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Source: The Daily Verse by Kat Davis
Source: Wisdom Hunters by Boyd Bailey
Source: Ransomed Heart Ministries by John Eldredge
Source: Relevant Magazine
11.17.2011
Stay Sharp
"Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another." Proverbs 27:17 ESV
WHEN YOU ARE stuck in sin, what are you compelled to do? Are you compelled to engage other believers and prayerfully work through sin's power in your life? Hopefully that is the case, but for many believers we urge ourselves to withdraw, retract, and disengage from those who would walk through our sin with us.
Let us remember, as Christians, we are called to confess our sins to one another (James 5:16), and this is not an arbitrary rule meant to shame us into compliance. Contrarily, it is intended for our benefit and building one another up in love. We may be grieved by our sin, but if it is habitual and ever reoccurring, we are unrepentant. This is because repentance is much more than feeling sorry about our sin, it is literally turning around and going the opposite direction. It is leaving that sin splattered on the concrete, instead of, like a dog, returning to it (Proverbs 26:11).
Rather than living in the dark and returning to your folly, confess your sin to a brother or sister, and stay accountable to him or her. When this happens, you will find you both become sharper, more useful tools for the Lord.
Do your closest friendships have a confessional element to them? How do these people sharpen you, and vice versa?
Source: Relevant Magazine
WHEN YOU ARE stuck in sin, what are you compelled to do? Are you compelled to engage other believers and prayerfully work through sin's power in your life? Hopefully that is the case, but for many believers we urge ourselves to withdraw, retract, and disengage from those who would walk through our sin with us.
Let us remember, as Christians, we are called to confess our sins to one another (James 5:16), and this is not an arbitrary rule meant to shame us into compliance. Contrarily, it is intended for our benefit and building one another up in love. We may be grieved by our sin, but if it is habitual and ever reoccurring, we are unrepentant. This is because repentance is much more than feeling sorry about our sin, it is literally turning around and going the opposite direction. It is leaving that sin splattered on the concrete, instead of, like a dog, returning to it (Proverbs 26:11).
Rather than living in the dark and returning to your folly, confess your sin to a brother or sister, and stay accountable to him or her. When this happens, you will find you both become sharper, more useful tools for the Lord.
Do your closest friendships have a confessional element to them? How do these people sharpen you, and vice versa?
Source: Relevant Magazine
Unity
And if a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand. Mark 3:25
Consider the "houses" in your life and how you can be a part of them being unified, constructed from the fruits of the Spirit.
Source: The Daily Verse by Kat Davis
Consider the "houses" in your life and how you can be a part of them being unified, constructed from the fruits of the Spirit.
Source: The Daily Verse by Kat Davis
11.16.2011
Running On Empty
"The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength." Isaiah 40:28-31 NIV
MOST OF US who drive realize fuel is an absolute necessity in order for our vehicle to run. We know that when the gas gauge reads "Empty" or when we see that annoying light come on, it's time to pull on in to the gas station and fill it up. But honestly, how many of you have tried to see how far we could get on "Empty"?
The same is true in our spiritual lives. Many times we try to see how far we can get, unintentionally, without spending quality one on one time with God. Our egos get in the way of the ever- present Holy Spirit that is beckoning our attention. Meanwhile, we remain on cruise control for the week. We try to fill our tank with everything but what is necessary to function: fellowship with friends, insightful books, worshipful music and "drive-by" encounters with God are all things. While these are all positive activities, they are not sufficient enough for sustained spiritual growth.
In the book of James, we find where our dependence, our source of strength, should come from. We need to be completely, solely dependent upon Him. He is our strength, our fuel. Subjugating ourselves to Him, our motives and our desires to His, leaves us full and confident to continue our journey.
What are some "good" things in your life that may actually be substitutions for taking the time to truly "refuel" with God?
Source: Relevant Magazine
MOST OF US who drive realize fuel is an absolute necessity in order for our vehicle to run. We know that when the gas gauge reads "Empty" or when we see that annoying light come on, it's time to pull on in to the gas station and fill it up. But honestly, how many of you have tried to see how far we could get on "Empty"?
