.....follow

It’s easy to get lost in the endless rain forests of the Amazon basin.  Author Ben Patterson reports an experience that is common for visiting Westerners.  They will approach local villagers and ask for directions to a place they want to go.   “I have a GPS, a compass and a map, if you can just point the way.” 

The villagers know exactly how to reach that spot. But they will typically decline to give directions.  “Let me take you there myself,” one of the locals will insist. 

“That’s nice,” says the visitor. “But I don’t really need a guide. Just tell me what landmarks to look for.”

“That’s no good,” says the villager. “I must take you there myself.”

“But I have a map,” replies the outsider, perhaps becoming exasperated. “And these coordinates. And a GPS.”

“It does not work that way. I can get you there, but I must take you myself. You must follow me.”

Modern world people love directions.   We love our smart phone maps. Our GPS's.  And bullet points, leadership principles, and strategic initiatives.   As Patterson observes, these items all have one thing in common:   They leave us in control.

If I’m holding the GPS indicator in my hand, I’m still in charge of the trip.  I can still turn left or right if I want to turn left or right.  But if I’m following a guide, then my job has radically changed. Now my job is merely…  to follow. 

So what’s the best way through the jungle you’re facing this week? Through that tangle of family relationships, or the project at work that seems to have become a depressing swamp?  You can do what you always do: take charge and try not to get lost.  Or you can do something far wiser:   Stop right now and ask for God to guide you.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart; and lean not on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will direct your paths  Proverbs 3:5-6

.....choices

The Lord watches over the way of the righteous Psalm 1:6

With no cell service and no trail map, we had only our memory of a fixed map at the trailhead to guide us. More than an hour later, we finally emerged from the woods into the parking lot. Having missed the turn-off that would have made it a half-mile hike, we took a much longer trek.

Life can be like that sometimes.  We have to ask not simply if something is right or wrong, but where it will lead. Psalm 1 compares two ways of Iiving - that of the righteous (those who love God) and that of the wicked (the enemies of those who love God). The righteous flourish like a tree, but the wicked blow away like chaff vv. 3-4. This Psalm reveals what flourishing really looks like. The person who lives it out is dependent on God for renewal and life.

So how do we become that kind of person? Among other things, Psalm 1 urges us to disengage from destructive relationships and unhealthy habits and to delight in God's instruction v. 2. Ultimately, the reason for our flourishing is God's attentiveness to us: "The Lord watches over the way of the righteous" v. 6.

Commit your way to God, let Him redirect you from old patterns that lead to nowhere, and allow the Scriptures to be the river that nourishes the root system of your heart.

- david langerfed

.....servant

In the business world, a good job title and description can be extremely valuable. We often evaluate one another, and evaluate our own level of "success," by the significance of our title and the importance of our description. We seem to have a great need to be esteemed, and employees have even been known to trade an increase in pay for a more important title.

The Apostle Paul received his call into God's service in a very dramatic fashion. While traveling on the road to Damascus, "A light from Heaven flashed around him" Acts 9:3. Jesus spoke directly to Paul and told him exactly who He was. A few days later Jesus said Paul was "My chosen instrument to carry My name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel" Acts 9:15.

With this endorsement, Paul could have chosen any title he wished - maybe "God's Chosen Instrument" or "Chief Name Bearer of The Almighty." After all, Paul's new boss was the Creator of the Universe!

But once Paul developed a close relationship with Jesus, he saw Him as one who was, "In very nature God" Philippians 2:6. But at the same time, Paul saw Jesus as one who "made Himself nothing, taking on the very nature of a servant" Philippians 2:7. With this type of role model, Paul was proud to receive his new title.

"Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God."Romans 1:1

There is no greater title in God's Kingdom than, "Servant of Christ Jesus" - no more significant job description than, "Set Apart for the Gospel." Once Paul understood how Jesus lived and obediently served all the way to the cross, he rejoiced and devoted himself to serving with every last breath; "I will very gladly spend for you everything I have and expend myself as well" 2 Corinthians 12:15.

It's understandably difficult to maintain the walk of a servant. All our worldly training tells us to climb higher and achieve more; but God calls us to love Him and humbly serve as His Spirit leads - nothing more, nothing less. We have been set apart for the gospel, and our lives are to be lived as Christ living through us. We always fall short of God's plan when we attempt to promote ourselves and take control.

