"Don't be afraid… for I, the Lord, will be with you and see you through." Jeremiah 1:8 TLB
At a coastal aquarium a big barracuda kept trying to attack a mackerel, but a glass barrier stopped it. After repeatedly bumping his nose into the barrier, he finally gave up and quit trying. Later when the barrier was removed, the barracuda would swim to the point where the barrier had been - but he could go no further. To him that barrier was still there. Are you like that? Do you have imaginary barriers in your mind that say "so far and no further?"
When God called Jeremiah to be a prophet to the nation, he told the Lord that he was a lousy speaker, wasn't qualified and couldn't do the job. Immediately God said, "Don't say that" (Jeremiah 1:7 NLT). There are certain things you've got to stop saying if you're ever to break through your mental barriers and self-imposed limitations. What God said to Jeremiah, He's saying to you today. "You will go where I send you, you'll do what I enable you to do, and whatever I have promised I will bring to pass in your life" (Jeremiah 1:7).
God wants to change your conditioned response patterns and false belief systems. He wants to give you a new pair of glasses. Instead of seeing what you expect, He wants you to see what's possible. Instead of expecting the worst, He wants you to begin looking for the best - for that's what He has in mind for you today.
Saturday, April 28, 2007
Monday, April 23, 2007
Live In God's Presence
I have set the Lord always before me." Psalm 16:8 NIV
The words "I have set the Lord always before me," are the simplest description of Spiritual life. When certain thoughts are present, there's a good chance they're the result of God walking alongside of us. The first thought involves feelings of reassurance. Whether it's Joshua taking over from Moses, or Paul going through his worst storm, the message is: "Be not afraid. I am with you." The second thought you'll have when God is present is that you'll get guidance. Maybe you're stumped with some issue and then an idea comes to you. It might be a big one or a small one, but it will help. Or you're about to say something that will inflict damage, and suddenly a little voice inside your head says "be quiet." A third indicator of God's presence is conviction of sin. You're going down the wrong road and a little stab of pain says, "no, turn around." Heed that voice or you'll violate your values, diminish your influence, and end up guilt-ridden. The fourth kind of thought that will tell you God is present, is joy! "You have made known to me the path of life; You will fill me with joy in Your presence" (Psalm 16:11 NIV). It works like this: you put in an extra effort, something gets accomplished and you feel a surge of satisfaction - that's what happened when God created the world, then said, "That's good!"
God can use any of those things to convey His presence. If you "Set the Lord always before [you]" you'll begin to sense Him in your everyday life.
The words "I have set the Lord always before me," are the simplest description of Spiritual life. When certain thoughts are present, there's a good chance they're the result of God walking alongside of us. The first thought involves feelings of reassurance. Whether it's Joshua taking over from Moses, or Paul going through his worst storm, the message is: "Be not afraid. I am with you." The second thought you'll have when God is present is that you'll get guidance. Maybe you're stumped with some issue and then an idea comes to you. It might be a big one or a small one, but it will help. Or you're about to say something that will inflict damage, and suddenly a little voice inside your head says "be quiet." A third indicator of God's presence is conviction of sin. You're going down the wrong road and a little stab of pain says, "no, turn around." Heed that voice or you'll violate your values, diminish your influence, and end up guilt-ridden. The fourth kind of thought that will tell you God is present, is joy! "You have made known to me the path of life; You will fill me with joy in Your presence" (Psalm 16:11 NIV). It works like this: you put in an extra effort, something gets accomplished and you feel a surge of satisfaction - that's what happened when God created the world, then said, "That's good!"
God can use any of those things to convey His presence. If you "Set the Lord always before [you]" you'll begin to sense Him in your everyday life.
Saturday, April 21, 2007
Radical Love!
Whoever slaps… your right cheek, turn the other to him also." Matthew 5:39 NAS
The disciples lived in a culture that encouraged revenge and defending male honour. Back then, a slap in the face was considered the ultimate humiliation. Now Jesus is saying, "Whoever slaps… your right cheek, turn the other to him also." Can you imagine how they felt? Probably like you're feeling right now! Even today when we're insulted we refer to it as "a slap in the face." The adrenaline starts pumping and anger takes over. After all, our reputation's at stake! But just when we've built up a head of steam along comes Jesus and He says, "Don't hit back… If someone strikes you, stand there and take it" (TM). Hey, what's wrong with this picture? This kind of radical love sees people through God's eyes. Jesus practiced it by refusing to retaliate even though He had the right and the power to do it. As they hammered the nails into His hands and feet He prayed, "Father, forgive them; they don't know what they're doing" (Luke 23:34 TM). When the captain of the Roman soldiers handling His execution saw what happened he praised God and said, "Certainly this was a righteous man" (Luke 23:47). This hardened military officer didn't hear some cold theology. No, he was moved by the force of Christ's love.
Understand this clearly - your enemies matter to God! God is looking for somebody through whom He can love them. Will you be the one He uses? Are you willing to turn the other cheek? If you are, you'll have a truly life-changing experience.
