Living Hope Devotional

How can He say that?

2012-02-05T07:08:00.000-08:00

Read Matthew 5:20

Take a moment and read Matthew 5:20. Do you now understand the question - how can Jesus say that? For centuries the standard was set and during that entire time Israel, people everywhere continually failed to meet the standard. Now Jesus is raising the bar, raising it to an even higher level saying "Unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven."

He could do this because He believed in His own life. The greatness of the demands in Matthew 5, 6 and 7 is only surpassed by the confidence Christ has in His life. And the life that is available within us is His life and that's enough to meet these demands because the resources He has given us. You see we have Christ and God does not command what He is unwilling or unable to perform. So what Jesus says and the life He lives changes the question from - How can He say that? to Why don't we live like we believe it?

Meditate on Jesus' words. God equips us to do what He's asked of us. Only when we lose sight of this and where our stregth and power come from are we unable to do God's work. Let's pray that His life, more than just His words, would live within us!

Justified Anger

2012-01-29T05:18:00.000-08:00

Read Nehemiah 5:1-13

If we're honest, probably all of us at one time or another has had the experience where we've been angered by something or someone and we've felt that our anger was justified. Now truthfully while we may think our anger is more often than not justified - let's be honest, many times we are biased so we work hard at trying to justify our anger but the truth is our anger is wrong. But then there are times when we are absolutely right in our anger and it is justified. Nehemiah provides a fine example of justified anger.

He is helping lead the project to rebuild the wall of Jerusalem after years of disgrace as the walls and gates had been burned and were lying in rubble. Here in Nehemiah 5 we find the people in Juday facing opposition to this rebuilding project but at the same time they were being opposed by their own countrymen. Read Nehemiah 5:1-13 and you'll see what I'm talking about. Since there was a famine going on the people needed grain, but they couldn't afford it so they had to borrow money to pay the king's tax on their fields and vineyards. Verse 6 tells us Nehemiah was angered by this. So he calls them out saying "You are exacting usury from your own countrymen!"

Listen we are so accustomed in our culture to paying taxes and interest that many times we don't give it a second thought but here Nehemiah says this is wrong. In Exodus 22:25 and Leviticus 25:36 Israel is told if you lend money to someone in need do not charge interest and not to take interest of any kind. Now this throws a monkey wrench into our culture today doesn't it? What do we, today, do with this?

Honestly I don't know. But it appears Nehemiah got through to his countrymen and they agreed to give back (v. 12) what they had taken. What seems to be the point is when we borrow money we are slave to the one who lends us the money. Now people are within their legal rights to charge interest. But that doesn't mean we have to borrow from them. While many of us would not own our homes, cars or be able to afford college without interst bearing loans there is a warning in scripture to be wise. And it appears what was originally by God's design was that assisting a brother or sister in need meant lending money with the intent that what they pay back was the amount they borrowed.

So where does this leave us? With this thought - Nehemiah shows anger against the nobles and officials who were taking advantage of their countrymen. Let's not do this. But at the same time, let's be wise with what we ourselves are willing to borrow because we too must pay back what we have taken. Justified anger is based on what God says so listen to His word and know that we are to walk with our brothers and sisters in life helping and holding and not harming each other.

Let Faith Arise

2012-01-22T08:26:00.000-08:00

Read Lamentations 3:22-24

If we spent any time thinking about it, Jeremiah isn't the type of guy most of us would want to be around. He was a man whose responsibility as a prophet was to share God's word and more often than not people disliked him because his words brought conviction in their hearts. Not only was Jeremiah as a prophet often a downer to people but he wrote the book of Lamentations. This book is filled with laments. Now a lament is a song, poem, or piece of music that expresses grief, regret or mourning. So reading Lamentations isn't likely to pick up your spirits. Unless you realize within this work of literature includes Jermiah's faith and trust in God alone. When all else fails, just like Jeremiah says - Let Faith Arise.

We all know what it's like to know something but feel something totally opposite. When it comes to our faith - let's consider just because we know what is true, doesn't make it any easier when our hearts are heavy. And our hearts can be heavy for a lot of reasons. Personal pain is present in everyone's life. May we all be reminded the connection between head and heart comes when we refuse to lose God's perspective. Listen to this song we sang at Hope this past Sunday and may God strengthen and encourage you to Let Faith Arise one moment, one day at a time no matter what your personal pain may be.

Turning Distress Over

2012-01-15T07:45:00.000-08:00

Read Nehemiah 1

What an amazing example we have in the book of Nehemiah. This exiled prophet turns the distress of Israel over to God. Eleven times in this book it's recorded that Nehemiah prayed. What should we do when distress comes our way? Turn it over to God just like Nehemiah.

Nehemiah 1 begins the story. The Jewish remnant, those who had survived the exile, were back in Jerusalem but not all Israel was regathered at this time. Nehemiah was in the citadel of Susa, away from his home when some brothers came from Judah. So he questions them about the Jewish remnant that survived the exile and asked about Jerusalem. The report was not good. He learned the walls of Jerusalem were broken down and its gates were burned with fire. And the people were in great trouble and were disgraced.

Now when Nehemiah heard these things he was deeply moved. His heart ached for his brothers and his homeland as he sat down and wept. Then he turned it over to God. After days of mourning, fasting and praying he prays to God. Reminds God of His covenant with His people. How God had promised that if His people would love and obey Him how blessed they would be. But if they turned away from Him and followed another way how they would be scattered. Nehemiah is encouraged by this covenant because He knew God also said if you return to me and obey my commands, then I will gather my people back to Myself.

Listen, many of us have been disobedient like these Israelites and we've faced some of the consequences of our choices. Yet God promises to accept us once we return to Him. Now what does it mean to return to God? Simply that we agree with God. Agree with Him that we have gone our own way instead of His way and ask Him to receive us. Remember God is loving and forgiving - all He wants is people whose hearts are turned over to Him.

Consequences

2012-01-08T09:50:00.000-08:00

Read 1 Kings 2:13-34

Their names were Adonijah, Joab and Abiathar and they are best known in scripture for their choices that led to terrible consequences. First Kings 1:5-7 tells us they conspired together to follow Adonijah in his quest to become king. Joab and Abiathar gave Adonijah their full support - bad move guys, bad move!

We find in 1 Kings 2:13-34 what happens when we go outside the will and plan of God: consequences. I'm fascinated with what happens in this passage because we see a side of God that many today are unwilling to admit is part of His character. God will not be mocked and when we decide to go our own way and choose to follow our own way terrible consequences are quite likely to occur.

Friends, God is a loving and kind and gracious and merciful God. But He is also a God of wrath, justice and holiness. When the people of God choose to go against the will of God, bad things happen. It's important for us to recognize the error of our way when we choose to follow what God has not ordained.

Yet let's not get all glib with this tough passage on consequences. God is a God who rewards faithful servants. And God is a God that equips us with the power and presence of the Holy Spirit to receive good and godly consequences. Live in a way that honors God and receive His just consequences.

A New Year

2012-01-01T07:41:00.000-08:00

Read Revelation 21:1–8

It's a new year, so what's going to make 2012 any different for you than 2011? Maybe 2011 was a great year for you and you were in an amazing place, in your relationship with God, with other believers and with those in the community where you live. And that's fantastic! But it's a new year, so how are we going to make 2012 better than last year?

I believe it comes with vision, with passion and with submission to Jesus. When I think of another new year I think of new opportunities, of promises God's given us in His word that inspire me and hopefully inspire you. One of these promises is found in Revelation 21:1-8.

Take a few minutes, read the passage and then meditate on these thoughts. God has promised that He is in the business of making all things new. There's a day coming when He will once again make His dwelling among us. And friends this is going to be forever, eternity! Jesus' first coming was amazing; imagine what this second coming is going to be like!!

When I think of another new year and all the new possibilities and the promises of God that are yet to come, it inspires me to one moment and one day at a time be encouraged that better is on its way; better because Jesus is on His way. And when that day comes, all things will be made new. Until that day comes, let's be people of God, living out the purposes and plans of God.

Reflections

2011-12-25T06:01:00.000-08:00

Read 1 Peter 5:7

Although we may know this verse in 1 Peter by memory, when we reflect on the life situations we've faced over the past year it doesn't make it any easier to handle does it? While God wants you and I to cast all our anxiety on Him because He cares for us, we often have a difficult time with this because what we've faced has been so difficult.

Anyone had a tough year? 2011 may have been a tough time but God is bigger than everything we've faced and He will ultimately redeem it for His own glory. The hard part, at least for me, is figuring out how. How is He going to redeem it? And when? You know what I mean?

Listen, writing this doesn't mean I get it right every time. Truth is what I write is more often than not something I'm continuing to learn and apply in my own life. But maybe together we can be encouraged and be reminded of the faithfulness of our God. He is not only faithul but He's able to do much more than all we think, ask or imagine. (Ephesians 3:20)

Wisdom

2011-12-18T10:43:00.000-08:00

Read 1 Kings 3:1-15

Solomon was made King after his father David's death. God appeared to Solomon and said, "Ask! What shall I give you?"

What would you ask from God if He were to tell you what He told Solomon? I'm not sure about you and I but Solomon made a decision packed with wisdom. He asked God for an understanding and discerning heart to judge God's people so that he would know what is good and evil. Friends we see something in Solomon that we often don't see in people today; and that's the willingness to admit his shortcomings. Earlier in the text he said "since I am only a child" I'm asking you God for your wisdom to help me rule over your people. He didn't allow his position to blind him from the fact that he needed God's wisdom to do what is right.

The same is true for us. We need God's wisdom in every area of our lives. The case can be made that we are either following God's wisdom or the world's wisdom in every decision we make. Choosing to make wise decisions begins with acknowledging God is wiser and much more capable of helping us with everything we face in this life. But then it continues with all of us recognizing our need for God one moment at a time in every situation we find ourselves.

Be in prayer that our wisdom comes from heaven above not just some of the time, but all of the time.

Why are You here?

2011-12-11T11:37:00.000-08:00

Read 1 Corinthians 1:11-17

Have you ever asked that question? Why am I here? The apostle Paul thought he knew why he was here. We can look at his life in the book of Acts and see that he was heading down a path of power and devotion against Christians and then God got a hold of him and turned his life around.

Take a look at 1 Corinthians 11-17. Here we find Paul telling the Corinthians that Christ didn't send him to baptize believers but to preach the gospel. Paul went from being an enemy to an ambassador for Christ. Paul was crystal clear why he was here - to preach the gospel, the good news of Jesus Christ.

I'll ask it again - why are You here? God has equipped every one of us with different gifts and personalities, and He's given us different experiences and opportunities. What each of us needs to do is realize like Paul why we are here. The short answer is - we are here to give glory, honor and praise to Jesus with our lives. The long answer, now that's specific to each and every person along with what and how God plans to use us.

Last few questions, do you know your answer to this question? If you do are you living it out? If you don't know why you are here, are you willing to take a chance and trust one day at a time that maybe for you your first acknowledgment needs to be this Christmas season is that maybe you are here to come into a relationship with Jesus Christ? If you're still not sure why you are here - please ask God, talk with Him and ask Him to show you His son. Visit a local church like Hope Community Church that teaches the word of God and who Jesus is.

May this season be a season in your life that you come to truly engage why you are here.

Seized with fear

2011-12-04T11:42:00.000-08:00

Read Acts 19:11-20

A little known story happens in Acts 19:11-20 that should cause every follower of Jesus to take notice. We should be seized with fear just like the men in this story anytime we invoke the name of Jesus, without it actually being God's power.

This can be a difficult thing to discern but what we learn from this text is this: be sure if you are making claims and requests such as these Seven Sons of Sceva where they said - "In the name of Jesus whom Paul preaches, I command you to come out." You see these men weren't men of God, they were claiming power they didn't have; they were claiming ability which only God can give to drive out demons and heal illnesses.

While we don't see people too often making these claims these days, it's important for us to be aware, to be aware that we follow God; He doesn't follow us. When we pray and act in His name be sure it is by His power and name that we are operating under. He is our Lord and our Savior. Let's remember to Him belongs all the glory, honor and praise.

Living it out

2011-11-27T08:02:00.000-08:00

Read Romans 13:8-14

The law of love is expressed in Romans 13:8-14. It's a law of continuing in the debt of loving one another because when we love one another we fulfill the law. Paul tells the Romans the commands are summed up in this one rule - Love your neighbor as yourself.

Wouldn't life really be a whole lot simpler if we really understood this godly principle and lived it out with the power and help of the Holy Spirit? Now let's be honest, life isn't all that simple because people have issues. You have issues, I have issues, everybody has issues. But Paul concludes his thoughts this way - whatever happens let's clothe ourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ. This is our foundation and our strength; our hope and our ability to living it out - the law of love.

The only ongoing debt we are told in Scripture to keep is this continuing debt to love one another. A word of caution - loving others doesn't always mean we do what they want, give what they want, jump when they say jump. Loving others is taking the word of God, listening and learning and following the Spirit of God as He directs you and me to live out our faith. There is no formula for what this looks like, when to act or when not to. But there is the word of God that informs and instructs and tells us what we need to know to live holy and godly lives. Loving God and loving people is what our faith is all about. Follow Him in actions and attitudes and trust that God will lead us to live it out one day at a time.

Generous on Every Occasion

2011-11-20T08:21:00.000-08:00

Read 2 Corinthians 6:9-11

God's desire is that on every occasion we would be generous with what we have. This biblical principle reflects the character and nature of God. As followers it should also reflect our character and nature as believers desiring to be the people God wants us to be.

So what gets in our way? What blocks us from being generous with what God has freely blessed us with? While the answers abound, the few that come immediately to mind are selfishness and mindlessness. So often we get wrapped up in our own lives and what we need and want that we forget about others. It happens more than we'd like to admit. And quite frankly, we focus on ourselves with our needs and wants while missing that so many of us are blessed beyond belief.

One of the real dilemmas we face is we think this is about the other guy. We think it's the other guy who is blessed beyond belief while we are just trying to get by. However, when we stop and evaluate our abundance it's a quick reminder that we have so much in life and God wants us to bless others so that they might come to know Him. Listen, we're talking about blessing others so that through generosity the result will be thanksgiving to God. Let's not ever miss that.

This Thanksgiving - consider how you might be a blessing to others. Maybe it's through a physical need, an emotional need, a relational need or some combination of the these needs. Whatever it is - be generous on every occasion because God is good; because God is worthy to be praised. So let's live our lives with generosity on every occasion giving thanks to God in every way possible.

Know that I am God

2011-11-13T08:45:00.000-08:00

Read Psalm 46

We are so inundated with life and all the happenings going on around us that we get so caught up in our lives that we forget these important words in Psalm 46:10.

Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.

