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21 September 2023 07:01

Being friends with God (2)

“If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you.” Ex 33:13 NIV
 
Here is more of Moses’ friendly talk with God: “If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you.” Moses is in a national crisis that could end Israel’s relationship with God, and what is he praying for? Not, “God, I’m in a tough spot. You have to resolve this for me!” But, “teach me your ways so I may know you!” Moses wants more than just to know God’s awesome works. His heart cries out to know God’s heart and what makes it tick—the inner ways of God. “To know Him” includes all the other things Moses could ever seek, including the solution to his problem. And God gave him what he asked. “He made known his ways unto Moses” (Ps 103:7). Here is more of that conversation: God responded, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest” (v. 14 NIV). That “you” in the Hebrew is singular. God promised to accompany Moses and give rest to him. Anybody else would have accepted gladly. Not Moses. His prayer was bigger than his own concerns. “If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here” (v. 15 NIV). In other words, “Lord, it’s not for me I’m praying; it’s for us!” And God answered that prayer. Are your prayers bigger than yourself and your own needs? The Bible says, “For God so loved the world” (Jn 3:16). Do you pray for your town, nation, and the world? You have been called to and you should!

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19 September 2023 12:10

Being friends with God (1)
“I know you by name and you have found favor with me.” Ex 33:12 NIV
 
Moses talked with God like a friend, sharing what he felt and thought. And God wanted it that way. Here is how the conversation went: “Moses said to the Lord, ‘You have been telling me, “Lead these people,”…‘You have said, “I know you by name and you have found favor with me.”’” Moses is mirroring back to God what God had previously said to him. Remember saying to your spouse or your best friend, “You were the one who said…”? That’s what Moses is doing here: reminding God of His own words. And God wants you to remember His Word and to speak it back to Him (See Isa 43:26). Not because He needs to be reminded but because you do! And because His Word is the only Word that He is committed to fulfill (See Mt 24:35). When you pray using God’s Word, you are praying in His will, and you’re guaranteed to get a hearing. So, learn and memorize Scriptures that touch on your needs and desires, and when you talk to God, recall them, and pray them back to Him. For example, when you pray, “Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours” (Mk 11:24 NIV), God will acknowledge it! The more you learn of His Word, the more your prayer time will conform to His will and the more you will feel aligned with Him. Keep your Bible handy when you talk to God so that He can direct your thoughts to the words He wants you to pray.

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17 September 2023 07:01

Pick the right people

“These were…the mighty men whom David had.” 1Ch 11:10 NKJV
 
Success in any endeavor calls for surrounding yourself with the right people. That’s why you should always seek God’s input in your relationships. Rehoboam should have listened to the advice of his father Solomon’s wise and experienced inner circle. Instead he heeded the advice of those who agreed with his own opinion—and it proved fatal. David, on the other hand, chose people who helped make him great. “These were…the mighty men whom David had, who strengthened themselves with him in his kingdom, with all Israel, to make him king, according to the word of the Lord concerning Israel” (v. 10 NKJV). Notice four important things here: (1) David built a strong inner circle before he needed it. He started building his team long before he was crowned. (2) He attracted people with varied gifts. He reached for them, rewarded them, and wasn’t intimidated by those who had skills that differed from his. With the help of these “mighty men,” David felt ready for anything. (3) He cultivated loyalty. He drew people close to him, shared his life with them, and in the end, they were willing to lay their lives on the line for him. (4) He delegated responsibility based on ability. Because he was secure in his own identity and calling, David wasn’t afraid to delegate authority and responsibility to those around him. In the beginning some of his mighty men were misfits, but he transformed this ragtag group into a winning team (See 1Sa 22:1-2). David made his inner circle great, and in turn his inner circle made him great. So, the word for you today is—pick the right people!

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15 September 2023 07:01

Don’t burn out (2)

“I give thanks to Him Who has granted me…strength and made me able [for]…the ministry.” 1Ti 1:12 AMPC
 
Another form of burnout is “compassion fatigue,” and people helpers are the most vulnerable. Symptoms include the belief that you’re no longer effective, treating yourself and others with detachment, withdrawing from your responsibilities, avoiding social and interpersonal contact, and feeling “beaten.” If you’re a type-A personality to start with, you’re at even greater risk. One counselor says driven people often “suffer from an ‘adrenaline addiction’ and unconsciously look for ways to get little surges, similar to the high people get from alcohol, caffeine, and nicotine, except they get their highs from controlling people and making complex decisions…Spiritual causes of stress include sexual temptation, anger, and despair, jealousy of other people’s success, and anxiety about finances. Pastors are often placed on pedestals…and these expectations can’t be met. So in an effort to please, they become too goal-oriented for their people…or too accommodating of their spiritual slackness…they become perfectionists…overdeveloping one side of their ministry or identifying so closely with their calling that it falls apart. Your body gives you warning signals; insomnia, digestive problems, headaches, fatigue, muscle tension, teeth grinding, and high blood pressure. Sadly, it seldom slows the victim down—until an ulcer, stroke, or heart attack occur. As a leader, you need to spend as much time with the strong as the weak; they give you strength and support…they can be trained for ministry…and having more hands on deck enhances the spiritual and emotional health of your church.”

