.....simple

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

"God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid." Isaiah 12:2

Recently, I took some neighbor kids to the pool. The six-year-old twins showed absolutely no fear in the water, especially because they've trusted a few adults to hold them and teach them. I was super-excited to see their joy for learning, but I was shocked when I turned around to see one of the boys jump off the ledge and start "swimming" towards another adult. No adult was aware that the child was going to jump, but when we noticed that the boy was moving towards us in the water, the man held out his arms to assist the young learner. The young boy was full of smiles.

Oh, how I wish that I had that same, simple trust in God. God is always there. His plan for us is rarely what we expect, but He has promised:    "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze." Isaiah 43:2

Trusting God means that even during the bad, sad, hard, and miserable times, we still believe that He loves us and that He is good. He will teach us the things that we need to know.

So often, I feel like it's safer sitting on the edge of the pool, maybe dangling my feet in the water. How many times I have jumped into a plan, without God's wisdom! Thankfully, God is always there to pick me up from my worldly choices or unwise ventures and to put me back into His trusting arms.

We need to trust God through all things. He sees our tears and fears; He knows the plans that He has for us; and He wants us to dive into life's situations with the full knowledge of His presence. Trust Him and find joy!

    Trust and obey,

    For there's no other way

    To be happy in Jesus,

    But to trust and obey.

                        - john h. sammis

Trustworthy Father, we thank You for always being there for us. You never slumber nor sleep. You know our comings and our goings, so help us to have the faith to trust You with joy! You are ever-present, and we love You. In Jesus Name

- karen lubbers

.....transformation

The word “volcano” comes from a small island called Vulcano in the Mediterranean off the northern coast of Sicily, which gets its name from the blacksmith of the Roman gods—the god of fire—Vulcan. Thousands of years ago, the people who lived in this area believed that Vulcano was actually the forge chimney of Vulcan.

But volcanoes are not just a colorful legend; they are one of the most powerful and potentially destructive forces on Earth. For example, the 1980 explosion of Mount St. Helens in Washington State was estimated at 500 times more powerful than the force of the atomic bomb that destroyed Hiroshima.

There are over 500 known active volcanoes on Earth, with around 1,500 that are potentially active, and that’s not counting those that lie beneath the sea. Unfortunately, about 500 million people live within the “danger range” of these active volcanoes. The biggest volcano on Earth is Hawaii’s Mauna Loa. It rises more than 30,000 feet, nearly 5.7 miles above its base on the Pacific sea floor.

For years it was generally accepted and taught by geologists that volcanoes developed slowly over long eons. That was until 1963 when, off the coast of Iceland, the world witnessed a volcano virtually grow up out of the ocean in a matter of months. By 1967 the new volcanic island of Surtsey was transformed into a “mature” island with wide sandy beaches, pebbles, vegetation, birds, and many other features that would suggest great geological age.

When the geologists wandered about the island they were mystified and found it hard to believe that this was a volcano whose age was still measured in months and not millennia! In like manner, many people believe it would take years for them to turn from their sinful habits and live a Christian life. But they may be underestimating the miraculous power of God to quickly give them a new birth.

The Lord promises, “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh” Ezekiel 36:26. God’s Word says that the time for salvation is now. The same God who gives volcanoes their tremendous power can give you a new direction in an instant—the moment you accept Him into your heart.

"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new."2 Corinthians 5:17

- doug batchelor

.....serve

Joshua led the people of Israel into the promised land of Canaan and helped them fight many battles. Toward the end of his life, Joshua gathered the leaders of Israel for some final encouragement: "You yourselves have seen everything the Lord your God has done to all these nations for your sake; it was the Lord your God who fought for you" Joshua 23:3.

Joshua wanted the leaders to know that God would continue to fight for them, but he also wanted them to know that God expected obedience to His Word: "If you violate the covenant of the Lord your God, and go and serve other gods and bow down to them, the Lord's anger will burn against you" Joshua 23:16. Joshua then gathered all the people and told them the time had come to make a choice.

"But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the river, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord."Joshua 24:15

The Israelites had seen God's mighty hand as they fought their enemies in Canaan, and had heard many stories of God's protection as He led them out of Egypt; the time had now come to make a decision. Either they would commit to serve the Lord with ALL their heart, or they would serve the man-made gods of the world.

We face the same decision today. We either decide to follow and serve Jesus, or we have decided to serve the priorities and "gods" of this world. There is no middle ground. A choice must be made! And failure to choose is itself a choice; "Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son" John 3:18.

Everyone must make their own decision about Jesus. However, each of us has a wonderful opportunity to influence others...especially those in our family. Notice that Joshua boldly spoke for his entire home: "WE will serve the Lord!" We can't force others to drink - and we can't quench their thirst by drinking for them - but we can definitely lead them to the water.

We can no longer float through life waiting to see where the pulls of this world will lead; we must live with intention and purpose, and decide once and for all to serve God with unrestricted devotion. 

Today, we stand at a crossroad and must choose. 

Today, we must choose whom we will serve.

- steve troxel

.....sharing

Avery's elementary school hosted a Grandparents Day recently, and her Grandpa was able to arrange his day to be there. Avery was pleased. And her proud grandfather was looking forward to sharing a special event.

Things ran about as you would have expected. With all the grandparents seated in the bleachers, boys and girls began parading onto the gym floor. Various classes were introduced. People were thanked for helping. And the children were given permission to go sit with their special guests.

