"In their hearts human beings plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps." Proverbs 16:9 TNIV
IT'S SO EASY to live a life that revolves solely around a single agenda: our own. Everything in the surrounding culture encourages us to create the life that we want, to see the fulfillment of our own goals as the ultimate prize, to stand apart from the crowd by being truly selfish.
Of course, Christianity suggests otherwise. It tells us that meeting our own desires is not the path to godly success. Jesus quotes from the ancients in Deuteronomy and Leviticus when He reminds His audience precisely what we ought to value most: to love God with all of our energy and passion, and to love others as much as ourselves.
Selfless living does not mean placing others on an equal footing with ourselves, handing out the compassion in step with the self-indulgence. True Christianity—to be near the kingdom of God, to understand the very fibers that hold together the essence of Christianity, to put our faith into bold practice—means handing over our own agendas in place of serving God and others. It might not be sexy or culturally on-message, but it’s there, in plain and simple truth.
Make a to-do list for the week. Then cross off or re-prioritize the tasks that are purely selfish or need to be re-focused to better serve God and others?
Source: Relevant Magazine by Craig Borlase
8.31.2011
8.30.2011
Finding Faith in Doubt
"I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!"Mark 9:24 TNIV
FOR MANY PEOPLE of faith, the idea of experiencing doubt at all makes them very nervous. They view the questions that rise in their minds as evidence of a lack of faith, which surely disqualifies them from being authentic believers. So they shove their doubts into their subconscious in Pollyanna-ish fashion. But what if it's not true? What if honest doubt is actually the essence of faith? What if real faith has doubt in the mix, as a coin has two sides? That would mean struggling with doubt is not a lack of faith; it would actually be faith!
I think it is healthy to be uncertain every now and then. Frederick Buechner wrote, "Every morning you should wake up in your bed and ask yourself: 'Can I believe it all again today?' ... At least five times out of 10, the answer should be 'No' because the 'No' is as important as the 'Yes,' maybe more so."
We should not be ashamed if we are drawn like magnets to the uncertainties and questions inherent in faith. Faith is not supposed to come naturally. Faith is the venture of human consideration and divine illumination. Only in a world where faith is difficult can faith exist.
Think of some faith "heroes" in scripture. Did they face doubts? How did they perceive them?
Source: Relevant Magazine by Ed Gungor
FOR MANY PEOPLE of faith, the idea of experiencing doubt at all makes them very nervous. They view the questions that rise in their minds as evidence of a lack of faith, which surely disqualifies them from being authentic believers. So they shove their doubts into their subconscious in Pollyanna-ish fashion. But what if it's not true? What if honest doubt is actually the essence of faith? What if real faith has doubt in the mix, as a coin has two sides? That would mean struggling with doubt is not a lack of faith; it would actually be faith!
I think it is healthy to be uncertain every now and then. Frederick Buechner wrote, "Every morning you should wake up in your bed and ask yourself: 'Can I believe it all again today?' ... At least five times out of 10, the answer should be 'No' because the 'No' is as important as the 'Yes,' maybe more so."
We should not be ashamed if we are drawn like magnets to the uncertainties and questions inherent in faith. Faith is not supposed to come naturally. Faith is the venture of human consideration and divine illumination. Only in a world where faith is difficult can faith exist.
Think of some faith "heroes" in scripture. Did they face doubts? How did they perceive them?
Source: Relevant Magazine by Ed Gungor
8.26.2011
You're Not Yourself
Yes, dear friends, we are already God's children, and we can't even imagine what we will be like when Christ returns. But we do know that when he comes we will be like him, for we will see him as he really is. (1 John 3:2 NLT)
We have an expression that we use to describe someone who's out of sorts, who's not acting like the person we know her to be: "She's just not herself today." It's a marvelous, gracious phrase, for in a very real way, no one is quite himself today. There is more to us than we have seen. I know my wife is a goddess. I know she is more beautiful than she imagines. I have seen it slip out, seen moments of her glory. Suddenly, her beauty shines through, as though a veil has been lifted.
All of us have moments like this, glimpses of our true creation. They come unexpectedly and then fade again. Life for the most part keeps our glory hidden, cloaked by sin, or sorrow, or merely weariness. When I see an old woman, doubled over with arthritis, the hard years etched into her face, I want to cry, Eve, what happened? How truly wonderful it will be to see her in her youth again, the full flower of her beauty restored.
When the disciples saw Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration, they got a peek at his glory. He was radiant, beautiful, magnificent. He was Jesus, the Jesus they knew and loved-only more so. And we shall be glorious as well. Jesus called himself the Son of man to state clearly that he is what mankind was meant to be. What we see in Jesus is our personal destiny.
