Take Up Your Crossby Max Lucado The phrase “take up your cross” has not fared well through the generations. Ask for a definition, and you’ll hear answers like, “My cross is my mother-in-law, my job, my bad marriage, my cranky boss, or the dull preacher.” The cross, we assume, is any besetting affliction or personal hassle. My thesaurus agrees. It lists the following synonyms for cross: frustration, trying situation, snag, hitch, and drawback.
The cross means so much more. It is God’s tool of redemption, instrument of salvation—proof of his love for people. To take up the cross, then, is to take up Christ’s burden for the people of the world.
Though our crosses are similar, none are identical. “If any of you want to be my followers, you must forget about yourself. You must take up your cross each day and follow me” (Luke 9:23 CEV, emphasis mine).
We each have our own cross to carry—our individual calling. Discover your God-designed task. It fits. It matches your passions and enlists your gifts and talents. Want to blow the cloud cover off your gray day? Accept God’s direction.
“The Lord has assigned to each his task” (1 Corinthians3:5 NIV). What is yours? What is your unique call, assignment, mission? A trio of questions might help.
In what directions has God taken you?
What needs has God revealed to you?
What abilities has God given to you?
Direction. Need. Ability. Your spiritual DNA. You at your best. You and your cross.
Two Gates, Two Ways
Matthew 7:13-14
Have you ever been accused of being a narrow-minded Christian? Those who level such accusations against us certainly mean it as an insult. According to Jesus, however, that’s the only way to walk if we want to experience abundant life now and eternal life with Him in heaven. But it will require a deliberate choice on our part, because no one automatically drifts onto this pathway.
The broad way is easy to find. In fact, unless you make a conscious choice to avoid it, you’ll find yourself on it. Most people like this wide path because it encompasses all philosophies and belief systems. Everything is acceptable, and everyone’s “truth” is valid. It even seems like the loving path because no one is left out. There are no restrictions, and freedom is unlimited. Or is it?
What those who travel this road fail to realize is that it’s a downward descent into destruction. All the promises it gives of satisfaction and fulfillment end in disappointment because it’s a path without God. But those who enter by the narrow gate of faith in Christ find the peace and joy of a relationship with Him that satisfies the heart. The gate is small because truth guards the entrance. The way is narrow because the Lord protects us with wise boundaries.
Which path are you traveling? You can’t have one foot on each, because they’re going in opposite directions. When you tolerate everything, you’re headed for destruction. But when you choose the narrow way, your life truly begins. You’ll walk with Christ day by day until He walks you home to heaven.
King of All the Earth
“For God is the King of all the earth: sing ye praises with understanding.” (Psalm 47:7)
This stirring psalm of praise, which celebrates the reign of Christ over all the earth, finds its primary fulfillment in Christ’s second coming and full reign over His kingdom. The reader is exhorted to “sing praises unto our King” (v. 6). The reign of Christ certainly gives cause for celebration. His arrival forces the psalmist to proclaim, “O clap your hands, all ye people” (v. 1).
What has happened to make this Kingship such cause for celebration? After all, “by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible or invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him” (Colossians 1:16). He belongs on the throne. We should expect to find Him there. However, even though there is a sense in which He reigns today, the sad fact remains that another has usurped rule.
This usurper can be none other than Satan, who not only claims rule of the creation for himself, but who spoiled the original perfection of the creation which now “groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now” (Romans 8:22). He has encouraged men to accept the mindless concept of evolution, and even denies Christ recognition as Redeemer, as the humanist’s creed “We will save ourselves!” boasts.
But all is not lost! Our text assures us that Christ will reclaim His kingdom: “He shall subdue the people under us, and the nations under our feet. . . . God reigneth over the heathen” (vv. 3, 8). Christ the Creator, the Redeemer, the Heir, has conquered the enemy and soon will assume His rightful throne—“the throne of his holiness” (v. 8), “greatly exalted” (v. 9). Then we shall join the redeemed of the ages, and “shout unto God with the voice of triumph” (v. 1). JDM
Where to Find the Missing Piece - by Greg Laurie - www.harvest.org
The cross means so much more. It is God’s tool of redemption, instrument of salvation—proof of his love for people. To take up the cross, then, is to take up Christ’s burden for the people of the world.
Though our crosses are similar, none are identical. “If any of you want to be my followers, you must forget about yourself. You must take up your cross each day and follow me” (Luke 9:23 CEV, emphasis mine).
We each have our own cross to carry—our individual calling. Discover your God-designed task. It fits. It matches your passions and enlists your gifts and talents. Want to blow the cloud cover off your gray day? Accept God’s direction.
“The Lord has assigned to each his task” (1 Corinthians3:5 NIV). What is yours? What is your unique call, assignment, mission? A trio of questions might help.
In what directions has God taken you?
What needs has God revealed to you?
What abilities has God given to you?
Direction. Need. Ability. Your spiritual DNA. You at your best. You and your cross.
Two Gates, Two Ways
Matthew 7:13-14
Have you ever been accused of being a narrow-minded Christian? Those who level such accusations against us certainly mean it as an insult. According to Jesus, however, that’s the only way to walk if we want to experience abundant life now and eternal life with Him in heaven. But it will require a deliberate choice on our part, because no one automatically drifts onto this pathway.
The broad way is easy to find. In fact, unless you make a conscious choice to avoid it, you’ll find yourself on it. Most people like this wide path because it encompasses all philosophies and belief systems. Everything is acceptable, and everyone’s “truth” is valid. It even seems like the loving path because no one is left out. There are no restrictions, and freedom is unlimited. Or is it?
Which path are you traveling? You can’t have one foot on each, because they’re going in opposite directions. When you tolerate everything, you’re headed for destruction. But when you choose the narrow way, your life truly begins. You’ll walk with Christ day by day until He walks you home to heaven.
King of All the Earth
“For God is the King of all the earth: sing ye praises with understanding.” (Psalm 47:7)
This stirring psalm of praise, which celebrates the reign of Christ over all the earth, finds its primary fulfillment in Christ’s second coming and full reign over His kingdom. The reader is exhorted to “sing praises unto our King” (v. 6). The reign of Christ certainly gives cause for celebration. His arrival forces the psalmist to proclaim, “O clap your hands, all ye people” (v. 1).