As Avery went to her beaming Grandpa's side for a hug, a beautiful smile practically covered her face. But she looked back over her shoulder at the only child in her class who had not left the gym floor to scale the bleachers. Joshua was standing there all alone and looking sad.

"Grandpa," Avery said, "Joshua's grandparents are all dead. So he doesn't have anybody to be with today. Can he come and sit with us?" "Why, of course he can, sweetheart," came the reply. "It would be  great to have him join us." He did. And three people had a great time together.

I only wish you could have seen his face as Avery's grandfather told me the story. He was so proud of his granddaughter for her sensitive spirit and kind treatment of her friend. He teared up a bit as he told me what had happened.  I knew immediately that I had heard a story that needed to be shared.

Jesus once reminded his disciples that they needed to become like little children in order to enter the Kingdom of God. If you've ever wondered what he had in mind with that statement, just picture Avery's compassionate treatment of Joshua. See her giggling, playing patty-cake with her Grandpa, and sharing his presence with Joshua. No jealousy. No selfishness. There was enough human kindness and laughter to go around for everyone that day.

Maybe she will keep that spirit for the rest of her life. But I can guarantee there will be events, people, and circumstances to tempt her to change. Somebody will try to convince her she has no responsibility to anybody but herself. And there will be times of scarcity when her own heart will tempt her to be selfish with something under her control that another person needs. May she rise to the occasion - as she did on Grandparents Day with Joshua.

There will be somebody in my world today who needs an Avery. Since she will be at school, I will try to remember the lesson she taught me and imitate her. You just might run across a similar person in the course of your day too.

"I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven" Matthew 18:3.

- rubel shelley

.....memorials

After the people of Israel wandered in the desert for 40 years, God led them across the Jordan river into the promised land of Canaan. This was not an ordinary river crossing. God stopped the Jordan from flowing and allowed the priests to stand in the middle of the riverbed, with the ark of the covenant, as the Israelites walked past. This spectacular event was an obvious miracle that God wanted His people to remember and pass down to future generations.

"Each of you is to take up a stone on his shoulder, according to the number of the tribes of the Israelites, to serve as a sign among you. In the future, when your children ask you, 'What do these stones mean?' tell them that the flow of the Jordan was cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord. When it crossed the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. These stones are to be a memorial to the people of Israel forever.'"Joshua 4:5-7

Memorials are anything that help us remember a specific time when God revealed Himself and said: "I am here!" We must never forget the miracles in our life, or the times God gave us clear direction or rescued us from darkness.

When David went to fight Goliath, he did so without fear because he knew: "The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine" 1 Samuel 17:37. David had seen God's power and felt His presence during previous battles. It's easy to imagine David with a lion's tooth or a bear's claw around his neck as a reminder that God was very near.

The presence of God is a wonderful place to be - it's where our Heavenly Father desires for us to live each day of our life! But His presence can often be illusive and fragile; when we find it, it seems to quickly fade away. Most of us have so much input from the world that we become easily distracted from God. We must not allow this to happen!!

We must become more aware of God as He works in our life and in the world around us. As we see and hear Him, we must find ways to create memories for ourselves and those we love; "I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago" Psalm 77:11. Memorials help and encourage us to remember.

May we never forget that He is by our side and desires for us to draw, and remain, near. Imagine if we could be a living example of a life devoted (each and every moment) to God. Let's regain the heart of worship and share the stories of God's love. Let's remember...and look for ways to create lasting memorials.

- steve troxel

.....hears

On any given day, I might pray...

I feel lost. Show me the way.

    He does.

I feel empty and alone. Fill me with Your Spirit, Your love, and Your wisdom.

    He does.

I feel broken. Put me back together so I can serve you.

    He does.

I feel sinful. Cleanse me. Forgive me. Restore me.

    He does.

I feel weak and powerless. Remind me that You are my strength.

    He does.

I feel useless. Show me what I can do to live my purpose.

    He does.

When I pray, the response isn't always what I want or when I want it. 

But I know He does hear me.  He cares, and He will always respond.

.....daily

Our faith is revealed and strengthened as we walk through our trials. It's not surprising that we often discuss the importance of faith, for "without faith it is impossible to please God" Hebrews 11:6. If we desire to live a life pleasing to God, we must increase our faith and learn what it means to live by faith.

We live by faith and not by sight 2 Corinthians 5:7

The first step of faith is when we recognize our sinful condition, repent of our sin, and believe Jesus died so our sin can be forgiven. This belief in Jesus is not a result of what we see, but a result of faith - and without this first step of faith it is definitely not possible to please God.

But as we continue our walk with Christ, He becomes more and more real. With each new step our eyes are opened a little wider and we are allowed to see a little clearer. The challenges of yesterday which required great faith have become easier to bear...for now we can see! However, the increase of spiritual sight is not the same as an increase of faith.

As our spiritual sight grows, our need for faith in order to walk the same path is actually reduced. Less faith is required when we clearly see; "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see" Hebrews 11:1. True faith always involves a confidence of the unknown, an assurance of what is unseen. This point is easy to misunderstand so read carefully.

Our Heavenly Father desires to lead us in a life of faith. This means He often draws us into the unknown, for it is only in the unknown that we truly learn to "trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding" Proverbs 3:5. And as the unknown becomes known, He will surely call us to take the next step, an even bigger step, and trust Him more.

