....repentance

Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death. 2 Corinthians 7:10

What does it mean to repent? When you or I wrong another person, or we sin against God, do we simply say we are sorry and move on?

A few years ago I was involved in a business situation that taught me a great lesson. A client severely wronged me and ultimately took our company for $160,000. In a court of law, I probably would have won the dispute. However, after I had already filed suit against the man, I realized that there was one aspect of the matter that I was wrong about, involving a third party that could no longer be held accountable. I could not effectively resolve the matter without taking the first step in owning the responsibility for my part in the matter. 

I made a decision to drop the lawsuit. However, after calling my attorney, I discovered the client had already filed a counter suit. This made the situation even scarier. I was completely exposed if I dropped my suit.

I was unable to reach the business owner because he would not return my calls. I got his secretary on the line. "I want you to take this message down and give it to your boss, word for word. Please do not change the words at all. 'I have sinned against you. I know I do not deserve your forgiveness, but I ask your forgiveness for filing the lawsuit against you. You are no longer obligated to pay the balance you owe me if you feel you do not owe it.' " The secretary knew me and the gravity of what I was saying. She began to weep. She could not believe what she was hearing. 

A few hours later I received a call from this client. He said, "I received your message. I accept your request and I forgive you." He dropped his counter suit. A few days later, I went to see the man and had dinner with him. He did not offer to pay any of the balance. It took three years to pay the vendors related to this situation. It was difficult because I knew he was not taking any responsibility for his contribution to the problem. However, I knew I was to let go of it. The Lord was glorified in this situation and He provided for my needs.

Is there anyone you need to seek forgiveness from? 

Acknowledging our sin is the first step. 

Humbling ourselves and taking actions to restore is the next step.

-os hillman

....learning

Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails. Psalm 19:21

As many people have learned by experience, "There is no failure except in no longer trying."

A young man had just been appointed President of the bank. He had never dreamed he would be President, much less at such a young age. So he approached the distinguished Chairman of the Board and said, "You know, I've just been appointed President. I was wondering if you could give me some advice."

The old man came back with just two words: "Right decisions!"

The young man had hoped for more than that, so he said, "That's really helpful, and I appreciate it, but can you be more specific? How do I make right decisions?"

The wise old man simply responded, "Experience!"

The young man said, "Well, that's just the point of my being here. I don't have the kind of experience I need. How do I get it?" Came the terse reply, "Wrong decisions!"

Wrong decisions, mistakes....    we all make them. Do you learn from your mistakes, and then move on to new challenges? Or do you take mistakes personally, and form a negative attitude toward yourself and life?

"Failure is the opportunity to begin again, more intelligently." Those words are from Henry Ford, the famous automobile maker. Most people don't know it today, but Ford saw his plans collapse around him, and he went broke five times before finally succeeding.

Are there failures in your life that bother you? Ford refused to let failures make him a failure - remember his approach. Also remember the Apostle Peter, who denied Christ three times but through faith, was restored by Jesus and went on to serve God in many effective ways.

Most importantly, ask God what He wants for your life. Then obey what you learn. You see, when all is said and done, it is not your plans, but God's purpose, that is going to prevail.

-rich mclawhorn 

....moment

As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. Acts 9:3

For Moses, it was the burning bush.

For Peter, it may have been, walking on water.

For Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, it was walking through the burning furnace untouched.

For Paul, it was being blinded and spoken to by Jesus on the Damascus road. 

For Daniel, it was deliverance from the lions' den.

For Joshua, it was parting the Jordan River and crossing into the Promised Land.

There have been many defining moments in the lives of human beings that changed their lives forever.

These defining moments often set the course for the balance of their lives.

We could go on and on. Each of these servants had years of preparation leading up to their defining moment. These moments forced the servants to be involved in something beyond their human experiences. It took them outside their own paradigms of life. God had to move them outside their own boxes. And when He did, their lives were never the same.

You may be in one of three stages of life: 

1. You may not have had your "defining moment" yet - God may be preparing you with many important life experiences. 
2. You may have had your defining moment and you are living out your call. Or, 
3. you may be toward the end of your journey and you have already experienced what I speak of. 

We are all called to a relationship with God; and we are all called vocationally, which is often ushered in by a defining moment. And there can be more than one defining moment, each pointing you down a path that God foreordained from the foundation of the world. 

The secret of a great life is often a man's ability to discern the defining moments given to him, understanding them, and learning to walk in the path that leads him to his ultimate destination. Once you have had a defining moment, you are never the same.

 

Pray that you have eyes to see and ears to hear when your Master brings a defining moment into your life.

-os hillman

....gps

That’s the whole story. Here now is my final conclusion: Fear God and obey his commands, for this is everyone’s duty. — Ecclesiastes 12:13

I have a love-hate relationship with my GPS because sometimes I think it takes me the wrong way. In fact, I’ve read some interesting stories about people who followed a GPS and ended up in some pretty strange places.

When the Israelites left Egypt, their GPS system was very simple: they moved when the Lord told them to move, and they went where the Lord told them to go.

Today, God directs us through His Word. It’s our GPS system, so to speak, confirmed to us by the Holy Spirit in our hearts. We can find everything we need to know about God and about life in the pages of the Bible.

