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Devotion: Betrayals
Betrayals
If an enemy were insulting me, I could endure it; if a foe were raising himself against me, I could hide from him. But it is you, a man like myself, my companion, my close friend. - Psalm 55:12-13 "You will always be attacked in the place of your inheritance," said the man sitting across the breakfast table. "God has called you to bring people together and to impact other people's lives as a result of this anointing in your life. You must make sure that you seek to maintain righteousness in all of your relationships." Those words came from someone who had the wisdom and authority to speak them to me. I have had a number of close relationships that ended in betrayal. I am very loyal to my friends and those with whom I have covenant relationships. Yet there are times that no matter how righteous you are, when someone means to betray you, he will do it. Loving those who betray you is "graduate-level Christianity." The religious community and one of His closest friends betrayed Jesus. Those who were closest to David betrayed him. Joseph's own family betrayed him. Loving our enemies cannot be accomplished by mustering it up. It can only happen when we have come to a death in ourselves so that Christ can love through us. It is truly one of those acts of identifying with the cross. If you are a leader, you can be sure God will allow you to experience betrayal. It is one of those courses in the Kingdom that may not be required until God has seen that you have successfully passed other tests. It is the most difficult and most gut wrenching of all tests. A godly response goes against all that is in us. Our natural response is to protect, retaliate, and retain unforgiveness and bitterness. Our natural response is satan's most powerful weapon; to overcome it requires much grace from God. Ask God to build His nature in you now so that when such attacks come, you will be aware that it is a test and you will respond in righteousness. |
Devotion: Faith Proved Genuine
Faith Proved Genuine
"Even one of their own prophets has said, 'Cretans are always liars, evil brutes, lazy gluttons.' This testimony is true. Therefore, rebuke them sharply, so that they will be sound in the faith and will pay no attention to Jewish myths or to the commands of those who reject the truth" (Titus 1:12-15). In December 1983, The Princeton Religion Research Center published a landmark survey conducted for The Wall Street Journal by the Gallup Organization. The researchers measured a wide range of moral and ethical behaviors, such as calling in sick when not sick, cheating on income tax, and pilfering company supplies for personal use. The results were disappointing, to say the least. But what the researchers found most startling was that there was no significant difference between the churched and the unchurched in their ethics and values on the job. In other words, despite the fact that more and more people were attending churches, churches seemed to be having less and less of an impact on the moral fiber of their people, at least in the workplace. To quote the researchers: "These findings will come as a shock to the religious leaders and underscore the need for religious leaders to channel the new religious interest in America not simply into religious involvement but in deep spiritual commitment." "Either these are not the gospels, or we're not Christians," said Thomas Linacre, Henry VIII's doctor and Renaissance thinker, after given the four gospels in Greek. Linacre recognized a great disparity between those who proclaimed Christ and how they lived their lives. If our faith life is not validated through our behavior then one must question if we even have a genuine relationship with Christ. The apostle Paul didn't like what he saw in the believers on the island of Crete. They proclaimed Christ with their mouth, but their behavior looked no different than those who did not claim Christ. Pray that your faith is "proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed" (1 Peter 1:7-8). |
Devotion: I Cannot Believe You Think That
I Cannot Believe You Think That
"Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom" (James 3:13-14). "I can't believe you think I said that," he complained to his wife. "I was simply trying to explain that I don't have the same feelings about that issue as you do." Her response left little empathy for his position because of the tone in which he responded to her. We resigned ourselves to agree to disagree. We all see things through our own set of glasses at times. Men view things differently than women. Bosses see things differently than employees. One ethic group will see a situation totally different than another. Our life experiences, our past treatment of circumstances and our personalities all contribute to how we view situations in daily life. Perception is often each person's reality whether that reality is true or not. Your perception of a situation is going to dictate your response more than the actual reality of it. Whenever conflict arises from viewing things differently there is really only one way to resolve the difference. Usually the other person is offended by the tone of the other more than the position that is taken. If the other person is offended, we can only offer a few words: "I'm sorry. Will you forgive me for my tone?" Humbling ourselves is the only way to resolve the relational breach. This does not mean you must agree with the other person's position, it simply means you acknowledge their right to their position and you apologize for the manner in which you responded to their statements. This will usually allow most conflicts to avoid a breach in the relationship. Is there someone you need to seek forgiveness from for taking an adversarial position? |
Devotion: Power
Power
By Bill Money "...for nothing is impossible with God." Luke 1:37 This is a challenging verse. Do you and I believe it to be true? Do we act like we believe it to be true? We are dealing with God's character here. He has made it clear that nothing is impossible for Him. Jesus said: "Everything is possible for the one who believes". Mark 9:23 This verse describes God working in ways that are beyond human comprehension in and for someone who believes in Him. If nothing is truly impossible with God, then everything is possible for the one who believes in Him, who believes His word to be true, and believes that He rewards those who seek Him. This is not because of the personÔÇÖs belief, but because of God choosing to exercise unlimited power in and through the life of the person who believes in Him. What makes GodÔÇÖs promises significant is that the One making the promises has the ability to carry them out. That is the foundation of the promises. The promises are only as good as the One making the promises, and that is the center point of faith. Do we believe with an assurance of things hoped for and a conviction of things unseen (Hebrews 11:1) that nothing is impossible with God? Do we believe that so strongly that we are willing to take action accordingly and take risks because of that belief? That is the essence of faith, and "without faith it is impossible to please God". The Lord sums up this issue of power in His word to Zerubbabel: ÔÇ£not by might nor by power but by my Spirit" says the Lord Almighty (Zechariah 4:6). The purpose of the promises is not to get what we want, but to experience God working through us and exhibiting His unlimited power through us, so the world might know Him. He has given us an impossible assignment to accomplish, an assignment that is far beyond our ability to do. Impossible assignments require unlimited power that only God possesses, but He has promised to provide that power to us if we will trust Him and believe those promises to be true. |
good read on young women being killed for their beliefs, makes it seem kinda like we are weak sissies.
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontl.../perpetua.html Perpetua and Felicitas One of the most amazing documents historians of early Christianity are privileged to have the prison diary of a young woman who was martyred in either 202 or 203 in Carthage, as part of a civic celebration. Her name is Vibia Perpetua. The Christian community in Carthage was probably at this time around 2,000 in a city of half a million. Perpetua had been arrested, along with the slaves Felicitas and Revocatus, and Saturninus and Secundulus. Soon one Saturus, who deliberately declared himself a Christian before the judge, was also incarcerated. The account of her martyrdom reveals one of the characteristics of Latin-speaking North African Christianity: its profound respect for the martyr. After Cyprian, Perpetua became the most venerated martyr in the North African Church. Augustine preached three sermons on her martyrdom |
Devotion: Being Useful for the Kingdom
Being Useful for the Kingdom
By Bill Moeny ÔÇØFor our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the world powers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens.ÔÇØ Ephesians 6:12 You and I deeply desire for God to use us to further His kingdom here on earth. One of the major joys of running a company for Christ is experiencing God working through us to accomplish things we never could do and to impacting the lives of other people through the business. It is exciting to see Him work so powerfully in and through us. Have you ever been on the threshold of something significant with your business or life, where you sensed God was about to act in a mighty way? Have you sensed He wanted to impact many people through what He is doing with His business entrusted to your stewardship? Did you see things getting very difficult? Did you recognize the adversaryÔÇÖs voice whispering lies in your ears? Lies against the work God was doing? Did you experience people coming against you when they should have been supporting you? Did you observe things ÔÇÿgoing wrongÔÇÖ in this time? As Ephesians 6 states, we do not battle against people, but against principalities and powers and spiritual forces in high places. And the spiritual forces do not want your company to succeed. They do not want to see you become influential for God's Kingdom. They do not want you to be impacting other lives through the business. So, they come against you. We think the people are misbehaving, that they are not doing what they committed to do. They break their promises. That is the adversary trying to derail the project or agreement. And we have to fight spiritual battles with spiritual weapons. We have to pray for protection for our family and for the business, for customers and those with which we are trying to reach an agreement (John 17:12.) We have to claim JesusÔÇÖ authority over the spiritual powers that He so clearly expressed in Matthew 28:18: "All authority on heaven and earth has been given to me." We have to pray against these unclean spirits and their schemes to destroy us and the business entrusted to us. We need to state and restate the basics of our salvation (ÔÇ£putting on the helmet of salvationÔÇØ) and we need to trust that Jesus is able to take care of every issue facing us. We need to repeat the promises that He has made back to Him verbally when we sense we are being attacked. We need to cling to what we know to be true (ÔÇ£putting up the shield of faithÔÇØ) and dismiss the lies of the adversary. This takes time, focused intentional time in prayer, to combat the lies and deceptions and attacks of the evil one. It takes time studying the Scriptures so we know what is true and can recognize and dismiss the lies of the adversary. Without this protection, we become easy prey for the adversary, and he will wreak havoc in the business. |
this is a repeat, but most of us don't understand no matter what..