Where is God calling us today? For some, it's to take the awesome step required for Salvation through faith in Jesus; "Today if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts" Hebrews 4:7. For some, it's a step of trust for a burden which right now seems completely unbearable; and for some, it's a step into a level of service which appears impossible to achieve. Each of these requires a step into the unknown, into a place we cannot see, but each is part of the great adventure of faith!

Though the unknown is sometimes uncomfortable and maybe even a little scary, being guided by God into what we cannot see is the essence of a life of faith - a life which pleases God. Until the day He calls us Home, we must continue to listen, step, and grow; we must continue to live daily by faith.

- steve troxel

.....feelings

You will not surely die,' the serpent said to the woman. 'For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.' ­Genesis 3:4-5

On July 31, 1964, Country music star Jim Reeves and his piano player Dean Manuel took off from Batesville, Arkansas. Reeves was piloting his Beechcraft Bonanza and his destination was Nashville, Tennessee. Reeves was qualified only to fly during clear weather, but a storm quickly rose and dark skies and rain buffeted the small airplane. Then about 5 p.m., the plane disappeared from airport radar, just ten miles from Nashville.

Two days later, the wreckage and Reeves and Manual's remains were found in a heavily wooded area. The official report said that pilot error was the cause of the accident. Reeves had probably experienced vertigo during the storm. Vertigo is the disorienting sensation caused by an imbalance to the inner ear caused by the person leaning in one direction.

While in the dark clouds and the buffeting of the storm, Reeves could not discern what was up or what was down. His inner ear probably gave him the sensation that he was in a turn and he overcompensated by turning the aircraft in the opposite direction. If Reeves had been trained to fly on instruments, he would have been able to overcome this false feeling of orientation.

God has given us an instrument to live by - HIS WORD. We are not to trust in our own feelings or to make decisions "by the seat of our pants." Today in prayer, thank God for the Bible, that it can be trusted and it can preserve us from all types of danger.

"Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path." ­Psalm 119:105

- tom norvelle

.....tread

Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil Ephesians 5:15-16.

In December, 1775, an American colonist (believed by many scholars to be Benjamin Franklin), noticed the increasing use of a symbol throughout the colonies, stamped onto barrels and other items, depicting a coiled rattlesnake with the words "Don't Tread On Me" written below the snake. He wondered about how the symbol of a rattlesnake could be a symbol of the American desire for freedom?

He wrote the following words: "The Rattle-Snake is found in no other quarter of the world besides America. She never begins an attack, nor, when once engaged, never surrenders: She is therefore an emblem of magnanimity and true courage. She never wounds 'till she has generously given notice, even to her enemy, and cautioned him against the danger of treading on her."

I've been hiking in the mountains and heard the warning sign of a rattler and was extremely thankful for that. In the Bible, Satan is depicted as a serpent--a serpent who not only doesn't warn about his lethal bite, but appears in alluring disguises promising great rewards of pleasure ready and waiting to devour his every victim.

How different from God  but over and over he warns us in his Word, the Bible, to avoid sin at all costs for it will destroy us. He, too, has generously given notice even to his enemies to "flee from the wrath to come" and to turn to Christ the Savior of the world.

Dear God, help me to be careful where I walk (how I live) and avoid the ways of Satan at all costs. Thank you that there is salvation from the evil one when I turn to you. Help me so to do. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus' Name

- dick innes

....prove

We begin our Christian life in faith; "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith" Ephesians 2:8. And just as we begin our life in faith, so we must also continue to walk in faith; "Just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in Him" Colossians 2:6. We are to live in Christ, and continue to walk with Him, in the same manner as we received Him...in faith.

We cannot come to Christ without faith and we are unable to live a victorious Christian life without continuously walking in faith. Our faith is of great worth!

For a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith - of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire - may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed 1 Peter 1:6-7

One of the beautiful truths in God's Kingdom is that everything along our walk has a purpose; "In all things God works for the good of those who love Him" Romans 8:28. Even our difficult times of hardship and trial can be used by God "for the good." As we continue to love Him with all our heart, God will use our trials to reveal and strengthen our faith. And a truer understanding of our faith is one of the greatest "goods" we can receive.

Do we really believe our faith is "of greater worth than gold"? Until we've been sustained through times of great trial and testing, it's difficult to understand the true value of faith. Our faith is shown to be real, or "proved genuine," only as we trust Him when no other hope can be seen. We never need to prove our faith to God; He sees deep within our heart and already knows the genuineness of our faith. When our faith is tested, it is proved genuine to ourselves.

God gave us our faith and calls us to live "in accordance with the measure of faith God has given" Romans 12:3. But our measure of faith is ALWAYS greater than what we believe we have, and it can sustain us through greater trials than we believe possible. As we more clearly see the strength contained in this wonderful gift of faith, we are able to give all praise, glory and honor to God as Jesus is revealed through the testimony of our life. 

As we trust Him with all our heart, He will cause us to emerge from our trials much stronger and more confident, more "mature and complete, not lacking anything" James 1:4, because we will KNOW He is by our side.

As our faith is strengthened and refined, the presence of God will cease to be an interesting theory or an empty hope; it will become real and an integral part of our life! Let's rejoice that our trials last only "for a little while." But let's also rejoice that our trials are being used for His glory and for the purpose of proving our faith.

