.....hold

We are encouraged to examine the motivation for the things we do and exhorted to do ALL things for the love of being closer to Jesus. This is the essence of our relationship with our Father - simple, but absolute love.

When a young child wants to be held, they simply reach up their arms and say, "Hold me!" Children may be hurt, scared, or tired; they may not even know why they want to be held, but they know that spending time in arms of love seems to make everything better.

And as a parent looks down at their child, they rarely evaluate them to determine if they deserve to be held or send them away to earn affection. Rather, they simply pick up the child and hold them with no words even being required. In truth, moments like this bring parents some of their greatest joy!

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

Our Heavenly Father loves us very much! He wants us to come to Him with outstretched arms. He wants to pick us up and hold us tight. In truth, moments like this bring His greatest joy! And yet, we spend most of our days avoiding our Father's loving arms. We seek other forms of comfort and work to earn our Father's affection. 

We pour our heart into projects thinking they are vitally important to God's work; "Daddy, look what I made for You!" But our best efforts are as grade school pencil holders and disfigured flowerpots. Our Father smiles at these simple gifts but wishes we would understand.

There's much work to do for the Kingdom of God, but none more important than loving and being loved by the One who has loved us since the beginning of time; "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength" Mark 12:30.

This can be a difficult concept for many who have not grown up with the unconditional love and acceptance of an earthly father, but our Father in Heaven is like none we've ever known. He created us for a relationship of love and "gave His one and only Son" John 3:16 so we could be restored to the relationship which sin stole away. Let there be no doubt of His love and His promise; "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you" Hebrews 13:5.

He longs for us to return! Yes, we must clean our room, take out the trash, and treat others nice on the playground; but at the end of the day, His greatest desire is that we reach up with empty arms and say: I love You Daddy...hold me!

- steve troxel

.....?her

Was not Rahab the harlot also justified? James 2:25

Imagine looking through your family tree and finding this description of your ancestor: "A prostitute, she harbored enemies of the government in her house. When she was confronted by the authorities, she lied about it."

What would you do about her? Hide her story from anyone inquiring about your family? Or spotlight and praise her in the legends of your family's story?

Meet Rahab. If what we read about her in Joshua 2 were all we knew, we might lump her in with all of the other renegades and bad examples in the Bible. But her story doesn't stop there. Matthew 1:5-6 reveals that she was King David's great-great grandmother - and that she was in the lineage of our Savior, Jesus. 

And there's more. Hebrews 11:31 names Rahab as a woman of faith who was saved from the fall of Jericho.  In James 2:25, her works of rescue were given as evidence of her righteous faith. 

God's love is amazing that way. He can take people with a bad reputation, transform their lives, and turn them into examples of His love and forgiveness. If you think you're too bad to be forgiven or if you know someone else who feels that way, read about Rahab and rejoice.

lf God can turn her into a beacon of righteousness, there's hope for all of us. 

- dave branon

.....forgive

"Forgive As He Forgave" is that our forgiveness of others should be based on recognizing the magnitude of forgiveness we have been given through faith in Jesus. A true understanding of God's mercy toward us ought to compel us to be merciful to others. But still, forgiveness remains difficult and somewhat hard to define. Some hurts last a long, long time!

There are those today trying to forgive child abusers, murderers, habitually unfaithful spouses, and a whole list of emotional and physical abuses. I have seen many relationships where small hurts have piled up for several years and now there is nothing but a tangled mess of pain. How do we truly forgive when it hurts so much? Where do we even begin? And how do we know when we have properly forgiven?

"Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." Ephesians 4:31-32

All forgiveness begins with a belief that God desires us to forgive in any situation; "If you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins" Matthew 6:15. I'm not sure how to fully interpret this verse, but one thing we know...our call to forgive is serious! If we are unable, or unwilling, to forgive we need to spend more time reflecting on the forgiveness of Christ. Do we really understand? Do we really believe? Our ability to forgive identifies our focus: Is our priority on Christ or on our own needs and desires, hurts and pain?

But forgiveness is not simply saying the words "I forgive you." Rather, forgiveness is canceling the emotional debt. It means we love and earnestly pray for blessings in the other person's life; "Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you" Matthew 5:44. We should be able to think about the other person without bitterness, rage, or anger. We should be able to pray for an increase in their ministry or business, more peace in their family, and a closer relationship with Jesus. It's amazing how much healing takes place in our own heart when we sincerely pray for those who have caused us pain.

However, forgiveness does not necessarily mean a relationship must continue as if the hurt never occurred. Our heart may be free of all anger and bitterness - we may earnestly pray for the one who caused us pain - and yet, we no longer trust or enjoy their company. My forgiveness of a child abuser does not require me to leave my children in their care. I can love with a Christ-like love and pray without anger and yet guard my physical body and emotional and spiritual heart. We must trust God to guide our steps in this area.

It's unfortunate, but most of us are carrying some bitterness toward another person today. These burdensome emotions should not continue in the heart of a Child of God, and the only road to release them is through the gate of forgiveness. Let's ask God to purify our heart. Let's refocus on the cross and release our burdens to Him. Let's honor our Father by showing the world what it means to forgive.

.....best

Enrico Caruso was an Italian tenor who thrilled audiences in Europe and North and South America about 100 years ago. He was one of the first to embrace the new technology known as the phonograph (or gramophone). One of his recordings was the first sound recording to sell one million copies. 