(Desire , 116-17)
Source: Ransomed Heart Ministries by John Eldredge
We have an expression that we use to describe someone who's out of sorts, who's not acting like the person we know her to be: "She's just not herself today." It's a marvelous, gracious phrase, for in a very real way, no one is quite himself today. There is more to us than we have seen. I know my wife is a goddess. I know she is more beautiful than she imagines. I have seen it slip out, seen moments of her glory. Suddenly, her beauty shines through, as though a veil has been lifted.
All of us have moments like this, glimpses of our true creation. They come unexpectedly and then fade again. Life for the most part keeps our glory hidden, cloaked by sin, or sorrow, or merely weariness. When I see an old woman, doubled over with arthritis, the hard years etched into her face, I want to cry, Eve, what happened? How truly wonderful it will be to see her in her youth again, the full flower of her beauty restored.
When the disciples saw Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration, they got a peek at his glory. He was radiant, beautiful, magnificent. He was Jesus, the Jesus they knew and loved-only more so. And we shall be glorious as well. Jesus called himself the Son of man to state clearly that he is what mankind was meant to be. What we see in Jesus is our personal destiny.
(Desire , 116-17)
Source: Ransomed Heart Ministries by John Eldredge
Faith in Change
There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens. Ecclesiastes 3:1 NIV
LET'S FACE IT. We talk about change, but we don't handle change really well, and when we speak of change it isn't frequently that we can do it with our whole hearts, without the voices of cynicism falling down around us. But our faith is one built entirely on the promises of change. In fact, it is founded in the idea that change has already been resoundingly delivered. Our Messiah closed the deal on change when He emerged from the tomb. At the risk of sounding too much like Thoreau or the Hebrew mystics, maybe nature's rhythm is one of God's clearest messages to His people? Change is the actuality of life with God.
Time offers us the opportunity to embrace change, to allow the death of what needs to pass away in our own lives, allow the dawn of new creation, new creativity, new energy, and new life for our journey. The voices of disparagement and skepticism will say that I can't quit this or can't accomplish that, that I will never recover from a transgression or misstep. But when Jesus rose from the dead he guaranteed that transformation would be completed in me, a promise woven so securely into the very DNA of Creation that even nature must model its truth in the grand symphonies of its seasons.
How can you reconcile your relationship with change through faith in Christ?
Source: Relevant Magazine by Matt Litton
LET'S FACE IT. We talk about change, but we don't handle change really well, and when we speak of change it isn't frequently that we can do it with our whole hearts, without the voices of cynicism falling down around us. But our faith is one built entirely on the promises of change. In fact, it is founded in the idea that change has already been resoundingly delivered. Our Messiah closed the deal on change when He emerged from the tomb. At the risk of sounding too much like Thoreau or the Hebrew mystics, maybe nature's rhythm is one of God's clearest messages to His people? Change is the actuality of life with God.
Time offers us the opportunity to embrace change, to allow the death of what needs to pass away in our own lives, allow the dawn of new creation, new creativity, new energy, and new life for our journey. The voices of disparagement and skepticism will say that I can't quit this or can't accomplish that, that I will never recover from a transgression or misstep. But when Jesus rose from the dead he guaranteed that transformation would be completed in me, a promise woven so securely into the very DNA of Creation that even nature must model its truth in the grand symphonies of its seasons.
How can you reconcile your relationship with change through faith in Christ?
Source: Relevant Magazine by Matt Litton
7.29.2011
Balance
For I fear that perhaps when I come I may find you not as I wish, and that you may find me not as you wish--that perhaps there may be quarreling, jealousy, anger, hostility, slander, gossip, conceit, and disorder. 2 Corinthians 12:20
If you find some of the things around you that Paul mentions here, like gossip, conceit, disorder or jealousy, take a sober assessment of from where they're originating. Then pray for the wisdom and grace to slowly have them removed from your surroundings. Things that don't build us up eventually wear us down.
Source: The Daily Verse by Kat Davis
If you find some of the things around you that Paul mentions here, like gossip, conceit, disorder or jealousy, take a sober assessment of from where they're originating. Then pray for the wisdom and grace to slowly have them removed from your surroundings. Things that don't build us up eventually wear us down.
Source: The Daily Verse by Kat Davis
7.20.2011
Never Give Up
“Know also that wisdom is like honey for you: If you find it, there is a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off.” Proverbs 24:14
Hope from heaven is a dependable handle to hang on to through the ups and downs of life. Like a skilled mountain climber we hook our rope of trust to the face of the solid rock, so we have secure support. It does not mean we are absent of fear, but it does mean in the middle of our fears we can have faith in Holy God to handle the inclement conditions.
