Of discernment and trust - Bill Wilson -
Dad always said that we shouldn't discuss politics and religion with others-not in the sense of sharing Christ, but rather the divisive particulars of doctrine. Same with politics. Dad and Mom had many friends of different political stripes, but my parents were very conservative Republicans. I didn't know until much later in life the political persuasion of family friends. I will say that they all were very conservative, even though some were Democrats. "Best not to discuss politics and religion," Dad would say. Yet, at the dinner table growing up on our family farm in Ohio, we often discussed both. I got my grounding around that dinner table. It's where I learned discernment, and formed my internal justice meter.
Nowadays, it's very difficult to refrain from discussing religion and politics in public gatherings. The 24-hour "news" cycle, which really is a bombardment of editorial opinion disguised as news, has made it nearly impossible to avoid such conversations. The nation is truly polarized by this nonsense that countrymen allow themselves to believe. There is a lack of common sense. There is a lack of responsibility and ownership of one's own words and deeds. It's like the dad of the shooter in the most recent school massacre in Texas saying that his son shot up everyone in response to bullying. That's no reason to shoot anybody. I was bullied as a child, it didn't make me want to kill anybody. We talked it over at the dinner table.
All these crazy investigations over whether Russia influenced the election. It's nonsense, too. Nobody tells me how to vote. How about you? A bunch of crooks are trying to cover up their dealings by accusing others of what they were doing. Sure, a prosecutor can defend any charges against someone. That's why our laws say that we are innocent until proven guilty. Investigations after investigations are revealing little except about crooks trying to keep their power. People are sore about losing. Others are vindictive. Others have a political agenda that would undermine our freedoms. They are all working together for their own advancement. Like Deuteronomy 12:8, "every man did which is right in his own eyes."
There are a lot of problems in this world. They seem to get worse every day. It is the prophetic path to the return of the Messiah. We need to understand and discern the truth, even among the sources that we trust. As my friend Ronald Reagan used to say, "Trust, but verify." Let's also remember Proverbs 3:4-7,"So shall you find favor and good understanding in the sight of God and man. Trust in the LORD with all your heart; and lean not unto your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil." Pretty sound advice--maybe worth sharing when talking politics and religion around the dinner table.
In the Father's House - By Greg Laurie -
"Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it." -Matthew 7:13
There are two ways we can live our lives: We can live the right way or the wrong way. There are two roads we can take in life: We can take the narrow road that leads to life, or we can get on the broad road that leads to destruction. There are two foundations we can build our lives on: We can build on solid rock, or we can build on shifting sand.
Ultimately, we can live the happy and holy way or the miserable and unholy way.
Many unbelievers have the wrong concept of what it means to be a Christian. Their concept of being a Christian is this: (1) You are lame, (2) you never have any fun, and (3) you are boring-nothing is ever going on.
Jesus told a story about a boy who ran away from home. He had grown tired of living with his dad and thought all the fun was to be had outside of his home. So he left. In reality, what was he looking for? It appears from the story that he wanted nice clothes. He wanted great food. He wanted parties. So he went away, spent all his money, and came back empty-handed and miserable.
Yet the first thing his father did was give him some nice clothes. The next thing his father did was give the order for some great food. He said, "Kill the calf we have been fattening. We must celebrate with a feast, for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found" (Luke 15:23-24 NLT). Everything the boy was searching for was in his father's house all along.
In the same way, everything we're looking for can be found in a relationship with God.
Daily Devotion: No Other God - By Greg Laurie -
Their idols are merely things of silver and gold, shaped by human hands. . . . And those who make idols are just like them, as are all who trust in them. -Psalm 115:4, 8
Moses hadn't been away for very long when some of the Israelites approached Aaron and said, in effect, "We're kind of tired of waiting for Moses. We need a god that we can worship. Remember all the gods of Egypt? We need a god we can reach out and touch."
Aaron should have rebuked them and said, "You're crazy! Worship the Lord! Look at all that He has done for you!" Instead he melted all the gold they brought to him and made it into a golden calf for them to worship.
This seems alien to us. How could this happen? It's easier to do than we think. There were two phases to their idolatry. The first was more subtle and less obvious. The second was more blatant and radical. One will always grow out of the other.
