Reflections on Service

Giving is an essential aspect of worship. Not giving is an undeniable proof of a shameful display of self-interest and self-serving.greediness. And the biggest smoke screen of all may be "If I had more resources, I would joyfully give. What can God do with the little I have?" Do you really think it's your money He wants?

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When I feel overloaded, I know who's trying to carry the load. Wood, hay, and straw can get very heavy

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Carnality: Self-centered involvement in the things of God.

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Is there anything more disheartening than when believers--who are supposed to be in harmony with each other--sound like a strident cacophony of dissonance? We are called to be instruments in the Master Musician's symphony, not the conductor. Not even first chair.

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"Christ in you, the hope of glory." Christ. In. You. What is it that He's asking you to do that you think is impossible? "And for this purpose also I labor, striving (agonizing), according to His working, which in power works within me."
 

Paul

The testimony of the life of Paul

GRACE!!!!!

Reflections on Doubt

Never doubt that God through our trials reveals us to ourselves. And, more importantly, reveals to us how He sees us and how deeply He longs for us to draw nigh to Him.
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"Christ in you, the hope of glory." Christ. In. You. What is it that He's asking you to do that you think is impossible? "And for this purpose also I labor, striving (agonizing), according to His working, which in power works within me."
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God is not afraid of specific prayer requests. Praying in generalities too often reveals my distrust of His love and wisdom. (Not to mention His omniscience.) "Lord, help my unbelief."  Maybe I don't see answers to prayer because I actually never ask Him for anything? 
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The ultimate test of our faith and love and worship is will we do anything that God asks us to do--without hesitation. Like Abraham, will we rise "early in the morning" to follow His command, to journey to the mountain of sacrifice. 
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We are too quick to question God's wisdom and love in the midst of the trial. May the Spirit empower us to always testify to what we know is true about our God--even at the height of the struggle, in our darkest hour. He will prove to be exactly who He claims to be--and more. Like Job, bow the knee to His presence.and His power. 
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 God can turn the laughter of doubt into the laughter of joy. In quiet humility count your Isaacs. And laugh with joy.

Joshua

The testimony of the life of Joshua:

You are not called to be the next Moses but to just be Joshua.
You are not condemned to repeat the past. The children of the faithless generation were unreservedly faithful.
Leaders need a servant's heart.
The Promised Land is the place of battle.
God took care of your tomorrows yesterday.
There is always a time to wait.
Build memorials as a testimony to your children--and your children's children.
Keep your word.
My responsibility: "Be strong, and very courageous!"
His promise: "I will be with you; I will not fail or forsake you."
Key to victory: saturate yourself with His Word.
Sin among God's people affects everyone.
God uses our failures to give us the victory.
Everything God says about Himself is true. Count on Him.
The battle is not to the strong but "to the true and the faithful victory is promised through grace."
Walls are for falling down.
The faithfulness that brings victory: love the Lord, walk in all His ways, keep His commandments, hold fast to Him, serve Him with all your heart and all your soul.
He alone is The Captain. The victory and the glory are His--alone.