There are many openings in the Kingdom of God, but there can be only one job title and only one job description. Our Heavenly Father has called and offered a permanent promotion which far surpasses anything this world could ever offer. Let's put aside our "need" to be in charge. Let's humbly bow and proudly accept the promotion to Servant.

- steve troxel

.....living

Our need is to believe that what God said is true. He said the death and resurrection of Jesus was the final sacrifice for our sin, and that those who believe would receive the gift of eternal life. Our Salvation is clearly a gift from God; "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith" Ephesians 2:8. We did nothing to earn our Salvation and there is nothing we must now do to keep it, we simply must truly believe; "there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus" Romans 8:1.

Though our sins are forgiven and Jesus is fully sufficient for Salvation - though we walk in grace and are absolutely free of condemnation - sin in our life still causes temporary separation and tension in our relationship with God. Therefore, over and over in scripture, we are called to a life of holiness: "As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do" 1 Peter 1:14-15. Holiness is to receive top priority in our life; "Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy" Hebrews 12:14.

So why such an emphasis on holy living? After all, if we are saved by grace, our effort toward holiness plays no part in our Salvation. Right? The answer is found in examining our purpose for life beyond Salvation: "Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God - this is your spiritual act of worship" Romans 12:1.

"For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love."2 Peter 1:5-7

After we are saved, we live to worship and glorify God; but this can only be done by growing in our faith and presenting ourselves as a living sacrifice. For any sacrifice to be pleasing to God, the sacrifice itself must be pure, and the one who presents the sacrifice must be holy. So when we "make every effort" toward a life of holiness, we don't do so in order to earn or maintain our Salvation; rather, we strive for holiness because we desire to truly worship our Heavenly Father with every heartbeat of our life.

We must never lose sight of God's wonderful gift given purely by His grace. But now our Father's plan is for us to be conformed to the likeness of His Son and live in a continual state of worship. His design for our life is that we mature in our faith and worship Him by living a holy life.

- steve troxel

.....maintenance

Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation Mark 16:15

A group of visitors was touring a large grease factory — an impressive operation, full of noise, motion, and activity. Machines whirled, wheels turned, and workers stayed busy mixing and packaging what the guide claimed to be the finest machine lubricants in the world. But as the tour wrapped up, one visitor asked, "Where’s the shipping department?”

The guide’s response: "Oh, we don’t have a shipping department. It takes all the grease we produce just to keep our own machines running.” Sound familiar? Sometimes churches, ministries,  and even individual Christians can become so inward-focused that all their spiritual “grease” is used up maintaining their own programs, preferences, and people. There’s a lot of activity and effort, but if there’s no outreach — no real sharing of the gospel — then we’re only fueling ourselves.

It’s easy to fall into this trap. We attend Bible classes, participate in church events, and fill our schedules with religious activity. But if all that spiritual nourishment never leaves the building -- if it never reaches our conversations at work, our interactions with neighbors, or our daily relationships — then we’re just keeping our own gears turning. We may look productive, but in reality, we’re spinning in place.

The early church didn’t grow because Christians huddled together. It grew because they spoke boldly about Jesus. Wherever they went, they talked about the risen Christ. They shared their lives, yes — but they also opened their mouths, proclaiming the message of salvation, even when it cost them.

Jesus didn’t just tell us to learn the gospel — He commanded us to proclaim it. Our goal isn’t to build a well-oiled machine that serves only those within. Our goal is to be a people on a mission, reaching out with the good news of Jesus Christ.

Who around you needs to hear the message of hope today? Who needs to know that Jesus loves them, died for them, and rose again to give them life? Look for an opportunity today to not only serve someone but also to speak to them about the Savior. Let’s not just spin our wheels — let’s move forward, opening our mouths and carrying the gospel into the world.

Father, forgive me when I become so focused on maintaining my own comfort or spiritual habits that I forget your mission. Open my eyes to see the people around me who need you. Give me the courage and compassion to reach out, to serve, and to speak up. In Jesus' name, amen.

