Devotional Dec 21-2012

8/3/2019 Devotional Dec 21-2012

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The Pattern for ServanthoodMATTHEW 20:25-28

In the world's thinking,great men are the ones withauthority, prominence, and power. Though JesusChrist had all that, He gave it up to become aservant (Isa. 42:1).Jesus gave Himselfcompletely to fulfill the Father'splan of redemption, even though the beneficiaries--namely, each of us--were undeserving. God is holy

and righteous, and He cannot be in the presence ofsin. Therefore, He must separate Himself from thosewho are stained by wrongdoing. That includes all ofhumanity (Rom. 3:23).Everybody is borncaptive to the desires of the flesh(Rom. 6:16-18). When someone claims to be livingon his "own terms," he is actually serving whateverhis humannature craves. The penalty for that falsesense of liberty is death (Rom. 6:23).Jesus' ultimate act of service was to give His life asa ransom for many (Matt. 20:28). The worddescribes the price paid to set a slave free--Christvoluntarily purchased our liberation. There was onlyone way our holy God could remove our guilt yetremain true to His own law: Someone sinless had topay our sin debt for us.Jesus' sacrifice spared us the penalty we deserve.Instead, we receive the gift ofgrace and have beendeclared no longer guilty. Moreover, we are elevatedfrom slaves to sons and daughters of the Almighty!Jesus served the Father's purpose faithfully. He gaveup His righteousness to carry the weight of all ourwickedness--and endured a crushing separation fromHis Father. To meet our needs, the Savior heldnothing of Himself back, and thereby set a powerful

example of servanthood for us follow.Clean Feet, Clean Heart

JOHN 13:3-15Israel can be a dusty place, and sandaled feet getfilthy walking to and fro. In ancient times, a personentering a home removed his sandals and cleanedhis feet. Or if the homeowners were wealthy,servants would do the washing. This distasteful butnecessary task fell to the worker of lowest position inthe household.Imagine the disciples' surprise when the Son of Godput Himself in the role of a lowly servant and knelt towash their feet. The need for such a service was

great, as they had been traveling for some time. Butnot one of them offered to do it.Jesus did more than fill a need; He offered an objectlesson. As He explained, "I have given you anexample to follow. Do as I have done to you" (John13:15 NLT). Some churches have incorrectlyinterpreted this as a command to make foot washingan ordinance. But it's possible to clean someoneelse's skin without contemplating the significance ofChrist's actions.In fact, the act itself is not the main point; attitude iswhat counts. Jesus desires that we be willing to

humble ourselves to serve others. He is looking formen and women who will ignore pride, position, andpower in order to do whatever must be done,wherever it needs doing, and for whoever requiresassistance.Jesus performed His greatest and most humble actsof service within 24 hours of each other. He washeddirty feet using two hands that would be pierced bynails in less than a day. The message here is that

every task God gives us is important to His kingdom.The God Who Speaks

HEBREWS 1:1-2Throughout human history, God has been speakingto mankind in various ways. His prophets weremoved by the Spirit to proclaim and write His words,but His ultimate expressioncame through His Son.Today most believers acknowledge that God speaksprimarily through His written Word, yet the voicethat dictated the Bible has not ceased. Through HisHoly Spirit, the Lord still communicates to everyChristian who takes the time to listen with an openand receptive heart.Stop to consider the wonder of having a God whospeaks--not just a distant deity who thunders ordersand admonishments from heaven, but one whoactually wants to have a conversation with you! Whywould the Lord of all creationgo to such lengths tocommunicate personally with each of us? Considerthe following reasons:

y God loves you and desires a relationship with you.y He wants you to know Him personally through

intimate communication.y He longs to encourage you to trust Him. As you

experience the fulfillment of His words, your faithgrows strong.

y He wants to guide you. The Lord has a goodpurpose for your life and is willing to direct yourdecisions and ways so you can experience all thatHe has planned.

In our busy world, it's easy to take for granted thisinvaluable privilege ofcommunication with God. Ifwe are too busy or distracted to hear, His voice willnot stop--but we'll miss out on the riches of anintimate relationship available only to those withreceptive hearts and ears.

Learning to Listen to GodPSALM 81:8-16

God clearly calls us to listen to Him, but like thenation ofIsrael, we sometimes ignore His voice andmiss His blessings. Learning to listen to the Lord isfar more important than learning to talk to Him.Generally, we find it much easier to rattle off aprayer than to sit quietly with our Bibles open in ourlaps, waiting to hear what He has to say.Since two-way conversation is essential indeveloping a relationship, being able to hear the


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Lord's voice is a vital part of the Christian life.Sometimes we have the notion that after beingsaved, we just automatically know Him. But that isnot true in any kind of relationship. Just as we growto know another person through communication, sowe become more intimately acquainted with the Lordthrough listening and talking to Him.Not only do we need ears to hear His voice; we alsomust have discernment to accurately understand

what He is saying. He's not the only one who wantsour attention. People around us readily offer usadvice, Satan whispers his lies in our minds, and theworld shouts loudly from almost every electronicdevice and form of media. Grounding in theScriptures sharpens our discernment and protects usfrom deception.Have you ever considered that neglect of God's Wordis a rejection of Him? He continually calls out, "Ohthat My people would listen to Me" (Ps. 81:13). He isready and willing to speak to those who will humblethemselves, take the time to listen, and respondobediently to whatever He says.

God Is for UsROMANS 8:31-34

Throughout life, there will be times when our sinsand failures lead us to conclude that God isdisappointed or angry with us. How can He still loveme after what I've done? If I'm really forgiven, whydo I still feel so guilty?At such times, we need to fixour eyes on the truth of Scripture and ask thequestions Paul posed in Romans 8.If God is for us, who is against us (v. 31)? Ourheavenly Father proved His loyalty to us when Hedelivered His own Son over to death in order to save

us. Without Christ's atoning death on our behalf, wewould face eternal separation from God.Who will bring a charge against God's elect (v.33)? No accusation against us can stand, since atthe moment of salvation, the Lord justified us. Thismeans we were legally declared righteous, while stillin our sinningcondition. No one can reverse thistransaction and make us guilty again. To doubt ourblameless standing in Christ is to declare Hisatonement insufficient to cover our sin.Who is the one who condemns (v. 34)? AlthoughSatan rails against us, Jesus' death and resurrectionare proof that we are right with God. Christ took our

condemnation and gave us His righteousness inreturn. Now He sits at the Father's right hand,interceding for us.When doubts about the Lord's love and faithfulnessarise, focus on truth. If we judge His loyalty to us byour circumstances or feelings, we will never get anaccurate view of God. True security lies not in ourgood performance, but in our relationship withChrist, and no one can take that from us.

Hope: The Anchor of the SoulHebrews 6:13-20

Hope is a healthy attitude. Anticipatinggood bringscomfort to the mind and heart. Incontrast, a state ofhopelessness is a terrible condition in which to findoneself. It's overwhelming and depressing to thinkthat what you're facingcannot be changed orresolved. For the person who has lost all hope, lifelooks like a long dark tunnel goingnowhere.Included in Proverbs is a verse that describes theresult of this oppressive feeling: "Hope deferred

makes the heart sick" (Prov. 13:12). Emotional,physical, and even mental illness haunt a personwho feels trapped in a bleak situation. But I want totell you, my friend, that as long as there is a God,nosituation is hopeless. In Him, we have the promise ofthe second half of that proverb: "Desire fulfilled is atree of life."Believers have a hope that anchors their souls. Ourrelationship with Jesus Christ brings us close to thethrone of heaven, where we cancast all our burdensbefore an omnipotent God. Moreover, we cancling toHim through whatever trials are facing us. Becauseof the Lord's great love, He provides strength forweary bodies, peace for anxious minds, and comfortfor grieving hearts. In short, He lights that darkenedtunnel and tenderly guides us through tryingsituations.An anchor was a popular image in the ancientMediterranean world. In an economy that dependedon shipping, the anchor symbolized safety andsteadiness. The writer of Hebrews used the word toremind believers that God has given a hope thatholds firm in any storm.

A Living Hope1 Peter 1:3-5

Believers are born into a living hope. However,people who are without Christ have no foundation fortheirexpectations and desires. Many live with a falsesense of security. They assume that what isimportant in this life is the physical and material. Butthere is no safety in things (1 Tim. 6:9). Those whopursue wealth and health rather than God find thattheir dreams either go unfulfilled or fail to satisfy.Believers anchor their hope in the solid rock of JesusChrist. His words are always true and His promisesalways kept. I'll sometimes hear a person project hisor her unfulfilled desires on God and then argue that

He came up short. But Christians who make arequest and submit to God's will always get ananswer--yes,no, or wait.The Lord does not disappoint those who seek Hiswill. Don't misunderstand that statement. We mightfeel temporarily let down when something we hopefor is not in God's plan. But He doesn't go back onthe biblical promise to give His children the best(Isa. 48:17; 64:4). When one door closes, there isanother about to open with something better behindit. Friends, the Lord cannot be outdone. We can't


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even wish ourselves as much good as God has instore.The best choice a Christiancan make is to fix his orher hope on the Lord Jesus Christ. Welcomewhatever fits His will for your life, and turn awayfrom all that does not. Circumstances may shift andchange, but Jesus never does. He is a living hopewho never disappoints.

