light and leadership

14 Do all things without grumbling or questioning, 15 that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, 16 holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. Philippians 2:14-16

The other day my wife Karen bought a new nightlight for the bathroom. It was different from the ones we've had before; this one had a light sensor in it. When it gets dark, the sensor puts into motion the process that causes the little light to shine. When you turn the overhead light on, the nightlight goes off.

Speaking of light, I'm a fairly positive guy—but I think we're living in very dark and foreboding times. There's wickedness in our culture. There's evil that is out of control. There's the rejection of anything that is godly in our society. The practice of sin and wickedness is unbelievable.

Too many of us have been caught up in the darkness rather than reflecting the light of Jesus. It's almost as if we have taken our faith and shoved it in our pockets. We're afraid (or ashamed) to hold the light of Jesus high. But this dark world needs a spiritual nightlight!

Philippians 2:14-16 reminds us of this: “among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life.” Paul wrote hopefully, declaring that the darkness is a great opportunity. We've got to hold the light high.

The light of Jesus is revealed through our attitude and our godly character as we grow closer in our relationship with him. Then we can't help but shine when darkness comes. The darker it is, the more we will stand out. The bleaker it is out there, the more hopeful we are in our faith. We stand in stark contrast to the ways of our society and the world in which we live.

Be a leader in the light and point people to the Word of God so they can respond to the Light of the gospel Jesus Christ. Let's live so that our light continually shines and grows even brighter when the darkness closes in. —Crawford W. Loritts livingalegacy.org

seeking: Heavenly Father, how has light just penetrated my heart? What do I find in your glorious light?

responding: Does my life reflect the Light of life? • Are people drawn to the Light who lives within me? What will make me shine brighter for him?

Heavenly Father, please help me to be a light for this dark world. I want others to find the joy and peace that can come only from Jesus.

following: Leadership is shining the light that others can follow.

our journey

how to get discouraged

11 And he said, “Go out and stand on the mount before the Lord.” And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. 12 And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper. . . . 15 The Lord said to him, “Go, return on your way to the wilderness of Damascus. And when you arrive, you shall anoint Hazael to be king over Syria.” 1 Kings 19:11-15

On almost every page of Scripture we meet people just like us. Take Elijah. We read that he “was a man with a nature like ours” (James 5:17). In 1 Kings 19, we read that the prophet was rebounding from a huge victory and had become deeply discouraged in three easy steps.

Step #1: He insisted on being by himself. Physically exhausted and emotionally spent, Elijah shut out what he needed most—people to love him, support him, and who would give him a reality check.

Step #2: He focused on the negative. Alone, Elijah lost his grip on the truth. He thought, I alone am left. (No, he wasn't.) I have accomplished nothing. (God had done amazing things through him.) I have wasted my whole life. (Self-pity had replaced joy.)

Step #3: He forgot God's provision. Wasn't this the same guy who had killed 450 false prophets and obliterated idolatry in Israel a couple of days earlier? Elijah had been God's tool in the miraculous, but that was simply in his rearview mirror now.

Here's the good news—Elijah didn't stay discouraged. He met with God and let him change his perspective. You may need the same thing. If you're discouraged:

Let God confront you. God found Elijah in a cave and asked him, Elijah, what are you doing here? In spite of Elijah's lame excuses, God wasn't angry or judgmental; he just ministered grace to him.

Let God care for you. God said, Go stand outside. Protected against an earthquake, a windstorm, and fire, Elijah heard God whisper, It's me, Elijah. You can trust me. God then sent food and provided rest to rejuvenate Elijah's body and soul.

Immediately do what God says. God then gave Elijah specific instructions. Get up. Get back in the game! What God asked of him, he did immediately.

Step out in faith and leave discouragement behind you. God meets people just like us at our point of greatest need. But, graciously, he doesn't leave us there. —James MacDonald walkintheword.com

seeking: Father, what encouragement have you just brought to me? What praise will I bring you this moment for all you have done for me?

responding: What pattern of my thinking do I need to replace with truth? Where do I need to go for encouragement? Who can help me?

Lord, you have been so faithful to me. My eyes have been focused on some negative stuff and I have been pushing people away. Will you receive the cares that I cast upon you? Will you heal my heart? In faith, I thank you. In Jesus' name, amen.

following: Meet God in your discouragement and find his way out.

our journey

To the Haystack and Back
John Fischer

I am spending a “working week” in Cannon Beach, Oregon, one of the best-kept secrets on the “left coast” (as they call it here) of America. I’ve been teaching the Book of James at a Bible College here -- an annual thing for me now over the last seven years. This year I brought Chandler with me and he’s not going to want to leave after having the run of the place and the attention of 120 older brothers and sisters.

The area’s natural signature is a 235-foot mound of rock that juts out of the sand just off the coast, and because of its rounded shape it has been dubbed Haystack Rock. It is a commanding presence -- considered to be the third largest freestanding monolith in the world. Every morning I jog along the wide, flat beach down to Haystack Rock and back. The cold raw wind, the ragged rock and the steady roar of seven rows of breakers that stretch all the way to the windswept foam on the horizon make it hard not to marvel at God’s awesome power and creativity -- that He made and maintains such beauty like this for its own sake, and how that in itself is to His glory.

Another recurring joy of mine in coming here is to renew a longstanding relationship with a young man in his late twenties who has excelled as an artist, designer and now entrepreneur. It’s a quiet joy to sit in the artful coffee bistro in town he designed and created and listen to his dreams of birthing similar establishments all over the country. Here is a deeply committed Christian who has turned his art into an experience that is gracing people’s lives.

I’m thinking again of Haystack Rock and my morning run. There is no sign proclaiming that the beauty surrounding me is God’s work, though it is. No altar demanding that all fall down and worship the Maker, though many will. Mostly, God created this beauty just to exist. It is not a means to an end. It does not need a reason. Its reason is self-evident. In the same way my friend’s work glorifies God by simply being there and being a thing of beauty. If you care enough to get closer to this man and his work, finding the presence and purposes of God there will be hard to miss. But this is not a justification; it is merely a fact. Like the Haystack is a fact.

Many of you who read these devotionals regularly read them at work or just before leaving for work in the morning. You mustn’t belittle the importance of your position and your place. It is a major part of your mission to be where you are and do your work well to the glory of God. And that is reason enough.

PDL

freedom and authority

15 If you love me, you will keep my commandments. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, 17 even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you. 18 I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. 19 Yet a little while and the world will see me no more, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. 20 In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. 21 Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him. John 14:15-21

Obedience is the crucial flame that ignites the liberty of Jesus and makes it a reality. The liberty of Jesus was ours the moment we received him as Savior; but if this internal gift is not released externally through obedience, we may never experience it.

Only the Lord possesses true liberty. When we receive Jesus as Savior, we receive his liberating Spirit. But we must understand that freedom never leaves the bounds of his Spirit. Therefore, our liberation is expressed as a reality only in the facets of our lives where the freeing Spirit of God is released. We are free when—and only when—he is in control.

Reflect on the words of 2 Corinthians 3:17, “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” Freedom and lordship are inseparable partners in the believer's life. When we read that freedom can be found wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, we can take it literally.

Freedom becomes reality when we yield to God's authority. We are as filled with the Spirit as we are yielded to God's lordship. Although the Spirit is always in us, he saturates only the parts of our lives where he is in authority. Freedom flows where the Spirit of the Lord floods.

This point brings up an interesting question. Have you ever noticed that you can experience freedom in one part of your life and remain in bondage in another? Sometimes we allow God to have full authority in one area while refusing him elsewhere.

How, then, can we be fully liberated? Can we study God's Word until we finally experience freedom? Can we pray ourselves into freedom? Can we rebuke the enemy so thoroughly that we experience freedom? No. Only by surrendering all of our life to God's authority will we experience full freedom. Liberty is found in submitting to him. —Beth Moore bethmoore.org

seeking: Lord, what freedom in the Spirit have I experienced this day? What joy have I found in surrendering to you?

responding: Am I withholding any part of my life from God's authority and forfeiting the freedom he has offered me? What is liberty in Jesus all about?

