Boyd Bailey: Grateful To God…

“But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him.” 1 Corinthians 2:14

Gratitude to God is a guarantee for an attitude of humility and happiness. It is hard to be grateful and not be full of joy and contentment. When we reflect on His salvation and grace in Jesus Christ, we are left awestruck that Almighty God would give us freely the gift of His only Son. Indeed, a grateful Christian never gets over the fact of the forgiveness and freedom they have in Christ Jesus. Gratitude gives us the right attitude!

How can we renew our thinking each day to be appreciative, when so many negative thoughts assault our mind? What is a wise process to keep us praising God for His provision? One way is to recount His blessings by writing them out. Take the time to pen what the Lord has done for you, and your sorrow will turn into a smile of satisfaction. Your glow comes back when you remember Christ’s incredible love and acceptance. When was the last time you spent your entire prayer time just praising and thanking God?

“Praise him for his acts of power; praise him for his surpassing greatness” (Psalm 150:2). Perhaps you praise Him in the morning for life and love. Praise Him midmorning for fulfilling work. Praise Him at the noon hour for health and happiness. Praise Him midday for forgiveness and faith. Praise Him at dinner for family and friends. Praise Him before bed for His Word and the wonder of His grace. Praise God and gratitude will follow.

Your gratitude goes a long way in leading others to be grateful. A grateful life is like a sea of thanksgiving that lifts all boats with hope. Appreciation attracts great people. Your thanksgiving to God for His favor and blessings, and for the incredible people in your life sets you up for success. Gratitude is a self-fulfilling prophecy for peace, joy and love.

“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him” (Colossians 3:17). Do I regularly express gratitude to God? Who can I honor by showing sincere appreciation and thanksgiving?

Related Readings: 1 Chronicles 16:9; Daniel 4:34; 1 Corinthians 1:4; 1 Timothy 4:4

Source: Wisdom Hunters by Boyd Bailey

Boyd Bailey: Generous God…

“Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men, for he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things”. Psalm 107:8-9 The generosity of our God is unprecedented with His unfailing love and His wonderful deeds. He gives rest when we are weary. He gives peace when we are fearful. He gives joy when we are sad. He gives comfort when we are sorrowful. He gives forgiveness when we are guilty. He gives hope when we are doubtful. He gives us His son Jesus for salvation and His Holy Spirit for our comfort, conviction and direction. He gives!

Why is the Lord so extremely charitable to His children? He gives because He loves. He loves you too much to leave you lost in your sins. This is why He gave Jesus as your gift of forgiveness. He loves you too much to leave you bound by lies. This is why He gave you the Holy Spirit to lead you in all truth. The revelation and understanding of truth is part of the Lord’s abundant provision. “He who forms the mountains, creates the wind, and reveals his thoughts to man” (Amos 4:13). His truth is your freedom to live well.

Moreover, it is God who gives you contentment in your work, and wealth and possessions to enjoy. “When God gives any man wealth and possessions, and enables him to enjoy them, to accept his lot and be happy in his work—this is a gift of God” (Ecclesiastes 5:19). Therefore, thank Him for what you have and trust Him for what you don’t have.

Because God has been so generous to you, how can you be generous to others? Perhaps you give grace instead of judgment, forgiveness instead of resentment, transparency instead of deception and freedom instead of control. Do you have family or friends that desperately need you to listen, offer advice and provide financial assistance? Pray God’s provision for people you know, and then be available as an answer to your own prayer.

“I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love…” (Ephesians 3:16-17). Am I grateful to God for His goodness and gifts to me? To whom can I offer generosity in Jesus’s name?

Related Readings: Deuteronomy 8:18; Job 33:4; Romans 15:5; 1 Corinthians 15:57

Source: Wisdom Hunters by Boyd Bailey

The Daily Verse: Matthew 6:2

Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. Matthew 6:2

You may find more enjoyment and reward from being generous without anyone but you and your Father knowing about it. If you have the heart to give, whether that's the gift of time, encouragement, coaching, mentoring or tangible gifts such as blessing someone financially, make a conscious effort to take into consideration if you should do it loudly and boldly or perhaps quietly, one generous gift at a time.

Source: The Daily Verse by Kat Davis

Boyd Bailey: Test Of Faith…

“They were left to test the Israelites to see whether they would obey the Lord’s commands, which he had given their forefathers through Moses.” Judges 3:4

It is easier to be a Christian when everything is going well. But what happens when things do not go your way? God sends a test or allows a test, and suddenly your faith has an opportunity to come alive and go to a deeper level of dependency. Perhaps you are experiencing disappointment from a friend, an unfaithful spouse, a rebellious child, death of a loved one, a loss of your job, or your health is giving you fits.

You can rest assured a test is coming. You have either been through a test, you are in a test or you are in between tests, but they are coming, so be ready. It may be a relational test, a financial test, a physical test, a family test, a career test, or a character test, but in God’s school of faith He gives regular exams with eternal consequences.

It may be a quick and unexpected pop quiz or an anticipated and grueling final exam. The answer key is abandonment to Almighty God. Your eternal instructor is trustworthy. Humbly learn what He is teaching you, so that you can teach others and become a better follower of Christ. But what, you ask, is the purpose of these tests of faith?

Two possible reasons for God’s test of faith are to teach you how to battle the enemy and to validate your obedience to God during difficult times. Your battle is not against a person or persons. It is spiritual warfare with an unseen enemy who lurks behind any and every opportunity he can to deceive, discourage and destroy you.