A Passion to Serve God

Ephesians 2:8-10Oswald Chambers, author ofMy Utmost ForHisHighest, died in 1917. His influence, however, liveson. God uses this man's book to speak to my heartand convict me. Chambers' message has lastedbecause he gave priority to things of eternal valuerather than to things of the world.Sadly, many people choose an existence with noenduring significance. Setting out to make as muchmoney as possible, please oneself, and retire to"enjoy the good life" is unbiblical. Worthwhile livinginvolves giving ourselves unreservedly to God so Hecan use us any way He sees fit. Christians likeChambers, who make a lasting impact in their sphereof influence, have a passion to serve the Lord. Theylook for ways to express their love and devotion toHim.Believers are citizens of a heavenly kingdom, so'Servant of Almighty God' is part of their identity. Iknow what you're probably thinking: I have a secularjob or My life doesn't matter much. Friend, if you aredetermined to find ways to be useful for thekingdom, God will supply tasks of eternal value. Besensitive to people inneed. Share your faith withthose who hurt. Whether through your vocation or in

your community, make yourself available toindividuals who need help. Tell others what God isdoing in your life.You are called to serve God where you are. We haveall beengiven the work of evangelists and teachers(Matt. 28:19) as well as the task ofcaring for thosewho are inneed (Isa. 1:17; Gal. 6:2). Get busy forthe kingdom. There is much work to be done.

How to Serve GodTitus 3:5-8

When you encounter opportunities to serve God, howdo you respond? Let me list some of the wrongreactions:1) Ican't.2) My schedule is too busy.3) I don't know how.4) I'm just a layperson,not a pastor.Those knee-jerk reactions slam closed a door beforewe've discovered whether or not the Lord wants usto go through it. You've probably never thought of arefusal to serve God as idolatry, but that's what it is--bowing down to self instead of submitting to Him.The Lord desires that His servants first be willing todo anything and then seek His specific plan for them.He uniquely gifts followers to serve according to His

will. But when we've already decided what we can'tdo, won't do, or are ill-equipped to do, then we'reacting by our own will. That isn't going to work.You may serve the Lord as a godly parent, as afactory worker who shares the gospel withcoworkers, or as a friend who listens to those whoare hurting. There is no restriction on what God cando with a willing helper. The strength of His Spiritovercomes human limitations. Don't have enough

courage? God can fix that. Don't have the rightskills? God can fix that.Laying down our excuses is the wisest thing we cando to serve the Lord. Trust that He will empower youto do whatever He calls you to do--and will see to itthat you are properly equipped and trained (Eph.2:10; 2 Tim. 2:20; 3:16-17). All He asks of you isthat you say yes.

The ChurchEphesians 1:18-23

The church is that group of people called to standapart from the world because of their relationshipwith Jesus Christ. All believers in heaven and onearth make up one body--the universal church.There are many denominations and approaches totheology, but the local fellowships that comprise thebody of Christ are united by a common message,mission, and motive.Message. The three-part message of the church issimple. 1) Man is sinful and can alleviate neither theguilt nor the penalty of sin. 2) Jesus Christ died onthe cross to pay our debt, was buried, rose again,and ascended to heaven to sit at the Father's righthand. 3) One day everyone will stand before Godand give account for his life.

Believers will take responsibility for what they didwith the truth they knew, but unbelievers will answerfor every day they lived in rejection of Jesus Christ.Mission. Matthew 28:19 sums up what should bethe personal quest of every member of the livingchurch: to spread the gospel to the whole world andteach new believers how to grow in faith. We witnessand make disciples by sharing the experiences we'vehad with God and His Word.Motive. The church's motive is to exalt the LordJesus Christ and to glorify God the Father.Church is not a place to hide from the world. Ourmission is to spread the gospel message all over

creation in order to glorify God. There will beopposition and persecution that is worse for somethan for others. But we stand together as one bodyand persevere.

The Body ofChristEphesians 4:11-16

As we saw yesterday, all the people who gather toworship inchurches around the world form onebody--the body of Christ. Jesus is the head. Pauldescribed Him as "the beginning, the first-born fromthe dead" (Col. 1:18). He takes priority in the churchand in the lives of every believer.


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At salvation, you become a part of the body,nomatter what your local church's membership rulesmay be. By receiving the Savior, a person is madeone with Jesus. Therefore, if you're a believer, youare a breathing and active part of Christ, who is atwork on earth through His followers. The church isJesus' feet to carry the gospel message, His arms tocare for those inneed of love, and His hands touphold the weak.

Christ's physical body underwent terrible pain andpersecution. His church body cannot expect a cozy,easy existence either. Being Jesus to the worldmeans making sacrifices, accepting ridicule, andloving our enemies (Heb. 13:16, Matt. 5:44). Godcalled us to spread the gospel, but that doesn't meanpeople always like what we have to say. Sin andaccountability aren't popular messages. Yet beingtrendy and well liked is not the point. We're here tocarry out the work and mission of God, even whendoing so is uncomfortable.The spiritual makeup of the church is linked to itsmission. The gospel cannot be spread except throughthe strength and wisdom of Jesus Christ, the head.The body of believers is united with Him through theindwelling presence of His Holy Spirit. He reaches theworld through His church and its members.

An Exercise in Casting CaresPsalm 55:16-22

God's shoulders are wide enough to carry yourburdens. He is sovereign over the universe, so He iscertainly capable of working out problems andmeetingneeds. Today I want to give you an exercisethat will help make casting your cares a practical act.First, write on a piece of paper the things that causeyour anxiety. Once you start writing, you maydiscover a list of items that cheat you out of peace.Next, pray each issue into God's care. Recall Psalm18:35, which promises that He upholds believers inHis lovinggrasp.Finally, as you pray, visualize placing the situationinto God's omnipotent hands. For example, a womanmay imagine handing over to the Lord what sheowes, while saying, "Father,Igive You my financialanxiety. Iknow that You will show me how to get outof debt. You are more than sufficient to handle it,and I trust You to guide me."

Some people may protest this suggestion, becausehumanistic and pseudo-spiritual movements also usea method they refer to as 'visualizing.' Don't letanyone steal what is rightfully yours. God createsword pictures throughout the Bible. This exercisemerely creates a mental snapshot of the Lord doingexactly what He says He will do (Ps. 55:22; Matt.6:25-26).When you have transferred all of your worries toGod's hands, wad up that paper in your fist, andthen destroy it. In this way, you symbolize thetransaction that just took place. Your cares are no

longer yours. Every one of them belongs to the Lord.Walk away in perfect peace.

All Our Anxiety1 Peter 5:6-7

Isn't it interesting that Satan prowling like a roaringlion is mentioned in a passage dealing with anxiousthoughts? Worry can feel like an attack--we get tornup on the inside by fears, frustration, andhelplessness. Anxiety is a tormenting emotion, and

the Devil wields it very well.We don't have to live with worry, because the Lordcloses the mouths of lions that threaten His followers(Dan. 6:22). Peter described how to keep clear ofanxiety's jaws. First, we humble ourselves beforeGod. What causes worry is a sense of helplessness ina given situation, so the best response is yieldingyourself to God--submitting to Him with theconfidence that He has the power to control your lifeAnother thing that builds trust is the realization thatGod is always engineeringcircumstances for yourgood and His glory (Rom 8:28).Remember, prayer is a declaration of dependence.When we humble ourselves, we're kneeling before anomnipotent God. Nothing is a challenge for Hispower, which brings us to the second step ofcastingcares upon Him: the simple exercise of telling theLord your troubles and then trusting Him to deal withthem. He assumes responsibility for meetingbelievers' needs (Matt. 6:31-32). Your part is toprioritize obeying Him and living a righteous life (v.33).There's one more step: Resist Satan by remainingfirm in faith. In other words, don't snatch thoseconcerns out of God's hands to worry over them

anew. When the Devil's ways make you tremble withanxiety, reject His lie and affirm that the Lord isadequate to handle the situation.

Our Love LifeMatthew 7:7-11

God's love is without limit, but that doesn't mean Hischildren have no boundaries. While the world arguesthat Christianity's rules stifle the individual, any goodparent will attest that setting limits is part ofcaringfor one's kids. And so is continuing to love themwhen they break the rules.This may bring two questions to mind:1. Why does the Lord have so many rules?

Scriptural principles are designed to protect us andbring peace. But God does not force obedience. TheBible neither says nor implies that we have to live upto the Ten Commandments or the Sermon on theMount in order to be loved. God's children discoverthat following those rules is the path to joy, security,and a sense of well-being. Incontrast, disobediencebrings heartache and suffering into one's life.2. What happens when I sin?Our obedience is not required for God to love us. Hecares for even the most evil and murderous man,which means that no one is able to sin beyond the


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Lord's redemptive grace. He will always forgive. Butdo not fall for the opposite error either. Grace is nota license to sin. God allows us to experience theconsequences of wrongdoing. That's what a lovingparent does to be sure a child learns the value ofdoing right.God loves without condition. To show His great care,He gave solid principles on which people are to buildtheir lives. His affection is inno way diminished

toward those who ignore biblical rules, but His heartis grieved by their defiance. He delights in believerswho seek and follow His will (1 Thess. 4:1).

