Stop Stressing!

REFERENCE: Psalms 127:2 It is useless for you to work so hard from early morning until late at night, anxiously working for food to eat; for God gives rest to his loved ones.

Observation: What is this verse telling us; that we shouldn’t work hard? Proverbs certainly suggests just the opposite. It encourages hard work and warns strongly against laziness.

What the Psalmist is encouraging is a heart attitude of peaceful rest, free from anxiety. What God wants us to do is to simply live in obedience to Him--to let Him set the pace for our life. As we do that then we will find a life that can be lived productively and in restful peace.

Application/Confession: Jesus said that He only could do what He saw the Father doing. I am convinced that I would be much more at peace and stress free if I could only learn to live this way. God does give rest to His loved ones. I really want to live in that rest.

PRAYER: Lord, free me from the need to "make it all work out". My life, my family, my ministry are all in your hands. Teach me to leave them there and live in the rest that your grace promises.

The Devaluation of children In Our Culture

REFERENCE: Psalms 127:3 Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him.

Observation: This is just the opposite of what our world seems to believe about children. There are more than one million babies destroyed by abortions in the US every single year. More and more people are deciding that having children is just not worth the trouble. Women are putting off childbearing until later and later in life, placing the value of a career over having a child. Some discovering that they have waited too long and are now no longer fertile.

All of this stems from a devaluing of children; a class of people that God tells us is a gift from Him. They are not an inconvenience. They are not a Hollywood fashion accessory. They are not simply an expensive, and sometimes too expensive, indulgence. They are eternal souls that God entrusts us with that we get to enjoy for a few short years.

We need to be careful, while encouraging people to be thoughtful about bringing a child into their family, they certainly need to be ready, that in our caution we are not communicating that kids are a hassle to be avoided, a problem at best. We need to value them as God does.

Application/Confession: I have five kids. I certainly feel like they are a gift from God--most of the time. Sometimes, in my frustration, I can begin to be resentful. I can feel like crying out, "God why did you bless me so thoroughly." I need to remember, even in the hard times, my kids are a gift from Him and a sign of His love.

PRAYER: Dear God, as a country we have sinned. We have devalued your gift of life as represented in a precious child. We have aborted them, abused them and decided that Your gift was not worth the trouble. Forgive us and change our hearts to see these incredibly valuable souls as you do.

Watch Your Mouth, Keep YOur Friends

REFERENCE: Proverbs 16:28 A troublemaker plants seeds of strife; gossip separates the best of friends.

Observation: Gossip is so easy . . . and so destructive. A great rule of thumb is; if you say something about someone you can depend on the fact that they will find out what you said. Because of that, it is always wise to speak as though the object of our conversations is in the room with us. It will tend to discipline our mouths and that is a good thing.

No of us want to lose our best friends but some of us are simply not willing to control what we say and that is the result. We need to watch our mouths and keep our friends.

Application/Confession: I enjoy a tasty morsel of gossip just like the next guy. In spite of this, I am learning to close my ears and my mouth when gossip comes along. I know that my relationships will be the better for it.

PRAYER: Put a watch over my mouth, O Lord. Warn me when I am about to gossip. Help me to protect my friends by what I say and help me to keep my relationships healthy.

"One Year Bible" Daily Reading

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1 Kings 3:3-4:34; Acts 6:1-15; Psalm 126:1-6; Proverbs 16:26-27

Fruitful Seeds are Watered By Tears

Reference: Psalms 126:5 Those who plant in tears will harvest with shouts of joy. 

Observation: Who likes to plant seed? The back breaking digging, the cultivation of the soil, care over the seed, it’s not fun. Very often at the time we are planting the seeds for our future, it is with tears. We plant good seed when we respond positively to someone’s cutting remarks. We plant good seed when we respond in faith to a setback in life. We plant good seed when we do the right thing even when everything in us wants to collapse and give up.

Good seed is often watered by our tears. If we are tempted to go the other way, to take the easy way out and sow to the flesh; get mad, get drunk, run away, drop out, find something that will make us feel better for the moment, remember that harvest time is coming. We will harvest what we plant. When reaping time comes it won’t matter how we felt, what we faced, what trial we were going through during the planting process--the harvest is still what it is. Good seed will, inevitably, produce a good harvest and the bad seed a bad harvest.

How much greater to be able to reap a joyful harvest, knowing that in spite of our pain we have sown good seed and are reaping the good results. That is something to remember when it is time to plant in tears.

Application/Confession: It seems that I am in another of those times when I am challenged to plant good seeds even though I feel like weeping. I need to never forget why I do what I do nor the promise God has given me; if I plant good seeds, even with tears, I will reap a good havest. That is His promise--to me!!