The root of their open idolatry was the departure of their heart from the Lord and their leaning too much on God's instrument, Moses. Their first idol was Moses, and their second was the golden calf.
We can make idols out of people we admire. Have you ever heard of a sports hero? What about American Idol? We may say somewhat jokingly, "I idolize that person" or "He is a guitar god" or "That person is a sports god." But when we see the way some people behave, maybe that person really is a god to them.
We can do this in the church too. We can make an idol out of a man or woman of God, someone the Lord has used to bless us. News flash: They are human like you, and everyone will fail you in some way, shape, or form.
We don't need idols. Let's not make idols out of people. Let's not make idols out of things.
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A Call to Godly Living
Romans 12:1The apostle Paul lived in an age when sensuality, the pursuit of pleasure, and rebellion against the Lord were prevalent. In response, he wrote letters urging Christians not to follow in the ways of the world. Like those early believers, we are to pursue godliness by...
- Presenting our bodies to God. Our total being--mind, will, emotions, personality, and physical body--are to be turned over to our heavenly Father (James 4:7a). Submitting ourselves to the Lord requires a definite decision to give Him control and a daily commitment to remain under His authority. By surrendering to Him, we will position ourselves for godly living.
- Becoming living sacrifices. The Christian life is built around the concept of sacrifice. Jesus left the perfection of heaven to dwell among a sinful people so He might reconcile us to God. He offered up His life to make payment for our sins (1 John 3:16) and brought us into His family. As believers, we are to follow His example. Paul called it a living sacrifice, because it is ongoing--one that is repeated daily.
A life of godliness is characterized by a heart and mind bent toward the things of God. Although we will live imperfectly, our focus is to be on obeying His will and pleasing Him. Let's commit to becoming more like Jesus, the One who willingly gave Himself to God as a sacrifice for us.
Choosing Love over Rights
Matthew 5:38-48
We talk a lot about rights these days. Yet the attention given to human entitlements hasn’t brought about corporate or personal freedom. Instead, most people are prisoners of jealousy (you have greater rights than I do!), greed (I deserve more!), or bitterness (my rights have been violated!).
Instead of focusing on the privileges due us, we should take the biblical perspective of loving enemies and forgiving persecutors (Matt. 5:44). Believers lay down their rights so they can take up the cause of a holy kingdom. That doesn’t mean that we let people trample on us. Rather, we offer a proper response according to biblical principles. In short, believers should be more concerned about showing God’s love to those who do wrong than about demanding their rights.
Maybe you’re thinking, But he doesn’t know how I’ve been mistreated. Indeed I do not. But what I do know is how Jesus Christ, our example, reacted to terrible abuse. He was betrayed by His friends, persecuted by His people, condemned by His peers, and crucified for our sins. Yet He said, “Father, forgive them” (Luke 23:34).
Before assuming that Jesus’ capacity for forgiveness and love is out of reach for mere human beings, remember: His Spirit dwells in believers. We can choose to give away our rights and let God’s love work through us.
Luke 6:29 says to turn the other cheek and give up more than is asked because expressing love outweighs exerting our rights. You can’t lose when you show others the boundless care of the Lord. You gain His blessing, and, hopefully, someone will be saved because of your example.
Impossible Love Made Possible
Galatians 5:22-23
When a lawyer asked Jesus which commandment was the greatest, He said, “You shall love the Lord your God with all you heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind,” and “the second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself’” (Matt. 22:37, 39). What an overwhelming assignment!
In our own strength, none of us can live up to this obligation, but the Lord has provided a way for Christians to do the impossible. The indwelling Holy Spirit works to produce His fruit in us, and first on the list is love (Gal. 5:22). In fact, the other eight qualities are really just descriptions of its expression.
Whenever we demonstrate kindness, patience, or gentleness, we see the Lord’s love at work through us, especially when the other person has been unkind and doesn’t deserve such pleasant treatment. This fruit is not produced by trying harder to muster good will toward someone who is irritating or hard to get along with. Instead, think of the process more like sap running through a branch on a grape-vine. The branch doesn’t make grapes; the sap does. In the same way, the Spirit flows through us, producing God’s love in us, so that we can pass it on to Him and others.
