.....conscience

Several years ago I went to the store to buy four small bricks I needed to complete a project in the backyard, nothing special, just four bricks. After considering the options, I decided on a charcoal black which cost a little more than the standard red brick. The store was busy with several long lines of shoppers intent on completing projects before the end of the day. I chose a line and waited my turn.

The lines moved slowly and there seemed to be an impatient tension all around. When it came my turn, the clerk quickly computed the price and took my money. As I received my change, I felt something was wrong. And as I stepped toward the door, I knew I had been charged a lower price.

My mind knew a mistake had been made, but my feet kept walking out the door and toward my car. I knew I should have revealed the mistake, but my mind raced into high gear justifying my inaction: "I don't want to make others wait while the correction is made!" "The mistake is small - little more than the cost of a bar of candy." "The profit from my other purchases during the year will certainly make up for this small loss." It's amazing how easy it was to find reasons to keep walking.

As I continued, my conscience began to counter my rationalization; and by the time I reached my car, that small inner voice was screaming at me to correct the error - and correct it NOW! I walked back into the store, waited in another long line, pointed to the error, and paid the extra money. My conscience hasn't always been so sensitive - and I confess, it's not always so sensitive now - but on this day it was, and I still praise God!

I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and man Acts 24:16

God has created us all with a conscience deep within our soul. At a very young age our conscience helps us maneuver the complex path of right and wrong. And when we place our trust in Jesus for the forgiveness of sin, we are given the Holy Spirit who ignites our conscience and guides us toward the presence of God and a life of holiness.

But when we ignore the prompting of the Holy Spirit, our conscience slowly becomes burned. The burning usually begins small - a little lie, a small deception - but over time, our conscience can become "seared as with a hot iron" 1 Timothy 4:2. Then, when needed in a time of great temptation, there is no "inner voice" to keep us from falling. Our conscience is a precious gift, and it's hard to believe I nearly damaged such a gift in exchange for a trivial amount of money.

Is your conscience sensitive to the prompting of the Spirit, or has it developed a hard crust which fails to point the way toward truth? Is there an issue in your life which requires ignoring your conscience and thus causing damage? Let's live so that all areas of our life bring Him glory and honor. In ALL we do, let's listen intently, obey completely, and protect God's wonderful gift as we strive to maintain a clear conscience. 

- steve troxel

.....wisdom

There are many influences which compete for our attention, many different inputs which seek to shape our view of the world and, in turn, direct how we make decisions about our life. There is also an enemy who greatly desires to win this competition. The enemy is battling for the hearts of men, women, and children, and he knows if he can win the battle of the mind, the heart will remain his.

Many of the battle lines are easy to recognize. For example, the direct assault from various forms of sexual temptation and drugs claim numerous victims every day. But there are many other plans of the enemy which place hidden mine fields along the path and destroy those who are not careful where they step. Perhaps the best disguised and most effective weapon of the enemy is that of worldly wisdom.

Since the Garden of Eden, the enemy has propagated a set of values which sound wise and appealing, but which consistently lead down a path of destruction. His "wisdom" attempts to define happiness and success - tells us we must achieve, push, and obtain in order to succeed and be fulfilled. But if we will come into the presence of God, we will see the world's wisdom for what it truly is...foolishness.

"Do not deceive yourselves. If any one of you thinks he is wise by the standards of this age, he should become a "fool" so that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God's sight." 1 Corinthians 3:18-19

The values of the world are continually promoted in every type of media and from every possible class of people - even sometimes from those who profess faith in Jesus. But these values are lies! They are weapons of the enemy used to pull us away from God...they are foolishness!! And when we choose to live as a captive to world values, we have chosen to live outside of God's perfect plan; "Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God" James 4:4

God's plan will always require faith - always require us to be "sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see" Hebrews 11:1. This often means we must have the faith and courage to stand alone. Though the world may label us a "fool," we must continue (and continue some more) to "trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding" Proverbs 3:5.