Listen knowing God is the greatest, most important thing you and I can ever do. Who He is and how we respond determines everything about us. His proclamation - I will be exalted above the nation, I will be exalted in the earth - is so important for you and I to meditate about. He will be exalted - period.

May the prayer of our life be that we exalt Him with our actions and attitudes. May others see us and see a reflection of who God is because we follow the exalted and Most High God.

Responding in kind?

2011-11-06T11:12:00.000-08:00

Read 1 Peter 2:21-25

So often we respond in kind to others just as they respond to us. Sometimes that's good and sometimes that's not so good - you know what I mean?!

Peter tells us in 1 Peter 2:21-25 how Jesus responded. When He suffered, he left us an example to follow. Now I'm going to be completely honest with you - His example is hard to follow. Verse 23a is what hits me the hardest. When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Question - is this how we respond? When someone insults you or me, what's our natural response? When we suffer, do we seek revenge?

Peter tells us Jesus' response was supernatural. He neither retaliated, nor did He make threats. Verse 23b tells us - Instead, he (Jesus) entrusted himself to him who judges justly.

Now that's how I want to respond but my natural self says - no way! But you and I, once we come into a relationship with Jesus, when we call ourselves Christians it means we are followers of Jesus. This means we are to follow His example. And that means we can respond supernaturally. We can turn our attention to God who judges all things justly and we can entrust ourselves to God to take care of everything we face. Listen, this doesn't mean we will never want to retaliate or seek revenge when we are wronged. What it means is believers can respond in kind by following the example of Jesus because we have the power and presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

The Little Things...

2011-10-30T01:38:00.000-07:00

Read Judges 2

So often we quarrel about the little things, we think they really don't matter. And generally speaking that is so true. But when reading through the book of Judges recently (and admittedly after reading through Joshua as well) it is quite clear the little things matter.

While preparing to speak at Hope's recent annual Men's Weekend retreat, it was clear studying Joshua's life and Israel's history that God cares about the little things. Time after time we see Israel missing the little things and consequences follow. When Moses chose to strike the rock instead of obeying God who told Moses to speak to the rock so that water would come out for the Israelites, Moses suffered the consequences. Then in Joshua when the Israelites didn't completely listen to God in Joshua 7 and 9, again consequences came when they skipped over the little things. Now in Judges we see Israel not following the little things God required of them.

Listen, what seems like little things to you and me are not so little to God. He is a holy, just, and righteous God who desires that our lives follow Him without skipping over the little things. We can all admit this is hard, but God doesn't call us to do what He doesn't equip us to do.

Spend time reading and learning from the mistakes made by the Israelites in Judges 2. And let's not skip over the little things in our lives but consider even these little things to be big in God's sight.

The Word of God

2011-10-23T09:37:00.000-07:00

Read Psalm 119:105-112

There's something Joshua, Jesus and Paul all had in common. Their ministry success was based on the word of God. Yes it's true others in scripture were committed and successful because they followed the word of God, but these three men specifically come to mind when one thinks of the word and its impact in their lives.

First their is Joshua. He is told as he is ready to lead the Israelites into the Promised Land the importance of the word of God. He's told in Joshua 1:8 - Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.

Jesus says in Mark 1:38 - Let us go somewhere else - to the nearby villages - so I can preach there also. That is why I have come. And Paul says in 1 Corinthians 1:17 - For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel - not with words of human wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.

You see, over and over again we're told how the word of God is so important to our faith and to life. With the word of God we are given direction and purpose. It also tells us everything we need to know (note - not everthing there is to know).

Take time this week and spend time in His word. We all have our own ideas and thoughts and yet God wants us following His. We do this best when we are in the word which gives us what we need when we need it.

From Alienation to Reconciliation

2011-10-16T01:00:00.000-07:00

Read Colossians 1:21-23

The gospel is mentioned throughout the New Testament; by Jesus and His followers. But really what is it? What's the message of the gospel?

While in seminary one professor referenced 1 Corinthians 15 where the Apostle Paul writes the gospel is about Jesus' life, death, burial and resurrection as a great passage to help explain what the gospel is. And for years it's been where I've turned for perhaps one of the best explanations of what the gospel is all about. However, the other day I read Colossians 1:21-23 and saw something perhaps even better (if that's even possible to compare one part of scripture as "better" than another).

Paul writes to the Christians at Colosse and says the gospel is simply this - before you came to know Jesus as the forgiver of your sins and leader of your lives you were alienated, living as enemies of Christ because of our evil and sinful behavior. But now God has reconciled our relationship with God by the physical death of Jesus. He writes anyone who believes this is "holy in his sight" because by faith we've accepted Jesus' work on the cross, His paying for our sins sacrifically what we could never pay by our own effort.

Friends this is the gospel that was proclaimed in Jesus and Paul's day; and it's this gospel we are to share today with every creature under heaven. Listen, God desires that no one should perish and experience eternal separation from Him. So let's be part of sharing this message so all mankind can go from alienation to reconciliation with our heavenly Father.

My Soul Sings

2011-10-09T08:25:00.000-07:00

Read Psalm 57

What is it that makes your heart sing? Do you know what I mean? What is it that lifts you up and gives you a sense of hope and possibility even when your circumstances appear to be calling for doubt and frustration?

The Psalmist in Psalm 57 gives us great wisdom. He gives us direction to trust in God in our troubles and to allow our soul to sing the praises of God Most High. Psalm 57:2 tells us to cry out to God Most High, to God, who fulfills his purpose for me. Think about that. It is God's purpose for us that He is working out in our lives. He sends His love and his faithfulness at all times, no matter what. And while verse six describes people spreading traps to trip us up, ultimately they will receive their due; their own traps will ensnare them.

We are called to be steadfast - like a rock, unwavering in times of trouble because our trust is in the One who can be trusted. Will you praise Him in your storm? Will you exalt His Holy name, desiring His holy name and glory to reign over your life? No one is immune from the trappings of life, where people are attacking our character, our faith, our families, and even our God. But when we wake up every morning and commit to live with the response - My Soul Sings - we can face everything because our trust in God rises above all these trappings in life. Allow your soul to sing His praises when you face trouble. Allow your soul to sing when people try and trip you up. And allow your soul to sing because our God is greater than everything we face; He has a purpose for our lives and He deserves our praise. Father God receive our praise this week. Amen!

What's Our Ministry?

2011-10-02T10:49:00.000-07:00

Read 2 Corinthians 5:11-21

Second Corinthians 5:11-21 answers the question what's our ministry. It tells us we are to be in ministry trying to persuade people to fear the Lord. This phrase fear the Lord is familiar in the Old Testament and conveys the image of awe and reverence. It's about putting God first in our lives and then being compelled by Christ's love, living for Him.

Writing to the Corinthian believers in this second letter, Paul reminds them and ultimately us that we are not to regard anyone from a worldly point of view. Instead since we ourselves are a new creation because of our faith in Jesus Christ, we are to be compelled by the same love Jesus has for us. Compelled to love others so much that we are God's ambassadors willing to do whatever it takes to help others in this world know what God's word says. In other words, since we have been reconciled to God (since we now have a right relationship with God because of faith in Jesus) we are to help others be reconciled as well.

Listen, our ministry is simple - preach and teach and model Jesus Christ. Motivated by Jesus' love for us, we are to love others in this world so much that our ministry is to persuade people to come into a reconciled relationship with God through faith in Christ.

Will this ministry be easy? No. Will it be received by everyone? No. Will our ministry glorify God? Yes. Because we are living for Him and doing what He has asked us to do, helping people become rightly related to our living God as we learn to place our faith and trust in Jesus as the forgiver of our sins and leader of our lives.

Make it our goal...

2011-09-25T09:20:00.000-07:00

Read 2 Corinthians 5:1-10

The Apostle Paul writes some pretty deep stuff - have you ever noticed that? Second Corinthians 5 is no exception.

Writing to the Corinthian believers he compares our lives saying now we live in these temporary bodies, in tents; but what awaits us is our eternal house in heaven, our future heavenly home. We are to live by faith, not by sight confident in knowing what is to come. We are to make it our goal to please Him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. Because all of us will one day face judgment. Believers will appear before the judgment seat of Christ where we will receive what is due us for the things done while in the body. I told you these were some deep things.

Paul encourages these believers to remember that what we do matters for our future because all of us will face judgment for what we do, whether good or bad. Now before we mistake what Paul is and is not saying, let's start with what he is not saying. He is not saying what we do determines our eternal destiny, because we can't earn our way into heaven. What he is saying is there will be judgment (he writes about this kind of judgment in 1 Corinthians 3 if you'd like to read more about this) where rewards in heaven will be received or lost based on our faithfulness to Christ now in this life. So no matter what we are to always make it our goal to please who? That's right - Jesus Christ.

Today, this week, let's take a life inventory and determine if there's anything getting in our way of making it our goal to please the Lord. If there is, what's it going to take to release it and let it go? Remember the Christian life is about declaring the praises of God, living and doing and being about what is pleasing in God's sight. May His glory always be our first goal.

Chosen People

2011-09-18T08:17:00.000-07:00

Read 1 Peter 2:9-10

Did you read 1 Peter 2:9-10? If not please stop and take a minute to read it before continuing.

Now that you've read the passage - take a second look at Peter's words. One word describes my feelings and thoughts when I come across this passage - powerful. Did you see what we are? We are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation and a people belonging to God. Wow! That is just so powerful.

That the God of all creation would choose us, call us a royal priesthood and holy nation and claim us as people belonging to Him - I can't wrap my head around the magnitude of that. We are the chosen people of God and while we can get stopped dead in our tracks, amazed at the connection we have with God, I love even more what Peter says next. He tells us what we are to do as a result of being God's chosen people.

He says we are all these things so that we may declare the praises of Him who called us out of darkness and into His wonderful light. The question I believe God wants us answering every day is how are we declaring His praises. Are we declaring His praises every day, no matter what's happening in our lives?

What helps you and I declare God's praises is remembering. Remembering we are God's chosen people; remembering we were once in darkness but now we're in His light; and remembering we have received God's mercy. It's by His mercy that we are the people of God. Let's praise Him with everything we have because after all that is why we are here and what we are called to do.

Always Remember

2011-09-11T08:34:00.000-07:00

Read Psalm 77

September 11, 2001 is a day to always remember. We will always remember the horror, the hurt and the disbelief of that historical day 9/11.

Yet as believers we need to always remember that our God is greater than anything we will ever face. In times of chaos, times of pain and times of loss we are called to always remember that our God is able to do more than we can think or imagine.

The Psalmist tells us in Psalm 77 what he did as he wrestled in his time of chaos and pain and loss. First, he cried out to God for help and for God to hear him. In his anxiety he stretched out his hands and yet he was still without comfort and he grew weary.

Next he rattled off question after question - Will the Lord reject forever? Will He never show His favor again? Has His unfailing love vanished forever? Has His promise failed for all time? Has God forgotten to be merciful? Has He in anger withheld His compassion?

Now before we're too hard on the Psalmist, stop and consider what we do when tough times come our way. Do we take it in stride or do we begin asking all kinds of questions just like the Psalmist?

But then the Psalmist appeals to the goodness of God. He remembers who God is, the deeds He has done in the past. He recalls the miracles of long ago and begins meditating on all God's mighty works. And what happens next is what we see in sports when momentum shifts. The Psalmist turns a corner and begins rallying in spirit because of who God is!

He rejoices in God because He is holy; because no one is so great as our God. He praises His miracles, His power among the peoples and the redemption He brought the descendants of Jacob and Joseph. All nature responded to God's power - the waters, the clouds and skies, the thunder and lightning and the earth trembled and quaked. And the Psalmist closes with verse 20 recalling how God led His people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron.

When tough times come what do you do? Do you ask questions? Do you demand answers? All these are natural for us. Yet the Psalmist teaches what is so important - always remember our God is greater. Always remember to worship - rejoice and declare His praises - in the good times and bad.

Worry Knots

2011-09-04T08:35:00.000-07:00

Read Matthew 6:25-34

Think about this - have you every met anyone who likes to, wants to be restricted? Ever met anyone who prefers limited movement instead of unlimited. Here's the point - when it comes to worry, worry ties all of us up in knots. Worry knots keep us from the experiencing the freedom we were meant to have as new creations in Christ.

Worry simply gets in our way, restricts us and prevents us from being the people God intends us to be. Yet so many of us live with one worry or another and we allow it (whatever it is) to rent space in our heads.

Read Matthew 6:25-34 this week and spend time meditating on these great words from Jesus. Instead of focusing on worry, focus on God's kingdom and His righteousness and the worry slips away, far away from the space it was never intended to rent in the first place.

God Works

2011-08-28T03:00:00.000-07:00

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.

Thirsting for God

2011-08-21T01:54:00.000-07:00

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.

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

2011-08-14T08:24:00.000-07:00

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.

Shepherds Heart

2011-08-07T06:13:00.000-07:00

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.

Serving Like Moses?

2011-07-31T00:38:00.000-07:00

Read Exodus 18:9-27

Why are you doing that? It's a question many of us have been asked and many of us ask of others. It's interesting because this question is asked of Moses by his father-in-law Jethro. Moses is the leader of Israel and each day he took his seat to serve as judge for the people. And he did this from morning til evening.

Jethro speaks up and causes Moses to realize what he's doing isn't good. He will wear himself out while all these others, those who are capable are standing by not participating in any way to help Moses.

The church can be like this - we have lots of capable and godly people who just need to be asked to serve, to step up and lead, much like the leaders who Moses eventually chose to help him serve the people. People will always need to be served but what's also true is the instruction Moses received from Jethro, especially verses 19-23. Take some time and read this passage. Here's Moses' instruction from Jethro:

1. the work is too hard for you (ever feel that way?)
2. teach the people the word of God, the law; show them the way to live and the duties they can help you with
3. select capable men who fear God and are trustworthy, hating dishonest gain
4. have them serve as judges with you while you handle the tougher cases.

Easy enough but necessary to remember when we work together as a body of believers we can accomplish so much more than wearing ourselves out trying to do it all ourselves. Let's remember to invite others to participate with us in ministry all for the glory of God. When we do we'll realize God equips the called, and we are all called to serve our faithful Father.

Hearing & Doing...

2011-07-24T07:50:00.000-07:00

Read James 1:22-25

Messages bombard us everyday. Messages that have importance and messages that have little to no effect on the quality of our lives. And the truth be told, too many of us listen more to these latter messages than the messages that have true importance and impact in our daily lives.

James writes these words in James 1:22 - Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Think about this - so many hear the word of God and 'merely listen.' We ignore doing what it says and James says when we do this we are deceiving ourselves. But how are we deceiving ourselves? Later in verse 26 he writes with using the example of someone who considers himself religious but doesn't keep a tight reign on his tongue, his words. He says the person who does this deceives himself and his religion/faith is worthless.