.....analysis

Our need to turn aside from the self-advancement mentality of the world and to become a humble servant of Christ is real.  Every morning, we must decide which analysis method we will use to guide our decisions. We must either choose the method given by the world, or the method given by Jesus. It's unfortunate so much of our "training" has been in the method of the world.

As children we are taught that more is better and one plus one equals two. And as we become adults, we are trained to make decisions based on a spreadsheet type analysis. We learn to choose a direction based on which path will bring the greatest pleasure, or add the most to the "bottom line." And we even allow a Godless media to define how we lead our family.

But Jesus, as our supreme example, was never constrained by our finite way of thinking or our pathetic worldly influences. He taught us the correct path is the path of simple obedience, and He demonstrated that one plus one, plus faith, will always equal whatever God desires.

When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward Him, He said to Philip, 'Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?' He asked this only to test him, for He already had in mind what He was going to do. Philip answered Him, 'Eight months' wages would not buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!' John 6:5-7

I imagine Philip sitting beside Jesus with his laptop computer, frantically entering numbers. After analyzing the data, he points to the screen and says: "Look Jesus, it just doesn't compute. Your plan cannot be accomplished!"  Jesus then swept aside Philip's analysis, blessed two fish and five loaves of bread, and proceeded to feed over 5000 people.

Our Heavenly Father has given us various tasks for today, as well as for the coming weeks, months and years. Many of these tasks will be challenging and require serious decisions. When facing these challenges, with our finite, number-crunching, mentality we will often shake our head and say the task isn't practical or can't be done. But Jesus is calling us to a new analysis - a new way to live which is centered on Him - one that believes "all things are possible with God" Mark 10:27.

When we face our new challenges of today, let's learn to "Trust in the Lord with all our heart and lean not on our own understanding" Proverbs 3:5. Let's live each and every moment by faith and allow each step along our path to be guided by a Christ-centered analysis.

.....anguish

Do not hide Your face from me or I will be like those who go down to the pit Psalm 143:7

Of all the biblical characters, David gives us a glimpse of a man who walked with God with great emotion in victory and in defeat. David never lost a battle throughout his many years of serving as king of Israel. In many of the Psalms, David often lamented about the difficult places where God had placed him. He talked of his enemies and the need for God to deliver him. He talked of God's everlasting love for him. 

How do you suppose David came to this understanding after years of being sought after by King Saul who wanted to take his life? His years of turmoil within his family gave him many reasons to lose all hope in a loving God.

David often began his Psalms in a place of discouragement and loss of hope. But he never ended one Psalm in defeat. He always came to a place of victory in God by the end of the Psalm. David always placed his life in God's hands, knowing He would care for him.

"Let the morning bring me word of Your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in You. Show me the way I should go, for to You I lift up my soul. Rescue me from my enemies, O Lord, for I hide myself in You. Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God; may Your good Spirit lead me on level ground." Psalm 143:8-10.

Discouragement will come. It is part of the process of grieving and working through those times of pain. But God wants each of us to allow Him to walk with us in these places. If you find yourself in one of these places, do what David did. Ask God to show you the way and let Him bring the word of His unfailing love to you. 

- os hillman

.....restored

When God created man, He gave him dominion over all the earth; "fill the earth and subdue it" Genesis 1:28. Man was created with a great amount of freedom. He was to take care of God's Garden and obey a single command: "You must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die" Genesis 2:17. Adam did not believe what God said was true and he ate fruit from the tree. His sin (failure to believe) caused man to be separated from God.

When God used Moses to lead His chosen people out of Egypt, He gave them rules for their personal, social, and spiritual life. If these rules were obeyed, God promised to restore His people to a right relationship with Himself; "If we are careful to obey all this law...that will be our righteousness" Deuteronomy 6:25. But the people did not obey God's law and so remained separated. Their lack of obedience demonstrated a lack of belief that what God said was true.

When God sent His Son as the final sacrifice for our sin, He gave one basic command: "Believe in the one He has sent" John 6:29. Those who do not obey this final command (those who do not believe) are condemned to an eternal separation from God. But those who believe in Jesus Christ are restored!

"This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after that time, declares the Lord. I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people." Hebrews 8:10

Relationship with God has always been based on belief - a belief that what God said is true. But for this belief to be real it was always expected to produce obedience. The wonder of our relationship today is that God gives us His law written on our heart AND He gives us His Spirit to guide and strengthen us to obey; "And I will put My Spirit in you and move you to follow My decrees and be careful to keep My laws" Ezekiel 36:27.

