Run to Win

 24 “Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.
25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.” ~ 1 Corinthians 9: 24-25 KJV

Have you ever considered running a marathon? Dedicated runners know the dates and times of all the marathons they would like to participate in each year. They know how much training will be required, what equipment they will need, and they make sure to have access to a course map offering a detailed look at water stations, aid stations, mile markers, and elevations. They train for months, even years, in order to complete their chosen race.

We may not choose to put our bodies through the grueling workouts of marathon training. However,
just as Paul challenged the Corinthians in a way they would understand about living a Christian life, his words also challenge us today. Everyone who claims to be a follower of Christ needs to remember that a life of faith takes effort.

How should we approach living the Christian life? With the intensity of a marathon runner. Diligent training should mark our lives. We aren’t looking to embark on a sprint every now and then, but the race of our lives; fully equipped by God guiding us, as we navigate the course set before us. Reading the Bible, spending time in prayer, becoming part of a community of believers (our local church), and living out the truths of the Bible are the core elements of our training.

The last element listed, living out the truths of the Bible, may be the most challenging. Verses like 1 John 4:7 “…let us love one another: for love is of God;”  Titus 2:14 “…a peculiar people, zealous of good works.”  and  James 2:17 “Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.”  all call for our obedience.

At times, we may stumble, even fall down. But Christ is always there beside us to pick us up, calm our anxiety, and encourage us to focus on the goal ahead. We do not run in vain or for a material prize that will wilt or tarnish. We run to share the blessings of the gospel of Jesus Christ and to live with Him for all eternity.

Dear Lord,
Thank You for encouraging me to not grow weary and to keep my focus on You. I know my race is not in vain because one day I shall be with You.

I Believe

“But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through His name.” ~ John 20: 31

As a child, my favorite months of the year were October, November, and December for the following reasons: October brought my birthday, which meant that Mom cooked my favorite meal and made a special cake with birthday candles. Halloween slid in on the last day of the month for a chance to dress up and trick or treat in my neighborhood. November brought Thanksgiving, which meant family gatherings that included lots of good food and playing with multiple cousins. December brought Christmas, which included church programs, driving around to look at Christmas lights, and Santa.

As an adult, these three months are still my favorite time of year. However, the reasons that I enjoy them have changed a bit. October is still my birthday month, but now my parents have passed on and I prefer to observe my birthday quietly. November kicks off family gatherings, although they look a little different now. One of my daughters has taken over the hosting of Thanksgiving, so my contribution is a side dish or dessert. I then enjoy all the grandchildren. December no longer brings a rush of excitement about gifts, decorations, and party celebrations. It has become a month of reflection. I still love to decorate my home and listen to Christmas music, although I confess, I would enjoy that all year long.

Perhaps the main reason I take pleasure in the last quarter of the year is the happiness and contentment the season brings. The focus is more on giving and receiving love. This includes family and friends, but most importantly, it centers on God. Without His love for us, we would be without hope for eternity. All He requires of us is to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God. 

The definition of "believe" is “accept (something) as true; feel sure of the truth of.” In other words, to accept something as true, real, or genuine. I believe. My belief stirs a strong desire to know more about Christ. In order to learn more about Jesus, I study God’s Word, fellowship with other believers by attending church, and set aside daily prayer time. 

I admit that there have been periods through the years when my worship experience has been less than stellar. The pressures of everyday life would overwhelm me and time would be consumed with the pursuit of immaterial things. 

Many believers are experiencing a similar period during this holiday season. I would like to urge you to take a deep breath and remember the real reason we celebrate. Begin or end your day by reading a chapter from the book of John. Renew your heart by bringing the attention back to Jesus. All else will fade into the background as we kneel before our Lord and profess, “I believe.” 

Dear Lord,

Thank You for Your gift of salvation.

Missed Opportunity

“Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.” ~ 2 Corinthians 5: 20

A recent experience weighs heavily on my heart. The Lord has impressed upon me to share this occurrence. Too often Christians will find themselves in similar situations. May the Lord forgive our weakness in failing to act promptly when given the chance to share Christ’s love. Please read the following with a receptive attitude.

He entered through the side door close to the front of the church sanctuary. The worship music had already begun, so he quickly sat on the first empty pew. Not looking around, he bowed his head and wrapped his arms around his body. By outward appearance, he was an aged man who had not bathed for some time. His clothing was well-worn and stained. He sat motionless through the music service. When the Pastor approached the pulpit and asked everyone to stand and open their Bibles to read God’s word, the man stood and quietly exited through the same door he had entered several minutes before. He did not return. The worship service continued without him.

I noticed this man slip quietly through the doorway of the sanctuary. I watched as he sat down within the reach of a handshake from my seat. I observed his posture and recognized how uncomfortable he appeared. In my mind, I resolved to speak to him, extend my hand in fellowship, and welcome him to church. I would do so directly after the worship service.

But he left.

Before I could follow through with my good intentions, he left and I missed the opportunity to share the love of Jesus with him. Because I didn’t want to disturb others sitting close to me, I delayed reaching out. My hesitation caused me to stumble when I felt God’s direction. The moment for action was gone.

May the Lord open the door for another chance for this man to learn more of Christ.

Dear Lord, Thank You for the opportunities to share Your love. When You call on me to act in faith, please give me the courage to step forward immediately.

Friendship

“And David saw that Saul was come out to seek his life: and David was in the wilderness of Ziph in a wood.
"And Jonathan Saul’s son arose and went to David into the wood, and strengthened his hand in God.” 1 Samuel 23:15-16

Many wise and intelligent scholars, doctors, and scientists have studied the subject of relationships for years. A chemical in the brain is said to trigger the level of response and the type of love for those who share a bond. The interesting thing about this is that it’s not unique to humans. Animals feel love too.