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13 September 2023 07:00

Keep your hope alive (2)

“Hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit.” Ro 5:5 NKJV
 
Jon Walker says: “I’ve struggled with my weight most of my life. I’ve dropped weight and put it back on. I’ve tried every diet, and made up some of my own. I maintained a friendly battle with weight until I became extremely ill, and for a year I was unable to walk beyond the mailbox. Needless to say, I gained more weight than ever and found myself facing a huge challenge. I needed to lose more pounds than there are days in a month. With age nipping at my heels…it wasn’t as easy to drop the pounds as it used to be, and I found myself feeling hopeless—the kind of hopelessness that makes you think, ‘What’s the use? I might as well not even try.’ No doubt you can relate, not necessarily to the weight issue, but to the hopelessness. Maybe you’re in a stressful marriage…or facing health issues that have you thinking ‘What’s the use?’ Or in a frustrating job…or facing a difficult family situation…or wondering if you’ll ever get good enough grades to graduate…or dealing with the death of the most important person in your life…or struggling through so many failed attempts to have a child. Here’s the truth: We serve a God of hope, and it’s a hope that won’t ‘disappoint [us].’ It’s not based on feelings; it’s rooted in a relationship with the One who can be trusted above all others. We wait together for this unseen hope, knowing the God of hope will not abandon or ‘disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit.’”

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11 September 2023 07:00

Fulfilling God’s plan for your life

“Make sure you understand what the Master wants.” Eph 5:17 MSG
 
To fulfill God’s plan for your life, you need to do these: (1) Map out your day. Plan your time and stick to your plan. Only one out of three people do that. One leadership expert says, “It’s…rare…that I get up in the morning wondering what I’ll be doing that day.” That’s why he is a leader—and an expert! (2) Keep first things first. Goethe said, “Things which matter most must never be at the mercy of things which matter least.” Most of us don’t get to our most important tasks until midafternoon. We complete low-priority tasks first so we will have a sense of accomplishment. That’s unwise. And if you plan your day but don’t follow through, your results will be the same as those who don’t plan at all. As Dwight Eisenhower observed, “Taking first things first…often reduces the most complex human problem to a manageable proportion.” (3) Be focused but flexible. Expect the unexpected and learn to adapt. Conditions constantly change, and so must your methods of getting things done. (4) Learn to delegate. People fall into two categories: clingers and dumpers. Clingers refuse to let go of anything they think is important, whether or not they’re the best person for the job. Their goal is perfection. Dumpers, on the other hand, are quick to off-load tasks without giving much thought to how well the job gets done. Their goal is to get it off their desk ASAP. Proper delegation calls for being wise, secure in who you are, and generous toward others. It also means the job gets done right—and in the end, that is what you want.

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09 September 2023 07:01

The power of a shared faith

“Can two walk together, unless they are agreed?” Am 3:3 NKJV
 
If you want to know how the person you’re marrying will look twenty-five years from now, look at their parents and you will get a clue. Regular exercise and good diet will only take you so far, then Mother Nature and Father Time begin to take their toll. The truth is that looks may bring you together, but only commitment and a shared faith will keep you together! The Bible says, “Don’t team up with those who are unbelievers. How can righteousness be a partner with wickedness? How can light live with darkness? What harmony can there be between Christ and the devil? How can a believer be a partner with an unbeliever?” (2Co 6:14-15 NLT). That doesn’t mean the two of you must hold identical views on every issue and practice your faith in similar ways. But you need the same values and views regarding the fundamentals of your faith—how you view God, the role of the church, and personal practices. “Can two walk together, unless they are agreed?” Faith is that indescribable strength, that secret weapon of the soul that allows us to persevere even when the facts seem damning and the truth unbearable. It’s what keeps us going when we’re not sure we can continue. It’s the light that leads us out of the darkness, and the map that guides our way. Without faith we would probably pull over to the side of the road, give up, and watch everyone else pass us by. But when we trust in the Lord and believe that He will guide us, there is almost nothing we cannot withstand and walk through together.

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07 September 2023 07:01

God can cancel your past (3)

“It is finished!” Jn 19:30 NIV
 
One of Christ’s last declarations from the cross was, “It is finished.” That phrase comprises just one word in Greek, tetelestai, meaning “paid in full.” It was the word merchants wrote on a bill when it was canceled. It was also the word stamped on a document announcing that a prison sentence had been commuted. Jesus paid the price in full for every sin you have ever committed! “There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Ro 8:1 NIV). The question is, if God forgets your sin the second you confess it, don’t you think you should forget it too? How long do you think about an invoice you have paid? You forget it the minute you have paid it. Similarly, since Christ has paid your bill in full, you don’t need to remember it anymore. Paul, who once described himself as “chief among sinners” (See 1Ti 1:15), wrote, “Forgetting what is behind…I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward” (Php 3:13-14 NIV). We can short-circuit God’s power in our lives by not trusting that He has truly forgiven us or by deciding not to forgive ourselves. Why do we do that? Sometimes because of how we were raised. Our parents told us, “I forgive you,” but they constantly brought it up. Good news: Your heavenly Father is different from your earthly parents. When He forgives your sin, He expunges your record, cancels your past, can’t remember it, doesn’t talk about it, and will never bring it up again. So, today accept His forgiveness. And if you need to, forgive yourself and move on.