God Is Our Loving FatherLuke 15:11-24

Humanity tends to project its own faulty habits ontoGod. This is especially true regarding the nature ofHis love. We think we must barter, plead, or try hardto earn the Lord's favor. But as the prodigal sonlearned, the Father's love is unconditional.The wayward son expected his father's love to bediminished. Therefore, he went home hoping for aplace among the family servants. Imagine the boy'sdelight when Dad greeted him with a hug and acelebration. His actions certainly didnt merit anoutpouring of affection, but Jesus' parable is allabout a Father who doesn't give people what theydeserve.A love based onconduct would keep peopleguessing,Have I doneenough?Instead, God caresfor you simply because you're you, and He expectsnothing in return. Consider the prodigal's life afterhis homecoming party. He didn't move into theservants' quarters and get to work. He wasreinstated to his place as the second son of a

wealthy man, with all of the privilege that entails. Inthe same way, believers are the Lord's cherishedchildren(2 Cor. 6:18). When God looks at His loved ones, Hedoesn't focus upon past failures, faults, or sin. Hesees the heirs to His kingdom--men and women wholove Him and desire to spend eternity in Hispresence.No matter how far we may wander from the Lord'sperfect will for our lives, we are always welcomeback. The Bible teaches that God's love cannot belost, regardless of sin or poor decisions (though wemay have to live with the consequences). Our

Father's arms are always open.Developing a Vibrant Faith

Acts 9:1-16The apostle Paul had a strongcommitment to knowand serve Jesus Christ. His passion and love for theLord was obvious--Jesus was always central in histhinking, whether he was working as a tent maker,preaching to the crowd, or even sitting inchains atprison. What fueled his love for the Lord?Paul's conversion experience on the Damascus Roadwas a motivating force in his life. Grateful for the giftofgrace he had received at salvation, the apostle

told many people about his encounter with theresurrected Christ and its impact on him. We, too,have a story to tell of God's mercy in saving us andof the new life we have in Him.Paul's zeal also came from his firm conviction thatthe gospel message was true and available toeveryone (John 3:16). On the cross, Jesus took allour sins--past, present, and future--upon Himself (1Pet. 2:24). He suffered our punishment so that we

might receive forgiveness and be brought into a rightrelationship with God. Through faith in Christ, we'vebeen born again, and the indwelling Holy Spirit helpsus every day (John 14:26). The more we understandwhat Jesus has accomplished on our behalf, thegreater will be our passion to share the gospel.Developing a vibrant faith requires time and energyplus a commitment to obey God. Regularly studyingthe Bible will strengthen your beliefs and give youcourage to speak. Caring about the spiritual welfareof others will move you into action. Do you have apassion to serve Jesus wherever He leads?

A Passionate FaithRomans 6:5-14

Paul served the Lord enthusiastically. The apostle';szeal was motivated by three things: gratitude for theamazing but undeserved gift of salvation; convictionthat the gospel message was true; and realizationthat through the cross, sin's power over him hadbeen broken.Before salvation, we were slaves to sin and unable tobreak free. But now, having been united with Christin His death and resurrection (Rom. 6:5-6), we havereceived the power to say no to temptation and canchoose God's way instead. Paul knew his old selfish

nature had beencrucified with Christ; sinno longerhad control over him. This knowledge fueled hispassion to follow Jesus and live for Him (Gal. 2:20).Guided by his commission from Christ, Paulexpressed his zeal through obedience to the Lord'sdirection. Our heavenly Father wants us to focus ourpassion oncarrying out His plan (Matt. 28:19-20).Like Paul, we are called to live a crucified life--one inwhich we make the Lord first in our thinking,attitudes, and actions. Such a life includes learninghow to walk by faith and stand firm againsttemptation. While we are unable to do this in ourown strength, we can through the Holy Spirit. He

empowers us to let go of our self-centered ways andreplace them with godly ones.Paul's faith and commitment to the Lord were anintegral part of his thinking,conversation, and work.His passionate faith kept him moving forward, evenin times ofgreat adversity. The apostle knew thatsalvation brought forgiveness of the past and a wayto live victoriously in the future.

Walking with GodGenesis 6

Once we receive Jesus as Savior, His Spirit indwellsus permanently. Yet there is a difference between


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having salvation and actually walking with the Lord.Being saved involves the forgiveness of sin and theblessing of an eternal security, while walking withGod is a privilege that we live out day to day.To understand this idea more fully, let's consider theexample of Noah, a man Genesis 6:9 identifies asone who followed the Lord in this way--that is, helived by faith. Surely he did not understand God'sdirection to build an ark. After all, there had never

even been any rain--let alone a cataclysmic deluge.Until the flood, mist would rise from the ground tonourish vegetation. But because the Almighty spoke,Noah believed and obeyed.For us, walking by faith need not mean something asmonumental as saving wildlife from destruction.Instead, it's likely to involve something morecommonplace, like living with godly priorities,spending time in the Word, or holding to God'svalues in a world that belittles them. In fact, it isfrequently when there is no crisis or quandary tomotivate us that our true character is revealed.When we are faithful with the simple, mundanethings, our heavenly Father will entrust us withmore.Believing God and acting accordingly is an importantaspect of following Him. Do you have such trust thatyou obey even when His directions are difficult orconfusing? Ask Him to increase your faith, and renewyour commitment to follow wherever He leads.

January 19, 2011Evangelism: Every Believer's Calling

Acts 1:6-8One Sunday, a man approached me between

services to share his story. He'd been addicted todrugs and was leading a hopeless life when he hearda Scripture verse in a sermon. He said that onepassage led him to place his trust in Jesus. The manwas saved, and God transformed his life.Every believer has a story. Oftentimes, the more wesurrender to God, the greater our ability to see Hishand in our life. And the more we watch Him work,the stronger our desire to share with others all thatHe has done.The same was true of the early disciples. A smallcrowd gathered around Jesus before His ascension.They heard His command to spread the gospel

around the globe, making disciples and baptizingpeople from all nations. Surely this seemed like anoverwhelming task for a handful of followers, butthey obeyed. Their personal experiences with Christundoubtedly motivated them to share the goodnews, and they also must have gained confidencefrom Jesus' promise of His presence and power.We, too, should be taking Christ's commandseriously. One of our highest callings as believers isto tell others about Him. As was true for the earlyChristians, our own experience with the Savior is themost exciting and convincing story to tell.

Are you passionately telling others about Christ?Loving God involves not just having a personalrelationship with Jesus but also sharing Him withothers. The world around you needs the power ofChrist. Let the Holy Spirit guide and enable you toshare effectively with those around you.

From Alienation to Reconciliation2 Corinthians 5:14-21

Separation, rejection, and alienation are unpleasant

experiences that we usually try to avoid at all costs.But we live in a fallen world, so we cannot totallyescape them.Isolation from other people is bad enough, butwhat's worse is that many individuals live apart fromthe heavenly Father. How tragic and futile life mustbe when it is spent completely detached from itsCreator. God planted within each of us a desire to bein relationship with Him, so until we find ourconnection to Him, we will always feel thatsomething is missing.And yet as crucial as that relationship is to our well-being, something stands in its way: Whether by ourthoughts or actions, we have all violated the Lord'scommands (Rom. 3:23), and our pure, holy Godcannot be in the presence of sin. Romans 6:23 statesthat the penalty for sin is death, which is an eternalseparation from the Lord. Therefore, we will alwayshave a void.What a bleak outlook for mankind! But our lovingFather solved the dilemma by sending His Son to payour penalty. Fully God and fully man, Jesus lived theperfect life, took all our iniquity upon Himself, anddied a gruesome death on the cross. No longer arewe condemned for our wrongs, because Christ took

our place. And three days later, He victoriously roseto life.Salvation is available to anyone who believes andreceives this remarkable gift. John 3:16 describeshow reconciliation puts an end to our alienation: "ForGod so loved the world, that He gave His onlybegotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall notperish, but have eternal life."

As children of the Most High, we are called to walkwith Him whether circumstances are delightful ordifficult. Both can be challenging.In times of relative ease, we may lose sight of how

dependent we are on God. Ofcourse, we stilldesperately need His direction and care, but pleasant"seasons" cancloud that reality and lull us into aself-sufficient mindset. To prevent this, we shoulddiscipline ourselves to fill our minds with God's Wordpray for direction, and listen for His answer.Strenuous times, on the other hand,can draw us toour Creator for sustenance and help. With Christ byour side, we can walk fearlessly through anysituation. As Jesus warned, hardship is inevitable(John 16:33). Yet we have a choice about how torespond. We can either let painful situations trigger


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increased dependence upon the Lord, or we canallow doubt, depression, and anger to fill us.The Lord promises to give all that we need to enduredifficulty well. Our responsibility is to stay by Hisside, follow where He leads, and obey even when wedon't like or understand what is happening. Our goalshould align with the apostle Paul's: "I have foughtthe good fight,I have finished the course,I havekept the faith" (2 Tim. 4:7).

Where are you today--in the midst of a trial orpleasant circumstances? Be aware of temptationslike discouragement or apathy that could pull youaway from a close walk with your heavenly Father.When you emerge from this period, will you be ableto say with Paul that you finished well?