We are being called to become a fool to the world, but this is not an easy task. We have been well educated in the world system and now must reshape the way we think; "be transformed by the renewing of your mind" Romans 12:2. This renewal process will take determined, consistent, and intentional prayer and the study of His Word, but God will provide sufficient strength for the process. 

Let's refuse to live in a cloud of deception. Let's make an uncompromising commitment to God and break free from the wisdom of the world.

- steve troxel

.....together

For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ I Corinthians 12:12

A lawyer, trying to defend a man accused of burglary, came up with a rather creative argument:

“My client merely inserted his arm through the window and removed a few items. His arm is not himself, and I don’t see how the whole man can be punished for something his arm did.”The judge paused, then replied, “Well stated. Using your logic, I sentence the defendant’s arm to one year in prison. He may accompany it or not, as he chooses.”

Smiling, the defendant — who had an artificial limb — detached it, placed it on the bench, and walked out of the courtroom.

That’s not quite what Paul had in mind when he described the church as a body!

In 1 Corinthians 12, Paul uses the metaphor of the human body to teach an important spiritual truth: Christians are not isolated individuals doing their own thing — we are part of something greater. We are the body of Christ, and each one of us is a vital member.

No one gets to say, “I don’t belong” just because they can’t do what someone else can do. And no one should think they don’t need others. A body works only when all its parts are connected and functioning together. You can’t have a body made up of only eyes or ears or feet. Paul’s point is clear: we belong to each other. We rejoice together, we suffer together, and we grow together. Each person — regardless of their gifts, background, or role — is essential to the health of the body.

In a world that often celebrates independence and division, the church is called to something radically different – interdependence and unity. We’re not detachable. We’re all in this together.

So instead of competing with one another or comparing ourselves with one another, let’s commit ourselves to encouraging and supporting one another — because when one part thrives, the whole body benefits.

- alan smith

Father, thank you for placing me in the body of Christ. Help me to understand the role I play in your church and to value the roles that others play, so that we may grow together in love and unity. In Jesus’ name, amen.

.....protection

 "the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God's sight" 1 Corinthians 3:19. 

The enemy uses the world's wisdom as a very effective weapon. This false wisdom has permeated our society to the point where it is difficult, if not impossible, to avoid being attacked. Yet the attacks can be so subtle we often do not even realize we are hit until we have wandered far from God's path.

This is such a powerful and deceptive weapon, we need the ability to recognize the attack and protect against harm, God has provided a sure way for both. 

Do not withhold Your mercy from me, O Lord; may Your love and Your truth always protect me Psalm 40:11

In the financial world, there is always concern about counterfeit. Ever since the first currency, there have been those who make and distribute unauthorized money. The absolute best way to recognize these counterfeits is to know the fine details of the real thing. When the truth is fully known, the counterfeit is easily revealed.

God has given an unchanging standard against which all others must be judged. His standard is His Word - and His Word is TRUTH! Jesus taught a message of truth for His entire earthly ministry. Nearly one hundred times in the gospels Jesus began His message with, "I tell you the truth."

Jesus referred to Himself as the complete manifestation of truth; "I am the way, the truth, and the life" John 14:6. And if properly applied, the truth will never be a burden: "If you hold to My teaching, you are really My disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free" John 8:31-32.

Paul said in the last days people will be deceived and perish, "because they refused to love the truth and so be saved" 2 Thessalonians 2:10. Notice that our protection is not simply learning about the truth; rather, it requires a love of the truth - a passionate desire to know and apply the truth of His Word. We must allow His truth to become entwined in ALL we do, say, and think.

Let's pray that God would reveal His truth more and more every day. Let's commit to learning His truths and applying them as the absolute standard in our life. The enemy will continue to attack with his weapons of deception, but as we remain in Christ and firmly hold to His Word we can be assured we have the protection of truth.