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05 September 2023 15:48

God can cancel your past (1)

“He canceled the record of the charges against us.” Col 2:14 NLT
 
Jesus “canceled the record of the charges against us…by nailing it to the cross.” The word “cancel” means to remove, to neutralize, to offset something. Have you ever gotten most of the way through a project and wished you could start over? Suppose you were painting the den, and you stepped back and looked at the color on the sample chart. On the wall, however, it doesn’t look the same. You wish you could redo it. Many of us feel that way about life, as one author describes it: “‘I’ve made so many mistakes. I wish I could just wipe them out and start over.’ Failures, problems, bad decisions—we have all suffered from them. But some people can’t let go of the past, and as a result, they let their past limit their present opportunities. They live in a constant state of regret, continually lamenting, ‘If only I hadn’t done that’ or ‘If only I had made these changes.’ They repeatedly second-guess themselves. And they are tormented by painful memories. ‘I blew it, and I’m going to be paying for it for the rest of my life.’” You may choose to carry guilt, but you don’t have to! The moment you put your trust in Christ, He “cancels the record” of your past. Actually, you no longer have a past, you only have a future! You can lay down, once and for all, your heavy load of guilt, old hurts, and memories of mistakes. Jesus, “took it away by nailing it to the cross.” God has promised to “blot out your sins…and will never think of them again” (Isa 43:25 NLT). You must too!

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03 September 2023 18:55

Stand in faith

“All things are possible to him who believes.” Mk 9:23 NKJV
 
One day a distraught father came to Jesus and said, “My son…frequently…falls into the fire and…the water…I brought him to Your disciples, and they were not able to cure him” (Mt 17:15-16 AMPC). Notice, he never once said, “Maybe my son inherited this problem from me” or “Perhaps if I had raised him differently.” No, he dumped the responsibility onto the disciples, who were themselves in training. Whenever we’re in trouble, we like to blame the pastor, the church, our mate, our boss, our family, our looks, our social status, or find some other excuse. We’re unable or unwilling to admit that we stuck our own hand in the fire or almost drowned by jumping in headfirst when we couldn’t swim. After Jesus healed the boy, His disciples asked Him, “Why can’t we do the things you do?” (See Mt 17:19). That’s like asking, “Why isn’t my marriage working?” or “How come I’m still in debt?” or “Why isn’t my life going as planned?” Jesus replied, “Because your faith is too small” (Mt 17:20 NCV). Sometimes you need the kind of faith that makes you seem a little weird; the kind that doesn’t need other people’s approval and doesn’t care whether or not you fit in. That’s the kind of faith that made Noah say, “Even though there has never been rain and nobody in my generation believes, I’m still going to do what God said.” As a result, he came out on top! Paul writes, “Having done all…stand” (Eph 6:13 NKJV). Stand on what? Stand on what God has told you in His Word, because ultimately, it’s the thing that will work.

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01 September 2023 18:58

Your loved one is with the Lord

“To be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.” 2Co 5:8 NKJV
 
Try as we might to avoid it, and as reluctant as we are to discuss it, each of us must release the hand of the one we love into the hand of the One who loves us most. But what happens when you die? What happens to you between your death and Christ’s return? Paul answers, “We don’t want you, my brothers, to be in any doubt about those who ‘fall asleep’ in death, or to grieve over them like men…who have no hope” (1Th 4:13 PHPS). Scripture is surprisingly quiet about what happens to us in the period between our death and the resurrection of our body. (It doesn’t give us enough information to satisfy our curiosity, just enough to whet our appetite). Paul writes: “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far” (Php 1:21-23 NIV). Bible scholar Anthony Hoekema says, “What Paul is saying here is that the moment he departs or dies, that very same moment he will be with Christ.” Ultimately, heaven is the greatest healing of all! Your loved ones had pain here but have no pain there. They struggled here but have no struggles there. You may wonder why God took them home, but they don’t. Now they understand. They are, at this very moment, at peace in God’s presence.

