Stop, Look and Listen
Isaiah 55:1,2 - Come, and take your choice. Listen and I will tell you.
The town displayed signs of age everywhere we looked, including the marker at the rail road crossing. There were no automatic arms nor flashing lights to warn us of oncoming trains, only a crossing sign written on a X saying, stop, look and listen. Good advice if you don't want to be hit by a train! Good advice also- in the scheme of life.
In all phases of life- spiritual as well as other parts, it is wise to stop, look and listen. One step depends upon the other, for we cannot look or listen efficiently if we don't stop first. Then we must look as circumstances and possible outcomes, and then listen to our hearts and also for direction from God. It would also be wise if we based our prayer life also, on this premise. We must stop rushing around and take time to pray, look at Gods Word and read it, and listen as God speaks to our hearts. So the next time you cross the railroad, stop, look and listen- and remember it is a good reminder in all phases of our lives.
daily wisdom
Monday, March 31, 2003
Sunday, March 30, 2003
Living Water
Read: Jeremiah 2:4-13
Jesus stood and cried out, saying, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink." —John 7:37
Lee Atwater was a well-known figure in US politics. He engineered the successful 1988 presidential campaign of George H. W. Bush and was the head of the Republican National Committee (1988-1991). But in the midst of all his activities he developed an inoperable brain tumor and died at the age of 40.
During his illness, Atwater came to realize that wealth, honor, and power are not life's supreme values. Admitting to a deep emptiness within himself, he urged people to work at filling up the "spiritual vacuum in American society." In an insightful comment, he confessed, "My illness helped me to see that what was missing in society is what is missing in me—a little heart, a lot of brotherhood."
In his day, Jeremiah perceived that same kind of vacuum in many of his fellow Israelites. He warned them against the danger of personal and national emptiness. They were digging cisterns, he said, "broken cisterns that can hold no water" (Jeremiah 2:13).
What about your own life? Is it spiritually dried up? Ask Jesus, the fountain of living water (John 7:37), to fill you with His presence. Then joy and peace will begin to bubble up and even overflow. —Vernon Grounds
I heard the voice of Jesus say,
"Behold, I freely give the living water,
Thirsty one, stoop down
And drink and live." —Bonar
The only real thirst quencher is Jesus—the living water.
daily bread
Read: Jeremiah 2:4-13
Jesus stood and cried out, saying, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink." —John 7:37
Lee Atwater was a well-known figure in US politics. He engineered the successful 1988 presidential campaign of George H. W. Bush and was the head of the Republican National Committee (1988-1991). But in the midst of all his activities he developed an inoperable brain tumor and died at the age of 40.
During his illness, Atwater came to realize that wealth, honor, and power are not life's supreme values. Admitting to a deep emptiness within himself, he urged people to work at filling up the "spiritual vacuum in American society." In an insightful comment, he confessed, "My illness helped me to see that what was missing in society is what is missing in me—a little heart, a lot of brotherhood."
In his day, Jeremiah perceived that same kind of vacuum in many of his fellow Israelites. He warned them against the danger of personal and national emptiness. They were digging cisterns, he said, "broken cisterns that can hold no water" (Jeremiah 2:13).
What about your own life? Is it spiritually dried up? Ask Jesus, the fountain of living water (John 7:37), to fill you with His presence. Then joy and peace will begin to bubble up and even overflow. —Vernon Grounds
I heard the voice of Jesus say,
"Behold, I freely give the living water,
Thirsty one, stoop down
And drink and live." —Bonar
The only real thirst quencher is Jesus—the living water.
daily bread
Saturday, March 29, 2003
The Natural vs. The Spiritual
By Martha Noebel
We were receiving faith to see mighty things at the hand of a powerful, loving, awesome God.
I feel that the devil is mimicking in the natural what God is doing in the Spiritual. I feel that if you look at what God is doing in the spirit realm, you will be able to see what Satan is doing in the natural world.
Recently, there have been reports of many house fires. There has been much destruction. We can think about all the awful things that are happening but they are a distorted mirrored-image of God's wonderful blessings being manifested in the Spirit.
For example, there have been 18 fires in one local neighborhood in the last few months. A friend of mine and I were talking about how terrible it was. Then the Holy Spirit clearly spoke to my heart. He let me know it is because God was setting fires in the lives of His people in the spirit realm. The devil was mad and this was his way of counterfeiting what God was doing.
CBN is coming out of two weeks of calling on God, believing Him for great things, praying for miracles, and receiving the fire of God in our chapel services. The chaplain spoke on the fire of God during our Week Of Prayer. On the following Wednesday it felt like the fire of God poured out of heaven. It was powerful. It was the closest thing I could imagine that would compare to the "Day of Pentecost." A peaceful calm blew in at the end of the service. It felt like you could touch it or see it.
God spoke to my heart letting me know He was setting these fires in us as individuals and in CBN as a ministry. We were receiving faith to see mighty things at the hand of a powerful, loving, awesome God. God spoke to my heart and said He is going to do a "new thing." I sensed it is going to be really big.
I could not explain it to my friends. I kept saying it is really big.
The fire of God is being poured in us so He can use us for great things. I feel there is a greater anointing here at CBN than ever before. I feel it in my personal life as well. God is blessing His people in every way. Finances are going to come in, faith will be increased, joy will be ignited in us, and much more. Yes, we will be tested, tried, and tempted, but we will come out with rejoicing and great victory!
This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words. The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned (I Corinthians 2:13, 14 NIV).
I want to move in the power of God. I long to see the miracles of God all around me. My family will see a difference and my neighbors will know there has been a change. The world can portray the turmoil that comes from the evil one but those who have spiritual eyes and ears will know there is more happening than what we see with the natural eye.
We can walk in the blessings of God in the spiritual realm. Take hold of what God is doing. Which realm will you walk in, the natural or the spiritual?
cbn
By Martha Noebel
We were receiving faith to see mighty things at the hand of a powerful, loving, awesome God.
I feel that the devil is mimicking in the natural what God is doing in the Spiritual. I feel that if you look at what God is doing in the spirit realm, you will be able to see what Satan is doing in the natural world.
Recently, there have been reports of many house fires. There has been much destruction. We can think about all the awful things that are happening but they are a distorted mirrored-image of God's wonderful blessings being manifested in the Spirit.
For example, there have been 18 fires in one local neighborhood in the last few months. A friend of mine and I were talking about how terrible it was. Then the Holy Spirit clearly spoke to my heart. He let me know it is because God was setting fires in the lives of His people in the spirit realm. The devil was mad and this was his way of counterfeiting what God was doing.
CBN is coming out of two weeks of calling on God, believing Him for great things, praying for miracles, and receiving the fire of God in our chapel services. The chaplain spoke on the fire of God during our Week Of Prayer. On the following Wednesday it felt like the fire of God poured out of heaven. It was powerful. It was the closest thing I could imagine that would compare to the "Day of Pentecost." A peaceful calm blew in at the end of the service. It felt like you could touch it or see it.
God spoke to my heart letting me know He was setting these fires in us as individuals and in CBN as a ministry. We were receiving faith to see mighty things at the hand of a powerful, loving, awesome God. God spoke to my heart and said He is going to do a "new thing." I sensed it is going to be really big.
I could not explain it to my friends. I kept saying it is really big.
The fire of God is being poured in us so He can use us for great things. I feel there is a greater anointing here at CBN than ever before. I feel it in my personal life as well. God is blessing His people in every way. Finances are going to come in, faith will be increased, joy will be ignited in us, and much more. Yes, we will be tested, tried, and tempted, but we will come out with rejoicing and great victory!
This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words. The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned (I Corinthians 2:13, 14 NIV).
I want to move in the power of God. I long to see the miracles of God all around me. My family will see a difference and my neighbors will know there has been a change. The world can portray the turmoil that comes from the evil one but those who have spiritual eyes and ears will know there is more happening than what we see with the natural eye.
We can walk in the blessings of God in the spiritual realm. Take hold of what God is doing. Which realm will you walk in, the natural or the spiritual?
cbn
False Claims
2 Corinthians 4:1-6
It’s a wonder anyone believes anything anymore. The claims of advertisers (not to mention politicians) is pure spin. What they say may be built on a shred of truth, but what is shouted in TV commercials or on bottles and boxes is so hyped up that everyone knows it is all sizzle and no steak! Consumers tune out the ads and scarcely pay attention to the packaging. They’ve heard it all before and don’t believe any of it.
One morning I read these claims on my shampoo bottle label: “moisturizing” (of course, you’re using H2O), advanced botanical formula (Botanical? Advanced from what?), natural emollients (Huh?), and pure Swiss glacial waters (Does Switzerland even have glaciers?) to produce “simply stunning, beautiful hair” (just like every other shampoo claims).
Then I looked at the bottle of body wash. It was a Swiss formula (What is it with the Swiss?), claimed to be an antioxidant (you gotta watch those oxidants), offered the “aromatherapy of pure vanilla” (I can’t wait), declared itself to be “extra gentle,” and contained “the nourishments of vitamins E and A.” It professed to be both a soap and body lotion, but it wouldn’t “leave a drying film.” (Of course not! You wash it all off in the shower.)
Amid all the noise and ploys, no wonder it’s difficult to get people to listen to the gospel. Most people have heard so many claims from so many sources that offer so many things in so many forms that they just don’t listen. But it’s not just good news, it’s the best news ever!
So, how do we get skeptical, hardened people to hear about Jesus? Tell them the truth about Him. Don’t exaggerate (2 Corinthians 4:2). Avoid cliches. Don’t make wild promises that the Bible doesn’t make. Most of all, show them by your happy, holy life that your beliefs really work. That’s the kind of testimonial no one can refuse. —Dave Egner
bottom line: To be a good witness, be real!
soul journey
2 Corinthians 4:1-6
It’s a wonder anyone believes anything anymore. The claims of advertisers (not to mention politicians) is pure spin. What they say may be built on a shred of truth, but what is shouted in TV commercials or on bottles and boxes is so hyped up that everyone knows it is all sizzle and no steak! Consumers tune out the ads and scarcely pay attention to the packaging. They’ve heard it all before and don’t believe any of it.
One morning I read these claims on my shampoo bottle label: “moisturizing” (of course, you’re using H2O), advanced botanical formula (Botanical? Advanced from what?), natural emollients (Huh?), and pure Swiss glacial waters (Does Switzerland even have glaciers?) to produce “simply stunning, beautiful hair” (just like every other shampoo claims).
Then I looked at the bottle of body wash. It was a Swiss formula (What is it with the Swiss?), claimed to be an antioxidant (you gotta watch those oxidants), offered the “aromatherapy of pure vanilla” (I can’t wait), declared itself to be “extra gentle,” and contained “the nourishments of vitamins E and A.” It professed to be both a soap and body lotion, but it wouldn’t “leave a drying film.” (Of course not! You wash it all off in the shower.)
Amid all the noise and ploys, no wonder it’s difficult to get people to listen to the gospel. Most people have heard so many claims from so many sources that offer so many things in so many forms that they just don’t listen. But it’s not just good news, it’s the best news ever!
So, how do we get skeptical, hardened people to hear about Jesus? Tell them the truth about Him. Don’t exaggerate (2 Corinthians 4:2). Avoid cliches. Don’t make wild promises that the Bible doesn’t make. Most of all, show them by your happy, holy life that your beliefs really work. That’s the kind of testimonial no one can refuse. —Dave Egner
bottom line: To be a good witness, be real!
soul journey
Thursday, March 27, 2003
Line Up!
1 Corinthians 2:7-16
Two friends and I spent a weekend together last summer. We ate, laughed, shopped, and laughed some more. Late one night we were lying around in our pj’s when one of my friends said, “Let’s watch my tape of Sex and the City.”
I don’t have HBO at home, so I had never seen the award-winning comedy. It was cleverly written, had some humorous insights about the single life, and the four main characters had a strong, caring friendship.
But the show mercilessly hammered my conscience. One character had sex with a man the night they met. Sex was portrayed more graphically than can be done on network television. And it treated sex lightly, as nothing more than a game of tag.
