Have A “GREAT” Response

Have A “GREAT” Response
Bill Gothard

Great rewards are waiting for those who endure testing, including the power of God and a crown of life. “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him” (James 1:12). If we could learn how to have the right response to every situation involving reviling, we would take a giant leap toward daily success.

Accusations that produce anger confirm to bystanders that we are at least partially at fault, but a joyful response is a strong witness of innocence.

G—Give thanks: “In every thing [including reviling] give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you” (I Thessalonians 5:18). If our first response is to thank God, we will have the right heart attitude to understand the deeper reasons for God allowing it to happen.

R—Rejoice: “Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice” (Philippians 4:4). Giving thanks is an act of the will; rejoicing is a response of the spirit when we list the benefits that God intends to give us through the trial.

E—Engraft God’s Word: “… Receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls” (James 1:21). During His wilderness trial, Jesus defeated Satan three times using Scripture: “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4). We are to follow His example.

A—Appeal to God: “Call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me” (Psalm 50:15). Crying out to God is powerful! David testified, “When I cry unto thee, then shall mine enemies turn back: this I know; for God is for me” (Psalm 56:9).

T—Triumph With Good Works: “Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:21). It is through good works that we put to shame those “that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ” (I Peter 3:16).

May God give us the wisdom and grace to have a GREAT response, beginning now!

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Father, forgive me if my response to Your challenge is one of resistance and argumentation. If my ego is not at Your feet then help me put it there today. For the sake of Your Son, Jesus Christ who gave His life for me. In His Name I pray. Amen and Amen.

Motivations to Call

Motivations to Call
Os Hillman

... "Cheer up! On your feet! He's calling you." Mark 10:49

Do you recall the circumstances when God first called you into relationship with Him? Were you in need of something? Were you in a crisis situation? Every day God calls someone into relationship with Him through different circumstances. More often than not, the circumstances relate to a need in their life that only God can meet.

Bartimaeus had the need to see again. He was a poor blind beggar, who had heard about Jesus and the miracles He had done. The crowds rebuked him for seeking Jesus, yet he continued to cry out. "Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, 'Son of David, have mercy on me!'...Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus" (Mark 10:48,50). That day, Bartimaeus saw for the first time. But more than that, he saw with spiritual eyes for the first time.

Each workday, we rub shoulders with someone who has not met this Jesus we know personally. God uses needs to draw us to Himself. What need has He placed in a coworker that only Christ can meet? Perhaps you are the instrument He wants to use to introduce that person to Himself. It requires availability and a willingness to look for people with needs, then point them to Christ to meet their needs. Pray for divine appointments today.

True Repentance in a Nation

True Repentance in a Nation
Os Hillman

"When the king heard the words of the Law, he tore his robes." -2 Chronicles 34:19

Josiah was a godly king in Israel. However, before he came to power, the nation had fallen into all kinds of evil. One man, Manasseh, had brought the nation to a condition of inexorable evil. God finally had enough.

"Therefore this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: I am going to bring such disaster on Jerusalem and Judah that the ears of everyone who hears of it will tingle. I will stretch out over Jerusalem the measuring line used against Samaria and the plumb line used against the house of Ahab. I will wipe out Jerusalem as one wipes a dish, wiping it and turning it upside down" (2 Kings 21:12-13).

Josiah came into power just before this judgment. He began to clean up the evil by burning all the idolatrous temples, ridding prostitution and homosexuality from the streets, and destroying occult shrines. He did this without the benefit of even reading God's Word, but through the Holy Spirit working in his heart. Then one day the ancient Scriptures were discovered in the temple that had lain dormant for years. They had a profound impact on King Josiah. When the king heard the words of the Law, he tore his robes.

He gave these orders to Hilkiah, Ahikam son of Shaphan, Abdon son of Micah, Shaphan the secretary and Asaiah the king's attendant: "Go and inquire of the Lord for me and for the remnant in Israel and Judah about what is written in this book that has been found. Great is the Lord's anger that is poured out on us because our fathers have not kept the word of the Lord; they have not acted in accordance with all that is written in this book" (2 Chronicles 34:19-21).