- steve troxel

.....faithfulness

The Lord your God, who is going before you, will fight for you, as he did for you in Egypt, before your very eyes, and in the wilderness. There you saw how the Lord your God carried you, as a father carries his son, all the way you went until you reached this place Deuteronomy 1:30-31

David Kraft was a big, strong man -- all muscle. At the age of 32, he was six feet, two inches tall and weighed 200 pounds. He had been to seminary and ended up working with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, because of his athletic background. Then he was diagnosed with cancer. It wracked his body, and over time, he dropped from 200 pounds to 80 pounds.

When he was about ready to die, he asked his father to come into his hospital room. Lying there in bed, he looked up and said, "Dad, do you remember when I was a little boy, how you used to hold me in your arms close to your chest?" David's father nodded. Then David said, "Do you think, Dad, you could do that one more time? One last time?"

Again, his father nodded. He bent down to pick up his 32-year-old, six-foot, two-inch, 80-pound son, and held him close to his chest, so that the son's face was right next to the father's face. They were eyeball to eyeball. Tears were streaming down both faces, and the son said to his father, "Thank you for building the kind of character into my life that can enable me to face even a moment like this."

We live in a sin-struck world and, inevitably, our children will face many challenges along the way. However, that's where a Father steps in. In your role, as a leader in the home, God has given you the opportunity to invest into building your children's character and instilling in them the ways of the Lord.

If we give our children a firm foundation, set on Christ, then we can trust that they will be able to face whatever comes their way. We may not be able to keep them from experiencing pain and difficulties, but we can assure them that they will never face these trials alone because Jesus is always with them, and as human fathers, we will love and carry them as well. 

Dear Heavenly Father, allow me to be an example of you to my children. Give me the strength to invest into developing their character and setting a firm foundation built on you. Let my life actively demonstrate the peace, joy, love, and strength that comes from placing our trust and hope in you. I ask that whatever my children face in this life, that you would carry them through, just as you have carried me. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. In Jesus' name.

.....witnesses

Our journey with the Lord is like a marathon in many ways. We must maintain a disciplined training program to ensure we are prepared. The race itself can be long and hard. There will be times we run out of energy and want to quit, but crossing the finish line will be more rewarding than anything we can imagine! And along the way, we will certainly learn to appreciate the encouragement we receive from the cheering crowd.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us Hebrews 12:1

This verse follows what we often refer to as The Great Hall of Faith. The eleventh chapter of Hebrews describes many people from the Old Testament who were commended for their faith: Abel, Noah, Abraham, Joseph, Moses, Gideon, Samson, David, and many others.

At the end of this impressive list, we read that even though they were faithful, "none of them received what had been promised" Hebrews 11:39. Their reward was postponed until the coming of Jesus; "God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect" Hebrews 11:40. 

The testimony of the faithful is meant to give us great encouragement. It's as if they are cheering us on with great anticipation, knowing that one day we will be "caught up together with them" 1 Thessalonians 4:17 to be with the Lord.

This cloud of witnesses now also includes the testimony of New Testament believers as well as Christians throughout the last 2000 years. It also includes Brothers and Sisters who love us and pray for us today. 

As we run the race and sometimes grow weary - sometimes even stumble and fall - these witnesses continue to cheer and encourage our every step; "You can do it, I believe in you! And if you stumble, I'll help you back up!!"

We can all run faster and further in this great Christian race than we believe possible! Yes, the race is long and sometimes difficult, but we're definitely not alone. Let's run with renewed perseverance; and when we become discouraged, let's listen for the cheers from the great cloud of witnesses!

- steve troxel

.....filled

We often speak of God's Word as the absolute truth by which we are to live. We encourage one another to live without compromise and not to be pulled by the temptations of the world. But this type of discussion always implies a standard for Christian living, a standard for holiness. And, as much as we hate to admit it, a standard implies rules. Oh, how these words make some uncomfortable - some even angry!

Much of the Christian teaching we receive today is focused on the free gift of God's grace; "For it is by grace you have been saved" Ephesians 2:8, and this grace seems to be in conflict with the presence of rules. Since our sins have already been forgiven, and "there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus" Romans 8:1, how can we talk about rules or standards or expectations?

It is absolutely clear in the Word of God that we are saved by grace and can do nothing to earn or improve upon our Salvation - we live and breathe under God's grace. However, it is also perfectly clear in His Word that there exists a standard of holiness for which we must strive. Sin is defined against a standard and the precious gift of God's grace never gives permission for sin!

"What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may abound? By no means!"Romans 6:1-2

As children of God, we now have complete freedom; "the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death" Romans 8:2. But the freedom we have been given is the freedom to claim victory over sin and live a pure and holy life; "But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do" 1 Peter 1:15. 

We will never attain perfect holiness, never live in perfect compliance with God's standard. And though we who belong to Jesus are no longer under condemnation, we are still called to holiness.

So why should we strive? First, holiness is honoring to God because God hates sin. Sin kills those our Father loves - those He loves so much that He sent Jesus to die as a sacrifice for the penalty of sin. God hates sin and we ought to hate what God hates. And next, as we strive for holiness (while remembering that our striving plays no part in our Salvation) we will see even more clearly how far we fall from God's required perfection. As we strive, our sin will become even more apparent and we will see with ever increasing thankfulness how much grace and forgiveness we have been given through faith in Jesus.

Salvation is ALL grace!! 

We live under His grace and have been set free from the law of sin and death. So now, let's truly learn of His grace by seeking to follow in His steps and striving for a thankful heart through a life of grace-filled holiness. 