The disciples lived in a culture that encouraged revenge and defending male honour. Back then, a slap in the face was considered the ultimate humiliation. Now Jesus is saying, "Whoever slaps… your right cheek, turn the other to him also." Can you imagine how they felt? Probably like you're feeling right now! Even today when we're insulted we refer to it as "a slap in the face." The adrenaline starts pumping and anger takes over. After all, our reputation's at stake! But just when we've built up a head of steam along comes Jesus and He says, "Don't hit back… If someone strikes you, stand there and take it" (TM). Hey, what's wrong with this picture? This kind of radical love sees people through God's eyes. Jesus practiced it by refusing to retaliate even though He had the right and the power to do it. As they hammered the nails into His hands and feet He prayed, "Father, forgive them; they don't know what they're doing" (Luke 23:34 TM). When the captain of the Roman soldiers handling His execution saw what happened he praised God and said, "Certainly this was a righteous man" (Luke 23:47). This hardened military officer didn't hear some cold theology. No, he was moved by the force of Christ's love.
Understand this clearly - your enemies matter to God! God is looking for somebody through whom He can love them. Will you be the one He uses? Are you willing to turn the other cheek? If you are, you'll have a truly life-changing experience.
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
"Graced" To Handle It!
"Grace be unto you." - Philippians 1:2
The same circumstance that conquers others won't conquer you - if you've been "graced" to handle it! How could Paul maintain his joy through beatings, betrayals, shipwrecks and imprisonment? Because God told him, "My grace is enough; it's all you need. My strength comes into its own in your weakness" (2 Corinthians 12:9 TM). Grace will enable you to pastor a difficult church, care for an aging loved one who requires much time and patience, pray and never let go of a prodigal son or daughter, and keep your faith strong in the face of overwhelming odds.
When does grace come? When you need it most! Listen: "We will find grace to help us when we need it" (Hebrews 4:16 NLT). God won't give you tomorrow's grace today. But like the manna in the wilderness, when you awaken each morning it'll be there - grace equal to every need. One of the greatest mistakes you can make is envying others or trying to be like them. Why? Because you may have equal talent, but unless you are equally "graced," you won't succeed. Actually, getting what they have could bury you instead of bless you.
How does grace come? Listen: "And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the Word of His grace, which is able to build you up" (Acts 20:32). There it is; in the pages of God's Word you'll find a solution, or the grace to handle it, learn from it and come out stronger. So the word for you today is - "grace be unto you."
When does grace come? When you need it most! Listen: "We will find grace to help us when we need it" (Hebrews 4:16 NLT). God won't give you tomorrow's grace today. But like the manna in the wilderness, when you awaken each morning it'll be there - grace equal to every need. One of the greatest mistakes you can make is envying others or trying to be like them. Why? Because you may have equal talent, but unless you are equally "graced," you won't succeed. Actually, getting what they have could bury you instead of bless you.
How does grace come? Listen: "And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the Word of His grace, which is able to build you up" (Acts 20:32). There it is; in the pages of God's Word you'll find a solution, or the grace to handle it, learn from it and come out stronger. So the word for you today is - "grace be unto you."
Abide In His Love
"May you experience the love of Christ." Ephesians 3:19 NLT
God's love has nothing to do with you. Others love you conditionally, but not God. He loves you because He decides to. Self-generated, without cause and spontaneous, His constant love depends only on His choice to give it. Listen: "The Lord did not set His affection on you… because you were more numerous than other peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples. But it was because the Lord loved you" (Deuteronomy 7:7-8 NIV). You can neither earn nor influence God's love. Paul writes, "God showed His great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners" (Romans 5:8 NLT). Don't trust other yardsticks. There's nothing else in the universe to compare God's love to. Success signals God's love no more than struggles indicate the lack of it.
Jesus said, "Abide in My love" (John 15:9 NAS). To abide in His love is to feel at home in it. Home: the place where you're known, loved, secure, and always welcome. John writes, "We take up permanent residence in a life of love" (1 John 4:17 TM).
To abide in His love is to cling to Christ like a branch clings to a vine. Does the branch ever release the vine? Only at the risk of death. Does the branch ever stop drawing life from the vine? No, it receives nutrients 24 hours a day. Would you say the branch is vine-dependent? Absolutely! Listen: "As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me" (John 15:4 NAS).
God's love has nothing to do with you. Others love you conditionally, but not God. He loves you because He decides to. Self-generated, without cause and spontaneous, His constant love depends only on His choice to give it. Listen: "The Lord did not set His affection on you… because you were more numerous than other peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples. But it was because the Lord loved you" (Deuteronomy 7:7-8 NIV). You can neither earn nor influence God's love. Paul writes, "God showed His great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners" (Romans 5:8 NLT). Don't trust other yardsticks. There's nothing else in the universe to compare God's love to. Success signals God's love no more than struggles indicate the lack of it.
Jesus said, "Abide in My love" (John 15:9 NAS). To abide in His love is to feel at home in it. Home: the place where you're known, loved, secure, and always welcome. John writes, "We take up permanent residence in a life of love" (1 John 4:17 TM).
