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This Year, Do First Things First
“Teach us to use wisely all the time we have.” Ps 90:12 CEV
We all get the same twenty-four hours every day. That’s 1,440 minutes, or 86,400 seconds. And we “must give an account to God” for how we use them (See Ecc 11:9 NLT). A good place to start is by asking yourself, “How would I spend the next twenty-four hours if I knew I would stand before God tomorrow?” Your answer can help you prioritize your life. Think about it: If somebody steals your car, you can get another one. If they steal your wallet, a few phone calls to the credit card company usually resolve the matter. But who can you call when you lose your time? How you spend your time is how you spend your life! Ephesians 5:16 says, “Make every minute count” (CEV), so learn to do these: (1) Stop saying yes to everybody. When your spiritual gut says no, but your people-pleasing gut says yes, go with your spiritual gut. Jesus did. It’s what enabled Him to tell His Father, “I have finished the work…You have given Me to do” (Jn 17:4 NKJV). Don’t let the good rob you of the best; back off on some activities so you can excel in others. (2) Be led by the Spirit, not the flesh. Paul says, “If you are guided by the Spirit, you won’t obey your selfish desires” (Gal 5:16 CEV). Furthermore, when you walk in the Spirit, you burn the oil, not the wick; the Holy Spirit supplies you with strength. (3) Put first things first. A mark of real maturity is doing what you don’t feel like doing when you don’t feel like doing it. So, this year, put first things first—and keep them there!
Get To Know God Next Year
“Let the one…boast…that they have the understanding to know me.” Jer 9:24 NIV
God says: “Let not the wise boast of their wisdom or the strong boast of their strength or the rich boast of their riches, but let the one who boasts boast about this: that they have the understanding to know me” (vv. 23-24 NIV). The truth is, if you don’t know God it doesn’t matter how much money you have in your bank account, or what diplomas hang on your wall, or what position you hold in the company. Until you have a relationship with God, you haven’t really begun to live! And part of getting to know Him is learning the truth about yourself. After witnessing the miracle-working power of Christ, Peter acknowledged, “I am a sinful man!” (Lk 5:8 NIV). When the prophet Isaiah saw the Lord sitting upon His throne, he cried, “Woe is me!” (Isa 6:5 NKJV). But God doesn’t tell you the truth about yourself and then leave you that way. No, like a good doctor, He tells you you’re sick so that you can get the proper treatment. And the proper treatment for sin is salvation through the blood of Jesus. You will never know God until you are related to Him through Jesus Christ. So if you’ve never accepted Him as your Savior, start this New Year by praying: “Lord, I repent and turn from my sin. I place my life in Your hands, trusting You as my Lord and Savior. By faith I receive the gift of eternal life. Starting today, I ask You to lead and guide me and fulfill Your will through me. In Jesus’ name I pray: Amen.” Happy New Year!
Let God Remold You
“If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.” 2Co 5:17 ESV
What would you like to change about yourself? How would you change it? To ask it another way, what would your spouse like you to change? Maybe that would be more enlightening. How would you end the sentence, “It’s just like me to…”? Always be late? Not stay on a diet? Say the wrong thing? Burst out in anger? Be sad? Jeremiah puts it this way: “Can a leopard take away its spots? Neither can you start doing good, for you have always done evil” (Jer 13:23 NLT). You say, “I guess it’s hopeless.” No, this is where God’s life-changing power comes into operation: “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come” (2Co 5:17 ESV). Once we commit our lives to Christ, we’re not the same any longer; a new life has begun. That’s why the Bible calls it being “born again.” We immediately have a new nature, plus the indwelling Holy Spirit. A set of “spiritual batteries” is included to supply the power! That makes all the difference. Just as your first birth was the beginning of your life, so the new birth is the beginning of this new life. And it’s followed by a lifelong process depicted in Romans 12:2: “Don’t let the world around you squeeze you into its own mould, but let God re-make you so that your whole attitude of mind is changed. Thus you will prove in practice that the will of God is good, acceptable to him and perfect” (PHPS).
Hope For The Future
“There is…a future…for you…your hope will not be cut off.” Pr 23:18 NIV
Are you surrounded by people whose mission is to inject “a dose of reality” into your life? They continually point out how tough the economy is, how dismal the job market is, and how the sky is falling down. Jon Walker writes: “I remember my high school English teacher telling me not to apply to Cornell University because they wouldn’t accept me, and if they did, I wouldn’t be able to do the work…I almost didn’t apply, but a few days later a former teacher said, ‘If you get in, go. You can do it.’ His words made all the difference. I applied and was accepted…The world needs more optimists, encouragers, and inspirers to speak into the hearts of others and say, ‘I believe in you. Follow your passion and live your purpose. If you have the desire, you have the power to make it happen. Keep working hard. You’re improving and getting better. The economy is tough, but you can still grow your business. The job market isn’t great, but you’ll find the right job…Even if you fail, it will lead to something even better. You’re learning and growing.’ The difference between success and failure is belief, and often that belief is instilled in us by someone who encouraged us.” The Bible says, “Where there is no vision, the people perish [lack faith and focus]” (Pr 29:18). Vision is a desire to move ahead; without it, you stay stuck where you are. It doesn’t matter what anybody else thinks; God says, “There is…a future…for you,” and when you look to Him, He will give you the strength to go forward.