Devotion: Understanding the Source of Anger
Understanding the Source of Anger "A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control." - Proverbs 29:11 The workplace can be a pressure-packed world. The demands that are often put on us can bring out things that we never knew were there. Sometimes we begin to think that the source of that pressure is to blame for our response to the pressure. It could be an event, a spouse, a boss, a client, a child, or even a driver who cuts us off in traffic. I recall responding to a close friend one time, "If you had not done that, I would never have responded that way." Later I learned that this response had little truth to it. We all choose to get angry. No one else is to blame for our anger. "The circumstances of life, the events of life, and the people around me in life, do not make me the way I am, but reveal the way I am" [Dr. Sam Peeples]. This simple quote has had a profound impact on how I view my anger now. Anger only reveals what is inside of me. I can't blame anyone but me for my response to a situation. I have learned that anger is only the symptom of something else that is going on inside of me. This quote now resides on my refrigerator door as a daily reminder of the truth about my response to life's situations. It has been said that anger is like the warning panel on the dash of your car. It is the light that tells us something is going on under the hood and we need to find out what is the source of the problem. I discovered that the source of anger is often unmet expectations or personal rights. We believe we are entitled to a particular outcome to a situation. When this doesn't happen, it triggers something in us. At the core of this is fear, often a fear of failure or rejection, fear of what others think, fear of the unknown. If you struggle with anger, ask God to reveal the source of that anger. Ask Him to heal you of any fears that may be the root of your anger. Ask God to help you take responsibility for your response to difficult situations. |
Devotion: Living for a Cause Greater Than Yourself
Living for a Cause Greater Than Yourself
"I can do everything through Him who gives me strength." - Philippians 4:13 In the thirteenth century a man named William Wallace became the instrument of freedom from England's tyranny over Scotland. A very wicked king ruled England. A tragedy in the life of William Wallace launched him into living for this cause. Initially his cause was revenge, but soon his cause turned to something bigger than himself - freedom for a nation. When he challenged the commoners to fight for this freedom, they responded that the enemy was too great and that they might die on the battlefield. They also refused to fight for the nobles, the knights and leaders who had a vested interest in gaining more land for themselves versus a pure cause of freedom. Wallace's response: "Yes, we might die. We will all die sooner or later. But we will die for a cause worth dying for. So that our children and their children might live in freedom." This story was popularized in the movie Brave Heart. Today we find many Christian workplace believers living a status quo relationship with God that is more characterized as "business as usual" than a life demonstrating God's power. Our focus is often more concerned with improving our standard of living than improving the Kingdom of God through our circle of influence. While this takes place, millions upon millions die without the saving grace of Christ. Many other Christians die never experiencing the freedom in Christ that His blood paid for. God has called each of us to live for a cause greater than ourselves - a life that is dependent on His grace and power to achieve things we never thought possible through our lives. This is His plan for your life. The apostle Paul prayed that He might experience the power of the resurrection in his life. This power is available to you and me to live for a cause greater than ourselves. Ask God what He wants to achieve through your life today. And consider yourself dead already to the consequences of what that might mean for you. |
Devotion: God Is Not About YOUR Success
God Is Not About YOUR Success
"I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life" (John 12:24-26). God is all about your death so that HIS success can be realized through you! This is why the Church is having such little impact - there are too many believers who have not yet died to their old nature so that Christ can live fully through them. When believers come to the end of themselves they will lose their lives to Him and live through the power of the Holy Spirit and begin to see the reality of a living gospel that impacts lives, workplaces, cities and nations. "Much of modern Christian enterprise is 'Ishmael.' Born not of God, but of an inordinate desire to do God's will in our own way - the one thing our Lord never did," said Oswald Chambers. The psalmist describes what it means to live in our own strength: "Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain. In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat - for he grants sleep to those He loves" (Psalms 127:1-2). How does one die so that Christ can be our all and all? It usually takes a crisis of significant proportions for most people to relinquish the control of their lives. It means we come to the end of ourselves and our striving to control the events in our lives and we finally come to the place where we can say, "Lord, I surrender. Please take full control of my life." Have you come to this place with God in your life? Let go and let God make you a success His way. |
Devotion: Knowing the Risk and Reward
Knowing the Risk and Reward
"David asked the men standing near him, 'What will be done for the man who kills this Philistine and removes this disgrace from Israel?'" (1 Samuel 17:26). Every entrepreneur must determine the risk and reward before entering a venture. This is not the only consideration. We must determine if God is leading us after we consider all factors. We also must consider if the timing is right to proceed. David was a young shepherd when he was bringing food to his older brothers in the army. He had already killed a lion and a bear during his days as a shepherd. David understood the risk/reward principle. When he heard about Goliath and that no one was willing to fight him he was angry. However, he didn't just respond out of pure emotion. He asked a very important question. "What will be done for the man who kills this Philistine and removes this disgrace from Israel?" He got the answer he was hoping for: "The king will give great wealth to the man who kills him. He will also give him his daughter in marriage and will exempt his father's family from taxes in Israel." (1 Samuel 17:25). Do you see the reward? He gets financial wealth, a wife, and no longer has to pay taxes! What more motivation does a young Jewish boy need? Does this take away from the spiritual significance of the story? Absolutely not. The religious spirit always tries to make the business side of faith evil. Money and profit is not evil. It is the love of money and the pride of life that gets man into trouble. David understood the proper balance of these co-existing to accomplish God's purposes. To avoid getting into trouble simply ask this question of yourself: "What is the true motive of my heart?" If it does not have the spiritual element balanced with the business element, you may be in trouble. Ask God four questions before you proceed in any venture: 1) Is the Holy Spirit leading me? 2) Is this the time to be involved? 3) Is the risk and reward worth it? 4) Do I have what is necessary to be successful in the venture with God's help? After you've asked these questions go about your task with all your heart. |
Devotion: When Others Disappoint You
When Others Disappoint You
"Do your best to come to me quickly, for Demas, because he loved this world, has deserted me and has gone to Thessalonica" (2 Timothy 4:9-10). Adversity molded the apostle Paul into the greatest warrior for Christ the world has ever known. But there were times when adversity and disappointment took its toll on this rugged warrior. We can sense Paul's hurt and discouragement near the end of his second letter to Timothy: Do your best to come to me quickly, for Demas, because he loved this world, has deserted me and has gone to Thessalonica... At my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me... Do your best to get here before winter (2 Timothy 4:9-11, 14, 16, and 21). Do you hear the pain in those words? Twice he urges Timothy to come to him. Do you feel his anguish when he twice speaks of being deserted by his friends? In most of his letters, Paul seems to have an invincible spirit. Yet he was a man who suffered, felt betrayed, and was at times very lonely. However, Paul chose to look at life from a heavenly perspective. That's why he could write: We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body (2 Corinthians 4:8-10). Paul had experienced a level of opposition and suffering that you and I can scarcely imagine. People said they would do things but did not follow through. He could not depend on certain people. Yet he was not crushed, and he refused to give in to despair. He viewed his life as a continual process of dying. His goal was to live in such a way that the life of Jesus would be revealed in his response to adversity. Beware of placing too much expectation on others. Realize that people will let you down from time to time, but do not let that impact your faith. Trust God to work even through these disappointments. |