PRAYER: Dear Lord, I trust you. I mourn my losses; especially those people who stood with me in the past and are no longer there. Yet, in my morning, I choose to keep on planting good seeds. I ask You to bless these seeds and bring me, again, into a time of joyful reaping.

It can be wrong even when It Feels Right

REFERENCE: Proverbs 16:25 There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death.

Observation: In our world anyone can justify their behavior by saying; "It just seemed right to me." No one can even contradict them, it is the ethic of this world--if it feels right, then do it!

Sadly, we can get caught up in the same kind of mentality. The path of our life may seem "right" to us, it may make us happy or give us a sense of security or satisfaction. Yet, the much more important question is; what does God say about it? Our feelings, even very strong ones, can lead us astray. Following our hearts, if our hearts are not attuned to God, may not be such a great idea.

Our choices may feel right, we may have a million reasons that we are on the course we are on, but, if it is against God’s principles, it will lead to death. Our enthusiasm and confidence for our course of action will not, in itself, make it right.

In the end, we can not be led simply by what our heart or mind wants, but by what God is calling us to do.

Application/Confession: I can come up with a million ideas. I must remember that there is a difference between a good idea and a God idea. I need to be constantly seeking to see what He is up to and do my best to fall in line with that. Anything else will bring death instead of life.

PRAYER: Dear Lord, save me from the path that seems right but ends in death. May my ear be close to your mouth so that I can hear all you have to say to me and be quick to respond when you speak.

The difference "Hanging Out With Jesus" Makes

REFERENCE: Acts 4:13 The members of the council were amazed when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, for they could see that they were ordinary men with no special training in the Scriptures. They also recognized them as men who had been with Jesus.

Observation: Being with Jesus changes us. Peter and John were different. Not because they had gone to seminary but because they had hung out with the Son of God. Being with Him took them from being ordinary to powerful and bold.

If we want to make a supernatural difference it will not come, primarily, from the books we read or the classes we take. It will come from being in the presence of the Supernatural One, Jesus Himself. How can we not be bold when we have been so utterly convinced by what He is doing in our own lives? How can we not be powerful when we have taken the time to commune with the Powerful One who lives inside of us. How can we can not be loving and compassionate when we have so thoroughly experienced His love and grace first hand. We love because He first loved us.

May people be able to say of us; "we recognize them as people who have been with Jesus."

Application/Confession: I do spend time with Jesus, but I need to do more. There is nothing more powerful or more important I can invest my life in than investing time in my relationship with God of all the universe.

PRAYER: Dear Jesus, draw me close to you. Give me a deep hunger and thirst for your presence in my life. May I daily seek time to be with you and may I, moment by moment, recognize your presence in my life.

You Can’t Give What You Don’t Have

REFERENCE: Acts 3:6 But Peter said, "I don’t have any silver or gold for you. But I’ll give you what I have. In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, get up and walk!"

Observation: We can not give away what we do not have. That bears repeating; we can not give away what we do not have.

How, then, do we prepare to move in the miraculous? How do we get ourselves ready to make a real difference for the Kingdom of God? By learning to be daily and completely filled with God’s Holy Spirit.

Remember that Peter had just been filled for the first time. He had spent days praying and waiting for His coming. He had something to give.

We can not expect to live our lives casually, selfishly, with no focus and direction and then, when the moment calls, to be able to have anything to give to those in need of a touch from God. We have to be constantly seeking His presence and then, and only then, will we have what we need to have to give when opportunity presents itself.

Application/Confession: It is so easy for me to simply be caught up in life. The dryer is broken, the bark dust needs to be spread, a family member needs my help and I find myself slipping away from that place where the Holy Spirit can fully use me. I must remember, every day, that I can not give what I do not have and constantly seek to have all the Holy Spirit wants to deposit within me. I need to daily ask for and run after His presence in my life.

PRAYER: Holy Spirit, fill me again. Help me to walk with You and to be ready to do anything You ask me to in Your power and under Your direction.

God’s Pattern For The Church

REFERENCE: Acts 2:42-47 All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to breaking of bread, and to prayer. 43 A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. 44 And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. 45 They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. 46 They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity-- 47 all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.

Observation: This is the clearest definition of what the church of Jesus Christ ought to look like. There has been so much discussion over the centuries trying to define the Church. For some, it has to be small, for others, the bigger the better. Some are only satisfied with a defined liturgy, others can not stand to have a service too pre-defined.

Here we see a pattern in the early church that does not tell us how to do church but just what ought to be a part of our life together. We ought to study God’s Word, we ought to fellowship in the large group and in the small, eat together, take communion, see people healed, share with each other, worship well and impact the world around us positively. This passage suggests that if we do those things well, people will get saved and the church will grow. I think it is a great place to start--a good measuring stick.

