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.