Devotion: Using Your Resources
Using Your Resources
By Bill Money Joseph of Arimathea was a businessman who is listed in all four Gospels. He is described as a rich man and a disciple of Christ (Matthew 27:57-61), a prominent member of the Sanhedrin* (Mark 15:43), a good and righteous man (Luke 23:50), and a secret disciple of Christ (John 19:38). It must have taken courage for him to remain a prominent member of the Sanhedrin while a disciple of Christ. After the death of Jesus, Joseph went to Pilate to ask for JesusÔÇÖ body. This took a lot of courage and had risk associated with it. Pilate was known to arbitrarily kill people. And, by Joseph asking for the body of Jesus, it was no longer a secret that he was a disciple of Christ. He and Nicodemus wrapped the body in linen cloths with aromatic spices and placed Jesus in his new tomb in the garden, which he had cut into the rock. (John 19:38-42 and Matthew 27:57-60). It is interesting that this contribution by a businessman to the burial of Christ was of such significance to God that the Holy Spirit instructed all four Gospel writers to record it, and to specifically mention the businessman who did it by name. We are not told of any sermons he preached, or books he wrote. We are told of how he used the resources that he had as a businessman for the purposes of the Kingdom. And the way he used those resources was of such significance to the Gospel story that it was recorded in all four Gospels. What has God placed in your hands that He wants to use for the Kingdom? He has given you those resources for a purpose. And He may need you to use them in a way you had not expected. Joseph did not anticipate the crucifixion, but responded to the need of the hour with the resources he had. God may ask you to use your resources to meet an unanticipated need in an area you do not expect. He has the right to do that. When He bought you at the cross, He also bought your business and all your resources. And the use of those resources may require courage in the face of significant risk, as it did for Joseph. This requires prayer - lingering at the feet of Jesus on a daily basis so that He can direct how you are to use the resources He has provided to you for His Kingdom purposes. This requires holding the resources with an open hand, so the owner (Christ) can direct you (the steward) on how to use His resources that He has entrusted to you. So ask Him: "How would you have me use the resources you have entrusted to me?" Then obey, just as Joseph did, and see what God might do through you for eternity. *The ancient Jewish court system was called the Sanhedrin. |
Devotion: Recalibrate Route
Recalibrate Route
"The crooked roads shall become straight, the rough ways smooth" (Luke 3:5). I love the Global Positioning Systems (GPS) in the new cars. A voice comes on and tells me how far I have to go and when to turn. However, sometimes I get off course and the voice says: "Recalculating route." The GPS is telling me I have gone off course and it is now recalculating the route based on my wrong turn. Sometimes we can make wrong turns in our spiritual lives. We think we are going the right direction only to discover it was never God's will to enter that relationship, make that business deal, hire that person - the examples are limitless. There is an amazing thing about God. He can make our crooked places straight. He has an ability to make whatever blunder you make turn out right. It may mean there might be some consequences to those decisions, but He will always allow your actions to work together for good for those called according to His purposes if we repent and seek Him fully to make things right. These lessons can even contribute to greater wisdom in our lives if we learn from our mistakes. God's omnipotence is always one step ahead of our incompetence. Do you think He knew you would make that misstep? Absolutely. Do you think your life was planned even with that misstep figured in? Absolutely. Isn't it comforting to know you cannot plan God out of the equation no matter how bad you mess up? He will always turn crooked places into straight places for those who are humble and contrite. Do you need a crooked place straightened out today? Ask Him to straighten the course so you can flow in His perfect will for your life |
God's omnipotence is always one step ahead of our incompetence.
do you guys believe that? seems like my mistakes pile up higher and higher. seems like things work out in the end, but i seem to make it difficult on my self when I don't pray about things. just rush in & make a mess. |
Devotion: To Judge
To Judge
Luke 6:37 (KJV) "Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven." Sins like slander, backbiting, gossip and railing (speaking against) that run rampant within the Churches today. What is slander and where does it come from? The Greek word for Slander is diabolos which according to VineÔÇÖs dictionary means to ÔÇ£accuse falsely.ÔÇØ Did you know that of the 36 verses where this word is used in the New Testament, 33 of them this word diabolos is translated ÔÇ£devilÔÇØ? This scripture speaks of diabolos as the devil or the slanderer who does not stand in truth but speaks lies. Slander works on the principle that the more people the slanderer can tell the lie to, the more likely it is to be believed. Now we, the Christians should not concern ourselves with the Slanderers outside the body of Christ because without Jesus in their lives, why would they not act like the devil? It is our lives and the lives of the body of Christ in which we need to examine in order to see if we are doing according to the will of God. Now this is what slanderers do within the body of Christ; they are ready at any moment to secretly speak and attack others behind their backs. They never have the nerve to speak these words to their faces. This ÔÇ£character assassinationÔÇØ is always done in secret and is always intended to tear the other person down. Here is what the Word of God says about a Slanderer, "Psalms 11:2 "For, lo, the wicked bend their bow, they make ready their arrow upon the string, that they may privily shoot at the upright in heart." Psalms 101:4-5 "A forward heart shall depart from me: I will not know a wicked person. 5 Whoso privily slandereth his neighbour, him will I cut off: him that hath a high look and a proud heart will not I suffer." If youÔÇÖre a Christian that is ready to judge everyone, do yourself a favor, LOOK IN THE MIRROR! THERE YOU WILL HAVE PLENTY TO TALK ABOUT! |
Devotion: Trained for War
Trained for War
"Praise be to the Lord my Rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle" (Psalm 144:1) You'll never experience God in powerful ways by acquiring Bible knowledge alone. It is only when that knowledge is used in the heat of battle that you will know the reality of what you've learned intellectually. Otherwise, it remains only an exercise in spiritual gymnastics that yields little fruit. David became a great warrior and leader of a nation at an early age. His training ground was his job as a shepherd in the open fields. When bears and lions sought to take his sheep, he personally fought them. This was his early preparation for future battles. Goliath was the real competition amongst a discerning audience to reveal how well his training prepared him. Today, our local churches often look more like luxury cruise liners designed to tickle the ears, entertain its members and make them feel good instead of a battleship designed to train an army for war. The average member still watches from the sideline. In sports you discover how well you handle pressure by competing. You can practice all you want but never know how you will do until you enter the game and test what you've learned and practiced when there is pressure added to the equation. In battle you discover how well you are trained by what you actually do on the battlefield. Have you ever prayed with someone in public? Have you ever personally led someone to Christ? Have you ever served others for the sake of the Gospel? Have you ever taught a Bible study? If you said no to these questions, you are not engaged in the game. Today, why not ask God to give you the grace to step onto the battlefield. |