Lord, thank you for showing me that freedom and submission to your authority go hand in hand. Please help me see the areas of my life that are not fully yielded to you. I want to experience the freedom that accompanies your Spirit.

following: Freedom becomes a reality when we yield to God's authority.

our journey

slaves to righteousness

15 Are we to sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means! 16 Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness? 17 But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed, 18 and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness. . . . 19 For just as you once presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness leading to sanctification. Romans 6:15-19

Even though I don't know you personally, I know something about you if you're a believer in Jesus. I know there was a time in your life when you hardly thought about sin at all. You may have felt some vague guilt pangs or regret when faced with a consequence, but as a rule you did not experience conviction.

When you came to Jesus, however, all that changed. Before receiving salvation, you could say and do things without a second thought, but now the Spirit convicts you of what is wrong. Before, you seldom thought about sin, but now you see it everywhere—especially in your own life. Romans 6:17-18 describes this swap of perspectives: “But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin . . . having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness.”

Before we know Jesus personally, we're slaves to sin and hardly think about righteousness. After we come to him, we're slaves to righteousness and frequently think about sin.

Are you a slave to righteousness? Perhaps you're not sure. Take this three-point test: I know I'm a slave to righteousness if . . .

• I'm acutely aware of unrighteousness in me. When you sin, there is this mega-conviction thing that happens. Your heart is grieved.

• When I've sinned, I have to make it right. You feel the need to ask for God's forgiveness first and then to make restitution with anyone who was harmed by your sin.

• When faced with a decision, I ask, “What would please Jesus?” Real slaves to righteousness want to do what pleases the Lord.

A slave can serve only one master. You either serve sin or serve righteousness. In the same way, only Jesus can be first in your heart; he can't be second or third. Being a slave to righteousness doesn't mean you don't struggle with sin, but it does mean that the growing passion of your life is to serve, honor, and please your master—Jesus—in everything! —James MacDonald

seeking: Father, what truths about your righteousness have I just been thinking of? What thoughts about my own righteousness?

responding: In what areas of my life am I still a slave to sin? Galatians 5 talks about having the fruit of the Spirit. What fruit of God's Spirit do I see in my life?

I praise you, Lord, for the victory that you won over my sin through your death and resurrection. I desire nothing more than to serve you. You are my master, and my life is yours to lead.

following: Slave to sin or slave to righteousness—it's your choice.

our journey

Wisdom from a Fifth Grade Goalie
John Fischer

Our devotional thought for today comes by way of one of our readers who, inspired by my “soccer devotionals,” wrote me about her own soccer experience as a parent. I thought her insights were worth sharing with everyone.

I have really enjoyed your devotionals about soccer. I, too, remember when my daughter started in first grade. Usually, she was the goalie. Mostly she was a ballerina. She couldn’t prevent the other team from scoring unless she was in the middle of a very intense dance routine like pirouetting, doing the arabesque or practicing her positions. To all of this, her coach would just laugh. We had that coach for four years and I think patience is probably his best virtue.

This year, our coach was different. He is a former military man. He is fierce, disciplined, unforgiving and unfortunately, extremely sarcastic and belittling. Great for marines, I suppose. Not so great for fifth grade girls. But, we stuck it out, kept our mouths shut, and counted down the weeks until the season was over. After our final game, I stared in amazement as my daughter, who really disliked this man, went to him and thanked him for taking the time to coach her. I couldn't believe it. She had endured his insults, ridicule and snide remarks. I asked her why she had done that, and she said that maybe he was not nice because no one had been nice to him.

From the mouth of a fifth grader comes incredibly simple wisdom. Almost always this is the case. Abusers have been abused. Oppressors have been oppressed. The neglected become neglectful. How else do we know what to do? We have been trained in our vices.

Two lessons here: 1) Realize how important it is to treat people well. 2) Realize that those who err in their own handling of relationships have most likely had poor examples from which to learn. This is not an excuse for bad behavior, but it does help to understand and break the cycle. When possible, it helps to give a different response than what a poor attitude typically engenders.

“You have heard that the Law of Moses says, `Love your neighbor' and hate your enemy,” Jesus said. “But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and on the unjust, too. If you love only those who love you, what good is that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else” (Matthew 5:43-47)?

PDL

Evildoers

9 You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. 11 Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. 12 Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation. 1 Peter 2:9-12

Strange, isn't it, that those who do evil prosper—and the righteous end up being the “bad guys” of society? Just raising objections to abortion, homosexual behavior, or sexual promiscuity makes us look like close relatives of Attila the Hun.

It's important to note that Peter reminded us that we would be slandered as “evildoers” (1 Peter 2:12). Because early Christians called their celebrations of the Lord's Table “love feasts,” rumors abounded that they were involved in sexual orgies. And because those feasts involved celebrating communion (remembering the broken body and shed blood of Jesus), the Christians were said to have cannibalistic tendencies.

The early Christians were also known as destroyers of families, since those who struck an allegiance with Jesus often broke with the pagan traditions of their kin. Most seriously, they were a threat to the cohesiveness and continuity of the Roman Empire, as they expressed allegiance to the God of the universe rather than to Caesar. For all of this and more, Christians were often portrayed as the evil element of society.

There is a sense in which we can identify with being labeled as evildoers in our culture. When we hold society accountable for righteousness and articulate what is right and wrong from God's point of view, we are increasingly seen as a threat to actual agendas. Agendas like abortion and gay rights are viewed as part of a progressive society that has finally unshackled itself from the chains of a restricted, puritanical past.

Yet no matter what people say about us or how they portray us, Peter instructed us to live in such a way that they can't avoid noticing the outcome of righteousness in our lives—our good deeds. When the consequences of their sin leaves them broken and without hope, they will notice the stability and peace in our lives, which just may give us the opportunity to tell them that it is Jesus who has made the difference. —Joe Stowell www.rbc.org

seeking: Father, how have I been encouraged as I have considered your goodness to me today? What have you revealed about the work of Jesus in my life?

responding: Is my life full of “good deeds"? Do unbelievers notice? Why or why not? • How is God's goodness reflected in my relationships?

Father, allow me to see people through your eyes. Teach me to reach out in love and show your peaceful, holy heart to everyone I meet. May you be glorified in all I do.

following: Jesus is revealed in our loving, righteous acts.

our journey

miracle of no miracle

41 So also the chief priests, with the scribes and elders, mocked him, saying, 42 “He saved others; he cannot save himself. He is the King of Israel; let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. 43 He trusts in God; let God deliver him now, if he desires him. For he said, 'I am the Son of God.'” 44 And the robbers who were crucified with him also reviled him in the same way. 45 Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour. 46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Matthew 27:41-46

If ever a moment demanded a miracle, it is this moment. The crowds are clamoring and calling out for it. Amid their screams and curses, the two thieves on either side of Jesus are demanding it as well. Above all, it would seem common sense demands it.

"Now is the moment! Now is the time to show them your miraculous power!"

As Jesus endures the horrific crucifixion experience, as he pushes himself up on the nail that has been driven through his ankles to catch a gasping breath, only to fall back on the nails in his wrists, the people mock him and ask for a miracle they would not believe even if Jesus were willing to do it. They don't realize, and perhaps neither do we, that—as Frederick Buechner said—the miracle of the cross was that there was no miracle!

"He humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross” (Philippians 2:8).

Behind that cross is the greatest of all miracles, and at this moment it is completely hidden. Hanging there, it seems that Jesus has been emptied of every drop of his miraculous power. He does just one more un-miraculous miracle; when the cup of suffering is completely drained, he will dismiss his spirit.