Psalm 1 summarizes this for us: “Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers” verse 1.

The psalmist goes on to say, “But they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night. They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do” verses 2–3.

God has laid out His parameters for our own protection, for our own good. And as we get older, we start seeing the repercussions of the decisions people made when they were younger.

Solomon, the king of Israel, was renowned for his wisdom. With his unlimited resources, he decided to see for himself everything this world had to offer. Eventually, he came to this conclusion: “Fear God and obey his commands, for this is everyone’s duty” Ecclesiastes 12:13.

It comes down to this: God’s way is the right way.

-greg laurie

.....flow

"But the whole assembly talked about stoning them." Numbers 14:10

Have you ever had to stand up against the majority for a cause that wasn't popular? God brought the Israelites out of Egypt and promised He would lead them into a land of milk and honey. The process of moving out of Egypt was difficult. They could no longer do things the old way, for the old ways didn't work in the desert. God provided for them during this journey. But there came a point in which the people forgot what God had said. Their discomfort changed their belief about God.

Whenever God is slow to answer our prayers, what we believe about God is revealed. Do we change our plans and move in a different direction when pressure mounts? Or do we continue on the path God has directed for us? Four men believed what God said and were willing to stand; however, the crowd wanted to stone them.

Then Moses and Aaron fell facedown in front of the whole Israelite assembly gathered there. Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh, who were among those who had explored the land, tore their clothes and said to the entire Israelite assembly, "The land we passed through and explored is exceedingly good. If the Lord is pleased with us, He will lead us into that land, a land flowing with milk and honey, and will give it to us. Only do not rebel against the Lord. And do not be afraid of the people of the land, because we will swallow them up. Their protection is gone, but the Lord is with us. Do not be afraid of them." But the whole assembly talked about stoning them. Then the glory of the Lord appeared at the Tent of Meeting to all the Israelites Numbers 14:5-10.

Notice Joshua and Caleb's response to the situation. They had spied the land. They believed God. They challenged the crowd. They seemed to know that if the Lord was not pleased with them they would not enter into the Promised Land. Those who grumbled did not enter the Promised Land. Only Joshua and Caleb and a new generation saw the fulfillment of God's promise.

Has God called you to stand for a cause bigger than yourself? You will have opposition to His call; sometimes it even comes from those in your own camp. But if God has called you, then you can be sure He will make a way. He has already opened the way before you. But you must walk in faith, joined with Him to take the land. 

"...Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go" Joshua 1:9

-os hillman

......status

You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 1 Peter 2:9

You are .. holy to the Lord your God. Out of all the peoples on the face of the earth, the Lord has chosen you to be his treasured possession.  Deuteronomy 14:2

Everybody’s a celebrity in somebody’s eyes.

The high-profile, obvious ones might be athletes, olympians, singers, or movie stars.  It could be a mom or dad to a young child, or perhaps an older sibling.  Maybe a student would have a teacher filling that role, or a ball player, a coach.

Perhaps someone you don’t even know thinks of you as some sort of celebrity.  Your smile might light up the day for a weary check-out person at the market, and buoy up his outlook. Or the elderly receptionist handling the front desk in the office may think of you as a celebrity-type, because each day you take an interest and ask how the family’s doing.  Or maybe you are the only person in months who has thanked the hardworking person who’s cleaning the turnpike restroom.

Whether you’re aware of it or not, YOU are a celebrity in God’s eyes:

     - He made you.  Genesis 1:26 "Then God said, 'Let us make man in our image.'"

     - He loves you.  John 16: 27  the Father himself loves you

     - He paid a high price to have a relationship with you.  1 Corinthians 7:23  You were bought at a price

    - And, you are always on His mind Isaiah 49:15-16  “I would not forget you. See, I have written your name on the palms of my hands.

Enjoy your celebrity status today.  Walk in it, knowing that in somebody’s eyes, and especially in God's eyes, YOU ARE a celebrity.

- sally i. kennedy

.....call

..."Cheer up! On your feet! He's calling you." Mark 10:49

Do you recall the circumstances when God first called you into relationship with Him? Were you in need of something? Were you in a crisis situation? Every day God calls someone into relationship with Him through different circumstances. More often than not, the circumstances relate to a need in their life that only God can meet.

Bartimaeus had the need to see again. He was a poor blind beggar, who had heard about Jesus and the miracles He had done. The crowds rebuked him for seeking Jesus, yet he continued to cry out. "Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, 'Son of David, have mercy on me!'...Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus" Mk. 10:48,50. That day, Bartimaeus saw for the first time. But more than that, he saw with spiritual eyes for the first time.

Each workday, we rub shoulders with someone who has not met this Jesus we know personally. God uses needs to draw us to Himself. What need has He placed in a coworker that only Christ can meet? 

Perhaps you are the instrument He wants to use to introduce that person to Himself. It requires availability and a willingness to look for people with needs, then point them to Christ to meet their needs. Pray for divine appointments today. 

-os hillman

....plans

Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails." Proverbs 19:21

Have you ever heard of someone who spent years of preparation for one vocation only to end up doing something completely different? Perhaps this could be said of you. Quite often we have in our minds what we believe we want to do only to have a course correction. Often the course correction comes through a major crisis that forces us into an area that we would never have considered.