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30 August 2023 07:01

“I am disciplined and self-controlled”

“The Spirit gives us power, love, and self-control.” 2Ti 1:7 CEV
 
In order to be happy in life, you must start doing the right things and stop doing the wrong things. And one of the first things you must do is stop saying, “I just don’t have any self-control.” Self-control is a choice, and the more you choose it, the stronger it becomes. And here is the best part: The power of self-control comes from God, not you. “The Spirit gives us power, love, and self-control.” It happens automatically as you spend time with God in prayer and His Word. “Listen carefully to my words. Don’t lose sight of them. Let them penetrate deep into your heart, for they bring life to those who find them, and healing to their whole body. Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life” (Pr 4:20-23 NLT). God will give you the power to do this, but you must exercise that power each day. There is no quick fix form of self-control. Remember how many times in school you repeated your arithmetic tables before they became part of your thinking? Now you just do it automatically. Similarly, when you become educated to think as God wants you to think, you will be able to defeat the Devil and walk in victory. And the first step is to stop saying, “I just don’t have any self-control.” You will never rise above what you say! As long as you believe you’re not a disciplined person, you won’t be. So today, come into agreement with God’s Word and start saying, “I am disciplined and self-controlled.”

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28 August 2023 07:00

Jesus is coming back again!

“Come, Lord Jesus!” Rev 22:20 NKJV
 
The last promise in the Bible is, “Surely I am coming quickly” (v. 20 NKJV). The last prayer in the Bible is, “Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!” (v. 20 NKJV). Some Bible scholars believe a major prophecy concerning Christ’s return was fulfilled in 1948 when the nation of Israel was reborn (See Am 9:14). Since then, the clock of Bible prophecy has been ticking and the countdown is on. Cynics and critics sometimes say, “Christians have been telling us for hundreds of years that Jesus will return, but it hasn’t happened.” That is additional proof of Christ’s return. “In the last days scoffers…will say, ‘What happened to the promise that Jesus is coming again? From before the times of our ancestors, everything has remained the same’…But you must not forget…A day is like a thousand years to the Lord, and a thousand years is like a day. The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise…No, he is being patient…He does not want anyone to be destroyed but wants everyone to repent. But the day of the Lord will come as unexpectedly as a thief. Then the heavens will pass away with a terrible noise, and the very elements themselves will disappear in fire, and the earth and everything on it will be found to deserve judgment. Since everything around us is going to be destroyed like this, what holy and godly lives you should live, looking forward to the day of God and hurrying it along…But we are looking forward to the new heavens and new earth he has promised, a world filled with God’s righteousness” (2Pe 3:3-4, 8-13 NLT). Jesus is coming back again—be sure you’re ready.

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25 August 2023 07:00

Not self-control but Spirit control

“Let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.” Gal 5:25 NLT
 
Do you have an out-of-control appetite when it comes to money, food, nicotine, alcohol, drugs, sex, or…(you fill in the blank)? Have your repeated efforts to gain control left you with a sense of shame, failure, and hopelessness? Have all your attempts at self-control failed? Try Spirit control! “Let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions…But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control…Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives” (Gal 5:16-17, 22-25 NLT). The secret of walking in victory is in realizing these two things: (1) Self-control is not something you do for God, it’s something God does for you. (2) Self-control is not a one time work but a daily walk. Each time you say no to self and yes to God, His Spirit comes to your aid and empowers you. By choosing to obey God instead of your impulses, you activate the power that brings victory.

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23 August 2023 07:00

Don’t just pray, believe!

“You can pray for anything, and if you believe…it will be yours.” Mk 11:24 NLT
 
The Bible says, “Without faith it is impossible to please God” (Heb 11:6 NIV). God’s greatest desire is to be believed. You can pray regularly and ritually, and even feel closer to God as a result, yet not expect Him to answer your prayers or for your situation to change. Peter had been put in prison and sentenced to death, and his execution was scheduled for the next day. So, the church prayed all night for his release. And it happened miraculously. God put the guards to sleep, opened Peter’s prison door, and set him free. Yet when he appeared on the doorstep of the house where the believers were praying, they couldn’t believe it: “A servant girl…told everyone, ‘Peter is standing at the door!’ ‘You’re out of your mind!’ they said. When she insisted, they decided, ‘It must be his angel’” (Ac 12:13-15 NLT). Even the early disciples struggled to believe God would hear them. Even when the answer knocked on their door, they still hesitated. And we do too, don’t we? We struggle with prayer. We forget to pray, and when we remember, we rush through prayers with insincere words. Our thoughts disperse like a covey of quail. Why does this happen? You can pray anywhere, at any time, using your own words, and God promises to answer. So, what’s the problem? We need to realize the incredible power and potential of one praying believer: “Our weapons have power from God that can destroy the enemy’s strong places” (2Co 10:4 NCV). So don’t just pray; believe God for the answer. Then talk and act like you believe!

