Persevere, Grow, and Receive

“You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised” (Hebrews 10:36, NIV).

God promises He will never leave us. He will never forsake us. His promise is not dependent upon who we are or what we are. All that we must do is accept His will, and make every effort to follow it. He gives us His divine promise that though we may fail at times in striving to accomplish His will, if our heart’s desire is to serve Him, His promise must be fulfilled. He cannot deny what He has done on the cross. If He is our Savior, and we strive to serve Him, His promise will be fulfilled in our lives.

Do you think that when Jesus called Peter to follow Him that He did not know his strengths and his weaknesses? God knew Peter. He knew that despite human weakness, Peter would discover His strength. If you feel weak and lacking in power, remember the Lord chose Peter knowing His potential―knowing that one day He would be filled with the Spirit and with power.

God's choice of Peter is encouraging. Choosing a weak Peter to serve Him encourages us that, we too, can be used for God's service. Take heart. No matter what your struggle or your area of weakness, God knows your potential, too. He extends love and forgiveness along your lifetime of service so that you may achieve it. Peter, as a result of God's grace, forgiveness, and power, discovered spiritual maturity.

“His divine power.” Peter writes, “ has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires” (2 Peter 1:3-4).

He has called you to serve Him.... not because of who you are..... but because of who He is. His divine power is available so that through Him, and through His precious promises, you may become more like Him. You can reach a level of spiritual maturity where you are effective and productive in your Christian walk (2 Peter 1:9). But you must “let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything” (James 1:4).

No More Gathering Thoughts

“We can gather our thoughts, but the Lord gives the right answer” (Proverbs 16:1, NLT).

This morning I needed a verse to encourage me. My mind was torn suddenly in the night with some thoughts that were very difficult and heart-breaking if true. I prayed to the Lord to help me sort them out, and not to make wrong assessments about them. I wasn't terrorized in fear by them or feeling condemnation, so I believed that the Lord might want to teach me something or correct me about something. My mind played havoc with my heart, and I realized that I just needed to give it all to the Lord. So I prayed and I fell back asleep.

Just a few minutes ago I was ready to read and pray, and I opened my NLT Bible to Proverbs 16:1. What I read sounded as if it came right out of the Lord's mouth. I can gather my thoughts all I want, but the Lord gives the right answer. This told me right away that I was not to try to reason and “gather my thoughts” about what I thought about in the night. It told me that he would give me the right answer.

I went online to Bible Gateway to read other versions of this verse, but before I read the other versions, I checked the NLT version. It read, “we can make our own plans, but the Lord gives the right answer.” I looked at my old NLT in my hand. It still read “we can gather our thoughts”, and it did not read “we can make our own plans.” The meanings were similar, but this morning I needed to read that it was useless for me to “gather my own thoughts.”

God amazes me. I still don't know what the thoughts were all about in the night. But He will give me the right answer when He is ready to give it to me. And I have peace about that. The thoughts will not be difficult or heart-wrenching now. He will give me the right answer at the right time. I just need to stop “gathering my thoughts” about all of it.

My version of the NLT is an older one wrapped in duct tape because it is falling apart. I treasure it this morning more than ever before. God knew exactly what was there, and the exact wording that would bring peace to my heart.

His Word His Life His Light

“In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. He existed in the beginning with God. God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him. The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it” (John 1:1-5, NLT).

Before everything else.... before creation.... before life.... the Word breathed. It lived. It not only was with the Creator, it was Him. It was His very being.... His very essence. It was His Truth, and His purpose. That purpose brought forth His creation, and nothing came into being unless it came through His Truth and His Word. His essence of Truth became substance, and substance became matter. And His Creation existed. His Word breathed life to all that He created. His light now shines in the darkness, and will never be put out.

Whatever the state of the world around you.... whatever seems to control it.... whatever you face in this life... whatever attempts to strike terror in your heart.... REMEMBER, His Word still lives. His light still shines. It can never be extinguished. You are His creation, and Jesus Christ, the light that can't be extinguished, desires to live in you and breathe life into you everyday. If you take Him into your life, He is your light, and He lives in you. That life... that light can never be put out. That life will live forever... just as His Word will live forever. His Truth and His Word, continually shine in the darkness bringing His light and life to His creation. No matter what His creation becomes, take heart. His Word and Truth lives and breathes and lights His world. It can never be extinguished. He has overcome the world.

Have I?