Such was the case for Samuel Morse. Born in 1791, Morse grew up desiring to be an artist, and he eventually became very talented and internationally known. However, it was difficult to make a living as an artist in America during that time. A series of crises further complicated his vocational desire when his wife died; then his mother and father also died soon after. 

He went to Europe to paint and reflect on his life. On his return trip aboard a ship, he was captivated by discussions at dinner about new experiments in electromagnetism. During that important occasion, Morse made the following comment, "If the presence of electricity can be made visible in any part of the circuit, I see no reason why intelligence may not be transmitted by electricity." In the face of many difficulties and disappointments, he determinedly perfected a new invention, and, in 1837, applied for a patent that became what we know today as the telegraph. He also created Morse code. It was only later, after many more setbacks and disappointments, that his projects received funding.

Samuel Morse later commented, "The only gleam of hope, and I cannot underrate it, is from confidence in God. When I look upward it calms any apprehension for the future, and I seem to hear a voice saying: 'If I clothe the lilies of the field, shall I not also clothe you?' Here is my strong confidence, and I will wait patiently for the direction of Providence." Morse went on to create several other inventions and can be recognized today as the father of faxes, modems, e-mail, the internet and other electronic communication. ["Glimpses," Issue #99 (Worcester, Pennsylvania: Christian History Institute, 1998).]

God's plans may not always seem to follow our natural inclination. Perhaps God has you taking a path that may not lead to His ultimate destination for you. Trust in the Lord, lean not on your own understanding, acknowledge Him in all you do, and He shall direct your path Prov. 3:5-6.

-os hillman

...repentance

When the king heard the words of the Law, he tore his robes. 2 Chronicles 34:19

Josiah was a godly king in Israel. However, before he came to power, the nation had fallen into all kinds of evil. One man, Manasseh, had brought the nation to a condition of inexorable evil. God finally had enough.

"Therefore this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: I am going to bring such disaster on Jerusalem and Judah that the ears of everyone who hears of it will tingle. I will stretch out over Jerusalem the measuring line used against Samaria and the plumb line used against the house of Ahab. I will wipe out Jerusalem as one wipes a dish, wiping it and turning it upside down" 2 Kings 21:12-13.

Josiah came into power just before this judgment. He began to clean up the evil by burning all the idolatrous temples, ridding prostitution and homosexuality from the streets, and destroying occult shrines. He did this without the benefit of even reading God's Word, but through the Holy Spirit working in his heart. Then one day the ancient Scriptures were discovered in the temple that had lain dormant for years. They had a profound impact on King Josiah. 

When the king heard the words of the Law, he tore his robes. He gave these orders to Hilkiah, Ahikam son of Shaphan, Abdon son of Micah, Shaphan the secretary and Asaiah the king's attendant: 

Go and inquire of the Lord for me and for the remnant in Israel and Judah about what is written in this book that has been found. Great is the Lord's anger that is poured out on us because our fathers have not kept the word of the Lord; they have not acted in accordance with all that is written in this book 2 Chronicles 34:19-21.

Josiah was broken. He tore his robes in repentance. He fell to his knees and repented for the wickedness of his nation. He stood in the gap, and God honored Josiah; however, it wasn't enough. God still had to judge the nation for its previous wickedness under the reign of Manasseh.

Because your heart was responsive and you humbled yourself before God when you heard what He spoke against this place and its people, and because you humbled yourself before Me and tore your robes and wept in My presence, I have heard you, declares the Lord. Now I will gather you to your fathers, and you will be buried in peace. Your eyes will not see all the disaster I am going to bring on this place and on those who live here." ... 2 Chronicles 34:27-28. 

God spared Josiah during his reign, but after he died judgment came upon the nation.

No nation is immune from God's judgment. 

Pray for your nation today. 

Pray that your nation will have a repentant heart among the leaders and the people. 

-os hillman 

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, 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?

-dave langerfeld

recruitment

Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing." Acts 9:8

When God calls one of His servants into service, there is often much travail. There are many examples where God makes His presence known through circumstances that tax the individual to his very soul.

Consider Paul, who was stricken blind on the Damascus road.

Consider Peter; when he denied Jesus after the crucifixion, he was in total despair.

Consider Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who were thrown into the fiery furnace.

Consider Daniel, who was thrown into the lions' den.

Consider David, who was forced to flee his former employer for many years and lived as a fugitive.

It may seem strange to us that God uses such incredible adversity to prepare His servants for greater service, but this is God's way. God knows that the human heart is incapable of voluntarily stepping into situations that take us beyond our comfort zone. He intentionally brings us into hard places to prove us and to drive us deeper into the soil of His grace.

In arid regions of the world, trees cannot survive unless their roots grow deeper to where the water table can be found. Once they reach the water, these trees become stronger than any tree that can be found in tropical climates. Their root systems ensure that they can withstand any storm. In the same way, God brings us into extremely difficult situations in order to prove His power and drive our spiritual roots deeper.

God may take us through times when we will question His love for us. In such times, we must cling to His coattail so that we may see His purposes in it. 

Do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded.

