Paul took Jesus' words "follow me" to heart. Because Jesus humbled Himself, even to death on the cross, Paul thought it not inappropriate to humble himself, also. He was willing to become a prisoner, a fugitive, an object of ridicule, in order to bring others to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. Does the Lord require less of us today? What inconveniences are you willing to endure in order to be a bridge from death to life? What changes in your life-style are you willing to make in order to have access to those needing an introduction into eternity? What ridicule are you willing to endure in order to have your walk match your talk as a witness to the world? Think about it!
If every single promise of God shall surely come true, we need to find out what He has promised in His Word and then use those promises in prayer. Another translation says that nothing is impossible with God. We spend a great deal of time talking with each other about what needs to be done; we ponder long and hard over agonizing decisions in our lives; we may even talk to God about them. But we ask Him to do what we want Him to do and we ask Him to act now! We would do well to spend some time researching His promises regarding our needs and then pray the promise. We can have great confidence in Him who said that every promise shall surely come true! Begin today to apply a promise to your every request and pray believing.
Selfishness and self-centeredness can be found at the core of most interpersonal problems. Each one wants his or her own way; one withholds what should be shared; the other consumes what should be saved. There is no end to the cycle of "I will do it my way!" That is, until Jesus Christ is made Lord in your life! When Jesus is Lord, self is displaced; as we continue to surrender, self dwindles. The degree to which Jesus reigns in your heart determines your ability to give instead of take. Because of Jesus, relationships are changed: we become willing to share, and give. How are you doing in this area? Examine the core of interpersonal problems in your life, and where necessary, change them with God's help.
According to Lockyer's ALL THE WOMEN OF THE BIBLE, Lydia was a devout business woman who sought the Lord. Her hunger for a deep spiritual experience was satisfied when she heard the Word of God. Lydia had the honor of being Paul's first European convert; she then proceeded to lead her servants to the Lord and extend gracious hospitality to traveling missionaries. It is interesting to note that Lydia stayed in the business she was in so that she might have money to help God's servants in their ministry. The saying "grow where you are planted," applies to Lydia; it also may apply to us. Many Christians are right in the center of God's will in the business community. Some may, however, need to adjust how their light shines or how they share what God has entrusted to them in order to find the peace they are seeking.
Habakkuk is known for his questioning of how God can permit, or at least tolerate, evil. Habakkuk hated evil and loved God. How could God permit it? This question confronts us today on a particular point of our own society. We will not abide mystery in our society. We must know the answer, and know it now! It is foolish to even think that if God's servant hated evil, God hated it less. We know the opposite is true. God hates evil, hates sin; not the sinner. These times of seeming confusion must bring us to where Habakkuk was brought. God is in heaven and reigns sovereignly. No one can instruct Him. He has permitted evil to be. We must deal with that without bringing accusations against God. We must bow our heads in worship, and in the face of mystery keep silent. Wait reverently upon God. In His time He will reveal what we are to know.
We are beloved children. Most of us can remember a parent's love, that warm, special understanding. Sometimes it was expressed in words, sometimes in actions, sometimes in silence. Our Father in heaven loves us in a far greater way. The Scripture tells us our heart is full of evil. When we are saved, our spirit is completely reborn. But we still retain habit patterns and memories from the past. And sin still dwells in the flesh, like a law. Even as the believer grows more Christ-like as God's Word is obeyed, still those times come when our hearts accuse us. As we love in words and actions, with God's self-sacrificial love, His agape love, we show indeed that His love is in us. Do not let your heart condemn you if you are serving God. Be at peace with Him, because He is greater than your heart, and knows all things.
What does the Lord do to get your attention? We say we want to grow in our knowledge of the Lord. Do our actions follow these lines? Moses, busy shepherding Jethro's sheep behind Mount Horeb, the Mountain of God, saw this wonder and turned from his daily work to look upon it. Many times God may call us during our day; by a thought, a sight or a word from another. He is asking us to step aside for a moment to listen to Him or observe His way with something. Be prepared for these times. God does not force us to listen. But He does give us many opportunities to do so. It was only when God saw Moses had turned aside from his immediate task that He spoke. We can practice the presence of God by disciplining ourselves to watch for these moments. They may come at any time. When we turn aside for a moment, to listen to God, marvelous things come to us. Don't miss them.
Our service to the Lord is often given the name "fruit" in the Scripture. We can rarely tell a person's fruit unless we have the privilege to spend some consistent time with them. In our Scripture, Paul makes a connection between the "outward" life and the bearing of "genuine fruit." When and how is fruit borne? It is frequently borne during times of distress and difficulty. Generally we think of fruit coming out of the positive. We speak of the great positive spiritual experiences of our lives as "mountain top" experiences. But a godly teacher once pointed out that fruit trees don't grow on mountain tops, they grow in valleys. Our outward lives are tried in the valleys of life. And it brings honor and joy to our Master when the result of the trial in the valley bears fruit. Continue to honor God when you are in the midst of difficulty; it will bring honor to Him and strength to you.
