcerned and they have lost hope. But what we
do not know is what God is preparing. We need to wait patiently for God and at the proper time He will provide a Samuel for us. It may
be a person, a turn of events, emotional or physical healing, or something else. In the meantime, we must do what is right and let God
rule.
Thought
In even the greatest trials we need to wait for God’s Samuel.
Prayer
Turn my eyes from despair to hope.
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Give and Give Some More
But Hezekiah gave no return for the benefit he received, because his heart was proud
2 Chronicles 32:25
Sarah, Rebekah, Rachel, Hannah, Manoah’s wife, and Elizabeth were all barren. Moses was driven from his people, Joseph was
sold into slavery, and Jesus was killed. Our own expectations are often crushed. Why do we often suffer such disappointment? One
reason is to prepare us for what God wants to give, not that we might be able to receive it, but so that we will be able to give even more
once we receive it.
God wants us to be a giving people. He gives an ocean of blessings to us so that we might be a river of blessings to others. James 4:3
says, “You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives,” What is the wrong motive? Is it showing off how
much we have? Is it because we want more? The wrong motive is “so that you may spend it on your pleasures;” we want
to keep and not to give.
When we feel so empty we wonder why God is not there. But that is never true. God is always there and when the time is right and we
are ready, He will accomplish a great thing in our lives. It may not be what we expect. It may not be when we expect it. It may not be who
or how we expect it. But, it will be better, because God is generous.
Thought
Give until God stops giving to you.
Prayer
Make me one who sees others first.
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Build Your House and Live in it
Build houses and live in them; and plant gardens and eat their produce.
Jeremiah 29:5 (NASB)
The company that I work for decided to layoff my entire department and transfer me to another group. I liked my original
department and did not want to be in this new group. I had a choice: I could either have a bad attitude and complain or I could settle in
and do my best.
Israel had a similar choice. They were forced out of their homeland and exiled to another country. Their situation was far
worse than mine because they had to leave their homes, culture, and all that they grew up with. The people generally complained or
rebelled. So God sent a message to the exiles that began with Jeremiah 29:5. He told them to be productive where they were at and,
even more so, in verse seven to “Seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the LORD on its behalf;
for in its welfare you will have welfare.”
Often in life we are forced into situations that we do not like. It is easy to grumble or feel sorry for ourselves. But, instead,
we should do our best and prosper those around us. I have worked hard in my new group and God has blessed me.
Thought: Do not sit and mope but instead build.
Prayer: May my attitude always be positive even when a situation is not what I want.
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Waiting in the Silences
When therefore He heard that he was sick, He stayed then two days longer in the place where He was. John 11:6 (NASB)
Martha and Mary were sisters whose brother Lazarus was deathly sick. So they did the right thing and sent for Jesus. But Jesus waited.
They did everything that they should have. Did Jesus immediately reward their trust in Him and remedy the current crisis? No. In fact, He
waited until the situation got to the point where it appeared beyond help, to where Lazarus died. Were Martha and Mary frustrated?
Were they confused with God’s dealings? I am sure they were. But God knew the outcome. God deliberately let the situation
become bleaker.
Are there times in our lives when we have been hammered and are reeling and we make the correct choice, which is to call upon God,
and He does not do what we want? And things are getting worse and we are praying but there is no change or even answer?
God delayed with Martha and Mary because He was not merely content to heal a sick man as much as He wanted to raise a dead man.
God will oftentimes be silent in our darkest moments, but often that is because He has a greater desire than to merely make us
comfortable.
Do we trust God because of what He does for us or because of who He is? Do we love God because of His responses or because of
His promises? We must trust God even in the silences.
Teach me to not to desire comfort but to desire God’s will.
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God Strongly Supporting us
For the eyes of the LORD move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His.
2 Chronicles 16:9 (NASB)
I have two 17 month old girls who like to drag things all over the house such as chairs, pocketbooks, and boxes. I recently
bought them a two-seat wagon to pull them around in. It is too large and clumsy for one of them to pull alone which usually results in a cry
of frustration. Recently I heard them giggling and looked around the corner to see them successfully pulling the wagon together.