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20 September 2023 07:00

You can’t have a testimony without a test
“I will…test them as gold is tested.” Zec 13:9 NAS
 
If you’re being tested today, you’re in good company! Job, the most righteous man on earth, was tested beyond what most of us will ever have to endure. And when he emerged, he told God, “I heard about you from others; now I have seen you” (Job 42:5 CEV). In the heat of the furnace, you experience God up close and personal. Sheila Schuller Coleman says, “Some tests are intended to assess what we’ve learned; others are intended to teach. We learn our most profound lessons when we’re tested…Like what we’re capable of…where we need to grow…and that there’s still more to learn! When your faith is being tested, the last thing you’re thinking about is learning a lesson…you just want to survive. But the lesson we learn from Job is that when we keep our faith in the most testing of times, we’ll ‘come out as gold’ (Job 23:10 NAS). Think about it: Did you ever hear a testimony that wasn’t about someone surviving a test? James says, ‘Consider it pure joy…whenever you face trials’ (Jas 1:2 NIV). When we suffer, when people say hateful things, when we lose our homes, when we encounter rifts in our family, when the doctor calls with a dire diagnosis—the last thing we feel is joy…If anyone could speak with authority on praising God in trials, it was Paul. He was beaten, thrown into jail, and run out of town. How does your week compare to his?” When you get through this test, you will have a testimony to God’s strength and faithfulness, and be able to say, “The Lord is my God.”

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18 September 2023 07:01

Keep it simple

“I will give you shepherds…who will lead you with knowledge and understanding.” Jer 3:15 NIV
 
Seeking to impress the congregation, a young seminary graduate incorporated the biggest words he could find into his Sunday-morning sermon. It was a disaster! Stepping down from the pulpit, he met an old preacher who said, “Son, you spoke over their heads.” Irritated and defensive, the young seminarian said, “Then why don’t they stretch their necks?” To which the old preacher replied, “Jesus said, ‘Feed my sheep,’ not my giraffes!” Whether you’re in a pulpit, a classroom, a board meeting, or talking to someone one-on-one over coffee, you must decide whether your goal is to impress people—or help them. God said, “I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will lead you with knowledge and understanding.” Your aim shouldn’t be merely to communicate knowledge—but understanding. The measure of a good teacher isn’t what he or she knows—it’s what the student learns. Making things simple is a necessary skill if you want to connect with people. To put it in the words of Albert Einstein: “If you can’t explain it simply, you don’t understand it enough.” If you’re serious about trying to reach people, keep these four words firmly in mind: (1) Heart. To move someone, you must touch them on an emotional level. (2) Hope. By spelling out their potential and their possibilities, you will inspire them to try. (3) Help. Show them how to apply what you’re saying in a tangible way. (4) Humor. By laughing at your own mistakes, you let people know their problem isn’t unique—and to someone who is struggling, that can be the best feeling in the world.

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16 September 2023 07:00

Don’t burn out (3)

“In returning and rest you shall be saved.” Isa 30:15 NKJV
 
Burnout is characterized by disengagement, and stress by over-engagement. In burnout, your emotions become blunted; stress makes them over-reactive. Burnout causes emotional damage; stress primarily causes physical damage. Burnout affects motivation and drive; stress affects your physical energy. Depression from burnout comes from loss of hope and ideals; stress-related depression comes from your body’s need to conserve energy and protect itself. Burnout triggers helplessness and hopelessness; stress triggers urgency and hyperactivity. Burnout produces detachment; stress produces panic, phobias, and anxiety. Burnout may not kill you, but it makes life feel like it’s not worth living. So, what’s the answer? God said, “In returning and rest you shall be saved.” Author Bev Murrill writes: “Those of us in ministry run on our own very ‘important’ treadmills. And as the leader goes, so go the followers. That’s an awesome responsibility. Those of us whose role is to influence others need to be aware of what we say and do because we’ll ‘be judged more strictly’ (See Jas 3:1 NCV). We’re all sick of influential Christians falling into behavior that disempowers those who trusted their leaders…Whether it be sexual sin, anger, self-righteousness, or dishonesty…we need to examine ourselves instead of pointing and accusing. Spend time with the One who has the capacity to strip us down to the bare bones of our heart’s cry. It’s easy to start believing your own publicity and taking the measurement of who you are from other people’s opinions…Only God’s opinion counts, and that’s hard to discern unless you take time to stop and let him tell you.”

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14 September 2023 21:23

Don’t burn out (1)

“Many claim to have unfailing love, but a faithful person who can find?” Pr 20:6 NIV
 
Pastor Rowland Croucher writes: “The children had gone to school, my wife was off to work, and I did something I’d never done before. I turned the phone down, put a note on the door, and went back to bed. I was burned out. Within two months I had resigned my ministry…Three out of four pastors report anger, depression, fear, and alienation. The reasons include…a disparity between idealistic expectations and hard reality…lack of boundaries…workaholism…feelings of incompetence…conflict between being a leader and being a servant at the same time…‘playing it safe’ to avoid upsetting powerful parishioners…and loneliness (pastors are less likely to have a close friend than almost anybody).” Ministering in your own strength virtually guarantees you will end up as another statistic. Paul was able to go the distance and finish strong because he depended on God to give him the needed strength. One Bible teacher says avoiding burnout means (a) having a definite call on your life and a strong relationship with Jesus, (b) seeking His vision and being willing to do whatever He asks, (c) never losing sight of the people behind the work, (d) never taking your position for granted, (e) respecting the guy above you, and submitting willingly to authority, (f) knowing that you’re fulfilling God’s will and your reward is laid up in heaven, (g) having a servant’s heart, (h) putting loyalty above personal feelings, and (i) never being too big to do small things, or too small to do big things. Practice these principles and you won’t burn out.