A Deadly Warfare

I fight a constant battle: contentment against ingratitude. And I fight it in a variety of venues. Sometimes jealousy creeps into my thoughts. I see someone with the same gift that God has given me, but I wish my gift was more like his or hers. Or sometimes the battle is just plain envy. I see what someone else has that I don't, and I want it--even believe that I deserve it. Certainly more than that person does. Once in awhile it comes in the guise of fear. I imagine my future and it looks bleak. It is most definitely not going to be what I had planned. How could God let that happen? How dare He let it happen. I have been faithful. And, of course, sometimes the battle is fought over my past--the things I've lost--things that other people still have and enjoy--but I can never have again. Jealousy and envy all wrapped up in one horrible weight of anger. The tragedy of such a battle is that nothing undermines my relationship with God more surely than a heart of ingratitude. Ingratitude denies God's love, questions His wisdom, eats away at my faith, affects my love for others, and slowly destroys my trust and confidence in my Savior's provision. And what makes it even more dangerous to my relationship with Him is that I can lose this battle by not doing anything wrong. I'm just thinking wrong. I can still be reading my Bible, praying, using the gifts He has graciously given me; and yet, I can be drifting away from the intimacy with Him that is the source of my joy and strength. I can be a "busy, busy" Christian without the slightest sense of His presence in my life and daily walk. Ice cold Christianity hidden in the sweat of activity. And with a mind filled with rebellion. Yes, ingratitude is pernicious rebellion.
How can I win this most frightful battle? Certainly not with an increase in religious busyness. Certainly not by telling myself that I don't experience such a warfare in my thought life. How then? I must take every thought captive to obedience. I must "in everything give thanks." Too simple, you say? Never doubt the simplicity that is in Christ Jesus--His eternal love, infinite wisdom, and empowering grace. All those treasures saturate my life only through daily obedience. Thankfully He made me uniquely who I am, placed me uniquely where He needs me to be that His eternal plan for the ages might be fulfilled through me for His glory. I am not an accident. He doesn't need the other person where He has placed me. He created me for this. Thankfully He has given me everything I need for godliness. Thankfully He has given me more than I need to live a life filled with joyful contentment. And my imagined future is just that--imagined. And honestly, in human terms, it may be "worse" than I imagine. But thankfully He will be there with me..He will never leave me or forsake me. The God of all comfort--all comfort--is my God. He is always by my side. No, He is always living in me. The things that I've lost? They would have been obstacles to my deepening relationship with Him. Idols. His preeminence in my life would have been thwarted by their presence. Thankfully through the losses I have found Him faithful. Loyal. I have found His lovingkindness to be my most important "possession."

Every night down on your knees thank Him that He has made you uniquely you, uniquely His servant to accomplish His will at this time and in this place. He didn't have to.

Every night down on your knees thank Him that He has provided for you all that you need spiritually and physically to live a life of joyful contentment. Today. All day.

Every night down on your knees thank Him that He will be at the center of your future. His presence in your life is inescapable. You will never be alone.

Every night down on your knees thank Him that He has lovingly and wisely taken out of your life those things that would be a hindrance to a deepening, satisfying relationship with Him. No matter how "good" they seemed to be to you.

It is a daily battle. Fought subtly in your thoughts Won by obedience: "In everything give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus." Love, the foundation for a deepening relationship with Him, is impossible without obedience.

Is

The fruit of the Spirit is

Love always forgives.
Joy's love of God is unquenchable, anticipates the rainbow.
Peace fights the battle with the weapons love and joy.
Patience understands that the circumstances are not an accident and so never stops loving the people in his life, never stops rejoicing as he rebuilds the walls.
Kindness is motivated by love, energized by joy, and not perturbed by the need to be patient.
Goodness obeys the commandments out of love, finds obedience a source of joy, is at peace with the reactions to his obedience, patiently intercedes in prayer for those struggling with obedience, has a kind, tender heart toward all men wherever they are in their walk with God.
Faithfulness knows that love and obedience are inseparable, joyfully endures all things, shares the gospel of peace, patiently waits on God's leading, spontaneously and humbly responds in kindness to criticism, does good to all men.
Gentleness leaves the fragrance of love wherever it goes, exudes a joyful strength, covets peace with all men, patiently seeks the one gone astray, in kindness and goodness stoops to lift up the wounded, faithfully carries someone as far as they need to be carried.
Self-control loves unconditionally, rejoices in the Lord regardless of the circumstances, is at peace at the end of the line, patiently strives for excellence, kindly refuses to respond in anger, knows goodness requires the pursuit of the right treasures, faithfully lives within the boundaries of enough, radiates gentleness at all times to all people.

The fruit of the Spirit is.