- steve troxel

.....there

Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you. Deuteronomy 31:6

Toddlers love to launch out on walks by themselves. They walk ahead of their parent without looking back—except when they do look back. Without fail a toddler will glance backward or even stop and turn around as if to say, “Are you still with me?” Once assured of the parent’s presence, he forges ahead.

We are like toddlers in that we need to be assured of God’s presence, especially during difficult times. We can’t turn around and see Him, but we can read the promises of His presence in Scripture. When the Israelites were about to invade the Promised Land, Moses assured them that God would be with them Deuteronomy 31:6.

 

The psalmist David wrote that God was with him even in “the valley of the shadow of death” where “goodness and mercy” were always following him Psalm 23:4, 6. And Jesus said, “I am with you always” Matthew 28:20.

You are never alone if you belong to Christ. He is there to share your burdens and guide your steps.

"I would rather walk with God in the dark than go alone in the light." mary g. brainard

- david jeremiah

.....ministering

God's Word has already given a great deal of direction which applies to every Child of God. Our Heavenly Father desires each of His Children to be "conformed to the likeness of His Son" Romans 8:29. And the process of being conformed is primarily one of obedient worship in ALL areas of our life. But then comes Nineveh!

The story of Jonah and the giant fish is one of the best known in the Bible and provides a wonderful example of how we need to follow when God calls. When God has a specific call for our life, He will persistently give us clear direction and use all His infinite resources to make sure we understand. But as we read through the entire Word of God, we must conclude that this type of specific call is relatively rare. For most, God's will never moves beyond a general call to walk in His love.

Yes, Jonah teaches us to follow when God's call is specific. But there is an even more important principle regarding God's general will which applies to all of us nearly every day of our life. This principle is discovered by examining why Jonah ran from God: "'Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before Me.' But Jonah ran away from the Lord and headed for Tarshish" Jonah 1:2-3.

Jonah didn't run from God simply because Nineveh was located in a distant and foreign land. Jonah ran because he disliked (even hated) the people who lived in this leading city of the growing empire of Assyria. The people of Nineveh had a reputation for cruelty in war, idolatry, and a general disrespect for God. Jonah had grown up with a hatred of Nineveh and couldn't bear being sent there to preach. He couldn't bear the thought of these hated people actually repenting and being blessed by "his" God.

"O Lord, is this not what I said when I was still at home? That is why I was so quick to flee to Tarshish. I knew that You are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity."Jonah 4:2

Where, or who, is our Nineveh?

God desires all the world to turn from their wicked ways and receive His blessings. And His general call is for us to deliver this message of love. We are called to deliver this message to ALL - especially those we may naturally dislike or have been "taught" to fear and hate. 

Ministering outside our natural group becomes a form of worship because it demonstrates our understanding of the grace we have been given through faith in Jesus; none of us can ever earn God's love! 

Let's take the general will of God into the mission field placed before us and worship our Father by accepting the challenge of ministering to Nineveh.

- steve troxel

.....enemy

But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you Matthew 5:44

The first statement Jesus made from the cross was, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do" Luke 23:34. Maybe we would have understood it more if He had said, "Father, condemn them," or "Father, judge them." But the first thing Jesus said from the cross was a prayer for His enemies: "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do."

Jesus was practicing what He preached. Remember, in the Sermon on the Mount He said, "Love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you" Matthew 5:44.

And Jesus also was fulfilling a Messianic prophesy. Isaiah 53, written hundreds of years before Christ died, said that the Messiah would make intercession for the transgressors. And that is exactly what Jesus was doing. He was interceding for all the people who played a role in His death.

Pilate himself knew Jesus was innocent. He said, "I find no fault in this Man" Luke 23:4. But because he was so concerned about his career and position, he would not pardon Jesus and let Him go. The religious rulers knew that no legitimate charge could be brought against Christ. Even the Roman centurion at the cross said, "Truly this Man was the Son of God!" Mark 15:39. Judas Iscariot knew he had done wrong, saying, "I have sinned by betraying innocent blood" Matthew 27:4.

So Jesus was essentially saying, "Father, forgive them. They don't realize how bad this is. Forgive them, because they need forgiveness so desperately. Forgive them, for they have committed a sin that is beyond all comprehension. Forgive them, for they have done something that is beyond bad. Father, forgive them."

When was the last time you prayed for your enemies?

- greg laurie

.....follow

The subject of God's will is often one of great concern to growing Christians. 

Those who have accepted the forgiving grace of Jesus now have a desire to live a life which brings Him glory and honor. We have read how we are to present ourselves as "living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God" Romans 12:1, and we're ready to do His will, but what does God want us to do, where does He want us to go?

Much of God's will is found directly in His Word. It's God's will that we live a pure and holy life 1 Thessalonians 4:3-7, and obey His commands John 15:10. It's God's will that we love Him with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength Mark 12:30, that we remain in Him and bear much fruit John 15:1-8, that we forgive others Matthew 6:14-15, love others 1 John 4:7, and share the message of Jesus with others Matthew 28:19-20. It's also God's will to "be joyful always; pray continuously; and give thanks in all circumstances" 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18.

This list is not complete, but it's a good sampling of what is referred to as God's "general" will - His will for all His children as we are "conformed to the likeness of His Son" Romans 8:29. God's general will involves a lifetime of worship and abiding in His presence. We still must pray for guidance and strength in following His general will, but we need not desperately search - His general will has already been revealed in His Word.