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12 September 2023 07:01

Keep your hope alive (1)

“Grab…hope with both hands and never let go.” Heb 6:18 MSG
 
Does your situation look impossible? Are you getting ready to quit? Don’t! Emilie Batisse was seventy-nine when she was injured in a hit-and-run accident and wasn’t expected to live. When Norman Vincent Peale went to visit her, he noticed a row of brand-new poetry books that hadn’t been opened. When he asked her about them, she said, “I love poetry, but I haven’t read those…I’m saving them for my old age.” Mrs. Batisse lived to read those books many times, and when she eventually died at ninety-one, she was planning a trip to Europe. Hope is wishing for something to come true; faith is believing it will happen. Hope is wanting something so desperately that despite all evidence to the contrary, you keep believing God for it. And the remarkable thing is that the act of hoping produces a strength of its own. When Cornell University conducted a study on the effects of hope, Dr. Harold G. Wolff reported that people with hope can endure incredible burdens. One group comprised twenty-five thousand soldiers imprisoned during World War II. Subjected to forced labor, bad food, and filth, many died while others showed only slight damage. Interviews with survivors revealed a far-above-average ability to hope! How were they able to keep their hope alive? By drawing pictures of the girls they planned to marry, designing their future homes, and organizing business management seminars. Hope not only kept them well, it kept them alive! It’s easy to see why Paul describes hope as “an unbreakable spiritual lifeline, reaching past…appearances…to the very presence of God” (v. 19).

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10 September 2023 07:01

Your handbook for life!

“The commands of the Lord are clear, giving insight for living.” Ps 19:8 NLT
 
The marquee outside a little country church read: “Jesus said…” That’s it—nothing else! Obviously the custodian was interrupted before finishing the job, leaving the incomplete message for passing drivers to fill in the blank. Doubtless, some would drive by giving it little thought. The more biblically minded might search their memory for the right answer. Some might think the custodian missed an opportunity to proclaim words that can transform lives. Jesus said, “Every word I’ve spoken to you is a Spirit-word and so it is life-making” (Jn 6:63 MSG). The words of people can inform us, but only the words of God can transform us. David understood the awesome benefits of God’s Word. In Psalm 19:7-11 NLT, he tells us it’s essential for these: (1) “Reviving the soul.” God’s Word is inexhaustible, but we’re not! We wear down with time and effort, and need restoration and revitalizing. (2) “Making wise the simple.” God’s Word gives you insights for crucial, everyday decision-making. A high IQ isn’t required; the Bible is for regular and ordinary people. David said, “I have more insight than all my teachers, for Your testimonies are my meditation. I understand more than the aged, because I have observed Your precepts” (Ps 119:99-100 NAS 1995). (3) “Bringing joy to the heart” (Ps 19:8 NLT). Happiness is dependent on having the right people and circumstances in your life. But “joy” is different; it’s an inside job that comes from living by the principles of Scripture. (4) “Giving insight for living.” When you have a problem in your personal life, homelife, or working life, God’s Word offers you “insight for living.” It’s your handbook for life!

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08 September 2023 07:01

Kids and kites

“A man shall leave his father and mother.” Mt 19:5 NKJV
 
Letting go of our children is one of the toughest phases of parenting. Erma Bombeck compared it to flying a kite. “Mom and dad run down the road hoping to catch a breeze. Eventually, and with much effort, they manage to hoist the kite a few feet in the air. Just when they think it is safely underway, great danger looms. It dives toward electrical lines and twirls perilously near the trees. It is a scary moment. Then, unexpectedly, a gust of wind catches the kite and carries it upward. Mom and dad begin feeding line as rapidly as they can. The kite then becomes difficult to hold. Parents reach the end of their line and begin to wonder what to do next. The little craft demands more freedom. It rises higher and higher. Dad stands on tiptoe to accommodate the tug. It is now grasped tenuously between his index finger and thumb, held upward toward the sky. Then comes the moment of release. The string slips through his fingers, and the kite soars majestically into God’s beautiful sky. The kite is now a mere pinpoint of color in the sky. The parents are proud of what they have done—but sad to realize that their job is finished. It was a labor of love. But where did the years go?” Parenting is an exhilarating and terrifying experience, and one that was ordained from the beginning. With the ultimate release, and for this season, your task as a parent is finished. The kite is free, and so, for the first time in twenty years or so, are you. What’s next? Ask God; He has a plan for your life.