Prayer is hindered when we sin. We are to ask, according to God's will, and it will be granted. Often we ask, and do not discern the answer as being given. Why? Moses is complaining that the Israelites so frustrated him that he sinned against the Lord. There is never an excuse for sin! "He, she, my environment or the devil made me do it" is no good. We are responsible when we sin. Scripture tells us how to deal with sin: confess, repent and replace it with His good. It is only by miraculous intervention, and that is the exception to the rule, that the results of sin are wiped away. Moses sinned. He was forgiven. But the results of his sin were that he was banned from crossing the Jordan. We can't expect God to erase the results of our sin. We can ask, but His will may go either way. Accept it and let it stand as yet another of a multitude of reasons to make a habit of godliness, to protect us from sinning against the Lord.
Righteousness only comes from obeying God. God spoke to Abraham and Abraham adhered to God's words so completely he acted on them. That he was called "God's friend" gives us an important insight into the personal relationships we may have with others today. What is your definition of a friend? The Scriptures in both the Old and New Testaments have much to say about friends. It is an assumption of Scripture that we have friends. A friend is one who can be believed. Let's not tell lies to one another, to cover mistakes of any kind. A friend is one who can be trusted. Let's take the times of counsel given and received, in trust, and not repeat the contents of those times to anyone. And a friend can be relied on. Did we say we would do a thing? Do it. Don't let something else get in its way. Act "righteously" toward one another and demonstrate the love God has given us to use in this fallen world. It attracts attention of the best kind.
Matthias means "Gift of God." Tradition has been hard on him. Little is known of him, other than that he had followed Jesus and witnessed His resurrection. Some scholars today say that the choosing of Matthias was a mistake; the Apostles, soon to have direct recourse to the indwelling Holy Spirit, should never have cast lots in Old Testament style of seeking God's will. Paul is said to have been the individual God wanted to replace Judas. What about Matthias? There are times we are chosen; perhaps there is someone more qualified. Yet we have the position and the responsibility. Those who say Paul should have been the elect apostle point out nothing more was heard of Matthias. Even so, Matthias loved the Lord and served Him, but has received nothing but negative recognition. Tradition says Matthias preached the gospel in Ethiopia where he was martyred. Don't stop doing God's work because there is "someone better." There is no disgrace in service to Jesus Christ...ever.
When we consider worship, we need to remember that it is only through the Spirit of God that we may know His will and what should be His worship. Should a person be the greatest singer of the day, very professional with a marvelous style and range, and come to perform in a service of worship to God Almighty, without the presence and power of His Spirit, no honor will come to God and no true blessing to God's people. Worship is only accomplished through God's Spirit. Our own ideas and procedures, bereft of the Spirit's guidance, are worthless in His worship. Each one of us needs to so prepare our hearts before and during corporate worship that we depend entirely upon His precious Spirit. Make that a habit of preparation before each Lord's Day.
The word "early" sticks out in this verse: does the Lord mean early in the morning? early in your life? early in your Christian walk? Early seems to denote a time set aside before other things push in ahead. Could God be saying that He wants top priority in your life? Could the Lord want to spend time with you when you are fresh and unencumbered from the cares of the day? God is a jealous God. He commands that you have nothing in your life that is more important to you. Are you in line with God on this? Or do you need to realign your priorities in order to seek Him early?
What God begins, He completes. This should bring comfort to each one who knows Jesus Christ personally. He began the "good work" in you when the Holy Spirit moved upon your mind to draw you to Jesus; He softened your heart and ordered circumstances for your conversion. In the very same way that He orchestrated your new birth, He also now directs your new life. Oh, don't misunderstand; you have a part to play. It is a responsive one. He calls, you follow; He directs, you obey. And so the "good work" in you is being carried on! Are you following? Are you obeying? Today is a great day to press on in both these areas!
In this day of individualism, isolationism, and egotism, these are foreign-sounding words! So many people think they already know it all and that they can do whatever it is they want to, and do it by themselves! This attitude is even found within the body of believers. The Lord admonishes us to hear the counsel of other believers. This kind of hearing involves listening with an open heart and exercising discernment. If we truly receive instruction, we will take action in accordance with it. How are you at listening? Do you take the advice given you? If it is wisdom that you desire, then listening and applying godly advice is what you need to do!
