FIVE THINGS I NEED

"Create in me a pure heart, O God,
     and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
 Do not cast me from your presence
     or take your Holy Spirit from me.
 Restore to me the joy of my salvation
     and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me."
 Psalm 51:10-12

Throughout my life, the seasons, the trials, the struggles, the ups and downs, there are  many things I need God's help and intervention with. These verses nail five of them. 

First, I need a pure heart. The world we live in constantly bombards us with things not of God. I always need to keep my heart pure and without the Holy Spirit renewing me, I will just spiral down.

Second, I need a steadfast spirit within me. I need God to constantly renew me from within to deal with all that confronts me.

Third, I need his presence. Knowing that the Holy Spirit is within me, even when I can not sense him, brings peace and assurance. 

Forth, I need the joy of salvation. If I forget that Christ died for my sins (past, present and future sins) I will loose the humility and joy that comes from knowing I am a sinner saved by grace.

Last, I need a willing spirit to sustain me. If I am unwilling I will always miss out on what God is trying to work out in my life which is all things for the good. 

Father, thank you for forgiveness and my salvation. Grant me purity, renew a steadfast spirit within me, keep me in your presence filled with your Spirit, restore to me the joy of my salvation and grant me a willing spirit to sustain me. Praise be to you in us today! 

COURAGE TO TELL THE TRUTH!

"The man answered , "Now that is remarkable! You don't know where he comes from, yet he opened my eyes. We know that God does not listen to sinners. He listens to the godly man who does his will. Nobody has ever heard of opening  the eyes of a man born blind. If this man were not from God, he could do nothing."" John 9:30-33

I love this story! The courage of this man to tell the truth about what Jesus had done in his life despite the doubts and insults of the Pharisees is courage born in faith.

The Pharisees, like all legalists, get hung up on technicalities. But, the real issue is power. Power over others and the illusion of power over their own lives. They tried to set the rules and interpret the Bible in ways that made them righteous by their actions. Jesus came and threatened (in their eyes) everything they thought about God and themselves! They couldn't get to Jesus yet so they went after the man whose eyes Jesus had opened. 

Sometimes telling the truth about Jesus will get you ridiculed and ostracized. The cool thing is that after the Pharisees threw the out the man whose sight was given to him, Jesus found him (John 9:35ff). After every battle, look for Jesus because he will find you. 

Father, give us the courage to tell the truth about Jesus no matter what others may think. Praise be to you in us today! 

"I GOT THIS" (DAVID'S COURAGE AND FAITH)

"David said to Saul, "Let no one lose heart on account of this Philistine; your servant will go and fight him."" I Samuel 17:32

You've got to love it! Simple courage and flat out faith. Saul and the whole army of Israel, including David's older brothers, were paralyzed with fear, unable to fight the giant of a man Goliath. David comes to the battle lines to deliver supplies to his older brothers and their commander. He sees everyone reacting in great fear to Goliath. He ends up in the king's tent and basically says, "Don't worry guys, I got this." 

How could David have such faith and such courage while everyone else was running away at the very sight of the enemy? David told Saul, "The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine" (I Samuel 17:37).  David knew, by faith, from experience that the battle is the Lord's and he was ready and willing to step out in faith and fight Goliath. 

So, the lesson for us is that we need to fight the battles of our lives by faith in Christ. Faith that the power that raised Jesus from the dead can work in our lives today! 

Father, help us to fight the daily battles of our lives by faith in you. Thank you for you faithfulness! Praise be to you in us today!

BIG COURAGE

"So do not fear, for I am with you;
     do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
 I will strengthen you and help you;
     I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
 Isaiah 41:10

When I think of people I have know who have shown courage in their faith I am always reminded of a little lady from Uganda I met while attending Capernwray Bible School in England. She seemed so small and so fragile but, after talking to her I was blown away by her courage and faith.

She told me that while she, her husband and her sons were attend a home bible study the notoriously brutal Idi Amin's (Uganda) men barged into the house and told everyone to lay face down on the ground. They were warned to not look up or be shot! After 20-30 minutes someone finally looked up and said they were gone. All the men and boys were gone! Although she searched for them she never saw her husband or sons again. 