Have I grown spiritually this year? Have I continually learned from His Word? Have I given of myself as He desires? Have I followed His will for my life? Have I been His servant in the lives of others? Have I shared His hope? Have I shared His love? Have I forgiven as He has forgiven me? Have I looked for potential in others as He has always seen potential in me? Have I completely surrendered everything in my life to His wishes? Have I read and absorbed His Word until it has changed my life over and over again? Have I prayed for others with as much passion as I have prayed for myself? Have I unselfishly given myself away with no reservation? Have I given Him a sacrifice of praise when life has been hard? Have I praised Him for His faithfulness to me? Have I worshiped Him in Spirit and in Truth? Have I rejoiced with those who rejoice and cried with those who cry? Have I made myself the least so He can be the most? Have I been what He has wanted this year? Have I?

I AM RESPONSIBLE

In the 1980’s Jim Bakker built a ministry. He thought he built it for God, but he really built his own empire. Bakker started the PTL ministry because of a desire to serve the Lord, but as the ministry grew, love of earthly possessions and lust for power waged war. Jim Bakker took his eyes off God too many times, and his empire fell.

Years following the building of the temple in Jerusalem, King Solomon found himself in the same predicament. Solomon allowed his pagan wives to pull him away from his first love. He still offered sacrifices in the temple, but worship had become only a formality. His heart was not fully God's, and his soul suffered from his desire to create happiness for the thousand of women in his life.

A woman’s desire for knowledge brought about the fall from God’s grace in the garden. Adam tried to please Eve by doing what she asked. It also might have been Tammy Fay's hunger for more possessions that spurred on Jim Bakker’s fall. King Solomon’s desire to please the many women in his life truly began his descent into a meaningless existence.

However, in the last analysis Solomon did not fall from God’s grace just because of heathen wives. Jim Bakker also did not tumble into sin just because of Tammy Fay, and Adam could have said no. Each man was ultimately responsible for his own decisions and actions. Sinful compromise separated these men from their God.

And what about me? I am responsible for my actions and my decisions. I am accountable. No one else leads me astray. Certainly others will offer temptation, but it is my choice whether I follow Christ or not. If I allow worldly desires to claim my heart instead of following after Jesus Christ, then I void my witness, and lose any credential I have to share the love of Christ. If I don't live what I believe I will lose what I have been so freely given.

It is impossible to serve two masters. I will love one and grow to hate the other. I must always choose between spiritual pursuit and worldly values. Earthly treasures will not only destroy me, but they are like sand that slips through my fingers. I can't hold on to them. I should seek God's kingdom first, and allow His treasures to become the love of my heart.

How do I keep from straying as Solomon or others have done? I need to keep earthly influences from destroying my walk with the Lord. How do I know each decision that needs to be made? I seek the Lord’s counsel through prayer, and study of His Word. I don’t wish to forfeit God’s blessings. If I allow the world to become more important that my God, then I will lose what Solomon lost–my first love.

And what about all of us? We should keep our eyes on Jesus Christ, and follow only Him. He began this faith, and He will finish it.....if we allow it.

An Obedient Life-A Blessed Life

“If you fully obey the Lord your God and carefully follow all his commands I give you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations on earth. All these blessings will come on you and accompany you if you obey the Lord your God” (Deuteronomy 28:1-2).
How many of us really make a determined endeavor to follow God's commands? Perhaps we don't because following Christ means sacrifice. We want to follow Him, but it means giving up who we are for who He is. It is going to cost us. Selfishness and pride are two of the first things that must die. Following Christ also takes up our time and uses our energy. We sometimes make our Christian walk circumstantial and based on our feelings instead of God's desires. But if we sacrifice our feelings and follow His will in all circumstances, God's blessings “will come upon us and accompany us”.

It is God's desire to bless His children who make a commitment to follow Him. His blessings are His gifts which come when we sacrifice our personal desires for His. However, we must never regard obedience as a means to earn God's blessings. Then pride enters, and makes us see God's blessings as a reward for our sacrifice. Sacrificing our desires for His desires brings blessings because of God's love for us.... not based on our efforts.

His blessings are an outpouring of who He is. He is the love which gave His life for ours on Calvary. He is the love that is only completed in us when we give all of who we are to Him. His blessings flow as a result of who He is, and never because of anything we have done. “I have come,” Jesus said, “that they may have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10b). God wants us to experience the fullness of our relationship with Him.

In these verses in Deuteronomy God's blessings are intertwined with our obedience. His direction is very clear. If we fully obey the Lord our God and carefully follow all His commands, His blessings will come to us. And His blessings are the very best. Different from any humanly-inspired gift we might receive, His blessings will change our very lives. We will learn that sacrificial obedience brings His abundant life. In giving all of ourselves to Him, we shall receive all that His chosen for us.