They can have relationships with other animals and with humans. Our Lord has instilled that emotion in all creatures.

Friendship is probably the best word to describe how the seed of love grows to become a relationship. As it grows, it will branch out into different paths. Some friendships last for a season during a time of transition, such as school or a job. Others will last a lifetime through many seasons of good times and hard times. We need all levels of relationships in our lives, but the truest reflection of God’s love is biblical friendship.

The story of the bond between Jonathan and David is an excellent example of such friendship. Love, stronger than a blood kinship, knit these two men together. They shared a love for God and recognized the role each of them would play in the Lord’s plan for the Israelites.

Biblical friendship isn’t limited to the Old and New Testaments, however. Here are three defining characteristics of a biblical friend:

Be present. Provide an arm to lean on, an ear to listen, and a heart to care. Just as Jonathan was there to support David, present in his time of trouble, we can give that presence too.

Pray every day for your friend. Talk to God on your friend’s behalf. God already knows the needs, but this keeps you aware of it, too. The more you share the burden, the lighter the load will become.

Protect through reassurance. Encourage your friend with the knowledge that all is possible with our Lord. Many times, the stress of life will cause one to retreat into a world of isolation.

Jonathan was there to help David through one of the darkest times of his young life. He was present. He prayed and protected his friend. The love of God was reflected in his actions. We can follow this biblical friend’s example in our own lives.

Dear Lord,
Thank you for the biblical friends in my life. Help me to follow the example of Jonathan and David with all my friends.

Such a Time as This

“Then Mordecai commanded to answer Esther, Think not with thyself that thou shalt escape in the king’s house, more than all the Jews.
“For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father’s house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” ~ Esther 4: 13-14

One of the truly beautiful things about the Bible is that no matter how often I read a scripture passage, it continually reveals new insights about God’s love.

My recent Bible studies have taken me to the Book of Esther. It is an encouraging story of faith and valor in a time when the Lord
may have seemed very far away. Much like today, God’s people were living in an antagonistic world that did not acknowledge the Lord or welcome His followers.

By God’s design, Esther finds herself in a position to take action to prevent the annihilation of the Jewish people throughout the Persian Empire. This action, however, could bring about her immediate death. Her reluctance to step forward brought an affirmation of faith from her cousin, Mordecai, to let God use her . . . or be set aside.

The Lord is still orchestrating Christian lives. All of us have experienced what I call a “God moment.” A time when we must step out on faith to take action on someone else’s behalf or face being set aside. The Lord will always accomplish His purpose. If we waver in our faith, then He will use someone else.

The story of Esther is so encouraging for us when faced with our “God moment.” I would recommend that we follow the example of both Mordecai and Esther in our approach to answering the Lord’s call to action. Always begin with prayer, seeking God’s guidance. Surrender to the Lord’s will and have confidence in Him. Regardless of what happens, our trust should be in God. Only He knows why He chose us for such a time as this.

Dear Lord,
Thank You for reminding me that I will face challenges that require faith to step forward on someone else’s behalf. Give me the strength to surrender to Your will and trust in You.

Carry On

“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.” ~ 1 Corinthians 15: 58

When we think of disciples in the Bible, seldom do women come to mind. However, in Acts 9:36-42, we find the story of Dorcas, of Joppa: “Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did.”

Verse 39 tells us that she used her sewing skills to minister to the city’s widows and children, making garments for those in urgent need. This generous woman gives us an example of a true heart for the Lord.

Dorcas used the gifts she had been given to help others. The Lord has given each of us a talent or a skill. No ability is too small to be utilized in personal and practical ways, whether it be cooking a meal for someone who’s lost a loved one, giving someone a ride to an appointment, listening to someone’s story, visiting someone in the hospital, taking care of children so the parents can have a night out, and so on. If we are consistent in reaching out, God will increase the influence of our efforts.

Dorcas also built relationships that had a lasting impact on other people’s lives. She shared her faith with those that she ministered to and considered them a priority as deeds of kindness presented the opportunity to follow the teachings of Jesus. He called people to provide what they could, where they could, whenever they could.

The Lord makes disciples of everyone He calls to follow Him. All are given talents and gifts to be used to glorify Him. Dorcas shows us an example of what it means to submit our talents to the Lord and bring positive change to our surroundings.

How often does a woman offer the most meaningful service to God by doing the seemingly least important thing? God will always multiply the blessings that come from selfless giving.

Let us all strive to approach each opportunity to serve others as a labor of love for Christ.

Dear Lord, Thank You for the gifts You have given me. Help me use them to glorify You by ministering to other people in love.

Raised in Church

“But Jesus called them unto Him, and said, 'Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.
"Verily I say to you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein.'” ~ Luke 18: 16-17

A few years ago, there was a popular saying, “It takes a village to raise a child.” This is a statement that can be considered true on several levels. The expanded family, the educational community, and a network of friends are invaluable resources for growing a well-rounded child into an intelligent, well-adjusted adult. However, too often in today’s busy world, an important area in a child’s well-being can be overlooked. Raising a child to know the gospel is the greatest responsibility of parents.

Why is church attendance important? In Hebrews 10: 24-25, we see that God commands it. The Lord wants us to have personal contact with other believers. Coming together in worship and fellowship strengthens our relationship with God and with each other.

Church teaches the Word of God. Ephesians 6:4 instructs parents to teach their children about the Lord. Bringing children to church will supplement that teaching. Sunday School shares the love of God through Bible stories and activities that expand the opportunity to learn more about Jesus.

Bringing children to church offers them an extra layer of security. Proverbs 13:20 reminds us that who we choose to spend time with is of the utmost importance. At church, we have confidence in knowing that we are not alone in our faith and that others share our values.