Through belief in Jesus for the forgiveness of our sin, we become a "new creation" 2 Corinthians 5:17 with a new heart and new strength. What an awesome blessing!! By His grace we are completely restored into the relationship for which we were created - a relationship of love, a relationship of trust, and a relationship of obedience. God's Word is true! If He is calling, do not turn away; "Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts" Hebrews 3:7. 

Today, if you hear His voice, believe and be restored.

.....unthanked

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful Colossians 3:15 

When William Stidger taught at Boston University, he once reflected upon the great number of un-thanked people in his life. Those who had helped nurture him, inspire him or who cared enough about him to leave a lasting impression. 

One was a schoolteacher he’d not heard of in many years. But he remembered that she had gone out of her way to put a love of verse in him, and Will had loved poetry all his life. He wrote a letter of thanks to her.

The reply he received, written in the feeble scrawl of the aged, began, “My dear Willie.” He was delighted. Now over 50, bald and a professor, he didn’t think there was a person left in the world who would call him “Willie.” Here is that letter: 

My dear Willie, 

"I cannot tell you how much your note meant to me. I am in my eighties, living alone in a small room, cooking my own meals, lonely and, like the last leaf of autumn, lingering behind. You will be interested to know that I taught school for 50 years and yours is the first note of appreciation I ever received. It came on a blue-cold morning and it cheered me as nothing has in many years." 

Not prone to cry easily, Will wept over that note. She was one of the great un-thanked people from Will’s past. You know them. We all do. The teacher who made a difference. That coach we’ll never forget. The music instructor or Sunday school worker who helped us to believe in ourselves. That scout leader who cared. 

We all remember people who shaped our lives in various ways. People whose influence changed us. Will Stidger found a way to show his appreciation -- he wrote them letters. 

Who are some of the un-thanked people in your life?  

It is not too late to say, “Thanks.”

.....trust

Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God Psalm 20:7

The only answer I can offer to many people's questions is, “Trust the Lord.” 

To the gentleman who feels his life is over and cannot understand why the Lord is keeping him here, I say, “I think we need to trust that the Lord knows what He’s doing, and He must have a reason, even though we don’t know what that reason is.”

To the college students stressed about all their decisions about their education, careers, relationships, and the rest of their lives, I say, “Trust God to show you the way, and be patient.” To couples struggling to keep their marriage together and are losing hope, “Do what is right and trust the Lord.” 

To the loyal company man in shock because he lost his job and asks me, “Why has this happened to me?” I can only say, “I don’t know, but we need to trust God to see you through it.”

Saying, “Trust the Lord,” may sound trite, trivial, and like a cop-out. But it’s not. When we have more questions than answers, more pain than comfort, and our faith is wavering but honest, all we can do is trust God. This week is one of those times when we need to trust God. 

- tom norvell  

.....vision

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us Romans 8:18

We often hear the phrase “no pain, no gain” associated with athletic training. Too often, the emphasis is put on the pain because that is what we are experiencing in the moment. But in reality, the gain is more important. The gain, or end result, has to have enough value to justify the pain of the moment. Therefore, casting a vision for the future is a prerequisite for being willing to go through the troubles of the present moment.

The apostle Paul illustrated this principle in Romans 8:18 when he said that our present troubles cannot be compared to the future glory we will experience in Christ. We endure present troubles for a future glory in which all troubles will be wiped away Revelation 21:4. 

Without a biblical vision of the future, we can be tempted to rebel against trouble in the present, wondering what purpose it serves. The purpose of everything in this life is to conform us ultimately to the image of Jesus Christ Romans 8:28-29.

Prepare for today’s troubles by filling your heart and mind with a vision of future glory in eternity.

- david jeremiah

.....fly

You have been believers so long now that you ought to be teaching others. Instead, you need someone to teach you again the basic things about God’s word Hebrews 5:12

They say that a preacher’s wife is his number one assistant — and sometimes, his most honest critic. One Saturday after worship, a preacher asked his wife, “How do you think the service went?”

She said, “The worship was excellent. I thought the singing and the communion were meaningful. How do you think your sermon went?”

