Light of The World

The Power of a Grateful Heart

2024-05-21T10:43:00.000+10:00

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NIV) "Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus."

Reflection:

Gratitude is a powerful attitude that can transform our lives. In 1 Thessalonians 5:18, Paul encourages us to "give thanks in all circumstances." This doesn't mean we are thankful for every situation, especially the difficult ones, but it means finding reasons to be grateful even amidst our trials.

Gratitude shifts our focus from what we lack to what we have. It helps us see God's hand in our lives and recognize His blessings, no matter how small. When we cultivate a grateful heart, we start to notice the everyday miracles and the ways God provides for us.

Consider the story of Paul and Silas in Acts 16. While imprisoned, they chose to pray and sing hymns to God. Despite their dire circumstances, they found reasons to be grateful and praise God. Their gratitude not only sustained them but also led to a miraculous release.

Giving thanks in all circumstances is a practice of faith. It acknowledges that God is sovereign and that He works all things for our good (Romans 8:28). It’s a declaration of trust in His perfect plan, even when we don't understand it.

Today, let's make a conscious effort to be grateful. Reflect on the blessings in your life—your family, friends, health, and the opportunities you have. Thank God for His constant presence and for the ways He sustains you. Even in challenging times, look for glimpses of His goodness and grace.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, We thank You for Your countless blessings and for Your unwavering presence in our lives. Help us to cultivate a heart of gratitude, recognizing Your goodness in every situation. Teach us to give thanks in all circumstances, trusting that You are working for our good. May our gratitude be a testimony of Your faithfulness and love. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Daily Challenge:

Start a gratitude journal today. Write down at least three things you are thankful for each day. Reflect on these entries regularly to remind yourself of God’s goodness and provision. Share your gratitude with others and encourage them to also find reasons to be thankful.

The Power of Encouragement

2024-05-15T12:27:00.002+10:00

Image by Freepik

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NIV) "Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing."

Reflection:

Encouragement is a powerful gift we can give to one another. In a world where criticism and negativity often dominate, offering words of hope and affirmation can make a significant difference in someone's life. The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Thessalonians, urges us to encourage and build each other up. This command is as relevant today as it was in the early church.

Think about the times when someone’s kind words have uplifted you, giving you the strength to carry on. Encouragement has the power to renew our spirits, to remind us of our worth, and to affirm our efforts and abilities. It can provide the motivation we need to overcome challenges and to keep moving forward.

As Christians, we are called to be bearers of encouragement. This means actively looking for opportunities to uplift those around us—our family, friends, coworkers, and even strangers. A simple word of appreciation, a heartfelt compliment, or a note of encouragement can brighten someone's day and strengthen their faith.

Encouragement is not only about speaking positive words but also about listening and being present. Sometimes, the most encouraging thing we can do is to offer our time and attention, showing someone that they are valued and loved.

Consider how Jesus encouraged His disciples, not just with words but also with His presence and actions. He lifted them up, gave them hope, and showed them their potential. We are called to follow His example, becoming sources of encouragement and hope in our communities.

Today, make a conscious effort to encourage someone. Whether through a text, a call, or a face-to-face conversation, let your words be a source of strength and comfort. Remember, your small act of kindness can have a lasting impact.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank You for the gift of encouragement. Help us to be mindful of the power of our words and actions, and to use them to build others up. Give us eyes to see those who need a word of hope today and the courage to speak life into their situations. May we be vessels of Your love and encouragement, reflecting the grace and kindness of Jesus. In His name, Amen.

Daily Challenge:

Take a moment today to encourage at least three people. This could be through a kind word, a thoughtful message, or a small act of kindness. Pay attention to the impact your encouragement has and thank God for the opportunity to uplift others.

Trusting God's Timing

2024-05-14T11:18:00.004+10:00

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 3:1 (NIV)
"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens."

Reflection:

Today’s verse reminds us of a fundamental truth: God has a perfect timing for everything in our lives. This can be both comforting and challenging. Comforting because it reassures us that our lives are in God’s hands, and challenging because we often want things to happen on our own schedule.

In our fast-paced world, waiting can be incredibly difficult. We are used to instant gratification—immediate answers to our questions, quick results from our efforts. But God's timing doesn't always align with our desire for speed. Sometimes, He asks us to wait, to trust, and to be patient.

Waiting on God requires faith. It means believing that He knows what is best for us, even when we can't see the full picture. It means trusting that His plans are for our good, to give us hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11). During these waiting periods, God is often working behind the scenes, preparing us for what lies ahead, shaping our character, and deepening our faith.

As we navigate our daily lives, we might encounter seasons of waiting—waiting for a job opportunity, for healing, for a relationship to blossom, or for a prayer to be answered. These times can feel like we are in a holding pattern, but they are not wasted. They are opportunities to grow closer to God, to learn patience, and to develop a deeper reliance on Him.