There are many aspects to consider when raising a child. Parents are blessed to be entrusted with the task. But we are not alone. The Lord not only provides a community to help but also a book of instruction, the Bible. He never asks His followers to do anything without giving them the necessary tools. Let us teach our children to love Jesus by proclaiming the gospel. Let us show them how His kindness and grace impact everything we do. Let us not forsake the gathering together in worship and raise our children while attending church together.

Dear Lord,
Thank You for the opportunity to teach my children, my grandchildren, and now my great-grandchildren about You. Help me continue to lead them as we worship together.

Overcoming Spiritual Burnout

“28. Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
“29. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
“30. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” ~ Matthew 11:28-30

Burnout by definition is “a form of exhaustion caused by constantly feeling swamped. It’s the result of excessive and prolonged emotional, physical, and mental stress.”

Most of us have felt it to some degree at least once in our lives. Whether brought on by outside forces or our own, it can affect not only our physical and mental health but also our spiritual well-being. Christians are not immune. Unfortunately, it can particularly be experienced by those in vocational Christian ministry and those who are highly involved in their churches.

Although God calls us to work on His behalf, our work is not the basis for His acceptance of us. Hosea 6:6 says “For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.” The Lord loves each of us as a whole person—mind, body, and soul. As our Creator, He knows our needs better than we do and provides a place to rest and recover when we are overwhelmed. In Mark 6:31, we see how Jesus was concerned about His disciples and called them to get away and rest.

To persevere in our calling without burnout, we must abide in Christ. We need to stay connected to the vine, as shown in John 15:1-17. The closer we remain to Jesus, the more we will find refreshment in Him.

We have all been guilty of accepting more work responsibilities than we can complete adequately. The result is catastrophic to our wellness. Becoming aware of God’s specific direction for our lives will help us stay in tune with Him. We can do the work He has called us to do and do it with all our hearts, within the limits He has set for us.

Let us not grow weary in well doing, but recognize when we are getting overwhelmed. When it is necessary to receive help from others to complete a task, accept it willingly. When God offers His rest, the gracious gift of a wise and loving Father, accept it gratefully.

Remember that the Lord is interested in a relationship more than our work. There is nothing spiritual about burnout for Jesus.

Dear Lord,
Thank You for the rest that I can find only in You. 

Throwing a Fit

“And God said to Jonah, Doest thou well to be angry for the gourd? And he said, I do well to be angry, even unto death.
Then said the Lord, Thou hast had pity on the gourd, for the which thou hast not labored, neither madest it grow; which came up in a night, and perished in a night:
And should not I spare Nineveh, that great city, wherein are more than sixscore thousand persons that cannot discern between their right hand and their left hand; and also much cattle?” ~ Jonah 4: 9-11

Recently, I witnessed my two-year-old granddaughter exercise her skills at fit throwing. She was bored and began pestering her baby sister. Within minutes, the baby was upset, and the two-year-old was stomping away, protesting loudly that she did nothing wrong. An angry pout followed.

Children begin asserting their independence around this age, in conjunction with angry outbursts. Unfortunately, not all adults have matured beyond eruptions of anger when things don’t go according to expectations. A good example would be the prophet Jonah. He was a willful and angry man full of complaints and voiced those complaints to God. He was also the only Old Testament prophet to attempt to run from God.

The reason that Jonah was so reluctant to fulfill the mission that the Lord commanded comes down to rebellion and pride. He did not want to carry a message of mercy to the most wicked and cruel people of his time. Knowing that God would keep His promise not to destroy the city of Nineveh and its population of 120,000 people if they repented within forty days, Jonah rebelled. He ran in the opposite direction, arguing with the Lord the whole time. God dealt with Jonah gently, but firmly. 

Finally, the Lord asked Jonah a penetrating question. Why did he have such concern over the death of a plant, but no desire to see the people of Nineveh receive mercy from God?

What if God moved among churches in a mighty way today? Would we rejoice or leave? Would we hear complaints about the increase in attendance or the type of people coming into the church? Would there be accusations claiming the lack of authenticity or concerns about how the changes could affect personal comfort levels? Would there be division between members?

No matter how strongly we protest, we are all guilty of becoming complacent in our relationship with the Lord and each other. Jonah’s lack of response to God’s question at the end of chapter 4 indicates that he got the point. God is not a respecter of persons. The only way we can fully understand ourselves is to compare our self-centeredness with the Lord’s sacrificial love.

Dear Lord,
Thank You for Your love and compassion. Help me set aside any prejudice I may have toward others. 

Too Busy for God

"Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.” -- Matthew 11:28-29

With the celebration of Labor Day, the summer season has unofficially ended. It’s time for the kids to
return to their classrooms. Afterschool activities and weekend ball games will fill our calendars, squeezed between the adult work schedules and home responsibilities. As we fall back into our busy routines, we begin to feel the crunch of keeping track of everything we need or want to do. 

Living in today’s hurried world means keeping up with not only the Joneses, but also the Smiths, Johnsons, and Millers. We run in circles trying to beat the clock and must choose which task or activity is more important. In the process, something will be pushed aside, effectively deeming it less important. Too often, that something is the Lord.

As Christians, we can’t let ourselves be swept away from God by busyness. Crowding too many distractions into our day not only brings us unnecessary stress but leaves us spiritually undernourished. We need time alone with the Lord to replenish our souls. He alone can bring us the peace and rest that we so desperately need. Until we can shut out the noise of the world around us, we will not be able to hear God’s still, quiet voice.

When we find ourselves pressed against the wall by the demands on our time, we should remember the scripture in Luke 10:41-42 as Jesus answered Martha when she complained about Mary resting at His feet rather than helping her in the kitchen: “…Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things. But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.”

Choosing God first will bring peace to our hearts and strength to complete all of our daily tasks with a calmer attitude. In the words of Dr. Charles Stanley, “God will never give us a schedule that is so full that there is no time for Him.”