He said, “Honestly, I don’t think it ever got off the ground.”

Without missing a beat, she replied, “Well, it sure did taxi long enough!”

Let’s face it: Sometimes we talk a lot without really going anywhere. That can happen in a sermon… but it can also happen in our lives. We read Scripture, we attend worship, we say all the right things — but spiritually, we’re still taxiing around the runway, never quite lifting off.

It’s easy to settle into a pattern of spiritual maintenance instead of spiritual growth. We know the basics. We know the stories. We’ve heard the sermons. But are we becoming more like Jesus? Are we loving more deeply, serving more selflessly, forgiving more freely, and trusting more completely? Or are we just taxiing… again?

The writer of Hebrews saw this same tendency in his readers. In Hebrews 5, he rebuked them by saying, “You have been believers so long now that you ought to be teaching others. Instead, you need someone to teach you again the basic things about God’s word.”

They had enough knowledge to be leaders. But they hadn’t matured beyond spiritual infancy. It wasn’t that they didn’t know the truth — it was that they hadn’t yet been shaped by it. But the writer didn’t leave them there. He urged them forward: “So let us stop going over the basic teachings about Christ again and again. Let us go on instead and become mature in our understanding.” Hebrews 6:1

God didn’t call us to spiritual stagnation. He called us to a spiritual transformation. There’s a time to learn, but there’s also a time to grow. Eventually, God calls us to do something with what we’ve learned. Our goal is not just to know more, but to become more. Not just to sit in church, but to be the church. Let’s stop circling the airport. It’s time to fly!

Father, help me to not be content with just talking about my faith, but to live it out boldly. Help me to move beyond the basics and into a deeper walk with you. In Jesus’ name, amen.

.....mess

Where sin increased, grace abounded all the more Romans 5:20

I heard a story about a husband who was the kind of guy who believed housekeeping couldn’t be that hard. He would often say to his wife, “If you’d just organize your time better, this would all be a breeze.” Then one day, she went out of town and he got a chance to prove it. When someone stopped by to check on him, he proudly boasted, “I made a cake, frosted it, washed the kitchen windows, cleaned out the cupboards, scrubbed the floor, the walls, the ceiling — and even squeezed in a shower!”

Impressive, right? But then he confessed, “I forgot to turn off the mixer before pulling out the beaters. So, I had to do all the rest.” What started out as one small mistake turned into a full-blown frosting explosion and a major cleanup job.

Isn’t that how life goes sometimes? You set out to do one small thing — maybe even something good — and before you know it, everything’s a mess. A conversation goes wrong. A small sin leads to bigger consequences. A neglected habit spirals into a spiritual mess. You look around and think, “How did I get here?”

The truth is, we’ve all been there. But fortunately, God isn’t surprised by our messes and he’s prepared to deal with them. Paul wrote, “Where sin increased, grace abounded all the more.” In other words, when the mess gets bigger, God’s grace shows up even more.

And God doesn’t leave us to mop up the consequences alone. He doesn’t say, “Clean yourself up, and then I’ll help you.” He says, “Bring me the mess, and let’s walk through it together.” King David, after his own crash-and-burn moment, cried out: “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me” Psalm 51:10. And God did. He still does.

So, if today feels like a disaster, don’t panic. God is patient. His grace is sufficient. And sometimes the mess we’ve made becomes the moment God uses to teach us, to help us grow, and to remind us that we don’t have to clean up alone.

Father, thank you for loving me in the middle of my mess. Thank you for your grace and your patience. Help me not to hide my failures, but to bring them to you so that you can create a clean heart in me. In Jesus’ name, amen.

.....honesty

All a person’s ways seem pure to them, but motives are weighed by the Lord Proverbs 16:2

Philadelphia’s Highway Patrol officers have just about heard it all. When it comes to speeding, some drivers seem to believe a clever excuse is all it takes to avoid a ticket. Here are some of the more creative (and unsuccessful) attempts:

• A man told the officer he was rushing to the hospital because had been stung by a bee, and was allergic. He pointed to the bee on his dashboard as proof. The officer looked — the bee was not only dead, but clearly had been dead for quite some time.
• A speeder said that he and his wife were trying to have a baby. "My wife is ovulating," he told the officer. "I have to get home right now."
• One man clocked at 80 mph explained, “I probably missed the speed limit signs — I was going by them so fast.”