What has happened to make this Kingship such cause for celebration? After all, “by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible or invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him” (Colossians 1:16). He belongs on the throne. We should expect to find Him there. However, even though there is a sense in which He reigns today, the sad fact remains that another has usurped rule.
This usurper can be none other than Satan, who not only claims rule of the creation for himself, but who spoiled the original perfection of the creation which now “groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now” (Romans 8:22). He has encouraged men to accept the mindless concept of evolution, and even denies Christ recognition as Redeemer, as the humanist’s creed “We will save ourselves!” boasts.
But all is not lost! Our text assures us that Christ will reclaim His kingdom: “He shall subdue the people under us, and the nations under our feet. . . . God reigneth over the heathen” (vv. 3, 8). Christ the Creator, the Redeemer, the Heir, has conquered the enemy and soon will assume His rightful throne—“the throne of his holiness” (v. 8), “greatly exalted” (v. 9). Then we shall join the redeemed of the ages, and “shout unto God with the voice of triumph” (v. 1). JDM
Where to Find the Missing Piece - by Greg Laurie - www.harvest.org
For in Him we live and move and have our being, as also some of your own poets have said, 'For we are also His offspring.'-Acts 17:28
My wife, Cathe, likes puzzles. (I don't.) Not long ago she was putting a puzzle together when she realized that she was missing a piece. She almost finished the entire puzzle, but she couldn't find the last piece. So we got down on our hands and knees and searched for it. We finally found it under the chair, and Cathe finished the puzzle.
Life can be that way too. We say, "When I get all these things right, I know my life will be good. I have to graduate from high school and then get into college. Then I'll graduate from college and pursue my career. And then I'll buy my first house and get married. And then we'll have kids. When we get a little older, we'll set up our retirement plan. We'll have this, and we'll have that."
But then one day we realize that something is missing. There's a missing piece of the puzzle. So where is it?
It isn't under the chair like Cathe's puzzle piece was. The missing piece we're looking for is not to be found in anything we can find on this planet. We won't find it in drugs or alcohol. We won't find it in fame or by having more followers on social media. And we won't even find it in good things like a family or legitimate goals. That's because it's ultimately God that we're looking for.
God loves you, and He wants you to believe in Him. God extends His mercy to you, but you must receive that mercy. He is choosing you. Will you choose Him?
Jesus Christ holds the missing piece. You're not looking for a thing; you're looking for Him. Everything you're looking for in life is available for you in a relationship with God through Jesus Christ.
God Runs Toward Youby Max Lucado Brighten your day by envisioning God running toward you.
When his patriarchs trusted, God blessed. When Peter preached or Paul wrote or Thomas believed, God smiled. But he never ran.
That verb was reserved for the story of the prodigal son. �But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him.� (Luke 15:20 NKJV)
God runs when he sees the son coming home from the pig trough. When the addict steps out of the alley. When the teen walks away from the party. When the ladder-climbing executive pushes back from the desk, the spiritist turns from idols, the materialist from stuff, the atheist from disbelief, and the elitist from self-promotion�
When prodigals trudge up the path, God can�t sit still. Heaven�s throne room echoes with the sound of slapping sandals and pounding feet, and angels watch in silence as God embraces his child.
You turn toward God, and he runs toward you.
The Throne of Grace
Hebrews 4:14-16
Almighty God is righteous and just. Romans 3:23 tells us that all people have sinned and are inadequate to be in His presence. As a result of His wrath against sin, we were doomed to eternal separation from Him.
But thankfully, the story doesn�t end there. In His love and mercy, God sent His Son to walk among us. Jesus experienced the hardship and temptation common to all people, yet He never sinned. The Savior chose to die a gruesome death in our place, paying the penalty for our wrongs.
There is no deeper love, Scripture tells us, than a man who gives up his life for a friend (John 15:13). Jesus went even farther�dying for us while we were still His enemies (Rom. 5:10). In fact, He would have sacrificed Himself even if you were the only person ever to exist.
Promising forgiveness and eternal life, Christ asks sinful man to believe and follow Him. When we trust in Jesus, we are adopted as God�s children and receive His indwelling Spirit, who blesses abundantly with joy, peace, and guidance. Always welcome before the Throne of Grace, believers have access to converse with the Father at any time. He promises to hear and respond to our seeking, repentant hearts. And Jesus intercedes for us, praying on our behalf.
We don�t deserve the Lord�s invitation to have an intimate relationship with Him. Yet in His grace, He is loving and compassionate toward us. What a privilege to be able to approach the King�s throne, knowing He listens, understands, and cares. Rest in God�s love, and enjoy sweet fellowship with Him.
Behold, He Cometh
�Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him.� (Revelation 1:7)
This striking verse, which deals with the return of Christ, contains several aspects well worth our study.
First: �Behold, he cometh.� This event is still future, but it is as sure as if it had already taken place. Christ will return.
Second: �They shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory� (Matthew 24:30). His coming �with clouds� was also prophesied in Daniel 7:13; Matthew 26:64; Acts 1:11; and elsewhere.
Third: �Every eye shall see him.� Who is included here? Certainly everyone living at the time, both Christian and non-Christian. But also the saved dead and raptured saints will be present (1 Thessalonians 4:17). Can it be that the unsaved dead will likewise �see� Him come? Those who died without Christ should be vitally interested. Either the coming rebellion will defeat Christ and free their spirits from Hades, or they will soon face certain, final judgment.
Fourth, notice the different reactions. His tormentors will be in horrible distress; those who �pierced him� will be in inexpressible anguish as they realize the awful consequences of their actions. Who pierced Him? Certainly Israel, but the collective sins of all men of all ages pierced Him. Some have gained forgiveness and will gladly see Him come; others have refused and will �wail� at His return.