The wisdom of the Lord is not illusive, but available to all who humble their hearts and take the time to invite in His influence. Truth is sweet to the soul and it will nourish your heart like spiritual nectar. Belief is a worker bee on behalf of God that takes the pollen of providence and produces the sustenance of salvation. You may have tried religion and found it lacking, but do not give up on God—enter into a growing relationship with Jesus.
“The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful. But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown” (Matthew 19:22-23).
Hope keeps your heart fertile to grow the seed of God’s word. Perhaps past regrets have choked out your confidence in Christ, if so—determine not to give up—but to give Him another chance. You may be like Paul, Moses, Naomi, Hannah, Sarah and Abraham who saw the Lord use them much more in the second half of their life than the first half. As long as there is breath in your body, you have the potential to be a bold witness for God.
Jesus does not cut off those who trust Him, but leads them down the path of productive Kingdom living. Lift your eyes off yourself and look to Him and seek out how to serve those in need. Make sure you follow Him by faith—do not ask Him to follow you. Hope in the Lord adds fuel to your fire of faith. It is your soul’s internal combustion for the cause of Christ. Finish well by not giving up, but by giving all you have for God!
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing” (2 Timothy 4:7-8).
What is the Lord calling me to give over to Him and to not give up on Him?
Related Readings: Psalm 119:116; Isaiah 57:10; 1 Thessalonians 1:3; 1 John 3:3
Source: Wisdom Hunters by Boyd Bailey
Hope from heaven is a dependable handle to hang on to through the ups and downs of life. Like a skilled mountain climber we hook our rope of trust to the face of the solid rock, so we have secure support. It does not mean we are absent of fear, but it does mean in the middle of our fears we can have faith in Holy God to handle the inclement conditions.
The wisdom of the Lord is not illusive, but available to all who humble their hearts and take the time to invite in His influence. Truth is sweet to the soul and it will nourish your heart like spiritual nectar. Belief is a worker bee on behalf of God that takes the pollen of providence and produces the sustenance of salvation. You may have tried religion and found it lacking, but do not give up on God—enter into a growing relationship with Jesus.
“The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful. But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown” (Matthew 19:22-23).
Hope keeps your heart fertile to grow the seed of God’s word. Perhaps past regrets have choked out your confidence in Christ, if so—determine not to give up—but to give Him another chance. You may be like Paul, Moses, Naomi, Hannah, Sarah and Abraham who saw the Lord use them much more in the second half of their life than the first half. As long as there is breath in your body, you have the potential to be a bold witness for God.
Jesus does not cut off those who trust Him, but leads them down the path of productive Kingdom living. Lift your eyes off yourself and look to Him and seek out how to serve those in need. Make sure you follow Him by faith—do not ask Him to follow you. Hope in the Lord adds fuel to your fire of faith. It is your soul’s internal combustion for the cause of Christ. Finish well by not giving up, but by giving all you have for God!
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing” (2 Timothy 4:7-8).
What is the Lord calling me to give over to Him and to not give up on Him?
Related Readings: Psalm 119:116; Isaiah 57:10; 1 Thessalonians 1:3; 1 John 3:3
Source: Wisdom Hunters by Boyd Bailey
7.11.2011
Stand Up
“The Lord said to Joshua, ‘Stand up! What are you doing down on your face?’” Joshua 7:10
There is a time to pray, and there is a time to act. There is a time to listen, and then there is a time to do. There is a time to weigh your options, and there is a time to choose what’s best at the time. Prayer gives you clarity on what needs to be done, and faith gives you courage to follow through.
If you know what to do but are still praying about it, you are praying extra, useless prayers. There is no need to delay your decision anymore. Do not hide behind the need for prayer. God’s Spirit has made clear to you your next steps. Now is the time to act. It may be confronting a friend over their path of destruction. It may be resigning from your job. It may be breaking off a relationship. It may be a short-term mission trip overseas. It may be a phone call, an e-mail or an in-person visit seeking forgiveness.
Whatever God has already told you to do, do it quickly. There is no need to delay the inevitable. You are better off dealing with this sticky issue sooner than later. If you wait any longer, you will allow anger to permeate your thinking. Obsession with someone or something other than Christ will distract you from God’s best. Now is the time to stand up and move forward in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Push fear aside. You cannot control the response of the other person or the fallout from the confrontation. But, you can rest in the fact that the Lord is leading you through this process. As you communicate, He will give you the words to say, in the right spirit. Yes, there are times it is easier to pray than to act, but prayer without action is presumption on God. So get up from your passive posture, and translate your prayers into gracious and passionate obedience.