Josiah was broken. He tore his robes in repentance. He fell to his knees and repented for the wickedness of his nation. He stood in the gap, and God honored Josiah; however, it wasn't enough. God still had to judge the nation for its previous wickedness under the reign of Manasseh.

"Because your heart was responsive and you humbled yourself before God when you heard what He spoke against this place and its people, and because you humbled yourself before Me and tore your robes and wept in My presence, I have heard you, declares the Lord. Now I will gather you to your fathers, and you will be buried in peace. Your eyes will not see all the disaster I am going to bring on this place and on those who live here." ... (2 Chronicles 34:27-28).

God spared Josiah during his reign, but after he died judgment came upon the nation. No nation is immune from God's judgment. Pray for your nation today. Pray that your nation will have a repentant heart among the leaders and the people.

Honor Your Parents

Honor Your Parents
Woodrow Kroll

Honor your father and your mother,that your days may be long upon the land which the LORD your God is giving you. -Exodus 20:12

On her 80th birthday, a woman from Brooklyn decided to prepare her last will and testament. She went to her pastor to make two final requests. First, she insisted on cremation. "What is your second request?" the pastor asked. "I want my ashes scattered over Bloomingdale's." "Why Bloomingdale's?" "Then I'll be sure that my daughters will visit me twice a week."

Unfortunately, there's a lot of truth in that humor. In Japan, for instance, a company is offering actors to play the part of family members. The actors will visit elderly parents as surrogates for the real family members. In Oakland, California, a 62-year-old man who could neither walk nor talk was found abandoned on a flight from El Paso, Texas. A note was pinned to his clothing saying he needed medical attention. Such disregard for one's parents is directly contrary to God's instructions. He exhorts us to show respect and concern for our parents and even attaches promises of longevity for those willing to obey.

As life becomes crowded with a multitude of commitments—at school, at church and at home—don't forget that the ones who gave you life may now require your attention as well. Check to see if they have needs that are going unmet; if they live close by, invite them to join you in your family's activities. Most of all, demonstrate your love and respect for them by simply taking time to be with them and listen to them. If you can't do that, pick up the telephone and call them often.

Let them talk as long as they want. Their days may not be long now, but God promises that your days will be long upon the land if you honor your father and mother. Don't allow this treasure to pass by your life unenjoyed. Honor your parents and the Lord will honor you.

When Faith is 'Six Feet Under'

When Faith is ‘Six Feet Under’
Timrufus

"Because you have prayed to me... " -Isaiah 37:21

Have you ever come across someone in the midst of a life resuscitation? Here are some of the many ways we can do a live-resuscitation to our own spiritual life.

One. Recalling The Goodness of God
When King Rezin of Aram and Pekah son of Remaliah king of Israel marched up to fight against Jerusalem, they could not overpower it. But yet we are told that the hearts of Ahaz and his people were shaken. When was the last time that you prayed and The LORD answered? No matter what circumstances you may be in today, this is what we can always called to remembrance. (1) It is because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. (2) His mercies are new every morning. Each time I fail, I will tell the Lord, “Lord, I am so sorry. I did it wrong again.” Surprisingly, one may have expect the Lord to say, “My grace is sufficient for you.” But the Lord reply instead, “I do not care how others may view about this (or you). What I am concern about is how you have viewed me before others." How we treat Him is God’s top priority today. How have you treat God today? Consider Jacob, David and the apostle Paul and Nathanael - “Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?” Blessed is the one whose sin the LORD does not count against them and in whose spirit is no deceit but if you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all. God always view us in our best because He is God our Heavenly Father. Start by recalling His goodness in your life today.