Reflect on the times you’ve waited on God. How has He shown His faithfulness in the past? Let those memories strengthen your faith as you trust Him with your present and your future. Remember, God’s timing is perfect, and His plans are always worth the wait.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father,
Thank You for the reminder that Your timing is perfect. Help us to trust in Your plans for our lives, even when we don’t understand the waiting. Give us the patience and faith to rely on You fully, knowing that You are working all things for our good. Teach us to embrace the seasons of waiting as opportunities to grow closer to You. We surrender our timelines and our desires to Your will, confident in Your love and faithfulness. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Daily Challenge:

Take a moment today to reflect on a time when you had to wait on God. Write down how He showed His faithfulness during that period. Use this as a reminder to trust His timing in your current circumstances. Share your story with a friend or family member who might also need encouragement in waiting on God’s perfect timing.

Women of Honor: A Mother's Day Reflection

2024-05-13T10:02:00.003+10:00

Scripture: Proverbs 31:25-31 (NIV) "She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: 'Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.' Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate."

Reflection: Today, as we celebrate Mother's Day, we honor the women in our lives who have embodied strength, love, and sacrifice. The passage from Proverbs paints a vivid picture of a woman of honor, a mother who is clothed with strength and dignity. She is not merely defined by her external beauty or charm, but by her reverence for the Lord and her dedication to her family. Mothers hold a special place in our hearts. They are the ones who nurture us, guide us, and shape us into the individuals we become. Their love is unconditional, their sacrifices often unseen but deeply felt. They are the silent heroes who work tirelessly behind the scenes, ensuring the well-being and happiness of their families. In today's fast-paced world, where success is often measured by external achievements and material possessions, it is easy to overlook the quiet strength of mothers. Yet, their influence is profound and enduring. They teach us valuable lessons about love, compassion, and resilience. They are our first teachers, our greatest cheerleaders, and our most steadfast allies. As we reflect on the significance of Mother's Day, let us take a moment to honor the women who have played a pivotal role in shaping our lives. Whether it is our own mothers, grandmothers, aunts, or other maternal figures, let us express our gratitude and appreciation for their love and sacrifices. Let us remember that true honor is not found in worldly acclaim, but in the selfless devotion of a mother's heart.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, We thank you for the gift of mothers, for their love, their strength, and their unwavering faith. Bless all the women who have embraced the noble calling of motherhood. Grant them wisdom, patience, and joy as they continue to nurture and guide their families. May they always find strength in you, knowing that their labor of love is not in vain. We pray for those who may be grieving today, missing their mothers or longing to become mothers themselves. Comfort them with your presence and surround them with your peace. In Jesus' name, Amen.

The Gift of Encouragement

2024-05-10T11:30:00.000+10:00

Scripture: "Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing." - 1 Thessalonians 5:11 (ESV) Reflection: Encouragement is a powerful gift that we can offer to others, yet it's often underestimated in its impact. In a world where negativity and discouragement abound, choosing to be a source of encouragement can make a profound difference in someone's life. The Bible repeatedly emphasizes the importance of encouraging one another. In 1 Thessalonians 5:11, we are instructed to "encourage one another and build one another up." Encouragement not only lifts the spirits of those who receive it but also strengthens their faith and resilience. As followers of Christ, we are called to emulate the example of Jesus, who consistently offered words of hope and affirmation to those around Him. Whether through a kind gesture, a thoughtful word, or a listening ear, we have the opportunity to be instruments of God's encouragement in the lives of others. In a world that can often feel discouraging and disheartening, let us purposefully seek out opportunities to uplift and inspire those around us. Let us be quick to offer words of affirmation, acts of kindness, and prayers of encouragement to those who may be in need. May we never underestimate the power of a simple word of encouragement to brighten someone's day or renew their hope. And as we pour out encouragement to others, may we also be open to receiving it ourselves, allowing God to use His people to strengthen and edify us in our own journey of faith. Prayer: Gracious God, thank You for the gift of encouragement. Help us to be mindful of the power of our words and actions to uplift and inspire others. Give us hearts that are open to encouraging those around us, and grant us the wisdom to know when someone is in need of a word of hope. Use us, Lord, to be agents of Your encouragement in a world that desperately needs it. In Jesus' name, Amen. May this devotional inspire you to be a source of encouragement to those around you, spreading hope and positivity wherever you go.

Embracing Change with Faith

2024-05-09T15:32:00.001+10:00

Scripture: "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." - Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV) Reflection: Change is a constant part of life. Sometimes it brings joy and new opportunities, while at other times, it brings challenges and uncertainties. Regardless of its nature, change is an inevitable aspect of our journey. However, as followers of Christ, we can take comfort in knowing that God is sovereign over all circumstances, and He has a purpose for every season of our lives. In times of change, it's natural to feel anxious or apprehensive about the unknown. Yet, God assures us in Jeremiah 29:11 that His plans for us are good. Even when we can't see the bigger picture, we can trust that God is working all things together for our ultimate good (Romans 8:28). Instead of resisting change out of fear or doubt, let us approach it with faith and surrender. Embracing change with faith means entrusting our lives entirely into God's hands, believing that He is leading us towards a brighter future. It means acknowledging that His ways are higher than ours and that He is orchestrating every detail for His glory and our benefit. As we navigate through seasons of change, let us cling to God's promises and seek His guidance through prayer and His word. Let us remember that He is with us every step of the way, providing strength, wisdom, and comfort. May we find peace in knowing that our Heavenly Father is faithful, and His love for us endures forever. Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for Your steadfast love and faithfulness. As we encounter change in our lives, help us to trust in Your perfect plan and provision. Grant us the courage to embrace change with faith, knowing that You are always in control. Guide us, Lord, and lead us according to Your will. In Jesus' name, Amen. May this devotional encourage you as you navigate through the changes in your life, knowing that God is always by your side.

