....hear

He who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I too will love him and show Myself to him John 14:21

We live in a day of 12-step programs for this, four points to success for that, and all forms of programmed means of becoming successful. Have you ever wondered how you can guarantee a greater revelation of Jesus in your life? Jesus tells us how this can be done. It is all tied to obedience. In John, He tells us the following: "Whoever has My commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves Me. He who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I too will love him and show Myself to him" Jn. 14:21. 

The key here is in the last three words. He will show Himself to us because of our loving Him through our obedience. The more obedient we become, the more revelation of His presence we will feel in our life. Jeremiah tells us, "Call to Me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know" Jer. 33:3

Many Christians wonder why they cannot hear or sense God's presence in their life. It is because they do not seek Him with a whole heart, and they are not obedient to the things He has asked. God does not show us the next move until we are obedient to the first thing He has spoken to us. It is a progressive process. 

He entrusts the small things to us first, then moves us to the larger. I was like many today who are so focused on seeking the activity of God rather than seeking God Himself. Hebrews tells us that God rewards those who diligently seek Him. In the Old Testament we are told, "But if from there you seek the Lord your God, you will find Him if you look for Him with all your heart and with all your soul" Deut. 4:29.

I realized if I was going to hear God's voice, I had to make time to seek Him and hear Him. I had to spend focused time alone reading, studying, and seeking His face only. Jesus set the model for this when He often left the crowds to be alone and seek His heavenly Father. I also had to tune my "radio" to His frequency. Static comes into that frequency when I am disobedient. My level of seeking determines the power of my "radio" to reach Him. 

The more I seek Him, the more I hear Him. 

Seek the Lord today so that you may be empowered by His presence. 

- os hilman

....delights

He brought me forth into a broad place; He delivered me because He delighted in me Psalm 18:19

I was blessed to grow up with parents who were positive, supportive, and encouraging. The words “I am proud of you” are one of their greatest legacies to me. I knew they loved me and showed it in a variety of very important ways. I knew they were very glad that I was their son.

If you did not grow up with that kind of advantage then the concepts of grace and unconditional love will be harder for you to accept. One of the reasons we send Biblical messages of encouragement is to help you hear God’s words and to help you trust in His boundless, joyful love and draw closer to Him. Psalm 18:19 is one such verse.

David wrote this psalm after escaping repeated attacks from Saul and his armies. A man who could have been a mentor and encourager for David became an implacable enemy. Other Psalms reflect David’s anguish during this very rough period in his life. David responded by seeking God even more and looking to Him for the support. God delivered Him.

The key phrase I want you to focus on concerns the reason God delivered David: “because He delighted in me.” This phrase is joyful and exuberant! God delighted in David!

And God delights in you. Let that sink in. "He delights in you!"  

Even though you may not have been programmed from your childhood to hear and accept such truth, or perhaps because you have suffered rejection in adulthood at the hands of people who were once very close to you, you must trust and believe that God delights in you. He knows you deeply and individually as if you were the only person to know. 

He is capable of that kind of sustained regard and focus on you. His verdict: “I take delight in you.” And for that reason He will deliver you. So whatever you face, or whatever handicap you have in life, accept God’s rich love for you.  

Trust in it. 

Rely on it.

- david langerfeld

.....word

We are encouraged to build our lives upon the absolute and unwavering standard of God's Word. His Word is truth and holds the answer to every problem we will ever confront. If we search for answers and prayerfully reflect on the truth of God's Word - if we indeed consider His Word as absolute and unchanging, and apply it directly into our life - we will find the solutions have been available long before we were born.

For the Word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account Hebrews 4:12-13

Without changing in content or meaning, the Word of God adapts to every situation. If we maintain the habit of reading and reflective study, we will find new insights in what appear to be the peeling back of multiple layers of understanding. But it is actually us who are being peeled back and laid bare by the ever present truths of His Word.

The passage, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding" Proverbs 3:5, will have a much different meaning after we have obediently followed God for several years. Each time adversity strikes and doubts arise, we will find an ever deeper calling in the phrase "with ALL your heart." And though we walk with Him for all the rest of our days, we may never fully appreciate the words; "God demonstrated His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us" Romans 5:8. How our lives would change if we could ever fully understand His love!

We do not truly "dig deeper" into the Word; rather, the Word digs deeper into us! Scriptural truths are not revealed until our hunger is so great that we are willing to place our life on the table and allow the sword of truth to cut deep inside. Do we really desire to know God, His Word, and His Spirit? Do we really want to understand the depth of God's love and the implications of His justice? Then be advised: even necessary and beneficial surgery can be painful. When our chest is opened, the condition of our heart is revealed; and that which is dark and displeasing must be cut away and burned.

But fear not! Our Heavenly Father is a skilled surgeon who can make our heart new and prepared to yield to His Spirit. The solution to our most complex problems is always found in His presence, and He has given His Word to show us how to draw near. Our lives are in need of some divine surgery today! Let's allow our heart to be cut by the truth, to be exposed and purified by the Living Word.

- steve troxel

....fire

Ice will turn to water at a temperature just above zero degrees centigrade. We might consider the water to be consumed as it turns to steam at one hundred degrees centigrade. Wood must be heated to a much higher temperature before it is consumed, and metal must be heated even more. I wonder how much heat is required to finally consume the works of my flesh and burn away my selfishness and pride.

Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire Hebrews 12:28-29 When we begin to understand the Kingdom we have inherited through Christ, we dare not enter His sanctuary with anything but pure praise and worship. Whatever else we attempt to bring is born in our flesh with a spirit of pride. 

Is our greatest ambition to impact the world for Christ? Is our motivation to be significant in the eyes of God or become a major player in the advancement of His Kingdom? Beware! Though these sound good and have the appearance of being pleasing to God, they are conceived in pride and will be consumed.

We truly can bring Him NOTHING of worth except a pure heart; "All our righteous acts are like filthy rags" Isaiah 64:6. Our greatest desire must be to praise and worship the King through all we think, say, and do. All our striving to be obedient and produce good works - all of our "Godly" motivation and ambition - must flow simply as a direct outpouring of our worship.

If we are still trying to conquer something for Christ, we have not yet fully submitted to His leading nor found complete rest in His strength. Jesus came with all knowledge and power, and yet He walked with absolute surrender and submission; "the world must learn that I love the Father and that I do exactly what My Father has commanded Me" John 14:31.

This is a daily challenge, one of the more subtle battles between the Spirit and the flesh. While we must strive, we must also remember that God does not need anything we produce. True fruit which pleases our Heavenly Father comes only as we "remain in the vine" John 15:4, and love Him with all our heart.

The same fire that will one day burn all our righteous acts can be used today to cleanse our heart until only the One remains. Let's come into His presence and worship with pure reverence and awe. Let's allow every selfish desire and every fiber of pride to be burned away in His consuming fire.

- steve troxel

......grace

God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. 

Ephesians 2:8 

Christians have no grounds whatsoever for boasting. There is nothing to boast about. We didn’t become Christians because we were born into a Christian family, were relatively moral people, or did a number of good deeds. Therefore, we have absolutely nothing we can take credit for. And if we find ourselves bragging about anything that we have done to obtain our salvation, we don’t understand what it means for God to forgive us.

In Ephesians 2, the apostle Paul makes a bedrock statement about the Christian faith: “God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it” verses 8–9.

This is a foundational Christian doctrine. Yet it’s surprising how many people don’t grasp the simple yet profound truth that we are Christians entirely and solely because of the grace of God.

Grace is getting what we don’t deserve. Mercy is not getting what we do deserve. And justice is getting what we deserve. We never want to ask God to give us justice because, in doing so, we’re asking Him to give us what we deserve. And what we deserve is eternal death. Thankfully, God has not dealt with us according to justice because Jesus Christ met God’s righteous requirement at Calvary. The death of Jesus satisfied the justice of God.

An effective testimony always will glorify God and never will glorify the past. Some Christians make their lives before Christ sound so juicy and interesting that they make the present seem dull. That is an inaccurate testimony. If you are honest about what you were before you became a believer, then you must talk about the spiritual state you were in. You were separated from God and in rebellion against Him. A good testimony never will glorify the past; it always will glorify the Lord.

Every Christian has a testimony because the power of God has gloriously transformed every person who has put their faith in Jesus Christ. It’s important to realize that salvation does not come from anything that we’ve done, let’s not boast about what we’ve done or what we gave up to follow Jesus. 

If we don’t realize that, then we don’t know how dark our state was, how miserable of a condition we were in, and how far we were separated from God.

......sent

We are encouraged to share the message of truth with whoever God places in our path. We need to reach people where they are, "to the weak I became weak" 1 Corinthians 9:22, and the need to share without self-righteous condemnation. But we also saw the need to share His truth without compromise as we lift up the name of Jesus Christ.

The Word of God teaches there is only one way to Heaven: "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me" John 14:6. Salvation is a gift of grace given to those who place their faith in the sacrifice of Jesus for the forgiveness of sin - there is no other way! And although relatively few will actually travel the narrow road that leads to life, the road is available to ALL who will come; "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved" Romans 10:13.

It's God's desire for everyone to call on His name; "not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance" 2 Peter 3:9...but not everyone will. Some have hardened their heart through continued rejection and willful disobedience, and now refuse to repent and receive the truth. Others simply never hear the Good News.

"How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent?" Romans 10:14-15

Only God is able to draw someone near and lead them to repentance, and only the Holy Spirit can transform someone's heart into a "new creation" 2 Corinthians 5:17. But God has chosen to give His children the responsibility of sharing His message of forgiveness and truth with the world; "As You sent Me into the world, I have sent them into the world" John 17:18.

In order for the message of Salvation to truly reach the world, we who know the truth must accept our commission to be "sent." We must be determined to share the gospel message whenever and wherever He directs; "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations" Matthew 28:19. This may mean in another country, but it may also mean in our own backyard, or in our own family as we love them and demonstrate the true peace of Jesus.

