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Here Am I
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May 8, 2012 5:06 am
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Read: 1 John 3:16-23
Open your mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.
Proverbs 31:9
Bible in a Year:
Nehemiah 4-6
In the courtroom while waiting for his case to come before the judge, Gary heard story after sad story of people who were losing their homes. Many went through the procedure as if it were familiar to them. But one woman named Leslie seemed bewildered. Gary sensed that she didn’t know what to do or where to turn.
He tried to silence the quiet voice inside him that was urging him to help, but he couldn’t. He thought of many reasons not to get involved. First, engaging strangers in conversation is not one of his strengths; second, he was afraid of being misunderstood. But he thought that the prompting was from God, and he didn’t want to risk being disobedient.
When Gary saw Leslie leaving the courthouse, he spoke to her. “Ma’am,” he said, “I heard your testimony inside the courtroom, and I believe God wants me to help you.”
At first Leslie was suspicious, but Gary assured her of his sincerity. He made some phone calls and got her connected with people in a local church who provided the help she needed to keep her house.
God has called us to active duty 1 John 3.18. When we sense His prompting to help someone, we should be willing to say, “I believe God wants me to help you.”
God calls into action todayAll those who are children of light;Whatever our hand finds to do,Let’s do it with all of our might. We are at our best when we are serving others
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God`s Timing
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May 7, 2012 4:30 am
74 Views
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Read: Exodus 13:17-22
For every matter there is a time and judgment. —Ecclesiastes 8:6
Bible in a Year:
Nehemiah 1-3
Pastor Audley Black’s church near the south coast of Jamaica has been in a building program since at least 2005. That was the first time I visited his church and saw that they were expanding. The last time I was there—in the spring of 2011—some of the walls were up. By that summer, they had started on the roof. When I suggested to Pastor Black that perhaps the church would be done by 2013 when I thought I might return, he said it was a possibility.
There was no hint of disappointment that this project could take 8 years or longer! No, Pastor Black and his people are excited about what God is doing, and they’re patient with His timing.
We are often not that patient. We want our church to grow quickly, our young people to mature right away, and our problems to be fixed today.
Maybe we need to be reminded that some things take time—God’s time. For instance, when the Israelites first left Egypt, God sent them on the long route to the Promised Land Ex. 13:17-18. During that time He prepared them, taught them, and challenged them.
In our microwave world, we want everything done instantaneously. But sometimes that’s not God’s plan. Let’s seek God’s help and learn to accept His timing.
He does not lead me year by year,Nor even day by day;But step by step my path unfolds;My Lord directs my way. God’s timetable may move slowly, but it does move surely
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The Wright Stuff
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May 4, 2012 5:06 am
99 Views
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Read: Genesis 1:1-23
Let birds fly above the earth across the face of the firmament of the heavens. —Genesis 1:20
Bible in a Year:
Ezra 1-4
On September 29, 1909, a young man took flight in a strange contraption that resembled a huge box kite. As he gained altitude, the pilot manipulated the levers so he could fly over New York Harbor. People looked up in amazement. In the harbor, boats celebrated by sounding their steam whistles. Crowds near the Statue of Liberty exploded with cheers at the sight of Wilbur Wright taking a flight into the heavens.
Wilbur’s brother Orville, who had piloted the first airplane flight 6 years earlier, reflected on their inspiration to fly: “The desire to fly is an idea handed down to us by our ancestors who . . . looked enviously on the birds soaring freely through space, at full speed, above all obstacles, on the infinite highway of the air.” The Wright brothers spent a great deal of time studying birds in flight before designing their planes.
In Genesis we read that “in the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” (1:1), and He said, “Let birds fly above the earth across the face of the firmament of the heavens” (v.20). We applaud the inventiveness of the Wright brothers. Yet, the Creator, who made creatures capable of flight in the first place, deserves the ultimate glory—for the birds and for every other creation He has made!
Field and forest, vale and mountain,Flow’ry meadow, flashing sea,Soaring bird and flowing fountain Call us to rejoice in Thee. The design of creation points to the Master Designer.
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Walk Away From Worry
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May 3, 2012 4:42 am
96 Views
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Read: Philippians 4:1-9
Be anxious for nothing. —Philippians 4:6
Bible in a Year:
2 Chronicles 33-36
A few years ago, our Bible-study leader challenged us to memorize a chapter of the Bible and recite it to the group. Internally, I began to protest and groan. An entire chapter, in front of everyone? Memorization had never been my thing; I cringed as I imagined long silences while everyone watched me, waiting for the next words.