Silent Night?
“You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus.” Lk 1:31 NIV
We have sung the words of this Christmas carol since infancy. But those words actually do not come from Scripture. “Silent Night” was a poem written by an Austrian priest in 1816. The words conjure up a serene picture with the happy couple watching their newborn baby. It’s not likely, however, that there was silence. After an exhausting journey on a donkey, Joseph and the very pregnant Mary didn’t check into the master suite of the Bethlehem Grand Hotel. They begged the use of an animal shelter, complete with the clatter and scents of barnyard animals—anything but silent! Ask any mother about giving birth. Even with the help of modern pain-reducing medicines and sterilized environments, the bravest woman rarely remains silent while giving birth. For Mary, Joseph, and Jesus—this was hardly a silent night! “Oh, Holy night”: Of all the nights in history, this was the most holy. God set in motion His eternal plan to come to earth as the Redeemer of lost people. “God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them” (2Co 5:19 NKJV). Jesus came to take on Himself the sins of doomed humanity, so “that we might become the righteousness of God in Him” (v. 21 NKJV). It doesn’t get any holier than that! “All is calm, all is bright”: On that holiest of nights, our spiritual and moral darkness was forever dispelled by Jesus, the Light of the World. And our fears as lost sinners were replaced by the peace and joyful assurance that we are His eternally forgiven people.
Live With Integrity At Home
“But to his sons-in-law he seemed to be joking.” Ge 19:14 NKJV
Make your life an open book. Establish a system of values against which all of life is judged. Walk with God; maintain your integrity at work and at home, and you will make the right choice every time. Lot failed to do this, and it cost him dearly. “Lot went out and spoke to his sons-in-law, and said, ‘Get up, get out of this place; for the Lord will destroy this city!’ But to his sons-in-law he seemed to be joking.” (v. 14 NKJV). Parent, when you lose your integrity, you lose your credibility. So, guard your children physically when they’re young, and emotionally as they mature. Teach your son to respect girls and interview the guys that date your daughter. Be sure to check what they and you watch on TV and do on the internet. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be fun to be around. Show your children your lighter side. Don’t be so preoccupied with work or church that you’re a prude or a bore. “A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance” (Pr 15:13). The point is, if you “talk the talk,” be sure you “walk the walk.” When Lot tried to warn his family, they “looked at him as though he had lost his senses” (Ge 19:14 TLB). Was he too busy making a living to teach them what mattered most in life? Did he say one thing and do another? We don’t know. But any way you cut it, his loss was tragic. The truth is that your integrity, or the lack of it, will have consequences not only in your own life but also in the lives of your children.
The Breaking Process (3)
“He blessed and broke and gave the loaves to the disciples.” Mt 14:19 NKJV
The Bible says that Jesus “took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, He blessed and broke and gave the loaves to the disciples; and the disciples gave to the multitudes” (v. 19 NKJV). Notice the progression in this story: The loaves were taken, blessed, broken, then given to others. That’s how God works! In order to bless others through you, He will take you, bless you, break you, and give you to others. Paul had to be broken of pride. “I have received such wonderful revelations from God. So to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh…Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. Each time he said, ‘My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.’ So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me…For when I am weak, then I am strong” (2Co 12:7-10 NLT). So, if you have a “thorny” person or situation in your life, God wants you to experience His grace and power through dealing with them. Paul finally reached the place where he could thank God for his “thorn.” The Bible speaks about “the sacrifice of praise to God” (Heb 13:15). When you’re willing to sacrifice in order to have something, it means you value it enough to pay the price for it. Do you want to walk in God’s power? To experience His blessing? Then thank God for your “thorny situation,” and embrace the breaking process through which He is taking you today.
The Breaking Process (1)
“The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit.” Ps 51:17 NLT
Brokenness is the process by which God strips us of pride and self-sufficiency so that the character of Christ can shine through. Brokenness doesn’t necessarily mean experiencing some tragedy. Many people suffer tragedy without drawing closer to God. The issue in brokenness is not so much your circumstances but your response. What’s God trying to teach you? Brokenness is when God strips you of self-sufficiency to the extent that you have no strength left to fix yourself. When He blocks every exit you try to take and you come to see that He alone is the answer, you make a life-changing discovery. What’s that? When God is all you have, God is all you need! The truth is that God’s power is reserved for those who have given up trying to do it in their own strength or accomplish it for their own ends. Note the words “the sacrifice you desire.” Sacrifice means something has to die on an altar. So, if you want to experience a new level of God’s grace and power in your life, you must be willing to die to self-interest, ego, and independence. For a plant to rise from the soil, the seed must be broken. For a baby chick to experience life, the shell must be broken. For a thoroughbred horse to win, its will must be broken and harnessed. After a breaking encounter with Christ on the Damascus road, Paul prayed, “Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?” (Ac 9:6). Are you in the breaking process today? Here are your options: (1) resist, (2) run, or (3) respond and say, “Yes, Lord.”