There are no specific rules about television in the Bible—even in the most up-to-date translations. But there are lots of guidelines about sex. It’s a crucial subject. And if we want to take God seriously, we have to take seriously what He says about it. The key is to get our thoughts in line with God’s—whether it’s about sex, money, family, honesty, or any other issue we deal with. And we have the means to do it.
As followers of Christ, “we have the mind of Christ” (1 Corinthians 2:16). We have “the Spirit who is from God” (v.12). As we strive to connect with the wisdom of the Holy Spirit who lives in us, we can see things the way God sees and make correct judgments (v.15). God has made it possible for us not only to know about Him but to know Him—personally. That intimate knowledge of Him, and growth in His wisdom, starts in our heart—a heart that loves Him (v.9).
I’m not going to tell you what you should or shouldn’t be watching on TV. (Although I feel safe in saying that you should leave Sex and the City off your “to-watch” list.) Go deeper. Understand your world “not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit” (v.13).
He’s there. Do you know Him? He’s able. Are you willing? —Tracy Carbaugh
bottom line: The mind of Christ should guide our lives.
soul journey
1 Corinthians 2:7-16
Two friends and I spent a weekend together last summer. We ate, laughed, shopped, and laughed some more. Late one night we were lying around in our pj’s when one of my friends said, “Let’s watch my tape of Sex and the City.”
I don’t have HBO at home, so I had never seen the award-winning comedy. It was cleverly written, had some humorous insights about the single life, and the four main characters had a strong, caring friendship.
But the show mercilessly hammered my conscience. One character had sex with a man the night they met. Sex was portrayed more graphically than can be done on network television. And it treated sex lightly, as nothing more than a game of tag.
There are no specific rules about television in the Bible—even in the most up-to-date translations. But there are lots of guidelines about sex. It’s a crucial subject. And if we want to take God seriously, we have to take seriously what He says about it. The key is to get our thoughts in line with God’s—whether it’s about sex, money, family, honesty, or any other issue we deal with. And we have the means to do it.
As followers of Christ, “we have the mind of Christ” (1 Corinthians 2:16). We have “the Spirit who is from God” (v.12). As we strive to connect with the wisdom of the Holy Spirit who lives in us, we can see things the way God sees and make correct judgments (v.15). God has made it possible for us not only to know about Him but to know Him—personally. That intimate knowledge of Him, and growth in His wisdom, starts in our heart—a heart that loves Him (v.9).
I’m not going to tell you what you should or shouldn’t be watching on TV. (Although I feel safe in saying that you should leave Sex and the City off your “to-watch” list.) Go deeper. Understand your world “not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit” (v.13).
He’s there. Do you know Him? He’s able. Are you willing? —Tracy Carbaugh
bottom line: The mind of Christ should guide our lives.
soul journey
Wednesday, March 26, 2003
Be An Encourager
Read: Romans 1:8-15
I long to see you, . . . that I may be encouraged together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me. —Romans 1:11-12
Ron, a recent Bible-school graduate, had been a youth pastor for about 3 months. Some of the young people seemed to resent him, certain parents were beginning to criticize him, and he was getting discouraged. Then the chairman of the church board invited him to lunch. "Uh-oh," he said to his wife. "Here it comes."
At lunch the chairman looked him straight in the eye and said, "I hear that you are getting some flak. I want you to know that the board thinks you are doing a good job. True, nothing much is happening yet, but we are convinced that it will. You're doing exactly what we asked you to do. Just keep at it."
Ron walked out of that meeting with his head held high and his heart singing. He worked with renewed confidence, and soon the youth group began to grow numerically and spiritually.
Paul told the Roman believers that he wanted to see them so they could encourage each other (1:11-12). You and I know how helpful that can be. We all appreciate an arm around the shoulder or a kind word.
If you've received some unexpected encouragement today, thank God for it. And when the Holy Spirit leads you to encourage someone, go ahead and do it. Be an encourager. Both of you will be glad you did. —Dave Egner
The power in words can build up or tear down—
Create a big smile or produce a sad frown;
So in all your contacts with people each day,
Be sure to encourage in all that you say. —Fitzhugh
A spark of encouragement can rekindle warmth in the heart.
daily bread
Read: Romans 1:8-15
I long to see you, . . . that I may be encouraged together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me. —Romans 1:11-12
Ron, a recent Bible-school graduate, had been a youth pastor for about 3 months. Some of the young people seemed to resent him, certain parents were beginning to criticize him, and he was getting discouraged. Then the chairman of the church board invited him to lunch. "Uh-oh," he said to his wife. "Here it comes."
At lunch the chairman looked him straight in the eye and said, "I hear that you are getting some flak. I want you to know that the board thinks you are doing a good job. True, nothing much is happening yet, but we are convinced that it will. You're doing exactly what we asked you to do. Just keep at it."
Ron walked out of that meeting with his head held high and his heart singing. He worked with renewed confidence, and soon the youth group began to grow numerically and spiritually.
Paul told the Roman believers that he wanted to see them so they could encourage each other (1:11-12). You and I know how helpful that can be. We all appreciate an arm around the shoulder or a kind word.
If you've received some unexpected encouragement today, thank God for it. And when the Holy Spirit leads you to encourage someone, go ahead and do it. Be an encourager. Both of you will be glad you did. —Dave Egner
The power in words can build up or tear down—
Create a big smile or produce a sad frown;
So in all your contacts with people each day,
Be sure to encourage in all that you say. —Fitzhugh
A spark of encouragement can rekindle warmth in the heart.
daily bread
Alpha And Omega
Read: Revelation 22:6-13
"I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End," says the Lord. —Revelation 1:8
The meaning of the words Alpha and Omega—terms that refer to the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet—is fairly easy to understand. Like A and Z, they simply mean "the beginning" and "the end."
In life, we understand these concepts. Things begin . . . things end. Jobs start . . . jobs stop. Decades come . . . decades go. Birth . . . death.
But there is something special and unique about the words Alpha and Omega as they appear in Revelation (1:8,11; 21:6; 22:13). Jesus Christ used those terms to describe Himself—terms that refer to His deity.
When used in Scripture, the words have an almost unfathomable meaning. Jesus, the Alpha, had no beginning. He existed before time, before the creation of the universe (John 1:1). As the first cause of all that exists (vv.2-3), Jesus cannot be limited by the word Alpha. And as the Omega, He is not the "end" as we know it. He will continue to exist into the everlasting, never-ending future.
It's mind-boggling and awe-inspiring—this view of our Lord. He's the one "who is and who was and who is to come" (Revelation 1:8). He's the Alpha and the Omega, the Almighty God. Not only that, He's our Savior (Titus 2:13). As such, He deserves our praise, our lives, our all! —Dave Branon
Alpha, Omega—our God we proclaim,
Eternal, unchanging, always the same;
He's the beginning and He is the end,
He is our Savior, our Lord, and our Friend. —Fitzhugh
For time and for eternity, Jesus is all we need.
daily bread
Read: Revelation 22:6-13
"I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End," says the Lord. —Revelation 1:8
The meaning of the words Alpha and Omega—terms that refer to the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet—is fairly easy to understand. Like A and Z, they simply mean "the beginning" and "the end."
In life, we understand these concepts. Things begin . . . things end. Jobs start . . . jobs stop. Decades come . . . decades go. Birth . . . death.
But there is something special and unique about the words Alpha and Omega as they appear in Revelation (1:8,11; 21:6; 22:13). Jesus Christ used those terms to describe Himself—terms that refer to His deity.
When used in Scripture, the words have an almost unfathomable meaning. Jesus, the Alpha, had no beginning. He existed before time, before the creation of the universe (John 1:1). As the first cause of all that exists (vv.2-3), Jesus cannot be limited by the word Alpha. And as the Omega, He is not the "end" as we know it. He will continue to exist into the everlasting, never-ending future.
It's mind-boggling and awe-inspiring—this view of our Lord. He's the one "who is and who was and who is to come" (Revelation 1:8). He's the Alpha and the Omega, the Almighty God. Not only that, He's our Savior (Titus 2:13). As such, He deserves our praise, our lives, our all! —Dave Branon
Alpha, Omega—our God we proclaim,
Eternal, unchanging, always the same;
He's the beginning and He is the end,
He is our Savior, our Lord, and our Friend. —Fitzhugh
For time and for eternity, Jesus is all we need.
daily bread
Monday, March 24, 2003
Riding Out The Waves
Read: Psalm 25:1-10
Lead me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; on You I wait all the day. —Psalm 25:5
What can ride ocean currents for years before finally washing ashore and springing to life? According to National Geographic's World magazine, it's a nut that is native to South America and the West Indies. Some people call them "sea hearts."
These 2-inch, chestnut-colored nuts are hardy, heart-shaped seeds that grow on high-climbing vines. They often fall into rivers and float out to sea. There they may ride the currents for years before coming to shore and sprouting into a plant.
This life-bearing, time-enduring, wave-riding seed illustrates a basic spiritual principle. God's plans may include extended times of waiting for Him to act on our behalf. This was true of Noah, who endured ridicule while spending 120 years building a ship; of Abraham, who waited for the fulfillment of God's promise that he would have a son in his old age; and of David, God's anointed, who chose to wait for God's timing rather than take the life of envious King Saul.
Sea hearts can't choose to be patient, but we can. Nothing is harder or better for us than to follow the example of David, who wrote Psalm 25. By waiting on the Lord we can have peace, and our faith will grow—even while we are riding out the waves. —Mart De Haan II
THINKING IT OVER
What circumstances make it hard to wait for the Lord? How do we know we won't be disappointed when we wait for Him?
God stretches our patience to enlarge our soul.
daily bread
Read: Psalm 25:1-10
Lead me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; on You I wait all the day. —Psalm 25:5
What can ride ocean currents for years before finally washing ashore and springing to life? According to National Geographic's World magazine, it's a nut that is native to South America and the West Indies. Some people call them "sea hearts."
These 2-inch, chestnut-colored nuts are hardy, heart-shaped seeds that grow on high-climbing vines. They often fall into rivers and float out to sea. There they may ride the currents for years before coming to shore and sprouting into a plant.
This life-bearing, time-enduring, wave-riding seed illustrates a basic spiritual principle. God's plans may include extended times of waiting for Him to act on our behalf. This was true of Noah, who endured ridicule while spending 120 years building a ship; of Abraham, who waited for the fulfillment of God's promise that he would have a son in his old age; and of David, God's anointed, who chose to wait for God's timing rather than take the life of envious King Saul.
Sea hearts can't choose to be patient, but we can. Nothing is harder or better for us than to follow the example of David, who wrote Psalm 25. By waiting on the Lord we can have peace, and our faith will grow—even while we are riding out the waves. —Mart De Haan II
THINKING IT OVER
What circumstances make it hard to wait for the Lord? How do we know we won't be disappointed when we wait for Him?
God stretches our patience to enlarge our soul.
daily bread
Sunday, March 23, 2003
PRAYER BEFORE STARTING WORK
My Heavenly Father, as I start my work for today , I bring Your presence with me.
I speak Your peace, Your grace, Your mercy, and Your perfect order into this office.
I acknowledge Your power over all that will be spoken, thought, decided, and done within these walls.
Lord, I thank You for the gifts You have blessed me with. I commit to using them responsibly in Your honor.
Give me a fresh supply of strength to do my job. Anoint my projects, ideas, and energy, so that even my smallest accomplishment may bring You glory.
Lord, when I am confused, guide me. When I am weary, energize me. When I am burned out, infuse me with the light of the Holy Spirit.
May the work that I do and the way I do it bring faith, joy, and a smile to all that I come in contact with today.
And oh Lord, when I leave this place, give me traveling mercy. Bless my family and home to be in order as I left it.
Lord, I thank you for everything You've done, everything You're doing, and everything You're going to do.
In the Name of Jesus I pray, with much love and Thanksgiving.....Amen.
*I pray to God that this prayer be an inspiration...everytime you start your work.
My Heavenly Father, as I start my work for today , I bring Your presence with me.
I speak Your peace, Your grace, Your mercy, and Your perfect order into this office.
I acknowledge Your power over all that will be spoken, thought, decided, and done within these walls.
