1 Corinthians 9:16
"For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!"
God does not save us so that we can continue living our lives as if nothing happened. There is a reason behind our salvation, a call that He places on the life of each of His children. It varies from person to person, but it cannot be ignored.
Paul knew his calling was to proclaim the Gospel, no matter what. His satisfaction in life was gained through pursuing this goal. Do you think Paul would have been happy being a blacksmith? I doubt it. God called him to be a missionary, a teacher, a preacher. Paul made it clear that he had learned how to be content no matter what life threw at him. However, this contentment came because he knew life's circumstances could never stop him from pursuing his one goal - proclaiming Christ.
What necessity is laid upon me? When I am old, will there be something in my life that causes me 'woe' because I did not do what God had called me to?
Monday, October 31, 2016
Saturday, October 29, 2016
Washed, Sanctified, Justified
1 Corinthians 6:11
"And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God."
Washing: symbolized by baptism, what God once saw (our filthy sin) He sees no more because it has been washed away.
Sanctified: Separated from the profane, dedicated to God in holiness.
Justified: declared as one ought to be, to show or exhibit that one is righteous and just.
These three steps that God takes each Christian through at the time of salvation are unfathomable to our human conception. The love and sacrifice that was poured into our lives in order to cause this transformation took heavenly perfection to accomplish. Look at where you were, what you came from, who you were before Christ. That is the past. Behold, the new has come. And it is full of glory and unspeakable joy.
How can I show my thanks to God today for what He has done in my life? Am I living in the joy of this transformation today?
"And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God."
Washing: symbolized by baptism, what God once saw (our filthy sin) He sees no more because it has been washed away.
Sanctified: Separated from the profane, dedicated to God in holiness.
Justified: declared as one ought to be, to show or exhibit that one is righteous and just.
These three steps that God takes each Christian through at the time of salvation are unfathomable to our human conception. The love and sacrifice that was poured into our lives in order to cause this transformation took heavenly perfection to accomplish. Look at where you were, what you came from, who you were before Christ. That is the past. Behold, the new has come. And it is full of glory and unspeakable joy.
How can I show my thanks to God today for what He has done in my life? Am I living in the joy of this transformation today?
Friday, October 28, 2016
Power, Not Words
1 Corinthians 4: 19-20 "But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord will, and will know, not the speech of them which are puffed up, but the power. For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power."
The speech of a godly Christian can be easy to emulate. Even much of the "good Christian" things to do can be done for a short while in the flesh. However, there is more to being a Christian than words and deeds. The Holy Spirit of the Living Creator God comes to dwell within the Christian. That cannot happen without causing a major change. That cannot happen without the power of the Holy Spirit being evident in a Christian's life.
Think back to Elijah. What set him apart from the false prophets was not what he said or what he did. Rather it was what God did through Him. The demonstration of God's power through a surrendered servant. It was this showcase of power that turned the hearts of Israel back toward God.
Do I see God's power in my life on a daily basis? Do not look for big things, but concentrate on the small things, the things that can be easily overlooked. If I am not seeing His Holy Spirit's power active in my life, why not? What could be stopping it?
The speech of a godly Christian can be easy to emulate. Even much of the "good Christian" things to do can be done for a short while in the flesh. However, there is more to being a Christian than words and deeds. The Holy Spirit of the Living Creator God comes to dwell within the Christian. That cannot happen without causing a major change. That cannot happen without the power of the Holy Spirit being evident in a Christian's life.
Think back to Elijah. What set him apart from the false prophets was not what he said or what he did. Rather it was what God did through Him. The demonstration of God's power through a surrendered servant. It was this showcase of power that turned the hearts of Israel back toward God.
Do I see God's power in my life on a daily basis? Do not look for big things, but concentrate on the small things, the things that can be easily overlooked. If I am not seeing His Holy Spirit's power active in my life, why not? What could be stopping it?
Thursday, October 27, 2016
Demonstration of the Spirit and Power
1 Corinthians 2:4-5
"And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God."
What is my faith based in? Have I witnessed the power of God in my life? Can I point to even one example in my recent past? Is His Spirit active in my heart and mind? Do I feel the conviction of the Holy Spirit? Is His "still small voice" speaking to me?
Wiser, Stronger
1 Corinthians 1:25
"Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men."
There is a Heavenly scale that measures us against our Creator. Imagine God's weight on the scale being that of the entire universe while ours is that of a down feather. If God were foolish or weak, He would still be incalculably wiser and stronger than man.
So many things in life are about perspective. Humility comes when we gain this Heavenly perspective on life.