Saints in heaven and on Earth will delight in His coming. To them, it means release from persecution, justice on their persecutors, and a righteous kingdom established. It will mean questions answered, imperfections removed, the curse repealed. Any distress felt for friends and loved ones still living in rejection will be swallowed up in the rightness of the action. JDM
God Listensby Max Lucado
You can talk to God because God listens. Your voice matters in heaven. He takes you very seriously. When you enter his presence, the attendants turn to you to hear your voice. No need to fear that you will be ignored. Even if you stammer or stumble, even if what you have to say impresses no one, it impresses God�and he listens. He listens to the painful plea of the elderly in the rest home. He listens to the gruff confession of the death-row inmate. When the alcoholic begs for mercy, when the spouse seeks guidance, when the businessman steps off the street into the chapel, God listens.
Intently. Carefully. The prayers are honored as precious jewels. Purified and empowered, the words rise in a delightful fragrance to our Lord. �The smoke from the incense went up from the angel�s hand to God.� Incredible. Your words do not stop until they reach the very throne of God.
Then, the angel �filled the incense pan with fire from the altar and threw it on the earth� (Rev. 8:5). One call and Heaven�s fleet appears. Your prayer on earth activates God�s power in heaven, and �God�s will is done on earth as it is in heaven.�
You are the someone of God�s kingdom. You have access to God�s furnace. Your prayers move God to change the world. You may not understand the mystery of prayer. You don�t need to. But this much is clear: Actions in heaven begin when someone prays on earth. What an amazing thought!
When you speak, Jesus hears.
And when Jesus hears, thunder falls.
And when thunder falls, the world is changed.
All because someone prayed.
Great Reward
�Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets.� (Luke 6:23)
Sometimes great rewards are promised to those who help locate dangerous criminals, or to those who win a lottery, but such pecuniary rewards are trivial compared to those awaiting all the faithful servants of Christ. The �great reward� promised by Christ in our text is specifically for those believers who willingly have endured hatred and ostracism, reproach and slander �for the Son of man�s sake� (v. 22).
Such rewards are distinct from salvation, of course, for that reward is given only �to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly� (Romans 4:5). �Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour� (Titus 3:5-6).
That is, salvation is a free gift, received only through personal faith in Christ and His sacrificial death for our sins. Rewards, on the other hand, are earned by faithful witness and work for Christ. In that day when �we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ� (2 Corinthians 5:10), many will learn to their dismay that, although they have indeed received everlasting life, they will have very little reward. For �the fire shall try every man�s work of what sort it is� (1 Corinthians 3:13)�not the quantity, but its quality and fidelity to God�s Word. Then, �if any man�s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved� (v. 15).
We need to remember that one of the last and thus most significant promises of Christ was: �Behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be� (Revelation 22:12). HMM
Overtimeby Max Lucado
My job requires lots of overtime, so I can�t attend many of my kids� school activities. My wife worries about this a lot. Could this have a negative effect on our kids? Or on my relationship with them?
As a father of three girls, I struggled with the same issues. As God blessed my ministry, more and more calls came in from all over the world, wanting me to speak at churches, conferences, and grand openings of supermarkets. It was hard to say no at first. I felt every opportunity was from God.
Finally I realized that every time I said yes to something, I had to say no to something else. It�s called Max�s Yes Law of Inverse Dynamics. Look it up! It says this: with every yes in your schedule, there is an equal and opposite no reaction. When I said yes to another speaking engagement, I said no to another family dinner. When I said yes to another meeting, I said no to my girls� volleyball game. When I said yes to another book tour, I said no to taking a walk with my wife.
So how do we show people that we love and believe in them? There are many ways to express those feelings�verbal affirmations, love letters, phone calls, even a quick text message saying, �I�m thinking of you.� They�re all good, but there�s one that�s the best.
I talked about it in my book A Love Worth Giving:
Now that my girls are all grown up, believe me, I�m glad I made that decision to show up before it was too late. Now (cue �Cat�s in the Cradle� in the background) I miss those Meet the Teacher Nights and seeing their papier-m�ch� volcano at the science fair and sitting in the stands at the big volleyball meet, even if they were on the bench the whole time.
When you pray, how do you approach God? Numerous Christians visualize a holy, righteous being and approach Him with feelings of fear, unworthiness, and reluctance. On the other hand, many believers picture the Lord as a pal and talk to Him with little reverence.
Neither approach is healthy. Our finite minds cannot fully grasp that God is both loving and holy. Let�s first explore the holy, fear-provoking side of the Lord. As you read today�s passage, visualize the incredible power around heaven�s throne. It fills my heart with awe and wonder.
Before Jesus walked on earth, the temple contained an area called the Holy of Holies, where God�s presence resided. Only the priest could enter�and just on specified days, after ritual cleansing and preparation. If he did not get himself ready exactly according to scriptural rules, he would be struck dead. To be in God�s presence requires obedience. In fact, because of the Almighty�s absolute holiness and perfection, He is unable to commune with sinfulness, which is the condition of all mankind (Rom. 3:9). Therefore, every one of us is guilty and deserving of condemnation. Thankfully, though, God did not leave us helpless, but out of His grace and love, sent His Son to be our Redeemer.
Every page of Scripture can deepen our understanding of God�s greatness. Are you amazed at His presence and deeds? To understand more about His character, discipline yourself to read and meditate on the Word. Then take time to praise Him, for He alone is worthy of our adoration.
Lord of the Living and the Dead
Romans 14:7-12
In the New Testament, Lord is the most frequently used title for Jesus Christ. Although we rarely use this term in our daily lives, we are all quite familiar with another word: boss. That is basically what Lord means one possessing authority, power, and control. The Word of God describes Jesus as the head of the church, the ruler over all creation, and the Lord of lords and King of kings (Col. 1:15-18; Rev. 3:14; 17:14).
The realm of Christ's reign covers everything that happens in heaven and on the earth. No one not even those who deny His existence can be free of His rule or outside His sphere of authority. Although Satan tries to convince us that liberty is found in doing what we want, true freedom is acquired only through submission to Christ's loving lordship.
Even death cannot release anyone from the authority of God's Son. He is Lord of both the living and the dead. All people must decide to either yield or rebel against Him, but they have the opportunity to make this choice only while they are still living. After death, they will acknowledge Christ's lordship through accountability to Him. If we have not bowed the knee to Jesus in life, we will be forced to bend it in the judgment.