Never were we intended to merely hear the word of God. We were always intended to hear it and do it - this friends is faith; faith that is belief put into action. May we examine our faith today, this week and reflect on James' words. Ask ourselves, am I deceiving myself? Is my faith worthless?

At the end of verse 25 James says when we do not forget what we hear, but put our faith into action and do what it says we will be "blessed" in what we do. Take this blessing and receive it into your life. Be a person whose faith is hearing and doing for this is what pleases our Father.

Better is One Day...

2011-07-17T11:21:00.000-07:00

Read Psalm 84

We delight and rejoice in a lot of things. But probably something we neglect to delight in on a daily basis is our future. Specifically where we will spend eternity with God and enjoy His presence in the New Jerusalem.

Psalm 84 speaks about how amazing God's dwelling place is; how it is better to spend one day in His courts than a thousand elsewhere. Think about that, do you anticipate with excitement living with God in eternity? Do you know what that will even be like?

God's word tells us so much about the house of God and where we'll spend eternity. But let's take a moment and focus on Psalm 84:10 - it says "Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere." That's powerful! And I believe it's because the Psalmist is anticipating the presence and holiness of God and being there to experience His great glory.

We're reminded of many things in the Bible - about God and about us. But the messages we're told over and over again about our future are filled with anticipation as we await heaven. Whatever you're facing today, allow this hope and excitement of what one day will be to overshadow these light and momentary trials.

Warnings...

2011-07-10T00:13:00.000-07:00

Read 2 Peter 2

Scripture warns us about things. Warns us about the choices we make, deciding if we're going to live and honor Him with our lives. Warns us about falling back into sinful patterns of behavior. And warns us about the consequences to ourselves and others when we disobey the warnings of God. But probably the most important warning that's repeated in Scripture is all the warnings against false teachers.

2 Peter 2 speaks about the false prophets of the past as well as the false teachings of the present for the believers in Peter's day. Peter warns of their secretely introduced heresies and their destructive ways that many will follow. Question - why do so many follow these false teachings?

I believe it's because we simply don't know the word of God. Peter offers examples in 2 Peter 2:4-11 (examples like the angels who sinned and were cast into hell; the ancient world of the ungodly brought into the flood during the days of Noah; the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah turned into ashes as an example to those who afterward would live ungodly; the deliverance of Lot who was oppressed by the filthy conduct of the wicked).

These examples are intended to teach and help us not get caught up with the "many" who follow false teachings. Listen, false teachers exist. When they teach will you know they are teaching what is false? Or will you know the truth of God because you're in the word of God?

When in doubt always remember our foundation is in the truth of who God is and He tells us all about Himself and what He expects from us in the Bible. Let's learn from Him and always be prepared to know the truth and live it out.

God's Will...

2011-07-03T08:33:00.000-07:00

Read 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Writing to the Thessalonians Paul offers three choices for believers to make no matter what's happening in their lives. He says - be joyful always, pray continually and give thanks in all circumstances. Any one of these challenges us as we think about our day to day lives. Being joyful always is a challenge because we're being called to express joy always. How is this possible?

Next he says to pray continually which is like saying no matter what let your thoughts go right into conversation with God with everything you're dealing with. Again, how is this possible?

Lastly Paul says to give thanks in all circumstances. Really Paul, in all circumstances? Seems quite impossible to accomplish doesn't it? Even selecting just one of these commands and attempting to live it out appears unreasonable.

However, Paul ends this verse by saying "for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." I know what you're thinking - great, I've wanted to know God's will for my life and now here it is. Always be joyful, pray without ceasing and be thankful in all situations. Now I don't know about you but I've been through some pretty tough times in my life, so when I read this passage it really catches my attention. Maybe it's caught your attention too.

But I believe God calls us to this way of living for Him for two reasons. First, it really is God's will for our lives. And second, He doesn't expect us to be able to accomplish this on our own. We're given the Holy Spirit, the third person of the trinity, that empowers us to focus our lives on the joy we have in Christ because of His sacrifice for us; empowers us to talk with God at all times about everything that's happening in our lives; and empowers us to realize, even when we don't understand, that God will use all our circumstances for His glory.

So let's submit to God's will for our lives and realize nothing is impossible with God. Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. Amen.

Simply the Best

2011-06-26T07:15:00.000-07:00

Read Malachi 1:6-14

"I'm doing the best I can" is a phrase uttered in virtually every relationship we can think of. It's said between husband and wife, parent and child, teacher and student, employer and employee, coach and player. Think about it, it's a saying we utter without giving it the thought it really demands. To say "I'm doing the best I can" is a bold statement. And it's a statement many followers of Christ might not want to admit we make, but whether we say it out loud or simply believe it inside, the truth is we don't always give God our best.

The prophet Malachi points out the imperfect sacrifices of the priests and people, demonstrating the content of their hearts. The people weren't sincere and Malachi confronted this attitude with the Word of God which was clearly calling for unblemished sacrifices and sincere hearts.

Malachi tells us in Malachi 1:6-14 how God feels when we give less than our best. God is the best of the best so what He wants from us, deserves from us is simply the best. Read this passage, then meditate on how all of us are called to give God our very best. Our very best attitude and effort in every way possible. Remember what God says in v. 14 - "For I am a great King" and "My name is to be feared among the nations."

The Compassionate God

2011-06-19T10:54:00.000-07:00

Read Psalm 86

It never matters how often we deal with it, it always stings. The death of a loved one is never easy and always we're in need of being consoled when we lose a loved family member or friend. God shows us in Psalm 86 we have a God who understands, a God we can turn to in all our difficult times and a God who always offers His great compassion and grace.

Psalm 86 reminds us that we can always turn to God in our time of need. No one is immune from needing God's help when we're facing difficult times. Take time and read Psalm 86 and reflect on how this prayer of David just might reveal your need to come before God and rely on His goodness, His forgiveness, His compassion.

Allow this Psalm to penetrate whatever it is you are facing this week and be reminded that God will answer you in your time of trouble because as verse 13 says "great is your love toward me."

Focused Ministry

2011-06-12T07:37:00.000-07:00

Read Acts 6:1-8

It happens in every ministry - people complain. In Acts 6 we catch a glimpse of the complaining going on between widows who were feeling like they were not being treated fairly. So the Twelve apostles gathered the disciples to devise a plan so they could remain focused on their ministry.

The plan - let us do what we have been called to do; so in the meantime let's choose seven men, known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom who will take over this responsibility of serving food to the Grecian and Hebraic Jews. They did this so their ministry of prayer and ministry of the word would continue.

Check out the results of their plan - "the proposal pleased the whole group" and the word of God spread as the number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, while a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.

Focus yourself on the ministry God called you to and remember the results will draw people into commitment and obedience to Him.

Message of Clarity

2011-06-05T07:55:00.000-07:00

Read Matthew 9:1-8

All of us would agree, at least from time to time, that reading the words of Jesus recorded in the gospels often leave us scratching our heads. Case in point is Matthew 9:1-8. A man who is paralyzed is brought to Jesus and His response leaves us confused. After seeing their faith Jesus says, "Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven." Can you imagine hearing these words and thinking what was that all about?! I mean seriously why does He tell this man His sins are forgiven. What's that all about? Is it because of this man's sin that he was paralyzed is a question that comes to mind.

Yet Jesus doesn't leave us hanging for long. In verse five and six He explains. Tells those charging Him with blasphemy that for Him it's just as easy to say your sins are forgiven as it is to say get up and walk to a paralyzed man. He was giving them a sign, healing a man physically to show that He can do so much more than what's physical. He can heal us of our sin.

Don't miss the last verse. Matthew 9:8 tells us the crowd praised God for what Jesus had just done. This is so important - that not one of us neglects to praise God for His amazing gift, forgiving our sins!

Who?

2011-05-29T07:48:00.000-07:00

Read Philippians 1:2-7

Who do you know as well as Paul knows the Philippians? People that you can say like Paul does about his friends in Philippi that they are partners together in the gospel?

Paul's words come across as great encouragement to the Philippians. He's confident of their faith, filled with joy because of their commitment to Christ and recognizes that God isn't done with the Philippians.

Friends, it's important for all of us to have a Paul in our life and be a Paul to someone else. We all need people to encourage us and partner with us and contend with us for the faith in Jesus Christ. This world throws a lot of discouragement and distraction when we want to live obedient to the word of God. So who is it you know that's cheering you on? Who is it you now that's celebrating when you're celebrating and praying with you when you need prayer? All of us are in this together and we need one another. God repeats Himself over and over with commands for us to come alongside one another as brothers and sisters in faith so that the word and work of God will be carried on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Pray this week for the people in your life. Thank God for those who have been like Paul to you and ask God to show you who you can be like Paul to.

Impossible?

2011-05-22T06:36:00.000-07:00

Read Mark 10:27

Jesus' disciples were perplexed. Ever felt that way when something doesn't make sense? If so then you know exactly how the disciples felt this day when speaking with Jesus.

He was answering the rich young man's question, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?" After realizing what stood between him and eternal life and what Jesus required of Him, he went away said because he loved his great wealth more than God. What about us? What's in our life that we love more than God? Honestly.

Jesus makes it perfectly clear - inheriting eternal life on our own IS impossible. But He goes on to let everyone know - WITH GOD nothing is impossible.

Praise Him, thank Him and commit to Him all that you have. Nothing compares to His glorious riches offered to us by His amazing grace. And love Him for making the impossible, possible in Christ alone.

Release

2011-05-15T11:48:00.000-07:00

Read Acts 4:23-31

Peter and John had been arrested because of their faith and upon their release some interesting things happened. First, they were not deterred from praising God. They opened in prayer, praising God and then recalling David's words and how the nations plot against the King of Kings. They remember Herod and Pontius Pilate conspiring against God's holy servant Jesus. What a great description of Jesus - holy servant! It's who we are called to imitate by the power of the Holy Spirit.

And then as they continued praying, after asking God to perform miraculous signs and wonders, the place where they were meeting was filled with the Holy Spirit and the word of God was spoken boldly.

Friends, let's be ambassadors for the release and power of the Holy Spirit in our world today! We have God's power living in us, so let's not waiver or cowher to the plots and plans of man. But instead let's be men and women committed to abiding in Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit so that the truth of God may be made known everywhere.

Sheep Listen

2011-05-08T06:48:00.000-07:00

Read John 10:22-30

You may or may not think so, but sheep are interesting. Think about it - they become so familiar with their shepherds voice that when they hear it they listen. And Jesus uses this truth to explain to a gathering of Jewish people that they in fact are not His sheep. How does He know this? Well of course because He's God, but also because He already told them He was the Christ and they didn't recognize His voice. See if they were His sheep they would have known He was their shepherd, their Messiah.

Now for many of us we have already identified Jesus as our Shepherd so we know His voice and we follow Him. But at times for all of us we confuse His voice for someone elses. And it's at these times we have to learn to block out the noise and really focus on the voice of God. Because if we don't we are following another shepherd and that shepherd doesn't have our best interest in mind.

Take time and consider areas of your life where you are hearing and following Jesus' voice. Isn't it wonderful to know God is with you, guiding and navigating you through the turns of life? But then take some additional time, and this really requires focused attention, and consider areas of your life where you aren't hearing and following Jesus' voice. Question - how's that working out for you? All of us need this reminder that we can only hear God's voice if He is our shepherd. Let's listen to His voice and follow Him.

Example of Ezra

2011-05-01T08:04:00.000-07:00

Read Ezra 7:10

This one short verse says a lot about this man Ezra. It tells us he was a man devoted to the study of the Law of the Lord. But it tells us more. It tells us he was a man who was devoted to the observance of the Law of the Lord. And then it tells us one more thing, he was devoted to teaching the decrees of the Law of the Lord in Israel.

Imagine for a moment your name was going to be included in the Holy Scriptures. Think about that for a minute. What would you want it to say about you? Would it say the kind of things that were written about Ezra? Now take another moment and consider not what you would want it to say, but what would it actually say based on how and what you have devoted your life to? Would you be thankful for what was written about your devotion or would you prefer your name be left out because your devotion was placed in the wrong places.

Ezra's life with this one little verse gives us a great example of what and how we should devote our lives. Let's commit ourselves to full devotion. Full devotion to studying the word of God; full devotion to obeying the word and then full devotion to sharing the truth of God.

Who's Your Daddy

2011-04-24T07:39:00.000-07:00

Read John 8:31-44

So often we have this image of Jesus and it's not exactly in line with what the Bible actually says. Sometimes we see Him as this soft spoken, kind, cordial and even tolerant teacher. Other times we see Him as this amazing miracle man from times past who simply came to preach and teach a message of forgiveness and acceptance. Yet in reading the gospels we see some things we often forget about His interactions with people who didn't think much about Him, who didn't care much about His teaching and preaching and miracles and everything else He brought to the table because He was challenging their belief. And if you've ever engaged in conversation with someone about whether or not their faith was right, you know what we're talking about.

Jesus had this conversation recorded in John 8:31-44 where He tells the religious leaders of His day God is not their father. Think about that. Today we hear people say things like we're all God's children. But that's not what Jesus says. In fact, He says not only isn't God their father but their father is the devil. Admittedly this seems extreme at first glance. But Jesus and the rest of scripture doesn't shy away from truth. We are either for Him or against Him.

None of us likes to hear we are enemies of God. But the truth is left to ourselves, without the atoning sacrifice of Christ's death on the cross, that's what we are. Because all sinners outside of Christ are enslaved, held captive by sin, and therefore, by definition, hostile to God.

That is why we should celebrate what Jesus did for us. By His sacrifice, sins are forgiven for everyone who believes. And by His sacrifice, our relationship with God the Father has changed from enemies of God to friends of God. Take time this week to praise God for this redeemed relationship offered to everyone who by faith believes Jesus is the Messiah.

In Christ

2011-04-17T08:03:00.000-07:00

Read 2 Corinthians 5:17-19

So often we think we can do whatever we set our minds to. And while it's true we can do some pretty amazing things once our minds our set, there's one thing no one can do no matter how determined we are. Yet many insist we have to be able to do this one thing. Some think this way because of pride, while others think this way because that's just the way they've always thought. If I can put my mind to anything I can do it.

This one thing the Bible makes perfectly clear repeatedly is about how we are reconciled with God. Take a few minutes and read 2 Corinthians 5:17-19. Paul makes one thing clear - only in Christ is it possible for the world to be reconciled to himself and our sins not counted against us. This isn't something we can do; it's just not possible. But God, in Christ chose to do the work because it was something ONLY he could do.