Jesus' New Message - The New Wineskin

2017-02-24T17:29:00.000+11:00

“No one patches up an old coat with a piece of new cloth, for the new patch will shrink and make an even bigger hole in the coat. Nor does anyone pour new wine into used wineskins, for the skins will burst, the wine will pour out, and the skins will be ruined. Instead, new wine is poured into fresh wineskins, and both will keep in good condition.” Matthew 9: 16-17;

The Scripture presents to us two parables; A New Cloth and A New Wine. They can also be found in Mark 2: 21, 22 and Luke 5:36-39.

In order to understand this parables, we have to understand why Jesus said them. First let’s establish the context.

In the preceding verses, Matthew 9: 14-15 says;

Then John’s (the Baptist) disciples came and asked him,” How is it that we and the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?” Jesus answered,” How can the guests of the bridegroom mourn while he is with them? The time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast.

One thing we pick out from this reading is that;

• The Disciples of John and the Pharisees were involved in this incident and both questioned Jesus.

• It is also clear that both compared themselves to Jesus disciples and had come to the conclusion that Jesus disciples were not measuring up to the high standards of their religion.

• They recognized that Jesus and his disciples didn’t do the things they did to put their self-righteousness on public display.

• We also notice that the disciples of John the Baptist came under the influence of the Pharisees religious rules in the absence of John’s leadership. They had quickly forgotten the substance of John’s message of repentance and his rejection of religious self-righteousness.

In Matthew 5:17 Jesus says; “Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.

What Jesus is saying here is that religiousness has nullified the spiritual principles God had established and Jesus was here for the truth.

Jesus was here to demonstrate perfect obedience to God.

• He was not bound in any way to the man-made religious requirements. Since the Pharisees had their own idea of what righteousness looked like, they couldn’t recognise true righteousness in Jesus.

We as Christians should not be any more bound to religious requirements.

In chapters 5 and 6, you’ll find the religious crowd continuing to struggle with the fact that Jesus and His disciples had a serious disregard for their rules. In other words, they couldn’t make that distinction.

• Obedience to God and obedience to religion is not the same thing. This is what we have to keep in mind. Obedience to religion will not save you.

Let's look at the first parable, Matthew 9:16;

“No one patches up an old coat with a piece of new cloth, for the new patch will shrink and make an even bigger hole in the coat.

In some versions it says new cloth, un-shrunk cloth. KJV translated agnaphos, “new”.

• It is sometime translated undressed, uncombed or unfinished.

• Refers to wool or cotton cloth that has not been carded or combed so that the fibres are aligned, giving it both strength and a smoother, and more finished appearance.

As Jesus explains in the parable, such cloth, if used to patch a tear in an older garment, would actually weaken the garment and cause a worse tear.

This parable illustrates the incompatibility of the old with the new.

• When Jesus uses the illustration of the unfinished cloth being used as a patch for an old garment, He’s implying that something new, yet unfinished, is not compatible with something old, which has been damaged or torn.

The new unfinished cloth is His message of the Kingdom;

• The New Covenant is not yet fully revealed, so it is not completely understood.

• The Old Covenant (The Law and the Prophets) has been damaged, torn and rendered useless by the religious men who follow their flesh, rejecting Gods righteousness.

At this point, Jesus message of the Kingdom is unfinished. Why?

It is unfinished because we need to consider;

1. Jesus tells us that He was “sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel” Matthew 10:5,6 15: 22-28 21: 42, 43. Only after His death and resurrection, an invitation of the Kingdom is extended to the Gentiles (revealed to Paul in the book of Acts and Romans)

2. Jesus tells His Disciples the revelation of truth about the Holy Spirit.

In John 14:26, Holy Spirit would come to “teach you all things and cause you to remember what I have told you already.” Then later in John 16:12, 13 “I have many things to tell you, but you’re not mature enough to bear them. However, when the Spirit of Truth has come, He will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak His own message, but only what He hears from the Father and will do it in the Father’s timing.”

Jesus says that His Good News concerning the Kingdom was not complete revelation; there was more to come. The rest will be revealed until after He was gone.

3. The message of the Kingdom is unfinished because God always used a vessel/ channel to which He could relate to His people. In the Old Testament, priests or prophets relied on man-made religion instead of the leadership of the Holy Spirit.

Jesus message was incomplete. Why?

• Because it didn’t include the Gentiles or a revelation of the true church and how it would function.

It would be completed after He was gone by revelation to the apostles through the Ministry of the Holy Spirit.