Let's faithfully pick up the torch today. We have been given everything we need 2 Peter 1:3; we do not lack any Spiritual gift 1 Corinthians 1:7, and we have been declared ambassadors for Christ 2 Corinthians 5:20. The world is waiting to hear! Let's BOLDLY go forth with His Word and with an assurance that we have been sent!

adapted from steve troxel

 

.....paradox

A person without self-control is like a city with broken-down walls Proverbs 25:28

One of life’s paradoxes is how self-discipline gives us freedom. People without self-control live under the tyranny of whatever desires master them—pleasure, sleep, sex, indulgence, addictions, or hatred. When the Lord becomes the King of our life, He enables us to grow in the quality of self-control. It’s a fruit of the Spirit. As we’re released from our vices, we’re increasingly free to live healthy and happy lives.

To many people, the word freedom means doing anything you want whenever and wherever you want. But true freedom is impossible without constraint. Limitations don’t bring confinement—they enable freedom. Paul told Timothy, “For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline” 2 Timothy 1:7. Galatians 5:22-23 says, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace…self-control.”

Identify any area of life in which you find yourself in bondage. Ask God to help you to allow His Spirit to work in your heart so that you will experience true freedom.

"Jesus, who lived such a remarkable life, has sent His Spirit to dwell in you. His goal is to reproduce Himself through you—the courage, the self-control, the love, everything." (Charles Stanley)

- david jeremiah 

.....zeal

They examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true." Acts 17:11

The following story is one that is reported to have been told by Napoleon to spark patriotism among his men: Once, while visiting a province, he came upon an old soldier in full uniform but with one sleeve hanging empty. He proudly wore the coveted Legion of Honor.   Napoleon asked, "Where did you lose your arm?"

The soldier answered, "At Austerlitz, sire."   Napoleon asked, "And for that you received the Legion of Honor?"

The man said, "Yes, sire. It is but a small token to pay for the decoration." Napoleon continued, "You must be the kind of man who regrets he did not lose both arms for his country."

The one-armed man asked, "What then would have been my reward?   Napoleon answered, "I would have awarded you a double Legion of Honor."

And with that, the proud old fighter drew his sword and immediately cut off his other arm.

What a great story of patriotic duty! It apparently was quite effective in stirring up in Napoleon's men a desire to sacrifice even more for the cause of France!

There's only one problem with the story. You may have already noticed the inconsistency. But apparently it was years before anyone dared to ask Napoleon the question, "How did the soldier cut off his arm with only one arm to do it with?"

Nice story. Stirring, moving, motivating.... but it wasn't true. And it's possible for the same thing to happen to us in a religious sense. We can get all "fired up" without much thought as to the truth of what we're getting excited about. Paul said of those who were motivated in such a way:   "...They are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge." Romans 10:2

Zeal is good. 

We all need more of it. 

But we need to make certain that our enthusiasm is firmly based on our knowledge of God's will by reading His Word.

.....name

We are strongly encouraged to share a message of truth which is uncompromising and aligned with the Word of God. We cannot continue to trust in the messages of the world, or in the teaching of the "religious," when their words are not supported by Biblical Truth!

Toward the end of a passage we call "The Sermon on the Mount," Jesus gave a strong warning: "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it" Matthew 7:13-14. Our message must always lead down the "narrow road" and toward the "narrow gate" of Salvation. If it does, it is truth and honoring to God; if it does not, it is full of deceit and grieves our Heavenly Father.

Of course, the most important aspect of a true message is the name of Jesus. If our message does not include the sacrifice of Jesus as our necessary and sufficient path to forgiveness and eternal life, then we do not carry a message of truth. Without Jesus there is no Christian faith - there is no eternal hope.

"Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in Heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord."Philippians 2:9-11

God exalted Jesus to the highest place in Heaven. Have we exalted Him to the highest place in our own life? Before we have any chance of communicating a message of truth with the world, we must have a message of truth residing in our own heart. Have we truly accepted His forgiveness which only comes through faith, or are we still trying to earn our way, chasing after false messengers, and traveling down the broad road of destruction? Do we love Him with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength Mark 12:30, or are we still just getting acquainted from a distance?

What about our place of worship? God has an important role for the local church and desires each of us to be in fellowship with other believers. But if our church does not lift up the name of Jesus Christ, it becomes little more than a social club leading an entire flock of lost sheep down the broad road away from the gate. God forbid!

Let's exalt Jesus to the highest place in our life, in our home, and in our church. Let's love Him with all our heart and take active steps to draw closer to His presence. Let's show the world that eternal life is only through faith in the name which is above all other names - the name of Jesus.

- steve troxel

....possible

The Apostle Paul was a pillar of strength who saw the ways of God more clearly than any other individual. He had a unique boldness in his message because he had received the gospel directly from God: "The gospel I preached is not something that man made up. I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ" Galatians 1:11-12.

There is no doubt that Paul had a special blessing from God: "This man is My chosen instrument to carry My name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel" Acts 9:15. But if Paul would have remained attached to this highly favored position of strength and superior knowledge, his ministry would have been severely limited.

"To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some."1 Corinthians 9:22 Paul was so devoted to preaching the Gospel that he could humbly minister to anyone! He was determined to reach every person God placed in his path - even if this meant lowering himself and becoming weak.

We must be careful to understand that weakness does not mean we engage in sin! God NEVER asks us to violate His commands in order to accomplish His will; we never need to sin in order to reach someone with the gospel. Rather, becoming weak means showing compassion without regard to a person's status; it means having the "strength" to walk beside the weak, who may be living in terrible sin, and minister the love of Jesus without condemnation. Godly weakness means showing grace to others because we understand the grace we have been given.