Don’t Doubt Your Salvation
“That you may know that you have eternal life.” 1Jn 5:13 NIV
You would be surprised how many people harbor doubts about their salvation. So, let’s open God’s Word and settle the issue once and for all: “God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life…I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life” (vv. 11-13 NIV). Are you trusting Christ to save you instead of depending on your own good works? Then you’re saved! Jesus said, “He who believes in Me has everlasting life” (Jn 6:47 NKJV). Doubts always arise when you go by your feelings instead of your Bible. Your feelings are like the weather; they constantly change. The devil will also try to tell you salvation is fine for other people, but it won’t work for you. The Bible says Satan is “a liar” (Jn 8:44). Paul writes, “I know the one in whom I trust, and I am sure that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until the day of his return” (2Ti 1:12 NLT). The old-timers used to testify, “I thank God for His saving and keeping power.” You’re not keeping your salvation; your Savior is keeping you! So when your faith feels shaky, stop and pray: “Lord Jesus, I have placed my trust in you. Your Word says that I can know I have eternal life. It’s not a matter of feeling good enough or worthy, but of believing that you are worthy. So, I put my trust in you, choose to believe your Word, and reject my doubts.”
Tackle Your Giant Head-On
“David prevailed…with a sling and a stone.” 1Sa 17:50 NKJV
Chuck Swindoll says: “Goliath reminds me of the cross-eyed discus thrower. He didn’t set any records…but he sure kept the crowd awake! Every day Goliath paraded along the slopes of the Valley of Elah issuing threats…The only response from the Israeli troops was the sound of knees knocking and teeth chattering! The giant’s strategy of fear and intimidation worked…until David introduced him to the Lord of Hosts, and ‘with a sling and a stone…struck the Philistine and killed him’ (v. 50 NKJV). To this day, two timeless truths remain. (1) You won’t win the battle by employing the Enemy’s technique. When you fight with the world’s weapons, you become like the world. The Bible says, ‘There was no sword in David’s hand’ (v. 50 NAS); his most powerful weapon—the thing that made him unique and gave him the victory—was his inner shield of faith. It kept him free from fear, cleared his vision…and gave him composure amidst chaos. (2) Slaying giants takes skill and discipline. Wielding the sling and stone of the Spirit is much more delicate than swinging the club of the flesh. Paul says, ‘We wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities…powers…rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places’ (Eph 6:12). Note: Wrestling isn’t a team sport. Goliath said, ‘Choose one man to come down…and fight me!’ (1Sa 17:8 NLT). For the duration of the battle, you’re the Enemy’s sole target. If you’re facing your own personal giant, be like David; turn him over to God, load up your sling…and let God win the victory for you.”
Let’s Work Together
“For we are labourers together with God.” 1Co 3:9
The Bible says we must love, honor, and work together. So, why don’t we do it? Ego! We like to think we can do everything ourselves—but that’s not reality! There are no supermen or superwomen. So, the question isn’t whether or not you can do everything on your own; it’s how soon are you going to realize you can’t? Philanthropist Andrew Carnegie declared, “It marks a big step in your development when you come to realize that other people can help you do a better job than you could do alone.” After training His disciples for ministry, Jesus sent them out in twos; there were no solo acts! Why? For many reasons: to prevent one another from straying off the path, to hold each other accountable, to encourage one another when the going got tough, to offset a weakness with a corresponding strength. We each have “blind spots” and we need someone with 20/20 vision in those areas to help us see things the right way. As recorded in Exodus 17, when Moses held up his hands (symbolizing reaching for God’s help), Israel’s armies prevailed against the Amalekites. But when Moses got tired and lowered his hands, the battle went against Israel. What was the solution? “When Moses’ hands grew tired, they took a stone…put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up—one on one side, one on the other—so that his hands remained steady till sunset. So Joshua overcame the Amalekite army” (Ex 17:12-13 NIV). A couple of questions to think about: Who is holding up your hands? Whose hands are you holding up?