Listen, God's love is available to everyone. Yet this passage tells us only those who are in Christ are reconciled with God and only those who are in Christ will not have their sins counted against us. This reveals that if anyone is not in Christ then they are not reconciled or in a right relationship with God and their sins will be counted against them. This is why it is so important to first understand what it means to be in Christ and then accept our responsibility for being people who share this good news. In Christ simply means we have accepted God's transfer of His sons righteousness into our lives, not based on our works but based on Jesus'. And because Jesus' righteousness is transferred to all who accept this gift our sins will not be counted against us. This is good news because everyone has the opportunity to receive this gift. Take time this week and pray about God's design that we can be in Christ simply by accepting what we celebrate this week. Jesus' life, death, burial and resurrection.

Grace Gospel

2011-04-10T07:20:00.000-07:00

Read Galatians 1:6-9

The grace gospel is all about God's grace. Yet here in Galatians 1 Paul warns about turning away from God's grace to another gospel. The question begs to be asked - how can we tell if what's being preached is contrary to what this grace gospel is all about?

It comes down simply to this - know the word of God. You see the gospel is clearly communicated in Scripture. And while it is clear, something else is also very clear. There will be some who teach and preach a false gospel. Jesus warns about it in Matthew 7 and here in Galatians 1 Paul warns about it. One of the problems we face though is this ideology that we don't want to be people who stand up and speak up when what's being taught is not in line with the clear and sound teaching of God's holy word.

Paul proclaims in our passage a curse on anyone who would be so bold as to distort or change the true gospel. What's the true gospel? It's the gospel of grace where God gives us what we don't deserve. Christ made atonement for our sins by suffering in our place as our substitute. This atonement is the price paid to reconcile us to God because left to ourselves we'd always remain as enemies of God. Jesus took care of that when He paid the penalty for our sins. Bottom line is this - "we need this gospel to remind ourselves that our day-to-day standing with God is based on Christ's righteousness, not our performance. We need the gospel to motivate us to strive in our daily experience to be what we are in our standing before God. We need it to produce joy in our lives when we encounter the inevitable trials of living in a fallen and sin-cursed world." The Great Exchange

Jesus' Warning

2011-04-05T13:30:00.000-07:00

Read Matthew 7:15-20

So much has been written, spoken and sung about in our lifetime that at times we can't separate the ordinary from the extraordinary. God's word has been said to be a lamp unto our feet, a light unto our path; God's word has been said to be God-breathed, inspired by the living God; and God's word has been under attack from the beginning of time. Starting with Genesis 3 when the serpent says to Eve, did God really say, there's been this calling into question God's word.

Jesus cautioned his earliest disciples with these words from Matthew 7:15 - Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. Today we are still in need of taking seriously Jesus' warning. In Acts 17:11 the Bereans and Thessalonians were acknowledged as the people of God who correctly handled the word of God by comparing if what was being taught was correct. On what basis was this comparison made? The teaching was compared with Scripture, God's word.

Friends no matter what is taught, no matter who is teaching it we are called (2 Timothy 2:15) to correctly handle the word of truth. You see God is the author and perfector of our faith and that includes accepting Him as the author and perfector of truth.

One last thought for this weeks Living Hope Devotional - we are to do more than just hear truth, we are to be doers of the word of truth. Seek truth, then live truth. Amen.

Follow Him Into Eternity

2011-03-29T09:48:00.000-07:00

Read Matthew 19:16-26

Jesus talks of a rich young man in Matthew 19. This rich young man asks perhaps one of the most important questions in all of history - what must I do to get eternal life? Jesus simply tells him, obey the commandments. And this begins an incredible dialogue we would all be served well to engage in ourselves.

The man tells Jesus he's kept all the commands Jesus lists, yet Jesus knows what's holding this man back. Remember, he's a rich young man. His wealth it's what's keeping him for complete commitment to Christ. What's in your way? You see some of us misinterpret this passage to read we're all to go and sell everything we have. Jesus' example with this rich young man is about what's in his way of full devotion to God. So if it's wealth that gets in your path so that you're not following Jesus, get rid of it. If it's something else, get rid of it. The point is, whatever is in your way - let it go, because it's not worth eternity separated from God. Hearing this conversation, the disciples asked, "Who then can be saved?" Great question! Jesus gives a great reply - with man this is impossible (meaning we can't save ourselves) but with God all things are possible (that's why we need a Savior).

Praise Him that He gives eternal life to all who by faith follow Him.

Call My Name

2011-03-20T07:31:00.000-07:00

Read Hebrews 12:1-2

Music has such an impact in life and in so many ways. Perhaps none more important than music with lyrics that call us back to our Heavenly Father. Third Day has a song titled Call My Name. It's lyrics and chorus go something like this:

When you feel like you're alone in your sadness
It seems like no one else in this whole world cares
And you want to get away from the madness
You just call My name and I'll be there
You just call My name and I'll be there

The pain inside
Has erased your hope for love
Soon you will find
That I'll give you all
That your heart could ever want
And so much more

Scripture gives us a passage that matches well with this song (at least as I see it). Hebrews 12:1-2 reveals a few things. First, there are things that entangle us. Things the author calls sin. And we're told to "throw off" the sin that so easily entangles us. But then it says "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith." Whenever life has you, whether in it's sadness or madness, let's focus on Christ who for the joy set before Him endured the cross and all it's suffering because there, in relationship with Jesus God gives us more than our heart could ever want.

Unplugged Power

2011-03-13T08:19:00.000-07:00

Read Acts 1:8

Jesus promises His disciples when they see Him after His death they would receive power. And this power would be power from the Holy Spirit with a specific purpose. You see power can be used and generated for all sorts of things. Yet the power Jesus is talking about is the power of being His witness in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.

When we think of this kind of power for this kind of purpose many of us would need to admit that we have an unplugged power within us. It's unplugged because we're uncomfortable sharing our faith with the world we live in. For some of us it's because we're not sure what to say or how to say it. This comes down to knowing how to comfortably and with clarity share the gospel, the good news of Jesus - who He is and what He's done for us in our lives. But for others, it's about not tapping into the power we have, the power of the Holy Spirit to share the message of Christ with the world. And if this is you here's a challenge - God has given us everything we need to live for Him. He's given us everything we need to be clear on what we're to be spending our time doing. All of us, as followers of Jesus, are commissioned to share the power of the gospel because as Jesus said I will build my church.

So if you're unsure what to say or how to say it - there's power in taking Class 401 at Hope. Class 401 is the class where you learn your personal style in sharing your faith; where you learn how to confidently share the message of Christianity with those in your circle of influence who so desperately need salvation. You're encouraged to sign up for this Discovery Class, which by the way is being offered March 27th at Hope.

Jesus desires you and I to go in the power of the Holy Spirit and share the power of the gospel with the world we live in. So let's take this promised power and plug into it so we may be a conduit of God Almighty's power.

Come Together

2011-03-06T11:52:00.000-08:00

Read 1 Timothy 1:1-11

Years ago there was this song entitled Come Together and for some reason after reading this 1 Timothy 1 passage this title came to mind. So often in the church today we see sides drawn over issues that seem to divide us. Looking at 1 Timothy 1 we see Paul encouraging the Christian brothers to stay in Ephesus so they may "command certain men not to teach false doctrines any longer nor to devote themselves" to things that stir up what promote controversies. Instead he writes what's most important to promote, what we're to come together on, is the work of God. So what is the work of God?

The context here is truth AND love. He's warning about heresy in doctrine and life. Today we need to be just as sure about our doctrine and our application of God's word. The two - truth and love - go hand in hand. Leave one out and we are sorely missing God's purpose, His plan for our daily lives where we're called to live completely devoted to the word and way of God.

The challenge this week - be a fan of God's law (His truth) and His love. Then go and be His disciples, giving glory to God as we come together sharing his truth and love wherever we go.

Change

2011-02-27T11:44:00.000-08:00

Read Romans 12:1-2

Change is one of those words that conveys so many different concepts to so many different people. Some people love it and some people run from it. But the change the Bible tells us about is necessary, no matter if we love it or run from it.

Romans 12 speaks of the change we're talking about. Change that's real, that's genuine, that makes a difference in our lives and the lives of others. Have you thought about change lately? What kind of change God has made in your life (past tense) and what kind of change God's doing right now (present tense) and what kind of change God has in store for you (future tense)?

The words that jump out at us from Romans 12:1-2 are conformed and transformed. When we are conformed we're allowing the world to change us, influence our attitudes and actions. But the change God desires comes when we're transformed, changed by the Word. There's no substitute for the Word of God because the Word is where we receive our direction and connection with God.

Think of it this way, all of us are going to change over time. Some of us will be changed for the good while others changed for the not so good. And what God wants us to realize is we are transformed when we allow our minds to be influenced by God's words and not the words of this world. Now once we are transformed God calls us to be agents of change in this world we live in.

Consider how God has changed you over time and consider how you might allow God to use you in the transformation process of others. We were meant for so much more than just living for ourselves, so let's live with expectation as God continues to do His work in us and through us and may all the glory be His.

God's Perspective

2011-02-20T09:08:00.000-08:00

Read Isaiah 1:1-17

So many times I think we get it wrong. We think God is just like us. Don't get me wrong we probably would never say it out loud but the way we act shows that we think we're better than we are. And the truth be told our perspective is completely different from God's perspective.

In Isaiah 1 we read how God gives the prophet this vision to speak to the people of Judah during the reign of several kings. And what's important to realize is what has God's attention is how God raised this nation as his own, they are His children yet the case against Judah is made - "they have rebelled against me." That's quite an accusation, but God builds on this charge to say the people have "forsaken the LORD" and "spurned the Holy One of Israel." Now these are serious charges, much more than a traffic violation or a misdemeanor in our day. They are serious because whenever the children of God by their words or deeds diminish the name of God there's a serious problem.

Later God reveals that it's their head and heart that are injured and afflicted; their sacrifices are "meaningless" and God simply says about all this - "my soul hates" these things. Wow! Can you imagine God's perspective being this way toward our actions and attitudes? He even says that when these people spread out their hands to pray that He will not listen to their requests.

Friends make no mistake this is God's perspective when we rebel against Him. Yet this isn't how the children of God need to relate to the Lord Almighty. He wants us 100% committed to our relationship with Him. So much so that everything else in life - our relationships, career, health, even our ministry falls into the right perspective when compared to the wisdom and knowledge of knowing our amazing God. You see our God is Holy and worthy of our praise and adoration. Let's remember God's perspective goes beyond this kind of judgment and accusation because He desires to receive our praise and honor and glory given to Him. There is no one like our God, let's make God's perspective our perspective and honor Him with our head, heart and hands.

Knowing God

2011-02-13T07:14:00.000-08:00

Read Psalm 119:105

Everybody has an opinion about how to know God. But the only opinion we should really be concerned about is God's. The Bible tells us to know God, to really understand who He is We need to hear the truth of God.

And that starts with knowing the word of God. Now many of us dread reading, so we're not only talking about reading here. Reading the word of God is important but if you're not a reader don't fret. Simply find a way to listen to the word of God. Think about it, the earliest disciples and followers of Jesus didn't read the Bible. They listened to the word of God preached. So whatever your preference is, whether it's listening or reading, make sure you are in the word of God because it is living and active and is sharper than any double edged sword. When we are in God's word we are reminded of His great character and love for us as well as all the amazing things He's done throughout history. Truly, to know God is to love God.

Until the Whole World Hears

2011-02-06T11:37:00.000-08:00

Listen - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hc8y0DL8Hr4

Casting Crowns is one of my favorite Christian musical groups today. I enjoy their lyrics which call us to focus our lives completely on Christ and this generation which needs Christ. Until the Whole World Hears tells us it's our responsibility to always be prepared to share our faith. To ready ourselves simply means to share our praises of our Lord and Savior, lifting up His name for all to hear of God's grace and mercy. And we're to do this so that as the day draws near, when Christ returns or calls us home as many as we can positively influence for eternity and for Christ will make a choice to accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior.

So the question to consider this week is this - will we live lives that are impassioned with the vision of this Casting Crowns song? Will we live lives that no matter what the cost we'll do whatever it takes and whatever is necessary so the people in our world will accept Jesus as the forgiver of our sins and leader of our lives. Friends live lives this week where your praises and service reveal that your single purpose for living is sharing the gospel message of Jesus Christ Until the Whole World Hears.

Our God Reigns

2011-01-30T07:12:00.000-08:00

Read Psalm 47

Listening to a song this morning I couldn't help but focus on the truth we're shown and told over and over in the scriptures that our God reigns. See our God is in control, He is sovereign. Yet how many of us question and doubt this theology? Sure intellectually we'd say we believe God is in control, but how we live our lives often reveals a different story.

Read Psalm 47 and check the examples of God's control and awesome power over all creation. The Psalmist tells how we should respond to God's control - with absolute praise, worship and thanks.

All God wants from us is our devotion; our complete and unrelenting acknowledgement that He alone is God, that He alone is worthy of our praise. Let's be challenged this week to live with this one thought about our great God: that OUR GOD REIGNS!

Bragging Rights

2011-01-23T07:58:00.000-08:00

Read 1 Kings 20:1-13

Bragging rights are reserved for those who win, but we all know there are people that boast before the competition. However much bragging is done before the event, time will always tell who has bragging rights.

Reading through 1 Kings I came across something that made me laugh. The King of Israel at the time was Ahab and he was being attacked by Ben-Hadad King of Aram. At one point in the conflict King Ahab sends this message to King Ben-Hadad, "One who puts on his armor should not boast like one who takes it off."

I laughed because so often we brag about things we're going to do, yet it doesn't happen. We may make great claims but all too often we come to realize we are not in control of the outcome. See the Lord promised Ahab that if he stood up to Ben-Hadad he would most certainly win the battle. And we're told in verse 13 this would happen so that Israel would know who the LORD is.

Too often we experience times when we want to take things into our hands and sometimes we get all puffed up with what we're going to do, how we're going to handle situations. Truth is we need to take everything to God because in the end only He has bragging rights as LORD of Lords and King of Kings.

Time Is Ticking Away

2011-01-16T08:50:00.000-08:00

Read Ephesians 5:14-16

It's been said "to waste time is a sin against God." So think about it - how do you spend your time?

Recently I was challenged, actually convicted about this. And I responded by spending time listening to a message by one of my favorite pastors and his message was called - Prayer: Our Time Saver. Ever think of prayer that way? He said God has given us all the time we need every day to pray, study His word, serve and worship Him. But the question is - do we make the best use of our time every day and deepen our relationship with God this way?

Ephesians 5:14-16 tells us to be careful how we live, making the most of every opportunity. Listen time is precious, it's a gift from God. And while God doesn't want us so busy that we miss out on probably what a lot of us do with our time - we keep so busy we neglect to rest. Rest is a wise investment in time. Think of it this way, of the top 10 Commandments God uses one of them to tell us to take a day off.