Do I see my wisdom and strength as nothing compared to God? Am I depending solely on His might and wisdom?
"Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men."
There is a Heavenly scale that measures us against our Creator. Imagine God's weight on the scale being that of the entire universe while ours is that of a down feather. If God were foolish or weak, He would still be incalculably wiser and stronger than man.
So many things in life are about perspective. Humility comes when we gain this Heavenly perspective on life.
Do I see my wisdom and strength as nothing compared to God? Am I depending solely on His might and wisdom?
Wednesday, October 26, 2016
Through the Power of the Holy Ghost
Romans 5:13
"Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost."
True hope is supernatural. It is beyond the power of man. The power of the Holy Spirit working in the life of a Christian is what causes hope to abound in our hearts.
God never intended us to "try" and "work up" emotions like love and hope. He wants to be our Spring of Living Water. He wants to be our Source. Every good thing comes from our Heavenly Father. Attempting to "make it happen" may succeed for a brief time, but it will end in failure.
How can I let the Holy Spirit be my Source of hope, joy, and love today?
"Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost."
True hope is supernatural. It is beyond the power of man. The power of the Holy Spirit working in the life of a Christian is what causes hope to abound in our hearts.
God never intended us to "try" and "work up" emotions like love and hope. He wants to be our Spring of Living Water. He wants to be our Source. Every good thing comes from our Heavenly Father. Attempting to "make it happen" may succeed for a brief time, but it will end in failure.
How can I let the Holy Spirit be my Source of hope, joy, and love today?
Tuesday, October 25, 2016
It Is Well, Even When It Isn't
2 Kings 4:26
"Run now, I pray thee, to meet her, and say unto her, Is it well with thee? is it well with thy husband? is it well with the child? And she answered, It is well."
When our confidence and trust is in God, nothing can shake us. When we have a deep faith that is rooted in a deep relationship with Him, knowing intimately Who He is, no crisis can touch that faith.
This woman had just lost her only child, a child who had been a miracle, and no doubt a daily reminder of God's power despite her lack of faith. She would not doubt this time, not like she had before.
Her ability to say "it is well" did not come from some effort on her part to stay positive. It did not come from knowledge that her son would, without a doubt, be revived. Rather it came from an unshakable faith in a God she knew.
Do I have faith like that? Is my trust in God based in my intimate relationship with Him as my Heavenly Father?
"Run now, I pray thee, to meet her, and say unto her, Is it well with thee? is it well with thy husband? is it well with the child? And she answered, It is well."
When our confidence and trust is in God, nothing can shake us. When we have a deep faith that is rooted in a deep relationship with Him, knowing intimately Who He is, no crisis can touch that faith.
This woman had just lost her only child, a child who had been a miracle, and no doubt a daily reminder of God's power despite her lack of faith. She would not doubt this time, not like she had before.
Her ability to say "it is well" did not come from some effort on her part to stay positive. It did not come from knowledge that her son would, without a doubt, be revived. Rather it came from an unshakable faith in a God she knew.
Do I have faith like that? Is my trust in God based in my intimate relationship with Him as my Heavenly Father?
God's Thoughts
Psalm 139:17
"How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! How great is the sum of them!"
"God's omniscience, which might have justly watched over us to do us hurt, has been employed for us, and has watched over us to do us good....
[God's thoughts] are deep in themselves, such as cannot possibly be fathomed and comprehended. Providence has had a vast reach in its dispensations concerning us, and has brought things about for our good quite beyond our contrivance and foresight.
They are dear to us; we must think of them with a great deal of reverence, and yet with pleasure and thankfulness. Our thoughts concerning God must be delightful to us, above any other thoughts....
We cannot conceive how many God's kind counsels have been concerning us, how many good turns He has done us, and what variety of mercies we have received from Him....We cannot conceive the multitude of God's compassions, which are all new every morning." ~Matthew Henry
"How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! How great is the sum of them!"
"God's omniscience, which might have justly watched over us to do us hurt, has been employed for us, and has watched over us to do us good....
[God's thoughts] are deep in themselves, such as cannot possibly be fathomed and comprehended. Providence has had a vast reach in its dispensations concerning us, and has brought things about for our good quite beyond our contrivance and foresight.
They are dear to us; we must think of them with a great deal of reverence, and yet with pleasure and thankfulness. Our thoughts concerning God must be delightful to us, above any other thoughts....