Moving From Failure To Success (4)
“We were filled with laughter, and we sang for joy.” Ps 126:2 NLT
To move from failure to success, you must do these: (1) Learn to laugh at yourself. No matter what you lose or how often you lose, never lose your sense of humor. When you take your mistakes too seriously, everything becomes a life-or-death issue. The psalmist wrote: “When the Lord brought back his exiles to Jerusalem, it was like a dream! We were filled with laughter, and we sang for joy. And the other nations said, ‘What amazing things the Lord has done for them.’ Yes, the Lord has done amazing things for us! What joy! Restore our fortunes, Lord, as streams renew the desert. Those who plant in tears will harvest with shouts of joy” (vv. 1-5 NLT). You may not be able to laugh about your mistakes, but you can learn to laugh in them! Note the phrase “when the Lord brought back.” God can bring you back! Tim Masters says, “Failure is the productive part of success. It provides the road you don’t have to travel again, the mountain you don’t have to climb again, and the valley you don’t have to cross again.” When we’re making mistakes, they may not feel like “the kiss of Jesus,” which was Mother Teresa’s phrase for failures that drive us to God. But if we maintain the right attitude, they can lead us to do what we should be doing. (2) Learn from your mistakes. Successful restaurateur Wolfgang Puck said, “I have learned more from the one restaurant that didn’t work than from all the ones that were successes.” Isn’t that usually the way it is? You don’t lose— you learn!
Moving From Failure To Success (2)
“You are snared by the words of your mouth.” Pr 6:2 NKJV
A noted psychiatrist remarked that two of the saddest words in human vocabulary are “if only.” He believes people who get trapped by their failures spend their lives saying, “If only I had tried harder…if only I had been kinder to my kids…if only I had been more truthful…if only…” The way to change that mindset is to change your vocabulary by substituting the words “next time.” “Next time I will try harder…next time I will be kinder to my kids…next time I will be more truthful.” The Bible says, “You are snared by the words of your mouth.” And a snare is a trap. Have you ever seen an animal caught in a trap, struggling to be free? Your words can do that. And they don’t just affect you, they affect others. Maybe you think we’re making too big a deal out of this. If you do—read on: “A wholesome tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit” (Pr 15:4 NKJV). “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit” (Pr 18:21 NKJV). Jesus said, “Whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says” (Mk 11:23 NKJV). What do these Scriptures have in common? They confirm that our words breathe life (or death) into everything! So instead of defeatist talk, speak victory over your situation. Instead of speaking failure, start speaking success. When you do, God will honor the fruit of your lips.
Who Are Your True Friends?
“There is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” Pr 18:24 NIV
Cicero said, “Friendship improves happiness and abates misery, by the doubling of our joy and the dividing of our grief.” The fact is, it’s impossible to have more than a few close friends, because true friendship takes time, attention, and commitment. “One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother” (v. 24 NIV). The hallmarks of real friendship include these: (1) Trust. Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote: “The glory of friendship is not in the outstretched hand, nor the kindly smile, nor the joy of companionship; it is the spiritual inspiration that comes to one when he discovers that someone else believes in him and is willing to trust him.” (2) Giving and receiving. Sometimes one person will be the primary giver, and sometimes the other. But true friendships are always two-sided. (3) Sharing your lives. Helen Keller said: “My friends have made the story of my life. In a thousand ways they have turned my limitations into beautiful privileges and enabled me to walk serene and happy in the shadow cast by my deprivation.” (4) Mutual enjoyment. In a true friendship, you spend time together just for the joy of it. What you do isn’t necessarily of significance. Unfortunately, the busyness of life makes us forget what a joy this can be. (5) Respecting one another. How do you build respect? By not letting obstacles or circumstances become more important than the relationship. When the pressure is on, you continue to treat one another with patience and kindness. And when the relationship is struggling, you work to preserve it.
Never Stop Learning And Growing (1)
“Wisdom excels folly as light excels darkness.” Ecc 2:13 NKJV
The most important skill you can acquire is learning to learn. Gifted people can sometimes act like they know it all, which makes it hard for them to keep growing. Teachability isn’t so much about competence and mental capacity as it is about attitude; it’s an innate hunger to grow. It’s a willingness to learn, unlearn, and relearn. The famous football coach John Wooden said, “It’s what you learn after you know it all that counts.” Only as you remain teachable will you keep growing and continue to make an impact on the world around you. Lifelong learning is an ongoing daily pursuit. The Roman scholar Cato the Elder started studying Greek at eighty years old. When asked why he was tackling such a difficult task at his age, he replied, “It’s the earliest age I have left.” Unlike Cato, many of us regard learning as an event instead of a lifelong process. It’s estimated that only one-third of adults read an entire book after graduating from school. Why? Because they view education as a period in life, not a way of life. Science confirms that while your physical body may atrophy, your mind retains much of its capacity for continued growth. Every stage of life presents lessons to be learned. You can choose to be teachable and keep on learning, or you can close your mind and stop growing. Try this simple experiment for a week; ask others for their advice…deliberately withhold the advice you would normally give…and at the end of each day write down what you have learned by being attentive. You will be amazed!