The Believer's TransformationEzekiel 36:25-27

I marvel at the metamorphosis of a caterpillar. Acrawling, slimy, and spiky bug disappears into achrysalis spun from its own body, and before long, adelicate and graceful winged butterfly emerges. It ismagnificent.Our change at the moment of salvation is just asradical and miraculous. From a death-bound, sinful,and depraved heart, God brings about a brand-newcreature--one that is forgiven, made righteous, anddesigned to be the place where He Himself resides (2Cor. 5:21; John 14:17).Have you ever wondered why, then, we continue tostruggle with sin after trusting Christ as Savior?Shouldn't all the habits and tendencies of our oldheart have vanished? The answer is that the term"new creature" refers to our position in Christ. It istrue that believers are forgiven and eternally secure

as children of the heavenly Father. Yet we remain infleshly bodies, and as long as we are on earth, therewill be an ongoing battle between spirit and flesh.Throughout our life, God is transforming us to beincreasingly like Jesus--His Spirit residing withinhelps us to combat sin and teaches us how to live.This process,called sanctification, is a journey thatwill last until we are called home to heaven.While salvation is a one-time event, sanctification isa life-long adventure. And though the Lord seesbelievers as righteous, we still have the capacity tosin. Thankfully, God's Spirit guides and empowers usto become more like Jesus, and as we yield to Him,

our behavior and thoughts will change.Blessing Others

Psalm 5:11-12The other day as I was walking through a store,Ihappened to sneeze, and a gentlemannearbyoffered the typical response, "Bless you." Thiscaused me to think about what that commonexpression actually means--namely, a request fordivine favorand the different ways we can blessothers.First, we can bless people by praying for them, andwe should be specific when bringing such petitions to

the Lord. General requests like "please bless him"can become rote and devoid of meaning. Besides,supplications with greater detail might bring moreidentifiable answers. And imagine how others will beencouraged when they see that we cared enough topray thoughtfully--and God cared enough to fulfillthe request.Second, we can ask God's favor on events andsituations. Ofcourse, He will respond only when

these have His approval. For example, it isappropriate to request the Lord's presence in achurch service, and to ask that He touch thosepresent.Third, we can bless God. We do this by expressingour praise and thanksgiving for His character and forwhat He has done (Ps. 104:1). Blessing Him alsotakes place through our obedience, service, anddesire to please Him. When we place Him first in ourlives, He is honored.The Lord provides a vast array ofgood gifts, and thedesire for such benefits is normal and universal. Infact, as we yearn for divine blessings, why not applythe golden rule as a motivation to bless others--including God Himself--through prayer and service?

The Blessings of GodEphesians 1:3-14

Everyone experiences periods of difficulty in life. Insuch painful times, we may feel as though God is notblessing us. But even then, we are experiencingmany of His amazinggifts, despite the fact that theymight be escaping our notice.Below are several examples of blessings that we canenjoy on bright or dark days:1. We are assured that our almighty God chose us

before the foundation of the world (v. 4). Hepredestined us to be adopted as His children (v. 5).We can feel special and wanted because theSovereign of the universe selected us.2. Jesus provided our salvation through His deathand resurrection (v. 7). He redeemed us from sinthat causes separation from God and ultimately leadsto death. As a result, we receive a brand-new natureand daily forgiveness of iniquities (2 Cor. 5:17; 1John 1:9).3. The Holy Spirit resides within us. He guides,warns, and fills us so we are never without counselor comfort. He also seals us so that our eternity is

secure (Eph. 1: 13).4. Our Father prepares an inheritance for us that isimperishable (1 Peter 1:4). We may experiencemomentary troubles, but we can look forward toliving eternally in God's presence, where there is joyand no suffering.In the midst of painful situations, it may be easy tofeel as if God's hand is not resting on your life. Butbelievers have wonderful spiritual blessings at alltimes. Without the four permanent gifts listed above,fear and emptiness would be overwhelming. Soexpress gratitude, even in difficulty.


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The Greater Purpose of BlessingsPsalm 67

It is God's nature to bless. However, we need tounderstand that He has a greater purpose in mindthan we may realize. His ultimate goal is far moreencompassing than just to make us happy, peaceful,protected, and prosperous. In fact, it is never theLord's intention for His blessings to end with us.Rather, He wants them to flow out to others as part

of His plan for the whole earth.As we can see in today's psalm, the Lord blesses usso that His salvation, His ways, and His justice maybe known by every nation and every people grouparound the globe (vv. 3-4, 7). He is always actingwith this larger picture in mind--even while workingpersonally in our individual lives. Knowing this shouldfill us with an awesome yet humbling sense ofsignificance. Every believer has a part in helpingothers know and understand the one true God. Eachblessing He gives not only benefits us personally butis intended to help further this cause. On the otherhand, we may sometimes not receive the things wewant because they don't contribute to His higherpurpose. But if we are willing to fit our requests intoGod's greater plans, we will position ourselves to begreatly used by Him.When the Lord blesses you, He's not only doingsomething for you; He's also doing something in andthrough you to affect others' lives. Don't let thepleasures and comforts of His blessings blind you totheir intended purpose. Ask God how to use Hiskindnesses as a way to point people to Him.

The Message the World Needs to HearMark 16:15-20

Suppose I asked what the mission of the church is--how would you answer? Although the churchaccomplishes many tasks, its only message to theworld is the gospel of Christ. Everything else we dois merely an extension of that primary goal. Thegospel we offer the lost is superior to every worldlyphilosophy. Never outdated or inneed ofcorrection,it is always sufficient to meet humanity's greatestneed: reconciliation with the Creator. Although themessage is always the same, methods of making itknown are many--including the spoken word, music,printed material, and electronic media. But all theseavenues ofcommunication require the individual

involvement of God's people. It is every Christian'sresponsibility to use his or her spiritual gifts, talents,and abilities to help fulfill the Great Commission.Some Christians think that this role is given only topastors, missionaries, or other people with an "up-front ministry." But all of us have the responsibilityto be involved in whatever way we are able and inwhatever opportunity God gives us. Not everybody iscalled to go abroad as a missionary, but we all cangive, pray, and tell friends and family what the Lordhas done for us. When you're truly committed togetting the gospel out, God will reveal what work He

is calling you to do. He has a place for every one ofus--nobody is insignificant or unusable. The limitingfactor is not the Lord's ability to use us but ouravailability to His call.

Lord of the Living and the DeadRomans 14:7-12

In the New Testament, Lord is the most frequentlyused title for Jesus Christ. Although we rarely usethis term in our daily lives, we are all quite familiar

with another word: boss. That is basically what Lordmeans--one possessing authority, power, andcontrol. The Word of God describes Jesus as thehead of the church, the ruler over all creation, andthe Lord of lords and King ofkings (Col. 1:15-18;Rev. 3:14; 17:14).The realm of Christ's reigncovers everything thathappens in heaven and on the earth. No one--noteven those who deny His existencecan be free ofHis rule or outside His sphere of authority. AlthoughSatan tries to convince us that liberty is found indoing what we want, true freedom is acquired onlythrough submission to Christ's loving lordship.Even death cannot release anyone from the authorityof God's Son. He is Lord of both the living and thedead. All people must decide to either yield or rebelagainst Him, but they have the opportunity to makethis choice only while they are still living. Afterdeath, they will acknowledge Christ's lordshipthrough accountability to Him. If we have not bowedthe knee to Jesus in life, we will be forced to bend itin the judgment.Have you submitted to Christ's rule over your life?His authority causes anger or fear in individuals whohave not yet yielded to Him, but those who have

experienced His lovingkindness, trusted in Hisgoodness, and surrendered to His authority takecomfort inknowing Him as the Lord of their lives.

Salvation and LordshipColossians 2:6-10

How can people who have trusted Jesus as theirSavior live in rebellion against God throughinappropriate attitudes and behaviors? After all,when a person is saved, he's givennew life, butsinful thinking and conduct are characteristics of theold life. The truth, however, is that all believers livewith this dilemma to one degree or another.Salvation is a onetime act which God accomplishes in

the life of any person who trusts in Christ's paymentfor his sins. That individual is thenguaranteed aplace in heaven. But did you know that the Lordwants even more for us than this? The Bible teachesthat He predestined us "to become conformed to theimage of His Son" (Rom. 8:29-30). That's Hisultimate goal. Salvation is the door that opens theway for this process, which is accomplished by theHoly Spirit within us.This transformation requires submission to Christ'slordship. He paid for us with His blood, and since weare now His, He has the right to rule our lives. In


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other words, we received Him as Lord at salvation,and now we must walk in Him (v. 6), letting Himhave complete control of every area--every decision,act, word, motive, attitude, and thought. If we don't,our spiritual growth will be stunted, and we will yieldto a sinful lifestyle.If you see little progress in your spiritual life, theproblem is probably due to an area that you arekeeping for yourself. Only in surrendering it to Christ

and letting Him be Lord of your entire life will you beenriched beyond measure as He changes yourcharacter, perspective, attitudes, and behavior.

February 1, 2011The Influence of Our Convictions

Daniel 1:1-21Although our circles of influence vary in size, we allhave the power to affect otherseither for good orbad. Whether at home, in the church, or in theworld, our lives are on display. Many times we arenteven aware of who is impacted by our words,attitudes, and actions.Daniel didnt set out with the purpose of making animpression on others, but something about himaffected everyone who came incontact with himfrom lowly servants to kings of empires. What madethis young man stand out was his commitment to hisconvictions. He believed in the absolute truth of theScriptures. When he was taken to Babylon, he madeup his mindnot to defile himself with the kings foodbecause he knew that eating meat offered to idolswas forbidden by the Mosaic law.Daniels convictions,not his environment,determined his behavior. Our world offers amultitude of ways to compromise on what we know

is right, but if well make up our minds ahead oftime, we, too,can stand firm in our obedience toGod. Although an unbelieving world may mock ourvalues and lifestyle, their respect forus actually lessens when we waffle and give in totemptations. Whats worse, our witness for Christ isdamaged.Conviction about Gods truth is like an anchor. Whenthe winds of opinion blow and the waves oftemptation pound us, we canknow with certainty theright way to respond. Dont vacillate in yourobedience to the Lord. Your unwavering stand forwhats right can powerfully influence others.