- adapted from steve troxel

.....medical

The sluggard says, ‘There is a lion in the road! There is a lion in the streets!’ As a door turns on its hinges, so does a sluggard on his bed. The sluggard buries his hand in the dish; it wears him out to bring it back to his mouth. Proverbs 26:13–15

The story is told of a man who went to the doctor, complaining that he just couldn’t do all the things he used to do around the house. After a full examination, he said, “I can take it, Doc — tell me in plain English what’s wrong with me.”

“In plain English,” the doctor replied, “you’re just lazy.”

The man paused and said, “Okay. Now give me the medical term so I can tell my wife.”

That story hits home because we’ve all had moments when we’d rather find a clever excuse than face a plain truth. Whether it’s “I’m too tired,” “it’s not the right time,” or “I’ll get to it tomorrow,” our words try to make it sound reasonable, but deep down, we just don’t want to do it.

Solomon’s wisdom in Proverbs 26 paints a series of vivid pictures of laziness. A man so afraid of imaginary lions that he won’t go outside. A person so sluggish he can’t lift food to his own mouth. A door that turns but goes nowhere — just like someone rolling over in bed instead of getting up. The images are funny, but the message is serious: laziness, if left unchecked, doesn’t just waste time — it can waste our lives.

God isn’t against rest. In fact, rest is good and necessary, but avoidance disguised as rest is not. God calls us to live with diligence, not excuses. To be faithful in the small, ordinary tasks of life — even when we don't feel like it.

There may not be a lion in the street. But there may be someone who needs encouragement. A task that will bring glory to God. An opportunity to grow. Laziness doesn't just keep us in bed — it keeps us from becoming who God created us to be.

- adapted from alan smith

Lord, help me recognize the excuses I make — especially the ones I try to justify. Give me the energy to do what matters most so that I can be faithful in the work you’ve placed before me. In Jesus’ name, amen.

.....places

For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.  2 Corinthians 5:21

Christ traded spaces with us on the cross. He died in our place, for our sin. But if you believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross for your sins, you only believe one-half of the Gospel. The other half of the Gospel is the fact that Christ fulfilled God's standard perfectly.  He was 100% righteous. So, had Christ been 90% righteous or 80% righteous, his sacrifice would not meet God's demands. He was 100% righteous.

So, once you bow the knee to Christ and ask him to come into your life to take residence, to come into the dwelling place of your heart, then the righteousness of Christ is imputed into your life. Thus, when God sees you, he sees Jesus and his perfect character. This is only able to take place because of the resurrection power.

That's the power that can renovate our minds and hearts today and that will one day completely renovate and restore our sin-torn bodies into glorified bodies that will live forever in heaven. The resurrection is the final hope of every Christ-follower. It is the "final reveal" of God's design and renovation: the perfection of our mind, body, and spirit. On the other side of the grave, when God says, "Okay, open your eyes and see your new space," you will open your eyes in a resurrected, recreated body, a completely new space that you will inhabit for eternity.

It will be the perfect space,

     designed by the perfect Designer (God the Father),

          rebuilt by the perfect Carpenter (Jesus Christ) and

               purchased at the ultimate cost (Christ's precious blood).

But you've got to make the choice: Are you going to keep trying on your own to rebuild the rubble left by sin or are you going to let the Carpenter renovate your life into the perfect space?

- david langerfeld

.....block

Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! Matthew 7:9-11

I have a very wise and wonderfully-gifted, very spiritual friend. During a time when I was considering a change in my life, she taught me a prayer. Just like its author, it is very simple: "Bless It or Block It."

I used to believe that if the answer to my prayer - whether the request was acquiring a new job, a new romance, a new home, or keeping what I already had – if it was not a resounding “Yes, you’ve got it,” that I was somehow being denied what was good for me.

This simple prayer reminds me that there are other possibilities. Sometimes we are denied the things that we want because they are not what is for our highest good. When I can truly ask God to either "bless" the thing that I want or to "block" it for whatever reason He deems is in my best interest, I know that I am blessed, no matter what the result.

An example of this prayer at work is when this very same friend who taught me this prayer wanted to purchase her dream home. However, one obstacle after another began to present itself, and she was unable to purchase the home. 