Lord, I thank You for the gifts You have blessed me with. I commit to using them responsibly in Your honor.
Give me a fresh supply of strength to do my job. Anoint my projects, ideas, and energy, so that even my smallest accomplishment may bring You glory.
Lord, when I am confused, guide me. When I am weary, energize me. When I am burned out, infuse me with the light of the Holy Spirit.
May the work that I do and the way I do it bring faith, joy, and a smile to all that I come in contact with today.
And oh Lord, when I leave this place, give me traveling mercy. Bless my family and home to be in order as I left it.
Lord, I thank you for everything You've done, everything You're doing, and everything You're going to do.
In the Name of Jesus I pray, with much love and Thanksgiving.....Amen.
*I pray to God that this prayer be an inspiration...everytime you start your work.
Saturday, March 22, 2003
Prayer
By J. Steven Lang
Prayer brings us into God's presence. Prayer changes people. Prayer changes the world.
Prayer is talked about a lot among religious people. Books are written about it, and you can even attend seminars and workshops on prayer. The odd thing, most people do not pray regularly.
But the Bible is brimming over with promises: Prayer brings us into God's presence. Prayer changes people. Prayer changes the world.
The LORD is close to all who call on him, yes, to all who call on him sincerely. He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cries for help and rescues them.
Psalm 145:18-19
The eyes of the LORD watch over those who do right; his ears are open to their cries for help.
The LORD hears his people when they call to him for help. He rescues them from all their troubles.
Psalm 34:15, 17
The LORD says, "I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust in my name. When they call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue them and honor them. I will satisfy them with a long life and give them my salvation."
Psalm 91:14-16
In our instant gratification society, prayer seems out of place. We pray for something and expect it to happen immediately -- or soon, anyway. The Bible promises answers, but not immediate ones. The two following passages from the Gospels depict Jesus recommending perseverance in prayer.
One day Jesus told his disciples a story to illustrate their need for constant prayer and to show them that they must never give up. "There was a judge in a certain city," he said, "who was a godless man with great contempt for everyone. A widow of that city came to him repeatedly, appealing for justice against someone who had harmed her. The judge ignored her for a while, but eventually she wore him out. `I fear neither God nor man,' he said to himself, `but this woman is driving me crazy. I'm going to see that she gets justice, because she is wearing me out with her constant requests!'"
Then the Lord said, "Learn a lesson from this evil judge. Even he rendered a just decision in the end, so don't you think God will surely give justice to his chosen people who plead with him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you, he will grant justice to them quickly! But when I, the Son of Man, return, how many will I find who have faith?"
Luke 18:1-8
"Keep on asking, and you will be given what you ask for. Keep on looking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And the door is opened to everyone who knocks. You parents -- if your children ask for a loaf of bread, do you give them a stone instead? Or if they ask for a fish, do you give them a snake? Of course not! If you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him."
Matthew 7:7-11
We can be confident that he will listen to us whenever we ask him for anything in line with his will. And if we know he is listening when we make our requests, we can be sure that he will give us what we ask for.
1 John 5:14
Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank him for all he has done. If you do this, you will experience God's peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7
Jesus understood the importance of prayer. But he also understood that some people like to make a "show" out of prayer, trying to impress others with their long and flowery prayers. He assured his followers that this kind of prayer had no influence with God, who understands our motives:
"When you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father secretly. Then your Father, who knows all secrets, will reward you.
"When you pray, don't babble on and on as people of other religions do. They think their prayers are answered only by repeating their words again and again. Don't be like them, because your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask him!"
Matthew 6:6-8
Some people claim they don't know how to pray. The Bible is full of examples, including the famous Lord's Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13 and Luke 11:2-4). But the Bible also promises that our awkwardness at praying does not need to hold us back. He has given us a "prayer partner," the Spirit:
The Holy Spirit helps us in our distress. For we don't even know what we should pray for, nor how we should pray. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words.
Romans 8:26
cbn
By J. Steven Lang
Prayer brings us into God's presence. Prayer changes people. Prayer changes the world.
Prayer is talked about a lot among religious people. Books are written about it, and you can even attend seminars and workshops on prayer. The odd thing, most people do not pray regularly.
But the Bible is brimming over with promises: Prayer brings us into God's presence. Prayer changes people. Prayer changes the world.
The LORD is close to all who call on him, yes, to all who call on him sincerely. He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cries for help and rescues them.
Psalm 145:18-19
The eyes of the LORD watch over those who do right; his ears are open to their cries for help.
The LORD hears his people when they call to him for help. He rescues them from all their troubles.
Psalm 34:15, 17
The LORD says, "I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust in my name. When they call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue them and honor them. I will satisfy them with a long life and give them my salvation."
Psalm 91:14-16
In our instant gratification society, prayer seems out of place. We pray for something and expect it to happen immediately -- or soon, anyway. The Bible promises answers, but not immediate ones. The two following passages from the Gospels depict Jesus recommending perseverance in prayer.
One day Jesus told his disciples a story to illustrate their need for constant prayer and to show them that they must never give up. "There was a judge in a certain city," he said, "who was a godless man with great contempt for everyone. A widow of that city came to him repeatedly, appealing for justice against someone who had harmed her. The judge ignored her for a while, but eventually she wore him out. `I fear neither God nor man,' he said to himself, `but this woman is driving me crazy. I'm going to see that she gets justice, because she is wearing me out with her constant requests!'"
Then the Lord said, "Learn a lesson from this evil judge. Even he rendered a just decision in the end, so don't you think God will surely give justice to his chosen people who plead with him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you, he will grant justice to them quickly! But when I, the Son of Man, return, how many will I find who have faith?"
Luke 18:1-8
"Keep on asking, and you will be given what you ask for. Keep on looking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And the door is opened to everyone who knocks. You parents -- if your children ask for a loaf of bread, do you give them a stone instead? Or if they ask for a fish, do you give them a snake? Of course not! If you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him."
Matthew 7:7-11
We can be confident that he will listen to us whenever we ask him for anything in line with his will. And if we know he is listening when we make our requests, we can be sure that he will give us what we ask for.
1 John 5:14
Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank him for all he has done. If you do this, you will experience God's peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7
Jesus understood the importance of prayer. But he also understood that some people like to make a "show" out of prayer, trying to impress others with their long and flowery prayers. He assured his followers that this kind of prayer had no influence with God, who understands our motives:
"When you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father secretly. Then your Father, who knows all secrets, will reward you.
"When you pray, don't babble on and on as people of other religions do. They think their prayers are answered only by repeating their words again and again. Don't be like them, because your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask him!"
Matthew 6:6-8
Some people claim they don't know how to pray. The Bible is full of examples, including the famous Lord's Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13 and Luke 11:2-4). But the Bible also promises that our awkwardness at praying does not need to hold us back. He has given us a "prayer partner," the Spirit:
The Holy Spirit helps us in our distress. For we don't even know what we should pray for, nor how we should pray. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words.
Romans 8:26
cbn
Friday, March 21, 2003
First In Our Lives
Read: Psalm 32:1-5
Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my anxieties. —Psalm 139:23
Actor Sylvester Stallone is applauded for his strongman movie roles as Rocky and Rambo. But what is he really like in his personal life? During an interview he honestly admitted, "If I were watching a home movie of my life, I would shake my head in despair and wonderment. It's a comedy of errors."
Suppose a movie were made of your life or mine. Would it reveal not only errors and poor choices but also a sinful person who doesn't even act like a follower of Christ? Would we be ashamed of some scenes? Would we be motivated, as Stallone says he was, to shift our values and start paying attention to "relationships . . . and putting someone else first"?
Jesus wants to be the "someone else" in our lives whom we put first (Matthew 6:24,33). But how do we do that? It starts with confession of any sin that is between us and Him, and then experiencing the Lord's cleansing and forgiveness (Psalm 32:5). Then we are gradually changed by Him through the work of the Holy Spirit and by the Word of God (Galatians 5:22-23; Hebrews 4:12). If we make our relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ our first priority, He will make us into the kind of people He wants us to be (Philippians 2:3-8). —Vernon Grounds
Search me, O God, and know my heart today;
Try me, O Savior, know my thoughts, I pray.
See if there be some wicked way in me;
Cleanse me from every sin and set me free. —Orr
The Spirit of God uses the Word of God to change the people of God.
daily bread
Read: Psalm 32:1-5
Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my anxieties. —Psalm 139:23
Actor Sylvester Stallone is applauded for his strongman movie roles as Rocky and Rambo. But what is he really like in his personal life? During an interview he honestly admitted, "If I were watching a home movie of my life, I would shake my head in despair and wonderment. It's a comedy of errors."
Suppose a movie were made of your life or mine. Would it reveal not only errors and poor choices but also a sinful person who doesn't even act like a follower of Christ? Would we be ashamed of some scenes? Would we be motivated, as Stallone says he was, to shift our values and start paying attention to "relationships . . . and putting someone else first"?
Jesus wants to be the "someone else" in our lives whom we put first (Matthew 6:24,33). But how do we do that? It starts with confession of any sin that is between us and Him, and then experiencing the Lord's cleansing and forgiveness (Psalm 32:5). Then we are gradually changed by Him through the work of the Holy Spirit and by the Word of God (Galatians 5:22-23; Hebrews 4:12). If we make our relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ our first priority, He will make us into the kind of people He wants us to be (Philippians 2:3-8). —Vernon Grounds
Search me, O God, and know my heart today;
Try me, O Savior, know my thoughts, I pray.
See if there be some wicked way in me;
Cleanse me from every sin and set me free. —Orr
The Spirit of God uses the Word of God to change the people of God.
daily bread
Thursday, March 20, 2003
Defining Prayer
By Pat Robertson
Christians should always be in an attitude of communion with God. Prayer can take place in every circumstance.
Prayer is communion with God. It is the closest, most intimate relationship with the Creator you can have.
Prayer is not playing magic games, spinning prayer wheels, reading off a list, or asking for things to be done. It is a communion. "Deep calls unto deep," the Bible says (Psalm 42:7). In prayer the depths of your spirit are in communion with the depths of the Spirit of God. Out of this can come instruction, guidance, or a burden to pray for certain things.
The apostle Paul said, "For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered" (Romans 8:26). There are times when we can emit only wordless groanings because we don't know how to pray about a specific situation.
We can learn much from the Lord's Prayer, the model prayer (see Matthew 6:9-13). The first is that if we are to structure prayer, we should begin with an acknowledgment of the One we are talking to -- God, our Father. We should also include adoration, "Hallowed be Your name." We are to glorify and worship His name, His very Being.
Next, we must be concerned about the extension of His kingdom. We ask that men should come to know Him and submit to Him. "Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven." Next to the name and the person of God Himself, the most important thing in prayer is the extension of God's kingdom.
After that, we ask God for our daily bread -- whatever we need to carry out His work. It may be money, a car, food, clothing, a house, or a $20 million budget for a Christian organization. It may be money to feed the poor. It may be a lot of things. We ask Him to give us, day by day, bread that is sufficient for us. That is the petition part of prayer. The first part of prayer is praise, the second is intercession for others, and the third is petition, when we ask for our needs to be met.
Finally, we seek God's protection that we might not be led into temptation and that God will keep us from evil. We ask Him to keep us walking in His way, so that we might be covered by His power and anointing and not be susceptible to Satan's influences.
We must remember that prayer is rooted in forgiveness. "Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors." The relationship of God's people to Him comes about because of continuous forgiveness. If we are going to see miracles in our lives, we have to be willing to forgive other people, even as God is willing to forgive us.
Christians should always be in an attitude of communion with God. Prayer can take place in every circumstance (see Psalm 4:4, 5:3, Daniel 6:10, Acts 21:5, I Thessalonians 5:17). In my life, as events pass by, I may find myself talking to Him, wanting to know something, asking for advice and counsel, or for favor and blessing. The Christian's life should be filled with prayer. In addition, we should set aside specific times, at least once a day, for prayer and for reading the Bible.