Two. Have a Close-Up Talk with God
When King Hezekiah received the letter of Sennacherib’s deriding words, he prayed to The LORD. The LORD so reply, “Because you have prayed to me..” There are times when my faith goes six feet under and it's a wonder as to 'how am I going to diffuse love when faith all underneath?' Rather I will think of how on earth will I still want to be in church sunday's morning. Yet every time I have that thought, I will pray to The Lord. I will have a close-up talk with him for his direction and strengthening. Then each meeting always ended me up in forgetting what others said previously. Grace alone which God supplies, strength unknown He will provide. - Have a close-up talk with God today.

Three. Get Some Exercise
Perhaps one of the reason why many of us are so crop up inside our mind is because we do not like to exercise. But not only does regular exercise aids in blood circulation, I believe it also makes us feel more relax and happier when we look at the thing outside. Spiritual exercise like continuing to serve in a ministry and sharing the gospel whenever you can is also a way of how we make our faith exercise. It is certainly better than mouth to mouth resuscitation!

Four. Be Weaned Once More
On the day Isaac was weaned, Abraham was told to get rid of Ishmael his one beloved son. Likewise, this Ishmael symbolizes the weakness of our flesh (Galatians 4:23) and each time an Ishmael is born out in the flesh, we need to be weaned again; then grow up in our salvation. James said, “Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.” Likewise, the longer the stay the Ishmael in our life, the higher the difficulty one may find in getting rid of it. (Genesis 16:6) Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching. (Proverbs 1:8) God said to Abraham, Listen to whatever Sarah tells you, because it is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned." God’s call and his gifts are irrevocable (James 1:17) but the promises of God have to begin with faith. (1 Samuel 2:30) Be weaned once more.

Five. Stay Tuned To The Holy Ghost
When prayer doesn’t seem to help and faith is dying, what do you do? But if you are thinking of finding an alternate ear here, then you are wrong. There is no a better Listener much stronger than The LORD. Sometimes people who can minister to you may jolly well be those who despite not knowing the circumstances you are in, are able to speak prophetically to you through thing they knew not of. Be with peoples whom you think can minister to you but remember to bring the peace of God along and stay tuned to the Holy Ghost!

Verses for meditation: 2 Chronicles 15:1-9

Dear Lord Jesus, it takes a mother to know a child in the arm and hence Lord, like a weaned child am I contented in living daily with your word. Through Christ’s Most Holy Name. Amen.

You Are Rich Indeed

You Are Rich Indeed
Truth For Life

"The LORD is my portion." (Psalm 119:57)

Look at your possessions, believer, and compare your portion with the circumstances of your friends. Some of them have their portion in the field; they are rich, and their harvests yield them a golden increase; but what are harvests compared with your God, who is the God of harvests? What are bursting granaries compared with Him who feeds you with the bread of heaven?

Some have their portion in the city; their wealth is abundant and flows to them in constant streams until they become a very reservoir of gold; but what is gold compared with your God? You could not live on it; your spiritual life could not be sustained by it. Could it grant peace to a troubled conscience? Apply it to a sad heart, and see if it could prevent a single groan or minimize one grief. But you have God, and in Him you have more than gold or riches could ever buy.

Some have their portion in something most men love—applause and fame; but ask yourself, is not your God more to you than that? Do you think that human accolades or thunderous applause could prepare you to face death or encourage you in the prospect of judgment? No! There are sorrows in life that wealth cannot alleviate; and there is the deep need of a dying hour, for which no riches can provide. But when you have God for your portion, you have more than everything else put together. In Him every need is met, whether in life or in death.

With God for your portion you are rich indeed, for He will supply your need, comfort your heart, relieve your grief, guide your steps, walk with you in the dark valley, and then take you home to enjoy Him as your portion forever. "I have enough," said Esau; this is the best thing a worldly man can say, but Jacob replied in essence, "I have everything," which is a note too high for carnal minds.

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Dear Lord, fountain of every heavenly blessing, I humble myself before You. On my own, I could never discover the richness You have given me in Christ. Please enlighten me by Your Spirit, as I search Your Scriptures. Build my faith to draw upon Your grace resources day by day, through Christ I pray, Amen and Amen.