At first she was disappointed, but still undaunted in her search for a dream home, she continued looking. Only after she found another home was it revealed that the first house actually had huge foundation problems and would have been a very poor investment.

Trust that whatever it is that you ask God to "bless or block", He will.

- david langerfed

.....messenger

Ahithophel was a highly regarded advisor to King David; "Now in those days the advice Ahithophel gave was like that of one who inquires of God" 2 Samuel 16:23. But when David's son, Absalom, rebelled and sought to become the new king, Ahithophel joined with Absalom.Ahithophel had reason to be angry with David; he was the grandfather of Bathsheba and had watched as David violated his granddaughter and then had her husband killed 2 Samuel 11.

In his anger, Ahithophel advised Absalom how to defeat David, but God had other plans; "The Lord had determined to frustrate the good advice of Ahithophel in order to bring disaster on Absalom" 2 Samuel 17:14. When Absalom refused to follow his advice, Ahithophel took the rejection very personally.

"When Ahithophel saw that his advice had not been followed, he saddled his donkey and set out for his house in his hometown. He put his house in order and then hanged himself." 2 Samuel 17:23 Ahithophel had once been close to God and was used for many years to give Godly direction. But at some point, Ahithophel began to take too much ownership of his ministry. 

He determined his self-worth based on the results of his ministry and began to use his gifts for his own selfish purpose. When his message was no longer trusted, and his ministry was not going in the direction he desired, his self-worth fell and he found he had no reason to continue.

God has called each of us to be His messengers and has given us a ministry of sharing the Gospel; "We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making His appeal through us" 2 Corinthians 5:20. Some are called to preach a message of hope to a large congregation. Others have been called to instruct a small group, or to encourage just one...but we have all been called!

We are never responsible for the outcome of a ministry, only for the obedience of faithfully delivering His message. God remains in complete control of any and all results: "My Word that goes out from My mouth: It will not return to Me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it" Isaiah 55:11. As we walk in obedience, His purpose (not ours!) will be accomplished.

We must never lose sight of the One who called us to serve. Our worth is in being a Child of God, not in the praises we receive or in what we can accomplish. We must continue to be obedient messengers who proclaim the Good News, teach the truth, and encourage at every opportunity. And when we become discouraged, we must check our focus and always remember...this is His message and His ministry.

- steve troxel

.....forgiveness

Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. Ephesians 4:32

Corrie Ten Boom shares this true story in her book, "The Hiding Place"...    It was a church service in Munich that I saw him, the former S.S. man who had stood guard at the shower room door in the processing center at Ravensbruck.

He was the first of our actual jailers that I had seen since that time. And suddenly it was all there -- the roomful of mocking men, the heaps of clothing, Betsie's pain-blanched face. He came up to me as the church was emptying, beaming and bowing. "How grateful I am for your message, Fraulein," he said. "To think that, as you say, He has washed my sins away!"

His hand was thrust out to shake mine. And I, who had preached so often to the people the need to forgive, kept my hand at my side. Even as the angry, vengeful thoughts boiled through me, I saw the sin of them. Jesus Christ had died for this man; was I going to ask for more? "Lord Jesus," I prayed, "forgive me and help me to forgive him."

I tried to smile, I struggled to raise my hand. I could not. I felt nothing, not the slightest spark of warmth or charity. And so again I breathed a silent prayer. "Jesus, I cannot forgive him. Give me Your forgiveness."

As I took his hand the most incredible thing happened. From my shoulder along my arm and through my hand a current seemed to pass from me to him, while into my heart sprang a love for this stranger that almost overwhelmed me.

And so I discovered that it is not on our forgiveness any more than on our goodness that the world's healing hinges, but on His. When He tells us to love our enemies, He gives, along with the command, the love itself.

- corrie ten boom

.....light

You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.  In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:14-16

One evening a man took a small candle from a box and began to climb a long winding stairway. "Where are we going?" asked the candle.

"We're going up higher than a house to show the ships the way to the harbor."