The same is true in our spiritual lives. Many times we try to see how far we can get, unintentionally, without spending quality one on one time with God. Our egos get in the way of the ever- present Holy Spirit that is beckoning our attention. Meanwhile, we remain on cruise control for the week. We try to fill our tank with everything but what is necessary to function: fellowship with friends, insightful books, worshipful music and "drive-by" encounters with God are all things. While these are all positive activities, they are not sufficient enough for sustained spiritual growth.
In the book of James, we find where our dependence, our source of strength, should come from. We need to be completely, solely dependent upon Him. He is our strength, our fuel. Subjugating ourselves to Him, our motives and our desires to His, leaves us full and confident to continue our journey.
What are some "good" things in your life that may actually be substitutions for taking the time to truly "refuel" with God?
Source: Relevant Magazine
11.11.2011
Ask with Assurance
“Ezra came up from Babylon. He was a teacher well versed in the Law of Moses, which the Lord, the God of Israel had given. The king had granted him everything he asked, for the hand of the Lord was on him.” Ezra 7:6
You can ask with assurance when the Lord is with you. You can ask for prayer when the Lord is with you. You can ask for money when the Lord is with you. You can ask for protection when the Lord is with you. You can ask for a friend when the Lord is with you. You can ask for wisdom when the Lord is with you.
You can ask for understanding when the Lord is with you. You can ask for forgiveness when the Lord is with you. You can ask others to consider Christ when the Lord is with you. You can ask for boldness, wisdom, humility, strength, kindness, and opportunity when the Lord is with you.
Therefore, do not limit your ‘ask’ to your influence; unleash your ‘ask’ based on His influence. Fear does not lack reasons why you cannot ask. Pride will strangle the life out of your asking every time. The chance of rejection can lead you to postpone your asking for a more convenient time. However, the longer you wait, the harder it can become to simply ask. Asking is not easy, but it is necessary.
If you don’t propose, you may not marry. If you don’t ask for directions, you may wander around in frustration. Asking is an everyday part of life. Indeed, do not underestimate the power of God in your life, family, and work. His hand is on you for a reason and He has shown you favor for a reason.
“God said, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you” (1 Kings 3:5b).
Yes, it is wise to ask respectfully and responsibly. You are not a ‘bull in a china shop’, but rather a sheep in God’s flock. So ask prayerfully and in a timely manner. Make sure your ‘ask’ has been preceded by proper planning and prayer. You have a finite amount of relational and emotional capital to spend, so budget accordingly.
Above all else stay immersed in Scripture. A proper perspective provides for a potent petition. It is when we lose perspective that our asking becomes anemic and even non-existent. God’s Word will flush out your fear and replace it with His calm confidence. Seek the Lord and He will show you how and when to ask.
Ask for His wisdom to marinate in your mind, as it facilitates your freedom to ask. Ask for humility and God will use it to tame your trepidations. Sometimes it is easier to ask God than people, so ask Him so you can ask people. Asking is God’s methodology to accomplish His mission and it is an expression of trust. By faith, ask with assurance and you will be amazed at what you discover about yourself, God and others.
The Bible says, “You have not because you ask not” (James 4:2b).
What do I need to first ask of myself, before I ask of God and others?
Related Readings: 1 Kings 3:5; Matthew 8:5; 21:22; James 1:6; 2 John 1:5
Source: Wisdom Hunters by Boyd Bailey
You can ask with assurance when the Lord is with you. You can ask for prayer when the Lord is with you. You can ask for money when the Lord is with you. You can ask for protection when the Lord is with you. You can ask for a friend when the Lord is with you. You can ask for wisdom when the Lord is with you.
You can ask for understanding when the Lord is with you. You can ask for forgiveness when the Lord is with you. You can ask others to consider Christ when the Lord is with you. You can ask for boldness, wisdom, humility, strength, kindness, and opportunity when the Lord is with you.
Therefore, do not limit your ‘ask’ to your influence; unleash your ‘ask’ based on His influence. Fear does not lack reasons why you cannot ask. Pride will strangle the life out of your asking every time. The chance of rejection can lead you to postpone your asking for a more convenient time. However, the longer you wait, the harder it can become to simply ask. Asking is not easy, but it is necessary.
If you don’t propose, you may not marry. If you don’t ask for directions, you may wander around in frustration. Asking is an everyday part of life. Indeed, do not underestimate the power of God in your life, family, and work. His hand is on you for a reason and He has shown you favor for a reason.