In the course of his misunderstood life, this moment he is most misunderstood. The crowd is still clamoring for miracles. But he did not come to give them miracles—he came to give them himself. And on the cross he is doing precisely that.

Jesus of Nazareth was one of hundreds of thousands of men who died on a Roman cross. To have stood before that cross as one of his disciples and witnessed his death would have been to know with absolute certainty that it had not all been for nothing. That is the meaning of the Friday we call “good.”

The cross reveals to us that Jesus' greatest miracle was his refusal at that moment to perform any miracle at all. —Michael Card michaelcard.com

seeking: Jesus, how has reflecting on your death challenged me today? What praise will I offer you?

responding: What is fundamental about the character of Jesus and his miracles? • What do I see is the difference between Jesus' way and the world's way of doing anything and everything?

O miraculous Savior, I praise you for the gift of yourself. I honor you for the humility you revealed here on earth. You could have grasped equality with God, but instead you won praise for him in everything you did! Crucified Lamb, risen Lord, who is like you?

following: Jesus' greatest miracle was his embracing the cross.

our journey

Today's scripture is 2 Peter 1:2

"Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord."

If you were to look up the Greek word that's translated "knowledge" in that scripture, you'd find out that it means more than just a mental understanding of something, more than the kind of knowledge that can be gained through your senses. It means exact knowledge. Knowledge that's been revealed directly to your heart by the Spirit of God. I call it revelation knowledge.

The lack of that kind of knowledge has caused more faith failures than anything else I know. That's because most Christians believe the Word with their minds, but they haven't meditated on it enough for it to "light up" in their hearts. If they had, that Word would absolutely revolutionize their lives. Nothing in heaven or earth would be able to shake them loose from it.

I know a widow who got hold of that kind of revelation one afternoon. She'd been meditating in the scriptures that say if you're a widow, God Almighty has taken His place as your provider and leader of your household.

She'd been feeling a little sorry for herself up until then. But when she received the revelation that God was actually head of her household now, she started talking to Him like she would a husband.

"I'm telling You, Lord, the plumbing in this house is pitiful. Will You please get it fixed?" she said. From that moment on, she never had any more trouble with her plumbing.

If you need something from God, determine right now that you're going to do what that widow did. Determine that you're going to meditate the Word until you get a revelation like that. Keep that Word before you until you receive a revelation of Jesus as your healer or your deliverer or
your financier--whatever you need Him to be. Don't settle for a shallow mental understanding of Him. Get a deep revelation and His grace will be multiplied to you!

bible shack

The Supreme Court: Harvest of Prayer
Missey Butler

An interesting story is told to us in the book of Luke about gratitude. On his way to Jerusalem, as Jesus was going into a small village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance and called out in a loud voice, “ Jesus, Master, have pity on us!” When he saw them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went they were cleansed.

One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back to Jesus, shouting, “Praise God, I’m healed!” He fell down on the ground at Jesus feet, thanking him for what he had done. Then Jesus asked, “Didn’t I heal ten men? Where are the other nine? Does only this foreigner return to give glory to God?” (Luke 17: 15-18).

This past August a call went out across our nation for prayer and intercession on behalf of the establishment of righteousness to once again be upheld in the Highest court in our land. As I recently sat and watched Judge John Roberts being sworn in as our newest Chief Justice of the United States I couldn’t help but think about the faithfulness of God and how importance it was for us to make sure we run back and thank Him!

Our God has been faithful to appoint the person He would have to preside on the bench as Chief Justice over the Supreme Court. We give him all the glory and the praise for His sovereign move!

We now begin to regroup our prayer efforts and turn our attention once again to the newest round of nominations and we trust that God will again set in place “His choice” within the High Court.

The scriptures bear out that there is power in agreement. Jesus said in Matthew 18:19,20,

I also tell you this: If two of you agree down here on earth concerning anything you ask, my Father in heaven will do it for you. For where two or three gather together because they are mine, I am there among them. (NLV The Book)

We can take comfort in the fact that as we lift up our prayer request in His name, He is there promising a response from His Father.

All Glory to the Father!

cbn

Won Without a Word
Missey Butler

The Information age! That’s how many people describe our modern world as we know it today.

We are surrounded by avenues of communication at every turn. With palm pilots ready at hand, we can instantaneously message text to a friend and receive back their response within seconds. These modern marvels can be transformed into miniature cameras, turning any average “Joe” into agent Maxwell Smart, with surveillance capabilities at any given moment (scary thought I know).

Oh Man and his Magnificent Machines!

I often think about just how far we have come with our sophisticated technology and our wandering sky angel satellites. I sometimes reminisce about a simpler place and a simpler time. A place where a person can actually survive without a 10-day weather forecast, or the flash of a news update every 15 minutes.

Let’s face it, talk is cheap! We hear multitudes of mindless chatter whirling around our heads, most of our waking hours. The onslaught of thousands and thousands of words, and just what are we doing with all this information? We filter most of it within record speeds and whatever is left, as the old adage says, “goes in one ear and out the other.”

I have the misfortune of often experiencing this very dilemma whenever I try to preach, (I mean convince) my husband Art, that “he” needs to read his Bible more, or “he” needs to turn the other cheek, or of course “he” should always be more patient, loving, considerate ( you get the picture). And, what usually is the result of all this sage advice? I am inevitably met with that, “What were you saying babe?” look on his face.

The Holy Spirit gently led me to a verse that would help deliver me from the need to always be the bible thump’n preacher woman! It’s found in 1 Peter: 3:1

In the same way, you wives, be submissive to your own husbands so that even if any of them are disobedient to the word, they may be won without a word by the behavior of their wives.

Well, you could have knocked me over with a feather. There it was in black and white -- “won without a word.” “But come on, I thought to myself, that’s just plain old impossible! At that very moment the little resident angel that always sits on my shoulder leaned over and whispered: “You know God’s always right don’t you?”

Yes, I do. And once again I had discovered another invaluable nugget of truth that deep down inside I recognized that it isn’t always what you say, but rather what you do!

Once again my rubber was meeting the road, and I determined with a holy resolve that next time… I would do more walking the walk and less talking the talk.

cbn

Kick it!
John Fischer

“You've always wanted to be a sportswriter. Now's your chance.”

That was my wife's comment to me over the weekend as we were realizing this is our last week of AYSO soccer for Chandler's team, the White Tigers. This is kindergarten soccer we are talking about, and this is Assistant Coach John here, coming to you this week with lots of spiritual insight from the soccer field.

For most of these kids, it is their first experience at an organized sport, and the first time they have been asked to concentrate on one thing for longer than ten minutes. Of course, at this age, this is humanly impossible, which is what makes this experience so endearing.

A perfect illustration of what I mean would be Claire, the only girl on the team. She is the tallest and thus most obvious. She can usually be found in the center of the field staring off in some direction twirling a few strands of her fine blond hair around a finger as a small moving mass of thirteen shorter kids maneuver around her with a soccer ball somewhere in the middle of it.

Once in a while, the ball will somehow roll in front of her. That's when White Tiger parents will be found cheering her on from the sidelines, “Claire! Kick it!” And in a moment of sudden clarity, her long leg will swing mightily through the ball sending it off in a direction, which may be towards our goal, then again, may not. Thirteen other kids will race over to engulf the rolling sphere while Claire maintains her position solidly in the middle of the field, playing with her hair and watching the dandelions grow.

What happens for her in that moment is what will happen for all of us today. God will put the ball in front of us. Clouds of silent witnesses will be shouting, “(Your name here)! Kick it!” And it will be our turn. Our time to realize God is entrusting us with His more serious game (what we call "life"). It could be any number of things that happen today, but it will be up to us. So just kick the ball, preferably towards the goal, but God can use just about any direction for His purposes as long as we stay in the game.

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us” (Hebrews 12:1 NLT).