"But no ship in the harbor could ever see my light," the candle said, "it is so very small."

"If your light is small," the man said, "just keep on burning brightly and leave the rest to me."

When they reached the top of the long stairs, they came to a large lamp. Then he took the little candle and lit the lamp. Soon the large polished mirrors behind the lamp sent beams of fight out across the miles of sea.

We are God's candle! Our job is to keep on shining. The success of our work is in His hands. A tiny candle or match can start a forest fire. The little flame of your good example can actually change the lives of others without you knowing it. 

Be a light to them like the beacon light in the story which guides the ship to safe harbor.

- ellena kalinga

.....stronger

But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:31

Eagles are beautiful creatures.  These birds are swift and reach amazing altitudes. Other birds cower at the thought of even nearing one thousand feet, but eagles go to twenty thousand. While other creatures seek shelter during violent storms, eagles soar through the raging winds, and they actually "have a ball."

So, what is the eagle's secret? It doesn't just fly - the eagle soars!!!  It doesn't use the energy of its wings to move about. It wisely takes the power of the rushing wind, catching its quiet force behind him and beneath him. That is why eagles love the storm: The stronger the wind, the greater their strength.

Eagles make me think about how I try to do things on my own, propelling myself to reach higher altitudes by the strength of my own wings. No wonder I tire so easily. But if I only allow the Glorious Wind of His Spirit to move my soul, to carry me beyond my own failures and weaknesses... I can boldly face the most difficult situations and soar through the most violent storms. Yes, the greater the problem, the stronger I become.

"Strength of my soul, desire of my heart, let me trust in You completely: Let me give to You all that assails me, that I may fully rest under the shadow of Your wings".

Tired of flapping your wings? Soar in the mighty wind of the Spirit. He will take you to a place of rest.

- david tito

.....question

We seem to spend an enormous amount of time evaluating questions about our future: what school we will attend, what job we will work, who we will marry, and where we will live. These are important questions and deserve careful consideration. But have we given proper thought to the question which determines our eternal future?

But if the Bible is, in some form, a message from and about God, then there is nothing of greater importance! His message says we continue to live long after our physical body ceases to breathe. Though we pass from this earth, we continue to live - we either live in eternal joy and peace, or eternal anguish and separation. There is no greater question: Where WILL we spend eternity?

When Jesus died, He was nailed to a cross along with two other men. These men were thieves and both mocked Jesus for claiming to be the Son of God. But at some point during those long hours on the cross, one of the men demonstrated a changed heart and had his eternal future radically altered.

Don't you fear God,' he said, 'since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong Luke 23:40-41

In the last moment of life, this common thief pointed the way to eternal peace. He recognized his sin and understood he deserved death. We ALL sin and fall short of God's standard; and this sin deserves death, eternal separation from God. But praise God we need not dwell in this hopeless state. The thief turned from his sin, toward Jesus as the One who would conquer death; "Jesus, remember me when You come into Your Kingdom" Luke 23:42

.

Though the thief had nothing to give, he surrendered ALL. God's Word never says there are specific acts which determine our eternal future. We are simply told to believe in Jesus with such a belief that we call out with complete surrender. When the thief recognized and turned from his sin, with humility toward Jesus as his only hope, Jesus answered as He promises to answer us today; "I tell you the truth today, you will be with Me in paradise" Luke 23:43

In that moment, the thief had his answer. No longer a thief but a Child of God, he would live forever in joy and peace. Let's not allow another day to go by without knowing where we will spend eternity! 

Have we recognized and turned from the sin within our heart? 

Have we humbly placed our life in His hands? 

Do we really believe? 

Today, let's make sure we know the answer to the most important question.

.....written

You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everyone. You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts 2 Cor 3:2-3

Clearly, you are a letter.… This “letter” is written not with pen and ink, but with the Spirit of the living God. It is carved not on tablets of stone, but on human hearts.