But God may also direct us in very specific ways. He may do this slowly through circumstances or people, or by way of a direct, clear, and persistent call. This type of persistent call is perhaps best demonstrated in the life of Jonah.

"Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before Me."Jonah 1:2 God's specific will for Jonah was clear and with a definite purpose, but Jonah had to choose whether to obey and follow. Jonah tried to run from God's will - run from Nineveh - and spent three days inside a giant fish. 

After the fish vomited Jonah onto dry land, God calmly revealed His will a second time; "Go to the great city of Nineveh..." Jonah 3:2. God's call remained exactly the same; His specific will for Jonah was unchanged. This time, "Jonah obeyed the word of the Lord" Jonah 3:3.

There are vast portions of God's will which are already revealed in His Word. We must develop the discipline of reading and studying His Word - studying His will - and then follow what He has already commanded. 

When looking for the part of God's will which is specific to our life, we must listen intently, pray diligently, and wait very patiently. But when His specific direction arrives (and we will know when God calls) we must be prepared to abandon all else and boldly follow Him to Nineveh!

- steve troxel

.....dad

Most men want to succeed as fathers. They believe they are taking their role seriously. Though many men wouldn't admit it, they are eager for something that will enhance their effectiveness as a father. 

Dads can become heroes to their children. It takes a lot of work, patience and love, but it's possible. What follows are some suggestions that will help you fight the misperceptions of fathers in your own family by doing some right things with your children.

1. Be Around

Few things are as important as your presence. Dads often make lots of excuses. There is work, there is this project or that. There's the civic club, the golf game, the tickets to the ball game or the hunting trip. Twenty years from now your kids won't care about any of that and neither will you. You'll be wondering what happened to the relationship. Your kids need you. Be there!

2. Learn How To Encourage

Parents, by nature, tend toward the negative. "Don't" and "can't" are necessary tools. They help keep the kids out of the fire and help them understand it's not good to eat the whole jar of peanut butter at once. But, kids also need to know what they CAN do. Validate their abilities by telling them when they do something well. It will give them the desire and the courage to do even better.

3. Admit Your Faults

If you don't admit your faults, you'll be the only one ignoring them. Admit faults and be man enough to apologize. It will make you more sensitive about how you handle your children's faults. It will also make it easier for your kids to forgive you when you need it.

4. Make Trust A Priority

Trust comes two ways. One is to earn it through dependability and consistency. The other way is a gift. Children need to learn both. Show children they can trust you. Earn their trust. Teach them they must earn trust as well. However, there comes a time when you extend trust as a gift. When you do, you will tap into your child's increasing maturity.

5. Show Tenderness

Too many fathers grew up with the "macho-man" idea. Be strong, be tough, be hard, be busy. That's fine if you're a character in a Clint Eastwood movie, but it doesn't do much for relationships with kids. Children need to see that Dad is touched by some things, that there are emotions inside, and not just angry ones. Little boys and girls need hugs and kisses from big Dads. Many grownups cry because they never heard Dad say, "I love you," or felt a loving embrace from strong arms.

6. Love Your Wife

The single best source of input regarding marriage is from one's parents. Respect your kid's Mom. Be kind to her. Demand that your children respect her as well. Your response to your wife develops a sense of security in your children. Give your kids the security of a loving marriage.

7. Respect Authority

Most fathers want to fill the role of authority. However, if you want your children to respect authority they must see it in you.  Show respect for God, church, government, and your boss. Show respect for your own parents, if they are still living, or speak of them in ways that show respect if they are no longer around. Your example will instill the right attitude in your children's minds.

8. Be A Christian

Take the lead in spiritually nurturing your children. Plant spiritual values in your children's hearts. Teach them about God, Christ and His church. Show them it's important. Talk about death and eternal matters, but illustrate the importance by your own life. God will become important to children when God is important to Dad.

9. Teach The Bible To Your Children

Fathers spend thousands of dollars educating children for a job. They often spend little educating them for a life. The Bible will help your kids know how to live. You should be the primary instructor. One simple way to do this is to get a children's Bible and read one story a night with your children when they are young. As they grow older, simply go to more grown-up Bible stories until you are actually reading the Bible with them, or discussing what they have read in Scripture on their own.

10. Be Fun

There are plenty of times for seriousness. Your kids need to know that you can laugh and have fun. Lighten up! Everything is not earth-shatteringly important. Laugh at jokes, mistakes and yourself. Let some things happen with a smile instead of a frown. Your kids will think that you're great fun to be with. Bet you'd like that, wouldn't you?

- william denton  

.....heart

In the book of Malachi, God called the people of Israel back to the law He established 800 years earlier with Moses. God spoke of the necessity of a pure sacrifice Malachi 1:7-8, and the need for the priests to speak a message of truth Malachi 2:7-8. He also addressed the issue of giving back a portion of our resources - a portion referred to as the tithe.

"Will a man rob God? Yet you rob Me. But you ask, 'How do we rob You?' In tithes and offerings. Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house."Malachi 3:8, 10

The principle of an offering began with Cain and Abel Genesis 4:3-4. Abraham then demonstrated the concept of the tithe when he gave Melchizedek "a tenth of everything" Genesis 14:20. But systematic tithing was not established until God gave the law to Moses, Leviticus 27:30-33.