"You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised. For in just a very little while, 'He who is coming will come and will not delay. But My righteous one will live by faith. And if he shrinks back, I will not be pleased with him'" Hebrews 10:36-38

-os hillman 

rescue

For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 1 Corinthians 1:18

Before I was a Christian, I always had an interest in Jesus Christ. He fascinated me. I knew that He existed at one time, but I never thought of Him as someone that I could enter into a relationship with.

I learned some things about Jesus by looking at religious art. For example, I learned that He often walked around carrying a lamb, and sometimes He carried a staff as well.

But pretty much everything I learned about Jesus came from movies. However, there was a part of His story that I didn’t like: the ending. In fact, I wondered why no one had ever made a movie about Jesus that ended differently.

I didn’t like the fact that He died on the cross. I wanted to edit out that part of the story. It made no sense to me at that time. And it wasn’t until I became a Christian that I realized it was all about that part of the story. It was all about the cross.

Actually, that was the Lord’s purpose and plan from the very beginning. Revelation 13:8 tells us that He was “the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world”.

The birth of Jesus took place so there would be the death and resurrection of Jesus. His death on the cross wasn’t an afterthought on the part of God the Father.

Before there was a solar system, before there was a planet called Earth and a garden called Eden, before there was a man named Adam and a woman named Eve, before sin entered the human race, a decision was made in the councils of eternity. God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit decided that the Son would come to Earth on a rescue mission.

That is why the message of the cross is so important to all. 

-greg laurie

difference

Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:13-14

Today I will make a difference...  

I will begin by controlling my thoughts. A person is the product of his thoughts. I want to be happy and hopeful.Therefore, I will have thoughts that are happy and hopeful. I refuse to be victimized by my circumstances. I will not let petty inconveniences such as stoplights, long lines, and traffic jams be my masters. I will avoid negativism and gossip. Optimism will be my companion, and victory will be my hallmark.

Today I will make a difference... 

I will be grateful for the twenty-four hours that are before me. Time is a precious commodity. I refuse to allow what little time I have to be contaminated by self-pity, anxiety, or boredom. I will face this day with the joy of a child and the courage of a giant. I will drink each minute as though it is my last. When tomorrow comes, today will be gone forever. While it is here, I will use it for loving and giving.

Today I will make a difference... 

I will not let past failures haunt me. Even though my life is scarred with mistakes, I refuse to rummage through my trash heap of failures. I will admit them. I will correct them. I will press on. Victoriously. No failure is fatal. It's OK to stumble... I will get up. It's OK to fail...I will rise again.

Today I will make a difference...

I will spend time with those I love. My spouse, my children, my family. A man can own the world but be poor for the lack of love. A man can own nothing and yet be wealthy in relationships. Today I will spend at least five minutes with the significant people in my world. Five quality minutes of talking or hugging or thanking or listening. Five undiluted minutes with my mate, children, and friends.

 

Today I will make a difference!!!

 

Even though my life is scarred with mistakes, I refuse to rummage through my trash heap of failure. 

I will admit them. 

I will correct them. 

I will press on.

-max lucado

...know

She had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His word. Luke 10:39

One day when I was waiting to board a plane, a stranger who had overheard me mention that I was a chaplain began to describe to me his life before he met Christ. He said it was marked by “sin and self-absorption. Then I met Jesus.”

I listened with interest to a list of changes he had made to his life and good deeds he had done. But because everything he told me was about his busyness for God and not his fellowship with God, I wasn’t surprised when he added, “Frankly, chaplain, I thought I’d feel better about myself by now.”

I think the New Testament character Martha would have understood that stranger’s observation. Having invited Jesus to be a guest at her home, she set about doing what she thought were the important things. But this meant she couldn’t focus on Jesus.  Because Mary wasn’t helping, Martha felt justified asking Jesus to chide her. It’s a mistake many of us make: We’re so busy doing good that we don’t spend time getting to know God better.

My advice to my new airplane friend came from the core of Jesus’ words to Martha in Luke 10:41-42. I said to him: “Slow down and invest yourself in knowing God; let His Word reveal Himself to you.” If we’re too busy to spend time with God, we’re simply too busy. 

 

Savior, let me walk beside Thee,

     Let me feel my hand in Thine;

          Let me know the joy of walking

               In Thy strength and not in mine. —Sidebotham

 

Our heavenly Father longs to spend time with His children.

-randy kilgore

...lost

Taking Jesus' body, the two of them wrapped it, with the spices, in strips of linen. At the place where Jesus was crucified, there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb. . . they laid Jesus there. John 19:40-42

After hanging on the cross for nearly 6 hours, Jesus bows His head and breathes His last breath. As evening approaches, a rich man named Joseph, boldly goes to Pontius Pilate and asks for Jesus' body. Joseph is a prominent member of the Jewish Supreme Court, who secretly has become a disciple of Jesus. Pilate orders Jesus' body to be given to Joseph.

Joseph, accompanied by Nicodemus, takes down the body, wraps it in clean linen strips of cloth. Then they place it in a new tomb that he had cut out of the rock. They roll a big stone in front of the entrance to the tomb and go away. Mary Magdalene and  some other women who had followed Joseph, see the tomb where Jesus' body is laid.  Friday evening comes to an end with not much to look forward to on Saturday...