The Power ofConsistencyDaniel 6:1-28

We live in a noncommittal world, where the ability topersevere through difficulty is a rare character trait.If a job is difficult or boring, its all too common forpeople to think,Why not quit and find anotherone?When a marriage becomes stressful andunhappy, its easier to give up or start over with anew mate. In fact, many couples live togetherwithout a marital commitment.Sadly, this lack ofconsistency is evident even amongbelievers. At the first sign ofconflict or

disagreement, some Christians hop to anotherchurch instead of remaining loyal to one local bodyof believers and working through their difficulties.And in our personal spiritual walks, many of usstruggle to maintain a consistent quiet time with theLord. Exhaustion or the demands of the day cause usto let that time slide as we pursue the things of thisworld.Daniel was a man of steadfast loyalty. Even the

awareness that he could be killed didnt interferewith his practice of praying three times a day. Suchdevotion to the Lord was noted by others. Jealoussatraps and commissioners used Daniels consistencyto trap him, but the king believed it would be the keyto his deliverance: Your God whom you constantlyserve will Himself deliver you (v. 16).The biblical descriptions of Daniel are impressive: heinfluenced nations and powerful leaders. But haveyou considered that the Lord was able to use himgreatly because of his unwavering obedience andworship? Just imagine what God can do with you, ifyou likewise commit yourself to Him.

February 3, 2011Our Way or God's Way

Exodus 2:11-25Whenever challenges come, there are two differentways to respond: Gods way or our way. Moses is anexample of a man who, on separate occasions, triedout both options. In todays passage, we see whathappened when he took matters into his own hands.Although his motives were purenamely, the reliefof his peoplessufferinghis method was wrong.Moses made three mistakes.1.He focused on the difficulty instead of on the

Lord. How often have you and I done the samething? The unfairness or pain of a situationgrabs ourattention and in our quest for a solution, we forgetour all-powerful God.2.He relied on his own strength andunderstanding.When a problem arises, the mostnatural response is to do what we can to make itright.3.He acted impulsively rather than waiting on theLord.If a situation seems urgent, fixing the problemas fast as possible becomes our top priority.Our way can look so logical at the time, but letsconsider how effective Moses was in achieving his

goal. An Egyptian was killed, but the Hebrew peoplewerent liberated. Moses was misunderstood bythose he tried to help, and his life took anunexpected detour into the desert for 40 long years.Weve all followed Mosesexample at some point andsuffered the consequences of self-reliance. But Goddidnt reject Moses and cancel His plans for him.Instead, He refined the future leaders characterthrough trials and gave him another chance. Dontyou think the Lord will do the same for us?

The Effectiveness of God's WayExodus 3:1-22


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Yesterday we observed the ineffectiveness of Mosesattempt to liberate his people from Egyptian slavery,but today we see him given a second chance to do itGods way. If we could learn the lessons Moseslearned about the dangers of self-reliance and theadvantages of depending on the Lord, we would saveourselves much hardship.When we choose to cooperate with God and submitto His way, He will do amazing things in and through

us. Despite Mosespast failure, the Lord still usedhim to accomplish the divine plan, but only after hebecame usablethat is, humbled and broken of self-will. Just consider what God achieved when Mosesdid it His way. He showed what great things He could do throughone yielded, dependent person. He got more done in less time, and with fewerresources. There was no insurrection or long, drawn-out warjust a dramatic display of His power. He proved the superiority of His way by freeingover two million people without the loss of a singleHebrew life. He sent impoverished slaves out of bondage withtheir captors riches (Ex. 3:21-22). He proved to both the Israelites and the Egyptiansthat He alone is the God of heaven and earth. He received all the glory.Our past failures never prevent Gods willingness orability to use us. In fact, our weakness is a greatopportunity for the display of His glory. In our ownstrength, we are totally ineffective. But when wesubmit to the Lords authority, we can experience Hisvictory in whatever He calls us to do.

Prayer-Based Planning

Luke 14:28-30In Luke 14, Jesusexample of building a tower showsthe importance of planning and using resourceswisely. Otherwise, money may run out before thework is done.Any financial plan should be covered with prayer.First, ask God for the wisdom to understand Histeachings about money and how they apply to yoursituation. Next, pray for clarity about all detailsincluding how much is earned as well as how much isspent.One final step is to seek the Lords guidance inassessing whether spending habits are in line with

His priorities. In evaluating this, it is helpful to divideexpenses into categories, including:1. Giving to the local church, missionaries, and otherorganizations2. Basicneedsfood,clothing, and housing3. Insurance, retirement plan, savings4. Debt, such as second mortgages, loans, and creditcards5. Personal spending on entertainment and extrascell phones,Internet,cable TV, eating out,vacations, etc.

Some of us will discover that our finances are not inline with scriptural principles, which may bediscouraging. If this is true of you, turn to the Lord,confess what has happened, and pray for thestrength to handle your God-given resources Hisway.Financial discipline is a learned skill. It requires acommitment to live according to Scripture, persistenteffort to change bad habits,concentration to develop

new ones, and faith that we can learn to liveaccording to Gods priorities. Were blessed when wepractice prayer-based planning.

Who Owns It All?1 Chronicles 29:10-14

A serious error has made its way into the church.Some Christians think that their beliefs and theirwallet belong in separate spheres. The truth is,financial health and obedience to God areinseparable. He owns everything (Hag. 2:8; Ps.24:1). Cash, possessions, and ways to earn more aregifts from the Lord; we are simply stewards.A steward oversees the use and care of someoneelses riches. A wise steward bases financialdecisions upon the owners rules for using andmultiplying material goods. In our case, God haswoven financial principles into the fabric of Scripture.Since money touches nearly every aspect of life, it ismentioned 2,300 times in many different contexts.For example, God urged the Israelites to stay faithfulto His teachings and to avoid the trap of self-reliance(Deut. 8:18). He reminded them that the power tomake wealth resides with Him rather than in theirown hands.The minute a steward presumes that he owns the

money he manages, mistakes are made. He stopsconsulting the Owner and spends as he sees fit. Evenin trying to do good, the wayward steward is ruledby his shortsighted perspective rather than Godsomnipotent view and gentle guidance. He will sufferthe consequences of violating Scriptures financialprinciples.Faith and finances are permanently intertwined. Thebottom line is that we cannot keep our money out ofGods hand, because He holds it allwe simplymanage it. And we are to do so in wise and biblicalways. A maturing believer follows the Lordsprinciples for using and growing wealth.

Unshakeable PeacePhilippians 4:6-7

Anxiety is the enemy of a peaceful life. People go togreat lengths to get rid of stress: travel ads promisethat vacations will sweep you away from it; gymsoffer to help you sweat it out; and popularmagazines suggest ways to lessen it by adjustingschedules or habits. The problem is that no one canadequately shift circumstances to achieve totalfreedom from heartache, burdens, or trouble.However, we can have unshakeable peace duringanxious times. Jesus said to seek peace in Him


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because He has overcome this troublesome world(John 16:33). The key is to shift our focus from thescary problem onto God, who lovingly provideswhatever we need from His limitless resources andpower (Ps. 50:10; Rom. 8:11).Serenity cant be manufacturedits a gift from ourheavenly Father. The Holy Spirit produces a sense ofcalm in believers who seek the Lords protectionagainst anxiety (Gal. 5:22). The Greek word

translated as guardin todays passage literallymeans to garrison about. God wraps hearts andminds in peace, effectively safeguarding both againstall-consuming worry or fear. Notice that He doesntmake problems go awaywe may still be underpressure or prone to weep, but were cushionedagainst anxiety and surrounded by peace instead.Todays verses tell us to pray rather thangive in toanxiety. These words are Pauls orders for doingbattle against the stresses and troubles of this world.Prayer keeps your mind and heart garrisoned withpeace. Keep trusting in God so that your defensesare strong and anxiety cannot slip in.

A Life of PeaceIsaiah 26:2-4

Your home offers protection from the elements. Sowhen a storm rolls in, you seek shelter within thesafety of those four walls. The same principle appliesto lifes storms. If weve built a solid house on afoundation of faith, then weve got a haven to run towhen darkclouds gather and anxiety threatens tooverwhelm us.Lets suppose Ive got a problem that has mefretting. My stomach is inknots. Friends and familytry to be understanding, but theyre growing weary

of me taking my heartache out on them. Im sofocused on this issue that it feels as ifIm carrying aload on my shoulders. God offers a liberatingalternative: Cast your burden upon [Me] and [I] willsustain you (Ps. 55:22). He does not erase the illsthat invade this life. Instead, He shields us from theweight of worry by taking situations into His ownhands.However, the call to a free and peaceful life goesunheeded unless a person has confidence in theLord. Trust is built through relationshipprayingduring daily trials and triumphs, seeking biblicalguidance for decisions, and testing Gods Word to

see that it is true and practical for this life. Thatshow a house of faith is constructed brick by brick onthe solid rock of Jesus Christ.A believer who trusts in God receives the peace thatPhilippians 4:7 promises. But unshakeable peaceisnt instantaneous; it is cultivated through aconsistent relationship with the Lord. A lifestyle ofdependence upon Him is the key to weatheringstorms with supernatural calm.