Have you submitted to Christ's rule over your life? His authority causes anger or fear in individuals who have not yet yielded to Him, but those who have experienced His lovingkindness, trusted in His goodness, and surrendered to His authority take comfort in knowing Him as the Lord of their lives.
Made Manifest by the Scriptures
�But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith.� (Romans 16:26)
This revelation was written by Paul the apostle as a conclusion to his great doctrinal epistle to the Romans. That which �now is made manifest . . . to all nations� had been �kept secret since the world began� and was essentially the simple truth revealed in �my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ� (Romans 16:25) offering to people from every nation (not just Israel!) the wonderful gift of salvation and eternal life through Jesus Christ.
And note that this was being made manifest not just by the preachers and Scriptures of the New Testament, but �by the scriptures of the prophets��that is, by the Old Testament Scriptures. There are some today who think the Old Testament is no longer of significance to Christians. But they are wrong! Remember that Jesus, after His resurrection, speaking to two of His disciples, rebuked them by saying: �O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: . . . And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself� (Luke 24:25, 27).
Furthermore, the Old Testament abounds with wonderful promises and precepts and examples that are supremely practical and profitable for the Christian life. As Paul said, �For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope� (Romans 15:4). In fact, every Old Testament Scripture is �given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness� (2 Timothy 3:16). HMM
Fear of Life's Final Momentsby Max Lucado
Maybe you share this deep desire and a desire to face death unafraid; to die without fright or a fight; perhaps even with a smile. Some say that's impossible. But Christ promises in John 14:1-3, Don't let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am.
Jesus experienced a physical and factual resurrection. And, here it is because he did, we will too! If Jesus tomb is empty, then his promise is not. So, let's die with faith. Jesus grants courage for the final passage. Death. No need to dread it or ignore it. Because of Jesus, you can face it.
Finding Clear Guidance
Psalms 25:12
How can you be sure you're making the right decision? Sometimes it may seem as if God plays hide and seek when we�re trying to know His will, but that�s not the way He operates. He wants to give us clear direction. The real question is, What do you need to do to hear His voice?
Clear the pathway. We have two main obstacles that hinder our discernment: sin in our life, and our own strong desires about the situation. To receive the Lord�s guidance, we must repent of all known sin and make our desires secondary to His.
Exercise patience. Sometimes it takes a great deal of strength to stand still when everything within you is shouting, �Hurry! Time is running out!� But if you rush ahead of God, you may miss His will.
Persist in prayer. The Bible clearly instructs us to keep coming to the Lord with our concerns. As we continue to pray, He will gradually weed out anything confusing until we come to His conclusion about the matter.
Search the Scriptures. The Word of God has an answer for every need, and the Holy Spirit knows just how to point us in the right direction. I remember times while I was reading the Bible that a verse jumped off the page and supplied the exact answer I needed to make an important decision.
So often when we�re faced with a critical choice, all we want from the Lord is a quick answer. But He delights to meet with us in order to deepen our relationship with Him. Don�t let the urgency of your need keep you from enjoying the intimacy of His presence as you seek His will.
The Holy City
�And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.� (Revelation 21:2-3)
On the night of the last supper, Jesus made a wonderful promise to His disciples: �In my Father�s house are many mansions. . . . I go to prepare a place for you. And . . . I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also� (John 14:2-3). Eventually, at His second coming, those who belong to Him shall be with Him.
That this promise applies to all His disciples (not just the 11 in the upper room) is evident in His prayer right after this conversation: �Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word. . . . Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am� (John 17:20, 24). When the Lord returns, or when we die as believers, �so shall we ever be with the Lord� (1 Thessalonians 4:17).
That place where we shall be with Him, which He is still preparing for us, is the Holy City, new Jerusalem; for our text says that �he will dwell with them� there and be their God. The last two chapters of the Bible describe in some detail that beautiful �tabernacle of God� in which we who believe in Christ will all have our Christ-prepared mansions some day.
This magnificent city is not heaven, for John saw it �coming down from God out of heaven.� Right now, therefore, it is in heaven, where the Lord Jesus is, along with the souls of those believers who already have gone �to be present with the Lord� (2 Corinthians 5:8). There in the Holy City, �the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him� with eternal joy (Revelation 22:3). HMM
A Heart of Compassion - by Greg Laurie -
When his patriarchs trusted, God blessed. When Peter preached or Paul wrote or Thomas believed, God smiled. But he never ran.
That verb was reserved for the story of the prodigal son. �But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him.� (Luke 15:20 NKJV)
God runs when he sees the son coming home from the pig trough. When the addict steps out of the alley. When the teen walks away from the party. When the ladder-climbing executive pushes back from the desk, the spiritist turns from idols, the materialist from stuff, the atheist from disbelief, and the elitist from self-promotion�
When prodigals trudge up the path, God can�t sit still. Heaven�s throne room echoes with the sound of slapping sandals and pounding feet, and angels watch in silence as God embraces his child.
You turn toward God, and he runs toward you.
The Throne of Grace
Hebrews 4:14-16
Almighty God is righteous and just. Romans 3:23 tells us that all people have sinned and are inadequate to be in His presence. As a result of His wrath against sin, we were doomed to eternal separation from Him.
But thankfully, the story doesn�t end there. In His love and mercy, God sent His Son to walk among us. Jesus experienced the hardship and temptation common to all people, yet He never sinned. The Savior chose to die a gruesome death in our place, paying the penalty for our wrongs.
Promising forgiveness and eternal life, Christ asks sinful man to believe and follow Him. When we trust in Jesus, we are adopted as God�s children and receive His indwelling Spirit, who blesses abundantly with joy, peace, and guidance. Always welcome before the Throne of Grace, believers have access to converse with the Father at any time. He promises to hear and respond to our seeking, repentant hearts. And Jesus intercedes for us, praying on our behalf.
We don�t deserve the Lord�s invitation to have an intimate relationship with Him. Yet in His grace, He is loving and compassionate toward us. What a privilege to be able to approach the King�s throne, knowing He listens, understands, and cares. Rest in God�s love, and enjoy sweet fellowship with Him.