As we minister to the lost - as we touch those without Christ - our message must focus on His saving grace. Without Jesus we are ALL lost and on our way to an eternal damnation; "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" Romans 3:23. We must never forget this basic truth. We must never let our position in Christ cloud the message of the cross. We have been saved and set free; "He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness" Colossians 1:13. But now that we are free, we need to understand that the world around us is in desperate need of this same gracious Savior.

We each have a message to share, a message which can encourage and be used to draw others to faith in Jesus. Let's begin to step outside our select and "comfortable" group - outside the group we relate to and claim to understand. The Good News of Jesus is a precious life-saving gift! Let's begin to share this gift with ALL, by ALL possible means.

- steve troxel

....know

The fact that Jesus took time to pray for His followers shortly before he went to the cross is humbling and astonishing. Now consider what he prayed... 

   He prayed for His followers to have joy. 6-13

   He prayed for His followers to be protected from the evil one. 14-16

   He prayed for His followers to be made holy. 17-10

   He prayed for His followers to know unity. 20-26

But notice this, the first thing He prayed for was His followers "to know Him".   "Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent." John 17:3

He wanted those who were and would become His followers to experience Him completely, not just know "about Him". Not just memorize His words and stories so you can repeat them and sound like You know Him. 

Knowing someone is dramatically different from knowing about them. Jesus wants His followers to know Him so that we can help others know Him.

He prayed for His followers to know Him.

This is eternal life. Is there anything more important? 

- tom norvell

....edom

David was afraid of the Lord that day and said, “How can the ark of the Lord ever come to me?” He was not willing to take the ark of the Lord to be with him in the City of David. Instead, he took it to the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite. The ark of the Lord remained in the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite for three months, and the Lord blessed him and his entire household. 2 Samuel 6:9-12

It is important to give some background to this Scripture, as we must remember that the ark of God represented His power and presence to the nation of Israel. It was in the Tabernacle, behind the veil, where God’s presence dwelt and the sacrifices were offered on the Day of Atonement. I believe that the Ark was the most precious possession Israel had.

David dropped off the Ark while moving it to Jerusalem because he was afraid of God for slaying one of his men. While it was in the care of Obed-Edom, the Lord blessed the house and everything in it. Just like Obed-Edom, we need to make room in our lives and homes for the Lord. I am aware that every believer possesses the Holy Spirit within them. He is with us wherever we go, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that all welcome the presence of the Lord or seek Him continually. I want to live in such a way that I welcome the Lord’s presence into my life daily. I want to wake up in the morning to experience Him. I want to commune with Him throughout the day, and I want to speak with Him as I prepare to lie down at night.

We shouldn’t come near to God just to receive His blessings, but it is good to receive His abundance. I want all the Lord has to offer. I want to experience His presence and power in my life. I desire that for my family, our church, and our land. Having the Lord’s presence will not prevent difficulty, but it sure helps as we face those trials. Are you interested in the Lord’s presence? Make Him welcome in your life!

As the Lord blessed Obed-Edom and his house, others began to notice. Eventually word came to David. Those who were aware of Obed-Edom’s blessings soon told the king of God’s goodness. He possessed a strong witness to the goodness and favor of God. The life of Obed-Edom testified of the God he served. This caused others to desire what Obed-Edom had.

Wouldn’t it be great if every child of God possessed such a testimony? Wouldn’t it be wonderful if the world had to take notice of our relationship with Christ? What if we all lived in such a way that it created a desire in the hearts of others for what we possess in the Lord? We have such an opportunity, but we must welcome the Lord into our lives as Obed-Edom did.

Never underestimate the power of a life lived for Christ. There is always someone watching your life. They are aware of your faith, and many are watching to see what it produces. If you are saved by grace, you have the Spirit abiding within. You have the ability to be an effective witness for the Lord. Obed-Edom didn’t do anything special. He simply welcomed the ark into his house and impacted the king. 

What would happen if we would welcome the Lord into every area of life? I am certain our lives would reflect the Lord more than they currently do, and we would make a significant impact on the lives of others.

- edd wilder 

....preach

We each have a message to share, a message which can encourage and be used to draw others to faith in Jesus." We were then exhorted to "begin to share this message with ALL." But as we boldly go out and begin to minister to others, we must ensure we are ministering according to truth.

Paul's second letter to Timothy was the last of his writings. Written while in prison and awaiting a certain death, Paul used this letter to give some final encouragement to a young preacher.

"I give you this charge: Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage - with great patience and careful instruction."2 Timothy 4:1-2 Paul knew his time of ministry had come to an end, and with his last words he told Timothy to carefully "Preach the Word." Timothy had been taught the true Word of God, but Paul warned that people would not accept this truth; "Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear" 2 Timothy 4:3.

There have always been those who distort the Gospel message - always those who remove the sufficiency of the Cross or the necessity of a repentant heart. The world rewards those who dilute the truth of Christ with the philosophy of man and his methods of success. Unfortunately, false teachers will continue to abound and will always have an audience.