There are those who think that we should ask God once and then not bother Him about it again. This verse seems to indicate that we need to persevere until the answer comes. In order to do this we may need to get organized: find a quiet place to pray regularly; write out a prayer list with the dates you begin praying for each item; keep track of the answers and dates; use the answered prayers as praises which encourage to keep praying. Do you have unanswered prayers after months or years of praying? You are not alone - so keep praying. Have you had immediate answers to prayer? Keep praying and praising the Lord!
There are parameters which God, through our forefathers, has established. We should not alter them. While this verse refers back to Deuteronomy 19:14 and speaks of the division of the Promised Land, there are spiritual applications for us today. The family is one such application. God has ordained that a man and a woman come together as one in order to have children, to be a unit of stability, and to reflect Christ's relationship with His Bride, the Church. The present-day perversions and attempts to move the boundaries away from the male-female model to male-male or female-female is an affront to God! We Christians should not sit idly by and watch as others flaunt their arrogance and presumption. What are you doing to protect the ancient boundary marks?
Martha lived at Bethany with her sister, Mary, and brother, Lazarus. Their home was a refuge for the Lord and His disciples as they traveled from place to place and He loved them very much. The picture we get of Martha is that she was always busy with household chores, perhaps a little impulsive, but given to hospitality. She is the only Bible woman to have her name repeated, as Jesus did, when affectionately He said, "Martha, Martha!" This affectionate reproof pointed out that even though she was careful and troubled about many things, only one thing was needful - her communion with Him. How many of us are "Martha" today? We hurry and scurry, doing all the needed errands and tasks, and miss or neglect the most important thing in our life: deepening our relationship with Jesus Christ! Are you a "Martha"?
It is good to recall on the Sabbath what our position is as a people to our God. Because as we reflect on this position, our hearts should rise up in praise before Him, for the wonder and the glory that is ours in Him, being chosen for Him, being made all royal priests, men and women alike, becoming a set-apart nation and a people formed for God's own possession. Where is your heart today? Praise God for His goodness, and recognize your extraordinary position in Him. Express that recognition in your worship! Out of all the peoples that have ever lived, or ever will yet live, those who name the name of Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord alone have claim to these marvelous titles. And that claim is only because of Jesus Christ. His people can say together, Hallelu-Jah, what a Savior!
God is omnipresent. He is literally everywhere in creation. By this is not meant God is in a rock. As a Person, He is present everywhere. Were we to have a parent, spouse or friend in attendance with us at all times, how would our conduct change? Would we still allow ourselves the rebel word, the lustful glance, the inappropriate action? We are truly what we are, it has been said, when we are alone. But this is not true, because no one can ever be truly alone. God is always there, always aware. It is a discipline which will mold us into right habits, to practice the presence of God. And as we come to know our Father in this manner, we will also come to know that there is no place which He cannot come with us. He is with us in our victories, and defeats. He is with us when we believe all others have left. He is with us in the most mundane details of our lives. Receive this truth, it will bless you today and tomorrow.
Did you grow up in a home where you never received loving discipline? That is unfortunately more and more possible these days. Parents are told that to discipline is not good. That counsel is simply out of the pit. Any discipline that is unbalanced and mean-spirited, not out of love, is wrong. But parents who love their children know that foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child. Just so, we all begin the Christian life as babes. And just as babes are willful, so are we at different times in our lives. These are times when we choose to sin. God in His grace and mercy doesn't abandon us. Rather, He chastens or disciplines us in various ways. God so wants the very best for His children, that He died for us! So when chastenings come, don't wilt and become mired in self-pity. Rather know, it is your loving Father in heaven, teaching you and guiding you. Take courage.
The rebuilding of Jerusalem and the temple was underway. But there was resistance. Questions were asked by the governing authorities, neighboring peoples wanted it stopped, and there was fear among the Jewish settlers. But when asked who they were, they answered directly, "We are the servants of the God of heaven and earth...." They didn't say they represented a company, or community, or committee or anything else. They simply said, we are God's servants, the most high God. Perhaps we fail to act in the Lord's service because we fear questions might be asked. We must speak God's truth, and not worry about being questioned why; we must do God's work, and not worry about being challenged for it. Whenever you are questioned in the service of Jesus, simply answer, "I am God's servant doing His bidding."
Books have been written on these simple directives out of the first letter Paul wrote to the Thessalonian church. Thessalonica was a city of about 200,000, situated on trade roads, and was the capital of its province. The church there was probably mostly filled with Gentile believers. Paul wrote this letter to encourage these new believers. Persecution was everywhere. Paul himself had had to flee because of persecution. Paul's counsel? Rejoice always! Why, when persecution was so bad? Because both believers and the church had always grown under persecution; it had a marvelously catalyzing effect on the believers, making their faith very clear. Pray without ceasing; impossible without a rejoicing spirit. We are to be in constant communication with our God. This is prayer about all the details of daily life, as well as for those you know in need of salvation. Make rejoicing and prayer, habits of life, and you will be able to give thanks in everything.