We laugh because these excuses were obviously not going to work. The officers weren’t fooled, and the tickets were still handed out. But to be honest, haven’t we all done something similar with God?

We bend the truth, rationalize our actions, or offer up excuses that sound better than admitting, “I messed up.” We’ve offered up our fair share of justifications when we knew deep down that we were in the wrong. We say things like: “I didn’t have a choice.” “This just felt right.” “It’s not that big of a deal.” “God will understand.”

And you know what? God does understand — not just our words, but our hearts. Proverbs 16:2 tells us that even when our actions seem good or reasonable to us, God sees what’s really driving them. He knows when we’re genuinely trying... and when we’re just trying to get out of something.

But here’s the good news. God isn’t a harsh traffic cop with a ticket book in hand, ready to penalize us for every wrong turn. He’s a gracious Father who wants us to live in truth — not to trap us, but to free us. Psalm 51:6 says, “You desire truth in the inward being.” God isn’t looking for perfection — He’s looking for honesty.

When we drop the excuses and approach God with a sincere heart, we don’t get a ticket — we get transformation. Because God can work with honest hearts far better than he can with polished excuses.

- alan smith

Father, I admit that sometimes I try to cover up my wrongs with excuses or clever justifications. Help me to be honest with you and give me a heart that wants to do what’s right. In Jesus’ name, amen.

.....better

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full John 10:10

At the wedding rehearsal, a groom slipped the preacher $100 and said, “When we get to the vows, could you leave out the part about ‘love, honor, cherish, and be faithful forever’? The preacher nodded, took the money, and the groom walked away feeling pretty confident.

At the ceremony, when it was time for the vows, the preacher looked him dead in the eye and said, “Do you promise to obey her every wish, serve her breakfast in bed daily, and vow never to even glance at another woman, as long as you both shall live?” The groom stammered, “Yes…” Afterward, he whispered angrily, “I thought we had a deal!” The preacher slipped the $100 back into his hand and whispered, “Sorry. She made me a better offer.”

We live in a world filled with offers, but not all offers are worth taking — especially the ones Satan puts on the table. This story reminds me of how temptation works. When it comes to our relationship with God, Satan whispers, "I’ll make it easier. You don’t need to go all in. Let’s just skip the commitment part." It sounds appealing at first — less sacrifice, fewer restrictions, no need for full obedience.

But here’s the catch -- what Satan offers is a cheap imitation of the real thing, and it always comes with strings attached. His promises are like that $100 bribe: tempting in the moment, but they are selfish and short-sighted, and will destroy us in the end.

In contrast, God also makes us an offer, but it's not a shortcut. It's a covenant. He invites us into a life of love, faithfulness, and full commitment. It’s not always easy, but it’s always better, because God doesn’t offer us something temporary. He offers a life of peace and joy in his presence – “life to the full”. God’s offer may require more of us, but it also gives more to us than we could ever imagine.

So, the next time temptation whispers, “Let’s make a deal,” remember the preacher’s line:

God has made me a better offer.

- alan smith

Father, help me to see through the lies of the enemy. When I’m tempted to take the easy way out, remind me of your better offer. Give me strength to say “no” to the things that pull me away from you, and “yes” to the life you’ve called me to live. In Jesus’ name, amen.

.....key

So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed John 8:36

While visiting a church in Mississippi, a guest was intrigued by the preacher’s announcement: “Our prison quartet will be singing tomorrow night.” Curious, the visitor looked forward to hearing a group from the local prison. But the next evening, four regular church members stepped up to sing. The preacher smiled and introduced them: “This is our prison quartet — behind a few bars and always looking for the key.”

Cue the groans — and the laughter.

It’s a clever pun, but there’s more truth in that joke than we might like to admit. The reality is, many of us live our lives feeling like we’re in prison. Shackled by guilt from past mistakes. Stuck in regret. Trapped by worry, addiction or fear.

Outwardly, it may look like we’ve got it all together, but inwardly, we’re rattling the cage and wondering if freedom is even possible. But fortunately, we don’t have to keep searching for the key. The Key has already come, and his name is Jesus.