Matthew 9:17. This is what Jesus says;

Nor does anyone pour new wine into used wineskins, for the skins will burst, the wine will pour out, and the skins will be ruined. Instead, new wine is poured into fresh wineskins, and both will keep in good condition.”

In the KJV, two words are translated new. Neos applying to wine relates to time, recent or young. However, the word used to describe new wineskins is kainos, meaning “new” as it relates to form or quality and it can mean uncommon, renewed, refreshed or reconditioned.

To understand this, we have to understand the process of winemaking.

• You would assume that every year new wineskins (leather bottles) were made because new wine could only be put into new wineskins, but that was not the case.

Old wineskins when emptied were saved for the next year. Over the course of time they became dry and brittle. But they were easily “reconditioned” by soaking in water for few days. Then, when they softened, they were coated with olive oil and were ready to use again.

Now the bottles were able to stretch, accommodating the expansion of gases that were a result of the fermentation process.

It’s obvious that the old is still incompatible with the new. However, in this case, Jesus makes it clear that the new message can only be successfully deposited in the old heart that has been reconditioned and is soft, and ready to extend itself to new limits as the revelation of the Kingdom continues to grow.

Those who receive the new message must be ready and able to withstand the pressures caused by the agitation and the violence in that process.

- New reconditioned wineskins were meant to stretch and expand when gases from the fermenting process exerted pressure. Dry and old wineskins did not have the capacity so they can burst easily.

- It’s time to stretch and extend our boundaries. It’s time to expand the capacity in our lives so that the blessings of God can fully fill our wineskins.

Change is always happening around us but change is difficult to deal with.

Nicodemus went to Jesus in the night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God; for no can do these signs that you do apart from God’s presence.” Jesus said to him, “very truly, I tell you, no one can see the Kingdom of God without being born again.”

Jesus was talking about change but Nicodemus wondered if it were possible, “How can anyone be born after having grown old?”

A rich man came to Jesus and asked, “Good teacher, what must I do to be saved?” And when Jesus told him to give away all his riches to the poor and come follow him, he went away sad and depressed.

My friends, Jesus did not come into this world so that you and I might remain the same. He came to change things – to transform your life and my life and make us more into the image of God.

But change is difficult for those who have grown old; who are set in their ways; who are inflexible and ridged and who want things to stay as they have always been. Wineskins do become old and new wine, continually being produced, has to be accommodated somewhere. That is the problem with change. Whether we want it or not, change happens and we are left to deal with it or we are left behind.

Jesus new message of the Kingdom is that whether Jews or Gentiles, whether black or White. The invitation is to all. So that the creation of God can be complete and be new. So that when the Lord returns, he is to take a new reconditioned, restored unblemished church.

Questioning God

2016-09-06T09:31:00.002+10:00

John the Baptist, who was in prison, heard about all the things the Messiah was doing. So he sent his disciples to ask Jesus, "Are you the Messiah we've been expecting, or should we keep looking for someone else?"—Matthew 11:2–3

How would you feel if someone you loved and trusted began to question you? You might feel offended. What do they know, after all?

When John sent word to Jesus from prison and asked, "Are you the Messiah we've been expecting, or should we keep looking for someone else?" (Matthew 11: 3), Jesus didn't rebuke him. He didn't say, "How dare John doubt Me? My own cousin! He should have known better" or "John? Come on, give Me a break! You know he's a little strange, right? The animal skins . . . and who eats locusts? That's My cousin! Maybe it was something in his diet."

It was a good opportunity to throw someone under the bus. But Jesus didn't do that. Instead, he brought John back to Scripture: "Go back to John and tell him what you have heard and seen—the blind see, the lame walk, those with leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life, and the Good News is being preached to the poor" (verses 4–5). Then He said, "God blesses those who do not fall away because of me" (verse 6).

Here is what Jesus was saying: "Listen, you just let John know this: Even if you don't understand My method, even if you don't grasp My ways or My timing, I am asking you to trust Me. When you are unable to see why I am doing what I am doing, or why I am not doing what you think I ought to be doing, hang in there. Follow Me. Don't be offended because of this."
Our Lord understood this was an attack of the enemy. He understood what loneliness and solitude could do.

God never rebukes anyone who comes to Him with sincere questions or honest doubts

The Fringe Benefit of Holiness

2016-06-15T10:44:00.000+10:00

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled

—Matthew 5:6

Have a nice day. We throw that expression around a lot in our culture. When you make a purchase, the cashier might say, "Thank you. Have a nice day." Or, maybe you want to return something, and you're told, "No, we cannot take that back again. Have a nice day." It's really their way of saying, "You can go now."

But what does it really mean to have a nice day? I suppose it would be a day free of sickness, conflict, and hardship—a day that is, well, nice.

That is how God is sometimes perceived. We might imagine Him thundering from Mount Sinai, "Have a nice day!" We like to think of Him as perpetually smiling, wanting us all to be happy, healthy, and wealthy.

I'm not suggesting that God cannot or will not bless us with health or even wealth. Nor am I suggesting that God doesn't want us to be happy. But that is not God's primary objective for us. God doesn't sit around in Heaven and wonder how He can make us happier. What God is really interested in is how He can make us more holy. He wants us to be holy more than He wants us to be happy.