That's it.  It's done.  On the surface, it appears everyting is over.  Here's a "man" who lived a good life, but died a criminal's death. Jesus' disciples were most likely trying to make new plans for their futures. Hope was gone, He had died on the cross.  End of story.....  or so it seems. Little did they know what Sunday would bring! Jesus Christ back from the dead!

Are you in a waiting mode? waiting for circumstances to change? for health to be restored? for a spouse to begin a relationship with Christ? for a child to return to God? As you wait, where are your eyes? Are they on "Friday's circumstances"? or on Sunday's hope?

The disciples were only seeing what the present moment brought - despair and disappointment. We know the rest of the story... that on Easter morning, Jesus Christ rose from the dead, once and for all defeating death and offering hope to all who believe in Him!!! 

If you feel like you're experiencing "Saturday's waiting mode", look for Jesus and know without a doubt, that in Him, you have a glorious eternal future!!!

-marji kurger

....odds

..."Because you have prayed to Me...." Isaiah 37:21 

Have you ever had your back against the wall so badly that if something didn't happen to change your situation, you were sunk? King Hezekiah was one of Israel's greatest godly kings. One of the greatest challenges to his reign came when the king of Assyria threatened to attack Israel and wipe them out. The Assyrians were the local bullies of the region and had wiped out all other enemies in their region. 

They mocked the idea of having a God who could save them.

 

Do not let Hezekiah deceive you. He cannot deliver you! Do not let Hezekiah persuade you to trust in the Lord when he says, "The Lord will surely deliver us; this city will not be given into the hand of the king of Assyria" Isaiah 36:14-15. 

The workplace is full of "Assyrian kings" who mock the idea of a living God who delivers. Without God's help, Israel would not overcome. Their backs were against the wall. They would be destroyed. 

King Hezekiah saved Israel because of one act. He prayed; and because he prayed, God moved on his behalf. In fact, God moved so powerfully that Hezekiah did not even have to fight the battle. 

Then the angel of the Lord went out and put to death a hundred and eighty-five thousand men in the Assyrian camp. When the people got up the next morning, there were all the dead bodies! Isaiah 37:36

The king of Assyria was even murdered by his own sons. Imagine seeing your enemy totally destroyed without one hand raised in battle! 

God wants to act on behalf of His children if they will call on Him. One of the motives Hezekiah had in seeking God's help was "so that all kingdoms on earth may know that You alone, O Lord, are God" Is. 37:20. This is what happened. God was glorified. 

God wants to let your workplace know that God is a living God. 

He can deliver. 

Seek Him today for the crisis in your life. 

response

 .."Everything is all right".... 2 Kings 4:26

The prophet Elisha often would travel through the town of Shunem, and in that town was a well-to-do couple who extended hospitality to him. At first, they simply offered Elisha a meal when he came through town. Then, seeing that Elisha needed a place to stay and study, they built a room for him above their house so that each time he came through town, he had a place to stay. 

He was so appreciative of their kindness that one day he asked the wife what he could do for her. His servant Gehazi later informed Elisha that the woman was barren and her husband was old. " 'About this time next year,' Elisha said, 'you will hold a son in your arms' " 2 Kings 4:16. A year later the son arrived.

 

One day the father was working in the field, and the son became ill and died. The woman ran to meet Elisha to inform him. When Elisha asked what was wrong, she did not panic and react in fear. Her response to Elisha seemed almost unnatural. "Everything is all right," she said. Elisha went to the boy and raised him from the dead - 2 Kings 4

Faith looks at situations through God's eyes, not the eyes of our limited understanding. This woman did not panic, for she knew something more than the current circumstance. Faith does not panic, but realizes that what looks like devastating circumstances may be God's plan to bring glory to Himself by demonstrating His power. 

Find the Lord in your circumstance today. 

Exercise your faith today and trust Him for His outcome in the situation.

-os hillman

....sure

I heard about a junior high music teacher who had just organized a band in her school. The principal was so proud of the music teacher's efforts that without consulting her he decided that the band should give a concert for the entire school. The music teacher wasn't so sure her young musicians were ready to give a concert, so she tried to talk the principal out of holding the concert, to no avail.

Just before the concert was ready to begin, as the music teacher stood on the podium, she leaned forward and whispered to her nervous musicians, "If you're not sure of your part, just pretend to play."

And with that, she stepped back, lifted her baton and with a great flourish brought it down. Lo and behold, nothing happened! The band brought forth a resounding silence.

I can't help but wonder if we have the same problem in the church at times. Christians may have the idea that since they're unsure of the part that they are to play, they'll just sit and pretend.  The problem is, when everyone is unsure of what part they're supposed to play, the result is silence --  nothing gets done.

What is the solution? 

The solution is helping each and every member of the body of Christ to learn their part.  In I Corinthians 12 and Romans 12, Paul pictures the church as a body with all of the different parts of that body having different functions.

"Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them..." Romans 12:6.

I can't do everything, and I certainly can't do everything well.  But that's OK.  The saxophonist in an orchestra isn't expected to know how to play the drums.  His talent is playing the saxophone.  His job is simply to make use of his talent and do the very best that he can.

Learn what your gift is, and then use it to the glory of God.  Paul offers a list of possibilities.  Maybe your gift is speaking, or serving, or encouraging, or giving, or leading, or showing mercy Rom. 12:6-8.