But we must refuse to compromise! We have been given the Word of God - a message of truth which can change the world. And while this message is a wonderful blessing, it also carries an incredible responsibility. We are called to know this message and apply its principles of forgiveness, grace, and love as we live a life devoted to holiness, thanksgiving, and praise. We then must share this message of absolute truth with others at every opportunity.

Our time here is very, very short. We are "a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes" James 4:14. Some of us may vanish in a few days, others not for many years - but we will ALL vanish. What remains in the end will ONLY be that which is done according to truth and for the glory of God...so let's make the most of every moment!

Let's focus more of our time and effort on the treasures which last for eternity and demonstrate the love of Christ. Let's remain aligned to His Word and continue to apply the truth we have received, sharing with others without shame or compromise. Let's accept the charge today to stand firm and Preach the Word!

- steve troxel

.....23

 The Lord is my Shepherd
       THAT'S RELATIONSHIP! 
I shall not want
       THAT'S SUPPLY! 
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures
       THAT'S REST! 
He leadeth me beside still waters
       THAT'S REFRESHMENT! 
He restoreth my soul
       THAT'S HEALING! 
He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness
       THAT'S GUIDANCE! 
For His name sake
       THAT'S PURPOSE! 
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death
       THAT'S TESTING! 
I will fear no evil 
       THAT'S PROTECTION!
For thou art with me 
       THAT'S FAITHFULNESS! 
Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me
       THAT'S COMFORT!
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemiesT
       THAT'S HOPE! 
Thou anointest my head with oil
       THAT'S CONSECRATION! 
My cup runneth over
       THAT'S ABUNDANCE! 
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life  
      THAT'S BLESSING! 
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord
       THAT'S SECURITY! 
Forever!
       THAT'S ETERNITY!!!

....wait

God's will is for us to live a life of thanksgiving and prayer, a life of contentment and peace independent of circumstances. It is also "God's will that you should be sanctified; that you should avoid sexual immorality" 1 Thessalonians 4:3. These are general aspects of God's will, given to every one of His Children. His specific direction will come as we obediently align our life with His general will...and wait.

We live in a generation where waiting is viewed as a waste of time, but learning to wait is one way we grow: "They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint" Isaiah 40:31.

This is a powerful and encouraging passage: if we wait on the Lord, we will be strengthened, soar like the eagles, and not grow weary. But what does it really mean to wait? We are not called to "take up the cross of Salvation" so we can then live our lives sitting on the couch. Rather, as believers in Jesus Christ, we have been invited to a wonderful lifetime journey - a journey which is sometimes difficult, but one always filled with adventure and purpose.

But you, man of God, flee from all this {evil}, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 1 Timothy 6:11-12 All the words of action: flee, pursue, fight, take hold. This is definitely a call to actively move forward in our journey of faith; a call to move toward a life as God intended it to be lived!

So do we wait, or do we fight and take hold? Do we rest and hope in the Lord, or do we flee and pursue? The answer is a simple, but absolute, yes! We are called to a life of action, to a life where we "bear much fruit" John 15:8, but we must learn to "act" while waiting and trusting God for every result. We must give Him all our effort while remaining "in the vine" John 15:4, and allowing the life of Christ to flow through us and produce the fruit.

This means we are to boldly share the gospel message, but then to wait on God for the harvest of belief. It means we are to seek opportunities and diligently prepare for service, but then continue to listen for God to reveal His desired path. It means we are to be agents of Godly change in the world, but then patiently trust His timing and rest in His strength.

God calls us to a faith of complete trust, a faith which produces both action and patience. Let's take hold and fight the good fight of faith as we learn to actively wait. 

- steve troxel

......dark

You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God Ephesians 2:2 

Have you ever bought something that you didn’t really need? You came back from the mall with a new purchase, and you wondered why you bought it. So, you mentally retraced your steps. How did it all start?

Maybe you went to the mall to pass some time. You were walking along and saw a nice window display, and there was something about it that got your attention. Then you walked into the store, and you browsed your way right over to something. Eventually you decided to buy it. And when you got home, you thought, “How did I end up with this?”

It started because you were browsing. You were walking along without any aim or purpose. And the next thing you knew, you bought something that you didn’t need. That is the picture the apostle Paul used in Ephesians when he wrote, “All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature. By our very nature we were subject to God’s anger, just like everyone else” Ephesians 2:3.

We were just browsing our way through the world, doing what everyone else did and parroting what everyone else said. We were acting like everyone else. That was the way we used to live before we committed our lives to Jesus Christ. In fact, we thought we were in control of our lives, but it is clear that we were being blown about like a weather vane as Satan manipulated our lives.

“Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don’t understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God” 2 Corinthians 4:4.

 “We know that we are children of God and that the world around us is under the control of the evil one” 1 John 5:19 . This mentality, this realm, this wavelength that people are on is energized by Satan, the god of this world. That is a bleak scenario.

However, we come to these great words in Ephesians 2:4–5: “But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!”.

But God. We were in a bad place, doing bad things, and going the wrong way. But God. Underline those words in your Bible. If you want to do a fascinating word study, follow that phrase throughout Scripture.

Against a dark background with all the things that were going wrong in our lives, God, who “is so rich in mercy, . . . gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead.” This is what God has done for every believer. This is what God has done for you.