The remarkable thing is that if you really are a holy person, then you will, in turn, be a happy person. Happiness is the fringe benefit of holiness. What does it mean to be holy? Maybe if we respelled holy as wholly, as in wholly committed, we would get a better understanding of the word. You can be wholly committed to surfing or wholly committed to golfing or wholly committed to money. That is a commitment.

If you want to be holy, be wholly committed to God. You will be happy as a result.

Growing that seed

2015-03-21T12:41:00.001+11:00

I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. - 1 Corinthians 3:6

Last night during our Youth Fellowship, our Minister ran a study on active and dormant Christians. He said that dormant Christians are Christians that have accepted Christ but are not growing spiritually. They are still being influenced by the things of this world. Active Christians are Christians that have fully accepted Christ in their lives and are growing and are being lead by the Holy Spirit.

I understood that when a men accepts Jesus Christ in their lives, a seed is planted in their lives. Any men plants a seed. But it is only God who is able to make it grow. An active Christian avails himself to that growth and allows the Lord to take control of his life. But a dormant Christian does otherwise.

Are you willing and allowing God in your life to make that seed grow? It is only God who can make you grow and take control of your life. Let God take control of your life today by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Click to Earn!

The Word

2015-03-19T12:17:00.001+11:00

The lamp of the Lord searches the spirit of a man; it searches out his inmost being. - Proverbs 20:27

A lamp is used to see where we are and where we are going. It helps us to do what we are doing. It also provides warmth in a room. Without a lamp it's very difficult to move around in a dark room.

Your Word is a lamp for my feet and a light to my path - Psalms 119:105
The Word of God is very important for us Christians, without the Word as blind as a man in a dark room. We wouldn't know where we are headed.

Whatever that is hidden the Word of God through His spirit searches it out. Nothing is hidden. Everything exposes.

Through the Word Jesus can direct our path (Proverbs 3:5,6)

Rich in God

2015-03-18T15:51:00.000+11:00

I know your afflictions and your poverty - yet you are rich!
- Revelation 2:9

Recently my family went through a rough situation where we nearly lost our family home. In this rough storm we learnt a very powerful lesson about God.

Those who stand firm in the Lord, that even though they are afflicted and are in poverty, but God says they are rich. The world will not understand this statement because it is very hard to live in poverty yet may be rich. But what the world does'nt understand is that our God is a rich God.

Those who do not have Christ in their lives will surely fall when they are faced with situations and circumstances because without Jesus your burden is heavy. Only Jesus can give you rest (Matthew 11:29-30).

When you are faced with rough storms in your life, do not run to other things but run to God because he will give you riches in your poverty.

The Reviving Word of God

2015-03-17T17:48:00.001+11:00

Therefore, I will always remind you about these things--even though you already know them and are standing firm in the truth you have been taught.

—2 Peter 1:12

It's amazing how the Word of God can revitalize the heart. You can be going into a tailspin of doubt and fear when someone will quote a Scripture verse that suddenly pulls you out of your discouragement. No matter how long you have been a Christian, you need to be reminded of spiritual truths.

That is why Peter wrote, "Therefore, I will always remind you about these things—even though you already know them and are standing firm in the truth you have been taught. And it is only right that I should keep on reminding you as long as I live" (2 Peter 1:12–13).

When we lose sight of spiritual truths, the Word of God corrects us. It revives us. As Psalm 19:7 says, "The instructions of the LORD are perfect, reviving the soul."

The two discouraged disciples on the Emmaus Road had lost all hope after Jesus was crucified. They didn't realize that He had risen. Then Jesus began walking with them, but they didn't recognize Him. He began to open the Word of God to them and pointed them to all of the Scriptures that alluded to His death and sacrifice. Afterward they said, "Didn't our hearts burn within us as he talked with us on the road and explained the Scriptures to us?" (Luke 24:32).

God's Word revives us. It brings us back to life again. If you are not interested in being revived, if you have no interest in being transformed, if you don't want to grow spiritually, and if you don't want direction or purpose in life, then don't read the Bible.

But if you wish that your life had focus and purpose and direction, then start reading it. Contemplate it. Ponder it. Let it sink in. The Word of God revives us.

Just Waiting on Him

2014-10-30T12:35:00.000+11:00

His mother said to the servants, "Whatever He says to you, do it."

—John 2:5

When David was called by God to be king, he was out watching sheep, just being faithful. The day David killed Goliath, he didn't wake up that morning and hear God say, "David, today you are going to the valley of Elah. There will be a giant Philistine named Goliath, and you will kill him with a stone." No, at his dad's request, David was taking some cheese sandwiches to his brothers out on the front line . . . just being faithful on an errand for his dad.

What was Gideon doing when God called him? He was hiding from his enemies. He was terrified. But God saw his potential, and the next thing Gideon knew, he was leading troops into battle.