A New Year, A New Start
“[You] too may live a new life.” Ro 6:4 NIV
Refuse to let your past rob you of your future. This year God wants to give you a new start. Let’s face it, we all have relationships that can’t be healed, and issues that will never be resolved to our liking. But by God’s grace we can forgive, forget, and move on. You don’t have to lie awake at night digging up old bones, picking at scars, and reviving painful memories. If you give them an opening, the ghosts of your past will take up residence in your head. You say, “But I still struggle in so many areas.” We all do. Even the great apostle Paul admitted he didn’t have it all together. Unlike those who condemn in others the very things they struggle with themselves, Paul admits: “I know the law but…can’t keep it…sin…keeps sabotaging my best intentions, I…need help!…I decide to do good, but…My decisions…don’t result in actions. Something…gets the better of me every time” (Ro 7:17-20 MSG). “Thank you, Paul,” from all of us who mistakenly thought that once we became Christians there would be no more struggles! But Paul doesn’t stop there; he adds these two important Scriptures: (1) “Just as Christ was raised from the dead…we too may live a new life” (Ro 6:4 NIV). (2) “In the same way [as Christ], count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus” (v. 11 NIV). You ask, “How then should I handle my old issues?” Admit them, quit them, and forget them! Instead of fighting battles you can’t win, let Christ’s resurrection power sweep through your life and sever the ties between you and the pain of your past.
Respond With Love
“Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you.” 1Pe 3:9 NLT
Some of the negative people in your life lack intimate relationships. So, they keep others at arm’s length, rarely share their feelings, and are uncomfortable with those who do. They find it easier to condemn than to accept. Their hard-and-fast views make them inflexible. Often these people can’t handle freedom. They need rules that limit their choices, and they only feel secure within their own boundaries. Understanding that will help you deal with them the right way, which is to “take the high road.” Peter gives us the rules of that road. (Interestingly, this is now the older, mellower, more spiritual Peter, not the one who whipped out his sword and chopped off the ear of the high priest’s servant.) “Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude. Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and He will bless you for it. For the Scriptures say, ‘If you want to enjoy life and see many happy days, keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies. Turn away from evil and do good. Search for peace, and work to maintain it. The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right, and his ears are open to their prayers. But the Lord turns his face against those who do evil’” (vv. 8-12 NLT). So, the word for you today is—don’t retaliate, respond with love.
Changing How You Pray
“I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers.” Eph 1:16 NIV
Bible prayers are powerful. They put things into perspective. For example, Paul prayed that God would give the Ephesians “the Spirit of wisdom and revelation…that you may know him better…I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you…and his incomparably great power” (vv.17-19 NIV). With this model in mind, JoHannah Reardon writes this: (1) Make your prayers God centered. The Creator of the universe has given you the privilege of bringing your requests to Him. When you tell God how great He is, you’re filled with an expectancy that something great can happen because you’re talking to the One who can do anything. (2) Make them praise filled. Paul starts by saying, “I have not stopped giving thanks for you.” The key isn’t to focus on your troubles, but to thank God and praise Him because He knows what He is doing. Learn to say, “I don’t know why I’m having this problem, Lord, and I would love for you to change things. But if you don’t, I know you will use it for good in my life.” (3) Make them life changing. Most of our prayers are asking God to change our circumstances. But maybe He wants to change you. That doesn’t mean He won’t ever intervene; He supplies needs, opens doors, and heals people in incredible ways every day. But when you spend years praying for something that never happens, it may be a clue you’re not praying the right way. Paul found joy in a prison cell, and when God opens your eyes, you will find joy in your situation too.
He Is All This…And More!
“These will be his royal titles.” Isa 9:6 TLB
Jack Hayford writes: “Who is this Babe of Bethlehem…who became flesh…who called forth songs of angels…this Christ of Christmas?…the answer comes back with ringing authority…He is the Redeemer—‘in whom we have redemption’ (Col 1:14 NKJV). We who believe on His name have been ‘qualified’ (v. 12 NKJV), ‘delivered’ and ‘conveyed’ (v. 13 NKJV) into a new…kingdom, by…a price once-paid to secure our freedom, potential, and fellowship. He is the Revealer—‘the image of the invisible God’ (v. 15 NKJV). The veil of mystery is removed…no one need wonder what He is like—His Son Jesus has come to disclose His heart, His nature, His ways, His very being. Christ reveals all of the Father we could ever want to understand (See Jn 14:9). He is the Creator—‘by Him all things were created’ (Col 1:16 NKJV). All things—in heaven and earth—were made…for His use, pleasure, and glory. He is the Sustainer—‘in him all things consist’ (v. 17 NKJV). He, the Word, spoke all things into existence (See Jn 1:3)…and ‘upholds all things by the word of His power (Heb 1:3 NAS). Just as He creates (See Heb 11:3), so He keeps. He is the Leader—‘the head of the body, the church’ (Col 1:18). He gained this position by reason of His proven power and authority demonstrated in His resurrection. He who created all beings and powers (See v. 16) confined Himself within His own creation and voluntarily submitted to death (See Php 2:6-9). But to the dismay of hell, He rose from the dead, gave birth to the Church, and is now Lord over all.”