During the days of the first World War, Caruso was asked if he would sing at a concert for the benefit of the soldiers. The chairman of the committee who invited him said, "Of course, Mr. Caruso, as this is a charity affair, we would not expect you to do your best. Your name will draw the crowd. I would suggest that you merely sing some song requiring little strength or skill."

Caruso is said to have drawn himself up to his full height of 5’9”, and with great passion declared, "Caruso never does less than his best."

What a great lesson we followers of Christ should learn from that! Sadly, though, far too many times we are often lackadaisical in our devotion and service for the One Who Died For Us.

A church I pastored several years ago was facing some major repairs to a very old building. The bottom floor had settled until it was actually below ground level by several inches, and consequently, the entire building was moldy and had a musty, dirty smell. In one of our many meetings about the problem, one of the deacons spoke up and said, “Why can’t we just do enough to get by?” That apparently was the prevailing attitude. But it was worse than I thought: they eventually did nothing. 

  

My point is that too often followers of Christ do "just enough to get by", rather than giving it all we’ve got. We offer God the leftovers in our time, our talents, and our resources, and we are surprised when the blessings we read about in Scripture are not poured out on us! The Kingdom of God is not built with leftovers.

Today may you be as passionate about the quality of your service to God as Enrico Caruso was about singing opera!  Give God your absolute best!!!

- rocky henriques

.....build

A life submitted to God is full of opportunity and excitement. But such a submitted life requires discipline and perseverance. Though the world may scream for us to turn, we must be determined to live by the truth of God's Word through the enabling power of His Spirit.

In 586 BC, the armies of Babylon destroyed the Temple in Jerusalem. About 50 years later, the Jewish people started to rebuild, but after a few years, their priorities began to shift. Their comfort and the condition of their own homes became more important than being obedient to God's call: "Is it time for you yourselves to be living in your paneled houses, while this house {of the Lord} remains a ruin?" Haggai 1:4. God sent the prophet Haggai to challenge the people to reconsider their values and return to the work they had begun.

"Give careful thought to your ways. You have planted much, but have harvested little. You eat, but never have enough. You drink, but never have your fill. You put on clothes, but are not warm. You earn wages, only to put them in a purse with holes in it."Haggai 1:5-6

The people had turned from rebuilding the Temple to building their own homes - from rebuilding their spiritual lives to building the comfort of their physical lives. They found that no matter how hard they worked, they never had enough. Isn't it amazing how the foundational truths of life never change?

We have more pulls on our priorities today than at any other time in history. There are more distractions, more temptations, and many more "construction projects" that cry for our time and energy. But if our focus remains on building for our own physical comfort and security, we will also be ones who find we are NEVER satisfied. It may take many years to realize this truth, but without an eternal focus on the glory and honor of God, all our effort drains away.

Our lives have become a Temple of God - a Temple being built to worship Him for all eternity, and one which must not fall into ruin! We must build the foundation of this Temple through intimate prayer and the study of His Word. We must cover all we build with an overriding desire to love God "with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength" Mark 12:30.

Each and every day we are given the task of building His Spiritual Temple. Let's not be turned from this task by projects which so easily fade away. Let's refocus our priorities and diligently build ALL for His glory.

- adapted from steve troxel

.....step

Today was a busy day! Early this morning we heard that King Herod killed John the Baptist. Jesus seemed to take this news pretty hard; "When Jesus heard what had happened, He withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place" Matthew 14:13. I knew He wanted to be alone, but the crowds kept following Him. Soon there were "about five thousand men, besides women and children" Matthew 14:21. When it started to get late we tried to send the people home, but Jesus had everyone sit down and He fed them with "five loaves of bread and two fish" Matthew 14:17. 

Finally, Jesus sent us across the Sea of Galilee; "After leaving them, He went up on a mountain to pray" Mark 6:46. I'm glad Jesus is getting some time alone, but I wish He was here right now. It's dark and the waves are so high. Wait, there's something out there; something, or someone, walking on the water; "It's a ghost, they said, and cried out in fear" Matthew 6:26. No, I think it's Jesus!

"'Lord, if it's You,' Peter replied, 'tell me to come to You on the water.' 'Come,' He said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus." Matthew 14:28-29

When we read these stories in the Bible we often forget that these were ordinary people involved in something very extra-ordinary. When Peter took that first step onto the water, there was nothing within his physical senses which told him the water would hold. The boat was being tossed by the wind and waves, and Peter certainly had many past experiences which told him that heavy objects sink in water, that his step would fail.

But Peter KNEW Jesus. He had spent time with Jesus; he walked with Him, talked with Him, prayed with Him, and witnessed His miracles. Peter knew the face of Jesus and knew His voice. He knew if Jesus said "Come," He would also provide a way for him to follow. Jesus made the water solid, but only when and where Peter stepped - only after he stepped out in faith and in response to the call.

The step of faith is needed for any situation which requires a solution beyond what our physical senses can understand. "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see" Hebrews 11:1. God calls us to a life of faith. We must spend quality time with our Lord so we can recognize His voice, but when God says "Come," our only response is to step. Our past experiences may scream it's not possible and that we will fail; we may not see solid ground, but we must trust that the One who called will provide the solid foundation. Let's trust Him to provide a way beyond what we can see or understand. Let's fully trust Him with each and every step of faith!

- adapted from steve troxel

.....filled

Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts. Ephesians 5:18–19 

As Christians, we often imagine the filling of the Holy Spirit as an emotional experience.  But we should ask God to fill us with His Holy Spirit on a regular basis. The apostle Paul wrote to the Christians in Ephesus, “Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit” Ephesians 5:18. The term filled  in the original language, it speaks of wind filling the sail of a ship and carrying it along.