Drawing Near To Darkness

Drawing Near to Darkness
Os Hillman

"The people remained at a distance, while Moses approached the thick darkness where God was." -Exodus 20:21

Like the nation of Israel, we are each called to the mountain of God, but few are willing to pass through the darkness to get there. God wanted to reveal His glory to the children of Israel, but they were afraid to enter into His presence.

They only wanted to know about God, rather than know him personally like Moses did. This grieved the heart of God. Why wouldn't the people of Israel risk entering the darkness if it meant being in the presence of God? What did the people fear?

Perhaps they had fears like each of us. The fear of the unknown. The fear of what might happen. The fear that God might not like what He sees. Or, perhaps even the greatest fear: the fear of darkness itself and what lies behind that darkness.

Many of us have been satisfied to hear about God from God's messengers. But there is a greater calling for each of you - a calling to enter into His presence. Sometimes entering into His presence means we enter through an unexpected door - a door that appears to have nothing good behind it.

We do not need to fear entering the presence of God even if it means entering through a period of darkness. Above all else we must believe that God is a God of love. If He calls us into darkness in order to enter His presence, then that darkness will become an entry to new levels of relationship with a God who longs for fellowship with you and me.

Greet One Another With A Holy Kiss

Greet One Another With A Holy Kiss
Timrufus

My brothers and sisters, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring that person back, remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins. -James 5:19-20

The bible says, God does not tempt anyone and because God himself cannot be tempted and so he want to tempt no one also. A person is tempted when he is drawn away, enticed and baited by his own desire. (verses13-14) God cannot be tempted by evil nor does he tempt anyone. Our enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour and who is it that want to tempt us the most but the devil! One of the character of God is such that God is faithful and He does not tempt anyone. The Father of the heavenly lights pour down every good and perfect gift from above and He does not change like shifting shadows. (Read Romans 11:29) Unlike the sons of men, God cannot be tempted and neither does He tempt anyone. But one may want to ask, why didn’t the good God intervened when the first murder took place in the history of mankind? We cannot hold God accountable for the every sin that men commit. Yet sometimes God does allow certain thing to happen and to happen right under His nose! But whatever temptation is true has overtaken us, God has not permit except what is common to mankind for “God is faithful and he will not let us be tempted beyond what we can bear. But when we are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that we can endure it.” (1 Corinthians 10:13)

Now, what are some of the reasons that can cause a person to be tempted since God does not tempt anyone? In a character’s role play, no one likes to play the devil most certainly and here in the book of James, the Lord’s brother began by telling believers to look within oneself first in a second person level of immediacy. (verse 21) He first began by exhorting believer to be quick to listen, but slow to speak and slow to become angry. Why slow to speak and slow to become angry? As we look through James 3: 5-7 in brand new dimension, we see that the tongue despite small, is the most powerful part of the body.

The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body that when one boast with evil intentions, he can become a stumbling block to others, setting them up with fire of desires. So instead of exhorting and lifting our brother up gently, we set him up on fire of desires with the word of our mouths. In other word, we build siege of temptation around others, causing them to be ensnared by what we say and sometimes hoping by what we do also, we run others down indirectly playing along with the devil at one point of time. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark – we cannot understand how difficult it is for the person next to us to burst forth in anger when one consider his speech and is slow in it.

Secondly, we can become a stumbling block to others when we corrupt them with word of our mouth. The speaker on a pulpit cannot be amiss when he comes on the stage because high chance is that he may fall off the pulpit! As A.W Tozer puts it, “Prayer long before The Lord - This is the Biblical norm from which we depart to our own undoing and to the everlasting injury of the souls of men.” A shepherd cannot be mindlessly sheering wool out of his sheep constantly, one great possibility is that he may cut the sheep while sheering it. That is why words are powerful and word can be one powerful stumbling block we put in front of other especially when we are a leader.