Devotion: Walk as Jesus Did
Walk as Jesus Did
"This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did" (1 John 2:6). I have always found the above verse very intimidating. It says that if we are truly living in Christ, we must walk as Jesus did. How did Jesus walk? He healed the sick. He perceived the needs and situations of others supernaturally. He spoke boldly into the lives of the unsaved. He met the needs of people by leading them to the Kingdom of God. Jesus says we must walk as He did. So, I can only conclude from this verse that if we are each called to live this way, He will also equip us to live this way. How did Jesus walk? He walked on earth as a human being, not as God, yet He was God. His miracles were done as a human being who tapped into the power of His Heavenly Father. This is why he can exhort us to live like He did not as deity, but as a human being who could appropriate all the Father had for him. This is what He means when He says "live as He lived." We are to exercise obedience and faith just as He did . I believe we live in a day that requires more than proclamation evangelism to break through in the workplace. We live and work in a skeptical society. It takes more than reasoning to see those in the workplace come to Christ. The workplace is trained to see past phonies. So, it will require the genuine love and power of Christ to be manifested to break through to a Muslim co-worker, a power-driven executive, or a foul-mouthed customer. Jesus modeled a way of reaching the lost. He did not use reasoning to convince a person to follow him. He often operated in the supernatural revelation about a need in that person's life. Such was the case of the Samaritan woman. This encounter not only led to a woman placing her faith in the Messiah, but it led to the transformation of a city. Next time you have an encounter with an unsaved associate, find out about a need they have and ask God how you can meet it through His power. |
Devotion: Things I Cannot Understand
Things I Cannot Understand
"Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know." Job 42:3b If there was any one man on earth who had reason to question God's love, it was Job. He lost his family, his health, and his wealth - all at the same time. His friends came to his side only to question his spirituality. God had already answered the question of his integrity. Job was described in the opening verses of the book as "blameless and upright" (see Job 1:1). His calamities were not born from sin. Job acknowledged God's right to do anything in his life until one day he could take it no longer. He questioned God's motives. God answered Job, but not in the way he wanted to hear. God answered him with a series of questions that represents the most incredible discourse of correction by God to any human being. Three chapters later, Job realized that he had questioned the motives of the Author of the universe, the Author of love. He fell flat before his Creator and realized his total depravity. "Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know." Have you ever questioned God's activity in your life? Have you questioned His love for you based on circumstances that came your way? The cross at Calvary answers the love question. He sent His own Son in replacement for your sin. If you were the only person on earth, He would have done the same. His ways cannot always be understood or reconciled in our finite minds. That must be left for a future time when all will be understood. For now, entrust your life to Him completely. Embrace Him in the hard times and the good. |
Devotion: It's My Money
ItÔÇÖs MY Money
By Bill Moeny "You are not your own. You were bought with a price." 1 Corinthians 6.19-20 Wealth is the hardest test to pass. If we have monetary resources, then we can very easily fall into the trap of providing for ourselves and not needing God. The adversary will tell us: "You want it. It is a good thing to have. You have the money and you can afford it. So just buy it!" But whose money is it? We are taught in 1 Corinthians 6.19-20: "You are not your own. You were bought with a price." This says that God owns it all. We are stewards of His resources. When He bought us at the cross (with a very expensive price) He also bought all of our assets. Everything we have He has provided for us. If our position is that of a steward of God's resources, then we don't have any money to spend on something. It all belongs to God, and He has entrusted it to us to manage for Him. Therefore, if we want to buy something, we have to ask our Owner if He wishes to provide it for us, just like your children have to ask you to provide something for them. There is no way we can provide it for ourselves, since we are bond slaves and all we have is owned by our Master. This places us in a completely different relationship with God. By making the decision that we will honor His purchase of us at the cross, we place ourselves under His authority and seek for Him to have control over every monetary decision facing us. We do not make a significant purchase without Him directing us to do it. It is His money, after all. Jesus said "I don't do anything except what I see the Father doing."(John 5.19) This places us in the same position, that of complete dependence upon God. And that is exactly where He wants us, and is the most logical and best position for us to be in. |
Devotion: Being an Overcomer
Being an Overcomer
"How long, O LORD? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and every day have sorrow in my heart? How long will my enemy triumph over me?" (Psalms 13:1-2). Have you ever heard someone jokingly say, "It's not easy being me?" This expression is poking fun at their unique personality or challenges they face in life. Well, it wasn't easy being King David . His life was a life of extreme highs and extreme lows. He was a shepherd, a political leader, a builder, a prophet, a businessman, a warrior, a lover, a giver, a murderer and a worshiper. He must have been criticized by others as being hypocritical in his early career. In each of these roles he achieved things for God but he also failed God on many occasions. He had a creative-type personality, which is often very passionate with many mood swings. We see this side of him when he unabashedly danced before the Lord in front of his subjects almost naked (2 Samuel 6:14). When David wrote his psalms he was honest about what he was feeling. When he feared his enemies he expressed it. When he cBeing an Overcomer "How long, O LORD? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and every day have sorrow in my heart? How long will my enemy triumph over me?" (Psalms 13:1-2). Have you ever heard someone jokingly say, "It's not easy being me?" This expression is poking fun at their unique personality or challenges they face in life. Well, it wasn't easy being King David . His life was a life of extreme highs and extreme lows. He was a shepherd, a political leader, a builder, a prophet, a businessman, a warrior, a lover, a giver, a murderer and a worshiper. He must have been criticized by others as being hypocritical in his early career. In each of these roles he achieved things for God but he also failed God on many occasions. He had a creative-type personality, which is often very passionate with many mood swings. We see this side of him when he unabashedly danced before the Lord in front of his subjects almost naked (2 Samuel 6:14). When David wrote his psalms he was honest about what he was feeling. When he feared his enemies he expressed it. When he could not understand why God was silent, he expressed it as in the psalm above. However, David never stayed in the place of despair. He often ended his psalms like this one. "But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing to the LORD, for he has been good to me" (Psalms 13:5-6). David chooses to focus on what God has done for him, and not on what He had not done. If you are waiting for a breakthrough with God, be honest with Him about your hopes and dreams. However, also affirm your faith and trust in Him to accomplish His purposes through your life. Be an overcomer. ould not understand why God was silent, he expressed it as in the psalm above. However, David never stayed in the place of despair. He often ended his psalms like this one. "But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing to the LORD, for he has been good to me" (Psalms 13:5-6). David chooses to focus on what God has done for him, and not on what He had not done. If you are waiting for a breakthrough with God, be honest with Him about your hopes and dreams. However, also affirm your faith and trust in Him to accomplish His purposes through your life. Be an overcomer. |
Devotion: IsnÔÇÖt This Joseph's Son?
IsnÔÇÖt This Joseph's Son?