Agapelove is the reason we are able to care for someone who mistreats us--it’s God’s doing, not ours. Even the adoration we offer the Lord is not something that we can produce in our own heart apart from His assistance. Though the command to love is enormous,God’s grace makes it possible.
On All the Heathen
“For the day of the LORD is near upon all the heathen: as thou hast done, it shall be done unto thee: thy reward shall return upon thine own head.” (Obadiah 1:15)
The book of Obadiah was possibly the earliest of the prophetic books of the Old Testament and is certainly the shortest, with its single chapter. Its theme is God’s coming judgment on the Edomite nation, not only because of their general wickedness but particularly because of their abusive treatment of their Israelite relatives (Jacob’s brother Esau was the father of the Edomites).
The prophecy of Obadiah contains (in our text) the first mention (chronologically) of the coming “day of the LORD.” Although it appears at first to focus especially on the Edomites, it is really looking far ahead to the end times, when the judgments of that day will be “upon all the heathen.” There have been many precursive and partial fulfillments of this prophecy, as nation after nation has been brought down throughout history under God’s judgmental hand. Edom, in particular, has long since vanished as a nation.
There is a great day coming, however (actually a period of time), called in the Bible “the day of the Lord” (also “that day,” “the great day of His wrath,” and other such terms), when all the heathen (that is, the “Gentile nations,” including the U.S.) will be judged by the God who created them, who died to redeem them, and who has been repudiated by them. “And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: . . . and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God” (Revelation 19:15). Our own heathen nation has been spared thus far because of our biblical foundations, our care for God’s people, Israel, and our missionary efforts, but these are fast disappearing, and our time, like that of Edom, will surely come. HMM
God's Sovereignty
“And the LORD said unto him, Who hath made man’s mouth? or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? have not I the LORD?” (Exodus 4:11)
This divine rebuke to Moses was occasioned when Moses complained of his inability to speak eloquently for God before Pharaoh. It is also a rebuke to each of us who would dare question God’s wisdom in making us as we are—even with all our innate defects and handicaps. With our very limited knowledge of God’s purposes and our very short-range view of eternal priorities, we are ill-equipped to prejudge His ways with us.
To those who questioned why a man should be born blind, for example, Jesus answered: “Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him” (John 9:3). As another example, when certain believers complained about the lethal illness of a loved one, Jesus replied: “This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby” (John 11:4).
The steadfastness of Stephen’s faith as he was stoned to death led to Paul’s conversion, though at the time it must have seemed difficult for his Christian brethren to understand and accept. In another context, but stating a principle highly relevant to such questions, Jesus reminds us, “What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter” (John 13:7). God is not capricious, but He is sovereign. Whatever He does is right, by definition, and whatever He allows is for a holy purpose. “Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus?” (Romans 9:20).
It should be enough for now to know that He knows, and that when suffering comes for His sake, it is “for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness” (Hebrews 12:10). HMM
The Opened Heavens
“And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.” (Revelation 19:11)
This is the final climactic reference in the Bible to God’s opened heavens. Sometimes, as in this verse, heaven is opened in judgment; sometimes in blessing. Sometimes it is the atmospheric heaven that is open; sometimes the heaven of heavens where stands the throne of God.
The first such mention refers to the world-destroying Flood of Noah’s day when “the windows of heaven were opened” (Genesis 7:11). The second mention, however, speaks of blessing. God had “opened the doors of heaven, And had rained down manna upon them to eat” (Psalm 78:23-24). The windows of heaven rained down the waters of death, while the doors of heaven rained down the bread of life! Ezekiel also saw the heavens opened in judgment (Ezekiel 1:1), but God told Malachi, “Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse . . . and prove me now . . . if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it” (Malachi 3:10).
At the baptism of Jesus, the heavens were opened and men heard the great testimony of the Father concerning His beloved Son (Matthew 3:16; Mark 1:10; Luke 3:21). Jesus promised Nathanael, “Hereafter ye shall see heaven open” (John 1:51), and Stephen and Peter actually saw the heavens open (Acts 7:56; 10:11).