Look for more from Assistant Coach John this week. Tell your friends!

PDL

shield of faith

11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. Ephesians 6:11-17

Among the strategically prescribed pieces of the armor of God, Ephesians tells us, “In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one” (v.16).

Why do we need “in all circumstances” to learn to use our “shield of faith"? Because the shield is the armor's armor. The warrior's goal was to extinguish any oncoming dart with his shield to stop all potential damage such as stunning, bruising, or wounding. When the warrior's shield was down, the other pieces of armor were vulnerable.

The same is true in our spiritual warfare. Our toughest battles will invariably concern matters of faith—times when we're tempted to think God's Word and his ways won't work for us or that he has let us down. If Satan can get us to drop our shield of faith, he knows we can't remain standing very long.

The first recorded words that ever came from the serpent's mouth were: “Did God actually say . . . ?” (Genesis 3:1). He used the spade of deceit to sow doubt. Satan, posing as the serpent, knew he couldn't keep Eve from believing in God, so he tempted her not to believe God or trust his motives. Her walk was crippled, her doubt was contagious, and the couple lost the land God had placed under their feet. When Eve dropped her shield of faith, every other piece of spiritual armor became vulnerable. Satan knew she wouldn't remain standing for long. When she fell, she fell hard. I know the feeling.

"In all circumstances,” you and I need to learn to take up our shield of faith. We also desperately need to know the Word of God and wield the “sword of the Spirit” so that when the enemy slyly suggests, “Did God actually say . . . ?” we can know the answer emphatically.

When we respond to attacks of doubt, distortion, and deceit with the shield of faith, the fiery dart is extinguished and the enemy takes another hit. I owe him a few. Do you? —Beth Moore bethmoore.org

seeking: Father, how have I seen your power in a new way? How have you encouraged my heart?

responding: Where do I sense the enemy targeting his fiery darts? • What lies am I believing about God? •What Scriptures could help me combat attacks of doubt, distortion, and deceit?

Father, thank you for providing armor for my protection. I desire to wear and use every piece. Give me strong arms to wield the sword of the Spirit and take up the shield of faith. Be mighty through me, to the praise of your glorious name. In Jesus' name, amen.

following: In all circumstances, take up the shield of faith.

our journey

peace in the storm

35 On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.” 36 And leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. And other boats were with him. 37 And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. 38 But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” 39 And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. 40 He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?” 41 And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even wind and sea obey him?” Mark 4:35-41

Jesus got into the boat with his disciples to cross the Sea of Galilee. The water was calm and still and soon he was asleep. A storm started to brew, however, and it must have felt like the mother of all storms. For the disciples weren't sure they were going to make it. They were overcome with feelings of anxiety and fear and rushed to the Lord, waking him out of his sleep: “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?”

Have you ever had that kind of experience? Perhaps you've been in peaceful circumstances and then one unexpected phone call brings a raging storm into your life. It threatens to overwhelm and engulf you. And as you pray, it seems as if the Lord is asleep. Then, as the storm worsens, you begin to panic.

That's how the disciples felt. But when Jesus got up, he spoke to the wind and waves. With a simple word he stilled the waters.

The children of Israel panicked when they faced the Red Sea. The disciples panicked when they faced the Sea of Galilee. What is the raging water in your life? What is causing you to panic? Have you forgotten that you have a Savior who really does care? You may be thinking, Why doesn't he still my waters? Here's some really good news: He will still your waters. But only at the right moment. You may get wet. You may even get soaked, but God will help you.

Years ago, Martyn Lloyd-Jones commented that in many circumstances of life, faith is a refusal to panic. When feelings of anxiety have us in their grip, we can remember this truth—believing that Jesus has everything under his control.

After Jesus calmed the storm, he looked at the disciples and asked, “Where is your faith?” You may feel that you don't have a lot of faith. That's okay. God knows and he hasn't forgotten you. He will quiet your storm when the time is right. —Steve Farrar

seeking: Father, what storm have you started to quiet in my heart this day? What has peace meant to me this moment?

responding: How have I been reacting to the storms of life? • What does my faith mean to me in times of crisis? • What will be required for me to grow in my faith?

Father, you are the only one who can calm the storms of life. I cry out to you, acknowledging my need for you and your peace. I praise you for the faith you have allowed me to know. In Jesus' name, amen.

following: No storm is greater than God's peace.

our journey

the spirit's power

1 And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. 2 For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. 3 And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, 4 and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, 5 that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. 1 Corinthians 2:1-5

Before the taping of my first video series, my confidence took a severe beating. I had worked so hard in preparation; yet as the time arrived, I had nothing to offer. I told the Lord, “You're on your own here. I have nothing to give."

The skies did not suddenly open with an outpouring of strength. Three hours later, I walked on the set completely by faith. Thousands of dollars' worth of equipment had been shipped to Houston. A large team had prepared for the production. Six cameras were in place. An audience had gathered. Everything was ready—except me. I walked out with only enough strength to get on my knees in front of them and pray.

When I got up, a stream of strength seemed to flow from heaven. Not in buckets. It was more like an intravenous drip. God was sustaining me minute by minute. I never felt a rush of adrenaline or a gust of mighty wind. But hours of demanding work took place over that week and I never lacked the strength to complete the task. As an adult, I never had less confidence. Yet he kept my knees from buckling.

When I received the first letter from a viewer of the video series, I wept as I read her words of thanks. I whispered back, “It was God. Not me."

There are wonderful promises in Scripture directed specifically for times of weakness. Deuteronomy 33:25 says, “As your days, so shall your strength be.” Paul reminded us of this promise again in 2 Corinthians 12:9-10: “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. . . . For when I am weak, then I am strong."

Even when the enemy tries to make us lose confidence, God can take the victory with a demonstration of the Spirit's power. In those times God can produce a harvest of fruit unlike any other. Those who have been touched are encouraged in a faith that does “not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God” (1 Corinthians 2:5).

By his power, other people end up seeing God instead of us. —Beth Moore bethmoore.org

seeking: Father, what have you just touched deep within my heart? How can you use my insecurity for your glory?

responding: When was the last time I lost my confidence? • Is insecurity holding me back from the ministry God has for me? From a door he has opened?

Lord, as much as I resist asking you to let me experience the end of my own strength and ability, I thank you for my weaknesses. Make it clear whose power works within me. Thank you for your amazing faithfulness. In Jesus' name, amen.

following: God can use us the most powerfully when we feel the least adequate.

our journey

the great escape

1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. 3 He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Psalm 23

In my study of sheep, I found out something that surprised me. Sheep are deathly afraid of running water. When the snows melt in Israel, the small streams that flow gently down the mountainsides can quickly become raging torrents of water. Thirsty sheep are so afraid of the rushing stream that they would rather die of thirst before they would drink from it. The reason is this: Sheep are not sure-footed animals, and they instinctively know that they could easily slip as they try to drink from a fast-moving current. If they were to take the plunge, their heavy coats of wool would soak up the water and in a matter of seconds they would be dead.

A good shepherd leads the sheep beside still waters, or stilled waters (Psalm 23:2). The shepherd understands their fear, so he will take some rocks and stones and divert some of the water to more level ground that is safely away from the rushing water. The shepherd constructs a small, safe stream of water. There the sheep can drink without fear, for he has literally stilled the waters.

God stills the waters for his sheep as well. When the children of Israel were finally leaving Egypt after hundreds of years of captivity, they were suddenly between a rock and a hard place. The Red Sea was in front of them, and Pharaoh's pursuing army was behind them. There was no escape. But God stepped in. He rolled back the water and stilled it, and his people passed through on dry ground. Then the waters became “unstilled” at the appropriate moment and their enemies were wiped out.