As we read the Bible, we should pray, worship God, speak to Him about our needs, and listen to His answers. This should be a time of communication between two spirits that sets the order of events for each day.
cbn
By Pat Robertson
Christians should always be in an attitude of communion with God. Prayer can take place in every circumstance.
Prayer is communion with God. It is the closest, most intimate relationship with the Creator you can have.
Prayer is not playing magic games, spinning prayer wheels, reading off a list, or asking for things to be done. It is a communion. "Deep calls unto deep," the Bible says (Psalm 42:7). In prayer the depths of your spirit are in communion with the depths of the Spirit of God. Out of this can come instruction, guidance, or a burden to pray for certain things.
The apostle Paul said, "For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered" (Romans 8:26). There are times when we can emit only wordless groanings because we don't know how to pray about a specific situation.
We can learn much from the Lord's Prayer, the model prayer (see Matthew 6:9-13). The first is that if we are to structure prayer, we should begin with an acknowledgment of the One we are talking to -- God, our Father. We should also include adoration, "Hallowed be Your name." We are to glorify and worship His name, His very Being.
Next, we must be concerned about the extension of His kingdom. We ask that men should come to know Him and submit to Him. "Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven." Next to the name and the person of God Himself, the most important thing in prayer is the extension of God's kingdom.
After that, we ask God for our daily bread -- whatever we need to carry out His work. It may be money, a car, food, clothing, a house, or a $20 million budget for a Christian organization. It may be money to feed the poor. It may be a lot of things. We ask Him to give us, day by day, bread that is sufficient for us. That is the petition part of prayer. The first part of prayer is praise, the second is intercession for others, and the third is petition, when we ask for our needs to be met.
Finally, we seek God's protection that we might not be led into temptation and that God will keep us from evil. We ask Him to keep us walking in His way, so that we might be covered by His power and anointing and not be susceptible to Satan's influences.
We must remember that prayer is rooted in forgiveness. "Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors." The relationship of God's people to Him comes about because of continuous forgiveness. If we are going to see miracles in our lives, we have to be willing to forgive other people, even as God is willing to forgive us.
Christians should always be in an attitude of communion with God. Prayer can take place in every circumstance (see Psalm 4:4, 5:3, Daniel 6:10, Acts 21:5, I Thessalonians 5:17). In my life, as events pass by, I may find myself talking to Him, wanting to know something, asking for advice and counsel, or for favor and blessing. The Christian's life should be filled with prayer. In addition, we should set aside specific times, at least once a day, for prayer and for reading the Bible.
As we read the Bible, we should pray, worship God, speak to Him about our needs, and listen to His answers. This should be a time of communication between two spirits that sets the order of events for each day.
cbn
Wednesday, March 19, 2003
Our Children Are Watching
Read: Deuteronomy 6:1-9
You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. —Deuteronomy 6:5
It can be disturbing to realize that our children often mirror the way we speak and act. I remember being concerned about the way my son angrily lashed out at his sister when she was annoying him. My wife gently pointed out to me that his behavior was a reflection of mine.
A few weeks later, I caught myself lashing out at my son when I was frustrated. Through my wife's encouragement, I apologized to him for my behavior and told him I would learn to treat him with more respect. In the months that followed, I noticed that my son's attitude toward his sister also improved.
Children do not learn to love and obey God only by what we say. They also learn by watching what we do. We are to teach them constantly about God and His Word as we "sit in [our] house, when [we] walk by the way, when [we] lie down, and when [we] rise up" (Deuteronomy 6:7). Along with what we say to our children, we need to set an example by our love and obedience to the Lord.
We can't be perfect parents, but our children must see our desire to please the Lord. And when we fall short, they need to see our repentance. We teach them by both what we say and what we do. —Albert Lee
You're teaching a lesson each day that you live;
Your actions are blazing a trail
That children will follow for good or for ill;
You can help them or cause them to fail. —Bosch
A godly parent is a child's best guide to God.
daily bread
Read: Deuteronomy 6:1-9
You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. —Deuteronomy 6:5
It can be disturbing to realize that our children often mirror the way we speak and act. I remember being concerned about the way my son angrily lashed out at his sister when she was annoying him. My wife gently pointed out to me that his behavior was a reflection of mine.
A few weeks later, I caught myself lashing out at my son when I was frustrated. Through my wife's encouragement, I apologized to him for my behavior and told him I would learn to treat him with more respect. In the months that followed, I noticed that my son's attitude toward his sister also improved.
Children do not learn to love and obey God only by what we say. They also learn by watching what we do. We are to teach them constantly about God and His Word as we "sit in [our] house, when [we] walk by the way, when [we] lie down, and when [we] rise up" (Deuteronomy 6:7). Along with what we say to our children, we need to set an example by our love and obedience to the Lord.
We can't be perfect parents, but our children must see our desire to please the Lord. And when we fall short, they need to see our repentance. We teach them by both what we say and what we do. —Albert Lee
You're teaching a lesson each day that you live;
Your actions are blazing a trail
That children will follow for good or for ill;
You can help them or cause them to fail. —Bosch
A godly parent is a child's best guide to God.
daily bread
Tuesday, March 18, 2003
He's Never Grumpy
Read: Luke 11:5-10
Ask, and it will be given to you. —Luke 11:9
While driving my car the other day, I saw a sign that said, "Sometimes I wake up grumpy—but usually I let him sleep." It reminded me of the night my pregnant wife awakened me saying we had to get to the hospital because the baby was on the way. Half-awake, I replied, "Let's go back to sleep and take care of things in the morning." Then suddenly I realized what she had said, and I was up in a flash.
In Luke 11, a man who needed food for a guest went to a friend's house at midnight and asked for three loaves of bread. The awakened friend may have replied somewhat as I did. After all, it was the middle of the night. Yet he got up and provided the requested food (v.8). I don't think the man gave his friend what he wanted just because he wouldn't go away. Rather, he got up because he realized that this friend would not have had the boldness to wake him if he hadn't been desperate.
The point is this: If an earthly friend will overcome his reluctance to meet your need, will not your heavenly Father, who is never reluctant, do far more than that? He never sleeps, He is never grumpy, and He wants the very best for you. Therefore, do not hesitate to ask, seek, and knock (v.9). He will always be there for you. —Herb Vander Lugt
Pray on, then, child of God, pray on;
This is your duty and your task.
To God the answering belongs;
Yours is the simpler part—to ask. —Chisholm
God is never inconvenienced by our prayers.
daily bread
Read: Luke 11:5-10
Ask, and it will be given to you. —Luke 11:9
While driving my car the other day, I saw a sign that said, "Sometimes I wake up grumpy—but usually I let him sleep." It reminded me of the night my pregnant wife awakened me saying we had to get to the hospital because the baby was on the way. Half-awake, I replied, "Let's go back to sleep and take care of things in the morning." Then suddenly I realized what she had said, and I was up in a flash.
In Luke 11, a man who needed food for a guest went to a friend's house at midnight and asked for three loaves of bread. The awakened friend may have replied somewhat as I did. After all, it was the middle of the night. Yet he got up and provided the requested food (v.8). I don't think the man gave his friend what he wanted just because he wouldn't go away. Rather, he got up because he realized that this friend would not have had the boldness to wake him if he hadn't been desperate.
The point is this: If an earthly friend will overcome his reluctance to meet your need, will not your heavenly Father, who is never reluctant, do far more than that? He never sleeps, He is never grumpy, and He wants the very best for you. Therefore, do not hesitate to ask, seek, and knock (v.9). He will always be there for you. —Herb Vander Lugt
Pray on, then, child of God, pray on;
This is your duty and your task.
To God the answering belongs;
Yours is the simpler part—to ask. —Chisholm
God is never inconvenienced by our prayers.
daily bread
Monday, March 17, 2003
Mary & God
Read: Colossians 3:22–4:6
Whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men. —Colossians 3:23
Her bright smile and cheerful voice seemed unusual for someone working at a discount store checkout counter early in the morning. I glanced at her nametag, then looked more closely to make sure I had read it correctly. It said: MARY-N-GOD. So I asked her if she and the Lord were doing this job together. "Oh, yes!" she said, beaming. "He works with me and walks with me and talks with me, and we share the most wonderful life together. I couldn't do it without Him."
Mary was a winsome representative of Christ and a vivid illustration of Colossians 3:23, "Whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men." Although not in the limelight, Mary, through her attitude and actions, witnessed to hundreds of people every day. Mary's pulpit was a checkout counter, and her smile was the opening sentence in a powerful sermon about the difference Christ makes in a life. If someone asked, she was happy to tell them more.
When I told my wife about Mary, she said, "I think she's one of those who seem to be last here on earth but will be first when they get to heaven." I had to agree.
You and I can also be effective witnesses if we know, love, and walk with Jesus the way Mary does. —David McCasland
THINKING IT OVER
What kind of attitudes are revealed in my daily work? Does my fellowship with Christ shine through in my demeanor? For whom do I work? Christ or the boss?
Often it's the joy behind our words that makes our testimony ring true.
daily bread
Read: Colossians 3:22–4:6
Whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men. —Colossians 3:23
Her bright smile and cheerful voice seemed unusual for someone working at a discount store checkout counter early in the morning. I glanced at her nametag, then looked more closely to make sure I had read it correctly. It said: MARY-N-GOD. So I asked her if she and the Lord were doing this job together. "Oh, yes!" she said, beaming. "He works with me and walks with me and talks with me, and we share the most wonderful life together. I couldn't do it without Him."
Mary was a winsome representative of Christ and a vivid illustration of Colossians 3:23, "Whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men." Although not in the limelight, Mary, through her attitude and actions, witnessed to hundreds of people every day. Mary's pulpit was a checkout counter, and her smile was the opening sentence in a powerful sermon about the difference Christ makes in a life. If someone asked, she was happy to tell them more.
When I told my wife about Mary, she said, "I think she's one of those who seem to be last here on earth but will be first when they get to heaven." I had to agree.
You and I can also be effective witnesses if we know, love, and walk with Jesus the way Mary does. —David McCasland
THINKING IT OVER
What kind of attitudes are revealed in my daily work? Does my fellowship with Christ shine through in my demeanor? For whom do I work? Christ or the boss?
Often it's the joy behind our words that makes our testimony ring true.
daily bread
Sunday, March 16, 2003
True Grace, Stand In It
We all like a people who are extremely gracious and forgiving. When we do something outrageous, they take it in stride and lovingly embrace us. It's hard not to like that kind of person. In fact we find ourselves bending over backwards to work with them. Yes, we like gracious people! Why is it we so easily overlook the grace of God? Perhaps it is because we always think we owe something to that loving person who has been so forgiving of us. We say to them, "I owe you one." And we fully expect that loving person to collect on that debt. But the problem is, we really don't understand true grace. True grace does not collect on a debt you feel you owe. And just the opposite is true too. God is in no way obliged to love you or forgive you. The fact of God's love is rooted in His grace. And when you ask God to forgive you of your sins, He does so, not because He owes it to you, but because He is gracious. You see, God gave His only Son to die on a cross almost 2000 years ago to pay the penalty due to people like you for their sins. When Christ died, He did not pay for His own sins. He was perfect. He was sinless. Christ paid for the sins of others! So when you ask God, He forgives your debt for sin, not because He owes you anything but because of Christ's sacrifice to pay for your sin. That's grace! "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, not as a result of works, that no one should boast" (Ephesians 2:8-9).
daily wisdom
We all like a people who are extremely gracious and forgiving. When we do something outrageous, they take it in stride and lovingly embrace us. It's hard not to like that kind of person. In fact we find ourselves bending over backwards to work with them. Yes, we like gracious people! Why is it we so easily overlook the grace of God? Perhaps it is because we always think we owe something to that loving person who has been so forgiving of us. We say to them, "I owe you one." And we fully expect that loving person to collect on that debt. But the problem is, we really don't understand true grace. True grace does not collect on a debt you feel you owe. And just the opposite is true too. God is in no way obliged to love you or forgive you. The fact of God's love is rooted in His grace. And when you ask God to forgive you of your sins, He does so, not because He owes it to you, but because He is gracious. You see, God gave His only Son to die on a cross almost 2000 years ago to pay the penalty due to people like you for their sins. When Christ died, He did not pay for His own sins. He was perfect. He was sinless. Christ paid for the sins of others! So when you ask God, He forgives your debt for sin, not because He owes you anything but because of Christ's sacrifice to pay for your sin. That's grace! "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, not as a result of works, that no one should boast" (Ephesians 2:8-9).
daily wisdom
Saturday, March 15, 2003
At The Well
Read: John 4:5-26
With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation. —Isaiah 12:3
A guide in Israel was preparing to lead a tour into the desert. His instructions to the group were simple and clear: "If you do not have these two items, I will not allow you to accompany us. You must have a broad-brimmed hat and a full bottle of water. These will protect you from the sun, and from the thirst caused by wind and dryness."