Standing up does require faith. The level of faith that brought you to this point will not “cut it” going forward. Faith needs are fluid. For this next stage of living you will need a larger beaker of belief. Leverage off your faith that led you to Christ, but do not stay there. Stand up and move forward in the power of the Holy Spirit. God has prepared the way. Set fear aside. Place it back in the closet of intimidation and shut the door. God has great things in store for you, but it requires greater faith to stand up and move forward.
Yes, there are unknowns that sometimes haunt you, but this is when God shines the brightest. It is on the cloudy course of uncertainty that God’s Word illuminates your path. Read, believe and act on His Word. This is your assurance. Remaining where you are is not an option. We are either growing by faith in Christ, or we are regressing in fear. There is no middle ground. If you stay put in passivity, you will digress in discouragement. Your step of faith may be the very thing needed for others to do the same. Your life is a catalyst for Christ-centered living.
Yes, there is a battle to be waged, and sometimes the enemy infiltrates into your own relational ranks. Do not underestimate his influence. He may even use his “Christianity” as a badge of deception. Do not be intimidated by his lies. Stand up to “sin in the camp” with truth. The truth of God cannot be bought or used for selfish purposes. Rather, it is a cleansing agent for individuals and communities. Speak the truth in love and watch God work. His truth cuts to the chase. It dives deep into the heart of the matter. Stand up in love, empowered by the Holy Spirit, with the Word of God on your breath. This is faith in action. Since you have prayed, now you can act!
Taken from Dose #58 in the 90-day devotional book, Infusion.
There is a time to pray, and there is a time to act. There is a time to listen, and then there is a time to do. There is a time to weigh your options, and there is a time to choose what’s best at the time. Prayer gives you clarity on what needs to be done, and faith gives you courage to follow through.
If you know what to do but are still praying about it, you are praying extra, useless prayers. There is no need to delay your decision anymore. Do not hide behind the need for prayer. God’s Spirit has made clear to you your next steps. Now is the time to act. It may be confronting a friend over their path of destruction. It may be resigning from your job. It may be breaking off a relationship. It may be a short-term mission trip overseas. It may be a phone call, an e-mail or an in-person visit seeking forgiveness.
Whatever God has already told you to do, do it quickly. There is no need to delay the inevitable. You are better off dealing with this sticky issue sooner than later. If you wait any longer, you will allow anger to permeate your thinking. Obsession with someone or something other than Christ will distract you from God’s best. Now is the time to stand up and move forward in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Push fear aside. You cannot control the response of the other person or the fallout from the confrontation. But, you can rest in the fact that the Lord is leading you through this process. As you communicate, He will give you the words to say, in the right spirit. Yes, there are times it is easier to pray than to act, but prayer without action is presumption on God. So get up from your passive posture, and translate your prayers into gracious and passionate obedience.
Standing up does require faith. The level of faith that brought you to this point will not “cut it” going forward. Faith needs are fluid. For this next stage of living you will need a larger beaker of belief. Leverage off your faith that led you to Christ, but do not stay there. Stand up and move forward in the power of the Holy Spirit. God has prepared the way. Set fear aside. Place it back in the closet of intimidation and shut the door. God has great things in store for you, but it requires greater faith to stand up and move forward.
Yes, there are unknowns that sometimes haunt you, but this is when God shines the brightest. It is on the cloudy course of uncertainty that God’s Word illuminates your path. Read, believe and act on His Word. This is your assurance. Remaining where you are is not an option. We are either growing by faith in Christ, or we are regressing in fear. There is no middle ground. If you stay put in passivity, you will digress in discouragement. Your step of faith may be the very thing needed for others to do the same. Your life is a catalyst for Christ-centered living.
Yes, there is a battle to be waged, and sometimes the enemy infiltrates into your own relational ranks. Do not underestimate his influence. He may even use his “Christianity” as a badge of deception. Do not be intimidated by his lies. Stand up to “sin in the camp” with truth. The truth of God cannot be bought or used for selfish purposes. Rather, it is a cleansing agent for individuals and communities. Speak the truth in love and watch God work. His truth cuts to the chase. It dives deep into the heart of the matter. Stand up in love, empowered by the Holy Spirit, with the Word of God on your breath. This is faith in action. Since you have prayed, now you can act!
Taken from Dose #58 in the 90-day devotional book, Infusion.
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