Your protection against this spiritual enemy, Satan, is the “belt of truth strapped around your waist”, an “armor of righteousness”, “your feet covered in peace”, a “shield of faith”, a “helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit”, and “God’s word” (Ephesians 6:13-18). Furthermore, engage with a community of believers to cover your back with prayer. It is the believer’s preparation and posture that causes Satan to squirm and to flee.

Another reason for your test of faith could be to validate your obedience to God. Will you remain faithful to Him, even when He seems very distant and uninterested? When life is hard, will you stay mad and blame others and God for your misfortune, or will you obey Him? Do the right thing even when you don’t feel like it and God will honor your efforts.

He has a much bigger plan that doesn’t waste pain. He is looking for trophies of grace to present to those in need of Christ and for those who may be stumbling and struggling in their faith. He is looking for men and women dead to themselves and their selfish desires, but alive unto Christ. Pain positions you to be a product of the grace of God.

Yes, it may be very difficult right now, but stay true to God. He is bigger than anything or anyone who may have you down right now. Tests are temporary but trust is forever. “I served the Lord with great humility and with tears, although I was severely tested by the plots of the Jews” (Acts 20:19). Am I trusting God with this test? Will I obey well?

Related Readings: Genesis 22:1; Deuteronomy 8:2; John 6:6; 2 Corinthians 2:9

Source: Wisdom Hunters by Boyd Bailey

The Daily Verse: John 8:32

...and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. John 8:32

Sometimes the truth hurts - but if you ask for the grace to embrace it, it will change you from being bound to being free. Take heed to wisdom offered to you and walk in the freedom that the Lord provides you when you embrace truth.

Source: The Daily Verse by Kat Davis

Boyd Bailey: Household Of Faith…

“… Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve… But as for me and my household we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:15 Is there enough evidence in your home for you to be convicted of following Jesus Christ? This is a choice that God gives us. A choice to center our home around faith or a façade. What happens behind the doors of your home? Is your home an incubator for faith? Indeed, your ministry begins at home. When your faith works at home, you have the creditability to export it to other environments. It is your laboratory for living.

This does not mean you are without problems, conflicts and challenges at home. On the contrary, it is when your faith sustains you through family difficulties that it becomes a compelling reason for others to follow Christ. The question for the head of the home is: Are you the spiritual leader? As a single parent, or the father or mother in the home, do you model prayer and Bible study? Does the fruit of the Spirit flow from your character? Are you involved with a community of believers in a local church?

Belief in God is a choice, so what are some wise choices you can make to build your household of faith? Begin by developing an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ. Once you are born again, you have a tremendous opportunity and responsibility to grow in your faith. Learn the Bible, apply it to your life and let God change you from the inside out.

Next, challenge your family to do the same. Create a culture of prayer that becomes a catalyst for their time with Christ. Family devotions, small groups with other believers and journaling are a few ways to feed the faith appetite of your loved ones. Take your family to church. This sets the stage for a week of faith and obedience.

Perhaps you read a chapter in Proverbs over dinner. Pray with your spouse. Turn off the television one night a week for thirty minutes; then discuss God’s word or act out a Bible story in a play and then pray for one another. Teach your children to pray for the sick, the lost and the hurting. Model for them the joy of generous giving and serving.

Show them how to serve the homeless, orphans and the elderly. Allow your kids to experience summer camps. This will galvanize their faith. It is a financial sacrifice, but it is an investment that will keep on throwing off dividends throughout their lives.

Talk with your family about your own struggles and failures, and God’s faithfulness to answer prayer and take care of you in spite of your mistakes. Your family needs to see you as much vulnerable as they do confident. Indeed, facilitating faith in your home is a daily choice; this is one reason Jesus prayed, “Give us each day our daily bread” (Luke 11:3). Am I a catalyst for Christ in my home? Do I serve the Lord with my family?

Related Readings: Genesis 18:19; 2 Kings 23:24; John 4:53; Acts 18:18

Source: Wisdom Hunters by Boyd Bailey

Boyd Bailey: Character Is Wise…

“She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.” Proverbs 31:26

A person of Christian character understands that true wisdom resides in heaven and not on earth. Because they look upward to the Lord for insight and understanding, they get down on their knees in humble prayer and dependency. “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him” (James 1:5). God is not greedy in giving out wisdom; His offer is for all who ask.

Men and women of character are able to discern between worldly wisdom and godly wisdom. Worldly wisdom is limited to temporal results; godly wisdom is unlimited in eternal consequences. Worldly wisdom strains in self-effort; godly wisdom rests in God’s grace. Worldly wisdom brings attention to the person; godly wisdom glorifies God. “The wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere” (James 3:17).

Furthermore a person of wisdom is not shy to share their insights with those who are eager to learn. They openly tell others of their own mistakes and also celebrate their successes. Wise followers of Jesus listen to the hungry of heart, discern what they are capable of receiving, and then gently apply truth at their point of openness. Wisely serve wisdom in digestible portions, so a soul does not feel bloated with too much information.

Therefore, seek wisdom from your Savior Jesus, whose insights cannot be explained by human reasoning. He will give you just what you need for now, not too much and not too little. However, He shares with you what He sees as right, so you can humbly teach His thoughts to others. Peter described Paul like this when he said, “Our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him” (2 Peter 3:15). Am I still learning, growing and gaining the wisdom of God? Do I steward the Lord’s wisdom wisely?

Related Readings: 1 Kings 3:28; Isaiah 28:29; Colossians 3:13; James 3:13-15

Source: Wisdom Hunters by Boyd Bailey