We cannot conceive how many God's kind counsels have been concerning us, how many good turns He has done us, and what variety of mercies we have received from Him....We cannot conceive the multitude of God's compassions, which are all new every morning." ~Matthew Henry
Monday, October 24, 2016
No Helper For Israel
2 Kings 14:26-27
"For the LORD saw the affliction of Israel, that it was very bitter: for there was not any shut up, nor any left, nor any helper for Israel. And the LORD said not that he would blot out the name of Israel from under heaven: but he saved them by the hand of Jeroboam the son of Joash."
Man's mind is only limited by how far he is willing to look up. A man with a heavenly perspective does not fear, does not let the things of earth discourage him. In man's eyes, from man's perspective, Israel was done for. There was no one who could help or save them. It was the end.
However, the Lord remains on His throne. Nothing can move Him, nothing surprises Him. He saw Israel's plight before the foundation of the world. Who would honestly think He was unprepared to help? Jeroboam was the vessel God used to accomplish His purpose.
Often, there are situations where I may fear the unknown. When life presents a problem with no way out, it is easy to be disheartened. But when I look around and see no helper, when all hope is lost, it is past time to turn my eyes up. God is waiting for your cry.
What in my life has me overwhelmed? How can I view God as my deliverer and helper in this situation?
"For the LORD saw the affliction of Israel, that it was very bitter: for there was not any shut up, nor any left, nor any helper for Israel. And the LORD said not that he would blot out the name of Israel from under heaven: but he saved them by the hand of Jeroboam the son of Joash."
Man's mind is only limited by how far he is willing to look up. A man with a heavenly perspective does not fear, does not let the things of earth discourage him. In man's eyes, from man's perspective, Israel was done for. There was no one who could help or save them. It was the end.
However, the Lord remains on His throne. Nothing can move Him, nothing surprises Him. He saw Israel's plight before the foundation of the world. Who would honestly think He was unprepared to help? Jeroboam was the vessel God used to accomplish His purpose.
Often, there are situations where I may fear the unknown. When life presents a problem with no way out, it is easy to be disheartened. But when I look around and see no helper, when all hope is lost, it is past time to turn my eyes up. God is waiting for your cry.
What in my life has me overwhelmed? How can I view God as my deliverer and helper in this situation?
Wednesday, October 19, 2016
The Bones of Elisha
2 Kings 13:21
"And it came to pass, as they were burying a man, that, behold, they spied a band of men; and they cast the man into the sepulchre of Elisha: and when the man was let down, and touched the bones of Elisha, he revived, and stood up on his feet."
Elisha did some incredible miracles during his lifetime. The pot of oil, the Shumanite's son, Naaman's healing, and others. Yet his impact, the power of his intimate walk with God still had residual effects even after his death. Before Elijah left the earth, Elisha made a request - a double portion of the spirit of power that Elijah had known. His request was granted.
First of all, from this we see that all of us leave something behind us when we die. Perhaps nothing so miraculous as this, yet our legacies will have impact on generations to come.
Second, we see that God honors bold tenacity when it comes to seeking Him. Elisha could have asked for "just enough" of God's Spirit. But instead he wanted more. He needed more. He was not satisfied with what others had experienced.
When I am gone, will my absence affect those around me? As I live now, am I allowing myself to be satisfied with "just enough" of God, just what others have? Or am I tenaciously pressing toward Him, desiring more?
When I am gone, will my absence affect those around me? As I live now, am I allowing myself to be satisfied with "just enough" of God, just what others have? Or am I tenaciously pressing toward Him, desiring more?
Monday, October 17, 2016
Smite Five or Six Times
2 Kings 13:18-19
"And he said, Take the arrows. And he took them. And he said unto the king of Israel, Smite upon the ground. And he smote thrice, and stayed. And the man of God was wroth with him, and said, Thou shouldest have smitten five or six times; then hadst thou smitten Syria till thou hadst consumed it: whereas now thou shalt smite Syria but thrice."
How much of our life is limited by the effort we do not expend? There is much we do not know from this passage, however, what we do know is that the king gave up at what Elisha considered the half-way point. This resulted in Judah's enemy not being totally consumed.
Perhaps we see the same thing in our Christian walk. Perhaps a lingering "pet sin" remains in our life despite repeated efforts. Perhaps the problem is not the sin, but us only "striking thrice". God's power in our lives may only be limited by our belief.
How can I "smite five or six times" today? How can I expend more effort than required to pursue my God?
Friday, October 14, 2016
Repetition
2 Kings 13:1-13
Some passages of the books of Kings seem to be mere repetition of the same events with different names. Israel fell into terrible, predictable patterns. And they rarely got out of that rut because they never fully got rid of all their sin. A "little sin" was always allowed to linger. But just like a little cancer, sin never remains alone for long.