Don’t Doubt God
“I won’t believe it unless I see…” Jn 20:25 NLT
John writes: “Thomas (nicknamed the Twin), was not with the others when Jesus came. They told him, ‘We have seen the Lord!’ But he replied, ‘I won’t believe it unless I see the nail wounds in his hands, put my fingers into them, and place my hand into the wound in his side.’ Eight days later the disciples were together again, and this time Thomas was with them. The doors were locked; but suddenly, as before, Jesus was standing among them…Then he said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here, and look at my hands. Put your hand into the wound in my side. Don’t be faithless any longer. Believe!’ ‘My Lord and my God!’ Thomas exclaimed” (vv. 24-28 NLT). Jesus picked a doubter to be His disciple. And when he doubted, Jesus didn’t denounce and dismiss him. He actually put in a special appearance to resolve his doubts and build his faith. Elisabeth Elliott said, “True faith only goes into operation when there are no answers.” God says, “My thoughts are not your thoughts” (Isa 55:8). The truth is, God doesn’t think like us. He sees the big picture, and He works toward a specific end. Jesus said, “I have many more things to say…but they are too much for you now” (Jn 16:12 NCV). So when you find yourself doubting, pray: “Lord, believing isn’t easy when I’m hurt and confused, and You are silent. Like Thomas, I want proof that you love me. Help me to see beyond my desire for peace and comfort, beyond my doubts and unanswered questions, and to grasp the truth of Your unfailing love and grace.”
What’s The “Most Important” Thing To You?
“The most important thing is that I complete my mission.” Ac 20:24
The story is told of a wealthy woman sailing on Titanic. When it struck the iceberg, she was given a place in one of the lifeboats. Asking if she could return to her stateroom, she was given three minutes. Stepping over money and precious gems littering her cabin floor, she grabbed three oranges and returned to the lifeboat. Circumstances transformed her values; tragedy clarified her priorities. The question is not will your calendar be full, but who will fill it and what will it be filled with? If you’re wise, you will consult God as to your life’s priorities, then keep them before you at all times (See Pr 3:6). In a survey, people over ninety were asked, “If you had your life to live over, what would you do differently?” Three answers constantly emerged: (1) I would spend more time with my family and friends. (2) I would try more things and take more risks. (3) I would give myself to something that would live on after I’m gone. Petty things steal too much of our time, and we finish up living by the wrong priorities. If you say yes to every request, you will never get around to doing what God has called you to do. Paul had it figured out: “The most important thing is that I complete my mission, the work that the Lord Jesus gave me.” A life in which anything goes is a life in which nothing goes. Your greatest challenge is thinking and doing things that ultimately matter. “Oh, that they were wise, that they understood this, that they would consider their latter end!” (Dt 32:29 NKJV).
The Breaking Process (2)
“You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God.” Ps 51:17 NLT
Brokenness leads to blessing. To receive a double portion of the spirit of Elijah, Elisha, who was a farmer, had to break and burn his plow. To demonstrate her love for Jesus, Mary had to break open her box of costly ointment and pour it over Him. To defeat the armies of Midian, Gideon’s three hundred soldiers had to break their pitchers, let their light shine, and make themselves a target. The truth is, God has to break each of us in different areas in order to use us. What areas? Bad habits. Stubborn wills. Inflated egos. Evil thoughts. Crippling fears. Secret prejudices. Misguided ambitions. The list is endless. If you’re facing east, you won’t go west, so God has to turn you around. Sometimes that requires discipline. And it’s you, not God, who determines the length of that discipline and the extent of it. “No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way” (Heb 12:11 NLT). If you’re a parent, you understand this. One child will collapse in tears, whereas another will defy you. God will do whatever it takes to break you of self-sufficiency! Paul writes, “Now may…God…sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1Th 5:23 NAS). Notice that your body comes last in order of transformation. As a regenerate spirit living in an unregenerate body, you will always be “fighting the flesh.” What’s the secret of victory? Brokenness and surrender!
Prepare Yourself
“Make this valley full of ditches.” 2Ki 3:16 NKJV
All things don’t come to those who wait but to those who prepare. There is a great illustration of this in 2 Kings 3. As part of God’s strategy for defeating the Moabites, God told the Israelites to dig a ditch and He would fill it with water until it became a mighty river. They did, and as a result they experienced a spectacular victory. But don’t miss the point here. God said, “When you have dug the ditch, then I will fill it!” (See v. 17 NKJV). God can use anybody, but He doesn’t; He uses prepared people. Moses lived to be 120. His first forty years were spent in a palace, his second forty years were spent in a wilderness, and his last forty years were spent fulfilling his God-given assignment. That’s two-thirds of his life in preparation! What happens when you’re not prepared? Things you hope won’t happen, do. Often the dividing line between winning and losing is preparation! Singing, “When you wish upon a star,” won’t make your dream come true—you have to prepare yourself! Paul’s ministry begins with the words, “Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?” (Ac 9:6). Whereupon God takes him into the desert for the next three years to teach him and prepare him for his ministry. Whether your vocation is sacred or secular, you have to know what it will cost in terms of time, effort, and resources, and prepare for it. “Any enterprise is built by wise planning, becomes strong through common sense, and profits wonderfully by keeping abreast of the facts” (Pr 24:3 TLB). So, the word for you today is—prepare yourself.