Finally, the apostle John reported that “a door was opened in heaven” (Revelation 4:1), and he saw the Lord on His throne—12 specific references (four in the Old Testament, eight in the New) to the opened heavens. HMM
The Gospel of Peace
“How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!” (Isaiah 52:7)
Surprisingly, there are more verses containing the word “peace” in the Old Testament book of Isaiah (King James Version) than in any other book of the Bible. The central occurrence (15 before, 15 after) is in our text, speaking of those whose feet travel with the beautiful gospel (that is, “good tidings,” mentioned twice in this verse) of peace. The one proclaiming this gospel is said to be publishing salvation, announcing the imminent reign of God the Savior over all the earth.
The first mention of “peace” in Isaiah speaks of the coming King and His reign, and so does the final occurrence. First, “the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called . . . The Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6). Then, in Isaiah’s last chapter we read, “For thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will extend peace to [Zion] like a river, and the glory of the Gentiles like a flowing stream” (Isaiah 66:12).
This wonderful gospel of peace is specifically mentioned just twice in the New Testament. The first is a direct quotation from our text. “And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!” (Romans 10:15).
The second is in connection with the Christian’s spiritual armor. The “beautiful feet” that are to carry the good tidings are, most appropriately, to be “shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace” (Ephesians 6:15). It is our high privilege to be among those whose feet travel upon the mountains, and across the plains, and over the seas with the beautiful gospel of peace and salvation. HMM
Memory and the Holy Spirit
“But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.” (John 14:26)
John wrote his detailed discourses of Jesus (almost half of the verses in John’s gospel consist of His words) approximately 50 years after Christ spoke them, yet John was able to report them verbatim because of the supernatural memory of them brought back by the Holy Spirit. The same must have been true for the other biblical writers as they recalled words and events of years before.
In a real, though different, sense, the Holy Spirit also can “bring to our remembrance” the words of Scriptures just when they are especially needed in witnessing or for personal guidance or some other need. This will only be operational, of course, if they have first been stored in our memory, either by direct memorization or by such frequent reading and studying of the Bible as to make it a part of our subconscious memory.
Recall how the unlearned fisherman Peter was able to quote long passages of Scripture when he needed them (see, for example, Acts 2:16-21, 25-28, 34-35). He had apparently spent much time in studying and even memorizing key portions of the Old Testament. Jesus, of course, frequently quoted Scripture in His conversations, and Paul quoted Scripture abundantly in his epistles. Should we not do the same?
Scripture memorization has been a great blessing to many Christians over the years but seems to have become almost a lost art in this day and age. Nevertheless, Christ has promised answered prayer: “If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you” (John 15:7). So, as Paul urged, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly” (Colossians 3:16). HMM
Practical Ways to Bear Burdens
1 Thessalonians 5:14
There are hurting people everywhere, but at times we just don't know what to say or do to ease their pain. Here are six practical ways to bear someone else's burden.
- Be there. At times the best "method" of helping is simply to be present. During our darkest hours, we don't need someone who tries in vain to fix everything; we just need a friend.
- Listen. Don't attempt to give answers or tell people what to do next. Injured souls frequently want simply a listening ear so they can express what's on their mind.
- Share. Never parade yourself as someone who has all the answers. Instead, allow your own pain and failures to help others.
- Pray. There is power in speaking people's names before the Lord. When they hear someone talk to Jesus on their behalf, healing often starts taking place.
- Give. Sometimes helping others involves more than a handshake or warm hug. Maybe they need something financial or material. One of the best measures of sincerity is how much we're willing to give to others.
- Substitute.You may know an individual who bears the burden of caring for someone else. If you step in and take his or her place for a while, you are emulating your Savior--He, too, was a substitute.
Because we were unable to do it ourselves, Jesus bore all of our sin and sorrow, even unto death. As a result, we can live happily and eternally in communion with our Father. If Christ did that for us, how can we ever say, "I'm too busy to bear someone else's burden"?
A Surprising Source of Joy - By Greg Laurie - www.harvest.org
Praise the LORD! Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, who delights greatly in His commandments. -Psalm 112:1
Years ago, I was in my backyard and saw a brightly colored bird nestled in the grass. It was not the kind of a bird that is typically seen in the wild. It was the kind of bird someone would have in a cage. I thought maybe it was someone's pet that had flown away.