God is searching for people who are totally focused on glorifying Him and when He finds them He will strongly support
them. In the original Hebrew that word “strong” has a unique implication. It means “to make firm by binding
together.” Things are made stronger by girding or binding together. Thin strands of string that are interwoven become sturdy
rope. A single ant is unimpressive but an entire colony can be a force.
When we give ourselves completely to God He promises to support and strengthen us by binding Himself to us. We do not have to
defeat sin in our lives by our own willpower. We do not have to overcome our fears of sharing the Gospel by ourselves. We do not
struggle through life alone. We will be stronger and like my two girls we will be joyful.
Thought
Life without God is despairing; life with God is victorious.
Prayer
Make my heart one given wholly to You.
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Physical resurrection vs. spiritual rebirth
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me shall live even if he dies”
John 11:25
Here Jesus is using a real funeral to illustrate spiritual rebirth. He intends to raise Lazarus from the dead physically, but even more
importantly, He will raise from spiritual death anyone who believes in Him. Which is harder?
Raising someone from the grave only involves breathing life back into him. But raising someone who is spiritually dead means removing
the penalty from every last sliver of sin that we have ever committed. It means taking someone who dwells in the domain of darkness and
raising him up to the kingdom of Jesus Christ. It means forgiving, sanctifying, redeeming, adopting, and reserving for him a place in
Heaven. It means removing the barrier between an unrighteous, selfish person and a holy and pure God. It means taking someone who
is dangling over Hell by the thinnest of gossamer threads and placing him on the firm foundation of Jesus Christ.
We may wonder why God does not show His power more by raising more people from the grave. Yet every day He
demonstrates an even greater power by raising thousands of people from a spiritual grave. A person raised from a physical grave will
die again and all of that sorrow will be repeated. Someone raised from a spiritual grave will live forever and eventually every tear will be
wiped away.
Thought
Our spiritual resurrection is one of God’s greatest miracles.
Prayer
Let me always marvel at God’s magnificent salvation.
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Preparing our faith
And it was the Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped His feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.
John 11:2 (NASB)
The triumph of an athlete is preceded by many years of grueling exercise. The exuberant virtuosity of a soloist at a concert hall requires
long hours of practice. The correct answers on a crucial test involve much studying. A victory in anything difficult requires preparation.
Martha and Mary were sisters and their brother Lazarus was dying. It was a dire situation. There is no record of them complaining or
pitying themselves. Instead, they went straight to God knowing that He was the source of all comfort and help; they trusted in Him and
God came to them.
Do not think that you can live a weak Christian life with a minimal devotion to God and then have faith like a mountain when disaster hits.
If you cannot trust God enough to read the Bible on a daily basis, pray to Him consistently and attend church regularly they how do you
think that you will have enough faith to trust Him when you have a crisis?
Mary is described as one who was devoted to Jesus and who worshipped Him. She developed a deep faith and trust in God and so
when there was a problem she was confident going to Him.
Prayer
Make me consistent in my devotion to you.
Thought
Faith cannot be turned on like a water faucet. It must be nurtured and developed.
^back to top
God uses ordinary people
The LORD said to him, "Who has made man's mouth? Or who makes him mute or deaf, or seeing or blind? Is it not I, the
LORD?”
Exodus 4:11 (NASB)
Lazarus was a central figure in one of the Jesus’ greatest miracles yet the Bible never records anything that he said. We do not
know his occupation or the sickness that caused his death. Even when he comes out of the tomb he gives no shouts, no cries of
astonishment. Yet he was not merely a prop. He was a human being. He was someone who lived and who probably said a number of
times, “Yes, I am the one that Jesus raised from the dead.”
God does not work miracles only through spiritual giants. God does mighty works in people who commonly struggle through life.
Who are the people on whom Jesus performed some of His greatest miracles? There were ten lepers, two blind beggars, a
widow’s dead son, a paralytic lowered through a roof, a woman with a hemorrhage, a man living in a cave, and the list goes on.