"All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his lips. 'Isn't this Joseph's son?' they asked" (Luke 4:22). Jesus was more qualified to be a carpenter than the Son of God in the view of religious leaders and the common people of his day. He was also becoming known as a rabbi who thought and did things "outside the box." He was an unusual mixture of the earthly common man who did daily work just like his other villagers in Nazareth. So, when the public ministry side of his life began to surface, the first observations were, "Isn't this Joseph, the carpenter's son?" This is not unlike what happens when God calls you or me into a more public ministry. "Isn't that John, the CPA, or Bill the restaurant manager, or Susie the bank executive?" The first question among our critics is "Where did John, Bill, or Susie get religion?" The religious spirit in the workplace reveals itself in many ways. The religious spirit can best be defined as an agent of satan assigned to prevent change and maintain the status quo by using religious devices. The religious spirit seeks to distort a genuine move of God through deception, control and manipulation. It was the primary force against Jesus designed to intimidate and turn His relationship with God into a set of rules and regulations. Satan does not want Jesus in the workplace because that is where the authority lies to change a workplace, city or nation. God desires you to bring His presence with you into the workplace every day. Do not let the enemy of your soul shame you into alienating your faith from your work. Today, ask Jesus to go into the workplace with you. The two of you just might be the team to bring someone out of slavery and bondage. |
Devotion: Seeing A Greater Purpose In Adversity
Seeing A Greater Purpose In Adversity
But Paul shouted, "Don't harm yourself! We are all here!" - Acts 16:28 Paul and Silas had just been thrown into prison. An earthquake erupted and the jail cell was opened. It's Paul and Silas' opportunity. "Deliverance, Praise God!" might be the appropriate response. But this is not what Paul and Silas did. In fact, rather than leave, they sat quietly in their cell area. The guard, in fear of his life, knew that it would be automatic death if prisoners escaped. Paul and Silas did not leave because they saw a higher purpose for which they were in prison. They were not looking at their circumstance; they were much more concerned about the unsaved guard. The story goes on to explain how Paul and Silas went home with the guard and his family. Not only did the guard get saved, but his entire household as well. What a lesson this is for us. How often we are so busy looking for deliverance from our circumstance that we miss God completely. God is looking to do miracles in our circumstances if we will only look for them. Sometimes as workplace believers we become so obsessed with our goals we miss the process that God involves us in, which may be where the miracle lies. What if that bill collector who has been hounding you is unsaved and he is there for you to speak to? What if a problem account has arisen due to something God is doing beyond what you might see at this time? Our adverse situations can often be the door of spiritual opportunity for those who need it. I saw this personally when God allowed me to go through a number of adversities. It took some time, but I saw some great miracles as a result of those adversities. When God said that "all things work together for good for those who are called according to His purposes" (see Romans 8:28), He meant all things. It is up to us to find the "work together for good" part by being faithful to the process. In the next adversity you face, tune your spiritual antennae and ask God for discernment to see the real purpose for the adversity. |
Devotion: The Power of Serving Others
The Power of Serving Others
"Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms" (1 Peter 4:9-11). There is a Kingdom principle I find few others really understand. The principle is this: When you focus on serving others, your need is often met through God's supernatural law of serving. I've seen this happen so many times. The law of sowing and reaping comes into play in this Kingdom principle. "Sow for yourselves righteousness, reap the fruit of unfailing love" (Hosea 10:12). "Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work" (2 Corinthians 9:6-9). Whenever God calls me to serve another person with my time and resources I notice how God measures resources back to me from unrelated sources. Sometimes it comes through an unexpected blessing or a new opportunity. It is uncanny how this happens consistently when I serve others. We are never to view people or organizations as competition. The Bible says that God has already assigned our portion. We need not have to manipulate outcomes. "LORD, you have assigned me my portion and my cup; You have made my lot secure. The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance" (Psalms 16:5-6). We don't serve others to get. However, when we do serve others, there is a Kingdom principle that works on your behalf as fruit of your service. Is there someone you need to serve today? |
Devotion: Beware of the False Lover
Beware of the False Lover
Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning (Psalm 30:5). When a measured assault enters our life we often respond in two different ways. The pain caused by the assault drives us to a place of either embracing the pain or we embrace anything that will make us feel better. That becomes the entry door to a false lover. Men and women each seek to avoid pain in different ways. Larry Crabb has summarized these two unique strategies often used to avoid deep pain: All of us are trapped by addiction to a desire for something less than God. For many women, that something less is relational control. "I will not be hurt again and I will not let people I love be hurt. I'll see to it that what I fear never happens again." They therefore live in terror of vulnerably presenting themselves to anyone and instead become determined managers of people. Their true femininity remains safely tucked away behind the walls of relational control. More common in men is an addiction to non-relational control. "I will experience deep and consuming satisfaction without ever having to relate meaningfully with anyone." They keep things shallow and safe with family and friends and feel driven to experience a joy they never feel, a joy that only deep relating can provide. Their commitment is twofold: to never risk revealing inadequacy by drawing close to people and, without breaking that commitment, to feel powerful and alive. Power in business and illicit sex are favorite strategies for reaching that goal.1 Many times we seek to deal with our pain through various forms of addictions designed to resolve the inner pain we feel. All addictions represent a counterfeit desire for genuine love and intimacy. We conclude these lesser desires are legitimate needs instead of band-aids of our fleshly soul. These addiction lovers become isolation chambers created for ourselves designed to mask our pain. Every human being has a desire to be loved. When we do not feel loved because of some event in our lives we seek to reconcile this emotional pain. So, if you are fighting any kind of addiction, over control of people, sex, drugs, alcohol, workaholics, shopping, overeating, you are seeking to fill a void only God can fill. Pain has a useful purpose in our lives. Facing it, rather than medicating it, allows us to move to a place of discovering a capacity for a different kind of joy. That is the purpose of pain. We must let inner pain do its work by experiencing it fully. It feels like a contradiction to actually embrace the pain, but it is the only remedy for moving past it so it can yield its purpose in our lives. Otherwise we will remain unaware of our deeper desire for God and be driven toward a false lover. 1 Larry Crabb, Shattered Dreams, Waterbrook Press, Colorado Springs, CO 2001, p.95 |
Devotion: Thankfulness
Thankfulness
Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise; be thankful unto Him, and bless His name. (Psalm 100:4) But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 15:57 I turned up the radio a little bit so I could be sure of what I heard. Magic Johnson, at the very height of his career with the Los Angles Lakers team, had retired due to the AIDS virus. A man that had ÔÇ£everythingÔÇØ ÔÇô awards, money, championships, and the satisfaction of being the best at what he did, influence, a new wife, and a child on the way ÔÇô will probably die of a currently ÔÇ£incurableÔÇØ disease. Not only the basketball fans, but an entire nation was shocked. The AIDS disease suddenly was closer to everyone. Many years ago ten men were walking down the road. They each had an incurable disease. All ten men were instantly healed yet only one of the ten returned to say -ÔÇ£thank youÔÇØ You say, ÔÇ£I canÔÇÖt believe that.ÔÇØ ÔÇ£If I got AIDS, then someone gave me a miracle drug to permanently cure me, I would be forever grateful.ÔÇØ But donÔÇÖt be so fast to judge. All of us are basically selfish, ungrateful, and can see only our current ÔÇ£needsÔÇØ and desires. Everyday hundreds of others serve us and we only pause to complain to the one of 100 who did not perform up to our standard. Have you said thank you lately to the fire fighter, law enforcement officer, store clerk, teacher, doctor, pastor, or the service person? Even more importantly what about the friend who is always there, that special grandparent, your brother or sister, your mom or dad, your mate, or even your children? Why are we so ungrateful to those who love us the most and are closest to us? In a world bent on satisfying ÔÇ£selfÔÇØ with power, pleasure, and possessions the gracious thankful person with a smiling face and positive words is a rarity. America is one of the greatest nation on this earth, but even on Thanksgiving Day few will even pause between the turkeys and T.V. to offer a word of thanks to their creator. Billy Graham says, ÔÇ£Thanksgiving is a part of the intimate relationship that exists between us and God. Yet there are thousands today who are not thankful. We arenÔÇÖt thankful as individuals nor are we thankful as a nation.ÔÇØ Robert Woods quoted in Forbes Magazine says, ÔÇ£We donÔÇÖt thank God enough for much that He has given us. Our prayers are too often the beggarÔÇÖs prayer, the prayer that asks for something. We offer too few prayers of thanksgiving and praise.ÔÇØ Just because most people we meet will be ungrateful does not mean that we should return in kind. ÔÇ£It is anotherÔÇÖs fault if he be ungrateful; but it is mine if I do not give. To find one thankful man, I will oblige many that are not so. I had rather never receive a kindness than never bestow one. Not to return a benefit is a great sin; but not to confer one is a greater.ÔÇØ ÔÇô Seneca More than one hundred thirty times in the Bible we are called upon to give thanks to God. In the Psalms alone we are reminded of it thirty times. ÔÇ£Be thankful unto Him, and bless His name.ÔÇØ (1) ÔÇ£It is good to give thanks to the LordÔÇØ (2) My favorite is in the New Testament when we are instructed to ÔÇ£thank God no matter what happensÔÇØ (3). As we enter this holiday season may we form a life-long habit to be thankful to our family, friends, and everyone that we encounter. And let us all be thankful to God. He has given us all things. And remember, spiritually speaking, we are all born with an incurable disease, yet He has freely offered the cure. May we all learn to be ThankfulÔÇôeven in the difficult times HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL! May this day we all remember that God owns it all, and we are His steward, We should be Thankful for Everything, and I am thankful for you. HAPPY THANKSGIVING! |