Perhaps your gift is on that list, perhaps it's one of the other gifts.  But, if you're not sure of your part, please don't sit and pretend to play. Find out what your gift is and then use that gift to the glory of God!

-steve blair

 

...rule

I read recently about one of the most touching moments in sports I've ever heard about. Central Washington and Western Oregon faced off against each other, with the winner to receive a bid to the NCAA's Division II playoffs.

Sara Tucholsky, a Western Oregon player, came to the plate in the second inning with the score tied 0-0 and two runners on base . Sara had never hit a home run in her lifetime. However, things were about to change. She connected on a pitch and hit the ball over the center field fence. Due to her excitement, she missed first base. So she stopped and turned to go back to the base. But when she made the sudden stop and turn, she collapsed to the ground, having torn her ACL.

Her first base coach wanted to run out and help her, but if she touched Sara, she would have been counted out. As Sara lay on the ground, umpires conferred and determined that the best thing to do was to allow Western Oregon to substitute a pinch runner at first base (which would have canceled the home run).

The coach prepared to make the substitution when she heard a voice: "Excuse me, would it be OK if we carried her around and she touched each bag?'" You see, in softball, a teammate can't touch a player while running the bases, but there's no rule that says the opponents can't touch her. 

So Mallory Holtman and Liz Wallace, two players on the opposing team offered to carry Sara around the bases so that her home run would not be counted as a single. These two players gently picked up Sara, and carried her around the bases, allowing her to tap each base along the way. After reaching home plate, these two girls handed Sara off to her own teammates.

 

When asked later why she did it, Mallory Holtman said, "Honestly, it's one of those things that I hope anyone would do it for me..."   In other words, she was practicing the "Golden Rule"  - "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you."

There's not much I can add to a touching story like that. May it serve as an inspiration to find ways in your own life to look for people who could use a hand. When we are less concerned about "winning" than we are about helping others, we can truly begin to reflect Jesus Christ in our lives.

Therefore, whatever you want men to do for you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets. Matthew 7:12

-alan smith

business

Your servant has nothing there at all,' she said, 'except a little oil.' 2 Kings 4:2

Her husband had died. There was no way to fulfill her debts. Her creditors decided to take her two sons as slaves for payment of the obligations that still remained. She pleaded for assistance with the only man of God she knew. 

"Is there anything in your house?" Elisha asked.

 

"Nothing at all," she said, "except a little oil."

Elisha then instructed her to go and collect all the empty jars that her neighbors might possess. "Ask for as many as you can," he instructed.

When the jars were collected, he instructed her to pour what little oil she had into the jars. The oil was more than enough to fill the jars. In fact, there was more oil than jars to fill. "Go, sell the oil and pay your debts. You and your sons can live on what is left" 2 Kings 4:7.

God often mixes faith with the tangible. The widow believed she had no resources to meet her need. God said she had more than enough resources. She did not see the one jar of oil as a resource. It did not become a resource until it was mixed with faith. Her need was met when her faith was mixed with the practical step of going into the workplace to sell what she had in order to receive her needed income. There was so much income she was able to pay her debts and live on the money derived from the sale.

Quite often we forget that God works through commerce to provide for our needs. It is wrong to place total trust in commerce without faith in God. God often requires simple obedience to an act that seems ridiculous to the logical mind. It is this faith mixed with the practical that God honors. 

Do you have a problem that is perplexing to you? Do you see no way of meeting your need? God may have already given you the skills and talents to meet your need. However, He may be waiting for you to mix them with faith. Ask God to show you the steps necessary to solve your problem. Be willing to take the next step.

-os hillman

....never

 

I love to share about the meaning behind Hebrews 13:5.  

In English, the verse has a very simple, powerful, promise from God.  "God has said, 'Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you!'"  Some translations read, "I will never leave you; I will never forsake you."

What does 'never' mean? 

In the original Greek, "never" is really a compounding of five negatives.  Each negative is not added to another. Rather, each negative is multiplied by the other.  The verse actually reads in the original Greek, "I will never, no, not ever, no never leave you or forsake you!"  (It called a synergistic compounding negative.)    It's a forever never which has no exceptions!

What does 'leave' mean?

In the Greek, it means "to leave behind, to abandon, to give up on, to send back."  So far, then, our verse reads: "I will never, no not ever, no never leave you behind, abandon you, give up on you, or send you back!"

What does 'forsake' mean?

In the Greek, it means, "to leave one in a helpless state, to disregard."  It also can be further expanded to include "not relaxing in my watchfulness over you." So, this verse, then, amplified from the original Greek, reads: "I will never, no not ever, no never give up on you, abandon you, leave you behind, leave you helpless, nor will I ever relax in my watchfulness over you!!!!"

Wow!!!!  What a promise!!!  

God will always be there for us!!!  

He will never forsake us!!!

-dave langerfeld

anxieties

"Cast all your anxieties on God because He cares for you" 1 Peter 5:7

CAST

The word "cast" means to throw something onto someone else. When we "cast" our anxieties on God, we let go of them. We turn them over to him. This is a present tense command, so that we are to make this decision continually. Every time the worry comes back, give it to God. Again and again and again. it's an imperative, so that if you're carrying anxiety in your own hands and heart, you're disobeying the word and will of God. He wants you to give him all your worries, the moment they arise in your mind.