“God said, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you” (1 Kings 3:5b).
Yes, it is wise to ask respectfully and responsibly. You are not a ‘bull in a china shop’, but rather a sheep in God’s flock. So ask prayerfully and in a timely manner. Make sure your ‘ask’ has been preceded by proper planning and prayer. You have a finite amount of relational and emotional capital to spend, so budget accordingly.
Above all else stay immersed in Scripture. A proper perspective provides for a potent petition. It is when we lose perspective that our asking becomes anemic and even non-existent. God’s Word will flush out your fear and replace it with His calm confidence. Seek the Lord and He will show you how and when to ask.
Ask for His wisdom to marinate in your mind, as it facilitates your freedom to ask. Ask for humility and God will use it to tame your trepidations. Sometimes it is easier to ask God than people, so ask Him so you can ask people. Asking is God’s methodology to accomplish His mission and it is an expression of trust. By faith, ask with assurance and you will be amazed at what you discover about yourself, God and others.
The Bible says, “You have not because you ask not” (James 4:2b).
What do I need to first ask of myself, before I ask of God and others?
Related Readings: 1 Kings 3:5; Matthew 8:5; 21:22; James 1:6; 2 John 1:5
Source: Wisdom Hunters by Boyd Bailey
Prayer, Preparation and Planning
"And I said to the king, "If it pleases the king, let letters be given me to the governors of the province Beyond the River, that they may let me pass through until I come to Judah, and a letter to Asaph, the keeper of the king's forest, that he may give me timber to make beams for the gates of the fortress of the temple, and for the wall of the city, and for the house that I shall occupy." And the king granted me what I asked, for the good hand of my God was upon me." Nehemiah 2:7-8
Nehemiah's countrymen, the Jews, were living in destitution. The once powerful walls of Jerusalem were little more than scattered rubble, and her great gates that once protected the people and welcomed their friends were reduced to char and ash. This broke him, and he began praying earnestly for God to work mightily on the Jew's behalf.
However, he didn't stop there; rather, he started planning for the day when God would answer his prayer. Many of us wait for God to work and answer prayer, like Nehemiah, but unlike him, we aren't prepared for when he does. God uses that time of waiting to prepare us, which he did with Nehemiah.
Nehemiah served king Xerxes as a cup-bearer, a trusted position. The king, sensing his brokenness, asked him, "Why is your face sad, seeing you are not sick?" Nehemiah didn't retell the sad tale, but was prepared with a well-planned solution.
Are we preparing for the day when God moves? Have we been praying for change as a church, but not preparing ourselves for when it occurs?
Examine your life and assess where you need to be actively preparing for God's move, instead of passively waiting for something to happen.
Source: Relevant Magazine
Nehemiah's countrymen, the Jews, were living in destitution. The once powerful walls of Jerusalem were little more than scattered rubble, and her great gates that once protected the people and welcomed their friends were reduced to char and ash. This broke him, and he began praying earnestly for God to work mightily on the Jew's behalf.
However, he didn't stop there; rather, he started planning for the day when God would answer his prayer. Many of us wait for God to work and answer prayer, like Nehemiah, but unlike him, we aren't prepared for when he does. God uses that time of waiting to prepare us, which he did with Nehemiah.
Nehemiah served king Xerxes as a cup-bearer, a trusted position. The king, sensing his brokenness, asked him, "Why is your face sad, seeing you are not sick?" Nehemiah didn't retell the sad tale, but was prepared with a well-planned solution.
Are we preparing for the day when God moves? Have we been praying for change as a church, but not preparing ourselves for when it occurs?
Examine your life and assess where you need to be actively preparing for God's move, instead of passively waiting for something to happen.
Source: Relevant Magazine
11.10.2011
Be Courageous
“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.” 1 Corinthians 16:13
Courage is an asset Christ dispenses to His disciples. It is the ability to stand for what’s right in the face of what’s wrong. It is an attitude of hope for someone struck down by illness, who chooses to look up and glorify God in life or death. Courageous Christ followers set boundaries for business or leisure travels and avoid activities that lead them into temptation. Courage is the gumption to get on God’s game plan and not give up.
