Sunday, August 28, 2011

God Works

Read Romans 8:28-31

We spend so much of our time working - working at our vocation, at home with our home projects, and we spend a lot of time working on relationships and our hobbies as well. What we tend to miss is how God works in our lives.

Romans 8:28-31 has a powerful message for us regarding how God works on our behalf. Paul writes to the Romans that God works for the good of those who love him in all things, especially those called according to God's purpose. God's plan for all of us is that we would be conformed to the likeness of his Son. And as this conforming process happens, we are going to face challenges to our faith. Times when people let us down and times when we ourselves don't follow what we know God wants. Now for us to believe the truth about God in times of difficulty and personal struggles we must take Paul's question in verse 31 and commit them to memory. He writes - If God is for us, who can be against us?

Take time and meditate on the truths about God - that He works on our behalf and that He is for us (not against us). God is at work in our lives all the time. Take comfort, peace and joy from this eternal truth that God loves us with this unconditional commitment.

Sunday, August 21, 2011

Thirsting for God

Read Psalm 63

David had quite a way about him. He was a man of many words as attested to in the Psalms. So when we read his words we should take the time to allow his words to pour over us as we listen in on his thoughts, especially when it comes to his relationship with God.

Psalm 63 is a great example of his personal relationship with God. He talks of thirsting for God, seeing God's power and glory and knowing that since God's love is better than life he would glorify and praise God as long as he lives. King David inspires; he inspires us with his ability to capture the intensity of his relationship with Almighty God.

Now it's important to realize, David isn't writing this Psalm in easy times. In fact, verse 9 indicates people were seeking to take his life. Yet King David remains strong in faith, strong in worshiping God's name.

Where does your help come from? May it come from the maker of heaven and earth, who desires and deserves our praise. And may we come like King David to rejoice in God at all times.

Sunday, August 14, 2011

What to do when you're in trouble...

Read James 5:13-18

James is a straight shooter, tells it like it is. In James 5:13 he says if anyone is in trouble, if anyone is sick we should turn to God in prayer.

Many think of prayer as a last resort. But God tells us it's not supposed to be this way. Throughout scripture we're told to go to God with all things. Communication is the key to every relationship. Our relationship with God is no different. Closing out verse 16 James writes - The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. Then he uses the example of Elijah who he says was a man just like us.

Technically speaking, this Old Testament prophet had no advantage over you or me. He's human, just like us. But he was faithful in going to God with his concerns and God answered.

Whatever is troubling you today, learn to go to God. I've found I forget this simple truth more than I'd like to admit. So often when I do this, God reminds me to remember His word and allow His word to direct me. The other day God did this and revealed to me the need to allow the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart to be pleasing in His sight. This is straight from Psalm 19:14 and gives confidence in trying times.

Whatever it is for you, trust that prayer (conversation with God) is the first place God wants us to go. The Christian life isn't about the absence of trouble but the presence of trust in God. Talk with Him about everything that's going on in your life - the good, the bad and the ugly. He really does care and so much more than that He's capable of helping in our time of need.

Sunday, August 7, 2011

Shepherds Heart

Read 1 Peter 5:1-4

Peter writes this passage to believers who were enduring times of difficulty. Their lives weren't set on cruise control. They were having tough times because of nothing they had done wrong. In times like this Peter appeals to the elders to care for the flock that is under their care, to shepherd them willingly and with eagerness. He wants them to be examples of Christ to those they are leading knowing when the Chief Shepherd appears they will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.

Leaders today are not usually seen in a positive light. As Peter mentions many lead with bad intentions: lording it over those entrusted to them and being greedy for money. One of the distinctions that's so apparent in Scripture is God's calling to believers to live in truth and love. When we follow God's way leading looks a whole lot different than when we follow the way of the world.

God's desire is that we live in loving relationship with Him and one another. This is why Jesus said believers would be known by the love they share with one another. This family kind of love is what sets us apart. We love because He first loved us and we can love like this because we know the Father's love for us because of Jesus.

Jesus is our Chief Shepherd with the perfect shepherds heart. When we are in the body of Christ together, no matter our role we are to pattern our attitudes and actions after our Chief Shepherds heart. Consider Jesus' life. Think about all He said and did on behalf of others, especially His disciples. And ask the Spirit of God to guide you into being part of leading God's people with this same kind of love.