Devotion: A Life Boat
A Life Boat
ÔÇ£Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and he brought them out of their distress. He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushedÔÇØ (Psalm 107:28-29). My colleague in ministry showed me a New Testament of the American Bible Society wrapped in a waterproof cover. The label said it was a New Testament for Lifeboats and Rafts. Inside was the name of a World War II veteran who had obviously used it. My mind raced with interestÔÇôwhat could have brought the New Testament to the attention of the one who had taken it? Had he actually ended up in a life raft on the ocean in World War II? GodÔÇÖs Word is exactly for such timesÔÇöthe storms of life, the insurmountable odds, the unanswered questions. When the ship of life is about to go down, it is His Word that is always timely, adequate, appropriate. ÔÇ£He stilled the storm,ÔÇØ said the author of Psalm 107, reminding us that God rises to the occasion and intercedes on behalf of those who are fearful. He takes control, giving us the direction we need. An old hymn says: ÔÇ£Jesus, Savior, pilot me over lifeÔÇÖs tempestuous sea.ÔÇØ He faithfully reminds us of His presence in the lifeboat. Thank You Lord that any problem or issue we encounter when turned over to You becomes manageable, Praise God. Amen |
Devotion: A Reflection on Wisdom
A Reflection on Wisdom
And the Spirit of the Lord will rest on him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and strength, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.ÔÇØ Isaiah The Bible says that Paul both thanked God for the churches in and around Ephesus and that he prayed for them. Specifically we see that he prayed that they might be given ÔÇ£a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him [God].ÔÇØ Note that he did not pray that they might learn to be wise or that they might somehow attain wisdom through their own efforts, but that God would give the church a spirit of wisdom and revelation. So we can see that God is not only the source of wisdom, He is the dispenser of wisdom as well. In Isaiah we read these marvelous words: ÔÇ£And the Spirit of the Lord will rest on him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and strength, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.ÔÇØ You may recognize that as a prophecy about Jesus, and you will know from your study of Jesus that He did indeed possess a spirit of wisdom and understanding. You will also notice the similarities in IsaiahÔÇÖs prophecy and in PaulÔÇÖs prayer. But there is an aspect to wisdom that we often forget, and it is phrased beautifully by C. S. Lewis in his book The PilgrimÔÇÖs Regress. The lines go like this: ÔÇ£And what is this valley called?ÔÇØ ÔÇ£We call it now simply WisdomÔÇÖs Valley: but the oldest maps mark it as the Valley of Humiliation.ÔÇØ Every blessing, My prayer is that you will find each day devotions stimulating, inspiring, and thought provoking, and that in some way they will deepen your love for God and your love for GodÔÇÖs children. May your day be about HIM and full of GodÔÇÖs love, grace, mercy, protection and blessings....Glenn |
Devotion: Esther, For Such a Time as This
Esther, For Such a Time as This
"For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father's family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?" (Esther 4:14-15). Esther was a Jewish orphan living in the land of Persia after her people were taken into captivity from Jerusalem. Raised by her cousin Mordecai, she lived during the time of King Xerxes who reigned over Persia that stretched from India to Ethiopia. An edict was sent out to bring all the virgins to the king's palace from the surrounding regions to replace Queen Vashti who found disfavor with the king and was deposed. Esther was one of the young women taken and was ultimately selected to be the next queen. Mordecai had a high ranking position in the government that allowed him to learn of a plot by Haman, an official of the king, to kill all of the Jews. Now, the only way this edict would not be carried out was if Esther asked for an audience with the king to request that the plot be abandoned on her behalf. However, to request an audience before the king was a serious matter. If he refused to give her audience, the penalty was immediate death. It was at this time she made her famous statement, "If I die, I die." Esther realized this could be the reason God created her - to save her people from destruction. However, out of concern for Esther, Mordecai explained the situation to her, "For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father's family will perish." Mordecai was giving her a choice. Either she will be used by God or someone else will be used to save their people. Everyday you and I are given a choice in our workplace and our lives. Are we willing to be the person God uses to impact the future destiny of a people? Many of us are silent Christians simply letting the status quo reign while we sit quietly by watching. Who knows that you were created for such a time as this to be a catalyst to stand in the gap for some situation in your workplace or community or nation. Be faithful to your calling. |
Devotion: Picking Fruit
Picking Fruit
"So I gave you a land on which you did not toil and cities you did not build; and you live in them and eat from vineyards and olive groves that you did not plant" (Joshua 24:13). A friend lived on a golf course. Golf has been a part of his life since he was eleven years old. It has taught him many life lessons. He went to college on a golf scholarship and later turned professional for three years. He often walks at sundown for exercise and use this time to pray. It is a quiet and beautiful place to walk. When he walks, he usually finds one or two golf balls along the way. But one time was different. On this particular walk, he began to find golf balls everywhere he looked. When he had collected 5, he began to notice how strange this was. Then, it became 8, then 10 and finally his pockets were literally stuffed with 13 golf balls! When something unusual happens in our daily life experience it is a time to tune in to your spiritual antennae. God is often at work. So, he prayed, "Lord, what are You saying through this?" The answer came quickly: "I have called you to walk a specific path. I will bring the fruit to you. All you will have to do is pick it up and stay on my path for you. That is what it means to abide in Me." The people of Israel conquered the Promised Land as a result of obedience, not sweat, toil, or natural talent. In our work life call, He desires to give us fruit from our calling when we fulfill the unique purpose for which God made us. You will not have to manipulate the outcome. Abide completely in His presence and purpose for your life so you can pick the fruit He desires to bring into your path. His nature is to do exceedingly beyond what we can think or imagine. |
Devotion: Come To Me
Come To Me
Romans 10:13 ÔÇ£For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." I thank God for the meaning of the word, "Whosoever." That word included me and all that will accept the Lord Jesus Christ as their Savior. Thank God, He included me! This very description of those whom the Lord will save is clearly denied by Calvinist. But I ask you, isn't it amazing that all Calvinist are included in their TULIP belief, that God has predestined some people to be saved and some that will never get the chance to be saved. I thank God for His Word that clearly states that the Jesus came to the World that the WORLD might be saved, John 3:17. Believe me when I tell you, that there is no short supply of the Grace of God to forgive man of their sin and save them, but there have been, are now, and will be men that will not come to the Lord, they will not confess their sinful way and make Jesus Christ Lord of their life. I read a story where an atheist barber took a preacher through the city slums to prove his point. The barber made a remarked, "This is why I cannot believe in a God of Love. If He is kind as you say, why does HE PERMIT all this poverty, disease and sin? How can HE allow these poor people to be addicted to drugs and other character destroying habits?" The Preacher went silent until they met a man who was a drug addict, an alcoholic, and especially dirty, smelling really bad. His hairs hung down on his shoulders and the stubble covered his face. Then the Preacher said, "YOU ARE NO BARBER AT ALL, or YOU would not permit a man like that to continue living in this neighborhood without a haircut and a shave!" The atheist barber, very upset at the Preacher's statement replied, "Why blame me for that man's condition? I can't help it if he's like that. He has never given me a chance! If he would only come to my shop, I could fix him up and all for FREE!" The Preacher just LOOKED at the barber and said, "Then don't blame God for allowing these people to continue in their evil ways when He has sent His Only begotten Son to die for them, when God has constantly invited them to come, be saved and then He would deliver them." The barber GOT THE POINT! |
Devotion: God's Chosen Few
God's Chosen Few
"But those who suffer He delivers in their suffering; He speaks to them in their affliction."- Job 36:15 He was born with cerebral palsy in South Africa. He barely survived his birth. He did not walk until he was four years old. One leg was longer than the other and he could not speak well. For most of his life, his hands shook and he had little control over them. Feelings of rejection and bitterness at his plight were common occurrences during his growing-up years. During his school years, he was chastised by kids and generally rejected by society. At age 17, his father felt led to take his son to a healing service. That night, the young boy's leg divinely grew two inches. He no longer walked with a limp. Bradley met the Savior and began to grow in his intimacy with Him. God began to speak to him and show him things. Prayer became his source of comfort and strength. God gave him insights about people and situations, bringing blessing to all who encountered him. Today, this young man travels around the world as an internationally known intercessor and founder of a school of intercessory prayer. Literally hundreds of hours of knowledge about the way God speaks to His children have been birthed in and through this young man. One evening Bradley walked forward in a meeting of about 40 workplace believers and handed a note to the leader during a Christian business conference. The note was for someone in the room, but Bradley did not know whom it was for. It was the last day of a 40-day fast for this writer. The message gave a specific description of what I had been experiencing the two years leading up to that night. Nobody would have known such details. I knew it was for me. It was a miraculous "telegram from God" that provided confirmation and encouragement of where God was taking me. God used one broken man to speak to another broken man. God's ways are not our ways. His preparation of His warriors seems cruel and hurtful at times. His ways are much higher than ours. Trust the God of the universe that He can orchestrate the events of your life when they seem the darkest. |