The Red Sea was blocking their escape, so God made it a source of escape. And he did that by stilling the waters. What is the Red Sea in your life today? God is bigger than your sea of circumstances. And he can make those circumstances work miraculously for you as he made the Red Sea work for his people long ago. —Steve Farrar stevefarrar.com

seeking: Father, what have you brought to mind as I have considered your ability to still my tumultuous seas? What has your calming touch meant to me this moment?

responding: How have I been turning away from God and his ability to still the waters of life? • What have I been fearing that God may actually use as an escape for me? Why?

Father, thank you for your loving, calming work in my life. I rest in the reality of your presence and protection. You are my God and I worship you.

following: God is greater than any problem we will encounter.

our journey

God, You’re Wasting My Time!
By Paul Dailey

Have you ever felt like saying, “God, you’re wasting my time”? Unknowingly, I had developed this attitude toward the Lord in prayer. It happened very subtly and quite unintentionally, but nevertheless, it was there.

For some time I had felt the prompting of the Spirit of God to just slow down in prayer. You could probably quote Psalm 46:10 if I started it for you. “Be still ...”—and you know the rest — “…and know that I am God.”

Yet, when it came to my prayer time, I was all about charging ahead, doing spiritual warfare, binding and loosing, shouting down the powers of darkness, and declaring the will of God into the earth. Now, don’t get me wrong. There is most certainly a place for this type of prayer. And, personally, that is part of my character because I really identify with the warrior mentality. But I had begun to neglect those times of real intimacy and quietness with the Lord.

My pastor recently returned from a week of services at the Toronto Airport Christian Fellowship, home to that great move of God that has reached around the globe and affected millions. The most profound thing he brought back was the concept of “soaking in the presence of God.” He began to describe how the Lord had used this trip to introduce him to a new level of prayer. It’s a place in God where we just shut down and listen to the Spirit. Rather than filling his time before God with all sorts of words, he would simply put on some quiet “soaking music” and lay at God’s feet.

I think at first I laughed him off. “Well, that’s all well and good for him but blah, blah, blah …” You know how we get when someone tries to introduce something new. We dismiss them as nutty and keep on with our old way of doing things. But I watched as his relationship with God went to a whole new level and his passion for God grew by the day while mine faded like an old pair of jeans.

That’s when life hit me. There I was, naked and broken before God. Where was my shouting? Where was my binding and loosing? Where was my charging toward the frontline? I had the wind knocked out of me, and my only recourse was to crawl to God on my hands and knees and plead for His mercy. I thought to myself, This soaking thing isn’t such a bad idea after all. I didn’t have the strength anymore to swing that sword even one more time.

So it was there on a Sunday night, while I lay on the floor at church, that I began to learn the value of just shutting up before God. And the most amazing thing happened! When I stopped talking, it became so much easier to hear God talk. “This is not wasted time,” He said. Over and over again, He kept telling me that. “This is not wasted time.” It was uncomfortable at first because I felt like I should be doing or saying something. But I couldn’t deny that after just an hour or so on my face before God, simply listening and soaking, I was changed. Something real and significant had taken place in my Spirit. I couldn’t put my finger on it, but neither could I deny it.

Then yesterday, while soaking in the presence of God again, the Spirit directed me to Mark chapter four. Jesus had just spent the afternoon speaking to the crowds in parables. The Word tells us that He didn’t say anything to them without using parables. But when He was alone with His disciples, He explained everything.

That was it! That’s why God was drawing me into these times of soaking. Without that intimate and quiet time alone with Jesus, the secrets of the kingdom of heaven remain a hazy mystery. So, this idea of soaking in God’s presence, a time that I viewed as unproductive, was actually the very thing I needed.

If you’ve been sensing a lack of power in your walk with God, or if you feel like you’re stuck in the mud, spinning your wheels but going nowhere, just get before God and soak a while. Don’t pray, don’t sing, don’t shout, march, declare, or proclaim. Put on some quiet worship music, and just lay there and listen to God.

Sure, you’ll be a little uncomfortable at first and your mind will wander, as mine did. But soon you’ll find yourself hearing God much more clearly. You’ll find that He will begin to explain things to you that before were mysteries. God is not wasting your time.

cbn

spiritual surgery

1 My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments, 2 for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you. 3 Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart. 4 So you will find favor and good success in the sight of God and man. 5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. 7 Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. 8 It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones. Proverbs 3:1-8

About 25 years ago, I went through a deep depression. God wasn't against me; he was just rebuilding me. During that time, he was doing some necessary work on my character. The lessons I would learn in the short-term have made me more effective for his work in the long-term. He taught me to have sympathy for hurting people by allowing me to hurt. That was a dimension that had been seriously lacking in my life. God taught me to be confident in him, not in myself. All of my carefully laid plans fell apart. Then he stepped in and put everything back together.

It was a time of spiritual drought in my life. At times I was angry at God, and I resented what he was doing to me. But now I look back on that period and I see his goodness everywhere.

God was so faithful to me that he chose to make some needed repairs to my heart and character before it was too late. But for a time, I didn't realize that I was in surgery. God was operating on me spiritually just as a surgeon would operate on me physically. I had some serious malignant tumors of selfishness and arrogance that had to be removed.

If you're looking at the circumstances of your life and all is dark, don't lose heart. Perhaps your business has failed, perhaps you're reading this in a hospital bed, perhaps you're enduring another round of chemotherapy, perhaps a co-worker has just edged you out of a well-deserved promotion. Maybe you're feeling that God has abandoned you.

Trust in Jesus (Proverbs 3:5-6). You can't see it now, but you're actually in a place of growth. Remain open and teachable. Pray that you will learn everything the Lord has for you in this situation. Realize that this is a time of spiritual surgery, and healing will come! —Steve Farrar stevefarrar.com

seeking: Jesus, what encouragement have you brought to me this day? What praise have you placed on my lips?

responding: How have my discouraging days taught me more about God and his love for me? • What is God teaching me about the need to trust him more?

Jesus, I praise you for your steadfast care. Though things may be hard right now, I choose to trust you and to follow you with all that I am.

following: God sometimes wounds us to heal us.

our journey

seeing green pastures

16 I hear, and my body trembles; my lips quiver at the sound; rottenness enters into my bones; my legs tremble beneath me. Yet I will quietly wait for the day of trouble to come upon people who invade us. 17 Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, 18 yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation. Habakkuk 3:16-18

"He makes me lie down in green pastures” (Psalm 23:2). The reason God has to make us lie down in green pastures is that sheep tend to think the grass is always greener on the other side. Like a shepherd with his questioning sheep, God has made me lie down in some pastures that didn't look so green to me.

That happened to me a number of years ago when I took Unemployment 101. I candidated to be the pastor at seven different churches and every one of them turned me down. We went through our savings and had to sell our second car just to make do for another month or two. During that time, my wife Mary had two surgeries and I came down with meningitis. Then we found out that Mary was pregnant. The doctor told her that some of the medicine she had taken could have affected our baby and that it was likely we would have a deformed child. All of these events transpired in less than 10 months. Not what I would call green pastures! Those pastures appeared to be mighty brown.

For the first time in my life I dealt with depression. Over the next 2 years the only time I would ever laugh was when I played with my kids. Other than that, I didn't laugh, because there was a deep sadness within.

If I could have seen what God was planning, I would have been really excited. But at the time, all I could see was what I had lost. And that's why everything looked so brown. Today, as I look back on those years, I recognize the green of his greater favor—he was tenderly, steadily leading me forward. The pasture was there all along.

If all you're seeing is brown today, remember that one day you will look back and see the green pasture he had prepared. Rejoice in his goodness and trust him with the many colors of life (Habakkuk 3:18) —Steve Farrar

seeking: Father, how have you just refreshed my wilting spirit? What praise will I bring to you this day?

responding: What “brown” and down times has God led me through in the past? What green pasture do I see ahead? • Why is it so important to rejoice in God when things aren't perfect?