So, to be filled with the Spirit means that God’s Spirit fills our sails, making following His commands a delight, not a drudgery. But the word filled also carries the idea of permeation, God wants His Spirit to permeate every area of our lives. He wants to fill our thought lives, our work time, and our free time. He wants to be a part of everything that we say and do.

David, wrote in Psalm 23, “You honor me by anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings” verse 5. Shepherds often used oil to ease the pain experienced by their sheep when flies attacked during the summer months. They took a special oil, poured it over the animals’ heads, and applied it to their ears. This not only helped their wounds to heal but also repelled insects.

The phrase “be filled with the Holy Spirit” in Ephesians 5:18 is a command. God commands us to be filled with the Holy Spirit. From the original Greek, we could translate it to say, “Be constantly filled with the Holy Spirit.”

This isn’t something we do once in life. We want the Holy Spirit to fill us again and again. We need the Spirit to refill us. Be constantly filled with the Spirit. Let His wind fill your sails and permeate every area of your life.

- adapted from greg laurie

.....grow

Paul wrote his first letter to the Corinthian church to correct several problems. The Corinthian's needed instruction in marriage, Christian freedom, worship, and various issues which tended to cause division. He also rebuked the church for quarreling about whom they followed: "You are still worldly... For when one says, 'I follow Paul,' and another, 'I follow Apollos,' are you not mere men?" 1 Corinthians 3:3,4.

Apollos was a good teacher, but Paul reminds us that all ministers of the Gospel - all preachers, teachers, parents, and anyone else who desires to share Biblical truths - are simply servants through whom God accomplishes His work. 

We become worldly and fail to live according to the Spirit of God any time we become followers of a specific minister or feel personally responsible for someone's growth and maturity.

"What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe - as the Lord has assigned to each his task. I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow." 1 Corinthians 3:5-6

We must always remain exclusive followers of Jesus Christ! Though He may use many others to assist in the process, God must receive ALL the credit and glory for our growth. In the same manner, God uses each of us to assist in the growth of others. We can teach truth with our words and demonstrate truth with our lives, but we can never cause someone to accept the truth or even grow to a deeper understanding. Our instructions are to plant the seed of His Word and water with discipleship, prayer, and encouragement at every opportunity; "We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making His appeal through us" 2 Corinthians 5:20.

As we plant and water, it's normal to want to see some growth. We may desire to see blossoms overnight, but God is growing a mighty shade tree with deep roots and wide branches that will not break in the wind - and this kind of growth takes time. We may never see the eternal results of our effort, but we must patiently continue to plant and water, and trust God to accomplish His work; "{My Word} will not return to Me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I have sent it" Isaiah 55:11.

Each of us knows someone who needs to know our Heavenly Father in a more personal way. And there are great ministry opportunities placed in our path every day. Let's obediently follow by being well nourished and casting forth the seed and water of His Word without becoming discouraged. Let's remember we are the servants through whom He works, but let's always remember that God makes it grow!

- steve troxel

.....board

As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:9

We had been in the midst of a tropical depression. Lots of gray, soggy clouds were sitting there not going anywhere. Day after day the rains kept coming. Different from the flash floods that sometimes come when the rainwaters steadily rise creating deep, dangerous puddles in driveways and streets.

In other parts of the country there had been heavy rains and flooding. Rivers would swell. Whole towns were covered with water when the quickly rising waters spilled over the banks. Many homes and businesses were destroyed and washed away.

Troubles have a way of piling up and flooding our lives when they are not dealt with. Ordinary day in, day out things get to be more of a hassle than when it’s business-as-usual. Life looks cloudy and gray, then dark, and the ‘waters’ begin to rise. We can’t see a light at the end of the tunnel. No sun, no birds chirping. Anxiety edges in. Worrying is not good and never helps or changes anything, yet sometimes it is hard for my head to get that through to my heart, especially in the middle of a personal ‘tropical depression’.

As it takes time for the ground to absorb the extra water during bouts of flash floods, so it takes time for our troubles to be resolved and dissipate. Here’s some good news. The ark floated on the rising waters, and we can, too. 

 

It is thought that Noah’s Ark landed on Mr. Ararat, one of the highest mountain peaks in the world. When the floodwaters are rising all around you, check to make sure you’re on board with the Lord, on His “ark”.  Not only will you not be swept away and drowned, you will land on higher ground. 

- dave langerfeld

.....humble

Joshua was Moses' field commander in the fight against the Amalekites Exodus 17:9 and his assistant when the Law was given at Mount Sinai Exodus 24:13. After initially exploring the land of Canaan, Joshua was one of only two men to advise the Israelites to trust God and enter the promised land Numbers 14:6-9. When the people refused, Joshua received an additional 39 years of leadership training from Moses while the Israelites were led through the desert.

God then selected Joshua to succeed Moses; "At his command he and the entire community of the Israelites will go out, and at his command they will come in" Numbers 27:21. After Moses died, God gave final instructions to Joshua before leading the people into the land of Canaan.

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

Joshua would be required to fight many battles and lead a great multitude of people, so God repeated His encouragement several times; "Be strong and courageous!"

This is an awesome exhortation for us today. God has given us His instructions, empowered us with His Spirit, and has told us to boldly proceed down His path, knowing He is by our side wherever we go. But there's an additional lesson God desires all His children to learn.