Do we know any of their names? They were ordinary, scared, needy people. But they were the people whom Jesus wondrously used.
What was common with all of them? They came to Jesus knowing that they were needy and that He was sufficient. We should do the
same.
Thought
Though the depth of our faith is important it is the power of God that is sufficient.
Prayer
May I realize that because God is great I do not have to be.
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Do not compare God’s work in you to others
But some of them said, "Could not this man, who opened the eyes of him who was blind, have kept this man also from
dying?"
John 11:37 (NASB)
Jesus was asked to heal Lazarus of his sickness, but He delayed and now was at his funeral. A contemporary reading might be,
“God helped that person, why isn’t He helping me?”
We may not actually say, “If God does not do what I want then what good is He?” But oftentimes that is how we feel. We
must not evaluate God’s work in our lives by what He is doing for others. Just because God fulfilled another person’s
desire but not your identical one does not necessarily mean that you are bad or that God is punishing you.
God healed the woman of her flow of blood but He didn’t heal Paul of his thorn in the flesh. God freed Peter from prison but John
the Baptist was beheaded. Paul was freed from prison in Acts 16 but eventually died in a different prison. God raised Lazarus from the
dead but Stephen was stoned to death and was never raised.
God does not consult a manual and follow set rules when a situation arises. Instead, He deals with each one of us intimately and
personally knowing what is best for us even if it is not what we want. For that we must trust Him.
Thought
Trust God for His personal work in you.
Prayer
May I always trust God and never evaluate Him.
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Obeying from our Weakness
Six days later Jesus took with Him Peter and James and John his brother, and led them up on a high mountain by themselves.
Matthew 17:1 (NASB}
Everyone has something that they are good at and enjoy doing and if God asked us how we want to serve Him we would
probably choose this first. But what happens when God tells us to do something that we are poor at? The Bible has such a story. One
day Jesus took Peter, James, and John aside and told them that they were going on a hike.
So Jesus takes them to Mt. Hermon and says, “We’re going up there.” I wonder if their mouths hung limp. Mt.
Hermon is the tallest mountain in Israel. It is 13 miles long and almost 9,200 feet high. Snow is usually on its top all year long and the
melting water is a major source of the Jordan River and of life to the region.
These guys were fisherman: water, flat, lots of swimming. And now they are being told to climb this foreboding mountain. In Luke it
mentions that when they got to the top they were so tired they almost fell asleep. But they obeyed and followed Jesus and what they then
saw was perhaps one of the most majestic events ever when Jesus was transfigured into glory. In following Jesus they did so in
weakness but the reward was magnificent. We should also be so willing.
Thought
Follow God even when you do not think that you can.
Prayer
Teach me to look to Your support and not to my abilities.
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God is in the Details
Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is a lunatic and is very ill; for he often falls into the fire and often into the water.
Matthew 17:15 (NASB)
The Mount of Transfiguration was probably Jesus’ greatest display of glory during His first coming. So what did Jesus do
afterwards? Did His ministry take off and He only do stadium tours? Was He now too big for common, everyday people? The first thing
He did was to show mercy and compassion to a hurting child. God is never too big for even the smallest of causes.
When we leave church or another great spiritual time and go to our jobs or families or neighbors we may be confronted
by them or overwhelmed by the numbers against us. We may not be able to answer questions like, “Where did all of the
dinosaurs go?” or “What about people who never hear the Gospel?” But we can always say that “Jesus
Christ changed my life and He can change yours also. He gave me hope, He gave me meaning, He gave me life forever and He can do
the same for you.” It is because Jesus Christ is here that we can deny ourselves, take up our cross daily, lose our life, and
forsake the entire world, if necessary.
Why does Christianity give hope and endurance?—because Jesus Christ is always with us in every detail no matter who
we are.
Thought
God is great but stoops down to our every detail.
Prayer
May I never think that God is not interested.
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Jesus Himself Alone
And lifting up their eyes, they saw no one except Jesus Himself alone.