Yet most of us realize time is ticking away and agree we should make the most of our time. But how? Let's start by asking God in prayer, talking with Him how He wants us spending our time, what He wants us doing. Then believe everything else will fall into it's place because we're spending our valuable time talking and listening to our great and glorious God.

Prayer of David

2011-01-09T10:59:00.000-08:00

Read Psalm 141

Psalm 141 speaks so clearly about the kind of prayer life and relationship with God we all should desire. David writes about wanting his prayers to God being like a fragrant offering, a sacrifice to the God of heaven. Thinking about this should inspire our minds and our hearts because this is how God anticipates our relationship with Him.

And when David continues he asks God to guard his mouth so that the words that pour forth from his lips would be pleasing to the Lord. How often do we use our words for God's glory and for inspiring others? David's plea is that God would help him in this area - perhaps it was an area that David wrestled with in his own personal life. Then he says, Lord don't let my heart be drawn to anything that is evil. Now he's going deeper, now he's getting into the heart of the matter: motive.

This is what this psalm is all about. It's about David desiring correction when needed from as he says "a righteous man" who shows "kindness" when he rebukes. And it's about protection from God. You see David sees that when his eyes, our eyes are on the Lord, when we're focused on living for God that we'll walk this life in safety, unharmed by the traps and schemes of the wicked evildoers of our day. Listen there are those who do not want followers of Christ to follow Him. Yet greater is He that is in us, than he that is in the world.

Rules or Relationship?

2011-01-02T09:57:00.000-08:00

Read Exodus 20:1-21

What's the first thing you think of when you hear the phrase - The Ten Commandments? Is it Charlton Heston? Is it ancient and outdated rules? Or do you think about relationship?

Most think The Ten Commandments are all about rules when the truth is verse one tells us what it's all about. When God spoke these words - I am the LORD your God - He was telling Israel and telling us from the start He is all about desiring a relationship with His people.

When I read the commandments I see something Jesus Himself said. Jesus said, Love God and Love people. And this is the same thing The Ten Commandments tell us. The first four commandments have everything to do with honoring our Father in Heaven. And the last six commandments have everything to do with honoring people.

Ultimately in verse 20 Moses says God has given these commands to test our trust, to test our relationship with Him. And finishes by saying - "so that the fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning."

Friends, God's always desired to have us in a right relationship with Him. Let's remember The Ten Commandments are all about honoring our Father by having no other gods before Him, by not taking part in idolatry or attributing to His name anything that cuts at the core of His character and finally by keeping the Sabbath, a days rest when we can reflect on the relationship God has established with His children. And let's be His people who also honor others.

The Truth

2010-12-26T07:33:00.000-08:00

Read John 8:31-47

This world we live in is full of varying opinions on just about everything we can think of. And this is true when it comes to our faith in Jesus Christ.

People believe different things based on different lines of rationale and reasoning. Yet Jesus plainly tells us it is the truth that will set us free and that if the Son sets us free, we will be free indeed. What exactly is Jesus talking about here? Read the text again and see that Jesus is referring to those who have no room for Jesus' word. Jesus says you are looking for a way to kill me because you are unlike Abraham, who you claim is your father. Abraham believed God, but these Jewish people Jesus was speaking to were unwilling to believe in God's Son. They were set in believing Jesus' message was not true.

Ever talk with someone who claims to know the will and way of God but after speaking with them you quickly assess they really don't know the God of the Bible? See, so many people create this image of God and their image of God surprisingly reflects the person you are talking with. And their God is really what they think is right, what they think is true.

Listen, as followers of Jesus we are called to know the truth of God. And this truth comes from the word of God. While others may claim to know truth, let's you and I make every effort to know the word of God because by Jesus' word we will know the truth and the truth will set us free.

People Matter

2010-12-19T09:50:00.000-08:00

Read Matthew 9:35-38

It's easy for us to forget what mattered most to Jesus. It's clear in our passage this week that what mattered most to Jesus is a few things: teaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness of the people. You see, people mattered to Jesus. He saw them as sheep without a shepherd. So as He traveled He spoke about the kingdom of God; He cared about their spiritual and physical needs. And then what He said next must stand out to us - He said "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.

What mattered to Jesus must matter to us. People are so important to God that He sent His Son to teach us what we need to know about the kingdom of God, to go and help people spiritually and physically.

The question to personally consider is this - am I willing to be God's worker in the harvest field? God desires we all would realize our role and responsibility when it comes to seeking people who are lost and matter so much to the living God.

Ministry Handoff...

2010-12-12T08:49:00.000-08:00

Read 1 Kings 19:15-21

The prophet Elijah is commanded to anoint several people to several different roles and responsibilities. The first was to anoint Hazael king over Aram; then Jehu as King over Israel; then Elisha to succeed Elijah.

Do you ever wonder what Elijah must have been thinking after he's told to anoint Elisha? The first two, Hazael and Jehu, they were easier I'm sure for him to accept. But Elisha was going to replace him. And that meant something new and different was going to happen with Elijah.

We're told in v. 21 that Elisha becomes Elijah's attendant, meaning he was going to serve alongside Elijah until the time when the Lord would call Elijah home. And it means Elijah would need to prepare Elisha for replacing him in ministry.

The question we should ask ourselves is who are we preparing to follow us in ministry. Who are we in the process of helping to serve God in our place when it's time for us to pass on our faith to the next generation?

God makes it clear to Elijah and I believe He makes it clear to us, we are to be intentional with preparing the next generation to follow God. And it's important for us to realize this begins with how we are following God ourselves. If we're not following God the way God intends and desires then we'll be passing on something, but not what God wants us to pass on. Let's begin this week with entrusting ourselves to our heavenly Father so when it's time to pass on our faith and ministry to another, we're ready.

The Word of God

2010-12-05T12:26:00.000-08:00

Read 2 Timothy 3:16-17

What does the phrase word of God mean to you? Recently I had a conversation with someone who claims faith in Christ yet during our conversation it became clear the word of God wasn't something that he believed could be known to be from God. In fact many people today doubt the word of God is in fact from God. They believe it's just something men passed down to one another, kind of like whisper down the lane. Therefore, the word of God for them isn't a matter of this is what the Lord God Almighty says, it's just something men passed down from one generation to the next.

So the question arises, if it isn't the word of God then what is it? More pointedly, then what is it we believe? If we belive it's not the word of God, then what do we believe?

The truth is if we follow this line of reasoning our faith is not much more than you and I believing what we think is right. And that puts us in the position of God - doesn't it? Where what we believe ought to be is what we base our life on and so our lives are nothing more than following ourselves.

Take a look at how Scripture was carefully handed down from God to man and then from one generation to the next and it's hard to believe we can come to the conclusion that the word of God isn't the word of God. From how we got the Bible to Jesus' own words where He quotes the Scripture as the very word of God it is hard to come to the conclusion that we can't trust the word of God as the Word of God.

This week, let's put to memory 2 Timothy 3:16-17 - - All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Had Enough?

2010-11-28T12:04:00.000-08:00

Read 1 Kings 19:1-18

Ever notice in ministry how there's as many ups as there are downs? That God is always growing our faith even when we're beginning to doubt?

The prophet Elijah, after challenging the most wicked King of Israel, Ahab is now running scared; fearing Ahab's wife Jezebel is going to kill him. So he pleads with God in v. 4 - take my life, I have had enough. Ever feel that way? You've been faithfully following God and yet you are exhausted, tired and wondering if you even want to go on any longer? Elijah is at an all-time low; he wants it all to stop, to be done with the ministry God has called him to. The question is - why is he feeling this way?

He believes he's the only one left who is zealous for the LORD God Almighty and that "The Israelites have rejected your covenant, broken down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword." He says "I'm the only one left and now they are trying to kill me to."

God replies - that's not true. We may feel like Elijah, that we've given it all we've got and that we're all alone. But God is saying to us what He's saying to Elijah - that's not true. You are not alone. I am with you and there are others who are faithfully following the true God of Israel.

If you're feeling discouraged and feel like you've had enough please read this story and hear the gentle whisper of God. Since we're not dead, we're not done. God has more for you and me to do. And until we breathe our last breath, let's believe God is with us and that there are more faithful followers trusting and serving the living God of Israel and we're not alone. If God is for us, who can be against us!

Learning in the Valley (pt 2)

2010-11-21T13:28:00.000-08:00

God does not want negative elements from the past to lie around our lives and cause us trouble. Each of us is the temple of the Holy Spirit, and He wants us to be clean and usable vessels. We have no reason to allow the rubbish of the past to remain in our lives for years---old memories, haunting temptations, the baggage of unresolved hurts and unreconciled relationships. The Lord desires that we free ourselves of anything that might keep us in inner bondage, whether mentally, emotionally, psychologically, or spiritually. When we become complacent in accepting the hurts of the past as part of who we are, the Lord may bring a little adversity to lead us to pursue instead who we might be in Christ Jesus.

The effective lesson leads to change in behavior

Teachers often prepare behavioral objectives for their classroom lectures. These objectives list in concrete and measurable form the behaviors that the teacher desires for a student to display as proof that the student has learned the lesson. The lessons that the Lord teaches us through adversity are ultimately for that purpose: a change of behavior, including a change in the belief that prompted the behavior.

It isn't enough that the Lord gets our attention or that we engage in self-examination. We can see a problem and know ourselves thoroughly, but unless we change our response to God in some way, we will never benefit fully from adversity or grow as a result of it.

Self-examination may feel painful. But remember, whatever you find within yourself, Jesus Himself came to help you carry that burden to the cross and deal with it there, once and for all. He has your best interest in mind. He knows that pain sometimes paves the path to complete healing and restoration.

If you are willing to allow God to surface the inner rubbish of your life, and if you are willing to change what needs to be changed, you will emerge from adversity closer to Christ, more mature as His child, and with far greater potential to reflect the love of God to the world around you.

Devotional written by Jim Runkle (parts adapted from Charles Stanley's In Touch Ministries)

Learning In the Valley (pt 1)

2010-11-14T07:08:00.000-08:00

Read Psalm 25

"We Learn More In Our Valley Experiences Than On Our Mountaintops"

Adversity, anguish, trial, tribulations, and heartaches operate as lessons in the school of experience. They bring us to a place of new insight and understanding; they can alter our perception of the world and of God, and lead us to change our behavior. The Lord, of course, is the ultimate Teacher. He is the One to whom we must look for the meaning of any lesson related to adversity.

God allows adversity for different reasons:

God uses adversity to get our attention

The Lord uses a wide variety of methods to gain our attention when necessary; adversity is one of them. One of the best responses I know to adversity that strikes us suddenly---and yet obviously---with a God-intended message is to turn to Psalm 25 and make it our personal prayer:

1 O Lord, I give my life to you.
    2 I trust in you, my God!
   Do not let me be disgraced,
      or let my enemies rejoice in my defeat.
3 No one who trusts in you will ever be disgraced,
      but disgrace comes to those who try to deceive others.

4 Show me the right path, O Lord;
      point out the road for me to follow.
5 Lead me by your truth and teach me,
      for you are the God who saves me.
      All day long I put my hope in you.
6 Remember, O Lord, your compassion and unfailing love,
      which you have shown from long ages past.
7 Do not remember the rebellious sins of my youth.
      Remember me in the light of your unfailing love,
      for you are merciful, O Lord.
Psalm 25:1-7

Don't delay in responding to the Lord when He moves to get your attention. Respond quickly and humbly. Hear what He has to say to you.

Adversity leads to examination

At times God sees fit to allow adversity into our lives to motivate us to self-examination. The winds of adversity blow away the surface issues and force us to cope with things on a deeper level. Adversity removes the cloak of what we are supposed to be reveal the truth of who we are. The "real us" shows through.

We are to regularly examine both our faith and ourselves. Paul encouraged the Corinthians, "Let a man examine himself" (1 Cor. 11:28). In other words, "Take an inquisitive look inside and discover what is driving you, motivating you, and enticing you."

Devotional written by Jim Runkle (parts adapted from Charles Stanley's In Touch Ministries -Part 2 of 2 will be available next week)

By Faith

2010-11-07T12:12:00.000-08:00

Read Colossians 2:6-7

When so much can be said with so few words there's something to be said about the power of the point being made. Colossians 2:6-7 points out probably the most powerful words we've ever heard.

Paul, writing to the Colossians says just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him. There it is! We receive Christ as the forgiver of our sins and the leader of our lives by faith. So just as we received him Paul writes continue by faith to walk in Him. Simple message, difficult to accomplish. But only difficult to accomplish if we try and go it alone. The Holy Spirit was given to us as a helper, a comforter who will come and live within us (that's why Jesus said it was better for us that He goes so that the Spirit may come and indwell us). And as we walk by faith in relationship with Christ the Holy Spirit will enable us with His power and guidance and correction and instruction to rooted and built up and strengthened in our faith.

There's no other way for followers of Christ to continue in faith than by allowing the power of the Holy Spirit to walk with us as we desire to be in relationship with our Heavenly Father. Our God gives us everything we need for life and godliness (2 Peter 1) so we are fully capable with His provision to live in a powerful relationship with our Creator and Sustainer God. His plan is that by faith we'll walk with Him, talk with Him, enjoy Him, be with Him and give glory to Him. This week be reminded that our walk of faith begins and continues with this simple plan of God - that we would trust in our Almighty God every step of every day of our lives.

Holding or Folding?

2010-10-31T09:15:00.000-07:00

Read Judges 2:1-13

So much of life is held in the balance between holding on and folding. We tend to wrestle with this tension so much that we don't even pay it much attention because we just accept it as the way things are. This tension exists in many areas of life but I think it exists especially when we consider what one generation passes on to the next.

When we think about it we find that we're one generation removed from so many things being obsolete. And this is so true when it comes to our faith. Read Judges 2:1-13 and you'll see this generational tension existed back in the days of the Judges.

The issue Israel faced was as soon as Joshua and his generation had passed away, along with those elders who outlived him and who had seen all the great things the LORD had done for Israel, the next generation slid right back into evil practices. They began forsaking God because they "knew neither the LORD nor what he had done for Israel." Friends, that's one generation away from some pretty amazing history of God working in the lives of the Israelites and their faith folded like a tent. Is this possible in our lifetime? Is it possible that if we're not careful the generation that follows us won't be holding on to their faith but folding like Israel?

Jesus made it very clear He expects us to be men and women of faith who "go and make disciples." So who are you discipling? Think about it, pray about it and be about it! That's what we're here to do - so go and make disciples so the next generation will hold on and pass on our faith for generations to come.