Prior to his first battle in Canaan, Joshua "saw a man standing in front of him with a drawn sword in his hand" Joshua 5:13. This caused Joshua some obvious concern, so he approached the man and asked; "Are you for us or for our enemies?"

"'Neither,' he replied, 'but as commander of the army of the Lord I have now come.' Then Joshua fell facedown to the ground in reverence, and asked him, 'What message does my Lord have for His servant?'"Joshua 5:14

We are called to be bold, but our boldness will always become self-serving unless we totally submit to God's leadership - unless we say with complete humility: "Lord, You are the Commander and this is Your army. I will fight with courage and strength, but these are Your battles. What would You have me do, and where would You have me go?" 

As we boldly go forward into God's Land of Promise, our marching orders are clear: we are to always be strong, courageous, and humble.

- steve troxel

.....control

That title sounds familiar. I suspect if I were to go back through the archives of articles I have written, sermons I have preached and devotionals I have read or delivered, there would probably be no more common theme that the prayer, "Lord, take control."

The prayer has been prayed in times of decision and indecision. The prayer has been prayed during times of turmoil and frustration and confusion. The prayer has been prayed in hospital rooms, intensive care units, in business meetings, before, during and after surgery, in times of fear, and times of great confidence. The prayer has been prayed while standing next to a crib, while standing next to a hospital bed, and while standing next to a casket.

There have been many times after praying the prayer that I have experienced a sense of peace and quiet comfort has washed over me. There have been other times after praying the prayer that I have been consumed with fear and overcome with panic. There have been times when I felt that He really took control. There have been times when I wondered why He did not take control. And there have been times when I did not feel or sense anything.

So what makes the difference?

The difference seems to be found not in the prayer, whether prayed one time or a dozen times. The difference seems to be found in whether or not I have also incorporated an attitude of submission and surrender. Not only is it essential that I pray, "Lord, take control!"  I must also pray, "I surrender" or "I am in submission to You."

I can pray, "Lord, take control!" all night and all day, but unless I submit to His control it is futile. I can beg and plead, "Lord, take control!" with all the sincerity and emotion I can muster, but it is not until I truly submit that I will experience the power of God at work in my life.

Job said it this way, "Submit to God and be at peace with him; in this way prosperity will come to you"  Job 22:21.

James said this, "Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you" James 4:7.

I must yield to His control. I must surrender to His will. I must give up my control and allow Him to take control. I must defer to His leadership. I must give in to His plans.

Lord, take control. I surrender.

- nyaguthii gathoni

.....perseverance

You need to persevere, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive what he has promised Hebrews 10:36

Scottish physician A. J. Cronin (1896-1981) was forced by illness to take a leave of absence from his medical practice. He then decided to write a novel. But when half done, he became disheartened and threw his manuscript into a garbage can.

Totally discouraged, Cronin was walking the Scottish Highlands and a saw a man digging in a bog, trying to drain it for use as a pasture. As Cronin talked with him, the man said, "My father dug at this bog and never made a pasture. But my father knew and I know that it's only by digging you can make a pasture. So I keep digging."

Rebuked and remotivated, Cronin went home, picked his manuscript out of the garbage can, and finished it. That novel, Hatter's Castle, sold three million copies. Cronin left his medical practice and became a world famous writer.

At times, you and I may feel trapped by circumstances that demand patience and persistence. Are we willing to keep digging away at whatever "bog" God has assigned to us? The book of Hebrews tells us that we have "need of endurance" 10:36, and that we must "run with endurance the race that is set before us" 12:1. How? By "looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith" V.2. With Christ as our example, let's keep on digging!

- vernon grounds

.....rest

We are now God's Temple and are to "reflect the Lord's glory" 2 Corinthians 3:18 into the world as we are transformed into the likeness of Christ. It’s a great honor to be in the presence of the Lord, and we have been given the awesome responsibility to reflect an "ever-increasing" amount of His glory.

But what does this really mean? 

How can we increase the glory which our life reflects?

When we place our life in the Hands of God through faith in Jesus Christ, we are given His Spirit "with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption" Ephesians 4:30. We reflect His glory as we submit to His leading and allow the fruit of His Spirit to be evident in our life; "the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control" Galatians 5:22-23. As we further submit and allow His fruit to define the character of our life, God's glory will shine with ever greater intensity!

Notice that the focus of reflecting His glory is on submission, not on our effort. When the glory of the Lord filled Solomon's Temple, "the priests could not perform their service" 2 Chronicles 5:14. God's glory and the work we perform through our own effort are incompatible - our work hinders His reflection.

"For anyone who enters God's rest also rests from his own work, just as God did from His. Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest."Hebrews 4:10-11

God created the heavens and the earth in six days; "By the seventh day God had finished the work He had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all His work" Genesis 2:2. God was satisfied with His work and entered His rest for all eternity. He is still intimately involved, but God accomplishes everything from a confident and calm position of rest because He KNOWS the final outcome.

Likewise, we must not cease from doing what God calls us to do, but we must cease from working in our own strength and for self-righteous rewards. God will certainly keep us active, but the focus of our effort must be on serving and growing from a position of rest with a true desire to do ALL for the love of God.

Many of us are attempting to walk His path in our own strength by working hard and carrying the burdens which are rightfully His. This is not our call! We must love Him with all our heart and serve Him with all our strength. But we must do so through joyful surrender, submission, and obedience. He will accomplish His work in His time and according to His purpose. Let's continue to reflect more and more of His glory. Let's draw closer into His presence and make every effort to enter His rest.