And what was Elisha doing when Elijah called him to carry on the work? He was out plowing in the field. Moses was watching a bunch of sheep in the desert when God called him to deliver the Israelites. Then there was Daniel, who was so faithful to the Lord that his enemies couldn't find one thing wrong with him. They had to make up lies about him so that he would be sentenced to death. And how about that teenage girl in Nazareth who had a visit from one of God's most powerful angels, with a message about a Child who would be called the Son of the Most High?

My point is this: They were faithfully doing what God had set before them. They weren't running around, looking for big, important things to accomplish. They didn't have public relations consultants or agents. They were simply doing the little things, waiting on God.

Sometimes we have great ideas of what God will do. But we have to wait on Him. What are your dreams right now? Maybe you want to do something for God, but you think it will never happen. Then again . . . maybe it will. Maybe it even will surpass your wildest dreams. Just be faithful to do what God has set before you right now. Your future is safe in His hands.

A Daily Deposit

2014-10-28T11:59:00.001+11:00

Show me, Lord, my life's end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting my life is.
—Psalm 39:4

Let's say that your phone rings tomorrow morning, and it's a call from the manager of your bank. He tells you, "I received a very unusual call the other day. Someone who loves you very much and is quite wealthy has given you a large sum of money. This anonymous donor will be depositing 86,400 cents into your account every single day."

"How's that again?" you ask.

"Every single day, this person will deposit 86,400 cents into your account."

Is that much money? you wonder at first. Then you get out your calculator and figure out that it amounts to $864 every day. That's pretty good, you're thinking.

"But there is one condition," the banker continues. "You have to spend it every single day. You can't save it up. You can't add it to the next day's balance. Every day, you must spend that money. What is not spent will be taken away. This person will do this each and every day, but the condition is that you must spend the money."

So you go back to your calculator and figure out that $864 times 7 equals $6,048 per week. That amount, multiplied by 52, comes to $314,496 per year. That's a pretty good deal. And that is also a fantasy.

So let's deal with reality. Someone who really does love you very much deposits into your bank of time 86,400 seconds every single day. That someone is God. And the condition is that you must spend it. You can't save up time today and apply it toward tomorrow—there's no such thing as a twenty-seven-hour day. Each and every day, you have the opportunity to invest your precious commodity of time.

I like the way Paul wrote about this in Ephesians 5:15-17: "Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is" (NIV).

Bring Him into Your Boat

2014-10-24T10:19:00.001+11:00

In the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea.
—Matthew 14:25

In Matthew 14, we read about the disciples being tossed by the wind and waves in their boat on the Sea of Galilee. Then Jesus came, walking on the water, in the fourth watch of the night. The fourth watch was the last part of the night, just before dawn. This means the disciples had been at sea—their hands probably blistered and bloodied from toil at the oars—for at least nine hours in this fierce storm. So we see that Jesus came to them at the last conceivable moment.

This reminds us that God's delays aren't necessarily His denials. Jesus had heard their first cries for help. He knew what He was doing all along. Why did He wait so long before He intervened? Probably because it took a long time for these men to exhaust their resources and completely trust in Him.

Lifeguards will tell you that often the hardest person to save is the one who is panicking. But when an individual is exhausted, when he or she has no energy left, the lifeguard can pull that person back in to safety. In the same way, sometimes God will allow us to get to the end of our rope, to the end of our resources, so we will finally cling to Him.

The disciples were exhausted and afraid. "[Jesus] said to them, 'It is I; do not be afraid.' Then they willingly received Him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land where they were going" (John 6:20-21). For many of us, that is what Jesus is waiting for. He is waiting for us to say, "I can't row another second. I can't go another inch in my own strength. Please Lord, help me. Come on board." If you will invite Him, He will step into your storm-tossed boat and take control. He will be there for you . . . even on the darkest night, just before dawn.

"Looking unto Jesus"

2014-10-01T20:22:00.001+10:00

We also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.
—Hebrews 12:1–2

In the ancient Greek games, a judge would stand at the finish line holding, in plain sight, the laurel leaves that would be rewarded to the victor. As runners came down the final stretch, they were exhausted, perhaps in agony, and feeling as though they couldn't go another step. But suddenly there was the prize in sight, and a new burst of energy would kick in.

This is the picture behind the phrase looking unto Jesus in Hebrews 12:2. We have to keep our eyes on Jesus Christ. And our prize is the privilege of standing before Him and receiving the crown of righteousness that He will give us.

That is why we try to live godly lives and why we try to reach people for Him. It isn't for brownie points. It isn't for applause. It isn't for notoriety. It's so we can hear Jesus say to us on that final day, "Well done, good and faithful servant." No, we can't earn our salvation because He has already provided it. But we want to please the One who laid down His life for us. Ultimately, we want to be able to say, "Lord, I took the life You gave me and tried to make a difference. Here it is. I offer it to you."

Looking unto Jesus. . . . That keeps you going, doesn't it? After all, you can get discouraged at times. People will let you down. They will disappoint you. They won't appreciate your hard work or notice your efforts. Not bothering to understand your real motives, they'll criticize that which they don't (or won't) understand. And that is when you need to remind yourself, I am not running my race for this person or that person. I am running for You, Lord. And I will keep running . . . with my eyes fixed on You.