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06 September 2023 07:01

God can cancel your past (2)

“I will forgive their wickedness, and I will never again remember their sins.” Jer 31:34 NLT
 
Have you ever watched children playing with an Etch A Sketch? If they make a mess of the picture, all they have to do is turn it over to erase it; then they can start all over again. This is how God handles the mistakes you have made; He wipes the slate clean. “I will…remember their sins no more” (v. 34 NIV). This has to be one of the most wonderful statements in the Bible—that “God forgets.” When we admit our sins and ask God to forgive us, He cancels our past. He chooses to forget our wrongs, errors, and failures. Even if we died tonight, stood before God in heaven, and asked Him about a sin we committed yesterday, He would say, “What sin?” When you deny your sin, you deny God the joy of forgiving you. When you try to excuse your sin, God permits the consequences to become so painful that you will want to turn from it. But when you confess your sin, “he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1Jn 1:9 NIV). The prodigal son broke his father’s heart, squandered his inheritance, and ended in a pigpen. But his is a comeback story! His turnaround began with these words: “When he finally came to his senses, he said to himself…‘I will go home to my father and say, “Father, I have sinned’” (Lk 15:17-18 NLT). And what his father did for him, God will do for you today.

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04 September 2023 07:01

Don’t compete, and don’t compare

“He alone decides which gift each person should have.” 1Co 12:11 NLT
 
In Scripture, the church is never described as a democracy. Certainly every person deserves equal treatment in terms of kindness, love, and respect; but as our God-given assignments differ, so do our gifts. “It is the one and only Spirit who distributes all these gifts. He alone decides which gift each person should have” (v. 11 NLT). Pay close attention to the words “He alone decides.” As a parent, you want to see all your children succeed in life. But you recognize that just as their individual talents differ, so do their unique destinies. That’s why it’s a mistake to compete with or compare yourself to somebody else. The Bible says, “God was validating it [the message] with gifts…as he saw fit” (Heb 2:4 MSG). Don’t question and second-guess God; He knows what He is doing and never makes mistakes. Even among His twelve disciples, Jesus had an inner circle. He took Peter, James, and John up the Mount of Transfiguration and sent the others into town to work. He didn’t feel obligated to take everybody up the mountain so nobody would feel slighted. Does that mean He loves one person more than another? No, the experience Peter, James, and John had on the mountaintop that day was part of their training for the assignment Jesus was calling them to. There is a lesson here. You have to move beyond other people’s opinions. God made you for a special purpose; He has a job for you that nobody else can do as well as you. When you know that something is right for you, do it and trust God to vindicate you in the eyes of others.

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02 September 2023 07:00

Don’t be a mudslinger
“The slingers surrounded and attacked it.” 2Ki 3:25 NKJV
 
In Old Testament times, “slingers” were people who enjoyed going around blocking other people’s wells by throwing mud and rocks into them—wells of water that were essential to their survival. Today, mudslingers are people who make malicious attacks against others. Now, chances are that you may have encountered some “mudslingers” yourself, and even suffered at their hands. What should you do? Avoid them because they’re dangerous. You can’t mud wrestle with a pig without getting dirty. Not only will the pig win—he will enjoy the fight! And if you yourself have become a slinger, here is a portion of Scripture you would do well to read and keep in mind: “If you stop making trouble for others…then your light will shine in the darkness, [you will begin to get attention from and have influence with the right people]…The Lord will always lead you [you will begin to make the right moves]. He will satisfy your needs in dry lands [He will give you success in the most unlikely places, and in spite of adverse circumstances] and give strength to your bones [cause you to live a long and healthy life]” (Isa 58:9-11 NCV). Now there is a benefit package worth working for! So, guard your thoughts because they become your words. Guard your words because they become your actions. Guard your actions because they become your character. And guard your character because it determines the level of God’s blessing in your life. So, here is the word for you today: Don’t be a mudslinger.

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31 August 2023 07:01

When God Gives You a Vision (2)

“I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision.” Ac 26:19
 
When God gives you a vision: (1) It will interrupt you. Sometimes God will speak in a voice you can’t tune out. Other times, like Jonah, God will let you go to the bottom to get your attention. Either way, things won’t go right until you say yes to Him. (2) It will illuminate you. You may not like what God says. Ananias didn’t like going to pray for Saul of Tarsus, a man with the power to put Christians to death. But God said, “Go, for he is a chosen vessel…I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake” (Ac 9:15-16 NKJV). Notice the word “suffer.” The Devil isn’t going to send you a congratulatory telegram because you have decided to do God’s will, so be prepared for attack. (3) It will inspire you. You will accomplish things you never dreamed possible. Look at Gideon. When God found him he was hiding in a winepress (See Jdg 6:11 NKJV); not exactly a promising start. When the angel called him “a mighty man of valor” (v. 12 NKJV), he replied, “I am the least in my father’s house” (v. 15 NKJV). When the angel said, “The Lord is with you,” he replied, “If the Lord is with us, why then has all this happened to us?” (vv. 12-13 NKJV). When he finally took the job, he wondered, “How can so few of us defeat so many of them?” Yet at that very moment his enemies were having nightmares about him (See Jdg 7:13-15). The secret of victory lies in knowing: “It is God working in me” (See Php 2:13).