Thirdly, we can become a stumbling block to others when we left our tongue untamed. James says, “Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check.” Since it is impossible for one to be perfect and never at fault, that is why it is so important for one to keep his tongue in check. I remembered how the last time I pull my nephew’s ear in public hurt his child’s ego. Having learnt the lesson well, I never hit him again in public but continue to exhort and encourage him even when he misbehave himself. I see him now as one of the best child I’ve ever known! Strictly speaking, there is nothing wrong with one imparting knowledge and wisdom of the sages, but a self-constituted censor and reprover of others will he himself be judged by a higher standard and with greater severity because he first judge; thus he assume the greater accountability and the more condemnation. (James 2:12-13)

Not just wives, the bible exhorts all Christians ought to submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. (Ephesians 5:21) To consider how one may spur another man on towards love and good deeds is meaning to arouse, to excite, to call into action and in some version to provoke unto love; to brotherly love. Its original message is not meaning to irritate, to insinuate, or even to exasperate. Christians are called not to exasperate their children but instead bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord. We can all stumble in many ways but James exhorts us to be careful not to cause any stumbling block before our little brother. Let us pray that we would not be the instrument that the devil want to hold by which he use in assassinating others (verse 15) and in attempts to devour by succumbing others to the worst in them.(verse 14) - This stumbling block, the devil wants to exploit.

Greet one another with a holy kiss today.

Dear Lord, we cannot deny that we are somehow responsible for the hundredth sheep that is out in the open today. So set a guard over our mouths today and keep watch over the door of our lips. Enable us O God, to partake of Your Word though raw and a repulse to our own palate, we will know you more. Wounds from a friend can be trusted and better is open rebuke than hidden love. But Lord, we do not want to be the one stumbling block by which the devil wants to exploit. In Jesus most holy Name. Amen!

Verses for meditation: Matthew 18:1-12

The Joseph's Company

Sold Out To Jesus
David Wilkerson

Does our heavenly Father favor certain of his children? Does the Bible say God is no respecter of persons? When it comes to salvation and his wonderful promises, God treats all alike but he also puts his special favor on those who respond wholeheartedly to his calling and yield their lives to him entirely!

Job said: "Thou hast granted me life and favour" (Job 10:12). David said: "For thou, Lord, wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt thou compass him as with a shield" (Psalm 5:12).

Our heavenly Father puts a special garment on those who completely give him their heart: "I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness" (Isaiah 61:10).

Joseph responded to the Spirit's call, surrendering all, and as a favor from his father he received a robe that set him apart. But that favor of his father was costly! It cost Joseph relationships and brought him rejection, misunderstanding and mockery: "All his brethren . . . hated him" (Genesis 37:4).

Why did Joseph's brothers turn on him? The key is in verse 11: "His brethren envied him." When they saw the robe Joseph wore, they knew it spoke of favor, righteousness. And they hated it, because it reminded them of the Spirit's call they had rejected! Joseph was a reproach to their halfhearted lifestyle!

You see, Joseph's brothers sat around indulging in petty gossip and self-centered talk. Their hearts were occupied with lands, possessions, the future, but Joseph's was elsewhere. He spoke of the things of God, of supernatural dealings. God had given him dreams, which in that day was synonymous with hearing the voice of God.

Lukewarm believers around you will want to talk about their cars, houses and jobs, but you'd rather talk about eternal things, about what God is saying to you. Soon you'll become a reproach to their halfheartedness. They will envy you because you represent the call of the Holy Ghost they turned down!

Yes, Joseph was of a different cloth and that difference made him hated and envied among his brothers. And, beloved, the same will happen to you if you are sold out to Jesus!

Rejected for Christ

Rejected for Christ
Os Hillman

"And they took offense at Him...." -Matthew 13:57

Jesus taught in the synagogue in the community He grew up in. He was raised as a local carpenter's son. No one saw any miraculous powers in this young boy's life. But something changed as He became older. "Where did this man get this wisdom and these miraculous powers?"