Our Ultimate Prayer Partner

2014-08-29T07:57:00.001+10:00

Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.
—Romans 8:34

If you found yourself in a difficult passage in life, would it bring you some measure of comfort if Billy Graham called you? "This is Billy Graham. I wanted to talk to you. I heard you were going through a hard time. I would like to pray for you." And of course you answer, "Please do!"

So Billy Graham prays for you, with that unforgettable voice of his, bringing your name and needs before God. Wouldn't you feel good about that? When it was over, wouldn't you hang up the phone and say, "Wow. That was unreal. I feel so much better now."

Then let's say the phone rings again. "This is Pastor Chuck Smith. I heard you were experiencing some difficulties. May I pray for you?" So Chuck Smith prays for you. And then Chuck Swindoll calls, and he prays for you too! How would you feel? You would feel good. Three great men of God have personally called you on the phone and prayed for your needs by name.

Yet the Bible teaches that Someone much greater than these is already doing that very thing. Jesus Christ is praying for you. The Son of God is interceding for you. What's more, He's not just calling you on the phone, praying, and then leaving you alone again. Hebrews 7:25 tells us, "Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them."

He always lives to make intercession for you. He always prays for you. In fact, He's praying for you right now, at the right hand of His Father in heaven. Hebrews 9:24 says, "For Christ has not entered the holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us." Jesus is interceding for you at this very moment.

What's Inside?

2014-05-01T19:28:00.001+10:00

My righteousness I hold fast, and will not let it go; my heart shall not reproach me as long as I live.
—Job 27:6

I heard the story of a pastor who boarded a bus one morning, paid his fare, and took his seat. A few minutes later, he realized that the driver had given him too much change. Some people might have put it in their pocket and said, "Lord, thank You for Your provision." But this pastor knew that would be wrong. At the next stop, he walked to the front of the bus with the extra change and said to the driver, "Excuse me, sir, you gave me too much change, and I wanted to return it to you because obviously you made a mistake."

The driver said, "Pastor, I didn't make a mistake. I was at your church last night and heard you preach on honesty. I wanted to see if you practiced what you preached."

Fortunately, he did.

People are watching you as a Christian, virtually scrutinizing your every move. You should know they aren't hoping you will be a godly witness. They are hoping you will slip up so they will have something on which to conveniently hang their doubts and unbelief.

Humorist Will Rogers said, "So live that you wouldn't mind selling your pet parrot to the town gossip." That is the idea of integrity: having nothing in our lives to be ashamed of. This personal integrity is something we are developing on a daily basis with every thought we think and every action we take. We are either building up character or tearing it down.

What kind of character do you have? Who are you in private? For all practical purposes, that is the real you.

The Key to Answered Prayer

2014-04-25T13:10:00.001+10:00

If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.
—John 15:7

How often have you felt that your prayers were hitting a glass ceiling — as though the Lord were saying no? Maybe it is because you were praying outside of His will. Maybe it's because you were praying for something that God didn't want you to have.

We need to remember the promise Jesus spoke of in John 15:7, which says, "If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you." Another version puts it this way: "But if you live your life in me, and my words live in your hearts, you can ask for whatever you like and it will come true for you" (PH). I really like that version — especially the part that tells us to ask for whatever we like.

But let's also remember the condition: "If you live your life in me, and my words live in your hearts. . . ." If you are maintaining a living communion with God and His words are at home with you, then your desires are going to change. Your prayers won't necessarily be the same as they were before. As you get in sync with the will of God, you will see that prayer is not getting God to do what you want Him to do, but prayer is getting you to do what God wants you to do.

You will discover the important truth that prayer is not bending God our way — it is bending us His way. And then, you just may see your prayers being answered in the affirmative.

The Key to Answered Prayer

2014-04-25T13:09:00.001+10:00

If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.
—John 15:7

You will discover the important truth that prayer is not bending God our way — it is bending us His way. And then, you just may see your prayers being answered in the affirmative.

Jesus Anointed

2014-04-16T14:44:00.000+10:00

Mark 14:1-11

“She did what she could. She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial.” (Mark 14:8)

In the midst of the chaotic plot to arrest and kill Jesus comes a beautiful break in the Holy Week story. Here we see Jesus anointed by a woman during His visit to the home of Simon the Leper, in Bethany.

Jesus was often misunderstood by the people around Him, even by His own disciples (in the days to follow, both Peter and Judas will betray their rabbi). But this unnamed woman—who comes in off the street and pours her most expensive perfume over Jesus’ head—understands the significance of this moment entirely.

It’s ironic that every friend of Jesus seated inside Simon’s home thinks the woman is being irrational— surely she is out of her mind for wasting a bottle of perfume that costs so much! For us, this act of worship doesn't translate well because the ritual this woman performed isn't something we practice today. But in the proper context, it was expected and significant. All the priest-kings had to be anointed.