Matthew 17:8 (NASB)
This verse has three words that are crucial to our life as a Christian and as the foundation of our beliefs: “Jesus
Himself alone.” This is what Christianity boils down to. It is not primarily our tenets and traditions. It is “Jesus
Himself alone.” It is not necessarily where we go to church or what religious things we do. It is “Jesus Himself
alone.” It is not our experiences or how spiritual we may or may not feel. It is “Jesus Himself alone.” These things
are all important and crucial to our lives, but what is going to sustain us and carry us through the tough times? What is going to give us
hope and encouragement? Will it be our willpower or will it be our relationship to Jesus Christ?
It is sometimes easy to get caught up in the activities of Christianity and forget about the One for whom we should be
doing it. “Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord…” Colossians 3:23 states. God does reveal Himself
through Bible reading, fellowship, counsel, prayer, communion, and obedience but in all of those things we must always see Jesus.
In this story when the three were terrified it was Jesus who touched them and said, “Do not be afraid.” When you are
struggling, when you need encouragement, when you need answers look to Jesus Himself alone.
Thought
Jesus is our all-in-all.
Prayer
Let me never forget the One on whom my faith rests.
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Surrounded by God
Nevertheless I am continually with You; You have taken hold of my right hand.
Psalm 73:23 (NASB)
When a solder goes into a war zone he does not want to be exposed and vulnerable. Danger can come from any angle. He prefers to be
surrounded by as much armor as possible with the best option being inside an armored vehicle.
There are many ways and angles that life can hurt us. Sometimes our past can haunt us or we may be heading into a bad situation.
Other times we may be blindsided by a malicious attack from a colleague, friend, or relative. And often our fall can hurt even worse. But
praise God that He is there for us.
God protects us from our past. Isaiah 58:8, “The glory of the LORD will be your rear guard.” God covers us from those who
arrogantly stand above us and make accusations. Psalm 91:4, “He will cover you with His pinions, And under His wings you may
seek refuge.” God goes before us so that we might make right decisions. Isaiah 45:2, “"I will go before you and
make the rough places smooth.” God is under us to cushion and comfort us when we fall. Deuteronomy 33:7, “The eternal
God is a dwelling place, and underneath are the everlasting arms.” God is to our left and to our right to guard us from unexpected
attacks. Psalm 125:2, “As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the LORD surrounds His people from this time forth and
forever.”
Of course, God does allow some attacks to get through but even then He is there to give wisdom, support, and comfort. We are truly
surrounded by God.
Thought
Wherever battle we are in, God is right there with us.
Prayer
May I always have faith in God’s presence.
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More than the Grains of Sand
How precious also are Thy thoughts to me, O God! How vast is the sum of them! If I should count them, they would outnumber the sand.
When I awake, I am still with Thee.
Psalm 139:17-18 (NASB)
When one of my young daughters feels that I am not paying enough attention to her she will climb up into my lap and look at me
face-to-face. God created us to interact with others and especially for us to interact with Him. When we are deliberately ignored by
someone it pierces right to our hearts. However, we are always secure knowing that God will never turn away from us.
Mathematicians at the University of Hawaii once tried to estimate the number of grains of sand in the world and arrived at over 7 billion
billion (7 quintillion). If we live to 80 years old then that means that God will think about us roughly 3 billion times per second. God
never takes His eyes off of any one of us; we are always on His mind.
It is crucial that we give everyone our attention and to make them feel as valuable as God does us. But even more important is that we
not neglect our relationship with God. By reading the Bible and through prayer and obedience we turn our eyes towards God and see
Him nearly face-to-face. And when we do, those 3 billion thoughts will be more precious then gems.
Thought
Turn my eyes away from myself and onto God and others.
Prayer
May my eyes always look on the face of God.
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Making the Best of a Situation
Build houses and live in them; and plant gardens and eat their produce.
Jeremiah 29:5 (NASB)
The company that I work for decided to layoff my entire department and transfer me to another group. I liked my original
department and did not want to be in this new group at all. I had a choice: I could either have a bad attitude and complain or I could settle
in and do my best.