Devotion: Standing in the Gap
Standing in the Gap
"I looked for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so that I would not have to destroy it, but I found none." Ezekiel 22:30). Israel fell into sin when they worshipped the golden calf. It would not be the first time God's people would fall into idol worship. They had forgotten the great things God had done for them. This angered God so much that He was going to destroy the whole nation. Only one thing changed God's mind in the matter. Moses. Psalm 106:23 says that "had not Moses, his chosen one, stood in the breach before him to keep his wrath from destroying them..." Moses was a man willing to stand in the gap, sacrificially for those who were not deserving of such sacrifice. This sacrificial love by Moses is called for among His people today. The prophet Ezekiel describes another situation in which the people of God fell to sin. God was ready to destroy the nation. God speaks to Ezekiel asking him if there is a man willing to stand in the gap so that God does not have to destroy the nation. Judah was a man who stood in the gap on behalf of his younger brother, Benjamin. Joseph held all the brothers captive in Egypt but allowed them freedom only if someone would stay as insurance for bringing the younger brother back to Joseph. Judah had a long history of a me focused life, but here he comes forward to stand in the gap for his younger brother because of his love for his earthly father, Jacob. His sacrifice was rewarded. Just as Christ did we are to be the one who will stand in the gap on behalf of those who are not aware of their own vulnerable condition. It is a proactive sacrificial position. Who is God calling you to stand in the gap for? Perhaps it is a mate, perhaps it is a business associate that has not come to know the savior, and perhaps it is a wayward child. Are you willing to become the sacrificial offering to God to thwart His plans of judgment because of your willingness to stand in their place? This is a hard teaching. This is what Jesus did for each of us. When we stand in the place of another, God moves because of our willingness to stand on their behalf. If we don't, His plans will go forward because He is a righteous and Holy God that must honor His own word even if it means destruction. Are you willing to stand in the breach of the wall today for someone? Perhaps you are the only person close enough to an individual who will stand on their behalf. |
the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulne
Fruit of the Spirit - Kindness
Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. The Holy Spirit is as the ÔÇ£seedÔÇØ that is sown in us as Believers in Jesus. We are expected to bear this fruit of the Spirit as listed in Galatians through the power of the Holy Spirit. The fifth fruit listed in this passage is kindness. The word ÔÇ£kindnessÔÇØ comes from the Greek word ÔÇ£chrestotesÔÇØ which means ÔÇ£to show consideration or to be friendly with others, to demonstrate usefulness and integrityÔÇØ. Paul chose this word ÔÇ£chrestotesÔÇØ as a fruit of the Holy Spirit because, in the culture of his day, ÔÇ£chrestotesÔÇØ was often used when describing monarchs or other such rulers who demonstrated compassion and benevolence over their subjects. Anyone who demonstrated this quality was considered to be compassionate, considerate, sympathetic, humane, or gentle. Paul uses ÔÇ£chrestotesÔÇØ to depict GodÔÇÖs incomprehensible kindness, even for people who are unsaved. When ÔÇ£chrestotesÔÇØ is working in Believers, those persons seek to meet the needs of those around them, so much so that they deny their own comfort. This ÔÇ£chrestotesÔÇØ kind of kindness makes us think of missionaries in the field who have been called as apostles, who have the spiritual gift of apostleship, and who have left the comfort of home, friends, family, job, security, and conveniences and go to foreign soil to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ. When Jesus came to earth to become one of us, He denied His own comfort, his position at the right hand of God, the Father. He adapted to human flesh that He might reach us and bring us to salvation. Is there any way that we as mere humans can display this ÔÇ£chrestotesÔÇØ kind of fruit on our own? Hardly! Only when we call on the Holy Spirit are we able to mirror JesusÔÇÖ ÔÇ£chrestotesÔÇØ kind of kindness to others. |
Devotion: Considering Your Investments
Considering Your Investments
"Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others" (Philippians 2:4). It's rewarding to get a good return on an investment. In business we invest money, time, and people resources into promoting a product and service in hopes of a return. We make financial investments in hopes we can gain a return on our money invested. The apostle Paul understood another kind of investment. It was an investment in the spiritual lives of people. He invested his life in a man named Epaphras, who was a man deeply impacted by Paul's investment in him. Paul makes reference to Epaphras when writing to the Colossians: "You learned it from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on our behalf, and who also told us of your love in the Spirit" (Colossians 1:7-8). It can be rewarding to invest in other people's lives. One day I received this note from a friend I had made an investment into: "You have had a tremendous influence on my life. For that, I will be forever grateful and love you as well." Sometimes we don't realize the difference we can make in another life. For us, it can seem a natural way of operating. We may not even think we are doing anything unusual. Until one day, you receive a note like this one. In the marketplace we can often get very focused on the projects we are called to promote and gain a return on. However, we each need to be making an investment in other people as well. Are you investing in lives that may be in your sphere of influence through your workplace call? The returns on this investment are considerable. |
Devotion: How God Uses Pain
How God Uses Pain
"I form the light and create darkness, I bring prosperity and create disaster; I, the LORD, do all these things" (Isaiah 45:7). God will use pain in order to create a love relationship with His creation. This statement may challenge your theology. However, consider that God allowed Jesus to experience incredible pain in order to create an opportunity to have a relationship with His creation. Consider how Jesus created a relationship with Paul. He blinded him and used a crisis in his life in order to bring him into a relationship with him and use him for God's purposes. Consider how God recruited Jonah for the mission He had for him. This is not God's first choice for His creation. Romans 2:4 reveals that God's preference is to show mercy and kindness: "Or do you show contempt for the riches of His kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God's kindness leads you toward repentance?" The problem is there are few people who respond to the goodness of God. God loves people more than He loves their comfort. He invests a great deal into mankind. He desires relationship with us and will go to great lengths to create such a relationship in order for us to receive the rewards and inheritance He has for us. I have observed this process in the scriptures in working with people through the years. I have noticed three distinct stages. First, we live based on convenience. Our obedience is largely based on circumstances in our lives. We choose to obey based on the circumstances. The second stage is the crisis stage. God allows a crisis to come into our lives. We are motivated to obey God in order to get out of the pain of our situation. Many times God allows us to stay in this condition in order to demonstrate His love and faithfulness during our pain. Gradually, we discover something new about God and often have a personal encounter with Him that changes us. Our very nature is affected by this God-encounter. This begins to move us into a third phase that is a relationship that is motivated now by love and devotion instead of pain. This is where God desires us to be. Another way of saying this is we are no longer seeking His hand. We are seeking Him. We want to know God personally. Obedience will not last when the motivation is only the removal of our pain. Obedience only lasts when the motivation is loving devotion. Where are you in your obedience and what is the primary motivation? If it isn't love, why not tell the Lord you love Him today and want to know Him for who He is and not for what He can do for you. |
Devotion: Amazing Gift of Eternal Life
Amazing Gift of Eternal Life
15 The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. 17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.(Colossians 1:15-17) Jesus Christ, as the creator of the universe and the one that holds it all together, is ALL-POWERFUL. He is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. ÔÇ£He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation, for through Him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth. He made the things we can see and the things we canÔÇÖt seeÔÇö such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world. Everything was created through Him and for Him. He existed before anything else, and He holds all creation together.ÔÇØ Though by position He possessed all power, He submitted to His Father, humbled Himself, and became a human being. ÔÇ£Christ Jesus ÔÇô Though He was God ÔÇô gave up His divine privileges; He took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When He appeared in human form, He humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminalÔÇÖs death on a cross.ÔÇØ Jesus Christ was not only powerless in His birth, but gave up all of His power as He faced death. The powerful Christ became the powerless baby Jesus. He became totally dependent upon others. ÔÇ£She gave birth to her first child, a son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them.ÔÇØ This is the story of Christmas, that God became man, trading His position at the right hand of the Father for a manger of straw. The powerful voluntarily became powerless that we might see not only what God is like, but have the opportunity to spend eternity with Him. That is the greatest gift that has ever been given. You would think it to be impossible unless you had personally experienced the love of God for yourself. Father, we thank You for Your amazing gift of eternal life through the sacrifice of Your Son, Jesus Christ, Amen |
Devotion: Subject: Just a Small Cross!!!