A few days later, I reluctantly leafed through my Bible, looking for a set of verses to learn by heart. Nothing seemed right until I landed in Philippians 4.
I read this verse in silence, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God” (v.6). That’s when I knew which chapter to memorize, and how to walk away from my anxiety about the assignment.
God does not want us to agonize over future events, because worry paralyzes our prayer life. The apostle Paul reminds us that instead of fretting, we should ask God for help. When we continually take this approach to anxiety, God’s peace will guard our hearts and minds (v.7).
Someone once said tongue-in-cheek, “Why pray when you can worry?” The point is clear: Worry gets us nowhere, but prayer gets us in touch with the One who can handle all of our concerns.
When you feel the tension mounting,And across the busy day,Only gloomy clouds are driftingAs you start to worry—pray! It’s impossible to wring our hands when they are folded before God in prayer.
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Are You Tuned In?
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May 2, 2012 9:40 am
105 Views
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Read: John 16.7-15
The Holy Spirit . . . will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. —John 14:26
Bible in a Year:
2 Chronicles 30-32
When I was growing up, I stayed with my grandparents for a week or two every summer. They lived on a street that dead-ended into some railroad tracks. I would often awaken several times on my first night as the box cars rumbled by or when an engineer blew the train whistle. By the end of my visit, however, I had grown so accustomed to the noise that I could sleep straight through the night without interruption. I had tuned out the sounds.
There are other interruptions that I don’t want to tune out! I love it when my husband unexpectedly brings me a cup of coffee when I’m working at the computer. And it brings me joy when I receive an unexpected call from a friend.
Sometimes we’re tempted to tune out “divine interruptions” of the Holy Spirit instead of listening to His promptings. He may nudge us with a realization that we need to ask forgiveness for something we said or did. Or persistently remind us that we should pray for someone who is experiencing a crisis. Or convict us that we have never fully shared Jesus with a person we care about.
When the Holy Spirit indwells us, He teaches us, convicts us, comforts us, and guides us into truth (John 14:16-17,26; 16.7-8,13). Are you tuned in to the interruption of His voice?
Holy Spirit, help us hearYour inner promptings, soft and clear;And help us know Your still, small voiceSo we may make God’s will our choice. Make the right choice: Obey the Spirit’s voice.
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Who You're Meant To Be
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May 1, 2012 4:33 am
121 Views
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Read: Romans 12:1-2,9-18
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice. —Romans 12:1
Bible in a Year:
2 Chronicles 26-29
“Be who God meant you to be and you will set the world on fire.” Quoting those words of St. Catherine of Siena, the Bishop of London began his message to Prince William and Kate Middleton at their wedding in Westminster Abbey. Many watching on TV were deeply touched as the bishop affirmed their choice “to be married in the sight of a generous God who so loved the world that He gave Himself to us in the person of Jesus Christ.” Then he urged the couple to pursue a love that finds its center beyond themselves.
From Romans 12, the bride’s brother read: “I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect” (vv.1-2).
That royal wedding reminds us all, single or married, of two great truths: (1) God’s great love for us expressed in the sacrifice of Jesus and (2) God’s desire that we find life’s greatest joy and transformation in our relationship with Him. Aren’t those the keys to becoming the persons God meant us to be?
Although I may not understandThe path You’ve laid for me,Complete surrender to Your will—Lord, this my prayer shall be. We become who God meant us to be by giving ourselves completely to Him.
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My Way?
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Apr 30, 2012 5:36 am
105 Views
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Read: Proverbs 16:20-25
There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death. —Proverbs 16:25
Bible in a Year:
2 Chronicles 23-25
Think about the worst intellectual matchups possible. For instance, what if we put Albert Einstein in a room with a first-grader to debate the theory of relativity? Or how about George Washington Carver versus a middle-schooler discussing biochemical engineering?
It’s silly to think of putting these pairs together for discussions. One is the ultimate expert; the other would know little if anything about the topic.
Here’s another one: God versus anyone arguing about His plan for mankind. Now we’re talking mismatch! Yet we often hear of people trying to explain away God’s matchless wisdom and how their way is better than His.