I asked her how she was able to move on from that. She told me that she did not know how, she only knew that God gave her the strength each day to make it through that day.  

Father, help us to courageously hold on to you by faith. Thank you for giving us the strength we need for today. Praise be to you in us today!

GO TELL WHO?

Have you ever felt led to tell someone about Christ yet you just knew that they were going to be hostile? Imagine how "a disciple named Ananias" (see Acts chapter 9) from Damascus felt when the Lord told him to go to lay his hands on Saul from Tarsus to heal him? Ananias knew Saul was arresting Christians. Yet, God was sending him to Saul. 

Sometimes courage is obeying God even in the face of danger. Ananias had to have the faith to be courageous enough to face the person who was wrecking havoc on the early church. Saul represented the whole of the cultural and religious ruling class of the day. Obviously the early believers lived in fear and when they heard that Saul was in town and he was the last person they wanted to run into!

Ananias obeyed God and "went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, "Brother Saul, the Lord - Jesus who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here - has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit." Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul's eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, and after taking some food, he regained his strength" (Acts 9:17-19). 

Ananias, overcame his fear by obeying the Lord. That is courage. That is faith. 

Father, help us to overcome our fear and act in faith, to be courageous in Christ! Praise be to you in us today! 

Stephen's Courage vs. Stones

At church we have been studying people of courage in the Bible. I was thinking about it when I thought of a few people who I think demonstrate tremendous courage. One of them is Stephen in the book of Acts. He was chosen to help overlook the daily distribution of food (Acts 6:1) and was described as "a man full of God's grace and power" (Acts 6:8). 

After being seized by the Sanhedrin and being accused of blasphemy Stephen spoke. He recounted a few points in Jewish history where they rejected God's prophets. Then he flat-out called his accusers "stiff-necked people, with uncircumcised hearts and ears" (Acts 7:51ff). He let them know that they, like there ancestors, persecuted and killed those who told them the truth about the Messiah and now that he actually came, they killed him too! 

So, true to form, they mob rushed him, dragged him out of the city and stoned him to death. 

Just before he died Stephen "fell on his knees and cried out, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them"" (Acts 7:60). 

I am amazed at Stephen's courage to speak the truth to a hostile crowd, knowing that they probably would kill him. What really hits me is that as he is dying, while being stoned, he asks God to not hold it against those stoning him! He did not shout out, "See! Just like I said, you're killing me too!" He told them they were stiff necked yet he knew they needed God's forgiveness and grace in Christ. He told the truth of Christ even though it cost him his life. That's courage. 

Father, help us to tell the truth in love even if we know we will be rejected. Praise be to you in us today!

BOASTFUL THANKS

"He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things - and the things that are not - to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast  before him. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom of God - that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: "Let him who boasts boast in the Lord."" I Corinthians 1:28-31

Thank you, Lord, for being our righteousness, holiness and redemption! 

What are you thankful for! 

GOD TO YOU: WHERE ARE YOU?

"Have mercy on me, O God,
     according to your unfailing love;
 according to your great compassion
     blot out my transgressions.
 Wash away all my iniquity
     and cleanse me from my sin."
 Psalm 51:1-2

Have you ever had someone tell you they were sorry for something and you said, "That's all right, forget about it"? We've all done that and probably had someone say that to us. The deal is that sometimes issues need to be dealt with and simply saying "That's all right, forget about it" can lead someone to believe that they can repeat the behavior. 

God is holy and he is perfectly just. Sin, my sin, your sin is not just swept under a rug, so to speak. In Christ Jesus our sins were not pushed out of view, the punishment was served by Christ. God, in his great  compassion knew that we could never right the wrong of our sins and so he sent his one and only Son to die in our place. Now we have eternal access to the Father through the Son. 

Way back in the garden of Eden the LORD God called out, "Where are you?" (Genesis 3:9). He stills calls out to us in Christ, "Where are you?" God, the Creator of the Universe, sent his Son so that we can have a relationship with him. 