Subject: Just a Small Cross!!!
Therefore My people shall know My name: therefore they shall know in that day that I am He that doth speak: behold it is I. Isaiah 52:6 While driving through Frankenmuth, Michigan, I was intrigued with the many small simple crosses in the front yards of the homes we pass by. Those crosses are a statement of support for Frankenmuth's Christian foundation. Two years ago an atheist living there complained about two crosses on a bridge in town. He requested that they be removed and the town removed them. He then decided that, since he was so successful with that, the city shield should also be changed since it had on it, along with other symbols, a heart with a cross inside signifying the city's Lutheran beginnings. At that point, the residents decided they had had enough. Hundreds of residents made their opinions known by placing small crosses in their front yards. Seeing this quiet but powerful statement from the community, the man removed his complaint. Those simple crosses remain in those front yards today. After passing those crosses, it finally hit me that a small cross in millions of front yards across our country could provide a powerful and inspiring message for all Americans passing them every day. I think it might be time to take this idea across America. We have an administration that says "we are not a Christian nation" and everywhere you look the ACLU and others are trying to remove from our history and current lives any reference to God, prayer, or the fact that our country was founded on Judeo-Christian principles. Our administration can't bring themselves to talk about "radical Muslims or Islamic terrorists" for fear of offending them, but they can talk about Americans "clinging to their guns and their religion", or insinuate that our own military troops coming home from service overseas might turn into terrorists. The majority of Americans are Christians, why are we letting this happen to us? It's time to stand up and make a statement...a small, quiet, but powerful statement. If you agree, place a small white cross in your front yard or garden for all to see that they are not alone. It would be a beautiful thing to see crosses all across America. God has richly blessed America but America is falling short of returning thanks for it...we can help to change that. Remember that what we keep in our yards is not half as important as what we keep in our hearts. ÔÇ£IÔÇÖd rather see A Sermon than To Read One", let us show others WHO we represent. |
Devotion: Being a Vessel to Bless Others
Being a Vessel to Bless Others
"One man gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed." Proverbs 11:24-25 One of the reasons God entrusts money to us is to bless other Christians by meeting their needs. God uses the transfer of money within the Body of Christ to build unity among Christians. Sometimes we withhold money that God has designated for someone else. He wants to bless through us, but His will cannot be accomplished through us if we are disobedient. This was the case for a business owner who tells of the time when God told him to forego a company bonus one year. God directed him to share his year-end bonus with an employee to show his appreciation for him. He wrestled with God for three full days before obeying the Lord on the matter. When he finally met with the employee to give him his check, the man said he had been praying about a financial need he had three days earlier. He had decided to borrow the money to meet his need. The amount of money he borrowed was the exact amount the business owner gave him. God had already planned to provide for the employee through the business owner, but because he was hesitant, he almost missed the opportunity to be an instrument of God in this man's life. Even so, he could have prevented the man from having to borrow money. It was an important lesson for the business owner. How many people do we let down because we feel the "harvest" God provides is all ours? In America, the pressure is always on to move up the ladder of material accumulation. Jesus warned us about this. If our focus is on accumulation, we will not look for opportunities to be God's vessels of financial blessing to others. Ask the Lord if you have an open hand when it comes to finances. |
Devotion: The Poor and the Marketplace
IDK if I said this before, but my Uncle always did this for my mom: he cut most of the field with his eqpt, and left "half rows" or tight spots, and on the way home, he would stop by & tell mom where to take us kids to pick vegetables.
she would give him a tall cold sweet tea and a sammich or whatever. wish life was simple again...... -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Poor and the Marketplace “When you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not wholly reap the corners of your field, nor shall you gather the gleanings of your harvest. And you shall not glean your vineyard, nor shall you gather every grape of your vineyard; you shall leave them for the poor and the stranger: I am the Lord your God” (Leviticus 19:9-10). God has a special place in his heart for the poor. In the book of Isaiah we read these words: “Is this not the fast that I have chosen: To loose the bonds of wickedness, To undo the heavy burdens, To let the oppressed go free, And that you break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, And that you bring to your house the poor who are cast out; When you see the naked, that you cover him, And not hide yourself from your own flesh? -Isaiah 58:6-7 So how does God want us to care for the poor? Is it through government welfare programs, food stamps, or soup kitchens? God gives us his answer in the Old Testament story of Boaz, Ruth and Naomi. It was customary for farmers to not glean their entire fields in order to leave some of the crop for the poor to glean. This allowed the poor to come at the end of the day and work to receive their provision. This is how the widow Naomi was able to care for herself. Boaz allowed the poor in his community to come to his field at the end of the day to get the leftovers of the harvest. Notice that God created a partnership between the marketplace and the poor. I believe it is the marketplace that has a responsibility to the poor. By providing an opportunity to glean something from our businesses through an opportunity to work, we provide provision and dignity to the poor. What are the gleanings in your business? Consider how you might serve the poor. |
Devotion: REJECTION
REJECTION
But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you (Matthew 5:7) Casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you (1 Peter 5:7) He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee (Hebrews 13:5) Lord, help me to not base my job or happiness on what others thank about me. Let me not be resentful or offended toward others, no matter what they may say or do to me. Help me to not be discouraged or become emotionally distraught because of a suffered wrong. Heal my heart and emotions, Lord. Fill my soul with Your love, joy, and peace. I refuse to be bitter or angry; I choose to walk in love and forgiveness. I will pray for those who have hurt and rejected me. Lord, speak to their hearts and minister to them. I will not retaliate or hold a grudge, but I cast the care of this situation over on You. I will not speak evil of them or gossip about them. I thank You, Lord, that You will never leave me or forsake me. You are my best friend. You uphold me, You sustain me, and You have accepted me. Even though I may have been rejected by an individual, I know that I am accepted by You. Thank You for accepting and loving me, in Jesus name, Amen |
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