I also noticed that my German Shepherd was looking intently at the bird. I thought, "That bird's days are numbered. His minutes are numbered." So I got down on the bird's level and put my finger out. Sure enough, he jumped right on my finger. I walked into the kitchen with this beautiful little bird sitting on my finger. Cathe and I decided it must be someone's pet bird that got away. We borrowed a cage from a neighbor down the street, set it up on the counter, and opened the door. The little bird couldn't get in there fast enough. Immediately he was hopping from perch to perch, chirping away. Happy days were here again.
We may think it seems cruel to put the poor bird in a cage. But that bird didn't want to be free. He didn't see the cage as something that kept him confined; he saw it as a barrier that kept my German Shepherd out.
In the same way, if you want to be happy, you will live within certain parameters. Psalm 112:1 says, "Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who delights greatly in His commandments" (NKJV). The word blessed could be translated "happy happy." In other words, super happy is the man or woman who fears the Lord and delights greatly in His commandments.
The way to be a happy person will be found in what we do as well as in what we don't do.
The Whole Law
�Ye shall therefore keep my statutes, and my judgments: which if a man do, he shall live in them: I am the LORD.� (Leviticus 18:5)
The absolute holiness of God is emphasized throughout the book of Leviticus, and this is the standard for all those created in His image. This is made clear, beyond question, when today�s verse is quoted in the New Testament: �But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, the just shall live by faith. And the law is not of faith: but, the man that doeth them shall live in them� (Galatians 3:11-12).
It is not enough that a man keep most of God�s laws. �For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all� (James 2:10). �Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them� (Galatians 3:10).
It is obvious, therefore, that while �the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good� (Romans 7:12), no human being (except Jesus Christ) has ever been able to keep God�s perfect law, and all are therefore under God�s condemnation. �Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin� (Romans 3:20).
The widespread delusion that a person can be saved by good works is dangerous, and many are on the road to hell smug in their supposed goodness. To keep the law, however, the Creator Himself had to become man, and He did fulfill the law as our representative before God. Then, when He died, Christ �redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us� (Galatians 3:13). �Now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested . . . by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe� (Romans 3:21-22). HMM
�Ye shall therefore keep my statutes, and my judgments: which if a man do, he shall live in them: I am the LORD.� (Leviticus 18:5)
The absolute holiness of God is emphasized throughout the book of Leviticus, and this is the standard for all those created in His image. This is made clear, beyond question, when today�s verse is quoted in the New Testament: �But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, the just shall live by faith. And the law is not of faith: but, the man that doeth them shall live in them� (Galatians 3:11-12).
It is not enough that a man keep most of God�s laws. �For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all� (James 2:10). �Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them� (Galatians 3:10).
It is obvious, therefore, that while �the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good� (Romans 7:12), no human being (except Jesus Christ) has ever been able to keep God�s perfect law, and all are therefore under God�s condemnation. �Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin� (Romans 3:20).
The widespread delusion that a person can be saved by good works is dangerous, and many are on the road to hell smug in their supposed goodness. To keep the law, however, the Creator Himself had to become man, and He did fulfill the law as our representative before God. Then, when He died, Christ �redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us� (Galatians 3:13). �Now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested . . . by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe� (Romans 3:21-22). HMM
The Impact of Prayer 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18
Prayer is the lifeblood of an intimate relationship with the Father. But believers often have questions about its power and effectiveness. Don�t hesitate to take your queries to the Lord, dig into Scripture for answers, and seek the counsel of a trusted spiritual mentor. Prayer is too important to neglect.
Will God�s plans fail if I don�t pray? God is not subservient to believers or dependent upon their prayers. The time we invest in speaking with Him involves us in the work that He is doing in our lives and in the world, but He will carry on without us.Laboring alongside the Lord is our privilege.
Does my prayer (or lack thereof) impact God�s work? I believe that Scripture indicates the answer to this question is both yes and no, depending upon the situation. There are times when God�s purpose is set. He is in control and has determined the best course. In the Old Testament, the Lord often prophesied what He would do and then brought those events to pass.
In other cases, �you do not have because you do not ask� (James 4:2). There are some good things that He holds back until we put out prayerful hands to receive them. But because God is a loving Father, He also pours our blessings that we wouldn�t even think to request.