Behold, He Cometh
�Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him.� (Revelation 1:7)
This striking verse, which deals with the return of Christ, contains several aspects well worth our study.
First: �Behold, he cometh.� This event is still future, but it is as sure as if it had already taken place. Christ will return.
Second: �They shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory� (Matthew 24:30). His coming �with clouds� was also prophesied in Daniel 7:13; Matthew 26:64; Acts 1:11; and elsewhere.
Third: �Every eye shall see him.� Who is included here? Certainly everyone living at the time, both Christian and non-Christian. But also the saved dead and raptured saints will be present (1 Thessalonians 4:17). Can it be that the unsaved dead will likewise �see� Him come? Those who died without Christ should be vitally interested. Either the coming rebellion will defeat Christ and free their spirits from Hades, or they will soon face certain, final judgment.
Fourth, notice the different reactions. His tormentors will be in horrible distress; those who �pierced him� will be in inexpressible anguish as they realize the awful consequences of their actions. Who pierced Him? Certainly Israel, but the collective sins of all men of all ages pierced Him. Some have gained forgiveness and will gladly see Him come; others have refused and will �wail� at His return.
Saints in heaven and on Earth will delight in His coming. To them, it means release from persecution, justice on their persecutors, and a righteous kingdom established. It will mean questions answered, imperfections removed, the curse repealed. Any distress felt for friends and loved ones still living in rejection will be swallowed up in the rightness of the action. JDM
God Listensby Max Lucado
You can talk to God because God listens. Your voice matters in heaven. He takes you very seriously. When you enter his presence, the attendants turn to you to hear your voice. No need to fear that you will be ignored. Even if you stammer or stumble, even if what you have to say impresses no one, it impresses God�and he listens. He listens to the painful plea of the elderly in the rest home. He listens to the gruff confession of the death-row inmate. When the alcoholic begs for mercy, when the spouse seeks guidance, when the businessman steps off the street into the chapel, God listens.
Intently. Carefully. The prayers are honored as precious jewels. Purified and empowered, the words rise in a delightful fragrance to our Lord. �The smoke from the incense went up from the angel�s hand to God.� Incredible. Your words do not stop until they reach the very throne of God.
Then, the angel �filled the incense pan with fire from the altar and threw it on the earth� (Rev. 8:5). One call and Heaven�s fleet appears. Your prayer on earth activates God�s power in heaven, and �God�s will is done on earth as it is in heaven.�
You are the someone of God�s kingdom. You have access to God�s furnace. Your prayers move God to change the world. You may not understand the mystery of prayer. You don�t need to. But this much is clear: Actions in heaven begin when someone prays on earth. What an amazing thought!
When you speak, Jesus hears.
And when Jesus hears, thunder falls.
And when thunder falls, the world is changed.
All because someone prayed.
Great Reward
�Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets.� (Luke 6:23)
Sometimes great rewards are promised to those who help locate dangerous criminals, or to those who win a lottery, but such pecuniary rewards are trivial compared to those awaiting all the faithful servants of Christ. The �great reward� promised by Christ in our text is specifically for those believers who willingly have endured hatred and ostracism, reproach and slander �for the Son of man�s sake� (v. 22).
Such rewards are distinct from salvation, of course, for that reward is given only �to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly� (Romans 4:5). �Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour� (Titus 3:5-6).
That is, salvation is a free gift, received only through personal faith in Christ and His sacrificial death for our sins. Rewards, on the other hand, are earned by faithful witness and work for Christ. In that day when �we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ� (2 Corinthians 5:10), many will learn to their dismay that, although they have indeed received everlasting life, they will have very little reward. For �the fire shall try every man�s work of what sort it is� (1 Corinthians 3:13)�not the quantity, but its quality and fidelity to God�s Word. Then, �if any man�s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved� (v. 15).
We need to remember that one of the last and thus most significant promises of Christ was: �Behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be� (Revelation 22:12). HMM
Overtimeby Max Lucado
My job requires lots of overtime, so I can�t attend many of my kids� school activities. My wife worries about this a lot. Could this have a negative effect on our kids? Or on my relationship with them?
As a father of three girls, I struggled with the same issues. As God blessed my ministry, more and more calls came in from all over the world, wanting me to speak at churches, conferences, and grand openings of supermarkets. It was hard to say no at first. I felt every opportunity was from God.
Finally I realized that every time I said yes to something, I had to say no to something else. It�s called Max�s Yes Law of Inverse Dynamics. Look it up! It says this: with every yes in your schedule, there is an equal and opposite no reaction. When I said yes to another speaking engagement, I said no to another family dinner. When I said yes to another meeting, I said no to my girls� volleyball game. When I said yes to another book tour, I said no to taking a walk with my wife.
So how do we show people that we love and believe in them? There are many ways to express those feelings�verbal affirmations, love letters, phone calls, even a quick text message saying, �I�m thinking of you.� They�re all good, but there�s one that�s the best.
I talked about it in my book A Love Worth Giving:
Now that my girls are all grown up, believe me, I�m glad I made that decision to show up before it was too late. Now (cue �Cat�s in the Cradle� in the background) I miss those Meet the Teacher Nights and seeing their papier-m�ch� volcano at the science fair and sitting in the stands at the big volleyball meet, even if they were on the bench the whole time.
The Throne of Glory
1 John 1:1-4When you pray, how do you approach God? Numerous Christians visualize a holy, righteous being and approach Him with feelings of fear, unworthiness, and reluctance. On the other hand, many believers picture the Lord as a pal and talk to Him with little reverence.
Neither approach is healthy. Our finite minds cannot fully grasp that God is both loving and holy. Let�s first explore the holy, fear-provoking side of the Lord. As you read today�s passage, visualize the incredible power around heaven�s throne. It fills my heart with awe and wonder.
Every page of Scripture can deepen our understanding of God�s greatness. Are you amazed at His presence and deeds? To understand more about His character, discipline yourself to read and meditate on the Word. Then take time to praise Him, for He alone is worthy of our adoration.
Lord of the Living and the Dead
Romans 14:7-12
In the New Testament, Lord is the most frequently used title for Jesus Christ. Although we rarely use this term in our daily lives, we are all quite familiar with another word: boss. That is basically what Lord means one possessing authority, power, and control. The Word of God describes Jesus as the head of the church, the ruler over all creation, and the Lord of lords and King of kings (Col. 1:15-18; Rev. 3:14; 17:14).