Father, you have been so faithful to me over the years. Help me to see your loving hand even when things look bleak. I love you and worship you.

following: God is good in the green and the brown times.

our journey

Mansion Over the Hillside
By Cathy Irvin

With so much bad news these days—hurricanes, levees not holding, people running for their lives, heartache and pain—it can get you down if you dwell on it. But we can pray for better days and brighter tomorrows and hope as we see and hear every glimmer of good news.

Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable—if there is any moral excellence and if there is any praise—dwell on these things (Philippians 4:8, Holman Christian Standard Bible).

We need to think of the rescues, the families reunited, the people being fed and clothed, the homes being offered to these hurricane refugees, the people and cites who are welcoming these strangers. Soon these displaced people will find a new home and start afresh.

Just like these displaced people, haven’t you at some time or other felt lost in your times of crisis? Haven’t you wondered, where is my stability? True stability is in knowing God.

When we were without Christ, we were lost. We were strangers to a world we did not know existed. That world we as believers now know as the Kingdom of God. It doesn’t matter so much where you live geographically; what matters is that there is a Savior who welcomes you into His world. This world is one of peace and hope and joy. Like a mayor who gives you the key to the city, God gives you the keys to eternal life, and once you accept Him, you are not just a visitor or guest or a stranger—you are a child of His! When you draw closer as you walk with Him, you become a friend of God.

Someday, because we accepted Him as our Savior, we will go to a new city, our real home: It is called Heaven. We will no longer be strangers. We will arrive at our final destination and settle down for eternity.

Don’t worry about where you live today because there is a new home waiting for each of God’s children. Let us remember that we are pilgrims here, and we are going to a new city!

cbn

what about heaven?

1 See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 2 Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. 3 And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure. 1 John 3:1-3

It's interesting to note that when Jesus came, the disciples were frightfully naïve about heaven. One might assume that having been schooled in Judaism they would have a keen understanding of the world to come. Yet their thoughts of a future paradise focused on the dream that a messiah would overthrow the Roman occupation, establish his rule on earth, and restore Israel to its former glory. It was not heaven there, but heaven here, that they anticipated.

In fact, the whole religious environment of Jesus' day minimized the thought of heaven. One of the major religious groups was the Sadducees. They were wealthy materially, which made even the thought of heaven superfluous, and their theology actually denied the resurrection and the thought of an afterlife. Both their theology and their affluence made heaven unnecessary. The Pharisees, on the other hand, affirmed the reality of a life to come. Yet, as one writer observed, “They were primarily concerned with the ritual dimension of Judaism."

Given these prevailing religious attitudes, it's no wonder that the disciples' view of heaven was dim. As such, it brought confusion to their hearts about Jesus' mission and anxiety within their souls when he told them he was leaving.

But all that changed after the resurrection and ascension. Heaven was real and compelling to the early church. The believers could endure the flame of the fire and the torture of hungry lions, because they knew that better things were yet to come—that this was indeed what Thomas Hobbes was later to call the “nasty, brutish, and short” world. The idea that heaven was “far better” (Philippians 1:23) was a realization that enabled them to hold life loosely here and live for Jesus regardless of the cost. And, as John said, living in the hope of seeing Jesus face-to-face motivated them to purity in their lives.

To this day, affluence and a preoccupation with worldly rules and rituals dim our view of heaven. It's only when heaven is in full view that our lives start functioning as they should. —Joe Stowell

seeking: Jesus, how have these thoughts on heaven drawn me to you? What will it mean for me to experience the fullness of your glory one day?

responding: Is heaven in clear view for me on a regular basis? • If it were, what difference would it make?

Lord Jesus, I want to live my life with heaven in full view today. I pray that the things of this world will not dim my view, but rather that I will be motivated by the reality of eternity. In Jesus' name, amen.

following: We will see Jesus face-to-face one day.

our journey

The Trumpet Sounds
By Cathy Irvin

As a Christian, you may be asking yourself, what is the sound of the trumpet referring to? It is a clarion sound about an issue or an event that can be heard during times of concentrated prayer or discerned through some media message. You will hear these messages repeated over and over, and you will know that God is speaking to His people.

In the recent past, we cried out about the right to live in the Terri Schiavo case when the Supreme Court ruled to remove her feeding tube and to withdraw her water. Now, instead of focusing on a particular case, we are praying that the Supreme Court judges might execute justice. We are praying for God’s divine intervention. We are asking that they might hear God’s side before they make decisions that become the law of the land.

Remember: their decisions today affect our tomorrows. Be a voice and speak out. The best way to see results is through prayer. The slogan we often see on signs and billboards is “prayer changes things.” We must focus our prayers on the Supreme Court.

I can hear the trumpet sounding to take my seat, for God’s Court is in session. He waits for us to come boldly to the throne, with authority as believers in Jesus’ name, and make our petitions known. One thing is different about this courtroom: there is only one Judge, the Supreme Ruler of heaven and earth.

You can be confident that He hears you and will answer you. He will not decline to listen.

GOD rules. On your toes, everybody! He rules from his angel throne—take notice! (Psalm 99:1,The Message).

GOD has set his throne in heaven; he rules over us all. He's the King! (Psalm 103:19, The Message).

CBN

GET REAL!

John 17:1-5
1 After Jesus said this, He looked toward heaven and prayed: 2 "Father, the time has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son may glorify You. For You granted Him authority over all people that He might give eternal life to all those You have given Him. 3 Now this is eternal life: that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent. 4 I have brought You glory on earth by completing the work You gave me to do. 5 And now, Father, glorify Me in Your presence with the glory I had with You before the world began.

Survivor, Fear Factor, The Amazing Race, American Idol, The Apprentice. The list of reality television series goes on and on. These series try to satisfy the appetite of viewers who long to watch and enjoy some real-life characters experiencing adventure and drama. Reality TV has gone to great lengths to bring out actual, unfeigned elements that viewers look for. Without a doubt, there is something very different in reality TV as compared to conventional game shows or competitions.

The truth of the matter is that we yearn for reality in our lives. We don't want to live in a world of fantasy and imagination all the time. We don't want to remain in an environment of make-believe, pretense, or hypocrisy.

This is where the good news comes in. We can experience reality--in Jesus--because we have a true and living God! The reality of Jesus' love and presence not only satisfies our ultimate longings but also transforms our lives.

Jesus' prayer in John 17 tells us that eternal life is all about knowing and experiencing the one true God. As followers of Jesus, we can enjoy the reality of God when we place our trust in Him, develop our personal relationship with Him, and walk in fellowship and obedience to Him.

It's through this authentic way of living that we can find purpose, joy, and abundance of life. Such real life is, in fact, much more exciting than all the drama and thrill that reality TV could ever offer. So, what are you waiting for? Get real--with God! --Timothy Chew, Malaysia

Written by a fellow Soul Journey reader

DESTINATION POINTS

* Have I ever thought of participating in a reality show? Why?
* What can I do to experience the reality of God in my life?

LINKS:
God Our Father
http://www.discoveryseries.org/q0108

bottom line: Reality is authentic living in Jesus.

soul journey

GOD'S HARDWARE

Genesis 2:15-20
15 The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. 16 And the Lord God commanded the man, "You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; 17 but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die." 18 The Lord God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him." 19 Now the Lord God had formed out of the ground all the beasts of the field and all the birds of the air. He brought them to the man to see what he would name them; and whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name. 20 So the man gave names to all the livestock, the birds of the air, and all the beasts of the field. But for Adam no suitable helper was found.

My wife hardly ever goes with me to a hardware store. She's afraid I'll embarrass her by my giddy behavior when I see all those new, amazing tools!

Actually, it's not quite that bad, but being in the store does make my head spin with the thoughts of projects I could do and what I'll need to do them. I try to discipline myself to go to places like Home Depot only when I really need to--otherwise I'll come home with a pile of stuff that I just may need someday.