- greg laurie

.....closer

Be still, and know that I am God Psalm 46:10

The young man had lost his job and didn't know which way to turn.  So he went to see the old preacher.

Pacing about the preacher's study, the young man ranted about his problem. Finally he clenched his fist and shouted, "I've begged God to say something to help me. Tell me, Preacher, why doesn't God answer?"

The old preacher, who sat across the room, spoke something in reply - something so hushed it was indistinguishable. The young man stepped across the room. "What did you say?" he asked.

The preacher repeated himself, but again in a tone as soft as a whisper. So the young man moved closer until he was leaning on the preacher's chair. "Sorry," he said. "I still didn't hear you."

With their heads bent together, the old preacher spoke once more. "God sometimes whispers," he said, "so we will move closer to hear Him." This time the young man heard and he understood.

We all want God's voice to thunder through the air with the answer to our problem. But God's voice is the still, small voice...  the gentle whisper.

Perhaps there's a reason. Nothing draws human focus quite like a whisper. God's whisper means I must stop my ranting and move close to Him, until my head is bent together with His. And then, as I listen, I will find my answer. Better still, I find myself closer to God.

......will

Much of our Christian walk seems to involve searching for God's will. We search for His perfect will for our job, home, school, church, and relationships; and we are often frustrated because God seems silent regarding the details of our life. But God is not silent! His Word reveals much of His will, and a large portion of His will for our life today is the same as for every past generation.

"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

We often gloss over such passages, thinking we already understand and ought to search for "deeper" truths. But in God's plan for us to be "conformed to the likeness of His Son" Romans 8:29, there is no greater challenge to our faith. Do we really believe God is in control and can be trusted? Does the attitude of our heart reflect such a belief?

Our Heavenly Father desires us to live each moment with a thankful heart, full of joy - regardless of our circumstances. Why? Because this reveals our trust in a loving God. He wants us to continually commune with Him in prayer and refuse to leave His presence to pursue concerns or pleasures of the world. This portion of God's will has been clearly revealed!

But some are facing situations which make following God's will very difficult. They see absolutely no reason for rejoicing and can't understand how God can be directing their path. How is it possible to remain by His side when being pressed down from all directions and when the pulls of the world seem relentless?

We must begin by viewing our life from an eternal perspective rather than the temporary nature of the world; "The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever" 1 John 2:17. All our trials will soon be gone (do we really believe this?). 

God is in control and, in the end, ALL will glorify His name; "In all things God works for the good of those who love Him" Romans 8:28. As we trust and love Him with all our heart, He works ALL things for the good - no matter how bad our situation may appear or how difficult it may be to understand His plan. He IS in control! This level of trust is what Paul referred to as "the secret of being content" Philippians 4:12.

There are certainly times when God will give us very specific direction, and this direction may very well call us to get out and change the world; but perhaps He's waiting until we follow His general will for our life - perhaps He's waiting for us to rejoice and trust. 

Let's come before Him today with a thankful and loving heart. Let's enter His presence and refuse to be taken away by circumstances which will soon fade. Let's trust Him without compromise and joyfully walk each step by faith according to God's perfect will.

- steve troxel

.....chance

On New Year's Day, 1929, Georgia Tech played the University of California in the Rose Bowl. In that game a man named Roy Riegels recovered a fumble for California. Somehow, he became confused and started running 65 yards in the wrong direction. One of his own teammates, Benny Lom, outdistanced him and downed him just before he scored for the opposing team. When California attempted to punt, Tech blocked the kick and scored a safety which was the ultimate margin of victory.

That strange play came in the first half, and everyone who was watching the game was asking the same question: "What will Coach Nibbs Price do with Roy Riegels in the second half?" The men filed off the field and went into the dressing room. They sat down on the benches and on the floor, all but Riegels. He put his blanket around his shoulders, sat down in a corner, put his face in his hands, and cried like a baby.

If you have played football, you know that a coach usually has a great deal to say to his team during half time. That day Coach Price was quiet. No doubt he was trying to decide what to do with Riegels. Then the timekeeper came in and announced that there were three minutes before playing time.

Coach Price looked at the team and said simply, "Men the same team that played the first half will start the second." The players got up and started out, all but Riegels. He did not budge. The coach looked back and called to him again; still he didn't move.

Coach Price went over to where Riegels sat and said, "Roy, didn't you hear me? The same team that played the first half will start the second." Then Roy Riegels looked up and his cheeks were wet with a strong man's tears.

"Coach," he said, "I can't do it to save my life.  I've ruined you, I've ruined the University of California, I've ruined myself. I couldn't face that crowd in the stadium to save my life."

Then Coach Price reached out and put his hand on Riegel's shoulder and said to him: "Roy, get up and go on back; the game is only half over."  And Roy Riegels went back, and those Tech men will tell you that they have never seen a man play football as Roy Riegels played that second half.

The gospel of Jesus Christ is the gospel of a second chance.  Jesus offers us the chance to start anew - clean and fresh.  No matter how badly we've blown it, no matter how many times we've failed, we can start over.  Today is the day for a fresh start. Get back in the game!  The second half has just started!