In the time of Malachi, God not only called for a return to the discipline of tithing, He also directly linked tithing to blessings and gave the ultimate challenge: "Test Me in this and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of Heaven" Malachi 3:10. God certainly never "owes" us because of anything we do, but His Word contains a consistent call to obedience, and true obedience always results in true blessing.

When Jesus died on the cross, He fulfilled the law for all who believe. And though the legalistic letter of the law has passed away, the intent of the law (which is the heart of God) remains for all time; "These {laws} are a shadow of the things to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ" Colossians 2:17.

The intent, or "reality," of all the law is that God dearly loves us and is Lord over ALL areas of our life. The law teaches this truth and shows us how far short we fall of His standard. The purpose of the law was much more than teaching us to comply with a written code. The shadow contained in the written law says "Thou shalt not kill," but the reality in Christ says to not even have hatred in our heart, Matthew 5:21-22. The shadow in the law also says "Thou shalt not commit adultery," but the reality in Christ says to even refrain from lust Matthew 5:27-28.

When we debate about the "rules" of how much and where to give, we are focused on the shadow and miss the reality of Christ - He loves us and is Lord of ALL! As we focus our eyes on Christ, we will give. We will give generously, "not reluctantly or under compulsion" 2 Corinthians 9:7. 

We will gladly give of our time, talents, and finances to whatever need He directs; and as we give and join in His work, we will better understand His true blessings. When He is truly Lord of all, we will not simply give according to a formula dictated by the law, we will live under His grace and give according to the law's intent. When He is Lord, we will cease to rob God and will joyfully give our lives as we give from the heart. 

- steve troxel

.....servant

The night before Jesus was crucified, He was celebrating the Passover meal with His disciples, the Last Supper. Jesus knew this would be the last time He would eat with His disciples; He knew in just one more day He would be hung on a cross to die. Knowing He only had a few short hours remaining with this select group, Jesus used His time to leave a lasting impression of what it meant to truly follow Him.

"Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under His power, and that He had come from God and was returning to God; so He got up from the meal, took off His outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around His waist. After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash His disciples' feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around Him."John 13:3-5

Without using words, Jesus gave perhaps His greatest sermon. Jesus was absolutely secure in who He was and where He was going: "He had come from God and was returning to God." But He was not proud or arrogant in His security. He didn't use His position to force others to submit or demand they satisfy His needs; instead, His secure position allowed Him to be completely humble and serve His disciples by washing their feet.

Our Heavenly Father desires for us to have this same level of security in Him. He wants us to KNOW we are His children and where we will spend eternity. Jesus came to set us free, and we are to walk in this secure freedom. But rather than using our freedom to arrogantly strut according to our own desires, a secure freedom should give us the necessary confidence to humbly serve without being offended; "do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love" Galatians 5:13.

Being a follower of Jesus Christ means, first and foremost, that we love the Lord with ALL our heart, soul, mind and strength Mark 12:30. But next, it means we are to love, serve, and "submit to one another out of reverence for Christ" Ephesians 5:21. Knowing where we will spend eternity, and keeping our eyes set on this eternal perspective, allows us to focus more on the needs and concerns of others Philippians 2:3-4. It allows us to use our gifts for their intended purpose; "Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others" 1 Peter 4:10. My own earthly needs become few when I have a clear picture of my eternal home.

Let's learn to live as Jesus lived: in fellowship with our Heavenly Father, with absolute assurance of who we are in Christ, with confidence of our eternal destiny, and with the complete abandoned humility of a free and secure servant.

- steve troxel

.....up

Christ is the solid Rock upon which we have been set. He alone is our stable source of direction and strength. We need to visit this truth again and again as we continue to answer the call to follow.

When Jesus called Peter and Andrew to "Come, follow Me" Matthew 4:19, He was calling them to become His disciples (followers). But Jesus placed strong conditions on a disciple; "Anyone who does not carry his cross and follow Me cannot be My disciple" Luke 14:27.

The call to be a disciple is not simply a call to live a good moral life. It's a call to crucify (put to death) everything of our self that hinders our relationship with God. We must hold loosely to everything but God; "Any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be My disciple" Luke 14:33.

The life of a disciple should clearly demonstrate a commitment to Christ by producing fruit for His Kingdom; "This is to My Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourself to be My disciple" John 15:8. A disciple should flow with pure love; "By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another" John 13:35. And a disciple should maintain a commitment to all Jesus taught; "If you hold to My teachings, you are really My disciples" John 8:31.

Discipleship appears to be a VERY difficult call! It's difficult to be His disciple and even more difficult to "make disciples of all nations" Matthew 28:19, if we focus only on these "requirements," our task is impossible!! We are called to glorify God by drawing very near to Jesus and loving Him with all our heart; but in our own strength, we have no ability to draw near - no ability to be His disciple.

"But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to Myself."John 12:32

When Jesus was "lifted up" on the cross and died for our sin, He provided the way back to the Father - the way to become His disciple. He drew us to Himself so we could be forgiven and stand in the presence of God. Likewise, the only way to draw near and follow today is to lift Him up to His rightful throne over our life and give Him our pure praise and absolute worship.

If we fail to lift up Christ, our efforts to carry our cross become nothing more than a list of restrictive rules; we will have no ability to produce Kingdom fruit, and our love for others will be selfish and artificial. 

Without a focus on Christ, our walk will become an impossible burden without direction. Let's "make disciples" by first being His devoted disciple. And let's be His disciple by ensuring that in ALL we do, we love Him and continually lift Him up.