How I approach hardware stores is a lot like the way many of us approach the gifts of the earth: It's just one big storehouse of vast natural resources for people to use.

Some lumber barons treated the great white pine forests of Michigan like that. When they were done, they had made enough boards to cover the entire state--all 96,000 square miles of it!

Sadly, they also destroyed much of the capacity of the land to reforest itself. If they had thought about their responsibility to future generations, they could have prevented the degradation of soil that results from poor forestry practices. The lack of forest cover and the scar they left behind helped create several massive fires. The Great Thumb Fire of 1881 (as in the "thumb" of Michigan's mitten-like shape) raced through more than a million acres in less than a day, killing more than 200 people.

Whatever one thinks about the politics and philosophy of many environmentalists, the truth remains that people are the planet's stewards (Genesis 2:15). Of all the species of living creatures on Earth, human beings are the only "responsible" species. We are the ones who have the power and intellectual capacity to manage the wonderful potential of God's creation gifts. And we can abuse those gifts by carelessness and selfish behavior. Then all creation suffers.

When we degrade the works of the Creator, we come dangerously close to degrading the Creator Himself. --Dean Ohlman

DESTINATION POINTS

* What is the impact of my behavior on the ecological health of the earth?
* How can I treat the earth with more respect?

LINKS:
Celebrating The Wonder Of Creation
http://www.discoveryseries.org/q1108

God's Good Earth
http://www.discoveryseries.org/hp001

bottom line: The earth is the theater of God's glory. --Calvin

soul journey

Is it ever okay to look back?
by John Fischer

Anyone who puts a hand to the plow and then looks back is not fit for the Kingdom of God. Luke 9:62 (NLT)

Is it ever okay to look back?

There is a fine line between gaining strength from how God has met us in the past, and getting lost in romanticized states of nostalgia. It’s not always easy to tell the difference.

Last weekend I had a chance to go back to a camp where I began my singing/songwriting career and experienced serving in a ministry role for the first time. It is a place pregnant with memories for me. These memories were also from time of heightened spiritual awareness in our culture that we now refer to as the Jesus movement. A whole youth culture it seemed was literally flying high on Jesus. Nothing has come close to those days since.

After the concert a man came up to me and handed me a CD. It was a tape recording of me singing my first collection of songs made in the stairwell of a church nearby in the summer of 1968. I say “allegedly” because I barely remember doing this. I took the CD home and listened to it and it was me all right. Songs and feelings both forgotten came rushing back.

What value is this to me now? Not much if I attempt to stay there. It was almost hard to hear the angst in the heart of a 21-year-old that seemed so far away now. It made me wonder if some things are not meant to be recorded.

But there is meaning and usefulness in the past. It comes through returning to places and times when God has met us is significant ways. In the Old Testament these were called memorial stones – altars erected so that God’s faithfulness at a certain event in history could be remembered and the stories passed on to future generations. Such a visit to the past gives us renewed strength and courage to face the future. If God met us then and got us this far, then He can show us how to live in this present age.

But if we go back to try and recreate the past and hold onto it as long as possible, this is not productive. We never will be able to go back to an earlier time. Plows don’t plow backwards. They only dig ahead into open fields. So do God’s purposes for us.

So if you go back, go back to mark something meaningful in your life, where God met you, and use the experience to renew your current love for Him. Just don’t stay long there. The demands of today are different than those of yesterday, and the world never stops changing.

PDL

Virtual Friends
by John Fischer

What do you do when you realize you have wronged a brother or a sister in Christ? You go to him or her and attempt to personally set it straight.

I had a conflict to resolve with a brother this week and I used E-mail and the fax machine. Not good enough.

It occurs to me that we’ve never had more communication technology and less real contact with people. We’ve got video phones, picture phones, E-mail and text messaging – I’ve even heard there is experimentation going on by which we will be able to communicate via brain waves – but are we any closer to each other because of all this? An argument could be made that we are actually growing further and further apart. Pretty soon all we will have is virtual communication among virtual friends. Virtual – as in almost, but not quite.

Virtual is truly the word of the day. The first synonym for virtual that comes up in my dictionary is “near.” We’re nearly friends, but not really. “Virtual” is a substitute for the real thing. The antonym (opposite) that came up for “virtual” is “actual.” Put these two together and you have “virtual” as something that appears close to the real thing but in actuality is so far off the mark that there couldn’t be anything farther from the truth. “Virtual” is like a moon shot that misses the moon. The farther it travels in the universe, the farther away from its destination it becomes, making “virtual reality” the quintessential oxymoron.

Please understand I’m speaking to myself here (I usually am). I use E-mail way too much. My written skills are much better than my verbal ones (unless I have a chance to prepare). Face to face confrontation is very difficult for me, so any chance I get to hide behind an E-mail or a fax, I’ll take it. How convenient that a whole culture is moving in the direction of an oxymoron.

When John the Apostle talked about Christ he found it necessary to point out that he and the other disciples had had physical contact with Jesus. “We proclaim to you the one who existed from the beginning, whom we have heard and seen. We saw him with our own eyes and touched him with our own hands” (1 John 1:1). It was important to John for us to know this. Nothing virtual here. This was the real thing.

We need the real thing with each other. We need to come out of hiding. We’re never going to find ourselves in here anyway. We only know ourselves as we meet ourselves in others and ultimately in Christ who has touched us all with His virtual presence.

PDL

Forgive—Can We Afford Not To?
Martha Noebel

• "Forgive them? I can't. "
• "They make me so mad."
• "You just don't know what they did to me."

Have you ever heard those words before? Forgiveness is hard to do, but with God's help, we can forgive. The definition of forgive is to pardon or excuse. It means that we no longer blame others or are angry at those who did us wrong.

"For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins (Matthew 6:14, 15, NIV).

God tells us that forgiveness is not an option if we want God to forgive us. We are not perfect; we all make mistakes. We will not all agree on everything all the time. We must understand that and learn to forgive those who intentionally or unintentionally hurt us. Yes, we may have a moment of anger, but we must not become slaves to anger. We need to repent for harboring bad feelings against others so that we can be set free.

The Bible tells us in 1 Samuel 16:7 that the Lord looks at the heart. What does He see when He looks at our hearts? We want to have clean hearts and hands when we stand before God. Look at what the psalmist David said:

"Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a right spirit within me" (Psalm 51:10, NLT).

"Who may climb the mountain of the Lord? Who may stand in his holy place? Only those whose hands and hearts are pure…"(Psalm 24: 3, 4a, The Book).

We want to stand before God and know that He is pleased with us. We don't want to carry the sin of unforgiveness in our hearts. When we pray, we want to know that God will answer our prayers. We certainly don't want this willful act to hinder our prayers.

"And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins" (Mark 11:25, NIV).

If we continue to have bitterness in our hearts and lives, we do not show the love of God. The Word of God tells us that we cannot even say we love God if we have hate toward someone else (1 John 4:20), so what must we do? Colossians 3:12 tells us to "clothe yourselves with compassion." Philippians 2:4 says to "look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others." Galatians 6:2 instructs us to "carry each other's burdens." Ephesians 4:32 declares, "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave you."

The lines are drawn. The Word is clear. We must forgive! No matter the offense, no matter how much pain we feel, we must forgive. We can't take revenge or even gloat when our enemy falls (Romans 12:19-21; Proverbs 24:17).

Let's ask God to fill us with His love for those who have offended us. Let’s learn to walk in love and peace. We will be glad we did.

cbn

The Key to My Heart
Martha Noebel

Who has the key to your heart? There are many that would say, "I have the key to your heart. I want to come in." If we allow that, we could entertain wrong thoughts and actions. God wants to be the sole owner of the key to our hearts.

Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits at God's right hand in the place of honor and power. Let heaven fill your thoughts. Do not think only about things down here on earth. For you died when Christ died, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. And when Christ, who is your real life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory (Colossians 3:1-4).