ALL YOUR ANXIETIES

"All" leaves no exceptions. "Anxieties" points to any stress, problem, or worry. We are allowed none of these for ourselves. Mark it down: there is no problem so large you cannot trust it to God, and none so small you can trust it to yourself. My tendency is to solve my own problems myself, turning to God only when I must. But I've learned that he would much rather guide me into His Will than repair the mistakes made by my own will.

ON GOD

Cast your anxieties "on God," trusting them into his power, providence, and provision. The Creator of the universe can be trusted with any problem encountered therein. You go to a doctor for physical problems and a lawyer for legal advice, because they are the best qualified in their respective fields. Go to God with your anxieties, for his omniscience and omnipotence are the best resources in all of creation.

BECAUSE HE CARES FOR YOU

Make this decision "because He cares for you." "Cares" means that He feels compassion for you. He knows your problems and He faces them with you. He feels your pain, shares your stress, suffers your grief. He is Immanuel, God with us. History is filled with men who would be gods, but with only one God who would be man.

What anxiety most burdens you this morning? What will you do with it, right now?

"Cast all your anxieties on God because he cares for you" 1 Peter 5:7.

understand

Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know." Job 42:3 

If there was any one man on earth who had reason to question God's love, it was Job. He lost his family, his health, and his wealth - all at the same time. His friends came to his side only to question his spirituality. God had already answered the question of his integrity. Job was described in the opening verses of the book as "blameless and upright" (Job 1:1). His calamities were not born from sin. Job acknowledged God's right to do anything in his life until one day he could take it no longer. He questioned God's motives. 

God answered Job, but not in the way he wanted to hear. God answered him with a series of questions that represents the most incredible discourse of correction by God to any human being. Three chapters later, Job realized that he had questioned the motives of the Author of the universe, the Author of love. He fell flat before his Creator and realized his total depravity. "Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know." 

Have you ever questioned God's activity in your life? 

Have you questioned His love for you based on circumstances that came your way? 

The cross at Calvary answers the love question. He sent His own Son in replacement for your sin. If you were the only person on earth, He would have done the same. His ways cannot always be understood or reconciled in our finite minds. That must be left for a future time when all will be understood. For now, entrust your life to Him completely. Embrace Him in the hard times and the good. 

-os hillman

heal

Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Ephesians 4:32

Grudge is one of those words that defines itself. Its very sound betrays its meaning.

Say it slowly: “Grr-uuuud-ge.” It starts with a growl. “Grr…” Like a bear with bad breath coming out of hibernation or a mangy mongrel defending his bone in an alley. “Grrr…”

Remove a GR from the word grudge and replace it with SL and you have the junk that grudge bearers trudge through. Sludge. Black, thick, ankle-deep resentment that steals the bounce from the step. No joyful skips through the meadows. No healthy hikes up the mountain. Just day after day of walking into the storm, shoulders bent against the wind, and feet dragging through all the muck life has delivered.

Is this the way you are coping with your hurts? Are you allowing your hurts to turn into hates? If so, ask yourself: Is it working? Has your hatred done you any good? Has your resentment brought you any relief, any peace? Has it granted you any joy?

Let’s say you get even. Let’s say you get him back. Let’s say she gets what she deserves. Let’s say your fantasy of fury runs its ferocious course and you return all your pain with interest. Imagine yourself standing over the corpse of the one you have hated. Will you now be free?

The writer of the following letter thought she would be. She thought her revenge would bring release. But she learned otherwise.

I caught my husband with another woman. He swore it would never happen again. He begged me to forgive him, but I could not - would not. I was so bitter and so incapable of swallowing my pride that I could think of nothing but revenge. I was going to make him pay and pay dearly. I’d have my pound of flesh.

I filed for divorce, even though my children begged me not to. Even after the divorce, my husband tried for two years to win me back. I refused to have anything to do with him. He had struck first; now I was striking back. All I wanted was to make him pay.

Finally he gave up and married a lovely young widow with a couple of small children. He began rebuilding his life - without me. I see them occasionally, and he looks so happy. They all do. And here I am – a lonely, old, miserable woman who allowed her selfish pride and foolish stubbornness to ruin her life.

Unfaithfulness is WRONG! Revenge is bad. But the worst part of all is that, without forgiveness, bitterness is all that is left.

The state of your heart dictates whether you harbor a grudge or give grace, seek self-pity or seek Christ, drink human misery or taste God’s mercy. No wonder, then, the wise man pleads, “Above all else, guard your heart.” Proverbs 4:23

David’s prayer should be ours: “Create in me a pure heart, O God.” Psalm 51:10

-max lucado

faithfulness

The Lord is faithful to all His promises and loving toward all He has made. 

The Lord upholds all those who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down. Psalm 145:13-14

Have you ever had a relationship with someone who was faithful? You knew you could depend on that person to do what he said. You learned that his word was completely trustworthy. If he said he would call you, he would. If he said he'd be somewhere at a certain time, he'd be there. In fact, if he was late, you began to wonder if he had an accident because it was so contrary to his nature. It's great to have friends who are faithful.