Writing letters has been becoming a thing of the past. Email, texts, and yes even greeting cards have supplanted pen and ink salutations. Personally I still enjoy receiving a hand written note. It is going the extra step, doing a little more than the average perhaps.

We have the great gift of the Bible, God’s written Word to us. The unchanging, unfailing, bottom-line truth of the Lord’s guidance and direction for our lives. 

Have you ever heard the saying, ‘You may be the only Bible someone ever reads”? God’s love for us is written on our hearts, as well as in the printed Word. We carry, at all times, His love and promises that are indelibly put into our hearts by the Spirit of God.

How awesome we can share this with others. It isn’t rocket science, just simply being kind and caring people. 

- sally kennedy

.....wake

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new 2 Cor 5:17

A man was giving his testimony at one of those old Salvation Army open air street meetings.  As he was testifying, a heckler in the crowd yelled, "Why don't you shut up and sit down? You're just dreaming."

Immediately that heckler felt a tug on his coat. He looked down to see a little girl, who said. "Sir, may I speak to you? That man who is talking up there is my daddy. My daddy used to be a drunkard. He used to spend all of the money he made on whiskey. My mother was very sad and would cry most of the time.

Sometimes when my daddy came home, he would hit my mother. I didn't have shoes or a nice dress to wear to school. But look at my shoes. And see this pretty dress? My daddy bought these for me."

But the little girl wasn't through with the heckler yet. "See my mother over there? She's the one with the bright smile on her face. She's happy now. She sings even when she's doing the dishes."

Then the little girl said, "Mister, if my daddy is dreaming, please don't wake him up."

“And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.” Revelation 12:11

.....shine

After walking with His disciples for three years, Jesus gave the command to "go and make disciples of all nations" (Matthew 28:19). Jesus taught them the full gospel message and revealed the wonderful truths about our Heavenly Father; "I have made You known to them and will continue to make You known" John 17:26.

The disciples had been blessed with an awesome knowledge of the truth and now had the responsibility to take this message to all the nations, "teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you" Matthew 28:20. But this was not a new command. Toward the beginning of His ministry, Jesus taught about the need to share our true life in Christ.

You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on a stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men Matthew 5:14-16

When we place our faith in Jesus for the forgiveness of sin we are "rescued from the dominion of darkness" Colossians 1:13. Where darkness once ruled, the Light of Jesus now reigns supreme; "Whoever follows Me will never walk in darkness, but will have the Light of life" John 8:12. Receiving His free gift of light allows us to see His path. It should also light the path for others to follow!

Being given the Light of Christ is an awesome blessing, but with this gift also comes a very real responsibility. Every day God gives us opportunities to share our faith, to share our light. But when we keep silent, we cover our lamp and deprive our flame of vital oxygen. It doesn't take long for such a flame to begin to weaken, flicker, and die!

We must keep the fire going by sharing our faith! As a child of God, we have become "Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making His appeal through us" 2 Corinthians 5:20. Though God doesn't need us to accomplish His work, He has invited/commanded us to play a part in His wonderful plan. 

The world was spiritually dark when Jesus arrived, and there remains many areas of darkness today. We have the responsibility, and the privilege, of helping to light one small corner, of pushing back the darkness with our light.

Let's faithfully share the truth of Jesus wherever we are sent. When we receive the Light of Christ, we should no more keep it to ourselves than we should keep our breath inside our body once we are born. This precious gift, given by grace through faith, comes with a command. We must continue to hold the Light high and let it shine!

- adapted from steve troxel

.....contentment

There was a father who was known by his family to be a chronic growler. He complained about everything.  He was sitting one day with his family in the presence of a guest in the living room when the subject of food came up.

One of the children, a little girl, was telling the guest what food each member of the family liked best. Finally,  it came to the father's turn to be described.  "And what do I like, Nancy?" he asked.

"You," said the little girl slowly, "well, what you like most is anything we haven't got."

There are some people like that, who simply are never content.  If they're served one food, they want something else.  If it's hot outside, they want it to be cold.  If it's cold, they want it to be hot.  And they'd rather be ANYWHERE else other than where they're living right now!