.....firm

God gives us an eternal hope by lifting us up, washing us clean, and setting our feet upon a new and solid path. But what should we do now that our feet have been set?

When we are in the slimy and muddy pit, we are vulnerable to attack; it's difficult to move and we easily lose our balance. We tend to live in fear, not knowing who to trust or which way to turn. But as Christ lifts us up, we become "a new creation" 2 Corinthians 5:17. Life on solid ground should not be the same as life in the pit! That's worth repeating - Life should NOT be the same!!

As the Spirit of God transforms us, He also provides everything we need to accomplish God's work and live a victorious life; "His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness" 2 Peter 1:3. Knowing that our Heavenly Father has created us anew and gifted us with ALL we ever need, we must now be resolved to stand firm.

"Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain."1 Corinthians 15:58

We must make every effort to firmly stand; and yet, we must realize we cannot stand in our own strength. The ground is solid only because of Christ. He IS the rock upon which we have been set - the Rock of our Salvation. Whenever we feel unworthy or unable to follow - whenever we feel we can no longer stand - we have surely begun to look to our own strength rather than God; "Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ" 2 Corinthians 1:21. He alone gives us the strength.

We have trusted Him to lift us out of the pit, and now that we are His child, we must continue to trust Him to strengthen us and be the stable Rock of our life. "For if, when we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to Him through the death of His Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through His life!" Romans 5:10.

The solid Rock is no place to tremble, no place to fear. He will remain solid for all eternity, and as we stand on Him, He will accomplish through us what we are unable to do in our own strength. He is our new life, our strength, our identity, and all our self-worth. He is our comfort when we grieve, and He is our guiding light when we have lost our way. 

Let's honor our Heavenly Father as we continue to stand. Let's bring Him glory as we resolve to stand firm on the Rock!

- steve troxel

.....solid

The gospel message is one of hope which says, God loves us and has an ETERNAL plan for our life through faith in His Son Jesus. Without the hope of the gospel, we would continue to live a life of 

emptiness and an eternity separated from God. Even if we stumbled onto temporary fulfillment - even if our burden was made light - without the gospel our life would end without hope.

But as we place our trust in Jesus for the forgiveness of our sin, He lifts us up, gives our life new meaning, and transforms us into a new creation through the power of His Spirit.

"I waited patiently for the Lord; He turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; He set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand."Psalm 40:1-2

These words were written by King David over one thousand years before the death and resurrection of Jesus. And yet, they provide an excellent illustration of the hope found in the message of Salvation. In our sinful nature, we all "have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way" Isaiah 53:6. Our nature is to follow our own sinful desires and walk down paths which cause us to "fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). Each of us have been firmly embedded in the mire of sin and none of us can climb out of the slimy pit with our own strength; we have no ability to build eternal hope!

But praise God that before the creation of the world He loved us and had a plan to bring us back to Himself, a plan to rescue us; "While we were still sinners, Christ died for us" Romans 5:8. The death and resurrection of Jesus allows us victory over sin and creates a way out of the mud; "If you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved" Romans 10:9.

If we truly desire to be clean and live with hope and a new view of life, we must call out to Jesus and believe He is who He claimed to be - our Savior and Lord! If we will trust Him and cry out in faith, He has promised to hear our cry and lift us up. He will pour His cleansing love upon us and fill us with purpose! He will set our feet for all eternity upon Himself and we will forever stand on solid ground.

- steve troxel

.....waiting

As Paul was returning to Jerusalem at the end of his third missionary journey, he already had a sense of where his next journey would lead; "after I have been there, I must visit Rome" Acts 19:21. But he also knew he was about to face many difficulties; "in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me" Acts 20:23. Paul was arrested less than ten days after arriving in Jerusalem. He probably didn't realize it at the time, but his journey to Rome had just begun.

Paul's journey to Rome would last about two and a half years and include many legal and physical trials, and many opportunities to demonstrate his faith in Jesus Christ. Surprisingly, it also included two long years where Paul had nothing to do but sit in prison and wait for an occasional visit with Governor Felix before being transferred to the courts of Rome.

As Paul discoursed on righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and said, 'That's enough for now! You may leave. When I find it convenient, I will send for you.' Acts 24:25 This must have been a difficult time for someone accustomed to being so actively involved in ministry. Paul was treated well in this prison, but after receiving specific instructions to minister in Rome, two years must have felt like a painfully long time.

We are never told of God's reason for this waiting period. Many times, waiting is necessary to allow other events to occur and other people to be properly positioned. And many times, waiting is necessary because we need to better learn some of God's truths...or we simply need a good rest.

Paul was about to face his most challenging journey and possibly his most significant ministry opportunity; "Take courage! As you have testified about Me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome" Acts 23:11. On his journey, Paul faced a severe storm, shipwreck, snakebite, and many threats on his life, but Paul was also given the opportunity to minister to the leaders of the Roman Empire.

Much of our own journey involves patience and learning how to trust and wait on God. Almost nothing seems to occur as fast as we would like; difficult situations take longer to resolve, people take longer to mature, and ministries take longer to grow. But our present circumstances always serve a purpose!

If we have earnestly sought God and not received specific direction, it's possible we are simply being told to wait - wait and be refreshed; wait and spend time abiding in His presence; wait...and prepare. Let's continue to rejoice and learn to trust Him even more during our times of waiting.

- steve troxel