God is faithful. He is faithful to fulfill every promise in His Word. Sometimes we think God isn't faithful because it appears He has not fulfilled a desire that we have. Sometimes we think He is not faithful because of a crisis event that seems to say God isn't faithful. 

We must remember that God is more concerned about accomplishing His ultimate purpose in the life of every believer than giving us the desires of our heart. Sometimes this results in hardship.

The Bible is full of accounts of God's faithfulness that was often accompanied by hardship. He brought Joseph out of slavery to be greatly used in a nation. He delivered the people from Egypt and brought them into the Promised Land.

 

He gave Abraham the son of promise late in his life. He delivered David from his enemies and made him a king. In story upon story, we learn of God's faithfulness. Are you a faithful man or woman? The workplace needs faithful men and women. Take an inventory of your life today and ask God if you have been faithful with what He has entrusted to you.

-os hillman

business

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Colossians 3:23-24

The Bible is very clear that the purpose for our work life is to reflect Christ in and through our lives. It is an attitude that says our work is to have an overriding "ministry" objective to it. Our work is our worship to God. These two words even originate from the same Hebrew word, avodah.

Robert Laidlaw was born in Scotland in 1885 but grew up in New Zealand. Born to Christian parents, he committed his life fully to the Lord when he was 17. Laidlaw began working in a hardware merchant company as a traveling sales representative when he was 19. 

Later he had the idea for a mail-order catalogue business that sold everything imaginable including underwear, groceries, cosmetics, and farm equipment, all at bargain-basement prices. His concept proved successful and his business later merged with the Farmer's Union Trading Company. He became general manager and held that position for 50 years. 

But this is not the most significant thing that can be said about Robert Laidlaw. He understood that his work life was a tool to affect others for Jesus Christ. He began giving ten percent of his income early in his business life. 

Later, however, he entered this into his journal: "September 1919, age twenty-five. I have decided to change my earlier graduated scale, and start now giving half (fifty percent) of all my earnings." This he continued for the next 60 years. [John Woodbridge, ed., More Than Conquerors (Chicago, Illinois: Moody Press, 1992), 351.]

The result of that commitment was countless numbers affected for Jesus Christ through the resources he gave to mission groups and other worthy Christian causes. He was personally involved in ministry. He wrote a small book that gave a thoughtful answer to basic questions about life and faith. It was titled "The Reason Why." Many hundreds of thousands came to faith in Christ because of this 46-page booklet. He publicly spoke to many of his faith in Christ and became very involved in the Soldier's and Airmen's Association when World War II broke out. Robert Laidlaw understood what it meant to view business with an overriding ministry objective.

Does the Lord have complete control of your life? If so, you will be able to see your work life as an extension of His life in you. Let the Lord live in and through your work life today

-os hillman

reflection

They will tell of the glory of Your kingdom and speak of Your might, so that all men may know of Your mighty acts and the glorious splendor of Your kingdom. Psalm 145:11-12

How do you measure your effectiveness in God, or should you even be thinking like this? 

The early Church turned the world upside down in that first century. What made them so effective? Was it their theology? Was it great preaching? Was it due to one man's influence apart from Jesus? 

The Scriptures are clear as to what made the early Church effective. It is at the core of God's heart,   He desires to reflect His nature and power through every individual. When this happens, the world is automatically changed because those who reflect His glory affect the world.

We serve a jealous God. He is a God who will not share His glory with anyone. 

God sets up situations in order to demonstrate His power through them. He has done this since the day He created man. His desire is to reflect His glory through you and me, so that all men may know of His mighty acts and the glorious splendor of His Kingdom. 

The apostle Paul understood this principle: "My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power, so that your faith might not rest on men's wisdom, but on God's power" 1 Cor. 2:4-5. 

If you do not see His glory being reflected through your life, then you need to ask why. He has promised to do so if we will walk in obedience to His commands. 

-os hillman 

coming

So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him. Matthew 24:44

While on a South Pole expedition, British explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton left a few men on Elephant Island, promising that he would return. Later, when he tried to go back, huge icebergs blocked the way. But suddenly, as if by a miracle, an avenue opened in the ice and Shackleton was able to get through. His men, ready and waiting, quickly scrambled aboard. No sooner had the ship cleared the island than the ice crashed together behind them.

Contemplating their narrow escape, the explorer said to his men, "It was a blessing you were all packed and ready to go!".  They replied, 'We never gave up hope. Whenever the sea was clear of ice, we rolled up our sleeping bags and reminded each other that he may come today.'"

Jesus Christ's first coming to earth is an indisputable fact of history. His birth, death, burial, and resurrection are facts of history, as all were verified by many reliable witnesses. At his ascension back into heaven two angels appeared to Jesus' disciples and followers saying, "Men of Galilee … why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven." Acts 1:11

Jesus also had promised that he would come again. In speaking about heaven he said, "In my Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am." John 14:2-3

And God's Word also assures us that Jesus is coming back again to take all his true followers to be with him forever in heaven.

 

Dear Lord, 

thank you for the wonderful promise that Jesus is coming back again to take all his true followers to be with you in heaven forever. Help me to be sure that I am always prepared and ready for his coming. In His Name amen