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29 August 2023 10:11

When God Gives You a Vision (1)

“I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision.” Ac 26:19
 
Paul had a “heavenly vision.” But there are those who “speak a vision of their own heart, not from the mouth of the Lord” (Jer 23:16 NKJV). So you must be sure you are operating according to God’s plan, not your own, or somebody else’s. The story of the Tower of Babel teaches us two things: (1) When people make up their mind to do something, they often succeed. (2) Succeeding doesn’t mean that you’re in the will of God. The word babel (confusion) means others can think you’re right, yet you’re wrong. You ask, “But isn’t it okay to make plans and set goals?” Yes, but your plans and goals should come out of a vision that God has given you. When Paul said, “I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision,” he meant that there’s only one acceptable response to God’s plan—obedience! Partial obedience, selective obedience, or delayed obedience are still disobedience. William Carey, who is considered the father of modern missions, gave up comfort and fortune to go to India and introduce the gospel. One of his more memorable quotes is: “Attempt great things for God, expect great things from God!” But you can only say that with confidence when you know what God has called you to do. What He ordains, He sustains! When you set your own goals you lack a heart-deep confidence that God is doing the work, so you wear yourself out thinking it’s all up to you. However, when you know God has given you a vision for your life, you trust Him, even when you can’t see any way to bring it to pass.

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27 August 2023 11:14

You can overcome your fears
“Fear not [there is nothing to fear], for I am with you.” Isa 41:10 AMPC



The first lady to win a Nobel Prize was French physicist Madame Marie Curie. She said, “Nothing in life is to be feared, only understood.” So: (1) Get the facts about what you fear to take away the mystery and misinformation from it. (2) Instead of focusing on your phobia, focus on God’s promises: “Fear not [there is nothing to fear], for I am with you; do not look around you in terror and be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen and harden you to difficulties, yes, I will help you; yes, I will hold you up and retain you with My [victorious] right hand of rightness and justice” (v. 10 AMPC). Note the words “I will strengthen and harden you to difficulties.” As your faith in God grows stronger, the threat of your fears will grow weaker. (3) Relax. Imagine yourself peaceful and free of the bondage of fear. Envision the positive effect on your life when you are delivered. (4) Confront each one of your fear-triggering circumstances with baby steps. Every single hurdle you conquer strengthens you. So, commit yourself to overcoming the fears that have wreaked havoc on your peace of mind. Jesus said, “My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (Jn 14:27 NKJV). Note the words “let not.” Don’t let fear rule you! Become proactive and arm yourself with the promises of God. Run toward your fears as David ran toward Goliath, knowing that in the name of the Lord you will win.

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24 August 2023 07:02

God has a good plan for you

“I know the plans I have for you.” Jer 29:11 NLT
 
Read this Scripture: “I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen…I will end your captivity and restore your fortunes” (vv. 11-12, 14 NLT). The Israelites went through a long period of suffering because of their sins—seventy years of captivity. But God said, “I still have a plan for you.” Have you sinned and gone through a season of correction and now you’re wondering if God has turned His back on you? God may correct you, but He will never reject you! Two chapters later, God says to the same group of people, “I have loved you, my people, with an everlasting love. With unfailing love I have drawn you to myself. I will rebuild you” (Jer 31:3-4 NLT). Note the word “rebuild.” Your life may have fallen apart, but God can rebuild it. The Bible’s theme is restoration. King David committed adultery and murder, but when he repented, God fully restored him. And the Bible says, “After David had done the will of God in his own generation, he died and was buried with his ancestors” (Ac 13:36 NLT). How would you like to have those words on your tombstone? You can! The Prodigal Son’s older brother was angry with their father because he forgave and restored his younger brother. But his father restored him anyway. You cannot undo the fact of your past sins, but God can heal you from the effects of them. Just come to Him today; take that first step!

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22 August 2023 07:00

Your prayers can change the situation

“Remember the solemn promise you made.” Ex 32:13 CEV
 
If you’re not sure your prayers can change the situation you’re in right now, read the story of Moses interceding with God not to destroy the Israelites because of the golden calf and committing idolatry: “Moses tried to get…God to change his mind…Remember the solemn promise you made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. You promised that someday they would have as many descendants as there are stars in the sky and that you would give them land. So even though the Lord had threatened to destroy the people, he changed his mind and let them live” (vv. 11, 13-14 CEV). Moses was on his face one minute, and in God’s face the next. For the lives of his people, he was on his knees, pointing his finger, raising his hands, crying tears, tearing his cloak, and wrestling like Jacob at the brook. Notice how he prayed. He reminded God of His covenant promises. He stood on the Word! And if there is one thing that will get God’s attention and cause Him to respond to your needs, it’s standing on His Word. God’s word in the matter is always God’s will in the matter. “We are confident that he hears us whenever we ask for anything that pleases him. And since we know he hears us when we make our requests, we also know that he will give us what we ask for” (1Jn 5:14-15 NLT). You are similar to electric wire through which God’s power and presence can flow into any situation, and in prayer you flip the switch. So instead of complaining about the situation, begin to pray about it.