- david langerfeld

.....barnabas

Prior to meeting Jesus on the road to Damascus, Saul (who would later be known as the Apostle Paul) was one of the greatest enemies of Christians: "Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off men and women and put them in prison" Acts 8:3. But Saul's conversion to Christ was dramatic, and after a few years he tried to join with the believers in Jerusalem. However, with his reputation for hatred toward Christians, the disciples were not willing to accept him.

But one man saw beyond the past mistakes, saw beyond the slimy pit from which he had been removed, saw the grace of Jesus which had worked a miracle in Saul's life - that man was Barnabas! Barnabas believed in Saul, comforted him, and defended him to the other believers.

"But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus."Acts 9:27

Saul was on fire for Jesus, ready to preach the gospel with the same energy he once used to persecute the church. But after just a short time in Jerusalem, Saul had to flee for his life back to his home in Tarsus until Barnabas once again, found Saul and provided the necessary encouragement.

"Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people."Acts 11:25-26

The Apostle Paul went on to have a greater impact in the forming of the early Church and in defining Church doctrine than any other follower of Jesus. Barnabas believed the absolute best in people and encouraged them at every opportunity. His encouragement of Paul resulted in more fruit for God's Kingdom than anything else he could have possibly done or imagined.

We all know someone who can use a lift - someone in desperate need of a friend to believe in them - someone in need of a Barnabas! Let's encourage others today by believing in the power of Christ working through their lives, by looking beyond what we can see to what we know Jesus can do with a life completely devoted to Him, by being the spark which reignites the fire and helps them return to the great race. 

Let's look for opportunities to encourage our Brothers and Sisters according to the example of Barnabas.

- mzee T W Mwakibinga

....know

I want to know Christ... Philippians 3:10

To know Christ is our desire.

To serve Christ is our privilege.

To follow Christ is our goal.

To preach Christ is our calling.

To see Christ is our reward. 

- ray pritchard

.....hard

Jeremiah had been a prophet for nearly forty years by the time Jerusalem came under attack by the Babylonians. He had long been proclaiming a message of repentance, but the people continued to ignore his words. Now, the enemy had surrounded Jerusalem and the end was near. In this time of great turmoil, God told Jeremiah to purchase a field from his cousin.

This was a strange request but Jeremiah obediently purchased the field. However, he soon began to question God's reasoning: "See how the siege ramps are built up to take the city? Though the city will be handed over to the Babylonians, You say to me, 'Buy the field'" Jeremiah 32:24,25. Jeremiah had been a prophet for many years. He had been given the privilege of talking directly with God, but this command just didn't make sense. Why should he purchase a field when the enemy was invading and taking prisoners?

God answered Jeremiah with a simple, yet challenging, question.

"I am the Lord, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for Me?"Jeremiah 32:27

Yes, the enemy had invaded the land and would soon overrun the city of Jerusalem. But God's plan was for the people to one day return: "I will surely gather them from all the lands where I banish them in My furious anger and great wrath; I will bring them back to this place and let them live in safety. They will be My people and I will be their God" Jeremiah 32:37-38. Jeremiah's field was to be a reminder that God would one day restore His people - a reminder that He could be trusted even in the face of overwhelming circumstances.

We often have a difficult time seeing how all the pieces of God's plan fit together. He leads us down a path and we fail to see the purpose - especially when the enemy begins to attack. We want to fight back, but God says to patiently trust Him and pray. We want to determine a solution and solve the problem, but God says to love Him with all our heart and share His love with others.

The times in which we are most tested and pressed down ought to be the times of greatest growth and closeness with our Heavenly Father. When it seems we have nowhere else to turn, we ought to rejoice and trust Him even more! 

Let's put our life firmly in His Hands and submit to His guidance - even when we may not see where we are going or how we will get there. Let's trust His ways and always remember...for God, there is NOTHING too hard!

- steve troxel

.....careful

And afterward, they asked for a king; so God gave them Saul, the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years. Acts 13:21

One of my friends said it yesterday. I had heard it before. I have said it before. "You had better be careful what you ask for (in prayer), you might get it."

Indeed, that is exactly what happened to Israel. 

   All the other nations had kings. Israel had an old prophet. 

   All the other countries had national leaders. Israel had a high priest. 

   Israel asked the aging prophet for a king. They wanted to be like other nations.  

   They wanted a figure they could look to for protection. They wanted a king! 

So God gave them a king. Saul 

   He reigned for forty years. 

   He was an imposing figure, head and shoulders taller than his countrymen. 

   He was strong. He was promoted to king of all Israel...  and, HE WAS A FAILURE!!!

As time passed, Israel began to see that their king was just a man with all of man's weaknesses. He may have been strong as an ox, but he was as weak as a hollow tree in spirit. He lacked the mental strength to be a powerful leader. He became overwhelmed with his own authority - his own ambition. And he fell. And he almost took Israel with him.

We have all been in Israel's position... 

   We want what we want and we want it now! 

   Not only do we want it, but we demand that God provide it. 

   We don't want to wait for it. We don't want to pay the price for it. 

   We don't want to save for it. We want it - NOW! 

   And God had better come through, because if He doesn't, we will do it ourselves!

And we pay the price... And that price is much higher than the cost of the thing we want. It is a spiritual price that goes far beyond a few dollars. It saps the soul of strength. It drains the spirit of energy. It taps the resources we have reserved for God's mission, and we suffer for it. We are in pain. We are weakened. Because of our weakness, others begin to suffer with us. We no longer have the spiritual fortitude to help our brother or our sister. Instead we are pulling from them the strength they need for their own battles.