How wonderful that is to know! When He has the key to our hearts, we are giving Him the place of honor and power. We then begin to allow Him, and no one else, to fill our thoughts, making Him our ‘real life.’ Praise God! It is then that we can hear God speak His love to us. We can hear Him say, "She is my delight.”

That word was spoken to me at a time I really needed to hear it. We try so hard to work for God, to please Him, and yet we can become so busy with the work that we forget to love the Lord of the work. I want to stay in a place of feeling God's love for me. I may be frustrated with all that's going on around me and be too caught up with things. God wants my attention. He wants my love, and He wants to love me the way I need to be loved.

We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed and broken. We are perplexed, but we don't give up and quit. We are hunted down, but God never abandons us. We get knocked down, but we get up again and keep going. Through suffering, these bodies of ours constantly share in the death of Jesus so that the life Jesus may also be seen in our bodies (2 Corinthians 4:8-10).

I want the life of Christ to be seen in me. I don't want it said that when things don't go my way that I continue to force the issues. I want to be able to say, "God has another plan" and let go of it. I want to be able to release the problems so I can be healed and made strong through it all. I want the ‘Lover of my soul’ to be able to speak to me His songs of love without any hindrances.

Let the words of Christ, in all their richness, live in your hearts and make you wise. Use His words to teach and counsel each other. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts (Colossians 3:16).

That's the attitude I want. I need to let Christ live large in me and make me wise. I want to be able to be a blessing to others and to always have a song to God in my heart. What joy is mine when I refuse to give the distractions a key to my heart! What rejoicing I can have if I don't let the cares of this world have a key to my heart!

The choice is yours and mine. You and I have to make the decision. Who has the key to your heart?

God, You have the key to my heart!

cbn

STOLEN HAMBURGLAR

1 Timothy 1:15-20
15 Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners--of whom I am the worst. 16 But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display His unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on Him and receive eternal life. 17 Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen. 18 Timothy, my son, I give you this instruction in keeping with the prophecies once made about you, so that by following them you may fight the good fight, 19 holding on to faith and a good conscience. Some have rejected these and so have shipwrecked their faith. 20 Among them are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan to be taught not to blaspheme.

In an ironic twist, Hamburglar was stolen from a McDonald's in Niles, Ohio, last fall. Hamburglar--the fast food chain's fictional character that pilfers hamburgers in TV commercials--was featured in a 6-foot-tall statue in the Niles franchise.

A man entered the restaurant, grabbed the masked statue, and ran out. Later that night, police nabbed the thief . . . of the thief. But the arrest didn't happen the way you might guess.

Officers in Niles, responding to a domestic-violence call at a nearby home, talked with a woman who said she was punched by a male friend during an argument. What were they arguing about? Stolen property.

Police found the $1,500 heisted Hamburglar in the basement and arrested the woman's friend on two counts--robbery and assault. And so ended one very strange case of Hamburglary!

It's likely the thief in this story is serving some serious time in jail. His actions warrant his being put behind bars.

The apostle Paul turned two men over to a very interesting "warden" for some punishment in an account found in 1 Timothy. He wrote to encourage his protégé Timothy and to warn him about these dangerous dudes.

Hymenaeus and Alexander had been leading people astray with some heretical teaching. Paul said they had "shipwrecked their faith" (1:19). He mentioned the duo in another letter as well: Hymenaeus is referenced in 2 Timothy 2:17 for his false instruction; Alexander is described as one who "did [Paul] a great deal of harm" (4:14).

So, to what "authority" did Paul hand over these troublemakers? Satan! His intent was to get the two men to repent and return to the true gospel of Jesus. But his message is a strong reminder to each of us. When we wander from the true Word of God, our fellowship with Him will be broken and our close companion becomes Satan.

It's wise not to even steal a glance in that direction! --Tom Felten

DESTINATION POINTS

* In what ways have I been wandering from God's truth?
* Why would it be awful to be turned over to Satan?

LINKS:
What In The World Is Satan Doing?
http://www.discoveryseries.org/q1001

bottom line: Turning from God leads to Satan's door.

soul journey

THE POWER IN PERSEVERANCE

James 1:2-8
2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4 Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. 6 But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7 That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a doubleminded man, unstable in all he does.

The other day I was working on the computer with my son. "What's your password?" I asked him. "Keep on," he said. "It's my password for everything." Keep on. Keep on. I confess to a moment of parental pride as I realized my son was learning how critical those two words are to success in life.

The biblical word for "keep on" is endurance or staying power--the ability to keep from faltering under the pressure. Nothing is more essential to success in the Christian life than that. Faith gets you started, but perseverance keeps you going.

This matter of perseverance is so critical in following Jesus that James 1:2-4 tells us that above all other human traits, perseverance is the characteristic that God wants to build into our lives. Perseverance is what--over time--will make you "mature and complete, not lacking anything" (v.4).

What do you do when the pressure's on? It's easy to start a race, but when the miles click past and your muscles tire, it becomes tempting to quit. It's easy to put on a white dress or tuxedo and get to the front of the church, but a lasting marriage takes work. It's easy to say a prayer or walk an aisle, but to keep following Jesus--that takes staying power. If God can get perseverance into your life, He can give you everything else.

Why do so many Christians stall or stagnate in their faith? Because they give up! Why do so many relational breakups reveal a pattern of unresolved conflict? Why do so many Christians circle around the same flaws in character and conduct again and again? Because when times get tough, their feet get moving in the wrong direction. They choose a change of scenery over a change of heart.

Staying power is the funnel through which all godly virtue flows. There's nothing good that God brings into your life by way of transformation that He doesn't bring through your perseverance. Keep on! --James MacDonald

DESTINATION POINTS

* Am I tempted to quit? I'll ask the Lord for strength and faith to persevere.
* Do I need energy to persevere? I'll share what God is doing in my life with someone and watch my faith be revived.

bottom line: Christian virtues flow from perseverance.

soul journey

Because of You
John Fischer

Your mission is to live your life.

In 1 Corinthians 7, Paul the apostle addresses believers who are married to unbelievers, and outlines a general rule that if the unbelieving spouse chooses to stay in the marriage, it would be good for the believer to stay, too. He gives two reasons for this: one, the children will have a godly influence through the believing parent, and two, the unbeliever may be converted “because of you” (1 Corinthians 7:16). (Exceptions to this rule would of course be situations of abuse and endangerment of a spouse or child.)

Just what does he mean by “because of you,” I wonder? Does it mean you are on a personal crusade to save your spouse? Does it mean that you will preach the gospel to your spouse at every possible opportunity? Does it mean you will turn your house into a religious institution that coerces your spouse to either put up with Christianity or leave? No, it doesn’t mean any of these things.

It means simply what it says: “…because of you…” because of who you are, because of how you live, because of the way your faith affects everything you do, because of the way you carry on your life, because of the reality of Christ in your life. That’s it. No more; but certainly, no less. Paul is suggesting that living your life with a sense of purpose that comes from your faith in God is enough to convert someone.

It occurs to me that this could be applied to all believers in relation to life in the world among people with whom we work and associate who are not believers. General rule: don’t leave the world. (Where would you go, anyway?) Stay in the world – in relationships with unbelievers – for the chance that someone may be converted “because of you.”

We are not on a crusade; we are on a mission to live our lives according to God’s purposes. When we do that, we make possible an environment of change where a person who does not have a meaningful relationship with God might become curious about someone who does. “Because of you” is a statement of subtle influence, not coercion, and in the context of Paul’s advice in 1 Corinthians 7, it is a steady influence over time, as would be implied by a marriage. There’s nothing complex or even premeditated about a “because of you” influence. This is a believer going about the process of believing; and this is an unbeliever going over their life with a microscope, observing the good, the bad and the ugly. Doesn’t matter if God is there.

Thought for the day: Don’t ever sell short what God can do “because of you.”

PDL