Father, thank you for your compassion. Thank you that Jesus died in my place that I can call you Father. Praise be to you in us today!

HOW HAS THE WORD CUT YOU?

"For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." Hebrews 4:12

The context of this passage is the middle of a call to obedience rather than disobedience, faith instead of unbelief and the supremacy of Christ as our Great High Priest. 

I worked under a few people about six out of the last eight years. One finally moved to another location and the other retired. They did some things and treated people in ways that are completely opposed to just about everything I believe. It is very hard to not speak about either of them without feeling some disgust and anger and maybe a bit of bitterness. 

For a while now when I speak about them I sense the Spirit of God convicting me to not let my anger motivate how I paint them verbally to whomever I am talking with. It's tough. Mostly, it boils down to me trusting God to work out all things for my good.

How has the Spirit of God used the Word of God in your life to lead and guide you? 

Spirit of the Living God, fall afresh on us. Speak to our hearts and help us to act in obedience by faith. Praise be to you in us today!

HURRY UP AND REST

"Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will fall by following their example of disobedience." Hebrews 4:11

You know, it's funny because I can fall asleep on my couch watching TV, but, I can't sleep on my couch. In a similar way the exhortation in verse 11 seems at odds with itself at first glance. How does effort result in rest?

I think it has to do with how you enter the rest. Rest the right way, you might say. The point that the author of Hebrews has been making is that the Israelites did not enter the promise land (rest) because of their unbelief, their hardened hearts. We, who heard the good news of salvation in Christ, need to receive what  God is giving us by faith. Our effort is to live by faith in Christ. 

Remember the words of Christ, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn of me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and I will find rest for your souls. My yoke is easy and my burden is light" (Matthew 11:28-30). 

Father, help us to, by faith, enter that rest. Praise be to you in us today!

ARE YOU PASSING THE TEST?

"We have come to share in Christ if we hold firmly till the end the confidence we had at first." Hebrews 3:14

In sports there is always a new possible star. Who will be the next Michael Jordan? If a player has a good rookie season then they are put on the list of those who might be the next greatest player. Time has a way of finding out who is really a player or not. As a Christian, the trials that come through time have a way of bringing to light the very essence of our faith. 

The parable of the sower in Matthew 13  is a great description of this reality. Some people hear the message of the kingdom and the truth takes root and others do not. The question I have for myself is whether or not I am letting Christ take root in my life. That is the question for all of us. Trials will come and go. But, my main concern is whether I am trusting in Christ or not. 

Are you trying to hold on to Christ? Then you're doing the right thing. Then it's up to him to be faithful and he is faithful. 

Father, help us to hold on firmly and confidently to Christ Jesus our Savior and Lord. Thank you for your faithfulness! Praise be to you in us today!

WHO NEEDS ENCOURAGING?

"See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness." Hebrews 3:12-13

Hang on! Keep believing! God is faithful and he will do what he has promised to do. The enemy wants to discourage you and make you turn away from faith in Christ. There will be trials and you may not be able to make any sense of what is going on in your life at this time. But, keep on turning to Christ. He will complete what he has started!

Now, I have a challenge for you. Can you think of one, maybe two people who might need encouraging? I challenge you to encourage them in some way today. Who is God putting on your heart as you read this? I can think of one person in particular. Maybe the Spirit will put someone in my path today. 

Who will you encourage today?

TELL ME ABOUT GOD'S UNFAILING LOVE

"Have mercy on me, O God, 
     according to your unfailing love;
 according to your great compassion
     blot out my transgressions. 
 Wash away all my iniquity
     and cleanse me from my sin."
 Psalm 51:1-2 

I can not tell you how many times I have been unable to see the end from the beginning and felt that I was at a complete loss. Yet, when I remembered that the truth is that God has unfailing love for me, and that even if I could not imagine how God was going to work things out, God always knows what he is doing, then peace would come. Sometimes it is a knock-down, drag 'em out battle within myself to not stay focused on only what I can see at the moment. Frankly, I am just working my way through one of those "precious moments". But, I know God is Sovereign Lord and he does have unfailing love for me. I have seen him bring me through every battle. So, I trust him now. 