Dear Lord,
Thank You for providing rest and peace from the burdens of this world.

Be Kind, Always

“And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” ~ Ephesians 4:32

A few years ago, I noticed a tee shirt with the saying When you can be anything, be kind printed on the front. Then I started seeing other things such as cards, key chains, wallets, and posters with the same graphic. At first, I was impressed by the thoughtful sentiment of those seven words. Then I realized how sad the message really was. When did we become a society that had to remind ourselves to be kind to one another?

In his letter to the Ephesians, the Apostle Paul encouraged believers to live in a way that honors God’s gift of saving grace. Shrugging off the negative attitudes and emotions of the world isn’t easy. We can quickly fall into the trap of social media bullying and counter-culture mindset due to mental and physical stress from the burden of daily life. Here are three reasons Christians should strive to exercise kindness to those around us.

• We represent Christ. In everything we do, we want to look more like our Savior every day. When being kind to someone is especially difficult, remember that at the Last Supper, Jesus washed the disciples’ feet. He included Judas, even though He knew of Judas’ betrayal. If Christ could wash the feet of Judas, we can show kindness to everyone, including our enemies.

• We have the choice to show God’s love. Hateful actions because of malice or revenge are easy to slip into. Christians are still human with human failings. However, we have strength in Christ to overcome the urge to allow selfish thoughts and desires to engulf us.

• We have a mission. God calls believers to spread the good news of salvation to all people. There has never been a time when that message has been more urgent. Christians can do good deeds, but without love, good deeds mean nothing. In choosing kindness and forgiveness, we follow Christ’s example.

Jesus did not promise that living the Christian life would be easy. He did promise that He would walk each day beside us. That He would comfort us in sorrow and strengthen us through trials. Through Him, we have the ability to share His love with others. Let us share that love by choosing kindness in an unkind world.

Dear Lord,
Thank You for Your grace and mercy. Remind me that choosing kindness allows others to experience Your grace through me.

Beyond Fear

“The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?”         —Psalm 27:1

It seems as if the earth has turned sideways and shuffled our known world into a confusing mess. Odd, extreme weather has become expected. New viruses are popping up almost daily. World leaders are engaging in power grabs as they attempt to bully other nations into compliance causing economic chaos. We struggle to keep our fear of an unknown future in check. But we are not alone. The Lord is with us just as He has been with past believers, holding us, guiding us.

The book of Psalms is a source of comfort when fear threatens to overwhelm us. Psalm 27 begins by showing David’s confidence in the Lord. He lists three reasons to trust the Lord:
(1) The Lord is David’s light.  This is a common metaphor in the Bible for knowledge, truth, and goodness. As David’s light, the Lord was the source of joy, understanding, and life.
(2) The Lord is David’s salvation. The deliverer from his enemies. David never forgot that even his successes were victories that were ultimately given by God.
(3) The Lord was David’s strength. This implies security and safety. The Lord was a stronghold, a fortress that kept David safe.

David recognized that, with the Lord, he had no reason to fear anyone. Neither do we. No matter what troubles we encounter or unforeseen situations loom on the horizon, we have no reason to fear. The Lord keeps us safe.

Sometimes, however, knowing that we should not fear doesn’t keep us from experiencing it. At times, we all find ourselves overwhelmed with the strain of natural human anxiety. Knowing not to be afraid doesn’t make a person immune to that emotion. What then?

Put the Lord Jesus in proper perspective. See Him for who He truly is. He is not only our light and life; He is also our strength and peace. Rejoice in the God of our salvation and trust in His love and care.

Dear Lord,
Thank You for being my sufficiency and strength. You are my light. When fear overtakes my mind, help me remember the wonderful truth of who You really are. 

 

 

Resurrection Day

“And entering into the sepulcher, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment; and they were affrighted.
And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him.
But go your way, tell his disciples and Peter that he goeth before you into Galilee: there shall ye see him, as he said unto you.” — Mark 16:5-7

The Resurrection is the most important event in history. Suddenly, the impossible was possible, the

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unimaginable was imaginable. Death, the one constant in life, had been cheated and actually defeated. Jesus Christ had been raised. The Son of God was alive!

This good news was first delivered to a group of women who had come to the tomb with hopes of completing the task of preparing Jesus’ body for burial.

Their sorrow changed from heartache to amazement when an empty tomb and an angel with a special message waited there instead. They were to go tell the disciples and Peter what they had seen and give them the message that Jesus was going ahead of them to Galilee and they would see Him there.

What a gift God gave those particular women! These faithful followers of Jesus were chosen to be the first to carry the good news of Christ’s resurrection. They shared it as instructed, with the disciples and specifically with Peter.

We shouldn’t miss that Peter was named individually. Peter, who had denied Jesus three times and betrayed both the Lord and himself. Peter, who felt unredeemable due to his actions, was given the message to come to Galilee—to Christ.

Just like Peter, we have all denied and betrayed Jesus. Also, just like Peter, we have the opportunity to seek Christ and find forgiveness for our sins. As Christians, we are entrusted with the good news of our salvation to share with others.

An empty tomb proved that Jesus fulfilled His promise to die, to live again, and to transform human hearts. His sacrifice and message continues to change lives around the world.

Dear Lord,
Thank You for reminding us of the good news of Your resurrection. Help us come to You boldly with our deepest desire and to trust Your will and mercy in all things.

Reflection of the Son

“Walk in the wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.
“Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.” — Colossians 4:5-6

At least once every day, we each stand before a mirror to study the image reflecting back at us. Always with a critical eye, searching for some imperfection that we may not want others to see. Many of us concentrate on the new wrinkles and gray hair which confirms that we have passed the middle years of life. We see what others see, a likeness of the body that God created.