Reflections on Waiting

"My soul waits in silence for God only; from Him is my salvation. He only is the rock and my salvation, my stronghold; I shall not be greatly shaken."---Standing in faith on the Rock makes one earthquake proof in the tremors of life.
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"And in the shadow of Thy wings, I will take refuge." "Under His wings you can safely abide."
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"The Lord will command His lovingkindness in the daytime; and His song will be with me in the night, a prayer to the God of my life."--"Moment by moment you're kept in His care"; all day and all night His lovingkindness will make your heart sing. 
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"Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He will do it."---commit, trust, and watch Him work. 
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"Better is the little of the righteous than the abundance of many wicked."--for the wicked to own the whole world is not enough to satisfy, let alone save. 
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"Be still, and wait longingly for Him."--God is worth waiting for. 

David

The testimony of the life of David:

Man looks on the outward appearance, God looks on the heart.
God wants leaders who know how to be shepherds.
There are consequences for sin--no matter who you are. Even the man with a heart like God's heart, if he lets down his guard, can be ensnared by devastating sins.
Honor the king--even the Sauls.
A heart like God's heart is a singing heart. "I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be on my lips."
See His majesty and His glory in the beauty of His creation. Be in awe.
Those who trust in God and are committed to His glory need never fear the giants.
A broken heart and a contrite spirit God will never despise.
Consequences for sin do not frustrate God's grace. Their second son was named Solomon.
"Against You and You only have I sinned."
All great leaders have spent time in the wilderness.
He is my Rock, my Strong Tower, my Refuge, my Light, my Salvation, my Portion, my Shepherd. "I shall not want."
"As the deer pants for the waters, so my heart pants for Thee." Those who "hunger and thirst for righteousness will be filled."
His goodness and mercy follow me. He is my Shepherd. He leads me. I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Past, present, future--even the eternal future; I am in His care--my life immersed in His love.
A heart like God's heart: humbled by His choice, devoted to His glory, reliant on His strength, patient in the midst of His training, fearless in the face of the enemy, enraptured by His Word, broken over one's sin, confident in His forgiveness, steadfast to the end.

Grace vs. Sin

Every day in my life and in the world around me there is a battle taking place between grace and sin. No matter what anyone may claim, if he or she does not believe in sin, they do not believe in grace. The stronger of the two "combatants" is grace. The impact of sin is always negative, destructive, deceitful, temporary pleasure. The impact of grace is a recognition of, and an immersion in, God's eternal love, daily edification, strengthening growth, and a freedom that only truth can impart. Grace's "weapon"? Forgiveness. Forgiving all those who have sinned against me in any way--whether they've asked for it or not. Seeking forgiveness from all those I have sinned against in any way, deliberately or ignorantly. And perhaps the most difficult one--because of the magnificence of His grace, forgiving myself.

"Thanks be to God who has given us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!"

"Grace, grace, God's grace; grace that is greater than all my sin."

"Though sin is shown to be wide and deep, thank God His grace is wider and deeper still!"

Preeminence

Christ is preeminent in The Gospel. He is its very heart. "There is no other name given among men by which you must be saved." "In whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sin."
He is the preeminent Person--"the image of the invisible God."
He is preeminent in creation. "For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether throne or dominions or rulers or authorities--all things have been created by Him and for Him. And He has existed prior to all things, and in Him all things hold together."
He is preeminent in the church. "He is also head of the body, the church."
He is preeminent in history. "He made from one, every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times, and the boundaries of their habitation."
He is preeminent in our every breath. "For in Him we live and move and are."
He is preeminent in justice. "He has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness."
He is preeminent in our spiritual walk. "Filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding so that you may walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work"
He is preeminent in all knowledge and wisdom. "In the beginning was the Word." "In whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge."
He is preeminent in our daily provision. "The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want."
He is preeminent in our calling. "Without Me, you can do nothing."
He is preeminent in our glorification. "When we see Him, we shall be like Him for we will see Him as He is." "When Christ who is our life is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory."
He is preeminent in our unity. "there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and freeman, but Christ is all in all."
He is preeminent in our eternal security. "He is able to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them."
He is the preeminent sacrifice. "He, having offered one sacrifice for sin for all time, sat down forever at the right hand of God."