Keep Hope Alive
“Wait with hope. Hope now; hope always!” Ps 131:3 MSG
David said, “Wait…for God. Wait with hope. Hope now; hope always!” When you decide things are hopeless, you slam the door in God’s face. For most of us, as long as we’re in reasonably good health and know where the rent is coming from, hope doesn’t work. First: Ask yourself what’s your strongest desire. Imagine you’re eighty and looking back. Are you satisfied? If not, challenge yourself to come up with an answer. Hope must be personal, not the kind you think you should have. It must be fervent enough to govern everything you do. Second: Give it a symbol—something you can center your thoughts around. Jeremiah taught God’s people a lesson in hope by buying land at Anathoth (See Jer 32:9). He knew they would be taken into captivity, and during those long years, the memory of that faraway field in Judah would act as a symbol of future restoration. During World War II when Leo Algimas and his family were herded into concentration camps, they maintained a symbol of hope, a tiny piece of paper from a box of chocolates with an American flag on the bottom. They passed it from hand to hand, looked at it, held it, and whispered about the liberation army that was coming. Symbols help us fix our minds on what’s possible. In fact, the greatest symbol the world has ever known was the hardest to believe. A baby in a manger signaled God’s kingdom on earth and changed mankind’s destiny. And He can change your destiny. Define what you hope for, ask in His name, and no matter how impossible it looks, expect it to come true.
Being Friends With God
“The Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend.” Ex 33:11 NLT
When you talk to a close friend, you’re relaxed, trusting, unguarded, and open. There is no need to watch your p’s and q’s; you can express how you feel without fearing you will be judged or rejected. That’s how Moses and God talked to each other—like two friends, trusting and transparent. They said what they felt and thought straightforwardly, not in churchy language or religious jargon. The Israelites had made a golden calf to worship, and God was angry enough to disown them and choose a new people. Moses had a crisis on his hands, and he engaged with God in a serious discussion over the outcome. In essence, what he told God was, “You see it one way, Lord. I see it another—and your perspective is making me very uncomfortable!” Sounds like a candid exchange between friends. Moses wasn’t being disrespectful; he was being up front and honest with God. They knew each other well enough to speak “face to face, as one speaks to a friend.” Do you pray like that? No posturing—just saying heart-to-heart what you want to say to your friend, God? That’s the kind of relationship God had with Moses, and it’s the kind He wants you to have with Him too! Religious clichés and “the usual” request lists miss the opportunity to connect deeply and personally with God. Instead, open up with Him. Get down to the nitty-gritty. Tell Him where you’re coming from, what you really feel, think, and desire; then listen to His perspective. In other words, be a friend with God!
The Right Attitude
“For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.” Pr 23:7 NKJV
What separates the best from the rest? Have you ever given that some thought? What separates a gold medalist from a silver medalist in the Olympics? What separates a successful entrepreneur from someone who doesn’t make it? What makes it possible for one person to flourish after a debilitating accident while someone else gives up and dies? It’s attitude! The Bible says, “For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.” Your attitude can be your greatest asset or your greatest liability. It makes you or breaks you. It lifts you up or drags you down. The right attitude may not let you do everything, but it will help you to do anything better than you would when your attitude is wrong. The happiest people in life don’t undoubtedly have the best of everything; they simply try to make the best of everything. They’re like a person in a remote village who daily goes to the well for water and says, “Every time I come to this well, I come away with my bucket full,” instead of saying, “I can’t believe I have to keep coming back to this well every day to fill up my bucket!” Your attitude has a profound influence on your approach to life. Ask a surgeon if a patient’s attitude matters when he or she is trying to save that person’s life in an emergency room. Ask a teacher if a student’s attitude has an impact before they take a test. Jesus said, “According to your faith be it unto you” (Mt 9:29). Like a magnet, faith draws on the strength which God offers.