Believer�s prayers have tremendous impact, particularly on their own faith and life. Do you understand what an awesome privilege it is to kneel before the all-powerful Father and know that He listens and will respond? God loves to be good to His children and answer their prayers.
When a Fellow Christian Stumbles
Galatians 6:1-5
The Lord doesn't want the members of His body to live in isolation; believers are intended to function as a loving family who actively care for each other. One of our responsibilities as part of God's household is to come alongside a brother or sister who has stumbled. Paul specifies that those "who are spiritual" are to restore the fallen ones to fellowship with the Father and the family. "Spiritual" doesn't mean some elite group of pious leaders; it refers to any Christians who are living under the Spirit's control. A key element in this process is the attitude of the one who seeks to restore a fellow Christian.
A Spirit of Gentleness: This isn't a time for harshness, anger, judgment, or condemnation. Our goal is not to heap pain and guilt upon a hurting brother or sister but to show mercy and forgiveness (2 Cor. 2:5-8).
A Spirit of Humility: Those who have a superior attitude look down on a fallen brother and think, I would never make those mistakes. But the humble know their own vulnerability. Instead of judging others, they examine their own lives in order to recognize and deal with areas of weakness.
A Spirit of Love: When we love others, we'll willingly sharing their burden. This requires an unselfish investment of our time, energy, and prayer on their behalf.
How do you react when a fellow Christian has stumbled? One of the ugliest human traits is our tendency to feel better about ourselves when another person misses the mark. Instead of sharing the latest gossip about a fallen brother or sister, let your heart break, and come alongside to love and help.
Prayer is the lifeblood of an intimate relationship with the Father. But believers often have questions about its power and effectiveness. Don�t hesitate to take your queries to the Lord, dig into Scripture for answers, and seek the counsel of a trusted spiritual mentor. Prayer is too important to neglect.
Will God�s plans fail if I don�t pray? God is not subservient to believers or dependent upon their prayers. The time we invest in speaking with Him involves us in the work that He is doing in our lives and in the world, but He will carry on without us.Laboring alongside the Lord is our privilege.
Does my prayer (or lack thereof) impact God�s work? I believe that Scripture indicates the answer to this question is both yes and no, depending upon the situation. There are times when God�s purpose is set. He is in control and has determined the best course. In the Old Testament, the Lord often prophesied what He would do and then brought those events to pass.
In other cases, �you do not have because you do not ask� (James 4:2). There are some good things that He holds back until we put out prayerful hands to receive them. But because God is a loving Father, He also pours our blessings that we wouldn�t even think to request.
Believer�s prayers have tremendous impact, particularly on their own faith and life. Do you understand what an awesome privilege it is to kneel before the all-powerful Father and know that He listens and will respond? God loves to be good to His children and answer their prayers.
When a Fellow Christian Stumbles
Galatians 6:1-5
The Lord doesn't want the members of His body to live in isolation; believers are intended to function as a loving family who actively care for each other. One of our responsibilities as part of God's household is to come alongside a brother or sister who has stumbled. Paul specifies that those "who are spiritual" are to restore the fallen ones to fellowship with the Father and the family. "Spiritual" doesn't mean some elite group of pious leaders; it refers to any Christians who are living under the Spirit's control. A key element in this process is the attitude of the one who seeks to restore a fellow Christian.
A Spirit of Gentleness: This isn't a time for harshness, anger, judgment, or condemnation. Our goal is not to heap pain and guilt upon a hurting brother or sister but to show mercy and forgiveness (2 Cor. 2:5-8).
A Spirit of Humility: Those who have a superior attitude look down on a fallen brother and think, I would never make those mistakes. But the humble know their own vulnerability. Instead of judging others, they examine their own lives in order to recognize and deal with areas of weakness.
A Spirit of Love: When we love others, we'll willingly sharing their burden. This requires an unselfish investment of our time, energy, and prayer on their behalf.
How do you react when a fellow Christian has stumbled? One of the ugliest human traits is our tendency to feel better about ourselves when another person misses the mark. Instead of sharing the latest gossip about a fallen brother or sister, let your heart break, and come alongside to love and help.
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