Returning Home

2010-10-25T07:52:00.000-07:00

Read Ruth 1:1-18
Everyone loves a good story. In the book of Ruth that's exactly what we get. But it doesn't start out that way. It starts with what appears to be a young family in Bethlehem living at a time when they are experiencing a famine. So this family moves to Moab. The husband, Elimelech who was Naomi's husband dies leaving her with two boys in a foreign land. Her sons marry Moabite women but themselves die after living in Moab for about ten years. Now she's left alone as a widow, in a foreign land, without a husband and without her boys. However, she now has two daughters-in-law.

Naomi finds herself as they used to say in the old days, in a pickle. She's in a bad situation. She sees that she has nothing left, her husband and then her sons are all gone. And she's away from home. So she hears the famine in Bethlehem is over and she makes the decision to return home. Her decision affects her daughters-in-law. Orpah decides to stay in Moab but Ruth was determined to go with Naomi. In fact, she tells Naomi "Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God."

Think about that! I believe there was something about Naomi's faith that showed itself to Ruth so that Ruth was more than willing to go with Naomi to her home rather than stay where she was originally from. When Ruth says your God will be my God that is a huge statement we should always consider.

Question - when people see your life, when they see my life would they respond like Ruth saying your God will be my God? If yes, way to represent! If no, why not? Let's be men and women who are about representing God with our lives so that others would see our Great God in us and through us!

What If...

2010-10-17T08:50:00.000-07:00

Read Titus 1:10-16

What if we took Jesus' command to follow Him seriously? What would that look like for us as a church? What would that mean for you and I personally? Would we live differently than we do right now?

Think about it - when Jesus called His first disciples He called them to a new life, a new way of living. They left their old ways and started living according to a new way - Jesus' way.

If we were to honestly evaluate our lives could we honestly say we are following the words and ways of Christ Jesus? Listen most of us can say we believe in Jesus - in His words and ways. But have they affected us to the point of touching our heart to the extent that it actually changes the way we live? We're not talking about behavior modification; we're talking about a change of heart where our greatest desire is to live for Him in every single way possible.

The apostle Paul said in Titus 1:16 that many claim to know God, but by their actions they deny Him. Wow! That is quite an indictment about the heart condition of so many in Paul & Titus' day. And I believe it's still quite true in our day.

So what are we to do? I think it all comes down to two things. First it's about making a decision that we will do everything within our power to follow Jesus' call to Follow Him. And second, that begins with submitting to the power of the Holy Spirit. When we choose to follow it begins by responding to the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Let's make that decision today - to live and love God by fully following Him with the help and power of the Holy Spirit.

The Games People Play

2010-10-10T07:14:00.000-07:00

Read Galatians 6:1-9

Everyone plays games. Games are fun, engaging, challenging and exciting. From the age of a toddler up to retirement age, everyone enjoys a good game. From peek a boo to gyn rummy and other card games we all like games. However, there are games people play that aren't acceptable before God. These games are games we play because we want things our way. They're games we play because we think we know better. And they're games we play because we lack respect for the will of God.

Probably the biggest of all the games people play is the game of playing God. Growing up I remember the game - king of the mountain where you'd find a hill and whoever was on top was the king and all others were trying to knock the "king" off the hill so he/she could become the king of the hill. The truth is we play this game with our faith more often than we should.

Galatians 6 gives us some instruction about how to avoid playing games like this. If we know someone is in sin we're told to restore them gently. This means speaking to them kindly about God's truth. Paul says we're to carry each other's burdens and at the same time carry our own load. This means we're responsible for ourselves as well as helping others in following Christ. And then the warning he gives is we're not to play games - don't be deceived he says because God will not be mocked. We will reap what we sow.

God desires from all His children that our walk match our talk. He wants our faith to be filled with His grace, truth and mercy. Yet so often we hedge our bets and try to justify our behavior even when it opposes the word and will of God. Listen, God is the One and Only Justifier. So we have to heed his commands and obey. Jesus said it best - if you love me you will obey my commands. And this is only possible when we've decided to live a Holy Spirit-led life and not a self-led life.

Living at Peace

2010-10-03T06:34:00.000-07:00

Read Romans 12:18

This one little verse is so important to understanding our responsibility when it comes to living at peace. For many, living at peace seems so elusive, almost impossible to be sure. But when we come across Romans 12:18 in God's word we're reminded of our role in the peace process.

Paul writes 'if it is possible.' There's an implication that comes with this instruction. The implication is peace isn't always possible. But the command is 'as far as it is possible live at peace with one another.' This provides a second implication - that we have a responsibility up to a certain point to do what we can to live at peace with others.

Friends the truth is some people just don't want to make peace. For whatever reason, they choose to live in conflict. Maybe it's pride or maybe it's anger or maybe it's just this desire to make others pay for whatever pain they've experiencing. The truth is hurt people hurt people. Yet God doesn't want us willfully taking part in that process. He wants His children representing Him by living at peace with one another as far as it depends on us because this represents exactly who He is. God never asks us to do anything He's unwilling to do Himself. He is the ultimate peacemaker - doing everything possible to ensure we have access to peace with Him.

Listen, life is all about relationships. Our relationship with God and our relationship with one another. And since we're created to live at peace with God and each other, let's consider the peace we have with each. If you have never come into a peace relationship with God please consider Jesus. He is God's perfect expression of His love and peace for all of us. And what Jesus asks is that we make a decision to follow Him because without Him we're unable to experience a right and peaceful relationship with God the Father. For those of us who have peace with God, maybe for us we're at odds with someone else. So for us it's time we take this relationship to God in prayer asking Him what and how He wants us to do so that if it is possible, as far as it depends on us we can live at peace with one another.

Worthy

2010-09-26T06:18:00.000-07:00

Read Acts 20:1-38

Worthy - it's a word many of us know and some ascribe to ourselves. And we do this because we believe (at times at least) like we're deserving. At times we live with an entitlement mind-set. However, we know of only One who ever lived that was truly worthy, truly entitled and deserving of our praise - Jesus Christ.

Listen the passage in Acts 20 speaks of Paul's many trials and difficulties as he was living his life fully devoted to Jesus. And what strikes me most is what he says drives him toward this life. He says it in v. 24 - I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace.

Oh how all of us should be as passionate as Paul, considering our life worth nothing unless we finish the race God's given us personally to testify to the gospel of God's grace.

Now why was Paul able to say this? It's because he understood the gospel and he understood God's grace. He had a right perspective when it came to realizing God is worthy because He sent Jesus with the good news that God's grace is available to sinners like you and me. So Paul's full devotion, his daily life was a living sacrifice and reminder to all who came into his life that God's grace is enough; that God's worthy of our worship.

Worship God this week as you moment by moment give Him thanks with your life!

One Life To Live

2010-09-19T07:43:00.000-07:00

Read 2 Kings 5:1-15

We all have one life to live. The question is - how are you going to live your life?

There's a great story in 2 Kings 5 that tells us about a young servant girl who gets kidnapped. Now you'd think her life was over. You'd think her life would result maybe in bitterness and complaints, excuses and anger. But quite the opposite happens. While serving her captor's wife she said - If only my master (Naaman - commander of the army of the king of Aram) would see the prophet who is in Samaria! He would cure him of his leprosy.

She does what many of us might consider at a minimum questionable. How could she consider what's in the best interest of her kidnapper? Helping him with his leprosy by advising his wife that he needs to go see the prophet in Israel. But isn't that exactly what God sent Jesus to us to do? Jesus came to do the unthinkable. Offer a solution to people like you and me who are not worthy of the solution provided. But God's love trumps all things when He sends us Jesus to cure us of our illness, much like Naaman who would eventually be cured of his sickness.

However, we're a lot like Naaman. When told what it's going to take to be cured, Naaman scoffs at going into the water and immersing himself seven times and then he'd be healed. He expects; he wants something bigger and greater than this. And so do we. We want to be able to do something for ourselves so when we're told there's one way to a right relationship with God; there's one way to being cured of our sickness we'd prefer to do it our way instead. Listen, only when we submit to God's plan of grace and mercy can we receive this greatest gift that's ever been offered to mankind.

Friends, we can learn from this servant girl and we can learn from Naaman. We have one life to live. How do we intend to live it? Live life with the understanding of God's plan that only Christ can save us from our sins; and live life with willingness to submit to His way instead of our own.

Lamp and Light

2010-09-12T08:43:00.000-07:00

Read Psalm 119:105

If this Psalm is right, that God's word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path, then shouldn't the word of God be not just a top priority in my life and yours but shouldn't it be THE top priority?

All throughout God's word we're told of the benefits and success that come from hiding God's word in our heart. Joshua 1:8 says - Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.

Listen if we want success in life God's word is the answer to what we need in our lives because it tells us everything about Him and everything about how He wants us to live. Spend time this week allowing God's word to be a lamp unto your feet and a light unto your path. And be creative with it. We all know there's different ways to get God's word into our lives. We can read scripture, listen to sermons and play our favorite Christian music. All are filled with God's word. Do what works for you but remember to get God's word in your life.

Finding Our Way

2010-09-05T08:32:00.000-07:00

Read John 14:1-6

Jesus says He's the Way, the Truth and the Life. These are huge claims! And if true, they should change everything about our lives.

He's the Way because He's our Savior, the only one who lived a perfect, holy and sacrificial life. Therefore, able to satisfy the payment for sin by His death on the cross. He's the Truth because He's our great Teacher. His words and promises all come true. He says only what the Father wants Him to say and He wants His disciples trusting His wisdom for godly living. And He's the Life because He's our great Provider. There's this gift of the Holy Spirit He provides the powers us to spirit-led living.

Friends, God wants us Finding Our Way home. This is only possible by accepting Jesus as the forgiver of our sins and leader of our lives. Jesus says no one comes to the Father except through Him. And no one means no one!

Let's respond by letting the whole world hear of this great and good news!!

Love One Another

2010-08-27T12:00:00.000-07:00

Read John 13:34-35

For us there's nothing new about Jesus' command in John 13:34-35 and there's nothing confusing about it, it's easy to understand. So why is it so difficult to follow?

Two reasons come to mind. First we try to do this on our own. God wants us living Spirit-led lives, not self-led. But too often we insist on our way instead of God's. Second reason is we aren't as committed as we think we are.

Verses 34-35 say, A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.

Our biggest obstacle with this command is ourselves. We live as if this passage said, Love yourself. But Jesus tells us to love others and that's the true test of discipleship. Are we loving with the words and wisdom of Christ so that we offer this world a verbal and visual witness to Jesus Christ.

Let's submit to the power of the Holy Spirit who will empower us to live for Christ so the whole world will know we are His.

Are You a Firefighter?

2010-08-22T07:33:00.000-07:00

Read 1 Thessalonians 5:12-28

As a kid I often remember being asked - what do you want to be when you grow up? And I'd hear other kids answers - doctor, police officer, and some would say a firefighter. All noble and good professions but this last one is something Christians are told in scripture not to be; not professionally, but spiritually.

Read 1 Thessalonians 5:12-28 and you'll see we're told not to put out the fire of the Holy Spirit in our lives. In other words, as believers and followers of Christ we have the Holy Spirit living in us. So we have this power to do amazing things for God because we have Christ's resurrection power indwelling us. Paul writes this warning to help us remember we have this amazing power but we also have the power to put out the Spirit's fire.

How do we do this? By living a self-led vs. a Spirit-led life. Jesus tells us the Holy Spirit will come into our lives, be our Comforter and our Helper, and enable us to live powerfully for the Kingdom of God. The ultimate question becomes are we going to live on God's Holy Spirit power or try and do life living on our own limited power.

Let's not try to just get by in life, instead let's live in such a way that when others see our lives they'll be like the prophets of Baal when they encountered the Most High God in the life of Elijah and the prophets of God who said: Your Lord, He is God! This is only possible when we're not fighting the fire of God that's inside every believer of Jesus Christ. Friends, make a decision today to be Holy Spirit led in every part of your life.

Following Wholeheartedly

2010-08-15T07:39:00.000-07:00

Read Joshua 14:1-15

Admittedly, some times reading the Old Testament can be difficult. But there's always something we can take from the Old Testament because God's word is given to inform and inspire us in our faith relationship with God. Joshua 14 is an example of this.

Reading through the book I came across chapter 14 and saw these verses speaking about Caleb - I was forty years old when Moses the servant of the LORD sent me from Kadesh Barnea to explore the land. And I brought him back a report according to my convictions, but my brothers who went up with me made the hearts of the people melt with fear. I, however, followed the LORD my God wholeheartedly.

The question is, can we say this about our relationship with God? That we follow Him wholeheartedly? I think too often we want Him to follow us and incorporate Himself into our lives. But the fact is, God calls us to follow Him; not the other way around.

The challenge this week is to try and answer this question honestly. And if we're not following God wholeheartedly lets allow God to help us understand why we're not trusting Him the way we're called to trust.

Living By the Power

2010-08-08T07:48:00.000-07:00

Read Job 1:1-5

Job lived by the power of God. We know this because this book begins with a description of Job's life - In the land of Uz there lived a man whose name was Job. This man was blameless and upright, he feared God and shunned evil.

We tend to believe if we're living like Job that life is going to run smoothly for us. But even if we just skimmed the pages of Job's story we find this isn't the case with Job. And experience tells us this isn't the case for us either. The truth is we're called to be blameless and upright, to fear God and to shun evil no matter what situation we find ourselves in. Now none of this is possible if we're not living by the power of God.

Jesus promised us something better was coming. He said it was good for us, followers of Christ, that He go back to heaven because then the Holy Spirit would come, live inside us and empower us to live with the power of God. Friends, make no mistake about it - we are not immune from difficulties simply because we are followers of Christ. In fact, we're told just the opposite. In this life we will face trouble but fear not because Jesus has overcome the world.

We can be overcomers so long as we rely on living by the power of the Holy Spirit who indwells every believer. The question we need to consider is are we going to live by the power of the Spirit or the power of self. Everyone is going to face trouble, that's a guarantee. How we're going to face that trouble is up to us. Are we going to face it trusting the power of the Holy Spirit or are we going to face it with our own power.

As for me and my house, we're going to trust the Lord with all our heart, soul, strength and mind no matter what comes our way.

True Worshipers

2010-08-01T11:12:00.000-07:00

Read John 4:21-23

What the Father wants is worshipers who will worship Him in spirit and truth. What a great desire. Is it a desire in our lives? To worship God in spirit and truth?

Listen so often people say they love God, people say He is the most important thing in their lives but at the end of the day it's just what a lot of people say. Maybe it's something they say because it's what they want to be true in their lives but they don't understand what it takes to make it true. Allow me to encourage with a few words of what it takes.