Application/Confession: Of all these areas, the thing I hunger for more of the most is signs and wonders. It seems that the church in America today is not as spiritually powerful as it ought to be. I so desire to see God's power restored to His Church. 

PRAYER: Lord, we can not make signs and wonders happen--only You can do that. Please show us how we can see Your power demonstrated in our midst. We need it. The world needs to see it.

The Dangers Of Pride

REFERENCE: Proverbs 16:18 Pride goes before destruction, and haughtiness before a fall.

Observation: Why does pride go before a fall and destruction? For two reasons; first, when we are prideful we refuse to ask for advice or counsel. Even when it is offered, we refuse it. There is nothing that will bring destruction on our lives more quickly than operating without the input of others. We are simply not smart enough to make it without this insight. Great wisdom and safety comes from hearing and responding to the direction of others.

Secondly, God has said that He, Himself, opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. Pride put us on the wrong side of that equation. We, so desperately, need to have God on our side. If we want Him there then we must learn to be humble.

Application/Confession: There are so many things I don’t know how to do. I know that I am what I am and I do what I do only by the grace of God. I want, so much, to remain in a place of humility--totally dependant on God. I know I am tempted, when things go well, to believe I did it and trust myself. I want to, always, resist that temptation.

PRAYER: Lord, I am so dependant on you. Continue to teach me to live in humility, and, as I do, please give me your grace.

What To Do If YOu Really Love Jesus

REFERENCE: John 21:15-16 After breakfast Jesus asked Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?" "Yes, Lord," Peter replied, "you know I love you." "Then feed my lambs," Jesus told him. 16 Jesus repeated the question: "Simon son of John, do you love me?" "Yes, Lord," Peter said, "you know I love you." "Then take care of my sheep," Jesus said.

Observation: Here Jesus asks the question every one of us must answer; "Do you love me more than that which provides your identity and livelihood?" In other words, are we first a doctor or lawyer, a business man or a clerk, or even a husband or wife? Or, are we first a lover of Jesus and then whatever else defines us as a person? The answer to that question will define how we respond when Jesus asks us to "leave our nets" (our identity, our security) and follow Him. It will determine if we are willing to use our position for His Kingdom or simply for our own purposes, advancement and happiness.

If we respond like Peter did; "Yes, Lord, you know I love you." Then, inevitably, part of what He calls us to do is to feed and take care of His sheep. Jesus loves His kids so much that He will always be asking us to look out for the well-being of one another.

How do we feed each other? Certainly by living so close to God that we can constantly share what God is teaching us but also we can feed each other encouragement, support and love. Who among us is not hungry for a little more of that?

How do we take care of each other? We do so by watching out for one another, by praying for one another and, if we have the relationship that can sustain it, by warning each other if we are getting off the path and into danger. We take care of each other by looking for ways to meet each others needs; anything from help moving to an arm around the shoulders providing comfort when it is needed.

If we really love Jesus we need to show it by the ways in which we are willing to really care for, feed and love each other.

Application/Confession: Too often I find myself worrying about what I am accomplishing. I need to have my "nets full" because it makes me feel like a success.

Instead, I desire, so much, to be fully emotionally invested in what Jesus thinks about me. Even in serving in a church I can find myself loving what I am doing more that loving Jesus; looking to pastoring to define my value more than to Him. I don't want it to be that way and I am learning to trust His valuation of me more and more.

PRAYER: Jesus, I do love you more than my job, more than my calling, more than the position I fulfill. Keep teaching me how much you love me and care for me. Teach me how to find my total value in your view of me so that I can serve out of love instead of to find love.

Beyond The Golden Ticket To Heaven

REFERENCE: John 20:21-22 Again he said, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you." 22 Then he breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit."

Observation: When we receive Jesus as our savior, we also receive the responsibility to fulfill a call; to be sent out into the world in the same way that Jesus was. What was the nature of His call?

1. To identify with the people He was called to serve. In the same way we need to be willing to do more than just associate with those who already know Jesus, we need to invest our hearts and our lives in the unsaved.

2. To meet the felt, practical needs of the people He encountered. From multiplying food to driving out demons and healing the sick, Jesus always seemed to be willing to meet people at the point of their immediate need. It is the same for us. We need to see how we can simply find a need and fill it. It is out of that service that chances to share the gospel can flow.

3. To let people know what the path to salvation was. We need to go beyond building bridges of friendships and look for those divine chances to share Gods awesome plan for salvation. Jesus was always natural and comfortable and so should we be. We just don't want to miss the chances God brings our way.

4. To reveal, by words and deeds, what God the Father was like. For some we meet, we will be the only Jesus they will ever know. If He lives in us (and if we are a believers, He does) then it is simply a matter of letting His life and love flow through you. People need to have a new revelation of God, and we can help make that happen.