Water. It's essential to survival. That's why a woman came to the well in Samaria (John 4:7). She came at noon, when few people were there. She was startled when a young Jewish man asked her for something to drink. Jesus broke huge barriers with His request—she was a woman, had been married many times, and wasn't a Jew.
Jesus offered her water far better than that from the well. He had "living water," which only He could give (vv.10,13-14). I believe she took that water and was spiritually cleansed, for she told everyone what she had experienced: "Come, see a Man who told me all things that I ever did. Could this be the Christ?" (v.29).
Are you at the well? Is your soul thirsting for God? Do you need the cleansing and refreshment He offers? He is waiting there to satisfy you with the "living water" of salvation and the gift of everlasting life. —Dave Egner
Gracious and Almighty Savior,
Source of all that shall endure,
Quench my thirst with living water,
Living water, clear and pure. —Vinal
Jesus is the only fountain who can satisfy the thirsty soul.
daily bread
Read: John 4:5-26
With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation. —Isaiah 12:3
A guide in Israel was preparing to lead a tour into the desert. His instructions to the group were simple and clear: "If you do not have these two items, I will not allow you to accompany us. You must have a broad-brimmed hat and a full bottle of water. These will protect you from the sun, and from the thirst caused by wind and dryness."
Water. It's essential to survival. That's why a woman came to the well in Samaria (John 4:7). She came at noon, when few people were there. She was startled when a young Jewish man asked her for something to drink. Jesus broke huge barriers with His request—she was a woman, had been married many times, and wasn't a Jew.
Jesus offered her water far better than that from the well. He had "living water," which only He could give (vv.10,13-14). I believe she took that water and was spiritually cleansed, for she told everyone what she had experienced: "Come, see a Man who told me all things that I ever did. Could this be the Christ?" (v.29).
Are you at the well? Is your soul thirsting for God? Do you need the cleansing and refreshment He offers? He is waiting there to satisfy you with the "living water" of salvation and the gift of everlasting life. —Dave Egner
Gracious and Almighty Savior,
Source of all that shall endure,
Quench my thirst with living water,
Living water, clear and pure. —Vinal
Jesus is the only fountain who can satisfy the thirsty soul.
daily bread
The God of the Good
(Journey Thru Genesis Devotional)
Genesis 1:20-31
Watching the Weather Channel for anything other than the weather report is a significant clue that you’re wasting time. But as the threat of yet another baseball strike loomed, I decided to boycott ESPN’s Baseball Tonight. The History Channel (my favorite!) was documenting the story of the assembly line. So, forgive me for finding Category 4 hurricanes riveting.
During the show on catastrophic weather, the phrase “act of God” sneaked its way into the narration. That choice of words intrigued me. Why is it that we call natural calamities “acts of God”?
Certainly the power of nature demonstrates God’s strength. But we often try to blame God for bad things. That’s what Adam tried to do way back in the Garden.
“The woman You put here with me,” Adam said after God confronted him with his sin (Genesis 3:12), “she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it [so it’s Your fault, God, and hers too].” Okay, so Adam didn’t say that last part, but he was thinking it!
We look at the Holocaust and ask, “How could God let this happen?” We ask why God lets terrorists fly into buildings in their misguided quest for paradise.
The consequences of the fall of the human race are too huge to discuss here. But the terrible things in the world are not God’s fault. The world He designed was paradise!
“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth,” says the very first line of Scripture (Genesis 1:1). The creative acts of God are outlined for us in the succeeding verses, always with this phrase: “God saw that it was good.” The plants and the trees were pronounced good. The sun, moon, and stars: good. The birds and fish: good. The other living creatures: good. Human beings: very good.
Next time you’re in the great outdoors, or just talking with a friend (who is made in God’s image), remember the wonderfully creative acts of God. It’s a fallen world. But what God created is good! —Tim Gustafson
bottom line: God is good—all the time.
soul journey
(Journey Thru Genesis Devotional)
Genesis 1:20-31
Watching the Weather Channel for anything other than the weather report is a significant clue that you’re wasting time. But as the threat of yet another baseball strike loomed, I decided to boycott ESPN’s Baseball Tonight. The History Channel (my favorite!) was documenting the story of the assembly line. So, forgive me for finding Category 4 hurricanes riveting.
During the show on catastrophic weather, the phrase “act of God” sneaked its way into the narration. That choice of words intrigued me. Why is it that we call natural calamities “acts of God”?
Certainly the power of nature demonstrates God’s strength. But we often try to blame God for bad things. That’s what Adam tried to do way back in the Garden.
“The woman You put here with me,” Adam said after God confronted him with his sin (Genesis 3:12), “she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it [so it’s Your fault, God, and hers too].” Okay, so Adam didn’t say that last part, but he was thinking it!
We look at the Holocaust and ask, “How could God let this happen?” We ask why God lets terrorists fly into buildings in their misguided quest for paradise.
The consequences of the fall of the human race are too huge to discuss here. But the terrible things in the world are not God’s fault. The world He designed was paradise!
“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth,” says the very first line of Scripture (Genesis 1:1). The creative acts of God are outlined for us in the succeeding verses, always with this phrase: “God saw that it was good.” The plants and the trees were pronounced good. The sun, moon, and stars: good. The birds and fish: good. The other living creatures: good. Human beings: very good.
Next time you’re in the great outdoors, or just talking with a friend (who is made in God’s image), remember the wonderfully creative acts of God. It’s a fallen world. But what God created is good! —Tim Gustafson
bottom line: God is good—all the time.
soul journey
Thursday, March 13, 2003
What Will Happen?
Read: 2 Timothy 4:1-8
There is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord . . . will give to me. —2 Timothy 4:8
In his book Spirit Life, Stuart Briscoe writes, "When I moved to the United States, I was impressed with the number of total strangers who visited my home to wish me well . . . . They all sold insurance!
"One day my visitor was talking about the necessity to be prudent in the preparation for all possibilities. 'If something should happen to you, Mr. Briscoe—' he started to say, but I interrupted with, 'Please don't say that. It upsets me.' . . . He looked totally bewildered and said, 'I don't understand what I said to upset you.' 'Then I'll tell you,' I replied. 'It upsets me that you talk about [life's] only certainty as if it's a possibility. Death isn't a possibility, it's a certainty. You don't say "if," you say "when," whenever death is the subject.' Then I added, 'By the way, when something happens to you, what will really happen?'"
The apostle Paul was very open about his death (2 Timothy 4:6). He knew that its sting had been removed because Christ paid sin's penalty on the cross (1 Corinthians 15:55-57). Death would give way to victory (v.54); he would fully experience Christ's righteousness; and he would be with Christ (2 Corinthians 5:8). Jesus gives that same confidence to all who trust Him as Savior and Lord. —Dennis De Haan
FOR FURTHER STUDY
Read 1 Corinthians 15:35-58.
Find out more about life after death in Where Do We Go From Here?
Only if we are ready to die are we ready to live.
daily bread
Read: 2 Timothy 4:1-8
There is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord . . . will give to me. —2 Timothy 4:8
In his book Spirit Life, Stuart Briscoe writes, "When I moved to the United States, I was impressed with the number of total strangers who visited my home to wish me well . . . . They all sold insurance!
"One day my visitor was talking about the necessity to be prudent in the preparation for all possibilities. 'If something should happen to you, Mr. Briscoe—' he started to say, but I interrupted with, 'Please don't say that. It upsets me.' . . . He looked totally bewildered and said, 'I don't understand what I said to upset you.' 'Then I'll tell you,' I replied. 'It upsets me that you talk about [life's] only certainty as if it's a possibility. Death isn't a possibility, it's a certainty. You don't say "if," you say "when," whenever death is the subject.' Then I added, 'By the way, when something happens to you, what will really happen?'"
The apostle Paul was very open about his death (2 Timothy 4:6). He knew that its sting had been removed because Christ paid sin's penalty on the cross (1 Corinthians 15:55-57). Death would give way to victory (v.54); he would fully experience Christ's righteousness; and he would be with Christ (2 Corinthians 5:8). Jesus gives that same confidence to all who trust Him as Savior and Lord. —Dennis De Haan
FOR FURTHER STUDY
Read 1 Corinthians 15:35-58.
Find out more about life after death in Where Do We Go From Here?
Only if we are ready to die are we ready to live.
daily bread
Wednesday, March 12, 2003
Today's scripture is John 1:29
"The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world."
Jesus came to take away sin. Do you realize what that means? It means that God, through the blood of Jesus, has so completely done away with the power of sin that you, as a born-again believer, can live as if it never existed. You can step out from under its shadow once and for all.
Understand now, stepping out from under sin's shadow doesn't guarantee living a sinless life. You still might stumble sometimes and fall into sin. But you have a promise from God, sworn in the blood of Jesus, that says when you confess that sin, He's faithful and just to forgive you of it and cleanse you from all unrighteousness.
bible shack
"The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world."
Jesus came to take away sin. Do you realize what that means? It means that God, through the blood of Jesus, has so completely done away with the power of sin that you, as a born-again believer, can live as if it never existed. You can step out from under its shadow once and for all.
Understand now, stepping out from under sin's shadow doesn't guarantee living a sinless life. You still might stumble sometimes and fall into sin. But you have a promise from God, sworn in the blood of Jesus, that says when you confess that sin, He's faithful and just to forgive you of it and cleanse you from all unrighteousness.
bible shack
Tuesday, March 11, 2003
Changed To Bring Change
Read: Acts 22:1-16
You will be His witness to all men of what you have seen and heard. — Acts 22:15
One night a woman dreamed that she was having a conversation with God. She was angry about all the suffering and evil she saw around her, so she complained to the Lord, "Why don't You do something about all this?" God gently replied, "I did. I created you."
God could send another flood, as He did in Noah's day, to cleanse away the wickedness of the world. He could, but He won't. He has promised never to do that again (Genesis 9:11). Instead, He chooses to work through human beings like us, changing them, then enabling them to function as His agents of change.
He changed Paul from a persecutor of the church to "His witness to all men" (Acts 22:15). Paul's life and letters taught, inspired, and comforted the church in its early days, and they still do today. It was the power of God that changed Paul, then used him to change the world around him.
What about you? Have you been transformed by the power of Jesus Christ? Are you now obediently serving Him to change the lives of people around you?
Let's ask God to work in our hearts and lives so that through us He will bring about change in our families, our communities, and the world. —Vernon Grounds
FOR FURTHER STUDY
A transformed life means more than a change in behavior.
To find out why, read the online booklet Transformed Lives.
Only when we are changed can we help others to change.
daily bread
Read: Acts 22:1-16
You will be His witness to all men of what you have seen and heard. — Acts 22:15
One night a woman dreamed that she was having a conversation with God. She was angry about all the suffering and evil she saw around her, so she complained to the Lord, "Why don't You do something about all this?" God gently replied, "I did. I created you."
God could send another flood, as He did in Noah's day, to cleanse away the wickedness of the world. He could, but He won't. He has promised never to do that again (Genesis 9:11). Instead, He chooses to work through human beings like us, changing them, then enabling them to function as His agents of change.
He changed Paul from a persecutor of the church to "His witness to all men" (Acts 22:15). Paul's life and letters taught, inspired, and comforted the church in its early days, and they still do today. It was the power of God that changed Paul, then used him to change the world around him.
What about you? Have you been transformed by the power of Jesus Christ? Are you now obediently serving Him to change the lives of people around you?