Being a Good StewardMatthew 25:19-23

Genesis 1 describes the Lords plan for creating theworld. Each day, He accomplished His purposes anddeclared that what He had made was good.Our plans are to be based on what God wants us toaccomplish. That includes looking at how we handleour finances. The heavenly Father has provided uswith our material resources and expects us tomanage them wisely. The Bible has many versesabout money that help us understand His

perspective and guide us in setting financial goals.Not everyone is inclined toward planning for thefuture. While some of us look ahead a month or two,others live day to day. Such shortsighted thinkingcan lead to high credit card debt, overdue bills, andinadequate savings. God wants to protect us fromrisky situations like these.Some of us already have a financial plan in place,and it is proceeding well: college education,vacations, and retirement are beingcovered. Weshould be careful to keep His priorities in mind.Otherwise, we can become too protective of what wehave. Luke 12:16-20 tells of a rich man who builtbigger barns for storage instead of sharing what hehadand the Lord called him a fool. We certainlydont want to be foolish in Gods eyes.Seeking Gods priorities for our spending, saving,and giving will help us be good stewards who use Hismoney wisely. Having a plan will help us stay ontrack. Imagine what can be accomplished as more ofus follow Gods instructions for handling money andinvest our resources in His kingdom work.

Our Inseparable RelationshipRomans 8:31-39

Far too many relationships in todays world are

uncertain. Disunity is found in marriages,churches,and international alliances. Yet theres onerelationship that is sure and permanent.The Lord designed people for intimate fellowship withHim. His love toward each of us is evidentthroughout the Bible. In fact, there is nothingtangible, intangible, past, present, or future that canseparate believers from the Fathers love. John10:14 draws a comparison between Jesus and agood shepherda man whose ultimate task isproviding for and protecting the flock. Christscharacter is one of passionate care for His people.First John 4:16 clearly states, God is love.If we

believe the Bible, then we cannot deny this factabout His nature.We also see evidence of divine love through theLords gifts and actions. For example, He created usin His image (Gen. 1:26). He sent His only Son to diein our place, and He forgives us of our sin debt (1Cor. 15:3). John 15:15 tells us that Christ calls usHis friendsand whats more, when we trust inJesus, God adopts us and considers us His children(Rom. 8:15). He even blesses us with anIntercessorand Helperthe Holy Spirit (John 14:26). The Wordis clear: God loves us passionately.


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The affection we experience in our families is only aglimpse of the great compassion and care that Godhas for you. Think about the people you treasuremost. Imagine what you would be willing to do ifthey experienced a need. How much more will ourheavenly Father be devoted to you!

No Greater LoveJohn 15:12-14

Perhaps the most intense love and protective instinct

in the experience of mankind is that of parentstoward their children. There is little that mostmothers or fathers wouldnt do for a baby. If a truckposed a threat to the little one, it wouldnt surpriseus if they jumped in front of the moving vehiclewithout a second thought.Wouldnt you like to be cared for with this kind ofintensity? You are. In fact, the Lords love towardyou is far deeper and more secure than that of eventhe most caring, tuned-in human parent. And whatGod did for us is proof. Romans 5:8 says that whilewe were living in disobedience, He sent His only Sonto die on the cross for us.Think about a father giving up his child for peoplewho choose to rebel against him. What a tremendoussacrifice and cost! Jesusdeath took the place of thepunishment that we deserved. If we accept this giftand decide to follow God, He no longer sees us asguilty. Rather, He justifies us, makes us righteous,and changes our ultimate destiny: instead of facingeverlasting separation from Him, we will enjoy Hispresence eternally. Whats more, almighty Godadopts us as His children forever. Our heavenlyFather guides, protects, and counsels us as we walkthrough lifeand promises us that we are secure in

Him throughout eternity.How incredible that the Creator of the universewould love you and me in this way! Do you know andexperience the security and sweetness of His care?Gratitude and praise should flow from your heart. Inturn, love others deeply out of thankfulness for thelove that you have received.

BiblicalLove1 Corinthians 13:1-8

In todays passage, Paul talks about love and itspreeminence over speech,knowledge,generosity,and self-sacrifice (vv. 1-3). The apostle thendescribes the nature of biblical love, which is patient,

kind, humble, and slow to anger (vv. 4-7).However, we often struggle as we try to practice thismodel of unselfish affection. One reason is that thegodly expression ofcaring doesnt come naturally tous. Pure Christian love puts the other person aheadof our own interests, even when our humaninclinations clamor to place self first (v. 5).A second challenge is the temptation to withholdaffection until others apologize or change theirbehavior. We remember their offense long after ithas occurred. Thats not what our Lord didHe loved

us while we were still sinners and forgave us foreverything (Rom. 5:8; Luke 23:34).Furthermore, it is easier to point out someone elsesunkindness toward us than to see where we havefallen short. Perhaps a close friend has spokenimpatiently to us and we responded with angrywords. How easily we can use Scripture to point outher mistake, but how hard to admit our own.We are called to be loving towards God as well as

those around us (Mark 12:30-31). Weve receivedthe Holy Spirit, who will help us learn how to caredeeply for others.Experiencing Gods affection and demonstrating it toothers are to be two of our greatest joys. Take timeto memorize the attributes of biblical love, and lookfor ways to practice them in your relationships. Intimes of stress, think about the list, and let thepower of love transform your response.

Love's Hidden Enemy1 Corinthians 13:9-13

The apostle Paul wrote that he once reasoned like achild, but he had now put childish ways behind him(1 Cor. 13:11). He was referring to the spiritualmaturity process, whereby a believers self-centeredideas are replaced by a healthier perspective.But maturation is just thataprocessso someimmature thinking may linger with the Christian.Based on our childhood experiences,we maywrongly believe . . . Lie #1Gods love for us depends on how good weare. We act as if our behavior can positively ornegatively impact His affection for us. But Scripturetells us that the Lords love is constant; it nevervaries.

Lie #2Acceptance by others has to do withperformance,not who we are. With this mindset, weconstantly try to please other people. But we canrest in the truth that God has adopted every believerinto His family; we are fully accepted. Lie #3Our security rests in social status, materialthings, or some other worldly prize.This leads to anxiety and manipulation as weattempt to acquire what we lack. The truth is, wellexperience peace when we realize Christ is our truesource of security.These erroneous ideas represent a hidden enemy oflove, because godly affectioncant flourish with

immature attitudes. We must replace such beliefswith biblical truth.Paul calls us to move toward maturity in our thinkingand behavior. Clinging to immature ways caninterfere with our sense of peace, security, and joy.But knowing the truth about Gods acceptance andrecognizing that our security is in Him alone will leadto relationships characterized by His love.

The Power of the Holy SpiritLuke 24:44-53


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The principle we will explore today is basic but sopowerful that it determines whether we experiencevictory in our lives.You are probably familiar with the bookThe LittleEngineThat Could, in which a small engine keepsrepeating the words I thinkIcan. By using sheerwillpower, she pulls an entire train over themountain. Thats a nice childrens story, but thetruth of the Christian life is very different. In the real

world, our efforts and determination often fall short.Only by walking in the power of the Holy Spirit canthe godly life be achieved.Throughout the Old Testament, Gods Spirit wouldtemporarily come upon saints for a particular work.However, after Jesus ascended to heaven, He sentthe Spirit to dwell permanently within each believer.Consider what this means: If youre a Christian, Godis living inside of you, available to help all throughlife by providingguidance,comfort, andempowerment.Obedience to Christ is too difficult for anyone relyingon his own strength. And discerning what to do inevery situation is far too complicated for a fleshlymind. For some reason, though, Christians often tryto live life by depending on their own energy andreasoning. Defeat and failure are unavoidablewithout His power in our lives.Do you recognize your need for the Lord? Begin eachday confessing your dependence upon Him. Ask tobe filled with His Spirit so that all you think, do, andsay will be an overflow from Him. Then trust Him towork in mighty ways through you. Watch whatalmighty God can do.

The Spirit's Work

Acts 2:38-39There is an abundance of failure in the community offaith today. Sadly, its all too common to findbelievers who arent living as Scripture teachesandthey are missing out on the joy and peace that Jesuspromised. The reason? When followers of Christ dontrecognize the need to live in the Spirit, they attemptto push through each day in their own strength.On Pentecost, Gods Spirit came to indwell believers.He is a gift, blessing us in many ways. Lets considersome of the works He does. The Holy Spirit . . . Convicts our hearts of sin so that we can repentand be right with God (John 16:8).

Regenerates us. We are new beings, alive in Christ(2 Cor. 5:17). Seals us forever as a child of the Almighty (Eph.1:13). We dont ever have to fear the loss of oursalvation. Teaches,guides,counsels, and empowers usthroughout life (John 14:26). Left to our owndevices, we confuse truth with deception, but Godbrings clarity. Gifts and enables us to do the work God hasplanned for us (Eph. 2:10; for a list of spiritual gifts,see also 1 Cor. 12).

Bears fruit through us (Gal. 5:22-23). As we areobedient to what God calls us to do, we get to watchHim work in mighty ways.All these benefits are available to everyone whofollows Jesus Christ. Unfortunately, we too oftenbypass all of these by attempting to live in our ownmeager strength. The Christian life is this: Christliving His life in and through us by the power of theHoly Spirit of the living God.