It is not a coincidence that Jesus gives them the Holy Spirit after pressing on them this call. We can not do any of this without the power and direction of the Holy Spirit. How important it is to every day ask for His presence in our lives and ask Him to bring those across our paths who need to know Jesus better. Ask the Holy Spirit to show us, practically, how we can show them Jesus by our lives or by a simply word. There is nothing more powerful than to be Spirit-filled and directed. Jesus proved that by His life and ministry.

Application/Confession: I simply don't know enough non-Christians. I am learning all I can about reaching out to the world like Jesus did. Im not sure I know how, but I am open to the Holy Spirit directing me. I am asking every day.

PRAYER: Lord, fill me with your Holy Spirit today and, today, give me someone I can move just a little closer to knowing you.

How To Handle Stress and Anxiety

REFERENCE: Psalms 119:147-148 I rise early, before the sun is up; I cry out for help and put my hope in your words. 148 I stay awake through the night, thinking about your promise.

Observation: How should we deal with the stresses and problems in life? Most often we worry about them. We strategize approaches and plans out of our own limited knowledge.

David had the right idea; get up early, entreat God with passion and trust that He has our future in His hands.

We, too often, do just the opposite. We stay awake through the night worrying about our problems. We can’t get up early because of how we spent the night, so we have no time for prayer. Anxiety takes the place of passionate prayer. If we pray at all it is merely perfunctory, fulfilling our religious duty, but not believing that it will do anything good.

Our hope is in our own abilities and plans instead of in God’s loving promise of provision. The problem is that, ultimately, it is much more difficult to live in peace when we are trusting ourselves instead of trusting God. We know our limitations and they are legion. We also know that God has no limitations and, therefore, He is utterly trustworthy.

The road to true peace is letting our concerns be made known to God, with passion, and then trusting Him, holding tight to His promises.

Application/Confession: I still haven’t completely kicked this worrying thing. I still deal with anxiety from time to time. I know it is because I do not utterly trust God and I want to learn how to do that better.

PRAYER: Lord, I trust you. Please help me with my lack of trust. Reveal to me how much you utterly love me and are on my side. Then I can trust you with my whole heart.

What Is Truth?

REFERENCE: John 18:38 "What is truth?" Pilate asked. Then he went out again to the people and told them, "He is not guilty of any crime."

Observation: Pilate asked a question that every one of us must come to grips with. By his actions he suggested that his answer to the question was that truth is something you really don’t have to take seriously. He had come to conclude, as he said here, that Jesus was not guilty. He seemed to believe that Jesus was a prophet, maybe even the son of God. However, the truth didn’t mean as much as keeping his position and popularity.

How seriously do we take the truth? For example, we can claim to believe that every person who does not accept Jesus as their savior is on the path to an eternity without God in hell. While we may say that this is the truth, we don’t live like it is.

We may believe that God is sovereign and has the best of the best plans for our lives. While we many say that this is the truth, we don’t live like it is.

Our world thinks that the truth is whatever one chooses to believe--it is the truth for them. For us as Christians, we believe in absolute, universal truth. We believe that if God’s Word says it, we ought to believe it and accept it as truth. We say we believe in absolute truth, we live as though we believe in relative truth.

It is time for us to answer Pilates question by saying; "Truth is what God says is true and I will live by the implications of that understanding." We need to not just know the truth but to live it, everyday.

Application/Confession: There are so many ways that I claim to know and believe the truth but live, at least inwardly, like God’s truth is less important than what I feel. I worry too much even though the truth is that God will take care of me. I don’t share the gospel enough even though I know that people are dying without God. I don’t trust God like I should even though I know that He is utterly trustworthy.

PRAYER: Lord, what is truth? It is what you say it is and I intend to live my life like this is absolutely true.

What The Bible Can Do For You

REFERENCE: Psalms 119:105 Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.

Observation: What does God’s Word do for us? It sets a course for our life and it reveals dangers, stumbling blocks and opportunities in our path.

We all need to know where we are going. A life lived without direction is a wasted life. God’s Word is like a star that we can fix our course on. It provides something to line up with. For example, we know by God’s Word that the most important thing we can focus on is loving God with all that we are. We learn that the second most important thing is loving and serving people. These are "lights" to line up with.

God’s Word as the light to our path means that we can see when we are about to step into a hole, when we are about to do something foolish. Proverbs, for example, on almost every page, gives us warnings about what to watch out for (don’t hang out with an angry man, avoid marrying a contentious woman, don’t depend on money, etc.)

We need to be committed to regularly reading and meditating on God’s Word. It will mean the difference between a life wasted and one spent wisely and well.