The Apostle Paul encouraged the Colossian believers to become a reflection of Christ. He urged them to be prudent in their conduct toward all those they came into contact with, whether fellow believers or non-believers. Paul tells Christians to behave with wisdom toward outsiders. In other words, to consider their great need to know Christ, just as the believer’s need was. Time was, and still is, in short supply.

We all experience the passing of time more quickly with each year that goes by. Paul saw limited opportunities to share the gospel and directed Christians to have their speech seasoned with salt, that is, the truth. He also reminded believers of the importance of having the wisdom and grace to give proper answers to questions concerning our faith. “But sanctify the Lord in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear.” — 1 Peter 3:15.

All Christians should reflect Jesus and promote the gospel of Christ. Prayer, personal character, and witnessing through our actions and speech can reach those in need of a savior.

Dear Lord,
Thank you for sharing Your grace and wisdom so that I may reflect You. Help me to shine Your light more each day.

The Lord Shut the Door

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“And they that went in, went in male and female of all flesh, as God had commanded him: and the LORD shut him in.” — Genesis 7:16

The story of Noah and the Flood is one of the first Bible stories taught to young children. Having every kind of animal on a boat with only Noah and his family to care for them, while a flood destroys everything else, is pretty remarkable. The rainbow, representing God’s promise to never destroy His creation again with flood waters, captures the attention of the children. They grasp the idea of a loving God who wants to preserve His children and the fact that we can count on God’s promises to remain true.

Today, as I read this passage, six words at the end of verse 16 in chapter seven stood out in a new way. “And the LORD shut him in.” Even though the entire story reflects miracle after miracle, this final act of closing the door to the ark is key to how it was sealed in preparation of the flood. God, Himself, shut and sealed the door. This was God’s power, executing God’s plan. This representation is critical to understanding God’s salvation.

First, we see that the Lord is saving life from judgment. It reminds us that God has promised to preserve those He has saved. This is a symbol of His ability to keep those He has saved. A promise to both Noah and to us.

Second, when every life meant to be saved was on board the ark, God, not Noah, shut the door. This security wasn’t earned by something Noah had done. He was justified by faith. God counted that faith as righteousness. “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” — Hebrews 11:1.

Just as the Lord sealed the ark to protect those inside, the Holy Spirit seals believers as a promise of our salvation. Let us not grow weary in well-doing as we continue to share the good news of Christ to those around us. Only God knows when the opportunity of salvation will end and He will shut the door.

Dear Lord,
Thank you for Your promise of salvation to those who believe. Help me recognize the opportunities to share the gospel with others.

Praise

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“But I will sing of thy power; yea, I will sing aloud of thy mercy in the morning: for thou hast been my defense and refuge in the day of my trouble.” — Psalm 59:16

The ground is covered in a blanket of snow just deep enough that I can’t see my miniature dachshunds when they go out for potty breaks. This morning, three beautiful cardinals came for a visit. As I watched them against the winter backdrop, a sense of peace came over me. The peace brought joy and an urge to lift my voice in a song of praise to God.

The Lord enjoys our singing, and it doesn’t matter whether we are in tune or not. Song engages our heart and mind, and when we sing praises to Him in worship, God is pleased. It also has the added benefit of easing whatever burdens we feel.

Before David became king, he spent several years running from Saul, who was determined to track him down and kill him. These were lonely years for David, but he was resolved to wait upon the Lord because he knew that God had a plan for him. Many of the Psalms we have today were written by David during these years. Psalm 59 was written as an encouragement to praise God in all circumstances. He knew God’s grace would work in him a heart of praise.

In verse 16, David shows us four things to consider in praising the Lord:
(1) What would David praise God for? God’s power and mercy. Without mercy, power is to be dreaded. Without power, man can’t expect to benefit much from mercy.
(2) Why would David praise God? Because God had been his defense and refuge in the day of trouble. The Lord gave him strength and protection to continue.
(3) How would David praise God? He would sing. He would sing aloud. As a natural expression of joy, David would sing about the glory of God.
(4) When would David sing? He would sing unto God in the morning. He would begin his day with praises to the Lord whose compassions are new every morning. Therefore, it’s fit to begin the day praising God.

Just as David learned to praise God at all times, through all circumstances, we too should praise Him. Only He can sustain us as we face each day, whether it’s a day of struggle or peace. Let us direct our prayers to God and also our praises. Regardless of where we find ourselves, the Lord is holding us steady. Let us look up and make melody in our hearts and with our voices to God, for He is worthy of praise.

Dear Lord,
Thank You for Your power and mercy in directing my path. You alone are worthy of my praise.

Strength in Christ

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And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong. — 2 Corinthians 12: 9-10

God knows the hearts of all people. He knows
the temptations we face and our tendency to sin. He also knows our daily struggles with physical, emotional, and spiritual undertakings. He made us. He wants to communicate with us and help us because He loves us.

In chapter 12 of his second letter to the Corinthian believers, Paul shared some of his own struggles in his walk with Christ as an encouragement to them. This message has been a great comfort to countless believers down through the ages—My Grace is Sufficient.

Even though Paul doesn’t identify what he calls a thorn in his flesh, it pained him enough to plead with the Lord to remove it. Multiple requests were made before the Lord answered, but not in the way that Paul expected. Rather than remove the thorn, Paul was assured that he would be given God’s grace to bear it.

Prayer is communication with God and when we are afflicted with thorns in the flesh, we should go to Him in prayer. The Lord will always answer, but as with Paul, the answer may not be what we expect. He may not remove our temptations or troubles, but grant us grace sufficient enough to endure it.