A downward spiral has begun. The trail of smoke can be seen for miles around. Doom and defeat seem eminent.  But wait. Inside that hulk of a dying body is a pilot - no, "The Pilot". He has not bailed out yet. He has not given up the ship. He is pulling. He is fighting the battle for us. And He has the strength to pull us out of that fatal nosedive we have forced upon ourselves. 

At the last moment, the flaming hulk of our life is saved and set on a path to recovery. Not because of our strength, but because of the authority of the One who knows how to save the dying.

Israel had its David. We have our Jesus. 

   Both are redeemers. 

   David saved a dying nation. Jesus saves a dying soul. 

   Behold, your redemption draws near. Hallelujah, Amen and Amen

.....walking

And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden.

Genesis 3:8

Walking for 30 to 60 minutes a day, five days a week, has many health benefits, such as reducing the chances of cancer, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, anxiety, and even depression. It increases bone health, lowers the more harmful low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and raises the more useful good high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol.

Studies have also shown that walking can help prevent Alzheimer’s and dementia. There is nothing simpler than walking, yet the benefits to the body’s health are amazing. Brisk walking can improve your stamina, energy, weight control, life expectancy, and reduce stress. It can also reduce your risk of getting osteoporosis, bowel cancer, high blood pressure, diabetes, strokes, and coronary heart disease. It improves your memory skills, concentration, abstract reasoning—and not to mention that it can uplift your spirit!

There are many different forms of walking. Some people are fitness walkers and use pedometers to track their steps. Others enjoy leisurely strolls, bushwalking, race walking, hiking, hill walking, and Nordic walking. There are many ways to walk! Race walking is a long-distance athletic event that is similar to a running race, except one foot must always be (or appear to be) in contact with the ground. John Butcher once said, “Walking is convenient, it needs no special equipment, is self-regulating and inherently safe. Walking is as natural as breathing.”

Walking with Jesus every morning for 30 to 60 minutes of quiet time in your Bible and in prayer is good for your spiritual health and will improve the rest of your day. Perhaps that is what Paul meant when he wrote, “I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called” Ephesians 4:1.

How is your walk with Christ?

- doug batchelor

 

.....pillars

He erected the pillars in the front of the temple, one to the south and one to the north. The one to the south he named Jakin and the one to the north Boaz 2 Chron 3:15-17.

In 2003, I took my first trip to Israel. I visited the Wailing Wall, also known as The Western Wall, because it is part of the Second Temple western retaining wall that supported the temple and everything else on the the Temple Mount. I took an underground tour of the temple foundation which allowed us to see the incredibly huge, square boulders that were used to lay the foundation. 

History states that these boulders were cut off-site and transported to the temple location to avoid loud noises in the temple area. Pillars are designed to provide the foundation to a structure. These towering cylinders provide the height and strength to connect the roof to the lower foundation. 

What’s remarkable is the name of the two pillars that stood in front of the temple: Jakin, which means "it establishes" and Boaz means "in it is strength". Jakin was a priest. Boaz was a businessman also known as a “king” in the scriptures. He was also Ruth’s kinsman redeemer whose lineage would be traced all the way to Christ Mt. 1:5. It is a picture of two people God would use to represent the entrance into God’s presence and the forming of the foundation of Christ’s Church. The Bible says we are both kings and priests, but we also have two separate distinct roles to play in his Body. 

Kings and Priests are joining together to bring the presence of God into the place that has been forbidden territory. It is only when this partnership cooperates in unity, mutual respect, and affirmation that we see God’s power released. Alone, we cannot do it. Together, we can bring the presence of God into all spheres of society to transform churches, cities and nations.

- steve blair 

....balance

And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus - Philippians 4:19 

I’m thankful that God overrules some of my prayers. God knows what is good for us as His children. He knows what we need, and He also knows what we don’t need. A Christian might pray, “Lord, I want to be incredibly wealthy. I want to be as wealthy as Bill Gates or Warren Buffett. Give me billions of dollars.”

For some people, receiving a great amount of money could be the worst thing ever to happen to them. It would come with a lot of responsibility as well as a lot of temptation they may not be facing right now. The apostle Paul wrote, “And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus” Philippians 4:19. 

The writer of Proverbs 30 prayed, “Give me neither poverty nor riches! Give me just enough to satisfy my needs. For if I grow rich, I may deny you and say, ‘Who is the Lord?’ And if I am too poor, I may steal and thus insult God’s holy name” verses 8–9.

We can go through life saying, “I need this” and “What about my needs?” Or, we can say, “God has blessed me. He has provided for me. I had a meal this morning. I have clothes on my back and a roof over my head. What can I do for someone else?”

When we start thinking of others instead of ourselves, one day we will wake up and realize that we’re happy. But it won’t be the result of chasing after the things we thought would fulfill us. Rather, it will be the result of having our priorities in order.

If only we would do things God’s way. Then we would be able to say, like Paul, “I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little” Philippians 4:12

If we have our lives in balance, we can be confident that God will provide.

 - adapted from greg laurie