Those in the community could not reconcile God's work in someone they thought they knew simply as the carpenter's son. God brings every person who is committed to Him out of their normal routine into a new revelation of Himself that impacts others. Is the move of God so evident in your life that it invites scrutiny from friends or coworkers? Jesus confronted the issues of His day without fear of being rejected.

A life of obedience will be an affront to the systems of this world. When God begins His deeper work in you, it will be a stumbling block to those around you. When you are rejected for Christ, consider that Christ is affirming His call on your life and you are becoming a threat to the kingdom of darkness. How many of satan's workers do you suppose have been assigned to thwart God's activity in your life? Those who sit in a pew from week to week and never speak the name of Christ in the workplace require few opponents because they represent no threat to the kingdom of darkness.

How are you impacting the kingdom of darkness? God has called you and me to impact the lives around us for His Kingdom. Your words may be an affront to those around you; do not fear this. God will use your words and life to draw others to Himself. You are His ambassador in the workplace. He has placed you there for this time to extend life to those who live in darkness.

Help Your Children Know God

Help Your Children Know God
Rick Warren

I showed what You are like to those You gave Me from the world.
They belonged to You, and You gave them to Me. -John 17:6

The world is full of sons and daughters who desperately need a father who is a spiritual leader. Is it possible your kids are among them? You can become a spiritual leader to your children by developing the characteristics that we see in Jesus as he taught his disciples for three years. Even if you are not a father, or a mother, you will be able to lead others into the heart of God by following the example of Jesus. First, Jesus helped the disciples to know God.

Dads, this is your number one responsibility as a father. You need to help your children get to know God because eternity is in the balance: life or death, heaven or hell. It is your job to help make sure your kids are introduced to God.

Look at what Jesus says: "... they belonged to You." He's acknowledging that the disciples belonged to God. And reminding us that we don't own our kids. They belong to God. He loaned them to us for a period of time in which He wants you to parent them. Parenting, like all forms of leadership, is really about stewardship. You learn to say, 'God, I am the steward of these children, whom you put into my care and I will do what you need me to do to help them achieve their purpose."

Notice Jesus then says, "I showed what You were like to those You gave me." Jesus doesn't say, "I preached. I sermonized. I pontificated. I lectured so the disciples would know you." He says, "I showed." He led by example. This is one of the most sobering truths about being a parent. For right or wrong, for good or bad, whether you like it or not your children's idea of God is going to be largely determined by the kind of father you are. You may not like that. I may not like that, but it's the truth.

If you are an impatient and demanding father, they're going to think God is impatient and demanding. If you are distant and detached and never have time for your kids, they're going to think God is distant and detached from them. If you are inconsistent and unreliable, if you break your promises, they're going to think their heavenly Father is inconsistent and unreliable and breaks His promises.

What is God really like? "God is caring. "God is close and aware of the details. "God is consistent. "God is competent.

If my kids are going to grow up knowing God is caring, close, consistent, and competent, then I must be caring, close, consistent, and competent. I must care about my kids enough to show them what God is like and show how they can become like Christ.

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Father, help me to teach my children Your ways.
Give them the desire, the wisdom, and the strength to flee
from tempting relationships and situations and to pursue right living.
In Christ's Holy Name, we pray. Amen and Amen.

Heaven is Opened

Waging War in The Heavenliest
Timrufus

“But the time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; in those days they will fast.” –Luke 5:35

There was a time when I never liked the idea of fasting because I thought why should I fast when the Lord is with me? But the first time I felt a desperate need to fast, work life suddenly turned haywire. My non-Christian colleague-friends felt I was religiously crazy and at times they came up behind me trying to catch what I was praying. When I first learnt how to say, ‘Thank you LORD’, I was singing praises and crying out aloud to Him at home with word of adoration and thankfulness. But contrary to any word of faith movement, school life became unbearable; I began to call on the Lord. Many times I ask for God to take me home, but He opened up my spiritual eyes instead to see how life on earth is beautiful.