To the young man Timothy, Paul wrote, "Now godliness with contentment is great gain.  For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.  And having food and clothing, we shall be content." I Timothy 6:6-8.  Since most of us seem to need far more than that to be content, we are challenged by Paul's words!

But, to Paul, they weren't just words to be spoken and discussed.  They were words to be lived out.  Despite the fact that Paul was writing from prison, he was able to say, "I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content." Philippians 4:11.  In the next verse, he said that he had learned to be content with a lot (which would be easy for most of us), but he was also content with little.  The reason he could be content because he had Jesus Christ, and that was all he needed to bring contentment.

Do you have food?  

Do you have clothing?  

More importantly, do you have Jesus?

- adapted from alan smith

.....storm

Immediately after feeding five thousand men, plus women and children, with five loaves and two fish, "Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of Him to the other side" Matthew 14:22. The disciples had begun to cross the Sea of Galilee when a storm arose which caused them to "strain against the oars" Mark 6:48. It was the middle of the night, and after already rowing about three and a half miles they found themselves fighting against the wind and waves.

Why had this happened? The disciples had done exactly what Jesus told them to do and now they were facing a major struggle. They had clearly heard and obeyed, but they were still confronting a very difficult situation. The story continued as Jesus walked on the water, called Peter out of the boat to join Him, and then miraculously calmed the storm. But couldn't the struggles have been avoided by telling the disciples to simply wait until morning to travel?

This wasn't the first time the disciples faced a storm with Jesus. During a prior boat ride, Jesus had been asleep when the storm arose: "The disciples went and woke Him, saying, 'Lord, save us! We're going to drown!'" Matthew 8:25. When Jesus calmed the wind and waves of this first storm, the disciples asked each other "What kind of man is this?" Matthew 8:27) During the first crisis, the disciples saw Jesus as an amazing man. But now, in the middle of the night as their faith continued to grow, when Jesus again calmed the storm, the disciples began to understand.

Then those who were in the boat worshiped Him, saying, 'Truly You are the Son of God.' Matthew 14:33

I do not believe that all storms are directly from God; but as was the case with the disciples, Jesus often sends us into a storm for the purpose of revealing Himself and drawing us closer to His side. While in the middle of a storm, we can see God's love and witness His ability to protect, strengthen, and guide. "These {storms} have come so that your faith - of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire - may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed" 1 Peter 1:7.

Our Father loves us very much. He loves us enough to give us His Son as a sacrifice for our sin; enough to give us His Spirit as our guide; enough to never leave us, and enough to finish the good work He began in our lives. 

Let us receive His love and learn to rejoice in ALL things. Let's learn to look with new eyes and see His hand working around us each and every day. Let's praise Him and look for new revelations of His love, even as we are sent into the storm.

- adapted from steve troxel

.....hands

Although not all storms are from God, He sometimes sends us into difficult situations to get our attention and draw us closer to Himself. These storms may be used to teach us basic truths or gently nudge us back onto His path. But the storms may also be used to make major corrections in our course or adjustments in our character. Each is a form of discipline. Each is given with His perfect love. And each should be viewed as a wonderful opportunity for growth.

The Lord disciplines those He loves, and He punishes everyone He accepts as a son. Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? Hebrews 12:6-7

The discipline we endure while in the storm teaches us who we really are, who God really is, and the importance of our eternal relationship with Him. When we receive the gift of Salvation through faith in Jesus, we are adopted as a child of God; "heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ" Romans 8:17. 

Our Heavenly Father loves us simply because we are His child, not because of what we do or accomplish. He desires nothing more than for His children to say, "I love You, Daddy!" But He also loves us enough to shape and mold us until we are "conformed to the likeness of His Son" Romans 8:29.