- steve troxel

.....contrite

Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions.  Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me.  Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight...  Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.  Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me.  Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me...  You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.  The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart,  O God, you will not despise Psalm 51

How many times have you prayed this prayer? Or, perhaps, how many times have you prayed this prayer this week? Sin and guilt create distance between us and God. As the old saying goes, "If you feel far away from God, guess who moved?"  God does not and has not moved away from us when we sin. But, the distance comes as a consequence of our guilt and shame.

When we realize that our sin has created a distance, we are prone to rely on our natural human tendencies to fix the problem and eliminate the distance. We make promises. "Lord, I will never do this again. Please forgive me."  "Father, I will work harder for You if You will forgive me."   "Lord, I will do anything You want me to do, will You please forgive me?"

So, we go to work. We beat ourselves up reminding ourelves how foolish we are. Our self-talk changes. We remind ourselves of what an awful person we are. We second-guess ourselves. We feel ashamed. We constantly belittle ourselves. Our thinking seems to follow this line of thinking: "If I can keep apologizing, repenting, working harder to do better, and convincing myself how awful I am, then surely the Lord will realize how hard I am trying to be right and forgive me."

Ever been there?  Read David's words again.   "You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it;  you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise."

"A broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart?"   Really?  That's what God wants? That sounds simple. Why do we make it so difficult?

First, we make it more difficult because we are not sure that God will really forgive us. It is a control issue. It is a surrender issue. It is a trust issue.

Second, we make it more difficult because we think it is easier to fix things ourselves than to depend on God. Admitting our sin and really being honest with God about our sin, our foolish nature, and immature actions is more difficult, or less appealing than working harder to make things right.   We can control (there's that word again) our hard work. We are confident in our ability. To approach the throne of God completely open and humble is more frightening, and perhaps too easy, and too difficult. It comes down to our dependence upon the living God to do what only He can do.

The New Testament writer Paul, said it this way: "What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from the body of this death? Thanks be to God, through Jesus Christ our Lord!" Romans 7:24-25

This may be the perfect time for you to confess your sins, to humble yourself, to be broken with all your heart, and to make a fresh start. Today may be the opportune time to come clean with God and with your fellow man. 

Humble yourself. Trust the God who created you, who loves you, and who sent His only Son to die for you. He can handle your broken and contrite heart. In fact, that is exactly what He is looking for.

 

.....glory

Through the forgiveness of Jesus and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, we are now God's Temple; "Don't you know that you yourselves are God's Temple and that God's Spirit lives in you?" 1 Corinthians 3:16. And as with the Temple during the reign of King Solomon, we are to dedicate ourselves for worship and be filled with His glory 2 Chronicles 5:13-14.

The glory of the Lord first appeared to the people of Israel after they were led out of Egypt; "They looked toward the desert, and there was the glory of the Lord appearing in the cloud" Exodus 16:10. Then, when Moses was called up Mount Sinai to receive the law, the glory of the Lord settled over the mountain; "To the Israelites the glory of the Lord looked like a consuming fire" Exodus 24:17.

When Moses came down from the mountain, "his face was radiant because he had spoken with the Lord" Exodus 34:29. The presence of God did not cause Moses' face to simply shine with a joyful glow, it beamed with a fear-causing glory; "When Aaron and all the Israelites saw Moses, his face was radiant, and they were afraid to come near him" Exodus 34:30. After Moses spoke to the people, he "put a veil over his face" Exodus 34:33 to ease their fear as well as cover the fact that "the radiance was fading away" 2 Corinthians 3:13.

These examples of God's glory give us a sense of awe. God's glory reflects His character - His majesty, holiness, and awesome power. As believers in Jesus Christ, we are now God's Temple and "ministers of a new covenant" 2 Corinthians 3:6. We are no longer like Moses who had to cover his face with a veil. Jesus has removed the veil and we can boldly reflect His glory into a lost and dying world.

"And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into His likeness with ever-increasing glory."2 Corinthians 3:18

When we believe in Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we begin to reflect the glory of the Lord from within as we are transformed into the image of Christ. This transformation produces a glory which is intended to increase for the rest of our days. We will never attain the full likeness of Christ until we see Him face to face; but, with every step along God's path, we become more and more like His Son. And as we are transformed, the radiant blocking "self" is slowly removed and we are better able to reflect His glory.

We must continue down His path and take daily steps toward a life which reflects the glory of the Lord into the darkness that surrounds us. Heavenly Father, we pray for the strength to more fully surrender and reflect You into this world with an ever-increasing glory.

- steve troxel

.....bait

My dad never talked much about his experiences in World War II, but I do remember one story.  He told us that while he was stationed on Guam one day, one of the guys came running up excited that the PX (the military store) had candy bars on sale for 1 cent.  (Remember, that back then, the normal cost was only 4 to 5 cents).  All of the guys ran down to the PX and bought candy bars. Later, as they began to eat them, they found out the reason they were on sale - They all had small worms in them!

As I reminisced about that story, I thought about the lesson for us today. Satan is crafty; he always tries to make wormy candy look like something to be desired. He knows our desires and weaknesses, and he won't hesitate to dangle in front of us that which might catch us in his trap.

Read what James has to say about sin.  "And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, "God is tempting me."  God is never tempted to do wrong and he never tempts anyone else. Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death." James 1:13-15  

Notice especially the word "entice" in the text. In the Greek, this word has the meaning of "to be caught by bait". How do you catch a fish? You dangle bait which looks attractive to them, hoping they won't notice the hook. They see the bait, they want it, and the go after it. Before they know it, they are caught because of what they desired.