What about you, can you remember how God's unfailing love has faithfully brought you through? If so, please share with us what God has done in your life.

TELL ME ABOUT GOD'S MERCY

"Have mercy on me, O God,
     according to your unfailing love;
 according to your great compassion
     blot out my transgressions.
 Wash away all my iniquity 
     and cleanse me from my sin."
 Psalm 51:1-2

I am far from perfect. I need God's mercy. This last year, I almost got bumped from my present work location which is about five minutes from my house if I hit most of the lights on the way, to who knows where. But, mercifully, it worked out that I am still close to home, working with a group of people I enjoy working with. 

What I would love to hear is how God has been merciful to you in your life. Please tell us.  

BOASTFUL HOPE

"But Christ is faithful as a son over God's house. And we are his house, if we hold on to our courage and the hope of which we boast." Hebrews 3:6

Think of Matthew 18:20, "For where two or three come together in my name, there I am with you." And I Corinthians 3:16 says, "Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you?" Theses verses teach us the truth that we, as believers, have a special relationship with God where his very Presence becomes a part of our lives.

Christ, God's son, is faithful as the builder. He will do what he set out to do. He came to save us from sin, to make us children of God. Our job is courageously hold on to the hope we have in Christ's faithfulness. To some our hope may seem a bit bold, maybe even absurd. But, we are not hoping in our own strength. Our hope is in Christ Jesus who died and rose again. That same power that raised Jesus from the dead is the power that God is working in our lives to conform us into the image of Christ Jesus, his son. He is faithful and he will do it!

Father, help us to hold on courageously and confidently to the hope we have in you. Open our eyes to see you in our lives. Praise be to you in us today!

GOD THE BUILDER

"For every house is built by someone, but God is the builder of everything." Hebrews 3:4

Before I began my career as an educator, one of the first jobs I had was in construction. So, when I enter a house I notice things like how the molding was finished in the corners or if the walls are plumb. I can't help it. My dad was a general contractor and he had some brothers who did his framing for a while. They were very good. Once when I came home from college my parents had moved into a new home built by his framers. I looked at the fireplace and asked him why it was off-center. Dad told my mom, "I told you he would notice!"  Normally a house built by that crew was pretty good. You could tell that a house built by them in comparison to someone whose motto was "close enough".

God is the builder of our lives. He knows how to put things together and how to fix things that are not right. Philippians 1:6 reminds us that, "being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." Sometimes we forget that God is eternal and his plan for us is from eternity. Before we were born, before the world was created God knew what he would do with us. He knew he would send Jesus to die for our sins. 

The truth is that God is building my life and your life with expert craftsmanship, making us into the image of Christ Jesus. He is faithful, he will do it. 

Thank you Father, for building my life. Help me to abide in you as you abide in me, building my life. Praise be to you in us today!

FALLING FORWARD

"Therefore, holy brothers, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, the apostle and high priest whom we confess." Hebrews 3:1

Remember the the story of Peter walking on the water toward Jesus (Matthew 14)? I think that is a great reminder and encouragement to me to fix my eyes on Jesus. He's walking toward Jesus, looking at Jesus but gets distracted by the wind! Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught Peter! 

Do you ever do that? Take a step of faith then realize you took a step of faith and begin to falter?  Of course, we all do.  Don't be discouraged, take Jesus's hand and let him lift you up.

To me one of Peter's strengths was that he always seemed to fall forward, toward Christ. Even when he denied Christ, he had followed him into the garden when everyone else took off. He fell forward, toward Christ. That is why I find Peter so encouraging. He fell. We all fall. But, I want to fall forward with my eyes fixed on Christ so that even when I stumble I will look up for Jesus's hand and he will be there to lift me up.

Father, help us to fix our eyes upon Jesus, the Apostle and High Priest whom we confess. Thank you for being there to lift us up when we fall. Praise be to you in us today!