None of us have yet been perfected. We are all flawed vessels with many rough edges, and the process of being conformed to the likeness of Jesus - the process of smoothing rough edges - can be quite uncomfortable: "No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it" Hebrews 12:11

We have so much "self" that gets in the way of our relationship with God, so many hindrances to truly loving Him and following where He leads. We must desire a closeness with God above all else. So much so, that we are willing to pray: "Heavenly Father, do NOT withhold Your hand of discipline from my life. I submit to Your molding and shaping and ask that You remove anything which stands between us."

His hands of discipline are always purposeful and precise, and administered with great love. They are never out of control like so many angry hands of the world. His hands welcomed us into His Kingdom by grace and are now there to guide us on a wonderful journey. Our values and goals will begin to change as we draw closer to God and keep our eyes focused on Jesus. But along the way, as our rough edges are continually smoothed, we must learn a joyful submission to His loving hands of discipline.

- steve troxel

....living

And you are living stones that God is building into his spiritual temple. What's more, you are his holy priests. Through the mediation of Jesus Christ, you offer spiritual sacrifices that please God 1 Peter 2:5

There is a famous story about a Spartan king who was boasting to a visitor about the walls of Sparta. The visitor looked around, however, and could not see any walls. "In Sparta," the king told his guest, "every man is a brick."  Then, pointing to his army, he continued, "These are the walls of Sparta."

When it comes to the church, every believer is a brick. And we are described in the Bible as living stones: "And you are living stones that God is building into his spiritual temple . . ." 1 Peter 2:5. 

We should not be spectators in the church; we should be participants. It is easy to play armchair quarterback. But it is another thing altogether to be down on the field with the team. And that is where God wants each of us to be.

President Theodore Roosevelt said, "It is not the critic who counts: not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes up short again and again, because there is no effort without error or shortcoming..."

It is easy to stand back and criticize, but the credit goes to the man or woman who goes out and does the work of God's kingdom. Maybe they make a mistake here. Maybe they don't get it right there. But I would rather try and make a mistake than never try at all.

When each part of the body of Christ does its special work, it helps the entire body. The key is every one of us doing our part.

- gregory laurie

.....look

During the week before He was crucified, Jesus was asked many questions by the religious leaders. However, their questions were never asked for the purpose of education or to satisfy true curiosity, they were asked with the intent of finding fault; "The Pharisees went out and laid plans to trap Him in His words" Matthew 22:15. Jesus answered each of their questions, but then He warned the crowds about the hypocrisy of those who were trying to trap Him.

Everything they do is done for men to see: They make their phylacteries wide and the tassels on their garments long; they love the place of honor at banquets and the most important seats in the synagogues Matthew 23:5-6

The phylactery was a small box containing scripture, worn on the forehead or arm to fulfill the command of God as given through Moses; "Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads" Deuteronomy 11:18.

The Pharisees strictly followed God's commands, but they also followed many self-created rules and "enhanced" God's commands to make themselves feel more righteous. Jesus never rebuked them for following rules, but He greatly questioned the motivation of their heart. 

The Pharisees had forgotten that the purpose of everything they did was to worship God and glorify His name. Instead, they began to focus on their outward appearance as they sought to look holy and obtain the approval of others; "You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence" Matthew 23:25.

This problem was definitely not new. Over 700 years earlier, God's children had lost their heart for worship: "These people come near to Me with their mouth and honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. Their worship of Me is made up only of rules taught by men" Isaiah 29:13.

Unfortunately, this problem is still with us today. We've created a list of rules and religious activities which somehow define our relationship with God. We define our "Godliness" by our church attendance, our acts of service, or even our time spent reading His Word. But all these good and worthwhile actions do not define our relationship - they do not define our love. 

Our love is, and always has been, defined by the condition of our heart; "Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart" 1 Samuel 16:7. All our actions simply flow as an outward expression of the condition of our heart.

EVERYTHING we do must be motivated by a desire to praise and honor our Heavenly Father. Our religious acts mean absolutely nothing if not accompanied by a heart full of love and thanksgiving. 

Let's become true worshipers who express our love for God in all we do and say! Let's never allow our lives to be driven by the look of holiness.

- steve troxel