The goodwill and grace of the Lord are enough to strengthen and comfort us. It will cheer our spirits and support our souls in all afflictions. Paul was not only able to rejoice in his sufferings, but he was enabled to glorify in them as well. Through the power of Christ, we can do the same.

What a great testimony to the grace of God – no matter what we are required to face, there is a mightier force at work. We can boast gladly in our weakness and fragility because we are strong in the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Dear Lord,
Thank You for giving me grace sufficient for all my needs. Help me recognize and rejoice in Your power, made perfect in my weakness.

Challenges

The Lord bless thee, and keep thee:
The Lord make His face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee:
The Lord lift up His countenance upon thee, and give thee peace. — Numbers 6:24-26

It’s hard to believe that another year has ended and we are already several days into the new year. Truthfully, I felt no sorrow about waving goodbye to the last twelve months. I am looking forward to the days ahead and facing, head-on, the challenges they bring. Some of those challenges are planned — reading, writing, and sewing — and some are yet unknown.

So far, I have only listed tangible challenges. What about those we can’t touch? They are just as real and, I believe, more important to our well-being. Intangibles that affect our relationship with God and other people.

One of the most beautiful blessings in the Bible is the Priestly Blessing found in the book of Numbers. The Priests were to use this blessing when pronouncing God’s favor on the Israelites. The emphasis is on God. Its purpose is clear: it communicates the Lord’s desire to invest His people with His name. He alone can bless them, keep them, look on them with favor, be gracious to them, and give them peace.

Under the Old Covenant, the High Priest was God’s appointed mediator between God and man. Under the New Covenant, Jesus is our Great High Priest and our one and only mediator. While the Israelites were surrounded by enemies, they received God’s blessing as a promise for protection as they crossed into the Promised Land. Believers today are promised that nothing can separate us from the love of God that is in Jesus Christ.

By God’s grace, we have been called to pray that He will bless others with the truth of His gospel. May this year be full of peace and well-being as we seek to serve Christ and become channels of His blessings.

Dear Lord,
Thank You for a new beginning each day. I pray for a fuller understanding of Your blessings in my life.

Peace, Be Still

"And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side. 

And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships. 

And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full.

And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? 

And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. 

And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. 

And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? How is it that ye have no faith? 

And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?" — Mark 4:35-41 

Several years ago in a small, family-owned Christian bookstore, I came across a framed print of a painting entitled Peace, Be Still. The artist had captured in expert detail, the scene of Jesus calming the storm as told about in scripture. The raging waters, the wind-tossed boat, the terror on the men’s faces, and the total serenity of Jesus as He raised His hand to command nature to obey. 

I connected with that painting and would have bought it that day, had I not been short on funds. A few weeks later when I went back to make the purchase, the art piece was gone. I am still searching for it. Why does that portrayal of one event of Jesus’ life, still have such an impact on me? It shows the true Christ. 

Like so many of the events of Jesus’ life, this story is told in three of the four Gospels, Matthew, Mark, and Luke. To get the complete narrative, I like to read all three Gospel accounts. We see that Jesus had been teaching and healing near the Sea of Galilee. A large crowd pressed Him close to the sea and needing rest and time away from crowds, Jesus decided that He and the Apostles would take a boat to the opposite shore. Soon after they sailed, an exhausted Jesus fell asleep and a storm arose. When the boat started to take on water, the Apostles feared for their lives and pleaded with Jesus, Master, don’t you care if we drown? 

This story reveals the true humanity of Christ. He needed rest and time away. Often His ministry left Him without time to eat or sleep. Jesus was so fatigued that a raging storm didn’t wake Him. This should help us realize that Jesus was genuinely human and had the same basic human needs that we have. He understands us. In Hebrews 2:17, we see that Christ’s humanity is part of what makes Him qualified to be our merciful intercessor with God the Father. 

We also see that the Apostles suffered a lack of faith. This should remind us that even those who lived and walked with Jesus, witnessed His miracles, and received His teaching first-hand, still found it difficult to be completely faith-filled 100 percent of the time. But just as the Apostles' lack of faith was rebuked, so is ours. Jesus rescued the Apostles from the storm and is able to rescue us from the storms of everyday life. He was with the Apostles, and He is with us in the midst of our storms. 

But the story doesn’t end there. Not only do we see the true humanity of Jesus, we also see the deity of Jesus. Only God can make the wind and water obey. Only God has true power over nature and can command the elements. Only God can bring true peace. 

This can be enormously comforting to Christians in a storm. Remember that faith in Christ is never misplaced. If He can calm the storms of the sea with one word, He can calm the storms of life. 

Dear Lord, 

Thank You for the promise that You will be with me in the midst of the storms in my life.

Anticipation

 “All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: ‘The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel’ (which means ‘God with us’).” — Matthew 1:22-23

In the late 1970s, Heinz Food Products aired a television commercial for ketchup. The slogan, “It’s worth the wait,” was paired with the hit song, “Anticipation,” by Carly Simon. The result was a memorable advertisement for a quality product and increased sales of Heinz Ketchup.

Webster’s dictionary defines anticipation as “excitement about something that’s going to happen.” As we read through the Old Testament, we can see Israel’s anticipation of the coming Messiah foretold by the prophets. Several centuries later, we know the prophecies pertaining to His first coming were fulfilled with Jesus’ birth. Because we are looking back, rather than looking forward, we often fail to appreciate what it must have been like for them. History reveals the rising and falling of hopes as God’s people yearned for the Messiah’s arrival.

As we read the gospel accounts of Christ’s birth, it is hard to fathom the depth of joy experienced by the godly few chosen to play a part in welcoming Him. Each was appointed by God for that time and purpose.

Christians today are also appointed for this time as we anticipate the second coming of Jesus. Roughly half of the messianic prophecies of the Old Testament are still awaiting fulfillment. They provide us with God’s word about the future and are the basis for our hope and faith. While we wait, we must take care not to become discouraged by the many troubles of our fallen world.