In John 8:36, Jesus said, “If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” He wasn’t talking about physical freedom — he was talking about something much deeper. A kind of freedom that doesn’t just take the chains off our hands but lifts the weight off our hearts.

Jesus wants to set us free from the power of sin and the false beliefs that hold us hostage. Free from the need to prove ourselves. Free from the shame that whispers, “You’re not worthy.” Free from the fear that says, “You’ll never be enough.”

Jesus opens the door not just to escape something, but to enter into something — into abundant life. A life that’s defined not by what’s behind us, but by who walks beside us. So, if you’re feeling caged in today, know that Jesus won’t wait for you to find your own way out. He will unlock the door and set you free. All you have to do is walk into the freedom he’s offering.

- alan smith

Father, thank you for sending your Son to be the key that unlocks real freedom. Show me where I’ve been trapped by sin, fear, or shame, and lead me into the life you’ve made possible. Thank you for setting me free. In Jesus’ name, amen.

.....believe

They profess to know God, but they deny him by their works Titus 1:16

A man was on trial for murder. The body was never found, so in a bold move during closing arguments, the defense lawyer tried a trick: “Ladies and gentlemen,” he said, “in one minute, the victim will walk through that door.” Everyone in the courtroom turned and stared at the door. One minute passed. Nothing happened.

The lawyer said, “You all looked. That shows you had doubt the man was dead. That’s reasonable doubt. You must find my client not guilty.” But when the jury returned, they declared the man guilty. The lawyer was shocked. “But you looked at the door! You must have had doubt!” The jury foreman replied, “Yes, we looked. But your client didn’t.”

Oops! The defendant gave himself away — not with his words, but with his actions (or, in this case, his inaction). It was evident from the way the defendant acted that he didn't really believe the victim was still alive and was about to walk through that door.

This story gives us an important question to consider: As people look at your life — your words, your priorities, your daily choices — is it evident to them that you believe in a living God? Oh, I know we've made the case for God’s existence, we've presented the arguments, quoted the verses and proclaimed the truth that "Our God, He is Alive!"

But in the end, people aren’t just listening to our message — they're watching our lives. And they want to know: Do we actually live like we believe what we say? Do we act like we believe that Jesus is risen? Do we serve like we believe God is working in this world? Do we love like we believe God is watching?

We need to make it clear — not just with our lips, but with our lives — that we believe. May the use of our time, our conversations, and our compassion say the same thing that our songs and sermons do: We serve a living God. And a living God deserves a living faith. The world is watching. And when they turn to look at the door — may they see us looking too. Because we believe someone really is coming through it.

Father, you are the living God; help us to live like we truly believe that. May our words be true, but even more, may our actions show evidence of our trust in you. In Jesus’ name, amen.

.....command

When God led Moses and the people of Israel out of Egypt, He had many lessons for them to learn. While on the journey to the promised land, God taught His chosen people about living a life of worship and holiness; but He especially taught about the need for obedience and trust.

Though we often refer to Israel's forty years in the desert as a time of wandering, their movement was very carefully controlled. God gave directions through a cloud which settled over the tabernacle. The cloud appeared as a normal cloud during the day, and at night "the cloud looked like fire" Numbers 9:15. The movement of the people was directed by the movement of the cloud.

"Whether the cloud stayed over the tabernacle for two days or a month or a year, the Israelites would remain in camp and not set out; but when it lifted, they would set out. At the Lord's command they encamped and at the Lord's command they set out." Numbers 9:22-23, Exodus 40:34-38

During those forty years, God taught an entire generation the importance of looking to Him for their daily direction. When they set up camp, they did not know how long they would stay; and when they began to move, they did not know where they were going or how long they would travel. The importance of the journey was in the lessons of obedience and trust - in learning how to follow God's leading - not in the actual steps taken along the way.

Today, we are also on a journey to a land of promise, and God still has many lessons for us to learn: lessons of worship, holiness, trust, and obedience. We may not have the benefit of a cloud, but if we listen very carefully we can still "hear" His direction. The same God who directed the Israelites is directing us today, and He longs for us to trust Him and obediently follow.

One of our hardest lessons is to understand that God does not need us to move, nor does He need us to stay. God will accomplish ALL He desires with or without our assistance. But He does invite us to join Him and witness the awesome movement of His hand. He invites us to follow and walk with Him for all of our days.