Our world offers so many things that look so appealing. Whether it is wealth, power, fame, drugs, material possessions, illicit relationships, worshipping the wrong things - they are all "Bait".  Bait dangled in front of us for one purpose - to "catch us and drag us away".   The plan is to drag us away from God, away from righteous living, away from our hope.

 

That's why Peter writes, "Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour," (1 Peter 5:8)

So, be on your guard, watch out, because Satan never sleeps, he is always fishing for your attention and your soul.  You wouldn't eat a wormy candy bar would you?  Why would you invite things that are just as disgusting into your life?

- russ lawson

.....dedicate

The Old Testament adds wonderful richness to our faith. In the very first verse of the Bible we read "God created the heavens and the earth" Genesis 1:1. By reflecting on this wonderful truth, we can better understand the words of Jesus; "with God all things are possible" Matthew 19:26. Throughout the Old Testament we see God use common people to accomplish His plan and point the way to Christ. We also learn to appreciate the purpose of a life of absolute reverence for God.

After the Israelites were led out of Egypt, God gave instructions to Moses for constructing the Tabernacle. This was to be the central place of worship and where the presence of God would reside. The Tabernacle was made of cloth, animal skins, and poles so it could be easily moved.

After several hundred years, the people of Israel settled into the promised land and God gave King David the vision for a permanent Temple to replace the mobile Tabernacle. David made plans and collected material, but God waited for Solomon to become king before construction began.

It took Solomon seven years to construct the Temple using over 150,000 workers 2 Chronicles 2:1-2. When the Temple was complete, the dedication began. Sacrifices were made to honor and worship God; music was played and songs were sung "to give praise and thanks to the Lord" 2 Chronicles 5:13. The grand dedication indicated this was to be a place to honor God forevermore!

"Then the Temple of the Lord was filled with a cloud, and the priests could not perform their service because of the cloud, for the glory of the Lord filled the Temple of God."2 Chronicles 5:13-14

The purpose of the Temple was to lead the children of Israel to a closer relationship with God through an understanding of sin, sacrifice, forgiveness, and worship. It was also designed to lead them toward Jesus and provide us with an understanding of who we are in Christ.

One thousand years after the Temple was dedicated, Jesus died on the cross and we entered into a new covenant, with a new Temple; "Don't you know that you yourselves are God's Temple and that God's Spirit lives in you?" 1 Corinthians 3:16. When we enter into a covenant relationship with God through faith in Jesus Christ, we become the Temple of God.

The Old Testament shows us the great honor and responsibility of being God's Temple. He resides in us and we must be so filled with the glory of the Lord that we no longer perform "our" service but glorify His name in all we do. Let's set aside the entirety of our life as a holy place of worship...forevermore! Let's give praise and thanks to the Lord and begin today to dedicate His Temple

- steve troxel

.....good

Have you ever been in need of an encouraging word from God and gone to the book of Nahum looking for it? I didn`t think so; neither have I. Well, surprise, surprise, there is certainly one there, and God led me to it – Nahum 1:7, which reads, “The Lord is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and He knows them that trust in Him.” 

Isn't that good? Well, it gets better when you dig into it a little. There are three things I want to share with you from this little obscure verse...

The Lord is Good

“The Lord is Good” - period. Everything about God is good, including everything that is related to me - His thoughts about me, His plans for me, His actions toward me, His guidance in me, His blessings to me, His protection of me, His purposes fulfilled through me and His ordained circumstances that surround me at this very moment in my life. They may not look good, seem good, sound good or feel good – but because they are ordained of God, they ARE good. Colossians 3:3 says that “your life is hid with Christ in God”. Every detail of your life is contained in Him, including your present circumstances, trials, needs, etc.

Are you in a storm today? Are you in a crisis? Are you facing some very adverse circumstances? Are you going through a severe trial? Well, take heart – it may not seem good, but as part of the “life that is hid with Christ in God", it IS good, if for no other reason than to demonstrate the second point I want to share with you.

The Lord is a Stronghold in the Day of Trouble

The words strong hold mean a fortified place, a defense, a refuge. You may very well be in a very tough spot right now, but you are not helpless or hopeless – and – you are not alone. There IS a place for you to go to for comfort, help and assurance. “From the end of the earth will I cry unto Thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the Rock that is higher than I.” The word trouble means adversity, anguish, distress and tribulation. If you have today landed on one of those squares on the board, then you will certainly be encouraged by this third truth from this little verse.

The Lord Knows Them That Trust in Him

The word, "know", means to understand as a familiar friend. Hebrews 4:15 assures us that, “we have not a high priest (Jesus) who cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities.” Jesus not only knows about and understands your situation, but He even FEELS right along with you. Now, let’s look at the word "trust". Here, it means to confide in, have hope in and to take refuge in. He knows them as a close friend who confide in Him, who hope in Him, and who run to Him to find that place of safety. 

Are you in trouble? If so, don`t make the mistake of trying to figure it out or work it out on your own. That is a trick of the devil and will only lead to disappointment, frustration, fear and exhaustion. Oh, I know, as a “responsible” person you feel you must DO something. Well, you are right.

What you must DO is go to Jesus, confide in Him and take refuge in Him until the storm passes – and it will. No matter WHAT you are facing today, no matter WHAT your circumstances are, no matter WHAT your need is, you can lift your head in confidence and praise the Name of Our Great God! Why? Because THE LORD IS GOOD – and He is good to YOU!