Then Heaven is opened. In the heaven, no one dare to voice any word of opposition to Him who sit on the throne. And because heaven's rule is just so stringent, up there everyone stands in awe of God and everyone is compelled to speak with one another in a very much cordial manner. Life on earth is beautiful because for one to worship God is a choice of a willing and open heart. Life on earth is beautiful because compared to eternity, it is so short.

The angel said to Daniel, since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them. But the prince of the Persian kingdom resisted me twenty-one days. Whenever Christians set their heart to seek God and to gain understanding through Him, heavenly wars are waged. Likewise, when Jesus died on the cross, devil thought it has won but instead Christ resurrected on the third day and sin was defeated. Paul said, to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. And this is why it says: “When he ascended on high, he took many captives and gave gifts to his people.” (Ephesians 4:8)

And the same Paul who also says, therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. Do not be afraid of waging wars in the heavenliest today. What you may have seem to lose now that though outwardly is wasting away, could in turn produce the nutrients that other impoverish souls needed one day. (Luke 22:31)

Verses for meditation: John 14

Father, make me a soldier of steel that I may go beyond the terrestrial to the spiritual but make the heart soft and tender coupled with wisdom and glace with heavenly grace and may your love and your faithfulness always go before us as your word say, ‘Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.’ And I shall fear no evil for You are with me. I believed; therefore I pray. Let this be our prayer Lord. In Jesus mighty name. Amen.

Embracing the Mess

Embracing the Mess
Os Hillman

"Where there are no oxen, the manger is empty, but from the strength of an ox comes an abundant harvest." -Proverbs 14:4

I used to walk through a new home subdivision. Often I would see the street filled with red clay from the land as bulldozers clear it to lay a foundation. The job site is littered with lumber, all sorts of trash from workers, and is generally a mess. The house looks ugly; it has all its insides exposed as it is being pieced together, yet this process is necessary to get to the finished product. When completed, the home is beautiful. The landscaping looks like it came out of a home-design magazine. Everything is clean and perfect in order for the new homeowner to move in.

Our walk with God is much the same process. Often we must go through a messy period of our lives in which all aspects of it are in disarray. It is in these times that God builds a new structure. He might remove some structural timbers in our lives and replace them with new ones. He might even add on another room. And unless this process takes place, we will never see the end product. The goal is more Christlikeness. In order to achieve this in us, He requires a period of removing all that is not of Him. It can be a painful process.

It would be impossible to keep oxen in a barn without having to clean up the mess from time to time. It just comes with the territory, but the result of the oxen is an abundant harvest. God may be allowing a mess in order to ensure a fruitful harvest in your life. Learn from Him so that you might experience the fulfillment of His purposes for you in these times.

Being a Shelter

Being a Shelter for Those in Need
Os Hillman

"Each man will be like a shelter from the wind and a refuge from the storm, like streams of water in the desert and the shadow of a great rock in a thirsty land." -Isaiah 32:2

Have you ever walked in a dry, hot climate for an extended time? The sun beats down, sweat begins to pour off your brow, and your throat and mouth are parched with thirst. A little shade, a slight breeze, or a cool drink becomes the greatest thing one could value at the moment.

When you and I walk with Christ in the workplace, we become that kind of oasis for non-Christians. However, they may not recognize it at the time. Let's face it, the workplace is pretty tough, especially when Christ is not in the center of it.

When a person becomes aware of their need of Christ through you or me, we have become a shelter from the wind. We become their refuge from the storms of life.

Someone once said that you and I might be the only Bible someone ever reads, so we need to be something worth reading. Are you available to be that shelter for a non-believing friend? If so, then you may open the eyes of someone who has been blind his whole life. What an incredible blessing to know you were the instrument God used to bring a person into the Kingdom of God.

"Then the eyes of those who see will no longer be closed, and the ears of those who hear will listen" (Isaiah 32:3).