Let's ask God to work in our hearts and lives so that through us He will bring about change in our families, our communities, and the world. —Vernon Grounds
FOR FURTHER STUDY
A transformed life means more than a change in behavior.
To find out why, read the online booklet Transformed Lives.
Only when we are changed can we help others to change.
daily bread
Talking Toasters
2 Timothy 1:13-18
Last spring the toasters started talking in Hooke, England. (I’m not making this up!) Yep, toasters and other small appliances started emitting the sounds of Russian radio programs in the houses of Hooke.
Was this espionage? Were the Russians using toasters to transmit secret messages? No. The phenomenon was traced to a high-power BBC radio station a mile outside of town.
A spokesman for the station says, “Two bits of metal next to each other can pick up a radio signal. The two bits of metal act as a very basic diode and turn the signal into sound.”
An unusual phenomenon occurred as metals in toasters began producing sounds in England. But, even more amazing, God can change the “tune” of our hearts and minds as we hold another person accountable. Proverbs 27:17 states, “As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.”
Accountability includes encouraging friends, and challenging them to a deeper relationship with Jesus. Paul described to Timothy how a friend helped him in two ways:
1. He “refreshed me” (2 Timothy 1:16).
2. He “searched hard for me” (v.17).
As you meet with a person who will hold you accountable, you will help refresh each other in your faith. You’ll keep God’s grace, love, and joy in front of your friend. At the same time, you will need to ask him the hard questions. You’ll “search hard” into his heart—helping him openly discuss his struggles and needs. You’ll need to make sure he does the same for you.
An interesting thing happens in accountability between two believers in Jesus. A synergy of spiritual growth occurs as the Lord is reflected more clearly through both partners—far greater Christlikeness than what could have been achieved alone.
You won’t start emitting Russian radio broadcasts. But the signals you send to others about your faith and relationship with Jesus will be much clearer. —Tom Felten
bottom line: Accountability Equation: 1 + 1 = 3 (in Jesus!)
soul journey
2 Timothy 1:13-18
Last spring the toasters started talking in Hooke, England. (I’m not making this up!) Yep, toasters and other small appliances started emitting the sounds of Russian radio programs in the houses of Hooke.
Was this espionage? Were the Russians using toasters to transmit secret messages? No. The phenomenon was traced to a high-power BBC radio station a mile outside of town.
A spokesman for the station says, “Two bits of metal next to each other can pick up a radio signal. The two bits of metal act as a very basic diode and turn the signal into sound.”
An unusual phenomenon occurred as metals in toasters began producing sounds in England. But, even more amazing, God can change the “tune” of our hearts and minds as we hold another person accountable. Proverbs 27:17 states, “As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.”
Accountability includes encouraging friends, and challenging them to a deeper relationship with Jesus. Paul described to Timothy how a friend helped him in two ways:
1. He “refreshed me” (2 Timothy 1:16).
2. He “searched hard for me” (v.17).
As you meet with a person who will hold you accountable, you will help refresh each other in your faith. You’ll keep God’s grace, love, and joy in front of your friend. At the same time, you will need to ask him the hard questions. You’ll “search hard” into his heart—helping him openly discuss his struggles and needs. You’ll need to make sure he does the same for you.
An interesting thing happens in accountability between two believers in Jesus. A synergy of spiritual growth occurs as the Lord is reflected more clearly through both partners—far greater Christlikeness than what could have been achieved alone.
You won’t start emitting Russian radio broadcasts. But the signals you send to others about your faith and relationship with Jesus will be much clearer. —Tom Felten
bottom line: Accountability Equation: 1 + 1 = 3 (in Jesus!)
soul journey
Sunday, March 09, 2003
First Fruits
Philippians 1:3-11
“Hi, Dad! This is Julie. I’ve got some good news,” my daughter announced one day about a week after she began her teaching career.
Good news had been in short supply in our family, so it was good to hear the promise of something positive. You see, our family was sent reeling into a dark, unknown world of sorrow and pain on June 6, 2002, when our 17-year-old daughter Melissa was killed in a car accident.
It was the last day of school, and with exams completed, Mell and her friends went to Lake Michigan to celebrate the end of their junior year. It was a bunch of Christian kids having good, clean fun and enjoying one another’s company. That evening, as Mell made her way home, the car in which she was riding was struck broadside, and she was killed instantly.
Since that day, it had been hard to find good news. Despite our deep faith, it was nearly impossible to find hope and purpose. Devastated by losing our precious Melissa, our family plodded through each day with unbearable pain in our hearts.
So it was good to hear Julie’s upbeat voice on the phone. And it was great to hear her story. Excitedly she told me that she had shared with her students about Mell’s life of faith and godliness—and told them that they needed to make sure they knew Jesus as Mell did. Later, one student talked to Julie.
“Miss Branon,” she said. “I’ve been afraid ever since you told us about Melissa. I’m not a Christian, but I want to be one.” Julie guided her as she put her faith in Jesus Christ. As far as we know, that girl’s faith represents the firstfruits of Melissa’s accident—and gave us the assurance that through her death God would bring the miracle of redemption.
In the face of our overwhelming tragedy, this came as a ray of light—a bit of good news. Finally, there was some joy, some hope. And it came because Melissa had trusted Jesus and lived as He wanted her to.
In life or in death, how awesome it is that our lives can bear fruit! —Dave Branon
bottom line: The life you lead may help lead others to Jesus.
soul journey
Philippians 1:3-11
“Hi, Dad! This is Julie. I’ve got some good news,” my daughter announced one day about a week after she began her teaching career.
Good news had been in short supply in our family, so it was good to hear the promise of something positive. You see, our family was sent reeling into a dark, unknown world of sorrow and pain on June 6, 2002, when our 17-year-old daughter Melissa was killed in a car accident.
It was the last day of school, and with exams completed, Mell and her friends went to Lake Michigan to celebrate the end of their junior year. It was a bunch of Christian kids having good, clean fun and enjoying one another’s company. That evening, as Mell made her way home, the car in which she was riding was struck broadside, and she was killed instantly.
Since that day, it had been hard to find good news. Despite our deep faith, it was nearly impossible to find hope and purpose. Devastated by losing our precious Melissa, our family plodded through each day with unbearable pain in our hearts.
So it was good to hear Julie’s upbeat voice on the phone. And it was great to hear her story. Excitedly she told me that she had shared with her students about Mell’s life of faith and godliness—and told them that they needed to make sure they knew Jesus as Mell did. Later, one student talked to Julie.
“Miss Branon,” she said. “I’ve been afraid ever since you told us about Melissa. I’m not a Christian, but I want to be one.” Julie guided her as she put her faith in Jesus Christ. As far as we know, that girl’s faith represents the firstfruits of Melissa’s accident—and gave us the assurance that through her death God would bring the miracle of redemption.
In the face of our overwhelming tragedy, this came as a ray of light—a bit of good news. Finally, there was some joy, some hope. And it came because Melissa had trusted Jesus and lived as He wanted her to.
In life or in death, how awesome it is that our lives can bear fruit! —Dave Branon
bottom line: The life you lead may help lead others to Jesus.
soul journey
Saturday, March 08, 2003
That Sin Problem
Romans 7:15-25
Your struggle is evidence of true spirtual life!
My local newspaper reported that 18-year-old Nathan Williams robbed a convenience store. He told the judge, “I still don’t know why I did it.” Rie Fujii, 24, pleaded guilty to abandoning her children while she partied. “I don’t know why,” she said. And pharmacist Robert Courtney pleaded guilty to diluting customers’ cancer drugs. He said, “I keep asking myself, ‘Why?’”
Why? We know why. It’s that sin problem. Humans are sinful creatures. “We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way” (Isaiah 53:6).
But that’s just for non-Christians, right? We are, after all, supposed to be new creatures in Christ. After we trust Jesus, our sin problem will diminish—and eventually disappear.
Think again. In Romans 7, Paul shared his continuing battle with sin. He said, “I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do” (v.15).
Sound familiar? Is there any sin in your life that you know is wrong, but you continue to struggle with it?
That’s good news! Your struggle is evidence of true spiritual life! The proof that you are a Jesus-follower is not determined just by a one-time profession of faith. If you are a true follower of Christ, you hate sin and you love what’s right . . . even though you sometimes give in to temptation.
Paul went on, “It is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me” (v.17). That wasn’t a cop-out. It is the real ongoing struggle that Christians face. Although we are forgiven by God, we continue to live in a fallen world. Paul’s appeal was, “Who will rescue me from this body of death?” (v.24). He answers his own question triumphantly in verse 25: “Thanks be to God—through Jesus Christ our Lord!”
So, are we off the hook when we continue to sin? “By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?” (6:1-2). Confess any sin that the Holy Spirit brings to mind today. Ask God to help you live a righteous life. By His grace, you can do it! —Cindy Kasper
bottom line: If sin is a hindrance, seek Jesus’ deliverance!
soul journey
Romans 7:15-25
Your struggle is evidence of true spirtual life!
My local newspaper reported that 18-year-old Nathan Williams robbed a convenience store. He told the judge, “I still don’t know why I did it.” Rie Fujii, 24, pleaded guilty to abandoning her children while she partied. “I don’t know why,” she said. And pharmacist Robert Courtney pleaded guilty to diluting customers’ cancer drugs. He said, “I keep asking myself, ‘Why?’”
Why? We know why. It’s that sin problem. Humans are sinful creatures. “We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way” (Isaiah 53:6).
But that’s just for non-Christians, right? We are, after all, supposed to be new creatures in Christ. After we trust Jesus, our sin problem will diminish—and eventually disappear.
Think again. In Romans 7, Paul shared his continuing battle with sin. He said, “I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do” (v.15).
Sound familiar? Is there any sin in your life that you know is wrong, but you continue to struggle with it?
That’s good news! Your struggle is evidence of true spiritual life! The proof that you are a Jesus-follower is not determined just by a one-time profession of faith. If you are a true follower of Christ, you hate sin and you love what’s right . . . even though you sometimes give in to temptation.
Paul went on, “It is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me” (v.17). That wasn’t a cop-out. It is the real ongoing struggle that Christians face. Although we are forgiven by God, we continue to live in a fallen world. Paul’s appeal was, “Who will rescue me from this body of death?” (v.24). He answers his own question triumphantly in verse 25: “Thanks be to God—through Jesus Christ our Lord!”
So, are we off the hook when we continue to sin? “By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?” (6:1-2). Confess any sin that the Holy Spirit brings to mind today. Ask God to help you live a righteous life. By His grace, you can do it! —Cindy Kasper
bottom line: If sin is a hindrance, seek Jesus’ deliverance!
soul journey
Prayer Malfunction
Read: 1 John 3:21-24
This is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another. —1 John 3:23
In a box of my father's old tools I found a hand drill that was at least 60 years old. I could barely get the wheel to turn. The gears were clogged with dirt, and the pieces that hold the drill bit in place were missing. But I wanted to see if I could get it to work.
I began by wiping the accumulated dirt and sawdust off the gears. Then I oiled them. At first they turned hard and slow, but I kept working them. Soon the gears were turning smoothly. Then I saw a cap at the top of the handle. Unscrewing it, I discovered the missing parts that would hold the bit in place. I placed them in the drill, inserted a bit, and easily bored a neat hole in a piece of wood.
Working with that old drill taught me something about prayer. Jesus said we will receive from God what we ask of Him (Matthew 7:7-8). But there are conditions. For example, John said we must obey God and do what pleases Him (1 John 3:22). This includes believing in His Son and loving one another (v.23). If we don't meet God's conditions, our prayers will be ineffective—just like that old drill.
If your prayer-life is malfunctioning, make sure you're meeting the conditions. When you do, you can be confident that your prayers will be effective. —Dave Egner
Forgive us, Lord, our selfish asking,
All that's petty in Your sight;
Oh, help us pray with godly motives
And to seek what's good and right! —D. De Haan
Faith and love are vital to effective prayer.
daily bread
Read: 1 John 3:21-24
This is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another. —1 John 3:23
In a box of my father's old tools I found a hand drill that was at least 60 years old. I could barely get the wheel to turn. The gears were clogged with dirt, and the pieces that hold the drill bit in place were missing. But I wanted to see if I could get it to work.