A CHILD

“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:11).

For unto us a child is born. Not just any child, but a child to save the world. A child to change you, and a child to change me. A child to give hope where the world speaks discouragement. A child to give joy where the world speaks despair. A child born to die for us, and a child to bring the only peace that our hearts cry our for. A child, our Savior, Jesus Christ, is born today.

A child is born who will “appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified” (Isaiah 61:3).

There is hope in the midst of discouragement and despair. There is joy and peace. His name is Jesus Christ, and He came as a little child into this world to save us from our sins. Today ask Him into your heart. Today is His birthday and it can be yours, too.

Never Forsaken

“He will never leave you nor forsake you” (Deuteronomy 31:6b, NIV).

Christmas can be a lonely time for those who have lost a loved one. It can be a sad time for those who do not have a loving family. It can be a lonesome time for those who have no one in their lives to encourage them and offer hope. Even if you are in a loving church that brings joy to your life, Christmas can still be a sad time when those church friends gather with their own families.The season brings joy to so many, but it is also the time of year when so many feel deserted and alone.

If you are one who feels alone, please remember the greatest promise that offers hope. You are never really alone. The Lord will never leave you. He will never forsake you or abandon you. When it seems the rest of the world is too busy for you, He is not. When your own family does not love like it should, He does. When you feel rejected, you are not. If you have asked Him into your heart, He is your Savior, and you are not alone.

If you are one who has a loving family and friends, then share your Christmas with others who don't. Open your hearts to others who have no one this season. Love with the love He has given you. There is someone in your life that feels alone. There is someone who needs a touch from a loving hand.There is someone who needs to hear the words “he will never leave you or forsake you.”

I pray you have a merry and loving Christmas.

A Changed Heart

In the midst of the hurry of Christmas we are prone to forget the message of Christmas―the miracle of the birth of a Savior who came to change our hearts. But this morning as I read one particular Bible verse I remember again, as I do every Christmas, the miracle that Christ's love made in my life one Christmas morning when I was fourteen.


My father served that year as an interim Justice of the Peace in Woodstock, Georgia. We were in the midst of opening presents when the doorbell rang. A woman with two little children stood on the doorstep. Daddy guided them into the kitchen, and Mother followed. We three children were left in the living room with our grandmother. No one said anything. Why did these people have to interrupt our time together? We couldn’t open our presents without Mother and Daddy. They were going to spoil everything. I looked through the living room door. The woman sat at the kitchen table with Daddy, listening to his soft voice. She nodded every few seconds. The little girl sat in her lap. The boy held on to her arm, his thumb in his mouth, tears streaming down his cheek. Mother came into the living room to tell us that a warrant had been sworn out against the woman’s husband, and they would stay with us until he had been arrested.

Our Christmas was no longer pure and untouched. Ugliness had come into our home. The little boy toddled over to me. He gazed up at me. The soft skin around one eye was swollen. I couldn’t ignore him. He kept staring at me. I slowly reached down and touched his reddened cheek. Everything changed in that instant. My stony heart broke, and I knew the ugliness had not invaded our home this morning. The ugliness was in me.

“I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you,” I read this Monday. “I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh” (Ezekiel 36:26). A changed heart is what God requires. It is an on-going process for Him to keep my heart and your heart spiritually soft as flesh. Fifty years ago this verse might not have meant much to me, but I now understand that this was the miracle the Lord rendered in my stony heart that Christmas morning. I remember it every year to keep my heart tender. I remember many other times through the years to keep my heart tender.

The moment my heart becomes stone is the moment I say “no” to the Savior who came into my heart as a child. My Christmas prayer for you and for me is that our hearts will always break with His love, and that we will always have a heart that He can move.

 

HE IS WITH ME

He is with me. Though His presence is comforting, inspiring, and joyful, I do not need to always “feel” His presence. I “know” He is with me. To ask for the sensory experience of His presence all the time is, in a way, to ask for proof or for a sign. I do not need a sign. I know His peace that passes understanding even when all around feels so dark. I know in whom I believe, and know He is able to keep me safe no matter what happens.

It does not matter how I feel. What matters is what He is, and that He shall ever be with me. He is my strength when I “feel” weak. He is my peace when I “feel” shaken. Feelings depend upon moods, circumstances, and outward pressures. His peace comes from within and never without. I may be influenced by circumstances, but He never is. His promise is always kept. He is with me, and He never forsakes me. 

To have His peace that passes understanding, I give Him all that I feel and choose to believe all that He has promised.