I received a letter from a man in prison who said: “I came to the point in my life where I finally accepted the fact that God is real and the Creator of everything. I grew tired of trying to do things my way. When I started humbling myself and accepting God’s Word, I found the answer.”
How ridiculous to reject God’s plan of salvation because we think we know better! Only by placing our trust in Christ for the forgiveness of our sins can we be reconciled to God (John 14:6; Rom 3:23; 6:23). Are you still trying to do things your own way, thinking you know best? (Prov. 16:25). Agree with God and go His way.
There aren’t many ways into heaven;The Bible says there’s only one.Confessing Christ Jesus as Savior,Believing in God’s only Son. Jesus is not one of many ways to approach God, nor is He the best of several ways; He is the only way.
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A Call To Commitment
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Apr 27, 2012 5:26 am
136 Views
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Read: Luke 9:57-62
No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God. —Luke 9:62
Bible in a Year:
2 Chronicles 14-16
Many health and fitness centers expect a flood of people to join every January who will come only a few times. They don’t mind if people pay the fee and never return. But fitness trainer Jesse Jones takes the opposite approach. If you sign up and don’t show up, he will terminate your membership. Jones says, “Save your money. Come see me in a few months when you’re serious. My passion is not for another three-month payment . . . we’re making people accountable to reach their goals.”
In Luke 9:57-62, we encounter three people who told Jesus they wanted to follow Him, and all received what seem to be harsh replies from the Lord: “The Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head” v.58. “Let the dead bury their own dead” (v.60). “No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God” (v.62). For each person, Jesus stated the sacrifice and commitment required to become His disciple.
A man I admire as a dedicated and sensitive follower of Christ says that Christians need to be “ready for radical commitment and change.” The Lord calls us not only to leave the status quo, but also to take that calling seriously by following Him.
Lord, I want to be sold out for You. I want tolove You with my whole heart, soul, mind, andstrength. Give me the power to be who You want meto be, and to walk in Your ways.Following Jesus demands our all.
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True Religion
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Apr 26, 2012 3:59 am
156 Views
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Read: James 1:19-27
Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world. —James 1:27
Bible in a Year:
2 Chronicles 10-13
I recently saw an ad for a brand of clothing geared toward youth. It consists of blue jeans and all the accessories designed to go with them. There is nothing novel about that. What got my attention, however, was the name of this clothing line. It is called “True Religion.” That caused me to stop and think. Why was that name chosen? Am I missing some deeper significance? What is the connection between a brand of jeans and true religion? What do they mean by it? My musings left me with questions for which I had no answers.
I am thankful that the book of James is clear when describing true religion or true faith: “Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world” (1:27). That is refreshing. “True religion”—genuine faith—is an expression of how we relate to our God. One evidence of our new identity in Christ is the way we care for one another—reaching to the most frail and vulnerable among us, to those most in need of help.
True religion is not a garment to be taken on and off. It is a lofty challenge about how we live before a holy God and others.
True religion is to know
The love that Christ imparts;
True religion is to show
His love to burdened hearts. You don’t advertise your religion by wearing a label—
you do it by living a life
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Everything Is Beautiful
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Apr 25, 2012 4:31 am
149 Views
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Read: Joel 2:18-27
I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten. —Joel 2:25
Bible in a Year:
2 Chronicles 7-9
The beauty of the black lacy design against the pastel purple and orange background grabbed my attention. The intricacy of the fragile pattern led me to assume that it had been created by a skilled artist. As I looked more closely at the photo, however, I saw the artist admiring his work from a corner of the photo. The “artist” was a worm, and its work of art was a partially eaten leaf.
What made the image beautiful was not the destruction of the leaf but the light glowing through the holes. As I gazed at the photo, I began thinking about lives that have been eaten by the “worms” of sin. The effects are ravaging. Sin eats away at us as we suffer the consequences of our own bad choices or those of others. We are all its victims.
But the photo also reminded me of the hope we have in God. Through the prophet Joel, God said to Israel, “I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten” (Joel 2:25). And from Isaiah we learn that the Lord appointed him to “console those who mourn in Zion, to give them beauty for ashes”
(Isa. 61:3).
Satan does everything he can to make us ugly, but the Light of the World can make us beautiful—despite Satan’s best efforts.
Sin ravages a fruitful lifeWhen it is not addressed;But God restores and makes us rightOnce sin has been confessed. God doesn’t remove all of our imperfections,
but He makes us beautiful by shining through them.
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