A few years ago, I decided that I needed to adjust my focus for the Christmas holiday. Too easily caught up by the growing busyness of activities that surround Christmas, I felt the loss of joy. Beginning on December 1, I now read a 25-day devotional that focuses on the heart of Christmas—Christ. Additionally, on Christmas morning I add Luke 2:1-20 to my quiet time reading. This has become my adult version of an advent calendar. My countdown to celebrate the wonder of my savior’s birth. I encourage everyone who seeks greater understanding and peace with God during this hectic season to add this to your day. Experience the joy of a heart focused on Christ Jesus.

Dear Lord,
Thank You for loving me enough to offer salvation from my sin. Help me show kindness to others.

Give Thanks

“O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good; for his mercy endureth forever.” — 1 Chronicles 16:34

So many of my childhood memories center around the Thanksgiving holiday. We usually spent the day
with my dad’s side of the family. My dad’s maiden aunt would host the family gathering at her house. If the weather cooperated, the children would be sent outside to play while the men gathered in the living room to watch football on TV. The women busied themselves with getting the meal ready to serve and setting the tables. Our large group required more than one. There wasn’t a bad cook in the bunch. Plenty of food and so much to be grateful for.

In my opinion, Thanksgiving Day is one of the best holidays of the year. A day that was set aside for the specific purpose of showing our gratitude for God’s multitude of blessings. What began as a religious observance for our community has become a blur of Black Friday sales as we take down the Halloween decorations and replace them with Christmas decorations. That saddens me.

Even with all the struggles and hardships we deal with daily, there is reason to count our blessings. On December 26, 1941, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed a bill making Thanksgiving Day a National Holiday. The fourth Thursday of November was set as the date of observance. We had just entered WWII. A fearful and trying time for our grandparents and parents. Still, they found reason to be grateful to God.

My prayer is that we each take a breath, clear our minds, and thank the Lord for blessings in our lives. I would like to share a poem that I came across:

Count Your Blessings

Count your blessings instead of your crosses;
Count your gains instead of your losses.

Count your joys instead of your woes;
Count your friends instead of your foes.
Count your smiles instead of your tears;
Count your courage instead of your fears.
Count your full years instead of your lean;
Count your kind deeds instead of your mean.
Count your health instead of your wealth;
Count on God instead of yourself.

— Anonymous  

Dear Lord,
Thank You for all you have given me. In this Thanksgiving season, I pray that loved ones, present and past, will share space in my heart as new memories are created.

All He Asks of Us

 “And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it.”   2 John 1:6

Obedience. A word that can be defined in so many different ways, depending on the context. We train animals to obey commands, either to perform for entertainment or to live peacefully as we care for them. We establish laws so that we can drive safely or share communities in harmony. But this only addresses obedience in relation to each other. What about the relationship with God Himself? God created mankind in order to have fellowship. He has opened all the doors that lead to having that connection through Jesus Christ. All He asks of us is obedience.

The Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary gives a succinct definition of biblical obedience: “to hear God’s word and act accordingly.” Simply put, it demonstrates our faith and trust in God and leads to personal growth.

The apostle John defines this as love in his second letter to believing readers. The primary example of this selfless agape love is Jesus. He showed it through His life and actions. It includes loving one another, as well as walking in obedience to the truth of God. For Christians, this is not optional. Believers are to “walk in it,” that is, to obey it. But obedience isn’t learned overnight. It is a lifelong process that we pursue daily.

There are several reasons that obedience is important. First, because Jesus calls us to obey. It is also an act of worship that proves our love and demonstrates our faith. In 1 Samuel, we see that God rejected King Saul when he disobeyed the Lord.

Chapter 15:22 reads: “And Samuel said, Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.”

And verse 23 reveals Saul’s punishment for rebellion:“...Because thou hast rejected the word of the Lord, He hath also rejected thee from being king.”

We can see that disobedience leads to sin and death, but obedience brings promises from God. He promises to save us, watch over us, take care of us, and meet our needs. The will of God is that His people should walk in the truth of the gospel and abide by it.

As we approach the holiday season these next two months, let us be diligent in making obedience to the Lord our daily goal. Let us walk in it as a testimony to our trust and belief in Him and our love for others.

Dear Lord,
Thank You for showing me the importance of demonstrating my faith and trust through obedience to You. Help me show Your love to others.

Rest

“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
“Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
“For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” — Matthew 11:28-30

Every so often, a thought or phrase comes to my mind—and occasionally out of my mouth—that began with my mother. Interestingly, these nuggets of knowledge have increased in wisdom as I have gotten older. One of my favorite truisms of hers is the saying “Anything that comes between you and God is closer to God than you are.”

 

I try to use this as my guide stone in keeping my priorities in order. Sometimes, however, I concentrate so hard on juggling the balls of life’s responsibilities, that I step back to allow for more space to juggle. Eventually, I am overwhelmed by it and the burden is too much. That is when I realize that I have moved away from the Lord.

 

Each one of us faces struggles that are both unique to ourselves and in common with other humans. Jesus’ Jewish listeners wanted desperately to know God the Father and be approved by Him. Their religious leaders placed enormous burdens on them with their ‘yoke’ of legalistic traditions. Jesus offered relief from the regulations of the Pharisees through discipleship. An easy and serviceable ‘yoke’ because of His teaching, it equips us to live our lives in the way God designed them to be lived.

 

It is critical to remember that discipleship to Jesus isn’t essentially a religious obligation. We have an intimate relationship with the Lord. The one who calls, “Come to me’ and “Learn from me” offers rest for those who are weary and burdened. He offers rest for the soul.