Yet even though the disciples witnessed this touching event, they did not understand the great High Priest was being anointed right before their eyes. And even though Jesus repeatedly tells of His approaching death and resurrection, this woman is the only one who hears Him and truly takes Him at His word. She knows exactly who this man is: He is the Messiah. And that is why she anoints Him, to prepare Him for His death.

Jesus’ response to the woman is as generous as her offering. He tells her that what she had done will be remembered wherever the gospel is preached; that she will always be a part of God’s salvation story. Clearly, Jesus was moved by her devotion. But why?

If we look to other parts of the gospel narrative, to the stories of the Centurion who showed great faith (Matthew 8:5-13; Luke 7:1-10), and the widow who offered her last savings to the temple treasury (Luke 21:1-4; Mark 12:41-44), we find a common thread. Jesus is moved when people put their whole faith in Him, give their whole offering, their whole heart.

This woman could have poured only some of the perfume, or even used less expensive perfume to anoint Jesus, but she didn't. She didn't come to Jesus with caution or reason, but with a spontaneous outpouring of love; the kind of selfless love that is the mark of the Kingdom of God. You see, Jesus does not want us to come to Him with caution. He wants us to open ourselves up and pour ourselves out.

So how is Jesus speaking into your life, telling you how He will work? Will you believe that Jesus is going to do what He says He will do? And what will your response be? Will you choose to be like the woman from Bethany, no matter what anyone else thinks of you? Will you recklessly abandon yourself, and everything you have, in highest praise and thanksgiving, to the One to whom you owe it all?

Palm Sunday

2014-04-13T12:59:00.001+10:00

Read Luke 19:28-44

Hindsight is always 20/20. Yet while we are in a particular situation, we tend to make things out to be what they aren’t and infer wrong meanings. We kick ourselves, thinking, If only I had known then what I know now!

Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem must have been one of those moments for His disciples. It had appeared to be such a wonderful day for them—and it was, but for different reasons than they realized. They thought the Messiah had come to reestablish Israel’s power in the world. But God had something else in mind.

The disciples weren’t the only ones who had misconceptions about the Messiah. Many Jews of the day expected Him to be an earthly king. When the crowds heard Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, they cheered, “Hosanna! ” which means, “Save now!” They saw Him as their new King, come to bring salvation from political and societal oppression.

He raised the dead—no doubt he could also restore the kingdom of David and free them from Roman rule.

Seated upon a donkey, Jesus resembled a ruler returning to his city in peacetime, loyal subjects lining his path with coats and palm fronds. Even the Pharisees were there watching in indignation, saying, “Look, the world has gone after Him” (John 12:19).

This week, think back to those times when circumstances looked one way but turned out to be something else entirely. Remember when you realized God was different than you imagined and saw His will unfold in surprising ways. Look for an opportunity to share your insight with a friend or loved one.

Against All Odds

2014-04-11T11:32:00.001+10:00

Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the Lord, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. So Judah gathered together to ask help from the Lord; and from all the cities of Judah they came to seek the Lord.
—2 Chronicles 20:3–4

Jehoshaphat, King of Judah, faced a dilemma. His enemies greatly outnumbered him. To make matters worse, his enemies had joined forces with the other enemies of Israel and were coming to destroy him. One day, someone came to King Jehoshaphat and warned him that a gigantic army was headed his way, bent on his destruction. It was hopeless. There was no way that he could meet this army with what he had. He was going to be destroyed. What did Jehoshaphat do? The Bible says that he "set himself to seek the Lord." He prayed, "O our God, will You not judge them? For we have no power against this great multitude that is coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon You" (2 Chronicles 20:12).

The Lord told Jehoshaphat, "Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God's. . . . Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the Lord, who is with you" (2 Chronicles 20:15-17).

Jehoshaphat and his army went out to meet their enemies, but they put the worship team out front. The Bible says that when they began to sing and praise the Lord, the enemy started fighting among themselves and destroyed each other.

Maybe you are facing what seems like an impossible situation right now. You may not be able to see a way out. But God can. Call on Him. Then stand still and see what He will do.

Returning to Our First Love

2014-04-01T12:25:00.001+11:00

Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works.
—Revelation 2:5

When Jesus found a fatal flaw in the church at Ephesus — that they were leaving their first love — He also gave His prescription for renewal and revival. They are the three Rs of returning to our first love: remember, repent, and repeat.

First, you need to remember. This word could be translated, "Keep on remembering." What should you remember? You should remember where you were when Jesus Christ first found you. You were separated from Him by sin and on your way to a certain judgment. But He graciously and lovingly reached out to you and forgave you. All of us were separated from God and facing judgment. The essential thing Christ did for you is the same that He did for every person.

The psalmist described it this way: "He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my steps. He has put a new song in my mouth — praise to our God" (Psalm 40:2-3). Every Christian can say this. That is what Christ did for us.

Second, you need to remember where you were at the highest point of your love for Jesus. When was that high point in your spiritual life? Was it a month ago? A year? Ten years? Or was it today? Could you say, "At this moment in my life, I believe I am as close to the Lord as I have ever been"? If you can say that, praise God. If not, remember when you were closest to the Lord, mark it in your mind, and make it your aim to return there once again.