The realm of Christ's reign covers everything that happens in heaven and on the earth. No one not even those who deny His existence can be free of His rule or outside His sphere of authority. Although Satan tries to convince us that liberty is found in doing what we want, true freedom is acquired only through submission to Christ's loving lordship.
Have you submitted to Christ's rule over your life? His authority causes anger or fear in individuals who have not yet yielded to Him, but those who have experienced His lovingkindness, trusted in His goodness, and surrendered to His authority take comfort in knowing Him as the Lord of their lives.
Made Manifest by the Scriptures
�But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith.� (Romans 16:26)
This revelation was written by Paul the apostle as a conclusion to his great doctrinal epistle to the Romans. That which �now is made manifest . . . to all nations� had been �kept secret since the world began� and was essentially the simple truth revealed in �my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ� (Romans 16:25) offering to people from every nation (not just Israel!) the wonderful gift of salvation and eternal life through Jesus Christ.
And note that this was being made manifest not just by the preachers and Scriptures of the New Testament, but �by the scriptures of the prophets��that is, by the Old Testament Scriptures. There are some today who think the Old Testament is no longer of significance to Christians. But they are wrong! Remember that Jesus, after His resurrection, speaking to two of His disciples, rebuked them by saying: �O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: . . . And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself� (Luke 24:25, 27).
Furthermore, the Old Testament abounds with wonderful promises and precepts and examples that are supremely practical and profitable for the Christian life. As Paul said, �For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope� (Romans 15:4). In fact, every Old Testament Scripture is �given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness� (2 Timothy 3:16). HMM
Fear of Life's Final Momentsby Max Lucado
Maybe you share this deep desire and a desire to face death unafraid; to die without fright or a fight; perhaps even with a smile. Some say that's impossible. But Christ promises in John 14:1-3, Don't let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am.
Jesus experienced a physical and factual resurrection. And, here it is because he did, we will too! If Jesus tomb is empty, then his promise is not. So, let's die with faith. Jesus grants courage for the final passage. Death. No need to dread it or ignore it. Because of Jesus, you can face it.
Finding Clear Guidance
Psalms 25:12
How can you be sure you're making the right decision? Sometimes it may seem as if God plays hide and seek when we�re trying to know His will, but that�s not the way He operates. He wants to give us clear direction. The real question is, What do you need to do to hear His voice?
Clear the pathway. We have two main obstacles that hinder our discernment: sin in our life, and our own strong desires about the situation. To receive the Lord�s guidance, we must repent of all known sin and make our desires secondary to His.
Exercise patience. Sometimes it takes a great deal of strength to stand still when everything within you is shouting, �Hurry! Time is running out!� But if you rush ahead of God, you may miss His will.
Search the Scriptures. The Word of God has an answer for every need, and the Holy Spirit knows just how to point us in the right direction. I remember times while I was reading the Bible that a verse jumped off the page and supplied the exact answer I needed to make an important decision.
So often when we�re faced with a critical choice, all we want from the Lord is a quick answer. But He delights to meet with us in order to deepen our relationship with Him. Don�t let the urgency of your need keep you from enjoying the intimacy of His presence as you seek His will.
The Holy City
�And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.� (Revelation 21:2-3)
On the night of the last supper, Jesus made a wonderful promise to His disciples: �In my Father�s house are many mansions. . . . I go to prepare a place for you. And . . . I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also� (John 14:2-3). Eventually, at His second coming, those who belong to Him shall be with Him.
That this promise applies to all His disciples (not just the 11 in the upper room) is evident in His prayer right after this conversation: �Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word. . . . Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am� (John 17:20, 24). When the Lord returns, or when we die as believers, �so shall we ever be with the Lord� (1 Thessalonians 4:17).
That place where we shall be with Him, which He is still preparing for us, is the Holy City, new Jerusalem; for our text says that �he will dwell with them� there and be their God. The last two chapters of the Bible describe in some detail that beautiful �tabernacle of God� in which we who believe in Christ will all have our Christ-prepared mansions some day.
This magnificent city is not heaven, for John saw it �coming down from God out of heaven.� Right now, therefore, it is in heaven, where the Lord Jesus is, along with the souls of those believers who already have gone �to be present with the Lord� (2 Corinthians 5:8). There in the Holy City, �the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him� with eternal joy (Revelation 22:3). HMM
A Heart of Compassion - by Greg Laurie -
But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd.-Matthew 9:36
Far too often Christians see nonbelievers as the enemy. But let's remember that we used to be among them. The Bible tells us that when Jesus "saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd" (Matthew 9:36 NKJV).
Jesus went on to say, "The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest." (verses 37-38 NKJV).
Nonbelievers are not the enemy. Nonbelievers are under the control of the real enemy, who is Satan. The Bible tells us, "Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don't believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don't understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God" (2 Corinthians 4:4 NLT).
Like Jonah, we sometimes don't even want people to be saved. Jonah was called by God to go and preach in Nineveh, which was the capital of Assyria. The Assyrians were the avowed enemies of the Jewish people, so Jonah didn't want to go.
If God eradicated the Ninevites and the nation of Assyria from the face of the earth, it would be one less enemy that Israel had to deal with. But when Jonah finally went to preach to them, they repented of their sin.
So Jonah complained to God, saying, "Didn't I say before I left home that you would do this, Lord? That is why I ran away to Tarshish! I knew that you are a merciful and compassionate God, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. You are eager to turn back from destroying people" (Jonah 4:2 NLT).
Let's not have that heart toward unbelievers. Let's be thankful that God forgives.
The Cure for Disappointment by Max Lucado Don't ask God to do what you want. Ask God to do what is right.
When God doesn't do what we want, it's not easy. Never has been. Never will be. But faith is the conviction that God knows more than we do about this life and he will get us through it.
Disappointment is cured by revamped expectations.