Big Anxieties, Little FaithMatthew 6:25-30

Stressful situations come in a variety of forms andintensities, and in this earthly existence, we willnever be totally free of them. However, theimportant issue is, What are we going to do with ouranxiety? If we let it dominate, fretfulness canbecome a way of life. But if we believe what theBible says about God and His care for us, we willexperience an awesome liberation from worry.Do you sometimes doubt whether our heavenlyFather really cares about the ordinary things thatcause you anxiety? After all, Hes got the entireuniverse to run, and your issues are so small incomparison. Consider how inconsequential birds andflowers are, yet Jesus says that the Father cares forthem (Matt. 6:26). Dont you think you are worthmuch more to Him than they are?At times we let ourselves get all worked up andstressed out because were trying to changesomething that is beyond our control. Just as no onecan add a single day to the length of his life, so thereare some situations that we are powerless to alter.But the sovereign Ruler of the universe loves us andholds everything in His handsincluding our stressfu

and seemingly out-of-control situations. Therefore,we have no reason to fret or fear.Perhaps the biggest reason we worry is because wedont trust the Lord. Anxiety is no more thanunbelief. The Bible is filled with Gods promises toprovide, but so often we doubt that He will. If youcan trust Him for your eternal security,cant youalso trust Him for your earthly needs?

A Divine GuaranteeMatthew 6:31-34

Todays passage contains one of the most amazingpromises in all of Scripture. If we truly believed itand lived accordingly, our lives would be

transformed, and worry would lose its grip on us. Yetif we keep seeking our security in the things theworld valuesbank accounts, stable jobs, and astrongnational and global economywe will be filledwith anxiety at every fluctuation.Instead, why not take God up on His guarantee inMatthew 6:33? Make Him your number one priority,seeking both His kingdom (His rule over you) and Hisrighteousness (His transformation of you). What thatmeans is obeying His instructions and submitting towhatever He uses to transform your character,whether it be hardship, suffering, or ease. What Im


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talking about is not a sinless life but, rather, thedesire to live in Gods will and become increasinglylike Christ.When we make a commitment toward that goal, theLord promises to take full responsibility for providingwhatever we need. Now, this doesnt mean that Hewill give us everything we ask for, but arent yougrateful that He doesnt? Just think back to some ofthe foolish things youve requested in the past. He

alone knows what our true needs are.The spiritual benefits of living in Gods will areamazing, but our loving Father doesnt stop thereHe commits to provide for our physical needs aswell. So even though each day has its own trouble(v. 34), you can rest in the faithfulness of the Fatherand trust Him to keep His Word.

The Foundation of WisdomProverbs 9:7-12

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom(Prov. 9:10). Initially, the connection between thesetwo concepts may be difficult to grasp: How canfearing God make us wise?First, we need to understand what it means to fearthe Lord. This term is used to describe an awesomereverence for God that moves us to acknowledgeHim as the sovereign ruler of heaven and earth,submit to His will, and walk in obedience. The resultof such a response will be the acquisition of wisdom.Those who commit themselves to living for Godspurposes rather than their own will gaingreaterunderstanding of Him. The Holy Spirit will enablethem to see circumstances and people from Hisdivine perspective. This kind of wisdom reachesbeyond human perception and gives us discernment

to make decisions that fit into the Lords plans forour lives. Knowing that He always works for our bestinterests, we are empowered to walkconfidentlythrough both good and bad times.But those who reject Gods instructions dishonor Himwith their refusal to acknowledge His right to ruletheir lives. Its foolish to rebel against His authorityand think you can ever win. Those who wont fearGod will never know real wisdom.What is your attitude toward the Lord? If you trulyreverence Him, you will listen for His directions andheed His warnings. A desire to honor and please Himwill motivate you to turn from evil and seek to live in

obedience. And the result will be wisdom beyondhuman understanding.

Walking WiselyEphesians 5:15-17

When Paul exhorts us to walk wisely, he gives threeinstructions to help us make godly choices. First, hesays tobe careful how you walk (Eph. 5:15). Because welive in a morally corrupt society, we must be vigilantabout the way we think and act. Unless wedeliberately choose to guard ourselves, we will

simply do what comes naturally and go along withcultural influences.Next, in verse 16, the apostle instructs us to makethe most of our time. The Lord has entrusted each ofus with 24 hours per day and various opportunitiesto participate in His plans for us. But so often we aretempted to squander our time and energy on ourown pursuits without a thought of what our heavenlyFather may have in mind for us.

In verse 17, Paul lays out the final exhortation: tounderstand what the will of the Lord is.In itsbroadest sense, Gods will for us is that we wouldeach become the person He created us to be and dothe work He planned for us to accomplish (Eph.2:10). Knowing this, we should look at everydecision with consideration of whether our choice willfurther or hinder our heavenly Fathers purposes forus. To live thoughtlessly outside of His will is foolish.The Lord wants us to walk wisely so that we canenjoy all the marvelous benefits that Hes promisedin His Word and longs to give us. Wastedopportunities and time misspent cannever bereclaimed. Lets commit to make our lives count forChrist instead of merely living for ourselves.

Our Missionary MissionActs 13:1-4

Paul and Barnabas set the standard for the churchsmission work when they obeyed Gods call to goforth. The local body of believersthose left behindto share Christ with neighbors and friendsequippedthe men for their journey. They did so for the samereasons that apply today:1. The spiritual condition of mankind. Romans1:21-32 describes this sinful world. Unchecked sin

leads people down a slippery slope toward adepraved conscience and, ultimately, a darkenedmind that cannot perceive what is right. Everyunbelieving person is sliding on that treacherouspath.2. Gods spiritual provision. The Father respondedto mankinds plight with grace: He sent His only SonJesus Christ to save the world. On the cross, Christbore the sin of every personliving,no longer alive,and yet to be born. The offer of salvation is for all;Gods grace is blind to race,creed, and color (Rom.10:12). Those who believe in Jesus are forgiven theirsin, and they will spend eternity with the Lord.

3. The commission from Jesus Christ. Acts 1:8says we receive the Holy Spirit so we may beareffective witness to those who need salvation. Noticethat we dont simply begin at home and worksteadily outward. People everywhere are waiting forthe Good News. The word is to be carried far andfast.The purpose of the church is to worship and witness.Some will go and some will send, but all are called tothe work of spreading the gospel. This is not asuggestion; it is a command (Matt. 28:19). Believers


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living in Gods will are all to be involved inmissionary work.

The Missionary QuestionRomans 10:11-15

At every missions conference hosted by my church,Igive God the same message Ive been repeatingsince my early 20s: Im available, Lord. Ill go toforeign fields if you say so. Until He tells me to packmy bags,Im going to keep on sending others to

work among unbelievers in distant and even remotelands.Paul asked a series of rhetorical questions in Romans10 that can be summed up like this: How will theworld hear about Jesus if you do nothing? God usesChristians to spread the word that His salvation planis available to all. He put us in families andcommunities and nations so we will mingle and sharewhat we know. But some believers are called tocarry the gospel farther than others. Those who staybehind are to offer prayer and resources for thosewho travel.If youre shaking your head and thinking,Missionwork isnt where my heart is,I have news for you:Every believer is called to missions as either a goeror a sender. That call comes in dramatic ways forsome, but for most of us, it is simply a biblicalprinciple to be followed (Matt. 28:19). Whatsmissing for those who dont have a heart for suchwork is passion. Christians who share and go andsend are often excited about Gods message forunbelieversand its possible for you to becomemore enthusiastic too.Ichallenge you to ask the Lord, Am I open to goinganywhere You send me? Our roots in a community

should be sunk only as deep as God wills. If youarent called to go, thenchoose to be a sender. Offeryour prayers, your money, and anything else thatwill help to put others on the mission field.

The Missionary CallMatthew 4:18-22

Ive heard every reason you can imagine for avoidingmissionary service: I havent been to seminary. Icant preach. Im too old. My family wont go forit. On and on the list goes. Let me tell you thatthere are thousands of active missionaries who oncethought that God couldnt use them either. I oftenhave the privilege of hearing their stories of how the

Lord turned resistance into enthusiasm.People can offer God plenty of reasons why Heshouldnt call them to spread the gospel. But His callis not issued for our consideration; He expects aresponse of obedience and surrender.A believer is accountable only to say yes to Godscall. It is the Lords responsibility to equip the chosenfor the work Hes assigned. A personal plan has beenmapped for each believers life, and God provides thepersonality and temperament that suits. Then Headds skills that can be developed and the spiritualgifts necessary to fulfill His mission.

God makes His call with wisdom and discernment.He knows why He created you and what yourecapable of accomplishing in His strength (Eph. 2:10)Rejecting the invitation to serve Him is foolish. Itwould be like telling almighty God that He made amistake. But surrender opens the door to a lifetimeof service, blessing, and joy!Mission workcan occur near or far. You could serve:at home by writing to prisoners; down the street by

dishing out meals at a shelter; across the nation byproviding flood relief; or in a foreign land bytranslating the gospel. In short, a missionary callingis whatever God tells you to do.