I began by wiping the accumulated dirt and sawdust off the gears. Then I oiled them. At first they turned hard and slow, but I kept working them. Soon the gears were turning smoothly. Then I saw a cap at the top of the handle. Unscrewing it, I discovered the missing parts that would hold the bit in place. I placed them in the drill, inserted a bit, and easily bored a neat hole in a piece of wood.
Working with that old drill taught me something about prayer. Jesus said we will receive from God what we ask of Him (Matthew 7:7-8). But there are conditions. For example, John said we must obey God and do what pleases Him (1 John 3:22). This includes believing in His Son and loving one another (v.23). If we don't meet God's conditions, our prayers will be ineffective—just like that old drill.
If your prayer-life is malfunctioning, make sure you're meeting the conditions. When you do, you can be confident that your prayers will be effective. —Dave Egner
Forgive us, Lord, our selfish asking,
All that's petty in Your sight;
Oh, help us pray with godly motives
And to seek what's good and right! —D. De Haan
Faith and love are vital to effective prayer.
daily bread
Wednesday, March 05, 2003
Follow Me
Read: Mark 8:34-38
Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. —Mark 8:34
During World War II, B-17 bombers made long flights from the US mainland to the Pacific island of Saipan. When they landed there, the planes were met by a jeep bearing the sign: "Follow Me!" That little vehicle guided the giant planes to their assigned places in the parking area.
One pilot, who by his own admission was not a religious man, made an insightful comment: "That little jeep with its quaint sign always reminds me of Jesus. He was [a lowly] peasant, but the giant men and women of our time would be lost without His direction."
Centuries after our Savior walked the streets and hills of Israel, the world with all its advances still needs His example and instruction. When His ways aren't followed, numerous problems and evils arise in our world—including immorality, crime, and greed.
How do we follow Jesus' ways? First of all, we turn from our sin and entrust our lives to Him as our Savior and Lord. Then, we seek His will in His Word each day and put it into practice by the power of the Holy Spirit within us. We learn to deny our selfish desires and give ourselves completely to following Jesus (Mark 8:34-35).
If you want to get in line with the purposes of God, respond to Jesus' invitation: "Follow Me!" —Vernon Grounds
THINKING IT OVER
For help on your Christian journey,
read the online booklet What Does It Take To Follow Christ?
To find your way through life, follow Jesus.
daily bread
Read: Mark 8:34-38
Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. —Mark 8:34
During World War II, B-17 bombers made long flights from the US mainland to the Pacific island of Saipan. When they landed there, the planes were met by a jeep bearing the sign: "Follow Me!" That little vehicle guided the giant planes to their assigned places in the parking area.
One pilot, who by his own admission was not a religious man, made an insightful comment: "That little jeep with its quaint sign always reminds me of Jesus. He was [a lowly] peasant, but the giant men and women of our time would be lost without His direction."
Centuries after our Savior walked the streets and hills of Israel, the world with all its advances still needs His example and instruction. When His ways aren't followed, numerous problems and evils arise in our world—including immorality, crime, and greed.
How do we follow Jesus' ways? First of all, we turn from our sin and entrust our lives to Him as our Savior and Lord. Then, we seek His will in His Word each day and put it into practice by the power of the Holy Spirit within us. We learn to deny our selfish desires and give ourselves completely to following Jesus (Mark 8:34-35).
If you want to get in line with the purposes of God, respond to Jesus' invitation: "Follow Me!" —Vernon Grounds
THINKING IT OVER
For help on your Christian journey,
read the online booklet What Does It Take To Follow Christ?
To find your way through life, follow Jesus.
daily bread
Tuesday, March 04, 2003
Three Keys To Answered Prayer
By Craig von Buseck
Be Persistent; Be Purposeful; Be Personal
And I say to you ask, and it shall be given to you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened to you (Luke 11:9).
Prayer is an essential part of our relationship with God. Yet, too often we neglect this vital bridge of communication with heaven. In many cases, we don't pray because we don't know exactly how to pray -- or how often.
Jesus' disciples clearly saw the effect that prayer had in His life. He spent large amounts of time in prayer, often by Himself. The disciples soon realized that the demonstration of God's power and wisdom flowing from Jesus' life directly resulted from the intimate fellowship He enjoyed with His Father.
When they asked Him to explain more to them about prayer, Jesus told them this story:
"Suppose one of you shall have a friend, and shall go to him at midnight, and say to him, 'Friend, lend me three loaves; for a friend of mine has come to me from a journey, and I have nothing to set before him;' and from inside he shall answer and say, 'Do not bother me; the door has already been shut and my children and I are in bed; I cannot get up and give you anything.' "I tell you, even though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence he will get up and give him as much as he needs. "And I say to you ask, and it shall be given to you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and he who seeks, finds; and to him who knocks, it shall be opened." (Luke 11:5-10)
The three keys Jesus gives for seeing answers to prayer can be summed up as: Be persistent, be purposeful and be personal.
Be Persistent
The first key to answered prayer is persistence -- which means "to hold fast to," or hold onto tightly. God wants us to hold on tightly to His promises in prayer. Don't let disappointment cause you to let go of your faith.
The man in the parable didn't give up when his neighbor turned down his initial request. Jesus pointed out that the neighbor wouldn't get up and give him anything just because he was the man's friend. But because of his persistence, he would eventually get up and give him what he needed.
The Greek language in Luke 11:10 can be translated, "ask and keep on asking and it shall be given you; seek and keep on seeking and you shall find; knock and keep on knocking and the door shall be opened to you."
If we call on God, He promises to answer! But we must wait on the Lord and let Him answer our prayers in His perfect timing. Many times the greatest trial comes just before the answer arrives; it often seems darkest just before dawn.
Be Purposeful
The Bible says one of the reasons we haven't received God's best is that we haven't asked Him (see James 4:2). But God wants us to share our hearts with Him. He wants children who are willing to dream His dreams.
The man in this story knew what he wanted and asked with a definite purpose.
Take your needs and concerns to the Lord in prayer. Dare to ask God for your desires. Psalm 37:4 says, "Delight yourself in the Lord; and He will give you the desires of your heart." Allow God to expand your vision, and spend time in prayer so you'll be prepared to receive the good things He has in store for you.
Maybe you are dealing with a broken relationship, overwhelming financial burdens, the frustration of ill health, or the salvation of a loved one. The Lord wants you to come to Him in faith about whatever is on your heart. And don't just stop with your own needs. Ask God for a vision for your community, this nation and the world. Then, begin praying about the situations He impresses on your mind. Remember, the more you pray for the concerns on God's heart, the more you will find your own needs being met.
Be Personal
The most important key to effective prayer is a personal relationship with our Heavenly Father. The man in the parable went to his friend when he needed help.
Two men in the Bible who are known for their great faith are Abraham and Moses. Both men enjoyed an intimate friendship with God. James 2:23 says of Abraham, "he was called the friend of God," and Exodus 33:11 says, "the Lord used to speak to Moses face to face, just as a man speaks to his friend." Both men saw God do great miracles in their lives.
But remember, it takes time to develop a close friendship. You can start by involving God in the details of your life and learning to recognize His faithfulness even in little everyday challenges and events. Develop a plan of Bible reading and prayer that works for you. Pray for family and friends who may not know Jesus. And be sure to thank Him when the answers come!
What a comfort to know that God loves us so deeply that He has given each of us an "open line" directly to Him whenever we need direction, comfort or strength. And His continuing promise to us is that He will answer our prayers!
cbn
By Craig von Buseck
Be Persistent; Be Purposeful; Be Personal
And I say to you ask, and it shall be given to you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened to you (Luke 11:9).
Prayer is an essential part of our relationship with God. Yet, too often we neglect this vital bridge of communication with heaven. In many cases, we don't pray because we don't know exactly how to pray -- or how often.
Jesus' disciples clearly saw the effect that prayer had in His life. He spent large amounts of time in prayer, often by Himself. The disciples soon realized that the demonstration of God's power and wisdom flowing from Jesus' life directly resulted from the intimate fellowship He enjoyed with His Father.
When they asked Him to explain more to them about prayer, Jesus told them this story:
"Suppose one of you shall have a friend, and shall go to him at midnight, and say to him, 'Friend, lend me three loaves; for a friend of mine has come to me from a journey, and I have nothing to set before him;' and from inside he shall answer and say, 'Do not bother me; the door has already been shut and my children and I are in bed; I cannot get up and give you anything.' "I tell you, even though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence he will get up and give him as much as he needs. "And I say to you ask, and it shall be given to you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and he who seeks, finds; and to him who knocks, it shall be opened." (Luke 11:5-10)
The three keys Jesus gives for seeing answers to prayer can be summed up as: Be persistent, be purposeful and be personal.
Be Persistent
The first key to answered prayer is persistence -- which means "to hold fast to," or hold onto tightly. God wants us to hold on tightly to His promises in prayer. Don't let disappointment cause you to let go of your faith.
The man in the parable didn't give up when his neighbor turned down his initial request. Jesus pointed out that the neighbor wouldn't get up and give him anything just because he was the man's friend. But because of his persistence, he would eventually get up and give him what he needed.
The Greek language in Luke 11:10 can be translated, "ask and keep on asking and it shall be given you; seek and keep on seeking and you shall find; knock and keep on knocking and the door shall be opened to you."
If we call on God, He promises to answer! But we must wait on the Lord and let Him answer our prayers in His perfect timing. Many times the greatest trial comes just before the answer arrives; it often seems darkest just before dawn.
Be Purposeful
The Bible says one of the reasons we haven't received God's best is that we haven't asked Him (see James 4:2). But God wants us to share our hearts with Him. He wants children who are willing to dream His dreams.
The man in this story knew what he wanted and asked with a definite purpose.
Take your needs and concerns to the Lord in prayer. Dare to ask God for your desires. Psalm 37:4 says, "Delight yourself in the Lord; and He will give you the desires of your heart." Allow God to expand your vision, and spend time in prayer so you'll be prepared to receive the good things He has in store for you.
Maybe you are dealing with a broken relationship, overwhelming financial burdens, the frustration of ill health, or the salvation of a loved one. The Lord wants you to come to Him in faith about whatever is on your heart. And don't just stop with your own needs. Ask God for a vision for your community, this nation and the world. Then, begin praying about the situations He impresses on your mind. Remember, the more you pray for the concerns on God's heart, the more you will find your own needs being met.
Be Personal
The most important key to effective prayer is a personal relationship with our Heavenly Father. The man in the parable went to his friend when he needed help.
Two men in the Bible who are known for their great faith are Abraham and Moses. Both men enjoyed an intimate friendship with God. James 2:23 says of Abraham, "he was called the friend of God," and Exodus 33:11 says, "the Lord used to speak to Moses face to face, just as a man speaks to his friend." Both men saw God do great miracles in their lives.
But remember, it takes time to develop a close friendship. You can start by involving God in the details of your life and learning to recognize His faithfulness even in little everyday challenges and events. Develop a plan of Bible reading and prayer that works for you. Pray for family and friends who may not know Jesus. And be sure to thank Him when the answers come!
What a comfort to know that God loves us so deeply that He has given each of us an "open line" directly to Him whenever we need direction, comfort or strength. And His continuing promise to us is that He will answer our prayers!
cbn
Monday, March 03, 2003
Comfy?
READ: 2 Peter 1:3-11
Along unfamiliar paths I will guide them . . . and make the rough places smooth.
Letterman vs. Koppel. The battle of the late-night titans was shaping up to be an all-out war—until David Letterman surrendered.
He could’ve jumped the CBS ship and replaced Ted Koppel’s Nightline on ABC. But after thinking it over, Letterman decided to stay put. “I think at a certain point . . . the comfort of surroundings and environment are far more important than undertaking a new challenge.”
Are you eager to take on new challenges, or are you comfortable with your life the way it is? How do you feel about tackling a new semester of classes, or a job interview? How do you face smaller challenges like keeping your apartment clean, calling Mom every week like you promised, or going through with that blind date?