Some passages of the books of Kings seem to be mere repetition of the same events with different names. Israel fell into terrible, predictable patterns. And they rarely got out of that rut because they never fully got rid of all their sin. A "little sin" was always allowed to linger. But just like a little cancer, sin never remains alone for long.
They Dealt Faithfully
2 Kings 12:15
"Moreover they reckoned not with the men, into whose hand they delivered the money to be bestowed on workmen: for they dealt faithfully."
The Lord does not look for success, but faithfulness.
"Moreover they reckoned not with the men, into whose hand they delivered the money to be bestowed on workmen: for they dealt faithfully."
The Lord does not look for success, but faithfulness.
Sunday, October 9, 2016
Hidden Roots
2 Kings 11:17-18
"And Jehoiada made a covenant between the LORD and the king and the people, that they should be the LORD'S people; between the king also and the people. And all the people of the land went into the house of Baal, and brake it down; his altars and his images brake they in pieces thoroughly, and slew Mattan the priest of Baal before the altars. And the priest appointed officers over the house of the LORD."
Generations of evil do not just go away. It takes a serious, dedicated cleansing. It takes a thorough breaking of the old before the new can be introduced. It will be painful, it will be hard, but it will be worth it.
Every person faces this same challenge on an individual level in their life. Sin puts down roots in our lives. These roots choke, kill and destroy everything they touch. And they will tenaciously hold on when extraction is attempted. It can be easy to just knock off the head and leave the roots, because getting the roots hurts, it's difficult, and requires getting your hands dirty. But it is the only way to get rid of that sin - we must thoroughly break it.
What sin in my life has hidden roots? What steps can I take to allow God to thoroughly cleaned me today?
"And Jehoiada made a covenant between the LORD and the king and the people, that they should be the LORD'S people; between the king also and the people. And all the people of the land went into the house of Baal, and brake it down; his altars and his images brake they in pieces thoroughly, and slew Mattan the priest of Baal before the altars. And the priest appointed officers over the house of the LORD."
Generations of evil do not just go away. It takes a serious, dedicated cleansing. It takes a thorough breaking of the old before the new can be introduced. It will be painful, it will be hard, but it will be worth it.
Every person faces this same challenge on an individual level in their life. Sin puts down roots in our lives. These roots choke, kill and destroy everything they touch. And they will tenaciously hold on when extraction is attempted. It can be easy to just knock off the head and leave the roots, because getting the roots hurts, it's difficult, and requires getting your hands dirty. But it is the only way to get rid of that sin - we must thoroughly break it.
What sin in my life has hidden roots? What steps can I take to allow God to thoroughly cleaned me today?
Replacing Evil
2 Kings 10:28 & 31
"Thus Jehu destroyed Baal out of Israel....But Jehu took no heed to walk in the law of the LORD God of Israel with all his heart: for he departed not from the sins of Jeroboam, which made Israel to sin."
Jehu accomplished a work that no king before was able to do. It took dedication and tenacity. Yet despite his willingness to commit to getting rid of an evil, he had no commitment to replacing it with good.
Our lives are never stagnant, and while we may stumble and rise again, we are always in motion toward God or away from God. Jehu stopped Israel from heading away from God and toward Baal, yet he did not redirect them toward God. And as a result, they continued to drift away from their Savior.
Is there a sin in my life that needs removed? It may mean bloody war to root out that sin, but it's worth it. After that sin is removed though, I must ask myself, with what am I replacing that space in my life? Will it draw me toward God, or draw me away?
"Thus Jehu destroyed Baal out of Israel....But Jehu took no heed to walk in the law of the LORD God of Israel with all his heart: for he departed not from the sins of Jeroboam, which made Israel to sin."
Jehu accomplished a work that no king before was able to do. It took dedication and tenacity. Yet despite his willingness to commit to getting rid of an evil, he had no commitment to replacing it with good.
Our lives are never stagnant, and while we may stumble and rise again, we are always in motion toward God or away from God. Jehu stopped Israel from heading away from God and toward Baal, yet he did not redirect them toward God. And as a result, they continued to drift away from their Savior.
Is there a sin in my life that needs removed? It may mean bloody war to root out that sin, but it's worth it. After that sin is removed though, I must ask myself, with what am I replacing that space in my life? Will it draw me toward God, or draw me away?
Not One Word Shall Fall
2 Kings 10:10
"Know now that there shall fall unto the earth nothing of the word of the LORD, which the LORD spake concerning the house of Ahab: for the LORD hath done that which he spake by his servant Elijah."