To abide in His love is to cling to Christ like a branch clings to a vine. Does the branch ever release the vine? Only at the risk of death. Does the branch ever stop drawing life from the vine? No, it receives nutrients 24 hours a day. Would you say the branch is vine-dependent? Absolutely! Listen: "As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me" (John 15:4 NAS).
What It Means To Surrender
"Surrender yourself to the Lord." Psalm 37:7 GWT
Surrendering to God isn't passive resignation, fatalism or an excuse for laziness. And it's not accepting the status quo. Actually, it may mean the opposite: sacrificing yourself, in order to change what needs to be changed. God only calls surrendered people to do battle on His behalf. So surrendering is not for cowards or doormats.
Surrendering is best demonstrated by obedience. It's saying, "Yes Lord" to whatever He asks of you. To say, "No, Lord" is a contradiction. How can you call Jesus "Lord," then refuse to obey Him?
After a night of failed fishing, Peter demonstrated real surrender when Jesus told him to try again. "Master, we've worked hard all night and haven't caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets" (Luke 5:5 NIV). Surrendered people obey God even when it doesn't make sense - and the rewards are awesome!
Abraham followed God without knowing where it would take him. Hannah waited on God's timing without knowing when. Mary expected a miracle without knowing how. Joseph trusted God's purpose without knowing why circumstances happened the way they did. Each of these people were fully surrendered to God. "When will I know I'm fully surrendered?" you ask. When you can rely on Him to work things out instead of trying to manipulate others, force your own agenda or control the situation. You simply let go and let God. You don't have to be in charge.
Surrendering to God isn't passive resignation, fatalism or an excuse for laziness. And it's not accepting the status quo. Actually, it may mean the opposite: sacrificing yourself, in order to change what needs to be changed. God only calls surrendered people to do battle on His behalf. So surrendering is not for cowards or doormats.
Surrendering is best demonstrated by obedience. It's saying, "Yes Lord" to whatever He asks of you. To say, "No, Lord" is a contradiction. How can you call Jesus "Lord," then refuse to obey Him?
After a night of failed fishing, Peter demonstrated real surrender when Jesus told him to try again. "Master, we've worked hard all night and haven't caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets" (Luke 5:5 NIV). Surrendered people obey God even when it doesn't make sense - and the rewards are awesome!
Abraham followed God without knowing where it would take him. Hannah waited on God's timing without knowing when. Mary expected a miracle without knowing how. Joseph trusted God's purpose without knowing why circumstances happened the way they did. Each of these people were fully surrendered to God. "When will I know I'm fully surrendered?" you ask. When you can rely on Him to work things out instead of trying to manipulate others, force your own agenda or control the situation. You simply let go and let God. You don't have to be in charge.
Maintain Unity
By one Spirit we were all baptised into one body." 1 Corinthians 12:13 NAS
Mark Twain joked about putting a dog and cat together in a cage to see how they'd get along. They did fine so he added a bird, a pig and a goat. They all did well until he added a Baptist, a Presbyterian and a Catholic - and soon there wasn't a living thing left! Seriously, there's nothing Satan enjoys more than causing division by pitting Christian against Christian, often over insignificant issues.
Notice, before His crucifixion Jesus didn't pray for His disciples to stay loyal or dedicated. No, He prayed that they'd remain united in their love for one another: "That they all may be one, as You… are in Me, and I in You… that the world may believe" (John 17:21 NKJV). Jesus recognised the fallacy of claiming to love God without loving your brothers and sisters. He knew that the church can't fulfil its mission of reaching the lost if its members are at one another's throat. Listen: "The members of the body, though they are many, are one… For by one Spirit we were all baptised into one body." Jesus puts it another way: "Love one another. In the same way I loved you… This is how everyone will recognise that you are My disciples" (John 13:34-35 TM). If we have the right doctrine but the wrong attitude, we'll alienate the very people we hope to attract. A divided, confused world can only be reached by united, loving Christians!
Mark Twain joked about putting a dog and cat together in a cage to see how they'd get along. They did fine so he added a bird, a pig and a goat. They all did well until he added a Baptist, a Presbyterian and a Catholic - and soon there wasn't a living thing left! Seriously, there's nothing Satan enjoys more than causing division by pitting Christian against Christian, often over insignificant issues.
Notice, before His crucifixion Jesus didn't pray for His disciples to stay loyal or dedicated. No, He prayed that they'd remain united in their love for one another: "That they all may be one, as You… are in Me, and I in You… that the world may believe" (John 17:21 NKJV). Jesus recognised the fallacy of claiming to love God without loving your brothers and sisters. He knew that the church can't fulfil its mission of reaching the lost if its members are at one another's throat. Listen: "The members of the body, though they are many, are one… For by one Spirit we were all baptised into one body." Jesus puts it another way: "Love one another. In the same way I loved you… This is how everyone will recognise that you are My disciples" (John 13:34-35 TM). If we have the right doctrine but the wrong attitude, we'll alienate the very people we hope to attract. A divided, confused world can only be reached by united, loving Christians!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