"Why do you call Me, "Lord, Lord," and do not the things I say?"

John

The testimony of the life of John:

The most important, life-transforming choice is an all-out pursuit of an ever deepening relationship with Him.
Don't be afraid to identify yourself with Him. Stand boldly at the foot of the cross.
If you know Him and are "acquainted" with His power, you will recognize Him even from the boat--"It's the Lord!"
"All those who live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution."
Worship only Him--everywhere, all the time..
The prayer of your heart should be: "Even so, come Lord Jesus."
Rest your weary, troubled head close to His heart.
To sacrifice your life for the brethren is to give of your stuff to meet their needs.
You do not love God any more than you love His children--all of them.
Know a godly widow? "Behold your mother!"
Live a life full of grace and truth--make the invisible God visible.
"He is not here. He has risen, as He said!" It is an empty tomb! I serve a risen Savior.
He is The Word, The Water of Life, The Bread of Life, The Good Shepherd, The Resurrection and the Life, The True Vine, the Righteous Advocate. And He is all of those all the time. For you.
You are the disciple whom Jesus loves.

Abraham

The testimony of the life of Abraham:

If He sends you, go! It doesn't matter where; He'll go before you to prepare the way, and He'll be with you wherever "there" is. Go!
Believe in the impossible.
Let God make your name great.
God's promises for you may not be fulfilled while you still walk this earth. But they will most certainly be fulfilled.
The sovereign God of infinite love and wisdom has a plan for your children, your grandchildren, your great-grandchildren, your great-great . . .
Four kings are no match for the one who serves The King.
His Name is Jehovah-Jireh--He will provide.
Intercede for the righteous.
Display hospitality always. Who knows who the "stranger" might be?
Obedience to God is love in action--the first commandment lived.
Obedience is the expression of your confidence in the love and provision of God.
Obedience goes hand-in-hand with willing sacrifice.
Don't try to fulfill God's promises in your own strength and wisdom. Disastrous.
Your culture does not define right and wrong.
As you read the Scriptures, count the stars.
Rest in God's faithfulness: "Abraham died at a good old age, an old man and satisfied with life."
The list of priorities for disciples: obey, obey, obey, obey, obey, obey, obey.

Mary, Lazarus' Sister

The testimony of the life of Mary, sister to Lazarus

The one--yes, the one--needed thing is to sit at the feet of Jesus. All spiritual growth and maturity springs from the depth of your relationship with Him.
All that happens in our lives--yes, all that happens--flows from His love for us and His desire to use us to glorify Him--to, through our lives, make His presence and power known to all who know us.
He weeps with those who weep.
We sorrow--that's not a sin or a lack of faith--because our sorrow has a sure hope. We know the answer to the question: "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?" No one. No power. No circumstances. No amount of time or space. Nothing. "In a love that cannot cease; I am His, and He is mine."
Busyness is not a sign of spirituality or of devotion to Him.
Those who are committed to learning at His feet will find their most vocal critics to be other believers dedicated to busyness.
In your deepest sorrows fall at His feet in submission to His will.
Thank yous should be expressed in humble, sacrificial, acts of worship.
"Give of your best to the Master." Extravagantly.
When we pray, He hears us.
All those that we have temporarily lost are in the loving care of The Resurrection and the Life.

Gideon

The testimony of the life of Gideon:

God looks at you and says, "Hail, man (or woman) of valor!" And He knows who you are as His child.
You can't hide from God.
"I am the youngest in my father's house." Age in God's army is irrelevant.
Telling God what He already knows won't change His assignment for you.
You think you're afraid? You should sense the fear deep within the heart of the enemy.
If you want victory, the idols have got to go. Not into storage. Into ashes.
Sometimes it works "backwards." The son can encourage the father.
God's not reluctant to encourage your heart. Nor impatient in doing so.
Be vigilant. Keep your head up, looking for the roaring lion. Resist the enemy and he will flee from you.
When you step out in obedience, you will find that you are not alone. It was 301 courageous men who attacked Midian, not just one.
Don't be afraid to shout in the darkness on the mountain: "The Lord has given us the victory!" And shine those lights.