Trust in God should not be a radical thing. He has proved Himself more times than we can ever know, in more powerful ways than we can fathom. Therefore, explicit trust in the Creator should be a given.
What He speaks will come to pass. This should encourage and motivate us. We can trust the truth that one day we will all face eternity, either with Christ in paradise, or else in Hell because of a rejection of Christ.
This knowledge, spurs us on to be like Elijah, speaking God's word, being His faithful messenger. A servant obeys his master. How much more should we obey an infallible Master?
How can I let God's trustworthiness motivate me today?
"Know now that there shall fall unto the earth nothing of the word of the LORD, which the LORD spake concerning the house of Ahab: for the LORD hath done that which he spake by his servant Elijah."
Trust in God should not be a radical thing. He has proved Himself more times than we can ever know, in more powerful ways than we can fathom. Therefore, explicit trust in the Creator should be a given.
What He speaks will come to pass. This should encourage and motivate us. We can trust the truth that one day we will all face eternity, either with Christ in paradise, or else in Hell because of a rejection of Christ.
This knowledge, spurs us on to be like Elijah, speaking God's word, being His faithful messenger. A servant obeys his master. How much more should we obey an infallible Master?
How can I let God's trustworthiness motivate me today?
Way of the Kings
2 Kings 8:18-19
"And he walked in the way of the kings of Israel, as did the house of Ahab: for the daughter of Ahab was his wife: and he did evil in the sight of the LORD. Yet the LORD would not destroy Judah for David his servant's sake, as he promised him to give him alway a light, and to his children."
Israel was warned exactly what having a king would mean for them. This was not God's perfect plan for them, though He still worked it out to His will. All the way back to Samuel, Israel was warned against establishing a monarchy, yet they ignored the warnings. And look what happened.
Kings like David were an exception to a rule. The rule was the "way of the kings of Israel" - idolatry, wickedness, iniquity. That was their way, David, the exception chose to walk in God's way instead.
David's choice resulted in God's mercy being poured out again and again on an undeserving nation. A nation of prostitutes who went after evil false gods, rejecting outright the love, mercy and grace of the One True God.
Sound familiar?
"And he walked in the way of the kings of Israel, as did the house of Ahab: for the daughter of Ahab was his wife: and he did evil in the sight of the LORD. Yet the LORD would not destroy Judah for David his servant's sake, as he promised him to give him alway a light, and to his children."
Israel was warned exactly what having a king would mean for them. This was not God's perfect plan for them, though He still worked it out to His will. All the way back to Samuel, Israel was warned against establishing a monarchy, yet they ignored the warnings. And look what happened.
Kings like David were an exception to a rule. The rule was the "way of the kings of Israel" - idolatry, wickedness, iniquity. That was their way, David, the exception chose to walk in God's way instead.
David's choice resulted in God's mercy being poured out again and again on an undeserving nation. A nation of prostitutes who went after evil false gods, rejecting outright the love, mercy and grace of the One True God.
Sound familiar?
The Man of God Wept
2 Kings 8:11
"And he settled his countenance steadfastly, until he was ashamed: and the man of God wept."
It is hard to imagine Elisha crying. This great man of God, who was one of the most powerful prophets of all time, weeping tears of sorrow for what is to come. However here we see a side of Elisha that is both curious and instructive.
Elisha was not a selfish man. No man that is truly walking in the Spirit can be. Being prosperous and successful was not one of his considerations, as evidenced by his refusal of the riches Naaman tried to give him. Elisha cared not for himself, but for his God, and for others. That is why his entire life was a ministry, demonstrating God's love and power.
Elisha is one of the greatest examples of waking in the Spirit that the Bible gives us. And part of his example is selfless love and caring about others. Not easy, but something we all must strive to emulate.
How am I affected by the plight of others? Does the knowledge that everyone I see will have eternity someday move me?
"And he settled his countenance steadfastly, until he was ashamed: and the man of God wept."
It is hard to imagine Elisha crying. This great man of God, who was one of the most powerful prophets of all time, weeping tears of sorrow for what is to come. However here we see a side of Elisha that is both curious and instructive.
Elisha was not a selfish man. No man that is truly walking in the Spirit can be. Being prosperous and successful was not one of his considerations, as evidenced by his refusal of the riches Naaman tried to give him. Elisha cared not for himself, but for his God, and for others. That is why his entire life was a ministry, demonstrating God's love and power.
Elisha is one of the greatest examples of waking in the Spirit that the Bible gives us. And part of his example is selfless love and caring about others. Not easy, but something we all must strive to emulate.
How am I affected by the plight of others? Does the knowledge that everyone I see will have eternity someday move me?
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