The way you deal (or don’t deal) with these kinds of challenges can give you a peek at how you handle other new things—the “unfamiliar paths” where God wants to lead you—the path toward becoming more and more like His Son, Jesus. That’s the path that can be the roughest. It brings change to the kind of person you are deep inside.
God promised to “make the rough places smooth” (Isaiah 42:16). But how do you start moving along the path? Peter gave us a list of things to work on (2 Peter 1:5-7). Faith, goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, kindness, and love—eight little words that declare our big need for improvement. These qualities don’t come natural to human beings. (Just look at your roommate—or in the mirror.)
Are you comfortable with the amount of kindness you show? Do you think you already know God well enough? Maybe you haven’t yet taken the first step of faith—trusting in Jesus alone to save and protect your soul.
God’s “divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness” (v.3). So take a step. Enjoy the walk with God along unfamiliar paths. He told His people through Isaiah, “I will take hold of your hand” (Isaiah 42:6). Let Him take your hand and walk with you into the unknown. —Tracy Carbaugh
REFLECTION
• Am I satisfied with who I am today? Do I believe it’s possible to change? Why is it easier just to stay the same?
• What keeps me from moving forward? What can I do today to take the first step?
The unknown is known by God.
campus journal
READ: 2 Peter 1:3-11
Along unfamiliar paths I will guide them . . . and make the rough places smooth.
Letterman vs. Koppel. The battle of the late-night titans was shaping up to be an all-out war—until David Letterman surrendered.
He could’ve jumped the CBS ship and replaced Ted Koppel’s Nightline on ABC. But after thinking it over, Letterman decided to stay put. “I think at a certain point . . . the comfort of surroundings and environment are far more important than undertaking a new challenge.”
Are you eager to take on new challenges, or are you comfortable with your life the way it is? How do you feel about tackling a new semester of classes, or a job interview? How do you face smaller challenges like keeping your apartment clean, calling Mom every week like you promised, or going through with that blind date?
The way you deal (or don’t deal) with these kinds of challenges can give you a peek at how you handle other new things—the “unfamiliar paths” where God wants to lead you—the path toward becoming more and more like His Son, Jesus. That’s the path that can be the roughest. It brings change to the kind of person you are deep inside.
God promised to “make the rough places smooth” (Isaiah 42:16). But how do you start moving along the path? Peter gave us a list of things to work on (2 Peter 1:5-7). Faith, goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, kindness, and love—eight little words that declare our big need for improvement. These qualities don’t come natural to human beings. (Just look at your roommate—or in the mirror.)
Are you comfortable with the amount of kindness you show? Do you think you already know God well enough? Maybe you haven’t yet taken the first step of faith—trusting in Jesus alone to save and protect your soul.
God’s “divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness” (v.3). So take a step. Enjoy the walk with God along unfamiliar paths. He told His people through Isaiah, “I will take hold of your hand” (Isaiah 42:6). Let Him take your hand and walk with you into the unknown. —Tracy Carbaugh
REFLECTION
• Am I satisfied with who I am today? Do I believe it’s possible to change? Why is it easier just to stay the same?
• What keeps me from moving forward? What can I do today to take the first step?
The unknown is known by God.
campus journal
Sunday, March 02, 2003
Credit Due
Read: Romans 16:1-16
Phoebe our sister . . . has been a helper of many and of myself also. —Romans 16:1-2
In 1946, when the US Army unveiled its 30-ton computer called ENIAC (Electronic Numerical Integrator And Computer), two men named John Mauchly and J. Presper Eckert received all the credit. But it was six women behind the scenes who made the computer work.
Before Mauchly and Eckert took the stage to demonstrate ENIAC, the women had programmed the complex machine. They received no recognition at the time, but historians today want to give them due credit.
Women have often gone unrecognized for their achievements and contributions. And sadly, it's also true in the church. But in Romans 16, we have an example of the importance of honoring women who serve faithfully. Paul praised Phoebe as "a helper of many and of myself also" (vv.1-2). He commended Priscilla and her husband Aquila, who risked their lives for Paul's sake (vv.3-4). Tryphena, Tryphosa, and Persis "labored in the Lord" (v.12). Paul mentioned at least eight women for whom he had great appreciation.
Women of faith deserve honor for their service to God and others. Think of the women who are serving faithfully in your church. Why not give one of them a word of thanks and praise today? —David McCasland
O Lord, help me appreciate
The work that women do,
The service given from their hearts,
Their sacrifice for You. —Sper
God never fails to give credit where credit is due.
daily bread
Read: Romans 16:1-16
Phoebe our sister . . . has been a helper of many and of myself also. —Romans 16:1-2
In 1946, when the US Army unveiled its 30-ton computer called ENIAC (Electronic Numerical Integrator And Computer), two men named John Mauchly and J. Presper Eckert received all the credit. But it was six women behind the scenes who made the computer work.
Before Mauchly and Eckert took the stage to demonstrate ENIAC, the women had programmed the complex machine. They received no recognition at the time, but historians today want to give them due credit.
Women have often gone unrecognized for their achievements and contributions. And sadly, it's also true in the church. But in Romans 16, we have an example of the importance of honoring women who serve faithfully. Paul praised Phoebe as "a helper of many and of myself also" (vv.1-2). He commended Priscilla and her husband Aquila, who risked their lives for Paul's sake (vv.3-4). Tryphena, Tryphosa, and Persis "labored in the Lord" (v.12). Paul mentioned at least eight women for whom he had great appreciation.
Women of faith deserve honor for their service to God and others. Think of the women who are serving faithfully in your church. Why not give one of them a word of thanks and praise today? —David McCasland
O Lord, help me appreciate
The work that women do,
The service given from their hearts,
Their sacrifice for You. —Sper
God never fails to give credit where credit is due.
daily bread
Saturday, March 01, 2003
Special But Not Spoiled
Read: Ephesians 6:1-4
Do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord. —Ephesians 6:4
Family counselor John Rosemond asks, "Is your child special . . . the most exceptional person in the world?" He answers, "Of course—to you!"
Rosemond says that letting your child know he's special to you is healthy, but no child should grow up thinking he's more special than others. "That child," he warns, "is likely to think he's also deserving of special things and special privileges." He'll easily "justify outbursts of hurtful anger, selfishness, jealousy." How can we counteract this danger?
Christian parents, if they are grounded in the Scriptures, are equipped to get the right balance. First, they can affirm their children without showing favoritism by telling them that they are unique creations of God (Psalm 139:13-16). Second, they can teach their sons and daughters that sin, the great equalizer, is in every individual, and that they too need Christ's saving grace (Romans 3:23).
Parents who impart these perspectives are well on their way to fulfilling the apostle Paul's instruction for child rearing: "Bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord" (Ephesians 6:4). Children with this upbringing are more likely to grow up feeling special without being spoiled. —Joanie Yoder
Speak the truth to these your precious ones,
For guidance tell your daughters and your sons
Of One who loves them even more than you,
And who will be their guide a lifetime through. —Anon.
Spoiled children are given what they want; wise parents give them what they need.
daily bread
Read: Ephesians 6:1-4
Do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord. —Ephesians 6:4
Family counselor John Rosemond asks, "Is your child special . . . the most exceptional person in the world?" He answers, "Of course—to you!"
Rosemond says that letting your child know he's special to you is healthy, but no child should grow up thinking he's more special than others. "That child," he warns, "is likely to think he's also deserving of special things and special privileges." He'll easily "justify outbursts of hurtful anger, selfishness, jealousy." How can we counteract this danger?
Christian parents, if they are grounded in the Scriptures, are equipped to get the right balance. First, they can affirm their children without showing favoritism by telling them that they are unique creations of God (Psalm 139:13-16). Second, they can teach their sons and daughters that sin, the great equalizer, is in every individual, and that they too need Christ's saving grace (Romans 3:23).
Parents who impart these perspectives are well on their way to fulfilling the apostle Paul's instruction for child rearing: "Bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord" (Ephesians 6:4). Children with this upbringing are more likely to grow up feeling special without being spoiled. —Joanie Yoder
Speak the truth to these your precious ones,
For guidance tell your daughters and your sons
Of One who loves them even more than you,
And who will be their guide a lifetime through. —Anon.
Spoiled children are given what they want; wise parents give them what they need.
daily bread
Message in a Bottle
READ: Matthew 25:14-30
The Lord loves the just and will not forsake His faithful ones.
The title of this devo gives you the mental image of a bottle bobbing in the deep blue, right? Prepare for an altered image!
A builder from England discovered his bottle-with-a-surprise beneath a fireplace he was renovating. While working on a cottage in Southampton, Richard Curtis found the vessel, which contained a note that read: “To whoever finds this message—please return it to me for a reward of 2/6d—Naida Willis 1955.”
The 2/6d stands for half a crown—a former silver coin used in the UK. Naida, who was 7 at the time, is now 55.
Her father, George Parsons, began the mystery back in ‘55. He had been working on a carpentry job in the cottage and stuffed the message in the bottle to honor his daughter. When he got home, he placed the half-a-crown coin in a box for safekeeping.
When Richard Curtis called him to collect his treasure, Parsons was relieved. “I’m glad it’s been found at last. I’ve kept the half a crown all this time and I’ve never forgotten the note I wrote.”
When generous George tucked away his silver coin, he was hoping someone would someday claim it. In Matthew 25, we read about a guy who hid his silver—about 75 pounds of it—for a very different reason.
A servant was given the money to invest for his master (Matthew 25:18). But he didn’t have faith in his boss and wasn’t sure he would return. Instead of placing the money with a bank to earn interest in his master’s name, he dug a hole and hid the treasure—hoping that one day he could claim it for his own. Bad mistake!
What has God given you that you’re hiding away? Your time, your talents, your gifts, and your resources are His. He wants you to use them faithfully.
Make no mistake. Our Master, Jesus, will return one day. Will He find you pouring out all you have for Him—not bottling it up or keeping it buried? May you hear Him say, “Well done, good and faithful servant!” (v.21). It’s all about being faithful. —Tom Felten
REFLECTION
• How have I been showing my faithfulness to God?
• In what way does my life lack the “faithful servant” look? What will I do about it?
Be faithful with what God gave you.
campus journal
READ: Matthew 25:14-30
The Lord loves the just and will not forsake His faithful ones.
The title of this devo gives you the mental image of a bottle bobbing in the deep blue, right? Prepare for an altered image!
A builder from England discovered his bottle-with-a-surprise beneath a fireplace he was renovating. While working on a cottage in Southampton, Richard Curtis found the vessel, which contained a note that read: “To whoever finds this message—please return it to me for a reward of 2/6d—Naida Willis 1955.”
The 2/6d stands for half a crown—a former silver coin used in the UK. Naida, who was 7 at the time, is now 55.
Her father, George Parsons, began the mystery back in ‘55. He had been working on a carpentry job in the cottage and stuffed the message in the bottle to honor his daughter. When he got home, he placed the half-a-crown coin in a box for safekeeping.
When Richard Curtis called him to collect his treasure, Parsons was relieved. “I’m glad it’s been found at last. I’ve kept the half a crown all this time and I’ve never forgotten the note I wrote.”
When generous George tucked away his silver coin, he was hoping someone would someday claim it. In Matthew 25, we read about a guy who hid his silver—about 75 pounds of it—for a very different reason.
A servant was given the money to invest for his master (Matthew 25:18). But he didn’t have faith in his boss and wasn’t sure he would return. Instead of placing the money with a bank to earn interest in his master’s name, he dug a hole and hid the treasure—hoping that one day he could claim it for his own. Bad mistake!
What has God given you that you’re hiding away? Your time, your talents, your gifts, and your resources are His. He wants you to use them faithfully.
Make no mistake. Our Master, Jesus, will return one day. Will He find you pouring out all you have for Him—not bottling it up or keeping it buried? May you hear Him say, “Well done, good and faithful servant!” (v.21). It’s all about being faithful. —Tom Felten
REFLECTION
• How have I been showing my faithfulness to God?
• In what way does my life lack the “faithful servant” look? What will I do about it?
Be faithful with what God gave you.
campus journal