I like that story about the fellow who went to the pet store in search of a singing parakeet. Seems he was a bachelor and his house was too quiet. The store owner had just the bird for him, so the man bought it. The next day the bachelor came home from work to a house full of music. He went to the cage to feed the bird and noticed for the first time that the parakeet had only one leg.
He felt cheated that he�d been sold a one-legged bird, so he called and complained.
What do you want,
the store owner responded, �a bird who can sing or a bird who can dance?
The Effectiveness of God's Way
Exodus 3
Yesterday we observed the ineffectiveness of Moses' attempt to liberate his people from Egyptian slavery, but today we see him given a second chance to do it God's way. If we could learn the lessons Moses learned about the dangers of self-reliance and the advantages of depending on the Lord, we would save ourselves much hardship.
When we choose to cooperate with God and submit to His way, He will do amazing things in and through us. Despite Moses' past failure, the Lord still used him to accomplish the divine plan, but only after he became usable�that is, humbled and broken of self-will. Just consider what God achieved when Moses did it His way.
Something We All Need to Say - by Greg Laurie - www.harvest.org
The aspiring young author was in need of hope. More than one person had told him to give up. �Getting published is impossible,� one mentor said. �Unless you are a national celebrity, publishers won�t talk to you.� Another warned, �Writing takes too much time. Besides, you don�t want all your thoughts on paper.�
Initially he listened. He agreed that writing was a waste of effort and turned his attention to other projects. But somehow the pen and pad were bourbon and Coke to the wordaholic. He�d rather write than read. So he wrote. How many nights did he pass on that couch in the corner of the apartment reshuffling his deck of verbs and nouns? And how many hours did his wife sit with him? He wordsmithing. She cross-stitching. Finally a manuscript was finished. Crude and laden with mistakes but finished.
She gave him the shove. �Send it out. What�s the harm?�
So out it went. Mailed to fifteen different publishers. While the couple waited, he wrote. While he wrote, she stitched. Neither expecting much, both hoping everything. Responses began to fill the mailbox. �I�m sorry, but we don�t accept unsolicited manuscripts.� �We must return your work. Best of luck.� �Our catalog doesn�t have room for unpublished authors.�
I still have those letters. Somewhere in a file. Finding them would take some time. Finding Denalyn�s cross-stitch, however, would take none. To see it, all I do is lift my eyes from this monitor and look on the wall. �Of all those arts in which the wise excel, nature�s chief masterpiece is writing well.�
She gave it to me about the time the fifteenth letter arrived. A publisher had said yes. That letter is also framed. Which of the two is more meaningful? The gift from my wife or the letter from the publisher? The gift, hands down. For in giving the gift, Denalyn gave hope.
Love does that. Love extends an olive leaf to the loved one and says, �I have hope in you.�
Developing a Tender Heart
Ezekiel 36:25-28
The Lord wants to give each of us a "heart of flesh" so that we will be pliable and responsive to Him. When touched by the finger of God, a tender heart yields to the pressure and assumes the form He desires, much like a lump of clay that allows the potter to determine the shape of the vessel.
To aid in this process, God has sent the Holy Spirit to indwell each believer and awaken responsiveness in him or her. By yielding to the Spirit's promptings with ready obedience, the heart becomes increasingly tender and sensitive to His leading. The Lord is able to impart greater understanding of His Word to a soft heart because it has faithfully accepted and obeyed previous teachings.
Any resistance to God will result in hardening. But those who are accustomed to intimacy with Christ�which is the result of submission to Him�will be quick to deal with sin and return to the place of obedience and blessing.
People with tender hearts stay closely connected to the body of Christ, seeking to build up and encourage others in their walk of faith. Such individuals are not only receptive to what God wants to tell them; they are also teachable, in that they are willing to listen and be corrected by others.
This week when you read your Bible and pray, let your heart be soft toward the words of God. As He pokes His finger into each hard area, listen to His instructions, and rely on the Spirit's power to help you yield and obey. Let Him shape you into a beautiful and useful vessel.
Live Honestly
�Pray for us: for we trust we have a good conscience, in all things willing to live honestly.� (Hebrews 13:18)
It ought to go without saying that a Christian should live honestly in all things. Apparently it does need saying, however, because the Scriptures contain many such references. For example: �Provide things honest in the sight of all men� (Romans 12:17). For the sake of one�s Christian testimony before other men, it is vital that utter honesty must characterize his life. Even if men cannot see our little acts of dishonesty, God can, and so even our secret actions must be �providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men� (2 Corinthians 8:21). �Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest . . . think on these things� (Philippians 4:8).
We live in a corrupt and cynical society where genuine honesty is rare. Petty pilfering at the office, cheating on taxes, plagiarizing, loafing at the job, padding expense accounts, cheating on tests, cutting corners on obligations, breaking promises, exaggerating�the list of petty dishonesties is endless, not even to mention the crime and major corruption so prevalent today almost everywhere. In such an environment dominated and conditioned by a humanistic educational system, unsaved persons easily adapt to such questionable practices, for �unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled� (Titus 1:15).
But when Christians do such things (and, unfortunately, they do!), those same people find it scandalous and blaspheme the gospel because of it. How vital it is for Christians to become scrupulously sensitive about even the smallest matters. This should, in fact, be a major item of daily prayer, as in our text for the day. HMM
When God doesn't do what we want, it's not easy. Never has been. Never will be. But faith is the conviction that God knows more than we do about this life and he will get us through it.
Disappointment is cured by revamped expectations.
I like that story about the fellow who went to the pet store in search of a singing parakeet. Seems he was a bachelor and his house was too quiet. The store owner had just the bird for him, so the man bought it. The next day the bachelor came home from work to a house full of music. He went to the cage to feed the bird and noticed for the first time that the parakeet had only one leg.
He felt cheated that he�d been sold a one-legged bird, so he called and complained.
What do you want,
the store owner responded, �a bird who can sing or a bird who can dance?
The Effectiveness of God's Way
Exodus 3
Yesterday we observed the ineffectiveness of Moses' attempt to liberate his people from Egyptian slavery, but today we see him given a second chance to do it God's way. If we could learn the lessons Moses learned about the dangers of self-reliance and the advantages of depending on the Lord, we would save ourselves much hardship.