Alertness to courage dismisses dullness to sin and replaces it with energy for eternal matters. Courage from Christ gives confidence in the face of conflict. It provides a quiet assurance that Almighty God is in control and He will carry out His purpose in His time. The Lord gives sufficient courage to stand firm in the faith and remain faithful to Him.
“I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death” (Philippians 1:20).
So, what are you facing that requires you to courageously come through? Is death staring you in the face? Take courage, it is your ticket to transition to be with Christ. Has a financial free fall crushed your net worth? Take courage, Christ is King, not cash. Is there a conflict at work or home that consumes your thoughts? Take courage in your mediator and master Christ Jesus. Courage is a gift from God that gets you through difficulty.
Courage comes in various forms and functions. It may be a phone call from a trusted friend who listens and affirms your character. A single scripture from the Bible may ring true to your spirit and, in the process, ratchet up your faith. The chorus from a praise song to Jesus can become a capsule of courage, that when ingested in worship soothes your soul. It may be a prayer, a smile, a kind word, a check or a sermon that bolsters belief.
“When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus” (Acts 4:13).
You receive courage so you can give courage. Encouragement is a gift that keeps on giving, not meant to be stored up and ignored. Like manure it can waste away stacked up in a barn or it can be spread around and make things grow. How do you know if someone needs encouragement? You know they need encouragement if they are breathing. Be courageous in Christ and infect others with courage. Indeed, courage creates courage.
Where do I need to trust Christ for courage? Who do I know who needs my encouraging word and works?
Related Readings: Joshua 10:25; 2 Samuel 7:27; Mark 6:50; Acts 27:22-25
Source: Wisdom Hunters by Boyd Bailey
Courage is an asset Christ dispenses to His disciples. It is the ability to stand for what’s right in the face of what’s wrong. It is an attitude of hope for someone struck down by illness, who chooses to look up and glorify God in life or death. Courageous Christ followers set boundaries for business or leisure travels and avoid activities that lead them into temptation. Courage is the gumption to get on God’s game plan and not give up.
Alertness to courage dismisses dullness to sin and replaces it with energy for eternal matters. Courage from Christ gives confidence in the face of conflict. It provides a quiet assurance that Almighty God is in control and He will carry out His purpose in His time. The Lord gives sufficient courage to stand firm in the faith and remain faithful to Him.
“I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death” (Philippians 1:20).
So, what are you facing that requires you to courageously come through? Is death staring you in the face? Take courage, it is your ticket to transition to be with Christ. Has a financial free fall crushed your net worth? Take courage, Christ is King, not cash. Is there a conflict at work or home that consumes your thoughts? Take courage in your mediator and master Christ Jesus. Courage is a gift from God that gets you through difficulty.
Courage comes in various forms and functions. It may be a phone call from a trusted friend who listens and affirms your character. A single scripture from the Bible may ring true to your spirit and, in the process, ratchet up your faith. The chorus from a praise song to Jesus can become a capsule of courage, that when ingested in worship soothes your soul. It may be a prayer, a smile, a kind word, a check or a sermon that bolsters belief.
“When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus” (Acts 4:13).
You receive courage so you can give courage. Encouragement is a gift that keeps on giving, not meant to be stored up and ignored. Like manure it can waste away stacked up in a barn or it can be spread around and make things grow. How do you know if someone needs encouragement? You know they need encouragement if they are breathing. Be courageous in Christ and infect others with courage. Indeed, courage creates courage.
Where do I need to trust Christ for courage? Who do I know who needs my encouraging word and works?
Related Readings: Joshua 10:25; 2 Samuel 7:27; Mark 6:50; Acts 27:22-25
Source: Wisdom Hunters by Boyd Bailey
Hope
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. Romans 15:13
When we look at our circumstances, there are times at which it is hard to have hope or believe. Be encouraged by this empowering passage and ask that God gives you the joy and peace that comes with believing He is sovereign. May He abundantly fill you with the hope you're longing for!
Source: The Daily Verse by Kat Davis
When we look at our circumstances, there are times at which it is hard to have hope or believe. Be encouraged by this empowering passage and ask that God gives you the joy and peace that comes with believing He is sovereign. May He abundantly fill you with the hope you're longing for!
Source: The Daily Verse by Kat Davis
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