Hearing the CallActs 6:4

God has issued some dramaticcalls to service.Moses heard His voice from a burning bush (Ex. 3).Isaiah saw a vision of heavens throne room (Isa. 6).However, a spectacle is the exception rather thanthe rule. For most who follow the Lord to the missionfield, His call is a persistent tug on the heart. It is awhisper in their spirit asking, How will they knowGod unless someone tells them? (Rom. 10:14).Its better if the Lord doesnt have to use drama toget our attention. Consider stubborn Saul whoneeded a serious talking to and temporary blindnessto get him on the mission field (Acts 26:13-18). Iknow Id rather hear the Lords still small voice!People can try to ignore the heart tug, block theever-present question with activity, or satisfy it bygiving money rather than themselves. Some outrightsay no. But the call persists. Gods will is set and Hisplan is steadfast. Though we may run, we cantescape His call to obey (Jonah 1:1; 3:1).

The road of obedience will certainly be marked withchallenges. But difficulty is part of any lifeat homeor abroad, in mission work or a traditional job.Thankfully, the rewards of serving are greater thanany hardship. Remember that Jesus promised Petera hundred-fold return on his investment in thekingdom (Mark 10:28-30).Carrying the gospel is a great opportunity to serveGod. What better way to thank Him for saving usand writing our name in the Book of Life than toshare that experience with others. If the Lords stillsmall voice is calling you, say yes and see whatamazing, life-changing work He can do through you.

Obeying GodDaniel 1:1-8

The story of Daniel illustrates some key elements ofobedience. We see the wise young man doing whatthe Lord com-manded, in the right manner andtiming.Daniel knew that Gods law prohibited eating foodthat had been offered to idols. But he was living incaptivity in Babylona nation that worshiped falsegodsand soon faced a hard decision. KingNebuchadnezzarhad ordered that the choicest of foods be sent for


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Daniels meals after first being presented to idols.Was it better to obey the Lord and risk angering thekingor to disobey God and please the ruler?On the surface, the question for Daniel was aboutunacceptable food. But the underlying issue wasallegiance to God. He could have rationalizedbreaking the divine command by telling himself hewas a servant and had no choice. Instead, Danielresolved not to eat the royal food and sought a way

through the dilemma that would honor the Lord andkeep His law.Today, many things that our world finds acceptableare outside Gods protective boundaries for Hischildren. Some are not good for us while others donot honor Him. Our desire as Christians is to obeythe Lord, but our fleshly side wants to pleaseourselves and others. Yet denying self and obeyingGod is always the right choice.To become like Daniel, we must make awholehearted commitment to follow the Lord andconsistently apply Scripture to our decision making.Then, whenchallenges come, well have the courageto obey Gods commands. Our Father is pleasedwhen we choose a lifestyle of obedience like Daniels.

A Commitment to ObeyDaniel 1:9-21

Years ago I made a commitment to obey the Lordregardless of the cost. Like everyone else,I havemade mistakes, but my determination to followChrist has remained unchanged. When difficultiesoccur, such a pledge helps a person to stand firm.We all will encounter times when theres a directconflict between Gods way and what is being askedof us. Perhaps the boss tells us to misrepresent the

companys product to customers. Or a friend may bepressuring us to join her in some risky behavior. Orfamily members may urge us to lie on their behalf.Sayingno could bring loss, rejection, or even theend of a relationship. On the other hand,going alongwith the request could compromise our Christianwitness or break Gods commands.Daniel faced such a dilemma. He and his threefriends had a clear choiceto eat food prohibited byScripture, or to refuse and incur the kings wrath,imprisonment, or even death. Daniel showed greatcourage when he proposed a different eating plan(Dan. 1:12). His words and actions demonstrated his

allegiance to the Lord.Daniel and his friends were rewarded by God fortheir faith and commitment (v. 17). Despite theiradverse circumstances, all four young menconfidently trusted in the Lords sovereigncare forthem.Daniels choice resulted in royal favor. Jesusobedience led to the cross and glorification. Paulstrust in Christ resulted in hardship. When we obey,the consequences may vary, but two things arealways the same: obedience glorifies our Father andpleases Him. What could be better than that?

Bring the Gospel to the WorldMatthew 28:19-20

When a teacher gives an assignment,good studentstake it seriously. They do whats required,give theirbest effort, and complete the work in a timelymanner.Before ascending to heaven, Jesus gave us acommandmentan assignment, reallybut toomany Christians are half-hearted about completing

the task. Christ told His followers to share the goodnews about salvation and make disciples of allnations. Some believers do dedicate themselves tothis work. But many are either too busy or too timidto commit their lives in this way.If we are to emulate Jesus (John 13:15), then ouractions and words should touch people as His did.Recipients of the Saviors love were forever changed.As His followers, we have the Holy Spirit residingwithin us, which means we have access to the samepower that raised Christ from the dead (Rom. 8:11)!So by sharing the gospel, providing encouragement,and offeringcomfort, we, too,can impact otherslives. Jesus commanded that the good news go outto all nations. Ofcourse,not everyone can move toanother country. Some believers hear Gods call andgo. Others stay, but theyre still called to touch thosearound them. They can also assist overseas missionsby financially and prayerfully supportingkingdomefforts on foreign soil.Our Lord was serious about telling His followers toshare the gospel. Consider how you spend your timeand your money. Does this indicate obedience to themost important assignment you have ever received?What changes must you make to give Jesus

commandment top priority?Carry the Light

Psalm 96:2-3In the New Testament, the word lightis identifiedwith goodness and holiness.Darkness, on the otherhand, is frequently associated with unrighteousnessor evil.Jesus described Himself as the Light of the world(John 9:5). He invited the people to put their trust inHim so that they might become sons of light (John12:36). The apostle Johncalled Jesus the trueLight, who gives illumination to all (John 1:9). Ourenemy Satan, who masquerades as an angel of light,

has blinded the eyes of many so they do notrecognize the truth of the gospel message. As aresult, they fail to believe (2 Cor. 4:4).The word lighthas significance for believers too. Atsalvation, we were transferred from the domain ofdarkness into the kingdom of light (Col. 1:12-13niv). Freed from slavery to sin, we were adopted byour heavenly Father and given a future home inheaven as well as a new family nowour brothersand sisters in Christ. We are no longer in darkness;instead, we walk in the illumination of the HolySpirit.


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Now we are children of light (Eph. 5:8), and ourcalling is to carry the truth about salvation andeternal life to an unbelieving world. Jesus hascommissioned us to share the gospel message andto live it out in our daily life.The apostle Paul understood what it meant to carrythe light of the gospel to others. He dedicatedhimself to sharing the good news with those who didnot believe and to nurturing the faith of other

Christians. Like Paul, we are called to be lightbearers to those around us.

The Moments that Sustain UsPsalm 145:1-5

When life falls apart, how do you cope? All of us facecircumstances that challenge our peaceand someof these situations are very painful and prolonged.Unless we have purposeful focus, joy fades and hopeseems unattainable.King David experienced extreme hardships, includingthe profound grief of losing a child and a best friend.And King Saul, for selfish reasons, pursued him in anattempt to take his life. Later, Davids own son led arebellion against him. As drastic as these trials are,they were just four of the many difficulties heendured. Yet even in times of deep suffering, Davidfound hope and peace in God.How was his soul sustained when others in similarsituations would have drowned in despair? Davidknew how to meditate. He focused his mind andspirit on GodHis character, ways, and willin orderto know the Lord better and to obey Him.We should be following Davids example. Our roleduring difficulty is to set our eyes on our heavenlyFather and meditate on His Word. The Psalms

document the depth and passion for which theshepherd and soon-to-be king delighted himself inGod. By continually pondering the attributes andways of the Lord, he found solace in the midst ofturmoil.What subjects consume your thoughts during theday? Do you have time set aside to dwell solely onthe Lord? Perhaps you can remind yourselfperiodically to bring your attention back to yourCreatorone way is to read several of the Psalmsand notice how the author refocuses on the almightyGod.

Living Above Circumstances

Philippians 1:12-18While under house arrest, Paul wrote his letter to thePhilippians. The apostle could receive visitors butcouldnt travel. Despite living in a home, Paul wasmore than likely chained to a Roman soldier 24hours a day. Moreover, because he knew that a trialwas years away, these were his livingconditions forthe foreseeable futureperhaps for the rest of hislife.Under such circumstances, Paul might have beentempted to cry out to heaven for release. After all,God had called him to preach, to disciple believers,

and to reach the Gentiles. But he was stuck in Rome,unable to plant new churches or visit those whom hewas nurturing by letter. Beside being unjust, theimprisonment was keeping him from important work.Surely, if anyone had a right to gripe, it was Paul,whod endured persecution, shipwreck, and beatingsfor the gospel. Yet he never once complained. Hisletter to the church at Philippi is filled with rejoicing,as focusing on God let him live above his

circumstances (Phil. 4:8).The more we talk and complain about a situation,the worse it looks, until the problem looms larger inour mind than our faith does. Conversely,carryingchallenges straight to God keeps matters inperspective. The Lord is bigger than any hardship.On His strength, we rise above the difficulty.Problems can look so big and unwieldy that theydistort our perspective. God invites us to live aboveour circumstances by fastening our eyes upon Him.The trials of this life shrink whencompared to ourloving, powerful Lord, who exercises His might indefense of His people.

God's SovereigntyEphesians 1:11

Some people question whether the Lord is truly incontrol. They learn about tragedies in the world andwonder if perhaps God isnt powerful enough toovercome all evil. Or they encounter what seems likean insurmountable obstacle in their own life andcome to the conclusion,MaybeHis power is limited.My friend, we do not understand everything thathappens in this life. But we know from Scripture thatGod has ultimate authority: The Lord hasestablished His throne in the heavens, and

Devotional Dec 21-2012

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