When we choose to cooperate with God and submit to His way, He will do amazing things in and through us. Despite Moses' past failure, the Lord still used him to accomplish the divine plan, but only after he became usable�that is, humbled and broken of self-will. Just consider what God achieved when Moses did it His way.
He showed what great things He could do through one yielded, dependent person.
He got more done in less time, and with fewer resources. There was no insurrection or long, drawn-out war�just a dramatic display of His power.
He proved the superiority of His way by freeing over two million people without the loss of a single Hebrew life.
He sent impoverished slaves out of bondage with their captors' riches (Ex. 3:21-22).
He proved to both the Israelites and the Egyptians that He alone is the God of heaven and earth.
He received all the glory.
Our past failures never prevent God's willingness or ability to use us. In fact, our weakness is a great opportunity for the display of His glory. In our own strength, we are totally ineffective. But when we submit to the Lord's authority, we can experience His victory in whatever He calls us to do.Something We All Need to Say - by Greg Laurie - www.harvest.org
If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.-Romans 10:9
Have you ever openly declared that Jesus is Lord? It should be the easiest thing to say, and it's something that we all need to say. Romans 10:9 tells us, "If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved" (NKJV). That is the very message about faith that we preach.
But we can't just feel it; we need to act on it. Sometimes we give intellectual assent to something, but it doesn't take hold in our hearts. This needs to be an inner conviction. Yes, we mentally agree to it, but we embrace it as a conviction as well. It's very important to verbally say what we're thinking in our hearts.
I think men have more trouble with this than women. Women seem to be far more open to express their affection and love, while it's not as easy for men. But know this about men: we have the same emotion and depth of love that everyone else has; we just express it differently. So we have to work a little harder at that sometimes.
We need to express our love to the Lord: Lord, I love You. I appreciate what You do for me. I honor You. I glorify You.
Yes, the Lord can see our hearts. But He tells us to offer Him the sacrifice of praise. As Hebrews 13 says, "Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name" (verse 15 NKJV).
So we need to say that Jesus is Lord. We need to express that in church and honor the Lord in our worship. But we need to say that to others as well.
The Gift of Hopeby Max LucadoThe aspiring young author was in need of hope. More than one person had told him to give up. �Getting published is impossible,� one mentor said. �Unless you are a national celebrity, publishers won�t talk to you.� Another warned, �Writing takes too much time. Besides, you don�t want all your thoughts on paper.�
Initially he listened. He agreed that writing was a waste of effort and turned his attention to other projects. But somehow the pen and pad were bourbon and Coke to the wordaholic. He�d rather write than read. So he wrote. How many nights did he pass on that couch in the corner of the apartment reshuffling his deck of verbs and nouns? And how many hours did his wife sit with him? He wordsmithing. She cross-stitching. Finally a manuscript was finished. Crude and laden with mistakes but finished.
She gave him the shove. �Send it out. What�s the harm?�
So out it went. Mailed to fifteen different publishers. While the couple waited, he wrote. While he wrote, she stitched. Neither expecting much, both hoping everything. Responses began to fill the mailbox. �I�m sorry, but we don�t accept unsolicited manuscripts.� �We must return your work. Best of luck.� �Our catalog doesn�t have room for unpublished authors.�
I still have those letters. Somewhere in a file. Finding them would take some time. Finding Denalyn�s cross-stitch, however, would take none. To see it, all I do is lift my eyes from this monitor and look on the wall. �Of all those arts in which the wise excel, nature�s chief masterpiece is writing well.�
She gave it to me about the time the fifteenth letter arrived. A publisher had said yes. That letter is also framed. Which of the two is more meaningful? The gift from my wife or the letter from the publisher? The gift, hands down. For in giving the gift, Denalyn gave hope.
Love does that. Love extends an olive leaf to the loved one and says, �I have hope in you.�
Developing a Tender Heart
Ezekiel 36:25-28
The Lord wants to give each of us a "heart of flesh" so that we will be pliable and responsive to Him. When touched by the finger of God, a tender heart yields to the pressure and assumes the form He desires, much like a lump of clay that allows the potter to determine the shape of the vessel.
To aid in this process, God has sent the Holy Spirit to indwell each believer and awaken responsiveness in him or her. By yielding to the Spirit's promptings with ready obedience, the heart becomes increasingly tender and sensitive to His leading. The Lord is able to impart greater understanding of His Word to a soft heart because it has faithfully accepted and obeyed previous teachings.
People with tender hearts stay closely connected to the body of Christ, seeking to build up and encourage others in their walk of faith. Such individuals are not only receptive to what God wants to tell them; they are also teachable, in that they are willing to listen and be corrected by others.
This week when you read your Bible and pray, let your heart be soft toward the words of God. As He pokes His finger into each hard area, listen to His instructions, and rely on the Spirit's power to help you yield and obey. Let Him shape you into a beautiful and useful vessel.
Live Honestly
�Pray for us: for we trust we have a good conscience, in all things willing to live honestly.� (Hebrews 13:18)
It ought to go without saying that a Christian should live honestly in all things. Apparently it does need saying, however, because the Scriptures contain many such references. For example: �Provide things honest in the sight of all men� (Romans 12:17). For the sake of one�s Christian testimony before other men, it is vital that utter honesty must characterize his life. Even if men cannot see our little acts of dishonesty, God can, and so even our secret actions must be �providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men� (2 Corinthians 8:21). �Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest . . . think on these things� (Philippians 4:8).
We live in a corrupt and cynical society where genuine honesty is rare. Petty pilfering at the office, cheating on taxes, plagiarizing, loafing at the job, padding expense accounts, cheating on tests, cutting corners on obligations, breaking promises, exaggerating�the list of petty dishonesties is endless, not even to mention the crime and major corruption so prevalent today almost everywhere. In such an environment dominated and conditioned by a humanistic educational system, unsaved persons easily adapt to such questionable practices, for �unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled� (Titus 1:15).
But when Christians do such things (and, unfortunately, they do!), those same people find it scandalous and blaspheme the gospel because of it. How vital it is for Christians to become scrupulously sensitive about even the smallest matters. This should, in fact, be a major item of daily prayer, as in our text for the day. HMM
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