- adapted from shad williams

.....opportunity

Every day we are given the opportunity to make a difference in someone's life. Every time we open our mouth to speak, we send forth words which have an effect on those around us. Our words, which come "out of the overflow of the heart" Matthew 12:34, will either cause a positive or negative reaction...our words are rarely neutral. Knowing the power of our words ought to cause us to use them with great care.

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen Ephesians 4:29

This means that every time we speak, we have the opportunity to encourage and minister. With just a few moments of our time and very little effort, we have the opportunity to brighten someone's day, to ease their burden, and possibly draw them closer to God. This precious opportunity must not be taken lightly; But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken Matthew 12:36.

If we have received Jesus as our Lord and Savior, our careless words are eternally forgiven. And yet, our words remain a reflection of our heart. God has given us a new heart which ought to be filled with devotion, and our words should be filtered through a heart which desires to bring Him glory and honor. But sometimes we smother this heart and fail to let it shine. Though forgiven, we must also give an account for any damage our words have caused.

We seldom realize how harmful and discouraging our words can be; "Like a madman shooting firebrands or deadly arrows is a man who deceives his neighbor and says, 'I was only joking!'" Proverbs 26:18-19. Sarcastic and joking words are "deadly arrows" which are never useful for "building others up." Over time, these words are sure to destroy a relationship.

Before we speak, we must carefully listen. What is the real question? What are the real needs or concerns? "He who answers before listening - that is his folly and his shame" Proverbs 18:13. We may only be given the opportunity to speak a few words, but we can make every effort to use our words wisely; "The heart of the righteous weighs its answers, but the mouth of the wicked gushes evil" Proverbs 15:28.

Our words are a powerful gift. Let's honor our Heavenly Father by effectively using this gift to encourage. Let's speak so those who listen may benefit and be built up in their faith. Let's continually encourage one another to draw closer to our Heavenly Father and never squander the opportunity of our words.

- steve troxel

.....always

In his letter to the Philippians, Paul gives an exhortation to "Rejoice in the Lord always - and again I say, rejoice!" Philippians 4:4. Paul had been arrested and sent to Rome to await trial. He spent his days and nights under house arrest, chained to a Roman soldier, but was still able to say, rejoice...always!

When we begin to understand the life changing gift of forgiveness through faith in the sacrifice of Jesus - when we truly grasp the concept of eternity and, through faith, believe we will spend all eternity in the presence of God - we have more than enough reason to rejoice, regardless of our present circumstances. We have more than enough reason...but do we rejoice?

If we are unable to rejoice, we have allowed our eyes to become too fixed on the present. Our attention has become focused on our earthly desires, goals, and ambitions, and we have lost sight of the blessings of a life in Christ. Either that, or we don't really believe!

The verses which immediately follow Paul's call to rejoice list some real benefits of a life of rejoicing.

"Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:5-7

Gentleness and a lack of anxiety result from rejoicing in a risen Savior. If Jesus Christ can be raised from the dead and sit down "at the right hand of God" Hebrews 10:12, then our Heavenly Father can certainly take care of problems with our job, health, kids, finances, or relationships. When we rejoice and focus on an eternity in Heaven and a Savior who walks by our side, our anxiety fades - our present trials become "light and momentary" 2 Corinthians 4:17.

When we live a life filled with rejoicing, we are able to focus on the solutions we know God can provide. We develop a heart of thanksgiving - a heart which naturally presents everything to God in prayer and waits with grateful expectation for His reply. We begin to trust in God's plan for our life and His desire for us to be with Him forever. The result, which admittedly takes time and patience, is "the peace of God which transcends all understanding."

These words written by Paul are not the deluded ramblings of an old man in Roman confinement, they are the true promises of God! They represent a promised life we all can live. Our Father offers us a life of gentleness, contentment, and peace; a life free of anxiety and worry. But this life can only happen if we love and trust Him with all our heart, and if we are determined to always rejoice.

.....impossible

I'm always struck by this passage. Joshua gives a command to the heavenly bodies, and God rearranges the laws of physics so that they obey him. It's one of the greatest miracles in all of scripture. In its scientific magnitude, it is an even greater miracle than the parting of the Red Sea.

But that isn't the main reason I'm so taken by what happened here. I'm struck by the context. Joshua just blew it. The Gibeonites, posing as distant travelers, deceived Joshua and the other leaders into making a prohibited treaty with them. Joshua was clearly negligent for failing to inquire of the Lord before ratifying the treaty. 

Now, here in chapter 10, he's dealing with the aftermath of his mistake. The Gibeonites are in trouble; Joshua and all Israel are called upon to save them.God could have washed His hands of the entire affair. He could have said, "You got yourself into this mess; you get yourself out of it. Don't look to Me to help you defend these wicked Gibeonites."

But He doesn't do anything of the sort. God is a God of people who make mistakes, people who blow it, people who mess up.

I don't like making mistakes, but when I do, God gently reminds me that the work of God isn't about me and how perfect I am; rather, it is about the God who shows up despite our failings.

- dwight clough

.....thorns

In the parable of the sower Matthew 13:3-8, Jesus told about a farmer who scattered seed on four different types of soil: packed, shallow, thorny, and fertile. In this parable, the seed refers to the Word of God and the soil refers to those who hear the Word.