First it takes understanding. Some are unaware what God wants. So it's the responsibility of Christ followers to help younger brothers and sisters to understand what God desires. Talk with your friends, listen to them and ask questions so you know what they understand and what they don't. Then ask permission. Ask if they would be willing to have you help them walk with Christ so that God would see them as worshipers who worship in spirit and truth. Finally, inspire them to learn. Encourage them to know how they best relate to God and help motivate them to connect with God according to their personal learning style. Some of us learn best by connecting with God in thought, others in passion and still others through action. So whether your faith is a faith of the mind, heart or hands press on toward becoming a true worshiper of our amazing God.

Miracles

2010-07-25T08:56:00.000-07:00

Read Matthew 8

Jesus' miracles in the Bible seem so routine that we can miss the power and love expressed in everything He ever did. When I read through Matthew 8 recently a few things stood out about His miracles.

What I first noticed was how people came to Him to ask for His help. There was something about Him, something different about Jesus that drew people to Him. Second, I noticed Jesus' response was different each time. There wasn't a prescribed way Jesus performed His miracles. For some He touched the person He was going to heal and for others He simply spoke and the miracle happened. Lastly, I noticed the response of the people involved in every miracle wasn't the same. Some were told to go to the priests and make an offering as a testimony of the miracle. Others believed Jesus could simply speak and heal, so their trust and faith in God was praised by Jesus. And others were terrified of Jesus' power so they asked Him to leave town.

What we need to think about when it comes to Jesus' miracles is whether or not we trust Jesus has the power to perform miracles today. I know it's a tough thought but really - do we think Jesus can do the miracles of His day in ours? Friends a miracle is something only God can do. Sometimes I think we call miracles thinks that fall outside this definition of miracles. But let's remember our God is able to do anything and that His power and love is just as active today as it was in His day. So let's believe God can perform the miracle of salvation in the lives of our loved ones and trust He's going to do it. And don't forget, this trust includes our participation in doing whatever part God desires from us.

Love of a Lifetime

2010-07-18T10:00:00.000-07:00

Read Revelation 2:1-7

October 3, 1992 holds a special place in my heart because that's the day my wife and I said our "I Do's" to each other. And on that day we celebrated and danced to a kind of edgy rock ballad by a relatively unknown band Firehouse called Love of a Lifetime. I still enjoy hearing this song to this day because one of the lyrics affirms how I feel about my wife. It says - with you I never wonder will you be there for me, with you I never wonder if you're the right one for me. Listen, I'm not saying this for any other reason than it's true. My wife is the right one for me who will always be there for me; she's the right one for me.

As much as that's true in my marital relationship, God is truly the one we should never wonder about; He's always there and always the right one for us. Yet sadly, all too often, we forget Him as our love of a lifetime. We forget Him much like what's written about in Revelation 2 about the Ephesians. Read Revelation 2:1-7 and remember that God is our first and only true love of a lifetime. He wants our devotion, our passion, and our life to be all about our relationship with Him.

Take some time this week and reflect if there's anything in your life that's taking God's place as your love of a lifetime. Is there anything right now that is taking God's place in your life right now? If there is, confess it and spend time with God this week rekindling your relationship.

Great and Glorious

2010-07-11T08:35:00.000-07:00

Read 1 Chronicles 16:1-12

Music has an amazing ability to communicate from the heart. The Old Testament is filled with passages telling how Israel would praise God by singing to Him and telling of all His wonderful acts.

Recently I was listening to a new song called Great and Glorious. It's from a group I heard about from the United Kingdom. And I'll tell you it simply is a great celebration of the greatness of God. To hear the song and the musicians and the vocalists united together in praise is an amazing sound. Now this group is part of a church in the UK that has about 2,500 attenders every week. Can you imagine singing God's great and glorious together and how amazing that must be? Friends I'm sure that pales in comparison what's going on in heaven right now. Just think of the praise that must be going on right now before the throne of God! He is holy and perfect, deserving of all our praises.

If you agree with me I think we can begin praising God now, before we meet Him face to face. Spend time this week worshipping how Great and Glorious our God is.

Faith Fitness

2010-07-04T03:56:00.000-07:00

Read 1 Timothy 4

Lately I've seen so many friends sharing how they are working toward new fitness goals. And truly it's been amazing to see how many are committed to "shaping" up for the summer. I've noticed so many who are slimming down and really feeling healthier as a result. After speaking with these friends what's also interesting is their energy level is way up and they've all shared how good they feel with their results. But they've also shared how much effort is involved as well. Simply said, it's hard work.

First Timothy 4:8 says physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. Friends, I see people everyday at the gym working so hard to get or stay in shape. And yet spiritual training we're told has value for all things. The question is - how hard are we working to get or stay in spiritual shape? What goals do we have to be spiritually healthy? Our faith fitness is so much more important than our physical fitness.

Paul tells Timothy to devote himself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and teaching the word and to not neglect his spiritual gift. He finishes by saying make sure you commit your life to sound doctrine. If we can think of Paul as a spiritual fitness trainer what we should follow from his instructions is that we must identify the spiritual gifts God has given us and then put them into practice. And we must always be sure we know the truth from God's word. In other words, the exercises we use to stay in spiritual shape should be to follow the word of God by studying His word closely and we should insist on knowing what "exercises" (spiritual gifts) work for us. God's designed us uniquely so He wants all of us to work our spiritual muscles according to His plan.

Collectively we're referred to as the body of Christ. So together we should be flexing our spiritual muscles so that God's plan of salvation can influence the body of Christ and the world we live in. Stay close to this exercise routine of studying God's word and using your spiritual gifts and you'll be sure to healthier spiritually than ever before.

Impaired Vision

2010-06-27T06:57:00.000-07:00

Hebrews 12:1-2

So many of us today are living with impaired vision. As I've gotten older I've noticed when reading the need to hold whatever I'm attempting to read further and further from my eyes. I simply can't see when somethings too close to me anymore. And isn't that the truth when it comes to whatever is happening in our life right now? The closer something is to us, especially when it's happening to us, the more difficult it is to see. Similarly we all have imperfect, impaired vision.

The Bible uses Hebrews 12:1-2 to tell us about seeing Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith, for the purpose of encouraging us to focus our eyes, ultimately our attention on what really matters - Jesus. The stuff going on in our lives should all be viewed through the lens of Jesus Christ. No matter what we face we have a perfect example who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorned it's shame and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

This tells us a few things about fixing our eyes on Jesus. First it says Jesus is the author and perfector of our faith. It means He knows what's best, He's been there before and knows what we're facing. Yet He was without sin and was able to live according to God's plan and with God's power. Friends, this life is available to us. But we must believe it and we must trust God's vision, how He sees things is better than how we see what's going on in our lives right now. Second thing it tells us is Jesus considered His suffering joy. Now this is a tough one to understand. Because I don't know about you but I don't consider pain joyfully. But Jesus' example tells us He could do this because He knew the benefit of His suffering for those He loves. Think about it this way, the suffering we face is for the benefit of ourselves and more importantly it's also for others. So at the same time we're suffering we're fulfilling the Great Commandment. We're being faithful to God and therefore loving God with everything we've got. And we're loving our neighbor as ourselves. Last thing this tells us about fixing our eyes on Jesus is He sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. This means all His suffering was worth it. This means He sat down where? At the throne of God which means He sat down in VICTORY! Friends we too will one day fully realize we are sitting down in VICTORY with Christ where we'll reign with Him forever and ever. Amen.

Let's trust the author and perfector of our faith and fix our eyes on Jesus all the time.

Arrested Spiritual Development?

2010-06-20T13:37:00.000-07:00

Read Hebrews 5:12

Ever come across a passage of scripture and think that verse or that passage is a bit in your face? Sometimes when I come across a passage like that I stop and wonder about the direct approach used by God, Jesus, Paul and so many others. I wonder is it an approach we use much today and if so is it effective?

Well the passage today in Hebrews 5:12 is one of those passages. Simply said the statement made is some in the faith weren't doing what they were supposed to be doing. They were supposed to be able to teach others about the faith but instead they were still in need of someone to teach them the basic, elementary truths of God's word all over again.

I read an article awhile ago about the difference between making decisions for Christ and making disciples for Christ. Think about it. What's the difference? Making a decision for Christ should include discipleship but sadly that's not always the case. When someone comes to faith in Christ we must make sure they understand the call to follow Christ. We're interested in two things: redemption and regeneration. Redemption comes as a result of us accepting the finished work of Jesus on the cross where He paid for our sins once and for all. It has nothing to do with our effort and everything to do with His. But regeneration is a new life. It's a new life we're called to live and that requires effort on our part.

In this case in Hebrews, these believers we're told should be maturing in their faith so that they might be able to teach others about the "elementary truths of God's word." May all of us be focused on maturing in our faith, growing in our relationship with Christ so that we might be able to pass on our faith.

Meditation is the Key

2010-06-13T06:48:00.000-07:00

Read Joshua 1:8

I don't know about you, but the older I get the less I remember. With me, the worst is names. I may even know your name, we might have known each other for years and years but if I'm in need of instantly recalling your name at times, I got nothing. I can't remember names or they come more slowly than they used to. What about you? How's your memory? Are you able to remember details of your childhood? What about important places and dates? How about lessons you've learned over the years?

My suspicion is we all have the ability to remember, but maybe we don't take the time to train ourselves to do so. I know with me I'm supposed to be taking certain vitamins to help with my memory and you know what? You guessed it - I forget to take them. However, if I was promised $1,000 every day I took those little pills you better believe I wouldn't forget. How about you?

Here's the thing, we remember what's most important to us. Bottom line, that's the truth. I can tell you things that I really shouldn't be able to remember but I'm able to because they hold a certain significance to me. And you can do the same.

God in His word has something to say about what's important for all of us to remember. Read Joshua 1:8. As Joshua is going into the Promised Land he's told not to let the Book of the Law depart from his mouth. He should know God's word so well that he's able to speak it with clarity as he leads God's people. And God tells him the way to remember the Law is to meditate on it every day and every night. Friends, we all meditate everyday. It's called worry. Whatever captures our attention is what we go over and over again in our mind. That's meditation. So Joshua's told to go over and over again in his mind the word of God. Why? Two reasons are given. First, so he will be assured that knowing the word he will be careful to do everything written in the Law. Second, he will be successful. I don't know anyone who wants to fail.

Let's take the time to begin training our minds on the word of God. Take some time this week and memorize Joshua 1:8. It's a great place to start and after you've committed it to memory, continue. Continue finding verses, even passages, of scripture that will help you walk with God every day and every night.

Under Construction

2010-06-06T11:05:00.000-07:00

Read Deuteronomy 7:9

Recently we've been working with some contractors and getting different quotes on a few jobs we are having done at our home. These are different types of jobs but jobs that for the most part have needed to be done since we moved in. When I asked my wife why we didn't do these sooner she reminded me that while we've been in our "new" home for ten years this summer that our home has been under construction pretty much since day one. So I began to think about all the jobs we've worked on together over the years and you know what? She's right - we have done a lot of work on this house. Kind of reminds us when we were buying the house of the words of our realtor who said this house has potential (word of caution to any buying a new home - this means it has a lot of work to be done).

Anyway, when I think of the work we've done or the work we've had done by others I'm reminded that some jobs I was really looking forward to having done and finishing while others I was like who can get excited about a new roof or installing new drywall after ripping out the old and/or stripping wall paper. And I can't help but think about the parallel between our homes and our hearts. God has had our hearts under construction since the day we met Him personally. There's things in our lives that we're excited to see what God is going to do but then there's those areas where we'd rather not go there if you know what I mean. Maybe for some it's bitterness and maybe for others it's forgiveness, while others might be dealing with issues of the heart that pertain to a broken relationship - like a marriage or a parent/child relationship or maybe a friend who is hurting because of an addiction. Whatever it is, God is in the construction business. His desire is to build us up with courage and strength to face together with Him whatever it is we need to face.

Friends, please read Deuteronomy 7:9. And this week just meditate on this about our amazing God. He is always faithful and always keeps His word to those who follow Him.

Father - we thank you for your faithfulness to us. Help us be faithful followers of you. We know we are always under construction and we thank you for this because we are your children who you call to be holy. May we live life for you knowing your good purpose and plan for every one of us is to bring glory to your great name!!

It's His Goodness...

2010-05-30T08:09:00.000-07:00

Read Deuteronomy 9

Are we there yet? How many of us have heard this question, asked this question when going on a long trip? Then we can imagine the Israelites as we read Deuteronomy 9 asking this same question - are we there yet.

Friends, what I want us to focus on after we've read this chapter in Israel's history is the discussion in verse 4 and following where God let's Israel know He is driving out the inhabitants of Canaan (the Promised Land) because of their wickedness and that they are not to think (verse 6) that it has anything to do with Israel's righteousness. You see God then goes on to explain how Israel since the time they left Egypt had been rebellious. He reminds them of their disobedience and lack of trust in Him as their good God. Please don't miss this - God is revealing that they too are a wicked nation. However, it is He who chose Israel to be His people and Moses goes to bat in defense of Israel. Not because they are deserving; but because of who God is He pleads with God for their redemption.

Only when we know the goodness of God like Moses can we truly trust Him. You see, Moses was able to pray for Israel and approach God based on what He knew about God. He knew God is a just God, but He also knew God is a good God. He knew God so well that he was able to trust Him with Israel's future.

And this needs to be true with us. We are rebellious - just like Israel. We are prone to go our own way, do our own thing because at the end of the day we are often at odds with God in our attitudes and actions. But God wants us to know Him so well that we learn to trust that what He asks of us is ALWAYS good for us. It's His Goodness we need come to know and love. And it's important that we know how to come to know His goodness. Psalm 34:8 says taste and see that the Lord is good.

Do you know the goodness of God? Have you been witness to His goodness in your life? Let me encourage you to take time and simply consider how good God has been to you. No matter what we face, when we take time we can see it; we can see His goodness. He's good because of who He is and not because of what He does. But what He does gives us plenty to draw on to see His absolute goodness. Consider His unconditional love for you; consider His unwavering devotion to us in spite of sometimes we are not unwavering in our devotion to Him; and consider how good it is that He wants to have a growing and loving relationship with each one of us.

Blessed Revelation

2010-05-23T08:35:00.000-07:00

Read Revelation 1:1-3

The book of Revelation is either loved or hated. We're either hot and bothered by it's contents or we're luke warm to it. What I'd suggest is before we make up our minds about being indifferent to the writings of Revelation that we read Revelation 1:1-3 first.

We're told in verse three that everyone who reads these words of this prophecy is blessed when they hear the words and takes to heart what is written in it because the time is near. You see I know so many people who simply want to settle for themselves that Revelation says Jesus is coming back and that's all that really matters. While that's true, He is coming back and that is what really matters, it's not all that really matters. It's very clear the revelation John received and recorded is about the consummation of all things and those who make reading and taking to hear Revelation are blessed!