Moses

The testimony of the life of Moses:

Never underestimate the courage of godly parents.
It is not enough to know God's will for your life; you must submit to doing it His way and in His timing.
God will patiently train us until He's ready to use us. Don't despise the time of training no matter how long it takes or how arid the backside of the desert.
When God says "Now, is the time. Act!" Don't hem-haw around and make excuses. Get to Egypt!
Never fear a pharaoh.
On the other side of the Red Sea--Sing!!!
God's glory--His preeminence--is always more important than your prominence among men.
Train your Joshuas.
In order to do God's will, you will have to do some difficult, painful things.
Meekness is not a synonym for weakness. Meekness is a synonym for humility.
Yearn for the one thing--to see the glory of God. Let it shine through you.
Love God's people--no matter what they do or say against you. Let God defend you. He will be your Shield and your Rock. You be their intercessor--for His sake.
Remember the importance of the next generation.
His presence is always with you. Stay where you are when He says stay. Get up and move when He says move. Let Him be your Pillar of Fire.
On your face before Him, speak to your God, face-to-face. He is your Friend, your Brother, your Savior, your Sustainer, your Strength. "No one ever cared for you like Jesus."

Daniel

The testimony of Daniel's life:

Trust in the power of intercessory prayer. It is the ordained way to identify with God's people in their triumphs and in their struggles.
Honor the king.
If he asks, lovingly tell him the whole truth.
The greatest earthly empires are under the complete control of the Sovereign Almighty God. He sets them up. He brings them down with a crash.
Honor the King.
The future of the world is in His hands.
Teenager? Old man? Anywhere in between? God's power in a person's life has no age restrictions.
Just because someone else's decisions have put you in difficult circumstances, a life of obedience must be embraced. God will honor such a choice. "Defeat" can be turned into a victorious life.
God is with us in our trials.
If God be for me, who can be against me? I will not fear what man can do to me.
Godly friends make a difference--a huge difference.
The strongest, most arrogantly confident king--God can humble in an instant.
Our behavior in "secular" things should be above reproach. Our lives of commitment to excellence makes "secular" things holy.
True faith always brings glory to God, not a man.

Reflections on Joy

If I'm lacking joy in my walk, there's a simple reason. I'm living such a self-centered life that there's no room for the joy. Joy comes into our heart when we are focused on pouring ourselves out for the needs of others.
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I do not have to be in complete agreement on every issue with every believer in order to share the mind of Christ. The mind of Christ: I will willing set aside all my rights and privileges in order to do God's will. I will be a genuine, spontaneous servant to those around me. I will commit myself to a Spirit empowered life of service to others until my ministry is finished and Christ calls me home.

"Let this mind be in you that was also in Christ Jesus." Yes, that's a command.
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In context, the command "do all things without murmuring and disputing" is a command that directly affects our ability to be lights to the world in which we live. Do your unsaved friends, neighbors, fellow workers see you as a complainer--a murmurer and disputer? Then, they do not see you as a light to the world holding forth the light of the Gospel. How tragic is it to believe we are holding forth the light when in actuality we have hidden our light--His Light--under the basket of contentiousness?
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"For God so loved the world that He gave . . ." God's love is a lifestyle characterized by humble, joy-filled obedience, humble service to others, the humble release of all that we are and all that we have to His purposes, and the humble bowing of our knees to the will of God each and every day. And you know how you bow your knees, don't you?
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 Joy--true joy--is meant to be shared.
  