Moving From Failure To Success (3)
“Many…say of me, ‘There is no help for him.’” Ps 3:2 NKJV
A Christian leader writes: “Oliver Goldsmith was born the son of a poor preacher in Ireland in the 1700s. Growing up, he wasn’t a great student. In fact, his schoolmaster labeled him a ‘stupid blockhead.’ He did manage to earn a college degree, but he finished at the bottom of his class. He was unsure of what he wanted to do. At first he tried to become a preacher, but it didn’t suit him…Next he tried law but failed at it. He then settled on medicine, but he was an indifferent doctor…not passionate about his profession. He was able to hold several posts only temporarily. Goldsmith lived in poverty, was often ill, and once even had to pawn his clothes to buy food. It looked like he would never find his way. But then he discovered an interest and aptitude for writing and translating. At first, he worked as a Fleet Street reviewer and writer. But then he began to write works that came out of his own interests. He secured his reputation as a novelist with The Vicar of Wakefield, a poet with “The Deserted Village,” and a playwright with She Stoops to Conquer.” Goldsmith’s story sounds a lot like the psalmist David’s—and maybe yours too: “Many are they who say of me, ‘There is no help for him in God.’ But You, O Lord, are a shield for me, my glory and the One who lifts up my head” (vv. 2-3 NKJV). You may be down today, but God will lift you up if you turn to Him for guidance and cooperate with His plan for your life.
Moving From Failure To Success (1)
“Whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle.” Heb 11:34 NIV
The writer of Hebrews said: “I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson and Jephthah, about David and Samuel and the prophets…whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies” (vv. 32, 34 NIV). Some of the biggest success stories in Scripture are about people who struggled with weaknesses and character flaws. They were mired in seeming failure and defeat, yet by God’s grace they overcame the obstacles and odds stacked against them. The overriding theme of the Bible is resurrection—getting back up again! Here is the question: If you can’t avoid failure, and you’re not supposed to give in to it or let it color your thinking, how do you handle it? First, change your attitude. Cartoon character Homer Simpson summarized the attitude of many of us when he said, “Kids, you tried your best and you failed miserably. The lesson is—never try.” Suffice it to say, Homer is a classic underachiever! In another episode, he quips, “Trying is the first step toward failure.” The bottom line is, Homer never tries, so like many real people, he stays stuck. The people who succeed in life have faith and tenacity. They refuse to quit; they have decided not to let failure defeat them. Note the words “whose weakness was turned to strength.” You may start out weak, but by God’s grace, you can become strong. You can rise from the ashes of failure, achieve your goals, and live the life God intends. How do we know? Because God’s Word says so!
Never Stop Learning And Growing (2)
“Wisdom is far more valuable than rubies. Nothing you desire can compare with it.” Pr 8:11 NLT
To keep learning and growing, you must recognize these: (1) Successful people view learning differently than unsuccessful people. Joshua learned from Moses. Timothy learned from Paul. Who have you chosen to learn from? Author Sydney J. Harris wrote: “A winner knows how much he still has to learn, even when he is considered an expert by others. A loser wants to be considered an expert by others before he has learned enough to know how little he knows.” It’s all a matter of attitude. It’s truly remarkable how much a person has to learn before he or she realizes how little they know. (2) Nothing is interesting if you’re not interested. In Quality Is Free, Philip B. Crosby writes: “There is a theory of human behavior that says people subconsciously retard their own intellectual growth. They come to rely on clichés and habits. Once they reach the age of…personal comfort with the world, they stop learning and their mind runs on idle for the rest of their days. They may progress organizationally, they may be ambitious and eager, and they may even work night and day. But they learn no more.” The Bible says, “Jesus increased in wisdom and stature” (Lk 2:52). He didn’t just grow physically; He grew spiritually, mentally, and emotionally. It’s a tragedy when you let yourself get into a rut and never climb out; you miss out on the best that God has to offer. By contrast, teachable people are completely engaged in life. They are enthusiastic about things. They’re interested in discovering, discussing, applying, and increasing. So, never stop learning and growing!
Heed Your Own Advice
“My son, pay attention to my wisdom.” Pr 5:1 NLT
Solomon told his son: “Pay attention to my wisdom…the lips of an immoral woman are as sweet as honey, and her mouth is smoother than oil. But in the end she is as bitter as poison, as dangerous as a double-edged sword…Stay away from her! Don’t go near the door of her house! If you do, you will lose your honor and will lose to merciless people all you have achieved. Strangers will consume your wealth, and someone else will enjoy the fruit of your labor…You will say…‘If only I had not ignored all the warnings…now I must face public disgrace’” (vv. 1, 3-4, 8-10, 12, 14 NLT). It’s always easier to dispense good advice than to follow it. Solomon’s life proves it. He tells us repeatedly and with great conviction that only fools fall into adultery. Yet he failed to heed his own advice and God’s explicit warning about taking too “many wives, or his heart will be led astray” (Dt 17:17 NIV). Solomon married seven hundred women. And what was the result? “His wives turned his heart after other gods; and his heart was not loyal to the Lord” (1Ki 11:4 NKJV). Here is an interesting question: Was the reason Solomon had so much to say about this particular subject because it represented an area of struggle and vulnerability in his own life? Sometimes leaders do that; they speak out against areas of weakness they see in their own lives. One thing is certain; if Solomon had taken the advice he gave his son, his life story would have been very different. So, the word for you today is—heed your own advice.