It is good to have friends. It is good to have fellowship. The Lord wants us to experience His goodness in these ways. But there will come times to all of us where we can say with David, "no one is concerned for me." We must beware lest this simply be self-pity. Just as David's statement was true, so it is true for us, at times, throughout all our life. At those times we must remember what David says here, it is God who is our refuge, our place of hiding and protection, and more. It is God who cares for our life, and He is our portion at all times, in the land of the living. Sometimes loneliness comes upon us to cause us to remember who is our partner, our true friend, and the one with us always. When a time comes that no one seems to care for you, remember, your God is with you, He is your hiding place and your portion in the land of the living.
The name Nathan means "He has given." Nathan was a prophet of Israel for both Kings David and Solomon, and a writer of some of Israel's history. What is most important about Nathan, however, is that even as the king's close advisor, he was not afraid of doing God's will and calling King David to account for the death of Uriah the Hittite and the sin David committed with Uriah's then-wife, Bathsheba. Nathan came to King David and gave him a story about a rich man stealing a poor man's only ewe and killing it. King David condemned the rich man to death. Nathan then confronted him with his sin, and told David he was the rich man! What an example to us today. We need to confront sin. Not just to those under our care and/or authority, but also those above us in authority. Is there someone whom you serve that is in need of loving confrontation? Don't side step it. God requires his servants to confront sin, wherever it is found.
How do we prepare for the activities of our life? When we are going to an important business meeting, we spend time in putting our presentation together. When we go on a trip, we take time to prepare for it. What do we do to prepare to worship our God? Is our preparation the sum total of getting dressed and putting on some decent clothes, with maybe a quick prayer for a good parking spot? If this is true for you, and it is for most of us, then shame on us. We absolutely need to "prepare the way" for worship, for that is when we most consciously draw near to our Creator to honor Him. The Puritans taught that proper heart preparation was mandatory to honorably worship Almighty God, and that the night before the Lord's Day be spent in confession and prayer, asking for the Spirit's power to worship, and in reading His Word. Decide this day whether your worship of God is at least worth the same preparation you do for the other details of your life.
In this world of confusion, misrepresentation, and ignorance how wonderful it is for believers to discover that their God holds wisdom, knowledge, and understanding. We need to grasp the omniscience, the all-knowing nature, of God and realize that it is only through Him that we can become wise and be taught the truth. Many run here and there seeking guidance from so-called professionals. What God would have us know through this verse is that to grow wise and gain understanding, we need to know Him! And while God can and does use people, He very often would speak to us through His Word or by His Spirit - if we would but wait upon Him and listen. Do you desire wisdom and understanding? Are you willing to devote yourself to study and prayer? Pray about it!
It sounds like the Lord requires that we forgive everyone that offends us, and that the surface, reluctant, let-it-go-this-time attitude just won't do. Now, we all know that some offenders are more easily forgiven than others, just as some offenses are more easily forgiven than others. And some forgiveness is not from the heart. When we step back and look at what the Lord requires of us, we quickly see that it is not humanly possible. Exactly! What the Lord requires, He also provides for. It is through His grace that we are able to forgive, from the heart, all those that we need to forgive. Isn't the Lord wonderful! Do you have some "forgiveness business" to take care of? Do it today!
At first reading this statement appears ludicrous. The secular world assumes that the great scientific advances of our time are of man's doing; that the world of academics has made great strides in advancing man's intellect; that the political agenda set forth by the world leaders is securing the future of the planet. But let the believers take heart: our God and Savior, Jesus Christ, is sovereign - He rules over all! Nothing man does can affect God's plan. But let the believer also take note: the Lord would have us be wise and understanding in these last days. Each of us needs to discern what part he or she plays in God's plan and then press on to do it aggressively.
The apostles, elders and the whole church of Jerusalem gathered to consider some serious matters. As this verse implies, they not only consulted with one another, but they consulted with God! Prayer that requires an answer is powerful and prevailing prayer! How many of us gather to consult one another about serious matters and never take the next step? We should be asking the Holy Spirit to reveal God's mind on specific struggles or decisions that we face. To do otherwise leaves us with man's mind - and that is dangerous in today's crazy world. Want to hear from God badly enough to pray and wait for the answer?
How different our world would be if every Christian heeded Paul's exhortation to rejoice in all situations. We would see remarkable changes in our homes if Christians could rejoice, even most of the time! Beware of spending your time grumbling about circumstances, complaining about jobs, gossiping about neighbors, and expecting our Maker to meet all our needs. These things ought not to be! Since we have the opportunity to start over at any time, why not begin right now to replace what you usually do, with rejoicing?