Our Father is able to direct our steps much better than we can direct them ourselves (another difficult lesson). We must learn to listen for His leading by drawing near and living in His presence. Then, whether He says to stay or go, we must trust Him with all our heart and obediently move at the Lord's command

.....morning

God loved us so much that He gave His Son as a sacrifice for our sin so that, through faith, we might be brought back into a full and intimate relationship with our Heavenly Father for all eternity. I think we often forget the magnitude of this love: we were dead, and He provided us a way to live!

"Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness." Lamentations 3:22-23

God has expressed His absolute love and compassion through the forgiveness found in Jesus Christ. This forgiveness is total and complete for those who believe. When we place our trust in Jesus, we are washed clean - we become "a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come" 2 Corinthians 5:17. We were washed clean at the moment of salvation, and we continue to be washed clean "every morning."

We all have days when our sinful nature wins a battle and we stumble. We have a day when our anger, pride, fear, or lust is brought to the surface and we "do what we do not want to do" Romans 7:16. We may need to seek forgiveness and earn back trust from those we have hurt, but God's forgiveness and love is free for the asking; "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins" 1 John 1:9. We may lose some of the battles, but through Jesus, the war has been won!

Since we have been washed clean, and continue to be washed clean, we must stop walking as though we are still soiled. We are children of God and in the process of being conformed to the likeness of His Son. This process of growth and maturity - the process of victorious transformation - must continue each and every morning. We must shed the heavy burdens of past failures, and the fear of future disappointments, and walk in the freshness of His forgiveness.

Is our relationship with God fresh and new? Do we still comprehend the magnitude of love encompassed in the gift of forgiveness? Or have we grown complacent and cold? When was the last time our love for God was so fresh on our heart that we couldn't help but say THANK YOU!?

We are invited into a relationship with our Heavenly Father; an intimate relationship which involves loving and being loved; a relationship which allows us to walk in victory for His glory and to be guided by the power of His Spirit. Let's give Him our all and receive His all in return. Let's rise up in His strength and determine to make our relationship of love new every morning.

.....weaknesses

For forty years in the desert, the Israelites moved or stayed based on the movement of God's cloud. Being able to recognize God's "cloud" and sense its movement is one of our great challenges. For this challenge there is no answer but to draw closer to God through prayer, study, and worship. He will reveal Himself if we will wait and place all our hope and trust in Him. But when we hear Him call, we must be prepared to look beyond our ability and trust He knows our strengths...and our weaknesses.

After His death and resurrection, Jesus appeared to the disciples and many others. He called them to believe and tell the world of the truth. But with Peter, Jesus took time to speak directly and personally.

When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, 'Simon son of John, do you truly love Me more than these?' John 21:15 Jesus used the word "agape," meaning absolute, unconditional love. With one simple question, Jesus was forcing Peter to analyze his faith. Peter had previously stated; "Even if all fall away, I will not" Mark 14:29. And even more boldly, he said; "Even if I have to die with You, I will never disown You" Mark 14:31.

And yet, Peter failed Jesus in the garden: "Are you asleep? Could you not keep watch for one hour?" Mark 14:37. Peter failed again when he denied Jesus three times - the third denial being violent: "Then he began to call down curses on himself and he swore to them, 'I don't know the man!'" Matthew 26:74. Peter knew how his actions had fallen tragically short, so he answered Jesus using the word "fileo" to say his love was more of a deep affection - a brotherly kind of love - not "agape."

Jesus continued His questioning until Peter finally replied; "You know all things, You know that I love You" John 21:17. In this statement, Peter used a word that humbly said Jesus knew from experience his level of love...or his lack! But even with a complete understanding of Peter's weaknesses, Jesus still called: "Follow Me!" John 21:19. Jesus had a plan for Peter that would not be hindered by Peter's failures.

As we grow to a better understanding of God's love, we will ultimately face how small our love is by comparison. But let's take comfort that God knew our weaknesses when He called us into His Kingdom. He has a wonderful plan and will always provide what we lack in order to accomplish all He desires. 

There is nothing hidden from God. 

He knows everyone He calls; so let's boldly follow, in spite of our weaknesses!