Those of packed soil have hearts which are so hard they immediately turn away. Those of shallow soil may quickly germinate and grow, but they also quickly lose interest and die. Most of us fall into one of the last two types of soil. We desire God's Word to grow on the fertile ground of our heart and produce a bountiful crop, but we seem to continually battle the thorns.

The one who received the seed that fell among the thorns is the man who hears the Word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke it, making it unfruitful Matthew 13:22

We have more opportunity to receive God's Word today than any other time in history. We can hear good preaching in church, on radio, or over the internet. We can read God's Word in a variety of translations and receive an abundance of help with interpretation. Our soil is definitely receiving seed. But the challenge is to keep our lives free of the distractions which hinder growth.

Here is a simple test of our soil. Jesus said the number one commandment is to "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind" Matthew 22:37. When was the last time our heart overflowed with love for God? When was the last time we considered the sacrifice of Jesus and nearly bubbled over with "Thank You!"?

God desires for us to love Him. In fact, His entire Word is a message of calling us back to a loving relationship. If we have a hard time following His most basic desire, it's no wonder we're confused about where He is leading. We look for specific direction with where to live and work, yet we fail to give Him the entirety of our heart and simply worship at His feet.

When God's Word comes into our life, we should receive it and cherish it as a precious gift. We ought to immediately look for ways to apply His Word and make it grow, not process it through the distractions of deadlines, appointments, bills, and worldly relationships and ambitions.

Is the Word growing in our life, or is it being choked by unnecessary demands of the world? "The world and its desires pass away" 1 John 2:17, but the things of God are eternal. He is calling us to live a life fully dedicated to Him in ALL we do. Let's weed our garden and remove distractions so the seed of His Word can grow and bear fruit. 

By His grace let's begin to develop fertile soil which is free of thorns.

- adapted from steve troxel's free from thorns

.....trust

 At a time in history when wars were raging and the world was in chaos, David wrote:

   But I trust in you, Lord; I say, “You are my God. My times are in your hands" Psalm 31:14-15

I don’t know what will happen as I go through the day, 

     but I trust You, Lord, to get me through it. 

I don’t know what storms or crises are ahead for me and my family, 

     but I trust You, Lord, to walk with me or carry me through any dark times that may be ahead. 

I don’t know how many more days I have on this earth, 

     but I trust You, Lord, to help me live each of those to the fullest and bring as much joy as possible to the people I know and love. 

I don’t know what the future will bring for my children and their children,

     but I trust You, Lord, to help them find their way through their lives as they bring glory to You. 

There is so much I don’t know about life in the present and the future, 

     but I trust You, Lord. You are my God. My times are in your hands.  

- tom norvell

.....view

We are encouraged to cut away areas of our life which still cling to the world's answers for fulfillment and security - those areas which keep our hearts from being fully devoted to God. But at the same time, we acknowledge this can be a difficult process. One reason for this difficulty is our extremely limited view of our life and the world around us.

Our flawed perception is not unlike a tiny ant. These small creatures seem to never stop working as they scurry about frantically moving little grains of sand from here to there in the hope of building a secure home. If we could ask an ant to describe his world, he might tell us about his hole in the ground, about the few thousand members of his family, and maybe something about the few surrounding meters where he gathers food. Obviously, the ant has a very limited view of the real world.

But as our Heavenly Father watches us build our homes of security - watches us frantically moving from here to there, trying to climb to the top of the hill - He also sees a creation with a VERY limited view of the real world; "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts" Isaiah 55:9.

As seen from God's perspective, we have almost no understanding of how the little corner of our life fits into His plan or how our current problems are leading us closer to Him. From God's perspective our view is as limited as the ant. But though we may not fully see or understand, He is calling us to trust.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight Proverbs 3:5-6

Many of us are facing difficult circumstances. We want to walk along God's path and live a life pleasing to Him, but we're not sure which direction to turn. Our indecision is often because we only trust in what we clearly understand - and we've begun to realize our understanding is not very clear. But God's promise is that as we love and trust Him with all our heart, the path directly in front of us will become straight; as we trust, the decisions will become clear and we will KNOW our next step!

We must truly believe that our Heavenly Father sees and hears ALL, and that He is infinitely complete in understanding. Where we are fortunate to see a few short steps down the path, He sees the entire journey - the journey leading us "to be conformed to the likeness of His Son" Romans 8:29, and the destination of spending all eternity praising His name. We must keep stepping out in faith, but we must do so by leaning on Him, continually seeking His direction, and trusting the Father's view.

- steve troxel

.....10

For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ

Philippians 3:20

Ten people in human history have returned to life after dying: 

1. The widow of Zarephath’s son 1 Kings 17

2. The Shunammite woman’s son 2 Kings 4

3. A nameless man 2 Kings 13

4. The boy in Nain Luke 7

5. Jairus’ daughter Luke 8

6. Lazarus John 11

7. Tabitha Acts 9

8. Eutychus Acts 20

9. Summarized as a Group - Those involved in the mysterious resurrections at the crucifixion Matthew 27.

10. The tenth is in a category all to Himself. Jesus rose with a deathless, imperishable, eternal, glorified body. He Himself is the Resurrection and the Life John 11:25.

The resurrections in the past point us forward, not backward. The risen Christ is with us now and we enjoy His fellowship. In addition, we rejoice in the sure and certain hope of our own coming resurrection and everlasting life Philippians 3:20. Not only are we anticipating the resurrection to come, but we also have the joy of living every day in the presence and power of our resurrected Lord!

The resurrection is not a doctrine to be pondered, but an invitation to experience the living Christ in your life.

- henry blackaby