Ruth

The testimony of Ruth's life

Honor your mother-in-law.
God applauds loyalty.
God honors the man who is generous toward the poor.
Those who seek God--"your God, my God"--find Him always gracious to embrace them in His loving arms and always anxious to involve them in His eternal plans.
Honor the alien in the land.
There is refuge under His wings. There you may safely abide.
The grace of God: A daughter of Moab--one of Israel's implacable enemies--marries the son of Rahab--the Canaanite prostitute of Jericho who feared the Lord. And centuries later "unto you a Son is born"--the Savior of the world. Behold our Redeemer.
His ways are not our ways. But His ways are always flawless.
God can use anyone regardless of their past, their ethnicity, their gender. All that matters to Him is a present tense desire to walk by faith.

Peter

The testimony of Peter's life:

Never hurts to stop and think for a moment before you speak.
Beware of spiritual boasting.
God knows you better than you know yourself.
No matter how egregious your failure the Savior's response is: "Move on. Feed My sheep. I want and need you in the workings of My kingdom." (Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.)
Failure is the bedrock on which God builds faithfulness.
If God needs you elsewhere, jails will not hold you. Kings cannot stop you.
Jews, Samaritans, Gentiles--the gospel is for everyone. Take it to them eagerly.
Defend God's message of grace.
Beware of how subtly legalism can creep back into your walk.
Go where God sends you no matter what others might think.
God can turn a willing vessel from a denier into a dynamic, fearless messenger of the gospel.
Failed? God knows that you love Him.

Esther

The testimony of Esther's life:

Where you are in history is not an accident. Time wise and place wise.
Who you are is not chance.
God has His plan for your life.
God is always active in the history of the nations even if you can't see His sovereignty at work.
The heart of the king is in God's hands.
God will use the wrath of men to praise His Name.
He is omnipotent.
Difficult choices must be bathed in prayer.
Acts of genuine faith leave the outcome in the hands of God.
None of the conniving enemies of God could keep the Messiah from coming the first time He came. They will fare no better in stopping His second coming.
Times of prosperity are a test of our faith as well as times of struggle.

Caleb

Caleb's testimony:
 
Everything God said about Himself was absolutely true.
The disobedience of others only heightens your responsibility to continue to obey.
God is faithful.
Men-pleasers are deadly. So are murmurers. You will never find a faithful disciple among such men.
Submission to God's will brings victory--in His timing.
Strength infused with humility are inseparable attributes of the confident saint--the saint who is unafraid to face giants.
Even if the failures of others has you trudging through the wilderness, God can be trusted.
Blessed is the man or woman who is fully committed to following wherever God leads--no matter what.

The God of Today

Remember, He is the God of today.
Today, He is the Good Shepherd. He will be providing for your needs, leading you to rest, protecting you with His rod and staff, walking with you wherever you go.
Today, He is the Living Word. He will remind you of His wisdom. Bring to your heart His words of comfort. All wisdom and truth are found in Him--today, Does He have a panacea for all your struggles? Yes, trust and obey. Today.
Today, He is the Bread of Life. "Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good." Today He will nourish your soul. Today He is your contentment.
Today, He is the Water of Life. His Spirit, the Ever-flowing Indwelling, Spring of His Presence, will slake your thirst for righteousness by empowering you to obey, by , strengthening you to endure, by satisfying you with a sense of His inner presence. Today His Spirit's guarantees--assures your heart--that you will forever be alive in Christ.
Today, He is the Resurrection and the Life. "The one that believes in Me shall never perish." All those that fall asleep in Him today will begin living the joys of the Eternal Day. Comfort one another with these words, with this promise--today.
Today, He is the True Vine. As you abide in Him, practice His presence, He will make you a bearer of eternal fruit, transform you into His likeness, lavish you with His love, encourage you with the answers to your prayers.
Today, He is the Way--follow Him; the Truth--believe and trust Him; the Life--"Christ in you, the hope of glory." "I am crucified with Christ; nevertheless, I live. Yet, not I, but Christ lives in me." Each and every day.

He is the I Am. For Today. For your Today.