 

When we look at following Christ from the world view, it can mean taking on difficult circumstances and giving up worldly pleasures. When we see it from the view of salvation, it means giving up the impossible task of carrying our own sin.

 

As complicated as life can become, we must take care not to step back to allow more space to juggle things on our own. We need to remove all barriers between us and Jesus. Discipleship is simple, really. It is at the heart of walking with Jesus in the real world, while He teaches us moment by moment how to live life His way. Jesus still lovingly extends His invitation, Come to me and I will give you rest.

 

Dear Lord,

Thank you for the assurance that rest can be found in being yoked to You.

Call the Doctor

"And it came to pass, that, as Jesus sat at meat in his house, many publicans and sinners sat also together with Jesus and his disciples: for there were many, and they followed him.
"And when the scribes and Pharisees saw him eat with publicans and sinners, they said unto his disciples, How is it that he eateth and drinketh with publicans and sinners?
"When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, 'They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.'" – Mark 2:15-17

Recently my eleven-year-old dachshund got sick. She lost energy and ate very little. Thinking it was a stomach bug, I debated whether to try to treat her myself or take her to the veterinarian. Due to her age, I opted to do the vet visit. That was the right decision, because she was very ill and required some strong medication to recover. If I had not sought help from a medical professional, she may not have survived the illness.

The famous salesman and motivational speaker, Zig Zigler, once said, "The first step to solving a problem is to recognize that it does exist." If I hadn’t recognized that my dog needed help, I wouldn’t have found a solution.

In the four Gospels, we see that the Pharisees and Sadducees were the chief antagonists of Jesus. In Matthew 23:16, He calls the Pharisees ‘blind guides,’ as they were blind to their own spiritual condition. They believed that acceptance with God was based on strict Torah study and observance. When Jesus associated with publicans and sinners, the Jewish religious leaders failed to understand such behavior from someone who claimed to be from God. When they questioned the disciples about it, Jesus responded.

The healthy have no need of a physician. The sick must realize they are sick to appreciate a physician. To avail themselves of the benefit of the physician’s skills, they must have faith in him. Having faith leads to doing as he directs.

Jesus took the initiative and called people to Him. He ate with the sinners that recognized their sin. Unfortunately, the Pharisees were convinced they were not sick and missed the opportunity to reconcile with God.

In his commentary Mark, Dr. R.C. Sproul commented on the irony of this passage: "The scribes were the sickest of the sick, all the while thinking they had no need of a physician.” To be saved from sin, we must overcome our own spiritual blindness. As long as we don’t believe we are sinners, we can’t receive the cure. To move closer to God, we must confess how far away we are from Him.

Dear Lord,
Thank you for opening my eyes to the sickness of sin in my life and providing the cure.

Roll Call

“These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.”—1 John 5:13

When I was a child, the music was my favorite part of a worship service. Even the slow tempo songs gave me the opportunity to exercise my lungs before my mom would admonish me to sit still and keep quiet during the pastor’s sermon. We sang from our hymnals and the music leader would throw a lively tune in occasionally to brighten the countenance of the congregation.

The words of those hymns, which were sermons themselves, never caught my attention until I realized my need for salvation. Now I marvel at the inspiration God gave each of the men and women to compose these precious songs.

Because I love to sing, the Lord blesses me with different songs that come to mind throughout the day. Recently, one of my favorite, “happy” hymns has been running through my mind. When the Roll is Called Up Yonder, written by James M. Black.

Mr. Black was educated in singing and organ playing. He was a youth leader, taught Sunday School, taught music as a song leader, and edited hymnals in his spare time.

Because he loved young people so much, he would always try to lead them to Christ. One day he met a ragged fourteen-year-old girl and convinced her to come to Sunday School. On one occasion, when he was making the roll call before the lesson, she didn’t answer when he called her name. Her absence made him think how sad it would be to be absent when our names were called from the Lamb’s Book of Life.

In 1 John, the Apostle John seems to assume that the reader is familiar with the gospel. In chapter 5, he summarizes how Christians can be sure they have eternal life. As we read the Word today, we also can have assurance. The key measurement of a true relationship with Jesus Christ is love. Love for God, but also for others.

Let us rest in the confidence that through the power of Christ we have the ability to overcome the world. Because of Him, we won’t miss roll call in heaven.

Dear Lord,
     Thank You for giving me assurance of eternal life through Your Word.

Character

“But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.”—1 Samuel 16:7

It is so hard to get past a first impression when we meet someone new. Especially if that person makes a less than stellar impression. We aren’t supposed to judge people based on appearance; however, humans seem to have a hard time with that. I usually try to follow my dogs lead on things. They have a much better instinct when it comes to perceiving people. 

Even the prophet Samuel struggled with allowing the outer man to sway his opinion. When the people of Israel cried out to the Lord for a king, God permitted Samuel to anoint Saul. By human standards, Saul met all the criteria for a leader. However, he did not have a pure heart before the Lord. 

After several disappointments, God rejected Saul and sent Samuel to anoint one of the sons of Jesse as His chosen king. Once again, Samuel judged the quality of Israel’s future king by outward appearance. Not inner attitude and motive of heart. When at last, the youngest son of Jesse stood before him, Samuel still saw a shepherd boy, but the Lord saw his heart. 

God alone can read the heart, attitudes, and motives of a person. He isn’t influenced by outward show or good works. Appearances can be deceptive, but the man or woman who loves the Lord with all their heart, mind, and strength will satisfy God’s heart. 

As believers, we should strive to reflect Jesus. Our thoughts and minds can be influenced by either our old sin nature or new life in Christ. We may be able to fool other people, but we will never deceive the Lord. He alone knows the intent of our hearts. Let us endeavor to see others through God’s eyes.

Dear Lord,

Thank You for reminding me to not rely on outward appearances. Help me see others through Your eyes.