Israel had a similar choice. They were forced out of their homeland and exiled to another country. Their situation was far
worse than mine because they had to leave their homes, culture, and all that they grew up with. The tendency was for the people to
complain or even rebel. So God sent a message to the exiles that began in verse five. He told them to be productive where they were at
and, even more so, in verse seven to “Seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the LORD on its
behalf; for in its welfare you will have welfare.”
Often in life we are forced into situations that we do not like. It is easy to grumble or feel sorry for ourselves. But, instead,
we should do our best and prosper those around us. I worked hard in my new group and now I enjoy it.
Thought:
Do not sit and mope but build instead.
Prayer:
May my attitude always be positive even when a situation is not what I want.
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A Tall Tower or a Lesson to Godliness
It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I may learn Your statutes.
Psalm 119:71 (NASB)
I have twin 19-month old daughters and two sets of nesting blocks (we have two sets of everything). One day they were trying to stack
their own set of blocks as high as they could but not understanding that each block must be smaller than the one beneath it, an avalanche
resulted every time. I could have handed them the correct blocks in proper order to ensure success but then they would not have learned
how to make their own tall tower.
Many times we set out to accomplish something but it fails and then we are quick to question God, “Why
didn’t You help me out? Where were You when it all came crashing down?” God is not in the business of making us
successful in all aspects of life but rather to be successful in godliness. Through failure we learn perseverance, hope, proven character,
and trust in God. All of the great people in the Bible had spectacular failures that they rebounded from to eventually rise even higher.
Failure does not mean that God is against us or that we are hopeless and inept. That failure may be exactly what God wants so that, in
the end, we may not have a great accomplishment but we have become a better person.
Thought
True success is becoming more like God.
Prayer
May my “tall tower” be measured by righteousness and not by power, fame, or money.
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Give up the Grudge
For although Thou wast angry with me, Thine anger is turned away, and Thou dost comfort me
Isaiah 12:1b (NASB)
I have two daughters approaching two years of age. It is certainly within their desires and capabilities to ignore what I tell them. At times
they will belligerently continue to do something that I am asking them not to do and infrequently, but sometimes, I lose my patience and
yell at them to stop. Then they might cry or pout and I feel bad and wonder if they will be mad at me for the rest of their lives. But then a
minute later we are all laughing again at something silly as though the previous scolding never occurred.
The girls have taught me two great lessons. One is to not hold a grudge. I am a person who, when greatly offended, can easily never
want to see that person again. If my girls held a grudge against me whenever I scolded them there would be a lot of laughter that would
be lost.
A second lesson is realizing that God’s anger is momentary but His mercy and comfort come like waves upon the shore. Yes, I
should repent when I sin but afterwards I can bask in the glory of His fellowship.
Thought
Give up that which will isolate and tear me down
Prayer
May I be quick to receive back when offended
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The Prickly Vines of Sin
"Is this not the fast which I choose, to loosen the bonds of wickedness, to undo the bands of the yoke, and to let the oppressed go
free, and break every yoke?”
Isaiah 58:6 (NASB)
The back of where we live is wooded with one large patch of tangled prickly vines called bullbriers. One day as I was trying to find our
property line I wandered too deeply into this thicket and got those tough, woody vines wrapped around my legs. The more I tried to pull
out my legs the more the thorns caught my pants and the tighter I was bound. I was stuck and the more I strained to break free the worse
it got. Finally I had to relax so that the vines were not so tight and then I carefully snapped enough of the stems to slip my legs out and go
free. A few weeks later I cleared a good deal of the bullbriers.
Bad habits and sin are like those bullbriers. They tenaciously grab us and refuse to let go. It is only through intimacy with God that we are
able to defeat sin. By drawing near to God, in this verse by fasting, we can first loosen and then undo these bonds so that we can be
free. But that is not enough. We must then do whatever is necessary to destroy that temptation so that we will not become tangled
again.
Prayer
Draw near to God and He will draw you out of sin.
Thought
The positive power of grace can defeat any sin and temptation.
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