Friends we all know prophecy can be extremely difficult to read and understand. But with this promise of blessing it's most definitely a book that's worth reading. Let's take the time to know ALL of God's word; ALL of His promises: and ALL of His plans for human history. While it won't be easy, it will be worth it. Take some time, little by little and read the book that promises blessing. Take some time and take to heart what God has for all who desire to know God fully by reading and taking to heart EVERYTHING He has to say to each and everyone of us.

Make Him Known

2010-05-16T08:35:00.000-07:00

Read Isaiah 43:1-13

One of my favorite TV shows is Law and Order. While I enjoy the investigation into the crime, what I enjoy most is the court room drama. I love it when the prosecuting or defense attorney is questioning the witnesses involved in the case. The key for both sides is to get the truth out of each witness so justice will be served.

When it comes to the Bible, we're told a lot about the importance of Israel in the Old Testament and disciples in the New Testament and how we're supposed to be God's witnesses in this world. Read Isaiah 43:1-13 and you'll see how our purpose is to know God and make Him known in this world. In Acts 1:8 Jesus says right before He ascends into Heaven that as His followers we will be His witnesses. So that leads us to the question - what's a witness?

A witness is simply someone who testifies (tells the truth) about what they know. Now as God's witness in this world our testimony comes from what we know to be the truth about God. Logic demands that we'll get to know God very well by spending time with Him. How is it you enjoy spending time with God? Some enjoy being with God on a long prayer walk; others enjoy being with God alone with Him, reading His word the Bible; and others enjoy being with other disciples, followers of Christ in various ways but worshiping Him as they are together. Whatever your way is, however you enjoy spending time with God, do so more and more! And as you grow in your knowledge of Him remember we are His witnesses. So let's make Him known!

The Blessed Life

2010-05-09T07:54:00.000-07:00

Read Matthew 5:1-13

Everyone wants to be happy. Years ago there was even a song about it - I think the title was Don't Worry Be Happy. And what's true today about this pursuit of happiness was true in Jesus' day as well.

Jesus' teaching, His sermon in Matthew 5 was something new. It was something different than what the crowds were accustomed to hearing. They were used to hearing messages from the Pharisees, so it's important when we read Jesus' Sermon on the Mount to keep this in mind. Jesus desired to teach the truth about the Kingdom of God and how individuals could enter God's kingdom. So he talks about how they could have a blessed life by giving the people what a righteous God expects from his people in the Kingdom.

The person rightly related to the King is repeatedly described as "blessed". This word comes from the Latin word beatus, meaning "blessed" or "happy". This is why the blessings in Matthew 5 are called the beatitudes. And Jesus knows as He's speaking that this crowd He's talking to is interested in the good life. But His message is intended to bring clarity to what the good and happy life is all about. You see this world tells us something different than what God would tell us about happiness.

The blessings Jesus speaks of to the crowd tells of people who are at peace with God, their neighbor and himself/herself. The follower of Jesus, His disciples, have an abiding sense of peace because they are informed of several promises: he will inherit the Kingdom of Heaven (5:3), expects to be comforted (5:4), looks forward to a certain future on earth (5:5), anticipates the satisfaction of justice and righteousness (5:6), awaits the granting of mercy (5:7), knows he will live with God as His child (5:8), and will be greatly rewarded in heaven (5:11-12). One commentator says it this way, "The Beatitudes pronounce those blessed, or happy, who fulfill these six standards of the kingdom in character and experience." So the disciple can be happy in this life and live as Jesus says as salt and light (5:13-16) knowing this fulfilling Kingdom future awaits every disciple of Jesus.

Friends we all want a blessed life. So let's start by getting our message from Jesus' Sermon on the Mount what it truly means to be happy in this life and the life to come. God's blessings!!

Going too far

2010-05-02T08:57:00.000-07:00

Read Numbers 16:1-35

Turn on the news today and you'd be hard pressed to not come across news of conflict. Conflicts exist all over the world today and we can hardly get through the first few minutes of any newscast and not find ourselves listening to conflict where one or more of the parties involved had gone too far.

Take a look at Numbers 16 and early on in the third verse we find this newsflash of conflict between the community leaders of Israel coming out and having one of the first recorded public protests known to man. There were 250 community leaders coming out in opposition to Moses and Aaron. Their claim against Moses and Aaron was this - "You have gone too far! The whole community is holy, every one of them, and the Lord is with them. Why then do you set yourselves above the Lord's assembly?"

Moses and Aaron didn't take these charges lightly. They responded with a coming challenge from God who will make it clear we're told who is holy. They replied to these community leaders - "You Levites have gone too far!"

Reading the rest of the story we see God making it clear who is holy and who is not. The long and short of this story is this - those who are holy follow God. It's that simple. These community leaders were challenging God's anointed leaders. These community leaders were challenging God's divine direction for His people. And ultimately what happens is God pronounces judgment on these 250 men who were consumed by fire.

It is often difficult to connect Biblical stories to our daily lives, especially when it comes from the Old Testament book of Numbers. But the connection of this story to our lives is clear to see. What we need to remember from this story in our lives I believe is this - God wants us living holy lives, trusting His plan instead of our own. God wants us to know at some point if we're not careful we can go too far; we can go outside of God's will and if we do there are consequences. Again, make no mistake about it, consequences surround us but they are not always immediate. Think about it, some of our everyday behaviors may be dangerous and not safe for us but we don't always experience immediate consequences. Here's an example: ever drive through an intersection and realize --- oooopppsss, the light was red? I've done it, kind of zoned out and missed the light was red. And you know what happened? I was fortunate. No one was coming through the intersection at the same time I ran the light, so I was spared the natural immediate consequence. But if I continue to run red lights, my chances of a major accident increase dramatically.

Here's the point friends - live today realizing that at some point we can go too far outside of God's plans and consequences will follow. God wants us to be holy because He is holy. Read stories like Numbers 16 and connect the timeless truth to our lives personally and know God is a just God.

Complaining While God's Sustaining

2010-04-25T10:51:00.000-07:00

Read Numbers 11

If ever in the Bible there was a time and a place for a wine and cheese party we'd be hard pressed to find it anywhere else but in the book of Numbers. Now throughout the Old and New Testaments there's a lot of evidence of whining and complaining. But it's one of the unfortunate themes of the book of Numbers. You see the people had just come out of Egypt where they had been slaves. And here they are delivered miraculously by God and they are in a waiting period. They are waiting to follow God's lead as they journey as a nation toward the Promised Land, Canaan.

Take a quick look at Numbers 11 and you'll find that Israel was whining and complaining about their circumstances. Ever do that? Complain about your own circumstances? And you see the problem was this, they were complaining even though God was providing. I find that we can all be like the Israelites, complaining even though we have what we need. Our problem is our wants outweigh our needs.

God doesn't take lightly Israel's complaints. Read the text and you'll see some severe consequences associated with their complaints. I suppose the lesson for us is God wants us understanding consequences are associated with our actions. So when God provides and we whine be careful. Our complaining when God's sustaining is like a slap in the face of God.

Take some time this week and check how God's taking care of you. No matter where you are or what situation you find yourself in, if you look and you look close enough you'll see God sustains His children all the time. He's always aware of what we need. So may we live with an attitude of appreciation and acceptance rather than complaining and whining. God isn't finished what He started with any of us. So let's consider that He knows what He's doing and say thank you as we wait for His plan to play out. God's Best!!

It's All About...

2010-04-18T09:48:00.000-07:00

Read 2 Corinthians 5:15

During a recent conversation a friend brought me to this verse and I couldn't help but think about it's implications for us. Second Corinthians 5:15 says - And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.

With the world we live in it's hard to get this message right. We're told day in and day out how it's all about us. But God says something different. He says it's all about Him; that we should no longer live for ourselves but for Him who died for us and was raised again. Listen, if we're honest (and I'm suggesting we should be) if Christ didn't rise then why would we live for Him? But history tells us He did rise, He did back up His promise with power and truth. And since we can trust Him at His word we need to put our efforts toward making it a point of emphasis with our lives that we will live for Him in every single way.

God's desire is that we honor Him with our lives. And once we allow Him to have His way in us, our desire will match His. This week let's follow the example Paul promotes in 2 Corinthians by living for Him.

When Jesus Prays

2010-04-11T11:44:00.000-07:00

Read John 17:1-26

When we think of Jesus' prayers it's easy to remember the infamous Our Father prayer. But this prayer in John 17 is equally infamous. Take a few minutes and read the prayer. There's so much to it that's just so amazing.

The first thing to notice is Jesus says He's finished the work the Father sent Him to do. And His work ultimately was all about glorifying God. Isn't that true in our lives? Whatever the specific work God has given each one of us, His plan is that we glorify Him in our lives. I don't know about you but when my days are done I want to be able to say what Jesus said - that I've finished the work you've given me God and in my life I've given you all the glory!

Secondly, Jesus talks about the importance of words. He talks about the importance of knowing the words of God. In verses 15-17 He says, I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.

Friends, it's so important for us to know the work of God and the word of God. Because without either we are lost and without direction of what God wants us to do or how He wants us to do it. I fear that we don't know God's word. I fear that we don't know God's word well enough to truly know Him as He wants us to know Him. And I fear that we don't know God's word well enough to be effective in ministry for Him. If as His word says - His word is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path - we've got to make time to know His word. Jesus says it - it's His word that He prays will sanctify us, set us apart from the world we live in.

I pray we would be a church that would be known for our great love and knowledge of God. And it all starts friends by knowing God which is only possible from knowing His word.

Do So More and More

2010-04-04T06:30:00.000-07:00

Read 1 Thessalonians 1-5

Recently I've been spending time reading and re-reading Paul's first letter to the church at Thessalonica. And I'm as impressed with these believers as Paul was. Take ten minutes this week and read through the short letter and you won't be able to miss the unmistakable encouragement and support Paul offers this local congregation.

Now you might be surprised to learn that this body of believers was young in their faith, yet Paul heaps praise after praise on them knowing that they are faithful followers of God Almighty.

The question I have is why? Why were they so passionate and faithful even though they were so young in their faith? I think the answer is two-fold. First they understood to the core of their beings the importance and impact of Jesus' life, death, resurrection and promise of His return in their lives. And secondly, they had Paul. Paul was someone who spent some time with them and helped them mature in their faith. Who do you have that is your Paul? Someone who's there to encourage you when times are tough (the Thessalonians were certainly no strangers to intense suffering and persecution because of their faith) and who do you have who's there to remind you with encouraging words? Paul said over and over to "do so more and more." You see they were living their lives differently every day since they came to accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior, their leader and forgiver of their sins. They had chosen to live so differently that their reputation was known so well that they were called "imitators" by Paul because they imitated his life who of course was imitating the life of Jesus.

Friends, every one of us should be fixated on living lives that others will desire to imitate because they see Christ in us. And then we can encourage one another with Paul's words that we continue to imitate and do so more and more for the glory of God.

Reflecting God's Attributes

2010-03-28T09:45:00.000-07:00

Read John 4:1-24

I just finished reading the book - God: As He Longs for You to See Him by Chip Ingram. As Chip wraps up the book he concludes with the story of the woman at the well in John 4. And within this story he summarizes both the story and his book as follows:

He (Jesus) gave her (the woman at the well) a glimpse of God himself, Jesus, the exact representation of God (Heb. 1:3) and the embodiment of the fullness of God (Col. 1:19), showed God's character to someone who just went out to get some water. He was good to her, genuinely concerned for her welfare. He was sovereign, knowing the details of her past and aware of the divine appointment that led to their conversation. He was holy, confronting her sinfulness. He was wise, demonstrating the ability to draw her in without rejecting her as everyone else had done. He was just, not letting the judgments of men affect his mercy for this sinner, and dealing with her honestly and fairly from an eternal perspective. He was loving, patiently answering her questions and seeking her salvation above all else. And he was faithful, carrying out his will for an entire community through the witness of one redeemed sinner.

This story is one of many in which Jesus powerfully reflects the attributes of God. If you ever questioned whether God wants for you to see Him, Jesus is the clearest answer. Friends what if - what if we reflected these attributes of God wherever we go? What if we were continually aware of the greatness of God's character by reflecting it in our own lives? Can you imagine the impact we'd make for Christ? I want to live like that - and I'm sure you do as well. Let's consider the life of Christ, His example, and follow it with the power and strength given by the Holy Spirit of God so that wherever we go, God is with us and we're worshiping God in spirit and in truth. To God Be the Glory!!

What's Important?

2010-03-21T09:13:00.000-07:00

Read 2 Peter 1:3-14

What's the most important thing in your life? When you read that question, what's the very first thing that comes to mind? For many of us we reply with the answer we're "supposed" to give. But in truth, in our conscience we have another answer. That "other" answer is what is standing between you and a dynamic relationship with the living God.

You know we all live in a time like no other when expectations and ideologies are at an all time high. But where do we get these expectations and ideologies from? Are they from God or are they our own creation? The reality is a lot of what we see in others and if we're open, what we see in ourselves, is a creation of our own set of core values, beliefs and expectations.

The truth is this - God has given us everything we need to live Godly lives. Take a moment and read 2 Peter 1:3-14. Peter reminds members of God's forever family of God's great and precious promises; and how we can participate in the divine nature and live above the corrupt times we live in.

Too often though what gets in the way is us. Our own way, our own dreams of what is best. Friends, God makes it clear in His word that He knows what we need. So let's not get caught up in what we want. Because what we want is not necessarily what we need. And God is a good God. He is a good God because that's who He is. And part of His goodness provides us with what we need in a world that tries to tell us we need something else. Does that make sense? God wants us to never fall in our faith so He tells us through Peter's words to add to our faith, goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. And this friends we're told - if we possess these qualities, these core values, that they will keep us from being ineffective and unproductive in our knowledge of Jesus Christ.

Live with these expectations and ideologies for the following reason - God desires you and I to be effective in our life ministry as we live for Him, serving Him because He is what's most important!

Greater Things

2010-03-14T10:55:00.000-07:00

Read John 14:12-14

So we've just finished our series - Decision Points. And with that I have a few questions: what decisions has God challenged you with? have you listened? responded? still seeking direction to some of the decisions you need to make?

I've found it's important to know what you want in order to know whether or not you're making any progress. So another question I have is - how do you evaluate if you've had a good week? One of the decision points I've been challenged with has been the decision to determine whether I'm living for my things or God's things. Check out this song on youtube God of This City.

God has greater things for all of us. We all have different parts to play but His greater things are greater than my things. And when we're reminded of that it should inspire within us a passion to pursue God's best in us and through us wherever we are.

Are you ready to make a decision for God's greater things? It takes a disciple to make a decision like this; a disciple who's willing to follow the will and way of God no matter the cost and with a willingness to give up everything for the kingdom and glory of God. This week live your faith as a fully devoted follower of Christ by seeking His greater things.